We seem to have hit a small gold mine in terms of publicity for CenterStage's upcoming production, The Phantom Of The Opry. Two television stations are doing feature spots, along with two radio stations and The Birmingham News. I am quite hopeful that this will bring a good solid audience base through the doors. The show itself is going to be very good and entertaining, so all seems to be flowing in the right direction.
It's Thursday again...they do seem to come round with great frequency, and the little emotional uplift that comes with Thursday is as always pleasant. There is a slight chill in the air this evening, which for some bizzare (and welcomed) reason is making me rather cheerful. I'm sure I will always prefer Spring and Summer, but maybe I am finally getting over my complete distaste for cooler temps.
FLT3
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Just My Opinion...
Some random thoughts:
. Peanut butter is particularly good on toast, which ever-so-slightly melts the peanut butter, creating a tasty treat with a glass of cold milk.
I read Joan Didion's memoir on death and dying in last week's New York Times Sunday Magazine, and was shocked to realize that I really enjoyed it. I remember reading Play It as It Lays years ago, and liking it, too. I should read some of her other work.
. The Doors recorded the background music for almost everyone's college years, even those of us who were not even born in the band's heyday. I still can't hear "Riders On The Storm" or "Break On Through" without being immediately transported back to 1989 or thereabouts.
. Ditto the B-52's "Rock Lobster" or "Love Shack."
. I hardly ever read a book cover-to-cover without jumping around. I always finish a book when I start it (well, I guess I should say "usually" instead of "always," but there you are.) The point is that I frequently jump around and read the most interesting parts first. I used to think this was strange...now I don't really care.
. Technology intimidates me...I would love to own an iPod, a Blackberry, a digital camera, etc., but I know I would just stare at them and never figure out how to use them.
. I miss Bill Clinton. Politics aside, there was an optimism about the country during "Brother Bill's" tenure, and I attribute much of this to the fact that America had a true LEADER, with a charisma unseen since Kennedy. Clinton had an almost rock-star aura of celebrity about him, and there was no doubt that this guy was THE PRESIDENT. Bush will never have that kind of style. (HILLARY IN '08!)
. There's something kind of nice about an older shopping mall. I'm talking about the ones that still have that 1970's decor and atmosphere. Even if the stores are less than first-rate, it's fun to wander through a mall with individuality and character. Oddly enough, there is almost always a bookstore in an older mall, and I love bookstores.
. HBO has started a new original series, Rome, which I enjoy. I love The Sopranos, and really liked Six Feet Under, Oz, and Carnivale. I have never been able to get into Deadwood or Entourage. I was sort of neutral on Sex And The City... I usually enjoyed it when I happened to watch, but never really got hooked. Curb Your Enthusiasm has got to be one of the funniest shows ever created.
. I've never been a sports fan, but for some reason I can enjoy watching a couple of innings of baseball. I went to an Atlanta Braves game once, and had a great time watching the crowd, drinking beer, and generally being a part of the experience, but I don't think I watched very much of the game.
. There's a feeling of accomplishment that comes with washing clothes. Seeing a pile of wrinkled, smelly, used-up clothes become fresh and renewed in less than an hour always makes me think I have somehow made good use of my day.
. There used to be an ice cream parlor in Birmingham called Farrell's. It was in the old Brookwood Village, downstairs by the parking deck. When I was a kid, it was a real treat to go there. I have no idea why I just thought of Farrell's, but there it is...
. I like the smell of Glade air fresheners...the little rotating plastic-cone ones. Do they even still make them? I remember in particular that I like the smell of the green freshener in the tan cone.
Enough free-flowing thought...signing off until tomorrow.
FLT3
. Peanut butter is particularly good on toast, which ever-so-slightly melts the peanut butter, creating a tasty treat with a glass of cold milk.
I read Joan Didion's memoir on death and dying in last week's New York Times Sunday Magazine, and was shocked to realize that I really enjoyed it. I remember reading Play It as It Lays years ago, and liking it, too. I should read some of her other work.
. The Doors recorded the background music for almost everyone's college years, even those of us who were not even born in the band's heyday. I still can't hear "Riders On The Storm" or "Break On Through" without being immediately transported back to 1989 or thereabouts.
. Ditto the B-52's "Rock Lobster" or "Love Shack."
. I hardly ever read a book cover-to-cover without jumping around. I always finish a book when I start it (well, I guess I should say "usually" instead of "always," but there you are.) The point is that I frequently jump around and read the most interesting parts first. I used to think this was strange...now I don't really care.
. Technology intimidates me...I would love to own an iPod, a Blackberry, a digital camera, etc., but I know I would just stare at them and never figure out how to use them.
. I miss Bill Clinton. Politics aside, there was an optimism about the country during "Brother Bill's" tenure, and I attribute much of this to the fact that America had a true LEADER, with a charisma unseen since Kennedy. Clinton had an almost rock-star aura of celebrity about him, and there was no doubt that this guy was THE PRESIDENT. Bush will never have that kind of style. (HILLARY IN '08!)
. There's something kind of nice about an older shopping mall. I'm talking about the ones that still have that 1970's decor and atmosphere. Even if the stores are less than first-rate, it's fun to wander through a mall with individuality and character. Oddly enough, there is almost always a bookstore in an older mall, and I love bookstores.
. HBO has started a new original series, Rome, which I enjoy. I love The Sopranos, and really liked Six Feet Under, Oz, and Carnivale. I have never been able to get into Deadwood or Entourage. I was sort of neutral on Sex And The City... I usually enjoyed it when I happened to watch, but never really got hooked. Curb Your Enthusiasm has got to be one of the funniest shows ever created.
. I've never been a sports fan, but for some reason I can enjoy watching a couple of innings of baseball. I went to an Atlanta Braves game once, and had a great time watching the crowd, drinking beer, and generally being a part of the experience, but I don't think I watched very much of the game.
. There's a feeling of accomplishment that comes with washing clothes. Seeing a pile of wrinkled, smelly, used-up clothes become fresh and renewed in less than an hour always makes me think I have somehow made good use of my day.
. There used to be an ice cream parlor in Birmingham called Farrell's. It was in the old Brookwood Village, downstairs by the parking deck. When I was a kid, it was a real treat to go there. I have no idea why I just thought of Farrell's, but there it is...
. I like the smell of Glade air fresheners...the little rotating plastic-cone ones. Do they even still make them? I remember in particular that I like the smell of the green freshener in the tan cone.
Enough free-flowing thought...signing off until tomorrow.
FLT3
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Birthdays, Comments, England and UAB
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER, RONEE NELSON!!!! She celebrates her special day today, September 27, 2005. No, I won't tell you how old she is. Ask her yourself, if you really want to know. :-)
I'm still smiling over the comment on Sunday's post by Paul McCracken. Apparently it appears that I give excessive and gushy praise to attractive females (ie Connie, Siusan, Ashley, etc.) who write responses to my entries. The implication is that I would somehow give preferential treatment to a reader just because of her beauty and feminine charms...that I could somehow be swayed from total objectivity by a beautiful girl.
Well...yeah.
In all fairness, however, I have to give a shout out to Paul. He's a good guy and a good friend, so thanks, Paul, for reading and commenting. I'm glad to hear that you & Nancy will be going to New Orleans in December. As soon as possible, all of us who love The Crescent City need to start going down and pumping some life and commerce back into the infrastructure.
I made a new friend today via email...the sister of a girl I interviewed for "Tapestry" a few weeks ago. She is studying at Wadham College, Oxford, which is where I spent an AMAZING summer through the "Alabama At Oxford" program when I was an undergraduate at UA. It will be nice to have an e-mail pal in the UK, especially one at Oxford. Anyone who has ever been there knows what a truly magical place it is. I will definitely live in England someday...I have never been as blissfully, completely, soul-fulfillingly happy as I have been on that "Sceptered Isle." It's ironic that even as much as I dislike cold, gloomy weather, I have never found the grey London winters anything but cheerful.
School is going well...in case I have never mentioned it, I have gone back to school to get yet another degree...this time in Education (Secondary/Language Arts.) Pretty soon I will be able to wallpaper my house with diplomas, yet I still seem to have trouble deciding what to be when I grow old. (Having "grown up" years ago, I had to amend the expression! :-) I like my classes, and I think I will enjoy teaching. After this degree, Medical School is about the only option left, and I can say with 100% certainty that this is NOT an option! (I think I finally passed "Biology For Idiots" after the third try!)
FLT3
I'm still smiling over the comment on Sunday's post by Paul McCracken. Apparently it appears that I give excessive and gushy praise to attractive females (ie Connie, Siusan, Ashley, etc.) who write responses to my entries. The implication is that I would somehow give preferential treatment to a reader just because of her beauty and feminine charms...that I could somehow be swayed from total objectivity by a beautiful girl.
Well...yeah.
In all fairness, however, I have to give a shout out to Paul. He's a good guy and a good friend, so thanks, Paul, for reading and commenting. I'm glad to hear that you & Nancy will be going to New Orleans in December. As soon as possible, all of us who love The Crescent City need to start going down and pumping some life and commerce back into the infrastructure.
I made a new friend today via email...the sister of a girl I interviewed for "Tapestry" a few weeks ago. She is studying at Wadham College, Oxford, which is where I spent an AMAZING summer through the "Alabama At Oxford" program when I was an undergraduate at UA. It will be nice to have an e-mail pal in the UK, especially one at Oxford. Anyone who has ever been there knows what a truly magical place it is. I will definitely live in England someday...I have never been as blissfully, completely, soul-fulfillingly happy as I have been on that "Sceptered Isle." It's ironic that even as much as I dislike cold, gloomy weather, I have never found the grey London winters anything but cheerful.
School is going well...in case I have never mentioned it, I have gone back to school to get yet another degree...this time in Education (Secondary/Language Arts.) Pretty soon I will be able to wallpaper my house with diplomas, yet I still seem to have trouble deciding what to be when I grow old. (Having "grown up" years ago, I had to amend the expression! :-) I like my classes, and I think I will enjoy teaching. After this degree, Medical School is about the only option left, and I can say with 100% certainty that this is NOT an option! (I think I finally passed "Biology For Idiots" after the third try!)
FLT3
Sunday, September 25, 2005
I Always Thought A Hurricane Was A Drink...
More destruction in New Orleans, now that Rita has made herself known. I don't think I have ever been to the 9th Ward per se, but I do love New Orleans. The irony is that I used to have a t-shirt that said "I love New Orleans for the weather...especially the HURRICANES!" (Obviously in reference to the beyond-potent beverage so often associated with Mardi Gras.) That shirt was donated to Goodwill years ago, but I remember it well.
The good news appears to be that the flooding is not as severe as that experienced with Katrina. Hopefully everything will get back to normal soon.
As usual, church and breakfast with the parents. We had our customary nice visit, which is always one of the bright spots of my week. There is an older couple who sits in front of us every week, and the husband (Walt)& I usually crack a few jokes together. Today there was no priest waiting to greet the congregation at the back of the church (there usually is) so Walt extended his hand and indicated that he would be willing to serve as interim pope, allowing the congregants to kiss his ring as they exited. He's a nice and funny guy. (Although I did have to remind him that we're Anglican...our allegiance would be more to Canterbury than to Rome.) Oh well, it did make a good joke.
PHANTOM OF THE OPRY continues apace, and will be quite a good show. More details as they arise. Happy Sunday!
FLT3
The good news appears to be that the flooding is not as severe as that experienced with Katrina. Hopefully everything will get back to normal soon.
As usual, church and breakfast with the parents. We had our customary nice visit, which is always one of the bright spots of my week. There is an older couple who sits in front of us every week, and the husband (Walt)& I usually crack a few jokes together. Today there was no priest waiting to greet the congregation at the back of the church (there usually is) so Walt extended his hand and indicated that he would be willing to serve as interim pope, allowing the congregants to kiss his ring as they exited. He's a nice and funny guy. (Although I did have to remind him that we're Anglican...our allegiance would be more to Canterbury than to Rome.) Oh well, it did make a good joke.
PHANTOM OF THE OPRY continues apace, and will be quite a good show. More details as they arise. Happy Sunday!
FLT3
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Thursday Returns
Well, once again, it's Thursday...they seem to be coming round more and more frequently. )I wonder if they've added a second Thursday to the week?) The previously discussed feeling of happy anticipation is here as usual. It's kind of nice, and seemingly reliable, having lasted for almost 20 years. Another reliable feeling is the absolute inner peace I always feel in Westminster Abbey...I have even entered it on occasion with some fear that I would NOT feel utter and complete peace, only to find that it is seemingly eternal...(much like what The Abbey represents!) I haven't been to London in a couple of years, and I am eager to get back there soon. The Abbey will most likely be my first stop...
Today has been a long day. The ONB promo went very well, and we managed to put CenterStage brochures in approximately 200 hands. All assembled seemed to have a good time, and in spite of a somewhat befuddled preparation period, we managed to present a quality product. Time will tell if we sold any season tickets.
I am listening to "Coast to Coast" as I write...as usual, the freaks come out at night. (Well, at least they pick up the phone.) Radio really is the one true public medium. (Translation: any idiot with a telephone and a willingness to stay on "hold" for a few hours can have his/her 15 minutes of fame.) God bless 'em, though...they sure are entertaining!
FLT3
Today has been a long day. The ONB promo went very well, and we managed to put CenterStage brochures in approximately 200 hands. All assembled seemed to have a good time, and in spite of a somewhat befuddled preparation period, we managed to present a quality product. Time will tell if we sold any season tickets.
I am listening to "Coast to Coast" as I write...as usual, the freaks come out at night. (Well, at least they pick up the phone.) Radio really is the one true public medium. (Translation: any idiot with a telephone and a willingness to stay on "hold" for a few hours can have his/her 15 minutes of fame.) God bless 'em, though...they sure are entertaining!
FLT3
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
The Show Must Go On...
Before anything else, thanks to Ashley for the sweet comment on yesterday's post. It's always nice to know that people are reading what I write. :-)
Now, on to today's subject...
Tomorrow morning at the beyond-ungodly hour of 7:00, our merry little band of performers from last weekend's Bravo Festival will be presenting the same little preview show at a breakfast meeting of ONB (Operation New Birmingham for you out-of-towners.) This group seems to be comprised of largely monied and influential business-types, all with disposable incomes (and presumably at least a passing interest in the performing arts) so we will certainly try and make a good impression. Our contact person is Diane McNaron of "Politically Incorrect Cabaret" fame. She has been dealing with all sorts of headaches from the organizers (some unnamed advertising firm, if I understand correctly), including incorrect performance times, inaccurate directions to the venue, and all around we-don't-have-our-shit-together mistakes. However, all seems to have finally been worked out, and I'm sure we will be warmly received. This is apparently a new "Random Acts Of Art" venture, so one can assume that such mistakes will happen less and less with time.
Initial steps are being taken to record a "Christmas Album" by the members of "Down Home Opry" (aka the cast of The Phantom Of The Opry.) More on this as it develops, but the working title is "Carly's Country Christmas." We plan to record it in time to sell cds at intermission. It should be great fun, and will certainly make a wonderful keepsake as well as a truly nice Christmas album. Fa-la-la-la-la...
Daylight Savings Time is drawing to its' inevitable close, and I feel depression looming on the horizon. I have to tell myself that Spring will return, and that Winter is not inherently evil...please help convince me of that, dear readers. If anyone has cheerful, good winter thoughts, I'd love to hear them. All I can think of is cold, gloomy, desolate months of no sunshine and depressing dead trees. I'm usually OK until after New Year's, and then about a ten-week period of complete lethargy and sadness settles in until mid-March when things warm up and start blooming. Easter is my favorite holiday, and always one of the very last mileposts on the Sprint to Spring. For those who are curious, these include:
.Halloween - The first halfway happy/fun event in the Fall.
.Thanksgiving - The first major holiday of the "Holiday Season."
.Christmas - Usually somewhat happy, despite fleeting moments of depression.
.New Year's Eve - Festive most of the time, provided there's a party. Even if there's not, it's
the end of the "end of the year months" of Winter.
.New Year's Day - Almost always HORRIBLE (hangovers, cold weather, and I don't like
football...this day is beyond bad!)
.Valentine's Day - Can be good, bad, or uneventful...but February is half over.
.March 1st - THE FIRST DAY OF MARCH!!!! No matter how dismal, rainy, or cold it may be,
this day always brings a little lift...a parting of the psychological clouds.
.March 9th - My mother's birthday. Always a landmark. Spring is getting really close
.March 22nd - The First Day of Spring. A sigh of relief is heard. Things are getting green.
.Easter - MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY!!!! "Welcome, Happy Morning" and "Hail Thee, Festival
Day" are heard in church...eggs are colored, jelly beans eaten. Halleluiah!
.Daylight Savings Time returns - Life seems bearable again. Spring is in full bloom.
Someday, I will buy a house on the equator.
FLT3
Now, on to today's subject...
Tomorrow morning at the beyond-ungodly hour of 7:00, our merry little band of performers from last weekend's Bravo Festival will be presenting the same little preview show at a breakfast meeting of ONB (Operation New Birmingham for you out-of-towners.) This group seems to be comprised of largely monied and influential business-types, all with disposable incomes (and presumably at least a passing interest in the performing arts) so we will certainly try and make a good impression. Our contact person is Diane McNaron of "Politically Incorrect Cabaret" fame. She has been dealing with all sorts of headaches from the organizers (some unnamed advertising firm, if I understand correctly), including incorrect performance times, inaccurate directions to the venue, and all around we-don't-have-our-shit-together mistakes. However, all seems to have finally been worked out, and I'm sure we will be warmly received. This is apparently a new "Random Acts Of Art" venture, so one can assume that such mistakes will happen less and less with time.
Initial steps are being taken to record a "Christmas Album" by the members of "Down Home Opry" (aka the cast of The Phantom Of The Opry.) More on this as it develops, but the working title is "Carly's Country Christmas." We plan to record it in time to sell cds at intermission. It should be great fun, and will certainly make a wonderful keepsake as well as a truly nice Christmas album. Fa-la-la-la-la...
Daylight Savings Time is drawing to its' inevitable close, and I feel depression looming on the horizon. I have to tell myself that Spring will return, and that Winter is not inherently evil...please help convince me of that, dear readers. If anyone has cheerful, good winter thoughts, I'd love to hear them. All I can think of is cold, gloomy, desolate months of no sunshine and depressing dead trees. I'm usually OK until after New Year's, and then about a ten-week period of complete lethargy and sadness settles in until mid-March when things warm up and start blooming. Easter is my favorite holiday, and always one of the very last mileposts on the Sprint to Spring. For those who are curious, these include:
.Halloween - The first halfway happy/fun event in the Fall.
.Thanksgiving - The first major holiday of the "Holiday Season."
.Christmas - Usually somewhat happy, despite fleeting moments of depression.
.New Year's Eve - Festive most of the time, provided there's a party. Even if there's not, it's
the end of the "end of the year months" of Winter.
.New Year's Day - Almost always HORRIBLE (hangovers, cold weather, and I don't like
football...this day is beyond bad!)
.Valentine's Day - Can be good, bad, or uneventful...but February is half over.
.March 1st - THE FIRST DAY OF MARCH!!!! No matter how dismal, rainy, or cold it may be,
this day always brings a little lift...a parting of the psychological clouds.
.March 9th - My mother's birthday. Always a landmark. Spring is getting really close
.March 22nd - The First Day of Spring. A sigh of relief is heard. Things are getting green.
.Easter - MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY!!!! "Welcome, Happy Morning" and "Hail Thee, Festival
Day" are heard in church...eggs are colored, jelly beans eaten. Halleluiah!
.Daylight Savings Time returns - Life seems bearable again. Spring is in full bloom.
Someday, I will buy a house on the equator.
FLT3
Thoughts on Wal-Mart
Walking through Wal-Mart at 11:00 at night definitely gives one some insight into the sheer freaking magnitude of consumer culture in Western Society. The Wal-Mart on Lakeshore Drive was one of my frequent haunts during Law School, when I lived at Wildwood Crossings, but after moving to Southside, I haven't been there as much. Tonight I went there with Melissa while she shopped for Alabama and Auburn memorabilia to decorate for her blood drive tomorrow. (I guess they assume people will be more likely to donate blood if there are college football items sitting around.) Anyway, the store was PACKED, not with customers, but with workers stocking shelves, unpacking gigantic boxes, etc. It was almost like watching Santa Claus and the elves making toys for Christmas...a sort of glimpse at the secret creation of what we take for granted.
That's enough deep thought for tonight.
FLT3
That's enough deep thought for tonight.
FLT3
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Into The Show...
Today was the Bravo Festival, which is an "open house" of sorts for Birmingham performing arts groups. It was hosted by The Virginia Samford Theatre, which is where CenterStage performs. Each group got 15 minutes to perform, and the audience came and went for 4 hours. It was great fun and I think we generated a great deal of interest for Phantom of the Opry.
Short post tonight...I'll write more tomorrow.
FLT3
Short post tonight...I'll write more tomorrow.
FLT3
Friday, September 16, 2005
Thank You Siusan Buie...
It was so wonderful to click on my blog page and see a comment for a change. Siusan Buie left a comment on yesterday's (Thursday) posting. Thank you, Siusan...it's so nice to know that somebody actually reads these musings of mine. Special thanks also to Connie Bridgham, who told me today that she, too, is a reader. Thanks, Connie! :-)
Today was a good day. I was pretty happy with my story on "Tapestry." Tanya Ott, my mentor and friend at WBHM, is teaching me to edit and essentially produce my own stories. I enjoy writing, and I love working in radio, so I am happy that it looks like I will be doing more with "Tapestry."
Just for the record, anyone reading this can visit www.wbhm.org and follow the links to hear tonight's show. My story was aired towards the end of the broadcast, if you'd like to hear it.
The Phantom Of The Opry continues to develop nicely. We're going to have a good show.
I am forcing myself to stay awake to hear "Coast To Coast AM," a radio show I enjoy. It's basically a collection of freaks, weirdos, UFO nuts, conspiracy paranoiacs, and those who find them entertaining. Tonight's show features an expert on Jack The Ripper, who should be interesting. I took a Ripper walking tour out in the Whitechapel section of London, and have been interested in the story ever since. Patricia Cornwell wrote a very compelling book, Portrait Of A Killer, which suggested that an artist named Walter Sickert was The Ripper. Not sure if I agree or not, but her theories are believable.
That's all for today...if you visit, please leave a comment. Thanks!
FLT3
Today was a good day. I was pretty happy with my story on "Tapestry." Tanya Ott, my mentor and friend at WBHM, is teaching me to edit and essentially produce my own stories. I enjoy writing, and I love working in radio, so I am happy that it looks like I will be doing more with "Tapestry."
Just for the record, anyone reading this can visit www.wbhm.org and follow the links to hear tonight's show. My story was aired towards the end of the broadcast, if you'd like to hear it.
The Phantom Of The Opry continues to develop nicely. We're going to have a good show.
I am forcing myself to stay awake to hear "Coast To Coast AM," a radio show I enjoy. It's basically a collection of freaks, weirdos, UFO nuts, conspiracy paranoiacs, and those who find them entertaining. Tonight's show features an expert on Jack The Ripper, who should be interesting. I took a Ripper walking tour out in the Whitechapel section of London, and have been interested in the story ever since. Patricia Cornwell wrote a very compelling book, Portrait Of A Killer, which suggested that an artist named Walter Sickert was The Ripper. Not sure if I agree or not, but her theories are believable.
That's all for today...if you visit, please leave a comment. Thanks!
FLT3
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Another Thursday
Once again that left-over feeling of collegiate anticipation is creeping in. I think there will always be something about Thursdays that fills a tiny corner of my psyche with the anticipation of a night filled with loud music, smoky bars, and beautiful drunk sorority girls. Ah, the follies of youth...now Thursday just means back to rehearsal after a night off, but somehow that Pavlovian response developed more than 15 years ago still hangs on..."Thursday Night is party night" seems to have been permanently imprinted. Oh well, I hope the tradition lives on in Tuscaloosa...I'm sure it does! :-)
Today's entry will be short(ish.) I have to head down to WBHM to finish the final edit on a story for tonight's "Tapestry." I am still writing for the show, and still enjoying it. It's nice to actually get paid to do something I enjoy.
Shameless self-promotion as usual...please visit our website at www.centerstage-productions.org
More later...
FLT3
Today's entry will be short(ish.) I have to head down to WBHM to finish the final edit on a story for tonight's "Tapestry." I am still writing for the show, and still enjoying it. It's nice to actually get paid to do something I enjoy.
Shameless self-promotion as usual...please visit our website at www.centerstage-productions.org
More later...
FLT3
Monday, September 12, 2005
BBQ Plans
Spent a little time tonight at rehearsal talking with Andy (CenterStage Board Prez) and Connie (VP and all-around Public Relations guru chick) about our opening night patron's party for The Phantom Of The Opry. I think we have decided to do a pre-show barbecue dinner and post-show reception with the cast. The playwright, Lloyd J. Schwartz, will be there, so it will be a special event for our patrons to meet him.
I went to a fun event yesterday...the annual parish picnic for my church, Cathedral Church of the Advent (Episcopal.) It was held at the Birmingham zoo, and featured food, a band, etc. The meal was catered by Full Moon BBQ, a local favorite...which actually gave me the idea of investigating them as a possible caterer for the patron's event. I'll have to check into that tomorrow.
Things are very exciting around CenterStage right now...Opry promises to be one of our strongest shows to date, and it looks as if the production, particularly opening night (on 14 October) will be quite an event.
FLT3
I went to a fun event yesterday...the annual parish picnic for my church, Cathedral Church of the Advent (Episcopal.) It was held at the Birmingham zoo, and featured food, a band, etc. The meal was catered by Full Moon BBQ, a local favorite...which actually gave me the idea of investigating them as a possible caterer for the patron's event. I'll have to check into that tomorrow.
Things are very exciting around CenterStage right now...Opry promises to be one of our strongest shows to date, and it looks as if the production, particularly opening night (on 14 October) will be quite an event.
FLT3
Sunday, September 11, 2005
A Lovely Day So Far
Well, it's Sunday morning at 11:30, and I have already been to church with my parents (7:30...who says I'm not a dutiful son? I don't even think God is up at that hour.) As per our usual ritual, we went to Original Pancake House for breakfast after the service. I decided to surprise them and go to church one Sunday last May, and somehow I've fallen into the routine of making it a weekly event. Despite the hour, I really do look forward to it. I have always enjoyed church, and Sunday breakfast is the one time every week I regularly see my parents. We always have a nice visit, and today was no exception. There's just a hint of fall in the air, and although I usually get quite depressed at the onset of cooler weather, the hint of a breeze has actually been quite pleasant.
CenterStage board meeting this afternoon, with several administrative tasks to accomplish. Andy Duxbury is our incoming board president, and I am quite sure that he will do an excellent job. We are well into rehearsal for The Phantom Of The Opry, and next week's BRAVO! festival, which is a sort of showcase, featuring excerpts from all the Bham arts groups' upcoming seasons.
So...as Bertie Wooster once said, "The sky is blue, the birds are chirping, and there's optimism in the air." Hopefully the rest of the day will be as pleasant and agreeable as the morning has been.
Today is September 11th. Please remember the victims of the terrorist attacks in whatever way you choose.
FLT3
CenterStage board meeting this afternoon, with several administrative tasks to accomplish. Andy Duxbury is our incoming board president, and I am quite sure that he will do an excellent job. We are well into rehearsal for The Phantom Of The Opry, and next week's BRAVO! festival, which is a sort of showcase, featuring excerpts from all the Bham arts groups' upcoming seasons.
So...as Bertie Wooster once said, "The sky is blue, the birds are chirping, and there's optimism in the air." Hopefully the rest of the day will be as pleasant and agreeable as the morning has been.
Today is September 11th. Please remember the victims of the terrorist attacks in whatever way you choose.
FLT3
Friday, September 09, 2005
Alas, New Orleans...
I have been doing my best to deal with the New Orleans tragedy with a degree of detatchment, but the 24-hour news coverage sort of prohibits that approach. So much destruction, and I fear the worst is yet to come.
New Orleans is a very special place. Like millions of others, I have my own set of memories of The Crescent City, and I find myself recalling them more and more these days...my first trip down to New Orleans as a college freshman...numerous weekends going home with a girlfriend whose parents lived there...one or two purely rowdy trips with drinking buddies...enjoying everything from black-tie upper society (Mardi Gras Ball with aforementioned girlfriend and her family) to the basest of diversions offered by the French Quarter (basically every other trip...ha ha!)
...and now there's nothing there but flood waters and chaos.
New Orleans will recover, however. Jazz clubs will reopen. Street performers and psychics will return to Jackson Square. Begniets and Cafe au Lait will flow at Cafe Du Monde, the horse-drawn carriages will again clop through the French Quarter, and the strippers will again writhe and gyrate on Bourbon Street stages. Soul food will be cooked, beads will be thrown, and life will return to what passes for normal in this great city.
Hopefully the citizens who have been displaced will all find a way to return. Let's hope so.
FLT3
New Orleans is a very special place. Like millions of others, I have my own set of memories of The Crescent City, and I find myself recalling them more and more these days...my first trip down to New Orleans as a college freshman...numerous weekends going home with a girlfriend whose parents lived there...one or two purely rowdy trips with drinking buddies...enjoying everything from black-tie upper society (Mardi Gras Ball with aforementioned girlfriend and her family) to the basest of diversions offered by the French Quarter (basically every other trip...ha ha!)
...and now there's nothing there but flood waters and chaos.
New Orleans will recover, however. Jazz clubs will reopen. Street performers and psychics will return to Jackson Square. Begniets and Cafe au Lait will flow at Cafe Du Monde, the horse-drawn carriages will again clop through the French Quarter, and the strippers will again writhe and gyrate on Bourbon Street stages. Soul food will be cooked, beads will be thrown, and life will return to what passes for normal in this great city.
Hopefully the citizens who have been displaced will all find a way to return. Let's hope so.
FLT3
Thursday, September 08, 2005
Thursday...
Thursday always brings a sense of expectation...when I was a little kid it meant that the weekend and two glorious days from school were almost here. As an older kid and teenager, it meant that Friday and Saturday night, with either a date or an outing with friends, was imminent. In college, Thursday night was the biggest "going out night" of the week, which explained the poor attendance at Friday morning classes. Now, as an adult, Thursday is essentially just another day, but there's still that little feeling of happy anticipation that comes with Thursday afternoon...I think I'll mix myself a bourbon and coke (the official drink of fall) and sit and watch the leaves fall before I go to rehearsal.
And for what am I rehearsing, one may ask? The world premiere of Lloyd J. Schwartz's The Phantom Of The Opry, which opens October 14th. We have a wonderful cast, which includes:
THE PHANTOMOF THE OPRY....................Greg Hagler
CHRISSY............................................................Lindsey Kennedy
RONNIE.............................................................Howard Green
CARLY................................................................Holly Dikeman
DUSTY WHITAKER.........................................Don Everett Garrett
ANDY..................................................................George Scott
PHIL...................................................................Andrew Duxbury
MADAME...........................................................Pam Cooper
MEG....................................................................Kimberly Piazza
SKEFF.................................................................Ron Dometrovich
JOEY BOUQUET...............................................Ryland Byars
THE "DOWN HOME SINGERS".....................Siusan Buie
Ali Fredrick
Chuck Evans
Russell Jones
LIGHTING DESIGNER/SHARPSHOOTER........Jerry Handley
PIANIST/SHARPSHOOTER..................................Dave Crabb
YOUNG CHRISSY....................................................Kendra Bridgham
YOUNG RONNIE.....................................................Reid Watson
GORDY.......................................................................Brent Jones
DARLENE..................................................................Kim Rollins Dometrovich
The show itself follows the traditional "Phantom" story, but places the show at a country-music house. For more information, please visit our website at www.centerstage-productions.org
Not much else to report today. I am going to do my VERY BEST to post something new every day, or at the very least to avoid any more three-month absences!!! :-)
FLT3
And for what am I rehearsing, one may ask? The world premiere of Lloyd J. Schwartz's The Phantom Of The Opry, which opens October 14th. We have a wonderful cast, which includes:
THE PHANTOMOF THE OPRY....................Greg Hagler
CHRISSY............................................................Lindsey Kennedy
RONNIE.............................................................Howard Green
CARLY................................................................Holly Dikeman
DUSTY WHITAKER.........................................Don Everett Garrett
ANDY..................................................................George Scott
PHIL...................................................................Andrew Duxbury
MADAME...........................................................Pam Cooper
MEG....................................................................Kimberly Piazza
SKEFF.................................................................Ron Dometrovich
JOEY BOUQUET...............................................Ryland Byars
THE "DOWN HOME SINGERS".....................Siusan Buie
Ali Fredrick
Chuck Evans
Russell Jones
LIGHTING DESIGNER/SHARPSHOOTER........Jerry Handley
PIANIST/SHARPSHOOTER..................................Dave Crabb
YOUNG CHRISSY....................................................Kendra Bridgham
YOUNG RONNIE.....................................................Reid Watson
GORDY.......................................................................Brent Jones
DARLENE..................................................................Kim Rollins Dometrovich
The show itself follows the traditional "Phantom" story, but places the show at a country-music house. For more information, please visit our website at www.centerstage-productions.org
Not much else to report today. I am going to do my VERY BEST to post something new every day, or at the very least to avoid any more three-month absences!!! :-)
FLT3
Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Rest In Peace, "Little Buddy."
Wow. It's been months (several of them) since I've posted. It's really too bad that a major loss has prompted me to dust off my blog page and start writing again...
Yesterday brought some very sad news to those of us who are "Gilligan's Island" fans. Bob Denver passed away at the age of 70. This is way too young for anyone to die. For those of us in our mid-30's, Bob Denver and his zany gang of fellow castaways brought hours of after-school joy and laughter as we enjoyed the reruns of the show in syndication.
Many of you have heard my story about Bob Denver...when CenterStage was presenting "Gilligan's Island: The Musical," I tried to get him as our opening night guest. Somehow I got his phone number through his agent's office, and I wound up speaking on the phone with him for a couple of minutes. It would be politically correct to say that he was an absolute angel, but that would not be the truth. Actually, he was quite brisk and let me know rather quickly that he was not interested. I have since been told by a good friend of mine (who also happened to know Bob Denver very well) that Denver really was a nice guy...he just got asked to do SO many appearances that he had developed a sort of gruff manner when handling such requests. Add to this that he was an extremely private person, and it makes the whole thing much more understandable. Who knows? He may have been having a terrible day, he may have had a headache, or who knows what else may have been going on at the exact moment I happened to talk to him?
Bottom line: He was clearly adored by those who knew him, and he created a character that was loved by countless millions. Here's to the memory and good name of Bob Denver...may he rest in peace and always be remembered by the fans and friends whose lives he touched. I am proud to count myself among the many fans he leaves behind. I know that Heaven will be an even happier place with Bob Denver up there.
FLT3
Yesterday brought some very sad news to those of us who are "Gilligan's Island" fans. Bob Denver passed away at the age of 70. This is way too young for anyone to die. For those of us in our mid-30's, Bob Denver and his zany gang of fellow castaways brought hours of after-school joy and laughter as we enjoyed the reruns of the show in syndication.
Many of you have heard my story about Bob Denver...when CenterStage was presenting "Gilligan's Island: The Musical," I tried to get him as our opening night guest. Somehow I got his phone number through his agent's office, and I wound up speaking on the phone with him for a couple of minutes. It would be politically correct to say that he was an absolute angel, but that would not be the truth. Actually, he was quite brisk and let me know rather quickly that he was not interested. I have since been told by a good friend of mine (who also happened to know Bob Denver very well) that Denver really was a nice guy...he just got asked to do SO many appearances that he had developed a sort of gruff manner when handling such requests. Add to this that he was an extremely private person, and it makes the whole thing much more understandable. Who knows? He may have been having a terrible day, he may have had a headache, or who knows what else may have been going on at the exact moment I happened to talk to him?
Bottom line: He was clearly adored by those who knew him, and he created a character that was loved by countless millions. Here's to the memory and good name of Bob Denver...may he rest in peace and always be remembered by the fans and friends whose lives he touched. I am proud to count myself among the many fans he leaves behind. I know that Heaven will be an even happier place with Bob Denver up there.
FLT3
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