Theatre Out delivers another excellent night at the theatre with its production of The Busy World is Hushed by Keith Bunin. Hannah, an Episcopalian minister and Bible scholar, struggles to reconcile her faith against her heart as she attempts to reconnect with her wayward son, Thomas. When a talented young writer named Brandt enters her office she takes the opportunity to hire him to assist her with her upcoming book and satisfy the romantic needs of her homosexual son. Her hope is that Brandt will be the perfect excuse for her son to stick around.
Katherine Curci-Prenovost delivers an inspiring performance as Hannah, perfectly depicting the struggle between homosexuality in her family life and the realities of her religious fate. Michael Rachilis as her son equally steps up to the task of delivering an emotionally charged performance. Both actors present believability and honesty in their roles.
Director Carlos Martin’s simple staging allows for true vulnerability to take place. The intimate setting of the Empire Theatre is the perfect venue for this thought-provoking and unconventional look into the modern values of faith and family.
The Busy World is Hushed plays through February 5th, Thurs-Sat nights @ 8pm and Sun. @ 2pm. Tickets are $15-$18. The Empire Theatre in the Artists' Village in downtown Santa Ana, located at 202 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, CA. Tickets are available online at http://www.theatreout.com/ or by calling the Theatre Out Box Office at (714) 826-8700.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Please Pray for Mr. Rupp
My dear friend and high school history teacher was injured in a motorcycle accident last night. I am very fond of Mr. Rupp as an educator, Vietnam Veteran and mentor. Please keep Mr. Rupp in your thoughts and prayers.
He suffered a head injury and several broken bones. He is at Irvine Medical Center, but can not have visitors and can not receive flowers.
In lieu of flowers, it is recommended that you contribute to a cause very close to Mr. Rupp's heart, which is "Pennies for Peace".
Visit the Orange County Register for the accident report. Check Facebook for Ruppdates or the FUHS website's Emergency Information.
UPDATE: 2/11/11 3:30 p.m.
With very heavy heart, we are sad to announce that Jeff Rupp passed away at 2:05 p.m. on Friday, February 11, 2011. As we get information about services, we will post it.
He suffered a head injury and several broken bones. He is at Irvine Medical Center, but can not have visitors and can not receive flowers.
In lieu of flowers, it is recommended that you contribute to a cause very close to Mr. Rupp's heart, which is "Pennies for Peace".
Visit the Orange County Register for the accident report. Check Facebook for Ruppdates or the FUHS website's Emergency Information.
UPDATE: 2/11/11 3:30 p.m.
With very heavy heart, we are sad to announce that Jeff Rupp passed away at 2:05 p.m. on Friday, February 11, 2011. As we get information about services, we will post it.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Golden Globe Win for Chris Colfer
This is the first year in recent memory that I have actually been home to watch the Golden Globes! As always the telecast honored the very best in our field such as Natalie Portman (Black Swan), Colin Firth (The King's Speech) and Christian Bale (The Fighter). However, I want to bring attention to a surprising and touching win of Chris Colfer in the Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film category. This is the first Golden Globe for Colfer, known for his work on the FOX television series Glee. His fellow nominees included Scott Caan (Hawaii Five-O), Chris Noth (The Good Wife), Eric Stonestreet (Modern Family) and David Strathairn (Temple Grandin).
Now, I have mixed feelings about Glee: I support its efforts to make musical theatre and glee club more mainstream, tackle moral issues and provide carefree entertainment. However, I have a problem with the weak plots, static characters, mass marketing, and campy nature of the show. Honestly, the best part about Glee is the music and Jane Lynch.
Yet, I still was very touched when Chris Colfer won the award last night. Even though he hardly compares to the other actors in his category, there was something very special about his win. Here is a young man from very humble artistic beginnings playing an unconventional television character by portraying an exaggerated version of himself. He is an actor that followed his dreams no matter what the cost and it was truly inspiring to see him honored for his achievements.
Now, I have mixed feelings about Glee: I support its efforts to make musical theatre and glee club more mainstream, tackle moral issues and provide carefree entertainment. However, I have a problem with the weak plots, static characters, mass marketing, and campy nature of the show. Honestly, the best part about Glee is the music and Jane Lynch.
Yet, I still was very touched when Chris Colfer won the award last night. Even though he hardly compares to the other actors in his category, there was something very special about his win. Here is a young man from very humble artistic beginnings playing an unconventional television character by portraying an exaggerated version of himself. He is an actor that followed his dreams no matter what the cost and it was truly inspiring to see him honored for his achievements.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Edward II Receives A Runner Up Mention!
Darcy Hogan's adaptation of Edward II received a runner up mention for Best New Work/Adaptation in the BroadwayWorld 2010 Southern Calfiornia Theatre Awards.
We may not have ranked #1, but we are honored to have been nominated. Thank you to everyone who voted for your generous support! And bravo to our dear friend, playwright, actress and director, Darcy Hogan! You are a star!
Read about the winners and fellow nominees here.
We may not have ranked #1, but we are honored to have been nominated. Thank you to everyone who voted for your generous support! And bravo to our dear friend, playwright, actress and director, Darcy Hogan! You are a star!
Read about the winners and fellow nominees here.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Hello 25!
I just returned from a fantastic trip to Las Vegas with my 3 best gal pals. The festivities began in Long Beach with a visit to our favorite local watering-hole. We continued on to Las Vegas the next morning by car, singing to our hearts content to ridiculously cheesy pop music. A brief stop in Baker for Arbie’s proved entertaining as a 2 bus loads of Army men in fatigues rolled up. Too bad they were on their way to Colorado. We arrived to Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino in style, checked into our glorious room and primped for our Saturday night activities. Dinner at P.F. Changs included the finest filtered Saki and other refreshments – then onward to the New York New York for a sensual Cirque du Soleil production of Zumanity. The ladies and I continued on to the Palms Playboy Club where we were ushered in like high-rollers (thanks to a little help from friends with bottle service) and partied all night with Tom Green and friends. A mysterious visit to the Exotic Suite ended our night in style. Stripper poles in the shower and round rotating beds seemed like a distance memory when we crashed in our Planet Hollywood Hotel room. What a great way to start my 25th year!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
People's Choice 2011
I was a bit perplexed watching the People’s Choice Awards last night on television. I asked myself, who are “the people”? What are they voting for and why? As I watched this novelty of an awards show, I began to wonder if perhaps that only people that voted were teenage girls.
Last night, the award for Favorite Movie went to The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, which also won the award for Favorite Drama Movie. Now, maybe I shouldn’t be judgmental because I have not seen this film, but if a cheesy vampire/werewolf teen flick is “The People’s” favorite movie of the year I start to question the values of the mass public. And let me qualify that statement by acknowledging my enthusiasm for syfy/cult greats like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Roswell (popular shows when I was a teenager).
Yet, all things considered, I suppose the other films nominated in the category, do not live up to the hype either (as much as I enjoyed Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland and Inception for their entertainment value and visual effects).
Of course, it should come as no surprise that The Favorite Movie Actress Award went to Kristen Stewart. Again, maybe I am just jealous and overreacting, buy Stewart is near the top of my Worst Actresses List. In fact, I think Taylor Swift's imitation of her on Saturday Night Live gave her too much credit. Stewart, seated in the front row with her fellow Twilight colleagues, looked awkward and uncomfortable the entire night. Even a visit from the hostess, Queen Latifa, could not loosen her up.
Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner were all in attendance to accept the award in person, to cheers from the rapturous audience. 'Eclipse' has also been shortlisted for the 2011 Razzies in the Worst Picture category.
Johnny Depp won the award for Favorite Movie Actor for his roles in Alice in Wonderland and The Tourist. Now I am a fan for Depp, especially since he took the time out of his busy schedule to accept the award in person, which seemed to be a surprise to the crowd who gave the popular actor a standing ovation for his surprise appearance – thank goodness Taylor Lautner did not follow in his co-star’s shoes and steal the category!
Favorite TV Comedy: Glee
Favorite TV Comedy Actress: Jane Lynch
Favorite TV Comedy Actor: Neil Patrick Harris
Favorite TV Drama: House
Favorite TV Drama Actress: Lisa Edelstein
Favorite TV Drama Actor: Hugh Laurie
Favorite TV Obsession: Dexter
Favorite Guilty Pleasure: Keeping Up With the Kardashians
Favorite Comedy Film: Grown Ups
Favorite Comedy Star: Adam Sandler
Favorite Action Film: Iron Man 2
Favorite Action Star: Jackie Chan
Favorite Movie: The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Favorite Movie Actress: Kristen Stewart
Favorite Movie Actor: Johnny Depp
Favorite Country Artist: Taylor Swift
Favorite R&B Artist: Usher
Favorite Rock Band: Paramore
Favorite Hip-Hop Artist: Eminem
Favorite Pop Artist: Rihanna
Last night, the award for Favorite Movie went to The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, which also won the award for Favorite Drama Movie. Now, maybe I shouldn’t be judgmental because I have not seen this film, but if a cheesy vampire/werewolf teen flick is “The People’s” favorite movie of the year I start to question the values of the mass public. And let me qualify that statement by acknowledging my enthusiasm for syfy/cult greats like Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Roswell (popular shows when I was a teenager).
Yet, all things considered, I suppose the other films nominated in the category, do not live up to the hype either (as much as I enjoyed Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland and Inception for their entertainment value and visual effects).
Of course, it should come as no surprise that The Favorite Movie Actress Award went to Kristen Stewart. Again, maybe I am just jealous and overreacting, buy Stewart is near the top of my Worst Actresses List. In fact, I think Taylor Swift's imitation of her on Saturday Night Live gave her too much credit. Stewart, seated in the front row with her fellow Twilight colleagues, looked awkward and uncomfortable the entire night. Even a visit from the hostess, Queen Latifa, could not loosen her up.
Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner were all in attendance to accept the award in person, to cheers from the rapturous audience. 'Eclipse' has also been shortlisted for the 2011 Razzies in the Worst Picture category.
Johnny Depp won the award for Favorite Movie Actor for his roles in Alice in Wonderland and The Tourist. Now I am a fan for Depp, especially since he took the time out of his busy schedule to accept the award in person, which seemed to be a surprise to the crowd who gave the popular actor a standing ovation for his surprise appearance – thank goodness Taylor Lautner did not follow in his co-star’s shoes and steal the category!
Favorite TV Comedy: Glee
Favorite TV Comedy Actress: Jane Lynch
Favorite TV Comedy Actor: Neil Patrick Harris
Favorite TV Drama: House
Favorite TV Drama Actress: Lisa Edelstein
Favorite TV Drama Actor: Hugh Laurie
Favorite TV Obsession: Dexter
Favorite Guilty Pleasure: Keeping Up With the Kardashians
Favorite Comedy Film: Grown Ups
Favorite Comedy Star: Adam Sandler
Favorite Action Film: Iron Man 2
Favorite Action Star: Jackie Chan
Favorite Movie: The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Favorite Movie Actress: Kristen Stewart
Favorite Movie Actor: Johnny Depp
Favorite Country Artist: Taylor Swift
Favorite R&B Artist: Usher
Favorite Rock Band: Paramore
Favorite Hip-Hop Artist: Eminem
Favorite Pop Artist: Rihanna
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