FADE IN:
The oldest, biggest Halloween event probably in all of the U.S.! Among the creepy fog, mazes, ghouls, ghosts and monsters, is a little show we like to call "The Chipper Lowell Experience!"
Yep, once again I'm performing at the Boardwalk Ballroom Theater in the heart of Knott's Berry Farm. The shows are very, very well, and we've got several fans catching more than one show in a single night. Thankfully my voice is holding up and I'm having a blast.
The voice thing is always a pain, as the nights are getting colder while they keep the temperature of the theater around the same level as most meat lockers. (Somehow they've tied the lighting system IN with the AC, so if you want lights, you also get a maximum wind-chill factor as a dessert topping!) Last year, near the end of the 29 day run, I would have been completely without my voice because I get rather passionate about performing and "giving my all" when I'm running around on the stage and through the audience.
But thankfully my dear friend, Adam Wylie, who is a really great actor and singer (Picket Fences, Wicked, and many many more shows...) had several juicy morsels of information on how to keep my voice in top notch shape.
1.) Water. Lots of it. Just keep drinking like you're the W.C. Fields of H2O, and when you're done, ask for another.
2.) Lozenges. Keep moving them around your mouth between shows, and if you're really talented, whittle it down like a bar of soap in the shower, and just before you go onstage you can secretly stick it in the back of your jawline so it continues to help you while you're doing your comedy sets. The fine Art of Lozenge Lodging.
3.) Did I mention water yet?
4.) NO Caffiene. Period. It will strip your throat and you'll keep needing more diet Coke to 'coat' your throat as it continues to feel more dry. Bad cycle to get into.
5.) Lots of liquids....like, uh....water.
6.) NO chocolate. Bad.
7.) NO Juices. Orange juice may get you going in the morning, but the natural acids will wreak havoc. Instead, throw the oranges into a bag and sell them at the nearest intersection and use the pocket money to buy....
8.)....water.
9.) I also have a little portable steamer which allows me to keep my nose and throat as moist as possible just before going onstage. Back in the dressingroom, hunched over the counter while taking slow, deep breaths, I look like a freak, and even a little like Dennis Hopper sniffing the gas in "Blue Velvet". But it definitely works!
10.)...Well, I'm sure you know what I'm going to say here, so, well, there you are.
We've had some really fun moments during the show this year, as with every year. One that comes to mind was the girl who was so incredibly tired that she fell into a deep slumber just before the show started. Too bad a camera wasn't on, because she became the show and when she finally woke up right near the end of my set, she got a HUGE round of applause, and she was totally shocked and confused. You could tell by her face that she was wondering exactly WHAT took place while she was sleeping. Perfect!
And not that anything "bad" happened. Just a lot of fun with the situation AS I performed my routines. Okay, there was the moment where I started balancing various objects on her head and back, playing the ULTIMATE GAME OF JENGA. (This, by the way, was something I used to do to my younger brother whenever he fell asleep on the couch and the parents were away. At one point I managed to stack 15 videotapes AND a small metal wastebucket all along his shoulder and arms. And then he flipped over, and CRASH!! Loved it!)
The crew I have this year is top-notch, as are the ushers. We also have been gathering other employees who just 'happen' to be near the theater whenever a show is starting. Great people, and we really have a blast between shows.
There are still Three weeks left to go, and if you've never been...GO! My shows are there on selected nights, so if you really want to catch one of my shows, please refer to my touring calendar in the NEWS section of my website:
CHIPPER LOWELL WEBSITE
I'm also on YOUTUBE -- Just type in my name and several videos should pop up. Please LEAVE a COMMENT if you have time. Would love to hear from you! Here's a quick link as well:
CHIPPER ON YOUTUBE
Lastly, FACEBOOK - Wanna be my friend? Again, type in my name into FACEBOOK and Voila! (And if you can't type my name into FACEBOOK, then I really don't want to be your friend anyway! : )
All the best!
Chipper : )
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
CITY OF EMBER - A REVIEW
CITY OF EMBER - A REVIEW
Just got back from a day at the movies with my son. Caught the newest 'family flick' -- which nowadays isn't as often as I wish. They're just not churning them out as much, not to mention that most of them totally miss the mark and wind up a convoluted mess.
City of Ember is one of those 'somewhere in the middle' kind of flims. The sets and production value are top-notch, but the story tends to sag here and there as it goes along. As with most mysteries or puzzles, you shouldn't find yourself ahead of the plot, but with this one you often do.
The basic storyline is that the world had decided to build an underground city called EMBER which would keep mankind alive for 200 years and then allow them to repopulate the Earth once the "disaster" is over with and everything is once again "safe". They never tell you what has actually happened to the planet, be it war, a bomb, whatever, and actually it doesn't really matter because the main thrust of this story is the attempt by two teenagers to solve the riddle of how to actually escape the city and find a way back to topsoil.
Granted, it's based on a young adult novel, but the writers shouldn't have played dumb and instead should have raised the material to match the visual imagery the movie displays. Because of interesting design of the underground city itself, and the cool look of the cavernous environment, I really WANTED to enjoy this flick, but wound up wondering every five minutes why the main characters were choosing to do one thing when most people would choose the other direction or choice to move the story along.
At one point there is a door they're trying to open which is secretly located within the bowels of all the city's pipelines and tunnels, but our heroes efforts are thwarted by the appearance of a gigantic and very hungry and angry mole (which looks great!). Once they've finally outsmarted the oversized rodent, they NEVER return to the locked door again until another 30 minutes into the movie. Huh? Logic like that will quickly turn off most viewers and this movie little by little does just exactly that.
And it is a shame, because they have a fine supporting cast including Tim Robbins, Martin Landau and Bill Murray, among several other great character actors. And given what they have to chew on scriptwise, they make do. But there is a real sense of humanity missing from the citizens of Ember and we never truly get a good idea of exactly HOW the city runs and maintains itself throughout hundreds of years. Everyone looks like extras dressed up in awkward combinations of costumes to signify they've lived under the ground for decades....except they still look like extras. We never see the details of who they are, what they do, how they survive, what their economy is like, etc.
It did make me want to read the book, though. Again, just to learn more details which weren't fleshed out in the film.
The effects in the movie are solid and beautifully created, and again the production value as a whole is splendid, but it's too much to ask of the visuals to hold up a plot that is riddled with holes of common sense.
6 out of 10.
Just got back from a day at the movies with my son. Caught the newest 'family flick' -- which nowadays isn't as often as I wish. They're just not churning them out as much, not to mention that most of them totally miss the mark and wind up a convoluted mess.
City of Ember is one of those 'somewhere in the middle' kind of flims. The sets and production value are top-notch, but the story tends to sag here and there as it goes along. As with most mysteries or puzzles, you shouldn't find yourself ahead of the plot, but with this one you often do.
The basic storyline is that the world had decided to build an underground city called EMBER which would keep mankind alive for 200 years and then allow them to repopulate the Earth once the "disaster" is over with and everything is once again "safe". They never tell you what has actually happened to the planet, be it war, a bomb, whatever, and actually it doesn't really matter because the main thrust of this story is the attempt by two teenagers to solve the riddle of how to actually escape the city and find a way back to topsoil.
Granted, it's based on a young adult novel, but the writers shouldn't have played dumb and instead should have raised the material to match the visual imagery the movie displays. Because of interesting design of the underground city itself, and the cool look of the cavernous environment, I really WANTED to enjoy this flick, but wound up wondering every five minutes why the main characters were choosing to do one thing when most people would choose the other direction or choice to move the story along.
At one point there is a door they're trying to open which is secretly located within the bowels of all the city's pipelines and tunnels, but our heroes efforts are thwarted by the appearance of a gigantic and very hungry and angry mole (which looks great!). Once they've finally outsmarted the oversized rodent, they NEVER return to the locked door again until another 30 minutes into the movie. Huh? Logic like that will quickly turn off most viewers and this movie little by little does just exactly that.
And it is a shame, because they have a fine supporting cast including Tim Robbins, Martin Landau and Bill Murray, among several other great character actors. And given what they have to chew on scriptwise, they make do. But there is a real sense of humanity missing from the citizens of Ember and we never truly get a good idea of exactly HOW the city runs and maintains itself throughout hundreds of years. Everyone looks like extras dressed up in awkward combinations of costumes to signify they've lived under the ground for decades....except they still look like extras. We never see the details of who they are, what they do, how they survive, what their economy is like, etc.
It did make me want to read the book, though. Again, just to learn more details which weren't fleshed out in the film.
The effects in the movie are solid and beautifully created, and again the production value as a whole is splendid, but it's too much to ask of the visuals to hold up a plot that is riddled with holes of common sense.
6 out of 10.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Shrek The Musical - A Review and Comments...
SHREK THE MUSICAL - A REVIEW and COMMENTS
Hello Friends!
Well, just returned from Seattle, Washington and I must say I simply LOVE that city. There's a good feeling you get just walking around that town and the weather last week was perfect. I've been here many times to perform for corporate events ovver the last 15 years, and I always try to add a few extra days to my itinerary to see the sites and catch a few stage shows.
While attending a conference this last week, an associate of mine had a ticket to see SHREK THE MUSICAL which is in previews in Seattle until it heads to New York in a few weeks or so. Unfortunately she was sick as a dog and didn't want to waste the ticket and I happily bought it from her to go that very night.
Two hours later, at the 5th Street Theater, which is an incredibly beautiful venue, I was sitting in the 11th row with friends and found myself actually eager with anticipation to watch this brand new puppy of a musical unfold.
Now granted, the FIRST thing that comes to mind when you hear that they've turned yet another movie into a stage musical is that corporate greed is running amok again. And since Disney's phenomenal hit "Lion King", everybody and their brother (this time, Dreamworks) is hoping to turn anything they can into a live stage version which would hopefully turn into a cash cow.
Disney has been doing a pretty good job....and then there was the "Little Mermaid" which was horrible. Uncreative staging, bad costuming and lackluster effects. But the most important thing they missed is the actual physical translation of an underwater cartoon into a living, breathing entity.
"How can we show them 'swimming'?", and then someone comes up with the brilliant idea of using the wheeled shoes. "How to they float around the ocean with a mermaid tail?", and someone offers a costume that sticks the "fins" out of the back like a rigid dog's tail. It's these things that are gigantic obstacles that really should have told the producers to simply leave the animated movie alone and NOT turn it into something it could never truly be.
No one seems to realize that the Lion King would NOT have worked at all if the actors simply wandered around the stage with huge cartoon costumes like a bad theme park show. The genius was not necessarily in the making of the puppets used (as they could have been designed several different ways and styles). No, the genius was in having a 'tribe' of people "tell the story" and THEN use puppets to help them tell the story. With that overall concept in place, anything could be accepted by the audience.
When Disney decided to LITERALLY translate "Mermaid", they missed the boat. No one was smart enough to actually transcend the original material and turn it into its own stand-alone creation.
Mel Brooks did a great job with "The Producers", because it was ABOUT THEATER. Duh! How perfect and fitting for a show dealing with producing a musical!?!! Perfect. Then he missed entirely by LITERALLY translating his "Young Frankenstein" to the stage and stretching each classic joke into a 3-5 minute song or dance number. THUD!
Now, granted, both "Frankenstein" and "Mermaid" are still doing brisk business, and that is mostly out of their popularity of being classics, and not the tepid to terrible reviews each has received.
And so, standing on my soapbox of how to fix a musical, I think "SHREK" will wind up with the same success story. No matter what I write here, it will still do a great amount of business and could be even considered a "sure thing" due to the millions of people, young and old, who have seen at least one of the three Shrek movies. For myself, I am probably going to have to see it a 2nd time because I'm sure my 7 year old son would get a kick out of it.
Okay, and now for the review! (Aren't you glad you waited?)
On a scale of 1 to 10.....
STAGE PRODUCTION VALUE - 9 - Some really clever set designs, set changes, movement, and at least 7-8 layers of scrims and backdrops to create the forest, woods, swamp and castle. The money used was definitely put up on the stage. This includes hydraulic elevators, turntables and conveyor belts. Cliffs rising out of the ground, a full castle turret which turns 360 degrees, and much more. Great!
COSTUMING - 8 - While most of it worked well, I did feel there wasn't much acknowledgment of an overall design in concept. At times it felt like someone raided a high-end costume shop. I'm sure that a lot of this has to do with the fact that you're dealing with a very wide variety of characters culled from storybooks and fairytales, where the needs are unique to each costume. But there should have been some kind of general tie-in with color choices and quality of fabrics. What stands out as being most out of place is the dragon. While the eyes did move, the dragon looked like a complicated box kite that was hollow and dead.
The lady who was playing the dragon (Kecia Lewis-Evans) would stand in FRONT of the actual dragon and sing, and while the tail was made up of 8 dancers dressed as dragon spikes and serving as backup singers to the dragon lady (which at times was a clever idea), you couldn't help but look up at the giant dragon face hanging there and pulling full focus from the rest of the stage. You kinda felt there must have been a Chinese parade nearby and everyone operating the dragon simply made a wrong turn into the SHREK theater.
Lord Farquaad (Christopher Sieber) is just as short as he is in the films, and the man playing him performed the entire show on his knees with fake legs and shoes jutting out. The costume, though a very old comedic idea, worked very well and he garnered many sincere laughs with his comedic poses and movements.
Honorable mention to Pinocchio (played by John Tartaglia, who was also in Avenue Q) who nose is designed to actually grow by several inches for laughs.
Costumes for the leads: Shrek, Donkey and Fiona really looked great, and I was surprised by how much I actually accepted their characters. Much in part to the actors, but the costumes were spot on.
CHARACTERS: 8 - I wondered how certain characters would translate to the stage and while the Dragon was the worst casualty, the producers were smart enough to avoid other mistakes. Puss In Boots is simply shown as a throw-away bit during a "puppet parade" that Shrek and Donkey walk past on their way to the Castle. There is also a quick send-up of "Lion King" as a 'handmade' giraffe puppet comes whizzing by. Very funny.
We are first introduced to Donkey (Chester Gregory) in a cool but subtle manner. He literally FALLS from the sky and lands in the orchestra pit. This is an EXACT duplicate of the Donkey from the movies, and then when Donkey climbs out of the orchestra pit, it's the actor wearing donkey ears and black hoofs, fur chaps and believe it or not, the whole outfit works. Thanks to the little 'nod' of using the original Donkey, audience immediately accepted him. Nice.
Princess Fiona is perfection. (The wonderful Sutton Foster) Of course this one is hard to screw up since she's the most 'normal' of everyone. A princess. A human princess. GIANT KUDOS though goes to the actress. She nailed it. And although I wouldn't recommend Shrek for any Oscars, I sincerely hope a nod goes to her. Really, really good.
Also, special mention of Chester Gregory who has an outstanding voice and is really likable personality. He was accepted 100% as Donkey by the entire audience.
MUSIC: 2 -- This is where the musical simply falls apart. The songs, while written in earnest, barely work as songs. Nothing is memorable and not one little itty-bitty jingle of a songlet is remembered or hummed as you leave the theater. And that's a shame. Everything sounds like you're about to hear a cool melody only to suddenly expire in the 8th measure into a puddle of slush. The only time the music rises to an acceptable level is when they're trying to parody a certain vaudeville or variety style, like with Lord Farquaaad who is giving the audience a full-fledged song and dance revue.
DANCE - 5 - Mostly pedestrian in nature. Lots of movement and arms up here and there, but nothing remarkable. Anything unique was left to the production staff. Here's an example: Fiona twirls around and sings, but the gimmick of the nearby bird exploding takes center stage for the laugh. Fiona and Bagged Piper play and sing along with a Rockettes-style line-up of RATS, thanks to a slightly lifted curtain showing the dancers' legs wearing tap shoes made to look like giant rats. (kinda like those animal slippers sold at novelty stores) The effect is funny and cool, but by the end of the dance number you quickly realize there was nothing innovative about the choreography itself.
SHREK - 8 - While he can't turn his head due to the giant layers of prosthetics which make him look pretty darn close to the film version of the character, Shrek in person is pretty darn believable and we quickly accept him as the ogre he was always meant to be. Played by Brian D'Arcy James, I have heard that makeup for his role usually takes about an hour and a half to two hours before each performance. Brian is perfect in the role and very believable. At times I felt like he was simply ringmaster to everything else happening around him, requiring him to do little but stand there and watch the proceedings with the rest of the audience. But despite the sometimes poor direction and staging, Brian rose above it all. Top notch!
SET DESIGN AND PROPS - 9 - This is a heavily set and prop driven show. And for most of it, they score a bullseye. Again, the only thing they could have done a better job with is the dragon. But if you're loading up at least 5 semi's to tour this visual juggernaut, I can't imagine where you'd stuff a giant dragon.
STORY - 6 - The problem is we all know the story, so every twist and turn is 'old hat'. Instead of tightening it up, though, it wanders a bit and the 2nd half is much longer than it needs to be. Coming in at 2 hours and 45 minutes, you hope they're smart enough to cut at least 30 minutes out of it, somewhere, anywhere.
HUMOR - 9 - Most, if not all, of the humor is low-brow but that is what Shrek has always been and it works. I laughed out loud at several points especially during visual gags, which there were plenty. Also the actors truly do SELL IT, which is nice.
At the end of the show, there was a standing ovation. People will dismiss the lackluster score and applaud the actors, costumes and production value. And while critics will undoubtedly tear it apart and scream that shows like this are the downfall of American Theater, audiences will turn out in mass and have a good time.
But be warned, once you leave the theater, all 'music' in this 'musical' is quickly forgotten.
Now, as for this review -- This was written off-the-cuff, and I'm sure I've forgotten things here and there and it could use a good once-over, I really just wanted to get all my thoughts down as quickly as possible before forgetting them. So please excuse the cluttered prose thrown into this heap of a review. Sorry and thanks.
All the best!
Chipper : )
http://www.chipper.tv
http://www.BlinkShow.com
Hello Friends!
Well, just returned from Seattle, Washington and I must say I simply LOVE that city. There's a good feeling you get just walking around that town and the weather last week was perfect. I've been here many times to perform for corporate events ovver the last 15 years, and I always try to add a few extra days to my itinerary to see the sites and catch a few stage shows.
While attending a conference this last week, an associate of mine had a ticket to see SHREK THE MUSICAL which is in previews in Seattle until it heads to New York in a few weeks or so. Unfortunately she was sick as a dog and didn't want to waste the ticket and I happily bought it from her to go that very night.
Two hours later, at the 5th Street Theater, which is an incredibly beautiful venue, I was sitting in the 11th row with friends and found myself actually eager with anticipation to watch this brand new puppy of a musical unfold.
Now granted, the FIRST thing that comes to mind when you hear that they've turned yet another movie into a stage musical is that corporate greed is running amok again. And since Disney's phenomenal hit "Lion King", everybody and their brother (this time, Dreamworks) is hoping to turn anything they can into a live stage version which would hopefully turn into a cash cow.
Disney has been doing a pretty good job....and then there was the "Little Mermaid" which was horrible. Uncreative staging, bad costuming and lackluster effects. But the most important thing they missed is the actual physical translation of an underwater cartoon into a living, breathing entity.
"How can we show them 'swimming'?", and then someone comes up with the brilliant idea of using the wheeled shoes. "How to they float around the ocean with a mermaid tail?", and someone offers a costume that sticks the "fins" out of the back like a rigid dog's tail. It's these things that are gigantic obstacles that really should have told the producers to simply leave the animated movie alone and NOT turn it into something it could never truly be.
No one seems to realize that the Lion King would NOT have worked at all if the actors simply wandered around the stage with huge cartoon costumes like a bad theme park show. The genius was not necessarily in the making of the puppets used (as they could have been designed several different ways and styles). No, the genius was in having a 'tribe' of people "tell the story" and THEN use puppets to help them tell the story. With that overall concept in place, anything could be accepted by the audience.
When Disney decided to LITERALLY translate "Mermaid", they missed the boat. No one was smart enough to actually transcend the original material and turn it into its own stand-alone creation.
Mel Brooks did a great job with "The Producers", because it was ABOUT THEATER. Duh! How perfect and fitting for a show dealing with producing a musical!?!! Perfect. Then he missed entirely by LITERALLY translating his "Young Frankenstein" to the stage and stretching each classic joke into a 3-5 minute song or dance number. THUD!
Now, granted, both "Frankenstein" and "Mermaid" are still doing brisk business, and that is mostly out of their popularity of being classics, and not the tepid to terrible reviews each has received.
And so, standing on my soapbox of how to fix a musical, I think "SHREK" will wind up with the same success story. No matter what I write here, it will still do a great amount of business and could be even considered a "sure thing" due to the millions of people, young and old, who have seen at least one of the three Shrek movies. For myself, I am probably going to have to see it a 2nd time because I'm sure my 7 year old son would get a kick out of it.
Okay, and now for the review! (Aren't you glad you waited?)
On a scale of 1 to 10.....
STAGE PRODUCTION VALUE - 9 - Some really clever set designs, set changes, movement, and at least 7-8 layers of scrims and backdrops to create the forest, woods, swamp and castle. The money used was definitely put up on the stage. This includes hydraulic elevators, turntables and conveyor belts. Cliffs rising out of the ground, a full castle turret which turns 360 degrees, and much more. Great!
COSTUMING - 8 - While most of it worked well, I did feel there wasn't much acknowledgment of an overall design in concept. At times it felt like someone raided a high-end costume shop. I'm sure that a lot of this has to do with the fact that you're dealing with a very wide variety of characters culled from storybooks and fairytales, where the needs are unique to each costume. But there should have been some kind of general tie-in with color choices and quality of fabrics. What stands out as being most out of place is the dragon. While the eyes did move, the dragon looked like a complicated box kite that was hollow and dead.
The lady who was playing the dragon (Kecia Lewis-Evans) would stand in FRONT of the actual dragon and sing, and while the tail was made up of 8 dancers dressed as dragon spikes and serving as backup singers to the dragon lady (which at times was a clever idea), you couldn't help but look up at the giant dragon face hanging there and pulling full focus from the rest of the stage. You kinda felt there must have been a Chinese parade nearby and everyone operating the dragon simply made a wrong turn into the SHREK theater.
Lord Farquaad (Christopher Sieber) is just as short as he is in the films, and the man playing him performed the entire show on his knees with fake legs and shoes jutting out. The costume, though a very old comedic idea, worked very well and he garnered many sincere laughs with his comedic poses and movements.
Honorable mention to Pinocchio (played by John Tartaglia, who was also in Avenue Q) who nose is designed to actually grow by several inches for laughs.
Costumes for the leads: Shrek, Donkey and Fiona really looked great, and I was surprised by how much I actually accepted their characters. Much in part to the actors, but the costumes were spot on.
CHARACTERS: 8 - I wondered how certain characters would translate to the stage and while the Dragon was the worst casualty, the producers were smart enough to avoid other mistakes. Puss In Boots is simply shown as a throw-away bit during a "puppet parade" that Shrek and Donkey walk past on their way to the Castle. There is also a quick send-up of "Lion King" as a 'handmade' giraffe puppet comes whizzing by. Very funny.
We are first introduced to Donkey (Chester Gregory) in a cool but subtle manner. He literally FALLS from the sky and lands in the orchestra pit. This is an EXACT duplicate of the Donkey from the movies, and then when Donkey climbs out of the orchestra pit, it's the actor wearing donkey ears and black hoofs, fur chaps and believe it or not, the whole outfit works. Thanks to the little 'nod' of using the original Donkey, audience immediately accepted him. Nice.
Princess Fiona is perfection. (The wonderful Sutton Foster) Of course this one is hard to screw up since she's the most 'normal' of everyone. A princess. A human princess. GIANT KUDOS though goes to the actress. She nailed it. And although I wouldn't recommend Shrek for any Oscars, I sincerely hope a nod goes to her. Really, really good.
Also, special mention of Chester Gregory who has an outstanding voice and is really likable personality. He was accepted 100% as Donkey by the entire audience.
MUSIC: 2 -- This is where the musical simply falls apart. The songs, while written in earnest, barely work as songs. Nothing is memorable and not one little itty-bitty jingle of a songlet is remembered or hummed as you leave the theater. And that's a shame. Everything sounds like you're about to hear a cool melody only to suddenly expire in the 8th measure into a puddle of slush. The only time the music rises to an acceptable level is when they're trying to parody a certain vaudeville or variety style, like with Lord Farquaaad who is giving the audience a full-fledged song and dance revue.
DANCE - 5 - Mostly pedestrian in nature. Lots of movement and arms up here and there, but nothing remarkable. Anything unique was left to the production staff. Here's an example: Fiona twirls around and sings, but the gimmick of the nearby bird exploding takes center stage for the laugh. Fiona and Bagged Piper play and sing along with a Rockettes-style line-up of RATS, thanks to a slightly lifted curtain showing the dancers' legs wearing tap shoes made to look like giant rats. (kinda like those animal slippers sold at novelty stores) The effect is funny and cool, but by the end of the dance number you quickly realize there was nothing innovative about the choreography itself.
SHREK - 8 - While he can't turn his head due to the giant layers of prosthetics which make him look pretty darn close to the film version of the character, Shrek in person is pretty darn believable and we quickly accept him as the ogre he was always meant to be. Played by Brian D'Arcy James, I have heard that makeup for his role usually takes about an hour and a half to two hours before each performance. Brian is perfect in the role and very believable. At times I felt like he was simply ringmaster to everything else happening around him, requiring him to do little but stand there and watch the proceedings with the rest of the audience. But despite the sometimes poor direction and staging, Brian rose above it all. Top notch!
SET DESIGN AND PROPS - 9 - This is a heavily set and prop driven show. And for most of it, they score a bullseye. Again, the only thing they could have done a better job with is the dragon. But if you're loading up at least 5 semi's to tour this visual juggernaut, I can't imagine where you'd stuff a giant dragon.
STORY - 6 - The problem is we all know the story, so every twist and turn is 'old hat'. Instead of tightening it up, though, it wanders a bit and the 2nd half is much longer than it needs to be. Coming in at 2 hours and 45 minutes, you hope they're smart enough to cut at least 30 minutes out of it, somewhere, anywhere.
HUMOR - 9 - Most, if not all, of the humor is low-brow but that is what Shrek has always been and it works. I laughed out loud at several points especially during visual gags, which there were plenty. Also the actors truly do SELL IT, which is nice.
At the end of the show, there was a standing ovation. People will dismiss the lackluster score and applaud the actors, costumes and production value. And while critics will undoubtedly tear it apart and scream that shows like this are the downfall of American Theater, audiences will turn out in mass and have a good time.
But be warned, once you leave the theater, all 'music' in this 'musical' is quickly forgotten.
Now, as for this review -- This was written off-the-cuff, and I'm sure I've forgotten things here and there and it could use a good once-over, I really just wanted to get all my thoughts down as quickly as possible before forgetting them. So please excuse the cluttered prose thrown into this heap of a review. Sorry and thanks.
All the best!
Chipper : )
http://www.chipper.tv
http://www.BlinkShow.com
Thursday, July 10, 2008
My UPS fiasco...A sad tale of the postal blues...
SO.....over the years we've had a GREAT relationship with our local UPS man. Almost like one of the family, and just like when the Wells Fargo wagon pulls up the street in the MUSIC MAN, I'm all excited to see what surprises he has in store for me as well!
Ah friends, but there is also a darker side to this gray logo'd brand.
I'm currently in the middle of an 11-week run of my one-man show here in Minnesota, and I happened to have a corporate date smack dab in the center of my tour, needing me to fly back for a day and half to California to perform, and then turn right around and fly back to Minnesota to continue my run.
Being pro-active, I thought I'd send some additional comedy and magic routines by mail to ol' Kaleeeforneea (As said by our Governor and movie star: Arnold Schwarzenegger .) So I drove over to a local "UPS STORE" and shipped two boxes of props which were to arrive on the west coast by "next Thursday". Only problem was that they DIDN'T arrive at all.
When contacting UPS by phone and emails, I was told that one would be delivered the following Monday or Tuesday and that the OTHER package couldn't be found. That's right, "Could not be found!" Arrrghhh!!! They had NO KNOWLEDGE of the tracking number I was given on my sales receipt and I was stuck. Possibly losing a few Thousand Dollars worth of props and sound equipment.
When I complained to them, the representative simply stated that they are not connected with the UPS STORES!!! What the ???? I sarcastically told them that they better check these stores out because they happen to be using their UPS logos on the windows, doors, counters and walls. The lady did not get the joke and then started to explain to me that they have "licensed" the use of the UPS logo... I quickly told her I was being sarcastic, and that it seemed strange for someone to "sell" their brand but then not 'back it up' or be responsible when a package got lost.
I then asked if they couldn't work backwards in finding the lost package by checking to see if any other packages were going to the same address, but with a different tracking number. They explained they couldn't do that. She then mis-pronounced my name, and when I tried to correct her and explain it wasn't good manners to get the customer's name wrong, especially when they had also lost their package, she replied I was being rude and then HUNG UP ON ME!
Unbelievable!
I had to madly dash around town to make other arrangements for props and sound equipment for that particular corporate show, being the true professional that I am. Duplicates were gathered and/or bought, and I changed up the routines to make sure everything was covered. Knowing I was going to be short on time due to the lost items, I even brought in a friend of mine who sometimes opens for me on my stage tours to do some additional time. In the end, the client was overjoyed and wound up getting a bigger show and everyone was happy.
Except for me, having lost quite a few dollars in the process.
Adding insult to injury, my packages (BOTH OF THEM!) arrived THAT NIGHT of the gig! Too late for me to go pick them up, as I was performing onstage at the time, so it was more of a cosmic joke that they had arrived at all. Past the 11th hour and NOT "just in time". A partial happy ending because at least I got all my stuff back, but still.
Why am I writing this particular post? Because there is a growing trend for larger companies to FRANCHISE their names to others and then sit back and claim no responsibility should anything bad happen. I recall a similar experience with Lowe's Hardware store. We asked them to come by and give a quote on updating our heating and air conditioning at the home, but instead we got a third-party company who lied to us about various things (incorrectly assuming we knew nothing about furnaces, or the ducts in our house - but we did! Ha!) and then trying to hard-sell us into making a decision to buy their installation right then and there, berating us when we asked for a day or two to think it over. When I called Lowe's to complain, they said the very same thing that UPS said: "They're not really part of Lowe's, so we're not responsible for what they do and say." -- And yet they're connected ENOUGH for Lowe's to advertise them as if they are part of their company!
I plan to email the board of directors at UPS and ask for an explanation. Hopefully they understand how this REALLY makes their business look incredibly dysfunctional, and I'll definitely think twice before using UPS again. And that goes for EVERY SINGLE PERSON I mentioned the story to. Maybe they actually WANT the bad word-of-mouth, which as we all know, spreads like wild fire. It's my sincere hope they're smarter than that.
On the positive side: I once had a horrible experience with AT&T, having been with them for about 10 years. I was ready to quit using them, when I emailed the CEO directly and within 24 HOURS received a phone call from a lady who takes care of things when people actually email the CEO. And she was WONDERFUL. Understood completely how they had messed up, was sincerely sorry and sent a new phone to me the NEXT day, along with an additional $775.00 dollars credit on my phone bill. If that wasn't enough, I received two follow-up calls within the next few weeks just to make sure I was really okay with everything. Well, they won me back. It was good business, and since then I guess I've given them an additional $5,000+ dollars of business and more every month.
UPS, you ready to take the hint?
For all of you out there, I hope you don't have the same experience as I did with UPS, but if you do, I hope they treat you the right way, right from the very first phone call.
Take care!
Chipper : )
email: chipper@chipper.tv
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
America's Got Talent - But will it be used for Good or Evil? : )
America’s Got Talent...BUT will it be used for good or evil? : )
During my current show run here in Minnesota, I'm finding I actually have Tuesdays OFF and so like millions of Americans I plop myself down on the couch and channel surf to find some kind of televised eye-candy that I call swallow down like a nice, cold beer.
America's Got Talent is back for another season, and it is definitely a train-wreck of a show. There's a pile of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly all looking like they just got side-swiped by a Hollywood tour bus. It's definitely the shallow end of the talent pool. Not that some of the contestants aren't talented, but more because the show's producers have reduced talent to a single layer of pure schmaltz. Week after week, we wade through a string of really bad acts that for some unknown reason are NOT buzzed away in the first 5 seconds, but are instead encouraged to be bad for their full, alloted time. What the Hell?
Well, it's ratings folks, and the producers have ONLY designed this show to be tomorrow's water cooler talk. "Hey, did you see the woman with the gigantic boobs last night on AGT??? And what about that actual, living & breathing Giant exploding his stomach with firecrackers? Or the sword-swallower who plunged at least 8 or 9 jumbo steak-knives down his throat - ALL AT THE SAME TIME?!!!"
Then there's the (INSERT BLUE COLLAR WORKER HERE) who sings (INSERT FAMOUS OPERA PIECE HERE) while still remaining truly (INSERT "HUMBLE" OR SIMILAR PHRASE HERE). Nice try, AGT, but you did the EXACT SAME TRICK in Britain's version of the show LAST YEAR!!! (I figure they reckon that most of the dumbed-down population of the U.S. who watch the show won't have the time or money to fly over to merry ol' England to realize the show is simply ripping off their own formula of success again and again.
For those who haven't seen it. A lonely, large man sadly walks to center-stage and then STUNS the judges and crowd by singing a classic operatic ditty at full-throttle. He brings the house down, and as the judges tell him, "YOU are what THIS show is ALL ABOUT!", tears roll down his cheeks, and we're all happy that yet another unknown talent got his fair shake at the bass ring.
While I watched it, I was actually shocked and amazed that they would have the gall to pull the exact same scenario once again on American television that they did in Britain. Sure, different guy, but the concept was duplicated exactly, including the very same song. (Thankfully several talk shows & radio shows also noticed and snipped about it.)
Oh well, sometimes even I have to admit I enjoy watching train-wrecks.
Manipulation 101 once again tonight, as they brought on a cute 9 year old who was diagnosed Autistic. He was ADORABLE as he sang Michael Jackson's "Ben". I couldn't help but be touched, both as a viewer and as a father of an autistic son myself. The little boy was considered "high-functioning" just like my own child. And it really was a heart-warming moment.
Of course at some point down the road, they'll vote him off the show, because seriously, who would fly to Vegas to see a Nine-year old sing old Jackson hits for an hour. But for now, just for tonight, it was great.
So, the show is not without it's flaws, and I couldn't disagree more with the way they treat most performers - giving them ONLY a 90 second spot to "strut their stuff" and hope they don't get "X'd" by the judges before their time is up. I've also heard that the contract they lay out for the contestants is nothing short of a deal with the Devil, claiming full control over a person's act and their future earnings since the show feels they were the ones who made them a star.
Also, I'm told the million dollars a person wins is NOT actually a full million dollars....It's doled out over a life-time and very heavily taxed, so by the time the winner actually sees any money, he's got just enough left for a few nice dinners per month into his 80's -- Should he live so long.
Last but not least, the show tramples over true variety stars who have been "in the business" for decades, but then get tossed onto the coals because the judges don't (or sometimes won't) "get it". They're insulted right and left, and in seconds their solid careers are magically reduced back to amateur status. Oops! (One reason why I will NEVER go on the show. After performing for 20+ years, why in the world would I want to be judged by those three?!!?!?!! Only if someone hits me in the side of the head with a heavy rock would I ever consider it. Heheee!)
But then again, we should all lighten up. It's not a serious show, although they pretend to be. Come on! After all, Springer is HOSTING IT! Hasslehoff is a JUDGE!!! Need I go on? Unusual isn't it that not ONE true producer or agent is actually a judge on the show?
So, take it for what it's worth. An hour or two of pure couch-potato happiness. Yippie! Pass the french-fries and the jelly donuts! Yahoo!!
www.chipper.tv
During my current show run here in Minnesota, I'm finding I actually have Tuesdays OFF and so like millions of Americans I plop myself down on the couch and channel surf to find some kind of televised eye-candy that I call swallow down like a nice, cold beer.
America's Got Talent is back for another season, and it is definitely a train-wreck of a show. There's a pile of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly all looking like they just got side-swiped by a Hollywood tour bus. It's definitely the shallow end of the talent pool. Not that some of the contestants aren't talented, but more because the show's producers have reduced talent to a single layer of pure schmaltz. Week after week, we wade through a string of really bad acts that for some unknown reason are NOT buzzed away in the first 5 seconds, but are instead encouraged to be bad for their full, alloted time. What the Hell?
Well, it's ratings folks, and the producers have ONLY designed this show to be tomorrow's water cooler talk. "Hey, did you see the woman with the gigantic boobs last night on AGT??? And what about that actual, living & breathing Giant exploding his stomach with firecrackers? Or the sword-swallower who plunged at least 8 or 9 jumbo steak-knives down his throat - ALL AT THE SAME TIME?!!!"
Then there's the (INSERT BLUE COLLAR WORKER HERE) who sings (INSERT FAMOUS OPERA PIECE HERE) while still remaining truly (INSERT "HUMBLE" OR SIMILAR PHRASE HERE). Nice try, AGT, but you did the EXACT SAME TRICK in Britain's version of the show LAST YEAR!!! (I figure they reckon that most of the dumbed-down population of the U.S. who watch the show won't have the time or money to fly over to merry ol' England to realize the show is simply ripping off their own formula of success again and again.
For those who haven't seen it. A lonely, large man sadly walks to center-stage and then STUNS the judges and crowd by singing a classic operatic ditty at full-throttle. He brings the house down, and as the judges tell him, "YOU are what THIS show is ALL ABOUT!", tears roll down his cheeks, and we're all happy that yet another unknown talent got his fair shake at the bass ring.
While I watched it, I was actually shocked and amazed that they would have the gall to pull the exact same scenario once again on American television that they did in Britain. Sure, different guy, but the concept was duplicated exactly, including the very same song. (Thankfully several talk shows & radio shows also noticed and snipped about it.)
Oh well, sometimes even I have to admit I enjoy watching train-wrecks.
Manipulation 101 once again tonight, as they brought on a cute 9 year old who was diagnosed Autistic. He was ADORABLE as he sang Michael Jackson's "Ben". I couldn't help but be touched, both as a viewer and as a father of an autistic son myself. The little boy was considered "high-functioning" just like my own child. And it really was a heart-warming moment.
Of course at some point down the road, they'll vote him off the show, because seriously, who would fly to Vegas to see a Nine-year old sing old Jackson hits for an hour. But for now, just for tonight, it was great.
So, the show is not without it's flaws, and I couldn't disagree more with the way they treat most performers - giving them ONLY a 90 second spot to "strut their stuff" and hope they don't get "X'd" by the judges before their time is up. I've also heard that the contract they lay out for the contestants is nothing short of a deal with the Devil, claiming full control over a person's act and their future earnings since the show feels they were the ones who made them a star.
Also, I'm told the million dollars a person wins is NOT actually a full million dollars....It's doled out over a life-time and very heavily taxed, so by the time the winner actually sees any money, he's got just enough left for a few nice dinners per month into his 80's -- Should he live so long.
Last but not least, the show tramples over true variety stars who have been "in the business" for decades, but then get tossed onto the coals because the judges don't (or sometimes won't) "get it". They're insulted right and left, and in seconds their solid careers are magically reduced back to amateur status. Oops! (One reason why I will NEVER go on the show. After performing for 20+ years, why in the world would I want to be judged by those three?!!?!?!! Only if someone hits me in the side of the head with a heavy rock would I ever consider it. Heheee!)
But then again, we should all lighten up. It's not a serious show, although they pretend to be. Come on! After all, Springer is HOSTING IT! Hasslehoff is a JUDGE!!! Need I go on? Unusual isn't it that not ONE true producer or agent is actually a judge on the show?
So, take it for what it's worth. An hour or two of pure couch-potato happiness. Yippie! Pass the french-fries and the jelly donuts! Yahoo!!
www.chipper.tv
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Crowd reactions...
Well, the new show finally opened and audiences are digging the new routines. I'm actually surprised at some of the reactions and have been blown away by some of the responses. For instance, at one of my performances we had 'signers' on stage to help narrate my show for several hundred deaf audience members, and during one particular routine, I heard an audible GASP come from a lady off to the side. It was only until after the show that she ran up to me and asked if I had heard her. I mentioned I thought I had heard something, and she then confessed that she had gotten so wrapped up in the show that when one of the effects blew her away, she yelled "Holy shit!" and then caught herself. Hehee! Now THAT is EXACTLY the response I think all of us onstage are looking for!
Then two days later a woman in the front row refused to leave after the show was done. She HAD to talk with someone, and when Russ, a crewmember, strolled out to pick up props onstage, she quickly cornered him and exclaimed "How the HELL did he to that?" And then went on to explain her theories: "I think it was all subliminal! Yeah, that's it! Subliminal!"
Now, again, this is great to hear...Especially since I'm mostly a comedian at heart. But I do invest time and energy to make sure the magic side of things is at a pretty high level. Love to make them laugh, but also add icing to cake when I throw them a loop with the magic angle.
Getting to Minnesota for this 3-month summer run was a bit of a journey all on it's own. Halfway through Utah in the dead of night and about 30 miles away from any town, or even a freekin' lightbulb....my trailer blew a tire. I wasn't frustrated though for some weird reason, and instead enjoyed looking at the literally THOUSANDS of stars above me. Simply breathtaking.
AAA explained that the trailer was NOT part of my membership, so no help there, although they did contact a repair shop about 35 miles away. Over the phone I quickly ordere not one but TWO tires, because I certainly didn't want to get caught again like five minutes later as the OTHER tire finally gave out. They were worn to the nubs to be honest and I hadn't noticed, nor had time to notice during the last two months of shows, rehearsals, prop-building and more that all had to be done before I headed east.
The guy who showed up was incredibly nice, although a little perturbed that I had interrupted his lounging at home. But he quickly replaced the tires and after I threw a few hundred dollars onto my credit card, he was off and so was I.
But then my trailer lights weren't working properly, so until morning broke I had to drive with my blinkers on...The 'tick, tick, tick' really got to me and I turned up the radio, only finding either semi-religious stations or full-blown, fire & brimstone radio stations. AM radio of course! Yay!
The next two days were a whirlwind of sunny and stormy, windy and rainy, and any other opposite you could throw in there. One town had ZERO of their gas pumps working because lightening had taken out all the digital readouts and LCD displays on the pumps. Wow!
Oh yeah, also forgot to mention that I wound up with food poisoning....Lovely. So about every 50-70 miles or so, I'd have to pull over and "gack" into trashcans, porto-potties, gas station restrooms, and once even my empty 7-11, 32-ouncer plastic cup. Not proud, but at least I survived to tell the tales.
Almost to my destination, but then I was in the middle of flood-zones! I turned off a road to get to a hotel one night only to find a barricade up across the street. My headlamps carried over the blockade to the rest of the road beyond....which disappeared into a LAKE! An actual LAKE! I quickly realized that the flooding was major, and when I finally arrived in Minnesota and watched the daily news channels I finally got to see just how bad it had been. Incredible what Mother Nature can throw at you! And, at a moment's notice!
Anyway, hope all of you are safe and sound, and should you wish to email me, please feel free to do so! Would love to hear from you!
Sincerely,
Chipper : )
George Carlin, we'll miss you...
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
We’ll miss you, George Carlin...
For me, personally, George Carlin was a God. A performance hero who seemed to only grow sharper with age, laser-focusing on social issues in hilarious form while still getting a point across. That's a juggling act few can ever master successfully.
Sure, others have tried. Whoopi would rant on and on during the old Comic Relief events, and yet never quite click that happy medium of being both opinionated AND funny. But George did both in spades.
He made me and I'm sure hundreds of other comedians out there want to do better. To push the envelope. To write better. To have a better understanding of one's point of view. To re-think their material and wonder deep inside if Carlin would go further with it. He gave us permission to explore new areas as we mined our lives and experiences for bits. And he was one of the few that gave stand-up comedy a true purpose. It was high and low brow humor all mixed together and for him that was perfectly fine....As long as it was honest.
His sense of honesty & sincerity is what struck me as a teenager. Here was a guy who was truly speaking his mind. And much like Lenny Bruce, Carlin was calling on everyone to notice the elephant in the room. Not just one elephant, but ALL the elephants.
In an indirect way, he inspired me to stay "in the moment" and be honest with what I presented onstage. And even though my style is more variety in nature, there is ALWAYS a struggle to be real and raw on stage, instead of the usually removed sense of performance that many entertainers rely on. Carlin was truly a mentor - a father-figure when it came to the way I approached my own brand of stand-up. I'm sure for many others out there, he also became this comedy Obi-Wan.
My first meeting with Carlin was very casual. Years ago my girlfriend and I were attending a performance of "The Crucible" in downtown Los Angeles. The theater was a beautifully restored bank building that had been transformed into 3 little theaters. We had just sat down in our seats when George and his wife suddenly appeared there in the aisle next to us, trying to figure out where their seats were.
My girlfriend stood up and took it upon herself to look at his tickets and then she pointed to the seats next to us. George thanked us and they took their seats. The very first impression of him was nothing but kindness. And completely ordinary in the most extraordinary way -- if that makes any sense. In short, he was a 'regular guy' and our small talk before the show started was a nice bonus and a joy. (My girlfriend later leaned over to me and said since she had pointed George to his seats she could now put on her resume that she had "directed George Carlin". Heehee!)
A few years later I met him again during a Comic Relief event (over the years I had produced several of the Comic Relief recordings for CD) and again he was mild-mannered, gracious, and sincere. I was grateful that the image of him had been more than correct instead of the opposite which is sometimes true with some stars you hoist up onto a pedestal.
Cut to the beginning of this year. I'm now married, and we have a 7 year old son, and I get a call from Richard at the Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach asking if I would like to open for George Carlin in two months. I probably said YES even before he finished his sentence, I'm sure. To me this was like the best Christmas gift ever, and I was very excited to finally work with him.
It wasn't until I arrived at the club that night that I realized something was wrong. George was sick. He had cancelled his engagement at the club due to a flu-bug that he just couldn't shake.
The weekend before he had been performing in Las Vegas, going over and polishing a whole new hour of material for an upcoming, live HBO taping which was to occur in about a week. But ten minutes into his Vegas set, he suddenly excused himself and apologized to the audience. He left the stage and the show was done. He must have been sicker than he thought and even though you try to go out onstage and simply push through it, this time around even George had to take a break from the "show must go on" rule of thumb.
Back at the club.
My heart sank when I learned that George wasn't going to be there that night. But it wasn't because of the missed opportunity of working with him. I was truly concerned about him and hoped he would get better quickly. I was also worried that he wouldn't be well enough by the end of the week for his HBO taping. Word came that George had decided to completely rest the entire week to regain his strength and and hopefully, fully, kick the flu.
There was a bit of chaos in the offices at the club, as people were now canceling right and left when they heard George wouldn't be there. Some were even suggesting that it was the club's fault! What the hell?!!?! (On a side note, it is amazing to me that there are people out there who can't understand we're live performers and not robots, and that even well known celebrity comics like Carlin can and will get sick from time to time. Ironically these are the very people that George would make fun of, I'm sure.)
Ever the professional, Richard (manager at the club) quickly lined up a stellar cast of comics who dropped by the club with very short notice, and the show went on without a glitch. It was really a great night and the audience, who stayed even though they knew that George wouldn't be there, had a fantastic time.
Cut to the next weekend and I'm performing in northern California. In my hotel room after my shows, I get to watch George's HBO show and as usual he's right on target with his material. And the crowd is loving it. Funny and original while still cutting to the chase as he rants about everything under the sun.
He looked a little older, possibly a little worn from his flu-bug the week before, but there he was...In his element and working that standing-room only theater like the true comic veteran we all came to know and loved.
I smiled at the tv, and knew that in a few more months I would probably again get the opportunity to open for him at the club. But of course that was not meant to be.
Yesterday, the news came from several friends' emails that he had passed away. I was struck dumb. How could that happen?
Without really thinking I wound up watching clip after clip of George's routines on the internet. And again, there was a brand new wave of understanding just how amazing his brain had been all these years. Each and every HBO special was filled with "classic" routines and signature bits. It was hard at times to really find any "filler" material that most comics would throw in there just to pad out their shows. He was a genius.
As the day went on, and between my own shows here in Minnesota, I found myself growing even sadder and then suddenly realized what it was that was bothering me. That voice. His voice. George Carlin's gave a voice to what we were all thinking, but in an incredible "makes you think" sort of way. Sure there are top-notch and hysterical comics out there, but where is the NEXT voice of reason? True reason?
The self-anointed king of common-sense. The only comic I knew of that could successfully bridge that gap between what we're all thinking and we all SHOULD be thinking, while still maintaining the 'funny'. Damn.
I'm sure in time someone will pick up the mantle. But for now, for me, there is a huge void out there left by the absence of George Carlin. George, I will miss you greatly and I'll continue to run material past you in my head. Just like the ol' "what would Jesus do?" wrist bands, I've got an invisible one asking what George might do whenever I'm writing new material. Corny I know, but it's never, ever failed me.
Thank you, George. Thank you so much for inspiring a young, naive kid who just wanted to be funny a good 30+ years ago. You were and still are the best.
Chipper
www.chipper.tv
We’ll miss you, George Carlin...
For me, personally, George Carlin was a God. A performance hero who seemed to only grow sharper with age, laser-focusing on social issues in hilarious form while still getting a point across. That's a juggling act few can ever master successfully.
Sure, others have tried. Whoopi would rant on and on during the old Comic Relief events, and yet never quite click that happy medium of being both opinionated AND funny. But George did both in spades.
He made me and I'm sure hundreds of other comedians out there want to do better. To push the envelope. To write better. To have a better understanding of one's point of view. To re-think their material and wonder deep inside if Carlin would go further with it. He gave us permission to explore new areas as we mined our lives and experiences for bits. And he was one of the few that gave stand-up comedy a true purpose. It was high and low brow humor all mixed together and for him that was perfectly fine....As long as it was honest.
His sense of honesty & sincerity is what struck me as a teenager. Here was a guy who was truly speaking his mind. And much like Lenny Bruce, Carlin was calling on everyone to notice the elephant in the room. Not just one elephant, but ALL the elephants.
In an indirect way, he inspired me to stay "in the moment" and be honest with what I presented onstage. And even though my style is more variety in nature, there is ALWAYS a struggle to be real and raw on stage, instead of the usually removed sense of performance that many entertainers rely on. Carlin was truly a mentor - a father-figure when it came to the way I approached my own brand of stand-up. I'm sure for many others out there, he also became this comedy Obi-Wan.
My first meeting with Carlin was very casual. Years ago my girlfriend and I were attending a performance of "The Crucible" in downtown Los Angeles. The theater was a beautifully restored bank building that had been transformed into 3 little theaters. We had just sat down in our seats when George and his wife suddenly appeared there in the aisle next to us, trying to figure out where their seats were.
My girlfriend stood up and took it upon herself to look at his tickets and then she pointed to the seats next to us. George thanked us and they took their seats. The very first impression of him was nothing but kindness. And completely ordinary in the most extraordinary way -- if that makes any sense. In short, he was a 'regular guy' and our small talk before the show started was a nice bonus and a joy. (My girlfriend later leaned over to me and said since she had pointed George to his seats she could now put on her resume that she had "directed George Carlin". Heehee!)
A few years later I met him again during a Comic Relief event (over the years I had produced several of the Comic Relief recordings for CD) and again he was mild-mannered, gracious, and sincere. I was grateful that the image of him had been more than correct instead of the opposite which is sometimes true with some stars you hoist up onto a pedestal.
Cut to the beginning of this year. I'm now married, and we have a 7 year old son, and I get a call from Richard at the Comedy & Magic Club in Hermosa Beach asking if I would like to open for George Carlin in two months. I probably said YES even before he finished his sentence, I'm sure. To me this was like the best Christmas gift ever, and I was very excited to finally work with him.
It wasn't until I arrived at the club that night that I realized something was wrong. George was sick. He had cancelled his engagement at the club due to a flu-bug that he just couldn't shake.
The weekend before he had been performing in Las Vegas, going over and polishing a whole new hour of material for an upcoming, live HBO taping which was to occur in about a week. But ten minutes into his Vegas set, he suddenly excused himself and apologized to the audience. He left the stage and the show was done. He must have been sicker than he thought and even though you try to go out onstage and simply push through it, this time around even George had to take a break from the "show must go on" rule of thumb.
Back at the club.
My heart sank when I learned that George wasn't going to be there that night. But it wasn't because of the missed opportunity of working with him. I was truly concerned about him and hoped he would get better quickly. I was also worried that he wouldn't be well enough by the end of the week for his HBO taping. Word came that George had decided to completely rest the entire week to regain his strength and and hopefully, fully, kick the flu.
There was a bit of chaos in the offices at the club, as people were now canceling right and left when they heard George wouldn't be there. Some were even suggesting that it was the club's fault! What the hell?!!?! (On a side note, it is amazing to me that there are people out there who can't understand we're live performers and not robots, and that even well known celebrity comics like Carlin can and will get sick from time to time. Ironically these are the very people that George would make fun of, I'm sure.)
Ever the professional, Richard (manager at the club) quickly lined up a stellar cast of comics who dropped by the club with very short notice, and the show went on without a glitch. It was really a great night and the audience, who stayed even though they knew that George wouldn't be there, had a fantastic time.
Cut to the next weekend and I'm performing in northern California. In my hotel room after my shows, I get to watch George's HBO show and as usual he's right on target with his material. And the crowd is loving it. Funny and original while still cutting to the chase as he rants about everything under the sun.
He looked a little older, possibly a little worn from his flu-bug the week before, but there he was...In his element and working that standing-room only theater like the true comic veteran we all came to know and loved.
I smiled at the tv, and knew that in a few more months I would probably again get the opportunity to open for him at the club. But of course that was not meant to be.
Yesterday, the news came from several friends' emails that he had passed away. I was struck dumb. How could that happen?
Without really thinking I wound up watching clip after clip of George's routines on the internet. And again, there was a brand new wave of understanding just how amazing his brain had been all these years. Each and every HBO special was filled with "classic" routines and signature bits. It was hard at times to really find any "filler" material that most comics would throw in there just to pad out their shows. He was a genius.
As the day went on, and between my own shows here in Minnesota, I found myself growing even sadder and then suddenly realized what it was that was bothering me. That voice. His voice. George Carlin's gave a voice to what we were all thinking, but in an incredible "makes you think" sort of way. Sure there are top-notch and hysterical comics out there, but where is the NEXT voice of reason? True reason?
The self-anointed king of common-sense. The only comic I knew of that could successfully bridge that gap between what we're all thinking and we all SHOULD be thinking, while still maintaining the 'funny'. Damn.
I'm sure in time someone will pick up the mantle. But for now, for me, there is a huge void out there left by the absence of George Carlin. George, I will miss you greatly and I'll continue to run material past you in my head. Just like the ol' "what would Jesus do?" wrist bands, I've got an invisible one asking what George might do whenever I'm writing new material. Corny I know, but it's never, ever failed me.
Thank you, George. Thank you so much for inspiring a young, naive kid who just wanted to be funny a good 30+ years ago. You were and still are the best.
Chipper
www.chipper.tv
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
And 2008 BEGINS!!!!......
Well, we're now into February and the last month and a half flew by faster than Lindsay Lohan racing to yet another nite-spot here in Hollywood. I'm guessing THAT's the KEY to stardom these days - Learn to drive badly, drink more than your body weight, and occassionally forget your panties, AND BAM! You're a bonofide STARLET! (Come to think of it, that describes quite a few of my old girlfriends from way back when....Hmmmmm, Lindsay does look familiar.)
New Year's EVE was a BLAST as I flew to Reno, Nevada to perform as a special guest in the show "REAL MAGIC" at the incredible Magic Underground Theater. This world-class venue is owned and operated by Mark & Jinger Kalin - outstanding illusionists and close friends of mine to boot. The "New Year's Eve" special event was completely SOLD-OUT, and was a blast to work. The audiences couldn't have been nicer and I really had a fantastic time. If you ever find youself in or around Northern Nevada, be sure to check it out! - www.magicunderground.com or www.bestmagicshow.com
Ran straight into several weeks of IMPROV comedy club bookings throughout California and Nevada. Performed with Jeremy Hotz, who's certifiable and thankfully just as hysterical onstage. It was a nice pairing and audiences ate it up. Thanks to ALL who bought "CHIPPER" T-shirts! Much appreciated!
This was followed by a week in Lake Tahoe at the IMPROV at Harrah's/Harvey's casino, during the town's Gay & Lesbian Ski Week festival. I'm not gay, but that didn't stop the fans and crowds from coming to the show. GREAT audiences! Also hosted a special event at the local ski resort, providing commentary during a costumed ski "parade" down the slopes to bleachers of attendees. The costumes were awesome with some being down-right bawdy and 'wink-wink' naughty in the Benny Hill vein. (Imagine large, fake body parts that don't normally see the light of day and you have a general idea. Let me put it this way -- I felt rather....small. 'nuf said.)
From there I barely made it through the snow and off the mountain and then drove the 9+ hours to Las Vegas where I performed at Harrah's IMPROV along with Rocky LaPorte. Although we've crossed paths several times over the years, this was the first chance we had to work together and the shows were smooth as silk....If silk was a piece of cloth that was considered funny. (Must work on my prose.)
Rocky is a great guy and now a good friend. Nice to work with fellow comics and performers who have a great heart and are simply 'good peoples'.
Kudos to Carl at the IMPROV who's been running the Vegas venue for 90 years or so. (So I'm bad at math.) It's always great to hang with him and the gang there at Harrah's. My friend Mac King continued to perform in the main showroom there. And once again, a plug. For a GREAT one-man show of comedy magic, be sure to check him out!
A much needed vacation finally arrived, and I rounded up the family for a snow trip to Big Bear in California. Hadn't planned on skiing, and truth be told I hadn't ski'd for YEARS, usually due to my constant performing schedule and NOT wanting a broken leg to deal with during my shows. But I figured I had a week after skiing to fully "recuperate" should I find myself in traction or have a pine tree accidentally implanted into my face.
So we decided to ski, and it was fanstastic! Seems we never really forgot how to ski as it all came back rather naturally. Only one 'fall', and that was because I was speeding. (ala Lohan) But the snow cushioned my body as I flipped head over heels like Rocky and Bullwinkle, hoping to create a giant cartoon snowball which never actually transpired.
Our son, Ethan, tried out his skiis - learning to "snow-plow" and walk sideways like a crab so he could walk up the hill. He now realizes this "skiing thing" may take a bit of practice, but he's hooked as badly as his parents are. Really hoping to get up to the snow at least 2-3 more times before this season ends. And not die. Simple plan. : )
I'm currently performing at the legendary Magic Castle, along with a good friend, Aaron Fisher, and a great "silent" act from Japan, Kenji. Strong show and I really enjoy working their Palace of Mystery theater. Strong reactions, repeat customers and even some partial standing ovations, which I must say made me feel very welcome. The Castle holds a special place for a lot of us who dabble in magic or the variety arts, and it's allowed us a place to try new routines, work with fellow magicians and workshop new jokes, lines, bits of business, etc... I've worked there on and off, whenever the busy calendar permits, over the past 17 years. Hard to believe it's been so long, and yet the Castle still stands. Hope it lasts forever, or at least just short of that. : )
Don't forget that come this April, we've got our show: BLiNK! - An Incredible Evening of Award-Winning Magic! This wonderful stage production features 4 of the best magical artists from around the world, and this year's line-up is no exception. The Magic of Jade, Christopher Hart, Murray Hatfield & Teresa, and yours truly serving up the comedy magic along with acting as the show's official host and emcee. For more information, please visit:
http://www.blinkshow.com
Saturday, April 12th - 8pm - Lancaster Performing Arts Center, Lancaster, CA
Sunday, April 13th - 2pm - California Centert for the Arts, Escondido, CA
As always, should you have ANY questions, answers, comments, smirks, winces, etc....please feel free to email me anytime:
chipper@chipper.tv
Website: http://www.chipper.tv
TAKE CARE!
Chipper : )
New Year's EVE was a BLAST as I flew to Reno, Nevada to perform as a special guest in the show "REAL MAGIC" at the incredible Magic Underground Theater. This world-class venue is owned and operated by Mark & Jinger Kalin - outstanding illusionists and close friends of mine to boot. The "New Year's Eve" special event was completely SOLD-OUT, and was a blast to work. The audiences couldn't have been nicer and I really had a fantastic time. If you ever find youself in or around Northern Nevada, be sure to check it out! - www.magicunderground.com or www.bestmagicshow.com
Ran straight into several weeks of IMPROV comedy club bookings throughout California and Nevada. Performed with Jeremy Hotz, who's certifiable and thankfully just as hysterical onstage. It was a nice pairing and audiences ate it up. Thanks to ALL who bought "CHIPPER" T-shirts! Much appreciated!
This was followed by a week in Lake Tahoe at the IMPROV at Harrah's/Harvey's casino, during the town's Gay & Lesbian Ski Week festival. I'm not gay, but that didn't stop the fans and crowds from coming to the show. GREAT audiences! Also hosted a special event at the local ski resort, providing commentary during a costumed ski "parade" down the slopes to bleachers of attendees. The costumes were awesome with some being down-right bawdy and 'wink-wink' naughty in the Benny Hill vein. (Imagine large, fake body parts that don't normally see the light of day and you have a general idea. Let me put it this way -- I felt rather....small. 'nuf said.)
From there I barely made it through the snow and off the mountain and then drove the 9+ hours to Las Vegas where I performed at Harrah's IMPROV along with Rocky LaPorte. Although we've crossed paths several times over the years, this was the first chance we had to work together and the shows were smooth as silk....If silk was a piece of cloth that was considered funny. (Must work on my prose.)
Rocky is a great guy and now a good friend. Nice to work with fellow comics and performers who have a great heart and are simply 'good peoples'.
Kudos to Carl at the IMPROV who's been running the Vegas venue for 90 years or so. (So I'm bad at math.) It's always great to hang with him and the gang there at Harrah's. My friend Mac King continued to perform in the main showroom there. And once again, a plug. For a GREAT one-man show of comedy magic, be sure to check him out!
A much needed vacation finally arrived, and I rounded up the family for a snow trip to Big Bear in California. Hadn't planned on skiing, and truth be told I hadn't ski'd for YEARS, usually due to my constant performing schedule and NOT wanting a broken leg to deal with during my shows. But I figured I had a week after skiing to fully "recuperate" should I find myself in traction or have a pine tree accidentally implanted into my face.
So we decided to ski, and it was fanstastic! Seems we never really forgot how to ski as it all came back rather naturally. Only one 'fall', and that was because I was speeding. (ala Lohan) But the snow cushioned my body as I flipped head over heels like Rocky and Bullwinkle, hoping to create a giant cartoon snowball which never actually transpired.
Our son, Ethan, tried out his skiis - learning to "snow-plow" and walk sideways like a crab so he could walk up the hill. He now realizes this "skiing thing" may take a bit of practice, but he's hooked as badly as his parents are. Really hoping to get up to the snow at least 2-3 more times before this season ends. And not die. Simple plan. : )
I'm currently performing at the legendary Magic Castle, along with a good friend, Aaron Fisher, and a great "silent" act from Japan, Kenji. Strong show and I really enjoy working their Palace of Mystery theater. Strong reactions, repeat customers and even some partial standing ovations, which I must say made me feel very welcome. The Castle holds a special place for a lot of us who dabble in magic or the variety arts, and it's allowed us a place to try new routines, work with fellow magicians and workshop new jokes, lines, bits of business, etc... I've worked there on and off, whenever the busy calendar permits, over the past 17 years. Hard to believe it's been so long, and yet the Castle still stands. Hope it lasts forever, or at least just short of that. : )
Don't forget that come this April, we've got our show: BLiNK! - An Incredible Evening of Award-Winning Magic! This wonderful stage production features 4 of the best magical artists from around the world, and this year's line-up is no exception. The Magic of Jade, Christopher Hart, Murray Hatfield & Teresa, and yours truly serving up the comedy magic along with acting as the show's official host and emcee. For more information, please visit:
http://www.blinkshow.com
Saturday, April 12th - 8pm - Lancaster Performing Arts Center, Lancaster, CA
Sunday, April 13th - 2pm - California Centert for the Arts, Escondido, CA
As always, should you have ANY questions, answers, comments, smirks, winces, etc....please feel free to email me anytime:
chipper@chipper.tv
Website: http://www.chipper.tv
TAKE CARE!
Chipper : )
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