My son thinks he's a comedy genius. And for his age, he's probably right.
I reckon once a kid reaches the ripe ol' age of Five, he truly discovers just how funny bodily functions are. Now granted, a fart noise will make them giggle even at Two, but to begin to 'talk dirty' through the misappropriated use of 'naughty words' is the brain child of a child of Five. Or you could call them "Cinco De Enfant" (broken Spanish?).
First off, we should promptly exclude all girls from this theory. Why? Because even at age Five, potty humor is beneath them and they're already planning their wedding days and/or figuring out what qualities their hubby should have (potty humor not being one of them.)
Back to my son. Christmas time brings an onslaught of Holiday songs 24/7 at home, on the car radio, in shopping malls, you name it. And my son LOVES Christmas songs. He's got them memorized and he gleefully sings along with them at the top of his lungs. Right now I'll admit it's cute. But ask me again next year.
Anyway.....My son cracked himself up a few days before Christmas Day by plugging the word "Poo Poo" into "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer".....Huh? Here...Sing along to his newest version of a holiday classic:
Rudolph The Red Nose Poo-Poo!
by Ethan Lowell
Rudolph the red nosed poo-poo
Had a very shiny poo-poo
And if you ever saw it
You would even say it's poo-poo
All of the other poo-poo's
Used to laugh and call him poo-poo
They never let poor poo-poo
Play in any poo-poo games
Then one foggy Christmas poo-poo
Santa came to say
Poo-poo, with your nose so poo-poo
Won't you ride my poo-poo tonight
Then how the poo-poo's loved him
and they shouted out, "Poo-Poo!"
Poo-Poo the red nosed Poo-Poo
You'll go down in Poo-Poo, too!
...And that's about it. This, according to my son, is the FUNNIEST SONG in the HISTORY of FUNNY SONGS and POO-POO related topics.
I'm just waiting for the day when he's introduced to George Carlin's "The Seven Words You Can't Say On Television." Until then, I'll enjoy another chorus of "Rudolph The Red Nosed Poo-Poo."
Take care,
Chipper
http://www.chipper.tv
Chipper's new full evening show opens in Lake Tahoe on February 24th, 2006. Called "The CHIPPER LOWELL EXPERIENCE!", the live stage show will be presented twice nightly at the Golden Cabaret Theater inside the Horizon Casino Resorts. For more information, please visit the website:
http://www.chipperlowellexperience.com
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Monday, December 05, 2005
Oh Canada! The WINTER Tour! (shiver, shiver)
It's only fitting that Canada is as cold as "H-E-Double Hockeysticks", since that particular sport is their national past-time. Did I say past-time? I mean RELIGION. Let me put it this way - If Jesus had by accident, kicked a hockey puck into a fishing net, every one of the Canadian provinces would be made up of 100% Bible-Thumpers.
Have I mentioned they LOVE their hockey?
I'm currently on tour in a friend of mine's full evening stage show, "Magic & Miracles", and quite honestly having a blast. The venues range in size from 700 to 3,500 hundred people, and we're performing up to three shows a night to accommodate the crowds.
Livin' large on a giant tour bus, while the truck carrying props, illusions, lighting and sound, etc...runs on ahead of us to the next theater. And, DAMN, what a great cast & crew! All top notch, and no divas! Other acts on the bill include Danny Cole - a fantastic magician with some really creative, cutting edge ideas...and Jeff Mcleod, a very, very funny guy both on stage and off with his magic skills. Extra added bonus is his incredible 'close-up' magic which he got several chances to show off during late-night parties and 'official' receptions.
The show's producers and stars are Murray Hatfield & Teresa - two excellent illusionists who are among the top magicians performing in Canada today. And did I mention they're nice people? So friggin' nice to work with well grounded people!!!
The mood on this year's tour has been nothing but fun. Quite possibly one of the BEST tours I've ever worked. (This coming from a guy who's travelled on many a tour across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Austrailia, New Zealand and other hole-in-the-wall places around the globe.)
Now granted, a tour is a tour is a tour...meaning, if you haven't done one, then you might be surprised at having to deal with new situations for each theater...Some have tons of backstage area for setting up, while others have a BRICK WALL two feet from the edge of the curtain! (what?!?!?) Some stages sport an orchestra pit that pushes the audience away from you a good 15 feet, while others have the audience pretty much looking up your pant leg. Sometimes you get your own dressing room, and other times....well, you're better off dressing on the tour bus and THEN walking into the theater.
But despite the different circumstances surrounding each stage/venue/dressingroom/bathrooms/etc..... The audiences have been great and very appreciative. This tour draws 'fans' who have seen every annual production of this show for the past TWENTY YEARS! Teenagers who caught the show years ago, are now young, married parents with children of their own, making a trip to the show a holiday tradition. At times it feels this production has the same status as watching "Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer" or "A Christmas Story" every December.
We sign autographs after each show, and that can sometimes take up to 45 minutes to an hour, but it's always great to see the kids' smiles and the parents thankful for a great time that can be enjoyed by the entire family. (Sounds soft and fluffy, I know, but when you have kids of your own, you'll understand where I'm coming from.)
I'll have to include some pix next time around as some areas we're passing through are BEAUTIFUL, and I apologize for not being as funny in the blogarola as usual. But it's now 3:24 in the morning and I'm exhausted. Tomorrow is another travel day, with two shows that night. The road part of this tour can be a grind, and it easily reminds me of when I was growing up traveling around with my parents on various circuses and arena shows. The 'jumps' as we called them, were a pain, but the next morning we had the privilege to experience an entire new town to explore at random.
More to come!.....And hey, if you're hibernating up in Canada's snowy land of wonderment, well then scurry on down to the theater closest to you and catch this year's "Magic N Miracles" show. It's been getting great reviews and you won't be disappointed! Many are calling this year's production one of the best! (That's saying something with over 20 plus years of show!)
A complete tour schedule for the show can be found at: www.magicnmiracles.com
I'm outta here!
Chipper
www.chipper.tv
www.chipperlowellexperience.com
email: lowellprod@adelphia.net
Have I mentioned they LOVE their hockey?
I'm currently on tour in a friend of mine's full evening stage show, "Magic & Miracles", and quite honestly having a blast. The venues range in size from 700 to 3,500 hundred people, and we're performing up to three shows a night to accommodate the crowds.
Livin' large on a giant tour bus, while the truck carrying props, illusions, lighting and sound, etc...runs on ahead of us to the next theater. And, DAMN, what a great cast & crew! All top notch, and no divas! Other acts on the bill include Danny Cole - a fantastic magician with some really creative, cutting edge ideas...and Jeff Mcleod, a very, very funny guy both on stage and off with his magic skills. Extra added bonus is his incredible 'close-up' magic which he got several chances to show off during late-night parties and 'official' receptions.
The show's producers and stars are Murray Hatfield & Teresa - two excellent illusionists who are among the top magicians performing in Canada today. And did I mention they're nice people? So friggin' nice to work with well grounded people!!!
The mood on this year's tour has been nothing but fun. Quite possibly one of the BEST tours I've ever worked. (This coming from a guy who's travelled on many a tour across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Austrailia, New Zealand and other hole-in-the-wall places around the globe.)
Now granted, a tour is a tour is a tour...meaning, if you haven't done one, then you might be surprised at having to deal with new situations for each theater...Some have tons of backstage area for setting up, while others have a BRICK WALL two feet from the edge of the curtain! (what?!?!?) Some stages sport an orchestra pit that pushes the audience away from you a good 15 feet, while others have the audience pretty much looking up your pant leg. Sometimes you get your own dressing room, and other times....well, you're better off dressing on the tour bus and THEN walking into the theater.
But despite the different circumstances surrounding each stage/venue/dressingroom/bathrooms/etc..... The audiences have been great and very appreciative. This tour draws 'fans' who have seen every annual production of this show for the past TWENTY YEARS! Teenagers who caught the show years ago, are now young, married parents with children of their own, making a trip to the show a holiday tradition. At times it feels this production has the same status as watching "Rudolf The Red Nosed Reindeer" or "A Christmas Story" every December.
We sign autographs after each show, and that can sometimes take up to 45 minutes to an hour, but it's always great to see the kids' smiles and the parents thankful for a great time that can be enjoyed by the entire family. (Sounds soft and fluffy, I know, but when you have kids of your own, you'll understand where I'm coming from.)
I'll have to include some pix next time around as some areas we're passing through are BEAUTIFUL, and I apologize for not being as funny in the blogarola as usual. But it's now 3:24 in the morning and I'm exhausted. Tomorrow is another travel day, with two shows that night. The road part of this tour can be a grind, and it easily reminds me of when I was growing up traveling around with my parents on various circuses and arena shows. The 'jumps' as we called them, were a pain, but the next morning we had the privilege to experience an entire new town to explore at random.
More to come!.....And hey, if you're hibernating up in Canada's snowy land of wonderment, well then scurry on down to the theater closest to you and catch this year's "Magic N Miracles" show. It's been getting great reviews and you won't be disappointed! Many are calling this year's production one of the best! (That's saying something with over 20 plus years of show!)
A complete tour schedule for the show can be found at: www.magicnmiracles.com
I'm outta here!
Chipper
www.chipper.tv
www.chipperlowellexperience.com
email: lowellprod@adelphia.net
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
Halloweenies & Hauntings...
Knott's Halloween Haunt is probably the oldest, biggest, best Halloween event in the country.
And this year once again I'm proud to be a part of it.
Currently people can catch my show at the Boardwalk Ballroom Theater which should only seat 375 people, but with the growing crowds, we've been seating 400-475 per show. Once the chairs are filled, people sit in the aisles and on small steps circling the house area. And the crowds have been great!
During one of the Haunt's Preview Nights, I had a chance to run around and catch the rest of the park's cool shows, mazes and attractions. At least two of the mazes are done in "3-D", and with the cool glasses (at an extra $1.00 a pop) they're a hoot to walk though. You swear the walls are coming at you, let alone the monsters, gouls, etc.... the best 3D maze is a fairytale theme....But fairytales that have gone horribly wrong. A must see!
My experience with the Haunt has spanned over the last twenty years....Starting with a blind date way back when which went horribly wrong - just like the fairytale maze. The girl was quieter than Teller of Penn & Teller, and we pretty much stared at each other's feet while standing for hours in line for this ride and that ride. (NOTE: A themepark is the WORST place for a bind date. May my misfortune help future daters.) Finally at 11pm, we escaped the acres of fake fog and I quickly drove her back to her home....except that REAL fog had set in and the freeways were crawling at around 5 miles per hour. Yippie!
Anyway, that was a loooong time ago, and presently I'm not married to her.....I think. Not sure, as it was dark that night and I don't remember her face really. Could me my wife.
Two years later, I worked the Haunt as an assistant in a magic illusion show. Hardly saw much of the park, as we were doing four shows a day and I was exhausted. Mostly from lack of sleep. But it was still fun and exciting.
Years later I worked the Haunt as a makeup artist. I wound up working several seasons in a row, making up hundreds of Knott's employees each night of the Haunt. Abel Zeballos was in charge of the makeup artists and he was simply the best and the nicest guy to work for. In under a minute we could apply rashes, gouges, scars, tears, wrinkles, teeth, black eyes, etc... to each face put in front of us. We learned on our feet and really could only rest after the last employee had finally waddled through the line and onto their respective ride operator position somewhere in the park.
After a year or two absence, I was back at the park for yet another Haunt. This time around as a street performer. NOT a monster, like many who take pride in scaring people year after year. No, we were real performers, entertaining the long lines of people waiting hours on end to ride a three minute Log Ride or Mine Train Ride. Very fun and strange. My adlib skills greatly honed, as I forced myself to banter endlessly with people one after another. Every night I tried to come up with a new character, but my favorite was a guy who simply woke up and didn't realize his razer was still stuck in his face from shaving that morning. He drank his coffee, asked people where his wife was and if they'd seen his dog. And then in a fit of rage, he'd yell at the the strangers in line and demand that they "get off" his front lawn.
Cut to years later, and I periodically wind up performing at Knott's - sometimes at the Boardwalk Ballroom, sometimes at the Birdcage Theater. It's always kinda cool, and the audiences are like a pitbull - They're waiting to pounce if they sense fear from the performers at the park, but once they know you're there to throw them a curveball of your own, they're quite the happy campers.
Halloween was and is a wonderful time for experimenting with theater and performing. We all allow it to be a little more 'naughty' and wierd, and it's all okay...After all, it's Halloween!
-----
Knott's Halloween Haunt in Buena Park, CA is the largest Halloween themed event anywhere. Open most of October, it will attract hundreds of thousands of people during that time. For more info on Chipper's appearance there, go to: www.chipper.tv
And this year once again I'm proud to be a part of it.
Currently people can catch my show at the Boardwalk Ballroom Theater which should only seat 375 people, but with the growing crowds, we've been seating 400-475 per show. Once the chairs are filled, people sit in the aisles and on small steps circling the house area. And the crowds have been great!
During one of the Haunt's Preview Nights, I had a chance to run around and catch the rest of the park's cool shows, mazes and attractions. At least two of the mazes are done in "3-D", and with the cool glasses (at an extra $1.00 a pop) they're a hoot to walk though. You swear the walls are coming at you, let alone the monsters, gouls, etc.... the best 3D maze is a fairytale theme....But fairytales that have gone horribly wrong. A must see!
My experience with the Haunt has spanned over the last twenty years....Starting with a blind date way back when which went horribly wrong - just like the fairytale maze. The girl was quieter than Teller of Penn & Teller, and we pretty much stared at each other's feet while standing for hours in line for this ride and that ride. (NOTE: A themepark is the WORST place for a bind date. May my misfortune help future daters.) Finally at 11pm, we escaped the acres of fake fog and I quickly drove her back to her home....except that REAL fog had set in and the freeways were crawling at around 5 miles per hour. Yippie!
Anyway, that was a loooong time ago, and presently I'm not married to her.....I think. Not sure, as it was dark that night and I don't remember her face really. Could me my wife.
Two years later, I worked the Haunt as an assistant in a magic illusion show. Hardly saw much of the park, as we were doing four shows a day and I was exhausted. Mostly from lack of sleep. But it was still fun and exciting.
Years later I worked the Haunt as a makeup artist. I wound up working several seasons in a row, making up hundreds of Knott's employees each night of the Haunt. Abel Zeballos was in charge of the makeup artists and he was simply the best and the nicest guy to work for. In under a minute we could apply rashes, gouges, scars, tears, wrinkles, teeth, black eyes, etc... to each face put in front of us. We learned on our feet and really could only rest after the last employee had finally waddled through the line and onto their respective ride operator position somewhere in the park.
After a year or two absence, I was back at the park for yet another Haunt. This time around as a street performer. NOT a monster, like many who take pride in scaring people year after year. No, we were real performers, entertaining the long lines of people waiting hours on end to ride a three minute Log Ride or Mine Train Ride. Very fun and strange. My adlib skills greatly honed, as I forced myself to banter endlessly with people one after another. Every night I tried to come up with a new character, but my favorite was a guy who simply woke up and didn't realize his razer was still stuck in his face from shaving that morning. He drank his coffee, asked people where his wife was and if they'd seen his dog. And then in a fit of rage, he'd yell at the the strangers in line and demand that they "get off" his front lawn.
Cut to years later, and I periodically wind up performing at Knott's - sometimes at the Boardwalk Ballroom, sometimes at the Birdcage Theater. It's always kinda cool, and the audiences are like a pitbull - They're waiting to pounce if they sense fear from the performers at the park, but once they know you're there to throw them a curveball of your own, they're quite the happy campers.
Halloween was and is a wonderful time for experimenting with theater and performing. We all allow it to be a little more 'naughty' and wierd, and it's all okay...After all, it's Halloween!
-----
Knott's Halloween Haunt in Buena Park, CA is the largest Halloween themed event anywhere. Open most of October, it will attract hundreds of thousands of people during that time. For more info on Chipper's appearance there, go to: www.chipper.tv
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
My Four-year-old, going on Forty...
Our son is currently Four and half years old. Old enough to form full sentences, but young enough to not know the limits of the world around him. In short, he makes us laugh....a lot!
Two things happened this past week which come to mind... One morning, my wife is drinking coffee at the breakfast table while our son is having his cereal before heading off to school. My wife dashes to pick up the phone in the other room, reminding our son NOT to touch her coffee because it's hot.
She's back in the kitchen not 20 seconds later and there's our boy - pouring a cup of water INTO his mom's coffee mug. "What are you doing? I asked you not to touch my coffee." He looks up and smiles, pointing to the steam that is now disappearing from the coffe cup. "I'm putting out the fire!", he says proudly. "I'm playing fireman!"
Pretty cute stuff.
Story number TWO: While in a restaurant (Chili's, if you must know) I take my son to the bathroom. Inside the stall, he sits down and dutifully pees. All done - or so I think. He then stands up, and turns around to face the toilet. Why? Because he wants to now pee STANDING UP. (Just like Daddy does!) Of course, being Four, he doesn't quite understand that his bladder is already empty from peeing sitting down just seconds before. He looks down, frustrated and confused. No pee. Nothing.
He looks up at me, rather sadly, and says, "Oh....My penis died!"
I laughed so hard, that I could barely stand up. So unexpected what comes out of kids' mouths! So the next couple minutes was spent trying to explain to a little boy how the body functions when it comes to Pee-Pee & Poo-Poo. What fun!
These stories are just the tip of the iceberg, with many more to come I'm sure. For those of you out there raising your own, enjoy those moments. They are funny, and precious, and fleeting.
God love 'em!
Two things happened this past week which come to mind... One morning, my wife is drinking coffee at the breakfast table while our son is having his cereal before heading off to school. My wife dashes to pick up the phone in the other room, reminding our son NOT to touch her coffee because it's hot.
She's back in the kitchen not 20 seconds later and there's our boy - pouring a cup of water INTO his mom's coffee mug. "What are you doing? I asked you not to touch my coffee." He looks up and smiles, pointing to the steam that is now disappearing from the coffe cup. "I'm putting out the fire!", he says proudly. "I'm playing fireman!"
Pretty cute stuff.
Story number TWO: While in a restaurant (Chili's, if you must know) I take my son to the bathroom. Inside the stall, he sits down and dutifully pees. All done - or so I think. He then stands up, and turns around to face the toilet. Why? Because he wants to now pee STANDING UP. (Just like Daddy does!) Of course, being Four, he doesn't quite understand that his bladder is already empty from peeing sitting down just seconds before. He looks down, frustrated and confused. No pee. Nothing.
He looks up at me, rather sadly, and says, "Oh....My penis died!"
I laughed so hard, that I could barely stand up. So unexpected what comes out of kids' mouths! So the next couple minutes was spent trying to explain to a little boy how the body functions when it comes to Pee-Pee & Poo-Poo. What fun!
These stories are just the tip of the iceberg, with many more to come I'm sure. For those of you out there raising your own, enjoy those moments. They are funny, and precious, and fleeting.
God love 'em!
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Renaisance Faire-To-So-So...
Today the cast of FUSION 2 (Our show at the Horizon in Lake Tahoe) took a trip to the Renaisance Faire which takes place here in South Tahoe once a year. I must admit, the setting is beautiful. The grounds are generously sprinkled with pine trees towering over the tents, booths, stages, and crowds. There are zero sightlines of present-day civilization anywhere to be seen, so at times one can truly get the feeling of being in a period-piece or documentary special on PBS.
But then you actually meet the Faire people.
Now it's an easy thing to make fun of this unusual group, and come to think of it, many have. And I'll admit that there are those among them who 'get it' - they don't drown themselves in delusions of the time, hoping it will whisk them away from contemporary life. They are the real, down to earth merchants & performers who work the Ren Faire 'circuit' from coast to coast. Selling their wares and wardropes for good money, offering fencing lessons for a few dollars and singing, dancing, juggling, and cajoling for hard-earned tips.
No, I'm talking about the other ones that come out of the woodwork - Ren Faire termites you might call them. They've worked on their costumes just as much as a Star Wars fan might painstakenly stitch hair after hair onto their Wookie outfit. They're the ones who make a point of chatting up with unsuspecting strangers in "Old English", like Japanese tourists longing to converse with Americans when they visit the states. They feel a strange sense of superiority because most of us can't answer back in the same old dialect. We stutter and stamper, as we're "Lord & Lady'd" to death.
But they're harmless. And truthfully, most of us go to a Ren Faire to people-watch. We'd be extremely bummed if it were as clean and pristine as Disneyland. Where the theme park costuming reeks of simplicity, bordering on almost cartoonish design. Where the name-tagged employees may be working a bavarian themed restaurant, but their accent is all american through and through.
The long and the short of it? We were, as my friend Eric put it, "Just here for a big ol' turkey leg" - Throw back some grog in pewter cups, and watch an endlesss bevy of bossoms flutter about. Ren Faires ARE definitely cleavage-heaven.
Some women push their boobs up so high, that I swear they could rest their chin on them if they wanted. Or have a nice place to carry their lunch. Their dresses are full and I imagine the detailed machinery involved underneath it all that permits the...well, let's call it upliftment. I'm sure structural engineers would be in awe.
All in all, a good day. We got in free, and left with everything intact. The crowds were friendly, the Ren Faire people as a whole were nice and generous. Many were willing to take pictures with us, even though we secretly only wanted proof of their outrageous costumes. Some never quite hit the mark, nor the time period. We discovered several Xena-type women warriors, huns, and quite a few fairies. People who decided that Ren Faires meant strapping a pair of fairy or angel wings to their shoulders. Oh well, not everyone is going to get the concept spot on.
Lords & Ladies? No, I'd much rather stick with the guys & gals of today. But where else are you gonna get a big ol' turkey leg?
But then you actually meet the Faire people.
Now it's an easy thing to make fun of this unusual group, and come to think of it, many have. And I'll admit that there are those among them who 'get it' - they don't drown themselves in delusions of the time, hoping it will whisk them away from contemporary life. They are the real, down to earth merchants & performers who work the Ren Faire 'circuit' from coast to coast. Selling their wares and wardropes for good money, offering fencing lessons for a few dollars and singing, dancing, juggling, and cajoling for hard-earned tips.
No, I'm talking about the other ones that come out of the woodwork - Ren Faire termites you might call them. They've worked on their costumes just as much as a Star Wars fan might painstakenly stitch hair after hair onto their Wookie outfit. They're the ones who make a point of chatting up with unsuspecting strangers in "Old English", like Japanese tourists longing to converse with Americans when they visit the states. They feel a strange sense of superiority because most of us can't answer back in the same old dialect. We stutter and stamper, as we're "Lord & Lady'd" to death.
But they're harmless. And truthfully, most of us go to a Ren Faire to people-watch. We'd be extremely bummed if it were as clean and pristine as Disneyland. Where the theme park costuming reeks of simplicity, bordering on almost cartoonish design. Where the name-tagged employees may be working a bavarian themed restaurant, but their accent is all american through and through.
The long and the short of it? We were, as my friend Eric put it, "Just here for a big ol' turkey leg" - Throw back some grog in pewter cups, and watch an endlesss bevy of bossoms flutter about. Ren Faires ARE definitely cleavage-heaven.
Some women push their boobs up so high, that I swear they could rest their chin on them if they wanted. Or have a nice place to carry their lunch. Their dresses are full and I imagine the detailed machinery involved underneath it all that permits the...well, let's call it upliftment. I'm sure structural engineers would be in awe.
All in all, a good day. We got in free, and left with everything intact. The crowds were friendly, the Ren Faire people as a whole were nice and generous. Many were willing to take pictures with us, even though we secretly only wanted proof of their outrageous costumes. Some never quite hit the mark, nor the time period. We discovered several Xena-type women warriors, huns, and quite a few fairies. People who decided that Ren Faires meant strapping a pair of fairy or angel wings to their shoulders. Oh well, not everyone is going to get the concept spot on.
Lords & Ladies? No, I'd much rather stick with the guys & gals of today. But where else are you gonna get a big ol' turkey leg?
Friday, June 10, 2005
Theater Multi-Tasking?!?!
I know - what's with the title? Well, it'll make sense in a minute. I'm performing a few nights ago and low and behold there's a lady KNITTING in the front row! Now it's not that she was bored, quite the contrary. She was laughing and smiling and applauding and having a great time, but I guess she felt she could 'kill two birds with one stone' so to speak.
She must have thought that theater was the same as watching television back in the fifties....The family gathers around the picture tube and the kids lay on the floor with softdrinks. Father gets to sit in his 'official' Dad's chair and smoke his pipe, while mother knits or does embroidery....Armed with menial tasks, they then sit back and enjoy the nightly television programming.
So by the time our LIVE stage show finished, she was a happy camper, having enjoyed our performance and having finished an entire wool SOCK. Now I know she probably thinks nothing of it, but doesn't she realize there really is something rather rude about knitting in the front row of a theater during a show? I mean, come on, why not vacuum as well? Or soak your feet for that matter?
The sad state of affairs is this....Gone is the respectability of going to the Theater, giving the performers their proper due (or 'props' nowadays) and simply paying 'undivided' attention to what is happening on stage.
Having attended shows and musicals, broadway and off-broadway (and experimental, alternative way-off-off-off-broadway) in New York over the past 20+ years, as a theater-goer I've seen this decline first-hand. Many of us have. A lot of it has to do with everything becoming more and more casual in today's society...and there's nothing wrong with that in and of itself. I'm sure women are glad that the age of corsets are over, and that swimwear can now be as skimpy as a couple of rubberbands and two Post-It notes. Men aren't required to be strangled by ties as much as they used to be. Many companies don't seem to mind people wearing a nice pair of jeans and sneakers, as long as they're clean.
But the casual trend has also brought about a dirge of laziness when it comes to a night on the town. "Hey, I get off work at Six, so I'll swing by and pick you up at 6:30. We'll get a bite to eat at 7:00 and then we'll head straight over to the theater since the show starts promptly at 8:00!" - no time to dress up. No time to impress each other (except for checking your breath and adding another coat of deodorant to your armpits.) Besides, EVERYONE is wearing jeans and sneakers - all of them strolling into major shows on broadway as if they were simply window shopping at the local mall - only difference is, they're clutching a pair of tickets at $125.00 each.
And maybe that's the problem as well. Tickets pices rising so sky high that one feels entitled to dress down because at least they (the theater) can't control that particular aspect of our lives. People thinking to themselves, "I paid almost a week's salary for tonight's dinner and show for the two of us - I'll dress any damn way I want, thank you very much!"
I'm sure theater's dress codes have diminshed as well, since everyone's looking to make more money. Why limit the 'type' of person who goes to the theater if they're willing to plunk down good hard cold cash to come inside? Besides, by getting rid of the dress code, aren't we allowing everyone to enjoy the theater experience? For art is something that.... lofty idealistic ideas of bringing "theater to the masses!".
Which brings me to yet another point. I've joked about this before, but as I get older, I tend to seriously wonder. Since we performers have to 'pay our dues' and have a litany of past experience listed on our resumes, why doesn't an audience member need to show THEIR resume? Would be great, wouldn't it? "Ah yes, I see you've attended several operas and quite a few musicals of some of the top touring companies. And you've been approved by quite a few ushers who have praised you on your silence, attentiveness and positive audience participation during each performance. Well done! Please, PLEASE be our guests!"
Well, my show was over and the crowds were leaving the theater. The rest of the cast and I were standing out in the casino lobby for 'de-greet' or as others call it 'meet-&-greet'. And sure enough, the knitting monster in the front row pulled her family out of the theater; all with big smiles on their faces. They vigerously shook my hand and talked endlessly about how much they enjoyed the show.
I had so much to say to her, but threw on a quiet smile and an almost inaudible 'thank you' for their kind words. As they trotted away onto their next adventure, I couldn't help but wish that a strand of yarn might have slipped from her purse so I could nonchalantly step on it....The knitted sock, slowly, secretly unraveling inside as they walked further and further away. Sometimes a simple daydream will solve things and make everything right with the world.
I walked back into the theater and realized we'd soon have to change our opening announcement to the show: "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Horizon Casino Cabaret Theatre. During this performance we do ask that you refrain from smoking and the use of all cellphones, pagers, beepers...and knitting needles. Thank you, and enjoy the show!"
She must have thought that theater was the same as watching television back in the fifties....The family gathers around the picture tube and the kids lay on the floor with softdrinks. Father gets to sit in his 'official' Dad's chair and smoke his pipe, while mother knits or does embroidery....Armed with menial tasks, they then sit back and enjoy the nightly television programming.
So by the time our LIVE stage show finished, she was a happy camper, having enjoyed our performance and having finished an entire wool SOCK. Now I know she probably thinks nothing of it, but doesn't she realize there really is something rather rude about knitting in the front row of a theater during a show? I mean, come on, why not vacuum as well? Or soak your feet for that matter?
The sad state of affairs is this....Gone is the respectability of going to the Theater, giving the performers their proper due (or 'props' nowadays) and simply paying 'undivided' attention to what is happening on stage.
Having attended shows and musicals, broadway and off-broadway (and experimental, alternative way-off-off-off-broadway) in New York over the past 20+ years, as a theater-goer I've seen this decline first-hand. Many of us have. A lot of it has to do with everything becoming more and more casual in today's society...and there's nothing wrong with that in and of itself. I'm sure women are glad that the age of corsets are over, and that swimwear can now be as skimpy as a couple of rubberbands and two Post-It notes. Men aren't required to be strangled by ties as much as they used to be. Many companies don't seem to mind people wearing a nice pair of jeans and sneakers, as long as they're clean.
But the casual trend has also brought about a dirge of laziness when it comes to a night on the town. "Hey, I get off work at Six, so I'll swing by and pick you up at 6:30. We'll get a bite to eat at 7:00 and then we'll head straight over to the theater since the show starts promptly at 8:00!" - no time to dress up. No time to impress each other (except for checking your breath and adding another coat of deodorant to your armpits.) Besides, EVERYONE is wearing jeans and sneakers - all of them strolling into major shows on broadway as if they were simply window shopping at the local mall - only difference is, they're clutching a pair of tickets at $125.00 each.
And maybe that's the problem as well. Tickets pices rising so sky high that one feels entitled to dress down because at least they (the theater) can't control that particular aspect of our lives. People thinking to themselves, "I paid almost a week's salary for tonight's dinner and show for the two of us - I'll dress any damn way I want, thank you very much!"
I'm sure theater's dress codes have diminshed as well, since everyone's looking to make more money. Why limit the 'type' of person who goes to the theater if they're willing to plunk down good hard cold cash to come inside? Besides, by getting rid of the dress code, aren't we allowing everyone to enjoy the theater experience? For art is something that.... lofty idealistic ideas of bringing "theater to the masses!".
Which brings me to yet another point. I've joked about this before, but as I get older, I tend to seriously wonder. Since we performers have to 'pay our dues' and have a litany of past experience listed on our resumes, why doesn't an audience member need to show THEIR resume? Would be great, wouldn't it? "Ah yes, I see you've attended several operas and quite a few musicals of some of the top touring companies. And you've been approved by quite a few ushers who have praised you on your silence, attentiveness and positive audience participation during each performance. Well done! Please, PLEASE be our guests!"
Well, my show was over and the crowds were leaving the theater. The rest of the cast and I were standing out in the casino lobby for 'de-greet' or as others call it 'meet-&-greet'. And sure enough, the knitting monster in the front row pulled her family out of the theater; all with big smiles on their faces. They vigerously shook my hand and talked endlessly about how much they enjoyed the show.
I had so much to say to her, but threw on a quiet smile and an almost inaudible 'thank you' for their kind words. As they trotted away onto their next adventure, I couldn't help but wish that a strand of yarn might have slipped from her purse so I could nonchalantly step on it....The knitted sock, slowly, secretly unraveling inside as they walked further and further away. Sometimes a simple daydream will solve things and make everything right with the world.
I walked back into the theater and realized we'd soon have to change our opening announcement to the show: "Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the Horizon Casino Cabaret Theatre. During this performance we do ask that you refrain from smoking and the use of all cellphones, pagers, beepers...and knitting needles. Thank you, and enjoy the show!"
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Snow?!!! In JUNE?!!! In TAHOE?!!!!
During our shows last night we opened the back door of the hallway which leads to the dressingrooms. It gets rather hot backstage, so opening an outside doorr a crack usually helps. Except, instead of cold, we got SNOW! I swore we were being 'Punk'd" - But there it was, white fluffy snowflakes falling and sticking to the ground, actually covering the sidewalks, trees and grass!
Reminded me of two Xmas's ago when I was performing in Vegas and my 4 year old son ran into our bedroom in the morning to announce that it had snowed outside. Yeah, right kid. But sure enough, the ENTIRE VEGAS AREA was blanketed with the white stuff. Very cool - Vegas never looked better. But it did feel like looking at a bride who shouldn't be wearing white. Vegas isn't exactly the clean, wholesome suburbs. (Even though the locals would love to tout it as such.)
Today is our 'dark' day - The show's 'day off'. I'm running around Reno, picking up things that you just can't find in Tahoe...supplies for the shows, etc...So, nothing much exciting - and the snow has now disappeared thanks to the sunny skies. But it was cool while it lasted.
More to come!
Chipper
Reminded me of two Xmas's ago when I was performing in Vegas and my 4 year old son ran into our bedroom in the morning to announce that it had snowed outside. Yeah, right kid. But sure enough, the ENTIRE VEGAS AREA was blanketed with the white stuff. Very cool - Vegas never looked better. But it did feel like looking at a bride who shouldn't be wearing white. Vegas isn't exactly the clean, wholesome suburbs. (Even though the locals would love to tout it as such.)
Today is our 'dark' day - The show's 'day off'. I'm running around Reno, picking up things that you just can't find in Tahoe...supplies for the shows, etc...So, nothing much exciting - and the snow has now disappeared thanks to the sunny skies. But it was cool while it lasted.
More to come!
Chipper
Friday, June 03, 2005
Let the PR begin! Gentlemen, start your mediums!
Our show has been running now for over a month, and it's been getting great reviews. Crowds are growing nicely as we head towards the busy summer season. We've had great write-ups in the local mags, and I even got drafted as a celebrity film reviewer for the local tv station, as I came out of the STAR WARS movie. (the Wednesday midnight showing of course, since I'm a complete Sci-fi geek....granted, no costume or lightsaber accessories. That for others, so we can enjoy the 'people watching' or is that 'alien watching'? They certainly stand-out, as they're the ones who DIDN'T bring a date to the film.)
I've got a TV interview tomorrow with host, Howie Nave. Great guy, who also appears at the IMPROV over at Harvey's/Harrah's casino resort here in Tahoe. I've worked that particular IMPROV 3-4 times now, and it's always a blast. Another great room for comedy and the audiences are there to have a good time.
More to come.
Chipper
I've got a TV interview tomorrow with host, Howie Nave. Great guy, who also appears at the IMPROV over at Harvey's/Harrah's casino resort here in Tahoe. I've worked that particular IMPROV 3-4 times now, and it's always a blast. Another great room for comedy and the audiences are there to have a good time.
More to come.
Chipper
Tahoe! Just smell the air! Aaaaaaaaah....
Hello there! Well, this is Chipper once again, coming to you from beautiful Lake Tahoe - where the air is clear, the lake is crystal blue and the sky is filled with nothing but rainbows. Well, okay, maybe not filled with rainbows, but I swear I saw one just last week and it appeared on cue as if I was living a real-life version of the Truman Show.
I'm currently starring in a great show called "FUSION II" here at the Horizon Casino. I've worked here twice before about 8+ years ago, and the theater still has such a wonderful intimate feel about it. Perfect size for comedy and interacting with the audience. The show also stars illusionist Alexander, and comedy magician Eric Buss. Must also mention Alexander's incredible assistant, Pamela. Great cast and crew! Not to mention the hotel employees are so supportive and nice! You don't find that everywhere you work, and so you become quite thankful for fun gigs like this!
There are a couple links people have requested, so here they are:
http://www.chipper.tv
This is my official website containing everything you'd want to know about little ol' me, including schedule, news, reviews, quotes, pix, etc... Hope you enjoy it! The other one is currently being built at:
http://www.chippershow.com OR http://www.thechippershow.com
This is the soon-to-be home of our full evening show which tours from time to time. Show includes original comedy magic, music and variety arts skills. It's done very well, breaking a few box office records and requests for repeat bookings almost immediately. There are some cool tours we'll be doing soon, and they will be posted in the weeks to come. Stop by often to see what the website looks like after the construction dust settles a bit.
I hope to jot down some fun tidbits from time to time while I'm here in the show. Although I can't commit to a daily dirge of ditties, I will try to slap something together every 4-5 days. As always, if you have any comments or questions, please don't hesitate to email me, either through any of the above websites, or simply use: lowellprod@adelphia.net
Take care my friends, and accept no wooden nickels!
signing off,
Chipper
I'm currently starring in a great show called "FUSION II" here at the Horizon Casino. I've worked here twice before about 8+ years ago, and the theater still has such a wonderful intimate feel about it. Perfect size for comedy and interacting with the audience. The show also stars illusionist Alexander, and comedy magician Eric Buss. Must also mention Alexander's incredible assistant, Pamela. Great cast and crew! Not to mention the hotel employees are so supportive and nice! You don't find that everywhere you work, and so you become quite thankful for fun gigs like this!
There are a couple links people have requested, so here they are:
http://www.chipper.tv
This is my official website containing everything you'd want to know about little ol' me, including schedule, news, reviews, quotes, pix, etc... Hope you enjoy it! The other one is currently being built at:
http://www.chippershow.com OR http://www.thechippershow.com
This is the soon-to-be home of our full evening show which tours from time to time. Show includes original comedy magic, music and variety arts skills. It's done very well, breaking a few box office records and requests for repeat bookings almost immediately. There are some cool tours we'll be doing soon, and they will be posted in the weeks to come. Stop by often to see what the website looks like after the construction dust settles a bit.
I hope to jot down some fun tidbits from time to time while I'm here in the show. Although I can't commit to a daily dirge of ditties, I will try to slap something together every 4-5 days. As always, if you have any comments or questions, please don't hesitate to email me, either through any of the above websites, or simply use: lowellprod@adelphia.net
Take care my friends, and accept no wooden nickels!
signing off,
Chipper
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