My Power of One 5th Act of Kindness, San Diego March 1, 2018
(San Diego, California, March 6, 2018). There was an ‘Act of Kindness’ in San Diego on Thursday, March 1st from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Halo Cinematic, benefiting Rachel’s Women’s Center (a Drop-In Day Center at Catholic Charities for homeless and low income women in East Village). This fifth Act of Kindness in San Diego was sponsored and led by Sue Vicory, an award-winning documentary filmmaker, humanitarian and the CEO of the global brand “My Power of One”.
According to Ms. Vicory and My Power of One, ‘March 1st was our 5th Act of Kindness in San Diego. We gathered for a photo shoot with photographer Aram Khachaturyan on a movie set at Halo Cinematic and gathered up supplies to deliver to a day center for women. Five carloads were delivered.’
Here is a photo montage video courtesy of Sue Vicory:
“The mission of ‘My Power of One’ is as simple as understanding how significant we each are within humanity with our every word and every action making a difference. These words and actions are our legacy and fingerprint within humanity. We pride ourselves in doing intentional and sometimes anonymous random acts of kindness. Be the Miracle is our catch phrase.” – Sue Vicory
Sue Vicory, recently was an Indie Film Showcase’ panelist at the Sundance Film Festival and will be an upcoming panelist representing Women Filmmakers at the Cannes Film Festival in May, 2018. More information about Sue Vicory can be found at her Website, her YouTube Channel and in a 2016 Interview.
Social Media Hashtags for the March 1st event: #MPO1 #ThinkOne #ActofKindness.
(San Diego, California, February 24, 2018). There will be a special ‘Act of Kindness’ in San Diego on Thursday, March 1st from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Halo Cinematic, benefiting Rachel’s Women’s Center (a Drop-In Day Center at Catholic Charities for homeless and low income women in East Village). This fifth Act of Kindness in San Diego is sponsored and led by Sue Vicory, an award-winning documentary filmmaker, humanitarian and the CEO of the global brand “My Power of One”.
This unique day of celebration will include collecting, organizing and ultimately distributing a variety of donations to Rachel’s Women’s Center. There will also be a star-studded photo shoot of local celebrities with photographer Aram Khachaturyan from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. as well as entertainment on a film set at Halo Cinematic in Mira Mesa (7620 Miramar Rd Ste 41 San Diego, CA 92126). There is very limited space available with a maximum of 30 individuals at any given time throughout the four-hour event. Caterer Simply Fresh will be providing food for the event.
“The mission of ‘My Power of One’ is as simple as understanding how significant we each are within humanity with our every word and every action making a difference. These words and actions are our legacy and fingerprint within humanity. We pride ourselves in doing intentional and sometimes anonymous random acts of kindness. Be the Miracle is our catch phrase.” – Sue Vicory
Sue Vicory, recently was an Indie Film Showcase’ panelist at the Sundance Film Festival and will be an upcoming panelist representing Women Filmmakers at the Cannes Film Festival in May, 2018. More information about Sue Vicory can be found at her Website, her YouTube Channel and in a 2016 Interview.
Social Media Hashtags for the March 1st event: #MPO1 #ThinkOne #ActofKindness.
Thanks to my friend’s recommendation, my husband and I recently visited the Miramar Reservoir for the first time. Located in the Scripps Ranch area of San Diego, Miramar Reservoir is a place loaded with nature and atmosphere! One of those ‘hidden gems’ in my opinion. Nearly 5 miles of paved trail (and a few areas right next to the water) surround the ‘lake’.
Want to go fishing? You can obtain a fishing permit, bait & tackle from the facilities and concessions stand. Apparently the reservoir is home to largemouth bass, crappie (lol), bluegill, channel catfish, sunfish and trout. There are minimum size & amount limits.
Also visit the concession stand (opened Wednesdays through Sundays) for the following:
Hungry or Thirsty? Grab some snacks & drinks!
Up for some exercise with a bike ride? You can rent bikes for adventures on land!
Yearning for the water? You can rent kayaks, motorized boats, rowboats even pedal boats! Read here about restrictions and use of float tubes as well
Or, like us, simply power walk, or simply stroll the trail loop.
What are you waiting for???
Directions: Take #15 to Mira Mesa Boulevard traveling East. Take a right turn onto Scripps Ranch Boulevard, then a left on Scripps Lake Drive. You’ll see the entrance on your left.
Feel free to click on these photos from our afternoon at Miramar Reservoir! You can click on each one to see a better view.
First of all, the ‘geese patrol’ greeted us!
Geese welcoming us in the parking lot. Miramar Reservoir. Photo By SJF Communications
Geese welcoming us in the parking lot. Miramar Reservoir. Photo By SJF Communications
Geese welcoming us in the parking lot. Miramar Reservoir. Photo By SJF Communications
Some beautiful images of the Miramar Reservoir from our walk
(Click on each for a larger view)
Miramar Reservoir. Photo by SJF Communications 2018
Miramar Reservoir. Photo by SJF Communications 2018
Miramar Reservoir. Photo by SJF Communications 2018
Miramar Reservoir. Photo by SJF Communications 2018
Miramar Reservoir. Photo by SJF Communications 2018
Miramar Reservoir. Photo by SJF Communications 2018
Miramar Reservoir. Photo by SJF Communications 2018
Miramar Reservoir. Photo by SJF Communications 2018
Miramar Reservoir. Photo by SJF Communications 2018
Miramar Reservoir. Photo by SJF Communications 2018
Miramar Reservoir. Photo by SJF Communications 2018
Miramar Reservoir. Photo by SJF Communications 2018
Miramar Reservoir. Photo by SJF Communications 2018
Miramar Reservoir. Photo by SJF Communications 2018
This signage invites you to rent and enjoy a paddleboat!
Signage at Miramar Reservoir. Photo by SJF Communications
A few images of the boat dock…
Boat Rentals, Miramar Reservoir. Photo by SJF Communications, 2018
Boat Rentals, Miramar Reservoir. Photo by SJF Communications, 2018
And finally, more geese!
(Click on each for a larger view)
Geese! Miramar Reservoir. Photo by SJF Communications
Geese! Miramar Reservoir. Photo by SJF Communications
Geese! Miramar Reservoir. Photo by SJF Communications
Ah, and a beautiful bougainvillia as well!
(Click on each for a larger view)
Beautiful bougainvillea at Miramar Reservoir, Photo by SJF Communications, 2018
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A place that never ceases to amaze me is Torrey Pines State Beach! It is located between La Jolla and Del Mar, California and approximately 1.5 miles West of Interstate 5 at Carmel Valley Road in San Diego. Here is a cool visitors guide for Torrey Pines State Beach including parking rate information from the San Diego Tourism Authority as well as information about the Torrey Pines State Reserve. Daily rates: $10-15 Monday-Thursday; $12-20 Friday-Sunday and Holidays.Click for info on Annual Passes.
#TorreyPinesStateBeach is my ‘go to’ place to walk for fitness, stroll, socialize, observe the #artinnature and #natureasart. I like to visually capture interesting images.
Here are a few of my photos from yesterday’s walk.
Beautiful Torrey Pines State Beach! Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Sandstone Cave-Like Area! Torrey Pines State Beach Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Amazing Sandstone Rocks! Torrey Pines State Beach Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
A very lovely shell amidst the rocks! Torrey Pines State Beach Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Heart Rock Torrey Pines State Beach Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
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A NEW YEARS ‘Gift’ from SJF Communications to Celebrate San Diego Area Theater!
Besides enjoying the heck out of consulting for and working with theatre company clients as a public relations professional/publicist, (and as an actor), I am an avid theatre-goer and attend many San Diego theater productions throughout the year!
$$$$$$! 🙂
Our extensive collection of Playbills and programs (and bill statements) confirm it!
Also, our daughter is majoring in theatre arts performance/acting & musical theatre, so I have been attending university shows and recitals, adding to my mix. Plus, I’m an adjudicator for high school musical theatre production awards.
Don’t forget about San Diego Theatre Week February 15 – February 25, 2018! Great deals and discounts! Dozens of arts organizations are participating!
I have always wanted to write a post listing all the wonderful theater productions in the San Diego area. SO…….
There’s an abundance of productions this quarter between January and March. This list is my NEW YEARS present to our San Diego Community! Why? Because I wanted to know what the upcoming shows were PLUS I believe in SHARING and GETTING THE WORD OUT! So take a gander!
I’ve listed (alphabetically) the Theatre/Production Company, Title of Show(s), Dates of Shows and Website links. It’s quite comprehensive! Let us know if there are any additions, corrections etc. We aim to please!
What more could you ask for???
Well, I can ask for something in return:
(Please subscribe to my website, comment, like, and share the link away on social media, via emails, however YOU get the word out)!
Here we go!
Happy New Year from SJF Communications!
San Diego Area Theatre Productions January Through March, 2018
Broadway San Diego (P) Hamilton January 6 – January 28; Dirty Dancing February 9 – February 11; Stomp March 2 – March 4; The Magic of Adam Trent March 24; http://www.broadwaysd.com/
Coronado Playhouse (C) The Addams FamilyJanuary 19 – February 25; King Charles III March 23 – April 22; Songs for a New year: An Evening of the Works of Jason Robert Brown March 2 – March 3; http://coronadoplayhouse.com/
Cygnet Theatre (P)The Last Wife Jan 17 – Feb 11; Musical Monday: Bacchanal Jan 29; A Little Night Music Mar 7 – Apr 22; http://www.cygnettheatre.com/
Different Stages (C) Building the Wall (Co-Produced with Point Loma Playhouse) January 13 – January 21;
Diversionary Theatre (P): The Cardboard Piano January 25-February 25 The Happiest Place on Earth March 15-April 15; http://diversionary.org/season32/
La Jolla Playhouse (P): Mike Birbiglia: The New One January 9 – 14; The Cake February 6 – March 4; POP Tour Home of the Brave Public Performances at the Playhouse March 10 & 11; La Jolla Playhouse’s Gala March 17; http://www.lajollaplayhouse.org/tickets-and-subscriptions/buy-tickets
La Jolla Theatre Ensemble (Staged Readings) (C) Kim Cromwell’s one-act, CATFISH; a pair of ten-minute plays, one by Jeanette Farr called “Gray Matter” and the second, “A Lease on Life” by Liz Coley; and Werner Hashagen’s “Yes! January 28, January 30; https://www.facebook.com/ljtheatreensemble/posts/878064212371334
Lamb’s Players (P) (Coronado) Smoke on the Mountain January 11-28; Freedom Riders January 15; Sunday Night Sing, January 21; Lambs Cabaret: Songs of Love and Laughter February 11; Camping With Henry and Tom: February 16 – March 25; http://www.lambsplayers.org/index.php
Lamplighters Community Theatre (C) Agatha Christie’s The MousetrapJanuary 12 – February 4; Dead Man’s Cell Phone(Staged Reading) January 14; Judith Merel’s One-Woman Show The Cantor’sDaughter January 28; Night, Mother March 2 – March 25; https://www.lamplighterslamesa.com/
Moonlight Stage Productions (P): Bets Malone at Club M(with Elan McMahan Musical Director and Pianist)January 13 Lucie Arnaz at Club MFebruary 10; Daebreon Poiema with Lyndon Pugeda, Musical Director and Pianist March 3; Rebels, Raiders and Supermen: The Music of John Williams March 24; http://www.moonlightstage.com/
Moxie Theatre (P): BLISS (or Emily Post is Dead ) January 28 – February 25 / Opening Night: February 3; http://www.moxietheatre.com/shows/
North Coast Rep (P) Around the World in Eighty Days January 10 – February 4; Seeger January 29; The Year of Magical ThinkingJanuary 22 – 23; This Random World February 21 – March 18; An Evening with Robert Dubac February 26 & 27https://northcoastrep.org/
Ocean Beach Playhouse (C) (OB Playhouse): Comedy HypnotistJanuary 26 – January 27; I Love You BecauseFebruary 2 – February 25; Jesus Christ Superstar in Concert Dates Pending http://www.obtheatrecompany.com/
Oceanside Theatre Company (C): Outside Mullingar (with Scripps Ranch Theatre) February 23 – March 11 http://www.oceansidetheatre.org/
Onstage Playhouse(C)As Bees in Honey Drown January 12 – February 10; Spike Heels March 9 – April 7; https://www.onstageplayhouse.org/
Patio Playhouse (C) Pygmalion January 5- January 28; I Ought To Be in Pictures February 16-March 11; Sweeney Todd March 23-April 8; http://www.patioplayhouse.com/wp/
San Diego Musical Theatre (P) (SDMT) The Full Monty January 25 – February 26, sdmt.org
San Diego Repertory Theatre (P): Vietgone January 25 – February 18 http://www.sdrep.org/
Scripps Ranch Theatre (C): Outside Mullingar (with Oceanside Theatre) January 19 – February 18; Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery March 23 to April 22 http://www.scrippsranchtheatre.org/
The Barn Stage Company Little Women January 11 January 21; The Music of Cole Porter January 28; Till There Was You (Cabaret) February 25; The Secret Gardenin Concert March 1 – March 4; Motown (Cabaret) March 25; http://thebarnstagecompany.com/js_events/little-women/
The Old Globe (P): The Importance of Being Earnest January 27 – March 24; Uncle Vanya February 10 – March 11; https://www.theoldglobe.org/
“My Power of Oneis a privately held e-commerce apparel and accessories company with the intention of being a catalyst for inspired positive action which supports community based organizations throughout the year with our acts of kindness. We are supported by a bi-coastal Board of Advisors.
Please help me welcome Susan Farese of SJF Communications as our newest and boldest My Power of One Board of Advisor for 2018. I have worked with Susan on multiple occasions which has lead me to ask her to take on Director of Entertainment for the Global market. As a nurse, veteran, SAG actress, tap dancer and PR/Marketer she is the perfect choice after a long search. Susan gets to craft her own duties and fulfill them to her heart’s desire. Welcome aboard our ship of endless inspiration and empowerment. http://mypowerofone.com/advisory-board “
-Sue Vicory, My Power of One
Susan’s Quote:
“I am thrilled to join forces with the talented philanthropist, filmmaker, empowering colleague, friend and kindred spirit Sue Vicory and embark on this exciting new inspirational journey with the phenomenal ‘My Power of One” Board of Advisors. Sue Vicory is one of a kind. Her purposeful ‘power of one’ spreading kindness while giving back is an inspiration to all”.
-Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
My Power of One Logo Courtesy of Sue Vicory, MPO1
It’s always a pleasure to work with Sue Vicory on a variety of programs and projects.
Update: As of 12/16/17 at 4:32 p.m. p.s.t, SJF Communications has a winner for the Family 4 Pack to “Peter Pan and Tinker Bell – A Pirates Christmas” (San Diego)!
Thank you to those who responded! We will let you know if anything opens up for more complimentary tickets.
PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL – A PIRATES CHRISTMAS, is a flying, singing, and swashbuckling holiday show performed in the style of British panto. Pirates plan to kidnap Peter Pan as a Christmas present for Captain Hook. Can Peter, Wendy, and Tinkerbell foil their scheme?
And look who is starring in it!!!
ASHLEY ARGOTA OF ABC FAMILY’S “THE FOSTERS” (Tinkerbell)
RILEY COSTELLO OF NBC’S “HAIRSPRAY LIVE!” (Peter Pan)
CLARICE ORDAZ OF FOX’S “SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE” (Tiger Lily)
MARK RYAN OF STARZ’ “BLACK SAILS” (Captain Hook)
DAVID F.M. VAUGHN OF BROADWAY’S “SHREK THE MUSICAL” (Smee)
AUDREY WHITBY OF NICKELODEON’S “THE THUNDERMANS” (Wendy)
How do I win?
Be the first person to:
1. Click on and complete our Contact Form ( between 9 a.m. p.s.t. Saturday, December 16th and no later than 11 a.m. p.s.t. Sunday, December 17th) to WIN a family 4 pack of tickets for Opening Night, December 21st at The Balboa Theatre! Add name, email , phone and then comment: Peter Pan and Tinker Bell Tickets. Thank you!
The catch:
Winner must post on Social Media
that they attended the Opening!
More info below:
Peter Pan and Tinker Bell – A Pirates Christmas is Directed by Bonnie Lythgoe and choreographed by Mario Mosley, with book by Kris Lythgoe, Michael Orland (American Idol) serving as musical arranger and supervisor, and Andy Street serving as Musical Director. Chris Wood will serve as Associate Producer and Chris Wilcox will serve as Lighting Director. Casting is by Executive Producer Becky Lythgoe. This will be the second holiday season of Lythgoe Family Panto in San Diego, and their first in this larger venue.
PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL – A PIRATES CHRISTMAS is a flying, singing and swashbuckling holiday adventure performed in the style of a British panto. Step into the Balboa Theatre and embark on a wild quest with Tinker Bell, Wendy and Peter Pan, as they try to put a stop to the plot of some dastardly pirates who plan to kidnap Peter as a present to Captain Hook. Filled with big laughs, magic, dancers and contemporary songs by everyone from Taylor Swift to the Bee Gees, this family show has a little bit of something for everyone.
PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL – A PIRATES CHRISTMAS will play a strictly limited engagement of 12 performances from December 21 through December 31, with the official press opening on December 21, at the Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Avenue, San Diego CA 92101.
Tickets start at $25 and can be purchased in-person at San Diego Theatres Advance Sales Windows located at 1100 3rd Ave (corner of 3rd & B St) across from the Civic Theatre, via phone at (619/760/858) 570-1100 Mon-Fri 10a-6p, or anytime online at http://sandiegotheatres.org/peter-pan-tinker-bella-pirates-christmas/. Golden Tickets, which allow the ticketholder (children ages 4 – 12 only) a special on-stage experience during the production, are available for an additional $60.00 each.
“I am so excited by the great cast of Broadway and television performers we have assembled for our second San Diego production,” says Kris Lythgoe, the show’s author and President of Lythgoe Family Panto. “San Diego is a huge supporter of the Arts and we are proud to once again expand panto productions with San Diego Theatres.”
“We are thrilled to be expanding to The Balboa Theatre this season allowing even more families in San Diego and the surrounding communities to share in the magic of Panto!” says Becky Lythgoe, Producer and Co-Founder of Lythgoe Family Panto. “Ages 3-103, children, parents, and grandparents all coming together to sing, dance and share in the joy of LIVE theatre. This for us encapsulates the spirit and beauty reflective of the holiday season!”
Lythgoe Family Panto produces fun, musical theatre the whole family can enjoy. Known for their creativity and involvement in television hits “American Idol” and “So You Think You Can Dance,” the Lythgoes are dedicated to bringing affordable theatre to families across America. Based on the Grimm fairytales and others, each story has been modernized with topical scripts for parents and well known pop songs for kids.
The Lythgoes pride themselves on creating a memorable experience a family can share together. This December, Lythgoe Family Panto will offer their largest season yet, with 4 different productions playing concurrently in Laguna, Pasadena, San Diego and Houston.
Lythgoe Family Panto established their reputation with productions at Pasadena Playhouse including A Cinderella Christmas starring Lauren Taylor, Alex Newell and Morgan Fairchild, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell – A Pirates Christmas starring Sabrina Carpenter and John O’Hurley, Sleeping Beauty and Her Winter Knight starring Olivia Holt and Lucy Lawless, Aladdin and His Winter Wish starring Ben Vereen, Jordan Fisher, and Ashley Argota – and A Snow White Christmas (the original of this production) starring Ariana Grande and Neil Patrick Harris.
Thanks and hope to see you at PETER PAN AND TINKER BELL – A PIRATES CHRISTMAS!
Meet Max Cadillac. I have known Max professionally for the past five years in San Diego. Our paths have crossed with me providing public relations & marketing, and with him either performing in professional theatre productions, choreographing and/or costuming…and most recently modeling as my photography subject for an action-packed, fun editorial shoot, as Max embarks on his new journey – the sky’s the limit – and seize NYC – a.k.a. The Big Apple!
This past September, our photo shoot (for his new modeling “look book”) with Max took place during the day at a cool park as well as a suburban cul-de-sac and street in the Rancho Penasquitos area of San Diego. Max posed. I snapped away.
Take a gander at Max’s photographic versatility (and read our interview Q &A which follows)!
Max Cadillac. Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications, 2017.
Max Cadillac. Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications, 2017.
Max Cadillac. Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications, 2017.
Max Cadillac. Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications, 2017.
Max Cadillac. Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications, 2017.
Q & A with Max Cadillac
SJF: Max, please give us the run down…tell us where you have performed professionally
MC: I have a true love for musical theatre and have been working hard throughout my field of choice – performing, choreographing, and costuming in San Diego. I’ve performed with Cygnet Theatre (Pageant, Gypsy), Moonlight Stage Productions (The Wizard of Oz, Music Man, Big Fish), San Diego Musical Theatre (White Christmas, Sound of Music, Cats, West Side Story), and most recently in The Tragedy of Carmen with the San Diego Opera.
SJF: Besides being a dancer, you’re also a choreographer. Where have you been the creator of all things dance?
MC: Over the last year, I have expanded into costuming under the wing of costume designer Janet Pitcher.
SJF: Why NY? Does it have a special meaning for you?
MC: Though I am proud to be a native San Diegian, I’ve always felt like my home town was ‘Broadway to Bloomingdales’ in The Big Apple. My parents and family are from the tri-state area and having growing up bi-coastal going to summer camp in the Poconos, I have always loved New York the most. Not only that, but there are so many more opportunities for theater in New York than Southern California. The fantasy of moving to the city and booking the first audition sounds splendid, but the reality of planning his move to New York has been a long awaited plan since high school.
SJF: Tell us about your performing and where you have studied
MC: The drive to perform has always been there. I have attended performing arts schools since middle school. I first attended Children’s Creative and Performing Arts Academy before transferring to Coronado School of the Arts for high school. It was there I learned his passion could become a career, and I pursued a degree in Theater. I attended a California State University to pursue my degree, but he realized within the first month this was not the right program for me. So within that first semester, I applied, auditioned, and was accepted into AMDA in Los Angeles for musical theatre. It was a program that mainly focused on acting, singing, dancing, and allowing their students to explore many aspects of the performance world on and off stage.
SJF: What was one of your favorite roles?
MC: Everyday is another chance to create and perform, but I really enjoyed my most recent performance as Lillas Pastia in the San Diego Opera’s The Tragedy of Carmen. The creative team wanted to make a whole new vision for the classic opera, so with only six cast members, sets and costumes spanning many different decades, and direction like no one has seen before, It was a true collaboration of artists working together to feature the best of their talents. And although my character did not have any songs or dialogue, I threw myself into the physicality of the character. To quote the lead of Carmen herself, she wrote me a lighthearted opening night letter saying “Thank you for stealing my show. Now own it” and that is exactly what I did. The recreation of a classic role is something I am extremely invested in, always trying to adapt and tell a relatable story for the audience, and one day I hope to originate a role in a musical, play, opera, or film. Any medium that gives actors the freedom to shape and mold a character like that sounds like a dream role to me, and I would even love to write my own musicals and movies in order to ensure true artistic freedom.
SJF: Dream roles?
MC: I have many! Aldolpho from The Drowsy Chaperone, Molina in Kiss of The Spiderwoman, Dr. Frank-N-Furter from Rocky Horror Picture Show, and an all time favorite from the first musical I ever saw on Broadway one day playing Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast.
SJF It’s been a pleasure Max. Anything else you’d like to share?
MC: On a personal note, I’d would like to thank you, Susan for all of your support, love, and laughter working together over the past 5 years and would like to leave your readers with this thought; If you love something, Do Not let it go! Hold onto whatever drives your passion, and love what you do. Theater, like the world can seem very small at times, but never limit yourself within your chosen field and always remember it is much more fulfilling to focus on the journey than the finish line.
SJF: Best wishes on your journey to the BIG APPLE!
Special thanks to Emmy Farese for photoshoot assistance!
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Catch the last two performances (June 30th at 9 p.m. and July 1st at 4 p.m.)
of Pop Theater’s first act of
‘The Beautiful Machine’ –
A Sci-Fi, Pop/Rock Musical
at the 5th Annual San Diego International Fringe Festival
Centro Cultural de la Raza, Balboa Park, San Diego
The Beautiful Machine is set in a dystopian, futuristic enclosed city. The government has turned to inhumane population control techniques, exterminating those who do not qualify as “complete” or “viable” specimens for procreation. Ben Phoenix, a newly promoted engineer has recently been exiled to the dark fringes of society. Alone and distraught, he has been left with nothing, and yet he is the most talked about person in the city. Why is his name on so many tongues? Why is everyone fighting to recruit him? Is he the one with the key to bringing down the regime?
THE FIRST THREE PERFORMANCES WERE FILLED TO CAPACITY!
ONLY 2 MORE CHANCES TO SEE THIS ORIGINAL PRODUCTION!
The Beautiful Machine is produced, co-written and composed by Mike Neumann (Pop Theater), co-written by Josh Switzer and Directed by Domonique Evans, a graduate student in the SDSU MFA Musical Theatre program, one of only two such programs in the United States. Neumann, a math teacher at San Ysidro High School, calls The Beautiful Machine “Sci-Fi and Pop Music – a recipe for fun!” and his inspiration was “wanting to make musical theater “non-believers” into fans of the genre, by connecting theater to a musical style that is easily accessible by everyone”. Pop Theater is an up-and-coming theater group debuting its first production in the San Diego International Fringe Festival! Their vision is to expand the genre of the Sci-Fi musical and bring more fans to musical theater.
Mike Neumann, Lyrics/Music, ‘The Beautiful Machine’
The inspiration for Director Domonique Evans “came from my previous directors in both high school and the collegiate level. Without them I wouldn’t be the man or performer I am today. I would love to impact, inspire, and guide our next generation as I was.” Domonique’s view on The Beautiful Machine is “A story about evolution and a government that is afraid of any kind of change”.
The Beautiful Machine Cast includes: Chris Chiles as Ben Phoenix, Brent Roberts as Roman Valice, Kimberly Moller as Clarity Providence, Lindsey Denham as Xandelle Jackson, Jillian Jackson as Anna Phoenix and Kitty Baton Rouge, Leo Chang as Jimmy Philadelphia, Emmy Farese as Charlotte (and Understudy Clarity), Terence J. Burke as President, Riece Johnson as Dibbs, Alexandra Lee as Sydney Bismarck (Understudy Xandelle), and Thomas Reasoner as Conway (Understudy Ben).
‘The Beautiful Machine’ extends thanks to their generous DONORS – without whom this would not be possible : Vicky & Bill McGinnis, Gina & Mike Farhar, Michael & Ruth Neumann, Jennifer Feddish, Kendra Tracy, Simon Schwartz, Carlos “Senpai” Luna, Ashley McCann, Joyce Inzunza, Ann & Rafael Montiel, Joey Thompson, Marie Thompson, Randa O’Connor, Miriam Haughey, Mike Byrne, Amy Walsh, Nina Stoddard, Elaina Scott, Richard Ho, Jennifer Lane, James Hall, Lucas Williams, and Thomas Nielsen.
Special thanks from ‘The Beautiful Machine’ to: Imran Shiekh – ‘The Beautiful Machine’ heart logo design; Shannon van der Reck- Prop Design; San Diego Steampunks – Promo photos; Jenny Lane and New Works Studio– Invaluable help and advice; Joe DeMers – Pianist; Susanna Vaughn- Assistant Choreographer; SJF Communications– Promotion & Media; Chloe Clark- Light Board Operator; Michael Short Photography-Videography; Chris Armstrong-transporting & moving props; and Hans Neumann- For believing in his Dad.
Here’s a video from ‘The Beautiful Machine’ appearance on ‘Tonight in San Diego‘:
Friday, June 30 – 9:00 pm; & Saturday, July 1 – 4:00 pm
Look for ‘The Beautiful Machine’ Album release in July on Spotify!
Cast performing musical selection from ‘The Beautiful Machine’
Chris Chiles performing in ‘The Beautiful Machine’
Production/Creative Team, ‘The Beautiful Machine’
‘The Beautiful Machine’ in Green Room of ‘Tonight in San Diego’: Left to right: Jeannee Hogan, Chris Chiles, Emmy Farese, Domonique Evans, Mike Neumann, Susan Farese, Josh Switzer
Host of ‘Tonight in San Diego’ with Emmy Farese
‘The Beautiful Machine’ performers on “Tonight in San Diego’: Chris Chiles & Emmy Farese
Logo Image ‘The Beautiful Machine’ on ‘Tonight in San Diego’
I decided to stroll around Balboa Park last evening with my camera in hand…and what a treat it was! Take a gander at some of the cool flowers, architecture, and more!
You can click on each photo for more detail!
Feel free to subscribe, like, comment and share!
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
California Tower, Museum of Man, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Orange Umbrella, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Casa Del Prado, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Bridge at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Natural History Museum, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Natural History Museum, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Natural History Museum, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Museum of Man, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Museum of Man, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Natural History Museum, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Orange Umbrella, Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Umbrellas and Architecture at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Check out these gorgeous flowers! Go ahead…click away to see the full images! Spectacular colors!
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Flowers at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
…Plus…some snapshots of this cute bunny posing and feasting!
Bunny at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Bunny at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Bunny at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Finally, couldn’t resist taking photos of this beautiful fountain!
Fountain at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF CommunicationsFountain at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF CommunicationsFountain at Balboa Park, Photos by SJF Communications
Westwind Brass Ensemble. Left to right top: Elizabeth Howard, Karl Soukup, Barry Toombs, Dr. Eric Starr; Bottom, left to right: John Wilds, Bryan Smith
The Westwind Brass, San Diego’s premier professional brass ensemble, and Ensemble-in-Residence at the San Diego State University (SDSU) School of Music and Dance, announces their exciting interactive ‘Summer Brass Workshop’ at SDSU, July 10-14, 2017, from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. followed by a free afternoon concert with participant ensembles, Saturday, July 15 at 1 p.m.
The Westwind Brass Ensemble, includes Elizabeth Howard, John Wilds and Karl Soukup (trumpets), Barry Toombs (horn), Eric Starr (trombone) and Bryan Smith (tuba).
The Westwind Brass Ensemble Left to right: Dr. Eric Starr, Bryan Smith, Elizabeth Howard, Barry Toombs, John Wilds, & Karl Soukup
“After more than 30 years, Westwind Brass Ensemble remains committed to serving the diverse communities that make up this great city of San Diego. We pledge to serve not only the San Diego that we know, but also the San Diego of the future.”
– Westwind Brass Executive Director: Barry Toombs (French Horn)
“This workshop is open to brass instrument players of all ages and ability levels. Participants will have the opportunity to play a lot, and explore a wide range of ensemble types and musical styles, such as brass quintets, trios, and solos, in both the classical and jazz styles. Each day will close with a large brass ensemble. An emphasis will be places on fun and harmony!”
– Westwind Brass Director of Educational and Outreach Programs: Bryan Smith
Activities will include: Master Classes, Sectional Coaching, Ensemble Playing, Individual and Group Performances. Private lessons will be made available during the mornings for an additional fee.
In addition to the more traditional brass instrument training and ensemble experiences, this workshop will feature these mini-seminars:
“How to Start Improvising”
“Who Has the Time? The Road to an Efficient, Sustainable Practice Routine”
“How to Learn and Perform a Solo”
“Using Technology to Make Your Music, and Get It Heard”
Plus: “A Tour of the SDSU School of Music and Dance Facilities”.
Price Information for Summer Workshop: Students/Military: $150.00; Adults: $175.00.
The Westwind Brass exists to broaden and enrich the musical legacy of local, national and international audiences through performance and educational services featuring brass instruments and music. Westwind Brass musicians perform in various configurations of featuring the unique timbre of brass instruments and performing the brass repertoire at a high artistic level. Westwind Brass is a 501(c) (3) Public Benefit Corporation. For more information, visit Guidestar.org.
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“Shared Misanthropy” circa 1996 at home in Benedict Canyon Hedges Capers & Nancy Locke Capers
La Jolla, California couple Hedges Capers and Nancy Locke Capers are truly an extraordinary couple! They are married co-creators and co-writers of The Geeze & Me– an original “boomer” musical about aging…which will have it’s World PremiereMarch 31 – April 29, 2017 in San Diego at TheTenth Avenue Arts Center.
Hedges, formerly of the folk duo Hedges & Donna (with ex-spouse Donna Carson, during the late 1960’s-early 70’s), is The Geeze & Me Composer/Lyricist and also plays several characters in the production (David, the Soap Boxer and Beat Poet) and Nancy, a member of the Director’s Guild of America,SAG-AFTRA is the Producer & Director.
According to Hedges and Nancy:
The Geeze & Me is a funny, irreverent, and poignant original musical. This timely show features a comedic troupe of eccentric players who team up to wrangle aspects of aging from an expert. An eclectic blend of songs ranging from pop to blues to corner street doo-wop, accompanied by innovative choreography. The perils and benefits of growing older are reflected in the concerns of this diverse group of people.
Think “Hair,” after it’s gone.
THIS IS THE DAWNING OF THE AGE OF BEWARE OF US
(Read more about The Geeze & Me below following the interviews)
Connecting with Hedges and Nancy for SJF Communications to provide PR/Publicity for The Geeze & Me has been a total joy and is never dull! Hedges is truly a master wordsmith and composer/lyricist/musician and Nancy, Actress-Psychotherapist, is warm, open, nurturing and very astute. They are equally excited about The Geeze & Me!
I am so proud to interview this “chill” dynamic duo, partners in personal life-and in the biz!
Without further ado….introducing our interview with Hedges Capers followed by Nancy Locke Capers!
Meet Hedges Capers by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Photos courtesy of Hedges Capers and Nancy Locke Capers
Hedges Capers & Nancy Locke Capers in 1999
Hedges Capers & Donna Carson
Hedges Capers & Donna Carson
Hedges Capers
Hedges Capers & Nancy Locke Capers
Hedges Capers; Photo by Ken Jacques
Q & A with Hedges Capers by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
SJF: Tell us about yourself, where were you born? Where have you lived?
HC: My father was a Navy Chaplain …the longest time I spent in one location was two years…until I was 50 – then I was stable for three years. It has been four years now and I’m planning on more in the San Diego/La Jolla area.
I was born in Princeton NJ…I lived in Pennsylvania, Kansas, Virginia, New York, Guam, California (Monterey, San Francisco, La Jolla, L.A., San Diego, Whittier, Beverly Hills, Benedict Canyon, Laurel Canyon, Hollywood, Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach), Japan, Washington State & Washington DC and Hawaii. And some I don’t remember !
SJF: You have certainly lived EVERYWHERE! When did you first perform?
HC: My first performance was 1959 on board ship to Japan…I sang Endless Sleep and Shimmy Shimmy Ko-Ko-Bop. I began writing lyrics at age 11 and started composing music when I was 15. I received my BA at Whittier University and Masters of Arts at the University Without Walls, a tutorial program out of U.C. Berkeley. Private lessons: I’ve never had a music lesson, I tried a vocal lesson 5 years ago when I was unable to sing at all. The lesson was unsuccessful, but it led to my vocal cord surgery which thankfully was successful and instrumental in the content of our show.
SJF: Tell us about you as an actor
HC: I did theatre shows in college; Pajama Game – Playboy Of The Western World – Zoo Story – Rashomon and a few others… but I just wanted to be a singer I never thought about acting. … I went to college because I didn’t know how to get into the music industry (even after having signed a recording contract in 1961 at age 16). I didn’t want to pump gas or marry Leigh Deane Larson… I formed a trio my first week of college- we were hired to sing at a hotel dining bar 2 days after we met and sang together for four years at Whittier. We signed with Dot Records in 1966 and released a single in Japan which we were told made the charts there to #7.
In 1970 I had the title role in The Legend of Hillbilly John. The producers didn’t know whether they should get an actor they hoped could sing or a singer they hoped could act… the final two choices were Arlo Guthrie and myself… a stunning cast of amazing character actors Denver Pyle, Harris Yulin, RG Armstrong, Susan Strasberg and more.
SJF: Any low times?
HC: Hearing a group of kids ask Donna (my ex-wife and former duo partner) if she knew me? She said “Yes he’s my husband” – they looked at her then back at me then back at her and said “He doesn’t look at all black” but in their world it was not possible that a white man and a black woman could be married.. the only possibility was that I must be black… that night I wrote
“No child of mine’s gonna have to plant no god damn cotton. No child of mine ever gonna harvest up the rain No child of mine’s ever gonna have to know that pain. Steeple people twisted children God’s almighty bent and broken they went to Little Rock all alone and God went home”.
Anger and hurt were the emotions…Donna was pregnant and I was wondering are we doing to this child-any favors bringing him into THIS?
SJF: Tell us about your duo Hedges and Donna
HC: We opened for Nina Simone, Judy Collins and Bobby Hebb, Harry Belafonte, Neil Diamond, OscarBrown Junior and Jean Pace, Ritchie Havens … Groups that opened for us? Jackson Browne, Blood Sweat and Tears, James Taylor, Ritchie Havens, Hoyt Axton, Joni Mitchell and lots more…
SJF: Highs of your career?
HC: Too many highs to list them all …Headlining the Philadelphia Folk Festival… The Smothers Brothers Show, Carnegie Hall, The Tonight Show three times.
SJF: …and Lows?
HC: Lows… for a sad reason. At the Atlanta International Pop Festival 1970… the crowd estimates vary even today between 200,000 and 600,000 people… 750,000 was the count the artists were given…much larger than Woodstock. This was deep South… we had played The Hungry I in SF with Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs and were told by them ”You all can come”…it was their nod of approval to our music… as we performed on stage at the festival we were buzzed repeatedly by a series of Lear and larger jets… no other act had that happen… We were told later that Lester Maddox had orchestrated that as a show of his objection…
SJF: What differentiates you as a composer, writer, performer, former therapist, corporate biz guy?
HC: I don’t have a clue….but maybe? I’ve always loved lyric and loved word play… as a 5 year-old, I went to a school with first thru eighth grade in the same classroom and above the black board the alphabet and numbers were written out … I stared and then saw U R N U 2 B 4 U 4 U R 1 U C A B U T U Q U 2 B U. U 1 2 B 4 U? I 1 2 B 4 U 2! OG.
Language in Thought and Action by S.I Hiyakawa was my English book in high school. Albert Upton was my freshman college English professor and he was Hiyakawa’s chief semantic rival. I was partnered with the original Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) research team and was the first person certified to train for the Process Communication Model(PCM), the only two process models for human interaction…
All that to say I have had an extraordinary exposure to how words affect people, and I am pretty sure I’ve never looked at a phrase with that lens consciously.
SJF: Tell us about The Geeze & Me
HC: I would love to see The Geeze & Me on Broadway… In Vegas, and Branson and touring groups in regional theaters all over… I would love folks to feel that passion of “It ain’t over until the fat lady sings and there ain’t a lady fat enough to sing for this generation …” I would like people to hear the research regarding aging and feel empowered. I’d like to stand outside a theater in NY and hear people humming or singing “HOW OLD DO YOU FEEL?”
SJF: I am singing that tune all the time already!
SJF: What is your strongest asset?
HC: I love people! And I think I understand their worth.
SJF: Tell us two wonderful things and two difficult aspects of being YOU
HC: 1. I love the way my mind works especially with words… as they flutter by like Butterflies…Or like the way I hear Guilt and my mind says “it’s just decorative stuff that goes around mirrors (gilt) unless you put U in it… or being ‘now and here’ is really being ‘nowhere’ where you know where you are… I have developed a patience in my late 60’s that I never dreamed I’d have…2. Difficult aspects… my grief is way too close to the surface… I see it too clearly in too many places too much of the time.
SJF: Tell me what makes Hedges “TICK”
HC: I use to say “I’m just moving slide to slide and sucking on the main stream… but I think I was just being flippant… I think I just want to see my kids headed to something that might be full with enough joy to be really worthwhile and I still want to see a bit of tomorrow.
SJF: If you had to do it over again…how would you choose what do in life as a career/profession?
HC: I have been blessed to have done exactly as I dreamed.
SJF: What two things don’t we know about you?
HC: I don’t know what you do know so it’s hard to know what you don’t but…If you have asked me something I will tell you. I haven’t found it useful to hide
SJF: What are your fears??…
HC: I’ve had anxiety attacks at different times in my life that were debilitating… I think as a result of several years of drug experimenting… sniff, swallow or smoke without question…a really stupid period. Fortunately for me the era of designer drugs had not arrived then or I may have died as my son did.
I think I also fear I was not the father I should have been… my kids deny this but how can we ever really know?
SJF: Any regrets?
HC: 1- Not having been able to prevent my son’s death. 2- Not being cleaner with how I separated from Donna… I didn’t want to be the “bad” guy and so I drug things out instead of saying “I won’t do this, I’m leaving you.” Explanations can just muddy the water and invite attempts to change ones mind.
It is hard to have regrets when you are given the opportunity to live a life long dream. At 7 or 8 that’s what I wanted. At 7 we went to the Grand Canyon and my folks put my sister and me on the mule ride at the bottom of the canyon. It seemed like my mule wanted to nibble on things growing on the fall and you die side of the path. I was in tears but the path is too narrow to turn around or dismount and walk back so I had to go all the way… I cried until I realized my fear was unfounded… but my parents could hear me singing filling the Grand Canyon with joy for 45 minutes before the mules reached the top.
… if I reach for one regret, it’s that I didn’t do a better job of keeping clippings and songs and the journal writing I sometimes did… Moving as much as I did I never kept “things”- I would love to have been able to share those with my kids.. but … And the songs that were written that have been forgotten.
SJF: An ideal week for you would be…
HC: Watching The Geeze and Me on Broadway with my family and friends- playing golf (well!) with my buds.. singing … eating Swiss enchiladas.. swimming in warm water, walking on the beach at sunrise and again at sunset… hearing the world laugh … discovering that there really is an afterlife that works well enough to make any pain of this life irrelevant … KNOWING that I did what I was here to do, knowing, without a doubt.
SJF: What have been your life hurdles?
HC: 1. I was told at 16 my sibilance was so bad I would for sure never be able to be a recording artist…2. My height: I was 4’11” as a Junior in high School 3. I can’t sing the way I want to sing… ( I like the way I sing… it’s that there are ways I can’t that I’d love to but I think men don’t have the tool women have…).
I don’t think there have really been any hurdles because my life is evidence that I haven’t been stopped. There are things I haven’t done but the choice to not pursue has been mine, I have stopped.
Hedges Capers & Nancy Locke Capers in 1999
Meet Nancy Locke Capers by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
Photos courtesy of Hedges Capers and Nancy Locke Capers
Nancy Locke Capers in “Tales of the Lost Formicans” by Constance Congdon
Nancy Locke Capers in “Dead and Buried”, 1981
Nancy Locke Capers with Kevin McCarthy in “Hostage” (South Africa)
Nancy Locke Capers in “Pretty Woman”
Nancy Locke Capers in “Pretty Woman”
Nancy Locke Capers in Jane Fonda Work-Out Wear Commercial
Nancy Locke Capers in “Sweet Justice” Legal Drama
Nancy Locke Capers with Karen Black on set of “Hostage”
Nancy Locke Capers on “A.M. San Francisco”
Q & A with Nancy Locke Capers by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications
SJF: Tell us about your upbringing, family, siblings, schooling, etc.
NLC: I was born in the SPAM capital of the world – Austin, Minn. We were solid middle-class. I grew up in Minnesota & Mt. Lebanon, Pittsburgh. Came to Glendale, California when I was 11. My Mother was a singer and housewife and my Dad was a businessman.
I have an older brother who is an international trade Attorney and previously worked in the White House as Legal Counsel under former Presidents Nixon & Ford. My sister, ordained in the Episcopal Church, was a Chaplain at San Francisco General Hospital in the 80s, during the A.I.D.S. epidemic. I returned to school at age 40 and have my Masters of Arts degree in Counseling Psychology. (Still think about going for my PhD. I’m a knowledge-hound.)
SJF: When did you begin acting?
NLC: I began acting when I was tapped for a Kimbie’s diapers hidden camera commercial with my baby son. Shortly thereafter, Geoff Lewis (Juliette Lewis’s wonderful dad) walked into my kitchen and asked me if I wanted to be in a movie. I said, “Sure.” He coached me on how to audition on the way to the meeting at Sunset Plaza, with the director, Floyd Mutrux. I auditioned, and when it was clear I was a terrible actor, he said “I have a waitress part with 11 or 12 lines. Do you think you could handle that?” and I was off to the races. A friend of mine, Robert F. Lyons, began teaching acting around this time and thought I might enjoy taking classes. I studied with him for two years before going on my 2nd audition.
SJF: Who have you taken private lessons with?
NLC: In acting: Milton Katselas, Robert F. Lyons, Joan Darling, John Voight. In Producing: Ron Schwartz, Jim Aubrey. Directing: Garry Marshall, Ulu Grossbard, Dwight Little, etc. You pick up a lot just being around a set.
SJF: Were you always enthused about acting?
NLC: Not at all. I didn’t really begin until I was 30. My son was a baby and so I didn’t start seriously auditioning until I was 30.
SJF: What are some highlights of your acting career?
NLC: “Pretty Woman” of course was so much fun to work on. I learned a lot from Garry Marshall and how he handled actors. True Confessions with Robert Duvall and Robert De Niro – I worked in a scene (later cut), but he was the kindest, most generous man. He completely normalized any nerves I was feeling. By the way, Milton Katselas used to say that “nerves are our talent trying to get out.” He put a positive frame on having nerves. He also said, “If you’re not nervous then you should be concerned.” That might be a tip-off that you’ll give a flat performance.
SJF: Have there been any low times?
NLC: I was previously married to an actor/director/writer and so we were each doing our separate jobs. The low times were really when the jobs weren’t coming in and the bank account was running out. Ninety-nine percent of SAG members don’t make a living at acting. We were able to live nicely and reap the benefits of being working actors. I made a decision not to do on-location work, which definitely impacted my hire-ability. I wanted to be a mom to my son and step-daughter. I’m not sure that I experienced “low time” because of it, but I felt it was more important to have a responsible adult at home, and my former spouse was working actively during that period and wasn’t able to provide childcare.
SJF: Any Pretty Woman stories?
NLC: Yes, but not sure I’d want to go public with them. Richard Gere was a perfect gentleman and quite kind. Jason Alexander was hilarious. Julia was like a fresh colt, very excited to be working on the film, along with everyone else.
SJF: Jane Fonda stories?
NLC: I was a spokesperson for Jane Fonda Work-Out Wear in the ’80s. They chose 3 women out of 700, so I felt incredibly lucky. We met. She congratulated me on getting the job. She was very kindhearted.
SJF: What differentiates you as a director, performer, person, actor, therapist, corporate biz person?
NLC: Hmmm. My humor? My curiosity in all things? My experiences with tragedy. I’m not sure. But I lost my parents at ages 18 & 26, so all three of us (me, sister, brother) have fairly wicked senses of humor as a coping mechanism. I think it’s a survival mechanism for those struck with tragedy as a young person. All my life I’ve found most people endlessly interesting. This, of course, reflects the kind of work I’ve chosen as an actor, writer and psychotherapist.
SJF: Tell us about The Geeze & Me
NLC: It began as a lark. Hedges had some unrecorded songs that were fantastic. I’d been missing the theatre world, so I thought maybe I could fashion a love story around those existing songs. But then, I (or he, one forgets who brings what to the table in collaboration) decided to do something about aging. We’re the largest demographic of elders in the history of the world.
So, Hedges went to bed at night and would wake up with this wonderful, funny, deep music that surprised both of us. It just came rolling out of him. He used to be a staff writer at A & M, so he knew songwriting structure. And so then I had to actually learn how to write a musical. This was tortuous and enchanting, but I don’t have a musical bone in my body. Thank goodness he was so prolific. At some point, we both began collaborating on the book. Somewhere (when it was still a little theater idea) it became clear that I would direct it-which was and is terrifying. It would be terrific if it had legs and went on to tour in regional theatres, etc.
SJF: What is your strongest asset?”
NLC: My publicist.
SJF: LOL!!! Thanks, Nancy! You make my work easy!
SJF: Tell us two wonderful things about being a Psychotherapist.
NLC: Two wonderful things:
1. It is an honor to do the psychotherapeutic work I do. When people say, “Ugh, how can you stand listening to problems all day” I don’t understand why they think this is difficult or depressing. In fact, it’s the opposite. It’s energizing when someone talks with you on a deep, intimate level that does not often happen outside of the office. It’s invigorating to give another the space to explore safely. It’s a privilege.
2. Seeing suffering in all its disparate forms is humbling.
SJF: And two difficult aspects as a Psychotherapist?:
NLC: 1. I can’t fix them in 10 minutes. I have to let them take the time they need to heal and arrange their life differently or get out of a bad relationship. 2. There’s a chronic sense of loss in my job. People move, people don’t need you anymore, people have a hard time staying in therapy when they should – so, one learns to deal with it, but you invest YOURSELF in your clients. That’s a big part of the job. It’s in the relationship, the trust, the consistency, the non-judgmental dialog that allows a patient to heal.
SJF: Tell me…what makes Nancy “TICK”?”
NLC: I’m alive. That, and sheer terror. Joking. Kind of.
SJF: If you had to do it over again…how would you choose what do in life as a career/profession?
NLC: Well, primarily, I would not join a cult (Scientology). That was really an attempt to grab ahold of something, anything that gave me structure and the appearance of answers at that point of my life. I could have studying for my PhD. But I think you have to be allowed to explore and pay attention to what turns you on. Go where your passion leads you, if you’re lucky enough to have the time and financial support to do so. I think “following your bliss” just is not an option for most people, but that changes with age. For me I’ve been allowed to return to the world of the theatre which I’ve been away from for 20 years.
SJF: What two things don’t we know about you?
NLC: That I know how to make a delicious Hartquist Spring Salad Sandwich. And that I was on TWA flight 840 that exploded in mid-air over Greece.as a result of a terrorist bomb in 1986. I was on my way to Greece to meet my former husband on a film he was making. Ten days later I had to fly to South Africa as the lead in a film (Hostage) about terrorism, shooting in the fuselage of a plane for six weeks. We then had to go to Dallas to shoot a film we’d written.
SJF: What are your fears?
NLC: I think I have the usual fears that all parents have. I fear something happening to my son. Losing my stepson at age 20 was, and is, indescribably sad. Oddly enough, I don’t fear flying.
SJF: How do you “give back”?
NLC: We’re donating 50% of The Geeze & Me revenues to: A New Path, PATH, LGBT Senior Care, and The Unbattle Project. We’ve also given to the UCSD Center for Healthy Aging.
SF: Any regrets?
NLC: Of course.
SJF: Enough said!
SJF: Ideal week for you would be…NLC: Travel to Maui, read a great novel, swim in the ocean with mi amoré. (Kind of what I do here anyway….)
SJF: What have been your life hurdles? Successes?”
NLC: Overcoming panic disorder. Feeling like I’m not “enough”. Not being thin enough. Not being pretty enough. You know, typical American woman hurdles.
Successes? As I look back on my life, I’m aware that I’ve felt chosen by casting directors, by a director, by the producer. But I am also aware that it’s a roll of the dice. I’m not sure I take any particular pride in being chosen. I think the successes also had to do with persistence. You just kept doing it. And I was able to keep doing it because of nepotism or having a good day at that audition, or knowing the right person. I learned at some point that the confidence game is really about acting “as if.” I’ve seen major actors get squeamish if they have a crying scene coming up, whereas I’d worked with “lesser” actors who could cry on a dime. If one chooses a profession in theatre/films, you have to love doing it. It’s terribly hard on people because of the rejection rate. But, Mark Ruffalo went on 600 auditions before being chosen. You have to be good enough when you stumble upon an opportunity.
I tend to be a risk-taker. For example, this is my first time directing a musical. I have great support from extremely talented others – BJ (musical director), Hedges, having a great staff, fantastic cast. Feeling the fear and doing it anyway. That’s how we grow.
SJF: Who is your inspiration?
NLC: My mother. I’ve gotten to live the life she would have loved.
SJF: What are your 5 year and 10 year goals?
NLC: Seriously? That goal setting never works for me. Even when I’ve been diligent. I never said, “I’m going land a part on Dynasty in 5 years!” So much of my life has been being in the right place at the right time. I’m not sure I ever really consciously set a goal. Perhaps I should have. You know, I’d decide to take a class in screenplay writing (from Syd Fields) and then I’d write a couple of mediocre scripts, then I’d work on something and someone would show interest in it. So much of acting, writing, selling a script, getting my masters degree – it was all so pleasurable, with just the right amount of challenge.
SJF: Describe your dreams.
NLC: VIVID. I know you’re talking about BIG DREAMS, but I’m talking about nightly, very vivid, wild, entertaining dreams since I’ve begun directing The Geeze & Me. What subconscious?
SJF: Describe three pivotal events in your life.
NLC: My Father’s death. My Mother’s death. Marrying mi amour.
SJF: Role models- male and female?
NLC: Hmmm, well, I tend to be suspicious of role models, of idealizing an individual and projecting onto them all of my ideas about who they are. But you know who comes to mind? Béyoncé. I know. I’m a 68-yr. old white woman, but watch Drunk, In Love and tell me she’s not got it going on. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1JPKLa-Ofc) It’s hard to do overt sexuality and not feel used at the end of the day. And she’s brave enough to go for it. Hillary Clinton. President Obama’s grace and elegance. Jon Stewart’s genius. Stephen Colbert’s limitless mind.
SJF: Where are your favorite La Jolla/San Diego places? Your favorite places for a vacation?
NLC: In La Jolla – George’s; A small Greek restaurant called Cafe Athena in Pacific Beach, La Valencia Hotel for breakfast, Come On In’s cornmeal pancakes. My ideal vacation: on a beach anywhere. Paris, like most everyone. Lisbon. London. Monemvasia, Greece. Two Bunch Palms in Desert Hot Springs. I’m not a Trump Tower person, and I like small, manageable, places that feel personal. It’s a feeling I get in a place. But Jerusalem would be good, too.
SJF: Any memorable live performance experiences (or other), and why?
NLC: Anthony Hopkins in Equus. Raw power. I was sitting in the front row and I was certain that Anthony Hopkins delivered his monologue to me. Which is how great actors make you feel…
I also saw a recent production of The Normal Heart at the Diversionary Theatre that about ripped mine out of my chest. I can’t remember being so deeply struck by anything like that in a long time. Really visceral. The play is about the A.I.D.S. crisis hitting in the 80s in San Francisco. My sister was a Chaplain at San Francisco General at that time, and I recall vividly our conversations about what they were seeing then. About all the men who were dying. She saw it firsthand. The production, directed by Kim Strassberger and Claudio Raygoza was superb.
Many thanks, Hedges and Nancy for giving us a peek into your lives! It’s been a pleasure interviewing you!
The Geeze & Me
What if there was a musical – simultaneously serious and hilarious, that explores the wild ride of life’s later years, addressing the good, the bad and the ugly of aging? The Geeze & Me is a musical production about the aging process, upsides and down. The World Premiere of The Geeze & Mewill be presented in San Diego, March 31 – April 29 at the Tenth Avenue Arts Center.
The Geeze & Me Production/Creative Team includes: Original Music/Lyrics by Hedges Capers and Book written by Hedges Capers and Nancy Locke Capers. Produced and Directed by Nancy Locke Capers. Musical Direction by Will (B.J.) Robinson, Choreography by Joanne Lovejoy, Sound & Video by Joe Huppert, Costume Design by Max Cadillac, Lighting Design by Cynthia Bloodgood,Script Consultant Dilip Jeste, M.D., and Danielle K. Glorioso, L.C.S.W., in consultation with UCSD Center for Healthy Aging at UCSD, PR/Media/Press by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications, Casting by Samuel Warren & Associates, , with Brendan Hill as Assistant Director and Beonica Bullard as Stage Manager.
THE GEEZE AND ME CAST: Devlin (Kay), Hedges Capers (David), Kent Brisby (Bob), Byron La Due (Howard), Gabriela Nelson (Sherry), Jesse MacKinnon (Dwight), Lorraine Devon Wilke (Helen), Lolly Boroff (Mrs. Dingler), Susan Benninghoff (Miranda), Kiera Mersky (Bobbi & Margo), Lauren Preski (Margret), Erin Vanderhyde (Homeless), Susie Singer Carter (Science & Ginger) and Scotty Billion (Undertaker).
The Geeze & Me is a funny, irreverent, and poignant show about surviving aging. This timely show features a comedic troupe of eccentric players who team up to wrangle aspects of aging from an expert. An eclectic blend of songs ranging from pop to blues to corner street doo-wop, accompanied by electric choreography and state of the art projections. The perils and benefits of growing older are reflected in the concerns of this diverse
What audience patrons of The Geeze & Me staged readings are saying:
“So life-affirming. Even just seeing a reading was fantastic. Look forward to seeing it mounted!”
“…the story, writing, and music are stunning.”
“…intimate dialectic you achieved between characters/story/music is amazing. So well done! Really smart.”
“…your inclusion of socio-scientific-political realities re: aging and society are never forced, always brief, and work. This is very hard to do. But you did it.”
“I’m in awe of the music/lyrics…”
Methusalah said, “It’s the best musical I’ve seen in 800 years!”
SCHEDULE: Previews/Pay what you can with a casttalkback following the preview performances March 29 & 30th. Performances: March 31 – April 29, Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.
LOCATION:The Tenth Avenue Arts Center, 930 10th Ave, San Diego 92101
For press info, interviews, photos or press comps, please contact: Susan J. Farese,
What if there was a musical – simultaneously serious and hilarious, that explores the wild ride of life’s later years, addressing the good, the bad and the ugly of aging?
Rag Lady Productions is thrilled to announce the World Premiere of THE GEEZE & ME, a new musical featuring a troupe of baby boomers who sing, dance, and hobble their way through issues of retirement, mobility, and more. At THE TENTH Avenue Arts Center downtown, San Diego, March 31st through April 29th.
THE GEEZE & ME Production/Creative Team includes: Original Music/Lyrics by Hedges Capers and Book written by Hedges Capers and Nancy Locke Capers. Produced and Directed by Nancy Locke Capers. Musical Direction by Will (B.J.) Robinson, Choreography by Joanne Lovejoy, Sound & Video by Joe Huppert, Costume Design by Max Cadillac, Lighting Design by Cynthia Bloodgood, Script Consultants Dilip Jeste, M.D., and Danielle K. Glorioso, L.C.S.W., in consultation with UCSD Center for Healthy Aging, PR/Media/Press by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications, Casting by Samuel Warren & Associates, ‘Invisible People’ portrait by Artist Neil Shigleywith Brendan Hill as Assistant Director and Beonica Bullard as Stage Manager.
THE GEEZE & MEis a funny, irreverent, and poignant show about surviving aging. This timely show features a comedic troupe of eccentric players who team up to wrangle aspects of aging from an expert. An eclectic blend of songs ranging from pop to blues to corner street doo-wop, accompanied by electric choreography and state of the art projections. The perils and benefits of growing older are reflected in the concerns of this diverse group of people. Think “Hair,” after it’s gone…THIS IS THE DAWNING OF THE AGE OF BEWARE OF US!
THE GEEZE & ME Promo Video
Creative Team
Hedges Capers & Nancy Locke Capers
HEDGES CAPERS – (Music/Lyrics and Book; Playing David, Soap-boxer and Beat Poet)Capitol Records recording artist, singer/songwriter with 8 albums as Hedge & Donna in the late 60’s, early 70’s. A&M staff songwriter. Actor- Title role in The Legend of Hillbilly John. Hundreds of clubs and concerts internationally including Carnegie Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, Greek Theatre, National Arts Center. Every television variety show of the late 60’s (Smothers Brothers, Mike Douglas, the Tonight Show and more.) He later became a Marriage and Family Clinical Counselor, a behavioral consultant and patent holder in the corporate sphere.
Quote from Hedges Capers: “Have you ever done what you wanted in life? If you have, hats off to you. If not, best get busy…living the gift.”- Hedges Capers
NANCY LOCKE CAPERS (Producer, Director, Co-wrote Book) a member of the Dramatists Guild of America, SAG, CAMFT. After 25 years in the film industry as an actress in film (Pretty Woman & 23 film projects), TV, commercials, and theater, as well as theatre producer & director, screenwriter (having one co-written script produced by an independent film company and another bought by Paramount Studios and in development for 2 years.) Capers returned to school and passed the boards to become a licensed psychotherapist in private practice in La Jolla for almost two decades. She also worked as a behavioral consultant in the corporate sphere, both domestically and abroad.
Quote from Nancy Locke Capers: “We both have performing, script writing, show biz backgrounds, so it’s a delight to be able to create a meaningful/hilarious project about aging which we’re both experiencing. Can’t wait to open the show!”- Nancy Capers
Meet THE GEEZE & ME Creative Team/Crew
William ‘BJ’ Robinson, Musical Director
Joann Lovejoy, Choreographer
Joe Huppert, Sound/Video Engineer
Max Cadillac, Costume Design
Cynthia Bloodgood, Lighting Design
Dilip Jeste, M.D., Center for Healthy Aging, UCSD, Script Consultant, in consultation with UCSD
Danielle K. Glorioso, Script Consultant, UC San Diego Center for Healthy Aging
Susan J. Farese, PR, Media/Press
Samuel Warren, Casting
Neil Shigley, Artist
Brendan Hill, Assistant Director
Beonica Bullard, Stage Manager
WILL (BJ) ROBINSON (Musical Director) isa musician, educator, composer, director, and performer, BJ has worked with the vocal dept. of Southwestern College since 2009; is host of KPBS Spectrum (airing every Saturday at 5:30PM), a program about arts and culture in San Diego; serves as baritone soloist at All Saints Episcopal Church in Hillcrest since 2010 and as an instructor/music director for J*Company Youth Theater since 2012. Composed original scores for San Diego-based short films (Mustang Love, The Fad and Furriest: A Documentary) with Cane Toad Productions, starred in short film Meetchu In Machu Picchu: A Musical Journey, by Larry Zieger. The voice of a character in the soundtrack to Dinner for God, a novel & CD by Rayme Sciaroni. In addition to having a private vocal studio, BJ is a vocal instructor at Francis Parker School and a frequent guest performer with the music ministry at the University of San Diego.
JOANNE LOVEJOY (Choreographer) Dancer, teacher, choreographer. As a teen Joanne performed along side the Bright Side Singers in Bob Hope’s USO shows in California; singer and dancer for Cabaret Review” produced by On The Town Productions, numerous productions with the Rhythm-Aire Players, including Rhythm is our Business and Final Encore. She choreographed Annie and Little Shop of Horrors at the Lyceum. For the past twelve years she has been on the teaching staff at several local dance studios including S.D. Danceworks and Culture Shock Dance Center. Please see more at: https://www.metrodancesd.com/joanne-lovejoy/.
JOE HUPPERT (Sound and Video Designer) Previously at San Diego Repertory Theater, The Oldest Boy(Craig Noel Award). Other local video designs include This Wonderful Life for North Coast Rep, Glengarry Glen Ross for La Jolla Playhouse and The Elephant Man with Backyard Renaissance. As sound designer, shows include Blueprints to Freedom, Peter and the Starcatchers (La Jolla Playhouse); Scott Joplin, Extraordinary Chambers, Yellow Face, Stick Fly, Kita Y Fernanda, 26 Miles (Mo’Olelo); Urinetown, Over the Tavern, King O’ The Moon (Mercury Theater); Mr. Burns (UCSD).
MAX CADILLAC (Costume Designer) Working on such an exciting new show brings Max the greatest joy. He recently finished costuming for 9 to 5: The Musical at San Diego Musical Theatre (SDMT) as well as their holiday classic White Christmas. Working closely with Janet Pitcher, he has also costumed My Fair Lady at The Welk Resort, and looks forward to continue working with Janet. Max loves all aspects of costuming and fashion, including recently modeling for San Diego Opera. Performing throughout his home town of San Diego at Cygnet, SDMT, Moonlight, and The Welk Resort, Max is thrilled to play Lillias Pastia in San Diego Opera’s upcoming The Tragedy of Carmen, March 10-12. BFA, Musical Theatre (AMDA). A big OLD thank you to the cast and crew, his incredible geezer parents, and of course Susan Farese for making this happen.
CYNTHIA BLOODGOOD (Lighting Designer) Freelance Designer and Technician, Technical Theatre Teacher at La Jolla Country Day School, Technical Director San Diego Junior Theatre. BA from BYU, 1999.
DILIP JESTE, M.D. (Script Consultant) is a geriatric neuropsychiatrist, who specializes in successful aging, neurobiology of wisdom as well as schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders in older adults. He is the Senior Associate Dean for Healthy Aging and Senior Care at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and Director, UC San Diego Center for Healthy Aging, Estelle and Edgar Levi Chair in Aging, and Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry & Neurosciences in consultation with UC San Diego Center for Healthy Aging. Watch his excellent TED Talk: http://tedmed.com/talks/show?id=526815. Quote from Dilip Jeste: “It’s wonderful to see our Research turned into art.”- Dilip Jeste, M.D.
DANIELLE K. GLORIOSO (Script Consultant) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been a member of the UC San Diego Division of Geriatric Psychiatry since 2001. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the UC San Diego Center for Healthy Aging and the Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging.
SUSAN J. FARESE (PR, Media/Press) Owner, SJF Communications in San Diego. RN, MSN, SAG-AFTRA. Provides personalized Marketing/PR/Social Media/Writing/Photography/Video Services /Coaching/Legal Nurse Consulting. www.sjfcommunications.com
SAMUEL WARREN (Casting) Samuel Warren International Casting Services Member of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, a Casting Society of America Member and affiliated with the Better Business Bureau http://www.samuelwarren.com/
NEIL SHIGLEY (Artist) Fox television story on Neil’s portrait of a homeless man won a 2013 Emmy. His most recent work consists of large-scale portraits of homeless people near his studio in San Diego. His work has been exhibited internationally. We are honored that he will be doing a portrait of our Homeless woman which will be on display in theatre lobby. http://neilshigley.com/
BRENDAN A. HILL (Assistant Director) BFA in Dramatic Writing from Purchase College, SUNY. Company Manager at Food for Thought Productions/Cause Celebre for 6 yrs., plays produced at Ensemble Studio Theatre, NYC, semi-finalist for the O’Neill Natl. Playwrights Conference and Clubbed Thumb’s Biennial Commission. Three plays produced in Paris. Eight years in NYC theatre community receiving readings, workshops and small productions from 2012 – 2016.
BEONICA BULLARD (Stage Manager) is completing her BA at San Diego State University in General Theater. As a stage manager, she has worked with the SDSU School of Theater, Television, and Film on shows such as Julius Caesar, Into The Woods and The BFG. Also worked with Intrepid Shakespeare Company, Quality of Life, Comic-Conand the Plays By Young Writers Festival 2015 & 2016.
DEVLIN (KAY) Recently appearing in Sunday in the Park with George after years of extensive stage work and cabaret/concerts. Appeared in Into theWoods, Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune,Women Behind Bars, A Christmas Carol, and The Devlin Show. Devlin will be performing in The Spitfire Grill at North Coast Repertory Theatre in May, 2017. For more: http://www.ma4sd.com/service/devlin/.
HEDGES CAPERS (DAVID, SOAPBOXER and BEAT POET)formerly of Hedge & Donna in the late 60s, Hedges performed in Carnegie Hall, the Greek Theatre, Hollywood Bowl, on the Smothers Brothers Show and many others. Starring in The Legend of Hillbilly John, he returns to the stage as co-author of the book and writer of all music and lyrics.
KENT BRISBY (BOB) Kent focuses mainly on original work, appearing in 2015 in The Pitch starring Paul Rodriguezand the upcoming Three Kings/Tres Reyes this holiday season. Toured nationally, appeared on more than a dozen local stages as an actor. As a playwright and director he has many more local credits, including projects at the Old Globe and San Diego Zoo. He currently serves as Artistic Director for Asian Story Theater, as well as Radio Theater for KPBS, AirStage and Radio Lunch. (Just down the street he is a co-author and director of a new play Halo-Halo at the Lyceum Space through April 9. Bring your GEEZE & ME ticket stub for discount admission). KLBrisby.com.
BYRON LaDUE (HOWARD) Byron LaDue is a veteran performer at many San Diego area theatres, including recent productions as Paul Gauguin in Prick (San Diego Fringe Festival), Gauguin in The Musical Paul Gauguin (Asian Story Theatre), and Willum in The Nerd, (Coronado Playhouse). Byron also has notable credits at The Old Globe Theatre, San Diego Rep, and the former Starlight Theatre, Gaslamp Quarter Theatre, Hahn Cosmopolitan Theatre and Marquis Theatre. Byron has a BA in Drama from San Diego State University. Extensive improv experience. Winner of the Best Actor Atlas Award as Big Harp in Robber Bridegroom and Winner, Comedy Festival as Duke Ladoo in The Piparoos Live at the Globe.
GABRIELA NELSON (SHERRY) Considerable stage, screen and recording artist who has worked nationally and internationally. She’s a former 80’s icon (NBC TV series regular of KIDD VIDEO). Recent San Diego appearances include SD Rep, 10th Ave Arts, La Jolla Playhouse, Black Box Theatre, The Horton Grand and Spreckels. Gabby also writes for the Latin Performing Arts Community.
JESSE MacKINNON (DWIGHT) Jesse is the recipient of the San Diego Critics Circle Craig Noel Award and The San Diego Playbill Award for Outstanding Performance in a Drama as Eddie Carbone in A View From The Bridge (Renaissance Theater). Other regional credits include: Jules in Sunday in the Park With George (ION Theatre); Roy Cohn in Angels In America (ION Theatre); Henry Peabody in Tobacco Road (La Jolla Playhouse); MacDuff in MacBeth (Intrepid Shakespeare); Polymester in Hecuba, (6th@Penn), Renee Gallimard in M. Butterfly (Diversionary); Horace Vandergelder Hello Dolly (Lambs Players); Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol (North Coast Rep); Henri Fontannes The Magic Fire (Moonlight at the Avo); Pharoah in Aida (Starlight); Emil De Becq in South Pacific (Lambs Players); Pop in Pajama Game (Starlight); Pat Denning in 42ndStreet (Welk Theatre) and Major Ed Lansdale Dooley at Diversionary Theatre.
LORRAINE DEVON WILKE (HELEN) Writer, photographer, singer/songwriter, actress – a true “Renaissance woman” who brings the sum total of her eclectic career to everything she does, whether indie films (To Cross the Rubicon), original music Somewhere On the Way or her Huffington Post Column. Most recently she’s put her energies into fiction: her debut novel, After The Sucker Punch, and short story, “She Tumbled Down,” were 2014 publishing successes; 2015 saw the launch of her latest novel, Hysterical Love, and her current book, A Nice White Girl, is hoping for a 2017 release. Details and info can be found http://www.Lorrainedevonwilke.com
LOLLY BOROFF (MRS. DINGLER) Actress/writer/director, Lolly is the daughter of the late George Boroff of The Circle Theatre, and niece of Academy Award winning actress Shelley Winters. Her acting credits include the original Broadway cast of The Effect Of Gamma Rays On Man-In-The-Moon Marigolds, films Blue Thunder and Star 80, and TV’sI Didn’t Know I WasPregnant, 1000 Ways To Die, and America’s Court With Judge Ross; has appeared on stage in All My Sons, The Dixie Swim Club and The Vagina Monologues; recently directed A Long Way To Midnight, at the Lyceum Theatre. Wrote, directed and produced her first film, Think Tank. She has appeared in several commercials, and loves performing improv and stand-up.
SUSAN BENNINGHOFF (MIRANDA) Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, Susan is currently director of the legendary San Diego Playwrights development group, Scripteasers as well as musical and stage work including the Phoenix Performing Arts Center.
KIERA MERSKY (BOBBI & MARGO) Having worked in live shows (Universal Studios), theatre productions as a dancer and actress and in commercials, Kiera received her B.F.A. in Dance Performance from Temple University.
LAUREN PRESKI (MARGRET)Natl. Assn of Singing Teachers – 2nd place, NC, Back to the 80s – Moronga Casino,Last Chance Romance, Property of the Dallas Cowboys, Don Giovanni, Legoland – live shows, Six Flags, America – Wonder Woman.
ERIN VANDERHYDE (HOMELESS) Presently at San Diego State University (SDSU) Erin is pursuing her Bachelors of Arts Degree in General Theatre. Entertainer at Legoland. Theatre: Jesus Christ Superstar, The Drowsy Chaperone, Dr. Faustus Lights the Lights (SDSU), Hairspray,Godspell, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Legally Blonde, Footloose and Ragtime at Young Actors Theatre (YAT). Associates Degree in Music, Grossmont College.
SUSIE SINGER CARTER (SCIENCE & GINGER) As well as an acting history, Sue has also had success as a writer and is a talented singer as well. Also playing Ginger, here’s more about Sue: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0802053/ Sue has recently completed shooting a short film she wrote and directed, My Mom and The Girl, with Valerie Harper and Liz Torres.
SCOTTY BILLION(UNDERTAKER) Scott became involved in music at a young age. He sings vocals in Madman SD, a cover band for Ozzy Osborne. He is making his acting debut in The Geeze & Me.
What audience patrons of THE GEEZE & ME staged readings are saying:
“So life-affirming. Even just seeing a reading was fantastic. Look forward to seeing it mounted!”
“…the story, writing, and music are stunning.”
“…intimate dialectic you achieved between characters/story/music is amazing. So well done! Really smart.”
“…your inclusion of socio-scientific-political realities re: aging and society are never forced, always brief, and work. This is very hard to do. But you did it.”
“I’m in awe of the music/lyrics…”
Methusalah said, “It’s the best musical I’ve seen in 800 years!”
Classical Pianist Dr. Jeeyoon Kim is a PR client of SJF Communications, but she is so much more than a client. Jeeyoon is a kindred spirit and hopefully a forever friend. She exudes kindness, positivity, talent, wit, intellect, elegance and a keen sense of mastery, interaction, connection and engagement as a person and as a musician. I first heard, rather “experienced” her incredible musical talents after one of our early business meetings. Jeeyoon surprised me by granting me my own “personal mini concert”. I must admit, I had to hold back tears – it was so surprisingly magical. It was an emotional experience for me to hear the selections she played, watching her gently move to the rhythms of the classical pieces she performed so gracefully and poetically. She was truly “one” in concert with the music. She respectfully honored each composer and emotionally as well as technically “connected” to each piece.
Jeeyoon Kim is a force to reckon with! And so, without further ado…Ladies and Gentlemen:
SJF: Let’s start at the beginning! Please tell us about your upbringing, family, siblings, etc.
JK: I grew up in South Korea with one older brother. Both of my parents were business owners. I was raised to be independent, as my parents were always busy, but they always supported my music. They both were naturally good singers and they always sang a lot casually. I also remember the scenes of childhood involved with mountains, pine trees, Buddhist temples, and also contrasting high rises, busy cities and busy street markets. I was lucky enough to have both; places like New York City or scenery such as in the Smoky Mountains have almost an equal amount of feeling like of a home for me. I remember going to get fresh water at a nearby mountain top with my Grandma, and we would play badminton on the way back. I remember she always won those badminton games!. Going to a farmer’s market is one my favorite activities as that is one of the closest experiences I have in terms of getting produce just like we did when growing up in Korea. I still try to visit Korea once a year if possible. And most of those times, my list of foods I want to eat during my stay is always much longer than I can possibly eat then!
Courtesy of Jeeyoon Kim
SF: When did you begin playing the piano? Private lessons? Were you always enthused about piano?
JK: I started playing piano when I was four years old, and I don’t have any recollection of choosing that myself. But I remember I always enjoyed going to the local piano institute on my own every day except Sunday to have a lesson and to practice. I thought it was always so much fun to play piano, and I still think it is!
SF: Such dedication at an early age-and ever lasting as you received your Doctorate in Piano Performance and Masters in Music Degrees at the Jacobs School of Music at the University of Indiana!
Courtesy of Jeeyoon Kim
SF: Do you ever feel stage fright?
JK: If I feel so comfortable and normal playing in public, then I will start to worry about it, as I believe that having those butterflies in your stomach is a necessary part of being a performer and that makes a live performance more beautiful and organic. No, I don’t have a phobia doing it. I also know nobody dies if I make a mistake. I just learned and still learning to deal with it, as I love to share music with people.
Courtesy of Jeeyoon Kim
SJF: So…there’s no need to keep the butterflies at bay!
SJF: Do you have any different routines on a performance day?
JK: Yes, I treat myself like a queen. Haha, just kidding. Perhaps I try to do my best to do things as normal as possible in terms of what I eat, but less physical practice, more sleep, taking a long walk for a mental practice and fully acknowledging a feeling of gratitude of that day given to me as a gift that I can share my music with people. I certainly don’t talk much before the performance though.
SJF: Very astute elements of your routine! Interesting about not practicing much that day and feeling gratitude for your gift of sharing! And feeling comfortable with the “quiet” on purpose is a point especially taken.
Courtesy of Jeeyoon Kim
SJF: What do you think about when you are performing?
JK: I think about music and the composer, following their emotional process or its course of hidden messages closely. I also think about the overall structural picture of the piece, as if I am building an aural structure, noticing where I am going and where I am. If I focus on the core message, then the rest of technical things will serve its musical purpose. But if I put a priority on the perfection of the notes, no music nor perfection would exist.
Courtesy of Jeeyoon Kim
SJF: Yes, affirmed! I most definitely witnessed that when I hear you perform!
SJF: Do you exercise?
JK: I want to exercise more than I do now. Normally I exercise with my trainer once a week, and swim once or twice a week at the Broadway Athletic and Swim Club. Generally speaking, I like to do an intense conditional workout and also long distance swimming. As time is one of the least available resources I have, I want to do a more intense interval workout when I actually get to exercise. Sometimes I swim to practice a piece in my mind on purpose, especially at the end of a day. It takes at least three or four times longer to practice in my mind than its actual time on piano, but it is so valuable for me to do so. I feel mentally exercised yet physically relaxed afterwards. I love it.
Courtesy of Jeeyoon Kim
SJF: It would be so cool to be inside your mind and note the process as you “practice” while swimming! Wow, you are featured on the cover and interviewed in Swimmer Magazine! How cool is that?!
JK: It is like a recurring dream, I had a thought that kept popping in my head, which was creating an album to be very much like ‘Jeeyoony’ and as close as my live performances. I have realized that the time and spaces that I can reach is limited, but at the same time it doesn’t have to be that way. I thought creating an album is a great way to connect with more people in this world, sharing what I am passionate about. I also wanted to collect many of the pieces that are like my old friends, which I often play as an encore. ‘Ten more minutes’ is also a concept behind when audiences ask for encores at my live concerts. Definitely that is not greedy, as I am not asking for 10 more days, but just simply wish having that10 More Minutes to cherish.
Courtesy of Jeeyoon Kim
As soon as I had a concept in my head more solidly, it had its own life, evolving and expanding its possibility. I wanted to record pieces that are close to me, so it is easier to connect with people more. Then I realized that the time is actually ‘now’ to create. I presented the idea into a possible reality through crowdfunding, Kickstarter, to the world. I also wanted this project to be collaborated work with people, that mutually we all want this idea to be a reality. When it became successfully funded within 30 days, I have felt like I had received an excellent engine that can run so well, and all I had to do is to drive that engine with the best ability that I could ever have.
I cared for every single detail of this album, involving every aspects of this album, from each single note to finishing. I have created the best team for the album – a producer, sound engineer, graphic designers, photographers, a recording studio in New York City, and a great Hamburg Steinway. I feel content with it knowing that I did my absolute best – even though from the idea to the actual CD, it took about a year and half. I also feel that my whole life is fused in the album; if I didn’t have practice times when I was 4 years old, if I didn’t have that struggles and tears in my past studies and experiences, this would not have been the same.
The 10 More MinutesCD release celebration concert will take place on this December 11th, Sunday at 3 pm at Auditorium at the Scripps Research Institute (TSRI). That is a venue that I often performed at for the San Diego Symphony Chamber Music Series and the La Jolla Music Society. I wanted this national celebration to be where I reside, though this album is not limited to be local and I certainly hope some people from out of town can join this celebration as well. I can’t wait to celebrate this day with audiences, who have been in this journey with me all along. It will be certainly a concert that I will remember even without having that concert yet.
SJF: My anticipation is building, I cannot wait to see you present your gift performing and connecting with the audience!
SJF: What is your strongest asset?
JK: If I have to choose one asset that I find very useful in my journey it is the fact that I always look at the positive side and keep moving forward. There are struggles and difficulties, but I know at the end of it, I will get myself up again and continue my journey, doing my absolute best to be better each day. Some have said that I am strong, but I say I am not strong at all, but I will choose to get up again when I fall down, not because I am strong, but I know I will have struggles, which is normal, what I have to do is to learn to keep moving forward, learning valuable wisdoms on its ways. I always dream of a better version of me in 10 or 20 years.
See what audiences have to say about Jeeyoon Kim!
http://
SJF: Valuable advice for all! I asked Jeeyoon’s Managing Representative, Bryan Smith to say a few words about working with Jeeyoon. Here’s what Bryan had to say:
“Jeeyoon Kim is truly a musician of the 21st century. Her polish and depth as a performer reflect a connection to music that is equally physical, intellectual, and emotional. A true citizen of the world, her empathy towards, and genuine interest in the people and communities around her inform her choice of repertoire and her interpretations. Combining world class virtuosity with a humanist and personal connection with the audience, Jeeyoon achieves a degree of engagement that is often lacking in soloists at this level. She brings a truly modern sensibility to classic repertoire. She is a joy to listen to, and what’s more, a joy to work with” -Bryan Smith
SJF: Tell us about your studio? What is like taking piano lessons with you?
JK: At the Dr. Kim Piano Academy, I have a wide range of students, beginners to advanced. I only have just handful of young students, but mostly students older than 16 and adults. I find teaching very creative. I see each student and their own character as if theyare an already beautiful bonsai tree. I find the areas that they need strengthening, and areas that they could shine more as it’s their strength. Finding unique ways for each student to accept these instructions to grow healthy in music is an art in itself. I sometimes feel like a therapist and need to be a good therapist to make them grow in music, as my students often say they get to know about themselves much more in piano lessons than any other activities. I love it.
Courtesy of Jeeyoon Kim
SJF: Tell us…what makes Jeeyoon Kim “TICK”?
JK: Besides music, I do appreciate experiences with food. As a foodie, I can write an entire book about what I like about certain foods in certain cities. Recently I had an experience of dining in a restaurant called Benu in San Francisco. I still vividly remember every bite of every course. It was a really beautiful meal. I get excited about going on some adventures with a certain restaurant in mind. But my normal daily routine includes a very healthy and clean diet.
I love going to classical and jazz concerts, musicals, and plays. I get so energized and inspired from those live performances. I also like to play ping pong and pool. I can say I am not really great at it, but I get very into it. I own a good ping pong paddle and a pool glove for my left hand.
SJF: Those answers made me smile!
SJF: If you had to do it over again…how would you choose what do in life as a career/profession?
Courtesy of Jeeyoon Kim
JK: Of course I would choose to be a pianist again, but besides that, I would choose something related to some language or food. Though I don’t definitely see myself as a cook even in a next life, I would love a job to communicate with people with different languages, which make me to travel for a job. After all, music is a language.
SJF: Here’s a fun question: What three things don’t we know about you?
I love watermelon. In fact, I have a weakness for them. I want to eat the whole intact thing in one sitting and I actually can do it undoubtedly, but I know I shouldn’t.
I have a black thumb, meaning I tend to kill all plants I have at my place. That is sad, but I really try. Not that I don’t water them, I do give them love and care, ,and water! Somehow no plants ever survived with me for a long period of time, even cactus. That doesn’t discourage me though. I keep trying to have them around me, doing my best to keep them alive. I talk to them each time watering them too -this might sound crazy but I do! I always get fresh flowers for my place. Flowers bring me a smile and that is more than I can ask for any object.
I enjoy at least an 85% or higher percentage of dark chocolate. The darker the chocolate, the more I like it. A friend of mine brought me 100% dark chocolate from Italy, and I actually liked that too. Probably somewhere around 88-93% would be my sweet spot.
SJF: Watermelon… Sad Flowers…Dark Chocolate! I shall remember that in the future!
SJF: An ideal week for you would include…
JK: I would have one public performance, three days of teaching, one beautiful meal at a great restaurant with people I love, weight training three times, swimming twice, practicing every day at least 5 hours except for the day of performance, praying every day, sushi one night, sleeping 8-9 hours, and laughing a lot.
SJF: Well said – you are very disciplined!
Courtesy of Jeeyoon Kim
SJF: Describe your dreams
I am living the dream already in terms of what I am doing for life. I want to continue doing my dream, and keep dreaming more than I can be capable of. My dream is my limit.
SJF: Ah, you are fortunate to be living your dream and are very inspirational to others!
SJF: One of your most memorable live performance experiences, and why?
JK: When I performed Schumann Concerto at the Hilbert Circle Theatre Hilbert Theatre in Indianapolis, there was a tornado national warning and a big storm would be hitting us about 3 hours prior to the concert. I was completely soaked, even for 5 seconds trying to get to the hall from a car. Then we all realized that people would be completely discouraged to come to a concert for their safety, not alone some orchestra members for trying to drive through the storm. We contemplate cancelling the concert, then except one second violinist, all musicians were finally there, so we decided to do it anyway. Until the time I walked out to the stage, I had no idea how many people would be there. All I was thinking was probably just handful of people might be present, but it would still be nice to play. Then when I walked out to the stage, it was almost a completely filled hall with about 600 people and more enthusiasm from the audience than any other concerts I had ever played. They all decided the concert hall was in fact the safest hiding place from tornadoes, as the hall is completely sealed and there was no window! I had so much fun playing in that concert. I felt like we are having a great party inside a cave.
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Many thanks, Dr. Jeeyoon. You are truly an “extraordinary” gift to the world.