Life On the Wicked Stage: Act 2

Early Snow Brings Broken Trees

Today we got a highly uncharacteristic early snowfall for our region. It came duriung a weekend where we've still got plenty of trees that haven't seen their leaves change color yet. But those hanging leaves combined with a very heavy and wet snow to bring quite a few branches down in our yard and our neighborhood. As you can see from the photos, we didn't get all that much snow, but what we did get was enough to crack some decent sized limbs. What a mess. More pictures here at this Flickr Feed.

 

Apples and Oranges? Apple's Success in the Middle of Occupy Wall Street

It looks like the Occupy Wall Street movement is finding more than its legs as it continues not only to spread and grow, but to garner the typical denunciations and dismissals from those who don't get what all the fuss is about, as well as from those who are the targets of the demonstrations. Like my friend Francine Hardaway, I'm surprised this has taken this long.

Her post is worth a read as are many others on all sides of this issue. I love the characterizations of those who thing they have something to gain by talking about the protestors and their cleanliness, sex habits, and work backgrounds. Those reactions are sadly all to predictable and make cliches out of those using them. 

But as I was reading some of the coverage this morning I'm struck by an interesting parallel track that is going on in the news that might seem contradictory but instead, I beleive, makes a real point. In the tech and computing field these last two weeks have been all about one of the makers of the most current conspiously consumed devices: Apple. Between the announcement of its new iPhone, the death of Steve Jobs, and the release of the new iPhone and iOS5, it's been hard to find much other news on the consumer tech front. And let's keep in mind here that these aren't inexpensive devices and gadgets we're talking about. Apple makes its buckets of dough by being on the upper end. Apple had its best stock day ever yesterday and is going to be making a boat load of cash selling new iPhone 4S devices this weekend and beyond.

So, while on the one hand we have news footage of protesters in the streets and parks of New York City (and other places) running along the same path as we have photos of long lines of eager customers outside of Apple Stores. It makes me wonder how many folks are actually participating in both events. 

But that's not the point. The OWS folks are angry at the bankers and money lenders for essentially stealing their future. Given that we've essentially destroyed any hope of ever hearing any thing close to the truth about any issue that matters to us anymore of course that message gets ripped apart and from those who disagree with it. Epecially those who loved the Tea Party when they were on the rise. I think you would be hard pressed to find anyone beyond the very wealthy that would honestly (note I said honestly) argue that the OWS folk have a point, just like their Tea Party predeccsors did before they became organized and thus had to respond to their sponsors.

So, why is it, that the OWS folk don't go after Apple as a target this weekend? It is certainly a ripe target and the PR value would be huge. My guess is that it boils down to a simple fact. Apple makes things. Apple makes things that people find useful, even though they are expensive. The bankers, the brokers, and the hedgers only make money. Sure occasionally it is for their clients, but usually it is for themselves. And when the screwed up the making money part, they made off with some of yours and mine, thanks to the cozy relationship they have with the politicians. Apple makes its money by making tangible things that consumers want to buy. The targets of the OWS folk make money by making up things that have no real tangible value beyond increasing bottom lines and conning folks into buying them.

I have great sympathy for those who believe their sole purpose in life is to keep making more money. We went wrong when we decided that making money was a better path than making things. Of course you need money to buy things. But, as it appears ever more likely, when there isn't any way to make money any longer, that won't make much of a difference now will it.

The Woman In Black Opening Crowns a Crazy 6 Weeks

On August 25 we launched an Emergency Campaign to raise over $90,000 by October 10 to keep Wayside Theatre alive. A few days later we opened a production of Steel Magnolias that quickly became an audience favorite. As the early returns for the Emergency Campaign came in, it became apparent that we were going to find our community willing to step up and graciously help the theatre out of the current cash crunch. Bolstered by those early returns ($30,000 in the first week of the campaign) we launched rehearsals for The Woman in Black on Sept 20. As we all worked hard to keep the early momentum of the campaign going and began rehearsing this spine-tingling two-hander, there was this odd sense of impending success married to an even odder sense of not knowing what the future will bring.

Well, the Emergency Campaign is over. Our community stepped forward and the total amount donated is over $104,500. We've paid back the bills we had accumulated, we've opened Woman in Black, and now we begin preparations for our annual Christmas Show, the world premiere of Glory Bea! A Shenandoah Christmas Story by Richard Follett and Larry Dahlke.

In the interim we had to let some staff members go, reducing our team even more. That put stress on an already stressed organization, but it also opened up an opportunity for each member of the team to step up. And step up they did. The opening night performance of The Woman in Black, like the Emergency Campaign, showed what a group of determined individuals can do if they care and if they want to create their own success. We had a great performance by our cast, Jody Lee and David Millstone. Rebecca Calkin stepped up big time in every aspect of the theatre proving that she can indeed do it all. Our tiny admin staff pumped out an amazing level of work, and our production team did did an outstanding job. They usually do, but they exceeded what, by any rights, they should have been capable of, given all we were facing with the demands of the show, and the Campaign running.

I've always been proud to be a part of the team that is Wayside Theatre, but at Sunday night's opening that sense of pride was eclipsed by the weight of the knowledge of what these few individuals had accomplished. Our community should be very proud of the way it rallied to Wayside Theatre's cause in these recent weeks. That community should also be very proud of the amazing group of artists and adminstrators that it has within its bosom at this tiny little theatre with a big heart called Wayside Theatre.

Like the show they just created, they have the power to take your breath away.

If You Ever Doubted That at the Root of Politics There Could Be Evil...

I'm certainly not a Republican so I have no skin in this game. But I do follow what is going on in that three-legged sack race, because, well, like it or not one of the folks currently running is likely to be the nominee. So far that race has been full of nothing but the expected, even when it has been disugised as unexpected. This latest moment was also, sadly, expected, and proves just how absolutley insane, inane, and devoid of real meaning our political process is.

Robert Jeffress in introducing Rick Perry at a Christian Conference by claimed that Mr. Romney is not a Christian and renewed the old saw that Mormonism is a cult.

And of course we're off and running with this as new red meat to be gnawed on by the press and the candidates. That will continue into the first part of next week because the news broke on a Friday, so it will have a lingering effect. Of course Perry's campaign is in cover its butt mode and so far Romney is playing it on the high road.

But in the end, regardless of how you feel about the particulars of the moment, this just proves how dangerously low our political process has descended. The muck and mud on the waders is probably embarassed. And remember, this is what we force candidates to go through so that they can prove that they have what it takes to lead. 

 

Because It Is True

Thank You Wayside Theatre Fans! We've Exceeded Our Goal of $90,000 in 45 Days

Wow. Everyone at Wayside Theatre would like to extend a huge thank you to the legion of friends and fans who have helped us weather an immediate crisis. As of Monday morning we have raised $98,833.34 for our Emergency Campaign. Our goal was $90,000 by October 10 and we've passed that goal thanks to you in both amount and time. We've still got a week left and know we have some more donations coming in, so we're hopefuly we will exceed $100,000 when all is said and done.

I encourage you to visit our Facebook Fan Page and see some of the wonderful efforts that folks have been putting forth on Wayside Theatre's behalf. The generosity and spirit of community has been overwhelming. We're all not only pleased, but humbled by the support.

Now the hard work to try and turn this amazing support into ongoing sustainable support begins. We'll need all the help we can, but we firmly believe that those who value what Wayside Theatre brings to the community will be there to help make that happen.

Again, thank you from all of us at Wayside Theatre and for all who care about Wayside Theatre.

And don't forget to make plans to see The Woman in Black beginning this weekend. It's a scare filled treat that will keep you on the edge of your seat.