JONES & BOYCE ARE BACK
Brian Jones and Susan Boyce will perform on June 13, 14, and 15 at the Carriage House, 7 Duncan Avenue, Providence. This is of significance in Casa Diablo-land simply because Jones & Boyce are among the most exquisite and entertaining performers you will ever see.
Jorge, an old geezer with more than a little experience in the world of showbiz who has known just about every great performing artist to break out of the Biggest Little — from Martin Mull to Barbara Meek to Talking Heads to Duke Robillard to Charles Rocket to Scott Hamilton to Richard Jenkins — believes that Jones & Boyce are right up there with the best of the best.
Brian's ability to be simultaneously elegant and wacky is a manifestation of genius that one must see to believe. And the fine actress/singer/dancer Susan Boyce has a comedic gift that will remind you of Lucille Ball or Carol Burnett. They specialize in a kind of theatrical musical comedy that is sharp and virtuosic. It is rarely seen these days because it is so difficult to master and, make no mistake, Jones & Boyce are masters.
The shows include a Monday date due to the fact that Monday is when theater stages are dark and there is a great deal of interest among local theater professionals in seeing this show. P&J would strongly suggest that you call the Carriage House box office for reservations (401.831.9479, Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm). Spare yourself the sorrow of true aesthetic regret (a terrible curse for which there is no cure) and make sure you see this show.
ANOTHER ENTERTAINMENT TIP
When the Phoenix staff is in relaxation mode, the boîte of choice is generally Nick-a-Nee's, at the corner of South and Chestnut. Nick's will be celebrating their 13th anniversary next weekend, and one of the highlights will be a set by a shadowy band called NOU 40, aka No One Under 40. One gander at band patriarch and indisputable Vo Dilun legend Mark Taber and you know this is true. The rest of the crew is comprised of most of the gang from Loaded Dice (including the always fab Rob Nelson) and Gary Lait Cummings, the Canadian heartthrob, on lead vocals. (For a guy who lives in Canada, Gary spends an awful lot of nights playing music in southern New England.)
This is only the second gig for this hoary pick-up group, but they were a big wow at their debut about a month back and, considering the personnel, we expect nothing less than a "fine time had by all" scenario for this date.
Gary is actually threatening to "comb his hair" for this gig, so you know it's something special. NOU 40 will play on Sunday around 6 pm and there will be plenty of other great music all weekend at the big block party.
KUDOS AND CONGRATS
P+J could not be prouder of the students from East Providence High School who turned out in force to demonstrate against the anti-gay and anti-Jewish hatemongers from the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kansas (where men are men and the sheep are nervous), who were in Little Rhody for a stop on their national display of what happens when you inbreed for decades.
