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Access Atlanta > Blog > Archives > 2007 > July > 27 > Entry
‘I have the best seat in the house’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Playing the smooth but sinister Curtis Taylor Jr. in the Theater of the Stars production of “Dreamgirls” at the Fox Theatre this week has resulted in some interesting close encounters on Peachtree Street for actor David Jennings.
“Folks are not at all shy about telling you what they think of you,” Jennings conceded to Buzz Thursday, laughing. “But that’s what’s really fun about playing a role like that.”
Earlier this year, Jennings was in town playing the decidedly nerdier Sgt. Eddie Souther in the premiere of “Sister Act: The Musical” at the Alliance Theatre. That’s where he first heard buzz that Theater of the Stars was thinking of assembling a new production of “Dreamgirls” complete with Jennifer Holliday in her Tony-winning signature role of Effie White (Holliday has hinted that this production may be her final one as Effie).
Jennings is alone on stage with Holliday at the end of Act One when she unleashes “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” a number that has become a goose bump-inducing piece of Broadway history.
“I have the best seat in the house,” Jennings says. “There’s this flood of emotion that comes over you. It’s difficult not to get caught up in it. The history of the number and how powerful Jennifer’s performance is along with the audience response to it each night are all just incredibly special.”
So when Curtis high-tails it out of the scene midway through the number, does Jennings ever watch the rest from the wings?
“Are you kidding? Every night I’m standing there, along with every other cast member, member of the crew, the doorman, everybody.”
Jennings says he loves walking up to the Fox each night as well and observing the beautifully dressed audience members clustered around out front, all anticipating “event theater.”
“They have no clue who I am, but I love walking up and seeing them all dressed and hearing them talking about the show. It’s a timeless piece of theater for people. And I know they’re not coming to see me either! It’s incredible just to be a part of all that.”
“Dreamgirls” runs through Sunday. Call for tickets: 404-252-8960.
See Wendell Brock’s review. | Photos
BEAN: ‘COOKING’ IN COSTA RICA
Former Atlanta charitable fund-raiser and “Cooking For Mr. Right” author Mimi Bean couldn’t resist contacting us Thursday morning from her new home in Costa Rica prior to her scheduled luncheon. After all, how often does one get pressed into service to whip up luncheon for Costa Rican president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Oscar Arias Sanchez?
The lunch event was scheduled to announce improvements to roads in Tamarindo, a large tourist surfing area where Bean lives. Bean told us that Secret Service security types were dispatched to taste the food prior to the meal. “I added some Southern touches like a pulled pork BBQ appetizer,” Bean told us. Sanchez, along with 60 other invited guests, also dined on mahi mahi in an Asian chili soy sauce, white sangria cocktails and a coconut flan dessert made with Costa Rican rum-soaked strawberries.
BREADWINNER SCORES ON ‘TODAY’ SHOW
The ovens over at Breadwinner, the family-owned Atlanta gourmet goodie maker behind Papa Don’t Peach Bread, are likely fired up around the clock today. The bakery is basking in fresh orders coming in via a coveted mention on “Today” this week. During a segment Tuesday on the NBC morning show, Atlanta gift guru Robyn Spizman selected the company for a summer “hostess with the mostest” gift pick. The breads are now available for shipping nation-wide. “I had to pinch myself,” explains co-owner Katie Melkonian. While Buzz is thrilled that Breadwinner continues to gain national recognition, if Matt Lauer and Meredith Vieira get between us and our next loaf of Sweet Home Ala-Banana Bread, things are liable to turn very unpleasant.
SICK BAY
Etta James, who had to cancel her appearance Thursday night at Chastain as part of the B.B. King Blues Festival, has been hospitalized in Los Angeles.
The singer is listed in stable condition after being admitted for complications from abdominal surgery she had last month, her manager said.
The 69-year-old Grammy winner has had to cancel several upcoming tour dates, her manager, Lupe De Leon, said in an e-mail.
De Leon said the hospitalization was caused by “post-op complications” from her mid-June surgery. The complications and the nature of the surgery were not specified.
“If it had been left solely up to her, she would have checked herself out of the hospital and started the tour regardless of her delicate health,” De Leon said.
OVERSCENE
Former President Jimmy Carter logging some research hours in his own Carter Presidential Library this week in Poncey-Highland. Library reps. tell us that Carter is hard at work, poring over documents while researching a new book on his inimitable mother Miss Lillian, due out in 2008.
CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS
TV producer Norman Lear is 85. Singer Bobbie Gentry is 63. Actress-director Betty Thomas (“Hill Street Blues”) is 59. Country guitarist Duncan Cameron of Sawyer Brown is 51. Actor Julian McMahon (“Nip/Tuck”) is 39. Comedian Maya Rudolph (“Saturday Night Live”) is 35. Singer Pete Yorn is 33.
Contributing: News services
If you have a tip, call 404-526-2749. Or fax 404-526-5509. Or e-mail: buzz@ajc.com.
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