Once upon a V-Day

It’s a rather odd request to make of one’s teenage daughter, I suppose. Honey–could you run upstairs and grab your “Vagina Monologues” for me? Still, I found myself going there after reviewing today’s headlines. Seems the play by Eve Ensler was performed today atop steps leading to the Michigan Capitol — with thousands of people looking on.

Part of Lizabeth’s collection of plays

I’ve never seen the work, but look forward to reading Lizabeth’s copy of the play in coming days. Turns out that baby gets performed around the globe each year as part of something dubbed “V-Day” — a movement founded by Ensler in 1998 to raise awareness about violence against women and girls, and inspire actions that’ll bring it to an end.

The best I can hope for is a quickly-mounted reprise in the heat of today’s Michigan moment. Or tickets to Ensler’s “Emotional Creature,” enjoying a world premiere run through July 15 at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. The last performance I saw in Berkeley was a Jimmy Buffet concert. But it’s a long road from “Margaritaville” to musings on the “secret voices and innermost thoughts” of girls around the globe.

Ensler is already looking ahead to “One Billion Rising” — a call to “strike, dance and rise” together on Feb 14, 2013. Those of you who thought the “V” was for valentines best think again. Then ask your teenage daughter to give you the scoop…

— Lynn

Note: If you missed the movement’s early days, you can do some catching up by watching Ensler in a performance of “The Vagina Monologues” taped by HBO.  Click here to watch Ensler’s 2011 Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award acceptance speech. And for a fun read, check out the Berkeley Rep blog.

Coming up: It’s “Jimmy” time

That’s what friends are for

Friends Janet Arnold and Ed Asner perform a reading of "Advanced Chemistry" to benefit Arizona Jewish Theatre Company

Like many arts organizations, Arizona Jewish Theatre Company has faced financial challenges in recent years. But executive director Janet Arnold has a friend in renowned actor Ed Asner, who graciously performs here periodically to support Arizona Jewish Theatre Company’s work.

Most recently he treated Valley audiences to a reading of Rich Orloff’s “Advanced Chemistry,” a pair of plays about “love, lust and longevity” at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. The event helped Arizona Jewish Theatre Company raise funds needed to continue their season with “The Blessing of a Broken Heart” — a work they’re dedicating to former U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords of Tucson.

But now it’s Asner who needs our help. Asner has both a son and grandson with autism, and says the issue “really hits me at home.” Asner describes the organizations Autism Speaks as “the main focus of my family’s charitable efforts.”

Will Asner and Charlotte Luckerman in a photo shared by Matthew Asner

Asner’s son Matthew serves as executive director for Autism Speaks in Southern California. “He is on the front lines,” says Asner, “fighting for our kids and others like them.” Ed Asner is eager to both improve the quality of life for children and adults with autism — and to “find a way to stop it.”

Asner has four children. Twins Matthew and Liza Asner, and Katie Luckerman, are in their 40s. Charlie Asner is in his 20s. His oldest grandchild, Jake Asner, is 11 — and the youngest, Charlotte Luckerman, is just two. There’s also Will Asner (age 9), Gabriel Luckerman (age 8), Grant and Helena Asner (7-year-old twins), and Sam Luckerman (age 5).

His passion for supporting families living with autism was clear when we chatted by phone a while back, soon after the American Psychiatric Association released information about proposed criteria for autism spectrum disorders — which Asner and other autism advocates worry will mean less help for individuals and families living with autism.

Jake Asner self-portrait, shared by Matthew Asner

Folks eager to join Asner in fighting for autism research and increased public awareness can donate to Asner’s “Walk Now for Autism Speaks” team — which is participating in the “10th Annual Los Angeles Walk Now for Autism Speaks” on April 21. Or click here to join his “Asner’s Avengers” online.

Those eager to participate on the local level too can support the “Arizona 2012 Walk Now for Autism Speaks” as well. It takes place Oct. 28, and is being presented in partnership with the Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center.

Both Autism Speaks and SAARC offer plenty of ongoing opportunities to learn more about autism and ways to support families living autism. SAARC presents a free screening of HBO Film’s “Temple Grandin” at Studio Movie Grill in Scottsdale Feb. 21 (click here to register because space is limited).

Walk. Watch. Donate. Volunteer. Write to legislators. Learn more. And listen. That’s what friends are for.

— Lynn

Note: Click here to learn more about Arizona Jewish Theatre Company — which is home to Curtain Call Youth Theatre (which holds auditions for “Annie” on March 5) and All Rights Reserved teen improv troupe (which presents a teen improv festival on Feb. 26), plus a variety of special programs and events.

Coming up: Ed Asner talks arts in education, Once upon a peacemaker

New York state of mind

So what, exactly, is the New York state of mind? I’m afraid I’m close to clueless, having lived in Colorado and states to its west all my life. But a woman rumored to exude all that is New York is headed our way, and she’s not shy about sharing. It’s Fran Lebowitz, who hits the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts Thurs, March 1, for an evening sure to up your NYC quotient.

Lebowitz, a writer, recently starred in an HBO Films documentary titled “Public Speaking,” which is directed by Martin Scorsese. I’m still toying with the chicken or egg dilemma of whether to watch the film first or head straight to her writings.

Today I was happy to simply read pieces about Lebowitz published by “The New York Times” and “The Paris Review.” And explore the Facebook page managed by her publisher, Alfred A. Knopf/Vintage Books.

It offers this description of the woman and her work: Fran Lebowitz first hit the New York literary scene in the early 70’s when Andy Warhol hired her to write a column for Interview. Almost immediately, she became a mainstay in the magazine world. As a regular contributor to both Interview and Mademoiselle, she soon became a name associated with irreverent humor and urban wit.

Julie Sperber posted this lovely comment on the Fran Lebowitz wall after learning of her upcoming Arizona gig: “Where’s Scottsdale.. can you take the subway?” Goodness no. But we’ve got Ollie the Trolley, bike lanes and light rail within driving distance. Those of you desperately seeking subways can check with ASU Gammage to see whether the last few slots in their “Broadway Adventure” 2012 trip have filled up yet.

The June 7-10 trip includes a three nights stay in the Millennium Hotel “in the heart of the Broadway district,” three Broadway shows “of your choice,” expert-led walking and coach tours, seating in the red carpet section of Times Square so you can watch the simulcast and live Times Square activities of the Tony Awards celebration, and more. Call Mollie Trivers at 602-373-3377 if you might be game.

Ballet Arizona’s artistic director Ib Andersen and the cast of “Play” will be traveling later this month for their New York City debut at The Joyce Theater. “Play” is a collection of seven ballets, directed by Andersen, set to music by Mozart, Schubert, Britten and Stravinsky.

Folks who can’t travel to NYC for one of six Feb. 22-26 performances of “Play” can enjoy excerpts of the work Fri, Feb. 17 at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts.

Okay, so we don’t have subways or pizza joints that build pies topped with rigatoni. But every now and then, we get a glimpse into that rarity called the New York state of mind.

— Lynn

Note: Images depict detail of “The Many Faces of New York” by artist Hope Gangloff, which is painted on the wall of a Starbucks located at Beekman St. & Park Row in Lower Manhattan. The mural was produced by CITYarts and created in collaboration with youth from Murry Bergtraum High School.

Coming up: Actor Ed Asner — arts, animal and autism advocate

Photos: Lynn Trimble

Madcap musings

Madcap Theaters located in Centerpoint on Mill in Tempe

“Geeks’ Night Out” comes to Tempe this week as the Arizona SCITECH Festival meets “Third Thursdays” in Tempe’s Mill Avenue District — and the fine folks at Madcap Theaters host an Allied Paranormal Investigations team who’ll be “showing the equipment they use in researching potential hauntings.”

MADCAP's mission is providing affordable community-based performance space

Other “Geeks’ Night Out” happenings, taking place at various Tempe locations, feature everything from robotics to astronomy — plus a pop culture trivia competition. Think “Star Wars” vs. “Star Trek.” Folks can dress up like their favorite inventor or don the geek version of business attire for a tech job fair.

Harry Potter meets musical theater at Madcap Theaters in Tempe this month

A little something called “It’s a Musical Showcase” comes to Madcap Theaters for just two shows next weekend. It was conceived and created by a pair of ASU theatre majors, and it features fare you’ll have a hard time finding elsewhere — including a work from “A Very Potter Musical.”

“It’s a Musical Showcase” includes 14 songs, but only the first of two acts is dubbed “family friendly” so parents concerned about such things can opt for having the kids leave at intermission. Featured shows include “Chicago,” “Rent,” “Once Upon a Mattress,” “Wicked,” “Spring Awakening,” “The Little Mermaid,” “Avenue Q,” “Moulin Rouge” and more.

This view of Madcap's snack bar demonstrates that perception is everything

A digital arts festival called “PLAY” comes to Madcap Theaters next month thanks to UrbanSTEW. The festival “celebrates the union of art and technology” — and this year’s theme is “disability perception.” It’ll feature music, dance, activities and exhibits exploring human limits and abilities. Special guests include Crossing 32nd Street, Dulce Dance Company and ASU’s laptop orchestra.

There's plenty of artwork to enjoy in and around Madcap Theaters in Tempe

Temple Grandin, Ph.D., a professor of animal science at Colorado State University best known to most for her advocacy on behalf of those living with autism, comes to Madcap Theaters in March for an Autism Society of Greater Phoenix event that also features Dianne Craft, M.A., CNHP, of Child Diagnostics in Denver.

Three large rabbit sculptures surround a pond near Madcap Theaters

Grandin is a proponent of neurodiversity, the author of many works (including “Animals Make Us Human” and “Animals in Translation” with co-author Catherine Johnson) and the subject of a semi-biographical film (“Temple Grandin”) starring Claire Danes that was released by HBO Films in 2010.

Mellow Mushroom near Madcap Theaters is full of art ala skateboards

Those who favor venues with diverse “off the beaten path” offerings have a friend in Madcap Theaters. A geeky friend, perhaps. But a friend nonetheless. Learn more about upcoming events, included those noted above, by visiting Madcap Theaters at www.madcaptheaters.com.

— Lynn

Note: Click here for details about the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix 13th Annual Autism/Asperger’s Conference, and here to explore Mellow Mushroom offerings.

Coming up: A trio of Tempe galleries, Hands-on history