Boy, I thought March would NEVER get here. I have a very special relationship with March. Not just because my Birthday is the 19th (Pisces, of course), but good things tend to happen to me in March. I get some good news. I’ve won some money. And I’ve even gotten a new bike (from wiffee) in March. Long ago I decided to celebrate the entire month, and not just rely on one day. This arrangement has served me well. I get to justify all sorts of excess. I can’t say no to myself. I feel like I can do (within reason) what I want. It’s not even actually DOING what I want, it’s the FEELING OF BEING ABLE TO DO WHAT I WANT….as the commercial says “priceless.”

This month I finished a revision of a play I wrote way back in 2007. It’s called “MASTERS OF SPIN,” and I wrote it after I read an article in the Baltimore Sun about Morgan State University and a local advertising/marketing firm. On a very small level, it exposed African American “hair issues.”

So with that as such a JUICY backdrop, I invented my own re-telling of events. Here’s the synopsis of “MASTERS OF SPIN”:

                     “Scott, Johnson & Vickers, a small public relations firm (4 employees, all African-American) has just won a prestigious award. However, success soon takes a misstep. Cleopatra Scott, the firm’s CEO, volunteers to launch a series of Public Service Announcements for Douglass College, a historically black local college. Unfortunately, D’Acosta Johnson, the firm’s Admin. Assistant, included inflammatory language in the flyers advertising the PSA’s. The flyer announces that the criteria for the PSA auditions revolve around certain “hair requirements.” The irony is made more pronounced by the fact that D’Acosta, the young African-American woman who composed and circulated the flyer, is currently a student at Douglass, and Cleopatra is an esteemed alumni who’s also African-American

                      How does a small firm of “Spin Specialists” unravel their wrongly miscalculated deed? As Cleopatra starts the process of examination, she finds a hornet’s nest of racial myth and madness that includes a very personal level of outrage. Cleopatra’s indignation is matched by D’Acosta Johnson’s more “modern” racial ethos. D’Acosta believes that, far from being controversial, her actions were entirely pragmatic. As everyone’s reactions are investigated and questioned, we see a conflict that extends across generational as well as racial boundaries. Ultimately, the Masters Of Spin must find a new direction and heal internal and external wounds.”

I’m excited about it. It dives into “regular life” for a PR firm. I won’t say much more. We’ll see what happens. I keep a file of “script ideas,” and this is one that I didn’t abandon. I have a few more. We’ll see if March can bring any good New-Productions-For-Alonzo news. If nothing turns up in that department, I have lots of March rituals that have served me well. I usually take a beautiful bike around my B-Day and this year I’m headed off to the Mount Vernon Trail. A few years ago I did the WO&D trail. That was 45 miles each way.

It was a GORGEOUS day, and my Bike Friday got me “out and back”. The Mt. Vernon Trail is different. It’s not a long ride — about 36 roundtrip, but it’s a lovely route. Ahhhh — trail bliss. Also, the NCAA B-Ball Tournament reigns supreme in March and I always find myself up near midnight watching somebody drain a long-distance three. Ahhh, ball bliss. So anything that comes my way artistically will be the cherry on top. I bought a Joseph Campbell book yesterday and was reminded of when I first discovered Joseph and his philosophy. One of the stories I’ve always remembered is that, at a young age (sometime around the time we’re teenagers) we all enter a forest. That forest represents our journey into adulthood. Some of us come out of the forest very intact. Others, not so much. The forest can halt our maturity, or make us more prepared. Most of the major religions have a hero who’s entered a quest. And after they return from the quest, they’ve been enlightened. And they share their enlightenment.

But, what if your personal quest doesn’t just end when you’re young? What if that quest extends for your entire life? You engage in a search. You’re seeking answers. Maybe it takes a lifetime for them to arrive…….that’s what I see as my Playwriting journey. A lot of achievements, great and small, that come in and out. In and out.

We’ll see what March 2016 brings to the equation.

Finally, we’ve got ourselves a “little blizzard.” We were overdue. But I don’t mind in the least. The more time I have to write and think, the better. I’ve missed that time alone. And now I’m hungry for it. Greedy for it! I’m still getting over the all the free-lance projects, and time put into those for, essentially, the last two years. But now, I just want to own my own time. By golly, think I just created a new lexicon. But no sooner am I wearing a happy face then I’m invited to be a judge for Poetry Out Loud.

It’s being held in Frederick, MD. this February, Wiffee and I are making a day out of it. (So long honorarium). It’s nice to be asked and thought of. And the performances are (I hear) a sight to behold.

I’m in the process of re-writing a play called “Master’s of Spin,” about a black PR firm that gets involved in a controversy over — hair. It’s based around an incident at Morgan State Univ. A black PR firm was hired to make some promotional videos about the school, but the flyer they posted around campus stressed certain hair requirements: only straight, processed or short hair. No dreads or anything like that. Now, I did mention that this was a black PR firm, right? Therein lies the rub. If this was a white firm, I’m sure this would have made more national news, but it quickly went away after the story came out in the local media. My play looks at how the flyer and the controversy could have possibly have been started. It’s just my own take. I don’t think it’s too hard to imagine something like this happening.

I’m thinking that 2016 is a time when more of my own work could see “the light of day.” That’s code for “recognition”. As I sit here contemplating how much I miss riding my bike when it’s snowy and frigid, I think about those spring days when the joy of riding sets off explosive fireworks in my brain. But it’s February, and my philosophy has always been to “get your work in” during the winter so you can enjoy the summer. Whether things go my way or not, at least I know that I did what I could do and pushed myself. So while there’s a blustery blizzard outside today, it can’t compare to the activity I’m cooking up in my own little cyberspace.

 

I’m feeling like I opened my eyes and there was this other person inside. I think this can be attributed to a busy life that had me all caught up. But now I’m on hiatus. Re-energizing. Coming out of free-lance project and landing in a new place. I’m dropping anchor cause I’m staying for a spell.

About two weeks ago I finished the final event for the New Day Campaign, and I’ve been in full STOP ever since. I feel like I’ve been in a 2 year project mode. First there was “The Telling Project,” and then “Waxter Wisdom,” and the “New Day Campaign” brought everything back home. I finished my last Waxter Wisdom portrait (writing/directing AND acting), Wilma Rudolph. And read a 20 minute excerpt fro “B-Sideman,” and then directed “Combat” with Nick and Lisa Lutwytche, Fred Foote and Ellen Cherry providing music. Everything went as well as I could hoped. The reading was ESPECIALLY poignant. I am very assured now that “B-Side” is a crowd-pleaser. It has so many healtfelt and personal revelations. So, so many. And the ending takes my breath away. And I’m just reading the damn thing! I never knew that Charles’ passing would be the catalyst to this extended performance monologue monster of a play.

I spoke with Alan Kreizenbeck (neighbor and college prof in theatre at the Univ. of Maryland Baltimore-County (my old spot) and he’s willing to direct me in it for the Baltimore Fringe Festival next fall. I’m game for that. It won’t get done otherwise, and that’ll give me enough time to learn it. I’m happy about that.

The other events were labors of love, that had lots of time and emotional elements. Everytime I sat down at a New Day event I felt touched and very, very blessed. And I don’t toss around “very, very blessed” willy-nilly. The audiences had, for the most part, all come through some kind of catharsis. And I was one of them, too.

A few weeks ago I was on an Arts Panel for the Frostburg Indie Lit Festival. I spoke from the dramatic experience about “character.” One of the authors on the panel invited me to be on a panel for his Festival this Summer.

All I did was speak up a little about theater and next thing I’ve got an invite to do it again. Somebody must be living right. But that’s a ways away. Much as winter is calling me to hibernate, something tells me another calling may walk up and introduce itself. Though down time feels unspeakably refreshing, my own sense of “gotta do this while I still can” has burst through the prison gates. We’ll see who wins this showdown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So there I was going to the Indie Lit Festival up in Frostburg. It was such a gorgeous day driving up, up, and more UP into the mountains of Western Maryland. I’ve done big-time bike riding around this area.

It looked like this all the way up from Baltimore. Gorgeous. Scenic as all get out. I was captivated by scenery and thoughts. The scenery part’s obvious, the thoughts pertained to what I would speak about at the Festival. I was part of the “Writing Character” panel, I was there to “represent” the Drama/Theatre perspective. I did what I could. Added things from the Playwriting paradigm, so to speak. As I’ve mentioned many times before, there’s a difference when you take things from the page to the stage. Characters in Literature can be portrayed with many paragraphs of idiosyncratic adornments. Theatre requires you to show it and move along. I’m not claiming any superiority, there is none to claim. It’s just a facet to be aware of. You already know the difference, what more can I add. My panel consisted of —–

 

(left to right) Alonzo, Jen Grow, Mark Brazaitis and Patricia Henley was the moderator. Since we were situated, as many panels were, at an Indie Lit “Outpost,” (we were in a room at Frostburg City Hall), our environment was a bit “Civic”. Maybe we could call it, “Shabby Civic.” Nonetheless, the conversation had much to recommend, and the questions were challenging.

I ended up buying several of their books, “Incurables,” by Mark and Jen’s “My Life as a Mermaid”. Actually, Jen introduced me to Kathy Flann — sitting right in our audience — and I bought her book and I’m almost finished. “Get A Grip.” She writes stories set in Baltimore, and to me they have a certain Lorrie Moore feel to the characters and situations.

I loved being on the panel, and it was all because of my Frostburg Pal Gerry LaFemina. Gerry and I go back a few years. My One-Act Play “Monifa’s Kiss” had a staged reading there back in 2010.

Ohhhh, how I do enjoy an audience. And if I’m standing in front of an audience reading my own stuff — what could be finer than that? The Baltimore Book Festival is now over and done.

And while I was reading I tried to savor every, single moment. When will this merry go-round come my way again? Nothing’s promised. Nothing is “bestowed”. The (Playwright” Life of Alonzo has shown me that one day’s momentum does not guarantee that same momentum carried over to the next day. So, drink it in.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The audience was largely behind the first row. There were a number of good works being read. And, as you can see, I was my only actor. I had Nicole taking pictures, and her Aunt Betsy was there along with her sister Julie, her husband Bob and their four kids. I don’t think they’d heard me reading ANYTHING like “B-SideMan” before. Julie and Bob have come to several events with me as “the writer,” but listening to “B-Side” is a completely new experience. Altogether. Very personal, and the “Life of Alonzo” is quite exposed. But HA! Bring on the full frontal. That’s what we’re here for. So seldom today do I leave something feeling that total WOW that we know is out there (for the taking).

 

So this is what it’s all about. Reading your own work is the ultimate “big reveal.” There you are on a CityLit stage with book festival passer’s by glancing, maybe stopping. Maybe they catch a word, a phrase, an attitude. There’s alot of my life before my son Charles died in “B-Side,” and that’s how I started the play, that was my initial intention of the play. But the more I worked on it, the more Charles started to “inform” the direction I was taking. And then I realized that there were possibly two threads I was weaving. One was the “arc of my own character,” over time. The other was the introduction of Charles, his problems, difficulties and the entire shebang of Asperger’s, therapy and the scenario of a family (my own) in crisis. I think for my family that was present at this reading, alot of missing points might  now be better understood. They were aware of what Nicole and I were experiencing, but at some point Nicole and I cocooned our feelings and experiences away from them. The play speaks to this much better than I am now.

I read an excerpt, but I re-read the whole play today. I found it more moving than I’d ever imagined. After my reading, I returned to my seat and the lady next to me asked “what’s your name again?” I looked her dead in the eye and told her. Maybe down the road she’ll catch it again. Up next: looks like I’ll be reading something written by my neighborhood pal (and UMBC Professor), Alan Kreizenbeck. This will be for the Charm City Fringe Festival.

So much for summer…..Fall has Sprung! I’ve been rehearsing my “B-SideMan” excerpt for the City Lit Event coming up. (There I am, 3rd Playwright down)

And it’s certainly made me focus on the entire script. I read the excerpt for several friends this past weekend (in Martha’s Vineyard, no less!) and they seemed to think it provided that peek into Alonzo’s Brain (always a scary thought). Those weren’t their words, I’m just extrapolating.

I trust what I’ve written, and we’ll see how things go…..

The last show I wrote for the Waxter Center was such a big smash (Broadway here I go). “Ella Fitzgerald,” played by Tierra NiCole sure made me sound great.

“Ella” sang 7 songs and da joint was jumpin. She sang scat, bop, and several standards. Oh my lord, she could sing. Again, this picture captures it all. The faces were full of attention, and admiration. This series is probably one of the best dramatic experiences of my life.

 

My partner in dramatic crime, Tyrone stands next to Tierra — we’re all giving each other a little post-party pat on the back.Tyrone directed. Frankly, Ella’s life story sells it itself. I was just lucky enough to put it into words.

Hopefully, there’s more STUFF to write about this fall. As I write, it’s a gorgeous day and I’m contemplating so much. Looking forward and back. Thinking of plays and what’s to come. Recognizing changes in my 62 yr. old self. Trying to find a bit more perspective to my artistic aspirations. Is all I’m doing all that’s ahead for me? No shame in that. No shame at tall. I just want to know if my grand vision gets, well…shall we say, “grander.”

And I’m also hoping this year’s annual Tour DuPort ride has great weather in store. I haven’t done this ride in quite awhile. But it’s an ideal Sunday morning jaunt, and me and my bike friday are counting the hours.

This blog certainly lives up to it’s name.  

 

Greetings! It’s “been a minute” since my last post. Summer bees that way. Here’s some more info about the New Day Campaign.

I’m getting very excited about the program. And I’ve been finishing up the new script for the veteran’s I’m working with. We’ll be performing with ellen cherry and it will be a combination of poetry, storytelling and music. Here’s my other involvement with New Day, I’m part of a Writing, Writing & Healing program.

Will let you know about the “Waxter Wisdom” performance of Ella Fitzgerald (that I wrote) this coming Wednesday. Ella has some great songs and her story of how she developed her style (scat) is fascinating. Later, she became even more famous for singing songs from the Great American Songbook (it’s not a real book). Marilyn Monroe insisted she perform at the Mocambo Club in Los Angeles. To ensure Ella would get lots of press MM was at a front row table for every performance. The press went bananas. Such is the stuff great stories….

So it’s been fast and slow here in B’More. Been working ALOT with my Neighborhood Association, and we’ve gotten a bit of NICE press. And August could be full of surprises. But then, I feel that way about most months. I’ve been invited to be a panelist at Frostburg State University’s Indie Lit Festival. I’ve been asked to speak about “Writing Character”. Well, I’m just thrilled to talk about Writing Character. I can Charafgerize wid da best of ’em. Also, I’ll be reading excerpts from “B-SideMan” at the Baltimore Book Festival. Got the invite from my buddy Gerry LaFemina, who’s a poet and runs FSU’s Center for Creative Writing. I heard Gerry reading at Enoch Pratt awhile back and he was very much ON IT, as far as his personal style.

So I’m loving that opportunity also. Reading an excerpt out in the open air should be a JOLT for me and the audience. At least it was when I had my reading at Single Carrot a few months back. But ahhhhhh….if only I could learn my script. Then I wouldn’t have to search for an actor to memorize the whole dang one-man show. It may come to that — me learning the script.

I read parts of “Zulu Fits” about 4 years ago when the Festival was in another part of town (Mt. Vernon), and this time it’s gone all big-timey and down to the Inner Harbor.

Probably soon I’ll be gearing up for more “New Day Campaign” events and business. I’m putting a new script together for the Veterans from Telling, and working with ellen cherry for their performance with her. Take a look at the New Day newsletter. It’s says a mouthful!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ll have to share some pics and moments from our recent trip to Maine (Vinalhaven, an island) and upstate New York (Beacon, a town). Paid a visit to the Storm King Art Center and was flabbergasted, by all the outdoor wonder of it all. That’s a 3-legged Buddha. The size is indicative of most of the exhibits, and the Center sits on the side of a mountain, and just sprawls about. I was there with breeze blowing and my head was full of thoughts. Give me some open air and I’m always……….transported. 

 

Boy, the performance by Ebony Jackson as “Maya Angelou” at the Waxter Center was out of this world good. Spooky good. Much as I love the sound of applause for my own work, the applause for our interpretation of Maya Angelou’s life was — almost as rewarding.

  The script worked like a charm because Maya’s poetry was prominently featured. I felt so incredibly proud in trying to do justice to the spirit of Maya Angelou. How many people get asked to write about her on a daily basis? I’m guessing the number is small. I hadn’t seen any rehearsals, but I trusted the material. Sometimes that’s a leap of faith. And then times like this it’s a no-brainer. Ebony, though slight, was a little powerhouse. We had the biggest audience we’d ever had for the series.

As you can see, we had a full house. And watching the audience I thought how lucky I was to have this kind of turn our for something I contributed (in no small part, might I add) to. There were all generations, and all sorts of folks who just wanted to see a dramatic presentation about one of their all-time greats.

Trust me, I could do a lot worse…….

Here’s Ebony taking a bow with Tyrone Champman (below) coming onstage. Tyrone is producing the series in conjunction with the Arena Players. Tyrone and I go back. We had a Q&A session afterwards, but all I did was stand there. The questions went to Maya. As they should. I believe Ebony would like to perform the show again. Fine with me. I think it should be seen as much as possible. I tried to show (based on Erick Kelly’s original script) that Maya rose from her beginnings, in thought, spirit, mind and body. Her poetry reflects this, and the sensations she generated from her writing completely elevated her. So HOORAY!

 When this project started out, I had no idea we would touch so many folks. I envisioned 20-30 people drifting into the audience. Curious, but that’s about all. But I should slap myself upside the head. Little did I know that theatre STILL had the ability to reach out and grab you right where you live. And that’s what happened at the Waxter Center.

So this production isn’t really about my writing the script. It’s not even about my involvement. What it’s all about is right here……right there in those seats.

I’m back! Been away for ages, but here I return. Nicole and I travelled to Savannah, GA and Charleston SC. earlier this summer. Oh boy. The food. The architecture. The sights. THE FOOD! We tooled around town by foot. Took in every single “square” Savannah had to offer. No carriage rides, bus tours, pedicabs, segways — we hoofed and hoofed and hoofed. So when we ate, we were good ‘n hungry.

I have other pictures but the beauty of Forsyth Park on a Sunday morning…it makes you take a step back. Can you get a reward for living? If so, I think Forsyth Park is in that equation. I’ve always liked the south. Always had a wonderful time there. Been to Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia (man times), Florida (but Florida isn’t “south,” it’s just kinda — sorta — Florida. I never believe the stereotypes about the south that I hear so much of “up North”. The people are polite and cordial, and when you sit down for a meal anywhere, there’s just a sense of humanity. You can find BAD anywhere, it’s not like Maryland is BAD-PROOF (i.e. See: murder rates, reputation, recent events), but the south for me has been…………an easier experience.

But enough yammer — who’s that dapper dandy, and why’s he looking so snappy? I’m guessing the answer is pretty obvious.

But today I’m celebrating JUNE. Good news abounds. Nicole and I have been working LIKE DOGS with our neighborhood association, the Callaway Garrison Improvement Association. And, here’s some kind words from Jacques Kelly from of the Baltimore Sun.

But first, that’s Jeannie Howe, President of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance (GBCA), and one of my Callaway Garriswon neighbors. I worked with her husband Alan Kreizenbeck when I was at the University of Maryland Baltimore-County AGES ago. Well, Jeannie’s the one who started making connections between our apple “orchard” and the Baltimore Orchard Project, and that’s part of how our apple trees got in the news. With the help of Jacques Kelly, longtime writer at the Baltimore Sun, we saw our story get out to the entire city. 

OK, didja guess what’s up? YES! I’m back again — receiving another grant from the Maryland State Arts Council. This time the play I turned in for judgment was “B-SideMan”. It just had a reading back in February at Single Carrot Theatre. And here we are today. I applied for the grant last summer — and here we are today. Positive thinking, baby. Winning don’t get old. It. Never. Gets. Old. It was a lovely night. Food and lots of music accompanied the MSAC Awards ceremony. Well, the moola came awhile back, but it’s all about the ceremony, the pomp, the circumstance.

 

 

I call this picture “Hell Yeah”. Cause it’s like “Hell Yeah I won that grant!” Absolutely. You don’t wanna spend 364 days b eating yourself up as a Playwright. Trust me, you’ll have time to do that, but when you win something it’s time for some “Hell Yeah!”

So, I ALWAYS dress when I’m getting an award. Can’t say that about other winners (the folks who do Arts & Crafts didn’t get that memo), but whenever I’m getting an award, whenever someone’s calling out my name — rest assured I’m not coming casual up to any stage. As they say, “you best believe.”

Tomorrow is the performance of “Maya Angelou” at the Waxter Center, this is my 2nd Waxter Wisdom dramatic profile.

I didn’t have to direct this time — just co-wrote the script with another writer, Erica Kelly. Maya’s poetry is so DANG powerful I know it’ll will win over anyone within earshot. Will let’cha know how it turns out. Summer’s been grand so far. And this Sunday I’m doing another “Tour ‘Dem Parks”.

(Poster designed by Adam Miller)

Will let you know how this year turned out, too. Gotta say, so far I’m loving me some JUNE.