Congratulations to SLOLT How To Succeed!

San Luis Obispo Little Theatre just opened a show that is very near and dear to my heart, my very favorite musical, called How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. The script is a fantastic parody of corporate life. It won a Pulitzer back in the 60's. The stinging commentary is still true today.

The music is light and fun. The lyrics are incredibly clever. Here are some of my favorites, from a song called Coffee Break:

"If I can't make three daily trips

Where shining shrine beningly drips

And taste cardboard between my lips

Something within me dies."

The Little Theaters production (directed by Natalia Berryman) is youthful and jubilant, making a charicature of the familiar office personalities: The one who gets promoted because of his personal connections, the one who stays in an entry level position for decades simply because it's safe, the secretary who is waiting to be discovered by an eligible exectuive, and of course, the bosses girlfriend.

I'm happy to be subsituting on the tech crew for a couple of shows, and that is enough for me to meet the group and feel involved in this production. It's a joyful place to be, and I hope you'll join us soon!

Atascadero Holiday Boutique

The Holiday Boutique has become an annual tradition at the Lake Pavilion in Atascadero. Dozens of artists and craftspeople will be there to help you get your gift shopping started off right!

I'll be there too, with my sample hats on clearance sale and my one-of-a kind shawls available for you to see in-person! So drop by and say hello!

The MouseTrap at Pewter Plough Playhouse

Official Press Release, more information to follow!!

The Pewter Plough is presenting the legendary comedic mystery, "The Mousetrap", by the Grand Dame of mystery writers, Agatha Christie. One of the most renowned mysteries ever, it is about a group of eccentric strangers stranded in a British country inn, all of whom turn out to be suspects in a murder, each of whom has something to hide and all seem potentially guilty -- like mice trapped in a labyrinth! -- fertile ground for a puzzling story full of intrigue, plot twists and double-twists and fun!

"The Mousetrap" holds the record as the longest running play in history, having become an institution in London for having played there for the past 57 years -- over 23,000 performances! The play is known for its especially surprising ending, which audiences are cautioned not to reveal -- so come to see the show but don't tell anyone who did it!

The cast features Donn Clarius, Lori Cunningham, Jaime Lopez-Balbontin, Tyler Lopez, Tracy Mayfield, Anita Schwaber, Blake Spiller and Sharyn Young. The Director is Sandy Bosworth.

Preview night is Friday, October 9, at 7:30 pm, $12.

Gala Champagne Opening is Saturday, October 10, at 7:30 pm, including a special Champagne and Dessert Buffet after the show, with pianist/vocalist David Manion performing live at the Baldwin, all tickets $25.

Performances continue on Friday and Saturday nights, at 7:30 pm, through November 15.

Newly scheduled Thursday night shows on October 29 and November 5, at 7:30 pm.

Sunday Matinees on October 18, 25 and November 15, at 3 pm.

Tickets for Saturday nights and Sunday Matinees are Regular $19, Seniors/students $16.

Special Thursday and Friday night price is $15 for everyone.

For reservations or more information, please phone the Box Office at 927-3877 or visit www.pewterploughplayhouse.org

The Pewter Plough Lounge is open for wine, beer and refreshments before the show, during intermission and afterwards. Most Saturday nights the Lounge features the outstanding pianist/vocalist David Manion at the Baldwin.

The Pewter Plough Playhouse, the "Jewel Box of Community Theatres", presents plays year-round and is located on Main Street at Sheffield in Cambria's West Village. The Pewter Plough Playhouse is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable corporation.

Foundry to Finish at the Getty

"Get a rare look at how bronze sculpture is born in Foundry to Finish. Visitors explore a process called direct lost-wax casting-- a method that yeilds a single, unique bronze cast of an artist's original clay-and-wax model. Thirteen step-by-step models illustrate the sculpting and casting process. Through X-radiographs, visitors can even get a glimpse inside an original sculpture to see firsthand evidence of how the bronze was cast."

Available at the Getty Museum through October 18.
An example collection of images is available here

Walls of Algiers at the Getty

I recently visited the Getty Museum in Los Angeles for the first time. It will not be the last! I was astounded by the peace and tranquility of the gardens, and watching people stroll outside with beige umbrellas shading thier faces. I was only inside briefly, but I was impressed with the quality of the exhibit I saw, and the helpful attitude of the staff.

So, even though it's not a central coast art location, I am definitely adding the Getty to my lineup. There is a lot going on there, and since there is no admission other than a parking fee, it's worth visiting frequently.

Right now, one exhibit is titled "Walls of Algiers: Narratives of the Colonial City." It's on display through October 18.

"The city of Algiers, legendary for its white walls cascading to the azure sea below, reflects the turbulent history of colonial occupation. Walls of Algiers: Narratives of a Colonial City," an exhibition featuring the city's urban fabric, is drawn form the diverse 19th- and 20th-century visual sources collected over the last two decades by the Research Library at the Getty Research Institute. The exhibition will map, for example, an itinerary of the Casbah and the European quarters through vintage postcards, as well as juxtapose the long-tradition of staged Orientalist representations of "indigenous" people with photojournalist coverage from the Algerian War. More than a colonial capital, Algiers served as a testing ground for urban renewal with its walls extending metaphorically across the Mediterranean to take part in the search for modernity."

There is a lot more to say about this exhibit, of course! Go here for a full write-up. And here for more images!

Readers Theater: The Man From Nebraska

I've talked about the merits of Reader's Theater before, the ability to hear important works without the risk to theater companies. I really am glad that the SLO Little Theater continues to dot their season schedule with these complex pieces. I'm not personally familiar with "The Man From Nebraska," so here is what the Little Theater says about it:

A luxury sedan, a church pew and visits to a nursing home form the comfortable round of Ken Carpenter's daily life. And then one night, he awakens to find that he no longer believes in God. This crisis of faith propels an ordinary middle-aged man into an extraordinary journey of self-discovery. This wickedly funny and spiritually complex play examines the effects of one man's awakening on himself and his family.

I'll still be stage managing for Humble Boy on the 25th, so I hope you will attend the reading and tell me all about it!

Wake the Dead at Castoro Cellars!

"As an expression of cultural joy, you can’t top an Irish wake. And what is a wake but a celebration—a toast of appreciation—an expression of love—and a damn good party?

So when eight top Bay Area musicians realized they shared as deep a love for the songs of the Grateful Dead as they did for traditional Celtic tunes, some brand-new music sprang up and started partying."

Wake the Dead is performing at Castoro Cellars September 26 at 7pm. Check out both websites to learn more- there is so much to say about the band, the venue, and the event!