Recently there was media coverage of a man who died blind and alone in his house and went undiscovered for a year.

That wouldn’t have happened, had he used this software.

(Or if you’re even nearby.)

Remember Debra Ehrhardt’s play “Jamaica, Farewell” that I raved about? Now it’s opening in Atlanta. I think we’re going to be hearing a lot more about this.

I’m already saying it on this blog and over at LeeWochner.com. What’s left to say?

Before you watch this brief video, in which a “theologian” uses peanut butter to “disprove” evolution, reflect a moment on which group more than any other comprises what remains of the support structure behind the current administration in Washington DC. Then shudder.

Part of loving theatre involves supporting theatre financially, because except in commercial productions ticket prices will never cover the production costs (and even then, only sometimes). So if you’re in town please join me this Friday night for a fundraiser supporting Moving Arts’ two productions opening in May. There’s no admission charge for this fundraiser (although if you do certain things outlined below you get a free manicure and beauty consult, and God knows I need those things), you’ll get to hang out with seriously cool and interesting people (and me, from 6 to 7:30), you can bid on rare and alluring silent-auction items, and you can support an innovative theatre dedicated to new plays, becoming more beautiful in the process.

Dear Friend,

I am excited to tell you about MOVING ARTS’ upcoming American Premiere production of Hard As Nails, by British Playwright Jon Osbaldeston.

In a world where love can be the ultimate terrorist, Hard as Nails tells the story of Bunty, a manicurist and aspiring singer; Shyla an HIV counselor; and Jennifer, a senior executive of a major drug company. These three disparate women find themselves unwittingly connected as their lives collide through ambitions and activism. Hard as Nails won the 2001 London Writers’ Competition for Best New Play.

Directed by MOVING ARTS’ Artistic Director, Paul Nicolai Stein, Hard As Nails is produced by MOVING ARTS’ Managing Directors, Lisa Marie Marschall and Michael Shutt, the team that brought you last year’s LA Times’ Critics Choice production of Crumble, Lay Me Down Justin Timberlake, not to mention the hottest theatrical production of last year…The Car Plays. The MOVING ARTS team is thrilled to be joined by Associate Producer, Michael Kearns. An award-winning playwright, solo performer, and published author, Mr. Kearns has been a fixture in the national world of art and politics for more than three decades.

I invite you to become an integral part of this production by joining us as a Producing Partner. As a Producing Partner, you will receive two complimentary tickets to the Hard As Nails Opening Night Gala on Saturday April 14th, as well as special recognition in the program

The Beauty Box in West Hollywood is hosting a Hard As Nails Happy Hour fundraiser for MOVING ARTS. Please join us on Friday April 6th from 6:30 – 9:00pm at The Beauty Box, 1106 N. LaCienega Blvd. West Hollywood, for Cocktails and Appetizers. Complimentary manicures, make-up applications, and skin consultations will be given to everyone who joins us as a producing partner with a tax-deductible donation of $100 or more.

If you would like to join us as a Producing Partner, but are unable to make it to the Happy Hour Fundraiser, please contact MOVING ARTS Managing Director, Michael Shutt at michaelshutt@movingarts.org for further information on how to donate.

In order to receive special recognition in the program, all donations must be received no later than Monday April 9th.

Thank you for your interest,

Michael Shutt
Managing Director, MOVING ARTS

Newsweek is painting the Brigham Young protest against Dick Cheney’s speech as a further rebuke of the Bush presidency and a sign of ebbing support. Here’s a sample:

Is there any place left where the vice president can be sure of a friendly welcome? Dick Cheney is traveling later this month to Utah, the reddest of Red States, to deliver the commencement address at the Mormon Church’s Brigham Young University. But even there, support is ebbing for George W. Bush and Cheney. The university has approved a rare campus protest this week against Cheney’s visit, and is considering a second on commencement day. One online petition asking BYU to rescind the invitation has gathered more than 2,000 signatures, many from students and professors as well as alumni. The university says such criticism is normal.

Calling this a political protest — or a reflection of sagging poll numbers — is unfair. It’s unfair to the students and to the university. The Chicago Sun-Times gets it right:

Cheney is target of rare protest at Brigham Young

April 3, 2007

PROVO, Utah — Some students and faculty on one of the nation’s most conservative campuses want Brigham Young University to withdraw an invitation for Vice President Dick Cheney to speak at commencement this month.Critics at the school question whether Cheney sets a good example for graduates, citing his promotion of faulty intelligence before the Iraq war and his role in the CIA leak scandal.

The university, which is owned by the Mormon church, has “a heavy emphasis on personal honesty and integrity in all we do,” said Professor Warner Woodworth.

“Cheney just doesn’t measure up,” he said.

It’s not a political protest. It’s a moral protest. It’s an important distinction.

Newsweek has a great little sampler of the books some noted writers say are most important to them. Here’s Walter Mosley’s list, which seems closest to my own reading — you’ll note that in addition to Camus, Garcia Marquez, and Freud (all represented by books I read, and some of which wound up on Doug’s Reading List), it includes Fantastic Four issues 1-100 (also a prominent suggestion to Doug — and to you). Mr. Mosley is a man of taste.

I have a great deal of respect for Dana Gioia’s work at the National Endowment for the Arts in bringing art to people who’ve never gotten much of it before, and his speech at a national conference several years ago similarly impressed me. One of the things he talked about was the death of his child, and how when something like that happens to you it burns through your life like a prairie fire, bringing instant clarity. It was thereafter that he set about quitting his (very successful, very lucrative) corporate marketing executiveship and dedicated himself to being a full-time writer. Here is his list of the five most important books to him; given his personal story, I think I’ll be reading the Merton book.

Over on Slate, Joshua Green urges Democrats to adopt the mythologizing tactics of the GOP.

I understand — and agree with — the advice not to be boring. (And not to remain stuck in the 60s.) And I well recognize the power of myth. After all, that’s what got us into Iraq.

…that:

a. Thanks to the internet, the written word lives forever

b. My opinions are long-lasting and strongly held. (Phew!)

Yesterday I was grousing to a friend about DC’s yearlong weekly comic, “52,” which purported to be of cosmic significance yet changed nothing.

Today I found this posting on the internet.

Just when you thought a former principled POW and American hero couldn’t make himself look any sillier after a year of debasing himself for people like Jerry Falwell, the tank moment has definitely done it. John McCain’s ludicrous denial of the war all around him has gotten him and the unflattering images onto news pages all across the web, including this piece from the New York Times (linked to from the home page of the Huffington Post).