There’s No Business Like. . .

Jean Houston and Ms. Winfrey

My old friend, working associate, and favorite teacher Jean Houston will be conversing with Oprah Winfrey on her show, Super Soul Sunday, this November 25th, on the OWN Network. If you miss the cable broadcast, you can also see the program in streaming video at 11am EST on Oprah.com, or archived on the same website.

Jean’s report after taping the show a few weeks ago was how absolutely charming and talented Ms. Winfrey is (no surprise there) and how hard she works.  That’s no surprise to Jean, who understands about working hard. Jean’s business manager, Connie Buffalo, and Ms. Winfrey worked together in Nashville some 37 years ago and enjoyed a fine “do you remember when?” reunion on the day the interview was taped.  Jean’s new book, The Wizard of Us, is available now and provides much of the meat of her interview with Ms. Winfrey.  Oprah sent this word about her time with Jean:

“Jean Houston interview was so deep I had to get transcript to process all the aha’s. They were coming so fast.”

Two close friends of Jean’s work – and of mine in Sacred Theatre – provided help with getting the book accomplished:  Diane Nichols, writer, researcher, playwright, and poet, assisted Jean with the research and writing.  And Denise Kester, Ashland’s wonderful visual artist, provided the artwork for the cover, with her mysterious and beautiful “Mother Natura.” Diane’s original play, the comedy “Tomatoes,” will be produced next spring at the Rogue Valley’s oldest community theatre, Barnstormers in Grants Pass, with Diane directing.

Speaking of Directing, I am working with the Ashland Contemporary Theatre to direct a staged reading of an original play about Madame de Pompadour.  Jeanine Grizzard, Artistic Director of ACT, is playing Pompadour; the script is by local writer Molly Tinsley and the reading will happen at the Ashland Community Center, beginning January 19.