Palisades-News-July-8-2015

July 8, 2015 Palisades News Page 25Palisades resident Martin Rayner plays thepart of Creon in Oedipus Machina.Raynor(Continued from Page 24)after finishing up a two-year run of Freud’sLast Session in New York that staged 850performances. When I met with Odysseyproducer Ron Sossi, who was interested instaging Freud, he was in the midst of castingOedipus, and said he thought I wouldmake a great Creon.“I began rehearsals, and it’s amazing howquickly you can get into it. While the languagein the play, adapted by contemporaryplaywright Ellen McLaughlin, is beautifuland poetic, it is fairly difficult to memorize,unlike Shakespeare’s iambic pentameter,which is closer to everyday speech and somuch easier to learn.”Rayner says he wanted to play the innerpart of Creon. “I didn’t want to do a lot ofshouting or emoting. That space (the Odys -sey stage) is very small; you can see an eyebrowraised. I wanted to show how I wasfeeling things. I was trying to use my innerintensity all the time. Acting is a holy act youshare with the audience: live it and share it.”When Rayner came to live in the UnitedStates, he was doubtful.“I was a prissy Englishman who thoughtAmericans couldn’t do Shakespeare nearlyas well as the English. My first view ofShakespeare was Joe Papp’s Shakespeare inCentral Park, where I saw a production thatwas so good, it shocked me. And, I mightadd, the American accent is much closer toShakespeare’s lines.”Rayner says that he is happy to be backin Los Angeles and living in his house onPorto Marina Way, just a walk away fromthe beach where he enjoys his long runs.“I am happy to be part of the Odysseyfamily. I was so wrapped up in voice work,I didn’t know about Ron Sossi, but now Iwant to do more, direct and submit moreplay suggestions. I am hoping to do Freud.”Oedipus Machina plays at the OdysseyTheatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., 8 p.m.Wednesdays through Saturdays, 2 p.m.Sundays. $34 (310) 477-2055 or www.odys -seytheatre.com.Eric McIntyre (center, in purple) traveling on Pacific Coast Highway to raise money forthe Lazarex Cancer Foundation.Photo: Brian DemingMcIntyre Rides to Support WifeEric McIntyre is riding 7,200 miles on hisbike to raise awareness for cancer trialsand to support his wife Liz, who hasbeen fighting pancreatic cancer for two years.McIntyre, 58, traveled on Pacific CoastHighway, past Pacific Palisades on June 4.He has underwritten 100 percent of theride and hopes to raise $50,000 to donateto the Lazarex Cancer Foundation, whichmaintains a database for hundreds of clinicaltrials for 88 kinds of cancer. Currently,he has garnered a little more than $18,000.The ride started in New Orleans on April19, and after traveling through 18 statesMcIntyre will return to New Orleans onAugust 8. His wife accompanies him in avan for as much as she is able.A supporter told the News, “Eric wants tosupport his wife—spirituality, emotionallyand physically.” Tod Hillman of HollywoodMedia Services is documenting the ride.Visit: crowdrise.com/pcvtour or go toYouTube: pcvtour or Facebook: pancreaticcancer victory. Broker Associate Fine Home Specialist 30+ Years ExperienceKATYKREITLER