Home-School Day

It's home school day at BCT...wooo hooo! We just finished the first of three performances, and I can honestly say that we performed for more adults than kids. They were a sedate crowd, but really seemed to like the show.

Home schooling is an interesting phenomenon...it certainly leaves open the opportunity for abuses, as does just about anything, but for those who truly stress social interaction for the kids (ie scouts, theatre, athletics, etc.) it seems to work pretty well. The homeschoolers I have known have been, for the most part, very intelligent and well-educated...one does hear horror stories, though...

Thoroughly Modern Millie continues to make her way towards opening. I think we will be in good shape. I am really impressed with the vocal abilities of this cast...I don't recall such a strong group of singers in any recent shows.

Planning to see MCAT's Bye Bye Birdie this weekend. I have several good friends in the show, and it truly is one of my favorite musicals. The reviews have been uniformly positive, so I am anticipating enjoying it.

Considered buying a 2001 Mazda 626 yesterday...the price was right, and the car looked good, but after talking to several friends who know much more than I about cars (which isn't hard) I was advised that Mazdas tend to run out of steam around the 90k mark, and this one wasn't too far from it...the search continues, and must accelerate. My friends are getting tired of carting me around.

Today from The Motherland...a BIG baby... :-)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7015841.stm

FLT3

Car Woes

Well, as has been long-predicted by those who know me, my car has finally died. Yes, the seemingly indestructible Altima has finally passed away at the age of 165,000. Please do not send flowers, just a donation to the charity of your choice...like the Frank Needs A Car Foundation...



I have seen a car I would like to buy...a somewhat used but still in good shape Volkswagen Passat...such things as negotiation, counter-offers, etc. loom imminent. It would be nice to have the money to just buy a brand new car, but alas, that is not in my budget right now. Perhaps in a year or two...



We're between performances of Rumplestiltskin, and "10" was just called, so I'll close for now.



Today from The Motherland...Amsterdam brothels make way for condos...hmmmmm...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/7005768.stm

FLT3

Second Posting...

It isn't often I post twice in one day, but this little nugget of joy from The Motherland was too good to pass up...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/6993762.stm

FLT3

Three-A-Days...

Today is a "three-a-day" at BCT, meaning that we will do three performances, at 930, 11, and 1230 respectively. It's a bit taxing, but the trade-off is that we have Mondays off. (Of course, I have the luxury of working in a job where getting off work at 1:15 is a "long" day...:-)

Thoroughly Modern Millie is also progressing very well. The leads are particularly strong, and the ensemble is equally good and reliable. I think we will have a very successful show. More discussion of TMM as it progresses towards the 12 October opening.

Not much else to report...a semi-planned weekend beach trip has been scuttled due to the incipient arrival of Hurricane George. Somehow paying for a nice place to sit and watch the rain doesn't seem the best use of one's spending money...

Today's News From The Motherland...the QE2...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/merseyside/7005952.stm

FLT3

RUMPLESTILTSKIN, New Flat, and Notoriety

Today was opening day of Rumplestiltskin at Bham Children's Theatre. I am playing the role of Sir Hugo, a sort of puffed-up Royal Treasurer kind of fellow. I would be lying if I said it was the pinnacle of artistic gratification, but on a humanitarian level, it can't be beat...the show is performed in the "Wee Folks" theatre, where the target audience is kindergarten-3rd grade. Though the show is (understandably) simple and short, I have already caught sight of a couple of kids in each audience (2 shows per day) who seemed transfixed. When you stop to think that your performance may be creating a love of theatre in a young person, you can't help but feel as if you are doing something good for humanity.

The paycheck is nice, too...not getting rich by any means, but I can honestly say that I am a paid, working actor. That's not something that many people in Birmingham can say...

I just moved into a new apartment. For the few of you who may have seen my previous apartment, it was (to put it mildly) gruesome...Dank, dated, and dungeon-like, this little hole in the wall was not a place into which I would invite people. Why was I living there, you may ask? It was cheap, convenient to Southside, and when I needed a place to live a year ago, I honestly thought I wasn't at home enough to warrant a nicer place. Needless to say, I was wrong...

Anyway, my lease was up at the end of July and the place I decided to move did not have a unit open until 10 September. I can now say that at age 37, I survived six(!) weeks bunking at my parents' house. Actually, it wasn't so awful...they were very nice and accomodating, and I enjoyed spending some time with them. However, by the time 9 September came round, I had bag and baggage packed and ready to go...

I am now living at Wildwood Crossings, where I lived in law school. An interesting perspective on life has come round since then...when I first moved in in '97, the complex was brand new. I was literally the first person to ever live in my apartment. Through the years that followed law school, I looked back on Wildwood as a sort of suburban idyll, a fantasyland where all was bright and shiny. (Remember that after undergrad, this was my first really "nice" apartment.)

Ten years later...it's still very nice. I am paying the rent myself now, as opposed to mom & dad, so it isn't quite the enchanted spot it was before. Plus, it's now a 10-year-old complex, and while it's very well-maintained, the sheen of brand-newness is gone. There has been some redecoration, and the bold wallpaper (which I loved) has been replaced by a textured muted-beige paint/plaster design (which I like just fine.)

Bottom line: what was once a never-never land of parties and the last burst of carefree youth is now a slightly more shopworn but still comfy and happy "real world" home. I still have to chew on the philosophical implications of all this, but I think my surroundings sort of reflect the disparity between the late 20's and late 30's. The latter still has fun and laughs, but perhaps slightly muted by time and creeping maturity. Not all bad, to be honest...

As for the notoriety, I have once again been mentioned on my friend Aaron's blog. Aaron is quite a fine writer, and I always enjoy seeing myself through his eyes. I usually fare pretty well...can't say I would enjoy it as much if he devoted a weekly column to "Frank is a bastard and here's why." Hopefully, that won't happen... :-)

Today from The Motherland...The Sex Pistols reunite! I remember listening to "Never Mind The Bollocks" back in the day...now most of the original fans have SUVs and 401(K)s. Sort of makes you doubt mainstream commercial anti-establishment musicians, huh...?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7000180.stm

FLT3

I Love My Cast...

No, I haven't broken an arm (though I suppose a leg would be appropriate, given my profession...) I am making reference to the cast of THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE which will be presented by CenterStage in October. This cast is really something special...

First, they are almost scary-talented...this is a group of truly brilliant performers. At a recent music rehearsal, I was out of the room for a moment, and honestly thought someone was playing the CD...but it was just our cast singing. :-)

Not only are they talented, they are also incredibly nice and friendly and agreeable. I honestly look forward to seeing this group of people every night! I predict that MILLIE will be a tremendous success, due not only to the sheer talent, but also the tangible warmth and goodwill among the cast.

SO...please come and see the show...you won't be disappointed!

In today's news from The Motherland...a very special kitty! (I love the British term "moggie...")
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6989055.stm

FLT3

Warm & Fuzzy Story

Today from The Motherland...a story about motherhood:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6984122.stm

Although the potential for abuse is high, and regulation & enforcement will be difficult if not impossible, it's damned civilized to see that Queen & Country care about good nutrition for babies. It makes me smile to think of it. :-)

FLT3

Try To Remember...

As I write this, I am sitting in a friend's office downstairs at Virginia Samford Theatre (thanks, Lucas!) waiting for my next entrance in the VST Gala. Above me I can hear another friend masterfully singing "Try To Remember" from The Fantasticks (excellent job, Carl!) I just glanced at the news online and saw that Madeline L'Engle died today. One of the first "grown up" books I ever read was A Wrinkle In Time, and I have always credited L'Engle with helping me discover a lifelong love of reading. Add to this passing that of Pavarotti, and the "Try To Remember" song takes on a particular poigniancy...

Life, however, goes on. There will be other magnificent authors and other incredible singers, but the world is a bit less "sparkling" tonight with these two missing. Rest In Peace, both...

On a more cheerful note, an amusing story from The Motherland:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6981956.stm

It's nice to know that in a world of violence, sadness, and assorted acts of nastiness that Alan Cumming's arse can still cause a stir in Scotland.

FLT3

Get Well, Maestro...

In today's News From The Motherland...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6980686.stm

...opera legend Luciano Pavarotti is reported in "serious" condition. Our prayers are with you, LP...God, what an amazing voice...

The frailty and temporary nature of the human body is sort of terrifying if one really stops to consider...thousands of living, functioning component parts...no matter how well they are maintained, one too many will go sour within 100 years or so, even by the most optimistic statistics...mortality is, as the saying goes, a bitch.

FLT3

History Again at The Tower

From The Motherland...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/6975559.stm

It looks as if one of the last bastions of the old-boy network has been breached. For the first time in history, a female Beefeater is on duty at The Tower of London. I must say, "well done!"

Admittedly, I am a traditionalist when it comes to The Sceptered Isle. I mourned the passing of the barristers' wigs, I long for the return of Latin to the C of E services, and if the pound sterling gives way to the euro, I may have to take to my bed...

However, I am definitely a progressive in terms of equal opportunity. If there are women who wish to serve as yeoman warders at The Tower (and obviously there are) I think they should be given the opportunity.

In other news, the VST Gala continues to grow and blossom. I do hope it will be well-attended...I may have to send out a mass email later tonight. I usually hate the "come and see my show" propaganda that surrounds the opening of a performance, but this is something special...

Today is Labor Day. I think we all need a pleasant, quiet, low-key holiday once in a while, and Labor Day fills the bill quite nicely. It's sort of like Thanksgiving or Easter...not a frenzied high-intensity holiday...just calm and restful.

Rehearsal begins tomorrow at BCT for Rumplestiltskin. I am very happy to say that my good friend Ron Dometrovich is in the show, so I will look forward to the performances...even the tour won't be so gruelling with a friend along for the trip. Of course the paycheck is another nice incentive...

FLT3