Val Kilmer in "Citizen Twain."

Val Kilmer is touring the United States with  a filmed version of his stage play of "Citizen Twain." I urge you all to see it.

"Citizen Twain" embraces Mark Twain in ways that reaches out to the contemporary mind, young and old.

I was honored to see the entire movie at the "Funnybone" in Columbus, Ohio.  Look for it in your city. You will not be disappointed.

On a personal note, I found Val to be very kind and a great wit. Yes, he looks frail, but his spirit is unflagging.

The following review and interview is a bit dated, but it truly conveys the essence of what the play is all about. I found the performance very fresh and inspiring, as I did the author, Val Kilmer. It's a masterpiece of work, which takes the 1800s Mark Twain into the 21st century.

Filled with quips, regarding modern politics and social issues, this blend  of Mark Twain's writings and the author's (Val Kilmer) observations, are woven into an incredibly entertaining tapestry of modern thought.

THE BLOG

04/11/2013 10:53 am ET | Updated Jun 11, 2013

Val Kilmer Is, I Mean As, Mark Twain

By Jenny Block

Val Kilmer was not at all what I expected. Come to think of it, I wasn’t sure what I expected when I arrived at the Wyly Theatre in Dallas, TX to interview Kilmer. He’s in town work shopping the one-man show he is currently developing, Citizen Twain. He recently performed the piece at Valley Performing Arts Center in Northridge, CA on April 6. From April 18-21, he can be found at the Wyly.

“We’re [on] like a big Broadway tour now with a set and everything,” Val Kilmer said with a roguish smile as we sat down to talk. “Want to see pictures?” He showed me photos of the set on his phone and then we began chatting like old friends. Not always the case when interviewing celebrities. At all. But Kilmer proved to be charming, incredibly intelligent, and completely taken with Mark Twain, the subject of his new show.

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Oh, did I meet my 30 year favorite male star? Yes, I did!

Being Disabled is no Handicap to Retired Accountant

I know this Josh John personally, and I have to say, he is a fine man. Please enjoy and be inspired as I have been.

WHEN talking about turning a crisis into opportunities, there is an endless list of motivational quotes to cite from.

While maxims and adages are powerful motivators, retired accountant Josh John does not pore over them to drive home a point. Rather, he counts on his wealth of real life experiences to deal with emergency situations — like the way he overcame a crisis and turned it into an opportunity to do something good.

Paralyzed from the chest down and confined to a wheelchair, the 54-year-old has resolved to never wallow in self-pity and hopelessness but to bravely carry on living and not letting his affliction prevent him from doing what he loves. He has even made the effort to do some charity work.
Josh said his condition should be more accurately termed as Guillain-Barre Syndrome although it has also been diagnosed as Transverse Myelitis (TM).

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