Oh Look! Faries!

The University of Missouri 39th Season of Summer Repertory Theater, is in full swing and I hope to catch every play they’re committing to the boards at their two theaters, The Corner Playhouse and the Rhynsburger. To start things off, a friend of mine scored a couple of comp-tickets to see Laughing Stock, and I about giggled myself into traction, it was so funny.

Still no summer repertory theater season, would be complete without a musical. Now my official position on musicals, is that I don’t like them. They have all that singing and dancing and who wants to see that? But off the record, I have to confess that when I go to one, I find myself tapping and humming out the door. Quite frankly, it’s embarrassing.

Still I’m happy to state for the record, that the Rhynsburger’s production of Dames at Sea, had no such effect on me. Really. Unfortunately I haven’t faired so well in the past with previous productions of The Will Rogers Follies and Chicago. (And yes, I still dance around the house in my underwear, to the movie soundtrack of the latter. Please, don’t tell anyone.) The Will Rogers Follies, was particularly trying (and highly entertaining) given the fact, I’m actually related to Will Rogers. I tell you, it’s a really surreal experience, to see a musical about a family member, however distant they may be. And when you catch yourself, singing and dancing around afterwards, you feel especially strange.

Thunder and the Faries.

On this occasion, while effectively concealing my enjoyment of Dames at Sea, I ran into previous partners in theatrical crime, Shaun and Shannon Kelly, during the intermission. Theatrically charmed twins, they played the devoted fairies to my Titannia, in a previous production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, performed at the Vineyard a couple of years back for the Shakes and Grapes Company. (They’ve grown a little taller since then.) Later that week, Shaun opened in the Rockbridge Highschool production of Disney’s Highschool Musical. And yes, their mother talked me into going. I know, I’m a pushover.

Shaun after her wonderfully funny performance

in the High School Musical.

Ryan, after a show of giggles and singing.

After the show I ran into another former cast mate in Ryan . (Seemed to be the day for that.) Previously, Ryan hit the boards with me in an age old production of Twelfth Night for the Maplewood Barn Theater. (And yes, I played a guy in that one too. Must be the low voice.) Right now Ryan is appearing in Dames, as part of the chorus and shines in an unexpected solo. He’s also playing an over worked theater assistant, in the wildly funny comedy Laughing Stock. I don’t want to give too much away about the character, but whatever you do, just don’t ask the guy for a pencil.

A Few Pix for the Road

Here’s a few visual blubs, that came my way, when I found myself at Starbucks, after my musical adventures. Quelling my usual tendencies toward hermit-like behavior, I made myself go out for after-theater-coffee. I’m glad I did, as I made some new acquaintances over java and enjoyed some nice table conversation. Playing with the digital camera, I snapped some more pics over coffee and tried not to hurt myself. It’s surprising how many people, complete strangers in fact, will pose for you when you say, "I just got this new camera and don’t have the foggiest idea, what I’m doing."

The incriminating evidence, is displayed below.

Farewell to Cyrano

We just closed with the play, this last Sunday and from what I can tell, our last performance was perhaps our best. And if you have to end a play that you love doing, it’s always wonderful to go out on a streak of light. Of course now, I’m going through Cyrano withdrawals and find I’m missing taking on the guise of the impetuous guardsman and lovelorn poet. Of course, all I have left to show for it, is what I started out with- the nose. Well, that’s okay. I wanted a little souvenir from the production anyway and this one is actually attached to my face.

Still it would have been lovely to spend more time playing this wonderful character. And the dialogue! I swear, some of the best lines ever written, can be found in this play and like nibbling potato chips, you just can’t say one. If you’re an actor (or actress), looking for a stunning role, you simply have to play Cyrano de Bergerac, if you get the chance. Of course, it’s an incredibly demanding part, but it has everything from the physical, the intellectual, to the emotional with one of the most dynamic death scenes ever seen on stage. However, the rebellious aspect of the character was the most intriguing, as the real-life Cyrano de Bergerac, (and yes, he was a real life person), was always calling to task the political and religious powers that ruled his day. A stunning example to take to heart, in this time where there is so much to question.

One Last Glib for the Road

In preparation for the final weekend of our play’s run, we all meet for our weekly glib to refresh ourselves of our lines after four days of down time, and as you may of guessed, I have way too many. I’m not all tegether certain, but I suspect the amount of dialogue for Cyrano, is perhaps more than all the other characters of the play combined. So many a late night was spent talking to myself, in an effort to commit all of them to memory and thankfully, I managed to pull it off. Of course, now for all of us, it’s all a matter of maintenance, to keep the many lines and monologues of all the various characters, in the places where they’re supposed to be. (For some odd reason, they have a tendency to migrate around the scene, from time to time.)

And this brings us to the art of glibbing, where entire cast sits around in a shape that remotely resembles a circle, to get through the entire play as fast as possible, so everyone can get home in time to watch Ugly Betty. However, we may have been slightly distracted from this supreme goal, by the charms of chocolate, when our leading lady Pascha Boyd, showed up with candy bars for the entire cast.

For the sweet occasion, I broke out the camera to grab some shots of my fellow thespians before our final hurrah. But I still didn’t have a proper handle, on the fine-points of the digital flash, so the photos aren’t as good as I’d like them to be.

Cyrano Director, Aaron Hunsley

Pictured first, our director Aaron Hunsley oversaw the glib, standing in for anyone that was unable to attend the rehearsal. After Cyrano, he’ll be taking on the colorful part of Bottom, in Maplewood’s upcoming production of Midsummer Night’s Dream. Aaron enjoys directing, but he really hits his stride as an actor, and is perhaps the best thespian that can be found in our small hamlet. Anointed with an excellent and distinctive stage-voice, his characters just pop off the stage.

Pascha Boyd as Roxane

Next our lovely leading lady Pascha, is glibbing away as Roxane. She was wonderful for the part, though rather tall, an additional quandary for our love-lorn hero Cyrano. Not only did the poor guy have an weighty profile but thanks to me, he turned out really, really short. It’s a small wonder, he didn’t tip over during the fight scenes. In an effort to balance things out, Pascha wore flats and a charming smile that continues to beguile our audience.

Chris Bowling as De Guiche

The enthusiastic blur, is Chris Bowling, who’s playing the ever plotting De Guiche. I’ve worked under his direction a couple of years back, in our own production of Midsummers for the Shakes and Grapes Company. Playing his dream part as the inept thespian Bottom, to my love struck Titannia, we had a blast bouncing around the stage in donkey ears and fairy wings. Of course, if there’s a play you simply have to get on the boards with the minimum of trauma, Chris is the director you want for the job. Especially with smaller productions running on a wing and a prayer, having him manage things, always makes an actor feel that much more assured, because he always knows what needs to be done and how to do it. And as an actor he’s always the guy that knows his lines and yours. Of course, I think he’s having a little too much fun as De Guiche and oozes with delight as he utters, what I suspect is his favorite line in the play, "you will be so kind to fight, until the last one of you is killed." Of course, this is exactly what he expects of his actors, as a director. He is currently co-writing a secret musical dynamo, with lots of tapping and aliens from outer space. (Don’t ask.) I also have production plans with Chris and his totally fab wife Val, for brunch on their fabulous deck, overlooking their fabulous yard. I’m going to make quiche. Funny how that rhymes with De Guiche.

Of the principles not pictured, is Mike Tuley as Cyrano’s best buddy Le Bret and Yule Owen as our Christian. Like the character he plays, Mike is a handy guy to have around. He also has an impressive collection of period swords, guns and the like, that turned out to be real handy for the play. And Yule, is just so totally Yule. And if you have that, what else do you need?

Pamela Forbes as Duenna

Last but not least, is one of my favorite fuzzy people Pamela Forbes. The first time we worked together was on a production of The Merry Wives of Windsor, where she had to play the guy. (I guess turnabout is fair play.) This time she’s taken on the role of our Duenna and we have a cute little bit involving poetry and cream puffs. But as a seamstress, cook and an accomplished engineer, she’s proven to be just as valuable behind the scenes, when it comes to dealing with costumes, set-design and starving actors. Of course, I’ve known her for awhile, so she has a tendency to spoil me with treats and homemade gifts. (I should be receiving my jewel encrusted, hair doodle, any day now.) Later in the season, she’ll be appearing in the Maplewood production of Oklahoma.

As for me, I think I’ll just be going back to my usual night-shift grind, after we’ve made our last curtain call. And of course, the work of the quill awaits.

An Electrical Truth Discovered

In recent days past a startling possibility for the future was introduced and it was simply called the EV-1. What is the EV-1, you ask? Well, it’s a car and not just any car, but an electric car and an extraordinary one at that. But unless you lived in that faraway land of California, it’s unlikely you’ve ever heard about this little wheeled dynamo of the future, that unfortunately has all but too quickly become a thing of the past.

Like many of you, I previously believed that the possibility of the electric car, while hopeful, was years away from becoming a vehicle that could meet the quick flying demands of the average driver. But thanks to a friend who shared the stunning revelations of the documentary Who killed the Electric Car, I was introduced to a whole new reality that has proven what the average person knows about the electric car, to be nothing but pure fiction.

So meet the slick new reality, where the electric car can run just as fast or faster than a gas-powered vehicle, while emitting no emissions. In a world plagued by the increasing dangers of global warming, it’s easy to see how vital of a role this stunning creation, could play in saving a future that’s very much in peril.

One such vehicle, a nifty little coup called the EV-1 was released by Chrysler as a bold new experiment, meant to the quell the demands of ground breaking California legislation that required car manufacturers to create a new kind of vehicle that could battle the ongoing plight of air pollution. And the EV-1 had company. Hyundai and Ford, among others also created their own charged-up prototypes, including an electric version of the Ford Ranger that was the very twin of its gas-fueled older brother.

Quick, clean running and every bit as sharp looking as any automobile you’d find on the market, these cars and trucks operated on the same level as gas-powered vehicles, that is, if you were only paying eighty cents a gallon for the gas. Needing little to no pre-built infrastructure to maintain its power and maintenance demands, drivers could easily charge their cars at home or at a specially-fitted power stations, while at work or running errands about town. Even with a limited range of ninety to a hundred miles per charge, it was quickly realized that the these new energizer-auto-bunnies could meet the transportation needs of ninety percent of drivers on the road today.

However being endowed with such remarkable and potentially threatening qualities, these electric conveyances, just as quickly began to attract a number of enemies, the most obvious of which coming from the oil industry. But their most surprising nemesis, turned out to be their own manufacturers, who never had any real intention of offering these cars and trucks for sale to the general public. Unveiled for lease only, a small group of select drivers, were able to briefly enjoy the virtues of these extraordinary vehicles, before they were suddenly packed off to meet with a horrible demise that may perhaps hasten our own.

So what happened to this saving possibility for the future? To find out more behind this compelling mystery, check TV listings for the documentary Who Killed the Electric Car and educate yourself of reality and of the reality that could be if we fight for it.

Oh Great! A Party!

Yes, into our second week of the run of our play, we all in desperate need of a party. Okay, maybe we didn’t need this party, but it was certainly appreciated. And Chris, the actor playing the somewhat villainous De Guiche in Cyrano, and his wife Val, graciously volunteered their lovely home for the our cast party.

I also picked this auspicious occasion to break out the new digital camera. But it’s a rather complicated little device, so one of the few pictures I managed to snap was of me in the bathroom, attempting to figure out how the aforementioned digital camera operates. About the time I had an idea of how to work the thing, we’d had passed that sacred barrier in ritualistic beer consumption, where it becomes impolite to take photos of said individuals, who have consumed unspecified amounts of the aforementioned beer. Besides, the deck was very dark and I still didn’t know how to work the flash.

As the evening wore on, I found that I was indeed in the company of like-minded, science fiction-slash-fantasy geeks, as conversation shifted from Red Dwarf, to Star Trek to arrive with a flourish to the subject of Dungeon and Dragons. But regrettably Dr. Who was completely ignored during the course of the evening, an egregious omission, for which I’d now like to express my deepest apologies.

In some small compensation, there was also extensive discussion around The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Plan 9 From Outer Space, the details of which must remain classified for now, due to reasons I’m not at liberty to mention in mixed company. (Sorry.) In any case, it seems I have yet to ascend to the lofty heights of Ultimate Nerdiness, because I’ve never actually played Dungeons and Dragons, or D&D, as it’s referred to in the such circles. But in my defense I have attended at least a couple of midnight showings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, though not in costume.

Damn! In my failure to don the appropriate attire, to be in the company of that fetching Transvestite of Transylvania, I find the mantle of Ultimate Nerdiness, still eludes me after all.

However, we had a very nice time and grew mellow with the onset of moon and stars. Chris and Val’s deck and yard made for a lovely spot with a little pond and lots of brush and tall trees. In the dark, their large soft shadows, were hemmed by a magical sea of fireflies floating about their branches. And with their special charms of light and flight, these dainty creatures, can transform any plain yard in the ordinary world of mortals, into some far distant, enchanted realm of fairies and dreams.

Yes, our ordinary world of mortals could certainly use more fireflies.

Cyrano Gets Mellow

After the usual madness that goes with opening a play, things have calmed down a bit. I’m still missing my Moofy Heart. But I fancy, in his new spiritual condition, he still pads around the house getting into all kinds of mischief, I can’t see. Silly I know, but he was such a lovely creature and it’s important to appreciate all the lovely creatures that touch our lives, weather they’re fluffy with soft paws or mostly bald with just a tuft a stringy hair on their head.

My mother has gone off to find mischief of her own and things are going well for her. Short for time, she was unable to stay for opening night and instead watched our first full-dress rehearsal. Given the fact we were still lacking in props and some other finishing touches, she more or less saw our poor play only half dressed. Cyrano in his underpants, as it were. And much to my deeply profound shock, she absolutely loved it.

Having the typical, critical mother-plucking-daughter relationship, I was hardly prepared for such adulation. In dramatic contrast, she’s of the opinion that I was born to play Cyrano de Bergerac. Maybe it’s just the nose talking. Despite its awkward appearance, it can have the occasional intoxicating effect on people. No, really! Yeah, I don’t buy that either. But hopefully, I’ll run into some startling evidence that’ll prove otherwise.