Chris Goodrich and Rachel Stroud-Goodrich on "Candy & Dorothy"

A lovely interview with the husband-wife director-producer team of "Candy & Dorothy" at Unexpected Stage, Rockville, MD. From the Washington Examiner.

"I Say, Let 'Em Dig Their Own Gardens. Dig Their Own Gardens. It's a Common Expression."

(Robert Sheire, right, as the iconic Andy Warhol superstar Candy Darling and Jean Hudson Miller as Catholic Worker Movement co-founder Dorothy Day in Unexpected Stage Company's Washington-area premiere of David Johnston's award-winning play ‘Candy and Dorothy.’ Photo by Chris Goodrich; courtesy Unexpected Stage Company)

Performances start next Tues at Unexpected Stage, Rockville, MD for the DC-area premiere of "Candy & Dorothy." Got your tickets yet?

The Episcopal Bishop of New York Does Not Feel "Oppressed," Thanks Very Much

One of the most odious arguments against same sex marriage was that if civil marriages are recognized for gays and lesbians, it somehow "oppresses" the religious freedom of others.

I was pleased to receive this letter from Mark Sisk, the Episcopal Bishop of New York, and good guy:

****************

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

It was with thanksgiving and joy that I received the news of the New York State legislature's affirmative action on the Marriage Equality legislation that it had been debating with such intensity.

The legislation, as enacted, appears to be closely aligned with the long standing views of this Diocese that the civil rights of all people should be respected equally before the law. In terms of the issue of marriage rights for gay and lesbian people that position was made most explicit in the resolution enacted at our 2009 Diocesan Convention.

The legislature's action in broadening the definition of marriage to include same sex unions has to do with civil law, as it properly should. It does not determine Church teaching about the nature of sacraments. That is our continuing work. However, nothing in the unfinished nature of that work should cause us to hesitate to give our most profound thanks for the step that has been taken in affording equal civil rights for our brothers and sisters.

*************

Simple, isn't it?

"A Lesson" from Smith & Kraus

"A Lesson," part of "Standards of Decency 3: 300 Vaginas Before Breakfast," will be published by Smith & Kraus in THE BEST 10-MINUTE PLAYS 2012. Coming in December 2012.

Jon Sobel at Blogcritics on SoD3

"Another fine performance, and a dangerous one, comes from Jim Ireland as a volcanic, Svengali-like voice teacher in the mysterious A Lesson by David Johnston, whose Conversations on Russian Literature was such a success at Blue Coyote two years ago. Though we never find out what the teacher and his companion, played by the excellent Sarah Ireland, mean to do with (or to?) the young singing hopeful in the next room, the wild, character-driven story is transfixing." A very nice write up for the evening from Jon Sobel at Blogcritics.

Seventy-Five Years Ago, A Murder

Seventy-five years ago, a state trooper was shot and killed during a bank robbery in Fork Union, VA. It happened at the Fluvanna County Bank. The bank job was done by three men; Spoon, Daugherty, and Mills. John Daugherty received the death penalty for the shooting. The trooper's name was Thompson.

The assistant bank teller at the time of the robbery and killing was Iva Loving White. She died in 1982, forty-six years after she witnessed this murder. She was my grandmother.

More on 300 Vaginas

Blue Coyote Theater Group and Access Theater are proud to announce the full roster of short plays for their upcoming STANDARDS OF DECENCY 3: 300 VAGINAS BEFORE BREAKFAST. Each play runs approximately 10 minutes.

A Lesson by David Johnston, directed by Gary Shrader
A dark but funny look at the risks of finding your singing instructor on Facebook.

300 by Adam Szymkowicz, directed by Kyle Ancowitz
A couple comes to terms with their sexual pasts with the aid of three hundred vaginas.

Date Night at Skintastic Dot Com by Mac Rogers, directed by Bob Buckwalter
A workaholic couple's attempt at scheduling quality time together is challenged by the never ending leaks of online celebrity skin--the skin their business depends on for its survival.

The Metaphor by Matthew Freeman, directed by Kyle Ancowitz
A man seeks help for his Internet porn addiction from an unconventional Episcopal priest.

Plato’s Retreat by David Foley, directed by Gary Shrader
Three Greek lads are beguiled by the naughty shadows on the cave's wall. The goddess of Wisdom wants them to see the light.

any one by Jordan Seavey, directed by Bob Buckwalter
The question of what is connection, and how do we achieve it, is explored over the course of one very busy New Yorker's day.

Romance by Jackie Christy, directed by Kyle Ancowitz
After a pornographic homework submission, an awkward parent-teacher conference ensues.

Bits by Bruce Goldstone, directed by Gary Shrader
Even your computer itself, its bits and bytes, has a love/hate relationship with porn.

Camera Four by Cheri Magid, directed by Gary Shrader
A doorman's security camera exposes the city's surprising secret kinks.

STANDARDS OF DECENCY 3: 300 VAGINAS BEFORE BREAKFAST is the latest chapter in Blue Coyote’s downtown cult series Standards of Decency. Taking its title from the profundity of indie rock god John Mayer, STANDARDS OF DECENCY 3: 300 VAGINAS BEFORE BREAKFAST begins performances on Tuesday, May 31 for a limited engagement through Saturday, June 18. The performance schedule is Wednesday – Sunday at 8 PM, with an added performance on Tuesday, May 31 at 8 PM. Press Opening is Thursday, June 2 at 8 PM. Performances are at the Access Theater (380 Broadway, two blocks below Canal, just north of White Street). Tickets are $25 and are available by calling SmartTix at 212-868-4444 or online at www.smarttix.com.

AND...here's a great article on downtown theater, with an interview with Kyle Ancowitz. (And a nice pic from my short play "Yes Yes Yes" from the previous Standards of Decency.)