A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - It was a "Comedy Tonight" at the Fort Wayne Civic Theatre

This farce is so wonderful - so clever and joyful.  It was great fun to introduce my partner in life to this delightful musical play, which I will abbreviate to AFTH. Originally a Broadway show and then later a 1966 film, this comedy was inspired by the stories of a real Roman playwright, Plautus, who was born in 254 BC.  The story centers around three adjacent Roman houses and their occupants.  In one house, a young man, Hero, falls in love with a beautiful, innocent courtesan next door. She, however, has been promised by the brothel's owner to a returning soldier.  Hero's own clever slave Pseudolus then creates a ruse to win the girl away for his master and buy his own freedom in the process.

The show is fast-paced, with many plot twists and madcap stage choreography.  The opening and slamming of doors and windows, characters coming in and out of same, and running all over the place, is charmingly vaudevillian.  No wonder Plautus himself was a great success as a writer - he's said to have written 120 or more plays, of which 20 still survive in their entirety.

As a child I saw the movie AFTH, starring Zero Mostel, Buster Keaton, Phil Silvers, and Michael Crawford.  I love the pratfalls and physical comedy.  AFTH was the legendary Buster Keaton's last role - the actor from silent film days.    The musical score is wonderful - written by the brilliant Stephen Sondheim.  The song "Comedy Tonight" is so catchy; my friend, who had never heard it before, began singing it spontaneously over the next few days.  In the great tradition of Greek and eventually Roman theater - "tragedy tomorrow - comedy tonight!" - is alive and well downtown in 'The Fort' as we call it.

The cast of this current production at the Civic Theatre is spot on.  When the actor portraying the soldier Gloriosus pounds out the song "Bring Me My Bride" in his deep baritone, I am simultaneously thrilled and terrified. I need to remind myself, "this is just a play!" When the talented actor who plays the slave Hysterium disguises himself as a girl and reprises the number "Lovely," mooning about himself that "I'm lovely," I'm completely convinced he is!  Truly lovely, in his short tunic, hairy legs and sandals, he is: shrouded in a white gown.  I don't want to give too much of the story away here, but it gets funnier.

The story is sexist - I can't change that.  It is what it is.  The female parts are rather stereotypical of the patriarchal times then in Rome - a shrewish wife, the sexpotly concubines, the dimwitted but luscious virgin.  It all had all of the early-1960s take on gender roles at that time, when the AFTH book was written by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gilbert. Sexist though it is, the actors in Fort Wayne portraying the "working women" of the sex trade are delightful.  They filled their obligations on stage with vim and relish.  

Characters including twins, an S/M dominatrix, a graceful feline, a flexible gymnast, and other actresses and actors were fantastic at the choreography and stunts they had to perform.  I loved their bright costumes and the classic sets.  Fort Wayne Civic Theatre is doing a great job. These have been a couple of extremely challenging years for all performers.  It's so good to see them back on stage in person.

There are three more performances of AFTH at the Arts United Center in downtown Fort Wayne:  this Friday evening August 6 at 7:30 pm, Saturday the 7th (same), and Sunday August 8 at 2 pm.  The Arts United Center is a grand place to see a play or musical performance.  The 660-seat auditorium is one of Fort Wayne's most important landmarks.  It was designed by the renowned architect Louis Kahn, and is the only Kahn building in the Midwest.  Born in Estonia, Kahn immigrated to the US with his family at a young age, and studied at the University of Pennsylvania and worked at Yale and in private practice.  Built in 1973, the building has a brick exterior, with tons of light and shadows in the sparse yet grand staircases and common areas.  Seating is accessible and comfortable, even roomy, in the modern, technically updated, inner shell.  Referencing a violin in a case as Kahn's inspiration, the auditorium itself is an inner compartment, with folded concrete walls making up its carapace. The box office is offering "socially distanced" seating in the back half of the theater, meaning every other row is occupied, and seats are blocked off between groups.  There isn't a bad seat in the house, and tech and sound were so good I could hear every word the actors said.

 

Go see AFTH this weekend if you're free.  Plautus's works are some of the earliest surviving comedies and dramas in Latin literature.  Plautus's epitaph reads, translated:

Since Platus is dead, Comedy mourns,

The stage is deserted; then Laughter, Jest and Wit, and all Melody's countless numbers wept together.

RIP, Plautus, Buster Keaton, and all: we are truly grateful for your gifts.

Arts United Center box office:(260)422-4226

John Fogerty at the Foellinger Theatre Unabashedly, Thoroughly Rocked Franke Park in 2021

Seams Like - seems like.

I have a friend, a former high school teacher, who writes Facebook posts about baseball and titles them, 'seams like'.  He's a big fan of the game, especially of the St. Louis Cardinals.  Most fans can relate to John Fogerty's classic hit, Centerfield - and John played it at his concert on July 15, 2021 in Fort Wayne.  It's a crowd favorite that crosses and unites generations.

 "Put me in, Coach!" Fans still sing along with the lyrics at major league games.

Fogerty is still a force of nature at age 76.  As front man and songwriter for Creedence Clearwater Revival, his creative 'swamp rock' style music spoke to many Americans in the late 1960s and 70s.  CCR, a quartet including John's brother Tom, followed The Grateful Dead at Woodstock in 1969.  Reportedly, the Dead had a long set into the night and the crowd was sleepy when CCR took the stage August 12, 1969.  Fogerty supposedly felt the performance was lackluster, and under the circumstances would not allow CCR to be included in the concert film documentary.  Finally in 2019, CCR's Live at Woodstock was released and includes such chart successes such as Bad Moon Rising, Proud Mary, Born on the Bayou and Suzie Q.  John and his current band, which included two of his sons, played all these crowd-pleasers at the concert in Fort Wayne recently.  Media screens behind the band projected old films of kids riding bikes, dangling in tire swings at bayou riverbanks, and like-mindedly sweet nostalgia.

I am old enough to remember John was nearly always politically active with his music.  Anti-Vietnam war groups, Pacifists, and civil rights supporters found his songs uplifting in the '60s and '70s.  Folks still feel the same way about his stuff to this day. His song Fortunate Son, which could be considered an anti-war protest anthem, has been celebrated for decades by people all across the political spectrum. John made it into the National Guard right before he was drafted in the 60s.

In January of 2021, Fogerty released his new single, Weeping in the Promised Land, which appears to be a social/political statement about George Floyd's death aftermath and other USA-2020 states of affairs.  John is positioning himself to be current and forefront in the global rock and roll scene. This recent song is a soul sensitive, haunting gospel-type ballad.

Sons Shane and Tyler are part of the current band, and are excellent musicians in their own right.  John's wife Julie is from Indiana, and the two were married in Elkhart.  In addition to their three children together, John has three children from his first marriage which ended in 1970.  These old rockers are so amazing - John had incredible energy on stage and his wonderfully raspy, howly, distinctive voice sounds just the same. The audience was clearly delighted.

The Foellinger Theatre is such a fabulous venue - the open-air sides, great refreshments (alcohol too), convenient parking and genial Indiana crowd - what a wonderful evening and what a way to recharge one's batteries!  John's a national headliner and so tickets weren't cheap - our seats were about $100 each.  But for an occasional splurge, it was well worth it. John's a national treasure - I've listened to Fogerty on the radio nearly all my life, and I've always wanted to see him. I'm so glad I had that chance to make that happen.  Peace!  I'll be back!  If the old man down the road doesn't get me first - you've got to hidey-hide, and jump and run away -

Skating at Headwaters Park and Shopping in Downtown Fort Wayne Before Christmas

I'll tell you about a wonderful December day I had. It was Saturday, the last one before this Christmas. Traditionally, that's a big shopping day. It became for us a small business Saturday in the Fort Wayne area.

We had breakfast at Brevin's in Churubusco. A vegetable omelette was the choice for me and oatmeal, eggs and toast for others. It was delicious, and my portion so large I had to box it for home. I told my family about seeing the therapy dogs (pictured above) in the hallway of Walb Union, during finals week at Purdue Fort Wayne. Volunteers bring them to greet students. We all caught up around the table.

Then we drove in to Fort Wayne and visited the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. They had different exhibits - one a series of paintings by artist Elly Tullis - interpretations of Marys or Madonnas. It was soft and colorful, and I liked it very much. We also saw some wonderful prints and woodcuts, the Dia de Los Muertos exhibit with its art and shrines, and a fascinating series of masks from Mexico. The ornate, whimsical, fantastical masks were identified and grouped by different Mexican regions. I think I need to go back and look at those again.

I bought a beautiful hand-cut card in the FWMA museum gift shop. I love that gift shop - toys, wool clothing, gorgeous jewelry, art, sculpture, decor and games. I recommend shopping in museum stores for gifts. So much is unique, high quality, and special.

Then we went to a boutique on West Wayne Street downtown: Creative Women of the World. We discovered this shop is a registered nonprofit organization, and donations are tax deductible. They purchase works to sell from women artisans in 50 countries. There are over 200 artisans working and benefiting. It's a 'handmade, fair trade' shop. We loved the beautiful, creative choices.

One person picked out a homemade journal bound with leather. Another shopper got a luxurious, elegantly shaped cowl-necked sweater. They had all types of jewelry, art and gifts. There's a group of these newer boutique shops in this block, and the Fort Wayne Artists Guild have a Holiday Pop-Up Gallery at the City Exchange Shops at 127 West Wayne. We walked through the pop-up as well, and admired the paintings displayed for sale.

Lastly on this day, we went to the ice skating rink at Headwaters Park. Under the canopy that's also used for Greekfest, Germanfest, etc. in the summer, Fort Wayne sets up its ice rink and offers skate rental. Admission was $5 for adults and less for kids. They also offer concessions- hot chocolate, hot dogs, the usual. You can bring your own skates or rent a pair for $3. This ended up being a lot of fun. Mid-day, the sun was shining, we were gliding along in a big oval - skaters of all levels were doing their thing. It's the range of people and kids hanging on the outside rail pulling themselves along, up to experienced skaters weaving and turning in the center, showing off their skills.

Canned music plays - old pop songs, etc. I don't know if they're streaming Spotify or what, but it's fun to groove to the songs while skating around. It feels relaxing and unplugged. Then, it's "everybody off the ice," and the Zamboni comes out and works its magic. It melts the marred ice and smooths it, and adds cold water to freeze and make the surfaces all even again. Everyone likes to watch the Zamboni, and all rest a little from their exercise.

Farewell to you - happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and a happy Festivus for the rest of us! Celebrated annually on December 23, this sectarian, non-commercial holiday includes the Airing of Grievances, Festivus dinner, and is followed by the Feats of Strength. Seinfeld's Frank Costanza would be proud. Also, remember the angel said, 'Fear not'...'I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people"..

And then the multitude said...'on earth - peace, good will to men' or perhaps 'peace to men of good will.' Adios, amigos. Until next time.

Fort Wayne Summer Music Theatre Rocked West Side Story

I had a great experience last summer that I can't neglect mentioning. I was privileged to see high school students from all around the area put on a wonderful production of the musical West Side Story. I'm shortening the name of the theatre group in this article's title to FWSMT. Started by a couple of Fort Wayne high school teachers over 20 years ago, the organization is supported by student actors, educators, dancers, designers and technicians. Over 40,000 people have attended their performances over the last two decades.

The FWSMT helps students to grow by presenting stage productions on a larger scale than their high school ones. Currently, the company uses an eight-week intensive schedule that includes singing, acting, dancing, set construction, and stage combat. Adult mentors help train and educate students in every process so that productions are close to the professional level.

Director Andrew Sherman wrote in his notes that he was able to stress an underlying theme he thought often went unnoticed in this piece. "The idea," he said, "that as young children we are taught many things: to hate, to love, right from wrong, empathy for democratic differences. At what point in our lives do we choose to break that cycle and trust in our own beliefs?"

West Side Story, a gang tale of the Sharks versus the Jets set in early 1960's Manhattan, is a contemporary Romeo and Juliet spinoff. Music and lyrics by Bernstein and Sonheim, the original production was directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins.

The summer's production was so diverse - area schools with cast and crew represented included those from area towns of Churubusco, Garrett, DeKalb county, Huntington, Fort Wayne private and public schools, and other Allen County schools. The talent was outstanding.

The first act is great, with a street gang dance and no singing or dialogue- just jazz music and dancing. The streets and bodegas of New York were represented, as were the back streets and chainlinked-fence basketball courts of New York City. The whole Act 1 is staged in what could be common street scenes in any town - back yards, a bridal shop, back alleys, drug stores, and neighborhood streets under the highway. But this is The Big Apple: rooftops, the concrete jungle.

The mix of Latin rhythms and American jazz makes the show special. Stars of the show, Aaron Hawley as Tony and Erica Ashley as Maria, were very well cast. Their voices were golden and their performances brilliant.

I also really enjoyed Evan Snaufer as Snowboy and Noah Pemberton as Gee-Tar. These two were local performers from Leo High School stepping out of a small-town comfort zone, and did really well. All these kids worked really hard.

The cast did a terrific job with the choreographed fight scenes, which were both very dance-inspired and physical. They covered every inch of the stage and tossed themselves off ledges and boxes. I particularly liked how humorous the number "Gee, Officer Krupke" was. The guys let out all the stops and didn't worry about 2019 political correctness. Sophomoric humor was in full adolescent bloom.

The show was supported by lots of hometown benefactors and the "Adopt an Actor" program, which was an outlet to help sell tickets to lots of friends and family of cast and crew. The Indiana Musical Theatre Foundation was new to me, but I was very impressed with its summer 2019 production. I urge you to check out any performance of theirs you can catch in the future. West Side Story and its captivating music was absolutely inspirational. West Side Story is just one of my all-time favorites.

When Someone Goes Out of Her Way to Help Another

I had plenty of time to prepare for the trip. I was organized. I had packed my clothes the night before. A couple of dresses, some shorts and shirts, three swimsuits, some sandals and dress shoes. Socks and underwear. Paperwork my mother had asked for, all in a suitcase.

Plus an under-the-seat carry-on with all the usual things: jewelery, toiletries, electronic gagets, reading materials. I had my phone, my purse, my e-ticket. I even had time to do some chores that Friday morning: I had swept walnuts off our back deck, had vacuumed, had done some laundry. I was on my way to visit my mother in Phoenix, flying out of Fort Wayne International Airport. I was ready to go. I made a couple of trips to the car, loading up my smaller carry-on and a hot cup of coffee.

It's an easy drive for me, skirting around Fort Wayne on Interstate 469. Not a lot of traffic lights, no really heavy traffic. The leaves are at the height of changing color right now. The maples are brilliant, as are the many burning bushes. Even the smaller redbud trees now have bright yellow leaves instead of the summer green. It's a crisp fall day, and after two plane rides I will see my smart, 94-year-old dear mother.

I listen to National Public Radio along the way: the news of the day is about US troops pulling out of Syria, abandoning the Kurds, and the invasion of the area by Turkish forces. I get to the airport and park in long term parking. Rates are fairly reasonable: $9 a day. Credit card, or economy parking would be even less - I think $8/daily. I gather my things to get out of my car. I pop the trunk to get my suitcase, and --

There is no suitcase. It takes me a minute to compute as I stare at the blank spot. I look in the back seat - no suitcase. I earlier have left the suitcase at the house.

I have my electronic ticket, my ID, my purse, credit cars and cash, but no change of clothes, no swimsuits or other shoes. So I could still get on my flight and buy items when I got there, but it would be expensive and time-consuming. Who can I call?

I start with my husband, who said he couldn't leave work and he's too far from the house anyway. I ask him who he can think of to help me. We come up with the idea of a neighbor gentleman, whom I call. No answer.

I scroll through my contacts. It needs to be someone close to the house because there isn't much time left. I try a friend, a parent of my child's friend. No answer. I do not want to give up until I've run out of options.

I think of a neighbor who is a volunteer fire fighter and RN. I haven't spoken to her recently, but I give it a shot. It's mid-day and many people are at work, but she answered my call.

I explain the situation without much hope on my part, and she almost immediately said "yes." It was her only day off work that week, she said. She agreed to jump in her car, go to my house, unlock the door with a keypad code, find the suitcase, load it into her car and drive it to the airport. It's about a thirty minute drive.

We hang up. I can't believe my good luck. I wonder if she'll make it on time. What a great friend - I'm so impressed. She just dropped what she was doing to help out a person who needed a big favor.

She made it to the airport in record time. I tried to give her $20 for gas, which she refused. She had made my day, and restored my faith in human nature. People can be so good. It's amazing. (I did take over a gift for her when I got back.) It was the least I could do after her last-minute save-the-day.

Fort Wayne Airport has the best TSA - they are friendly and helped expedite the trip through the bins, line and x-Ray machine. I was at the gate and ready to board my flight. And made my flight I did, suitcase and all. It was a great trip. Thanks again, friend - you went above and beyond. It makes me smile. I will never forget it.

High School Reunion Means Reconnection

I recently attended my fortieth-year high school graduation reunion. It was wonderful. I am from the high school class of 1979. I don't know what it is about this class, but we all seem to get along so well, and are so happy to be together. Even the people who don't really know each other still are very pleasant and friendly with each other, and realize they have a lot in common.

This reunion was planned for the high school homecoming weekend, which meant it began with a high school football game in early October. The class met at the high school game to watch. I'm not a huge high school football fan, but I'm sure it's nostalgic for the many former football players and cheerleaders, and band members in our class. My town has built a new, state-of-the-art high school, and a new football stadium as well. It was a chance for many of those who no longer live in the little town to come back and see it.

On Saturday, a former classmate had organized a tour of the new high school. This was extremely worthwhile. Mt. Vernon Township High School has a new, 73 million dollar state-of-the-art facility. The buildings were designed with all the security features needed at a high school in our current times. I was so impressed by all the hands-on learning opportunities - classrooms designed for kids who won't be going to traditional four-year colleges. The trades, welding, machine shops, audio and video technology, healthcare and nursing (I know that's a college degree), a pre-school attended by staff's children (for students to get child-care experience) - it was amazing.

It also had a beautiful, state-of-the-art theater, a great gymnasium, and cafeteria - somehow, all kids eat for free there, I believe I was told. I was so encouraged by what the school had to offer. I know a lot of people nostalgically miss the old buildings and old high school campus, but this generation will be much better off with these new opportunities.

Saturday night, we attended the main event in a ballroom at a local hotel. One classmate is a cake artist, and she created this amazing cake topped with an authentic letter-jacket, also made from delicious cake. I don't know how she does it. There was a cash bar and heavy hors d'oeuvres. Music entertainment consisted of song requests loaded into a laptop and played over a sound system through a music server. There was a spontaneous Congo line snaking around the dance floor to the song "Locomotion."

One thing I really enjoyed, was the gathering together of students who had attended the various community grade schools, for group photos with their elementary school classmates. The photo above is a group who all attended the same grade school. I don't know how many grade schools fed into our high school, but including the rural grade schools, I would guess around ten. I think it's neat these adults in their late fifties sat together for group photos with their elementary school buddies.

Another highlight was when our funny Master of Ceremonies, Rick, announced we were crowning our own Homecoming Queen of the reunion. It was a surprise for all. The reunion committee decided to recognize our wonderful Starla, who had done a ton of great work for this special weekend. So Starla was called up and got a crown, flowers and maybe a scepter or a sash (I can't remember). Then, I was so impressed - without missing a beat, Starla thanked everyone and announced she was sharing her title with others on the committee, and handed off her crown and flowers to the others! It was just so kind, sweet and cute. It makes me smile now.

Sunday morning meant a group breakfast, and people saying their goodbyes. There was a strange magic that happened at that reunion. Old boyfriends and girlfriends recognized each other and chatted as platonic friends about days gone by. Stories were told, and reminiscing overshadowed texting and scrolling on cellphones. Phone numbers were exchanged and connections were remade. I don't know when I've seen so many glowing smiles and happy faces. It was a sweet night to remember in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.

Carving Out Time

I'm feeling the need to find a few moments to slow down a little. This morning I'm sitting on my deck as the sun comes up, watching a cloud bank roll in from the west.

I hear the insects squeaking like violins in the weeds down by the water. I hear a bird call out to its companion, then I hear another bird call back. The soft sun rises ever higher in the sky, revealing itself to be the fireball it truly is.

I hear a train sweetly whistling in the distance. I hear cows calling lowly to each other, far away.

As the sun heats the air, it sends tiny puffs and gusts my way, cooling my face in the sudden new heat. On the other side of me, the wind drives the rain clouds closer, buffeting me gently as well, bits of gusts and breezes kissing me intermittently.

I'm not awakening with screen time, I'm not turning on the television, I'm not staring at my phone. I am centering myself. It will be a busy week, and that's ok. But now, I look at the long shadows cast by the rising sun, and I see a tall version of myself behind me, the folded patio umbrella as tall as a tree in silhouette.

Yesterday, as we sat quietly and talked, a small flock of wild turkeys calmly walked out of the trees and disappeared into the cattails in order to get a drink of water. They were of varying sizes, so it was hard to discern whether they were all from the same family or not. Clearly there were two adults, with their bluish bald heads, and three or four juveniles.

But there was one much smaller chick, doing just fine, holding its own with the group. Could it be some kind of runt from the same clutch, or is it really a much younger turkey with the flock? Perhaps one of the larger birds is another adult on its own, and this is her single chick. I can't say.

But, they happily grazed around, discretely watching for predators, casually picking bugs and grains out of the grass, and then walking around seemingly looking for a new path. They had come from the southeast, and at first it seemed they were going to try and walk around the lake to the northwest. It seemed as though the lead turkey started calculating and decided to take a chance. They would make better time to fly over the lake as a group, rather than walk through the grasses around it. They would be exposed doing so, and the leader would have to act quickly. He seemed to call to the group briefly, and then took off, his big body flapping hard - I'm amazed how strong they are and how fast they can fly for their size. One by one, the other turkeys launched into the air and flew out behind and around him.

To myself I thought, "Oh, the littlest one won't be able to fly yet, they'll have to figure it out and circle back for her and walk after all." But to my surprise, she could fly too, and with no hesitation, cruised right along behind them. Wow, even little turkeys can fly - who knew?

Good luck, little turkey, and Godspeed. Don't let the dogs, the raccoons, the coyotes, or the humans get you. I love you, little feathered dinosaurs. Please come back and see me sometime soon.