The Performances
To steal from Hemingway’s most famous words, “If you’re lucky enough to have seen Elizabeth Welles perform on a stage, then wherever you go, it stays with you, for Elizabeth is a moveable feast.” In her one-woman initiatory journey through India, Speak the Lands of My Heart, Welles is hilarious, wacky, fanciful, zany, kooky, wacky and loopy, yet she always remains touching, poignant, gripping and spiritually connected. She travels through India like Dorothy through the Land of Oz and makes her alliances with her own Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion. Through it all, she finds her own voice-and what a voice it is! In the Lands of Elizabeth’s heart, there are swarms of swamis, lowlifes and saints, beggars and sinners, but every one of them is so full of humanity that you will shed tears of joy and sorrow for them and with them. Join Elizabeth Welles in Speak the Lands of My Heart. It’s a journey of initiation and discovery that will stay with you forever.
Elio Zarmati,
Writer & Publisher
In Speak the Lands of My Heart, Elizabeth Welles has written an extraordinarily personal, highly energized and moving account of the experiences which led her to traveling in India. Extremely well dramatized (often a problem with one-person shows which tend to be narrative), witty, passionate and reflective in ways which extend beyond narcissism, it is storytelling of the highest order: funny and serious, a journey of the mind and the spirit as well as of the body. Ms. Welles performing skills are extremely strong. She possesses a radiant good-nature and a quirky comic talent rooted in her inner life without contrivance. She has a great stage presence, a vibrant psychic and physical energy, which coupled with her great sensitivity and passion give her acting great depth and variety. She LIVES on stage. I have watched Ms. Welles develop Speak the Lands of My Heart and have seen her perform it on several occasions. She is an extremely appealing figure on the stage, at one with herself and with her material. I think there is an extraordinary opportunity here; an engaging and vividly talented actor in a fresh and resonant play. I’ve known Ms. Welles for a long time as a writer and as an actor. I have encouraged her in both areas; I would encourage you to take notice. To identify the perspective from which I write, please check my listing as it appears in the directory of The Directors Guild of America. I will be pleased to respond to any further requests for information.
Gene Lasko,
Director & Producer
In the revelatory odyssey, Speak the Lands of My Heart, Elizabeth Welles cuts through the illusions of the spiritual journey with delightful wit and intelligence that is both honestly reverent and hilariously irreverent. With riveting clarity and humor she soars across the landscape of India debating the relative merits (in the case of enlightenment) of a kaleidoscope of yogis and swamis, spiritual retreats, crumbling nirvanas and five-star Indian hotels. Through Welles’ exquisite characterizations and vast repertoire of voice, we feel the heat, pollution and poverty of smog-swirled New Delhi and the high enchantment of Rishikesh on the Sacred Ganga, bringing vivid life to the chaos, contradiction, and beauty that is India and its People. Ultimately, Welles carries us into a buzzing zone of the profane and the profound, and then spins us out, bringing our hearts and minds to a vision of the common humanity that transcends all boundaries of time and space. Speak the Lands of My Heart is immensely pleasurable visual prose!
Dana Macy,
Author
Amazing is the word that comes to mind when watching Elizabeth Welles change characters as she acts out this one-woman show of stories about different women. Her performance at the Francisco Center for the Performing Arts Friday evening gave La Veta residents and visitors a chance to see close up her talents for acting, story-telling, and poetry. “Water from the Welles” includes four dramatic presentations of four very different women, including Elizabeth herself. Elizabeth introduces the show by expressing her belief in the magical power and importance of stories. She goes on to portray this belief as she transforms herself into a young woman exploring the world of Gandhi and Indian spiritualism, to an old German woman describing the horrors of Nazi Germany, to a rather silly but loveable Southern Belle who wrestles with an angel and talks about her relationship with her mother, to a humorous audience-participation portrayal of a “worry warrior” who locks herself out of the house, thus missing her radio show. The dramas were followed by three poems, written by Elizabeth and recited with spirit and soul, which expressed her vision about living in the world today. Elizabeth is from New York but now resides in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is the author of the book, “Journaling for Well-Being and Peace”, the editor of “Women Celebrate: The Gift in Every Moment”, and the creator of the CD, “Meditation for Relaxation.” Her one-woman show “Speak the Lands of my Heart” is about her journeys to India. She is also a visual artist, and her evocative photomontages were available at the show for viewing.
Patsy Garber
Huerfano Journal, La Veta, CO
This is what you get when you hear Elizabeth Welles perform and tell a story: A great personal story told in a personal way, warm humanity, humor, and a calming singing voice that soothes. She’s offbeat and yet universal. Her story became a part of me, one that I’m now walking around with, a tale that reminds me to laugh in the midst of life’s hectic moments. Don’t walk, but run to see Elizabeth Welles on stage.
Kent Jones,
Ojai, CA
William Blake sums it all up for creativity: “To see a world in a grain of sand, And a heaven in a wildflower, Hold infinity in the palm of your hand, And eternity in an hour.” When you see Elizabeth Welles perform, this is what you get, for Creativity is what she knows in her soul. In a highly creative and inspiring fun way, she tells it like it is. Her stories span from the uproariously funny to the deeply poignant and sad, always delivering us to the heart of what matters while enticing our senses, making us think and want to care. Life itself inspires this creative artist, and an evening spent watching her will no doubt inspire you too. I know it did me, and I continue to be inspired.
Carol Lynn Healy,
Energy Medicine Specialist
Your show was very special, stunning performance!
Janine Canan,
Author of Ardor: Poems of Life
Beautiful poem, you are an inspiration! I felt “set-free,” clear and creative the next morning after your Awesome show!
Anonymous
In her one woman show Elizabeth demonstrates a unique capacity to change characters as effortlessly as changing clothes. Each character she portrays has its unique energy as well as expression and voice. Humor and pathos mingle and ebb and flow throughout the performance. Spellbinding!
Rita Marsh, Carbondale, CO
Davi Nikent Center for Human Flourishing
Your presentation tonight touched my heart and soul. Your voice and chants set the stage for me to open to new possibilities in performance art. You hold space for blessed creativity and sacred celebration of artistic expression. Thank you for a meaningful performance!
Lisa Dancing-Light,
Performance Artist, Carbondale, CO
I have seen Elizabeh Welles perform monologues and selections from her one-woman show. She is personable, energetic, interesting and entertaining. I highly recommend her for an evening’s entertainment!
Melony Vance,
General Manager, Latitude 33 Booksshop
Laguna Beach, CA
Elizabeth Welles laughs like she has a secret no one else knows. Wonderful performance work, truly alive on stage!
Debbie Martz,
Home Professional
We so enjoyed seeing you perform. Chris thought you were “on fire.” He thought it was the best performance that he had seen at the Storytellers so far. (This includes a number of years.) You were fantastic! I love your singing, chanting and very creative new material! So heartfelt!
So very spiritual too!!!
Kelly Luscombe Bea and Christopher Bea,
Ojai, CA
Loved the show!! Lots of laughter and insights!! You are gifted and clever!
Anonymous
I truly found Elizabeth Welles’ voice to be transcending and having her there was a wonderful bonus! So, thanks again!
Participant,
From a Unity Performance Gong evening with Ellen and Jere Friedman