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Changes

February 6, 2019 at 10:10 am by Claudia

It’s now been a week and a half and I’m still dealing with this crappy illness. Much better, of course, but it’s tenacious and I’m still not tip-top. It isn’t until late afternoon and into the evening that I feel like I might be getting better! Don is down and out and in that stage where your head hurts and your eyes are watery and your chest is achy. Poor guy.

I heard the news last night that Anastasia  Broadway is closing on March 31st. It’s been running for two years, which is a good, long run. Nevertheless, I was hoping it would run through the summer, for the sake of everyone involved. It’s left me feeling very sad. With Darko leaving Hartford Stage in the spring and Anastasia  closing, I’m definitely at the end of an era in my career. I’ve been with Anastasia  since its beginning at Hartford Stage – three years ago – and I truly love the show and everyone involved in it. It will take me a while to sort through all these emotions. It’s a fact: “Show Business” is a business. And when ticket sales start to wane, the producers have to make a tough call. Sometimes they make it too quickly, but their bottom line is profit and any big show has to rake in a lot of money to survive. Anastasia  has had a glorious run. There are national tours in America, Stuttgart and Spain. It will live on.

Sigh.

We remain positive and know that there are opportunities awaiting us. We just can’t see them yet. And I’m deeply grateful to Darko and Hartford Stage and Anastasia.

Thought I’d share this with you. It arrived on Monday:

I couldn’t resist.

And as I searched for it online, including Maileg’s site, I quickly realized it isn’t being produced anymore. I found it online at a store in San Francisco that still had some stock and I quickly ordered it. (That will be the last frivolous thing I buy for a while!)

It’s about 6 inches high and the room with the bed slides into the outside box (the castle.) You can see the sleeping Princess through the window. It’s utterly adorable and whimsical.

And now to the mundane: time to blow my nose.

Happy Wednesday.

Filed Under: Anastasia, Broadway, Don 29 Comments

Saturday Morning Thoughts

March 10, 2018 at 9:25 am by Claudia

Nothing like morning sun streaming through the skylight to show all the cobwebs. Yikes. You can’t see them, but rest assured, I’m going to have a go at dusting those frames today.

I tried to shovel the snow in front of the shed but gave up rather quickly. It had hardened overnight and it just wasn’t worth it. Today is sunny – so far – so I’m hoping more of it melts so that I can move Don’s car back to its proper parking space. After the stab at shoveling, I packed up all the trash and recyclables and headed toward our transfer station (or, in local parlance, the dump.) While driving through the center of town, I saw Rick and Doug coming out of our little market. But I was already past them, so I didn’t bother honking.

I pulled my car up to the dumpsters and started to recycle when a car pulled up behind me. Out got Doug and Rick. I called out to them and we had a nice chat. Now I know they’re my neighbors. It’s one thing to visit each other, it’s a whole other thing to run into each other at the dump! After that, I stopped at the grocery store and who should I run into but my friend Heidi’s daughter, who I haven’t seen in a long time, and we had a great time catching up with each other.

One of those serendipitous ‘social’ days.

Today, I’m getting my hair cut. It’s longer than it’s been in years and though I like it, it needs a good trim. Maybe 3 inches lopped off? We’ll see. My hair grows quickly, so whatever I get rid of today will soon be back.

I know. You’re jealous because my life is so exciting.

I think daytime rehearsals for Margaritaville are pretty much done, which means that Don will have some time to rest before opening night. Everyone is exhausted.

Before I forget, and I’ll remind you of this again next week, I don’t want to hear anything as to reviews of the show. Nothing.

Let me explain. I never read reviews for the shows I work on, either. Reviews are entirely subjective and, even if  the review is for a show I have nothing to do with, I often find them more about the reviewer’s ego than the show itself. Don never reads reviews, either.

Escape to Margaritaville  isn’t a traditional musical, as it’s been created around the music of Jimmy Buffett. It’s happy and joyous and fun and light. If a reviewer doesn’t like that kind of musical or doesn’t like Jimmy Buffett’s music, the review will be slanted. EtoM is more like Mamma Mia, which was built around the music of ABBA.

Anastasia  is a wonderful musical, but its primary fan base has been, from the beginning, those who grew up loving the animated movie. It had a built-in audience, who weren’t going to be swayed by reviews.

So don’t mention reviews, don’t send me links, nothing…okay? We have no idea how long the run will be – it might be short, it might be long – but I’m fairly certain that audiences will be there, not because of reviews, but because they love the music of Jimmy Buffett.

Thanks, friends.

Happy Saturday.

 

Filed Under: Broadway, Escape to Margaritaville 29 Comments

Powerful

February 26, 2018 at 8:57 am by Claudia

I arrived at Port Authority Bus Station yesterday, only to see my husband waiting at the gate with a bouquet of flowers. He completely surprised me! (He’s a romantic guy.)We grabbed some lunch and then I left to go meet with my friend’s daughter.

I won’t talk about that meeting with any details as it was precious and private. I will say that it was incredibly moving and powerful and that we both cried. I’m still processing the whole thing. All I know is that I am grateful beyond words for our meeting yesterday and our conversation will be held close to my heart forever.

While at lunch we decided to try to see Black Panther  and we managed to reserve some tickets online for a 5:30 showing.

Here we are in the the gigantic theater complex near Lincoln Center.

Oh heavens, Black Panther  was incredible! In every way. Stunning. Go see it.

On our walk back to the apartment.

We watched the closing ceremonies as well. Gorgeous and very moving, as always.

Today, I’ll spend some time with Don in the morning and then I’ll head home.

I have to say it’s been an incredible 24 hours.

While cutting over on 43rd Street on my way to the apartment, I saw this. This play is already running in London and is about to open here. I have a few friends who are in the cast. I love what they’ve done with the outside of the theater! And look, way up on the roof:

I think that might be ‘the cursed child.’ Amazing.

Happy Monday.

 

 

Filed Under: Broadway, Don, movies, New York City 32 Comments

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Welcome!

Welcome!

I live in a little cottage in the country with my husband. It's a sweet place, sheltered by old trees and surrounded by gardens. The inside is full of the things we love. I love to write, I love my camera, I love creating, I love gardening. My decorating style is eclectic; full of vintage and a bit of whimsy.

I've worked in the theater for more years than I can count. I'm currently a voice, speech, dialect and text coach freelancing on Broadway, off Broadway, and in regional theater.

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