Not dead...

I know, I know... I'm not posting regularly. I'm busy! The show and the art during the day is keeping me burning it at both ends. The good news is that I'm getting a lot of really good work accomplished. The bad news... I don't update any online updating outlet unless I'm procrastinating.


Anyhoo... This will be a short update. Spring is springing here in Milwaukee. The last couple of days brought temps in the 70s (and even 80s). We return to 50s and rain tomorrow, but spring is on its way. So on my latest grocery excursion, I bought some flowers and made a dandy arrangement to keep me company whilst I slave away at the drawing board (also known as the dining table in my spiffy Milwaukee pad).

Okay now, I've got to get to inking my latest commissioned creation before it gets too darn late to think. Take care, all! Peace and love.

Often in absentia...

It's a great thing to be busy. I sort of thrive when I have a full schedule. I get things done quicker and often better when I have multiple deadlines breathing down my neck. Of course I'm doing my show in the evenings and all day on weekends, and I'm working of various projects on the weekdays... tax prep and multiple art commissions.

The commissions are fun and challenging and varied, and I'm so thankful. Even when required to make numerous revisions, the work is thrilling. I have many more projects in the offing including some exciting opening night show commissions and some commemorative illustrations. The future will likely bring some incredibly exciting possibilities including a project with a major Broadway website and a collaboration with the Ten Chimneys Foundation which is preserving the Lunts' (first couple of Broadway) legacy of fine work onstage and fine living offstage.


Speaking of Ten Chimneys, I rented a car on Monday to run some errands and take a trip out to Genesee Depot, Wisconsin to meet with the gang out there and get a personal tour of the estate. It was nice to be back behind the wheel after over a month away from it. In addition to dropping into Genesee Depot, the day found me in Illinois depositing some checks, grabbing sushi with my buddy Jim from the Stackner Cabaret, and enjoying some frozen custard at Kopp's, a Milwaukee institution. So good!

In summary, the show is rocking – officially extended through May 9th – and our cast is preparing to perform at an event at a local mall, record a demo recording of the show, and sing the national anthem at a Brewers game next month. And the art is really cooking... so many possibilities that are becoming reality. Life is good and I'm so grateful.

Well, that's all for now. I've got to document some more receipts for the taxes. Ugh. Well, life is MOSTLY good. Ha! Take care, all! May peace and love prevail.

I am beloved in Sweden...

Check this out.

Quick post: A few random things...

Hi all! Here are just a few random thoughts I felt like sharing. First off, on Tuesday, Zach and I from our cast joined the team from Radio Golf (the Rep's Stiemke Theatre) for soul food at Mr. Perkin's place. Wow! I had smothered pork chops, greens, mac & cheese, and fried okra. Can't eat like this all the time, but once in a while, it's an immense treat!

Being in Wisconsin, the folks on the news are going to talk about the city Sheboygan rather often. Is it wrong that every time they do, I want to say "Sheboygan" like Jerry Lewis? And it kind of sounds like a wacky cartoon sound effect.

In the middle of my solo in the encore last night, I jabbed myself in the left eye socket with my thumb. Real smooth, Robertson. I instantly had a lump and multicolor bruising. But ice helped, and it doesn't look too bad today. I'm still taking some makeup to the theatre today.


A couple weeks ago, I drew the cast of the Rep's production of The Seafarer for the weekly project. It went over really well, and I've received so much positive feedback and just plain encouraging comments. (Maybe I jabbed myself in the eye because I'm not used to my head being this big.) But among the niftiest of things to come out of this is that Dawn, the Rep's managing director, asked if I'd donate a print to be signed by the cast and auctioned at their upcoming gala fundraiser. I feel so honored!

And the last topic today is that I was surprised to check in with my Equity insurance office to see when I might have health insurance coverage again... and I was told that beginning April 1, I have six months of coverage. Hallelujah! This means that as I hit the Big Apple in this crazy transition in my life, I have one less thing to stress about. Yippee!

Well, I've got to get back to the drawing board. I want to layout two more sketches before heading to the theatre for a nearly sold-out performance tonight. Take care, all! Peace and love.

Our Route 66 gang...

As we head into our day off at Route 66, I thought I'd post a shot of our cast. Here we are... Danny Calvert, Adam Estes, Zach Robbins, and me. It has been a tough but highly rewarding week, and we are happy to have the show up and running. It only gets easier from here. And we have more time to ourselves as well. I'm looking forward to the new temporary routine and a few local adventures too.

I'm happy to say that my bro and his family will be seeing the show next week. And then Mom, Grandma, Aunt Pam, and Aunt Sandi will see us in April.


Oh... Here's a shot of a couple of the lovely gifts we received on opening night (taken especially because they looked pretty together). The orange bag and mug are from director/author Roger Bean, and the cute car-covered cupcake is from Stackner cabaret artistic director Sandy Ernst. I also got some other amazing gifts and some really touching sentiments written in cards. It was a lovely opening night. [Note: I drew the Route 66 logo for Roger years ago, so it's really cool to see it all over the Rep's advertising and these gifts. Twice in the show, we even recreate the four little guys' actions. Who knew this would happen when it was on the drawing board?]

And now I've got to put final touches on a couple pieces for Squigs Knows His Lines. Take care, all! Peace and love.

The show is open and the snow is melting!

The highs have been in the 40s lately and huge snow drifts are mere wisps of their former selves. Local weather folk are saying that spring is on its way which I hope is true. I've actually enjoyed my daily walks in the cold, but I've found that it's sort of an art to bundle up in a way that allows a person to look somewhat decent upon arriving at one's destination.


The biggest news here is that Route 66 is now open! We had three days of "hurry up and wait" tech rehearsals followed by a tune-up day and a paying preview audience on Friday. Yesterday, we brushed up a few things before our call time. The Stackner cabaret was filled with enthusiastic folks, including our wonderful creative team and lots of Rep family. It was great to see pally Steve who was out to witness his wife Betsy's first choreographic work (so great). The show went over very well and many think it will do very well for the Rep and the Stackner's sales. That's a happy thing. Once I get access to some production photos, I'll post them here. Until then, here's another photo of fellows trying on cow headdresses.

Now we have one more performance tonight before a well-deserved day off. And now it's time for me to get into the routine of the next two months: drawing, regular gym visits, prepping for the NY move, seeing more of Milwaukee. So much to do!

Oh... While I'm in great company here in the MKE, it's always nice to see something from loved ones in my little Rep mailbox. If anyone wants to drop a line, here's my mailing address:

Justin Robertson
c/o Milwaukee Repertory Theatre
108 E. Wells St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202

Take care all! I hope to post more over the next weeks since I have some more time on my hands. Until the next time... peace and love.

And I helped...

It's not my usual style, but I did contribute to this commercial for Reprise Theatre Company's production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. John Hennessey, designer for Reprise, provided me with a photo of a Roman bust. I experimented with my Wacom tablet and made adjustments in Photoshop to make the bust look like it was in the midst of a goofy guffaw. Said bust is featured prominently in this commercial. Enjoy...