All The Stars Came Out
With Kevin Anthony as host for the fourth year running, ”Stars with a Heart” kicked off yesterday afternoon at Teatro Vallarta with a short movie about the Vallarta School for Girls.
This fundraiser, put together again by Mary Porter, from North Carolina, snagged virtually every entertainer in Vallarta who wasn’t already singing on another stage. Again, 50,000 USD was pledged if another 50K can be raised in a week, so help is still needed (and will always be needed) to get that money together. The Girl’s new school should be up and running for this coming September’s classes.
Mary Porter is revisiting her debut show from New York City tonight at The Palm Cabaret at 7 pm, and donating all proceeds from ticket sales to the Girls’ School. If the Palm is full, that 50K goal will at least have a dent in it!
So many outstanding singers took part, with a couple of surprises like Ava Nicole Frances, whose review of her show last week at The Palm will be right here tomorrow. And, Enrique de Allende, who sang a solo, then ended the two solid hours of music – no intermission – with a duet with Mary Porter.
Sargento was adorable – he can’t help himself, and Patriz grows more beautiful every time I see her. Crowd favorites, Tromba Vetusta, aka Ale Matus and Dabit Azofeifa, brought the house down. Their energy and extraordinary talent create pure theatre on any stage, in any language.
”Chicago,” opening on February 06, at Act2PV, was showcased with a mashup of songs performed by a couple of cast members, Stephanie and Cate, with Musical Director David Maiocco at the piano. Another cast member, Gabe Arciniega, had a solo, singing the Rolling Stones’ ”Satisfaction” with Aldo Parra on guitar, that had nothing to do with Chicago at all! See everybody at the premiere at the end of next week.
Michael Ferreri on piano and Geo Uhrich on violin backed Robert Ryan’s vocals on ”Be Kind” from his show ”Here’s to the Ladies,” also debuting at Act2PV in February. Then Robert will take it to New York City’s ”Don’t Tell Mama” this summer.
Bobbi Goddard sang as she wound her way through all the schoolgirls sitting crossed-legged on the stage. Seth Sikes, Mark Hartman, Nicolas King, Stolie, Sarah Joy, Mayra and Martin, David Sabella, Bing Young, Alison Lo, and Kimberley La Rue’s dancers all brought their special gifts to an appreciative audience. The big winners? The girls who will receive every tool to succeed in life, beginning with education.
Bravas to school founder Francie Nguyen, to the teachers, school sponsors, mentors, and volunteers. To the Stars who came out and donated their time – you were all fabulous! To Mary Porter – cudos for another tour de force.
To the audience yesterday at Teatro Vallarta and to all those who support live entertainment in Vallarta, night after night, week after week, take a bow – remember that collectively you are as essential as the entertainers, From Here.
