It happens every year on January 1st. It’s the traditional look upon the previous year that have since passed. Every event and occurrence is being recalled that took place between January 1st through December 31st. And it appears to always be within the same results. It was a good year while it was a bad one. What this all means is the fact that the previous twelve months is seen as “goodbye and good riddance”!
2017, the latest year to become part of the history books, is no exception. A lot has occurred through that year. Many were of a positive nature, while others were anything but pleasant and nice. There were the joyful events such as wins, victories, gains, and improvements. There were the tragic moments in the form of death, destruction, fires, floods, and earthquakes. There were the new arrivals and the dearly departeds. Moments were gained while others were lost. Things became to change while the they all remained the same. People continued to love while folks went on the rampage. The human spirit was well alive and living while that same human spirit took a one way ticket to hell in a hand basket. And as Charlie Dickens once penned, it was the best of times and it was the worst of times!
Every year tends to contain such elements as noted above. There are the events that everyone seems to know about, thanks to media coverage and social media posts through likes, tweets, and pins. There are other events that took place that somewhat missed the news headlines. Folks around the world and around the block saw many personal changes and states of sameness throughout the days, weeks, and months. The letters people used to enclose inside of their “holiday” cards that gave the reader a thumbnail sketch of what they did in the previous year are now posted on all of the social media outlets one can stand! Many of the events were of a positive nature while some were anything but! It may not necessarily be on the same scale of a sports playoff win victory or a report of deaths through mother nature or human nature, but they were part of what made 2017 just what it was.
But since one can’t change the past, one can do something about the present and future. These are the moments that really matter as those elements are based upon a change for the better. Sure, millions of New Year’s resolutions post the expected “I must…” or “I will..” stanzas, only to have some of those promised to one’s self fall on the wayside. A few will be modified through the days (“I will lose ten pounds” changed from the original “I will lose twenty pounds”), while a few will be kept and maintained. And since nobody can predict the future, only time and tide will forecast to what’s going to go forward.
As this issue was being released, 2018 was less than a day old. It’s the new(er) kid on the block. It’s a year that’s been welcomed now that ’17 is dead and buried. However, one year from this day, media sources will be posting and tweeting how 2018 was the best year ever, while is was the most f#ucked-up year to date! Mark this writer’s words! It’s gonna happen!
So as the Christmas/”Holiday” tree is plopped on the curbside, the wrapping paper is flooding the trash heaps, the New Year’s celebrations are done and over with, and video devices are tuned to the many bowl games that are being played between now and next week, it’s time to get back to the grind of things. Whatever may occur, 2018 is here to stay for another twelve months–give or take a day or two! It also means that the 2000s are now of an adult age. Then again, are there any eighteen year olds out there are worthy enough to be considered as adult fodder? We didn’t think so, either!
———————————————————————————————————————
NEWS AND REVIEWS
The Glendale Centre Theater kicks off their 2018 season of plays and musicals with Neil Simon’s modern classic BARE FOOT IN THE PARK, a tale of a young newlywed couple living in their Manhattan apartment and the people that revolve around their newlywed lives.
Stephanie Skewes and Joshua Evans are Corie and Paul Bratter, a couple that’s been married for less than a year and are starting anew. Paul’s a fresh attorney handing small cases that may bring him on to other and more important legal matters. Carrie’s a nonconformist that’s eager to start off her domestic life as a humble wife full of ideas. They do have their ups and downs, dealing with Paul’s mother-in-law Edith (Caron Strong) as well as their neighbor, the eclectic Victor Velasco (Ted Wells) that is living through a lot of adventure within his life. He may be a bit unusual, but has his own distinct appeal. But Corie and Paul are just starting out in life, and no matter what they may encounter, there’s always their chance to experience their newlywed life in a new light!
This comedy written by Neil Simon, who at the time was just getting his playwriting career off and running, is a charming comedy that harks a so-called simpler era when young marrieds can indeed rent a brownstone apartment in the heart of Manhattan as a single family household. But besides that notion, the laughs are still genuine, and the performances seen on the GCT stage holds very true to these facts. Stephanie Skewes as Corie performs her role as the young Mrs. full of hope and ambition that looks forward to a bright future. Joshua Evans as Paul is the lawyer who also looks ahead in climbing up the legal latter. Caron Strong as Edith may be the mother-in-law, but not of the mother-in-law type what was the butt on many a one-liner joke that was popular at the time when this play was first presented c.1963. The real show stopper here is Ted Wells’ performance of Victor Velasco, a man that is a master of many talents, but expert in none! (His portrayal is a fine tribute to the personality of Hans Conreid!) George Strattan, a GCT rep director, helms this show (his 75th show he has directed at this theatre) with his fine comic timing that brings the best into a comedy that can be viewed and enjoyed by all!
Also appearing in this production is Mark Gates as the AT&T phone repair man, and Rick Steele as a friendly delivery man.
The Glendale Center theatre is the only theatre-in-the-round performance arena in the Los Angeles area. It’s a great way to see a show where any side of the stage is the front, no matter where one places themselves within this 360 degree stage space.
BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, presented by and performs at the Glendale Centre Theatre. 324 North Orange Street, Glendale, until February 10th. Showtimes are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 8:00 PM, Saturday matinees at 3:00 PM, with Sunday afternoon performances taking place on January 7th and 14th at 3:00 PM.
For more details and for ticket reservations, call (818) 244-8481, or visit the GCT’s web site at http://www.GlendaleCentreTheatre.com
———————————————————————————————————————
ACCESSIBLY LIVE OFF-LINE
is a presentation of Linear Cycle Productions
Details@AccessiblyLiveOffLine.com
AccessiblyLiveOffLine@gmail.com
Details@LinearCycleProductions.com
http://www.AccessiblyLiveOffLine.com
https://www.facebook.com/accessiblylive.offline
@AccessiblyLive (Twitter)
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEHxSllfDItpWh3z8vuUb_w
(Accessibly Live’s channel on YouTube)
http://www.LinearCycleProductions.com
#AccessiblyLiveOffLine
(Look for us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and see us on YouTube!)
ACCESSIBLY LIVE OFF-LINE (C) 2018 Linear Cycle Productions. All rights reserved. The views and opinions are those of the writers, and not necessarily of the staff and management. ‘Nuff said!
ACCESSIBLY LIVE OFF-LINE 