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.

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.

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.

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.

I have been blessed to do this show three separate times with some of the best talent I have ever shared a stage with. Like I said, I’m usually fine when a show closes. But not today. The closing of this production was very sad for me. Somehow this close feels… permanent.

I will miss it.

This would be different. A “real” audition with call backs and competition. But he wanted to do it, so we of course said yes. He has enjoyed what theatre he has done, and we want to help our kids discover what they enjoy doing and help them do it. But this was also going to provide his first chance at rejection and we wanted to make sure he knew the difference between these auditions and the others he has gone to.

He said he was prepared if he didn’t get called back or didn’t get a part. Well, he was called back. As was I. He wanted me to audition, too. I would really rather have a break, but it would be awesome if we could do a show together.

Again, after callbacks, he said he would be okay if they didn’t call. However, the next day after coming home from school the first words out of his mouth were, “Did they call?” I was and am more nervous for him than I have ever been on any audition for myself.

We still have a day or two before they will call, if they call at all. Did I put my parents through the same thing every time I auditioned for something growing up?

I did two little segments on our local Fox affiliate to help promote the play I am in. I talked on one segment and sang on the other. Singing that early in the morning can be an adventure, but I think it went okay. Won’t know for sure until I sit down with Tivo tonight.

I was nervous, but had a good time.

Want to watch? Click here. I am in segments Secret Garden 3 and 4, which right now are the second and third video links in the middle of the page.

Over the past few weeks the only time I have spent at home except Saturday nights and Sundays has been spent sleeping. I would go to work then to rehearsal then home for sleep. Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining. I love being able to do this show again. Although, I have missed my family and I am grateful for their support in this.

But now Secret Garden has opened and my schedule will lighten up… a little.

Opening night went very well. Thanks for asking.