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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels July 29, 2004 The Golden era of Camelot Local radio personality, author, politician takes his act onto the stage By Steve Zimmerman Ashland Daily Tidings Jeff Golden didn't think he would ever return to live theater after many years had passed since his college days. But a phone call with theater director Herman Edel changed those thoughts completely. "Herman, who I have known at Jefferson Public Radio for years, called me out of the blue one day to tell me I am Zorba," he said. "It took me awhile to process that. All I knew about Zorba was the Anthony Quinn movie in the 60s." Golden leads a talented cast of stage veterans in Camelot Theatre's production of Zorba, which plays Friday through Monday until Aug. 22. Golden didn't even know there was a musical. But he did know that Edel loved the play. "He asked me if I could sing," Golden said. "My answer to that, and I am probably in a small minority, was yes. I have always enjoyed singing but have had no training." The play is very demanding on a singer and because he knew he was going to be up for the role, Golden did receive some vocal training. After the training, he auditioned and got the role. "The more I looked at the role, the clearer it was that I had to find time to do it," he explained. "Zorba lives large. Zorba is about overcoming the fears that make us shrink our lives. "I turned 50 a little while ago and started thinking about how much I am going to get out of life. I am someone who has let fear keep my life smaller than I want it to be. To have this handed to you is a huge gift." One aspect that Golden likes about the role is that Zorba dances and sings enthusiastically. That, he said, was more important that singing and dancing well and he knew he could do that. "There are excellent singers and dancers in the show," he said. "I have to do that with passion and I found that." Golden said he was even thinking about his fears when he took the role. "The invitation was for me to get beyond my fears,' he explained. "And really, what is the worst that can happen in any of this, that you look a little foolish? Maybe that is the biggest fear that keeps our lives small. The tradeoff is not good enough. The tradeoff of not looking foolish is not worth all you miss in trying new things." Now that the play has debuted, Golden said the audience has brought new energy to the cast. "It was great fun," he said. "It is a funny show, a moving show and that makes for a interchange of energy we didn't have until opening night." Among the audience members the first preview was Golden's son Dan. He was impressed with his father's performance. I don't think I need to say that I would be proud of my father no matter what he does," he said. "But Zorba was truly a gushing fountain of self-esteem for me. His sublime performance was rivaled only by his adroit stage presence. Nikos Kazantzakis was truly done an honor last night." The experience of the cast members has helped Golden with his adaptation to the stage. "My love interest in the play is Shirley Patton and she is a consummate pro," Golden said. "The thing about Shirley is that she has been in hundreds of plays and was the staple actress at the Festival for years. But she still has a curiosity and thirst to grow and be better. It is like someone in their first play. She has taught me a lot." Geoffrey Riley and Priscilla Quinby, both of whom are stage veterans, have also been a great help to Golden. Golden also just released a new book, "As If We Were Grown-ups - A Collection of Suicidal Political Speeches That Aren't." "It is a product of my passion and certainty that we can have much better politics than we do," he explained. "One of the things that keeps our politics shallow and insipid is the cycle we have bought into, that we need to be talked to like children." Golden said conventional wisdom in campaigns is that voters should be treated like spoiled children. But he believes the consultants are wrong, that the American electorate is ready to hear much, much more. Excerpts and information on the book are available on his Web site, www.asifweweregrownups.org. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams