Update

I find weekends to be the most difficult posts to write since we're usually quite busy. So, for today we have an update in a list format.

Reading: Working my way through the Game of Thrones series.
Acting: Z and I are in a Christmas show together at our local theater.
Eating: Asian pears from our local CSA. (Trying to avoid the Halloween candy.)
Watching: American Horror Story, wishing Frances Conroy was featured more often.
Listening: The new Feist cd Metals and the soundtrack to The Book of Mormon.
Knitting: A sock yarn baby hat and a vest for me.
Drinking: Coffee from a French press. Mmmm.
Wearing: Sadly, my winter coat.

The Play's the Thing

Well, if any of you are still out there, I thought I'd share what's been keeping me busy lately. I was cast in Neil Simon's Rumors in June. I have the role of Chris Gorman and it's my first "leading" role. It's very much an ensemble piece, but I have the most lines and stage time I've ever had.

Buttons is doing well and is excited/nervous as the new school year approaches. She's in her last year of pre-school and I just can't believe how time is flying.

Ok, we're off to the library, but I had to touch base since it had been so long.

Almost, Maine

I started theater late in life even though it was something I always wanted to do. When we were waiting for Buttons I knew I needed something to take my mind off the wait (of course our wait was nothing compared to the parents who wait now). In the fall of 2004 I met the director of the upcoming show The Sound of Music in our local community theater. I decided on a whim I would audition. I wound up playing the part of Sr. Margaretta and the bug bit me big time.

In subsequent shows I was part of the ensemble in the musicals of this director and it was a great experience, but I really wanted to act (well, try to act) so I auditioned for Steel Magnolias, but was told I was too young for the part of Truvy. Well, my confidence waned a bit but I auditioned for Almost, Maine and was cast as Marvalyn, a woman whose relationship is not going well, but a man she meets in a laundry room gives her a wake up call. After auditioning for AM, I was asked to step into the part of O'Brien in Treasure Island less than a week before the show opened and I did it.

I'm now going to be the assistant director of our Christmas show and I'm going to be a part of two one act shows coming up in the new year. The reason I'm sharing all of this with you? I'm amazed at where this ride has taken me. I'm so glad I went to that first audition even though I was very scared to do it. If there's something you want to do but have a little fear about it, why not try jumping in now? The water is a bit cold at first, but it gets warmer and then you'll never want to get out.

Also...if you get a chance, go see the show (or, audition for )Almost, Maine.
It's really a sweet show, with some bitters thrown in for good measure.

Marvalyn hits Steve with an ironing board. Don't try this at home!

Life and Blogging

Currently life and blogging don't seem to be working well for me to do at the same time. I've been taking a bit of a break from blogging and stepping fully into life. One week from today is Buttons' birthday and the opening of the play that I've been rehearsing. My mom and her partner are coming to visit during that time and my house is a wreck. If you have any sage words of wisdom about keeping stress levels down, now would be the time to share.

I'll be taking a hiatus until next weekend though.

Arrrrrr....mateys!!!

As if things weren't hectic enough, I've added Pirate to my list of things to do. I was asked to step into a role at my local community theater. They asked me on Sunday and opening night is this Friday. So, I'm off to wield a cutlass and look fer treasure. Must go learn lines...

More Theater!

Well, I auditioned for a part in a local production of Almost, Maine and I'm crazy excited. This is my first non-musical and I really can't believe I'm in it. We just had our first read-through this past Tuesday and the cast is really talented. I'm a bit nervous about memorizing lines, but even more than that I have a stage kiss. This is my first scripted stage kiss as well as the first kiss I've had that didn't involve my husband (pre and post wedding) in over twenty years. It will be fine, but I'm really out of my comfort zone right now. Excited, anxious, and uncomfortable actually feels good though.

The Scarlet Pimpernel

I'm back! The play has taken up a great deal of time and energy, but I'm having a great time. I'm sorry to have been away so long my bloggy friends. I'm a little under the weather today with a scratchy throat, but hopefully I'll feel better by Friday when we get to do it all over again. I thought I'd at least give you a few pictures of some friends from the show along with me and my "pineapple" wig. We're having fun and I think the audience is enjoying it too. Of course with live theater, there have been mishaps but that keeps it interesting.

Jan and I play husband and wife in a couple of scenes and we're having a great time. We're in the wedding scene and are basically background for the real action that's taking place. However, we came up with the idea that I could be a jealous wife while he played the letch who can't keep his eyes off the bride. It's fun to be on stage doing something instead of pretending and we keep saying crazier things to each other. So, just remember when you're seeing a show and there are some people "talking" in a crowd scene, there's probably some very interesting conversations happening.

Anyway, I'm having a great time but I'm sure I'll be away from the blog a bit for a while.
Miss you guys though!

Opening Night!

If you've been wondering why my posts have been more lame than usual for a couple of months, theater is the reason. We open tomorrow night and it just can't happen soon enough. Don't get me wrong, it's been fun but it's time for an audience. I'm hoping my posts will liven up a bit next week when I may have more energy. Although I may need to actually break down and clean the house (blah). I'm signing off for the weekend while I play an upper class English woman, a blood thirsty knitter, a randy French tart and a very sad "guillotine-ee". Don't wish me luck!

(Erm, I don't really think I'm Helen Hayes, btw.)

P.S. I'm a bit nervous because I still don't have a costume for two of the big numbers. Do you think it's ok to just go on in a bra and petticoat?

The Scarlet Pimpernel

I don't know what part I'm playing yet, but I'm going to be in "The Scarlet Pimpernel" (the musical version). The read through begins today and I'll be 'playing' with some friends from previous shows and some friends who I roped into doing auditions. I'm really excited to be in another show singing again. Thanks for your good vibes. I'll give an update when I know what part I'll be doing. The director did tell me he would like to tip his hat to "Tale of Two Cities" and have a Madame Defarge character knitting at the guillotine, so I may get to knit on stage. How cool would that be?

Auditioning with Lepidoptera

A while back I posted about my dabbling in theater. Well, tomorrow I'm auditioning for another musical and I'm starting to get a few butterflies. A friend and I are doing a duet for the audition and it feels great, but part of the fun is that nervousness. I can't even tell you what a complete high opening night is. Cross your fingers, but please don't wish me good luck.

Dolly Parton Role...A Bust

So my weekend had my stomach in knots waiting for news on my audition for a production of Steel Magnolias. I wanted this part so badly I could taste the grits. The news came today in the form of an e-mail. I didn't get the part. Apparently the director really liked my audition but felt I was just too young looking to be believable as the mother of 2 grown children. I guess looking too young is not a bad reason to be turned down for a role, huh? It's still hard, but I'm looking forward to auditioning again in the fall for a musical. Believe it or not, I actually gained some confidence in the process. I went into it thinking I had no chance, then feeling like I did really well and probably nabbed it. That's progress. I think I'll probably audition for more straight (non-musical) roles with much more aplomb.

There Ain't No Such Thing as Natural Beauty

Well, I went for it again. I auditioned for the part of Truvy Jones (Dolly Parton's role) in Steel Magnolias. Before I went, I decided if I don't get the role, it would be just as well since it would take up a good portion of my summer. Then I went to the audition. The director put us at ease, there were many talented and fun women there and I had a great time getting up there and doing my best former beauty queen with a southern accent. I am no beauty queen and I am not southern, but I think I did pretty well and if I don't get the part it won't be because I didn't do my best. And now I want it. So send the good vibes and if y'all want to throw luck my way, tell me to break a leg.

As for the family, one of Hubby's gifts to me for Mother's Day was a DVD of Steel Magnolias. Now, ain't he sweet? As for Buttons, she told me she didn't want me to leave this evening. Ouch. She does enjoy my new habit of reading all of her Olivia books in a southern drawl though.

Waiting for Guffman

In my last post I asked for a topic. Wzgirl asked what theater performances I've been in and so here we go. My very first stage role ever was as Sister Margaretta in "The Sound of Music". (Sr. M. was one of the nuns in the movie who took part in sabotaging the Nazi cars and in the stage production is Maria's best bud.) What a wonderful time! In fact, Pixie from this post played Maria. It was a fun role and bigger than I ever expected to get my first time on stage. I was able to sing (solo and ensemble) and I was able to get a laugh. This picture was taken backstage and definitely not in character. Hubby and I were waiting to hear about Buttons and boy, did this make the time fly. (Contact your local community theater, Wzgirl!)

Next was "Jekyll & Hyde", which only had 2 things in common with "TSoM". It was a musical and many of the same people were involved in the show. I was cast in the ensemble and able to decide my own names: Lady Jane Cutswold and Iris, the blind beggar. Once again, it was a great time. This was early on after Buttons came into our lives and looking back, I don't think I would do that again so soon after the baby comes home. The rehearsals were mostly at night, post bed time, but I still missed my family. This picture was also taken backstage and pretty much in character as snobby upper class.

I definitely have the itch again, but I need to be selective about how I choose to spend time away from family. I would also like to do a "straight" show without any singing just to work on some acting skills. Thanks for asking Wzgirl!

Wondering about the title of this post? Check out this link.

Lying in the Gutter, Looking at the Stars

Tonight I went to see a play at a local community theater. I had a great time and am getting the itch to audition again. I came home to find out my hubby had been replacing our toilet. No, he is not a plumber, just a man with a plan. Our toilet is now sitting in our yard next to our house waiting for the next bulk trash day. Whaddya think about turning it into a planter till then? By the way, thanks hubby! You rock.