In discussing possible performance events with a local organization, we were asked if we could do a murder mystery dinner. Why, sure! But… I began researching them. They tend to fall into two categories: expensive (no, thanks!) and lame. The latter seem to have been created by some amateur theatre groups who thought they wereContinue reading “Gimme a Murder Mystery”
Author Archives: stephenschrum
Hand Me the Whiteboard…
Every time someone starts an in-depth explanation of something, or I need to explain something that requires a variety of steps, I ask for “the whiteboard.” I assume at that point that only a detailed diagram will be able to provide any sensical explanation. I always needed a whiteboard when I covered one of theContinue reading “Hand Me the Whiteboard…”
Writing’s On the Wall…?
Are you superstitious? Can a person be superstitious and not superstitious at the same time? I don’t really believe that “bad luck” is caused by things such as breaking a mirror, walking under a ladder, or having my path crossed by a black cat. And yet I assiduously avoid all of those things. If aContinue reading “Writing’s On the Wall…?”
Post Mortem
One of the strict rules of StoryZ is that we constantly examine and discuss what we do. As in cop dramas, this process is called the post mortem. After our recent premiere production of Gentle Larceny, we invited the audience to stick around after the Friday night performance for a talkback, as research for theContinue reading “Post Mortem”
The Premiere Premiere
This past weekend, StoryZ presented our first live theatrical production: Gentle Larceny, written by the late Terry Hamilton who, I’m told, was a Broadway bartender with aspirations of being a successful playwright. The subject of this one-man play was Wilson Mizner who seeks fame—or infamy—through his monologue. Is he telling the truth, embellishing, or outrightContinue reading “The Premiere Premiere”
Questions Only
What is one question you hate to be asked? Explain. Over the years, the questions that made me uncomfortable have changed. I guess that corresponds to my level of maturity and leads me to where we are now. First, speaking generally of questions, I always like to come back to the Bernard Pivot questions usedContinue reading “Questions Only”
Don’t Tell Me I Can’t
How has a failure, or apparent failure, set you up for later success? One of the quickest ways to encourage me to do something is to tell me I can’t do it, or to speak the more passive phrase, “it can’t be done.” That’s precisely the motivation I’ve often needed to accomplish a goal. ItContinue reading “Don’t Tell Me I Can’t”
5000 What?
You’re writing your autobiography. What’s your opening sentence? “It all started in a little 5000 watt radio station in Fresno, California.” That is of course a brilliant start to an autobiography, but it wouldn’t be mine. It actually comes from Ted Baxter, the pompous anchorman character on on The Mary Tyler Moore Show from theContinue reading “5000 What?”
My, How Ads Have Changed
When I think back to ads from an earlier time, they were pretty innocent. They may have flirted slightly with actions and language that, if you had a dirty enough mind, you would have said, “Whoa!” But for the most part, commercials reflected an attitude of a simpler time. For example, I think of Charmin,Continue reading “My, How Ads Have Changed”
Call It Fate…
Do you believe in fate/destiny? I read the prompt and, as often happens, a song came into my mind, but with a slight difference: I wrote the lyrics to this one, and Jeremy dePrisco composed the music. The song, “Call It Fate” was sung by the Spirit Guide Dog in my musical, Dog Assassin. WeContinue reading “Call It Fate…”
MUSOFYR 