If you are familiar with the author David Baldacci you will find that his THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN to be a more gentle book, just right for Holiday reading.
Tom Langdon had been a journalist covering some of the hottest spots on the globe. His job has disillusioned him and he is presently writing for home and garden types of magazines. From covering war torn Asia, he is now covering flower shows and describing how a good compost should be made.
After an ugly incident at an airport, he has been banned from flying and since he has to get from Washington, D. C. to Los Angeles by Christmas, he is forced to take the train.
Inspired by Mark Twain and a promise that he had made to his father, Tom decides to do an article on how traveling across country by train is very different than going by stage coach, as Twain had done.
Along with colorful fellow passengers and dedicated train employees, Tom also runs into a thief, a boa constrictor, a movie crew, a run away wedding and a life and death situation involving an avalanche.
This is a great book for the train enthusiasts on your shopping list. The plot is secondary; what comes through clearly is Baldacci’s love of trains. He has high praise for the workers that “ take care of the passengers”. Among the people that Tom meets is an old man, Herrick Higgins, an ex-railroad employee who had been left go due to budget cuts. He spends his time riding the rails and his ex-coworkers see that he has a bunk in the workers’ dormitory car and meals. As he shares his love of trains with Tom, we get to share that love.
The “crime” in THE CHRISTMAS TRAIN may not be as bloody as in Baldacci’s mainstream books, but the attention to detail and the characters are true Baldacci.
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Friday, December 16, 2011
THEATER: Nuncrackers
The State Theatre in State College was home to those loveable Little Sisters of Hoboken last week when The State College Community Theatre presented NUNCRACKERS. The Sisters are doing their first TV broadcast before a live audience to raise money for their school. (The first time that I met Sister Mary Regina, the Reverend Mother, and her staff, they were doing a benefit to raise money to bury some of the nuns who had been poisoned, accidentally, by their cook, Sister Julia, Child of God.)The result is a fun filled evening with an involved audience. Kristina Allen was the Reverend Mother, who tried very hard to keep her band of “entertainers” in control. The rivalry between her and her second in command, Sister Mary Hubert played by Maggie Lee, was good hearted, but evident. Ms. Lee’s touch of Aretha Franklin was worth waiting for.
Sister Robert Anne, who received her training as driver for the convent by stripping stolen cars in her old neighborhood in Brooklyn, was played by Regina M. Brannen. Her solo, “Jesus was Born in Brooklyn” was very well done.
 |
| Matt Greer as Father Virgil Manly Trott |
Matt Greer joined the sisters as Father Virgil Manly Trott. He absolutely stole the show when he had to fill in for Sister Julia, Child of God. He gave new meaning to the Holiday Traditional Fruit Cake--- with lots of rum - some of which was put in the cake.
Veteran character actor, Mercer Bristow, supposedly had a “small” part as stage manager, Father George Krump. It goes without saying that Mercer made the most of his “small” part.
 | |
| Sister Mary Paul (Katie Kensinger) and the school children (Sela Plummer, Cordelia Marie Ceres, Kevin Dolan and Max Plummer) |
Kevin Dolan, and Max Plummer. Their facial expressions were priceless, especially when Sister Mary Paul led them in “Here We Go a Waffleing” and “The Holly and The Ivory”.
The Little Sisters of Hoboken can be counted on for a fun - filled evening and The State College Community Theatre under the direction of Martha Traverse certainly gave them a chance to shine.
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
BOOK REVIEW: Pink Ribbon Stories, A Celebration of Life
An open letter to Tammy A. Miller, author of PINK RIBBON STORIES, A CELEBRATION OF LIFE:
Dear Tammy,
Thank you so much for your collection of PINK RIBBON STORIES, stories by people who have experienced breast cancer with faith, courage, and, most of all a touch of humor. Their stories did indeed encourage, inspire, and make me smile. They also brought back very personal memories from- wow! - twenty-three years ago this coming March.
When I started your book I thought that I would read it in small doses. I planned on reading several of the short chapters, after checking to see if any of the contributors were known to me, then picking it up in a day or two and reading some more. It did not work out that way. I became so captured by the honesty of the writers, that I just kept going.
Each individual story is beautiful in its honesty, and yet they each carry a similar theme; you can not get through something like breast cancer without a bunch of F’s ---Faith, Family, Friends, and a Funny Bone. Some of the humor will surprise the reader.
Since most of the writers are from the Happy Valley area, the reader will find some neighbors and friends included in the book. We all know someone who has gone through the shock of hearing, “You have cancer.” This book will be an asset in helping to know what to say and do.
The chapter that you included from Dolores Magro, Director of Patient Advocacy & Conference Development for the PA Breast Cancer Coalition, was particularly helpful. Dolores’s title may be a mouthful, but her organization is so valuable. No matter what the illness is, an advocate is necessary to get through the medical journey. Those of us who are not part of the medical profession may need help in finding the necessary information and resources.
The “A Sprinkle of FUN from Tammy” at the end of each story was a light touch. Needless to say, my favorite was the one that you chose to end your book. “We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh.” was said by Agnes Repplier.
So, Tammy, thank you. PINK RIBBON STORIES is indeed very “up-lifting” (pun intended.)
Pat
Dear Tammy,
Thank you so much for your collection of PINK RIBBON STORIES, stories by people who have experienced breast cancer with faith, courage, and, most of all a touch of humor. Their stories did indeed encourage, inspire, and make me smile. They also brought back very personal memories from- wow! - twenty-three years ago this coming March.
When I started your book I thought that I would read it in small doses. I planned on reading several of the short chapters, after checking to see if any of the contributors were known to me, then picking it up in a day or two and reading some more. It did not work out that way. I became so captured by the honesty of the writers, that I just kept going.
Each individual story is beautiful in its honesty, and yet they each carry a similar theme; you can not get through something like breast cancer without a bunch of F’s ---Faith, Family, Friends, and a Funny Bone. Some of the humor will surprise the reader.
Since most of the writers are from the Happy Valley area, the reader will find some neighbors and friends included in the book. We all know someone who has gone through the shock of hearing, “You have cancer.” This book will be an asset in helping to know what to say and do.
The chapter that you included from Dolores Magro, Director of Patient Advocacy & Conference Development for the PA Breast Cancer Coalition, was particularly helpful. Dolores’s title may be a mouthful, but her organization is so valuable. No matter what the illness is, an advocate is necessary to get through the medical journey. Those of us who are not part of the medical profession may need help in finding the necessary information and resources.
The “A Sprinkle of FUN from Tammy” at the end of each story was a light touch. Needless to say, my favorite was the one that you chose to end your book. “We cannot really love anybody with whom we never laugh.” was said by Agnes Repplier.
So, Tammy, thank you. PINK RIBBON STORIES is indeed very “up-lifting” (pun intended.)
Pat
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
BOOK REVIEW: Charlie St. Cloud
CHARLIE ST. CLOUD by Ben Sherwood may be the perfect Christmas book. The story is introduced by the fireman who was at the scene of the accident involving Charlie and his younger brother, Sam. His opening words are, “I believe in miracles” and if you also believe in miracles, you will enjoy this book.
Charlie St. Cloud was a junior in high school and seemed to be a young man of promise. His mother even thought that he would leave the small fishing town in New England to go to college.
Charlie and his brother Sam were both big fans of baseball and one evening they “borrowed” a car and headed to Fenway Park to see their favorite team, the Boston Red Sox, play the hated Yankees. Coming home they were in an accident. Both were pronounced dead at the scene, but Fireman Florio Ferrente was able to bring Charlie back.
Charlie took a job as caretaker for the local cemetery where Sam is buried. It seems that his near death experience has given him a rare gift; Charlie can see and talk to the dead. He and Sam continue to be each other’s best friend and continue their evening game of catch.
Charlie grows, matures, and becomes a respected member of the community. Sam stays thirteen. The evening game of catch is more important to Charlie than any social life. He is afraid that if he does not show up for Sam, Sam will fade into the next level of life.
This becomes complicated when Charlie falls in love with a young woman, who might be among the dead.
The book has been described as a mix of The Sixth Sense and Field of Dreams. There are elements of both in it, but I found Charlie’s story to be a little warmer, a little more personal than either of these. The characters of the town, both the living and the dead, were believable; the description of the town was authentic--it is based on a real town outside Boston, plus Sherwood did his homework by actually working for some time in a cemetery.
The book includes a section by the author about his experience with the filming of the movie version of CHARLIE ST. CLOUD. I think that I will stick with the book. I do not want my vision of this small town and its people to be ruined, especially Charlie and Sam.
Charlie St. Cloud was a junior in high school and seemed to be a young man of promise. His mother even thought that he would leave the small fishing town in New England to go to college.
Charlie and his brother Sam were both big fans of baseball and one evening they “borrowed” a car and headed to Fenway Park to see their favorite team, the Boston Red Sox, play the hated Yankees. Coming home they were in an accident. Both were pronounced dead at the scene, but Fireman Florio Ferrente was able to bring Charlie back.
Charlie took a job as caretaker for the local cemetery where Sam is buried. It seems that his near death experience has given him a rare gift; Charlie can see and talk to the dead. He and Sam continue to be each other’s best friend and continue their evening game of catch.
Charlie grows, matures, and becomes a respected member of the community. Sam stays thirteen. The evening game of catch is more important to Charlie than any social life. He is afraid that if he does not show up for Sam, Sam will fade into the next level of life.
This becomes complicated when Charlie falls in love with a young woman, who might be among the dead.
The book has been described as a mix of The Sixth Sense and Field of Dreams. There are elements of both in it, but I found Charlie’s story to be a little warmer, a little more personal than either of these. The characters of the town, both the living and the dead, were believable; the description of the town was authentic--it is based on a real town outside Boston, plus Sherwood did his homework by actually working for some time in a cemetery.
The book includes a section by the author about his experience with the filming of the movie version of CHARLIE ST. CLOUD. I think that I will stick with the book. I do not want my vision of this small town and its people to be ruined, especially Charlie and Sam.
Monday, December 5, 2011
BOOK REVIEW: All Company Towns Ain't Bad
This time of year makes most of us nostalgic for the good old days, the days when we were very young and everything in our small world was there for our enjoyment. Jim Davy took me back to that time of my life in his book ALL COMPANY TOWNS AIN'T BAD.
The difference is that Jim grew up in Monument, a brick manufacturing town, and I grew up in nearby Curtin, an iron town. Curtin is located on the Bald Eagle and Monument is a little farther down the road on Beech Creek. Other than that, the book might have been about my childhood.
Jim has had to talk to a lot of people in addition to having a very good memory for this book to be as authentic as it is. His recollections of the old town are clear enough that the people who were his neighbors come alive for us. This was especially true of the workers in the brick factory.
The manufacturing of fire bricks is something that was unfamiliar to me. Thanks to the description and illustrations the reader understands the process well enough to start his own brick company; except, that the descriptions also explain the pure physical labor that was the day to day life of these men.
It is the life that the women lived that must have been the same in all rural communities during the 1930’s and 40’s. Women had to carry water from the community well, heat it, and fill the washer tubs by hand. My husband and daughters laugh at me because I still sort my laundry from lights to darks. Because we used the same water, the less dirty things got washed before the dark work clothes….talk about being “green”. I can also remember in Curtin households grabbing their coal buckets when a freight train stopped to get water. Thus, nobody ever bought coal.
This small book is full of pictures and illustrations. A lot of research must have gone into being able to identify so many individuals from that long ago. If you lived in the area, you might recognize family members. My only complaint about the book is that many of the pictures are not dated. Some seemed to be older than Jim’s time of living in Monument.
ALL COMPANY TOWNS AIN'T BAD will bring back memories to those of us of a certain age and give a glimpse of life when being green was a matter of existence and a time when neighbors and bosses took care of one another.
The difference is that Jim grew up in Monument, a brick manufacturing town, and I grew up in nearby Curtin, an iron town. Curtin is located on the Bald Eagle and Monument is a little farther down the road on Beech Creek. Other than that, the book might have been about my childhood.
Jim has had to talk to a lot of people in addition to having a very good memory for this book to be as authentic as it is. His recollections of the old town are clear enough that the people who were his neighbors come alive for us. This was especially true of the workers in the brick factory.
The manufacturing of fire bricks is something that was unfamiliar to me. Thanks to the description and illustrations the reader understands the process well enough to start his own brick company; except, that the descriptions also explain the pure physical labor that was the day to day life of these men.
It is the life that the women lived that must have been the same in all rural communities during the 1930’s and 40’s. Women had to carry water from the community well, heat it, and fill the washer tubs by hand. My husband and daughters laugh at me because I still sort my laundry from lights to darks. Because we used the same water, the less dirty things got washed before the dark work clothes….talk about being “green”. I can also remember in Curtin households grabbing their coal buckets when a freight train stopped to get water. Thus, nobody ever bought coal.
This small book is full of pictures and illustrations. A lot of research must have gone into being able to identify so many individuals from that long ago. If you lived in the area, you might recognize family members. My only complaint about the book is that many of the pictures are not dated. Some seemed to be older than Jim’s time of living in Monument.
ALL COMPANY TOWNS AIN'T BAD will bring back memories to those of us of a certain age and give a glimpse of life when being green was a matter of existence and a time when neighbors and bosses took care of one another.
THEATER: The Richest Man In The Valley
Faith United Methodist Church in Bellefonte was the location of the area’s annual Christmas Dinner Theatre. I attended last Friday and was very impressed by the amount of people involved, for the meal, in the audience, and in the production.
This year’s production was THE RICHEST MAN IN THE VALLEY and it was obviously a work of love by a large group of local residents. The work that went in to the creation of the set was impressive. The sanctuary had been transformed to the living quarters of a wealthy family, including a working staircase to the upper level. A second set consisting of a room in another house was cleverly “hidden” behind a screen above the main set.
The large cast was a talented mix of area residents. It was fun to spot familiar faces in speaking roles as well as the party guests -which acted as the chorus.
[Image] Drew Baker, co-director and actor
It seems unfair to single any one person out, but Ralph Stone’s voice was impressive and I was very touched by the scene between him and young Emma Holderman. I wish I could have captured that visual for you.
Drew Baker, one of the directors, was called upon at the last moment to fill an important role. He handled it like a pro and during his closing number, I saw several people with tears on their cheeks.
Before the show, the church provided an excellent meal. Members acted as hosts and hostesses and everyone was made to feel welcome. It created a warm, party atmosphere. It was interesting how many people came up to us to explain that it was a “poor man’s meal” and that in the past the food had been more elegant. Lucky any poor man who was fed as well as we were Friday night. The desserts alone filled a room. Personal note: Whoever made the rhubarb pie, thank you.
This is what Christmas should be about: a gathering of a community to celebrate the birth of a baby who changed the world.
This year’s production was THE RICHEST MAN IN THE VALLEY and it was obviously a work of love by a large group of local residents. The work that went in to the creation of the set was impressive. The sanctuary had been transformed to the living quarters of a wealthy family, including a working staircase to the upper level. A second set consisting of a room in another house was cleverly “hidden” behind a screen above the main set.
 |
| Drew Baker, Co-Director and Actor |
[Image] Drew Baker, co-director and actor
It seems unfair to single any one person out, but Ralph Stone’s voice was impressive and I was very touched by the scene between him and young Emma Holderman. I wish I could have captured that visual for you.
Drew Baker, one of the directors, was called upon at the last moment to fill an important role. He handled it like a pro and during his closing number, I saw several people with tears on their cheeks.
Before the show, the church provided an excellent meal. Members acted as hosts and hostesses and everyone was made to feel welcome. It created a warm, party atmosphere. It was interesting how many people came up to us to explain that it was a “poor man’s meal” and that in the past the food had been more elegant. Lucky any poor man who was fed as well as we were Friday night. The desserts alone filled a room. Personal note: Whoever made the rhubarb pie, thank you.
This is what Christmas should be about: a gathering of a community to celebrate the birth of a baby who changed the world.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
BOOKS: Your Holiday Shopping Made Easy
OK, boys and girls, it is once again time for Auntie Pattie Clause to help you with your Christmas shopping; so listen carefully.*
For the showbiz autobiography fans: BOSSY PANTS by Tina Fey is a good read. She is funny and honest.
For the readers who enjoy a well written murder mystery: SISTER: THE NOVEL is a slightly different take on who did it. The ending should surprise you.
For ladies who want to read about country doctors in Ireland: Patrick Taylor has a delightful series, starting with, of course, IRISH COUNTRY DOCTOR.
For the person who reads David Baldacci: anything by Richard Montanari. His most recent, ECHO MAN, will keep you turning pages.
For the history buffs: Anita Diament’s DAY AFTER NIGHT is a story of the Jews being transported to a new land called Israel in 1945. Another good book from this time in history is SARAH'S KEY by Tattiana de Rosnay, based on a little known historical fact in France.
For anyone who just enjoys an interesting book: I AM THE MESSENGER by Markus Zusak. Zusak is considered a Young People author, but his BOOK THIEF is high on my favorite book list.
For the Biblical scholar: DISCOVERING THE PARABLES by Henry G. Covert is an excellent study guide. It should spark a lot of discussion in a class.
For the “I-am-not-sure-what- to-call-them” group: the second book in Justin Cronin’s trilogy, THE PASSAGE, is out. I really liked the first one, all 766 pages, and will read the other two. This group should also enjoy WORLD WAR Z: AN ORAL HISTORY OF THE ZOMBIE WARS by Max Brooks. Max is Mel’s son so you know that the humor will be just a little off center.
Note to my personal Santa: Alice Hoffman’s THE DOVE KEEPERS looks good; SNUFF, a new Discworld book, by Terry Pratchett would be appreciated….love Discworld, and Nora Roberts has a new trilogy called Inn Boonsboro.
*Please feel free to place this list on the family bulletin board for all of the Santa’s in your house.
For the showbiz autobiography fans: BOSSY PANTS by Tina Fey is a good read. She is funny and honest.
For the readers who enjoy a well written murder mystery: SISTER: THE NOVEL is a slightly different take on who did it. The ending should surprise you.
For ladies who want to read about country doctors in Ireland: Patrick Taylor has a delightful series, starting with, of course, IRISH COUNTRY DOCTOR.
For the person who reads David Baldacci: anything by Richard Montanari. His most recent, ECHO MAN, will keep you turning pages.
For the history buffs: Anita Diament’s DAY AFTER NIGHT is a story of the Jews being transported to a new land called Israel in 1945. Another good book from this time in history is SARAH'S KEY by Tattiana de Rosnay, based on a little known historical fact in France.
For anyone who just enjoys an interesting book: I AM THE MESSENGER by Markus Zusak. Zusak is considered a Young People author, but his BOOK THIEF is high on my favorite book list.
For the Biblical scholar: DISCOVERING THE PARABLES by Henry G. Covert is an excellent study guide. It should spark a lot of discussion in a class.
For the “I-am-not-sure-what- to-call-them” group: the second book in Justin Cronin’s trilogy, THE PASSAGE, is out. I really liked the first one, all 766 pages, and will read the other two. This group should also enjoy WORLD WAR Z: AN ORAL HISTORY OF THE ZOMBIE WARS by Max Brooks. Max is Mel’s son so you know that the humor will be just a little off center.
Note to my personal Santa: Alice Hoffman’s THE DOVE KEEPERS looks good; SNUFF, a new Discworld book, by Terry Pratchett would be appreciated….love Discworld, and Nora Roberts has a new trilogy called Inn Boonsboro.
*Please feel free to place this list on the family bulletin board for all of the Santa’s in your house.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
THEATER: Twelve Angry Jurors
Bald Eagle Area’s fall production was TWELVE ANGRY JURORS and it was worth a trip to Wingate on a Friday night. The cast and crew did a good job with setting the mood of a jury room while twelve people decide the fate of a young man on trial for murdering his father.
The suspense of the play mainly depends upon the actors and how well they can bring out the different personalities in the diverse group. Kathy Laird, Abby Cargo, Becca Bowling, Carol Fayman, Samantha Rougeux, Cody Mandell, and Clifford Smolko all did an excellent job of staying in character. Josh Koleno’s thoughtful expression in an early scene gave the audience the first indication that maybe the guilty vote might change.
For this play to be successful, the audience must stay involved. That means, the pace has to move, the lines have to be heard, and the characters understood. This was true with the entire cast, but exceptionally so with the major parts. Luke Besong as the bigot was important to the story line and he was extremely unlikable. Dale Haagen was classy; at times she was the calming voice.
The veterans Maggie Mehalko and Richard Spicer did an outstanding job. As a forceful, almost sadistic, person who wants this murderer off the street, Maggie did a powerful job. Richard Spicer was very believable as the soft spoken man who was willing to stand up for his convictions.
Director Lindsey Allison and her crew are to be congratulated.
The suspense of the play mainly depends upon the actors and how well they can bring out the different personalities in the diverse group. Kathy Laird, Abby Cargo, Becca Bowling, Carol Fayman, Samantha Rougeux, Cody Mandell, and Clifford Smolko all did an excellent job of staying in character. Josh Koleno’s thoughtful expression in an early scene gave the audience the first indication that maybe the guilty vote might change.
For this play to be successful, the audience must stay involved. That means, the pace has to move, the lines have to be heard, and the characters understood. This was true with the entire cast, but exceptionally so with the major parts. Luke Besong as the bigot was important to the story line and he was extremely unlikable. Dale Haagen was classy; at times she was the calming voice.
The veterans Maggie Mehalko and Richard Spicer did an outstanding job. As a forceful, almost sadistic, person who wants this murderer off the street, Maggie did a powerful job. Richard Spicer was very believable as the soft spoken man who was willing to stand up for his convictions.
Director Lindsey Allison and her crew are to be congratulated.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
THEATER: All In The Timing
Bellefonte Drama Club is to be congratulated on their choice of ALL IN THE TIMING to open the 2011-2012 season. Playwright David Ives has become famous for his ability to use words in unexpected ways and this series of one-act plays certainly is a good example.
Each delightful little mini-play gave a series of actors a chance to “star” and shine they did. The first play showed Elizabeth Catchmark and Kenny Laufer, meeting for the first time in “Sure Thing” and having the advantage of Cat Rokavec ringing a bell to start the conversation over if it was not headed in the right direction. It is indeed all in the timing.
I would love to tell you the plot of each play, but that would ruin the fun of the event and take up too much space. The only play that was slightly serious, was “Long Ago and Far Away” dealing with the question “What is reality?” Melissa Hilder, Sean Connelly, Max De Renzis, and Rebecca Busichio had a chance to do some surreal acting.
Needless to say, my favorite was the final play, “Words, Words, Words”. Brandon Lengyel, Tyler Wasson, and Julia Laufer are Swift, Milton, and Kafka, three chimpanzees who are being used in a study to see if they could write “Hamlet”. The actors were chimp-like in their mannerism and delivered their lines with perfect timing; it is all in the timing after all.
In fact most of these young thespians were very stage savvy. They were easy to hear and understand--an important thing in comedy. I also have to applaud the crew for an excellent set and fast set changes, a difficult thing when you are faced with six different plays.
Thank you directors Shaun McMurtrie and Elizabeth Heidt and a talented cast and crew for introducing playwright David Ives to our community.
Each delightful little mini-play gave a series of actors a chance to “star” and shine they did. The first play showed Elizabeth Catchmark and Kenny Laufer, meeting for the first time in “Sure Thing” and having the advantage of Cat Rokavec ringing a bell to start the conversation over if it was not headed in the right direction. It is indeed all in the timing.I would love to tell you the plot of each play, but that would ruin the fun of the event and take up too much space. The only play that was slightly serious, was “Long Ago and Far Away” dealing with the question “What is reality?” Melissa Hilder, Sean Connelly, Max De Renzis, and Rebecca Busichio had a chance to do some surreal acting.
Needless to say, my favorite was the final play, “Words, Words, Words”. Brandon Lengyel, Tyler Wasson, and Julia Laufer are Swift, Milton, and Kafka, three chimpanzees who are being used in a study to see if they could write “Hamlet”. The actors were chimp-like in their mannerism and delivered their lines with perfect timing; it is all in the timing after all.
In fact most of these young thespians were very stage savvy. They were easy to hear and understand--an important thing in comedy. I also have to applaud the crew for an excellent set and fast set changes, a difficult thing when you are faced with six different plays.
Thank you directors Shaun McMurtrie and Elizabeth Heidt and a talented cast and crew for introducing playwright David Ives to our community.
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
BOOK REVIEW: Shakespeare
It has always fascinated me that there is so little information available on the best known playwright in the English language. Therefore finding Bill Bryson’s biography on the man, simply entitled SHAKESPEARE, I knew that I was on to something that would be informative as well as humorous.
The facts on Shakespeare’s life are almost nonexistent. We know that he was born in 1564. These were not good times in England; the previous decade had seen a 6 % drop in the population primarily due to the plague. What we see today as ordinary ailments could be lethal and the treatments were as dangerous. Shakespeare’s greatest achievement may not have been Hamlet, but rather the fact that he lived through infancy.
It is known that his family was fairly prosperous for the time and that his local school was a good one. The masters at the school earned more than was common at the time and were all Oxford men--a rare distinction.
The only recorded glimpses of the man himself are at his baptism, his wedding, and the births of his children. The most important years, 1585 to 1592, are almost a complete blank. We do know that he left Stratford-Upon-Avon, probably leaving his wife and children behind, to establish himself as an actor and playwright in London.
Bryson has put together a history of the mysterious man, William Shakespeare, from a vast assortment of sources. His handling of the controversy of who actually wrote these plays - that are still being performed after 500 years - is well researched. For the record, Bryson feels that all of the theories are “much ado about nothing”.
Most of all, Bryson celebrates Shakespeare’s wonderful use of language, his inventiveness of phrases, and his characters. Most of these have become such a part of our everyday life that we do not realize who originated them. Speaking personally, as one who would be lost without spell check, it boggles my mind that these plays were written without the help of a dictionary.
Bill Bryson’s writings are delightful, full of flashes of wit, entertaining while still being informative. This small book is a must for the Shakespearian fan, no matter how casual the interest.
The facts on Shakespeare’s life are almost nonexistent. We know that he was born in 1564. These were not good times in England; the previous decade had seen a 6 % drop in the population primarily due to the plague. What we see today as ordinary ailments could be lethal and the treatments were as dangerous. Shakespeare’s greatest achievement may not have been Hamlet, but rather the fact that he lived through infancy.
It is known that his family was fairly prosperous for the time and that his local school was a good one. The masters at the school earned more than was common at the time and were all Oxford men--a rare distinction.
The only recorded glimpses of the man himself are at his baptism, his wedding, and the births of his children. The most important years, 1585 to 1592, are almost a complete blank. We do know that he left Stratford-Upon-Avon, probably leaving his wife and children behind, to establish himself as an actor and playwright in London.
Bryson has put together a history of the mysterious man, William Shakespeare, from a vast assortment of sources. His handling of the controversy of who actually wrote these plays - that are still being performed after 500 years - is well researched. For the record, Bryson feels that all of the theories are “much ado about nothing”.
Most of all, Bryson celebrates Shakespeare’s wonderful use of language, his inventiveness of phrases, and his characters. Most of these have become such a part of our everyday life that we do not realize who originated them. Speaking personally, as one who would be lost without spell check, it boggles my mind that these plays were written without the help of a dictionary.
Bill Bryson’s writings are delightful, full of flashes of wit, entertaining while still being informative. This small book is a must for the Shakespearian fan, no matter how casual the interest.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
BOOK REVIEW: Day After Night
There are few authors who can take us back to a woman’s place in history as well as Anita Diamant. Her best selling novel, The Red Tent, took us to the Old Testament; her latest novel, DAY AFTER NIGHT, takes us to 1945 to a British prison in what would become Israel, a camp for Jews who had escaped the Nazi in Europe, but did not have “legal” papers.
The novel is told primarily through the voices of four young women, Shayndel, Leonie, Tedi, and Zorah.
Shayndel was from Poland where she had fought along with other youth as part of the Zionist underground movement. She had watched as her friends were killed.
Beautiful Leonie was from Paris. By the time her story is revealed, we have gotten to know her which makes the events even more horrific.
Tedi was a tall, blond Dutch Jew. Her appearance probably would have helped to hide her. Her betrayal was also by someone that she trusted.
Zorah was a concentration camp survivor. The numbers on her arm made her shame more evident. The other women carried their shame inside.
Each woman had to handle the guilt of being alive when so many of their friends and family had been put to death, as well as living in a camp that was not too much better than what they had left back in Europe. Food was scarce, the fences were barb-wire, privacy was almost nonexistent, and the language barriers existed not only with the British, who were in charge, but among the prisoners as well.
This is a powerful story with unforgettable characters. A short review can not begin to capture the richness of these women and the people around them. Diamant develops characters that stay with you long after the book has been put back on the shelf. The circumstances of this story are certainly not ones that have been part of my life, but stories of great courage and the strength of the human spirit make us all feel better about being human.
DAY AFTER NIGHT is the perfect title for Anita Diamant’s newest book.
The novel is told primarily through the voices of four young women, Shayndel, Leonie, Tedi, and Zorah.
Shayndel was from Poland where she had fought along with other youth as part of the Zionist underground movement. She had watched as her friends were killed.
Beautiful Leonie was from Paris. By the time her story is revealed, we have gotten to know her which makes the events even more horrific.
Tedi was a tall, blond Dutch Jew. Her appearance probably would have helped to hide her. Her betrayal was also by someone that she trusted.
Zorah was a concentration camp survivor. The numbers on her arm made her shame more evident. The other women carried their shame inside.
Each woman had to handle the guilt of being alive when so many of their friends and family had been put to death, as well as living in a camp that was not too much better than what they had left back in Europe. Food was scarce, the fences were barb-wire, privacy was almost nonexistent, and the language barriers existed not only with the British, who were in charge, but among the prisoners as well.
This is a powerful story with unforgettable characters. A short review can not begin to capture the richness of these women and the people around them. Diamant develops characters that stay with you long after the book has been put back on the shelf. The circumstances of this story are certainly not ones that have been part of my life, but stories of great courage and the strength of the human spirit make us all feel better about being human.
DAY AFTER NIGHT is the perfect title for Anita Diamant’s newest book.
Monday, November 7, 2011
THEATER REVIEW: La Scafetta: The Foundling Drawer
Angelic voices, poetic language, vivacious ladies, and elegant musicians, were all at The University Club last week when Tempest Productions presented LA SCAFETTA: THE FOUNDLING DRAWER.
The mood was set as the audience walked into a drawing room that could have existed in the sixteen hundreds. To add to the atmosphere, Melissa Foge and Angela Girvan on double bass and flute, respectively, were playing softly.
These musicians were joined by the cast of young girls with exceptional voices. Because of the intimacy of the room, each voice was clear and bell-like. I was impressed by the alto standing in front of me. If I read my program correctly, she was 15 year old Michaella Francis. She was just the beginning of what turned into an exciting evening.
The small venue made the audience feel as if they were being entertained in the parlor of the orphanage and were given an opportunity to meet the head violin instructor, the students, and the three women who took care of them.
It is hard to get everyone into this review and I was so impressed with everyone. Elaine C. Meder - Wilgus played Maestra Teresa and has to be mentioned. Her role was rather large and I really appreciated how easily understood she is as an actress.
Grace McDill, the voice student Serafina, had several solos that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention. The picture of her standing in her period gown in front of a formal window will stay with me for a long time.
Araellia Lopatic played Gabriella as a young girl and Lissa Ramirez was the young adult Gabriella. This was the orphan violinist that the story revolved around. The poise of these two young actresses is astonishing. Ms Ramirez has great stage presence; her fire and personality made it possible to understand how she would feel confined by the cloistered life.
The real credit for the evening goes first of all to Mary Rohrer - Dann for writing such a touching series of poems. The women were not only women of their time but timeless in their concerns. To take us back to baroque Venice and make us feel at home shows talent - and homework.
As important to the evening was the direction of Cynthia Mazzant. Ms Mazzant took the poems, turned them into a verse play and found a cast that could speak the lines with a naturalness that was beautiful. I also loved the use of the acting area, even “back stage” felt natural. It really did feel as if we were being entertained in a drawing room in Venice in 1700.
Because of the intimacy of the room, and because the show had a very limited run, many of you had to miss the performance…each night was sold out. I can only hope that there are plans to repeat the experience. This is local theatre at its best.
The mood was set as the audience walked into a drawing room that could have existed in the sixteen hundreds. To add to the atmosphere, Melissa Foge and Angela Girvan on double bass and flute, respectively, were playing softly.
These musicians were joined by the cast of young girls with exceptional voices. Because of the intimacy of the room, each voice was clear and bell-like. I was impressed by the alto standing in front of me. If I read my program correctly, she was 15 year old Michaella Francis. She was just the beginning of what turned into an exciting evening.
The small venue made the audience feel as if they were being entertained in the parlor of the orphanage and were given an opportunity to meet the head violin instructor, the students, and the three women who took care of them.
It is hard to get everyone into this review and I was so impressed with everyone. Elaine C. Meder - Wilgus played Maestra Teresa and has to be mentioned. Her role was rather large and I really appreciated how easily understood she is as an actress.
Grace McDill, the voice student Serafina, had several solos that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention. The picture of her standing in her period gown in front of a formal window will stay with me for a long time.
Araellia Lopatic played Gabriella as a young girl and Lissa Ramirez was the young adult Gabriella. This was the orphan violinist that the story revolved around. The poise of these two young actresses is astonishing. Ms Ramirez has great stage presence; her fire and personality made it possible to understand how she would feel confined by the cloistered life.
The real credit for the evening goes first of all to Mary Rohrer - Dann for writing such a touching series of poems. The women were not only women of their time but timeless in their concerns. To take us back to baroque Venice and make us feel at home shows talent - and homework.
As important to the evening was the direction of Cynthia Mazzant. Ms Mazzant took the poems, turned them into a verse play and found a cast that could speak the lines with a naturalness that was beautiful. I also loved the use of the acting area, even “back stage” felt natural. It really did feel as if we were being entertained in a drawing room in Venice in 1700.
Because of the intimacy of the room, and because the show had a very limited run, many of you had to miss the performance…each night was sold out. I can only hope that there are plans to repeat the experience. This is local theatre at its best.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
BOOK REVIEW: Inklings
Like many of you, I am sure, the term “Inklings” brings a smile to my face. It was the name of a group of men who met regularly in a pub near Oxford, but the outstanding thing about this group is that among its members were C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien.
My admiration of Lewis is well known and I love anything by or about the man. So naturally when I saw a book with the title INKLINGS by author Melanie M. Jeschke, I bought it, hoping that it would be about this great literary group. It was, but in a round about way.
The story opens on November, 26, 1963 in Oxford, England. David MacKenzie has spent the day at a poorly attended funeral. He thought that since C. S. Lewis was so well known that more of his friends and family would have been there. The thing that did impress him was the lit candle on top of the coffin that stayed lit even as the funeral procession moved out to the cemetery.
David decides at that point to be more like Lewis, to dedicate his life to God. As part of this decision, he starts a new group of Inklings. Their purpose will be to discuss the ideas that the original group had written about and live a Godlike life. The only problem is his girlfriend, Charlotte. Charlotte does not believe that there is a God and does not want this religion thing to change their relationship.
Enter Kate Hughes, a student from America, and what follows is a fairly typical love story. Kate and David not only have to struggle to remain chaste as their love grows, but Charlotte is not willing to let David go.
The story was a little trite and even awkward at times, but I was so fascinated by the details about Lewis that were worked into the story, I kept reading. I think that I was secretly looking for mistakes that Jeschke made about his life. The author did take some small liberties which she points out in her notes at the beginning of the book.
Still, if you like well researched books involving a great person, especially one as many-faceted as Lewis was, this is a worthwhile, fast read.
My admiration of Lewis is well known and I love anything by or about the man. So naturally when I saw a book with the title INKLINGS by author Melanie M. Jeschke, I bought it, hoping that it would be about this great literary group. It was, but in a round about way.
The story opens on November, 26, 1963 in Oxford, England. David MacKenzie has spent the day at a poorly attended funeral. He thought that since C. S. Lewis was so well known that more of his friends and family would have been there. The thing that did impress him was the lit candle on top of the coffin that stayed lit even as the funeral procession moved out to the cemetery.
David decides at that point to be more like Lewis, to dedicate his life to God. As part of this decision, he starts a new group of Inklings. Their purpose will be to discuss the ideas that the original group had written about and live a Godlike life. The only problem is his girlfriend, Charlotte. Charlotte does not believe that there is a God and does not want this religion thing to change their relationship.
Enter Kate Hughes, a student from America, and what follows is a fairly typical love story. Kate and David not only have to struggle to remain chaste as their love grows, but Charlotte is not willing to let David go.
The story was a little trite and even awkward at times, but I was so fascinated by the details about Lewis that were worked into the story, I kept reading. I think that I was secretly looking for mistakes that Jeschke made about his life. The author did take some small liberties which she points out in her notes at the beginning of the book.
Still, if you like well researched books involving a great person, especially one as many-faceted as Lewis was, this is a worthwhile, fast read.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
EVENT - THEATER: La Scafetta: The Founding Drawer
Local author Mary Rohrer-Dann has written a series of poems based on the true story of an all-girl orchestra in Baroque Vienna. Cynthia Mazzant, artistic director of Tempest Studios, has transformed these stories into a play, LA SCAFETTA: THE FOUNDING DRAWER, about a young violinist and her jealous music teacher.
The original orchestra had consisted of orphans who lived in a cloistered environment and were so well known that much of their music was composed by Vivaldi.
Here is an opportunity to see a show that highlights the talents of author Mary Rohrer-Dann, director Cynthia Mazzant, and a cast of actresses, many who will be familiar to you from our community theatres.
If you are a supporter of our local theater scene, LA SCAFETTA: THE FOUNDING DRAWER will be presented at The University Club on College Avenue in State College, November 3rd and 4th.
The original orchestra had consisted of orphans who lived in a cloistered environment and were so well known that much of their music was composed by Vivaldi.
Here is an opportunity to see a show that highlights the talents of author Mary Rohrer-Dann, director Cynthia Mazzant, and a cast of actresses, many who will be familiar to you from our community theatres.
If you are a supporter of our local theater scene, LA SCAFETTA: THE FOUNDING DRAWER will be presented at The University Club on College Avenue in State College, November 3rd and 4th.
Thursday, October 27, 2011
BOOK REVIEW: THE LINCOLN LAWYER
If someone had not left a copy of Michael Connelly’s THE LINCOLN LAWYER in our vacation condo, I would have missed out on an exciting read.
Mickey Haller is a criminal defense attorney who operates out of the back seat of his Lincoln Town Car. His practice takes him all over the city of Los Angeles, defending drug dealers, drunk drivers, con artists, prostitutes, bikers, and the like. For Mickey it is not about guilt or innocence, it is about manipulation and the bottom line---money.
He is beginning to think that he has lost his ability to recognize actual innocence. When he is hired by a wealthy playboy accused of attacking a woman that he picked up in a bar, Mickey feels that this may be the one. This might be his “franchise case”, enough evidence to get his client off, a client worth a large amount of money, and the chance at more clients from wealthy Beverly Hills.
After someone very close to him is murdered, Mickey finds himself facing real evil and he must use all of his instincts and talents as a lawyer to protect himself and his family.
What follows is page after page of plot twists, action, and courtroom drama at its best. I was hooked enough to stay up until 3:00 a.m. to find out what happens.
This was the first Michael Connelly book that I have read and I am glad that it was THE LINCOLN LAWYER. The author leaves the door open for future stories involving Mickey Haller and the colorful characters around him. For me to continue with a series, the main characters have to capture my interest and this book was full of well done, interesting characters; I want to learn more about them.
Mickey Haller is a criminal defense attorney who operates out of the back seat of his Lincoln Town Car. His practice takes him all over the city of Los Angeles, defending drug dealers, drunk drivers, con artists, prostitutes, bikers, and the like. For Mickey it is not about guilt or innocence, it is about manipulation and the bottom line---money.
He is beginning to think that he has lost his ability to recognize actual innocence. When he is hired by a wealthy playboy accused of attacking a woman that he picked up in a bar, Mickey feels that this may be the one. This might be his “franchise case”, enough evidence to get his client off, a client worth a large amount of money, and the chance at more clients from wealthy Beverly Hills.
After someone very close to him is murdered, Mickey finds himself facing real evil and he must use all of his instincts and talents as a lawyer to protect himself and his family.
What follows is page after page of plot twists, action, and courtroom drama at its best. I was hooked enough to stay up until 3:00 a.m. to find out what happens.
This was the first Michael Connelly book that I have read and I am glad that it was THE LINCOLN LAWYER. The author leaves the door open for future stories involving Mickey Haller and the colorful characters around him. For me to continue with a series, the main characters have to capture my interest and this book was full of well done, interesting characters; I want to learn more about them.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
BOOK REVIEW: Born Standing Up - A Comic's Life
If you only know Steve Martin from the late 1970’s as that “wild and crazy” guy, you are missing much of his talent. Martin started his professional career as a writer for television shows, most notably The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and is now an award winning author of magazine articles, movie scripts, as well as best selling books. BORN STANDING UP - A COMIC'S LIFE tells of his early days in comedy, how it started and how and why it ended.
By 1978, Steve Martin was the biggest concert draw in stand-up history. In 1981, he stopped doing stand-up completely.
In BORN STANDING UP, Martin tells of starting his career at age ten selling guidebooks at Disneyland, the newly opened theme park. His fascination with magic grew when he worked at the Disney Magic Shop and he gives credit to the pros who taught him the secrets of performing magic.
From there he went to the Bird Cage Theatre at Knott’s Berry Farm where he performed his magic/comedy act a dozen times a week. While working there he honed his act with a dedication to excellence. This early training has lasted him throughout his career.
The work, sacrifice, discipline, and originality paid off and as his fame grew, the isolation and loneliness also grew. The traveling took its toll on his relationships with his family and friends until he finally decided, at the top of his fame, to stop.
Martin tells his story in an almost self-deprecating way. Rarely do we get a look into his deepest emotions and for some reason that seems to work. The book never becomes a tell-all gossipy account of the people around him. It does take us backstage to learn more about the heavy irreverence of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and the new voice that was Saturday Night Live. As a result, not only do we get a glimpse of the rise of one of the most inventive of comics, but a glimpse into the time of free love and protests against the war in Vietnam - and all told by a talented author.
By 1978, Steve Martin was the biggest concert draw in stand-up history. In 1981, he stopped doing stand-up completely.
In BORN STANDING UP, Martin tells of starting his career at age ten selling guidebooks at Disneyland, the newly opened theme park. His fascination with magic grew when he worked at the Disney Magic Shop and he gives credit to the pros who taught him the secrets of performing magic.
From there he went to the Bird Cage Theatre at Knott’s Berry Farm where he performed his magic/comedy act a dozen times a week. While working there he honed his act with a dedication to excellence. This early training has lasted him throughout his career.
The work, sacrifice, discipline, and originality paid off and as his fame grew, the isolation and loneliness also grew. The traveling took its toll on his relationships with his family and friends until he finally decided, at the top of his fame, to stop.
Martin tells his story in an almost self-deprecating way. Rarely do we get a look into his deepest emotions and for some reason that seems to work. The book never becomes a tell-all gossipy account of the people around him. It does take us backstage to learn more about the heavy irreverence of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and the new voice that was Saturday Night Live. As a result, not only do we get a glimpse of the rise of one of the most inventive of comics, but a glimpse into the time of free love and protests against the war in Vietnam - and all told by a talented author.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
BOOK REVIEW: The Echo Man
One of the perks that comes with doing this article for the Gazette is that people recommend new books to me all the time.
Richard Montanari lives in Great Britain, but is originally from Cleveland, Ohio where he met my niece. My niece was kind enough to give Mr. Montanari my business card and he sent me his latest book. Complicated, but it worked, and to my delight I can share THE ECHO MAN with you.
Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano have been partners as homicide detectives in Philadelphia for a long time, long enough to know each other well and to have seen some horrific crimes. Now they are investigating a series of crimes that seem to be connected to unsolved murders from the past.
The new crime scenes are duplicates of the old scenes only this time the bodies are mutilated and the killer has left an unusual calling card. It becomes obvious that the victims have been tortured by a person with a sadistic mind.
THE ECHO MAN builds with so many twists that it is not fair to tell much of the plot; I would not want to draw attention to a clue that the reader should find for himself. I can, though, tell you about the skill of the author.
It has become a trick of suspense novels to get us into the mind of the killer. Never identifying the person, but giving the reader a glimpse of how the mad mind works. Montanari handles this with a flair that is almost poetic and still builds the suspense. I could feel the person falling deeper into madness as the story went along.
I really liked the detectives, Jessica and Kevin. They come to this book with a background that intrigues me and I want to read earlier books to find what made them the people that they are. I also want to see what becomes of them personally in the future.
My only complaint, and it is a small one, at times Montanari breaks the rhythm of the story to explain a term or word that would have been clear in context. But, as I said, that was a small matter. All in all I have found a new author who will fill in the space on my shelves right beside David Baldachi.
Richard Montanari lives in Great Britain, but is originally from Cleveland, Ohio where he met my niece. My niece was kind enough to give Mr. Montanari my business card and he sent me his latest book. Complicated, but it worked, and to my delight I can share THE ECHO MAN with you.
Kevin Byrne and Jessica Balzano have been partners as homicide detectives in Philadelphia for a long time, long enough to know each other well and to have seen some horrific crimes. Now they are investigating a series of crimes that seem to be connected to unsolved murders from the past.
The new crime scenes are duplicates of the old scenes only this time the bodies are mutilated and the killer has left an unusual calling card. It becomes obvious that the victims have been tortured by a person with a sadistic mind.
THE ECHO MAN builds with so many twists that it is not fair to tell much of the plot; I would not want to draw attention to a clue that the reader should find for himself. I can, though, tell you about the skill of the author.
It has become a trick of suspense novels to get us into the mind of the killer. Never identifying the person, but giving the reader a glimpse of how the mad mind works. Montanari handles this with a flair that is almost poetic and still builds the suspense. I could feel the person falling deeper into madness as the story went along.
I really liked the detectives, Jessica and Kevin. They come to this book with a background that intrigues me and I want to read earlier books to find what made them the people that they are. I also want to see what becomes of them personally in the future.
My only complaint, and it is a small one, at times Montanari breaks the rhythm of the story to explain a term or word that would have been clear in context. But, as I said, that was a small matter. All in all I have found a new author who will fill in the space on my shelves right beside David Baldachi.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
BOOK REVIEW: Out of the Dust
It is a well known secret that some of the best writing out there is done under the classification of Young Adults. Frequently I will pick up a book for a grandchild only to be told, “Grandma, I’ve already read that.” So naturally I keep it for myself. That is how I obtained OUT OF THE DUST by Karen Hesse.
The year is 1934 and the place is Oklahoma. Billie Jo is fourteen as she starts to tell her story. Life is tough, but Billie Jo’s mother has taught her to play the old piano in their living room. Her musical talent gets her some jobs making it possible to bring in some badly needed money.
As the dust storms get worse, life takes a turn for Billie Jo. Her mother and new born child are gone; her father withdraws from her, and she can no longer play her beloved piano. Her neighbors are leaving their devastated farms and moving West. Billie Jo and her father are left behind to find peace in the bleak countryside and with each other.
This is a book that has been awarded almost every award and medal for youth literature available: the Newberry Medal, the Scott O’Dell Award and the Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year Award, to name just a few. It is easy to see why.
The story is told in free verse. Somehow, verse can be more eloquent and it gives Billy Jo’s descriptions a harsh reality while staying beautifully poetic. Listen as she describes her mother:
In the kitchen she is my ma,
in the barn and the fields she is my daddy’s wife,
but in the parlor Ma is something different.
She isn’t much to look at,
so long and skinny,
her teeth poor,
her dark hair always needing a wash, but
by the time I was four,
I remember being dazzled by her
whenever she played the piano.
OUT OF THE DUST is a beautiful book. It captures the Dust Bowl of The Grapes of Wrath from the eyes of a young girl. (Not to mention that it reads faster than Steinbeck’s book.) It is a story of a young heroine who has enormous strength, courage, hope, and love. If you have a young reader in your family, get Karen Hesse’s book for them. Just be sure to read it yourself first.
The year is 1934 and the place is Oklahoma. Billie Jo is fourteen as she starts to tell her story. Life is tough, but Billie Jo’s mother has taught her to play the old piano in their living room. Her musical talent gets her some jobs making it possible to bring in some badly needed money.
As the dust storms get worse, life takes a turn for Billie Jo. Her mother and new born child are gone; her father withdraws from her, and she can no longer play her beloved piano. Her neighbors are leaving their devastated farms and moving West. Billie Jo and her father are left behind to find peace in the bleak countryside and with each other.
This is a book that has been awarded almost every award and medal for youth literature available: the Newberry Medal, the Scott O’Dell Award and the Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year Award, to name just a few. It is easy to see why.
The story is told in free verse. Somehow, verse can be more eloquent and it gives Billy Jo’s descriptions a harsh reality while staying beautifully poetic. Listen as she describes her mother:
In the kitchen she is my ma,
in the barn and the fields she is my daddy’s wife,
but in the parlor Ma is something different.
She isn’t much to look at,
so long and skinny,
her teeth poor,
her dark hair always needing a wash, but
by the time I was four,
I remember being dazzled by her
whenever she played the piano.
OUT OF THE DUST is a beautiful book. It captures the Dust Bowl of The Grapes of Wrath from the eyes of a young girl. (Not to mention that it reads faster than Steinbeck’s book.) It is a story of a young heroine who has enormous strength, courage, hope, and love. If you have a young reader in your family, get Karen Hesse’s book for them. Just be sure to read it yourself first.
Friday, September 30, 2011
BOOK REVIEW: State of Wonder
STATE OF WONDER is my fourth book by Ann Patchett and I can tell you that this is not an author who writes from a formula. Her books are creative with a touch of magic.
We meet Dr. Marina Singh in her office as she receives word that her research partner at the pharmaceutical company has died. Dr. Anders Eckman’s death had occurred somewhere in the Amazon basin of Brazil.
Marina is sent to find out what happened to Anders, and, more importantly to the company, to find out what is happening with the valuable new drug that is being developed. She will be meeting with Dr. Annick Swenson, who has been in the jungle for years working on this very secretive drug.
To complicate matters, Dr. Swenson had been a mentor of Marina’s back in medical school when Marina had made a life changing mistake. Dr. Swenson, now in her seventies, had proven to be extremely passionate about her work in the past and she is still ruthless and uncompromising with her co-workers.
The book is mainly the story of Marina and her odyssey from Minnesota to the jungles of Brazil. Along the way she has to come to face her own past as well as poison arrows, devouring snakes, a neighboring tribe of cannibals, and Dr. Swenson’s part in her life.
The story is well told. Patchett describes the atmospheres of the small town in Brazil and the jungle very well. I could feel the heat, the poverty of the natives, the dangers of the snakes and insects. I also feel that she probably nailed it about how far the pharmaceutical world will go to protect their investments.
What I did not feel was a connection to most of the people. As I have often said, I like to see characters that are well developed. Outside of Marina, Dr. Swanson, and Easter, the small native boy, I never learned more about some of the important side characters. This may have been deliberate on the part of the author in order for the ending to work, but I felt a little cheated.
I will read more Ann Patchett in the future. I like the fact that she is original and always a bit surprising and, although I enjoyed STATE OF WONDER, it is not as good as her Bel Canto, one that I highly recommend.
We meet Dr. Marina Singh in her office as she receives word that her research partner at the pharmaceutical company has died. Dr. Anders Eckman’s death had occurred somewhere in the Amazon basin of Brazil.
Marina is sent to find out what happened to Anders, and, more importantly to the company, to find out what is happening with the valuable new drug that is being developed. She will be meeting with Dr. Annick Swenson, who has been in the jungle for years working on this very secretive drug.
To complicate matters, Dr. Swenson had been a mentor of Marina’s back in medical school when Marina had made a life changing mistake. Dr. Swenson, now in her seventies, had proven to be extremely passionate about her work in the past and she is still ruthless and uncompromising with her co-workers.
The book is mainly the story of Marina and her odyssey from Minnesota to the jungles of Brazil. Along the way she has to come to face her own past as well as poison arrows, devouring snakes, a neighboring tribe of cannibals, and Dr. Swenson’s part in her life.
The story is well told. Patchett describes the atmospheres of the small town in Brazil and the jungle very well. I could feel the heat, the poverty of the natives, the dangers of the snakes and insects. I also feel that she probably nailed it about how far the pharmaceutical world will go to protect their investments.
What I did not feel was a connection to most of the people. As I have often said, I like to see characters that are well developed. Outside of Marina, Dr. Swanson, and Easter, the small native boy, I never learned more about some of the important side characters. This may have been deliberate on the part of the author in order for the ending to work, but I felt a little cheated.
I will read more Ann Patchett in the future. I like the fact that she is original and always a bit surprising and, although I enjoyed STATE OF WONDER, it is not as good as her Bel Canto, one that I highly recommend.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
BOOK REVIEW: Deliver Us From Evil
David Baldacci can usually be found on the New York Times bestseller list, but he has become so prolific that some of his books have lost their edge. DELIVER US FROM EVIL, last year’s bestseller, has come out in paperback and it is a thriller in true Baldacci style.
Reggie Campion is an agent with a secret vigilante group. This is a group that tracks and kills Nazi fugitives who have been living comfortably since the war. Reggie is very good at what she does.
The mysterious Shaw is also a member of a secret group that hunts down the bad guys, the ones who are a danger to the world today. Shaw is also extremely good at his job.
Although they do not know it, they are both involved with a man named Evan Waller. Reggie wants to find him to make him pay for his war crimes; Shaw wants to stop him from providing materials to terrorist groups who would have the ability to cause the deaths of millions of people.
The three of them arrive in Provence; Waller to meet with his contact and sell his low-enriched uranium, Shaw to stop Waller from making the sale and to capture him, Reggie to kill Waller.
A warning to the faint of heart: Waller is a very evil man and some of the scenes with him are very violent. He watches old movies of the mass destruction of villages that he orchestrated. The men who betray him are tortured in very creative ways.
Reggie is not as cruel, but she does have a secret agenda of her own and is willing to go to extremes to carry her plans to the end. She wants her victims to know why she is killing them.
Shaw, as the anti-hero, plays a little more by the book, but is still ruthless when he has a job to do. Being a part of a branch of our government, he also has unlimited resources.
The three of them make for a suspense story worthy of Hitchcock at his best. It is full of remarkable characters, death defying action, plot twists, and a final scene that will cause you to hold your breath for several pages---all of the things that I want a Baldacci book to do.
The book stands on its own, but Shaw’s previous relationship with one of the minor characters plays a part in the plot. Shaw was first introduced by Baldacci in The Whole Truth, which you may want to read as a companion book. Just don’t blame me if they get you hooked on David Baldacci.
Reggie Campion is an agent with a secret vigilante group. This is a group that tracks and kills Nazi fugitives who have been living comfortably since the war. Reggie is very good at what she does.
The mysterious Shaw is also a member of a secret group that hunts down the bad guys, the ones who are a danger to the world today. Shaw is also extremely good at his job.
Although they do not know it, they are both involved with a man named Evan Waller. Reggie wants to find him to make him pay for his war crimes; Shaw wants to stop him from providing materials to terrorist groups who would have the ability to cause the deaths of millions of people.
The three of them arrive in Provence; Waller to meet with his contact and sell his low-enriched uranium, Shaw to stop Waller from making the sale and to capture him, Reggie to kill Waller.
A warning to the faint of heart: Waller is a very evil man and some of the scenes with him are very violent. He watches old movies of the mass destruction of villages that he orchestrated. The men who betray him are tortured in very creative ways.
Reggie is not as cruel, but she does have a secret agenda of her own and is willing to go to extremes to carry her plans to the end. She wants her victims to know why she is killing them.
Shaw, as the anti-hero, plays a little more by the book, but is still ruthless when he has a job to do. Being a part of a branch of our government, he also has unlimited resources.
The three of them make for a suspense story worthy of Hitchcock at his best. It is full of remarkable characters, death defying action, plot twists, and a final scene that will cause you to hold your breath for several pages---all of the things that I want a Baldacci book to do.
The book stands on its own, but Shaw’s previous relationship with one of the minor characters plays a part in the plot. Shaw was first introduced by Baldacci in The Whole Truth, which you may want to read as a companion book. Just don’t blame me if they get you hooked on David Baldacci.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
THEATER: Cirque du Soleil: Quidam
What can be said about Cirque du Soleil that has not already been said? They are really shows that make you aware that you have been holding your breath as the performers execute amazing feats on the ground and in the air. Cirque du Soleil: Quidam at the Bryce Jordan Center is a great example of the art of the European circus, no animals, but human bodies doing what looks like the impossible.
The music, the costumes, and the stage itself add to the magic. From the moment that the figure without a head and carrying a large umbrella enters, it is apparent that something different is going to happen.
The story is very loosely that of a lonely, young girl who is taken into a world of imagination, hope, and fun. In that world she finds high-flying acrobats, impossible physical feats, beautiful balancing acts of strength, clowns, and a touch of the burlesque.
I found that I had stopped breathing during several of the aerial acts. My comfort level with heights is nonexistent and so I am very impressed with people who can perform gymnastic tricks overhead. One of the first acts was titled “Aerial Hoops” and it was truly “ballet in the sky”. The costumes and the grace of the three people were beautiful.
The other extreme was a vaudevillian act involving a lot of audience participation. Four members of the audience were “directed” through the filming of a silent movie. As they were asked to act out parts that became more and more outrageous, they became more and more comfortable and the results were very funny. This act must change with each show and must be fun for all involved.
Cirque du Soleil is a mind boggling event. What really is impressive is that most of the acts take place on a revolving stage. I can not imagine trying to do a balancing or juggling act--let alone jump rope-- on a stage that is not still.
If you missed this one, hope that Brice Jordon does it again. By the way, there was not a bad seat in the house. It is directed for the entire audience.
The music, the costumes, and the stage itself add to the magic. From the moment that the figure without a head and carrying a large umbrella enters, it is apparent that something different is going to happen.
The story is very loosely that of a lonely, young girl who is taken into a world of imagination, hope, and fun. In that world she finds high-flying acrobats, impossible physical feats, beautiful balancing acts of strength, clowns, and a touch of the burlesque.
I found that I had stopped breathing during several of the aerial acts. My comfort level with heights is nonexistent and so I am very impressed with people who can perform gymnastic tricks overhead. One of the first acts was titled “Aerial Hoops” and it was truly “ballet in the sky”. The costumes and the grace of the three people were beautiful.
The other extreme was a vaudevillian act involving a lot of audience participation. Four members of the audience were “directed” through the filming of a silent movie. As they were asked to act out parts that became more and more outrageous, they became more and more comfortable and the results were very funny. This act must change with each show and must be fun for all involved.
Cirque du Soleil is a mind boggling event. What really is impressive is that most of the acts take place on a revolving stage. I can not imagine trying to do a balancing or juggling act--let alone jump rope-- on a stage that is not still.
If you missed this one, hope that Brice Jordon does it again. By the way, there was not a bad seat in the house. It is directed for the entire audience.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
BOOK REVIEW: Sister: A Novel
It is rare to find a good crime novel written with great style and intelligence. There have been some, but as I said they are rare. Rosamund Lupton’s SISTER: A NOVEL is an example of how it should be done.
Bee is living in New York when her mother calls to tell her that Tess is missing. Bee arrives in London expecting to scold her younger sister about the importance of telling someone her plans before taking off.
Tess has always been the free spirit of the two, and the more practical Bee feels that she knows and understands her sister extremely well. Thinking that there are no secrets between them, Bee learns that among other things, Tess has hidden the fact that she was pregnant to one of her married professors.
When the police find Tess’s body in an abandoned public restroom and dismiss it as a suicide, Bee knows that they are wrong. This starts her hunt for who would want to kill Tess and why.
The plot has many unexpected turns and brilliantly leads the reader from suspect to suspect. In the process the reader is treated to side characters with great depth, a study of the relationships that are formed---especially between sisters, and a moral issue that may hit each of us.
I enjoy reading “who done it”s and love to figure out what is happening along the way. I was often way off base with this one.
This book is so much more than a typical murder mystery. I felt that two things made it stand ahead of the pack:
1. The characterizations are developed by Lupton extremely well. Not only do we see growth in the main characters, but people that we meet along the way become real.
2. Lupton’s use of the English language is beautiful. She can turn a phase without it ever sounding artificial. This alone would have made me a fan.
SISTER: A NOVEL is a first novel and I am eagerly awaiting to see what Rosamund Lupton does next.
Bee is living in New York when her mother calls to tell her that Tess is missing. Bee arrives in London expecting to scold her younger sister about the importance of telling someone her plans before taking off.
Tess has always been the free spirit of the two, and the more practical Bee feels that she knows and understands her sister extremely well. Thinking that there are no secrets between them, Bee learns that among other things, Tess has hidden the fact that she was pregnant to one of her married professors.
When the police find Tess’s body in an abandoned public restroom and dismiss it as a suicide, Bee knows that they are wrong. This starts her hunt for who would want to kill Tess and why.
The plot has many unexpected turns and brilliantly leads the reader from suspect to suspect. In the process the reader is treated to side characters with great depth, a study of the relationships that are formed---especially between sisters, and a moral issue that may hit each of us.
I enjoy reading “who done it”s and love to figure out what is happening along the way. I was often way off base with this one.
This book is so much more than a typical murder mystery. I felt that two things made it stand ahead of the pack:
1. The characterizations are developed by Lupton extremely well. Not only do we see growth in the main characters, but people that we meet along the way become real.
2. Lupton’s use of the English language is beautiful. She can turn a phase without it ever sounding artificial. This alone would have made me a fan.
SISTER: A NOVEL is a first novel and I am eagerly awaiting to see what Rosamund Lupton does next.
THEATER: Leading Ladies
State College Community Theater is finishing an excellent summer season with Ken Ludwig’s LEADING LADIES and they are following that old theater rule of “always leave them laughing”. The play is full of silliness, mistaken identity, cross dressing, and lots of confusion leading up to the required happy ending. It even includes a four minute performance of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. What more could an audience want?
The scenes between Eric J. Lindquist and Rob Arnold are especially well done. As Leo and Jack, they are funny; as Maxine and Stephanie, they are hilarious. It should come as a surprise that the other characters on stage would actually believe that these two guys were women. To be honest, I even found Rob to be very sexy in black velvet.
I wish that Nazli Sarpkaya’s biography had included her past theater credits. As Meg, she has the opportunity to show her range of acting skills while keeping in mind that she was doing comedy. I especially liked her scene with the red cocktail dress. She uses it almost as a prop--very well done.
Tom McClary is no stranger to local theater and this show gives him a chance to be silly. I always appreciate an actor whose lines are crisp and clear.
Michelle V. Siwert, on the other hand, is new to the Boal Barn audiences. She is fresh and energetic, though she may do the worst Marlon Brando voice I have ever heard. (It did get a big laugh).
Eric Kress, Gail Alberini, and Jason Poorman rounded out the cast well. They each had a shining moment in Twelfth Night.
Director Mike Knarr is to be congratulated for the fun bits of business in the play and good use of the arena stage. Costumes were designed by Amy Silverman and she did her usual fantastic job. Opening night needed more dressers at various entrances; too many little details were incomplete (bows, zippers, etc.).
If Ken Ludwig is an unknown playwrite to you, go see LEADING LADIES. You will see why he is considered the contemporary master of complete silly.
LEADING LADIES will be at Boal Barn until September the 17th.
I need to add some personal thank you’s at the end of this excellent summer season: Amber Daughtry and David Price, the producers for the season, you made my Barn experience a joy. Drew, Meadow Lane Photography, as always, added so many great pictures. I hope that I get to review a book by you some day.
The scenes between Eric J. Lindquist and Rob Arnold are especially well done. As Leo and Jack, they are funny; as Maxine and Stephanie, they are hilarious. It should come as a surprise that the other characters on stage would actually believe that these two guys were women. To be honest, I even found Rob to be very sexy in black velvet.
I wish that Nazli Sarpkaya’s biography had included her past theater credits. As Meg, she has the opportunity to show her range of acting skills while keeping in mind that she was doing comedy. I especially liked her scene with the red cocktail dress. She uses it almost as a prop--very well done.
Tom McClary is no stranger to local theater and this show gives him a chance to be silly. I always appreciate an actor whose lines are crisp and clear.
Michelle V. Siwert, on the other hand, is new to the Boal Barn audiences. She is fresh and energetic, though she may do the worst Marlon Brando voice I have ever heard. (It did get a big laugh).
Eric Kress, Gail Alberini, and Jason Poorman rounded out the cast well. They each had a shining moment in Twelfth Night.
Director Mike Knarr is to be congratulated for the fun bits of business in the play and good use of the arena stage. Costumes were designed by Amy Silverman and she did her usual fantastic job. Opening night needed more dressers at various entrances; too many little details were incomplete (bows, zippers, etc.).
If Ken Ludwig is an unknown playwrite to you, go see LEADING LADIES. You will see why he is considered the contemporary master of complete silly.
LEADING LADIES will be at Boal Barn until September the 17th.
I need to add some personal thank you’s at the end of this excellent summer season: Amber Daughtry and David Price, the producers for the season, you made my Barn experience a joy. Drew, Meadow Lane Photography, as always, added so many great pictures. I hope that I get to review a book by you some day.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
BOOK REVIEW: Redeeming the Rogue
Local authors are always of interest, so I was happy to meet C. J. Chase at her book signing at Way’s Fruit Farm. REDEEMING THE ROGUE is her debut novel and shows great promise.
The year is 1815; Mattie Fraser has arrived in London from America to find her brother. The British had burned her home city of Washington and pressed her brother into their navy. Now alone in the world, Mattie has to know if her brother is alive or dead.
Kit DeChambelle is a military officer who becomes involved in her search for reasons of his own. Kit has been working as an undercover agent for the British and it was his brother who was the captain of the ship that had taken her brother…. A ship that may have a dangerous secret of its own.
Although REDEEMING THE ROGUE is published under the banner of LoveInspired, a series known for its Christian romance novels, this book is more adventure than anything else. C.J. said that she had to be reminded to add the romantic elements.
This is an impressive first novel. The time and location have been captured well, conversation is believable, and side characters have dimension. There are enough bad guys to keep you guessing who is trying to kill Mattie and enough good guys to know that she will probably be victorious.
C. J. Chase is a graduate of Bald Eagle High School; in fact the book is dedicated to Betty Kantner, her ninth grade English teacher. After reading C. J.’s first novel, I would not be surprised to find her break into main stream literature.
The year is 1815; Mattie Fraser has arrived in London from America to find her brother. The British had burned her home city of Washington and pressed her brother into their navy. Now alone in the world, Mattie has to know if her brother is alive or dead.
Kit DeChambelle is a military officer who becomes involved in her search for reasons of his own. Kit has been working as an undercover agent for the British and it was his brother who was the captain of the ship that had taken her brother…. A ship that may have a dangerous secret of its own.
Although REDEEMING THE ROGUE is published under the banner of LoveInspired, a series known for its Christian romance novels, this book is more adventure than anything else. C.J. said that she had to be reminded to add the romantic elements.
This is an impressive first novel. The time and location have been captured well, conversation is believable, and side characters have dimension. There are enough bad guys to keep you guessing who is trying to kill Mattie and enough good guys to know that she will probably be victorious.
C. J. Chase is a graduate of Bald Eagle High School; in fact the book is dedicated to Betty Kantner, her ninth grade English teacher. After reading C. J.’s first novel, I would not be surprised to find her break into main stream literature.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
BOOK REVIEW: Bossypants
Tina Fey is funny--oh, we already know that. We also know of her involvement with Saturday Night Live (SNL) as a writer, for her impersonation of Sarah Palin, and for being the power behind 30 Rock. What we did not know was that she could write a book about management skills to rival those written by Coach K or Jack Walsh.
In BOSSYPANTS, Ms Fey tells briefly of her childhood as a nerd living in Pennsylvania with normal parents. The local theater group was the start of her interest in show business. After college, she worked with The Second City, an improvisation theater based in Chicago.
The Second City has become famous as a training ground for other actors such as John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Catherine O’Hara, Stephen Colbert, and on and on. Along with her description of her time there, Ms Fey also gives the rules of Improvisation. These rules are the basics for shows like SNL and explain why it must be nerve wracking for the actor, but so much fun for the audience.
Bits and pieces of her personal life are told with honesty. She tells of her honeymoon on a cruise that turned almost fatal, her adventures as a mother with an unsuccessful try at breast feeding, her halfhearted pursuit of physical beauty, and why she likes Williamsport, Pennsylvania (it is half way between her home and that of her in-laws, making it a good place for holiday meetings).
Being a woman in a male dominated industry has always been a “good story”. Under the humor, this book reminds us that all sexual bias has not been eliminated. It was surprising that female executives still fight the battles of prejudice that we fought in the 1950’s. Again, even these stories are told with a light touch.
BOSSYPANTS is the type of “showbiz” autobiography that I enjoy. I am not interested in who slept with whom or other bits of gossip. What I want is insight into character: I want the story of how the person managed to be come successful, no matter what the field of endeavor.
If you are not a fan of SNL or 30 Rock, you will still enjoy reading about a woman who enjoys fame, seems to stay very grounded, and can give lessons on management skills.
In BOSSYPANTS, Ms Fey tells briefly of her childhood as a nerd living in Pennsylvania with normal parents. The local theater group was the start of her interest in show business. After college, she worked with The Second City, an improvisation theater based in Chicago.
The Second City has become famous as a training ground for other actors such as John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Catherine O’Hara, Stephen Colbert, and on and on. Along with her description of her time there, Ms Fey also gives the rules of Improvisation. These rules are the basics for shows like SNL and explain why it must be nerve wracking for the actor, but so much fun for the audience.
Bits and pieces of her personal life are told with honesty. She tells of her honeymoon on a cruise that turned almost fatal, her adventures as a mother with an unsuccessful try at breast feeding, her halfhearted pursuit of physical beauty, and why she likes Williamsport, Pennsylvania (it is half way between her home and that of her in-laws, making it a good place for holiday meetings).
Being a woman in a male dominated industry has always been a “good story”. Under the humor, this book reminds us that all sexual bias has not been eliminated. It was surprising that female executives still fight the battles of prejudice that we fought in the 1950’s. Again, even these stories are told with a light touch.
BOSSYPANTS is the type of “showbiz” autobiography that I enjoy. I am not interested in who slept with whom or other bits of gossip. What I want is insight into character: I want the story of how the person managed to be come successful, no matter what the field of endeavor.
If you are not a fan of SNL or 30 Rock, you will still enjoy reading about a woman who enjoys fame, seems to stay very grounded, and can give lessons on management skills.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
BOOK REVIEW: The Book of Ruth
There is something Dickensian about THE BOOK OF RUTH by Jane Hamilton. Ruth’s story is about resilience against the worst of odds; think Oliver Twist.
Ruth begins her story when she is around ten years old. That is when her father left in the middle of the night, leaving Ruth, her younger brother, Matt, and her mother, May. She knew that he would be happier picking grapefruit in Texas than living with May in Honey Creek, Illinois.
May shows great love and encouragement to Matt, who grows into the perfect student, graduates from high school, leaves Honey Creek and rarely contacts his family again.
With Ruth, May is mean and not in any way a supportive parent. At one point Ruth says that she feels like a plant that has been put in a pot and nobody remembers to water. The neglect that Ruth experiences at home has the expected affect in her school life. She has hand-me-down clothing that the other girls recognize, no one to see when she needs to start to wear a bra, and, of course, no help with schoolwork, only more responsibilities for housework.
Her lack of confidence has caused the school to put her in the “retarded” class and her one chance to be in a regular English classroom is a disaster. Because Ruth is telling her own story, the reader gets insight on how her creative mind works. We see that her life has little chance of moving beyond its unhappiness, surrounded by narrow minds and cruelty.
Even the marriage that she is so excited about is doomed to end tragically. Her husband can not keep a job; his days are filled with drinking and drugs. Everything points to a sad ending for Ruth and what had been dreams of a normal life.
Although this sounds like a very depressing book, surprisingly it is just the opposite. Ruth has such a unique way of looking at her world and the fortitude to get through so many horrible things. She does meet a few people along the way who open her mind to what could be a normal life.
Ruth made me think of all of our fellow classmates or people that we pass on the street that we ignore because they do not fit in our mold of the “right” people. Those who live in the wrong part of town. She gives us a view of a person who could have so much and is given so little. At the end of the book, as Ruth puts together her broken body, spirit, and life, we see what genuine hope looks like.
This is a wonderfully crafted book. Jane Hamilton has a use of the English language that is fresh and beautiful. This was her first novel and the winner of The Pen/Ernest Hemingway Foundation Award. Ruth will stay with me for a very long time.
Ruth begins her story when she is around ten years old. That is when her father left in the middle of the night, leaving Ruth, her younger brother, Matt, and her mother, May. She knew that he would be happier picking grapefruit in Texas than living with May in Honey Creek, Illinois.
May shows great love and encouragement to Matt, who grows into the perfect student, graduates from high school, leaves Honey Creek and rarely contacts his family again.
With Ruth, May is mean and not in any way a supportive parent. At one point Ruth says that she feels like a plant that has been put in a pot and nobody remembers to water. The neglect that Ruth experiences at home has the expected affect in her school life. She has hand-me-down clothing that the other girls recognize, no one to see when she needs to start to wear a bra, and, of course, no help with schoolwork, only more responsibilities for housework.
Her lack of confidence has caused the school to put her in the “retarded” class and her one chance to be in a regular English classroom is a disaster. Because Ruth is telling her own story, the reader gets insight on how her creative mind works. We see that her life has little chance of moving beyond its unhappiness, surrounded by narrow minds and cruelty.
Even the marriage that she is so excited about is doomed to end tragically. Her husband can not keep a job; his days are filled with drinking and drugs. Everything points to a sad ending for Ruth and what had been dreams of a normal life.
Although this sounds like a very depressing book, surprisingly it is just the opposite. Ruth has such a unique way of looking at her world and the fortitude to get through so many horrible things. She does meet a few people along the way who open her mind to what could be a normal life.
Ruth made me think of all of our fellow classmates or people that we pass on the street that we ignore because they do not fit in our mold of the “right” people. Those who live in the wrong part of town. She gives us a view of a person who could have so much and is given so little. At the end of the book, as Ruth puts together her broken body, spirit, and life, we see what genuine hope looks like.
This is a wonderfully crafted book. Jane Hamilton has a use of the English language that is fresh and beautiful. This was her first novel and the winner of The Pen/Ernest Hemingway Foundation Award. Ruth will stay with me for a very long time.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
THEATER: Ain't Misbehavin'
 |
| Solomon Kee Photo courtesy of Erika Courtney |
The secret to a successful show, especially a musical, is for the audience to feel that the people on stage are having fun. On opening night it was hard to tell who was having more fun, the cast or the people out front.
The piano set the mood at the very beginning of the show. Eric Walton is listed as the music director and I presume that he was the man at the piano; if so, I could have listened to him all night.
Ah, but then the singers started to come on stage and the action and the music never stopped.
Kathryn Allison has a voice to raise the rafters. Her range and control is what I want when I grow up. Her “Mean To Me” was the blues the way they should be sung.
Brand Hanks is smooth and sophisticated with a baritone voice that could charm any man, woman, or child-- at least I can speak for the women. He also proved that he could work the audience in his solo “Your Feets Too Big”
The picture with this review shows one side of Solomon Kee. Not to take away from the fact that the man has a great voice, the man can move. One of the hardest numbers in the show is “Viper” and he nailed it.
Housso Semon is also very talented and very nice to look at, what my grandson would call “eye candy”. She dances, sings, and looks good. What more does she need?
Amelia Lang Wallace has almost grown up on the Millbrook stage. This is her 6th season and she has grown very nicely. I hope we see more of her. She sang and danced with the best of them.
Costumes are a personal love of mine and so I have to mention the fantastic period costumes in the show. Beautiful. Since the show is all music credit goes to Randy Davis the director/ choreographer for making use of not only all of the stage but parts of the audience as well.
AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' is the last show of the regular season and I would like to take some of my space for some personal thank-you’s. Mary Catherine Burke, Artistic Director, thank you not only for being a help to me and the paper, but thank you for an outstanding season. Corey Wilson, Business Manager, you made my job so easy. I want to give a special thank you to Erika Courtney; she is listed as the Lighting Designer for the season, but Erika provided the fabulous pictures for these reviews.
The Millbrook Playhouse is being kind enough to do a return engagement of Love, Sex, and the I.R.S. It will run from Wednesday, August the 4th until Sunday the 28th at 7:30 with a matinee at 2:00 on the 28th.
Friday, August 12, 2011
THEATER: Into The Woods
INTO THE WOODS opened at Boal Barn on Tuesday and special recognition has to go to Tom McClary and his production staff for a delightful show. The decision to do the show in modern dress was a brilliant one and costume designer, Joy Elizabeth Downey, defined each character with just the right touch.
Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine have woven several well known fairy tales together to give us the plot for Into the Woods so that the characters can interact with each other as well as giving the audience a chance to see what happens after the “happily ever after” endings.
Although the cast was a true ensemble, I have to make several comments on individuals. As The Witch, Amy Sclight had some complicated lines and she sailed through them without a stumble. Amy has a strong voice and I would love to hear her sing without amplification.
The Baker and his wife were played by Eric Brinser and Kate Oberholtzer. Both were in good voice and were very believable in their more dramatic scenes. Side note: Bald Eagle students go see Mr. Brinser. You will be impressed.
The Wicked Stepmother and her daughters had the best chance to dress the part. Played by Susan Kleit, Emily Dennis, and Jessica Blanarik, they were a delight and their wardrobe sharp and edgy.
My favorite spots may have been the duets starring the two Princes. Jason Meyer, Rapunzel’s Prince, and Michael Tews, Cinderella’s Prince, were perfect for the parts. Michael’s overacting hit the right comic note. Loved his sneakers.
Julia Albertson’s Cinderella had the proper layers to her personality; she was not sure if actually marrying a prince would guarantee happiness. Her sweet voice was perfect for Cinderella.
Rachel Reed as Little Red won the audience almost as soon as she stepped on stage. She has an excellent stage voice, clear and precise. There was no doubt in my mind that her new cape would be made of wolf skin. Jason Myer did double duty as the Wolf and as a result had an outstanding solo, “Hello, Little Girl”.
Helen Fleischer deserves to be applauded as Milky White, the cow. Non-speaking roles are difficult. Never once did I see Helen break character; she just kept chewing her cud.
I have enjoyed Stefan Pelikan in past shows, but the part of Jack was perfect for him. Jason Hetler also did double duty. He kept the audience informed of the action as the Narrator for the play and was also the Mysterious Man.
All of the smaller roles had good voices. Lisa Wasbotten, as Rapunzel, has an exceptional voice. I hope that we get to see more of her.
The evening concluded with scholarships being awarded to Sarah Rafacz and Jessica Blanarik to be used to further their education in the field of drama.
INTO THE WOODS runs until August the 20th. Leading Ladies opens September the 6th.
Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine have woven several well known fairy tales together to give us the plot for Into the Woods so that the characters can interact with each other as well as giving the audience a chance to see what happens after the “happily ever after” endings.
Although the cast was a true ensemble, I have to make several comments on individuals. As The Witch, Amy Sclight had some complicated lines and she sailed through them without a stumble. Amy has a strong voice and I would love to hear her sing without amplification.
The Baker and his wife were played by Eric Brinser and Kate Oberholtzer. Both were in good voice and were very believable in their more dramatic scenes. Side note: Bald Eagle students go see Mr. Brinser. You will be impressed.
The Wicked Stepmother and her daughters had the best chance to dress the part. Played by Susan Kleit, Emily Dennis, and Jessica Blanarik, they were a delight and their wardrobe sharp and edgy.
My favorite spots may have been the duets starring the two Princes. Jason Meyer, Rapunzel’s Prince, and Michael Tews, Cinderella’s Prince, were perfect for the parts. Michael’s overacting hit the right comic note. Loved his sneakers.
Julia Albertson’s Cinderella had the proper layers to her personality; she was not sure if actually marrying a prince would guarantee happiness. Her sweet voice was perfect for Cinderella.
Rachel Reed as Little Red won the audience almost as soon as she stepped on stage. She has an excellent stage voice, clear and precise. There was no doubt in my mind that her new cape would be made of wolf skin. Jason Myer did double duty as the Wolf and as a result had an outstanding solo, “Hello, Little Girl”.
Helen Fleischer deserves to be applauded as Milky White, the cow. Non-speaking roles are difficult. Never once did I see Helen break character; she just kept chewing her cud.
I have enjoyed Stefan Pelikan in past shows, but the part of Jack was perfect for him. Jason Hetler also did double duty. He kept the audience informed of the action as the Narrator for the play and was also the Mysterious Man.
All of the smaller roles had good voices. Lisa Wasbotten, as Rapunzel, has an exceptional voice. I hope that we get to see more of her.
The evening concluded with scholarships being awarded to Sarah Rafacz and Jessica Blanarik to be used to further their education in the field of drama.
INTO THE WOODS runs until August the 20th. Leading Ladies opens September the 6th.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
BOOK REVIEW: The Jane Austin Book Club
Over the years my experience with book groups has been good; several have been the basis of lasting friendships. I also am fond of Jane Austin’s books. Now it would make sense that a book by Karen Joy Fowler titled THE JANE AUSTIN BOOK CLUB would catch my eye. Sometimes a book sounds better than it actually is.
Five women and one man have formed a book group to discuss Jane Austin’s novels. Each person has his or her favorite book and is able to identify with at least one character from the books.
During the six months that they meet we get to know them and their relationships with each other. The problem was that I really did not care to get to know any of them better. The plot deals more about the characters as they grew up and their dysfunctional families than we may have needed.
In the middle of telling us about the lies that were told to children, Fowler randomly throws in a section from one of Jane Austin’s books or, even more confusingly, a section written during the Regency Period by an obscure author. I am sure that Fowler had a point to make with these quotes, but I was just lost, with no idea of where she was going with them.
The book has no real plot, no real character development, and no poetic language; these are the things that I look for in a book. By now you are probably asking why I actually finished the book. (I sometimes wondered that myself.)
Two things kept me going: One, I wanted to see if things got better, and two, I wanted to warn you to avoid what looked like a good read. THE JANE AUSTIN BOOK CLUB has been on bestseller lists and has been made into a movie.
It was a case of my feeling that am I missing something or was it a case of the complimentary comments on the jacket being misleading. I have come to a conclusion---it is the latter. There are too many good books waiting for us to waste our time on this one. You may want to skip this one.
Five women and one man have formed a book group to discuss Jane Austin’s novels. Each person has his or her favorite book and is able to identify with at least one character from the books.
During the six months that they meet we get to know them and their relationships with each other. The problem was that I really did not care to get to know any of them better. The plot deals more about the characters as they grew up and their dysfunctional families than we may have needed.
In the middle of telling us about the lies that were told to children, Fowler randomly throws in a section from one of Jane Austin’s books or, even more confusingly, a section written during the Regency Period by an obscure author. I am sure that Fowler had a point to make with these quotes, but I was just lost, with no idea of where she was going with them.
The book has no real plot, no real character development, and no poetic language; these are the things that I look for in a book. By now you are probably asking why I actually finished the book. (I sometimes wondered that myself.)
Two things kept me going: One, I wanted to see if things got better, and two, I wanted to warn you to avoid what looked like a good read. THE JANE AUSTIN BOOK CLUB has been on bestseller lists and has been made into a movie.
It was a case of my feeling that am I missing something or was it a case of the complimentary comments on the jacket being misleading. I have come to a conclusion---it is the latter. There are too many good books waiting for us to waste our time on this one. You may want to skip this one.
Monday, August 8, 2011
THEATER: The Odd Couple
You have seen the show on television, watched the movie, now you have the chance to see the live play of Neil Simon’s THE ODD COUPLE at Millbrook Playhouse in Mill Hall.
The cast is full of faces that will be familiar to regular Millbrook patrons. The two leads are particularly well known. Thom Caska is Oscar Madison, the divorced, sloppy, cigar smoking, sports writer. Marc de la Concha is Felix Ungar, the emotional neat freak who has just been kicked out by his wife. The two actors are talents that can carry a show.
Marc de la Conch has the physical ability and the facial expressions to make any part his own. It does not take long for the audience and Oscar to find out why Felix’s wife could not take any more of him.
I had no trouble at all in believing that Thom Caska’s Oscar was a born slob. His, not always, silent burn at his roommate’s behavior was fun to watch, especially when the Pigeon sisters came to visit.
Jamie Beth Weist and Eleanor McCormick were delightful as the Pigeon sisters. The fact that they could giggle at any thing that had a double meaning made me think that Oscar could indeed have a good evening.
The poker buddies were especially noteworthy. If you have not been to Millbrook before, you would not be aware what a group of talented young men they were. In past shows we had seen each of them in very different roles from rock stars to the prince of a small kingdom to a very unusual high school principal. James David Larson, Jon Erkert, Nicholas Carroll, and Dan Neufer are names to watch for.
It is no wonder that Artistic Director Mary Catherine Burke chose this play to direct; she surrounded herself with exceptional talent.
This is the last show at Millbrook on the Main Stage. I selfishly hope to see each of these people back next year, but I also hope that a really big contract comes their way and that their audience becomes the rest of the country.
THE ODD COUPLE will be on the Main Stage until August the 14th. Ain’t Misbehavin’ will open on August the 11th and run until the 21st.
The cast is full of faces that will be familiar to regular Millbrook patrons. The two leads are particularly well known. Thom Caska is Oscar Madison, the divorced, sloppy, cigar smoking, sports writer. Marc de la Concha is Felix Ungar, the emotional neat freak who has just been kicked out by his wife. The two actors are talents that can carry a show.
Marc de la Conch has the physical ability and the facial expressions to make any part his own. It does not take long for the audience and Oscar to find out why Felix’s wife could not take any more of him.
I had no trouble at all in believing that Thom Caska’s Oscar was a born slob. His, not always, silent burn at his roommate’s behavior was fun to watch, especially when the Pigeon sisters came to visit.
Jamie Beth Weist and Eleanor McCormick were delightful as the Pigeon sisters. The fact that they could giggle at any thing that had a double meaning made me think that Oscar could indeed have a good evening.
The poker buddies were especially noteworthy. If you have not been to Millbrook before, you would not be aware what a group of talented young men they were. In past shows we had seen each of them in very different roles from rock stars to the prince of a small kingdom to a very unusual high school principal. James David Larson, Jon Erkert, Nicholas Carroll, and Dan Neufer are names to watch for.
It is no wonder that Artistic Director Mary Catherine Burke chose this play to direct; she surrounded herself with exceptional talent.
This is the last show at Millbrook on the Main Stage. I selfishly hope to see each of these people back next year, but I also hope that a really big contract comes their way and that their audience becomes the rest of the country.
THE ODD COUPLE will be on the Main Stage until August the 14th. Ain’t Misbehavin’ will open on August the 11th and run until the 21st.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
BOOK REVIEW: One Hundred Years of Solitude
Before I started reading ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE I knew some things about its history. I knew that Gabriel Garcia Marquez had been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for it. I knew that he was a South American author and that I had read his Love in the Time of Cholera and had enjoyed that story.
I did not know how divided readers were about the book. When I mentioned that I was finally getting around to reading ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE, half of the people I spoke to said that it was the best thing that they had ever read; the other half hated it.
Now I was really intrigued.
The years of solitude refer to the isolation of a small village by the name of Macondo somewhere in South America. It is a village of twenty adobe houses settled along a small river. In the beginning it is so new that things have not been named. Nobody had ever died in Macondo.
When the gypsies came, they brought wonderful, magical things to the people in the small village. Soon the village found the world coming to its doors. Now illnesses, distrust and, finally, war find them.
The story is told through the family of Jose Arcadio Buendia and his wife Ursula Iguaran. Each of their descendents face the new problems of the new world - especially the wars.
The problem for the reader is that each new member of the family bears the same name as another member of the family. Each person was more than a character in the book; each one also was meant to be a symbol of what was happening in the history of village.
I have to admit that I got very confused. This may be a book that takes more than one reading to fully understand. I could appreciate the beautiful, poetic language and even most of the symbolism, but on first reading, I was mainly --well-- confused. This may be a book that I need to either attend a class or find great study notes to help me appreciate why it received the Nobel Prize.
I did not know how divided readers were about the book. When I mentioned that I was finally getting around to reading ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE, half of the people I spoke to said that it was the best thing that they had ever read; the other half hated it.
Now I was really intrigued.
The years of solitude refer to the isolation of a small village by the name of Macondo somewhere in South America. It is a village of twenty adobe houses settled along a small river. In the beginning it is so new that things have not been named. Nobody had ever died in Macondo.
When the gypsies came, they brought wonderful, magical things to the people in the small village. Soon the village found the world coming to its doors. Now illnesses, distrust and, finally, war find them.
The story is told through the family of Jose Arcadio Buendia and his wife Ursula Iguaran. Each of their descendents face the new problems of the new world - especially the wars.
The problem for the reader is that each new member of the family bears the same name as another member of the family. Each person was more than a character in the book; each one also was meant to be a symbol of what was happening in the history of village.
I have to admit that I got very confused. This may be a book that takes more than one reading to fully understand. I could appreciate the beautiful, poetic language and even most of the symbolism, but on first reading, I was mainly --well-- confused. This may be a book that I need to either attend a class or find great study notes to help me appreciate why it received the Nobel Prize.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
THEATER: The Good Doctor
Penn State Centre Stage presented Neil Simon’s THE GOOD DOCTOR this week and if there ever was a show to delight the theater lover, this is it. Of course with Neil Simon and Anton Chekov given credit as the authors, one would expect the dialogue to be witty and sharp.
The “good doctor” of the title refers to Chekov. As a medical student, Chekov wrote humorous short stories, articles, and comic sketches; today he is better known for his serious plays. Neil Simon has taken some of his lighter works and turned them into an evening of one-act-plays.
Eight different plays give the cast of seven a chance to show quite a range in talents. With the help of good wigs, make-up, and costumes each actor was instantly in character.
Erik Raymond Johnson was the one constant in the show. As “The Writer” he acted as narrator and kept things moving along; he even gave an alternate ending to several stories.
One of the treats for a lover of the theater is to watch an actor assume a variety of roles. This collection of plays provided a perfect opportunity for the actors to do this and they did it well.
Lance Beilstein was heavily in make-up as older gentlemen and not always recognizable most of the time, but he was a stand-out in The Seduction where he explained that he was an expert at seducing other men’s wives.
I really thought that Carrie McNulty was an older actress in her scene as the employer cheating her governess; she went on to be the hardened prostitute and the young actress at her first audition. The Audition was particularly well done except that Ms McNutly spoke so softly in one spot, causing some lines to be lost.
At times showing a great sense of physical comedy, Thomas Ellis Riley, Kira Lance Hawkins, Josephine Wilson, and Zack Sudbury were outstanding.
As always, Penn State Centre Stage did an impressive job. Credit goes to Robert W. Schneider for directing a smooth, fast paced show. Scenic Designer, Lino Toyos, and Costume Designer, Adam Coffia, made it a beautiful comedy.
The “good doctor” of the title refers to Chekov. As a medical student, Chekov wrote humorous short stories, articles, and comic sketches; today he is better known for his serious plays. Neil Simon has taken some of his lighter works and turned them into an evening of one-act-plays.
Eight different plays give the cast of seven a chance to show quite a range in talents. With the help of good wigs, make-up, and costumes each actor was instantly in character.
Erik Raymond Johnson was the one constant in the show. As “The Writer” he acted as narrator and kept things moving along; he even gave an alternate ending to several stories.
One of the treats for a lover of the theater is to watch an actor assume a variety of roles. This collection of plays provided a perfect opportunity for the actors to do this and they did it well.
Lance Beilstein was heavily in make-up as older gentlemen and not always recognizable most of the time, but he was a stand-out in The Seduction where he explained that he was an expert at seducing other men’s wives.
I really thought that Carrie McNulty was an older actress in her scene as the employer cheating her governess; she went on to be the hardened prostitute and the young actress at her first audition. The Audition was particularly well done except that Ms McNutly spoke so softly in one spot, causing some lines to be lost.
At times showing a great sense of physical comedy, Thomas Ellis Riley, Kira Lance Hawkins, Josephine Wilson, and Zack Sudbury were outstanding.
As always, Penn State Centre Stage did an impressive job. Credit goes to Robert W. Schneider for directing a smooth, fast paced show. Scenic Designer, Lino Toyos, and Costume Designer, Adam Coffia, made it a beautiful comedy.
Monday, August 1, 2011
THEATER: Fat Pig
FAT PIG is currently playing on the Cabaret Stage at Millbrook Playhouse and the author, Neil LaBute, has a definite point to make.
Tom has met Helen and fallen in love. Tom’s co-workers, Carter and Jeanie, only see that Helen is a plus-size woman, not that she makes Tom happy. In a world obsessed with being thin, the people at work go beyond being rude to being openly cruel to the new couple.
Thanks to the play being very well cast, this is a surprisingly good production. Three of the cast members are very familiar to us and it was great to see yet another side of their talents.
Tiffany Green was perfect as Helen. Tiffany has shown that she is able to sing, dance, direct, and act -- all exceptionally well. The role demanded the ability to show a combination of great self-confidence and vulnerability. Tiffany carried it all off with ease.
Nicholas Wilder played Tom so well that the ending of the play was right in character. This is a role that demands that the audience sees beneath the surface of a character. Watching Nicholas in his earlier roles this season made this performance even more impressive.
Again we saw a different side to Ali Kresch. Jeannie is a bit of a stretch for an actress; she goes from being needy to cruelly angry to being the one who may understand the relationship between Helen and Tom. I am beginning to believe that Ali can do it all.
Jeff Blim was a new face and his role as Carter was fresh, energetic, and convincingly cruel. He spoke for all of the people who judge on outward appearances and as a result had some brilliant lines.
The show has some very funny lines, but most of them make you shudder because we have heard them used to hurt people on the playground and in the workplace.
FAT PIG has a lot of reasons to recommend it; they are Tiffany Green, Nicholas Wilder, Ali Kresch, and Jeff Blim.
FAT PIG will run until August the 7th. It will be followed in the Cabaret with Ain’t Misbehaving. The Odd Couple opens on the Main Stage on August the 4th.
 | |
| Tiffany Green and Nicholas Wilder Photo courtesy of Erika Courtney |
Tom has met Helen and fallen in love. Tom’s co-workers, Carter and Jeanie, only see that Helen is a plus-size woman, not that she makes Tom happy. In a world obsessed with being thin, the people at work go beyond being rude to being openly cruel to the new couple.
Thanks to the play being very well cast, this is a surprisingly good production. Three of the cast members are very familiar to us and it was great to see yet another side of their talents.
Tiffany Green was perfect as Helen. Tiffany has shown that she is able to sing, dance, direct, and act -- all exceptionally well. The role demanded the ability to show a combination of great self-confidence and vulnerability. Tiffany carried it all off with ease.
Nicholas Wilder played Tom so well that the ending of the play was right in character. This is a role that demands that the audience sees beneath the surface of a character. Watching Nicholas in his earlier roles this season made this performance even more impressive.
Again we saw a different side to Ali Kresch. Jeannie is a bit of a stretch for an actress; she goes from being needy to cruelly angry to being the one who may understand the relationship between Helen and Tom. I am beginning to believe that Ali can do it all.
Jeff Blim was a new face and his role as Carter was fresh, energetic, and convincingly cruel. He spoke for all of the people who judge on outward appearances and as a result had some brilliant lines.
The show has some very funny lines, but most of them make you shudder because we have heard them used to hurt people on the playground and in the workplace.
FAT PIG has a lot of reasons to recommend it; they are Tiffany Green, Nicholas Wilder, Ali Kresch, and Jeff Blim.
FAT PIG will run until August the 7th. It will be followed in the Cabaret with Ain’t Misbehaving. The Odd Couple opens on the Main Stage on August the 4th.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)