SATLOF RENAISSANCE @ FERNDALE REP

THE WHITE SNAKE LIVES AT FERNDALE REPERTORY...

ILLUSTRATION: Kim Hu-jeong

     My introduction to Leira Satlof was one summer, many summers ago when she & James Floss were auditioning for “1940’s Radio Hour” for a production being put together for the Ferndale Repertory Theatre. Having been cast, we shared extensive rehearsals for a 26 member cast and by all accounts, the show was a success. I was aware that her mother Jane Hill was a co-founder of Dell-Arte, another local company I had worked with, for a Christmas show.

     When Gloria Montgomery telephoned me late Saturday afternoon for going to the theatre that night, I was thrilled. It is always wonderful to accompany such a talented and well-known actress as Gloria. We went to see the current production of THE WHITE SNAKE at the Ferndale Repertory Theatre with bells on.

Oregon Shakespeare Festival Photo

     First staged at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival by Artistic Director Bill Rauch, this Chinese fable has had updates by such notables as the Brothers Grimm. I found the show brimming with talent, excellent casting, tasteful music written by Brian Post, with loads of excitement riveting the audience between fight scenes, dance scenes, love scenes, and scene changes, with drama and a driving story.

     I particularly enjoyed watching the mercurial temperament of Hanah Toyoda, playing the role of the monk Fa Hai, along with playing the parts of Narrator #4, Canopus, plus working as the Make-Up Designer. The other leads were very good, keeping the show at a good pace, and developing their character depth as the Second Act unfolded. I always look for those with a dance background, always noticeable.

    I loved the poetic elements held within the production decisions that could be compared to Cirque De Soleil. Growing up in the Dell-Arte world fashioned Satlof’s vision for how staging could and should work.  I thought the positivity of the teamwork expressed itself by the energy and creativity demonstrated by the cast throughout the uniquely timed and detail oriented blocking.

     I want to close with an official congrats! to Leira Satlof and the committee for having chosen her. It’s a new day in Ferndale. It is my hope that the community will rally by attending the final two weeks of the show. It is a good method to relax, especially with relatives possibly visiting, or the children needing some entertainment for the Fourth of July weekend. You are in luck, July 3 and July 10, 2016...both days have 2 pm matinees so you can take in the show with your family.

www.ferndalerep.org   (707) 786-5483

Julie Fulkerson Goes To NYC!

CIVIC LEADER & ENTREPRENEUR JULIE FULKERSON TRAVELS TO DISCOVER WHAT IS GOING ON IN NYC THIS YEAR...

interview by Peggy Molloy

Photo: Julie Fulkerson NY Set

MOLLOY: When was your most recent visit to NYC? 

FULKERSON: March 2016

MOLLOY: Do you go there often?

FULKERSON: We make every effort to go once a year.

MOLLOY: When did you first begin going, i.e. with your parents maybe?

FULKERSON: Actually, first trip was with my parents when I was 12 and on the way to Europe. We left Eureka on a six-day Greyhound bus trip across country and ended up on the docks of Manhattan to take the Ryndam on a ten day trip across the Atlantic…a story in itself.

MOLLOY: What was your favorite show at the theater? 

FULKERSON: This time, it had to be Waitress because of Sara Bareilles’ role in writing the score. It is always tough to pick one, because all are terrific an diverse experiences. This trip we also saw Father with Frank Langella, Eclipsed with Lupito Nyongo’, Boy and Michelle Williams and Jeff Daniels in Blackbird; NYPhil rehearsal, Sondheim review, Paul Horn and Judy Collins at St. John the Divine, numerous chamber concerts and a ballet….street and subway musicians! 

MOLLOY: What was your favorite concert? 

FULKERSON: Solo cellist in Trinity Church.

Photo: Julie Fulkerson NY Concert

MOLLOY: How has visiting NYC shaped your ideas about our local cultural offerings? 

FULKERSON: It is a reminder that there is unlimited material and talent in the world. It is important to show up in person. "Hamilton" will bring in over $1 billion in ticket sales. That is important to me because it means actors, musicians and technicians will be employed for years to come, just on this one show. Much bigger impact than a block-buster movie. And, there is a very different visceral response with live theatre than art in a can.

MOLLOY: There is an upcoming auction with your thumbprint on it to support a local school & social programs currently being held at that school. Details on poster below.

poster art by Augustus Clark

MOLLOY: I want to thank you personally for being an outstanding example of civic leadership & supporter of the Visual & Performing Arts in your community of Humboldt County, CA.

Major Shifting Reflected By Global Art Structuring

I have a premise for most of my thinking about art:

"Art Is Our Ancient Global Language".

This is reflected by many arguments about whether the Mother of the Arts is dancing or the creation of music? Both dance & music hold equal merit in my mind, but I want to discuss a bigger idea.

There is the phenomena of mega-museums, the diminishment of the local galleries, the huge global 

impact of the Internet, & the destruction of many centuries old sites representing older civilizations.

Blouinartinfo.com

















"Rise of the Mega-Museums"

world-arts.com

From the Whitney, NYC to museums all over the country,... renovations, facelifts, & extensions are stretching the minds & corridors of art institutions all over the world. Couple this with the deterioration of the smaller, home-town art galleries all over the country. Again, when we go to the theater, we understand the multi-media concoctions on stage are part of the new experience.

Here is my question...As the art world becomes more bold globally isn't this affecting the market at its core? I define "core" by those in small towns & city lofts creating their own art, be it choreographers, musicians, painters, sculptors...No one is happier than I am to have the arts & artists flourish, however, I feel I am witnessing basic business nuts & bolts. There is a glut in the market so to speak, galleries now charge the creative artist from 50-70% commissions, so therefore, who is making any money? Dare I compare this to the oil market? We are dabbling with basic constructs of luxury, class, & values.

At the same time, we record the loss of sites. We can begin in the Middle East where so many religious/ cultural structures are being destroyed as acts of WAR because they are reminders of civilizations & religions of ancient societies from long ago. 

Blouinartinfo.com

Just saying...I personally have great affection for the Old Masters, but clearly I view their study as a stepping stone, much as I appreciate the training of classical music for vocalists or composers.  Most dance people can tell instantly if a performer has had ballet training, by the ease of movement, the central strength, & lift of the physique exhibited by the actor. Let's not spend our precious time & dollars re-inventing the wheel. I view it as a tragedy to lose the artistic marvels of the world because they represent so much of cultural thinking & expression of the human experience.

JON VOIGHT IS A PRINCE claims co-actor on new TV movie Dave Gatzke

Dave Gatzke recently worked on a film with Jon Voight in Kentucky for Hallmark Family TV.
The truth be told, I went to Arcata Union High School with Dave, & we actually went to the same movie house in the 50's.
He has high praises for the film's star, Jon Voight.
Always involved in choirs, drama productions & talent nights, little did he know his talent would be called upon in Kentucky.

autographed script for Dave Gatzke

MOLLOY: Your first exposure to film was in Arcata, CA at the Saturday matinees?

GATZKE:  I remember going with my folks to see "Snow White" and/or "Bambi".

MOLLOY: I  know you like the early Disney characters including Donald Duck. I would go to the matinee at the same theater with my older sister & her friends. You sometimes post vintage cartoon runs on your facebook.

GATZKE: Yeh, I love those guys.

MOLLOY: As a young adult to moved to Europe. Can you tell me about that?

GATZKE: I joined the Army & was stationed in Germany.  I loved being so close to Switzerland so I could go skiing, or so close to France that I could take off & go out to dinner.

MOLLOY: Who is your favorite actor working today?

GATZKE: By far, that would be Jon Voight.

MOLLOY:  Who would you say is your favorite all time actor?

GATZKE: That would have to be Humphrey Bogart.

MOLLOY: Do you think your military experience changed your outlook about films?

GATZKE: The military structures your life. Whenever I would watch movies the actors seemed to be authentic, or "off-duty". I loved that.

Dave Gatzke (Left) Jon Voight (Right)

MOLLOY: Why do you love Kentucky?

GATZKE:  Kentucky is a great place to live. We are centrally located here, with easy access to trails for horse-back riding, lakes for fishing, it's just great.

MOLLOY: It was your horse-back riding environment that led you to being cast in the film?

GATZKE: My friend's farm was being used as the set for the movie. The Director, named Charlie, telephoned to explain they wanted a conversation with "Hippie Dave". Jon Voight explained they needed a couple of characters like me to be in the film. Once at the set, we were told to say anything you want to....(this is while the Director is taking notes), now their words have become part of the script.

MOLLOY: Would you like to pursue a professional acting career?

Dave Gatzke

GATZKE: It was a pleasure.

MOLLOY: Final comments?

GATZKE: There were other big stars, Melanie Griffith & James Caan, but Jon Voight stood out to me. Jon & Charlie made my movie experience the best I ever had. Jon Voight is a prince.

MOLLOY: When is the movie due to be out? And the title please?

GATZKE: The film will be titled "JL Ranch". It is expected to air in July 2016.

MOLLOY: Thank you Dave, great to talk to you again after all these years. 

World Traveler Offers Insights on Art, Orphans, Trust...

Photo: Haj Sophia, Istanbul TURKEY 2008, Stan & Cindy 

MOLLOY:  I remember when we were teenagers together in dance class, you had told me that you wanted to pray for peace in churches all over the world. How close have you come to that girlhood dream?

SAVAGE-HINO: I am not counting, but I do maintain & update a journal with our trips. It remains an important task for me as a person.

MOLLOY: What has surprised you the most about traveling to so many foreign countries?

SAVAGE-HINO: One surprise is to understand how much travel changes a person as you evolve with your experiences.

MOLLOY:  Can you tell me in a nutshell how you manage your trips for pleasure with your travel for Adoption Horizons?

SAVAGE-HINO:  Initially I was taking multiple trips to escort potential adoptive families into Vietnam & China, this was in the 90's. At this time I did have my assumptions destroyed about what  the criteria is for "good" & "bad" people. I began to understand how much alike people are.

MOLLOY:  Of your church experiences, is there one that stands out?

SAVAGE-HINO:  In the city of Abidjan on the Ivory Coast of Africa, we were escorted by the military police who took our cameras. We traveled to a Yamoussoukro Basillica which was absolutely huge & gilded inside with real gold. It was larger than St. Peter's Basilica with a large stained glass window featuring the President of the country. Ironically, the local poor hovered outside the gates.

MOLLOY:  Where have you witnessed the greatest ballet?

SAVAGE-HINO: When we were in St. Petersburg, RUSSIA, Stan thought I owed it to myself to see the classic "Swan Lake" at the Hermitage Theater. It being a classic was worth the experience. Russia maintains the great balletic history in their culture.

MOLLOY:  Theater?

SAVAGE-HINO:  An outdoor theater in Rome, ITALY with a performance of "Tosca".

MOLLOY: Rock Concert?

SAVAGE-HINO: Candlestick Park with my son, he managed to get some Paul McCartney tickets.
It was fabulous. Incidentally, when I was in a social situation in Vietnam, I was pressed to sing karaoke, so I chose a Beatle Song, it was a great hit, everyone in the audience knew it well.

MOLLOY:  Museum?

SAVAGE-HINO:  I have three that would be neck & neck, all gorgeous. The Musee d' Orsay, Paris, FRANCE, the Prado, Madrid, SPAIN, & the Gulbinkin, Lisbon, PORTUGAL. I want to mention also that there is an island called "Berlin Island" where they have seven major museums, all fabulous.
In Mexico City, there is the Museum of Anthropology featuring an Aztec calendar stone.

MOLLOY: Food?

SAVAGE-HINO:  I have had the very best Indian food at an Indian restaurant in Paris.

MOLLOY:  Hotels, do you book within a chain?

SAVAGE-HINO:  We choose hotels by how close they are to our particular trip destination, near trains whenever possible, but mostly we want to experience the culture & society of the country we are in. We prefer unique quarters, heavy on cultural character.

MOLLOY:  Final thoughts?

SAVAGE-HINO:  Mostly I want to share that all cultures & people want to love & be loved all over the world. People want the best for their children.

MOLLOY:  Future travel plans coming up?

SAVAGE-HINO:  We have tentative plans to go to Cuba & spend Christmas in Israel with a former exchange student.

MOLLOY: Thank you, I am proud to be able to call you my friend.

SAVAGE-HINO:  Thanks, I am proud to be your friend as well.