Author Archives: Jayne Anne Harris

What people are saying about “Caravan to Oz” – photographer Dan Nicoletta

What people are saying about “Caravan to Oz” – photographer Dan Nicoletta

Angels of LightHibiscus aka George Harris III in “Femme Fatale -The Shocking Pink Life of Jayne Champagne” Photo by Dan Nicoletta c 1976

Talented photographer and friend Dan Nicoletta had this to say about “Caravan to Oz”

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Caravan To Oz – an essential text on theatre history and LGBT history….,November 8, 2014
This review is from: Caravan to Oz: A family reinvents itself off-off-Broadway (Paperback)
This is a treasure trove of theatre and LGBT history. The legendary Harris Family are a significant vessel for understanding the turbulent social changes of the seminal off off broadway era as well as the west coast independent theatre and film and music scenes of the 60’s through the 80’s. But until now, so much about the family had remained a mystery. Those of us in the know and who appreciated the gravity of their legacy longed for a more in depth remembrance of what actually did occur and who the players were in this legendary family that swirled in and around LaMama Theatre and Cafe Cino and Hibiscus who co-founded the Cockettes as well as The Angels of Light theatre companies. (west and east coast troupes)… and now thankfully we have a definitive primary source text that is lovingly and brilliantly crafted collectively by the surviving family members. The book is chock full of meticulous archival material for the history geek in all of us, but is also a heart wrenching personal remembrance as the latter day Harris’s collectively excavate their whirlwind lives. The book and the family are GOLDEN… a joy to read… tons of amazing pictures… I am completely ferklempt about this one… been waiting a long time for something like this to come along…. Hibiscus was always so sweet to me the few times we met… no wonder… his family is lovely to get to know a little through their wonderful memoir….

 

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Two ways to order Caravan to Oz at The Drama Book Shop

Two ways to order Caravan to Oz at The Drama Book Shop

angels of light tnc

 

There are now two ways to order Caravan to Oz at The Drama Book Shop. Visit the shop in New York City at 250 West 40th. The book is in the theater history section. Or visit their website to order it online at the following link: Caravan to Oz

 

 

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The Wherehouse

The Wherehouse

the wherehouse poster

 

 

Our friend Daniel Brown and his wife Michelle own The Wherehouse at 119 Liberty Street in Newburgh New York. Good food, Good Music and Great Company!!!  We are honored to be on their wall in the restaurant with our “Hibiscus and the Screaming Violets” poster designed by the legendary comic book artist Dave Simons.

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Season of the Witch – David Talbot

Season of the Witch – David Talbot

season of the witch

 

Our brother, Hibiscus aka George Harris III, is featured in David Talbot’s mesmerizing book, Season of the WitchIn a kaleidoscopic narrative, New York Times bestselling author David Talbot tells the gripping story of San Francisco in the turbulent years between 1967 and 1982 – and of the extraordinary men and women who led the city to its ultimate rebirth and triumph. Season of the Witch is the first book to fully capture the dark magic of San Francisco in this breathtaking period, when the city radically changed itself – and then revolutionized the world.

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Jim Bowers – Caped Wonder

Jim Bowers – Caped Wonder

Jim-Bowers

Jim Bowers is the creator and curator of  “Caped Wonder,” a website whose mission is to honor and celebrate Christopher Reeve’s legacy as an Actor, Humanitarian, Teacher and Family Man; and to honor the directors, filmmakers, writers, cast and crew of the classic Superman movie series.

The following is from his blog:

24 December 2014

Walter Michael Harris, son of George Harris II who portrayed Officer Mooney in Superman-The Movie, along with his mom and sisters, have written a book, Caravan to Oz, about their amazing acting family. Highly recommended! I had the privilege of contributing photos to their book. You can purchase your copy here. Here is their Facebook page and their official website. Be sure to check out Michael’s dedication to his dad on CapedWonder.com here.

 

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Caravan to Oz Is Now Available At The Drama Book Shop

Caravan to Oz Is Now Available At The Drama Book Shop

drama book shopOur show-biz family memoir, Caravan to Oz: A family reinvents itself off-off-Broadway is now offered at The Drama Book Shop in NYC:  

The DRAMA BOOK SHOP, Inc.
250 West 40th Street – between 7th & 8th Avenue
Tel: 212 944-0595

STORE HOURS (GMT-5)
Monday—Saturday: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursdays until 8:00 p.m.
Sundays noon until 6:00

Caravan to Oz is narrated by family members and guests including Oscar-winning actor/director Tim Robbins, theater producers Ellen Stewart, Crystal Field and Ritsaert ten Cate, playwrights Robert Patrick and Robert Heide, filmmakers Scott Morris and Mike Figgis, and educator John Bernhardt. It’s not easy raising six kids in the arts. But the outlier Harrises answer every challenge on their personal yellow brick road with courage and commitment. Their pioneering journey offers something to anyone who is driven by a dream.

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Peaches Christ – Drag Dossier #2: Hibiscus

Peaches Christ – Drag Dossier #2: Hibiscus

hibiscus vine leaves In 2012, actor, writer and pop culture enthusiast Michael Varrati wrote a nice piece about George Harris III aka HIbiscus on the blog of performer Peaches Christ. Michael writes regularly for her blog. In the piece, he describes HIbiscus’ role in founding the performance troupes The Cockettes and the Angels of Light

Drag Dossier #2: Hibiscus

Hibiscus, photo by Joshua Freiwald

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James Dean Gallery

James Dean Gallery

 

david loehr

Our friend David Loehr (pictured upper left from our book – Caravan to Oz: A family reinvents itself off off Broadway) was in the Angels of Light (East Coast) production “Gossamer Wings” at Theater for the New City in 1972.  It was a magical time on off off Broadway.

David Loehr and his partner Lenny Prussack own the James Dean Gallery in Fairmount, Indiana the birthplace of James Dean,  The James Dean Memorial Gallery was established in 1988 in the actor’s hometown and final resting place of Fairmount, Indiana. This extensive exhibit is the private collection of James Dean archivist David Loehr, who began collecting in 1974. The collection is housed in a beautifully restored 1890 Victorian home, located on tree-lined North Main Street in downtown Fairmount.

Click on the links below to read more about the James Dean Gallery and make some time to go visit this unique place.

James Dean Gallery

James Dean Gallery on Facebook

 

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The Harris Sisters – Had an all-access pass to the greatest music scene on earth!

The Harris Sisters – Had an all-access pass to the greatest music scene on earth!

the harris sisters rock and roll

By Jayne Anne Harris, Eloise Harris and Mary Lou Harris

Photo by Dan Jansen

(L-R Jayne Anne Harris, Eloise Harris and Mary Lou Harris)

 Off-Off Broadway theater was our first home. For two decades, The Harris Sisters (Jayne Anne, Eloise and Mary Lou) and the rest of our family performed in original drama and musicals at New York City’s La Mama ETC., Caffe Cino, Joseph Papp’s New York Shakespeare Festival Public Theater, Theater for the New City, Judson Poets Theater and more. They travelled across Europe with their brother Hibiscus and his Angels of Light Theater troupe. 
Inspired by the beat of the New York punk and rock scene of the late 1970’s, The Harris Sisters and Trouble (our band), led by brother Fred, included bassist Ray Ploutz, guitarists Bill Davis and Josh Callow and drummers Mike Pedulla and Mike Kimmel, played at CBGB, SNAFU, Great Gildersleeves, The Mudd Club, RT Firefly, Peppermint Lounge and other rock venues of the day.

At the height of the disco era, The Harris Sisters were unable to resist our charismatic brother Hibiscus’ charms in wooing us to form the bejeweled rock and roll group, Hibiscus and the Screaming Violets. We embarked on a new tour of New York City disco clubs such as Studio 54, Xenon, The Ice Palace, Bonds, Danceteria and The Red Parrot. We performed on the same circuit with Madonna, The Weather Girls, Blondie, Nona Hendryx, Grace Jones, Michael Musto and The Must, Billy Idol and Cyndi Lauper. It seemed that we had an all access pass to the greatest musical scene on earth…. Stay tuned for more blogs from The Harris Family…
Read The Harris Sisters’ full story in their new memoir, Caravan to Oz: a family reinvents itself off-off Broadway

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