How we did Friday....
I want to thank those of you who came to the show, and those of you who dropped a few bucks to help my friend. I wish like hell we could have had a full two week run of this show, because based on my basis of comparison, it was the best showcase I'll see for quite some time. Vi Tran was AMAZING, Mark Manning was AMAZING, Lezlie Revelle was AMAZING, Nathan Granner was AMAZING, and the cast of "The Adventures of Flash Gordon and Dale Arden" was AMAZING. I've never seen a showcase with this caliber of performance. If you missed it, and you would like to see it, maybe you can come over and check out the video. I wish I could distribute it. It was that good. And I'm being humble here. It was truly an amazing night. Can somebody back me up on this? I mean really. It's over a full day later, and I'm still moved by everyone's performances. I can't stop thinking about them.
I think what I'm saying is, the show went above and beyond anyone's expectations.
Vi's set was inspired. I'd never heard him perform his own material, and yes, I'm going to buy his album. He's a wonderful performer with an enormous voice and terrific presence. I've worked with him as an actor, and let me tell you he delivers as a singer/songwriter as well. His songs are smart and poetic, and he is a hell of a lot of fun to watch.
Mark Manning read an original Monologue, and it was wonderful. He's so gifted, and he has this unique voice that is so easy to listen to. He was so funny and so poignant. That dude needs his own radio show or something (tee hee). He was perfect. It was a pleasure to have him share his wonderful story.
There was a reading of "The Adventures of Flash Gordon and Dale Arden," which featured various members of the audience. It was a recreation of the first episode of the 1934 radio show. All I can say is that it was hysterical. I was so amazed at how people could just take a script they had never seen before and just roll with it. I think Zarkov was among my favorites. He was played by Jim, who sings in my band, and he busted out the best Henry Kissinger imitation I've ever heard. I was truly impressed.
Lezlie Revelle also made me happy. I've been a fan of her's for a very long time, and I love her deeply feminine songwriting and performance. She is at her best, as many songwriters are, when singing of heartache, and let me tell you, few people capture that better than she. That's just the half of it though, she can also bring the joy. And boy did she!
I performed a monologue too, called "Why Do All These Homosexuals Keep Sucking my Cock?", and my girlfriend said I was very funny. I'm choosing to believe her.
Nathan Granner wrapped up the show. I met him in 1990 when we lived in Manhattan and were attending K-State together, living in the same house. I got wind of him earlier this year, and seeing him again after nineteen years was incredible. Hearing his voice was even more incredible. He's simply amazing. His voice is just.....magical. And he's totally cool about it too.
Of course, Paul was there too, though he got there late due to his work schedule and he was moved to tears at his reception. He said a few words before I did that monologue for him, and continued to hang out and have fun long after the show. It was good. He's been through a lot, and it made us happy to see him smiling.
We managed to raise over a thousand dollars for Paul, which includes the paypal donations that several of you made.
In case you just skimmed past that last part....A THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!
I want to thank all of you who came to the show, or donated to the paypal fund. You all helped me do what I needed to, and I appreciate it!
I also want to thank the following people:
Chris and Chuck at the Alcott Arts center. You guys HAVE to be the most generous and kind people in KC, and thank you for being so giving and making this event go off without at single hitch!
Richard Sutton and Angie Fiedler Sutton. You made this happen. You took the load off me and I truly, truly appreciate it. Thank you so much!
Victoria Rau for helping me stay focused and positive and productive and also for the help with the auction and food table and everything else, Doug Higson and Mia Porterfield for the cookies and help at the door, Josh Rodgers for allowing me to borrow the PA and the help setting it up, Emily Foster and Pat McGee for the help with the auction and Securtiy, Jamie King for manning the bar, Dean Vivian for the enthusiastic help and also for saving my ass (lol). Of course, my performers deserve thanks too, and if there is anyone I'm forgetting.....oh yeah.....
Thank you Paul, for being my friend. Hope we helped!
Now on to the next one.
I think what I'm saying is, the show went above and beyond anyone's expectations.
Vi's set was inspired. I'd never heard him perform his own material, and yes, I'm going to buy his album. He's a wonderful performer with an enormous voice and terrific presence. I've worked with him as an actor, and let me tell you he delivers as a singer/songwriter as well. His songs are smart and poetic, and he is a hell of a lot of fun to watch.
Mark Manning read an original Monologue, and it was wonderful. He's so gifted, and he has this unique voice that is so easy to listen to. He was so funny and so poignant. That dude needs his own radio show or something (tee hee). He was perfect. It was a pleasure to have him share his wonderful story.
There was a reading of "The Adventures of Flash Gordon and Dale Arden," which featured various members of the audience. It was a recreation of the first episode of the 1934 radio show. All I can say is that it was hysterical. I was so amazed at how people could just take a script they had never seen before and just roll with it. I think Zarkov was among my favorites. He was played by Jim, who sings in my band, and he busted out the best Henry Kissinger imitation I've ever heard. I was truly impressed.
Lezlie Revelle also made me happy. I've been a fan of her's for a very long time, and I love her deeply feminine songwriting and performance. She is at her best, as many songwriters are, when singing of heartache, and let me tell you, few people capture that better than she. That's just the half of it though, she can also bring the joy. And boy did she!
I performed a monologue too, called "Why Do All These Homosexuals Keep Sucking my Cock?", and my girlfriend said I was very funny. I'm choosing to believe her.
Nathan Granner wrapped up the show. I met him in 1990 when we lived in Manhattan and were attending K-State together, living in the same house. I got wind of him earlier this year, and seeing him again after nineteen years was incredible. Hearing his voice was even more incredible. He's simply amazing. His voice is just.....magical. And he's totally cool about it too.
Of course, Paul was there too, though he got there late due to his work schedule and he was moved to tears at his reception. He said a few words before I did that monologue for him, and continued to hang out and have fun long after the show. It was good. He's been through a lot, and it made us happy to see him smiling.
We managed to raise over a thousand dollars for Paul, which includes the paypal donations that several of you made.
In case you just skimmed past that last part....A THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!
I want to thank all of you who came to the show, or donated to the paypal fund. You all helped me do what I needed to, and I appreciate it!
I also want to thank the following people:
Chris and Chuck at the Alcott Arts center. You guys HAVE to be the most generous and kind people in KC, and thank you for being so giving and making this event go off without at single hitch!
Richard Sutton and Angie Fiedler Sutton. You made this happen. You took the load off me and I truly, truly appreciate it. Thank you so much!
Victoria Rau for helping me stay focused and positive and productive and also for the help with the auction and food table and everything else, Doug Higson and Mia Porterfield for the cookies and help at the door, Josh Rodgers for allowing me to borrow the PA and the help setting it up, Emily Foster and Pat McGee for the help with the auction and Securtiy, Jamie King for manning the bar, Dean Vivian for the enthusiastic help and also for saving my ass (lol). Of course, my performers deserve thanks too, and if there is anyone I'm forgetting.....oh yeah.....
Thank you Paul, for being my friend. Hope we helped!
Now on to the next one.