Mountain Views News          Saturday, July 26, 2014

11

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

 Mountain Views News Saturday, July 26, 2014 

Jeff’s Book Picks By Jeff Brown


SEAN’S SHAMELESS 

REVIEWS: By Sean Kayden


THE LAST GUNFIGHT: THE REAL 
STORY OF THE SHOOTOUT AT 
THE O.K. CORRAL AND HOW IT 
CHANGED THE AMERICAN WEST

by Jeff Guinn 


A New York Times bestseller, Jeff Guinn’s 
definitive mth busting account of the most 
famous gunfight in American history reveals 
who Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and the Clantons 
and McLaurys really were and what the shootout 
was all about.On the afternoon of October 26, 
1881, in a vacant lot in Tombstone, Arizona, a 
confrontation between eight armed men erupted 
in a deadly shootout. The Gunfight at the O.K. 
Corral would shape how future generations came 
to view the Old West. Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, 
and the Clantons became the stuff of legends, 
symbolic of a frontier populated by good guys in 
white hats and villains in black ones. It’s a colorful story but the truth is even better. Drawing on 
new material from private collections, including diaries, letters, and Wyatt Earp’s own hand-drawn 
sketch of the shootout’s conclusion as well as archival research, Jeff Guinn gives us a startlingly 
different and far more fascinating picture of what actually happened that day in Tombstone and 
why.




THE ENGLISH GIRL (GABRIEL ALLON) by Daniel Silva

Daniel Silva delivers another spectacular thriller starring Gabriel Allon, The English Girl. When 
a beautiful young British woman vanishes on the island of Corsica, a prime minister’s career is 
threatened with destruction. Allon, the wayward son of Israeli intelligence, is thrust into a game 
of shadows where nothing is what it seems and where the only thing more dangerous than his 
enemies might be the truth. Silva’s work has captured the imagination of millions worldwide; his 
#1 New York Times bestselling series which chronicles the adventures of art-restorer and master 
spy Gabriel Allon has earned the praise of readers and reviewers everywhere. This captivating 
new page-turner from the undisputed master of spy fiction is sure to thrill new and old fans alike.


ARCHER’S VOICE (A SIGN OF LOVE) BY MIA SHERIDAN

When Bree Prescott arrives in the sleepy, lakeside town of Pelion, Maine, she hopes against hope 
that this is the place where she will finally find the peace she so desperately seeks. On her first day 
there, her life collides with Archer Hale, an isolated man who holds a secret agony of his own. 
A man no one else sees. Archer’s Voice is the story of a woman chained to the memory of one 
horrifying night and the man whose love is the key to her freedom. It is the story of a silent man 
who lives with an excruciating wound and the woman who helps him find his voice. It is the story 
of suffering, fate, and the transformative power of love.

JULY’S PLAYLIST

The Rosebuds – “Blue 
Eyes” – North Carolina 
indie rock band gear 
up to release their sixth 
studio album, “Sand + 
Silence.” The record is being produced by Justin 
Vernon of Bon Iver. “Blue Eyes” is a big, summery 
jam that combines huge hooks and indelible 
harmonies. Vernon and his Bon Iver bandmate 
Matt McCaughan are present by diving in on 
guitar, keyboards, and drums. While a new Bon 
Iver isn’t planned in the foreseeable future, this 
glorious estival tune should definitely fit the bill 
for the time being. Let’s hope the forthcoming 
record due out August 5th via Western Vinyl is 
equally as great. 

 Francisco The Man – “Progress” – LA quartet 
rockers are primed and ready for their long awaited 
debut LP, “Loose Ends” dropping September 30th 
on Small Plates Records. Their newly released 
single is a pop gem that’s a nice find among the 
rubble of popular mainstream offerings. Beach 
vibes, synths, and lush guitars fluently mixed 
with 90s British shoegaze make the sound for 
this infectiously catchy track. “Progress” breathes 
new life into what the epitome of a summer rock 
song used to be. While this song won’t conquer 
the airwaves (sadly), it will conquer the summer 
dreams of those who end up seeking this one out. 

 Twin Peaks – “I Found A New Way” - Chicago’s 
Twin Peaks are here to revitalize a forgotten era. 
Their 70s power rock sound infused with glam 
and classic rock is the approach they’re going for 
and it works damn well at that. “I Found A New 
Way,” the second single that’ll be found on Twin 
Peak’s upcoming sophomore LP, “Wild Onion” 
is totally unhinged. The naysayers claiming rock 
is dead couldn’t be more mistaken. For those 
older listeners yearning for a walk down memory 
lane, look no further than this vintage jam of the 
modern day. “Wild Onion” is out August 5th 
through Grand Jury. 

 Slow Club – “Tears Of Joy” – Slow Club’s “Tears of 
Joy” is a lovely, languorous, and soulful tune. Duo 
Charles Watson and Rebecca 
Taylor hailing from Sheffield 
pensive directional change with 
“Complete Surrender” is evident 
right off the bat as “Tears Of Joy” 
kicks off the band’s third LP. The 
duo share vocal duties, which 
is a pleasant balance between 
both a male and female voice. 
With each proceeding record, 
the band has been adamant 
about slightly reinventing 
themselves. As they change, so 
does the quality progression of 
their material. The title of the 
record couldn’t be more fitting 
as anyone who takes this one for 
a ride will find himself or herself 
completely surrendering to it. 

 Colony House – “Silhouettes” 
– Newbies Colony House just 
released their debut record, 
“When I Was Younger,” on 
July 22nd. Nashville up and 
comers can be described as 
Kings Of Leon lite. Not as raw 
and slightly more polished than 
the rugged KOL, the trio dive 
into the spectrum of where 
darkness is greeted by lightness. 
“Silhouettes” is a fun, catchy, 
lively summer track. While the 
band has a far way to go to match 
the success of fellow Nashville 
natives, their new record may be 
the starting point they just need 
to eventually reach such great 
heights. 


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On the Marquee: Notes from the Sierra MadrePlayhouse


The Upcoming Season – A Special Mix

By Christian Lebano, Artistic Director

 
As I was putting this season together, I was looking 
for a mix of plays that would support our new 
Mission – to produce only American plays. But 
I was also looking for plays that would give our 
audiences a range of experiences and points of 
view. There are so many factors that go into play 
selection – from suitability to availability (we got 
turned down for rights five times) that the puzzle 
that is a season became a real challenge. I am 
proud of what we’ve put together for you.

 - 6 RMS RIV VU by Bob Randall (August 1 – 
September 6) was a 10 Best play in 1972, but has 
been overlooked since then – there hasn’t been an 
LA area production in many years. We wanted to 
end the summer with a romantic comedy and this 
one seemed perfect. It will remind anyone who was 
a young adult during that period of hot topics like 
Women’s Lib and encounter groups. And anyone 
who lived in New York during this period will find 
many of the references amusing. This play will not 
interest children under 14.

 4000 Miles by Amy Herzog (September 26 – 
November 8) was an unexpected coup. A 2013 
Pulitzer-nominated play, SMP will be giving it its 
LA County premiere. It’s a beautifully written play 
about two people at opposite ends of life reaching 
out and finding common ground in their loneliness 
and isolation. AND it’s pretty funny. This play 
reminds me in many ways of Driving Miss Daisy 
and should appeal to audiences who enjoyed that 
show. This play is not appropriate for children 
under 16 because of references to sex and drugs.

 A Little House Christmas (November 28 – 
December 28) from the books by Laura Ingalls 
Wilder and adapted by Jim DeVita is a charming 
play that celebrates the simple pleasures of a family 
Christmas. So many of us read the books as 
children or enjoyed the television series, it will be 

a pleasure to rediscover the joy the Ingalls family 
found in each other. This play is suitable for young 
children and families.

 

Einstein is a Dummy by Karen Zacarias with 
music by Debbie Wicks La Puma (January 16 
– February 28) is our second Field Trip Series 
offering after the great success we had with schools 
last year with Battledrum. This play will be offered 
to local schools at matinees during the week and 
on Saturday matinees for our patrons and their 
children. A 12-year old Albert struggles with all 
the issues a young person faces but finds a universe 
inside himself. It’s funny, moving and has great 
songs. It is appropriate for children 7 and up.

 A Walk in the Woods by Lee Blessing (January 
30 – February 28) will play in the evenings during 
the run of Einstein is a Dummy – SMP’s first 
rotating repertory! A wonderful play about two 
arms negotiators – a Russian and an American 
– who find common ground away from the 
negotiating table. This play seemed like a natural 
pairing with Einstein. This play will not interest 
children under 16 – though there is nothing 
inappropriate in it.

 The Odd Couple by Neil Simon (March 
20 – April 26) is an American Classic about 
what happens when two old friends who are 
very different men room together after both 
are separated from their wives. Set in 1966, this 
wonderfully funny play still has lots to say about 
marriage and friendship. This play is appropriate 
for children 14 and up. 

 Always….Patsy Cline by Ted Swindley (May 8 
– June 27) rounds out our season and will end it 
with a rollicking bang. Based on a series of letters 
between Patsy Cline and her number one fan, this 
musical has all the songs we love so much and a lot 
humor and heart. This musical is produced a lot 
but rarely in a space as intimate as ours – we are all 
in for a treat. Appropriate for children 10 and up 
and essential for anyone who loves Patsy Cline!

Please let me hear from you about programming at the 
Playhouse. christian.lebano@sierramadreplayhouse.org 
Come home to the Playhouse – where great entertainment 
journeys begin.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com