Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Some Good News

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Impossible to get a full-on straight photo of these shelves as they’re tucked into a corner with two different side tables in the way. And a lamp.

I have been feeling under the weather since yesterday. That storm was pretty extreme and the change in barometric pressure always does a number on my sinuses. And the wind, which was relentless for over 24 hours. It feels like I have a cold, but I don’t.

Some good news. On Tuesday, I received an email through my professional web site. Now, I have been seriously considering deleting that site because I really don’t get any work from it. Work, for me, comes through word of mouth and colleagues I’ve worked with before. It costs money to maintain that site, and I thought “I’m 70. Time to delete it.” But Don talked me into keeping it, especially since I’d just worked on the film. Back to the email. It was from a staff member at the Paper Mill Playhouse, which is a very well known theater in New Jersey – in fact, it’s the State Theater of New Jersey. The managing director there (Mike) used to work at Hartford Stage and I know him well. He recommended me for dialect coach on their upcoming production of Murder On the Orient Express. Could I contact them? Though I suppose they could have tracked me down via Darko, who is a good friend of Mike, they ended up tracking me down via my web site.

We chatted yesterday and then I talked to the director and now I have a job. I have a feeling there was someone else slotted for this job because they start rehearsals a week from Monday. I have to research 8 different dialects! Gulp.

But it’s work! And I’m grateful. They rehearse in NYC, so I’ll be traveling off and on to the city, as well as to the theater, and perhaps some zoom work, as well.

I always love the opportunity to work at a new-to-me theater. Very grateful. This makes up for the cancellation of the Broadway run of A Man of No Importance. I’m probably earning a bit more on this production than I would have on AMONI, since it wouldn’t have needed much rehearsal and everyone already knew the dialect.

Today, I’m taking it easy, save for reading the script, and then I’ll start my research on the weekend.

Like any actor or freelance designer or director, I’m always afraid my current job might be my last. And someday that will happen. But right now, I need the work and the income, so this is a nice turn of events.

Now we need a job for Don.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

A Dud

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Well.

This is what we saw during the supposed ‘big storm.’

Maybe a 1/4 inch more fell after I took this picture.

This is what we have this morning:

It morphed into rain. By the time we were ready to go to bed, the only place I saw snow was on my car.

Very disappointing. I stressed over what day to go to rehearsal for two days. I wanted to go yesterday. Darko wanted me to go yesterday. I poured over every weather forecast. Don and I talked about it several times. On Monday night, I was sure I would go Wednesday. By Tuesday morning, after reading yet another update on the forecast, I made the decision to go that day because I was worried that driving conditions would be too dangerous on Wednesday. That didn’t happen.

Also, Don and I were looking forward to an old-fashioned snow storm.

This January has been abnormally warm. What will February bring? The same? We live in the northeast, for heaven’s sake!

Sigh.

For one brief moment in the morning, there was enough evidence of snow for me to take a picture.

Imogen in the snow.

At least there was apple pie in the afternoon.

I don’t see any possibility of snow on the horizon. Maybe some snow showers, but that’s about it.

Boo!

I’m in that stage where I know my current job is finished and that always brings a ‘down’ feeling. The fact is, I feel more alive when I’m working – even with all the travel hassles. I love my work and I love helping actors be the best they can be. Don almost always comments that I look ‘really good’ (of course, I have makeup on, so there’s that) and that work agrees with me. Transitioning is hard. They present the show to producers, etc., on Friday.

But I’m grateful for the work and I’m ready for whatever comes next.

War and Peace  continues. We’ve now started Part II.  And I’m really enjoying The Dictionary of Lost Words  by Pip Williams. Hey, before I forget, if you’re a Deborah Crombie fan, her new book – A Killing of Innocents –  comes out on February 7th! With Crombie, we always have to wait a long time between books, but the wait is worth it.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

Bryant Park & Rehearsal

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Because weekend bus schedules offer less frequent trips, I had to go into the city early yesterday, arriving just about 2 hours before I had to be at rehearsal. So I walked east from Port Authority to Bryant Park, one of my favorite places in NYC. It’s a bit bleak at this time of year, but it was very satisfying to have a little free time apart from immediately walking 20 blocks to rehearsal.

The rear of the New York Public Library Main Branch.

The skating rink.

 

It was cold, but there were lots of people there, buying hot chocolate or a cup of coffee. Whenever I go there, I am reminded of Paris. I really miss Paris.

Then I visited Kinokuniya across the street, a shop full of books and Japanese manga and stationery and pens and journals and planners. There’s so much in this section that it’s almost overwhelming and I could only pay a brief visit. I’ll be back there next week, so maybe I’ll have a bit more time to visit.

Then I headed back to Port Authority to 9th and 41st and headed north to rehearsal. I walked down Don’s old street and – press release – I was wrong!

The Mexican restaurant next to Don’s building didn’t close! There is new signage and I was looking at it from across the street so I thought it was a new business. Needless to say, I sent this photo to Don, who was very happy indeed. The steps lead down to the front door of Don’s former apartment.

Rehearsal went well – we ran the whole show for the first time. Then a lunch break in which I got to chat with all the wonderful people working on the show, including Darko. Then I had some private time with the actors to give them notes.

Then I had to hang out in the dreaded Port Authority for 90 minutes until the next bus.

All in all, 12 hours from the moment the bus left the station for NYC until I got off the return bus at 8 pm.

One more day next week. I’m supposed to go in on Wednesday, but the weather may be an issue. We may get snow that day. The forecast keeps changing, so I’ll have to keep an eye on it.

So. I added 10 more blocks on to my ‘normal’ 40 blocks and, given that I had only slept for 4 hours, I’m quite pleased with myself! After a few days of this trek, I’m in better shape. I just have to continue to walk around here, which is not nearly as interesting as walking in a city.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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