GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE July 2, 1999

antogsout

Native son Michael Feinstein to bring his show home

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 Mchael cinstein could be attributed to mats things his superh voice, his prolitic reportone, his handsome looks, his textwas him and his graciousness and hctosits Feinstem will be making two paldas in I olunhas m hul

Born india sedint'olumbus, the openly 315 simvt and composer says it is a “place shit I'm happy I was raised because it is the best of midAmerica and I cherish the values Í gamed there “

Lemstem 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 lage dine of his infectious Laughter, The price of real estate! I come here and I wan to buy up everything "*

Tansy @ & in the midst at a fouT wtbaugh he is spending most of Jbx prakt in de stade rending a new Lanstem's repertoare darne bas *. teamber from li most in the USA

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n home! ! vists wat's tooth butladas. is an ther 4 lady acclaimed and

The stoned and performed mostly with sala's in as a solmust." Feinstem said it der ew hun York, but on this tour I am performing with a six-piece *p and the sound is newer and pazzir*

"I also do my solo numbers at the plano. 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. Feinstem's hectic schedule could mean playing in llawaii on Friday, in Los Angeles on Saturday and another city on Sunday.

**It becomes very difficult To maintain my body and being, but I take much better care of myself now than I ever die” he said. This inc des healthy diet.e lots of vitam and ginseng. 4 wearing an ionizer around his nock while accumulating all those air miles. The best parfod touting for Feinstein is connecting with audiences

the

"Even

Michael Feinstein

don t feel all that great and I am tired." he plams, "once I get onto the stage I feel great.**

Feinstem loves making that conneeton 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 individual in a private tête-à-tête. While on tour, he also shops avidly at antique stores and flea markets for sheet music, Victrolas and other musical memorabilia. While music is his professional calling. Feinstein gets a lot of other, more porsonal fulfillment from it us

"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

temperiament, but music

also heals." Many of Feinstein's influences 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 Party 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. Fortickets. 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 -of its second production ot the season, Eyrie Opera Cleveland is pres senting Regina, an American musical theater masterpiece by gay composer and martyr Mare 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 Kubak, the company's new openly gay set designer. Working with new director Ciary 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 exciting 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-

den designer John Fzell an artist whose work kobik had been luring for many

While sull in: A leveland. Kobak also became involved with Cam Park Then he set off for the University of Missouri-kansas City, so he could pursue graduate study under I-zell. 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 pm. 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.