PICTURE THIS!
By Kim Devore/Entertainment Writer
Jane Seymour was among the enthusiastic crowd of art lovers who traveled down to Laguna Beach for the final performance of the Pageant of Masters. Now celebrating its 70th year, the pageant featured a crowd-pleasing mix of classical and contemporary tableaux vivants, or “living pictures,” all done with real-life models who stand as still as stones and barely breathe. This year’s entries included Edward Hopper’s “Summer Evening” as well as Norman Rockwell’s “First Day of School.”
The pageant makers got totally rad in Act Two, with a series of splashy images called “Surf Culture.” Among the highlights: a gilt sculpture of King Kamehameha by Thomas R. Gould, a bronze of the great Duke Kahanamoku by Jan Fisher, and the much loved movie poster for “Endless Summer” by John Van Hamersveld.
Although these scenes looked quite familiar to a Malibuite like Jane, what really caught her fancy was a fantasy tableaux from the Far East. “The Japanese screens were amazing,” she said. “Those were my favorites.”
The spectacular creations were based on a group of 18th century woodblock prints by Torii Kiyonaga, including the magical “Four Seasons from the Floating World.”
Another transporting scene took the summer audience straight to Christmas in a matter of minutes. Taken from a Currier and Ives print, “The Road-Winter” didn’t miss a trick and came complete with ice skaters and falling snow. Ho, Ho, Ho!
SOLID GOLD
Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr. will let the sunshine in at Pepperdine University’s Smothers Theatre on Saturday. The dynamic duo’s new stage production is called “It Takes Two,” and celebrates rock and soul duets of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. With 15 gold and three platinum albums as well as hits like “Aquarius,” “Stoned Soul Picnic” and “You Don’t Have to be a Star,” the force behind the 5th Dimension won’t be hurting for material.
WHO WANTS TO BE A GOVERNOR?
He may not make the evening news like Arnold, but that isn’t keeping Gary Coleman and a few of his fellow gubernatorial candidates from lingering in the limelight.
Let’s face it, if you can’t make CNN, Fox, VH1 or community access, there’s always … the Game Show Network.
The pint-sized politician/actor and occasional security guard steps up to the (hopefully lowered) podium in a campaign special called “The Debating Game,” which takes place on Sept. 24. Coleman and other office seekers will be quizzed on California history, culture, the latest on Ben and J. Lo and other must-know info.
Coleman’s in for some tough competition. He’s going up against a string of other offbeat candidates including “adult” film star Mary Carey, performance artist Trek Thunder Kelly, senior citizen Carl Mehr, college student Bryan Quinn and celebrity son Nathan Whitecloud Walton.
Sadly, Gallagher and Angelyne are nowhere to be found.
Will there be more trivial pursuits to come? Stay tuned. The real “Gong Show” gets underway on Election Day.