Filmfest to help honor birth of the Bing
The three movies in the Bing Crosby mini-film festival Thursday at the Bing Crosby Theater were not chosen lightly.
Bill Stimson, the driving force behind the theater’s name change, said the films were carefully selected for specific reasons:
• “Birth of the Blues,” 10 a.m. – In this 1941 film, Crosby plays a jazz musician who is far ahead of his time and misunderstood in his own hometown. In other words, he plays a character somewhat like the real jazz-singing Bing during his early days at the old Clemmer Theater – later called The Met, and now the Bing.
• “The Road to Singapore,” noon – This 1940 movie was the first of the famed “Road” series, in which the quip-filled “rivalry” between Bing and Bob Hope was born.
• “High Society,” 2 p.m. – With co-stars including Frank Sinatra, Grace Kelly and Louis Armstrong, this 1956 classic was selected by “popular acclaim,” said Stimson.
Admission is $5 at the door, with proceeds going toward movie rentals and a permanent display of Crosby memorabilia.
This is all a prelude to the free lighting ceremony of the new Bing Crosby Theater sign at 7 p.m. Thursday at the theater, 901 W. Sprague Ave.
Interplayers season
Interplayers Theatre, financially beleaguered but not beaten, has issued a clear declaration of optimism: a 2007-08 season schedule.
A few disclaimers are in order. Not all of the rights have been obtained; the whole season has not yet been set; and the dates are still approximate. Still, it’s an indication of the theater’s intended direction artistically.
Here’s the list:
• “The Rainmaker,” by N. Richard Nash – The comedy-drama about a farm family’s long drought, both agriculturally and romantically. The theater intends to bring back the stars of last year’s “Bus Stop,” Kelly Quinnett and Jonathan Rau. September-October.
• “Same Time, Next Year,” by Bernard Slade – The romantic comedy about a couple who meet every year in a hotel room. October-November.
• “On Golden Pond,” by Ernest Thompson – The beloved story about an elderly couple in their Maine cottage. November-December.
• “The Clean House,” by Sarah Ruhl – The poignant comedy about a Brazilian musician hired to clean house for a pair of physicians. The only problem is, the housecleaner hates to clean house. A 2005 Pulitzer finalist. February-March.
• “Rounding Third,” by Richard Dresser – A comedy about two Little League coaches with opposite philosophies. March-April 2008.
Two other slots, one in January and one in May 2008, remain open for future selection.
Season subscriptions to Interplayers are available by calling (509) 455-PLAY.
No reason to be ‘Humble’
Meanwhile, over at the Actor’s Repertory Theatre, “Humble Boy,” starring Patty Duke, is packing them in.
A few tickets are left for selected showings, but most of the run, which continues through April 22, is already sold out.
Call (509) 838-4013 soon if you want to get in on the fun.
‘Music for the People’
William Harvey, the interim concertmaster of the Spokane Symphony this season, is performing a benefit concert at CenterStage, 1017 W. First, on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
Harvey, a violinist, will perform works by Bach, Schubert, Glass and Gershwin. He’ll be joined by Jody Graves, Phil Baldwin, Randy Fisher, Tom Bandar and John Marshall.
Admission is by free-will, tax-deductible donation, with contributions going to Music for the People, a sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, which promotes international cultural understanding through music.
CenterStage’s cabaret menu will be available for purchase.
The American Piano Duo
Jeffrey Shumway and Del Parkinson, known as the American Piano Duo, will present a benefit concert April 29 at 2 p.m. in the library of the Spokane Club, 1002 W. Riverside.
These Steinway-affiliated artists will perform works by Copland, Ravel and Gershwin.
Tickets are $10, available at the Steinway Piano Gallery in the Spokane Valley Mall, or by calling (509) 327-4266.
Proceeds will benefit the scholarship fund of Musicfest Northwest, the Spokane area’s annual student competition, which begins on May 13. Students performing in the festival will receive a free ticket to the American Piano Duo concert.
Shumway is head of keyboard studies at Brigham Young University and Parkinson is professor of piano at Boise State University.
Active Singles Together
Are you single and interested in attending arts events with like-minded individuals?
A group called Active Singles Together has been revived in Spokane and is welcoming new members. The members go on group outings to concerts, plays, art openings and other cultural events. They also do potlucks and picnics as well.
Interested? Call Joy McMahon at (509) 844-7560 for information.
Engelbert’s opera
The Spokane Opera’s spring production is coming soon: “Hansel & Gretel,” May 4, 5, 11 and 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Central Valley Performing Arts Center, S. 821 Sullivan Road.
This is the family-friendly opera based on the Brothers Grimm tale, written by composer Engelbert Humperdinck.
No, not the ‘60s “Release Me” crooner. That guy stole his stage name from this German operatic composer.
Among this production’s charms: The witch will actually fly, with help from some stage magic.
Tickets are on sale through TicketsWest outlets (509-325-SEAT, 800-325-SEAT, www.ticketswest.com).