The Steve Reynolds Program - Issue #6
Hey you subscribin' fools! I'm typing this up after watching some of Jesus Christ Superstar Live. My final call? PRETTY GOOD! It took a minute to adjust to hearing Jesus without a Texas drawl like Ted Neeley's in the film. And the costuming and set reminded me of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Andrew Lloyd Webber isn't my fave (but I hear his new memoir is a very fun read), but this could be his best work. A brief dumb story of which I was just reminded. Dean Jones of Disney live action film fame, starred in Stephen Sondheim's Company on Broadway (the doc of the soundtrack recording is a MUST-SEE), had a nervous breakdown, and became a very devout born again Christian. One attempt of his to merge his Christian beliefs with theater was INTO THE LIGHT, the musical tale of a scientist finding supernatural faith when confronted with the Shroud of Turin. The production is still memorable as a flop and snarky folks called it Jesus Christ Tablecloth. If you have given feedback on the newsletter, I'm pretty sure I haven't seen it. It's either a glitch or an enticement to upgrade to pro. So message me if you liked anything I've linked to. Or don't. No big whoop.
Four Thangs
1. Season Three of Better Call Saul - Just out on Netflix in anticipation of Season Four on AMC, this show is one of the few I'm up on. The pace is GLACIAL (you could watch just the pilot of season one and the last episode of season three and figure out mainly what has happened between the two), but the detail and love of these characters elevate the show and makes it so compelling. And buddy Josh Fadem appears once in a while.
2. James Acaster - Repertoire - British standup hasn't produced many comics I like. It's because British standup has a distinct history from America's. Instead of clubs coming up in the early 70's devoted to stand up, British comedians in the 70's were more like bingo callers or cruise directors leading a crowd through an activity with lots of street jokes and "we're 'avin a lot of fun, ain't we?" attitude. It's been only of recent years where some British standups have projected their own personalities on their acts. Acaster is young and has great bits, mostly silly but he has a great presence.
Side note: I LOVE set designs on standup specials. They seem to be the biggest afterthought of every production. "Oh yeah, it's a special so we gotta have a set. It can't just be a blank stage with a stool ....Hmmm ....How about some giant jacks? Random cubes? Or how about a 12' x 12' baby picture of you? Even better, say EIGHT 12' x 12' baby pictures looming over your head?"
My favorite set ever is from Katt Williams last special. It's a blinged-out Oval Office with framed portraits of Katt Williams himself on the side. There was a window with a simulated heavy rain behind it that was never explained. It ruled.
This Acaster special (at least episode 1 - the one I've seen) has a TERRIBLE set. It's a green fabric backdrop (gotta admit it was a good color for him) that was evidently just unnfolded, It's not hemmed on the bottom and is raggedy. The only piece is a table onstage that makes you think Spalding Gray will bum rush the stage and give a spot monologue. Still, worth watching. Enviably clever.
3. Old maps on the wall - one of my favorite quotes is the well-known one from Alfred Korzybski: "the map is not the territory." The pioneer of general semantics meant that we can never experience true reality because our brain stands in the way. But I extrapolate so much from that quote. What you plan is never what happens or you experience. That's why an old map of a place, delineated with borders that don't exist anymore, gives that perspective you need to stave off an anxiety attack. It reminds you reality is a shared tenuous agreement loosely based on dead people's shared tenuous agreements. So frame and put one on your wall.
4. Nine People's Favorite Thing - Heard this for the first time on Cool Playlist. I really wish for a cover of it because this instrumentation and vocals aren't to my taste. Where's a Rufus Wainwright when you need him? But I love the message and lyrics. Do what you love and don't change. Seriously, don't.
Me Time
Not for a few weeks, but I'm doing comedy at New Mexico 420 Fest. On April 20th. This should be something to see. Plus, I checked the music lineup and it's actually really good!
Any suggestions for me on the entertainment tip, let me know.