Ken Bell, alto and chorus conductor on cow horn

Continually, I find great, sometimes unheralded, treasures here in America’s Finest City that prove otherwise. One such is the La Jolla Symphony Orchestra & Chorus, now actually in its 57th season of bringing classical music to Southern California. I had the opportunity to experience this orchestra with more than a half century of legacy for the first time, May 5, at its Spring Symphonies at the Mandeville Auditorium on the UCSD campus. The sky was bright because May 5 was the night of the “super moon;” but there was some considerable shining going on inside as well.

Sometimes it is best to view a theatrical performance, whether a play or a concert, with no pre-conceived expectations and just absorb it, allowing it to be enlightening and take you where it will. That is how I approached the evening. The first surprise was the Mandeville Auditorium itself, in an almost classic, idyllic setting among the eucalyptus trees on the beautiful UCSD campus. But more on that in a moment.

The evening began with a half-hour lecture by conductor David Chase. It was informative and prepared the audience for the performance. I never knew that most symphonies have a structured format of four movements or parts, each with a different energy and purpose. As with most musical productions, there is a build-up with the first movements generally being quieter, and the fourth movement pulling out all the stops. Chase affectionately referred to the fourth movements of the evening’s two largest pieces as “romps in the park.” And to be sure, symphonies convey a story, a mood, a place or time through a variety of rhythms, saving the “best for last.”

The focus of all the evening’s pieces was obviously “spring.” They musically related such seasonal aspects as the melting snow of winter, the bursting forth of spring blossoms, the fanciful interest in love and the rollout of summer. The symphony’s approximately 80 musicians, and the chorus’ more than 120 members, were joined by the San Diego Youth Coast Singers, a 100+ voice youth chorale.

The evening began with two relatively short elegies for string instruments by Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg. Chase described them as “character pieces,” the first about broken hearts, the other, remembrances. Next was Robert Schumann’s robust “Symphony No. 1 in B-flat Major: Spring.” As the title suggests, it was Schumman’s first symphony and full of his youthful exuberance. But I also found it exceptionally melodic and peaceful. Filling the second part of the evening after an intermission was Benjamin Britten’s “Spring Symphony,” a true melding of poetry and music. As the highlight piece, it brought together 13 disparate poems sung by the chorus with three soloists and the power of all the instruments. Soloists Kerrie Caldwell, Martha Jane Weaver and Christopher Bingham all brought to the stage outstanding voices and a commanding professional presence. Together they created a memorable crescendo in the fourth movement finale that Chase said included “everything but the kitchen sink,” including a cow horn.

The Mandeville Auditorium, while not overtly stunning, is more than adequate with very fine acoustics and a distinctly wide-open, airy and inviting feel. With about 800 seats, no one feels remote to the performers. Seating is available in movable chairs close to the stage or in theater seats covering the back two-thirds of the auditorium. Neither are exceptionally comfortable. The “orchestra” seats offer a trade-off: less comfort (think thinly padded plastic chairs) but a delightful, more intimate closeness to the stage. Choose your priority. I suspect that plush seating is avoided to prevent the audience from being lulled to sleep by beautiful concert music. The lobby is small and intimate with a separate box office area that is actually a pleasant reception room.

I cannot say enough about the physical setting for the auditorium that makes one forget they are in a large city. Relish the stroll through the campus from the parking lot, and if conditions are right, breathe in the fresh eucalyptus smell. One recommendation I heartily make: arrive early to enjoy the musicians practicing and tuning their instruments. It gives a sense of their seriousness and dedication to their craft. Indeed, by the end of the evening, I had an even greater appreciation for the marriage of the musician and his or her instrument. The orchestra’s members encompass a wide age range from 20s to 80s, slightly slanted toward the more mature, much like the audience. It was especially intriguing to see a silver-haired woman plying her cello with youthful exuberance. Though the musicians and chorus were all formally dressed in black and white, the audience showed a wide variance, more dress-casual than not.

In welcoming the audience, La Jolla Symphony & Chorus Executive Director Diane Salisbury offered a major announcement. They will be performing Britten’s “Spring Symphony” May 27 at New York’s famed Carnegie Hall. If you are unable to catch them there, learn more about upcoming symphony performances and their new season at lajollasymphony.com. If you feel that classical music is not your forte, give it a chance to expand your horizons. You will find it a refreshing treasure, especially set peacefully at the Mandeville.

A writer who revamped Batman for DC Comics has said that the character is “very, very gay.”

Grant Morrison, the leading writer of superhero comic books today, spoke about the comic book superhero in a recent interview with Playboy magazine.

Morrison who became interested in the class element of Batman – “He’s a rich man who beats up poor people,” described Batman as being very plutonian – he’s wealthy and sexually deviant.

“Gayness is built into Batman,” he said, adding, “I’m not using gay in the pejorative sense, but Batman is very, very gay. There’s just no denying it. Obviously as a fictional character he’s intended to be heterosexual, but the basis of the whole concept is utterly gay. I think that’s why people like it.”

As well as Batman, Morrison has also had successful runs on a number of titles including The Invisibles, New X-Men and the Fantastic Four.

Anna Paquin

Despite often being dismissed by people as a cop-out, bisexuality is actually real. So says True Blood actress Anna Paquin in a recent interview with Zooey magazine.

Paquin, who is currently married to co-star Stephen Moyer, came out as bisexual in 2010. Currently featured as Zooey’s May cover girl, Paquin told the magazine in an interview, “I’m sure for some people saying they’re bisexual feels less scary than making a statement that they’re gay. For me, it’s not really an issue because I’m someone who believes being bisexual is actually a thing. It’s not made up. It’s not a lack of decision. It’s not being greedy or numerous other ignorant things I’ve heard at this point.”

Paquin continued, “For a bisexual, it’s not about gender. That’s not the deciding factor for who they’re attracted to.”

The Avengers

I just saw a headline online that asked, “Is The Avengers the greatest comic book movie ever?” I don’t know what the writer’s answer was, but I know what my response to the question would be: No, it’s not the greatest comic book movie ever. The Avengers is about as deep as its superfluous 3-D effects, but it is the most entertaining, and most expertly made, big-budget action movie of the year.

Marvel, the comic book brand that controls The Avengers, has been building up the movie for several years by foreshadowing it in the two Ironman movies and last summer’s Thor and Captain America. Samuel L. Jackson, playing Nick Fury, the director of the CIA-like S.H.I.E.L.D., pops up in all of these movies to hint at creating a group of superheroes to fight supervillains. In The Avengers, he finally succeeds, assembling Ironman (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), The Hulk (this time played by Mark Ruffalo), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) to fight the combined forces of Thor’s evil brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and an army of nasty aliens called the Chitauri.

They’re all fighting over a glowing mysterious cube of unlimited power called the Tesseract. But who cares? The Avengers was mostly constructed to get all of these iconic characters on screen together, participate in a great deal of witty repartee, and then get involved in massive, extremely destructive battles. However, because Marvel hired the fan boy god Joss Whedon what could have been a silly, muddled slog is instead a sharp, smart and expertly choreographed showcase for more than half a dozen beloved superheroes.

In two hours and twenty minutes, Whedon managed to develop the character of each of the heroes. Whedon has long been adept at directing complex comic ensembles, and he does those in The Avengers with great results. But he doesn’t have experience with long, CGI action sequences. Nevertheless, Whedon’s direction of the battle between the Avengers and Loki and his aliens is sparklingly clear. The destruction of New York during the battle reminded me of Michael Bay’s destruction of Chicago in last summer’s Transformers 3; the difference was that in The Avengers, I could follow all of the action, the impossible physics made sense, and it wasn’t cruelly violent. It was thrilling and fun, and it was even funny. In particular, Whedon has a lot of fun with the Hulk.

Not everything in The Avengers works. Hawkeye is barely a character, which is disappointing since Renner can be such a crackling screen presence. The aliens don’t have a point – they don’t seem to have a reason to want the Tesseract or destroy the world. And then there’s Samuel L. Jackson, who has never been worse. He seemed bored. This is especially weird since no one who is watching him in The Avengers could be bored. They’re too busy having fun.

Christie Brinkley

thursday, may 10

Chicago

Christie Brinkley makes her San Diego debut as she reprises her killer role in the six-time Tony Award-winning musical smash hit Chicago. This tale of greed, murder, corruption and show biz is filled with hit songs such as “ All That Jazz,” “Cell Block Tango” and “Razzle Dazzle.”

San Diego Civic Theatre, 1098 Third Ave. in San Diego, 7:30 p.m., tickets from $28.75, 619-570-1100, broadwaysd.com.

Romeo and Juliet

friday, may 11

Romeo and Juliet

City Ballet of San Diego presents Romeo and Juliet , the classic story of romance and tragedy. This premiere full-length production is choreographed by Elizabeth Wistrich with live music performed by the City Ballet orchestra conducted by John Nettles.

Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway in San Diego, 8 p.m., tickets from $29, 619-220-8497, cityballet.org.

saturday, may 12

Humphreys Concerts by the bay present Devo

Almost 40 years after first appearing in their yellow jumpsuits and “flower-pot” hats, Devo is still making music together. Devo formed in Akron, Ohio in 1972. They were new wave’s first and most successful band. Their huge single “Whip It,” with the help of MTV made them a cult sensation. In 2010, Devo released their first album in 20 years, Something For Everybody, which proved that Devo could continue to create quality music that appeals to fans new and old, still fitting comfortably with their back catalog.

Humphreys Concerts by the bay, 2241 Shelter Island Dr. in San Diego, 8 p.m., tickets $60, 800-745-3000, humphreysconcerts.com.

Devo

sunday, may 13

San Diego Mother’s Day cruises

Show Mom how much you appreciate all she does by gathering the family together for a relaxing day on San Diego Bay. Choose from morning brunch, afternoon brunch, or an evening dinner cruise, and celebrate in style. Live music, great food and lovely scenery make Mother’s Day extra special.

Hornblower Cruises and Events, Grape Street Pier, 1800 North Harbor Drive in San Diego, 9:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m. or 6 p.m., tickets from $64.95 per guest, 619-686-8700, hornblower.com.

Dita Von Teese

monday, may 14

Dita Von Teese Burlesque: Strip Strip Hooray! variety show

She is the biggest name in burlesque since Gypsy Rose Lee. She is a modern day fashion icon who tops best-dressed lists all over the world. She is credited for bringing back the glamour and allure of Old Hollywood stars. She is Dita Von Teese.

House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Ave. in San Diego,7 p.m., tickets from $35, 619-299-258, houseofblues.com.

Alan Gilbert

tuesday, may 15

The New York Philharmonic

La Jolla Music Society presents the oldest and most famous of all major American orchestras, the New York Philharmonic which is the definitive international-level orchestra in America. Conducted by Alan Gilbert the program includes Dvořák’s Carnival Overture, Opus 92, Debussy’s La Mer and Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4 in F Minor, Opus 36.

Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St. in San Diego, 8 p.m., tickets from $27, 858-459-3728, ljms.org.

wednesday, may 16

Master Harold … and the Boys

Living Light Theatre presents South African playwright Athol Fugard’s heart-wrenching drama, Master Harold … and the Boys. An ordinary rainy afternoon in 1950s South Africa turns into a profound and life-changing experience for young, white Harold and the beloved black servants who have been his surrogate fathers. Faced with the return of his tyrannical father, Harold transfers his anger and pain to his servants, transforming their relationship for the first time from childhood friends and companions into subservient help. Master Harold is a stunning masterpiece, one of the most powerful coming-of-age plays ever written, and a timely, compelling and moving drama.

Lyceum Space Theatre, Horton Plaza in San Diego, 7:30 p.m., tickets $28, 619-544-1000, livinglighttheatre.webs.com.

Be sure to read Tom Andrew’s review in Top Highlights and Section 4a

(The following is edited promotional copy)

After her critically acclaimed debut as Roxie Hart on Broadway and in London’s West End, Christie Brinkley, one of the most successful supermodels in history, will make her Broadway tour debut this spring as she reprises her “killer role” in the six-time Tony Award-winning musical smash hit “Chicago.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Christie and her incredible dedication, focus and determination that she exhibits..,” said producer Barry Weissler. “I’m excited to share with audiences the stellar performance that she delivers.”

During her career as one of the world’s most successful and recognizable fashion models, Christie Brinkley has appeared on more than 500 magazine covers worldwide. But the supermodel also excels as an artist, writer, photographer, designer, actress, philanthropist environmentalist and political activist, according to a press release issued by the show’s production company.

Christie Brinkley\Credit: Andrew Eccles

Now in its 16th year of girls, glitz and glamour on the Great White Way, the record-breaking smash hit musical “Chicago” is now the fourth longest-running production in Broadway history.

With a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, “Chicago” is also the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival. The show also won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording.

Set amid the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, “Chicago” is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids.

Directed by Tony Award winner, Walter Bobbie and choreographed by Tony Award winner Ann Reinking, “Chicago” features set design by John Lee Beatty; costume design by Tony Award winner, William Ivey Long; lighting design by Tony Award winner Ken Billington; and sound design by Scott Lehrer.

A Ford model for more than thirty years, Christie Brinkley was discovered by a photographer in Paris at the age of eighteen. Since then, she has become the first model to ever appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated for three consecutive years, and appeared in the publication’s annual swimsuit issues and television specials for years to follow.

In 1976, CoverGirl gave Brinkley her first “big break” in modeling with a contract, which launched the start of a 20-year partnership that marks the longest-running cosmetics contract of any model in history.

Christie Brinkley is known for her commitment to health and fitness. She wrote and illustrated a health and beauty book entitled, “Christie Brinkley’s Outdoor Beauty and Fitness Guide” which topped The New York Times bestseller list.

On the big screen, she made her acting debut in 1983 opposite Chevy Chase in the hit feature film National Lampoon’s Vacation and its 1997 sequel, Vegas Vacation. She has also famously appeared in Billy Joel’s classic music videos “Uptown Girl,” “Keeping the Faith” and “All About Soul,” as well as Mick Jones’ music video “Just Wanna Hold.”

On television, Christie has appeared on NBC’s “Mad About You” and hosted Lifetime Television’s “InStyle Celebrity Weddings,” which became the highest rated special in Lifetime’s history. She has also been featured in Vh1′s “Pop Culture Icons” series. Christie has been the subject of many documentaries including the HBO program “Beautiful Baby, Beautiful,” Lifetime’s “Intimate Portrait” and “Barbara Walters’ Oscar Night Special.”

Christie is an active member and dedicated supporter/activist for many organizations including UNICEF’s Art and Entertainment Support Committee, Handgun Control, Ovarian Cancer, Susan G. Komen Foundation, the Cousteau Society, Southern Poverty Law, The Wilderness Society and stopglobalwarming.org.

She currently lives in New York with two of her three children, Sailor Lee and Jack Paris. Her daughter, actress/singer Alexa Ray Joel, lives in New York City.

West Side Story

dvr this

Turner Classic Films, Monday, May 7, 7 p.m.

Easily one of the two or three greatest movie musicals of all time, West Side Story is also my favorite. Stunningly shot, directed and choreographed, it is not just so beautiful to look at, but as affecting as any production of Romeo & Juliet, which it is, of course, based on. The rival Italian families of Shakespeare’s play are replaced by rival ethnic gangs in modern New York City, with Maria (Natalie Wood) falling in love with Tony (Richard Beymer) before tragedy strikes. The songs and the score are among the most indelible of 20th century music. Not to be missed.

Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams in The Vow

dvds of the week

Channing Tatum has suddenly become a very bankable star. The thriller Haywire landed with a soft thud that no one heard, but a couple weeks later the saccharine love story The Vow was a surprising hit. Both are out right now, and they’d be a good double feature. Because he’s so damn good-looking. And it turns out he’s not that bad of an actor either. (The Vow also has Rachel McAdams, who can make any movie ten times better. And Haywire was directed by Steven Soderbergh, who can’t make a bad movie.)

Justin Utley

Growing up gay in the Mormon community gave up-and-coming alt-country musician Justin Utley a unique perspective. After spending two unsuccessful years in church-run ex-gay therapy, he split from the church in 2005 and moved to New York City to pursue a music career. Utley’s second CD, Nothing This Real, chronicles his journey.

Abby Walker: How is your new CD different from your previous music?

Justin Utley: It’s more honest. I think I was more reserved on my previous album because I hadn’t come out. I had to be more ambiguous in my lyrics and I felt like I didn’t want to be pigeon-holed as a gay artist. This time around I wanted to be more direct in my lyrics but still leave it open enough that people can relate to it on their own level. I wanted to write from my heart about my own experiences.

How did you get your start in country music?

I had just finished a run of the Broadway show, Our Country, here in New York that was about an outed gay country superstar. The reviews said, “Justin Utley, a country singer,” so I was dubbed a country singer before I actually even considered myself much of a country artist. But in comparison with a lot of other music out there in the genre, I guess you could say that I’m a country crossover artist.

Did you grow up listening to country music? Who are your musical influences?

Being from Utah in the western side of Salt Lake Valley, our high school had a rodeo club and a lot of cowboys. I grew up with country music but a lot of my influences were also a lot of alt-rock like Pearl Jam. I got into some of the crossovers like Sheryl Crow, Dixie Chicks.

What was your first big break?

I’d been doing some high school musicals. This is what broke me out of the Mormon music scene and into the more mainstream markets. When I was in a seven month run of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Utah it got noticed by the governor’s office so when the 2002 Olympics came around they asked me to be one of the featured performers in some of the ceremonies and parties. That was pretty cool and that brought me some attention outside of Utah. I started flying out to New York to do some fundraising and I felt like, “Wow, New York is the place to be.” I think the last people to make it big while living in Utah were the Osmonds. I felt like I needed to make a break and move from Utah to New York.

Justin Utley

What is the number one highlight in your musical career?

It’s a tie. The first would be performing for Stockholm Pride last year before an audience of at least 10,000 people. It was amazing. To know that I connected to people halfway across the world, people were singing along, people were blogging about it afterward. It was humbling and an experience that I’ll never forget. Plus, it was great being in Sweden and seeing their acceptance of LGBT equality on every issue, on every level. It wasn’t just gay pride; it was more about celebrating equality for everybody. That was very eye-opening for me.

The other one is that last December, the It Gets Better program asked me to perform at their holiday concert along with their leads from the Book of Mormon musical and Wicked. They asked me to perform my single “Stand for Something.”

Can you tell us more about “Stand for Something?”

I had written a basic version years ago. When Prop. 8 happened, I was very upset and not in an angry kind of way but in a passionate kind of way. The rights of individuals should never be on a popular ballot. But I felt like if enough people would have just gotten off their asses and voted, it would have made a huge difference because it passed by such a small margin. I had to put this passion that I had onto paper and into a song. I pulled the song and rewrote most of the music and lyrics and put it together in the wake of Prop. 8 as a banner call for not just LGBT equality but also youth homelessness and suicide and anything that you can apply the stand for something message to.

What was it like growing up in Utah in the Mormon community?

It was quite the ride. I was raised in a very conservative Mormon household. We went to church every Sunday. Most of the people I went to church with went to my same elementary, junior high and high school so if you didn’t go to church on Sunday or drank a bottle of iced tea, one would know and it would probably get back to your parents.

When I realized that I was gay after my mission, I went into ex-gay therapy for two years. I didn’t know of anyone else who was in my situation because it was on the down low. Through my experience in ex-gay therapy, the reason people are hush-hush about it is because it’s treated like a disorder or a disease. It’s caused by something that happened to you in your childhood or there’s something biologically wrong with you that can be medicated. When I finally realized after two years that it wasn’t working and wouldn’t work, I experienced what it was like to live on the outside of that social Mormon experience.

What was your experience like at the 2011 San Diego Pride?

It was a very cool experience. You guys put on a really great Pride. The fact that it was in Balboa Park was pretty amazing. Some of the other Prides that I’ve been to have been in a parking lot, but Balboa Park was a beautiful setting. I met a lot of people in the straight community who were very supportive of LGBT rights and LGBT equality. I think I met more straight people than gay people, which was very cool to see. I’d love to come back this year.

Hulu launches LGBT offerings/Source: Hulu

Hulu has launched its new LGBT category heading on the free, ad-supported Hulu and Hulu Plus. Implemented as a navigational tool to facilitate easier access to Hulu’s substantial offerings of LGBT films, this new category heading arises out of an initiative spearheaded by LGBT film distributor Wolfe Video. Hulu.com’s LGBT genre category can be accessed at hulu.com/genres/Gay-and-Lesbian.

The new Hulu category highlights LGBT content much more prominently on the platform, helping users locate that content more efficiently, including dozens of new titles from an array of content partners. Visitors can currently access nearly 100 films in the LGBT category with new titles being added weekly. Notable movies include last year’s acclaimed Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell drama A Marine Story and the anti-bullying musical Were The World Mine, as well as LGBT classics such as the documentary Paris Is Burning and the acclaimed independent drama Frida.

“Wolfe has been working with content providers and retailers for more than twenty years on this simple but important distinction. Creating a visible category for gay and lesbian films continues to be a vitally important reflection of LGBT equality in our culture,” said Wolfe VP, Linda Voutour. “We’re extremely grateful to our colleagues at Hulu for taking such leadership in the digital delivery space.”