Line Runner

We had a great first weekend of "Superior Donuts"!  Our crowds had a bunch of energy, and our characters just came alive.  Things clicked.

So far, I've only heard of one, maybe, person being shocked at the "language."  Despite all the "mature audiences" warnings, and the word "pussy" written in big red letters at center stage, some people just don't pay attention.

But everyone else has.  They laughed at everything they should have, even getting some humor that escaped me earlier.  The crowds have been kind, congratulating us.  (People who know Russian have been impressed with Carl's accent and characterization of Max, the immigrant DVD entrepreneur.)

A delightful review came from Huntsville Theatre Reviews.  Robert Montgomery wrapped up his review of "Superior Donuts" with these words: "These are real people, with real lives-- real loves and loss, real dreams and history-- and it well deserved its opening night standing ovation."  Thank you so, so much for supporting us, Mr. Montgomery!

So many folks I know posted wonderful things on Facebook about the show!  Even my friend Anne, up in Chicago, is impressed we're doing this play.  Living in a ("better") Uptown neighborhood, she enjoyed reading Tracy Letts' play.  Too bad copyright laws prevent us from taping it.  Of all the plays I've done, I'd like most for her to see this one.

For a cast with varied roles/types and stage time, we are pretty chill together.  Being all in one dressing room helps.  We didn't plan on being in one dressing room, but with the VBC staff repairing a water leak in the women's dressing room, us gals (all 2 of us) had the options of "the green room," "the men's dressing room," or putting up with smell of epoxy and copious cement dust.  The men's dressing room is warmer and less public than the green room.  If you're wondering, we have very few costume changes, and all of us are "veterans" of community theater and know how to be respectful of others changing.  We talk smack about other things like football, drinking habits and jobs.  I think the only change is that the guys aren't using the urinals.  Then again, maybe they're shy pee-ers and don't use them around each other.  I wouldn't know.

Oh, and our cast motto is "Embrace the Pussy."
Yep.  We've made many jokes....

Now, it's the Wednesday before we start our second weekend.  We are sitting around the stage and doing a line run-thru.  We could have done a walk-thru, where we say the lines and move through our blocking, but no costumes and props/tech.  We're not doing a speed-thru, either, but we are popping out our lines at a quick, natural clip.  Thank God no one is pulling a green-dragon.  Unless everyone agrees beforehand, (and you're mentally prepared,) a green-dragon can turn into a real ego-fest.  For a show with a six-week rehearsal and that only runs two weekends, we don't need a green-dragon to "perk" us up.  We find plenty of things in the show to riff on while we're off stage.

If you're local and read this, come see this play.  We perform Thursday/Friday/Saturday (Jan. 21, 22, 23) at 7pm and a Saturday matinee at 2pm.  Ticket info at Theatre Huntsville.

Jeff White took some fabulous photos of the cast & show, that I'll post later.  But here is a scene from the fight.

Yeah, this show has everything.  It has heart.

"Superior Donuts"

I'm in this sweet little holiday show called "Superior Donuts."  It's by Tracy Letts.  The dialog is full of cussing.  The set features graffiti "Pu$$y" center stage.  A character gets mutilated.  There's a major fight scene.  The cops are kind of useless.  I play a senior-citizen homeless wino.

But it really is a sweet little holiday play.

It's sweet because the premise is that some people who seem lost in their directions in life finally find their ways to being the better people they want to be.  The bad guys get defeated.  We get to eat donuts.

It's little because it's fairly short, there are few set-change elements/costume-change elements, so the scenes should move along.

It's a holiday play because the setting notes say the play takes place in Uptown Chicago over a few weeks spanning from December thru January. The average person won't realize this until the last scene when a character says "I trust you have wonderful holiday time?"  But, since theater people in Huntsville are geeky people, I have learned that the "Chicago Comics Con" takes place annually in December; one of the show characters does Star Trek cosplay at the convention which is often referenced in the play.

So, see?  Sweet little holiday play!  (Come see me wear a droopy poinsettia on my hat and hear me cuss!)

Did She? Did She?

And????

Oh, yes she did!!!!!!!

I got a role in Fantasy Playhouse Children's Theater production of
"The Great Cross-Country Race"!

(I've known since the night of call-backs.  I was at Big Ed's Pizza and enjoying a meal with Carl, my kids, the Millers & Jeremy.  After taking the call-- and taking the role-- I hopped all over.  Don't yell.)

I should have blogged about this sooner, but as you can tell, I've blogged about other things.  Another reason I delayed blogging was that I wanted to find my photos from 2000.  Remember, I said I'd been in this play with this company before.  And???  So????

In 1999/2000, I played "Mrs. Warren" a rabbit.

In 2013/2014, I will play "Mrs. Warren" a rabbit.

I would have been happy with any role, but to be offered Mrs. Warren again--- y'all, there's a special thrill in being able to say you're reprising a role.  For auditions, I brought the characterization I'd used before; I think that helped win it for me.  I'm tempted to describe it as "nailed the role," but any good character is a composite-- what I know and bring to the show, and what the director(s) know and impart to and develop from me.

The director the first time I did the show was PJ Sligting, and he was assisted by Karen Alexander and the student director Eric Sizemore.  Even while I was auditioning, PJ suggested that I try to talk as if I had the long teeth and lack of lower lip like a rabbit.  The nervous, rabbity lisp seemed to be just right.  They "blocked out" Mrs. Warren's movements in the scenes I appeared in; I thought up "business" to make her seem nervous & matronly (chasing large balls of yarn as they spilled out of my basket worked nicely.) They had such confidence in me that Karen suggested that I get added to the "cornfield" scene.  It did make sense, since each animal reappears at different race check-points and the cornfield was Mrs. Warren's; but as that scene was written, it was so busy that it would seem unlikely a nervous character like Mrs. Warren would poke out her nose (busy means about 10 loud characters dancing, flailing, and scampering.)  But I found my niche-- serene until the picnickers arrive, then scampering, flailing and dancing. The best proof that I'd done my job as an actor?   My character was so sweet that I got many, many requests for my "autograph" from the audience kids at the after-show meet-n-great.  Sigh.  If they believe, then I am.

I love to create.  I adored working with other actors and stage-crafters.

Brent Baker designed our make-up, which left me amazed at his artistry.

Marie Sexton, with fittings from Carol Morris, designed my "fuzzy bunny" costume; that costume was so soft & warm, I was constantly getting hugged backstage by the "young humans" because they were in summer clothes and the AC was blasting.

The first time I walked on the completed stage--- as designed by an awesome crew

that included Dennis & Sharon Griffin, Gary Knight and Bob Baker among a dozen others---  WOW, I felt I'd truly entered the quarry glade by the stream. Bitsy & Steve Thornton were in charge of props, the smoke machine "water" and helping the stage managers keep us calm & on cue.

The actors I got to meet:  Ronni Kirk & her son Ross, Gabe Jamie & his brother Ari, Emily Griffin (yes, daughter of the above & now pursuing stagecraft in NYC,) Patrick Key (who was back home in between roles in NYC,) Michelle Allen (who had work interfere with plans to direct the current iteration,) Jeff White (photog extraordinaire) and many others.

Some have moved on to follow their jobs or families;  the young ones have grown up to follow their futures.  Sadly, Carol & Bitsy are no long with us, but I consider myself blessed to have gotten to know them.

Now for the future!  This time I will be directed by Lorie Hubscher, who is assisted by Liz Graham and the student director Theresa Gardiner.  My make-up will be done by Wynn Oldham.  Tom Morris will helm up the set (and I'm certain he's already lining up more talent.)  I wonder if Marie will be able to let-out my old costume, for I am "much too matronly" now.  And while many of the cast are new to me, over the years I've gotten to know so many other folks whom I'm glad to act with again or finally share a stage with: Cheri Furno, Kevin O'Brien, Sarah Altonji, Michael Keeney, Bill Hubscher and his boys Robbie & Mikey.

First rehearsal is a month away on Dec 17, and we open February 14, 2014.

"Ready... Steady... GO!"

A Willing Victim to the Whirlpool

Got sucked in again.

Kinda wish I could have spent all week eddying around the Green Room.

Ah, community theater! I love it.

Weeks and weeks back, I was contacted by the costumer for Theatre Huntsville's production of "Arsenic and Old Lace."  She needed some period hats and the "Abby Brewster" actress recommended me.  (Gaylen is such a dear!)  As if I could refuse, even if I wanted to; most of my hat collection is courtesy of TH's rummage sale last fall.  When they need, I gratefully lend!

In between my other obligations and Suzi's schedule, I didn't get my offerings out to her until the first night of tech week.

That's when I got sucked in, so to speak.  Poor Suzi!  A friend of hers had offered to help her sew up vintage-style costumes, but then had her own issues to preempt her time.  Luckily, the woman playing "Elaine" (the delightful Sonja) is a talented seamstress and sewed her own pieces, and Sonja's mom was able to complete a complicated blouse; but, well, otherwise Suzi was alone in her efforts.  When I arrived, I was not just hats and gloves, I was company.  I was an extra pair of eyes to say yes or no if something worked.  I was a receptive set of ears to bounce ideas around.  I was a bonus resource to complete costumes with lace, jewelry, slippers, clutches, notions.  I was a spare pair of hands to pin hems, fit pieces, trim bits, or throw a stitch on the machine (or take one out.)  I was there.

And I liked it.  I like being useful, creative, social.  Suzi believed she was so far behind, but as I helped her tidy up and think out loud, it turns out she was almost there.  It was just a matter of finally getting the costumes on bodies, reviewed and in motion to know exactly what was needed to complete each thing.  And someone who could get in the car & fetch-n-step while she kept her foot to the treadle.

Suzi has been a delight to get to know; an interesting woman with an interesting life; gracious, but no-nonsense.  It's been good to hang out at the Playhouse-- I've been away too long.  It's been good to see so many familiar faces and to be seen.  If my time had been more free this week, I wouldn't have minded spending all of tech week there, helping to tighten things up.  I adore the art of theater; on stage, back stage, audience--- something about it is "home", I guess because it is one of the few things in my life I have sought by myself, for myself and have made my own.

Speaking of making, check out these hat pins to give a "splash" of color to the cream hat Elaine will wear with two different dresses:

Coral Casual

Evening Aquamarine

"Martha Brewster" (Linda) needed her own, distinct, Victorian hat.  I mean DISTINCT. Let my own DLG model:

Oh, my.

Guess What I Did Today?

I auditioned.

For a play.

For a play being produced by Fantasy Playhouse Children's Theater:
"The Great Cross-Country Race," a retelling of the tortoise and hare fable.

I've been wanting to audition with them, but until now, my schedule didn't mesh.  To perform with them would be a delight, since I have a 9yo & a 4yo who would appreciate hanging out with me at the rehearsal space.

Fantasy Playhouse auditions with monologues, either from prepared pieces or from a variety of sides available at sign in.  When I turned in my audition form, the charming women at the table gave me "The Forgetful Fairy Godmother."  Sweet!  Elderly & daffy-- right up my alley.  I had so much fun with that piece; I used my glasses for searching, and crawled on the floor trying to find my wand.  I can be humble, but y'all, I rocked.

Even better, I was "called back" to further audition on Sunday!

Yay me!!!

I had fun; it's been a while since I've auditioned for anything.  It was good to "get back in the saddle again," so to speak.  Even better to audition and, I hope, perform with Fantasy again.  I haven't done anything with them since I got started with theater in Huntsville, almost 15 years ago.

In 1999.

With "The Great Cross-Country Race."

Prop-erly

As I've mentioned before, I "do" community theater because I get to be creative.  Some of my handiwork from two of the latest shows:

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This is "mom's work space."  No kids or husband allowed.

 The big trunk o'props. More rehearsals=more stuff.

When your space is limited backstage,

a "props shelf" is better than a "props table."

A jug.  A jug of whatever you want it to be.  For "Frankenstein," it was first water, then wine.  I assembled it for "The Women" seven years ago; the handle was severely broken and it had no cork, but the price at the antiques booth was right.  A good condition jug was about $60. This one was about $15, not including $3 in supplies from Dollar Tree (supplies of which left me with extras.)  Not bad for a jug of "hooch."

This is a "crash box," believe it or not. In the second scene of "Frankenstein," the servant Fritz brings in a tray of tea before he is physically upbraided by his master Victor.  I hadn't been paying attention to the pantomime accompanying the dialog/blocking, so when given a tray, "Fritz" startled me by dropping it.  Made character sense, but I wasn't expecting it.  SO, those two china cups & saucers? Nix. And forget a teapot with liquid. Back to the drawing board. Came up with some plastic "coffee cups" from Party City that I sprayed a flat silver, a large metal potpourri holder that I also sprayed to resemble a sugar bowl, a smaller metal tray to set the bowl on, three teaspoons, and one "napkin" for "cleaning up."  Yep, it made a racket. We only lost two small chips out of one cup.  That's some sturdy party ware!

I'm proud of this. We needed candles that looked real, wouldn't break and wouldn't catch anything on fire. Being a pack-rat paid off. I have saved the heavy "cardboard" center rolls from my Costco plastic & foil wraps. They're too heavy for cardboard, but I don't think they're true pressboard tubes, either, even though I required a small saw to cut them down to size. I cut two short "candles" from one tube, making sure each had a machine-cut end for a base and my own crooked cut for a "melted" top. A battery-powered tea light fit inside each tube. I used a glue gun to create wax drips on the outside and an interior rim for the candle to rest upon. Then I painted the whole thing white to match the tea-light. To help the "candles" to stay put on their holders, I added a dixie-cup inside for packing material. Turned out well, and at about 50¢ each, we could afford to break a tea-light. Not that you can break an LED, but why tempt Fate?

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The props table space says what it is, but not how & why. This is from "It's a Wonderful Life." Brenda had already acquired all of the props she could find available from the Theatre Huntsville building. A few still had to be acquired or made, like this one for the maid Annie who gladly pitched in to help the Baileys in their time of need, "I was saving this for my divorce, if I ever got married." Since Marcie, who was playing the character, was about seven months pregnant, and feeling it, I didn't want her to carry a real & heavy jar of coins (which begs to be stolen, broken or filched for the coke machine.) I always have an empty Classico jar around, and toy coins aren't very expensive. To add some realism, I got some gold-foil chocolate coins which would be about the size of the gold coins of the day. Boy, did all the kids beg to have just one candy!

This is the "it's a miracle" basket of money. Brenda had found a peach basket and some bubble wrap to fill the bottom, while her husband, who coincidentally played Uncle Billy who loses the money, used their printer to "make" money for this basket and other scenes that needed folding money. To give it realism, I found some green felt and glue-gunned it over the bubble wrap and around the edges. I then bought some pale green paper & cut it to the size of the fake bills, and glued to them to cover the felt. On top of that I glued my allotment of fake bills. With everything thus glued down, they would not fall out of the basket, no matter how it was carried or put down. It would also be easier to remove the individual "donations" put there in the closing scene. I made sure the papers & bills were folded/crumpled to seem randomly thrown in. Brenda said the basket looked good. She would sit out in the audience every night for a few scenes (especially the ones her husband was in,) and she told me that no matter where she sat, THAT looked like a basket full of money.

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Fun stuff, isn't it? And you couldn't pay me to do it.

Sing Hallelujah!

In one week Scott is going to have the time of his life.

The Huntsville Community Chorus Association, in conjunction with the Huntsville Youth Orchestra, will be presenting, as the meat of their Christmas concert, Handel's Messiah: Part 1 with the "Hallelujah Chorus." This is the piece of music that says "classical" to him. In his own words:

"When I was a child I looked through my parents' record collection and found a bright red box that stood out from the other albums. In huge letters at the top: "MESSIAH". It was one of my earliest classical music experiences and I've never tired of it since. This Friday night I'll be amongst the HCCA as we and the Huntsville Youth Orchestra perform the Christmas version. I hope to see you there!"

In the years past, he's enjoyed participating in the annual Messiah Sing-a-long hosted by Weatherly Baptist Church. He has his own libretto. To rehearse and prepare, he listens to his CD in the car. This year, he's preparing to be a part of something bigger than even that.

I cannot wait to hear the concert.

Here's some links for the curious: a Facebook Event Page, and the HCCA's own page.

I hope to see you there, too.

A Wrap

The show closed tonight.  As final days go, it was extraordinary.  We all arrived for our early call; some early, some on time, some late, none rushed or irate, most not thinking about the parting sorrow later.  For once, we had to find someone with a key to open some rooms.  And no one was put out.

Props were set, set was propped.  Hair and make-up were applied, for the last time for most.  Now was not the time to pre-plan for load-out. We had a 2 p.m. show, and the audience deserved our best.

Our best was there.  The littlest Holland who makes an adorable cross as the paper boy?  Extra! Extra! Read all about it!  Local Boy Gets Vociferous Applause!  And wasn't even family!  Each moment had extra energy, extra poignancy.

Between shows, the Director, Assistant Director and Tech Director were given cast photos framed with large white mats the cast signed. Yes, there were a few tears.

An actress shared a yummy recipe with me for "Low Country Cookies."  So good!  I'll admit, I ate the first one and I ate the last one. Who knew they had coconut in the middle?

Our "guardian angel" brought us a treat as well.  Or should I say, "guitarian angel"?  Chuck brought a couple of guitars and jammed with several of the guys.  That bunch was incredible!  Like a lazy afternoon at the Daisy Theater for no particular reason.

The last performance.  The last time, this was said, that worn, everything back to the prop table.  We packed it up as it returned. Show was over far too fast.  While the cast was hugging, the crew was already taking it down.  No one wanted to stay up late.  No one wanted to say good bye.  All of us relieved to be going home.  All of us looking forward to what's next.

Yes, it was a wonderful life.  I have no doubts the best might yet to be.

To Say Goodbye

I went to a funeral today.  I'm of an age now where it is more likely that I'll attend a funeral than a wedding.

A funeral should not be the last place you say goodbye to someone.

Edd H. Balch died unexpectedly last Sunday, November 11.  During his eulogy, it was said that he came to church as usual, sang with the choir, and excused himself after the singing.  Then the ambulances came.  He didn't revive.  He went from singing God's praises on earth to exalting them in heaven.

Edd left earth-bound his wife Elaine, a woman of great forbearance and mirth, and who has also made me some charming costumes.  Also here are his sons Dustin (kindly and conscientious, but also quite a cut-up during "Arsenic and Old Lace,") and Ashley (who, as the local hockey team's PR Manager, made my son's year by giving him a hockey shirt during an Autism Awareness photo shoot.)

These are just the family I know.  But Edd had that talent of making anyone feel like family.

Edd was one of the first to welcome me to and encourage my participation community theater.

First time I met Ed was during the Decatur Arts Council "Stepping Out Follies" fund-raiser.  There he was so soft-spoken and mild, apologizing, if he used the strong word "Dang."  So when he performs this dance number where the costumes are 1/2 guy & 1/2 gal, I was astounded.  He had so much fun, dancing silly and in semi-drag.  That's when I met his mischievous side.

I had the honor to be his Assistant Director for Bank Street Players' production of "Arsenic and Old Lace."  I came recommended by Carol, and Edd was glad for the help.  My car became a rolling props/set dressing cart.  But every rehearsal, he'd help me set it up and put it away.  He'd ask my opinion about the set-dressing, the actors' blocking, the props, the lines.  If someone was absent, I'd step into the rehearsal with voice &1 blocking. I learned much from him about direction. And patience.

The last time I saw Edd was about 9 years ago. He was directing for BSP "Jane Eyre." It was funny that  when there was a sound effect need for a dog backstage, Edd barked.  He was just that kind of guy.

Looking in my Decatur-theater scrapbooks, I could not find a good photo of him to scan.

I did find that at least seven people who were there at the start of my wonderful hobby are now gone. Some way too young, all seemingly too soon.  Edd is just the latest.

Thank you, Edd, for being Edd.  The world has been a bigger, more mirthful place because of you.

Come See This!

It's almost Friday, and I've only got this that can be posted in thirty minutes or less.

Theatre Huntsville's production of "It's a Wonderful Life" open tomorrow, Friday, November 9th and runs for this weekend and next. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. at the VBC Playhouse.

No, I'm not in it. But you'll see my photo up on the lobby display, my thoughts about Christmas, and my name in the program. You'll see a bit of my handiwork, too. Look for Annie's fruit jar of money and the news boy's papers' bag, as well as "Bailey Boarding House" sign. I set the party table and have made repairs to a telephone and a basket. A few small personal items appear with some actresses. I also glued that Christmas tree together so it could be moved and attack someone. But my crowning achievement was the topper for the bushel basket of money.

Utility player on the crew, that's me.

For tickets and for more info on Theatre Huntsville:
www.yourseatiswaiting.org

Thanks for supporting the arts in Huntsville.

Back into the Fray

Today has broken my four-day streak of having my post ready the day before for morning auto-publish.

I was up late, back into the fray.  Yes, barely a week off, and I'm doing my theater-thing again.

(Don't judge me.  You know who you are, and you just might be jealous.)

I'm helping as tech crew for "It's a Wonderful Life."  I'm involved for various reasons:  the director Gina came and asked me to help tech-- it'd been far too long since we'd worked together;  I have a soft spot for the play, as it was the first one I'd ever been cast in way back in 1995;  I figured being mere "crew" would be "easy" with no lines to memorize and no leadership to plan.

Backstage, it is as true as on stage; there are no "small parts" and now I know there is no "mere crew."

I ADORE IT.  (I might even love it more than chocolate biscuits.)

Brenda is new to Theatre Huntsville, but eagerly volunteered to be in charge of props.  She's found a splendid trove, but still had some gaps in the inventory.  I'm helping her with those, as well as taking notes on where pre-sets need to be.  I also found the butcher paper for setting up the tables with permanent drop spots.  (It was in the sewing room-- nice to know some things don't change.)

I've made myself two lists of 'things to do' and 'things to acquire.'  One is on my phone and the other is on the envelope of my parking passes.

With all of those notes that I shared with Brenda, she offered to put "being in charge of props" on me because of my experience.  No, no, no.  I'll tell you what I told her and what I'd already had in mind before the directing staff & I found we were of the same mind:  Brenda should be in charge of props because she volunteered and put in the strong point work;  what she had done was excellent for someone whose previous experience was assisting a props person.

Most community theaters are in desperate need of two things, money & man-power.  Sometimes actors are hard to find, but it's harder to find folks willing to do the non-glamorous stuff like being on the board, taking out the trash, answering the phone & being tech crew.  I (and everyone else) are thrilled she has volunteered and has done so well.  The only way to know & grow is to DO.  I told her that I had all of these notes because I was a fresh set of eyes;  she'd been working on it for weeks.  Yes, I have experience, but that's because others before me taught me AND trusted me to be in charge.  She is deserving of the same trust and honor, and I do not want to take that away from her. I'm here to help, and once all of the gaps are closed up, she'll be the bull-dog to chase down actors for pick-ups & returns.  She'll have a few tricks of mine for her future opportunities.

I never want my function to be irreplaceable; we're all replaceable.  I want myself to be indispensable.

Therefore, since there is often little distinction, storage-wise, between props and set dressing, Leslie & I are on that.

I'll be at least swabbing pancake on our 3 dozen actors before the make-up person finishes them.

I'll give a hand (well, both hands) to Lynn & the other Gina with moving set pieces and making sure the traveler doesn't get hung up.

Since the leads' quick changes will also involve prop changes, I'll aid Stephanie with that.

I'll likely even help out with maintaining the body mikes.

I'll stay busy and useful and learn a few new tricks myself.  I'll laugh (quietly) back stage while bonding with cast & crew new to me.

Yes, I will be indispensable.  But I'll be having loads of fun!

My Good Day

It's almost October, which means next it'll be November, which means it'll be NaBloPoMo where it's new-year's resolutions for everyone to be better bloggers.

I'd better start now, since it's been seven and a half months since I posted anything significant. (The other three posts since then were more for fluff.)

The main thing is I've sort of spent the last seven months re-involving myself in theater, which is why I've had a "good day." For today I helped clean out the costume loft for Theatre Huntsville.

I'll admit that it was not entirely altruistic on my part. I need costume pieces for an upcoming production of "Frankenstein," (more on that in another post.) What better way is there to get a chance to pre-shop than to put some work in? Shawn, who has taken charge of the loft, was just fine with this. She uses this as a carrot to entice folks to help out on this project.

Not that anyone else showed up today. Leslie was going to be there, but her husband came down sick (vomit, fever, malaise, you know the drill) and needed tending to. Or at least buggy-whipped into going to the doctor's office.

Her loss, my gain of some yummy fresh, home-grown 'maters & a cuke from Shawn's garden!

I enjoyed working with Shawn and getting to know her. Lovely & strong lady who has remarkable twin teen boys, one who is on the spectrum and is home-schooled. Wow. I know a loving parent will do what needs to be done in the best interest of her child, but all through my son's diagnosis, I prayed that it would not come down to home-schooling. I didn't think I had the fortitude and patience for that.

Shawn evaluated which items were worthy to retain. Was it a style that might be used in a scheduled show? Was it a specialized, period costume in good repair? Was it a military uniform piece? Was it large-sized? If yes, then it was kept. Were they in poor repair? Were they something that could easily be found in a actor's closet or a thrift store? Were they vintage pieces that wouldn't fit anyone bigger than a wasp? If so, those went down to be sold.

I made few suggestions. I, instead, got a free workout. I don't know how many pounds of clothes I carried down the stairs or how many trips up and down the stairs I made, but it was plenty. I will feel the aches tomorrow, that's for sure, but I enjoyed the work.

I did rescue the "Greater Tuna" costumes. ("GT" should also be a post.) The attendance numbers were good enough for "GT" that there is talk of doing the "Christmas Tuna" show next year. Don't know if the same actors & costumes will be back for that, but likely yes. The pieces are stored all together now. I also fully unloaded the costume box, which didn't get done last week at load-out. I've now done my full part.

I also found Rose. Shawn and I talked about custom made costumes; she's bought ones made for her, and has made quite a few this past year for others. I didn't see my "Lady Windemere" costume anywhere. I wouldn't have minded having it, although of my turn as Lady Jedburgh, Jim Z. said I "looked like Queen Victoria, the decaying years." I did! Gray wig, more wrinkles than a prune, steel-gray dress, black shawl-- oh, yeah, and I loved it! I did "Lady W" for two reasons and two reasons only: I wanted to help Heather F-B with her first TH directing experience, AND I wanted the thrill of having a period costume made for me. I had fun. (Maybe one day in this blog I'll revisit old productions of WAY past.)

But I found Rose Mundy. Of the characters I've portrayed, I love Rose Mundy the most. I found my shift that was altered from a dress. I'm too big for it now, but I want it. Shawn thinks it might be useful for the next play TH is doing. If they use it, fine; if they don't, fine. But it will come home with me soon.

A pile clothes did come home with me today. I've got three cloaks for now and the coming August. I found some furry pieces perfect for a boggart (again, August-- ssshhhh.) I claimed some odds & ends to outfit a field-servant and a gypsy. I brought back over a half dozen dresses that, if they don't fit the cast, can be remade up together (or cannibalized, as I like to call it) to fit them. We are a curvy lot in this play. To round it out, I bought some old, white, fitted sheets at SVDP Thrift Store to make up some other pieces, especially for the Monster. They're far cheaper than buying yard-goods, and already aged-stained.

Yes, it was a good day for me: service for a non-profit I participate in; good company with a new acquaintance, thrifty and timely finds, a stress-free work-out and a yummy lunch.

I need this. I need to be involved.

Only tangentially related, a smart-phone self-pic from Thursday's delightful walk on the Greenway.

Where was I?

The show was great & it was encouraging for me to be back involved with local theater & all the wonderful people there. I'll say more on that tomorrow.

I'm also glad my stealth sinus infection didn't kill me. Ditto.

Again with the late post

If I had my book drive hooked up, I'd find a picture to post, but these will have to do.

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My baby girl seeming to know I'm home & relaxed after play rehearsal; she wakes & gently fusses until I come to pick her up and give her some goodnight snuggles.

Bringing large boxes for the properties women to use in the spaghetti-throwing scene, and seeing their faces light up because one box worked for the catch & the other for the crash, and the director complimenting them on it.

Having Samantha offer to fix my hair tonight and watching her effortlessly turn my tangled curls into a poofy, 80s big-hair creation. (Love it!)

Seeing more old friends/acquaintances again in person & not just on FaceBook.

Being able to share food, band-aids, bobby pins, safety pins, make up, jewelry-- and lots of wise-acre remarks-- to help us get ready. It's the "community" in "community theater" that I need the most.

Tired

Good day on the whole, even though I felt like I was chasing my fanny all day. MLB had a quick & satisfactory visit with his psychiatrist. First thing in the office & he wanted to be weighed & measured! (Just call him "Numbers.") He's up to 41 pounds & 45 inches, give or take. So he's growing OK for a kid on ADHD meds, and behavior is as good as it can get even in a non-ADHD kid, so we'll stay the course. Husband has sinus infection-- no surprise there. Wonder if my "allergy head" will succumb next. Fall Parent/Teacher conference went well; again, MLB is doing well in class & is making great progress on social & behavioral goals. I learned more about the AR Reading program & his goals; we also discussed maybe having his eating a satisfactory lunch tied into his behavioral rewards. At tech rehearsal, again there was ego & drama, but no one was killed or maimed, we all wore costumes, we found a few more lines & put them in the right order (they found us a great dinette set,) and we might get our pictures in the paper this Thursday. We'll see. Oh, and DLG didn't climb anything today

Over & out.

Ah, the DRAMA!

As far as first tech runs, it didn't blow big chunks tonight. Nobody fell off the stage. No set or technical pieces collapsed. In regards to those items, Karl built a Bee-U-Tee-Fulll set!!!! I was speechless. I know he'd been working on it by himself in between scenes (he's one of the "Gazpacho Brothers",) but from the mock-up we'd been using in our rehearsal space, I never expected THAT. Wow! Just Wow!

We also got all of our lines in, just not in the exact order. Don't know why that was. One thing is there was still "drama" between one actress and her displeasure with the fill-in costumer's idea of her costumes. Other was the realization that, no, the understudy was NOT taking over the lead role--- the lead actress thought she'd communicated that she was missing just that one more rehearsal, but that the understudy needed to be prepared. If you must know, one lead actress & one director are former spouses. That might just clarify how the misunderstanding happened in the first place.

On the Home Front--- my daughter is climbing EVERYTHING! Until this weekend, she specialized in beds, chairs of all kinds & tables (with chair assist as needed.) She has now branched out to her small bookcase, a small table that helped her climb to the top of her chest of drawers so she could play with the things we've kept up there and a decorative cross hanging on her wall that she thought made a good hammer, the changing table we've been using to store her toys, and over the side of the playpen we'd been using to keep her from climbing over everything. The bookshelf & table have been removed from her room, and the rocking chair might be the next to go. The playpen will be throughly cleaned & used only as a travel bed. We will have my mom bring the toddler-bed conversion rail over before DLG tries parkour with her crib.

A straight-jacket for one of us may be an option.

Do they let you pre-register at the Pediatric ER like you do for Labor & Delivery, because it's only a matter of "when."

Excited

I should exhausted, but I'm merely sleepy. I spent half of today in my car, dropping off recyclable& household hazardous waste, buying a few more last-minute supplies for the play, storing boxes of books and kid clothes at my parents' basement. On top of the usual weekend chore-catch-up.

But we move the play into the VBC Playhouse tomorrow! I've been picturing my station in the dressing room for days now. I try to get the same one every show-- back wall, 3rd from the front. It was the first station I was assigned to for my first Huntsville production. Yep, we actors get to be habitual creatures, if not out-right superstitious. I can even see my things spread out at my station.

This play is really going to happen!!!!!! Friday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m. is Theatre Huntsville's opening night for Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple: Female Version."

Two more weeks of living another life, and then is back to the reality of the up-coming holidays & all that "fa-la-la-la-la."

It's been better.

Rehearsals, we've had better. I'll allow that it was a "lame-duck" sort of rehearsal, our last one in the Plummer Road rehearsal space. But on top of that, we had to switch out lead actresses. The dear lady playing "Olive" had to all but bow-out; her father has end-stage cancer. It could be mere days, may God bring His peace to her & her family. Now the understudy has the role for all but maybe one performance if the first woman feels up to it. Another woman, within days of celebrating her 60th birthday, got let go from her job today-- a job she loved & just recently received an award in. The male cast members and one director were thinking more about what it's going to take to load up the set, move it to the VBC Playhouse and set it up. The other director was bell happy, ringing the "practical" doorbell & phone as often as he could, sometimes early & sometimes inappropriately. We were all trying to assemble 1980-ish costumes at the last minute, and some of the selections the producer recommended to yet another actress highly disappointed her.

Yes, obviously, the energy & sparkle weren't there. We've been at this for two months now (three if you count auditioning in August & getting our scripts then.) We might be overly familiar with Neil Simon's "The Odd Couple: Female Version," but we're not lock-tight with it either.

We move into the Playhouse this weekend, and the the real fun begins. Tech week is also called "Hell Week." We'll have the whole set up (and we're promised doors that don't fight with us... I'm going to miss that running gag.), we'll have to find our props and not trip over or break the set dressing pieces. We'll have to get used to having lighting & sound cues ironed out. There's finding our way on stage in the dark. Projection (not that we could ever be too loud.) Hair, make-up & costumes.

Ugh! I guess if I'm going to survive the next two weeks, I'd better stop blogging late at night & instead get some rest.

I love it.

Wouldn't want it any other way.