Turkey coma and a mea culpa...

We had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner at fellow Plaid David Humphrey's place. He and his lady and mom-in-law made an amazing turkey dinner, and we had some great conversation. And watched his son gradually come out of his shell until he was racing around the house playing with Cars cars and Madagascar animals, and tossing couch pillows. Really great evening! And now I'm almost recovered from the turkey coma. Yay turkey!

As I've said before, our audiences at the Welk Resort Theatre rock. Being of a certain age range, they know and appreciate the music in Plaid Tidings more that those who might dig the hippity hoppity rappy music of the day. We love our Welk crowds, and the last thing I want to do is offend any of them or appear insensitive. In my post about "Funny Crowds" (Nov. 19) I wrote of some of the quirky audience members we've experienced at the show, and I especially pointed out some ladies who had mono/binoculars in the first couple of rows. "Candleshoe" wrote:

my mom is a "binocular in the front row" ladies. She has macular degeneration and is legally blind. If she uses her peripheral vision with the binoculars, sitting that close, she can actually see some of the performances. She's always terrified that someone onstage will make fun of her...but she won't let that fear prevent her from enjoying her love of live theatre. Just helping to spread some acceptance...

First off, I apologize for my insensitivity. While not ignorant of the condition (my Grandma has been managing with it for a while), I did not know of the binocular technique. I am truly sorry if I offended or discouraged.

That being said, I would like to use this opportunity to give a little peek into wacky perspective of a stage actor, since this is partially the purpose of this blog (in addition to keeping my family informed of what I'm up to – Hi Mom!)...

1. While it is incredibly enjoyable to do a show like Plaid Tidings, it is sometimes a challenge to make the same lines and songs seem fresh eight or nine times a week. We really do enjoy and cherish when things go a little bit askew... or when funny and/or interesting things happen with our audiences. In this show, we're very involved with the crowd and the "fourth wall" is nonexistent. The audience is almost like another character. You've got to admit that if you were onstage in a small theatre and saw someone very close looking at you through binoculars, you might find that somewhat unexpected and, hence, humorous – even with the knowledge of why it was happening. If not, maybe consider my next point...

2. In the show business – and particularly in a show like Plaid Tidings – we as actors are regularly required to exploit our own foibles (physical and otherwise), and we do so proudly. If we didn't, we really couldn't make it in this business. Personally, I'm nine inches shorter than two of my fellow cast members. I'm also significantly wider the skinniest of them. It's the type of stuff that gets laughs onstage and gets mentioned in reviews for thousands to see, and I'm fine with it. It pays the bills and provides me my health insurance. It also brings me great joy to bring happiness to the folks I perform for. What that some folks might not understand is that this perspective about ourselves occasionally spills out to how we view others. I don't mean anything personally by it. It's just that I have a thicker skin than some and I sometimes forget that non-actor types might not approach things in the same way.

While I've learned something here, I hope you have learned a little something about me too. I love what I do, and I love that people like your mother love what I do. Especially in a difficult time like our country is in right now, it's incredibly valuable to cultivate and value live entertainment. Creatives and audiences supporting one another is a beautiful thing that enriches us all. Best wishes to you and yours. Peace and love!

Thanksgiving, Part Deux...

First off, the trip to the theatre earlier brought an amazing sight. The clouds that had been bringing us the lovely rain had broken up to create huge, crisp, fluffy giants in the sky (cumulonimbii?). The sun shone through and the sky was an amazing vivid blue, and the freshly washed hillsides were stony and verdant green. Even now, huge patches of blue are punctuated with fluffy white and grey and will soon sport a wash of amazing color from the soon-to-set sun. If you can't tell, I'm blown away by such a show. It really is amazing. Yet one more thing to be thankful for.

I made some "thankfulness" calls this morning and will soon make some more soon, but in the middle was an incredibly rewarding performance to a thankful and responsive crowd. We got to meet many of them after the show and the gratitude poured out (from them and from us). Now it's time to shower and hit the road down to San Diego for turkey. It's a great day. I hope you all are having one just as wonderful. Blessings to you and yours! Peace.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to post a quick "howdy." It's a lovely rainy day here in Escondido. I'm watching the Macy's Parade and sipping coffee. We have a matinee in Plaidland which I'm excited about. Should be a lovely crowd on this Thanksgiving. I'm thankful to be able to spread some joy today.

Speaking of being thankful, I give thanks today for my family, my friends, my health, and the opportunities I've been afforded. I'm so thankful to be making a living doing what I love to do. And while the country is in a rough place right now, I feel optimistic that things will turn around soon.

A little parade-related side note: I always love watching the first hour of parade coverage because of the numbers from Broadway shows, and I've got to admit that part of the reason is to giggle at the rather awkward lip-synching. But these casts are really synched up this year – especially that Lin-Manuel Miranda from In the Heights. Rock on!

So, Happy Turkey Day, y'all. Have an attitude of gratitude. Peace and love, y'all!

Oops: November 20

I almost totally went up in my monologue this evening. After a wee pause, my line that normally goes "As if that didn't stir our kilts..." then became "As if that didn't get our kilts in an uproar..." Then I was fine.

And I had the toots. But not onstage.

Funny crowds.

Down here at the Welk, we love our audiences. The median age skews a bit older than even your typical theatre since it is a favorite destination of various retirement communities. Bring on the buses! Sometimes, though, we get some characters in the crowd. For instance, today there were a couple talkers – one talking back to the actors as if she were watching TV ("Look! Snow") and the other explaining the show to a friend ("He's trying to move into the spotlight! I said, 'He's trying to move into the spotlight!!'"). We had a snorer (or throat clearer... we couldn't really tell). And, among the favorites, a woman with a monocular in the second row. I'd occasionally scan the crowd as we do in the show, only to find monocular lady keyed right in on me. She'd drop the eye contraption and pretend there was nothing unusual here. And to cap it off, there was actually a lady who trumped monocular-in-the-second-row lady... BINOCULARS-in-the-FIRST-row lady! As if they couldn't see how much I sweat, they had to look up my pores. Ha! It keeps things lively here at the Welk. Sometimes it's hard to keep from getting the giggles. And we really do love our crowds. Bring 'em on.

Back to Plaid...

After a strenuous week (tech and opening), it was a joy to have a day off. I stayed down in North San Diego County and, except for taking part in an audition, I spent the day relaxing. It was so great to meander down the coast. I particularly enjoyed a bit of wading in the surf as the sun set. I capped the evening with a little grocery shopping and a viewing of Elf.


Now I'm getting set to head back to Plaidland, and I'm so thrilled. (L to R: David, me, Johnny, Paul.) The show is so much fun and audiences are just eating it up. Folks say the loveliest things after the show and sometimes even feel compelled to give us hugs. I'm also looking forward to welcoming some of the family on Thursday as they will be down from the Northwest to see the show (and hit Disneyland).

And now that the show is up and running, I'm looking forward to getting into a sort of routine. With the time I have available between happy Plaid shows I look forward to getting some projects done. This will be a wonderful season. I feel so blessed. That's it for now. Peace and love, y'all!

Opening night!

Wow! Is it here already? The week started off low-key since we were in pretty good shape and tech needed a bit more time to prepare, but then we had a 10 of 12 rehearsal day (10 hours work with a two hour dinner break) and the very next day (yesterday) TWO performances to paying audiences. I hit the hay hard last night. And I've been taking it easy today, with a field trip with friends to an antique show of sorts – really amazing displays of beautiful old stuff and kitschy, nostalgic holiday items – and a swing by a nut farm for snacks. Now I'm contemplating taking a super quick drive to the ocean to watch the sunset before heading to the theatre for our official opening night performance. I created the caricatures below to make an appearance in the show. (L to R: Me, David Humphrey, Johnny Bisom, and Paul Binotto.)


As the week went by in rehearsals, it became more and more evident the stuff (vocals, moves, etc.) I was still bit shaky on. I'm still working on reaching the level I think the show (and my Plaid team) deserves. Every day I nail another vocal line and steady myself on a new move. I'm realizing I am my own worst critic, though, because although we in the cast know our weaker spots, the audiences just love it. In our first two performances we had folks on their feet at the end and saying lovely things after. It reminds me that, while I still have work to do, just putting it out there is the first happy step that audiences appreciate. I'm looking forward to a fantastic and fun run. Here we go!! Peace and love, y'all!