On the brink...

Just a quick shout out to everybody to say "Happy (almost) New Year!" Take a moment to give thanks for the past year – loved ones and lessons learned. And then dive headfirst into the new one. Best wishes to everyone for new possibilities, new adventures, health, and happiness! Peace and love, y'all.

*sniff*

Okay, I can't let it go yet. If Plaid Tidings were still open this week, I'd be gradually getting ready for a two-show day. But Humps is in San Diego, Paul in NY, Johnny in Minnesota, and me in North Hollywood hunkering down with an illustration job. I'm so happy with the anticipation of new adventures, but that doesn't mean I can't be a little sad for the end of the last chapter.


I've realized that in our Plaid cast, we already have a John and a Paul. Humps would then probably be George and I would undoubtedly be Ringo. (This graphic was created for a mix CD I made early in the season. If it looks a little wacky, it's because it's the caricatures I created for the set superimposed over the reference photos I used.) Anyway...


And now that I'm working on settling back into home life, it has been good to see the roommate and the cats and friends from the neighborhood. I've also spent some time tidying and organizing (and have lots more to do). One little item on the to-do list was to replace my laundry basket. It wasn't just any laundry basket. I bought it when I was playing Sancho Panza in Man of La Mancha at the Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre in 1998. In it I would gather up all the props I'd have to divvy out in the show (costume bits for Quixote and others), and then I'd climb the steps to where the trunk was stored and pack it. Then fellow cast members would drop the props in the basket after their scenes and the cycle would repeat. Then after the run, it became my laundry basket. It made the trip to the laundry rooms of at least five residences, and then a handle finally cracked a few weeks ago. (Way to go, Rubbermaid! That's some stamina.) It may have been relatively lowly in purpose, but it's fascinating to think of any given object in your possession and how long it's been there for you. Rest well, Sancho's Trunk Props Basket.

Now I've got to get back to drawing. Procrastination over. Take care, all. Reflect on the blessings and dive in headfirst into our new year. Peace!

Plaid afterglow and new adventures...

Plaid Tidings closed very well yesterday. We had a great crowd with dear friends in the house. I only got a little sniffly a couple quick moments close to the end of the show, but I think I held it together relatively well.

It's pretty amazing to hear some of the things folks had to say after the show. They just gushed over their love of the comedy, the harmonies, the era of music we represented, the show in general, their love for Lawrence Welk. And I received numerous offers to be adopted. Now, I'm very happy with my family and the adopted families I already have, but if any of 'em decide to send me packin' I have some choices. Ha! And why anyone would want to touch a guy as sweaty as me after the show I can't be sure, but we got hugs and kisses and requests to get pictures taken. Add all this to the autographs and it's amazing my head can get through any door anywhere. Again, I'm so grateful to have had the opportunity to make some folks smile... and that they made me smile in return. Blessings.

One particular blessing came from a good friend. Doug Schmitt is an artist with Suzy's Zoo and has been responsible for countless cuddly creatures you've likely seen over the past decade or more. Ironically, he also played Sparky in a production of Plaid Tidings this season, but he also came to see our show and then he drew me this amazing card. As I'm sure you know, I myself love making the art for others in the show biz, so it makes me so happy to receive some. Doug also created some art for me a couple years ago when I was in another fun show. Thanks SO much Doug!! (Images ©Doug Schmitt.)



So I'm now back to life in North Hollywood. I'm halfway unpacked and I also have plans to dig through all my stuff and streamline my life. The art jobs are pullin' at me too and I look forward to getting a lot of drawing done this week. And then there are the New Year's and post-holiday gatherings, as well as prep to head to the Northwest on the eighth. Lots to do, new chapters to write, and more smiles to share. Here we go! Peace and love, y'all. Love your neighbor.

Another closing...

We have just one more performance left at the Plaid Tidings show. I'm truly mourning the end of this one. Once in a while a show comes along that feels like it ends too quickly. I expect this with short fun runs, but in a six week run like this, it's rare to have such a great time right up until the end. I can honestly say that I have never dreaded heading to the theatre during this show. It has occasionally been a challenge to get my body jump started, but I have always looked forward to jumping into this character and playing with this crazy gang.


I've been reflecting on the show quite a bit. It's not the easiest thing to explain, but I've rarely done a show where on one hand I'm so responsible for so much but on the other hand it has to look effortless and spontaneous. We have our own stuff to worry about of course, but we're always there for the other guys (and vice versa). There is so much concentration involved, but on the other hand if you think too much, you can get yourself into trouble. Does that make sense? So much of the show just has to fall into muscle memory, and you really have to live moment to moment or your can get lost or tangled very easily. For instance, I can't think too much about my monologue onstage because I have to play the piano and handbells before I get there... each moment its own little challenge. But each fun little hurdle in the show has been well-rehearsed and I just have to trust in my own prep and the support of my peeps. Plaidland is such a lesson in concentration, connection to cast and audience, spontaneity, and going with the flow. One also has to be genuine and let that inner "good guy" shine through. I can honestly say, though, that every person I've shared the stage with in Plaids is a genuine good guy. There's really nothing like the feeling of really clicking with your fellow Plaids and with a really supportive, responsive audience... when the harmonies are really locking in and the schtick is landing. It's really a glimpse into the truth that the sum of the parts is greater than the whole... or however that saying goes. It's such an amazing gift to be a part of it. I feel so grateful to have had the opportunity.


We have a mostly sold-out show tomorrow and will welcome dear friends and family to see the Plaids off. Then we are all on to our next chapters. Humps has his family, work, and the anticipation of another show in March. Paul is heading back to NY, his wife, and an off-Broadway show. Johnny heads right to MN to visit his fella's family and then heads back home to start rehearsals for another show. I have a ton of artwork to hack away at, a nice long visit to the Pacific NW and family, and then back to Escondido to start rehearsals for another show at the Welk. It's really amazing how time flies.


So, as I head into closing day, I give thanks for so much... for work, for work I thoroughly enjoy, a family that loves and supports what I do, health, for diving into a project that makes me strive to be a better performer and a better musician and a better person, for farts and fart jokes, for fire burps, for my actual bedroom which I will see very soon, for outings with peeps I wouldn't see very often if I weren't in their neck of the woods, for spearmint gum which will soon be on a well-deserved hiatus from my mouth, for $5 buffet dinners, for looking into an audience and being surprised by an old friend who is now going on this two-hour journey with you, for Saigon Noodle and World Best Pizza and Stone World Bistro and Target and BevMo and Millers Field sports bar and the little flower truck on Champagne Boulevard, for friendships tempered by time in the Plaid colored trenches, for being a good guy and not having to apologize. I am so grateful.

Peace and love to you all. May the end of the year bring plenty of reflection on what we are thankful for. And may the new year bring an amazing new chapter for us all. Take care. Love your neighbor.

More Christmas Eve...

Okay, just one more post before Christmas. I found out that the sketch I recently completed was indeed presented and it went over very well. So... here it is:


Million Dollar Quartet recently ran at Chicago's Goodman Theatre and is now enjoying an open-ended run across town at the Apollo. This amazing piece has as its springboard the legendary night that former and current stars of the Sun Records label (Elvis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis) came together for an impromptu jam session. The cast is an amazing gang of musicians/vocalists/actors and the show is truly amazing. If you're anywhere near Chicago, I highly recommend it. Thanks Lisa and Rob for thinking of me to capture such a special experience.

In Plaidland... one of our gang finally had to concede in a battle with laryngitis. He's gonna be fine, but in the mean time our understudy Shay had to jump in. We had our understandable bumps, but the holiday magic was still a-flowin'. The audience today seemed to really enjoy the show. Shay is in again tonight with one under his belt. Tomorrow we have a well-sold matinee and then I'm heading out to Leucadia to join friends for dinner and merry making. Christmas here I come! Peace and love to you all.

Christmas Eve

As I write this, it has been Christmas Eve Day for almost an hour. Where did the past weeks go? I'm seriously amazed at how time flies. But as I think about this holiday and reflect on its meaning to me (along with cherishing those who are close to me right now), I might not post for the next couple of days. I'm going to relish performing Plaid Tidings alongside my broheims, and I'm going to use my time offstage to give thanks for work and health and loved ones and possibilities. Merry Christmas (and/or Happy... [your cherished holiday]). May this time of year be a springboard to an amazing next chapter in your life.

I'm encouraged by a local radio station here that is giving significant air time to John Lennon's Happy Xmas (War Is Over). My favorite lyrics in this tune are "A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Let's hope it's a good one without any fear." May we have our eyes on the prize in this new year. Peace can happen. And it may take a LOT of work, but America can be the hopeful place it's meant to be. One of the best ways this can happen is simply thinking of others ahead of ourselves – or at least as much as ourselves. Golden Rule. Courtesy. Kindness. Whatever you call it, we can all help heal the world with putting this simple thought into action.

Best wishes of peace and love are coming your way from this artistic fellow. Merry and Happy, y'all!

Gettin' stuff done!

I'm typin' away at the computer and watching Craig Ferguson on the TV, and I'm feeling like I've accomplished a thing or two. After the matinee today, I grabbed dinner (shrimp spring rolls and chicken soup from our fab Vietnamese place) and ran a few errands before I holed myself up in my hotel room to finish up a pending illustration project (see it here after it's been presented to its intended). After completing the sketch and heading to the printer to make copies, I once again found myself back in the room with a self-imposed to-do list. I made some Christmas cards, signed and stamped them. And I sorted through the landfill my living quarters had become over the last couple of days. I now feel organized and tidy and human once again. AND I get to head to the post office tomorrow morning and mail off a completed caricature project and the last of my holiday shipping. What a great evening!

And the evening wasn't without the catching of some holiday entertainment. I was happy to find a double feature on TCM of The Bishop's Wife and Christmas In Connecticut. Ah! Warm and fuzzy holiday vibe! And I caught most of the new Stephen Colbert holiday show. Really funny. And I've got my pine candle a-burnin' and my Christmas tree a-twinklin.' A lovely holiday eve. (Note: Photo above was taken at Matilda's Mouse antique event.)

So that's it for now. Peace and love to you all. Take a moment for you this holiday season... breathe and give thanks.

Big post full of plaid holiday thoughts...

I have the evening off. After a lovely Plaid Tidings matinee and an hour of drawing caricatures before the Welk comedy magic show, I'm sitting here half-watching the latest Muppet holiday program with oodles of Christmas presents laid out on the bed ready to pack, and I'm procrastinating getting work done on shipping prep and a pending illustration job. Of course this means that I'm now going to spend an inordinate amount of time writing a big blog entry. Ha.


This holiday season is just whipping by as if driven by these blustery and drippy North San Diego wintry days. But I think the reason time is a-flyin' is that I'm having such a great time and my heart is so full. It's a joy to be playing with this fab gang at the Welk bringing Plaid Tidings to these great crowds. It really does a heart good to chat with our audience members after each show. There are those who are really moved by the heart of the show, some who've cried at the closing number which, being the classic "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas," has some emotional ties to many at this time of the year. But most folks that drop by our table are just gushing over the music and our comedic shenanigans. Some even tell us about having sore abs from laughing so hard. And we get handshakes and hugs and high fives. We even had a spunky firecracker of a little Italian lady give us all enthusiastic astrological readings. It's all so amazing. How many jobs does one get so much immediate and effusive feedback? To call this experience a blessing somehow feels sorely inadequate. (The included photo is of our Plaid gang and L'il Bitty Kobe – my nephew's class project.)

The past few days have brought a couple arrivals of note. First, our fantastic Jinx, Paul, had to take a wee jaunt back to New York to take part in a recording. So, for three performances, we were joined by our amazing understudy Jeffrey. He did a really incredible job. Paul is now back with stories of wintry weather back east. Our director Larry and his fella David, both cherished friends (and Plaid royalty), drove down to catch a couple shows. AND they brought their movie projector to show some classic and blissfully obscure Christmas animated films at the hotel. Staying in a hotel at the holiday isn't the most ideal or Christmassy cozy situation (other than my little tree adorned with pics of the nieces and nephews), but it was such a holiday treat to join great friends for a special holiday viewing party. I was touched that they thought of us and made such an effort to bring the joy.



And if things weren't already happy happy, it has been wonderful to be in North San Diego County. So many friends from summers past (Moonlight Amphitheatre) are here, and it has been wonderful to visit with them... the Breners, the Beavers, the Brombachers, the Kennas, Ralph, Doug, and many others. One outing I've embarked upon with Nancy and Kathleen is a visit to Matilda's Mouse. MM is open just three days a month in the barn of the former Betty Crocker farm in Valley Center, CA. The head design diva Marla (along with her fellow designers and husband and pooches, Matilda the wire haired terrier among them) display antiques and architectural pieces and vintage toys and tchotchkes. It's a really fantastic experience... and the prices on the goods are very reasonable. With my wacky gang, fellow Plaid Johnny and I have caught a couple of their shows. (As you can see, I've included a photo of some of the amazing display work.) Take a look at their website, and if you're in the area during one of their shows, run – don't walk – to see some nifty stuff. I look forward to at least a couple more adventures with my peeps down here – and look forward to some when I return in February.

Wow! Am I blathering on and on or what?? I REALLY need to get wrapping and drawing. Take care, all! Wishes of peace and love are coming your way at this wonderful time of year. Take care!

Another week down...

As I write, we've reached the end of another week. It's really hard to believe that we have only two weeks left of Plaid Tidings. Time really flies when you're having fun. We have so much to be thankful for. We spend time in the lobby after each show, and the responses we get from our crowds are really amazing. The show really strikes a chord with certain folks, and it's really rewarding to be bringing up such happy feelings in folks. I'm so thankful!


Plaid bro Johnny and I visited Whoville this evening... that is, we saw How the Grinch Stole Christmas at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego (thanks to friend Stevie Gunderson who is playing Papa Who). While I treasure being onstage at this time of the year, it was so lovely to be able to be in the audience for an hour or so. Tomorrow, I hope to finish up the Christmas shopping, get some drawing done, and spend a bit of time just chillin'. It's back to Plaidland on Tuesday. Honestly... I can't wait!

What a crazy week!

As I've mentioned before we are into our nine-show weeks at the Plaid Tidings show and things really are great. The crowds are great and it feels so wonderful to be spreading the joy this holiday season!

But it's a long haul, primarily this week (essentially a ten-show week)... Two shows Tuesday, a show and a remote news shoot Wednesday, two shows Thursday, one official performance Friday along with a full show put-in rehearsal for our wonderful understudy Jeffrey, two shows Saturday, and one week-ending show on Sunday. Whew! Add to this a caricature gig at the Welk on Wednesday and a dermatology appointment Friday and visiting friends (both shows today and the matinee tomorrow) and Christmas shopping, and you've got a busy busy boy. And I also have a few illustration jobs to complete over the weekend and early next week, so you have an über busy boy. It's a lot. But I say again that I'm SO thankful for it all... work, friends, family, health, fun, and making a little difference in many folks' holiday season. Wow! I feel so blessed.

So keep an eye out for more updates forthcoming as well as some new art and more peeks backstage. Take care, all! Happy holidays. Peace & love, y'all!

Happy Plaid moments.

First off, I'm still grinning from an incredibly lovely gesture from a Plaid fan today. Brenda (and her husband Mike) hosted the Plaid fellas for dinner between shows. We had appetizers as we caught a bit of the USC and Oklahoma games. Dinner rocked (pork tenderloin, taters, green beans, and homemade rolls) and the apple pie at dessert was some of the best I've had. Brenda showed us her Plaid room which contains quite a bit of fun memorabilia – and is slowly giving way to a Jersey Boys section. In fact, I noticed something familiar on her wall... a copy of a sketch I did for the JB gang that she had signed. That was a cool surprise. And Brenda capped off the evening with a gift for each of us – some delightful biscotti and a beautiful counted cross stitch mitten ornament (see photo). What a delightful time we had! Thank you Brenda and Mike!


The show is really rollin' along. The crowds really seem to be having a great time. I feel so proud of what we're doing. I'm having such a great time with our Plaid family, and I look forward to the next few weeks. On Thursday we have friends from the Grinch show at the Old Globe coming to see us, and then we'll visit them next Sunday evening.

And when I'm not in Plaidland, I've been working on a couple art projects that are due soon. I have more projects on the horizon... and some Christmas shopping to do. I'm a busy boy. And I'm very thankful for it all. I hope you all are enjoying the season. Peace and love, y'all!

Another glimpse backstage...

Plaid Tidings is rockin' along quite nicely. I'm finally feeling like I'm beating the cold that hit me towards the end of last week. And this brings to mind another opportunity to share a peek backstage at – drumroll! – bodily fluids and functions. There are certain types of the aforementioned that shouldn't be witnessed (at least in excess) by those attending a shiny, happy holiday show. I'll break it down...

1. Mucus: I've been dealing with this quite a bit lately because of the cold, and like all folks who regularly make use of their voice, I have my cures... some sort of medicine containing guaifenesin (Mucinex, etc. which "thins the mucus and makes coughs more productive"), lots of warm liquids (tea), and significant sleep. Still, the cures aren't always totally successful so there may be an occasional (or ubiquitous) blob on the vocal cords one has to "sing around." It makes things interesting, sometimes resulting in not-so-pretty sounds.

2. Sweat: I've always been a rather heavy sweater... a somewhat fluffy, Cosby-type. Ha. Seriously, I sometimes sweat through heavy costumes. Attractive, I know. But I'm not alone. In Plaid Tidings, even with as relatively fit some of these guys are, we are usually drenched by the end of the show. This is partially because we work so hard, and also the theatre is sometimes kept a bit warmer than we might be comfy with. But we try to keep things in check with our own personal sweat-mopping hankies and towels stashed off-stage. Still, it becomes a lesson in Zen-type concentration when there's a bead of sweat slowly trickling down the nostril and it would be distracting to dab it.

3. Spit: It's par for the course when you sit in the front row at a concert or show that you may be occasionally spattered with singer spit. It's definitely not something we're purposely doing, but it happens. Sometimes I feel that between the spit and the sweat, that folks in the front row should be provided with Gallagher-type tarps.

4. Flatulence: Don't be too incredibly appalled. Everyone does it. In the theatre, we generally have enough control to hold it until safely away from the audiences or fellow cast members. The one time I knowingly broke the "fourth wall" (with my wind) was back in 1996 at the Candlelight Pavilion Dinner Theatre. Right at the edge of the stage, I jerked suddenly in a bit of staging and... totally grossed out a teenage girl who hadn't quite finished her dessert. I was mortified (likely more than the girl). That was an isolated incident, though. As things typically go, we're mostly concerned with avoiding offending fellow cast members. At the Plaid show, we have a policy giving a nod to A.A. Milne (or Disney or Loggins & Messina)... If we have to take care o' business, we go to a corner or remote bathroom set aside for that purpose which we call "Pooh Corner."

So that's a little glamorous peek behind the scenes. The next time I share a little sneaky peek, I'll pick a topic that's a bit more elegant.


This week has been lovely so far. The day off was great – hanging with friends, strolls around Balboa Park (see photo) and La Jolla, some good food, and a really amazing sight in the sky... a lovely crescent moon and two bright planets. Last night, Paul and Humphrey and I caught the amazing Tuck & Patti at a jazz club in San Diego. And our audiences at the show have been growing like crazy. The holiday season feels like it's really here. It's a beautiful thing. And now I need to jump in the shower so I can go do two shows. Take care, all! Peace and love.

Day off and some fun news...

The week brought a great Turkey Day and some really fine audiences at our Plaid Tidings show. But I spent the weekend fighting the sniffles and those crazy mucus monsters from that commercial. I think I'm winning the battle, though. Now we're at our day off, and I'll soon be heading down to San Diego to meet up with friends and maybe hang out a bit at the coast. (This photo is from South Carlsbad on my last day off.) It will be nice to get some r & r before...


Our first nine-show week is coming! Throughout December, we regularly add a Friday matinee. The tickets are selling, though, and we look forward to some great audiences! Backstage, we're hunkering down for four weeks of Plaid. I understand that Secret Santas will be organized soon. We're planning some outings – a concert, taking in some other folk's shows. And we're just looking forward to a lovely season. It's a blessing and a gift to be working and to be doing something so enjoyable. I also need to give thanks for another bit of good news...

I recently found out that I will be spending a bit more time at the Welk next year. I'll have a month off after Plaid, and then I'll start rehearsals for The Scarlet Pimpernel. I get another crack at Ozzy, the character I've played a couple times previously, and I look forward to finding out who else I'll be getting to play with soon. The run goes from mid-February until close to the end of April. So YAY for work!

I'd best be hopping in the shower so I can hit the road to San Diegy. Take care, all! Peace and love!

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!

Second week of rehearsals.

We're back in Plaid Land! Last week was a crazy week, but it really paid off because we're in pretty good shape. I still have a lot of work to do, but I'm feeling really good about how much I know already. Onward! [Photos: David E cutting Johnny B's hair, Paul practicing his accordion.)


Today, we got our hairs cut Plaid style. Then we worked through the show and finished up early. Tomorrow after a work through at the rehearsal studio, we head to the theatre for our fancy photo shoot and then begin work on the stage. Runthroughs and tech the next few days. Thursday we have two preview performances and then official opening on Friday. Yay!

On the drawing board, I have a couple little projects I've promised (why, in the middle of all this rehearsal, I'm not sure, but...). The holidays look to be bringing some fun projects, but I also really need to buckle down on some of those personal projects that seem to endlessly live on my back burner.

So on we go! Take care, all! Peace and love.

The day off.

Just a quick one... After seven days of arduous rehearsals, we've reached a day off. My brain is full. My vocal cords are mincemeat. And I'm thinking fondly of the fun we've already had (I mean falling on the floor fits of laughter). I look forward to the rest of this rehearsal process with this amazing and wacky gang, and I anticipate a lovely and enjoyable holiday run. If you're able to visit Escondido, CA during the holidays, please come and see the crazy Plaid guys. Peace and love, y'all.

Our new president.

It feels like a new day. I am so happy that Barack Obama will be our next president. My good thoughts and prayers go out to him and his administration because there is quite a lot of work to be done. I also hope this rather divided country can now come together and work for a better world.

Peace and love.

Quick post from Escondido...

Hey there... The fact that I'm posting means that I'm procrastinating in my Plaid Tidings homework. Okay... I'm taking a break. That sounds better.


We're splitting our rehearsal time between a couple spaces. Well, mostly we're in the lobby of the Welk Resort Theatre. Here's a photo taken during a break time. Yes, in the background you can see a life size cut-out of Lawrence Welk that you can pose next to. (A one-a and a two-a...)

We also spent our first session today at a local ballet studio where Humphrey caught a grasshopper staring into the mirror, likely hoping to pick up a couple of our fancy Plaid mooooves. This show is a BEAR! I have so much homework to do. But it will be a super fun time when it's all up on its feet and running.



I also want to post a couple pics of the nieces and nephews. There's Jack as the Human Torch and Maddie as Snow White. And then there's Karson, Kelli, and Kobe karving pumpkins. Looks like Karson wasn't having a great time at this particular moment. Ha! Well, as I jump back into my homework, happy birthday to my buddy Roller. And happy November to you all! Go vote. Peace and love to you.

Whirlwind trip: St. Paul & Chicago!

I'm back! I had such a great vacation and visit with my bro and his family in St. Paul AND with friends in Chicago. It was just the perfect time of togetherness and autumn fun. Here's a rundown about the trip, but it has to be quick... I'm also packing to head down to Escondido to start Plaid Tidings rehearsals. The whirlwind continues. But here's a recap...


My brother Jordan lives in St. Paul with his wife Aimee and kids Maddie and Jack. We had a great time carving pumpkins and visiting the mall and apple orchard. They were the hosts with the most and we ate very well and had lots of fun. It was SO lovely to see the family and I look forward to the next time I can visit.



After this lovely time, I headed south to Chicago to visit friends: Roller is directing a kids' production of Joseph..., Michelle and Mindy and Kerry are in Wicked (and I got to see Michelle jump into the role of Galinda), Kristen is in Turn of the Century at the Goodman, Lisa is staying incredibly busy and her boyfriend Rob is playing Carl Perkins in the amazing Million Dollar Quartet (just closed at the Goodman, transferring to the Apollo). My time there was a hoot... pumpkin patch, pizza, Halloween party, my first visit to Cracker Barrel and lots more fun. It was so good to see the peeps.

So here I am getting set for the next adventure. My next entry will likely feature the Plaid gang as we woodshed tons of crazy vocal charts and practice mooooves. Also, stay tuned for an art update or two. Life's full and I'm so thankful. Take care, all! Peace and love. Remember to vote.

Autumn days.

A big sketch project tumbled out of my pens quicker than I thought, and so I spent a little time breathing in the autumn, although the weather is once again non-autumnal. I'm hoping for some chill in the air very soon. I think I'll have to wait until I'm visiting St. Paul and Chicago later this week.


But I took last evening to wander about Pasadena. I enjoyed some pumpkin pie gelato in the courtyard at One Colorado Plaza where Yoko Ono's art installation Wish Tree for Pasadena has been growing for the past weeks. There are 21 trees upon which folks are welcome to tie tags upon which they've written heartfelt wishes. (How's that for grammar?) See the picture. Especially in the evening lighting the effect is amazing. I then checked out a really fantastic movie, Mike Leigh's latest, Happy-Go-Lucky. Really wonderful evening.

Today, I ventured out to favorite autumn locale, Claremont. I've loved this college town since I took part in a few shows at the local dinner theatre (ten plus years ago). I was happy to meet up with friend Roger Castellano who joined me for a walk around town. And now I'm home working on a couple new art projects and pounding out Plaid Tidings parts on the borrowed keyboard. Tomorrow, I'll be running errands to prepare to leave town Thursday morning. But in the midst of prep, I'm happy to be joining friends to catch the Martin Sexton concert in Hollywood. The flight to Minnesota early the next morning will hopefully bring a little sleep before I meet up with the bro and family. I can't wait to carve pumpkins and color with the niece and nephew. Life's full of great moments right now, and I want to savor each one.

So take care, all. Happy autumn! Peace and love.

Vote.

Yes, I know election day isn't for another couple weeks, but here's my rant... Vote! If you're not registered, I know that at least here in California, the deadline is today. Do it. Of course I want you to vote how I do (in a nutshell: Obama/Biden) but whatever you believe, go out and put into practice one of the rights and blessings (and duties) that we as Americans have.

Take care, all. Happy autumn. Peace and love.

Finally... an enjoyable trip to the post office.

My journey to the post office box today was sans inconsiderate drivers, so I was already in a good mood while turning my combination knob. But what awaited me inside made me even happier. First, I received the results of a fantastic purchase across the pond: new business cards! I ordered these "mini cards" from moo.com – 100 two-sided mini cards for $20. And I was able to upload up to 100 individual images so each card could be unique. (I only uploaded 20 so I could have duplicates.) These are SO COOL!! I designed my cards to be tone on tone (oranges) with only my Squigs signature popping in white. The reverse has my pertinent info in dark blue. I am SO HAPPY with these cards. The down side is I don't want to give them out. I want to keep them all and stack them and look at them and hug them. Okay, I'm not that fanatical, but I do like them. And I highly recommend moo.com (which I found via ReadyMade magazine).

Also awaiting me in my PO box was my absentee ballot. (I'll be in rehearsals in Escondido on the big election day.) So I'm happy to be casting my votes this evening and dropping it in the mail tomorrow. As Bob Schieffer's mother used to say, it's gonna make me feel big and powerful. And I'm going to pray that a majority of folks votes the way I do. Voting is an honor, a privilege, and a duty. Here I go.



Finally, if you scroll down to yesterday's post, you'll see that Brian d'Arcy James commented on the illustration I created commemorating his upcoming Broadway turn as Shrek. How cool!! The guy is super talented. He's had many a Broadway star turn (and some prime appearances on the big and small screens). I had the pleasure of drawing him previously when he starred in the LA production of Irving Berlin's White Christmas (opposite Anastasia Barzee, Jeffry Denman, and Meredith Patterson... commissioned by stage manager David Lober). You can see that illustration here as well as a wee photo of said fellow.

So that's it for now. I'm heading back to the drawing board because I have so much to do. Take care, y'all. Peace and love!

Art, stupid drivers, and Scott Farkus...

First off, today at the post office I ran into the guy who played the bully Scott Farkus in A Christmas Story. That was pretty cool. And he didn't even pelt me with snowballs. That would be difficult since our autumn in the Valley has brought us 90 degree temps.


Why is it that some days it seems like they let the inconsiderate drivers out of their corral here in North Hollywood? Two days in a row I've been met with drivers going out the in driveway at the post office. And the kicker was yesterday when a woman cut across three lanes of traffic from being parked, forcing me to slam on my brakes, so she could get into a turn lane. When I honked my horn at her, she flipped ME off. What??!! My biggest pet peeve is inconsiderate people, so I've been gritting my teeth lately. And THEN there was the guy in front of me in the grocery line carrying on a loud conversation and totally ignoring the checker. He only paused long enough to ask me if he could use my discount card. And THEN... Oh, I think I just need to stay home. But then tonight is the last presidential debate. I think I'm going to dig a hole and crawl into it. Sheesh!


Finally, here are a couple new illustrations... This first one is a commission that I received on my recent visit to NYC. Stephen Dolginoff wrote and starred (along with Doug Kreeger) in the musical Thrill Me, telling the story of the Leopold and Loeb murders in 1920s Chicago.


The second piece is one I just did for fun because I dig Brian d'Arcy James' eyebrows. He will be returning to Broadway in title role of the new stage version of Shrek and so I thought I'd whip up a little caricature illustration to commemorate it. I have a couple more projects on the drawing board as well before I head off on my St. Paul/Chicago trip next week. Lots of art. That's how I like it.

So, take care, all! Go Obama! Peace and love.

Autumn is for reminiscing...

Ah! Today feels like autumn... finally! Unfortunately we're supposed to get another warm-up next week, but I slept oh so cozily last night with the chill in the air and the wind rustling through the trees outside. I hope to get out to a pumpkin patch very soon, and I'm earnestly seeking the perfect bowl of soup. And while Southern California does have a teensy bit of fall color (The photo here was taken last week in Costa Mesa.), I look forward to seeing (and feeling) some real autumn when I visit my bro and his family in St. Paul and a bunch of the friends in Chicago later this month. Yay autumn!!

This is the time of the year for reflection and reminiscing. I've spent a good majority of the morning scanning old artwork. As some of you may know, the illustration career was born of my tradition of drawing closing night gifts for each of the show families I've been a part of. I've drawn nearly every full production I've been in since 1993... around 50 pieces. (Wow, that was a long, awkward sentence.) So! I decided it would be wise to finally fill out my digital show sketch archive with the pieces I created before I got a scanner. It has been a fun, warm & fuzzy project. I've been looking back at folks I've worked with: colleagues that have become dear friends, friendships and marriages that have developed, friendships and marriages that have dissolved, friends who are no longer with us (well, in the flesh), and countless magical onstage and offstage moments. I've been laughing a lot, and there's been a lot of – empathizing with Truvy's favorite emotion in Steel Magnolias – laughter through tears. I feel blessed to be an actor in the theatre as well as an illustrator and documentarian.


Here's one piece of the many classic Squigs pieces I've gandered at this morning. This is the Moonlight Amphitheatre's 1999 production of Carousel. So many in the show are such close friends now: Bets Malone and Steve Glaudini, Eric Anderson, Ralph Johnson, Erin Granahan way up there in the back, and so many more wonderful folks. And as I was reminded of just a couple years ago, a future megacelebrity. If you look just to the left of me (I'm the one with the goatee, boater, and pipe.) you'll see a young Vanessa Hudgens (of High School Musical fame) who played mine and Bets' youngest child. It made me feel a bit old, but my niece really appreciated it. The sketch itself was inspired loosely by the amazing work of Lincoln Center artist James McMullan who created the 1994 Broadway revival poster. I usually prefer my more recent work and still feel that my next piece is always my best piece, but I really dig this one for many reasons. Side note: I just remembered that I played a little bit with unique textures in this piece. Eric (the largest figure in the piece – down center) or rather his vest is shaded by spattering ink through a bit of window screen. Ah, illustration experimentation!

So that's more than I anticipated writing, but there you go. I'm heading back to the drawing board now. Happy autumn, all! Peace and love.

More new stuff...

Just when I feel like I've been slacking off, I look at the recent projects and realize that I've been pretty busy.


I'm working on creating a series of graphics aimed at a Broadway-type audience – a really geeky Broadway fan. I've included a couple pieces in that neighborhood. This piece about the Broadway divas working at the Costco features a few legendary ladies... and a couple Broadway urban legends. See if you get 'em.


Another graphic is directed at the same audience – at Hallowe'en time. If you don't get the references, just Google the names. I may be directing the comedy at a much too limited audience, but we'll see.


On another end of the spectrum, I've also been working on a few test projects aimed toward independent music crowds. This particular image is for a group that plays regularly at LA club Largo (the Watkins are out of the Newgrass group, Nickel Creek, and play with folks like Benmont Tensch of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers, Greg Leisz who has played steel guitar on everyone's albums, Jackson Browne, and Fiona Apple) and have given me some of my favorite musical outings. Anyway... my art might soon be steered toward posters and the like. We'll see. Let me know if you like.

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

Presidential ink-slingin'...

It's getting dirty out there. The mud is being slung and it's getting a little tiresome. As I watched the news last night, I was inspired to do a little doodle of the major players in the race...

A couple new pieces...

It was a productive day. I took care of tidying the room, doing the laundry, changing out linens, mailing some packages, studying some lines, and eating a big pile of sushi. I'm also feeling rather accomplished at the drawing board...


Last night, a new show opened on Broadway. Jason Robert Brown's 13 launched officially and I'm happy to say that my art was a small part of the festivities. Georgia Stitt, Jason's wife commissioned the piece which included the entire onstage "Team 13." I'm told it went over very well which makes me so glad. Thanks Georgia for thinking of me for this project. I'm wishing Team 13 all the best.


And today I finished up a little project that was just for fun. Well, it's also a thank you of sorts to a friend of Squigs' Ink. Jim Caruso produces and hosts (among other things) Cast Party, an amazing open mic event every Monday at NYC's Birdland. Jim has put my info in his sponsors section of each e-newsletter for quite a while now. I'm blown away by this kind gesture. Well, when I was in the city two weeks ago I attended Cast Party and brought the sketch book, doodling away throughout the evening. Click on the image here to see the result. Thanks SO much, Jim, for being such an amazing friend to me and my ink-slingin'.

Well, that's it for now. I'm off to watch a little boob tube and put some thought in as to my next projects. Take care, all! Peace and love.

Hangin' with the folkies.

T'was a great day yesterday. After getting a little work done in the morning, I hit the road to the ocean via the winding road through Topanga Canyon. I enjoyed hitting my regular spots including Montana Avenue in Santa Monica (where I took this dandy picture of a busy bee on some purple flowers).

In this crazy political season, we enjoyed a bit of a minor holiday last night with the VP candidate debate, part of which I watched at brewpub Father's Office and part of which I listened to on NPR as I drove to UCLA. As much as I'm feeling better and better about how this whole thing will turn out, I still get frustrated with the craziness of it all. So I was a bit ready for an escape. I got it...

At UCLA's Royce Hall, I attended McCabe Guitar Shop's 50th Anniversary concert. McCabe's is not only an amazing music store in Santa Monica, but it has long featured back room concerts from artists on various places in their careers. The concert was a celebration of the milestone featuring regular acts and some surprises along the way. Jackson Browne, Blind Boys of Alabama, Los Lobos, Chrissy Hynde, Jennifer Warnes, Ricky Jay, Richard Thompson, Dan Hicks, and Odetta(!) were among the acts that played in the almost five-hour evening. The night culminated in a hootenanny-style singalong of "This Land Is Your Land." It felt great to be raising the voice with so many who have raised their voices over the years crying out for change and accountability. It was a spirit-lifting evening and I'm so glad I went.

Now, I'm back at the desk working on a couple projects. And I just finished up a project that will be revealed soon (and then posted for all to see). So, until later folks... Take care! Peace and love to you and yours. Be curious.