One of the Northeast Corridor’s most anticipated summer events is cabaret season at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford on Long Island Sound. Its sweeping lawns – great for a pre-theater picnic with a water view – its charming theaters: an old red-barn, a sunken-garden, the Dina Merrill (cabaret venue), and open-air bleachers under the trees. And remarkably low ticket price (listed below) make this an irresistible theatrical attraction. Take it from us, in past years we have been to the O’Neill for some of the best cabaret acts ever……for instance, Sharon McNight (the only woman in the world who can sing the entire score of “The Wizard of Oz” in about 22 minutes!) to many other acclaimed headliners.
This year’s theme, “Let Yourself Go,” a phrase from an Irving Berlin song, is an invitation from the cabaret’s artistic director, Michael Bush, to “become part of the creation and performance of ten wildly eclectic and diverse evenings of the most innovative ‘cabaret theater’ in America today.”
Michael says that “one of the great things about ‘cabaret’ is its intimacy. Our performances require the fuel of an audience’s interaction to spark and catch fire. It is that connection between artist and audience that is the essence of what we do at the [O’Neill Cabaret] conference.” He added, “This summer’s programming is the best ever!”
The cabaret season begins on 8:00 p. m., Wednesday, July 29th with the annual opening ceremonies and performances. It’s an admission-free evening that previews the upcoming ten nights of entertainment and gives the audience a chance to meet the artists.
Thursday, July 30 at 8:00 p.m. World-renowned cabaret artist Mary Cleere Haran presents an evening of song. She has received critical acclaim comparing her singing to Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Doris Day and Rosemary Clooney. She has brought her witty, musically sophisticated cabaret act to Rainbow & Stars in New York and LA’s Cinegrille, among other top clubs in the country. She’s received rave reviews in People Magazine and The New York Times, among others. She’s also a noted writer: PBS’s “Great Performances” and “The Great American Songbook.”
Friday, July 31 at 8:00 p. m. Join Tony- nominee and Emmy-winner Penny Fuller, two-time Tony-nominee Tony Roberts (Broadway’s Dividing the Estate and Barefoot in the Park) for an evening of song.
Saturday, August 1 at 8:00 p. m 2009 Cabaret Fellows – “Evening One: A performance by the 2009 Cabaret Fellows” – hand-picked, up-and-coming artists.
Sunday, August 2 at 7:30 p. m. Two tickets for the price of one! An evening of two cabaret acts! Hunter Bell, Susan Blackwell, Heidi Blickenstaff, and Jeff Bowen (the cast of Broadway’s “[title of show]” developed at the 2005 Cabaret and Performance Conference) who will be presenting a new work in-progress – plus the songs of Tony Award-winning Edward Kleban, lyricist of “A Chorus Line.”
Tuesday, August 4 at 8:00 p. m. Broadway leading man and four-time Tony-nominee Gregg Edelman, (Wonderful Town and City of Angels) presents an evening of song.
Wednesday, August 5 at 8:00 p. m. Paul Scott Goodman, who wrote the music, book, and lyrics for the Off-Broadway smash-hit “Rooms: A Rock Romance” presents his new work, “Easterhouse.” This piece is presented in cooperation with the National Music Theater Conference.
Thursday, August 6 at 8:00 p. m. 2009 Cabaret Fellows – “Evening Two – A performance by Cabaret Fellows,” the hand-picked, up and coming performers are back to show how much they’ve progressed in honing their craft since “Evening One.”
Friday, August 7 at 8:00 p. m. “Secrets of Songwriting:” a musical about four very different female songwriters in Nashville, written by Michael Aman and Randi Michaels Block.
Saturday, August 8 at 8:00 p. m. Grand Finale. Artists and fellows perform. Don’t miss forty-four performers make this a spectacular once-in-lifetime event!
After each show, Michael Bush will host the now infamous Open Mic sessions, except for the opening celebration and the Grand Finale.
Now for more good theater news! General admission is only $25 a show – except the Grand Finale. And even better news is that you can get one ticket at a four-person table – including a bottle of wine for the table for $30. And two tickets at a table for two and a bottle of wine for $65. Cabaret Grand Finale Spectacular prices: Two-person table with wine $95. One seat at a four- person table with wine $45. General admission $30. This spectacular show always sells out quickly.
The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, 305 Great Neck Road, Waterford, CT. Tickets: 860-443-1238 or online at www.theoneill.org
Governor M. Jodi Rell signed a bill on July 7th allowing pet owners to set up enforceable trusts to care for their animals, ensuring that the animals are not neglected or euthanized if they die before their pets.
“Those who derive joy from the companionship of their devoted pets can now have peace of mind knowing their pets will be properly cared for when they are no longer around,” Governor Rell said. “Pets ask nothing of us but kindness and, in turn, reward us with unconditional love.”
Senate Bill 650, An Act Concerning the Creation of a Trust for the Care of An Animal, requires that the pet owner designate a “trust protector,” someone whose sole duty is to act on behalf of the animal, ensuring the pet receives the proper care.
A Superior Court or probate court would have jurisdiction over the trust, which terminates when the last surviving animal dies. The trust protector can seek legal action in either court to remove or replace a trustee, the individual overseeing the fund, if the money was spent on anything other than its intended use.
Prior to the new law, pet owners could set up trusts for their animals but those arrangements were considered honorary since animal beneficiaries cannot enforce them.
“Pet ownership is a responsibility that should never be taken lightly,” Governor Rell said. “Owners can now ensure that their special member of the family will get the care it deserves for the rest of its life.”
Note: This is the first part of a two-part series.
Even though your intentions are benevolent, there are people who will invariably find fault with your efforts. Ignore these naysayers. Don’t allow them to dissuade you. You may already encountered some of the following situations.
People may forget the good you do or how often you do it. You do good things because it’s the right thing to do and it is who you are. You do not follow this path because you are looking for praise or recognition. Therefore, it does not matter how others respond. People who feel guilty about not doing enough compensate by criticizing those who do more. This is human nature. Don’t take it personally.
As you do more good, without expectation of reward or recognition, you will attract more good in your life. Doing good things is far more satisfying than being a spectator. Take the initiative without being asked. Look for ways to be of service. Surprise others with compassion and consideration.
Although there will be those who forget what you did, it doesn’t matter. There will be others who do remember and appreciate your actions. When you succeed, some will be jealous and you may attract false friends. Success is good. Yet, when you succeed, those who did not will tend to be jealous. They may try to make you feel guilty. Just remember that success beats failure.
The approval of others is not a prerequisite for success. Success is a worthy pursuit. There is only one definition of failure: giving up.
Then there are individuals who will befriend you only after you succeed. People who were constant critics miraculously transform into cheerleaders as you reach your goals. True friends stay by your side regardless of where you are. A true friend is one who was there for you before you became successful.
Positive people encourage others to succeed; negative people would rather see failure. Don’t allow criticism to deter you from succeeding. Help others succeed, don’t listen to those who don’t want to.
If you are kind, people may try to take advantage of you. Kindness demonstrates concern and consideration for others. Kindness emanates from strength, not weakness. It’s small minded, insecure people who are mean.
Unfortunately, there are those who view kind people as easily manipulated. Fortunately, they can’t do this without your consent. Kindness is not synonymous with vulnerability. It is not necessary to be mean in order to protect yourself.
You can be kind without allowing others to take advantage of you. You can and should stand up for yourself when someone treats you poorly. Don’t allow mean people to turn you into a mean person also. In spite of what others do, be kind anyway.
The next column will address some more situations where you should “do it anyway.”
NOW AVAILABLE: “Dare to Live Without Limits,” the book. Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at bryan@columnist.com or write him c/o this paper. 2006 Bryan Golden
Note: This is the first part of a two-part series.
Dear Neil: Recently you wrote about co-dependency. For years I have thought of myself as co-dependent, but have been unable to change it. Could you review what co-dependency is – and offer ideas of what I can do about it?
- Interested in Changing in Ontario
Dear Ontario: Here is a checklist of co-dependent behaviors, courtesy of Melody Beattie in the book “Co-Dependent No More.” Check those characteristics which you think apply to you:
• Feel responsible for other people – for their feelings, thoughts, actions, choices, wants, needs, well-being and ultimate destiny
• Feel compelled, almost forced, to help others solve their problems
• Over-anticipate other people’s needs, and wonder why others don’t do the same for you
• Find yourself saying “yes” when you mean “no,” doing things you don’t really want to be doing, doing more than your fair share of the work, and doing things other people are capable of doing themselves
• Not knowing what you want and need – or if you do, telling yourself that what you want isn’t important
• Trying to please others
• Feel sad because you spend your whole life giving to other people and nobody gives to you
• Find yourself attracted to needy people – and vice versa
• Feel angry, victimized, unappreciated and used
• Come from a troubled, repressed or dysfunctional family
• Blame yourself for the way you think, feel, look, act and behave
• Get angry, defensive, self-righteous and indignant when others criticize you, while you criticize others
• Take things personally
• Are so afraid of making mistakes you often don’t try at all
• Wonder why you have a tough time making decisions
• Feel a lot of guilt
• Feel ashamed of who you are
• Believe you do not deserve happiness
• Wish others would like and love you, but believe others couldn’t possibly like and love you
• Feel terribly anxious about problems and people
• Try to catch people misbehaving
• Find it almost impossible to say “no”
• Ask for what you want and need indirectly, such as sighing
• Have a difficult time asserting your rights
• Have a difficult time expressing your emotions honestly, openly and appropriately
• Complain, blame and try to control
• Don’t trust yourself, your feelings, your decisions or other people
• Find it difficult to feel close to people
• Find it difficult to have fun and to be spontaneous.
Scoring: The more “yes” answers, the greater your level of co-dependency. I will discuss what you can do about co-dependency in next week’s column.
Neil Rosenthal is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Denver and Boulder, CO, specializing in how people strengthen their intimate relationships. He can be reached at 303.758.8777, or e-mail him from his website, www.heartrelationships.com.
World renowned makeup artist, Lindsay Ebbins, national makeup director, Elizabeth Arden Spas, shows Alexis Ann, editor & publisher, the Resident, how to perfectly apply her Vanilla Eye Shadow during a makeover at the Red Door Spa at the Mystic Marriott, Groton.
by Christopher Annino
photos by Wesley Wollschlager
National make-up director for Elizabeth Arden Spas, and celebrity make-up artist Lindsay Ebbin worked hard for what he became today. Part of his young life he was brought up in Bermuda where he began modeling at a young age. During his modeling career, he was sent to New York City to live with his brother.
The culture of New York inspired Lindsay to pursue a career in hair and make up. He began his dream as a shampoo boy in Canada. With his drive and vision, he managed to own several salons by 24 years of age. From there he was hunted down by Elizabeth Arden to become the General Manager for the flagship in Canada. By fine tuning his skills and learning how to view a face like a sculptor, he became known worldwide for celebrity makeovers. The 2009 Presidential Inauguration, “America’s Next Top Model,” Fashion Week in New York are just a few highlights in his career. Some of his favorite models to work with are Alec Wek and Kim Alexis.
The Resident’s very own Alexis Ann had the honor to have Lindsay give her a makeover during one of his visits to Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa at the Mystic Marriott in Groton.
First Lindsay prepped Alexis’s face and applied Prevage skin care to open the skins pours. After that he applied a custom color foundation. With advanced techniques, a computer analysis of a perfect foundation for Alexis’s face was created at the spa. He finished up with Mineral Powder # 4, Vanilla Eye Shadow, Pine Eyeliner and Perfect Tulip Lipstick.
(l-r) Alexis Ann, editor & publisher, the Resident, was pampered at the Red Door Spa at the Mystic Marriott, Groton, by Lisa Shadle, hairdresser, and Patti Stiff, nail tech.
Before Alexis left to get her nails and hair finished, Lindsay said, “I enjoy coming to Mystic because people are open to give us ideas as to what we can improve on. Mystic is one of the best places for makeovers, because women are willing to change.”
At the end of the day Alexis sparkled with delight at her new look thanks to world famous make-up artist Lindsay Ebbin and spa employees Lisa Shadle and Patti Stiff.
Governor M. Jodi Rell signed a bill on July 7th allowing pet owners to set up enforceable trusts to care for their animals, ensuring that the animals are not neglected or euthanized if they die before their pets.
