Leave It to Me! - 2001 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 20

'How is it possible that one minute I'm a wife, and the next I'm a discard?'-Changing Spaces, Nancy King Nancy King's new novel, 'Changing Spaces,' focuses on a runaway soon-to-be-divorced Midwestern wife who gets a 'makeover' in New Mexico. King explained in a recent phone interview that the plot was sparked by her encounters with three mature women on the brink of divorce: 'First there was a woman at a party who said to me, 'That was before I lost my life...' referring to her divorce. Her husband of 40 years had left her to marry a younger woman. A week later, another friend showed up in tears because her husband wanted out of their 40-year marriage so he could marry his secretary.' By the time she read an Op-Ed about a woman who had written a book about the joys of being a stay-at-home-wife, and whose husband now wanted out after 40 years, Nancy King knew she was on to something. Into this familiar scenario, King injected a 'What if?' What if a Midwestern 60-year old woman woke up as she always did, made love with her husband of 40 years, and several hours later, learned her husband had fallen for a younger woman and wanted a divorce-and what if she hit the road and ended up in the healing bear-hug that is Santa Fe, New Mexico? 'Hey, ya got the Santa Fe idea. No need to be who you were. Be who you want to be.' -Changing Spaces, Nancy King In 2001, King moved from the East Coast 'and never looked back.' The decision to leave friends and job would have been bold for anyone, but since 1985, King has been living with a rare form of leukemia known as Hairy Cell. 'When I realized I had a chronic disease with no cure, I made the decision that it was not going to run or ruin my life. I focus on what I can do; not what I lost or what I used to be able to do. Even when I don't feel well, I force myself to walk or hike or play tennis because I always feel better afterward.' The unsinkable Nancy King has trekked Thailand, hiked the Grand Canyon, and 'run people 50 years her junior into the ground,' according to one friend. 'She overcame the odds of a disastrous diagnosis.' 'Laura tried on outfit after outfit, hoping toalter her personality from the outside in.She practiced taking bigger steps...' -Changing Spaces, Nancy King Why Santa Fe? King didn't even take a moment to reply: 'The nature around Santa Fe is spectacular. Many people find it has a magical energy that renews and regenerates. Even those born in New Mexico talk about this area's special energy, nature, culture.' According to King, newcomers often experience difficulties at first. 'It's as if Santa Fe were trying to spit them out. Those who manage to survive their initial problems often experience personal transformations that they couldn't have articulated before coming.' Nancy King also authored the novels, Morning Light, A Woman Walking and The Stones Speak, which was optioned for a film and won first place in the New Mexico Presswomen's Communications Contest. She has facilitated international arts-based healing workshops, which she detailed in her non-fiction book, Dancing with Wonder: Self-Discovery through Stories. 'One theme that runs throughout my writing is an exploration of the need to reconnect with the disconnected Self after trauma,' King said. 'I'm interested in what happens when characters realize their old lives and ways no longer serve them.' What helps the most when living with illness or a life out of balance? 'Having a sense of humor about every aspect of life. And good friends.' Just as in 'Changing Spaces' where Santa Fe women form a circle of care around the stranger in their midst, King's friends have seen her through the best and the worst. 'When a nurse expressed concern that I don't have family here to support me while I undergo treatments, I told her. 'Don't worry. My friends are the best support network in the world.' This book is available in all formats from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Plain View Press and Nancy King's website (nancykingstories) where you can also read reviews, excerpts from all her fiction and nonfiction books, as well as check out her workshops and public appearance calendar. 'Changing Spaces' will have its New Mexico launch in Santa Fe at Collected Works (Feb. 7 at 6pm); Albuquerque at Bookworks (Feb. 11 at 7pm); and Taos at Moby Dickens (April 19 at 2pm). Nancy King will talk on the 'Healing Effects of New Mexico on Trauma' and sign her book. ISBN: 978-1-891386-43-5-51895 Paperback and all e-book formats Pages: 256 Price: $15.50 Release Date: Jan. 1, 2014 Publisher: Plain View Press

Merrimack Repertory Theatre (MRT) presents The Devil's Music: The Life and Blues of Bessie Smith by Angelo Parra and directed by Joe Brancato, January 9- February 2, continuing the theater's 35th season with the soulful blues. The play will be performed in the recently-renovated Nancy L. Donahue Theatre, located at 50 East Merrimack Street in historic downtown Lowell. Tickets range from $60 - $20 and are on sale now through www.mrt.org or by calling 978-654-4678.

The quintessential portrait of maniacal ambition and lust for power is on stage in William Shakespeare's epic history play Richard III at Folger Theatre. Robert Richmond

The New York Festival of Song marks its ninth annual co-presentation with Juilliard's Ellen and James S. Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts with a program celebrating the longtime partnership between P.G. Wodehouse and composer Jerome Kern: THE LAND WHERE THE GOOD SONGS GO, to be performed on Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at 8:00PM in the Peter Jay Sharp Theater at The Juilliard School.

Author Sealie Vaughn West is the reader's guide through time in 'Rio Tinto: Lost Coconuts' (published by AuthorHouse). Opening with ancient history based on legend, West's novel leads into his personal history of growing up in the small Honduran village of Rio Tinto.

The holidays are upon us with plenty to celebrate at the Kimmel Center's campus of events and performances.

The holidays are upon us with plenty to celebrate at the Kimmel Center's campus of events and performances.

NBC will celebrate the lighting of the world's most famous Christmas tree with a live broadcast from Rockefeller Center in New York City on Wednesday, Dec. 4

Author Sealie Vaughn West is the reader's guide through time in 'Rio Tinto: Lost Coconuts' (published by AuthorHouse). Opening with ancient history based on legend, West's novel leads into his personal history of growing up in the small Honduran village of Rio Tinto.

This is your brain on Greased Lightning! BWW catches up with the kids from Rydell High in a special edition of This Is Your Brain On Musical Theatre.

A Two-Time Recipient of Stars on Canada's Walk of Fame, The Former Guess Who Frontman Released His First Full-Band Live Album 'Massey Hall' in 2012, and Is Soon Releasing 'RUFF, Volume 1,' The First In A Series of DVD Documentaries Chronicling His Personal Life and Extraordinary Career

WaterTower Theatre Producing Artistic Director Terry Martin previously announced the directors for the Company's 2013-2014 Main Stage season at the Addison Theatre Centre. Directing the season opener, Hank Williams: Lost Highway (tonight, October 11-November 3, 2013) will be Michael Serrecchia.

The writer who gave television some of its favorite moments in entertainment with 'Flamingo Road,' 'Dallas,' 'Falcon Crest,' 'The Colbys,' 'General Hospital,' and 'Dynasty,' Frank V. Furino, has brought Marilyn Monroe back to life ... on stage in 'Marylin ... MADNESS & Me,' which is based on an original concept by Didier Bloch, under the direction of Joe Leonardo. Opening in the Monroe Forum at the El Portal Theatre on Sept 26th for a limited run, the overwhelming response from the public and press alike, has resulted in the production's extension through October 20th, 2013, at which point the destiny of the show, with an eye on Broadway's Great White Way, will be determined. Scroll down for photos from the show!

Arts Centre Melbourne's summer season will be a celebration of fun and adventure with a host of dynamic performances from some of the world's most thrilling artists from December 2013 to February 2014.

Joanna Gleason is perhaps most well known for her Tony Award winning portrayal of the Baker's Wife in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's beloved Into The Woods. Good news! Ms. Gleason will be back on stage later this month in her NYC cabaret debut at 54 Below. Though busy preparing for the show, she took the time to chat with me about her upcoming cabaret performance, other future projects, and her surprise dancing abilities.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today the full schedule and complete lineup for the upcoming film series, Jean-Luc Godard - The Spirit of the Forms.

WaterTower Theatre Producing Artistic Director Terry Martin today announced the directors for the Company's 2013-2014 Main Stage season at the Addison Theatre Centre. Directing the season opener, Hank Williams: Lost Highway (October 11-November 3, 2013) will be Michael Serrecchia. The Game's Afoot (or Holmes for the Holidays) (December 13- January 5, 2014) will be directed by Robin Armstrong. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (January 24-February 16, 2014) will be directed by Emily Scott Banks. Spunk (April 11-May 4, 2014) will be directed by Akin Babatunde.Good People (June 6-29, 2014) will be directed by Rene Moreno and Dogfight (July 25-August 17, 2014) will be directed by Terry Martin.

Anything is sweeter than this mother and daughter story.

Leave it to the ultra-talented, uber-enthusiastic folks at 3-D Theatricals to take an okay-ha-ha show into an OMFG-that-was-super-hella-funny triumph of whimsy and heart. In its glorious, colorful presentation of the first Southern California regional production of SHREK - THE MUSICAL, 3-D Theatricals---fast becoming Orange County's home for Broadway-caliber shows---certainly has plenty to celebrate in its latest offering. The family-friendly musical comedy continues its limited engagement at the Plummer Auditorium in Fullerton through August 4 then transfers north to the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center for a weekend of shows August 9-11.

Hot off the heels of the National Arts Festival, the productions featured this year promise to entertain, enthrall and even educate. This inter-varsity festival, FRESH FROM FEST 2013 at the Arena Theatre, creates a much needed platform for up and coming student theatre-makers to showcase their work directly after the hype of performing at Festival in Grahamstown.

Stephanie worked with Fosse back in the '80s, and has come out of semi-retirement to dance Fosse-style again (and understudy the lead role) in the Tony-winning revival.