Review of Elemeno Pea at SCR

http://www.ocweekly.com/2012-02-17/culture/elemeno-pea-marc-masterson-south-coast-repertory/

“Metzler’s comedy, which Masterson directed in its world premiere at his previous gig at the Actors Theatre in Louisville, Kentucky, is a crackling, electrifying affair, 96 minutes of nonstop entertainment. It’s hilarious and serious, often in the same moment. And while its setting—a ridiculously well-appointed guest house on a posh estate in Martha’s Vineyard—isn’t too far removed from the well-heeled environs of many of the East Coast-centric plays SCR has produced over its long, illustrious history, the words spewing from these highly articulate characters’ mouths ring with a decidedly uncommon edge.”

 

AND, a short blog post about CLOWNS:

http://blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/2012/02/it_aint_easy_bein_a_clown.php

 

Good Reads on Current Events

Twenty years ago, I subscribed to both these magazines, in hopes that I might become more aware of Big Things. And I also thought it’d be cool to be a foreign correspondent for a big newspaper (which I still think would be cool…) The Economist was a great read, but it came out every week and I couldn’t justify subscribing for more than a year. Foreign Policy was stodgy and dry and way too academic to get into.

But I’ve retained an interest in the Economist over the years and recently learned that Foreign Policy had been purchased by the Washington Post Co., which has greatly revamped its on-line presence.

 

Yes, the Washington Post is a favorite whipping post for those who smell the offal of the liberal ogre in its pages (which is bullshit). But the new Foreign Policy seems balanced, even offering a Shadow Government blog for conservative analysts.

Anyhow, each features in-depth explorations of a wide array of issues and should be required reading for those who wish to free themselves from the insufferable drone of the Echo Chamber.

Praise Allah for the Internet!

Orson’s Shadow courtesy of Alive Theatre in Long Beach

First time I’ve reviewed this Long Beach-based  company, which started in 2008. It’s a gypsy-troupe that has struck up a rapport with the Long Beach Playhouse this year. If you’re a fan of film or theater, circa mid-20Th Century, you’ll appreciate it: http://www.ocweekly.com/2012-02-02/culture/orsons-shadow-long-beach-playhouse/