Lost Without LOST

Well folks, guess who won the season long competition with some tres cool folks from MIT in Boston. Moi. That's right. I scored 38 correct answers in this season of LOST's intense and thoughtful questions regarding each episode this season. Do I deserve this? Yes, of course I do. Because I've seen every dang episode of LOST and am the proud owner of seasons 1 - 5. Season 6 shall be mine this fall and it shall be rewatched before the beloved last season.

Think about it. I destroyed the minds at MIT in the area of time travel. What do I care if the Backstage West gave me a crappy review? What do I care if the guy decided not to call? What do I care if the front end of my car has a dent? I don't.

9 months from now, LOST will come back to us all. It's like having a baby. Only better. Ok, not better, but different. Only different.

Til then, my MIT friends and I will ponder. Debrief. Argue. Duke it out. Wait with bated breath for every last moment.

Namaste.
Marianne
Team Shepherd

A Severe Test

(Photos by the brilliant Lindsay Schnebly)

This weekend THE CRUCIBLE opened at Actors Co-op in Hollywood. I'm real proud of this show. We all gave away our very molecules down to the protons and neutrons. There is something about working on a play that has exquisite writing and dynamic storytelling that brings the best out in artists. The set by Gary Lee Reed is not only completely functional and supportive to the story, it's stunning. A hard wood floor in the shape of a cross in a thrust configuration and raked das boot. Our lighting designer Jim Moody came in with great ideas AND is outrageously collaborative. He makes it look easy. He loves light. Beautiful. Joseph King Barkley is a friend of mine who I entrusted the original music to. He had never done this for a play and boy is this guy a natural. He got it. He got it good. The music is strange, wonderful, eclectic and yet cohesive. Lori Berg designed the props and she is always so easy to work with and does such great work. One of my favorite props are a set of wooden baby blocks. They say so much. David Atkinson built the set and he did a great job and rigged a special treat for the top of the show . Tim Farmer and Gary Lee Reed also did some building of benches, a table and various other props etc. The costumes were built by Shon LeBlanc's team at Valentino's Costumes. They are extremely well respected in Los Angeles and Shon did a beautiful job as well as being flexible with my desires. Rick Marcus came in and worked the violence in the play. It looks REAL good. Our Producer Becky Hayes was great. Supportive, let me do my job and did stuff I didn't want to. She also agreed to be in the play for me and is wonderful as Ann Putnam. Laura Hovermale has been a super stage manager. Keeps the troops in line and is loving but tough.

Directing a play with 19 actors in a small thrust theatre with a low ceiling ain't easy. But these actors made it feel that way. I made some choices early on that I'm very happy with. All 19 actors are company members of Actors Co-op (ok, the 12 year old isn't an official member but her dad has been for over 11 years so she was practically born into the Co-op). One of the choices made was to not go with dialects. In all honesty, the characters would have had all sorts of accents and adding on a dialect can often times distance an actor from true emotion. So, we had none of that. All the actors are using their natural voices (except the actor playing John Proctor and that was a mutual decision based on other things we were working one).

Come out and see the show. The show runs to June 7th and typically is performed on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. You can call the box office at 323.462.8460 or look for 1/2 price tickets at www.lastagealliance.com or goldstar events. They may also be listed on Plays 411.

Smorgasbord or Schmorguzborg

The mind and heart of a woman. Even I have a tough time following myself. Let's lay it out like a delicious buffet. Random thoughts from the past few weeks for you to taste. Feel free to dig in if you find one you like!

Salads:
"I need to sweep and wipe down my patio so I can enjoy it!"
"Can't watch Ken Burns Civil War documentary right now, not in the mood."
"I want a bicycle. Especially if the world goes back to the dark ages."

Vegetables:
"Everybody is trying too hard to PROVE themselves and for the moment I have this super human ability to see it, like I'm seeing naked people, myself included."
"Speaking of naked, I was again in my dream last night, while on a date with Nathan Fillion, somehow I just accepted the humility and dealt with it. Am I growing?"

Entrees"
"Well, I guess that's the way women roll. All IS fair in love and I just need to lower my standards and not worry about hurting girlfriends in the pursuit of romance."
"Ok, that was sarcasm."
"Ok, maybe I need to grow up."

Desserts:
"I feel pretty."

Wow. I'm full. Not the deepest richest buffet, more like a $4.99 all you can eat deal. I was in the mood for fast food anyway. Next time, I promise to take you to a more exclusive eatery.

Rude Astronauts

One of my favorite places to go in Burbank is the Public Library. It's only a short walk from the midget house (I know that's not PC, however for comedy's sake it must be foregone). My library is super cute, friendly and stocked full of books, dvd's, books on cd and people. This is where I was introduced to THE WIRE, BIG LOVE and most recently DEADWOOD. All for free! Free! Freeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! (Mom and Dad, do not rent these dvds.)

When you walk into the library, there are two display cases and one is full of robot treasures. Old tin robots, original paintings, books, comics etc. One of the books on display is titled RUDE ASTRONAUTS. Now, I'm jealous. I LOVE that title. Just like I admire the production company BAD ROBOT. So I'm on a mission to come up with a fantastic sci-fi title of my own. I'm thinking of writing a children's sci-fi book about the little robut. Also, I think we're due a good sci-fi play. So here are some ideas for the kids book. THE LITTLE ROBUT. LITTLE ROBUT LOST. YOU SAY ROBOT, I SAY ROBUT. For the play. RUDE ROBOTS. A ROBOT NAMED DESIRE. ROBOTS LOVE POPPIES TOO.

I'll let you know when these are written and for sale. My therapist says I need to leave off the robot obsession for awhile. Actually, that's my imaginary therapist as I cannot afford a real one. Maybe I'll build one...THE ROBOT THERAPIST...hmmmm

Why I Like Robots

Good question you ask. Why do I like robots. I think I've always had a soft spot for stainless steel I adore really good psychological sci fi, time travel and the like. The first robot I can remember is the maid on THE JETSONS.



Now she was put upon. Funny and with a circuit of her own she took care of the family. Then there's the robot from LOST IN SPACE. It does not compute!



That robot was always showing us the irrationality of humanity. Particularly the greed of Mr. Smith. Good robot. Now I have to say. I don't like all robots. I don't like the evil ones for dang sure. Like Terminator. I don't really care. I like the robot with the heart of gold. A friend of mine who happens to be a 12 year old boy drew a picture for me when he was probably 9 of a robot he calls metal boy. Metal boy is adorable and he wants to be a metal man. With the help of his creator, he does achieve that goal. Lately I've had a crush on a new robot in my life. It actually calls itself the Little Robut. Apparently in the old 1950's sci fi the pronunciation of robot was robut. Adorable. So anyway, about twice a month I get a call from the Little Robut. Perhaps just saying, "I am a robut. I am a robut." Or during the holidays I got a call saying "Merry Christmas from the robut." And more recently, "Ben is a robut." Referencing Ben Linus from the show LOST. That really meant alot to me because I was really mad at Ben at the time for strangling John Locke. I guess I haven't really told you why I like robots. I think it's their innocence. Their desire to become human. Their willingness to serve. I aspire to those things to. BATTLESTAR GALACTICA is insinuating that perhaps we are robots. I guess that wouldn't be so bad.

For Pat

I have been remiss in sharing and am back. What really surprised me is how many actually are reading this thing so I hope I don't let you down. So this is for Pat. My sweet grad school classmate and friend who I adore and have since the first day I met him. He's getting married next week to a gal who looks like she will make him happy. Thanks for the wedding postcard Pat! It's hanging over my makeshift desk at my studio in Orlando. Yes, I'm in Orlando acting in the stage version of A CHRISTMAS STORY. Playing the mom. The narrator in the show is Ian Petrella who played Randy (the little brother "who can't put his arms down!") in the film. He's a very nice guy and is doing a great job in the show. The two boys who play my sons delight me to no end. Not only are they completely professional, they are funny, bright and kind. Me likey them.

So a bit about what's been going on. This fall I slowed down enough to realize that I think I've been mildy depressed for awhile. My natural inclinations are good at hiding things like this even from myself however, I'm working on my life in a way that I haven't in awhile and it's a very good thing. Or should say that God is working. I'm cooperating. Being in Orlando has been such a blessing. I spent ages 3 - 13 in Titusville, Florida (think NASA, Cape Kennedy, rockets and shuttles, beaches and hurricanes).

Titusville is only 50 minutes away and to get there you drive by Christmas, Florida which is strange and delightful and I like to stop at one of the local places every time I drive by.

Road in Christmas, Florida

I love America. As I was driving from LA to Orlando (yes, I drove) I thought that you shouldn't be allowed to be president of the US unless you've driven across country at least twice. As I was driving I kept thinking, "Wow. Obama, you are in charge of all this. I know it's overwhelming, but it's such an honor." I wish he'd ride back with me so he could see what I see.

Anyway, back to Titusville. I have reconnected with a group of people who were very influencial in my parents life and in mine. Most of them are in there 70's and they rock. They have shown me a great deal of love and have given to me the benefit of their experience that is enriching my life immensely. The Burdine's threw me a morning coffee with a group of ladies that was so charming and fun. We had a great time catching up.

I've also had a great time just hanging out in quirky places, cemetaries which I love and old down towns, state parks and historical locations. One of my dreams is to spend a year road tripping America. God, did you hear that? "Yes. I did."

More later my friends as I share more about my Florida adventures.

Mamasita

Oh boy. I've got so much work to do (thankfully) and I shouldn't be blogging...but...(My mom says I shouldn't say but. Or butt. Because when you say but what you're really saying is "forget what I just said, what I really mean is this...") My mom also says that when you hear someone sigh, what they're really saying is "look what I have to put up with" and she also says that pouting is the highest form of seduction. You figure that out. Although this wasn't going to be a blog about my mom (who I call mom or mamasita in private and Shirley in public as she doesn't seem to answer to mom when we're among people) she's clearly on my mind. And heart. This weekend I drove to Blythe, California (aka Blight) to visit my mom and dad. They live on the Colorado river off the I-10 freeway where it is hot as h. e. double toothpicks. Mom and I went swimming in her "club" pool, we worked on a dress (she sews, and has made clothes for me all my life. One weekend when I was probably 9 she came home from a weekend away with my dad and I had grown so much in 2 days that nothing fit me, so she made an outfit a day for a week so I'd have something to wear. She'd make practically anything I wanted and once made me a jumpsuit like the one Fonzie wore on Happy Days.) We also cooked. Guess what we made? Cornbread and blackeyed peas. Yummy. I just want to say this about my mom. Although she's not perfect, she has been a very loving, sweet mommy to have. Very interested in my life. Affectionate. She laughs at my jokes. She had me when she was only 21 years old and did an amazing job for someone so young. I always felt safe with her. Yikes. I just realized that if I'd had a kid at 21, they'd be 20 years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH! (That's me running like a crazy person from the thought of it) I'd love to have a child and hopefully I will and if they think of me half as highly as I think of my mom...I'll be happy.