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May 19, 2011

From Gino Colbert: The Westwood Theatre

Another great porn theatre, gone! Sad. What is the world coming to? Thanks, Gino, for sending this.

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Hello!
 
Just heard the good ol' Westwood Theatre on Sylvania Ave. is closing its doors this Saturday with a sale of fixtures to follow on Wednesday, which I find quite sad. I hope someone at the paper writes a well-deserved story on the place, which was a Toledo icon for decades. It is truly the end of an era that many might take for granted, but the theatre was an important piece of Toledo film and cultural history that shouldn't be overlooked.
 
The Westwood and the Eastwood (on E. Broadway, which I believe is still standing) were built as sister neighborhood houses, both to accommodate silent film. In fact, the Westwood, though it never had a stage, still has an orchestra pit and off to the sides of the proscenium a pipe chamber for when it had a pipe organ in the day. Both theatres had the same stadium seating floor plan, long before it became popular in movie houses worldwide, the same exact chandeliers and matching marquees, though the Westwood had a remodeling job in the 60's when it became the Westwood Art Theatre.
 
Besides being a porn house for most of its life (operated by the now defunct Art Theatre Guild chain, which is why it managed to survive), it often ran foreign films long before they were fashionable. I remember when Ingmar Bergman's "Persona" (1966) played there, starring Bibi Andersson and Liv Ullmann, among many other Bergman films. Although such a film would be laughed at today, back then it was daring beyond belief. And of course, "Deep Throat" and "The Devil In Miss Jones" played there, which caused quite a stir in Toledo. I remember the theatre was sued by a customer who found "Deep Throat" to be offensive and obscene, and a famous First Amendment attorney by the name of Herald Price Fahringer was brought in to defend the case. It also played "The Stewardesses" in 1969, which became the most successful 3-D porn film in history. The theatre was no stranger to controversy and long lines that stretched around the block. As the business changed due to home video, the lobby was converted into a video/DVD store, which helped it to survive in the changing times.
 
The Westwood was also known for its midnight shows, one of the most popular being "The Rocky Horror Picture Show," which ran for years, and the William Friedkin-directed "The Boys In The Band." It brought films to Toledo that were edgy and controversial for the time and gave Toledoans a chance to see the same fare that were playing in the major cities.
 
Although intended to be built as a stage house during the vaudeville era, the stage was never completed, though the dressing rooms and orchestra pit were. It's truly a shame a developer couldn't go in and turn the place into a playhouse. All it would need is to knock out the back wall and build the stage it was meant to have. It would be perfect for community theatre. It has potential and should be saved.
 
I'm not sure if the entire building is being knocked down or what the plans are, as I live in Los Angeles and only hear of these things from family in Toledo.
 
I remember the Westwood well. From time to time, it would drop its adults only policy and play an occasional mainstream film. I remember seeing the lengthy "War and Peace" there sometime in the 60's. I also remember it offering free coffee to its patrons.
 
I hope you can use some of this if indeed you write a piece and feel free to quote me.

May 12, 2011

Sleeping With Straight Men in Chicago

A play I wrote a loooooong time ago is being produced in Chicago. You can see pics of the production here.

http://ronnielarsen.com/m/photos/browse/album/Sleeping-With-Straight-Men-Chicago/owner/admin

You can read about the play here.

http://ronnielarsen.com/page/sleeping

You can find out more about their production here:

http://www.ludicroustheatre.com/

May 10, 2011

The Street Musicians of Tijuana

Would anyone be interested in seeing a documentary about the street musicians of Tijuana? I'm think of putting it on Kickstarter.com. But is anyone, besides me, even remotely interested in this subject?

Red Light Tours of Tijuana

Someone at a party said I should act as a tour guide for nervous Americans and show them around the Red List District of Tijuana.I could take them to all the gay bathhouses. lol Take them to all the nasty hot spots. Hmmmmmm. Interesting idea. Lord  knows I know where they all are!

May 06, 2011

Michael Kearns

Hey performers, if you're in LA, you would be lucky to have the chance to work with Michael Kearns. I'm passing this on. Micheal's great. We did a play together and he was always the smartest one in the room. Great guy and great teacher.

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The ancient art of solo storytelling continues to enthrall artists and audiences alike



6 Week Intensive On Developing Your One-Person Show


What do…Will Ferrell, Eric Bogosian, Lily Tomlin, John Leguiziamo, Charlayne Woodard, Danny Hoch, Sandra Bernhard, Hershey Felder, John Fleck, Margaret Cho, Anna Deveare-Smith, Tracy Ullman, Jackie Mason, & Elaine Stritch
have in common? 

They each took control of their destinies, jump-started their careers, and empowered their lives doing one-person shows.
 
Michael Kearns & Tony Abatemarco, two veterans of solo performance and co-founders of The Katselas Theatre Company's INKubator - the new wildly successful play development series – will help you develop the one-person show that will lead to self-empowerment and career enhancement.
  • First time writers/performers looking to find their voice
  • Established performers who want to fine-tune their newest work
  • Breaking new ground or portraying an historical figure
  • Telling your own story or bringing a village full of characters to life

Beginner or pro, learn how you can make it happen for yourself.


Where:  Skylight Theater - Skylab, 1816 N. Vermont Ave. in Los Feliz
When: Wednesday 7 to 10pm, beginning May 25 thru June 29th

Individual Attention

Two amazing teachers - six weeks - one price:  $325.


Limited Enrollment  - Only Ten Spaces

To apply, submit a 250-word (minimum) proposal to:

solomojo@katselastheatre.com





The Instructors:  

Michael Kearns                
Michael Kearns' theatrical career has been largely defined by solo performance—from his two lauded books on the subject (Getting Your Solo Act Together and The Solo Performer's Journey) to the many hats he's worn as a solo artist: director, teacher writer-performer and dramaturg. From The Truth Is Bad Enough, his first "written and performed by" outing, to dramaturgical duties on Alex Davis' Man of the Year (produced at NY's Knitting Factory in 2011), Kearns' work, including the internationally acclaimed intimacies, has not abated for forty years.

Tony Abatemarco

For 3 decades, Tony has written, performed, directed, produced or taught theatre all over the world, and won some of Los Angeles' highest honors doing so.  He has directed Julie Harris solo as Isak Dinesen on Broadway and for A&E, as well as Robyn Peterson in the West End.  As a performer, he has done 4 solo shows.  His two originals, FOUR FATHERS and COLOGNE, have both won awards and have been performed around the country, the latter having just completed an extended run at the SkyLab.  He is an adjunct professor at USC's School of Theatre and holds an Endowed Chair at Santa Monica Emeritus College.  He has also coached or mentored privately, with students including Oscar nominees Johnny Depp and Mary McDonnell, and TRUE BLOOD star Deborah Ann Woll.  His film & tv credits are innumerable.

Facebook via gmail.

So is it better to update directly on Facebook or if I do it via my gmail is that fine, too? Does it make a difference? Any opinions? Cause if I update via gmail it goes to my blog, Twitter and Facebook. 3 birds with one e-mail. Hmmmmm. And what happens to the photo if I attach it via gmail? Will it show up? Ok sending now.