'Copter ride over Sedona offers spectacular viewing, bird's eye glide

A helicopter weaves through the rocks of Sedona's fabled landscape. Passengers number only
six, plus the pilot. It's an exciting way to travel through the historic countryside at close-up range.

FLYING SKY HIGH ABOVE SEDONA'S ANCIENT WONDERS OFFERS THRILLS EVEN FOR COWARDS

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS
PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

Christene "Cookie" Meyers and Bruce Keller prepare to
board Sedona Air Tours for a spectacular ride, below left.  

FOR A COWARD, a helicopter ride could make hands shake, teeth rattle and knees quiver.

Not with a calm pilot, smooth flying and gorgeous scenery.
So I summoned my courage and "cowgirled up" for the adventure. I was not sorry. If I'd been a chicken, I'd have missed a most spectacular 'copter ride over the red rock country of Sedona, Arizona.
We chose Sedona Air Tours for its well maintained 'copters and stellar safety record and reputation for fun.  Our pilot, Joseph, immediately put my jitters to rest. His confident way in the cockpit complemented a soothing commentary as we glided smoothly over ancient rock formations where dinosaurs once roamed.

 "How long ago was the dinosaur era?" a fellow passenger asked. Joseph explained that geologically, the history of Sedona began a staggering 500 million  years ago. Over 300 million years, the land was alternately ocean bottom and coastal plain. Sedimentary layers of sandstone formed, inviting life.  So the reign of the dino kingdom was between 200 and 65 million years ago. We were stepping back in time. 

SEDONA'S WONDERS are world famous.  The natural beauty of its gorgeous red rock formations make it popular with naturalists, geologists and students of history. And in the last half century, Sedona   

The helicopter's controls are in view
as one glides over the landscape.

has also gained fame as a haven for spiritual wellness.

Numerous energy vortexes encompass the region and that attracts another group of fans.

We're open to all interpretations and appreciations. The undeniable beauty of the land remains, no matter one's spiritual or religious philosophy.

SEDONA AIR Tours offers several options to 'copter over Sedona.  The "Hog Wild" tour winds leisurely around the area's iconic rock formations and the Western Wilderness Canyons.  Through the years, people have given names to these fascinating shapes. The narrative helps to explain their monikers -- helpful if you can't discern "Snoopy" right away.

 The "Ancient's Way" takes passengers over Dry Creek and Secret Canyon, Long Canyon and Boynton Canyon, with close-up views of the ancient and fascinating Sinagua cliff dwellings. Cocks Comb and Doe Mesa are also on the docket.

"Bear Wallow" soars over the red rock formations, with an eye level view of Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and the striking Chapel of the Holy Cross.

Passengers are close together.

SNOOPY ROCK and Bear Wallow Canyon await on this tour, too.

One can also book a 'copter flight over the Grand Canyon, past the Verde Valley. One tour offers a landing in the canyon's bottom, a narrated Colorado River boat trip and return to the top of the canyon's rim for lunch, a trek on the famous Canyon Skywalk and a visit to a Native American village before heading back to Sedona.

My favorite fellow passenger called it "a magic flight over surreal canyons for eye-to-eye contact with nature's magnificence. It's a glimpse into the world of prehistoric man, with a close-up view of the living quarters of original inhabitants."

 

Ancient cliff dwellings are visible from a
helicopter, which allows one to see the detail.

The company has been operating over 20 years. Pilots are commercially rated with thousands of flight hours. They're also enthusiastic history buffs and love to share their knowledge.

Because of the closeness to the land, we were, as my pal aptly put it, "Immersed in  the sights -- rather than high above them." 

Yes, for a time, we wound through the rocks, and it was wonderful!

SedonaAirTours.com 928-204-5939

American Cruise Lines' sleek modern ship, American Harmony,
 offers state-of-the-art riverboat cruising in the United States.
The line offers a variety of small-ship luxury, "safe" cruises.

UP NEXT:  What's up with the cruise industry now that travelers are getting vaccinated? We'll update readers on trends, new itineraries, changing focus from cruise companies, updated CDC guidelines for cruising and more. It's a new world on the high seas, with restrictions and foreign ports an unknown as a result of the pandemic. To play it safe, American Cruise Lines offers a unique variety of all-American cruise options from the Mississippi to Pacific Northwest, coastal New England and more. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live, and catch us Fridays for a fresh look at travel, the arts, nature, family and more: whereiscookie.com

  

Sedona's splendors unfold in train trip through red rock country

An engineer steps into the train to begin the four-hour journey. 

ALL ABOARD FOR RELAXING TRAIN TRIP INTO ARIZONA'S HIGH DESERT

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS
PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

Cooke and Keller
riding the rails.

WE LOVE TRAINS.

We've traveled by rail on Japan's bullet trains, crossed Australia's deserts by rail, followed in Paul Thoreaux's path on the Old Patagonian Express.

In Europe, we're huge Eurail fans, traversing from country to country in comfort, sipping a nicely served cafe au lait or glass of wine while each new landscape unfolds.

The Verde Canyon Railroad cars are nicely kept
and named after various landmarks and towns.

Fields of lavender in Provence, vibrant yellow rape seed, vineyards of Tuscany golden in sunset glory.

It's all glorious from inside a well tended train car with its deep windows and comfy seats.

SO WE WERE thrilled to discover Arizona's Verde Canyon Railroad while researching Sedona and what to do during a week of work and play.

The popular four-hour trip takes the passenger on a relaxing journey into wilderness thick with willow, juniper, oak and the shrubs of chaparral country, all framed by towering pinnacles of red  rock, synonymous with this part of Arizona.  

The journey begins in historic Clarkdale, where the Box Car Gift Store and Whistlestop Shop offer souvenirs and sundries.  The John Bell Museum awaits, with vintage artifacts artfully arranged. 

Storyboards tell the tale of the railroad, and show the route.

Copper Spike Cafe offers patio seating so you can view the cars you'll soon board.

Century-old switch locks and sturdy railroad lanterns take the traveler back in time, then a stroll past detailed storyboards tells Verde Canyon Railroad history. Soon, it's all aboard.

 WE ENJOYED a soundtrack of railroad songs, a nostalgic musical trip in time from the 1930s and '40s to modern day --  Woody Guthrie, Johnny Cash, Judy Collins, and a host of other singers.

A lively taped commentary sprinkled with insights from real-life hosts add color and personality to the trip.

An outdoor car offers a chance to change venues from your
comfy vintage car, and get a close-up look at the terrain.

You'll learn about local history, the importance of the river, the discoveries among the rock, the life of the native people and miners who lived in this remote but beautiful area.

We enjoyed the open-air viewing car, which offers fresh air and a bird's eye view as nature's grandeur unfolds.

Our first-class car was comfy, with champagne as we took off and a lovely appetizer tray of cheese, meats, strawberries and brownies.

As the landscape changed, we learned of animal residents, the native people and settlers. Our guide pointed out birds of prey looking for lunch. All fascinating and in leisurely fashion.

A tunnel, some wide turns and a chance to see the other
cars in your train await on the Verde Canyon Railroad.

Said one passenger, "It's a great feeling to sit comfortably in a train and listen and look.  I loved the cars and their excellent condition.  It's a wonderful way of preserving history.  Traveling in a train through these ancient rocks and valleys made me feel like I was part of history -- if only for a few hours."

AFTER SURVIVING the pandemic, the train excursions are back in business with a special event returning as well --  to the delight of regulars.

Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers
enjoy a relaxing time in their vintage car, with bar.

“Rhythm on the Rails,” a rotating concert of several musical acts, adds a musical show to the syncopation and clickety-clack of the train's steel wheels on the track.

This musical train event will be offered on May 29, June 26, July 24, Aug. 21 and Sept. 18 at 5:30 p.m.

The afternoon train trip unfolds at 1 p.m. A fall foliage trip, "Ales on Rails," and Christmas Journey are also planned, along with a chocolate lovers' train trip and eagle watch.
While you're in a train frame of mind, here are a few other favorite rail rides in other places:
Rocky Mountaineer's First Passage to the West – Canada; Glacier Express – Switzerland; TranzAlpine – New Zealand; West Highland Line, Glasgow to Mallaig – Scotland; The Ghan – Australia; Trans-Siberian Railway – Russia, and Norway's famous Flåm Railway.

More information or booking: info@VerdeCanyonRR.com; 1 800 293-7245

Up, up and away, as Sedona Air Tours takes us over the
glorious red rocks and canyons that make Sedona famous.

UP NEXT: Sedona by air. Come with us for a helicopter lover's delight.  We'll enjoy an airborne extravaganza over Sedona's famous red rocks and canyons. It's wonders are world famous -- popular with naturalists, geologists and students of history. In recent years, Sedona has also become known as a haven for spiritual wellness. The helicopter ride pleases any taste -- as the guide points out energy vortexes and well known formations, honed through millions of years.  Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us each week for a fresh look at travel, the arts, nature, family and more: whereiscookie.com

Tips to tracking art and beauty worldwide in pandemic times

Vigeland Sculpture Park, Oslo, showcases the work of a single artist, Gustav Vigeland, all outdoors.

OUTDOOR ART AND NATURE VENUES OFFER A HEALTHY DIVERSION IN STRESSFUL TIMES

Boadicea and Her Daughters is a bronze sculptural group
in London representing the queen of the Celtic Iceni tribe which
took on the Romans. Find her on the western end of
Westminster Bridge in London, one of many strolling treats.
 
 

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS
PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

IF YOU'RE yearning for an artful outing during these cautious pandemic times, consider a visit to one of the world's outdoor venues.

My native state of Montana offers Tippet Rise Art Center, featuring large, contemporary outdoor art.

Bruce Keller's native California has hundreds of sculptures in parks, by beaches and along boardwalks.

The art of glass wizard Dale Chihuly
is a mind-expanding art venture.

WHEREVER you live, there are likely places to view art outdoors, whether on a small or grand scale. Many enticing places combine art and nature in venues which may be entirely outdoors or combine indoor and outdoor displays.

You can be in the sun and catch a breeze while having a safe, art-filled experience. Some places limit capacity.  Some aren't "places" at all, but rather sights along the streets to enlarge and enlighten as one strolls by.

 Many European streets offer the walker an outdoor museum experience. Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, London and Tuscan cities show off monuments which educate and uplift without entering a building or buying a ticket. 

THE PANDEMIC has given us renewed appreciation for fresh air. If the weather is pleasant, no sense staying inside. Here are a few outdoor wonders we've enjoyed. Some charge, so check admission details. Research what's near your town.

* Vigeland Sculpture Park, Oslo, Norway: This unique place is the world's largest sculpture park featuring the works of a single artist.  Developed between 1939 and 1949, it showcases the Norwegian sculptor, Gustav Vigeland. The park's 200 large pieces are a mix of bronze, granite and wrought iron, arranged throughout the grounds by the artist. It's free, open every day.

The Boardwalk of Puerto Vallarta is known for
its intriguing sculpture of sea life and more.

*Chihuly Garden and Glass, Seattle. An indoor-outdoor museum features the life work of inventive glass artist Dale Chihuly with a look at Chihuly’s inspiration and influences. It brings together many elements, including large eye-popping installations, drawings and signature glass pieces.

*Hyde Park to Westminster, London. A pleasant walk through the 350 acres of London's largest "Royal Park" leads to Buckingham Palace for the changing of the guard. Then take a leisurely one-mile walk to Westminster, and you'll see more than a dozen statues. Of kings, queens, naval heroes and myth makers, one of our favorites is a larger than life Winston Churchill which captures both his humanity and strength.  

The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
offers many beautiful bronzes. Bruce
Keller discovers this howling wolf.

*Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco. A marvel of modern engineering, the Golden Gate Bridge is 1.7 miles long and 90 feet wide. Its 4,200-foot main span between the two towers was the longest suspension bridge until 1981; its 746-foot towers made it the tallest bridge period until 1993. Definitely a work of art you can bike, walk or drive across.

Surrealist Salvador Dali loved Portlligat; his home
and grounds there form a fascinating art piece. 

*The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, Palm Springs, Calif. While this unusual zoo and garden is famed for award-winning animal and plant exhibits, it also houses delightful sculptures, ranging from a huge howling wolf to graceful giraffes, foxes, birds and more.

Niki de Saint Phalle's "Magical Circle" offers mosaic
delights, including serpents and other sea creatures. 

* Malecon Boardwalk and Sculpture, Puerto Vallarta. This popular resort city prides itself in its spectacular al fresco bronze sculptures lining the beach boardwalk. We've visited many times. On Tuesdays from mid-November to mid-April, Galleria Pacifico sponsors a free two-hour sculpture walking tour.  

* Salvador Dali's Portlligat. Spain. In the outskirts of the seaside village of Cadaqués in Catalonia’s Costa Brava region, we discovered Salvador Dali’s beloved home in Portlligat. We'd visited his other museum in Figueres, where the surrealist giant was born. Whimsical, vibrant art pieces  provide insight into his quirky creativity.

The "Domo" at Tippet Rise is both an art piece
and concert venue with marvelous sound.

* Niki de Saint Phalle's Tarot Garden, Garavicchio, Grosetto, Italy. Queen Califia's Magical Circle, Kit Karson Park, Escondido, California. This remarkable artist has four parks honoring her work, one near San Diego.  She has many individual sculptural commissions in San Diego, her native France and beloved Italy. Inspired by other surrealists, she artfully weaves stories, myths, history, race and gender issues and more. She died near us, in La Jolla, in 2002, of respiratory illness caused by exposure to chemicals in her art.
YOU GET the idea. Now, go explore art outdoors.  Undiscovered treasures await near you, guaranteed!

Sedona's red rocks are world famous, and we look at the
Arizona city from the back roads via jeep, by train aboard 
Verde Canyon Railroad, and by helicopter. Come along. 

UP NEXT: We're off to the inspiring red rocks of Sedona, Arizona, where we'll commune with nature, take an adventurous jeep ride, thrill in a glorious helicopter ride with a splendid bird's eye view of the landscape. We'll also take a wonderful half-day train trip aboard Verde Canyon Railroad Adventure.  And we'll dine on an array of fabulous cuisine.  Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us each week for a fresh view of travel, nature, the arts, family and more: whereiscookie.com

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Oregon Cabaret Theatre: toasting a theatrical institution in Ashland

A lovingly restored 1911 church is home to Oregon Cabaret Theatre, a mainstay in Ashland, Oregon's cultural scene. After surviving the brutal pandemic year, the Cabaret is back in full swing. 

Themed menu offerings are available, as in this tasty French inspired
appetizer plate for "Picasso at the Lapin Agile." The "Sweeney Todd'
 menu featured meat pies, naturally, made with beef (not victims!)

DELIGHTFUL THEATER AWAITS IN LOVELY RESTORED CHURCH

Oregon Cabaret Theater celebrates 36 seasons serving up top entertainment and fine fare in an intimate setting -- and it's back in business after the pandemic's challenging year of change and cutbacks 

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS
PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER
and courtesy Oregon Cabaret Theatre

The range of productions at Oregon Cabaret Theatre
is impressive, from popular dramas to mysteries,
and musicals. Special one-nighters sometimes
round out the season. After a brutal year, the
cabaret is back. Dinner is also an option.

PEOPLE COME to Ashland, Oregon, for its beauty, small-town charm, fine food and world class theater.  Everyone knows about the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and we're among legions who also take in a show at the lively, top-quality Oregon Cabaret Theatre.

It's been a brutal year for performance, but things are looking up and a spring-summer-fall slate is on the boards. "The Spitfire Grill," running into April, is already sold out.

Those who regularly frequent OSF's famous trio of theaters -- both locals and tourists -- know that another theatrical treasure exists in the neighborhood.  A short walk brings the play lover to Oregon Cabaret Theatre.

ALTHOUGH is an entirely separate enterprise from OSF,  the cabaret, too, shares a long, distinguished history.  This year marks its 36th season, and the cabaret expects to welcome nearly 40,000 people to its delightful theatrical and dining offerings where theater magic takes place under a glittering chandelier. 

An earlier Cabaret production, "Sweeney Todd" was
 masterfully done, featuring Valerie Rachelle
 as Mrs. Lovett and Galloway Stevens in the title role. 

Jackson County has been moved off the extreme risk designation, opening up indoor dining in the county, allowing the cabaret to re-open with safety measures.  Eager patrons quickly sold out "The Spitfire Grill." On tap after are "The Great American Trailer Park Musical" and "Buddy: The Music of Buddy Holly," followed by "Poirot: Murder on the Links" and a world premiere holiday show, "Christmas, Contigo" to finish off the season. So get your tickets now.

 

Lithia Park is near both the cabaret and the OSF,
a lovely place to unwind and relax between plays.

In past years,  spirited one-night performances include sold-out tributes -- to Rosemary Clooney and Patsy Cline, for instance, enhanced by the cabaret setting, tasty food and a talented band.

HOUSED IN the historic "Old Pink Church" on the corner of First Street and Hagardine,  the cabaret's history traces to 1982 when Craig Hudson purchased the dilapidated, boarded up building and began a meticulous renovation.  He eventually restored the structure to its 1911 appearance, hiring artisans to replicate the stained glass windows.  The enterprising Hudson salvaged many of the theater's unique appointments -- including a vintage crystal chandelier -- from a 1927 movie palace in Lansdale, Pennsylvania.

Diners and theater lovers enjoy a leisurely meal while awaiting the beginning
of the production at Oregon Cabaret Theatre, now in its 36th season.

The first season was only 30 performances and the shows were immensely popular, allowing steady growth to  300-plus performances before the pandemic.  The cabaret is hitting its stride again.

BELOVED ACTOR, dancer and the Cabaret's founding member and artistic director for years, Jim Giancarlo, passed away in 2014.  Artistic director and accomplished actor Valerie Rachelle took over, promising "Our stage may be small, but the scope of our stories is large."

The Cabaret does an interesting display of each
show with a miniature set and costume designs.

The intimate house gives viewers a bird's eye view of the action, as we've seen in dozens of top-drawer shows through the years.  We've sat on the ground floor, the balcony, and the bar stools near the back.  All provide fine sight lines. 

A "pre pandemic" "Sweeney Todd" was a classic example of the theater's clever use of space.  The murderous barber's second-floor shop was expertly staged, along with the basement ovens where the barber's victims were dispatched and Mrs. Lovett baked her infamous, human-ingredients meat pies.
 SPEAKING OF FOOD, the Cabaret offers a lovely menu, usually themed to the show, for both dinner and -- on matinee days -- a festive brunch. Offerings range from quiche, tasty salads and beef burritos for lunch. For dinner, pick from a thoughtful variety including goat cheese and fig tarts to whet the appetite, prime rib and Yorkshire pudding, duck breast, steelhead salmon and delightful desserts, all carefully chosen to complement the plays.

The enduringly popular Dick Hay pie is plenty to share, a decadent chocolate cookie- ice cream treat named for longtime OCT patron and OSF lighting designer, a beloved cabaret fixture for decades.
DINNER THEATER in a historic, welcoming setting -- in a beautiful small venue with fine, well staged productions and a tasty menu... this appealing amalgam makes Oregon Cabaret Theatre a favorite for this reporter and thousands of other visitors to Ashland. Sets are clever, acting sharp, music tuneful and small space well used. Costumes, lighting, make-up all follow suit.
Yes, this picturesque town is famous for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. But don't overlook one of the country's most successful dinner theaters, Oregon Cabaret Theatre.  Considering the sell-out of the opener, "The Spitfire Grill ," one is wise to book now and avoid disappointment. 

oregoncabaret.com/2021-season/

or

oregoncabaret.com 541 488-2902

This fetching fox is among more than two
dozen sculptures outdoors at Living Desert Zoo
and Gardens, an outdoor venue in Palm Springs.

UP NEXT:  Art and the outdoors are time honored companions, and we've found some magnificent places to explore as the world slowly returns to "normal." Meanwhile, masking and distancing don't have to be confining.  Come join us in sculpture parks, wildlife preserves and more, as we explore artistic outdoor venues which educate, inform and provide fresh air. Many of the world's great parks, nature preserves, outdoor art venues and wildlife parks are open, providing exciting nature-driven entertainment for the eyes, ears and senses. Palm Springs' Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, for instance, offers more than a dozen gorgeous bronze statues (see right, this delightful fox.) Consider botanical gardens, sculpture gardens, zoos and other options await to break the spell of isolation and offer an opportunity to enjoy fresh air and appreciate new sights and artwork Remember to explore, learn and live as you go.  Catch us each Friday for a fresh look at the arts, travel, nature, family and more. www.whereiscookie.com

Birthday bravo: Honoring Bruce Meyers' well lived life in the theater

Bruce Kemp Meyers celebrated life and shared his acting talents, despite chronic heart problems. 

 

Bruce Meyers played Daddy Warbucks in "Annie." The title role was
played by Becca Barthelmess and Lana Fox Gribas played Grace.
Warbucks and Grace marry and adopt all the orphans. Our Airedale
Gandalf played Sandy the dog, also adopted by the new family.

OVATION: A birthday salute for Bruce Kemp Meyers and his lively life in the theater

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

Photos from CM Archives, scanned and digitized by Bruce Keller

"A LIFE in the Theatre" is a wonderful David
Mamet play about two actors -- one young and on the rise, the other in his sunset days upon the stage.

It is also a fitting moniker for the life of Bruce Kemp Meyers, who would have turned 78 on April 1.  We had  fun with his "April Fools Day" anniversary.  We had fun in general. We knew our time might be limited.

Bruce Meyers played Curly in a high school
production of "Oklahoma" in his native Ohio.

WHEN BRUCE was called for his Army physical in Cleveland, during the Vietnam War, he was already a leading man. He'd played several leading roles, including Curly in a Shaw High School production of "Oklahoma,"
and was performing in a string of musicals at Kent State University in Ohio. He was surprised but not unhappy to fail the physical. "The doctor listened to my heart, paused, stared at me, put the stethoscope back on my test, listened again and said, 'You have a serious murmur, but it may save your life'."

Christene and Bruce Meyers, in a scene from
"Showstoppers" at der Schwartzwald  Theater. 

That was in 1965. The malady was diagnosed as aortic valve stenosis -- simply, the aortic valve has narrowed, reducing blood flow, a condition that can be fatal. Doctors advised keeping an eye on it, which he did during graduate school and on to Montana in 1967 for a teaching post in the English department at then Eastern Montana College, now MSU-Billings.

Bruce Meyers, Karen Jackson, Lysa Fox in
"The Mystery of Edwin Drood" at BST.

WE DIDN'T DWELL on the problem until he felt increasing weakness. So early in 1976, doctors John Heizer and Hewes Agnew replaced the valve at then Deaconess Hospital in Billings. A few weeks later, he was cast in the lead of Tommy Allbright, in "Brigadoon" at Billings Studio Theatre. Hewes and Susan Agnew sang in the chorus.

For us, the best of times were on the boards -- usually I playing piano and music directing and Bruce in a major or leading role.  During a prolific period beginning in the 1970s into the early 1990s -- from "Brigadoon" and right up to his death while rehearsing "The Apple Tree," -- ours was a wonderful life in the theatre. We logged nearly 50 collaborations at BST, the Fox Theater, MSU-Billings, Gramma's Drammas and Der Schwartzwald Dinner Theater.

BRUCE WOULD, I'm sure, be happy that I have continued my creative life -- conducting and playing piano, traveling, teaching writing workshops and seeing dozens of plays a year.
I believe he would like Bruce Keller and get a charge out of his moniker, "Bruce the Second." He and William Jones, "husband number two," were friends; the four of us -- Bill and his wife Debbie and Bruce and I -- traveled a few times together before we both found ourselves single.

I've written about the strange co-incidence of the names of my three partners:  Bruce Meyers, William Jones, Bruce William Keller, and of the huge role theater plays in my life.

 Bruce, William, Keller coincidence

A wonderful life on the boards 

Bruce Meyers, center, with three of the Kit Kat Girls
in a 1977 production of "Cabaret" at BST. Above left
small photo: Bruce and Christene in "Our Town,"
a "Save the Fox" fundraiser, 1979, at the Fox, now ABT. 

I THINK fondly of those hectic, fulfilling days.  Often we'd be rehearsing one show, reading scripts for another and performing a third. I'd come home from a full day at The Billings Gazette, where I was film reviewer and arts editor, and Bruce would be upstairs grading papers after teaching at MSU-Billings.  We'd grab something light to eat -- no alcohol until after the show or rehearsal. Then we'd head for the boards.
DURING 17 performances of "Cabaret" at BST in 1977, it was so cold that the lines the emcee utters in "Wilkommen" rang true: "Outside it is winter, but in here, it it so hot! Every night we have to battle with the girls to keep them from taking off all their clothes. Who knows? Tonight we may lose the battle."

Vint Lavinder and Bruce Meyers in "Man 
of La Mancha" at der Schwartzwald.

BRUCE WAS a trooper.  For him, the old theater adage, "the show must go on" was a solemn oath. He was a professional: learned his lines, supported other actors, was early for rehearsal, never missed a show. Even when he was in recovery from his open-heart surgery, or in pain from hematomas and bruising, he was dependable. His damaged heart was huge.

During rehearsals for "Good," Bruce's mother Dorothy was dying. It was one of Bruce's favorite roles, in a complex play about the conflicted feelings of a brilliant professor in Nazi Germany. He'd fly on weekends to his native Cleveland, Ohio, and had just returned the day she passed away. That night in Petro Hall at MSU-B, our director, friend and colleague Victoria Coffman, offered to cancel the show.  Bruce declined, but asked that the performance be dedicated to his mother. Vicky granted the wish and announced it to the audience.  It was a flawless performance with a standing ovation. 

LYA FOX, now teaching at Western Illinois University, as head of the BFA musical theater program, is one of many Bruce influenced. "He taught me so much. He had a beautiful, quiet confidence -- a dear, wonderful artist."

 At MSU-B, where he taught creative writing and English for 25 years, a scholarship honors Bruce's memory, helping English majors achieve their degrees. Contributions are welcome and still coming in these many years later. Happy birthday, Bruce Meyers, in that great theater in the sky. Break a leg!

 More info: https://msubfoundation.com/programs/scholarships/

https://www.collegexpress.com/scholarships/bruce-meyers-memorial-english-endowed-scholarship/2007501/
 

"Sweeney Todd" at Oregon Cabaret Theatre was a sell-out, before the pandemic, beautifully
acted and directed. Below right, the warm and welcoming space is a dinner theater cabaret setting. 

UP NEXT: For years, the Oregon Cabaret Theatre has been entertaining

sell-out crowds in a beautifully restored church in Ashland, Oregon. Back in business after a brutal pandemic year, the Oregon Cabaret Theatre is up and running with an exciting season.  Across from the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Cabaret is part of our annual trek to Ashland, and a worthy complement to the OSF and its three distinctly different theaters. We'll preview the new season, now underway. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us each week for  a fresh look at the arts, travel, nature, family and more. Please share the links: whereiscookie.com