Trap Yourself

Lake Ontario in sun and snow
Lake Ontario in sun and snow

Phil Hoffman, as Alexa Scott-Flaherty a fellow LAByrinth Theater Company member referred to him, was not only an incredible actor he was a superb teacher. Alexa took notes when she worked with him at the company and she read from them last night as she introduced “Jack Goes Boating,” Seymour’s 2010 directorial debut at the Little Theater’s ongoing Philip Seymour Hoffman Film Tribute Series. As an artist, Phil’s advice was to trap yourself. Our tendency is to move toward a safe zone but we have to fight that and go toward risk, in effect trapping yourself. He reminded fellow actors that they were responsible to history, to a long line of those who came before you and those who will follow.

Hoffman was way out on the edge in “Jack Goes Boating” and he brought the small cast along with him. This was a moving tribute and inspiration.

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End Of The World As We Know It

"When We Were Young" "Contemplation" by Margaret Explosion. Recorded live at the Little Theatre on 11.20.13. Peggi Fournier - sax, Ken Frank - bass, Bob Martin - guitar, Jack Schaefer - bass clarinet, Paul Dodd - drums.
“When We Were Young” “Contemplation” by Margaret Explosion. Recorded live at the Little Theatre on 11.20.13. Peggi Fournier – sax, Ken Frank – bass, Bob Martin – guitar, Jack Schaefer – bass clarinet, Paul Dodd – drums.
Listen to When We Were Young by Margaret Explosion

Who knows what tomorrow may bring. As far as we know tonight is our last night at Café. Christmas falls on a Wednesday this year and no schedule has been announced for next year.

Bill Coppard owned the Little Theater when we first started playing in the café and for over ten years we have felt very lucky to do what do in this magical space. Minimal amplification for guitar and sax, acoustic bass, bass clarinet, drums and occasional grand piano. No pre-planned sets of music, no songs in fact until we play them for the first and last time. A low wire trapeze act bolstered by the belief that it is never as good as the first time.

“When We Were Young” was recorded two weeks ago at the Café. Peggi says the cover may be an early “selfie”. As usual the song is a free download. We have almost 200 of them on our site. We hope you can stop by the Café tonight. We’d love to see you.

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