Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.

"Mardi Gras Follies 2001"
Sing Sing Bliss' performance of a dance from the
People's Republic of China during the "Asian Fantasy"
segment of the revue is a highlight of the show and
worth seeing more than once.

International accent
to ‘Follies 2001’

---

By John Berger
Special to the Star-Bulletin

Acts representing the cultures of distant lands add a bright international ambience to the extravaganza of feathers and brightly colored costumes that Jack Cione and the Pearl Harbor Performing Arts Association present in "Mardi Gras Follies 2001" at The Banyans at Pearl Harbor.

Director Cione's choreography, Bill Doherty's costumes, and Wally White's sets give the large and enthusiastic volunteer cast plenty to work with in the annual charity fund raiser. These acts stand out:

Claudio Otero and Mariko Lyons represent Argentina in showcase numbers that display the romance of the Argentine tango, salsa and show-stopping gaucho dancing. Their tango is striking and seductive.

"Asian Fantasy" is Cione's name for the segment that stars Beijing-trained Sing Sing Bliss in another of the exquisite cultural dances she's brought back from the People's Republic of China. Bliss is gorgeous and her performance is worth seeing more than once.

Allison L.B. Maldonado dominates the house with her powerful rendition of "Sweet Georgia Brown" and returns to play Voodoo High Priestess in Cione's big "Out of Africa" number. Susan Tejada co-stars as a Voodoo Princess with Manuel Gonsalves as the Voodoo Queen.

Denise Bee adds a touch of old-time Americana singing "Everybody's Girl" in the bawdy style popularized by burlesque house comediennes of years past.

Tejada returns as a dancing princess in a Philippine dance segment that also features vocalist Monnette Forte. The women of Le Tap Hot -- Bliss, Lyons, Joni Albao and Margo Bourland -- represent American tradition with "All That Jazz."

Two American vocal traditions are represented as Dawe Glover sings Elvis and Randy Smith does Frank Sinatra.

Doherty's costumes seem to get bigger and more imaginative each year. A big production number in which six women ride petite mardi gras floats is another bright spot in the show.

There are some recycled ideas and some performers whose enthusiasm exceeds their abilities. In a show like this, in which members of the community pool their talents for charity, it may be possible to accept the less-than-stellar performers as good neighbors who are doing what they can for the cause.

There's no question though that in Otero and Lyons, Bliss, Maldonado and some of the others, Cione has some superb talent on line here. The buffet is better than last year's too!

On stage What: "Mardi Gras Follies 2001," presented by Pearl Harbor Performing Arts Association When: 6:30 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays and 5:30 p.m. Sundays through March 31 Where: The Banyans, Pearl Harbor (civilians and members of other services are welcome) Cost: $35 includes buffet dinner Call: 473-1703

Click for online
calendars and events.