Normal or Change?

Brought to you by "Jay Johnson: The Two and Only" on pay-per-view starting 

Saturday August 9th.

DVD  available December 16th. 

A large portion of the revenue from this show goes to "The Home for Wooden Children"  Help support wooden children everywhere by purchasing and enjoying this show. 

For the last couple of days I have been contemplating the idea of Normal.  I got  a new computer and worked all weekend to restore the back ups and files from the old one to the new one. No matter how good your backup or the cloud or Time Machine there are still plenty of loose ends to match up. So after 90 plus hours of getting things back the way they were, this morning I turned on a computer that looks exactly like my old one, it was back to Normal.

The fact is nothing is really the same. Normal only exists in my perception, everything else has changed. It is my comfort level that has become normalized. Normal is actually getting comfortable with change.

Change is the nature of the Universe.

Change is the fundamental process of the Universe. There is nothing in a physical world that is not in a continual state of change. Some of the changes are slow enough that we don't see them, we perceive it as normal.  Other things change so quickly that we get over the change just as fast and believe things are back to normal. 

The cells in my body reproduce themselves every 21 days.  In reality I am not the same physical unit from month to month. Although I think I look "normal" I can see some photographs from my younger days and realize I am not the same looking person. So what is normal? Just the comfort of familiarity. 

Mackintosh computers ushered in the era of making computers normal.  When the window based operating system of the 1984 Mac was introduced only a few realized that the computer was now imitating normality while completely changing everything.  

One of the members of the Xerox group that developed the icon based operating system said that the genius of the system was the trash can. Before this, to delete a file on a computer you had to execute a line of code that was complicated and if any single character in the line of code was wrong it would not execute the delete. The idea that now one could virtually drag a file into the icon of a trash can to execute the command. was pure genius according to that engineer. It is normal to throw something you don't want into a trash can, that is normal.  It makes us comfortable. After 30 odd years of that conditioning the virtual act of doing this on every computer has become normal.  

Slowly we accept change as "normal" after we have had time to morn the passing of the same. The seniors who did not participate in the computer revolution find the entire process to be intimidating. Clicking, dragging, copying and rebooting are just part of the "modern normal" for todays generation, but an older generation had not grown up with the digital metaphor. They find the process confusing and intimidating.  

To embrace change is the only way to really stay alive and vital.  Old people are sometimes described as being "set in their ways".  It only means that they want to do the same things they have always done in the same way in the same time, this is their normal.  But the world does not stay the same and soon their normal gets harder and harder to accomplish.  It makes them more and more isolated which means they want to hang on to the way it always was which limits their opportunities, isolating them even more.  

If one embraces change there will never be a time of stagnation. If one embraces change there will be more opportunity for growth. But mostly if one comes to see change as the normal, they will be in harmony with the entire universe. The earth is spinning constantly as it goes around the sun which is part of a galaxy that is expanding and moving very quickly to the next place.  We are not the same cellular animals that we were 21 days before. How can we cling to our normal in direct conflict with the nature of everything? 

The answer for me is holding tightly to the idea of Now. If one can come to the idea that being in the now is Normal, the past is gone and the future will be some now to come. With the idea that now is my normal, and actually is the only reality I can comprehend then I am comfortable.  And after all the idea of normal is just the idea of being comfortable.

As you were,

Jay

iBondage

I am a Mac guy. Always have been. The iMac that I have had for 7 years and two hard drives finally decided to retire.  The thrill of upgrading  to a new computer is the yen to the yang of reintalling all the files.  With Mac's past the process of installing a new system, and re-installing all the old apps and files was frustrating, very time consuming and humbling. There is a standing rule at the Johnson house to leave the area when I am "installing" a new computer.  My time honored process is to curse and scream at a blank screen, followed by throwing non breakable objects and walking away to calm down.  That process would be repeated several times until the job was finished. But that was the old days when the "fast Mac was 512k".

Today there is a wonderful thing called the Time Machine. Having to reinstall two hard drives on the old machine I thought my cursing, screaming, throwing, days were past.  Time Machine operations are simply a matter of signing on to my network and clicking the reinstall back up.  24 hours later you have your stuff back. That is certainly the way the day started yesterday.

At the point when the dialogue screen said that the estimated time was 93 hours to completion I realized there would be no work on that computer for a couple of days. Having found a herd of dust bunnies  behind the old Mac it was cleaning time. That prompted me to clean and dust everything in the office.

I took everything from the counter and desk top and put it on  the floor.  I sorted it and threw out anything that I could not recognize as important. I took breaks but was at it for about six hours. It was very satisfying when the desk and counter to the office was neat and clean.  In fact it was now so well organized the tangle of electrical cords under the desk looked exceptionally un tidy.  So I decided to "stow up the lines" as they say on a sail boat. 

It was going well, looking good, but there was a cord so tangled around the rest that the only way to free it was to unplug it. I made sure it was not the computer, that would have been a stupid mistake. In fact this was an outlet on the other side of the room from the new computer.  I was particulary proud of the way the cord looked once I had finished it.  At this point my Son walked into the office, he had been doing some work on line and he said, "Did the network go down?" Oops.

I had unplugged the wireless router. The router went down, the network went down and of course the 6 hours of Time Machine back up went down.  

With the help of a very nice lady named Penny at Apple Support we had to erase the drive and reinstall the system which took three hours. 

So I started over this morning.  

Jay Johnson:The Two and Only on pay-per-view demand August 9th.  DVD release on December 16th.  By that time I might have a computer I can use again.

As you were,

Jay

Just Like the Wizard of Oz

All of my attention is on August 9th when "Jay Johnson:The Two and Only" opens OnDemand pay-per-view.  It is a journey full of continuing wonder.  

There are so many people and so many things that have to come together to make a show like "The Two and Only" happen. It's about the journey more than the destination and not unlike Dorothy's adventures to OZ. Here is how the the characters line up in my story. 

Murphy Cross and Paul Kreppel (The Tornado and the Ruby Slippers) more like guiding forces than mere human characters. Caught in their vortex I am whisk from the safety of Kansas and dropped in the middle of Times Square munchkin land. They are the motivating force (the Tornado) and the magic protection (Ruby slippers).  Their protection fostered a beautiful friendship as well as a working relationship that means more to me than any American Theater Wing trophy. You know how much you "forces of nature" mean to me, Paul and Murphy.  

Roger Gindi  (Glenda the good Witch) was the first "New York Theatrical Producer" to show us the yellow brick road to Oz. He got the team of investors and designers (Munchkins all) to accompany us as far as they could along the yellow brick road to the Atlantic Theatre and the Helen Hayes. Thank you, Roger, for being the first to believe. 

Broadway was like being in Munchkinland.  There were celebrations and awards from the locals but too soon it was time to get on the road.  Alone and wondering which way to go... I meet:

John Ivy (The Scarecrow). He has no idea how smart he is.  He can do anything including spinning gold from the straw which makes up his very being. Together we continued down the road.  John you are a blessing and an incredibly talented friend.  

In a dark part of the journey we meet Bryan Simon and Marge Engesser (collectively the Tin Man). They have a constitution of steel, a chest full of love and an axe to cut through the over growth of film production. Marge and Bryan, if you had not lovingly pushed and insisted on continuing the journey, we would still be wondering how  to get "Jay Johnson: The Two and Only" to those who have not seen it.  Onward and upward, my friends.

Witches and evil apple trees try to keep us from moving forward. We are stopped from continuing, trying to pick up the apples that were thrown at us.  There are always last minute obstacles that seem to be make the path impossible to continue.  Just like Dorothy I was in need of one last bit of help to make it to Emerald City.

Cowardly Lion to the rescue. (Collectively they are Tom Ladshaw and Jeff Dunham). Just like the lion they are not aware of how courageous and important their contribution is in getting me to OZ. They are also the guys behind the curtain working in secret, because they want it that way. Tom, Jeff to both of you I say, Thank you. You are the Kings of the Forrest.

We arrive in Oz on August 9th.  I am hoping the citizens of Emerald city (YOU - the ones reading this) will "demand" to see the show and I will be able to make it back home. (read pay my mortgage)

August 9th for a couple of months on Demand, and December 16 for the DVD. 

Thank you to everyone who has taken me by the hand to walk the Yellow Bricks. I am truly blessed.

As you were,

Jay

Imagination

Back to reality after visiting the realm of Ventriloquism at the 2014 Vent Convention.  It was great to see friends and fellow peers as well as meet some new ones.

Almost from the first moment I became a ventriloquist people were telling me it was a dying art.  From what I could see last weekend it is far from drawing its last breath, in fact there is a new generation of "voice tossers" that seem ready to carry the torch.

I gave a rather detailed lecture on the physiology of ventriloquism and the voice during the week. I ended it with part of a talk I give on Imagination.  I got a lot of nice compliments on the lecture and everyone seemed to agree they enjoyed the Imagination talk as much as the "how does it work" section.

I am an evangelist for the idea of Imagination. It seems to me that with all the advancements of technology we have forgotten the importance of imagination.  Apps on an iPhone seem to do the impossible, so you rarely see a kid without one.  But because we have access to the product of someone elses imagination does that exercise our own?  I don't think so. After all, the very app or toy that kids enjoy today was first created from someone's imagination. 

I grew up in a time when I could spend hours watching rain drops in a puddle.  Admittedly I did not have the extensive availability to toys that kids do today, but I was not impoverished.  I distinctly remember a time in Abernathy, Texas when, as a five year old, watching rain drops hit a puddle just outside my bedroom window one morning.  At the impact of a droplet,  the puddle seemed to rise from a level surface and expose a small explosion on the watery stage.  To me it looked like small members of a choir standing to deliver their musical contribution to an unheard song.  I could envision the refracted drop as a conical choir robe with the round head of a small singer rising up from the water's surface in random order to deliver a musical solo.  I can still remember that moment and these jumping choir members standing for their individual solos.

I am not saying we should go back to the Stone Age and make children play with rocks but we need to encourage them to use the greatest force on earth... Imagination.  Nothing has been done that was not imagined first.  

I am blessed from having a Mother who had  incredible imagination.  She did not know at the time she was not only preparing me for my ultimate career, but a life time of excitement and joy.

Albert Einstein said, "imagination is more important than knowledge".  Can't we teach that important ability along with math and science in our schools.  But it seems like the first thing that is cut from a school budget are programs for the arts. When will we acknowledge that Albert Einstein was right.

As you were,

Jay

One of my Favorite Scenes

Although Chuck and Bob were not dialogue heavy in this scene, it is still one of my favorite memories. I know it was submitted for Emmy Consideration. The producers choose individual scenes from the show to submit and this is the one they chose for that season. Although the show itself never won an Emmy several members of the cast did receive individual Emmys.
I remember clearly that the tag line was mine.  During a rehearsal I threw in a line as we were going out the door.  I yelled to the Bartender, "Bob will pick up the check".  The crew laughed.
The next day there were re-writes. This time at the end of the scene the Bartender comes up to us with the check.  Burt says, "He'll pay." Indicating Bob who is passed out on the table and we walk out.
Richard makes it funny but it was my line. I wrote it for me to say.
It doesn't matter now but at the time I felt really slighted by the producers. They never even acknowledged it was anything but their original line. If they weren't going to give the line to me, at least say "Good job, good line, way to go, may we give it to Burt" something... but I got no pat on the back of any kind.
In my one person show, "Jay Johnson: The Two and Only" I tell some of the funnier stories from the SOAP days. How I got to work with Bob and what happened to SQUEAKY.  That show will be available on iNDemand starting August 1st.  Please continue to spread the word.
As you know a major part of the money from the sale of the DVD of this show goes to support the
Home For Wooden Children.  
As you were,
Jay

Happy Birthday America.

Something pulling her down?

Vegas Ventriloquism

A lot of people know who Jeff Dunham is, Terry Fator is also well known, but who is Jason Scavone?  By the tone of his article "Welcome to Puppet Land" in an on line publication called Vegas Seven, it is obvious he suffers from ventrilophobia!  Mr. Scavone believes that Las Vegas has "jumped the Shark" with double headliner Ventriloquist shows running at the same time in Las Vegas. To quote his review/opinion "America, what is your deal? Why do you have an insatiable lust for cheap puns delivered through 80 bucks worth of felt?"

 Really? In a town built on ketchie excess of everything from neon lights to artificial breasts, having two ventriloquists headline shows in town is too much?  Seems to me there are more than two magicians working the strip. There are also several "singers" headlining shows (doing mostly the same songs) and you can't throw a rock without hitting a Cirque du Soleil show.  In fact I think Vegas "jumped the shark" when the last Cirque show opened.  Now the entertainment venues in Vegas are choices between the same balancing and acrobatic acts with different costumes and music. 

 "Doris, what Vegas show do you want to see tonight? Do you want to see circus acts set to Beatles music or circus acts with weird music set in a swimming pool?" 

Sharing a position on the advisory board of Vent Haven Museum with both Terry and Jeff I may not be the most objective observer when it comes to ventriloquist shows. But, it seems that the art form itself provokes naysayers who continually question its entertainment value.  One critic of my show in New York wondered if ventriloquism belonged on Broadway. The American Theatre Wing thought it did and awarded my show the Tony® Award for "best special theatrical event" in 2007.  

What is it that this guy is worried about? 

To quote Mr. Scavone

"What we’re really worried about is the Puppetpocalypse this portends."

Two vents in town and it is  the beginning of a "puppetpocalypse"?  If 150 Elvis impersonators have not caused an Elvispocalypse what impact will two of the hardest working- best known Vents in the business have on the city? 

Here is his answer: 

"If one more guy turns up with a trunk full of dead-eyed characters, we’re getting the hell out of here....We’ll be in San Diego." 

Mr. Scavone,  I am willing to be that guy with the trunk if you will promise to really "get the hell out of" Las Vegas. I can be there in a few hours so start packing. But let me tell you something. The only entertainment San Diego offers is SeaWorld, an entire theme park of performing fish.  It is definitely a Whalepocalypse! 

To Terry and Jeff.  I remember when Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin were in town at the same time. Two Italian singers know for singing the same kind of songs. No one screamed "Wopocalypse" and they both did really well.  Best wishes to both of you. 

As you were,

Jay

What we’re really worried about is the Puppetpocalypse this portends. - See more at: http://vegasseven.com/2014/07/01/jeff-dunham-terry-fator-welcome-to-puppetland/#sthash.eOxBu8Gw.dpufWhat we’re really worried about is the Puppetpocalypse this portends. - See more at: http://vegasseven.com/2014/07/01/jeff-dunham-terry-fator-welcome-to-puppetland/#sthash.eOxBu8Gw.dpufWhat we’re really worried about is the Puppetpocalypse this portends. - See more at: http://vegasseven.com/2014/07/01/jeff-dunham-terry-fator-welcome-to-puppetland/#sthash.eOxBu8Gw.dpufWhat we’re really worried about is the Puppetpocalypse this portends. - See more at: http://vegasseven.com/2014/07/01/jeff-dunham-terry-fator-welcome-to-puppetland/#sthash.eOxBu8Gw.dpuf

America, what is your deal? Why do you have an insatiable lust for cheap puns delivered through 80 bucks worth of felt?

- See more at: http://vegasseven.com/2014/07/01/jeff-dunham-terry-fator-welcome-to-puppetland/#sthash.eOxBu8Gw.dpuf

What we’re really worried about is the Puppetpocalypse this portends. - See more at: http://vegasseven.com/2014/07/01/jeff-dunham-terry-fator-welcome-to-puppetland/#sthash.eOxBu8Gw.dpuf

America, what is your deal? Why do you have an insatiable lust for cheap puns delivered through 80 bucks worth of felt?

- See more at: http://vegasseven.com/2014/07/01/jeff-dunham-terry-fator-welcome-to-puppetland/#sthash.eOxBu8Gw.dpuf

- See more at: http://vegasseven.com/2014/07/01/jeff-dunham-terry-fator-welcome-to-puppetland/#sthash.eOxBu8Gw.dpuf

Week-end Off?

The one thing I learned on Broadway is:  "job one" of a show that is currently performing is promotion.  There is never a time you can stop promoting a Broadway show.  

My sister-in-law has been in Chicago for 17 years give or take, and she is still called upon to do publicity almost on a weekly basis.  You would think a show that has been running that long would not need to remind the public, but that is not the case.

The first run of a movie is less than 6 weeks. They may lead up to the opening day with months of publicity, but by the week that it opens the publicity machine switches. Three weeks after the opening of a movie you will rarely see the star on tour or doing the Kimmel show. Not so with Broadway, there are eight shows a week you have to fill if you want to continue to run.  

I was talking to some actors in New York last week and they said something that is a sign of the times. It seems, in today's world, during the audition process one of the things they consider when hiring someone is the number of followers they have on Twitter.   Two actor/singer/dancers that are equal in all other areas of talent will finally be judged by the number of social media friends they have.  Perhaps the new lyric for the song in "A Chours Line" should not be "Tits and Ass" but  "Tits and Followers" that make the difference in getting the job.

It used to be that one could throw money at a show and get the name out there.  A few full page ads in the Times, and some well placed (expensive) billboards and you would attract the curious. Direct mail used to be the bread and butter of Show business promotion.  The big ad agencies used to say that direct mail was the best value for the buck.  They claimed an average return of 20% on direct mail. Direct mail is no longer top of the budget heap.  Direct texts, Facebook blasts,  and targeted email has replaced the color postcard in the mail.  Still people are more likely to make a decision to see a show based upon someone's tweet rather than a review from the paper.  The goal remains the same, "You need to get thousands of people saying positive things about your show."  However, instead of going to one media outlet to reach thousands of people,  thousands of people have to independantly "share."  The process is so new there are no hard and fast rules about how one gets anything to "go viral".  

With that said, I have spent all week trying to figure ways to reach the 55 million households which will soon be able to view "Jay Johnson: The Two and Only" as a pay per view.  (AUGUST 1st on iNDEMAND) 

So here I sit at my favorite Coffee Bean and Tea feeling the Broadway anxiety of constant promotion without the thrill of doing the show nightly.  It's the week end and I really want to take the day off to write about something else.  But with a promotional/marketing budget that is non-existent, all I have is a couple social media accounts and my words. Have a great weekend.

As you were,

Jay

I want my, I want my VOD

The problem with instant communination is the shelf life.  It used to be a Circus could put up posters around town with the date and time of the performances and everyone would mark their calendar.  Back then it might be months before any other announcement posters would detract from the Circus.

Today we get the equivalent of a circus poster announcement with every other Facebook post.  And even if the post is not about an up and coming event it still competes for attention with every other puppy picture, cat pose and funny YouTube on the Internet. 

So with the attention span becoming smaller toward information which is expanding, how do you get the word out?  I suppose you have to keep publishing digital posters on a regular basis.  I am trying to do that on a daily basis.  If someone has to be reminded of an event on more than a daily basis, then perhaps the task of finding a place in that person's schedule is hopeless. 

Here is the deal. Starting AUGUST 1st you will be able to see "Jay Johnson: The Two and Only" in HD super rez from the comfort of you own livingroom any time you decide to watch it.  It will be offered to 55 million households, along with every other iNDEMAND event.  The only viewers who will try to find it are the ones that know it is available. And those who know that it is available will have to decide when they want to watch it. 

In the coming days we will be announcing a "Virtual Opening Night Premier". This will be a specific day you can mark on your calendar with a time and see "Jay Johnson: The Two and Only."   Sort of like the day the Circus will come to YOUR town.  But you don't have to dress up or drive to the theatre to be part of the celebration. iNDemand will bring the Circus to you including the monkey.

This will be a major event and perhaps we can cover the red carpet arrivals of the stars of the show via a live video feed.  (Think Skpye from the hallway of my house. I am pretty much the only cast member who can actually "walk" the red carpet so... it will be short.) 

Those who particapate in the "Virtual Opening Night Premier" will be part of a greater digtal audience who will be experiencing the show at the same time in the comfort of their own living rooms linked in a cyber theatre.  Attending this premier in pajamas is acceptable and encouraged. 

However, in the mean time please virally let everyone you know that AUGUST 1st  the day the show will be exclusively available on iNDEMAND.  More later from these same viral stations.

As you were,

Jay

Correcting the Course of the TAO

After circulating the WWW for a day, several of my detail oriented friends noticed this typo on the DVD Cover art. To a dyslexic like me I thought "the wonder fart of ventriloquism" was a new hip term for throwing your voice. (words like new and hip are rarely associated with ventriloquism). Actually that correction had already been made, and it was me who posted the incorrect proof.
Although several people noticed the "wonderfulart" typo, only one noticed that the original Broadway producers names were left off the credit list. That mistake was caught, of course, by one of the original Broadway producers.
So...37 days before you can "pay-per-view: Jay Johnson: The Two and Only!" and help children of the forrest. Yes the proceeds for this iNDemand release will go to aid the Home for Wooden Children of Encino. AUGUST 1st-.
As you were,
Jay

Twelve steps to see The TAO (The Two and Only)

Yesterday we started the process of announcing the World Priemer showing of "Jay Johnson: The Two and Only" on iNDemand.  AUGUST 1ST... Check your local "pay-per view". And remember profits go to benefit the Home for Wooden Children, Encino Chapter.

 

I would not say the information went viral, but it was interesting to see how many times it was "shared" and how it looped back to the original.  I know why the metaphor for the information highway is a "web" .  Things don't go in a straight line but connect and interconnect in unexpected ways. 

I also noticed that there is a direct relationship between the speed at which we get information and the time it takes to forget. The quicker you can get a factoid the quicker you forget it.  In the prophetic words of Albert Einsten "Why remember what you can look up?"

Now that we can "look up" anything we want on a smart phone... why remember anything?  I think our knowledge is growing but our intelligence is shrinking.  We know how to let computers do more and more thinking for us as we lose the skill to think and remember for ourselves.  

This tacet connection to information is cause for many conflicts.  

There is confusion over "on-demand" and "iNDemand". iNDemand is Pay-Per-View, which is sometimes in the OnDemand section of your cable provider. Most major cable providers provide iNDemand.  One of my friends said that Time Warner in Dallas did not carry iNDemand.  I went to the iNDemand web site and noticed that Time Warner was one of the affiliates.  I clicked on the Time Warner logo at the iNDemand site and it took me to Time Warner ONDemand section.

So we are starting to avoid the confusion by just saying, "Jay Johnson: The Two and Only will be on Pay-Per-View starting August 1st."  

Unfortunately that caused another type of confusion as someone commented, "I've never heard of Paper View." 

Since we have a month or so before we have to find out how to "Paper View" I have decided to release information in a more metered way.  And, I have decided to make it a 12 step program. 

I shall call the program the PVA (Paper view Anonymous).  It is for those who may be having a problem with demanding what they want to see on television,  but don't want the social stigma attached.  (I'm talking to those of us who never could program a BETA Max and still call them "music albums")

PVA: Twelve Steps to TAO (Two and Only)

Step 1: Prepare

 Mark August 1st on your calendar.  Resolve that you will invest 5 bucks to see a show that

cost 25 times more to see at the Helen Hayes Theatre (if you were quick enough to even get there).  The next few steps will give you the tools to find "Jay Johnson: The Two and Only" and download or stream it for a modest fee..( All profits benefit the Encino Home for Wooden children).  So... step 1... prepare.  Tell everyone you are going to watch JJ:The Two and Only August 1st.  This will spread the word and it will reenforce the date of AUGUST 1st in your memory.  

Tomorrow:  Step 2- How to keep from forgetting step 1.

As you were,

Jay 

The Two and Only - iNDemand

AUGUST 1, 2014 - iNDEMAND
WORLD PREMIER
Click here to see a Preview

Jay Johnson:  The Two and Only!

Worldwide Premier on InDemand VOD – August 1, 2014

POP TWIST ENTERTAINMENT announced today that Jay Johnson: The Two and Only! will have its worldwide premiere through InDemand VOD. It will be offered in 54 million cable and satellite homes throughout the United States and Canada beginning August 1st.  InDemand will also sell the program on a download-to-own basis in advance of its DVD window.

The Tony^® Award-winning theatrical memoir and stand-up comedy show features Jay Johnson, arguably the world's most famous living ventriloquist.  Johnson rose to fame playing the schizophrenic role of Chuck and Bob on the groundbreaking TV sitcom, SOAP.

The filmed version of Johnson’s Tony^® Award-winning Broadway show of the same name was directed by Bryan W. Simon, and produced by Marjorie Engesser. It was shot at the historic Thalian Hall in Wilmington, North Carolina.  Since its beginnings at Broadway's Helen Hayes Theatre, the live show has toured nationwide.  It will now debut for television and video.

Pop Twist Entertainment is offering all rights worldwide.  A producer's representative for hundreds of films and TV programs, PTE president Doug Zwick will launch international TV, DVD, DIGITAL and VOD sales at MIPCOM in October.

InDemand provides the VOD content for the majority of North American pay television homes, serving more than 100 million viewers. As a worldwide premiere, Jay Johnson: The Two and Only will be offered as a featured comedy event. 

“What a treat!  Jay Johnson dazzles us with his magical gifts and comic savvy.”  —  Leonard Maltin

"One of the funniest shows of the year!" — The New York Times

"Serious laughs… a surprisingly moving as well as highly funny evening."  —  The Hollywood Reporter

"Very entertaining!  A sheer feat of virtuosity!"  — Clive Barnes, New York Post

Night Time Images

The Death of Vaudeville...

Recently at the Abbeville, SC Opera House I saw this sign back stage.  It is left over from the day when the theatre was a stop along the Vaudeville circuit.  It points out how far we have come from what Vaudeville considered proper or entertaining.  I am not sure there is a comedian working today who could do a show and also follow these rules.  I know that I would have difficulty even thought I have what is considered in the business a "clean" act.

It is too small to read in this photo but here is what is says: 

"Notice: Comedians -  Our public expects the cream of vaudeville and a weekly certainty of seeing a good show, perhaps even a great one.  Do not say "Slob" or "Son-of-a Gun" or "hully gee" on this stage unless you want to be cancelled immediately. Do not address anyone in the audience in any manner. If you do not have the ability to entertain the audience without risk of offending them, do the best you can.

Lack of talent will be less open to censure than would be an insult to a patron.  If you are in doubt as to the chareacter of your act- consult with the local manager before you go on stage for if you are guilty of uttereing anything sacrilegious or even suggestive you will be immediately closed and will never again be allowed in this theatre.

The Management

Abbeville's Grand Opera House

October 10, 1908

Happy Throw back Thursday .  I have to go and take all the "hully gee's" out of my act before show time tonight.

As you were,

Jay

The Bloody Pink Dress

CNN is broadcasting a series on the 60's. It was a time when the baby boomers came of age and innocents was lost.  Of course one of the episodes deals with the Kennedy Assassination.  When Sandi realized that I was watching yet one more special on that subject her eyes crossed. "What is there that can possibly hold your attention after all that you have read about that event?"

You might think that she was right.  I have even blogged about my obsession on that subject here at TWIAS. Kennedy

But right there in the CNN special there was something that I heard in context which made me spiral out of control again.

I am sure I heard the quote from Jacqueline Kennedy before, but I never knew the context.  Mrs. Kennedy would not leave the side of the casket bearing the presidents body which was basically kidnapped from Parkland Hospital.  In 1963 it was not a federal crime to kill a president of the United States.  Kennedy's assassination was technically a local crime to be handeled by the local athorities, which included the autopsy.  In what some people describe as a tug of war with the casket, the Secret Service took the body to Air Force One. 

Jacqueline Kennedy was still wearing the blood soaked pink dress that has become an icon of the moment.  Once on the plane one of her aides asked if she wanted to change clothes for the ride to Washington.  She said, "No I want them to see what they did to my Husband?"  Who did she mean by them?  The people on the plane?

It would seem that at least for a moment she thought that the people on Air Force One were involved in some way.  As I remember Mrs. Kennedy never did express an opinion on who had committed the assassination. The only time Mrs. Kennedy was ever asked offically about the assassination was in June of 1964 for the Warren Commission Report. Some of that interview was even deleted before it was published.  There was no questions about who she thought was responsible since it would not be relivant information.  She was never asked directly if she thought the head wound was a front of rear entry. A slight reference to "holding his hair on" was redacted.

So, back to the question at hand.  When she was asked if she wanted to change clothes for the plane ride she said, "No I want them to see what they did to my Husband?"  This could only mean that she was referring to the those on the plane at the time. Perhaps for a moment she was considering that LBJ, and the Texas powerbrokers had participated.  I guess we will never know.  That certainly won't stop me from wondering.

As you were,

Jay

Success

Today is introspection day.  It's all about me so if you want to skip this one... it's okay. No hurt feelings and your Karma will not be effected. Most of these kind of blog posts end up in my journal and I am the only reader.  But there comes a time when you have to say something out loud, in public, to own it.  Edward Albee said, "I write to know what I am talking about".  That is surely true about this post...(and don't call me Shirley)  Also, you never know.... thoughts are things that float around and maybe this same "thing" has caught your attention as well.

I think I know what the word success means.  And the word is a part of almost every aspect of my life.  I want to be a successful Husband, Father, friend and human being.  It also applies to school and career; whatever I find myself doing in life I want to be successful, I want to have success.  Have success, like it is something one can possess. 

Possession is sometimes thought of as the direct result of success so it is easy to beleive it can be owned.  If I am successful then I can, __________ (fill in the blank). 

And perhaps most of us, like I do, dwell on the perks of success. We dwell on how it will be and what I will do with success when I own it. Unfortunately that daydream is not a complete picture.

To attempt a metaphor, you can not have the joy of riding a bike without the effort of pedaling.  If the pedaling gets to be too much for you and you quit, there will come a time when your momentum stops and you crash.  In fact if pedaling is so unpleasant to you, then the thought of having to "go through" that effort might keep you from ever getting on a bicycle. If riding is success then pedaling is the cause,  one follows the other. They exist together.

On the cusp of something exciting happening in my experience I usually can talk my self out of it unless I am very careful. In essence, I fear the success because I know, at this point in my life, it will involve pedaling.  

Most of the time it is not conscious. After the fantasy of "owning" the success cools then the reality of what that success brings kicks in.  If you win 300 million dollars in a lottery, you might pay 100 million in taxes.  If you are concerned with that kind of a tax bill then you are already starting to fear success. Success is part of life and life is constant change. Embrace the change and enjoy the success or refuse to make a move and evenually be covered in the dust of those rushing past you.  

Here is an affirmation for self:  By constant contemplation of the things that might go wrong in stepping forward you are rehearsing the negative.  If you are going to rehearse that which is yet to manifest then rehearse the joy of the bike ride not the stress of the pedaling. 

As you were,

Jay

NPH - OMG

I didn't know what to expect last Saturday night.  I was at the Belasco Theatre to see Neil Patrick Harris no other reason was necessary. I know Neil fairly well from LA.  We performed together in shows for the Magic Castle when he was the President of the Magic Academy.  And I would run into him and his family during happy hour at our favorite sushi restaurant on Ventura on occasions.

The show, "Hedwig and the Angry Inch." in which Neil was starring  was not so familiar to me.  I had seen the movie more than a decade ago but hadn't thought about it since. But here I was in New York and this was definitely the hot show starring Tony Award Winner/aquaintance/friend Neil Patrick Harris.

Didn't we all watch Neil Patrick Harris grow up on television? I certainly did.

When he was on Dougie Howser, MD. I said to myself, "Cute kid."

Later when I saw him in the road company of Rent I said to myself, "He sings. Wow. He's got some chops."

When he was cast as Barney on "How I Met Your Mother", I said to myself, "He really is a good comedy actor. Great timing."

As I watched him host Tony/Emmy/Tony Shows, I said to myself, "Geez, he has great connection to the audience and the quick wit of a Stand up Comic. Way to go Neil."

Then last Saturday when I saw him perform Hedwig at the Belasco Theatre, I said to myself, "Muther Fucker... why did he get all the talent."

Although Hedwig is not a one person show, Hedwig delivers 98% of the dialogue in a concert setting where there is no fourth wall. I know a little bit about carrying a 90 minute Broadway show with no intermission. I didn't have to jump around the stage in heels nor sing energetic rock songs but 90 non stop minutes is exhausting. Neil does it in platform heels, over done wigs, jumping on an off an abandoned car hood center stage, while never breaking an over the top character that makes Lady Gaga look Republican.   Instead of a matinee on Saturday Neil does a performance at 7:00pm and 10:00 pm.  One of his abilities must also be marathon athletics.

For the first few moments one is stunned by the transfomation a familiar actor makes to become a woman.  That is very soon forgotten and one becomes engaged in this exotic performer on stage.  

There is camp for sure, dick jokes and non-dick jokes to make a San Francisco drag show seem elementary but beyond the obvious, the show makes a compelling statement. Ultimately  it makes you question the stereo types of gender and what gender has to do with love? Some of my conservative peers might find it uncomfortable, but even if you don't go for the message of the show, go to see a master showman play a crowd like a concert violin. NPH is a rare talent that can do it all extremely well.... and like Ginger Rogers in high heels.

As you were,

Jay