Monday, July 30, 2012

Incorruptible



    “[S]ometimes I think a true love truly realized must be the greatest miracle of all”.... a poignant line from a recent play I performed in called Incorruptible by playwright Michael Hollinger.  This was my 3rd full production this year and certainly my favorite.


     In this 121st Players Workshop production, I played a lovesick monk called Brother Felix in a 13th century monastery in Priseaux, France.  Our church is in ruins for lack of pilgrims who previously came to pray to our Saint.  But, for over a dozen years, Saint Foy (pron.: “fwah) has not granted any miracles.  And so, the pennies have ceased to hit the plate.  The eldest brother and the father of the monastery eventually succumb to corruption and begin digging up their past parishioners’ bones to sell off to other churches as saints.  But, all good things must come to end especially as people only die every so often.  Now the maniac monks must up the ante:  they must find an incorruptible —a saint so holy it’s body refuses to decay.  And thus, the stage is set for one rollicking romp of a play full of blasphemous twists and turns.
      Although I won't be acting in any full plays in the near future, I will be performing in what's called "Playreaders" the first week of August.  This is a less polished form of a play yet, no less entertaining.  Essentially, we have 3 rehearsals and then 2 performances in which we read from the script. 
  
     This Wednesday, August 8th and Thursday, August 9th, Playreaders will present the not-to-be-missed comedy Better Late by Larry Gelbart at St. Paul’s Church.

     As the play opens, Julian is forced by a sudden illness to move in with his ex-wife and her current husband and with each passing day the situation spirals further and further out of control.  The part of Julian will be read by Steve Schlam, Nora, his ex-wife, by Marty Fraser, Billy, their son, by yours truly, David Galitzky, and Lee, the current husband, by John Wharton.  Lola Smith directs.

    Performances start at 7:30 PM, or earlier if the house is full.  Doors open at 7 PM.  A 20 peso donation is requested.  For more information, please send me and email at roma_zap@yahoo.com.
     Thanks for supporting the arts in San Miguel de Allende.  See you at the theater!
ps- check out the video below for an excerpt from the play, Incorruptible (from a different theater company)...



Que Hay de Nuevo? What's New?


    Alas!  After a long hiatus from blogging, I have returned to give an update on the latest.  Rest assured, I have been far from sitting on the proverbial butt and procrastinating about writing —well, ok, there was some procrastination going on. Anyway, your massage therapist has been busy “hamming it up” in the world of local San Miguel theater performing in 2 separate plays at the Santa Ana theater:  Inherit the Wind and Last of the Boys.  As if that wasn’t enough pork on my plate, my wife and I loaded up some more meat and potatoes by breaking ground on our new home! 

      Back in early February, we were very fortunate to have our good friend, Gray Wolf, come and perform a beautiful cleansing and blessing ceremony on the land.  By the peaceful energy in the air   —and the sudden convoy of burros, campesinos and their perros nonchalantly strolling through— the invitation was opened —I presume— for us to be stewards of our small plot of land at San Gamaliel 66.  We had begun to realize our homesteading dreams! 

       After just 20 weeks, we are all very excited at the rapid progress achieved so far —our daughter, Camila, included!  Now, it’s just a matter of keeping up the pace, making timely decisions and of course, allowing the wealth to flow inside and out. As all continues to go well, we hope to be moving into our new “Paraiso” abode by December 21, 2012 —hmm, that date has an interested ring to it.  This will also be the new home of Massage Essential and later down the road, my new Watsu services which I hopefully will christen some time in 2013.   

        “What the heck is Watsu?,” you say.  Watsu is a gentle form of body therapy performed in warm water, (around 35°C / 90°F).  It combines elements of massage, joint mobilization, shiatsu, muscle stretching and dance. The receiver is continuously supported while being floated, cradled, rocked and stretched. The deeply relaxing effects of warm water and nurturing support combine with Watsu's movements, stretches, massage and point work, to create a bodywork with a range of therapeutic benefits and potential healing on many levels.   



            Stay tuned for more updates as the project continues…