Review of the World Renowned & Beloved Shirley MacLaine -WOWED Our Very Own LaMirada Theatre For Performing Arts

PATCH -- Events | Arts & Entertainment "An Evening With Shirley MacLaine"...The Award-Winning Icon of Stage, Screen & Page Delivers a Delightful, Fun & Rivetingly Open Unfolding of Her Multifaceted Life & Personal Views About... The Past, The Present .. & The Future Posted by JoeAtTheShow4U May 2013 LaMirada Theatre for the Performing Arts14900 La Mirada Blvd La Mirada CA 90638 The much anticipated, Saturday, May, "visit" of the impressive, oft awarded by the world of entertainment, & much beloved by folks of all kind, fulfilled all expectations. Without doubt, the audience's non-stop joyful faces & cheers signaled we were far more than satisfied. Mostly sitting in a wide, comfortable, but feminine, living-room chair, when Madame MacLaine sits down on it--it "spiritually" turns into a throne (albeit, a modest throne, as Shirley has oodles of "inner spirit", but isn't a snooty "Let Them Eat Cake! " sovereign. With a large projected Book of Memories high above Chair & Multifaceted actor, dancer, philosopher, comic, unique neighbor returning to friends, Ms MacLaine hilariously delayed her vibrant trip through memories, while she first handily "seated" the latecomers, forgivingly talking them to their seats, magically making them part of the show rather than treating them like annoying dolts...well...MAINLY! As Shirley began to tell her wise, funny, touching stories & narrate the many photographs & films overhead, she already had proved her uncanny ability to get things done as needed, garnering smiles, & without harming others -- nor missing a beat along life's paths. I can't possibly do justice to her stories painted in the same grace and power of her dancing & comedic/poignant touch, so I will just point to a few offered gifts given by this little Virginia Girl / Broadway & Hollywood juggernaut of talent & try not to mistake who said what/when in just a few of delightful memoire of laughter & wisdom. After pointing out her family: dear sisters, & instantly handsome lil' sleeping brother, Warren Beatty (telling that was Warren's last time just sleeping when girls were around). She describes Father & Mother who did add youthful shaping, although Shirley acknowledges that she is a person who likes to choose her own roads in life, and follows the way to her own Oz & rainbow she feels, meant for her. For example, she danced her way through much of her life (and points out she can still WALK and dance decades later (nee 1934) even though her ankles and leg/body dimensions might have dismayed others with pain & extra hard work (especially had she continued ballet). One of her most striking thoughts was that she did very well with dancing for choreographer/director Bob Fosse because he wasn't a great dancer body-performance-wise, but was a king in demanding perfection of expressing each dance number from within (something Shirley was fine at, sore ankles and all. I loved to dance myself as a 3 year old. But later, my short legs & bone structure were no match for dances I saw/felt inside. At 30 I read a health magazine in a dentist office by the head Dr of New York's top ballet company. He told parents to have their kids' bodies checked early on, as some will dangerously hurt themselves if they are built "wrong" but "push" to be a pro dancer...& feel guilty for not working hard enough. The Dr's article closed saying - don't tell your child to quit dancing if it's in their heart, just encourage them to enjoy dance, but not "Blame or Hurt" themselves by "forcing". God Bless that Dr's article, it helped me alot, & insightful Shirley found this wisdom years before. No Fool, her inner radar guided her to Pajama Game & Can Can & West Side Story & Sweet Charity (it's Her Dancing!) Another MacLaine realization was that she loves food, and would always be a natural voracious food-eater. In an early film, The Trouble With Harry, it won over a fellow food devotee... the grand Director, Alfred Hitchcock. With no blonde hair & a love for food, Hitch chose young actress Shirley as his only lunch partner. Now that's a truly talented luncheon "odd couple". Shirley wasn't in Jack Lemon's film hit, The Odd Couple, but she also recounted her wondrous card-playing superb comic/heart-grasping scenes she shared with Jack Lemon in a different Hit --The Apartment. It was a role I always thought she won the Academy Award for (& which she admitted, ever honestly, she kind'a also thought she'd win. Not to worry, -- it was one of those GREAT Oscar Actress Roles Years, and Shirley did win a best Actress Oscar for the amazing Terms Of Endearment opposite another great "Jack" actor --Jack Nicholson. There even more "rad" scenes together, like racing a convertible corvette along the beaches, with Daredevil/Astronaught Nicholson. Shirley takes charge & stamps on those brakes powerfully flicking JN-Astro-Nut right into the Atlantic Surf. She wins the scene & cheers from all women deeply needing a laugh in this poignant film of a mother losing her one daughter to illness. Best all-around talent? Shirley sez: don't forget Gregory Peck & the amazing, perhaps TOO diverse, Danny Kaye. I've already filled my space, barely even scratching the surface of Ms MacLlaine's whimsical, yet quite logical (really!) roads taken in a lifetime, or 2 or 3, or 4 or...yet to come. So, I'll just "LIST" a few unique MacLaine shared memories & laughs.along her way. Guess who she met, capturing the eyes & interest of two foreign Heads of state: Try USSR Premier Khrushchev & Cuba's Fidel Castro & the Dhali Lama. Which greatest group of "Cool" top performers liked Shirley so much, she practically became a female part of the Rat-Pack, Sinatra, Dean Martin & Sammy Davis(My 110% Talent). Oh, & that outfit of black-wi-silver sequins Shirley looked perfect tonight, & thanks star gal pal Elizabeth Taylor for the always-a-good-choice for ladies after noon tip. Liz was quite right ... & Shirley was quite lovely. MacLaine laughs about fellow star's-star, Anne Bancroft, sophisticated/ erudite/ classy. But in their Turning Point film both fought like Hell in their famous fight scene! Lovers? MacL fondly mentions a global several. But asked who's her favorite, she smiles happily it's her dearest old Doggy at home. In a generous Q&A closing the night warmly, folks of all ages (many young-ish) many gave thx for her spiritual life & books...All wanted hugs! -- All-in-All, a thoroughly Shining, Funny, Yet Deeply Warm show/experience--Totally well given-&-well appreciated. Kudos to The La Mirada Theatre-- better & more wide-ranging each year, but maintains its warm feeling. Get in touch & on their list of Upcoming Events So you won't miss the next offering--Something For Just About Everyone, Online: www.LaMiradaTheatre.com {Or Call: (562) 944-9801 }