Preview: Red Hot & Soul (2016) New York, New York

(It begins when you walk up. You have to be in Awe and wonder what else will peek your interest. A great event has many jaw dropping moments.)

(The registration area for the patrons to get their information to place their bids for the many items available for the auction. The Red Hot & Soul event is ZACH's biggest fund raising event.)

(An event is like a performance and it takes a lot to get it (The lobby in ZACH's Topfer theatre.)

together. Outside before you walk inside it all begins. Red Hot & Soul 2016 was a tribute to New York, New York.)


I know I've been mentioning images from Red Hot & Soul were coming, but it takes time to go through all of the images.

(Another shot of the lobby)

(Costumer designers do a run through with the performers to make sure  the costumes allow the performer to move properly.)

 Then I have to copy the images so that I have images without tagging on them.

(Stage manager Cate Tucker over sees the rehearsal)

(Images of New York come to life with Shemiah as Lady Liberty.)

(Chanel Haynes-Schwartz rehearses in the lobby as costumer supervisor Christine Montgomery looks on)

(Jesse Douglas makes sure things go according to plan during rehearsal)

Next, I have to write about the event so that it makes those that weren't at the event feel as if they could be there and imagine what they missed. For those that were there they get to relive it. I'll be without access to my laptop for a few weeks so I just wanted to get some images out there.

Thanks for stopping by; keep an open mind and do come back.

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Tommy the finale 8-24-2014

(Scenic design by Cliff Simon for ZACH's production of Tommy)

Tommy, the final performance.

Sunday August 24, 2014 The Who’s Tommy was performed for the last time, ending ZACH’s 2013-2014 season on a very high note. I had thought about seeing the show, but I wasn’t sure if things would fall into place, but it all worked out. I figured since this was the last show the singers would belt out those songs with more verve then before.

Leonela Hernandez and Paul Sanchez. Leonela is part of  ZACH's pre professionals was on hand to get patrons to buy raffle tickets. She recently appeared in the production of Much Ado About Nothing as Leonata and Paul Sanchez played Wicked Uncle Ernie in Tommy.)

Normally I sit in the top section, but I was right smack in the center. If I had been allowed to photograph this show. This would have been the perfect seat. It also allowed me to see the show from a different perspective. I was able to actually see the images in the pop up book as Diego Rodriguez, who plays the young Tommy turns the pages.

(Diego Rodriguez who played young Tommy, for me he just brought something to the role different from the other actor who played young Tommy when I saw the show the first time. Diego and his family were such a delight.)

This was my fourth time seeing the production. And it was even more entertaining than the other times. Tommy is a visual experience. Being a visual artist myself I really appreciated all that was going on.

(Edward Burkley, Matthew Redden and Joshua Denning take a moment  from mingling, to pose. Joshua stepped in to the role of the Lover when Scott Swanson was injured. Joshua did a great job.)

I’ve gotten to know some of the cast members, some better than others because they’ve performed in other shows and those that stopped and exchanged a few words. I do however understand being focused on what you have to do in a performance so you just want to be in that zone.

 (Christa Oliver, part of the Ensemble, poses with Rick who has seen Tommy numerous times.)

I also know that performers feed off of the audience and if the energy is right the actor can feel it and they give that little extra something when they can. There appeared to be those subtle pauses to allow the audience to applaud after each song.

 (A few members of the Ensemble Christopher Montalvo, Felicia Fitzpatrick, Lauren Beausoleil, and Connor Donnelly.)

Paul Sanchez, Edward Burkley and Susanne Abbott rocked the crowd with their numbers. They left you wanting more.

Matthew Redden and Meredith McCall have a great chemistry together as Tommy’s parents. They both have great voices and had appeared together in White Christmas.

Timothy Ellis Riley is great as Cousin Kevin, who tortures little Tommy.

 (Timothy Ellis Riley chats with a patron about the last performance.)

Michael Valentine played Tommy and was really great. Each time I saw it, he just kept getting better and better.

( Michael is pictured with his grandmother and his father.)

Having never seen any production or even the film, I had nothing to base it on so I really enjoyed it.

(Patrons go old school and test their pinball skillz. The machines were free. They were supplied by Pinballz)

(Gabriel  Jaochico, did double duty, he played the white rabbit and he was also DJ Wicket pritor to each show.)

 ( Justin Waller a member of the Ensemble and Shanna Annetta who had appeared in The Gospel at Colonus.)

(Robert Corkill reacts to a someone from the side while PR guy, Jim Reynolds stays up to date with the latest tweets.)

(Kelly, Felicia and Lauren take a moment from mingling to strike a pose.)

(Christopher from the Ensemble.)

Sandra Bernhard

I am not sure when I became a fan of Sandra Bernhard. I don’t recall which television interview she was doing. I do remember her being on Arsenio Hall a lot when he had his first talk show.

(This is the photograph from the first time I met Sandra Bernhard at the Seattle International Film Festival.)

Somewhere along the line I stumbled across Without You I’m Nothing and it was her rendition of Prince’s Little Red Corvette that I found interesting. The next to nothing costume also helped. She sort of went underground and then in 1997 I met her at the Seattle International Film Festival.

 In her recent show at the Zachery Scott Topfer theater, she mentioned those awkward moments where you meet people you’ve admired and they sort of disappoint you. Our meeting was almost like that. It wasn’t that she disappointed me because she did allow me to photograph her and sign my catalog. It was the fact that the audience didn’t respond the way she had hoped and she walked out of the theater. I remember getting my hands on I’m Still Here Damn It and seeing her in a few shows off and on. She appeared in the Documentary Unzipped which was about fashion designer Isaac Mizrah and one of his collections. She played a writing instructor on the L Word and she appeared in the film Dare which I happened to stumble across and it seemed of interest.

In her new show she talks about the people who were managing her career and how it seemed to put her in oblivion. Now she is working her way back and talking about it. The show is personal, funny, and she drops the F bomb a lot. She talks about everyone, almost.

There were several moments that really made me laugh, but I think the funniest moment for me was when she talked about what she thought it must have been like for Michelle and Barrack Obama the first night in the white house.

I was looking at my photographs that I had taken and I realized how interesting her face is. Herb Ritts captured those lips and they were the cover of the Notorious book. Sandra Bernhard has always been controversial perhaps that’s the other thing I liked about her. I seem to gravitate toward those that are different and challenge the system.

After the show was over I waited to see if I could get a minute just to say that I liked the show and remind her where we met. I’m not sure if she really remembered, but she seemed as if she did. She told me to contact so and so which was a good gesture. I may or may not do it. It would be great if I could get clearance to use my photos in a book or have her people use them. Still, I have the memories of literally rubbing elbows with Sandra Bernhard.

I had come up with several titles for a book of the celebs I’ve met. I like the title Rubbing Elbows. It seems suggestive, but most of the time you just happen to be in the room with someone and you pass by them, brushing elbows and you glance, smile; maybe say a kind word.



Thanks for stopping by; and keep an open mind.

Check out some of my art at Bluecanvas.com/Oznol. Some of these are for sale. Remember Artist Trading Cards (ATC) are available simply by asking. Send an email with ATC in the subject and I can email one to you.

http://www.dlonzo-OpenYourMind.blogspot.com