Give Peace a Chance

Give Peace a Chance
Originally uploaded by Master and Commander.

My son's message to the world right now.

Bea & Rock Turnin' On - Sniff, Swig, Puff...

This is both strange and hillarious. Boy, how times have changed in thirty years. Rock and Bea, singing nostalgically about getting high, you gotta love it.

The Merc Loves J C Superstar

MercuryNews.com | 07/19/2006 | Little City Lights pulls off big `Superstar'

Little City Lights pulls off big `Superstar'

AMBITIOUS PRODUCTION BY S.J. COMPANY SHOWS THAT '70S ROCK MUSICAL STILL CAN BE RELEVANT

By Colin Seymour

Mercury News

JEANINE BROWN

Kit Wilder brings charisma and a big voice to the role of Jesus in City
Lights' excellent production of "Jesus Christ Superstar."

The City Lights Theater Company is billing the rock opera ``Jesus
Christ Superstar'' as ``the most ambitious effort that the company has
ever undertaken.'' But some skepticism might surround the production.
For one thing, the image of the show as a cast-of-thousands
extravaganza might seem beyond the means of the tiny San Jose troupe.
Beyond that, would success mean sacrificing the City Light-ness of the
company's being?

O, ye of little faith: Suspend that disbelief.

With a cast of 28 and a five-man rock combo often surrounding the
audience at the 108-seat theater, City Lights artistic director Lisa
Mallette has filled the relatively small 2,000-square-foot space with a
multitude of sights and sounds in every direction, creating illusions
of grandeur worthy of the show's fabled music team, Andrew Lloyd Webber
(``Phantom of the Opera'') and Tim Rice (``The Lion King''). Yet the
set itself is as humble as a rural church.

The show -- which brought round-the-block lines to South Second
Street for previews last week -- even refutes a third cause for
skepticism: the sense that ``Superstar'' is mired in its early '70s
origins and is not worth producing anymore.

The score alone creates ecstasy, especially if you heard it back in
the day but haven't in a while. There's the title song. And ``What's
the Buzz?'' ``Everything's Alright,'' ``I Don't Know How to Love Him,''
``Hosanna,'' ``Jesus Must Die.'' And all those juicy licks for right-on
guitarist brothers Bill and Tim Rupel.

Talk about a revival! This audacious stretch by City Lights does not
deviate from its mission to aim high and have fun, with the gambling
and gamboling lacking in many of today's movies and television shows
but still present in good theater.

The two sure things going in -- probably the impetus -- were that
Kit Wilder, Mallette's husband and company co-leader, could deliver a
world-class performance in the title role, and that he could do it with
a City Lights sensibility.

His undeniable charisma has a diabolical element that rides that
edge. City Lights is clubby, and there's an air of a sly wink to this
whole thing that is faithful to rock 'n' roll. Yet it's a good-faith
performance. Wilder is an earnest, volatile, human Jesus throughout
those seven final days among mankind. And, zounds, he can hit a high C
full-voice.

Although there are other praiseworthy principals, the voices that
really carry this production are in the chorus. Everyone is miked,
despite the intimate venue. The surround sound and Lloyd Webber's
adventurous harmonies are so sensational they vastly outweighed any
scattered sound-system glitches that still were being ironed out at
Friday's preview. (The choral depth was not a given going in.)

Standing out among the principals is burly, tattooed Adam Campbell
as Judas Iscariot. The vocal role is nearly as juicy as the lead, and
Campbell is big enough for the job. Jay Steele and Michael Johnson are
perfect counterparts as even-more-burly priests. Tim Reynolds as
Pontius Pilate and Tomas Theriot as King Herod are slick and suitably
smarmy.

As a very soothing Mary Magdalene, Jeanne Batacan-Harper has more
than enough heart. Her lack of oomph as a lead rock vocalist creates a
weak impression, however -- at least until her miraculous turnaround, a
tearjerking rendition of ``I Don't Know How to Love Him.'' She redeems
a song that many consider a mawkish cliche epitomizing a mawkish era.

In that era, ``Hair'' was the quintessential rock opera, with
``Jesus Christ Superstar'' seeming a bit of a rip-off, aside from Lloyd
Webber's inventive score. But that ``tribal musical'' truly is a relic now.

In a production that seems more to be set in AD 2006 than in AD 30,
the relevance of this show is palpable for the audience. John might
step on front-row feet accidentally. Jesus' backdraft might muss
patrons' hair. And don't step in his ``blood'' as you're crossing the
stage on your way out. But the spirit takes hold and, for two hours
anyway, it doesn't let go.

`Jesus Christ Superstar' By Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice

The upshotSmall company aims high, connects big-time

WhereCity Lights Theater Company, 529 S. Second St., San Jose

When8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays; 7 p.m. July 23 and 30; 2 p.m. Aug. 6, 13 and 20

Through Aug. 20

Running time: 2 hours with one 15-minute intermission

Tickets: $15-$35; (408) 295-4200, www.cltc.org

---

Contact Colin Seymour at cseymour@mercurynews.com or (408) 920-5857.

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Theater & Performance in San Jose, CA | 'Jesus Christ Superstar' at City Lights

Theater & Performance in San Jose, CA | 'Jesus Christ Superstar' at City Lights

A Superstar Is Born

City Lights brings a big 'Jesus Christ Superstar' to a small stage

By Marianne Messina

DIRECTING the City Lights Theater Company production of Jesus Christ Superstar, artistic director Lisa Mallette's collaborative style goes well with jazz-minded musical director Gus Kambeitz. He and Mallette have updated parts of Andrew Lloyd Webber's funky rock opera with the occasional hip-hop beat, a smattering of rap and a dynamic range that goes from big production to "unplugged." Both directors wanted the feel of a rock concert while highlighting a very human drama (as opposed to pyrotechnics). Since Kambeitz plays bass through most of the show, he is not there to cue performers in and out of his layered vocal arrangements and Webber's complex time signatures. On the one hand, that has unsettled a few performers who like every cue scripted. On the other, as Kambeitz points out, characters won't have to keep looking up for musical direction. "We've freed them up to just act. ... There's a little more flexibility."

Kambeitz enjoys the idea that every performance will be somewhat different. He offers performers the safety net of a cohesive, synergistic band unit, having just released a jazz album with two of the five-member orchestra. What—Superstar with no string section, no horn section?...more...

Great Review for J.C. Superstar in the Merc

MercuryNews.com | 07/19/2006 | Little City Lights pulls off big `Superstar'

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JC the Superest of Stars at City Lights

We open on Saturday, which is sold out. You can come to a pay what you can night tonight, Thursday July 13, and I think that if you call the box office you can get a ticket for $5.00 for tomorrow's preview.
Theater & Performance in San Jose, CA | 'Jesus Christ Superstar' at City Lights

Jesus Christ Superstar plays
Thursday-Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2 or 7pm through Aug. 20 at City
Lights, 529 S. Second St., San Jose. Gala opening July 15. Tickets are
$15-$25/gala $35. (408.295.4200)

DEUCE a World Premiere by Sharmon Hilfinger at The Pear

What a wonderful rich and multi-layered play this is. Rarely have I seen a new play that is so well written. The acting and directing are superb. You have one more weekend to see this thoufhtful and toouching new play.

The Pear Avenue Theatre - Current Show

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dance monkeys, dance

Here's a great video about monkeys. Watch and learn.

The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival

The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival

'The Tempest' is one of Shakespeare's most incredible works. If you love Shakespeare, you owe it to yourself to go see this wonderful production. Kenneth Kelleher's concept is unique and captivating and the acting is exrtraordinary.

This summer, family and friends are sure to enjoy seeing Prospero's mysterious island in Bay Area parks, when the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival presents The Tempest free of charge in Pleasanton, Cupertino, San Mateo, Oakland and San Francisco. Kenneth Kelleher (2003's Love's Labour's Lost, 2004's Twelfth Night, and 2005's Much Ado About Nothing), returns to direct this compelling tale of the banished Duke Prospero, who, after 12 years of exile, shipwrecks his betrayers and reclaims his rightful place in the world.

The play is probably best remembered for the spirit Ariel and monster Caliban, who both serve Prospero and his daughter Miranda on the island. Ariel creates the "tempest" of the title and, in the storm's resulting shipwreck, four nobles are thrown up on shore: Prospero's treacherous brother Antonio, King Alonso of Naples, the king's brother Sebastian, and the loyal counselor Gonzalo.

Political intrigue and magical manipulations join with comedy and romance as the steward Stephano and jester Trinculo, drunk on the ship's store of ale, plot with Caliban to overthrow Prospero. The king's son Ferdinand falls in love with Miranda. In the end, Prospero forgives the traitors, frees his loyal servant Ariel and destroys his magical book and staff.

The shows are FREE, and lawn seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring your family, friends, a blanket, and a picnic to enjoy this professional theater production! There are no tickets necessary for Free Shakespeare in the Park.

The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival

The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival

'The Tempest' is one of Shakespeare's most incredible works. If you love Shakespeare, you owe it to yourself to go see this wonderful production. Kenneth Kelleher's concept is unique and captivating and the acting is exrtraordinary.

This summer, family and friends are sure to enjoy seeing Prospero's mysterious island in Bay Area parks, when the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival presents The Tempest free of charge in Pleasanton, Cupertino, San Mateo, Oakland and San Francisco. Kenneth Kelleher (2003's Love's Labour's Lost, 2004's Twelfth Night, and 2005's Much Ado About Nothing), returns to direct this compelling tale of the banished Duke Prospero, who, after 12 years of exile, shipwrecks his betrayers and reclaims his rightful place in the world.

The play is probably best remembered for the spirit Ariel and monster Caliban, who both serve Prospero and his daughter Miranda on the island. Ariel creates the "tempest" of the title and, in the storm's resulting shipwreck, four nobles are thrown up on shore: Prospero's treacherous brother Antonio, King Alonso of Naples, the king's brother Sebastian, and the loyal counselor Gonzalo.

Political intrigue and magical manipulations join with comedy and romance as the steward Stephano and jester Trinculo, drunk on the ship's store of ale, plot with Caliban to overthrow Prospero. The king's son Ferdinand falls in love with Miranda. In the end, Prospero forgives the traitors, frees his loyal servant Ariel and destroys his magical book and staff.

The shows are FREE, and lawn seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bring your family, friends, a blanket, and a picnic to enjoy this professional theater production! There are no tickets necessary for Free Shakespeare in the Park.

Connie Chung Doing Imelda Marcos Doing Carol Channing Doing Bob Hope

Connie Chung - Comedian

Connie Chung being hideous. Just watch.

RUBICON Behind the scenes Part 1

RUBICON Behind the scenes Part 1

I am very excited abou this project. It's called RUBICON. It's a web based TV series that's sort of an X-Files/24 mix. It's really cool science fiction and it's going to be incredible. I get to play a character that's sort of like the Cirgarette Smoking Man from the X-Files. The first two episodes are almost finished. Check it out!

Hen and Bunny Do The Sopranos

Sopranos fans have to watch this - it's a couple of puppets playing a scene from this season's Paris episode . It's very funny stuff.

Paris Holiday

Filming on location in gay
Paris was certainly a treat for noted thespians Hen and Bunny, but more
inspiring than the wine, food, and local culture was this very poignant
material from "The Sopranos." "I strained to bring Carmela's
existential curiosity to the small screen," offers Bunny. "She only
wants to taste the pain and suffering of others. We're alike in that
way." But Hen admits to being distracted by the surroundings. "One of
the waiters kept telling me how good I would taste, fried in goose
fat," Hen tells us. "I don't think he was just trying to be sexy,
either."

Click on photo below to watch the video.

Auditions for New Works Festival at Foothill

I acted in this last year. It was a fantastic experience.

FOOTHILL COLLEGE DRAMA DEPARTMENT PRESENTS 2ND ANNUAL FOOTHILL NEW WORKS FESTIVAL

This
years' Foothill New Works Festival includes six short plays ranging in
style from realism to farce to surrealism both comedic and dramatic.
These works address technological innovations ranging from developing
remarkable building materials to instant HIV test results. The Foothill
New Works Festival is dedicated to developing and promoting the world
premiere work of upcoming playwrights as well as providing
opportunities for developing directors, actors and designers to further
their advance their experiences.

The featured new works are:
Anansi and Chameleon by Rebecca Royce - Director: Linda Christensen
Community Property by David Schreiber - Director: Manuel Zaefferer
I Dream of Nadia by David Hartig - Director: Judith Ogus
Single Line Please by Robert Clem - Director: Jacqueline Powers
Strings by Dennis Carter - Director: Jezebel Barraza
Widowed to Hope by Jennifer Ebrahimi - Director: Shane Olbourne

Audition Details:

When: Monday, June 19th OR Tuesday, June 20th at 7pm. Please plan to arrive by 7pm.
Prepare: Cold readings from the script.
Appointment: No appointment necessary. Please arrive at indicated time (7pm) and be prepared to stay up to three hours.
Location: Foothill College Playhouse, Rm #1301,
Directions: Junction of Interstate 280 and El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills. See parking notice below.

Rehearsal Info:

Rehearsals begin July 5, 2006 weeknights (M-T-W-TH).
Specific schedule set based on actor and director availability.

Performances: August 11 to 20, 2006.

Roles:
There are 19 roles available. Some gender flexibility. Some
multi-character casting is likely. Ages 16 and up. All roles open.
Actors of all ethnicities encourage to audition. This production has a
particular need for female actors of East Indian decent as well as a
few roles for male actors over 40.

Participation: Non-equity. No pay. No Fees.

Information: (650) 949-7268 or
www.foothill.edu/fa/theater/auditions.html

Please note: Parking regulations require a $2 parking permit at all times.
Please avoid costly tickets and purchase a permit; If you are cast in the
show you will receive a free permit for all rehearsals and performances.
For closest parking to auditions, park in student lot 1 immediately to your
right as you enter the campus. Walk up the stairs to the Playhouse (Room
1301) which is on your right at the top of the second flight of stairs.
Foothill Drama Dept enthusiastically endorses "non-traditional" casting,
and is open to actors of all races in any of the roles in these productions.

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Another Must See! JOHN & JEN at the Bus Barn

Last night I saw a rarely performed musical by Broadway's latest boy wonder, Andrew Lippa. David Curley and Kristin Stokes bring this wonderful two person musical to life. Their voices are pure and wonderful and the acting is personal and touching. The chemistry between them is electrifying.

The musical direction was flawless. What a great orchestra they've assembled!

Barbara Cannon's direction added so many subtle touches to the performances. For instance, there is one moment when John(David Curley) reaches out to touch his uncle's tombstone that really moved me. It was a very small movement and very fleeting, but for me it was poignent moment. This is the kind of detail that I really love to see. It's the type of added touch that transports a play from the usual to the transcendent.

		David Curley (John) DAVID CURLEY returns to BusBarn after appearing in THE GOODBYE GIRL in 2004. So far this year, David was seen in URINETOWN (Foothill Music Theatre), GYPSY (American Musical Theatre of San Jose) and the staged reading of Andrew Lippa’s ASPHALT BEACH (TheatreWorks’ New Works Festival). Past appearances include the world premiers of MEMPHIS (TheatreWorks) and THE HAUNTING OF WINCHESTER (San Jose Rep) and the regional premier of BAT BOY (TheatreWorks). Other credits: RAGTIME (TheatreWorks), CABARET (Theatre on San Pedro Square), SHE LOVES ME and ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY (Foothill Music Theatre), AND THE WORLD GOES ROUND (Pear Avenue Theatre) and HOORAY FOR WHAT, MINNIE’S BOYS and MISS LIBERTY (42nd Street Moon). His performance in MISS LIBERTY earned him a 2005 Bay Area Theatre Critic’s Circle award. David is also a voiceover and commercial actor and was seen on The Discovery Channel in “30 Roller Coasters in 24 Hours”, which documented his successful attempt at a Guinness World Record. For contact and upcoming performance info please visit: www.davidcurley.com
		Kristin Stokes (Jen) Kristin Stokes is delighted to be making her Bus Barn debut in John and Jen. She recently finished up another Andrew Lippa project called ASPHALT BEACH; a part of Theatreworks New Works festival. Her most recent Bay Area credits include: GYPSY at AMT , CABARET at the Willows (Sally), and INTO THE WOODS at Theatreworks (Snow White/Harp/ Lil‚ Red u/s- performed). Other credits include; Lilly St. Regis in ANNIE (PCPA), Rachel in TO GILLIAN ON HER 37TH BIRTHDAY (Broadway West), Bonnie Jean in BRIGADOON (PCPA), and Helen Keller in THE MIRACLE WORKER (Universal Performers). Ms. Stokes is a recent graduate of the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts and wishes the best of luck to the graduating class of 2006.

Bus Barn Stage Company

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Go See STRING OF PEARLS at City Lights Theater Company

City Lights Theater Company

This show you must see. Kit Wilder(Direction), the four wonderful actresses, and the lighting and sound experts, have created a very human, heartfelt show at City Lights. Four women play multiple roles in this amazing story of love and hope. Each of their characters are distinct and so interesting. It's truly riveting theatre. The acting, lighting, sound and direction are superb. The performances are layered and subtle and wonderful all around. I happen to know most of the people involved in this production, but it has nothing to do with my enthusiasm. You really have to go see this if you want to see some superb acting in an intimate venue.

Bay Area Premiere!
STRING OF PEARLS

Written by
Michele Lowe

Directed by
Kit Wilder

Featuring
Lisa Mallette*,
Raegena Raymond,
Nancy Sauder and
Shannon Stowe
* Appears courtesy of Actors Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

Performances
May 18-June 18, 2006
Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 pm
Select Sundays at 2 pm or 7 pm

Tickets
Friday Preview: $20
Gala Opening: $35
All Other Shows:
$25 GN, $20 SR, $15 ST/ED
Group discounts are available; please call the Box Office for details.

In this funny, moving story, the journey of one necklace links the lives of 23 women. Four actresses play wildly varied characters who covet, steal, bestow and misplace a lustrous string of pearls. With gentle comedy and surprising candor, the play reveals the twists and turns in relationships between husband and wife, mother and daughter, sisters, friends and memories, intricately threading love, loss and destiny together into a radiant and heart-warming tale.
For mature audiences.

America's New Idol - The King of the Soul Patrol

Well, I was wrong. Katherine McPhee didn't get the votes. I guess America likes the underdog so Taylor is your new Idol winner. I kind of like the idea that a guy with gray hair, a little ponch who's pushing thirty years old won. But, Katharine's the money girl. She's going to have a big career in front of her. Like my friend Diana DeGarmo. I predict she'll become a Broadway star.


The highlight of the show was most certainly Dionne Warwick's appearance with Burt Bacharach - two living legends of American popular music.

For me, American Idol comes close to bringing back one of the genres of TV that I grew up with and watched constantly - the Variety Show. Programs like the Carol Burnett Show, Jackie Gleason, Andy Williams, Donny and Marie, Flip Wilson, and on and on.. were programs that helped me escape for hours and hours as a kid. That's probably why I really like this crazy piece of fluff so much. It kind of brings me back to those days of innocence - to a time, when for the hour that the program was on, you could forget the world and just laugh and listen and watch nice people singing nice songs.

This Will Be Your Next American Idol - Katharine McPhee

American Idol: Contestants - Katharine McPhee

With her rendition tonight of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" she has certainly clinched it. No one will top that performance, and America won't be able to resist voting for this extremely talented and beautiful young woman.

If you really want to hear and see how good she is, watch and listen to her sing when she's not being judged. She's way more relaxed and sounds great.

Give Peace a Chance

One, two, three, four

Everybody's talking about
Bagism, Shagism, Dragism, Madism,
Ragism, Tagism
This-ism, That-ism, is-m, is-m, is-m

All we are saying is give peace a chance,
All we are saying is give peace a chance

Yeah!
C'mon
Everybody's talking about Ministers,
Sinister, Banisters
And canisters, Bishops, and Fishops,
And Rabbis, and Pop eyes, Bye, bye, bye byes

All we are saying is give peace a chance,
All we are saying is give peace a chance

Let me tell you now
Everybody's talking about
Revolute, evolute, masturbate,
Flagellate, regulate, integrate,
Meditate,-------?,
Congratulate!

All we are saying is give peace a chance,
All we are saying is give peace a chance

Everybody's talking about
John and Yoko, Timmy Leary, Rosemary,
Tommy Smothers, Bobby Dylan,
Tommy Copper,
Derek Taylor, Norman Mailer,
Allen Ginsberg, Hare Krishna,
Hare, Hare
Krishna

All we are saying is give peace a chance,
All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance,
All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance,
All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance,
All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance,
All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance,
All we are saying is give peace a chance
All we are saying is give peace a chance,
All we are saying is give peace a chance

Google Ads

I put these little Google ads on here. You can see them above. Now, I think it's obnoxious. My inner capitalist and inner artist are at war.