This is a very strange time indeed!
Two unique events are within the nation’s mists. Granted, not everyone would take notice, let alone even care. But it’s enough for this writer to place his two cents for.
As to the past miracle. Yep, the good Ol‘ Chicago Cub, the National League’s official “lovable losers” won their first world service since 1908, a time where the only electronic source to catch the game back in ’08 was through telegraph. (That new device called “radio” would’t make the scene for a couple of more years, assuming it would ever catch on!) The last time the team played in the world series was back in 1945. If anyone wanted to see the game without being at the ball park, one could await for that new fangled device called “television” that was like radio but with pictures. (Would “TV” ever catch on? Who knew?) Today, one could have seen the game via their smartphone and anything else that sported a video screen. However, there is “virtual reality” where one could see the game–or anything else for that matter, through 3D pictures and ultra stereo sound no matter where one could be located. (Will “VR” catch on? Who knows??)
Although yours truly never paid much attention to the team over the many years, this writer does hold a vague connection to the team and their involvement in the world series. First, I was a first generation “Bleacher Bum”, the name of a catchall group of fans who used to watch the game from the Wrigley Field bleachers aka the “cheap seats”. Many of their fans would sport yellow construction workers hard hats to show off they were part of the “bums” crew. Yours truly as a youngin’ would head on over to the park with an elder sibling to take on a game or three during the summer months donning those hard hats that were purchased from a very long forgotten garage sale. I would watch the game with my trusty Ross eight transistor radio on hand so I could hear the play-by-play over WGN. As to another connection, my great uncle Hank Borowy was part of the team and indeed play in the ’45 series. I never saw him play, but from what I was told from fans from back in the day, he pitched a decent game. In fact, I never met him, so he is one of the many relatives within my family tree that I never crossed paths with. So much for those close family ties.
But nevertheless, they won the game and good for them! Now we can get on to other mattes in hand. One important matter is the big election that’s been part of the news landscape for some time!
After what seems like months, perhaps years in the making, tomorrow (November 8th) is that election day, the moment of truth where the public at large casts their ballots to vote upon a lot of issues, as well as choosing who’s going to run the good ol’ US of A!
We don’t have to tell you on the people that are lead up to becoming the next king or queen of the nation. (If by chance you don’t know, then stop reading this edition and hide in your cave!) But for the rest of you, you already know what’s going on, so we won’t waste your time giving you the same information that’s been spread twelve times over the media landscape. However, since election day is something one can’t ignore, we will present our basic commentary on what to expect, what not to expect, and everything else in between.
For starters, we won’t give our opinion on anything about the election, or even what’s on the ballot. In California were we are based in, there are a lot of propositions that’s up for grabs. Some are rather boring but important in their own right, while others are more of an issue for concern. This writer doesn’t have all of the facts and figures on hand to discuss everything on the ballot in writing, but that is what search engines are for. If anyone in any state desires to get a basic overview to what is going to have a “yay” or “nay” within their neck of the woods, just type in the name or the number of the proposition, and let cyberspace takes its course.
As to everything else, we have a rule here at Accessibly Live Off-Line, One of the elements we stand upon is to never give any opinions or commentaries on anyone or anything found on an election ballot. In other words, we ain’t gonna tell you to vote for this or what. We stand totally neutral on all of the elements this election day is going to face. All of those decisions and choices will be placed in your hands!
This is not to state that we don’t care on who or what is going to be chosen. We do have our concerns and will support our own causes and issues. These same causes will be relieved when the time and place is ideal to comment upon. As you the readers may notice, this moment isn’t the right time or place.
So we’re gonna keep this editorial short and sweet. We will state that if you can vote or even have a desire to do so, then please trek on over to your local polling place and cast that ballot. If you can’t be there in person, then fill out an absentee ballot and proceed normally. For the rest of you that will decide to do anything but vote, then that’s OK for what that is. Whatever the case, the election will occur if you choose to vote or not! We’ll just state that let the best man or woman win! As for us, we’ll make sure that things will happen for the better or otherwise! Just don’t say that we didn’t warn you!
Now…there is that Ron Santo baseball card he signed for me back in 1969? Maybe it’s still in that cigar box I placed it in those years ago! But where is the cigar box…?
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NEWS AND REVIEWS
Theatre Palisades closes out their 2016 season with Charles Busch’s THE TALE OF THE ALLERGIST’S WIFE, an offbeat comedy about one woman’s search of a meaning of her existence, and a second woman that enters her life becoming her best friend that holds an intention of its own.
Lauren Leitner is Marjorie, a middle aged woman living in Manhattan’s upper west wide who is recovering from her emotional breakdown. Her life in general has its moments. She has been married to her husband Ira (Phil Bartolf), a recently retired doctor who still can’t away from doing his work, taking on an occasional client. Marjorie’s mother Frieda (Lois Bostwick), lives down the hall of their apartment. Marjorie is a woman of unique tastes, reading the works of obscure authors, and taking on lectures, films, and live performances that are as eclectic if not totally oft kilter. Frieda’s main interest is the status of how her intestines are properly working and her attempts of keeping regular. One day, Lee (Kim Kensington), walks into Marjorie’s life right out of the blue. Lee and Marjorie grew up at the same Bronx neighborhood around the same time. They quickly bond with the same eclectic tastes they share. But there is something rather unconventional about Lee. She had many occupations that range from unusual to nearly bizarre, and claims to know a lot of well known people. But she still keeps a secrecy about herself and what she presently does for a living. But makes things rather complex is the fact that she holds other interests that go beyond close friendship. What is the purpose in this scheme? Is Lee a real BFF to Marjorie? And will Frieda ever get to has a successful BM?
This rather quirky comedy is the kind that holds lots of laughs for the subject matter while teetering on toward risqué moments. It expresses upon a person’s quest for discovering a real purpose of living their life on earth, while exploring notions of curiosity, self alliance, with a touch of inner fantasy added for good measure. The cast that appear in this Theatre Palisades production present their performances in a realistic stance, even when the plotting is off track in its pleasing way. Ria Parody Erich directs this show as a self progressive program that is just as amusing as the subject matter this stage piece speaks upon through its characters. Although the comedy is anything but dull–far from that–it may not at times cater to selected tastes so be forewarned! But if one is engaged with topics and plot points found in feature films of late or in post modern television programs, then this play is right on top of things and then some!
In addition to note is the set design created by Sherman Wayne and William Pitcher that show off the respectful unit where Marjorie and company dwell.
Also appearing within the cast is Brldley Orok as Mohammed, the humble doorman of the apartment unit where all of the stage play’s action takes place.
THE TALE OF THE ALLERGIST’S WIFE is not your typical community theatre piece. It’s highly entertaining indeed, and might give one a thought to where one places themselves within their life. Granted, one may not necessarily find an old friend from out of nowhere that had been almost everywhere, doing things one can barley fantom while dropping off a famous name or three. One can nearly wish for this to happen. But because one can do such doesn’t mean one won’t get their desire granted. But this is theatre, and it’s presented in Pacific Palisades!
THE TALE OF THE ALLERGIST’S WIFE, presented by Theater Palisades, performs at the Pierson Playhouse, 941 Temescal Canyon Road (off Sunset Blvd.), Pacific Palisades, until December 11th. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 PM, and Sunday matinees at 2:00 PM.
Theatre Palisades has already announced their 2017 season of plays and musicals. For more information on all performances and for ticket reservations, call (310) 454-1970, or visit online at http://www.TheatrePalisades.com
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Casa 0101 Theatre of Boyle Heights presents the Los Angeles premier of Karen Zacarias’ MARIELA IN THE DESERT, a drama about a young woman living in Mexico, the daughter of once prominent artists who became caught within the shadow of her parents, and the works that were introduced within the world of North American art.
The setting is a ranch located within a desert community of northern Mexico at the halfway point of the 20th century. This ranch is the home of Jose Salvatierra (Vance Valencia) and his spouse Mariela. (Rachel Gonzalez). A number of years earlier, Jose and Mariela were part of the booming art culture developing in Mexico City where budding artists were making their mark within the art world, mingling with such artists as Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. They decided to build a ranch that would serve as an artist colony where these emerging artists can work to develop their unique talents that were part of the new artistic movement. They bore two offspring, son Carlos (Kenneth Lopez) and daughter Blanca. (Vannessa Vasquez). Carlos never developed his talents as his life ended at a young age. But Blanca attempted to make her mark as an artist. In the current times, Jose’s career is within the past as he is slowly dying of diabetes with Mariela and his sister Olivia (Denise Blasor) at his side. Blanca takes up with Adam Lovitz (Randy Vasquez), an American professor of art who is writing a book of the artists of Mexico, and is interested in adding Jose as part of his writings. One noted piece that Jose created is the subject of his interest. But upon his entry to the family, a secret is brought forth to this noteworthy artist’s creation that has been hidden for an extended spell.
This production as presented by the Angel City Theatre Ensemble is a solid presentation that places its emphasis of the art movement that existed in Mexico in the first few decades of the 20th century. This story’s timeline shifts back and forth during this period where Jose and Mariela’s promising career within the tight artist circles were nurtured and developed yet set aside through various circumstances. The cast of six players as seen in this program work together in a harmonious method with the careful aid of Robert Beltran’s stage direction.
In addition to the performance as viewed within this production, Marco De Leon’s set design shows the ranch space as a spacious tract that appears as promising as the artistic family’s placement. Yee Eun Nam’s projection design changes the mood and setting through still imagery projected onto the backdrops, expressing the points to the storyline and to Jose and his brood as they settle within their existence in terms of family, art, and points in between.
The Casa 0101 theatre space is located within a part of Boyle Heights that is currently undergoing a renaissance juncture. It’s noted that this place may be a bit hard to find as the theatre is nestled within a block of local businesses and related storefronts. However, the journey to experience this play, as well as the theatre space itself, is worth the trip. Art showings of works by local artists line the walls and display spaces found within this theatre, giving patrons an opportunity to view the talents of these same artists that are placed on canvas and related forms of medium. These elements bring the vibrant aspects that this part of the city presents as located just a short distance away for the enterprising downtown region.
MARIELA IN THE DESERT, presented by the Angel City Theatre Ensemble, performs at the Casa 0101 Theatre, 2102 East First Street, Los Angeles (Boyle Heights), until December 11th. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 PM, and Sunday afternoons at 5:00 PM. No performances on November 25th, 26th, and 27th. (Thanksgiving weekend).
For more information and for ticket reservations, call (323) 263-7684, or via online at http://www.Casa0101.org
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