I'm baaack

Got back from CA last night. Great visit with my family. I got to see everyone. Yea! So, now I'm continuing where I left off in 07.

Merry Christmas

I am driving to Southern California Saturday to spend Christmas with my family. Yipee!

Merry Christmas!

Happy New Year!

God Bless America!

"Memorial" a memory

We struck the set for "Memorial" after the the last performance Saturday night.

Cast and crew did a fine job. Lots of dialogue to learn and they did. There were a few things in the blocking of one song that didn't happen as they should, but no one but Charlie (lighting design) me probably noticed. The Protest Scene went well. Yea!

One challenge I faced: 'Attitude' abounded.

So, the stage is bare at Phoenix College, but not for long.

Randy Tallman

Randy Tallman [1939-2007] will be missed by all. My heart aches at the news of his passing on November 2oth, my birthday.

I met Randy in 1991 when I went to Dallas for the production of my musical drama, Rocket City! (then entitled: The American Dream...Interrupted). He, as director, and Russ Benzamin, as musical director mounted a vigorous production and helped move the play forward.

Randy and his wife, Laura (and of course, Ret and Joe who took turns letting me crash in their bedrooms) welcomed me into their home every 4th of July weekend to share their home and hospitality [until 9/11, and then I chose not to fly for a long while, and missed all the fun at their wonderful 4th of July party: love, friendship, music sharing, Laura's brisket, Randy's guacamole ...and all the other tasty and loving things that the Tallmans afforded their friends].

The unique talents of the wonderful, loving man that was Randy Tallman, will live on forever in our hearts and in the world.

I will truly miss you, Randy.

Memorial is on its feet.

Opening night (Nov. 15th) went well. Closing weekend Nov. 29-Dec. 1. All of Dreamer's signers will be part of the production. Should be great.

"Memorial" by Charles LaBorde

Rehearsals have been going well for "Memorial" under the direction of Gary Imel and musical direction by Jackie Marx. The Phoenix College production opens on Nov. 15th.

This Readers Theatre piece has been masterfully directed by Gary Imel. I have been given the opportunity to direct Scene 8, the Protest Scene and we will be tightening that scene in rehearsal tonight.

We have shadow signers ably led by A Dreamer.

With all the performance elements and the music from the Era this should be an exciting production.

The past three days have been spent working (with the musical director) on the musical score for Rocket City!--in preparation for the Broadway reading. Things are going well. The first three songs are complete and ready for the reading.

Writing Updates

Freedom's Last Breath was well-received at the Scottsdale reading.

Just finished a new play. Tunnel Vision, 60 pages, 5 characters: 4M, 1F. Non-musical drama. The synopsis can be found at the site.

Other new plays:
The Nest, 10 minute, 2 characters: 2F. Young adult drama
Tick Tock, 10 minute, 3 characters, 3F. Drama.

New screenplays (not completed-synopsis upon request):
Tentative title: Lake Castle
Tommy Boy's Touchstone

The Rocket City reading is still on for NYC. I just don't know when.

Also, new writing posted at www.fanstory.com (jackiesmuse)

Charles St. Clair to direct

Charles St. Clair will direct Freedom's Last Breath for the Dramatists Guild Friday Night Footlight series: An Evening of New Works. He is in the process of casting the piece. Watch for updates concerning this June 8th workshop production at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.

Quote of the Day

Difficulties strenghten the mind, as labor does the body.

Seneca
Roman dramatist, philosopher and politician (5 BC-65 AD)

Freedom's Last Breath

Freedom's Last Breath, a short stage play, is available for review at www.fanstory.com/displaystory.jsp?id=150516. This play and other plays, poems and stories will be included in a book [no title at this time] soon to be published by Visions Unlimited.

The Marks and the Masquers

The Marks and the Maskers is a contest entry at www.fanstory.com/displaystory.jsp?id=149450 . It is a series of cinquain stanzas that tell the story.

Rocket City Update

Conversation with contacts in New York City this morning indicate that our staged reading is still under consideration.