6/9/07 - Alex Ramos Requiem for a Heavyweight LOS ANGELES TIMES, CALENDAR SECTION, JUNE 8. 2007 Feeling every punch he takes "Requiem for a Heavyweight" is the "Death of a Salesman" of the prizefighting world, as powerful today as when the Rod Serling teleplay first aired in 1956. At a tiny North Hollywood theater, Bob Rusch delivers a performance that in every way lives up to the heavyweight's nickname: "Mountain." Even when released from boxing gloves, Rusch's hands remain curled into fists, indicating the many years they've spent inside the leather. Years back, Mountain was a serious title contender, but after 111 fights, he's on the ropes. "What did I do wrong?" he asks after losing his latest bout. "You aged," his manager replies. Thereafter, the boxer walks around with the world's weight slumping his shoulders. But on those rare occasions when he rises to his full height, watch out, because he's still got some fight left in him. Ken Butler, as the manager, maintains a hard-bitten exterior that is meant to hide guilt (he's betrayed Mountain) and fear (he faces imminent ruin). Worry nevertheless sneaks past the edges of Butler's iron mask, letting us know the guy's not a total monster, at least. When the emotions finally break loose, the audience is seated close enough to see tears welling in the actor's eyes. (Trivia alert: Butler happens to have been a producer of a quick-to-close 1985 Broadway "Requiem" starring John Lithgow.) Not everyone in the SkyPilot company's cast of 14 is well matched to his or her part, and the set, though it moodily evokes the '50s, is plywood-thin and pretty much two-dimensional. Even so, the production, tautly directed by Eric Johnson, is sending theatergoers out the doors with telltale wetness on their cheeks. — Daryl H. Miller "Requiem for a Heavyweight," T.U. Studios, 10943 Camarillo St., North Hollywood. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays. Ends June 24. $15. (800) 838-3006. Running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes. RETIRED BOXERS FOUNDATION 3359 Bryan Avenue Simi Valley, CA 93063 Phone (805) 955-9761 www.retiredboxers.org jaxfacts@gmail.com or rbfalex@gmail.com For Details, Contact: Alex Ramos or Jacquie Richardson Retired Boxers Foundation Phone (805) 955-9761 For Immediate Release June 5, 2007 Retired Boxers Foundation news release SkyPilot Theatre Company stages "Requiem for a Heavyweight" to benefit the Retired Boxers Foundation A portion of the proceeds from this event, in North Hollywood, California, goes to the Retired Boxers Foundation FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 5, 2007 [Simi Valley, CA] "Requiem for a Heavyweight," starring Ken Butler and Bob Rusch, presented by SkyPilot Theatre Company and directed by Eric Johnson, opened on May 25 th at T.U. Studios, 10943 Camarillo Street, North Hollywood (actually Toluca Lake), and continues through June 24th, 2007. Bob Rusch, the Artistic Director, and featured actor for this production, recommended that a percentage of each ticket sold in this intimate little theater---42 seats—should be donated to the Retired Boxers Foundation, a small IRS 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation whose mission is to assist retired professional boxers in the transition from their glorious days in the ring, to a dignified retirement. The Retired Boxers Foundation is asking fans, supporters and theater goers to attend "Requiem for a Heavyweight" on any of the remaining performances, to show support not only for the RBF, but also for the SkyPilot Theater Group and their generosity of spirit. The SkyPilot Theatre Company's mission is to effectively suspend the disbelief of their audience each and every performance. To pay respect to the theater, and in doing so, to create quality entertainment for their audience, by providing thought provoking, ensemble driven pieces, and they certainly do with "Requiem for a Heavyweight" by Rod Serling, They believe that as a not-for-profit, it is their duty to better the community through their works. They have a commitment to donate proceeds from each production to local, worthwhile communities, using the company as a means to make an impact on others. Alex "The Bronx Bomber" Ramos, Founder and President of the Retired Boxers Foundation, attended a performance on May 29th, along with RBF Executive Director, Jacquie Richardson and her husband, Reg Richardson. According to Ramos, "Requiem for a Heavyweight is no fairytale! This play showed me that Rod Serling knew boxing when he wrote "Requiem for a Heavyweight!" It was very emotional for me as I watched Bob Rusch play "Mountain McClintock" as his career as a heavyweight prizefighter is coming to an end. Then there's the "manager," Maish Resnick, played by Ken Butler, that reminds me that I always say there's two kinds of crooks in boxing; the good crooks and the bad crooks and this play explains what I say even better than I could!" The RBF would like the boxing community to support this play, with its powerful message that will educate the public and inspire others to be "Undisputed Champions for Dignity!." The play costs $15 and the theater seats 42 guests. "Requiem for a Heavyweight" theater times are Friday and Saturdays at 8:00 PM, and Sunday night at 7:00 PM. For ticket information, go to www.brownpapertickets.com/event/15113 , or call (800) 838-3006. The T.U. Studio is located at 10943 Camarillo Street in North Hollywood, CA, just east of Lankershim/Vineland intersection. For more information on the Retired Boxers Foundation, visit their website at www.retiredboxers.org , or call Alex Ramos at (805) 955-9761. Mountain McClintock, played by Bob Rusch, is a man with a great deal of pride and dignity, and is a true journeyman. Like a lot of boxers, he was a contender that never quite made it to world champion. Like all boxers, we grow older like everybody else, and our once youthful speed, endurance and skills diminish. Like all boxers, it is hard for us to give up the dream, and we hope for that one big bout that will take us back to the top. The truly touching part of the play was the cruel betrayal of Mountain's manager, Maish Resnick, and how it affects Mountain. In Mountain's last bout, he faces a much younger fighter, Sailor Gibbons, and his manager, Maish Resnick, played by Ken Butler, knows that this is the end for Mountain. So sure is he that Mountain is a shot fighter, he bets against him. Adding insult to injury, Maish Resnick wages Mountain's purse in the bet, where he predicts Mountain will go down before the 4 th round. In reality, Mountain perseveres to the end of the fight. Of course, Maish loses everything and Mountain fights his heart out for nothing. Bob Rusch plays Mountain McClintock with great strength and passion, but also reveals the very human side of a man for whom boxing fills many voids. Rusch plays Mountain with a sensitivity that endears the audience, especially the women! Ken Butler, on the other hand, plays his part as Maish Resnick like a wily fox! His performance is so riveting and real, that a prizefighter in the audience might want to jump to their feet and give him a piece of his mind! Butler nails the persona of a slimy, unethical manager whose personal interests are a much higher priority than his prizefighter. The part about "Requiem for a Heavyweight" that truly gets us is the similarity between a fictional character, Mountain McClintock, and the reality of prizefighting even today. As Mountain comes to grips with the imminent end of his boxing career, he looks for transitional employment, without much hope or optimism. Now that the "glorious days in the spotlight" are over, he must look at himself as a common man. He doesn't like what he sees in the mirror, and he doesn't like his odds in his potential for employment. In his determination to make a new life after boxing, Mountain McClintock meets Grace, a social worker assigned to his case, who falls for him. Grace makes him feel like somebody. She believes in him. On the other hand, his manager, Maish Resnick, intends to sell his old fighter out to an unscrupulous wrestling promoter, indifferent to the fact that the plan will destroy whatever dignity Mountain has left. "Requiem for a Heavyweight," is the classic story of the money hungry capitalists whose eyes glaze over with dollar signs when they discover the talented who are then consumed for the profits that their gifts provide, and when its all over, discarded like used hand wraps, with little or no concern for the human dignity of their once great prizefighter. Mountain is an everyday contender with big dreams, who is devoted to his craft and is proud of his integrity and grit. Bob Rusch plays Mountain like he could be anybody with a dream of some greatness. This play will make you sad, mad and angry, and at the same time, there are elements of the beauty of the prizefighter and his heart—the heart that tears up an opponent, and the heart that opens up to love and compassion—the heart of a warrior! Duff Dugan, played by Army Hakes, brings a sense of acceptance to the story. He's been where Mountain McClintock is going, and he found a niche in the middle of the sport as the trainer and the corner man, and maybe, the reality check for the rest of us. As Alex Ramos would say, he's the "Macka Foley" of the fight game! The mission of the Retired Boxers Foundation, an IRS Nonprofit corporation, is to assist retired professional boxers, in the transition from their glorious days in the ring to a dignified retirement. Particular attention is made to assist those who have left the sport with physical, emotional or neurological damage; especially those suffering from alcohol and substance abuse problems, homelessness and the affects of pugilistic dementia (the medical term for "punch drunk"). The Retired Boxers Foundation was created by Alex "The Bronx Bomber" Ramos, who is himself disabled. For more information on the Retired Boxers Foundation, please visit our site at www.retiredboxers.org . Alex: I LOVED this play and I know that you did too! I know that it touched your soul and that you would want others to see the play so that they can understand a little better, what it's like to be a prizefighter. I did a little theater review, although that is not my forte, but with genuine admiration of Bob Rusch and Sky Pilot Theater. This play should be SEEN. It has top notch actors and it is a legendary play that should be seen, especially in the boxing community! $15 for a play of this magnitude of talent is a steal! Love and hugs, Jacquie Richardson Executive Director RETIRED BOXERS FOUNDATION www.retiredboxers.org 
|
|
You Are Visitor |
|
