correction...

she follows her PATH...not her bath...

hmmm. I think a trip to LUSH is in order!

If you're lucky

This is a blog in tribute to my best girl -Princess Aly of the Princess and the Rockstar fame. I wrote that sentence, and, as it turns out - I'm not even sure how to adequately pay tribute to this woman. She's been my ally (HA!...that's sort of a play on words...HA!), my partner in crime, my conscious, my psychiatric care, and above all - unfailingly - my friend for over half my life. She's gotten me into trouble (okay, a little) - and gotten me OUT of trouble more times than I can count. She never tells me what I want to hear, and yet, somehow, she always says the right thing. Whether catching up over a couple of lattes or watching the sun disappear while we sip wine and laugh - there are very few things in the world that can touch the times that we've shared!

she's an amazing woman. She cares about the world and her community, she remains vigilantly aware and conscious, she's working in the hardest field that I can imagine, and she does it with hope and joy. She loves people, and animals. She's gone through a lot of pain and disenchantment - and she's prevailed, becoming more and more her true self every day that I've known her! She volunteers. And when a really stupid college boyfriend laughed at her ambition to run a marathon - she ran five! And the very best part...the part that I like best :) and what I can't believe most days - is that this singularly remarkable woman really likes me - sometimes even admires me, and that we've had this friendship - despite stupid partners, trying careers, moments where we've lost sight...for so long and through so much.

A few years ago - we'd had a couple of years where we weren't so close. Life happened, you know. But we were both deeply in need...and we caught up with each other on a hill in California...burst simultaneously into tears, and walked quickly and with determination to the bar. That evening will always define our friendship to me. And I hold it close in my heart. I think, in many ways - that's the day that I became a woman, and left my adolescent days behind.

I can't tell you really what the point of this blog is - why it was necessary to get these thoughts out there. Except that I'm just happy. I'm happy that life brought us both to Colorado - I'm happy that I am blessed enough to have a lady like this is in my life - a friend - and to see such a shining example of a woman who truly follows her bath with her eyes wide open. She is in the midst of a wonderful existence, and all the truly beautiful things that she has always deserved are happening - and my wish for her is that they continue everyday. However...for those days when it might not be so blissful - I'll be hanging around with a class or red :)

Congratulations Princess, and thank you.

Tell you what I want, what I really really want...

yep - I just quoted the spice girls. This is a proud moment.

Here's what I'd like. To come across something, that wasn't meant for me, that said something sweet and wonderful about me. I know, I know, that's just looking for validation, and that's stupid. I'm valid. It would just be nice, that's all.

I'm feeling really stupid and vulnerable and lost today. Good for noone. that's me!

My art is love!

So - theatre reviews forthcoming...I promise...but FIRST! You have to check out this website - kArtacrossamerica.com. It's amazing. New friend Jeremy is heading this project - he and a partner plan to golf cart across America (48 states!) talking to people about art - the trailer they've put together is really amazing, and I think this is a phenomenal project. Also, B. is in the trailer - actually, B. is all over the trailer - and he's really thoughtful and beautiful. He is art, and beauty... At any rate, go to the website - watch the trailer, a couple of times :), donate to the project, figure out how you can get them coming through YOUR town...for example - they HAVE to go to Vicksburg and the Attic Gallery and Highway 61. Folks there have some ART in their souls...but then, don't we all? What is YOUR art? I think my art is love. I think that's what I'm here for - to love well, to love thoroughly, to create through love, to speak through love - My art is love!

Alright - now down to some other people's art. First of all. The Lieutenant of Inishmore at Curious Theatre. TERRIFIC SHOW! Wildly and raucously funny - Martin McDonagh has really a comic brilliance, and I know it sounds a bit provinical and unworldly of me, but seriously, I think everything must just be funnier with an Irish accent :) The graphic violence and fight choreography/stunts are beautifully executed - and by the time things really start to get out of hand you've already signed on for the ride. You're in this world, and you find yourself laughing uproariously to excessive murder and mayhem. It's a little shocking...but then, that's the point. By the end of the show - having exhausted your belly muscles from laughing, you're left to ponder for a moment - why does it seem so much more heinous to kill the cat? And of course it does. Laura Jo Trexler as the tomboy love interest was my "person to watch" in this cast. A really lovely performance. Honest, simple, and at times both vulnerable and treacherous. Go see this show immediately.

The Gin Game. I'll be honest, I didn't want to go see this show. I was tired, I saw it years ago in Vicksburg - it just didn't get me excited on that particular evening - but man oh man, boy oh boy, was I glad I did. This show was what (almost...I'll get to that in a minute) perfect theatre is supposed to be. Both of the performances were beautiful. Simple, true, so deeply nuanced - and so moving. Jim Hunt is my new favorite artist. His direction of Contrived Ending (which we saw last week, see review below) was all of those things as well, and his performance of Weller was flawlessly blustery and heartbreaking while Patty Figel (?) was everything that Fonzia would be, is, should be... This was my first Paragon production to see and I plan to see everything that they do. Really lovely work. The only disappointment was in the lighting design - which was fine. It didn't compete with the story, it was fine. However, within this particular world, I think there were so many opportunities for time of day to really set the story for us, and that just wasn't taken advantage of. An incredibly minor complaint, only worth noting because everything else in the production was so full of artistry.

There is really good theatre in this town, and it's such a joy to get to take part in it. I can't wait to be making some of it too!

Have an EXTRAORDINARY St. Patrick's day weekend - and hey, take in a show, why don't 'cha!

Upcoming...

Two new theatre reviews - coming up any day now. I saw Lieutenant of Inishmore TWICE last week - it is a wild and raucously good time...but I promise a more thorough review - with - The Gin Game, which we're going to see tonight. All this theatre, it's good living, that's for sure :)

In other news - things are going pretty spectacularly well. Spring is REALLY JUST AROUND THE CORNER...and I can't wait. I think that Colorado in the spring is going to be more beautiful than I can even comprehend. I can't wait to spend some quality time outside, in this air - in these mountains! In fact, I'm so inspired by the upcoming beauty - that B. and I have decided to have our very first party at our house - to celebrate my birthday. A birthday party! I haven't hosted a birthday party for myself in so long... all this rapture and excitement, I can hardly stand to be as happy as I really am. I keep checking in with myself and saying, "really? are you this happy?" The resounding answer is YES!

Even last night - I was all crampy and grumpy and unhappy (despite starting the day off with two whole hours of Aly and breakfast time!!!...but that was 8 hours previous...) and I got home and was actually able to just relax and let go. Didn't do much - laid around, watched a movie (Moliere...it was pretty good) B and I each made our own dinners to satisfy our cravings, and then read for a couple of hours. It was so good just to feel good in your own skin, your own house, your own life.

This blog seems a little disjointed and uninteresting...but I'm writing it while making calls at work...perhaps I should give a little more attention...next time dear friends, next time.

What a day for a daydream!

Well...3 plays down, one more (Lieutenant of Inishmore tonight) to go. Last night it was Contrived Ending by Josh Hartwell and wow - what a treat! I had no idea what to expect really and I was so pleasantly impressed in every direction. The script itself was witty, clever, smart, and thoughtful - if perhaps a little outdated. Actually though, I didn't so much mind that I'd seen the angst ridden 20 something coming of age stories before - I was thoroughly engaged, even when the laughs stopped. The casting was superb. Each actor brought an honesty and comfort with his/her roles that was refreshing and truly delightful to watch. And every character was so fully developed, you really felt something pulling at you hard, for each of them. Something familiar, sometimes uncomfortably so. This cast truly defined the term ensemble, they were as at home with one another and their space as one would expect the characters to be. Individually every one of them broke your heart. The direction by Jim Hunt was breathtakingly simple and truly lovely. It is rare that a director can make things look almost as though they weren't involved, so perfectly told is the story, so devoid of gimmick or style. It was acheived in this production. In fact, every aspect of this night and this theatre worked in tandem with the telling of this story. The technical elements were clear and made the world of the play very so very familiar to us...I was thrilled to enjoy a night of theatre so much -

Good Art, Good Art!

I'm halfway through my week of 4 plays! Perhaps I should wait until I've seen the other two before writing a little review, but I'm just excited - so perhaps I'll revist them all together in one fell blog swoop...or not... you could always cut and paste and PRETEND that it was all one blog...this one, and the one yet to come...if you're following...

I'm feeling a little stream-of-consciousness today. One thought just follows another with no apparent thread to tie them all together. I'm very tired, and started the day off a little weepy (thanks to B. for being sweet and calm and quiet and settleing my restless mind) at the prospect of yet another day at work. But things just keep getting better and better from there. It's been a fairly lovely day all in all. Well, if the truth be told - it's a pretty miraculous day really, and it's absolutely imperative that I continue to remember that, and stop taking these moments, these days, this glorious existence for granted. I am wildly in love with life - and remembering to lift up a thank you everyday. Thank you.

See...I meant to talk about art...stream-of-consciousness...see what I mean? At any rate, I'm overjoyed to be seeing 4 plays this week. 4 plays, two nights of playing video games, cooking, and chilling with my beloved, and so far two nights of enjoying a little revelry with good theatre friends. Sounds like a banner week to me! Of course, with all this going on - plus a 46 hour work week, it's no wonder I woke up a little weepy :) Wow...I digress AGAIN. ART. I'm talking about ART!

The plays:
The Shape of Things by Neil Labute (starring beloved)
Sleeping Beauty (beloved's in this one too!)
Contrived Ending by Josh Hartwell (a new play by a new friend)
The Lieutenant of Inishmore by Martin McDonagh (new show opening at Curious this week)

So far I've seen The Shape of Things and Sleeping Beauty. Two down, two to go. So...let's talk theatre. I enjoyed both shows thoroughly. Can I just take a minute to talk specifically about B? I am so impressed with both pieces of work. Seeing him do such completely disparate pieces - one is Labute, the other children's theatre...and what a tremendous range he has. Then, noteing the really complex and nuanced work that he does in both - it's just a pleasure to watch him. There is consistently something new to see, he engages you fully in whatever character he's playing, takes you on the ride with him - and he is oh so truthful. I am proud to stand by his side, and mostly, I'm just so happy to get to see good art being made!
THE SHAPE OF THINGS...I have a little trouble with this show. Largely, I'm sure because it's on my list of shows that I REALLY want to direct. I'm pretty possesive about Labute as it is, and I have very particular ideas about this piece myself. Overall, a very decent production - such an intrigueing concept, it's really wild, and really smart! It sort of gets your head all tied up in knots in places. My primary concerns with this production were really mostly centered around technical elements, I felt like there were a lot of elements not really serving the story, and in fact sometimes getting in the actors way. Kudos to the company for producing such a difficult and ultimately really thoughtful play! And B. - WOW - what a tender and provoking journey you take us on. Go see this show. Support art, it's important.
SLEEPING BEAUTY - this production was what I love about children's theatre. It's smart, it doesn't talk down to anyone, it's full of magic - I loved it, hands down! The set is amazing, and if you spent countless childhood hours in magical fairy worlds of your own imagination as I did, it is such a delight to see those worlds come to life. All of the actors were pretty terrifically stellar! I was particularly enchanted with the fairy sequence when Prince Owain and Gryff (the half dragon, half man) are lured into fairy land and tempted to forego their quest and remain there forever. The dancing and singing, the sounds - the energy in this scene was so lyrical. Then, alternately - the chilling Spider King scene was so effective. The juxtaposition of good witch and bad witch carried off with such finesse, and again, lyricism. I can't say enough good things about this production - you should just go see it. Immediately. Walk, don't run.

So...didn't know that I was a theatre critic, huh?

At any rate, if you're still reading - thanks for reading. I'll be back with you soon with a few thoughts on Contrived Ending and Lt. of Inishmore! YAY!

From 0 to B**** in under 60 seconds.

Amazing to me sometimes how quickly things can spiral totally out of control when I'm involved. On the outside I'm a predominately sane, competent person - but on the inside I'm this shrieking, wailing shrew.

Have you ever had those days? Where everything's going along beautifully, you're enjoying the company, the music, laughter...and then suddenly, without really being completely certain of how you got there, your stomach feels like it's leapt up into your throat, your heart is going to burst out of your chest, and the thoughts inside your head are doing laps so fast to make an Olympic runner blink? It sounds pretty melodramatic to me, and I'm tired of it. I want a little rest from my head.

Today is discouraging. Final performances for the classes that I've been teaching - it seemed a little to me like I failed the kids. They are terrific, and so cute and tremendously funny at every moment - but I think I was a pretty shoddy teacher. I feel bad for them. And I feel "found out"...as in, I've been pretending to be this grown up who can get things done and be depended on - who's sometimes even fairly respected - but now it's all out in the open, I'm discovered.

I think I'd really like to go back to bed - wake up when it's tomorrow and no longer today.