Traces is an adrenaline racing acrobatics showcase that mingles well with the sly humor of the talent 7 member cast. One of the 7, LJ Marles, was awesome enough to chat about his life and the show, as well as give us a sneak peek of his high-flying act.

Here is an audio interview with LJ Marles from Traces.

I opened up our chat with a question about preparation of such an athletic show.

Traces – LJ – London Roots

Gwen Reyes asked LJ about his further schooling at Baseline Circus in London.

Traces – Gwen 1st Q

I asked about being at the Winspear Opera House.

Traces – Space

LJ talks about the personalization of the actual cast during the show.

Traces – Showcased

The cast is a diverse international group.

Traces – International Cast

We talked about the actual choreography of his parts in the show.

Traces – Choreography

Lets get to that talented choreography of LJ Marles.

Since this is the final stop on the tour what’s next for LJ?

Traces – Time Off

Traces is the final show of the 2012/13 Lexus Broadway Series. It runs through June 23rd.

Check in later this month for a special preview of the 2013-2014 Lexus Broadway Series.

The STT season’s 3rd production, Gruesome Playground Injuries by Rajiv Joseph, is a brash and starling open play that fully encapsulates a bold trend. Director Joel Ferrell’s take on the play is a jumpy time-traveling glimpse into a passionate & heartfelt friendship. A brave duo that are benchmarked by continues pain and sorrow throughout a 30 year period. Overall a moving and sincere look into a scarred and broken friendship. Click thru for the full review and pics from the production courtesy of Second Thought Theatre.

The first detail about any and all of STT’s productions is the space and how it’s utilized. Director Joel Ferrell, Scenic Designer Bob Lavallee, and Production Manager Drew Wall were all in attendance at last night’s opening night and were kind enough to share some fun secrets to completing opening night. The in the round vantage point amplifies the play’s already tense demeanor. The talented actors, Jessica Renee Russell as Kayleen & Montgomery Sutton as Doug, share quite rough intimate moments that really beg for more exploration, but Rajiv Joseph’s play is much more wanting from its audience. The unique choice in spacing in the round has allowed four separate vantage points of access to the play.

Another element behind Rajiv’s play is the movement in years for the characters and this element breathes a refreshing quality to all of the 8 segments. 38 is an obvious important year for Rajiv and 3′s & 8′s showcase the binary interactions between Doug and Kayleen but also the distance between them. Each segment is a moment from 7 ages (8, 13,18, 23, 28, 33, & 38 – with 23 repeated). The numbers can be a compelling element much like the numbers from LOST. Overall though the power comes more from the ability to see the actors apply make-up, dress, fix their hair. Ultimately they transform into a specific age and then stare intently at each other before masking the set to their particular time frame.

The sound design is what truly stands out for the production. The time periods are perfectly matched to a significant song and sound. Sound Design John M. Flores gets to pinpoint where we are time wise. From there the actors get to take over. It’s a fluid system that allows for both actors to never actually have to stop. They seem always in movement either in the scene, in the setup, in the make-up/wardrobe and its all before our eyes. It’s starling and never dull because of it.

The play runs thru June 29th at Bryant Hall on the Kalita Humphreys campus, 3636 Turtle Creek Blvd.

Dear Hangover 4-8 and Vince Vaughn/Owen Wilson, move on. The “Aptow” crew, as they’ve been called, continues to be bold and hilarious with each new incarnation. It’s no doubt they own the comedy game the last decade or so. The difference this time is their all playing heightened versions of themselves and it’s the end of the world an all that. Click through for our interview with Directors Evan Goldberg & Seth Rogen.

Here is our interview.

The film is the most introspective in the sense that all of the cast are basically amplifying their own real or fabricated tendencies.

They’ve risen to a level of Monty Python type stature and yet the core members do change according to which ever Aptow padawan is directing. David Gordon-Green, Nicholas Stoller, Greg Mottola, Jonathan Levine and even Kevin Smith & Michel Gondry have all dipped into this stoner club. This time the Bar Mitzvah boys brought back an older short film and introduced their old world to their new world. The film bridges the gap for those wondering where all these darn Canadians came from. The other way would be to watch Freaks and Geeks and Undeclared.

And the two fellas have crafted a funny and slightly moving happy-comedy. Mix in a ton of dirty, rotten, vulgar and even over-the-line material and you have this film. The elements that stand out the most though all revolve around those introspective qualities. Jonah Hill’s kindness leads him to an extremely dark cloud that is quite Fried-kin-LY awesome.

The other over-the-top figure in the movie is the great Michael Cera. He is well worth the admission.

I’m not going to talk anymore. This film is the funniest movie of 2013. Go.

The East is a suspense filled look into the infiltration of an anarchist group. Zal Batmanglij and Brit Marling have created a dynamic character for her and crafted a unique perspective of the tricky private intelligence/anarchist world. Click through for more review of the must-see film and an interview with Zal and Brit about the movie itself.

The characters in the film truly stand out and are a testament to the research Zal and Brit undertook to prepare for the writing of the story. They lived amongst different radical groups and tested their own boundaries in the process. From that comes a rich collective of characters that are fully crafted by a talent rich group of young actors.

The cast of THE EAST at the premiere in Los Angeles. Photo Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Facebook Page.

In particular, I really enjoyed the quirky and aloof performance by Shiloh Fernandez (Luka). Ellen Page though may push her acting boundaries the most as she tackled some explosive emotional scenes. Overall though the film really hinges on Brit Marling’s toughness and stoic nature throughout all the lies she lives. It’s an intriguing cloak that she must change and manipulate throughout the movie, but that daunting task only makes her more realistic. Overall the cast really holds strong in the film. It fully lives up to a Scott Free Productions style of thoughtful and intelligent action-filled spy films.

I was able to tackle some other themes and truths of the film, in our interview.

The film opens at the Angelika Dallas tomorrow.

“SISTER ACT is presented by Dallas Summer Musicals June 4 – 16 at Music Hall at Fair Park.” Click through for our interview with Charles Barksdale who plays TJ in the musical.

From DSM Website:


“SISTER ACT is Broadway’s feel-amazing musical comedy smash! The New York Post calls it “RIDICULOUSLY FUN,” and audiences are jumping to their feet in total agreement! Featuring original music by 8-time Oscar® winner ALAN MENKEN (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors), SISTER ACT tells the story of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look—a convent! Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. A sparkling tribute to the universal power of friendship, SISTER ACT is reason to REJOICE!”

Charles Barksdale plays TJ in the musical and we started our chat by discussing his Texas roots.

CharlesBarksdale – San Antonio’s Own

Charles worked at Six Flags and I had to ask about that experience.

CharlesBarksdale – Six Flags

I asked about the jump to the Big Apple.


CharlesBarksdale – NYC

From Sister Act website:

“Charles is proud to be the last director to work with the great Sherman Hemsley”. I asked about getting to work with Sherman before his passing.

CharlesBarksdale – ShermanHemsley

We started our SISTER ACT portion by talking about getting to work alongside Kingsley Leggs Kingsley plays Curtis Jackson in the Musical.

CharlesBarksdale – Kingsley Leggs

Charles talks about the tour experience.


CharlesBarksdale – Tour



I asked about his character TJ.

CharlesBarksdale – TJ

What’s his favorite moment in the show?


CharlesBarksdale – Favorite Moments

We ended our chat by talking about what Charles will be doing in Dallas.


CharlesBarksdale – Dallas

Grab tickets fast!!

The Oak Cliff Film Festival 2013 is a real highlight for June and I heard from a sweet birdie that there is going to be an awesome Voice deal on Monday! Click thru for the rest of our June must see events.

Stories We Tell opens at the Angelika Plano and Magnolia Theater today. It’s a gripping look into Sarah Polley’s family history told in a cascading documentary style. The film continues to shock with its subtle slips of information about what all happened to the family and it’s that honest introspection that is worthy your attendance. Another quality release that showcases a strong female presence is…

Greta Gerwig stumbles, trips and falters into a perfect role in Frances Ha. Her co-writing the screenplay with “buddy” Director Noah Baumbach is so apparent in the movie. Her quirky rudeness and naivety reflect a deeper personality yearning to figure the correct path in life. Woody Allen like feel with a Robert Frost theme and a lovely strong female lead all add up to a fun haha experience.

Now lets check in with our favorite venues. The Winspear has a lot going on, including TRACES. But two fellas stand-out the most. Opening up the month is the greatness of Ira Glass.

Saturday June 1st at the Winspear at 8pm is Reinventing Radio: An Evening with Ira Glass. And then the greatness returns!

Jerry Seinfeld is back at the Winspear for two shows on one night.

I really enjoyed David Jeremiah in STT‘s A Behanding in Spokane and am excited to check him out in, “T.N.B. is a world premiere site-specific performance installation inspired by indigenous healing rituals that works to exorcise the demons that haunt the African-American male.” Written and directed by Thomas Riccio the production has its run June 6th-22nd.

Speaking of Second Thought Theatre they have another quality choice in Rajiv Joseph’s Gruesome Playground Injuries.

Easily the boldest play selection this year has been STT’s 2013 season. The Undermain Theatre is bringing back the much beloved rendition of An Iliad.

But this month’s theatre eye will be to…

The 2013 TCG National Conference takes plays June 6th thru the 8th.

Checking in with the always fun Nasher we have another great movie and music late night this month.

This month’s show has Salim Nourallah & TheTreefort 5 and they will be playing before the screening of Moonrise Kingdom.

The next night is June 22nd and it’s going to be a HILARIOUS evening.

Archer Live at Verizon Theater = MUST SEE!

Let’s end our June with a writing legend.

Neil Gaiman is in Dallas on June 24th at the Majestic Theater.

A visually-stunning…well…EPIC Blue Sky Studios production that mingles a heartwarming father-daughter story with an end of world battle right in our own backyards.

Click thru for our interview with Director Chris Wedge and Writer James V. Hart and review of EPIC.

Here is our chat with Director Chris Wedge and Writer James V. Hart.

Texas Discovery Gardens played host on that fun day.

The first thing that stands out about EPIC is the amazing visual presentation of the film. It’s fluid movement is so amazing to witness, it alone will have EPIC as an Oscar/Award Season standout. Director Chris Wedge was kind enough to share some of his favorite paintings from his talented Blue Sky Studios team.

The world of EPIC truly lives up to the title. Enjoy seeing all the different shades of green in the film, it’s quite magical.

Humor is another key component of the Blue Sky Studios history.

Aziz Ansari (Mub) and Chris O’Dowd (Grub) are a real treat and live up to all the famous duos in animation. Mub & Grub have a quirky confidence mixed in with curious confusion that will have any kid giving belly-aching laughs throughout the film.

As far as leads in the Blue Sky Studios history, Epic is pretty historic. M.K. is a grumpy real world teenager that is an honest choice for the studios first female protagonist.

Amanda Seyfried pulls off a wonderful innocence under her character’s angry outer-shell and yet by the end of the film her journey has come full circle. Her arch carries the story nicely and the moment she has with Queen Tara, played by Beyoncé Knowles, is a real pivotal scene in the film.

This one scene in the film really carries the unity through a female leader and also really showcases the visual speed/size element seen throughout the film. I don’t want to spoil the scene, but it shows what a Leafman (in this sense – the Queen herself) as she appears to M.K. and that blur may give you goosebumps. It’s a powerfully emotional moment in the film and really merits your watching.

Bomba is easily one of the more interesting characters in the film. He’s much more then an absent minded professor and Jason Sudeikis really captures an intriguing skittish nature.

EPIC is the film you and your kids should spend this weekend enjoying.

Long Live the Leafman.

This past weekend Academy Nicholl Fellow James DiLapo’s script “Devils at Play” was giving the staged reading treatment at the Crowley Theater in Marfa, Tx. Click thru for my travel pictures and a review of the future film.

Oh Texas, you sure do have some wild terrain. Before we venture into this great reading enjoy the drive down.

I knew there would be windmills, but heavy military guns?

But then again I was going to see a staged reading of this guy’s Soviet Union.

Mostly though the drive down was pretty blah.

Minus windmills of course.

Or Oil wells.

But once you make it to Pecos area and you drop further south along Highway 17 the terrain takes a drastic change.

Then you reach Fort Davis. A beautiful place that sadly more exploration will have to happen in a future trip…and post!

Then you reach the magical and mysterious Marfa, Tx.

It’s not the biggest of towns.

But there is an arts community that has been thriving and showcasing the natural beauty of SW Texas like no one else.

Veteran film producer Carolyn Pfeiffer and Ballroom Marfa board member Nancy Sanders brought on board Director Julia Dyer, check out our preview piece for more details, in an evening to remember Gretchen Dyer. Also one of this year’s esteemed Filmmakers’ Selection Committee members, Committee Chairman and Renowned Producer Robert Shapiro, was in attendance.

The Reading had a tremendous cast and crew that made this not your ordinary “reading”.

James’ script revolves around lead character, Stepan, who’s long history in the secret police makes him both feared and ridiculed.

Along comes a young secret police upstart, Ilich, that impacts Stepan on many levels. Drew Wall showcases why he is one of Dallas’ fine young acting talents as his mixture of naivety and confident humor gave his character a unique feel. “Other casting announcements include Thiago Martins and Alexandra Ruddy. Martins recently appeared in the Berlin and Sundance hit film Upstream Color. Ruddy was last seen on-screen alongside Tyler Perry in Alex Cross for director Rob Cohen. Ruddy has also worked with directors Mitch Glazer, David Fincher and Tony Goldwyn in Passion Play, The Social Network and The Last Kiss, respectively.”

Thiago Martins was utterly captivating as the tortured terrorist/mole…or so you think. His character’s innocent nature is masterfully destroyed by the brutal actions of Stepan and Illich.

James DiLapo’s script weaves through Stepan and Illich battle for the truth but their actions take them past any reformation of their morals. We see the slow impact that a ravenous conspiracy filled world can have on honest hard-working characters. In the end, the moral line was crossed and that shows the power behind DiLapo’s script. It may be set in 1937 Soviet Union but speaks to any and every war filled nation in our history. I’ve seen staged readings before but the action, emotion, and torture in this production were eye-opening and always captivating.

The rest of the cast was mixed in with talented Marfa based actors as well and they seemed like a real family unit.

Director Julia Dyer’s tremendous work was apparent on the stage. She had barely a week with her talented actors and she even brought on her own stunt coordinator to act in the play as well. The fact that something so moving and well done could be done with such short prep showcases how everyone brought their A game. Add the Ballroom Marfa/Academy Readings to your must-see event lists for every year. A memorable time in a mystical place.

The Dallas International Film Festival 2013 introduced me to the wonderful work being made by New Zealand film production outfit, Candlelit Pictures. The film was part of Shorts Program 1 and had a beautiful grittiness that I couldn’t get out of my mind. I reached out to Producer Alix Whittaker to learn more about the Auckland film outfit. Click thru for our interview with Founder of Candlelit Pictures Alix Whittaker.

1. Where did the idea for Candlelit Pictures come from and what about the name’s significance?

Candlelit Pictures is an excuse for us to make things we like, with an active disregard for financial gain. We all got tired of working on average projects for money, so we’re building a company where we never have to choose between being proud of our work or paying rent – we just don’t pay rent.

For us the name Candlelit implies a lack of expensive lighting, which speaks to both our love of realism in filmmaking, and our obsession with the impressive lenses that make a Candlelit scene possible (like in Barry Lyndon).

2. On the site you’re highlighted as well as Producer Anna Duckworth and Writer/Directors Jordan Dodson and Oliver Page, can you talk about how you all came to work together?

Jordan and Oliver have been making short films together since they discovered pubic hair – and then in 2011 I produced Oliver’s We Talk About Loss, and after that, we all decided to work together on the regular. Anna Duckworth is a talented Writer/Director/Producer who came into the mix when we needed someone to produce part of a mumble-core film we did in New York. She basically saved the project from collapsing. When she returned to NZ from NYC this year we scooped her up straight away, now she’s a staple part of the company.

3. Can you talk a bit about the movie scene in New Zealand, where are most films shot, typical budgets and equipment used? The first thing that pops into my mind is, Lord Of The Rings.

The industry here is sustained by those foreign projects – and lucky for us they leave the crews and equipment suppliers wealthy and willing to help ambitious up-and-coming people like us. The government gives out short film grants that range from $10k to $90k NZD – but most shorts aren’t so lucky, they get made on good will and ingenuity. We are lucky enough to have access to some great equipment, our last few projects have been Arri Alexa, 16mm, RedEpic, and 35mm.

4. Music Video work is in all of your resumes can you talk about what you enjoy most about shooting videos and the best lesson learned from those experiences.

We’re moving picture addicts – and truthfully, it’s just a lot easier to get something made when you don’t have to worry about sound. Music videos are a great medium to play and learn in because the constraints are so broad. They’re also instant gratification – we can finish them relatively quickly and upload them straight to the internet where we can share them with the world.

5. Was We Talk About Loss based on any one of yours losing a friend or even the plot device of having a friend lost in the “wilderness”?

Yes, Oliver lost a friend (not in the wilderness) – and nothing can really prepare you for that emotional fallout – you find yourself expecting them to turn up at your house, or call you, so there’s this strange waiting period that he found very painful. Someone walking away into a field and just never coming back was, for him, the cinematic equivalent of what he was going through.

6. Andy was shot predominately in a theater, can you talk about the elements that made that shoot easy and tough.

It’s always such a relief to be working in one place – we lose so much time in location moves. But then the challenge of keeping up the forward momentum of the story becomes harder – you have to get more creative with the coverage, and be sure that the performances are as good as they can be.

7. Cheap Tuesday is the only story written by Nick Sampson, can you talk about what attracted you to this script and how Nick’s voice added to the Candlelit team?

Nic writes great comedy. That project came about because we asked him to write a film for us, and Cheap Tuesday is what he came back with. He’s great at taking things too far, you never see his next move coming, I guess he’s probably quite a disturbed individual.

8. Runaways was bitter-sweet in its plot, can you talk about whether the old couple or the kids characters came first?

That’s a very interesting question. We actually wrote a feature film about two young half-brothers on a pseudo-criminal adventure to find their father – but then when we tried to adapt it into a short film, we flipped the perspective and told the story of an old couple the kids encounter on their adventure – using the kids as a catalyst for the bickering couple.

9. Where is the farm located and how long was the film shoot? The Behind the Scenes video was a great look inside the expansive nature of the set can you talk about any fun stories from the shoot itself?

We found that farm about an hour outside of Auckland – and we just showed up and asked the farmers if they’d be cool with us taking over their house for three days. The shoot was painfully short, and we were all really wrecked afterwards. We spent a lot of the time chasing runaway pigs, cause we had a male and female, and he was kinda rape-y.

10. Casting Donogh Rees did what to your short film…? What about finding Stephen, Mitchell and Thomas?

We wrote Runaways with Donogh in mind, and before she agreed to do it we pretended she was on-board. Then once she agreed to be in the film we paired her up with a bunch of men, and Stephen just had this amazing look – he’s also a really generous, available actor. Mitchell was one of a bunch of young guys we saw for the part, and Thomas was actually his half-brother.

11. What have you learned about filming shorts with kids?

Keep it fun. Kids are often the best actors available, just because they don’t really act. So we have to approach them differently, psychology and silly result-oriented direction doesn’t work – they just want to play.

12. What is next for Runaways?

We’ll be sending Runaways the short out to some more festivals – and we’re still developing the feature film, but we don’t anticipate anyone giving us the kind of money we’d need to make that anytime soon so it’s scheduled for a later date.

13. What is on the slate for Candlelit Pictures.

We’re developing a feature film about a group of university students in New York who are facilitating organized crime to finance their educations, we’re looking to start finding finance for that later in 2013. We’re also working on a handful of short films and music videos here in New Zealand. Check out the latest information on Candlelit Pictures Facebook page

Before we jump into the wonderfully inventive mind of young talent Terence Nance, how about we look at some other movie releases this weekend. Click thru for all the greatness.

JJA congrats on bringing back KAHN in a wonderful way via the brilliant Benedict Cumberbatch, who is now officially more than just an English Bad Ass…He’s an otherworldly Bad Ass. Theaters are packed with Iron Man 3, Great Gatsby (YAWN!!), and about to be the Trekkie nation. So I thought it would be important to highlight films that you can catch if your three-headed monster is sold out.

I’ll keep telling folks about the greatness of MUD. Jeff Nichols has made a real masterpiece and easily is one of the top ten films of 2013. Speaking of movies that have ISLANDS, how about this…

Can’t go wrong with a Duplass/Asleton film.

Another Top Ten film so far this year is the chilling true life tale of Richard Kuklinski, The Iceman

The film has a wonderful pace that flies along as do the mustaches in this bloody mafia film. Powerful and stoic performance by Michael Shannon.

Winona Ryder channels Talia Shire from Rocky but then transforms into Talia Shire from Godfather 2 (or 3 for that matter) by the end of the film. It’s a smaller role that packs a real punch and mingled with the secrecy of the mob characters is rather moving.

Ever great mob film has to have those quirky supporting mobsters, killers, and cops. Chris Evans is one of the more well done, as he’s almost unrecognizable and his upbeat chilling demeanor is worthy its own film. Also enjoy the Friend’s star playing a gangster and of course the staples like Ray Liotta, John Ventimiglia, and Robert Davi.

And one for you VOD/DVD lovers. The moving military film about redemption, Least Among Saints.

Enjoy those fine films.

Here is our interview with An Oversimplification of Her Beauty Writer/Director Terence Nance.

The Dallas native and I jumped into the back story of the film.

Terence Nance – 1 Day Write

All written in 1 night?

Terence Nance – Different Narrators 1 Night

I asked about the actual shooting process.

Terence Nance – Shoot

The guerrilla style shooting had me curious about working with his DP.

Terence Nance – DP

We got into a fun chat about what inspired the film.

Terence Nance – Terry Gilliam and Old Blues Music

The film has numerous animation styles and really give the film its bold nature.

Terence Nance – Animation

We talked about the music in the film.

Terence Nance – Music

Terence gave a poignant explanation of film itself.

Terence Nance – poignant