Snowy Days in Middle TN

It's been a chilly, snowy weekend here in Tennessee, and I spent it stuck indoors for the most part. However, it was a pretty fun time, as my family and I made the most of it and watched some cool stuff on the tele. I watched several episodes of Kung Fu off DVD (including the pilot episode), some episodes of LOST off the internet, a couple of old Night Gallery Episodes, and 30 Days of Night.

I really liked 30 Days of Night on rewatch - maybe being snowed in myself added to the enjoyment of the film, as that one's set in a snowy Alaskan town. But it held up very well on re-watch, and goes down as one of the comic book adaptations that worked well. Nice effects, acting, and suspense. Definitely worth watching.

I just found out that the December issue of Nashville Opera magazine ran a photo of yours gruely. Back in October I made a guest appearance at their theater for the production of FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER.

I was the guest judge for a zombie contest the Nashville Opera held. It was a fun time, a fantastic production, and the contest was a success. Thanks again to the Nashville Opera for inviting me out. It was an honor.

Doc Gangrene at the Nashville Opera

I went to the Nashville Opera today for the House of Usher Philip Glass show. Pictured here is lead actress Jennifer Zetlan, who played Roderick's twin sister, Madeline Usher. She is buried alive and comes back from the dead as you see her here, very much worse for wear.

It was a beautiful 70 degree day, and as I parked and walked to the Tennessee Performing Arts Center I heard fireworks going off in the distance as the Tennessee Titans, whose stadium is just a couple of miles from there, scored on the Buffalo Bills (Go Titans)!

The Nashville Opera asked me to come be a judge for their zombie costume contest... I had wondered how zombies tied into the play, and with the return of Madeline pictured above it made perfect sense. Before the show director John Hoomes did a pre-show talk, giving some behind the scenes information on the play, Philip Glass, and the Nashville production of this play.

Doc Gangrene and Director John Hoomes

Afterwards the show began, and it was a multimedia show with giant screens that had imagery and animation projected onto them. The actors interacted with them, and most of the backgrounds and sets were actually projected. It was visually stunning, and quite the unique show. The music was all Philip Glass, and amazing.

During the intermission the zombies gathered. I was a judge, along with one of the actors (Paul Dawson) who played the family physician in this performance.

(actor Paul Dawson)

So we gathered them all and voted on them in three categories - they tallied the votes...

Contestants with Doc Gangrene and Paul Dawson

and the winner was this lovely paper-mache headed fellow who had a brain and eyeball hanging out of the socket!

Director John Hoomes presents zombie dvd prize pack to winning zombie

After intermission they finished the performance, and had a post-show talk with the director, actors, maestro, and special effects technician.

It was a fun time and I appreciate being invited to take part. Hopefully they'll do more gothic shows in the future. To find out more about the Nashville Opera go to:

http://www.nashvilleopera.org/Usher.html

Doc backstage with Reed Hummell, Director of Marketing


Director John Hoomes with actress Jennifer Zetlan

The Nashville Opera is putting on a pretty interesting show this coming weekend - it's The Fall of the House of Usher. This show promises to be a pretty cool one as it features music from Philip Glass and interactive video throughout!

The show takes place November 13th, 14th and 15th at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center Polk Theater.

Show times:
Friday, November 13, 2009 (8 p.m.)
Saturday, November 14, 2009 (8 p.m.)
Sunday November 15, 2009 (2 p.m. matinee)

There is a pre-show talk as well, one hour before each performance. Join Nashville Opera Artistic Director John Hoomes and members of the artistic staff for a fun informative preview talk, one hour before each performance in the theater.

In addition, Sunday, November 15th’s show also features a special Zombie Matinee. Any members of the undead that attend the performance will be entered in a zombie costume contest to win a special Zombie DVD prize pack hand selected by Director John Hoomes. In addition they will be seated in a special “zombie” section, (in the Orchestra seating), which is actually some really terrific seats.

So make plans now to get out to the opera and support this Edgar Allen Poe classic retold through the music of Philip Glass. It’s not all that often the Opera dips into the realm of the supernatural, so let’s shamble out and support this endeavor.

http://www.nashvilleopera.org/Usher.html