In One Year

Last year, on a whim, I decided to audition for "Hairspray." A lark. It was community theater, so I knew I'd be in the show.
But thanks be to Adam Cannon, who gave someone totally unknown to him a chance, I got a part.
Since then, I have been in shows almost constantly.
Today, a well-known playwright, Mahonri Stewart, recommended me to the director who's doing his current show to give me a part.
I am pretty darn flabbergasted.
For so many years, I have felt too old, too fat, too worn out to do theater. It turns out, I was just waiting for the right time.
Tonight's rehearsal went great. The cast members seem neat. I've already found at least one Democrat in the group. I'm going to be kissing a man who isn't my husband. Something I haven't done since I said "I do" to Craig over 17 years ago.
I will be doing theater nonstop pretty much until the end of July. And then? Who knows?
Feeling blessed.
And props to my dude of over 17 years who never even questioned if he'd be cool with this latest venture. He told me that of course I should do the show.
Gosh.
Keep Playing! You know I will!

Backstage--Hell Week and Opening Weekend

My new show is going well. To be able to type this is such a joy. Last week at this time, I had little hope. Our dress rehearsal was horrible. I wanted to not even open the show as planned.
Then, a bunch of people showed up for opening night! We were clunky and my husband--love you, Craig--was still not memorized. More on this later. But we got through the performance. Lots of laughs, energy--an excellent beginning.
The next night was misery, literally. One of our actors hurt his eye at work the night before and was blinking, crying, squinting, and grimacing the entire performance. In front of a grand audience of eight people. Oy. We all suffered.
However, Monday's performance, attended by a busload of attentive, ready for fun seniors, was a blast! I am looking forward to tomorrow's show.
So far, here's what I have loved about this show:

• An excellent director. Not only is he great in the part of director in the show (the play is about a play within a play) but he is a giving, encouraging, willing to let us try stuff director. 
• NO PRIMA DONNAS.
• Making new friends. 
• I love my character Connie. She is the assistant director who is bubbly, on top of things, everyone's friend. She knows she is competent. Until she is thrown onstage at the last minute. Then, Connie is a mess. I love the contrast.
• One of the seniors the other night said to me, "You are so good. You are a natural." Gosh! How cool is that?
• I love being a lead--an honest to goodness lead.

The tougher aspects of this show:

• Craig isn't memorized. He procrastinated and it was horrible knowing he would choke.
• He has the best lines, and to see HIM not be able to get those laughs, and let the other cast members down has sucked.
• I missed being Caden's mom during Hell Week. 
• My dogs missed me spending time with them. It isn't just the play. The crappy weather and my total devotion to Just Dance 3 are also reasons why I don't go running with my dogs lately.
• I wish the theater was in better shape. 

Far more positive than negative and some of those negatives are past or will be soon. All in all, a great experience so far!

KEEP PLAYING!