Meeting with SECCA

This morning Amy and I met with Steven Matijcio to discuss the improv piece that Paper Lantern will be producing for SECCA's reopening.

We were first treated to a powerpoint presentation detailing the two exhibits. Look Again is an eclectic collection of pieces with a "things aren't always what they seem" philosophy. Glassware is a collection of contemporary jewelry. I'm not usually an "art" person but Steven spoke with such a passion that I'm actually excited about seeing these exhibits.

Next we took a tour of the facility. The roof replacement is the bulk of the renovation. There are new walls, new flooring and lots of new paint. While not complete, the progress is exciting.

Lastly Amy and I listened to their ideas with regards to our performance. There are no real rules, which will allow our musical director a certain amount of creative freedom. They would like to use the performance to drive the crowd to a central point for opening remarks by their Executive Director, and as a distraction for a performance artist to vacate her particular piece. The performance shouldn't last more than 15 minutes.

It was a great meeting, and I think this project will be fairly easy. I just have to hire the right musical director and choreographer. (And I have two very talented folks in mind.)

Mallorie's Senior Prom

Instead of going to her high school prom, because they would not have allowed Mallorie to be herself, last night she attended an Alternative Prom sponsored in part by Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

As you can see by the smile on her face she was looking forward to the night. When I picked her up at midnight, unbelievably her grin was even bigger. I knew she'd have a great time. Apparently she had a fabulous time!

Smile

SECCA Commission

Last week Amy received an email from Steven Matijcio, the curator of contemporary art for SECCA. They are in the process of planning a grand reopening in July. They want to make the opening a multi-disciplinary event, and are looking to commission an opening night performance that fuses theatre and song. Apparently Paper Lantern Theatre was recommended by Christine Gorelick at the Arts Council. (Thanks, Christine!)

After some discussion amongst the founding ladies, we agreed to take on the project. Since most have their plates full with Kimberly Akimbo, guess who agreed to be in charge?

Yep, I'll be the Production Manager.

The (Longer) Road to Graduation

Okay. So, I'm freaking out about Mallorie and her graduation.

I just got an email from her school about Senior Day. Senior Day is May 21 and that's the day everyone gets their caps and gowns as well as Graduation tickets - if they are eligible.

Because she failed 3rd quarter AP Environmental Science, she won't be eligible to get her stuff. (Argh!) Everything hinges on her making high enough on her semester final to pass not only the 4th quarter but to average passing for the semester. (Aaah!) And those results I won't get until June 10 - 2 days before Graduation. (Aaaarrrggghhh!!!)

Some days it sucks to be a mother. Other days I wish I had been a better one.

Gimme Some Sugar!

Gallery Hop

Last night JB and I manned the Paper Lantern Theatre Company table at the Gallery Hop. Our mission - to promote Kimberly Akimbo. I must admit, JB succeeded far more than I did. Boldly approaching folks to chat up the show is really not my thing. I fared better encouraging kids to "play" Trouble to "win" a lollipop. As the beautiful night wore on I gave up show promotion altogether and chatted with numerous friends: Mason is headed to Texas to be in Cats, Beth is nervous about next week's opening of Hank Williams: Lost Highway, Gwen was out enjoying the fresh air, and Rebecca and Jeff were spending quality time together (she's been in LA quite a bit).

At one point Chris overheard a trio talking about a show they had just seen at Theatre Alliance. He listened a bit more and realized they were talking about Trials and Tribulations. After whispering to me, I turned to the trio and smiled. We started talking about the show and they told me how much they enjoyed it. They were very complimentary of my performance; I was blushing.

After packing up, Chris and I walked along Trade Street and stopped in one of the galleries and a couple of shops. The night was warm and breezy, the stars were out; it felt like we were at the beach.

Second Grade Field Day

I took the day off and Allan and I volunteered with Cade's Field Day. As we've done the previous two years, we manned the Water Tag event, which is a favorite with the kids. By now Allan and I know what works and what doesn't. And we aren't afraid to get involved in the game and play with the kids. I usually run around "unfreezing" the kids but if there's an extra water bottle, we're "tagging" too. Allan and I usually end up as wet as the kids!

Social Media Demographic

I found this rather interesting. The article, by Ethan Bloch is here.

Old Chinese Proverb

Confucius say,
If you are in a book store and cannot find the book for which you search, you are obviously in the...

I Cried At Work Today

And Adam Raderer and Clive Jameson are to blame! He posted an article to his Facebook and the subject was simply too tempting not to immediately click the link and read.

Number #13 is what did me in. I was doubled over in my chair with tears streaming down my face from the laughter I was trying to contain. (I failed miserably. Betsey actually came out of her office to make sure I was okay.)

Here's what caused my tissue moment -

The Oozinator

Ah, that doesn't look too bad. Some kind of squirt gun, right? Well, here's a picture of what it looks like to be shot by The Oozinator...


A picture is worth a thousand words, and that's good because actually typing a description of what appears to be happening to the child in the above picture on an Internet site is most likely a felony in all 50 states. We will say this though: That's not water. It's "ooze."

Trust us, it's much worse in motion:

Hmmm...

Lane Bryant Says ABC, Fox Censored Plus-Size Lingerie Ad
by Erin Donnelly

Babes in bras seem to be all over the boob tube -- unless those babes happen to be a little big.

Lane Bryant is accusing Fox and ABC of a "double standard" over restrictions for their new lingerie commercial starring a bevy of curvy cuties in their bras and panties, Ad Week reports.

A post on the plus-size retailer's Inside Curve blog -- which has since been removed, along with the ad itself -- charged that the networks had refused to air the sexy ad without substantial edits.

"ABC and Fox have made the decision to define beauty for you by denying our new, groundbreaking Cacique commercial from airing freely on their networks," the Lane Bryant post reportedly said.

According to the company, ABC "restricted our airtime" by denying it a slot during "Dancing with the Stars," while Fox "demanded excessive re-edits and rebuffed it three times before relenting to air it during the final 10 minutes of 'American Idol,' but only after we threatened to pull the ad buy."

Drama! So what got the networks -- which frequently run lingerie ads from the likes of Victoria's Secret -- so hot and bothered?

Lane Bryant reportedly claims that a heavy helping of cleavage revealed by lingerie-clad plus-size models in the ad rubbed execs the wrong way (oh, get your mind out of the gutter).

According to the blog, "The networks exclaimed, 'She has...cleavage!' Gasp!"

"Yes, these are the same networks that have scantily clad housewives so desperate they seduce every man on the block -- and don't forget Bart Simpson, who has shown us the moon more often than NASA, all in what they call 'family hour.'

"While it's no secret that Victoria's Secret 'The Nakeds' ads are prancing around on major networks leaving little to the imagination, steaming up TV screens and baring nearly everything but their souls, our sultry siren who shows sophisticated sass is somehow deemed inappropriate...

"Does this smack of a double standard? Yep. It does to us, too."

Wow. Lingerie or no, Lane Bryant isn't taking this snub lying down.

The networks, meanwhile, had no comment, Ad Week says.

We don't see what the big deal is. If ABC can show us Dennis Franz's bare butt, surely they can deal with a few womanly curves!

Facebook Message

• Conversation started April 11, 2010
• 4/11, 12:00pm
  

  Heather Hamby
  

  Trials & Tribulations
  

  
  

  Hi Cheryl,

  I wanted to apologize for not speaking to you last night at the show. Honestly, I didn't know what to say to you that hadn't already been said and I needed time to process my feelings about it.

  I was so enthralled by your performance. It was honest, elegant, simple and graceful. I truly admire your talent and I hope you are as proud as you deserve to be of this show and what you are presenting.

  I worked for two years in a domestic violence shelter right after college and I left because I couldn't bear to see so many stories like Willadean's played out in front of me each day. It wasn't until years later that I realized it is because such sad stories take place behind closed doors and not in front of us each and every day that they can still exist.

  Thanks for telling her story so beautifully.

  Heather
• April 20, 2010
• 4/20, 12:41pm
  

  Cheryl Ann Roberts
  

  
  

  
  

  Heather, I hope you will accept my apology for the delay in my response.

  I received your message via texts just as I was headed to the theatre. It was all I could do to keep from crying. It had been a taxing tech week and I was emotionally on edge going into that Sunday matinee. Your beautiful message threatened to push me over, so I quickly tucked it away.

  I did break down after Sunday's performance, and I tried to stay away from all things relating to Willadean for the 3 days we had off. Heading into the second weekend I knew would be tough. As Mikey and I settled into our roles we both got caught up in the moments; emotions became more raw and the "beatings" more brutal. (Danya and I both gave him as much as we got!) I took yesterday off, to decompress, but am still feeling the ghost of Willadean and still hearing the songs of the Blues Singer.

  But enough about that.....

  Thank you, Heather, for the above message. I'm so very honored by your comments. Your words mean more to me than I can possibly tell you. I stressed myself so much over my desire to do the role justice. I so appreciate you letting me know that I did.

  - Cheryl Ann

Kudos, Trials and Tribulations

What a fantastic job you did in ". . .Trailer Trash. . ." phenomenal!
~ML 4.20
**********
I was very impressed. I thought you were always connected and consistent. I believed you all the way. I felt for your character, was sorry for her and then mad at her. It worked. I thought the scenes between you and Mikey were especially impressive but all of it was a tight and entertaining and a thought provoking show. I laughed, I cried…well you know. But absolutely true. Great job. Wonderful job on a very difficult role.
~HK 4.19
**********
Came and saw your performance...Congratulations, you were wonderful! An honest, sincere, vulnerable and heartwrenchingly hopeful presence on stage. I truly enjoyed watching you.

What a role. You must be wiped! BRAVO!
~AD 4.19
**********
Super, fabulous, amazing show on Saturday night!!!
~NG 4.19
**********
I had to take a shower after the show this evening...I can ONLY imagine how you process this every night! Your performance was outstanding to watch, very touching.
Great work.
~BR 4.15
**********
You are doing an awesome job with Willadean...
~NU 4.13
**********
Oh My Cheryl Ann, the Show was absolutely wonderful!! You, Danya and Mikey were GREAT!!
~RRM 4.12
**********
I was so enthralled by your performance. It was honest, elegant, simple and graceful. I truly admire your talent and I hope you are as proud as you deserve to be of this show and what you are presenting.

Thanks for telling her story so beautifully.
~HM 4.11
**********
Fantastic performance yesterday! You did a beautiful job bringing Willadean to life.
~MD 4.11
**********
Incredible performance! So happy 2 see it!
~SH 4.10
**********

Love and Support

Mallorie, Mikey, Andy, Ken, Mimi, Jamie, Bill and Kathy, Chris, Beth F., Allan and Barbara, Norman, Miriam, Dad, April, Myla, Cathy, Stephen, Angela, Heather, Christina, Dillon and Karen, Beth R., Amy, Mom, Travis and Trina, David and Betsey, Allan, Don and Gina, Brian and Quiana, Michael, Gwen, Michele, Charlene, Natasha, Becki, Joe, Fran and Mary Ann, Hardy, Nanette and Craig...

thank you so very much for your encouragement, your faith, your hugs and your tears, your praise, and especially all your love and support during The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife. I could not have brought Willadean to such life without each of you sharing in her journey.

Last night Mallorie, Cade and I helped celebrate April's 50th birthday. Can you tell which one had a better time? (If you guessed April you would be correct! She received enough birthday money to purchase a Kindle.)

The Journal Review

poignant: Play reflects dark side
By Mary Martin Niepold
SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL

Del Shores is known for his plays that use humor to expose small towns in Texas and the stereotypical characters who inhabit them -- hypocritical Christians, hard-drinking locals and people who wear prejudice like badges of honor.

His Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife, which opened Friday night at Theatre Alliance, targets something more demonic: domestic violence.

As funny as some of the lines can be -- give a boozy barmaid an opportunity to trash her own string of five husbands, and you'll get funny wisecracks -- in this play, the tone is darker. Shores places violence at the center of the action.

Willadean Winkler takes beatings from her alcoholic, rageaholic husband, and Shores' dedication of his play says, "To all the ‘Willadeans,' may you find the light."

This is a powerful play, and it isn't for young people under 18. Nor is it for anyone who doesn't want to see and hear violence.

But beatings are the reason that Willadean struggles to find her own identity. "I will not shrivel up and die," she keeps telling herself.

She is alone against her husband -- her teenage daughter died in a car wreck, and her gay, teenage son was kicked out of the house by his father.

Fortunately for Willadean, the other side of violence is liberation, and we see freedom slowly evolve, thanks to the sensitive portrayal of Willadean by Cheryl Ann Roberts.

It is 2005 in Mesquite, Texas, where we also witness strong friendships, like the one Willadean has with her black neighbor, La Sonia, played to the bone by Jae Campbell. Adrienne Smith appears as a blues singer who threads songs through the scenes as a guardian angel-like figure for Willadean. Smith's voice is a beautiful and welcome counterpoint.

But Mikey Wiseman as J.D. Winkler, the abusive husband, is why this play, ultimately, works. His performance is brilliant, and as much as you don't want to see his rage, Wiseman makes his character evolve like a coiled snake who can mesmerize, then strike, then mesmerize again.

Jamie Lawson is the director, Kevin Mundy is an onstage pianist, and Andrew Lopina's set is a true-blood rendering of the inside of a mobile home and the seedy interior of the local bar.

Sales from popcorn and drinks benefit the Family Services Shelter for battered women. It is a fitting reminder of the story that Shores tells from a trailer park, which could be from anywhere.

Theatre Alliance presents The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife today and next Sunday at 2 p.m.; Thursday through Saturday at 8 p.m.; and Saturday at 4 p.m. at 1047 Northwest Blvd. Tickets are $16, $14 for seniors and students. Call 723-7777.

WFDD Triad Arts Up Close Interview

I was already at work when our interview aired. Betsey listened to the segment on her way in and said I sounded fine. (That's a very positive comment coming from her.) Yesterday I tried to listen to the podcast but the audio is messed up.

David does a weekend recap and our segment is included. You can listen here. (We come after an interview with Marilyn Keiser.)

What I Learned At Yesterday's SETC Staff Retreat

My Journal Interview

HIT: Alliance turns again to Shores play

By Mary Martin Niepold
SPECIAL TO THE JOURNAL

Del Shores, the Southern playwright with a sharp tongue, has almost become a hometown boy. His plays such as Sordid Lives, Daughters of the Lone Star State and Daddy's Dyin' have been big hits for Theatre Alliance. In the hope of keeping its winning streak going, the company is mounting The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Park Housewife by Shores. It will open Friday night.

Trials may be the darkest of Shores' plays. A tragicomedy, Trials examines the chaotic life of, yes, a trailer-park housewife and her strong-armed husband. When the play opened in Los Angeles in 2003, it became the playwright's most critically acclaimed play, winning numerous prestigious awards, most notably the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle's Ted Schmitt Award.

Cheryl Ann Roberts, who takes the lead, is no stranger to Theatre Alliance's audiences. She has also appeared in two other Shores plays for the company, most recently in Sordid Lives last summer.

Roberts projects a palpable presence on stage, a perfect fit for "Willadean," an abused housewife who feels lost, is wondering what to do next and must grow out of her shyness to find the strength to confront her abusive husband. Domestic violence is one of the play's themes.

Willadean is up against "J.D.," her truck-driver husband who likes to hang out at the nearby Spotlight bar. Both of Willadean's teenage children are gone. Her daughter was killed in a car accident at 16; her gay son, 18, was kicked out of the house by his father. Her best friend who lives next door is a black woman named "La Sonia," and J.D. doesn't like her one bit. Naturally, there's also a new woman who moves into the neighborhood and has an affair with J.D.

Put it all together, and you somehow get a tragicomedy musical about serious troubles. Two musicians, a blues singer and piano accompanist, will perform live on stage. The singer weaves songs into the action. Because of the language and some rough confrontations, Trailer Park is not recommended for children under 18.

For Roberts, playing Willadean is a dream come true. "When I read the script for the first time last year, I knew Willadean was one of my dream roles," she said.

"It's me. Willadean grows throughout the play, so a lot of it is about her relationships with J.D. and La Sonia. She struggles with finding a purpose. Since her children are no longer there, she no longer has a purpose. She feels like if she doesn't find that purpose, she's going to shrivel up and die."

Fortunately for Roberts (and the play), the actor who plays J.D. is someone that Roberts knows well and has appeared with in other plays: Mikey Wiseman plays J.D.

"Mikey is from Tyler, Texas, so he's very familiar with these kinds of characters," she said. The two actors have gotten together several times to work out their characters. "We're very comfortable together."

Under Jamie Lawson's direction, you can expect that Shores' talent for exposing Southern stereotypes, mores, hypocrisy, racism -- and down-home humor -- won't be lost on audiences.

"Shores might rip your skin off while you're watching, but you'll be laughing while he does it," Roberts said. "Del Shores always has a message he's trying to get across, and he uses comedy and music to keep you entertained as the story moves along."

When all is said, sung, and done, Trailer Park offers some redemption. Willadean does find a purpose, and Walmart helps her find it.

Theatre Alliance will present The Trials and Tribulations of a Trailer Trash Housewife Friday, Saturday and April 15-17 at 8 p.m.; Saturday and April 17 at 4 p.m.; next Sunday and April 18 and at 2 p.m., at 1047 Northwestern Blvd. Tickets are $16, $14 for seniors and students. Call 723-7777.