Paragraphs of Words Spell Hilarious TRAGEDY at Berkeley Rep

You will never watch your local news station the same way again. You listen to “our reporters standing by” in the rain, storm, and “in front of modest family homes” for years, but it kind of escapes you—all that repetitive senseless rhetorical chow they feed you as the news day after day, hour after hour. Will Eno’s “TRAGEDY: a tragedy,” directed by Les Waters, that premiered at Berkeley Rep yesterday, hilariously rotates around a news coverage of an undecipherable tragedy that befalls Anytown, USA, causing so much pain and grief and, perhaps, loss of life, that the governor comes up with a consolation speech, consisting mostly of “paragraphs of words.” In his rather existential satire, Eno peels layer after layer off our collective mentality, exposing the conformity of our collective soul, ready to gobble whatever sugarcoated crap is being served. “Have you seen anything striking that struck you?” asks Thomas Jay Ryan (in the role of John in the Field) of Danny Wolohan who plays The Witness. Marguerite Stimpson (Constance at the Home) forever comments on the empty home in front of which she stands, spewing a thesaurus of words to convey the emptiness of the home from which a family is gone. Adding more ground to the scene is Max Gordon Moore (Michael, Legal Advisor) standing on the steps of the government building, reporting in extensive passages time and again that no word has been heard yet from the government. David Cromwell (Frank in the Studio) comments on the reporters’ comments after each “back to you, Frank,” with the exception of those moments when he unplugs his earpiece to stir sugar in his coffee and scratch his head. All is business as usual, with the tragedy unfolding somewhere in the field, where John finds a great escape route by commenting on stray dogs’ behavior, and referring to “passers by who pass by” and to a nightfall which comes when “night falls, or descends.” Once again, it almost escapes you that the real tragedy is hatching deep inside your gray matter, becoming grayer with each newscast you hear day after day, year after year. The show runs through April 13. For info and ticket reservations, call 510-647-2949 or visit berkeleyrep.org

Young San Francisco Artist, Diversified

Janelle Randall, a recent graduate of the Academy of Art University, SF, tries her charcoal and brushes in a variety of genres, but her portraits, figures and still lives, some of them likely class work, carry a mark of confidentiality and skill with a lot of promise. Her figure studies, like Timeless Thinker (shown here) and Light Shines in Darkness emanate the strength of masculinity, however feminine (and even petite) the artist herself might be. Randall works successfully on commissions, and, inspired by nature in all its glory, explores her favorite subject matter of blooming gardens and youthful visages in different media. Her strong hand is especially well adjusted in her painted designs, in which her imagination flows, combined with high technical execution. Randall displays her work on her website, www.paintingsbyjanelle.com

Hans Roenau Photography More Than Pretty Pictures

Hans Roenau says he takes pictures of what he sees, but it surely takes an artist’s eye to see a full moon over San Francisco Bay, Mount Tam in morning fog, and Taj Mahal in Sausalito the way he does. There are other things to admire in my favorite photographer. How many 80+ year-old do you know who work for a major publication, blog, drive all over the Bay Area, and travel extensively, never parting with their camera, always ready to be amazed and amused, and endlessly curious about life? I love our conversations with Hans, because we can discuss anything from art and politics to bird instincts and women’s characters, argue about our views, disagree on major issues, pick at each other, enjoy the same artist or vehemently defend our contradictory favorites, and never bother sounding correct or proper. Hans’s daily photography postings can be seen on his blog, Hans Roenau, always supplemented by his witty comments. Check it out.

Pina Coladas With Turtles

There are so many great things about Hawai’ian vacation: turquoise waters, warm nights, fragrant plumeria flowers, male dancers who look masculine for a change… but the best thing is that cozy feeling of being a child again in Mother Nature’s generous lap. The Big Island like no other brings you close to her wild side. While driving past endless black fields of dated lava flow, one can’t help but fully realize the incomparability of a human life to geological times. Mountains rise and fall, volcanoes erupt and cool, crops are buried under flaming lava to grow back again in mere thousands of years, and all of it is happening with total disregard for miniscule us. Like microscopic eyelash mites, eliminated by a lazy rub, we live and build, and travel, and pray to be spared, only to discover once again that we cannot poss-ii-ibly be-e-e he-e-e-ard, and that this tiny moment of happiness with pina colada in hand while looking at basking sea turtles on a sparkling beach is all we have. I am not going to list here hotel names or best places to devour catch of the day, local attractions or recommended catamaran tours in Hawai’i. Those are insignificant little things that might distract you from the major enjoyment. Just go there and feel alive. Even if for a short while.

Three sea turtles at the Four Seasons Hotel beach. Photo by Yuri Krasov.

March 8 International Women's Day. Congratulations to All Women and Those Who Love Us

Editor Emma Krasov is now working on her new travel article. Meanwhile, please check out your favorite subjects in Categories (look to your right); send a smart question to Ask Emma--our relationship advice column, or offer your suggestions about the best events in art and entertainment. Send all press-releases, comments, and questions to: editor.krasov@gmail.com

Ask Emma

Q: I have two teenage daughters. I raised them the way I was raised myself, as respectful and obedient to their parents. However, since my older daughter started dating a boy from her school, she changed completely and became a different and very unpleasant person. She spends so much time with the guy that her homework is never done. When I told her that I disapprove of her date, she told me that she’s in love, and I just have to live with it. Surprised at her rudeness I said, “What does a seventeen-year-old know about love?” And she answered, ”What does a flabby forty-something know about love?” It all happened in front of my younger daughter, which makes me feel even more insulted. How can I get her back in line?
A: It seems you’ve spent many happy years raising your daughters in a state of ignorant bliss. You thought they were respectful and obedient while probably they were merely too intimidated to express their disagreement with you. When your older daughter started dating a boy, she finally felt like a complete person, whose opinion mattered. This is a powerful feeling that can make a timid person talk back. If you don’t want to worsen the situation try not to question her feelings and blatantly disapprove. The best you can do is to try to win her over. Have a sincere and respectful talk with her about young love, old love, childbearing and rearing and everything you can share as an older and more experienced person. But first, please listen to what she has to say. You’ll be surprised how little you knew about your own daughter. When your understanding is established, make her apologize for that “flabby” thing. You don’t deserve to be teased. Nobody does. As for your younger daughter, now you have time to develop the perfect relationship with her. Don’t let it slip by.

Bay Area Photographers Collective Exhibits "Whimsy"

The Bay Area Photographers Collective's (BAPC) new exhibit explores humor, wit and irony in photography at the Rayko Gallery on March 20 – April 20. Rayko Gallery, 428 Third Street, San FranciscoGallery hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 12 p.m. - 10 p.m. Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.; closed Monday. Artists’ Reception on Thursday, March 20, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. For information, call Rayko Photo Center, (415) 495-3773 or visit www.raykophoto.wordpress.com; www.bapc.info BAPC is a non-profit organization founded in 1999 tosupport and encourage emerging fine-art photographers by creating a community of artists working together and helping one another. By pooling resources, the organization provides members with professional and artist development through artist talks, portfolio reviews, critiques, workshops, slide presentations, aesthetic salons and exhibition opportunities. BAPC and Rayko Photo Center are the sponsors of this exhibit.