Two of my Favorite Things....

So along with being a film critic, people ask me all the time what my favorite movies are. I always tell them my all time favorite is Singin' in the Rain, which is true.  A couple weeks ago, I had Elliot with me and we always watch a movie before bedtime together and I got Singin' in the Rain out to see how long it would take for Elliot to either fall asleep or ask to watch something else. To my surprise, Elliot watched the full movie and laughed all the way through it. He loved it.

I got a picture from my ex-wife of Elliot walking home from church.... Here it is.....

Along with the picture, my ex-wife said that Elliot saw the lamppost and ran up to it, jumped on and started singing "Singin' in the Rain".

I have my favorite movie with my favorite boy in the world. I thought it was super cute, so I decided to share.

19 Days......

Wow. It has been 19 days since I last posted a blog entry. So, let me catch you up to what is going on with me.  I performed my final show as Uncle Fester in The Addams Family musical out at The Empress Theatre in Magna, Utah. I love performing there. There is something special about performing there and the people that come out to act or spectate. It maybe at the end of  a run-down street, probably one of the last bigger buildings, anything further north and you would be in the Great Salt Lake. A little further west and you would be scaling a mountain.

I have been so blessed to have been a part of the show. I loved everyone in the show, and even though the show was double cast, I had a wonderful time rehearsing and going to watch the other cast.

I am kind of funny in some ways. I have a bi-polar disorder, and usually people with bi-polar disorder get super depressed during the winter and then go into a kind of mania in the summer time. For some weird reason, I am the opposite. I usually seem to be in better spirits come winter, and feel depressed in the summer. I have a really great medication and treatment plan that drastically improves my situations with the highs and lows that come with bi-polar disorder, almost to a point where the ups and downs are hardly an issue. Being involved with the show and everyone who put it all together helped my slump stay closer to normal and now I can feel that my mood is rising to around what most people would call normal.

One thing that makes me happy is that during the rehearsals and run of the show, there isn't one person in the cast that didn't help me reach my potential in my character. The list would be too long to go through the full cast and write something about every single person in the cast and crew. I tried really hard to get to know the other actors, whether I already knew them already and got to know them better or people new to the theater. I have made some incredible new friends and deepened my love and appreciation for those I already knew.

Anyway, I have been out to the theater quite a bit from the end of March through now between Shrek The Musical and The Addams Family. It will be nice to take a little break, get back into the swing of things with my film critic gig and have more time and hopefully more money since I won't be buying gas two times a week to travel out to Magna and back home to West Jordan. I hope to spend more time with Elliot and taking him places that would be fun to do. I also am involved again with The Jesters Royale. It is crazy to think that almost five years ago, I was playing a big part in putting together a new improv show format with some close friends of mine, and I am joining the team once again after a two year break to see if we can't produce some more of the improv magic we once had, but by doing it with a couple old friends from the team as well as new players that seem to have a lot of great wit.

Anyway, that is what I am up to these days. I have to brag and tell everyone that I got to see Guardians of the Galaxy two weeks early, and am going back again to see it one week before it opens. I legally can't review it, but the fact that I want to go again should tell you something, wink wink. 

Anyway, have a good morning, day, afternoon, evening, or night depending on when you read this.

If this is your first time visiting my blog, be sure to check out some of the older posts. I have had a lot of fun blogs, my personal favorite is about politically incorrect the first Curious George book is, and if you don't believe me and my points I argue,  I have the pictures from the book to make my case. Also, Jennica, if you read this, I am going to have to look up the C.G. book where he makes pancakes.

Love you all.

Peace Out!

Past Technology and Unappreciative Kids.....

While surfing Facebook this evening, a good friend of mine posted this video.

Kids Today React to The Nintendo Game Boy.


When I was a baby, my parents took pictures of my first Christmas morning. In the unwrapped presents there is a Colecovision. For those of you who do not know what it is, it's a video game console that was Atari's big rival in the beginning of the 1980s. It had the original home version of Donkey Kong and a few other fun games like Mouse Trap, that was kind of a rip off of Pac-Man, but I personally like it better than Pac-Man. Anyway, I played it as a little kid, and it was like the coolest thing ever.

When I was five, for Christmas, Santa brought me the original Nintendo Entertainment System. Probably my very favorite invention during my life so far. I loved that thing to death. When the Nintendo Game Boy was released, I got one for Christmas, which was also amazing. As the years have passed on, I have bought other video game consoles, and consider me to be a "gamer", although I do have other passions in life that I do.

Anyway, I came across the Youtube video that I linked to above, and saw how kids today reacted to the Nintendo Game Boy. Most of the comments were negative.  I still have my Game Boy and actually like taking it with me on car trips and still play those old school games. There is something remarkable about old technology to those who can look back and appreciate it.

Earlier today in fact, I showed Elliot my record collection. He didn't know what to make of it. I told him that is how we used to listen to music. Still, with Elliot being three years old, he didn't understand, but I decided to make it a point to teach Elliot while he is young about technology by letting him use old technology first, for the most part, and helping him see what came before so that he can appreciate modern technology and understand the past. 

It's funny. Every single time I use my iPod, I think of how music was recorded from the first phonograph all the way through now. I think back about how when I was eight, I would get tape cassettes of new albums, then of course, CDs came along. Now, I have my whole music collection on one little device. With in an instant, I can press a button and BAM, there it is. No rewinding tape cassettes, no more CDs with scratches that skip. 

My passion, Film, has come a long way as well. I remember going to movies and the reels would be scratched and sometimes they would burn, (We went to the dollar theater a lot when this would happen). Now, digital projectors make every single showing of a film in high definition in clear picture. I love film history, and I actually love old films that have been transfered over from old film. Like the crackles and pops from an old vinyl record, the scratched film that has seen better days holds a special place in my heart. 

They always say that we must remember the past to make a better future. I whole-heartedly believe that statement, and it is very true, even with entertainment technology. Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to go turn on my old box television, turn on the Colecovision, and have a blast from the past!

Kepi - Days That End In "Y" . My favorite song when it comes to Elliot. I love being a parent sometimes...

So a little fact about me before I start getting into this blog. When I was younger, my really cool cousin, Greg, got me interested into punk rock music. Not all kinds of it, but a lot. I am not really into the whole Nazi Punk scene, but I love more bands like the Ramones, Rancid, early Green Day stuff, The Mr. T Experience, and especially The Groovie Ghoulies.



The Groovie Ghoulies did songs kind of like the "Monster Mash" oldies song. Not really about actually being scary and dark, but more happy go lucky Ramones style punk rock. I love that the songs are super catchy and fun, almost like a childlike innocence to them. It is also noteworthy to point out that their lead singer/bass player was a guy, and the lead guitarist was his wife, along with a female drummer. They were one of a kind. They have been broken up for a little while now, but Kepi, their lead singer, still writes music with the same style.



Anyway, I usually catch Kepi when he plays live here in Salt Lake from time to time. The last time he came through town, he had a new CD called "Kepi for Kids". A few were original songs, and a few were Groovie Ghoulies songs that he slowed down and played them more geared towards kids. One thing to mention before you go all crazy and start looking up their stuff on Youtube, Kepi does have a different kind of voice. It is fun with the music and everything, but his voice is pretty distinct. Anyway I posted this blog because I wanted to show off this one song on the CD. I got the video off of Youtube, and it is basically my theme song to Elliot. Kinda cheesy, I know, but still. here are the lyrics if you want to follow along with the song, or just read them for fun..



The song is called "Days That End in "Y".



I love you everyday that ends in "Y"

You can ask, but I can't tell you why,

You make my little heart just flutter and fly.

I love every day that ends in "Y"



Monday is our fun day,

Teusday lose the blues day,

Wednesday is best friends day,

Thrusday his and her day

Friday you're the apple of my eye day

Saturday you really matter day

Sunday you're my number one day

And that leads us back to Monday.

(second time through only) And if they add a new day, then I will love you too, yay!



I love you every day that ends in "Y"

You can ask, but I can't tell you why,

You make my little heart just flutter and fly.

I love you every day that ends in "Y".



Then it repeats because all kids songs repeat everything just sang, lol,



Anyway, I just had to write a blog about it. If you want to know more about Kepi or the Groovie Ghoulies, just let me know, and I will give you more information than you would probably want, lol. 

....Sorry it has been so long. It has been like I had a play opening up or something....

Hey everyone,

So sorry for not posting a blog in like two weeks. Time flies when you are in a play, or asleep. I know it isn't against the law or anything, so again, I am sorry....BUT, just for fun, I live in Utah, and so I thought that I would have some fun and blog about strange laws in Utah and comment on each of them. My mission president in Detroit once told us in a meeting that behind every rule is a moron. Some of these just might have been.

It is illegal to buy or sell an unborn child. It doesn't say anything about giving one away for free...right?

It is illegal to cause a catastrophe. Good to know. I had so many ideas of how to throw our state into chaos.

It is illegal to throw items that are on fire from a moving vehicle. I guess I will have to pull over the next time I do that.

Drunk-Driving laws do not apply to those riding animals. This reminds me of a drunk Lee Marvin riding his horse while drunk in one of my favorite western films, Cat Ballou.

It is illegal to mutilate a library book. Thank goodness I am not a Nazi or a character from Fahrenheit 451.

Boxing matches that allow biting are not allowed. Sorry Mike Tyson.

It is illegal for train operators to throw human waste off of the train. Does that include hobos?

It is illegal to take both hands off of the handlebars of a bicycle at the same time. Ask my mom about this, she crashed into a tree trying this once.

A permit is required to alter the weather in any way. Does this include praying for moisture during a drought in church??? I am actually guilty of this one....

It is illegal to sell alcohol during an emergency stated by the state governor. Seems like it would be needed most to people who drink it during that time.

It is against the law to fish from horseback. Seems like fishing would be a great pastime for those drunk riding a horse specified earlier in this blog.

It is illegal to detonate a nuclear weapon. I think I am on board with this one. Hard to believe that it is on a "crazy laws list".

Driving a car on the sidewalk is against the law. But, what if sidewalk is in between your driveway and the street?

This one only pertains to Ogden, Utah. Only Animal Control or policemen are allowed to molest animals.  I'm not even going to comment on this one.

There you have it. Maybe I will write a blog later on with more laws. I just thought it would be kind of a fun blog to read through. Hope you are all doing well, and as for me, I am still performing The Addams Family as Uncle Fester.  If you haven't come to see the show yet, stop reading this blog, head over to www.empresstheatre.com and get tickets to come see the show. We have been getting great reviews.

Until next time, "Be excellent to each other, and....PARTY ON, DUDES!"

Uncle Fester Is Feeling Ready....

Here we go. Opening weekend starting on Friday, June 20th at 7:30 PM at the Empress Theatre in Magna, Utah.

www.empresstheatre.com

 THE ADDAMS FAMILY features an original story, and it's every father's nightmare. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family - a man her parents have never met. And if that weren't upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he's never done before - keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday's 'normal' boyfriend and his parents.

** This show has a sensitivity rating: Macbre humor and mild profanity **

Directed by: Jake Andersen
Vocal Direction by: Jeremy Tuttle
Choreography: Lindy Davis

Performances are every FRIDAY, SATURDAY, and MONDAY June 20th - July 26th at 7:30pm. There are 3 matinees: June 28th, July 12th, and July 19th at 2:00pm.

All tickets are just $10 and reserved seating
Special pricing for groups of 10 or more (contact the box office for reservations at 801-347-7373 or email to historicempress@gmail.com)

CAST A Performances: June 20, 23, 28 (2pm), 30, July 11, 12, 18, 21, 25



CAST A:

Gomez .... Matt Green
Morticia .... Chrisanne Sueltz
Uncle Fester .... Nathan Unck
Wednesday .... Jennica Henderson
Lucas .... Travis Hall
Grandma .... JoAnn Galloway
Pugsley .... Gavin Sueltz
Lurch .... Garret Sueltz
Mal Beineke .... Garrett Beisinger
Alice Beineke .... Cheryl

Ancestors:
Conquistador .... Derek Green
Caveman .... Josh Astle
Soldier .... Tom Roche
1920's Gangster .... Michael Thrall

Saloon Girl .... Devin Johnson
Flight Attendant: Tanya Rasmussen
Courtesan .... Kathryn Brown
Bride .... Emily Preston
Flapper .... Charly Johnson
Hippie .... K'Lynn Keddington
Greek Goddess .... Connie Beaty
Cowgirl .... Maddie Sueltz

Cousin It/Thing/Mummy .... Megan Carpentier


I hope you all can make it out. The show is a ton of fun!

To The Addams Family, Both Casts......

I was cast in The Addams Family: The Musical as Uncle Fester. The show was double cast and my counterpart is played wonderfully by Dallon Thorup.  It ceases to amaze me how different we play the same role, but because of our different experiences and personalities, the role works in two totally different ways. I feel very fortunate to have been cast along side an awesome actor, so Dallon, Thank you.

Tonight marked the last night that both casts will be rehearsing together. While it is exciting to know that we will have our costumes, makeup, and props pretty much ready for the next couple of rehearsals until we open, I am really going to miss the cast from Cast B. You have all been wonderful to work with, and to have fun with. I usually hate rehearsing for shows, but I have been nothing but excited and happy when it comes to Addams Family rehearsals. 

There isn't one person in either cast that I didn't like. It has been great getting to know you and I have signed up for a couple of ushering positions, so I will see you again during your run, but I will miss sharing the stage with you all.

To Cast A, Let's rock this thing. I am so happy to be in a cast full of awesomely, talented people who inspire me, (cast B does as well, but yeah), and have made this experience a once in a lifetime kinda thing.

I don't want to go into personal details, but let's just say there have been some rough bumps in my life lately, and things are pretty hard for me on the outside of the theater. Everyone has been so amazing and have treated me well. The theater is kind of my safe haven. Once I walk through those doors, I feel happy. Things in my personal life kind of just wait outside for a while until I leave the theater, then it's back again.

I just want everyone to know how appreciative of I am for you. Thank you so much for making me laugh, for helping me feel better about myself, and the encouragement to work harder and stronger.

Anyway this is long enough. Congratulations if you made it this far and are still reading! Anywho, let's work super hard in the next couple of rehearsals so that we can have great performances. Thank you so much everyone for making this experience a great one.

See you guys tomorrow at rehearsal.

Nate