M’Lords and M’Ladies,

We had the first performance of And Now, In Hip, Lord Buckley’s material, last night, and it went wonderfully.  I won’t try to make any false claims that is was perfect, because it wasn’t, but it was good.  It was real good.

The first piece, a hip translation of The Gettysburg Address, still had the audience trying to figure out what was going on, but by the second piece, Jonah and the Whale, they were with us.  We then sailed through a wide array of emotional experiences and it felt like we all went there together.  It was HIP it was FUNNY it was a thrill.

For everyone who came last night, thank you, you gave Crystal and I the experience we needed opening this show and it was such a good time.  I feel even more certain when I say that you all are Lords and Ladies.  For those who didn’t make it, there’s still one more performance (until we plan another run) and it would be a thrill to see you there.  But even if you don’t make it, I know you are ALL Lords and Ladies, and I look forward to seeing you again soon on my travels.

Keep it Hip,
Lethan

Hello friends,

It has been a wild last couple of weeks, with LOTS of storytelling.  I’ve been telling stories at a wide variety of new locations, and have had fun at each spot.  What has been most rewarding, however, is the learning experiences I’ve had.   This tour has brought a new focus on just how different each audience can be.  I have found that both difficult and exciting.  I’m particularly excited because I believe this new awareness will help me prepare even more for my next tour.  I think I need to have a wider selection of stories that I might tell, just so I can better tailor my production to each individual audience when I arrive at the location.

And now, as this tour comes to a close, I prepare for another exciting and new experience: starting tonight I will perform two programs of Lord Buckley’s stories.  I’ve been working with my wonderful friend, Crystal Newby, for this production, and we are both excited about it.  We’ve played with the material in such a manner that, while we are altering the pieces slightly, I believe Lord Buckley would be excited by all of the changes.  And it had been a pleasure to work with my father on lights.  He has put together a fun little lighting flip that I believe will accent the show in a whole new way.  It does feel as if we are exploring storytelling in a brand new manner.  If any of you can make it, I highly recommend coming by; it’s certainly storytelling with a FLIP, and it is fun.

Well, time to run, we’ve got one last rehearsal before the show, and then we begin, and it’s gonna be HOT!

I was reminded of mortality today.  Today I learned of the death of one of my friends, a theatre student where I attended undergraduate college.  We were not particularly close, but I respected him as an artist and I loved him as a friend and as a person.

I won’t relate the details I know; I don’t feel we should go into that morbidity nor do I think it necessary.  Instead, I write you this to ask you, when you are with your friends and family, or even when you are just thinking of them, remember that you love them.  You don’t need to express it, though you certainly can, but do it because a few more thoughts about love are always needed in this world.  Life is a beautiful thing, but also fragile.  Love, however, is a large part of what makes this delicate existence beautiful, so please, feel it.

I love you. Thank you.

Hello friends,

It’s been a while since I’ve taken the time to update you on my adventures in storytelling, and there certainly have been a bunch of them while at school.  I’ve been learning a lot, but it has not always been easy.  I thank each and every person who has been with me throughout this process.  While I continue to become more confident in my choice to become a storyteller, I also continue to have my eyes/spirit opened up to the harder parts of the art form.  I suppose that’s what graduate school is for.

  As for what I’m doing now…

Drum roll please…

I’m on tour!!!  I feel this is the first time I can say I’m really on an extended tour, and I’m thrilled to be able to say that!  While I’ve been on the road for a few days, or even almost a week at a time before, this summer I will be on the road for nearly a month.  I recognize it will be a LOT of work, but I’m also finding out just a fun it can be.  Already I’ve started and had two performances in the western part of Pennsylvania (the Monessen Public Library and the Carnegie Public Library), and both shows were beautiful.  I’m making lots of new friends at these libraries (and seeing some old friends around Pittsburgh) and we’re all sharing some beautiful stories.  I want to thank all the people who were involved in this planning process and all the new friends who have come to these performances.

And this is just the start.  Check out my schedule on www.travelingtales.net to see when I’ll be performing near you.  It looks like I’ll only be performing in Pennsylvania this summer, but it is such an honor to have the opportunity to really take some time on tour in my home state.

What’s more, I’m actually going to be on YouTube soon.  I’ve been looking at how to do this for a bit now, technology is not my strong point, but it my friend Erin Tipping (the children’s librarian at Carnegie Library) has video recorded the performance I did today and intends to put it on YouTube soon, oh so soon.  As soon as I know it’s up I will put a link to it on my site.  I also intend to put some of my other work up, as soon as I can work out the details.  I think it will be a fun way for all of you too keep up to date with how my programs are changing.  We will see how it all turns out, but keep checking in.  It’s gonna be fun!

I’m also particularly excited about two performances I have at the end of the month: And Now, In Hip.  I will be performing a series of Lord Buckley pieces at my school of undergraduate work, Bloomsburg University!  These performances will occur on Friday, June 27^th and Saturday, June 28^th at 8pm.  I will be exploring Lord Buckley’s work with my dear friend (and former prom date) Crystal Newby and my father.  Crystal will be treating all of us to her stellar vocal skills and will provide some soul/gospel music accompaniment while my father will be using his lighting skill magic and creating a light show that accents these works.  We’re going to have a performance that’s quite different from the typical storytelling concert, it’s gonna be WILD.  Check out my schedule for some more information.  Please note, however, that this program is not intended for children (it’s not obscene, but does deal with some mature subject matter).

I hope all is going well for you and I will do my bestest to keep you updated as to the progress of my travels (I recognize I’m bad with keeping a blog, but I really will try).  I look forward to seeing you on the road and, until next time, may all the best stories tumble your way.

Best,
Lethan Candlish

At: Carnegie Library, Downtown Branch
6th St. and Smithfield, Pittsburgh, PA

As part of his series of shows in Pittsburgh and the area around, Lethan will come with a collection of stories from many different cultures, and all these tales will have one thing in common: they will be filled with BUGS and BUGS and BUGS!!!

AT: Scranton Fringe Arts Festival

Lethan is excited to be sharing some of his favorite folktales at this new artistic endeavor.  This festival will last for two days and will feature a variety of artistic acts.  It is a chance for young, alternative artists to feature their work.  Come and enjoy a plethora of arts and take some time to share a few stories with Lethan.  Both performances will be different, so come and enjoy stories both days of the event.
Please note: Performance times are subject to change.

Ticket information will be available at various locations around Scranton, PA

AT: Scranton Fringe Arts Festival

Lethan is excited to be sharing some of his favorite folktales at this new artistic endeavor. This festival will last for two days and will feature a variety of artistic acts. It is a chance for young, alternative artists to feature their work. Come and enjoy a plethora of arts and take some time to share a few stories with Lethan. Both performances will be different, so come and enjoy stories both days of the event.

Please note: Performance times are subject to change.

Ticket information is available at various locations in Scranton, PA

No public Information about this event

At: Bloomsburg University Lab Theater,
Behind the University bookstore.
Bloomsburg, PA
Tickets: $5 at door or FREE with BU ID

Lethan will be telling a series of works in the style of one of his greatest inspirations, H.R.H. Lord Richard Buckley (1906-1960). Lord Buckley, a performer in the 30s, 40s, and 50s, is best known for his work with “Hip semantics,” translating classic texts to the hip vernacular popular at the time. For this show, Lethan will be accompanied by his long time friend, Crystal Newby, who will provide a beautiful gospel/soul music accompaniment to the works. The program will then be further accented by a light show created by the Director of Theater at Bloomsburg University, and Lethan’s father, Bruce Candlish. Lethan is thrilled to be working with such a talented group of artists and to be sharing Lord Buckley’s work with so many of his friends in Pennsylvania.

Please Note: This program is intended for adult audiences

At: Bloomsburg University Lab Theater,
Behind the University bookstore.
Bloomsburg, PA
Tickets: $5 at door or FREE with BU ID

Lethan will be telling a series of works in the style of one of his greatest inspirations, H.R.H. Lord Richard Buckley (1906-1960). Lord Buckley, a performer in the 30s, 40s, and 50s, is best known for his work with “Hip semantics,” translating classic texts to the hip vernacular popular at the time. For this show, Lethan will be accompanied by his long time friend, Crystal Newby, who will provide a beautiful gospel/soul music accompaniment to the works. The program will then be further accented by a light show created by the Director of Theater at Bloomsburg University, and Lethan’s father, Bruce Candlish. Lethan is thrilled to be working with such a talented group of artists and to be sharing Lord Buckley’s work with so many of his friends in Pennsylvania.

Please Note: This program is intended for adult audiences