(no subject)
If I sing a song, will you sing along?
And if I sing a song, will you sing along?
If I sing a song, will you sing along?
Or should I just keep singing right here, by myself?
ba-dup-ba-ba, ba-dup-ba-ba
ba-dup-ba-ba, ba-dup-ba-ba
ba-dup-ba-ba, ba-dup-ba-ba-da-ba-da-bum
If I tell you I'm strong, will you play along?
And if I tell you I'm strong, will you play along?
If I tell you I'm strong, will you play along?
Or can you see I'm as insecure and anybody else?
ba-dup-ba-ba, ba-dup-ba-ba
ba-dup-ba-ba, ba-dup-ba-ba
ba-dup-ba-ba, ba-dup-ba-ba-da-ba-da-bum
If I follow along, does it mean I belong?
If I follow along, does it mean I belong?
And if I follow along, does it mean I belong?
Or will I keep on feelin' different from everybody else?
ba-dup-ba-ba, ba-dup-ba-ba
ba-dup-ba-ba, ba-dup-ba-ba
ba-dup-ba-ba, ba-dup-ba-ba-da-ba-da-bum
It is annoying to watch the Blue Man Group Complex Rock Tour Live dvd and not be able to stop counting; one two three four five six seven go. At the same time, it's really fun to watch a completely different show and try to guess where the "go"s go. What's awesome is that for the most part, the beginning of Time To Start is THE SAME. Right through the section that I was continually having trouble with when I interviewed. Except the Complex drummer(s) was(were) easier to follow than the Chicago one on my practice calling dvd. I remember when Dan and Kristin and I would watch this dvd and wonder how they did the video figures playing the instruments all over the stage. I know now they're light suits, even though I haven't seen the suits up close. I have, however seen them on an infa-red video feed. Since the show has evolved so much, our suits are slightly different and are used in different ways. Hm.. I said "our" like I had gotten the job. Oh well. Next time. At least I got to keep the practice dvds and prompt script.
I went to the gym today and had an hour with my trainer instead of the usual half hour. And I got measured for the first time in about six weeks - I'm finally back to where I was before last Thanksgiving. I'm here to tell you - don't lose your momentum going into the holidays. It is so so hard to get it back.
THEATRE REVIEWS!
I went to see The Women last Saturday night. What a great show! I would highly recommend it, except it closed on Sunday. My friends, Kelli Walker and Sarah Pretz were both in it - and I have a policy, if a show sparks my interest and then I find out there are TWO people I know in the cast, I will do anything I can to see the show. In this case, I ended up tagging along with Denita and a couple of her friends - which was great because a) I hadn't seen Denita in a long time and b) the theatre is far away and Denita drove. There were four of us in the car, and we met a fifth for dinner in Oak Park, just a block away from the theatre. The show was beyond delightful. Kelli as Nancy (Miss Blake - the writer, for those of you familiar with the show/movie) radiated an amused disdain for the gossips around her - her small figure framed in the doorway, cigarette in hanging from her lips. I wish she had more stage time - she didn't need to say anything to pull focus to herself. Attitude was all that was necessary. And oh my LORD Miss Sarah Pretz. I had never seen this girl act before - my loss. She is the other regular run crew sub with me at Chicago Shakes with me. She played Sylvia (Mrs. Howard Fowler - the first one). Such a perfect role for her too. Mrs. Fowler is a troublemaker and a terrible gossip. She just can't help herself. Mrs. Fowler is such a fun character to sink ones teeth into, and Sarah, a lithe 6-foot tall cynic prevailed over every scene she was in. She's one of the main characters, such that she is one of the three faces on the poster, and I still wish she had more stage time. The set was beautiful, the stage crew were to be commended, the costumes were extensive and exquisite, and it was obvious that every single lady on the stage loved every other lady on the stage and all were having the time of their life. If you have all that, almost any slip up can be forgiven. There were only three major things I could criticize if wanted to: 1) The young daughter was miscast. The actress was too old for the role. 2) Crystal Allen's wig. Way too big and fake. 3) There were brown extension cords sticking out of the revolving wall to facilitate some of the scenes, but were not needed in all, so that in the scenes where there was no furniture blocking them, they were there for all to see and be distracted by. But I was not seriously put off by any of these because the rest of the production simply swept me away.
Then on Sunday I went and got myself a totally worthwhile sunburn (not a bad one - it's already fading a day later). Why would I, a pale sun-phobic Scandinavian/German descendant with a family history of skin cancer and a hatred of any type of lotion go outside on a sunny August afternoon? First of all, I'm trying out this spray-on sunscreen, that you don't have to rub in (obviously I missed a spot yesterday), and secondly two other friends of mine were in a free, Shakepeare-in-the-park production of As You Like It! Another delightful production, put on in Ingraham Park in Evanston. No set - save for a pair of large trees, simple costuming, no sound amplification and only natural lighting. Audience members brought their own blankets, chairs, food, drink, and children; and about 130 of us sat in a semi-circle around these trees and were entertained by 13 actors who threw themselves with energy and verve into one of Shakespeare's greatest. My friend, Adam Kandor - who played the lead in Black Comedy, which I stage managed almost two years ago at Piccolo - played Orlando, the male lead, very successfully. As a contrast on the take that Chicago Shakes took on the production, this troupe made the choice that when Orlando's elder brother Oliver discovered that Rosalind was a woman dressed in man's clothing, he told Orlando. I don't know if I like the decision - the surprise at the end is terribly fun to play, but I can't say I actively disagreed with the interpretation. It was different and interesting. Also part of the cast, was my friend Joel Thompson (also from the cast of a show I stage managed at Piccolo - Low Pay, Don't Pay!). He played the tyrannical Duke who banishes on threat of death anyone he doesn't like and also the young lovesick Silvius, who's object of affection falls for Rosalind's male character (don't ask me to spell it without the script in my hands). An interesting double casting, but I thought he completely pulled it off. My favorite part though - was at the end, just before Jaques takes his leave. If you plan on seeing the show, I won't give it away here, but I thought it was a marvelous tweaking of the script - and it totally worked. This production I will most definitely recommend! It plays on Saturdays and Sundays at 3p through August 27th in Ingraham Park in Evanston.
This has totally been a weekend for seeing people I've previously worked with, both on purpose and by accident. On Saturday, while waiting for Denita to meet me, I saw Nick Lake - actor from Laer's Last Prayer - on his way home from a rehearsal, and on Sunday, I ran into Ben Muller - actor from Robin Hood, The Panto at Piccolo - also on his way back from rehearsal as I was returning home from the grocery store. So with Nick, Ben, Denita, Kelli, Sarah, Adam, and Joel it was quite the weekend for re-connecting with some seriously awesome people/actors/friends.
Alright, this has taken me about 7 hours to write. Maybe it's time to wrap it up.
And if I sing a song, will you sing along?
If I sing a song, will you sing along?
Or should I just keep singing right here, by myself?
ba-dup-ba-ba, ba-dup-ba-ba
ba-dup-ba-ba, ba-dup-ba-ba
ba-dup-ba-ba, ba-dup-ba-ba-da-ba-da-bum
If I tell you I'm strong, will you play along?
And if I tell you I'm strong, will you play along?
If I tell you I'm strong, will you play along?
Or can you see I'm as insecure and anybody else?
ba-dup-ba-ba, ba-dup-ba-ba
ba-dup-ba-ba, ba-dup-ba-ba
ba-dup-ba-ba, ba-dup-ba-ba-da-ba-da-bum
If I follow along, does it mean I belong?
If I follow along, does it mean I belong?
And if I follow along, does it mean I belong?
Or will I keep on feelin' different from everybody else?
ba-dup-ba-ba, ba-dup-ba-ba
ba-dup-ba-ba, ba-dup-ba-ba
ba-dup-ba-ba, ba-dup-ba-ba-da-ba-da-bum
It is annoying to watch the Blue Man Group Complex Rock Tour Live dvd and not be able to stop counting; one two three four five six seven go. At the same time, it's really fun to watch a completely different show and try to guess where the "go"s go. What's awesome is that for the most part, the beginning of Time To Start is THE SAME. Right through the section that I was continually having trouble with when I interviewed. Except the Complex drummer(s) was(were) easier to follow than the Chicago one on my practice calling dvd. I remember when Dan and Kristin and I would watch this dvd and wonder how they did the video figures playing the instruments all over the stage. I know now they're light suits, even though I haven't seen the suits up close. I have, however seen them on an infa-red video feed. Since the show has evolved so much, our suits are slightly different and are used in different ways. Hm.. I said "our" like I had gotten the job. Oh well. Next time. At least I got to keep the practice dvds and prompt script.
I went to the gym today and had an hour with my trainer instead of the usual half hour. And I got measured for the first time in about six weeks - I'm finally back to where I was before last Thanksgiving. I'm here to tell you - don't lose your momentum going into the holidays. It is so so hard to get it back.
THEATRE REVIEWS!
I went to see The Women last Saturday night. What a great show! I would highly recommend it, except it closed on Sunday. My friends, Kelli Walker and Sarah Pretz were both in it - and I have a policy, if a show sparks my interest and then I find out there are TWO people I know in the cast, I will do anything I can to see the show. In this case, I ended up tagging along with Denita and a couple of her friends - which was great because a) I hadn't seen Denita in a long time and b) the theatre is far away and Denita drove. There were four of us in the car, and we met a fifth for dinner in Oak Park, just a block away from the theatre. The show was beyond delightful. Kelli as Nancy (Miss Blake - the writer, for those of you familiar with the show/movie) radiated an amused disdain for the gossips around her - her small figure framed in the doorway, cigarette in hanging from her lips. I wish she had more stage time - she didn't need to say anything to pull focus to herself. Attitude was all that was necessary. And oh my LORD Miss Sarah Pretz. I had never seen this girl act before - my loss. She is the other regular run crew sub with me at Chicago Shakes with me. She played Sylvia (Mrs. Howard Fowler - the first one). Such a perfect role for her too. Mrs. Fowler is a troublemaker and a terrible gossip. She just can't help herself. Mrs. Fowler is such a fun character to sink ones teeth into, and Sarah, a lithe 6-foot tall cynic prevailed over every scene she was in. She's one of the main characters, such that she is one of the three faces on the poster, and I still wish she had more stage time. The set was beautiful, the stage crew were to be commended, the costumes were extensive and exquisite, and it was obvious that every single lady on the stage loved every other lady on the stage and all were having the time of their life. If you have all that, almost any slip up can be forgiven. There were only three major things I could criticize if wanted to: 1) The young daughter was miscast. The actress was too old for the role. 2) Crystal Allen's wig. Way too big and fake. 3) There were brown extension cords sticking out of the revolving wall to facilitate some of the scenes, but were not needed in all, so that in the scenes where there was no furniture blocking them, they were there for all to see and be distracted by. But I was not seriously put off by any of these because the rest of the production simply swept me away.
Then on Sunday I went and got myself a totally worthwhile sunburn (not a bad one - it's already fading a day later). Why would I, a pale sun-phobic Scandinavian/German descendant with a family history of skin cancer and a hatred of any type of lotion go outside on a sunny August afternoon? First of all, I'm trying out this spray-on sunscreen, that you don't have to rub in (obviously I missed a spot yesterday), and secondly two other friends of mine were in a free, Shakepeare-in-the-park production of As You Like It! Another delightful production, put on in Ingraham Park in Evanston. No set - save for a pair of large trees, simple costuming, no sound amplification and only natural lighting. Audience members brought their own blankets, chairs, food, drink, and children; and about 130 of us sat in a semi-circle around these trees and were entertained by 13 actors who threw themselves with energy and verve into one of Shakespeare's greatest. My friend, Adam Kandor - who played the lead in Black Comedy, which I stage managed almost two years ago at Piccolo - played Orlando, the male lead, very successfully. As a contrast on the take that Chicago Shakes took on the production, this troupe made the choice that when Orlando's elder brother Oliver discovered that Rosalind was a woman dressed in man's clothing, he told Orlando. I don't know if I like the decision - the surprise at the end is terribly fun to play, but I can't say I actively disagreed with the interpretation. It was different and interesting. Also part of the cast, was my friend Joel Thompson (also from the cast of a show I stage managed at Piccolo - Low Pay, Don't Pay!). He played the tyrannical Duke who banishes on threat of death anyone he doesn't like and also the young lovesick Silvius, who's object of affection falls for Rosalind's male character (don't ask me to spell it without the script in my hands). An interesting double casting, but I thought he completely pulled it off. My favorite part though - was at the end, just before Jaques takes his leave. If you plan on seeing the show, I won't give it away here, but I thought it was a marvelous tweaking of the script - and it totally worked. This production I will most definitely recommend! It plays on Saturdays and Sundays at 3p through August 27th in Ingraham Park in Evanston.
This has totally been a weekend for seeing people I've previously worked with, both on purpose and by accident. On Saturday, while waiting for Denita to meet me, I saw Nick Lake - actor from Laer's Last Prayer - on his way home from a rehearsal, and on Sunday, I ran into Ben Muller - actor from Robin Hood, The Panto at Piccolo - also on his way back from rehearsal as I was returning home from the grocery store. So with Nick, Ben, Denita, Kelli, Sarah, Adam, and Joel it was quite the weekend for re-connecting with some seriously awesome people/actors/friends.
Alright, this has taken me about 7 hours to write. Maybe it's time to wrap it up.