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The colorful Lyceum Theatre houses San Diego Rep in Horton Plaza. A PLAY-LOVER'S BRAVO! SALUTING  FOUR RRIFIC  SAN DIEGO COMPANIES     STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS ART By BRUCE KELLER & THEATER COMPANIES SAN DIEGO'S  year-round growing season produces more than lush landscaping.  Our city offers a lively and varied theater crop. San Diego theater can't be beat for quality and diversity. I spend time in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Cleveland, Atlanta, St. Louis, San Francisco and other cities. All have proud acting companies and lively theater. Herb Siguenza plays Trujillo and others. Yet survey the dramatic riches here in San Diego. Then book your tickets: AT SAN DIEGO  Repertory Theater, one may engage the mind through Jan. 26 in a lyrical, thought-provoking production, "In the Time of the Butterflies." Based on the true story of four remarkable sisters who challenged Generalissmo Rafael Trujillo, it is set in a 25-year period in the Dominican Republic. The title comes from their code name, "butterflies," and the play is based on the popular Latin American novel. Fabulous acting -- and background singing -- bring a true story of sisterhood, loyalty and courage to life courtesy San Diego Rep. ADAPTED  by Caridad Svich, the play dances back and forth in time, establishing the bonds and differences of the four sisters.  One sister, Dede, is played by two actors: the "present day" Dede, who narrates the story and explains its importance, and the young Dede, played by Sandra Ruiz, who also plays an American writer. Catalina Maynard, elegant and touching as the older Dede, is surrounded by equal talent in Jacqueline Grace Lopez as Minerva, Elisa Gonzales as Patria and Maritxell Carrero as Maria Teresa. The brilliant Herbert Siguenza, who co-directed the piece, plays multiple parts with his characteristic authenticity and style. LaJolla Playhouse offers quality, in stately buildings and grounds. A HAUNTING VIOLIN  played by Batya MacAdam-Somer brings this work of memory and activism to life, locking the images in our hearts. The play embodies artistic director Sam Woodhouse's pledge, to honor "acts of courage, creativity and out of the box imagination." Fittingly, the run is dedicated to the memory of another great activist, Nelson Mandela. Do yourself a favor and see this tale of love and bravery. Emily Padgett, left, and Erin Davie, played Daisy and Violet Hilton in a bravura LJP show.  Kudos to adventuresome Woodhouse, Rep co-founder, who brings us cutting edge work, always intriguing. And to Todd Salovey, who co-directed the play and brings us the lively Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival, about which we've written here. AT LAJOLLA PLAYHOUSE , Cygnet and North Coast Repertory Theater, productions also continue to challenge, engage and entertain. "Maple and Vine" is on stage at Cygnet. At La Jolla Playhouse, one of the most beautifully produced pieces I've seen in my six years of frequenting San Diego theater was "Side Show," a "reimagined" musical story of conjoined twins, Daisy and Violet Hilton.   Actors Emily Padgett and Erin Davie were knock-outs in the two leads. I'd seen the play during its too brief Broadway run in 1997 and delighted in its reincarnation. Fantastic supporting cast players and an enthralling carnival atmosphere prevailed. Seasoned director Bill Condon brought us my best holiday gift with this energetic and moving production -- top talent, great storyline and terrific song and dance. CYGNET  Theatre's "Maple and Vine" is on the boards in Old Town, described as "a darkly appealing fairy "Who Am I This Time?" is on the boards at North Coast Rep.  tale" about 21st-Century lives, new neighbors and the concept of happiness. And North Coast Repertory Theater, in Solana Beach, is presenting "Who Am I This Time?" based on short stories about relationships by Kurt Vonnegut. IF YOU'RE within walking, driving, or flying distance, support theater. There's no finer artistic stimulation and San Diego has riches galore! Don't overlook the Old Globe and Civic Theater for a wide range of quality performance -- Shakespeare to Broadway tours. And for daring, nuance, originality and variety, check out San Diego Rep, La Jolla Playhouse, North Coast Rep and Cygnet. sdrep.org ; cygnettheatre.com ; lajoyyaplayhouse.org ; northcoastrep.org Space is at a premium for actors and dancers performing on cruise ships. COMING SOON:  How does a cruise ship produce full-scale Broadway shows, in limited space and while moving across oceans? Come back stage on Serenade of the Seas. *Enjoy New Orleans jazz on the authentic steamboat Natchez. *Glean tips on renting a car abroad. *Bask in the white-washed glories of one of the world's oldest ports, Cadiz, and more. At: www.whereiscookie.com We post Saturdays and Wednesdays and as the spirit and siren song move. Thanks for spreading the word!

The Ashland Springs Hotel holds center stage on Main Street.     Writing by Christene Meyers    Photos by Bruce Keller        One of my favorite William Holden movies is "Shangri-la."  It's set in a Utopian village in the Himalayas and director Frank Capra captures beautiful mountains, soothing forests and low-hanging clouds that seem to say "touch me, come in, enjoy." It is a magical place.      Shangri-la lives! The hotel's gracious lobby is artfully decorated in the style of a European boutique hotel .      Not in Tibet, but in Ashland, Oregon.      This charming mountain town in southern Oregon has worked its way into my heart for a half-century and has wooed hundreds of thousands of others from around the United States and the world.      World class theater is its strong suit, but not its only enticement. For Ashland really has everything one needs for a varied, restful yet exciting escape.      Its unique blend of sophistication and earthy appeal, of town and gown, city and country, soothing and exciting render it a jewel of America and the globe.      Chief among its pleasures is the world renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival, founded by an enterprising Scotsman who called the Rogue Valley home.      In 1934, Angus Bowmer devised a way for the town's popular boxing matches to fund his deeper passion, the theater. He dreamed that Ashland could support live theater -- first rate productions.  He was right. Even before the trees leaf out, Ashland is a picturesque place. From his ambitious idea grew the festival, which celebrates the dramatic arts annually with a roster of classic works by the Bard, much loved musicals always with a spin, and new, thought-provoking works by playwrights from around the world. Except for a couple of WWII  years, Ashland has offered a knock-out roster of intriguing work, acted by top performers and musicians with a annual following in the tens of thousands.       Most people do what my family and friends have done for years: check into a good hotel, stroll to the festival box office to pick up tickets, make a reservation for dinner (a tough choice in delectable Ashland; more about that on Saturday!) and begin savoring this magnificent year-round destination, just 15 miles north of the California border.       Ashland is fun for a long weekend but there's plenty to do for a full week or more.  We try to tie it in with a visit to either Portland or San Francisco (it is half-way between).  This trip we stayed six days, seeing all the fabulous works on the boards at OSF's trio of theaters and topping it off with an evening at Oregon Cabaret Theatre. "Five Guys Named Moe" one of the hits at Oregon Cabaret Theatre.      Although the pear trees are soon to blossom and the hyacinth and primroses are in bloom, it's still "winter" here (all of that is relative  to this native Montanan!).  That means that the Elizabethan Stage is not yet offering plays since it is open-air.  It will be in its full glory in June, when OSF will offer "Cymbeline," "The Heart of Robin Hood" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream."  Several other productions, including "A Streetcar Named Desire" open at the Thomas and Bowmer making a total roster of 11. To see the entire February-October docket, one must visit Ashland twice! Intermission at the evening show at OSF's Bowmer Theatre.      That's the good news (and there is no bad!) "My Fair Lady" is one of the best productions of a musical I've seen anywhere (and that includes Broadway and London's West End.)  I've seen it a dozen times, from the Julie Andrews-Rex Harrison version, and can't praise this rendition enough.  Two pianos take center stage and the gifted musicians interact with the company, whose costumes hang around the set. What an intriguing and novel way to give a beloved old standard some new clothes!  This piano player loved, loved, loved it.       "King Lear" is brilliantly acted in the smaller Thomas Theatre (formerly the New Theater, which replaced the cherished old Black Swan).  "Two Trains Running" pays tribute to August Wilson's insightful script with a talented cast and eye-catching set.  And "The Taming of the Shrew" is set on a Boardwalk with a Coney Island motif.  It's such fun and so sharply directed that you will want to see it more than once.  It's got a rock-and-roll sound, actors both supple and sly and a sense of fun that brought the audience to its feet. Three cheers to artistic director Bill Rauch and "Shrew" director David Ivers for putting a fresh spin on a glorious chestnut and OSF tradition. www.osfashland.org      Ah, the delights. Besides the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland has dozens of other gems in its weighty crown. Here are three with the most sparkle: Nick and Nora enjoy the dog friendly Ashland Springs Hotel. * The Ashland Springs Hotel, a beautiful boutique hotel, reborn from decay and neglect.  The former Mark Anthony had grown tawdry but was lovingly resurrected to its 1925 glory.  The credit goes to an ambitious Ashland-and-history-loving couple who took pains with the 70 handsomely appointed guest rooms, elegant lobby and stunning public gathering places. Once the tallest building between Portland and San Diego, it is the proud dowager of downtown Ashland.  I've stayed here for years, back to its days as the Mark Anthony, but it was falling to tatters by the end of the last century.  The devoted benefactors, Doug and Becky Neuman, love antiques and incorporated many in their careful restoration.  Their love for Ashland Springs Hotel shines in every detail, from the gracious antiques and beautiful fabrics to the botanical and oceanic collections which are displayed throughout the hotel.  Our Yorkies, Nick and Nora, love the dog-friendly feature. In fact, much of Ashland is a dog-friendly place, reminiscent of Carmel.  Doggies are welcome many places and you'll find water bowls on Main Street.      The Ashland Springs hotel has a talented concierge, Gigi, who can book your heart's desire at Waterstone Spa and Salon.  The front desk offers friendly desk attendants who know and love their town. Don't miss the gourmet restaurant, Larks. www.ashlandspringshotel.com Kymberli Colbourne is a fine Cline. * The Oregon Cabaret Theatre, which offers top-drawer dinner theater across from the Ashland Springs and a block north of Main Street.  The onetime Baptist Church also found a loving benefactor and we sampled the Cabaret's 28th season with "A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline."  Gladys Higgins deserves credit for saving this delightful building which literally sings with musicals and comedies to delight every taste.  Kymberli Colbourne's Patsy has heart, soul, swagger and the pipes to do justice to the legendary country singer. Cline perished in a plane crash in 1963 in the glory of her brief career.  We are Cabaret faithful's because the offerings are always well done, the food is terrific and there's a show Monday night when the Oregon Shakespeare Festival is dark! www.oregoncabaret.com Keller, Cookie, Nick and Nora enjoy Lithia Park.      * Lithia Park is a natural wonder, with equal emphasis on both words.  Natural because it is 93 acres of forested woodland, and wonder because it stretches from the downtown plaza along Ashland Creek and up towards Mt. Ashland, the creek's headwaters.  Lush trails welcome the casual stroller or determined hiker and you'll see tall fir and oak trees, squirrels and many varieties of birds, bushes and butterflies. The landscape architect of this beloved Ashland landmark was John McLaren, whose name you might recognize as the designer of San Francisco's Golden Gate Park.    For an overview of this "top 10 of small American cities" go to www.ashlandchamber.com     Plan to visit this modern day Shangri-la.      COMING SATURDAY:  Ashland's delights are too many for a single posting, especially when it comes to dining and imbibing.  Just days ago, we sampled the ninth annual Oregon Chocolate Festival. In our next piece, March 9, we take you to a deliciously decadent place where "seven days without chocolate makes one weak." The fest has ties to its host, the Ashland Springs Hotel.   Besides being based there, it is the brainstorm of the hotel's marketing director who is already planning the 10th fest for 2014. We also look at some of Ashland's great eateries and wine tastings. Sign up for automatic e-mail updates at whereiscookie.com and spread the word!

Trio of venues about relationships offers home run for buffs of the boards   San Diego's gorgeous location between sea and mountains is fertile ground for cutting edge theater. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER SAN DIEGO THEATER's March offerings are as fresh, varied and welcome as our recent weather. Translate coastal sun, imposing skyline and rejuvenating breezes to the stage. You have a hint of the pleasures awaiting theater buffs. Our theaters deliver -- from one end of San Diego to the other. A modern spin on restoration comedy, a look at an immigrant family in change and a story about neighbors all challenge and provoke, as good art should. AT NORTH  Coast Repertory Theater, "The School for Lies"  takes clever if naughty aim at the mores and hypocrisies of contemporary life. The energetic action unfolds in a 17th Century French drawing room, a la Moliere.   David Ives adapted the great Frenchman's play, "The Misanthrope," to write his contemporary work, replete with   rhyming couplets. The opening night audience was weak from laughter. Clever word play and terrific acting mark North Coast Rep's latest. San Diego Rep's  searing "Detroit" was a Pulitzer prize finalist.  A VERY DIFFERENT  look at relationships unfolds at San Diego Repertory Theater, where "Detroit" puts a new spin on the "good neighbor" ethic of our youth.  Sam Woodhouse, a Rep founder, directs the show with his usual wit and daring, in the Lyceum at Horton Plaza.  Hold on to your hat for an emotional roller coaster into suburban life. La JOLLA PLAYHOUSE's  world premiere, "The Who & the What," is a tale of family challenged by changing times, the pull of conscience, tradition and relationships. It is an elegantly written, wonderfully acted and directed piece which runs through March 9. Meera Rohit Kumbhani, Monika Jolly: "The Who and the What."  Ayah Akhtar doesn't shy from controversial issues surrounding religion, sex and culture. Fabulous acting  (here Kai Lennox and Bernard White) marks the current LaJolla Playhouse work. All three productions are imbued with humor and all encourage thoughtful discussion and contemplation. La Jolla Playhouse hosts a savvy world premiere: "The Who and The What." * La Jolla PLAYHOUSE  brings us "Chasing the Song" in May and in June, a new musical from the "Memphis" creators.  It's set in the early 1960s when American rock 'n' roll was challenged by the British invasion.  The Playhouse's artistic director directs this, as he did "Memphis."  I can't wait for BD Wong in "The Orphan of Zhao."  He knocked my socks off in "M Butterfly" and this tale is described as "the Chinese 'Hamlet'." Other delights await -- the west coast premiere of "Ether Dome," Eugene Ionesco's "The Bald Soprano," by the high-powered Schwartz-Menken team and an intriguing play titled "Kingdom City," by Sheri Wilner.  LaJollaPlayhouse.org The San Diego Repertory at the Lyceum has another hit in "Detroit."  *North Coast Repertory Theatre's season continues with  two world premieres: "Mandate Memories" opening April 9, a two-person exploration of a relationship between two unusual aging people, and "Faded Glory," telling the real-life story of a colorful 19th-century congressman and Civil War general. THE SEASON continues with the upbeat musical, "Romance, Romance'' and the Rep's yuletide homage, "The Humbug's Holiday Spectacular." School for Lies" plays through March 16. The Rep's artistic director David Ellenstein  directs both world premieres. northcoastrep.org  * SAN DIEGO  Repertory Theatre's season continues its intellectual adventures with Obie award-winning "Detroit," also running through March 16.  This well-acted, smartly directed production is a twisted suburban saga about two couples, secrets, excess,  loyalties and loneliness. The four-person ensemble -- beautifully cast -- carried out the high-energy play to the delight of opening nighters.  We laughed, pondered, enjoyed! Thoughtful, opinionated theater is the hallmark of SD Rep, whose season continues with a world premiere, "Mandate Memories," an original story of friendship, culture and loyalties. sdrep.org CONSIDER  subscribing to your community's  theater seasons. Now that we're between Mardi Gras and St. Patrick's Day, a look at celebration. COMING NEXT:  We look at the legacy of Mardi Gras and visit a few of the celebrations Cookie and Keller have enjoyed worldwide. Remember to explore, learn and live, and visit us Wednesdays and weekends at: www.whereiscookie.com Upcoming posts take a look at shipboard penthouses, the love of St. Patrick's Day and majestic Oak Alley Plantation. Please share the link if you think we're worthy!

The clan gathered for a birthday party for Christene "Cookie" Meyers, but she didn't know it was also a wedding.  Her longtime partner, photographer Bruce Keller, had arranged the ceremony with the couple's niece and nephew, Amarylla and Steve Ganner. "Father Steve" officiated.   "Father Steve," a San Francisco lay minister, has  officiated at other weddings. He and his wife, Cookie's niece Amarylla, secretly arranged with Keller to add a wedding to the birthday bash. GROOM PROPOSES AT BIRTHDAY REUNION STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER (including selfies on timer) "The past is prologue." William Shakespeare WHEN ANTONIO  delivers that famous line in "The Tempest,"  he means that everything that has gone before sets the scene for what happens next. In my life, that rings true. I met Bruce William Keller 17 years ago --  symmetry in this crazy world. I was reeling from serious loss, considering the nunnery. Then I met Keller. Kind, funny, sweet Keller. Niece Amarylla, and great-nieces Peny and Isabella, enjoy weekend companionship. Little did I know that my two late husbands' first names -- Bruce and William -- were also his first and middle names. Are they keeping an eye on me from The Great Beyond?  A love of travel and the arts brought us together.  In those next high-flying years, we'd log close to a million airline miles.  We've had so darned much fun, visiting family and friends in Oregon, New York, California, Georgia, New Zealand, Israel, Great Britain, Italy, Norway and more. The party's mountain backdrop in the Beartooths. Niece Kelly, sister Olivia, and nephew Orion.   Nieces Ariel and Elliana. BUT I CERTAINLY didn't guess that he'd cook up a wedding proposal a few days ago. At our family reunion parties, there are two conditions:  One is that everyone must wear a hat, a tradition begun years ago by my behatted grandmother and mum.  The other is that we tell stories.  Everyone must come up with a line or two, an anecdote, a joke, a poem or song about the honoree. Future groom: day before the birthday party, the guys got together for a group photo. Sister-in-law Jane Milder made a lovely wreath. So when it came Keller's turn, he told a couple  Cookie stories.  (My favorite is how I fixed our new Audi's alternator with a motel coat hanger in Wallace, Idaho, so we could make the Oregon Shakespeare Festival opening.) Nieces "Izzy" and Peny with one of the clan pups. AFTER THE laughter subsided, Keller said he had a "surprise guest."  He introduced our niece's husband (our adopted nephew).  "Father Steve, from Scotland is here to perform a special ceremony."  Then on bended knee, he asked, "Cookie, will you marry me?" Girl time, the night before the official party. Poems, songs, tall and short tales prevailed. Oh, my, that was a shock.  We'd talked about formalizing our long relationship.     So here we were now, in my native state, surrounded by family. ''I'd be delighted," was my reply.   ******* OUR ROMANCE began two years after the death of my second husband, William Jones, and happily  continued many of the themes of my two earlier long-term relationships, first with Bruce Kemp Meyers, then Billy, now my adored "Keller." find out why he's called Keller Brother Rick delivers an ode at the party. With all three of these talented, energetic guys, I traveled, painted, wrote, played music, danced, hiked and cavorted. With Billy, a well known national film critic, I covered many movie premieres. With Bruce, a gifted writing teacher and actor, I performed in dozens of plays and musicals. With Keller, I continued my passion for the arts.  Thankfully, he loves theater, too. I've been lucky to have these fun, fulfilling chapters in my life, filled with plenty of good times and some deep, dark sadness. I'm crossing my fingers that this latest chapter is a long one filled with continuing adventure, joy and enough pluck to survive inevitable sorrow.    I'm one lucky girl who's had the world's three most happy fellas. An Alexander Calder sculpture, "Two Discs," created in 1965, resides at Tippet Rise to welcome visitors and set the tone.  UP NEXT:  Tippet Rise is an extraordinary arts and music show case in Montana.  Its founders aim to integrate music, art and nature and to make this unique merging available for all.  A lottery determines the lucky few who may attend concerts in the small, acoustically perfect Olivia "Barn."  The season is brief and runs from the end of August for only a few weeks with world class performers, including soloists and string quartets. If you didn't win tickets, you can plan a visit to this extraordinary place next season. We'll take you on a couple tours: one to the sculptures and one that studies the geology of this place, where dinosaurs once roamed. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on the arts, travel, nature, family and more:   www.whereiscookie.com

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS Theater in San Diego is as varied as the jewels in a royal crown, each one offering its own unique light and sparkle. In five years of reflecting on the gems here, I’ve never seen a “faux stone.”  The talent pool is large and varied, the fare is a lively mix of drama, musicals and new experimental work, and – this is a critical element – the actors, musicians and crew are passionate.  It shows. Sunday’s matinee of “Man of LaMancha” at Cygnet Theatre in Old Town was a treat for this Broadway baby.  Veteran hoofer and director, the versatile Sean Murray, delivered a thoughtful and touching Don Quixote, backed by a powerhouse cast.  This was my seventh “LaMancha” worldwide, imaginatively staged and beautifully lit, a fast-paced thrill. From the moment a pair of classical guitarists approached the stage to the immediate standing ovation before the final lyric faded, I was transported to look at the beauty, accentuate the positive.  The play has not lost its luster.  Murray makes the role his own – as did Richard Kiley, Raul Julia, Peter O’Toole and Robert Goulet --  with a poet’s understanding of the rich lyrics, and an elegant phrasing of the lines.  Bryan Barbarin’s Sancho is endearing as the devoted sidekick, and there are no weak links in the support, from the important trio of female vocalists/actors to the spirited muleteers, the padre, duke and captain. The six pit musicians are precise and enhancing, never intrusive.   If it’s been a while since you conjured a knight fighting a windmill or dreamed your own impossible dream, there is still time.  The run continues through Aug. 26: 619 337-1525 or Cygnettheatre.com And a tip: hitch your play-going wagon to any production boasting Sean Murray’s name.  His gifts are enormous, including a brilliant Sweeney Todd, and his directorial triumphs range from hilarious stagings of “Little Shop of Horrors,” and “Noises Off,” to an engaging “Our Town,”  a smooth and sophisticated “Private Lives,” a delightful “Dirty Blonde,” gender-bending “Cabaret” and more. How lucky we are that he wears Cygnet’s artistic director hat, and loves life here.  He could ply his talents anywhere! Watch for my look at other stars in San Diego’s theatrical crown, including the Old Globe, North Coast Repertory Theatre, San Diego Repertory Theatre and La Jolla Playhouse.

The famous Sydney Opera House is aglow with "Pride" colors, a proud rainbow celebrating Australia's strong support of the progress toward inclusion, tolerance and embrace of all people. PRIDE month encourages professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER  LGBT Pride Month is celebrated worldwide. It stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month, celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots. LET US WELCOME JUNE and the celebration of Gay Pride worldwide. The acronym, PRIDE, was adopted by University of California San Francisco Medical Center and is now a part of our vernacular. It stands for professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence. Amen. As a heterosexual woman with gay friends around the globe, I celebrate PRIDE month and the hope, progress and understanding it symbolizes. Cookie takes wing for PRIDE month. Keller is ready to fly for PRIDE's message. Growing up in Montana in the 1950s, it didn't then occur to me that several of my most remarkable teachers were likely closeted gays. They either lived alone or with "roommates," and were unable to show their affection for one another in public in those days. How difficult it must have been. When "Bruce the First" and I married in 1970, one of our two best men, now passed away, was gay. Roger lived in San Francisco during his college years and frequented the famous "gay baths."  When he returned to his native Montana, as a brilliant university professor, he led a quiet, mostly solitary life. Another dear friend often met his longtime partner on weekends in another state and his choice of a mate was never discussed although everyone knew. Again, how sad for all. Elizabeth Taylor addressed Congress and raised millions for AIDS awareness and research. --photo courtesy AMFAR    LIVING IN THE  world of theater and the arts,  Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson in a promotion photo from "Giant." - -photo courtesy Warner Bros I am reminded of what ardent AIDS awareness advocate Elizabeth Taylor said to eulogize her longtime friend and fellow actor Rock Hudson when he died in 1985 of complications from  AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). "Without the gay community, there would be no Broadway, no Hollywood," Taylor said. She raised millions to find a cure for the disease while raising awareness. With emotion, she addressed a standing ovation Oscars crowd shortly after Hudson died at age 59. She believed: "There is no gay agenda; it's a human agenda. Why shouldn't gay people be able to live as open and freely as everybody else? What it comes down to, ultimately, is love. How can anything bad come out of love? The bad stuff comes out of mistrust, misunderstanding and, God knows, from hate and from ignorance." Sydney, Australia's streets are decked with posters, ads, promotions for PRIDE month. SHE WOULD, I believe, be comforted now by increasing public acceptance and the openness and honesty of my gay and lesbian friends around the world. Most are in their 40s, 50s and 60s now.  One gay couple is in their 70s, living in England. Another lives in Idaho. Both couples are world travelers as are a lesbian couple in Colorado. How hard this fight has been -- and how rich must be the rewards to finally be able to walk hand in hand, share a hug at a party or reception, book a room on a ship or hotel without fear of judgment or criticism. Phil Johnson and Omri Schein in "Withering Heights," a hysterical spoof of the classic, at one of San Diego's best and most adventurous theaters, Diversionary.    WE LOVE theater, and are grateful for such a lively mix of fine productions here in San Diego and nearby Palm Springs.  Diversionary Theatre is a favorite venue. This third oldest LGBTQ theater in the country produces quality work in a relaxed, welcoming environment. Bravo, Diversionary. Keep the good work coming. "Head Over Heels" musical is next up, and Diversionary's Clark Cabaret offers a pleasant environment to relax with a friend and a beverage before or after a first-rate show. Emcee Anita Rose opens a hit drag show at Oscar's in Palm Springs. We never miss a drag show, in Las Vegas or Palm Springs, where Oscar's showcases world class female impersonators, live music and great food.  Diversionary Theatre in San Diego produces first-rate theater and offers a welcoming show case and environment for thinking theater buffs. Millions will show their PRIDE this month around the world. THE PRIDE movement celebrates its 53rd year -- after its beginning in 1970, a year after the Stonewall Inn Riots in New York. As we mark this important turning point, I look forward to more peaceful marches when friends can express themselves and their sexuality freely. Such celebrations encourage continuing gay awareness and public understanding. We can't have enough of that. SO IT  is with joy that I join millions to celebrate LGBTQ and Pride. I'll continue to do my bit to to help achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) humans. And, on a humorous note: In 1997, my husband Billy and I toured the Amazon on a small boat with only a dozen staterooms. We'd tried to book the only stateroom with a queen-sized bed. It was unavailable so we settled for a room with two twins. Later, after dinner, our new friends, a fun lesbian couple from Colorado, invited us to their stateroom for a nightcap. Guess who had the only queen sized bed on the boat? For more information or to connect:   gaycenter.org diversionary.org oscarspalmsprings.com   Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers on a circle tour of the island of Oahu, a full, rewarding day with E Noa. UP NEXT: If you have a day to explore the wonders of Oahu, try E Noa's Majestic Circle Tour which gives a spectacular, compact view of the island with lots of extras and pleasures. From lush Waimea Valley to Dole Plantation, the stunning coastline, macadamia nuts, coffee, shrimp and a beautiful Buddhist temple, it's all possible in a single full but relaxing and informative day. We take you to explore in stylish comfort, remembering to explore, learn an live. Catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel and the arts, performance, nature, family, food and more: www.whereiscookie.com

More than a half century after its release, the Montana-made movie, "Little Big Man,"is still entertaining, stimulating conversation and encouraging consideration of the plight of indigenous people and the white man's role in that.   There is an endless supply of white men.  There has always been a limited number of human beings.” -- Old Lodge Skins LITTLE BIG HORN SEMINAR DRAWS SCHOLARS, EXTRAS, MOVIE AND HISTORY BUFFS TO PONDER CLASSIC FILM                                                                      Chief Dan George portrayed Old Lodge Skins, receiving second billing to Dustin Hoffman, garnering an Academy Award nomination and other awards for his performance.                                                                      Editor's note: Christene Meyers covered the making of  "Little Big Man" as a young reporter and was among  panel participants discussing the Montana made movie.  STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and courtesy Cinema Center Films Actor Dustin Hoffman on location during the 1969 filming of "Little Big Man," here on the Earl and Toni Rosell Ranch near Billings. HOLLYWOOD   came to Montana in 1969 to film a movie that would change the way the world views indigenous people. When it debuted during the holidays of 1970, "Little Big Man" generated a then impressive box office of $31 million. It premiered just in time to qualify for Oscar consideration the next spring. A recent seminar in Hardin, Montana, celebrated the movie's contribution to the humanities and the ways in which it portrayed native Americans as "human beings." DUSTIN HOFFMAN  was a young looking 33 -- just three years after he rose to fame as Benjamin in "The Graduate," seduced by an older Mrs. Robinson, his parents' friend. Genius makeup artist Dick Smith created a 121-year old character in Dustin Hoffman's Jack Crabb. Through the make-up wizardry of Hollywood artist Dick Smith, Hoffman's character Jack Crabb appears first as a 121-year old man, relating the story of his remarkable life to a reporter. The character undergoes many transformations in both the white and native worlds, leading many lives, including as a scout for General George Armstrong Custer during the infamous Indian Wars. Crabb's life is as complex as any portrayed in the movies. Panelists discussed the impact of the film, and acting as extras.     CROW AND Cheyenne men and women – elderly now -- were 53 years younger when they acted along side Hoffman. They portrayed members of Little Big Man's adopted Indian family and for the real-life families, the picture gave their lives an economic boost. Panelists at a three-day "Little Big Man" symposium in Hardin recalled that dozens of native people earned from $10 or $25 a day -- more if they had their own horse -- during the filming. The gathering, sponsored by Little  Symposium organizer Tim Bernardis spent years studying "Little Big Man" and planning for the festival marking its 53rd anniversary. Big Horn College, celebrated Montana’s connection to the film. It was the brainchild of author and veteran Crow Cultural Center library director Tim Bernardis, lifelong film aficionado. He spent years studying the movie, based on a 1964 novel by Thomas Berger and directed by Oscar winner Arthur Penn. Bernardis dreamed of a symposium to spotlight its impact and secured a grant to make it happen. Planned for 2020, 50 years after the film’s 1970 debut, the seminar was derailed by COVID. Bernardis wasn’t about to let the project be lost. “It is too important; we kept the dream alive,” he said. THE GROUNDBREAKING film begins with Crabb recalling the killing of his parents on their way west, and his rescue by Indians. Crabb describes multiple incarnations in diverse worlds, including earning the name "Little Big Man" from his adopted grandfather, Old Lodge Skins. His unique perspective and visits with his wise elder teach him the ways of the “human beings,” as Old Lodge Skins describes his people. Hoffman’s convincing acting continues to fascinate, 53 years after the film’s debut to critical acclaim. A scene from the film, "Little Big Man," now 53 years old, with this battle scene shot on location at Crow Agency, near the actual battle site. Some of the actors spoke at the seminar. During three lively and varied days, three years after the COVID postponement, presenters considered a wide range of topics, from academic insights to emotional musings and humorous, touching impressions.   Some gave vivid back stories, examples of present-day racism, feeling that the culture is back-sliding in a sea of increasing bigotry. Symposium emcee Sidney Chip Fitzpatrick Jr., related a vivid example of recent racism experienced when an elderly white woman accosted his daughter with   verbal slurs in a Billings store. “We still have a lot of work to do,” Fitzpatrick said, "to make certain that native Americans are regarded as human beings, not caricature   drunks and other stereotypes.” Sidney "Chip" Fitzpatrick Jr acted as emcee at the fete. Young beautifully dressed Indian girls delighted with their performances during the "LBM" symposium.   AMONG THE TOPICS was an examination of Richard Mulligan's portrayal of George Armstrong Custer, the man whose “Last Stand” came on a grassy knoll near Hardin. The Little Bighorn battle scenes were filmed on location at Crow Agency, near the actual battle site, lending authenticity to the movie.  Between presentations, seminar guests recalled the changing of the name Custer Battlefield to Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument in 1991. “It is important to recognize the indigenous perspective,” said one woman. “A very good thing.” Artists, historians, townsfolk and friends mingled to discuss the movie and its impact . DANCERS AND  drummers entertained at lunch time in the school cafeteria, while guests and participants reminisced about the movie's beginnings.  Director Penn read the book in 1966 and loved it. Billings mayor Willard Fraser got wind of the project and heard Arizona and Mexico were being considered as locations. He recruited arts advocate and rancher Earl Rosell to help sell Montana to Hollywood.  Fraser called upon his Indian friends—Johnny Wooden Legs, Edison Real Bird, Henry Old Coyote, Susie Yellowtail and others -- and with Rosell, they "sold" the Montana location, making lobbying trips to Hollywood and Cinema Center Films on their own dime.  Fraser biographer Lou Mandler described Fraser’s courting of “Little Big Man” producer Stuart Millar. The persistent, Montana boosting mayor toured Millar and movie scouts around Montana, enumerating the advantages of shooting a motion picture about Indians in authentic Indian country.  “The realism of the film would boost box office sales,” Fraser wrote. His lobbying proved effective and filming began on the Rosell ranch in summer of 1969. Rosell even scored a cameo as a soldier who spares Little Big Man when he realizes the Dustin Hoffman character is white, not Indian.  Rene Rosell Yarborough and Christene "Cookie"  Meyers" were panelists. Rosell is holding the sword her father used in a cameo scene. Here are links to some of the most watched clips from the movie, featuring Dustin Hoffman as Jack Crabb and Richard Mulligan as a deranged, egocentric General Custer.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kflV0EBLBWIhttps://www.youtube.com/watch ? v=4hJ9igq1zZ8https:// www.youtube.com/watch? v=WihjvhJawEohttps:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpb q6nGbs50 The wedding/birthday party at High Chaparral on the West Fork of the Stillwater River, Montana.  UP NEXT:  Gentle readers: few things escape the eye of the writer of this column. But Bruce William Keller's surprise proposal took my breath away and left me in a rare stunned silence.  It happened during a clan reunion celebrating my birthday -- and will never be forgotten.  I said "Yes," of course, actually, "I'd be delighted!" We've been together more than 16 years and are legal domestic partners in the state of California. But we'd not discussed tying the proverbial knot. So when he asked -- on bended knee -- I thought "why not?" His co-conspirators were our niece and nephew, Amarylla and Steve.  He officiated at the ceremony, during the birthday tribute. Coming next. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on the arts, travel, nature, family and more:   www.whereiscookie.com

Lights, action, enjoyment. Montana Shakespeare in the Parks brings a pair of works to enthusiastic audiences from Bozeman to Cody, Wyo., Helena to Superior, and parts of Idaho with a stop in Washington state. The award-winning endeavor is presented free and sustained by grants and donations. "Love's Labors Lost" was on tour in an earlier production. Notice the elaborate costumes, and a stage that is collapsed, packed up and transported via truck dozens of times per season. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER ONE OF  Big Sky Country's treasured institutions is Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. The ambitious touring theater is beloved by thousands, and with good reason. Joel Jahnke ran Shakespeare in the Parks for decades. His vision of bringing the Bard's work to the people continues with Kevin Asselin, current artistic director. A troupe of seasoned actors  doubles as costumers, technicians, designers and fund-raisers for one of the state's most enterprising organizations. The troupe tours the Rockies each year to the delight of playgoers from eastern Washington to northern Wyoming and the prairies of Montana. With a schedule that would challenge most actors, the young, limber company presents two plays in repertory fashion. While theirs is a mostly Shakespeare repertoire, this year's docket features "The Three Musketeers," adapted from the Alexandre  Dumas work, along with "Measure for Measure," which many consider among Shakespeare's finest. I FIRST INTERVIEWED Executive-artistic director Kevin Asselin sustains the original vision.  Joel Jahnke, the energetic impresario of Montana's Shakespeare in the Parks, many years ago. Through the years I've keep track of the company headed for decades by this visionary man. He believes the touring troupe's mission has always been "to serve rural areas and people who might not normally be able to afford or have access to quality theater." My first of many interviews with Jahnke was in 1976, three years after the company was founded. He spent 35 years at the helm as director and is crucial to its success and longevity. Kevin Asselin has been the company's executive director since 2014 and is continuing Jahnke's crowd-pleasing tradition. THE CROWD at a recent production of "The Three Musketeers" in Fishtail Family Park was an eclectic blend of locals -- Republicans and Democrats, students, families -- a mix of tourists new to Shakespeare in the Parks, and devotees who haven't missed a year for decades. A tender moment in "The Three Musketeers" recently in Fishtail, Montana.  "We' re about finding ways to come together regardless of political or socioeconomic differences. That belief forms the backbone of the company's success," Asselin says. What makes the endeavor noteworthy is that in a single day, the company transforms an empty space into a believable theatrical stage -- complete with balcony, set and costumes. The feat is remarkable when one considers it is done day after day with little time off and in unpredictable weather. DONATIONS  are welcome and the website shows you where to catch the next show. The company's outreach extends beyond Shakespeare in the Parks to a school program and other fund-raisers and presentations. The season began in "hometown" Bozeman for a rare week. Usually stops are a single night, or sometimes two. The troupe returns to  Bozeman for Sweet Pea Festival, visits Butte and Big Sky, then heads west into Driggs, Pocatello and Salmon, Idaho.  A young girl is head over heels for her night at the theater. OTHER STOPS included Silvergate, Big Timber, Powell, Cody and Worland Wyoming, Roundup and Townsend Gardiner, Boulder, Forsyth, and a swing into Beach, North Dakota, in July. The August run includes western Montana and a stop in Liberty Lake, Wash., northern Montana towns and Missoula in western Montana, then two weeks in September in Philipsburg, St. Ignatius, Superior, Anaconda, Deer Lodge, Whitehall, Livingston, Three Forks, White Sulphur and a finale in Bozeman with "The Three Musketeers" at Grand Chamberlain Park. The road home, outside of Fishtail, at sunset, which is when the plays end this time of year. Check the schedule for a play near you by Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. "We love it when we get to stay two nights," the company members say. "It's a real treat not to have to move everything every day."  For tickets or more information: ShakespeareInTheParks.org

Project Hope in Columbus, Montana, offers hope for the new year and beyond to anyone in need in Stillwater County.  Here, the Project's next-door sister  shop, Laughing Ladies, aids the effort through antiques and vintage clothing. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER I'VE ALWAYS  been proud of the warm-hearted spirit of small towns. Project Hope in Columbus, Montana, is proof that good deeds and generosity can change lives. The non-profit organization provides help from the heart for needy families in Stillwater County -- a chilly place now that winter is upon the northern Rockies. An unassuming storefront leads the way to Project Hope. Project Hope is a volunteer effort with a little bit of everything, and help for the needy in Stillwater County, Montana. A window display shows the range of clothing, fashion accessories and more. Hope brings just that -- hope -- and warmth -- in warm winter clothing, welcome food, bedding, furniture and household goods. School supplies find their way to eager students, in donated books, paper, art, pens, pencils, writing materials, back packs and studying aids. THIS FROSTY  time of year, Project Hope's belief that people should not be homeless or hungry makes a real impact. This small mountain town is 40 miles from Billings, Montana's largest city.  Founded as a stage coach stop along the Yellowstone River, Columbus is home to middle-class families, the usual mix of working parents and stay-home moms.  There are retirees, too, and successful businessmen and ranchers.  But there are needy people, who may not be eligible for other aid. Through the town's generosity and a faithful network of volunteers, Project Hope was born. The Project relies on donations from the public, area stores and businesses. "We exist from grants, donations of generous residents, and a yearly fundraiser," a volunteer told me. Well tended clothing -- gently used -- is part of the charm of Project Hope.  Laughing Ladies, the Project's "sister store," is a charming vintage shop of unique clothing, antiques, art and sundries. Laughing Ladies contributes 30 per cent of its take to Hope. WE STOPPED BY  the pair of stores on an autumn visit to Columbus before the first snow. We came because a good friend, also a Project Hope volunteer, spotted a painting done by a woman who once lived in our 1881 log room in our renovated home in the Beartooths. Our friend recognized the setting and knew the artist's history with the place. Project Hope's fare ranges from kitschy to collectible, antiques, fun finds and more. A gorgeous mirror will hang in a Montana country home, a recent find at Project Hope in Columbus, Montana. We called to see if Helen Hereford's painting of the mountain and meadows of our beloved property might still be there.  It was! So Project Hope put it aside for us to come buy it. While we were there, we found another treasure perfect for the country place: a wonderful mirror artfully framed with cowboy boot pieces. We strolled about Project Hope and Laughing Ladies, enjoying banter of customers and volunteers, browsing the well organized pair of stores which so delightfully complement one another. There's also a consignment wing to the operation. MONEY EARNED  through these donated, resold items there, plus a percentage of commissioned items, go back to Project Hope. Home may be where the heart is, as the old saw goes. But "hope" -- make that Project Hope -- has a lot of heart, too. Happy New Year, Columbus friends.  Thanks for sharing, and keeping us mindful that generosity is a gift to the giver. Tony Bennett -- in his late 80s -- and Lady Gaga -- 28 -- have a fantastic vocal blend and we're excited to see them! COMING UP:   Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga hit Las Vegas for New Year's Eve and so do we! We'll be there for their sold-out show, "Cheek to Cheek."  Then we're Down Under at Australia's famous Sydney Opera House, plus a near miss with a terrorist, delights of the sea, new friends, fabulous food, Maori life in New Zealand, "Cheek to Cheek" for New Year's Eve -- Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, above, and Cookie and Keller, at left! Follow our adventures -- cheek to cheek (well, most of the time!) exotic birds, surfing and diving, bridge climbing and more.  Remember to explore, learn and live, and visit us Wednesdays and weekends at:   www.whereiscookie.com And have a look at our new novel, "Lilian's Last Dance," an Amazon e-book with free downloads to any device. Romance, adventure, history, film, theater, art. We think you will enjoy it. Let us know!

All aboard! Bruce Keller and Christene "Cookie" Meyers took a pair of spectacular train trips on a recent Celebrity cruise around New Zealand. Trains allow prime viewing of the country's spectacular scenery. Cruise tours are the best way to see the most in a short time in port. Celebrity's are tops. STEP ABOARD PAIR OF TRAINS FOR A TRIP BACK IN TIME WITH STUNNING SCENERY STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Passengers have time to admire scenery and take photos. I LOVE TRAINS. My great-grandfather was a telegrapher on the Northern Pacific Railroad and his daughter, my gran Olive, grew up on trains. She passed that affection down the generations and I felt her presence as we hopped on the Marlborough Flyer for a step back in time to the days of World War I and steam locomotives. It was the first of two memorable train rides. We were in Picton aboard Celebrity's lovely New Zealand cruise on the line's Eclipse. A fun scenic tour is offered on this lovely heritage steam train from a majestic bygone era. The Flyer's carriages boast meticulous interiors. Our journey took us from Picton and Blenheim in Marlborough, New Zealand, to the picturesque village of Seddon, where we were greeted by a Johnny Cash impersonator, homemade pastries, wine tastings, friendly people and a gaggle of sheep. AS WE chugged along in the Flyer, we heard fascinating commentary about the historic WWI “Passchendaele.” It is named after a great battle and pays tribute to soldiers who worked for the railway and fell in that "Great War."  Built in 1915 in Christchurch, a major "redo" of the locomotive was engineered by Steam Incorporated in 2014. The locomotive's noble history  complements its reputation as one of the country's most successful of "AB Pacifics." Royals have boarded her and our group spanned the globe. New Zealand's trains offer close-up views of the track with winding curves, tunnels and time to admire the engineering. My train-loving partner and ever curious photographer, Bruce Keller, loves trains of all kinds and is particularly fond of steam trains. He enjoys "the sound -- the hiss of the steam, the feeling of nostalgia, the fun of being part of something that no longer exists in much of the world." THEN, IF YOU'RE planning a Dunedin stop, don't miss a trip on the Taieri Gorge Railway, one of the world's great train trips and Dunedin's top attraction. It departs  from downtown Dunedin's stately train station, to travel deep into the Taieri Gorge for eye-popping scenery: brilliant golden fields, grand old trees and gorgeous foliage cloaking the mountainsides. Cookie is front and center on a viewing station between carriages on a colorful New Zealand train trip. BOTH JOURNEYS  offer stunning landscape -- gorges, lush vegetation, tunnels, twisting roads, valleys and meadows. The quaint town of Picton is heritage-listed and has a welcoming charm while Dunedin's train station is a dazzling architectural wonder. Built in 1906, a magnificent Flemish Renaissance-style edifice features white Oamaru limestone facings on black basalt. Its dramatic "Gingerbread House" look is worth a visit, even if you're not boarding the train. We've taken the train journey three times and never tire of it. WHILE THE   Marlborough train ride has a leisurely classic look, a ride on the Taieri Gorge train has a sleeker, more contemporary feel. We walked out of the carriage into a small, open-air balcony, to admire passing scenery and take photos -- without the intrusion of windows. Dunedin's stately train station is an attraction in itself, but do book a Taieri train trip while there. Perfect weather (end of summer now in New Zealand) showcased dramatic scenery: Otago's hills, sweeping viaducts and verdant landscape. We appreciated two distinctive, different trains, each with class and character. Scenery of New Zealand's South Island is remarkably varied. BECAUSE IT  is vintage and lovingly restored to its century-old look, the Flyer takes pride in its classic, older rail car appeal.  Comfy seats are a rich burgundy leather and the wood is nicely cared for. One hears the soothing clickety-clack, but it's not bumpy.  The vintage car continues its "step back in time" with several photo stops. At the longer pause in Seddon, passengers stretch, shop and nibble. Seddon, named after a New Zealand prime minister, is 25 kilometers south of larger Blenheim, known for fine wine. The journey follows the banks of two rivers, the Awatere and Blind, home to choice grape growing regions. Their sauvignon blanc put New Zealand wines on the map. Many of our fellow passengers returned with bottles.   THE TAIERI trip offers another kind of spectacle -- equally engaging. The scenery is more rugged, and its history unfolds before the eyes. Wrought iron viaducts and hand-carved tunnels conjure images of hardship during this impressive endeavor 100 years ago. Train lovers should make a double-header of these two colorful, narrated trips offering history, waterfalls, streams, flora, livestock and more. They reveal how people live, work and build: www.celebritycruises.com info@pounamutourismgroup.com www.dunedinrailways.co.nz www.marlboroughflyer.co.nz ; siredmundhillaryexplorer.com ; www.taierigorgeshoreexcursion.com ; marboroughflyer.com www.newzealandrailways.com.nz And in the UK: www.britrail.com A lovely new play, "High Table," at San Diego's Diversionary Theatre features a gay marriage and unfolding complexities when a Nigerian family faces their confusion. It's an imaginative,  thought-provoking production, beautifully acted and directed. Stay tuned for another inventive work: "Monsters of the American Cinema" by an exciting San Diego playwright. diversionary.org 619 220-0097 BEST BET: San Diego theater is booming, with memorable March productions in a month dedicated to the lively arts. San Diego's Diversionary Theater's new play, "High Table," is a beautifully rendered love story told by a talented ensemble, directed with  skill, perception and emotion. The complex story unfolds with an evocative accompaniment of classical African chants and drumming. The cast's deft portrayals of departed ancestors parallels "real time" family, with accomplished actors playing multiple roles. The story unfolds with imagination and restraint. It's a touching, intricate work, exploring the myriad cliches facing the gay world, as well as complications of a gay relationship. What emerges is an enchanting, enduring love story.    Bruce Keller feeds a grateful kangaroo, communing with the graceful Australian figures, a national treasure. Up next! UP NEXT:  Wonders abound at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, a magical place located near Brisbane. You'll walk and talk with famous Australian animals in an 18-hectare koala sanctuary in the Brisbane suburb of Fig Tree Pocket in Queensland, Australia, the largest such sanctuary in the world. We're thrilled to have mingled with and fed the kangaroos and cuddled a sleepy koala. Come with us, remembering to explore, learn and live and catch us each week for a fresh spin on travel, nature, the arts, family and more: www.whereiscookie.com  Please share the link. .

Cookie and Keller take time for a quick cocktail during their guided tour of The Royal Suite on Serenade of the Seas. Would Queen Elizabeth and President Obama join Cookie? WHAT DO THE SIMPLE FOLK DO? LET'S BOOKA ROYAL SUITE TODAY Top penthouses offer luxury.  Cookie covets the "Royal" suites. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS,  PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER and archives WHY CAN'T  I stay in the presidential suite every time I cruise? (Or at least in the palatial owner's suite or the spacious royal suite.) Cookie and Keller play during a visit to the Royal Suite on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas. I'd appreciate my lavish surroundings, making certain to use every drawer and chair (and each of the several bathrooms!)  I'd play the piano.  I'd tip the butler well when he organized an intimate, little party for 50 of my closest new cruise-loving friends. Special suites and penthouses on ships are large as many peoples' homes. I'D INVITE  Queen Elizabeth and President Obama. Perhaps they'd be in the neighborhood and could drop in.  I picture us in a lovely port, surrounded by yachts and elegantly clad folks, dressed up for a Cole Porter kind of evening. Perhaps Monte Carlo...... SO WHAT  am I waiting for? For my financial ship to come in. Alas, with three or four cruises a year, I'd be beyond bankrupt if I traveled in only top penthouse accommodations. BUT I CAN DREAM. Years ago, in one of my 13 voyages on the beloved Queen Elizabeth 2, we splurged for Queens Grill class and dined one evening with a pair of British gentlemen who had booked the Presidential Suite for a two-week journey up the Norwegian fjords then a crossing from Southampton. A Queens Grill suite aboard the new Queen Elizabeth features 2,249 square feet of space. It's yours for $7,299. They remarked that their digs had a beautiful grand piano and the two lamented that neither of them played. I entertained many nights to high praise. Some people cruise months and some even live on ships. IF YOU  book the best rooms on any of the higher-end ships, you can expect to pay tens of thousands of dollars. A 10-nighter from Venice on Regent Seven Seas is $14,249 for the penthouse. Seabourn's 10-day Mediterranean Isles penthouse is $8,999. Silverseas's silver suite is $9,250 for nine nights. Crystal's Baltic 10-dayer is $9,780 for the penthouse. For now, Cookie and Keller visit Presidential suites, play piano on ships, and look forward to winning the lotto. THE FUN  and pleasure of having actual "home-size" rooms while you're afloat is so appealing that one enterprising ship, The World, was designed to appeal to cruise lovers with deeper pockets than mine. The World's suites compare to the finest presidential or owner's suites on luxury cruise lines.  But you own your own floating home. Owner's suites offer all the comforts of home. RETIREMENT  living aboard an ocean liner  can be   interesting.  A friend bought into The World and traveled   the globe for years, renting out her home when she went ashore.   TWO WEALTHY  Florida friends retired on ships, spending 40 weeks a year cruising, and the other three months visiting friends and family around the world. They cruised out of Cookie played piano on a recent cruise, as a guest in the Royal Suite. Stockholm, Barcelona, Lisbon, Athens, Ft. Lauderdale, San Diego, Southampton and wherever their adventures took them.  They choreographed their schedules so that they could sail into a port one morning and leave that afternoon, sometimes back-to-back on the same ship, sometimes on another ship, another itinerary. This contemporary presidential suite, left, offers a work table, spacious dining and living areas,  bedrooms and a butler's pantry for party preparation.  Above, right, a more classic owner's suite. YOU CAN spend $50,000 to $100,000 or more if you have deep pockets, to sail for a month on the best digs on the world's top cruise lines.  Presidential penthouse, royal suite or owners suite prices vary, depending on the lavishness of the digs. This video lovers' penthouse suite  features a large flat-screen TV. WE LOVE  the loyalty program at Royal Caribbean and would adore to cruise in the Presidential Family Suites aboard Freedom of the Seas. We'd book if we could engineer a trip with a few other couples. We'd share four bedrooms, four bathrooms, a private balcony and a living area with sofa bed. I predict a musical party at sea! THERE ARE  spacious living areas with comfy sofa beds and dining table, private balcony with another dining area, lounge chairs aplenty.  Up to 14 guests can be accommodated.  We know one couple who booked it for their party of four: themselves, their daughter and grandson! What do the simple folk do? Juan Cabrillo was the first Anglo in San Diego. COMING UP:  From the "cream of the crop" suites shipboard, to creamy cheese at the historic Rogue Creamery and Cheese Shop with the "world's best blue cheese." It's in Central Point, Oregon.  But first, we take a look at explorer Juan Cabrillo and the discovery of southern California.  At  www.whereiscookie.com   We'll continue our adventures in ancient Ephesus with its wonders, and have a look at Jerusalem at Easter time. Please share our blog link with your friends. Remember to explore, learn and live!

For this couple, the world's great cruise ship lines offer opportunity to perform magic, dancing, and other treats. SINGERS, HOOFERS, MAGICIANS ANSWER SEA'S SIREN CALL TO ENTERTAIN PASSENGERS Gowns, boas, beautifully pressed and stored, await their time  in the spotlight.  A stage hand does inventory. An actor's life for talented singers and dancers aboard Royal Caribbean.   STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER SPACE IS SMALL , but spirits  soar  for thousands of Broadway babies singing and dancing their way around the world on top cruise ships. For these talented hoofers, jugglers, comics, singers and actors -- would-be Broadway babies --  production values are large aboard the best ships, including  Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas. Full-scale but shortened versions of Broadway hits such as "Chicago" are produced to the delight of audiences as the ship moves through the waters...... Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas is a floating palace with delightful venues and showcases. Additional entertainment on upscale cruise lines ranges from classical guitar, jazz piano and versatile duos,  to acrobats and even ice skating. BACKSTAGE  on a moving ship, there is truly a place for everything.  On a multi-thousand-ton vessel filled to capacity with passengers and crew, the entertainment is a huge draw.  Cruisers -- especially those who've logged many miles on the world's oceans and around her ports -- expect and desire top shows. We want sets that sparkle, special effects that dazzle, costumes that convince and a fine orchestra. Violinist dazzles her audiences with classical, jazz tunes. That happens aboard today's top-ranked ships. They audition around the world, rehearse usually in Florida or California, then set sail to engage and enthrall us while we're enjoying our holidays on the water. WE RECENTLY  spent an entertaining morning with the dancers, singers, instrumentalists, magicians and comics aboard Serenade of the Seas, in the Royal Caribbean International fleet. Feathers for a fancy headdress await performance time backstage. She was in the last few days of a splendid Atlantic crossing from Barcelona, to Cadiz (with a land tour into Seville), through the Canary Islands and into the Caribbean, finally docking at the port of New Orleans. THE SHIP-SHAPE , energetic ensemble came from Atlanta, Los Angeles, Tampa, Chicago and other U.S. cities -- with a few Brits and Aussies thrown in the mix. The Centrum on Royal Caribbean's Serenade of the Seas is used for fancy acrobatics, to the delight of the audience. Most had been with the company for several years -- one for 14 -- and all described with animation and enthusiasm their at-sea adventures. THEY WERE FULL  of fascinating anecdotes.  One daughter of a Royal Caribbean seamstress described her "family affair" with the sea, and her mother's talents at letting costumes in or making them larger, depending on the size of the performer. A passion for percussion and foreign ports led this drum set's owner to a touring life. WHILE THE  production rigors call for shapely and fit performers, the bodies range from small and short to tall and thin, and a few of the specialty singers are not necessarily tiny.  Thus the expensive costumes must be able to be let out or taken in as the performer's size dictates. Costumes are mended and laundered on a regular basis, to keep them shiny and sparkling.  And an inventory is taken after each show to make certain everything has been returned to its place. THE DAY  we toured the backstage area, we walked past gleaming percussion instruments and behind the stage curtains to a well organized world of hats and shoes, gowns and sequins, and a veritable steamer trunk of props. COMING SOON: Tips on the intricacies of renting a car abroad, inside Oregon's internationally famous Shakespeare Festival, a traveling musician's life, explorer Cabrillo and his legacy and monuments in San Diego, Ashland Oregon's lively cabaret, plus a view from the bridge and a visit to the venerable Queen Mary, now a Long Beach hotel. Remember to explore, learn and live, and please tell your friends to visit us Wednesdays and weekends at: www.whereiscookie.com