updates

I suppose you'd like to read something new since a week ago Tuesday? It's not that I've been particularly busy, but I have had various little things going on.

Last Saturday afternoon, I had to set up my digital piano at a conference center in Independence and rehearse a song with Dorothy Savage (NYC stage actress and wife of Phil, general manager of the Browns). From there I went to Fantasticks rehearsal, then afterward changed into a suit and headed back to Independence for the Cornerstone of Hope gala dinner fundraiser. Dorothy did an awesome job and we seemed to mesh well, so I hope we'll get to work together again. Plus, she sang "Hold On" from The Secret Garden, which I've been wanting to play for a good singer for some time.

After a great dinner, I dragged my piano gear out to my car, headed home, changed into cargo shorts and my one Hawaiian-esque shirt, and was off to Bre's annual tropical party. She always hosts a party in February where she turns up the heat in her apartment, we don summer clothing and drink fru-fru beverages with little umbrellas in them. A similar effect as the Home & Garden Show, only more fun and without the home improvement carnies shoving Veg-O-Matics in your face.

I had an opportunity to play Joseph Hewes in 1776 at Tri-C West, but I would have been rehearsing that on weekdays whilst performing Fantasticks on weekends. Plus, both Cassidy and Tri-C West are over half an hour away, and I wasn't really interested in doing two shows back-to-back at that distance. Again, if I were living further east or near I-480 I wouldn't mind. *ahem*

Besides, I was supposed to be on hiatus, right?

On Tuesday I treated my parents to dinner and an excellent production of Wicked at Playhouse Square (my Christmas gift to them). That means I've seen the show three times in as many years. Between Toronto, Chicago, and Cleveland, I think I liked the Chicago iteration best. Among the three actresses who sang the hell out of Elphaba, I probably preferred Stephanie J. Block (Toronto tour), but all three gave me chills during "Defying Gravity" and "No Good Deed." Erin Mackey's Glinda in Chicago struck the best balance between sparkling perkiness and annoyingly cute schemery. But one thing that really made the Chicago production strong was its powerful chorus. Cleveland's was good enough, but the Chicago cast really blasted that theater with a musical energy.

Now if you'll excuse me, I have a harp to practice.

Edited to add: We also bought our tickets for Legally Blonde and Young Frankenstein. The Landeses and I will be spending a week in (near) New York City around July 4th, staying with Stu's aunt. That means a built-in babysitter so we can skirt off to Broadway shows. :D