WHITMAN

Past shows for San Francisco Zen Center, Madonna House of Cumbermeer, Rochester Folk Art Guild , Rochester Zen Center,
Santa Rosa Unitarian Universalist Church, Congregation Beth Sholom, the National Theatre (Washington DC)--and theaters and schools and community centers nationwide. Now . . .

Available to book . . .

Walt Whitman's prophetic
and sensual outpouring,
brought to vivid life
by Eliot Fintushel

with occasional music on hurdy-gurdy,
Waterphone, sruti, and bulbul tarang.

"Great work! Magnetic! Great story telling, Congratulations!"

-- John O'Keefe, playwright and actor

"Superb work . . . Divine mime, lovely speaking the sprech,
wonderful waterphoning...the mime kicked ass."

-- Fred Curchack, Prince of Performance Artists!

"Great show last night! Eliot Fintushel gave a riveting performance of his Walt Whitman show, 'Gross, Mystical.' On a slightly rainy night, there was no better place to be in Santa Rosa. Stirring, lyrical, and packed with surprises, Eliot's performance reminded us of how great the connection can be between great material and great actor. In February, the show moves to the Imaginists Theater Ensemble for a two week run. Spread the word."

-- David Templeton, Glaser Center

". . . the Whitman performance was fantastic. What a blend of all-American amorality and sinking/soaring immortality...sorry for superlatives, but the music really was intoxicating. . . . I studied Whitman in the Poetics program and 'teach' him in my high school classes. Hard to express what I want to say.... your performance shone light through his epic landscape. It was very moving. You have to know that for some of us, your poetry performance and music complete and enliven vast inner spheres that would be dormant and incomplete without you; you fulfill your odd duty to tending this wild, overgrown prophetic garden . . . Thank you for the sacrifices you make to create your work and music. You're a good actor, but I see the acting as a kind of transmitter for these giant continents of submerged brilliance in our poets, and in Fintushel, buoyed to the surface on waves of music."

-- Suzanne Edminster, artist and writer

"I have been deeply touched by your remarkable performance/being. I can promise you that, in the future, I will note your performances as I consider it a privilege to see you work."

-- Colin Lambert, sculptor (mariposastudio.net)

"The beauty of your piece, the marriage
of Whitman's words with your exultation in them
has lingered today. Thank you."

-- Julie Nicholson, MFT

Book or inquire HERE.

Eliot Fintushel,
a two-time winner of the United States National Endowment for the Arts Solo Performer Award,
has performed solo shows at The National Theatre and innumerable venues throughout North America.
Of his solo performance at Cornell's Seminar on the Sutras,
Leonard Cohen said,
"I was enlightened by it!"

Technical Requirements
(few and simple)

This is a 90-minute show (including a 10-minute intermission). It requires a performance area at least 18' wide and 12' deep. (I'll call it "the stage" here, though, in some cases, it may not be a raised surface.) Because the elements of expressive movement and mime are crucial--and the musical instruments so much fun to see--the performer should be visible head to foot from every seat. Ordinarily, no microphone or amplification of any sort is needed.

The set comprises a single chair downstage center, a stand with chimes and a bell, and a variety of other musical instruments pre-set on the floor near the chair.

The capacity for dimming and blacking out stage lights is very desirable, although the show can be performed without it. In the best situation, in addition to house light, there are two sorts of light available to raise or fade independently or in combination with one another: (1) a general wash of the stage area for most of the show, and (2) a special light for the area immediately around the chair. (The house light, over the audience, is for their entering and leaving, and for intermission.)

If, happily, there is lighting available as described above, someone should be on hand (provided by the sponsor) to execute a list of simple cues. We'll need 45 minutes or so at some point before the show to practice the cues, which I'll send well ahead of the show date.

Regardless of what is physically available at your space, raked seating with proscenium and lighting instruments on a computerized dimmer system, or a simple room with on-and-off overhead lights--or a back yard with lawn chairs, blankets, and a tree, GROSS, MYSTICAL can be performed to absorbing and wonderful effect. I've done this show on beaches and street corners (for the Sonoma County Arts Council) as well as in church halls, avant-garde basement bistros, and professional stages. Once we're all settled and our eyes meet, the rest is filigree!

Feel free to call or email with any questions or inspirations!

Book or inquire HERE.

     Eliot Fintushel                                                                                                                      link to online text: SONG OF MYSELF
     489 Sonoma Avenue
     Santa Rosa, California 95401                                                                                               Eliot's resume is HERE
     (707) 526-1481
Book or inquire HERE.