Harnetiaux’s play ‘National Pastime’ a hit in Pasadena

“NATIONAL PASTIME,” a play about black baseball pioneer Jackie Robinson by Spokane playwright Bryan Harnetiaux, had successful runs in Spokane in 1998 (Firth Chew Studio Theatre) and 2003 (the Onyx Theatre Troupe).

Now it’s playing in a much larger market: Greater L.A.

“National Pastime” opened March 19 at the Fremont Centre Theatre, a professional theater in Pasadena, and the reviews have been glowing.

“(Harnetiaux has a) gift for dialogue and humor, and he clearly understands the broader implications,” wrote Los Angeles Times theater critic David C. Nichols. “… His moving labor of love scores a home run.”

The play will continue at least until April 24, and may be extended due to demand.

Harnetiaux is an unlikely combination: a lawyer by day, and the Spokane Civic Theatre’s longtime playwright-in-residence.

He said last week that this play is not his most-produced, but it appears to have “grabbed people” more than any of his others. He flew down to Pasadena several times during the rehearsal process and was there for the opening.

Harnetiaux just signed another contract for a February 2006 production of “National Pastime” at an even higher-profile theater, the Stamford Theatre Works in Connecticut.

More Jackson reviews

Cheyenne Jackson, another Spokane product, continues to get ink for his lead performance as Chad in Broadway’s all-Elvis musical, “All Shook Up.”

Here are a few more Jackson notices, bad and good:

Elysa Gardner, USA Today: “Tall, dark and hammy, Cheyenne Jackson plays the Elvis-like leading man with all of the sincerity of a Chippendale dancer trying to bilk a drunk matron.”

Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter: “Jackson is a real find in the lead role, impossibly handsome and charismatic, and as adept in his singing and comic timing as he is at replicating Elvis’ pelvic swivels.”

David Rooney, Variety: “Almost outlandishly tall, with big, impossibly handsome features, Jackson is a magnetic presence and a natural for musicals, a confident comedy performer with a seductive singing style.”

Scheck and Rooney liked the show and predicted a healthy Broadway run.

Gardner, on the other hand, referred to it as “the latest professional karaoke contest to masquerade as a Broadway musical.”

Local Nielsen ratings

The February sweeps Nielsen ratings show few surprises for local news broadcasts.

KREM-2 leads KHQ-6 at 5 p.m., with KXLY-4 in third. KHQ pulls ahead of KREM at 6 and 11 p.m., with KXLY in third.

The one change is at 10 p.m., when KAYU-28’s news (produced by KHQ) has pulled slightly ahead of KSKN-22’s (produced by KREM) for the first time. Both stations’ numbers, however, remain low compared to the 11 p.m. news viewership.

‘Gimme the Mike’

The local TV talent show “Gimme the Mike” is back for a second season beginning tonight at 6:30 tonight on KHQ-6.

About 500 singers auditioned for this season; 20 were selected to compete on the show. There will be seven shows, every Sunday at 6:30 p.m., culminating in a finale in which the winner will receive a Toyota Prius.

For more information (or to vote each week) go to www.gimmethemike.tv.

Kenny Garrett on tap

Advance notice: The Whitworth Jazz Ensemble will host guest artist Kenny Garrett in its fall concert on Nov. 5.

Garrett is one of the top saxophonists in jazz, best-known for his collaborations with such giants as Miles Davis, Chick Corea and Art Blakey.

‘American Bellydancer’

Here’s something that sounds just too … unusual to pass up.

The documentary film “American Bellydancer” arrives at The Met on Friday for showings at 5:30 and 8 p.m.

This is about, and I quote, “the bellydance movement in the United States and its impact on Middle Eastern cultures.”

Yes, apparently there is a bellydance movement, involving groups such as the Bellydance Superstars and the Desert Roses (who performed at The Met in January). Both are managed by Miles Copeland, the rock impresario behind the Police among others.

“American Bellydancer” tickets are on sale in advance through TicketsWest outlets (325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).