Review: "One-Man Lord of the Rings" @ The San Jose Rep

Last night my husband and I attended Charles Ross' show, "One-Man Lord of the Rings" - an intense, energetic, mind-warping adventure through the full Lord of the Rings trilogy now playing at The San Jose Repertory Theatre.

Last year we saw Ross' "One-Man Star Wars", (actually, our second time seeing it), and loved it and were excited to hear he had another show and would possibly be coming back to San Jose to perform it.

So... before I get into any kind of review, I have to admit something. I haven't seen all three movies from beginning to end. I've seen the first movie and bits and pieces of the rest. I am familiar with key aspects, characters, names, and plots. I was a wee ashamed of this as the show began, however after the first movie, Ross did a quick poll of the audience:

• Who has seen all three movies? (Applause! Excitement!)
• Who has seen all three extended edition movies? (Hardly could tell, but slightly less and yet still excited applause!)
• Who has seen all three extended movies in one day? (A much smaller collection of enthusiastic fans including my husband, applauded, hands above head. Pride, baby.)
• Who has read the books? (Lots of applause!)
• Who has not seen the movies? (Clap clap clap… laughter.)
• Who has not read the books or seen the movie?  (Someone clapped, lots of laughter.)

After the last question, Ross joked saying he didn't know what that person was going to get out of the show. "It's like trying to teach my cat checkers." (*giggle*)

Anyway, because of that poll I felt a wee bit better. And, mind you, earlier in the day my husband, Adam, gave me a complete rundown of the trilogy/story and that HELPED A LOT. 

That said, because this show is much different than others I've reviewed before (one actor, no set, not a musical, no costumes..etc) I'm going to interview my husband to get his take on the show. 

His "credentials"? He's a huge fan of LOTR; he's read the books, watched the movies endless times, AND attended the all-day theatre screening of all extended versions of the movie. Also, as Ross' show was going on, I'd glance over at Adam and he was in full crazy laughter mode. This show was soooo for him.

Q: What are some points of the show you found particularly entertaining?

A: His breaks of the 4th wall were very funny and I liked his mentioning of changing the discs in each movie. His interpretation of Legolas was the funniest (brushing long hair, pinning hair up, blow-drying hair.) His depiction of Denethor (extended eating scene) was hilarious and he had a few impression/mentions of other pop culture movies that was a great touch.

Q: Best geeky moment during this show?

A: It was awesome that he paid tribute to the fanboys of the series by mentioning Tom Bombadil and The Silmarillion. ("Google it.")

Q: Is there anything you didn't like or found difficult to understand about the show?

A: The large scale battle scenes were difficult to follow even for someone who has seen all of the movies multiple times because he was doing the sound effects as well as the voices. (Jen's note: Yet, it's clear how insanely talented Ross is by being able to jump from one sound effect to the next!)

Q: Final thoughts on the show?

A: It was a very funny and entertaining representation of all three movies.  Although to fully appreciate and follow along with the shows, I think one must have seen the extended versions of the DVD's.

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So there you go! I really enjoyed the show and was laughing throughout the entire thing. Charles Ross performs as 42 characters (42!) in a 60-minute show. Insanity!

Oh and get this - he performed it infront of Sir Ian McKellan (Gandalf) and he loved it!

Grab your tickets FAST as there are only SIX shows left!

San Jose Repertory Theatre

www.sjrep.com

Show Dates:

Wednesday, July 25: 7:30pm

Thursday, July 26: 8:00pm

Friday, July 27: 8:00pm

Saturday, July 28: 3:00pm

Saturday, July 28: 8:00pm

Sunday, July 29: 2:00pm

Wednesday Wishlist: Smaller Spaces Downtown

Think Bigger San Jose has a great post about Downtown San Jose needing smaller spaces. Most of the available retail Downtown is gigantic, ranging from 1,500 sqft all the way up to 10,000 sqft. This is not very well aligned with the demand right now in the local retail space. Mark cites Japantown as a San Jose retail success story because it has availability of smaller spaces as "cozy" as 300 sqft. The one example of smaller retail space Downtown is The San Pedro Square Market, and it has been a raging success.

This also extends to residential living. The cost of housing in San Jose is astronomical, especially for students and young professionals. We need smaller residential spaces Downtown along with appropriately scaled down rents. I'm totally aligned with Mark on this one and if I had the money and resources to put up a high-rise of my own up right now, the top item on my list would be a Micro-condo building. None exist in the South Bay and it would open up the housing and rental markets to a whole new group of people and possibilities.

To read Mark's post in Think Bigger San Jose, click here!

July 2012 Downtown Dimension Highlights

Here are my notes from the latest edition of Downtown Dimension:

• Property owners Downtown have overwhelmingly voted to continue Groundwerx cleaning, ambassador, and beautification program for another 10 years. 91.4% of owners voted to continue and expand the program! [Groundwerx has the highest return on investment of any Downtown program I can rememberfdsa
• Sunday, Dec. 9th will be the first Silicon Valley Santa 5K run. It will start in the late afternoon so that participants can end their race among all the Christmas lights Downtown.
• The SJDA is launching "HER city" which will offer after-work events catered specifically for women Downtown (www.sjdowntown.com/hercity)
• The Aug. 3 and Sep 7 South First Fridays will feature an urban faire to go along with the art walk.
• A joint SJDA and 1stACT Silicon Valley "Small Wonders Fund" will provide seed money for up to 18 new Downtown activation ideas between June 2012 and June 2013.
• Cre Paris is now open at the San Pedro Square Market.
• Cafe Bon Terre (formerly Whipps) will continue to server frozen yogurt but has also added crepes to the menu.
• Zenon's Place is now open at 167 E. San Fernando and will serve Peruvian and Mexican Dishes.
• Dosa & Curry Cafe is now open at 345 S. Fourth St.
• Third and Fourth streets are being repainted with "buffered" bike lanes. Almaden, Grant, 10th St., and 11th St will be getting new bike lanes as well.
• San Fernando St. will be getting a green-painted bike lane.
• A Bike Share program featuring 15 stations and 150-200 bikes will be kicking off this fall!
• For the second year, Downtown San Jose will receive a $600,000 grant from ArtPlace. This year it will support the "Illuminating Downtown" program which will feature futuristic artistic lighting throughout Downtown [sweet!]
• Violent Crime Stats - Violent Crimes Per 1000 Residents:
• Oakland - 16.83
• Sacramaento - 7.11
• San Francisco - 6.59
• Los Angeles - 5.22
• San Jose - 3.35

To read the full newsletter, click here!

Lennar is Building over 800 Homes in South San Jose

Lennar has purchased 40 acres or property east of Cottle Road and Highway 85 in South San Jose. The plan is to build a whopping 840 homes across six different communities, all to be completed by 2014. There will be a mix of detached homes, townhomes, and flats ranging from 800 sqft to 2,500 sqft.

In addition to this project, up to 2,000 other homes could be built in adjacent parcels. To service all of these new residents, a 320,000 sqft retail space anchored by Target and Safeway is set to break ground later this year.

Before you post in the comments: "Why are they building in South San Jose? This should be in a transit village!" ... let me say that this development will have access to both Lightrail and Caltrain. Also, any development news is good news at this point.

Source: SJBJ

Valin Moves HQ from Sunnyvale to San Jose

Valin is a process solutions company whose light manufacturing business is growing and they are in need of more space. They are going from 32,000 sqft on 555 E. California to 56,840 sqft in San Jose's International Business Park (1941 Ringwood).

Valin has revenues of $153 million and has grown its workforce from 150 employees in 2008 to 237 employees today.

Source: SJBJ

The San Jose Jazz Summer Fest is Coming!

Mark your calendars, the San Jose Jazz Summer Fest 2012 is set for August 10-12th! Check out the latest promo courtesy of WMS Media below:

June 2012 Downtown Dimension Highlights

Here are my belated notes from the June edition of Downtown Dimension:

• New incentives for high-rise construction have been launched [and they appear to be working], specifically lower construction taxes, commercial-residential building taxes, park fees, streamlined permits, and several other perks which would apply to the first 1,000 units that break ground before 2013.
• SJDA launched a targeted marketing campaign for www.liveandlocalsj.com, which highlights live music venues and performers. More than 20 Downtown locations present music on a regular schedule and there are 40 that host music seasonally. 
• St. James Park will host the Blues Fest on July 14 from noon to 8pm.
• Downtown Doors is expanding to 65 locations Downtown, brightening up the streets with art from local high school students.
• Blush Raw Bar & Lounge is open in the San Pedro Square Market, serving sushi and "slush" drinks.
• The Sliding Door has opened at 355 S. First, selling moving doors, walls, and room dividers in various finishes and glasses.
• Zipcar has added 12 cars across 6 Downtown locations (!)
• KQED has a new home at 50 W. San Fernando.
• Parque de los Pobladores in SoFA is being expanded thanks to a $500,000 grant from ArtPlace to turn the park into an outdoor living room for the arts.

To read the full newsletter, click here!

Greyhound Bus Lines Adds Express Service in San Jose

Greyhound's Express service has expanded into California and San Jose is one of just a few cities selected to have these new premium routes. The highlights of the new service are very few (if any) stops, guaranteed seating, free WiFi, power outlets for every seat (!), extra legroom, and leather seats. I'm not sure how this next part is possible, but trips start at $1.

The 3 Californian Greyhound Express routes are:

Los Angeles - San Jose - San Francisco
Los Angeles - Oakland - San Francisco
Los Angeles - Bakersfield - Fresno - Modesto - Stockton - Sacramento

For more info, click here!

Premium Greyhound Express(TM) Service Expands to the West Coast Starting May 2

Reserved Seats, Free Wi-Fi and Fares as Low as $1 Expands into California and Adds Routes in Texas

DALLAS, April 18, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Greyhound today announced that Greyhound Express -- the company's premium, non-stop service -- will be expanding to the West Coast starting May 2. Next month, Greyhound Express, which launched a little more than a year ago, will expand into California as well as add new routes in Texas, further building on the most recent success of its largest expansion since its inception. Today's announcement introduces 66 new city pairs and 10 new markets to the growing Greyhound Express network, which is the largest network of nearly 700 potential direct-service intercity pairs. Tickets are now on sale with every-day fares starting at $1 at mygreyhoundexpress.com.

Greyhound Express is coming to 10 new markets: Los Angeles, Oakland, San Francisco, San Jose, Bakersfield, Fresno, Modesto, Stockton, Sacramento and San Antonio.

The newest Greyhound Express routes include:

Los Angeles - Oakland - San Francisco

Los Angeles - San Jose - San Francisco

Los Angeles - Bakersfield - Fresno - Modesto - Stockton - Sacramento

Dallas - Austin - San Antonio

Houston - San Antonio

Since introducing Greyhound Express in December 2010, Greyhound has expanded to nearly 70 key markets across North America and has seen an impressive 21 percent increase in overall ridership, with nearly 2.2 million customers experiencing the premium service. Aiming to introduce customers to a wholly new, better travel experience, Greyhound Express combines affordable prices with amenities usually found in more expensive travel.

"Just in time for summer travel planning, Greyhound Express is now available in five major regions of the United States. Families, students and other adventurers who have been hesitant to book travel due to high fuel prices or increased fares on other modes of transportation, can find relief knowing our affordable, premium level of service can now be found coast to coast - something our competitors simply don't offer," said Dave Leach, president and CEO, Greyhound. "This expansion is a direct result of customer demand and our customers have shown us that they love the value and premium amenities Greyhound Express offers."

Greyhound Express continues to be an innovative leader in the industry, providing modern, environmentally friendly buses equipped with amenities such as free Wi-Fi, power outlets, leather seats, reserved seating and extra legroom. Customers can buy their Express ticket online to take advantage of discount pricing, print their ticket at home, or pick it up at a self-service ticketing kiosk, and know a guaranteed seat is waiting for them. Additionally, Express customers can relax in private waiting areas in select locations, protected from the weather, with a dedicated guest services specialist available to provide an extra level of customer assistance. All tickets are nonrefundable.

Greyhound Express provides non-stop service between major cities, originating from Greyhound service hubs including New York; Washington, D.C.; Chicago; Atlanta; Dallas; Calgary, Alberta and now Los Angeles. For those who need long-distance connections, stations along Greyhound Express routes allow travelers to easily connect to an established network of more than 3,800 Greyhound destinations throughout North America.

For fare and schedule information and to purchase tickets, visit mygreyhoundexpress.com.

About Greyhound

Greyhound is the largest North American provider of intercity bus transportation, serving more than 3,800 destinations across the continent. The company also provides Greyhound Package Express (GPX) and charter services. For fare and schedule information and to buy tickets call 1-800-231-2222 or visit the website at www.greyhound.com . For the latest news and travel deals, follow GreyhoundBus on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GreyhoundBus and "Like" us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GreyhoundBus .

SOURCE Greyhound

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