Cade's Field Day and End of Year Party

Allan and I volunteered to help with Field Day at Cade's school. So, we reported to the gym at 8:15 this morning. Mr. Davis, who has to be the best PE teacher ever, went through all the different stations. Half of the 8 stations involved water. As it turned out, Allan and I were assigned to the Squirt station.

The rules of the game were rather simple. One team of kids held the squirt bottles, the other kids had to keep from getting wet. If a kid got sprayed, he had to freeze. Another teammate had to come by and give a high-five which would unfreeze the kid. Within the 15 minutes they were at the station, each kid had to be given a turn at being a sprayer. Very easy and simple, I thought.

Five minutes into the first class and I realized organized play would not be happening today. Girls and boys were screaming at the top of their lungs. Some of the sprayers would stand in front of frozen kids just waiting for someone to come unfreeze, only to squirt them again. Kids reported so-and-so not freezing when being squirted. And none of the kids really wanted to give up their turn at aiming the squirt bottles. By the end of the field day day Allan and I were running around chasing the kids, laughing and screaming along with them, alternately squirted and getting squirted. We were soaked, but boy did we have a great time!

After field day the kindergarten class had their End-of-Year party. Allan and I stayed for that too. Allan got drafted to help with the sand craft station and I ended up being a face painter. We all had a picnic pizza lunch, and then Ms. W gave out some awards. Allan and I were both pleasantly surprised that Cade received a certificate for perfect attendance.

We all had so much fun, I can't wait for next year's field day.

An Evening at the Theatre

Earlier tonight Ken and headed down to Charlotte to the Belk Theater. We were going to see Twelve Angry Men. I knew Richard Thomas was in the show, and for some reason I thought George Wendt was also in the show. I had read the play last year for the KLT playreading committee and I wondered how the show could be staged. As such, I was excited to be seeing the show.

The ushers immediately made me feel right at "home". I wasn't allowed to bring in my just-purchased-at-their-concession-stand Skittles into the auditorium. So I did what any decent person would do. I put the bag in my purse, snuck them in, and ate them while reading the playbill. How appropriate that I felt a little criminal before the show started.

The set was as you'd expect. A large room containing a table and chairs for twelve, a water cooler, a window, etc. The lights changed as the jurors filed in. Richard Thomas received a round of applause when he entered. And then the play began.

At some point during the show I realized that I was sitting, literally, on the edge of my seat, leaning forward. I had totally forgotten I was watching a play, and became completely wrapped up in the jurors voting on the fate of a young, black boy. I was absolutely enthralled!

On the way home I bored Ken to death by peppering him with questions about trials, courtrooms and jurors. I've never served on a jury, but if Richard Thomas served with me, I'd volunteer!

Love This Song!

Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love

An Afternoon at the Theatre

Yesterday at the KLT Volunteer Appreciation Picnic, I was able to catch up with Michael Carter, who has played my on-stage husband more times than I care to count. I was initially thrilled to learn that my current favorite script Almost, Maine was being produced. When I told him how much I loved the show, and how much I wanted to be in the show, he smiled slyly. He was in the show, in fact had a performance that night! When he saw my disheartened look, he quickly offered me a comp ticket.

I've just returned from the Open Space Cafe Theatre where I saw the closing performance of Almost, Maine. All in all I loved the show.

Michael Moore and Michael Carter played the male roles. Stephanie Gray and Shelly Segal played the female roles. I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes with Moore and Gray, especially the "Story of Hope". Segal wasn't as strong an actress, though she and Carter did well in "Seeing the Thing". Carter's performances in this show, especially in "They Fell" has been the best I've seen of his work.

I was pleasantly surprised that Juan Fernandez directed the show. I've not seen Juan since he directed me in The Curious Savage in 2004. When I asked him what was his next project he told me he was directing Blithe Spirit for Open Space in the fall. Since that's another favorite show, I told him to keep me posted on auditions.

Yard Sale and Picnic

This year we decided to hold the annual KLT Yard Sale and Volunteer Appreciation Picnic on the same day. We figured since most KLT supporters help out or attend the yard sale, they could head over to Harmon Park after for some hotdogs and fun.

I actually attended my very first KLT yard sale and I did manage to get a few items at great bargain pricing. After securing my treasures, I headed to Wal-Mart to shop for the picnic items. Since this was an appreciation picnic, I had requested our volunteers just bring themselves instead of potluck food. I had a planned menu, so shopping was fairly easy. We received a gift card from Lowe's so I headed there to get the hotdogs.

Glenn was the cook, and Mikey and I were the event servers. I had planned on 75 people and about 50 of our volunteers attended. We had plenty of food, though none left over. We chatted about Honk!, our upcoming production, and introduced the new season. We raffled off several items donated by local businesses. And I made sure every volunteer received my personal "Thank you" and KLT's appreciation.

The entire day was a huge success.

Quick Eye Test

Can you find the Bs? (Hint: there are 2 of them)

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
RRRRRRRRRRRBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
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RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
RRRRRRRRRRBRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

Now find the 1...

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IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII1IIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Locate the 6...

9999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999
9999699999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999
9999999999999999999999999999999999

Do you see the N? (This might take longer!)

MMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMNMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMM
MMMMMMMMMMMMM
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MMMMMMMMMMMMM

Lastly, find the Q...

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOQOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Call your optometrist if you couldn't locate each letter in less than a minute!

Cade's Kindergarten Class Picture

Chicken Ranch: Theatre Alliance Has Rousing Season-ender

By Mary Martin Niepold
Published: May 12, 2008

Its storyline practically guarantees the fun: A whorehouse in Texas, circa 1976, is about to be shut down through no fault of some of its own customers: a governor, a senator and longtime friend, Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd.

Affectionately called the Chicken Ranch, this particular establishment is also where most of the action unfolds in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, a musical being put on by the Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance that opened Friday night.

Best Little Whorehouse is a big-number production with snappy choreography and a large cast, most notably 15 or so prostitutes, their madam, some townspeople, various politicians, local choristers, the Texas Aggies football team and -- at the center of the storm -- troublemaker Melvin P. Thorpe, a flamboyant TV personality who is determined to shut down the Chicken Ranch and fulfill his destiny as "watchdog" for the local TV market.

According to the show's own admission, this whorehouse had been around for more than a century. Now, Miss Mona (a former prostitute and current madam) has inherited it, and people can remember the days when the "ladies" began accepting poultry for payment, "one bird, one lay."

And so the evening goes: Ribald language, profane language, partial nudity and some very suggestive vignettes of coupling in the chicken house. Laughs and live music also spark Best Little Whorehouse, even though the pacing is sometimes slow on a show that's known for its spitfire and rapid delivery.

This show opened on Broadway in 1978 with choreography by Tommy Tune. Its book by Larry L. King and Peter Masterson with music and lyrics by Carol Hall went on to garner multiple Tony nominations and won Drama Desk awards for music and lyrics.

In Theatre Alliance's show, the music can fill the house at times, with two numbers in particular. One is a solo in which Jaye Pierce plays a gum-snapping waitress named Doatsey Mae who wishes she'd had a more exciting life. When she sings a hauntingly beautiful ballad, "Doatsey Mae," we also wish she'd not been quite so respectable.

At the other end of the musical spectrum is one of the show's best big-ticket numbers. "The Aggie Song" is a robust, full-bodied press from a chorus of football players getting ready to visit the Chicken Ranch, their prize for winning the Thanksgiving game earlier that day. It's pure fun, and director Jamie Lawrence successfully pulls in other cast members to deliver the song's punch -- raunchy athletes and prostitutes dressed in long satin gowns and corsages.

Two standout roles include the Sheriff played by Mikey Wiseman and the TV anchorman played by Gray Smith. Smith is never at a loss when taking center stage, as he frequently does at Theatre Alliance productions, and Wiseman, last seen in The Little Theatre's production of The Foreigner, has another hit with his role as Ed Earl.

Best Little Whorehouse is a good-time ending for the Theatre Alliance's season and its home at SECCA. A new home is expected to be announced in the fall.

A Weekend at the Whorehouse

Yes I spent the weekend working at Whorehouse. What? No, I wasn't doing that kind of work. I worked box (office), sold treats (at intermission) and passes (season tickets). Come on, now. Get your mind out of the gutter.

After and in between all that working, I was able to watch the show. The guys in this production clearly outperformed the girls. The Aggie Song was the best dance number, by far. Mason Reich, the guy in the promo poster, owned this number.

Gesh Metz was Mona, the proprietor of the Chicken Ranch. While she is a very talented singer, I just didn't get the sense that she really understood her character. There was no rapport between her and her "girls", nor with Sheriff Ed Earl Dodd. (And it's Mona's relationship with the Sheriff that allows the Chicken Ranch to remain open!)

I'm not a prude by any means, but even I was shocked at the gratuitous sex act simulations leading into the act one finale. Jamie threw out the theatre adage that "less is more" and went classless and tawdry. I'm pretty sure I was witness to how some of the actors' kids were conceived.

Mark Armstrong, as the Bandleader and other characters, was fabulous. (I've come to expect nothing less from him!) Ken Ashford's Governor number was rousting and energetic.

It was Mikey Wiseman's "Good Ole Girl" number that brought tears to my eyes. He is a very talented singer and he absolutely nailed the song and the Sheriff's emotion. I kept wishing Gesh could have risen to the same occasion.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas was certainly an entertaining show. Unfortunately, I was left disappointed.

Celtic Festival

Cade, Mallorie, Mikey and I spent the day at Bethabara Park celebrating our Scottish heritage at the annual Celtic Festival. We all had a blast.

This year you could rent, for free, an entire Scottish outfit. Cade and I were the only ones game. He had no problem wearing a skirt!

Love This Song!

Local Actor Makes His Debut

Allan, Mallorie and I attended Cade's theatrical debut tonight. His kindergarten class performed in the school's spring musical, Bugz.

We arrived at school early so I could help the kids getting into their costumes. The kids were funny; greeting their schoolmates as if they hadn't seen them that very day! With 10 minutes to curtain I gave them a performance pep talk. I really didn't have to, none of the kids seemed to be suffering from stage fright. I did have to explain that "break a leg" was a positive sentiment.

The show was so very cute. Each class represented particular bugs - ladybugs, fireflies, army ants and butterflies. The other kindergarten classes would sing, while the spotlighted bugs performed a little dance routine. Cade gave a great performance, even though he had to watch his neighbor to keep up with the choreography. Allan and Mallorie were laughing and clapping; I was crying with pride. Overall, I thought Cade's class gave the best performance. They were a very organized and energized group of Army Ants!

A Fun Job Interview

Earlier today I went down to the Children's Museum of Winston-Salem for a group interview. They were looking for museum guides. I figured being around kids would keep me young and active. I was a little disheartened to see all the other applicants were teenagers. I quickly took charge of our table assignments, in an effort to show that I was a good leader.

We sang a few songs to get started. One song I hadn't sung since I was in Girl Scouts! Next, we had to go to an area of the museum and come up with a creative commercial for that particular exhibit. I'd never been to the museum before but luckily Ana had. We went straight to the Food Lion exhibit and with Casey's help we came up with a poem.

We met the museum staff and I was pleasantly surprised to see Ally there. It was actually her first day as the museum's new Director of Programming. Now I'm really hoping I get hired. While it isn't the greatest pay, I know I will have fun working there!

Love and Support

Bill and Kathy, April and Jacob, Kathy C., Norm and Reba, Kenny and Amanda, Kaye, Mikey, Ken, Dick and Carolyn, Clara and Dawson, Mike, Michael, Mom, Liz, Myla, Jeff, Randy and Barbara, Mark, Stephanie, Gregg, Mallorie, Charis and Anne, and Norman...

Thank you so very much for coming to The Cemetery Club. I am so very honored by your love and support.

Monday Funny...Real Friendship

Are you tired of those sissy "friendship" poems that always sound good, but never actually come close to reality? Well, here is a series of promises that actually speak of true friendship. You won't see cutesy little smiley faces here, just the stone cold truth of real friendship.

When you are sad,

I will jump on the person who made you sad like a spider monkey jacked up on Mountain Dew.

When you are blue,

I will try to dislodge whatever is choking you.

When you smile,

I will know you are plotting something that I must be involved in.

When you are scared,

I will rag on you about it every chance I get.

When you are worried,

I will tell you horrible stories about how much worse it could be until you quit whining.

When you are confused,

I will use little words.

When you are sick,

stay away from me until you are well again. I don't want whatever the heck you have.

When you fall,

I will point and laugh at your clumsy butt.

Now, send this posting link to 10 of your closest friends, then get depressed because you can only think of 4.

More Quotables

Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right. Forget about the one's who don't.
**********
Believe everything happens for a reason.
**********
Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.
**********

Film Shoot

UNCG picketing the airlines

My Personality

MOODS: Wild Cat

You're a bit of a romantic and have a taste for the exotic. You love feeling the sea breeze in your hair, sun on your skin... Slip those shoes off... You like to kick back. When it comes to art, you're definitely unconventional. You appreciate precision and hard work. As for music, it's the soundtrack of your world. You like to unwind and switch off: it gives you a break from reality. Your choice of treat shows you love being a little bit naughty. Being good all the time is a bore. You've got a good sense of fun and maybe an infectious giggle.

FUN: Escape Artist

You rally value your 'quiet time' - to recharge, and reconnect with yourself. You're not afraid to take yourself away from people and explore your imagination. For kicks you live to switch off and immerse yourself in another world. You are thoughtful and imaginative - you like to look at life from a different perspective. Cultured and creative. When it comes to holidays, you reckon they should always be indulgent - a very special treat and a chance to recharge your batteries in luxurious surroundings as well as spending quality time with family and friends. What grosses you out? You favor the natural look and can't stand a pumped and plumped, plastic appearance.

HABITS: Back to Basics

Even if you have a healthy approach to life, you still have your little vices that keep you going. It is all part of the routine, you're a creature of habit. Your choice of drink reflects your love of the stability and comfort of routine. As for the home, you have very cool and contemporary taste. You have a simple approach to style, but you like things to have their place.

LOVE: Touchy Feely

When it comes to love, you think sex. You have plenty of urges, desires, maybe even demands! Let others think of it, you like to take more of a hands-on approach! When you think of freedom - you think of being in charge of your direction. The open road and a full tank can take you pretty much anywhere.

Discover Your VisualDNA.

It's Official!

I've just been offered a permanent (part-time) position with SETC! I will be the assistant to Education Theatre Services. I will begin my new position on August 4.

I am so very excited about joining the SETC staff and being able to work in such a bee-u-ti-ful place. I just know I'm going to continue to love my new job!

Audience gets intimate with 'Cemetery'

Leslie Mizell, Special to Go Triad

WINSTON-SALEM -- Community theater is filled with people who go that extra mile to put on a show. Few of them do it quite as literally as John Collier.

The director of the Stained Glass Playhouse's "The Cemetery Club," which opens tomorrow night, commutes 26 miles daily from his home in Graham to his job as an oncology nurse at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center in Chapel Hill. Tack on an evening play rehearsal an hour from home in the other direction, and he'll have added 160 miles to his odometer by the end of the day.

"You go where the good work is," he says. "But I'll admit the price of gas is making me pick my shows a little more carefully. And I did just trade in my Highlander for a Corolla."

Collier has been acting in community theater for 25 years and directing plays and musicals for half that time. It was the touching humor in "The Cemetery Club" that drew him to the project.

"I saw the show about eight years ago in Burlington," he recalls. "The writing is very Neil Simon-esque. The humor is there, but it's a drama with comedy. It's about loss and forgiveness and redemption -- all heavy themes -- but it's disguised with laughs."

The 1990 play, which had a short 56-performance Broadway run, is about three New York widows who meet once a month for tea before visiting their husbands' graves in Queens. Written by Ivan Menchell, it shows the deft hand with one-liners he learned at the knee of his father, the late comedian Lou Menchell. Extremely popular throughout the world, it has often been compared to the heart-tugging "Steel Magnolias."

Collier likes the intimacy of the relationships among the women, which is shared by the audience in the small 90-seat Stained Glass Playhouse.

"The acting has to be subtle; it can't be bigger than life," he says. "A lot of people who auditioned primarily worked on bigger stages and weren't able to pull back their performances. But our cast easily handles the challenge."

Collier, who deals with issues of death and dying through his day job, recognizes an honesty and truth in "The Cemetery Club" which shows Collier that Menchell had dealt with loss. In fact, the play is partially inspired by Menchell's mother, an actress-singer who retired from the stage for more than a decade after the crushing blow of her husband's death in 1979.

"Each of the three women in 'The Cemetery Club' is at a different point in their grieving process," Collier says. "[Doris] is obviously not going to move past her husband's death. [Ida] is still respectful of her marriage, but is ready to explore having a new relationship.

"And [Lucille] has moved well beyond her husband's death since her marriage was not that happy."

Leslie Mizell has been covering the Triad's theater scene for more than a decade. Her column runs weekly in Go Triad. Contact her at LAMizell@aol.com.

Rehearsal, The Cemetery Club

This is exactly how I felt tonight after rehearsing a particular scene. We had the water tonight, as we will for the rest of the run. Pat S. is one of my favorite actresses and a very good friend. So when it came time to throw the water in her face, I just couldn't do it. John encouraged me, rather loudly, and I did throw the water. A few drops landed on Pat; the rest of the water settled on the chair behind her. Per the script, Pat then threw her water at me. Bullseye! She got me but good.

After rehearsal, with tears in our eyes, Pat and I hugged each other. It's not us, it's Lucille and Doris.

An Evening at the Theatre

Mikey, Mallorie and I worked concessions last night for The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem's production of Jekyll and Hyde. Selling "death by chocolate", "killer key lime pie" and "slasher strawberry" ice cream was a small price to pay for getting to see the musical for free. The show was, overall, amazing.

I was very impressed with the set, as it was the first time LTWS used mechanical tracking to change the scenes. Usually you only see these kinds of scene changes in professional theatre, and it's done using computer technology. But with the help of NCSA design and volunteer stagehands cranking the wenches, Jekyll's laboratory, Lucy's bedroom, etc. were moved into and out of place effortlessly. Add some red light, lots of fog and London backdrops - perfect.

The review was spot on regarding David Joy as Jekyll/Hyde. I've had the pleasure of working with him, and of listening to him perform in several other musicals. Still, I was unprepared by the range of his voice. I have never heard him sing like he did. He was absolutely outstanding!

Courtney Willis played Emma, Jekyll's fiancee. She had a gorgeous voice and I thoroughly enjoyed watching her onstage. Hyde's prostitute girlfriend, Lucy, was played by Lauren Stephenson. While Lauren was capable in her role, the "In His Eyes" duet by Lucy and Emma was owned by Courtney.

The ensemble cast was equally as talented. Michael Hoch stood out (as Spider), as did Miriam Davie and Michele Groneck. I was a bit disappointed in the choreography, which, at times was sloppily delivered. Once of my favorite numbers is "Murder, Murder" and it was a bit lackluster.

Bravos to everyone in the cast and the crew. The show was wonderful. If you haven't seen it yet, and you really should, you've only one weekend left. Go ahead and get your tickets, you don't want to miss out seeing David Joy in his finest role.

Mr. Man Turns 6!

We've been receiving lots of Salem Gymnastics and YMCA party invitations lately. And that's fine for those parents who want to spend hundreds of dollars on birthday parties for their 6-year old kids. I simply don't have the money for an extravagant birthday party.

So, to celebrate Cade's 6th birthday, my mom and Bill and the Kellam clan headed to Chic-fil-a. The restaurant choice was an easy one - Chic-fil-a is fast, nutritious, and, most importantly, has a play zone. We ate lunch, Cade and Andrew climbed and went down the slide, and then Cade opened his gifts. He got some very nice clothes. My mom made him a new blanket, and we got him two The Backyardigans DVDs.

After saying our thank yous and goodbyes, we took Cade and Andrew to see Horton Hears a Who. Because we were full from lunch, we didn't get popcorn, and (surprisingly) the boys were very well behaved. Everyone enjoyed the movie; we clapped when it was over and laughed at the bloppers.

After the movie came the only part of Cade's birthday that I was a little hesitant about. Andrew was going to spend the night. Once we got home, Cade and Andrew went crazy; running around outside and riding bikes, shooting hoops and yelling at the top of their lungs. I figured they'd drop to bed early. They didn't head to bed until 9p.

All in all, Cade had a very nice birthday. He was happy with going to the movie and he had a really good time with Andrew.

Greetings from jetBlue!

From: Dusty
Sent: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 9:22 am
Subject: On The E190!

I asked my co-worker to snap a pic of me on our smaller aircraft, the Embraer E190 before the passengers came on. Someone commented that it looked like we were flying to Heaven because of the way the picture looked. hahaha. It does look a bit white lightish and hazy. haha.

Hope all is well with everyone!

David

Thank You, Patricia!

I got a call today from Phil Powell. He's the director for The Little Theatre's upcoming production of Don't Dress For Dinner. While auditions were last week, he apparently didn't have enough folks show up. Patricia gave him my number. His voicemail said he'd seen me in The Foreigner, thought my performance was great, and was hoping I'd come to callbacks next Monday. I quickly called him back and accepted his invitation.

Allan's 44

Make Plans to See This!

IN COMMAND: Lead actor makes Jekyll & Hyde a winner
By Ken Keuffel, JOURNAL REPORTER

With its current production of Jekyll & Hyde, The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem is taking on quite a challenge, one that proved worthwhile during last night’s sneak-preview performance.

The show, which will open tonight at the Arts Council Theatre, proves a solid winner for lots of reasons. One of the most important is the man who plays the title role(s): David Joy.

Joy plays Dr. Henry Jekyll, a London physician who hopes to find a cure for his father who is suffering in a mental institution. He experiments on himself in an attempt to separate the evil and good, and in so doing, the evil begins to take over in the form of a new persona named Edward Hyde.

This transformation, of course, underscores the show’s exploration of good and evil warring with one another. It goes back and forth, calling on Joy to play two different characters over the course of a fairly long night (the show lasts more than 2 hours and 30 minutes).

Joy remains in command of the diverse material from beginning to end, proving particularly compelling during his transformations. He is the affable, idealist and workaholic Jekyll one moment and someone completely different in Hyde the next. And each part of the Jekyll/Hyde character is drawn to a different woman: Emma (Courtney Willis) and Lucy (Lauren Stephenson).

In musical terms, some of the soloists are not on top of every note in their parts. But they conquer enough of Frank Wildhorn’s almost-operatic music, and in convincing-enough fashion, to make us overlook the occasional deficiency here and there.

The chorus sounds powerful and, setting an example for many other groups to follow, enunciates each and every word clearly — which is so important in Jekyll, in which music dominates. Margaret Gallagher proves an adept music director.

The imaginative stage direction of Bobby Bodford and the choreography of Benji Starcher are impressive. Scenes that would otherwise look crowded and/or static come alive in visually inventive ways.

What scenic designer Bland Wade has done with the sets is noteworthy, too, proving that a lot of interesting looks can be achieved with just a few materials — which include a couple of red frames and backdrops of drawings that evoke Victorian England.

Thank You

Mikey, Dee, LeeAnn, Bill, Dad, Mitch, Zach, Ashley, Mallorie, Dusty, Mickey, Myla, Kris, Allison and Jeff for your birthday emails, e-cards, cards, and Facebook/myspace comments. You made turning 39 (gulp) a lot more bearable.

My Birthday

I had a wonderful birthday yesterday. Since it was raining, I took advantage of the dreariness by relaxing in bed, reading Confessions of a Shopaholic. (Hey! It's my birthday, I get to do what I want!) For lunch I was surprised with take-out from my new favorite restaurant, El Triunfo. They make pupusas, which has quickly become my favorite dish. Absolutely delicious! For dessert - a bag of my beloved Skittles. (I am so addicted!)

Cade gave me a pink lighted vibrating hand held massager. He told me he wanted to get it for me for when I get sore working Union calls. I also got a gift certificate to Kohl's and some cash. (I'll be heading to Edward McKay's within the next few days to spend that cash. Or....I might order some stuff from Amazon!)

All in all it was a very nice birthday, even though I'd been dreading turning 39. (Or as someone told me, I was actually entering into my 40th year.)

Random Posting

Found in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe script.

I Acquire(d) The Fire!

Well, it certainly didn't take long! Last night I worked my first LJVM union call - breaking down the Acquire the Fire concert.

Once again, I was initially intimated. There were so many people there! Everyone seemed to know everyone else, but I made it a point to introduce myself. Two people had worked the Opera with me, so there were some familiar faces. I was a bit nervous when Ricky put me on the "electrical crew". I don't know much about electrical concert stuff, but I was assured the work was mostly rolling up electrical cable. I wouldn't have ever guessed that rolling up cable would be tough. The cable is extremely long and, after winding it into a circle, gets quite heavy. Ah, muscles!

After that I helped take down the lights. The concert lights are very expensive and extremely heavy. It takes two people to lift them off the pole and carry to the storage boxes. The storage boxes were then moved to the end of the stage where Ricky was waiting with a forklift. Spencer and I rolled the storage boxes into place and Ricky took them away. There was more cable to unhook and roll, and more heavy stuff to store.

It took us 4 hours to break down the concert and load into the trucks. It was definitely work, but not back breaking work. It was more like muscle developing work. I impressed many of the "gorillas" with my willingness to take whatever job they gave me without complaining. And believe it or not, I actually had a good time. And I've got the ATF concert shirt to prove it!

A New Career For Me?

I'm excited to tell you that I started a new "job". Yesterday I worked as a professional stagehand, for the IATSE Union, Local 635. The call was at the Stevens Center for The Piedmont Opera, loading in for Die Fledermaus.

Initially I was a bit intimidated. I didn't have a crescent wrench (who would have thought?) and within the first 15 minutes, it was obvious I needed one. As one of only two women on the job, and the only newbie, I was concerned about asking one of the guys for a tool. I didn't want anyone picking on me or thinking of me as an inexperienced girly girl. (After all, I did purchase good gloves to protect my manicured nails.) To my delight, one of the guys saw my distress and offered his wrench. I can now guarantee the railing on the back staircase is secure.

As time wore on, I became a little more comfortable. In working with community theatres, I am accustomed to loading in and striking sets. So I was able to look like I knew what I was doing as I moved flats and doors and unloaded set pieces. Even though I was "green" I apparently impressed the steward. He called me back for the second call of the day, and gave me a special assignment - coordinate the unloading of the props.

Even though stagehands refer to themselves as gorillas, they do look out for each other. No one is left alone to move a flat that is too heavy or difficult to control. It's all about teamwork, and the gorillas accepted me after they realized I wasn't afraid of manual labor. It wasn't back-breaking work, so I'm not sore today. I did injury myself yesterday. I bruised my thumb beating up Doris' headstone - at rehearsal.

Because I am not (yet) a card carrying Local member, the work won't be regular, and that's okay with me. While yesterday's work was actually kinda fun, I've heard that working at the LJVM is akin to being a roadie!

Quotables

If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it.
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Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past will change.
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Life is like a jar of jalapaneos. What you do today might burn your ass tomorrow.
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Your perception is reality.
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A person is only limited by the boundaries they place upon themselves.
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Never say I can't do that. Be in a position to say I choose not to do that.
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There are only 3 basic methods of communication: word, gesture, spirit.
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The art of communication is not in the ability to speak, but in the ability to hear.
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Don't let someone else create your world for you, for when they do, they will always make it too small.
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Faith, and fear, is believing that what you cannot see will come to pass. Fear attracts the negative. Faith attracts the positive.
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Images are more powerful than words.
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To learn you must want to be taught.
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Knowledge is the acquiring of facts. Understanding is the interpreting of facts. Wisdom is the application of facts.
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We tend to judge others by their actions, ourselves by our intentions.
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Enthusiasm is an emotion. Optimism is an attitude. Faith is a substance.
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At the Movies

This afternoon Mikey and I decided to head to the movies. Since he likes dance movies as much as I do, we went to see Step Up 2: The Streets

I did not see Step Up (1), but I would imagine the plot was fairly similar. Wait. Plot? Oh, yes, plot...there was one, I think. Girl dances with street crew, girl is accepted to prestigious dance school where she is outcast for her "streetness". Girl grabs the attention of cute ballet dancer boy. Lines are drawn, rules are broken and everyone dances in the rain.

It was an okay dance movie. Still, Take The Lead and Honey are my favorites.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Another Evening at the Theatre

Still supporting The Little Theatre's North Carolina Voices Staged Reading series, I attended their final production tonight, Green, by Bekah Brunstetter.

When Clint returns from Iraq to his strangely liberal bible belt college community, Alex, his Bush-trash talking best friend, and Rhea, Alex’s confused and beautiful girlfriend await him with baited breath. Clint wants to settle back down into normal life, but his memories of his experiences at war make this adjustment harder for him than he ever anticipated. Green is a fresh look at the high price of service, using magical realism and an amorous anthropomorphized fire-arm.

Collin Norris, as Clint, was very good, as was Ken Ashford as Clint's best friend Alex. Lan Holtsclaw did a fine job bringing Clint's gun and cigarette to life. Kevin and Spencer Owen were okay in their respective roles. The rest of the cast sucked the life right out of the play.

Final Performance, The Velveteen Rabbit

Our final performance was this afternoon at the Main Library. As you can see from the pictures, they have a very nice stage, and our 'set' worked very well in the space.

While we performed for another full house, this afternoon's house wasn't overcrowded. There were enough chairs for everyone and some of the kids sat on the floor directly in front of the stage. Most of the kids got over their nervousness from last night and today they really seemed to have fun. I know that I had a blast!

A Night at the Theatre

Mikey and I continued our support of The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem's NC Voices Staged Reading Series. Tonight's offering was Raney. John Justice adapted the script from the book by Clyde Edgerton. The staged reading was directed by Mark Pirolo.

The play follows the early days of the marriage of Raney, an innocent, Southern Baptist, and Charles, who is considerably more liberal and sophisticated than Raney. Jackie Hansen and Brian Joyce brought Raney and Charles to life beautifully. Jim McKeny and Kelly Wallace were superb as Thurman and Doris Bell, Raney's parents. I especially loved Jim's tobacco spitting. Kelly is always a pleasure to watch. Karen Robertson was wonderful as Naomi Purvis, Raney's aunt. Like Kelly, Karen is facinating to see. Both women truly embody their characters.

Peter Juran was great as Dr. Bridges. His voice was as soothing as a therapist's, although he is a lawyer in real life. Roberts Bass played Mr. Simmons and came off exactly as Mr. Simmons should- a jerk.

Mark March, as Nate Purvis (Raney's uncle) was outstanding. I've had the pleasure of seeing several of Mark's shows and of sharing the stage with him. As such, I believe Mark to be one of the most talented actors in our area. His final scene made me teary eyed, and this was only a "staged reading".

The Cast of The Cemetery Club

Ida - Pat (Mathews) Garner
Lucille - Cheryl Ann Roberts
Doris - Pat Shumate
Sam - David Webster
Mildred - Debra Hanson

We might be able to start playing the Kevin Bacon game using me. I've shared the stage with everyone in this cast!

Pat Garner and I were in SGP's 2005 production of The Boys Next Door. Debra Hanson and I were in KLT's 2004 production of The Curious Savage. David Webster and I have been in 3 other SGP shows: Harvey, The Sunshine Boys, and The Diary of Anne Frank. Pat Shumate and I just appeared in The Little Theatre's production of The Foreigner. We also worked together in KLT's 2006 production of Grace and Glorie, where we went on to win Best Ensemble during the North Carolina Theatre Conference festival.

John Collier is directing The Cemetery Club, and even he and I shared a past stage. I played his dead wife in The Paramount Acting Company's 2004 production of Jake's Women.

This will be a funny, funny show so make your plans to attend now!

Opening Night, The Velveteen Rabbit

Who would have thought our little "staged reading" of the popular children's book would be so popular? I figured the audience would be rather small. With a 6p curtain time, I didn't think some of the parents would be able to make the show. But, boy, was I wrong!

The rehearsal hall was overflowing with folks! There weren't enough chairs set up, so most of the audience was standing. This made it a bit difficult to make our entrances from the house, as we had to weave through the crowd. Still the kids were troopers and managed to adapt without getting thrown.

We did have some problems hearing some of the kids. Charlie started out a bit quiet, but did increase her volume as she fought her nerves. Jasmin, our little fairy, was so cute you didn't care that you couldn't hear what she said!

Most of the kids were nervous and dealt with it in different ways. Adam was actually pretty sedate backstage, which was a welcome change! Caroline became famished and downed a small bag of Oreos (sans water - it was not pretty).

Overall, opening "night" was a success. There were only a few dropped lines. I did end up using the prop book, and the audience didn't seem to mind. The kids were great and I was so proud of them!

Our final performance is tomorrow at 2p. We will be performing in the auditorium of the main library, downtown. Remember, it's a free performance so come early for seats!

Happy Brave Soldiers Day, Michael!

Happy Birthday, Craig!

A Book Report

I just finished Zoe Heller's What Was She Thinking? [Notes On A Scandal]. This was another book I wanted to read before I saw the movie. I should have saved myself the trouble, and just rented the DVD.

The book did not captivate me like I thought it would. I guess I was thinking the story would be more sensational, like a Mary Kay Letourneau read. The book actually centers around the friendship between two teachers: Sheba is having an affair with her 15 year old student, and Barbara is a spinster obsessed with Sheba. While the characters are very well developed, I just found the book very boring.

So boring, in fact, that I'm not sure I want to trouble myself with renting the DVD. Cate Blanchett and Judi Dench play Sheba and Barbara respectively, and both are outstanding actresses. I'm just not sure I want to waste my time.

New Horizons Continues

Mallorie, Mikey and I decided to head to Krankie's Coffee to see Rubber Doves, a brand new, two-man magic comedy and the 2008 Winner of the New Horizons Playwriting Competition. Matt Gutschick and Ben Whiting star. During rehearsals, Ben wrote:

Combining magic and theatre is always touchy business and you never know until the last minute whether or not it's going to play out the way you hoped. You have to consider the multiple possibilities of how each illusion could play out and know how your character would handle each of them. There are a lot of things that could happen. But I'll tell ya what, no matter what happens I can promise that who ever is in the audience will be THOROUGHLY entertained! hahaha!

He was correct. The show was funny and the magic tricks worked perfectly. Matt and Ben work very well together.

As an added bonus, they also performed Alan Arkin's Virtual Reality. There are only two props in the show, a piece of paper and a pencil. The rest of the props are imaginary. It was a very interesting show, to say the least, especially having to pantomime the props. Matt and Ben did an excellent job and kept up the pacing. I enjoyed the avant-garde production; Mikey and Mallorie were less than impressed.

A Night at the Theatre

Last night, I attended The Battle of Shallowford, The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem's second entry in their New Horizons Series (staged readings of original or adpated plays by NC authors). The reading was held in the rehearsal hall, and there was a nice sized crowd in attendance. Ed Simpson, the playwright, also attended the reading.

The Battle of Shallowford is an endearing story about what happens when the residents of Shallowford (based on Lewisville, NC) believe Orson Welles' radio broadcast of "War of the Worlds". They grab their pitchforks and hunting rifles, and run out to do battle with the invading Martians and save the world.

David Bowen, who played Burton Mock, and Grace Lineberry, as Ruthie, were wonderful as father and daughter. Jere Dailey was perfectly cast as Ray Sprinkles, as was Jeremy Byrd as Fred Martin. John Schwabe played two very different roles, Dewey Sowers (football hero) and Doodad Jarvis (slow witted), and transitioned well between the two. Stan Berstein, who also "directed" the reading, played Newsome Jarvis, a man of very few words.

Because it is a staged reading with a reduced rehearsal period (one night!) you usually don't see much movement and even less characterization. Two actors deserve a special shout out for this very reason. Mikey Wiseman actually brought to life the very crusty Clunette Campbell. If the audience's reaction was an indication, he was the favorite. Elliot Lerner also breathed life into Lonny Hutchins, a shy teenage dreamer. Both men gave outstanding performances.

The staged reading of The Battle of Shallowford was one night only. But keep checking your local listings. You will definitely want to see this show as a full scale production!

This is the second time I've received an email about the Millau Viaduct. And while I can appreciate the impressiveness, and even the beauty, of this modern wonder, you will NEVER, EVER see me on it.

I don't like bridges.

Thank You, Linda!

You really did brighten my day!

A (Short) Afternoon at the Theatre

Mikey, Mallorie, and I ventured to Concord to see Michael Carter in Moon Over Buffalo at Old Courthouse Theatre. I was not familiar with the show, but Michael told me to be prepared to laugh a lot. Michael wasn't kidding. We laughed, but not in a good way. The show was so bad that we were verbalizing our utter disbelief at the overacting.

Andrea Rassler, who played Rosalind, was capable enough, although she looked very uncomfortable in her heeled shoes. Jonathan Ewart, who played Howard, was awkward. His fall onto the couch would have been much better had he simply gone over and fallen. Instead he made it look just what it was - the director gave him that specific blocking. Jim Esposito and Susan Capotosto, as George and Charlotte Hays, started out promising. Until she started "hitting" her costar with a rolled up newspaper. Oh, it was scripted, and unfortunately it came across looking so very contrived. As did her knee to his groin. When a script calls for such physical contact, the actors involved should get together to work the scene so it will appear real and believable to the audience and such that the actors can remain safe. It was very apparent that this did not occur.

Continued overacting, forced blocking and tentative handling of ripping prop pants lead to our decision to leave at the end of Act One.

There were some positives. Michael Henry Carter (Paul), Becky Porter (Ethel), and Mandy Smith (Eileen) were outstanding. And I mean just that. Their talents were such that they stood far above their castmates. Unfortunately it wasn't enough to enticed us back.

A Night at the Theatre

We just finished seeing Kernersville Little Theatre's production of Just Kidding. As a VP and Board Member of KLT, I should write only the positive things about the production. However, I want to be true to myself and the purpose of this blog; to be as honest as best I can with my experiences. Having said that, I was absolutely disappointed.

The show suffered from major pacing problems. Some of these problems stemmed from a lackluster audience of 87 and some stemmed from particular actors. Kay Ward, who played Sandra Rogers, was one such actor. As soon as she stepped on-stage the air left the room. She desperately needed some cheese to go with her whine! Geez. Yes, I originated Sandra in Burlington, but I assure you, this is not a case of sour grapes. Two minutes into the show, Mallorie whispered, "Mom, you were soooo much better."

I'd like to blame Kay's performance for Stephen Swoap's portrayal of Calvin Rogers. Actors feed off each other and Stephen looked like he was starving. I could see a great deal of potential in his Calvin, but it was a lack of energy that killed his character. Even his "fight" scene with Scott Spencer (who played brother-in-law Wayne Maybrie) looked, well, staged.

Macon Shirley had the honor of playing the best, and funniest, role in Just Kidding. Unfortunately, he never quite rose to the occasion. I simply don't understand how a gay man who is playing a gay man can look so fake. Several times during the show I wanted to go up and yell at him to "Stop acting!! Just be yourself!!"

Scott Spenser and Karen Price-Crowder (who played stage mother Jessica Finch) were as good as they always are. Luke Van Hine was also good as nephew Todd Maybrie. Morgan Robbins was very good as fake daughter, Claire, and her 'sunrise, sunset' was appropriately bad. Jean Burr could have been better as Monique, if only Macon had given her more. The best performance was by Chuck Powers who played Officer Chris Gentry. Perhaps not too ironic is his striking resemblance to KLT regular, Dick Strohemier.

Disappointment aside, I am crossing my fingers that the pacing problems can (and will) be overcome. Just Kidding is a really cute show, perfect for community theatre and community theatre audiences.

A Celebration of Life

Mikey and I went to David's memorial service tonight. Due to the new Greensboro by-pass, we ended up arriving 30 minutes late. We missed hearing David's father speak, and pictures of David when he was a child. We did get to see other slideshows of David as a teenager and adult, hear stories from his high school chorus teacher, listen to beautiful songs sung by Jean Marie Buckley, Danielle Blakeman, Jonathan Cobrda, Kim Harrison, Neil Sheppard, Craig Richardson, Mitchell Sommers and Jordan Legaux. Vanessa Martinez performed a dance to "Gaston" from Beauty and the Beast.

With the assistance of other grieving people, I was finally able to let go of my anger. I smiled, and even laughed, at some of the memories, and I let my tears flow freely. Tonight I realized how truly blessed I was to have had the opportunity to have called David my friend.

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In December, David would write a poem and send to all his friends. I was lucky to have received this email two years ago. Karen Wray recited it at the memorial service.

Oh December
Yet again upon the land you descend
With pinkish hues of morning sun
Catching last the leaves of amber and gold

Upon me you dawn again
And pause with reflection do I
On moments since last you saw me
And beheld I the season nigh

And though I dwell in new abode
Far from loved ones of blood and soul
Oh December, you still find me
As does their love find my heart

As I unbox the glistening orbs
To deck new halls this time of year
Occurs to me a thought profound
And my soul it warms indeed

That changed though the place may be
The inner reaches of who I am
In truth and in dream, remain steadfast
As do my memories of all

All that upon my path with me have trod
All that have loved, cried and fought with me
All that shaped me, in ways small and grand
Oh December, you dawn upon them as well

Hence dear friends again a glass I raise
And dear friends, a prayer I raise
That your December with joy be filled
Until meet again we do in days to come

12/02/2006
DEW

My head is full today; too full, I think. Thoughts are running amok and emotions are bouncing off my brain. At times I find it difficult; to remember even to breathe.

I never thought I'd be here again; didn't want to ever be here again. And yet, I am out on the dance floor. I am swaying to the music, hypnotized by the beat and blinded by the lights. I paid to enter this club; I never get in for free.

Slow and sensual, I am alive! There are times when the bass is too much. Reverberating my heart; so close to exploding I feel. It is infectious and dangerous. I am free and possessed.

The music changes, as it always does. I am terrified that I will not, cannot keep up. The crowd is too much; my air is dissipating. I can see the exit, clearly marked. So very close; the neon lights tantalize me. Wish me to remain, and dance uninhibited.

And I cannot forget that I paid to be here. I never get in for free.

An Evening at the Theatre

Last night, Mikey and I attended Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance's opening night performance of Southern Baptist Sissies. If you haven't made plans to see the show, you really should.

I agree largely with the Journal's review. Bryan Daniel was outstanding, as was Gray Smith. Gray is an extremely talented actor and can very well pull off impersonations of Wynonna, Cher, and Tammy Wynette. However, in my opinion these added characters interrupted the overall flow of the show. Jay Smith and Mason Reich both played repressed gay characters, and I caught myself waiting for both of them to power up. Mason, especially held back on his performance. He would have been wonderful if he had just let go a bit more. Kevin Mundy and Kelly Wallace were refreshing and hysterical as Peanut and Odette. Danya Benson brought 4 different mothers to believable life.

For religious, straight, and/or gay members of the audience, the play spoke powerfully, as evidenced by quiet sniffling. And I'll admit, some of the sniffles were mine.

Happy Valentine's Day

Love My Job

I just had to tell you. I love my job! I've finally learned enough that I don't have to pester April with questions every 5 minutes. I'm also excited that I can anticipate and don't always have to wait for her to give me an assignment. Nanette has mentioned that April is much less stressed than convention time last year. Even April is a bit surprised at how organized and calm things are. I can't take full credit, but I know my work in the office is beneficial. I love the sense of accomplishment I have at the end of the day.

Kudos

I wanted to let you know how much my wife and I enjoyed the show this past Sun. It was wonderful!
~G
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We have been season ticket holders for quite a few years now. We thoroughly enjoyed THE FOREIGNER! We are still chuckling about the funny scenes. I believe that it is one of the most delightful productions that we have seen at The Little Theatre, although we have many favorites! Thanks for the consistently high quality theater that you all work so hard to bring to Winston Salem. Congratulations to all of you!
Sincerely,
Dawn Martin
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We made it to the show this afternoon. It was a blast! Our oldest daughter went with us. She chuckled the whole way through. Had to be a great cast to work with. Great job!!
~la~
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Hi, I just wanted to congratulate you on your performance again. Also what I didn't get to tell you last night is that you are absolutely gorgeous! Stunning really. I just wanted to let you know that you are so talented and beautiful and I loved getting to see you in that role. Congratulations again!
~C

Pictures, The Foreigner

Love and Support

April, Betsy, Michael, Norm and Reba, Kelly and Meghan, Ally, Mimi, Dad and Kelly, Jamie and Gray, Emily, Mallorie, Myla and Paul, Paul, Bill and Kathy and Andy, Charis, Craig, Allan, Allan and Barbara, Gina and Don, Jake, Glenn and O, LeeAnn and family,

Thank you so much for coming to see The Foreigner. Each of you, and your support, means the world to me.

Greetings from jetBlue!

To: Dusty
From: Cheryl Ann
Date: Feb 9, 2008 1:53 PM
Subject: My First REAL Trip

So, how was your first REAL trip? Meet any crazy customers?

From: Dusty
Date: Sun, 10 Feb 2008 12:51 am

Yes, two tonight that were fighting. Two dudes were hitting each other from the FLL flight to JFK. Both me and the F3 went over to see what was up. They were friends getting into some disagreement. They settled down for a few minutes, but started back and I wasn't having any of it, so I walked back up with my F3 and told the guy I was giving him his one and only warning and that was to behave or I'd move one of them to the back of the plane. haha. It was crazy but I handled it well.

Other than that- flying is FUN. I can't believe I'm doing this! LOL. You should do it too!!!!!!!!

What's new with you?
Dusty

Email from Charis!

Subject: Drowsy Chaperone ecard
Date: Sat, 9 Feb 2008 1:01 pm

Cheryl Ann,

I probably should have sent this last weekend but I just wanted to tell you that I hope you have a great show. Break a leg!

More Numbing News

A note from David's sister, Elizabeth...

Accidental? How? Why?

I simply cannot make sense of all this.

Greetings from jetBlue!

From: Dusty
Date: Wed, 6 Feb 2008 3:46 pm
Subject: My First REAL Trip

I'm on reserve starting tomorrow and at 3pm the day before, we have to call Crew Scheduling to 'check in'. I just called and they told me they were backed up and to call back in 30 min. I logged onto my FLiCA account (scheduling) and saw that I have a 3 day trip scheduled for tomorrow!!!! I'm flying out tomorrow evening to BUF for a layover, then on Friday afternoon, I go down to MCO and back up to SWF for another layover. Then Saturday afternoon, I fly down to FLL and return back to JFK. Wow. Fun eh? hahaha.

Numb

Mr. David Edward Wright, 45, of 716 Shannon Road, Asheboro, NC, died Friday, February 1, 2008, at his Greensboro residence.

A memorial service will conducted at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 21, 2008 at the Carolina Theatre, 310 S. Greene Street, Greensboro.
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I met David during CTG's production of Grease in June 2004. He hosted a cast party and welcomed me to his home, even though I wasn't part of the cast. We talked and laughed, and eventually entered into a refrigerator magnetic poetry contest. He beat me, hands down, every time. He had a very kind soul and a beautiful way with words.

David and I became good friends. I attended many parties hosted at his house and was in the audience for most of his shows. We spend a lot of time talking at length about life and love.

I am absolutely stunned that David is...has, died. The circumstance surrounding his death is unfathomable. I'm having a difficult time coming to terms with this news. I am simply numb.

A Review for The Foreigner

Sight Gags: Laughs are guaranteed in The Foreigner
By Mary Martin Niepold
SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL

It’s a crazy mix of zany characters. Some are Southern, some are British, and all of them have eccentricities that spread laughter through the audience like buckshot.

The Foreigner, which opened Friday night at the Little Theatre, is one of playwright Larry Shue’s best known works.

Laughs are guaranteed.

This is a farce, and as such, relies on sight gags, exaggerated gestures and an array of caricatures. The characters all show up at the same small rural hunting lodge in Georgia, flaunting their particular version of what life is all about.

Most of them are looking for their own identities. Two of them are trying to conceal who they really are.

What a cast of characters. Just look at their bios:

Betty is an older widow who owns the lodge and needs to feel young again. Froggie hails from England and is a bomb specialist who has come to the area once again to teach bomb tactics at a nearby military base. Charlie is his friend from England who is so bashful that he invents a language (and persona) to be able to deal with the other guests while Froggie is away. David, a guest, is a minister whose niceness is a front for theft. Catharine, a debutante, is pregnant, wealthy and set to marry David, but naturally they stay in separate rooms. Ellard is her slow-witted brother, and Owen is a local whose hood-wearing buddies back his shenanigans with David.

What results can’t adequately be translated to print.

When Betty says she sees “a tractor” in the story that Charlie has just made up and spouted off in gibberish, the audience falls apart.

When Charlie re-enacts Frankenstein to scare the bully, Owen, he can - because in real life Charlie’s a proofreader for a science-fiction magazine.

Both scenes bring on laughs because the play evolves around a tight plot.

Characters are so fully drawn by the actors that when any of them does deliver a line, it makes perfect sense.

The Foreigner is an enormously popular work by Shue.

Having premiered in the early ’80s, its reception recalled his earlier work, The Nerd.

But this play at the Little Theatre wouldn’t necessarily come off without the slapstick acuity of director Stan Bernstein.

Bernstein, a prolific local actor and director, seems to have found his own passion for theater. He knows how to deliver lines, he knows pacing, and fortunately, with his guidance, his actors do, too.

Good ensemble acting keeps the whole show going, but special bows go to Charlie, Froggie, Betty and Ellard.

Chad Edwards, who teaches theater arts at Mount Tabor High School, almost steals the show. His rendition of the hapless hero who eventually finds his own voice relies on a full array of body movements, facial expressions and timing. Edwards delivers on all counts.

Pat Shumate as Betty is as close to the real thing as the lovable Southern woman who wants to believe and has an active imagination to make just about anything plausible.

Mikey Wiseman as Froggie is a swaggering foil to Charlie’s ineptness, and Mark March as the slow-witted Ellard makes floundering look delightful.