LOCALS AT THE REP: The latest play at the San Jose Repertory Theatre is Legacy, based on the book Coming of Age by Studs Terkel. Terkel interviewed people in their 70s, 80s and 90s who are still raising hell, whether from a wheelchair or not. Legacy, written by singer/political activist Ronnie Gilbert and playwright Jon Marans, will be performed in San Jose through March 21.
This production comes with several Saratoga strings strongly attached. Chief among them is the fact that Saratoga composer Henry Mollicone wrote the music, along with Jeffrey Langley. Ronnie Gilbert wrote the lyrics.
The play is a combination of stories, vignettes and songs pointing up the joy of ordinary people living vibrant lives in the years beyond the traditional retirement age of 65. Legacy serves as an antidote to age stereotyping, flying in the face of America's focus on youth culture.
Terkel's books are "an oral history of America that sings like an epic poem," as Gilbert puts it. Mollicone has supplied the actual notes to these true-life sagas. Terkel's work, abetted by Mollicone, is a tribute to those who are still fighting the dragons of despair. Besides being asked to compose for venues all over the world Mollicone is conductor of the Santa Clara University orchestra.
In the latest publication from San Jose Rep, Saratogan James Compton is singled out as one of three people called "San Jose Legacy-Makers." Compton has committed his considerable skills to the causes of arts, education and the environment.
He says he has a "strong desire to leave the world a better place for my children. Today there is a justifiable worry about the loss of a concern with the common good."
The other two notables plucked out as legacy-makers are former San Jose mayor Janet Gray Hayes and Florencio Rodarte, a retiree active in the improvement of local schools, who takes acting lessons with Teatro Vision.
PACIFIC RIM ART: Here are two artists who have a slightly different slant. They do art work using paper and textiles rather than a paint palette, and the results are their own take on Asian costumes such as kimonos. The two are Jillian Ring and Elaine Salter, both Saratogans, both classically trained artists.
And neither has any ties to Asia other than a penchant for travel. A display of their work was at Stanford's Faculty Club this month, and another outlet should present itself soon. That show was called "Silk Road Journey" and was very well received.
Both produce kimono art, though they work individually. Both travel extensively, purchasing vintage silks, papers, fibers, soapstone, thread, leather and special items to be used in their art. When they first began to market their work, they approached a gallery in Palo Alto.
The manager was hesitant, but said she would take a (reluctant) look. After that initial sighting, she called to say, "How many can I have?" Some 11 pieces were sold from that first offering. Today Ring and Salter are seeking out new exhibit space, since the Palo Alto and Carmel galleries where their work was on display have closed. They also have exhibited in Hawaii.
THE RIGHT RITE: Here's an unusual profession you may not have even realized existed: a ritualist. And we have one in our very midst. She's Riva Rubnitz, a Los Gatos marriage and family counselor who is now spreading her net to include the business of rituals.
Her first assignment was carried out a couple of weeks ago and pronounced an unqualified success. Any milestone can be the occasion for a ritual--a special anniversary, a christening, a birthday. Rubnitz tailors each event to the individual or family as well as to the particular milestone being commemorated. To reach, her call 358-8286.
ARCHITECTURAL EXHIBITION: We all decry the passing of the orchards in this, the valley of heart's delight. So Villa Montalvo is attempting to staunch the exodus by calling the 10 new buildings in its artists' residency program "An Orchard of Artists."
An exhibition featuring the architectural drawings for the new artist cottages to be built near the gatehouse is now on display. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Composers' cottages, writers' cottages, visual artists' cottages and a landscape plan are all part of the exhibition package.
COOKING CLASSES A LA ITALY: La Rusticana, a Tuscan-style villa on Kennedy Road in the Los Gatos hills, offers monthly cooking classes at $75 per. The next one is March 11 for Easter regional specialties (Specialita Regionali). Chef is Franca Coletta at (650) 347-3029. Call after 6:30 p.m.
DIDJA KNOW?: The Happy Dragon, the used clothing and housewares shop in Los Gatos that benefits Eastfield Ming Quong has a music chairman. She's Rita Stoner, and she reigns over records, rhythm instruments, CDs, sheet music and whatever else strikes a chord.
Saratoga, California Since 1975
