Published: October 17, 2009 01:23 am      

Gas up, it’s quite a ride!

As you sit with your morning coffee, I will be doing the same with my mom from her balcony overlooking the beautiful pink mountains that dominate the Tucson landscape.

And they become pink when the 5 setting sun hits them. Not 5:05, but 5:00 – and you have to view them at just the right moment or they will never be quite the same, at least until tomorrow. Fall in the desert is spectacular.

I have spoken of mother in a few columns; with a degree in theater and a flair for the dramatic, it was she was who brought me into that world. I owe her more than she will ever know.

One of the excursions we make during each visit is to see the latest offering at the famous Gaslight Theater. A Tucson mainstay since the late 1970s, their quirky brand of contemporary melodrama is the type of family entertainment that you wish could be found in every community.

This season we will take in “Cronan, The Barbarian.” and yes, you read that correctly.

A play on titles and themes is a Gaslight trademark. From their Web site: “The ancient world has descended into chaos and lawlessness when one man rises up to fight for the lives of his fellow tribesman. The unlikely hero, who is part man and part myth, is the Legendary Cronan, the Barbarian!”

One can only imagine where the fertile minds that create and then guide these simply wonderful spoofs on popular films, television shows and plays will take us. Rest assured, they will do more on their tiny stage than you can imagine.

I just wish you could see them for yourselves, just keep in mind that good things do come in small packages. We have attended for years and have never seen one show that was not inventive, fun and just plain entertaining.

One more Gaslight note: At the end of the scripted show, and even that is dubious as the fun is watching the adlibbing that runs amuck, they stage an olio, or a short themed music and comedy review that provides the actors a chance to spread their wings born of considerable vocal and dancing talent.

More good news Oklahoma — and live from New York: “Tony Award winner, (and Oklahoma native) Kristin Chenoweth … may be headed back to Broadway. The New York Post reports that the celebrated signing actress is in negotiations to portray Fran Kubelik in an upcoming Broadway revival of the Burt Bacharach-Hal David-Neil Simon musical “Promises, Promises” This is a musical adaptation of Billy Wilder’s popular film “The Apartment.” I saw the original with the late Jerry Orbach and it was interesting to be reminded that his production “was one of the first mainstream Broadway musicals to offer a commercial pop sound in its score.”

Live from the Highlands: I will be winding up my 50-year reflection on the 15th of next month and then look forward to sharing my 200th column with you on the 22nd.

Take a ride through our town to enjoy the colors of the fall.