August 4, 2016
Tomorrow is the final performance of what started out as Open House at the Hollywood Bowl. My friend, Leon Martell, has written the sounds of summer shows for years and now, the powers that be have decided that it's time to shut it down. The shows have come a long way from a platform in the hot sun to a well decorated pavilion that will give way to something new and not so creative after Friday.
The Open House show was the beginning of what became Merrie Masquers, a childrens' theatre company founded by Kenneth W. Rugg and others in Long Beach, me among them. The serendipity of working with Rugg literally changed my life and I am very grateful.
Theatre can change lives. It's more than just a diversion for an evening.. or an afternoon. If we realize that living theatre is just that: Alive.. and the performance that we witness is unique and present and immediate ... when you think about it.. is truly wonderful. Actors are a special lot. They transform themselves into characters created by playwrights and have the goal of convincing the audience that the play's the thing! Abandoning our disbelief and traveling into the world of the play ... the theatrical.. the drama.. the laughter.. the tears, the fears.. the surprises.. is a gift that, when embraced, can literally change our lives.. for the better! It has mine. Become a patron. Audition for a show! Volunteer to usher or help with tech or costumes or publicity. Make it a part of your life and see what happens.
This has been a sort of commercial message. Go see a play this week!
August 4, 2016
michaelsheehan
Oh. the TV news reports that those who read more than three and a half hours a week live longer! so.. go to the theatre and read a book!
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