V3 / Is1 • JANUARY 2015
ALSO IN THIS
ISSUE
Mr. Burns
One Little Pill
Sgt. Slaughter Atten Hut! New Mexico Entertainment magazine had the opportunity to sit down with wrestling’s American Patriot, Sergeant Slaughter, as he visits New Mexico for this years Albuquerque Comic Con.
Ponderosa Brewery
A FREE PUBLICATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS PG 14
COVER STORY
Sgt. Slaughter Atten Hut! New Mexico Entertainment magazine had the opportunity to sit down with wrestling's American Patriot, Sergeant Slaughter, as he visits New Mexico for this years Albuquerque Comic Con. PAGE 5
LET US ENTERTAIN YOU Mr. Burns
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Aux Dog Theatre turns the famous Simpson’s® character into a song & dance man.
MAKE ‘EM LAUGH Alex Reymundo The latino comedian heads to New Mexico for a hilarious performance.
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TURN IT UP The Creator Series The Stage at Santa Ana Star continues The Creator Series with Epsilon & Glaude.
EXTRAS Cindy Pickett Ferris Bueller’s loving on-screen mom makes a stop at Albuquerque Comic Con.
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THE SPORTS CONNECTION UFC 182 View this anticipated fight at The Santa Ana Star.
NOW SHOWING Behind the Scenes Claudia Christian screens her new film One Little Pill. January 2015
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12 BEHIND THE SCENES: FRIENDS OF FILM, VIDEO AND ARTS Celebrating their 10th year anniversary with big changes. 13 EXTRAS: CHICAGO AT POPEJOY HALL The Broadway hit makes a stop at Popejoy Hall. 20 THE CUT: PONDEROSA BREWERY Winter Elise gives her review on Albuquerque’s newest brewery.
NME STAFF Teresa Robinson-Ewers Publisher / Editor-in-Chief info@NMEntertains.com ----------------------------------------------Eduardo Robinson Managing Editor ----------------------------------------------Ariel Bisbee Photography & Multimedia Director Rhonda Heyns Copy Editor CONTRIBUTORS Darlene Esquibel, Winter Flack, Adrian Luna, Nadeige Severinghaus, Stephen Smith, Dave Staggs, Michel West, Mike West SUBSCRIPTIONS New Mexico Entertainment Magazine is $24 a year within the Continental United States. Please place your order online at www.NMEntertains.com. Please note the first issue will take 4-6 weeks.
New Mexico Entertainment 231 Sierra Dr. SE, Suite #11 Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108 505.450.4706 • www.NMEntertains.com
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LET US ENTERTAIN YOU: MR. BURNS THE MUSICAL
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hat right, ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Burns is now all about the song-and-dance in the Aux Dog Theater’s latest production, Mr. Burns, running January 8th - February 1st, 2015. What will endure when the cataclysm arrives—when the grid fails, society crumbles, and we’re faced with the task of rebuilding? Anne Washburn’s imaginative dark musical comedy propels us forward nearly a century, following a new civilization stumbling into its future. A paean to live theater, and to the resilience of Bart Simpson through the ages, Mr. Burns is an animated exploration of how the pop culture of one era might evolve into the mythology of another. Mr. Burns is a Pop Culture Apocalyptic Mashup that'll wow you! Nominee of the 2014 Drama League Award for Outstanding Production of a Broadway or Off-Broadway Play, Mr. Burns features Alisia Downing, Bridget Dunne, Fernando Gonzales, Hannah Guzman, Alissa Hall, Vincent Kirby, Grace Lapys, Patrick Maes, and Jessica Osbourne. The play is directed by Victoria Liberatori and Musical Director Nathaniel Flake. It is written by Anne Washburn whose previous works include The Internationalist, A Devil at Noon, Apparition, The Communist Dracula Pageant, I Have Loved Strangers, The Ladies, The Small and a transadaptation of Euripides' Orestes. Her work has been produced by 13P, Actors
Theater of Louisville, American Repertory Theatre, Cherry Lane Theatre, Clubbed Thumb, The Civilians, Dixon Place, Ensemble Studio Theater, The Folger, London's Gate Theatre, NYC's Soho Rep, DC's Studio Theater, Two River Theater Company, NYC's Vineyard and Woolly Mammoth. Awards include a Guggenheim, a NYFA Fellowship, a Time Warner Fellowship, Susan Smith Blackburn finalist, and residencies at MacDowell and Yaddo. She is an associated artist with The Civilians, Clubbed Thumb, New Georges, and is an alumna of New Dramatists and 13P. Tickets are on sale now at www.auxdog.com..
TURN IT UP: THE CREATOR SERIES: EPSILON & GLAUDE
The Stage continues their Creators Series in January with revolutionary artist Darin Epsilon and Donald Glaude at the Santa Ana Star Casino on January 23rd. Learn more about these amazing artists before checking them out: DARIN EPSILON Internationally acclaimed DJ, producer, radio host, and label owner Darin Epsilon is often referred to as a leader of the Progressive & Tech House scene. His Perspectives radio show and podcast, along with his frequent guest appearances on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio allow him to reach tens of thousands of listeners on a regular basis. His SoundCloud page alone has over 600,000 total plays and receives a whopping 10,000 plays per month. He launched his record label Perspectives Digital in November 2010 as an extension of the brand, further solidifying his influence and presence within the global dance community. To top it all, he was named one of the winners in John Digweed & Beatport's DJ Competition during the summer of 2011. 6
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As a gifted student of music from an early age, former record shop employee, and former director of a college radio station, Darin draws inspiration from his nearly encyclopedic knowledge and genuine appreciation of electronic music. He cites a variety of important influences in the past decade, from the early Leftfield and Future Sound of London albums, to the iconic Global Underground compilation series, to the sweeping sounds of Paul Oakenfold circa 1999, to Sasha & Digweed's mind-blowing Delta Heavy tour in 2002. To date, Darin has released music on many of the industry's most respected labels including Renaissance, Sudbeat, Hope Recordings, Perfecto, Armada, and Black Hole. His productions have entered Beatport's Top 100 charts numerous times and are featured in the compilations of Nick Warren, Markus Schulz, and Paul Oakenfold, among many others. Over the years, he has shared the spotlight with many of dance music's superstars including Hernan Cattaneo, Nick Warren, John Digweed, Sasha, James
TURN IT UP: THE CREATOR SERIES: EPSILON & GLAUDE Zabiela, Armin van Buuren, Above & Beyond, Markus Schulz, Ferry Corsten, BT, Sander Kleinenberg, Fedde Le Grand, John Graham (Quivver), Josh Gabriel (Gabriel & Dresden), Jody Wisternoff (Way Out West), Dirty South, Morgan Page, and countless others. He has also been invited to perform at North America's biggest festivals including the White Wonderland, Nocturnal Wonderland, and the Ultra Music Festival. Global brands such as MTV, American DJ, American Audio, Elation Professional, and Global Truss have all called upon him to provide the soundtrack to their videos. His music can also be found in the films Ecstasy and Slip Cue, placing him in a small category of producers that have ever made it onto the big screen. With hard work, passion, pure dedication to his art, and support from the industry's most revered names, this Chicago native turned LA transplant aims to prove that this is only the beginning to a long and promising career.
had attempted to spin house records. Donald’s fine ear helped him give birth to a new style. After mastering his craft, Donald began DJing in various clubs around Tacoma and Seattle. During that time he made several important connections which would launch his music to the forefront of what was quickly becoming one of the largest underground movements since New Wave in the late-70s. Perhaps the greatest connection Donald made was with another aspiring DJ and friend, DJ Dan. Together Donald & DJ Dan sparked the rave scene in Seattle and developed large followings. Knowing that Donald possessed an energy and ability to work the crowd that was unparalleled to anyone else on the circuit, Dan convinced San Francisco’s legendary Funky Tekno Tribe to bring down his good friend Donald to play at one of their parties. Donald’s talents quickly made him a permanent fixture on F.T.T.’s roster.
DONALD GLAUDE Confident. Exuberant. Raw. Innovative. These are just a few of the words industry insiders and fans have used to describe the talent behind one of America’s favorite house DJs, Donald Glaude. Ranked #68 on DJMag.com’s Top 100 DJs List in 2005, Donald skyrocketed to #48 this year and his genius keeps on growing… Born in Tacoma, Washington, Donald’s love for music began at an early age. Originally a disciplined student of classical music, he was well-versed in the upright bass and violin. Any aspirations Donald had to continue in the classical vein vanished once he heard his first house record. With an ear for blending music already under his belt, and a love for the energy and soul of musical prodigies like George Clinton and Funkadelic, Donald began to amass a collection of house records which he taught himself to mix with a pair of mismatched turntables and a Radio Shack mixer. Before Donald few DJs January 2015
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THE SPORTS CONNECTION: UFC 182
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ounge 54 at Santa Ana Star Casino, New Mexico’s Best Bet, will host a viewing party for the upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bouts. UFC 182 will be held Saturday, Jan. 3, featuring the Light Heavyweight Title Championship between Jon “Bones” Jones and Daniel Cormier. The lineup features 11 matchups including the Light Heavyweight Title Championship. In the main event, Jon “Bones” Jones (20-1) will fight to defend his title as he faces Daniel Cormier (15-0). The main card also includes a lightweight bout between Donald Cerrone (25-6) and Myles Jury (15-0), a middleweight
match-up between Brad Tavares (124) and Nate Marquardt (36-13-2) and a flyweight faceoff between Kyoji Horiguchi (14-1) and Louis Gaudinot (7-3). A welterweight showdown between Hector Lombard (34-4-1) and Josh Burkman (27-10) rounds out the main card. Admission to the UFC viewing party at Lounge 54 is $10. Doors open at 5 p.m. Guests must be 21 years old or older to attend. For more information, please call (505) 867-0000 or visit www.lounge54atthestar.com.
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MAKE ‘EM LAUGH: ALEX REYMUNDO
“Together, we will rule the world!”
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ith two one-hour specials that aired on Showtime, Comedy Central & Netflix: (RedNexican & Award-winning Hick-Spanic) Alex Reymundo appeals to all demographics. Three words describe him best - Funny as hell. Reymundo’s exposure to live standup began in Arlington, TX in 1988. Reymundo proudly boasts about serving Ron White Tequila & a Budweiser right before he hit the stage on Tatersalad’s amateur comedy debut. The two Texas comics emerged & traveled the nation together for the first few years of their early careers. Five years of road gigging throughout the mid-west led him to Los Angeles where he discovered an exploding Latino comedy scene. It wasn’t long before Alex was touring with Paul Rodriguez. The timing was right & before too long Alex emerged as One of Paramount Picture’s “The Original Latin Kings of Comedy” alongside Paul Rodriguez, Cheech Marin, George Lopez & Joey Medina. Reymundo went on to be a highlight of P. Diddy’s “Bad Boys of Comedy” first season.
Over the next few years he produced & premiered his two one hour comedy specials Hick-Spanic & Red-Nexican. As of recent, Reymundo can be seen across the nation touring with O’l friend & Blue Collar’s Bad Boy Ron White & just was seen by 6 million viewers on CMT (2011) with Ron White’s Salute to the Troops(w/ Lewis Black & Kathleen Madigan). Alex played as Producer & Host on “The Payaso Comedy Slam” (Showtime & Comedy Central) &“The Latin Divas of Comedy” (Showtime). The twenty year standup has widened his skills in 3 films, “Permanent Vacation,” “The Movement,” & “El Matador;” he has done voice over work for many companies as well as Disney’s animated “Cars” project and has 20 years of touring under his belt. Alex has performed on the deck of the USS
Roosevelt at sea and soared with legendary Blue Angels. Reymundo was born in Acapulco Mexico, raised in Ft. Worth, Texas, and now resides in the Blue Grass state of Kentucky. Reymundo has always had passion for Tequila (cause he’s Mexican) and has recently used his producer skills to launch his own Premium Tequila label, 5-time Award Winning Premium Tequila, Number JUAN. Alex’s partner in Tequila is, of course, old pal Tatersalad Ron White, himself. If you ask either one about their spiritual endeavor, they will say with a shit-eating grin “together we will rule the world”! Check out Reymundo’s latest show in Albuquerque on January 29th at The Stage at Santa Ana Star. Tickets are on sale now at www.thestageatthestar.com.
BEHIND THE SCENES: FRIENDS OF FILM, VIDEO & ARTS
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ew Mexico based Friends of Film Video and Arts is celebrating its 10th anniversary with big changes. Anne Stirling a founding member of FoFVA is spearheading the new direction with the help of dedicated FoFVA members, not only will they continue to be a relationship building group, but now they will be going into hands-on production. Anne, with the help of FoFVA, wants to re-invent how quality television is made; by creating a new, cooperative production with one of her projects that is close to her heart, Quirky View. Quirky View, a television show showcasing real people doing real things that are fun and different, will be the vehicle to help FoFVA grow from a networking group into a hands-on, broadcast quality, film-training program, that gives back to the community. “This endeavor will be a great way for people to get involved in a production and see it through,” shares Stirling. “Quirky View a top quality, well respected, and well received series that is in demand year to year as an upbeat, off-beat content that highlights people doing things they are passionate about. It will be a long year of working out the details, but FoFVA will begin a production schedule in January 2015. With a small-dedicated group, FoFVA hopes to make a business model that will inspire 12
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others and add diversity to television and movie line-ups. What will be the outcome from designing a new business model for production? The production will continually train new people in all areas of film including cross-training members, giving members a place to teach and share experiences from the film world, and a database of FoFVA members to showcase their talents, projects and skill sets. FoFVA hopes one day to be a clearinghouse of all things film in New Mexico; for now building a community of quality filmmakers helping one another is the priority. It will also give members a chance to own a share of the production the way customers own part of their local co-op. FoFVA will reach out to all the film organizations in New Mexico, guest filmmakers, and online submission from all over for Quirky View segments to make a fully collaborative endeavor. Professionals in all areas will be brought in to mentor and keep the production running as members learn what needs to be done. FoFVA is celebrating 10 years by leaping into uncharted territory to demystify the film industry and make it accessible to people who might not have another way to learn, hands-on. This first year maybe a rough one, but it will be full of surprises and wonderful adventures into cooperative productions.
EXTRAS: CHICAGO AT POPEJOY HALLL
CHICAGO is back in town and it's pure entertainment! CHICAGO which opened to rave reviews on November 14th, 1996, now has the distinction of being the longest running American musical in Broadway history, and... shows no sign of ever slowing down! Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who maliciously murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today’s tabloids. With a legendary book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse, music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, CHICAGO is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording. Produced by Barry and
Fran Weissler, CHICAGO is the winner of six 1997 Tony Awards including Best Musical Revival and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Cast Recording. It features set design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Ken Billington and sound design by Scott Lehrer. The production also features orchestrations by Ralph Burns, supervising music direction by Rob Fisher. CHICAGO is a production not to be missed. The National touring company performs for 6 shows only, January 15 – 18 in Popejoy Hall. Ticket prices range from $30 - $85. Tickets can be purchased at the UNM Ticket Offices and select area Albertsons locations, or online at popejoypresents.com or unmtickets.com. To charge by phone, call (877) 664-8661 or (505) 925-5858. Group orders for 10 or more may be placed by calling (505) 344-1779.
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COVER STORY: SERGEANT SLAUGHTER
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h, the memories I have watching WWF with my dad, screaming at the television when Rick Flair would fight with Hulk Hogan or watching Macho Man Randy Savage take on Rowdy Roddy Piper. But there was one character that stood out to me - covered in camouflage and barking in the ring. Sergeant Slaughter stood for America, taking down bad guys like The Iron Sheik who spoke badly about our country. I won't lie. When I heard that Sgt. Slaughter was making a stop in Albuquerque for the Albuquerque Comic Con I got giddy, and I was even more excited when I got a message on my machine from the drill instructor. I didn't know what do expect with this interview, but I learned that The Serge and I had something in common and I was surprised with how it ended. Let's start from the beginning. Robert Remus was born August 27, 1948. He had the same memories I did when he was young when it came to watching matches with his father. “I used to watch wrestling with my dad and boxing on Friday nights - Pabst Blue Ribbon was the sponsor,” remembers Remus. “It was just one of those times in my life that I’ve never forgotten because it was time that I got to 14
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spend with my dad. He was a very busy man, trying to put food on the table. He was a farmer and a roofer. He did all different kinds of things to support us. But when it came to wrestling I always remember my mother saying “It’s Saturday night!” Wrestling was on and we got to pick out a TV dinner or pot pie of our choice. We would all sit in the living room with our TV trays and watch wrestling together, so I was a fan all my life.” Remus attended Eden Prairie High School in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, where he both wrestled and played football. After high school, Remus decided to serve his country and join U.S. Marine Corps, becoming a Sergeant. While on leave, Remus, thinking of what to do next, was approached by a friend who was a sports writer; he invited Remus to join him on a story about a wrestling group. Remus was up for it and imagined what he was in for. “I imagined it was going to be a gymnasium somewhere with weights and all kinds of rings and trampoline - all the things you need to become a professional wrestler,” says Remus. “But we came up on this barn with cars out front, with wrestlers inside throwing each other and trainers yelling.” One of those trainers asked if there were any
volunteers in the audience that would like to get in the ring. Remus took a moment on the decision “I’m in this barn with this boxing ring and chickens, and horses walking around,” jokes Remus. “Everyone else was a reporter with a pad and paper, so for a moment I thought to myself like that old movie, ‘You talking’ to me?’” So, Remus begrudgingly got into the ring and found himself taking part in a few fights, including one with a man who would become the infamous Rick Flair. The trainers, frustrated from Remus pinning everyone they threw in the ring with him, decided that they needed to take him on. “One of the trainers finally said ‘Get down on all fours, one of us is going to take you on.’” He took on Billy Robinson, who was the Britain Empire Champion and started the match by throwing his shin to the back of Remus’ foot, trying to break his leg, showing his disapproval of Remus embarrassing his training camp. Remus wasn’t having any of it. “That’s when I thought, ‘No more Mister Nice Guy’ - I came up swinging and he came up swinging and we rolled outside the ring and had to be broken apart.” Remus took a breath out and found himself having a conversation with one of the other trainers of the camp. Both Marines, they started talking and the trainer offered him the opportunity to fight with his organization. After Remus retired from the Corp, he took that opportunity and has been wrestling ever since. To think that the day at the barn would lead to one of most memorable characters in WWF/WWE history. Slaughter reflected on that feeling of being famous and recognizable to the public. “It’s hard to describe,” explains Remus. “It took me awhile to adapt, making the ring my second home. I was very nervous and you almost lose your strength - I had to go into a zone, which worked with my career. I’ve wrestled in front of 30 people and I wrestled in front of 200,000 people, it was all the same to me because it was all part of my job to entertain them.” One of the things that was difficult at times was the talk - the talk of wrestling being fake. Remus
shared his feelings on that topic. “It hurt your feelings because you work so hard to entertain them,” says Remus. “My other wrestling compatriots would be offended, go after them and get them in the ring, but I was the opposite. I would just nod my head and say, ‘Well, believe what you want to believe.’ I had that same question in my mind, until I got into that ring the first day and found out they were pretty serious. But now it’s grown into such an entertainment sport that people don’t question it any more. They just watch it, enjoy it, and follow the storylines.” The interview took a two-part turn with Remus when I asked him about “the moment.” Every celebrity figure has one; that moment when you realize that you made it, that you’re a star. This question led
to one answer and then a s e c o n d phone call with
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a follow-up. “When I was in Madison Square Garden for the first time.” shared Remus. “Back when Vince McMahon’s father was running the company [WWF], when you were coming in to challenge the champion, all you did was television. So when I stepped into Madison Square Garden for the first time I thought about all the stars of entertainment that have sat in that same locker room that I was in. I walked out before the crowd was there and walked into the ring. It was so quiet and I turned myself around in the ring and imagined the crowd.” That night they sold out the Garden and Forum next to it. “When you do something like that, you know you’ve done something right.” says Remus. “When you have other wrestlers that you know from days past coming up thanking you for putting asses in the seats, that was the one moment. Other than seeing yourself as an action figure or a cartoon character on G.I. Joe. I was the first living and only living hero on G.I. Joe! As I go through Comic Con, I realize what I created.” After more thought to the question, Remus realized that there were other moments that made him realize that he really made it. “Another point in my career is when seven Presidents asked to meet
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me,” shared Remus. “It kind of let me know that I was on the map and people knew who I was.” I just had to put him on the spot and asked him if he remembered the seven Presidents. “This is like Jeopardy,” laughed Remus. “I should know these like the back of my hand.” Remus shared that Jimmy Carter, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. & George W. Bush, Gerald Ford, and Barack Obama asked to see him personally. “Reagan actually invited me to the White House, and flew an American flag over the Capitol in my honor,” remembers Remus. “He invited me to a dinner with around 200 celebrities.” After what seemed like a quick photo with the President, Remus was surprised to be ushered by Secret Service to another room where Remus found President Reagan saluting him. “He wanted me to put him in a Cobra Clutch and Secret Service didn’t think that was such a good idea,” says Remus. “So, he said why don’t I give you a push-up and the Secret Service didn’t think that was a great idea either, so finally they said just take a picture with you and his wife.” With celebrities and Presidents asking for his attention, I wondered if there was that one person that had him star-struck.
“Not only President Reagan, who I was a big fan of, but Paul Newman,” shared Remus. “Camouflage was all a part of my wardrobe. I was having a jacket and tuxedo in camouflage made by a tailor where I lived in Connecticut and my attorney was at the tailor when Paul Newman walked in to get some work done. He saw one of my camouflage jackets, held it up to his body and saw that it was three times his size and asked ‘What kind of animal would wear something like this?’ My attorney said, ’Sergeant Slaughter’ and Newman said, ‘Oh I heard he lived in the area.’ I asked my tailor if there was enough camo to make a jacket for Newman, which there was, so I had one made and put a note in the pocket and it said, ‘Dear Private Newman, I heard you were wondering what type of animal wears camouflage. Well, men wear camouflage. Welcome to the club.’” About two weeks later, Remus received a beautifully handwritten card from Newman and they were friends until his death on September 26, 2008. “I was always awe struck, even though we were friends, about how great an actor he was and his life. I truly, truly miss him.” In 2004, Slaughter’s power, honor and courage in the ring led to his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. Despite his brief span as an Iraqi sympathizer as a new angle for the WWF, and working with The Iron Sheik, which lead to disappointment from his fans, Serge saw the light and wanted his country. Besides, the Cobra Clutch is so much better than the Camel Clutch! Slaughter’s patriotic spirit could not be matched and truly made him The Great American Hero (yes, there is your G.I. Joe pun). The honor of being inducted in the Hall of Fame was a wonderful moment for Slaughter. “That was a real honor because you were chosen by your peers,” shared Remus. “It’s a moment when you let down your guard and you thank those that voted you in and you’re looking at all the past and present superstars that paved the road for you and who you paved the road for. It’s a very emotional time. It’s one of those nights you want to say everything and thank everyone
- it’s the Academy Awards® of Wrestling so you just don’t want to walk up there with a piece of paper, you want to do it from your heart. It was a very emotional night and my family was there. I got to thank them for allowing me to follow my dream. It was a really incredible night.” Remus also reflected on how wrestling has changed over the years, becoming part of the digital age and using social media to expand its presence. He expressed that he just hasn’t become part of that age, enjoying meeting face to face with the fans. “Everything is so different now with social media.” shares Remus. “I am not a social media type person, so I enjoy going to the events and meet my fans personally. I don’t see much, the tweeting and the texting and everything. It’s not very personable to me and it’s just great to have someone come up to you, salute you, give you a hug and say ‘Thank you, I’m a huge fan’ and know, by the way, that they’re there and how they’re acting that they are - waiting for an autograph, or a picture or putting them in a Cobra Clutch; they watched all those years. There’s nothing like meeting your fans and your fans meeting you. It’s a great time.” With this advance, bringing wrestling to new generations, when it comes to his legacy Remus was happy to share. “I guess my legacy would be that people were entertained by me and when I’m gone they’ll miss me. Not only the fans, but everyone. I hope I’ve done things in this world and in my life that will make people miss me when I’m gone.” When a celebrity tells you that this interview and the questions asked will keep him up for a few hours, thinking about what a 30 year long history has meant for him, his family and his life, it really leaves an impression. The name Sergeant Slaughter will continue to resonant in my heart and mind and in the hearts and minds of his fans. Whether he’s putting them in a Cobra Clutch or ordering them to “drop and give him 20”, he is grateful for the love and praise his followers bring and looking forward to what the future holds - in and out of the ring..
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NOW SHOWING: CLAUDIA CHRISTIAN - ONE LITTLE PILL
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lbuquerque will be graced with the presence of Babylon 5’s military higher-up, Susan Ivanova, played by the talented Claudia Christian. Christian has moved on to many different projects, working on such shows as Grimm, Castle and The Mentalist and featured films, two currently in production and three in development. Christian will be screening her latest film, One Little Pill, at The Albuquerque Film Fest, Albuquerque Comic Con movie fest during the convention. She is the Producer and narrator of the film. One Little Pill takes an in depth look at alcoholism and the drug that can change it all - the treatment for alcoholism they don't want you to know about. Worldwide, alcoholism kills more people than HIV, nearly 2.5 million per year. Yet what the public believes, and Alcoholics Anonymous purports, "Once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic," may not be as true as you think. One Little Pill takes a look at a simple, safe method, the suppressing obstacles surrounding it, and those people just now finding it. Five years after it saved her life, Christian was featured on Larry King Live talking about The Sinclair Method. Named after the doctor who spent 40 years studying
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alcoholism, one must simply take naltrexone one hour before drinking and it will eventually extinguish the learned behavior of alcoholism. Claudia’s passion is to share this method and save lives. “The film is a documentary following the lives of some of the people I have put on The Sinclair method,” shared Christian. “A treatment for alcohol use disorder. It’s important to me because 3.3 million people die annually from AUD and 78% of those deaths are preventable with TSM.” Christian hopes that audiences leave the theater really thinking what this film can do to make a change in the topic and treatment of alcoholism. She and the characters in this documentary are risking themselves, in the hope that the addiction community will wake up, include modern techniques, and save millions of lives. “I hope to educate people about TSM and give hope to those in need,” shares Christian. Visit www.albuquerquecomiccon.com for screening information and visit www.onelittlepillmovie.com to learn more about this amazing documentary.
THE CUT: PONDEROSA BREWERY
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onderosa Brewery is one of Albuquerque newest microbreweries. It offers family style dining in an unexpected location. Just off Rio Grande, behind Hotel Albuquerque, Ponderosa occupies the ground floor of a newly rehabbed building. The main building is flanked by decorative water towers. The front of the restaurant - a wall of windows, allowing you to enjoy the view while you eats. For starters we began with the Roasted Red Pepper Hummus, easily some of the best hummus with a unique flavor in town. Served with veggies, this little dish is big on taste and low on guilt, allowing you to spend your calories elsewhere. I chose the Breakfast Stout for my brewing pleasure. Deep, rich oatmeal stout, brewed with a special coffee blend from Fat Boy Coffee Roasters. It may not have been breakfast, but the stout was able to warm the chill out of my bones before dinner. A taste of their Ocktoberfest would lead me to believe that a decision would be hard when choosing a beer. The Ponderosa Burger is a welldone 6oz pattie with all the trimmings served with a choice of fries or
salad. The burger was good, all though more cooked then I would like. The salad was simple, but for someone who enjoys Blue Cheese dressing, their offering was closer to Ranch. The Smoked Gouda Mac and Cheese was comfort food gone right, very creamy. Overall, the beer selection was solid, with the Breakfast Stout being the standout achievement. The food was good, if not a little bland for my taste, and prices were reasonable. Check out Ponderosa and make sure you try the hummus.
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EXTRAS: CINDY PICKETT
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he film mother of Ferris Bueller had done well for herself. With a career spanning over 35 years, Cindy Pickett has a portfolio that ranges from drama, comedy to thrillers and fans will be have a chance to pick her brain at this year’s Albuquerque Comic Con. But before that, we thought we would take a chance to pick first. Acting was in her blood, being the daughter of a director and drama teacher. She found herself doing a memorable stint as Jackie Marler-Spaulding on the legendary soap opera, Guiding Light. “It was a dream job,” says Pickett. “Good pay, wonderful scripts, and amazing talent. A 15-year-old Kevin Bacon was cast at the same time and Jobeth Williams, who had been a friend of mine in Houston, also was added to the cast. The writers had an uncanny knack for writing our personal history into our character, which gave them more depth than the usual sappy material on the other soaps. It was the
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perfect training ground for a theatre actor going from projecting to the last row in the theatre to the intimacy and simplicity and necessity of less is more on film. When it was our story line, we would have to memorize 30 pages of dialogue a night! That was a great challenge from having weeks to prepare in the theatre to an overnight “candles in the bath” memorizing session and not knowing your blocking until you were on set and ready to shoot. But what that did was make the actor more vulnerable and the emotion more spontaneous, which is something so important, even necessary, for close-ups and the life and truth of a character on film.” Pickett took a big turn when she chose to play a featured role in the 1980 erotic film, Night Games (Jeux de Nuit), a sexually charged role that found her doing a numerous amount of nude scenes. Although the film didn’t boost Pickett’s career at the time, she doesn’t regret the opportunity. “With
Night Games, it was an opportunity to work with a legend on, yes, not so great material, but I didn't care,” shared Pickett. “I got to travel to the Philippines and work with an international crew. Remember, I was still fresh from Texas, college, and regional theatre. Growing up in the theatre I was not shy about my body. How many times did we have to all dress in the same dressing room!? Modesty does not belong in the arts. Plus I had never travelled outside of the country and to get paid for it? To work with a Svengali and to have my name tagged at the end of 'Bardot, Deneuve, Fonda...Pickett'! I did a very tasteful layout for Playboy. The west coast editor became my friend and she let me pick out some of the shots for my personal use, which it do take to these conventions. I put Ferris Bueller on one end of the table and Playboy on the other - they are my two best sellers!” Pickett found herself flourishing in other roles including the mother of Steven Stayner in the television movie I Know My First Name is Steven. Pickett remembers her time on set. “I had given birth to my son, Shane, six weeks before when they offered me this wonderful role,” said Pickett. “I still had my baby weight and wasn't really ready to work. But when I read the script, I knew I had to play this woman, who kept the faith he would come home, long after everyone else had given up. She and I became friends, as we did many interviews together. She was very powerful in her quiet strength. I got to know her whole family, they would visit the set, and Steven did a cameo at the end of the movie playing the cop who brings him back to our house, after being gone for 7 years. I'm sure you know it ended in tragedy, this fable. Steven bought a motorcycle with the money he got for selling his story and, not too long after our movie aired, he was hit by a car, on a rainy night, on that motorcycle, and killed. As an actress, it was a very emotional experience, as
I had just had a son and the thought of him being abducted made the experience and the feelings very real, which is what you must find as an actress - the truth.” Other roles on Pickett’s resume include her roles on Call to Glory, St. Elsewhere, Crossing Jordan and Burn Notice. But the role she is most remembered for is the loving mother of America’s favorite misunderstood misfit, Ferris Bueller, in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. Pickett remembers fondly that time on the set. “Ferris Bueller has been invited into the national archives. How many actors can say they have been in a film that has been deemed a national treasure! When we made this delightful, and in the end, important movie, we had no idea that it would be the John Hughes film that would rise to the top and turn into the cult classic it has become. All of Hughes’s movies were fun and captured the teen angst that kids today can still relate to. To me, that is the definition of a classic: endurance, relatability. John had some kind of insight into the pulse of that generation and Ferris embodied the best, the hope, of how to be positive and live in humor and push the envelope a little; to manage and maneuver through that minefield of adolescence. The last line says it all, ‘Life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.’ That was not the final line that was written in the original script. I think it is something John came up with as we were shooting. He loved adlibbing, if it worked. We had that freedom and he always encouraged his actors to bring something fresh to a scene, he was a genius. As far as being on the set, the kids mostly stayed together after work, but in the Bueller house, there was a pool table, and when there was a long lighting set up or at lunch we would all migrate to that pool table! It was an easy set, with a perfect cast, and everyone got along. On Fridays, the caterer would always make a grand meal with lobster and champagne. It was magical in every way - the
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“As an actress, it was a very emotional experience... which is what you must find as an actress - the truth.” “windy city”, great cast, brilliant script, even more brilliant director. On the weekends, sometimes we'd go dancing, and John would go with us. He wouldn't dance, but loved being with young people - he was so young at heart. The girls would all dance together and he would just watch and walk us back to the hotel. As you probably know, Lyman Ward, who played Mr. Bueller, and I met and started dating while we were making the movie, and eventually got married and had a couple of kids of our own. When my son was around 8 years old, he turned to me after we had watched the movie a million and one times and said, "Mom, why didn't you name me Ferris?" I feel very blessed to have been a part of the experience that was the making of this classic and I do believe and live by that last line - ‘If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.’” Now Pickett is working on new productions including White Wings, Te Ata, and Opus of an Angel. She was excited to discuss Te Ata. “I completed Te Ata this summer, which was quite wonderful,” shared Pickett. “It is the true story of Te Ata Thompson Fisher, Chickasaw, whose name means “Bearer of the morning”. She was born in Oklahoma and went to a woman's college in 22
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the 1920’s. She was the first Native American woman to attend that college. I play her drama teacher who spots her one day off campus speaking sparrow to a small bird. I invite her into my drama class, and eventually encourage her to go to New York to study further at Carnegie Tech. Her gift was through her drumming, chanting, and moving stories of her native people. She brought the beauty and wisdom of Native American culture to the world in a way that helped develop a deeper appreciation for basic human kindness and respect for the natural world. She eventually performed for presidents, kings, royalty, and heads of state. She became of favorite of Eleanor Roosevelt, who asked her to perform at their first state dinner. The great Graham Green plays the Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, and Q'orianka Kilcher, who played Pocahontas in Terence Malik's The New World is Te Ata. Great cast, great script, inspirational story, and a wonderful director. I was very grateful and privileged to play the mentor of this great talent and honestly to be a part of this film.” Pickett will be taking part in this year’s Albuquerque Comic Con. Come out and show your appreciation for such a talent and passionate actor.