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Opening Weekend
Dec. 15th, 2008 05:57 pmSo, my show opened Friday. I got there around 7:30 and hung out backstage. Several of the kids in the cast gave me little birthday gift bags, which was totally unexpected and adorable. I received three different candles, two boxes of dark chocolates, and a Christmas ornament. How sweet! I also gave a few last-minute notes and worked a slight change with Ignorance and Want. Eventually Shawna called 5 minutes, then I did my St. Crispin's Day speech to the ducklings. I said we've done all this work--we've rehearsed and done our research and now the fun part comes. Now you actually get to go out and BE these people--you get to go on a journey and take the audience with you. And that's why we become actors.
I watched the first part of the show from the balcony. It was all going fine until the Marley knocker effect didn't happen at which point I started to freak and then had to leave the balcony to chill. I would be a terrible Olympic parent, I simply can't watch when I'm not in control. I spent the rest of the show wandering in and out of the balcony, noticing at intermission that Jason, Alex and Don were there. From what I saw, the show went fairly well--not great, but well enough. I can never trust my own assessment of how well it went--I tend only to notice the mistakes, like Tess (Tiny Tim) singing "stood a lowly cattle shed/where a mother raised her baby" instead of "where a mother laid her baby." I've given her that note several times now--"Tess, you know, they did move out eventually! Joseph and Mary weren't *that* poor!" And Niki (Mrs. Cratchit) keeps messing up "and we haven't ate it all at last!" which she did again on Friday. Niki said after the first Cratchit scene (when both these flubs happened) she and Tess looked at each other and said "Clara's gonna kill us!" Which I did, after the show :)
Jason, Alex and Don came up to me in the lobby afterwards and said some very nice things. Jason said he could tell my directorial touches and he liked how my adaptation flowed. Don mentioned how interesting it was to watch it, as opposed to being in it. I was a little shaky (opening night with such a tech-heavy show is very stressful to me). The cast wanted to go somewhere where the entire cast (including the kids) could fit but there really isn't any such a place in Hoboken (especially on a Friday) so they went off to the Dubliner and I joined Dave for a quick drink at Court Street. The quick drink lasted longer than I thought and the cast kept texting and calling me, so finally I left Dave and walked along Court Street (all those cobblestones) to the Dubliner. The cast had gotten me a bouquet of flowers, a card and two Starbucks gift cards (they are all well aware of my coffee love). How sweet! I love my cast. They're all awesome. Someone bought me an Irish Car Bomb (my Xmas Carol drink--I discovered them last year at Court Street when Pia introduced me) and I mingled with various cast members, dissecting the show and the experience.
Niki said I was the best director she'd ever had--I said well, I love directing and I'm passionate about it. I love the work of directing--I love thinking about the blocking and the themes, I love bookwork and research.
Saturday after the show, we went to Benny Tudino's. Rebecca (Want/Fan) had gotten an illustrated version of CC as an opening night gift and she was marveling at how much of it was familiar. I said that's because I tried to make my script as authentic as possible. As it turned out, a couple sitting nearby had been at the performance and complimented us. One of the mothers said "tell her--she's the director and wrote the script." The woman of the couple said that she'd cried--I was all "excellent..."
Check us out!
Playgoers who enjoy having the Dickens scared out of them should find it worthwhile to make their way out to Hoboken this holiday season for the historic DeBaun Center for Performing Arts' production of A Christmas Carol. Adapter/director Clara Barton Green has taken great care to see that her text is accurate to both the spirit and letter of the great Charles Dickens novel and that includes an appreciation for its appeal as a good ol' fashioned ghost story.
But that doesn't mean it's not appropriate family entertainment and, quite frankly, with the way things are going these days ticket prices of $20 for adults, $15 for students & seniors and $10 for children seems pretty family friendly, too.
I've enjoyed DeBaun productions in the past, including last year's A Christmas Carol, so if you plan on taking that mere 15 minute bus ride from Port Authority to the theatre keep an eye out for me making a return trip. Just don't tell the driver my coffee cup is really filled with smoking bishop.
Thank you, Michael!
I watched the first part of the show from the balcony. It was all going fine until the Marley knocker effect didn't happen at which point I started to freak and then had to leave the balcony to chill. I would be a terrible Olympic parent, I simply can't watch when I'm not in control. I spent the rest of the show wandering in and out of the balcony, noticing at intermission that Jason, Alex and Don were there. From what I saw, the show went fairly well--not great, but well enough. I can never trust my own assessment of how well it went--I tend only to notice the mistakes, like Tess (Tiny Tim) singing "stood a lowly cattle shed/where a mother raised her baby" instead of "where a mother laid her baby." I've given her that note several times now--"Tess, you know, they did move out eventually! Joseph and Mary weren't *that* poor!" And Niki (Mrs. Cratchit) keeps messing up "and we haven't ate it all at last!" which she did again on Friday. Niki said after the first Cratchit scene (when both these flubs happened) she and Tess looked at each other and said "Clara's gonna kill us!" Which I did, after the show :)
Jason, Alex and Don came up to me in the lobby afterwards and said some very nice things. Jason said he could tell my directorial touches and he liked how my adaptation flowed. Don mentioned how interesting it was to watch it, as opposed to being in it. I was a little shaky (opening night with such a tech-heavy show is very stressful to me). The cast wanted to go somewhere where the entire cast (including the kids) could fit but there really isn't any such a place in Hoboken (especially on a Friday) so they went off to the Dubliner and I joined Dave for a quick drink at Court Street. The quick drink lasted longer than I thought and the cast kept texting and calling me, so finally I left Dave and walked along Court Street (all those cobblestones) to the Dubliner. The cast had gotten me a bouquet of flowers, a card and two Starbucks gift cards (they are all well aware of my coffee love). How sweet! I love my cast. They're all awesome. Someone bought me an Irish Car Bomb (my Xmas Carol drink--I discovered them last year at Court Street when Pia introduced me) and I mingled with various cast members, dissecting the show and the experience.
Niki said I was the best director she'd ever had--I said well, I love directing and I'm passionate about it. I love the work of directing--I love thinking about the blocking and the themes, I love bookwork and research.
Saturday after the show, we went to Benny Tudino's. Rebecca (Want/Fan) had gotten an illustrated version of CC as an opening night gift and she was marveling at how much of it was familiar. I said that's because I tried to make my script as authentic as possible. As it turned out, a couple sitting nearby had been at the performance and complimented us. One of the mothers said "tell her--she's the director and wrote the script." The woman of the couple said that she'd cried--I was all "excellent..."
Check us out!
Playgoers who enjoy having the Dickens scared out of them should find it worthwhile to make their way out to Hoboken this holiday season for the historic DeBaun Center for Performing Arts' production of A Christmas Carol. Adapter/director Clara Barton Green has taken great care to see that her text is accurate to both the spirit and letter of the great Charles Dickens novel and that includes an appreciation for its appeal as a good ol' fashioned ghost story.
But that doesn't mean it's not appropriate family entertainment and, quite frankly, with the way things are going these days ticket prices of $20 for adults, $15 for students & seniors and $10 for children seems pretty family friendly, too.
I've enjoyed DeBaun productions in the past, including last year's A Christmas Carol, so if you plan on taking that mere 15 minute bus ride from Port Authority to the theatre keep an eye out for me making a return trip. Just don't tell the driver my coffee cup is really filled with smoking bishop.
Thank you, Michael!
Birthday and Niceness
Dec. 20th, 2006 05:36 pmIt's a little late but I'd like to thank my lovely friends who came out with my on my birthday last week. It's such a time crunch in mid-December, I'm always happy anyone can go! And a special thank you to three of you:
The Sunday before, I'd been helping Mickey, Katie and Sami clean up the old apartment, and we went out to a diner afterward where Silas met us. Silas had brought two scooters with him--a pink one for Sami and an electric blue Razor for himself (with wheels that lit up!). We all tried them out, and I was having so much fun riding up and down the sidewalk that Silas, on the spot, offered it to me. Yes, he actually gave me the scooter he'd just bought for himself. What an amazing act of generosity! I LOVE it--I've been having so much fun with it, and have used it to commute as well. It will come in especially handy going between DeBaun and the PATH station next month!
Another thank you goes to Seth and Rachel, who took the time to find out where the Into the Woods rehearsal was the night of the 12th to drop off the present with our director, Billy. This, in and of itself, was wonderfully thoughtful but it gets better. The present was so beautifully wrapped, I put it under my little Christmas tree, just enjoying it, and didn't unwrap until Saturday afternoon. Rachel had included a note about "my fashionista side" and it turned out to be this darling little glass ornament in the shape of a fashionista with a cute little Southern outfit and bearing a bag that said "Atlanta." I loved it and immediately put it on the tree.
Sunday, disaster struck. As I was wrapping Sami's baby shower presents, Tatiana (whom we all know is somewhat large) tried to squeeeeze past the tree on the window sill, even though there was CLEARLY NO ROOM. The tree fell and everything broke. Lights, ornaments, an ornament that a friend had made for me 10 years ago, ALL the candy canes...and my beautiful little Atlanta glass doll. I flipped out--I get very sentimental about people taking the time to make or buy things for me. And I hadn't even had the thing 24 hours! I was VERY angry with Tatiana who ran and hid. The mess was everywhere. I was really very upset about the whole thing.
I saw Seth later that evening at Tesse's Hanukkah open house and he handed me a bag. In it were two new glass dolls--not Atlanta ones (they didn't have any more) but a Beverly Hills doll and a Paris doll. They are BEAUTIFUL. The Paris one is just precious--the doll has one a red overcoat with a matching red, wide-brimmed hat and jetblack hair. She is such a classic Chanel beauty. I hung them on my mod lamp, FAR out of the reach of curious, fat tabbies who KNOW they're not supposed to break stuff. Ahem. I hung my poor little broken-legged Atlanta doll next to it--even though she is disabled, she still loves her fashionista sisters. My Mulder doll and my Anakin/Obi-Wan Mustafar ornament are not far off--I'm thinking I may arrange a cocktail party for them all. I bet the Atlanta doll and Anakin hook up, since we all know he's about to lose BOTH his legs. And arms.
People are just so nice sometimes. I guess that's all I can conclude from this. People can be so kind.*
*The foregoing does not release the recipient from the obligation of writing an actual thank you note, to be delivered via postal mail in the near future.
The Sunday before, I'd been helping Mickey, Katie and Sami clean up the old apartment, and we went out to a diner afterward where Silas met us. Silas had brought two scooters with him--a pink one for Sami and an electric blue Razor for himself (with wheels that lit up!). We all tried them out, and I was having so much fun riding up and down the sidewalk that Silas, on the spot, offered it to me. Yes, he actually gave me the scooter he'd just bought for himself. What an amazing act of generosity! I LOVE it--I've been having so much fun with it, and have used it to commute as well. It will come in especially handy going between DeBaun and the PATH station next month!
Another thank you goes to Seth and Rachel, who took the time to find out where the Into the Woods rehearsal was the night of the 12th to drop off the present with our director, Billy. This, in and of itself, was wonderfully thoughtful but it gets better. The present was so beautifully wrapped, I put it under my little Christmas tree, just enjoying it, and didn't unwrap until Saturday afternoon. Rachel had included a note about "my fashionista side" and it turned out to be this darling little glass ornament in the shape of a fashionista with a cute little Southern outfit and bearing a bag that said "Atlanta." I loved it and immediately put it on the tree.
Sunday, disaster struck. As I was wrapping Sami's baby shower presents, Tatiana (whom we all know is somewhat large) tried to squeeeeze past the tree on the window sill, even though there was CLEARLY NO ROOM. The tree fell and everything broke. Lights, ornaments, an ornament that a friend had made for me 10 years ago, ALL the candy canes...and my beautiful little Atlanta glass doll. I flipped out--I get very sentimental about people taking the time to make or buy things for me. And I hadn't even had the thing 24 hours! I was VERY angry with Tatiana who ran and hid. The mess was everywhere. I was really very upset about the whole thing.
I saw Seth later that evening at Tesse's Hanukkah open house and he handed me a bag. In it were two new glass dolls--not Atlanta ones (they didn't have any more) but a Beverly Hills doll and a Paris doll. They are BEAUTIFUL. The Paris one is just precious--the doll has one a red overcoat with a matching red, wide-brimmed hat and jetblack hair. She is such a classic Chanel beauty. I hung them on my mod lamp, FAR out of the reach of curious, fat tabbies who KNOW they're not supposed to break stuff. Ahem. I hung my poor little broken-legged Atlanta doll next to it--even though she is disabled, she still loves her fashionista sisters. My Mulder doll and my Anakin/Obi-Wan Mustafar ornament are not far off--I'm thinking I may arrange a cocktail party for them all. I bet the Atlanta doll and Anakin hook up, since we all know he's about to lose BOTH his legs. And arms.
People are just so nice sometimes. I guess that's all I can conclude from this. People can be so kind.*
*The foregoing does not release the recipient from the obligation of writing an actual thank you note, to be delivered via postal mail in the near future.
Alex's most recent posting about eatery reminds me--we have a birthday coming up. Everyone's favorite skinny Jewish dancer, Susan Goldstein Mitchell, is celebrating her birthday next Friday, July 7, at HK on Ninth Ave. & 39th. (This is where we were last year.) She'll be there starting around 7:00--I will probably be there closer to 8:30.
Respond here or by email if you're coming.
Respond here or by email if you're coming.
I'm dreaming....of a white birthday...
Dec. 12th, 2005 11:53 amHoly crap. I am really sick today. I've been wracked with coughing ever since I got up this morning--it feels like there's a live animal in my lungs trying to escape.
That said,
(Today is my actual birthday--the 12th day of the 12th month. And I was born in the 12th hour as well (PST).)
Had a GREAT time last night. Seth, Rachel, Duncan, Tesse, Paula, Jason, Chris and my friend Michelle met at my place--I served Clara-made eggnog and had Christmas music playing and Holiday Inn on the TV (muted, and we fast-forwarded past the "Abraham" number). It was all very Christmassy. I love that my birthday cames close to Christmas--it just makes the day seem that much more special. After nog we went out to Mercury's and took over a long table in the back. My voice gave out about halfway through the meal and I just started signing (thanks to Tesse, who taught me some common signs), gesturing and writing things down. At one point the discussion was about the colorizaion of black-and-white movies and I indignantly wrote down "IAWL [It's a Wonderful Life] doesn't NEED color!" It was so nice having everyone around--Alex joined us later and brought back my camera which I'd left at Kelly's on Friday.
After Mercury's, Jason, Paula, Duncan, Alex and I went on to Vintage where I ordered my new favorite drink, this caramel-drizzled, apple-sliced, Apple Pucker, vodka, Butterscotch schnappes martini. It is sooooo good. Ryan joined us later and it was just all very nice, very relaxing. Good people, good times.
ETA: Thank you everyone for your birthday wishes!! I have the nicest friends!
That said,
(Today is my actual birthday--the 12th day of the 12th month. And I was born in the 12th hour as well (PST).)
Had a GREAT time last night. Seth, Rachel, Duncan, Tesse, Paula, Jason, Chris and my friend Michelle met at my place--I served Clara-made eggnog and had Christmas music playing and Holiday Inn on the TV (muted, and we fast-forwarded past the "Abraham" number). It was all very Christmassy. I love that my birthday cames close to Christmas--it just makes the day seem that much more special. After nog we went out to Mercury's and took over a long table in the back. My voice gave out about halfway through the meal and I just started signing (thanks to Tesse, who taught me some common signs), gesturing and writing things down. At one point the discussion was about the colorizaion of black-and-white movies and I indignantly wrote down "IAWL [It's a Wonderful Life] doesn't NEED color!" It was so nice having everyone around--Alex joined us later and brought back my camera which I'd left at Kelly's on Friday.
After Mercury's, Jason, Paula, Duncan, Alex and I went on to Vintage where I ordered my new favorite drink, this caramel-drizzled, apple-sliced, Apple Pucker, vodka, Butterscotch schnappes martini. It is sooooo good. Ryan joined us later and it was just all very nice, very relaxing. Good people, good times.
ETA: Thank you everyone for your birthday wishes!! I have the nicest friends!
Julie's Birthday, Quiet Night at Home
Dec. 30th, 2003 03:59 pmNo rehearsal tonight, thank God. Last night after work I met the rest of them at Ripley-Grier and we went over scenes. I'd bought roses and a card for Julie's birthday, and surreptitiously got the others to sign the card.
Afterward Julie, Tracy and I went to a place near my apartment called Zuni's for a drink. It has a nice warm brightly colored interior and there was a jazz band playing. We took a booth near the back and chatted--I had two margaritas and, shamefully (in light of my need to stay skinny this week), a plate of quesadillas. I hadn't had dinner, though, and I worked out a bit after I got home.
Tonight, just restfulness. TV, knitting, quiet time with HIH Tatiana (who woke me up again, sprawled on my chest as I gasped for breath. Doodness, the Kitties of Life are just bad).
Afterward Julie, Tracy and I went to a place near my apartment called Zuni's for a drink. It has a nice warm brightly colored interior and there was a jazz band playing. We took a booth near the back and chatted--I had two margaritas and, shamefully (in light of my need to stay skinny this week), a plate of quesadillas. I hadn't had dinner, though, and I worked out a bit after I got home.
Tonight, just restfulness. TV, knitting, quiet time with HIH Tatiana (who woke me up again, sprawled on my chest as I gasped for breath. Doodness, the Kitties of Life are just bad).
Birthday Drinks with Bart & Jared
Dec. 13th, 2003 01:04 pmLast night was very nice. My brother Bart and his new boyfriend Jared met me at the Oak Bar Restaurant for a drink. It turned out that without a reservation we wouldn't be able to eat until 9:30 (the maitre d' was incredibly snotty about it--I may have to write a letter about that, just really rude) so we walked over to 21. Same story although they were much nicer. Both of these places also have lounges/bars but Snotty Maitre Fuck didn't suggest it and there's a tie and jacket dress code at 21. So, we walked over toward 7th Avenue and I saw Angelo and Maxie's. My one requirement was that I have a drink someplace I've never gone before and that place is mentioned in "Lullaby of Broadway" so we went there.
Jared is really nice. Bart obviously has a type--Italian, works with numbers--and this guy fit the mold. He asked a lot of questions about our family and just seemed very interested in everything. Nice guy. He and Bart had burgers--I wasn't that hungry so I had a couple of champagne cocktails and some shrimp cocktail. I wore one of my little black dresses with my hair up, and my Caressa black CFMs. I have to admit, my makeup was smokin'. And I wore my teal suede Janis Joplin coat. I may be a tomboy but I love to play dress-up.
Jared is really nice. Bart obviously has a type--Italian, works with numbers--and this guy fit the mold. He asked a lot of questions about our family and just seemed very interested in everything. Nice guy. He and Bart had burgers--I wasn't that hungry so I had a couple of champagne cocktails and some shrimp cocktail. I wore one of my little black dresses with my hair up, and my Caressa black CFMs. I have to admit, my makeup was smokin'. And I wore my teal suede Janis Joplin coat. I may be a tomboy but I love to play dress-up.
Happy Birthday!
Aug. 14th, 2003 01:00 pm...to my dear WASPy mother, a Leo, a lover of cats and all animals. I sent her this arrangement. Hope she likes it.
Mwah!
Mwah!
Miscellany
Aug. 13th, 2003 10:28 amUngh. Very tired. I don't get enough time to just relax at home these days--I get home and it's time to go to bed. So I stay up later taking care of things and get to bed really late.
There's a temp who's been in for Mary for the past month (she's out with shingles) who wants to talk more than you do. You know how that is. I am not social in the morning; in fact, I'm not that social at work, period. Generally I want to be left alone. But he always seems to want to come over and talk about nothing, despite my lack of response, despite the looks and body language I'm directing toward the computer. It's annoying. Men in general, I find, are not very good at picking up unspoken signals.
My mother's birthday is tomorrow. She's a Leo.
I don't look as tan in the sunlight as I do in the shower, dashing my delusions of tandeur.
I really, really need a vacation.
There's a temp who's been in for Mary for the past month (she's out with shingles) who wants to talk more than you do. You know how that is. I am not social in the morning; in fact, I'm not that social at work, period. Generally I want to be left alone. But he always seems to want to come over and talk about nothing, despite my lack of response, despite the looks and body language I'm directing toward the computer. It's annoying. Men in general, I find, are not very good at picking up unspoken signals.
My mother's birthday is tomorrow. She's a Leo.
I don't look as tan in the sunlight as I do in the shower, dashing my delusions of tandeur.
I really, really need a vacation.
(no subject)
Dec. 9th, 2002 02:45 pmI'm sick today; struggling to make it through work. Nothing contagious, I don't think; I must've eaten something weird yesterday or last night and slept for shit. Then I woke up and promptly lost it all. Yea. Very dizzy and white-faced but I didn't take the day off because I had to take off so many mornings because of Fare for All and I'm not going to be around much during Christmas either.
Tim and I are going to be seeing either The Nutcracker or the Radio City Christmas Spectacular this week on Friday. I'd prefer to see the former but the latter is just deliciously cheesy ("it'll fill YOUR heart with Christmas!") that I can't resist.
Now that I think about it, this isn't the first time I've been sick on this date. I always remember the date John Lennon was killed because I was sick on the night of December 8 in 1980 as well. Couldn't sleep, woke up in the middle of the night and lost it. Stayed home from school the next day and when my friend Hope called me to tell me the news, I had no idea who John Lennon was.
Tim and I are going to be seeing either The Nutcracker or the Radio City Christmas Spectacular this week on Friday. I'd prefer to see the former but the latter is just deliciously cheesy ("it'll fill YOUR heart with Christmas!") that I can't resist.
Now that I think about it, this isn't the first time I've been sick on this date. I always remember the date John Lennon was killed because I was sick on the night of December 8 in 1980 as well. Couldn't sleep, woke up in the middle of the night and lost it. Stayed home from school the next day and when my friend Hope called me to tell me the news, I had no idea who John Lennon was.
(no subject)
Dec. 3rd, 2002 04:50 pmWatched A Christmas Story last night on Dinner & A Movie. I don't find that movie quite as funny as everyone else does--for one thing, I'm always way too distracted by Melinda Dillon's horribly anachronistic hair--but there are several laugh out loud moments, like when the Bumpkiss dogs ravage the turkey. But my favorite moment is when the teacher asks "Does anyone know where Flick is?" and the cute little girl coyly points outside.
Finally got my old logon and email back at work and discovered that I've been invited to a farewell party for Bertrand Badre and his family--they're going back to France soon. How delightful--I love going to parties. It's the day after my birthday, for which Mary and I are going to have lunch at the Rainbow Room, a mere two floors above us. The RR sent out an email to all Rock Center employees offering a prix fixe lunch special. Now I can cross something else off my "New York Things I'd Like to Do Eventually" list.
Richard Welton (with whom I was going to perform a scene--he was auditioning for the Actor's Studio but his girlfriend got sick and he had to call it off) called again. He wanted to try again, although this time he wanted do a new scene. Unfortunately my schedule is tighter this time around, and it won't work out. The scene sounded great--it's from a play called Hurly Burly that now I want to read, but it's probably for the better, as I'd really just like to relax for the next few weeks.
Feel pretty rested today.
Finally got my old logon and email back at work and discovered that I've been invited to a farewell party for Bertrand Badre and his family--they're going back to France soon. How delightful--I love going to parties. It's the day after my birthday, for which Mary and I are going to have lunch at the Rainbow Room, a mere two floors above us. The RR sent out an email to all Rock Center employees offering a prix fixe lunch special. Now I can cross something else off my "New York Things I'd Like to Do Eventually" list.
Richard Welton (with whom I was going to perform a scene--he was auditioning for the Actor's Studio but his girlfriend got sick and he had to call it off) called again. He wanted to try again, although this time he wanted do a new scene. Unfortunately my schedule is tighter this time around, and it won't work out. The scene sounded great--it's from a play called Hurly Burly that now I want to read, but it's probably for the better, as I'd really just like to relax for the next few weeks.
Feel pretty rested today.
