A breath of Oregon.

I've jumped back into life at home after a wonderful trip to Oregon and a visit with the family. It's always lovely to see the folks and the sister and her family and Grandma. I spent a few days chilling at the Coast (and dropping in on my lighthouses and chowing on chowder) but headed back to celebrate the sister's birthday. More food than anyone could begin to eat. And although all the food was amazing, I was most happy to get some of Grandma's famous apple dumplings. The photo here was created when I jiggled the iPhone when taking it. Cool, huh? It was taken on the cobble beach below Yaquina Head Lighthouse near Newport, Oregon

I also saw a couple movies... my first in quite a while. When not in rehearsal lately, I'm most likely drawing, and movie time seems frivolous. But this was vacation. I thoroughly enjoyed both Julie & Julia and the latest from the animation master Miyazaki, Ponyo. They're totally different movies, but it's interesting to note the similarities. All the title characters yearn for something bigger and better than themselves and enjoy the journey it takes to get there. Lessons.


Now, I'm hitting the ground running once again. The biggest news in my world is that I've been cast as the lead (Littlechap) in the staged reading of Stop the World, I Want To Get Off at Musical Theatre Guild. MTG is a membership group I've been on the periphery of for years and have just recently been voted into as a full-fledged member. I feel so honored to be taking on this role in this wonderful company. I join an amazing cast and great show team... but I'd be lying if I didn't admit my apprehension. Littlechap is a huge role and I'm so incredibly comfortable as a sidekick or secondary lead. But I'm thrilled to be faced with the challenge and I look forward to the work and discovery and risk. Keep an eye out here, because you may just catch a glimpse into the psyche of a neurotic actor. Hee hee.

Other than that, I have a couple auditions coming up and lots and lots of artwork to dig into. I love being busy with fun projects, and, boy, do I have a lot to do right now! Wish me luck (and/or "break a leg")! Take care, all! Peace and love.

Up for another breath...

The whirlwind doesn't stop. I planned it this way, but sometimes it gets a little daunting. Last week, I worked long hours on the first gallery-type exhibit of my work. I finished up the final pieces, matted and framed them, and created items to sell along with the display. Here's a glimpse at the show (as laid out in my room)...



After the nose-to-the-grindstone week, I left on a jet plane (after hitting an audition in Thousand Oaks) to Wichita where I saw the amazing Music Theatre of Wichita production of The Drowsy Chaperone (and visited my good friends there). Starring in that production was the wonderful Wayne Bryan who helms Music Theatre, and he was the subject of my weekly sketch over at Squigs Knows His Lines (see here). I also had a chance to have some great conversation with Peter Filichia (who gave me that astounding mention in his Theatremania.com column in June and was in Wichita to write about the production). After the lovely quick trip, I flew back and (after going to another audition, this time just around the corner from my place) hung my hat at home once again.

But now I'm bubble wrapping these frames and things within a millimeter of their lives so I can ship them out to Alexandria, VA tomorrow. Then I head for another airport. Yes, I'm jetsetting a lot lately, this time to Oregon. On this trip I'll be visiting the family and getting a few moments of just plain do-nothin' on the coast. When I head home, I'll have a bit more wiggle room in the schedule, but there's always something to do. I'm putting it out there a lot lately and taking some risks, but I have faith that this is what I'm supposed to be doing. Here we go! Take care! Peace and love, y'all.

Up for a breath.

Hi all! Just popping in briefly. This week is packed with art and related activities, mainly because I'm in the heat of prep for my first gallery exhibit. The pieces are in their final phases, and then there's matting and framing and preparation of related sale items and packing and shipping. It's fun and educational... and a LOT to do. So I'm headed back to work.

Oh, yeah... and I turn 37 tomorrow. So I'm reflecting on all the blessings that have made this life such a joy and an adventure. Best wishes to you all! Peace and love.

All done.

42nd Street has closed. We met a great crowd of over 1600 folks last night who sent us off enthusiastically. I am very proud to have been a part of this fantastic show, and I'll miss the cast and crew a lot. Here's the full version of my closing sketch (which will also be my Monday sketch tomorrow on Squigs Knows His Lines).

I've almost finished packing and will soon hit the road in a northerly direction. I have some errands to run and some people I hope to see, but the main priority is to get home and unpack and settle before I have to dive into the workload. In regard to the art, I feel energized and enthusiastic to get some stuff done. I have to complete the pieces for my first D.C. exhibition which will be my biggest project of the week. Also simmering on the drawing board: three caricature commissions, a logo, and a few of my own projects. I'm happy to have work, and I look forward to the challenges.

Well, that's all for now, y'all. Take care! Peace and love.

Wrapping up...

We will be taking one more trip down 42nd Street way. I'm sad that the journey is coming to an end because the ride has been so joyous. The new stage house is simply miraculous and the crowds have been very enthusiastic. This final week of three performances has seen ticket availability only in the lawn seating (reserved seats=sold out). Last night we saw 1,483 folks on the hill. Tonight... 1,550. We're hoping to break 1,600 tomorrow night, but whatever the case, the powers that be are super excited about the numbers.


My traditional closing sketch has been completed and I've enclosed a bit of a teaser here. It was a bit of a challenge, considering the work load and the number of folks in the show (39). I'm happy with the results, though, and I look forward to presenting the prints tomorrow and posting the results here too.

I will indeed miss the show, but I am very much looking forward to getting back to the ol' neighborhood. I recently realized that I have spent only two nights in my own bed in the past seven weeks. Wow. And recent brief returns to the 'hood have reminded me why I've missed it. I have a lot of work to tackle once I get home, but when I'm not nose-to-the-grindstone it will be great to be resting in my own bed, watching my own TV, and visiting my old haunts. Anyway... That's it for now. Best wishes to you all in all that comes next. Peace and love!

Final days off...

Hi all! The 42nd Street show is winding down here in Vista, and I'm already sad looking ahead to the end. But we have three more performances left in which to "bring it" and for that I am happy. We're in the midst of our days off before we're back at it on Thursday. I dropped into an open call audition today which went well (but was unfortunately unsuccessful) and met up with folks from the cast for pizza and a bit of time at a casino. Tomorrow will bring some work time, maybe a dip in the pool, and I hope a visit to a BBQ in the eve to celebrate a cast birthday. Wednesday will bring a trip up north to visit the Sawdust Fest and a drop in on a pal o' mine as well as a great seat to see The Best Is Yet to Come: The Music of Cy Coleman at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura. See below for some art pointed in that direction...



Yes, my weekly sketch(es) over at Squigs Knows His Lines focused on local LA area theatrical happenings this week. I loved Danny Gurwin and Lowe Taylor (and other friends) in Little Shop of Horrors at Musical Theatre West (which closed yesterday), and I look forward to the show at the Rubicon (running at least through next Sunday). Lots of fun is to be had 'round here. I'm so glad to be able to catch some of it.

Now, I'm happy to be juggling some fun projects and looking ahead to some exciting adventures on the horizon. It's a good place to be. Peace and love, y'all!

Back to the Street... and art update.

We were back on 42nd Street last night after the days off. It was nice to be back on the hill, but I've got to admit that even after running my show beforehand, I had a few odd moments. It's live theatre so sometimes it happens, but still... And I know I'm my own worst critic. Tonight we're back at it and I'm going to be on it! Here's a picture from last week. For those not familiar with wireless body mics, in order to keep them dry, sound folks often wrap them in condoms. Well, we had run out of condoms so my mic was wrapped in a rubber glove. I channeled Howie Mandel that night. Ha!


The KPRI listener cruise was just amazing. I grabbed a few friends to come along with me and we boarded the Hornblower Adventure around 6:30pm on Tuesday. Sara Watkins played a fantastic show for I'd say over an hour and a half as we chugged around the bay, past the military base, aircraft carriers, under the Coronado Bridge... all as the sun was setting. Really beautiful! And it was free. Wow! As far as more adventures in the near future, I'm heading to Comic Con in San Diego tomorrow, and I'm going to do my best at navigating San Diego's rail transit system to get there... departing from and returning to my exact exit off the 78 in Vista where my car will be parked and awaiting my return to the show that evening. Should be fun!



I've been busy at the drawing board and there's plenty of showbizzy stuff on its way, but there have also been some projects that aren't related so much to the theatre. And they even might be quite a departure for me in various ways. Above are two illustrations I've done for a new company called Skullastic. It's kind of following the current trend of the gothy, bold graphic school attire lately. Don Rich who runs the company came up with the concepts and the names, and I created the designs. The fellow on the right (called "Zulu #2") will be printed on kids tees, and the one on the right (Shiva) will be printed on kids and adults tees... available at Skullastic.com. Don found me by way of the art I did for Forbidden Broadway at Musical Theatre West. Above and at the left there is an image I created to aid in promotion of a benefit concert called "Vegas Sings Michael Jackson" organized by Erich Bergen who is in Jersey Boys out there. The concert will feature headliners, show casts, local bands, etc., etc. It will benefit arts in schools, and will be at the Palms, 3pm, August 29.




And, yes, I've still been plugging away at my weekly sketches over at Squigs Knows His Lines. Here are the three latest: Neil Simon, Jerry Herman, and a small tribute to four fellas recently passed who have substantial or marginal ties to the theatre and/or its translation to the screen (Harve Presnell, Michael Jackson, Karl Malden, and Walter Cronkite).

Whew! That's a lot for a wee post on a Thursday. I'm going to jump in the pool here at the Breners, hop in the shower, and hit the road to the coast where I'll find some nook to hunker down in and do some doodling and brainstorming. There are some fun projects in the offing, and I can't wait to get them rolling. Take care, all! Peace and love.