From: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com (aml-list-digest) To: aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: aml-list-digest V1 #19 Reply-To: aml-list Sender: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-aml-list-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk aml-list-digest Wednesday, April 19 2000 Volume 01 : Number 019 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2000 12:47:38 -0600 From: Steve Perry Subject: Re: [AML] Musicals > From: harlowclark@juno.com > "Singing in the Rain" was adapted a few years back as a stage musical. The SCERA outdoor theater in Orem, UT, did a version of this two or three years back. s. - ----- stevenkperry@earthlink.net - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2000 13:05:19 -0600 From: "Cathy Wilson" Subject: Re: [AML] Future of AML-List I'm adding my heartfelt thank you to Benson and Robin for moderating this list. In some ways, in my mind, Benson IS this list; his touch informs the whole experience. (I'm sure Jonathan's touch will do the same :) ). As I've muddled through my days with my own editing/writing business, I've often wondered HOW the Parkinsons actually managed to do such a fantastic job with AML List, money-earning, and family duties. Thank you. . . . Cathy (Gileadi) Wilson Editing Etc. 15 East 600 North Price UT 84501 435-637-8744 - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: (No, or invalid, date.) From: "Marilyn & William Brown" Subject: Re: [AML] Re: [AML-Mag] Future of AML-List I support all of these kudos. I am amazed at Benson's talent, now that = I'm reading his phenomenal writing style novels. We will miss him as the = "one in charge" although I know Jonathan will be excellent also. Thank = you, Benson! We appreciate you! Marilyn B. - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2000 13:35:52 -0600 From: Margaret Young Subject: [AML] Ben I want to add my thanks to Ben. What a wonderful person he is--so bright and so good. I appreciate the unassuming but to-the-point way he has moderated the list, and his insights--which are always so thought-provoking. I appreciate his devotion to his faith, his family, and to the cause of furthering Mormon letters. I assume that we'll still hear from him on the list, even though he won't be moderating. I certainly hope so! - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: (No, or invalid, date.) From: "Marilyn & William Brown" Subject: Re: [AML] Re: Family and Art Jacob, your "treatise" is a miracle. Exactly why I chose fiction instead = of painting, drawing, music, etc. I LOVED the Satan scenario. Marilyn Bro= wn - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: (No, or invalid, date.) From: "Marilyn & William Brown" Subject: Re: [AML] Donny as Joseph Let me clue ya with my 'umble opinion. It's the rhythm of the thing. Mari= lyn Brown - ---------- > D. Michael Martindale wrote: > > >I have a different take on why LDS audiences like "Joseph." It's >not = that > they are starved for "clean family entertainment." They're >starved for= _good_ > entertainment. There's piles and piles of >clean entertainment availabl= e--all > faith-affirming, all severely >didactic, all super-sentimental. "Joseph= " is > just plain fun. No >moralizing, no demands on one's character. [snip] - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2000 23:57:42 -0600 From: "D. Michael Martindale" Subject: Re: [AML] Future of AML-List There once was a list boss named Ben Who mothered his list like a hen 'Twas a devilish time Keeping artists in line But they all loved his work in the end Poor Jonathan Langford could use Some advice on which action to choose Should he eat and then eat Till he fattened his feet So they'd fit Benson Parkinson's shoes - -- D. Michael Martindale dmichael@wwno.com Worlds Without Number http://www.wwno.com ================================== Read "How I as a crazy high school kid wrote an opera about Joseph Smith" at: http://www.wwno.com/gpjs/howi.htm ================================== - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2000 17:40:00 -0400 From: Womens Project & Productions Press Release Subject: [AML] JENSEN, _Two Headed_ in New York Mormon Play "Two-Headed" To Open Off Broadway In New York (Womens Project & Productions 1999-2000 Season continues with "Two-Headed" by Julie Jensen, Directed by Joan Vail Thorne) Womens Project & Productions Press Release 17Apr00 A4 NEW YORK, NEW YORK -- Women's Project & Productions (WPP), the workplace for women in American theatre (Julia Miles, Artistic Director), closes its 1999-2000 season with the New York City premiere of TWO-HEADED by Utah playwright JULIE JENSEN, directed by JOAN VAIL THORNE (The Exact Center of the Universe), starring LIZBETH MACKAY and DEIRDRE O'CONNELL. Performances begin Wednesday, May 3rd at 8 pm, Opening Thursday, May 11th at 8 pm at Women's Project Theatre (424 West 55th Street). Childhood friends. Grown-up secrets. With highjinks and humor, in horror and outrage, two Mormon girls forge a friendship that endures four decades on the Utah frontier, despite the secret of a bloody massacre and the strain of plural marriage. Ten-year-old Lavinia taunts her friend Hettie with secret spoils from a hushed-up massacre, not realizing how the savage events of that day will change them for life. A bitingly comic, fiercely stirring "play of history" for two award-winning actresses. Playwright JULIE JENSEN began her relationship with WPP in 1983, with OLD WIVES TALE, part of an evening of one-acts called Special Family Things. Julie's work has since been produced at Arena Stage, Capital Rep, TheatreWorks, and the Salt Lake Acting Company; and she currently directs the Graduate Playwriting Program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. JOAN VAIL THORNE's work with WPP includes the critically- acclaimed The Exact Center of the Universe (which went on to a successful Off-B'way run), as well as directing Paducah and Milk of Paradise by Sallie Bingham; Departures, an evening of one-acts and numerous readings. Joan has directed for the Alley, American Place, Arena Stage, Dallas Theater Center, Ensemble Studio Theatre and Juilliard. She currently teaches directing at the Playwrights Horizons Studio of New York University. The designers are DAVID P. GORDON (sets), CARRIE ROBBINS (costumes), MICHAEL LINCOLN (lights) and SCOTT KILLIAN (composer/sound). LIZBETH MACKAY appeared on Broadway in The Price, The Heiress, Abe Lincoln in Illinois, Death and the Maiden, Crimes of the Heart (Theater World, Outer Critics Circle, Dramalogue Awards); and Off-B'way in Lips; Durang, Durang; The Seagull: 1990's, The Old Boy, Square One, Tales of the Lost Formicans and The Normal Heart. Her films include One True Thing, Marvin's Room, In and Out, and Malcolm X. DEIRDRE O'CONNELL was seen in In The Blood, Mud and Drowning, Moe's Lucky 7, Three Birds Alighting on a Field, Approximating Mother, 'Tis Pity She's a Whore, Love and Anger (Drama Desk nomination) and Stars in the Morning Sky (Dramalogue, LA Critics Awards). Films include City of Angels, Smoke, Fearless, Leaving Normal, Pastime (Independent Spirit nom.), Tin Men and Anna. Performance Schedule: Tuesday through Saturday at 8 pm; Saturday and Sunday at 3 pm. Post-performance discussions May 9th (with playwright and director), May 13th matinee (panel discussion with local scholars) and May 16th (with Dr. Carol Gilligan - Harvard University). Tickets are $35. For reservations, call Telecharge at (212) 239-6200. Running time: 1 hour 15 minutes with no intermission. Women's Project Theatre is located at 424 West 55th Street. Box Office opens at 1 pm; closed Mondays. # # # # # From Mormon-News: Mormon News and Events Forwarding is permitted as long as this footer is included Mormon News items may not be posted to the World Wide Web sites without permission. Please link to our pages instead. For more information see http://www.MormonsToday.com/ Send join and remove commands to: majordomo@MormonsToday.com Put appropriate commands in body of the message: To join: subscribe mormon-news To leave: unsubscribe mormon-news To join digest: subscribe mormon-news-digest - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2000 19:42:16 -0700 (PDT) From: Darlene Young Subject: [AML] BELL, _Washed by a Wave of Wind_ Im finally getting to Swept by a Wave of Wind and I just want to comment on Wolvertons Wheatfields Beyond, the first story in the book. It was an amazing experience. As Shayne Bell points out in his excellent Forward, there are aspects of Corridor Culture that lend themselves so beautifully to science fiction. An example is the concept of people being directed by God through visions or other types of personal revelation. I love to see this concept explored in fiction. The fact is that we DO believe that God talks to individuals and can give them revelations in their lives. What happens when one persons revelation seems insane or unbelievable to the rest of the community makes an excellent story and is a springboard to constructive (I believe) analysis of our society. Its something we all struggle with (how many married couples in the church do you know who have reached different conclusions about a decision, both believing theyve been given revelation on the subject? It happens!). I havent finished the book, but even if Bells Forward, Humes history and Wolvertons story are the only good things in it, theyre good enough to make the printing worthwhile. I really appreciated learning more about many of the people whose names appear on this list and how they began writing sf. (By the way, I might as well add my two cents on Foggs story now. I wasnt as offended at his twisting of LDS doctrinein and of itselfas some seem to be. However, I thought it was simply an empty story. The story didnt go anywhere and seemed to exist only as a vehicle for the science fiction elements [as opposed to having science fictions elements support or further a really great story]. I realize that this same verdict has been passed before, though, by more articulate critics than I.) ===== Darlene Young - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 18 Apr 2000 23:01:05 -0600 From: "Harvest Magazine" Subject: [AML] "And the Deseret Will Blossom" by Valerie Holladay Dear Benson, Below is an excerpt from the an article in the current issue of Harvest Magazine. Thought the list would enjoy it. Visit Harvest Magazine for more ariticles, poetry, essays, and more. http://www.harvestmagazine.com Dallas Robbins editor@harvestmagazine.com http://www.harvestmagazine.com ~an online magazine for the lds community~ [MOD: Thanks for the preview. Both Dallas and Valerie are longtime subscribers here.] - -------------> "And the Deseret Shall Blossom: Thirty Years of Mormon Literature" By Valerie Holladay full article available at http://www.harvestmagazine.com/April2000/mormonliterature.htm "Although Mormons have had their own literature from the first moment Joseph Smith began translating the golden plates, I didn't gain a conscious recognition of Mormon literature until I was nearly thirty. Like most of those born into LDS families, I grew up with stories from Especially for Mormons and The Children's Friend, and read my share of Jack Weyland and Shirley Sealy novels. Like most LDS women, I had read Carol Lynn Pearson's poetry. I was also familiar with the story of Charlie's Monument, which was featured in seminary devotionals every so often along with songs from Saturday's Warrior. The LDS people love words and stories. We find strength and comfort in words, in hymns, in scriptures, in testimony. We find answers, we find questions. The Truth of Fiction When I turned twenty, I immersed myself in the works of James Talmage in preparation for my mission, and when I came across a novel about missionaries, Elders and Sisters by Gladys Farmer, I read it, hungry to understand the mission experience. Because of her own mission in France from 1963-65, the author was able to portray a more detailed and realistic view of missionary life than I had heard expressed in missionary homecoming talks or the missionary preparation classes I was taking. For example, the author described two baptism-hungry elders and their resentment towards their ZL who refuses to approve the baptism of some young children they are teaching. An elder falls in love with a member and his companion saves him from trouble. A sister missionary is "ruined" early in her mission because her senior companion's daily work consists of making visual aids for the Primary. Nevertheless, all eventually ends well; no one goes home early or in disgrace. Ultimately, everyone's testimony is strengthened. A few elders and sisters meet again, fall in love, and marry. At the same time, the author's acknowledgment of imperfections in "the Lord's work" prepared me for a very bumpy eighteen-month ride, and after my mission, when I was browsing through a bookstore and came across this book, I picked it up and read it on the spot, hungry for some validation of my own experience. Later I learned the difficulty the author encountered with one publisher because of her presentation of the mission experience "warts and all." After all, the book was published in the late 1970s, when Mormon literature was still well within the boundaries of "home literature, "as Eugene England calls it, meaning writing whose main focus is to inspire members to greater faith and works. My own mission in southern France was a painful experience for a variety of reasons that have taken me nearly twenty years to comprehend, and I swore my entire mission I would never return to BYU. Nevertheless, within one month of my release from my mission, I found myself, with very mixed feelings, enrolled at BYU. I was fortunate to have two roommates whose missionary experiences had left them feeling as disillusioned and weary as I was, but still, I felt very isolated, surrounded by returned missionaries who spoke reverently of "the best two years of their lives." Somehow my mother and sister convinced me to see It's a Miracle, a play about some missionaries, after which I avoided missionary plays. Some time later a friend invited me to another missionary play, and I laughed at him. "It's been banned in parts of Utah, I hear," he said persuasively. Whether or not that was true, he had my attention. That night I saw Bla Petsco's Nothing Very Important (the only night it played on campus, I understand, before it was relocated). I was amazed that someone had captured the essence of my mission so completely, so painfully. I went away purged. Petsco's short stories about Magyar's disillusionment with his missionary experiences may not seem uplifting to some readers. But it healed me to know that I was not alone in my own mission experience. Most powerful is Magyar's confrontation with a Church leader who, in response to his questions about the emphasis on statistics, tells him, "But, elder, baptizing is the name of the game." But it would be unfair to mention only that one example, when Petsco's portrayal of an elder's suicide is so terribly poignant, as is the seduction of a naive small-town Mormon boy who is sent home in disgrace by a humiliated mission president who declares, "Not in my mission." Clearly, Mormon literature had begun to move beyond the traditional expectations and definitions of home literature. Two other plays, Roger Elliott's Fires of the Mind and Tom Rogers' Huebner, even though I saw neither of them performed, both provided very powerful, cleansing, and unforgettable encounters for me with Mormon literature. I also found a familiar voice in Douglas Thayer's short stories, and his adolescent novel, Summer Fire, about a self-righteous young man in the throes of pre-mission fervor. The novel in particular reminded me of missionaries I had know and gave me some assurance that spirituality and maturity could in time cut through intolerance and self-righteousness." - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2000 11:08:32 -0400 From: Richard Johnson Subject: Re: [AML] Future of AML-List I have been really struggling to find a way to express my appreciation to Ben for making this list what it is. You did it perfectly. I LOVE it. Richard B. Johnson Husband, Father, Grandfather, Puppeteer, Playwright, Writer, Director, Actor, Thingmaker, Mormon, Person, Fool I sometimes think that the last persona is the most important http://www2.gasou.edu/commarts/puppet/ Georgia Southern University Puppet Theatre - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: (No, or invalid, date.) From: "Marilyn & William Brown" Subject: Re: [AML] JENSEN, _Two Headed_ in New York This production of TWO-HEADED in New York is so exciting! This intense = play represents the Mormons well, I think! (We did see it.) It's debut = in New York makes me feel like the U.S. might be interested in our histor= y, especially the women in polygamy. And in good art that represents it. = Marilyn - ---------- > Mormon Play "Two-Headed" To Open Off Broadway In New York > (Womens Project & Productions 1999-2000 Season continues with "Two-Head= ed" > by Julie Jensen, Directed by Joan Vail Thorne) - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2000 09:22:14 +0000 From: John Bennion Subject: Re: [AML] Ben Ben has been instrumental in fashioning the AML has been today. He started the list, which has been the source of the AML's recent vitality. He has also helped with Irreantum, with setting up the Web page, with the annual writers conference. He has been a most efficient and yet sensitive administrator. I am grateful for his influence. ________________ Professor John Bennion 3117 JKHB English Department Brigham Young University Provo, UT 84602-6280 Tel: (801) 378-3419 Fax: (801) 378-4705 - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2000 09:02:48 -0600 From: Scott and Marny Parkin Subject: [AML] TLE Plagiarism [MOD: TLE is _The Leading Edge_, an SF/F magazine published by people connected with BYU. Several AML-List subscribers have been involved. The following post is reprinted from LDSF, our sister list, with permission from the author.] Here's the story: On Monday last week (April 10), I got a call from a friend saying she had noticed the story in TLE was the same as Geoff Landis's story (same title even) that was published in Analog in April 1994. The story is "The Singular Habits of Wasps" and is about Sherlock Holmes solving the Jack the Ripper killings. She thought I may still be involved with TLE, so she asked me to pass the message on to them before she contacted Landis. I'm not actually involved, but I was able to contact the managing editor. They took it from there, working out an agreement with Landis--TLE will pay Landis for the reprint of his story and publish a letter in the next issue of Locus (and TLE, I presume). Locus Online has the story at http://www.locusmag.com/2000/News/News04c.html The story is not condemnitory of TLE. It may turn out to be helpful if TLE gets subscriptions from it. Locus has a picture of the cover and lists Bell, Wolverton, Thornley, and others as first publishing in TLE. The person who sent them the story (I won't call him an author) currently is a prisoner at Desoto Correctional Institution in Arcadia, Florida. According to the note Peter Ahlstrom, Associate Editor of TLE, sent me last night, this person "doesn't write for the money but writes only 'because that's what I am, a writer'" (from his correspondence with TLE). Apparently this person plagiarizes regularly. Landis checked out some other stories this guy has published and found two other plagiarisms, one from F&SF and another from Analog both printed in Cell Door (http://www.celldoor.com/). He has also published in Renegade, New Myths, Atom Mind, and Climbing the Walls (according to the bio he sent TLE). Is there anything else you want to know? Marny Parkin Community email addresses: Post message: ldsf@onelist.com Subscribe: ldsf-subscribe@onelist.com Unsubscribe: ldsf-unsubscribe@onelist.com List owner: ldsf-owner@onelist.com Shortcut URL to this page: http://www.onelist.com/community/ldsf - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ Date: (No, or invalid, date.) From: "Marilyn & William Brown" Subject: Re: [AML] Future of AML-List Richard, I'm just curious. Were you talking about Michael's poem? I think= that was a stroke of genius. Marilyn Brown - ---------- > I have been really struggling to find a way to express my appreciation = to > Ben for making this list what it is. You did it perfectly. I LOVE = it. > > Richard B. Johnson - - AML-List, a mailing list for the discussion of Mormon literature http://www.xmission.com/~aml/aml-list.htm ------------------------------ End of aml-list-digest V1 #19 *****************************