quote:

Originally posted by Phil Knox:
What's in the white bag, on the front steps of the Fremont Centre Theater?

ice cubes

Or, ten minutes later, water.

Hee-hee! Good to have you posting again, Phil!

A review from Back Stage West.

http://www.backstage.com/bso/search/article_display.jsp...ontent_id=1003607587

Ray Bradbury's Green Town
July 05, 2007
By Melinda Schupmann
At nearly 87, with a Pulitzer citation for "his distinguished, prolific, and deeply influential career as an unmatched author of science fiction and fantasy," Bradbury and his Pandemonium Theatre Company present a fanciful look at mythical Green Town, Ill. It is summer in the 1930s, and young Ralph Spaulding (Anders Asbjornsen) is bored working in Mr. Wyneski's (Philip Sokoloff) barber shop, where nothing exciting happens. On returning home to his grandmother's (Roses Prichard) boarding house, Ralph is amazed to find that the long-dead Charles Dickens (Michael Prichard) has taken up residence. Acting as Dickens' secretary, Ralph rewrites A Tale of Two Cities as the author dictates it to him. As their time together progresses, a world of possibilities emerges for Dickens and his willing protégé.

In another vignette, two boys (Gabe Kahn, Cole Rainey) encounter a 99-year-old man (David Fox-Brenton) who recalls prairie days with reverberations of bison herds; he then relives battles of the Civil War, making him a kind of living time machine. In the final piece, a droll Mr. Spaulding (Paul Bond) enlivens Green Town for his younger son (Bond's real-life son, Matthew) by creating a mummy, making it appear to be alive, and watching the town's resultant hubbub.

Paul Bond delivers a strong performance as the whimsical adult who understands children and their need for adventure. Michael Prichard incarnates the distinguished literary figure with charm and emotional depth. Director Alan Neal Hubbs uses John Edw. Blankenchip's well-articulated set to advantage. Robert Arturo Ramirez's sound design is notable, enhancing the illusory events, particularly the Civil War and sounds of the prairie. Howard Schmidt's costumes neatly augment the time periods. Hubbs' pacing is well-executed, but he needs to focus on projection, as some of the dialogue is inaudible.

Bradbury has not forgotten the wonderment of youth, and his young actors keep the magic alive. Lyricism combined with his puckish good humor captivates and charms.

Last night's performance of Green Town was a fundraiser for The Planetary Society. The host for this evening's event was Bill Nye, The Science Guy, who is the VP of the society.

After the introductions Mr. B was given a poster. On May 9th, Ray was invited to choose a target on Mars to image with the THEMIS, Thermal Emission Imaging System, camera on board the Mars Odyssey spacecraft. The picture of his chosen site -- a region near the south pole called Inca City -- was presented to Ray for the first time at this event.

Themis is the goddess of justice, wisdom and good counsel, the guardian of oaths in Greek mythology, represents the THEMIS mission.

Attached is a poor quality image of the poster.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jkt,

IncaCity.jpg (19 Kb, 9 downloads)

Just got off the phone with Arnold Kunert, Ray Harryhausen's agent, who tells me that it should be no problem for me to interview RH at Mystery & Imagination on Monday, July 23rd.

He will confirm that after Mr H arrives here Wednesday, but if this happens, it will be a great addition to the 4E doc!

Anyone wish to suggest any questions tying RH and 4E together which I could put to Mr H? I will consider them.

Thanks.

Mark S. and others,

Mr. B is scheduled to be at the play this Saturday the 21st. If you attend and have a few items you'd like signed this is a good time.

Also, this may be the last performance that Ray attends due to the closing weekend's scheduling conflict with some silly Comic Book Convention the following weekend.

This evening's performance of Green Town had a few very special guests. Along with Ray B. we had Ray Harryhausen (the godfather of special effects and a friend of Mr. B for 70 years), Norman Cowin (the guy that told Ray he should take all those Mars stories and put them together in a book) and Stuart Gordon (director of The Wonderful Ice Cream Suit and for you sickos out there, Re-Animator).

If anybody is available Monday night, here in La La Land, Mr. Harryhausen will be talking and signing at Mystery and Imagination's bookshop in Glendale, CA. Mr. B is also planning on attending. You'll also get a chance to meet our message group member, Doug Spaulding.

THIS, in better days...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kesPyGX9o5c