Thursday, January 1, 2009
More teetering...
AND... on the same public TV station I just caught a clip of Rosemary Clooney singing "Hey There" which is another song I sang in Plaid Tidings. This is getting weird. But more peace & love to y'all. Happy 2009 (if it would ever get here)!
Still teetering...
Okay here's one more post before the new year. And, yes, it's Plaid-tinged. While in Escondido I listened regularly to the local jazz station. In the Plaid show I sang a snippet of the Peggy Lee song "Fever" and ironically I kept hearing it throughout the run on that jazz station... specifically on the afternoon of our opening night and between shows on our last two-show day. I'm sitting here at my place, flipping through TV channels, and on one of the public stations I just caught Peggy Lee singing her famous song. What does it mean?!?
Anyway... here on the west coast, 2009 has yet to arrive, but I'm wishing you all the best in "Ott 9." Peace and love, y'all!!
Anyway... here on the west coast, 2009 has yet to arrive, but I'm wishing you all the best in "Ott 9." Peace and love, y'all!!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
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.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
*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!
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!
Monday, December 29, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
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.
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.
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