Balloonzee at CharmandHappy.com

Hail, Blogganistas!
As promised, some non-LAST TANGO WITH MARLON news. My animated children's DVD BALLOONZEE is now available for purchase through CharmandHappy.com, where you can also see the first 6-minute webisode anytime, for free. Nearly a half-hour of brand-new animation, BALLOONZEE brings you into a wonderful world where bright-eyed balloon animals entertain, educate and enthrall. In the 11-minute series pilot, BLUE, NO CLUE, it's up to Geraldine to help Stretch out of a blue mood. Can they get to the library to see Mr. Book before he becomes completely deflated? In QUICKIES, Geraldiine, Colt and the gang sing, tell jokes, count, float over exotic places and much more. Featuring all new music and songs and created to California Content Standards, BALLOONZEE is ideal for kids, parents, teachers, and will also be of interest to producers, distributors, book publishers and much more. Kids everywhere love balloon animals, and your whole family will love BALLOONZEE. There is more information at www.fletcherrhoden.com/balloonzee, and we're proud to be made available through CharmandHappy,com, the southland leader in children's party entertainment. Specializing in clowns and balloon art that must be seen to be believed, CharmandHappy.com also features body art, singing telegrams, puppet shows, characters and much, much more! You can request Fletcher Rhoden (that's me, bloggies) at no additional charge -- I do it all but my specialty is face painting, y'all!
There's more to come, on several fronts, so stay tuned and stay happy -- see ya at the party!
Fletcher Rhoden

LAST TANGO WITH MARLON closing weekend

Greeting, blog fans:
LAST TANGO WITH MARLON ended its run at the Mt. Hollywood Theater in spectacular fashion. Closing night Saturday was the best performance yet, and everyone agrees the show is not to be abandoned. The whole run was a huge hit -- artistically, commercially, critically. The reviews have been awesome (www.fletcherrhoden.com/reviews), audience response excellent, I'm happy to report that by all accounts TANGO has surpassed anything I've done to date. I couldn't have done it without my superb cast, of course, and the good people at Mt. Hollywood. While we can't keep up at what Joseph Mailander called, "An amiable little church," we are now investigating other ways of bringing this acclaimed play to more people across this great land. Stay tuned to www.fletcherrhoden.com/lasttangowithmarlon for details on future performances. We've also got a DVD and webcast about to go into the works, and of course Trafford publishes the novella in March. Those of you who did see the play, don't forget to request your special-price copy of the book when it comes out!
There is other non-TANGO news, but that can wait until later this week, when fletcherrhodenblog returns to a state of near-normalcy.
Thanks again to everyone who came out to see our play, for those who missed it -- stay tuned! As Raf "Wally Cox" Mauro is fond of saying, "Steady on."
Fletcher Rhoden

coming up: LAST TANGO WITH MARLON closing weekend

Don't miss it, gang -- seats for the last two shows of this world-premiere run of LAST TANGO WITH MARLON are going fast. We've gotten terrific notices, the actors are in full swing! $5 off for students, seniors and writers guild members (congrats, fellow scribes!) Back to MY writing, however -- we've got a few celebs on the list for this weekend, no fair telling who! But it's nice, and who knows who else may yet make a reservation. (323) 667-9113. Complete reviews at www.fletcherrhoden.com/reviews
There's big news NOT related to the new play, but these announcements will have to wait until the closing weekend recap(s) you'll read here soon. See the show and you can blog about it yourself -- or join our Yahoo! group LAST TANGO WITH MARLON. Unlike the play it's free, you can check it out from home, it's an internet group not a live play, and so on. They're really not alike at all, but the one relates to the other, and you can post your own reviews and keep track of all the latest LTWM action to come!
FR

Hollywood Square Karen Valentine attends LAST TANGO WITH MARLON

It was a special treat for everyone in the cast and crew of LAST TANGO WITH MARLON when original Hollywood Squares vet Karen Valentine came to see the show. Not only a good friend of our boy Wally, Karen's own intense friendship with fellow Square Paul Lynde figures into the script. Could it be that the famously gay Paul Lynde was himself smitten with the adorable Valentine, and his frustrated love for her, heightened by their close friendship, led to his sorrow and self-destruction? As Marlon describes it, "A homosexual Cyrano?" Perhaps we'll never know, but Karen was very positive about the play, pointing out wide range of emotional experiences it offers with much appreciation. Our packed house didn't even seem to mind that we had to start quite late -- of course a little Pizza Hut goes a long way.
Two more shows at Mt. Hollywood this weekend, Feb. 15, 16, seats are already filling up -- maybe original Hollywood Square himself, Peter Marshall will make it! Who knows?
Thanks to everyone who has come out to enjoy the show so far -- see the rest of you next weekend!
Fletcher Rhoden

More praise for LAST TANGO WITH MARLON

Hello again, Blog readers:

Happy to say the good reviews just keep coming! The newest one, from the Tolucan Times, tosses around some pretty heavy phrases: a fascinating play, meticulous research, intensely comedic. Who are we to disagree? You can read the whole review at www.fletcherrhoden.com/reviews, along with other positive notices. We're running the show again tonight (Feb. 9) with a handful of available seats, but there are plenty for closing weekend, which is coming right up! We've got a new $5 discount for seniors, students and Writer's Guild members, so take advantage and check out this terrific little show while you can. There will be no extention -- call for reservations and check out the site for details: www.fletcherrhoden.com/lasttangowithmarlon
4607 Prospect Ave. LA CA 90027 8 pm sharp, $20

FR.com

Critics praise LAST TANGO WITH MARLON -- clips now online!

Hail, Bloggards:

The reviews are coming in and, to reflect the universal opinions of our audiences, it's so far, so good. On the political website Mayor Sam's, Joseph Mailander called LAST TANGO WITH MARLON "A funny and touching play" noting Raf Mauro as Wally Cox is "A constant delight." UpCurtain agrees, calling Mauro's comedic timing "Exquisite." Check out the entire reviews at www.fletcherrhoden.com/reviews.htm

TWO CLIPS from LAST TANGO WITH MARLON now up at www.fletcherrhoden.com/lasttangowithmarlon.htm
You'll see the iconic "Mr. Jazz Himself" an Irving Berlin gem I unearthed for the show, and the swordfight sequence, one of my absolute favorites.

There are seats still available for Feb. 8, 9, 15, 16 -- reservations strongly recommended!
(323) 667-9113 Business hours only please. See ya there!

Fletcher Rhoden

LAST TANGO WITH MARLON opening night recap

Well, bloggerinos, we made it out of our opening night with all limbs in tact. No police were called, no fires were started, no riots broke. What more can a production ask? Our packed house was very appreciative of our little play, and we know the rest of our audiences will feel the same. Care to find out for yourself? Come down to Mt. Hollywood on Prospect Ave (4607) and find out -- just $20 a ticket, which includes free street parking and free refreshments. Yummy. Reservations strongly recommended. (323) 667-9113.