JAN 22 SIXTEEN RUGG'S BIRTHDAY!

 January 22, 2017

Today is the natal day of a great friend, Kenneth W. Rugg.  I'd have included his middle name (Weatherly) but I'm unsure how he spells it. The image below is a work in progress that features his mug that is typical of the energy and the intelligence of this incredible man.  He's 82 today and is living now with his darling daughter, Shelley, up in Marin County.  

Having spent the majority of his artistic life in Long Beach as a professor of theatre at CSULB  (where I met him in the sixties!), his creative approach to the arts has expanded the spirits and imaginations of hundreds (if not thousands by extension) of actors, writers, producers, directors, musicians and audiences around the world.  This may sound like hyperbole but in fact he has taught or worked with folks who include  Tony winners, as well as others who have gone on to create new theatre and art for the past fifty years!  

He is my friend.  Having met this guy, the depth and breadth of my experience as a creative person have become the most important opportunities anyone could wish for.   I love you, Rugg! Thank you for your gift of theatre, art, music and friends. Happy Birthday!     

_________________________

BUT    WAIT!!!    THERE'S MORE!! 

Tomorrow, we celebrate the ninetieth birthday of Johnny Gunn.  The big Nine OH! X C (as in excellent!) After arriving in  Hollywood long ago, one of my first friends in the voice over community  was John Chalmers Gunn.  Through his warmth and patience I found myself rubbing elbows with some of Hollywood's most recognizable folks.  He likes to think of himself as a 'mensch!'  In fact he is the epitomy of menschiness.  He picks up the lunch check.  He sends funny snail mail.  He still writes regularly and loves old movies. He shares himself and his thoughts with such generosity that we all could take a lesson from him. Tomorrow we celebrate with a bevy of family and friends (courtesy of his equally generous and menschly daughter, Gloria and her family) to toast this guy's natal day.  (It's actually on Christmas Day, but things were busy then, so... tomorrow, it is.)  

Happy Birthday to YOU, Johnny Gunn!  

Here's to many more.

You, too, Ruggala!!!

No one could be more lucky than I am... to have these guys for my friends.  Yay! 

January 22, 2016

michaelsheehan 

New theatre reviews on 'onstagelosangeles' starting next week!