dammit

were it not for Marion Cottillard and Tilda Swinton I might have had a shot at winning the Oscar pool.
stupid surprise winners.

(however, yay for Javier Bardem & Daniel Day-Lewis)

oh... and wanna feel a little old?
Daniel Day-Lewis won for My Left Foot 20 FREAKING YEARS AGO!!!!!!

Come on down, ya hear???

Brownlee's a bastard...

...because he "tagged" me with a blogger meme.

My Media Week

Books:
Recent reads: "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Phillippa Gregory (makes me super excited for the movie, FYI). Just finished "Water for Elephants" last week - loved this one. Made me want to go out and join the circus. (sort of - not REALLY). Right now, I'm reading "Middlesex" by Jeffrey Eugenides. I'm about half done, and it's great so far - HIGHLY recommended.
For christmas, Sara got me "Love in the Time of Cholera", and I know it is a classic and something TONS of people recommend (hence why Sara got it), but I'm having a tough time. It hooks me for awhile, and then it goes away. I'm about 1/2 done, but I keep putting down.
I'll pick it back up again when I'm done with Middlesex. I promise.


TV:
There isn;t too much to choose from, right now just LOST and Project Runway.
And - me & Sara's comedic discovery - Carpoolers. Now, it's not a comedy that's gonna change the world, but it just makes us howl with laughter each week. They smartly held back some of their new epeisodes, and they've been showing them for about a month now (they're On Demand too, check 'em out of you can). Re-runs wise, I can't EVER stay away from Antiques Roadshow - the show fascinates the hell outta me!
There is one show I caught the other night on PBS that I HIGHLY recommend. It took this group of African Americans (some well known, some not) and traced their roots all the way back to slavery, and identified whether their ancesters were slaves or free men. It also traced their DNA, and suprisingly showed some European DNA, etc in these folks. They also were able to trace their DNA strains to particular African Tribes. So they can now say "I am descended from the 'X' tribe in Nigeria". It was VERY moving.


Music: good lord, I can't remember the last CD I bought. Sara is the only way I hear new music - I never listen to the radio (on my own) anymore. We listen to the radio in the car - so usually I hear somnething cool, and then ask Sara later "Who was that?" I'm liking the Alicia Keys song "No One" right now - it's in heavy rotation in the car (especially when we're feeling lovey-dovey). I only listen to my iPod at work, and I usually either shuffle The Shins or The Beatles. Nice contrast, eh?

I'm supposed to "tag" five other bloggers.
But, since Brownlee is one of the only bloggers I know, I'll have to leave that part out.

oh, and another thing...

.... I'll put 10 bucks right now that in November it'll be Romney Vs. Obama.



*****DON'T FORGET TO VOTE IN THE PRIMARY ON TUESDAY!!!!!*********

life moves PRETTY fast

It feels like I just picked the dates for our California vacation yesterday, and here we are --- almost time to go!!!!
We leave on Saturday - we're booked on a later flight, but we're hoping to standby on an earlier one (fingers crossed). Then, we're in Cali til 2/7 -- YAY!!!!!!

It's not super hot, but mid - upper 60's is better than Chicago, thats for DAMN sure!

Our only plans so far are to relax, do some beach stuff, go to the San Diego zoo (hopefully), and I'll be watching the super bowl on this Sunday - thats it for now! We're renting a car, so we're planning to do some driving around, for sure - checking out this and that.
(I personally think it'll be hilarious to swing by where the writers are picketing and get some pics of celebs!!!! - Sara thinks I'm nuts :)

Between planning for California, and anticipating the new LOST episode tomorrow night (WOO HOO!!!!!!!), there's not much else on my mind, I guess.

There's a couple of hot theatre topics out there in the blog land, but I've been commenting on other people's blogs and not really posting here -- arguing over equity vs. non equity and such....
it hurts my head after awhile.

Preview or No-view?

There are some great blog posts out there (from yesterday and today) that are discussing the use and need for previews in theater. There's some great stuff from Rob and Kris, so go check it out.

Personally (and with SRT), I've always looked at previews more like an "invited dress". SRT has always had lower ticket cost (around 5 bucks), but since most of the audiences end up being friends and colleagues who comped in, we only make about 50 bucks at the most.

And although this has never happened, if something catastrophic were to happen, I would probably be inclined to refund money if need be.

The value that SRT gets out of it (I feel) is letting the actors get used to a non-tech-week audience. People who have NEVER seen a run of the show before, and the laughs or reactions are fresh and new - and sometimes in unexpected places (who knew they'd laugh at "x"???). This all assists the actors and the designers to help fall into the RYTHYM of the show. Pace can be the make or break part of a show, and getting a chance to test out the pace is a godsend.

Now, if someone saw an SRT preview, hated it, and then ran to their blog and posted about it - I would be SO DISSAPOINTED.... but I would have no reason to be angry about it.

By opening up for a preview, you roll your dice on the criticism.

Some folks, like the folks at GreyZelda, discuss why people use them at ALL.

Where do you fall in this discussion???

A Promise

If Mitt Romney says he's the candidate of "change" one more time, I'm going to punch him in the throat.

fudge update

back from Saugatuck.

and lo and behold the Fudge shop (Kilwin's) was CLOSED FOR THE SEASON.

My brain can't even process a vacation without fudge purchased.

picture pages....

I know I already posted today, but I'm feeling a little nostalgic and I thought I'd post some pictures ... little explanations accompany each one.


For all who know my cat Maxwell, who is a big fluffy beast --- check this out! Look how TEENY he is companred to my hand! He was the CUTEST kitten ever.

In this one, my good pal Michael is about to take a pie in the face during one of SRT's annual benefits. Ty Cobb paid about 20 bucks for the right to smash that pie.... and Michael looks VERY happy.

This is a promo shot we took for Coronado. Not only do I love the shot, but the idea for the set-up was mine (looking in mirror, yadda yadda). It's a great shot and a great memory of my first Asst. Directing gig.

This shot was actually taken by Michael, the pie-man above. He's quitethe talented photographer, and SRt is very lucky to him around to take advantage of his skill. This was a promo shot for The Crucible, and capturing the motion of the girl's hysteria coupled with the unwavering focus of Abigail is just HAUNTING. (check out the lighting design, man - John Horan - if you've got a chance, book him - the SUBTLe use of that window gobo - any other designer and that window pattern would have been WAY more pronounced. John's touches were awesome)

And I'll end it on one shot that, no matter what, I will always love. Taken by Michael as well - he did a great job, because the love and absolute joy in their faces is evident.

Have a great weekend everyone.

off we go

Sara and I are headed to Saugatuck again this weekend. A little bit of a longer stay than the last time (last time we got there around 730-8pm, and left about 4 or 5 the next day), this time around we leave later this afternoon (around 230-3pm?) and should get there about 7 (time change), and we'll come back around the same time Sunday.

Also, this time around, Sara's mom is coming with us, which should be fun. I don't thiunk she's ever been to the Michigan shore, and Saugatuck is SOOO cute. For the New Englanders, its a lot like Bearskin Neck in Rockport, shops, gallerys, etc... and always the allure of "Home Made Fudge".

What is it about those sleepy little towns that have a high tourism population part of the year, and their fascination with having HOMEMADE FUDGE?

I don't mean to tangent here, but think about it. Any kind of waterfront village that has that whole "New England-esque" quality tries to push the home made fudge on you. All of the ACTUAL New England sea-side vilages I know and love (Salem, Rockport, Gloucester, etc etc...) all had their own Fudges, plus even further north - in fact, when Sara and I were staying in Portland Maine back in September we bought some home made fudge - no lie (and I even got pumpin pie fudge, which thoroughly grossed out Sara and delighted me). When we went to Saugatuck back in early Nov.? We bought fudge...
Not only does Saugatuck have an extensive candy/home made fudge shop, their home town version (Kilwin's) actually has *2* location in the downtown area - they're only a few blocks apart!

Why, people? Why?
Why the fudge?

Oh, and for the record, this time around I think I only want to get some vanilla fudge cuz thats my favorite :)
Anyone want any?

trip

So in a couple of weeks, Sara and I are headed west (California, to be exact). And i'm STOKED. I've never been to California, and neither has Sara, so we're dying to get there and check out the beaches and parks and the sites -- we jazzed, defintely.

I'm bummed about ONE TINY THING, though.
We'll be out of town 2/2 - 2/7, which means we won't be able to vote in the Primary election.
It may seem small and insignificant to some, but not to me.

I had plenty of issues with the last election in 04, but my biggest complaint was my CHOICE. John Kerry just wasn't my top choice for the Dems - BUT, since I didn't push a candidate during the primaries, I couln't really complain.

This time I don't want to be faced with that - I would rather go to the polls in November knowing that I did everything in my power to get who I felt was the best person for the job into that office. And now I can't do that.
nuts.

best of 2007? what?

Apparently, Kerry Reid liked Coronado.

a lot.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/stage/chi-0104_bestofthefringejan04,1,1327194.story?ctrack=1&cset=true

"3. "Coronado" (Steep): A mystery about past indiscretions and betrayals unspooled in this play by novelist Dennis Lehane ("Mystic River"), but it was the performances here that I loved. The actors swerved from playful seduction to cat-and-mouse anxiety, and I bought it every step of the way."
(emphasis is mine, not Kerry's)

i'm actually a tad speechless.

funky fresh?

I'm feeling funky lately.
Not dance-hall funky.
"in a funk" kind of funky.

Work is fine, Blue Man is fine.....

Theatre wise? hmmmmmm.......

Not so sure.

Right now, SRT is working on a show for the spring. Other than lending company member support, I'm not involved in the process. (This is ok, by the way - I've needed a break, as I've produced every major production stretching all the way back to Caucasian Chalk Circle, in Spring of 05)
So, a break is ok, I just feel kind of.... floating? Is that weird?

I don't want the stress of producing, but I don't want the depression of doing nothing...kind of a damned if I do, damned if I don't situation.

Maybe things will be better in the New Year. I'll keep you posted.

Ho Ho Ho-hum

Christmas is almost here.

I'm not done with my shopping yet.

well, fer crissakes

... if I'm gonna be linked by Michael's new blog http://michaelbrownlee.blogspot.com/, then I guess I'm going to have to update more. Crap.

Well, thank god I brought a picture with me today that I was looking to scan. I can talk about that (phew!) .


Feast your eyes (if you will) on what I feel is the best picture ever taken of me and my brother:

Let me set the scene and situation for you - If memory serves, I was about 9 I think - Which makes Danny 12 or so. We were totally at those ages - yeah, we had nothing in common, nothing to bond about. I was a total dork (books, etc), and Danny was a sports guy.

My mom and stepfather took us on this camping trip - we were to canoe on the Saco river in Maine for a day, spend the night in a tent, then drop off the canoe and spend the rest of the short vacation in a cute little hotel.

About halfway through our day of canoeing, the skies opened up and it started to pour out - we paddled over to side of the river and took refuge under some trees overlooking the river. (observe if you will my soaked hair and my damp jeans)

My mom had the camera out, and Danny made some crack, something that, in the moment, was so utterly hilarious that I just threw my head back in uproarious laughter. My mom was lucky enough to have clicked this pic at JUST the right time.

How fortunate is that?

holidays

So... Thanksgiving was good. We went to Sara's mom's house, and stuffed ourselves. Then, we did the sales. Crazy....
The only one I participated in was the outlet mall that opened up at midnight on Thanksgiving. I did that and then was dropped of at Sara's sister's and I went to sleep. They then proceeded to go to a store opening at 4, and another at 6.....
crazy....

Christmas is around the corner... some of the presents have been bought already but there is a shit-ton more to get. Every year, I always say "We need to start buying earlier", but we never do...

Coronado, I hardly knew thee...

Well, tonight begins the closing weekend of Coronado, my first venture into the "Assistant Director" domain. And, probably the most artistically satisfying experience I've had in Chicago in a long time (Sorry Kevin - #1 will still be working on LaBute's Bash: Latterday Plays with About Face)

A lot of the reason the show rocked for me was being able to work with one of the best groups I've talent I've ever been associated with. These actors, pardon my Boston, are fucking wicked pissah (although, Lehane would be pleased with colloquialism). Bergen Anderson, Jessica Jane Childs, Jeremy Fisher, Trey Maclin, Peter Moore, Karyn Morris, Caroline Neff, Brian Parry & John WIlson. If you ever have a chance to work with ANY of them I implore you to do so.

New thought

Ok, so I read a bunch of the local theatre blogs - most of the time I don't feel intellectual enough to join in on the discussion, and lately its only been worse.

Pretty much everyone has gotten into this long-winded discussion about "what is art?", and some of the discussion has gotten into that "story vs. spectacle" area. (Wicked vs. Death of a Salesman, if you will) Now while I cant expound with notions about neo-classical and modern art and the like, I can give the facts about MYSELF.

So here's the question (and BE HONEST):
For the theatre folk, what was the show that "hooked" you? the one that made you stare up at the stage with your mouth open like a goon and the only thoughts going through your mind is "wowwwwww....."?

The show that hooked me? My high school's production of Anything Goes.


Whats my point?
Next time you talk about the lack of artistic merit in shows like Wicked or Jersey Boys, try to remember the steaming pile of shit you fell in love with when you were 10.

So - what's yours?

audtions

I think I have finally discovered the only way to live through auditions.
No monologues, only readings....

This is the second set of auditions in a row I've been involved in where that has been the format, and I really like it.
Taking actors out of their element of "prepared" and throwing into the fire with cold readings is a bettrer assessment of their skills, i feel. I mean, I'm a sucky actor, but I can memorize a monologue just fine. But would I make interesting and creative choices during a cold read? probably not - I don't have that bag of tricks.
Actors do certainly need to memorize, but they also need to be totally comfortable "in the moment". In live theater, anything can happen (and usually does). If you're not ready to take it as it comes, then you're not right for me.

stupid is as stupid does

Back on Oct. 31st, The Trib posted a 4 page article called Theatre 101 (article is here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chi-1102_c_theater101nov02,1,7510413.story?page=1)


I understand the intent was to be funny and informative - and they succeded at both....occasionally. A majority of the tone was very condescending, though. Seriously, telling people when they're supposed to clap? (the part that offended me was the rebuke to house managers - I got a little huffy in the comment I left... what can I say, I get emotional)

The best comment left was from Marcus, who wrote:

"Hm, I'm trying to think if the NYT would run an article like this in their
Arts section...... Nope. I don't believe they would. Unlike the Tribune's
editors, the editors of the Times probably recognize that their readers are
smart enough to figure out how to go to a play all on their own.

You gonna print an article telling us not to be scared of the Art Institute
next week? "

hilarious.