eye yi yi

I read an article once about a production of Ben Hur that was produced on Broadway years ago, many years ago. They staged the chariot race, live, with honest to gods, real life, flesh and blood horses, running on a revolving stage. Kind of a lazy Susan arrangement.

A few years back a friend of mine directed a play that had a scene of a helicopter flight. Two actors and a kitchen chair.

Given a choice I would prefer the helicopter chair.

A few years back I saw the first Lara Croft: Tomb Raider movie. Back in the day I would basically see every single movie that was released. All kinds of special effects, lots of CGI, stuff blowin' up, all sorts of hi-tech hi-jinx. In the middle of it all was a shot of Angelina Jolie in close up, peering over a wall, all eyes.

That was the best effect in the movie.

On stage or on screen , for me ,the best special effects are people. Telling a story, connecting to that story. Connecting to their character. Connecting to the other actors and finally to the audience

 Watch the eyes. It's all in the eyes.

As an actor, when you make that eye to eye connection, you get locked in with the other actor. There is something about it that is incredibly intimate. Often a  young actor has trouble making that eye to eye contact, it's too much. Often you get the "staring at the forehead effect" not as effective.

There are times when you don't want to make eye contact and that can be just as powerful. " hmmm, why can't he look her in the eye?"

During rehearsal the other night we were having an " eye" conversation, when I went home that night I picked up a book and discovered this bit of poetry. Coincedence? I think not.

You need not see what someone is doing
To know if it is his vocation

You have only to watch his eyes:
A cook mixing a sauce, a surgeon

Making a primary incision,
A clerk completing a bill of lading,

Wear the same rapt expression,
Forgetting themselves in a function

How beautiful it is
That eye-on-the-object look

W H Auden

you too can learn to juggle!

"We mock the things we are to be."

Wise words from the 2,000 year old man. If you are not familiar with the series of comedy albums featuring Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner as the 2,000 year old fella and the patient gentleman asking him about his life, you must remedy that immediately!  Actually finish reading this, and then go discover what you have been missing.

These recordings are hands down my favorite comedy memories. I have them on vinyl and cassette and cd. Why? Don't ask silly questions. I love it all, but there are two bits which make me howl like a loon each and every time I listen....... I won't spoil them, but pay attention when he asked about Paul Revere and later George Armstrong Custer. I'm giggling just writing this.

Back to the opening quote, at one point the old guy is describing his parents, the interviewer perceptively comments that he sounds like he is describing himself .  He answers with a sigh- "we mock......."

Lately I have discovered myself doing an odd gesture with my left arm, I don't even know if I could describe it... Basically I hold my arm absolutely straight pointing at the ground and  rub my thumb and ring and middle fingers together. Why? I don't have any idea...... Usually it happens as I am thinking , kinda of like a stalling technique. Odd, but here's the thing, my dad did exactly the same thing!!! What the....? (If you watch the David Lettterman episode of the Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee show, Letterman does a similar thing while sitting. As he gets older Letterman is becoming a carbon copy of my dad)  we use to ask my Dad what the heck was he doing? He had no answer, but that gesture appears in old home videos and we all laugh.

We mock......

Whenever someone would ask my father an either /or question, would you rather have a trillion dollars or live forever? He would answer , 'I don't have to choose, I'm an American , I can do both!"
It's a silly extreme example, but you know I like the fact that it , in a way, demonstrates the fact that you can have two thoughts at once. That everything is not either /or...... Somethings need a little room to breathe.

As I drive around sometimes I will wander up and down the radio dial to get a feel for what is out there. Some nit wit , was ranting about the fact that some people where saying that global warning is the most serious problem facing the world. The raving was immediate and intense, what about Terror? The Economy? Which toilet people use?!!!

All these things need to be addressed. Isn't it possible to deal with more then one issue at a time? Isn't it possible to have a trillion dollars and live forever? Okay , that's not a good example.  But, if I have cancer and then break my leg in a car accident , I have to deal with the break immediately. Doesn't mean that I don't deal with the cancer. I need to deal with both issues.

I have to learn how to juggle. We all need to learn to juggle.

This has rambled a bit... That's okay , it's a nice spring day, perfect for a bit of a ramble

wanna see a magic trick?

The other day I got to the theater an hour before rehearsal was scheduled to start. When possible I like to walk around on stage and out in the house. As I do ,I play the show out in my head, gives me an opportunity to see if everything flows.

We are about two weeks away from our opening, so as I walked in, the place was a wreck! Costume racks in the aisle, power tools on the edge of the stage, set pieces on stage or in the wings or laid out on the seats. Paint cans. Sound equipment. Music stands. Instruments. It's bedlam.

I love it.

Occasionally a passer by will stick their head in the theater and take a look. They are shocked! It's inconceivable that sooner then later an audience will be sitting in those seats watching a show on that stage. You can barely see the stage. Inevitably at this point they will comment on "the magic of theater" Somehow it always comes together...... Grrrrrr....... Not a fan of "the Magic", I'll tell you how it comes together a whole lot of people working tirelessly all concentrating on a single goal- get that show up.  If we sat and waited for the Theater Fairies to arrive and sprinkle the magic completion dust, we still would be sitting........ and waiting.

Lorne Michaels, he of SNL, has the perfect quote regarding this phenomenon " SNL doesn't go on the air because it's finished, it goes on because it's 11:30" ( my apologies, that is a massive paraphrase)

For many years a worked at a theater where a new show would open every 4 weeks. We would close on Sunday night and the next show would open on Friday. So, we would be loading in the set (and often be constructing the set) and focusing lights and doing last minute decorating as well as rehearsing. This would make for some very looooong hours. I'm not whining about it,just stating a fact. It was intense and more than a bit harrowing, but all in all it was great fun. There were a number of occasions where a last minute set adjustment was being made as the audience stood in the lobby waiting for the house to open. On one occasion , we had a half dozen fans trained on the stage floor training desperately to dry the freshly painted floor. A prime example of poor planning. We did not achieve "dry" we were closer to "tacky"

Opening night is approaching. The amount of time between now and then is finite. There is so much left to do. Soooooo much. Progress is being made. I am always encouraged when we are moving forward, no matter how slowly. It's when we are sitting in place and the wheels are spinning , that I begin to show concern (panic, die a bit inside, curse the darkness) all the while with a smile on my face. (There have been a few occasions of lunatic raging, but I try to keep them few and far between)

In the meantime , I'll just sit here by myself and watch the show.

.... I am something that you'll never comprehend.

A Prince story.

Back in July 1984, (yikes) opening weekend of the movie, Purple Rain - I was in the audience at the Patchogue theater. Me and about 900 women. A multi ethnic, multi racial, crowd of Prince lovers.

The movie started and the entire room swooned. As if Prince himself were in the building.  Cheering , clapping, singing, dancing.

THEN, the Kid (Prince) returns home and his dad (Clarence Williams III) in a rage smacks Prince and sends him across the room!!!!!!!!

The audience EXPLODED!  A girl behind me shrieked "Ahhhhhhh, HE hit Prince! Prince, he's so
pretty!!."

Prince, he's so pretty.

side bar

Oh, the photos that I'm attaching to posts don't necessarily have anything to do with the written content. They tend to be odds and ends, pictures that I've taken and have been hanging around the computer collecting digital dust.

Enjoy.

(This is the cat who lives in my house , he was at my mothers house here, he liked to sit near this doll)

"What did I miss?"

Ah, theater. Ah , show bizness. Ah, life.

We all lead very busy lives, don't we? Busy, busy, busy.

On the go , morning, noon and night.

Nowadays, in the crazy world of local, community, theater, there is a trend of folks who are juggling more than one show at a time. Often multiple shows. Shows that rehearse at the same time. As a consequence of this, they miss many rehearsals.

"That's Okay, I'll get the blocking"  Get the Blocking!?! Rehearsal is not blocking!!!!!! A teeny tiny part of it is, but rehearsal is about creating the world of the play, making the connections that create that world!!!!!! This happens when everybody is there. When everyone is working together.

Unfortunately, this is a trend. I'm not happy. You want to do three shows at once? Fine, do one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening. Treat your cast mates with respect. Treat the material with respect. It can be an enjoyable experience, but it ain't fun and games, it ain't party time. It's work.

Don't waste time.

Pay Attention!

May I see your ticket please?

I just came back from my accountant guy. Yes, I am a prince of procrastination , waited til the very last day before filing. No refund this year, have to pay.

Ouch.

We were making the requisite small talk as he was working. Talking about what I do..... That's always an interesting conversation. Just, what the heck is it that I do? I always take the easy way out and say actor. Even though I don't do much acting these days.

I direct, I teach, I write. I was telling him that a number of folks I have worked with over the years have gone on to have careers in the show biz.

Nothing like live theater, he says. ....... I never go. He wasn't being snarky, just honest. There is a diner in Sayville that when I was in high school and college and after was the place to go "after" whatever you did, on any given night, all roads led to the diner. 2,3,4 am, everyone would be there.

One of my favorite diner anecdotes- a bunch of us were there at 3am. In a booth in the far corner there was a guy, sleeping, face first on the table surrounded by the remains of his meal. We leave, he's still asleep. Now, we were heading upstate the net morning so we met at the diner for breakfast. 7:30am. Still groggy from a few short hours of sleep, we walk into the diner and there he is! Still asleep. To the credit of the staff, they did clean off the table.

A few months back the diner went out of business . I harrumphed , I grumbled, I rued the day. Of course, I hadn't been in the diner in years, but that didn't stop me from from cursing "progress"

The audience for live theater tends to be..... Mature......senior......Old.

So, I am proud that performers I have worked with go on and become professionals, I am just as proud of the fact that I help create audiences. People who appreciate live theater, live performance. People who buy tickets, people who vote for school budgets. Keepers of the flame.

Here's your hat, what's your hurry?

Reading a book called "Kill 'Em and Leave: Searching for James Brown and the American Soul" by James McBride. Not a biography more like a conversation , a rumination, an appreciation, of James Brown- a very challenging character, to say the least.

The title refers to a basic credo of Brown's life, play the show, always be at the top of your game, take no prisoners, leave it all on the stage, drive the crowd wild. Then, after the show, go. You owe the audience a performance ,nothing more. No meet and greet. No shaking hands with dignitaries. No chit chat . No small talk.  "Come important, leave important "

Get paid. Do the show. In that order.

I recently directed a show at a theater I have worked at five or six times in the past. It's always been a nice experience. A few years back , when I was having a difficult time acting as care giver for my mom, they were very understanding. Much appreciated.

In general, they are a very social group. Lots of after rehearsal diner visits, opening night party, closing night party. I love the rehearsal process, putting things together, the process. When rehearsal is over, I'm done. I like to go home.

On the final night of the last show word got out that I wouldn't be attending the party. I hadn't said anything, but those who know me, know me. One of the cast members, a very nice fella and a member of the theaters board, came over to me before the show. We spoke a bit, I told him that I wouldn't be staying. Basically I don't enjoy social situations like this. He let me know that there would be some gifts and comic poems and songs. Not an incentive as far as I am concerned.

I rehearsed the show, treated the cast respectfully, embraced all of their contributions. Lots of fun. A strong production. My work is done. Am I sorry that some people might feel bad that I wasn't there?
No. Am I a jerk ? Maybe. There's an old joke - patient says"Doctor, Doctor, it hurts when I do this! ( insert some silly physical action here) " Doctor "So, don't do that"

I don't enjoy these situations, I don't go. (jerk?)

For as long as I remember, whenever I have been at parties or some big gathering, after a bit I would leave. An hour or so, walking around , talking to folks, laughing, telling stories, listening,- then something would tell me "time to go"

A few years back I was getting ready to head out, a friend of mine sidled up and said "Getting ready for an Irish Goodbye?" What? He then told me about the Irish Goodbye, it's a thing! Who knew? All these years, I've been carrying on a treasured cultural tradition. Or I had been a jerk .

I go to the movies by myself, always. I go to restaurants by myself . Travel all by myselfy. Long drives, me. Walks, me. Museums, me.

A bit aloof? Yeah. A mite neurotic? Oh ,yes. Do I end up living by myself sharing cat food with the feline?..........stay tuned.

Who Are You?

Incredibly, much to my surprise , someone(s) has been visiting the old blog.

Well, isn't that lovely. I have no idea how you found us after all these years of silence and neglect, but thanks for visiting.

I am going to try to keep at it for a bit.

Drop by again. Read some of the old stuff.

(The above photo was taken in the parking lot of the Nassau Coliseum after a Bob Dylan concert. Has nothing to do with the post, just a photo I found while rummaging thru old files)

where's the party?

Celebrate Creativity.

Celebrate Curiosity.

Celebrate Diversity.

Celebrate Accomplishment.

Your own and others.

The more the merrier.

Be inspired.

Inspire others.

Have a talent? Share it.

Have an interest ? Share it

Impressed by what that gal/guy did?

Congratulate them.

Ask them how they did it.

Ask them how you can do it.

The world needs all the joy,

All the creativity,

The co operation,

The empathy,

The understanding, 

It can get.

I'm working on a BIG show right now.

A HUGE cast. Over 100 people!!!!!

Exhausting? Yeah

Patience testing?..... Oh, yes.

BUT,

Watching the young actors watch the older actors. Watching them being inspired.

Knowing that I can turn to cast members and ask them to create a dance, a scene , a moment.

Constantly inspiring.

Surrounded by talent, passion, curiosity , commitment.community.

Pay Attention.

can I ask you a question?

I enjoy reading. Love to read , always have. I remember when I was a young punk I had a Scholastic Books biography of Martin Luther King. It was a short book aimed at young readers. It had a spectacular cover , white with a close up black and white photo of Dr King. (In profile, if I remember correctly. I vowed that I would read that book every single night.

Can't remember how many times I read it, but it was a bunch.

I read many of the books you should read when you are young and trying to make sense of the world, trying to figure out what's going on. On the Road, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance , ( as well as its spiritual father Zen and The Art of Archery)

Siddhartha, by Herman Hesse stayed with me a long time......

(Quick digression, Penny Lane just came on the radio, great song)

There is a wonderful concept that runs throughout the book- the difference between childlike and childish. The former being innocent and curious, inquisitive. The later being, well basically a snotty brat. I'm sure others will make he case for a more nuanced reading, but that's what I took away from the book. I think about that often.

When I work on shows, writing or directing (and the rare performance) I like to have an idea in mind, a basic goal. For the past few months that goal is "connect" or "connection"

Connect to the story you're telling. Connect to your fellow actors. Connect to the audience. A series of connections.

A simple idea, but not simplistic. Childlike, not childish. Simplicity can be demanding. To make the needed connections you need to be constantly aware. Ready to make needed adjustments. You need to be involved.

You need to pay attention .

Pay Attention.

I read an interview with Francis Ford Coppola, he was talking about directing, he said he spent the entire day answering questions. "Where should we put the camera?"  "Is this shirt the right color?" "Why would my character say this?"

Every question needs an answer. He is the one who has to provide the answer. Each and every answer needs to be connected. Moving towards the finished product. Each simple choice becomes part of  something much bigger.

Engineers have a phrase for a good clean solution. "Elegant" no muss, no fuss.

Childlike, simple, elegant.

Pay Attention.

Wanna start something?

We are living in the age of the "Gig Economy"

More and more people don't have "jobs" , they have "gigs" . They move from project to project.

How about that? I have been living a trendy life all these years. I am a hipster.

During the course of any given year I will direct a few shows, teach classes, coach auditions, write a play, perform (very rarely). Each project begins and then after a while ,ends. In between those two destinations, that's my favorite place to be.... Making the thing, putting it together, asking questions and finding answers.

I don't always have to lead, I'm happy being in the middle. I like leading from the middle. Years ago I saw a film called Chihuly In Venice, about a project that the artist Dale Chihuly put together. A series of blown glass sculptures that he installed in that eccentric Italian town.

He would create rather abstract paintings to inspire the artists/ craftsman who would create the pieces. Sometimes he was there when pieces where being created, sometimes not. Then the pieces were installed, he would supervise, but there was a team of laborers who would do the work.

The work was his idea, he was the source, but was surrounded by a team, a crowd of others. He was leading from the middle.

Beautiful.

I love to be surrounded by people who are all working together to create. Working at the top of their game.  Often, a passer by will comment that what is happening looks like chaos. "How does anything get done?" " aren't you worried?"....... As long as everybody is working with their eyes on the finished product, I'm never worried. I can walk over and suggest something. Maybe they'll take my suggestion. Great. More often then not, my suggestion will inspire them to think of a different way of solving the problem at hand.  I'll stand over here, in the middle, and watch everything come together.

Beautiful.

So, here is my new gig. It's a full time gig. I have been doing it for years, but now it has an official title. I am an Instigator....... I am a Creative Instigator.

Just this year, I have instigated a half a dozen songs, part of a film score,a play. Some of  my Instigatees ( yes, that's now a word) have starts to juggle, do magic tricks, take photos, ride bikes, paint.  Are they now all masters? Are the songs all hits? Are the plays award winners? No. Some are good. Some are great. Some are.....not. Doesn't matter. What does matter is that today there is a song that wasn't here yesterday. That might inspire a dozen songs yet to be written.

Beautiful

Here is my instigation for you. Give yourself a year from the day you read this. This time next year you have to be able to do something that you can't do today. That's all. Simple. I don't care what it is, just that it will be. (Hmmmm that's kinda zen like)

Start..........now.

Shhhhhh.......did you hear that?

Is it possible? Can it be? Has there been a major disturbance in the time/space continuum ? Is it chilly in Hades?

Open the windows! Dust the furniture! Put a record/tape/cd/mp something on/in the hi-fi, tape player, cd machine, download thingy and play it. Loud.

It would seem that it is time to perhaps return.