Mountain Views News          Saturday, May 21, 2016

B2

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Mountain Views-News Saturday, May 21, 2016 


Jeff’s Book Pics By Jeff Brown

Endless Encores: Repeating Success 
Through People, Products, and Profits by 
Ken Goldstein

 Ken is a National Bestselling author of This 
Is Rage(2013), a book about Silicon Valley and 
a Sierra Madre Resident.As difficult as it is to 
have your first big success, most people find it 
exponentially harder to repeat success. So many of 
us, after “bringing the crowd to its 
feet,” worry that we’re going to get 
booed off the stage with our next 
venture. Is there a way to avoid 
this, to have multiple hits and 
“endless encores?”Technology 
executive and bestselling author 
Ken Goldstein shows the way to 
repeating success by concentrating 
on three essentials – people, 
products, and profits, in that order. 
In this affecting and instructive 
business parable, he tells the story 
of a man who has accomplished 
much but now fears exposure as 
a fraud and the woman who, as a 
CEO with multiple successes to 
her credit, shows him the secret 
to consistent achievement.Are 
you ready to play endless encores? 
If so, this is your story.Ken is 
a member of the Sierra Madre 
Planning Commission.

The Job: True Tales from the 
Life of a New York City Cop 
by Steve Osborne 

 Steve Osborne is the real deal: 
the tough, streetwise New York 
cop of your dreams, one with a 
big, big heart. Kojak? NYPD Blue? 
Law & Order? Fuggetaboudem! 
The book blows them out of the 
water.Steve Osborne has seen 
a thing or two in his 20 years in 
the NYPD,some harmless, some 
definitely not. In “Stakeout,” 
Steve and his partner mistake a 
Manhattan dentist for an armed 
robbery suspect, and reduce the 
man to a puddle of snot and tears 
when questioning him. In “Mug Shot,” the mother 
of a suspected criminal makes a strange request and 
provides a sobering reminder of the humanity at 
stake in his profession. And in “Home,” the image 
of Steve’s family provides the adrenaline he needs 
to fight for his life when assaulted by two armed 
and violent crackheads. From stories about his 
days as a rookie cop to the time spent patrolling in 
the Anti-Crime Unit—and his visceral, harrowing 
recollections of working during the weeks after 
9/11—The Job: True Tales from the Life of a 
New York City Cop captures the humanity, the 
absurdity, and the dark humor of 
police work, as well as the bravery 
of those who do it. These stories 
will speak to those nostalgic for 
the New York City of the 1980s 
and ’90s, a bygone era when the 
city was a crazier, more dangerous 
(and possibly more interesting) 
place.

The Ashes of Love: Sayings 
on the Essence of Non-
Duality by Rupert Spira 

 The Ashes of Love features 280 
sayings by Rupert Spira, taken 
from conversations with friends 
over a three year period. From the 
Foreword by Monique Proulx: 
‘This book is a distillation of 
penetrating statements gleaned 
from the numerous teachings of 
Rupert Spira: at times borrowing 
the musicality of a haiku, the 
terseness of a pith instruction 
or the persuasive power of an 
oration. But no matter its shape, 
each one bears the treasure of 
a full teaching ....Rupert Spira 
is an artist. He sculpts words 
into condensed forms of pure 
intelligence to which there is 
nothing to be added or removed. 
He sculpts our understanding 
until it becomes pure light, pure 
flame. Truth seekers familiar with 
his teaching will find its essence 
here: concise, sharp as a diamond, 
overwhelming with its awesome 
higher reasoning, whilst bathing 
us in unconditional love. Others 
will be struck by the clarity and 
profundity of Reality as conveyed by this master 
of Advaita, and illumined by the glimpse of an 
inner revolution.’Amazing condensed forms of 
incredible wisdom.


All Things Considered By Jeff Brown

OKLAHOMA’S RISE IN QUAKES LINKED TO 

MAN-MADE CAUSES/60 MINUTES REPORT

During this time of year, Oklahomans are used 
to searching the skies for signs of tornadoes. 
Today Tornado alley is also Earthquake alley. 
Oklahoma is the most earthquake prone state in 
the continental US. And nearly all of earthquakes 
are man-made. They are being triggered by the 
biggest and most important industry in the 
state: oil and gas production and it’s not from 
fracking. Before 2009, there were, on average, 
two earthquakes a year in Oklahoma that were 
magnitude 3 or greater. Last year, there were 
907. The vast majority of earthquakes are small, 
causing little or no damage. But what they lack 
in punch, they make up in sheer volume. This 
tally from the U.S. Geological Survey shows 
the number of earthquakes in Oklahoma has 
increased every year since 2009 with more than 
2,000 magnitude 3 and above. That means more 
of the bigger ones, like a 4.3 magnitude quake. 
The oil & gas are collected in tanks for sale, but 
the water is too briny to be recycled or used. It’s 
considered waste.This is naturally occurring 
water that’s been trapped below ground with 
the oil for millions of years. Oil wells produce 
more water than petroleum.And it’s saltwater.
So it has to go back in the ground. Getting rid of 
the water means sending it down a disposal well 
that’s drilled deep below the freshwater aquifers 
to prevent contamination . There are two factors 
behind the earthquakes. One is the large volumes 
of water being disposed and the other is where it 
all goes: deep down into a layer of earth called the 
Arbuckle.The only problem with the Arbuckle is 
that it sits directly on top of a rock layer riddled 
with earthquake faults. And this water is seeping 
into the faults?The water pressure pushes the two 
sides of the fault apart and allows the slippage 
to occur today, when it might not occur for 
thousands of years into the future.The amount of 
wastewater injected into disposal wells was more 
than 200 billion gallons of water in the last seven 
years.Earthquakes are now a daily occurrence 
in Oklahoma.The state called for widespread 
voluntary reductions in wastewater disposal by 
as much as 45 percent in earthquake zones. More 
than 600 wells are covered by the cutbacks. Last 
year, when neighboring Kansas had similar seismic 
activity, it reduced oil wastewater disposal and saw 
a 60 percent drop in quakes from the year before. 
But considering the huge volume of water already 
pumped underground in Oklahoma, it’s too early 
to know whether the cuts here will succeed.

On the Marquee: Notes from the Sierra Madre Playhouse


SEAN’S SHAMELESS REVIEWS 

Night Moves Soar Both Musically 
and Expressively in LA

By Sean Kayden

Minneapolis based band Night Moves headlined The 
Echo in Los Angeles on Thursday night, to a packed 
house. With the band’s combination of 70s soft rock and 
pop-country flair of late 80s and early 90s acts, Night 
Moves bring a plethora of style, with a great amount of 
substance to boot. The band consists of primary members 
John Pelant (vocals) and Mickey Alfano (bass), as well as 
touring members, Jared Isabella on drums, Wes Statler on 
keys, and Chuck Murlowski on guitar. Pelant and Alfano 
came on stage, dressed to the nines in 70s attire, after 
openers The Molochs and King Shelter performed their 
sets. Night Moves performed a total of thirteen songs, 
with the majority being tracks from the band’s stellar 
sophomore endeavor, Pennied Days. Throughout the 
band’s performance, there were many transitions, which 
were influential and deeply moving. The amalgamation 
of different genres, crossing over multiple decades has the 
members of Night Moves connecting to their generation, 
but also effortlessly evoking the sounds of previous 
generations, as well. This all accumulated into a night full 
of moody hooks, warm undertones, and soulful vocals. 
The more you listen to Night Moves play live, the more 
you connect with the music, on a variety of levels.

 Night Moves kicked off the evening with one of the 
band’s older standout tracks, called “Horses.” It’s a song 
enormous in scope, demonstrating permutations of 
electro-psychedelic-country rock. Clocking in at over 
fives minutes, it was a solid opener, as the band was able 
to get things rolling quite nicely. Switches in tempo and 
tone built into a hazy, ethereal sonic release that elegantly 
brought the song home. “Only To Live In Your Memories” 
followed, with soothing reverb, Fleetwood Mac-like 
tendencies, and contemplative storytelling. Pelant 
fervently sung, “You want love in your right mind,” with a 
display of tremendous charm and personality. His vocals 
and reflective lyrics shone throughout. The five piece-
touring act performs extremely well together; all members 
were perfectly in sync and in tune, both musically and with 
one another. “Border on Border” is another fine example 
of Night Moves’ capabilities. Dreamy, luminous, and 
often transitional, Night Moves performed like seasoned 
veterans, which is incredible considering the band has 
only two albums under its belt. The crowd was excited to 
hear “County Queen,” a favorite from Night Moves’ debut 
album, Colored Emotions. When the band broke into 
the chorus, the crowd found a deeper connection. People 
began dancing, swaying their bodies as if they were lifted 
physically and spiritually. Alfano’s sprightly bassline and 
Wes Statler’s effervescent keys provided the track with an 
illustrious pulse. Night Moves embraced 70s arrangements, 
yet there was still remnants of a distinguishing innovative, 
modern style.

 “Alabama” is reminiscent of Queen, with Pelant wearing 
many different hats in the vocal arena. His fine falsetto 
emerges in the chorus. Night Moves constructed wistful, 
resonating arrangements, capable of conjuring deeper 
feelings for those in the crowd. By the looks on faces, it 
appeared everyone was feeling the music. Pelant asked for 
the venue to dim the lights down for the next one, which 
would be the title track of the band’s first album: “Colored 
Emotions.” Pelant has an affinity toward storytelling that 
insinuates love, loss, and mending a tired soul. Through 
this, he made “Colored Emotions” the most intimate song 
of the night, lighting up the crowd.

 Of course, the band performed the single, “Denise, Don’t 
Wanna See You Cry,” and excitement grew, as the crowd 
recognized the chords. The song was played loudly, with 
amplified conviction. The single is a cutting, genuine vow 
to right the wrongs of a relationship, with Pelant and Alfano 
presenting modest yet emotive lyrics. The duo delivered 
those lyrics with a noticeable longing. The harmonized 
catchphrase, “Oh Denise, will you please love me tonight,” 
was emotionally piercing. Pelant joked about encores, as 
he said the band was going to take a “shot or two,” before 
returning for one. He emerged on stage, shirtless, sporting 
a rawhide jacket, and started to acoustically play “Kind 
Luck,” all alone. The rest of the group eventually returned 
to the stage, for one more terrific song - from the limited 
edition bonus EP from Pennied Days - soaring high till the 
very end. The entire performance was magical, from start 
to finish, proving Night Moves is worthy of the newfound 
light shinning down upon the Minnesota band.

By Artistic Director, Christian Lebano

 The Glass Menagerie (running through June 19) 
is getting some of the best reviews we’ve ever gotten. 
Just yesterday we were given a “Recommended” 
by Stage Raw which put the play in their Top Ten 
and called it “an exemplary new production.” Jose 
Ruiz of Review Plays.com said: “So masterfully 
structured that is sets the bar to a level that will force 
other companies planning future presentations to 
use it as a template for inspiration” Steven Stanley 
of Stage Scene LA said: “Lebano gives us a Glass 
Menagerie that engrosses, entertains, and moves 
us in a way most revivals can only hope for.” And, 
Don Grigware of Broadway World said: “Lebano’s 
vision is what makes this production really cook. It 
is fresh and ultimately thrilling. Don’t miss it.”

 We’ve gotten six reviews so far, all of them 
highlighting the quality of the production, 
giving special praise to the “dream team of a 
cast” (Stanley) and to the work of the wonderful 
design team we assembled. I am thrilled that we 
are getting noticed. But I’m especially excited by 
the conversations I’ve had with patrons – many 
of whom have seen the show several times before. 
They comment that this production reveals things 
they hadn’t noticed before and moves them in 
ways they didn’t expect to be moved. That’s why 
I do this. As I’ve written before, I’ve long wanted 
to direct a production of The Glass Menagerie 
because I had a vision that I wanted to see on the 
stage. This production is as close as we could come 
to what I wanted to do. I’m a very lucky man.

 I think I’ve accomplished what I set out to 
do when I became Artistic Director – raise the 
bar on the work that SMP does. I hear it all the 
time – from patrons, from actors, and from the 
theater community. Now we have to work on the 
infrastructure of the Playhouse. I’m running out of 
steam. We just don’t have the support to keep going 
at the pace I’ve established. Unless we get more 
help – both in terms of manpower and money, I’m 
afraid that we won’t be able to continue doing the 
level of work that we’ve achieved and won’t be able 
to fulfill our promise.

 I don’t know if anyone reads these columns – I 
get very little feedback. I’ll just say that if you like 
having the Playhouse in town, if you want to keep 
it thriving, now is the time to step up and help 
me. If you have any ideas for funding, or know of 
people who can donate services, or if you just want 
to buck me up and keep me going, please let me 
hear from you. Email me at ArtisticDirector@
SierraMadrePlayhouse.org.

* * *

 Tickets are now on sale as well for Carney Magic 
on Friday & Saturday, June 10 & 11 – John Carney 
is a marvelous magician who will bring his sleight 
of hand work to SMP. AND we have two Colburn 
concerts scheduled – June 5 & 19. Please visit our 
website at SierraMadrePlayhouse.org or call Mary 
at 626.355.4318 to purchase tickets.