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CAMILLE GAVIN: Give 'Jukebox' a play this weekend

The Bakersfield Californian | Wednesday, May 19 2010 04:13 PM

Last Updated Wednesday, May 19 2010 04:13 PM

Centerpiece of the set for a new musical revue at The Empty Space is a specially constructed model of an 8-by-4 foot Wurlitzer jukebox.

Thomas G. Robinson, the director, said the concept for "Jukebox Legends" was suggested by his friend Roger Mathey, who created and directed "The History of Rock and Roll" a few years ago at Spotlight Theatre.

But, says Robinson, the Empty's "Jukebox" is a "first-of-its-kind" production with a script written by James Kopp.

"I spoke with (Kopp) expressing Roger's concept with my ideas and song choices," Robinson said. "He was able to sit down and hammer out this incredibly funny script featuring two hapless former DJs."

Kopp and Kristina Saldana, appear as the disc jockeys, hosting the show within a show, which features hit tunes from the 1940s to the early '90s. Music is on pre-recorded tracks with live vocals and dancing on stage. Cast members will portray their favorite legends in the style of the artist presented.

A unique aspect, the director said, is that audience members will be able to steer the show in the direction they choose by bidding on a particular artist or song.

Adam Calvillo is the music director, and choreography is by Kama Ruby. Alison Martin serves as stage manager and Michelle Guerrero-Tolley is in charge of costumes.

"Jukebox" will have six more performances, ending on June 5.

New Oildale mural

Any day now, a 40-foot mural depicting Oildale in the early days will be attached to an old warehouse building at 101 E. Beardsley Ave., near the northeast base of the bridge that crosses the river via North Chester Avenue.

John Knowlton, the designer, said the individual panels are finished. Preparation and painting of the mural was completed indoors in a building on Landco Drive owned by W. Reynevel Construction. The final step is mounting the mural and spraying it with a fixative to protect it. He expects that will be done next Tuesday or Wednesday.

Janette Gary, president of Citizens for a New Oildale, asked Knowlton to do the mural about five years ago. A recent gift from Chevron made it possible.

"I felt we needed a mural (as a gateway)," she said. "We've been doing a lot of clean-up and maintenance, and we want to bring the downtown look all the way to the airport."

Knowlton, who for many years operated a feed lot on Brundage Lane, has been painting western scenes for most of his life. Given his age, he was a bit reluctant to take on the project and enlisted the aid of local artist Patti Doolittle.

"I'm getting so old, I didn't know if I wanted to do it all by myself," he said.

How old?

"I'm not going to tell you," was his spirited response. "I'll never see 80 again -- let's put it that way."

A central part of the mural shows workers carrying pipe into a building with a sign saying Waits, which Doolittle said was a previous name for Oildale. Also in the picture are men on horseback pointing to the background of rounded hills dotted with wooden oil derricks.

'Merry Wives' at Cal State

Shakespeare's comedy "The Merry Wives of Windsor" at Cal State Bakersfield will be done in the traditional style, says Maria-Tania Becerra, the director. And that includes the Doré Theater stage, adapted for the play, which opens this evening.

"Chris Eicher, our designer, has done somewhat of a tease of a thrust stage," Becerra said. "It's a nice replica of the Old Globe Theater."

In addition, Becerra is keeping to the historical context by the barest of blocking: only two pillars and no props.

"It makes it more of a challenge for the students," she said. "But it makes them work just a little bit harder."

One of the Bard's most popular plays, "Merry Wives" tells the tale of two mischievous married women who turn the tables on the amorous Falstaff, played by Justin Thompson. It's a comedic romp that includes trickery and revenge.

Others in lead roles are Jessica Boles, Michael Mejia, Emily Candia, Danvir Singh Grewal and Miguel S. Torres. Costumes are by Roger Upton.

Evening performances continue May 27 to 29 with a 2 p.m. matinee on May 30.