Saturday, November 14, 2015

Stoic Carolyn Cook Elevates Blackberry Winter

I saw Blackberry Winter Thursday night at Actor's Express. I'd never seen lead actress Carolyn Cook—multi Suzi Bass Award winner—but immediately became a devout fan. The story—by Steve Yockey—is profound and highly emotional, and is delivered poignantly and perfectly by Cook.

I was surprised to learn that "blackberry winter" is a primarily Southern colloquialism. Viewers will know after just the first few words escaping Vivienne Avery's (Carolyn Cook) mouth, that sh'es without a doubt Southern! Blackberry winter describe a brief period of cold weather that coincides with the time when blackberries are in bloom, typically in early to mid May.

Blackberries happen to be may favorite food, so those cold snaps are a little scary, but they couldn't possibly approach the fear of watching helplessly with a slowly degrading loved one.


Carolyn Cook | Blackberry Winter | Actor's Express | Photo: Christopher Bartelski
Carolyn Cook | Blackberry Winter | Actor's Express | Photo: Christopher Bartelski

Blackberry Winter is a "story of a woman caring for her Alzheimer’s diagnosed mother," starring Carolyn Cook and is a co-production with Out of Hand Theater whose Co-Artistic Director Ariel Fristoe is directing the production.

The play, commissioned and developed by Out of Hand Theater, is also a National New Play Network (NNPN) Rolling World Premiere and will be produced at seven theaters around the country during the 2015-2016 season.

As serious and heartbreaking as the subject matter is in this play, Vivienne Avery's "granite smile" and stoic resolve are not deplete of humor...especially when it comes to the all-too-familiar "swear jar", which contains a small fortune by the play's end.


Joe Sykes | Blackberry Winter | Actor's Express | Photo: Christopher Bartelski
Joe Sykes | Blackberry Winter | Actor's Express | Photo: Christopher Bartelski

Joe Sykes performs the role of Gray Mole, a character in the mythical 'origin story' of Alzheimer's, which was created by Vivienne and shared with the audience via animation.

I'd read an interview with Joe Sykes just prior to attending the play and I have to say, I felt like I could totally see his personality coming through. His performance is brilliant


Maia Knispel | Blackberry Winter | Actor's Express | Photo: Christopher Bartelski
Maia Knispel | Blackberry Winter | Photo: Christopher Bartelski

Maia Knispel portrays the role of White Egret in the mythical 'origin story' of Alzheimer's created by Vivienne. She's elegant and key to the overall story--she's the character who desperately tries to do something about her friend's memories, fearing that they'll be lost forever.

The animated 'origin story'--projected on multiple screens throughout the performance space—tells Vivienne's creative "how-this-came-to-be" story of Alzheimer's, which is narrated by Gray Mole and White Egret. The segments of animated origin story and Carolyn Cook's dialogue I do not believe could not be of greater contrast, yet are perfectly complementary.


Carolyn Cook | Blackberry Winter | Actor's Express | Photo: Christopher Bartelski
Carolyn Cook | Blackberry Winter | Photo: Christopher Bartelski

High praise goes to the creative team of Blackberry Winter, specifically for the set design and its subtle, yet high-impact light features. On each of twelve pedestals on the stage rest a prop(s) used to tell the Vivienne's story, each illuminated during that prop's time in the spotlight. This is very subtle and I didn't catch it until nearly the end of the show, but that speaks to how well it was incorporated into the overall theater-goer experience.  

I've mentioned that this is an emotional play. I think it hits home with more people than most might think. I found myself saddened thinking of my own mother and her struggle with memory loss. I do not believe she's affected by Alzheimer's, but she has had memory issues for many, many years. This year, under the treatment of a new doctor and new memory medicines, the mother I once new and adored resurfaced...it was miraculous! She doesn't live here in Atlanta, but we had some wonderful, lengthy conversations during that period of resurgence.

It was also an emotional experience for the friend who went with me the other night. I notice the wiping of tears while we were watching. It turns out that his mother passed away of Alzheimer's, which I didn't know prior to the play. As emotional as an experience as it was, he told me that he's grateful that the play is creating awareness of just how difficult the disease is, for those who suffer and those who care for them.

Please read about Carolyn Cook's personal journey and why she was perfectly cast for the role of Vivienne Avery in Blackberry Winter in this Atlanta Journal-Constitution article


Carolyn Cook | Blackberry Winter | Actor's Express | Photo: Christopher Bartelski
Carolyn Cook | Blackberry Winter | Photo: Christopher Bartelski

DO NOT miss this play! I will be shocked if Blackberry Winter and Carolyn Cook do not win multiple awards. The story is moving and the performance is superb!

One thing to note, Vivienne's dialog is directed at the audience, but it's not an interactive performance. What it is, is perfectly brilliant!

Both world premieres, Blackberry Winter and The Thrush & the Woodpecker, both by Steve Yockey, were onstage in rotating repertory. Blackberry Winter continues to be onstage at Actor's Express now through Sunday, November 22.

Friday, November 6, 2015

Walker Stalker Con 2015

I attended Atlanta's Walker Stalker Con 2015 on Halloween Day! That was this city's third annual and their first time at Georgia World Congress Center. The only fandom convention I've ever attended is Dragon Con, so I had a few reference points of what to expect, but there were surprises around every corner!


Walker Stalker Con 2015 | Travis & Stan the Zombie
Walker Stalker Con 2015 | Travis & Stan the Zombie

I ran into Stan the Zombie, again! I escaped again, too. Whew! My first chance encounter with Stan the Zombie was a few months ago during Zombie Night at Turner Field. That was a close call, too!

I saw a few people and cosplayers I recognized from Dragon Con, but Walker Stalker Con draws an almost wholly different fan base. That's a good thing...that meant a whole new experience! Another bonus, as a relatively new convention in Atlanta the lines were fast and access to the various adventures were quick—except maybe for some of the more popular celebrity autograph opportunities, but I got a few of those, too!


Walker Stalker Con 2015
Walker Stalker Con 2015

These two took Freddy vs. Jason to a whole new level! You know Freddy Kreuger if you've ever seen Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street and you know Jason Vorhees if you've ever seen Sean S. Cunningham's Friday the 13th

As it turns out, "Freddie" is quite the photographer! She shared with me a few of her photographs and a few shots of a recent wedding she photographed. She has a beautiful style and a delightful personality to boot! 


The Wizard of OZ cast at Walker Stalker Con 2015
The Wizard of OZ cast at Walker Stalker Con 2015
I was there on Halloween Day, which of course drew a number of non-zombie folks in costume...so many of them totally awesome! The Wizard of Oz group's costumes were magnificent! And they were super-pleasant...all that skipping, I suppose. 


Carrie & Stephen at Walker Stalker Con 2015
Carrie & Stephen at Walker Stalker Con 2015

That's my friend Carrie on the left (above), one of the founders and owner of Atlanta Movie Tours. They had a booth at the Con and Carrie was back-and-forth between the booth and enjoying the Con. We'd caught up earlier in the day, but later I saw her chatting with Michael Cudlitz, Abraham Ford from The Walking Dead

Being the unobtrusive person I am, I was going to keep on going, but then Carrie motioned to me, "Look who it is!" So, at warp speed I diverted my tracks straight to her and Abraham. It took a second, but then I realized that it was Steven, her husband, not Abraham at all, but damn if he didn't look like Abraham! Excellent cosplay, Steven, excellent cosplay!

Speaking of Atlanta Movie Tours, they offer two Big Zombie Tours and they're both fantastic! Check out my posts on Big Zombie Tour 1 (I've done that one twice!) and Big Zombie Tour 2 here on wanderlust ATLANTA. You can check out their other tours here.


Getting a tattoo at Walker Stalker Con 2015
Getting a tattoo at Walker Stalker Con 2015

When I first came across the tattoo aisle, I thought it was more art vendors. THEN I saw that that it was an entire row of tattoo artists, hard at work. 

That's tattoo master Chris Jones above—of Chris Jones Tattoos—who has been tattooing for 16 years and has been featured in popular industry media and won a plethora of awards. He's co-owner of his tattoo shop in Cardiff, South Wales. 

THIS is the tattoo he was working on when I made the above photo (with his permission). He was super-concentrating, so I didn't get to chat with him, but I've since checked out his work and it's brilliant!


Zombie Hunter Truck | Walker Stalker Con 2015
Zombie Hunter Truck | Walker Stalker Con 2015

There was quite a lot going on at Walker Stalker Con 2015! Zombie experiences, interactive gaming, photo ops, merchandise vendors, panels...so much going on! And there were a LOT of celebrity autograph sessions.

Being the celebrity spotter I am, and having amassed quite the autograph collection—books and photographs (99.9% of which are from celebrities I've actually met)—I was excited to add to my collection. 

While I'm a major fan of The Walking Dead, if you've followed or known me for any period of time, you know how big a Star Trek fan I am...

I got to meet and get an autographed photo from Denise Crosby, who played Tasha Yar on Star Trek: The Next Generation! She was Mary on The Walking Dead and starred in Stephen King's Pet Cemetery, those being why she was at Walker Stalker Con. She's super-sweet...I could not have been more impressed or more happy that she was so incredible! Thank you, Denise, for that wonderful experience!

I also got to meet and get an autographed photo from Zach Galligan, from The Gremlins! He was also in an episode of Star Trek: Voyager, my favorite of all the Star Trek series.



Walker Stalker Con 2015
Walker Stalker Con 2015

The Tyreese and Michonne cosplayers were fantastic! Baby Judith was a doll, but if you've seen the show, you know that she totally gave credibility to his costume!

I was impressed with the number of couples who were cosplaying and who did it so cleverly! You would be impressed at how ingenious some of them were.


Zombie Makeup at Walker Stalker Con 2015
Zombie Makeup at Walker Stalker Con 2015


If you arrive at Walker Stalker Con fresh and alive, son't worry. There are vendors onsite who can, pretty much trauma-free, make you undead

Given that it happened over Halloween Weekend, for those who were heading to a party or trick-or-treating, it was a great alternative to at-home, time-consuming, probably more expensive makeup…and they did a great job!


Rick and Young Zombie Girl | Walker Stalker Con 2015
Rick and Young Zombie Girl | Walker Stalker Con 2015

Believe it or not, zombies are great family fun. This cosplaying duo featured Rick Grimes and "Zombie Girl" from from The Walking Dead's Season 1, Episode 1. That particular scene, as I recall, set the tone for just how intense the show was going to be, and they’ve not disappointed since!


There were a number of kids at the Con and every single one I saw was having a blast!


Rick and Pregnant Wife | Walker Stalker Con 2015
Rick and Pregnant Wife | Walker Stalker Con 2015

This couple's cosplay was brilliant! Rick and Lori Grimes, while she was pregnant with the future marathon chocolate pudding eating Carl Grimes

I also had the great pleasure of meeting Jon Bernthal who plays Shane Walsh on The Walking Dead. Super nice guy! Quite the opposite of the jerk that his character was on the show. I love it when a celebrity is personable, approachable and obviously having a good time at a Con. Jon was all of those!

Tickets to Atlanta's Walker Stalker Con 2016 go on sale on November 16, 2015. Dead or alive, be there!

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

A "Shocking Revenge Thriller"

The Thrush & the Woodpecker, playing at Actor's Express through Sunday, November 15, 2015, is exactly as billed...totally shocking, a story about revenge, and absolutely thrilling! All to the audience's delight, and mine.


Matthew Busch, Stacy Melich | Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus | Actor's Express
Matthew Busch, Stacy Melich | Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus | Actor's Express

The 75-minute performance flies by! No, that's not a pun relative to the play's title—that's a whole story in itself, and one that reveals itself throughout the performance, which is fast-paced, witty, clever, intelligent and touching. And there are a few laughs.

Noah Hendricks (Matthew Busch), Brenda's son, is home from school, but not for a pleasant visit. The ensuing drama—following a few rounds of extremely clever banter—in all its brilliance, is merely preamble to a shocking reveal.


Stacy Melich, Kathleen Wattis Kettrey | Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus | Actor's Express
Stacy Melich, Kathleen Wattis Kettrey | Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus

Brenda Hendricks (Stacy Melich), Noah's mother, is loving yet stern, is disappointed yet hopeful. But when Roisin Danner (Kathleen Wattis Kettrey) shows up unannounced—while Brenda is running an errand in town—the suspense begins to escalate after meeting Noah, and continues so until the climax of the show.


Stacy Melich | Actor's Express | Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus
Stacy Melich | Actor's Express | Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus

When Brenda returns from her errand and Roisin starts to reminisce, the revenge layer of the story line begins to reveal itself and the excitement increases exponentially. 

From the edge of my seat, I was beyond mesmerized and enthralled by what was happening on stage and found myself feeling like I'd been transported from a seat in a theater to a seat at the big screen cinema watching a super-accelerated, high-thrill blockbuster! 


Kathleen Wattis Kettrey, Matthew Busch, Stacy Melich | Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus.
Kathleen Wattis Kettrey, Matthew Busch, Stacy Melich | Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus.

This is one of the more brilliantly written plays I've had the pleasure of seeing. You don't have to speak encyclopedia to follow along, but if you're a fan of words, you're in for quite the cerebral titillation, and a lexicon you just don't hear in everyday conversation—unless, like me, you have friends who do in fact speak encyclopedia. I found it quite a refreshing experience in that regard!


Kathleen Wattis Kettrey | Actor's Express | Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus
Kathleen Wattis Kettrey | Actor's Express | Photo by BreeAnne Clowdus

I'd love to tell you more about the play, but this is one that you must see yourself! The story is brilliant and the acting superb. Don't miss it.

Running concurrently with The Thrush & the Woodpecker is another play by Steve Yockey, Blackberry Winter, a co-production with Out of Hand Theatre, and both are world premieres. Blackberry Winter's opening night at Actor's Express is this Friday, November 6, 2015. 

The Thrush & the Woodpecker, through Sunday, November 15, 2015
Blackberry Winter, November 6-22, 2015

Check out the full Actor's Express 2015-2016 season here!