14 minute read
Eugene Levy doesn’t like to travel. So he’s hosting a travel show.
BY ANDREA SACHS The Washington Post
If “Schitt’s Creek” were a real place, Eugene Levy would never vacation there. The Canadian comedian and actor, who won Emmys as a lead actor and executive producer for the hit show, is very particular — even persnickety — about his choice of holiday destinations.
The trepid traveler, 76, admittedly carries around emotional baggage filled with neuroses and aversions. His list of dislikes includes humidity, extreme cold, reindeer meat, volcanoes, snakes, insects, hanging bridges and happy people. In spite of his curmudgeonly attitude, or possibly because of it, Levy has taken on a new role as host of his own travel show.
UPCOMING FILMS THIS WEEKEND:
“Cocaine Bear” and “Jesus Revolution”
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“The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy,” which will premiere on Apple TV Plus on Feb. 24, opens with a bewildered and bespectacled Levy standing awkwardly in a foreign setting. He grips a suitcase better suited for selling perfume samples door-to-door than roaming the globe. Over eight episodes, he ventures into such challenging environments as a Costa Rican rainforest and the frigid Lapland region of Finland, where he grits his teeth while sampling the local activities, culture and cuisine. In each show, he slowly unclenches his jaw and breaks into the genuine smile of a convert.
In this interview, Levy explains why he decided to enter the discomfort zone, the lessons he learned from the show and the contents of his vintage luggage.
How would you describe your travel style or your vacation go-to?
My ideal vacation would have been going to a resort or a beach where you could truly relax and have nothing to do but chill by a pool with a piña colada and then talk about where you want to go for dinner. I love Italy because I love the food and you don’t have to do much to see the history. The sightseeing part of things didn’t really excite me. I’d go here and I’d look at this bridge, I’d look at this museum. It was something to do, but I didn’t really truly enjoy it.
Why did you decide to challenge yourself with a travel show?
Originally it was a show that focused on hotels. I got a call from [executive producer David Brindley] saying they wanted to talk to me about hosting a travel show about hotels. And I said, “Jeez, why me?” I have a very low sense of curiosity and no sense of adventure.
Maybe they thought you were interested in hotels because your character, Johnny Rose, ran one in “Schitt’s Creek?”
Maybe. I never asked them. If you’re hosting a travel show, you have to be interested in what you’re talking about, and you have to be a chatty person who is interested in people. These are all things that I was really not. The conversations triggered another angle for the show. They called me back and pitched that to me, saying what if it’s about somebody who doesn’t like to travel. I said, “Okay, yeah, why don’t we give that a shot?”
Did you have to prepare physically or mentally for the role?
No physical preparation. But mental preparation — I spent my career as a comedic character actor where I do everything in character. The closer the character came to who I was, the less comfortable I was. So I always opted for bigger, broader characters.
“Schitt’s Creek” was about as close as I’ve come to playing myself on camera, but even that was a character. This travel show, it’s not a character [laughs]. I’m playing me. I’ve never been totally comfortable being me in front of a camera. That was a scary proposition.
What are you personally hoping to get out of this show, and what do you hope your viewers take away from it?
I am hoping this show really appeals to people who love to travel. I hope it holds them. For people who don’t necessarily like to travel or were as uncomfortable about traveling as I was will find a kindred spirit. I’m giving them an experience very close to what they might actually be going through and what they actually might be thinking.
How did you pick the destinations and activities?
In the beginning they had a list of locations, and the locations I said no to were locations I would probably have said no to if somebody had said, “Hey, why don’t we go here?” And I would say, “Really? I don’t think so. What else ya got?” I helped eliminate certain locations because I thought they wouldn’t be as much fun, didn’t know what the food would be like [or] was really nervous about. The more we did the show, the more I crawled out of my comfort zone. If I’m not doing things I’m not comfortable doing, I don’t know what kind of show we have. But I think the thing is: Go for it.
CASH BINGO
February 24, 2023
New Midway Vol Fire Co
Doors Open 5:00pm
Game Starts 7:00pm
Admission: $25 00 includes 20 reg games
3 Specials and $500 Jackpot
Extra Cards Avail
Food and ATM Avail
For info call 301-898-7985 or 301-271-4650
Cash Bingo
Woodsboro American Legion Auxiliary
Sunday, March 19
Doors open 12 pm; games @ 1:30 pm
$40 for 25 games, includes 3 specials @ $150 & 2 jackpots @ $500; Reserve early and receive free special game-call 301-514-7164;
Bring in canned food for local food bank and receive a free special game
King tuts, bingo balls, holder jars and door prizes; Food, drinks, baked goods available
Coach
March 19, 2023 Doors Open at 11 a m
Local Mentions
SPORTSMAN’S BINGO
Sat March 11, 2023
New Midway Vol Fire Co
10 Games for Guns
10 Games for $200 Cash
Doors open: 5:00 pm
Buffet Dinner: 6:00 pm
Games Start: 7:30 pm
Guns Include:
Ruger American 22 LR, Savage Axis w/Scope 243, Winchester SPX 12ga , Stevens Model 320
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Mdl 22 Revolver, Charles Daly Walnut/Blued
O/U 410, Iver Johnson Pump
Shotgun 12ga , Hi Point MKS 380 Cal, Taurus GX 4 9MM Pistol
Weatherby Vanguard II
300 Win Mag
Beer and Wine Coolers on Sale: No outside alcohol
$40/Person Includes Buffet Dinner Only 250 Tickets Sold
(Advanced Tickets Only) Call 301-898-7985 or 301-271-4650
Benefits: New Midway Vol Fire Co
Wanted Crop Land
TO RENT
Call: 301-798-2206
INDOOR/OUTDOOR YARD SALE
Lewistown Fire Dept 11101 Hessong Bridge Road Saturday April 1, 2023 8a m - 1 p m
For reservations call Beth 240-674-4688
Miscellaneous
2 Mausoleum Crypts
Building 15, tier side C, #36 & 37, side by side, in Garden Mausoleum in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Frederick, MD Asking
$13,000 OBO
Call 240-217-3606
HAVING TROUBLE CLEARING AN ESTATE?
Can't get anyone to help? We can! Full range of services from clean-outs to buyouts Express service avail Mcdonald's Auctions & Estate Liquidation Service 301707-8401
Looking For
PART-TIME A CARING CARETAKER IN MT AIRY
for young male w/autism who is semiindependent In-home help needed Must have own transportation Weekday daytime Able to speak English Email to discuss younghahn111@gmail com
ASPHALT MILLINGS
$15 00 per ton 301-524-8954
!!FATHER AND SONS!!! HANDYMAN HANDYMAN INTER. PAINTING
Home Repair & Improvements
301-694-9630
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Features, Recipes, Extension Line FOOD
WANTED TO BUY
FInal Game - $1,000 00
Thurmont Event Complex 13716 Strafford Dr Thurmont, MD 21788
Tickets: Avail at Door or Call: Tammy or Jim Wolf at 717-642-5075 or 717-420-0209 or at www eventbrite com
This is a Non-Profit Event to Benefit the Thurmont Community Ambulance Company
FRESH PORK SALE
Burkittsville Ruritan Club
Sausage, pork chops, sliced bacon, bean soup, and country ham sandwiches
Preorder 2/25
Pick up 3/4 (8am-12noon) Call 301-371-7795
COUNTRY BREAKFAST
Sat, March 4 (6-10am)
Adults $9; Children -$5
Spring EGG-stravaganza
Craft, Yard Sale & Vendor Event Sat March 25, 2023 & Sun March 26, 2023 9 a m to 3 p m
Thurmont Event Complex 13716 Strafford Drive Thurmont, Maryland
Food available for purchase
Vendor Information: Contact Jennifer at jensgems2018@yahoo com Or 301-800-3336
General Information: Contact Joyce at 301-748-4344
Proceeds benefit Thurmont Community Ambulance Company
Sports Cards and Sports Collectibles
1888-1975
Baseball • Football• Hockey
Unopened Boxes and Autographs
John Marsili
(410) 258-7495
Fair Dealing Since 1993
Thursday Feb. 23
Classes
Sewing Skills: Sewing Patterns
Demystified — 10 a.m. to noon at Exploration Commons, 50 E. Main St., Westminster. For ages 12 and up. Learn about using commercial and indie sewing patterns, measuring for size, and how to interpret and navigate written instructions. This is a beginner-friendly class, no sewing experience is required. Registration required. Visit site for details. 443-293-3000. ask@carr.org. ccpl.librarymarket.com/event/ sewing-skills-sewing-patternsdemystified-1.
Etcetera
Let’s Talk Art — 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. via Zoom. Join Director Sarah Hall and Agnita M. Stine Schreiber Curator Daniel Fulco for a discussion of collection highlights. WCMF’s new audio tour featuring some of the most significant pieces in our collection — Daniel and Sarah will discuss the works and the process, and also introduce some new acquisitions. Free, online, register for a Zoom link by contacting Donna Rastelli at 301-739-5727 or drastelli@wcmfa.org. wcmfa.org.
Getting to Know Muslim Americans and Their Faith: A Cultural Program — 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung St., Frederick. Amna Malik will be discussing and presenting the experience of being Muslim American. She will share insight on basic beliefs and practices as well as shining light on common misconceptions. There will be time for questions and discussions. Refreshments and snacks will be served. 301-600-7000. lwriston@ frederickcountymd.gov. frederickchampions.com/weekly-specials.
Pour House Trivia — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Champion Billiards Sports Bar, 5205 Buckeystown Pike, Frederick. Come on out with the team and play some Pour House Trivia. 7 p.m. start. Extended Happy Hour from 4 to 8 p.m. 301-846-0089.
Film
Black History Month Lunchtime Movie Series - “The Woman King” (2022, 134 min., PG-13) — 11 a.m. at Decker Auditorium, Lewis Hall of Science at McDaniel College, 2 College Hill, Westminster. An American historical action drama about the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African
Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s. mcdaniel.edu/news/mcdaniel-collegehosts-events-honor-black-history-month.
Music
Mike Kuster — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Magoo’s Pub & Eatery, 1 W. Second St., Frederick . Mike Kuster will perform an acoustic set of his originals and cover traditional country music songs. 301-378-2237. mikekuster.net.
Salon Music Series: “Gems of the German Romantic Opera” — 7:30 p.m. at Shepherd University, 301 S. King St., Shepherdstown, W.Va. In Shipley Recital Hall. Featuring internationally renowned soprano Jennifer Wilson joining Shepherd faculty baritone Dr. Bobb Robinson. Duets and arias, works by Beethoven, Wagner and Strauss. shepherd.edu.
Theater
“Angels in America Part 1: Millennium Approaches” — 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Maryand Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. By Tony Kushner. Directed by Tad Janes. In the mid-1980s, amid the AIDS crisis and a conservative Reagan administration, New Yorkers grapple with life and death, love and sex, heaven and hell in this Pulitzer Prize-winning play. 18 and older.
$32. 301-694-4744. zcallis@ marylandensemble.org.
Friday Feb. 24
Etcetera
Murder Mystery Party — 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Dutch’s Daughter Restaurant, 581 Himes Ave., Frederick. An evening of murder, mystery and mayhem. Come dressed in your cocktail attire tonight. This is a comedy mystery game set in the present day at a Hollywood Mansion. Watch out. You might die laughing. Admission includes threecourse dinner with entree options, taxes and gratuity. A cash bar will be available. $85. 410-549-2722. murdermysterycompany@gmail.com. ddmysteries.eventbrite.com.
Family
Weekend Open House: Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum — 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum, 296 S. Burhans Blvd., Hagerstown. Weekend open houses year-round to see historic railroad equipment and artifacts.
$6 for adults, $1 for children 4 through 16 Free for children 3 and under. 301-739-
4665. info@roundhouse.org. roundhouse.org.
Film
Foreign Film Festival: “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom” (Bhutan, 2019, NR) — 7:30 p.m. at Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., Westminster. Also at 1 p.m. A disillusioned schoolteacher is transferred to the most remote school in the world, cut off from modern life deep in the Himalayan glaciers. In a classroom with no electricity or even a blackboard, he finds himself with only a yak and a song that echoes through the mountains. $7 adults, $6 ages 25 and under and ages 60 and up. 410-848-7272. carrollcountyartscouncil.org.
Music
FAC After Hours: See What Sticks Performance Art Workshop — 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at FAC Art Center, 5 E. Second St., Frederick. Performance artists, musicians, poets, actors — meet Frederick’s newest performance workshop and open stage. 301-662-4190. wiegand@ frederickartscouncil.org. frederickartscouncil.org/news-events/ calendar-grid.
Theater
Lerner & Loewe’s “Camelot” — 6 p.m. at Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, 5 Willowdale Drive, Frederick . An idealistic young King Arthur hopes to create a kingdom built on honor and dignity, embodied by his Knights of The Round Table. His ideals, however, are tested when his lovely queen, Guinevere, falls in love with the young Knight, Lancelot, and the fate of the kingdom hangs in the balance. The legendary love triangle of King Arthur, Guinevere and Sir Lancelot leaps from the pages of T.H. White’s novel in Lerner and Loewe’s award-winning, soaring musical. See website for prices; doors open at 6 p.m. for dinner, shows at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 301-662-6600. wayoffbroadway.com.
“Grease” — 6 p.m. at Washington County Playhouse Dinner Theatre, 44 N. Potomac St., Hagerstown. Here is Rydell High’s senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hotrodding “Burger Palace Boys” and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking “Pink Ladies” in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical. Dinner precedes show. Cash bar available.
$63 adults, $57 active military and first responders, includes dinner and show.
301-739-7469. washingtoncountyplayhouse.com.
“Angels in America Part 1: Millennium Approaches” — 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Maryand Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. By Tony Kushner. Directed by Tad Janes. In the mid-1980s, amid the AIDS crisis and a conservative Reagan administration, New Yorkers grapple with life and death, love and sex, heaven and hell in this Pulitzer Prize-winning play. 18 and older.
$32. 301-694-4744. zcallis@ marylandensemble.org.
Saturday Feb. 25
Classes
Frederick County Master Gardeners Seminar: “Right Plant, Right Place: Design Fundamentals” — 10 a.m. to noon at UME Extension Office, 330 Montevue Lane, Frederick. Use basic design principles in your flower gardening to add interest and increase impact! Learn about basic landscape design concepts that can be easily applied to any garden; including shape, color, texture, framing, rhythm, focal points and other considerations. Register online.
bit.ly/FCMG23Seeds-Transplanting.
Zumba Saturdays at the Library — 10:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Urbana Regional Library, 9020 Amelung St., Frederick. Ready to exercise! Ready to dance! Ready to shake off the pounds? Come on in for Zumba at the Library on Saturday mornings through May 27. Ages 18 and older. 301-600-7004. marchange-desir@ frederickcountymd.gov. frederick.librarycalendar.com/event/ zumba-saturdays-library-8.
Etcetera
Burns Night Supper — 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Urbana Volunteer Fire Department Hall, 3620 Urbana Pike, Frederick. Hosted by the Saint Andrew’s Society of Mid-Maryland. Celebrating the Birthday of Scotland’s greatest poet and author, Robert “Rabbie” Burns. Featuring the MacMillan United Pipe Band, the Crawford Family Highland Dancers, a Scottish ceilidh (dancing), and more! BYOB for the toasts.
$35 for nonmembers, $10 for ages 13-18, free for age 12 and under. 240-818-8283. marianne@mmelliott.com. sasmm.com/burns2023.
Family
Mount Hope Maple Madness — 8 a.m. at at Camp Eder, 914 Mount Hope Road,
Fairfield, Pa. AYCE pancake, sausage and egg breakfast 8-11 a.m., $9 adult, $5 ages under 12, under age 3 free; maple sugaring tours at 8:30, 9, 9:30, 10:30 and 11 a.m., $7 person, under age 3 free; sweet deal package of breakfast and tour $15 adult, $10 under 12, under age 3 free. Tickets online. Hosted by Strawberry Hill Foundation. info@strawberryhill.org. strawberryhill.org.
“The Snowy Day” — 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Maryland Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. Follow Peter and his friends as they set out to celebrate the first snowfall of the year with snowball fights, by making snow angels, and playing in the snow. Based on the Caldecott Award-winning book by Ezra Jack Keats. This story, packed with humor and fun, is a celebration of childhood joys and the wonder of imagination.
$15. 301-694-4744. zcallis@ marylandensemble.org.
Weekend Open House: Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum — 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum, 296 S. Burhans Blvd., Hagerstown. Weekend open houses year-round to see historic railroad equipment and artifacts.
$6 for adults, $1 for children 4 through 16 Free for children 3 and under. 301-7394665. info@roundhouse.org. roundhouse.org.
Music
That’s Barbershop! Concert by the Clustered Spires Chorus — 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Frederick Community College, 7932 Opossumtown Pike, Frederick. Hear this women’s chorus perform a cappella in the barbershop style and learn more about this uniquely American art form. $10 adults, $8 students. Info@ clusteredspires.org. clusteredspires.org.
An Afternoon at The Opera — 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Knott Auditorium, 16312 University Way, Emmitsburg. Mount St. Mary’s University Department of Visual & Performing Arts present a free concert open to the public. 301-447-5150. venzin@msmary.edu. fb.me/e/46TLutqtK.
Mountain Music and Moonshine — 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at The Capitol Theatre, 159 S. Main St., Chambersburg, Pa. World-touring, top charting Nu-Blu takes the stage, plus whiskey, bourbon, beer, wine, moonshine and concessions available when the doors open at 6 p.m. 18 and older to attend. Tickets are $25-$35 plus processing fee. 717-263-0202. vperry@thecapitoltheatre.org. thecapitoltheatre.org/ shows-movies-events/live-shows-2023.
John E. Marlow Guitar Series presents Frank Vignola — 7 p.m. at Cultural Arts Center Montgomery College, 7995 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring. Guitarist Frank Vignola is a star entertainer with a tremendous sense of musical fun. He is a pillar of the jazz world and will be performing with bassist Gary Mazzaroppi. $17.50-$55. 301-799-4028. info@ marlowguitar.org. marlowguitar.org.
Alif Laila in Concert — 7:30 p.m. at Carroll Arts Center, 91 W. Main St., Westminster. Bangladeshi-American sitar maestro presents a concert of Indian classical music accompanied by multimedia watercolor projections. $25. 410-848-7272. carrollcountyartscouncil.org.
Theater
Lerner & Loewe’s “Camelot” — 6 p.m. at Way Off Broadway Dinner Theatre, 5 Willowdale Drive, Frederick . An idealistic young King Arthur hopes to create a kingdom built on honor and dignity, embodied by his Knights of The Round Table. His ideals, however, are tested when his lovely queen, Guinevere, falls in love with the young Knight, Lancelot, and the fate of the kingdom hangs in the balance. The legendary love triangle of King Arthur, Guinevere and Sir Lancelot leaps from the pages of T.H. White’s novel in Lerner and Loewe’s award-winning, soaring musical. See website for prices; doors open at 6 p.m. for dinner, shows at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 301-662-6600. wayoffbroadway.com.
“Grease” — 6 p.m. at Washington County Playhouse Dinner Theatre, 44 N. Potomac St., Hagerstown. Here is Rydell High’s senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hotrodding “Burger Palace Boys” and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking “Pink Ladies” in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical. Dinner precedes show. Cash bar available.
$63 adults, $57 active military and first responders, includes dinner and show. 301-739-7469. washingtoncountyplayhouse.com.
“Angels in America Part 1: Millennium Approaches” — 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at Maryand Ensemble Theatre, 31 W. Patrick St., Frederick. By Tony Kushner. Directed by Tad Janes. In the mid-1980s, amid the AIDS crisis and a conservative Reagan administration, New Yorkers grapple with life and death, love and sex, heaven and hell in this Pulitzer Prize-winning play. 18 and older.
$32. 301-694-4744. zcallis@ marylandensemble.org.
Sunday Feb. 26
Etcetera
All About Brides Wedding Expo — noon at The Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown. Featuring some of the area’s best wedding professionals showcasing top wedding trends. Advance tickets $5 general admission; $10 VIB; at the door: $10 general, $15 VIB tickets. 301-790-2000. mdtheatre.org.
Sunday Speakers: “Confluence, Harpers Ferry as Destiny “ — 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at Brunswick Library, 915 N. Maple Ave., Brunswick. Join Dennis Frye, Harpers Ferry chief historian (retired) and Catherine Magi, storyteller and librarian, as they
