A Couple of Random Thoughts

1.  Caught the Lady Gaga/Muppet Spectacular on Thursday, and I never thought I would turn off a show featuring the Muppets, but I did.  It was such a fucking hodge podge.  Green screened up the wazoo, sterile, boring, and thrown together.  The Muppet segments were spliced in at random moments and looked like they were done in half a day.  Lady Gaga had positively zero charisma, and was on-screen with the Muppets for about four minutes.  It was mostly her singing with back-up dancers in a giant wig, doing some extremely labored "banter" with Elton John before singing a duet of "Gaga and the Jets" (yep, that's what I wrote)... Both The Muppets and Lady Gaga have a wonderfully bizarre sense of humor and a pretty strong understanding of "SHOW BIZ", so this could have been wonderful, but I saw nothing interesting, and certainly no heart.  But to be honest, I haven't seen much soul from The Muppets since the Christmas special they did years ago where everyone went over to Fozzie's grandmother's for Christmas.  Which leaves me wondering who is in charge of Muppet projects now?  Whoever had the idea to put Lady  Gaga and the Muppets together deserves kudos, and whoever executed (in every sense of the word) concept, needs to be schooled.

2.  Tore through And the Hippos Were Boiled in Their Tanks, co-written by Jack Kerouac and William S. Burroughs about a decade before they wrote On The Road and Naked Lunch, respectively, and it was a perfect companion to the Daniel Radcliffe film Kill Your Darlings.  The book was a novelized version of the events surrounding the murder of David Kammerer, by Lucien Carr, with whom he had a very complicated relationship.  I do have to cop to the fact that I've never been a huge fan of the Beats work.  I love their philosophy, but some of the art that sprung from it seems pretty straightforward and lacking.  More of a "this happened, then this happened, then this happened..." sort of approach.  I can understand that back in the mid-twentieth century, when topics like this were rarely discussed, that this could have been revolutionary, but today? 

I highly recommend the film, as it's is atmospheric, haunting, complex and inspiring.  Plus, who could avoid falling in love with this little face?

Dreaming

I've had some pretty bizarre, certainly telling dreams lately, and whereas they usually fade from memory upon waking, these have stuck with me.  I present them now for your entertainment.

1.   (Dreamt a couple of weeks ago) I was at my old workplace.  They had moved offices and I'm not sure exactly why I was there, but they had asked me back to help them out in some capacity or other and so I had stopped by.  Of course, when I was leaving for work, pants didn't seem like a necessity, but when I arrived at work I realized my gaffe.  I walked around, trying to pretend I was dressed perfectly normally, but the CFO of the company, a "by the books type" as CFOs usually are, walked by and gave me a withering look.  She stepped into a very important meeting with clients, and as she entered the conference room I realized that I was standing in front of the big glass window to said room, and that the blinds were open.  Completely embarrassed I crept to a corner of the room and slid down next to a copy machine, hoping nobody would find me.

2.   (Dreamt the night before last)  This one's another riff on a theme.  Somehow, I'd ended up naked at the Antique Mall, the realization of which came to me mid-shopping spree.  I had to get home, and driving was not an option, so I grabbed a couple of antiques from the store, using one antique to shield my front and the other my back as I raced down the busy street.  Of course two gay friends of mine happened to see me, and I ignored them as I ran, knowing they were judging snarkily.

3.    (Dreamt last night)  I had developed some kind of a condition in which my jowls had reddened and become shaped like an orangutans.  See below...

 

 

My cheeks were not quite this large however, and could be somewhat disguised by the massive main of black hair I had on my head.  I went to the doctor, who told me everything would go back to normal after a day or two, and it was probably stressed related.  Unfortunately, I had been put in charge of publicity for a concert/dance jam and could not hide in the house waiting for the swelling to go down.  So out I went, danced up a storm, met Eric from the first season of The Real World who refused to put on a shirt, in spite of the fact that his once muscular physique had gone to seed.  After the event, during which I saved an heiress from an embarrassing moment when she nearly missed her time onstage due to being in the port-a-potty, I was sitting by myself on the street waiting for a bus, when a group of twelve year old girls walked up to me and handed me a piece of candy.  On the candy was a note that I had been given a "chubby boy Valentine"!!!   It said, since I obviously loved chocolate I shouldn't concern myself with the health risks of being fat and just gorge away on the heart stopping treat I'd been given.  Of course I was righteously enraged and followed those children home, screaming and cursing at them, telling them that they were certainly not perfect and I happily notated their obviously flaws as I chased them to their apartment, where I began to berate their mother for sending them out on a errand of hate.  She eventually saw my side of things, and we became, if not friends, frenemies. 

 

What do these dreams tell me?  I'm obviously suffering a bout of low self-esteem, and while I seem to be getting more powerful in each dream, my ego is obviously in need of some stroking.  Get me to a Louise Hay workshop stat. 









A Momentary Pause to Help the Technically Challenged

Most of the time I assume you guys are pretty well versed in web conventions, but for those of you who are not, and I'm not judging... I wanted to make sure you understood the "link".  Silly as it seems, for the longest time I was unaware that when I read an article and came across a word or two in color, that that meant you could click on the highlighted portion and be taken to a website that would give me more info on the topic being discussed.  I highly encourage everyone to click those links and see bios, samples of the artist's work, and interviews. 

Revisiting...The Hollywood Publicity Photo

One of the things I really miss (although I will admit its current absence makes me appeciate the old photos all the more) is the Hollywood publicity photo.  Back in the days when the studios reigned, they had the best photographers on-staff to take photos of the stars in various settings, looking their best, completely glammed out and gorgeous.  Shots that captured the essence of what the studios was promoting in that star.  While some of these photographers still exist- Annie Leibowitz being the most famous, these photos have been taken over by the multitudinous candids of the stars looking like ordinary folks.  George Hurrell was one of the best in his day, and is certainly the most well known today, but others like Clarence Sinclair Bull, and Laszlo Willinger did some amazing work as well.  For fans of some of the more modern stars there was a wonderful book of photographs by Us Magazine, Outrageous. 

In addition to more commonplace publicity shots were shots that promoted a particular star in Holiday themed poses.  They are so kitchy and wonderful, and amp up my enjoyment of the holidays by bringing a little old Hollywood glamour to the festivities.  Here are some for your enjoyment...

The "Our Gang" cast celebrates

 

 

Judy and Mickey

 

 

 Esther Williams and friend





 

 Not all of the photos were particularly artful.  Some were just straightforward shots of the star in a signature look, posed next to a turkey, like the above photo with Esther Williams in a bathing suit (but of course) and the shot below with dancer Vera Ellen, of White Christmas fame.

 

Vera Ellen with toe shoes and turkey

 

 

Marilyn Monroe

 

 

Judy Garland

 

 

Alfred Hitchcock

 

Yet another shot of Judy

(note she is wearing her Dorothy costume beneath the apron)

 

 

And A final shot of ole Joots

 

Of course, the publicity departments went crazy at Christmas time, so when we get closer to mid-December I hope to feature more of these shots.

 

 

 

 



 

 

Opening Night!

There's a definite thrill to opening night.  Sometimes it feels more like terror, or dread, depending on how high your hopes for the show, or how much you question the quality of the show you are about to expose to a good sized audience for the first time.  The thrill  feels magnified for me tonight, since I leapt into the show with a little under two weeks before opening. 

Jumping in as I did, the process was sped up for me.  My first read-through was in front of a cast that had been doing this for awhile (although this show had what must be a record number of cast changes) and up until a couple nights before dress rehearsal I was still finding my rhythm, missing cues, and generally stumbling my way through the part.  It's truly been great to have such wonderful people in the show and crew.  Norman, Jenny, Jean, Karen, Tyler, Amy  and Andy have been extremely supportive and giving, and I could not have joined a more fun or warm hearted bunch of folks.  Plus, Sara, who plays the ingénue is just charming, and my favorite new friend. 


In short, I feel mostly solid, and might just be ready for play time tonight.

Arsenic and Old Lace

 

If you had asked me a little over a week ago, what show I'd be working on next, I would have had a completely different answer for you.  But since last Tuesday I've jumped into the cast of Arsenic and Old Lace, being produced by "Different Stages" at The Vortex.  It opens this Friday, and as of yet, I am not quite ready.  I'm covering for an actor who is unfortunately unable to continue in the part, and I know that know that a lot can be accomplished in the three days between now and opening, but I'm still a little nervous. 

I'm playing Teddy Brewster, a kook in a family of somewhat kooky folks.  His particular "quirk" is that he believes himself to be Teddy Roosevelt.  It's a really fun little part, without a tremendous amount of lines to memorize last minute, but the entrances and exits are a bit of a bitch.  In and out, in and out, shouting, bugle blowing, out and then back in.  I've made a little cheat sheet for myself to hang backstage so I don't forget any of the tiny little scenes I have in act one, and that will be a great help to pick up the slack where my mind leaves off.

Luckily, it's a great piece, and some of the cast members feel like family.  Karen Jambon and Jenny Underwood play the Brewster sisters, and two more generous and supportive (and talented) ladies would be hard to find.  Tyler Jones plays Mortimer.  This probably my fifth or sixth show with him, and he's always a lot of fun, with a wry sense of humor that catches all the bizarre and absurd little moments of life.

Again, we open this Friday, November 22nd.  We close December 14th.  If you live in the Austin area, I'd love to see you there.

DQ Country

Today is my twenty-first day on "My Fit Foods", and while I haven't lost as much weight as I expected/hoped to (I've lost about five pounds as of today) I do feel better about myself, and I am proud that I've gone this long without caffeine, alcohol, and processed food.  My skin looks better than ever, and a couple people have noticed some weight loss in my face (which, when it comes right down to it is what I care the most about, as in my opinion, a cute face can make up for a roll or two here and there).  On Thursday, I will have gone the full twenty-one days with supplements and the cranberry flush, and then I'm going to have to look at my future plans. 

I do not feel "finished" yet, as I haven't reached my goal weight of 190, but I don't want to continue with this regimented plan either, largely because even though the food is pretty tasty, I am bored to death of it.  Enough with the celery and almond butter, for fuck's sake!  Maybe I'll transition to Weight Watchers.  It's certainly cheaper, and less restrictive, so perhaps that will be my plan for the following weeks.  We will see.  I will say, as I get closer and closer to the final day, I'm more and more tempted to drop a pat of butter on my cauliflower mash, or to add some sour cream to the chili I have at dinner time.  And today while driving in North Austin I nearly pulled into Dairy Queen and had a pumpkin pie blizzard.  But I did not.  Strength prevails!

Kill Your Television?

I've come to realize that television can really deaden the impulse to create.  I'm not sure what it is about it, but I've noticed that when I have the urge to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard, as the case may be) it's so tempting to treat myself to an episode of "The Good Wife" first.  The problem is, once I do that, I lose track of the inspiration, the thoughts that were bubbling over just forty-four minutes before.  And it's such an unconscious act.  About to eat dinner?  If I'm home by myself I flip on the television.  And when I'm finished with the episode, all motivation is drained from me.  It's not that I feel bad, per say, I just don't feel inspired to work.  I'm not telling anyone to kill their television, I'm just making an observation which I plan to act on in the present and future.

1.  Less television.  Especially when I'm feeling the urge to create.
2.  Awareness.  When I'm wanting to turn on the television, am I actually trying to block the urge to create, and avoid the self judgment that inevitably comes with any act of creation?

Anyway, I think  I've overdosed on "The Good Wife" and am taking a break.  It's not as much an enjoyment anymore, as it is a drudge, a distraction I'm attached to.  I'm not saying it's gonna be easy, but I'm aiming for a week off and hopefully when I walk back through the doors of Lockhart and Stern I will be glad to see their "very well tanned for Chicago" faces.  However, if you are not taking a sabbatical, please pay close attention to Season 4, Episode 7, "Anatomy of a Joke", which features my dear friend Melissa van der Schyff as the makeup artist.  Her scene is in the first fifteen minutes, and she's lovely in it. 

 

The L Word

Today is the official close of my ninth day on the cleanse, and I think my body has finally adjusted to the lower calorie intake and lack of process foods and caffeine.  I have my energy back, can breathe again as my cold has weakened, and the constant cravings for sugar and bread have depleted.  I will admit I've been bookmarking autumn and holiday recipes like a madman, in anticipation of the day when I will finally be able to eat yeast again. 

So far I've lost four pounds and can cinch my belt in an extra belt hole, and since I'm feeling a lot better than I had, I'm going to up the cardio for this last half, and really get all the benefit possible from it. 

One quick plug for the library.  This place is a god send.  Truly.  Ever since I've been really reigning in my spending, I've pretty much stopped buying books, music and dvds, and that's where the library has come in.  It's great for all those topics you've been curious about and wanted to dip your toes in.  You can just check a book out on the topic, browse it, take what you need, and return it.  Bada bing- bada boom.  And if there's a novel out there that looks really tempting- you can easily check it out.  If it's popular you can put it on hold, and reserve it for when the next available copy comes in.  Another amazing feature is the vast variety available.  You can search for just about anything, and if it's not at the branch nearest you, you can have it sent to your branch from one of the others that has it on its shelves. 

A few of the things I've been indulging in from the library lately...

1.  A great new translation of the Charles Perrault fairy tales.

2.  Bone-  a graphic novel in the vein of the old Uncle Scrooge comics, and speaking of...

3. The Uncle Scrooge comics.  I've been checking out a bunch of them.  I used to read them when I was a kid, and they were so exciting, full of adventure, exotic locales, and comforting characters.  My dad, gruff and macho as he was, was a big fan of those comics way into his adulthood, and it was something I found extremely relatable about him when I sometimes found little in common. 

4.  Bewitched (season 1)-  This show's gotten a lot of flack for being sexist, but I think that's a misinterpretation of its message.  As much as Samantha tries to be as "normal" as society of the early sixties wants her to be, she just can't do it.  The magic in her is what saves her family time and time again.  And as much as he says he doesn't like magic, Darrin really just wants to protect his wife and family from a society he fears won't accept them.  And Darrin's character progresses a lot from the beginning of the series to the end becoming more and more appreciative and accepting.  And if you look back on the characters that are awful in the show, they are almost always the mortals.  Darrin's mother?  controlling and neurotic.  Gladys Kravitz?  Busy body.  Larry Tate?  Conniving money grubber.  The witches come off looking a hell of a lot better, and loads more fun than the dreary mortals could think of being.  Really, the show's message is about balance.  The more Samantha is able to keep her life balanced, the steadier and calmer her life (and the more boring the tv show would become if she ever truly succeeded).

B. Iden Paynes

It's one of those Autumn days that I remember so well from living in California, where it's chillier inside than it is out.  Not quite sure why that happens, but it gives me a nostalgic feeling nonetheless.  There aren't many things I miss about California, but sharing an apartment converted from a home, one in which Jim Morrison lived during his college days (people used to stop and take pictures of the house, which confused me until I figured out why) with my dear friend Berv, is definitely one of those things.  And eating at John O'Groats on Sunday mornings, slathering butter on biscuits as friends from my own college years sit tightly around a table and talk about our lives.  I miss that.  The sense of community. 

It's funny, because LA is not a place that fosters community.  Everyone is chasing their very specific version of the Hollywood dream, and this is a singular pursuit which tends to leave no room for casual friendships and allies (unless they can somehow further the aforementioned dream).  It causes people to become flaky.  Causes people who were already self-involved, actors, to become even more self involved.  But those college friends of mine were true, lovely people who knew each other before we got to the land where you can't really trust anybody, and I was very grateful to have them when I lived there.  I miss them.  Miss being close with them. 

In other news, I went to B. Iden Payne Awards on Tuesday, and it was quite a time.  Next year, I've made a personal promise to myself that I will have at least two drinks, because without the drinks, watching other people's drunken speeches isn't nearly as much fun.  Highlights of the evening included the musical performances from the cast of Passing Strange, and from Jill Blackwood of Zach's production of Ragtime.  Both made me emotional and stirred up empathy and zeal, and both made me want to rush the stage to be as close to the performances as possible.  I do think the ceremony could use some tightening up, but thought the committee did a wonderful job putting on a show, wrangling a bunch of heavy drinking theatre people, and providing lots of juicy and powerful, as well as hilarious moments.

 I did not win, but my dear friend Libby Detling sure as hell did, and I was so happy to see her take the stage with hutzpah and humor.  Best speech of the evening, for my money.  Was also so happy to see John Austin share a win for "best youth performance".  He flew in from college in Boston to be there, and I couldn't have been happier for him.  He's one of those idealistic, sincere and shining souls that I expect to see great things from.  Since I'm sending out congrats I also have to say huge congrats to winners Carl Booker (for costumes), Chris Humphrey (for best actress in a comedy) and John Vander Gheynst for musical direction.  This is John's second win in a row, and I'm not surprised as he's extremely talented and his musicianship is amazing.  I was a little surprised Molly Wissinger wasn't paired up with him in the nomination as vocal director, since it seems as if the two people split the duties of what is often one person's job, but nonetheless I'm real happy. 

Dragging and Drowning in "The Good Wife"

So, I'm 8 days into the 21 day challenge (although it's officially only five days, since I didn't start supplements until Friday.  Screw you and your rules "Myfit foods"-  sfx: shaking of fist) and I have been pretty sluggish ever since.  I'm sure a large part of it has to do with the fact that I'm off caffeine and I've been on withdrawal as they say, and yet, after eight days you think I'd be feeling better.  Maybe 1700 calories a day just isn't enough for someone who is 6'3 and runs every other day.  I'm trusting them though, the fit foods people, that they know what I'm doing.  However, I have felt very little motivation as of late to do anything, one reason the blog's been a bit of a desert. 

The only thing I feel motivated to do is sleep (10 hours sometimes) and drown myself in The Good Wife.  I know there are those of you will say I've just substituted one addiction for another, but I am ok with that.  If 17 hours of Julianna Margulies is a bad thing then color me filthy.  I'm also loving Christine Baranski and Anika Noni Rose.  Love a show that has such strong women.  And the men are great as well, though, not the reason for watching, in my humble opinion.

Tonight is the B. Iden Payne Award ceremony.  I'm nominated for Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, and am frankly surprised as I wasn't sure that many people saw it, or that it was very well thought of by those who did.  And yet, I'm truly grateful as I put a lot of hard work  into the part and the writer, Charles Busch, is my favorite living playwright.  He writes such smart, campy shows, loaded with embedded tributes to the greats of the silver screen, and full of heart.  I loved the role of the virgin sacrifice, aka Madeleine Astarte, aka, Madeline Andrews, and would love the chance to do another of his works.  I don't expect to win tonight, but it will be nice to go and see everyone, even without a cocktail in hand, and there should be some interesting drama revolving around the fact that the nominating committee did not nominate a director for Best Musical this year.  A letter was written objecting to this (by the director of one of the prominent musicals) and so the committee allowed for member nominations.  It should be interesting, no matter what.

Final bit of news, I'm writing a novel.  Sure I am.  It's National Novel Writing month, and though, that fact slipped my mind until just now, I can make up for the five days I've lost.  Of course, I can't say it will be brilliant, but this bitch is gonna do it.