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Native son Michael Feinstein to bring his show home
by Kaizaad Kotwal
Columbus-One of Ohio's most talented and famous sons is coming home to regale audiences with his musical virtuosity and warmth of spirit. The "fine" in Michael Feinstein could be attributed to many things-his superb voice, his prolific repertoire, his handsome looks, his infectious humor and his graciousness and generosity. Feinstein will be making two appearances in Columbus in July.
Born and raised in Columbus, the openly gay singer and composer says it is a "place that I'm happy I was raised because it is the best of mid-America and I cherish the values I gained there."
Feinstein concedes that he loves visiting but could never live here "because my life is so different now."
When I asked what appealed to him most about Ohio he quickly quipped, with a large dose of his infectious laughter, "The price of real estate! I come here and I want to buy up everything.”.
Feinstein is in the midst of a tour although he is spending most of the summer in the studio recording a new album. Feinstein's repertoire during his tour includes many numbers from his most recent CD-a tribute to the music of George Gershwin. His recently released 16th album Michael and George: Feinstein Sings Gershwin, made in honor of Gershwin's 100th birthday, is another notch in an already acclaimed and dazzling career.
"I have toured and performed mostly with symphonies or as a soloist," Feinstein said during an interview from New York, "but on this tour I am performing with a six-piece group and the sound is newer and jazzier."
"I also do my solo numbers at the piano," he added, "but I have the flexibility to get up from the piano."
While Feinstein enthusiastically claims that the tour is "a lot of fun for me," he knows that it can "get very grueling and exhausting at times." Feinstein's hectic schedule could playing in Ha Angeles on city on Su
"It becom to maintai being, but better care d than I ever di
This inc healthy diet,e lots of vitam and ginseng, a wearing an io izer around hi neck while
accumulating all those air miles.
The best part of touring for Feinstein is "connecting with audiences."
the
Michael Feinstein
"Even if I don't feel all that great and I am tired," he explains, "once I get onto the stage I feel great."
Feinstein loves "making that connection with the audiences," and indeed it is his supreme ability to really communi-
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cate with each member of the audience that adds a whole new dimension and depth to his talents. From intimate appearances and bookstores to playing large concert halls in Chicago and New York, Feinstein can make it seem like he is speaking to each individu
a private tête-à-tête. he also shops avidly at nd flea markets for sheet las and other musical While music is his al calling, Feinstein of other, more' perlfillment from it as
"I became a performer because I wanted to share the story," he said. "Even if I
was never on a
stage I would get a lot of fulfillment from just listening, because not
ROGER DONG
only is it
transforming for the soul and temperament, but music
also heals." Many of Feinstein's in-
fluences have had great careers as composers for film scores, and he himself has just taken that leap by composing the score to Get Bruce, a Miramax film about gay journalist and media personality Bruce Vilanch.
"I would love to do more film scores given the time an opportunity," Feinstein confesses.
His future projects include a new album with the Maynard Ferguson Band. "Our CD will be a swing collection with two original songs by me."
These days, Feinstein spends his time between Los Angeles and New York when he is not on tour.
Feinstein was nominated at this year's Grammys and "many people had said that I was going to win, so for a moment I was disappointed when I didn't.”
"But Patty Paige won," he graciously adds, "and she is a lady who deserved it. I will have many more opportunities to win," he says with no hint of arrogance ,but more of a sense of reverence for the great artists who have come before him. "I mean Rosemary Clooney has been nominated 14 times and never won, and I want her to win one," he adds.
Away from music, Feinstein nourishes his passion for nature whether it be strolling through Central Park, driving along the California coast, or hiking along the trails of Griffith Park in Los Angeles. But he gets the most fulfillment from his two-year relationship with a partner who is able to spend a lot of time when he is on tour.
Feinstein will appear at the Columbus Association for the Performing Arts' "Rhythm 'n' Zoo" series at the Columbus Zoo on Friday, July 9 at 8:00 p.m. For tickets, call CAPA at 614-469-1045. He will also be making an appearance at the Borders Bookstore, 6670 Sawmill Road, on July 10 at 3:00 p.m; 614-718-9877.
Regina set designer helps foster future theater people
by Richard Berrong
Cleveland-For its second production of the season, Lyric Opera Cleveland is presenting Regina, an American musical theater masterpiece by gay composer and martyr Marc Blitzstein, who was brutally murdered because of his sexuality. The work is a faithful setting of Lillian Hellman's powerful The Little Foxes, a play associated with two gay icons, Tallulah Bankhead, who created the lead on Broadway, and Bette Davis, who portrayed Regina in the film version.
Regina recounts the story of three women, the title character, her sister-in-law Birdie, and her daughter Alexandra. All have to deal with social repression in a very old-fashioned, tradition-bound, conservative South, but each reacts in a different way. Birdie caves in, dulling the resulting pain with alcohol. Regina becomes catty and combative, manipulating others to stay in control. Alexandra arrives at a humane compromise, finding the strength to free herself without hurting others to do so.
I spoke about Lyric's upcoming production with Mark Kobak, the company's new openly-gay set designer. Working with new director Gary Race, the two are intent upon providing stagings that are as fully realized as possible. Costumes will be period, and sets will evoke the sumptuous decors of Southern Victoriana.
For Kobak, coming back to Cleveland to work under a director who encourages contribution from his artists is particularly excit**ing. Kobak got his start in set design here over a decade ago when, leaving a position in teaching, he volunteered to work for the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival under resi-
dent designer John Ezell, an artist whose work Kobak had been admiring for many
seasons.
While still in Cleveland, Kobak also became involved with Cain Park. Then he set off for the University of Missouri-Kansas City, so he could pursue graduate study under Ezell. That program gave him a general fine arts background that allowed him to move to New York City, where he had dreamed of working. There, in addition to theater, he discovered the wide range of possibilities open to a well-trained stage designer, becoming involved in television and staged events as diverse as the Toy Fair and Victoria's Secret.
Now Kobak has returned to Cleveland where, in addition to his work for Lyric Opera, he makes a serious effort to foster future theater people. This summer, for example, he is one of several area artists involved in the Cleveland Public Schools' new program to introduce young children to career possibilities in the arts and the collaborative process.
Northeast Ohio's gay community will have a chance to enjoy one example of Kobak's collaborative efforts when Lyric Opera Cleveland presents Regina July 7, 10, and 15 at 7:00 p.m. and July 11 at 2:00 p.m. The evening performances have an hour intermission and there are tables on the grounds of the Cleveland Institute of Music, where the performances will take place, so theatergoers can bring a picnic dinner or order one from Lyric Opera. (Box dinners must be ordered at least three days in advance.) To order tickets and dinners call 216231-2910.