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If you want a complete tour package and a good time as well, call on Cousin Chester to organize your trip to Mainland China, by way of festive Hong Kong. With eleven of us all returning to the homeland, we were treated like royalty as we rode in on the coat-tails of my 92 year-old uncle, Mon Kwong. Chester's children Sharon, Noelle, Edward, wife Roseanne, cousin Irene, her husband James and cousin Henry's two sons Andrew and Adam and Moi made eleven. We were entertained by relatives from our small village (Soy How Choi), officials from the closest town (Sai Ping) and even the mayor from the Province (Hok Shan). Morning Dim Sum, afternoons at favorite dumpling and noodle houses, and dinner with relatives in the ancient village, made for a very tasty trip. Tile roofs dotted the small rice-paddied village. Oxen (Water Buffalo) still used to till the soil and babies strapped to mothers' backs as they pick the vegetables for the evening meal were a photographer's haven. There were miles and miles of modern highways dominated by bicycles and motor scooters, but to see another a car was a very rare sight in that rural part of the country.
When you embark on a life-changing adventure such as Beijing, you want to have Glen Watson and Kevin Bagley, both from Canada, on your bus. Filled with mischief and humor, they made us laugh everytime our tour guide Wendy suggested a visit to another factory. And how about the time they suggested taking the bus to a section of town not on the tour? No substitutes on this menu. We were always lead into great halls, sometimes the size of a Wal-Mart, to shop after we completed a visit to a monument or temple. At the end of the tour we had seen factories of jade, carpets, pearls, tea and terra-cotta soldiers. Oh yeah, they take VISA, American Express, Discover and anything that reads Yankee dollars. And yes, ATM machines are also at your 5-star Sheraton, Hyatt, and Hilton Hotels.
The Great Wall stretches for miles and stands so majestically in the sunlight. One of the Eight Wonders of the World, it can be seen from outer space. However, only two sections are safe to walk on, and there are two ways to reach the top: by ski lift and by riding up in small Coney Island bumper cars. So there I was at the top, posing like a showgirl and thinking that just over the hill, hundreds of years ago, Mongols were riding in bands to raid, rape and pillage the countryside. I'm standing ON the GREAT WALL! I went to the Chinese Opera and saw their colorful make-up and masks and had an incredible Peking Duck meal all in the same day. We lost the Canadians when we headed down to Xian, but had two lovely couples with whom to carry on. From Indonesia there was Yung and Sofvil, and from Australia, Andrew and Mylene. Both couples were on their honeymoon. Andrew replaced our Canadians and kept us laughing as we left the Government Department Stores empty-handed. No sales, no kick-backs. Anyway, it is all worth it when you are in the presence of miles of terra-cotta Soldiers (officially named the Eighth Wonder of the World). I saw rows and rows of standing archers, armored warriors, cavalrymen, high-ranking officials, kneeling archers, war chariots, and saddled war-horses, all in positions to protect their Emperor's tomb. They have covered the three pits where they were discovered and made them into museums. When we were workshoping ACL in 1974 at the Shakespeare Festival, a poor farmer in China was digging for a well and discovered a terra-cotta head. They have since excavated 8,000 soldiers buried 2,200 years ago, and they are still finding more. So having seen an Islamic mosque, rickshaw villages, Buddhist temples, Mao's mausoleum, Tienamen Square, the Summer Palace, the Forbidden City, and last-but-not-least, I personally met the brother of the farmer. He was propped up selling his book and I had him sign my copy. Yes, finally it was time to go home. So, with a 20-hour plane trip and jet lag for weeks, this life-changing experience has brought me closer to myself and has whet my appetite for more adventures. Now, let's see what's been happening with you...
LOST: RANDY CLEMENTS (Zach - National) We have lost touch with our Randy. Last heard from he was running a theater in Texas.
LOST: DAVID THOME (B'way- Don/Zach) Friends want to get in contact with him. Is he in the Sacramento area maybe?
FOUND: MARILYN VILLAMAR (Connie - National Tour 1997) is performing ballroom dance, karaoke and teaching yoga.
FOUND: MARIO MARCHIERO (Greg-Italy).
THOMAS J. WALSH III (Original-Bobby) attended Michael Serrecchia's Gallery opening at the Design Center over on Lexington Avenue. Michael was sweet to invite all his ACL family to attend the Herdon Furniture Galleries for which he solely provides art work used to enhance the furniture on display. Michael's company, M2, has been in existence for 20 years and is now finally reaping the fruit of all of his effort. In the next five years he will have had 24 showrooms opening around the world. Michael and his life-partner Michael Robinson were at the door to greet Chita Rivera (Michael was one of her back up dancers), PRISCILLA LOPEZ, SCOTT ALLEN and Moi. CLIVE WILSON (Clerk) was too ill to attend. That flu is still going around. Architectural Digest did a great job sponsoring the opening. There was a small jazz combo and wine and hors d'ouvres being served. One of Michael's clients, whose paintings were on consignment, made Chita so happy by presenting her with an original painting. In her inimitable Chita way she said, "OH MY GOD!!!!!!!"
MATTHEW JASON WILLIS (Paul/Greg - Regional) e-mailed to say that he is currently living in Raleigh, NC and choreographing Big River and Godspell. He has also choreographed and performed in Theater in the Park's tour of A Christmas Carol. Matthew tells us that STEPHEN NACHAMIE beat him for the NC Triangle Award.
ERIN HUNTER (Kristine-Visa Tour) checked in to the website to tell us that she is dancing in the STEPS ENSEMBLE. Click here to read her e-note to us.
LILI CALLHAN (Judy - National Tour 1987) just got married to a great musician named Jeremy.
TYM BYERS(Richie- Regional) wrote to say he is in his last semester at Tisch and will graduate this summer.
DANA WINKLER (Cassie-Regional) just wanted to give us a little update. She says "I'm back out on the road--just joined the national tour of 42nd Street! It's very exciting--the cast is an amazingly talented, wonderful group, and I'm thrilled to be doing a big dance show again! It's the last six months of the tour, so I got out here just in time."
MICHELLE BRUCKNER (Sheila-B'way Tour of America) tells us: "I have been hired as dance captain this year for Maine State Music Theater. This will be three years in a row!" Besides moving her family to Charleston, SC, Michelle will be getting her yoga certificate in May. Michelle says that yoga has gotten her in the best shape of her life.
MATTHEW KILGORE (Mike, Roy u/s Mark, Larry-regional) e-mailed us to say he was finishing up his run of ANNIE GET YOUR GUN at the Marriott. He is then off to the Fulton Opera to do HOT MIKADO.
MARIO MARCHIERO (Greg-Italy) is currently living in Palm Springs, California. He is a web designer and a photographer. He owns a business with his partner, Ken. Anyone interested can see what they do at www.kenario.com and www.kenariowebdesign.com. He says he's still performing, but only for good causes like fundraising for AIDS organizations.
LISA BURRASCANO (intern-2001 tour) lets us know that she is still studying on the Upper West Side with Robert Patterson. She's taking singing lessons with Rob LaRocco, voice/speech with Donna Germaine, dance at Martha Graham, and comedy improvisation with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. Good Luck to you Lisa.
BRIAN SWASEY (Mark-Regional) tells us Bryant Dilmington Productions presents: MAN WANTED! The Ultimate Diva Revue (a new musical entertainment for everyone who has ever dreamt of being a Broadway diva!). The production is directed and choreographed by Brian. The show will perform at Center Stage NY on West 48th Street now through March 14th.
GERI CARLSON SAULS (Sheila-Regional) e-mailed to tell us that she will be playing Sheila in a production directed by DEAN SCOTT.
EAST COAST REPORT:
ROBERT TUNSTALL (BOBBY - 2001 TOUR) writes:
Greetings all :)
I hope everyone has recovered from their New Year's Eve'nts by now.
Congratulations Baayork!!!! I hear you will be directing the new national tour of "The King and I" starring SANDY DUNCAN (and later STEPHANIE POWERS)!!!
I can't wait to see it!
I've been "conversating" with BLAINE SAVAGE (Don, movie; Zach, Euro. tour) recently. He is doing well out in LA, keeping busy with TV and Film work. He really wants to do a stage show again as he misses it so much. I'm sure something spectacular will come his way. His niece, "Jessica" is one of my best students at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts (NYC). When class resumed after Christmas break, Jessica informed me that we knew someone in common......Her Uncle Blaine!!!!! I almost hit the floor in total WOW for NOW!...
Small world. <isn't it.>
RACHEL LAFER (Kristine, Gateway) is having a great time as Dance Captain for the Nat'l of Thoroughly Modern Millie. She sprained her ankle and was healing at the time of conversation. Hope all is back to normal now :)
MATT JOHNSON (Zach, Niko tour) called to say he wasn't going to Brazil after all. He decided to stay in DC and will come up to NYC for a visit in the spring.
KATIE CAMERON (Judy, Euro. tour) had a brilliant birthday celebration at the Zensational Zanzibar. She's currently finishing up a run of La Cage Aux Folles at Downtown Cabaret Theatre.
"Dancebreak 2004" was a really great experience. As reported earlier, I was to join TIM FEDERLE (Mark, Papermill) dancin' in the showcase for choreographer Matt Williams. Well, Tim had to drop out, due to being "on hold" for an Olive Garden commercial. This, of course, was the same week he was playing the role of "Tulsa" in Gypsy opposite Bernadette Peters. Oh, what a rough life he must lead...<hehe>. We did get a chance to catch up during rehearsals and he's doing great! (obviously :) What an unexpected surprise (is there any other kind?) to see SHANE RHODES (Mike, Paper Mill) and KURT KELLY (Larry, Paper Mill) at the event. They did a great job dancin' for choreographer BOB RICHARD.. J. ELAINE MARCOS (Connie, Nat'l tour) was equally impressive hoof'n it up for choreographer LAINIE SAKAKURA.. We did a total of four performances over the course of three days (Feb. 1, 2, & 3). Opening night attendees included ROY MILLER (Associate Producer, Paper Mill), who really enjoyed the show; GREGORY VICTOR (ASM, Paper Mill) who was all smiles and full of great laughs. He's been stage managing Movin' Out on Broadway. JERRY MITCHELL and I had a nice conversation about his upcoming Dirty Rotten Scoundrels headed for Broadway. He's the chairman of the "Dancebreak" showcase, which allows six up and coming choreographers to present their artistry to Broadway producers, directors, writers, etc.....May this event bring future work and creative inspiration for everyone :)
I went to the "Singular Sensations" show a few months ago and got to speak with FLORENCE HENDERSON. She's an alumni of the school I've been teaching at (AADA). I asked her if she had any words of wisdom that I could share with my students. She said.....
(and I quote).....
"...An acting teacher there...many years ago... said something to me once that stayed with me my entire career.....
....Keep a cool head, and a warm heart."
Love to all,
Robert
Well, thats all for now. January was a busy month, but wait 'til I tell you about February. So good hearing from you all and please remember: the website is here for you. Let us know what you are up to, or anyone else you run into. Stay warm.
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