'Carousel' actors twirl in pure joy

One of the pleasures of writing about entertainment events is the chance to attend rehearsals of new shows. Tuesday night I was able to take in parts of "You Know I Can't Hear You When the Water's Running" at the Brewery and the musical "Carousel" at the Community Center. The latter's opening act was something truly special.

The stage was bare, lights dim and the music on a record. Director Robert Grant called out for the cast to assemble for Scene 1. The mob of actors, dancers and acrobats assembled, the music boomed and the cast swung into action.

It was a blazing moment of movement, gingham skirts twirling, britches tight, smiles of joy on just about every face. It was one of those magical moments that happen in the theater. The music soared, the dancers twirled and the auditorium seemed to come to life. That "magic moment" certainly will win a standing ovation when "Carousel" opens at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.

Don't be put off by some of the more serious moments on "Carousel," such as Billy Bigelow's death. This is a musical with a positive affirmation, beautifully spelled out in the song "You'll Never Walk Alone." The Bigelow soliloquy and the ballet sequence tell a moving story. Don't miss it. Tickets are at 445-4249.

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With ski and snowboarding season alive and well, indoor sports seem less attractive. But John Michael Montgomery plays at the Silvery Legacy Saturday, and if you're a fan, you won't want to miss him. His dedication to "working man's country" wound up this year with "Letters From Home," about a GI fighting a long way from home. He's our country's countryman. The Legacy is offering a $69 Friday night rate.

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Comma Coffee is displaying wildlife photos by Val Dutter in the Caffeine! Gallery at 312 S. Carson St. Also on tap is the Mile High Jazz Band with vocalist Sheryl Adams, who will be joined by several local poets for an evening of "November Jazz and Poetry" 8 to 10 p.m. Tuesday.

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Brit Colin Ross brings the band along for a concert at the Brewery at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Colin played violin at school and first encountered traditional Northumbrian music through his involvement with the original Earsdon Sword dancers. He makes and plays the Northumbrian pipes. I'm not familiar with the genre, but anyone who plays the pipes has got to be worth hearing.

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"Back by popular demand" is the line from the Mandarin Garden in Virginia City for "Cathouse Afternoon." The show plays Fridays and Saturdays through Nov. 19. Call (775) 847-9288.

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I know, you hate opera. Well, maybe you can change that attitude if you try seeing "Turnandot" in Reno at 8 p.m. Friday or at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are on the steep side, admittedly, but it's a rousing opera with Pavarotti's window-busting hit, "Nessu Dorma." Puccini put it all into this one: Chinese kings, Chinese princes, blind fathers, even riddles. I saw it once in the arena in Verona, Italy, and there were elephants in the show. I doubt if that will happen in Reno, but there will be music you can hum as you exit, uplifted. Prices range from $27 to $74. Call (887) 639-3728.

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Nov. 11 (what we used to call Armistice Day), all U.S. military service veterans are welcomed to the Nevada state parks free. Might be a good place to contemplate those service days.

Contact reporter Sam Bauman at sbauman@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1236.