Alive and Swingin'
Pasadena Jazz Institute teams up with Pasadena Playhouse to bring both institutions back for an exciting musical weekend
By Carl Kozlowski 05/27/2010
The Pasadena Playhouse may be sadly dormant these days, canceling the production of new plays while the esteemed theatrical institution undergoes bankruptcy proceedings. But Paul Lines has a plan to bring it roaring back to life this weekend. As head of the Pasadena Jazz Institute, Lines is bringing three special nights of lively music to its stage for this weekend’s “Jazz at the Playhouse” series.
Featuring a night of “Bond & Spy Classics” on Friday, “An Evening of Gershwin” on Saturday and the Charlie Parker tribute evening “Bird Lives” on Sunday, the weekend’s selections guarantee eclectic enjoyment for music fans beyond the jazz genre. And when Lines passionately explains the historic nature of the weekend’s shows, it’s hard not to get excited well in advance.
“It’s been a dream of mine to have a show on their main stage since we started the institute nine years ago in the small Balcony Theater, I’d peer over and imagine doing a show in the big room. I never had the opportunity until now,” says Lines. “I simply called the Playhouse. I called and quite honestly didn’t expect a response, but [Playhouse artistic director] Sheldon Epps called excited about the idea and even offered the idea that moving forward, that’s what the Playhouse is looking forward to do: open the theater as more of a performing arts venue and broaden its scope with performing arts, dance, symphony and jazz as well as plays. So this is kind of a first experiment to see the community reaction.”
Those who attend are in for a real show-stopping treat, with Friday’s Bond night featuring the 17-piece, big-band Pasadena Jazz Orchestra playing 21 famous spy-movie themes and a medley of title songs from James Bond movies. Singer Mon David covers Tom Jones’ original rendition of “Thunderball,” while singer Sandra Booker covers Shirley Bassey’s “Goldfinger” and Brenna Whitaker sings “Secret Agent Man.” Throughout the show, a Bond girl will be slinking across the stage and four go-go dancers will hit the floorboards to dance to the theme from “Austin Powers.”
Saturday’s “Gershwin” show features pianist Chris Dawson in addition to a sextet with singers Janice Anderson and Sandra Booker singing, and “Rhapsody in Blue” performed by Leo Savalas at the opening of the second set.
Finally, the “Bird Lives” show features Ryan Cross and his Elevation Orchestra, conducted by Greg Porre, featuring Zane Musa on alto sax — Charlie Parker’s specialty.
“Don’t miss this historic event. I’m not kidding. Ninety-two years of the Playhouse and they never had a concert held there,” says Lines. “And now there’s three in a row — three great shows in one great venue.”
The “Jazz at the Playhouse” series takes place at 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Tickets are $29 to $75, but PW readers can key in “Jazz” for the discount code at the Web site pasadenaplayhouse.org and receive a 20 percent discount. Call (626) 356-7529.
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