LEISURE
Theater companies
collaborate again
collaborate again
Following the success of their online readings of “Quiet Cross” by local playwright, Casey Tibbitts, and “The Callback Queen” with Luke Monday – SRT and OTC are thrilled to have another opportunity to connect with their communities during this time apart. The event will be hosted on the Zoom platform. The audience will log in from the comfort of their home any time after 6:30 p.m. The performance will start at 7 p.m. This is a “pay what you can” event. All proceeds will support the performers, SRT and OTC. For updated access information, visit www.scrippsranchtheatre.org/longer/
‘The Longer You Wait’
By Paul Coates
Directed by Kevin Hafso-Koppman
Produced by Bridgette Young
Cast: Kenny Bordieri, Christine Hewitt, Luke H. Jacobs, Robert May and Jessica Morilak
A romantic comedy-drama, set in a dilapidated beach cottage in North San Diego County – Mark Fleming is a weathered, bitter, salty-tongued sculptor with two grown children. At the ripe age of 60, Mark's life is turned upside down when he discovers love, career success and renewed family ties for the very first time, proving sometimes the longer you wait, the better it is.
About Scripps Ranch Theatre
Scripps Ranch Theatre is a professional theater company located on the campus of Alliant International University providing the community with high quality performances for 41 years. Helmed by Artistic Director Jill Drexler, Scripps Ranch Theatre historically produces a five-show mainstage season in its intimate 128-seat space. SRT is a leader in the Southern California arts community in developing and producing new plays with its annual Out on a Limb Festival of New Plays. SRT has a thriving Educational Program that tours across San Diego Schools and also provides an annual summer camp in partnership with the YMCA. To learn more, visit www.scrippsranchtheatre.org. The team at SRT has been moved and thankful for the support of the community during this time of distance. For information about becoming a part of the donor family to support ongoing art at SRT, friends can contact Caitlyn McTaggart at development@scrippsranchtheatre.org.
A recorded version will be available to stream on the Globe website through Saturday, May 16 only. The short play is free to stream, but viewers are asked to make a donation if they can to help support The Old Globe in these extraordinary times.
Two comic minds convene a meeting on Zoom and surprise themselves as they look at our particular pandemic moment and the virtual way we’re living it. Two-time Tony Award winner Bill Irwin (“Fool Moon,” “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”) and three-time Tony Award nominee Christopher Fitzgerald (Broadway’s “Waitress,” “Young Frankenstein,” Wicked) delight in Irwin’s beguiling take on our new reality.
The creative team includes Leila Knox (production stage manager) and Kevin Anthenill (digital platform director). Special thanks to Jake Millgard, Kevin Hafso Koppman and Kyrsten Hafso Koppman for their work in developing this piece.
“The theatre’s special magic is to gather strangers at an appointed time and place and bring them together into an audience, a single community,” said Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein. “With our three beautiful venues in Balboa Park temporarily closed, we’re making theatre, or something very much like it, on digital platforms, and we’ve turned to our family of brilliant artists to lead the way. Bill Irwin is a superb actor, director, writer and thinker, and of course, one of the greatest-ever clowns in the American theatre. Bill’s been thinking about how to adapt his unique art to this dizzying moment, and ‘In-Zoom’ is what he’s found. It’s a huge treat, and I’m very grateful to Bill, Christopher Fitzgerald and the crackerjack theatre makers of The Old Globe for bringing it to life.”
This funding is available through private donations and fees developers pay into the City’s Public Art Fund.
As COVID-19 continues to devastate the global economy, local artists are among many struggling to make ends meet as work opportunities are scarce. To support those artists, the City of San Diego is launching two new initiatives to beautify public spaces like City parks and add new works to the City’s collection.
“As we continue to slowly reopen our economy, we’re looking for ways to help folks get through this difficult period and begin to recover,” Mayor Faulconer said. “That’s why we’re launching two new initiatives that will provide work for many struggling artists and create beautiful, thought-provoking public art for everyone to enjoy.”
The first arts initiative, SD Practice, will support artists through the direct purchase of existing artwork, providing income to working artists. This effort is made possible through a $500,000 gift from the late Thomas O. Rasmussen, an avid contemporary art collector.
Information on how artists can apply to participate in SD Practice can be found on the City of San Diego’s Commission for Arts and Culture website (https://www.sandiego.gov/arts-culture) or at sandiego.gov/SDPractice. Artwork purchased through the SD Practice initiative will diversify the City’s Civic Art Collection with different types of art, such as paintings, sculptures and media-based works.
“It’s important to consider that many of the artworks in the Civic Art Collection were created during the New Deal work-relief programs,” said Christine E. Jones, chief of Civic Art Strategies for the City’s Commission for Arts and Culture. “In the past, many artists have found times of hardship and suffering to be perfect catalysts for launching their artistic practices. In response to COVID-19, the City is reviving this practice through direct purchases and implementation of projects that support the creativity of local artists and have a positive impact on diverse communities.”
With the second initiative, Park Social, the City is commissioning San Diego artists to develop site-specific temporary projects that create moments of reflection in park settings. The $500,000 initiative is made possible thanks to a family bequest and developer fees paid to the Public Art Fund for the artistic enhancement of the City’s public spaces. It is anticipated that Park Social will launch this summer.
Through this opportunity, local artists will develop innovative, thought-provoking projects that relate to a space or spaces in the City’s park system and directly connect the visitor and the park.
The goal of Park Social is to empower people to get out into the parks post-COVID-19 and experience the park space in new, interesting ways. To learn more about SD Practice or Park Social visit Artist Opportunities (https://www.sandiego.gov/arts-culture/publicart/artistopps) or the City of San Diego’s Commission for Arts and Culture (https://www.sandiego.gov/arts-culture).
“Artists are important contributors to the creative ecosystem. They are vital to our city, serving as economic generators and community cultural connectors,” said Jonathon Glus, executive director of the Commission for Arts and Culture. “This is an investment in San Diego artists at work to bolster the artistic infrastructure of our city and a key ingredient for the wellbeing, prosperity and joy of everyone in the city.”
View on Facebook Live tonight, Tuesday, May 26 at 6:30 p.m.: https://www.facebook.com/TheOldGlobe/?utm_source=wordfly&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TSLSonnets%2COTP%2CEtc.&utm_content=version_A
For many San Diegans, their ability to understand and appreciate the wonders of William Shakespeare has increased exponentially since they viewed “Thinking Shakespeare Live!” In this lively program, Barry Edelstein, called by NPR “one of the country’s leading Shakespeareans,” provides audiences a unique opportunity to learn the methods he imparts to professional actors in the rehearsal room.
This entertaining behind-the-scenes look at the creative process offers a primer on the tools used to hear and understand Shakespeare. With humor and insight, it brings audiences into the intoxicating world of the Bard and shows how his masterful poetry can come to life for everyone.
This special program, based on Edelstein’s book “Thinking Shakespeare: A How-To Guide for Student Actors, Directors, and Anyone Else Who Wants to Feel More Comfortable with the Bard,” has been performed by Edelstein across the country, including at the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC.
(StatePoint) With many events canceled and public venues closed, the backyard is likely going to be the new hot spot destination for families nationwide. But staying home doesn’t have to be boring. Using these tips, you can put together an afternoon of sunshine and fun, right in your own backyard.
Create a theme night
Choose a different theme for every backyard BBQ you enjoy with your family – whether it’s all songs about summer or you focus on a particular decade, you can create a specialized playlist to set the tone and dress for the occasion.
Game on
You may be feeling a bit cooped up these days, so be sure to play some yard games that allow you to stretch your legs as well as concentrate. Cornhole and bocce make great choices, or set up outsized versions of your favorite board games that are best played outdoors.
Cool off
Keep a cooler of delicious drinks handy to stay refreshed on a warm day. Iced tea is always a summer classic, but be sure to have a variety of flavors on deck to satisfy everyone’s taste buds – sweet tea, zero calorie sweet tea, and tea mixed with lemonade, to name a few. The high-quality, fresh beverages offered by Milo’s are made with natural ingredients and have no added colors or preservatives.
Focus on the food
For delicious wings, you don’t need to head to a favorite restaurant. You can prepare them at home with this recipe for Milo’s Sweet Tea Wings:
Ingredients:
• 3 cups Milo’s Sweet Tea
• 2.5 pounds chicken wings, cut into drums and flats
• 2 teaspoons garlic salt, divided
• 1.5 - 2 teaspoons cayenne pepper, depending on heat preference
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons lemon pepper
Instructions:
• In a medium bowl, whisk together Milo's Sweet Tea and 2 teaspoons garlic salt; set aside. Place chicken wings in a large shallow dish. Pour Milo’s mixture over chicken; cover and refrigerate for 8 hours.
• Preheat grill to medium or oven to 400 F.
• In a large bowl, combine remaining garlic salt, cayenne, garlic powder, chili powder, paprika and lemon pepper. Toss chicken and spices in large zip lock bag or bowl until evenly coated.
• For grill, place wings over heat turning frequently. Cook for 20-25 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees and skin is crispy.
• For oven, arrange wings on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, turning halfway through, until skin is browned and tips are crispy. Serve warm. For extra crisp, toss wings on the grill over medium-high heat for three minutes per side before serving.
Find even more recipes perfect for a backyard barbecue at DrinkMilos.com/recipes.
The National Comedy Theatre (NCT), San Diego’s professional improv comedy club and longest running show, has just released a cast video with a positive message.
Set to the tune of the Beatles’ “All Together Now,” the video features each member of the cast lip syncing from home in a montage of images.
“Our cast really misses performing and connecting with our audience – and we know our community is equally struggling to navigate this new normal. We thought it would be a cool idea to put something together that was fun, memorable and summed up our collective feeling that we’re all in this together,” says Artistic Director and Big Cheese, Gary Kramer. “Humor is a great stress release … and we all need that right about now. It took a couple of weeks to pull together, and many hours of editing by cast member Gordy Fitzgerald, but it really came out as a celebration of joy. We were happy to get such a great response to it. People are really wanting to connect and to laugh.”
The video, which has already been viewed thousands of times, can be found on the NCT Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/NationalComedyTheatre/videos/245281506576043/
Now in its 20th season, the National Comedy Theatre is the longest running show in the history of the city, with almost 6,000 performances to date. Prior to the pandemic, the show ran every Thursday through Sunday night at 7:30 p.m., with a 9:45 p.m. show on Friday and Saturday nights.
Additional information about the show and National Comedy Theatre’s history can be found on the theatre’s website at www.nationalcomedy.com.
Scripps Ranch musician Steve Wolff has been performing live one-man-band streaming concerts on YouTube from his home for several weeks during the coronavirus lockdown.
He spent much of the past week and weekend writing, recording and putting together a video of a topical new original song. It's titled “Uncertain Times” and it's on YouTube. View it here: Uncertain Times.
In addition, Wolff will perform another “Almost Unplugged” live-stream performance at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6, for a Hump Day Happy Hour. Here is the link: Almost Unplugged Live Stream.
Fans can also view and listen to last Saturday's one-man rock band live-stream concert here: Saturday's Live Stream.
Seacoast Media Lab, LLC – publisher of Scripps Ranch News – presents the second in a video series showcasing the most unique places, hidden gems, mystery spots and urban legends in San Diego.
This new episode takes visitors on a “hidden” walking trail through the coastal community of the Bird Rock and Windansea Beach areas of San Diego, sandwiched between La Jolla and Pacific Beach. This tour includes breathtaking vistas and crisp views of the ocean.
Some of the views of the ocean and rocky coast are hidden treasures that even many locals don’t know about. The entire walk is 5 miles and It is relatively flat. There are no restrooms in these neighborhoods.
This new video is highlighted in “This is Our Town,” a series of unique tours through San Diego. “This is Our Town” is the work of Marc and Darlynne Menkin, longtime San Diego residents who own Where You Want to Be Tours (wheretours.com/) and Out of the Ordinary Group & Team Adventures (groupadventures.com), creating unique team building experiences, San Diego treasure hunts and creative local tours. These two are experts regarding San Diego’s hidden treasures.
Their company conducts this hike as a Wellness Walk for corporate groups, family reunions and meet up groups.
It also offers an Urban Challenge Scavenger Hunt and Limo Scavenger Hunt in La Jolla that can include these epic areas. For more information, call Darlynne or Marc Menkin: (619) 917-6037.
The Old Globe believes that theatre matters, now more than ever, and is determined to continue to serve the public through theatre art. The Globe continues to add free online programs and new dates for existing ones.
Thinking Shakespeare Live: Sonnets!
Shakespeare’s 154 sonnets, each only 14 lines long, contain some of his most beautiful and moving poetry. The Globe’s Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein returns with a third sonnet in this free online edition of Thinking Shakespeare Live: Sonnets! on Tuesday, April 28. This “social-distance” version of his popular Thinking Shakespeare Live! introduces the sonnets and delves into one masterpiece of the form each time, exploring its language, how it works and how it relates to Shakespeare’s work for the stage. Watch Tuesday, April 28 at 6:30 p.m. on The Old Globe’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheOldGlobe .
Behind the Curtain
The advanced Behind the Curtain: Technical Assistance Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/264770354692043) channels for aspiring technical theatre designers to learn more, build their network and connect with Globe industry professionals. Members of the team will directly answer questions and suggest materials for deeper learning. While the Facebook live-streamed workshops of Behind the Curtain introduce the world of theatre, the Technical Assistance group is the next step for those who enjoyed the workshops and want further learning in these weekly open-forum discussions — but young people early in their theatre design careers could also benefit.
Word Up!
Word Up! joins the online roster on Friday, May 1 at 6 p.m. More of a gathering than a show or a class, Word Up! is a digital opportunity for community members to connect with each other. Every Friday night, join Arts Engagement Programs Manager and host Laura Zablit for a fun, festive word-based collaboration between audience and artist. This Mad Libs-style communal storytelling will feature a new performing artist every week, as well as special community guests from around San Diego. Together, they will create opportunities for viewers to learn from and participate in their art form, creating accessible art in real time. Art forms on offer may include spoken word, rap, puppetry, singing, and more, often with bilingual and multicultural elements. Tune in and partake every Friday at 6 p.m. on The Old Globe Arts Engagement’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TOGArtsEngagement
Flashbacks
Shows may close, but the fun lives on! Flashbacks videos bring you songs and scenes from the Globe productions you have loved, introduced by cast or creative team members who share backstage stories and fond memories of their time with the show. Jump back in time with us and relive all the excitement from the Globe’s stages. Check them out on the Globe website here: https://www.theoldglobe.org/edp-pages/2020/flashbacks/?id=39086
Updated guide to free online theatre programs:
https://www.theoldglobe.org/edp-pages/2020/online-theatre-programs)
“Life is particularly stressful right now for families with young children, but we want you to know that San Diego libraries are still here for you online,” Faulconer said. “Parents can take a break for a few minutes while their kids enjoy a story read by me or one of our awesome librarians.”
Recent videos can be seen on multiple platforms including Twitter (Twitter) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/kevinfaulconer). Videos of “Mayor Kevin” are published Sunday evenings at 5 p.m. while other storytime videos are posted throughout the week on the San Diego Public Library website (https://www.sandiego.gov/sdplstorytime) as well as in the Stay-in Storytime Club Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/SDPLstorytime/) and on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/sdpubliclibrary).
“While our buildings are currently closed, the San Diego Public Library continues to serve San Diegans online,” said Library Director Misty Jones. “Through the Library's online databases, our patrons have access to thousands of e-books and audiobooks along with educational materials, homework help and much more. Our librarians have also taken their programming online, providing storytimes, craft tutorials and virtual book clubs to stay connected to the community during this time.”
In reaction to this public health crisis, many children’s story publishers have worked with local libraries to allow for temporary sharing of children’s’ favorites. This Sunday, Mayor Faulconer will read to children “Sleepy Bird” by Jeremy Tankard. Previously, he has read popular children’s books including “This & That” by Mem Fox and Judy Horacek, and “Sleepytime Me” by San Diego author Edith Hope Fine.
The San Diego Public Library moved many of its resources online including a closure frequently asked questions for San Diegans to enjoy and share from home, resources include:
- Virtual Storytime Collections
- Online Library Card Access
- eBooks and eAudiobooks
- Spring into Reading
- Online Book Clubs
- Digital Magazines
- Book Buzz Book Reviews
To date, more than 100 librarians and staff have answered more than 1,500 questions online and recorded more than 75 videos, including 40 storytime and 15 craft videos. San Diegans have access to 98,000 eBooks/eAudiobooks and more than 50 databases.
Local a capella group Chamber Bravura, including students from Scripps Ranch, participated in a virtual choir performance with NYU students from New York and Shanghai, China. They sang “Flashlight” by Jessie J.
During these trying times, the members of Chamber Bravura wanted to spread a message of hope and gratitude with the world. To do that, they worked virtually with the students at NYU Shanghai and NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development to share this message and thank the medical professionals, first responders and essential workers worldwide.
“It was an amazing experience that only comes once in a lifetime. We had some zoom calls with the students from both NYU campuses,” said Chamber Bravura member Amalea Ribeiro, a Scripps Ranch resident. “It was amazing to not only do this collaboration, but to also get to know the people we were doing this with was pretty amazing. It made me feel more connected to the project as a whole. I hope that this video made all of the first responders and essential workers feel loved and appreciated because they deserve a lot of love and appreciation for what they are doing in these hard times.”
The video can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/YZIM_wHg2RQ.
Oceanside Theatre Company (OTC), the resident professional theatre company at The Historic Brooks Theatre, and Scripps Ranch Theatre (SRT), located on the campus of Alliant International, present “Callback Queen,” starring Luke Monday. Monday was recently seen in “She Loves Me” at Scripps Ranch Theatre and “Red” at OTC.
The live online concert event takes place on Friday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Following the success of their online reading of “Quiet Cross” by local playwright, Casey Tibbitts, SRT and OTC are thrilled to have another opportunity to connect with their communities during this time apart.
The event will be hosted on the Zoom platform. The audience will log in from the comfort of their home any time after 7 p.m. The performance will start at 7:30 p.m. This is a “pay what you can” event. Suggested donation is $10. All proceeds will support the performers, SRT and OTC. For updated access information, visit http://oceansidetheatre.org/callback-queen.
Synopsis:
Fresh off the Broadway national tour of “The Book of Mormon,” West Coast native Luke Monday proudly presents “Callback Queen.” Based on his real-life experiences in show biz, “Callback Queen” weaves together Monday’s hilarious audition stories with iconic songs from “Wicked,” “Jersey Boys,” “Moulin Rouge” and more. Accompanied on piano by JD Dumas, “Callback Queen” takes the audience on a musical journey that asks the question, “What about the roles I didn’t get?”
Artists:
Luke Monday is an actor and singer based in Southern California. Hailed as “Excellent leading man material,” he has worked professionally all over the country. Luke has toured North America with “Mamma Mia!” and just finished a year-long run as the standby for Elder Price in “The Book of Mormon” national tour. Regionally, Luke has performed onstage at OTC, SRT, Lamb’s Players Theatre, La Mirada, SDMT, The Welk, and Sacramento Music Circus. For his work in “Once” at Lamb’s Players Theatre in Coronado, he was the recipient of a Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Ensemble. Favorite roles include Georg in “She Loves Me” (SRT), Andrej in “Once,” Gabe in “Next to Normal,” Chad in “All Shook Up” and Ken in “Red” (OTC).
JD Dumas is a performer, music director and voice teacher who has music directed shows at Moonlight Amphitheatre, Legoland CA, and many theaters throughout northern Utah. Regional credits include “Plaid Tidings” (Sparky), “Once on this Island” (Agwe), “Urinetown” (Officer Barrel), “Animazement – The Musical” (Quasimodo), “South Pacific” (Henry/Sailor), “My Fair Lady” (Cockney Quartet). International credits include “Showroom at Sea” for Holland America Line. JD is a proud member of NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) and holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Weber State University.
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