Love birds reprise roles on stage where they fell in love 10
years ago
48 HOURS
If it wasn’t love, it was something like it when Charlotte Carpenter
and Bill Lewis met at auditions 10 years ago for Glendale Centre
Theatre’s “The Music Man.”
They both got the leads then, and are reprising their roles in
Meredith Willson’s romantic musical about a fast-talking,
fly-by-night salesman who falls in love with River City’s no-nonsense
librarian.
“I thought he was adorable at the call-back auditions, so I was
really hoping I’d be cast in the play,” Carpenter said.
Lewis, who is directing the play, also noticed Carpenter at the
call-back auditions.
“The first time I saw her, I was infatuated!” he said without
hesitation. “There were three actresses up for the role, but it was
blatant to me she was the right one.”
Lewis was cast as Harold Hill after the first call back, and when
he saw Carpenter at the second call back, he thought they had
probably chosen her to play Marian Paroo.
“And when I got to my first cast meeting, there was Charlotte
sitting there,” Lewis said happily.
Carpenter fondly remembers their first kiss on stage during
rehearsal.
“He was very polite and asked if it was OK,” she said. “I thought
it was the sweetest thing ever. That was his idea of theater
etiquette, you always check first. That was mighty impressive also.”
The were married six years ago in the backyard of their Burbank
home.
They agree their favorite scene together is when they meet at the
footbridge and sing “Till There Was You.”
“I looked forward to it then and I still do now,” Lewis said.
Reuniting the couple on stage is a natural for the family-owned
theater, said Tim Dietlein, who co-owns the theater with his wife,
Brenda.
“A husband and wife playing romantic leads fits in with our motto
-- Glendale Centre Theatre, California’s family theater,” Dietlein
said. “We want to have them on stage together because they have real
good chemistry.”
Dietlein said couples coming together at the theater is not
unusual.
“Over the last 20 years, about a dozen couples have met at the
theater and have gotten married,” he said. “That’s how I met my wife
Brenda.”
“The Music Man” continues through July 12. Tickets range from $14
to $17. For reservations, call 244-8481. Glendale Centre Theatre is
at 324 N. Orange St., Glendale.
SPECIAL EVENTS
COLLEGE DANCERS PERFORM FREE SHOW
Dance Performance 2003, a free event, will be presented at 8
tonight and 2 p.m. Sunday in the Glendale Community College Dance
Theatre.
The show, which has run for more than 30 years, offers many dance
styles, including jazz and ballet. Professor Lynn McMurrey is the
director. Students perform and choreograph the dances as part of
their course work. Faculty also create choreography.
One number, titled “Passages/Entanglements/ Ciphers,” is
choreographed by the spring artist-in-residence Celia Carey Weiss.
She has an master’s degree in dance from UCLA. Weiss has studied with
Marcel Nyam of the National Ballet of Cameroon and with Florencia
Pierre and Troupe JAKA in Haiti. She has performed in Los Angeles
with the Shirley Martin Dancers and Troupe Ayizan among others.
Children younger than 5 will not be admitted. Early arrival is
advised as seating is limited. The Dance Theatre is in the Sierra
Nevada Gym.
COLLEGE VOCALISTS IN SPRING CONCERT
Glendale Community College Choir and Vocal Ensemble will give a
concert at 4 p.m. Sunday in the college auditorium.
The College Choir will present music dating from the Renaissance
period through contemporary African American works.
The new GCC Vocal Ensemble will present some well-known vocal jazz
tunes, with a jazz combo backing them up. This ensemble has given
many performances around the community this year, and won top honors
at a statewide jazz festival in San Luis Obispo in March.
Peter Green is director of both groups. He also teaches piano,
keyboard harmony, music fundamentals and is an applied music
instructor.
Admission is $5, $3 for students and seniors.
ON STAGE
GROVE THEATRE CENTER UNVEILS ‘OTHELLO’
“Othello” continues this weekend at the Grove Theatre Center in
Burbank.
Othello follows the story of the title character, a very
successful Moorish soldier living in the very white society of
Venice. He secretly marries Desdemona, the white daughter of a
prominent Venetian, whose father immediately complains to the Duke.
But the strong love enjoyed between Desdemona and Othello carries
them through and on to Cyprus, where Othello is dispatched to repel
an invasion by the Turks. Tragedy ensues as Othello’s ensign, Iago,
craftily plays upon the trusting nature of Othello and slowly
convinces him of Desdemona’s infidelity.
Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays
through June 7. There is no performance on Sunday. Tickets are $17.50
for Fridays and Sundays and $19.50 for Saturdays. There is a $5
discount for Burbank residents.
GTC Burbank (formerly the Burbank Little Theater) is at 1111-b W.
Olive Ave., in Burbank. For reservations, call 238-9998. The box
office is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday and prior to
all performances. Tickets can be purchased online 24 hours a day via
the Internet at www.gtc.org.
FALCON THEATRE PRESENTS ‘3 LITTLE PIGS’
The Falcon Theatre is producing “3 Little Pigs,” written by Carole
Unter and directed by Joseph Leo Bwarie, through June 22.
Embarking on a fun-filled adventure in storytelling and
architecture, the “3 Little Pigs” playfully rewrite their own classic
tale as they learn about the power of the imagination and the
importance of friendship.
Show times are 1 and 3 p.m. Saturdays and 1 p.m. Sundays. Tickets
are $10. The Falcon Theatre is at 4252 Riverside Drive, in Burbank.
For information and reservations call 955-8101.
BURBANK RESIDENT DIRECTING NEW PLAY
Jhennifer Webberley, a Burbank resident, is directing and
producing an original play, “Sebastian and the Tattooed Love
Librarian,” at the Secret Rose Theatre in North Hollywood.
Webberley, who recently graduated with a master’s in fine arts
from USC film school, has found her way back to theater with this
contemporary comedy about relationships.
The play by Debra Neff Nathans is a story that examines the
relationships between gay men and the women who adore them. Dora, a
self-proclaimed “fag hag,” struggles to combine her flamboyant fruit
fly lifestyle with her new found secret straight love.
Show times are 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 7 p.m.
Sundays through June 8. Tickets are $20 with discounts for groups,
students and seniors. For reservations, call 845-5148. The theater is
at 11246 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood.
BURBANK ACTOR STARS IN ‘MEET ME AT THE OAK’
Burbank actor Phil Hawn is starring in the play, “Meet Me at the
Oak,” at the Whitmore-Lindley Theatre in North Hollywood.
This is the inaugural production of The Los Angeles African
American Repertory Company, written and directed by award-winning
playwright, Layon Gray. Hawn plays Frank Beaudoin, the father of a
Caucasian family that moves into an all African American Louisiana
neighborhood in 1955. When his little girl falls from an old oak tree
in a neighbor’s yard, the local law, on Frank’s behalf, informs the
African-American family that the tree must be chopped down. They
refuse due to the history of the tree -- many of their ancestors were
hung from it.
Hawn, who appeared in the feature film “Supreme Sanction” and the
Internet short “Spoof! An Insider’s Guide to Short Film Success,”
recently completed three festival award-winning short films and TV
commercials.
Show times are 8 p.m. Saturdays and 7 p.m. Sundays. The play runs
indefinitely. Tickets are $20 and can be reserved by calling
761-0704. The theater is at 11006 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood.
ART EXHIBITS
SETSU DISPLAYS ‘PORTRAITS AND PANORAMAS’
The Art of Japanese-American artist Setsu is featured at The
Forest Lawn Museum in Forest Lawn, Glendale through Aug. 3.
The exhibit represents the journey one has on the path of life as
well as experiences that touch the lives of Los Angelenos each in a
unique and personal way. Setsu specializes in portraits capturing the
story her subjects have to tell and reflecting on her experiences as
a Japanese American citizen. All of her paintings bring together the
influence she has felt, from her background to the painting styles of
Van Gogh and Renoir.
The exhibit hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Aug. 3.
Forest Lawn Museum is at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, 1712 S.
Glendale Ave. Admission is free. For more information, call (800)
204-3131, ext. 4545.
SAGHATELIAN EXHIBIT EXTENDED AT HARVEST GALLERY
The exhibit of works by Armenian artist Samuel Saghatelian has
been extended through June 15 at the Harvest Gallery in Glendale.
One of the most prominent artists of The Armenian Center for
Contemporary Experimental Art in Yerevan, Saghatelian has had group
and solo exhibitions in Russia, Europe and South America. He was one
of the artists whose work was shown in the Armenian Pavilion in the
2001 Venice Biennale in Italy, and his works are part of the
permanent collection of the Yerevan Museum of Contemporary Art.
Working with oils on canvas and paper, Saghatelian presents
colorful, dramatic and startling insights into human nature,
relationships and existence itself.
Harvest Gallery is at 938 N. Brand Blvd. Hours are from 11 a.m. to
7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For more information, call 546-1000.
ART ASSOCIATION HAS SPRING SHOW
The Burbank Art Assn. is sponsoring its annual Spring Show at the
Burbank Central Library.
The winners are: Best of Show, Honors Division, Tony Provenzano
for the entry, “India Woman;” Best of Show, Open Division, Veli Bill
Saame for the piece “Land of Midnight Sun;” first place, Honors
Division, Tony Provenzano; first place in landscape, Open Division,
Dortha Enquist; first place, Still Life, Floral and Life, Adele Styk;
and Special Category, first place, Joan Hutton.
In addition, the association presented monetary awards to local
students for their entries. Winners are Carolina Bubler, first place,
John Burroughs; June Jewel, second place, Burroughs; Wong Jong Lee,
third place, Burbank High School; and honorable mentions, Susan
Estrada, Burroughs; Gina Bang, Burbank High and Aikui Kalonyan,
Burbank High.
The show runs through Thursday in the second floor auditorium of
the Burbank Central Library, 110 N. Glenoaks Blvd., Burbank. The
auditorium is open to the public during library hours except when in
use.
PAINTINGS ON EXHIBIT AT WAX POETIC SALON
Under the title, “Maladies and Other Disappointments,” Chad Bell
is showing his most recent collection of oil paintings at Wax Poetic
Salon in Burbank.
The self-taught draftsman and sculptor, Bell was inspired by the
loose paint strokes of Lucian Freud’s later pieces and turned to
painting. He is also influenced by the works of Egon Schiele, Chuck
Close, and the dark sensibilities attributed to the folk of the
upper-Midwest.
The exhibit runs through June 30. Wax Poetic Salon, specializing
in skin care, waxing and massage, is also a boutique and art gallery.
It is at 3208 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank.
ARTISTS SHOW AT DESCANSO GARDENS
Six regional artists, known for depicting nature in a variety of
styles and media, are exhibiting their works until Thursday at
Descanso Gardens’ Boddy House Gallery.
Louise Forbes will bring her creatures of the woods -- painted in
oil on wood panels --back to the Boddy House Gallery. Her animals,
exotic flowers and birds “emerge” with the grain of the wood.
Margot Lennartz, who organizes the exhibits at the Boddy House,
will exhibit a collection of plein-air paintings titled “From the
Desert to the Sea.” Her oil paintings are created on location
throughout the Southland and are inspired by the California
Impressionists.
Sallie O’Neill will return for the ninth year with a collection of
earthy sculptures and reflect spiritual and emotional interactions
among people.
Barbara Rog offers practical pottery that integrates form,
function and beauty, recognizable by colorful glazes that have become
her trademark.
Nancy Shiershke, who has exhibited at Descanso since 1995, brings
her “California Light” collection, vibrant, impressionistic
watercolors of California scenes.
Carol Sils adds another dimension to this month’s rich array of
ceramics with high-fire porcelain reminiscent of pottery of the
Chinese Song Dynasty of 960-1278 AD. Her work includes functional and
sculptural pieces and includes a new original “Women Series.”
The Boddy House Gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and
accessible by foot path or, in the afternoons, by tram. Admission is
free with admission to the Gardens.
Hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. The exhibit continues
through June 5.
Descanso Gardens is at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Parking is free. Admission fees
are $5; $3 for seniors and students; $1 for children 5 to 12, and
free for members and children 5 and younger. For more information,
call 949-4200.
ARMENIAN ARTISTS SHOW AT FOREST LAWN MUSEUM
“From Ararat to America,” an unprecedented collection of art by
contemporary Armenian artists, is featured in a exhibit at Forest
Lawn Museum in Forest Lawn Memorial-Park, Glendale.
Artists in the exhibit are Martiros Adalian, Raffi Adalyan,
Vladimir Atanian, Vahe Berberian, Vahe Fattal, Charles Garabedian,
Gaspar Gharibyan, Kaloust Guedel (Guedelekian), Vachag (Vachik
Der-Sarkisian), Samvel Harbardzumyan, Narine Isajanyan, Emil Kazaz,
Alina Mnatsakanian, Alexander Sadoyan, Sev (Henrik Khachatryan),
Zadik Zadikian, Zareh, and Suren Karapetian.
The exhibit continues through July 13. Forest Lawn is at 1712 S.
Glendale Ave. For more information, call (323) 340-4561.
A LITTLE JAZZ WITH DINNER
RESTAURANT OFFERS MUSIC FROM ‘20s, ‘30s, ‘40s
The Oceanview Bar and Grill offers live entertainment six nights a
week for diners.
Entertainers perform a combination of piano and jazz guitar
pieces, and some accompany with vocals. Musical selections include a
mix of music from the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s to opera to Celine Dion.
Some entertainers also perform their original pieces and invite
diners to sing along with them.
Jennifer Russell and Michael Gayle sing jazz while playing piano
and guitar from 7 to 10 tonight. Singing behind the piano the rest of
the week are Bill Howe on Monday; Travis Warren, Tuesday; Mary Ekler,
Wednesday; Alexandra Caselli, Thursday; and Bob Fetherolf, Friday.
The Oceanview Bar and Grill is at 3826 Ocean View Blvd. For more
information, call 248-2722.
RUSTY PELICAN COOKS WITH LIVE MUSIC
Glendale’s Rusty Pelican, 300 Harvey Drive in Glendale, serves
dinner and Sunday brunch, but really cooks with its live singing and
music.
There’s karaoke from 7:30 to 11 p.m. Wednesdays, live jazz from
7:30 to 11 p.m. Fridays and live blues from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Saturdays. For information or to make reservations, call 242-9191.
MUSEUMS
BURBANK HISTORICAL SOCIETY OFFERS EXHIBITS OF BURBANK
The Burbank Historical Society’s Gordon R. Howard Museum Complex
features exhibits of early Burbank. There are extensive collections
of vintage vehicles, costumes, dolls, cameras and special sections on
the history of Lockheed, Disney and Warner Bros. studios.
Hours are from 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays.
Admission is free, but donations are accepted. The complex is at
1015 W. Olive Ave., Burbank. Parking is available at George Izay Park
lot off Clark Avenue.
For more information, call 841-6333.
BURBANK MUSEUM DEDICATED TO AVIATION
Burbank Aviation Museum is dedicated to the memory of the men and
women who made aviation history in the San Fernando Valley.
Located at Pierce Brothers Valhalla Cemetery, artifacts are
displayed in the Portal of the Folded Wings-Shrine to Aviation, an
ornate domed building that is listed on the National Register of
Historic Places. Visitors can enter on Valhalla Boulevard behind
Fry’s Electronics, off Hollywood Way or use the main entrance at
10621 Victory Blvd.
The Portal building is accessible from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily for
viewing the cenotaphs and burial stones.
The aviation displays can be viewed from noon to 4 p.m. on
Sundays. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. For more
information, call 845-3300.
THE DOCTORS’ HOUSE FEATURES GLENDALE HISTORY
The Doctors’ House, tucked inside Brand Park in Glendale, is a
Victorian home in Queen Anne Eastlake-style open to the public from 2
to 4 p.m. Sundays. Built in the 1880s by real-estate entrepreneur
E.T. Byram, the house has been restored. Brand Park is at 1601 W.
Mountain St., Glendale.
BOLTON HALL FEATURES EARLY SUNLAND, TUJUNGA
Bolton Hall Museum in Tujunga, run by the Little Landers
Historical Society, features historical displays relating to the
Sunland and Tujunga areas. It is open to the public at 1 p.m.
Tuesdays and Sundays. Admission is free. The museum is at 10110
Commerce Ave., Tujunga.
For information, call 352-3420.
KARAOKE
SWING DANCING, KARAOKE COMBINE AT THE MIX
The Mix, at 2612 Honolulu Ave. in Montrose, offers Top 40 music
played by a disc jockey on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. On
Wednesday, there is swing-dancing instruction from 8 to 9 p.m.
followed by swing dancing from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Karaoke is offered
at 9:30 p.m. Thursday. There are also 12 pool tables and a pool
league, dart boards and a darts league, and the occasional live music
band. Cover is $3 on the weekend, $2 on Tuesdays and $5 on
Wednesdays. Call 248-3040.
DANCING
GO TO GIGGLES FOR SALSA, LATIN HOUSE
Giggles night club, 215 N. Brand Blvd. in Glendale, is offering a
mixture of dancing and salsa lessons Fridays.
Salsa and merengue dancing are offered on the lower level Friday
and Saturday. On the main floor, Spanish rock and pop are played
Friday, while Latin house, trance and Top 40 are offered Saturday.
There is a strict dress code. The club is open 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Friday and Saturday. Admission is $12 both nights. Call 500-7800.
ATTRACTIONS
SKATING IS COOL FUN AT PICKWICK ARENA
Pickwick Ice Skating Arena, 1001 Riverside Drive in Burbank, has
public skating, figure skating and ice-hockey lessons. It is also
available for private parties. Public sessions are from 2:30 to 4:30
p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 8 to 10 p.m. Saturdays; 1:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and 8:15 to 9:45 p.m. Wednesdays.
Admission is $6, $5 for 17 and younger, and $3 extra for skate
rentals. Call 846-0035.
EQUESTRIAN CENTER GREAT FOR HORSING AROUND
The Los Angeles Equestrian Center, 480 Riverside Drive in Burbank,
has horse events throughout the year but also rents out the animals
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Horse rentals are $20 for one hour, $30
for 1 1/2 hours, and $35 for two hours, all with a $15 deposit, cash only. Private hourlong lessons are $35.
Private parties can take night rides or, for the summer only,
sunset barbecue rides. The sunset rides are also open to the public.
To horse around, call 840-8401, or for general information about the
center, call 840-9063.
TALK TO THE ANIMALS AT THE LOS ANGELES ZOO
The L.A. Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is
$8.25, $5.25 for seniors 65 and older, $3.25 for kids 2 to 12 and
free for kids younger than 2. Parking is free and strollers and
wheelchairs are available to rent. The zoo is at 5333 Zoo Drive, Los
Angeles. Call (323) 644-6400. It is closed on Christmas Day.
CONCERT
PASADENA POPS UNVEILS SUMMER SEASON AT DESCANSO
The programs have been announced for the Pasadena Pops Orchestra’s
summer season performed at Descanso Gardens.
A “Red, White and Blue” salute featuring the music of the Andrew
Sisters is June 27 and 28. Then it’s a night of music “Fit for a
King,” with highlights from “The King and I” and Elvis July 18 and 19
followed by a dance theme on Aug. 15 and 16. “Beyond the Stars” is
the topic Sept. 5 and 6 and Cherish the Ladies, a non-subscription
event, is Aug. 2. Rachael Worby is music director and conductor.
For tickets, call (626) 792-7677.
* If you have press releases for the 48 Hours column, please call
JOYCE RUDOLPH at 637-3241 or e-mail joyce.rudolph@latimes.com or fax
them to 241-1975.