'Say Goodnight, Gracie'
Play review
By Cary Ginell soundthink@aol.com
      Comedian George Burns is the subject of "Say Goodnight, Gracie," a one-act play written by Rupert Holmes, a pop singer who in recent years has turned to writing for the stage (the Tonywinning musical "The Mystery of Edwin Drood").
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The Movie Nut
"Coraline"
      Directed by: Henry Selick Starring: (voices of) Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, John Hodgman. Keith David Rating: PG (for some scary images and themes, may be too frightful for toddlers and small children) Running time:
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Concert review
Elmer Ramsey leads Valentine's Day tribute to the big bands
By Cary Ginell soundthink@aol.com
      The sounds of the big band era wafted through the Samuelson Chapel at Cal Lutheran University Saturday night in an entertaining program of swing standards from the 1930s through the early 1950s. Led by Thousand Oaks icon Elmer Ramsey, the group of mostly homegrown musicians played nearly two dozen familiar standards from the big band era.
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The Academy Awards
      Hollywood's lightened up a bit this year, and Oscar offers up an astute, grab-bag selection of mostly characterdriven, occasionally ambivalent films—a true potpourri of possibilities. I believe Academy voting, divided by empathies, politics and inside-track gamesmanship, may lead to some surprising winners this year. My bookie's nervous.
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Movie theaters open with cheap popcorn, proceeds go to charity
      The new Muvico Thousand Oaks 14 Theaters will have a special promotion on Tues. and Wed., March 3 and 4 at The Oaks mall, 166 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. On these two days, popcorn and soda will be sold for $1 apiece.
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