And everything in our lives, our regrets, and our rewards, leads us to the unplanned. I did not plan to see a production had it not been for word of mouth recommendation by a woman whom I met for a service by word of mouth. It was also by the layering of word of mouth conversations that I happened to spend a particular Sunday, the afternoon of October 12, that I discovered something far better than what Columbus thought he and his crew had discovered.

My discovery, with my husband by my side, was that of old feelings running deep in old songs. Songs of the sixties. Songs that blew hot breath with no cigarette in sight.

Songs that melted like those of a hot-buttered-soul variety reminding us of the late magnificent Isaac Hayes, Luther Vandross; unchained melodies that were down right Righteous; and fun tunes dressed up in pink polkadots soft as Chiffon(s) and brilliant Crystal(s).

The walk down a district known as "MASS AVENUE" in  Indianapolis, Indiana was more than that of going from point A to point B/ It was a trip back to sultry, sexy "Soulsville USA."

This show gave Memphis a run for its money, honey.

For at least one of the six solid weekends in a row,  a journey that began on September 26 for 7 males and 5 females and a band that really "threw it down." They came together as a very dynamic dozen of distinguished dudes and divas; a proud representation of what America should be all about. . .

Love Sweet Love!

After all, if anyone reading this has ever experienced romantic love, it is an undeniable mystery that just makes us wanna stand up and sing, even if it's a bit off key.

But you sing because you're in love. And to those out there who ever loved the feeling of a weekend without CNN, MSNBC or FOX Noise, take a trip down memory lane when sexy didn't have to be naked--not that there's anything wrong with it, mind you. There is just a time and a place for everything.

 

Cynth'ya's Curtain Call:

I'd like to thank a group of extremely exuberant men and women of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities came together while the rest of the world was -- and still remains--divided along partisan lines.

And thanks to my masseuse who asked me a simple question two weeks ago (Do you like theatre?--AS IF!) I had an opportunity to be challenged about what was sexy, and what was not. . . thanks to a production called "Solid Gold Soul."To the "Dymanic Dozen" (Moya Angela, Joyce Licorish, Phillip Armstrong, Dante Murray, Larry Arnold, Deaon Smith, Da'Keisha, Donald "Donny" Torres, LeToryia "Tori" Gowdy, Louise Jackson,  James "Joon" Walker Jr. and Allan Washington. 

A great big orgasmic thank you!
(Those of you who have a hang up on the previous use of sexual metaphor in this text, how do you think you got here?)

To those who support the production--from the marrow of its conception, to the embodiment of non-stop show-stopping, hand clapping old school tunes resurrected back-to-life an era of sexiness that we so often forget in the so-called "modern world," I thank you (fa lettin' me be ma-sef agin!"

Back in the day it took talent to be sexy and not strip down naked. What does nakeness prove other than the fact that one has run out of ideas and would rather get straight to the point?

But back to Bob Harbin's "SGS" production with the dedication and committment of Musical Director John Austin Butcsh; Technical Director Bernie Killian (that's a nice "beer" name in a German-founded area of Indy isn't it--smile); and Mr. Wonderful who seated us and does everything it seems with a hop skip jump and a smile. . . House & Props Manager Rodney Tolliver.

Solid Gold Soul, and other productions like it would be a bit tarnished without the vision of the Athenum Foundation and the commitment of American Caberet Theatre CEO, Mark D. Kesling who, if like other CEOs, makes miracles out of shoe string budgets. You know your team literally knocked the audience out of the park with your entire staff from the lights and sets to the costumes and the microphone levels.

(God love ya man. . . I bet you can take straw and spin it into gold! Keep the donors giving and the patrons coming back.)

On the romance end, my husband Ken and I had the pleasure of being escorted to Table #2, stage left.  We could literally feel the breath of the performers (especially when one performer singing the Chaka Khan tune "Sweet Thang" who came down from stage and rubbed against my husband's shoulder. It was a fun moment for me because she just warmed him up in the performance. But "Mama took him  to the Olympics."

Thank you Solid Gold Soul family of the ACT in Indy. Even an old dusty couple married for 33 years found a fire in a furnace because you reminded us....(especially with bags, sags and wrinkles we all weather over time) that you ain't got to look good naked to be sexy.

Aren't the arts amazing??? (smile). This is a production that everyone should carpool to see. We knew right from the very beginning, when we were cajoled to "Get up.....like a sex machine" by the first singer who made the cape on his back break out in sweat...we know that this was going to be kinda good

... as in sultry-sexy-fully-clothed GOOD!

Last but never in the least. . . thank you Bob, John, Bernie, Rodney, Mark, and all the rest of the unsung romantics who stole our hearts, and left us with solid gold memories.

For those of you who have yet to see Solid Gold Soul...what's keepin you from it? Do you know how far penguins migrate just to copulate?

Make it a point to make a great weekend in Indianapolis. See this production. It's worth every mile to travel just to feel what we felt, regardless of how many times love has come your way. Click below for the website and the remaining schedule thru their October 26 finale.

P.S. If I was born in the late 1980s I'd probably be screaming over Usher's oiled-up chest at a stadium somewhere. . . .glad I was born in the 50s!

Any group who wants to do a tour....call me! We got the inside travel track! (Click "Extras" at www.therandlgroup.com) and check out our Ticketmaster franchise "Tickets Now" to see outstanding productions anytime, anywhere.

Oh...when it comes to love...go for the gold. My man and I are ready to hit that 50 year mark, especially after our stage-left experience at The ACT.

   © 2008 cynth'ya lewis reed
all rights reserv’d

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 HOW TO GET TO INDIANAPOLIS. . . except from Mars.

 Ideas for trips to Indy....just book them on Cynth'ya's site: The R and L Group LLC and save more money! She's competitive (and she's sexy too!)
Dial 212-461-2620 for a 10 minute tour of www.therandlgroup.com

  (If your group is cash-strapped and the buckle is 'bout to fall off your annual budget: : www.passport2giving.com)