Jaston Williams

When most people hear the name Jaston Williams they immediately think of Greater Tuna. I of course will always remember the first performance that I saw, which was his role as Truman Capote in his one man show Tru. The only other performance I had ever seen was Vanya and Sonya and Masha and Spike until a few weeks ago when I saw Maid Marian in a Stolen Car.

 (Because Jaston is a comedic actor I thought it would be interesting to do something different. The door happened to be locked so I had to be somewhat creative.)

Working with the actors, to make sure they have a parking space, I get to know them a little. Toward the end of the run of Tru, I had a chance to talk to Jaston and he told me about a project he had been working on. It had been in the works for many years, but he was now able to pull it together as the performance it is today.

Now he is back at Zach’s Whisenhunt theatre with Main Marian in a Stolen Car for three final days. September 26, 27 and 28.

I found Maid Marian to be an homage to the theatre world which Jaston knows first hand. It’s a personal story which I am always in awe of any artist that is willing to bring their life into the open. Digging deep to be so personal whether its about loved ones, close friends or demons is what people like to hear about. Sometimes it helps the audience to connect with the artist and other times it just helps people to understand the artist is just like everyone else.

There are some heart felt moments and lots of funny moments that will truly make you laugh. You’ll also think about what you were doing in certain periods of your life. Some more than others depending on your age.

I’ve always thought a good actor really doesn’t need a lot of props to pull off a performance. Jaston proves my point. With three chairs, a bean bag and a few costume changes Jaston works the intimate area of the Whisenhunt stage perfectly.

From his beginnings as an actor in high school and all of his adventures along the way we get to relive his experiences.

Catch this show if you can, its really great entertainment. Check out zachtheatre.org for more information.

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.

http://dlonzo.OpenYourMind.blogspot.com

Remembering SIFF Brendan Fraser 1998

I was looking at a journal entry and it recalled my thoughts on meeting Brendan Fraser in 1998.  I had written that I wasn’t sure when I started to like Brendan Fraser as an actor. Maybe it wasn’t until I met him at a party in Seattle. I know some of the films I never would have gone to see in the theater. Airheads just didn’t seem like my type of film or Encino Man. I definitely was not a fan of Pauly Shore. I wanted to see With Honors, but it came and went quickly in NOLA. So, what was my first Brendan Fraser film? It was George of the Jungle, can you believe that? It’s crazy I know. Then I began what I call a film trail. To see the other films he had done.

I always try to get as much information from people as I can. I don’t allow myself to be intimidated by celebrities. They are just like everyone else, but you do have to be careful in your approach. Brendan and I talked for quite some time and stayed in touch for a few months. I respect him for his honesty and its possibly that has hurt him in Hollywood. With Honors is the film that put him on the map. His height and striking features. He lights up a room. The energy that surrounds him draws you in, yet he is very soft spoken. He is the second actor I’ve met that is big in stature, but seems so gentle. The first was Rutger Hauer. It took me by surprise, not what I expected at all.

When I met Brendan he was promoting a film called Still Breathing. It was a love story. The idea was to have this film come out on he heels of George of the Jungle, hoping people would want to see him. Of course that didn’t happen and the film didn’t play in NOLA at all. It turned up on video about 6 months later. Someone knew I had met Brenden so they gave me a special copy of Encino Man. It was one of those viewing copies with the tracking numbers.

I then added Twilight of the Golds and Mrs. Winterborne to my collection. In my opinion, his best performance is not The Mummy or Dudley Do Right, but his performance as the gardener in Gods and Monsters. Brendan should have been nominated for an Oscar for his performance. He was the only actor not nominated.

The story is about James Whale the openly gay director of such films as Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein. Although he did other films, he’ll be remember most for those two. Ian McKellan and Lynn Redgrave both gave worthy Oscar nominated performances. Brendan’s features obviously got him the role as he resembled Frankenstein.
The film flows very well and makes you think. It’s a film about the choices we make in life. How curiosity can get the best of us and the things we will do to help out a person we care about.

Brendan has done many films since, but not every actor gets another chance to play such a great character.



Here is my new rating system. DDDDD highly recommend. DDDD It should be watched. DDD Entertaining DD So, so if you like the stars. D Just out of curiosity watch it.
(I like all movies. Even those that most people don’t like, it makes for great conversation.)


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Last night I saw two plays at the Zachery Scott Topfer Theatre.
 Dream: A Midsummer Forest Tour, a modern update on the Shakespeare comedy A Midsummer Nights Dream. This is part of the Balcony Play series which is free to the public before the main performance. Its quite unique as I don’t recall ever seeing this sort of thing before in stage performances anywhere.
The play begins at 7 P.M. and runs about 25 minutes.

(This was one Sunday when they were rehearsing for the outdoor performance.)

The Cast includes: Rosalind Faires, Sam Gorena, Harrison Harvey, Katie Miles, Jon Peterson and Chrissy Shackelford. The play was directed by William Davis. It will run until Sunday, June 16, 2013.

Inside the Topfer theatre is Harvey. I’ve never seen a stage version of the story and I was only familiar with the film that starred Jimmy Stewart. I remember seeing it as a kid. Last year I bought a version of the film that stars Harry Anderson, but I have yet to watch it.

The crew at Zachery Scott has outdone themselves again with the set design. When I saw Ragtime I thought that was awesome, and then there was White Christmas which blew me away because I got to see them work on some of the sets in the parking lot. That was followed by 33 Variations and Mad Beat Hip and Gone, but Harvey has a unique set design that rotates and slides. It’s like watching a jigsaw puzzle right before our eyes.

When I saw Mad Beat Hip and Gone I thought the sets over shadowed some of the performances. Being an artist that is very visual if the actor on stage isn’t one to command my attention I’m looking at something else.

That was not the case with Harvey. The actors were incredible. There were two familiar faces in the cast. David R. Jarrott (DJ) who I had seen in Ragtime, is great as Judge Omar Gaffney. Jacob Trussell who recently appeared in MBH&G, plays Dr. Lyman Sanderson.

Martin Burke gives an incredible performance as Elwood P. Dowd. He commands the stage. This is an incredible piece of work and I look forward to seeing him in other performances. Lauren Lane is awesome as Veta, Elwood’s sister. She also has that presence that commands your full attention.

With these incredible performances and great set design are some colorful costumes. (Designed by Susan Branch Towne.) Everything was on point.
Dave Steakley has selected a great cast and directed another great play.

Another standout performance was Liz Beckman as the sexy nurse.

When awards roll around, Michelle Ney should definitely win something for her scenic designs.

Matthew Webb is in charge of lighting, Craig Brock is in charge of sound and Justin Cox is in charge of properties. These roles are just as important as they help set the tone.

A great job to everyone involved.

Harvey will make you laugh and it will make you think.

Harvey starts at 8 P.M. and will run until Sunday, June 16, 2013.

Thanks for stopping by and do become a follower while your here. Remember to keep an open mind.

Mad Beat Hip and Gone

Mad Beat Hip and Gone

[This is a view of the theater from S. Lamar and Riverside Dr.]

Mad Beat Hip and Gone - Last night I attended this performance at the Zachery Scott Theater. The play was written and Directed by Steven Dietz. It’s the story of two guys who stumble across Jack Kerouac and follow him because he was talking to a girl that one of the guys liked. It’s a story about searching. Not just for parts of a past, but for the future. Looking for adventure, anything that will make life more exciting. The writer creates characters that may or may not have been in the bar from the book On The Road.

Mad Beat Hip and Gone stars Jacob Trussell, Jon Cook, Erin Barlow, Babs George, Rick Roemer and Topaz McGarrigle. The set design really takes over as a character. The team at Zachery Scott has done some incredible work on the last three performances I’ve seen and this one is no exception. The cast is really good, but Jon Cook really stands out as Rich, Danny’s partner in crime.

The play centers on the idea “Nothing is true, but everything is real.” It’s a line from a letter Jack Kerouac wrote to a friend in 1949. The writer was trying to solve Nietzsche’s metaphysics, according to the Playwright’s notes.

Topaz McGarrigle plays the sax which ads to the dark side within the characters. I’m sure we can all relate to something someone has written. We all have our own personal adventures, even if they are only in our dreams.

Relive the beginning of the beatnik era or get introduced to a time when young guys and girls wanted to be hip. It was drugs, sex, poetry and jazz.

Mad Beat Hip and Gone runs at the Zachery Scott Theater until April 28, 2013.

[The Topfer at night]

Thanks for stopping by, and do come back again. Remember to keep an open mind.

The Soul of the Game

I’m trying to watch films I’ve not seen in a long time. Since this is black history month I’m trying to watch the films in my collection that reflect this. Last week I watched the series Roots. I hadn’t seen it in a couple of years. It’s still a powerful mini series. It was a chance for black actors to shine.

Soul of the Game is about the negro leagues and the push to integrate the game of baseball. The film focuses on Josh Gibson and his bout with mental issues. Hershel walker trying to hold on to his celebrity status and hoping to be the first black to play for the Dodgers. And Jackie Robinson who was the choice because of his background. Jackie Robinson had dealt with racism in the military and was educated which made a bigger difference in him being selected.

The film stars Delroy Lindo, Blair Underwood, Salli Richardson and many of the best black actors around. If you’re looking for some great films with some of Hollywood’s great black actors check out the following. Introducing Dorothy Dandridge starring Halle Berry. Carmen starring Dorothy Dandridge. Get on the Bus starring Charles S. Dutton. Tuskegee Air Men starring Allen Payne. School Daze starring Laurence Fishburne. Lady Sings the Blues starring Diana Ross.

Some of the actors you may not have heard of, but the film and performances are worth watching. You may recognize other stars in the film and you learn a little something in the process.

Coming up:  More movie reviews, Rubbing elbows with celebrities

Brad Davis

There are quite a few movies I’ve watched in the last few weeks. I watched Querelle and Midnight Express with Brad Davis. I’m about to re-read the book about his life written by his wife, Susan Bluestein Davis. The book is entitled, After Midnight. There are often those actors that get that one role that defines them and then it is hard to find a role that will be better.

Everyone in the entertainment industry strives to make whatever they do better that what they had done before. You’re constantly trying to prove that you are better or just as good as your last job providing it gets positive attention.

Brad Davis had appeared off-Broadway and appeared in  such films as Chariots of Fire, Sybil, Roots, Mrs. Reinhart, Robert Kennedy and His Times, The Rainbow Warrior, Rosalie Goes Shopping and A Circle of Friends, his first film after Midnight Express. It was during the filming of A Circle of Friends his addiction began.

It not only takes a lot to live up to the expectations of the people depending on you. The expectations one puts on themselves. In the entertainment industry more than any other occupation, people are constantly asking, am I good enough? They are always looking for some sort of validation and it has to come from the right people.

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind.


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