All of us in this cast were nervous at Friday nights' rehearsal, but now being acquainted with the theatre itself, knowing exactly what we were supposed to do, we all relaxed, visited with each other very pleasantly as we waited our turn and, in this case, familiarity did not bring contempt!
This afternoon is the last performance and then I am done with show biz! It was an experience, once I got over myself, and promises to be a sold out show if this afternoon is like last night. Only a few bare spots in the theater seating and small ones at that. Four or five little vacant seats, crying out for derrieres on them. There were 90 chairs set up for this, so assume 85 filled is very good.
Probably the very worst of bad taste, but I am throwing a "Come have a drink and an appetizer because I got through this!" for all of the friends and fellow writers who showed up for the show. A little do at our favorite Mexican restaurant which has a very pleasant patio out front. Roofed against the sun with a garden-style seating area. And it promises to be almost-summer weather.
I am quite looking forward to it. To me, it means, "Done! Never again!" It's now on my resume and I never have to do it again. .
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Saturday, March 30, 2019
Bad Rehearsal; Good Performance
A theatre adage I am told. Well tonight ought to blow them out of their seats, based on it. Or so my fellow performers may believe. Certainly we all want to believe it.
Once we were all present, the producer gave us a tour of the theatre - three short steps up to the stage, shove aside a dark green velvet-y looking curtain - and step down from small landing behind it and three shallow steps down to the Green Room. We are to sit there, make no noise, and pop up when it's our turn. I'm #3 in the line-up.
Last night was clearly the first time we'd all met and we all shook hands as we introduced ourselves to one another. One runs ShareHopeUSA, a non-profit organization to feed the souls of homeless and sick children. Another is our 4th District Councilman, and an 85 year old stand-up comedian, a retired pastor . Despite his age, he worked the stage more.than any of the rest of us!
A retired teacher, turned actress who told a wonderful story about Marrying Off Aunt Ada at a time when social mores dictated that the oldest daughter married first and then the remaining sisters were allowed to marry. Things were certainly different in Olden Days.
First thing we did was, following the line-up posted, we read the first couple of sentences and the last couple of the sentences which was to give the saxophonist (who transitioned us and set apart each act). This is called a "cue to cue" technic for getting through an 8 minute piece in no time at all. "Good," I thought - I haven't eaten since 11 a.m.! Imagine my dismay when the producer said with relish, all but rubbing his hands together - "Now we'll do a full rehearsal!" and visions of dinner flitted out the door. If you ever do this - eat first! Particularly as rehearsal started at 6 p.m. and what with one thing and another, lasted until 8:40 p.m.
A stage (other than stage coach) is new territory to me. Most disconcerting to me was reading along, looking up from time to time, as instructed - only to be met by a white light which blinded me just long enough to lose my place in the manuscript. After, when the producer asked for our notes, and one mentioned the lighting, I yelled out, "I was ready to confess! I did it! I did it!!"
My performance should be better tonight since we had this rehearsal. Entry points, exits and where everything is. Familiarity breeds relaxed nerves and now mine should be. Otherwise go to the bathroom or sneak out for a cigarette when you see me appear. I'll signal you with a throat cutting gesture. Run!
Once we were all present, the producer gave us a tour of the theatre - three short steps up to the stage, shove aside a dark green velvet-y looking curtain - and step down from small landing behind it and three shallow steps down to the Green Room. We are to sit there, make no noise, and pop up when it's our turn. I'm #3 in the line-up.
Last night was clearly the first time we'd all met and we all shook hands as we introduced ourselves to one another. One runs ShareHopeUSA, a non-profit organization to feed the souls of homeless and sick children. Another is our 4th District Councilman, and an 85 year old stand-up comedian, a retired pastor . Despite his age, he worked the stage more.than any of the rest of us!
A retired teacher, turned actress who told a wonderful story about Marrying Off Aunt Ada at a time when social mores dictated that the oldest daughter married first and then the remaining sisters were allowed to marry. Things were certainly different in Olden Days.
First thing we did was, following the line-up posted, we read the first couple of sentences and the last couple of the sentences which was to give the saxophonist (who transitioned us and set apart each act). This is called a "cue to cue" technic for getting through an 8 minute piece in no time at all. "Good," I thought - I haven't eaten since 11 a.m.! Imagine my dismay when the producer said with relish, all but rubbing his hands together - "Now we'll do a full rehearsal!" and visions of dinner flitted out the door. If you ever do this - eat first! Particularly as rehearsal started at 6 p.m. and what with one thing and another, lasted until 8:40 p.m.
A stage (other than stage coach) is new territory to me. Most disconcerting to me was reading along, looking up from time to time, as instructed - only to be met by a white light which blinded me just long enough to lose my place in the manuscript. After, when the producer asked for our notes, and one mentioned the lighting, I yelled out, "I was ready to confess! I did it! I did it!!"
My performance should be better tonight since we had this rehearsal. Entry points, exits and where everything is. Familiarity breeds relaxed nerves and now mine should be. Otherwise go to the bathroom or sneak out for a cigarette when you see me appear. I'll signal you with a throat cutting gesture. Run!
Friday, March 29, 2019
Here Comes the Weekend
And my debut on the stage which I haven't seen yet. Tonight the cast gathers at 6 p.m. for a run-through of the show. But - efficiently, in turn, we read the first and last paragraphs of our various pieces - apparently for an idea of the running time and for the saxophone player to get a sense of what his music needs to match, based on story content. If you are planning on a costume or "outfit" of some sort, feel free to wear it tonight. I'm not.
What I am going to wear is what I wore on the various tracks - jeans, a white t-shirt and running shoes. You don't dress up for a race. Road dust, flying engine parts or rocks thrown up from the track onto you; Goodyear freckles which are tiny dots of oil on the start line at NHRA drag races. And most likely it is hot enough that you and your hair are wet with sweat at the race's end. Showers were never as welcome back home than after a than a day at the track at a the race, whatever kind of race it was.
Oddly I'm looking forward to this whole shebang. I've never liked the spotlight; as a PR consultant, I put my clients on the magazine covers, not me.
As this appearance continues, I'll continue to take you backstage to see what goes on there. For example, there will be a green room with snacks and water. So - Green Rooms really do exist! Stay tuned.
What I am going to wear is what I wore on the various tracks - jeans, a white t-shirt and running shoes. You don't dress up for a race. Road dust, flying engine parts or rocks thrown up from the track onto you; Goodyear freckles which are tiny dots of oil on the start line at NHRA drag races. And most likely it is hot enough that you and your hair are wet with sweat at the race's end. Showers were never as welcome back home than after a than a day at the track at a the race, whatever kind of race it was.
Oddly I'm looking forward to this whole shebang. I've never liked the spotlight; as a PR consultant, I put my clients on the magazine covers, not me.
As this appearance continues, I'll continue to take you backstage to see what goes on there. For example, there will be a green room with snacks and water. So - Green Rooms really do exist! Stay tuned.
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Spring Has Sprung! Watch What Your Dog/Cat Is Eating.
And Summer is getting out the shorts for June 21st when it officially opens. Spring arrived March 20th. Not quite old hat yet with the little showers that are expected with it.
The flowers are beginning to bud and then swiftly become flowers. It's a good season of hope for us, but it's very bad for your dog or cat.
The following are poisonous to both:
Lily Daffodil Oleander Lily of the Valley Tulip Begonia Hyacinth
If you are planting these bulbs, and your pet is "helping," keep an eye on them as you would a curious (and stealthy) toddler. If they do manage to sneak past you - call your vet!
If it's a weekend or holiday - call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435
The flowers are beginning to bud and then swiftly become flowers. It's a good season of hope for us, but it's very bad for your dog or cat.
The following are poisonous to both:
Lily Daffodil Oleander Lily of the Valley Tulip Begonia Hyacinth
If you are planting these bulbs, and your pet is "helping," keep an eye on them as you would a curious (and stealthy) toddler. If they do manage to sneak past you - call your vet!
If it's a weekend or holiday - call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435
Monday, March 25, 2019
Reading - But What Do You Call It?
The genre is new to me and it is this: A biography is treated like fiction. Dialogue included as well as motives, reactions and every day life. It certainly can make "history" interesting and the scholars that explored and wrote this genre all claim massive amounts of time doing research (or so they say.)
"That Churchill Woman" by Stephani Barron, $28 376 pages
This particular Churchill woman referenced is Jennie (Jerome) Churchill, an American, Winston Churchill's mother. Jennie and Randolph got engaged after a 3-day courtship. ("O impetuous fools!") However both sets of parents objected (Jennie was 19) and dowry negotiations dragged on for something like another six months.
Better both should have forgotten all about it. Randolph was gay and died of 4th stage syphilis due to an unwise liaison in his past. He was 61. Jennie claimed to her lover, the dashing Count Charles Kinsky, of Austria, that she and Lord Randy did it once - the honeymoon - resulting in the birth of Winston. Thus she was not at risk for syphilis (and neither was Kinsky) which had arrived much later in the marriage.
The couple's second son was widely believed to have had a different father than Randy, denied by Jennie. Jennie, understandably had a vast number of … flirtations. Randolph said the child was his issue. Matter settled.
Jennie and Kinski went back and forth in their affair. They loved each other but she refused to abandon all and run away with him after she discovered the little matter of 4th stage syphilis. She said that she had married for better or worse. Instead when his madness became impossible to handle, she took him and his doctor on a round-Asia tour to get him out of the public eye that ended abruptly when he became so ill, it was feared he would die on the ship. A coffin was ordered, stowed below and accompanied the little party all the way back home. But he died at home with Winston and Jennie present.
All and all, it was a fairly riveting read and I recommend it.
"That Churchill Woman" by Stephani Barron, $28 376 pages
This particular Churchill woman referenced is Jennie (Jerome) Churchill, an American, Winston Churchill's mother. Jennie and Randolph got engaged after a 3-day courtship. ("O impetuous fools!") However both sets of parents objected (Jennie was 19) and dowry negotiations dragged on for something like another six months.
Better both should have forgotten all about it. Randolph was gay and died of 4th stage syphilis due to an unwise liaison in his past. He was 61. Jennie claimed to her lover, the dashing Count Charles Kinsky, of Austria, that she and Lord Randy did it once - the honeymoon - resulting in the birth of Winston. Thus she was not at risk for syphilis (and neither was Kinsky) which had arrived much later in the marriage.
The couple's second son was widely believed to have had a different father than Randy, denied by Jennie. Jennie, understandably had a vast number of … flirtations. Randolph said the child was his issue. Matter settled.
Jennie and Kinski went back and forth in their affair. They loved each other but she refused to abandon all and run away with him after she discovered the little matter of 4th stage syphilis. She said that she had married for better or worse. Instead when his madness became impossible to handle, she took him and his doctor on a round-Asia tour to get him out of the public eye that ended abruptly when he became so ill, it was feared he would die on the ship. A coffin was ordered, stowed below and accompanied the little party all the way back home. But he died at home with Winston and Jennie present.
All and all, it was a fairly riveting read and I recommend it.
Saturday, March 23, 2019
Current News - Sorta
I knew that if I poked around in the 'net, I'd find something that might amuse. While it's not funny when someone makes a blindingly huge error, nevertheless, if you're something of a cynic …
Barbra Streisand is in the news for having opined that Michael Jackson's desires (pedophile) were "his desires."
Scathing comments followed and I am grinning as I type.
Macy's is having a sale on little boys pants - half off.
The McJackson burger - 50 years old meat in a 10 year old bun.
How could you tell when Michael Jackson was having a party? All the Big Wheels parked in his driveway.
Re a rumor that a young Miss Streisand was included in an 8mm porno film that she later spent a fortune trying to retrieve every single copy of same. Comment after this - "So did the donkey."
Barbra Streisand is in the news for having opined that Michael Jackson's desires (pedophile) were "his desires."
Scathing comments followed and I am grinning as I type.
Macy's is having a sale on little boys pants - half off.
The McJackson burger - 50 years old meat in a 10 year old bun.
How could you tell when Michael Jackson was having a party? All the Big Wheels parked in his driveway.
Re a rumor that a young Miss Streisand was included in an 8mm porno film that she later spent a fortune trying to retrieve every single copy of same. Comment after this - "So did the donkey."
Friday, March 22, 2019
Today: A New Experience On Which To Report
My turn in the barrel is at 9:15 a.m. today when I am to call him and be interviewed for this extravaganza.
What makes this especially interesting to me is that while working as a freelance photo journalist and then later with my own extremely modest PR shop, I interviewed a great many other people, but was never interviewed myself.
This is going to be extremely interesting for these reasons: we're both writers and we interview/have interviewed a lot of people. We undoubtedly have different styles. I'm looking forward to seeing his, to on-the-fly figuring out what angle he's looking for and how to give him what he wants efficiently and on point.
I think of it as a tutorial of sorts and am anxious for it to be 9:15 a.m.
TO BE CONTINUED
A brief bout with phone tag and game on. First of all Mr. Hixon has a very pleasant voice and a non-threatening manner. My style back then was simply to smile a lot. A smile is heard in your voice. And then I sounded non-threatening.
My only problem was being asked a direct question - what's your piece about? Damned if I know how to give a brief answer on that one. I got tangled up in sequence of events and fell back on the lameness of "Well, it's more of an anecdote than a story -- with a beginning, middle tragedy and a happy ending."
How did I get into writing? Reply: when I found out you can make more money for photos if you write the caption and the story - I'm a mercenary I told him. Followed that up with, "I think you're probably the same - we can't not write when explaining "And the Best Blog Is: Word of Mouth."
All in all, points and game to Michael Hixson. The Daily Breeze should rightfully take great pride in his work.
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