What’s Cookin’

Ensemble Theatre Company has clearly found the recipe for success with the fifth and final show of its season at the New Vic.

Cookin’ at the Cookery: The Music and Times of Alberta Hunter, a production about the extraordinary life of an extraordinary woman infused with jazz and blues, is written, directed, and choreographed by Marion J. Caffey with music direction by George Caldwell.

Forced to retire at the age of 82, Hunter, who was a singing sensation in the 1920s through the 1950s, experienced a remarkable rebirth at New York’s celebrated music venue The Cookery, finding a new generation of fans.

The highly entertaining show, which features such hits as “Sweet Georgia Brown” and “Darktown Strutters Ball”, shines brightly with a truly dynamic duo, LaVon Fisher-Wilson as the older Hunter and Dayna Jar Dantzler in the role as a younger version, who also multi tasks in a number of other parts, including a very credible Louis Armstrong.

The energized production, which runs through Sunday, June 24, is not to be missed.

$100K is A-OK

Better late than never!

CADA – Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse – held its 7th annual gratitude lunch at the Biltmore, with the 100 guests raising more than $100,000 for the nonprofit’s 23-year-old mentor program, which matches fourth to eighth graders with adult help.

The boffo bash had originally been scheduled for February, but Mother Nature’s wrath delayed the popular repast.

Ed Stonefelt, president and CEO, described the program, which has helped more than 2,000 youngsters over the years, as a matter of “time, patience, and love” with 75 percent of children showing significant improvement at school and 92 percent resilience to substance abuse challenges.

“We paint a picture of possibilities,” he concluded.

Anne Towbes, founder of the KEYT-TV mentor marathon, and Janet Garufis, chairman of Montecito Bank & Trust, emceed the event, with Sally Green, retired principal of Canalino Elementary School in Carpinteria, receiving the Penny Jenkins Mentor Champion of the Year award.

Among the supporters turning out were Merrill Brown, Lois Capps, Catherine Remak, Terry Ryken, Steve and Caroline Thompson, Joyce Dudley, Frank and Tricia Goss, Nina Terzian, Mark Danielson, Susan Keller, Bob and Patty Bryant, Dana and Andrea Newquist, Judi Weisbart, Arlyn Goldsby, Alan Rose, Jean Schuyler, Kenny Slaught, and Nancy and Carrie Ransohoff.