Summertime

Surprise! Beth here, and I can already hear the cries for joy once you learn I will be staying at City Lights for the summer. It's not all good news, though; I'll only be here once a week. Don't worry, it's nothing personal. The three of us worked it out so at least one person is in the office every day. That's the same as it always is, but they couldn't have managed without me. That's right, I'm a life saver, people.

Here's something kinda not cool, though. This great theater company is in a little bit of a pickle. In times of economic distress, the arts are the first to suffer. Times are tough, and boy are we feeling it. So, if you have a few extra bucks to spare, be awesome and donate to City Lights. We could really use your help to not end this fiscal year in the red. Click here to donate. :)

RENT opens in about 3 weeks, and we're so excited! If you don't have your tickets yet, get them. Now. Right here. Do it.

It's not too hot today, thank goodness. And next year's intern applicants had their interviews today, which was quite exciting. That's all for now, will check in next week. Maybe. If you're good. 'Kay, bye!

Beth

April Fools!

Actually, I don't have anything funny or clever planned for April 1st. Personally, I think the holiday is overrated. I could plan out something funny and all, but everyone and their sister is doing something crazy. It's hardly worth the effort. I mean, people will be expecting to be tricked. What's the point? It's like Valentines day, except with comedy instead of love.

Aaaaaaaanyhoo, you know what's not a joke? Cyrano. It is really good. This is definitely the best show I've seen this year, and I've seen some pretty great stuff so far. If you haven't seen this play before, I implore you to go out and see it. It might just change your life. Even if you have seen it before, go see it again. It's that good. Also, if you get tickets for this weekend and mention Facebook, you'll get $10 tickets. That's more than half-off. For a ticket to a theatrical performance that could potentially change your life, I'd say it's worth it. Seriously. Get out and see this show

In other news, though, it's a pretty tame day in the office. I mean, you'd think it'd be full of wacky hijinks, what with it being April Fools day and all. Not true. The only thing that appears to be in the holiday spirit is the ticket printer. Every few tickets it just decides to just put the name on. Nothing else. So either it is pulling some elaborate hoax on all of us, or the demonic possession is catching...

So, other than that, don't really got much to do. There is a bit more work to do, since Beth is out of town and all. Gotta mop the lobby. Speaking of which, office = way less fun sans Beth. Not that my other co-workers aren't fun. But still.

Hmm... Maybe I should stage a big fire or something. That aught to liven things up here...

Well, that's all from me! Just be sure to go see Cyrano. Consider it a dying wish of mine. Wait, you didn't know? Yeah, I totally have dysentery. I've only got a month to live, tops. So, would you please go see this show? If nothing else, do it for me?

Thank you all for this wonderful life. God bless. May the force be with you.
-Martin

One Week and Counting...

This weekend we had our fantasmical massive theater-wide two-day clean up, and I must say, the prop loft is nigh unrecognizable! Makes me wish I wasn't out of town so I could help out... oh well.

Well, just one week left until Dead Man Walking opens. Grab your tickets folks! The Saturday of closing weekend is already sold out, so don't ask for that one.
Also, the benefit dinner is on January 29th, and Sister Helen Prejean will be there as a speaker. Let me remind you that she is the lady who wrote the book, was portrayed by Susan Surandon in the movie, and will be portrayed by our very own Lisa Mallette at City Lights. She's awesome, go see it. Anyway, tickets for just the dinner are $175, the show is $100, and both together is $300. If any of you are thinking it sounds a bit rich, that's because this is a *benefit*, meaning the money goes to 3 non-profit organizations (Dead Man Walking: School Theatre Project, Notre Dame San Jose, and City Lights Theater Company). Plus it's a tax write-off, so that's nice. Here's the link: , and I hope all y'all tell your friends and parents and neighbors and pet dogs about it because it's for a good cause and it's a good show. Woo!

Yesterday I was in the office for not very long, since Lani and I went around Downtown San Jose dropping off postcards and taping up posters in windows to help get the word out. Let's hope that works. Everyone and their mums have posters around, but ours is prettier. =P

Okie doke, that's all I have to say for the moment, except to say I hope everyone had a lovely and safe holiday season (can't be said for at least one of my friends, who broke his clavicle in a snowboarding accident) and that you haven't given up on your New Year's resolutions yet. Mine is to eat breakfast every day. This morning it was toast with peanut butter. Mmmmm.

Conundrum.

Wow, has it really been over a month since my last blog post? Sheesh. I need to get on the ball with this. It's funny really. There has been tons of stuff happening that I could write about, but since I've been buisy doing that stuff, I haven't had time to write about it. It's a conundrum, really. Actually, it's more of a predicament, really. I just like saying conundrum. Say it with me kids:
Conundrum.
Now isn't that fun?

Although I could continue jabbering on with no real direction and not really talk about anything actually happening here at citylights by having long, drawn out sentences with no real direction punctuated with short sentences for emphasis, I will not. That would be stupid.

Instead, I will say that ANBC is awesome. I managed to get out and see it the other weekend, and it turned out to be way better than I expected. Keep in mind this is coming from someone who is completely over Christmas in every way. Thumbs up to Lisa-Marie and Michael for their awesome work.

And now, after listing to some lady tell me her life story over the phone and dealing with a posessed Ticket Manager, I shall go deal with the shipment of foodstuffs from Zanatto's that just rolled in. Good gravy.

Spiffy!

Well... I guess everyone else is too sick to update the blog. I would say that there's not much happening since we are still between shows, but that would simply not be true!
As of this last weekend, we have completely cleaned out and repainted the lobby and bathrooms! It's looking quite spiffy. When you're here next, I assure you, you'll be LITERALLY BLOWN AWAY. LITERALLY. Wear a helmet.
Also, we have two new employees here at City Lights! Y'anad and Lani have jumped right into the fray like the bosses they are. This makes me endlessly happy because it means I won't have to deal with the demon that is Dreamweaver, although I did do one last website update before handing over the responsibilities... Bleh... But you should totally check out the new photos that got put up on the site. You'll be LITERALLY BLOWN AWAY. LITERALLY. ALL THE WAY TO THE MOON.
Don't say I didn't warn you.
Speaking of which, Vera stopped by to say hi and tell us all of her adventures in Spain! It was nice to see her again and hear what all is going on in her life, even though I got stuck answering the phones...
Oh, also, excitingness: One of the shows of ANBC is already sold out (Dec. 4th)! This is really exciting news, but also means all you crazy kids need to plan on buying tickets in advance if you're planning on seeing ANBC. Which you should. You'll be LITERALLY BLO-- Okay, not actually. It's gonna be a good show, though.

Aaaaaaand with that, I'm off. Peace.

And...

he's baaaaack! Although I'm still pretty sick...
So, as you've no doubt heard, there's not much new going on here at City Lights. We're still between shows, so there isn't much to do. I guess we should be getting done all the things we couldn't do while there's a show going on, but... since there isn't a show going on... it's hard to remember what needs to get done. I did finish a nice little ad for a magazine, and I do have publicity stuff that I'll need to do in the near future, but until I get the content that I need to produce, there's not much I can do.
Hey, what I can do is shamelessly self promote the christmas show I'm in! If for some reason Another Night Before Christmas here at City Lights isn't enough theatrical Christmas festivities for you, you can also see A Christmas Pudding at Bus Barn Stage Company. It's gonna be pretty cool. It runs simultaniously with ANBC (which means I can't see it. *sniff*) and you can get more deets at: http://www.busbarn.org/. Also, I play Tiny Tim. Now, if that's not worth seeing, I don't know what is.
Well, that is all for now. Farwell my faithful blog readers. May you have good cheer this holiday season. And presents. Lots of presents.
-Martin

Mid-show Blues

Coming into the office, checking the voicemail box, no new messages. One of these things doesn't belong. But I guess that's something to get used to between shows, less of the phone ringing off the hook. One the one hand, I am allowed to keep my sanity and actually finish projects in more-or-less one sitting; on the other hand, a quiet phone means two things: one, we're not selling, and two, it's easy to get bored. I like interacting with the public (hense the blogtastic funtimes) but that is harder to do when they don't call. All the same, that gives me the opportunity to pay attention to other things around here, like the very scary prop loft, for example. Except I'm the only intern in today, and someone needs to be at the desk. You know, just in case.

So, how am I going to ensure the phone rings? By publisizing the next show, of course! Another Night Before Christmas opens with the preview night on Nov 20th! Now, while that is nearly a month away, we at City Lights know we cater to a classy crowd who's schedules fill up fast. So give us a call to reserve your ticket today! Here's the link: http://www.cltc.org/Show2.htm!

Invasion of the High School Girls!

Okay, to be fair there is one boy in the cast as well. The Notre Dame High School fall play, Necessary Targets by Eve Ensler opens this Thursday, and that's cool! But there's all these high schoolers here... Okay, I gotta hand it to them, I've watched a scene or two from last nights rehearsal--most of which I spent teaching a couple of the girls how to age and injure themselves with make-up--and a few of them are really pretty good. It looks like a pretty good show, about Bosnian refugees and an American psychiatrist... okay I really know very little about this play, but it looks quite promising. You should see it! Playing this weekend and next weekend:

Thursday 10/22 7:30:00 PM
Friday 10/23 7:30:00 PM
Saturday 10/24 7:30:00 PM
Sunday10/25 (no time posted)
Thursday 10/29 7:30:00 PM
Friday 10/30 7:30:00 PM

Spent very little of today actually at the intern desk. Checked off all the leftover inventory to be returned to Zanotto's, and then put it all on flats and in milk crates. At least I don't have to do any of the actual heavy lifting! Did some general walk around clean-up, not all that interesting. But the big news is with the ND play, which I suggest you come out and see. :)

Introducing the Prop Loft

The prop loft at City Lights is, to put it lightly, a madhouse. Just taking a few steps in and glancing around, here is a small representation of what I saw (see which ones stand out to you):

-A large bag of grass skirts
-A box of wigs
-several racks of various costume pieces
-A skateboard
-A basketball and soccer ball, both of varied flatness
-A large stuffed phallus (courtesy of Lysistrata)
-A small pole dancing Barbie figurine
-A gold-colored eagle
-Various dishes and cups

Et cetera. I'm sort of looking forward to getting to work up there, aside from all the dust that has invariably settled in the corners. Should be fun!

Air Conditioning is Wonderful

Here is something new and exciting (because that's what City Lights is all about). Currently in the house is a bevy of teenagers in skirts led by the loquacious and impressive Derek McCaw, director of the Notre Dame High School production of... well, I don't actually know what it's called, and he only told me 3 days ago! And I really don't want to interrupt a rehearsal, because that is ruder than rude. I remember directing last year and it sucked getting interrupted. And the website is no help. It just says "Fall Play." I know it's a drama, though! And the dates and times are thus:
Thursday 10/22 7:30:00 PM
Friday 10/23 7:30:00 PM
Saturday 10/24 7:30:00 PM
Sunday10/25 (no time posted)
Thursday 10/29 7:30:00 PM
Friday 10/30 7:30:00 PM
If my memory serves, ND has never had performances that spanned more than one weekend. So this is kind of a big deal. I talked to Derek on Saturday, and said that he would have liked to do this play when I was going there, but the school wouldn't let him. He also said that most of the actresses are very talented sophmores, which is weird because usually seniors (with more experience) are better. Not so this year.
Well, poop. I shall have to leave you in suspense for now.
Peace!
Beth

Odd Job

That's who I would be if I were a James Bond villain crony. Because that's what I do: odd jobs. Like cleaning up the branches on the side alley; sweeping... pretty much everywhere; making stacks of Judas postcards (more on that later); getting together press packets; and so forth. It's all part of keeping a theater running and I like to think I do my part. I am however looking forward to when it is freezing in the office and not boiling. The way I see it, you can always put more layers on than you can take off.
The Last Days of Judas Iscariot opens tonight omgomgomg!!!! Last night was the pay-what-you-can night and it was very well received by the audience. Go see it! I don't know when I will yet, but I will! If I didn't I would be spectacularly shunned, and nobody wants that.
Peace!
Beth