Now that's Great News!

This blog chronicles my life as a theater reviewer, but I have to share the good news that my second book, Great News Town, just came out on Kindle and it is part of Kindle's new FREE lending library. With the free Kindle apps, you can read Great News Town on virtually any digital device. I can't promise that my mystery thriller about a serial killer will leave you laughing, but I doubt you can find a better deal for exciting reading!

Remember your first time?

You will if you go to see Spring Awakening at Actors' Theatre. Prepare to blush, not so much for the actors on stage, whose awkward fumblings with sexual awareness are sometimes funny, sometimes tender, sometimes sad -- but because the utter frankness is bound to make your mind race back to your own sexual awakening (whether funny, tender or sad) This is a show I will want to see again to catch nuances in the lyrics that I'm sure I missed ... the first time.

Laughing? Not so much.

Okay, I'll admit that every show I review isn't a bundle of laughs. Like last night's production of
Les Miserables at DeVos Performance Hall. I might have chuckled a few times over an impudent little boy or the outrageous Thenardier, picking pockets while he sang "Master of the House," or his wife chopping sausage with gusto. But on the whole, Les Miserables isn't funny. It's better than funny. I cried when Jean Valjean sang "Bring Him Home." As he began his prayer, my eyes welled up in anticipation of that beautiful ballad, a tribute to all those gutsy young men and women everywhere willing to die for what they believe. And when Valjean asks "Who Am I?" everyone in the audience is challenged to question their own identity. Are you proud of who you are, what you've done, the choices that you've made? When theater can do that,it doesn't have to make you laugh. It has touched you, transformed you.
       The 25th Anniversary tour hasn't really changed that much, although it does make use of video technology and space-carving shafts of light. They must be doing something right. Opening night was practically sold out, and the remaining shows are almost full as well. All that leads to a lot of arrogance on the tour's part. They wouldn't allow photographers at last night's show, haven't allowed any photos on the entire tour, which means the available pictures online are pretty scant. Preserving a brand? Perhaps. But as other Broadway tours have realized, you can't get enough pictures on the net. Let everyone post them on their blogs and facebook. Show it off. What are you afraid of?

Civic does it again!

If you think you're too old for "The Wizard of Oz," think again. Civic Theatre's production is so vibrant and lively, the littlest kids don't get bored and the most jaded adults get enthused. This is the third time I've covered "The Wizard of Oz" at Civic. I didn't think anyone could do better than the show I covered there 10 years ago, but last night I found myself thinking... I don't remember that from before! Did they always have that many poppies? Did they always go from drab brown costumes to bright colorful costumes, much like the movie goes from black and white to color? Did they skywrite words on the ceiling before? And put lyrics on the television monitors so you can sing along. I don't know, but they're doing it now. And selling out. So if you want to go, better get your tickets.

Like it or not, here comes Santa

   I suppose it's officially Christmas season now. Yesterday I bought my only major Christmas gift. I took my son and his wife to lunch and then we went to Home Depot and purchased a Toro snowblower. Angy drives a bakery truck and heads out in the middle of the night so I wanted to give her a little help with clearing the long driveway at their house.

    Then last night I reviewed "White Christmas" at DeVos Performance Hall. I remember watching the old Bing Crosby movie at Christmas time. And who wouldn't love all that addictive tap dancing? But it reminded me how much more sophisticated my entertainment taste has become over the years. Songs and dancing are fun, but I expect a fully satisfying theater experience now, with characters as rich as the costumes and dialogue and sparkling as the glitter splashed sets.
    My Christmas celebration has changed so much in recent years.No more mountains of Christmas cookies. No more shopping, and wrapping and shipping. Gift cards and charitable donations are better anyway. The annual Christmas letter has been replaced with a blog and for the second year in a row I will forgo Christmas with the family at Mom's house in favor of a quiet, no-present get-away with Steve in Florida. I can honestly say I don't long for a white Christmas anymore. Snow comes with too many strings attached.

White Christmas

Well, it doesn't look like snow right now,  but I'll be humming White Christmas tonight I'm sure when I cover the tour coming to DeVos Performance Hall.

And we're off!

Today's the first event of my Traverse City Trifecta Book Tour. I'll be signing books from 2-4 p.m. at Horizon Books which has been doing well selling my books this month. Then Monday morning, Ron Jolly will interview me on WTCM radio. The big finale is Live at the Library Tuesday evening where I'll get a chance to read from the books, which was such a hit at Schuler's last summer. It's Laughing for a Living, up close and personal!

Thanks, Lou!

Today's tough assignment was to interview Ed Asner who will bring his one-man show, FDR, to Van Singel Fine Arts Center Oct. 20. What a delight he was to talk with. I told him his Emmy-winning character, Lou Grant, epitomizes every city editor I've ever worked for. They didn't all look like him, especially the women, but they all seem to have that same dog-with-a-bone determination. "I feel like I've been working for you all my life," I told him. We talked about the challenges newspapers face today and he asked about my career. I told him I took the buy out two years ago. "You can always write books," he said. I told him I'd been doing just that on a small scale. He compared my books to his one-man show. "You're on the stage alone but at least you are out there." Thanks, Lou.

What a hoot!

Kent District Library has invited some local authors to set up tables at their 75th anniversary celebration from 7-10 p.m. Oct. 18. It will be the first time somebody has paid $75 for a ticket to see ME. But I guess there are plenty of other attractions.  Check it out.

Gaga for Greek God

OMG. Yesterday I interviewed Martin Harvey who was in Detroit with the tour of "Come Fly Away," which is coming to Grand Rapids in October. It's a shame the audience will never hear his lovely British accent, since the dancers in "Come Fly Away" don't speak, but from what I've read, this sexy dancer can say it all with his moves. He starred in the London production of "Dirty Dancing."

       "I started out as an actor and became a ballet dancer against my type," he told me. " I always felt like an imposter. But years of ballet training made me aware of every muscle in my body. It's a wonderful tool in my bag."

       Dare I point out his bag is bulging already with rugged good looks? You can see why he is cast as a Greek God in an upcoming television movie pilot, "Siren." Oh, yeah, and he recently married Grand Rapids native Maria Kowroski, a ballerina with the New York City Ballet. Congratulations, Maria and Martin.

One never knows, do one?

Ken Tepper and the Circle Theatre cast have done a great job with "Ain't Misbehavin'," the Fats Waller musical revue that's really the first of all the "juke box" musicals.  It never ceases to amaze me that I can see a show several times and always see something different. This one was a lot smoother, sexier than I remember. It almost sneaks up on you. With a racially diverse cast it's not as much of a political statement. It's just the music and this cast does a great job with singing and dancing. Read the review

Labor of Laughter

When you laugh for a living, Labor Day is the perfect time to look back at some great interviews and look ahead to some wonderful shows. Last week I chatted with Joseph Leo Bwaire who will be portraying Frankie Valli when the long-awaited Jersey Boys opens in Lansing later this month. He's not exactly a household name but I was really impressed with his enthusiasm during the interview.  Sounds like he's going places. Then this week I'll be reviewing two great shows. Circle Theatre ends its summer season with "Ain't Misbehavin'" on Thursday and Civic Theatre kicks off its 86th season with "12 Angry Men" on Friday. See what I mean about the rough life I lead? Read about  "Ain't Misbehavin'"  and "12 Angry Men"

Catch and release for readers!

Just found out that Laughing for a Living is now on the shelf at the Grandville branch of Kent District Library! So those of you, like me, who prefer to read-and-return can economize and still chuckle over my career. Of course, the book has long been on the shelf of the Sparta library, thanks to librarian friend Cheryl Currier. It pays to have friends in high places!

Comic relief

Even Shakespeare knew you can't do a serious play about history without a little comic relief, and in Henry IV, Part I the comic relief is so  big that the history part takes a back seat. Falstaff, the Elizabethan Everyman who's just as loveable today as 500 years ago, has become the star of the show for many Shakespeare fans. And guess what, he's even funnier when a bearded woman takes on the task, as in the current production by Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company.  Kat Hermes can swagger and stagger with the best of them. For the full review, see Encore Michigan

Laugh-a-lot

Since I laugh for a living, I shouldn't complain  that I've been working overtime this week. First, I chuckled my way through SameTime, Next Year at Circle Theatre on Thursday, and then it was silliness overload on Friday at Mason Street Warehouse's production of The 39 Steps. This spoof of Alfred Hitchcock's 1935 spy movie offers great talent and fun theatricks. (even if there's only four actors playing 100 characters!) For a full review, go to Encore Michigan. Both shows are a great way to cap a lovely summer day.

Have a hoot

The best comedies always make you cry. What's a good laugh if it doesn't touch your heart and make you care? That's what's so great about Bernard Slade's "Same Time, Next Year" at Circle Theatre. It's that hearty kind of funny.  And to make the evening even funnier, my guest for Thursday's opening performance, Diane Steggerda, was talking about plans for the 50th reunion for Grandville High School. A woman in the audience that neither of us knew overheard her and determined that her family purchased the house where Diane's family once lived in Grandville. It turns out the two women grew up in the same bedroom at different times. That could be the inspiration for a new play, "Same Room, Different Time".

Tickled pink

What fun I've been having the past few days making arrangements to promote my books. All of a sudden, people want to book me to speak, to teach about memoir writing, to talk on self-publishing. Even Kent District Library has requested copies of my books. And I'm putting together a display for my beauty shop. Imagine that! I know this is the 15-minutes of fame everyone talks about, but why not enjoy it? Afterall, I am experienced at laughing for a living.

Who's laughing now?

Got drenched tonight at the free members concert at Meijer Gardens. We had moved to the back of the arena area because the music was so loud and we were trying to save a little bit of our hearing. We would put up our umbrella for light sprinkles but when it turned into a downpour, we had no option but to packup and head out. It was a shame because it was really a fun concert.

Smile and chuckle

You know, not all Laughing for a Living is a knee slapper. I spent a great weekend in Holland and Saugatuck seeing fantastic professional theater, which I enjoyed tremendously, even though I don't remember too many belly laughs. Saturday I saw I Remember Mama at Hope Summer Repertory. It's a warm family saga with plenty of light moments and a chuckle or two -- especially when Uncle Chris is teaching his great nephew how to curse. Then Sunday I saw Five Guys Named Moe at Mason Street Warehouse and all I can say is Moe, give me Moe! This show features a snappy, high-energy male quintet singing the 40s jazz of Louis Jordan, smooth and sassy. And get-outta-your-seat fun, at times. Read my reviews on Encore Michigan

Zimmer's zingers

Enjoyed a few chuckles today with Kim Zimmer, the West Michigan native who has reigned over soap operas for more than 30 years. Kim has a new book coming out Aug. 2 and it's just as straight forward as she is. Balls-to-the-wall is the way she describes it. "I'm known for being honest," she told me in a phone interview from her New Jersey home. "Fans deserve to know the truth. Why lie about anything?"  She blamed the producers for the demise of "Guiding Light"  in 2009, and likened their decisions to "Springtime for Hitler," the planned-to-fail musical that's the central joke of "The Producers." The show was torpedoed by cutting corners and staff, she said, ignoring the fans and trying to appeal to a new audience. I couldn't help but think how closely that scenario parallels the demise of newspapers.

More Laughing for a Living

Not to be outdone by my new release, Great News Town,  my memoir Laughing for a Living is now being featured on  Self-Publishing Spotlight a service of the Kalamazoo Gazette. Check it out -- and please recommend the book if you like it.  I'll be talking about both books at 7 tonight at Schuler's Books and Music on Alpine. See you there.

Two beeps or not two beeps?

No puns are worse than Shakespeare puns and there a puns a plenty in Return to the Forbidden Planet, which opened Friday at Hope Summer Repertory Theatre. What an energetic show.  I couldn't believe that small, 9-member cast could create such a whirlwind of activity. Of course, having a score with more than 20 rock tunes including "Wipeout," "Great Balls of Fire" and "Shake, Rattle and Roll"  had something to do with it. And when everyone in the audience joins in a mass hand jive to reverse polarity... well, it was just another day of laughing for a living!

More than laughing

Spent the day working with my son, Ryan Wallace, on the cover of my new book, Great News Town, which is coming out in July. What fun! He's such an artist. I had a simple idea, he took over and created something amazing. He's so particular about every splatter of blood. It has to look just so. Bet you've guessed that the new book is NOT about laughing.

Shrek Trek

I can sympathize with that ogre living in the swamp after the storm that hit Grandville last night as I was getting ready to head to the opening at DeVos. Actually, the storm was sort of the fiery dragon in my daylong quest to review Shrek. I'm spending the week at Glen Lake working on my next book (that's another story) and attending the annual Peninsula Writers retreat. But I couldn't give up a chance to review the biggest thing to hit Grand Rapids stages in years. After a three-hour drive, I arrived just as the sky was darkening. I had barely turned on my computer to check messages -- no Internet at Glen Lake -- when the rains came down and everything went black. Just try putting on makeup in the dark. I probably looked like an ogre. I got soaked getting into the car and soon discovered Grandville had become a swamp. Road after road was underwater. I spent more than a half hour trying to find a way to the Interstate. I finally got downtown, but even with an umbrella, my nine-year-old companion and I were soaked. But from the momen Shrek hangs up his laundry -- a flag-size pair of jockey shorts -- in the first number, I knew it would all be worth it. Very funny show, lots of attitude, spunky music, fantastic effects, but too long, I'm afraid, for many of the whiney kids in the audience. (Sorry, do I sound like an ogre?)

More laughter, more living

Although I continue to write reviews for The Press, I added a new notch to my belt this week with my first review appearing on the Encore Michigan web site. It was a great opportunity to return to The Barn in Augusta, which I hadn't been able to review for The Press in about five years. It was such fun to see everyone again -- and more than a few laughs in Escanaba in Love. Tonight I'll be reviewing another show for Encore, Children of Eden at Hope Summer Repertory Theatre, another great theater I haven't had the opportunity to see in a few years. I'm really looking forward to the show. Here's the link for the Escanaba review. http://encoremichigan.com/article.html?article=4772

iLaughing for eLiving

Laughing for a Living is now available at the Apple Store as an epub ($4.99) which means you can read it on your iPad, iPod, iPhone -- or just download to your computer. Or read it on everything at once! I've never tried iTunes but I guess I'll have to get an account and get with it! Here's the link
http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/laughing-for-a-living/id442993081?mt=11

Sisters (and brothers) In Crime

Just came back from a trip to Battle Creek for a meeting of Sisters In Crime, a group that appeals to my alter-ego career: gasping for a living as a mystery/ thriller writer. D.E. Johnson, author of Detroit Electric Scheme gave a great talk about his writing process and advice for breaking through in the traditional publishing world. I got a copy of his book and can't wait to read it. Of course, I'm beginning to think the "tradition" of publishing is changing. I've done what I said I never would: self-published. And I plan to do it again. Look for Great News Town coming out in July.

You can't stop the FEET!

One of the crazy things about laughing for living is that sometimes I have to laugh two nights in a row for one story. This week I reviewed "Hairspray" which opened Friday night at Civic Theatre. The Press has a tight deadline on Friday nights, so rather than try to write my whole review in an hour, I went to dress rehearsal Thursday night, pre-wrote a general review and then finalized it after seeing Friday's opening show. I'll tell you, I was totally blown away on Thursday night and at first I was disappointed that I didn't get the same reaction to the first song on Friday night, but I quickly decided it was because I knew exactly what to expect the second night and I was holding on to my seat! Can you laugh at the same jokes two nights in a row? Most definitely. And catch lines you missed the first time around. Both audiences loved it. Friday night's crowd was dancing in their seats and singing along at the end, and Thursday I caught a pair of senior citizens (one with a cane) dancing in the lobby on their way out. Check it out!
http://http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/06/review_grand_rapids_civic_thea_2.html

A little green with envy?

My friends keep complaining that I only interview handsome hunks, but today my subject was a real ogre. A big fat, green, grouch. That's right. I talked to Shrek this morning, but not just any Shrek, the Eric Petersen Shrek who is visiting Grand Rapids later this month. The same Eric Petersen I used to cover at Augusta's Barn Theatre, back when he was in the ensemble for "Bat Boy." I feel like I saw him grow up. It's where he got his equity card after playing the romantic lead in "The Fantasticks" in 2004. It's also where he met his wife, Lisa Marie Morabito. They returned in 2007 as Equity guest artists to do "The Producers" (He was the Nazi playwright, she the sexy Swedish secretary) and were back a few years ago when he was the Elvis-impersonator Pharoah in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." He said he's very glad The Barn is back in business this year after closing for one season. "It's such a special place, not just for the patrons but for all the young actors cutting their theater teeth. It's a one-of-a-kind place." Sorta sentimental for an ogre, don't you think?

'Night George

One of the first plays I reviewed for The Press was a Shakespearean production at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. At the end, I noticed that one of the little cameo performers I had enjoyed didn't appear at curtain call. I checked the playbill and the missing actor was George Spelvin. I complained to my friend Pete DeMaagd who was sitting in front of me. Pete said he didn't know who Spelvin was, but Joe LaChappelle played the role I was interested in. Turns out Joe played two roles in that production. Thanks to him, I discovered the old theater tradition of using the phantom name, George Spelvin, when a person plays more than one role. I also discovered Joe, who did maintenance at Civic and jumped at the chance to do any acting he could. Joe just bubbled with enthusiasm. And he grew in his acting ability until last year he played the leading role in Inherit the Wind. This week he died. What a terrible loss. But you know, I can't think about him without smiling. He was just such a happy guy. Night, George.

"Rumors" relieves toothache

Even on a bad day -- when I'm struggling with a tooth that needs a root canal -- my job keeps me laughing. Neil Simon's farce, "Rumors," is full of witty lines and ridiculous situations, but the cast in Circle Theatre's production makes it even better by creating such wonderfully crazy characters. Maybe the dentist should use play projections on the ceiling instead of laughing gas.

It's a gas!

Maybe I'm all laughed out. I went to the dentist for a root canal this morning and they promptly put a gas mask on my nose. The room began to spin, and after a couple of shots to numb my tooth, I couldn't even answer the doctor's questions about whether or not my tooth was fully numb. I heard the question but I couldn't get my brain to answer. But when he started to drill, I found my voice. Double shots and laughing gas was not enough to dull the ache. The third shot actually made it more sensitive instead of less sensitive. So, he sent me home with a regimen of ibuprofen and antibiotics to make the tooth less irritable before we try the root canal again next week. I was really disappointed. My memory of a previous root canal 15 years ago was relatively painless and the laughing gas was great fun that time. But the real test comes tonight. I'll be covering "Rumors" at Circle Theatre and I'm predicting that Neil Simon can give me a better high than any drugs.

Laughing without the weed

Now see folks, this is what I mean about Laughing for a Living. Last night my assignment was "Reefer Madness" at Actors' Theatre and I can't imagine a more ridiculous show. We're not talking the vaguely silly pot parties you may remember from the '60s, this is total abandon, rip-roarin' ridiculous, with zombies in the aisles and Jesus coming down from the cross and just about any other crazy thing an addled brain can come up with. Wait till you see what Justin Kilduff does with a wastecan! Only bad thing is the audience is laughing so hard you might miss some of the ridiculous rhyming lyrics.

Rumors of Reefer Madness

I have a confession to make. I'm a ditz. People who know me, know it is true. I remember things by initials, like people's names, but when two people have the same first and last initials, anything can happen and usually does. This time I have confused two upcoming plays -- Rumors and Reefer Madness -- opening a week apart and starting with the same letter. To make things worse, the director of Reefer Madness is Chris Grooms who works at Circle Theatre where Rumors will be staged and the director of Rumors is Tom Kaechele whose office is in Spectrum Theater where Reefer Madness will be staged. I tried to set up an interview with Tom about Reefers but he sent me to Chris who laughed, answered my questions about Reefers but, in his job as marketing director for Circle, turned around and sent me a release for Rumors. I promise to get it all straightened out in time to get a story in Sunday's paper about Reefer Madness (or was it Rumors?)

Laughing, and all that jazz

Lots of laughter ahead today. Meeting my friend Marlene to go see handsome hunk John O'Hurley in "Chicago." Yes, then I have to 'work,' which means decide if the Family Feud host sings as good as he looks. Is this tour worth your time? That's the question I'll have to ask. Oh, it's a hard job!

Tears instead of laughs, but it's a living.

Well, now it is Laughing and Crying for a Living. Just did an unscheduled interview with Ciaran Sheehan, an Irish tenor and Broadway performer who'll be singing at a fundraising gala for Broadway Grand Rapids on May 17. Nice guy, and not a bad singer either. On his Website he has a video singing "Bring Him Home" from Les Miz and it brought tears to my eyes. So, if you're planning to go to the BGR gala, bring your tissues.

Laughing for a Living week!

Just finished writing a story for Sunday's paper about John O'Hurley. What an amazing range of interests -- and good looks too! Then I'm getting ready to review "How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" at Circle Theatre on Thursday. Doesn't that sound like a hard night's work? NOT! I forgot to mention that reviewing Heritage Theatre's "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" last week was a perfect example of Laughing for a Living. What a fun show. Great script, well acted, comfortable, casual surroundings. It was so much fun, that I'm going back Friday night with friends. What a way to work!

Laughing on Amazon

Laughing for a Living is now available on Amazon and Kindle. Take your pick.

Book bribe

Every year I do two fundraiser walkathons in May -- Grand Rapids' Hunger Walk and the national Great Strides campaign for Cystic Fibrosis. It's hard to ask people to support both so I keep coming up with tricks. I used to bring in cookies to work and offer them for a donation to the hunger walk. Now that I'm retired, I no longer go to the office so this year I've been offering my book as a bribe. A free autographed copy of Laughing for a Living to anyone who'll contribute $25 or more for the Hunger Walk. I've brought in seven contributions that way, edging up people who would have contributed much less. Laughing for a giving!

O'Hurley HaHa

Just finished talking with John O'Hurley in advance of his appearance with the tour of "Chicago" coming to Grand Rapids in May. Most folks think of O'Hurley on Seinfeld or Family Feud and don't realize he started out singing opera. He's also written some best selling books and founded a company to make energy out of waste materials. He's been taking his family -- wife and son -- on tour with him but now that the son is school age, he plans to move more into business so he won't have to travel as much. "You can do business meetings by Skype or conference call," he told me, "but you can't Skype a performance. Although I've known a few actors who should have."

Laughing on Kindle

Okay, now all you Kindle fans can download Laughing for a Living for just $2.99 from the Kindle Store. Of course, there are some concessions. If you want to see my baby photo or my picture of Julie Newmar from 36 years ago, or if you want it autographed, you'll still need to get the beautiful print version (lulu.com). But if you're just dying to read my memoir, it has been Kindlized. Come to think of it, if you want the print version I have a few spare copies at the house left over from the ones Civic had for sale.

Back in the saddle

After a 3-month hiatus in Florida, I'm getting back to work. This afternoon I'll do a phone interview with the star of the tour of "All Shook Up" which is coming to Van Singel Fine Arts Center later this month. But I have canceled plans for a book signing tomorrow at Civic Theatre. Through miscommunications there hasn't been enough promotion to make it worth my time. The book is moving into a new stage I believe. Watch for it on Kindle very soon.

Spreading the laughter

Sold four more books yesterday at the Noah's Ark Craft sale. Writing is my craft. I like that the people buying don't know me at all and most have never been to Grand Rapids. But they buy because they like the idea of Laughing for a Living. And I hope they laugh a little along the way.

Time Flies

Oh my goodness. Can't believe it's been more than a month since my last post. But we've had lots of company since then. Now we have less than three weeks left in Florida. We bid farewell to our last guests this morning and we have beautiful weather outside to enjoy. Can't imagine I'll be at the computer too often. Saturday I'm participating in a craft fair with "Laughing for a Living."
Guess writing is my craft.

Last of the eggnog

I just emptied the last half gallon of eggnog so the holiday season is officially over. Blogging regularly is one of my goals for 2011, so I'd better return to the habit. Hopefully, I'll do a better job than I have on my goal of losing 30 pounds, which has been a goal for the past 10 years without any success. I got my nails done today and they look really nice. And I walked a mile from our condo to the nail studio, then walked back along the beach. Seems like two good habits to add to 2011.