Thursday, December 02, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
NOVEMBER??!!
Hey all,
So, of course, nothing can go as planned... best laid plans of mice and men and all that... but, I've moved twice in a month, closed a run of four shows in nine months out in Michigan, and now I'm back in Chicago rehearsing for the Holidays! Where did the time go?
I must say that I LOVE my new apartment. The street I'm on is quiet, but not so quiet that the dog gets bored of looking out the window. We are walking distance from the lake still, which we walked to yesterday. School is going well. I'm in my last class before my Capstone class. I am psyched! I'm almost done! Rehearsals are going great... I'm doing "Sanders Family Christmas" with Provision Theatre Company. It is most of the same cast from when Provision did "Smoke on the Mountain". Not everyone is back, obviously, but a little over half of us are returnees. It's lovely, and it's in a lovely new theatre!
Last time, when we did "Smoke..." we were in the Viaduct Theatre which was a much smaller space. I liked it, but I think this space is better for the Sanders Family.
I have no insights today... I'm struggling with keeping a positive mind-set to be honest. It's tough out here. I'm looking for a 9-5 day job that'll pay me enough that I can survive, and that pursuit is very wearying. It's such a basic thing, and when you can't get a handle on it it's hard to keep all the other stuff going.
Most of the time, though, things just click right along. I'm excited for the holidays, and can't wait to post pics for everyone of the crafty extravaganza that Christmas will be this year!!!
Hope you are all well, and enjoying the fall!
So, of course, nothing can go as planned... best laid plans of mice and men and all that... but, I've moved twice in a month, closed a run of four shows in nine months out in Michigan, and now I'm back in Chicago rehearsing for the Holidays! Where did the time go?
I must say that I LOVE my new apartment. The street I'm on is quiet, but not so quiet that the dog gets bored of looking out the window. We are walking distance from the lake still, which we walked to yesterday. School is going well. I'm in my last class before my Capstone class. I am psyched! I'm almost done! Rehearsals are going great... I'm doing "Sanders Family Christmas" with Provision Theatre Company. It is most of the same cast from when Provision did "Smoke on the Mountain". Not everyone is back, obviously, but a little over half of us are returnees. It's lovely, and it's in a lovely new theatre!
Last time, when we did "Smoke..." we were in the Viaduct Theatre which was a much smaller space. I liked it, but I think this space is better for the Sanders Family.
I have no insights today... I'm struggling with keeping a positive mind-set to be honest. It's tough out here. I'm looking for a 9-5 day job that'll pay me enough that I can survive, and that pursuit is very wearying. It's such a basic thing, and when you can't get a handle on it it's hard to keep all the other stuff going.
Most of the time, though, things just click right along. I'm excited for the holidays, and can't wait to post pics for everyone of the crafty extravaganza that Christmas will be this year!!!
Hope you are all well, and enjoying the fall!
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Coming Home
I know it's been a long while since I've written, and this might sound crazy, but lately I feel more like myself than I have in a long long time. I have no idea what it is, but I'm approaching all my creative tasks like I used to, and now just as things that MUST be ticked off an ever-expanding check list. I think I've found new inspirations, and I have no idea where this gift came from!
Maybe I haven't really been honest with myself, or maybe I gave myself over to something that I thought would make me happy, but it just made me miserable... and maybe I did that one too many times and I got lost.
But, as I sit here right now... having just lit a lavender candle... listening to beautiful, humble music... with Oxford in my lap... I feel peace. Real peace. And I feel it for the first time in a long long time. Where did I go?
This weekend I had some very honest communication with a few important people in my life... and somehow knowing that I'm not alone, and experiencing truth instead of denying it has made me... Not "happy." Maybe I'm just home again...
I belong in creativity. I belong in the moment. I should be writing and creating and enjoying those creations... I should be loving, and living, and really enjoying things... and I've been dead to it...
I still have the same list of things to figure out... What am I going to do for work in November (and beyond)? Where am I going to live? Etc, etc, etc... I just need to tackle things as they come, I suppose, and I need to stay here, in the moment.
Maybe I haven't really been honest with myself, or maybe I gave myself over to something that I thought would make me happy, but it just made me miserable... and maybe I did that one too many times and I got lost.
But, as I sit here right now... having just lit a lavender candle... listening to beautiful, humble music... with Oxford in my lap... I feel peace. Real peace. And I feel it for the first time in a long long time. Where did I go?
This weekend I had some very honest communication with a few important people in my life... and somehow knowing that I'm not alone, and experiencing truth instead of denying it has made me... Not "happy." Maybe I'm just home again...
I belong in creativity. I belong in the moment. I should be writing and creating and enjoying those creations... I should be loving, and living, and really enjoying things... and I've been dead to it...
I still have the same list of things to figure out... What am I going to do for work in November (and beyond)? Where am I going to live? Etc, etc, etc... I just need to tackle things as they come, I suppose, and I need to stay here, in the moment.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Teeth...
So, I'm in Michigan and I'm finally recovering from an unexpected oral surgery. I had an issue with one of my wisdom teeth, and since they had to remove it, I told 'em to take the rest out too. I got to go home and recuperate for a week while Jocylyn (cheoreographer to the stars) went on for me. Thank God for Jocylyn... and thank Jocylyn for going through all that trouble and hard work to make the show go on.
It's finally warm out, and since there's no air conditioning in the house I purchased an extrememly cheap kiddie pool at Wal-mart today. I'm very much looking forward to christening it tomorrow.
I'm also working on a wizard of oz themed quilt. It's turning out pretty great, and I really feel like I'm quilting the right way for the first time in my life. I'm not "winging it" as usual. I'm actually cutting properly and pressing properly, and I bought a brand new foot for the sewing maching that will allow me to quilt properly as well when the time comes.
My studies are also going well. I'm currently researching Anton Chekhov and how the historical period in which he lived influenced his works (stories and plays). It's fun. No, I swear, I find it fascinating...
The puppy is good, I'm feeling better, and things are going very well. I'm very thankful for all of the great beauty in my life right now... and my new kiddie pool.
It's finally warm out, and since there's no air conditioning in the house I purchased an extrememly cheap kiddie pool at Wal-mart today. I'm very much looking forward to christening it tomorrow.
I'm also working on a wizard of oz themed quilt. It's turning out pretty great, and I really feel like I'm quilting the right way for the first time in my life. I'm not "winging it" as usual. I'm actually cutting properly and pressing properly, and I bought a brand new foot for the sewing maching that will allow me to quilt properly as well when the time comes.
My studies are also going well. I'm currently researching Anton Chekhov and how the historical period in which he lived influenced his works (stories and plays). It's fun. No, I swear, I find it fascinating...
The puppy is good, I'm feeling better, and things are going very well. I'm very thankful for all of the great beauty in my life right now... and my new kiddie pool.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Church Basement Ladies II Review!!
'Church Basement Ladies' cooks up fun
Christopher Tower • For the Enquirer • April 23, 2010
Have you ever wanted to know what goes on in the church basement kitchen? If you didn't learn the secrets of quality Scandinavian food preparation a la northern Minnesota in the first show, "Church Basement Ladies" returns with "The Second Helping" of town gossip, fear of the "cities," and life lessons seen through the window over the basement kitchen counter.
Though the first church basement musical packed the halls of Cornwell's so full in 2008 that the dinner theater ran it again in 2009, this version trumps both with a cast of solid professionals who polish this rough-cut stone into a glittering gem. And if that's not enough to lure people from the blooming spring weather, Cornwell's has installed a new sound system with ample microphones for performers and digital enhancements that separate vocals to provide every seat in the dining hall with perfect acoustics.
Two performers from "Dixie Swim Club" (Amber Burgess and Emily Bodkin) stay on to be church ladies with newcomers (Lyndsey Agron and Madeline Fallier), and they comprise one of the most solid, four-person ensembles ever to grace a Cornwell's stage. Marshall local Alan Elliott rounds out the cast, reprising his role of the Pastor Gunderson.
The show charts out three generations of women who volunteer in the church kitchen. Vivian Snudstad (Burgess) has retired as head of the kitchen. Mavis Gilmerson (Bodkin) is the quintessential farmer's wife with grown children, though not as much seniority as Mrs. Snudstad. Karin Engleson (Agron) fills the second generation of church ladies with a newlywed daughter, a new role as head of the kitchen, and many years ahead of her. Beverly Engelson (Fallier) plays the third generation, a young newlywed and newly pregnant kitchen worker who chooses the small-town Lutheran church over a more fast-paced life in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The women's lives unfurl like a multi-faceted quilt (which is also a prop in the show) through four scenes, two acts, and a dozen musical numbers. Together, in their sanctuary of activity and fellowship, they cope with triumphs and tragedies that life serves them with humor and love. Some of the funniest lines include: "We're Scandinavian; we don't have feelings"; "Happy? We're Lutheran. Happiness has nothing to do with it"; and as a direction of what to do with bad leftovers: "Scrape it into the slop bucket and I'll take it home and give it to the pigs. Keeps 'em regular."
Even the pastor gets into the act, sharing news of the Viking Super Bowl of 1970 instead of the church meeting and learning to play the guitar as the church catches up with the "flower children" of the times. Alan Elliott plays a wonderful straight man to the zaniness of the four ladies.
And the ladies are the delightful main dish. Amber Burgess shows off once again why Top Hat Productions has locked her in to many of this season's shows. She remains consistently in character as Mrs. Snudstad, keeping all movements age-appropriate even when dancing. But at the same time, her low-key performance of the dour widow is brilliantly funny. Emily Bodkin shows the greatest range in the show, playing a character complete unlike the one from "The Dixie Swim Club." Bodkin also really belts out one of the show's earliest and best numbers: "God's Way of Saying."
Christopher Tower • For the Enquirer • April 23, 2010
Have you ever wanted to know what goes on in the church basement kitchen? If you didn't learn the secrets of quality Scandinavian food preparation a la northern Minnesota in the first show, "Church Basement Ladies" returns with "The Second Helping" of town gossip, fear of the "cities," and life lessons seen through the window over the basement kitchen counter.
Though the first church basement musical packed the halls of Cornwell's so full in 2008 that the dinner theater ran it again in 2009, this version trumps both with a cast of solid professionals who polish this rough-cut stone into a glittering gem. And if that's not enough to lure people from the blooming spring weather, Cornwell's has installed a new sound system with ample microphones for performers and digital enhancements that separate vocals to provide every seat in the dining hall with perfect acoustics.
Two performers from "Dixie Swim Club" (Amber Burgess and Emily Bodkin) stay on to be church ladies with newcomers (Lyndsey Agron and Madeline Fallier), and they comprise one of the most solid, four-person ensembles ever to grace a Cornwell's stage. Marshall local Alan Elliott rounds out the cast, reprising his role of the Pastor Gunderson.
The show charts out three generations of women who volunteer in the church kitchen. Vivian Snudstad (Burgess) has retired as head of the kitchen. Mavis Gilmerson (Bodkin) is the quintessential farmer's wife with grown children, though not as much seniority as Mrs. Snudstad. Karin Engleson (Agron) fills the second generation of church ladies with a newlywed daughter, a new role as head of the kitchen, and many years ahead of her. Beverly Engelson (Fallier) plays the third generation, a young newlywed and newly pregnant kitchen worker who chooses the small-town Lutheran church over a more fast-paced life in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The women's lives unfurl like a multi-faceted quilt (which is also a prop in the show) through four scenes, two acts, and a dozen musical numbers. Together, in their sanctuary of activity and fellowship, they cope with triumphs and tragedies that life serves them with humor and love. Some of the funniest lines include: "We're Scandinavian; we don't have feelings"; "Happy? We're Lutheran. Happiness has nothing to do with it"; and as a direction of what to do with bad leftovers: "Scrape it into the slop bucket and I'll take it home and give it to the pigs. Keeps 'em regular."
Even the pastor gets into the act, sharing news of the Viking Super Bowl of 1970 instead of the church meeting and learning to play the guitar as the church catches up with the "flower children" of the times. Alan Elliott plays a wonderful straight man to the zaniness of the four ladies.
And the ladies are the delightful main dish. Amber Burgess shows off once again why Top Hat Productions has locked her in to many of this season's shows. She remains consistently in character as Mrs. Snudstad, keeping all movements age-appropriate even when dancing. But at the same time, her low-key performance of the dour widow is brilliantly funny. Emily Bodkin shows the greatest range in the show, playing a character complete unlike the one from "The Dixie Swim Club." Bodkin also really belts out one of the show's earliest and best numbers: "God's Way of Saying."
Monday, March 22, 2010
A Shout Out!!!
I just wanted to write a quick "hello" to Dennis and Debbie who came to see "Dixie..." this last weekend. Guys, it really made my day to talk to you, and I hope you enjoyed the show as much as we enjoyed performing it for you!
To all the rest of you, the show is going really well, and I can't believe that we are just two weekends from closing. I have really enjoyed doing "Dixie Swim Club" and the process has been great. The cast couldn't be better-suited... and that comment goes two ways: Every person in the show is perfect for their role, and also the ensemble is perfect for eachother.
I've been really lucky lately to be in the company of such great talent, and I hope the trend continues.
Rehearsals start for "Church Basement Ladies II: A Second Helping" on Wednesday. I'm playing another old lady, so if it would amuse you to see me as a sarcastic, dry, lefse-wielding septagenarian then come on up!! CBL runs for something like thirteen weeks, so there's plenty of opportunity to see it.
Classes are going well (currently enrolled in "History of the American Constitution"), Oxford is great, and all is well... Any suggestions from anyone for fun things to do in Michigan? I'm going to be here for awhile...
To all the rest of you, the show is going really well, and I can't believe that we are just two weekends from closing. I have really enjoyed doing "Dixie Swim Club" and the process has been great. The cast couldn't be better-suited... and that comment goes two ways: Every person in the show is perfect for their role, and also the ensemble is perfect for eachother.
I've been really lucky lately to be in the company of such great talent, and I hope the trend continues.
Rehearsals start for "Church Basement Ladies II: A Second Helping" on Wednesday. I'm playing another old lady, so if it would amuse you to see me as a sarcastic, dry, lefse-wielding septagenarian then come on up!! CBL runs for something like thirteen weeks, so there's plenty of opportunity to see it.
Classes are going well (currently enrolled in "History of the American Constitution"), Oxford is great, and all is well... Any suggestions from anyone for fun things to do in Michigan? I'm going to be here for awhile...
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