::: George Christy ::: From the Beverly Hills Courier

Jeannette, you fooled us, playing the shy, retiring and abused Celie in The Color Purple. Who knew that, during the second act, Jeannette Bayardelle would shiver the timbers of our Ahmanson Theatre, where the entertaining musical is performed through March 9th. Bursting forth with her gospel-powerful voice, she wowed the audience during a Sunday afternoon premiere last weekend. Nor should we overlook her acting talent. At the reception in the ballroom of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, producer Scott Sanders revealed that Jeannette lately played Celie on Broadway, after understudying 10 other roles. He was thrilled when she opted to appear on the road with The Color Purple that was nominated for 11 Tony awards, including Best Musical in 2006. Jeannette, 29, headlines a strong cast that boasts many vibrant performers, including the indomitable showstopper, Felicia R. Fields, in the role of Sofia (Chaka Khan takes over the role next month on Broadway). Michelle Williams of DestinyÕs Child fame co-stars as Shug (for Sugar) Avery, and American IdolÕs LaToya London plays CelieÕs sister Nettie. We should mention Rufus Bonds Jr.Õs fine work in the role of the plantation owner Mister, who weds Celie, and handsome Stu James as his son Harpo. While you wonÕt hum any tunes leaving the theater, count on being uplifted with The Color PurpleÕs three-hour-plus, jubilee spirit of survival and its talented African-American cast, whose energy explodes onstage. Awarded the 1982 Pulitzer Prize, Alice WalkerÕs novel, The Color Purple, begat Steven SpielbergÕs 1985 film adaptation starring Whoopi Goldberg as Celie, Oprah Winfrey as Sofia, Margaret Avery as Shug, and was nominated for 11 Oscars. Convinced the story of healing love would transfer into a popular musical, Scott Sanders, 10 years ago, approached Alice Walker, who turned him down. ÒWe brought her to New York later, detailed how weÕd approach the story, she relented and gave us her blessing. Next month, she officiates at my commitment ceremony to intervention specialist Brad Lamm in New York.Ó Glimpsed at SundayÕs premiere were Quincy Jones, whoÕs among the producers and whose film score won an Oscar, the musicalÕs book writer Marsha Norman, composers and lyricists Allee Willis, Brenda Russell and Stephen Bray, who was with wife Stephanie Allain and her sons, Wade and Jesse, CTGÕs artistic director Michael Ritchie. Among this productionÕs supporters are Ava and Chuck Fries, as are Louise Taper and her kindergarten sweetheart and now husband Doug Walker, all members of Center Theatre GroupÕs Artistic Directors Circle. Ava and Chuck share 21 grandchildren, and are funding a special Young Audience Performance of the musical. ÒIÕm an actress,Ó says Ava. ÒTheater is part of my soul. I wonÕt be happy until every child in Los Angeles is afforded the opportunity to attend the theater at least once in their young lives.Ó On March 11, Judy Kaye and David Hess star in Sweeney Todd at the Ahmanson, followed by My Fair Lady on April 9th. Seeing Charlie WilsonÕs War, directed by Mike Nichols with Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts and scene-stealer Philip Seymour Hoffman, led me to reading 60 Minutes producer George CrileÕs eye-opening and deservingly bestselling account. For those wanting a more illuminating understanding of this covert operation that led to the downfall of the Soviet Union by the anti-Soviet Afghan Òfreedom fighters,Ó as I did, I suggest picking up a copy of the book. You will not be disappointed. YouÕll be hooked. Crile writes like a house afire in down-to-earth language that makes that makes the pages turn swiftly. Loyal Americans will be moved by this trio of these political tigers -- the boozing, coke-fueled, Playmate-chasing East Texas Congressman Charlie Wilson. He was persuaded and seduced by Houston bombshell Joanne Herring to convince Congress to ante up the $10 million to one billion dollars for this extraordinary coup to support the mujahideen. The arms were secretly procured and distributed by the bulldozing Avrakotos, who served on the front lines of the Cold War. For those who speak or understand Greek, the surname Avrakotos translates as Òno underwear,Ó obviously dating back centuries, most likely for peasant families without means. Aaron SorkinÕs film adaptation was not an easy task, thankfully itÕs an intelligent movie. All the same, political groupies will revel in a well-spent weekend devouring George CrileÕs incredible story. ÒSold out!Ó was Paul MazurskyÕs comment when he arrived at the Pierce Brothers Mortuary in Westwood to eulogize the late Freddie Fields, along with Ryan OÕNeal, Toni Howard, whose sense of humor had the overflow crowd chuckling, FreddieÕs niece Wendy Riche, Sidney Poitier, Mel Brooks. Those of us seated outdoors Ð Anne and Arnold Kopelson, Barbara Davis Ð missed many comments due to a faulty speaker system that needs repairing or replacing. A beloved and powerful deal maker and superagent, Freddie developed dozens of careersÐ Barbra Streisand, Paul Newman, Judy Garland, among them. He was a fine producer, whose film Glory won an Oscar for Denzel Washington. Freddie was a devoted family man, husband and father and friend, yet how many are aware of his terrific designing talent. Had he not become an agent, he would have had a successful architectural career. An exemplary testament to his good taste is his Beverly Hills hacienda, as is his Malibu estate, and the seaside villa on GreeceÕs lovely island of Mykonos, where Corinna, his beautiful wife of 26 years (voted Miss Greece and Miss Universe), summered with Freddie and friends. He and Corinna were non pareil hosts, their margarita and mariachi soirees were a coveted invitation, everyone making merry, singing and dancing and partaking of El CholoÕs delicious Mexican buffets. True to form, enchiladas and tamales, margaritas and strumming guitars celebrated Freddie after the service, with Corinna receiving friends and family at home. Among them were St. Sophia CathedralÕs Rev. Father John Bakas and wife Maria; Warren Cowan, his longtime public relations adviser, with wife Barbara; Jolene and George Schlatter; Jackie Collins; Joanna and Sidney Poitier; Annabelle and Jay Weston; Barry Krost; Maxine and Gary Smith; Abbe Lane and Perry Leff; Gary Pudney; Tina Sinatra; Michael Klein; Patricia and Tom Bosley; Laura Lizer; Nikki Haskell; Marilyn Katleman; Alan Riche; Joan and Herman Rush. A full house, and, of course, on hand were his two favored and gorgeous Dalmatians, whoÕll miss Freddie, as we all will, but remember him with abiding love. Online at www.bhcourier.com.