Art Absorbed in 2008: The Books, Music, Movies, and Plays

Here is the list of just about everything I saw, read, or listened to in 2008. Peruse the list and talk to me about the things I absorbed, this list is meant to stimulate discussion.

BOOKS I HAVE READ

PROSE

NOVELS
A is for Alibi
Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception
A Wrinkle in Time
A Wind in the Door
Ender’s Game
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
A Walk to Remember
The Horse and his Boy
Many Waters
A Swiftly Tilting Planet*
The Last Battle
The Magician’s Nephew
1984
Son of a Witch
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Twilight
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland
Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There
A Lion Among Men
A Christmas Carol
Answered Prayers
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
The Tales of Beedle the Bard**

SHORT STORIES
Quantum of Solace (For Your Eyes Only)
Harry Potter Prequel
The Unicorn In The Garden
The Wasp in a Wig (Through the Looking-Glass)
The Master Cat
House of Flowers
A Diamond Guitar
A Christmas Memory
The Thanksgiving Memory
Mojave
One Christmas
The Walls Are Cold
A Mink of One’s Own
The Shape of Things
My Side of the Matter
A Tree of Night
The Bargain
Among the Paths to Eden
Children on Their Birthdays

NON-FICTION
Velvet Elvis
Shakespeare
The Gospel of Luke
Benjamin Franklin
Esther

ESSAYS / ARTICLES
Thoughts from the Tao Te Ching (A World of Ideas)
The Qualities of the Prince (A World of Ideas)
The Origin of Civil Society (A World of Ideas)
Total Domination (A World of Ideas)
Civil Disobedience
The Allegory of the Cave (A World of Ideas)
The Sermon on the Mount
The Declaration of Independence
Genius or Dynamic Learner? Benjamin Franklin's Path to Greatness.
Benjamin Franklin: Philosopher of Progress.

SATIRE
A Modest Proposal
The Letters of Silence Dogood

DRAMA

CLASSICAL
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Tartuffe
Antony and Cleopatra
Macbeth
As You Like It
Titus Andronicus
Romeo & Juliet
Cymbeline
Timon of Athens
Henry VIII
The Tempest
The Winter’s Tale
Dido, Queen of Carthage
Doctor Faustus
The Jew of Malta
The Massacre at Paris
Tamburlaine the Great: Part 1
Edward the Second
Tamburlaine the Great: Part 2***
Twelfth Night
Hamlet

MODERN
The Coast of Utopia: Voyage
The Coast of Utopia: Shipwreck
I Am a Camera
Tevye and His Daughters
Billy Budd
The Ritz
Master Class
Laughter On The 23rd Floor
The Philadelphia Story
M. Butterfly
Glengarry Glen Ross
The Author’s Voice
Rabbit Hole
The Little Dog Laughed
Androcles and the Lion
Kimberly Akimbo
Radio Golf
The Vagina Monologues
The History Boys
The Lady From Dubuque
The Adding Machine
The Madwoman of Chaillot
Fortinbras
The Colored Museum
FOB
The Matchmaker
Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All for You
International Stud (Torch Song Trilogy)
Fugue in a Nursery (Torch Song Trilogy)
Widows and Children First! (Torch Song Trilogy)
Speed-The-Plow

MUSICALS
Fiddler on the Roof
Company
Cabaret
Sweet Charity
RENT
Nine

SHORT PLAYS
Botticelli (Terrence McNally - 15 Short Plays)
Andre’s Mother (Terrence McNally - 15 Short Plays)
Hidden Agendas (Terrence McNally - 15 Short Plays)
Words, Words, Words (All In The Timing)
The Universal Language (All In The Timing)
Philip Glass Buys a Loaf of Bread (All In The Timing)
The Philadelphia (All In The Timing)
Variations on the Death of Trotsky (All In The Timing)
Foreplay, or The Art of the Fugue (All In The Timing)
A Singular Kinda Guy (All In The Timing)
Enigma Variations (Lives of the Saints)
The Mystery at Twicknam Vicarage (Lives of the Saints)
Babel's in Arms (Lives of the Saints)
Soap Opera (Lives of the Saints)
Lives of the Saints (Lives of the Saints)
Arabian Nights (Lives of the Saints)
Captive Audience (Lives of the Saints)
Long Ago and Far Away (All In The Timing)
Mere Mortals (All In The Timing)
English Made Simple (All In The Timing)
Seven Menus (All In The Timing)
Speed-The-Play (All In The Timing)
Mrs. Sorken (Durang / Durang)
For Whom The Southern Bell Tolls (Durang / Durang)
A Stye of the Eye (Durang / Durang)
Nina in the Morning (Durang / Durang)
Wanda’s Visit (Durang / Durang)
Business Lunch at the Russian Tea Room (Durang / Durang)
Sex Lives of Superheroes
The Actor's Nightmare
The House of Sleeping Beauties
A Waitress In Yellowstone or Always Tell The Truth
Blind Date
Bette and Me (Seven One-Act Plays)
Waiting For Philip Glass (Seven One-Act Plays)

COMIC

GRAPHIC NOVELS
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Volume 1
DC: The New Frontier: Volume 1
Pride of Baghdad
Sandman: Volume 1 - Preludes and Nocturnes
Batman: Year One
The New Teen Titans: The Terror of Trigon
Runaways: Volume 1.2^
Fables: Legends In Exile
Sandman: Endless Nights
A Contract With God
Fagin the Jew
Runaways: Volume 2.1
Runaways: Volume 2.2
Runaways: Volume 2.3^^
Fables: Animal Farm
A Life Force
Dropsie Avenue
Fables: March of the Wooden Soldiers
Fables: The Mean Seasons
Fables: Homelands
Bone: Out From Boneville
Sandman: The Doll’s House
Civil War
The Plot
In The Shadow of No Towers
Fables: Arabian Days and Nights
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Volume 2
Tintin In America
The Dark Knight Returns
Wonder Woman: The Hiketeia
Maus: A Survivor’s Tale; Volume 1: My Father Bleeds History
Maus: A Survivor’s Tale; Volume 2: And Here My Troubles Began
The Trials of Shazam! Volume 2
The Sandman: Endless Nights
Fables : Wolves

SHORT GRAPHIC NOVELS
The Princess and the Frog (Will Eisner)
Moby Dick (Will Eisner)
Sundiata, A Legend of Africa, The Lion of Mali (Will Eisner)
The Last Knight, An Introduction Don Quixote By Miguel De Cervantes (Will Eisner)

ONLINE COMICS
Zot! Online: "Hearts and Minds”
I Can’t Stop Thinking!
My Obsession With Chess
Making Comics

COMPILATIONS
Across The Universe: The DC Universe Stories of Alan Moore
The Best of The Spirit

NON-FICTION
Understanding Comics
Reinventing Comics

POETRY

The Lady of Shalott
Sonnet 22
The Hunting of the Snark

FRIENDS

S. Bradford Long
A Diary of Saint Sebastian (Non-Fiction)

David Brendan Hopes
Edward the King (Drama)
Gilgamesh (Drama)
Hat (Drama)^^^
The Beautiful Johanna (Drama)
Four for the Gospel Makers (Drama)
Awake, Awake, Deborah (Drama)

Rob Taylor
Honeymoon (Drama)
Kidnapped (Drama)
American Royalty (Drama)

Greg R.-Gassler
A Christmas Carol (Drama)
Mysteries of the Underworlders (Drama)

John Rowan (Father of Bill Rowan)
A 1944 Christmas in Stalag Luft III (Short Story)

*Completed “Time Quartet”
**Completed Harry Potter Literature
***Completed “Plays of Christopher Marlowe”
^Completed “Runaways Volume 1”
^^Completed “Runaways Volume 2”
^^^Completed “Crown of Shadows”

MUSIC I HAVE READ

POP / ROCK
In Utero
TOMMY
Modern Times
The Definitive Bob Dylan
Best of Bowie
Castaways and Cutouts
Please Please Me
With The Beatles
A Hard Day’s Night
HELP!
Rubber Soul
Revolver
Magical Mystery Tour
Yellow Submarine
Let It Be
The Beatles 1
Pet Sounds

THEATRE
March of the Falsettos
Spiderman: The Musical Demo
In The Heights Off-Broadway Demo
Kismet Lincoln Center
Parade (Jerry Herman)
Adding Machine
A Catered Affair
Shrek: Orchestra Tests
Cry Baby Demo
Evening Primrose
Legally Blonde Opening Night Gift
Lestat Demo
The Threepenny Opera: NYSF
The Little Mermaid OBCR
Chicago - The Composer’s Demo
Sweet Charity Re-mastered OBCR
Company OBCR
The Producers OBCR
Sunset Boulevard Premier American Recording

COMEDY
Kathy Griffin: For Your Consideration

MOVIES I HAVE SEEN

FILMS
Atonement
Ms. Pettigrew Lives For A Day
Redwall: The Movie
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
Anastasia
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
The Dark Knight
Shakespeare In Love
Mamma Mia!
Get Smart
Titus
Twelfth Night
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Hamlet 2
Stardust
Finding Forrester
Moulin Rouge!
The Birdcage
Garden State
Wilde
Les Diaboliques
Romeo and Juliet
High School Musical 3: Senior Year
STAR WARS Episode IV: A New Hope
STAR WARS Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
WALL-E
Doubt

TV
Black Adder Series
Return to the Batcave
The Thanksgiving Episodes of F*R*I*E*N*D*S
Truman Capote - A&E Biography
J. K. Rowling - A Year in the Life

OTHER
Star Wars: Empire of Dreams
Free To Be... You And Me
Dressed to Kill
Circle
The Beatles Anthology


THEATRE I HAVE SEEN

LIVE
References To Salvador Dali Makes Me Hot - NCSC / Scapegoat
Bat Boy - HART
Annie - ACA
The Philadelphia Story - ACT
The Asheville Shakesperience - The Montford Park Players
I Hate Hamlet - ACT
On the Verge / Below the Belt - NCSC / Immediate
Chesapeake - NCSC
The Best Man - ACT
Song of Robert - NCSC / Corpus
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) - Montford
out there, out here - NCSC / Catalyst
Defiance - NCSC
Doubt - NCSC
Free To Be... You And Me - NCSC / TheatreUNCA
Two Rooms - NCSC / Catalyst
The Apple Tree (The Apple Tree) - Montreat
Miss Julie - AB Tech
The Bernstein Brothers’ Christmas Spectacular - NCSC / In the Moment
No Shame Theatre Asheville, NC January - NCSC
No Shame Theatre Asheville, NC February - NCSC
No Shame Theatre Asheville, NC March - NCSC
No Shame Theatre Asheville, NC April - NCSC
No Shame Theatre Asheville, NC May - NCSC
The Best of No Shame Theatre Asheville, NC 2007-2008 - NCSC
No Shame Theatre Asheville, NC July - NCSC
No Shame Theatre Asheville, NC September - NCSC
No Shame Theatre Asheville, NC October - NCSC
No Shame Theatre Asheville, NC November - NCSC
No Shame Theatre Asheville, NC December - NCSC

RECORDINGS
Saints At The River - AB Tech (Recording)
Camelot (Recording)
Putting It Together (Recording)
Edward the King (Recording)
Gilgamesh (Recording)
Hat (Recording)

No Shame December 2008

No Shame was on Saturday, following the last show of "The Bernstein Brothers' Christmas Spectacular." True to last year there were a number of people who were not there because of it being so close to the holidays, but it was a much bigger house then last year in general, with a huge number of virgins (which surprised me). It was also fun because my friend Adam Kampouris was there, who was also a No Shame virgin. He had a blast and did practically everything one could do. He sat on the front row, was in two pieces, one of of which was written specifically for him.

The song was done by the cast of the "Bernstein Brothers'," performing their Act 1 finale "All I Want For Christmas (Is A Couple A' Ho's)." As in the show it was hilarious, and a perfect way to start the show. In the "Bernstein Brothers'" there is a door set piece (used in a gag in "All I Want For Christmas") which was left up for No Shame, which just about everyone used to their advantage. My piece "Red Tape and Writing" was one of the earlier pieces and it went over great. The piece is about Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer writing a smutty novel and asking Santa to publish it. I got Darren to play Santa, which was exciting because I did not precast him and usually you have to in order to have someone as popular as he is in your piece. It was also fun because it was the first time Darren had done one of my scripts.

There were a lot of great pieces that night, making for a well rounded evening. Some of my favorites included "XXXmas" by Jason Williams, and also another excerpt from "Rock Saber" by Julian the Vorus. "Rock Saber" is a play that started as a stand alone No Shame skit, and the play is going to be produced in its entirety at the Asheville Fringe Festival by Chall Gray. I am looking forward to seeing it, make sure you go and check it out.

My second piece of the evening was called "Post Tragic Shakespeare Disorder." This sketch was born out of two ideas. One came to me at Steph's holiday party, and that was to write some thing for Adam Kamouris, Trinity Smith, and I to perform at No Shame. The second went all the way back to playing Mardian in "Antony and Cleopatra." Mardian is the one member of Cleopatra's inner court that is supposedly still alive at the end of the play. Trinity jokingly told me that he went to a bar with Benvolio, since Benvolio shares a similar fate in "Romeo and Juliet." Well it can be quite dangerous to joke with me, because I end up writing plays. And that is precisly what I did here. In the play, Mardian (Me), Benvolio (Trinity), and Horatio (Adam) all go to a bar for Christmas and commiserate over their fates. It all ends in a group hug. The scene went great. I loved performing with the two of them and I felt like the audience enjoyed it. I wanted to have the scene bookended by "Eleanor Rigby" by The Beatles, but the CD didn't work. C'est la vie.

Mondy Carter and Karen Stobbe took No Shame 2008 out with, appropriately enough, the improv game "Next." I thought it was a fitting end to the year until I realized with horror that I have the very first No Shame piece of 2009, when I do the song in January.

Yours daunted,
Nathan H. Adams

The Bernstein Brothers' Christmas Spectacular

Hello ladies and gents. I recently went and saw "The Bernstein Brothers' Christmas Spectacular" as a part of the Catalyst Series at North Carolina Stage Company. It was fantastic. I thoroghly enjoyed watching the cast perform, which included Monday Carter, John Crutchfield, Jonathan Frappier, Darren Marshall, David Ostergaard, Karri Ostergaard, Trinity Smith, and Vivian Smith (no relation). The first act was a series of different holiday themed pieces, and the second act was "A Twisted Carol." The people behind the show and the stage were Chall Gray, Karen Stobbe, Jason Williams, Jonathan, and Julie Holliday Carter. I really enjoyed the show, and I can't wait for it to come back next year. Not only was it excellent, it was all original and local. And if you know me, you know how much those two things excite me. The peices were written Dylan Bolin, Sara Fields, Anthony Wood, Mondy, Jonathan, and Dan Harmon (who is apparently famous). I would tell you to ge see it, but I caught one of the last shows. There's always next year though, so go see it! A big kudos and thanks to Mondy, Karen, Chall, and Jonathan.

Logo by Sean David Robinson.

Merry Christmas,
Nathan.

Orbiting Update

Here's an update on the things orbiting my life right now.

1. No, I have not seen "The Bernstein Brothers' Christmas Spectacular," but yes I am going to. I will be ushering at the 4 P.M. show on Saturday. I am very excited to go see it and please don't spoil it for me.

2. No Shame is on Saturday and I will be there! Looking forward to it. I have been slaving over the perfect pieces to bring.

3. I have been cast in the Montford Park Players production of TITUS ANDRONICUS, directed by Jason Williams. I am really excited to be working with Jason and my cast mates. I know what I have been cast as, but since Jason is still trying to get his cast list together, I will wait before plastering it all over the internet. But I will probably tell you if you ask in person.

"Free To Be . . . You And Me" in "The Apple Tree" singing "A Christmas Carol."

Hello! I am going to post about two shows I saw that have closed, both of which I enjoyed.

The first was "Free To Be . . . You And Me" which was co-produced by North Carolina Stage Company and TheatreUNCA. (Which I am tempted to start calling "TUNCA.") The show was staged in the Carol Belk Theatre in the full round, which was very interesting because I had never seen a show in the round. I had a lot of friends in the cast. Stephanie H., Trinity Smith, and Willie R. were all in the show. "Free To Be . . . You And Me" is based on the 1970's children's special of the same name (All of which can be found on YouTube starting here.). The show was quite fantastic, all of the performers handling their sections amicably. It was a lot of fun, especially the Atalanta sequence. I plan to steal some of the ideas (and perhaps actors) for my version. 

The other show I saw was a workshop production of "The Apple Tree" (The first act of the Bock-Coopersmith-Harnick musical of the same name.) at Montreat College. I am going to be attending Montreat College next semester, and I was very pleased to discover that the theatre department over there seems to be quite excellent. First I saw the Catalyst Series production of "Two Rooms," which was directed by the department head (See here for further thoughts on that production.), and then I saw this. The production itself could be best described as "just right." It was performed in a chapel, with just enough sets and costumes to make it interesting but not distracting. The performers were quite excellent. The play is incredibly sexist, but it was written in the 1960's, so I forgave it this fault. It was an excellent evening, and I look forward to participating in the theatre program next semester. 

I have just opened/closed the 32nd Annual Production of "A Christmas Carol" by the Montford Park Players. I portrayed the Ghost of Christmas Present and had a blast. I am going to miss my show-mates, and look forward to future shows with them. 

The special end-of-year announcement I mentioned in my previous blog is that once the year is done, I will be posting a list of EVERYTHING I have read/seen/heard this year. Please feel free to comment once it is released. I love conversation about literature/movies/TV/music/theatre. 

Will Post Again Soon . . .

. . . I hope. I have the end of the semester and tech week for "A Christmas Carol" coming up (come see it!). But hopefully I will find a few moments to catch the blog up with shows I've seen and things I've done. Stay tuned for a special end of year announcement!

Two Rooms

I had the pleasure of experiencing the North Carolina Stage Company Catalyst Series production of Lee Blessing's "Two Rooms". If perchance a performance is starting soon and you are sitting down to read this review, let me save you some time, go see it. 

I usually hate it when a production uses the word "timely". It usually denotes the dragging of politics, like a corpse, into the middle of the stage, for the actors and audience to trip over. This play is timely in the best way. The press release describes it as thus, "The play sheds light on the anguish of a man taken hostage in Beirut, and the emotional torture and helplessness of his wife, impatient for something to be done, and government officials who must be guided by logic rather than emotion." Obviously, the place and conflict are familiar, it is timely. This play succeeds in being timely because at the center is not why or why not we should do this or that, but the simple human pain that drives what we need to do. And it is the presence of human pain, today, tomorrow, and yesterday that makes this play beautiful. It is the type of pain, and the type of human frailties that bring it, that makes this play timely. 

The play is indeed, an amazing piece of writing, but this was not what I left the theatre thinking. I left simply overwhelmed.

At first, I was skeptical about seeing a show on the first night. Asheville theatre does not usually accommodate for the type of rehearsal which provides for the best opening night. My fears were completely unfounded. This production is award worthy on opening night. Never before in my time of seeing shows have I ever wanted to leap out of my seat with emotion the way I did last night. I wanted to scream, just to make sure I still could. I wanted the hug the characters, just because they needed it. What was being depicted on stage was real. I overheard one woman tell the actor playing the hostage that she wanted to "hug him and show him sunlight", because he needed it. I was completely amazed at how much the actors were able to make us care for them. 

The play is carried by four amazing actors of the Asheville stage. Erik Moellering touches our hearts as the hostage husband, brilliantly pulling off monologues full of the ideas of a man who has nothing to do but think. Kelley Hinman excellently pulls off the pent up frustration of a reporter who wants to do SOMETHING, anything to help through his tool of the media. Lucia Del Vecchio portrays an agent of the State Department assigned to the case. Ms. Del Vecchio deftly handles the passionless speech of the government, adding in just enough humanity to serve the double purpose of making both the character and her unique choices at the end real. Last, but certainly not least, is Vivian Smith. Her character of Lainie practically carries the entire play on her back. If we do not believe her sorrow, her inability to cope, or rage, the play would fall apart. Ms. Smith beautifully pulls off this character, proving an excellent foil for injustices of the world, her largest scene partner. 

Another word must be said for the director and producer, Callan White. In addition to applauding her hutzpah to produce such a play, or any play for that matter, we must applaud her work as a director. She is invisible as the show progresses, always the mark of a good director. It feels as if these characters just stormed on stage and told us their story with out ever knowing we were there. And thank god. That's the way it should be. But we know Ms. White has been there, by the sheer brilliance of the overall production. A show this good could not have come together without a brilliant director presiding over brilliant actors in a beautiful collaboration. 

I know I'm using a lot of awfully big adjectives, but this production warrants it. It is a beautiful emotional experience. It is a real experience. You will be making a huge mistake if you don't go to NC Stage and see this show. See it, live it, and then go out and do something about it. 

(In the interests of full disclosure, it should be stated that the reviewer is going to be a student under Ms. White in the coming semester.)

Yours, 

Nathan H. Adams

Triple Play / Doubt / Defiance

Well, Triple Play came and went and wow was it something. I have gotten excellent feedback from several people, and it is very interesting hearing what people thought my play was about, contrasted to what I thought it was about. It was a pleasure to act in David's "beautiful" play, and I thank him most heartily for giving me the chance to produce it. And Rob, Rob was always wonderful, his play excellent, and I must applaud any man who is eccentric enough to produce something with me. The cast was excellent, and I really felt like they helped my play to sing. DiAnna and Darren brought their unbelievable professionalism, and Sonia and Chris brought a youthful energy so vital when you enter a show a week before it goes up. And Chris had a fantastic stage debut. We were able to get an audio recording and photographs from William Zane Lawrence. And we even made a little money! The whole experience was so incredible, and so rewarding. Thanks to all who came and who wanted to come. And lastly, a HUGE thanks to the Asheville Arts Center for the use of their space. I encourage you to check out the many amazing programs they have there for people of all ages. 

www.ashevilleartscenter.com

I also saw two different John Patrick Shanley at North Carolina Stage Company. First I saw Defiance as a part of their ForPlay series, and then Doubt, their first mainstage production for the year.

I really enjoyed Defiance, which coincidently featured Callan White-Hinman, the Theatre professor at Montreat College where I will be attending next spring. The play was so simple (especially as a reading) but effective, which was very helpful for me to watch, and really listen to as a young playwright. Hopefully it will help me plow through some of the issues I'm having with some of my own work. 

I also liked Doubt, which I saw later that week. Some very interesting themes explored, and a very beautiful production. I can't wait to see the third play in the trilogy Shanley is writing (Of which Doubt and Defiance are the first two thirds). And for the record, no, I don't think the priest did anything wrong. If he was hiding something, he would have done a better job of hiding his guilt, and Sister Aloysius was far too much of a bitch to earn my sympathy or trust.

As some of you know, I recently wrote a two part verse play for No Shame Theatre based on the greek myth of Atalanta called "Atlanta The Ballsy." Strangely enough, my Atlanta, Trinity Smith, is playing Atalanta in the UNCA/NCSC production of the musical "Free To Be You And Me." Funny how that works out.

In other news, I will be playing the Ghost of Christmas Present and Man #5 in the Montford Park Player's 3 billionth production of "A Christmas Carol." Come and see it! 

Also, I am going to suspend my vlog, but try to continue with my blog. I may not always have the camera with me that I use to film the vlog, so maybe it's for the better. 

Triple Play Teaser

Triple Play - An evening of staged readings of three world premier plays by local writers. One weekend only! Presenting; "Honeymoon", by Rob Taylor; "The Beautiful Johanna", by David Brendan Hopes; and "The Fall of Four Men", by Nathan H. Adams. October 24-26. Friday 7:30, Saturday & Sunday 2:30. Asheville Arts Center, 308 Merrimon Avenue. $5 General Admission, $3 Student Rate. www.3tripleplay.webs.com

The Thespian In Wahran - Episode One

In Utero

Hello all (two of you), I have not forgotten you. I am currently in transition and trying to get my vlog going, so be patient, I hope to shoot the first episode this weekend. I'll take about Oedipus and Freud, it will be great. So be patient, it's coming.

From an undisclosed location,
Nathan.

The Thespian in Wahran Vlog Teaser

No Shame September 2008

This month was a great month for No Shame, and I had a lot of fun. I was kind of nervous about this No Shame, but it turned out to be great.

Both I and (friend and fellow thespian) Rob (Taylor) had pieces cast with people from Doctor Faustus. Rob's piece went over really well, it was a continuation of the stories of the sexual active men and women created in the piece "Buried or Stuffed". It's like a farce driven Sex and the City, minus one girl and the posh atmosphere, and plus three men who have equal (or greater) force in the drama.

My piece was called Atlanta the Ballsy: Part One, and is the first part in a two part verse play, the second half of which I will present at next month's No Shame. The story is a modern retelling of the Greco-Roman myth of Atalanta, specifically focusing on the actual race story. Trinity Smith was my Atlanta, and she was (as usual) fantastic. I played a part in my own piece as Apollo, the god of truth. There are a lot of riffs on Christopher Marlowe in the play, partially due to the fact that I am currently in a Marlowe play (One more weekend, come see it!). The piece went over really well, and I hope I can pull it off again for Part Two.

The Redundant Theatre Company Theatre presented a dance selection from their new show "700 Stories About Love And One Really Big Reason To Quit", which is going up at NC Stage for the next two weekends. Their selection was funny and entertaining, and I can't wait to see the show. The leaving tenant, "The Songs of Robert", also presented a selection from their show, and it was (as the first time) hilarious.

There were a lot of really good pieces, and the evening was really polished. While this is really great, I also hope that this doesn't keep new people from contributing to No Shame. The whole point of No Shame is to develop talent and have fun! I'm not too worried about this, just reflecting. I've heard many whispers making No Shame more frequent, to which I can only say here-here!

(Photo by William Zane)

He who loves No Shame,

Nathan.

9 to 5

Dolly Parton has written a musical version of the 1980 film in which she starred. It is currently performing in its out-of-town tryout in Los Angeles. There are a lot of talented people involved with this production, and so I've been optimistic about it turning out well. To be honest, it wasn't really on my radar, until today. I visited BroadwayWorld.com and found a link to some footage on the forum. It looks amazing! The songs sound wonderful, and the one book scene showcased is a triumph! Check it out here!

Songs of Robert

Corpus Theatre Collective presents "The Songs of Robert", as a part of North Carolina Stage Company's Catalyst Series. The "verse play with live music" was written by and stars John Crutchfield as a whole host of characters, including the vulnerable titular character.

I thoroughly enjoyed myself at this show, and not only that, I found it to be of an excellent quality. Unfortunately, the two do not always find each other in the same theatre. But in this (dare I make bold praise) modern American masterwork of a play, John Crutchfield deftly combines both entertainment and comedy, and deep insights and beautiful poetry.

Crutchfield lithely leaps from character to character with the grace and style of ballet dancer. That doesn't mean you don't see him work though. One of the things I noticed during the opening scene was how big his "basketballs" had to be to do this. One man, his work, alone on a stage, telling a room full of southern people that they look nice, for white people.

I really appreciated the ability to see Crutchfield work at his change of characters. To just watch him as he turned his back to the audience, and to see his body build the energy necessary to leap into the next character, was an example of why so many love theatre.

The structure of this one-act play is not what one might call conventional. We are given glimpses into the world of Robert, a senior in high school, mostly through monologues and "scenes" with other characters in his life, but also through Robert himself. These scenes provide some of the most touching moments in the play. The structure of the play actually reminds me of the landmark musical, "Company" (whose protagonist is also named, coincidentally, Robert). Like the musical, we are given glimpses into the lead character's life, all culminating in one final song.

And don't think that this is a mere vanity project by an actor who isn't really a writer. The script is beautiful, and I would love to someday have a copy in my library. Crutchfield states in his notes, "Until I find someone to do it for me, I'll be performing it myself." And while I hope he continues to do so, as to watch his perform it is a gold medal treat, I also hope that the piece continues to have a life beyond him, and I will be the first in line to buy it if it is published.

Fly, don't run down to the North Carolina Stage Company to see this show. Realize how lucky we are to have so many talented local writers producing work, and support it. This show only has three performances left, so get thee to a ticket website!

http://www.ncstage.org/pages/on-stage/catalyst-series/songs-of-robert.php

http://www.johncrutchfield.com/

Yours gushing,
Nathan H. Adams

Stand-Up

Here's a video of some stand-up comedy I performed at No Shame Theatre at the North Carolina Stage Company back in November of 2007. I think it's the best set I've performed so far. Enjoy!



Big thanks to William for uploading!

Yours, yours, yours,
Nathan.

Doctor Faustus Review in the Citizen-Times!

Me splayed out on the ground as "Sloth" in Doctor Faustus, currently playing at the Hazel Robinson Aphitheatre. Photo by William Zane.

From the Citizen-Times

"‘Dr. Faustus’ is stunning stuff from Montford Park Players"

Jim Cavener

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880911079

"ASHEVILLE — Drawing near the close of its 36th and longest season of plays, now in the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre behind the Montford Community Center, Montford Park Players is doing one of its occasional non-Shakespeare productions, “Doctor Faustus” by Christopher Marlowe.

It’s set in Wittenberg, Germany, and is the story of a worldly and successful scholar who sells his soul to the devil for 24 years of unlimited wealth and knowledge.

As is often the case with Elizabethan-era drama, the stilted but eloquent language creates obstacles for a full grasp of the significance of the story. Fortunately, the playbill includes a useful synopsis of scenes. It is wise to arrive early and spend some time sorting it out.

The term “cast of thousands” is overused, but in “Dr. Faustus,” there are more than half-a-hundred characters listed, and soldiers, tree demons, the Devil army, spirits and the seven deadly sins often arrive in multiples at a time. In addition, the delightful sins of sloth [I played sloth the night he saw the show!], lechery, pride and covetousness all are triply cast.

With so many players, it is impossible to mention most of the stellar roles. But in a very unusual bit of casting, the role of Mephistopheles is played by two quite differing local actors. One is the noted playwright, director and actor David Hopes. But on some nights, the role is portrayed by a 12-year-old girl, Amy Daugherty. Say what?

Saturday night of opening weekend Daugherty was Satan’s own agent, Mephistopheles, and the child is awesome. Hopes has some (actually very small) figuratively very large shoes to fill. A lucky viewer might see them both on successive nights. It is hard to imagine a more impressive performance than given by this sweet blond child in a white gown, ably holding forth in a role historically often cast with a tall, black-clothed man.

Faustus, himself is given by Warren Wilson College professor David Mycoff, while the Pope is Nathan Adams. Mike Vaniman is a good Emperor while Charles McKnight an impressive Wagner. The feisty Lucifer is interpreted by Nathaniel Deardoff, with Stephanie Hickling being the entire Chorus, a regular element in Elizabethan drama, part narrator, part troubadour.

Director Jason Williams has taken many risks with this production, but even the massive Cecil B. DeMille penultimate climax scene comes off with aplomb. Powerful metaphysical metaphors give this often playful romp both frivolity and sobriety. Good show."

Kennedy Center Honors

The Kennedy Center Honors were announced this week. This year the recipients are as follows (also, my brief thoughts on them);

• Morgan Freeman (Along Came A Spider, Lucius Fox)
• George Jones (White Lightning)
• Barbra Streisand (Funny Girl, a little uptight)
• Twyla Tharp (Movin‘ Out, also a little uptight)
• Pete Townsend (Tommy!)
• Roger Daltrey (more Tommy!)

Now, I think we all know what’s wrong this picture. Wait, we don’t? Alright, I’ll explain.

Jerry Herman has yet to receive a Kennedy Center Honor, which I believe is a huge oversight. His work as a musical playwright is a remarkable achievement that has shaped American culture and stands as an amazing catalogue of song. In addition to writing the score to “Hello Dolly!”, he also wrote the scores to “Mame” (We Need A Little Christmas), and “La Cage Aux Folles” (I Am What I Am). His lesser known work is also amazing, such as the scores to “Dear World”, “Milk & Honey”, “Mack & Mabel”, and “Parade” (an off-Broadway revue).

I will also point out that Andrew Lloyd Webber has received an Honor, and not only is he British (and already a knight), but didn’t start writing professionally until 14 years after Jerry Herman.

Now I know it’s not a huge deal, nothing to get too upset over. But I would like to see him receive an Honor before he dies. He is HIV positive. (Nick and I have a theory that it’s all the good karma of the happy show tunes that’s keeping him alive, you never know). But anyways, those are my thoughts for today.

Your sunflower,
Nathan.

Bard-A-Thon

This weekend I participated in North Carolina Stage Company's Bard-A-Thon. Like a walk-a-thon, except with reading Shakespeare. I would have stuck around to read all 12 plays, except that I was opening Doctor Faustus, so I was e'er so slightly committed. All in all it was a complete blast.

First I read The Winter's Tale, reading Camillo and Time, a chorus part. Camillo was really fun, and I felt like I was able to stretch my acting muscles with him, as he has to make some really difficult decisions in the first act (which he almost carries). I wouldn't have been has fun if I didn't have such a wonderful Leontes and Polixenes to play off of. Mike Coughlin and *I think his name is Max* were both excellent. Time was an interesting experience, being the only one onstage speaking this God-like speech, and was definitely a great warm up for Feste. At the end, during Leontes happy ending speech, he turned to Rae's character and basically said, "Now I know you want to marry Camillo." Rae and I both looked at each other like Scooby-Doo. "Huh?" But now Rae and I are happily married. On facebook.

Next, at 4 in the morning was Macbeth. I was the Second Witch, and I also took on various other roles. Being that it was 4 A.M., I was a bit loopy, and every witch line came with a different accent. Carol Channing! Jewish Mother! Julia Cunningham! Harvey Fierstein! I also had a fabulous wig. By the time the apparition scene rolled around, I was ready to settle down (on the floor) and really have fun with the part of the witch. I then went home and slept.

The next day, I tackled the role of Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream. This role has always been the dream role for me, and am very grateful to my new friend Bobby who let me take the part. It was a dream (haha), a beautiful beautiful dream. Jason was a fantastic Oberon, and it was great to be onstage with someone so willing to play around. I got a lot of laughs, and it was nothing short of bliss . . .

. . . until an audience member had a seizure. She was eventually fine, Rae was great at making sure she was ok until the EMTs came. Unfortunately, this meant I couldn't perform Puck's last speeches, so some of the dream has yet to be fully conquered. However, I was able to quietly recite the final speech for my fellow readers backstage, for which I received some discreet applause.

I decided to stick around for Titus Andronicus long enough to read Mutius, the son that says four lines in the first scene before getting kill by Titus (His douche bag daddy, played by Rob Taylor). I also read the lines of a few other sons, but not all of there lines before leaving. Again, I went home to sleep.

The next day, I decided to go to Bard-A-Thon instead of promoting Doctor Faustus at LAAFF for the simple reason that Bard-A-Thon was more fun (but I'm now blogging about Faustus, so it all evens out). I read the role of Feste in Twelfth Night, and I am so glad that I did. I almost dropped it, because I wasn't very familiar with the play, and felt slightly uncomfortable reading so great a role with so little understanding. But I have to say it was totally worth it. Acting with James and Mike was a delight, and I loved making up 5-6 songs on the spot (Well, one melody was pre-planned. "What is love? 'tis not hereafter;" became "WHAT IS LOVE?! Tis not hereAfter!"). The play (and in turn, the Bard-A-Thon) itself ends in a song of Feste's. I got all the way through the song, surrounded by audience, Charlie, and actors, took a breath, and sang,

"But that's all one, our play is done,
And we'll strive to please you every day."

And this huge wave of applause and joy came washing over me from everywhere as all rejoiced in the completed task. It was a magical moment to end the magical moments.

It was magic. Theatrical magic. Best way to describe it. I can't wait until next year, and hopefully I won't be opening a show so I can do it all! Kudos to NC Stage for creating such a great event.

Your fool, fairy, witch, lord, clock, son, captain, and servant,
Nathan.

Doctor Faustus

This weekend I opened Doctor Faustus at the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre with the Montford Park Players. The production is directed by Jason Williams, and stars David Mycoff, David Hopes, and Amy Daugherty.

It was a tiring tech week for Faustus, and to be honest, I was a little worried. Things were a bit behind in the set/costumes department, but just like the great thespians they are, Jill, Joe, Jason, Beth, etc all pulled it together for a great show. I wasn't sure how it all looked during opening night, the audience wasn't all that responsive, but at curtain call, I knew we had it. The audience was on its feet giving off a warmth that told me they had loved the show. The second night Jason said we had even more energy (despite the fact that so many of us had been up late after opening, or at least I was).

I am having a real blast playing ALL my parts (including the ones I play where I don't say anything, a testament to what a fun show this is). I play the Pope (pictures coming soon I hope), and I go out into the audience to collect money during intermission. It has been fascinating hearing the audience react to my presence in that costume (NEWS FLASH: People have very strong feelings regarding his holiness!). I can't wait to continue doing this show, and I hope we continue to do it justice. Jason has really created a magical evening of theatre, and I count myself as fortunate that I am able to be a part of it.

Here's a small piece of the magic, Mickey Hanley and Darren Marshall in deliciously evil costume backstage. I don't know who took the picture, but I think it's Mickey's camera (hope she doesn't mind!).

Doctor Faustus / Bard-A-Thon

This weekend, I opened Doctor Faustus with the Montford Park Players and participated in five plays at the fundraiser Bard-A-Thon at the North Carolina Stage Company. Yes, I am a complete lunatic. The roles I read there were thus

1. Camillo/Time - The Winter’s Tale
   
2. Second Witch/Captain/Servant - Macbeth
   
3. Puck - A Midsummer Night’s Dream
   
4. Mutius/Quintus/Martius - Titus Andronicus
   
5. Feste - Twelfth Night

And I play Sloth/The Pope/Soldier/Devil/Spirit in Doctor Faustus. I will give a full report of these events in a later blog post.

Yours exhausted,
Nathan.

The Asheville Shakesperience

Well, "The Asheville Shakesperience" closed tonight and it's all very sad. I really believe that it is far and away the best show of the Montford Park Players' season thus far (but here comes Faustus!). I really was quite a thrill to be involved with this singular sensation, this amazing and innovative show directed by a first time director! The amazingly talented Julia Cunningham! For those of you who don't know, the first act consisted of a series of Shakepearian scenes, all of which were introduced with Sonnettes (Mini-Sonnets, Bite/Fun Size Sonnets, etc.) which introduced the characters and story. I will be posting these for your reading enjoyment later in this post. Please be forgiving, these show some of my earliest experimentation with iambic pentameter. I am very glad I got up the courage to tell Julia that I was in fact now writing in blank verse, in case she needed some sort of prologue or some other piece of extra writing. It has been great exposure for my work, and many people have complimented me on my work. And many thanks to the wonderful cast, who always made me sound good.

AS YOU LIKE IT
As You Like It is an important lark,
Twas first in Asheville, first at Montford Park.
Two girls have run away from home past dark,
Fearing their father slash uncle's loud bark.
But one of their boyfriends has follow’d quick,
And the other one knows and plays a trick.
So she does tease her friend like a wood tick.
Rosalind doesn't know, her heart's lovesick.

OTHELLO
Othello, great Shakespeare’s most wrong-ed moor,
Was told by Iago his wife was whore.
Desdemona and Othello by score,
Were great lovers with passion seen ne’er more.
Yet somehow Othello believed this lie.
By seeing handkerchiefs stole by and by,
The moor did know an answer he must try.
Tragedy’s over, and someone must die.

HAMLET
To love, or not to love, that is his question.
Lord Hamlet falls into deep depression.
Father’s ghost has taken a possession,
And now poor Hamlet lost his discretion.
But what of Ophelia, his sweet flame?
In his fury, will he treat her the same?
What piece will move in Hamlet’s mad chess game?
The Bard’s great master work, we now proclaim.

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
Petrucio has come to seek a wife.
In Padua, his partner is in life.
But wives do not come without some small strife,
And so, he plays a trick, with lute and fife.
This does bring him near to what he pursue,
But the wife whom he seeks is quite the shrew.
But he has plans to make her now subdue,
For the Taming of Shrews, he's one cool dude.

HENRY V
If you have seen some theatre in this town,
You might have seen an actor of renown.
Jason Williams! Whom we all love and crown,
An awesome friend will speak to all around
A speech he loves, of King Henry Five’s fight,
Where the score o' his men is not quite right,
Numbers are small and his lords would take flight,
Henry will prove that his passion has bite.

ROMEO AND JULIET
Oh Romeo and Juliet’s love sweet,
Has enchanted large crowds that theatres greet.
Of all the scenes that players bark and tweet,
There is one scene that we all think is neat.
Since having locked their eyes for the first time,
And finding there the bells of love that chime,
To find at last the love e’er so sublime,
Romeo his love’s balcony does climb.

LOVE'S LABOURS LOST
The twinge of love a Spaniard now does feel.
In turn, like us, he wonders if it’s real.
And so in time his happiness does steal,
Until wiseness is his only brain meal.
He thinks that he is wise as a great sage,
But will be shown a fool soon by his page.
The loves of great men from old will they gage,
Love's Labours Lost will now be seen onstage.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM
In Midsummer Night's Dream they show a play.
Perform'd by blue collars, who worked with clay,
and were called mechanicals, for their way.
Community theatre for Shakespeare’s day.
But like so many who have gone before,
When trying to show great love’s tragic lore,
They accidentally create much more.
Come see the tragedy, and laugh until sore.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
In Much Ado About Nothing we see
A pair of lovers who never agree
And love to spite the other with so much glee
Great wordsmiths of Shakespeare’s you will agree
But knowing the sweet buds of love are there
Their friends set traps to make them both aware
And through the ploys of the character’s prayers
They will swap their cat fights for loving stares

Hopefully, I will soon be able to announce full details regarding the reading of a few local original plays, so keep your fingers crossed. I'll be posting what I still need soon on facebook.

Heigh, ho!
Nathan.