The Central New Jersey Home News du lieu suivant : New Brunswick, New Jersey • 77

F8 ENTERTAINMENT THE HOME NEWS SUNOAY. SEPTEMBER 16. 1984 'Shades of Harlem': Jazz revue misses atmosphere of old Cotton Club SHADES OP HARLEM A new musical created by Jeree Palmer, at the Village Gate, Bleecker Street, New York City. By ERNEST ALBRECHT Home Newt theater critic "Shades of Harlem," the little musical revue that bills itself as "A Cotton Club Cabaret is another attempt to mine the riches of that period of glory known as the Harlem Renaissance. It follows in the footsteps of "Eubie," "Bubblin' Brown Sugar," "Sophisticated Ladies" and "Ain't Misbehavm'." There is not a great deal of material left lying around.

That may be why the evening seems so tentative and small-There are only three principal performers in "Shades of Harlem." Branice McKenzie handles all of the heavy torch material; Ty Stephens, the only male in the cast, is kept busy with a variety of assignments; and Jeree Palmer, who has created the work, handles the jazzier songs. They are supported by a trio of chorines and two grande dames who are billed as the Renaissance Ladies, the suggestion being that they were actually there during Harlem's heyday. Their dancing proves to be quite a sensation. Despite the fast pacing and the variety possible in this combination of performers, the show never really seems to take off and at times seems to be dawdling along. Some of the highlights include Miss Palmer's raunchy renditions of a couple of old standards and the highly emotional "God Bless the Child." Stephens, who is also the show's choreographer, comes and goes a good bit, and his numbers range from the sophistication of "Satin Doll" and "Body and Soul" to the jazzier rhythms of "The Jitterbug" and "Diga Diga Doo." My favorite moments are when the trio of stars gets together to joke and sing in close harmony.

There is a good deal of talk between songs about the hot and steamy atmosphere of the Cotton Club, but that is the one thing the show never seems to capture. It's all a little controlled and confined. One of the features of the evening is a quartet of onstage musicians that could certainly have matched the heat of the good old days. Emme Kemp was at the piano when I saw the show; Earl May not only played the bass but provided some very funny moments as a straight man; Barry Saperstein was on drums; and Angel AUende played the bongos. One leaves the Village Gate having to imagine what the Cotton Club must have been like.

That's entertainment GEORGE STREET PLAYHOUSE IS ENTERING A NEW STAGE Our eleventh season will be our best! 198485 subscription season. Tha Taming of rha Shrew Popple Nonqena by William Shaketpaara by Elea Joubert February 14-March 10 The Importance of Being Earnaat by Oecar Wilde March21-April 14 True West by Sam Shepard April 25-May 19 STAGE The Theatre Writers Workshop, under the auspices of Parish Players Community Theatre, is seeking new members for its 1984-85 reason. The group, which includes dramatists, comedy writers, lyricists and composers, will meet every other Thursday at 8 p.m. at the YWCA on Front Street in Plainfield. (469-9497) DANCE The Center Dance Collective, formerly the Center Dancers, is looking for male and female dancers for its 1984-85 season.

Dancers will be trained in ballet and modern dance. The collective is the resident modern-dance company at the AUDITIONS The training wing of Princeton's McCarter Theatre will hold auditions for its junior, intermediate and adult acting-technique classes. Junior acting is designed for junior high school students and will be taught by Stacy Ray. Penelope Reed will teach both intermediate acting, for high school students, and an adult advanced-acting course. Also to be offered are "Acting: Let Us Try to Find Out What It's All About" and "Alexander Technique Body Awareness." Auditions will be held on Sept.

24 from 3:30 to 6 p.m. and from 7 to 10:30 p.m. If you are interested in attending, call 1-609-452-6619 to make an appointment. New Jersey Center for the Performing Arts. Auditions will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

at the center, 17 Division St in Somerville. Call Carol Dzuro at 526-6074 for further information. Auditions for the Center Arts Teen Showcase's Center Arte Teen Dancers will be held on Saturday and Sept. 29 at 2 p.m. at 6 Edge-boro Road, East Brunswick.

Needed are dancers between the ages of 12 and 17 who have a strong jazz technique and who live in the area. They will become a featured company of dancers who will be filmed for cable television and will star in future showcase performances. These are October 18-November 11 A Little Night Mualc by Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler November 22-Oecember 23 'night. Mother by Martha Norman January 10-February 3 of New Brunswick will be performing in the romantic fantasy "Bell, Book and Candle" at the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Va. Ms.

Johnson will play the role of Aunt Queenie Holroyd in what will be her Barter debut, after playing numerous roles at Princeton's McCarter Theatre and in New York. That's entertainment is a roundup ot notices about auditions; calls lor assistance Irom area theaters and other entertainment-related groups; scholarship, workshop and intern programs; and achievements in the arts by area residents. Items for the column should be sent to That's entertainment. The Home News, P.O. Box 551, New Brunswick, NJ.

08903; If taiy to SUBSCRIBE! SAVE TIME CHARGE BY PHONE. CALL 246-7717 Noon-SOO Montfjy-fraJay. 9 Livingston Ave New Brunswick. 1 0B901 open auditions for all teens, whether or not they have prior training. CURTAIN CALLS Eve Johnson t4 i frji VI Wf items must be received by Monday to be guaranteed inclusion in the following Sunday's column.

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