Eunuchs... A BUYER!

A Funny Thing Happened On the Way To the Forum opens on Wednesday night here in Wichita and I can't wait. Thanks to the unit set and minimal costume changes (and hard work from everybody involved) we are in such good shape going into final dress rehearsal day and will even have some time to do some fine tuning tomorrow before we don the duds and do the 'dos. What a pleasure this production has been – such talented folk across the board. I'm having a great time and learning a lot too. This is definitely a show that will be over way too quickly, so I'm planning on enjoying the rest of the ride to the fullest. If you want to read a little about the show, click here.

Take care, all! Peace and love.

Bagpipes and thunderstorms.

This is my first post from Wichita. The day before I flew out, I drove up from Vista (where I had been taking a couple day breather) and met friends at the Costa Mesa Highland Games. In the opening ceremonies, the major pipe and drum bands enter the arena en masse and the sound is astounding. Whether it's because of my Scottish heritage or just because of the primal power of the sound of the pipes and drums, I'm always moved. I wouldn't necessarily want to listen to pipes for hours on end, but when I get the chance, it does the heart good.

After the Scots' fest, I stopped by a birthday party and had a great visit with fellow Oregonian Aubrey, and then I headed home to finish packing and get some last minute drawing done. Unfortunately for me that meant I was up until 3am and the cab came to pick me up at 4:30 for the 7am flight. Ugh. But I got to sleep on the plane.

Now I'm in Wichita in rehearsals for A Funny Thing Happened On the Way To the Forum and I'm already having a fantastic time. The cast is amazing and it's going to be such a great show. But the weather right now is rather hit or miss. Some of us braved quite the thunderstorm last night after rehearsal to head to Old Town to see the new Indiana Jones movie. Our clothes were soaked but we really enjoyed the movie.

Now I'm having the coffee and prepping for the day's rehearsal. Scene one, the Maid song, and a photo shoot are on the docket. Here we go!

Art for sale.

As a side note to my last post, I've posted Five Roses and 2008 Tony Musical Nominees on etsy.com which hosts arts and crafts for sale. I'm trying it out. If you want, check out my little shop here.

A sense of accomplishment.

The illustration biz has been busy lately and I'm incredibly thankful for the work and for the variety. But in the midst of the whirlwind, I'll often have projects of my own that have to sit on the back burner while I devote my energies to jobs that will pay the rent. I decided a few weeks ago that I would really push myself (and maybe nudge my clients a bit) and get ahead on the jobs so I could spend some time on a couple whims of mine... ideas that can be used to promote my work in the world of the theatre lover. As you can see, I've posted them here.

First is a piece I'm calling "Five Roses". Now that the musical Gypsy is receiving its fourth Broadway revival, I thought it would be fun to draw the five ladies who have portrayed Mama Rose – Ethel Merman, Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Bernadette Peters, and the current Rose, Patti LuPone.

Next is the first of a series of two sketches of 2008 Tony Award nominees. This one features the nominated musicals and musical revivals as well as those nominated in the actor and actress categories. A second sketch (if time allows) will feature play nominees, but this one represents the following shows – Cry Baby, In the Heights (Lin Manuel Miranda, Robin De Jesus, Olga Merediz), Passing Strange (Stew, Daniel Breaker, de'Adre Aziza), Xanadu (Kerry Butler), Tom Wopat and Faith Prince (A Catered Affair), Christopher Fitzgerald and Andrea Martin (Young Frankenstein), Grease, Gypsy (Patti LuPone, Boyd Gaines, Laura Benanti), South Pacific (Paulo Szot, Kelli O'Hara, Danny Burstein, Loretta Ables Sayre) and Sunday In the Park With George (Daniel Evans, Jenna Russell).

So now, after I dive into another commission project, I look forward to taking a trip down to North San Diego County for a little chill time before taking off to Wichita on Sunday. Busy busy. But blessed. Take care, all. Peace and love.

What's that smell?

Okay, enough with the gas comments. Ha ha. Actually, I thought I'd point out something I'm thankful for when each spring rolls around here in Southern California. I always forget about the Star Jasmine, but as it blooms, I'm reminded frequently how much I love that aroma. This stuff is everywhere! And I'm thankful for it.

I got gas.

More than once, I've found myself at the gas pump feeling, "wasn't it just yesterday that I was filling this thing?" Surely my car was just chugging the petrol! It's just not right that I'm paying these prices so frequently. Twice now I've actually calculated my mileage through fill-ups to be sure I wasn't burning more than I should. Each time, I've found that I average over 29 mpg. Decent. No need for major overhauls. But still... I join the rest of the country in my exasperation over the whole rigamaroll. Sheesh!

Chi-town!

It's always a great thing to plan a getaway now and then. I'm just getting home from a doozy of one. Chicago, Chicago... That toddlin' town! The instigation to hit the Windy City was to visit friends and it was great to see Roller, Michelle, Kerry, and Mindy (who are all recentish transplants) as well as Tim, Shaun, and Jesse who were visiting too.

I also made it a point to catch a bunch of the sights I didn't get to on my short visit last autumn. I walked my little legs off as I experienced the Field Museum and Shedd Aquarium, Navy Pier, a great riverboat architecture tour, and Giordano's Pizza. That was Monday. Tuesday brought Old Town and the Lincoln Park Zoo, a fantastic show at Second City, and a fun blues club called Kingston Mines where we loved the band headed by guitarist and singer Joanna Connor. On Wednesday, Roller and I took a little road trip down to Munster, Indiana and the brilliant Three Floyds brewery. Back in town, we caught the genius Avett Brothers at the House of Blues and then met up with more friends and more blues at Blues Chicago. Then before I hit the L out to O'Hare, we grabbed brunch at the fantastic Orange. It was a trip full of friends and food and music and adventures, and now I feel rejuvinated and ready to tackle this next week of art and packing... well, after I catch up wee bit on sleep.

Yes, the next week will bring lots of art including major strides on numerous projects, both commissioned and personal. I also hope to finally get the Squigs' Ink site redesign up and running. I'll be packing for my month in Wichita... and memorizing as much of my scripts and scores as possible. And, yes, I still have more adventures planned before I head to Kansas. These may include the Doheny Blues Fest, the Southern Cal Scots Fest, and a working getaway to the San Diego area. Does it seem like I'm packing too much in? I love it.

So now I've gotta get on to the next thing. But before I do, I have to give thanks for loved ones responding well to cancer treatments. Especially Grandma who has a much better idea of what to expect next. Take care, all. Hug a loved one. Go on an adventure. Peace & love!