Oct 2007
Play Review: Wonder of the World
30/10/07 23:39 Filed in: Theater News
When Cass, the heroine of David
Lindsay-Abaire's
Wonder of the World
learns a disturbing secret about Kip, her husband of
seven years — and trust me, whatever you might be
thinking that secret is, it's not what you're
thinking — she decides to leave him and experience
all the great adventures and places she's dreamed
about. She has a long and extensive list of Things to
Do, and time's a waistin'!
That's the set up of Albany Civic Theater's current offering, and the company rises to the occasion with a highly entertaining, if occasionally profane, production. The show closes with 3 final performances on Nov. 1, 2, 3.
First stop on Cass' list is Niagra Falls, where she befriends Lois, a suicidal woman who is her exact counterpart. Cass, riding high on bus fumes and giddy enthusiasm, designates Lois as her official "sidekick" (one of the items on her list), and sets her sights on the captain of a tourist boat, with whom she hopes to check several more items off her list.
Her husband Kip, however, has other plans. He has hired a pair of private detectives to track Cass down, which they are able to do in spite of it being their first job.
The play is rich with humorous dialogue, characters and performances. Tamara Hawkins, as Cass, is giddily charming even when Cass is not always the most sympathetic character (she often is rather self-centered). Hawkins' first act bus trip monologue/meeting with Lois is an exhausting, dizzy, tour-de-force that she carries off with astonishing skill.
Claire Diehl as Lois makes a good frumpy sidekick to Cass' manic energy, and Karen Emmons and Arlin Roler are perfectly matched as a long-married couple turned detectives. They irritate each other, but also probably couldn't function apart.
Emmet Jones has a nice turn as Captain Mike, who may be the only sane person in the play, and Loren Dunn acquits himself well as Kip, he of the hideously embarrassing secret. Dunn manages to get some laughs from the character while still managing to elicit some audience sympathy.
Miranda Prince contributes a variety of cameo performances to round out the cast.
Director John Elliot makes excellent use of ACT's small stage with several tricks of stagecraft including actors seated on mobile platforms simulating a bus, helicopter, car and a wooden barrel.
The only caveat I might add is a warning for some viewers. There is a lot of profanity in the play, especially in the discussion of Kip's dark secret; however, I think a majority of playgoers will be able to handle the profanity. All, in all, I found it to be an enjoyable night at the theater.
For more information, see the ACT Website.
That's the set up of Albany Civic Theater's current offering, and the company rises to the occasion with a highly entertaining, if occasionally profane, production. The show closes with 3 final performances on Nov. 1, 2, 3.
First stop on Cass' list is Niagra Falls, where she befriends Lois, a suicidal woman who is her exact counterpart. Cass, riding high on bus fumes and giddy enthusiasm, designates Lois as her official "sidekick" (one of the items on her list), and sets her sights on the captain of a tourist boat, with whom she hopes to check several more items off her list.
Her husband Kip, however, has other plans. He has hired a pair of private detectives to track Cass down, which they are able to do in spite of it being their first job.
The play is rich with humorous dialogue, characters and performances. Tamara Hawkins, as Cass, is giddily charming even when Cass is not always the most sympathetic character (she often is rather self-centered). Hawkins' first act bus trip monologue/meeting with Lois is an exhausting, dizzy, tour-de-force that she carries off with astonishing skill.
Claire Diehl as Lois makes a good frumpy sidekick to Cass' manic energy, and Karen Emmons and Arlin Roler are perfectly matched as a long-married couple turned detectives. They irritate each other, but also probably couldn't function apart.
Emmet Jones has a nice turn as Captain Mike, who may be the only sane person in the play, and Loren Dunn acquits himself well as Kip, he of the hideously embarrassing secret. Dunn manages to get some laughs from the character while still managing to elicit some audience sympathy.
Miranda Prince contributes a variety of cameo performances to round out the cast.
Director John Elliot makes excellent use of ACT's small stage with several tricks of stagecraft including actors seated on mobile platforms simulating a bus, helicopter, car and a wooden barrel.
The only caveat I might add is a warning for some viewers. There is a lot of profanity in the play, especially in the discussion of Kip's dark secret; however, I think a majority of playgoers will be able to handle the profanity. All, in all, I found it to be an enjoyable night at the theater.
For more information, see the ACT Website.
Movie Review: Home is Where the Heart Is
30/10/07 00:21 Filed in: Movies
Home is Where the Heart Is
The saying goes, home is where the heart is. Usually that might conjure images of dinner tables, family rooms, kids playing and happy domesticity. But it could also apply to the broader community, the spirit of a place and the hopes and dreams of the community at large, especially as demonstrated by local business owners. Locally owned businesses form the bedrock of a community's economy; they are the frontline in the war on keeping a community from becoming yet another subsidiary of Walmart. Opening a small business in a small community like Corvallis is an expression of faith that other community members will be willing to support the entrepreneurial spirit that makes a place thrive.
In his documentary, Home is Where the Heart Is, Sean Brown, a young Corvallis filmmaker, shines a spotlight on a handful of the many fine businesses that keep downtown Corvallis a vibrant and colorful place to visit. When so many other cities are seeing a decay in their downtown, it is refreshing to see Corvallis continue to promote locally owned businesses and entrepreneurs.
Seemingly spurred by the closing of one of the downtown's premier businesses — Paul Turner's late lamented Avalon Theater — Brown visits some of Turner's neighbors: Sibling Revelry, Inside Out, Grassroots Books and Music, among others. Keeping the tone positive, Brown keeps to a simple format of putting the business owners in front of the camera and letting them explain their business philosophy. Turns out that behind every storefront are some pretty nice people, usually a bit camera shy, but community members, neighbors and friends who are pouring their creativity and passion into providing cool, personalized shopping for other Corvallians.
Another segment of the film takes us to the Farmers' Market to remind us that all the wonderful farm crops being grown in the valley are also brought to you by people who are no less worthy of the title "business person." As it turns out, one of the best things environmentally conscious people can do to preserve the quality of life locally and globally, aside from voting Yes on Measure 49, is to buy as much food from local farmers as possible. Here in the Willamette Valley, we are especially lucky that there is so much local produce, eggs and other agricultural products available.
With the closing of the Avalon Cinema, Corvallis lost a bit of its soul, in my opinion, one of the clever little touches that make a city a great place to live, or make it no different than any other town. Brown's film is a good reminder not to take too many things for granted.
The saying goes, home is where the heart is. Usually that might conjure images of dinner tables, family rooms, kids playing and happy domesticity. But it could also apply to the broader community, the spirit of a place and the hopes and dreams of the community at large, especially as demonstrated by local business owners. Locally owned businesses form the bedrock of a community's economy; they are the frontline in the war on keeping a community from becoming yet another subsidiary of Walmart. Opening a small business in a small community like Corvallis is an expression of faith that other community members will be willing to support the entrepreneurial spirit that makes a place thrive.
In his documentary, Home is Where the Heart Is, Sean Brown, a young Corvallis filmmaker, shines a spotlight on a handful of the many fine businesses that keep downtown Corvallis a vibrant and colorful place to visit. When so many other cities are seeing a decay in their downtown, it is refreshing to see Corvallis continue to promote locally owned businesses and entrepreneurs.
Seemingly spurred by the closing of one of the downtown's premier businesses — Paul Turner's late lamented Avalon Theater — Brown visits some of Turner's neighbors: Sibling Revelry, Inside Out, Grassroots Books and Music, among others. Keeping the tone positive, Brown keeps to a simple format of putting the business owners in front of the camera and letting them explain their business philosophy. Turns out that behind every storefront are some pretty nice people, usually a bit camera shy, but community members, neighbors and friends who are pouring their creativity and passion into providing cool, personalized shopping for other Corvallians.
Another segment of the film takes us to the Farmers' Market to remind us that all the wonderful farm crops being grown in the valley are also brought to you by people who are no less worthy of the title "business person." As it turns out, one of the best things environmentally conscious people can do to preserve the quality of life locally and globally, aside from voting Yes on Measure 49, is to buy as much food from local farmers as possible. Here in the Willamette Valley, we are especially lucky that there is so much local produce, eggs and other agricultural products available.
With the closing of the Avalon Cinema, Corvallis lost a bit of its soul, in my opinion, one of the clever little touches that make a city a great place to live, or make it no different than any other town. Brown's film is a good reminder not to take too many things for granted.
Unbelievable
22/10/07 02:21 Filed in: Commentary
I
can't believe it. I've been busy, sure, but I didn't
think I was
that busy.
Yet when I looked at my website the other day, I was
shocked, shocked! to see that I hadn't written and or
updated anything since July. Unbelievable. Amazing.
Where has the time gone? Well, however it happened, I
apologize to those who have approached me from time
to time wondering when I would post again.
Anyway, I have a lot of catching up to do. I've started by updating the movie page, with recommendations to see "In the Shadow of the Moon" at the Darkside Cinema, and a special screening of the classic Steve McQueen monster flick "The Blob" Tuesday evening, Oct. 23 at the Pix Theater in Albany. By the way, if you haven't seen a movie at the Pix yet, you MUST go. The lobby is magnificent, the presentation is nice and the theater is immaculate. It's movie going in the old school tradition. Go, man, go and support an independent theater owner.
That's all for now. More soon. (Really!)
Anyway, I have a lot of catching up to do. I've started by updating the movie page, with recommendations to see "In the Shadow of the Moon" at the Darkside Cinema, and a special screening of the classic Steve McQueen monster flick "The Blob" Tuesday evening, Oct. 23 at the Pix Theater in Albany. By the way, if you haven't seen a movie at the Pix yet, you MUST go. The lobby is magnificent, the presentation is nice and the theater is immaculate. It's movie going in the old school tradition. Go, man, go and support an independent theater owner.
That's all for now. More soon. (Really!)