I Hate Shakespeare

 

Me As The Bard

It's not a secret -- I hate Shakespeare.  Not personally, of course - I mean, I hardly know the guy.  But I think his plays have been given FAR too much attention. However, that hasn't stopped me from doing 2 of his plays (COMEDY OF ERRORS and the very appropriately titled MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING) as well as 3 "Shakespeare Adjacent" pieces. 

MASTER OF THE REVELS - a One Act where I play Will (photo above) as he's staging his new work, Romeo and Juliet.

THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE Abridged - a fantastically funny send up of all things Bard.

And the most recent adventure - SOMETHING ROTTEN. Perhaps the most fun I've had on stage since Complete Works.

Thomas Nostradamus looks to the future

The mid-way point of a 7-minute extravaganza - A MUSICAL

This song incorporates references to close to a dozen OTHER musicals - from Guys And Dolls to JC Superstar to Annie to . . . 

The Big Finish!

. . . . yup. That one.

This was a production of the theater department at Eastern WA University. I had 40+ years on everyone else in the cast, and they kept me on my toes. Literally! This show gave me the first tap solo of my career.

Great experience, GREAT cast, great show. One that I'd do again in a heartbeat.

Oh Yeah - There's This, Too

 

2024 Wrap Up!

A Reader's Theater production is probably the only way I'd get cast as Eddie in A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE, but I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Not the least reason being that I got to perform with Paul.

And even though I Hate Shakespeare, I enjoyed PLAYING him in a new one-act.

And getting to perform a British farce with Jamie was fun, too!

My third visit to that "little town, a quiet village" - also a treat.

On The Horizon, And Getting Closer

 

Getting My Life In Focus

(My THIRD production of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the second time as Maurice)

The expression goes, "It never rains but it pours" -- or some such nonsense. After almost 12 months of drought, I am mid-rehearsal for a production of SOMETHING ROTTEN, looking at a possible role in HAIRSPRAY this summer, and . . . . . a potential National Tour (details are being withheld until all details are finalized).

From famine to feast, and it's feelin' good.  I'll keep you posted as more develops - and as the NDA lapses. (lol) So until then, here's another photo (because we all know no one reads these things unless they have pretty pictures to look at)

From Christmas 2017 - MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET - THE LIVE RADIO PLAY (hint hint hint)

Take care folks, and thanks for your kind indulgence.

Looking Back On 2024

 A Reader's Theater production of A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE (probably the only way I'd get cast in THAT piece these days), a couple of one-act comedies for Spokane Civic Theater's Playwrights Forum Festival, and yet ANOTHER visit to that "little town, it's a quiet village". 

Small scale compared to some years, but at least I was on stage.

Don't Want To Give It Away, But . . .

 

SCAPINO - 1976. That's me on the dock

There's quite a thrill involved when you do sonething you love and get paid for it.  I spent 21 years as a Touring Professional Actor/Director. Meaning I got paid for performing and sharing my craft. Then, after moving to Spokane, spent about 10 more years as a Working Actor.  After being able to put food on my table by indulging in a profession I adore, I must say it's difficult to "give it away".  Opportunities to work professionally in this area are few and far between, but the draw of the stage remains strong. 

So now comes the difficult question -- I want to get back on stage, but I don't want to jump into just ANY production. Especially since I would be donating my time and talents to do so.

I often ask other actors to name a play they've done and would NEVER want to do again. For me, that was the musical A WONDERFUL LIFE.  I thought the script needed a LOT of work, even though playing Clarence was enjoyable.  Then, 15 years later, I was giventhe opportunity to do the show again - but this time I was getting a hefty paycheck for my efforts.  Did I put my opinions aside for the sake of income???

Yes, I took the job

A good friend (PT) has said acting is the Second Oldest Profession. You are told "Be at this place at this time, here's what you'll wear, and when you're done the money will be on the dresser" (actually the check will be with your agent, but still) But I digress . . . 

So, do I take whatever roles are available just to feed my habit, or do I exercise discretion and select projects I really WANT to do and suffer the consequences? (see previous post about the Project That Never Came About - "A Mild Rant")  To quote one of my least favorite playwrights -- "There's The Rub"

Until next time.

2023 Wrap Up

 

Words are hardly necessary, so . . . . . . 

Back On Stage In A Classic

 

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE The Musical

I didn't think I'd be back on stage at Coeur d'Alene Summer Theater - a full time job tends to get in the way - but they needed me and it worked out.

Paul Gordon's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE The Musical. 

The reviews were very good

I had the opportunity to play Mr Bennet - the 1813 British Version of Tevye ("I have 5 daughters!")  I was welcomed in by the cast and crew on Day 3 of rehearsals.  Our director, Antoinette DiPietropolo, was a joy to work with -- and a HOOT! Even though we were working on a classic piece of British Literature, I actually got to spend 20 minutes teaching a fellow cast member how to do a proper spit take. Antoinette insisted on capturing the moment on video.

Even the rehearsals were fun

On to the next adventure - directing a new Christmas play. We will be presenting A SHERLOCK CAROL at Spokane Civic Theater. (auditions start September 24, 2023)

Take a Bow, Folks.