When I'm not writing... or directing... or editing... or raising a family... I'm acting. This weekend I'll be playing a bit in Goering at Nuremberg, a very cool piece of theater by Romulus Linney. He's best known as Hollywood actress Laura Linney's dad, but he'd prefer to be remembered as an acclaimed, heavyweight playwright.

Goering is anything but heavy going. It moves fast, has plenty of clever moments and allows the star (Clarence Felder) to do his thing. Here are some nice things that people have said about the show:

REVIEWS

"......Exhilarating... gripping tour-de-force for its charismatic star, Clarence Felder, whose bravura performance brings Hermann Goering so vividly to life, he will leave you breathless... played with flame-throwing self-confidence... Felder is a larger-than-death villain."

THE NEW YORK POST

"A riveting portrait...from the moment he appears looking like a Nazi Rumpelstiltskin with a voice that could perform surgery, Felder dominates the stage..."

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

"Hard-hitting...all the complexities of Goering are on view. For Clarence Felder who plays the role, it's a tour-de-force..."

THE JEWISH POST & OPINION

"Fascinating...a provocative, thoughtful, examination...Clarence Felder delivers a strong portrayal, letting us see the cunning as well as his self-aggrandizement."

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

"As Hermann Goering, Clarence Felder turned in one of the great virtuoso performances in Festival history...he takes the stage like a tank with all guns blazing..."

THE POST & COURIER, Charleston, SC

"Gripping...a compelling, frightening, not to mention excellent drama, propelled by multi-layered content and excellent acting. The standard of excellence is set by Clarence Felder as Hermann Goering...powerful, first-rate drama."

THE STATE, Columbia, S.C.

OTHER CAST MEMBERS

Michael Easler, Rob Gorman, Charles Venning, James Burns, Craig Hadley, David Joyner, Borys Bohun-Chudyniv, Nick Smith, Nancy Magathan, Brittny Perrotta

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Wednesday, November 2 @ 7:30 pm
MARK CLARK AUDITORIUM (second floor)
THE CITADEL, CHARLESTON SC

Yet more filming in the SC midcountry, with a revolutionary battle to tape tomorrow and a major crowd scene on Sunday. This is the best time of year to film, thanks to the amber sunsets, silver-lined clouds & moonlit nights that October brings to our state. I can see why Samhain was so big in times gone by, with a blood red sun to scare the willies out of farmers.

I’ve been holed up recently editing a children’s DVD project called The Dolly Show, a music-heavy documentary that has bits that will appeal to youngsters, and other bits that older kids like (the rock band aspects).

I’ve never been a big fan of changing a film at the behest of a test audience or focus group, so I’m glad that the kids have given ‘Take Time’ (the main music video) the thumbs up.

Dolly is a maltese who likes to play dress-up – you can check out some of her outfits at Dolly Books – making this truly one of the most left-field projects I’ve been involved in, at least since some my Film School students made an ambitious shortie about a runaway haggis...

The following Cat Haiku are courtesty of ultracool actress/producer, Heather Gadol.

The food in my bowl
Is old, and more to the point,
Contains no tuna.

So you want to play.
Will I claw at dancing string?
Your ankle's closer.

There's no dignity
In being sick - which is why
I don't tell you where.

Seeking solitude
I am locked in the closet.
For once I need you.

Tiny can, dumped in
Plastic bowl. Presentation,
One star; service, none.

Am I in your way?
You seem to have it backwards:
This pillow's taken.

Your mouth is moving;
Up and down, emitting noise.
I've lost interest.

The dog wags his tail,
Seeking approval.
See mine? Different message.

My brain: walnut-sized.
Yours: largest among primates.
Yet, who leaves for work?

Most problems can be
Ignored. The more difficult
Ones can be slept through.

My affection is conditional.
Don't stand up,
It's your lap I love.

Cats can't steal the breath
Of children. But if my tail's
Pulled again, I'll learn.

I don't mind being
Teased, any more than you mind
A skin graft or two.

So you call this thing
Your "cat carrier."
I call it my "blades of death."

Toy mice, dancing yarn,
Meowing sounds. I'm convinced:
You're an idiot.

My son Sam likes to turn to the end of a book as soon as he picks it up. He just can’t wait to find out what happens. One day, I hope he’ll decide that it’s better to savor the mystery of an original story, and let it unfold at a natural pace.

“Dancer” contacted me today, opening a message with the following word:



Which, I presume, is a vexation. Dancer has a problem:

Help !!! I can't find the mysterious Moggy's Collar Can you help? You will be helping to preserve my sanity as I can't crack the safe without the moggys name that's on the collar !

Sorry Dancer, but that’s not my department. I have no idea where my own moggy’s collar is, let alone the one in MSN’s Kitty Caper. But I can wish you all the luck in the world. For more helpful advice, you can try a site like gamershood.com, which has Kitty Caper threads.

Don’t give up, and remember that the game’s just for fun! (and, er, to plug the company’s new toolbar, natch.) Enjoy the unfolding mystery!

The Bratt Pack

I’m still recovering from a hectic weekend’s filming at Historic Brattonsville, an amazing little collection of 18th and 19th Century buildings that provided a backdrop for Captain Felder’s Cannon.

Brattonsville has been a fine site for re-enactors, school groups and tourists for some time now. The volunteers who work there are often in ‘living history’ mode, dressed in 1800s garb and carrying out authentic chores. It’s a strangely peaceful place to find so close to the industry-ridden Rock Hill and Chester, South Carolina.

Captain Felder’s Cannon (my first HD feature) is coming along nicely, with several hours of battle footage and short, snappy dialogue scenes in the can. Now we’re working on the meatier moments, with longer speeches and fancier lighting. Next weekend we’ll be in Camden for the testament of Dave Reid, who plays an evil Redcoat officer. This guy’s mean and lovin’ it.