Opera Double-bill: “The Medium” and “Jewish Humor from Oy to Veh”, through May 17

May 11, 2008 at 9:21 am by dff · Filed under events, Art

This review is from Larry Wagner, itinerant theatre critic and frequent contributor.

Talent just continues to show up on the Mendocino Coast. I had the pure enjoyment of taking publicity photos for the opera double-bill The Medium by Gion Menotti and Jewish Humor from Oy to Veh by Seymour Barab. I saw both the first dress rehearsal and opening night at MTC.

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A séance goes awry

The Medium is a gripping story of Madam Flora whose séance fraud becomes a reality when ghostly hands grab her by the throat during one of her sessions. She doesn’t cope with this incident very well. The singing and acting of the cast is wonderful – Susan Makovkin, playing the possessed Madam Flora, is riveting. Abigail Rowland, a new star in the area, has an angelic voice as the daughter, Monica. Lisa Norman, playing the mute gypsy accomplice has no singing role (obviously), but her dancing and dramatic moves make her one of the stars. The three attendees at the séance, Jenni Windsor, Dan Fowler, and Betsy Taylor carry out their roles with aplomb. The Medium is a modern opera, different from the big stage variety, but it is enthralling, beautifully sung, and under an hour long.

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Jewish Humor from Oy to Vey

Jewish Humor from Oy to Vey is silly, but entertaining – an excellent antidote for the drama of The Medium. It consists of 15 very short acts that are both hilarious and fun to watch. The music reminds one of Fiddler on the Roof. The voices and acting of Richard Goodman, Jary Stavely, Sarah Wagner, and Susan Pennebaker carry it off quite well. The challenges of the timing are significant but they meet the challenge.

For a different and memorable evening, give it a whirl. It is playing tonight (Saturday, May 10) at 8, Sunday at 2 PM and the following Friday and Saturday, May 16 and 17 at 8 PM at the Mendocino Theatre Company. For reservations, call 937-1018 or get tickets at the door.

The Farmers Market is Open!

May 8, 2008 at 7:38 pm by nancy · Filed under ecotourism, eats, attractions, favorites

Spring is officially here for me when the farmers market opens. I like to stroll through once just looking, and then make my selections on the way back. It takes my entire lunchtime because I meet fellow locals along the way. Don’t miss out on the fruit (and veggies) of Mendocino County at the Certified Farmers Market! Fort Bragg on Wednesdays from 3:30-6:00 at the corner of Spruce and N. Main St (lot next to Century 21, N. Fort Bragg) and Mendocino on Fridays from 12:00-2:00 at Howard & Main St. 707-964-6718

Still tickets left for the Spring Pelagic Trip

May 6, 2008 at 7:33 pm by nancy · Filed under ecotourism, attractions, events, birding

Join Mendocino Coast Audubon Society for their Spring Pelagic Trip on May 18, as they sail from Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg aboard the Trek II (departing at 8:00 AM and returning about 3:00 PM). To reserve your spot, please mail a check, PAYABLE TO MCAS, for $95 per person to: K. Havlena - Pelagic Trip, PO Box 40, Fort Bragg, CA 95437-0040. Please include name(s) of participants, mailing address, telephone number and email address. For information call 964-6835.

Mendocino Coast Heritage Days

May 1, 2008 at 8:17 pm by nancy · Filed under ecotourism, general, hikes, walks, attractions, events, history, parks, museums, gardens

Mendocino Coast Heritage Days begins on Friday, May 2, with fun and unique activities for the whole family. In its 5th year, the 2008 celebration will feature a series of living history reenactments, 19th century and Native American games, museum exhibits, heritage roses and historic walking tours. Annual favorites include the moonlight cemetery tour and the heritage walking tour. The Temple of Kwan Tai will be open to the public on both weekends, and the historic walking tours include an inside look at the Masonic Temple. Talks by experts in preservation and archaeology will give us a different perspective on our local surroundings. Living History Day will have ice cream and butter making, lumberjack demonstrations, the fire pumper, and - new this year – Wells Fargo Stagecoach rides. Many events are free.

Here is a printable (PDF) schedule of events. These pictures are from previous Heritage Days events.