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Welcome,
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Good Morning.
"Great bird,
with your golden dreams, flying high
- flying high"
Aspire to go out and soar today!
And if you find you can't -
Go home and get high!
The
Legal Department of Wanzie.com would
like to make sure that our readers
understand that when Mr. Wanzie
speaks of "Go home and get high!"
he is speaking of getting high on
reading a good book, or riding a
thrill ride, or getting carried away
with your balloon hobby. He is in
no way encouraging illegal drug use.
As all of our readers know, Mr.
Wanzie is the Two time
Spiritual Leader for Orlando,
and always maintains the highest of
personal standards in behavior,
dress, and footwear.
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Box Office Quick Links continued:
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Official WANZeGRAM Outing to see
FIDDLER/Frank McClain |
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Orlando resident and Opera mainstay Frank
McClain (Central Florida's favorite Mr.
Charles) is currently performing in a
touring production of Fiddler On The
Roof that will soon be playing The
Osceola Performing Arts Center (formerly The
Tupperware Auditorium) during the Florida
leg of the musical's travel itinerary.
This production of Fiddler on the Roof
stars Bruce Goldman as Tevye:
"Bruce Goldman is masterful"
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Florida Times Union, Jacksonville
"Goldman absolutely feasts on his role"
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The Recorder, Pointe Vedra Beach
"Goldman has impeccable timing"
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Entertaining U, Jacksonville
"Bruce Goldman is magnificent"
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Island Packet, Hilton Head
This touring production of Fiddler is
purported to be every bit as engaging as the
original
Broadway
production, which opened in 1964, and was
the first run of a musical in history to
surpass the 3,000-performances mark.
Fiddler held the record for the
longest-running Broadway musical for almost
10 years.
WANZeGRAM subscriber Frank McClain
plays the part of the Russian Constable in
this Fiddler. While not a
particularly large role, it is a part for
which Frank's voice and physicality are a
perfect match. It was also the right job
offer at the right time. Frank had just lost
his much-loved position at the Orlando Opera
when the Company abruptly shuttered its
doors this past year. Frank saw the
opportunity to tour with Fiddler as a
bit of an adventure that came into his life
at just the right time. (Although it didn't
actually come to him; Frank flew to New York
for the audition, and later returned to New
York for rehearsals once he was cast in the
show.)
Those of us who saw Frank's convincing
portrayal of the mean-spirited and
intimidating Andrew Borden in the
Charron/Wanzie musical LIZZIE, who
were also privileged to see him play the
no-confidence willy nilly physiatrist in
COURT ORDERED THERAPY: Ladies of Eola Height
Part 3, have been witness to his amazing
range. If you are not familiar with the
scope of Frank McClain's acting abilities,
it would seem implausible that the same
actor who so brilliantly brought to life the
oh-so-fey Mr. Charles is also playing the
stern Russian official charged with evicting
the Jewish villagers from their beloved
Anatevka in Fiddler on the Roof.
Those among us who are aware of Frank
McClain's acting prowess have no doubt, that
even in this supporting role, Frank will
give an impressionable performance.
Also appearing in this production of
Fiddler is Shayna Albertson, who
is currently appearing in the Wanzie
Presents production of Jonathan Padget's
THE BLUE LAGOON: A Musical, under the
direction of Kenny Howard, now
playing at the Footlight Theatre. In fact,
the reason THE BLUE LAGOON is playing
Orlando for only 2 performances is that
Shayna - who plays Tevya's middle daughter
Huddle in Fiddler - had to fit
Lagoon into the two-week hiatus of the
Fiddler tour.
OFFICIAL WANZeGRAM OUTING
Join our group for the matinee performance
of
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Starring
Bruce Goldman
With
Shayna Albertson & Frank McClain
Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 2 PM
If you are unavailable to attend Fiddler
with your fellow WANZeGRAM
Subscriber/Friends but still wish to see the
show, the remaining performance times are
Friday, Saturday, & Sunday - February 12,,
13, & 14 at 8 PM.
Tickets for the Orlando/Kissimmee dates are
not yet on sale.
Please mark your calendars and save the
date.
Watch for specific information concerning
how to reserve your tickets for our official
outing for the matinee on Saturday the 13th,
as well as for general ticket sales for all
performance times, in next week's WANZeGRAM.
Send Wanzie an email to let him know, and he
will personally email you back with the
details the minute reservation information
becomes available. Please include the number
of tickets you are likely to require. We'll
get the best possible deal and relay the
information back to you.
wanziemichael@yahoo.com |
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WANZIE Says, "I told you so." |
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 So
it has been announced.
It's official.
But you heard it here first:
In a tirade about
Sara Palin's book tour, Wanzie recently
wrote: "Does anyone actually believe
this woman has genuine aspirations of
running for President? I believe she
has absolutely no intention of doing so,
but will allow her Kool-Aid drinking
followers to believe she may run, just
long enough to sell them her book,
before she goes off to work for the Fox
Pretend-News Network."
In point of fact, even earlier - way
back in the A NOTE FROM WANZIE in the
Friday, September 4, 2009 edition of his
Gram Wanzie wrote, "Ms. Palin...why not
just get on with it? Become the sheep
herding republican-mouthpiece talk show
host you seem destined to become, and
stop trying to do things that require a
real thinking person's mind."
Well, Wanzie sort
of got it right; Palin IS going to work
for Fox News, BUT because conducting
good interviews does indeed require a
thinking person's mind, Palin will not
avail herself to a typical talk show
format where, in front of a live
audience, she would be called upon to be
spontaneous and to engage in actual
intellectual discourse - at which, we
know, she sucks!
An advisor
familiar with the Fox deal has stated:
"Ms. Palin will not have her own regular
program, though she will host an
occasional series that will run on the
network from time to time."
A "series" which
we at the WANZeGRAM feel certain will
not be live, but will be completely
scripted, and will not be of a format
that will leave this silly
beauty-queen-turned-hockey mom turned
uniquely unqualified vice-presidential
candidate turned so-called author turned
TV personality in a position to further
embarrass herself by actually having to
engage in conversation; the sad and
telling results, of which, we all
remember from the infamous Katie Couric
interviews.
Palin and Fox News
are a perfect match.
Her "series" may
even be worth watching - purely for
entertainment sake, and/or as a case
study on propaganda in America. But
while so many other publications are
touting this alliance as new news,
remember, its coming was foretold right
here in your WANZeGRAM as far back as
September.
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Now on Sale
in our Box Office! |
LAST CHANCE TO SEE IT
TOMORROW - SATURDAY, JANUARY 16
Join
WANZIE & KENNY
For the final performance
Meet playwright/composer
JONATHAN PADGET
In the Footlight Lounge
Following The Show
Select A Seat Now!
DIRECT FROM LOGO TV
ONLY NIGHT ONLY
PAGEANT TICKETS NOW ON SALE
SING OUT LOUISE!
The Chorus
Sings Out
In Unexpected
More-Adult Themes
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Tchotchkes Big & Small |
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A free marketplace for WANZeGRAM
subscribers:
FOR SALE: 1960's-Style "Deep Freeze"
Large open-from-the-top freezer chest. Ugly
battered exterior. Perfect for garage. Clean
interior. In perfect working condition. Very
large capacity. Great for those who shop at
Costco. Seller says, "It's big enough to put
your mother in-law in."
$150 Contact:
barry@theclosingagent.com
Subscribers are
invited to submit items you wish to offer
for sale in this complimentary-listing
section. Non-business listings only. The
WANZeGRAM accepts no responsibility
for/takes no active role in the private
transactions between sellers and buyers.
Listings must include an item header, brief
description of item, price, your name, and a
means of contact. (Pictures optional /
posted at our discretion.) Garage sales may
also be listed here free of charge. PLEASE
NOTE: we at the WANZeGRAM do not advocate
or encourage the exchange of funds other
than in person after the buyer has inspected
the item on offer. This is a local market
place for our Central Florida Subscribers.
We reserve the right to limit listings. The
WANZeGRAM does not endorse any particular
listing/seller, and the WANZeGRAM warrants
no claims.
Submit A Listing |
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We've Got Mail!
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Well, actually we don't.
Please write!
We at the WANZeGRAM are always just
as pleased as punch to receive,
post, and answer our mail in this
public forum. But it takes two to
play! Send your email to WANZIE!
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Short Takes:
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"Loved Blue Lagoon! Thanks for bringing it
down [from NYC]."
- James Wolf
"Happy Anniversary Don & Randall"
- Love, your
"crazy kidz"
"Keep Breathing"
- Sophie
Tucker
Submit YOUR Short Take directly to
WANZIE at
michael@wanzie.com.Be sure to type
"Short Take" in the subject line. Short
Takes submissions must be received no
later than midnight on each Tuesday, for
inclusion in the following Friday GRAM.
A strict limit of 30 words maximum is
imposed. You must provide your first and
last name, which will be printed
following your submission. Your name
will not figure into your word count.
All postings will be at the sole
discretion of the management team at the
lovely WANZIE.com World Headquarters,
with offices inconveniently located in
Melbourne, and Lake Mary, Florida. |
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My Two Cents:
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Submit YOUR TWO CENTS:
My Two Cents submissions must be
received no later than midnight on each
Monday for possible inclusion in the
next Friday GRAM. A strict limit of 350
words will be imposed. Please submit
your column directly to WANZIE at michael@wanzie.com
and kindly type "My Two Cents" in the
subject line.
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THEATER - Broadway's Favorites
Theatre Downtown presents Broadway's
Favorites - A Musical Revue,
opening Friday, January 15th, with
performances select nights through
Saturday, January 30th, 2010. There are
more than 20 singers and dancers in the
cast under the musical direction of
Spencer Crosswell, with Choreography by
Jonathan Guise. Appearing will be:
Nicole Bianco Adam
Shorts-Boarman Sean Buckley
Amy Campione Ian Clark Jim
Jarrell Chelsea Lee
Marion Marsh Sydney McMackin
Mackenzie Potter
Chelsea Probus Anabelle Rucks
Savannah Rucks
Wyatt Rucks Allison Schnack Doug
Boarman-Shorts
Wesley Speed Charlie Stevens
Tianna Stevens
Lia Stivers Lucy Yarbrough Amber
Winfrey
Performances:
Friday & Saturday, January 15 & 16 at 8
PM
Thursday, January 21 at 8 PM
Friday & Saturday, January 22 & 23 at 8
PM
Sunday, January 24 at 2:30 PM
Friday & Saturday, January 29 & 30 at 8
PM
2113 N. Orange Ave
(At Princeton)
Orlando, Florida 32804
$15.00: 407.841.0083
THEATER - Hamlet
Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership
with the UCF production of
Shakespeare's great tragedy: Hamlet follows
a young prince haunted by his murdered
father's ghost and driven to the edge of
madness. To be or not to be is the question.
Starring Orlando Shakes newcomer Avery Clark
as the melancholy Dane, Marni Penning as
Ophelia, and OST favorites Anne Herring as
Gertrude, and Eric Zivot as Claudius.
Directed by Richard Width.
HAMLET
Now Playing through March 14, 2010
Wednesdays & Thursdays: 7 PM
Fridays & Saturdays: 8 PM
Sundays 2 PM
Senior Matinees: Wednesdays, February 17 And
March 3: 2 PM
Post-Show Talkback: Thursday, February 25
Orlando Shakes / Margeson Theater
812 E. Rollins Street
Loch Haven Park
Orlando, FL 32803
$16 - $38:
407.447.1700
http://www.orlandoshakes.org
TRAVEL - JOIN
WANZIE/WORLD'S LARGEST CRUISE SHIP
The departure
date for the seven-night
Eastern-Caribbean Itinerary cruise
sailing from the port of Ft.
Lauderdale is April 24, 2010. Cruise
with Wanzie and other WANZeGRAM
subscribers aboard what is soon to
be the largest cruise ship in the
world - Royal Caribbean's OASIS OF
THE SEAS. The time to book is right
now. Only a $250 deposit is required
at this time.
For complete information and lots of
great pictures of the ship, visit
the CRUISE WITH WANZIE page on the
Wanzie.com website:
http://www.wanzie.com/cruise.html
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Coming
Attractions: |
Upcoming events which
are not listed elsewhere in this
edition of your WANZeGRAM.
Please note that only opening
dates are indicated. Some
events may have extended runs.
Please check with the venue for
additional information.
A comprehensive listing of
most performance venues in Central
Florida, including web links and
phone numbers for ticketing, may be
accessed if you simply
CLICK HERE
Jan 19 SOUTH PACIFIC - King Center
Jan 20 PHANTOM - Bob Carr Performing Arts
Center
Jan 23 KENNY G
Hard Rock Live!
Jan 23 CHRISTOPHER
CROSS - The Plaza Theatre
Jan 26 BEING JOHN MALKOVICH - Enzian
Jan. 29 FIVE WOMEN
WEARING THE SAME DRESS -Breakthrough Theater
JAN 31 RENT -
Orlando Actor's Theatre at Orlando
ShakesFeb. 10 ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL -
Orlando Shakes
Feb. 10 ALL'S WELL
THAT ENDS WELL - Orlando Shakes
Feb. 12 THE FANTASTICKS - Theatre
Downtown
Feb. 13 HARRY
CONICK, JR. - King Center
All's Well That Ends Well
- "I'll love her dearly, ever, ever dearly." |
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Now Playing: |
Ongoing attractions
currently being presented which are
not featured elsewhere in this
edition of your WANZeGRAM
Through Jan. 16 LAUNCH 2010: THE
DEVIL YOU KNOW - Playwright's
Roundtable at Orlando Shakes
Through Jan. 31 A CHORUS LINE -
Osceola Players
Fridays 10PM - MAMA'S COMEDY SHOW -
Sleuth's
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Performing Arts Reservation Links & Numbers: |
Our companion website -
WANZIE.com - is pleased to
host a permanent listing of
Central Florida theatrical &
concert venues, as well as most
area performing arts companies,
with phone numbers and web links
for ticketing and reservations.
If you are interested in any
event listed in the sections
directly above, you may quickly
access venue/ticketing
information when you
CLICK HERE.
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A Note From Wanzie:
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I am just
sick that I missed the 2010 edition of
The White Trash Party thrown annually by
Nate, Jen, and Rick (Last names withheld
so unwanted folks from the right side of
the tracks can't Google and crash next
year; an invitation to the decidedly low
rent party is on every A-listers wish
list). But the festivities were held
on the same night as the opening of
THE BLUE LAGOON: A Musical, and I
had out of town guests, and am currently
carless, and I simply forgot to make
arrangements to attend. Apparently a
good time was had by all.
Conspicuously missing from our listing
of ongoing events is the
now-playing-in-Orlando Ringling Bros.
and Barnum & Bailey's Circus.
I was
once again disheartened by the Orlando
Sentinel choosing to highlight the
Orlando performance of the Circus on the
cover of its CALENDAR section.
I was
also dismayed by the local TV news
coverage of the "Parade of Animals"
which took place in the freezing cold,
to wrangle the wild beasts of the show
through the streets of Orlando from the
train stop at Gore Street all the way to
the Amyway Arena. The reporters gushed
about the excitement of it all as though
it were the most natural thing in the
world for lions and zebras to be
traveling on trains, and elephants to be
prodded and paraded through city streets
along with all types of other exotic
creatures, only to take up residency in
crates at a performing venue, when just
the opposite is true.
I am sick
and tired of Orlando and other cities
consistently giving the Felds and the
Ringling show a warm reception, when
what it really deserves is condemnation.
PLEASE DO
NOT ATTEND THE RINGLING CIRCUS!
NOT
NOW! NOT EVER!
Or
rather, please do not attend the
Ringling circus until such time as they
cease presenting wild animal acts.
I'm no
animal rights activist by any means, but
I do care about animals. What I care
about even more is the cruel and unusual
treatment of circus animals, and that
our city-funded arena accommodates this
abuse year in and year out.
No matter
how much the Felds of Feld
Entertainment, Inc. which produces the
Ringling Circus insist otherwise, and
regardless of how well they declare the
animals are fed, or how much longer they
live than in the wild where they are
prey, it does not take a genius to
conclude that it is wrong, Wrong, WRONG
to make elephants live out the majority
of their lives in crates and box cars in
which they cannot even turn around. Wild
cats are not meant to be caged or forced
to perform, nor be hand fed. They are
predators. The idea of traveling wild
performing-animal acts is antiquated,
and should be relegated to the history
books along with the exhibition of
conjoined twins as acceptable sideshow
attractions.
The Big
Apple Circus is one of the finest, and
uses no animals in its show; and no one
can even begin to argue that Cirque de
Soleil shows are not among THE most
amazing Circus productions to ever be
staged, and they use no animals in their
shows.
The Felds
need to get with the program and stop
the practice of forcing wild beasts to
live and travel in confined spaces for
their entire existence simply for the
sake of maintaining a tradition and
earning a buck.
If they
had reason to do so, they could and
would produce and present equally
exciting show sans the animals. But they
have no reason to do so as long as
people are plunking down money to take
their kids to see the Ringling Circus in
its present form.
Circuses.com (in addition
to animalcircuses.com notated above), a
site dedicated to moving the public to
demand animal-free circuses, states;
"The fact is, animals do not naturally
ride bicycles, stand on their heads,
balance on balls, or jump through rings
of fire. To force them to perform these
confusing and physically uncomfortable
tricks, trainers use whips, tight
collars, muzzles, electric prods,
bullhooks, and other painful tools of
the trade." - Also - "Tim Frisco
instructs would-be trainers how to
dominate elephants and make them perform
circus tricks. 'Sink that hook into 'em.
When you hear that screaming, then you
know you got their attention.' An
elephant trumpets in agony as Frisco's
bullhook, with its sharp metal hook and
spiked end, tears through her sensitive
skin. Frisco, a Carson & Barnes elephant
trainer, learned the trade from his
father, a former trainer for Ringling
Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus."
How many
housewives have to lose their faces to
angry chimps; how many sequin-wearing
Vegas entertainers have to have their
necks ripped open by white tigers; and
how many toddlers have to have the life
literally squeezed out of their little
bodies by pythons before we all stand up
and insist that wild and exotic animals
are not to be kept as pets, nor are they
to be kept in crates, only to let out to
perform their act, then return to their
crates again the very moment their
trainers (read "captors") have taken
their bows. Day in. Day out. It's simply
downright cruel and unnatural, and there
is no excusing it in this day and age.
If you
have the constitution for it, log on to
http://www.circuses.com
and watch the video about elephant
training at the top of the home page. It
will thoroughly disgust any rational
person.
Explain
to the children in your life who may
wish to attend the Ringling show that
there are good circuses and bad
circuses, and that the Ringling show is
the latter, and why.
Please do
not go to the Ringling Circus and
register your dismay with the companies,
which routinely give free positive press
to these animal abusers.
But do
come out and see Anthony and Shayna in
the final performance of THE BLUE
LAGOON: A Musical - preceded by
comedian Jeff Jones - tomorrow, January
16, at 8 PM at the Footlight Theatre -
where no animals were harmed in the
mounting of this delightful musical
spoof.
Reserve your guilt-free seats now.
I'm WANZIE
and That's All I Wrote!
email
me
2009 Wave Award Winner for
Favorite Local Spiritual Leader
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