Closing a show.

Another show ends.

I left the theatre last night so grateful for the opportunity and richer for the many new relationships cultivated in the past 9 or 10 weeks and a little melancholy that we will not all be together again in the same capacity.

I tried to take in every moment.

I try to watch and listen hard enough to burn the memory into my mind so I can conjure up the language and company and moments anytime I want.

Anyone who ever closed a show knows this feeling.

Don't get me wrong , there are shows that cannot end soon enough, but this wasn't one of them. This was one of those shows that took me by emotional surprise. I had a lot of downtime during the run and not once did I get tired of listening to the language of the play and the voices of my fellow actors. I think I learned something new every night by listening.

I will be checking in with the actors of Member of the Wedding and updating you on their future projects.

Life goes on.

Janine's Funny Dream...about me.

Another Dream

You may remember my first guest blogger Janine. (pictured above for easy reference) Last night she had a dream about me. Here it is:

I had this odd little dream right before I awoke this morning. You and I and a whole bunch of other people were at Lynn West's old house preparing some huge feast. You were making stuffed mushroom caps. In the silly dream, instead of making the filling all at once and then stuffing the mushrooms, you prepared the stuffing separately for each individual mushroom. The only ingredients I can remember you using were ketchup and mayonnaise and potatoes. I said, "Isn't it easier to just make all the stuffing at once?" and you were like, "No, this is the way I like to do it!"

Just a little pic for Robyn O.

Robyn O.

I hope you have a dress to go with the special "loser" earrings you will be wearing at your next Cabaret. Sing me something pretty, won't you?

Welcome Guest Blogger: Sparki.

Worst Book Title Ever.
A real book - available for purchase on Amazon.
Exactly WHAT is the bear stirring?
Love,
the Sparkster

A thought for today, gentle readers......

When you wish upon a star, Your dreams can come true,

Unless it's really a meteorite hurling to the Earth which will destroy all life,

then you are pretty much hosed no matter what you wish for, unless it is death by meteorite.

This made me laugh

Halloween pranks are funny!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=NijwK99OO04&mode=related&search=

Caution: Monkeys throw poop.

It turns out all the folks in my dressing room love monkeys. What's not to love really? We have started pulling our monkey collection together and they keep us company. We have even started saying "Monkeys throw poop" instead of saying "break-a-leg" - I'm sure it will catch on in no time.
Some of us have a lot of time back there.
My love of monkeys goes back to when I was a child and my father would plead to my mother for a monkey. He would say "But, it will tip it's own hat." - like that was the thing that would break her down.

During Syringa Tree I received monkeys as presents from people and still have folks call me Monkey every now and again.
I was in Ukrops about a year ago - just shopping and minding my own business when I heard a voice behind me say "Mooonnkkeeeyyyy - oh muunnkeey." It turned out to be someone who had seen Syringa and that was their way of saying hi and bye. Seriously, that is all they said to me.

There is a random line in The Member of the Wedding when Frankie is telling Berenice that she was running all over town telling everyone her plans. She even told "The monkey and the monkey man." This line always intrigued me. Does every city have a monkey and a monkey man? She says it so matter of fact, are we not supposed to hear that and say to ourselves "what?" - I mean she could say "I told Joe, the butcher"....or "Sally the street magician" and it would sound more realistic. Every night when she says that line I try to picture the scene in my head.
Here is how I suspect it would go down:

Monkey Man: Hi Frankie. What has you all in a tizzy?

(The monkey tips it's hat to her and scurries to the monkey man's shoulder.)

Frankie: Why, I am going away. far, far away with my brother and his beautiful bride when they get married on Sunday. You see, I am going to Hollywood to become a movie star. Yep - my smart, gorgeous, (almost too young to be playing my Aunt) Aunt Pet even suggested it. She says I have talent and grace and ought to go be famous in Hollywoodland and that is what I am going to do.

Monkey Man: Well, little Lady, have you discussed this with the bride and Groom?

(The monkey looks worried and rings his little hands, maybe gives off a small monkey sigh.)

Frankie: Well that is the best part, you see. I have decided to make that their special wedding surprise. I am sick unto death of this little town. I must get away, you see. They will be so excited. I can see it now. Man oh boy!

She runs off and leaves them in the smoke of her soon to be broken dreams.

(The monkey shakes his head.)

and scene.

Get your tickets now!!

The OPUS Standing O. It will be the place to be on Saturday November 3rd.

OPUS' annual Standing O Gala will be held November 3rd 2007 at 7pm and once again take place at Plant Zero. Discount tickets are available in advance for $40; please contact us today while they're still available. Last year's event was a huge success and this one promises to be even better. Proceeds will benefit SPARC and help OPUS continue supporting of the Richmond area's performing arts groups. Please check the OPUS website for regular updates.
What: 2007 Standing O Gala
When: Saturday, November 3, 2007 7pm - Midnight
Where: Plant Zero
Music By: The Michael Clark Band
Attire: Black Tie Optional
Tickets: $40 in advance, $75 at the door (subject to availability), please contact Temple Enos at tenos@schaffercabell.com or 804-648-0064 to order


About OPUS
OPUS leads Richmond's creative class in celebrating the performing arts by broadening knowledge and stimulating interest in local arts groups through a social setting. For more information about OPUS please visit our website.
Website: http://www.opusrichmond.org
opusrichmond@yahoo.com

Erin's Party Part III - PJ Surprise and more pics than I should post.

Erin arrived looking so nice. I had told her not to worry about what she wore but I don't think she listened to me. She looked lovely when she arrived. Like she was going to a tea party or something. As she walked in we played the theme from the love boat and toasted her with bellini's. I think she was surprised that we all wore our PJ's.

It wasn't long until she looked just as comfortable as the rest of us.
Then Robin told us a great story about a wedding that had just taken place at Hanover Tavern.
Laine and Co. performed a traditional Napoletana song from the 50's.
Jen and Laine taught the group some very useful Italian and Spanish phrases that Erin will need to know for her honeymoon. The flashcards were the best. Jen taught us the Tarantella and the Flamenco!!

She even brought Erin a traditional skirt for the dance.

Then Erin had to answer some questions about Tony. Every time she got an answer wrong we put another roller in her hair and a mud mask on her face. She did really well though.

Below are just a few of my favorite images from the party. There were over 100 pics taken so it was really hard to narrow these down for this post.

These are simply some pictures of my friends looking happy. What could be better than that?

Part two - The food.

Laine made an amazing spread featuring tapas from some of the honeymoon destinations. She made name cards for all the plates in both the language where it is from and the English translation.

A calm before the storm.

tomato, basil and garlic bruchetta, Olivada bruchetta.

Italian sausage balls.
marinated diced chicken.Onion frittata.
Smoked pork and mango chutney.

This is a chese mixture that Laine made with pepercorns on endive - it was delish! But I can't remember the exact ingredients. (Laine - feel free to comment and make corrections.)
Prune, bacon and filo rolls.
Caprese salad.
More bruchetta.
These were zucchini fritters stuffed with ham and cheese. These were my favorite thing and I would love Laine to elaborate on my description if she has time.

Laine's (now famous) stuffed squid.

Stayed tuned for the next installment of Erin's party. Part three - the PJ surprise.

P.S. to Robyn O. - I know you had a spy there and I am sure they can tell you I barely ate anything.

Erin's Bachelorette Party Part One-o

Erin is getting married in less than a week!!! You know there had to be a party.

This was a good one, if I do say so myself. Laine was amazing and made Tapas dishes from Spain and Italy (where the honeymoon is going to be). Best of all, it was a PJ party so we were comfortable all night. I promise to post many food and fun pics from Erin's party, but before I do I thought we would have a small guest blog from Andy B. who was with Tony and the guys at the Bachelor party. I have a feeling we had a better time then they did. Not that it's a contest or anything.

Andy writes:

Compared with the pansexual debauchery of the bridal shower, Tony Foley's bachelor party was a quiet and dignified affair, with a high-minded discussion of current events, sporting news, the current state of local theatre and the Central American Free Trade Agreement. The Management of Popkin's was kind enough to stay open late and set aside the mezzanine for our group to enjoy pocket billiards and fine fermented and distilled beverages. No animals were harmed and no indictments have been filed as of this writing. The confidentiality pact signed at the door remains in force, and breaking of this pact by any party may result in severe civil and criminal liability.
In attendance (and thus having unshakable alibis) were Andy Boothby, Brad Tuggle, David Janeski, Eric Williams, Frank Creasy, John Moon, Larry Cook, Matt Polson, Matthew Costello, Robert Throckmorton, Rusty Wilson, Scott Wichmann, and Steve Perigard. Anything you may have heard about Matthew leaving with the woman who came in to beg for money and steal pizza is a complete fabrication.

(Thanks Andy, that sounds really boring - at least Matthew got lucky.)

Nice try Robyn O... Nice try.

So, without going into great detail, Robyn and I have entered into a contest. I don't know why she has chosen to torture herself this way. She is going down. There can be only one - wait, that was from Highlander. Anyway, it seems the backstage fairy has struck again. Trying to test my will power and break me. I believe your little plan has back fired my curvaceous friend.

The goodies you left to temp me found their way into the mouths of others and I was the hero for bringing them treats.

But nice try...and watch out - you know what they say about payback.

Mozel Tov

A few years back Muffin Face played "Yenta" and introduced two of her favorite people. While Muffin Face was busy doing her show two of her favorite people got married. Congratulations Mark and Emmy. We will celebrate very soon!