Lord, How Those Minutes Do Run!

It was a crazy weekend here in the blessed Land of Lincoln.

Saturday, I was hitting the stores at 8 am to finish/start my Christmas shopping. I’m nearly done, with the exception of Mr. Hep. But I know what he’s getting, so that’s a HUGE plus!! Hey, even got them all wrapped!!

I’m very proud of one gift, which is for my Once-And-Future-Husband, which will go unmentioned, since he is one of the two people who read this blog. Let’s just say that it’s imminent that my friends should be checking their mailboxes for a certain kind of invitation this summer.

After my “shopping marathon”, I had to run home to go to my sister’s house for Jack’s 6th birthday party. The funniest thing happened…I bought him a GREAT book called “Olivia”, because that’s his best friend’s name, and being the cool “uncle” that I am, I was sure that he’d love it. His face turned absolutely crimson, and he yelled “That’s for girls!”. Oops.

Following the party, I took him to see “Theater Armageddon 2005”, and he simply adored it! Although each time this guy, http://drastrozoom.blogspot.com would appear onstage, he would thumb his nose at him. Nothing like interactive Children’s Theatre.

Sunday…Sunday…Sunday. Let me first say that I love being a part of “Whorehouse”. Although, being referred to as “a lead” in the Springfield Theatre community is taking me a little bit of getting used to. Sitting with the “OG’s” kind of blows my mind. I feel completely humbled, and I am trying to be a good person to work with, to perhaps set an example to these high schoolers who have my #1 pet peeve: “Diva attitudes without the talent to back it up”.

The more these certain people annoy me, the more the rusty wheels in my pea brain start slowly churning. Was I this way when I was doing theatre as a kid? The more I think about it, the more I’m led to thinking that the answer is deniably, “yes”. So to all of those who I ever offended, or got on their nerves: I humbly apologize.

On a good note, I got a great compliment from our head honcho at rehearsal last night. He told me “I love your interactions with Miss Mona; It is such a relief not to have to tell someone when to breathe, snort, or laugh. Thank you.” This is from a guy who hardly ever compliments anyone. Besos, Bill!

Lord, enough of soul-searching. I swear, my New Year’s resolution is going to be to *stop* soul-searching. Oh, who the hell am I kidding!

Anyway, another huge thing that has taken some getting used to is this 7-days-a-week rehearsal schedule. Don’t get me wrong “I heart theatre” (pardon me while I throw up a little in my mouth), as much as the next thespian, but goodness! I work until 6 pm, then I go directly to the theater at 6:30. Wow. I’m t-i-red.

Another thing that is taken some getting used to is this proscenium theater vs. blackbox theater. I have been working for the last 8 years in what is known as “black box theater”. 80 seats. That means you’re probably a foot away from the audience. That means no microphones. That means me not having to sing as loud as I possibly can. This means…don’t worry about projection too much. That means…I’m having a hard time hearing the piano. Which equals to “crash and burn”. Gotta love live theater!

On a sad note, my dear friend from grade school, Mary Ellen “Mellie” Sukraw, passed away this past Friday after a long battle with Leukemia. As sad as I was when I first heard the news, I have to think that she is in a better place, free from the endless chemotherapy, radiation, and bone marrow transplants. Ciao, Mellie.