Halloween

Today is the "official" day of Halloween.
I think I might go down to the Village and see the parade. I've not done it before and I realize I have to try some new things. I do tend to stick to my old patterns and I'd like to jumpstart my imagination and see what fun and creative costumes people show up in.

Always try new things and let go of old negative patterns. Life is too short to dwell on the old.

Bring in the new!

Blowin' in the Wind

BRRRRRRR!
What a weekend weatherwise! Saturday morning it was rainy, but warm. I was waiting for my friend Craig at the Village Den and the rain had stopped, the sun came out and it was warmmmm!!!
Then we went to have lunch and while in the restaurant..it RAINED! When we came out..it was breezy and cooler.
Then when Sandra, Paula and I went for our walk Saturday it was breezy and cool.
THEN..when we were going to the Halloween parties it was COLD!
Sunday it was WINDY!!!!! Warmer but still chilly!
THEN....in the evening..it got COLD!!! And WINDY!!! Whoosh brrrr!
Luckily I didn't lose power or energy, though many did. Every once in a while Mother Nature likes to play with power lines and knock them down!
Sandra was great coz yesterday she went to Target and I had her pick me up a pair of bedroom slippers. My feets was gettin' COLD!
Now they are warm and toasty!
I got more of my winter clothes out of "storage".
To every season...turn turn turn!
Oh, here are two pics of me from Halloween weekend....:)

I'm a Party Pooper, Sorta

Well made it to two parties, but had Sandra and Paula go on to the third while I went home and went to bed.
I should have taken a nap instead of going for the walk in CP.
Still, Phil's party was fun and so was Susan and Robert's.
It was cooooold outside though. Go figure. Fall has fallen!
Here's some pics of Sandra and Paula.
Sandra was a Pink Lady from Grease..Sandy..:)
Paula was a little devlish. Fun.

Trick or Treat

Getting ready to head out in a bit to go to a couple of parties with Sandra and Paula.
So not into this...low energy..did too much today...but....there ya are.

Sandra and I are dressed in "Grease" type outfits. I look more like Potsie on "Happy Days". DREN...aka NERD :)

Paula is going as a devil.

Should be fun...different. I don't know why I never really have gotten into this "holiday". I guess coz I'm silly enough every day that the chance to dress up and be silly is kind of....well...routine for me. :)

It was brought to my attention that I was being a bit too personal on here. I always seem to divulge too much information. No harm intended...I guess I got carried away...online blog..aka online diary. GO ASK ALICE..not!

I just like putting stuff on here that friends can read. Many of my friends are always asking me what I'm up to in the BIG APPLE...do that call NY that anymore?

I mean no offense and I mean nobody any harm or ill will. Just a regular guy living my life in a regular way.

I've been told "less is more" and "brevity is a word you should learn". So, I'll keep that in mind.
No Tricks...just a treat or two. Treat Williams?

Mmm kay!

Cathy K's Birfday

Today is Cathy's birthday. HAPPY BIRFDAY!!!

I'm waiting to hopefully get a chance to say hi to her in person as she went to see Martin Short's "Fame Becomes Me". No word yet so she might have been called backstage for an impromptu birthday kiss from Jimmy Glick.

Had a great day thus far. Went walkin in Central Park with Sandra and Paula. We are going to 3 parties later. Hopefully the wind will die down. oooooo

All good gifts!

Fall Back

Time flies....even when you're not having fun. My mom used to say "enjoy it now because when you get older time flies by". She was right.

Gearing up for the Halloween weekend. I have never really cared for this "holiday". Mainly an excuse for kids to get free candy and for adults to have the excuse to get drunk and wear stupid costumes, living out their fantasies. I especially don't like the sick and macabre. Death and killing are glorified in the name of "fun". I like fun and silly. So, Sandra and I are going as GREASErs. I have two parties I've been invited to and Sandra one, so Paula and us are going to party hop. Since I'm dieting and am not going to waist it on candy..heh...will be fun to walk around and see stuff.
Time falls back this weekend as well. BRRR already cold here. Fall is upon us.
I feel good in that I hit the 60's this morning, weight wise. "Welcome to the 60's". Time to get some skinny clothes!
The Times They Are a Changin is right..and the show got PANNED last night. This morning actually.
I have to be honest and say I didn't love it. I didn't hate it but I didn't really get it either. I didn't think it was awful, just that it could have had more dancing. Mostly acrobatics. Singing is GREAT...LOVE Lisa and Michael.
So....hopefully others will appreciate it.
Mary Poppins had to stop the show the other night because the big house that raises up and down got off it's track. However it's a wonderful show and the set is amazing and not a gimmick.
Tomorrow is my friend Cathy's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CATHY!!!
We've known each other since 1973. Wow...long time companion.
Have safe fun this weekend.
Oh and my sister Cheryl got through her surgery ok. Painful and uncomfortable but she's out of the hospital now and going into after care. Hugs and Hope
Love and Light

CONGRATS to Steve S on his show.."Bully for Me". SUCCESS!!!!

Good Day and Audition Day

I'm down to 171 YAY!!! Only 15 more to go!!!

Halloween is coming up this weekend. Sandra brought me a "letter" jacket from work..we are going to go as GREASers!

I got invited to 2 parties and she has a friend who is throwing another so we're gonna hit all 3.
Of course I'm on a diet and can't eat any candy and I don't drink..so hopefully there will be some fun people to talk too.

And fun and talking and such.
So, a good day....great day!

A Great Sunday!!

What a great day yesterday was! A good weekend as well.

Now that I'm a workin' guy again weekends are back to being catch up and errand time.
Saturday I got my hair cut, went to a meeting, did some errands, then spoke at another meeting Saturday night in Jersey City. Small but good energy.
Sunday was church with another amazing sermon by Dr. Arthur Caliandro. "Keep on Keepin On". Don't give up! Be persistent! Life is a series of continuous challenges. Keep on rising to meet them. "I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me". "Don't worry about the failures, worry about the chances you'd miss if you didn't try". "We are here for the growth of the soul". "Persist and pursue". "Give time it's time". "Forget what lies behind and press on".
After last week this all really hit home for me.

"We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings having a human experience." Love that!
Then I went to Brian's to do a bit of work for him, then went to the Center to rehearse for the Christmas show. We had a great rehearsal and it was so much fun. My voice is stronger and higher then ever. It seems the older I get the better my voice gets. Go figure. Glad it does though.
Then I went to an meeting after having met with Gio and David to give Gio his birthday card. The meeting was great! Mark spoke and I could so relate to him. Growing up gay is HARD. Growing up at all is hard, but being Gay you have so many obstacles to overcome from the get go. Thank God we make it.
Then I came home and watched "Desperate Housewives" and "Brothers and Sisters" with Sandra and Paula. Also spoke with Cheryl who is recuperating after her surgery in CA.
I also spoke Saturday night with my friend Tim in LA. He is the most amazing arranger and pianist and friend. I miss him. We made some BEAUTIFUL music together!!! Hopefully we will again.
Not that I'm trying to get EVERYONE to move to NY. I'm still working on Jay.

So, a new week. Now the challenge is to find the joy in every day life. Getting into a groove.
Stella got hers..now I gotta get mine.
Also, I lost more weight. 172 this morning. Down from 196. Aiming for 150-155. Then the hard part is keeping it off..but this time I'm in it for the long haul. I have to be, I want to be.
Life goes on. Lessons learned, then new ones. Times to enjoy times to strive for better times.

Keep on Keepin' On.

Don't give up.

And....use the tools...friends..meetings...GOD....and my own instincts which are God given.

"Suffering produces endurance which builds character which produces HOPE".

Thanks Dr. C and God!

And Dr. Norman Vincent Peale.

Everything Worked Out Fine

I am a blessed man and a lucky guy.

Sometimes I let others sway my opinion. Other times I give in to peer pressure.
No longer..and no more Larry Tate or Charlie Brown. :)

Sadness and Joy

I received some sad news today via email. An old friend Michael Noel passed away.
I met him when we both did "Cabaret" at Gunston. He was a wonderful MC. I was a chorus boy.
I got to do "They're Playing Our Song" with him next. What fun we had! The chorus...sorry Tim but we all got sloshed on wine a few times during the Disco scene. But we still did our best! Really!
Then I got to play Linus to his Snoopy in "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown". He was adorable! I will forever remember him singing "Suppertime". I loved being backstage and hearing the cheers and applause during his number.
I haven't seen him in quite some time, but I can still hear his laugh, and see his wonderful smile!
God has Charlie Brown and Snoopy now. I hope they get to be together in some way.

Mary Poppins is AMAZING!!!

Just got back from seeing "Mary Poppins" at the New Amsterdam Theatre. Jay got the tickets. What a friend!
We had the best seats coz she flew up right in front of us!!
More later..I'm pooped.
But MP is Practically Perfect in Every Way!!!!
I LOVED IT!! It was so much better then I even thought it would be.
So good and different and edgy and dark and funny and even a little sexy.
WOW!!!
And the CHOREOGRAPHY!!!!
Step in Time AMAZING!!

LOVED IT!!!
Wanna see it again!

Thank you DISNEY!!!!
AND Sherman Bros.

A HITTTT!!!!

Mary Poppins

Tonight I am going to see the new musical "Mary Poppins". It opened in London and they brought a version here. Jay bought us tickets and we are going. It's still in previews.
I heard from Gio that it is very good. Artistic even! I haven't had much hope in it, so was very glad to hear that from him. I will let you know!!
As long as it's not just a transfer of a movie to stage like "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" was.
Third day on the job yesterday went well. Getting a bit more comfortable and feeling my way around. I'm doing my best.
AND..I've lost 22 lbs. 19 more to go. YAY.
Feels good...I'll be slim by the end of the year!
And this time...I'm going to keep it off.
For Good!
Happy Birthday to GIO!!!!

Hold a good thought for Cheryl, my sister. She had a major operation yesterday!
Spoke to her and she's doing ok. Lots of pain, and lots of pain medication.
Hugs and Hope!!!

Another Day in the Grey City

Rained today. Gloomy.

First Day of Work

My first day of work!

I got up and got ready and walked to work this morning! The building is at 45/46 bet Lexington and Park. The Park Avenue Atrium. About a 25 minute walk.

I got there on time and headed up to orientation. There were a few of us. We went over company policy and filled out all the necessary paperwork. Since they had emailed me the links and I'd printed out the papers I had most all filled out.

Then they went over benefits etc. All very good and very comprehensive.

I finally got my ID pics and badge and headed over to my area. I met the woman who is my admin. asst. counterpart. She told me my boss's father had died so she won't be in this week, maybe Thurs. Very sad to hear that, especially since I know what it is like having lost my own father 3 years ago. I don't know if he was sick or had been ill.
So, I got a bit of training and got to see a little of each thing I'd have to do. Lots to keep me busy and lots of interesting bits and pieces. I mean, from almost every job I've had, I can apply skills to this job. Especially from Mossler, Deasy and Doe, Careyes Entertainment, Maple Drive Restaurant, Orange Media Relations, and Universal Studios.
The only drawback for me was it was FREEZING in there. Brrrr. I had a long sleeve shirt on and I was cold. I'll have to wear warmer clothing. No more tube tops and hot pants.
So, not bad for a first day. I think I'll go back, and I think they'll let me in.
Tired but in a good way. At least now, I know most of what to expect. Now it's a matter of getting a rhythm and getting to know the ins and outs.

Coz You Had a Good Day....!

Every time I hear that song "You Had a Bad Day" I always change it to Good. Not that I'm Pollyanna all the time, but lately I have been a bit blue and I'm trying to get out of it.
Today was a good day!

I've started losing my "winter weight" from LAST Winter. I've lost 20 lbs and have 20 more to go. This time, I really want to strive to keep it off. My whole life I've battled food. I'd like to make peace and stay/maintain a healthy weight.
Today I was 176 and my goal is 156.
I went to church today. I was happy as they sang "Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee". I love singing hymns that I know.
Dr. Calliandro baptized 8 babies too. Very sweet.
Afterwards I went to the rehearsal for the Christmas show. This year we are doing "OklaHUMBLE". I was cast as "Aunt Feller". The main focus of the show is on humility! Just as we did last year with Annie, John and Michael rewrote the lyrics and Rob and Susan are rewriting the book. Basically keeping the characters but making the story all about sobriety. Last year I directed, but this year I am enjoying being IN the show. I am basing Aunt Feller on Terry Sue. Shhh...don't tell her..I want it to be a surprise!
After rehearsal I came home and then met up with Paula. We went walking up to Central Park. They were filming something in Columbus Circle. Had it all blocked off. Must be a big movie as the trucks and all were much bigger and plentiful then if it was just a tv series.
Brisk walk. Cold today, chilly! I took my Airborne and also wore my hat and scarf.
Paula is coming over in a bit and we'll go to Sandra's to watch "Desperate Housewives" and "Brothers and Sisters". TV night.

Tomorrow is my first day at the new job. I got all the paperwork emailed to me and downloaded, ready to take into HR. I'm nervous but finally getting a bit excited. HOPE HOPE HOPE!

So, goodbye to summer! Goodbye for now to auditions and Broadway. I ended on a high note!

A new chapter. A new adventure!

Jay bought tickets to see "Mary Poppins" on the 19th. It's in previews. I hope it's as good as the British version. I also hope it's more then just a stage version of a movie, like "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" was.

Hope springs eternally!!!

Nature Boy ..... and Girl

Today was Nature Day!!!
Sandra and I took the subway down to South Ferry (by way of transferring to a shuttle bus at Chambers as the 1 line was not running all the way. We had to take the 2/3 down and transfer).

We then got on the Staten Island Ferry and rode across to the other side. Past Lady Liberty herself. I haven't done that since my first and only time way back in 1972 when our 6th grade class took a day trip up to the city. I was 12 years old.
Today I am 46 and Sandra and I took photos with her disposable camera. Hopefully the pics will come out and I'll be able to post them.
The day was cool and crossing the channel was windy and cold. Brrr! But we had our scarves and hats on.
We then took 2 buses to Rockville and Nevada to High Rock Park. We hiked up a big hill in a residential neighborhood (puff puff) and made it to the park itself.
The wind was breezy then and it warmed up. We walked around then finally found a trail and followed it around.
We got to a lake and saw some guys fishing. So we walked around and found some firemen practicing near a campsite. Then we walked down, after using the indoor bathrooms (my mom taught me NEVER to pee outside and to this day I have a VERY difficult time doing that).
Then we stopped and had our half subs from Blimpies (whole wheat bread no mayo turkey lettuce tomatoes and olives, no cheese) for lunch. Sandra thought to have us buy it before we left Manhattan. They cut it into 4's so we both had a 4th while crossing in the Ferry, then the other 4th sitting on a small side dock. We saw something in the water, after I played with the moss, not Kate Moss but peat moss, so Sandra threw some soggy bread in. There were some small dark looking fish. Tentative eaters as they didn't want us to catch them I suppose. Not sure what kind of fish.
We walked around a bit more then Sandra's Aunt called on the cell. She lives in SI. She was at the beginning of the park, so we tried to find it again. I thought I knew the way, but we ended up going deeper into the larger park. We encountered many campers. Some girls who didn't seem to be glad to be there told us we were going the wrong way. (I think they were bad girls who got in trouble and had to come to camp but I'm not sure).
We finally found a parking lot, but it turned out to be a different parking lot. Turns out there is a Boy Scout camp up there which is private. Nobody stopped us or told us not to go by the lake so go figure.
Anyway, Sandra called her Aunt and they met us in the other parking lot. Her Aunt, her Aunt's husband, and their dog Justice. We were going to take Justice for a walk, but then some woman told us no dogs and that the Boy Scout camp was private. ARGH.
So we went shopping instead after dropping Justice off for a bath.
Then they dropped us off at the train station and we took the train back to the Ferry, then the Ferry back over, then the Subway back uptown.
A nice day and good exercise. Fresh air and scenery.
Twas fun!
Nature is a good thing. :)

Wicked to Wicked

Yesterday I auditioned, once again, for WICKED. I did well enough. Chorus call. Last time I auditioned, the second time, they typed and I was typed out. They didn't yesterday so MAYBE I have a chance. I'd love to be cast in WICKED. I love the show and it seems fun and relatively easy to perform, for the non-dancers that is. Plus, the show is only 2 blocks from me. What a perfect work situation that would be.
Ironically, the very FIRST audition I made in NY was for WICKED. That's when I had come out to see the show June 10, 2004. I found out they were holding auditions the week after, then found I was able to get my Equity card. So, I went. At first I was afraid I wouldn't measure up to "NY Actors." However, when I got to the audition, I saw 3 friends from LA who had moved here, and knew I was in the same league.
I sang "Look Over There" from "La Cage" yesterday. I did well enough. I went for the high note at the end, then trailed off and took it back down. A little weaker then I would have liked but I'd never tried it before and wanted to do so.
So, that might be my last audition for a while. Nice to start with WICKED and end with WICKED.
And so many auditions in between.
HOPE HOPE HOPE

Pics Ms Julie Wilson!!!

Sometimes I can't add pics to the post for whatever reason.

Here is a photo of the GREAT Julie Wilson! She is PHENOM! Going strong...all singers can learn from her! A great lady too. I saw her at the Gardenia in LA with Susan right before I moved to NY. She was amazing! AND, thanked every person in that room for being there, personally. A Champ!

Wicked Coincidences aka Small World Six Degrees

What a strange evening! As if it's not bad enough that I go crazy trying to figure everything out and analyze it to death...wait till you hear this.

I went to try my luck with the WICKED Lottery tonight as it's the first night that Ana Gasteyer is performing the role of Elphaba. I saw it the week after the Tony Awards with Idina Menzel, but when Ana did the role in the sit down company in Chicago, she got raves. She was in that production with Kate Reindeer as Galinda and Carol Kane as Morrible. Well, now all three are reunited in the Broadway company. Ana will be in for 13 weeks so I am going back to the lottery until I get in!!!
Well, it was a light turnout so I thought for sure I had a chance. I texted my friend Jay to join me but he was at work.
Well, I thought I would call my Aunt Dorothy in Kansas for good luck! She isn't my real Aunt, she's my sister Sonya's Godmother. She is still alive and living in a nursing home in Hutchinson, Kansas. I had called her last night as it was her 88th birthday. I kid you not....every time I talk to her she tells me she wants to go home....:) She lived in Claflin, Kansas most of her life, but her son moved her to Hutchinson to an assisted living place because she kept falling and was going blind.
And yes I had an Aunt Emma but she is passed. And no, Dorothy had dogs but never named them Toto. :)
Well, I didn't get picked for the lottery. I was disappointed and had to call Dorothy and tell her I didn't get in. She didn't really understand but she was glad to talk with me.
Well, I ended up meeting with Jay. He had just seen the new Broadway musical "Grey Gardens" earlier this week. I saw it when it was off Broadway earlier this Spring. He wanted to try to find the DVD of the documentary of "Grey Gardens" which inspired the musical. We went to Blockbuster but they didn't have it, then went to Virgin Megastore in Times Square. They were sold out.
While we were in Virgin, he got a text message, and so did I. My friend Eric was asking me if I wanted to get together and have dinner. There we were in Virgin, side by side, texting other people on our phones. I joked about it.
Well, we ended up going back to my place so I could put on warmer clothes as it had cooled down. I thought Eric was in Chelsea so we were going to take the subway down.
When I went upstairs to change Jay went and sat across the street in Worlwide Plaza to wait.
When I was upstairs, Eric called and it turns out he was at 55th and 9th, not far away. So I told him to meet Jay and I there and we'd go eat.
When I went downstairs to meet Jay he was sitting across from Starbucks. We could see in the window. I have an eagle eye when it comes to celebs..go figure...and I spotted Stephen Schwartz inside talking to 2 guys. Well, several years ago when I was living in LA, I met Peter Blair. At the time he was living with Stephen, just friends, and so as I got to know Peter, I ended up meeting Stephen. At the time they were doing staged readings of WICKED at Universal and Peter invited me to the second one. He had a few lines doing some chorus stuff.
I went and LOVED IT! Kristin Chenowith was Galinda, and then Stephanie Block was Elphaba. I loved the songs and when "For Good" was sung, I melted. Afterwards I told Stephen that he'd touched my heart again, as he had done with "Pippin" and "Godspell". He gave me a hug and I also thanked him for helping Peter. Peter was having a rough time around then.
Flash forward to my moving to NY. I had decided to come see WICKED with some friends, Gerry O'Neal, and then found out they were having the first chorus auditions the following week. I then found I was eligible to get my Equity Card, so I extended my stay to audition. I then found an email address for Stephen and emailed him to find out if he had any knowledge of Peter's whereabouts. Peter had left LA not long after the WICKED readings and I'd lost touch.
He did have Peter's email and gave it to me. I congratulated him on the success of WICKED and told him I was coming to NY to see it and audition for it. He was very kind and wished me luck.
Well I saw the show, loved it, auditioned, but didn't make it. Then I ended up moving to NY.
I have once again lost touch with Peter. I had run into Stephen at a preview of his children's musical. He didn't remember me and I forgot to mention Peter, the common denominator.
Well, seeing him tonight, I wasn't sure if I should try to go talk to him, remind him of Peter and find out if he had heard from Peter lately.
Jay sat with me. I didn't know if this "meant" anything or just was a coincidence. See, they are having chorus auditions again, THIS FRIDAY, and I signed up to go.
Not like I think Stephen could get me in, but I do admire his work and just wanted to remind him of our connection, and to see if Peter was ok.
Well, then Eric showed up and I introduced them. I pointed out Stephen Schwartz and he reaches into his book bag and pulls out the book WICKED..which he is reading....whooooo.
Well, it was decided that there was no reason for me to go in and interrupt, so we walked off. Of course my mind was racing trying to figure out what this "meant".
See, I often feel like I miss chances and opportunities because I am not one of the "pushy/aggressive" actor types.
Ok, still with me?
I was going to have us all go to Renaissance Diner on 9th and 52nd, but we got to Vinyl and decided to go there. Better choice and great food. Good prices too.
AND..they have 4 bathrooms decorated in star styles..Elvis, Nelly, another, and CHER.
Jay LOVES Cher so I made him go in there. They have a mosaic tile mural of Cher, a Cher Barbie doll encased in a glass booth in the wall, and they pipe in Cher music in the bathroom. FUN.
Jay and Eric started talking and Jay told Eric he was a waiter who works at Orso in LA. Eric said he had been a waiter when he first came to NY, and had worked at an Italian restaurant. Patino? Not sure.
Well, Jay said he knew a guy, Matthew, who had worked there, and Eric said he knew him...had met him right before he left NY to move to LA, where he works at Orso with Jay. ERIC knew him...and.....MATTHEW was the guy who text messaged Jay while we were in Virgin, and at the EXACT same time Eric was texting me. AND..Jay hadn't heard from Matthew in a few weeks, and Matthew texted him OUT OF THE BLUE....AND...Jay had thought of him earlier because we saw Craig Chester in Starbucks, another location, and Matthew and Craig are friends.
Do I hear the "Twilght Zone" theme song?
AND....earlier Jay had told me he had waited on Julie Wilson, the cabaret singer, earlier in the week. He had seen her in "Legs Diamond" years before and was very enthusiastic when he saw her. And very kind. She and her friends told the head waiter what a great time they'd had and what great service they'd been given.
Jay told me that Julie's friend told him that Julie would be celebrating her 82nd birthday this Thursday.
Well, I told Jay that our mutual friend Susan, in LA, was friends with Julie and would be overjoyed that Jay had waited on Julie.
I called and left a message with Susan telling her this. She called back and left a message when we were in Vinyl. She had just mailed Julie a birthday card and gift. Jay said, how wild that I waited on Julie and her friend told me it was going to be her birthday this week, and someone I know back in LA just mailed her a birthday card.
THEN...when we were outside, we ran into a friend of Jay's from LA, Ken Wiesman, who was one of the original producers of GREASE on Broadway. And earlier Jay had called the movie line to see if "Grey Gardens" was playing at the IFC in the Village, and GREASE was. Go figure.
So, whew....WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN?
I have not friggin idea!!!!
And Barbra cussed last night at Madison Square Garden. She said the F word. :)
Atta girl Babs!
I saw her in concert in LA the last two times...and can't afford it this time...so...memories...
So, WICKED, Stephen Schwartz, Eric, Matthew, Patino, GREASE, and Julie Wilson and Susan Lurie.
OH and Susan's birthday was this past Sunday.
SMALL WORLD isn't it!
I'm pooped!
LOVE NY!
Trying to convince Jay to move here.
Oh and I start a new job on Monday.
HOPE
Who am I anyway, am I my resume!!!

The Times They Are A-Changin'

I love my good fortune and am very grateful!

My friend Jay got two free tickets to see "The Times They Are A-Changin" at the Brooks Atkinson theatre, just 2 blocks from my place. He called me at 7:15 and asked if I want to go to an 8PM show. SURE!

So off we went. I had heard that the leading lady had been replaced recently, by the standby, Lisa Brescia. I love Lisa! I saw her in "Aida" right before it closed. She has an amazing voice!

We had good seats, balcony middle...a good view to see all the dancing...rather, acrobatics. The show was one big circus, with lots of stunts. In fact most of the stage was a big trampoline. Very fun.

The voices are AMAZING. Michael Arden is so good I officially "hate" him, like Judy and Barbra on "The Judy Garland Show". :) He is awesome.
Lisa did NOT disappoint....she is wonderful. I hope she gets a CD of her own soon.

The actor playing the father looked like Dylan, Thom Sesma. Great voice as well.

The staging is rather like Cirque Du Soleil mixed with an old time circus all stoned! The storyline isn't as strong as "Movin' Out" and the choreography wasn't very dance oriented, for the most part. There were some amazing moves and Michael did do some fine dancing. I liked it all, not love! Jay loved it. I saw several people checking watches and cell phones, and the show is only 70 mins long. A few people walked out.

It's not everyone's type of show, but it is artistic and they do put Dylan's songs to good use.

I'm glad I saw it and hope it does well. It's still in previews.

The Broadway season has begun. "Grey Gardens" is in previews, and "Chorus Line" just opened. Tonight in fact. We'll see what the reviews say. Jay saw it and liked it, not loved it. My friend Joe saw it. He'd never seen the show before at all and he loved it. So you see, Broadway is big enough for everyone!!!

Thanks Jay!!

Oh, and when Jay and I were across the street in the Worldwide Plaza courtyard after the show, Annie Golden walked by. She's rehearsing "Mimi Le Duck" to open in the New World Stages underground there. I saw the show in the Fringe festival and got tickets for Cathy and Jan for Oct. 22. Well, Jay turned to her as she walked by and told her she was fabulous! She thanked him. :)

AND...Jay got free tickets for that show too..through work!!! So, we're going to see that.

Also going to get the $25 tickets to sit in the front row of "Evil Dead The Musical" next Friday the 13th, that a friend Darryl Winslow is in. Whew...love me some free and inexpensive theatre.

I'm a lucky man...remind me that when I bitch about not getting anything good. :)

Mermaid

For some reason I can't get the photos to upload. I'll try again.

Mermaid and Mundane

Well I got up and went to the EPA for "The Little Mermaid" this morning. Yes Disney is taking over 42nd Street, but that's ok. "Tarzan" was fun, and "Mary Poppins" has gotten good notices in London. I have NO idea how they are going to make LM swim...the underwater sequence in "Tarzan" is brief and behind a screen with wires and lighting.
Still I schlepped on over and got in line early. I got my usual time, 11:10AM so went home, showered and vocalized, then went back. I sang "I Love to Cry at Weddings", my standard comedy, short, uptempo song. I did well and got a nice "Thank you Tony". Lots of younger kids. Still, nothing ventured nothing gained, and since I am starting a long term temp assignment tomorrow, well I wanted to get one big audition in.
Yes, back to the "real world" tomorrow. I have been signing up with employment agencies and temp agencies. I have a temp to perm job tomorrow back at the real estate company. We'll see how it goes. I have to be self supporting through my own contributions.
Had to have my apartment sprayed AGAIN, for BEDBUGS!!! Ugh. I found one alive in the bathtub. Luckily I haven't been bitten or infested, so got the exterminator out here yesterday and he sprayed and powdered. My next door neighbor Sandra, and the guy downstairs, Mike, found one each too, so they are getting sprayed tomorrow. We had a really bad problem in the Spring..again I lucked out and only found a few in the bathtub..they come in through the cracks in the wall. We were sprayed and powdered then..poor Sandra and Mike got bitten, but I was fortunate and didn't. I think it's the odorless garlic that I take every morning for my cholesterol.
So, hopefully this will get rid of them once and for all.
So, we'll see. The weather was warm today. A welcome respite from the drizzly weekend we had.
Church was good on Sunday..God is Within. AND we sang my FAVE hymn, "Softly and Tenderly". It's sad but I so love it..they used it in "The Trip to Bountiful" and I cry every time I see that opening sequence.
I sang loud and proud for sure.
This Sunday are the auditions for the Christmas show. "Oklahumble". I directed ANNIE last year...this year I am just auditioning. So we'll see.
Be of service and have a good time.
Hugs and Hope!