OH WHAT A NIGHT WITH JERSEY BOYS DONNIE KEHR

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THE GLORIOUS CORNER

Story By: G. H. HARDING

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Donnie Kehr

OH WHAT A NIGHT --- Peggy Siegal sure knows how to throw a party. Monday’s night fete for the Clint Eastwood-directed Jersey Boys movie was simply astounding. Not only is the movie a stone-cold hit (and, more on that in a minute), but the guest list was like manna from heaven at the Plaza’s swanky-new Angelo Galasso men’s shop. How about, Paul Shaffer; Barbara Walters; Richard Belzer; Laurie Anderson; Alan Cumming; Lena Hall; Steve Kroft; Tovah Feldshuh, Melissa Leo; Clive Davis; Ron Delsener;Variety’s Peter Bart; Roger Rees; Regis and Joy Philbin; plus Broadway stars like Andy Karl from Rocky and Reeve Carney aka Spider Man; and last year’s Tony nominee Billy Magnussen; not to mention Soon-Yi Previn; Nancy Shevell McCartney; the great Bebe Neuwirth (who with Roger Rees comprised a small Cheers reunion); scribes Roger Friedman; Cindy Adams; writers Rick Elice and Marshall Brickman; Kathrine Narducci; pr-pashas Amanda Soll and David Salidor; Stanley Donen; Sopranos creator David Chase and his wife; Boardwalk Empire creator Terry Winter; Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio ... and, Candice Bergen, Tommy Tune, and, Peter Cincotti. Whew!

Not only was Clint there, but the Jersey Boys cast including Christopher Walken; John Lloyd Young; Mike Doyle; Michael Lomenda; Narducci;Vincent Piazza; Renee Marino; Erich Bergen, and Donnie Kehr .

The movie is simply terrific, with not only stellar acting, but what Eastwood has done in translating the play to the screen is inspiring. Everything in the play isn’t on the screen, but the streamlined script works brilliantly. This is the second time I’ve seen the movie and, though I had some issues with my first viewing, this time I loved it from start to finish.

John Lloyd Young’s portrayal of Valli is spot-on and you can tell he’s learned well from his role on Broadway. Plus, his presence is riveting. This should most certainly launch him into the next step of his career. Eric Bergen and Kehr deliver star turns for sure and,Walken doesn't disappoint - essaying behind-the-scenes player Angelo Gyp DeCarlo. He is brilliant. Kehr as loan-shark Norm Waxman delivers a riveting turn as well. Also brilliant, Steve Schirripa and Billy Gardell.

Plus, the music is the stuff of dreams. The ending of the movie, where they all dance to "December, 1963 (Oh What A Night)" is positively mesmerizing. Seeing Walken, an old song-and-dance man who I first caught decades ago in Hurlyburly (1974), is stunning. He and Kehr deliver some amazing moves.

This could be the movie of the summer … don't miss it.

QUADROPHENIA --- In 2012/2013, The Who embarked on the Quadrophenia and More Tour, performing their landmark rock opera in its entirety, marking the 40th anniversary of the original 1973 release of this double-album masterpiece. The critically acclaimed and highly successful tour closed at London’s Wembley Arena, with the cameras rolling, to record the closing night of this historic anniversary tour.

Filmed on July 8, 2013, Quadrophenia: Live In London features The Who in peak form, performing Quadrophenia from front to back, in its entirety, plus a special set of some of their all-time greatest hits. The film captures the band’s dynamic performance in front of their hometown crowd and features blistering performances of “The Real Me,” “The Punk And The Godfather,” “Doctor Jimmy” and a powerful performance of “Love Reign O’er Me.”

With HD screen backdrops, archival footage and today’s advanced technology in sound, the disc reunites The Who with bandmates John Entwistle, for “5:15,” and Keith Moon for his signature song “Bell Boy.” In addition to their performance of Quadrophenia, the band tear through classic tracks such as “Pinball Wizard,“ “Who Are You,” “You Better You Bet,” “Baba O’Riley,” “Won’t Get Fooled Again” and “Tea &Theatre,” from their 2006 release Endless Wire,” with the intensity and power only The Who can conjure.

Based around the story of Jimmy – the double-album masterpiece Quadrophenia tells the tale of a young mod and his struggle to come of age in the mid-1960's. The project was intended to reflect the four characters of The Who and features some of Townshend’s most inspired, personal song writing - way ahead of its time in scope and purpose and is one of the most widely recognized albums of The Who’s storied career because of its classic depiction of mod culture, its renowned imagery and the magnificent music and powerful performances.

Newly envisioned by Roger Daltrey, the concert film combines archival footage of the band and images of historical events that have rocked Jimmy’s world over the past 40 years giving this magnum opus an enlightened modern twist.

Essential!

CLOSING NOTES --- We told you several columns back about Youngstown, Ohio-native Angelo Babbaro, who recorded a brilliant debut album several years back that swung with the best of them. With a voice that Sintara would endorse, he immediately placed himself in with the likes of Michael Buble and Peter Cincotti. He’s about to enter the studio again to record an original song. We'll keep you posted, but we predict Babbaro will barnstorm the charts very soon. Stay tuned on this one. Remember, we called it here first …

Hard to believe it’s been 20 years since the O. J. Simpson trial and somewhat-unbelievable verdict. NBC’s Today just had a somewhat-tense three way interview with sister-Kim and father-Fred Goldman and Kato Kaelin. Matt Lauer asked what the hardest thing to have done was and a tired and worn, Fred Goldman said to adjust. Sad.

All these years later, it’s hard to believe that O. J. didn't do it … but, when that verdict was read, and I well remember being in the packed bar at the late-great Mayflower Hotel on Central Park West, and, you could have heard a pin drop when it was read.

The Today Show also reported a mountain of evidence was never presented. What happened? Did it become such a media circus that justice was not served. Seems so. What a mess.

Gary Glitter, who had eleven top ten hits in the U. K. during the 70's including the stadium anthem “Rock and Roll (Part 1),” has been charged with eight sex offenses relating to alleged crimes against 12 and 14 year old girls between 1977 and 1980.

Glitter has been living as a sex offender in his native Britain since 1997 when child pornography was found on a computer he took to a store for repair. He moved to Cambodia until 2002 when he came under suspicion of child pornography and was deported to Vietnam. It was there that he was arrested in late-2005 and sentenced to three years on charges of molesting two underage girls, ages 10 and 11. He was released in 2008 and, after trying to find a country where he would be allowed to live, returned to his native Britain.

In October 2012, a documentary on BBC DJ and host Jimmy Seville involving his sexual proclivities led to further investigation into a number of other celebrities including Rolf Harris and Glitter. Gary was arrested last October and released on bail twice leading up to today's charges.

Glitter, 70, was spared five charges based on five other allegations made by two other women for which prosecutors didn't think they had enough evidence.

Gabriel's Angels--- Still time to help the Gabriel's Angels Team achieve its goals for the 18 hour overnight walk on June 28/29, 2014! Visit here to help this great cause. We're all touched by suicide and your help on this journey is needed. 

Photo Courtesy Of: Dis Company