Jim On The Air

On this week's episode of Jim On The Air, I interview the writer, producer, director, and actor of the one-person show Ronald Reagan Saves the World. Terry Phillips and Paul Messinger will join me in the virtual studio to talk about their play which is making its world premiere at our very own Center Stage Theater in Santa Barbara! The play opens September 1 - 10. Be sure to listen to the podcast to learn more about the play, how it came about, and the process both Terry and Paul used to create this fascinating piece about Reagan, the man, as well as the historic figure.

I am back! My first podcast in about eight or nine months! I really need to be more consistent with this thing! Anywhoodle! This episode is a fabulous interview for my first show back after a long hiatus. I had a wonderful chat with two of our Artistic Directors, who are helping me put on our second annual Drag Revue and Cabaret! The show is called GURLZ BEHIND BARS; DRAG IS NOT A CRIME! I interviewed BellaDonna SantaBarbara, and Miss Kitty Willows about everything to do with drag! Performing drag, how they got their start in drag, why drag is NOT a crime, and what goes into producing the art form of a drag show. Please give it a listen! You'll love it! I guarantee!

The 54th episode of JIM ON THE AIR features the director and cast of the NEW musical MISS YOU LIKE HELL! This show will be produced by OUT OF THE BOX THEATER COMPANY and is making its South and Central Coast premiere at Center Stage Theater in Santa Barbara! My guests include Samantha Eve, Executive Director of Out of the Box, and the two leads of the show, Michelle Hernandez, who plays Beatriz, and Lara Mehlig, who plays Olivia. The show runs November 4th thru November 13 at Center Stage. For tickets, visit www.centerstagetheater.org/show-details/miss-you-like-hell.

When a whip-smart, deeply imaginative teenager agrees to take a road trip with her free-spirited Latina mother, neither can imagine where it will take them. Chance encounters with a medley of characters along the way brings them closer to understanding what sets them apart—and what connects them forever. At the heart of the story is a mother-daughter relationship complicated and threatened by immigration policies. MISS YOU LIKE HELL reminds us that musicals have the power to explore the exposed territory where the political becomes personal. Featuring compelling original songs that are every bit as diverse and eclectic as America. MISS YOU LIKE HELL is a new musical that exudes the joy, love, and frustration of being a family in a changing country. 

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN IN A SITUATION WHERE THE "PROFESSOR" BECOMES THE "STUDENT?" This subject is at the center of the play Collected Stories by Donald Margulies, produced by DramaDogs, and starring E. Bonnie Lewis and Felicia Hall. Both Bonnie and Felicia are my guests on this episode of Jim On The Air. Bonnie Lewis plays Ruth Steiner, a professor and lauded writer of short stories. Ruth hires graduate student Lisa Morrison played by Felicia Hall, to be her assistant. Lisa, also a writer, thrives in her new role and becomes Ruth’s protégé—then her rival upon the release of her first novel. In Collected Stories, the complicated issue of story ownership is at the fore. This intelligent and engaging play by Donald Margulies asks questions about consent, appropriation, and the ethics of taking artistic license. Give it a listen! We have a fantastic conversation about the play, theater, how actors prepare a role, AND... GUILTY PLEASURES!

WHAT DO CHORAL MUSIC AND CRAFTING HAVE IN COMMON? Well! You'll find out in Episode 52 of Jim On The Air! This episode features AJ Rawls, who is the president of the Santa Barbara Gay Men's Chorus. He also owns and operates The Crafter's Library in downtown Santa Barbara! The main focus of the interview is centered on the SB Gay Men's Chorus. However, after learning that AJ runs The Crafter's Library, I wanted to learn a little bit about that as well! The SBGMC is starting rehearsals soon for their Holiday concert later in December. Of course, the details will be discussed in this episode! Give it a listen, and learn more! You can also visit their website at www.sbgmc.org. 

GUESS WHAT! THERE ARE ANGELS living among us, and I got to interview one of them! Angel Dmon is my latest guest on Jim On The Air. Angel was born and raised in Oxnard, California and now lives in Santa Barbara. She has been a professional dancer over the past 10 years and has traveled overseas to showcase original choreography. Angel is an educator in Ventura County and has her master's degree in Education. Besides teaching children, D’Mon is a children’s book author and hosts “Drag Queen Storytime” at local queer-owned businesses. Angel is one of the founders of the very successful “Glitter Brunch” in Santa Barbara. We will discuss all of this and more on this 51st episode of JIM ON THE AIR! 

Have you ever had to pull someone aside at a party or an event and say to them, "Dude! you're making a scene!" Well, now there's a local game show called just that! Dude! You're Making A Scene! is the latest creation by Ben Ferguson, and it fully gives anyone and everyone permission to make a scene... literally! Ben's new game show will be presented live at the Alcazar Theater in Carpinteria in October. The show will have contestants who will be given a short amount of time to write a scene and have four actors act it out. How will this work? Well! Check out this podcast to learn ALL about it. And for tickets to Dude! You're Making A Scene! visit www.thealcazar.org.

Episode 49 of Jim On The Air features Actor and Comedian Stacie Burrows! Stacie has written a one-woman show called Bulletproof Unicorn. She recently had the opportunity to take her show to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in Scotland. At the time of the interview, Stacie was still in Edinburgh, however, she has since returned to the US. In this interview, Stacie tells us about the incredibly heart-wrenching real-life events that "inspired" her play. Also, she shares her experience attending the Efringe for the first time! Plus! We had so much fun chatting about theater in general. A genuinely delightful conversation!

I'm on a roll! Two episodes in less than a week! Can you just stand it!! Episode # 48 of JIM ON THE AIR, features Miss Kitty Willows from the Drag Revue and Cabaret, LES FEMMES FATALES AT CENTER STAGE, ENCORE! Miss Kitty Willows, or Miss Kitty for short, identifies as he/him when the boots and jeans are on, but Gurl/she when the wigs and heels are put on. Miss Kitty has been doing drag for nearly 22 years. Currently, Kitty is working with Center Stage with her fellow Sister BellaDonna, which has been a total blast to do with her. Miss Kitty is a past Queen of Pride of Santa Barbara in 2010 and 2011 and was runner-up to the crown in 2009. Her notable mention would be in 2018 when she spoke out to the youth of Carpinteria High School for the LGBTQ+ club. She's also been part of the French Festival Les Femmes Fatales since 2002 and took leadership in 2019. Kitty's origin story is she was born in West Covina, California, at a Hospital named Queen of the Valley Hospital on April 9th, 1979. That being said, she was already born a queen. Miss Kitty Willows lived in La Puente all her young life. In 2001 she moved to Santa Barbara, where she became part of this community and will always call Santa Barbara home. Learn more about Miss Kitty and Les Femmes Fatales at Center Stage on this podcast! And for tickets to Les Femmes, visit www.centerstagetheater.org.

A new episode of JIM ON THE AIR! This is my 47th episode of JIM ON THE AIR, and my guest this time around is Esteban Ramirez. Esteban and I talk about his upcoming concert at Center Stage Theater. His concert, Esteban Ramirez: Romance Tour, will be performed Saturday, September 17th at 7:00 PM.  During my interview with Esteban, we talk about his journey through music, his inspiration for writing his music, and the process he goes through to produce each piece. Esteban Ramirez and his quartet ensemble combine his mastery of the acoustic grand piano interspersed with select poetry readings to inspire the senses. With touching ensemble accompaniments consisting of cello, flute, violin, and clarinet, his original neo-classical instrumental compositions will touch your heart, and his poetry will move your soul. To learn more about his concert and to purchase tickets, visit www.centerstagetheater.org.