The Tonys Are Coming!

Next Sunday is the 63rd annual Tony Awards, celebrating the best in live theatre, dramatic and musical, achievement.  Aside from the Oscars, it is one of my favorite awards shows.  Granted, Emmy and Grammy are up there, too.  These 4 awards shows are the originators of the award genre.  But, I digress.  Live theatre is so exciting.  Each night can be different. 

I'll never forget Bernadette Peters in Song and Dance during the song Capped Teeth and Caesar Salad- she forgot a lyric and substituted "la la la las" to my horror!  But nevertheless, Miss Peters did receive the Best Actress in a Musical for that performance.  And John Lithgow in his beyond-amazing performance in M.Butterfly kept me on the edge of my seat.  So, this week I will reminisce about going to see a play or musical- on Broadway or even on its pre-Broadway run here in San Francisco.  BTW:  Evita, Wicked, and Lestat got their starts in San Francisco. OK, Evita premiered in Los Angeles...but it did come to our Orpheum Theatre before Broadway.  So, dim the lights, start that overture, and raise the curtain- another stunning year to celebrate! 

Congratulations to the Class of 2009

Open A New Window

Open a new window,
Open a new door,
Travel a new highway,
That's never been tried before;
Before you find you're a dull fellow,
Punching the same clock,
Walking the same tight rope
As everyone on the block.
The fellow you ought to be is three dimensional,
Soaking up life down to your toes,
Whenever they say you're slightly unconventional,
Just put your thumb up to your nose.
And show 'em how to dance to a new rhythm,
Whistle a new song,
Toast with a new vintage,
The fizz doesn't fizz too long.
There's only one way to make the bubbles stay,
Simply travel a new high way,
Dance to a new rhythm,

Open a new window ev'ry day!

From Mame - Music and Lyrics by Jerry Herman

You Would Be Proud, Papa

Has It Been 40 Years Already?

May 26, 1969

The day my father left this earth

I said goodbye to him on the 25th

Not knowing it was a farewell

May 26, 2009

40 years later

I wish I could have known you

To tell you so many things

Things that would make you laugh

Make you cry

To tell you how your co-madre Olimpia

Passed way in '05

And William Erickson's wife, Luisa,

Left us in '97

Pero, Papá

What can I tell you about the children you had who

Now are grown men and a woman

Let me begin with the eldest...

Sergio is doing well, married with a wonderful woman,

Miriam, who you would just adore

She did an admirable, heroic job, 

Raising Joe and Lila, who by the way are wonderful parents

Joe is a police officer in San Jose- handsome, strong and I am sure very loving

With a great and humorous wife, Christina 

Raising the collegiate Sergi and the little one, Luisito(?)

Lila is a beautiful young woman with children of her own

I wish I could go back in time to 

Spend time with them...to make 'em laugh

To spoil them as an uncle would

Then there are Ceasar and Roger

One is your namesake who served his nation 

While in the Air Force- two years of anguish for his parents and family

Who is now engaged to I'm sure a wonderful gal

And Roger...a proud father with a darling wife, Monique

Forming a wonderful family

Of Sergio and Miriam and their family

You would be proud!

Ahora, Roger y Gloria

And their wonderful group of kids

You won't believe it, Papa, but Roger and Sergio

Married sisters- Miriam and Gloria are sisters!

And you should see the kids they have

The eldest is Julissa, married to Eddy

And they have a playful beagle, Roxxy

Julissa is a joy and has a sense of humor

Similar to her uncle's

(don't know if that's good)

Chris is next- pretty and bright

And moved to Washington

Ulysses, the eldest male learning the ropes of an EMT

Andrew studying hard in college

And young Lorenzo striving towards the stars 

In his high school endeavours

Papa, you would be so proud of the accomplishments

Of Roger, who's been through hell and back

And of Gloria, his loyal and steadfast wife

OK, Papa, I really can't talk about Veronica,

You're only daughter

I know she has kids who are grown

And doing their own things

I really wish I knew more about them;

Veronica was successful in her job-

She lived in Ohio for a while

Working for the company that

Promoted her to the head office

Of Veronica, I wish I knew more

Bueno, Papi

That leaves "Boanerge"

Your son with Beatriz

No- he does not have a wife

Nor children

Ah - he has had many children

For you see, Papi, 

He became a teacher

And he has seen his children grow into

Magnificent young men and women

Children who have learned a love for music of all kinds

And that's thanks to you

'Cause Sergio says how much you loved

Classical music and the tangos of Gardel

I think you would be proud of my accomplishments

Yes, it has been 40 long years

I missed having a father

But I was raised the way you would have wanted

I love my brothers and sister

And my nieces and nephews

Thank you for watching over us!

The Perez name will live long

And I know your legacy

Survives; it is strong

Cesar Pedro Perez

Born Ciudad Dario,  Nicaragua 1923

Died San Francisco, CA 1969

Visitors Return!

Back in May, 1983, NBC had an incredible mini-series, V, about alien visitors who supposedly came in peace and offer humanity cures to their woes.  After a sequel, teleseries and numerous book incarnations, a "re-imagined" (don't ya just love that word!) version is set to air in the new fall schedule for ABC.  The previews look incredible; the Motherships highly stylized...all new characters, apparently.  So, is a new generation ready to deal with these Visitors?  If you have no idea, you must check out the original Ken Johnson miniseries and get an inkling as to what the motives really are that have brought this race of "humanoids" to Earth.  I hope Jane Badler makes a cameo at least!  Diana is still one of the best...oh, check it out.   Why spoil the fun?

Mythology a la Italiana

This film I remember seeing in elementary school and what fun now to introduce it to my own class.  Part of the culmination of our unit on Greece is to watch this classic film from 1955.  It is a great film to show as there is not only dialog, but action and at least two mythological creatures: Polyphemus the Cyclops and Circe the Sorceress.  The actors in this film were at one time world class actors.  But to my students, they are men and women who bring the saga of Ulysses to life.  There are the inevitable chuckles of seeing grown men in very short tunics, and women in gaudy but colorful gowns.  There is the inevitable question, "Did they use green screen for some scenes?"  God bless this tech savvy generation!  The story held their interest; and this class has not complained about dialogue laddened films.  They even wanted to see for a second time the cyclops episode.  Towards the end of the film, the kids were so caught up in this adventure, that it was most pleasing to see that even in 2009, a simple film from 1955 could enthrall the most critical of audiences.  After the film, one of my brighter students said, "You show the best movies."  And if it piqued their curiosity, thank you Hollywood.  And Hollywood, you will always have children enjoying the films that inspired today's storytellers.

Let's hope you make more films that celebrate the mythology of all cultures!!

1999 Venice Int'l Film Festival Best Picture

One thing I enjoy sharing with my classes is a great movie.  Now, how to introduce them to the genre known as the foreign film?  Well, there is a wonderful film that was released in 1999, Not One Less.  This is a film every educator should watch and discuss.  Set in a very rural and poor area of China, it tells the story of Teacher Wei- barely out of the 8th grade, who becomes the substitute teacher in a very dilapidated school.  Her only concern is how much money she will make in the month she will substitute.  She is told that if she can keep all her students (imagine K-6th in one room) she will be paid in full- but for an entire class, not one less.  We meet some of the colorful students that all teachers meet- the pet, the goody two shoes, and the class clown/trouble maker.  When a box of chalk is broken into a million pieces, one of the children remarks that their teacher used even the smallest pieces and even the last of the dust to write a lesson...that's how valuable classroom materials are.

One of the students is an excellent runner and is recruited and given a scholarship to an athletic school.  The mayor of the town vows she will get the promised salary, but not one child more must leave.

Well, poverty being what it is, one of the student's parents are in debt.  The boy is sent to work in the big city.  This prompts Teacher Wei to start teaching in a very unorthodox manner.  She investigates how much money is needed for bus fare; she and the children work moving bricks.  She earns "enough" for the fare, and for a can of Coke, which these kids have never seen, let alone tasted.  Warm Coke..."tickled their tongues." 

Teacher Wei eventually makes her way to the big city in search of the lost student.  She meets a most obnoxious young girl who, for money, will help Wei look for the boy.  Needless to say, Wei spends time looking for him...getting hungry, meeting impatient people who really don't want to help.  She spends the last of her money to buy ink and hand write a "Have You Seen?" advert.  She is advised to go on TV and make her plea live.  She meets opposition before she can get on TV.  Once on TV, the anchor makes her feel comfortable and to tell her story.

The story does have a wonderful, heart-warming ending.  After watching the film, the kids noted that we are wasteful.  That there are poor schools with hardly any supplies, and yet we waste everything from paper to crayons.  Another line that hit home, "I had to beg for food...I will never forget that."

An amazing little film, and even with subtitles, a film kids can relate to.  Please take time and see this wonderful film.  It is a feel good movie and you will appreciate you classmates, your educators, your education.

New Ways To Dream

Just a short entry to say hello and thanks for a wonderful week of thought provoking questions, answers, ideas, laughter...you get the idea...to the new "gang" I've met.  So, here is a shout out to...

JTC, CSH, MG and EF.  I enjoy the challenges you post in your answers and questions.  You've all been surprisingly good to me!

See you online!  Hugs!

"If I wanna see helicopters, I'll go to the airport

 I took the book and read my way through 

 Les Misera-bleah!"  

 from the song "I Hate Musicals" from the cult hit, Ruthless!

OK...so I misquoted the lyrics!  

"And I Nellifer will rule in Egypt"

How does one culminate a unit on Egypt?  By showing this classic film with sfx created B.C. (Before Computers)  And the reaction?  The film got an ovation and loved the ending, which showed how bad things lead to dire consequences.  This film is pure epic spectacle.  I am sure the WBs spared no expense.  Filmed on location with literally a cast of thousands.  Those sets!  Those costumes!  That score!  That Joan Collins!  Truly a product of the 50s when films about ancient times proved to be a goldmine.  A great fictional account on the building of the Great Pyramid.  Those scenes alone helped my students understand the vast undertaking for such a colossal structure.  Funny to watch the kids's reaction to Joan Collins's costumes.  The admonishment I hear, "we've seen worse on tv!"  But, slinky, sexy costumes were the rage for such films and let costume designers have field day with garish designs.  Dimitri Tiomkin's music is a wonderful aural attraction.  From the opening theme sung in the ancient Egyptian to the choral pieces surrounding Pharaoh and his warriors.  Funny to hear "eggroll, eggroll" from some of the kids.  Only to be told that that's what the chant "pharaoh, pharaoh" sounded like to them.  The best "review" line: "She makes Cruella de Vil look like Mary Poppins."  The class enjoyed Queen Nellifer's demise.  Now, the kids ask if I have any more movies from when I was a kid.  There is hope!  To watch a group of kids react to this 50s film is priceless.  Hopefully this will encourage kids who've seen it all to look at some of the great epics from a Hollywood long gone.  Enjoy Land of the Pharaohs and don't look for hidden messages...just enjoy it as wonderful entertainment!!

Look at the Sun!

Today is the feast of Our Lady of Fatima.  For Catholics it is a day to remember the apparition of Mary to three shepherd children in the provincial town of Fatima, Portugal.  The great miracle occurred on the 13th of October, 1917 when the sun "zigzagged" down to earth in almost apocalyptic fashion.  Major warning from above.

Which brings me to the film made in the 50s, with a great score by Max Steiner!  Made in the 50s when religious films were at their height, I am sure this little film, The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima, was to counter the growing communist threat of the then Soviet Union.  The only big name was Gilbert Roland as as scoundrel, con-artist who is a friend of the children and is hesitant to believe their story of a beautiful lady they saw.  Angela Clark portrays the eldest child, Lucia Dos Santos, in a childlike innocence that, IMHO, has not been portrayed since Jennifer Jones as Bernadette Soubirous in The Song of Bernadette.  The film is, as I always state, a product of its time.  The 50s was a scary time to live in the US, what with Joe McCarthy hunting out communists in our homeland.  Again, films such as today's feature, help people forget what was going on and perhaps seek help from above through prayer, good deeds and just plain old faith.  The film, on DVD, is a glorious color spectacle.  It's a fun, yet reverent romp in the genre of religious films.  It is worth watching; for some of us it will be a nostalgic remembrance of watching it on the weekend afternoon movie on TV.  Hopefully, for some, a film that will prompt discovery into why Catholics have a devotion to Mary, under the title of "Our Lady of Fatima."  Check it out and particularly enjoy the score by Max Steiner. 

Pamela Zed

Leave it to a friend in Spain for me to learn about a San Francisco based performer-artiste.  Pamela Z.  I know little about her but checked her out on You Tube and was mesmerized.  I must say that learning to appreciate new music and musical styles will enhance my listening pleasure.  I definitely will check out her music and performances.  Something different and very refreshing.  And thanks IH for introducing me to this artiste.

Dia de las Madres

She was small in stature

But had a heart as big as the sun

She had knowledge about many things

Though she possessed no degrees

A woman who gave up lots of things

To raise the likes of me

As a child in kinder and elementary school

She was my protector, my teacher, my mentor

Things I feared she'd simply say

Be not afraid...to "Papa Chu" you must pray

Her faith was so simple

She loved her God dearly

And she made sure all of us

Would see the good in all clearly

As a teen not many problems were given

If I erred

Somehow all was forgiven

Tough times for her raising a teen

Retired she was and youth

No longer a luxury

College years demonstrated maturity

Towards this retiree

Her tastes in lots of things

Developed, some say, because of me

Star Trek

"Super-estar"

Vampiros

Los Beetos

Though she did not fully understand the language

The actions and music she relished

An adult watching a once strong woman

Start to decline in health

She became part of a new family

The one OLV

The many grandkids she never had

Became the classes I'd prepare

Her final years would prove

To be ones full of love

From total strangers at work,

Strangers who became her new children

Lovingly called "Mama Babalinshka"

By Ariel and Stephie

To appreciate one so old

Made my soul smile

Her final week was not so good

A hospital is not a home

Doctor worked hard as he could

To see if she'd survive

Her last moments were spent

In comfort care

Her life began on 17 December

The year of 1903

She left this earth peacefully

On September the 24th

The year 2005

Olimpia Mondoy

She wasn't a celebrity

Or a person of renown

But to me

A saint she was...is

And a jewel in God's crown

I wish all the mothers on this glorious May the 10th

A day that is full of love

Of laughter

Of good food

Of children and grandones

May they appreciate who you are

And what you mean to them

Mama Pimpa, me haces mucha falta

Cuidame y a los tuyos

Desde el más allá de los cielos

Nunca te olvidaré

Tu vida está escrita

En mi propio corazón

The Walk-A-Thon

What a beautiful, sunny spring day it turned out to be for my school's biannual fundraiser.  This year it was a walk-a-thon.  Yes, times are economically difficult, but we did have a nice gathering at the Brisbane Marina.  Got there about 10:20 AM, walked the course, which I believe was a mile or so; walked it a few times with other teachers and the kids and those parents who brought their canines.  Hot dogs and chips were the yummy edibles du jour.   Entertainment included karaoke.  Needless to say, yours truly got ethnic with a rendition of "La Bamba" and later a tribute to our fair city with its unofficial anthem, "I Left My Heart In San Francisco."  (Which has become part of the repertoire; perchance a cabaret show is in the future?)  Lots of pics with the kids, alumni, teachers and a seagull or two.  Won't know if the event was a major success, but from the smiles and laughs of the little kids, it was a success.

To Boldly Go Where We've Gone "Before"

No long discourse today.  Just anticipating this new interpretation of a classic science fiction icon.  The wait is almost over.

¿Quien es Obie Juan?

¿Quien es Obie Juan?

¿Quizas un gran mago?

¿O un gran sabio?

Se aparece como un halcón

Se desaparece como lluvia de verano

Pero su aparición

Quedará un sútil misterio

Que os guie La Fuerza

Obie Juan

Que os guie La Fuerza

Carlos Gardel

Leave it to a friend to introduce me to a film starring a world famous Argentine tango singer, Carlos Gardel.  The film?  Tango Bar- Un Film de John Reinhardt.  Made in 1935 and distributed by Paramount, this silly but fun film is about a gambler, Gardel, and his run-in with a woman who is a professional thief.  (Her dog helps her steal a jewel encrusted bracelet.)  Rosita Moreno portrays the thief.  Who?  Anyway, I am assuming the film was made in Buenos Aires, which did have a blossoming film industry in the 1930s; pretty sure Buenos Aires was the Hollywood of South America at this time.  Lots of stock footage of docks with ocean liners.  And those grand vistas of Barcelona in the 30s with its wide avenues.  It is not a musical, per se, but  Mr. Gardel sings several tango-inspired songs.  To my surprise...I actually enjoyed this film.  Granted, the transfer quality was not 100%, but the story was understandable and the soundtrack clear.  Now I must "discover" this Latin American singer and hear his music.  On a personal note, my father's favorite singer was Carlos Gardel, and surprisingly, I can hear why. I am not an expert on the tango, but it is a music that is definitely the soul and spirit of Argentina and its capital city, Buenos Aires.  My only connection to the tango was watching a musical revue, Tango Argentino when it played at the Golden Gate Theatre back in the 80s.   Boy, am I digressing.  The film does show the sumptuousness of the 30s in the fact of how people dressed up to travel.  30s fashion was so chic!  The title of the film refers to an establishment the Gardel character opens in Barcelona.  Lo and behold, Miss Moreno's characters does not like leading a life of crime and becomes a good girl and works in the Tango Bar as an actress/singer.  There is a surprise discovery and happy ending.  The film runs an hour and would be considered a "B movie."  I've garnered a reputation, as of late, of being a "connoisseur" of this genre of film.   A reputation that is fun! Let's face it, they are films that were made, released and have a cult following of sorts.  It is a film to see; no subtitles so watch it was a Spanish speaking amigo.  I thank my friend for getting this film, but more importantly, for allowing this film to introduce me to a type of music I would otherwise neglect.  Gracias!  Grazie!  Danke!

"Por una cabeza de un noble potrillo

 que justo en la raya afloja al llegar

 y que al regresar parece decir

 no olvides, hermano

 Vos sabes, no hay que jugar..."

(from the song "Por Una Cabez" from the film Tango Bar; music and lyrics by Carlos Gardel and Alfredo La Pera)

So Long, Funny Man

And yet, another comedian has gone to the great lounge in the sky...Dom DeLuise.  Irreverent, funny, great cook, jovial, actor...another loss to the international entertainment community.  Who can forget his portrayal of Nero in Mel Brooks's History of the World, Part I.  And he starred in a great little film, Fatso, with Anne Bancroft.  He also co- starred in many a Burt Reynolds film.  As some of my friends would say, he was truly a gifted comedian and ahead of his time.  I would say he was a role model and had an infectious laugh about him.  His legacy lives on in the films he was in.  A new generation will hopefully enjoy the antics of this truly funny man.

"Be a clown, be a clown

All the world loves a clown..."

Feliz Cinco de Mayo 2009

Happy Cinco de Mayo to all my amigos who celebrate this once unknown date.  Let's face it, it has become more of an American celebration than in the entire republica Mexicana!  A great reason to imbibe and eat wonderful meals from South of the American border.  This date commemorates the Mexicans defeating Napoleon's forces at the town of Puebla.  I tend to get into the spirit of things by preparing and making enchiladas for my co-workers.  I guess today we're all Mexicans at heart; ironic in a society that looks down at an amazing culture, especially most recently with the N1H1 virus.  But, I digress.

Cinco de Mayo is now a part of American culture that besides cheering for the red, white and blue we can start cheering for the red, white and green!  And remember, going to Taco Bell does not constitute an authentic Mexican meal.  Go and have a burrito; enjoy a great meal at a real Mexican restaurant; better yet, find a recipe for enchiladas or tacos or tostadas and enjoy!

"Mexicanos al grito de guerra..."

The Lusty Month of May

Tra la! It's May!
The lusty month of May!
That darling month when ev'ryone throws
Self-control away.
It's time to do
A wretched thing or two,
And try to make each precious day
One you'll always rue!
It's May! It's May!
The month of "yes you may,"
The time for ev'ry frivolous whim,
Proper or "im."
It's wild! It's gay!
A blot in ev'ry way.
The birds and bees with all of their vast
Amorous past
Gaze at the human race aghast,
The lusty month of May.

Tra la! It's May!
The lusty month of May!
That lovely month when ev'ryone goes
Blissfully astray.
Tra la! It's here!
That shocking time of year
When tons of wicked little thoughts
Merrily appear.
It's May! It's May!

from Camelot  by Lerner and Loew