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Mountain Views News, Pasadena Edition [Sierra Madre] Saturday, October 15, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B2 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 15, 2016 On the Marquee: Notes from the Sierra MadrePlayhouse Jeff’s Book Pics By Jeff Brown Adult Sibling Relationships by Geoffrey L. Greif and Michael E. Woolley The bond siblings develop in childhood may be vastly different from the relationship that evolves in adulthood. Driven by affection but also characterized by ambivalence and ambiguity, adult sibling relationships can become hurtful, uncertain, competitive, or exhausting though the undercurrents of love and loyalty remain. An approach that recognizes the positive aspects of the changing sibling relationship, as well as those that need improvement, can restore healthy ties and rebuild family closeness. With in-depth case studies of more than 260 siblings over the age of forty and interviews with experts on mental health and family , this book offers direction for traversing the terrain of adult sibling relations. It pursues a richer understanding of ambivalence, a normal though little explored feeling among siblings, and how ambiguity about the past or present can lead to miscommunication and estrangement. This book clarifies the most confounding elements of sibling relationships and provides specific suggestions for realizing new, productive avenues of friendship in middle and later lifeskills that are particularly important for siblings who must cooperate to care for aging parents or give immediate emotional or financial support to other siblings or family members. THE SAVAGE BEAST By Artistic Director, Christian Lebano We’ve heard the expression “Music hath charms to soothe the savage beast.” But I would emend it to: “Theater hath charms….” I spent the evening yesterday at SMP preparing for the arrival of Sister and her Late Nite Catechism . We got her room ready, her blackboard cleaned, her pencils sharpened; we hung the religious posters and polished the furniture. No detail is too small for Sister. Estelle Campbell and Ward Calaway, my partners in managing SMP, and Derek Copenhaver, our Stage Manager, were there last night, as well. And we all were giddy with excitement far beyond the tasks we were engaged in preparing for Late Nite Catechism. I realized that we have ALL been charmed – or infected – with a love of making theater. As we reviewed the needs for Sister’s class and made preparations, I noticed that we were smiling a lot and all happy to be together in that room. I’ve written about how much I love making theater, how much I love our Playhouse, how much joy I get from just being in our theater. I was reminded of it again last night. It is so complicated and rich – a mixture of joy of story-telling, a desire to make people happy, a hope of making a difference and an impact on people, a belief in the power of community and coming together to share an experience, and maybe a bit of delight in make-believe. Whatever it is – I know we all felt it last night. The break in our schedule when we had to postpone Bee-luther-hatchee has meant that coming back to the Playhouse last night was even sweeter because of having been away. I’m so happy – so charmed - we are back to producing wonderful memories for you and for me. I can’t wait to see you in the lobby again. Late Nite is selling well – Sunday is sold-out and we have strong sales on all of the other days. We’ve placed an ad in this paper and several others – I really want the show to sell out so I can convince the Board to let me bring it back for a longer run or in a different version. Please come – I promise you, you’ll laugh yourselves off your chairs. A reminder that it plays through Saturday night, October 22. Our next reading is Foxfire on Monday night, October 17. This one is directed by Karesa McElheny who played Helga in Deathtrap. Come and hear them and tell me what you think. I’m excited about these free readings, these are all plays I’m thinking would be a good fit for a full production. At the last reading we had about 40 people. Makes me so glad to be able to share another event with you. As always we do it for you – our SMP family – whose support and loyalty mean so much to us and for whom we hope we bring pleasure and joy and moving experiences in the theater. For tickets please call Mary in the box office at 626.355.4318. Hope to see you soon! All Things By Jeff Brown UNITED STATES SENATE CAREER OF HILLARY CLINTON Upon entering the Senate, Clinton maintained a low public profile and built relationships with senators from both parties. She forged alliances with religiously inclined senators by becoming a regular participant in the Senate Prayer Breakfast.She served on five Senate committees: Committee on Budget, Committee on Armed Services, Committee on Environment and Public Works, Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (2001–09)[235] and Special Committee on Aging.She was also a member of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe Following the September 11 attacks, Clinton sought to obtain funding for the recovery efforts in New York City and security improvements in her state. Working with Senator Charles Schumer, she was instrumental in securing $21 billion in funding for the World Trade Center site’s redevelopment.She subsequently took a leading role in investigating the health issues faced by 9/11 first responders. Clinton voted for the USA Patriot Act in October 2001. In 2005, when the act was up for renewal, she expressed concerns with the USA Patriot Act Reauthorization Conference Report regarding civil liberties,before voting in favor of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005. Clinton strongly supported the 2001 U.S. military action in Afghanistan, saying it was a chance to combat terrorism while improving the lives of Afghan women who suffered under the Taliban government. After the Iraq War began, Clinton made trips to Iraq and Afghanistan to visit American troops stationed there. Observing that war deployments were draining regular and reserve forces, she co-introduced legislation to increase the size of the regular U.S. Army by 80,000 soldiers to ease the strain. In late 2005, Clinton said that while immediate withdrawal from Iraq would be a mistake, Bush’s pledge to stay “until the job is done” was also misguided, as it gave Iraqis “an open-ended invitation not to take care of themselves”.Her stance caused frustration among those in the Democratic Party who favored quick withdrawal.Clinton supported retaining and improving health benefits for reservists and lobbied against the closure of several military bases, especially those in New York. .By 2014 Clinton had fully reversed herself on the Iraq War Resolution, saying that she “got it wrong” and the vote in support had been a “mistake”. Clinton voted against President Bush’s two major tax cut packages, the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 and the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003.In 2005, Clinton called for the Federal Trade Commission to investigate how hidden sex scenes showed up in the controversial video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Along with Senators Joe Lieberman and Evan Bayh, she introduced the Family Entertainment Protection Act, intended to protect children from inappropriate content found in video games. In 2004 and 2006, Clinton voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment that sought to prohibit same-sex marriage. Clinton opposed the Iraq War troop surge of 2007, for both military and domestic political reasons (by the following year, she was privately acknowledging that the surge had been successful) In March of that year, she voted in favor of a war-spending bill that required President Bush to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq by a deadline; it passed almost completely along party lines but was subsequently vetoed by Bush. In May, a compromise war funding bill that removed withdrawal deadlines but tied funding to progress benchmarks for the Iraqi government passed the Senate by a vote of 80–14 and would be signed by Bush; Clinton was one of those who voted against it.Clinton responded to General David Petraeus’s September 2007 Report to Congress on the Situation in Iraq by saying, “I think that the reports that you provide to us really require a willing suspension of disbelief.”As the financial crisis of 2007–08 reached a peak with the liquidity crisis of September 2008, Clinton supported the proposed bailout of the U.S. financial system, voting in favor of the $700 billion law that created the Troubled Asset Relief Program, saying that it represented the interests of the American people. It passed the Senate 74–25.In 2007, Clinton and Virginia Senator Jim Webb called for an investigation into whether the body armor issued to soldiers in Iraq was adequate. SEAN’S SHAMELESS REVIEWS: By Sean Kayden FROM INDIAN LAKES - ‘EVERYTHING FEELS BETTER NOW’ From Indian Lakes is the multi- genre conception of California- based multi-instrumentalist Joey Vannucchi. The moniker is derived from Indian Lakes, California, where Vannucchi started writing and recording songs at the age of 20. Over the course of three full-length albums, Vannucchi has steadily evolved both sonically and wisely. His proclivity for subdued guitars and wistful melodies stick in one’s mind like glue. Another remarkable fact about Vannucchi is that not only does he write all of music but also performs every instrument heard on his records. When on tour, he has close friends supporting him as a full fledge band. With the release of his forth album and second on Triple Crown Records, Everything Feels Better Now is comprised of profoundly layered guitars, emotionally driven monologues, and a moody resonance that will surely touch the listener in an insightful manner. This new outing is a fresh chapter for From Indian Lakes. Similarly, I believe he’s crossed over to the otherside of creativity and originality. There’s something starkly different here, but Vannucchi remains faithful to the appealing sound of his previous records. Hearing the record, Everything Feels Better Now comes off naturally intimate and intensely sprawling over the course of twelve ineffaceable tracks. The introduction to Everything Feels Better Now originates in the form of “Happy Machines. The song is refined, showcasing a whirlwind synth sounds playing constantly in the background of Vannucchi’s tender falsetto. The chorus also features the passionately delivered line, “Everything Feels Better Now,” which serves as the title of the record as you know. “The Monster” is the first single off the record and it’s a tremendous example of Vannucchi’s progress as an artist. The catchy chorus, highly propulsive nature of the track, and brooding lyrics accumulate into this perfect little package. With forbidding lyrics such as “I was a normal kid, no one could see/ I had a monster that was growing in me,” Vannucchi balances darkness with light as the developed sound overall is much more upbeat than the lyrics may suggest. The subsequent track, “Blank Tapes,” draws greatly from atmospheric sounds and reflective lyrics. Ultimately, the song is a twinkling jam with humming guitars escalating over rich progressing drums, and a scant bass. Vannucchi positions his voice in an ethereal shell that touches falsetto as the arrangement surges beneath him for a constantly enchanting dreamlike trip. “Hello” begins with a subtle guitar sound, soft but menacing synths and Vannucchi’s soothing vocals. One of the strongest tracks here, “Hello” is chill worthy. Before the halfway point, Vannucchi adds another dreamy layer to the track before going back to that light guitar strum/dark synth combination. In addition, Vannucchi’s vocals change ever so slightly numerous times, bringing a new element to the track as it progresses through the stages. “Feel Love” goes full force with beauteous guitars and a completely rich and vibrant tone. As far as being the most intricate song off the record, “American Dreams” takes that worthy spot. It’s a song that provides opulent sounds throughout the course of its duration. Gorgeously crafted, captivating from beginning to end, and greatly poignant, “American Dreams” is a masterpiece. With Vannucchi agonizingly reciting the line, “It’s starting to my hurt head, this American Dream again,” you can feel the pain for not only him, but maybe yourself too. “Nome” is another strong addition to the record. We have further moody propensities at work along with great profundity and echoes of ethereality. “Sunlight” shines in many ways regardless of its title. It starts off with a modern day indie rock guitar vibe before it breaks into something much grander. With a chorus such as “You’re standing in the sunlight, I want to be the dream that you see at night. You’re looking for me on the other side, I want to be the one who can save your life,” strikingly conveyed above the tantalizing guitar/synth composition, the listener will be significantly moved by such a powerful combination. “Come Back” moves slowly as it hits you directly in the core. It’s pondering piece of music that touches upon something from your past and the very thought of it returning to you. The closing minute or so of this one, where it’s purely instrumental, takes your peripatetic mind on a contemplative ride through the places and faces of your past. Everything Feels Better Now visits many places within the spectrum of the human spirit. Not only does Vannucchi take a deep, through look inside himself, but convinces the listener to do the same. The record is an examination of past, present, and future and can provide the inspiration for one to find strength while reflecting upon those three key elements of life. Looking beyond profounder inclinations that may or may not be your thing, Everything Feels Better Now is an exceptional record crossing the paths of multiple musical elements and offering introspective lyrics embracing light when dark is approaching at an alarming pace. Grade: 8.8 out of 10 Key Tracks: “The Monster,” “Blank Tapes,” “Highlight,” “American Dreams” “RETURN OF THE TINGLER” AT THE PLAYHOUSE - TIME MACHINE RIDES AND RODDY ROBOT In conjunction with Sierra Madre’s Halloween festivities which occur on Monday the 31st, The Symbiotic Society will present “Return of the Tingler”. This free show is a parody of the 1959 hit film, “The Tingler” starring the legendary Vincent Price. Audience interaction will be featured, along with activities outside the Playhouse. Free shows will run every half hour from 6:30 to 9:30 pm, HALLOWEEN NIGHT ONLY. Returning from last year will be the TIME MACHINE; plus a new attraction, RODDY ROBOT. These vintage attractions are part of our retreat to the 50-60’s. THE PLAYHOUSE HALLOWEEN PRESENTATION – “Return of the Tingler”, is loosely based on the film by William Castle who was famous for low budget B-Movie thrillers. Many films featured gimmicks to attract audiences. Our presentation will offer our own contrivance collection in his honor. THE TIME MACHINE – It is a full size replica of the time machine featured in the 1960 movie, The Time Machine. The movie is based on the famous H.G. Wells book of the same name, starring Rod Taylor and Yvette Mimieux. It differs from the original in having fun lights controllable by the rider. Those wishing to return to their younger years can ride the Time Machine before or after the shows. RODDY ROBOT – He invokes memories of the 50-60’s era anthropomorphic robots featured in many sci-fi B-movies. He joins the Time Machine as a great photo opportunity. A professional photographer will take photos free of charge. ABOUT THE SYMBIOTIC SOCIETY – this deranged group of volunteer individuals, formerly known as the Zombie Players Association, creates an annual event at the Sierra Madre Playhouse during Halloween. Since the group is primarily senior in nature with signs of dementia, the presentations are nutty and over-the-top. The whole purpose is to provide free fun entertainment, primarily for kids and those wishing to be kids again. The Halloween activity is a drastic switch, maybe its cathartic in nature, from the Society’s primary goal of promoting the Human and Tingler alliance. To find out more visit www.yourtingler.com Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @yourtingler. #TeamTingler Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com | ||||||||||||||||||||