6th Annual Best in Show At The Orleans Arena  

(Title shot)

They say every dog has his day and this year it fell on June 1st, when The Animal Foundation held its 6th Annual Best in Show at The Orleans Arena. The family-friendly event featured 63 dogs, both purebred and mixed breed, all straining to strut their stuff for an appreciative multi-generational audience.

Robin Leach kicked off the festivities by introducing 14 year old Sierra Black who sang an Acappella version of The National Anthem. Comedian Louis Anderson warmed up the crowd with a few minutes of comedy while walking Abby, an Australian Shepherd around the arena. He commented that he’d “take her, but I hate to share food.” Anderson seems to be as universally loved as the canines.

John O’Hurley, in town as King Arthur in Spamalot over at The Wynn, took the floor as Emcee. The self-proclaimed “Grim Reaper” of television sitcoms hosts the National Dog Show Presented by Purina and the very popular game show, Family Feud, when not donning a chain mail costume for his “knightly” activities.

John O'Hurley

Even with 60+ canines-in-waiting there were more awe’s than paws in the arena. The dog lover audience fell in love over and over again with the four-legged (sometimes three) 2-eyed (sometimes one) rockets of furry fun.

Beginning with the Small dog Competition, AKC Judge Rosalie Alvarez expertly eyed the ten contestants, ultimately choosing Darby a Pembroke Corgi and Duke, a Pug as the two winners from the group. Also-rans included a Mini Pinscher, a Cairn Terrier (remember Toto?) and a Pekingese. Channel 13’s Tiffani Sargent and Channel 8’s Denise Valdez were on hand to add color to O’Hurley’s narration. (small breeds)

A Pretty Big But Not So Big Dog Review took place in parade-like fashion. These dogs weren’t competing, but showed off anyway, pulling their handlers toward the ringside crowd, lead by snout and ending by wagging tail. This group included an English Springer Spaniel, a Smooth Collie, and a Catahoula Leopard Dog named Mojo. (Jesse)

The Medium Dog competition was judged by Pat Alvarez, also AKC certified. The two winners in this category were Malcolm, a snow-white American Eskimo and Bonzo, a terrier mix. Current Miss Nevada Teen U.S.A., Lauren Hudman, showed Jewels, a Jack Russell Terrier. Lucy, a hound mix, was said to have “a beautiful hound face,” by O’Hurley, who then added, “You can’t say that to too many females.”

Several large video screens flashed still photographs of shelter dogs waiting for adoption along with human pleas for owners to neuter and spay beloved pets to stop the overpopulation of animals which then have to be put down needlessly.

A Puppy Parade followed for pint-sized pooches, six months or younger. Some were tiny enough to be carried. This group featured a Smooth Fox Terrier, a Standard Schnauzer, and a Toy Poodle. Those of us with large purses felt tempted…

Zowie Bowie, the perpetually engaged team of Marley Taylor and Chris Phillips, brought a bit of their Red Rock vintage nightclub show onto the floor to sings several numbers (This Could be the Start of Something Big, For Once in My Life, What is This Thing Called Love?) and ended their set with Mary J. Blige’s Family Affair that incorporated kids into the mix. The duo is like a reincarnation of Steve and Edie and that’s just fine with them.

'Zowie Bowie' Marley Taylor and Chris Phillips

Then it was time for the Large Dog competition, judged by Rosalie Alvarez with commentary by O’Hurley and Channel 5 anchor John Huck. Molly, a Boxer and Dexter, a Rottweiler proved to be the lucky two in this group, which also included a Siberian Husky and German Shepherd and a Vizsla (Hungarian Pointer).

Molly the Boxer

Large Breeds

Chloe

KVBC-Channel 3 morning anchor Kimberly Wagner and Chief meteorologist John Fredericks, both dog owners told their own stories. Wagner’s dog, Lucky, a long-haired Chihuahua found her and the family promptly rescued the stray. Longtime animal advocate and activist Fredericks is all about Man’s Best Friend and has an encyclopedic knowledge about their care. The Channel 3 team showed off a pair of special needs dogs, three-legged Dart and one-eyed Lucy, reminding the crowd that “special” can also mean exceptional and that dogs understand salvation and reward it with love, loyalty and devotion. (Kim & Lucy) (John & 3-legged Dart)

Kim Wagner and Lucy

John Fredericks and 3-legged 'Dart'

A Smedium Dog March filled the arena with a Wire-Haired Terrier, two Lhasa Apsos, a Shih Tzu purebred as well as one mix, a Long-Haired Chihuahua and a Long-Haired Dachshund, among others.

Marches, parades, reviews and competitions completed, VP of Cox Communications and AKC judge Steve Schorr took the floor to have a last look at the six finalists (two from each of the judged groups) and select the Best in Show Winner. After personally meeting each finalist, Duke the Pug, Darby the Corgi, Bonzo the Terrier Mix, Malcolm the American Eskimo, Dexter the Rottweiler, and Molly the Boxer, Schorr gave it all to the Rottweiler, a breed brought to U.S. popularity by the movie The Omen. Dexter received a large engraved silver cup and a blue ribbon for winning this year’s Best in Show.

Best In Show Judge Steve Schorr

Best In Show Judge meets 'Bonzo' and Kathy Ray

The Finalists

Best In Show winner, Dexter with Show Judge, Steve Schorr and John O'Hurley

The Las Vegas Wranglers’ mascot “The Duke” a green bull took the floor to gyrate wildly and get the crowd excited for the imminent adoptions, when each dog, uncrated but contained in several gated areas are displayed and ready to leave with their new families after administrative paperwork, fees and other human business was squared away. The dogs just wanted to meet their new yards and two-legged companions.

Adoption and awareness are major Animal Foundation goals. 40% of all shelter dogs are purebred, but who’d give up such magnificent specimens? Servicemen being deployed to Iraq, the elderly or recently deceased, and families going through foreclosure are just some of a host of circumstances that preclude the sudden, overwhelming expense of an animal. Last year alone, the Lied animal shelter received in excess of 50,000 dogs (that’s 150-200 per day). Without the hope of adoption, many of them are put down (euthanized).

During the competition, two dogs felt the call of nature and left deposits on the green astro-turf-like carpeting. Hey, it looked like grass. Chalk it up to truth in advertising. There’s work involved with these animals, but it’s matched and exceeded by the devotion received back from them. Who else will give you a hero’s welcome EVERY SINGLE TIME you return home?

Dogs’ life spans are much shorter than ours, and the joy they bring is that much more condensed and pure. They only know that they love us; the least we can do is let them.

For further information:
http://www.liedanimalshelter.org


 Beauty and the Beast at Spring Mountain Ranch

Belle is back, and she’s al fresco. The Disney heroine graces the outdoor stage at Super Summer Theater’s 33rd season at Spring Mountain Ranch State Park. Beauty and the Beast, the season’s first production, debuted under the stars and beside the mountains despite a windy evening that played havoc with props.

The impressive production enthralled a multi-generational audience with its opulence.

Colorful and sophisticated set decorations transport you from town to forest to castle to inn with a revolving staircase centerpiece that doubles (and triples) for library, bedroom, dining room, west wing, dungeon, and rooftop. Scene transition is swift and cleverly creative, keeping attention focused on dramatic action instead of technical transitions.

Staying true to the Disney animated film (which was made into a Broadway musical 14 years ago) Beauty and the Beast follows the tale of a cursed prince who must find true love to be transformed back into human form from a coarse “manimal”. Even his household staff is slowly turning into inanimate objects: candelabrum, clock, teapot, feather duster, vanity.

A series of events leads the lovely Belle into the Beast’s lair, where transformations of the heart occur but will they be in time? An enchanted rose is losing its petals and Beast must find his love before they’ve all fallen off. To complicate matters, pompous Gaston, who wishes to woo Belle in yet another bid for her captivity, foists evil plots revolving around her eccentric father to force her into marriage.

An absolutely radiant Kari Curletto charms mightily as Belle, the French country girl who loves books and finds herself in the Beast’s captivity. She brings Belle to life with her vivacious delivery, crystal clear voice and lovely countenance. As the luminous centerpiece of this production, she’ll run away with your eyes and you won’t mind one bit. She puts the beauty in Beauty with an inner depth that matches the outer dazzle. This Belle rings true, from start to finish.

Sevyn Mindoro’s long-suffering Beast ultimately takes on the countenance of a restored Prince. Mindoro throws himself into the role with a lot of heart, but an unfortunate deficit in vocal skill and overall appearance. I want the Beast to be large and threatening, the tallest presence on the stage. He doesn’t scare me if the candelabrum looks like it can take him. The Prince must be lithe and dashingly handsome, and my mind’s eye clamored for a more fairytale presence than Mindoro was able to provide. I do, however, offer up sincere admiration for anyone dedicated enough to put it out there for mass consumption and commentary.

Erik Ball plays his Gaston as a classic male chauvinist pig, and ham it up he does. With makeup that accentuates his unlikable nature a bit too much, he was less a pretty boy than a bully, making it hard to understand his swooning squad of alternately squealing and sobbing groupies. You’ll love to hate this one. Evan Litt, Sr.’s LeFou is the perfect foil for the pompous Gaston. A hapless lackey and perpetual yes-man to the villain, Litt plays his foolish role to the hilt, acrobatics included. He’s a pleasure to watch for his multi-talented singing, acting, dancing and comedic timing.

Brooke Voight as Mrs. Potts the Teapot deserves an award for staying in a challenging costume for the duration of the production. Her right arm is a tea spout (picture the front half of someone walking like an Egyptian). The dear lady sings the title song, making it hers, although most will compare it to Angela Lansbury’s lovely rendition, a disservice to Voight, but I’m afraid, inevitable.

Steve Huntsman’s Lumiere can indeed wax poetic about his candelabrum costume. With head and hands aflame, Hunstman keeps the legacy of the late, great Jerry Orbach alive with his flamboyant and whimsical performance, full of joie de vivre and warmth (pun intended). John Wennsfrom handles his fussy Cogsworth with the correct mixture of peevish martinet and sympathetic caretaker.

Jennifer De La Torre’s giddy feather duster, Babette, nearly sweeps the stage clean of competition when she’s around. Her joyful optimism is infectious and not confined to the stage. Shannon Cook’s Madame De La Grande Bouche (in vanity form) is an operatic treat, another daunting costume in which she must expose her drawers every now and then. What a trooper!

Gerald Born’s Maurice is a bit too young to play Belle’s father, even with makeup he appears youthful. Chris Hermening’s Monsieur D’Arque, the local sanitarium manager, looks like General Custer if he were one of the three Musketeers.

Brett Bushell’s Chip - My hat’s off to this young man, who spends most of the play in a tea cart, his head enclosed in a teacup bonnet. His clear voice and good projection will serve him well in years to come.

Producer/Director Phillip Shelburne is to be commended for the technical skill, inventive costuming and overall excellent production value that went into the making of Beauty and the Beast, an especially ambitious undertaking (music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman & Tim Rice).

Costume design and construction kudos go to Frederic Pineau, Michael Rennie, and Randy Hendrickson for eye-popping creations including flatware (dancing fork, spoon and knife-heads, very sharp), salt and pepper shakers, a set of measuring spoons, a squad of napkin girls, two living gargoyles and scores of French townspeople in addition to principal actor-objects like Lumiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, Babette, etc.

Beauty and the Beast is a delightful feast for the eyes and ears. Being outdoors lends itself to the magic, where moonlight can make an unannounced appearance, and even the Big Dipper commands a starring role.

About Super Summer Theater ’08:
Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the gate. Children 5 and younger are free. Performances: Wednesday through Saturday. Gates open at 6 p.m., with performances beginning at 8 p.m. - June 11-14 and 18-21. Spring Mountain Ranch is located 10 miles west of the Charleston/215 exit.

Spring Mountain Ranch Theater will also feature productions of 1776 and Aida during July and August, respectively.

For further information:
(702) 594-7529
http://www.unlvtickets.com