Santa Rosa's Osher Marin Jewish Community Center have announced their 1999-2000 season, which will feature visits from playwright Neil Simon, solo artist Danny Hoch, and composer Stephen Schwartz. The CenterStage series runs Sept. 16, 1999-May 28, 2000.
This year's "Solo Spotlight" features several Off-Off-Broadway players including Kate Clinton (Nov. 6-7), Danny Hoch (Jan. 15-16), Geoff Hoyle (Feb. 5-6) and Josh Kornbluth (March 4-5). Clinton ran her Correct Me If I'm Right Jan. 19-Feb. 20 at OOB's Westbeth Theatre. Hoch, a frequent visitor to New York's P.S. 122, has been touring Jails, Hospitals & Hip Hop, a solo look at troubled but real teens. Accomplished clown Hoyle appeared on Broadway as Zazu in The Lion King. Kornbluth will bring his Ben Franklin: Unplugged back to the Bay Area.
"The Dance Project" will offer performances from Lines Contemporary Ballet (March 16, 2000), ODC/San Francisco (March 18), Marin Dance Theater (March 19) and Marin Dance Legends (March 20).
"Singers and Songwriters," a series dedicated to modern cabaret performance, celebrates the talents of David Campbell and John Bucchino (Nov. 20-21), Andrea Marcovicci (Jan. 18-23, 2000) and Stephen Schwartz with Val Diamond (Feb. 26-27). Cabaret star Campbell whose theatre credits include Australia's Love! Valor! Compassion! and Les Miserables, stars with 1997 Johnny Mercer Songwriting Award winner Bucchino. Andrea Marcovicci, most recently seen in San Francisco in On a Clear Day You can See Forever, will sing a program of songs from 1965-85 by such writers as Paul Simon, the Beatles, Judy Collins and Peter, Paul & Mary. Oscar, Grammy and Academy Award-winner Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Prince of Egypt) will be the center of four-time Cabaret Gold Award winner Diamond's program.
Neil Simon will speak with Jan Wahl Oct. 6 as a part of the "Artists and Authors" talks. Simon, the successful playwright of such hits as Barefoot in the Park, The Odd Couple and Lost in Yonkers, will discuss his new book, "The Play Goes On." For ticket information, call the CenterStage Box Office at (415) 479 2000. The Osher Marin Jewish Community Center is located on the web at www.marinjcc.org.
-- By Christine Ehren
