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.