In addition to recapping my end of year favorites (films, plays, books, albums, etc.) I thought for 2025, I’d share each month. Without further adieu and in no particular order, here are some May favorites (Better late than never!)…
FILMS:
It Happened One Night directed by Frank Capra – A masterpiece, pre-Code screwball comedy, and then some. Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert are at the peak of their powers. Their chemistry is electric. Considered one of the greatest films ever made and was the first of only three films (along with One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest and The Silence of the Lambs) to win all five major Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Bernice Bobs Her Hair directed by Joan Micklin Silver – A 1976 short film made for the legendary PBS series “The American Short Story.” It was adapted from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short story of the same title. Shelly Duvall is sublime.
Who Am I This Time? directed by Jonathan Demme – Another short film. Another one based on a short story, this time from Kurt Vonnegut. Another one courtesy of PBS. From 1982 and part of the legendary series “American Playhouse.”…(A quick PSA, please urge your representatives not to strip away public media. It’s a vital force and is needed now more than ever.)…Christopher Walken plays Harry Nash, a shy hardware store clerk, who comes out of his shell in community theatre performances, but then retreats back in after the show is done. Susan Sarandon plays Helene Shaw, a visiting telephone company billing expert, who’s only in town for a few weeks, but gets persuaded to audition for the role of Stella by the director. Sparks fly between Walken’s Stanley and Sarandon’s Stella. You can stream for free on the Hoopla app (just need a library card).
PLAYS (Live, In Person):
Corktown ’39 written by John Fazakerley – A phenomenal Rogue Machine Theatre production featuring several Vs. friends and artists – Ann Noble, JD Cullum and Thomas Vincent Kelley – all part of a top notch ensemble. The design elements were also first rate. Thrilled to have done a Vs. Theatre Club outing to see it.
Hambone written by Javon Johnson – A Cops and Friends Of Cops Reunion Night! (See pics below.) Our Cops brother and Vs. artist, Rolando Boyce, absolutely crushed it. He and the ensemble were fantastic. Also, be sure to check out future events at The Mark Theater which you can do so Here. Markietha Ka’Von is the founder and opening The Mark is a dream come true for her. (She made a beautiful curtain speech about the decades-long undertaking.) The space is amazing with state of the art equipment and flexible for all types of rentals. You can check it out Here.
Fostered written by Chaya Doswell – Another great and fun Vs. Theatre Club Night at Pacific Resident Theatre. The show has extended multiple times since our May outing. It closes this weekend, July 20th. Definitely check it out!
ALBUMS:
The Smiths – “Louder Than Bombs”
The Counting Crows – “Butter Miracle, The Complete Sweets!” – One of their best in years. (H/t to my friend JB for mentioning to me.)
PODCASTS:
Freakonomics – “How Is Live Theatre Still Alive” – An incredibly detailed and transparent analysis of what it takes to put on a Broadway production. Click Here to listen to all 3 parts. Riveting and you will learn a ton. (H/t to my friend Gary for mentioning to me.)
The Vs. Studio Blog 