Sean Penn, Naomi Campbell in San Francisco at the Mambo Kings

Last night, I caught the opening night of "the Mambo Kings" musical.

Sitting across from me in the next aisle was none other than Sean Penn and Naomi Campbell. I don't know why they were together but they were. Penn wore a smoky dark suit complete with a little goatee. And, Campbell wore a flowy black dress.

I saw nothing that would make wife Robin Wright mad, but Campbell was drop-dead gorgeous. (Wow, Usher lost out.)

Maybe the connection was that Penn worked with the one of the lead singers from the musical - Esai Morales (of NYPD Blue fame) starred in his first film with Sean Penn in "Bad Boys."

The musical was OK. Karen d'Souza, the Mercury News theater critic has a full review out on this link - but her initial thoughts were that it was too sitcomy.

Here are my gut thoughts coming out of the film:

• The music was beautiful but the lyrics were a bit hokey. Although, the central song about Maria really warms your heart.
• David Alan Grier subbed in for the part of mean music mogul that originally Billy Dee Williams (of Lando Calrissian from Star Wars fame) was supposed to play. The Mad TV alum was hard to take seriously, and I wasn't sure he was supposed to be fully evil, or crusty on the outside, and soft on the inside.
• There was also an unnecessary scene where he argues with his wayward assistant, and on the side two female assistants start to get it on.
• The sets were amazing. The neon lights transport you to some balmy club.
• Also the dancing was breathtaking - they move so fast, they take your eyes for a spin.
  

As for tonight, ch-check it out:

A Celebration of Revolutionary Music, Art, Culture, & Vendors
WHERE: Studio Z, 314 11th St., SF
WHEN: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. tonight
TIX: 21+ $5 before 10 p.m., $7 after
WHY: Artists include - reMo'Conscious, Orukusaki, and the artists from Colored Ink Theater Group, plus there will be a vegan dessert bar.