A Musical So Nice, I'm Seeing It Twice

Cath and I had a rollicking good time revisiting Fellowship! The Musical a couple of weeks ago; and we're going again tomorrow night.

Yep, I like it that much.

There is an interview (along with the behind-the-scenes video I mentioned earlier) by Backstage on the website, check it out. It includes a few clips from the show.

I am now longing for a revisit of the originals -- both the book (admittedly, in my top books of all time category), and the films. I wonder if work would notice me disappearing for a couple of weeks...

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Don't miss FELLOWSHIP! Now playing at the Falcon Theatre!The Critics are Raving!

"Laugh Loudly and enjoy yourself! With a romping score by Allen Simpson and funny lyrics by the strength and combined efforts of the comedically gifted cast..." - Backstage

"The cast is all-around splendid...McCrary's direction, Spear's choreography, and Simpson and Rouse's musical direction... couldn't be better." -StageSceneLA.com

"Manically madcap!...creatively kooky..." - Tolucan Times

"...sublimely silly spoof..." -LA Times

"Every player is a comedic gem!" -Backstage

www.FalconTheatre.com.

Just Look On the Bright Side of Life...

Peter Chattaway has an rather interesting comparison of SPARTACUS, THE LIFE OF BRIAN and the life of Jesus.

Pretty nifty introspection from someone who is a fan of all three of those stories.

As for me, I'm one of those guys that when push comes to shove, would probably say, "Oh, that Spartacus?! Well, of course I'm not that one. Are you looking for that fellow over there? Yoo hoo, Sparty, I think these guys are looking for you. He's so shy."

But that's just me.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

On the Wrong Tract

A humorous yet insightful site I look at on a regular basis is “Stuff Christians Like,” where Prodigal Jon takes by the numbers things that, well, Christians like.

Such as: Making up prayer requests, because everyone else has one.

Or throwing out disclaimers before recommending something secular.

Or taking the college years off.

Today’s post was about “making tracts that look like money.”

You know, the five dollar bill in the grocery store parking lot that you pick up thinking “I’m going back in for some Ben & Jerry’s!” only to discover that it isn’t a fiver, but rather a “do you know Jesus?” missive.

Lots of folks responded to his post, including one guy that took Prodigal Jon to task, claiming that tricking folks into the kingdom can only be positive, especially since Jesus was doing such tricks all the time.

Which led to this response from me:

Jon – good, though provoking post.

If I may add to your response to Colin's argument about "tricking,": First off, let's be honest and use the right word - "lying."

"Hey, guy who's out of work and wondering where the next meal is coming from, here's five bucks for you... NOT! Hee, hee, sucker! Okay, now let me tell you about the love of Jesus..."

Contrary to Colin’s belief that Jesus lied his butt off to people, hoping to dishonest them into heaven, He never did that. In fact, He made clear that the father of lies was not the Father of Heaven, but rather the guy working against heaven.

(And make no mistake, the guy who is out there lying for G-d is in actuality working for the devil, whether he knows it or not.)

Once we’ve convinced ourselves that it is okay to be a little deceitful as long as the goal is good – evangelism in this case – then it becomes easier to become more deceitful.

Have a couple of people been turned on to G-d by a disingenuous tract? Sure.

Have even more people, by the boatload even, been turned off to the whole idea of a two-faced Christianity by dishonest tracts? Yep.

In the history of restaurants, have one or two waitresses found the “tip” of a misrepresentative tract to contain the words they needed at the moment? Maybe.

Have hundreds, if not thousands, of wait-staff declared that they would never darken the door of a “worship house” that trains its congregants to be cheap and condescending? Oh yeah.

And from there, we start believing the lies we tell to trick people into Jesusification.

“Believe in Jesus and you will never have a problem again.”

“Believe in Jesus, and you can sin all you want and not worry about the afterlife, because G-d loves a grateful sinner!”

“Believe in Jesus and you will make lots and lots of money, because that is the root of all happiness!”

Slippery slope. Slippery slope.

That’s my response, and those are just my thoughts,

Sean

Must See Theater and Must See TV!

When Cath and I road trip, we have a required set of music that must be listened to.

The Monkees.

Little Shop of Horrors.

Big River.

And the cast album of Fellowship! The Musical Parody of “The Fellowship of the Ring!”

Fellowship is back, and opens tonight at the Falcon Theater in Burbank. (Go here for a behind the scenes vid of Fellowship.)

When it first ran, I saw the show multiple times, and never got tired of it.

Gotta laugh at Frodo, who keeps leaving the ring lying around; or the Balrog and his cabaret number (the band used to be larger, but he got hungry); or that other hobbit that no one remembers (“Which one are you again?).

Take this moment of insight (in song), when Gimli the dwarf and Legolas the elf realize that they just might have more in common then they thought:

Gimli: So your men look like women!
Legolas: And your women look like men!
Gimli: It’s true.

Hee hee.

I’ll be seeing it next week, and I’m sure multiple times after that.

Why not opening week? Well, I may have mentioned:

Releve Studios is showcasing: Must See TV!

See the blog below for more details.

Cath said the rehearsal last night rocked the house.

And when it is all done on Sunday, I get my wife back! Woo hoo!

Just my thoughts,

Sean

2009 Relevé Studios Recital

It's our 2nd recital ever and we're so excited.
Last year we had 59 students on stage ... This year, there are 175!! Wow!
If you are in the area, come by and support our amazing students.
Thanks!
--catherine

Click HERE for info. Or HERE for tickets.

Angry Funny - Angry Moving

I finally got to read Susan Isaacs’ ANGRY CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD: A SNARKY BUT AUTHENTIC SPIRITUAL MEMOIR, a compelling and intimate chronicle of her relationship with the Almighty.

This witty book takes the notion of a “personal relationship with G-d” to its logical conclusion, as Susan takes her Heavenly Partner to couple’s counseling. Makes sense – if you want your relationship to work, you have to work on it.

Her journey through family, career and search for love are all part of her spiritual journey – and in addition to being funny, her story has a way of digging in and becoming emotionally moving as well.

(When she stood on the subway platform telling her beau that she would not be riding with him to his job at the WTC on the morn of September 11, well, I couldn’t sleep until I saw how that chapter turned out. And the next one. And the next one.)

I have to warn you though, if you are a protestant Christian in America, chances are you will see either yourself, or the church you attend in this book. And it will make you cringe a little.

As it should.

Also, if you are the kind of Christian that likes your books neat and tidy, filled with bon mots that prove yet again how good we are (while the world is evil), this isn’t your book.

Susan’s journey is real, honest and oh so very frank. Warts and all are on display – Susan’s, the church’s, and even G-d’s (or at least the G-d we think we know).

If you are like me, you will start out laughing along with Susan; then you will get a wee bit uncomfortable with where this ride seems to be going; and you won’t breathe that sigh of relief again until the very last chapter. (And you will be praying that she doesn’t stop before then – or this book might well be a tragedy!)

And, if you are like me, you will be glad you took the journey, as Susan’s counseling sessions with G-d might just save you some therapy expenses of your own.

ON A TANGENT:

My friend, Cheryl McKay’s book is out: NEVER THE BRIDE.

I haven’t found the time to read it yet, but Catherine has and loved it. Her review will come as soon as she gets a spare moment from the Releve recital.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Catherine on the Interweb

Cath is featured in this BADD video -- a spoof on A&E's Intervention.

Enjoy.

-Her proud hubby

Since The Sermon On The Mount Is Longer Than 140 Characters, How Can It Be Relevant?

My church recently added a service where they encourage the congregants to tweet during the proceedings -- how's the music moving you, what questions do you have or ideas you want to add to the preaching, are you bored with the prayer and think they should move on already -- that sort of thing.

To tweet or not to twitter is the big question that has hit churches. The arguments for tend to be about twitter being a form of sharing (and sharing can never be a bad thing) and besides, this is a way to get the whippersnappers interested.

Most of my thoughts on the topic are summed up pretty well by Josh Harris (although I would quibble with his point #4).

My personal summary deals with biology: the human brain can not focus on two things at the same time, even if the said human is young and fashionable. ( I know this from Brain Rules!)

Which is why we now ban talking on the cell phone while driving - no matter what age the driver happens to be.

So the guy twittering during a lecture can not be giving full attention to both things.

Thus my opinion: if you believe that what your pastor and worship leaders are doing up front is rather shallow and not really worthy of attention, please by all means, encourage twittering during the service. It might help.

If you are striving to make what is going on up front something with depth, something profound and maybe even personal, encouraging distraction is, perhaps, not the best choice.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Melendez Doc

Here's a small doc on Bill Melendez -- who brought A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS to life.

Enjoy.

That Babe Pig Ain't Got Nothing On These Dogs

The most amazing thing I've seen this week (but then again, I live a rather boring existence):

Extreme sheep herding.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

What If Christians Ran Hollywood

As aforementioned, this Sunday I will be part of a comedy show parodying a church service. The show will be modeled on the format of a service, with sketches and videos added in.

We have our dress rehearsal tomorrow night – so the jitters have begun.

I am involved as part of the writing team, but also as a performer. I will be leading the responsive reading – but don’t want to give away more than that.

The Well Intentioned Singers will be regaling us with hymns whose tunes went on to became famous TV theme songs.

(Imagine to the tune of The Facts of Life:

“You take the wafer, you take the wine
You take them both and then you’re fine
The bread of life! The bread of life!”

And that one didn’t make the cut!)

We will also have a prayer time gone horribly awry; a children’s sermon the way children’s sermons should be done; and we will answer the age old question “What if Christians ran Hollywood” by dropping in on an alternate universe studio session, to see what cuts we would make in THE DARK KNIGHT to make the movie even better!

I guess it is appropriate to ask for pray for us. Although given our topic, your prayers might be focused in a way other than what I’m thinking…

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Understanding Music

Sometimes we need a little help understanding lyrics.

Louie, Louie.

That Luftballoons song.

And this Joe Cocker tune from Woodstock.

Thankfully, that last one now has a translation. With visual assistance.

I can honestly say, now that I know what was being said, I understand it less.

Thanks, Scott, for the find.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

I Like this Ship. It's Exciting.

I saw STAR TREK this weekend. I liked so much about it, I wasn't sure where to start blogging.

But then I read friend Janet's blog, and she says most of what I would have said, just better. So go read her blog, and pretend that my name is at the bottom.

Excellent re-boot; complete respect and nods to the fans, while initiating a whole new world.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

A Badd Church Service

The church drama group that I am part of is putting on a comedy show -- a parody of church services, no less.

Should be a good time -- and I am featured in one of the live segments, so how can you lose.

Here's the info (it is worth visiting the website just to watch the trailer for the show -- see how many places you can spot Catherine and I):

B.A.D.D. TURNS “CHURCH” INSIDE OUT

The Bel Air Church Drama Department, or “B.A.D.D.,” is known for its spins on spiritual topics in four minutes or less. But what would happen if B.A.D.D. ran the entire worship service? The sermon, the offering, the music? It sounds like a pretty “B.A.D.D.” idea!

Don’t miss “A Very B.A.D.D. Church Service,” one night only, May 17 at 8:00 pm. Tickets are $10 each, $30 for groups of four. Tickets and more info available at http://www.belairdrama.com/

Hope to see some of y'all there.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

There Is No Guarantee

Things on my mind that are slightly more verbose than 140 characters:

- Life imitates art: Donald Miller talks in an interview about how working in film has improved the way he structures his life. A tidbit:

“So I realized that the principles these guys were using to make a story meaningful could also be applied to my life: A protagonist who has an ambition makes for a better story. If they want something that’s self-sacrificing, it’s an even better story. If they’re willing to endure conflict to get the thing—the more conflict, the better the story. “

For the full interview, head over to his blog.

-In the course of my job, I often send things to producer types outside of the studio. And I need to be able to prove that they received the material, so I use a tracking device to tell me that my e-mail has been delivered.

Sometimes that tracker knows the individual better than expected. Like this computer generated response:

“This Return Receipt only acknowledges that the message was displayed on the recipient's computer. There is no guarantee that the recipient has read or understood the message contents.”

Translation: “Hey, I just hand off the message. Don’t blame me if this guy is too dense to comprehend it.”

-I will be seeing the Star Trek movie tomorrow, but like other Trekkiere’s (only posers go by Trekkie or Trekker – that argument is so Next Generation) I am fearful. It seems the movie is disappointingly good, as The Onion points out.

Ah well, I will try to enjoy it despite the great action and intriguing character dynamics. But we’re just quibbling here, and (it must be said) that’s the trouble with quibbles.

Until Horta hears a who, I’m keeping my hopes up.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Yo, Momma!

Things to watch:

My drama group now has our Mother’s Day tribute, Yo Momma!, on line. Picture is from the shoot (thanks, Lauren!)

After you watch that, you can check out a piece I wrote, Witness Protection.

But the big news is: FELLOWSHIP! is back!

Directed by friend Joel McCrary, this romping spoof of THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING is among the funniest shows I have seen in LA.

Nope, sorry. That is not accurate.

It is flat out the funniest show I have seen in LA.

Opening at the Falcon Theater in Burbank, tickets are now on sale.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Children of Time

I finally was able to watch the season finale of Doctor Who – the fourth series.

Instead of a standard review or recap, I will instead give quotes from my wife as she watched it with me. (Paraphrased to the best of my ability.)

“You better kiss her, you dummy.” (Actually said about the penultimate episode)

“No way – he’s crazy!”

“Did they just kill Jack?”

“Whoa.”

“It’s the Incarnation! It’s the Incarnation!”

“Remember, the nurse lady with The Face of Bo called her that!”

(Tears.)

(More tears.)

“I don’t think I realized this before. G-d is lonely. G-d is very, very lonely.”


Yeah, it’s a great series.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Marines Save the Planet

For Earth day, the Marines at my brother's base created their own shopping bag.

Nice.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Commencement Advice

Our church group is playing with a sketch about the world's worst commencement address.

I am not the lead writer, but threw some ideas out there. They aren't likely to be used, but I liked some of them too much to waste.

So here are a few gems of advice that I would imagine could come from the world's worst commencement speaker:

-With the tough economy, and dim job prospects, I’ve been hearing a lot that it is always darkest before the dawn. Which is very different from the way it used to be. When I was a kid, it was always Tony Orlando before the dawn.

-You will hear some strange advice. People will tell you to “hitch your wagon to a star.” I wouldn’t do that. First, it takes really long cords. Second, stars are hot. If you have a wagon, I suggest hitching it to a really large dog, like maybe a Saint Bernard.

-People will tell you that now is the best time to go out and live your dreams. I’m not sure about that. My dream is that recurring nightmare where I’m back in school and I didn’t study for a test and can’t remember my locker combination. You would think that the best time to live that dream is when you are still in school. But maybe those people giving that advice know something I don’t.

-Shoot for the moon. It’s so far away, that no one can ever prove you missed. Just point to a crater and say, “See, that’s what I was aiming for.” They can’t argue with success.

-As you enter the world, remember, your only limit is your imagination! And the speed limit. You still have the speed limit. Oh, and the coupon for a dollar off a can of Campbell’s soup at Albertson’s still has a limit of three per customer. But I think those three, imagination, speed and soup are your only limits.


This is why no one has asked me to speak at a graduation ceremony since 1983.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Excuses to Buy Books

I bought some books.

Given that I gave away half of my collection before my last move, this is a big deal for me.

I blame this transition from lessening my materialism to increasing it on my friends.

Folks like Susan Isaacs, who wrote ANGRY CONVERSATIONS WITH GOD.

A friend of mine decides to take G-d to couple’s therapy, writes a book about it, and you expect me to not buy it? Think again!

And now that I finished the three-volume-set of graphic novels, JUSTICE (yes, Jim Krueger, I finally got around to reading your collaboration with Alex Ross), I have space to read CONVERSATIONS.

I often balance multiple books at one time, so my companion to Susan’s book is John Medina’s BRAIN RULES.

So on one side, I’m reading the whacky ways that Susan’s brain deals with her relationship to a metaphysical being, and on the other I read ways that Susan could be getting more out of her brain function. (Afternoon nap, Susan, afternoon nap!)

And I now own more books to put on my “written by friends” shelf.

Just my thoughts,

Sean