Sundry
Just sitting in rehearsal, contemplating the sorry state of this here blog. Been really busy, but there are a few things to talk about.
First. Ah, the NBA is back, baby. I love the NBA and I love the Utah Jazz. So what will this season bring? More disappointing road losses from the Jazz, as exhibited on their road opener in Denver. Granted, Denver should be tough this year, but the 4th quarter collapse by the Jazz just brought back all the memories of Utah's poor road performances from last year.
The return of the NBA also means the return the dillhole in Cleveland and his stupid powder throwing antics. I hate that the first highlight of the NBA season on Sports Center was King LeDouche throwing that crap in the air. Is this professional wrestling? No. Of course, it is heartwarming to watch the Cavs start their season with 2 losses. Let's see more of that, Bron Bron.
Second. Was driving down the street a couple of days ago and there is a woman pushing her kid down the street, not in a stroller, but in a stolen shopping cart. I guess you're a redneck if...
Third. Being in two shows at once is hard. Fun? Sure. Extra money? Needed. But I miss my family.
I’m getting too old for this $#!%
Treasure Island opened this past Monday. However, it will be almost a full week from opening night before I will be able to perform. During the rehearsal I sprained my ankle while running through my sword fight. Then a couple days later, thinking it had healed enough to give the sword fight another go, I injured it again. I ended up going to the doctor, getting x-rays, and now I have been wearing a boot for the past 5 days.
A guy at works thinks it's very cool that I can use the line, "I got hurt in a sword fight." He thinks the ladies would dig it, if I were in the market for the ladies.
This past rehearsal period has made me feel anything but cool and suave. Even without the ankle injury, I would come home sore and aching. A two hour round trip and a small yet demanding role meant I was spending more time in my car than on stage and the time on stage was beating me up. It got to the point that hated going to rehearsal. It wasn't fun. The returns just weren't equaling my input. And rehearsals are usually one of my favorite things about being in a show.
Now the show is open and here I sit, nursing a bum ankle and the returns still aren't here.
One positive to come from the ankle injury is I was able to attend the first rehearsal of the next show I am in. Utahoma at the Off Broadway Theatre in Salt Lake City. And I have to say, I had more fun in that one rehearsal than all of the Treasure Island rehearsals. Now, to be fair, Utahoma is a completely different type of show and the venue is also completely different. It's like comparing apples and oranges. Also, Treasure Island is a great show. The actors and set are incredible and if you have a chance to go see it, you will not be disappointed. It's just...
Well, it's just that when I was feeling like theatre was getting to a point where the sacrifice might not be worth it anymore, I spent a couple of hours with very funny friends and I am excited again.
Rock Rock Laughing Stock
This past Friday I got the chance to do something that I have wanted to do for a long time. One of the theatres I have performed at, the Off Broadway Theatre in downtown Salt Lake, also hosts an improv comedy troupe known as Laughing Stock. Later this year will be their 15th Anniversary making them the longest running improv troupe in the state. I have always thought they were talented and funny.
This weekend, I finally had the opporunity to play with them. It was a blast. I had so much fun. It was a good show with lots of laughs. I will get to play with them at the end of the month as well, and if all goes well I could hopefully become a regular, which would be awesome. It is something I have wanted for a long time.
It was awesome.
Circles
This past month, I had the wonderful opportunity to play the Ghost of Christmas Present in Hale Centre Theatre's 24th annual production of A Christmas Carol. HTC has produced a few different versions of this classic over the past 24 years, but certain aspects have remained in each version. For instance, towards the end of the play a young boy brings the poulterer back to Scrooge with the prize turkey. Scrooge tells the poulterer to take the turkey to the Cratchits and, in Hale's version, the poulterer gives a laugh reminiscent of the Ghost of Christmas Present hinting at the fact that poulterer really is Present.
Many years ago when I was very young, my parents took me to see A Christmas Carol at Hale Centre Theatre. I don't remember much about that night. But I very much remember the above mentioned moment. This year, I got to play that moment out night after night. I couldn't help but smile every time I thought about how cool it was to experience this moment of theatre from both an actor's and audience member's point of view. It felt like coming full circle in some small way.
I hope I will have the opportunity to play Present again next year. And maybe the year after that. And after that. After all, the other cast's Present, Tom, has played Present for the past 24 years. I would love to be part of a tradition in that way. And who knows, maybe the person who will play Present in another 20 years was in the audience and will remember me the way I remember Tom from all those years ago. Insert Lion King's Circle of Life song here.
Ah, Live Theatre
One of the characters I play in A Christmas Carol wears an eye patch. During tonight's performance in the middle of my scene the elastic strap snapped and sent the eye patch flying. I stopped for a second, then said, "I can see! Hallelujah." Got a good laugh.