Bonnie Carroll's Life Bites - Tinsletown Tidbits

WE SADLY BID GOODBYE TO ABC ANCHOR PETER JENNINGS
In August we all said a reluctant goodbye to Peter Jennings, a Canadian who we all thought was an American for so many years as he greeted us in our living rooms with the world news. The handsome and recognizable journalist died on August 8th in his home from lung cancer. His well rounded tones and matter-of-fact delivery led World News Tonight to the top of the ratings for 11 of the past 20 years. "No one could ad-lib like Peter," said ABC colleague Barbara Walters. His passing has inspired many celebrities, and hopefully other viewers, to make public statements regarding their own cigarette smoking habits and their intentions to quit. Jennings had quit smoking for many years, but it was reported he began again following 9/11. Peter Jennings exemplified all that I respect and admire in journalism. Our condolences to his family, and we will miss him so very much!

JOAN BAEZ JOINS ANTI-WAR PROTESTERS
Viet-nam War protesterJoan Baez, a singer/song writer of renown, joined Cindy Sheehan, who lost her son in the Iraq War this year, along with 700 protesters who have set up a camp near the road to President George Bush, Jr's ranch in Crawford, Texas. Sheehan wants bush to meet with her and answer her questions regarding why her son had to die. The mother has been joined by an army of mother's from around the United States who want the war ended and the boys brought home. Presdient Bush reportedly responded on August 23 that to pull out of the war now would be dangerous for the country.

WHO'S THE DADDY BRINGS DOWN THE HOUSE
Magazine Mischief Became Focus of Successful British Play

A hot new play produced by Nica Burns and written by Toby Young and Lloyd Evans, which is set entirely in the office of Boris Johnson, The Spectator Magazine editor, is a classic sex farce that includes an invented scenario where Britain's blind home secretary plays around with a gay water that he mistakes for his mistress, which is a new twist on anybody's fictional outrageousness. "The British have always been very good at bringing down governments and public figures with ridicule," said Burns, along with Ian Osborne of "Who's the Daddy?" "We like to laugh them out of office, to embarrass them into resigning." The 115 seat King's Head Theater in Islington was sold out for the entire six-week run of the play, and sparked interest from other producers that could have moved it to the West End. Burns just bought four theaters there, with Max Weitzenhoffer, but it was said that due to Boris Johnson's good sport attitude they decided to end his misery and not move it on.

This beautifully photographed documentary on the march for a perfect mate by penguins each year is an insightful view of the roles taken by mother and father penguins to protect their egg. The film gives the audience a rare look at the adorable nature of baby penguins. This is a wonderful film for the entire family.

Master Sushi Chef Osami "Fuji" Funita has been names Senior Executive Japanese Chef for Hyatt Hotels Worldwide. Although he will remain Executive Sushi Chef of Japengo at Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas Resort, Spa & Casino, his talents will now be shared with other culinary masters around the world.

A Passion for Ballet
Special to LifeBitesNews
Rob Roberts, Press Features Limited

Pasion de Espana (Passion of Spain), the recent Alex Theatre in Glendale performance by the Media City Ballet revealed above all else how very seriously this unique company takes the art of the ballet.For some time, most of us who go to the theatre have long bemoaned the scarcity of any theatrical experience, involving dance, especially ballet. We all are aware of opera being performed regularly at the Dorothy Chandler downtown and the well received theatre and other music events elsewhere in the city but ballet is a far different story.So it was a very refreshing experience to be a part of the latest offering from the Media City Ballet Company.

It’s not a large company, numbering an assemblage of about eighteen dancers. And, of course, the music couldn’t have come from a live orchestra….but, I was able to witness a number of virtuoso performances, especially in the first half of the program.

From the music of Carmen, there are two especially tantalizing dances; the Cigarette Dance and the Adagio. The first was performed by a total of ten female dancers putting a lot of spice into the proceedings that probably Bob Fosse would even appreciate. The second number mentioned revealed a very charming and talented dancer by the name of Misuzu Okada, with very able assistance from Askar Kettebekov.

After this came the Spanish Dance from Swan Lake enacted by a large percentage of the company who kept the pace up very adequately.

Upon the start of the second half of the program, as a distinct contrast to the first half, it has to be mentioned that there were a number of missed cues as if the rhythm had been somehow interrupted.

But, as a tribute to the professionalism of the cast, the rest of the program was gamely performed without serious interruption. I especially liked Last Dance, music by Astor Piazolla and danced by Ellen Rosa and Jonathan Sharpe with nicely done élan and fluidity.

I have to, however, once again express one last reservation and that is about the addition of Bolero as the closing number of the show. This is, as we all know, a very repetitious work and unless it is choreographed very creatively, it’s going to come across in the same fashion. Maybe a little bit more thought and boldness might have made this a more successful venture and a real crowd pleaser.

But one has to realize that this is a evolving group with a lot of promise and a great future if the right effort is put forth. Ms. Natasha Middleton-Kettebekov, the Artistic Director, has to be applauded with what she has come up with. She has attracted a number of distinguished sponsors and has successfully branched her company out in a number of directions, which has to yield bountiful fruit in years to come.

I understand that the group is moving to a larger facility and is updating their infrastructure to better meet the needs of their increased activities.

Don’t forget that at one time, Los Angeles had a resident ballet company and there is no reason at all why the Media City Ballet can’t fill this much- needed gap.

I for one, after having the good fortune to see their dynamic performance at the Alex, have become an ardent supporter and look forward to their next venture, no matter what direction it may take.