"Follies of God" is a Treasure Trove

One of the blogs I love exploring periodically is Follies of God by James Grissom.  It's a kind of scrapbook of journals, interviews and artist profiles compiled during Grissom's writing of his upcoming book on Tennessee Williams.  There's a bounty of information here, and it's not only for fans of Tennessee Williams, but for anyone interested in the craft of acting, the creative process and those who participate.  Williams is one of those artists that leads to a slew of other brilliant artists because his career, his writing, and his life spanned a large swath of theatre history and personalities. 

 

 Grissom conducted some wonderful interviews with Williams in which he expounds on his love of certain actor's and artists like Jessica Tandy, Marlon Brando, Liza Minnelli, Faye Dunaway, Paul Newman, Elia Kazaan and Marilyn Monroe.  However, he also conducted numerous interviews with the artists themselves, not just about Williams, but about what it means to be an actor, writer, dreamer, what it's like to struggle with the process, to doubt and to press on.  It's simply inspirational.

Dream Talk

I dreamt of a fox last night.  A legitimate, came in from the woods to meet me fox, more or less. 

Upon thinking about it, I realize that I've had foxes on the brain in one way or another for a few months.  There was a the grey fox I glimpsed as he ducked into the woods.  There was the fox that had crept into an English home through the cat door and into the bed of the man of the house, startling him when he woke and found his wife wasn't there, there was the conversation about Gene Wilder as the fox in the film version of The Little Prince, and there was the fox in my dreams.

I was visiting a friend, sitting on his or her (I can't remember) couch while he/she was fussing about in the bathroom.  The only light in the room was that coming from the bathroom's cracked door.  I'd never been to this friend's home before so I was sitting rather alertly, watching a couple of his cats wander around the living room, kings of their domain.  And then, amongst them, not sure how I'd missed it, there was a fox.  It leapt onto  the sofa without my calling it, and looked alternatively into my eyes and slightly to the left of me, as if expecting something. 

I was afraid to touch him, because he was not the well groomed, ginger colored dandy of a fox from children's books and old issues of Ranger Rick, but larger, greyer, unkempt, slightly dangerous looking. Not dangerous as in deceitful or malicious (the dream dictionary I consulted suggested that foxes in dreams represent deceit in your midst and if you kill the fox you believe you can overcome the danger.  All this leads me to the already forming conclusion that dream dictionaries are mostly bullshit) but dangerous in a way that he was aware that the step he'd taken was risky, and if it proved unwise he might snap at me.  I got over my fears enough to reach out and pet him, which he allowed, and smooth out the mats in his fur.  That's really all I remember.

There are other pieces of dreams I remember from last night, which may have been connected to the same dream, or completely separate.  Apparently my mind was busy last night. 

There's the dream I had in which I found out that a dear friend of mine was in town working on a show, and had neglected to tell me.  My mind and heart struggled with the desire to reach out to her at the same time that I was miffed by her not seeking me out.  I knew she hadn't meant to hurt my feelings, but the thought that I hadn't even entered her mind was hurtful nonetheless.

There's also the dream in which I happened on a pornographic video of one of my exes.  He'd been a very sweet, incredibly smart psychology student, a poet, handsome with strong features, thick brown hair, and a gregarious nature.  What I saw in the video was some wild man in an oatmeal colored sweater with a thick, matted beard getting ready to engage in a random encounter, which I didn't watch.  It made me sad.  It made me wonder what had happened to the open hearted idealistic guy I had known.  Had he changed, or had he only ever existed in my head?  Which truth was worse?  But I wasn't just sad about that, but sad because he was obviously living a life without me, even if it wasn't the kind of life I wanted myself or would have chosen for him.

I'm sure there's a way in which these bits and pieces twine together to say something about the churning thoughts in my subconscious at this particular time, but I can only grasp at straws right now as to what that way is.

Personal Favorites: My Ten "Desert Island" Films (The Second Five)

6.   The Perks of Being A Wallflower:  This is my newest favorite, and wonderful on so many levels.  I loved the book and had high hopes for the film, which it ultimately exceeded.  The film can't beat the book's intimate nature, but perfectly brings to life every image and emotion the book evokes.  Plus, the actors are the perfect embodiments of the characters, even better than what I had imagined.  Ezra Miller is a multi-layered delight, the kid I wish I'd had the courage to be, and Logan Lehrman grabs is the kid I felt I was (but without his "baby deer in the headlights" beauty).  It really gets that feeling of powerlessness that so overwhelms us as teenagers and continues to plague us as adults.  It definitely has it's cheesey moments, but those moments (like the Rocky Horror sequence) are also the sequences that make me the most nostalgic. 

7.  Snow White and the Seven Dwarves:  The first, and to my mind the greatest of all the Disney animated features.  Artful, ornate, and timeless.  And I love Snow White for all her squeaky voiced naivete, because even though she may not hoist on armor and lead a battle, her strengths are kindness and optimism and a love of animals.  These are traits far more valuable to me than anything Kristen Stewart's sulky ass could manage, so suck it haters. .

8.  Splash:  I've always been fascinated by mermaids, used to sink down to the bottom of the neighbor's pool and look up at the surface, imagining the world above to be some strange and otherworldly place.  Splash looks at all the things that can hold love back and at loves power to overcome those obstacles

9.  The Wizard of Oz:  America's myth.  The greatest quest tale, and one that greatly influenced one of my other favorites, The Muppet Movie.  Pretty much a perfect film.  Iconic performances, iconic music, an aesthetic that has affected the way we see the world in ways we might never completely comprehend.  It's the story and film I hold closest to my heart, partially because it illustrates so perfectly the film's true message (no, not that "there's no place like home" b.s.) that whatever it is you long for, desire and wish to be is already inside you, and accessing it is easier than you ever imagined.    Bonus:  The back story of how everything came together to make this perfect film that almost wasn't is fascinating.  Additional bonus:  While the film owes a lot to the original source material, it doesn't simply regurgitate in unimaginative fashion what was in the book (like the first couple of Harry Potter films) but adds a modern, largely vaudevillian sensibility that makes it its own creature.   

10.  9 to 5:  Strong women kicking ass and taking names, getting what they deserve and doing it with flair.  Three perfect characters who buoy each other up rather than tear each other apart.  Plus those fantasy sequences are completely awesome on their own and I love how they're fueled by realities that foreshadowed their arrival.  I loved the film even more once I was old enough to get over being scandalized by the fact that my heroines smoked pot.  This film was also where I first learned the term "S & M" so it was educational on many levels.

So that's it, my favorite films, my "desert island" movies.  I'd love to hear about yours if you are so inclined to share...

One Last "Zeus in Therapy" Review

Zeus in Therapy closed last Sunday, but one final review appeared a few days ago from Austin Lifestyle Magazine, and I've linked to it for your reading pleasure.  I'm really glad it was so well received and really grateful to have been a part of it.

Personal Favorites: My "Ten "Desert Island" Films (The First Five)

Not only is it fun to compile a list of favorites, but it can also be really enlightening, as the artworks you love tend to say a lot about who you are and what you value in life.  It's interesting to look at what your these pieces share in common, where they overlap, and what that says about you.  On this particular post I'm focusing in on movies, as film is the medium I consume the most of and as far as crossover appeal and what they share? 

Most of my favorite films have elements of fantasy, largely because of the escapist appeal, but also because it helps to use larger than life characters, creatures, natures and possibilities to point up and speak on more complex issues.  All of the films in my list are hopeful.  Even if darkness wins at the end of the movie, the victory will not be lasting.  This is something I both believe, and ocassionally doubt, so these movies have provided a lot of solace in times of uncertainty.  Another thing that most of these films feature is the prominence of strong, risk taking women, and they often feature underdogs, or characters that face a world that underestimates their possibilities. 

These are the films I can watch again and again, so while I may love "Brokeback Mountain" it's not on this list as 've only seen it once and would have to be in a really secure place in my life to want to watch it again.  All that said, here is my current list of favorite films (in no particular order).  Yes, three of them feature Judy Garland, but while her presence helps to really highlight the reasons I love the film and may contribute greatly to why I love the film, it is hardly the sole reason. 

10.  Rear Window:  Pure candy.  The movie which looks into why we love to "watch", gives it's audience so many things to look at and puzzle over (the dog loving couple who sleeps out on their balcony due to the oppressive heat, Miss Lonely Heart and her constant search for love, Miss Torso and the swarm of men surrounding her) the least of which is that man in the apartment across the way.  Toss in the no nonsense, blunt brilliance of Thelma Ritter, the beauty of Grace Kelly lounging about in Edith Head creations, and the frustrating nonchalance in Jimmy Stewart's ability to take her for granted and you have a sumptuous and thrilling movie.

9.  The Clock:  It's such a simple heartfelt story of love about a soldier on leave and the office girl who shows him around New York.  It pays tribute to the ordinary people all around us, and to love in the midst of chaos.  It doesn't hurt that Garland (in her only non-singing role at MGM)is absolutely stunning as the romantic lead.  Bonuses:  It's interesting to note that Richard Linklater made this film required viewing for Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke when they were making Before Sunset, and that Stephen Sondheim loved it so much that he attempted a musical adaptation of it early in his career.

8. The Muppet Movie:  I love quest films and this is one of the best.  It's so ingeniously crafted, heartfelt and bizarre; a lifeline to anyone who has ever felt like a misfit.  I wore out the movie soundtrack as a kid, and had the poster hanging on my wall.

7.  Defending Your Life:  Like a lot of the movies on this list, it not only has a beautiful message and a concise story, but has so many nuggets to enjoy like a great cameo by Shirley Maclaine, a charming performance by Meryl Streep, and a fascinating limbo world called Judgement City where you wait out your fate and in the meantime can bowl, review your past lives and eat as much as you want without getting full or fat.  At the heart of this film for me though, is Albert Brooks and his intense relatability. 

6.  A Star is Born (1954):  So mythic.  It's the ultimate Hollywood tragedy, and it's beautifully shot by George Cukor, written by Moss Hart, with a performance by Garland in which she both sings and acts her overflowing heart out.  If you are my friend, and you are at all willing, we've probably watched this together, or it's on our list of things to do.  It's my personal favorite. 

Come and Sit While Grandma Tells You About Her Corns

It turns out, the thing that I was calling a bone spur, blah-blah-blah, etc. was just a...corn.  Gross.  Having one makes me feel about ninety, in spite of the fact that anyone can get one, and it's pretty easy to get taken care of.  Any way, the reason I mentioned it is because yesterday I was back to running for the first time in months.  True, it wasn't an amazing time (2 miles in 23 minutes) but it was a good start and I'm looking forward to getting back in the groove.  I in no way pretend to be one of those runner types, but I have kind of missed it, and it does make me feel like I'm moving physically in the world.

Last night my friend Mark and I saw 2001: Space Odyssey at the Paramount.  Because Zeus in Therapy has taken up most of my time and energy the past couple of months I hadn't had time to check out the Summer Classic Movie Fest, so in the last gasp I am trying to see as many of them as I can.  As far as 2001?  I really enjoyed the first half (although there were some moments of mind numbing slowness) and it certainly moved a lot faster in the second half, but then it took a turn into crazy town and got confusing as all get out.  What was with that broken lava lamp scene?  And the surreal moments in the lit floor hotel room? 

Mark mentioned that the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and Rock Hudson, upon seeing it, headed up the aisle asking "Will someone tell me what the hell this is about?" There are questions as to whether he stayed for the full film or not, but if he made it to the second half, I concur, completely.  Luckily Mark, font of knowledge that he is, explained some of the theories as to what the film meant, and once that was explained...well I get it.  But shouldn't a film be comprehensible on its own merit and not through a middle man? 

My callback for Ordinary Days has come and gone and I would say it went all right.  Not perfect by any means, and all the usual suspects were there, so who knows what's going to happen.  It's strange how you can cram that music into your head and think you are ready for an audition and then when nerves take over all the tempos and entrances go out the proverbial window.  I can be happy and proud of myself for overcoming nerves to go out for it, and trust that if the part is for me, it will be.  In the meantime, someone else who saw the show has asked me to audition for their upcoming musical, so there's definitely a sense of possibility in the air. 

In truth, possibility is all around.  I've been submitting my writing for possible production and for competitions, sending out my work resume, auditioning, writing, and getting back to being social now that the show is over and I can focus on being with people who are not part of the cast and crew...it's all positive movement creating momentum.

As far as any romantic prospects?  I feel good about them.  It's been a bit of a stagnant pond lately, as I haven't really dated any one since April and I'm beginning to feel like I've seen all that I'm interested in seeing, but who knows what surprises await? 

I Understand the Importance of Frequent Posting...

but what if I feel I have nothing of extreme import to say, except for the usual complaints and praisings...and stop.  Right there.  Negativity out.  I'm expelling you.  Instead, here comes a list of things I'm grateful for in my life, for your reading pleasure (And in no particular order)

I Am Grateful For...

1. Oprah Winfrey, and Lee Daniel's The Butler-  Yes, Lee Daniel's The Butler was manipulative and cliché at times, and the parade of celebrities playing political figures was a little ridick (that's not referencing THE CHRONICLES OF, but being an abbreviation of ridiculous) butit was many times extremely moving, and I was in tears through much of it, especially when it covers the strengths and travails of the Freedom Riders.  It's spiked my interest in learning more about this part of history, that for me is mostly comprised of a Quantum Leap episode and what I've heard on NPR.  Plus, Oprah was amazing. What she can do with one tiny narrowing of her eye.  I want to hug her, whether or not she would hug me back.

2. Discovering a friend of mine is friends with Charles Busch.  That man is a genius.  And so prolific.  He carved a niche in theatre and puts out things that are uniquely his own, that he is passionate about, and that makes people feel good.  The added treat that she said I had his same spirit was more than just icing.  It was cake filled icing.

3.  The reviewer saying I had "untouched good looks".  It doesn't happen all that often but when it does "I'm gonna ride that chocolate pony all the way to the bank", as my friend Kate says.

4.  My roommate.  He's a delight.  A kind, intelligent, soulful delight.

5.  My mother.  It's easy to take some things for granted, but I am constantly being reminded of how lovely she is.

6.  ZEUS IN THERAPY.  This has been such a challenging experience.  Lots of hours, lots of feeling like a novice at something I'm supposed to be pretty good at (if my above mentioned mother is any barometer) and a little wondering, after five and a half weeks of work with just the ten of us actors jiggling around and speaking poetry, "is this going to work?"  Well, the cast and crew have been so lovely, the audience and critics seem to really enjoy it, I really enjoy doing it, The Long Center is a dream, and I get to croon a sweet song written by Court Hoang.  Who could ask for anything more?  I'm also grateful to everyone who has come and supported me in this show.  It's meant a lot.

7.  My callback.  I got one.

8.  The book "The Secret Historian".  It's my current reading, and a window into a soul who thinks and does things very differently from me. 

9.  My friends, one of which came through and made a possibly stressful video audition into a smooth and easy peasy-macaroni and cheesy experience.  Yahoo.

So here's to all those blessings, those I haven't mentioned, and those that even now are heading my way.

Another Review

Our latest, and most likely our last official review, has come out, and it's the one I was sweating a bit.  But there was no need to worry.  It's from Elizabeth Cobbe of The Austin Chronicle. 

In other news, as much as I was looking forward to a break for a bit, I was synchronicitously made aware of a show coming up, and invited to submit for it.  I heard the score and instantly fell in love,  not just with the music, but with a particular character that I feel completely in synch with.  So, as much as video auditions freak my shit out, I learned a song from the score, taped it with a pianist and submitted it.  Here's hoping, and yet, staying unattached to the results

Michael Meigs, and Jeff Davis, you charmers you.

A couple of reviews came in and they are both glowing, which allows me to breathe a sigh of relief.  The first is from Michael Meigs at Austin Live Theatre, and is an unqualified rave. 

The second is a lovely review from Jeff Davis at  Broadway World. 

We have another one coming from The Austin Chronicle, and whatever news it holds, I'll link to it here.  You've got my word on it. 

Adolescent Obsession: Julie Brown

I was browsing around on the computer today and am not sure how, but I started thinking about one of my favorite childhood films...oh yeah.  I was looking on Spotify for more music by my current love Zooey Deschanel, and that made me think that maybe New Girl had a soundtrack, which made me think about Brand New Girl, the Julie Brown track from my childhood fave  Earth Girls Are Easy, which led me to a pretty rare and kind of  bizarre reading of a proposed musical version from 2002 with no less a monumental talent than Kristin Chenoweth (I'll link to it later, but the video quality is low, and I want to start with a bang).

For those of you who don't know her, she was this outrageous red haired eighties comedienne who had a couple of hits (for example I Like Them Big and Stupid, and The Homecoming Queen's Got A Gun) and for a time she hosted an MTV comedy/video show that  I adored and recorded and watched over and over, mostly with my best friend Wes. 

For awhile she was pretty  well known.  Tiny Toons named a character after her, she was largely responsible for getting Earth Girls Are Easy made, she appeared in Clueless as the gym teacher...
she put out an album, Trapped In the Body of A White Girl, that quickly went away, but when I got a little older I sought it out and when I located it, transferred it to tape so I could listen to on bus rides, in the car, and sing along loud and proud and wish she was my friend.

As a sample of her delights, I put up for your amusement...Girl Fight Tonight.  Here's to you Julie Brown, you zany, sexy lady you.  You helped make me what I am today!

 

And for those of you wanting more, here's that clip I promised you earlier...

 

 





                          

Aquaman Has Had It

I have always loved Aquaman, and have admittedly never understood why he's gotten such a bad reputation.  Either the character fascinates you, or he doesn't.  It didn't matter to me that he didn't get a lot of attention from a 70's TV cartoon because his powers were not completely compatible with land walkers like Superman and Batman.  So, when I was made aware of this monologue "Aquaman, King of the Seven Seas has F***ing Had It With You, Man", written a few years ago by Glen Weldon, and recently brought to life by actor Scott Wichmann, I was pretty excited.  It's hilarious as hell, and makes a solid point.  See if you don't agree.