In the fall of 2012 I am kicking off a tour of Laughter is Sacred Space, a multi media show based on my relationship with Lee Eshleman, my creative partner of 20 years. It reflects the joy of discovering comedic soul mates, illustrates the struggles and euphoria of creating a career together, and explores the [...]
In 1986 while living in Pennsylvania, Jessie Glick, member of Plains Mennonite church where Sue and I were attending, handed me a VHS tape. It was The Cotton Patch Gospels written by Tom Key and Russell Treyz with music by Harry Chapin. The musical which played off-Broadway was based on the writings of Clarence Jordan- The [...]
In the fall of 2005 a graduate student in the Center for Justice and Peacemaking (CJP) in Harrisonburg, Va, Odelya Gertel, came to me with a suggestion. “Why don’t you and Lee take the principles of CJP and the STAR (Strategies for Trauma Awareness & Resilience) program and create a show?” The result of that [...]
One of the great things about my job, other than experiencing the thrills of an insecure career, is the great places I see, and the great people I meet. If that’s the tradeoff, I’ll take it. Indy (hiding behind the wine glass) in WA Over the last number of months I experienced the beauty of [...]
A couple months ago, Ted & Jeff had the privilege of providing the entertainment for a celebration at newhope church, in Durham, North Carolina. Every year the church celebrates its volunteers with a bash, and we got to perform for them at this year’s event. It was truly an honor for us to be there [...]
Indy’s at the top of Duane’s Mountain. I don’t know if that the official name of this mountain in Potter County, PA—but that’s what I’ll call it. He’s sitting on the handle of a 4 wheeler. (Good lord, if you’ve never ridden one of these you should!) For the sake of me maintaining my urbane, [...]
We’re excited that on Monday, March 22, I’d Like to Buy an Enemy will be presented in Harrisonburg, VA. This is a hilarious and poignant satire that explores peace, justice, and the American way. It’s a thought-provoking show which allows us to laugh at ourselves, while raising important questions about the place of the U.S. [...]
Over looking an Amish cornfield—ok, the field’s not Amish, the farmer’s Amish… Anyway, Jeff and Cindy Raught live in Talmage, PA—a town (I don’t think you can even call it a town) in Lancaster County, PA. That’s Lancaster—emphasis on first syllable—swallowed quickly—“langkister.” Talmage does have a post office but with very limited hours—don’t even think [...]
Many of you who knew Ted & Lee also knew that Lee was a sketch artist. I loved his style; it was quick and quirky. Sometimes he would surprise me with a sketch. Here I think we had just seen a dreadful performance of something or someone…I have blocked that part out of my mind [...]
On June 6th I revisited a sacred place, Pennyroyal farm in Verona, Va. An old friend Paul Hildebrand, was in town and I joined a party in his honor. Pennyroyal had been the home base for Shenanarts Theater Company and Shenandoah International Playwrights Retreat. Bob Small, Kathleen Tosco and Paul were partners in the company, [...]
