Showbiz
Guest Blog on 1001 True Stories of a Writer / Director
I know I haven’t blogged in a while……….so here’s some food for thought!!!
9 Ways To Never Give Up On Your Dream
EAT PRAY LOVE
Last night I ventured to the movies to watch the highly anticipated EAT PRAY LOVE starring Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem.
I actually remember the first time I was exposed to Elizabeth Gilbert’s story. She was on Oprah when her book Eat Pray Love was soon to be released in 2006. I had drifted from my spiritual path because recent life events had been extremely unkind. But I also know without challenges we would never grow as human beings. I recognize now it was just cynicism at its best, but I distinctly remember thinking “Oh just what we need, another book about spirituality. So what she had a spiritual awakening? So what she found herself through her spiritual journey? Some of us found ourselves back in the 80’s.” However, once my spirit had time to catch up to my cynical mind I realized that everything happens for a reason and there must be some reason why someone of Oprah’s caliber was endorsing this book. That endorsement still wasn’t enough for me to run out and buy the book at that time, but it was always in the back of my mind that someday I might.
In 2008 I knew I’d be riding the commuter train to work and was looking for things to read for the 40 minute ride to and from. THAT is when I finally picked up a copy of this book and read it. Mind you, I’ve read zillions of spiritual books by some of the best authors on the planet – Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, Neal Donald-Walsch, Wayne Dyer, Louise Hay, Jack Canfield, Gary Zukov, and many many MANY more. However, right into the first chapter I realized that Elizabeth Gilbert had a style of writing that was quite unique and fresh compared to everything I had read previously. Her authentic self intertwined through her hilarious sense of humor about her very personal and poignant spiritual journey, kept me captivated from beginning to end. It still took me a long time to finish this book because my eyes have grown weary over the years, and between working on a computer all day and then having to read textbooks for school, I rarely have the inclination to read a regular book if at all. If I do read a book I do so by purchasing the audio version so I can listen while driving. You also cannot read as many spiritual books as I have and not find the redundancy of concepts a bit disappointing. For the most part if I buy a book it sits on my bookshelf unread indefinitely and 95% of the time when I begin reading a book I never finish it. That was not the case with Eat Pray Love. It took me 18 months but I finally finished it and when I was done I still wanted to read more. Truly, it was one of the best books I have ever read.
Needless to say, as an actor, a spiritual seeker, and spiritual advisor, the release of the film version of this book excited me. I was even more excited when I entered the theater last night and saw how many people were in attendance. I’m sure the casting of Julia Roberts had a lot to do with its box office success, but you could hear a pin drop during this film. I do believe everyone was as enthralled with it as I was. Every frame was beautifully done and the film captured the essence of the book and Elizabeth’s compelling spiritual story. In interviews Elizabeth would remark that this was “everyone’s story” and I have to agree. How she found herself, through the pain of several relationships, is familiar to many of us. However, very few of us have traveled to Italy, India, and Bali to expedite our healing process the way that she did. She learned in one year what it took me 10 years to learn and that is what is so different about her story.
The actors in the film, Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem, did not disappoint, and Richard Jenkins also deserves an honorable mention for his work in this film as well. I believe the true success of a film has to do with how it makes us feel as the viewer. In my opinion, if a film can make us feel, laugh, cry, and more importantly, think, then it has surpassed mediocrity in its purpose. Eat Pray Love is the best spiritual film I’ve seen since Avatar and definitely one I would see again, which is not something I can say about most films these days. I’m sure this is the reason why Brad Pitt signed on as executive producer. As one of the more “evolved” celebrities in Hollywood, he was fully aware of its powerful message.
If you haven’t seen the film yet do so. If you haven’t read the book yet, do so, even if you’ve seen the film. There is obviously so much more to Elizabeth’s story that cannot be captured in two and a half hours so it is still worth the read. I take my hat off to Elizabeth Gilbert and I sincerely apologize for judging her book by its cover. It’s just another lesson in humility for me and one that I graciously honor and accept.
My next read, without a doubt, will be Elizabeth’s latest book COMMITTED – A SKEPTIC MAKES PEACE WITH MARRIAGE. The title alone makes me feel like she may have written this personally for me.
I Am The Music
Another poem found in my daughter’s room while cleaning. It’s hard for me to believe that at 14 this is what goes on in her mind.
I am the music, the soft sweet melody.
The bluebird’s song, the lion’s roar.
The blues of the saxophone, the beat of the drum.
The everylasting note simply touched on the piano.
The chime in the wind, the whistle in the air.
The classical violin plays my sorrow, my depression and despair.
The melancholy ballad sways with woe.
But the electric guitar is strummed with an ecstatic motion.
The notes and chords are abundant with joy.
The drum is my anger, a powerful rythym, a strong and fierce pound.
But the voice is my expression.
Words and lyrics form and travel from my soul to the public.
My scream, my song, my poetry…..my voice.
I am the music.
New Martial Arts Film Legend of Black Lotus Shuns Typical Hollywood Stereotypes
The following was not written by me, but I feel it is important enough to post on my website.
The article was written by Cathy Crenshaw Doheny and was posted on www.asianfortune.com. The film, Legend of Black Lotus was written by my dear friend Angelo Bell.
Legend of Black Lotus, an epic fantasy martial-arts project written in the spirit of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and Gladiator, will begin filming this summer. Set in a fantasy kingdom in ancient China, the story serves as a re-imagining of the classic Mulan fairytale.
“It’s about a child who is born because of the supernatural powers of an enchanted forest, and with the specific purpose of reuniting a divided kingdom,” says Angelo Bell, the genius behind Legend of Black Lotus and veteran independent film maker who has written, directed and/or produced 14 films since 2002.
“Legend of Black Lotus came from a story by my good friend, Nicole Sessions. Nicole is an actress and worked on two of my previous films. She had an idea for a script, and we met over lunch to discuss it. I had no idea her story would be so grand…so epic! I gave her notes, and we drafted a 10-page treatment. Then it was up to me to write the script. It took two years before I had a chance to start, but when I did, the experience was a writer’s dream.”
The project will begin in July with a short film that will be used to show potential investors the look and feel of the proposed $4 million feature film. First, however, Bell must raise $9,500 to make the short film. For this, he is utilizing fan funding, also known as crowdfunding, a way for fans to support films they care about early in the production process.
Fans may donate to the project in denominations as low as $1 and, in turn, receive a variety of perks, which include anything from a “Special Thanks” in the film and acknowledgment in an online “Thank you” by the cast (in exchange for any donation greater than $1) to an All-Access Pass during production, 2-Day Private Script Consultation with writer/director including lunch and dinner; and a visit to Disneyland with up to four kids and Bell & his family (in exchange for donations over $2,500.)
Asians and Asian Americans may be particularly interested in supporting Legend of Black Lotusbecause it shuns typical Hollywood stereotypes.
“Over ninety percent of the on-screen cast will be of Asian descent,” says Bell. “In my research it was hard to find another American-made film with similar demographics, other than The Joy Luck Club. I’m still in the process of casting, but I have already hired two young girls to play the role of sisters in the film. It’s interesting that I imagined finding child actors would be extremely difficult, but it was simpler than I thought. Julia Kubo and Jade Doheny have been hired to play the roles of Daiyu and Mingzhu. Clint Jung and Victor Chi have been hired to play feuding emperors. Anne Lee Mako joins the cast as the Spirit Wife and voice of the magic forest. Other actors are yet to come.”
Movie goers of Asian descent may also find the visual concepts of the project appealing.
“It’s important to note that Legend of Black Lotus is the short film I’m producing to illustrate the look and feel of the feature film version, which will be grander in every way. In the short film, we’re using a hybrid costuming process incorporating the best of Chinese, Japanese and medieval England wardrobes. This wardrobe fusion includes cheongsams, kimonos, embroidered cloaks and capes” says Bell. “For fight sequences I’m focusing on two styles, Wing Chun and Wushu. Wing Chun is an up-close fighting technique, while Wushu is cinematically elegant. There is a dance in the film, and it will adhere to traditional Chinese Ribbon Dance choreography. Ultimately, I hope to shoot the feature film in Hong Kong or China.”
Bell is also anxious to launch this project because of the rich history it will share with others like it within the genre.
“The impact of Asian cinema has always influenced Hollywood. I grew up in New York, and, as a child, I traveled to Times Square to see Shaw Bro’s films. Some of Clint Eastwood’s best work is based on American interpretation of Asian Classics. One of my favorite films, The Magnificent Seven, is the American adaptation of Akiro Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai. Martin Scorcese directed the award-winning film, The Departed, but even it was based on the brilliant work in the Hong Kong series, Infernal Affairs.”
With an impressive list of credits already to his name, fans can rest assured that Bell will complete his latest and most ambitious project with equal success.
“Two films I produced won ‘Best-in-Fest’ awards. My short film, Renounced, won ‘Best-Director’ and also made it’s way to the top 100 finalists for Steven Spielberg’s reality show, On The Lot. My feature, Broken Hearts Club, starring Maya Gilbert, played at film festivals worldwide, aired on AMGTV and will be televised in Europe and Africa this year. I’m currently in post-production for Resurrection of Serious Rogers, a neo-noir action thriller starring Cooper Harris,” says Bell.
“When fans support a film they also support the director, and my previous works illustrate how committed I am to storytelling. I hope fans of the film visit the campaign athttp://www.indiegogo.com/blacklotus and show their support.”
If you haven’t already done so, please use the link above to make a small (or large) donation to Angelo Bell’s film. I was fortunate enough to read the entire script early in the process and I can tell you not only is this an important piece of work, it’s an awesome story that I can’t wait to watch on the big screen!
Why I Became A RENTHead
Every time I tell someone that I’m a RENThead they ask “What’s a RENThead?” I respond by explaining to them that a RENThead is an individual who has become obsessed or addicted to RENT and has seen it well over five or six times and plays the music almost daily for months on end. My explanation is usually followed by them asking “What is RENT?”
RENT is a Broadway Musical that opened in 1996 and played for the next 12 years closing in September of 2008. In 1996 after its opening it won a Pulitzer Prize, four Tony Awards, Six Drama Desk Awards and on and on and on. In November 2005, RENT was made into a major motion picture with the majority of the film cast being the original Broadway cast that opened the show nine years earlier.
So what is so special about this particular Broadway show and film? God knows I’ve always been a big fan of Broadway. In 1974, when I was only 17 years old I saw my first Broadway show, SUGAR, and that is where my interest into the world of acting and performing began. SUGAR served as a springboard for my own non-professional acting career, and my childhood dream was that one day I would be performing on one of those Broadway stages in New York.
Well, my Broadway debut never arrived, although my Off-Off-Broadway debut did arrive in 1994, but that’s another story I won’t go into now. Instead of becoming a working actor I went on to become a minister and a spiritual teacher, and this is the primary reason I became a RENThead. Because I believe that this masterpiece of art has a grand spiritual purpose, and its creation is much larger than it becoming a successful smash hit on Broadway.
Jonathan Larson is the genius behind RENT. He wrote the book, the music, and the lyrics. Jonathan’s interest in Broadway began, like mine, as an actor. Eventually he realized what brought him the greatest happiness was writing music. He was so dedicated to his dream and believed in himself so much that he lived a Bohemian lifestyle in order to stay dedicated to his craft. For seven years he worked every day, full-time nonetheless, on the music for RENT without anyone paying him to do so. He barely supported himself by working part-time as a waiter at a small diner in Manhattan. As a true Bohemian, he had a total disregard of money for the pursuit of music.
RENT is the modern interpretation of Puccini’s opera La Boheme which is about a group of young and hungry artists in New York City’s East Village. Not only does this show resemble the story of the opera La Boheme, it also has intertwined within elements of Jonathan Larson’s personal life experience. This was Jonathan’s first produced show, as well as his last. The show opened at the New York Theatre Workshop, an Off-Broadway theater in the East Village in 1996. After the final dress rehearsal, and at the age of 35, Jonathan passed away quietly in his home from an anorthic aneurysm. From a spiritual perspective, it was almost as if his soul was saying “I came here to do one thing. To deliver a message. A big message. I’ve completed that task, so now it is time to go back home.”
I believe, as many spiritualists do, that we choose to re-incarnate lifetime after lifetime, and we also choose when we will arrive and when we will depart along with what we are here to learn or accomplish. In my spiritual opinion, Jonathan Larson is a testimony to that belief. We all re-incarnate to planet Earth because we all have work to do. Figuring out what that work is, is sometimes the most difficult struggle for many of us while we’re here. But that did not appear to be the case with Jonathan. He knew in his heart, in his soul, what his purpose was, and he held strong to that purpose until he completed what he set out to do.
I do not believe that RENT was about a personal success for Jonathan or about anyone making a lot of money from this production. That has simply been the byproduct of this masterpiece. RENT was about a message that needed to be delivered, and that is the reason it has surpassed many other Broadway musicals in its 12-year run. I believe the film version was created so that this brilliant work of art could touch a much broader scope of people than those that attend New York theatre. I was actually one of those people. Although I tried several times to see the Broadway Show, the people I invited to attend the theater with me always wanted to see something else. No one wanted to see yet another story about struggling artists in New York. “It’s been done a zillion times” they said. No one wanted to see a story about Aids. “It’s too depressing” they said. Even one of my gay friends said they didn’t want to see yet another story about Aids. Go figure.
In 2004 I moved to the West Coast, never having seen the Broadway production. On November 23, 2005 Sony brought us the film version of RENT which was directed by Christopher Columbus and produced by Tribeca Films, the organization that was co-founded by another master of his craft, Robert DeNiro. After watching a performance of the opening number, SEASONS OF LOVE on the Ellen DeGeneres talk show, my interest in this show peeked once again. Yet I still had trouble finding someone to attend the film with me. As a result, I was never able to see it on the large screen.
I ended up renting it on DVD (no pun intended) and fell in love with the script, the music, and the energy behind this production. Two months after viewing the DVD I returned to East Coast to officiate a wedding and finally had the opportunity to see the Broadway Show in New York. That did it for me. I understood completely why RENTheads were drawn back to the theater to see this show ten, twelve, and fifteen times. As many RENTheads have testified, RENT is a life-changing show. It reaches down into the depths of your soul and touches you in a way that is difficult to explain to others. Even after watching it eight times I still sob through most of the second half of the show. As a spiritual teacher, I stand strong to the notion that there is much to be learned from this great piece of work. Yes, it is a show about friendship, struggle, Aids, and love, but it is the way in which it communicates its spiritual messages that makes it so inspiring to others. This is the kind of spiritual upliftment that many of us long for in our daily lives, without ever really knowing that this is what is missing. Once we find it, through the experience of this show, we are reluctant to let it go and it is ultimately why many of us have become RENTheads.
As noted before, the show opens with a song entitled SEASONS OF LOVE which asks us how we measure our life and its value. Do we measure it in sunsets? In cups of coffee? In laughter? In dollars? In contracts? There are five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes in a year. How do you measure your years? In births? In deaths? I believe most people measure their years and their lives by success, and more specifically, by financial success. But is that what God intended us to do? Is that why we are really here? Do you think God wants us to measure our life by what we have or what we’ve accomplished? I don’t think so.
Love is what God is made of, and we are made from God, therefore we should be made of love as well. The message of this beautiful first song is that we should measure our lives in love and only love. In this show we have the opportunity to see a lot of love exchanged between the eight friends that form the foundation of the story. We get to experience romantic love through Mimi and Roger. We get to experience same-sex love through Collins and Angel as well as Maureen and Joanne. We get to experience friendship love through Roger and Mark as well as all of the other characters in the show including Benny, and we get to experience unconditional love through the character of Angel. The song ends with “Remember the love, know that love is a gift from up above, share love, give love, spread love, measure your life in love.” This song in and of itself is a very powerful message for all of us.
The pivotal character in this show is, believe it or not, a drag queen by the name of Angel, who shows all of the other characters in the story, as well as all of us, how to genuinely love others completely and unconditionally. How many people do you know that can love in this way without fear of being hurt or without any conditions attached to their love? I do believe Jesus was able to master this kind of love and he set an example for us to do the same, but we have failed miserably at it for thousands of years. The character of Angel reminds us of what Jesus has tried to teach us for centuries. He tried to teach us not to judge others but to love them for who they are and what they are no matter what the circumstance. Imagine what our lives would be like if we were able to love everyone around us in this way. I do believe that this is our ultimate spiritual goal, to love everyone, all of our brothers and sisters, without condition, and to accept everyone, all of our brothers and sisters, for who and what they are.
Jonathan Larson not only uses serious songs to get this message across but he also uses a more humorous approach that speaks to loving others unconditionally as well. TAKE ME OR LEAVE ME is a musical number in which two characters are asking for total acceptance from the other while listing all of their idiosyncrasies and flaws. So many people try their best to change the other person that they are in relationship with. This power struggle is not only prevalent in romantic love but it also rears its ugly head in parent-child relationships and friendships as well. Why is it so hard for us to love others unconditionally? Why is it so difficult for us to “take others for who they are and what they are meant to be” as the song suggests, rather than trying to change them for who we want them to be? I believe it is because most of us do not know how to love and that is why such a high percentage of relationships fail. We are all looking for what we can GET out of a relationship rather than what we can GIVE to a relationship. It’s all about getting our own needs met rather than trying to be there for the other individual. What we need to realize is that in order to get the love we want, we have to be willing to give that same kind of love to others as well. Integrating this concept into our lives is not as easy as writing the words now is it?
Aside from the blatant messages in this film to love and love unconditionally, there is another theme that persists throughout the production. Many of us live our lives as if we have a billion tomorrows and have consistently put off things we’ve wanted to do with our lives day after day, week after week, month after month, and year after year. What this show teaches us is that life can be very short and that we need to live for today and only today. The lyrics to ANOTHER DAY as well FINALE B tells us “I can’t control my destiny……I trust my soul……there’s only now……there’s only here……give in to love or live in fear…….there’s no other path……there’s no other way……there is no future……there is no past……thank God this moment’s not the last……I live this moment as my last……there’s only us……there’s only this……forget regret or life is yours to miss……there’s no other road……there’s no day but today”.
How many of us work at jobs that do not fulfill us simply for the money we are paid or for financial security? How many of us do not pursue our real dreams and passions because they seem like the illogical choice? This is one of the grandest spiritual mistakes we all make. For what is life without a dream or passion of some kind? I believe life without a dream or a passion is dull, boring, and very monotonous. We settle for mediocrity in our lives and then we turn to alcohol, drugs, food, sex, and material possessions to try and fill up the empty hole created by the lack of our dream, our passion, and ultimately our purpose. For our passion IS our purpose. Once we make that connection we’re half way there!
There is another musical number in the show called WHAT YOU OWN where the characters of Roger and Mark sing about living in America at the end of the millennium. They point out how unconnected we are as a society and what an isolated age this is. We all need to realize that we are not our jobs, we are not what we own, but rather we are our purpose. Through Roger’s creative endeavor of writing music, and Mark’s creative endeavor of making films, they both come to realize how this connects us all to each other and that we are never ever alone.
Tell me, how would you live your life if you knew you only had a few months or years to live? It surely is something to think about. Why not start today to live for today and begin to move in the direction that will fulfill you the most and honor who you are as a human being? We all have a spiritual purpose here. Now go and figure out what that is and move in that direction! If we don’t, then we’ll die without ever having left our mark on society.
Jonathan Larson communicates a message about leaving our mark on society through the character of Roger, a has-been rock singer, who talks about making his mark before “the virus takes hold”. He wants to write just one more song……a song about love………a song to leave behind……one last blaze of glory. Having Aids has helped him to realize that at one time he had the world at his feet, yet he wasted that opportunity and became a junkie to escape the pain in his life, forfeiting the wonderful creative career that he had been so successful at. How many celebrities do we see living this drama out? Quite a few if you ask me. Roger wants one more song to redeem what he now sees as an empty life. And when does he find the lyrics and music to this last song? Once he lets go of his fear and allows his heart to open through his love for Mimi while she is on her deathbed. Is that what we are waiting for to leave behind our one last blaze of glory? The threat of death either to ourselves or to someone else we love?
That musical number, ONE SONG GLORY speaks to Jonathan Larson’s mark as well. Not only did he write one song as a blaze of glory, he wrote an entire production filled with blazing glory and again, this was all accomplished long before he died or knew that he would die. Can you not see the irony in all of this as I do? It was as if he knew he wouldn’t be here much longer and wanted us all to learn what he had learned in his life……that you must follow your heart, your dream, and your passion or your life will have not served its purpose.
One of the best musical numbers in the show is another song that speaks to Jonathan’s life as an artist. LA VIE BOHEME celebrates the Bohemian lifestyle that Jonathan lived. As it rapidly recites the names of former artists who serve as inspirations and symbols of the Bohemian and vagabond lifestyle, it also validates Jonathan’s choice to live the way he did in order to express and communicate his message through his music. It talks about going against the grain and hating convention. Through this one musical production we learn to be who we are and to hell with what society says we should or should not be. Amen and thank you Jonathan Larson!!!!
The end of the show comes full circle. As the first musical number in the show speaks to love, so does the last number entitled LOVE HEALS. Unfortunately the last number didn’t make it into the film version but Christopher Columbus created an ending in the film that is just as powerful. “There are those who shield their hearts……those who quit before they start……in the dark they’ve lost their sight……like a ship without a star in the night…….but hold on tight…..love heals. When you feel like you can’t go on……love heals. Hold onto love……it will keep you strong……love heals. Hold on to love…….it will bring you home (which is to God). When life’s unfair……..love heals. When you feel so small……like a grain of sand……like nothing at all……love heals. When you look out at sea……that’s where love will be……that’s where you’ll find me……don’t forget……love heals.”
RENT is a unique and brilliant tapestry that Jonathan Larson wove very intricately through the book he wrote, through his music, and through his own life story. And that my friends, is why I became a RENThead. God Bless you Jonathan Larson wherever you are…………….
Will & Grace & Will
I would love to take credit for this next blog, but I can’t. It was written by my Facebook friend Will Radford who is a working actor in Los Angeles. I was so touched by his story that I asked if I could post it here on my website, and being the gentleman that he is, he agreed. This story encompasses two things I am very passionate about…..television and spirituality. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Will Radford: Sometimes, it’s the little things…
In late September of 1998, a pilot episode for a new four camera sitcom aired on NBC. I was fortunate to have been cast in that pilot. Fairly recently out of school, and still new to the idea of acting as a job, and having already done a few things, this was seemingly just the next step along the way. I’d already done a couple network sitcoms (one of which was a pilot for CBS which didn’t air) so I was a bit familiar with the format, and definitely grateful to be working.
I don’t remember exactly how many days we worked on this pilot—I think it was maybe eight or nine. I do remember that every day, in addition to table reads, rehearsing, rewrites, and photo sessions for the four series regulars (one of whom I’d previously worked with on that CBS pilot) that members of the “guest cast” (of which I was one) were changing every day. As scenes were added or cut, so were the actors appearing in those scenes. I was just in one scene—the very last one—but fortunately it was with two of the leads. Still, none of us knew from day to day which of us would get voted off the island, so we just all showed up each day and did what was asked of us.
But there was definitely something different about this pilot. One thing I noticed was how nice the accommodations were—little dressing rooms instead of trailers. And the craft service seemed especially upscale. But mostly what I noticed was the incredible camaraderie between the bunch of us—the regulars and even us little guys who were just there for the episode. We all ate together, hung out together, laughed together—after all, it wasn’t really a “show” yet, just a pilot, and we all knew it might never air. But there sure seemed to be a lot of “buzz” about it. We had a very well-known director, and for the last four or five nights after rehearsing, taping, rewriting, etc., the head of the network would personally take all of us in the cast out to Mexicali. Yup, even me—and I was just in the last scene, and who even knew for how long. And he even knew my name!
One day I was standing at the craft service table, and the actor who did those “Joe Isuzu” commercials came up to me and asked me how “your show” was going. Wow. At that point I felt like if Joe Isuzu is coming up to me, I must really be a part of this whole thing. Even if it was just a small part.
Since I had a lot of down time on the set, I found things to keep myself busy. I helped one of the regulars run his lines; after all, they were changing for him on a moment by moment basis as the show was being fine tuned. I hung out with the other regulars and guest cast. And I stood behind the director when he conducted the tech rehearsal with the level of precision smoothness and flawless execution that only comes with having done this kind of thing for many, many years.
Finally, it was show night—like opening night of a play—with a packed house and everyone wishing each other well. And believe it or not, I was still in the show! Of course they shot the show chronologically, so after several hours of stop and go, retakes, etc., I got to do my one little scene at the end with two of the leads. And it all just went great. We all got called out individually for our sitcom rush-out-and-bow curtain call to the receptive audience’s thunderous applause. I even had several people from the audience come up to me afterwards to say hello and congratulations.
Afterwards, I got hugs from everybody, and introduced my girlfriend (she sat there all four hours to get to see me do about a minute worth of work) to the four leads and a few of the others. We all wished each other luck. Then the two of us walked one of the other actresses to her car, got in my car, and left.
After dropping my girlfriend off at her place, I headed home. I already missed everyone. It was one of those good gigs you never forget. It was one of those times when you really felt you were part of the team.
Well, not only did the pilot get picked by NBC for it’s Thursday night lineup, but it continued to be a blessing to me. Yes, I was there when it aired, in the last scene. A week before it aired, I got a call from someone I knew congratulating me for being in the show. ”How did you know I did that show?” I asked. “Because there’s a big color picture of you and two of the leads on the cover of the Sunday New York Times Arts & Entertainment section as one of the new hot shows.”
I went down to the local newsstand. Damn!! She was right. I bought like eight copies…
That tiny scene I did opened a lot of doors for me—and right near the beginning of me thinking of myself as a possible “working actor.” It led to other work, a new agency, stuff like that. I still had a day job at the time, and over my desk, taped to the wall, was the NY Times photo—just in case anyone wondered why I’d have to leave work from time to time in the middle of the day. I guess it was kind of like my “license to leave for auditions.”
The show went on to be a well-known series. And for some reason, this pilot episode got a lot of play. Of the things I’ve done so far, it’s had the most reruns. It even had a lot of those great primetime network reruns we all love so much. For several years, NBC would run it in the summertime as like a “where it all started” special. A documentary about the series was eventually made by Lifetime, and (can you believe it) my scene was in that too—and I even got paid for it!!
But the funniest part of the whole thing to me is that, back when I was originally called in to read for it, I think they told me the title of the new show, but for some reason I either didn’t hear it or it just didn’t register. The CD had cast me in that CBS pilot before, and so I just showed up at the producer session, picked up the sides there, and just went in and did it. Although it wasn’t a funny part, I think I got a chuckle or two from the two writer/producers and the CD. Then I was off.
On the drive home I stopped at a payphone to check my voicemail messages. I’d just left the CD’s office fifteen minutes before, but now I had a message to call them back, which I did. For some reason that day, I’d really been thinking a lot about the word “grace”—one of my favorite words. When the associate came on the phone she said, “Congratulations, Will!! You booked the pilot—the role of Henry, the bar patron.” She said she’d be calling my agent, and to expect a call from wardrobe in a few days.
“That’s great!!” I shouted. “Thanks for having me in again!!” then, just as I was about to hang up, I asked her, “By the way—what’s the name of the show?”
“It’s called Will and Grace,” she said.
And who says God doesn’t have a sense of humor??
That pilot episode is airing for the umpteenth time this coming Monday morning on Lifetime. Depending on where you live and what kind of TV service you have, it airs between 8:00AM and noon (check local listings or TIVO, etc. for “Pilot”). It’s definitely not worth watching or recording it on my account. But if you’re a fan of the show who never got to see the pilot, here’s your chance. And if you do, and happen to watch it all the way to the end, and don’t blink, you’ll probably see me toasting the happy couple.
Years ago, a gentleman I know who’d been an agent at ICM was advising me—”Will, it’s better to do a small part on a big show, than to do a big part on a small show. ” I’ve done both, and stuff in between, and it’s all good. But this definitely fits what he was saying. I guess it’s all about loving what you do, and hopefully getting to do what you love. It’s really all about grace…
WR
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
This week I have been engulfed in fighting a battle not so much for myself, but on behalf of others who may be impacted more than I but are not in a position to be able to speak up for themselves.
I truly believe in peace and harmony, but sometimes you have to ruffle a few feathers and overturn the applecart to get things moving in the right direction. Controversy doesn’t always have to be negative. Sometimes it can bring about change. With courage and a passionate purpose, people like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Harvey Milk have changed the world in which we live.
My daughter who is 14, attends a performing arts school. In the two years she has been attending this school I have been fairly active in the monthly parent-teacher meetings. Last year, and again this year, discussions took place in those rooms with regard to the selection of plays that would be performed during the school year. Heated arguments took place because some parents appear to have a problem with their children “swearing” on stage.
Seriously? With all of the problems surrounding our youth today (i.e. teen pregnancy, drugs, alcohol, pedophiles, and dropping out of school), we’re going to focus our energy on teen swearing? I thought we came to a compromise last year which resulted in a new process. If a show was going to be produced that had what some parents considered “inappropriate” or “adult” content, then the parents would be asked to sign a waiver allowing their children to be part of the production. That seemed to work for everyone involved at the time.
Fast forward to the new school year and a change in the administration. The theater chair, who was previously a Broadway actor in New York, decided to return to performing and a new director relocated from Massachusetts to accept the open position. With him he brought a lot of ambition, vision, and drive which was a perfect fit for this fairly young performing arts school. There was only one problem. From the day this man began his journey at the school, it became obvious to me that a witch hunt ensued because he’s, oh dear shall I say it here? He is a homosexual. I have sat back, watched, and said little for seven months, but as an advocate for gay rights, I knew that I could no longer keep quiet.
The first show of the season was Everyman and the middle school students who performed the show did a fantastic job. The second show of the season was The Wiz and for obvious reasons everybody was thrilled with the production. The most recent show performed last weekend, with high school students only, was One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. Although my daughter was not in the show, we attended in support of the school and this new theater director.
If you have never seen it, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest is a provocative piece of work, but it is also viewed as a modern literary classic. It is read and studied in schools throughout the U.S. and has continually been in print since its publication in 1962. As a play, which premiered in 1964, it has had two revivals; off-Broadway in 1971 and a Broadway production in 2001. When adapted to a film in 1975 starring Jack Nicholson, it won 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture. Overall, it is a pretty impressive literary pedigree.
I thought in spite of its adult theme and its “offensive” language the students pulled off the production brilliantly. Once again this phenomenal theater teacher deserved accolades. Unfortunately, on Wednesday of this week one of the parents sent an email blast out to the entire school community discrediting everything that had been accomplished. Here is just a small part of that email.
“It was a great performance with offensively shocking language and subject matter. It is unfortunate that their talents had to be used on projects that are not as widely view as good or universally appropriate materiel. It was very discouraging that much of the language in Cuckoo’s Nest was inappropriate for small children and even offensive to some adults. The show would not have lost any effect by changing the language. The use of the F-bomb was completely unnecessary as much of the other profanity. It makes no sense to me that the students would be placed in a situation where they were forced to perform inappropriate material for their age group. Outside of the show they would have been suspended for using these words. I do understand that the subject matter of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” is adult in theme, so I would hope that since we entrust our children to your care, you would carefully consider which plays our children will be performing. As a concern, evolved and loving parent I am pushing the envelope back to say these things are not acceptable. Hopefully the Administration will rethink how it chooses what our kids perform and are exposed to.”
Forced to perform? To my knowledge no one is every forced to audition or perform at this arts school. In addition, I felt this kind of communication should have been sent to the school’s director, not posted in such a public manner for all eyes to see. I was the first one to write a retort. The bottom line of my argument back was that not everyone should be subjected to this one person’s value system when choosing or performing a play at the school and posting his remarks discrediting the work of the teacher in such a public manner was something I found to be even more inappropriate.
Other parents joined in, some in support of my viewpoint and some in support of his. One parent captured her sentiments perfectly in one sentence. “As a writer, it worries me when we suggest changing an author’s literary work to make it more acceptable to suit our beliefs. That’s called censorship.”
To add fuel to the fire, the moderator of the parent-teacher email distribution list emailed me privately to tell me that I should have emailed the offended parent privately and not use the group’s list to respond. It became very clear to me that not only were there parents who wanted to censor the literary work performed at the school, they also wanted to censor me. My only choice was to make it clear that no one was going to censor my input or feedback and since the original sender posted his viewpoint in a public manner then my responding in the same manner should be perfectly acceptable.
In spite of the retorts this man was not backing down. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of this sooner, but I then Googled this parent to find out exactly who he was and why he thought he should have full control over what was occurring at the school (because it is not a private school in which he contributes money). The results of my search clarified everything for me. This parent was the pastor of a newly formed Christian Baptist church in northern California. That is when I knew I had to approach this from a different angle. There was a spiritual agenda at work here, one that I am all too familiar with, and one that I personally have a problem with.
I have nothing against organized religion if it is what helps an individual to find their spiritual core and their connection to God. Where I begin to have a problem is when one group of spiritual seekers feel they have the right to infringe their belief systems on those outside of their congregation or religious sect. It has always been my personal feeling that if people took the time and energy it takes to really learn the history of organized religion along with the how and why of its formation, they would not put as much value in it as they do. But that’s an entirely separate blog.
My point is that I am also an ordained minister, and I have my spiritual beliefs which are solid as a rock, just like the pastor in my story here. Is there art that I find offensive? Yes there is. I do not listen to or enjoy rap music or hip hop music because I find the word “nigger” and “ho” to be pretty offensive along with many of the lyrics that are written today in this art form. However, the one thing I would never do is push my spiritual agenda on anyone else that didn’t come to me for spiritual guidance or advice. Everyone is entitled to their own choices and their own path and frankly I am tired of this particular religious group, with their condescending judgments of others and their narrow-minded spiritual ignorance, thinking it is perfectly acceptable to infiltrate our schools and our political system in an attempt to make us who they want us to be.
So for that reason I kept pushing until the truth of the matter was finally revealed. This parent was the father of one of the Cuckoo’s Nest leads, and he also had a younger daughter who worked backstage on the production. He knew up front about the content and language (because he had gone to the school administrator about it weeks prior to the performance), but in spite of this knowledge he let his daughter perform in the production anyway. He felt to pull her three weeks into rehearsals would have been unfair to the rest of the actors and the teachers. Seriously? He felt strongly enough about the “content” to create this whirlwind of emails and controversy as he tears down the teacher and administration involved in producing the show, but he let his daughter go through with the performance anyway. In addition, he allowed his younger daughter to work backstage. If you had felt as strongly as he did, would you have let your child perform? I have to honestly say I wouldn’t have. The bottom line from where I sit is having his daughter in the performance spotlight took precedence over his concern about inappropriate content. If that’s not spiritual hypocrisy I do not know what is.
I wish this pastor the best of luck in his new church endeavor and I hope he is met with great success there. But if he or any other parent tries to resurrect their spiritual agenda at this school again, or elsewhere in the community where it effects my child or my life experience, I will be standing strong to fight them on behalf of ALL creative artists as well as the gay community.
Standing strong and tall…………….Peace Out!
Tyler Perry & Madea’s Big Happy Family
Yesteray my 14-year old daughter and I attended the Saturday matinee of Tyler Perry’s new stage show, Madea’s Big Happy Family. I have been a fan of Tyler Perry’s ever since he first appeared as Madea on the Oprah show a few years ago. Although African American audiences have been watching him in his stage plays for years, I had never heard of him until he was endorsed by the big “O”. Shortly thereafter I started to rent all of Tyler Perry’s stage plays that are on video and I have enjoyed each and every one. I have watched many of his films on DVD and I’ve also attended the theater to watch every new film he’s released since then. I read all of his blogs and think he is an amazing individual that is inspiring to us all. He has gone from being broke and suicidal to having a studio in Atlanta that bears his own name where he continues to produce films that not only make us laugh, but also elevate us on a spiritual level.
I have always wanted to see a Tyler Perry stage play (with him in it) but never thought I would because now that he’s at the top of his game with his own studio, I didn’t think him touring in a stage play would be his number one priority. But his mother passed away not too long ago and he wrote this most recent show to honor her life and her passing. If I was his Momma, I would be extremely proud of this most recent accomplishment. The show was hilarious but as with all of Tyler Perry’s work, it also gave us the opportunity to cry, to reflect, and to learn. There were a few things he added that simply brought the house down each and every time. The first was about fifteen minutes into the play when he entered for the first time. He said a couple of his scripted lines, and then turned to the audience (in character) and reamed people currently being seated for being late, and reminded them what time the play started. (The humorous part of what he did will probably only be funny for those who know what “CP time” is). Then in the middle of one of Madea’s monologues he started to chant the already popular “Pants On The Ground” rap that was just aired on American Idol last week. In the middle of another monologue he started to improvise and switched to his regular voice and said “Now this is Perry talking”. At the end of the show is a celebration of music honoring Teddy Pendergrass, Luther Vandross, and Earth Wind & Fire (which Mr. Perry sang himself). The audience sang along with each and every song. Then in the middle of this musical montage he said “OK we do have a few white people in the audience so we need to do something for them….” and then the orchestra started playing American Pie which we ALL sang along with him. It was thoroughly enjoyable and full of joy. A stage play with Tyler Perry and his multi-talented cast is not like any other stage play you will ever experience. It is an interactive art form with the audience where the traditional theater etiquette of remaining quiet out of respect for the actors is tossed out the window as people yell out their reactions, raise their hands in testimony much like they do in any good gospel church, and scream, yell, and clap when a good line with a good message comes out of a character’s mouth on stage. This was an entirely new experience for both my daughter and I, but I have to say we thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this show as did everyone who attended.
However, the reason I am writing this blog is not just to review the show, but to point out that Tyler Perry has also taken a lot of heat from people within his own culture. Many African Americans feel he is reinforcing the stereotypes within his own culture and not portraying black people in a positive light. But isn’t that was comedy is? Isn’t comedy meant to provoke laughter from the audience by making fun of people? I don’t understand why people are taking it so seriously and why they negate all of the good characters that Tyler Perry creates by focusing only on the negative characters he creates within one of his shows or films. This kind of comedy is not exclusive in the African American culture. Has anyone tuned into the highly popular George Lopez talk show yet? On every show Lopez makes fun of people within his own Latino culture. Yet no one is criticizing him (yet). Isn’t this kind of comedic approach what made Margaret Cho popular as well….by making fun of the Asian culture? But I don’t recall anyone protesting her work either.
Most recently I read there is controversy from people within my own culture (Italian) about the new reality show Jersey Shore. I tuned into Jersey Shore just to see what all the hype was about and to see if I personally found it “offensive” so I could place myself in the same position as African Americans. I have to honestly say I was not offended. Did I like the show? Of course I didn’t. But did I take it as a personal reflection or representation of who I am as an individual? Absolutely not. If I did, then shouldn’t all of the other ignorant and voyeuristic reality television shows provoke the same thing in blonde haired blue eyed white people? The people on this show are a bunch of young kids who take pride in their nationality. So what? Who cares? My opinion of these “Guidos” are that they are ignorant and shallow and certainly not the kind of young people I’d want to spend time with (nor will I ever tune into the show again). By the same token, I also would not be honest with myself if I didn’t admit that there are many ignorant and shallow people within my own culture. What about films like The Godfather and Goodfellas and television shows like The Sopranos and Everybody Loves Raymond? Shouldn’t I be “offended” that my culture is being represented through the portrayal of mafia families and buffoons? Well I’m not, and that is because there ARE people in my culture, within my own blood-line even, that are living proof that these types of individuals do exist. So when I hear people complaining about Tyler Perry’s characters always acting like buffoons or thugs my response is that there ARE buffoons and thugs in the African American culture. There are buffoons and thugs in EVERY culture including the Italian culture and Jersey Shore as well as every Italian film and television show ever made supports that.
But here is why I don’t find these films or television shows offensive or unacceptable. They do not define ME as an individual. I know that I am a person with a good heart and a good soul. I know that I am educated and intelligent and I touch the lives of others in a positive way through my friendship. Because I know this in the core of my inner being, I do not have the need to prove it to anyone else by protesting the examples that others are presenting about who THEY are. I am proud of my ethnicity in spite of the buffoons and the gangsters because I like who I am as an individual and no amount of television or film can take that away from me. Only I have the power to feel less of a person. As the great Eleanor Roosevelt once said “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent”. So if you feel inferior when you watch a Tyler Perry film or television show, maybe it simply means you’ve got some inner work to do on yourself.
As for comedy……it has been around forever and if we start monitoring comics or comedy writers for being “politically correct” all of the time comedy itself will disintegrate into oblivion and for me, that is not an option. Laughter is good for soul and so is Tyler Perry. His work is not only humorous, it is also inspirational and in each and every piece of his work he communicates a number of positive spiritual messages that are extremely important. Yesterday during his stage play towards the end he started to preach (in the character of Madea) and he was going on and on and on and at one point he said “And I am so far off of script right now……” which once again brought the house down because Mr. Perry was doing what he does best…….using humor to teach and to preach, and for that I honor him, I respect him, I admire him, and I support him in his right to use his work as a beacon of light for others, no matter what color or ethnicity is watching. Be blessed Tyler Perry…..in spite of what others may have to say about you, you ARE doing God’s work.
As we say in Italy……Ciao……for now.
I See You
Yesterday my friend Angelo Bell made a comment that I really “get” him and that is why he keeps me around. He verbalized a parallel to my “seeing” him much in the same way these words are used over and over again in the film Avatar. I smiled when I read what he wrote because truly it is one of the nicest compliments I could ever receive and I want to elaborate on why that is.
First of all, if you haven’t seen the film Avatar it is a must see for spiritual seekers. It is the story about a marine who incarnates onto an alien planet and finds himself torn between two worlds. Jay Michaelson, author of “The Meaning of Avatar: Everything Is God” writes how the philosophy of this film has been around both in the East and the West for thousands of years. The inhabitants of this alien planet, the Na’Vi, know they are manifestations of one being which they call Ai’wa (much in the same way we are all manifestations of one being called God). The Na’Vi have a physical cord attached to their bodies which unites them with each other and also with Ai’Wa as well. When the Na’Vi greet each other they say “I see you” which is a direct translation of the Sanskrit term Namaste (a word I happen to use often) which means the same thing (the God/divine in me sees/honors the God/divine in you). So how does this translate to a contemporary world on planet Earth?
I have had the innate ability to “see” others in a completely different way than most do for a very long time. I’ll revert backwards in time to give you a couple of examples so that this concept will be more applicable in real-life situations.
In high school one of my friends (I will call him Rick) was the son of a very wealthy man who was a successful attorney and judge. Rick drove a Porsche to school which of course made many other kids envious to begin with. Rick had a conceited and arrogant way about him that repelled others. But even then, as a 17 year old in high school, I saw what was underneath the fascade of Rick’s behavior and he knew that I “saw him” in a completely different light. I saw the “real” him, the vulnerable him, through his soul and his spirit which were filled with love and kindness. Rick went on to be an extremely successful attorney himself and because of this “connection” he is still in my life today. He recently said to me on the phone “I love you and adore you and I always will.”
Fast forward to about 12 years ago. I was at a hockey game and saw this man walking down the stairs that completely captured my attention who I had a strong desire to meet. As fate (if you believe in such things) would have it, about a week later I was in a nightclub and there he was again on the dance floor. I was standing to the side of the dance floor and our eyes met and as soon as the dance came over he walked over to me and started a conversation. Derek (again a fake name) was an enormously popular guy. He was a successful businessman who sold Harleys and a well-known biker in the area. He looked like Tom Jones and dripped with sexuality and every woman that met him wanted to sleep with him and and every man wanted to be him or at minimum, be his friend. But again, there was much more under the fascade that he presented in life and I was able to see underneath it all to his soul and he knew it. I became one of his best friends and others just didn’t understand the connection. One night he summarized my “ability” by saying “Mary, you have the ability to tear down people’s masks and see the real people underneath.” Derek hung out with a group of men that were, let’s say, very “macho” types. They were cops and bikers and most of them were really into the barbie doll type girlfriends they wore proudly on their arms. In front of all of these guys, Derek announced to them that he valued me so much as a friend that he would jump in front of a bus for me. I was flabbergasted that he would make such a public testimony, but it also warmed my heart that he could “see” me back.
I don’t tell you these stories to brag or boast about friendships I’ve had or now have, but to make a spiritual point. EVERYBODY on this planet is seeking the same thing in relationship whether romantic or platonic. They are looking to feed their soul or spirit. First and foremost they want to be loved. They want to be validated. They want to be heard, and they want to be understood. When you are able to come to a point in your life where you can see God in others and are able to function from that place you will be more in line to GIVE rather than RECEIVE and the act of giving that kind of unconditional love and acceptance to others becomes more joyful than receiving it (although it is still nice to receive because after all…..I am human too).
The question you may be asking yourself right now is “Do I have this ability too?” and to that I answer a resounding YES! Everyone has it because it is a part of us instilled by God to connect us all as human beings. It is your job to find it, to nurture it, to develop it, and once you master it to teach it to others even if only through example. And THAT my friends is what makes the world go round.
So yes, I do “get” and “see” Angelo along with a few others that are part of my inner circle. That is not to say that I get everyone. I am still working hard to “get” people who hate others based on religion or someone’s ethnicity or the color of their skin. I have to work even harder to “get” people who are filled with greed and selfishness and that when placed in a position of financial abundance choose to spend it on “things” rather than helping others. But hey, we all have our spiritual work to do and I am definitely no exception.
For those of you who made it to the end of this very long blog…..Namaste.
