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Merkel offers Cameron some support in his drive to re-negotiate the terms of EU membership, amid a largely negative response from European leaders, with a former Belgian Prime Minster saying there can be “no question” of granting Britain opt-outs.

In his much anticipated and hyped speech about his vision for the future of the EU, Prime Minster David Cameron warned that without reform, “Europe will fail and Britain will drift to the exit.”

But his speech was met with alarm in mainland Europe, with only a handful of nations offering lukewarm support to the PM’s ideas.

Germany’s Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was ready to “talk about British wishes”and that she wanted to see a “fair compromise”. Her limited support will likely be seen as a small victory for Cameron.

“I don’t believe that to make a decision at this moment is the right way forward, either for Britain or for Europe as a whole,” said Cameron, assuring that he would hold the referendum in 2017 should he be re-elected in 2015.

“I say to the British people: this will be your decision. And when that choice comes, you will have an important choice to make about our country’s destiny,” stated the British Prime Minister.

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When it comes to post Soviet (1989), absurdist, dark political satire with a desire to shake things up – call the Bulgarians.  They do the tongue-in-cheek bit with such plausibility and devilish fervor I feel the filmmakers may be in for a little “questioning session” when they return home following the Palm Springs International Film Festival.  If this film were an American made movie with this storyline, the creative team would probably be facing a congressional panel of Senators about now.  It’s a pity that American politicians have no sense of humor when it comes to telling it like it is, or when their hypocritical sensitive eyes have movie/media and press fingers poked into them.

 The screenplay written by Bulgarian educator and novelist Vladislav Todorov is based  on his novel “The Zincograph”.  It’s a wildly inventive and whimsically directed movie by Emil Christov that stars Ruscen Vidinliev in a winning performance in how to succeed in Balkan politics without really existing.  His slick, send-up comedy performance is worthy of Alec Guinness in “Kind Hearts and Coronets” or of a Peter Sellars performance in an irony-packed “Dr. Strangelove”, or with a stretch, a Tom Courtenay portrayal as a habitual prevaricator, in “Billy Liar”.

The story revolves around Batko Stemenov (Ruscen Vidinliev) a young Bulgarian university student who has been recruited by the secret police to spy on a group of his fellow students.  Over a three-year period most of Batko’s assignments have been totally absurd, and his reports even more so.  But after a blunder by his landlady, he is fired from his low-level spy job.  Attention Viewers!  Hell hath no fury like that of a scorned, dismissed, and disgruntled spy.  In practically no time at all, Batko begins his revenge plan.

Step One:  conjure up his own imaginary spy network and turn it against his former masters.  Step Two: Employ the same techniques used on him, taking care to document every facet of his imaginary spy network, which he names the SEX Department.  Then sit back and watch his former bosses squirm as their cupidity-filled world crumbles after 1989.  But, beware the backlash or too much self-satisfaction.

The supporting players: Irena Milyankova as Batko’s girlfriend, Lilia Abadjieva as Pravda, Deyon Donkov as Kolakov, and Rucsey Chanev as Mlyakov, are uniformly fine in making this film a satirist’s delight. The film is at its best when poking fun at its communist-styled regime.  The Kafkaesque tone is what makes the film so surreal, but at the same time, so plausible, and as a result, provide delicious guffaw-inducing moments throughout.  The underlying theme in this comedy of Balkan politics is the desire by practically everyone to collaborate and luxuriate in the pleasures of spying on others.

With the wide use of today’s Internet as an unwitting co-conspirator and collaborator, it’s no wonder today’s governments are eager to gather as much personal information about its citizens as possible.  “The Color of the Chameleon” may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it just struck an absurdist chord in me, which I thought might make it a worthwhile film for people to see.

Remember the old MGM slogan that boasted:  MGM the studio with more stars than there are in Heaven.  There’s nothing like Hollywood hyperbole is there?  Well Palm Springs may not be Hollywood and Coyote StageWorks is not MGM. Good thing too, as MGM is no longer in business and Coyote StageWorks is very much alive and well.

Now in its fourth year of presenting Equity productions to audiences of the Coachella Valley, the Palm Springs- based theatrical group presented a star-studded Fundraiser and a staged reading production of “The Women” at the Annenberg Theatre on Saturday, January 19, 2013.

The sold- out show featured Hollywood and TV stars on stage along side some of the Valley’s finest local actors.  As an added bonus some our best-known philanthropists and local celebrities also joined the cast making it a fun-filled evening of entertainment for a good cause.  Cheerleading in the front row was Harold Matzner, Chairman of the Board, The Palm Springs International Film Festival.

The actors, all twenty-two of them, performed with relish Clare Booth Luce’s classic comedy “The Women”.  Listed in alphabetical order, the performers were:  Valorie Armstrong; Lucie Arnaz; Kaye Ballard; Susanne Blakeslee; Mary Jo Catlett; Carole Cook; Peggy Cravens; Mo Gaffney; Helene Galen; Peri Gilpin; Gloria Greer; Florence Henderson; Myvanwy Jenn; Gracie Kaufman; Barbara Keller; Dorothy Kloss; Michele Lee; Lorna Luft; Jeannette Lyons; Bets Malone; Nancy Bleiweiss-Nevil, and a Special appearance by New York playwright/actor Charles Busch (who flew in from New York for the show).  The production was tenderly directed by Carl Andress and nicely stage managed by Jill Gold.

From a critic’s point of view the show was a hoot and very entertaining.  Thanks to the creative input of David Engel, the use of projection photos behind the actors indicating where the scenes were taking place was clever and effective.

It was a triumphant evening for Coyote StageWorks co-founders:  Chuck Yates, David Engel, Steve Carter, Alan Denny and Larry Raben (who was not able to attend due to a previous stage commitment).  On Friday, January 18th, following the afternoon Dress Rehearsal, Trio Restaurant treated all the cast members and their guests to its fabulous menu fare.

Following the performance, actors and audience gathered in the upstairs Art Museum for a hosted party of hors d’oeuvres, courtesy of Lulu California Bistro and all post show conversations were provided by everyone who attended the gala affair.  It was a great evening for all.

Up next for Coyote StageWorks is their production of “SUDS”.  It’s a Rocking 60s Musical Soap Opera, directed by David Engel.  The musical features Gwen Stewart from Broadway’s production of “Rent” and Bets Malone, and runs from February 7 through 17, 2013.  Following “SUDS” comes a special “Play Dates” series production starring Laurence Luckinbill in his acclaimed on-man show “Clarence Darrow Tonight!”  “Darrow” will be performed at the Annenberg Theatre, on March 10 at 2 pm and is free to the public.  Tickets become available the day of the show at the Annenberg Theatre box office.

Coyote’s last production of the 2013 Theatre Season will be Jay Presson Allen’s one-man   play/tribute to Truman Capote, entitled “Tru”, and will star Coyote Artistic Director Chuck Yates as Truman Capote.   The production directed by Larry Raben, performs at the Annenberg Theatre from April 18 through the 28, is based on the words and works of the famed novelist Truman Capote.  Capote is best known for movie versions of his novels “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” starring Audrey Hepburn and “In Cold Blood”, directed by the iconic movie director Richard Brooks, and for his many TV appearances on the old Johnny Carson “Tonight Show”.  Yates confided to me saying, “ Finally, I’m now old enough to play Capote and I can’t wait for April to get here.”

For tickets and information about Coyote StageWorks productions go online towww.coyotestageworks.org. or call the Annenberg Theatre box office at 760-325-4490.