The Crowd: Barclay Theatre is a happening place
Things are happening at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.
Jerry Mandel, former boss at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, has taken the helm as president at the UC Irvine-based theater, and the upcoming performance roster is creating local buzz. Upcoming events include headliners Mathew Morrison, George Benson, Arlo Guthrie and more.
Mandel, his staff and the board have lofty goals through ARTSReach, a program designed to immerse O.C. youth in the total experience of the performing arts.
Artists including Yo Yo Ma, Savion Glover and Lila Downs have been called upon to offer their expert insight through master classes put on by the Irvine Barclay.
Recently, Mandel, an accomplished saxophonist, an avocation beyond his professional duties in the arena of arts center management, joined forces with his band and singer-actress Pamela Kashani to put on a show at the Irvine Barclay. It was all about introducing O.C. arts patrons to the newly invigorated theater and Mandel’s concept for making it a destination for A-list performers.
A full house of invited patrons turned out for a Saturday evening reception and concert. Guests shared wine and appetizers backstage in a cavernous barn before being escorted at 8 p.m. through a rear door to the Barclay stage. Rows of seats had been placed there, and the audience was seated facing the proscenium and looking out at the empty seats in the theater. The band was set up on the edge of the stage facing inward.
Mandel handled the dual role of master of ceremonies and saxophonist. No easy task. In his gracious style, VIP guests and donors were introduced. Special attention was paid to Ken and Helene Rohl. Ken Rohl serves as chairman of the Barclay board.
Also honored were Mary Ann and Milt Bower, generous Barclay advocates supporting ARTSReach, among other projects. Other board members recognized included UC Irvine dignitaries Francisco Ayala, Stephen Barker and William Parker, as well as UCI Chancellor Howard Gillman and Associate Chancellor Ramona Agrela. Spotted in the crowd were Mandel’s wife, Whitney, Big Canyon’s Joan and Wally Gaynor, Laurie and Mike Mendenhall, Lynn O’Hearn Wagner and Shady Canyon’s Judy Whitmore. Also supporting Barclay were David Scott and Gayle Widyolar.
Mandel’s band sauntered onto the stage as the lights dimmed and the chatter silenced. Music director and pianist Ron Kobayashi hit the keys on a perfectly tuned concert grand, joined by fellow musicians Baba Elefante, Dave Murdy and Kendall Kay. The quality of the sound was superb.
From the back of the room, the voice of guest soloist Pamela Kashani was heard, as the statuesque blonde in a gorgeous glittering gown made her way up the aisle singing her opening number.
The show was billed as “Love & Sax.” A rundown of Broadway tunes mixed with classics from the Great American Songbook, and a little pop thrown in for good measure, followed.
Kashani, trained at Carnegie Mellon, with numerous Broadway, film and TV credits to her name, was at sublime ease with this audience. She exhibited her impressive range and powerful voice on numerous numbers, interspersed with anecdotes relating her experiences as an artist. In a sentimental moment, Kashani introduced her husband, Tim Kashani, and their teenage son, Tim Jr., to the crowd, thanking them for their love and support.
The Irvine Barclay is seeking community support. To learn more and to get involved, go to thebarclay.org. Tickets to upcoming concerts may also be purchased online.
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B.W. COOK is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.
