Inspired in part by Lily Tomlin's The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, Motel muses aloud for nearly 80 engaging minutes, weaving personal adventures, discoveries in quantum physics and eyewitness accounts of pivotal moments in recent American history into an evening of entertainment that has been leaving audiences enlivened and filled with hope for our future - which is no mean trick.
The award-winning playwright, storyteller, actor, speaker and coach has been tagged as a comedian who produces "conscious comedy," making us first laugh at our human foibles and then think in the next second about how we got this way. He has created a broad gamut of characters who reflect compassion and humor into our contemporary human condition in his critically acclaimed one-man shows Mick in America, Mind Salad and Shiva Arms. Motel has labeled himself "the class clown for the Eckhart Tolle crowd," and aims at creating humor "to crack us open a little bit, to widen our understanding of how we relate to ourselves and each other."
Written after moving his family to Ulster County, StarDUST was the result of having casually offered quips of his own life to producers who encouraged him to include them in his already-existing shows. Motel has acknowledged how rewarding it is to be living in a community where many people are already "seekers of richer meaning." Theatre-owner Michael Cacchio says, "Doug Motel's progressive and cutting-edge show is a perfect fit for the Theatre, in light of the new live shows that we are doing."
One of the few single-screen cinemas left in the country, the Rosendale Theatre has been owned and operated by three generations of the Cacchio family. Dedicated to supporting independent filmmakers, artists and civil and human rights organizations worldwide, as well as to providing high-quality art films, the Cacchios have served the community for 60 years. The theatre has been an invaluable community space used by organizations to fundraise, meet, inform, inspire and educate. So when Michael Cacchio recently announced the family's plans to sell it, a group of local citizens currently called the Rosendale Theatre Collective formed to purchase the facility, and began fundraising efforts to collect the $20,000 binder needed to secure the property.
Spearheaded by F-Stop Fitzgerald, the Collective board currently includes Ron Parenti, Nicole Quinn, Gale McGovern, Betty Greenwald, Fre Atlast, Ellen Sribnick, Beverly Keith, Amy Trompetter, Jan Melchior, Yuvai Scorer, Lisa Sterer, Abba Johnes, Dan Guenther, Dana Rudkoff, Livia Vanaver, Linda Park, Jane Hollinger, Marty Moltoris, Anissa Kapsales, Bill Brooks, Sophia Raab Downs, Laura Shaine, Bob Godwin, Nicole Fenichel-Hewitt, Ali Gruber, Louis Torchio, Annette and Max Finestone, Carol Garfunkel, Jane Hollinger and Eve Waltermaurer.
Fitzgerald says, "The Theatre is a critical business on Main Street. We've been meeting one night a week to set up committees for marketing, website and media development, a physical plant group to look at putting in more lights and a DVD projector. The primary effort is to fundraise: the group headed by Waltermaurer and Kapsales." Until it achieves its own 501 (c) (3) status, the Collective is fundraising under the fiscal umbrella of the Children's Media Project, through which site donations can be made: "No amount is too small - or too large." The Collective has plans for a day of music, a dance party at the Rosendale Caf?, an online auction and reaching out to "high-net individuals" who can buy into the dream of keeping the Theatre open.
Fitzgerald says that the Collective will continue to screen movies as its primary function. They want both the Cacchios to stay on, and hope that Uncle Tony will continue to act as projectionist. "We want them involved. They've been key to this."
To contribute to the effort, make a check to the Children's Media Project with "Rosendale Theatre Collective" printed in the memo space, and send your check to Rosendale Theatre Collective at PO Box 250, Rosendale, NY 12472. Or contact the Children's Media Project in Poughkeepsie by calling (845) 485-4480 or (845) 625-2090, or by e-mailing info@childrensmediaproject.org.
StarDUST is being presented in conjunction with Canaltown Alley Arts, a learning center in Rosendale committed to offering a rich variety of classes in all kinds of arts, as well as serving as a meeting place for local organizations. Founder Ann Citron says, "Doug Motel's upcoming one-man show is another fabulous opportunity for locals, friends and visitors to experience unique and absolutely original live theatre." Tickets to StarDUST are $15. The subject matter is not suitable for children under 13 years of age. For tickets, visit the box office at the Rosendale Theatre or call (845) 943-8633. For more information visit www.DougMotel.com.
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