Lots of crazy things can happen at a high school reunion. I know. I went to my 30th this year and ended getting involved in an international acting competition.

 

Here's what happened.

 

David Rieth's 30th High School ReunionMy high-school friend Annie Griffin is an award-winning actor, writer, producer and director living in Scotland. When she came back to Buffalo for our high school reunion, her 6-year-old nephew told her that she was a good actor... but not as good as Lord Monsauron. Who's Lord Monsauron? He's the lead character in the "Fairy Tale Theater" stage show at Fantasy Island Amusement Park.

 

 Here we see the evil Lord Monsauron being captured by the castle guards. Will he escape? To find out, go to Fantasy Island -- or buy Fairy Tale Theater: The Movie, now available (finally!) on DVD.

 

Anyway, Annie told her nephew she would prove she was a better actor by challenging Lord Monsauron (played by me) to an "act-off" conducted over the Internet with videos shot on Flip video cameras.  The first acting challenge was to create a scary scene. Here's Annie acting creepy in The Babysitter:

 

 


Act-off Round 1 from Pirate on Vimeo

 

And me, Lord Monsauron, in the chilling short, Lord M Meets His Maker:

 


Lord Monsauron Meets His Maker from David Rieth on Vimeo

 

 

The judges for the competition are Annie's nephew and Tom Hill, my boss. Who do you they sided with in Round 1? Who will prevail in Round 2, "The Western Challenge"?

 

OK, so turns out that my high school reunion was more mild than wild. But at least no one got hurt.

 

Got a wild high school reunion story or video? Lay it on me.

Message Edited by TVLTheLink on 04-14-2009 12:22 PM