Campy "Clue"

I have a soft spot for murder mysteries (all hail Agatha Christie) so naturally my board game of choice is "Clue"...and one of my beloved guilty secrets is the 1985 movie "Clue", which, frankly, is a terrible movie, but is so bad in its campy, over-the-top-ness, that it's good.

So imagine my delight when San Francisco's Boxcar Theatre mounted a production of "Clue", which is based on both the board game and the movie. I scored a ticket via Goldstar (loves me my Goldstar) and made it to a Wednesday evening performance at the tiny theater, which is located in a not so savory part of SF -- 6th Street and Natoma Street, on the cusp of the Tenderloin. But you forget about the outside (and the shady-looking peeps you passed) when you're inside the theater. For this production, they built an awesome set -- audience members are on high platforms along the perimeter of the main stage, looking down into the stage, which is a life-size Clue game board. Awesome.

Here are a couple of pics I snapped on my cellcam from my seat (in the "South" section):














The production itself was very cleverly done, utilizing the tiny space creatively, and spoofing it, and the game board element, with a plucky cheekiness. (For example, the actors would move game board style, a couple of the actors posed like the game pieces, and the actors would squeeze into the tiny rooms as shown on the set.) Lighting and a couple of minor scenes taking place on a corner of the upper level platforms helped the narration (i.e. characters driving to the mansion, or searching the upstairs attic, etc.), and the use of props was fun, too. (They had pillow forms they used as corpses.)

The writing was witty -- campy and tongue in cheek, a little cheesy -- but it fits the spirit of the game and movie. Costumes and actors were great -- a male actor plays Mrs. Peacock with the flamboyance of a first-rate drag queen, and the actor playing Wadsworth the butler was fantastic, delivering lightning quick lines in sync with zany physical comedy.

And as an obsessive compulsive freak, I also loved the program -- it was done in the style of the Clue game sheets, clever and low-cost. Due to the size of the theater and custom set, it can only accommodate about 40 audience members per show, which actually adds to the experience. The shows also have different "theme" nights. On Wednesday, for example, the ending (the movie had three different endings) was "audience choice", selected in secret by an audience member. But the cast was so good-natured, they performed the other two endings afterwards, which was a nice treat.

All in all, a fun performance, and definitely worth a visit, if you can still score a ticket. The show's run ends this week....and if you can't make the show, then check out the movie, and play the board game!

Ganbatte!

I am a Japan-o-phile, in love with anything and everything Japan. The food, the cute, the cracked up crack, it's all awesome. And especially awesome is the notion of "ganbatte", which means, "Do your best". Spend 15 minutes watching a Japanese drama, anime or variety show, and odds are good that you will hear ganbatte. It's an encouragement if said to someone about to attempt something, and an assurance (to themselves or others) if said by the person about to attempt something.

Ganbatte is such a simple concept, with tones of William Hung's "As long as I do my best, I will have no regrets."

Yes. Do your best, ganbatte, and no regrets. You da man, Mr. Hung. By the way, I just found out he went back to Hong Kong shortly after his Idol 15 minutes and made an honest to goodness movie. Like a real movie, not a youtube video or cheap porn. An actual Hong Kong comedy, with recognizable stars in it. (Dammit, Nancy Sit is a star, despite the younger generation's "Huh? Oh, the mole on the forehead lady.") Of course, I tried to find it on DVD, but have been fruitless thus far. That says something about the quality and popularity of the movie, right?

But back to ganbatte. Sure, it's easy to say "I'll do my best," but of course, one has to ask: Are you really doing your best? How can you know if you are? Can't you always do better, if given more time, more resources?

I think that's actually besides the point. I think the "doing" is what we need to focus on...as long as someone does, attempts, tries, while putting in an effort (best or less than best) then they really should be proud of themselves and not feel any regrets. Because they TRIED. They didn't talk themselves out of something and say "Why bother?" They didn't punk out, they didn't give up, hiding behind a scornful, contemptuous bravado of, "I have better things to do," or "Why waste my time?"

This spirit of tenacity, the courage to try, even if you risk making a fool out of yourself, is admirable and vital. And should be kept alive. Even if you're goofy-looking, tone deaf, delusional and auditioning for Idol. While wearing an Autobot-anteater-panda-cop-costume.