New Mexico Entertainment Magazine January 2016

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JANUARY 2016

PERLMAN ON FIRE

The actor who made legendary characters in Beauty and the Beast, Hellboy and Sons of Anarchy, Ron Perlman, makes an appearance at this year’s Albuquerque Comic Con.

Paula Poundstone

Albuquerque Comic Con

A FREE Publication

The Producers

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TABLE OF CONTENTS PG 17

COVER STORY

Sons of Anarchy’s Ron Perlman Ron Perlman steps on New Mexico soil to take part in this year’s Albuquerque Comic Con at the Albuquerque Convention Center

PG 7

PG 9

The Producers Learn about the musical that looks for the “get rich quick” scheme in Broadway.

The Peking Acrobats Popejoy Presents the amazing acrobats from Beijing, China.

LET US ENTERTAIN YOU

PG 11

PG 15

Paula Poundstone The seasoned comedian makes a return to Albuquerque.

Nicolina NIcthe The local comedian working audiences throughout the state.

MAKE ‘EM LAUGH

FOLLOW-UP 4I

MAKE ‘EM LAUGH

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PG 22

Jean Cocteau The beloved Santa Fe theater takes on book signings

ABQ Comic Con Albuquerque’s favorite convention is back with all new celebrities.

BEHIND THE SCENES

PG 13

LET US ENTERTAIN YOU

PG 23

SIGHTSEEING

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EXTRAS

www.NMEntertains.com

NME STAFF Teresa Robinson-Ewers Publisher/Editor-in-Chief NMEntertains@gmail.com Ariel Bisbee Photography & Mulitmedia Director Rhonda Heyns Copy Editor CONTRIBUTORS Winter Elise Sherri J. Barth Aaron Theodore Cowan NME Board Teresa Ewers Ariel Bisbee Darlene Esquibel Winter Elise Eddie Robinson SUBSCRIPTIONS New Mexico Entertainment magazine is $24 a year within the Continental United States.

Please place your order online at www.NMEntertains.com.

Please note the first issue will take 4-6 weeks.

All events submissions can be placed at NMEntEvents@gmail.com

231 Sierra Dr. SE, Ste. 11 Albuquerque, NM 87108 505.450.4706

www.NMEntertains.com

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New Mexico Entertainment • January 2016

LET US ENTERTAIN YOU: THE PRODUCERS

ward-winning comic sensation The A Producers takes the stage at Popejoy on January 28 through January 31,

2016. The Producers is the hilarious Mel Brooks smash-hit that took Broadway by storm in 2001, winning a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards and three Olivier Awards.

Based on the Academy Award-winning 1968 film of the same name, this Mel Brooks masterpiece chronicles the side-splitting adventures of washedup Broadway producer Max Bialystock and his mild-mannered accountant Leo Bloom, as they scheme to get rich quick by producing the most notorious flop in the history of “showbiz.” It’s a comic tour-de-force that spoofs the big, old-fashioned Broadway musical while paying tribute to it at the same time.

Often hailed as the funniest Broadway musical of all time, The Producers features a riotous mix of eccentric characters and show-stopping songs including “I Wanna Be a Producer,” “When You Got It, Flaunt It,” “Prisoners of Love,” and of course “Springtime for Hitler,” as well as Susan Stroman’s eye-popping, Tony Award-winning production numbers.

Written by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan, with music and lyrics by Mel Brooks, The Producers features Susan Stroman’s Tony Award-winning direction and choreography recreated on tour by director Nigel West and choreogra-

pher Lauren Kladel.

David Johnson stars as the infamous Max Bialystock with Richard Lafleur playing the role of his mousy accountant Leo Bloom. The cast also includes Thomas Slater as Franz Liebkind, Jessica Ernest as Ulla, John Ben Boss as Roger De Bris and J. Ryan Carroll in the role of Carman Ghia. Rounding out the cast of THE PRODUCERS is Michael O’Connor, Taylor Eliason, Charlie Tingen, Allegra Berglund, Mandie Russak, Marie Lemon, Courtney Brady, Samantha Martin, Priscilla Curtis, Elyse Dwenger, Kelsey Moore, Heather Klobukowski, Anne Marie Snyder, Nick Raynor, A.J. Hunsucker, Ford Haueser,Walter Tucker and Zach Hawthorne.

Tickets for The Producers start at only $35 and are available online at popejoypresents.com or unmtickets.com or at the UNM Ticket Offices and select area Albertsons locations. NME

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New Mexico Entertainment • January 2016

LET US ENTERTAIN YOU: THE PEKING ACROBATS

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troupe of China’s most gifted performers bring their 2,000-year-old acrobatic traditions to Albuquerque.

Tumblers, contortionists, jugglers, cyclists, and gymnasts perform unbelievable feats of dexterity, skill, and strength while accompanied by live musicians playing traditional Chinese instruments.

Don’t miss The Peking Acrobats and their impressive acts at Popejoy Hall on Friday, January 15, 2016, at 8 pm.

A fusion of acrobatics, drumming, and special effects, the performance celebrates the rich folk art traditions of an ancient culture while blending those traditions with 21st-century technology.

During the show, The Peking Acrobats backflip across the stage, demonstrate incredible balance atop a pagoda of chairs, and literally jump through hoops to entertain the audience. Drummers back the performance by pounding traditional Chinese rhythms.

Based in Beijing, China, The Peking Acrobats made their Western debut in 1986 and have toured North America for over 20 years. Troupe members begin their training as early as age six, devoting years to daily practice to gain the strength, agility, and flexibility necessary to become professional acrobats. As they

embark on their 30th-anniversary tour celebrating the Chinese Year of the Monkey, The Peking Acrobats draw upon the Chinese tradition of acrobatics, which calls upon every generation of performers to improve and embellish their act, resulting in a show that gets better with age, year after year.

Renowned around the world for the incredible acts they accomplish on stage, The Peking Acrobats set the world record for the human chair stack on Fox’s Guinness Book Primetime where they balanced six people atop six chairs, 21 feet in the air. They were featured performers on several other TV shows including The Wayne Brady Show, Nickelodeon’s Unfabulous, and Ellen DeGeneres’ Ellen’s Really Big Show. The troupe also appeared in Steven Soderbergh’s film, Ocean’s 11.

Tickets for The Peking Acrobats are currently on sale for $49, $41, $31, and $20. Tickets can be purchased at the UNM Ticket Offices and select area Albertsons locations. Online purchasing is available at popejoypresents.com or unmtickets.com. To charge by phone, call (877) 664-8661 or (505) 925-5858. Group orders of 10 or more may be placed by calling (505) 344-1779. NME

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MAKE ‘EM LAUGH: PAULA POUNDSTONE

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hirty-two years ago Paula Poundstone climbed on a Greyhound bus and traveled across the country -- stopping in at open mic nights at comedy clubs as she went. She went on to become one of our country’s foremost humorists. You can hear her through your laughter as a regular panelist on NPR’s popular rascal of a weekly news quiz show, Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me. Watch for Paula as she lends her distinctive voice to the character “Forgetter Paula” in the new Disney Pixar film Inside Out about a young girl Riley who is uprooted from her Midwest life when her father starts a new job. The movie chronicles and the emotional roller coaster that change can bring.

Poundstone tours regularly, performing standup comedy across the country. While there is no doubt that Poundstone is funny, the thing that probably separates her from the pack of comics working today and that has made her a legend among comics and audiences alike is her ability to be spontaneous with a crowd.

Poundstone says: “No two shows I do are the same. It’s not that I don’t repeat material.

I do. My shows, when they’re good, and I like to think they often are, are like a cocktail party. When you first get there, you talk about how badly you got lost and how hard it was to find parking. Then you tell a story about your kids or what you just saw on the news. You meet some new people and ask them about themselves. Then, someone says, “Tell that story

you used to tell,” and then someone on the other side of the room spills a drink, and you mock them. No one ever applauds me when I leave a party, though. I think they high five.”

Paula’s interchanges with the audience are never mean or done at a person’s expense. She even manages to handle politics without provoking the pall of disapproval less artful comics have received.

Her most recent comedy CD, I Heart Jokes: Paula Tells Them in Boston was recorded during a performance at the Wilbur Theatre in the heart of the city and was released on April fool’s Day 2013.

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Paula has starred in comedy specials on HBO and BRAVO, won an Emmy Award, served as “official correspondent” for The Tonight Show during the 1992 Presidential race, pioneered the art of backstage commentary during an Emmy telecast, steps up to the plate for causes she believes in, and is almost always included in any compendium – be it film, television or print, noting comedic influences of the 20th/21st century, most recently, We Killed: The Rise of Women in American Comedy (October 2012, Sarah Crichton Books).

Paula also appears on Late Night w/ Craig Ferguson about 3 times a year and she’ll do an occasional editorial for NPR’s All Things Considered.

Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me is now heard in 5 million homes across the country, including all of the major markets, internationally on NPR Worldwide and on the Internet via podcast. In 2008, it received a Peabody Award for broadcasting excel12 I

lence. On the show, Paula gets to match wits with some of the country’s leading pundits. The show made its television debut on BBC America with a “2011 Year In Review.” Poundstone quickly goes on record about how much she loves being part of the show saying: “I am a proud member of the endorphin production industry. They allow me to say whatever I want on Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me. The panelists are unscripted, so it’s perfect for me. I feel like I’m a batter in a batting cage. I get lobbed topics.

Sometimes I just watch them go by, but every now and then I get a piece of one. If the others didn’t cheat, it would be an almost perfect work experience.”

The Lensic Performing Arts Center in Santa Fe is happy to welcome comedian Paula Poundstone on Thursday, February 4th. Showtime is at 7:30 PM. Tickets range from $36 - $46 Call (505) 988-1234 or https://www.lensic.org. NME

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FOLLOW-UP: ALBUQUERQUE HONORS HOLLY HOLM

n December 6th, 2015, Holly Holm O was honored by the City of Albuquerque and the State of New Mexico in a trol-

ley parade and grand presentation held in Civic Plaza. Approximately 20,000 spectators gathered to hail the Albuquerque native, who defeated Ronda Rousey for the Bantamweight title. Both Mayor Berry and Governor Martinez presented Holm with an Executive Order proclaiming December 6th Holly Holm Day. Holm also received the key to the city.

“You here...Albuquerque made this possible,” said Holm. My career started here and it wasn’t just my team that helped me believe in myself, but the support of Albuquerque. Thank you so much.”

Mayor Berry shared that Holm earned her success as a role model for our community. “Holly’s morals and modesty, not just

her fighting skills - in which she achieved her success, helped put our city on the map,” Berry said. “It really puts Albuquerque in the national spotlight. She was disciplined…and kept her eye on the prize.”

Desiree Gutierrez, a local Holm supporter, said female athletes have Holm as a hometown mentor, proving success is possible for anyone. “I think this opens many doors for females to get into mixed martial arts,” said Gutierrez. “Winning this fight and bringing the title home to Albuquerque gives us hope.”

During all of the praise, she never forgot where she came from. “I can have all the support in the world,” shared Holm. “If nobody’s in the stands watching, I don’t even have a job. I’m going through this parade and I’m crying. I love you guys!” NME - Sherri J. Barth

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MAKE ‘EM LAUGH: NICOLINA NICTHE

“I like my humor like I like my wine - dark and dry” Nicolina Nicthe.

With her big personality and even bigger stage presence, Nicolina took to the stages of Albuquerque three years ago, bringing her brand of stand-up comedy to New Mexico.

Drawing on her experiences of dating in the digital age and surviving life with people, Nicolina is full of quips that will bring you to tears.

“Everything is so impersonal nowadays and I love comedy because it still creates a personal connection.” In the time of sexting and swiping, Nicolina wants to bring personal connections back. Standup comedy allows her to do it. Connecting to an audience is no easy task, but when it happens it can be an amazing night. Always struggling with having a filter, Nicolina found in humor the vehicle she was looking for. “The best part about being funny is I can say things in a funny way and still insult people.”

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are a wide variety of comedians out there. “I’ve had a comedian tell me they can’t relate to my comedy…

Of course not! He wasn’t a woman, or had kids, or was married and divorced…” But, that is the diversity of the comedy scene here in town. Diverse is a good thing.

Growing up in The Land Of Enchantment has given Nicolina a lot of interesting bits, but she is looking forward to hitting the road some day soon. There is no perfect city out there for her, but she would love to check some out. This funny lady is ready to take her talents to the masses. NME - Winter Elise

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COVER STORY: RON PERLMAN

PERLMAN ON FIRE 16 I

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“I had a perception of myself...sort of a low self-image...this experience is one thing that attracts me to playing these sorts of deformed people who are very endearing.”

here is a meme circulating on Facebook that say “You can fairly judge a man based on what movie he knows Tim Curry from. As I prepare for Albuquerque Comic Con this year and one of their headlining guest, Ron Perlman, this meme can easily apply to him.

In the business for almost 40 years, Perlman has created some of the most memorable characters in film and television history. The choice to play these particular character stems from Perlman’s childhood history. He once said, “I had a perception of myself that was, I was terribly overweight as a young kid, and it was sort of a low self-image...this experience is one thing that attracts me to playing these sorts of deformed people who are very endearing.”

Perlman has had a love of theater since high school and after his father saw him in a college production of Guys and Dolls, he encouraged Ron to pursue a career in acting. Since Lehman College didn’t have a Bachelors in Fine Arts, Perlman later attended the University

of Minnesota, where he graduated with a Master’s Degree in Theater Arts in 1973. Six years later, Ron’s career in television began sporting an afro as Dr. Bernie Marx on Ryan’s Hope.

Landing that role came at the help of famous star’s mother.

“Christian Slater’s mom was casting that show, and I think I kind of knew her, so I came in and she had me read. I think she pushed for me to get the role, and that’s how I got it.”

The role led to his first feature film Quest for Fire as Amoukar. The opportunity came when he was performing in a production of “Tiebele and her Demon,” with F. Murray Abraham at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre in New York. He was approached by director Jean-Jacques Annaud to star in the film about Neanderthal man and his quest for fire. Ron has said, “When the producer saw my forehead, he gave me the job on the spot.” The experience was a challenge - working with all different types of terrain and temperatures.

Perlman said, “Whenever you work for this guy [Annaud’,

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whenever you do a film for memorable characters. Still to him - you know you’re alive. this day, the rumors of a HellThere’s no question about that. boy 3 circulate the comic book Because life goes up a couple and movie scene and Ron is of notches in terms of exciteon board to bring the big red ment and stakes.” guy back to the screen. “It’s Surprised the opportunity to definitely a part of the converplay Amoukar did not lead to sation that I have with Guillthe big break Perlman expectermo every time I see him. I, ed, he turned to driving a limo for one, would love to see how in New York. But the job was the Trilogy resolves itself. And not long-lived. Ron, after starI will fight for Hellboy 3 as long ring in small television roles, as my cold dead hands are not in 1986, landed the role of cold and dead.”

Vincent in Beauty and the Beast But the role that has definiteco-starring Linda Hamilton. ly stretched his acting chops The next 20 years would covis the one of Clay Morrow on er a spectrum of roles in both the critically acclaimed FX sefilm and television, sci-fi and ries Sons of Anarchy. The show drama, including One in The created a loyal fan base lasting City of Lost Children, Norman seven seasons. Perlman shared Arbuthnot in the thought-proin an interview with Huffingvoking drama The Last Supper, ton Post that he would have and the fire-powered hero, liked to see Morrow go out Fiery Blaze, in the beloved in a more noble way. “What I comic series, The Tick. Voice would’ve loved to have seen is Over work became a staple in kind of ‘Oedipus at Colonus.’

Perlman’s career, lending his He’s now realized that he’s voice for such videos games married and fucked his mothand shows as Adventure Time, er and killed his father. That’s Batman the Bold and Brave, the Oedipus story. I would’ve True Crime, and Justice League. hoped, because of the nobility In 2004, Ron was on the big that I saw in Clay from the getscreen with a franchise that go, that he had gone out that would prove to be successful. way. He didn’t, but that wasn’t Hellboy, a comic book characmy choice.” ter created by Mike Mignola Perlman is enjoying his new at Dark Horse Comics, came gig as Judge Pernell Harris on alive on the big screen, makthe Amazon original series ing him one of Perlman’s most Hand of God. In an interview 18 I New Mexico Entertainment • January 2016

with Digital Trends, Perlman talks about his character.

“Judge Pernell Harris is the straw that stirs the drinks,” said Perlman. “Probably 75 percent of the streets in San Vicente are named after his grandfather or his great-grandfather, so he’s a man who’s used to wielding power. If you have money in San Vincente, it’s usually because he wants you to. If you have nothing, it’s usually because he wants you to. He’s a real old-school, tough-as-nails judge whose nickname was Judge Maximum.” Amazon has announced that Hand of God will be returning for season two, giving viewers a chance to see what Pernell has in store.

With the second installment of Pacific Rim and the upcoming film adaptation of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them being slated for production in 2016, Ron will certainly be a busy man. But it’s a given that, when it comes to Perlman, his performances will not be lackluster. He has proven that what he brings to the table will keep audiences glued to their television sets and movie screens and we will keep asking for more.

NME - Teresa Ewers Ron Perlman will be a guest at this year Albuquerque Comic Con on January 8th-10th at the Albuquerque Convention Center. Tickets are available at www.albuquerquecomiccon.com

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BEHIND THE SCENES: JEAN COCTEAU TAKES ON BOOK SIGNINGS

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he Jean Cocteau Cinema in Santa Fe is a restored movie and show theater. Made famous by its owner, George RR Martin, the theater specialize in independent films and showing Game of Thrones on the big screen. Not a place to back down from controversy, it was one of only a handful of theaters in New Mexico that showed The Interview during the holidays in 2014 when the mainstream cinemas wouldn’t touch it.

This year it has taken another step in ring versatility to theater - book signings. Not just any old run-ofthe-mill books - New York Times bestselling authors are on this list.

In 2015, cyberpunk/science fictions authors paved the way with William Gibson and Neal Stephson making stops in Santa Fe to have a sit-down.

The small theater provides an intimate setting with 130 seats. George RR Martin will entertain groups with stories and discussions while dismissing rows individually to get their books signed. The information 20 I

these writers share on their process, their inspirations, and their trials and tribulations is worth a trip to JC. Along with book signings, the JC features releases of new science fiction/ fantasy movies and even visits

by The Suicide Girls. If you thought you knew what the JC is all about, look again. The 2016 schedule will post to their website soon.You’re probably missing an eye-opening event right now! A quick trip from Albuquerque, the JC is the Rail Yard vicinity - only a quick train ride away, with plenty of parking if your driving in. NME -Winter Elise

Meg Cabot, author of the Princess Diaries, will join us on February 8th at 7:00 PM to read from and sign copies of her latest book, Remembrance!

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SIGHTSEEING: ALBUQUERQUE COMIC CON

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lbuquerque Comic Con will return to the city of Albuquerque in the newly remodeled Albuquerque Convention Center. The event starts on Friday, January 8th with a press conference at the Civic Plaza outside of the Convention Center at 3:00 pm with celebrity Guest Michael Dorn who played Worf from Star Trek and Peter Mayhew of the Star Wars franchise, including the record-breaking Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The event continues on Friday with doors to the Convention floor opening at 4:00 p.m. for Preview Night until 8:00 p.m.

On Saturday and Sunday, January 9th and 10th, doors open at 9:00 a.m. for VIPs and those needing special assistance, with entrance for the general public at 10:00 a.m. The festivities last until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday and conclude at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.

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Guests attending the weekend will include Ron Perlman of Sons of Anarchy, Nichelle Nichols who played Chief Communications Officer Lt. Uhura on the legendary Star Trek, Peter Mayhew who played Chewbacca in the Star Wars franchise, Kevin Grevioux writer of Underworld, Madison Lintz and Kylie Szymanski of the Walking Dead, Jason David Frank (Tommy, Power Rangers), Marky Ramone of the Ramones, Mackenzie Lintz of Under the Dome, Matt Lintz from Pixels, Gil Gerard who was Buck Rogers, Chad Rook of the upcoming Planet of the Apes, Christy Ramono from Kim Possible, and Mike Zeck creator of Marvel Comics The Punisher.

For information on tickets and other guests attending the event, visit www.AlbuquerqueComicCon.com.

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SIGHTSEEING: HOLLY HOLM PARADE: Photos by Aaron Cowan

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