Picture Daze #10 - Frogway

(be prepared for several video views.)

Googling "Frogway the Musical" and here are a few things I came across. This picture (to the right) is the cast of the upcoming production for one. A fine looking bunch don't you think? The director is also an actor of renown. There is also a Malaysian Idol finalist and another emerging Pop Star as well as a former Miss Malaysia/Universe in the present cast. (Here are some other cast photos.) The power creative team includes the likes of a Musical Director who composed this and of course my always amazing collaborator Mike (seen here playing with... believe it or not... my cousin, Jeremy at a recent concert). Even a couple of the Malaysian tourism sites have it listed as an event. Dang... it's quite a change from 27 years ago.

If you have followed this blog you've been privy to how this project came up again... to part of this latest rewrite process and working again with Mike here & here. So, how did this all begin?

On... meeting Mike
Mike and I met through a mutual friend (David Lim aka Kien) who was playing in a couple of bands together - Windjammer & Vintage. (There may have been another club band but the name escapes me at the moment.) Being a student at the time (HSC) I was somewhat of a "hanger-on" for the most part. I think it was during one of the Jazz Festivals/Concerts that Mike used to organize, that he may have first really noticed me. On the day of the concert they were short a group to perform... so they cobbled something together with musicians from several of the existing groups and called themselves "Lost Hopes". I was called in at the last minute to narrate a story of sorts backed by the band... their cue to break off into an extended jazz jam was me finally ending the story with the words "lost hopes".

Mind you, the concert had already begun when I got a call at home that this was happening. I jumped into a taxi... got to the venue with 5 minutes to spare before having to be on stage... all the while Mike and David were talking me through the idea. Got on stage... music backing started, I did my thing and I think this Zappaesque experiment was pulled off. It was after this over roti chanai that Mike asked me if I was interested in putting words to a tune he was writing. Shortly after that I brought the idea of Frogway to him.



On... our original working methods
We would usually work at Mike's place of business. He was giving organ lessons and we would steal into one of the practice rooms to hash out the songs. Sometimes he had the tunes that I would lyric to and at other times it worked the other way around. I recall one afternoon within a 2 hour period we managed to crank out 3 complete songs. We went to a local coffeeshop right after to celebrate buzzing with excitement over what had just occurred. I remember Mike exclaiming "Sometimes I wish I had 3 or 4 hands so I can play all the musical parts!" To which I replied, "I'd just settle for the other one I have to be functional." Back then... and again recently our collaboration always involved a healthy dose of good natured jibing of each other and laughter.


On... the original production in Malaysia
Mike was leaving to attend the prestigious Berklee School Of Music in Boston. I was left back in Malaysia to attempt putting a production of the show together. The plan was when he came back for Summer holidays we would mount the show. In March of 1980 I received news that I was accepted to college in California. This ramped up my own efforts to get the play produced before the end of August.

There was a certain naive "let's put on a show" Andy Hardy quality to the beginnings of all of this. I recruited potential cast & crew members from college mates, boy scout friends and friends of friends. My cousin Anna Kronenberg had her own dance studio. She kindly allowed us the use of it for rehearsals - rent free... all we had to pay was the utility bills... and also agreed to choreograph the show.

Then things got a little complicated. We needed an already established organization to produce the show because of all the red-tape, permits, etc that was going to be involved. (I remember having to send the script to 7 government departments for approval.) This proved to be a challenge as none of the established local theatre folk were really willing to go in with a bunch of upstarts. We finally approached NAMEO who agreed to umbrella us... Mike and I borrowed money from our parents and we began nailing the production together.


Well, things were moving along pretty well... then 2 weeks before opening I was in a car crash and split my nose open. One of the lead dancers and promotions manager was also in the car. It could have been a set back but the show went on to open with the 3 of us injured jumping back onto the stage. Mike and Anna kept things going in rehearsals and probably fixed some of the more glaring major mistakes I had made as a first time director.

The show opened at the University Kebangsaan Auditorium, July 30, 1980 (I think). It played for 5 performances to a total audience of about 1500. (I think again) For the most part everyone had a good time and we fulfilled at least the requirement of entertaining them. The entire cast and crew was made up mostly of unknowns and first timers... all of whom put effort, energy and joy on that stage... and it showed. The reviews in the press were mixed to say the least. Each of the 3 newspapers had reviews that ranged from excellent... to fair... to scathing. After recovering production costs the profits were donated to a couple of charities.

On... the production in America
In Fall 1980 both Mike and I were studying on different coasts in America. In 1981, I had switched majors from journalism to theatre at which time I had shown the script to one of my Professors. A staged reading of that under the Playwrights Theatre program was mounted. After that, my professor, Edward EmanuEl mentored me on the rewrites. Structurally the script became a lot more sound and 4 more songs were added. Mike and I wrote those over the phone and used the US Postal Service quite a bit back then. The current revision was conducted via Skype.


The play was picked up for production by the University's Experimental Theatre Company in the Spring of 1983. It was directed by french student Eric Duret with musical direction by Robert Paul and choreography by Chris Mathias. The show played to 4 sold out performances in the Arena Theater California State University, Fresno.

Impressions of the show
Both the original in Malaysia and American productions had several common characteristics.

• An infectious enthusiasm and charm.
• A raging "can-do" attitude.
  
• A good natured horny cast. LOL!
  

Both productions had their unique challenges. Though I can't help but feel that there is a certain vibe with this show that ultimately inspires those involved to go above and beyond. I don't think anyone has walked away from the show not being pleasantly surprised at how far their capability reached.

It's not Shakespeare... at best it is a bauble... but one with an infectious heart and soul that winks and dares the different... and the brilliant music sings that. I did however rediscover during the latest retooling, that the show does indeed have a special hard to be explained magic about it. I think both Mike and I have been happy to come across that on our paths again after 27 years.


To the cast and the crew of this upcoming "re-premier"... my sincere hope is that you too will find that magic... and hold on to it. It is that which all these years I have held on to in all the creative projects I have undertaken to date... and it continues to serve me well. In essence, Frogway 2007 really is a brand new show... but Mike and I took special care to preserve the original magic and charm in it.

CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE... AND GO SEE THE SHOW!

To everyone who has been involved in this hopping joyous insanity over the years... a big THANK YOU. And Mike... once again thank you for throwing your trust to this quirky serani hanger-on so many years ago.

EDIT: August 6
I have created a FROG BLOG HERE! (Forgive me Lord for the bad rhyming couplet puns.)

EDIT: For other Picture Daze posts form my old blog CLICK HERE!

still stalling for time...

... cuz the scanner is fritzy. While you wait (as if) here are a couple of public service announcements.

First off... if you happen to be in the Des Moines area... the Fringe Festival is coming up this week. Go see Mia and Starr in their shows... they are totally FAB! (Click their names for their MySpace pages.)

And if that wasn't already enough... mark your calendars for the next Rogue Year Round! Click the poster for readable info!

ryr2

And if you haven't seen the video below yet... go ahead click it.

the gig last night...

... was really good. Those who turned up to experience it had a good time. Those who didn't... too bad, they missed a good show. This one meant a lot to me on many fronts. It was my last performance with Suicide Lounge... for a while at least. For Tale End... well, to make a long story short... I have sold exclusive rights to the show to a more than worthy company. So, both are going on to bigger, brighter and better things.

It was fun nevertheless... here are some pics. None of tale end as photogman was too sucked into the whole deal.




EDIT: More pics






A big Thank You to everyone who made it possible.

sour green mango

I just devoured one dipped in a little salt. Bought at a local Asian market a couple of days ago. Best eaten when it hasn't ripened yet. I'm still floating in the afterglow of that tart euphoria. One of my uncles had a huge tree of that particular variety growing in front of his house. I remember picking them off the low branches as a boy. This same uncle had a cockatoo who was quite the diva. He would sing two lines of O Sole Mio and actually take a bow right after by tucking his head under his right wing. Taste does indeed trigger memory recall. Sure, you can find them (green mangos...not cockatoos) pickled in brine or a chutney... but nothing beats fresh.

So, of late references to food have been bombarding my psyche. Recently I quoted something I heard my father saying a long time ago. "Love truly begins after the flash of passion has boiled down to a simmer." That's cookin, baby. Where's Hank Williams when you need him? I've even been dreaming about nosh. OK, admittedly a fair amount of these dreams also involved sex... but food was prominently featured.

I can only surmise that this convergence of the culinary in my life at the moment is directly related to the current play I'm developing. Yeah, it's about a terrorist chef. The pace of development is actually occurring pretty fast. This one is coming quite easily. No, I haven't written a lick yet. Waiting for an opportune moment when I feel that it's fully cooked enough before I will allow myself to be lost in my bliss.

What surprises me is that it took me this long to actually attempt writing a food related play. I originally come from a culture that is practically obsessed about food. It's not unusual for people over there to drive for miles in the quest for a certain dish that is served in some shanty hole in the wall. Really, Malaysians make no bones about the fact that we live to eat. BTW... HERE is a really good Malaysian food blog if you're so inclined.

I cook. I have even "trained" most of my friends here to the point that if I do serve a "full tilt" curry that they will gobble it up while sweating and tearing profusely without moaning about the hellish heat index. I've run a food business... and may again soon. Some of my favorite movies are food related... Tampopo, Like Water For Chocolate, Big Night... just to name a few.

So, yeah... I think it's about time, don't you?

Couldn't be more official than this!

BTW... today's Da Count is below this post. So, click the image for a bigger version.

It has been delivered

The final script for Frogway has been sent to the producers. What? You thought it was done 4 weeks ago? Come on Lecram... it was part of a Count for crying out loud! Yeah, it was... but that count was celebrating the opportunity to re-do something that was first done 27 years ago. I didn't exactly stand around in a flight suit saying "Mission accomplished", did I? And I'll be the first one to tell you there are probably more tweaks to come... but they now have a new and vastly improved full working script... with the definitive lyrics and all.

SO WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE THEN?
Well, it started off as a nip and tuck 4 weeks ago. The more we got into it the more each of us individually realized that we almost had to treat this as a brand new project. Old songs were reworked and new ones developed. The plot was further developed and adjusted. A tighter integration between all the elements were worked on.

Back in Malaysia a power production team was assembled. Mike took several creative meetings with the team and a lot of great creative ideas were shared to further enhance the piece. Finally both of us got to go to our corners to choose what could be infused into the piece without compromising it's original charm.

Auditions were held last week as both of us worked feverishly to complete our individual tasks... him with music arrangements, me with rewriting certain sections and "spriting" up the rest of the script. (BTW... I have also been told that the cast is pretty powerful as well. On Friday and Saturday we pulled 2 lengthy sessions via Skype going through the script and songs doing more fixes. I finished the final clean-up by 4 PM yesterday and sent it off via email.

NOW WHAT?
From what I gather rehearsals happen in July with previews at the end of that month and the show runs August 8-26. So, if you happen to be in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia around that time... go see it and let me know how it went.

THOUGHTS ON... ... working with Mike after a 27 year break.
It was most enjoyable. We both bring different things to the table yet there is a sympatico between us... so it's more like a banquet than bones of contention. Even differences in opinion are handled with mutual respect with either of us deferring to the better idea. Though we are both very easy going... we are also both pretty anal about striving for excellence. This re-collaboration of the M & M Song Factory half a world apart will hopefully lead to more collaborations down the line... since we now have the means and know it can work.

... the show itself.
I think the show is what it is. It was a charming piece 27 years ago and it's still charming now... just a lot tighter, fuller and slicker. Our experience over the years has really paid off and I think the final product will celebrate that. The music is really good and the script is tons better than what was. I think we have managed to reinvigorate a freshness and zest into it... a quality that was it's strength originally. I am curious though as to how this production will be pulled off. I am a little disappointed that I can't make this opening night... but thrilled that it will be happening anyway. This is also the first time in a long while that I have been the playwright and only that on a project... I actually am enjoying that quite a bit. This was what I set out to be in the first place so many years ago... the wordsmith who cranks it out for others to produce.

What is strange is that I moved away from this genre of theatre a long while back... yet I found it oddly stimulating as I worked on it. So, in a lot of ways this wacky idea about a musical centered around a singing frog has come full circle. It belongs to the director, designers and cast now to make it their own. I'll keep you updated on it's progress as soon as I get them.

Anyway... so much for that for now.

O.K.... perhaps Thursday then...

... as I am still at it.

In the meantime, if you are looking for a good read - Kill the Goat - pretty damn exceptional.

Busy creating...

... for a deadline. See y'all Wednesday.

There's lots of other stuff to check out below... if you haven't already yet.

I get to receive an award...

... tomorrow for the Rogue. The 22nd edition of the Horizon Awards will be held at the council chambers of Fresno City Hall. (Yeah, it does look like a Klingon battle cruiser, doesn't it?) A pretty big affair and I'm supposed to give a short speech and all. (Lordy, lordy... oy vey!)

OK, this is all pretty surreal to me. (I'm convinced this is going to be like traipsing through a Salvador Dali painting.) Yes, it is wonderful for the festival to be honored like this but dang it's weird. Mainly I guess because the festival was started in a "wait and see" town. There is still a wait and see attitude here... though it is slowly changing. Weird also because I'm not exactly an "award" kinda guy. (Gawd, I'm supposed to dress up for this thing? Can I just wear a sarong?) I suppose I'll blog about the experience on Friday.

We were supposed to have Suicide Lounge rehearsals tonight but the only other person to turn up was my replacement going to Shanghai. So we used the time to hang a bit and chat. Talking about all sorts of things. A very pleasant evening to be sure which took away some of the edge I was feeling earlier.

That's all for now.

the tummy is a little...

... queasy this morning. I'm trying to decide if it was the scotch or the chicken quesedillas consumed last evening... or a combination of the two. Plus there is the cheese factor to consider since I am lactose intolerant. Yeah, thats a bitch since I love cheese. Oh well. Queasy is better than being doubled over in pain.

The evening was a pleasant one. Great company and fun conversation. It has been a while since I got out... just cuz. Though it was a little celebration for completing the rewrite. But just getting out for a bit was a very nice change for me. The weekend will be filled with web work and video editing... that actually will be fun and creative. So no complaints here... plus they are also money gigs.

Speaking of plays... to counter the mounting bills I have decided to sell ownership to some of my plays. Meaning that if you decide to own one of them, the copyright of said play will be transfered to you. You can then market them to other theatre companies for production and earn royalties from them. I will even facilitate a place for you to market the play. If you are interested send an email to me at lecram@daplaysdathing.com and I will furnish you with more details.

Have a grand weekend!

Oh, and here are a few Time Wasters to start it off.

• Need a custom coffin?
• Cake Art
• The Singles Map
  

and the slog goes on.

Completed Act 1. I think I'll be able to finish Act 2 by tomorrow.

it was only half an allnighter...

... last night. So, I'm trying to make it up tonight.

The Virginia Tech situation is very sad.

If you haven't been watching America at a Crossroads on PBS... you should.

rhyming couplets all day...

... was all I did yesterday. I was reworking a portion of the script that involved oodles of them. From song lyrics to chants to raps. By the time I hit the sack last night I was exhausted. Though I was also quite happy that I had gotten as far as I did with the script. I'm hoping to be finished with the rewrite and rework by sometime Monday. Then a couple of scan-throughs just to smooth out the bumps.

I also have to edit a video I shot for Theatre Ventoux's upcoming production of This Flattering Glass. It's a promotional video that I'm really looking forward to getting started on. (I really love editing. Of course it will be featured here as soon as I upload it to Daily Motion and YouTube. BTW... if you go to their site... there is a banner you can steal for your own blog or site. In fact, just click the banner below to go there.



The last couple of days have been overcast, rainy and dank... but it has been a welcome change. The rain washed out all the pollen from the air and I can literally breathe a lot easier because of it. Plus it really is perfect writing whether.

Perhaps there'll be more later in the day.

TIME WASTER
If you are in need to damn a soul for eternity... GO HERE.
And the Germans really know how to MAKE A STATEMENT.

EDIT:
I spent the day cutting this.

This Flattering Glass promo
Uploaded by dathang

spent the day working on the lyrics...

... to a brand new song and completely overhauling an old one. It was exhilarating... especially working on the new one. It's been a while since I've written lyrics and there is also the challenge to keep the original charm of and unity of the piece as a whole. Don't really want the new song to stick out like a... new song, if you know what I mean. The overhaul on the old one was also a lot of fun. Both still need to be tweaked some more and I can't wait to Skype with Mike to get it in those in the bag. Though I am pretty happy with how they've come out overall.

Reworking this show after 27 years has been and continues to be a lot of fun. Though it has caused me to ponder about the cyclical nature of life. I mean, here is the first play I attempted. It was produced back then. Now Mike and I are readying it again for another possible production. We have chatted about this and what a strange wondrous journey between then and now our separate lives have been. (BTW... here is sampling of Mike's genius for your listening pleasure... and the gentleman he is "dueting" with is a cousin of mine. I think you'll agree both are total MOFO jazz musicians!)

I have over the last couple of years noticed that I have been revisiting other past events, situations and people on a fairly regular basis. The only meaning I can derive from this is that (for some reason) I'm being afforded the opportunity to perhaps "do it right" this time around... or perhaps come to some resolve. With the play... I think falls into the "do it right" column... perhaps if nothing else to pacify the restlessness I've had with it over the years.

In this same two year period I've also had this inkling that there may be opportunities (exciting ones at that) up ahead. Major shifts. Yet at the present there also does exist a tense feeling... probably because of the financial uncertainty I presently face.

Energy is a strange, wonderful and scary thing, isn't it?

so, the producers need...

... the current rewrite of Frogway in a week and a half. Other than outlining the changes that I want to be made I have not begun to work on it as yet. Though if the outlining that I've done works the way I want it to... it may be completed in 5 days. This is planned as a complete slash and burn rework. Of course, all of this is exasperated by the fact that a digital copy of the script doesn't exist. So, I guess I'll spend the rest of the evening scanning it all in.

Though I have to say that working with Mike again has been totally fun. We Skype once a day for about an hour or so. I managed to "acquire" a full working version of Sibelius (don't ask how) and that has made the process even easier. (Yes, my musician friends hold a mixture of awe and hate for me because I have a copy of it.) Makes rewriting and reworking the songs for the show half way around the world very easy. So, things are clipping along in that area. On top of that there is a sudden interest about mounting the show here as well... royalty money... good.

Plus, I have also been hired by Theatre Ventoux to shoot and cut a couple of promo videos for their upcoming production. (Yeah, this too has to be done way soon!) I went over to catch a rehearsal on Friday and think they have the promise of a really good show in the works. If you live in and around the big NO... make sure you catch it!

Then there is Jungle Webs... and marketing that... so that there will be a stream of income... so that we can eat. If you can shill that for me I may begin to get some more business... it would really help.

All of this plus tending to Mum's needs. So, it's safe to say that my eyeballs are floating at the moment. So, postings may be a little sporadic... just saying.

MY WEEKEND?
It was a good friend weekend. One came over on Friday to assist me with unplugging the john. Another, on Saturday morning responded within 15 minutes via a phone plea to help Mum up who had fallen. Yet another came over Saturday evening to "get my back" on some needed items around the house. And another came by after work "just to hang"... which is just what the doctor ordered. I've said it before and I'll say it again... one of the biggest blessings in my life are my friends. Thanks so much, guys!

Here's wishing your weekend starts off well.

looks like the show is a go...

... Frogway, that is. Skyped with my friend Mike last evening and he filled me in on the details of the meeting between him and the producers of the show. Of course, all of this is dependent on the rewrites. When the project was first proposed I agreed to it on condition that we both rework the show before it was to be remounted. Afterall, it has been 27 years since it was first produced and it was the first outing for both of us. Neither of us really knew what we were doing at the time.

It was heartening to hear that these producers felt the same way. (The show is being envisioned as a more compact production that may be designed to tour.) Not only that but many of the suggestions they have made are right up where I think the show needs to be re-sculpted. So, now all I have to do is outline the changes and start cranking on the write. Everything is hinging on me and what I spew forth for them now. There is going to be another Skype meeting today. Technology... you gotta love it.... we are writing together halfway across the world.

On other fronts...

I'm nearly up to the 500 "friend" mark where the Jungle Webs MySpace push is concerned. (Some really cool and interesting theatrical groups on the friend list now.) I am really hoping that this particular push will create more business.

Not much else at the moment... more on other fronts later perhaps. (Yeah Jay... I was quite the sleepy wuss last night. lol.)

I did mention this...

... from last Sunday, didn't I? Someone was kind enough to scan it for me... since it hasn't been posted online. This was the Central Valley's People's Choice Award for Hidden Gem. Cool, huh? (Go ahead, click it for a bigger readable version.)

Bet you are sick of hearing/reading about the Rogue by now. Though there has seemed to be a never-ending stream of related stories in the local press about it of late. (Yeah Lecram... will you shuttup about it already?!)

For instance today... there was yet another related story in the papers with a huge photo spread in the entertainment section. (Oh Lordy... when will he stop???) I read it this evening and am happy and excited as the writer is about the developments... but I'll take minor issue with a couple of points in it... not here... but over at the TJ Site. Check for it... it may be posted later when I work up the guile to compose it. (Like this wasn't enough.)

Once again... there may be updates or edits to this post at a later time (at least one telling you that the post on the TJ Site is up)... or not.

EDIT: My friend, Generik posted some GREAT PICS of his outing at the St. Stupid's Day Parade.

Stay tuned... there could be more edits to come... maybe.

EDIT 2: OK... the new post is up on the TJ Site.

2 playwrights chatting

Last night, after catching up with a friend on her return from New Zealand I ran into fellow playwright, Ross Howard who fielded 2 shows at the recent Rogue Festival. This one & this one... both excellent plays in my book ( I saw them both in my quest to seek out original works during the festival). I was actually on my way home but just couldn't pass up the opportunity to commiserate with someone who I think is a bright emerging talent in this waning field.

Ross is English and came to this country to pursue an MFA in playwriting. Curious... considering that he hails from the land of the Bard.

I cannot really explain what fun and how much of a luxury this was for me. It is rare in these parts to come upon a fellow comrade in the trenches to share ideas with... especially one who is open to sharing without the (natural) paranoia of their ideas being stolen. (This is a malady that often plagues many in our craft... lol.)

We chatted about all sorts of things. A light dissection of each other's shows (he had also come to see mine and I his)... working techniques (discovering to our delight that our process is similar)... discussions of playwrights works we (both) admired... our mentors (and we share a couple) ...and future plans and projects we are considering. It was also a joy to be able to chat with someone who shares a common "blue collar" attitude to the work.

We both agreed that theatre is first and foremost a "gig"... and some of it transcends to evolve into art... that the over analysis emphasized in academia has taken the gig out of it which in turn perpetuates the perception that it is inaccessible to regular folk. (Then, they wonder why they can't get an audience.) Instead of mutual support and encouragement... too often in this world of theatre (sadly, more true than not) folks get caught up in a competitive back-stabbing, holier-than-thou snob attitude that really does no one any good and only contributes to the further erosion of the craft... simply because they buy into the idea that everything they create is art.

It was so refreshing (and encouraging) to be able to converse with someone in a "common language". The language of the theatre is common enough among practitioners of the craft but there does exist various "dialects" within this small (and ever shrinking) world. Chatting with actors about a show is quite different than speaking with designers, etc. To be able to converse with a fellow playwright for me presented the unique opportunity to speak in "short-cuts" brought about by a common understanding through the labor of our work that does not require explanation... like two carpenters discussing the best techniques for dovetails without explaining what a dovetail is.

We even half jokingly chatted about spearheading an "indie garage theatre" movement... not unlike the indie garage band or indie film movements that have done so much to refresh those forms over the recent years. Perhaps that is what is needed... to bring a sense of rock n roll back to theatre. Strip away the "jizz" and and allow the works to really sing through performance without the distractions of unnecessary "production value".

I stayed out longer than I thought I would last night... but returned home happy, rejuvenated and much encouraged by the conversations that transpired between Ross and I. It was nice... akin to running into a fellow countryman from the same village in a foreign land.

To quote a line from Tale End... "We are done."

I feel good... better than James Brown. Rogue 2007 went well. There seemed to be a significant spike in audience attendance. Performers from far and near seemed to be on a buzzed high from their participation. In general the caliber of shows was very impressive. After 6 years I think it has finally arrived.

Both my shows did well. Suicide Lounge was quite a popular show. For something that was thrown together as a lark... after our last performance we were offered a 2-3 week gig in a jazz club in Shanghai! How freaky is that? You can read about some of it here at fellow SF blogger Generik who turned up for the final weekend. There are some pictures there too!

Tale End sold out 3 of it's 5 shows. Those who said they would turned up... others didn't... but it's all good. I was especially proud of the last 2 performances. When the lights went out on stage the audience sat in stunned silence for a good 5-10 seconds before the applause rolled high. We all went into this knowing full well that audiences would like it or hate it... and that proved true. Here are some of the reviews and a new post!

New friends were made... old friends reacquainted and it was also time to say goodbye to a friend and fellow founder of the festival. She headed out today for a new life back East.

I'll leave it at that for now and here are some pictures. Speaking of pictures... there are more on this year's fest HERE as well... including a cool Flikr slideshow. Ahh... now back to real life!

Click for bigger versions.

Suicide Lounge (stolen from Generik)

With friends at the Starline

Lines around the block for our final performance.

The Golden Plunger Award (no turds involved)

Tale End (pic by Brad Polzin)

Post final performance tailgate for Tale End with the Green Faerie

Saying good bye to Mama Rogue Jenn.

So, if you want to read...

... reviews to the play so far. Go HERE!

BTW.... we sold out a 10 PM Wednesday performance. Chide me all you want for my marketing... B.I.T.S. (Butts In The Seats)... is the bottom line... then you can sell a good play or art to them.

while I'm waiting for the laundry...

... I thought I'd take the opportunity to write a post.

First off the bat... if you are in the big NO... Tale End plays tonight at 10 PM. If you are in line you may be randomly picked to go in FREE!

Thoughts have been floating of late. Some concerning the Rogue some concerning the show but mostly those concerning how this year has (as I predicted) to be one of letting go.

In one weekend I let go of this festival as well as my play. Yes I am still a promotion demon for both but I have released both of them from my steely grip to where they should be... to the public and to my cast. A sense of melancholy hovered this morning as I thought about this. Not because I yearn for them back but the process will be missed. Now to set out to find some new trouble to engage in.

I have received interesting reactions to the show. Friends who have known me for more than a 5 year span accept it as a natural progression of my own evolution. Friends who have known me for less than 5 years are having reservations about its style and content. They seem to have expected something broader with a touch more razzmatazz. Probably because they are comparing it with some of my earlier works that have encompassed that quality and feel my work should continue in that vein. So, they have walked in with an expectation that has been projected onto the show that does not payoff and have left a little disappointed. People who don't know my work from Adam have come out raving about the show.

I have never been one to stick to a genre or style simply because I get bored when there is no challenge. What is next? Who knows. For now I'm happy with what is. Doesn't mean I'm not going to tweak it but all the choices subtle or garish in the show at the moment are justified and full.

My impressions...

... of the first weekend? Hmmm... this is gonna be an interesting one to write. Do I write this as an ex-producer of the Rogue... as a current independent producer & performer... or just an audience member? Decisions, decisions....

It's probably going to be all over the place... so, bear with me on this one.

First... the picture to your right is the actual line waiting for a 4 PM performance on a Sunday! I heard the line for our opening performance was triple that and chairs were added and that over 30 people had to be turned away. I'm still trying to wrap my mind around that.

Opening night was fraught with technical glitches... but the cast pulled through. The Sunday show was good. Audience members walked away walked away with what we wanted them to walk away with. You can read some of the responses HERE.

I have decided that the show that I'm actually performing in, Suicide Lounge, is going to do me in. Each of us average 3 drinks a piece during a 45 minute set... for me it is scotch rocks! But we do have fun... and I think the audience does too. It's sick and wrong with some great songs but they love it.

As an audience member... the festival is going well. It really is. people are teeming and buzzing and walking (in a hurried pace) from venue to venue. This year... there is an extra spark of newness that is spreading like a virus... be it from Rogue regulars to the new Rogue audience members. Our numbers are up... but these are all concerns that I don't have to deal with this year.

You can read about this from them HERE, HERE & HERE. Oh, there is more... but I thought these would give you a taste. Plus a couple of local papers in town have gone out full bore with reviews on their blog.

Am I proud? Yes. Nuff said.

Once again... my blogging may be spotty... but I will try to get it all in. Oh, yeah... pictures too!

So, how did it go?

We SOLD OUT our opening performance. (Chairs had to be added) There were technical glitches... but the stellar cast pulled it off in grand style.

We've got a show this afternoon at 4 PM.

Updates later.

Da Count - Rogues, one and all!

It begins today. Where over 6 years ago no-one wanted anything to do with us... it is now the biggest of it's kind on the West coast! Counts go all around for this one.

• To the small ragtag group of founders... you jumped into this insanity and showed this town the wonders of the possible. Yeah, I catch a lot of press and credit for it... but know that I never fail to mention YOU... because without YOUR dedication, love and efforts in those early days... it would have only remained an idea. This creation was ours... and will always remain that.
  
• To the waves of folk who joined after... you embraced and added to the idea. You have brought it further than anyone of us could have. It is you who will continue to nurture it and make it live. Some of you have come and gone but your efforts are still glowing bright.
• To our early nay sayers... you really provided us with the extra energy and inspiration not to prove you wrong... but to prove that life is about possibilities and realizations.
• To the city that is home to the Rogue... yes, you are still a little befuddled but you also have begun to celebrate us celebrating the multitude of talent that calls this place home. Cheers to that!
  
• To the performers and artists who have taken a chance... you are the reason the Rogue exists. Your talent moves and inspires. You make real the wonders of the possible.
• To the snobs who still want to have nothing to do with us... read the part about nay sayers.
  

I am posting early because I will be out and about at the big kick-off! Cheers & Rogue On!

To find out what Da Count is all about click the flashing sign.

EDIT: 3 PM
3 Articles in the paper today! HERE, HERE, & HERE! Plus they will be blogging their reviews of shows HERE. And they even posted a video HERE. And THE ROGUE REPORT is HERE!

With all this plus a TV station with a news story on last night's broadcast... ya think folks would actually know that this is happening.

Part 1 of 2 of 2 HNT

Yes, we premier Tale End at 8 :30 this Saturday... as the lovely Solitaire beckons you from over her shoulder. For part 2 of this series... go HERE!

Cheers & Happy HNT!

It's been a whirlwind of activity...

... this weekend. Lugging equipment and setting up venues for the Festival. A flurry of activity as the Rogue begins to take over the Tower District for the next 2 weeks.

I have to admit that I am getting excited with the upcoming openings of my shows in it. I have a pretty tight schedule on Saturday as 2 of my shows are playing back to back. At 7:30 Suicide Lounge plays and then I have 15 minutes to book to another venue for the premier of Tale End. It's gonna be both a rush and exhausting. But I am looking forward to it.

You should be able to catch updates and pics of the fest right here... with with more of the Rogue Experience found HERE and HERE. Blogging from me is probably going to be a little spotty but I will attempt report my reactions and observations as best I can.

Finished editing our promo video...

... HERE IT IS! (Just click Talepromovideo under the player to steal it for your own blog.

Oh yeah, go check the TJ Blog and meet one of our Rogue Buddies there!

Oh yeah (number two), there may be an HNT this week.

Talepromovideo
Uploaded by dathang

A Monday at that!

Just to get it out of the way... there is a NEW POST on the TJ site. We had a pickup rehearsal tonight that went pretty darn well.

Been quite a day. More web work... then I began toying with a promotional video for Tale End. Hopefully it will be completed by tomorrow. I think it'll run about a minute or so long.

2 weeks more till the Rogue begins. There is still loads to do... but this year that is not my job. I have a few more bits and pieces on the graphics department. Then, I'm just a shmoe like everybody else. I'm sure I'll hear about this, that and the other but I aim to make the effort to support and help where I can... then mind my own business. But mostly to get my own shows up and bouncing.

BTW... how do you like the new "recent comments" widget in the sidebar. Pretty nifty, eh?

Not much more to say today... probably because I spilt most of it on the TJ post. Perhaps more later in the day. Hope your Tuesday goes well.

16 seats!

And people invited... don't turn up. (Personal invitations at that!) Gee thanks! Yeah... we got a good crowd... but 8 fucking seats could have been given to others who actually gave a damn! No call no email ... nothing! Look, I'm not fucking Shakespeare... but common courtesy... heard of that? Don't expect it if you don't give it.

Other than that, we had a great time. Really, we had a a wonderful time... and you fucking missed it. HAH! Now you get to pay to see it. For those who took the effort to turn up... a mighty big Thank You! You made all the difference in the world.

EDIT: Yes, the same post would have been written even if I was stone cold sober at the time of writing. BTW don't you just love how I can cuss like a sailor when I've tipped a couple. LOL!

The first preview...

... went well. Those who know my work were a little taken aback. We also had non-theatre goers in the crowd... and they seemed to have been sucked in as well. There are pics on the TJ Site. One more to go tonight with close to a full house expected. We will open with Suicide Lounge and wabblings of the mutant frog.

Da Count - my cast and crew

Oodles to count... but this week it's my cast and crew. They have been riding this beast with me (and continue to) and I couldn't ask for a better group of folk who have given in time, effort and talent like they have given to this trifle. You have eased my re-entry back into the theatre world to being a joyous experience... something that I didn't think I would find again.

All I can say is... Terima Kasih... you have made it all count for me once more.

If you want to find out what Da Count is all about... click the flashing sign.

Shameless & Blatant does work.

We got an article in Fresno Famous... not written by me... plus a picture and all! There was a real reporter involved this time. He came over for rehearsals on Tuesday night. Yeah, go ahead... click the link and read it. I'll wait. (BTW... don't you think the pic posted has some nasty connotations? LOL!)

::toe tapping:: Done? Good.

Last night's Suicide Lounge rehearsal went quite well. We actually started by sharing a meal together over at a Vietnamese noodle place. It's something we hadn't done together in a while. I sort of miss that aspect of those days when we would all go out for meals and commiserate. Just doesn't happen that much anymore. But when it does... it's so very special.

Then there was a beer run and back to my garage to rehearse the songs we will be doing for the preview this weekend. We ran through the songs a few times and was accompanied at instances by backup vocals from my dogs. A pleasant evening all in all.

Tonight we rehearse for Tale End. Today... I'm swamped with graphics work. Tomorrow I prep for the previews this weekend.

No Tale End rehearsals tonight...

... but us boys are meeting for Suicide Lounge. And there is still a shit load of graphic work to accomplish before 6 PM.

Tale End will meet again tomorrow for a final rehearsal before our previews this weekend. Yeah, there are a couple more pictures over on the TJ Blog... and stuff to read as well.

Oh, I do have to mention that I am the guest interviewer on that lovely Ms. Bees Knees blog. If you haven't visited her site yet... you should. Though be forewarned... she is a paid killer... and she's known to do it for free... just for the pleasure of it.

Other than that... not a whole lot to report at the moment. Hope all of you are have a grand hump this Wednesday.

Mum update.

She is up and around. In fact, she was sweeping the front of the house yesterday. (Yeah, so now I'm going to be accused for elder labor too.) Anyway, she is fine.

On to other news.... If you go to the TJ Blog, you will see (especially if you live in the big "NO") you can win yourself an opportunity to see a preview of Tale End for free this coming weekend!

More later maybe...

the wedding was very sweet...

... in fact, for a limited time you can still watch a re-run HERE. (Click Darryl Hinds/Carly Jones) I even had a date to the wedding with a fellow blogger via chat. We even brought our owh slurps and nosh for an improvised reception after. I had a fried chimichanga and beer. The best part of the whole thing was that I didn't have to dress up for it. Still, it was a privilidge to have witnessed it.

Rehearsals were stellar last night... and (for the first time) all of us chimed in at the same time on the TJ Blog. Suicide Lounge rehearsals also began last night. Boy, do I have a long way to go on that. LOL!

This morning Mum fell again and one more time Kowboi came to the rescue. I already know that this is going to be a more frequent occurance. All I can do is be prepared for it. Once again, a big THANK YOU, Kowboi!

Now, to fininsh the laundry... go out to get it dry. Cooking for the day has already been accomplished. Then it's back to graphics work for the Rogue. BTW... click this LINK and you'll get to a post that links to some of our performers presence online.

So, yesterday began bumpy but ended well. This morning was bumpy too. I can only hope that the ending of the day mirrors yesterday.

My Rodent is Rebelling

Last night, I left my computer for 20 minutes (to get something to eat) and came back to find that mu mouse was stuck. Refused to move. On strike. So this post is coming from the laptop.) Now I have to determine if it is a hardware or software issue. Please Almighty Lord... let it be a hardware issue!

Of course, this comes at the most inconvenient of times... when I have massive amounts of graphic work to accomplish. Figures, huh?

On to other news... the rehearsal went well. You can read about it HERE.

Tonight I have 2 rehearsals. The first for TALE END, then at 9 SUICIDE LOUNGE begins. This will be interesting. The other 2 are professional musicians... then there's me. HAH! I have less than a month to get my chops back up to acceptable snuff. No easy task this... but it gives me the perfect reason to cut down... even give up smoking. My motivation? I don't want to suck on stage.

Also, I'm going to a wedding! You can too! CarleyJayJay (What the Beans on my blogroll) is getting married in Vegas! Plus, a friend of hers has sprung for it to be webcast! Go to her site for the link to the webcast and wish the soon to be newlyweds well.

UPDATE: 1:16, PM
All systems are a "go" again... it was a hardware issue too stupid to even go into right now.

In re-writes...

... and I posted something on the TJ blog about it... and there are other very recent posts there as well.

BTW... the webcast has been cancelled.

UPDATE: 10:05 AM, Saturday
Here is Fred Astaire singing "Lets Face The Music and Dance"

Da Count - perspective

We lost a fellow blogger this week. And yes it is sad.... for so many reasons. Sad because we will miss her. Sad because she was at her prime. Sad because she was a joy. Sad because this was so sudden. We are sad for ourselves because the presence of that person is no longer with us.

Grieving is a natural part of our lives. We grieve for who isn't anymore in our lives... for what isn't anymore in our lives. We grieve because that, who and what isn't going to be the same. And that is the way it should be. If we do not grieve... then we are not human.

And that is my count... that we can grieve. That we can feel. That compassion is part and parcel of our human make-up. That we are indeed feeling human creatures. That like it or not... life is going to throw us curves. That those moments will make us take pause to reflect that this precious gift is fleeting and that we affect the universe as much as the reason we grieve. That we do make a difference which causes a ripple in this pond of life we inhabit. That we all touch in one way or another... other lives. And knowing that... we become acutely aware that all our lives and actions DO count.

If her passing serves as that reminder... then may it be a celebration in her honor.
As Fred Astaire once sang... "Let's face the music and dance."

If you want to know what Da Count is all about... click the flashing sign.

UPDATE: 9:16, Friday.
Hunter has chimed in on the Theatre J'Nerique blog... PLUS... details on the upcoming skypecast of a rehearsal next week can be found there too!

So, this is what we're thinking...

... we may webcast about half an hour of a rehearsal next week. Stay tuned for details.

Rest of the post will be up in the AM

Being a bad blogger again.

With the schedule I now have there is less time to blog surf. I do visit but the comments are left at a minimum. So, do know that I do come by to catch-up.... about every 2-3 days.

Solitaire has something new on the Theatre J'Nerique blog... so have I... sort of. Last night's rehearsal... well... go over to the blog and see.

Also been posting on the Jungle Webs blog. I'm planning "how to" posts once every 2 days do that it becomes more of a resource. Hopfully that will also help with getting more traffic and business.

Plus, I included an article there that I posted on Fresno Famous. It sure got the TJ site some hits yesterday. LOL! I am so shameless!

Short post today... perhaps more this evening.

I accomplished 3...

... of the 4 things I had set out to do today. Left out the cooking part but there were some leftovers and easy food around the homestead to keep us both well nourished.

Rehearsals began tonight. You can read all about it HERE and check out a few more pictures of the evening. Yeah, don't be shy to leave a comment while you are there.

I did finish the layout work on this year's Muse for the Rogue. It's a complete departure from years previous... which is good. Though it was not a piece that I would have chosen... I like how it turned out. A new eye, a different sensibility, a change forward. There is a definate twisted whimsey to it. I'll unveil it to you when the powers that now be make it official.

Not much more to write... so, I'll hit the sack. Have a happy Tuesday and Cheers!

the start to a busy few weeks...

... begin at dawn tomorrow.

1. I have to start design and web work on Rogue 2007. This includes the festival website and the 44 page Rogue Map (glossy festival program) plus layout this years Muse which will serve as the iconic image.
2. If I can squeeze an hour or two in... work on my internet business. A site was set up a while back but of late I've also been setting up a blog that will include a series of "how to's". The market that I'm targeting are folk in the arts and bloggers! Time to get agressive with this one if I want to continue to eat.
3. Cook... so that Mum and I don't whither away.
4. Begin rehearsals on "Tale End". We've set up 3 weeks of rehearsals with previews scheduled for January 26 and 27.

More later in the day... perhaps.

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Lets see what this looks like