Second-place winner in 2017 McCallum Theater’s Open Call competition Some think artists are self-indulgent egotists glorying in their creative pursuits. The reality is often far more complex and demanding. Michael Staff, local pianist, composer and teacher, was on the road to a major concert-performance career. He was preparing, at age 21, to enter the Van…

In many cultures, coming of age begins at 12. For Luann Hanf Carman, it was when she found her personal purpose and passion, the piano. “My parents divorced [when I was age] 12,” she remembered. “The piano was my way to shut the door. No one was making me play. I just loved it.” For…

Editor’s note: This is taken from a press release. Stratford Players, now in its 10th year entertaining Idyllwild, kicks off the holiday season with mystery and merriment. The theater troupe will perform “The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays,” winner of the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Award for Best Play. After a long…