Up until the spring of 2007 being a professional performer was only a dream. I had never taken advantage of a real opportunity to see that dream fulfilled mostly because of a lack of self confidence and partly because opportunities are rare and the odds are stacked against anyone landing a "dream" role with so much competition out there. Then in March of 2007 I was encouraged and pushed by my wife and daughters and friends and students to take a chance and go for my dream. Thanks to their support (and unwillingness to let me say no to this chance) and the open mindedness of Martin Charnin, Trisha Gentry and Networks and their willingness to take a chance on someone with no "real" professional acting experience my dream has come true.
This week I watched with amazement, joy and happy tears as another 47 year old saw her dream come true. You may have seen her on the news or YouTube. Susan Boyle's story is one that I can identify with and one that has inspired and awed me. If you haven't seen it I encourage to go to YouTube and search for the clip. If you have seen it then you got a glimpse of what I felt like two years ago, standing in that audition room as Martin Charnin said "We would very much like for you to play Daddy Warbucks." It is a moment that I will never forget and one that I am eternally grateful for. Thank you Cay, Alayna and Ashlea for not letting me say no to that chance to live my dream and thanks to Martin for taking a chance on someone like me.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Friday, April 17, 2009
Birthdays and Travel Days
Wednesday was my birthday and I had the great fortune of spending it with my wife and one of my best friends. We drove to the Makers Mark Distillery in Kentucky and had a great day enjoying the scenery and each other. That night we performed for a very appreciative crowd in Danville, KY.
Thursday the company traveled to Athens, Ohio and performed on the Ohio University campus. The audience was wonderful, the show was fun, and the fellowship afterwards with friends in the cast was amazing. (They even got me to dance with them which I never do!) The best part of the day though had to be walking out and seeing a giant orange ball in the sky and feeling it's wonderful warmth!
Today we traveled to Columbus, Ohio were we will be for the weekend. The theatre is nice and we were able to get all of the set elements in thanks to the ability to "fly" the stairs to store them. This is really complicated to explain, but basically the huge staircase used in the final scenes is broken into 4 of 5 pieces that are then flown up into the fly space above the stage so that it doesn't take up needed floor space. The pieces are attached to motor lifts that raise them up into the air one at a time with each piece then being attached by cables to the piece above it. It is amazing the steps we will go to in order to make this show happen. Our crew is the best.
The hotel here is really nice as well. We are in suites at one of the nicest hotels around. A rare treat to live so extravagantly while on the road.
But the best part again is amazing weather. I was able to walk around today in my shirt sleeves! Finally, spring seems to have arrived!
Thursday the company traveled to Athens, Ohio and performed on the Ohio University campus. The audience was wonderful, the show was fun, and the fellowship afterwards with friends in the cast was amazing. (They even got me to dance with them which I never do!) The best part of the day though had to be walking out and seeing a giant orange ball in the sky and feeling it's wonderful warmth!
Today we traveled to Columbus, Ohio were we will be for the weekend. The theatre is nice and we were able to get all of the set elements in thanks to the ability to "fly" the stairs to store them. This is really complicated to explain, but basically the huge staircase used in the final scenes is broken into 4 of 5 pieces that are then flown up into the fly space above the stage so that it doesn't take up needed floor space. The pieces are attached to motor lifts that raise them up into the air one at a time with each piece then being attached by cables to the piece above it. It is amazing the steps we will go to in order to make this show happen. Our crew is the best.
The hotel here is really nice as well. We are in suites at one of the nicest hotels around. A rare treat to live so extravagantly while on the road.
But the best part again is amazing weather. I was able to walk around today in my shirt sleeves! Finally, spring seems to have arrived!
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
OOPS and Evansville
Ok, I guess I really like the month of February because I have made the same mistake twice now. Our tour ends on June 14 in Tampa not February 14 as some of you may have seen if you get this by e-mail or read it early.
We played Springfield, IL last night and are in Evansville, IN tonight but play in Henderson, KY. Not sure why we are staying in Illinois and playing Kentucky, but a bed is a bed as far as I am concerned.
Happy Birthday to Ashlea and Caleb. Hope you had a great day.
We played Springfield, IL last night and are in Evansville, IN tonight but play in Henderson, KY. Not sure why we are staying in Illinois and playing Kentucky, but a bed is a bed as far as I am concerned.
Happy Birthday to Ashlea and Caleb. Hope you had a great day.
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