Sunday, May 25, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Theater Review
Theater Review, Chico Enterprise Record, May 22, 2008
'Bye Bye Birdie' encourages audience to 'put on a happy face'By Verda Mackay - The Buzz
Conrad Birdie, played by Oscar Magana (left), dances in front of Christina Goddard (center) and Megan Johnson (right) during a rehearsal for "Bye Bye Birdie" at the Chico Theater Company on May 13. (Jason Halley/Staff Photo)The Tony Award-winning musical, "Bye Bye Birdie," opened last week at the Chico Theater Company, making a considerable splash in the bright lights of Chico's theater scene.
Give credit for the success of this production to director and choreographer Joe Garrow and music director Dara Shultz. Plus, kudos to a dynamic cast full of youthful energy and talent.
"Bye Bye Birdie," with the book written by Michael Stewart, lyrics by Lee Adams and music by Charles Strouse, opened on Broadway in 1960.
It is a perfect example of 1960s lifestyles and the problems with raising teenagers.
The costuming depicted an era when teenage girls wore full-skirt dresses and boys sported jeans and plaid shirts.
With two-acts and an abundance of great songs and dances, "Bye Bye Birdie" tells the story of teenage infatuation with rock star Conrad Birdie (Oscar Magana, Jr.).
Birdie's agent, Albert Peterson (Joey Bartlett), finds himself in trouble when his star is drafted into the army.
Rosie, played by Joanna Coen (left), gives her resignation to Albert, played by Joey Bartlett, during a rehearsal for "Bye Bye Birdie" at the Chico Theater Company on May 13.(Jason Halley/Staff Photo)
Albert's secretary and main squeeze, Rosie Alvarez (Joanna Coen), arranges a publicity stunt. The plan is to have Conrad Birdie give "one last kiss" to a lucky girl from his fan clubs on The Ed Sullivan TV show.
The chosen girl is 15-year-old Kim MacAfee (Megan Mitchell) from Sweet Apple, Ohio.
But things don't go as planned when Kim's boyfriend, Hugo Peabody (Daniel Tuccillo), becomes jealous of Conrad.
Meanwhile, Albert's domineering mother, Mae Peterson (Pam Thornton-Singer), comes to break up his romance with Rosie by introducing him to the sexy Gloria Rasputin (Jennifer Harmston). Later, Conrad turns out to be a swaggering jerk who tries to teach the kids how to "party."
Kim's parents, Harry MacAfee (Marc Edson) and wife, Doris (Jessica Drake), try to hold family values together. Kim's little brother, Randolph (Ryan Johns), is as starstruck as his sister.
Memorable songs in "Bye Bye Birdie" include "Put On a Happy Face," "Kids!" and "A Lot of Living to Do."
The musical was an overall pleasure with some special scenes. Edson as the agitated father gave a lively performance singing, "What's the matter with kids today? Why can't they be like we were, perfect in every way?"
Coen's lovely voice did justice to the provocative song "Spanish Rose." Thornton-Singer, as Mamma Peterson, brought down the house with her rendition of "A Mamma Doesn't Matter Anymore."
Conrad Birdie, played by Oscar Magana (left), dances in front of (left to right) Rosie (Joanna Coen), Albert (Joey Bartlett), the mayor (Russ Van Patten) and the mayor's wife (Fabiola Ashby) during a rehearsal for "Bye Bye Birdie" at the Chico Theater Company on May 13. (Jason Halley/Staff Photo)
As Elvis-like rock 'n' roll singer Birdie, Magana had a surprise when he performed his first song. An unbuckled belt and loose pants almost caused a costume malfunction.
The only disappointment in this family-friendly show is that it ended too soon.
The show runs through June 21 with shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Matinees are at 2 p.m. the first three Sundays in June. For tickets, call 894-3282.
Albert's secretary and main squeeze, Rosie Alvarez (Joanna Coen), arranges a publicity stunt. The plan is to have Conrad Birdie give "one last kiss" to a lucky girl from his fan clubs on The Ed Sullivan TV show.
The chosen girl is 15-year-old Kim MacAfee (Megan Mitchell) from Sweet Apple, Ohio.
But things don't go as planned when Kim's boyfriend, Hugo Peabody (Daniel Tuccillo), becomes jealous of Conrad.
Meanwhile, Albert's domineering mother, Mae Peterson (Pam Thornton-Singer), comes to break up his romance with Rosie by introducing him to the sexy Gloria Rasputin (Jennifer Harmston). Later, Conrad turns out to be a swaggering jerk who tries to teach the kids how to "party."
Kim's parents, Harry MacAfee (Marc Edson) and wife, Doris (Jessica Drake), try to hold family values together. Kim's little brother, Randolph (Ryan Johns), is as starstruck as his sister.
Memorable songs in "Bye Bye Birdie" include "Put On a Happy Face," "Kids!" and "A Lot of Living to Do."
The musical was an overall pleasure with some special scenes. Edson as the agitated father gave a lively performance singing, "What's the matter with kids today? Why can't they be like we were, perfect in every way?"
Coen's lovely voice did justice to the provocative song "Spanish Rose." Thornton-Singer, as Mamma Peterson, brought down the house with her rendition of "A Mamma Doesn't Matter Anymore."
Conrad Birdie, played by Oscar Magana (left), dances in front of (left to right) Rosie (Joanna Coen), Albert (Joey Bartlett), the mayor (Russ Van Patten) and the mayor's wife (Fabiola Ashby) during a rehearsal for "Bye Bye Birdie" at the Chico Theater Company on May 13. (Jason Halley/Staff Photo)
As Elvis-like rock 'n' roll singer Birdie, Magana had a surprise when he performed his first song. An unbuckled belt and loose pants almost caused a costume malfunction.
The only disappointment in this family-friendly show is that it ended too soon.
The show runs through June 21 with shows at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Matinees are at 2 p.m. the first three Sundays in June. For tickets, call 894-3282.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Bye Bye Birdie preview
Teeny-boppers to swoon for suave crooner in 'Bye Bye Birdie'
Chico Theater Company will turn back clocks, turn up heat with '60s-inspired rock'n'roll musical
By: Jennifer Siino
The Chico Theater Company is saying hello to "Bye Bye Birdie" May 16 to June 21.
Set in the early '60s, the musical is centered around Conrad Birdie, an Elvis-like rock 'n' roll megastar who get's drafted into the Army at the height of his fame.
Birdie's agent and songwriter, Albert Peterson, writes his big final hit, "One Last Kiss," at the suggestion of his secretary and sweetheart, Rosie Alvarez. A publicity stunt includes a performance of the song and "one last kiss" for one of his biggest fans, live on "The Ed Sullivan Show."
That lucky fan is Kim MacAfee from Sweet Apple, Ohio. Kim just got "pinned" and is now going steady with Hugo Peabody, who is less than thrilled to hear his new girlfriend is going to kiss Conrad Birdie.
Megan Mitchell practices lines for her upcoming lead role as Conrad Birdie's biggest fan, Kim MacAfee, in the Chico Theater Company's production of "Bye Bye Birdie." Daniel Tuccillo helps Mitchell rehearse as her steady boyfriend and Birdie-hater, Hugo Peabody. Media Credit: Lindsey North
The real fun starts as Conrad, Albert and Rosie head to Sweet Apple to meet Kim. Screaming teenage girls march to the tune of "we love you Conrad, oh yes we do." Their male counterparts retaliate with "we hate you Conrad, oh yes we do."
Birdie's arrival doesn't just stir up hostility between the genders.
"The whole premise of the show is having the conflict between the teenagers and adults," said Joe Garrow, the production's director and choreographer.
Albert and Rosie are in the middle of the dispute between the generations.
Joanna Coen, 24, plays Rosie. She grew up in Chico and graduated from Chico State with a music degree. Her classical training gives her acting and singing a more mature tone, she said.
Rosie has been with Albert for eight years, and she's about to "flip a lid" because Albert hasn't popped the question yet, Coen said.
"I just like her because she's not afraid to get her own way," she said. "She's the complete opposite of me."
Chico Theater Company will turn back clocks, turn up heat with '60s-inspired rock'n'roll musical
By: Jennifer Siino
The Chico Theater Company is saying hello to "Bye Bye Birdie" May 16 to June 21.
Set in the early '60s, the musical is centered around Conrad Birdie, an Elvis-like rock 'n' roll megastar who get's drafted into the Army at the height of his fame.
Birdie's agent and songwriter, Albert Peterson, writes his big final hit, "One Last Kiss," at the suggestion of his secretary and sweetheart, Rosie Alvarez. A publicity stunt includes a performance of the song and "one last kiss" for one of his biggest fans, live on "The Ed Sullivan Show."
That lucky fan is Kim MacAfee from Sweet Apple, Ohio. Kim just got "pinned" and is now going steady with Hugo Peabody, who is less than thrilled to hear his new girlfriend is going to kiss Conrad Birdie.
Megan Mitchell practices lines for her upcoming lead role as Conrad Birdie's biggest fan, Kim MacAfee, in the Chico Theater Company's production of "Bye Bye Birdie." Daniel Tuccillo helps Mitchell rehearse as her steady boyfriend and Birdie-hater, Hugo Peabody. Media Credit: Lindsey North
The real fun starts as Conrad, Albert and Rosie head to Sweet Apple to meet Kim. Screaming teenage girls march to the tune of "we love you Conrad, oh yes we do." Their male counterparts retaliate with "we hate you Conrad, oh yes we do."
Birdie's arrival doesn't just stir up hostility between the genders.
"The whole premise of the show is having the conflict between the teenagers and adults," said Joe Garrow, the production's director and choreographer.
Albert and Rosie are in the middle of the dispute between the generations.
Joanna Coen, 24, plays Rosie. She grew up in Chico and graduated from Chico State with a music degree. Her classical training gives her acting and singing a more mature tone, she said.
Rosie has been with Albert for eight years, and she's about to "flip a lid" because Albert hasn't popped the question yet, Coen said.
"I just like her because she's not afraid to get her own way," she said. "She's the complete opposite of me."
Joey Bartlett, as Albert Peterson, happily sings "Put on a Happy Face" to Joanna Coen, as Rosie Alvarez. The two play a rock 'n' roll industry couple. Media Credit: Lindsey North
Albert, played by 29-year-old Joey Bartlett is Coen's commitment-phobe counterpart.
"He's kind of a whiny momma's boy who learns to stand on his own two feet and cut the umbilical cord," Bartlett said.
Bartlett enjoys working at the Chico Theater Company because of the stage's size and the good sound systems, he said. Though the theater has a decent-sized stage by area theater standards, there isn't much room on the sides for actors to make their entrances and exits. Behind the stage wall there is only about 3 feet of space, which means there is nowhere else to take the big set pieces when they aren't needed for a scene.
All of the set pieces are versatile, Bartlett said. The pieces fit inside of each other so they can make a bed, staircase, bedroom or living room walls when needed.
The set pieces also needed to be versatile because the musical uses a lot of "blackouts," where the curtain doesn't actually close, but the lights go down on the stage while the scene is changed.
Using lots of blackouts helps keep the flow of the play, he said.
The cast comes out into the sides of the aisles and makes use of every entrance and exit it can, Bartlett said.
An interactive musical about an Elvis-like rock star who aims to kiss one of his biggest fans for a publicity stunt arranged by a disenchanted secretary who is also the sweetheart of a booking agent who wants to be an English teacher may be a lot to take in, but the summer show should be entertaining.
Albert, played by 29-year-old Joey Bartlett is Coen's commitment-phobe counterpart.
"He's kind of a whiny momma's boy who learns to stand on his own two feet and cut the umbilical cord," Bartlett said.
Bartlett enjoys working at the Chico Theater Company because of the stage's size and the good sound systems, he said. Though the theater has a decent-sized stage by area theater standards, there isn't much room on the sides for actors to make their entrances and exits. Behind the stage wall there is only about 3 feet of space, which means there is nowhere else to take the big set pieces when they aren't needed for a scene.
All of the set pieces are versatile, Bartlett said. The pieces fit inside of each other so they can make a bed, staircase, bedroom or living room walls when needed.
The set pieces also needed to be versatile because the musical uses a lot of "blackouts," where the curtain doesn't actually close, but the lights go down on the stage while the scene is changed.
Using lots of blackouts helps keep the flow of the play, he said.
The cast comes out into the sides of the aisles and makes use of every entrance and exit it can, Bartlett said.
An interactive musical about an Elvis-like rock star who aims to kiss one of his biggest fans for a publicity stunt arranged by a disenchanted secretary who is also the sweetheart of a booking agent who wants to be an English teacher may be a lot to take in, but the summer show should be entertaining.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Biking to work!
Yay! I finally got my bike all tuned up, a new light and tire goo! The GG is rip, roaring and ready to go! I actually rode my bike to work today, it felt great although I know I am going to be sore!! =)
It only takes about 30 minutes from home to work, which is pretty good time and a great excuse to get some exercise.
It only takes about 30 minutes from home to work, which is pretty good time and a great excuse to get some exercise.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Osteosarcoma
Here is a radiograph of a neutered male Pit Bull that is about 12 years old and presented with forelimb lameness and was painful upon palpation. Look at how moth eaten the bone looks!
Rattlesnake bite
Rattlesnake bite in a Doberman, this dog was bit on the bridge of the nose. She has had 3 vaccinations previous to the bite and was eating and drinking well. These pictures are from Day 1, Day 2 and Day 3. After that she went home and is doing well!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Bye Bye Birdie sneak peek!
Catch a preview on You Tube from a recent rehearsal.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m01JKf5DASE
Bye Bye Birdie
Opens May 16th at CTC (http://www.chicotheatercompany.com )
Elvis-like rock & roll singer Conrad Birdie is to be inducted into the army. His agent plans big final publicity plan before he goes. Conrad will bid a typical teen-age girl goodbye with a kiss. Kim MacAfee in Sweet Apple, Ohio wins the honor. Birdie's arrival in Sweet Apple causes people of all ages to swoon. When it is decided that Birdie will give his One Last Kiss on the Ed Sullivan show the whole town goes crazy.
ps. I'm the one in the back that keeps fainting!! =)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v
Bye Bye Birdie
Opens May 16th at CTC (http://www.chicotheatercompany
Elvis-like rock & roll singer Conrad Birdie is to be inducted into the army. His agent plans big final publicity plan before he goes. Conrad will bid a typical teen-age girl goodbye with a kiss. Kim MacAfee in Sweet Apple, Ohio wins the honor. Birdie's arrival in Sweet Apple causes people of all ages to swoon. When it is decided that Birdie will give his One Last Kiss on the Ed Sullivan show the whole town goes crazy.
ps. I'm the one in the back that keeps fainting!! =)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Smart car!
This is one of a few Smart Cars running in Butte County. Starting at about $12,000 this European sub-compact gets an estimated 47 miles per gallon. The driver of this car said it takes $20 to fill the gas tank.
Is this where we have to go to cope with escalating prices?
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Mutters day
Today we went to Cedar Grove in Bidwell Park where the Butte Humane Society was putting on a "Mutters Day" celebration as a fundraiser. They had a few booths from different animal-related groups such as pet stores, vet clinics, dog rescues, dog trainers, etc. Also they had demonstrations from a police K-9, a trainer, a doggie shrink and Search and Rescue. Finally they had some dog contests and raffles.Angelik entered the "Best Kisser" contest and got to kiss Rob Blair (a local TV anchorman) who at first looked totally freaked that he was going to let a Rottweiler kiss his face, but they he awarded her First Place because he said he "felt the love". It was too cute!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
What a weekend!
So the weekend started with my going down to UC Davis for a Continuing Education course in Ultrasonography. It has a lecture portion and a lab portion so that you can really cement the theory...sounds great, right? I thought so too and I was really excited to go down there and learn more about ultrasound!
I left Chico at about 6am and arrived at Davis at 8am, finding the place without a problem. I walked in to the registration area and announced myself. They look at their list and then said, "you don't appear to be registered". Huh? Then they asked hopefully, "did you bring your confirmation letter?" Again, huh?
Turns out that the fax with my registration apparently never made it to their office and I was not registered. Unfortunately they were full and the ladies may have been willing to squeeze me into the lecture portion of the course, but they could not do anything regarding the lab. So I wrote down my info and told them I would be registering for the November class, since what really interested me was the lab portion. *sigh*
The day was not a total loss though, I was able to investigate the town of Davis a little further and I called my friend Corrie (who I was going to visit after the class). Fortunately she was available to visit with me so we spent a nice time talking and having a late lunch at a cute cafe in Davis.
I spent most of Sunday doing homey stuff (something I had not been able to do for about a month due to our insanely busy life) and preparing myself for the BSCE test, which I was retaking on Monday. The first time I took the test it seemed very difficult to me and I had stressed about it to no end. This time I decided to take it a little easier since I had put in some good study time on topics that I felt unsure about.
Monday came along and I retook the test in the late morning in Sacramento (yes, another drive) and felt pretty good about it. Apparently working on those problem areas helped because I felt more confidant and happy about it. So we will get results in about 4 weeks, so I hope they are favorable this time!
I left Chico at about 6am and arrived at Davis at 8am, finding the place without a problem. I walked in to the registration area and announced myself. They look at their list and then said, "you don't appear to be registered". Huh? Then they asked hopefully, "did you bring your confirmation letter?" Again, huh?
Turns out that the fax with my registration apparently never made it to their office and I was not registered. Unfortunately they were full and the ladies may have been willing to squeeze me into the lecture portion of the course, but they could not do anything regarding the lab. So I wrote down my info and told them I would be registering for the November class, since what really interested me was the lab portion. *sigh*
The day was not a total loss though, I was able to investigate the town of Davis a little further and I called my friend Corrie (who I was going to visit after the class). Fortunately she was available to visit with me so we spent a nice time talking and having a late lunch at a cute cafe in Davis.
I spent most of Sunday doing homey stuff (something I had not been able to do for about a month due to our insanely busy life) and preparing myself for the BSCE test, which I was retaking on Monday. The first time I took the test it seemed very difficult to me and I had stressed about it to no end. This time I decided to take it a little easier since I had put in some good study time on topics that I felt unsure about.
Monday came along and I retook the test in the late morning in Sacramento (yes, another drive) and felt pretty good about it. Apparently working on those problem areas helped because I felt more confidant and happy about it. So we will get results in about 4 weeks, so I hope they are favorable this time!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Incidental finding of an aortic aneurysm
A spayed female Dalmation, 10 yrs, obese, was brought to the hospital because she was having problems with locomotion. Thinking it was probably a spinal issue, we kept her for xrays. Her lower spine and hips were actually quite good, we figured we would also get thoracic spine and, incidentally, found an aortic aneurysm. I love digital radiographs!
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