Within minutes of my phone call police had arrived. Even though no known guns or drugs were involved. Even though there was no name calling, slamming of doors, or other altercations. After all, the suspects were sleeping. We’ve had hasps and locks ripped from doors; a window broken; full gasoline cans stolen; and the list […]
Susanne Bacon’s 5th Wycliff Novel Visits with Ghosts of the Past
While assessing the inventory of an old villa, Izzy Watson, the Wycliff museum’s part-time curator, wonders who is leaving vintage jewelry on her doorstep. This is the beginning of my fifth novel in my series centered on the fictitious South Puget Sound Victorian small-town of Wycliff. Or is it? Because “Haunted Homes” – that is […]
Westside Story – Do You Live With A Killer?
This morning when I woke up, like every other morning, I thought I knew everything. But that was before I read an article in The New York Times about a new killer among us. This killer may strike anytime and anywhere, including my or your home. The killer is the new silent cutting-edge technology of […]
Noël Coward's Hay Fever – Tacoma Little Theatre Play Review
Sir Noël Peirce Coward was an English playwright, composer, director, actor and singer. He was flamboyant and known for his wit, which usually made fun of Britain’s upper classes. His play, Hay Fever, was written in 1924. His humor target was bad manners and bad behavior. In the play he uses an egocentric family that […]
Faust Film Review
The Deal with the Devil motif is a cultural staple that has endured for centuries. We’ve seen this story play out in multiple ways across multiple mediums such as books, music, paintings and films, of course. The Picture of Dorian Grey, Rosemary’s Baby, Phantom of the Paradise, Bedazzled and even Disney movies like The Little […]
Imagination and Make Believe are the Reality In Lakewood
The future of the theater is in the hands, the faces, and the experiences of children. Go to any local live theater production and you’ll probably see older adults. When I was on the board of directors for Tacoma Actors Guild, we often talked about attracting younger audiences. Grandparents can be key. My wife Peggy […]
The Producers – Lakewood Playhouse Musical Review
I’ve re-read favorite books; watched favorite films over and over again; and watched back to back musicals. Why not? People listen to the same music all the time. Musical comedy is a double plus with music and comedy acting together. Mel Brooks says the essence of comedy is anticipation and payoff. That’s why people can […]
The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber – Tacoma Musical Playhouse Review
Tacoma Musical Playhouse followed up their Full Monty performance in May with an encore presentation of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber in early June. It was well received and would have been worth a trip in the snow if we could have just made it to a main road for the original date in […]
Across the Fence: Building Character
The other day, while I was just finishing my first lap of power walking around Waughop Lake, I was chatted up by a gentleman who I had encountered about ten minutes earlier. After another lap in lively discussion, I came away with some huge inspiration and signed copies of three mind-blowing books. The gentleman I […]