Stage Left, House Right

2010-09-28T20:35:00.000-07:00

And I forgot to mention how much we laughed. From New Jersey to DC, all over the greater DC area, and all the way back to New York. I laughed so hard it was difficult to breathe and I could hardly talk yesterday.

It took us about eight hours to get home between traffic, a stop for dinner, and a detour to the city. I would have walked there and back for all this!

Hi ho the (actually) glamorous life, part II...

2010-09-28T19:29:00.000-07:00

OK.

So, after all the magic mentioned in the post below which, let's face it, would have alone made for the most amazing experience, we went backstage. And I would just like to say here that this was yet another moment in which I cannot believe that this is actually my life.

I would also like to award myself ten points for, with the exception of some clutching (not even poor Sally was left unscathed), deep breathing, and continued insistence that I wanted nothing more than to leave, I mostly behaved like a normal person. I didn't do anything on The List of Things That I Was Not Allowed to Say to Renee Fleming, I didn't get all kinds of Janet McTeery, I didn't do any unnecessary shouting and with the exception of giving my beloved Counting Song a shout out, I did not say anything too terribly crazy.

Instead, I got the opportunity to shake Renee Fleming's hand and tell her that I had been a fan for the grand total of five weeks and seven hours and that what had turned me (after all the prodding from the usual suspects) was Armida. Hold for a moment of silence "Really?" says Renee Fleming, "Armida?". Hilarity all around.

We also got to see Lang Lang who walked past to our cheers and applause and Maestro Eschenbach who's hand we shook on the way out (he looked confused).

Then I had some gin. Because that is the only way the night could end.

Here you can see our war wounds (sparkly band-aids!). My cocktail ring injuries and SarahB's poor broken fingers from where I crushed them. My bad!

Hi ho the (actually) glamorous life...

2010-09-28T18:27:00.000-07:00

As you may have heard elsewhere, the HWS + guest star Electra Boggan made the trek to our Nation's Capitol to see the NSO's opening night.

Can I just say that I turned down the opportunity to attend this concert not once but TWICE. Thankfully, the universe is used to me making crap decisions and so miraculously there was an extra ticket (Wanda - you're the best!).

After settling in, getting changed, and partaking in an excellent Lebanese dinner, I made my first trip to the Kennedy Center which is just breathtaking - particularly this evening with the sun setting over the Potomac and the men in their tuxes and the ladies in elegant dresses. I'm afraid that I spend much of the night with my mouth hanging open. What a lady, my mother would be so proud.

The NSO is a delight - I forget how much I love to hear live music until I hear it again (particularly an awesome string section! Hey cellos - what up!) and we started off the evening with the National Anthem (and yes, the National Anthem, played in said Capitol, when everyone joins in is akin to a parade and I am surprised that this did not make me teary). The new maestro, Christoph Eschenbach knows his way around a tiny stick and we flung right through the overture to Die Fledermaus.

Then, I'm pretty certain I stopped breathing because suddenly, for the first time ever, Renee Fleming and I were in the same space. She sang and time stopped and SarahB passed over her binoculars and I promptly put them up to my face the wrong way around which made Sally laugh and I focused in on some serious bling and did I mention that time in which time stopped.

Later, after I think I started breathing again I hurt myself on my cocktail ring by clapping too hard and it was all over in a rush of applause and Kari asking me if I was happy now. Whew!

Sadly Act II did not open with a sing along but instead with another delightful bit of Strauss (the other one this time), Kaiserwalzer, Op. 437. I do love a waltz! And then, also for the first time ever, I watched Lang Lang who played music like no one I have ever seen before! What a pleasure to watch and listen to him. An unexpected treat - icing, if you will, on top of cake roughly the size of Ohio.

Encores all around - Christoph and Lang Lang played a charming Debussy piece and then Renee returned.

It wasn’t until this that I cried but it is pretty safe to say that I had goosebumps from start to finish the entire evening.

Tomorrow!
by John Henry Mackay
English edition of the song by John Bernhoff, 1925 Universal-Edition

Tomorrow's sun will rise in glory beaming,
And in the pathway that my foot shall wander,
We'll meet, forget the earth, and lost in dreaming,
Let heav'n unite a love that earth no more shall sunder...
And towards that shore, its billows softly flowing,
Our hands entwined, our footsteps slowly wending,
Gaze in each other's eyes in love's soft splendour glowing,
Mute with tears of joy and bliss ne'er ending...

If I were a classically trained soprano, part III...

2010-09-23T15:25:00.000-07:00

I would lead the people of Britain in song.

If I were a classically trained soprano, part II...

2010-09-02T10:23:00.000-07:00

...I would also sing this.

And, if I ever have any children, we're learning to count with Renee Fleming. Because who doesn't like sheep from Oregon with accordions? Hahaa

If I were a classically trained soprano...

2010-08-31T18:19:00.000-07:00

I would sing this often (every day!), everywhere possible, loudly, and in the shower to make the neighbors jealous.

And if you ignore the crazy video you can hear Renee Fleming's version:

The one in which the newly formed Kate Baldwin Gang hits the road...

2010-08-24T18:50:00.001-07:00

(what? we're already a society and a traveling book club...a gang couldn't have been far behind)

Took a mini-road trip with the usual suspects up to the historic Westport County Playhouse to see your favorite and mine, Kate Baldwin in I Do, I Do with the equally charming Lewis Cleale rounding out this two-hander. With the exception of totally crappy traffic both up and back, it was a most excellent adventure!

I knew diddly squat about the show and was pleased to find it a rich, charming tale of a couple over 50 years of their marriage. Filled with lovely songs and scenes deftly handled by the above mentioned and staged to the nines, it is a treat not to be missed (it runs until September 4th! Why are you still reading this?! Go! Go!!). None of us had ever been up to the Playhouse before and found it totally delightful complete with a delicious restaurant right next door. And a shout out to Nikki Rowell - college classmate and Patron Services Manager extraordinaire who scored us great house seats!

One teeny, tiny step at a time...

2010-08-24T18:48:00.000-07:00

In a perennial classic in the Zeek household, Barney’s Day at the Beach, young Amy is unsure about swimming in the backyard pool. Guest star Sandy Duncan sings her a little song entitled “Amy’s Getting in the Water” (or something similar) that goes a little like:

She waded in the water and she got her feet all wet

But she didn’t get her bathing suit wet…yet.

You see, the crux of the matter, is that Amy is unprepared emotionally to jump right into the deep end as it were (proverbial here as we are talking about a kiddie pool filled by a garden hose). So she negates that unpreparedness by getting wet in infinitesimal increments.

This is how I am approaching opera.

Who would play me in a movie?

2010-07-03T13:01:00.001-07:00

Clearly, Angela Lansbury. Add the quilted bed jacket and this is my life. Sad, but true!

I'll take British and Mysterious for $400 please, Alex...

2010-07-03T11:25:00.000-07:00

Things, in no order whatsoever, that are currently making my heart flutter and my summer shiny:

1. Miss Flavia de Luce (The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie and The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag by Alan Bradley): mystery solver, aspiring chemist, poison aficionado, 11-year old. Two books of the series are out so far and I recommend both without hesitation. I picked up the first book some time ago, solely based on the delicious cover style and was not disappointed. The second installment was also a treat and I am looking very forward to the third. Lovely and sometimes heart-wrenching, also extremely sassy. All of which suits me just fine.2. Mary Russell (Beekeeper's Apprentice, Monstrous Regiment of Women, A Letter of Mary, The Moor, O, Jerusalem, Justice Hall, The Game, Locked Rooms, The Language of Bees, God of the Hive by Laurie R. King): This series was recommended by a fellow Dorothy L. Sayers nut and yes, Lord Peter Wimsey makes an uncharacteristic appearance in A Letter of Mary. But it turns out that no LPW is needed - these books are enjoyable on their own. The mysteries are very interesting and Mary isn't Holmes' apprentice for nothing - there's lots of action, enviable brain-usage (gah! so smart, so smart!), and just enough danger to keep things really exciting. O, Jerusalem was a little slow but Locked Rooms made up for it. And I haven't read the last two yet, they're on the list!3. Miss Marple/Tommy and Tuppence (The Secret Adversary, Partners in Crime, N or M?, By The Pricking of My Thumbs, Postern of Fate by Agatha Christie): Miss Marple is certainly not a new addition to things that I love but the Roommate finally got all three of the Masterpiece Mystery Geraldine McEwan seasons on DVD so we've been having a re-watch. Her favorite? At Bertram's Hotel. Mine? By the Pricking of My Thumbs. I have also begun to read Agatha Christie - I am currently making my way, chronologically, through the Tommy and Tuppence books of which I cannot get enough! Added to the list of characteristics that I look for in a mate? Mystery solving ability.4. Foyle's War: Speaking of things that I just can't get enough of...a friend at work suggested this to me and lent me Season 1. I have not been able to stop watching (and re-watching!) that and the following six seasons. Christopher Foyle is a police detective (Detective Chief Superintendent, maybe? I have no idea...crazy British system) during WWII so each episode features a crime or two but also delves into some aspect of wartime Britain. So wonderful and I can't get enough of the terribly moral Foyle although I do also love his driver and sometime assistant, Samantha Stewart, who gets blown up more times than I can count. Also featuring some fantastic costumes and yes, even a snood! Be still my heart.

The one in which I admit (not suprisingly) to drinking the Kool-Aid...

2010-06-09T17:28:00.000-07:00

The new and shiny Girl Scout blog posts updates from the councils all over the country and a couple of days ago they posted this Girl Scout PSA from Girls Scouts Nebraska.

I get teary every time.

And the madness continues.....

2010-05-14T13:45:00.000-07:00

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/139570-Drama-Desk-Withdraws-Nominations-of-Ragtimes-Orchestration-and-Costume-Design

What’s that scrapping sound, you ask? It’s me dragging out the ol’ soap box.

2010-05-14T09:46:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, the Tony committee withdrew Santo Loquasto’s nomination for Best Costume Design for his work on Ragtime. According to Playbill.com, his designs for the revival “substantially duplicate” his earlier designs for the first production of that show. While I can think of at least one argument that can be made in his favor (Ummm, hello – it’s Ragtime. There are very specific costume requirements for this piece. How exactly is the eventual revival of Doubt, for an example, going to look that much different from the original? Both pieces are set in extremely definitive historical periods and there are very clear-cut characters in both shows that have limited costumes choices – I would, in fact, argue that the delightfully subtle changes in this revival are a testament to Mr. Loquasto’s skill as a designer. You show me the conceptual support for the German Expressionist revival of Ragtime and then you’ll see designs that vary hugely from the original. But I digress...) the thing that gets my blood boiling the most here is that it feels like no one was paying attention in the first place. Their reason for withdrawing the nomination is so visually obvious – the two productions look very similar and yet they very publically gave him the nomination. In front of the entire theatre community.

And listen, I don’t know what the inside story is here. Maybe Mr. Loquasto used his original designs and merely changed bits and pieces. I very much admire his work and hope that this would not be the case and must admit by comparing both shows I can clearly see marked differences. And you know what? If he did, then he did. There is no law against it that I know of. I’m sure there are theatre artists who would argue that it is artistically unethical (I’m not sure if that’s a thing but it was the only way I could think to describe it) to redesign a show so similarly to your first design. The mark of a good designer is being able to look at a piece and create a visual landscape that helps the audience to understand the story and while it is also important to be “artistic” the number one job of a designer is just that - to tell the story visually.

Again, what gets me here is that they gave him the nomination to begin with and then took it back. And that is a crap thing to do.

A word from the management

2010-05-12T19:47:00.000-07:00

Hi y'all. Just wanted to say that I turned on the ol' comment moderation - I've been getting some weird robo-comments lately. And none of us need any of that in our lives.

And scene.

A (very literary) Weekend in the Country

2010-05-02T19:08:00.000-07:00

The HWS got into the Caddy and went alllll the way to Massachusetts - through three states (well, four for me) to visit Louisa May Alcott's home in Concord. Where we took the tour and sat in the May sun on her very own front stoop and read aloud the saddest moment of Little Women. And then we went to see where she, the Alcotts, Emerson, Hawthorne, and Thoreau are buried. And disregarding the other international visitors to the site, we plunked ourselves down and read aloud again.

The rest of the lovely, lovely day was spent driving around (making good use of my new GPS!). Poems were recited, ice cream was scouted, we basked again in the delightful sunshine, we settled into our ultra-cool hotel and went out to a delicious dinner in neighboring Burlington. (There was a massive water main break - clearly caused by you-know-who...HW, I'm looking at you - that shuttered all restaurants in the area).

The night ended with even more (and progressively drunken) reading aloud in our hopefully sound proof hotel room and laughing, and laughing, and laughing all night long.
We sadly came back today - I wish we could have traipsed around MA for a week or so!

It was a lovely way to spend the weekend and to end my birthday festivities (only the HWS would give such Janet McAwesome gifts! heheee).

The poem that I memorized (I thought it was locationally appropriate)!

The Concord Hymn
By Ralph Waldo Emerson
By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled;
Here once the embattled farmers stood;
And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps,
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream that seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We place with joy a votive stone,
That memory may their deeds redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.

O Thou who made those heroes dare
To die, and leave their children free, --
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raised to them and Thee.

blessing the boats

2010-04-13T20:10:00.000-07:00

I've been meaning to post this and since KariG informed us that it is National Poetry month, I figured this would be appropriate. From one of my favorite poets (who unfortunately passed away in February), Lucille Clifton:

blessing the boats
by Lucille Clifton

(at St. Mary's)
may the tide
that is entering even now
the lip of our understanding
carry you out
beyond the face of fear
may you kiss
the wind then turn from it
certain that it will
love your back
may you
open your eyes to water
water waving forever
and may you in your innocence
sail through this to that

The Magical Pen of Wonderment and other things that happened this weekend.

2010-03-21T17:12:00.001-07:00

So we got together the much celebrated HWS with special guest star, Chelsea to check out the newest cast of God of Carnage - including HWS favorite/archnemesis, Janet McTeer. Neither Chelsea nor I had seen the show before and what a treat we were in for!! The whole cast was fabulous, particularly the aforementioned JMcT. I was also pleasantly surprised by Lucy Liu, who turned out to be much funnier than I expected. The boys (Jeff Daniels and Dylan Baker) were fantastic too and I can't remember the last time that I laughed so hard at the theatre. I can't wait to go back and see it again!

As is our want, we went around to the stage door post show to shout at...I mean speak politely to JMcT and friends. Well! Within minutes JMcT was out of the door (we need to only see her in period pieces where it takes her awhile to get changed because I'm not entirely sure I was prepared) and completely pen-less. Thankfully, some of us are Girl Scouts and carry a freakishly large and well-stocked purse. I cheerfully handed over what is henceforth to be known as the Magical Pen of Wonderment which she used for the couple of folks around us (and us, of course) and then she very politely asked if she could continue to use it for the rest of the crowd. I will admit I did pause, with the voice of SarahB in my head ("Don't ever give away your pen!") but I took one look at our beloved JMcT and said "Yes! Whatever you want to do, Janet McTeer! I'll be right here when you're done!" I did in fact speak in all exclamation points. And then clutched the Pen for the rest of the evening. And waved it about. And gave it a voice. Wait, what? ANYWAY...
Because we're the HWS, the night didn't end there - we went back to Angus for a drink and some food and then back to the theatre for some picture taking antics (thank you KariG for all the lovely shots!!) and then back to the TLC for what turned out to be merely the beginning of the evening. Now, what happens in the HWS, stays within the HWS but let us just say that I had quite a bit of gin.

There may not have been Harriet Walter but it was certainly a weekend worthy of the memory of the Summer of Harriet Walter. I second KariG in saying that I am the luckiest lady to have such friends who invite me and join with me to have such adventures. If I can always be silly with these ladies and all the rest of our band (HW - I'm looking at you!) then my life will be full and well-lived. Amen!

Keep Us From Pettiness

2010-03-09T06:32:00.000-08:00

While cleaning out my desk I found an old print out of a prayer that really moved me when I was younger only to discover that it was written by none other than Mary Stuart. I'm not sure when she wrote it (and some of the language seems awfully modern so this may be an adaptation of the one she wrote) but it seems to me that she is speaking to someone very specific (QEI - I'm looking at you...).

My favorite line is the last.

Keep us, O God, from pettiness; let us be large in thought, in word, in deed.
Let us be done with faultfinding and leave off self-seeking.
May we put away all pretenses and meet each other, face to face, without self-pity and without prejudice.
May we never be hasty in judgement and always generous.
Let us take time for things; make us to grow calm, serene, gentle.
Teach us to put in action our better impulses - straightforward and unafraid.
Grant that we may realize it is the little things of life that create difficulties; that in the big things of life we are as one.
Oh, Lord, let us not forget to be kind.
Amen.

A little love for today...

2010-02-14T06:12:00.000-08:00

I dare not say the word but as it is that day that begins with the letter "V" - I will post this* to melt your heart, full of love, icy, or otherwise...

"You show commendable patience with my bad temper."

"Is that what you call it? I've seen tempers in comparison with which you'd call that a burst of heavenly harmony."

"Whatever it is, you're trying to flatter me out of it."

"Not at all." (Very well, he was asking for it; better use shock tactics and carry the place by assault.) "I'm only trying to tell you, in the nicest way possible manner, that provided I were with you, I shouldn't greatly mind being deaf, dumb, halt, blind and imbecile, afflicted with shingles and whooping-cough, in an open boat without clothes or food, with a thunderstorm coming on. But you're being painfully stupid about it."

-Harriet and Peter, Busman's Honeymoon, Dorothy L. Sayers

*While not the very most romantic scene from my beloved tale of P and H, it is still a favorite!

It's not just a cookie...

2010-01-27T19:09:00.000-08:00

In which we cheer for our beloved Harriet Walter in public...

2010-01-24T15:46:00.000-08:00

The Harriet Walter Society/Dorothy L. Sayers Traveling Book Club set out in style to catch The Young Victoria. It's lovely and charming and smart and BEAUTIFUL looking. And Harriet Walter has an actual part! With an accent! And awesome hats! Hooray! We may have applauded her first appearance on screen and definitely cheered for her name in the final credits - the woman next to me leaned over and said "Who's Harriet Walter?" which made us giggle and then I stammered an explanation.

We also enjoyed a delicious dinner at O'Neill's and then on to Tommie's Liquor Closet for more Harriet Walter and Dorothy L. Sayers fun time ("There's gin in my windpipe!"). It was a thoroughly enjoyable weekend!!

Dance one year in, kiss one goodbye

2010-01-01T18:58:00.000-08:00

What a year! There were so many highs, a few lows, and lots and lots of laughs.

The highlights are as follows: New friends!; old friends!; being in the same room as Stephen Sondheim; Road Trip #1 (to Providence); Felen Mirren and the Blithe Spirits; Road Trip #2 (REAL HELEN MIRREN! LIVE AND IN PERSON!); moving into my apartment; learning how to knit; the Norman Conquests all day theatre marathon of wonderment; Jane Austen; Road trip #3 (Hyde Park and beyond with Eleanor Roose-finger-velt); MARY STUART; shouting at famous people; Feinsteins; the season of Kate Baldwin; Dorothy L. Sayers; The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society; The Traveling Dorothy L. Sayers Book Club; and of course, The Summer of Harriet Walter.

Happy 2010, friends. Here's to the adventures to come!

Sprint to the 2009 finish line...

2009-12-31T07:10:00.000-08:00

...and miss it. In my own defense I did start this post yesterday...you know...when it was still actually 2009, but was distracted by champagne and a 30 Rock marathon. There it is...

Whew! Now that Crafty Christmas has drawn to a close (except for the fact that we're - hopefully - doing Christmas AGAIN this weekend because my cousins were snowed in last weekend) I can catch up on some posts that I'd intended to write earlier.

You're Making Me (Girl) Crazy:

Kevin and I kicked off our annual round of Encores! performances with their production of Girl Crazy. I would say that it was not a highlight of our Encores! experience so far with a shoddy plot, horrifying costume choices and quite a bit of the old scmacting. However, it is always a treat to hear the Encores! orchestra (particularly playing the Girl Crazy overture - lovely!) and Mylinda Hull, a favorite of mine in Papermill's production of Crazy for You and someone not seen often enough on the New York stage. Crazy for You, coincidentally, is the re-do of this show with a plot that actually makes sense and about 100 times more charm than this show.

Why I love Jan Maxwell:
We took in one of the last performances of The Royal Family - a play that I had no familiarity with outside of knowing that it was loosely based on the Barrymore's and that a production had been mounted in London not long ago, starring Judi Dench and Harriet Walter (Oh! What I would have given to have seen that!!). It got off to a bit of a slow start although there were lots of pretty things to look at - John Lee Beatty and Sally's friend Cathy Zuber should both be commended (well, C. Zuber did use a little too much pastel purple for my taste but I think I just hate that color). Jan Maxwell was a wonder in a part that could have very easily gone over the edge right into caricature. Her Julie was so delightfully layered and wonderfully human. And what a treat to watch Rosemary Harris, live and in person, particularly her monologue in Act II about her love of the stage. The play may be dated but it remains a sweet love letter to the stage and those crazy people that inhabit it.

No, You're Sparkly!:

The gang that I've taken to hanging around with got all fancied up and sloshed through the rain to the fabulous Feinsteins (my first visit!) to take in Kate Baldwin's first cabaret. Her CD, Let's See What Happens, and performance in Finian's Rainbow have been highlights of the year and this cabaret was just icing on the cake. She sang many songs from her CD, which I absolutely adore, and threw in a few more delightful numbers. She sounded great, looked great (fabulous glittery champagne Jimmy Choos!!), and bantered with the best of them. It was a lovely way to kick off the Christmas season: wonderful music, tasty food and drink (yes I ordered that drink because it's called the Dolley Madison.), and my fabulous friends. Who could ask for anything more?

An Oscar Wilde Cream Puff:
It was a disgustingly blustery night when Kevin and I found ourselves in the too-charming-for it's-own-good Irish Rep Theatre to catch their latest, Ernest in Love, the musicalization of The Importance of Being Earnest. I don't know if it was just because it was warm or that I could hear the cast rehearsing or that I just have an unnatural fondness for the Irish but I was in love from the instant I stepped into the teeny, inviting lobby. The show itself didn't disappoint either. I am quite familiar with both the play and the musical and I have to admit I don't have much patience with the latter. I must give many props to Charlotte Moore, the artistic director of the Rep and the director of this piece for making this somewhat grating show into a really charming evening. Beth Fowler, as Lady Bracknell, was a particular standout although there wasn't a weak link in the whole cast and I found myself wishing that I could see them do the original version as well.

Merry Christmas!!

2009-12-24T07:14:00.000-08:00

My feelings about religion are shaky at best but I love the Christmas hymns and this one in particular. The harmony is beautiful and I like the idea of light in the darkness. (I also have a strange connection to the shepherds - maybe due to my love of sheep - my favorite phrase in The Messiah is "And there were shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night".)

Merry Christmas all!!

Lo, how a Rose e'er blooming
from tender stem hath sprung!
Of Jesse's lineage coming,
as men of old have sung.
It came, a floweret bright,
amid the cold of winter,
When half spent was the night.

Isaiah 'twas foretold it,
the Rose I have in mind;
Mary we behold it,
the Virgin Mother kind.
To show God's love aright,
she bore to us a Savior,
When half spent was the night.

The shepherds heard the story
proclaimed by angels bright,
How Christ, the Lord of glory
was born on earth this night.
To Bethlehem they sped
and in the manger they found Him,
As angel heralds said.

This Flower, whose fragrance tender
with sweetness fills the air,
Dispels with glorious splendor
the darkness everywhere;
True man, yet very God,
from sin and death He saves us,
And lightens every load.

It is indeed a Christmas miracle

2009-12-23T19:30:00.000-08:00

The New Jersey State Council on the Arts has unfrozen arts funding.

Merry Christmas you old Building and Loan!!!

When the Merry Hand-made Christmas rush is over...

2009-12-19T12:35:00.000-08:00

I may just try to knit up Mrs. Roosevelt's mittens!!! How exciting - I did notice her knitting bag when we went to visit Val-Kill and was a little jealous because it's totally cute.

On the second day of my holiday meltdown my true love gave to me...

2009-12-18T17:17:00.000-08:00

....the final piece of a vest pattern that doesn't make up right (I'm not even sure that anyone will understand what that means but there it is!)

So many lovely things have happened in the last couple of weeks! But A Very Merry Hand-crafted Christmas is mere days away so I have to get back to my sweatsho-I mean project bag, instead of drooling over all of the fabulous things that have been going on.

But coming soon:
1. You're Making Me (Girl) Crazy
2. Why I love Jan Maxwell in 100 words or less
3. Sparkly Shoes: a Kate Baldwin Tale
and last but not least 4. An Oscar Wilde Cream Puff for Christmas

Sound exciting? Well, it was! And I can't wait to (proverbially) wave my arms around about it all. But first? CRAFTING!

Help!

2009-12-10T17:22:00.000-08:00

"The arts enable us to have experience we can have from no other source and through such experience to discover the range and variety of what we are capable of feeling."

- E. Eisner, The Arts and the Creation of Mind

SarahB was nice enough to post all of this on her blog but I will re-post in case anyone missed it! The State of New Jersey has frozen the 10 million dollars that it promised arts organizations including several that are near and dear to my heart. If you've stumbled across this blog and have been reading, then I don't need to shout at you about the importance of arts in our society. This freeze is already having a devastating effect on organizations throughout the state and will only continue to close doors.

I would so appreciate it if anyone has the time to follow the directions below - maybe, maybe, maybe if we deluge our state government with letters they will listen!!!!!

Here's what you need to do as a member or supporter of any arts organization effected by this freeze:

1) Visit www.artpridenj.com

2) When the homepage comes up, please click on the flashing box on the left top that says Action Alert and has stars on it (red, white and blue).

3) It will prompt you for a zip code, so please enter your home zip code (here's one if you need a Jersey zip - 07042).

4) Then you will select the top item called, "state funding freeze impact on cultural community."

This will automatically create several emails that will be written on your behalf to state officials.

5) All you need to do is to enter your name after the word Sincerely and then enter your address (if you need a Jersey address, email me and I'll give you one) and email address and then click on the box that has an automatic check mark that would put you on their mailing list and this will remove the check mark so that you are not signing up for anything at all and simply sending emails to the state officials.

6) Then click send.

Your message will be sent to Governor Corzine AND your local legislative district.

I thank you, the Community Theatre at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts thanks you, and the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey thanks you!!

Words of the Week*

2009-12-10T17:05:00.000-08:00

Deciduous
Function: Adj
Etymology: Latin
Date: 1688
-Falling off or shed seasonally or at a certain stage of development in the life cycle.
-Having deciduous parts
-Ephemeral

Ephemeral
Function: Adj
Etymology: Greek
Date: 1576
-Lasting one day only
-Lasting a very short time

Meiosis
Function: Noun
Etymology: New Latin
Date: 1550
-The presentation of a thing with underemphasis especially to achieve a greater effect; understatement.
-The cellular process that results in the number of chromosomes in gamete-producing cells being reduced to one half and that involves a reduction devision in which one of each pair of homologous chromosomes passes to each daughter cell and a mitotic division.

Lotos
Function: Noun
Etymology: Latin and Greek
Date: Circa 1541
-A fruit eaten by the lotus-eaters and considered to cause indolence and dreamy contentment; also; a tree reputed to bear this fruit.

*"What week?" - you may ask. I don't know.

"There's something hypnotic about the word tea" - Lord Peter Wimsey, Gaudy Night

2009-12-06T16:02:00.000-08:00

And there is something marvelous about a cup of Harney and Sons English Breakfast tea being savored in the beautiful naturally lit cafe in the lobby of the Morgan Library before one sees a Gutenberg Bible and letters written by Jane Austen...

...Or about a pint of cider savored in a pub on a rainy afternoon whilst one is devouring a delicious stuffed potato...

...Or (several) gin and tonic(s) that helped one power through nine glorious hours of the Dorothy L. Sayers mysteries complete with breaks for both stretching and reading aloud...

...Or a cup of Irish tea the next morning while one is indulging in breakfast in bed and watching a Harriet Walter double feature (well, triple if you count that second viewing of Sense and Sensibility watched with the audio commentary on)...

How is it that I got so lucky?

Words of the Week

2009-12-03T17:33:00.000-08:00

Ancillary
Function: Adj
Date: 1667
-Subordinate, subsidiary
-Auxiliary, supplementary

Excrescence
Function: Noun
Date: 15th Century
-A projection or outgrowth especially when abnormal
-A disfiguring, extraneous, or unwanted mark or part: blot
-By-product

Littoral
Function: Adj
Etymology: Latin
Date: Circa 1656
-of, relating to, or situated or growing on or near a shore especially of the sea

Termagant
Function: Noun
Etymology: Middle English
Date: 13th Century
-An overbearing or nagging woman; shrew

Polish up your shoe buckles...it's Thanksgiving time again

2009-11-25T18:36:00.001-08:00

There is a long list of things I am thankful for this year but here are the highlights (in no particular order): English Breakfast tea, Books, books, books, Friends new and old, DVR, hooded sweatshirts, the Zeeks, Singletons, Adamczyks, and everyone else we're related to, homemade bread, fall accessories, opaque stockings (look I'm wearing a skirt and it's chilly!), Troop 299, the seemingly never-ending Summer of Harriet Walter, shows that give me goosebumps and cause me to wave my arms about and shout at/say crazy things to famous people, adventures new and old, music, crafts (in their infinate variety), laughter, chapstick, sparkly nail polish, the roof over our heads, the clothes on my back, the food in the fridge, and my job.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

"Do not play this piece fast. It is never right to play Ragtime fast..." - Scott Joplin

2009-11-16T07:12:00.000-08:00

There seemed to be no entertainment that did not involve great swarms of people. Trains and steamers and trolleys moved them from one place to another. That was the style, that was the way people lived. Women were stouter then. They visited the fleet carrying white parasols. Everyone wore white in the summer. Tennis racquets were hefty and the raquet faces elliptical. There was a lot of sexual fainting. There were no Negroes. There were no immigrants.

-Ragtime, E.L. Doctrow

Ladies with parasols, fellows with tennis balls or the one in which I speak candidly about my past

2009-11-15T09:28:00.000-08:00

Ragtime arrived at a particularly troubling summer during my youth. The rest of my family spent much of the summer in the childrens' hospital in Delaware but because I was taking a summer course, I couldn't go with them and had to stay in New Jersey with my aunt (beloved and wonderful but decidedly not my parents). Right before they left, as they often did, they handed me a package; this one containing the two disc OCR of Ragtime. For the rest of my summer I drowned my sorrows in Baskin Robbins Cappuccino Blasts, repeated viewings of the 1994 Little Women, and that two CD set which ran on an endless loop. I can't remember the first time I read the book - it may have been that summer as Aunt Nancy is a librarian and would have thoughtfully grabbed it for me - but sometime in the jumble of those teenage years it joined the sacred pile of my favorite, favorite, favorite books. I made a dear friend, in those years, who was solely responsible for enriching my love of musical theatre ("This is Into the Woods and it was written by this guy, Stephen Sondheim") and we would sit by the hour singing through the score (she is an accomplished pianist and was always kind enough to let me sing the part of Mother which I greatly appreciated). Book reports, art projects, my independent piano study, and the all important binder decoration were all centered around it.

So it was with this storied history that I sat in the Neil Simon three days ago and watched the revival. I never did get to see that original production although I got tickets for Christmas, the marching band announced a trip to Washington DC for that weekend and I had to go. My mom, who loves it as I do (it was she and my grandmother who used those tickets), and I saw the production that came to the Papermill which was a Disappointment (complete with a capital D). It was the barest of bare bones production and the stage was littered with schmacting.

I wasn't sure what to excpect with the revival. Kevin raved about it and the production shots sure looked promising. I'm having some trouble processing the whole thing as it was a kind of overwhelming experience (we had fabulous seats, Ben Brantley was sitting right in front of us, after eleven years I was seeing this show on Broadway....too much!). I did like the production very much. It focused on telling the story and weaving all of the different characters together. I did miss those famous opening number triangles of the original choreography (and that moment where Mother, Coalhouse, and Tateh are seperated from their groups and then pulled back in...oh just watch the YouTube video!). Overall though, it felt like a better way to tell this story.

For me, it's always been about Mother (which is why Rachel York's schmacting crapped up the Papermill production so much!) and Christiane Noll did not disappoint. Less stately than my beloved Marin Mazzie, she brought such warmth and a good deal of humor to the role and I found myself wondering, anytime she was offstage, when her next scene was. Ron Bohmer (another figure from the past - one of the three Scarlet Pimpernels...we'll explore that embarrassing chapter of my past some other time) gave us a really lovely three-dimensional Father who is trapped in a life that can no longer survive in the world around him. Robert Petkoff was fantastic as Tateh and Bobby Seggart was delightfully awkward as Mother's Younger Brother - which makes his character's choices so much clearer!! The rest of the cast was also delightful - so many brought something new to their character, a daunting task when the original cast is still so fresh in our minds.

So in the end, although it's no Mary Stuart, I loved it. And it reminded me of why it caught my attention and held it for so long in the first place.

Words of the week

2009-11-13T20:00:00.000-08:00

Inspired by KariG's love of the dictionary and a desire to learn new things, I've found myself consulting that good book often lately. Here are some favorites from this week.

Inexorably
Function: Adjective
Etymology: Latin
Date: 1542
-Not to be persuaded, moved, or stopped, relentless.

Decorous
Function: Adjective
Etymology: Latin
Date: 1653
-Marked by propriety and good taste; correct

Subfusc
Function: Adjective
Etymology: Latin
Date: 1710
-(Chiefly British) Drab, dusky

Inveigling
Function: Transitive Verb
Etymology: Anglo-French
Date: 1539
-To win over by wiles, entice
-To acquire by ingenuity or flattery, wangle

Supercilious
Function: Adjective
Etymology: Latin
Date: 1614
-Coolly and patronizingly haughty

What a nice neck weasel you have there or the First Annual Nerd Convention.

2009-11-08T14:56:00.000-08:00

What happens when you put four nerds in a Caddy and drive around to the Hudson Valley's various historical sites?

Mayhem.

Thanks to KariG (and all guest photographers) for these great shots of our day!

Cheating? Not cheating? I can't decide...

2009-11-05T16:04:00.000-08:00

But it sure is pretty...

Today I got DailyCandy's Weekend Guide which featured a little blurb about a new line of fashion design sketch pads with croquis* that disappear when you photocopy them leaving you with lovely proportional fashion or costume sketches.

Hmmm...

I feel like my costume design professor would be disappointed. But it looks so fun!!

*Main Entry: cro·quis

Pronunciation: \krō-ˈkē\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural cro·quis \-ˈkē(z)\

Etymology: French, from croquer to sketch, rough out, literally, to crunch

Date: 1805

: a rough draft : sketch

Please take that knitting needle out of my heart, Miss Marple

2009-10-31T11:19:00.000-07:00

The Roommate and I are big, big fans of a murder mystery, particularly of the British variety, so she's been DVR-ing all of the delightful Miss Marple on PBS. Last night, while melting my brain by catching up on my tv viewing, I thought to myself "Well, it's almost time to go to bed so I'll just start watching Ordeal by Innocence".

Well, we all know how well that works so about a half hour into it I couldn't stop watching. Which is unfortunate since it turned out to be the saddest M.M. I've ever seen. Delightful, don't get me wrong, and I love Geraldine McEwan as the quietly observant Miss M (and there was some wonderfully understated haberdashery happening). But Juliet Stevenson broke my heart as the much-maligned Gwenda and the story itself took a turn for the worse a little more than halfway through.

The Roommate came home at about 1:30 am to find me curled up on the couch, clad in pajamas, hair still in a snood, sniffling. And the only thing that I could manage to reply was "saddest Miss Marple ever!"

I want to go to there

2009-10-24T06:50:00.001-07:00

Anyone want to fly out to CA with me to see Parade? I missed it on the Broadway it's first time around but have loved it passionatly since the first time I heard the OCR.

Departure

2009-10-24T06:45:00.000-07:00

It's little I care what path I take,
And where it leads it's little I care;
But out of this house, lest my heart break,
I must go, and off somewhere.

It's little I know what's in my heart,
What's in my mind it's little I know,
But there's that in me must up and start,
And it's little I care where my feet go.

I wish I could walk for a day and a night,
And find me at dawn in a desolate place
With never the rut of a road in sight,
Nor the roof of a house, nor the eyes of a face.

I wish I could walk till my blood should spout,
And drop me, never to stir again,
On a shore that is wide, for the tide is out,
And the weedy rocks are bare to the rain.

But dump or dock, where the path I take
Brings up, it's little enough I care;
And it's little I'd mind the fuss they'll make,
Huddled dead in a ditch somewhere.

"Is something the matter, dear," she said,
"That you sit at your work so silently?"
"No, mother, no, 'twas a knot in my thread.
There goes the kettle, I'll make the tea."

-Edna St. Vincent Millay

Take a look, it's in a book...

2009-10-19T20:03:00.000-07:00

Delightful podcast of a recent This American Life: "The Book that Changed My Life"

Maybe it's the autumn

2009-10-16T21:39:00.000-07:00

"I used to piffle rather well myself," said Harriet, with tears in her
eyes, "but it's got knocked out of me. You know-I was really meant to be a
cheerful-all this gloom and suspicion isn't the real me. But I've lost my
nerve, somehow."

-Harriet Vane, Strong Poison

On Ten Square Miles by the Potomac River...

2009-10-04T14:55:00.000-07:00

Months and months ago, I got an e-mail from Sarahb wondering if I would be interested in going down to D.C. to see Real Helen Mirren in the National Theatre's production of Phedre. After much shouting, arm waving, and jumping up and down I said yes and that is how I found myself piloting the Caddy all the way to our nation's Capitol last weekend. After a delightful ride down (including a stop at the historic Walt Whitman rest stop), we got ourselves settled in and went out for delicious Cuban food and a moonlight drive around the monuments. On Saturday we went on a visit to Mount Vernon and took tours of the house, the gristmill, and the distillery (your nerd alarm should be going off very loudly now) and had a delightful lunch there. Then after naps and cocktails we went for a delicious dinner and the show.
Firstly, the Shakespeare Theatre Company's Harmon theatre is gorgeous and if you have a chance you should see a show there. Secondly, Real Helen Mirren is exactly as fabulous as you would assume she would be. Greek tragedy is a tricky thing and she delivered with a confidence and sure handedness that added a hint of humor in all the right places. Overall it was a fantastic production (with the exception of the actor playing Theseus whom I'm convinced was schmacting...or maybe it was just the proximity to Real Helen Mirren that made him look schmacty).
Sunday brought brunch and the drive back into NYC. It was a lovely weekend with lots of lovely ladies; old friends and new. Now that I know how easy it is to get down to DC I would love to go down more often to see all that fun theatre down there!

9 to 5 or A Revenge Fantasy

2009-10-04T12:08:00.000-07:00

I did not, contrary to popular belief, fall off the face of the earth. It's been a fun albeit busy couple of weeks so I'm way behind my posting.

Let's start with 9 to 5. I caught the last show (almost a month ago now! I can't believe it!) and lotteried it which was a total rush because the crowd was huge and I was sure that I wouldn't get picked (also the guy running the lottery sang to me which is half amusing, half embarrassing - thank you, Kander and Ebb). I made a new friend in the lottery line, which is always exciting, so we chatted about the show and other shows we've seen recently (a certain M. Stuart may have entered the conversation).

The show itself, which I was seeing mostly for Allison Janney (who I have loved wholeheartedly since West Wing), was fun. Were there structural issues? Yes. Directorial problems. You betcha. Wonky choreography? Indeed. But mostly, it was just fun. None of the three main ladies disappointed and, in fact, this was a great way to be introduced to Stephanie J. Block who was magnificent. And who could complain about the music? I love Stephanie's 11 o'clock number, Get Out and Stay Out, which is a fantastic number to blast in the car! And seeing Allison Janney live was amazing!! While not the strongest singer or dancer she certainly acted the crap out of it.

It is always fun to go to the last show, and the energy at this one was even more explosive than the last Gyspy. Unfortunately, I was sitting next to some super-fans who, and I am NOT kidding here, wept...wept throughout the entire show......the entire show of NINE TO FIVE-the musical! Oy.

Going for an immediate re-read

2009-09-21T06:05:00.000-07:00

"Harriet," he said suddenly, "what do you think about life? I mean, do you find it good on the whole. Worth living?"

(He could, at any rate, trust her not to protest, archly: "That's a nice thing to ask on one's honeymoon!")

She turned to him with a quick readiness, as though here was the
opportunity to say something she had been wanting to say for a long time.

"Yes! I've always felt absolutely certain it was good-if only one could get it straightened out. I've hated almost everything that ever happened to me, but I knew all the time it was just things that were wrong, not everything. Even when I felt most awful I never thought of killing myself or wanting to die - only somehow of getting out of the mess and starting again."

Busman's Honeymoon by Dorothy L. Sayers

Too delightful for words. I started it again as soon as I finished it. Hooray!

A trip to the library

2009-09-19T19:20:00.000-07:00

+ A book that changed your life: I've been puzzling over this one. Little House on the Prairie? Dolley by Rita Mae Brown? The Scarlet Pimpernel? Haven't they all in some way? No I suppose not, there are countless books that I picked up, read through, and haven't thought of since and then there are the ones that I think about often, like the above mentioned. I am also beginning to suspect that Gaudy Night/Busman's Honeymoon have been added to this list.

+ A book you've read more than once: Too many to name - I am a chronic re-reader. Books that I have read so many times that they are falling apart and have to be taped together include but are not limited to: Dolley by Rita Mae Brown, Mattimeo by Brian Jacques, and childhood favorite Samantha on Stage by Susan Clement Farrar.

+ A book that made you laugh: The Lost Continent: Travels in Small Town America by Bill Bryson

+ A book that made you cry: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

+ A book that you wish had been written: More Harriet Vane and Lord Peter!!! (I'm spreading the word, KariG!)

+ and a book you wish had never been written: My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccult

+ Books you're currently reading: I'm still slowly working my way through Sense and Sensibility and am on my second turn of Busman's Honeymoon because it is simple too lovely to not read again immediatly.

+ A book you've been meaning to read: Aieee. Currently Mary, Queen of Scots and the Isles byMargaret George has been staring me down but I am resisting valiently. My Goodreads "To Read" list is lengthy and incomplete.

2009-09-11T15:52:00.000-07:00

As Harriet followed Miss Lydgate across the lawn, she was visited by an enormous nostalgia. If only one could come back to this quiet place, where only intellectual achievement counted; if one could work here steadily and obscurely at some close-knit piece of reasoning, undistracted and uncorrupted...getting ones teeth into something dull and durable; maturing into solidarity like the Shrewsbury beeches- then one might be able to forget the wreck and chaos of the past, or see it, at any rate, in a truer proportion.

Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers

I visited my alma mater today, in the rain. I am now full of enormous nostalgia so I thought that this was appropriate.

Learning the value of reading slowly

2009-08-23T18:44:00.000-07:00

"The Long Boat"
by Stanley Kunitz
from The Collected Poems

When his boat snapped loose
from its mooring, under
the screaking of the gulls
he tried at first to wave
to his dear ones on the shore,
but in the rolling fog
they had already lost their faces.
Too tired even to choose
between jumping and calling,
somehow he felt absolved and free
of his burdens, those mottoes
stamped on his name-tag:
conscience, ambition, and all
that caring.
He was content to lie down
with the family ghosts
in the slop of his cradle,
buffeted by the storm,
endlessly drifting.
Peace! Peace!
To be rocked by the Infinite!
As if it didn't matter
which way was home;
as if he didn't know
he loved the earth so much
he wanted to stay forever.

Some favorite moments...

2009-08-22T08:32:00.000-07:00

"They say that your intentions for the state, for the Queen, are good. That you are incorruptible, that you are sleeplessly vigilant. And I do believe that. The interests of the state are what drive you, not your own interests, and that is precisely why you must watch yourself, watchful lord, and be careful not to mistake the advantages of the state for justice." -Mary, Mary Stuart

"This sign has a duality of meanings; duty and slavery. It is a ring that makes a marriage and it is from rings that chains are made." - Elizabeth, Mary Stuart

We few, we happy few...we band of Harriet Walter.

2009-08-18T18:12:00.001-07:00

What more is there to be said about Harriet Walter, Janet McTeer, and the boys of Mary Stuart? I'm sure I can find something...

I sometimes feel that an analogy can be made between theatre and drugs. One (according to the D.A.R.E. counselor in 5th grade) gets high for the first time and then spends the rest of his or her life spending time and money and no doubt quite a bit of his or her soul desperately trying to get that intensity and mind-blowing effect of the first time. Think about the first time that theatre moved you to the very core of your person - do we not go back each time to search again for that feeling of utter connection? We, the theatre going population, are much more fortunate than drug users. First, theatre is not yet illegal, so that's something. Second, it's not always as expensive. And third, we can feel that feeling again and again - although more rare than I would like to think about - unlike drug users who (again, according to the D.A.R.E. counselor) spend their lives trying harder and harder drugs and never truly finding that first high again.

I am so pleased to again report that Mary Stuart was one of my theatre-high shows. I did not expect to be as moved by it as I was, both times I had the pleasure of seeing it. It was an all-around brilliant production and I am so glad not to have missed it while it was here. I just, FINALLY, ordered a copy of the script after being thwarted several times (curse you Drama Book Store for being closed on Sundays!) and I'm sure, when I finally get it and read it, I will be pointing out some of my favorite bits. For the time being, I will just say that I loved, loved, loved it and am so sad to see it go.

And while I know that they're not going anywhere, I'm sad that the summer of HW is, despite all my claims to the contrary, drawing to a close. I echo several others when I say that what made this experience so much more wonderful than just going to a fantastic show, was the group involved. I, again, say that I am the luckiest gal in the world to have such fine friends - new and old - to share this experience with. I may not be a queen but I will not end alone, like our beloved HW (or Queen Elizabeth I should say, I'm sure Harriet has loads of friends...also I'm pretty certain she's never ordered anyone's execution...although you never can tell with that Harriet Walter).

So to Harriet, Janet, and the MSt crew, we bid a fond farewell. To my beloved band? Ah, to you I have only this to say....

Oh hey Janet McTeer, what up?

Don't make me Harriet Walter you...

2009-08-16T06:41:00.000-07:00

If anyone thinks that today's final performance of Mary Stuart will stop the flow of text messages beginning with "Harriet Walter...", they would be incorrect. They may come less frequently and we may look at them with a nostalgia-tinged eye, but they will still be there, even if our beloved Mary Stuart isn't.

Long live the summer of Harriet Walter (and of course, the saintly and much-beloved Janet McTeer, who would never be caught knocking over a fruit stand or rigging the Iranian elections)!!!!

Happy Closing, ya'll!

Simply marvelous.

2009-08-12T18:42:00.000-07:00

No really, someone be surprised that I loved Julie and Julia...Hahaa - I knew I would (or at least hoped - and I wasn't disappointed!!!!!)

I read the book a while ago and wasn't blown away by it but I will give almost anything with Meryl and Amy and Stanley a try! Hooray!
Along with everyone else, I loved the Julia storyline better than the Julie one. Not that this is the fault of Amy or any of the modern players - 1950's Paris occupied by all these wonderful creatures is just so interesting and fabulous (and those hats!! Please pick me up off the floor). It was a delight and I can't wait to see it again.

Marvelous, marvelous!

Things that are shiny.

2009-08-12T18:30:00.000-07:00

I found this on etsy weeks and weeks ago and fell a little bit in crafty love with it. And want it for my very own. If you've not visited the etsy, please do - lots of lovely things, all handmade. And I will be relaunching my very own etsy store in the fall, just in time for the cold!

Other shiny things I've found on my travels...
Like I need another bag...

Promise rings...I found some similar ones at a fair but feel the need for more!
Anyway, there's lots more where all of this came from so if you're looking for gifts or just for something new, here's a good place to try!

Someone Left a Queen Out in the Rain or My Dirty Weekend with Janet McTeer

2009-08-02T13:32:00.000-07:00

I am often lost for words when I try to describe something that moves me as much as this production of Mary Stuart did. Then again, I feel like I always say that and then prattle on usually using lots of exclamation points and all capital letters. So bear with me.

First, can I just express how lucky I am to have been welcomed into this circle of bloggers - spending the weekend with Sarab, Kari, and Chelsea was extraordinarily fantastic. I joined the girls at the charming abode of Ms. Roberts where we whiled away the afternoon enjoying the Emma Thompson Sense and Sensibility which is a true delight (Harriet Walter!). Then we freshened and went off to dinner at Pigalle which was delicious - burgers all around!

Then, it was time for the play. I will admit, I had resisted seeing Mary Stuart because I was unsure of how much I would like it. As much as I love English history and British actors, I worried that it would be long and ponderous - more a museum piece than a play. Well, I cannot tell you the last time that I enjoyed a show so much from the INSTANT (see...the all caps are starting) it began. Literally, some of the boys stomped on stage, the lights changed, they axed open Mary's trunk (foreshadowing? oh I think so) and I was transfixed. I again wish I had a copy of the play so that I could highlight my favorite moments. From the first, Janet McTeer was impossible to not watch. Mary is a desperate woman, walking the thinnest of tightropes and is played with a fierce intensity. One of the things that made this show so freaking enjoyable was Harriet Walter's Elizabeth. She's powerful, troubled, scheming, savvy and FUNNY. She, too, is riveting to watch and when she and Janet finally both appear onstage in Act II - watch out!!

The men here are relegated to the supporting players although there are several standouts - John Benjamin Hickey, as the sly Earl of Leicester, Nicholas Woodeson as Lord Burleigh and Brian Murray as the Earl of Shrewsbury were some of my favorites.

What really rounded out the show for me was the fantastic design as well. Everything was pretty sparse - the set is one of those brilliant designs that looks simple but is so effective at the same time. Lighting and sound were also amazing - the use of footlights and the sound during Act II when Elizabeth is trying to decide whether to sign the warrant or not were two of my favorite moments. And don't even get me started on the costumes. So many people hate on this design - having the men in modern dress and the women in Elizabethan inspired garb - but I LOVED it! It is the perfect commentary. These women are QUEENS of two different and very powerful countries and yet are still considered OBJECTS to these men - they are trapped in these societal roles and their dress shows it. They are corseted and weighed down in these crazy garments (when Mary's dress gets wet at the top of Act II...woah! I'm not sure if anyone else noticed but it got so much heavier - putting her in yet another prison). And the costume arc for both Mary and Elizabeth was so fantastic - Mary goes from very plain clothes to that stunning maroon dress and blood red rubies and Elizabeth goes the opposite, from that black and gold brocade gown to just plain black and grey. STUNNING.

There were so many amazing moments - the top of the show, the moment Mary stands up right in the beginning of Act I when she's being interrogated by all those men and she knocks over the chair and is taller than all of them (a woman who is taller than me! Hooray!), Elizabeth's ring speech to the French Ambassador, Elizabeth receiving council with her back to the house, the rain, the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth, Elizabeth deciding whether or not to sign the warrant, Mary's last moments (the removal of the cape, revealing that dress!), and of course, the last chilling and horribly sad moment of the play. I couldn't actually make any sounds during curtain call, I was too busy just clapping as hard as I could and actually trying not to cry. It was a theatrical experience that changes a person, I think.

Whew! We stage-doored after the show which was amazing to say the least. Both of the ladies were wonderful and gracious even when we threw all of our crazy at them! We retired to drinks and dessert which turned out to be the same watering hole in which the cast decided to go to!!! Lots more exciting times - particularly when John Benjamin Hickey stopped by our table at the end of the evening to be delightful and get excited about our excitement over the show. It so great when actors are so lovely!!

We finally arrived, exhausted, back at Sarah's place, crashed for the night, and sadly went our separate ways this morning. It was a lovely time and I cannot wait to see Mary Stuart again (and there WILL be a return visit!!!).

And I'm sorry, what the heck are you all waiting for. Haven't seen it yet? DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW. It is simply too good to miss!

Thanks, thanks, and ever thanks to Sarahb, Kari, and Chelsea for making this a fabulous weekend!

"Uhhhmmmmm..."

2009-07-27T18:31:00.000-07:00

At Kevin's urging, I attended the final marathon of The Norman Conquests yesterday.

What can I even say about this play (these plays) - it was an experience like none other that I have had in the theatre before. It began at 11:30 and ended at about 10:15 and each break left me wishing there were seven more hours (it's a good thing that I caught the last marathon...my wallet wouldn't have been able to take the strain because I would have had to have gone back again and again and again and again and, possibly, again). I laughed so hard that I couldn't breathe and tears streamed down my cheeks, my stomach turned to ice and my heart dropped to my shoes. It was so hilarious and heartbreaking all at the same time. This, my friends, is what good Chekhov should look like!

And it was all so well done!! I didn't need to see someone's face to know exactly what was happening in their mind. Ah, British actors. The ensemble was so strong - they played off of each other so well. My favorite by far was Amanda Root but we all know by now that I have a fondness for the uptight, WASP-y, motherly ones. I wish that I had the play on hand to refer to but unfortunately, my local library has misplaced their copy so I have to wait for a few days. There are so many moments that have stuck in my head - Sarah kissing Norman in the garden, Tom after he proposes to Annie, Annie returning to the house after everyone leaves, the waste paper basket, Reg realizing what Sarah's up to, the rug!, Ruth and the lawn chair...It was one of those experiences that leaves such a strong imprint. I can't get it out of my mind - possibly because I literally spent all day in this world yesterday.

And I wish I could have spent all of today in the same world, but alas, those folks were on their way back to England.

Sometimes all you can say is - that was amazing.

P.S. The totally fascinating behind-the-scenes look at a marathon day.

A Day of Daycation!!!

2009-07-19T19:28:00.000-07:00

I headed into the city today for a Blogger's Brunch and the last performance of our beloved Blithe Spirit. Some friends were going in to rush Next to Normal so I caught a ride with them, which meant that we were in by 9:30am...
Turns out New York on a Sunday morning is for the tourists and the overenthusiastic (i.e. people on rush lines for shows).

It was kind of fun to walk around because there were four of us all together so two held the spot in the rush line and two got to wander.

While we were wandering I discovered that the Finian's Rainbow billboard is up at the St. James!! The Blogger's disagreed on the design of this but I have to admit, I kind of like it - it's colorful and snappy.

I liked that we were both sitting and loitering on the signs that said no sitting or loitering...

Also, I liked that the sign outside of the Marriot Marquis Starbucks featured people falling complete with jazz hands!

The NTN rush line from across the street - all of my friends got tickets!

We brunched at Thalia's...mmm delicious! It was wonderful to see many members of the blogeratti, we had some great and crazy conversations and it was nice to catch up with everyone. Post-brunch, we all went our separate ways - Sarahb, Kari, Noah, Kevin and I headed to the Shubert to see Blithe. It was as good as it has been in the past - the ever-fantastic Jayne Atkinson was totally on fire and although some lines were dropped here and there and Rupert ran right through the infamous "cheesy thing" moment, the show was really fantastic and it was great to see it one last time. Of course we post-show dined at Angus'
Hmmm...how did that Blithe Spirit program get on the Angus newspaper rack? Weird.

Much to Sarah's dismay, I walked through the window (and by window here, we mean glass door that opens onto the street) and snapped this shot - the Angus crew, minus Esther, who had already headed out to see NTN.

All in all, a lovely day which made me feel refreshed and ready to go back to work.

Hooray!!

2009-07-16T18:22:00.000-07:00

Playbill announced some Finian's Rainbow casting today! Can't wait to see it!...again...

Congratulations, Kate Baldwin! Yay!

And the money rings out like freedom...

2009-07-14T15:17:00.000-07:00

Also, a big congratulations to our favorite supernatural show, Blithe Spirit, on recouping their investment. Way to go!

Clearly we are not the only ones yellin' for Felen.

Well done.

2009-07-14T15:10:00.000-07:00

This note in the NY Times Arts Beat blog brightens up my day. I love a good march for marriage equality!

I want to go to there...

2009-06-27T20:32:00.000-07:00

Something fabulous is happening in the park and I can't wait to go!!

Third Time's a Charm

2009-06-19T16:59:00.000-07:00

Like I didn't love Blithe Spirit enough already...we paid another visit to the Condimine's to celebrate Angie's Tony win (Go Angie!!!!!). Everyone, not just Angie, was so on point that night - it was really great to watch. I love that even after seeing it several times already, things are still so funny (the grimace after "cheesy thing"...delightful!). And speaking of the cheesy thing, I will echo my fellow bloggers and ask where Jayne Atkinson's Tony nomination was. She's so great in this show and no, it's not just because she looks like Helen Mirren!

I had another wonderful night with some of my favorite bloggers watching one of my favorite shows.

Right onto the wish list it goes...

2009-06-01T15:53:00.000-07:00

Ok, this brightens my day for two reasons:

#1: I will watch anything that my beloved Judi Dench is in (Importance of Being Earnest...anyone?...anyone? no one.)

#2: It's actually helpful!! We watched the clunky old VHS version in my "styles" (Shakespeare! Oscar Wilde! All fun all the time!) acting class and I also have the book (and by book I mean transcript of the video). So handy! There's nothing like watching British actors do Shakespeare - they're just so freaking good at it.

Happy Memorial Day

2009-05-25T06:35:00.000-07:00

Thank you Papa, G. Aunt Linda, G. Uncle Bill, G. Uncle Buddy and everyone who has served our country. We're thinking of you today.

Today is a day of posting

2009-05-23T21:13:00.000-07:00

So while melting my brain and playing around on the interwebs I stumbled upon the Blithe Spirit website which, I was excited to discover, includes some video clips! Some of my fav moments of the show! So fun.

Here's to the ladies who...act.

2009-05-23T20:53:00.000-07:00

Great NY Times article about all those lovely ladies who are acting up a storm on Broadway these days.

And what a great picture of them all!

I try so hard to be grown up...

2009-05-23T06:11:00.001-07:00

But clearly evil forces are against me here. Seriously...the first Jewish American Girl doll comes out when I'm an adult?! Meh.

Stage Left, House Right Turns 100! (and other numbers)

2009-05-19T07:24:00.000-07:00

Some countdowns for you:

Return trip to Felen Mirren and the Blithe Spirits (a good band name?) = 4 days

Will the real Helen Mirren please stand up = 4 months and 7 days
In between them? Moving, (hopefully) a reading in the city, more theatre!, and a trip to Maine

Summer here we come!

And when I hey-a-lay-a-lay...

2009-05-04T18:20:00.001-07:00

Ha! Seth R. deconstructs some of our favorite ladies, uses P. Lupone's Anything Goes as one of his examples AND plays one of my all time favorite Forbidden Broadway moments!!

A weekend in the country...

2009-05-04T17:16:00.000-07:00

In case you haven't already heard, a troupe of strolling players headed up (or down, as the case may be) to Providence, RI to surprise a fellow blogger, Esther!! A big thank you to Steve on Broadway who orchestrated the whole thing!!

I drove up from Jersey and had the opportunity to see some beautiful parts of New York State that I haven't seen before (including the delightful Bear Mountain region - I'm still kicking myself for not stopping a the scenic overlook and taking a few shots!). I then hopped on 95 and spent what felt like forever in Connecticut! I really appreciated entering Rhode Island (my first time in the state!) and seeing the (although green and lovely) CT landscape almost immediately change to a sandy one...

Very surprisingly, I made it all the way to Providence without getting lost and ran into the most trouble in the mall parking garage behind the hotel (where are the arrows?! where am I going?! where am I now?! And why do I have to pay to park in a mall??!!). I then met up with Sarahb and Kari and we three ladies hung around all afternoon until it was time to go down to the bar to surprise Esther. The whole group squeezed into Esther's car and went over to Providence's own Little Italy and met up with Chris to continue the celebration. Dinner was delicious and it was fantastic being able to get together to celebrate Esther's birthday and spend time with each other.

On Sunday the girls and I hopped into the Caddy and followed Esther and Steve down to Newport to tour the Breakers (yes! another thing crossed out in my 1,000 Places to See Before You Die). We ended up with the Breakers +1 ticket so we also toured Rosecliffe - another beautiful home where The Great Gatsby was filmed (and we saw the piano where Cole Porter wrote Anything Goes). Both of the homes were gorgeous and made me sad that I too, am not rich and fancy (although it turns out that women who summered there changed between 6 and 7 times a day and I don't think that even I have the stamina for that...and I love to change clothes in the middle of the day...). We finished the afternoon eating a delicious lunch at a cute place called the Red Parrot after which we said our goodbyes to Esther and Steve.

Then it was New York or bust. It took us about four hours to get back down to the lovely isle of Manhattan and then I was on my own to get back down to Jersey (I'm awarding myself ten points as yesterday was the first time I've ever driven in the city! I didn't get honked at once, nor did I run over a bike messenger although I seriously considered it.)

Whew...it was a jam packed weekend but super fun!!

While in Newport we got to see the sea and it was so marvelous and relaxing that I took a video of it, uploaded it to youtube and am posting it here...so that everyone can be relaxed!

This joyful Eastertide...

2009-04-18T08:23:00.000-07:00

A little Easter-y collage to enjoy until the next adventure...

It takes two people to make a valley legend

2009-04-01T20:03:00.000-07:00

Kevin and I made our traditional Sunday night outing to the final performance of the Encores' presentation of Finian's Rainbow. With the exception of several songs (How Are Things in Glocca Morra, Look to the Rainbow and Old Devil Moon) I knew absolutely nothing about Finian's Rainbow. Let me preface the following list by saying that I loved it, had a wonderful time and thought the show was fabulous.

Things that I found suprising:
-So...there's this old guy who drags his daughter with him to America so he can bury a pot of gold, which he has stolen from a leprauchan, in the ground because he thinks it will multiply. Worst business strategy ever, possibly?
-Oh, there's a leprauchan in this show...
-One of the major characters is mute and I laughed inappropriately every time she entered because she communicated via the dance and apparently only some random townsperson named Henry understands what she is saying...and by saying I mean dancing ("Susan's trying to tell us something!" Oh Henry...)
-I'm sorry, did that guy just get turned black?? WHAT?!
-God, I love this show!
-And the last thing I found surprising considering who produced this show was: Free money??? Not only did the lovely Sharon toss some from a tree in one of the first scenes and no one blinked an eye but then there is the completely implausible 'Shears and Robust" subplot that involves giving the entire town (who are these people?!) endless credit...WHAT?! Did we learn nothing from Juno last season? Free money can only end in tears....

I did really like this show even with all the crazy mentioned above. Kate Baldwin (who I had the honor of working with - and by "working with" I mean I bought her character some shoes, because apparently that's what you do when you're assistant to the artistic director - on Henry V @ NJ Shakes) was f.a.n.t.a.s.t.i.c. (that's right - so good I had to spell it out) as Sharon, Jim Norton broke my heart as Finian and Cheyenne Jackson was also charming and delightful although sadly not shirtless.)

I am endlessly excited by the news that it will be transferring to Broadway in the fall!! While it may not have been the most solid Encore's production in the past couple of years it will be great to have the opportunity to see it again.

Emily Bronte doin' the twist with Kipling...

2009-03-18T20:25:00.000-07:00

To complete the most fabulous weekend, Sunday was Opening Night of Blithe Spirit. I met dear and new friends Kevin, Sarah, Chelsea, Sally, and Denise at Angus Macindoe's for a pre-show nosh (that steak wrap was super tasty). We were joined by fellow diners John Glover and Nathan Lane (oh yes, it was a harbinger of things to come) and had a lovely time. Then we walked all the way across the street to the Shubert - my first trip there! and were blinded by flashbulbs put there clearly for us and glimpsed a handful of the famous first nighters including High Spirits star Tammy Grimes.
I've only been to one opening night so far ([tos]!!!) and it did not prepare me for the fancy-pants old school opening night that I was about to experience. Men in tuxedos, women in evening dresses, a red carpet, journalists all over the place. It was lovely and fabulous and made me wish that I had taken my own evening dress out of the attic.
Curtain went up late - we were moving specifically on actor time (i.e. slow) but it didn't matter because the energy in the house was terrific and as it was my first visit to the Shubert, this gave me some time to look around.
Oh the show. Why are you still reading this? You should be walking - no, running! -over to the Shubert to purchase your tickets. I had the great fortune to see Blithe Spirit in London five years ago with Penelope Keith (from the Britcom To the Manor Born) as Madame Arcati and Joanna Riding as Ruth. That was a great production and set the bar pretty high. Well, I had no need to worry because between Angie, C.E., Rupert, and my new favorite Jayne "Felen Mirren*" Atkinson we were in for a night of pure fun. Broadway newcomer Susan Louise O'Connor and vets Simon Jones and Deborah round out the cast and all provide some fantastic moments.
There were a couple of moments that were slow but the rest was so fun that it didn't bother me much at all. I love this show with all my repressed WASPy heart. Rupert and Felen were delightfully brittle, Angie was nutty-coo-coo-pants in the most darling way and C.E. was indeed blithe. And I also have to say, my beloved Martin Pakledinaz did a fantastic job with the costumes.
After the show, we wandered through the lobby racking up more famous people points (Well hello Tovah Feldshuh!) and ended up in front of the theatre staring at the enormous crowd trying to get into Sardi's. Which is where we then stood for two hours watching the party, watching the cast, all dolled up, go across the street, keeping our eyes peeled for more famous people. Then we got a little loopy which led to yelling at famous people, taking funny pictures, and the infamous revival of the revival of Blithe Spirit (in which I am proud to say I played Ruth and I humbly submit that I adjusted those imaginary drapes with a gusto unmatched by anything I saw on stage. Are you watching Felen Mirren? I do hope so.) which took place on the sidewalk and which involved sock puppets for the smaller characters.

I'm already plotting my next visit to the Condimine's living room. What are you waiting for?

*Doesn't Jayne Atkinson look like a slightly younger Helen Mirren? I think so too. Fake Helen Mirren...Felen Mirren...and there it is.

A picture's worth a thousand words (but I'll add some of those too)

2009-03-18T19:39:00.001-07:00

For Christmas this year, I received a ticket to An Evening with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin at the DuPont Theatre in Wilmington Delaware. Since my family and I have spent more time than I even want to think about going back and forth between our home and the A.I. DuPont Children's Hospital, also in Wilmington, I thought nothing of hopping into my car and going down. It would be good at this time to reveal that my sense of direction is often less than helpful...And away we go...

The beginning...setting out from New Jersey on the way to D.E.

Yes. I drive and apply make-up (and take pictures) all at the same time. This (the make-up) is because I am always tardy. Also, I'm insistent on doing this only at stop lights.

Let me interject here to say that there are no "Welcome to PA" pictures or charming shots of the Pennsylvania landscape that I passed because it was at this time that I got lost. And had a FREAK OUT.
My eternal thanks to the gentlemen at the Doylestown Lukoil gas station. You know who you are!

Philadelphia!! Phew. I finally found Rt. 95 (Again, thank you, gas station guy)

I've never been so glad to see this bridge.

Wilmington! I made it! On time!

Well, hello. Look who I found in the parking garage. Yay!

I have a (Little) Love of my own!! My [gasp] teenaged cousin has become a musical afficianado with a particular love for P. LuPone. The tickets were a joint present and I greatly enjoyed sharing the afternoon with her. And she knew almost the entire songlist!! I'm so proud!

Hi pretty lady...hehee

Best Christmas present ever!

Then we went our seperate ways - which means that I hopped back into my car and headed back up to NJ...

..And we pass Philadelphia again...

And get lost AGAIN. That's it - I'm buying a GPS!

Whew! Now I know where I am. Safe and sound in my home state.

The concert itself was amazing. It was more a masterclass or showcase or "Patti and Mandy sing whatever the heck they want". It was a fascinating combination of scenes and songs (I watched Patti LuPone sing "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina" live!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) plus the aformentioned office chair ballet which is exactly what it sounds like. Which is why I love both of them. So very, very much.

It was a great day!!

Woooooo!

2009-03-16T07:24:00.000-07:00

Oh friends, did I have a weekend! Sadly, at this moment I have to do other things like...work...and that sort of thing but I will post ASAP.

But I will leave you with two tantalizing previews:
1. Office chair ballet

and

2. A four person (plus sock puppets) revival of the revival of Blithe Spirit

teehee.

Troubles will slide away, just a ride away

2009-02-28T20:28:00.000-08:00

Today we went to the beach. Ignoring the fact that it was below 40 degrees with a howling wind and that one of the biggest storms of the winter (apparently) is headed our way.
Despite the fact that I have a raging cold and/or flu and/or The Plague I still ran down to the beach and stood in the sand, shivering...AND I could smell the sea!

le sigh.

The one in which Roxie becomes a mute.

2009-02-15T08:16:00.000-08:00

I had one of the loveliest Valentine's Day in memory (certainly beats out the one where the day before the boy I was enamored with sent some other random guy to tell me that I wasn't good enough for him) with Sarah at The Community Theatre for Christine Ebersole and Billy Stritch. We began the evening at one of my favorite restaurants, The Dublin Pub, right across the street from the theatre and had an very fulfilling dinner. Then it was across the street for what was to be an even more fulfilling concert. The only time I've seen CE live was Applause so I was looking forward to seeing something less schlocky. Oh Applause...anyway... Neither she, nor Billy disappointed. Their selection was great - lots of love songs for V-day - mixed with some great standards from their CD's. My particular favorites were "Can't Help Loving That Man" and "Will You" although they sounded luminescent on every single song.

Halfway through Act I, to the delight of both Sarah and myself, CE announced that she would sign in the lobby and that she wanted everyone to stop by and be her friend. So we did! After much pushing and shoving at the merch counter in the lobby (where I have spent some quality time while our classes are in session), we finally got to see both she and Billy, have CD's signed, and because for some reason yesterday was like a recap of this week's 30 Rock - Sarah was Tracey Jordan to my Kenneth the Page with CE as the red-headed blind girl. Hilarious.

Sarah went back home on the conveniently located train (it's right down the street!!) and I went back to hang out with the house managers (two of my dearest friends at work) and we proceeded to sing and dance around the lobby and then headed back to the Dublin for another round of drinks (please note the apples in the shape of double hearts in my appletini...adorable!) and much laughing.

Good times!!

Love song...la la la la la laaa la la la laaa....

2009-02-14T09:02:00.000-08:00

Pippin? Anyone? Anyone? No one.

So, joining SarahB and TAAL I wish to put forward "Dulcinea" from Man of La Mancha - I have not been able to stop listening to this show all week and this song is so sweet and lovely.

Happy Valentine's Day everybody!!

I have dreamed thee too long,
Never seen thee or touched thee.
But known thee with all of my heart.
Half a prayer, half a song,
Thou hast always been with me,
Though we have been always apart.
Dulcinea... Dulcinea...
I see heaven when I see thee, Dulcinea,
And thy name is like a prayer
An angel whispers... Dulcinea... Dulcinea!

Yes, there was some lederhosen, for sure.

2009-02-11T20:39:00.001-08:00

Music in the Air was so surprisingly delightful. Kristen Chenoweth was a model of restraint (there was a mature lack of winking and/or hamming to the audience that has been missing from some of her previous roles...we think it may have been the brunette wig...), Doug Sills still has the ability to make my heart flutter (oh Scarlet Pimpernel...those were such good times), and Marni Nixon quietly hit the money note of her song out of the ballpark while charming the heck out of the entire house. I was concerned that the show would bore me to tears or be overly schlocky. And yes, I will admit that there was a healthy amount of the schlock (a walking club...really? is that what they did before television? And, I'm sorry - no one could have walked to Munich in those shoes Sierra Bogress - I know these things!) but it was still a sigh-producing production - I am such a sucker for happy endings.

Well done, Encores!

What are you doing to me tv man?

2009-02-07T19:33:00.000-08:00

So I think to myself, "Self, why don't we go over to abc.com and watch a couple of those Pushing Daisies episodes so that when eventually the season returns after what we have convinced ourselves is a mid-season break we will remember what happened.". I decided to follow my own advice only to find that ABC is pretending that Pushing Daisies NEVER EXISTED. No episode guide, no videos or pictures, NO PIE!!!!

THEY AREN'T GOING TO EVEN FINISH THE SEASON????!!!!!! BUT I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS THAT ARE UNANSWERED.

the sheer amount of all caps that is happening here should clue everyone in to how upsetting this is.

To which I say: bugger you ABC. I'm proud as a peacork, baby - long live channel 4.

Guess who's coming to New Jersey

2009-02-07T10:01:00.000-08:00

Well...It might not be the highlight of the 2009 season but now I get a chance to check out Little House on the Prairie: The Musical when it comes to the Papermill next fall!

Excellent.

The one in which I ponder

2009-02-02T07:51:00.000-08:00

The winter blues have got me but good and between the ever-present financial debacle - my beloved Times is in trouble - and some smaller personal sad things (not me - everything is fine or will be fine but sad times abound around here anyway) I feel an intense desire to lock myself in my room and not come out until spring. Because, clearly, I cannot do that I have been dragging myself around like a zombie for the past two weeks or so.
Well, I've decided that enough of that is enough...although Pollyanna's "Glad Game" makes me want to hurl it did come to mind but then I remembered that years ago my aunt suggested that we all keep a grateful journal and at the end of every day you jot down 5 things that you're grateful for. While I'm not yet up for keeping a journal for some reason that popped up in my head yesterday so the new plan is every time I'm feeling blue I stop and think of 5 things. Cheesy? Yes...but it's been making me feel less blue since yesterday so I encourage everyone to play along.

Usually I just play it in my head but here's a list for now.

1. Fleece blankets
2. Hot showers
3. Socks with sheep on them
4. English Breakfast tea
5. Good books (currently The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - which I started last night and have almost finished)
6. The sound of birds that are singing right now outside of my window
7. The beautiful town of my beloved alma mater - New Paltz

I'll see your Judi Dench and raise you a Julie Walters

2009-01-23T20:12:00.000-08:00

Hurray! A fun blog game and just in time for the weekend!

Kari named her 20 favorite actresses...and here is my list (In no particular order with the exception of JD...my absolute top fav): Note the excess of older British women. Yes friends, they used to be TRAINED back then. Good times.

Judi Dench -I mean, come on...she's the best, hands-down. Who else could win an Oscar for 8 minutes on film (and those were RIVETING minutes too). Nothing with her in it is a waste of time.
Helen Mirren - If you have not seen Prime Suspect, Queen Elizabeth I, or the last ten minutes of Gosford Park RUN, don't walk, to your nearest movie store and demand all of the above. And that is just a sampling of the magic.Ingrid Bergman - classy, brilliant, could pull off a nice hat. That's my kind of gal. Fun, drunk and reckless in Notorious (My fav. Alfred Hitchock film) Lili Taylor - a delight. A charming addition in The Imposters Allison Janney - Yes, I love the West Wing, but also her turns in American Beauty, The Imposters and Juno are all small but unmissable. Greer Garson - Always a class act. Showed that stranded Nazi pilot who's boss (go to aformentioned movie store and rent Mrs. Miniver if that reference was unclear.)

Julie Walters - Entrusted with my favorite Harry Potter character and quietly breaks hearts and steals scenes in Calendar Girls...also almost made Becoming Jane worth watching...good effort, good effort!

Tina Fey - 30 Rock is my soul comfort food, Mean Girls is the smartest teen comedy I've ever seen and Baby Mama is both smart and heart-wrenching. Lemon out.

Joan Cusack - who else would play a mobile librarian with such panache? Also, really fun in Cradle Will Rock

Cherry Jones - I love her in Cradle Will Rock and the totally obscure Woman in Question but now the world can love her on 24

Maggie Smith - yes, I know she has an impressive body of work but she looks so darn cute in the Harry Potter hat. And really, can anyone else play Professor McGonnagall? I think not.

Susan Sarandon - after repeated viewings of Little Women, I may have secretly wanted her to be my mom...if I was living in 1860's Massachusetts.

Kyra Sedgwick - I love The Closer - also, one of the best Inside the Actor's Studio I've seen

Gillian Anderson - don't forget, there was some ACTING on that X-files...and G.A. brought it

Frances McDormand - oh girl, Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day packs a suprising emotional punch...also, Fargo.

Emma Thompson - Emma Thompson - why do you break my heart in Love Actually! Alan Rickaman...why are you such an ass to Emma Thompson in Love Actually? Shame on you...

Angela Lansbury - three words: Bedknobs and Broomsticks...

Martha Burns - one of the stars of my favorite Canadian tv series: Slings and Arrows...just wonderful

Stockard Channing - brilliant, loved it every time she showed up on West Wing...someone has to keep Martin Sheen in line, also just lovely in To Wong Foo...

Harriet Harris - dry, witty, and an absolute delight in The Man Who Came to Dinner...also hilarious when she shows up on Fraiser

A new Argentina...

2009-01-20T20:17:00.000-08:00

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act — not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.

A fantastic speech - which the whole office watched projected on the wall of our conference room. What an awesome day!!

No eggroll.

2009-01-13T20:33:00.000-08:00

Sunday was a fantastic day from start to finish. Met the blogeratti for super tasty brunch at Thalia's (see above). Met some folks finally and made some new friends!! I do like a nice blogger brunch. Then we schlepped to the Marquis for more chatting while people watched sports around us.

Then it was time for Gypsy...the last round. My brain still isn't really working...thoughts turn to gibberish when I ponder the time spent in the St. James two days ago but I did promise Sarahb that I wouldn't wait a week to post so here we are. Please excuse aforementioned gibberish if it appears.

The air of excitement in the house was like nothing I have experienced so far - not even on post-Tony night although that would be a close second. Kevin and I chatted with the folks next to us (I love the talks that strangers in a theatre have). Kevin had the chance to recount what had happened on Saturday night as they had not heard what had happened. Good times. We made sure that they were sufficiently warned about Patti.

The lights went down - to thunderous applause - and the orchestra appeared - also to thunderous applause. And of course, Herself entered to a standing O. I cannot even put into words how exciting the whole experience was. It was the most real thing I've seen on stage in God knows how long. It wasn't a perfect show (lots of spontaneous applause from us, lots of crying onstage). Patti broke up a bit at the top of "Together Wherever We Go" and decided, I guess, to try and get through the song as fast as humanly possible so it was the fastest rendition of the song I've ever heard and they got a little enthusiastic with the plate tossing which ended with one spinning offstage, only to be tossed back onstage by a handy crew member. Laura cried at the top of her entrance and after "Little Lamb" and I think both of the girls got choked up during "If Mamma Was Married". Emotions ran high which pushed stakes through the roof. Laura was totally and utterly heartbreaking as was Boyd. Even Tony's "All I Need Now is the Girl" was electric.
There was some hamming too - Lenora Nemetz had a hilarious leap on her exit as Ms. Cratchitt and the plate business was funny.
The Turn defies description - some favorite moments of that however were Patti whispering "Here she is boys...here she is world" which gives me chills even as I am typing and the awful, awful moment in the monologue immediately following "I was born too soon and started too late" (the look of absolute brokenness) and the four or so minute roar of applause that followed the song. Oh Rose, oh Patti, oh Broadway.

Curtain call was a long love-fest for everyone on and off stage. Then Patti brought dear old Artie Laurents and...wait for it...Stephen friggin Sondheim out on stage. The thought of being in the same room as SJS (my first time ever!!!!!!!) is still a little overwhelming. It's a good thing I didn't pass out.

So, in a nutshell, it was amazing.

Afterwards, we went to Angus' to eat, drink and collect ourselves. The last bit became difficult when the cast began to troop in for dinner but I think that I was able to keep the frantic arm flailing to a minimum. And Kevin and I got the lovely opportunity to chat with Marilyn Caskey who was super charming and gracious. It was a day and night to remember for a very long time.

On a side note, I finally downloaded Patti LuPone at Les Mouches (I'm on a PL kick...what can I say?) and it is a fantastic album! I highly recommend it!!

2009-01-11T20:48:00.001-08:00

Ok, I do have to first put down a little story. For awhile, when I was working in the city, I took some classes at Broadway Dance Center. It was grueling, humbling to the point of embarrassment and much more of a challenge than I ever expected it would be. The one thing that would get my butt from the subway to the BDC was the fact that the moment I came above ground, the first thing that would always catch my eye was the St. James marquee. I don't know if it was a desperate desire to not turn into Rose or a longing to follow in the footsteps of my beloved Patti but that sight made me march right into dance class no matter what would happen when I was there.

Now, I'm really going to bed because I am freaking exhausted!

Patti for President indeed...

2009-01-11T20:39:00.000-08:00

I'm certain that somewhere in my brain there is a coherent post about today. I think I will need some sleep first.

I was in the same space as Stephen Sondheim.

I may also need another drink.

You can't stop the motion of the ocean

2009-01-08T19:31:00.000-08:00

Lord that last post was depressing...

Considering the fact that theatre has survived since the beginning of man I think we'll all be just fine. Plus 9 to 5 is on it's way and I am excited (Alison Janney!!!!!!)! Done and done.

Now on to something more pleasant...a show I was able to catch before it exited the Great White Way: Hairspray!! Yes, I waited until the last possible moment to see what had become a Broadway staple and wow did I enjoy it.

My previous experience with Hairspray was the original film (anyone? anyone?) and the work that I jokingly refer to as my magnum opus: Shushanspray, the charming Purim schpiel put on by the 8th graders at the local Hebrew Academy (and directed by yours truly). Every year, the school's graduating class chooses a movie or musical and mixes that story with the story of Purim. My 8th graders, of their own accord, chose Hairspray as musical and so Shushanspray (Shushan was the town in which the story of Purim takes place) was born. It was really quite something and if I'm ever able to geta hold of the DVD I will be having some showings/drinking games.

Anyway...I guess I avoided Hairspray for so long for fear of flashbacks and after a point it really became like seeing Mamma Mia...everyone else has done it but I just can't bring myself to. Well, what I found was rocking songs, a smart, well-written book and a great cast. Both Kevin and I were suprised to see a cast that strong this late in the run (even with the return of 3 original cast members we still were suprised). Harvey Fierstein was fantastic (and makes a fantastic woman! The words "oh giiiiiiirrrrrrl" may have escaped from my lips at some point during the show) and Marissa Jaret Winokur was pretty dang good as well. There were many, many jokes at which only Kevin and I laughed and there may have been some clapping and dancing at curtain call. Fun times!! I'm so glad that we caught it before it closed!

And so it begins

2009-01-04T15:56:00.000-08:00

Today it seems a little colder and a little darker and the future looks a little more bleak. More shows will come, surely, and all of our financial positions will change and things will right themselves. Closing day always feels unsettling and with the sheer number of shows closing in the next couple of weeks it seems so much more eerie.

Let's hope the coming months will bring more wonderful things than not.

2008-12-31T09:15:00.000-08:00

And, P.S., the magical box of Christmas contained a floor lamp that caught my eye several months ago...that Santa is good!

I've seen them all and my dear, I'm still here...

2008-12-31T08:49:00.001-08:00

Well here we are...December 31st (which I keep thinking is tomorrow...). As I was sitting here watching it snow and hoping that fun party plans for this evening will be no way agressed upon (thank you, Anna Russell) I thought I'd take a moment to reflect on the past year.

Good Times:
-starting a blog
-meeting all my new blogging friends
-starting an online store
-becoming a Girl Scout leader
-First (and so fun) Tony party
-the theatre: Gypsy, [tos], On the Town Boeing, Boeing were some of my favs
-lots and lots of adventures (spending the night on a battleship, camping, learning to knit, working in NYC, my first opening night of a Broadway show, taking class @ Broadway Dance Center, taking a class at BDC also attended by Bebe Neuwirth, playing hooky to see shows, road trip!, NYS Sheep and Wool, and so much more...)
-Obama 08!!

Bum Times:
-having my car stolen
-missing the last [tos] performance
-missing No, No, Nannette
-not seeing all of the shows on my list
-the economic apocalypse
-Pushing Daisies being canceled (waaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!)

Overall a great year - I am looking forward to what the future brings. I hope you all out there in Bloggerland have a fantastic and safe New Year's!!!

Here's to 2009!

A little Christmas collage...

2008-12-24T14:43:00.000-08:00

The box...hmmm what could be in there?!
The creche my grandfather made for me for my confirmation...14 years ago....aiee.
The shepherds and their flock
The Wisemen (consulting about the journey). This was the first year that the folk in the creche moved...each week they got a little closer to their final position. My mom's Christmas village...the town square.
The theme of this year's decorations (we can't go on family vacations so we go all out on decorations instead...next year's colors are already picked out...) was crystal so everything was either glass or silver.The little tree in the front windowThe curtain of crystals on the front door

Yay Christmas!!!!

Snow had fallen, snow on snow

2008-12-23T18:35:00.000-08:00

This year, more than others, all these old Christmas tunes have been making me tear up. Also, I noticed that "It's a Wonderful Life" makes me cry more and more at the end. Alas, it's the getting older, I suppose.

I am very much looking forward to Christmas this year although it seemed more rushed (who decided it was going to be on the 25th this year???!!! huh? huh?! and why didn't I get the memo??) This is possibly due in part to my stupid decision to handmake so many of my gifts this year (the third to last one, a scarf, is sitting next to me at this very moment...yes I'm a procrastinator...and this one is the only one I need to have ready by Thursday so I'm alllllmost ready). I also played elf for a few more folks than usual this year. It's getting very hard for my grandparents to move about, particularly when there is such ice and I certainly don't mind helping them.

One of my favorite parts of Christmas is not knowing what is in all those packages - there is something so promising about a surprise. For instance, there is a large box sitting on our floor right now and I have already decided several things that it could be, among them a Mac book or a spinning wheel. For all I know it could be toilet paper (and I kid you not when I say that toiletries and office supplies are regular gifts around here) But from now until tomorrow morning I can imagine the most delicious things that could be in that box and that is a very, very exciting thing.

I have to go and get ready to sing at church tonight but I hope, hope, hope that all of you out there in blogger land have a wonderful, safe and surprise filled holiday!

Baby Mama Drama

2008-12-06T08:30:00.000-08:00

OK, I am a huge Tina Fey fan and it is for her, and only for her, that I would even begin to ponder renting a movie entitled "Baby Mama". I was so pleasantly surprised to find that it was a smart, emotional, well acted film. Oh Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, why are you so fabulous?!!

It's not quite as funny as Mean Girls (another surprising favorite) - there were parts, in fact, that were so horribly sad and/or anxiety provoking (shut UP biological clock...just shut it!). I'm still uncertain as to how I feel about the ending...I'm torn...But, nevertheless, it was a refreshing change from the several movies that I have seen lately. And I highly recommend it.

And I drink.

2008-12-06T07:57:00.000-08:00

Kevin and I took in the delicious Encores! presentation of On The Town. I was so uncertain as to how I would like it and I have to say, I was very entertained. It’s the most dance heavy show we’ve seen so far at Encores and I thought the whole thing was excellent. I have to say that every time Encores whips out a dance number it’s fantastic – the Mirror Number from Follies, the Dream Ballet in Juno and all of these dances in On The Town…I don’t know what it is about Encores’ choreography but I never find it overdone or uninteresting. Well done, Encores!!

The whole cast, which was made up of newer Broadway folks (with the exception of Michael Cumptsy and the always fan-friggin-tastic Andrea Martin…I’m still chuckling over several of her finer moments) was really great all around. The show itself was much more dimensioned than I expected. It’s the story of three sailors who have a 24-hour period of free time in New York City during the WWII period. Although the show certainly has its lighter moments (Andrea Martin – put down that microphone stand!), for me, all of that settled in between two particularly emotional bookends. The curtain rises and the beautiful Encores orchestra, without pause, begins the Star Spangled Banner. Yes, hello my name is Roxie, and I can easily be moved to tears by expansive patriotic gestures even though I’m a bleeding heart liberal (I cannot, in fact, watch a parade live or on TV without tearing up…it’s awkward). So needless to say, when the entire audience at City Center not only stood but then began, without prompting, to sing the national anthem it was the most emotional moment I’ve experienced at the theatre in months, if not years and thinking about it still gives me chills. The other particularly emotional moment was realizing that although, as in any good Golden Age musical, everyone ends up with the one they’re supposed to, the knowledge that the sailors are going to get back on that ship and go back to war (or even just back to base) is very sobering.

Another plus to the evening was that I finally got to meet and chat with Chris from Everything I’ve Learned… – I’m racking up my blogger points! To our disappointment, there were no celebrity points to be had although I think that we had such a good time that it didn’t matter.

My Life and Other Adventures: Daycation

2008-11-25T06:25:00.000-08:00

Lordy, I am so freaking far behind in my blogging...see what happens when I have a job that does not require me to plunk down behind a computer all day every day!

Well anyway...so I've been feeling a little burned out lately - once again, while switching jobs (which is a pretty big change, I would think...unless you're a temp), I decided to not ease through the transition but instead to go at it full steam. I had my last day at my old job on a Thursday and then proceeded to go on my first ever two-day-in-the-rain-responsible-for-six-girls-who-aren't-my-own-oops-we-may-have-broken-that-one-is-that-a-bear-or-ax-murderer-outside-of-our-tent camping trip from Friday to Sunday and then I started my new job on Monday. Combine that with the fact that I haven't really had a day to recoup since then, due to my moonlighting in the box office of another theatre plus all this Girl Scout stuff we've been trying to get done I have been feeling particularly toasty...and not in the warm way, in the "I just want to curl up in a corner and be left alone" way.

So, we had scheduled a bloggers' who brunch...brunch...for a couple of weeks ago when Esther was in town. It was so lovely to meet her and put a face to a blogger!! And it was lovely to see the whole gang as well (and the food was delish). A few of our number had matinees to attend but Kevin and I had no plans so he suggested a little daycation...immediately I felt so un-toasty - it was amazing!! We walked Ester and Mondschein over towards their respective theatres and made the most amazing discovery - after unsuccessfully trying to open the doors to the Mark Hellinger a very nice gentleman let us in and not only did we get to see the lobby, the beauty of which is beyond words but we got to see the actual THEATRE!!!!!!! The gentleman told us to walk into the house and then turn around and look up. I cannot even explain what an amazing and beautiful space that is. I mean, I've been in some beautiful theatres but I'm very certain that this one took the cake. There were gorgeous hand painted frescoes and delightfully intricate plaster work and especially sparkly crystal chandeliers...oh it takes my breathe away just trying to describe it!
Whew!
After our totally amazing stop, we continued along and deposited E and M at their matinees. We found ourselves at the new TKTS building which is so much more fun and amazing in person than in pictures. We scrambled (slowly, as it had been raining) to the top of the stairs and proceeded to mind other people's business and try not to look the giant poster of Liza Minelli in the eye, lest we turned to stone. Well, and then we pretended to be Minnasotian tourists. I don't think anyone else was amused...oh well! The view from the top of the steps is rather glorious so we enjoyed just hanging out there for some time. Next stop was the Megastore where we browsed and picked up a couple of things (Amy McDonald's CD and a $10 copy of Notorious...my fav Hitchcock film) and then I introduced Kevin to the wonder that is the Drama Bookstore. Everytime I go in there I have to tear myself away from about seven books that I'm just dying to have...this time I escaped but I did end up bringing one with me (the Viola Spolin teacher's guide...absolutely brilliant book!). We then grabbed a Jamba Juice (a guilty pleasure...thankfully not available in my neck of the woods)and headed off to our various transportation hubs. I had the most relaxing bus ride home and felt like a new woman!

Life and Other Adventures: The festival? the festivaaaaaaal...

2008-11-02T17:08:00.000-08:00

I took a day off from everything and met a dear friend up in New York State for their annual Sheep and Wool Festival. I had never been before but I love sheep and obviously I love wool so I figured it would be a great day...and it was!

First, let me say that I went to college in that area and I feel like a piece of my heart will always be there. New York State is so gorgeous, especially in the fall and I found my drive up the Thruway to be the peaceful hour-and-a-half in a long time. The sun was out and I had some good tunes playing in my car so it was a lovely ride.

I met up with my friend at her house and we proceeded to the Duchess County Fair grounds. We went the last day but even so, the place was pretty packed. And there was so much to see! Tent after tent after tent of some of the most beautiful handspun and hand-dyed wool I have ever seen! And there was just so much of it. I have to say, it was a little overwhelming...I almost didn't know where to look first.

We spent some time wandering amongst the sheep and checking out all of the different booths. My friend bought a super cute bag and some yarn and I picked up a new hobby - hand spinning. Oy, because what I need is a new hobby... So, I got a drop spindle and some wonderfully dyed roving (with all natural dyes!) and now I'm slowly and painfully teaching myself to handspin. Yikes...I'm sure there will be posts in the future about my complete inability to handspin! At the moment, it has taken a backseat to the holiday rush - besides the etsy store, I have several events where I am selling my wares so it's all crocheting all the time at the moment.

All in all, the Sheep and Wool was a blast and I can't wait for next year!!

Life and Other Adventures...

2008-11-02T17:02:00.001-08:00

So, I keep thinking "Oh I should blog" and then I think "Boo, I've done nothing fun and interesting theatrically". So instead, I thought I'd ramble about some other things happening in my life...

Taggers, taggers

2008-10-15T19:34:00.000-07:00

1. Link to your tagger and list these rules on your blog. Kevin was my tagger.

2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog - some random, some weird.

3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blog.

4. Let them know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

5. If you don't have 7 blog friends, or if someone else already took dibs, then tag some unsuspecting strangers.

Ok.... here goes...

1. I can wiggle my ears.

2. For the period of 2nd to 6th grade I maintained that my family had immigrated from Sweden when I was two (on a wooden ship! my friends were pretty - not smart!).

3. Before wanting to be an actor, my plans for the future centered around being a florist.

4. Although I was raised as an Episcopalian, I practiced Judaism for three years. I also took Hebrew as a foreign language and of the three that I've taken (Hebrew, French and Japanese) Hebrew is the one I picked up the fastest.

5. The place that I hung out the most in high school (besides the several theatres where I did shows) was a local tattoo parlor. I kid you not.

6. I have a recurring nightmare about being in the water next to a giant ocean liner which has blossomed into a fear of large cruise ships.

7. I won a national Science and Math award in 8th grade which is still hilarious because I'm crap at both Science and Math...

Hmmmm...going to have to work on who to tag - all the blogeratti's already done it!!

There's a time to come to New York and then there's a time to leave

2008-10-05T18:21:00.000-07:00

I've not died (thank goodness!) I have started a new job and am still recovering from taking the Girl Scouts camping (aieeee). Just wanted to get that out there - I have some blogs sitting in my brain and I hope to jot them down this week sometime.

Alright...who let me read this...

2008-09-22T14:17:00.001-07:00

Theresa Rebeck's scathing article in The Guardian. Season of men, indeed.

And that's all I will say about that. Promise.