Dish-Houston

DISH received the sad word over the weekend that due to a health problem, Alley veteran James Black is unable to perform the role of Willy Loman in the Alley Theatre’s current production of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman.  Everyone is confident that he will make a full recovery and will be able to return to the Alley stages in future productions.

“I must put my health above all, follow the medical guidance of my doctor, and step away from this role and this great production,” says James Black.  “I leave with a heavy heart and apologize for disappointing loyal Alley subscribers and current ticket holders.”

Managing Director Dean R. Gladden continues:

“We request that you respect the privacy of James Black and feel confident that he will return to full strength soon and be able to direct this year’s production of A Christmas Carol - A Ghost Story of Christmas. We have cancelled performances through Friday, October 5 and are doing our best to contact all ticket holders to reschedule for performances later in the run.”

Artistic Director Gregory Boyd is pleased to announce that Glenn Fleshler will play the role of Willy Loman. He was the understudy for Willy Loman in the recent Broadway production. His Broadway credits also include Captain Brice, RN in Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia and Antonio’s man/ensemble in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. A definitive first preview and opening will be announced at a later time.

ABOUT DEATH OF A SALESMAN
The return to the Alley of Arthur Miller’s Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece Death of a Salesmanis particularly relevant today. The play juxtaposes the American Dream with the realities of a fluctuating economy, unequal opportunities, and unfair advantages, with vivid characters and consummate theatricality. As salesman Willy Loman approaches the end of his working life, he must reconcile his unrealized dreams while struggling against the current world. Recommended for general audiences; mature themes.

ABOUT GLENN FLESHLER
Glenn Fleshler is making his Alley Theatre debut. On Broadway, he appeared in Death of A Salesman, Arcadia, The Merchant of Venicewith Al Pacino, A Behanding in Spokane, Guys and Dolls, and Spring Awakening. He appeared with Meryl Streep in Mother Couragein Central Park’s Delacorte Theatre, Maggie Smith in The Lady From Dubuque in the West End, and the Drama Desk-winning cast of Stuff Happens at The Public Theatre along with many other productions Off-Broadway and around the country. He has had many recurring roles on TV including George Remus on Boardwalk Empire, Pavel Mirminsky on Delocatedand Det. Milton Trammel on Damages. He has also made appearances on Law & Orders, Fringe, The Good Wife, Bored to Death, Sex and the City and Third Watch. Films include: Margaret, All Good Things, A Price Above Rubies and the upcoming releases of Gods Behaving Badly, Nightingalewith Marion Cotillard and Joaquin Phoenix, Starbuck with Vince Vaughn and the latest Woody Allen project.

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) is proud to announce the international musical sensation and four time Tony Award nominee Jekyll & Hyde will run at Hobby Center For The Performing Arts Oct. 10 – 21, 2012 as TUTS’ opening show for its 2012-2013 “A Lot To Love” season.  After four thrilling, chilling years on Broadway and multiple world-wide tours, this dark and dangerous love story returns in a stunning new production that includes all the classic songs (“This is the Moment,” “A New Life,” and “Someone Like You”) that first grabbed audiences by the throat and transformed Jekyll & Hyde into a theatrical phenomenon.

The musical stars Tony Award nominee Constantine Maroulis in the dual title role of Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde.  Starring alongside him will be Grammy nominee and R&B superstar Deborah Cox as Lucy.

Several stage veterans will join the headlining cast.  Teal Wicks, whose credits include Wicked’s Elphaba on Broadway, will play Emma Carew.  Laird Mackintosh, who played on Broadway and in the first national tour as George Banks in Mary Poppins, will portray John Utterson.  Richard White, whom audiences will remember from the lead role in TUTS’ Zorro and Phantom, Broadway’s Most Happy Fella and the national tours of Urinetown and Camelot, will play the role of Sir Danvers Carew.

TUTS’ presentation of Jekyll & Hyde is part of a 25 week national tour leading up to a Broadway engagement of the show starting in April 2013.  TUTS fittingly serves as a stop during the tour as the show originated right here in Houston.

Conceived for the stage by Tony and Grammy Award nominee Frank Wildhorn and Steve Cuden, Jekyll & Hyde features a book & lyrics by two-time Oscar winner, Emmy winner and four-time Tony Award nominee Leslie Bricusse, music by Frank Wildhorn, and will be directed and choreographed by Tony Award Nominee Jeff Calhoun. 

The musical is based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s acclaimed novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde about a London doctor who accidentally unleashes his evil alternate personality in his quest to cure his father’s mental illness.

Tickets (starting at only $24) are available on-line at TUTS.com, by phone at (713) 558-TUTS (8887), outside the Houston area at (888) 558-3882, or in person at the Theatre Under The Stars Box Office, located at 800 Bagby at Walker, Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Saturday - Sunday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.  An audio described performance is available Sunday, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m.; open captioning is available Sunday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. The Hobby Center is wheelchair accessible.  Discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.  Group tickets may be purchased by calling (713) 558-8888 or via email at groupsales@tuts.com.

PEVETO is pleased to announce the opening of Ten Propositions, a single-artist exhibition featuring new works by Houston-based artist Joseph Cohen. In this particular exhibit, Cohen explores the nature of painting and human perception through a series of unique concrete paintings. The opening reception will take place on Thursday, September 27, 2012 from 7 - 9 p.m., and the exhibit will remain on view through Saturday, October 27, 2012.

“The Propositions that I offer are the philosophical inquiries into both the nature of painting and human perception,” says Cohen. “My work calls for a slowing down, a respite in which one may contemplate.”

Ten Propositions, consisting of Cohen’s most recent works, incorporates 45 degree sides that accentuate the works’ departure from the wall. Through hundreds of layers of personally-made paint, he is able to achieve a multi-faceted perspective through the use of interference pigments, gold, platinum, silver, diamond dust and other precious materials. Using paint as a sensual vicious matter, Cohen highlights its fluid nature by showing its ability to flow, drip and carry a brushstroke’s gesture, but also uses it as a medium with both mechanical and geometric natures. The act of objectification is only achieved through motion and the viewer shifting perspectives, thus it is imperative to view the artworks from numerous angles.

A longtime Houston native, Joseph Cohen has been internationally recognized and continues to withhold strong collector support, including the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Constantly trying to exceed the expectations and perceived limitations of his medium, he frequently collaborates on projects around the world, including a recent public sculpture for Leon Berard Children’s Cancer Hospital in Lyon, France. Prior to France, Cohen took part in the first exhibit by an American artist in Carlo V Castle, along with two additional exhibitions in Europe during his involvement in a six-month residency in Southern Italy. Currently residing in Houston’s museum district, he finds the city’s rich art scene a potent source of creative inspiration. 

WITH HELP FROM DISH CONTRIBUTOR RUCHI MUKERJEE:

It was a perfect evening for Indian street food and chai as the weather reminded everyone of Mumbai's monsoons as guests gathered at the Kiran's Restaurant for the launch of Houston's South Asian Lifestyle Society Magazine, 'Lights Camera Action' Curry Digest, a series by the digital magazine's founder and editor, Ruchi Mukherjee, in which she will immerse viewers in Indian cuisine.

A kick start to the cool weather added some spice in our lifes as Chef Kiran Verma took us on a journey to India's diverse kitchen. Indian cuisine is not just limited to chicken tikka masala, samosas or saag paneer. It's cuisine is as rich as its culture. Her daughter Puja was on hand (who also plays the roll as General Manager of the restaurant) to host and dance. One of the things you will notice when you are experiencing Kiran's is the family atmosphere. Personally speaking it honestly feels as if you are being hosted in a friend's home.

Chef Kiran's event was to celebrate andkick-off Houston's Metro Cooking Show that featured a fabulous display of Street Foods of India, henna tattoos, of which DISH got 2!! Bollywood chic attire and Dhol beats. Guests were mesmerized by the elaborate spread of street food such as pani pooris, pav bhaji, gulab jamuns, samosas, lamb kababs, gazar ka halwa and the list can go on. Our personal tour guide of the evening was Dr. Sharma who is in charge of the more than 400 wines on the list at Kiran's. He gave the history of the menu, paired wines beautifully and shared the background of the Spice Road.

The last time Zen Master Miao Tsan was in town we had the opportunity to hear him speak and were absolutely mezmorised. He is a delightful speaker and spirit to be around. His book was pretty great as well and now he has another one out! He will have a weeks worth ov events here in Houston but a few of them are FREE!!! Please treat yourself to the FREE (DISH'S favorite price) event and pick up the new book while you are there!

Zen Master Launches New Book in Contemporary Zen Studies Series

September 17 - 23 in Houston

Zen Master Miao Tsan, Abbot of Vairocana Zen Monastery and international lecturer and author, returns to Houston September 17 - 23 to launch his latest book, Intrinsic Awakened Nature, which explores how many Western and Eastern religions share common principles despite the distinct ways in which they spread their teachings.  He will present with such preeminent Western lecturers and educators as Episcopal priest and Jungian analyst J. Pittman McGehee D.D., and give public dialogues, dharma talks, workshops and programs at The Jung Center of Houston, Rothko Chapel, Memorial Hermann Hospital and C.T. Bauer College of Business University of Houston, among other Houston-area venues.

Venerable Master Miao Tsan’s multidisciplinary programs, free and open to the public, will include signings of Intrinsic Awakened Nature.  His book provides important perspectives on the similarities in Western and Eastern pursuit of eternity, happiness and the ability to understand the meaning of life. In this new volume in a series of contemporary Zen studies, Master Miao Tsan shows readers a clear path to understanding the most important aspect of any spiritual teaching: At the source of any sound religion or ideology lies the one and only Universal Truth.  While the superficial differences between religions have perplexed thinkers for centuries and left many modern people conflicted about which religion or ideology most deserves their loyalty, beneath their religious, linguistic and cultural differences lies a shared core value.  

Venerable Master Miao Tsan will reunite with the Very Reverend J. Pittman McGehee on Wednesday, September 19, 6:30 p.m., for the first time since their standing-room-only “East Meets West” Dialog in Fall 2010.  They will discuss the “Paradox of Love,” how personal attachment brings suffering and the realization of our true essence can transform it into happiness and a universal and unconditional caring for all beings.  Q&A and book signings will follow at downtown’s Christ Church Cathedral – Great Hall, 1117 Texas Avenue.  McGehee’s most recent book of essays, The Paradox of Love addresses the healing and wounding nature of love, the greatest of contradictions. The human longing for love is fraught with what Jung called the "incalculable paradoxes of love." McGehee studies the interpersonal and the intrapsychic dynamics of love, as well as its light and dark sides.

In his first-ever programs at Rothko Chapel, and the The Jung Center of Houston, Venerable Master Miao Tsan will present “Just Oneness,” a joint lecture and workshop to explain the Truth of Oneness Friday, September 21, 7 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. (Rothko) and Saturday, September 22, 9 a.m. - Noon (Jung Center). Ignorance of this fundamental Truth of Oneness leads humanity to the world of duality, which is the root cause of all forms of conflicts and sufferings that arise in our life, such as illness, economic trouble and relationship challenges. Master Miao Tsan will explore the fundamental nature of Oneness and how material attachments prevent our awareness of it.  He will show us how to re-establish joy, inner harmony, and peace in our life through lecture, meditation practice, and Q&A. 

Master Miao Tsan will offer two public presentations in the Texas Medical Center.  In “Master Your Living and Dying,” Monday, September 17, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. at University of Texas Health Science Center, he will start with the concept of impermanence, central to Buddhist philosophy and practice: we know with certainty that we will die.  From that understanding, we can accept that death is not defeat, but part of life, and this will allow us to live more peacefully.  Buddha explains suffering through the four stages of life: birth, old age, sickness and death and the ways we can connect suffering to love, kindness and compassion.  This perspective allows us to open our heart to patients and families in ways that can enhance the practitioner/patient relationship.  On Friday, September 21, Noon – 1 p.m., Master Miao Tsan will discuss “Finding Peace and Focus in a Hectic Environment” in a program sponsored by The Institute for Spirituality and Health and Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center. He will share ways that healthcare professionals can deal with stress in their daily work.  Attendees will learn techniques to manage the effects of stress generated by encounters with patients and co-workers instead of carrying those stresses home.  This practical session will benefit physicians, nurses, therapists, technicians and hospital support staff.   

His session on “Zen and the Art of Leadership” will focus on the use of Zen principles for business management and effective leadership. Thursday, September 20, 6:30 p.m. at the C.T. Bauer College of Business University of Houston – Elizabeth D. Rockwell Pavilion - MD Anderson Library.  Venerable Master Miao Tsan will explore the synergy between Zen and the common characteristics of leadership: self-discipline, responsibility, calmness in the face of challenge, and the ability to look at reality as it is. From Siddhartha to Steve Jobs, Zen training has fostered a profound degree of personal transformation that can shape an individual into a natural leader and lead to success in business.

Zen Master Miao Tsan will conclude his Houston visit with a book signing Saturday, September 22, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. at Barnes & Noble, 3003 Holcombe Boulevard and with a talk Sunday, September 23, 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. when he speaks to Bill Kerley’s Sunday morning “Ordinary Life” class about “Happiness.”  The class is held at St. Paul’s Methodist Church.

Master Miao Tsan’s core belief and the goal of his dharma teaching are to help people transcend the limits of individual perspective and experience to directly experience universally applicable truth.  He has conducted hundreds of meditation courses as well as several Zen-Seven and Zen-Three retreats in the United States, Mexico and Taiwan. He lectures extensively and has given meditation courses and interviews at universities and medical centers around the world.  His previous books in the series are:  Just Use This Mind and The Origin Is Pure. 

For additional information or to RSVP to any of the programs, please contact Jennifer Farmer, (281) 589-0810 or jfarmer@masterword.com.

Zen Master Miao Tsan  - Calendar of Events/Houston

September 17 – 23, 2012

Monday, September 17, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.

(Space is limited and complimentary lunch will be provided if RSVP is received by Thursday, September 13^th to jfarmer@masterword.com)

Where:           University of Texas Health Science Center, 6431 Fannin St.,

                        Rm. JJL 400 - Houston 77030

Program:        “Master Your Living and Dying” – Lecture by Venerable Master Miao Tsan 

Host:  Alejandro Chaoul, Ph.D., Assistant Professor at the Integrative Medicine Program in the Department of General Oncology at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Associate faculty at the McGovern Center for the Humanities and Ethics.  Lunch will be available for the first 100 in attendance. 

Although hospitals focus on healing, health care professionals are often called to serve patients facing death. Venerable Master Miao Tsan explains and illustrates how utilizing the Buddhist concept of impermanence can enable medical personnel to acknowledge that death is not a failure, but rather, the inevitable end of the physical body and the suffering inherent in each stage of life. Acceptance of this point of view opens the door for real compassion and loving kindness and provides deeper connection between patients and the medical community, greater peace for the dying, and a path to assuage the grief of patients’ families and loved ones.

* * *

When:         Wednesday, September 19,  6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Where:        Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Avenue, Great Hall (Downtown)

Program:        Zen Master Miao Tsan and J. Pittman McGehee, D.D., a noted Episcopal priest, Jungian analyst, author and lecturer will give their thoughts and definitions of the “Paradox of Love”. Is the Buddhist concept of compassion the same as the Western definition of love? What is the role of detachment? Is it a higher form of love than the more possessive Western romantic tradition? Does personal attachment bring suffering and can realization of our true essence transform it into happiness and  universal and unconditional caring for all beings? Enlightening listeners with the wisdom of many traditions, these two masters will provide new insights on the most complex emotion.

Q&A and book signings of Intrinsic Awakened Nature (Venerable Master

Miao Tsan) and The Paradox of Love (The Very Reverend J. Pittman McGehee) to follow.

***

When:            Thursday, September 20, 6:30 p.m.

(Space is limited and complimentary snacks and beverages will be provided if RSVP is received by Tuesday, September 18^th to jfarmer@masterword.com)

Where:           C.T. Bauer College of Business University of Houston – Elizabeth D. Rockwell Pavilion - MD Anderson Library, 2nd floor, University Drive entrance off Calhoun Road.

Program:        “Zen and the Art of Leadership” – Lecture by Venerable Master Miao Tsan 

Venerable Master Miao Tsan explores the synergy between Zen and the common characteristics of successful leadership: self-discipline, responsibility, calmness in the face of challenge, and the ability to look at reality as it is. From Siddhartha to Steve Jobs, Zen principles have brought about a profound degree of personal transformation that can shape an individual into a natural leader, and Zen principles have led entrepreneurs and insightful corporate business people to greater success. Ten horses should pull in one direction: When leaders learn how to leave egocentric management style behind, teams can become productive and employees can reach their full potential.

* * *

When:                        Friday, September 21, Noon - 1 p.m.

Where:           Memorial Hermann – Texas Medical Center, 6411 Fannin St.

Hermann Conference Center, Ground Floor of the Atrium

Program:        “Finding Peace and Focus in a Hectic Environment” – Lecture by Venerable Master Miao Tsan

Venerable Master Miao Tsan will share ways that healthcare professionals can deal  with stress in their daily work. Attendees will learn techniques to manage the effects of stress encountered when dealing with patients and co-workers, rather than bringing those problems home to family and friends. This practical session applicable is to all involved in healthcare--physicians, nurses, therapists, technicians, and hospital support staff.

* * *

When:                        Friday, September 21, 7p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Where:                       Rothko Chapel, 1409 Sul Ross Street

Program:         “Just Oneness”  - Lecture by Zen Master Miao Tsan

(Two-part program to be continued at Saturday, September 22 workshop)

*** 

When:                        Saturday, September 22, 9 a.m. - Noon

Where:                       The Jung Center Houston, 5200 Montrose Boulevard

Program:         Zen Master Miao Tsan workshop “Just Oneness,” explaining the Truth of Oneness

(Second of Two-part program)

In this special lecture and workshop program presented in conjunction with the Rothko Chapel and The Jung Center Houston, Zen Master Miao Tsan will explain the truth of Oneness.  Ignorance of this fundamental truth of Oneness leads humanity to the world of duality, which is the root cause of all forms of conflicts and sufferings. Master Miao Tsan will explore the fundamental nature of Oneness and the way material attachments prevent our awareness of it. 

* * *

When:                        Saturday, September 22, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Where:                       Barnes & Noble, 3003 Holcombe Boulevard (Vanderbilt Square)

Program:         Zen Master Miao Tsan Book Signing, Intrinsic Awakened Nature

* * *

When:                        Sunday, September 23, 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.

Where:           St. Paul’s Methodist Church, 5501 South Main, Fondren Hall (2^nd Floor – Jones Building

Program:         Zen Master Miao Tsan lectures to Bill Kerley’s weekly “Ordinary Life” class on the topic of “Happiness”

For further event information or to purchase the book, go to www.miaotsan.com.  For large quantity book orders, please call Bright Sky Press, 713-533-9300.