Show's Over

Well, the show is over and I guess I should finally deliver a picture without facial hair. This one is from probably the best scene in the show. The song is "The Creation of Man" where Percy (the guy in the tiger outfit) teaches us how to act like fops. His lyric here is, "Be the King of the Beasts in Pastels" and I just said "Meow" like a little kitty. Big Laugh. You not only get no facial hair pic, but as an added bonus, you get pink chiffon, too. Aren't you thrilled?

Today, I'm suffering from the usual post-show crash. I don't feel like I properly said goodbye to the people in this show. We hugged and shook hands and exchanged "see you laters." But, it didn't feel like it was over and we'd not be hanging out next weekend. This cast was probably the best cast I have ever worked with on a gets-along-no-divas level, not to mention talented to boot. Everyone was so friendly, so nice and we all got along so well. That was refreshing. If I didn't give a proper good-bye it's because I don't think there's really been an ending moment for any of those relationships that were created. I've come to grips that "show friendships" happen. Meaning, wonderful relationships are made during the rehearsal process that don't last once the show is over. This is due to all the actors doing other shows, not because the emotional links were fake. And, the truly real relationships will stick. I look forward to the next time I can work with anyone from this show again.

I haven't been talking alot about my Christan journey. That's becuase I haven't really been focused on it for a while. At least with the show being over, I can hopefully reestablish a daily prayer and Bible reading routine. I have noticed that I'm not feeling... at home... with the church I attend. The people I am most close to from there are for various reasons leaving it. Most of the reasons have nothing to do with the church itself, but life... as in it's hard to attend a church in Indiana when you live in California. But, this social loss is hard on me. I don't identify well with the twenty-somethings that are in the congregation. Nobody's fault. We're just at different places in our lives. And, I think I am seeking more friendships that are nearer to my own life's experience. I'm thinking about church-hopping, but then I kinda feel like I'm not giving some new relationships a chance. Plus, if I church-hop, who's to say that I'll be able to establish some frienships there? I don't know, so I guess this is a good point to ask God for a little guidance.

Opened

I guess I should say something about the show since it's opened. Friday and Saturday night's shows were about 1000x better than the previous preview night and 2 rehearsals before that. Those three rehearsals were not good shows. Most everything was in place. There wasn't dropped lines really. There was just no energy. I think we had reached a point that the show was audience-ready but because we didn't have an audience or its energy, we didn't have any energy either.

But, the opening night, the show was pretty damn good. The second night was even better. We got a lot of needed energy from the audience. And not just energy but laughs. You never know what an audience will laugh at. It wasn't perfect - we need to improve the scene changes - but we still had two very good shows. If I find a review, I'll post it.

And you know what I like about this show, I mean, besides the show itself. Not a single diva. Not a single bad vibe from anyone. Everyone has been a complete joy to work with. And, it's casts like this that I get the most enjoyment out of. Just friendly and talented people and I can't say enough about that. I can't wait for the next opportunity to work with any of these people again (which I am hoping that will happen with "Children of Eden" next fall).

All Gone

What? You didn't think you'd get to see my clean shaven face for free, did you? No, you gotta get a ticket - $12 bucks ain't so bad. Not only do you get ML's naked face, but you'll see 6 very straight men explore their *ahem* feminine side, 5 hotty French tarts, 4-part harmonies, 3 people entangled in lies, love and deception, 2 beheadings by guillotine live on stage, and a melodramatic, but happy ending.

Tonight is opening. Here's the link for ticket info. and another link for directions to the Belfry. There is road construction, so you might want to plan to leave a little earlier than normal to avoid any traffic snafus.

Again, there's a bajillion options for entertainment in the Indianapolis area over the next three weekends, and only a million or so of those options are theatre-related. Thank you to anyone who chooses any theatre-entertainment option for your support of the arts. And a special thank you who choose to come out to see this show. Your entertainment dollars could go to a variety of other options, but your patronage is greatly appreciated. I hope you enjoy the hard work that went into putting this grandiose show on this small stage.

Please, if you do come to the show, stick around the lobby for a while and introduce yourself. It'll take me maybe 10 minutes to get out of costume and I would love to meet, hear and speak to you.

Stage 3

Well, Stage 3 is here. It sucks taking pictures on my camera phone, but that's what I got. No iris adjustment, no focus, and I don't have Photoshop at home, so I can't tweak the colors. So, at least you know you're seeing an unaltered picture. I didn't try to doctor this one up to make it look better.

Shaved off the mutton chops. Just got the sideburns (which will stay for the show, unless the director says to nix them) and, of course, the pornstache. I don't like this look. Mainly because today it's called a pornstache. I'll like it more if it were still known as a handlebar moustache... Or am I thinking of a different 'stache?

The one thing I'm noticing is that with my hair pulled back I think my hairline is receeding. Need to look at older pictures and compare. Of course, my dad has pretty much been working the comb over since I was born. Guess I have that to look forward to.

Tomorrow, the final stage for the show opens... Naked face.

Click here for tickets and show times. There's numerous entertainment options for you in the Indianapolis area for the next three weekends, so I truly appreciate anyone who makes the trek to the Belfry in Noblesville to see this show. You now know what I look like, so make sure to stick around after the show and introduce yourself... unless your gonna go all stalker crazy on me... in that case, come to the show, but keep your distance and try to steal my tights from the dressing room.

Stage 2

Welcome to Stage 2 of Clean Shave 2007. So what's the big deal I'm making out of something as mundane has shaving? Well, there's many friends who haven't seen me clean shaven. That's dating back to college. I can think of only three times since 1993 that I didn't have some form of whiskers: my first post-college job interview in 1996, "Bye, Bye Birdie" in the summer of 2005, and well, in just a few days. That's it.

I didn't do too much this time; just disconnected the beard and 'stache by the width of my beard trimmer and razor. You can see that it's disconnected in this picture, but you can't really see the mutton chop sideburns since my hair's in the way. As far as the hands, well, I thought it would be funny to have jazz hands in this shot, but it doesn't translate well, does it? I don't know why I thought jazz hands would be funny, especially since "The Scarlet Pimpernel" has no jazz hands in it. Jazz hands are just funny. But, not as funny as a guy my size dancing... in pink chiffon... which is why you need to come see the show.

Click here for tickets and show times. Or keep reading... whichever...

The Belfry presents
The Scarlet Pimpernel
directed by Michael MoyerMusic Direction by Deb FarmerChoreography by Maggie OgleFight Choreography by Eric BryantJune 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17
Fridays & Saturdays @ 8pm
Sundays @ 2:30pm
Tickets $12 a person
(Cash or check at the door)
Reservations Strongly Advised
(317) 773-1085 (option 2)

Cast List
Percy Blakeney (The Scarlet Pimpernel) - Roger Schmelzer
Marguerite St. Just - Kathleen Horrigan
Chauvelin - Scott Ganyo
Percy's Bounders (The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel):
Ozzy - Michael T. Long
Dewhurst - Bob Penney
Elton - Ted Mast
Farleigh - Dan Hedlund
Hal - Cameron Clark
Ben - Josh Meyer
Armand St. Just - Brett Taylor
The Prince of Wales / St. Cyr - Mike Jones
Marie Grosholtz - Betsy Bullis
Tussaud - Duane Leatherman
Mrs. Jessup - Susie Mohr
Robespierre - R. Brian Noffke
Ensemble:Katherine Clark, Monica Brothers, Jennifer Hedlund,Dana Russo, Susie Mohr Trevor J. Schiro-Long

I'll try to do better with the picture tomorrow...

Stage 1

This is Stage 1 of Clean Shave 2007. The part I play in The Scarlet Pimpernel requires me to be clean shaven. I'll probably still have sideburns though. This is a look that my son has asked me to do for a while. He likes it because it's Triple H's beard. I like it because I'm damn sexy with it, right? (*crickets*)

So, everyday, I'll shave a little bit more until the look is complete and I'll do my best to post a new picture everyday. All I have is my wife's camera phone so this will have to do.

And, no, I'm not afraid of looking like a fool. In fact, I've learned that you can't be afraid to look stupid in front of others. You miss out on a lot of opportunity if you're afraid of looking stupid. And, at least to me, I look pretty silly with a naked face. It's the dreaded Plaisance double chin I inherited from my mother's side of the family. It's ok to laugh, that's what I'm here for... to make someone laugh...

The show opens Friday. Click here for tickets and show times.

Waltz, Waltz, Turn, Walk, Walk

I am not a dancer. I certainly do not have a dancer's body. So, I feel like I have to make up for that when dance is required. It takes me longer to learn the choreography. When I'm not onstage, I'm going over the dance steps. The really sickening thing to me is... all I really wanna do is dance! It's my weakest link in the triple threat (singing, acting, dancing) but I do love it so. How much do I love to dance? My current pipe dream is to become a celebrity not for the fame and fortune, but so I can qualify to appear on "Dancing With The Stars." If you watched the latest season, I'm easily the Billy Ray Cyrus of the ensemble. By that I mean, I'm all heart and character, not much rhythm.

So, I get frustrated with myself when I have trouble with the choreography. And, it's not like I'm having major, I-can't-learn-it problems. I'm just demanding perfection out of myself. To be honest, an audience probably wouldn't notice my waltz isn't the best thing. But, I don't want to be the one that slacks and makes the ensemble and stage picture look bad.

At the end of Act I, there's an incredible song called "The Riddle." There's kind of a love triangle between the 2 male leads and the female. And, they are singing about who can they trust. Very good Act I ender song. In it, the ensemble does a very fast-paced waltz. Probably about 2 minutes of waltzing... really friggin' fast. I'm nearly out of breathe at the end and have to hit a hit Bflat. That note is right at the breaking point of my range. If I can't support the note, I can't hit it. Luckily, the stage is small and I can use my falsetto voice to hit it. Don't have to worry about power on this small stage. Falsetto should be fine. At least the music at the end is written to be able to go, "Note-GASP for AIR-Note-Big Gasp-HIGH NOTE that I have to hold forever." Those two big breaths help alot. But, that's not my feet.

Last night, I was very discouraged with myself when it came to the waltz. Part of the problem is I'm a lefty and it's very natural for me to do the half-turns a certain direction. But, I have to learn to ignore what's natural and turn the other direction. That's the way the dance should go. Maggie, the choreo, has told me not to worry about the direction and just worry about the 1-2-3 steps in the waltz. But, I'm worried that it won't look right if I'm turning one way went everyone else is turning the other. After working on it last night, I think the waltz will be where it needs to be for opening night. So, I'm not going to stress about it and just do it. My partner and I have it figured out; I'm just going to pretend that I'm on "Dancing With The Stars" and try to feel like I'm a natural dancer. Hopefully, that will come out in my body posture.

In case I never get the chance to at rehearsals, I want to thank Maggie for her patience with me. And, my waltz partner, Katherine, for her willingness to do it over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and for letting me lead.

Oh, and Darren G, thanks for the cookies!

Someone has to strike a pose...

The title is a line from one of the funniest scenes in the Scarlet Pimpernel. More on that below...

I have to say I cannot remember a show I've performed in that was this close to be ready for an audience this far out. We open two Friday's from now on June 1st. By Thursday's rehearsal, I fully expect us to be running everything full speed. We had a vocal rehearsal last night and just about everything sounded audience ready. There's a few spots it's sticky, but we'll definately be there very soon. We have one dance to choreograph today. It'll be tricky because specific people have to be dancing with each other at specific times. But, I expect tonight will have an hour and half to hammer that all out exactly. We already know that the dance moves are, we just need to put in all the partner changing. See the show and that will make more sense.

The best scene (by best I mean FUNNIEST) is when the men learn how to be fops. The entire scene is hilarious. I don't want to ruin it for anyone, but 7 manly man getting in touch with their inner-girl is going to be funny.

Not only is the show just about audience ready (minus tech, that's next week), we've gotten to that point without having a single rehearsal where everyone single cast member is there. Lots of conflicts, but we're all so professional about our craft that it hasn't been a problem. And, the cast has been completely enjoyable to work with. Everyone is easy to talk to, joke around with etc. This is one of the best casts I've worked with on a personal level.

Pink Chiffon!

The difficult thing about blogging about a show I'm in is talking about it without giving it all away. There's some very funny stuff going on during "The Creation of Man" song. Here's a hint - my line is "But, Percy, I simply cannot hop about wearing pink chiffon." Now, picture me wearing an outfit from high society England circa 1792... Now picture me wearing that same outfit made out of pink chiffon... You know you want to see that. If you can't picture it, fork out some dough and come see the show! Of course, it's possibl we'll have to change the line to another color depending on what the costumer comes up with - the director mentioned lemon. Still, no matter what, I'll be in some sort of pastel because, to steal a line from the leader of the League the Scarlet Pimpernel, Perccy, "it do shimmer so." Burly men acting like girly men. That's my part.

I was having a tough time finding some of my character's nuisances. Then again, it's early in the rehearsal process. We just started running the show after learning music, dancing and blocking. I'm not 100% comfortable not having my script in my hand, but I'm not looking at it too much.

Anyway, like I said, I'm trying to find Ozzy's (my character) inner girly-man. I think I found a part of it last night. During "The Creation of Man," there's part where Percy is speaking directly to Ozzy, showing and telling him, and the rest, how to act foppish. Last night was probably the first time all of the characters were there to go over the song. Scheduling conflicts and what not. But, as Percy is singing his lines, I was able to react to them. One ad-libbed gesture inparticular gave me some insight into my character - I'll just say, "Roar." But, the reaction I got from it gave me a little insight into who "Ozzy" is.

I realized the other day that the show might be about the French Revolution, but it takes places about 15 years after American fought for and won indepenece from England. So, I'm thinking in some way, shape or form, my character was affected by that. Not sure how, not sure what the American Revelotion would have do to this character. But, I figure he'd would have been 15-20 years old at the time. Surely, Sir Osbert knew about the Brits sending troops across the sea. Maybe he even wanted to sign up. I don't know. Just something for me to think about to help develop the character, find his motives, etc.

The show is probably a bit further ahead of schedule, I'd say, considering all the scheduling conflicts. Sure, there's LOTS to work on and get together, but we've got three weeks until opening night. Plenty of time to get everything tweaked just right for high entertainment value. The trick to this show will be performing what is ususally large cast show on a small stage. I mean small stage, tiny and with no wing space. The cast is about 25 people. The stage gets pretty crowded when you add sets, furniture, etc. It'll be interesting...

...By the way, I can waltz. I didn't know that before, but I can can-can, too.

Vivez la Jack

Pimpernel rehearsals are going well. The cast is very talented and, after 2 music rehearsals, already sounds great. I don't mean, "I need to sell the show, we already sound great." No, there's still some problems like we need to put our books down for one. But, for a second rehearsal, we sound very good and cannot wait to hear what we sound like on opening night (June 1st at The Belfry).

Blocking and choreography rehearsals are going smoothly. I learned how to waltz the other day and I can't wait to get it up to speed. I'm very satisfied with how my big body moves when dancing. I think I gots some moves for being a white boy and 60+ pounds overweight. The highlight of the show (chorus-wise) might just end up being "The Creation of Man." It's the song where the men learn how to act foppish to appear as if they are complete nincompoops. One of my lines is, "But Percy, I simply can NOT hop about in pink chiffon!" Me, in pink chiffon. Worth the price of admission, no? Hopefully, costume-wise that will be able to happen.

Jack needed surgery last week on his toe. Basically, he had to have one toe declawed. Don't know exactly what happened. We went to get one night and the next morning he was limping. Upon examining his front left paw, it looked like his claw was missing. This happened on a Friday and we're able to get him a vet appointment until last Tuesday. We figure he got his claw caught on something and he started freaking out and ripped it. Poor guy. I took him in because the wife doesn't want him associating the pet carrier/cage and vet trip with her. I don't mind.

So, last Tuesday, he had surgery and came home Wednesday. He had to wear a neck collar to keep him from biting and scratching at his wound and bandages as it healed. But, Jack's a smart cat. He couldn't bite the bandage, but he was using the collar to slowly wedge it off. On the ride home from the vet, he succeeded in getting the bandage off. When, I took him out of the carrier, the neck collar has reddish brown stains all over it. I thought it looked like iodine, like the vet used iodine to sanitize his wound, but then I realized they would have sanitized his foot not his neck. No, that was blood. In his attempts to free his paw from it's bandage, he popped a stitch. So, back we go to the vet. She cleans him up and basically puts him in a kitty cast so he can't get the bandage off. But, he doesn't have to wear the collar... Mission Accomplished for Jack. That's all he wanted and he knew how to get it.

We have make sure he doesn't do much running, jumping or playing for 2 weeks. That will end this weekend. But, we also were told to confine him to one room to keep the other cats from getting him riled up so his could heal. Plus, he has to use a special *ahem* sanitary liter. It's recycled newspaper pellets that absorb wetness. The theory is to use this stuff because regular litter gets dusty and that dust can cause an infection in the wound. You have to completely change the litter everyday, and it's not as bad as I thought it would be. And, all this for one toe. I cannot imagine the 4 weeks of this that cats who get declawed go through.

He wants out so bad. The girls generally are sitting at our bedroom door so they can rush in when we open it. We'll let them in for a few minutes while we can watch them. They cannot use the litter that's in there right now, so we have to kick they out before too long. Here's the analogy for how they are behaving: Jack thinks he's confined in prison (our bedroom) and we let the girls in for conjugal visits. The girls just want to play with Jack, they aren't having anything to do with his sexual advances... which kind of looks like attempted rape, but it's cats and that's how they do it.

The Itch is Scratched

Finally, I'm off my theatre hiatus. The Itch has been scratched! I'll be getting back on stage for The Belfry's upcoming production of "The Scarlet Pimpernel." I got the call earlier today and I couldn't be more happy to be working with the people involved in this show. I was cast as "Ozzy," which all I know about that character is that he's in the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel. If you're not familiar with the story, that means I'm a good guy. The production goes up at the very beginning of June. Rehearsals start nearly immediately.

The cast list hasn't been announced, so I can't go into details about who is playing what. But, from the list I have heard so far, the cast is very talented. There's a few people I've seen on stage before, but haven't had the chance to work with. I'm quite looking forward to that. Michael Moyer, who played Rapunzel's Prince when I was in "Into The Woods," is directing and it will be nice to work with him again.

I'm realizing something about myself from these auditions. I guess I knew this already, but it's my vocal audition that gets me parts. It's probably why I haven't done a straight play for a long while. My voice is my crutch. I'm not saying I won't get parts without it. I'm not a bad actor, but I probably need to be at least a better auditioner when it comes to the script read. And the dance... I'm not good at the dance part...

Losing some weight would probably open up a door to better parts. There's not a lot of plum roles that call for an overweight lead... then again, I know my niche is as comedic charactor actor. But, if casting is at least half looks (which it is and I accept that), maybe I should be working on my looks, too. Heck, slimming down is likely to open up whole other world of roles for me.

In the meantime, it'll be "Into The Fire" as I join the League of the Scarlet Pimpernel. Please note that "Into The Fire" is a song in the show where the League is formed. That was supposed to be a joke... Yeah, it wasn't so good.