Sharing my pride...

There is a certain humility with which I write this.  I'm not normally one to "toot my own horn", except with regards to a pool game and certainly not without a few drinks to provoke my usually unjustified boasting.  But this is something I truly want to share with my friends.

So last weekend was the Dooley Awards at Runway Theatre.  They nominate people in various categories for their contributions to the previous season.  Apparently, the common thing to do with these local theatre awards is to notify an individual that they were nominated, but not necessarily in what category.  Well, I only did one production with them this last season, and that was CAT.  That show meant the world to me in so many ways - great role, great people, great director.  My nomination in and of itself was truly a meaningful gesture for me, offering a pleasant acknowledgement for everything I had put into it.

The awards event was a grand time, a comraderie of casts, crews, and other volunteers, and yes, although we were all rooting for our own productions and friends, it was a great way to celebrate the season as a whole.  Lots of food, champagne, and fancy attire.  To be honest, I don't think I've put a dress on since Maggie put that dress on for the last time back in June.

I received two awards that night - one for Best Debut Performance - Female, and the other for Best Actress in a Leading Role.  I love them both, for everything they represent, but of course, the Best Actress award is the one that I continue to look at and touch daily.

Now you have to understand that I have not received many acting acknowledgements in my life.  Of course, during practically my entire time in Austin, I was on the production end - stage managing, festival coordinating, etc., and to be perfectly honest, Cat on a hot tin roof was only the second full-length production I have done since back in Houston in 1998.

So here I am, holding this beautiful little trophy, an amazing reminder that my peers and the audience members believe I still have the chops to do this.  And although nowadays I am far more selective in the roles and productions I involve myself in, the investment is greater.

This acknowledgment is a quieted, humbled pride, one for which I can not express my gratitude enough.

11:17 AM - 3 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

NOAH the musical

So our afternoon show yesterday was Noah, the Musical produced by Sight and Sound theatre.  The original Sight and Sound theatre is in Strasburg, PA, just outside of Lancaster.  The productions are purposed to bring spectacle to biblical stories, and this Branson location is an impressive, 2000-seat theatre, complete with all of the current technology.  We were fortunate enough to get a private, backstage tour from Luke Bates, the equivalent of Asst. Lighting Designer/Master Electrician.  The tour was both amazing and humbling for this modest little former stage manager and occasional actress.

The proscenium arch is 100' x 40', and there are around 1200 lighting instruments in the air, along with probably another 3 to 400 elsewhere in the sets themselves and such.  They use a variety of live animals in the production (from llamas to zebras to cats to goats - I could go on), with full stables in the basement along with a holding area off SL for the animals prior to their entrances.  Of course, to supplement the live animals, the giraffes and elephants and several other creatures are animatronics.  Behind the impressive stage itself is an equally impressive warehouse, and to the right of that is the scene shop.

As if the sheer size of everything weren't enough, the control room (the booth, for we the smaller theatre people) was nothing short of humbling.  Housing the SM, the dual-board lighting control area, and the hydraulics and effects control area, the control room rests roughly three to four floors up from the audience main floor house center.

I imagine I have considered and called myself a professional in this field in times past, predominantly measured by whether or not I was getting paid and by my general attitude and approach to a production.  After seeing all of this up close, I can easily concede that professionalism for me has been little more than a state of mind.  Now I'm not saying that I haven't been a part of what would be considered professional productions (on a MUCH smaller scale than what I was observing yesterday), but I have never worked with this level of technology, and at this point, I likely never will.  Not a regret really or anything, just a recognition.

As we left the theatre following the production yesterday, I giggled a little to myself thinking of how many "control booths" I had worked in over the years, usually consisting of an old ETC console and a few cd players on one or two 3' x 8' folding tables set up in the back of the house (or just behind).  I wouldn't even know how to operate these newer consoles.  But I will say that I know enough to appreciate the evolution and existence of the technology.  I may not know how it all works, but I love it nonetheless, and certainly moreso than most general audience members.

5:43 AM - 4 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Branson enlightenment

So my "peripheral" perspective of Branson was altered, or more accurately, enhanced last night following our attendance of my first Branson production, SIX.  VERY good show, by the way.  Six real brothers (with the same mother and father) performing an entirely acapella musical show, traveling through time and place with songs and their amazing voices and harmonies.  A relatively simple set, two wide staircases running UL and UR, with a drum set up center that was there for suggestion or symbolism and never used.  All "drum effects" were created (quite well, I might add) by one brother primarily and supplemented by a few others.

My only criticism of the show would be the way they ended the first act, which due to the progression would have easily led the audience to believe that the show was actually drawing to an end had it not been for the announcement over the sound system clarifying that this was an intermission.  Aside from that, a great show and well worth the $30 ticket.

After leaving the theatre, I found myself gaining a new appreciation for the blanket of religion in this area - never overbearing or pressing, just a constant and seemingly gentle presence.  And I began thinking more and more on the history of the area and how that has surely influenced this area of the Osarks.  From The Shepherd of the Hills (written in 1907 by Harold Bell Wright) to the Baldknobbers to the Owen's investments since Branson's early development stages, it is an interesting history, indeed.  Certainly one which I'm inclined to learn more about.  And one can hardly help but to learn at least tidbits of this history if you take one of the duck tours or the downtown trolley rides (both recommended).

So this morning, it's a late breakfast and then off to Sight and Sound for a backstage tour before the 1pm show.  THIS ONE should be quite the spectacle indeed...

5:40 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

A quick greeting from Branson, Missour"a"

Not much time here - getting ready to head out for a quick bite before an 8pm show of SIX (contemporary acapella variety show).  Tomorrow is NOAH at Sight & Sound - that's the space that Alan helped with the PRG lighting installation on (pictures to come).  Then tomorrow night is an 8pm of PIERCE ARROW (contemporary variety show).  Shit.  Let me just say that in DFW, I would never contemplate seeing three shows in less than 48 hours; one show a weekend is usually good enough for me.

Having a great time with my baby.

But one question.  If Vegas, the self-proclaimed Sin City, is full of sin and strippers and dancers and such, then what, exactly, do you call Branson?  A city full of predominantly entertainment and churches, where you can't buy booze at the theatre, but you can start buying it (yes, liquor) at 6am in Wal-mart OR the convenience store, what do you call that? 

So far, I have seen one card for a taxi service in this town.  I have yet to see any taxi's, but I know one exists because they have a business card.

Gotta run, but more to come...

(and pictures)

3:53 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

The tequila thing.

As most of you know, I have been a big fan of tequila for years.  It started as a natural evolution into liquor.  You know, we start off in our youth with fru-fru drinks and beer, then to kamikazi's and buttery nipples and all sorts of crazy-ass drinks that tend to disguise the taste of liquor within sweetness and such.  Then shots.  OH, the shots, a youthful stupidity to expedite the level of intoxication.  I seem to recall (not in detail, of course), one evening when I consumed 13 shots of tequila in my efforts to educate some fellow cast members on the pleasantries of body shots.

"Oh, I don't drink tequila; I've had a bad tequila experience."  Shit, honey; I've had several of them. 

But I keep coming back. :)

Then, a few years ago during a stint working at a nice liquor/wine store under my dear friend, Daniel McKeever, I started to discover the true value in sipping a fine tequila.  I remember starting that job, thinking I would benefit from learning more about wines.  I ended up learning far more about tequila than anything else; Daniel still jokes about the fact that our tequila sales went up about 20% as a result. :)

So now I'm a sipper; I truly enjoy and appreciate the wiff of a good tequila just before the first sip.

And the other thing I've discovered recently is that I'm really starting to detest "settling" for crap, or even mediocre tequila, just for the sake of having one.  It occurred to me following the last pool night at Stumpy's.  Their selection was limited to Quervo products (which, in general, I could care less about), but for a $3-you-call-it special, I opted for the 1800.  Now 1800 doesn't suck, but it really wasn't what I wanted, and let's face it, most restaurants and bars limit themselves on quality over quantity consumption.  The tequila is predominantly for margaritas and shot drinkers, so one really can't expect much in the way of selection.  But I proceeded to sip on several of those 1800's, and by morning, I realized that I just didn't need or really want it.

So I'm showing signs of aging, at least as it applies to my tastes.  I no longer want a shot, and I absolutely refuse to drink a mixto tequila; anything less than 100% agave is just crap in my book.  And I'm not out to get drunk; as a matter of fact, I truly hate that level of impairment.

So I won't say "farewell", my friend; I'm sure we'll meet again soon.  But as my tastes refine with age, I think I'll stick to the quality.

Until then...

3:55 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

The cell phone debate - advice would be helpful

Okay, so I've been with ATT/Cingular/ATT for many years now, and I usually hang out for the next "upgrade period" when I can get a free phone with my contract renewal.  This has always worked just fine, but back in April during the girls' trip to Port A, the screen went out on my Nokia 6102i and I was forced to find a replacement quickly.  Since I don't get my freebie until November, I opted for an easy, $20 refurbished Nokia 2610, thinking that I just needed something that would get me by until November.  Unfortunately, this phone flat out SUCKS.  Can't hear it ring, delays in receiving voicemail and text messages - just all-and-all a piece of crap. 

Soooo.... I sent my broken 6102i out for a repair quote, and it will cost $73 to fix.  NOW, the question is... to repair and use for the next 5 months?  or look for a new one now.  The only freebie AT&T is offering me now is the Sony Ericsson Z310a, which retails for$179 but has mixed reviews.  OR, should I just suck it up for the next 5 months and use the piece of crap I currently have?  The $73 repair cost isn't a pain on the pocketbook, but I'm just trying to decide.

Advice anyone?

4:45 PM - 7 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

I have a question...

So if shoes are supposed to say something about a woman, what does it say about me that my favorite shoes in summer are a pair of flip flops, and my favorites in winter are a pair of big old Pluto houseshoes?

hmmm...

8:13 AM - 4 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Post-show indulgences...

Okay, so can I just eat like a cow for a few days?  Not stress too much about the scale, or how often I'm working out?  I'll admit that I've been slacking a bit since just before opening, but I've still watched portions and tried not to let any of it get out of hand, not as long as I have to wear a slip around for a forty-five minute stretch three nights a week.  I already made the mistake of looking at the photos that were taken during performance during week 2; talk about seeing every minute (and not so minute) flaw in my body.  And I do NOT have a perfect body, something which I assure you I am very much aware of.

But now we're closed, and there's a certain amount of indulgence that I'd almost say I feel entitled to.  And I'm talking about food, here, folks.  Not lean, healthy food - I'm talking about greasy, cheesy, rich food.  Obviously, any of those categories will work.  We went to Macaroni Grill last Thursday night with my parents, and I had pasta.  I emphasize this only because I cannot remember the last time I had pasta - too high carb.  But soooooo good.  Last night, we hit Steak & Ale, and I don't care how high and mighty you may be about steaks, but the prime rib special rocks, as does their awesome little salad bar with all the crunchy stuff.  I even ordered crab cakes - I've had this weird, seasonal (I guess) craving for crab cakes - good crab cakes- for about four or five weeks now.  I miss the Eddie V's crab cakes (Austin restaurant, for you yankees out there); those babies are to die for.

Ahem... I digress.

And now I'm hankering for apps, appetizers - perhaps something fried or stuffed or dipable. (is that a word?)

I know we need to get back to a better food plan now that our schedules are sync'ing back up again.  But oooh, can't I just call in a togo order and bring it home and we can indulge together in the luxury and comfort of our own sofa in front of our own t.v.?

I mean, I've worked hard; I deserve a little reward.  Don't ya think? ;)

3:11 PM - 3 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Tennessee Williams

Two more performances, so close to putting another production of Cat on a hot tin roof to bed.

It has been so wonderful to revisit Tennessee; it has been far too long since I bathed in the richness of such text, such characters.  It makes me crave more, at least from a reading standpoint (for now).  I have invested more of myself into making this good that I have in such a long time, if ever.  Full of questions and looking for answers, I have loved finding Maggie.

The ending is, of course, bittersweet.

8:54 AM - 4 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

There is something to be said..

for waking to the knowledge that you have the freedom of doing whatever you like for the entire day before returning to the theatre for call this evening.

Nothing on the schedule.  Certainly tasks that need to be addressed, but minimal in the number, magnitude, and time-sensitivity that would classify them as critical.

And although I have dabbled a bit in some tasks since I woke at 6:20 this morning, I have enjoyed a relaxed pace, even comfortable in the knowledge that I will take a nap before heading to the theatre.

I love to take a quick nap before performing.  There's something to be said for relaxing and clearing the mind, awaking to focus on one thing - the show.  It adds an immediate focus to the process.  love it.

And with just enough milk left in the fridge, Alan and I made pancakes and bacon and watched Burn Notice.

What a wonderful way to start the day.

8:43 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment