Page A7 May 27, 2009 E c c e n t r i c i t y g e ts a n A d d re s s ‘Grey Gardens’ inspired by cult film Portland Center Stage pre­ sents Grey Gardens: The M u­ sical, the Broadway smash hit inspired by the cult docum en­ tary classic that redefined our notions of eccentricity, Ameri­ can royalty and glam our in decline. This Tony-nom inated m u­ sical was inspired by the 1973 M aylse Brothers film about “Big Edie” Edith Bouvier Beale and her daughter “Little Edie” Bouvier Beale, the aunt and The full length velvet glove hides the fist. ‘Little Edie' cousin of Jackie Kennedy née Bouvier Beale (Rebecca Eichenberger), cousin o f Jackie Kennedy, expounds on how fashion can be a political Bouvier. statement in Grey Gardens: The Musical, playing through Once two o f the brightest June 21st on the Portland Center Stage Main Stage. stars in the New York social register, the Bouvier Beales ment tried to condem n their virtu ally aband o n ed in the decaying 28 room m ansion cam e to noto riety after the beach house. East Hampton health depart- The two women had been after Big E die’s husband d i­ vorced her, the Bouviers had disowned her and Little Edie's New York cabaret dreams had fallen flat. T he house was filthy and in astonishing dis­ repair - over 160 cats and rac­ coons had been allow ed to treat the house as their per­ sonal litter box. Embarrassed by the subse­ quent tabloid exposure, Jackie stepped in and invested nearly $30,000 to fix up the house. Jackie's sister, Lee Radziwell, later com m issioned a movie about the Bouvier family and sent Alfred and David Maylses out to visit. Fascinated, the Maylses decided to stay for six weeks to document these two staunch eccentrics. T he sta g e p ro d u c tio n opens on Friday, May 29, and runs through June 21. T ick­ e ts ra n g e fro m $ 3 3 .5 0 to $68.50, with student and un­ der 30 discounts available. LV’s Twelve 22 Bar & Lounge 3530 N Vancouver Ave 5 0 3 -2 8 1 -2 9 3 6 I The Little Big Spot Sun. Live Music Randy Starr and The Player-Jam Session 7:00- 12:00Funk&Soul Mon. Live Music Twelve 22 All-Stars Band 8:00-12:00 Open Mic, Singers, poets, Musicians, Guests Tues. Reaege Night 8 -12:30 Guest DJ’s and Bands Weds. Ladies Night- Twelve 22 All-Stars Band Guest DJ Rehearsal 5:00-7:00Live Thurs. Jazz Band - coming Soon-Happy Hour 6-9 Fri-Starting April 10 - Kings of Ol-Skool. Dress Code Enforced. D J ’s: Ken Berry, Larry Bell & Mike. $5 cover Saturday - Guest DJ Day time Sports on Flat Screen Great appretizers • Dinner Specials Portland First on Idols Tour This season’s American Idol top 10 contestants will be in Portland for two weeks next month prior to kicking off their North American tour on Sunday, July 5 in the Rose Garden arena. Tickets at the Rose Quarter Box Office and partici­ pating TicketsWest outlets. From Meek Start to Idol Winner Contest goes to guy with charm (A P ) — N ot m uch has ous episodes. changed about Kris Allen since Once selected as a finalist, his mostly forgettable "Ameri­ Allen got off to a rocky star, can Idol” audition. Well, except after his first performance. The for the winning-it-all part. judges were decidedly mixed When the 23-year-old college over his rendition of Michael student from Conway, Ark., firs, Jackson's "Man in the Mirror," auditioned with Leon Russell's yet his charming nice-guy de­ "A Song for You" in Louisville, meanor quickly emerged when Ky., he seemed nothing more it was revealed that the long­ th an a b o y -n e x t-d o o r "Idol" hopeful, lacking the in stan t ju g g ern au t feel of showy 27-year-old runner-up Adam Lambert or even plucky 17-year- old spark plug Allison Iraheta. A newsboy cap pulled down around his eyes, A llen was asked back then by the judges if he Kris Allen was the best singer. "You know, there's probably time Jackson fan had been help­ people who are better than me," ing the other singers — his was his response, a humility competitors of all people! — that Simon Cowell said he found tackle their takes on the King off-putting. of Pop. "Idol" producers must have Allen him self seem ed the agreed. Back in February, view­ most surprised about his shock­ ers had seen less of Allen ou, ing win hy a margin of votes of all the crooners tha, moved that, unlike last season's land­ forward in the competition. Dur­ slide victory by David Cook ing Holly wood Week, neither of over David Archuleta, was no, Allen's solos were aired, jus, his publicly declared by host Ryan "I Want You Back” group per­ Seacrest. formance. In fact, more footage "I'm e x h a u ste d , and I'm from his original audition was shocked." Allen said backstage aired during last week's eighth after winning the title. "I'm re­ season finale than in any previ­ ally shocked.” T V goes digital by June 12. Contact the Urban League of Portland if you need assistance Urban League of Portland 10 N. Russell, Portland, OR 97227 . (503) 280-2600 Training w orkshops Mon-Fri 8am-5pm