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FUN LINKSChicago TheaterARFTCo and also in Los Angeles...and also in Baltimore...Blogs We LoveA Hole In The Head People We LoveAndi World POSEIDON!The Official Carol Lynley Home Page Handblog Archives
10/01/2003 - 11/01/2003 And also...David interviews Margaret Cho |
read the handblog...9/30/2005My Way of LifeI'm a big fan of 60's girl group music (gee, what a shocker!), and to my delight I got an e-mail from Amazon, 'We though you might be interested in this...'I just love the song titles and the names of the groups. I have about a third of these so maybe... Highlights include: I'd Much Rather Be With The Girls- Donna Lynn I'm NOBODY'S Baby Now- Reparata & The Delrons/Hash Brown ( I have this-I think) I Sold My Heart To The Junkman- The Starlets NIGHTMARE- The Whyte Boots- Okay, I have this and it's an incredible story song about a girl who gets in a fight with this other girl because she was talkin' bad about her and stuff and accidentally KILLS her. And when she kills her she makes this whimpering puppy screaming noise and the song ends with her whimpering and screaming 'HELP ME! SOMEBODY HELP ME!' as we hear the sirens wailing in the back, for she is soon to face a life in prison. I'd like to turn this in to an rock operetta. Saturday Night Didn't Happen- The Reparatas - Boy, we can all relate to this one. posted by David on 9/30/2005 03:23:00 PM | Link |
9/29/2005My Media Whore Way of Life Look at my beauty and listen to my sweet dulcet tones as I enter the weird and wild world of The Feast of Fools! 
posted by David on 9/29/2005 04:43:00 AM | Link |
9/28/2005My Way of LifeFrom those young hooligans at The House Theatre. See the FABULOUS Joey Steakley the artist formerly known as Carrie White as Toto in The Great and Terrible Oz! for 5 BUCKS!!!This Thursday the 29th The House is offering $5 tickets to The Great and Terrible Wizard of Oz The password is: NEW DEALYou can make reservations by calling 773.251.2195 or just show up at the door.Please forward this to all your friends!!! posted by David on 9/28/2005 10:03:00 PM | Link |
My Way of LifeOkay- as anybody who knows me knows I love The Poseidon Adventure,thus, POSEIDON! An Upside Down Musical. You know the big screen Wolfgang Peterson film Poseidon, comes out next year. Warner Brothers has a site that has a video journal of the making of the film. Some of the dumb actors even make it clear they don't survive. Starlet Josh Lucas, is being rather disrespectful of when he talks about the original film. I mean- you just don't do that. Doesn't anybody keep tabs on what these people say? Young punks..., My point is, that I STILL am looking forward to the film, when I saw this.It's every Poseidonites fantasy to recreate a capsizing scene, and they certainly have the bucks to do it. Oh, and I doubt they BEGGED Richard Dreyfuss to come out of 'retirement' for this by throwing him a ton of money. Check out his annoying interview. posted by David on 9/28/2005 05:06:00 AM | Link |
9/27/2005My Way of LifeI can't believe I didn't even mention the death of yet another TV Icon, Don Adams, aka Maxwell Smart, aka Tennessee Tuxedo aka Inspector Gadget. He won 3 Emmys for his role as the bumbling Maxwell Smart. Get Smart was a rare bird amongst television in the 60's- in that it was SMART and funny, due to the fact that it's creators were Mel Brooks and Buck Henry. Although I watched the show as a child in it's first run through, I didn't totally appreciate the humor until I got older. I think the timing and characterizations on that show by The Chief, 99, and the entire cast is definitely something that influenced the Handbag style. On a related note- boy do I feel old.posted by David on 9/27/2005 06:11:00 PM | Link |
My Way of LifeWhen in doubt, Yatta.posted by David on 9/27/2005 05:32:00 AM | Link |
9/26/2005My Way of LifeYesteday I spent 5 hours at Taylor Ross's place doing sound cues and voice-overs for The Twilight Gallery. Taylor was very patient with us. Particularly me, since we seem be be having trouble with the song for my character, Claudia Menloathe, in 'EYES'. It's supposed to be a big splashy number called 'I Want To See!', and we're having trouble translating it to music. I thought Taylor would strike me so I kept Aaron, the author of 'A Critical Juncture' around to help/protect me. By the time I got home and started working on the rest of my EYES lines I fell asleep, missing the Desperate Housewives season premiere. I'm very tired lately.Saturday I had rehearsal for EYES and sat in on 'Night Cher at 20,000 Feet' and 'The Diary'. That night I saw The Hypocrites amazing production of 'Death of a Salesman'. Most of you our familiar with this play. I had never seen it or read it, so it was very fresh to me and Sean Graney's direction was pretty friggin' impressive. NOW I know what all the hullabaloo is about. The cast is wonderful as well. LOVED Bill and Donna McGough, and Ryan Bollinger. Go see it. posted by David on 9/26/2005 05:58:00 PM | Link |
9/25/2005My Way of Life They did it, baby girl.They cancelled one of the few shows I watch.The Comeback, starring a VERY un-Phoebe like Lisa Kudrow. Apparently flawed MEN jerks are more acceptable then those of the female persuasion. Am I'm surprised? No. Please sign a petition to MAKE THE COMEBACK COME BACK!
posted by David on 9/25/2005 06:08:00 PM | Link |
 Great news!
posted by David on 9/25/2005 05:47:00 PM | Link |
9/24/2005My Way of Life You DO know SCARRIE-The Musical CD's are now on sale, don't you?
posted by David on 9/24/2005 08:01:00 AM | Link |
9/23/2005My Way of LifeLast night we had our final Come and Knock My Door rehearsal and Ed Jones almost killed Veronica Sheaffer, but other then that it went swimmingly. As I type this Steve Hickson is on his way to Europe armed with Paul Newman salad dressing and Little Debbie snack cakes. I doubt the snack cakes will survive the trip. Actually, he's bringing these treats to his pal in Germany, whose name escapes me now, and it was salad dressing and something else, but Little Debbie snack cakes is funnier.I came armed with props last night. A 6 foot faux ficus tree and a big box that I squished into my Beetle. They're still there as I had to park two blocks from my house and didn't feel like schlepping them back to my home that night after I had made a late night run to the post office to mail the press releases we stuffed during rehearsal. We actually had to LICK the envelopes. 300 hundred of them. For some reason- I think Terry McCarthy brought it up, we started talking about licking other things and the subject of thongs came up. I always wondered how women managed to keep their thongs 'clean'. The part that runs along their crack, that is. Veronica informed me that woman keep their cracks much cleaner then men, which I don't believe. I mean, what if a thong wearing lady has to take a big dump at work or at a restaurant. She can only clean herself so well short of sticking her ass in the bathroom sink. This conversation led to the sexual habits of gay men vs. straight women and men (use your imagination) and Brigitte made no bones about the fact that she doesn't toss anyone's salad. Oh, the show is looking great. posted by David on 9/23/2005 04:21:00 PM | Link |
9/21/2005My Way of LifeSEPT. 15, 2005FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Hell in a Handbag Productions, who brought you POSEIDON! An Upside Down Musical and SCARRIE- The Musical are proud to present: The Twilight Gallery Theatre Building Chicago 1225 W. Belmont Opens: Oct. 7, 11pm Runs: 3 Episodes Fridays, 3 Episodes Saturdays at 11pm, through Oct. 29 Admission: $15, $5 OFF ADDITIONAL TWILIGHT GALLERY PERFORMANCES WITH TWILIGHT GALLERY TICKET STUB Special Halloween Marathon performance of all 6 Episodes, Oct. 31 @ 8pm Marathon Admission: $25.00 For reservations, call Theatre Building Chicago (773) 327-5252 Special Hell In A Handbag Benefit October 25 Doors open @ 6pm and includes food, drinks, raffle, silent auction and performances of selected episodes Benefit Showtime @ 8pm Benefit Admission: 30.00, 2 tickets for 50.00 For benefit reservations call Hell in a Handbag Hotline (312)409-4357 Submitted for your approval, SIX twisted tales of terror and suspense that will take you to another dimension where laughter and fear walk hand and hand, meeting at the oh-so familiar corner of Parody and Homage, where your favorite episodes of Rod Serlings The Twilight Zone and Night Gallery collide resulting in yet another twisted Hell in a Handbag vehicle. The Twilight Gallery features six rotating episodes, 5 authors, 6 directors and a cavalcade of familiar and new talent featuring Michael Miller* as Rod Sterling Silver, your guide for the evening. EYES- adapted by and featuring David Cerda* as Miss Claudia Menloathe, in the role originated by Joan Crawford under the direction of Steven Spielberg from the original Night Gallery pilot. Miss Menloathe is a wealthy, blind, imperious woman, who will do anything for 12 hours of sight, no matter what the consequences. EYES also features Troy Coleman*, Derek Czaplewski*, Jaya Subramanian, John Walski, and Red Orchid Theater's Doug Vickers as Mr. Howard Cunningham, the hapless donor who's HAPPY DAYS are over. EYES is directed by Marika Mashburn of The House Theatre. The Diary- a Night Gallery episode adapted by Ed Jones* and directed by Brooke Allen*. Brigitte Ditmars* (taking on the role originated by Patty Duke) plays Holly Schaeffer, a vicious gossip columnist who receives a mysterious diary from washed up movie queen Carrie Crane (Ed Jones*) who's life has been destroyed by Holly's poisonous tongue. The diary takes on a life of its own with entries written in Holly's handwriting that predicts very unpleasant events. But Holly didn't write them..., The Diary also features Trish Austin, Alex Gunn, Ryan Lanning, Jaya Subramanian and Doug Vickers. The Most Unusual Pictures- adapted by Steve Jay Johnson from The Twilight Zone and directed by The House Theatre's Johnny Arena. A camera with the ability to take pictures 5 minutes into the future finds its way into the hands of small time crooks. They can't believe their good fortune until the pictures start telling a darker tale. Featuring Troy Coleman*, Clarissa Gregg*, Ryan Lanning and Terry McCarthy*. A Critical Juncture- from Night Gallery, adapted by Aaron Smith and directed by Brian Golden. Meet Herman Heppelwhite, a pompous theater critic with a poisonous pen that has destroyed many a career. Herman is holed up in a seedy Caribbean hotel searching for the peace and happiness that has eluded him his entire life, until a certain painting gives him one last glimmer of hope. Night Cher At 20,000 Feet- adapted by Tim Howard*- based on the classic Twilight Zone episode starring William Shatner. Derek Czaplewski* is Bob Wilson, a man just released from a sanitarium after suffering a nervous breakdown on the same type of plane he finds himself on now. Things seem to be going fine until Mr. Wilson spots a legendary Diva on the wing of the plane giving the performance of a lifetime. Directed by Brian Lobel, Night Cher At 20,000 Feet also features Trish Austin, Michael Kingston, Cate Mannion and Veronica Sheaffer. Come and Knock At My Door- written and directed by David Cerda*. A women's television obsession turns deadly when the line between real life and sitcom becomes blurred and takes a deadly twist. Featuring James Bould, Brigitte Ditmars*, Steve Hickson*, Ed Jones*, Michael Kingston, Cate Mannion, and Veronica Sheaffer. *Indicates Hell in a Handbag Productions ensemble member posted by David on 9/21/2005 09:55:00 PM | Link |
My Way of LifeIs it just me, or does this have all the makings of a whacky sitcom? What would you call it?posted by David on 9/21/2005 06:13:00 PM | Link |
9/20/2005My Way of LifeFile under 'P' for 'Pitiful'.posted by David on 9/20/2005 06:23:00 PM | Link |
My Way of LifeYesterday we had the first read-through/rehearsal for 'EYES' and it promises to be fun. The cast includes myself, John Walski, Doug Vickers, Jaya Subramanian and Derek Czaplewski directed by Marika Mashburn. I got out early and found poor Michael Miller wandering aimlessly in the St. Alphonsus parking lot. God doesn't allow cell phone calls to penetrate the think holy walls of of St. Alphonsus, so Mike had a hard time figuring out where the entrance to the performing arts center was. You have to go into the parking lot/court yard behind the Atheneum Theater and hit the far Northwest corner. I've never rehearsed there before but it's sort of like the high school from FAME but everybody is older and out of shape, and they don't break out in song on the streets.The SCARRIE-The Musical cast recording CD's arrived yesterday so after dining with Mike Miller I fulfilled some pre-orders, worked Night Cher at 20,000 Feet cues (some really obscure Cher music I had NEVER heard of- does that make me 'straight acting and appearing'), and got to bed a little after midnight. I slept well. posted by David on 9/20/2005 05:02:00 PM | Link |
9/19/2005My Way of LifeI just finished a Blog and the fucking Internet Explorer experienced problems. Briefly- I thought the Emmys, from what I saw, sucked. Brad Garrett? Doris Roberts? Felicity Huffman? Good, but not great. But greatness is rarely rewarded, is it?posted by David on 9/19/2005 06:58:00 PM | Link |
9/16/2005My Way of LifeThe original Cathy Brenner herself, the fabulous Ms. Veronica Cartwright will be at the Los Angeles 'The Birds production this Sunday to watch the play and take questions afterwards. I wish I could be there. Veronica is a rare breed of child actresses that have had a a very successful career as an adult. That's because she's GOOD. She was the best part of 'The Witches of Eastwick' and I loved her as the uber bitch lawyer in LA Law. She was recently seen as Jack McFarland's mother in Will and Grace and she was also in Six Feet Under. She's always working. Her sister, Angela was Penny, in Lost in Space. Angela was also in 'The Sound of Music'. Dumb Steve Hickson thought it was Veronica.Speaking of dumb Steve Hickson we had another Come and Knock at My Door rehearsal and it's coming along swimmingly. Chris Carpenter or 'Carp' or lecherous Santa from Rudolph the Red-Hosed Reindeer 2004 came in to do some violence coordination. He also had to block Michael Kingston and Steve Hickson's sex scene, which was far worse then any of the violence depicted in the show. posted by David on 9/16/2005 07:18:00 PM | Link |
9/14/2005My Way of LifeUGH! Directing is hard. We had our 3rd Come and Knock At My Door rehearsal yesterday. I think it the third. Could have been the second. I describe 'Come and Knock at My Door' asA women's television obsession turns deadly when the line between reality and sitcom is blurred and takes a deadly twist. Makes you want to see it, huh? posted by David on 9/14/2005 08:30:00 PM | Link |
9/13/2005My Way of LifeThere's NO Business, Like Show Business!Last night we had the first round of Judy's Scary Little Christmas auditions and we saw some very interesting people. Tim Howard and Derek Czaplweski forced me to buy a seven dollar ice cream cone at The Coldstone Creamery. What a racket this place has going! SEVEN bucks for their 'extraordinary' ice cream creations. Afterwards I had a Bad Seed-The Musical pick up rehearsal and I got home at 11:30. We're scrambling to cast one more Twilight Gallery episode due to...well, due to...,well..., I'd better not say. Wanna act? On a positive note, Mike Miller showed me his Twilight Gallery mock-up poster and it's really cool, but I expect nothing less from him. posted by David on 9/13/2005 06:31:00 PM | Link |
9/12/2005My Way of LifeFun mindless diversion.posted by David on 9/12/2005 04:46:00 PM | Link |
9/11/2005My Way of LifeSaturday night and my hot date cancelled on me so I went to see David Kodeski's And Some Can Remember Something of Some Such Thing by myself.David's specialty is one man shows about real things. Diaries, people, and finding out the what's and why's about them. This particular show focused on his family and his Polish American roots. I love his shows because like me, he'll look at a photo or an odd knick-knack and see not just a picture of a woman or a porcelain poodle, but the story behind the picture or the poodle. The difference with David, is that he actually takes the time to find out about his subjects and his musings are dead on thoughtful/funny and sometimes sad. Like life. Because I've been so busy with The Twilight Gallery, our October Rod Serling parody, our house was frightful and I woke up late today because of a closing party last night for 'The Bad Seed-The Musical'. The show actually is not closing - it's extending again, and I will be in it for Sept and November, but not October. They're still packing them in. It's amazing. Anyway, my point was, I was busy cleaning the house, doing laundry and memorizing linesfor EYES, when I realized I missed a memorial service today for Sharon's mother. So now Christopher and I feel like total asses. Chris has been working 16 hour days. His company is doing well, thank goodness, but there was no excuse for our stupidity. Brigitte, the Twilight Gallery executive Executive Producer has been doing some extraordinary work as well. We thought the concept was simple enough. A Twilight Zone/Night Gallery parody of peoples favorite episodes. Okay, well our favorite episodes.., Six episodes, three a night. That's SIX episodes, SIX directors, SIX casts, SIX rehearsal schedules. Although we've had people break their commitment to the show (we're weeding our garden) , things are going well. We have six great scripts and some good people working with us. FRESH BLOOD from The House Theatre and some tried and true and sassy new faces as well. I've started rehearsals for the piece I wrote and am directing, 'Come and Knock At Our Door' featuring Ed Jones, Brigitte Ditmars, Veronica Schaeffer, James Bould, Steve Hickson, Michael Martin and Michael Kingston. I don't like to brag....Well I do, or I wouldn't have a Blog, but that's a really good cast. Monday, we have our FIRST round of Judy's Scary Little Christmas auditions. It's scary to be that organized. This show is another thing I'm very excited about, and I have been corresponding with David Church, oneif it's authors who's really cool guy. REMINDER- OUR ANNUAL BENEFIT IS OCTOBER 25! Food, booze, silent auction,and The Twilight Gallery at Theatre Building Chicago. Please COME. posted by David on 9/11/2005 05:49:00 AM | Link |
9/09/2005My LA Way of LifeAs promised here is the full Los Angeles Times review of 'The Birds'. It's funny, this one didn't bother me, because well, I know what I have here, and her observations are so wrong, it's not funny, which is what she said Pauline and myself! I have it on good word from people in LA in the know that this particular critic is a bit of a nit-wit.posted by David on 9/09/2005 06:57:00 AM | Link |
9/08/2005My Way of LifeThe man behind the Bush. I usually don't care for Mr. Dick, but this is pretty damn funny.posted by David on 9/08/2005 09:21:00 PM | Link |
My Way of LifeHurricane tales.posted by David on 9/08/2005 08:53:00 PM | Link |
9/07/2005My Way of Life- RIP Little Buddy Bob Denver as Gilligan listening to the radio you know he's about to break..., I adored Gilligan's Island when I was a kid. Still do. In my day we had CAMP. Real camp is when you don't know you're being campy! I, too was saddened to hear of Bob Denver's death. I just hope Ginger outlives that fake nice bitch, Maryann. posted by David on 9/07/2005 06:55:00 AM | Link |
My Way of Life Richard Simmons wearing his sad face and mourning lycra and sequins..., My recently discovered high school pal John in Austin, TX alerted me to this this oh so tasteful Entertainment Tonight segment. You think the images from New Orleans are bad,wait til you see this..., I'll bet they can't wait to see him. posted by David on 9/07/2005 06:43:00 AM | Link |
My LA Way of Life Top secret picture from the Fox lot! While in LA I visited my friend,we'll call her 'Amy' who happens to be working on the 20th Century Fox Studio. 'Amy' happens to be working a show we'll call 'Bones' for the Fox Network and 'Bones' is taped in the very same soundstage that 'The Poseidon Adventure', one of my all time favorite movies was filmed at . I saw a scene with Emily Deschanel and TJ Thyne being taped. Amy was sweet to take Chris and I on a mini tour. Photos are strictly forbidden on the Fox lot so, of course I took a few, and of course Amy had know Idea I was doing this..., Check out the films! Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte, The King and I, Nine to Five, The Towering Inferno. Why I was standing in the same room that Stella Stevens, Shelley Winters, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Yul Brynner probably sweated profusely in! I didn't really care that the guy from Buffy was in this 'Bones' show since I just never got into Buffy. Forced 'wink-wink' cleverness and Sarah Michele Gellar are too much for my stomach. Plus, she's married to that nit-wit (who I wouldn't kick out of bed- unless Chris walked in on us, then I'd act like he attacked me and scream). Do you think he'd believe that? All right Hickson, snipe away! posted by David on 9/07/2005 06:08:00 AM | Link |
9/05/2005My Way of LifeI'm happy to report I had a puke free day. I missed a couple of Handbag meetings and Brooke's birthday party and 2/3 of my 3 day weekend. I don't feel 100% but at leat I was able to eat. I watched a couple of movies I've had. One was 'Leave Her To Heaven', a movie recommended to me by a co-worker, and of course I enjoyed it very much. Gene Tierney stars as a woman who extremely possesive and will do anything to prevent anyone from coming between her and her man. It was actually quite creepy,and as my co-worker predicted the boat scene was my favorite. Aftyerwards I finally cracked open my Joan Crawford boxed set and watched most of 'Possessed' keeping in line with the obssesive crazy women in love theme. A very fine movie indeed. Joan and others always thought this was the movie she should have won the Oscar for, but Hollywood is retarded.posted by David on 9/05/2005 05:01:00 AM | Link |
9/04/2005 Must have cupcake...,
posted by David on 9/04/2005 07:06:00 AM | Link |
My Way of LifeIt's late. I spent the entire DAY vomiting with a splitting headache- I think it was food poisoning. I feel like hammered shit. When I started feeling better I watched The Comeback (again) with Chris, because he had to see the Giant Cupcake.To top it off I received a very sad e-mail today. Sharon's mom, a wonderful woman and Handbag fan passed away this past week. Sharon is an ensemble member who works behind the scenes. You can usually find Sharon house managing our shows. Her mother was always a delight and she will be missed. Pleases send good thoughts to Sharon and her family. posted by David on 9/04/2005 06:53:00 AM | Link |
9/02/2005My Way of LifeSo, it's not just me- it's the world...,posted by David on 9/02/2005 03:06:00 PM | Link |
My Way of Life The one thing that brought a smile to my face in todays news..., Between Iraq and the hurricane and the sickening but predictable repercussions in New Orleans, a sixty year woman in Ramones boxer shorts playing the guitar gave me a bit of a smile today. This is one of the more flattering pics of Debbie trying to save CBGB'S because Hilly apparently is to stupid to know how much rent he was supposed to pay. Okay,yeah,I could see it happening to me..., I can't even watch the news, because it makes me less liberal. I can't believe the thoughts I think when I see people looting hospitals. Christ, aren't there any non-black looters out there? If there are, the media isn't showing them. Don't wince, you were thinking it too..., WhenI say less liberal I don't mean that in a racist way, I mean shoot to kill- but everybody you're shooting is black..., But that probably wouldn't help things, would it? I'm sure we'll soon find out. posted by David on 9/02/2005 05:45:00 AM | Link |
9/01/2005My Way of LifeSo, as I promised, the good, the bad and the indifferent. Yes, that's what I found in the online LA Times about The Birds. At least today. Too bad for her.So I had to look up the word..., Abstruse- difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge. Had no idea I was that deep. posted by David on 9/01/2005 09:28:00 PM | Link |
My LA Way of Life Myself and the Los Angeles 'The Birds' cast So you're all dying to know...How was it? Saturday night, Chris myself and the Yourex lot attended 'The Birds- A Tail of Ornithic Proportions' (they chose that subtitle) at the McCadden Place Theater in Hollywood, California, baby. The theater was small, holding about 55, which adds to the claustrophobic effect that suits this play so well. For those of you out of the loop , or for those who weren't in Chicago during the fall of 2001, I'll fill you in about what 'The Birds' is all about. The Birds is a combination, parody and backstory of Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Birds'. But wait, there's more..., It's also a feminist drag deconstruction of the film with 90's pop culture icon Camille Paglia serving as the tour guide to the inner sanctum of Tippi Hedren's journey into the darkness created by the HUGE shadow Alfred Hitchcock cast once he decided Tippi was to be his personal property. Unfortunately for Ms. Hedren, this is all true, and the making of 'The Birds' was quite an experience for her. The feminist deconstruction part was inspired by many things a, including my own take on the film but the nail that solidified this view was Camille Paglia's brilliant, and compulsively over the top essay on the film for British Films Institute. When Camille, like myself, likes something, she doesn't 'sort of' like it, she embraces it, swallows it whole, much like myself. Soooo..., this is not an easy show to do. There's the problem of bird attacks.There's the mimicking of the film style of the period, there's the very silly jokes and double takes mixed with the very real and disturbing systematic 'pecking' at Tippi Hedren's psyche, and there's a Camille Paglia interrupting and interacting with the cast. Particularly Tippi and Suzanne Pleshette. I read a review that says 'Alfred Hitchcock asks Camille Paglia to travel back in time to help psychologically dismember Tippi Hedren'. Okay..., The wonderful thing about theater is that I don't have to explainthingslike the fact that Camille Paglia pops up out of nowhere. She's just there. If people want to think she traveled back in time, then I guess that's okay, but for the record, Pauline Pang and I didn't really think that when we wrote it. Where was I? Oh, yes, how were they? They were wonderful. They made bold choices, they were funny, they were scary, they were committed- they obviously loved the piece, and it shows. Did I like every single thing they did? No. But they made their choices, and director Kelly Ann Ford did some amazing things and staged the show beautifully and smoothly, and that is NOT an easy thing to do with the size of the cast, the scenes and the space. Everybody knows I love my Tracy Repep (Chicago Tippi) , but Lori Evans kicked ass as Tippi/Melanie, and I was so pleased with her performance I was like a smitten little school boy with her after the show. She even held the cotton swab the correct way, and in my world, things like that really matter. LA Suzanne was a feisty, lusty woman with a commanding stage presence, and her powerful take on the role was different then mine, but it worked, and the actress, Maria Tomas plays it it to the hilt. Brett Hren as Mitch is cute as hell, and has this Ewan McGregor thing going on, that literally charms the pants off of you when he smiles; and LYDIA...., Well, that would be the handsome Eric Bunton, who immerses himself in the role and is dressed to the nines and is a little more affectionate with Mitch then the movie or Chicago version. He's hilarious, and he's also the man to go to when you need to learn about any of the cast members. Peggy Robinson took the Natasha Fatale route with the beautifully sadistic Marina Mouhibian and Mrs. Bundy was played by (gasp) a WOMAN, the dead on Randi Pareira. Darcy Halsey was a smart and sexy ass Camille Paglia and gee, I can't mention everybody, but they were wonderful and so nice. Kim Estes was an incredibly scary and sexy Birdman in wings made by Brett Hren! Mrs. MacGruder was played by Patrik Carlok who was in the original cast of HAIR- he was wonderful, and it was such a blast feeling that theatrical connection. Oops, let's not forget the ugliest little girl in Bodega Bay, the darling Hal Perry as Cathy Brenner. Like I said, it's difficult for me to gauge anything I've written, but Christopher thought the show was great and he's always brutally honest with me, so there. Go see it! The LA Times was there the night I went and if the review comes out it will be Thursday I'm told, so keep your fingers and toes crossed that she 'got' it. posted by David on 9/01/2005 04:42:00 AM | Link |
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