The Hot l Baltimore in San Diego

The Hot l Baltimore is a play by Lanford Wilson. Set in the lobby of the Hotel Baltimore, it focuses on the residents of the decaying property who are faced with eviction when the structure is condemned. The play draws its title from the hotel's neon marquee with a burned-out letter ''e'' which was never replaced.

The off-Broadway Circle Repertory Company's production, directed by Marshall W. Mason, opened on 22 March 1973, at Circle in the Square Downtown, where it ran for 1666 performances. The cast included Trish Hawkins, Conchata Ferrell, Judd Hirsch, and Jonathan Hogan. It won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best American Play of 1972–73, the John Gassner Playwriting Award, an Obie Award, and an Outer Critics Circle Award.


More Links: Hot l Baltimore Sullivan Players Fan Page Hot l Baltimore Event Page

Swedenborg Hall (1531 Tyler Ave, San Diego,92103) has been in City Heights for nearly a hundred years. The hall has been the gathering place for arts and culture for over fifty years. Visit the hall online at www.SwedenborgHall.org.

Bad Kitty

So I was just about to go and surf.  This is something I used to do religiously but have been slacking off on lately.  I REALLY need to surf three or four times a week, man.

So, I'm on my way to surf and I can't find my phone!  So I went back into the house to look for it.  No phone.  But, because it had been so long since I've surfed, I just put off looking for it.

The surf was fabulous, the weather perfect and, should I have drowned, the lifeguard beautiful.

When I got here (Coffee Bean in Clairemont), I resumed my search by going online and texting Jennie at work.  Then I checked my e-mail and saw, send from my own phone, this:

My Car Ride With Craig Noel

I worked at the Old Globe Theatre (as it was then known, now it's The Globe Theatre) from 1984 to 1989.  There I saw many things and learned a lot about how theatre works and how theatres work.  And one day, I was the only one who could pick up Craig Noel and take him to his recently repaired car.
At the Globe, the powers that be were desperately getting Craig ready for retirement.  Little did they know that he would never really retire and, probably on Monday, they will finally have the office space they've wanted since the 80s.  I will never forget my 10-minute car ride with the most important single person in American Theatre.
It almost didn't happen.  I was running late and sped into Balboa Park followed by an off-duty police officer who said that if he had his ticket  book, I surely would have gotten a ticket with multiple infractions.  How could I tell him that I was risking being late to pick up Craig Noel? 
The conversation was pleasant enough.  I didn't really want to bother him with the one million questions I had about his life, career and opinions on acting and actors.  So I thought I'd get around to it by talking about the old days.
Craig had worked for MGM and, before that in Japan.  We talked of those days but Craig talked mostly about his family.  His mother and brother mostly.  His mother was constantly having to deal with these unruly boys getting into all kinds of mischief in what must have been a bucolic 1920's New Mexico.
I never did get to ask the million questions I had but I'll never forget that car ride.  The last time I saw Craig, four years ago, he called me by name and asked how I was getting along since leaving the Globe (in 1989!).  A terrific man, a talented artist (whom I was honored to see at work) and a kind, gentle soul.  I will miss him.  But more so, I will miss his friend and assistant Raul Moncada who died on the dame day.
Raul was the founding manager of one of Craig's greatest theatrical efforts: Teatro Meta.  Raul translated dozens of plays by Latin American playwrights; English plays into Spanish and ran the first program to put them all together for regional theatre audiences (at a major regional theatre).  Raul also worked on outreach, in the education department and as a stage manager on nearly a hundred plays.  He was kind and attentive and looked out for Craig like a mother hen looks over her chicks.
How oddly fitting that Raul was there when Craig died.  Not in the same place: Craig died, I am sure, with many members of his Globe family close by and Raul died alone a few miles away.  But I have no doubt that as Craig left this place and entered the other, there was Raul with a clipboard, a cup of coffee and a deferential smile.  And I'm also sure that Raul helped Craig along the way.
These men who were gentle giants in American (and South American) theatre.  These men who gave so much and asked for so little.  These men whe were the epitome of gentlemen.  These men whom I loved and never told them.  These men will be missed.
All we can now do, if we are to call ourselves theatre artists (or human for that matter) is to live as a testament to their shining example.  To Craig Noel, hero; and to Raul Moncada, quieter, less well-known but no different artistically and humanly; to these men I dedicate the rest of my career.  You were loved, you continue to be loved and you will be missed.  And you have made the world better.
I will prove this to you and the world with everything I do creatively.  I will endeavor to entertain you and make you proud.  With love.

The Hot L Baltimore

I am in this play, opening May 8th, 2010.  And, every time I read it I get depressed.  This is because it is a depressing play about sad people in difficult times.  A depressing but terrifically well rendered play.  Simple at first glance but with so many layers that it's amazing.
Lanford Wilson wrote the play in 1927 and it was an off-broadway phenomenon.  In fact, Wilson is credited as one of the founders of the off-broadway movement.  This means that Tony awards were not to be but he won a Drama Desk and an Obie.
The play was so successful that it was picked up by Norman Lear (the man who brought us Archie Bunker and Maude and the Jeffersons to name a few) for a short-lived TV series of the same name.  This was the first (and one of very few still) that featured prostitutes and homosexuals in lead roles.
The sassy actress Conchata Ferrell (that's how the Internet spells her name) was in both the play and the TV series but it would be 30 more years before she was recognized for her unique talents by Emmy voters.  This time for her turn as Charlie Sheen's maid in Two and a Half Men.
Now for all the degrees of separation from the original Hot L Baltimore and the one opening at Swedenborg Hall on May 8th:
My own fiance, Jennie Olson, plays The Girl opposite me.
Director DJ Sullivan was in an acclaimed version of the play at San Diego's Old Globe theatre in the 70s.
Playwright Lanford Wilson lived briefly in San Diego and attended, also briefly, San Diego State.
Wilson was also the roommate in New York of Jennie Olson's dear friend Anthony who remembers wild times...
DJ Sullivan and Conchata Ferrell auditioned for more than 50 of the same commercials, films and TV series and know each other by reputation.  "We were the two big ladies of a certain age in LA at the time," says DJ of her time auditioning against Ferrell in the 70s and 80s.
Another member of the original cast was Judd Hirsch.  I play this part in San Diego.  There is no degree of separation other than that I have watched every Taxi episode at least three times and can do a spot-on impersonation of Judd Hirsch.  DJ Sullivan frowns on this and asks me to find my own way in this play.
My questions for Messers Wilson and Hirsch and Ms. Ferrell are these:
Was it depressing for you? What did you do to combat the sadness, especially for eight shows a week? Would you do the play again if you could?  Wanna see the play in San Diego? 
Here's the information:
THE HOT L BALTIMORE by Lanford Wilson
Directed by DJ Sullivan, produced by the Sullivan Players
Performs at 7:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (May 8-30) at Swedenborg Hall.
Tickets ($15 general and $12 for students, seniors, military and Actors Alliance) available one hour prior to curtain.  Map and directions.

SULLIVAN PLAYERS PRESENTS THE HOT L BALTIMORE MAY 8-30 AT SWEDENBORG HALL

SULLIVAN PLAYERS PRESENTS THE HOT L BALTIMORE MAY 8-30 AT SWEDENBORG HALL FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 10, 2010 Contact: Kevin Six (619) 818-1131 six.kevin@yahoo.com SAN DIEGO - THE HOT L BALTIMORE, Lanford Wilson's play about the down-and-out denizens of a hotel slated for demolition, is directed by local acting, directing and teaching legend D. J. Sullivan. The play will have eight performances at Swedenborg Hall, which has supported the arts for over 50 years. Tickets, which cost $15.00 ($12.00 for students, seniors, military and San Diego Actors Alliance members), are available one-hour before show time at the theatre. Performance Dates/Times: 7:00 p.m. Saturday, May 8 7:00 p.m. Friday, May 14 7:00 p.m. Saturday, May 15 7:00 p.m. Friday, May 21 7:00 p.m. Saturday, May 22 7:00 p.m. Friday, May 28 7:00 p.m. Saturday, May 29 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 30 Swedenborg Hall: 1531 Tyler Avenue, San Diego. Map and directions. Parking is free at the nearby City Schools Education Center parking lot. Informational Links: www.DJSullivanPlayers.com Swedenborg Hall THE HOT L BALTIMORE Lanford Wilson # # #

Let's Hear It For...

Theatre companies soliciting for new work!  It looks like a TON of theatres throughout the the US are gearing up for summer new play festivals.  The submission requirements vary from easy to thought-provoking and many send writers back to make sure their plays are actually what they said they were.  This is great!

Now!  If only we got ALL theatres in the US to present new play festivals...

Closing

Theatre is one of those process things where you have time to get to know your cast, director, technicians.  It's always tough when a show closes because you don't have an excuse to see all these people you'd otherwise never have met.  You also don't get to go with them to the best fort any group of kids could ever make.
Playing in theatre is better than any other kind of play I've ever done and I sure want to do it again soon!  I also like the film, TV and video sandbox too because it's shorter and more intense.  You have to have all your skills handy, use them and then head out. 

But the friendships aren't always as meaningful, strong or lasting.  So, to my new friends from "What All School Children Learn" so long for now.  Love, 'ya!