Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Wow

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Houseplant shadows.

Well. Yesterday was quite  an interesting day and I have some of you to thank for alerting me to what had just happened. I was starting to write my blog post when I saw comments from a couple of you that Jim Parsons had mentioned me on CBS Mornings. What???  I never watch morning television, so I had no idea. I knew he was doing an interview, it was on the show’s schedule, but that was it. By the time I got your messages, the interview was over, so I had to wait about an hour until it popped up on the website for CBS Mornings.

Oh my heavens! Dialect coaches are almost never mentioned publicly. We do our work quietly, behind the scenes. I have heard a couple of awards acceptance speeches where the dialect coach was mentioned, but that’s all  – and I’ve been coaching for 35 years.

I was calling out to Don “Jim just mentioned me on CBS!” and he was shouting back, “What???” and then, when I finally saw it posted on their web site, I took my laptop into the living room and we watched it together.

I heard from so many people that they’d seen it. When I posted about it on Facebook, all of my longtime friends and theater colleagues were so supportive. They know how rare that kind of mention is.

He could have just said, “I have a coach who is helping me and the rest of the cast.” But he didn’t because that, my friends, is Jim. He is such a good person, so kind, loyal, and true. I’m working on this show because of him. I worked on the movie because of him. In each case, he suggested me and then I had to interview and get the job, but without his input, I wouldn’t have been considered.

The last thing on my mind is getting more work from this. I really don’t care about that. It’s simply an unexpected joy that came out of left field.

It made my day. And it really made Don’s day!

The interview in on YouTube and you can find it here.

Or, you can go to the CBS Mornings website here.

The director asked me to come to the show one more time to take notes, so I’m going in tomorrow for the matinee. I’m glad I have the opportunity to be of service one more time.

Thanks to all of you who alerted me! You’re great.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

Off to the City

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Intrepid explorers in our woods.

Just a quick post today (in fact, I’m writing it on Monday evening) as I’m off to the city. I’m going to take notes at the dress rehearsal this afternoon. This is better in the end because Don may try taking pictures at the Farmer’s Market on Sunday if his hand is feeling up to it. He wouldn’t be able to do it if we went into the city.

But mostly, it’s much better for the actors if I go in today and that’s why I pushed for it. It’s already been over a week since I’ve seen/heard them and they deserve to get some updates from me before they start the run of the show.

By the way, some of you picked up on this in the comments the other day; I was exposed to Covid at the rehearsal I attended. Of course, everyone is tested routinely, but sometimes it slips in there. There was a bit of time during the rehearsal when I didn’t have a mask on and I was around and talking to the person who tested positive. Anyway, I waited 5 days and tested myself and I was negative. As was everyone else involved in the show.

I realize I’m preaching to the choir here, but Covid is still out there. I got a little casual about wearing a mask and I won’t do that again. Thankfully, all is well. But mask up, my friends. This is far from over. I’m sick of it, we’re all sick of it, nevertheless, stay safe. I’m often the only person in a store with a mask on – but who cares?

We want to get our boosters, but I decided to hold off until 10 days had passed, so we’ll get our shots toward the end of the week.

I’ll have to test myself this morning before I go – it’s a requirement. Fingers crossed!

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

Limbo

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Happy Indigenous Peoples Day!

It’s Monday and I’m now trying to figure out – once again – what day I will go into the city to take notes on the show. I thought I had it nailed down to Sunday, but quite frankly, Sunday is a long way off and I just found out they’ve rescheduled the invited dress rehearsal for tomorrow afternoon. I’d much prefer that. It’s better for the actors to hear from me earlier rather than later. But this is a small theater and the theater staff and front-of-house staff are invited, so I want to make sure there will be room for me.

When I work on a show, it sometimes feels like my day is in limbo as I wait for confirmation of something or other. It’s just the nature of the beast.

I’ve started reading The Marriage Portrait  by Maggie O’Farrell. I’m only about 40 pages in, but it’s beautifully written. I’m not one who gravitates to historical fiction, but Hamnet (by O’Farrell) was one of the most powerful and beautiful books I’ve ever read. The only reason I read it – besides rave reviews – was that it involved Shakespeare and his family. That was the draw. Here I am reading my second book in that genre. I know – you’re going to urge me to read some of the late Hilary Mantel’s books.

I’m thinking about it.

I also started a new puzzle, which is frustrating and a challenge and that means it’s perfect for me. I like a challenge – it’s why I love crossword puzzles. They have to be hard, though. Something that’s easily finished is not for me.

Another pending decision: do I mow the front lawn today? If I’m going in to the city tomorrow, the answer is no. I don’t want my back aching while traveling to and from the city. If I’m not going in tomorrow, yes. See? Limbo.

A limbo that is relatively pain-free, of course. No big deal.

Thanks, as always, for all your comments yesterday.

Stay safe.

Happy Monday.

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

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