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The Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles is the perfect venue for a beautifully staged "Bright Star," with a bluegrass band on stage, and a full pit orchestra in the traditional place below.  The show is spectacularly staged. MUSICAL EARNS BRAVOS, STANDING OVATIONS IN ITS TOE-TAPPING REINCARNATION  Carmen Cusack's lovely leading lady role makes the audience laugh -- and cry -- in "Bright Star." The actress played the role of Alice on Broadway. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and courtesy Ahmanson Theatre IF THERE IS anything Steve Martin can't do, he has yet to reveal it. Cookie and Keller enjoy opening weekend at the Ahmanson for "Bright Star."  Writers-composers Steve Martin, Edie Brickell and director Walter Bobbie. Fans of "Bright Star" arrange their own photo shoot with the billboard in front of Los Angeles' Ahmanson Theatre. Versatile California born a ctor, writer, juggler, comic, musician and composer, Martin , and his friend and collaborator  Edie Brickell  are delighted to bring their musical, “ Bright Star ,” back to the West Coast. It opened here years ago in our part-time stomping grounds, at San Diego's Old Globe. After revising and reworking parts of the musical's storyline, Martin and Brickell took their project to Broadway.  In 2016, it picked up a half-dozen Tony nominations then went back to the drawing board. NOW IT it is finely tuned, a wonderful, rapturous production,  reaping standing ovations at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, where we have happily booked season tickets for years. The production is stellar, just holding the line at melodrama, avoiding cliche because of Martin's clever turns of phrase, subtle direction  and fabulous actors including many of the Broadway cast. Eugene Lee’s inventive scenic design puts bluegrass musicians front and center in a beautifully lit movable wooden cabin. THAT SETS the tone for banjo player Martin's musical, set in North Carolina. Lighting design by Japhy Weideman enhances the magical realism of the story. Martin first made a name for himself as an irreverent comic -- he told me years ago that his mediocre juggling at Knotts Berry Farm brought him into comedy. "My boss said, 'Kid, you're not much of a juggler, but you're very funny." Ahmanson Theatre goers are reveling in the reincarnated "Bright Star," by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. After several reworkings, Martin says the musical's time has come. He shows another side of his talent in musical theater, with the bluegrass music of "Bright Star." “Love Has Come for You,” the Grammy-winning album he collaborated on with Brickell,  stops the show and fabulous banjo, mandolin, bass and fiddle music have the audience tapping its collective toe. Cusack is mesmerizing in the lead, reprising her Tony-nominated performance as Alice Murphy, whose bittersweet tale the musical tells.  SHE CRACKS WISE , breaks hearts and exudes charm and wit, with a gorgeous voice. Backing her is a top-notch cast, all dancers and singers in rare form and believable spanning the story's 25-year sweep. We wouldn't have missed last weekend's opening.  The show is touring, so see it when you can. Said Martin in an interview, “I’m excited, because since we did it in San Diego, which played very well, we have significantly changed the show,” Martin said. “Things going in, things coming out." He says he has a "secret belief that the time is now ripe for ‘ Bright Star ’ in Los Angeles." "What's it about?" my sisters asked. "Love, loss and redemption," I said.  "Is there anything else?" Lake Sioux Charley in summer glory on a hike before the leaves began to turn this past summer UP NEXT:   We take you to Sioux Charley in Montana.....splendors on the Stillwater in Montana's Beartooth Mountains. Come visit, near our home on the range, as we climb a spectacular gorge by the source of the Stillwater River, near Nye, Montana. Here, the skies are (almost) not cloudy all day. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us Fridays for each weekend's post, a fresh look at nature, the arts, travel and family.

RIGHT ON THE LAS VEGAS STRIP, LEGENDARY HOTEL HOSTS PARADISE FOR FEATHERED FRIENDS STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER A flightless pelican -- wounded by fishing line and unable to fly -- is among pampered guests at the Flamingo's wildlife habitat. These unusual Asian white-faced  ducks whistle not quack. You'll see flamingos in the art at the legendary hotel -- and in the bird habitat. THE BEST KEPT secret on the Las Vegas strip is not the view from a fancy hotel. It's not a fabulous meal in a little known bistro. It's not a two-for-one show ticket or a $3 blackjack table. It's a fantastic wildlife habitat in the Flamingo Hotel. The famed Las Vegas strip is just steps away from the Flamingo's wildlife habitat -- and the fabled, much newer High Roller wheel.  The charming hotel -- our favorite through many years of staying in Sin City, a town we love -- is the one with the familiar flamingo motif.  It was founded by the legendary Bugsy Siegel -- gambler, ladies man and improviser.  He's known as the man who invented Las Vegas, and he loved flamingos. "WE DIDN'T  build on the strip," a veteran bartender told us. "The strip was created around the Flamingo." It's true.  Siegel, the visionary entrepreneur who lit up the desert with his casino concept, is memorialized on a bronze plaque near the hotel's charming little chapel. The remembrance is surrounded by flamingos, rare Asian and South American waterfowl and even a pelican who can no longer fly and is fed and pampered by the habitat's staff. Both a morning and afternoon feeding and talk are offered free to the public.  We chose an afternoon session and thoroughly enjoyed it. AFTERWARDS, WE caught up to congenial and devoted naturalist Lori Miller while she continued feeding the birds. She and two other bird tenders talks to guests, answers questions and explain feeding and care of the exotic and beautiful creatures in their care. Naturalist Lori Miller is one of three trained professionals caring for the birds and fish at the Flamingo Hotel's unique and lovely Habitat. One of the city's most unique and beloved attractions, the Flamingo's Wildlife Habitat even has a wing in the hotel named after it:  We always ask for the Habitat wing, and that's where we stay. WE ENJOY IT  because we can view the lush habitat from our 15th or 20th story room.  We also love the hotel's dog friendly atmosphere. Well behaved pets are welcome and fellow guests are also animal lovers.  They clean up after their pets and use the pet run area, which like all of the hotel is nicely landscaped. ON THE HIGH  Roller wheel, we loved gazing down at the habitat -- an oasis of calm among the skyscrapers and busy streets. Parents bring their children to enjoy the waterfowl, and to stroll around lushly landscaped gardens, pools and ponds. In a city where price tags can get exorbitant, the habitat is free. No admission charge. People come from other nearby hotels to enjoy it, as it is open to the public and draws from the nearby Linq, Mirage, Harrah's, Caesar's, Planet Hollywood, Bally's and other top Vegas hotels. WE MET  guests from Germany, Italy and Australia  during our recent four days, and from a dozen U.S. states. Nestled on the Flamingo's lush 15-acre grounds, the habitat is stocked with exotic birds, fish and sunbathing turtles. Flamingos gave the Flamingo Hotel its name and live on a lush island in the habitat. A highlight of the habitat is "Flamingo Island," home to an impressive flock of Chilean flamingos.  The long-necked coral colored bird is the hotel's signature bird and inspiration for the name of the 1947 property. The flamingos' supporting cast is a colorful collection of other feathered friends from around the world, including ring-tealed ducks and sacred ibis.  Guests of all ages stand and sit in fascination, watching the birds.  Seeing people and birds peacefully co-existing is a singular pleasure to staying in perhaps the most tranquil spot in Las Vegas.   WHILE THE FLAMINGOS  preen on a single leg during the changing sunlight,  across the way, you'll enjoy black-necked swans, many kinds of ducks, koi and carp. For theater, movies, and a fun new book: click on lilianslastdance.com Miller told us that some of the carp weigh in at 50 and 60 pounds.  They're huge. The Flamingo at night is a blaze of glorious color. Migrating birds are also frequent visitors at the habitat, as well as four kinds of hummingbirds, attracted by the feeders kept in pristine condition by the naturalists. A beautiful b rown pelican -- unable to fly because of injuries -- joined the hotel's habitat three years ago, rescued in 2012 from a tangle of fishing line and hooks on a nearby bay. We savored the  hummingbirds zipping to their feeders, took photos of the signature flamingos and watched the water animals at feeding time. The habitat is an idyllic stop among the buzzing city boulevard and Linq district  steps away. The habitat's black-necked swan has a distinctive red growth on his bill. MILLER SAID that all animals are carefully maintained.  A group of lively, squawking parrots is kept in another area, not far from the habitat.  Guests are welcome to enjoy them, pose for photos with them and contribute to the habitat by purchasing the photos. What charmed us most about the place is the artful integration of landscaping and critters -- birds fly in and out and putz around in the water, enjoying elegant little  islands, streams and waterfalls.  The birds seem to know they live in hallowed ground, just yards from the asphalt, neon and high rise hotels of Vegas fame. IT'S A MUCH  loved place to slow down after a session of gambling, drinking, dining or otherwise carousing and over-indulging in one of our favorite towns. For theater, movies, and a fun new book: click on lilianslastdance.com   Melbourne's alleys, streets are artfully adorned by residents.   COMING UP:  We find hidden secrets, stunning artwork and surprising talent in the alleys and secret corners of Melbourne, Australia.  In a unique tradition encouraged by city officials, artists are welcome to paint, improvise, create in this delightful city Down Under. Remember to explore, learn and live, and check us out here Wednesdays for travel tips, hotels, restaurants, cruising and nature pieces:   www.whereiscookie.com

At Palm Springs Tram, the Coachella Valley spreads out in the far distance, looking from the mountain-top vista. Far below is the city of Palm Springs The tram is a great escape when temperatures in Palm Springs can climb to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.  It's 35-40 degrees cooler at this lovely vista.   TRAM RIDE YIELDS GORGEOUS VIEWING PLEASURES HIGH ABOVE PALM SPRINGS Layers are appropriate for Bruce Keller & Christene "Cookie"Meyers in late spring. By early May, the park is warmingand you won't need more than a sweater. But you willexperience a temperature change of 35-40 degrees fromPalm Springs below the tram at 2,400 feet abovesea level. You'll climb to over 8,000 feet at the top.    STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER HIGH ABOVE the heat of the desert floor,  magical mountains await with cooling breezes. The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway whisks viewers on a breathtaking ride to almost 9,000 feet above sea level.  There, a world of hiking trails, wildflowers, birds, squirrels and sometimes snow awaits. WHEN IT COMES  to heights, I'm a scaredy cat.  But I felt comfortable, even with the gentle pre-announced "bumps" as the tram passes various stations.  I truly enjoy the rotating tram with wonderful views for everyone.  No bad seats and we were totally safe. Its workings are carefully inspected  ABOVE: click on the triangle for our video. and the operation is closed for several weeks each year for maintenance and thorough inspection.  It purrs like a kitten and is tended with meticulous care.   Snow at the top of the ride near the boarding area, in late February. THE TRAM is a major California tourist attraction, drawing many to stay a day or two in Palm Springs. The area attracts golfers, sun seekers, bird watchers, nature lovers and those just wanting to relax or escape colder climes. As the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world, the tram opened with great fanfare in September 1963 whisking folks from the floor of the Coachella Valley to near the top of San Jacinto Peak. Constructing it in rugged Chino Canyon was an engineering marvel, with helicopters bringing in tons of building material and equipment. The tram was the dream of a young electrical engineer named Francis Crocker. IN 1935, while on a trip to Banning, California, with  newspaper publisher Carl Barkow, Crocker was nearly overcome by the heat. Mopping his brow in the sultry desert warmth, he gazed at the still snow-capped peak of Mount San Jacinto -- 10,834 feet elevation. He longed to “go up there where it’s nice and cool.” And so “Crocker’s Folly,” as it was soon dubbed by one newspaper woman, was born – a tramway up the sheer cliffs of Chino Canyon for stunning views of Mt. San Jacinto.   WE BOARDED the tram for our first ride many years ago. It's a  thrilling 10-minute transit over 2.5 miles and 6,000 feet in elevation. With snow still on the mountains, the tram offers a chance to play in snow at the top.  Palm Springs residents take their kids up with sleds and toys.   Climbing several thousand feet to the top are, from left: Bruce Keller, Sue & John Speight and Christene "Cookie" Meyers, excited at the view. AS WE SOARED above the desert wilderness to the breath-taking landscape of Mt. San Jacinto State Park. A few weeks ago, we enjoyed the stunning scenic vista, while families played in the snow. Then we hiked a well constructed trail from the Mountain Station. The rotating tram was introduced in the late 1990s, making it the largest one in the world. As the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway cars inch up the mountain, they slowly rotate for guests to take in a full panoramic view of the rugged canyon below. Once to the top, guests can take it all in from observation decks, check out the natural history museum and two historical documentary theaters. Outside, enjoy more than 50 miles of hiking trails for the true outdoor enthusiasts. Docents are on hand both inside and outside to answer questions. There's a pleasant cafe with grab-and-go snacks for a picnic lunch or early supper. Peaks Restaurant is more formal, with lovely views and a pleasant ambiance offering a more relaxing dining experience. We enjoyed the restaurant with our friends from England. If you're planning to hike on your own, there are five trail options to choose from. They range in length and difficulty. For those looking for a  leisurely nature stroll, our amiable docent recommended the “Long Valley Discovery Trail.” It's less than a mile and clearly marked for an easy loop. We saw many birds and found a clean restroom.  For more experienced hikers, the 11-mile  round trip  hike to the peak of Mt. San Jacinto takes braver hikers to the second highest point in the state.  My eagle-eye husband could see all the way to Catalina Island. Because it is such a spectacular feat of engineering, the tram was dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Be sure to spend time in the "photo hall" where you'll see pictures of the difficult construction and helicopters used for much of the building process. The tram had its inaugural ride in 1963 and in the late 1990s a modern face-lift introduced the rotating tram cars. Wildlife displays show the creatures in the mountains. Two theaters show interesting films. When planning your tram trip, we advise checking arrival and departure times carefully.  Many people enjoy an afternoon trip up and the evening trip down, beneath the stars with the lights of the city below.  The more formal restaurant is popular for celebrations and special events. And sunsets are spectacular at the top. Don't miss the last tram down, though.  Tickets range from $18 to $31, but if you plan more than a couple visits, the summer pass and annual pass are a bargain with substantial savings. We met several local hikers who love them and come up weekly during the hottest months.    For tickets or more information: pstramway.com UP NEXT : "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina." I'm listening to Patti LuPone sing that memorable song from the Tony winning Broadway musical, "Evita."  Next week, we visit a fascinating museum in Buenos Aires dedicated to the life, rise to fame and accomplishments of a young actress from the country who became a famous and beloved first lady. Eva Peron's Buenos Aires museum in her memory is our next feature. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, the arts, nature, family and more. Please share the link: www.whereiscookie.com

The Queen Mary has a long, proud history and was saved from the scrap heap by the city of Long Beach. The revelry aboard the Queen Mary includes vintage dress for special events. WORLD'S ONCE GRANDEST LINER LIVES A LIVELY LIFE IN LONG BEACH Keller and Cookie flank Commodore Hoard on Queen Mary. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER ABOARD  the Queen Mary, there's always adventure.  If you want to schedule it, you can, on a series of entertaining tours which take in every aspect of the grand liner's history. Or you may just let adventure find you as you dress vintage, sip a cocktail and people-watch, dine with style, stroll the decks. I EVEN PLAYED  the piano on which my idol Cole Porter played during his beloved crossings. It is now the piano in Winston's, the most elegant of several eateries on board. There are tours for the history buffs, fun-seekers, ghost lovers, romantics, fans of the sea. Sir Winston's pays homage to a frequent Queen Mary guest. Manned by a crew of 500 domestic staff -- waiters, housekeepers, painters and engineers -- she has 346 hotel rooms and is truly a floating museum.  To recall her glory days, vintage faucets offering the option of salt water were retained.  In pre-air conditioned days, the '30s fans that now serve as decoration would have been essential. Of the Queen's crew who manned her last voyage in 1967, 200-plus survive; they visit the Queen Mary from time to time. MILLIONS  worldwide have walked her decks since she moved to Long Beach, California -- including presidents, prime ministers and dozens of movie stars. "It's always wonderful to have the crew come visit," says Commodore Everette Hoard. The ship is kept very "shipshape." Among notable visits in recent years, Cunard's Princess made a stop in Long Beach to say "hello" to the Queen Mary. In 2006 – Cunard's flagship, the Queen Mary 2, met her namesake, the original RMS Queen Mary. AND IN  2011, Queen Victoria visited her older sister, the Queen Mary, before heading back to Southampton via the Panama Canal. The QE2's longtime captain, Ron Warwick, sailed into Long Beach later in 2011 aboard Cunard's Queen Elizabeth.  "He got off there, to visit us," says Commodore Everette Hoard. Shops and boutiques, tours, restaurants, lounges, tea and exhibits await. And in March of 2013, a "royal rendezvous" occurred when Cunard's Queen Elizabeth visited Long Beach with a formal reception, fireworks and other grand hoopla.   At that fun occasion, 3,800 liner-loving revelers came on board the Queen Mary to celebrate. If you  want to celebrate on the Queen, you're welcome.  "Special events are our bread and butter," says Commodore Hoard.  He sees his job as mainly one of  public relations -- since the ship is not going anywhere. BUSTLING ABOUT  the ship, he schmoozes with visitors, history buffs and overnight guests, posing for photos and answering questions about the bridge, engine room or restaurants. An avid history buff, he knows more than almost anyone about Guests check in at the Queen Mary's lobby reception area. Cunard's rich seafaring history, the various Queens who transited the seas under Cunard's banner, the ship's construction and contents and even the 57 varieties of wood found within her. When one guest asked the difference between a liner and a cruise ship, the Commodore had a concise and immediate answer. "Liners are built with a reserve of speed," Hoard said.  "The Queen Mary, for instance, could go 28 l/2 knots.  Liners have a longer, sleeker hull.  And even a large cruise ship will navigate around bad weather," he says.  "Liners just go for it -- plow right through the weather." Old-fashioned portholes offer a modern  view of Long Beach from Queen Mary. Hoard also lectures on board other vessels, preferring to stick with Cunard, although he's been asked recently to lecture on other lines. Told that we loved bridge tours and visits to the captain's private quarters, Hoard didn't hesitate to take us to the bridge and into his quarters.  Among the famous who enjoyed cocktails there were presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush along with "the Iron Lady," Margaret Thatcher, who shares pride in the Queen's heroic part in the Allies' winning of World War II. WINSTON CHURCHILL  had a favorite easy chair in the captain's private quarters and sipped many a cognac while enjoying Nearly 60 kinds of wood adorn the Queen Mary. several Queen Mary crossings with his wife, Clementine.  When Winston's was opened as the ship's top restaurant in the late 1970s. History buffs will love learning about the meeting of two stately queens in 1967.  Early in the morning of Sept. 25, when the retiring Queen Mary, making her final trans-Atlantic voyage in the Cunard Service, passed her sister ship – the original Queen Elizabeth. Between 1947 and 1967 the two majestic ocean liners crisscrossed the Atlantic Ocean dozens of times, but this time was special. As the two historic Queens closed in on each other, both captains stood at the bridge in attention while the mighty whistle of each ship pierced through the autumn air. Realizing they Long before GPS, these tools of navigation guided Queen Mary. were witnessing history and an end of an era, they stood and saluted. That cold September morning on the Atlantic Ocean would be the final time the two beloved ships would cross paths, before the Queen Mary was permanently docked in Long Beach where we had the good fortune to visit her! To make a reservation or book a tour or meal, go to www.queenmary.com Bob & Sue Hulbert join Cookie and Keller aboard the grand Queen Mary. COMING UP : Renting a car abroad can be daunting, but it can also offer joys, excitement and a unique, personalized way to see the country. A few tips can help you  navigate. Remember to explore, learn, live and check us out weekends and Wednesdays at: www.whereiscookie.com

HISTORIC MEETING AS QUEEN MARY WELCOMES HER 'NIECE,' QUEEN ELIZABETH Cunard's majestic Queen Elizabeth sailed into Long Beach Harbor and spent the day, next to the venerable Queen Mary. The Queen Mary has been retired from the seas since 1967 but still draws a million and one-half visitors annually. STORY BY CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER IT WAS A GLORIOUS  meeting!  Two queens -- one elderly, the other a fairly new kid on the royal block -- were side by side for a day in the harbor at Long Beach, California. It was a Cunard family reunion with a cast of thousands -- dignitaries and local ship lovers. The 80-year old Queen Mary -- stationed in Long Beach, Calif., greeted her much younger niece with fireworks, live music, speeches, champagne and tours of both queens. THE JOYFUL  occasion marked the opening of an extraordinary ship's model museum aboard Queen Mary, and the launch of an ambitious museum project to be housed in Queen Mary's former engine rooms and adjacent spaces. Dignitaries at the ribbon cutting of Queen Mary's Ship Model Gallery included Richard Meadows, left, CTC and Cunard president, and Bernadette Grenne, Britain's deputy consul general to Los Angeles. Commodore Everette Hoard of the Queen Mary, is far right. A major museum is planned. QUEEN MARY , built in 1935 and considered the grandest ocean liner ever designed at her 1936 launch, has a noble history and is still much loved. She's been anchored in Long Beach since 1967 when she retired from the seas and Long Beach bought her. Every decade or so, another Cunard vessel does a "sail by," giving a "floating salute" while passing, but not actually pulling into shore. This time -- a first in history -- a modern Cunard liner docked next to the Queen Mary and spent the day. QUEEN ELIZABETH,  launched in 2010 ,  paid her respects while on a world tour, allowing her passengers to disembark and tour Queen Mary.  In turn, a few lucky writers and photographers staying in Queen Mary's hotel -- were invited to tour Queen Elizabeth. Queen Elizabeth sailed out of Long Beach Harbor with a glorious fireworks display, bagpipe serenade, a jazz band, cocktails and speeches. Queen Mary Commodore Hoard toasted her and his vessel with "Long Live the Queens." The royal visit honored the Queen Mary's remarkable service as a World War II troopship, a makeover which endeared her to the western world and helped the Allies win the war. Many of England's best known personalities -- from Sir Winston Churchill to Noel Coward --  traveled on Queen Mary, along with American luminaries -- Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Loretta Young and many other celebrities. IN MODERN  times, Cunard's Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth sail the seas under the Cunard banner continuing the "grand voyage" tradition, exploring islands, exotic countries and world capitals, reminding travelers old and young of the grand days of ocean liner luxury and crossings that offered the best of everything. Commodore Everette Hoard greeted Cookie, Keller and  thousands of others to celebrate Cunard's 175th year and Queen Mary's impressive Model Gallery with a spectacular Queen Mary model crafted from a single mahogany log. When two "queens" meet on the water, it's always a grand occasion, especially when they'll both be docked. Long Beach rolled out the red carpet and the Queen Mary offered free admission, an offer thousands of locals took advantage of. Click the link below to READ WHAT PEOPLE AS SAYING ABOUT 'LILIAN'S LAST DANCE ' SO WE AROSE   at 4:30 a.m. -- in complete dark and thick fog -- to bundle up, grab coffees and head for the deck to listen for Queen Elizabeth's horn. Queen Mary's gregarious commodore, Everette Hoard, was up at 2 a.m. to join the pilot boat in welcoming the Queen Elizabeth into the harbor.  He was the true star of the day-long show, greeting Queen Elizabeth brass and welcoming her world-cruise guests aboard "his" Queen Mary.  In turn, the Queen Elizabeth's captain came aboard to admire the model gallery and welcomed a few to tour the visiting vessel. Hoard officiated at an elaborate sail-out salute to Queen Elizabeth, from a vantage point on his beloved Queen Mary. A grand stairway on the Queen Elizabeth features an elaborate wood marquetry panel. UP NEXT : Come aboard with us for an afternoon on the renowned Queen Elizabeth.  The Cunard ship offers beautiful woodwork, elegant tapestries, traditional English tea, an inviting pool, and an array of stylish salons, dining rooms and a grand theater space.  All the detail makes this Cunard liner world famous. Look for travel, cruising, hotel and adventure stories as we explore the world Wednesdays at www.whereiscookie. For theater, movies and literature features, www.lilianslastdance   updates you on the arts as well as tours and readings for our new novel, "Lilian's Last Dance," soon out on paperback. Remember to explore, learn and live! Carpe diem! That's the word.

LANGHAM HOTEL DOWN UNDER PERSONIFIES EXCELLENCE, UNDERSTATEMENT, LOCATION View at dusk from our Langham bedroom yields the splendid Yarra River, train station, cathedral and Federation Square. Stately St. Paul's Cathedral and lively Federation Square make a fascinating, well integrated pair in Melbourne.  STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER YOU MIGHT  not remember that you asked your waiter for a cup of mint tea, to point you calmly toward dream land before you hit the sack. Perhaps you don't recall that you put a sprinkle of cinnamon on your morning cappuccino. Beautiful teas and sweets are part of the presentation at Melbourne's legendary Langham Hotel. But a good waiter watches, remembers! If you enjoy your white wine with a single ice cube, you'll get that! If you like your slippers by the bed, or nightie on the pillow, the housekeeper will make it happen.  The staff in a fine hotel knows these things and offers service with gracious ease. Superb service comes with training, practice and cultivation of "people skills." The Langham folks like what they do.  THE LANGHAM personnel of Melbourne, Australia, knew and remembered our names, greeted us with sincerity and smiles, and went beyond the call to make our stay a highlight of a seven-week trip. Federation Square, affectionately known as "The Fed," is a lively, dramatic centerpiece of Melbourne life, and a fascinating place to spend time. Our memorable visit to the much heralded Langham proved that splendid service is alive and flourishing Down Under. The Melbourne landmark is a shining star in a distinguished international hotel group, ranked a top hotel worldwide.  It distinguishes itself from the moment one enters the lobby. We enjoyed a refreshing cocktail as we completed registration then were shown to our beautifully appointed room and champagne. We toasted vistas inside and out. MELBOURNE'S  Yarra River and the impressive Melbourne skyline were bathed in a coral and blue sunset from the Langham's prime location. We loved being A lovely Langham bedroom -- with fine  art, plants and a river view.  a stone's throw from the city's cutting edge art scene, and its beautiful Federation Square. "The Fed" is a progressive mixed- >>>JUMP TO LILIAN'S LAST DANCE click here<<< use development on three "prime space" hectares, with two well loved public spaces and a huge screen for broadcasting sports and cultural events. We enjoyed a boys' choir The Langham, with its distinctive golden "L" symbol, awash in evening lights. concert, broadcast from the nearby arts center. Tourists and locals alike relaxed on comfy lawn chairs as the emcee asked, "Can you hear us there at The Fed?" (Cheers, bravos, applause.) Sweet treats -- the Langham club lounge offers breakfast fruits, afternoon pastries. DURING OUR  five "Langham Camelot days," as we dubbed our stay, we watched life unfold at Federation Square, took several short cruises on the Yarra and strolled Flinders Street, Swanston Street and St. Kilda Road, all well known arteries in Melbourne's central business district. A 1997 architectural competition resulted in construction of "Fed Square," now known throughout the southern hemisphere for its grace, boldness and multitude of uses -- shops, bars, restaurants, meeting place, concert hall. The iconic Flinders Street Station, opened in 1909, with its golden facade and arched entrance, is a work of art.  Bold, modern "Fed" Square, originally controversial, now stands proudly across from St. Paul's Cathedral: Square and church happy, integrated. WHAT A TREAT  to return to the Langham, with its lovely lights and welcoming "L" -- plus vintage pink auto out front, emphasizing the Langham's penchant for pastels. The hotel is a sanctuary nestled on Melbourne's stylish Southbank Promenade. From dining at Melba -- named after the famed Melbourne-born opera diva -- to cocktails at Aria Lounge, the Langham oozes artful style.  We didn't sample the fitness center, nor Chuan Spa. But friends from Germany and Japan reported the hotel's holistic wellness sanctuary's massage and facials use traditional Chinese medicine principles. We did try the Langham's 15-meter indoor pool -- when we weren't frolicking lively Melbourne's streets or luxuriating in our river-view room! MORE COMING: Train travel in Australia and New Zealand is an art. We continue the whereiscookie.com travel and cruise tradition each Wednesday. Look for the arts and literature on weekends at   www.lilianslastdance.com .  Remember to explore, learn and live!

One of San Diego's most versatile actors, Rosina Reynolds, plays a neuroscientist who has created a non-biological being. Talented actor Nick Cagle plays the creation "born" over the course of the play. The production is excellent in all aspects. 'UNCANNY VALLEY' POSES THOUGHTFUL QUESTIONS ABOUT ROBOT TECHNOLOGY AND ITS PHILOSOPHICAL IMPLICATIONS The Lyceum is the attractive down town home of San Diego Repertory Theatre. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER  and SD Rep Marketing: Scatena Daniels/Daren Scott PUSHING THE ENVELOPE  yet again -- as we've come to expect -- San Diego Repertory Theatre has mounted a provocative, "must see," thinking person's gem. "Uncanny Valley" offers riches on many levels -- in language, ideas, acting, staging and theatricality. Actor Nick Cagle plays the role of Julian, transformed in the course of "Uncanny Valley," San Diego Repertory Theatre's world premiere. It's a clever, even profound, play about possibilities and the "what ifs" of technology -- as in, "What if in a few short decades, it could be possible to manufacture a human looking robot who actually seemed to have feelings -- regret, anger, compassion and much of the baggage that goes with the human condition. A creation who stares back at its creator. THE BRILLIANT  two-person play is directed by Jessica Bird and written by Thomas Gibbons. It's in one long 92-minute act with no intermission, which adds to the intensity as the plot builds and the two characters come to their final meeting, conflict and resolution. San Diego Repertory Theatre presents "Uncanny Valley" through May 10. It's a thinking man's drama, rich in language and the possibilities of technology.  THE EVENING  we saw the production -- on a Wednesday -- the audience was quietly fascinated as the neuroscientist named Claire begins the process of studying and developing her latest "invention."  In a sense,  he is her child -- and in a smart side-plot, we learn that her actual biological offspring has not spoken to her or her husband for many years. 'Lilian's Last Dance' book tour gears up for summer, click here (Physician, heal thyself.) CLAIRE'S FAMILY'S  dysfunction is paralleled with the evolution of Julian, the non-biological being who, it evolves, is the product of a billionaire's vanity and desire to live forever. Many questions are posed by the playwright, and in a nuanced performance, the always shining  Reynolds delivers a complex character, shaped by her professional drive and her personal anguish. A toast to another brilliant Rep show. Cagle brings a subtle finesse to his character, and the two work together like perfectly matched bookends on an artful set. Don't miss this wonderful production -- and prepare yourself for another ambitious, thought provoking season as the Rep moves into its 40th season under the expert guidance of founder Sam Woodhouse. Go to www.sdrep.org  -- and prepare to be fascinated. Then lift a glass to San Diego Rep. CATCH US WEDNESDAYS AND WEEKENDS  @ www.whereiscookie.com  and enjoy, live and learn!

TOUCHING PLAY WITH FINE ACTING, A COMIC EDGE AND A TOE-TAPPING TRIO TO SET THE MOOD Manny Fernandes and Carla Harting square off and eventually admit their attraction in a winning play at San Diego Rep. From left, Richard Tibbets, Jim Mooney and Alicia Previn set the tone for "Outside Mullingar," a lyrical tale of family, loyalty, pride and love.  The pastoral pull of Ireland's countryside comes inside with "Outside Mullingar," San Diego Rep's first-rate production.  STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and courtesy San Diego Rep  YOU SUSPECT  you're in for a treat from the moment you enter the Lyceum Theatre in downtown San Diego's Horton Plaza. A spirited trio cuts loose with an on-stage jig, and soon the audience is tapping its toes to jaunty violin, guitar and flute tunes. Only the Irish (or Irish at heart) can convey the joyous melancholy of Celtic music. Alicia Previn's lively fiddle and winning smile show she's having fun and set the mood for "Outside Mullingar," with Richard Tibbits on flute and Jim Mooney on guitar. The audience sings along with “Wild Rover” before the action begins, so we're involved from the start. PLAYWRIGHT  Patrick Shanley  knows small town Ireland -- he's born and bred there, and understands the petty and large-hearted nature of country folk.  He nails the Irish gift for candor, through self-deprecation, humor and snap judgment. Through Shanley's fine ear for the cadence of Irish speech, the engaging story unfolds. The Lyceum in Horton Plaza is home to San Diego Repertory Theatre. 'Outside Mullingar' plays my native Montana, too! WITH HALF  of my lineage tracing to the Emerald Isle, I was mesmerized. I've hiked the countryside near Mullingar where we've photographed its gentle hills and grazing critters. These characters are as real as the pastoral landscape -- viewed over a cuppa, admiring a stone fence. A rustic farmhouse kitchen designed by Giulio Perrone brings the rising damp right in -- with stone and hide and tree trunks incorporated into the furniture and lovely nature imagery projected between scenes. The banter between real-life husband and wife team Mike Genovese and Ellen Crawford  is a treat to listen to. The two play aging farm neighbors.  TWO LONELY  offspring -- each caring for an elderly parent on adjacent farms not far from Dublin -- are sparring, as they've done since childhood. Grace Delaney’s adept dialect coaching pays off as four fine actors banter, judge and show Will they find true love? Manny Fernandes, Carla Harting. their stuff. We meet a cranky old farmer Tony Reilly (Mike Genovese) who announces to his son Anthony (Manny Fernandes) that he will not be leaving him the farm. In the old man's eyes, Tony is not a true Reilly -- resembling too much his mother's clan and temperament. Sure he’s worked the land his entire life, but he doesn’t “love it” like his father. MOTHER AND  daughter Aolfe and Rosemary Muldoon (Ellen Crawford and Carla Harting) show up, and join the men in generational kvetching, neighborly barbs and unsolicited criticism. The "children," 40-something Anthony and Rosemary, have known one another all their lives. Neither has married. We're cheering them on, despite a complex history, for they obviously have a fondness for one another. ONCE THE  parents pass, we reach the romance part, with Shanley taking his sweet Irish time. The story unfolds leisurely -- like time in a pub on a rainy night. Lacing the story with wry wit and sarcastic humor for which my people are known, Shanley brings a rural comedy-drama to our doorstep with universal themes: loneliness, pride,  forgiveness and love. Surely Shanley, of the riveting Pulitzer Prize winning "Doubt," and wonderful film, "Moonstruck," would approve of Todd Salovey's deft direction. All four principles are terrific, prompting tearful sighs and bursts of laughter.   TREAT YOURSELF, and your 10 best friends, your mum, da, sibling or beau. It's held over through Feb. 21 at San Diego Rep. And if you're near Billings, Montana, my "hometown playhouse," Billings Studio Theatre, has "Outside Mullingar" on tap through Feb. 13. www.sandiegorep.org www.billingsstudiotheatre.com/ Catalina Island's famed Casino is a marvel to behold -- up next here! UP NEXT:  The famed Catalina Casino on the island of Santa Catalina, is not a casino as we've come to know it, but a gathering place, as per the original definition. With a fantastic organ concert, to boot. Come with us to this historic, one-of-a-kind theater and museum, long a party place, concert and celebration venue on California's only island paradise, Santa Catalina.  The Wrigley fortune built it more than 90 years ago and it is beloved by natives and tourists. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekends and as the spirit moves: www.whereiscookie.com

A flurry of birds is caught in motion at a feeder at High Chaparral on the West Fork of the Stillwater River in Montana .       Story by Christene Meyers      Photos by Bruce Keller       AS LONG  as I can recall, birds have flitted around me, delighting and entrancing. In the mountains of Montana, the countryside of Tuscany, hiking trails in Ireland and Scotland, desert treks in Arizona, rain forests in Costa Rica, Peru and Brazil, I've always stopped to look, admire and appreciate them.      I don't pretend to be a specialist, or as knowledgeable as many of my cousins -- particularly Betty, who is internationally known for her birding accomplishments and knowledge.      But I enjoy. I savor. I am grateful that these creatures with an ancient past still visit our modern world. The Cosgriffe clan has a special connection to the chickadee, here painted by Misha Minesinger.     BIRDS ARE as much a  part of my life as the dogs, flowers and family who befriend me and buoy my spirits. They are a grounding, steady presence in my life.      Birds can take our breath away with their extraordinary beauty, their nesting instincts, their eating habits, parenting skills and their intricate "homes." I've admired bird condos in the cactus on the Arizona desert, and birdie single-residence dwellings in the hills of Ohio, the California and Oregon coasts and my native Montana woods.   This hummingbird's wings can be seen in the blur of motion as he readies to take a drink of syrup.        This woodpecker finds tiny bits of food in a telephone pole or tree trunk in the Montana countryside.   I've watched the faithful chickadee take a single sunflower seed in a Big Sky snowstorm and patiently crack it on a branch, munch, then daintily take another.  The chickadee was my mother Ellen's favorite bird and my sister Misha made me a gorgeous painting of this  beautiful bird.  His black and white uniform blends in snow or trees, and is his constant formal dress.     I've watched the sparrows and finches converge, a dozen on a single feeder, batting their wings for balance, to keep their place at the food trough. I've been visited three years running by the same stellar's jay, who last spring took a snack of nuts from my hand.     I'VE BEEN  thrilled to observe migrating grosbeaks and orioles, have admired nuthatches and towhees. I like to think that the hummingbirds I'm watching now in La Jolla will follow me north to the Rockies when I go to Montana to spend summertime.     In Phoenix, the cactus wrens and flickers vied for space in the saguaro out my back door.  And when a group of African parakeets descended -- in green and pink glory -- I photographed them so cousin Betty could help me identify them.  She surmised, after some enthusiastic detective work, that they were descendants of escaped "pet" birds who tripped their cages to breed into the hundreds in the Phoenix area and parts of southern California. Tropical birds fascinate, like this parrot in the Canary Islands.  My grandpa Gus had a friend named Tom who loved his pet  parrot.  He claimed Lucy was nearly 80.  The two old pals taught her to say, "Where you going, you sonofabitch?" to customers at granddad's lumber yard.      Here in San Diego, we see pelicans, egrets, herons, seagulls and hawks daily.   I recognize delicate yellow and black canaries and the same red house finches that I see in Montana.       I'VE COUNTED  four varieties of hummers here in California, one more than I've logged in Montana.    On the Amazon, I've been surrounded by a cloud of blue and yellow macaws. And I've been lulled to sleep by the sweet "who-who," of the barn owl who hangs out at High Chaparral.    A trio of pelicans takes sun and does some grooming not far from us in the Children's Pool in La Jolla, California.       I'm far from a bird nerd -- I don't have expensive binoculars or designer bird-watching togs.  But I keep my eyes wide open for my feathered friends, including the much maligned crows, who can tell individual humans apart.  And right up there with the chickadee -- in the Cookie pecking order, pardon the pun -- is the magpie.  I see them daily on my way to exercise in Montana.  I respect these clever, persistent birds, for their endurance.  Are they the coyotes of the bird world?     FINALLY, t he turkeys.  They come tentatively into my Montana yard, three, then four, then eleven, gaining courage in numbers as they sweep in to feast on the spills from the bird feeders. They cover the territory, checking out the lawn for  fallen bits of barbecue, sandwich, granola or the treasure of a discarded apple core.      Both of my grans loved birds and I thank Olive and Annie for turning me, my siblings and many cousins, into lifelong aficionados. A stately egret eyes his photographer, Bruce Keller, in the waters of San Diego Bay.      One spring morning back in the 1950s, Gran Olive rescued a fledgling robin, fallen from his precarious perch about the same time her large tabby cat, Taffy, rounded the corner.  It was a race for the bird and Gran won.  We tried to set him back on the branch, hoping his mother would return.  But as night fell, the bird grew quiet and seemed to be giving up. So we brought him inside, made him a bed of fine leaves and grass, and put two lit flashlights on either end to keep warmth in the shoe box.  For nearly two weeks, we kept him alive and watched him grow, nourished by tiny pieces of worm delivered to his mouth with tweezers, drops of milk and water, ants and a couple flies.       Saturday morning, the bird's second weekend with us, I was allowed to carry the box outside for his release.  We had moved it closer to the sun and door each day, in preparation for the happy exodus. He was moving about, flapping his wings.        GRAN PLACED him in my hands.  We both stroked him gently with our pinky fingers. "Be well, little bird," gran whispered. "Fly high, stay safe." She nodded for me to lift my hands up.  The robin looked at us, took a large breath and flew off -- I felt his tiny wings meet the air for a moment. Then he disappeared into the trees and life on his own! I'm hoping his descendants are keeping an eye on me today.  Let's let Keller's magnificent photos round out my tale of appreciation. The Sistine Chapel and the Vatican will be crowded with worshippers soon. COMING SATURDAY : Easter approaches, with all eyes on the Vatican and the Pope, so we take a look at the cathedrals, ports, countryside and other charms of Italy, a country we both love.  Please share this website with like-minded folks:  whereiscookie.com Remember to enjoy , learn and live and   watch for a new post each Friday as we deliver our spin on travel, the arts, family and nature.

RED LODGE'S OLDEST HOTEL IS CITY'S GRAND DAME DOWNTOWN Snow can come to Red Lodge in summer -- but usually doesn't stay down long. But the Pollard is a hotel for all seasons --  stately and beautiful rain or shine, summer, spring, winter or fall. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER IT'S HARD FOR ME  to drive through Red Lodge without at least stopping by The Pollard for a glass of wine in the Pub or a stroll through the artfully appointed lobby to take a few moments of calm in the much loved History Room. THE POLLARD  is as much a part of the landscape of Red Lodge as is the main street, North Broadway,  itself. The Red Lodge main street is always lovely in summer, with baskets of hanging flowers, a clean street and lovely brick facades. An institution since 1893, the meticulously restored hotel combines gracious lodging with fine dining and an atmosphere both elegant and reflective of its western setting. A RECENT  visit found us enjoying a blues guitarist in the Pollard's Pub. Besides a pleasant mix of music for many tastes, one may enjoy appetizers with a western flair.  The variety of music provided by the congenial Pub ranges from classic, old-time rock and roll to country western, ballads and folk music, and an original and appealing Belgian country- folk musician. Illustrating the Pollard's broad range of offerings is Barnabe Deliens, Belgian country folk musician, on July 28, and the always popular Jeff Troxel and Trevor Krieger playing a folk and Americana mix, July 31. Members of the Billings Symphony are performing Wednesday, Aug. 19, at 7 p.m. Calming colors, highly polished wood and muted lighting welcome guests. THE POLLARD'S  colorful and rich hosting history includes entertaining guests such as Buffalo Bill Cody, and a century of dignitaries, authors, actors and other celebrities.  Calamity Jane is said to have made a lively entrance in the graciously appointed lobby then taken a meal in the restaurant. The dining room is the place for an elegant meal, and the lamb chops with feta and oregano seasoning are first class.  Perfectly done pasta, succulent rib eye and tasty shrimp round out the menu, with a small but superb selection of appetizers -- the crispy and nicely spiced calamari remains my personal favorite. The Pollard's rooms are both comfy and attractive, with amenities one expects in a fine hotel.  Sunday brunch at the Pollard is a Red Lodge tradition. It's a great way to begin a day trip -- whether you're a local or visitor -- since Billings is only an hour away -- and the glories of Yellowstone Park are a pleasant few hours' drive through Cooke City and the Northeast entrance. COMING UP : Juliana  Stevens has a "jammin' " rock and art shop in Columbus. A former social worker with an eye for agates and other art, walked by a space for rent in Columbus, Montana, three years ago.  The result: Juliana's Jammin' Art & Rock Shop in Columbus, Montana. Find out how Julianna Stevens made the journey from counseling to jams, jewelry and art, in a shop with soul. Remember to explore, learn and live, and for a fresh spin on travel, the arts, road trips and the natural world, catch us Wednesdays and weekends at: www.whereiscookie.com

Actor Ron Campbell gives a brilliant performance as R. Buckminster Fuller in "The History (and Mystery) of the Universe" at San Diego Repertory Theatre.  'HISTORY, MYSTERY OF THE UNIVERSE' GLITTERS:  A STAR-SPANGLED, BEAUTIFULLY ACTED, THEATRICAL WORK The real Buckminster Fuller by his famous geodesic dome. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and courtesy San Diego Rep and Scatena Daniels FASTEN YOUR  seat belts, and prepare for a wild, wonderful ride. You're aboard "Space Ship Bucky" for a thrilling time at the theater. San Diego Repertory Theatre's current production about the life of R. Buckminster Fuller is exhilarating.  In fact, it is one of the best we've seen in our decade-plus of supporting the Rep, a jewel in our city's theatrical crown. Cookie, top left, and niece Amarylla Ganner, San Francisco, joined Atlantan Misha Minesinger, front left, Bruce Keller, born in San Diego, and Olivia Cosgriffe, of Billings, Mont. All five enjoyed the brilliant production by San Diego Rep. A magnificent performance by Ron Campbell conveys the energy and intelligence of one of the 20th Century's great thinkers. The play is titled "R. Buckminster Fuller: The History (and Mystery) of the Universe." Don't miss it. Our theater loving clan made the show a family affair. Five of us from four U.S. cities gave ten thumbs up to this stimulating, touching and thought-provoking production. IN CONVERSATIONAL  style -- making us yearn for more -- Campbell signs us on as his crew on “Spaceship Earth.” Together, we speed through the Universe with “captain Bucky” ever in command. The life of this remarkable thinker offers a surprising and engaging journey which includes a confessional.  We learn that Bucky once drank heavily and even contemplated suicide.  As we travel with him, warts and all, we see his brilliance unfold and ripple -- resulting in an immediate standing ovation at our weekend performance. Bucky was called “the Leonardo da Vinci of the 20th Century” and “PR Man to the Universe" and his unorthodox thinking is captured beautifully by the Rep's savvy co-founder, D. W. Jacobs, who wrote and directed the production. (And performs it from time to time.) Ron Campbell's grace on stage brings Buckminster Fuller to life.  He and actor Campbell fully inhabit Fuller's wondrous mind and imagination, in a script laced with wit and passion. One moment we're laughing and the next wiping tears. RENAISSANCE MAN  -- engineer, architect, futurist, inventor, teacher, philosopher, environmentalist, poet -- Bucky even sings a few snippets as channeled by Campbell.  The actor rushes the tempos a bit, but having Bucky sing is a charming touch and shows the tender and sentimental side of a man who died in 1983, just shy of his 88th birthday. Bucky was a truly global thinker, decades ahead of his time, warning us years ago that Spaceship Earth is in danger. We understand his concerns because we're taught by a captivating teacher.  It's a pleasure to watch the graceful antics of Campbell as he explains Bucky's theories. From his use of the triangle, to exploration of the spherical geometry Bucky explored, we learn that science can be transformed into art -- and that art can teach us science. If you arrive early, sit by the Lyceum's mosaic wall and relax. PRODIGIOUS  research by writer Jacobs gives us a well rounded look at the life of this unlikely genius. We learn that crossed eyes and poor vision kept the young Fuller from seeing objects clearly. This may have encouraged Bucky's mental wanderings and fascination with nature, for he vividly recalled designs and patterns of the natural world, encountered in summers on Bear Island in Maine. (He was born in Massachusetts and died in Los Angeles.) Humor and pathos pepper the script as we learn that Fuller graduated from Milton Academy in 1913, worked at a cotton mill and meat packing plant, attended Harvard University, traveled, explored, pondered, thought outside the box. He was expelled from Harvard, after he skipped an exam to date a New York show girl, using tuition money to treat her and her chorus line friends to dinner. He suffered the loss of a much loved daughter but enjoyed a long, loyal marriage. With each setback, Bucky got back on the horse -- to benefit humanity. The work premiered at the Rep in 2000. Its return is held over through April 10, to give regional audiences a chance to see the brilliant Campbell. His mime skills and acting breadth shine through -- for he's been both a star clown for Cirque de Soliel and a leading classical actor of national repute. Kudos to both Campbell and playwright Jacobs.   BOOK 'BUCKY' CLICK HERE A pink chocolate slipper with truffles personifies the Langham's pink theme; the motif carries through in Langhams internationally, here in Langham Hong Kong's delightful welcome gift. UP NEXT : We recently discovered a hotel that elevates "five-star" to a new tier. This hotel truly goes beyond as we discovered in the wondrous Langham Hong Kong. But what makes a truly grand hotel? Fine, understated service, beautifully appointed public areas, luxurious bedding, artful private room furnishings and thoughtful amenities. Plus, in this case, an edible pink slipper filled with truffles. So one can have her candy and eat it, too! This lovely hotel moves into our "ten best" lifetime list. Find out why next time at  whereiscookie.com . Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us Fridays when we post for the weekend.

BEAUTIFUL 'BUTTERFLIES' prompts look at what makes great theater Fabulous acting, subtle direction and a wonderfully rich story make "In the Time of the Butterflies" a class act. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS FILE PHOTO and BRUCE KELLER PHOTO IF YOU'VE  seen a play that moved you to tears, a play that you couldn't stop thinking about, you've been "socked in the kisser by art." The San Diego Repertory Theater is producing a fabulous play, "In the Time of the Butterflies," a lyrical theatrical experience at the Lyceum.  That was my grandmother Olive's expression for a play or concert that stayed with her for hours, days, weeks and years. I've been thinking of that saying since seeing a wonderful play, "In the Time of the Butterflies" Sunday. The current production of San Diego Repertory Theatre has beauty, poetry and staying power. LIKE ALL  good art -- a painting, symphony, poem or piece of sculpture -- it lures its audience back again and again. Find out more about this moving production about sisters, loyalty and political turmoil, on the boards at Horton Plaza until Jan. 26. ( sdrep.org ) Don't miss it. MORE ABOUT  "BUTTERFLIES" and San Diego's fertile theater environment tomorrow. And we'll talk more about the "art, sex and revolution" theme at the Rep. We post every Wednesday and Saturday at:   www.whereiscookie.com