Monday, December 26, 2011
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
My crazy weekend!
This past weekend was an extremely busy one. On Saturday I hosted a burlesque revue for the Nashville Horror & Comic Fest, performed at the Bikini Tiki Luau in Bowling Green, KY, and then Sunday presented a “different” version of Swing Magic for the first Nashville Fringe Festival.
Let’s start at the top: The Comic Festival. Most of you know that I am a comic book freakasaurus. A big part of me and the character of BDC was shaped by comic books. However, I never go to these conventions. Just not my clique, dig? However, I go anywhere I am hired, and I was hired to host the burlesque revue for the convention. Don’t ask me why or what the connection is – I just took the gig.
So I was told by the producer to get there between 2 & 4 for the show at 5 PM. I get there at 3:30 and I am the first there. No producer. No performers. Just me, the MC. Everyone else is lost. Wonderful. So what do I do? I get ready to perform and to stall if the rest of the cast don’t arrive on time. On top of this, the performance space is in flea market “hall way” with no sound – just a boom box to play CDs, no lighting other than the overheads, no stage – just concrete floor, no backdrop. You know, every performer’s “Dream” venue! The producer did a great job on this one!
The rest of the cast all arrive with only minutes to spare, but at 10 minutes til showtime we have bigger problem. We have no audience. No one. To make matters worse, the convention guests are streaming out of the con like water through a sieve. It is dinner time, after all. SO, again BDC comes to the rescue. I step out onto the main convention floor, and do a bally hoo to draw people in – I mean, these people crawled out of their parent’s basement and they are turning down to see chicks? Talk about social malfunction. But my gambit works and within 10 minutes the seats are filled and it is standing room only.
Show goes off without a hitch (despite the staging challenges) and the audience responds accordingly. Success! My client (the producer) is happy and tips me generously above my fee, and her client is ecstatic!
Then my partner Ginger Lee and I jump into the car and race up to Bowling Green, KY for the Bikini Tiki Luau, and the subsequent BDC Challenge. The organizer King Dado greets me and says “man, there are about 500 people her to see you do this” (official reports indicate 200 – 300 people). I didn’t stop to count, but there were a TON of people there. It was packed! We are on right after the Rebel Surfers and I repeat the set I did at the comic con. A note about that – I developed the material I did specifically for these burlesque, rockabilly, and custom culture audiences. There’s an entire essay right there!
So we finish the show and it is time for the challenge for the World Heavyweight Magic Championship. I invite any challengers to perform first. There are none. But I had come prepared to do an Underwater Chain Escape, and I wasn’t going to let this crowd of people down! We moved to the pool. A couple of the rockabilly greasers “helped” chain me up. Believe me, they did me no favors! They inspected every link of chain and the four locks meticulously. It was fantastic.
So, I’m chained up, I’m standing at the edge of the pool, and I jump in. But something goes horribly wrong. I’ve been practicing the escape and can get out in about 20 seconds. I’ve spent my entire life underwater and can hold my breath for a solid minute. But I hit the water and every bit of breath leaves. I don’t know why, but I got nothing. I’m underwater with chains pulling me down and I got nothing in my lungs. Not good. I had to work FAST or I was going to drown, for real. 10 seconds. I escaped in 10 seconds. I couldn’t believe it. It was an insanely stupid thing to do. I can’t wait until the next time.
That was Saturday.
Sunday was a different show. On Sunday I presented a 30 minute version of my 3 person ensemble show Swing Magic at the Nashville Fringe Festival. This was the first year and crowds were smaller than I would have liked, but the organizers were very happy.
About an hour before the show I decided to do something I had never done before. I took off the mask and talked to the audience as the creator John Pyka. I talked about the real reason I got into show business, quoting from my book Theatrical Magic:
“Have you ever closed your eyes and wished you could be someone else? To live in a different place and time, to live a different life?” I went on to talk about being picked on and bullied as kid, because of my weight. I talked about how music, and magic, and theater set me apart and made me special. About how I was able to create my own reality. That was the how.
Then I told the story about Amanda. I’ve written about it many, many times but never spoken about it. It struck me that I had never publicly told the story. That was the why.
And then I shocked myself by publicly admitting my disability for the first time, and how being onstage makes it vanish and that performance is pain therapy.
In all three cases I shared with the audience, albeit briefly, about the power theater has to impact lives. My friend Jason Michaels told me later he was inspired. One of the audience members Robert Stone shock my hand with a tear in his eye and wrote me later that that segment was the best part of the entire festival and well worth the weekend pass.
So now, a few days later, I can step back and evaluate. I have a lot to think about.
Let’s start at the top: The Comic Festival. Most of you know that I am a comic book freakasaurus. A big part of me and the character of BDC was shaped by comic books. However, I never go to these conventions. Just not my clique, dig? However, I go anywhere I am hired, and I was hired to host the burlesque revue for the convention. Don’t ask me why or what the connection is – I just took the gig.
So I was told by the producer to get there between 2 & 4 for the show at 5 PM. I get there at 3:30 and I am the first there. No producer. No performers. Just me, the MC. Everyone else is lost. Wonderful. So what do I do? I get ready to perform and to stall if the rest of the cast don’t arrive on time. On top of this, the performance space is in flea market “hall way” with no sound – just a boom box to play CDs, no lighting other than the overheads, no stage – just concrete floor, no backdrop. You know, every performer’s “Dream” venue! The producer did a great job on this one!
The rest of the cast all arrive with only minutes to spare, but at 10 minutes til showtime we have bigger problem. We have no audience. No one. To make matters worse, the convention guests are streaming out of the con like water through a sieve. It is dinner time, after all. SO, again BDC comes to the rescue. I step out onto the main convention floor, and do a bally hoo to draw people in – I mean, these people crawled out of their parent’s basement and they are turning down to see chicks? Talk about social malfunction. But my gambit works and within 10 minutes the seats are filled and it is standing room only.
Show goes off without a hitch (despite the staging challenges) and the audience responds accordingly. Success! My client (the producer) is happy and tips me generously above my fee, and her client is ecstatic!
Then my partner Ginger Lee and I jump into the car and race up to Bowling Green, KY for the Bikini Tiki Luau, and the subsequent BDC Challenge. The organizer King Dado greets me and says “man, there are about 500 people her to see you do this” (official reports indicate 200 – 300 people). I didn’t stop to count, but there were a TON of people there. It was packed! We are on right after the Rebel Surfers and I repeat the set I did at the comic con. A note about that – I developed the material I did specifically for these burlesque, rockabilly, and custom culture audiences. There’s an entire essay right there!
So we finish the show and it is time for the challenge for the World Heavyweight Magic Championship. I invite any challengers to perform first. There are none. But I had come prepared to do an Underwater Chain Escape, and I wasn’t going to let this crowd of people down! We moved to the pool. A couple of the rockabilly greasers “helped” chain me up. Believe me, they did me no favors! They inspected every link of chain and the four locks meticulously. It was fantastic.
So, I’m chained up, I’m standing at the edge of the pool, and I jump in. But something goes horribly wrong. I’ve been practicing the escape and can get out in about 20 seconds. I’ve spent my entire life underwater and can hold my breath for a solid minute. But I hit the water and every bit of breath leaves. I don’t know why, but I got nothing. I’m underwater with chains pulling me down and I got nothing in my lungs. Not good. I had to work FAST or I was going to drown, for real. 10 seconds. I escaped in 10 seconds. I couldn’t believe it. It was an insanely stupid thing to do. I can’t wait until the next time.
That was Saturday.
Sunday was a different show. On Sunday I presented a 30 minute version of my 3 person ensemble show Swing Magic at the Nashville Fringe Festival. This was the first year and crowds were smaller than I would have liked, but the organizers were very happy.
About an hour before the show I decided to do something I had never done before. I took off the mask and talked to the audience as the creator John Pyka. I talked about the real reason I got into show business, quoting from my book Theatrical Magic:
“Have you ever closed your eyes and wished you could be someone else? To live in a different place and time, to live a different life?” I went on to talk about being picked on and bullied as kid, because of my weight. I talked about how music, and magic, and theater set me apart and made me special. About how I was able to create my own reality. That was the how.
Then I told the story about Amanda. I’ve written about it many, many times but never spoken about it. It struck me that I had never publicly told the story. That was the why.
And then I shocked myself by publicly admitting my disability for the first time, and how being onstage makes it vanish and that performance is pain therapy.
In all three cases I shared with the audience, albeit briefly, about the power theater has to impact lives. My friend Jason Michaels told me later he was inspired. One of the audience members Robert Stone shock my hand with a tear in his eye and wrote me later that that segment was the best part of the entire festival and well worth the weekend pass.
So now, a few days later, I can step back and evaluate. I have a lot to think about.
$10 Sale! Get the EXPANDED edition of How To Produce Your Own Theater Show for only $10! http://ping.fm/0Vovr
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Help fellow magician Bryan Dreyfus! His wife is having surgery for a heart tumor. Donate here:
http://ping.fm/A9mto
http://ping.fm/A9mto
Monday, September 12, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Thursday, September 1, 2011
This Saturday! DO NOT MISS THE 5 MINUTE FOLLIES at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival! http://ping.fm/pvv4h
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Remember all you hep cats & cool kittens! Vote for Big Daddy Cool & The Swing Kittens for "The Best of Nashville!"
http://ping.fm/3y9LG
http://ping.fm/3y9LG
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
If you love me, vote for Big Daddy Cool and/or Big Daddy Cool & The Swing Kittens!
http://ping.fm/79XtS
http://ping.fm/79XtS
Monday, August 15, 2011
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Hi,
Magic Gives is inviting you to join Facebook.
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Once you join, you'll be able to connect with the Magic Gives Page, along with people you care about and other things that interest you.
Thanks,
Magic Gives
To sign up for Facebook, follow the link below:
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Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
John Pyka Productions is seeking 4 swing dancers (2 couples) for two performances of Swingin' At The Roxy at the Encore Community Theatre in Mt. Juliet Aug 5 & 6. Two rehearsals on Aug 3 & 4. All freestyle dance. Wear your favorite swing dance apparel. Shows pay $25 per person.
If interested, please contact John Pyka at johnpyka@johnpyka.com. Put "Swing Dancers" in subject line.
If interested, please contact John Pyka at johnpyka@johnpyka.com. Put "Swing Dancers" in subject line.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
Magicians! Don't be a jabroni, get "How To Produce Your Own Theater Show" today!
http://ping.fm/mu7UY
http://ping.fm/mu7UY
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Clarksville, TN this Saturday! If you are in the area, don't even THINK about missing it!
http://ping.fm/DgQaQ
http://ping.fm/DgQaQ
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
New chapter about producing off-Broadway only available in the Kindle edition of How To Produce Your Own Theater Show - http://ping.fm/mc79q
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Remembering Randy Savage
Remembering Randy Savage
On Friday May 20th I got the news at 11:30 AM that “The Macho Man” Randy Savage had died in a car crash caused by a heart attack at the wheel. I have to be honest with you, I cried. My breath was literally taken out of my chest.
You see, Randy Savage was one of my longtime entertainment heroes. His larger than life persona was one of the key influences of the character that would become my signature - “Big Daddy Cool” Johnny Dellarocca. It is not readily apparent, but at the base, BDC is really an influence of Orson Welles, Michael Jackson and Randy Savage. Sounds odd reading it, I know, but it works.
I first met Randy Savage backstage at the Richfield Coliseum in Cleveland, OH. My dad was friends with WWE Hall of Famer “Cowboy” Bob Orton and every time they were in town he gave us backstage passes. That was back in the early 80s. I met him in 1986 between Wrestlemania 1 & 2, right after he had won the Intercontinental Title from Tito Santana. He was in a minor feud with Hulk Hogan, one of many over the years. What struck me even then as a kid, was the focus and attention to detail he brought to his in ring performances. Backstage before the match he, Hogan and Miss Elizabeth were planning and reviewing every step of the match. It isn’t talked about much now, but I learned later that Randy was really the first pro wrestler to choreograph his matches. He was not content to perform “on the fly” like so many others. His commitment and attention to detail was embraced by Vince MacMahon and after Savage’s famous match with Ricky Steamboat at Wrestlemania III, became the model for matches in WWF/WWE. Watch any really well executed match today – the ones that are really outstanding – and that is a part of Randy Savage’s influence and legacy.
Randy Savage also scripted all of his on-camera promos. Seldom, if ever did he do what’s called a “shoot” where the character basically ad-libs his lines. Again, he was not content to just wing it. It was that important to him, and it showed.
Also, Randy probably had the most defined and intentionally thought out characters, His persona was so well developed that the minute you saw him, before he said a word, you know what he was all about. A lot of people credit Hulk Hogan as the template, but nobody did it better than Savage, and I use him as the illustration when teaching or coaching performance students.
Not everyone is a pro wrestling fan, I know. Some of you reading this may be asking what does this have to do with me? Well, if you are an entertainer I think the answer should be obvious. Randy Savage demonstrated that attention to details matter. Your act, whether musical, magical, dance, comedy, etc should be fully scripted, choreographed and rehearsed. Nothing should be left to chance and never should you be content to perform “on the fly”. Further, you must tell the audience who you are onstage. You must invest the time into creating an intentional, fully developed persona. You want your audience to remember you, and the only way to do it is invest the time. Love him or hate him, you can never forget “The Macho Man.” Follow his example and you’ll stand out above your competition.
If you are an event planner, it is important for you to also pay attention to details. Your business lives or dies by the details. Additionally it is important that if you hire entertainment for an event, that those entertainers have also focused on the details. The details are what separates a $125 birthday party entertainer form a $10,000 corporate entertainer. Is the entertainment you are hiring unique? Do they have a persona(s) that make them stand out and make them memorable to your guests/clients? Do you know what they are going to do and say? Are they consistent? Do they present a polished performance or just get up there and “wing it?” Important things to consider…
Randy Savage is now gone. Taken away too early (56), but the lessons we can learn from his long career are universal. Thank you “Macho Man.” You will be missed. Ooooooh Yeeaaah!
On Friday May 20th I got the news at 11:30 AM that “The Macho Man” Randy Savage had died in a car crash caused by a heart attack at the wheel. I have to be honest with you, I cried. My breath was literally taken out of my chest.
You see, Randy Savage was one of my longtime entertainment heroes. His larger than life persona was one of the key influences of the character that would become my signature - “Big Daddy Cool” Johnny Dellarocca. It is not readily apparent, but at the base, BDC is really an influence of Orson Welles, Michael Jackson and Randy Savage. Sounds odd reading it, I know, but it works.
I first met Randy Savage backstage at the Richfield Coliseum in Cleveland, OH. My dad was friends with WWE Hall of Famer “Cowboy” Bob Orton and every time they were in town he gave us backstage passes. That was back in the early 80s. I met him in 1986 between Wrestlemania 1 & 2, right after he had won the Intercontinental Title from Tito Santana. He was in a minor feud with Hulk Hogan, one of many over the years. What struck me even then as a kid, was the focus and attention to detail he brought to his in ring performances. Backstage before the match he, Hogan and Miss Elizabeth were planning and reviewing every step of the match. It isn’t talked about much now, but I learned later that Randy was really the first pro wrestler to choreograph his matches. He was not content to perform “on the fly” like so many others. His commitment and attention to detail was embraced by Vince MacMahon and after Savage’s famous match with Ricky Steamboat at Wrestlemania III, became the model for matches in WWF/WWE. Watch any really well executed match today – the ones that are really outstanding – and that is a part of Randy Savage’s influence and legacy.
Randy Savage also scripted all of his on-camera promos. Seldom, if ever did he do what’s called a “shoot” where the character basically ad-libs his lines. Again, he was not content to just wing it. It was that important to him, and it showed.
Also, Randy probably had the most defined and intentionally thought out characters, His persona was so well developed that the minute you saw him, before he said a word, you know what he was all about. A lot of people credit Hulk Hogan as the template, but nobody did it better than Savage, and I use him as the illustration when teaching or coaching performance students.
Not everyone is a pro wrestling fan, I know. Some of you reading this may be asking what does this have to do with me? Well, if you are an entertainer I think the answer should be obvious. Randy Savage demonstrated that attention to details matter. Your act, whether musical, magical, dance, comedy, etc should be fully scripted, choreographed and rehearsed. Nothing should be left to chance and never should you be content to perform “on the fly”. Further, you must tell the audience who you are onstage. You must invest the time into creating an intentional, fully developed persona. You want your audience to remember you, and the only way to do it is invest the time. Love him or hate him, you can never forget “The Macho Man.” Follow his example and you’ll stand out above your competition.
If you are an event planner, it is important for you to also pay attention to details. Your business lives or dies by the details. Additionally it is important that if you hire entertainment for an event, that those entertainers have also focused on the details. The details are what separates a $125 birthday party entertainer form a $10,000 corporate entertainer. Is the entertainment you are hiring unique? Do they have a persona(s) that make them stand out and make them memorable to your guests/clients? Do you know what they are going to do and say? Are they consistent? Do they present a polished performance or just get up there and “wing it?” Important things to consider…
Randy Savage is now gone. Taken away too early (56), but the lessons we can learn from his long career are universal. Thank you “Macho Man.” You will be missed. Ooooooh Yeeaaah!
Monday, May 23, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Tonight, tonight tonight! Rose hips appears at the Speakeasy Revue! http://ping.fm/umL1o?eid=226633120683689
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Friday, May 13, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Monday, May 9, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Kittie Katrina guest stars in Randolph's Speakeasy Revue this Thursday in Nashville!
http://ping.fm/hRHHT
http://ping.fm/hRHHT
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
TONIGHT! Shawn Anthony present his lecture "Alchemy of Magic" for the Tri Cities Magic Society in Clarksville, TN! Full details here - http://ping.fm/QXwAj
Friday, April 22, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Joe M. Turner appears on Beyond Smoke & Mirrors Tues April 5th! Not only is he gonna do some great magic, Joe is also an accomplished pianist and there is a piano onstage in Randolph's Showroom at The Nashville Dinner Theater. Joe will tickle the ivories and accomapny Big Daddy Cool on his classic Linking Rings routine. WHO KNOWS what else may happen, so BE THERE!
Tickets at www.johnpykaproductions.com!
Tickets at www.johnpykaproductions.com!
Join me Easter weekend at Long Hollow for a new series that answers some tough questions. http://ping.fm/hsGNE
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Hi,
Big Daddy Cool is inviting you to join Facebook.
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Thanks,
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Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Tonight! Opening Night for Beyond Smoke & Mirrors in Nashville!
http://ping.fm/SwiDc?eid=159819050740563
http://ping.fm/SwiDc?eid=159819050740563
Monday, March 28, 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Beyond Smoke & Mirrors opening night is this Tuesday night March 29th! Be there!
http://ping.fm/yUEmq
http://ping.fm/yUEmq
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
Fun Friday Special! Discounted price and FREE shipping (US only) on the book Theatrical Magic - ONLY $30!
http://ping.fm/5gKq6
http://ping.fm/5gKq6
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
While you are at it, check out The CoolCast from "Big Daddy Cool" Johnny Dellarocca!
http://ping.fm/MrjOG
http://ping.fm/MrjOG
Finally! The Theatrical Magic Podcast is returning! Subscribe with iTunes now and get caught up before the new episodes start airing!
http://ping.fm/LCTep
http://ping.fm/LCTep
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