New Mexico Entertainment October 2014 by NMEntertains

V2 / Is10 • OCTOBER 2014

ALSO IN THIS

ISSUE

GREASE

Naomi Grossman

Ernie Hudson

Manu Bennett

From The Hobbit to Arrow, Manu Bennett is making his mark on the big and small screen and making an appearance at this year ’s Santa Fe Comic Con

TABLE OF CONTENTS PG 16

COVER STORY

Manu Bennett

From The Hobbit to Arrow, Manu Bennett is making his mark on the big and small screen and making an appearance at this year’s Santa Fe Comic Con. PAGE 4

LET US ENTERTAIN YOU GREASE is the word

THE 5

Naomi Goodman

Albuquerque Little Theater brings on the famous musical.

Ms. Pepper herself, Naomi Goodman share a little about her upcoming season on American Horror Stories.

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TURN IT UP The Harp Twins The young men’s choir plans to excite audiences with their upcoming show.

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EXTRAS Ernie Hudson(bio) Learn more about our favorite Ghostbuster.

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Doug Stanhope

Santa Fe Comic Con

MAKE ‘EM LAUGH

EXTRAS

This 23-year-old comedian is on a mission to make people laugh.

Horror, Sci-Fi and Comics rolled into one convention.

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20 BETWEEN THE PAGES The Storyteller’s Anthology Add text. 21 FOLLOW-UP Better the second time around A review on WICKED Redux.

24 CALENDAR OF EVENTS Check out the latest events you should be going to in New Mexico. 26 SIGHTSEEING: Photos around the state

NME STAFF Teresa Robinson-Ewers Publisher / Editor-in-Chief info@NMEntertains.com -------------------------------------------------Eduardo Robinson Managing Editor -------------------------------------------------Ariel Bisbee Photography & Multimedia Director CONTRIBUTORS Darlene Esquibel, Winter Flack, Adrian Luna, Nadeige Severinghaus, Stephen Smith, Dave Staggs, Michel West, Mike West 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.

New Mexico Entertainment 231 Sierra Dr. SE, Suite #7 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108 505.450.4706 • www.NMEntertains.com

October 2014

LET US ENTERT ENTERTAIN Y OU: GREASE at Albuquerque Little Theater

ut on your leather jackets and take a trip to the nifty fifties with the original rock ‘n’ roll high school musical, GREASE! Good girl Sandy and greaser Danny fell in love over the summer. But when they unexpectedly discover they’re now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance? Come find out in this exciting production featuring the irresistible songs from the Broadway show and hit movie! Albuquerque Little Theatre’s production of GREASE will be led by Albuquerque favorites Jessica Quindlen as Sandy Dumbrowski, Tasha Waters as Rizzo and Michael Rascon as Kenickie as well as newcomer Kelvin Krupiak as Danny Zuko. Also featured will be Karliz DeMarco (Marty), Andrew Detlefs (Sonny), Colin Burdge (Doody/Teen Angel), Gigi Guajardo (Frenchy), Christy Burbank (Jan), Sheehan Gonzales (Roger), Virginia Asbury (Patty Simcox), Cassidy Allen Knight (Eugene), Joel White (Vince Fontaine) and Shirley Roach (Ms. Lynch). The creative team is made up of Albuquerque Little Theatre Executive Director Henry Avery (Director), Edye

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Allen and Erin Allen (Choreographers), Shelly Andes (Music Director), Nick Tapia (Stage Manager), Joe Moncada (Costume Designer), Ryan Jason Cook (Lighting and Sound Designer) and Nina Dorrance (Props Designer). GREASE opens October 10 and runs through November 2. Performances will be at Albuquerque Little Theatre. Curtain times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:00pm. There is a special Thursday performance at 7:30pm on October 23. Tickets are $24 for general public, $22 for seniors, $18 for students and $12 for children. To purchase your tickets visit www.albuquerquelittletheater.com

LET US ENTERTAIN YOU: THE HARP TWINS

s the world’s only identical twin professional harpists, Camille and Kennerly have a passion and flair for arranging and performing contemporary music for Harp Duet. The twins were trained classically but their true musical love and passion is playing rock, metal, alternative, and crossover genres. The Harp Twins perform on identical statuesque acoustic Concert Grand Harps as well as identical modern ebony Electric Harps. Most recently, Camille and Kennerly have teamed up with Harpsicle/Rees Harps to show what can be done with smaller, affordable harps. The twins’ new metallic blue harps bring a new element to the breadth of their Duet Harp Revolution. Camille and Kennerly have created a unique niche for themsevles: They play rock and metal using only their two harps. Unlike other artists who cover contemporary music, the twins use no backtrack, studio, or production people. They are the archetype of true independent artists. Camille and Kennerly are recognized for their remarkable duet harp arrangements of songs by artists such as 6

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Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Ozzy Osborne, AC/DC, The Rolling Stones, and many more. The twins also arrange and perform a jukebox of TV and Movie Soundtrack, Anime, and Video Game hits. Some fan favorites include their renditions of music from Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead, Star Trek, Star Wars, Doctor Who, Downton Abbey, Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit. In addition to being prolific arrangers, Camille and Kennerly compose and perform their own original pieces for Harp Duet. Camille and Kennerly’s radical Duet Harp Revolution is changing the world’s perception of the harp, and the way harp is played – one song at a time. The Harp Twins perform as featured artists for public, private, philanthropic, academic, corporate, and political events. Camille and Kennerly have performed for celebrities and political leaders. The Harp Twins were featured musicians at the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration, playing for three events over two days, including a dinner where President Barack Obama was the speaker.

Camille and Kennerly also performed for United States Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert’s retirement banquet. Other notable duet harp performances include a luncheon where former First Lady Laura Bush was the featured speaker and a dinner event with former Vice President Cheney as the special guest. The Harp Twins were featured performers for a private pre-opening event to celebrate French haute couture fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier’s exhibit “From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk”, which premiered at the De Young Museum in San Francisco. Additionally, celebrity photographer, Martin Schoeller, asked Camille and Kennerly to perform at both opening events for his book “Identical: Portraits of Twins” in New York and Beverly Hills, CA. Camille and Kennerly and their music have been featured in worldwide mainstream media such as G4TV’s “Attack of the Show”, BuzzFeed, Kotaku, and Yahoo! News. Notably, Camille and Kennerly were featured in one of the UK’s biggest metal music magazines, Metal Hammer. The Harp Twins’ music has also caught the attention of the original artists and music composers. Bear McCreary, (composer of the music from Battlestar Galactica and The Walking Dead) shared Camille and Kennerly’s arrangement of his Walking Dead theme on his official sites calling it ” awesome” and “one of the most unusual covers” of his music that he had ever heard. Additionally, Blue Oyster Cult founding member, Albert Bouchard, called the twins’ arrangement of “Don’t Fear the Reaper” a “great arrangement”, saying on their video “I love how you covered the lead guitar lines”. In December of 2013, Camille and Kennerly released their much-anticipated first cover albums: Harp Attack – Featuring 14 of their most popular rock and metal arrangements, and Harp Fantasy – Featuring 14 of their most popular TV and Movie soundtrack, Anime, and Video Game arrangements.

October 2014

MAKE ‘EM LAUGH: DOUG STANHOPE By Winter Flack

ince 1990, Doug Stanhope has committed his life to the art of stand-up comedy. With subject matter ranging from his thoughts about abortion being Green; over-population needs to be handled - and he has some colorful ideas to help you down that path, or starting a charity fundraiser Atheists Unite on Indegogo, to help an atheist who lost her home in the bible belt move elsewhere, or even to the death of his own beloved mother. Stanhope is an equal opportunity “drag your dirty little secrets in to the light of day” kind of guy. So, if you're easily offended, stay home, or better yet, bring the protest, I’m sure he would have a few choice words for you and your following.

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Stanhope, a self-proclaimed lazy man, moved from Los Angeles to the middle of nowhere Arizona for a peaceful life. Touring most of the year doesn’t leave Stanhope much time for anything else, but even he couldn’t resist when he received a phone call from Johnny Depp to work on a project. “It’s a secret, but not that secret of project.” Coming back to the Duke City to play Launchpad on October 9th for the second year in a row is good news to the veteran comic. For a long time, it was rare to play a venue and be allowed back. Shanhope said of Laff's, the (now defunct) comedy club in Albuquerque, “When they were open they wouldn’t touch me with

a stick, so it’s great to be invited back.” Like most comics, Stanhope started at an Open Mic Night with the hope of getting the ladies. “I couldn’t sing, I wasn’t good looking, but I could make ‘em laugh” He never had aspirations of turning comedy into a career, but some callings are too strong to ignore. Whether he is offending your morality, insulting your favorite passtime, or attacking your corporate overlords, Stanhope is nothing but honest when it comes to airing his grievances with the world and is not to be missed.

THE 5: NAOMI GROSSMAN by Teresa Ewers

ecoming a familiar face in theater and on-screen, Naomi Grossman is no strange to the little/big state of New Mexico. Grossman calls Taos home. While she grew up in Denver, her parents honeymooned in Taos and always kept a place there. Every long weekend, the family would go to the “Taos house”. and when Grossman left the nest, they moved there permanently. She has much love for New Mexico and is excited to be dropping in for the Santa Fe Comic Con. Grossman took a moment out of her busy schedule, preparing for the red carpet premiere of American Horror Story: Freak Show, to sit down with New Mexico Entertainment asking five questions about her career - both past, present and future projects. What was your drive force to do theater? I grew up in an über-cultured household. We’re talking first grade, my parents dressed me as Salvador Dalí for Halloween. So of course theatre was a big part of our lives. They exposed me to plays, musicals, opera, ballet... I just always knew I wanted to be up there, on stage. For about five minutes, again, way back in first grade, I debated being an astronaut. But then I heard I’d have to do math, and that was the end of that. Actress it was-- and I’ve never wavered since.

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You were quite the self-starter - producing, directing and starring in a lot of the projects you worked in. What do you look for in the projects you create for the screen? I look for what makes me laugh. That’s all. Of course, with my solo shows, I like to take the audience on a journey, and move them from laughs to tears-- though that’s a bit ambitious for a little youtube vid. I never wanted to be some internet sensation-- I just thought of it as an outlet for performance, a way to reach an audience. In fact, those shorts were mostly born of frustration. I wasn’t getting cast, because let’s face it, I’m not a wallflower who can easily step into those “nurse #2 to the left” -type roles, which actors first starting out typically book. And yet, a studio wasn’t going to just hand me a sitcom either. So, I thought about I wanted: to act. So... I created opportunities for myself to do that! I quit wasting time and postage, mailing headshots around town, and cast myself. Which is how all those silly little sketches on YouTube came about. While I can’t say those shorts necessarily opened doors directly, they did reinvigorate my then waning passion, and kept me in the game. Which is, in my opinion, a key to this (and all) business.

some of the most creative, imaginative, and hilarious people in the industry. I used to crank out a good seven sketches a week. So my brain was constantly working, dreaming up these absurd scenarios, giving life to these kooky characters. At the same time, it was a pressure-cooker. While we needed each other to succeed (you’re only as strong as your weakest link), we also needed each other to fail (so that we might succeed). I didn’t like that aspect. Ultimately, I was let go; though as a member of the Sunday Company, I went as far as you can in the program. And well, more successful actors and comedians were cut from the Groundlings than ever made the company! So what was once a source of shame, I now wear as a badge of honor. Honestly, I think they did me a favor by cutting me. Had I stayed, I might be still be on Melrose Avenue, writing sketches and playing with wigs. Which at the time, was what I thought I wanted!

Can we just take a minute and talk about your time with the Groundlings. What was that like? Ah, ‘twas the best of times, ‘twas the worst of times! It was such an inspiring period: I was surrounded, practically around the clock, by

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Instead, I was forced out of that three-minute sketch-comfort zone, and given the freedom to find my own expression within a much larger medium, thus yielding my solo shows. Which is work I feel represents me, and what I want to express as artist much more. Pepper, Pepper, Pepper! Fans could not get enough of your character on American Horror Story. What drew you to that character? What was it like working with such an amazing cast? I don’t know that I was ever “drawn” to the character, per se. I think she was drawn to me! I don’t know... I was cast in the roll, and the rest is history. That said, since even before those Groundlings days, I’ve gravitated toward big, broad, overthe-top characters. So it’s no wonder I would land a role like Pepper. I‘m just surprised I hadn’t created a character like her already. As far as working with such an amazing cast, it’s been… amazing. From legends like Jessica Lange, who I watch daily give Emmy-worthy performances; to James Cromwell, who not only won “best supporting actor” for his role in “Asylum,” but also wins “most supportive.” I remember him whispering to me: “If you turn your head on this line, you’ll get more camera-time.” What actor says that to another? Especially when it means less camera-time on him. “Freak Show” has been especially inspiring, because not only do I get work with A-listers like Jessica and Jamie, but now this menagerie of

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amazing (for lack of a better term) “freaks.” I’ve learned so much about humanity from them already. Take, for example, when I first met Mat Fraser, who plays “Paul the Illustrated Seal.” He thrust his little flipper-hand into mine, forcing me to shake it-- which was shocking to me at the time. But why? That’s what you do when you meet someone! You extend your hand. I quick caught myself, and thought, “Duh. That’s his hand. Shake it already,” and now I consider him a great friend. It’s moments like those that make this season particularly exciting. I think it’s going to open up a whole new, important conversation about what’s “normal” and how we view diversity and disability. Tell us a little about your new project The Chair? I don’t know much, except that we start shooting in February! They’ve got a cool cast compiled, which I’m gradually meeting as I make my way around the horror/comic con circuit. I’m one of the few women-- it takes place in a male prison-- I play the mother of the lead who is on death row. Seen in flashbacks, of course. (I’m not that old!) It’s well-written, and that’s why I signed on. In my opinion, if you don’t have good script, you don’t have a good movie. So I’m hoping we’ll have a good movie! Learn about Naomi's latest projects by visit her website at www.naomigrossman.net, "like" her on Facebook (NaomiWGrossman) and follow her on Twitter @naomiwgrossman

EXTRAS: ERNIE HUDSON

rnie Hudson is one of the most sought-after actors of our time with an impressive list of credits and awards whose body of work has diverse range. He is a beloved star in film, television and stage, long considered one of Hollywood’s iconic working actors who continually delivers. In his early years, Hudson served in the Marine Corps and then moved to Detroit, Michigan. He became the resident playwright at Concept East, the oldest black theatre company in the U.S. He established the Actors' Ensemble Theatre where he and other talented young black writers directed and appeared in their own works. Later, he enrolled and subsequently graduated from the Yale School of Drama. Hudson first met Ivan Reitman on "Spacehunters." It wasn't long before he was asked to join Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd and Harold Ramis in the 1984 feature film “Ghostbusters gained fame playing 'Winston Zeddemore,' the fourth 'Ghostbuster.' The 1989 sequel, "Ghostbusters 2," cemented his stardom as both films ultimately became two absolute fan favorite blockbuster films. A trio of critically lauded roles in diverse films soon followed from his standout role as the mentally challenged 'Solomon' in “The Hand that Rocks the Cradle" to 'Munro' in "Congo" and 'Police Sgt. Albrecht' in the award-winning film, “The Crow." Hudson continued to expand industry attention by changing gears again showing amazing range 14

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EXTRAS: ERNIE HUDSON

in his role as 'Harry McDonald,' the FBI superior of Sandra Bullock's character in the feature film, “Miss Congeniality” (2000) and its hit sequel, "Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous" in 2005. It is perhaps on the small screen where Hudson's wide range is most varied. Whether in memorable roles like 'Warden Leo Glynn' on HBO's lauded series “Oz" or the final season of “Law & Order” as Lt. Anita Van Buren's boyfriend and then fiancé, Ernie's ability to become the character is precisely what sets him apart. He has guest-starred on a myriad of shows from “Modern Family" and “Grey’s Anatomy” to “Criminal Minds," "Key and Peele" and "Franklin & Bash," among many, many others. Earlier this year, he starred in Lifetime's acclaimed, award-winning ensemble drama, “Call Me Crazy: A Five Film” as Jennifer Hudson's father

who insisted Ernie be cast opposite her. Co-directed by Laura Dern, Ashley Judd and Bryce Dallas Howard and also starring Melissa Leo, Octavia Spencer, Jason Ritter and Sarah Hyland, Ernie recently joined his core cast to accepted the PRISM Award for Best Ensemble TV Special of 2014 for its groundbreaking dramatization starring A-list actors examining complex stories on mental illness. His next feature film due for release this year is the much anticipated “You’re Not You” (eOne Films) based in the hit book, with Emily Rossum, Josh Duhamel, Hillary Swank and Frances Fisher set to come out Fall 2014. Learn more about Hudson's latest project by following him on Twitter @Ernie_Hudson or "like" him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ErnieHud sonOfficial.

COVER Y: MANU BENNET T b y W inter Flack COVER STOR STORY Flack

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rom athlete to actor, covering the gambit in between, Manu Bennett has a career to be proud of. From his home country of New Zealand to the American shoreline, action, adventure, and middle Earth have been part of his life. A young Manu was trained by his father to be a national athlete in New Zealand. He competed mostly in running, jumping, and throwing events. “My best event was the hurdles, maybe a metaphor given the many I've had to leap throughout life.” The first of those many hurdles came in the two week time period that his mother and brother were killed in two separate car accidents. Bennett's grades fell do to poor concentration and emotional pain. Rugby became his outlet of choice along with the arts. He excelled on the field, venting his aggression. Later in his career he used these emotions to bring characters to life on the screen. Art as therapy continued into his teenage years when a girlfriend, who was a ballerina, asked him and his friend to help the troop by being in West Side Story. Which led to other musicals such as Grease and Swan Lake. “In fact," Bennett said. "I couldn't attend the trials for the Australian Schoolboys Rugby Union Team because I was committed to a local production of Swan Lake. Trying to explain that to a bunch of rugby lads was futile. It was my Billy Elliot moment, but I loved dancing. Dancing proved to be as physically demanding as Rugby, with the advantage of carrying around ballerinas. Dancing gives a body awareness you don’t necessarily get in other

sports." After his mother’s death, Bennett was sent to Maori Boarding School in rural New Zealand. The school was rife with bullying and a drastically different attitude then the urban Australian schools he had previously attended. “That school was very much a Spartacus type experience for me, where survival meant pretty much having to fight for your rights.” In hindsight, the school played a huge role in his career, allowing him to be fully invested in characters he played. The example came in handy when it came to his role as Crixus from Spartucas. "I took a lot of that experience with me into my performance on the series and portraying the character of Crixus from bully to a gladiator who was forced to join with others." expressed Bennett. "It was tough but I figure: If you haven't lived it, you can't be that great at acting it." Challenging roles with a good support system are what actors dream about to expand their range. The Hobbit, was a learning experience. The opportunity to work with Peter Jackson was one he will not forget. “Working with Peter was a great honor, something I hold as the highest achievement in my career thus far, yet it was the shortest & probably the most underpaid job I've done," Bennett shared. "Stepping into the shoes of Andy Serkis was overwhelming and creating Azog, the leader of the Orcs, posed a whole bunch of new opportunities for me as an actor, developing scenes in post-production when all of the other actors had wrapped. I'm lucky Peter was as patient & understandOctober 2014

ing a man as he is, because I stretched everything out to get the most out of the little I had to work with, including a pommel horse on skate wheels that I rode which would later evolve into my white warg, a giant wolf creature. When I asked Peter if I could develop a relationship with my warg he took a deep breath & trusted me & for whatever it was worth it was a decisive choice in how I played out Azog, who spent a lot of time riding that white warg. The artistry & technology involved in The Hobbit was on another level and the commeraderie on the set of a Peter Jackson production is spurred on by the General himself - it's just a feeling in the air. New York actors hav e Martin Scorcese, New Zealand

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actors have Sir Peter Jackson." From Kuwait to L.A., the audition for Deathstroke, Bennett's latest character on the television series Arrow, was not something to be taken lightly. In

Bennett as Azog in The Hobb it Trilogy.

Kuwait, a week before the audition, Bennett was training with Special Forces officers in the art of the take down. When he arrived in L.A. for the read, Bennett gave them a little something special. “The one thing no one in the casting room was counting on was when I got the reader auditioning with me in the choke hold, "Bennett says. "I actually choked him out and he collapsed on the ground momentarily unconscious. It was a very strange moment when the whole world just stops. I asked the casting director if him collapsing was meant to be part of the scene that he was acting out. The director said, ‘No. I think you choked him out.’ I apologized profusely, but he stopped me and said ‘It was perfect.’ So, what I thought might have been my last Hollywood audition turned into an epic journey taking me to Vancouver, Canada for

18 months where I helped turn Slade Wilson into one of DC Comic World's most popular super villains.” Unfortunately Deathstroke is still in purgatory, so there were no juicy bits to spill about Season three, so we will all have to stay tuned in. Bennett did leave us one teasing bit of information. After he leave the Santa Fe Comic Con at the end of the month, he will be on his way to Seattle for an “interesting project". You'll hear more about that in 2015! An inspirational career to many, Bennett knows how to take on the hurdles of life and come out on top. Hard work and learning to focus his emotional stress into physical activity and acting has taken the sting away, but not his memories. Tune in and watch Bennett on Arrow on the CW (he will get out of purgatory) and look for new projects coming from this versatile actor.

BETWEEN THE PAGES: THE STORYTELLER’S ANTHOLOGY by Winter Flack pieces in the book range from a kitty cat’s point of view of finding a new home to the last days of a beloved father’s life. There is even a surreal spooky story about a drive up I25. You can go to southwestwriters.com and order yourself a copy of this book and donate money to a great cause while finding some talent writers.

outhWest Writers presents: The Storyteller’s Anthology. This hefty 300 plus page volume is a collection of writing from the largest writing group in New Mexico. The idea behind the book was born after water damage at the SouthWest Writer’s headquarters. On a donation basis the writing group with over 400 members asked people to donate short stories, poetry, essays, and book excerpts. They received hundreds of entries. Peggy Herrington Editor with the help of Patricia Woods, Jacqueline M Loring, and Jonathan Miller culled through the entries to bring you this crossing section of writing from New Mexican writers. A Tribe of Writers, the introduction by Anne Hillerman speaks to what and who writers are in relationship to one another and themselves. Followed up with brief articles on what SouthWest is and a look at their history. The rest of the pages are dedicated to impeccable story telling, lyrical poetry, and touching memoirs. The

October 2014

FOLLOW-UP: WICKED by Teresa Ewers

Left to right: Emma Hunton; Emma Hunton and Chandra Lee Schwartz Photos by Joan Marcus

here is nothing like seeing the wonderment in a child's eyes when they witness something they waited a long time to see. Last night I got to see WICKED during its second run here at Popejoy Hall. I saw the show the first time around and planned to take my daughter with me, but she got sick and didn't get to see it. Tonight, my 8-yearold got in her favorite party dress and joined me for an evening of light snacks, drinks, and one of the most breathtaking musicals to grace Broadway and the Popejoy stage. If the set doesn't draw you in immediately, the opening number of No One Mourns the Wicked will. The citizens of Oz singing about the death of Oz's most wanted, The Wicked Witch, sets the stage for an amazing two and a half hours of live theater. Chandra Lee Schwartz in the role as the bubbly and "goodest of the good", Glinda, was impressive, which was only matched with the strength and bravery of

the woman in green, Elphaba, played by the awe-inspiring Emma Hunton. The chemistry between these two characters take you on a ride. You feel the "unadulterated loathing" at the beginning of their relationship during What is This Feeling?, but then the moment, which still brings tears to my eyes, when Glinda steps out of the role of "Ms. Perfect" and dances with Elphaba in front of everyone, start a new journey that we all join along with the characters. Tim Kazurinsky (Saturday Night Live, Police Academy) as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz was memorable and the Broadway sensation, Alison Fraser, as Madame Morrible shows why she is a goddess of theater. The boys of Oz, Boq and Fiyero, like everyone in the show, were strong characters and not only helped develop Glinda and Elphaba, but found a change in themselves as well. Then there's the music, which drives the storyline beautifully. With songs like

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Popular and Dancing Through Life, you will find yourself dancing in your seat and I don't care how many times you see it, the moment Elphaba flies in Defying Gravity and tells those that have kept her down that she will no longer be held, it is a moment that you will not forget. Of course, For Good brings us back to the relationship of two friends, who you end up rooting for against all odds. My daughter, with tears pouring down her eyes, reminded me of how I felt when I first saw the show (which still got me the second time around.) WICKED is an emotional roller coaster that you will find yourself wanting to ride again and again. Last night made me think about how live theater is a magical experience. I told my daughter when we walked into the lobby of Popejoy that you will not see Popejoy Hall the same way after

watching WICKED. After the show, when the tears stopped, she told me I was right. That theater became a wonderland of characters and scenes that made you forget about everything else in the world and I was happy to experience it again with my little girl. I urge everyone to witness this show. It is an experience you will be glad to partake in.

EXTRAS: SANTA FE COMIC CON Photos below: Some of the guests attending this year's event are Linda Blair of The Exorcist, Fred Williamson of From Dusk to Dawn and Lisa Loring who played Wednesday from The Addams Family.

ew Mexico Tri Con features Horror, Sci-Fi and Comic Books all rolled into the best for Santa Fe Comic Con. Following the 7th successful show of Albuquerque Comic Con, Santa Fe Comic Con will bring the same quality and fun to the Santa Fe Community. This unique event will focus on three different areas: Horror: In the Halloween spirit, Santa Fe Comic Con (SFCC) will present stars from film and film festival themed movies, bringing the most fun New Mexico has ever seen. Vampires, Machete wielding psychopaths, Zombies, and Possessed children are the horror characters we will see at SFCC. Our comic book guests will be known for work in the horror genre and our A-list local talent will have exclusive prints appropriate for the season. Sci Fi: SCFF will see guests from the greatest SciFi films and TV shows. Star Wars, Star

Trek, Dr. Who, and more. Science Fiction is a staple for the industry and comic conventions, and SFCC will be no exception. Comic Books: Comic books are always the focus of a good comic con, which is why SFCC is bring some of those that are famous for bringing the horror and hero genres to life. From zombies to vampires, to possessed monsters of mad scientists, you will see comic book legends who have inspired our childhoods and the lives of our favorite film makers. Santa Fe Comic Con was created by Actor and Producer, Jim Burleson, who is known in the comic convention arena. He also created The Albuquerque Comic Con, which will be celebrating their 5th year as one of the premier conventions in the state of New Mexico. For more information on the Santa Fe Comic Con or to purchase tickets, visit http://www.santafecomiccon.com/

CA;ENDAR OF EVENTS

OCTOBER 13, 2014 LEV GROSSMAN

Author Lev Grossman will appear at the Jean Cocteau Cinema to read from the final installment in his “Magicians” trilogy, The Magicians Land. Book Signing and an interview/Q&A facilitated by George R.R. Martin will follow. http://www.jeancocteaucinema.com

OCTOBER 2014 DIA DE LOS MUERTOS CELEBRATION The Day of the Dead with lots of music and food. Join the candlelight procession (November 2) as the dead are remembered. Homemade altars are on display and a giant pinata is broken open. Old Mesilla laza. (575) 647-2639 http://www.mesillanm.gov/tourism/events/category/events/ MESILLA VALLEY CORN MAZE It’s the most fun you can have in a corn field. Bring the kids and those that are “kids at heart” to the rural fun of the Mesilla Valley Maze. Take a hayride out to the pumpkin patch to look for the perfect Jack-O-Lantern, then discover the many twists and turns amazingly cut into a corn field. Saturdays and Sundays. 3855 West Picacho Avenue. (575) 526-1919 www.mesillavalleymaze.com MESILLA JAZZ HAPPENING Mesilla Valley Jazz Happening will be swinging into historic Old Mesilla at the Mercado Plaza and on the Historic Plaza. The Plazas will host free live jazz music at two venues. A special Wine Garden at each venue featuring eight New Mexico Wineries will provide wine tasting. Horse drawn wagons will offer free transportation between the Mercado and the historic plaza. Old Mesilla Plaza. (575) 526-2620 http://www.mesillanm.gov/tourism/events/category/events/ LA VINA WINE FESTIVAL This festival is the oldest wine festival in New Mexico and features food, entertainment and of course, wine produced by New Mexico’s oldest winery. La Viña Winery, La Union. (575) 882-7632 http://lavinawinery.com/

October 2014

UNTIL OCTOBER 5 I NICKEL AND DIMED Thursdays and Fridays, 8:00 pm • Sundays, 2:00 pm The Adobe Theatre 9813 Fourth Street NW Albuquerque, NM Can a middle-aged, middle-class woman survive when she suddenly has to make beds all day in a hotel and live on $7/hour? Maybe. But one $7-an-hour job won’t pay the rent; she’ll have to do back-to-back shifts, as a chambermaid and waitress. This isn’t the first surprise for acclaimed author Barbara, who set out to research low-wage life firsthand, confident she was prepared for the worst. This play shows us the life a third of working Americans now lead, and makes us ask the question: should anyone have to live it? (505) 898-9222 http://www.adobetheater.org UNTIL OCT 12 I BEFORE BATAAN: NEW MEXICO'S 200TH COAST ARTILLERY Jean Cocteau Cinema 418 Montezuma Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505) 466-5528 http://www.jeancocteaucinema.com 1-5 I SOUTHERN NEW MEXICO STATE FAIR & RODEO The Southern New Mexico State Fair has something for everyone; a midway, an auction, food, music, livestock shows and a cowboy rodeo. Southern New Mexico State Fairgrounds. (575) 524-8602 http://www.snmstatefairgrounds.net/ 10-NOV 2 I GREASE Here is Rydell High’s senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding “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. Head “greaser” Danny Zuko and new (good) girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive the high romance of their “Summer Nights” as the rest of the gang sings and dances its way through such songs as “Greased Lightnin’” and “We Go Together,” recalling the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Elvis Presley that became the soundtrack of a generation. Albuquerque Little Theatre 224 San Pasquale SW Albuquerque, NM 87104 (505) 242-4750 ext. 2 http://www.albuquerquelittletheatre.org 12 I FALL FIESTA FARMER'S MARKET INSTITUTE Il Piatto will be featured donor for the live auction. Donating a Farm to Table five course dinner for 10 guests at Il Piatto with paired wines. Santa Fe Farmer's Market Pavillion Santa Fe, NM http://www.santafefarmersmarket.com 13 I AUTHOR LEV GROSSMAN Jean Cocteau Cinema 418 Montezuma Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505) 466-5528 http://www.jeancocteaucinema.com 14 I EDIBLE MAGAZINE'S MOVEABLE FEAST Featuring our favorite local farmers and vendors. Il Piatto and Edible come together to celebrate local food by offering a prix-fixe dinner menu or a lunch special for one day, one week or the entire month, that is at least 60% locally sourced. Il Piatto Santa Fe, NM http://www.ediblesantafe.com 19 I AUTHOR MAX EVANS Jean Cocteau Cinema 418 Montezuma Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505) 466-5528 http://www.jeancocteaucinema.com

24-NOVEMBER 16 I THE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING Thursdays and Fridays, 8:00 pm • Sundays, 2:00 pm The Adobe Theatre 9813 Fourth Street NW Albuquerque, NM Carson McCullers’ touching and poignant play center around Frankie Adams, a twelve-yearold girl caught between childhood innocence and the throes of adolescence. Winner of the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, this coming-of-age play also explores the intrinsically enmeshed lives of whites and blacks in the American South, 1945. (505) 898-9222 http://www.adobetheater.org 24-25 I THE FOURTH ANNUAL ROCKY HORROR ANNIVERSARY SHOW 10:30pm The Guild Cinema 3405 Central Ave NE Albuquerque, NM 87106 http://www.myprideonline.com/rockyhorror.html 24-26 I SANTA FE COMIC CON Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino The Southwests most anticipated Horror, Syfy and comic event. Three days of your favorite Film, Comic and media guests, including panels, Movies screenings, costume contests and more. www.santafecomiccon.com

OCTOBER 24-25 2014

THE FOURTH ANNUAL ROCKY HORROR ANNIVERSARY SHOW Let’s do the Time Warp again. Join us as we celebrate all things Rocky! http://www.myprideonline.com/rocky-horror.html

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SIGHTSEEING: Photos from around town September was all about The New Mexico State Fair, rocking out at the Grand Opening of Rock & Brews and Defying Gravity with WICKED.

October 2014