Inspirational Tap

Shakespeare by the Stars

How many actors does it take to do a monologue?

Dunno. I lost count.

Pahom's Land Performs!

I wrote; Cath and I directed:

Pahom's Land

A One-Act Comedy
performed by Relevé Students (ages 8-14)
Saturday, April 2nd
2 shows: 
6:00pm and 7:30pm

Pay-What-You-Will Admission
in the Astaire Theatre
RSVP: 818.343.7353



A comedic tale of greed, power, passion ... and lots and lots of land! Adapted from Leo Tolstoy’s How Much Land Does a Man Need?, this play follows one man’s longings for the better things, and the price he pays—which is more than he had bargained for.

Don’t miss this hilarious one-act play!

Ah, Blissful Verona!

Today marks the day that Romeo and Juliet were married. Huzzah!

Research indicates that the star-crossed couple registered at Target. Here is a partial listing of their requested wedding presents:

-Wii Fencing

-Ronco Nose Thumber

-Waterford Poison Pestle and Mortar

-Adjoining Cemetery Plots

-An “I Killed Tybalt and All I Got Was This Bloody T-shirt” T-shirt

-Queen Mab’s Party-in-a-Box Kit

-A Wherefore Art Thou Brand GPS Device

-The Complete Series of “My So Called Life” on Blue Ray

-A “Hello My Name Is” silver fashion name tag, inscribed with the name “Rose”

Nice to see young kids get married; I’m sure this one won’t end in divorce!

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Money and Goofy Religion Part 4

Part 1   Part 2   Part 3

Before I get to the spirit of the law plus money, I want to address why we would need any kind of rules on money to begin with.

The goofy Gospel folk say that if you pray hard enough, or visualize enough, or get in on the secret enough, or please our alien forefathers enough, you’ll get so much money raining down on you that you will be gloriously and eternally happy.

Because the key to all things good is wealth, right?

To answer this, let’s go to the holy text, “The Fiddler on the Roof,” chapter one, starting with the verse, “If I Were a Rich Man.”

The number begins with Tevye kvetching to G-d about his status as a poor person, framing the question,

"Dear God, you made many, many poor people. I realize, of course, that it's no shame to be poor. But it's no great honor either! So, what would have been so terrible if I had a small fortune?"

And then he sings about what he would do if he had money.

First, he would stop working.  Instead he would, and I quote, “biddy biddy bum.”

Then he would pimp his crib to excess (can one pimp a crib to excess?), including a staircase that goes nowhere just for show.

And he would make sure the whole town knows how rich he is, pumping up the ego as much as possible.

So, if he were rich, he would race to sloth, greed and pride.  He gets to gluttony a little bit later.  So, four out of seven of the sins that destroy a man.

Can I just point out the brilliance of Bock, Harnick and Stein: Tevye asks G-d a question, then immediately answers it himself.

Dont’ get me wrong, I’m with Tevye on this one - would it be so awful to give me a little bit of weath?  I’d be happy to take on that burden.

But I also have to admit that if honesty came into play, I would not be immune to Tevye’s temptations -- especially as his reason for wanting the wealth comes from one of the three remaining deadly sins.

Can the rush to fulfill the itch of envy (or pride, greed, lust, wrath, sloth or gluttony) result in true health, wealth or wisdom?

Maybe not so much.

Yet the goofy Gospelians tell us to rush headlong into such stuff.  

What would the non-goofy Gospel tell us instead?

Next time.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Beautiful Conspiracy

Over at Letters of Note, you can see Kurt Vonnegut's witty and insightful response to a theater company's request for support.

Favorite bit is his wrap up:  "Guard yourself at all times. A lot of people believe that beauty is some kind of conspiracy -- along with friendly laughter and peace."

Head on over and check it out.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

The Man that Corrupted Montevallo

Just in time for my birthday, the Montevallo Main Street Players are performing a short play I wrote, double-billing with a one-man Mark Twain performance.

It's a double bill that makes sense, as my play is based on the Twain short story.

So if you find yourself in Alabama next week, check it out.  Free admission!

If you do happen to catch it, drop me a line and fill me in on your experience.

Oh, the Guarantee on the poster was originally found on advertisements for a lecture by Mark Twain.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Fellowship in Concert

As I've mentioned before, my wife and I do not take a road trip without, at some point, blasting the cast album for "Fellowship! The Musical Parody of the Fellowship of the Ring."

Well, they're back! 

Fellowship! is heading to New York City (where salsa is made) for The New York Musical Theatre Festival. 

And before that, they're are doing a concert in Burbank of the music to raise some traveling money, followed by an improv show with the cast.

This Sunday, September 19th, at the new Flappers Comedy Club.

Tap dancing hobbits.   Elves that run on water (and occasionally trip on fish).  Balrogs with cabaret acts.

You know, just like in the movies.

Hope to see you there.  And if you aren't sure you want to go, I have to ask, "Whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy not?"

(Come on Sunday, I'll guarantee you'll get that joke!)

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Betty & DD Extras

Poor Liz. Poor mail box. Poor dog.

Betty and DD Get Professional

Two of my favorite acting teachers (east of Las Vegas) are upping their web presence by hiring a professional.

Enjoy.

Ashes and Hope

This is the Theatre where Cath acted and worked for ten years, and I was Managing Director for five years.

Feels like watching home movies.

Call of the Artist

So you wanna go into the arts?

I mean as a way of life – not just a dabbling.

I think we’re all meant to dabble – in fact, built to dabble.

To sing in the shower. To paint pictures for funsies. To make up stories for our kids at night.

But some feel a need to make more of it – to make art their profession, their vocation.

In other words, some not only feel the need to create, but feel led to the combination of devoting themselves to creating AND seeking to find an audience for that creation.

At times, a paying audience even.

So how does one know that they should make the jump from the shower to the stage? (Please, dry off and get dressed first.)

Over at Resurgence, they did a little article on how to tell if you are called into the ministry, and there were a few points that seemed to fit the bill of “artist” as much as “pastor.”

Mostly from John Newton. He has three indicators that one is meant to be in ministry. I’ll think of these as three indicators that one is meant to devote their life energy to writing things like “Amazing Grace.”

One: “a warm and earnest desire to be employed in this service.”

‘Cuz it is a service folks. Those cats at the American Idol audition who want to be famous – yeah, they aren’t called to be artists.

Two: “some competent sufficiency as to gifts, knowledge, and utterance.”

If you weren’t given the gift, you weren’t given the call.

Okay, that’s only sort of true. Let me modify: if you weren’t given the gift, then you are likely misinterpreting the call.

Can’t tell you how many people meant to be working behind the scenes thought they were meant to be on the stage. Most happily get it eventually, and find the place where their gifts meet their passion.

Others still struggle to be in the costume, when they were gifted to make the costume.

Third: an “opening in Providence, by a gradual train of circumstances pointing out the means, the time, the place, of actually entering upon the work.”

Are the doors opening?

Or the windows?

Or the transom?

If not, again, maybe the interpretation of the calling needs another look see.

You feel like you passed the test? Well, not done yet.

Martin Luther also had a few criteria for the calling to ministry; and two seem oh-so designed for the fool wanting to go into the arts:

“Willing to venture body and blood, wealth and honor in the work”

And

“Suffers himself to be mocked and jeered by everyone.”

For anyone delusional enough to think their work will be above derision, just remember that Sandra Bullock won the Best Actress Oscar and the Razzie in the same year.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Taproot Stories

For those tracking the Taproot fire, below is an e-mail we got a few days after the fire from actor/friend Bob Gallaher. I share it with you for the hope and sense of community it offers.

Photo above is of the Taproot upper lobby (just to the right of the fireman is a photo of the original Taproot company). Photo below is a view of the restaurants next door as seen from a hole punched in the balcony. The theater needs a remodel -- complete new dry wall, flooring and carpeting, as well as other damage repair.

The building next door (which housed the coffee shop and three restaurants) will need to be completely gutted and rebuilt.

Taproot is looking for another space for their Christmas show; and are hoping to be back in their own space in time for the new season.

jmt,

Sean


Dear Friends and family:

It is a story of disaster and hope.

On Wed I worked as a “celebrity” wine pourer for a posh fund-raising event for Taproot Theatre. We served Washington grown Italian grapes locally bottled and donated by the case at the request of their friend, Brian Canlis (third-generation proprietor of the restaurant). Appetizers by “Upper Crust” caterers were served by Taproot staff, and it was held in the banquet room above the old Venetti’s. I poured a fantastic Sangovese (sp?). A call for support was answered with checkbooks and pledges. A good time was had by all.

Yesterday, I too awoke to the news of the fire. I contacted my friends and learned that the building was out of commission and I went over to see for myself and help load out the show. They had it done by the time I got there, and I took a heart-wrenching tour. Water and foam everywhere from the basement to the balcony. Holes chopped in walls, ceilings chopped or collapsed from water.

The fire began in the “Eleanor Roosevelt Building” adjacent to the East wall of the theatre between there and the beauty school building. Taproot owns the ERB and it housed three restaurants and a coffee house that all paid rent. The fire appears to have started in the coffee shop and the cause is unknown pending further investigation. Fortunately the fire wall prevented any extensive burning to the theatre, and the fire crews worked tirelessly to keep the fire from spreading.

Sue and I had comps to the matinee today. Seattle Children’s Theatre had stepped up and offered their fortuitously vacant venue for two shows today, along with a crew of technicians to help them set it up.

I got the whole run-down from Mark, the sleep-deprived sound/set/designer/builder/actor/genius/magician/director’s husband/and father of two who got the call at 4 AM Friday and who directed and executed the entire the-show-must-go-on response. His wife Karen, the show’s director, got the actors together to completely re-block for a much larger proscenium stage, while Mark patched in their sound equipment and set all the sound cues and effects and had the lights set and patched in to the board by the 2 PM curtain on Saturday. Unbelievable!

The show, a sell-out hit, was a triumph even in such adversity. The theme of the play has to do with seeking and finding beauty and joy and love even when those things seem inaccessible.

Although the short term response was a success, the mid-term outlook is going to be pretty overwhelming when they wake up tomorrow. There will undoubtedly be opportunities for volunteer mucker-outers and mopper-uppers, and I’ll do whatever I can. Nobody knows at this point what all must be done, but it will likely be months in the undertaking.

One interesting side note is that, originally, the plan was to redevelop the burned property into a second stage and rehearsal/class space. That proved to be too ambitious and was shelved indefinitely. They will get an insurance check to rebuild the theatre, as well as a check for the total loss of the Roosevelt Building and the cost of clearing it. Depending on what they owe on it, it could be a financial start to the expansion dream.

Just looking for the silver lining in what is a real disaster.

Bob

Documentary Style Acting Class

Every once in a while, an acting instruction technique rises up that revolutionizes the theatrical world.

Stanislavsky.

Adler.

Meisner.

Grotowski.

And now Betty and D.D.'s School of Acting Arts.

I think what caught my eye is their first tbd class to hit on-line: documentary style acting. I can't recall ever seeing any other teacher try to tackle that art form.

Here's the class -- I found it captivating. Well, maybe it's 'cuz I think the woman sitting center front in the class is hot. (Don't tell my wife.)



For more, check out the website for School of the Acting Arts.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

Fire Next Door

I used to be the Managing Director of Taproot Theatre in Seattle. Cath and I lived on the same block as the theater (our bedroom was literally closer to the theater than the staff parking was).

Part of my job included being the first person the alarm company called when an alarm went off -- which made sense, as I could respond in my pjs and lose less sleep than other staff members.

Once we got called because a spider crawled in front of the motion detector.

A couple of times for no discernible reason (theory is that someone may have tried to get in the front doors, gave up but shook them enough to trigger an alarm).

Most exciting time was for a false fire alarm, but the fire department responded, and I raced through the building unlocking doors before the fire fighters would get to them so they wouldn't have to break them down.

Never got a call as exciting as the one Mark Lund got for Taproot this morning around 3:30 am.

That was for this:


(photo, as those below, taken from phinneywood.com, who have great on-going coverage on this story)

Taproot owns the building next to its theater, which comprises (oops, comprised) of three restaurants and a coffee shop. The flames are coming from one of the restaurants.

That building is completely gutted now.

Taproot was not touched by the fire (the firewall between the theater and the restaurants worked). However, the efforts to save the theater have left it in shambles. Ceiling tiles were seen cascading down their main stairs; holes were punched through the ceiling and walls to insure the fire did not spread; the basement is being pumped as I write this. Who knows how much the smoke damaged the building.

The quick and thorough response of the fire department saved the theater as well as the building on the other side (the one that I use to call home). Residents were all safely evacuated, and even the kitties in the adoption center on the block were brought to safety.

Taproot has secured space at the Seattle's Children's theater to finish their sold out run of ENCHANTED APRIL. They will lose just tonight's performance -- a miracle in itself that another venue could be secured so quickly.

Wish I was up there now; feeling helpless this far south. Just yesterday, Cath booked a December trip that would include a Seattle stay-over; the first one in years.

Feel like I should say something else right here; but it hasn't come yet. Know what I mean?

Prayers to the Noltes & Lunds & other Taproot staff. For the restaurant owners who no longer have a means for their trade. For the coffee shop -- an outreach to the community and social ministry, serving the homeless among other things.

Friend and fellow artist Jeff Berryman gives his account of the events.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

From the back: The tall barn like structure to the right is Taproot; to the left of the flames is the part of the neighboring building that housed the pet adoption center; the stairs to the left are the ones that would have led to Cath & my apartment.

Again, picture from phinneywood.com

The Church and Story Part 3: Parables

Here is another piece of the original debate--

Sean,

Just to add some clarification to the discussion.The Dane has already pointed out that there are a number of occassions in Scripture where Jesus uses parables with the clear intent to hide the truth from unbelievers, yet you keep using it as a justification for drama and film in corporate worship. Any response?

David,

The Dane states that obfuscation is the “chief purpose” of Jesus’ parables. While I agree that Jesus did at times speak in parables to keep the dark in the dark (Matthew 13 and Isaiah 6), it wasn’t to make them even more befuddled; and more to my point, it is neither the only nor the chief use of parables by Jesus.

Even if that were the only use of parables, it wouldn’t be an argument to ban use of parables in church – where the congregation is ostensibly not the lost that Jesus was keeping in the dark. While the parable of the sower would be a head-scratcher to the unbelieving, Jesus did expect those with ears to hear to grow from it.

The bigger point is that keeping his teaching in the dark was only one (and by my count, the least used) reason for his choosing to tell parables.

In fact, in the same chapter where he explained that he used parables so that those without sight wouldn’t see, he rattles off a string of parables to the disciples, followed by the question “Do you understand all these things?” (Matthew 13:51) He fully expected them to understand without him having to break it out for them.

Is it really being argued that the lawyer in Luke 10, who was able to state what Jesus meant by “neighbor” immediately after hearing the story of the good Samaritan, somehow didn’t understand the parable?

Or that Jesus taught about prayer (Luke 11), and wrapped up the parables by saying, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"- did so because he was hoping they wouldn’t understand what he was getting at?

There is a belief out there that if something is one thing, it can only be that one thing. The reason we are having this discussion is because a pastor believes that since he gives a certain style of sermon very well, therefore there must be only one “right” kind of sermon for all pastors.

Jesus did not follow that stricture – in fact, he changed styles to meet people where they were at. Sometimes he would talk to thousands; sometimes he spoke in small groups. Sometimes he spoke in riddles, sometimes plainly; sometimes he answered questions, sometimes he ignored them.

The fact of the matter is, Jesus used parables for all kinds of reasons throughout his ministry. Sometimes it was so those that got it would get it and those that weren’t ready wouldn’t; sometimes it was to illustrate; sometimes to reinforce; sometimes to start conversation; sometimes to break down walls (the crowd would never have tolerated the notion of Samaritan as neighbor without the story), etc.

In Matthew 18, Jesus performs a little bit of theater when asked who is the greatest. He calls a little child up to stand with them – a visual representation to illustrate his answer.

In that same bit of teaching, he mixes exhortation (“Woe to the world!”) and a parable of clarification (telling of the 99 sheep).

Later in chapter 18, when Peter ask how many times one should forgive, Jesus gives his answer (70 times 7), but appears to feel that answer isn’t enough, so he tells the story of the ungrateful servant. He wraps up with “This is how my heavenly father will treat you…” This clearly is not a case of trying to mask meaning and muddle the masses.

In fact, this showcases another use of story – sometimes a question can not be answered literally. If Peter forgave 490 times, it would still not reach the debt that had been forgiven of Peter. And, more to the point, if Peter is legalistically counting off “forgive you”s, he is heading in the wrong direction completely.

Let me repeat this notion: sometimes story is needed because mere literal words can not contain the fullness of the teaching.

I would never go so far as to say that a sermon or a service without story is incomplete – no one sermon or service is meant to hold all of the spiritual life.

But I will say that a theology without story is incomplete.

That is why when we tell the good news of the gospel, we don’t just use the red-letter words of Jesus. We also tell the story of Jesus – where he came from, what he did, the miracles he chose to perform, how he lived and died, and how he lived again.

The greatest story ever told contains more than any sermon trying to describe it ever could.

-Sean

The Church and Story Part 2

A continuation from yesterday…

IF the question is, “Should we permit drama (or story) into the church,” the correct and complete answer is:

“Sure. Why not?”

But of course, that isn’t the right question. This question presupposes an agreement that drama has been banned from the church, and now must justify a return; much akin to the dog that peed all over the living room carpet, and now your spouse is asking, “Should the dog be let back in?”

The real question is, “If we use story, how are we using it?”

Alan Noble contributed this to the discussion:

“… I do think that if church leaders want to use videos or drama in their preaching they need to do a lot more thinking about the medium, how it functions, and what it conveys.

“In a (somewhat) analogous setting, in the teaching profession there has been a lot of debate about the usefulness and value of video in the classroom. On the whole I’ve found that it discourages critical thinking, signals to the students that “learning” has ended and “entertainment” has begun, and in general lowers their expectations as to the seriousness of the subject and their obligation to learn.”

Sadly, Alan has seen some pretty poor use of video in the classroom. In fact, much of the arguments out there calling for a ban on use of story stem from encounters with bad drama, or poorly thought out integration, or an improper emphasis on the role of story.

Brian Walton points out such examples in his comments to yesterday’s blog entry (take some time to hike over and read them. Then stay to read the very insightful comments from Linds and David.)

I have been in worship settings where Alan’s concerns are proven true: the drama team trots out onto the bema, and the congregation (smiling) checks out of worship to have a little restful entertainment.

But the fact that there is bad drama out there is not a compelling argument to ban all use of story in church. Heck, I could rustle up a passel of bad preachers without breaking a sweat – have I just put Pastor Piper out of a job?

Maybe not.

Alan also says,

“If we do chose to include them, it should only be after we’ve thought and prayed long and hard about how the congregation will interpret these mediums and how they will or will not honor God. “

And there we have it.

How will the media be interpreted? Will it deepen our congregation’s experience, or will it distract them? Will it bring glory to G-d, and will it bring the people in closer communion to him?

For example, many Catholic churches will not be instituting live sketches in the mass any time soon. The mass is already designed to be a journey into mystery – a dramatic one at that. An actor performing a character would jar stylistically with the mass; and thus distract.

But the mass does use theater – procession and imitative action; communal metaphoric ritual (passing the flame to allow individual candles to combine to dispel the darkness – such a transcendent moment); and it is common for the pastor to use the homily to illuminate the readings, sometimes through story.

Those are drama styles that fit and enhance their particular needs in that particular setting.

Truth is, the Gospel is wider and deeper and more varied than we tend to give credit to it. Every congregation comes to worship with different needs; and they should openly and prayerful consider what G-d might have for them to fulfill those specific needs at this given time.

For some, that may mean drama. For others, not so much.

Tomorrow: Did Jesus really command us to not use parables?

Just my thoughts,

Sean

The Church and Story

A couple of weeks back, I let myself get sucked into an argument about whether drama or story should be allowed within a church service.

The argument was played out at Christ and Pop Culture, which gave a link to an interview with Pastor John Piper, which you can read here. (A better rebuttal of Pastor Piper than mine can be found here.)

In a nutshell, Pastor John argues that while no one will go to hell for doing so, that any use of story or illustration anywhere within the church service will damage the kingdom.

The purpose of a church service, the argument goes, is to provide a specific style of “till Jesus comes” preaching. Any church that uses anything that helps the congregation “stay with them and be moved and get helped” undermines the power of such sermons as being the core provider of salvation, and thus is anathema to Pastor John.

This includes any use of illustration, from a drama performed by an actor to a story the preacher himself tells.

I have to admit, I wasn’t even aware of the “sermon wars” – the existence of a “my type of sermon is the one true way, and anyone who preaches another way is of the devil” struggle.

Sure, I was aware of the music wars (“If it has a beat, Old Scratch wrote it!”) and the communion wars (“If the wine is fermented, it negates the power of the bread!”), and we all are aware of the baptism wars (“Dunking if for donuts, not disciples!”).

Apparently such a sermon war exists. (Kenneth E. Bailey, in the first chapter of JACOB AND THE PRODIGAL addresses this tangentially, as he feels he must start the book by validating the use of metaphors, parables and dramatic action while discussing theology.)

I do agree with Pastor Piper that not all churches should use illustrations within their sermons; but I do not agree with his notion that to use anything within a service that “moves” or “helps” the congregation is a danger to the power of sermon.

Paul and Jesus used illustration to clarify their points; it did not negate their power and authority. Many of our brethren have entire church services that do not even contain sermons; their communion with G-d is in no way diminished by that omission.

Pastor Piper argues that if anything other than preaching is shown to either hold, move or help a congregation, that therefore we can (and shall!) assume that preaching can do none of those things.

Either/or.

Thinking that everything must be an “either/or” doesn’t not fit with a G-d that refused “either/or” in his very Gospel; in a savior that is not either G-d or Man, but rather a “both/and.”

The use of parable or illustration does not work for Pastor Piper — all the more power to him (I mean that sincerely). Does that mean all other congregations must choose to believe that either there is no power in parable, or that there is no power in preaching?

Absolutely not.

It is a false dichotomy from the get go.

Tomorrow: The question about church drama that should have been asked.

Just my thoughts,

Sean

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.

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