It's a Wonderful Life.
Finding Nemo.
Elf.
Cops.
What would you watch?
Ask Dad. He knows.
Saturday, December 16, 2006
Friday, December 15, 2006
I wasn't there. (We Are Marshall)
I was talking to my Mom on Friday night after Christmas Carol, and we were comparing busy weeks ahead. I told her that I was going to see "We Are Marshall" on Thursday night. I told her that it was the movie about the Marshall University football tragedy, and she said, "Oh, yes, when all those boys were killed on that bus". "No, Mom, a plane. It was a plane crash".
We lived in Cleveland Ohio at the time and I remember reading about it in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. I skimmed the article. I pretty much forgot about it until moving to this area of the country, and especially to the Huntington area. People here seemed to be obsessed with it. Now, I live close to the epicenter of the tragedy, and because of this movie it has been very much on my mind. How close you are to a historical event both in space and time makes a big difference. To mock the people who lost loved ones, would be so wrong, especially here. Yet, comedians regularly refer to "The Hindenburg", or "The Titanic", and are free to crack wise without offending anyone. 35 people died on the Hindenburg and many more on the Titanic. Is it really OK to joke about the deaths of those people just because we don't live in Lakehurst, NJ? Nobody yet jokes about the attacks in NYC, PA, and DC. Nobody jokes about Marshall.
Mel Brooks said "Tragedy is when I break a nail. Comedy is when you fall into an open sewer.", or something like that.
It's a good movie. Is it good therapy? Or do you have to distance yourself through time and space to make the pain tolerable? Is there really ever any such thing as healing? Or is there just distance?
We lived in Cleveland Ohio at the time and I remember reading about it in the Cleveland Plain Dealer. I skimmed the article. I pretty much forgot about it until moving to this area of the country, and especially to the Huntington area. People here seemed to be obsessed with it. Now, I live close to the epicenter of the tragedy, and because of this movie it has been very much on my mind. How close you are to a historical event both in space and time makes a big difference. To mock the people who lost loved ones, would be so wrong, especially here. Yet, comedians regularly refer to "The Hindenburg", or "The Titanic", and are free to crack wise without offending anyone. 35 people died on the Hindenburg and many more on the Titanic. Is it really OK to joke about the deaths of those people just because we don't live in Lakehurst, NJ? Nobody yet jokes about the attacks in NYC, PA, and DC. Nobody jokes about Marshall.
Mel Brooks said "Tragedy is when I break a nail. Comedy is when you fall into an open sewer.", or something like that.
It's a good movie. Is it good therapy? Or do you have to distance yourself through time and space to make the pain tolerable? Is there really ever any such thing as healing? Or is there just distance?
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
A year in community theater
Now that "Christmas Carol, the Musical" is over, I have some reflections and comments on my year of community theater.
Firstly, Christmas Carol was a great experience. Mary Smirl's first shot at directing, and we came up with what I think was a great show. Some of the things that I didn't think would work, actually did. I didn't fall of the stairs where I made all of my Marley entrances, I only tripped on my chains once, and my eyes are now relatively clown white free. Mary, Kerri, and Larry, oh, sorry, Lara, all did great jobs. I saw frustration on all of those faces at different points, but it seems like when one was down, another stepped up to it. Reading Mary's blogs, I know she is relieved that it is over, and that she can move on to the next thing. I'm sure Kerri and Lara are too.
I've loved working (with? for? around?) these three women, each of them talented beyond my measurement in their own ways.
Plus, if you add the talents of the cast (and crew), I've been very fortunate to have been involved in the magic that is theater in Huntington over the last year. So many lovable new friends.
Since last fall I've done
Amahl and the Night Visitors (Shepherd) ARTS
Oliver (Mr. Sowerberry, Oom Pah Pah Drunk, Bow St. Runner) 5th Ave
1776 (John Dickenson) Maxxum Productions
Fiddler on the Roof (Lazar Wolf) ARTS
Christmas Carol, the musical (Ghost of Marley, Undertaker) 5th Ave
Welcome to Pauley's (Rick) River Cities Community Church Drama
I need to mention others who have directed or advised me over the last year, Beth McVey, Jerry Crank, Clint, Mark Smith, Danny Ray, Marla, Terry S., and Terri T. Plus there have been many others who have helped me be better in other ways. Too many to mention, except for Scott Black who always compiles a long list of notes for me. Scott and I were in Oliver, 1776, Fiddler on the Roof, and Christmas Carol, the musical. 4 in a row, baby. Oh, and Helga advised me several times to not touch her props if I wanted to keep my fingers. And Linda advised me to take a compliment when given, something I have trouble with at times.
If you know me well, you know also that doing theater has been therapy for me. So although, I do believe I put a lot into these shows, I got much more back. I don't know what would have become of me if Clint hadn't suggested I try out for Oliver, and even before that, if Eric hadn't mentioned that he was going to be a shepherd in Amahl.
That leads into another question. What is next for you now, Mark? Well, I'm glad you asked, Mark. I'm not sure. But, I have notified my landlord that I'll be moving as of January 1st. For the moment, I'm going to concentrate on working at my real job, and living closer to that will help. I will still be able to bop down to Huntington to see shows, I'll be able to take a couple of trips I have put off, and I'll be halfway between two great towns that I love, Columbus, Ohio, and Huntington, West Virginia. I'm thinking of taking a dance class. Not that I need it myself. Of course, not. I just don't want my gift to get stale. Piano lessons? Weightlifting? Guitar? A Howard Hughesian recluse? Lego builder? Day trader? The sky is the limit!
So, so long to acting for the moment. Taking a break. I need to decide where I want to live and buy a house where I can "live by the side of the road and be a friend to man". I'd love that to be in Huntington, or maybe Columbus. Or New York. Or California. Or New Hampshire. Or Canada.
Firstly, Christmas Carol was a great experience. Mary Smirl's first shot at directing, and we came up with what I think was a great show. Some of the things that I didn't think would work, actually did. I didn't fall of the stairs where I made all of my Marley entrances, I only tripped on my chains once, and my eyes are now relatively clown white free. Mary, Kerri, and Larry, oh, sorry, Lara, all did great jobs. I saw frustration on all of those faces at different points, but it seems like when one was down, another stepped up to it. Reading Mary's blogs, I know she is relieved that it is over, and that she can move on to the next thing. I'm sure Kerri and Lara are too.
I've loved working (with? for? around?) these three women, each of them talented beyond my measurement in their own ways.
Plus, if you add the talents of the cast (and crew), I've been very fortunate to have been involved in the magic that is theater in Huntington over the last year. So many lovable new friends.
Since last fall I've done
Amahl and the Night Visitors (Shepherd) ARTS
Oliver (Mr. Sowerberry, Oom Pah Pah Drunk, Bow St. Runner) 5th Ave
1776 (John Dickenson) Maxxum Productions
Fiddler on the Roof (Lazar Wolf) ARTS
Christmas Carol, the musical (Ghost of Marley, Undertaker) 5th Ave
Welcome to Pauley's (Rick) River Cities Community Church Drama
I need to mention others who have directed or advised me over the last year, Beth McVey, Jerry Crank, Clint, Mark Smith, Danny Ray, Marla, Terry S., and Terri T. Plus there have been many others who have helped me be better in other ways. Too many to mention, except for Scott Black who always compiles a long list of notes for me. Scott and I were in Oliver, 1776, Fiddler on the Roof, and Christmas Carol, the musical. 4 in a row, baby. Oh, and Helga advised me several times to not touch her props if I wanted to keep my fingers. And Linda advised me to take a compliment when given, something I have trouble with at times.
If you know me well, you know also that doing theater has been therapy for me. So although, I do believe I put a lot into these shows, I got much more back. I don't know what would have become of me if Clint hadn't suggested I try out for Oliver, and even before that, if Eric hadn't mentioned that he was going to be a shepherd in Amahl.
That leads into another question. What is next for you now, Mark? Well, I'm glad you asked, Mark. I'm not sure. But, I have notified my landlord that I'll be moving as of January 1st. For the moment, I'm going to concentrate on working at my real job, and living closer to that will help. I will still be able to bop down to Huntington to see shows, I'll be able to take a couple of trips I have put off, and I'll be halfway between two great towns that I love, Columbus, Ohio, and Huntington, West Virginia. I'm thinking of taking a dance class. Not that I need it myself. Of course, not. I just don't want my gift to get stale. Piano lessons? Weightlifting? Guitar? A Howard Hughesian recluse? Lego builder? Day trader? The sky is the limit!
So, so long to acting for the moment. Taking a break. I need to decide where I want to live and buy a house where I can "live by the side of the road and be a friend to man". I'd love that to be in Huntington, or maybe Columbus. Or New York. Or California. Or New Hampshire. Or Canada.
Friday, December 8, 2006
Kenny Rogers, Linda Davis and RCAC
In case you didn't know, RCAC stands for River Cities Arts Choir. And RCAC got to be on stage with County/Pop music legend Kenny Rogers last night in Huntington, West Virginia. We were background vocalists on the last part of the Christmas part of his program.
First, a little about Kenny. His song, "Ruby, don't take your love to town", came out in 1969 and was one of many anti-war songs that I heard as a preteenager. The song was written by Mel Tillis, and was actually about a WWII veteran, according to WIKIPEDIA. Anyway, so I have been a KR fan for 37 years, at least. That's like 250 in dog years. The song doesn't have the impact it did then, but the ending, at the time, was bone chilling, when I first heard it. So, I've liked lots of his stuff over the years. I had no personal conversation with him, but we did get a picture with him, Linda Davis and our choir, and he did speak to us. So, when I make up a story about what big buddies we are, it will be the truth, but stretched a bit.
Here is the story (lie) I'm working on now.
When Kenny Rogers was in Huntington, WV yesterday (true), I was waiting backstage to go on and sing with him. (true) You know, he does lots of duets and sometimes the people he originally recorded them with are not available. (true, but unrelated to this paragraph, and hence, extremely misleading) Well, Kenny, had supplied me with a backstage pass, (true, but again, misleading), and I was hanging around with my posse, (stretch - more like I was a hanger on in somebody else's posse), and here he comes, from off the stage, heading right for me with a big smile on his face. (true, but only because he was being friendly to the entire choir, and I was almost directly behind his chair), and he was so glad that I (actually we) was (were) able to come. (true) He said something to me that I have remembered to this day. (duh, it was last night) He said, "It isn't Christmas until the choir sings." (true, but this was said to everyone in the choir and was also in the paper earlier in the day) He said, "I'm so grateful that you are here." (true, but again, he was speaking of RCAC.)
Linda Davis has has some success as a country music artist and been in some TV shows, and such. She was attractive, pleasant, and has a very rich voice.
Seriously, they were very nice, and I was pleased to be part of RCAC. When we cut our record, we may ask Kenny and Linda to be on it. (lie)
Thanks Lara.
I believe, in lieu of paying the choir, the Huntington City Mission, an organization which you may also be supporting in your own way or through your church, will be getting a little donation. I didn't know that when I signed up with RCAC, but it is nice. (true)
Oh, and by the way, my singing was superb (lie). I mean subpar (true).
First, a little about Kenny. His song, "Ruby, don't take your love to town", came out in 1969 and was one of many anti-war songs that I heard as a preteenager. The song was written by Mel Tillis, and was actually about a WWII veteran, according to WIKIPEDIA. Anyway, so I have been a KR fan for 37 years, at least. That's like 250 in dog years. The song doesn't have the impact it did then, but the ending, at the time, was bone chilling, when I first heard it. So, I've liked lots of his stuff over the years. I had no personal conversation with him, but we did get a picture with him, Linda Davis and our choir, and he did speak to us. So, when I make up a story about what big buddies we are, it will be the truth, but stretched a bit.
Here is the story (lie) I'm working on now.
When Kenny Rogers was in Huntington, WV yesterday (true), I was waiting backstage to go on and sing with him. (true) You know, he does lots of duets and sometimes the people he originally recorded them with are not available. (true, but unrelated to this paragraph, and hence, extremely misleading) Well, Kenny, had supplied me with a backstage pass, (true, but again, misleading), and I was hanging around with my posse, (stretch - more like I was a hanger on in somebody else's posse), and here he comes, from off the stage, heading right for me with a big smile on his face. (true, but only because he was being friendly to the entire choir, and I was almost directly behind his chair), and he was so glad that I (actually we) was (were) able to come. (true) He said something to me that I have remembered to this day. (duh, it was last night) He said, "It isn't Christmas until the choir sings." (true, but this was said to everyone in the choir and was also in the paper earlier in the day) He said, "I'm so grateful that you are here." (true, but again, he was speaking of RCAC.)
Linda Davis has has some success as a country music artist and been in some TV shows, and such. She was attractive, pleasant, and has a very rich voice.
Seriously, they were very nice, and I was pleased to be part of RCAC. When we cut our record, we may ask Kenny and Linda to be on it. (lie)
Thanks Lara.
I believe, in lieu of paying the choir, the Huntington City Mission, an organization which you may also be supporting in your own way or through your church, will be getting a little donation. I didn't know that when I signed up with RCAC, but it is nice. (true)
Oh, and by the way, my singing was superb (lie). I mean subpar (true).
Monday, December 4, 2006
Church / Horror films / A Christmas Carol, the musical / Kenny Rogers
So, three performances down, the first of which was the best, I'm on a little play break. Brush up is Wednesday. More performances Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Yesterday, I went to church (RCCC), heard a sermon on 1 Peter 3, about mutual submission, but this was the wife's side of things. Next week is the husband's role. I almost left when I saw the topic, as I have no wife, and don't need to know about what a wife's responsibility is, but didn't, largely because there was a set on the podium, and I smelt a skit. Also, the music started and we were to sing some Christmas songs. How can you walk out on Christmas songs? The skit was horrible, in the true, elder sense of the word. (Arousing or tending to arouse horror. It inspired horror in me, but not at the play itself.) It was excellently done, (by Terri Tags, and Simon Woods). It was a husband/wife discord thing, and it was devastating to be there. But, it was good. There was authentic yelling and resignation to divorce. Some of the folks at night church discussed the skit, and this led to some interesting conversation. Some of which revealed things which cannot be repeated.
Getting divorced is like being in a horror film. The body snatcher/pod themed films. You feel like your spouse has been replaced because they are not acting like they used to. Frankenstein moves very slowly, but is relentless in his plodding pursuit. You can run from the divorce juggernaut, but it will get you eventually. Then there is the great horror movie theme of the unknown. What is out there? What is around the corner? Sometimes the monster is trapped in the windmill. Sometimes, the pod people are going to win. Sometimes when the monster gets close, you just give up and wait for it to choke you. I always wondered why people just stand there as the scaly green hands move slowly into the frame.
Divorce is so stupid. I hate it. Moses gave you divorce because of the hardness of your hearts but from the beginning it was not so.
So, Christmas Carol went pretty well. Minor things. I stood on somebody's trap door, I think. They were unable to come back out. My facial skin is raw from the dozen or so applications of makeup. I have to put on white, go to flesh, and back to white, so that is three per performance + rehearsals. Then there is the cold winter wind. Ouch. I understand that Saturday, I scared fellow play actor Susan's 2 year old with my scary antics on stage. She evidently had visions of ghosts as she was going to bed that night. I've had a couple of other small people, Tristan's sister for one, be a little afraid of me, but all the little folks in the cast want to grab the keys, open my pocket watch, and look at the coins in the box. I feel badly about scaring people, but it is part of the gig.
After the play little boys came up to me and wanted to see my costume, and see how heavy my chain is. I did several photo ops with little boys. One wouldn't get too near me as he feared I would drop my chain on him. Pictures with Santa? Easter Bunny? Scooby Doo? Barney? The Wiggles? and Marley? It's a new one on me.
So, I'm in a choir thrown together over the last couple of weeks that, on Thursday, will be singing with Kenny Rogers. I'm really looking forward to it. It will be another story I can parley into 6 stories of hanging with the greats, ala, (So, I was in Chicago, and I stopped by to see (Mr.) T....), etc. It is a nice group of people who sing well, and it should be a hoot. I think Clint will be actually performing on stage with or instead of Kenny.
Kenny: "Oh, Roo-oo-bee...."
Clint: "For God's sake. Turn around."
I'm paying $14.00 to have my $4.00 tuxedo dry cleaned before Thursday, just in case I'm called upon to sing the second part in "Islands in the Stream". It has clown white Marley makeup all over it. But now, being a theater veteran, I know to not make up my hands until I have everything on. I'm so stupid.
Yesterday, I went to church (RCCC), heard a sermon on 1 Peter 3, about mutual submission, but this was the wife's side of things. Next week is the husband's role. I almost left when I saw the topic, as I have no wife, and don't need to know about what a wife's responsibility is, but didn't, largely because there was a set on the podium, and I smelt a skit. Also, the music started and we were to sing some Christmas songs. How can you walk out on Christmas songs? The skit was horrible, in the true, elder sense of the word. (Arousing or tending to arouse horror. It inspired horror in me, but not at the play itself.) It was excellently done, (by Terri Tags, and Simon Woods). It was a husband/wife discord thing, and it was devastating to be there. But, it was good. There was authentic yelling and resignation to divorce. Some of the folks at night church discussed the skit, and this led to some interesting conversation. Some of which revealed things which cannot be repeated.
Getting divorced is like being in a horror film. The body snatcher/pod themed films. You feel like your spouse has been replaced because they are not acting like they used to. Frankenstein moves very slowly, but is relentless in his plodding pursuit. You can run from the divorce juggernaut, but it will get you eventually. Then there is the great horror movie theme of the unknown. What is out there? What is around the corner? Sometimes the monster is trapped in the windmill. Sometimes, the pod people are going to win. Sometimes when the monster gets close, you just give up and wait for it to choke you. I always wondered why people just stand there as the scaly green hands move slowly into the frame.
Divorce is so stupid. I hate it. Moses gave you divorce because of the hardness of your hearts but from the beginning it was not so.
So, Christmas Carol went pretty well. Minor things. I stood on somebody's trap door, I think. They were unable to come back out. My facial skin is raw from the dozen or so applications of makeup. I have to put on white, go to flesh, and back to white, so that is three per performance + rehearsals. Then there is the cold winter wind. Ouch. I understand that Saturday, I scared fellow play actor Susan's 2 year old with my scary antics on stage. She evidently had visions of ghosts as she was going to bed that night. I've had a couple of other small people, Tristan's sister for one, be a little afraid of me, but all the little folks in the cast want to grab the keys, open my pocket watch, and look at the coins in the box. I feel badly about scaring people, but it is part of the gig.
After the play little boys came up to me and wanted to see my costume, and see how heavy my chain is. I did several photo ops with little boys. One wouldn't get too near me as he feared I would drop my chain on him. Pictures with Santa? Easter Bunny? Scooby Doo? Barney? The Wiggles? and Marley? It's a new one on me.
So, I'm in a choir thrown together over the last couple of weeks that, on Thursday, will be singing with Kenny Rogers. I'm really looking forward to it. It will be another story I can parley into 6 stories of hanging with the greats, ala, (So, I was in Chicago, and I stopped by to see (Mr.) T....), etc. It is a nice group of people who sing well, and it should be a hoot. I think Clint will be actually performing on stage with or instead of Kenny.
Kenny: "Oh, Roo-oo-bee...."
Clint: "For God's sake. Turn around."
I'm paying $14.00 to have my $4.00 tuxedo dry cleaned before Thursday, just in case I'm called upon to sing the second part in "Islands in the Stream". It has clown white Marley makeup all over it. But now, being a theater veteran, I know to not make up my hands until I have everything on. I'm so stupid.
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