MATTRESS is over. We're losing a few wonderful people from that cast before we begin this summer. My best to everyone who's leaving, and if I didn't get caught before I left the theatre it's because I desperately try to avoid goodbyes. Immature, perhaps, but... it's not as if I won't be in touch or ever see you again. It's a small world, especially in this business.

Leaving for vacation tomorrow!

I don't like to get too political in the 'blog, but this is a movie parallel that just occurred to me:

See, they released this report earlier this week to worry everyone about a "big terrorist attack" this summer. Today, however, the homeland security department let it slip that they were surprised by that warning, and a couple of other agencies (check the news) said today that after checking into this there was no real evidence of any new plot. Now, of course it is better to err on the side of caution, but it's sad that I cynically have to wonder whether an "attack" happening wouldn't be done to and by... well..

Now, doesn't this happen in The Princess Bride? Prince Humperdinck is planning the murder of Buttercup on his wedding night, and is planning to frame the nation of Guilder for it. His head of security comes in, and the Prince orders him to "increase security" as he has heard through his sources that Guilder has spies everywhere who may plan to assassinate his new bride. The man-at-arms says he and his spies have no such information, but the Prince insists it be done. Thus the groundwork is laid for the "assassination" and a war with Gilder.

If our government is going to ape a movie plot, I don't think it should be The Princess Bride.

The Minstrel and King Sextimus are very unhappy. The air conditioning wasn't working in their dressing room today. (Dick Westlake is the kewlest, by the way. If you haven't seen him as Sextimus, you must see him at Mount Gretna Theatre in PA this summer as Emperor Joseph in AMADEUS. I won't get to. Tell me how it is.  

My first attempt at putting a photo in the blog... a shot from the overture of JCS.  

One more week of performances for ONCE UPON A MATTRESS. It's been going well, generally speaking. I've come around a good deal about the show. I always thought well of this particular production, but I've never been a big fan of the piece itself. It's a good cast, though, and a cute overall design... I've come to the conclusion that while it is not necessarily my cup of tea it's at least diverting fluff of a higher order than some things.

Who says I'm not honest in my 'blog?

Coming soon: Vacation pictures! Yes, some friends and I are spending the entire week of May 31 - June 7 in Orlando. I've had one other vacation in my life, and it was a camping trip to Colorado in college. Time off I've had as an adult has been primarily spent travelling to my next gig or visiting the family in Kansas. This will be the first "vacation" I've ever done, so I want to do it right... and with the new photoblog stuff from my loverly bloghost I'll be able to start posting pictures here. Nifty, it is, full of "nift."

Speaking of "nifty," today BUBBA HO-TEP was released on DVD. We're having a gathering tonight (our last free night of the run) to view it tonight. Come on over.

It's been a bit of a rough week. No posts lately, sorry. The previous couple of posts were sparse as well, but hey... they were funny.

Also, for the sake of us all, it's pronounced "MIZ" Pac Man.

Really, really funny. The whole page might take a bit to load if you've a slow connection.

I have recently had a few notes passed my way from people who wonder why some text is colored differently than other text here in the 'blog. No, really, I got a letter. These are links! These are links intended to make you laugh! I hate to explain my own gimmick here, feels a bit like a "wink to the audience" (which as an actor or audience member I HATE)... but there you go.

For example...

This is unfortunate, but how I feel right now.

The show, it runs.

Florida is gradually getting warmer, lending credence to global warming and the theories put forth by both scientists and the upcoming film "The Day After Tomorrow."

Or it could just be approaching summer.

You know, I hear a title like "The Day After Tomorrow" and I think it's a sequel to the TV movie from my childhood, "The Day After," which (thank you very much ABC) contributed to the fact that the major fear of my youth was nuclear war. Well, that and rampaging devil worshippers - thank Geraldo for that, I think.

Anyway, it's hot, and the show is the show, and ... how're you?