Kevin Charnas

The World Premiere of "WANDERLUST: A History of Walking"

2010-04-30T09:55:00.000-07:00

We're going to New York, bishes! That's right, we'll be performing in SOHO, July 14th thru July 17th.

Am I excited, you ask? Well, I keep whizzing in my panties, so maybe... But then again, it might be the booze. At least I'm not whizzing in other people's panties. Although, that would be fine too. And god knows I've tried.

So, until July in NYC, from May 8th thru the 29th, you can catch us at Cleveland Public Theatre. And if you come, I promise not to whizz in your panties. Not while you're looking anyway.

Nicole Perrone (Photo Credit: Steve Wagner)

“I like walking because it is slow, and I suspect that the mind, like the feet, works at about three miles an hour. If this is so, then modern life is moving faster than the speed of thought – or thoughtfulness.”

CPT is proud to present the World Premiere of
WANDERLUST: A HISTORY OF WALKING

Adapted + Directed by Matthew Earnest
from the book by Rebecca Solnit

Onstage in the James Levin Theatre May 8 - May 29 at 7:30PM
(with paid previews May 6 and 7; a matinee on Sunday May 16; and a Monday night performance on May 17)

I'm the one with the biggest nostrils. And JUST LOOK AT my handsome fellow cast members! They're beautiful. And I mean that in every sense of the word. (Photo Credit: Steve Wagner)

WANDERLUST opens with a team of paleoanthropologists examining the bones of a recently discovered 3.2 million year-old hominid they have named Lucy, and moves from the peripatetic lectures of the Greeks to modern tourism, from labyrinths to treadmills, from 19th century mountaineering to ancient religious pilgrimage, from Dr. King's civil rights marches to the cake-walk of American slaves, from Jane Austen's strolling couples to Dante's trek through purgatory, and ultimately, to Las Vegas, Solnit's symbol of a post-Walking America.

Performed by:
Kevin S. Charnas (that's me, bishes)
Alexis Generette Floyd
Trae Hicks
Nicole Perrone
Jonathan Ramos
Pandora Robertson
Adam Thatcher

Scene Design: Matthew Earnest with Curtis Young
Costume Design: Alison Garrigan
Lighting Design: Daniel Shreckengost
Sound Design: James Kosmatka
Lucy skeleton: William Bezek (She's GORGEOUS. Fantastic job, Will!)
Choreography: Matthew Earnest with the company
Stage Manager: Lindsay Carter

I'm the one with the biggest chin. (Photo Credit: Steve Wagner)

"It starts with a step and then another step and then another that add up like taps on a drum: the most obvious and the most obscure thing in the world, it wanders readily into religion, philosophy, landscape, urban policy, anatomy, allegory and heartbreak."

"Wanderlust: A History of Walking"

Well, this calls for a celebration. Wine and cowboy boots for everyone!

I'm the one with the wine and cowboy boots. (Photo credit: Matthew Earnest)

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Who Not To Invite

2010-04-30T09:26:00.000-07:00

WHAT... an asshole.

(I can't help it, I must admit that there's a part of me that wishes to know her.)

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Back Off, Barack...

2010-04-30T09:16:00.000-07:00

Gulf Oil Spill reaches shore...

If you're so inclined, you may sign this petition to my baby's daddy telling him to back the F off of our coasts (through the Sierra Club).

Or this one through OCEANA.

And if you'd like to Volunteer for the Oil Spill Recovery, you may do so here.

Can we please be done fucking shit up?

Please?

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Titleless

2010-04-30T08:59:00.000-07:00

Huge risks of Arizona immigration law

Maybe we should be asking ourselves why we have an illegal immigration problem in the first place.

Imagine... Addressing the cause, rather than a symptom.

If you're so inclined, you may sign this petition asking Eric Holder to block Arizona's racist law.

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Care Bears

2010-04-29T09:29:00.000-07:00

So, I heard the following quote yesterday on NPR and loved it.

"Kids need to think that you care, before they care what you think."

And could this not resonate for all children; from one to one hundred and twenty-two?

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John

2010-04-28T10:48:00.000-07:00

I posted these same scenes a few years ago, but those videos have since expired. So, I thought it was time to revisit Miss Tate's brilliance.

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Where Greed Lives

2010-04-28T09:58:00.000-07:00

Goldman Sachs Boasted As The Meltdown Unfolded

E-mails released Saturday morning show top executives at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boasting about the money the firm was making as the national housing market collapsed in 2007.

They're ticks.

Blood-sucking ticks.

Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Ted Kaufman (D-DE) just introduced a bold new proposal to break up the big Wall Street banks. This may be the biggest reform of Wall Street and corporate power in 80 years. If you're so inclined, you may sign this petition to the senate showing your support.

(My apologies for the disgusting, very graphic image. I just felt it was appropriate.)

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Oil Sick

2010-04-28T07:46:00.000-07:00

Coast Guard will start burning some Gulf slick oil

China ship 'gouged two-mile scar' in Great Barrier Reef

A 2nd garbage patch: Plastic soup seen in Atlantic

If you're so inclined, please sign: Protect Our Oceans From Offshore Drilling

And if you're so inclined, please sign: Tell EPA to Set Strong Limits on Water Pollution!

And one more... Just because someone's gettin' silly and being a fucker: Sign the petition and tell the President to keep his promise to save the whales.

25 Wasteful Things You Can Live Without

We LIVE here. And up until recently (historically speaking), oil and plastic (made from petroleum products) had nothing to do with living.

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Turned Tables

2010-04-28T07:31:00.000-07:00

"Imagine if the Tea Party Was Black" - by Tim Wise

Let’s play a game, shall we? The name of the game is called “Imagine.” The way it’s played is simple: we’ll envision recent happenings in the news, but then change them up a bit. Instead of envisioning white people as the main actors in the scenes we’ll conjure - the ones who are driving the action - we’ll envision black folks or other people of color instead. The object of the game is to imagine the public reaction to the events or incidents, if the main actors were of color, rather than white. Whoever gains the most insight into the workings of race in America, at the end of the game, wins.

So let’s begin.

Imagine that hundreds of black protesters were to descend upon Washington DC and Northern Virginia, just a few miles from the Capitol and White House, armed with AK-47s, assorted handguns, and ammunition. And imagine that some of these protesters - the black protesters - spoke of the need for political revolution, and possibly even armed conflict in the event that laws they didn’t like were enforced by the government? Would these protesters — these black protesters with guns — be seen as brave defenders of the Second Amendment, or would they be viewed by most whites as a danger to the republic? What if they were Arab-Americans? Because, after all, that’s what happened recently when white gun enthusiasts descended upon the nation’s capital, arms in hand, and verbally announced their readiness to make war on the country’s political leaders if the need arose.

Imagine that white members of Congress, while walking to work, were surrounded by thousands of angry black people, one of whom proceeded to spit on one of those congressmen for not voting the way the black demonstrators desired. Would the protesters be seen as merely patriotic Americans voicing their opinions, or as an angry, potentially violent, and even insurrectionary mob? After all, this is what white Tea Party protesters did recently in Washington.

Imagine that a rap artist were to say, in reference to a white president: “He’s a piece of shit and I told him to suck on my machine gun.” Because that’s what rocker Ted Nugent said recently about President Obama.

Imagine that a prominent mainstream black political commentator had long employed an overt bigot as Executive Director of his organization, and that this bigot regularly participated in black separatist conferences, and once assaulted a white person while calling them by a racial slur. When that prominent black commentator and his sister — who also works for the organization — defended the bigot as a good guy who was misunderstood and “going through a tough time in his life” would anyone accept their excuse-making? Would that commentator still have a place on a mainstream network? Because that’s what happened in the real world, when Pat Buchanan employed as Executive Director of his group, America’s Cause, a blatant racist who did all these things, or at least their white equivalents: attending white separatist conferences and attacking a black woman while calling her the n-word.

Imagine that a black radio host were to suggest that the only way to get promoted in the administration of a white president is by “hating black people,” or that a prominent white person had only endorsed a white presidential candidate as an act of racial bonding, or blamed a white president for a fight on a school bus in which a black kid was jumped by two white kids, or said that he wouldn’t want to kill all conservatives, but rather, would like to leave just enough—“living fossils” as he called them—“so we will never forget what these people stood for.” After all, these are things that Rush Limbaugh has said, about Barack Obama’s administration, Colin Powell’s endorsement of Barack Obama, a fight on a school bus in Belleville, Illinois in which two black kids beat up a white kid, and about liberals, generally.

Imagine that a black pastor, formerly a member of the U.S. military, were to declare, as part of his opposition to a white president’s policies, that he was ready to “suit up, get my gun, go to Washington, and do what they trained me to do.” This is, after all, what Pastor Stan Craig said recently at a Tea Party rally in Greenville, South Carolina.

Imagine a black radio talk show host gleefully predicting a revolution by people of color if the government continues to be dominated by the rich white men who have been “destroying” the country, or if said radio personality were to call Christians or Jews non-humans, or say that when it came to conservatives, the best solution would be to “hang ‘em high.” And what would happen to any congressional representative who praised that commentator for “speaking common sense” and likened his hate talk to “American values?” After all, those are among the things said by radio host and best-selling author Michael Savage, predicting white revolution in the face of multiculturalism, or said by Savage about Muslims and liberals, respectively. And it was Congressman Culbertson, from Texas, who praised Savage in that way, despite his hateful rhetoric.

Imagine a black political commentator suggesting that the only thing the guy who flew his plane into the Austin, Texas IRS building did wrong was not blowing up Fox News instead. This is, after all, what Anne Coulter said about Tim McVeigh, when she noted that his only mistake was not blowing up the New York Times.

Imagine that a popular black liberal website posted comments about the daughter of a white president, calling her “typical redneck trash,” or a “whore” whose mother entertains her by “making monkey sounds.” After all that’s comparable to what conservatives posted about Malia Obama on freerepublic.com last year, when they referred to her as “ghetto trash.”

Imagine that black protesters at a large political rally were walking around with signs calling for the lynching of their congressional enemies. Because that’s what white conservatives did last year, in reference to Democratic party leaders in Congress.

In other words, imagine that even one-third of the anger and vitriol currently being hurled at President Obama, by folks who are almost exclusively white, were being aimed, instead, at a white president, by people of color. How many whites viewing the anger, the hatred, the contempt for that white president would then wax eloquent about free speech, and the glories of democracy? And how many would be calling for further crackdowns on thuggish behavior, and investigations into the radical agendas of those same people of color?

To ask any of these questions is to answer them. Protest is only seen as fundamentally American when those who have long had the luxury of seeing themselves as prototypically American engage in it. When the dangerous and dark “other” does so, however, it isn’t viewed as normal or natural, let alone patriotic. Which is why Rush Limbaugh could say, this past week, that the Tea Parties are the first time since the Civil War that ordinary, common Americans stood up for their rights: a statement that erases the normalcy and “American-ness” of blacks in the civil rights struggle, not to mention women in the fight for suffrage and equality, working people in the fight for better working conditions, and LGBT folks as they struggle to be treated as full and equal human beings.

And this, my friends, is what white privilege is all about. The ability to threaten others, to engage in violent and incendiary rhetoric without consequence, to be viewed as patriotic and normal no matter what you do, and never to be feared and despised as people of color would be, if they tried to get away with half the shit we do, on a daily basis.

Game Over.

Tim Wise is among the most prominent anti-racist writers and activists in the U.S. Wise has spoken in 48 states, on over 400 college campuses, and to community groups around the nation. Wise has provided anti-racism training to teachers nationwide, and has trained physicians and medical industry professionals on how to combat racial inequities in health care. His latest book is called Between Barack and a Hard Place.

(Special Thanks to LeLannie for bringing this contribution to my attention via this source.)

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Waking Up

2010-04-23T07:58:00.000-07:00

(I have NO idea who these crazy bishes are in this pic. I just liked it. And so... there we have it.)

Spring comes on the World -
I sight the Aprils -
Hueless to me until thou come
As, till the Bee
Blossoms stand negative,
Touched to Conditions
By a Hum.

Lest this be Heaven indeed
An Obstacle is given
That always gauges a Degree
Between Ourself and Heaven.

~ Emily Dickinson

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And three *bonus* pics;

Let me guess... No fertilizing necessary. Yuk. This would be really beautiful on CANVAS. Not right above your crap hole.

Oh honey... Sweety-pie with too much high fructose corn syrup on top, that didn't make things better. It just looks like you've been whipped and have blotches of blood all over your... back. Tell "Holly" you want a refund and maybe a little extra to go get a hot-oil treatment for your dried out rat's nest you call "hair". That might help. Not much, but it's a start.

And because WHO, pray tell, doesn't love walking among the cherry blossoms with a ninja-elf-bitch, who's armed with knives and throwing stars and... lots of fur growing around her belly-button?

No one I know. Sheeiitt.

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What If...

2010-04-22T09:07:00.000-07:00

So... If you'll allow me to pontificate (as if you haven't already), what if...

Heaven WAS Earth?

Four Things You Can Do Right Now To Celebrate Mother Earth (via "Environmental Defense Fund")

1) Climate: There is no environmental issue more urgent than climate change. And the Senate is poised to bring up new legislation as early as next week, giving us perhaps our last, best hope to solve the climate crisis.

Please take action now: Tell your Senators to support a strong climate and energy bill.

2) Health: America's toxic chemical standards are outdated and weak. Of more than 80,000 chemicals that have entered the market, only about 200 have been required to be tested. Every American alive today, including newborn babies, has hundreds of these chemicals flowing through our bloodstreams.

Please take action now: Tell your members of Congress to support stronger toxic chemicals standards.

3) Oceans: America's fisheries are in trouble – Overfishing, wasteful bycatch and other threats are pushing our fisheries to the brink and endangering our marine ecosystems. But an innovative fishery management tool called catch shares offers hope.

Please take action now: Tell your members of Congress to support funding for new catch shares.

4) Wildlife: Thanks to hard-won conservation funding in the 2008 Farm Bill, ranchers, farmers and other private landowners can be rewarded for helping protect America's endangered wildlife. But a new Senate proposal would cut these critical conservation resources.

Please take action now: Tell your Senators to protect conservation initiatives in the Farm Bill.

And if you just don't know what else to do? How about planting a tree...

It'll give us a place to hang out. And we can be ourselves...

How You Live Matters.

*** Earth Day: No more burning rivers, but new threats

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Free Style

2010-04-21T11:29:00.000-07:00

"Swimming Elephant Silhouette, India"

India—Silhouetted in the Andaman Sea, a 60-year-old elephant named Rajan—here with his handler, Nasru—takes a morning dip in the warm waters. The now retired pachyderm hauled timber in the Andaman Islands for 30 years. (National Geographic)

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Where We're At...

2010-04-20T08:43:00.000-07:00

Special thanks to my SISTA, Suebob, over at Red Stapler for this perfect contribution. Thanks, Hottie McCloud! It's dead on, yes?

(Please feel free to click on the image to enlarge it.)

(source of image)

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Busters

2010-04-20T07:58:00.000-07:00

This hysterical contribution comes to us from our very own environmental correspondent, "Dor" over at Mom Goes Green. Thanks, baby!

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No Thanks

2010-04-20T07:48:00.000-07:00

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Crazy Coo Coo Birds, Indeed...

2010-04-19T07:21:00.000-07:00

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

A Farewell to Arms

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show Full Episodes

Political Humor

Tea Party

Pardon me, Crazy FASCIST Coo Coo Birds.

I LOVE this.

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Sunday Morning Worship #2

2010-04-18T09:30:00.000-07:00

This is so fricking cute, I can barely contain myself... (And trust me, you have to watch it to at least 1:20. It's well worth it.)

If you're so inclined, you may sign this petition asking China to enact an Animal Protection Law. (Did you know it's actually still legal for them to skin animals alive? They say it's easier to remove their fur when the animals are warm... Nice, huh? And stop buying shit from China, bishes... Seriously. Do you really need that shit? And if it isn't lead-tainted, or poisoned somehow, do you really think it's quality?? Come on... On human rights, animal rights, the environment, CHINA SUCKS. So, why would we keep supporting that crap...?)

And if you're so inclined, you may sign this petition to Ban Canadian Imports of Dog and Cat Fur.

How you live matters.

* Some Sunday Worship
* Sunday Morning Worship
* More Sunday Morning Worship
* What Things Come From An Ass

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Care

2010-04-17T17:27:00.000-07:00

And don't forget what magic there is in the world...

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The Benefit of The Doubt

2010-04-16T09:14:00.000-07:00

So, you've probably heard that Dixie Carter passed away last week... I always enjoyed her work. And to die at 70 seems a little too early to me... I felt a ping in my heart when I heard the news.

A friend reminded me the other night, of the below scene when she played the character of Julia Sugarbaker on "Designing Women". It's certainly a fantastic scene and Dixie Carter's presence soars (as it usually did). But, besides the humor and sentiment in it, it reminded me of something truly vital in respectful human relations. Something I should OFTEN remind myself of...

We make A LOT of assumptions and presumptions about others. I know I do, anyway... About people very dear to us, family, friends, neighbors and acquaintances. And passing strangers.

But when it boils down to it, the truth is, we have no idea... I have no idea. Where they've been. What they've gone through. What they're going through... And how easy it is to pass judgment on others when I have no fricking idea what their circumstances are.

We think we know.

But, we don't know.

Pardon me, I shouldn't speak for you. I should speak for me.

So, I think I know.

But, I don't know.

What I DO KNOW, is that

I don't know shit.

Now, tell her, Julia!

And we'll miss you, Dixie Carter...

(Thank you for reminding me of this, Matthew!)

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"You Know How Dogs Is..."

2010-04-12T08:46:00.000-07:00

Tears... Tears... Can... not... breathe... must get... air...

Help...

(DOR over at Mom Goes Green, THANK YOU for this contribution, baby! SO fricking funny...)

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Boob Tube

2010-04-11T10:35:00.000-07:00

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A Little Bit of Heaven For Friday...

2010-04-09T10:54:00.000-07:00

I would die a happy man listening to this.

So what, if the conductor strongly resembles

a grouper. Groupers are cool too, right?

I mean to be able to live underwater AND conduct an ORCHESTRA???

TOTAL badass.

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Criminals

2010-04-08T07:19:00.000-07:00

Church, deaf students square off on Italian TV

For Years, Deaf Boys Tried to Tell of Priest’s Abuse

Pope's Immunity Could Be Challenged In Britain

They're criminals and should be treated as such. And giving to the catholic church isn't just condoning these vile, heinous acts. It's sponsoring them.

And the other priests that they told? The three archbishops of Milwaukee, the two police departments and the district attorney?

They're accomplices.

NO ONE should have immunity from crimes.

No one.

Not ever.

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Learning To Walk... Again

2010-04-06T08:03:00.000-07:00

Presently, I'm getting my ass whopped in rehearsals for,

Wanderlust: A History of Walking, adapted and directed by Matthew Earnest.

And it's gonna be brilliant, bishes... And hopefully, I'll still be in one piece on opening night. So, be there or be square!

(Thank you, Adam! For the step bump, step bump bump...)

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BELLISSIMO!!

2010-03-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

So, don't forget the meaning of life, bishes...

TO ENJOY IT!

(Much thanks to our Italian goddess, Claudette, for this... Thanks, Claud! Grazie mille!)

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