Okay, here’s the deal. (By the way, that phrase is so me. I use it all the time.) My work as a vocal coach is freelance, therefore, I never know how long it will be between jobs. Don’s work as an actor is also freelance – just being an actor guarantees uncertainty. It makes for a crazy and, at times, very stressful life.

For the last 3 summers I have coached at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. This is the theater where I taught and worked full time for 8 years – and where I met Don. Because we moved to the East Coast, I hadn’t worked there in 7 years when they called me 3 summers ago to come and help them out. Last summer, a lot of changes occurred – enough to make me realize that it was time to move on.

I was extremely blessed to work with the company that is producing The Merchant of Venice. They have integrity, loyalty and a mission to bring vital, powerful productions of Shakespeare to a new audience. The director of MOV, by the way, is the same man who brought me to San Diego 3 summers ago. Though I thought my work was done on the show, I have to travel to Boston next week to work with an actor who is replacing one of the cast members. Since I lived in Boston and Cambridge for 5 years and loved everything about the city, I am very happy to have the chance to go back there.

In the meantime, I have been approached by a wonderful theater in Wisconsin to coach one of their productions this summer – Blithe Spirit by Noel Coward. I was recommended to them by my former boss at Boston University – you see how this circle of contacts over the course of a career can work? Again, a theater whose mission is to do the best work possible. Both of these theaters believe in voice work and feel that it is as important an element as costumes or sets – in fact, more so. That is a rare thing, my friends. I can’t tell you how many times I have been contacted at the last minute to try and ‘fix’ a show because no one wanted to fork out for a coach at the beginning of the rehearsal process or have been underpaid for my skills or simply marginalized.

I feel that the chance to work with the company producing The Merchant of Venice and to start work this summer with a new, to me, company is a form of approval from the universe that says, “Yes, it’s indeed time to move on and have new beginnings.”  I am enormously proud of The Merchant of Venice. I am proud of the work I have contributed. I feel blessed to have worked with the director and a cast of wonderful, brave actors. I suspect I will feel the same way, if my gut instinct is right, about the theater in Wisconsin.

I was thrilled at the thought of being home this spring for work in the garden. Not to be: this summer job goes from the beginning of May to mid-June. The good thing is that I’ll be here a bit longer before I leave than I was last year and I’ll be back over two weeks earlier. Only seven weeks away this time. There will still be time to work in the garden before the heat of July comes.

Of course, that means I have to work hard and fast to clean up the gardens and mulch and everything else necessary before I leave and this cold yucky weather (more snow tomorrow!) is not helping. I also have to fly to Wisconsin on Saturday for production meetings. I will return home on Tuesday. Then I leave for Boston on Wednesday. Yikes.

That’s the update. I can’t think about leaving my loved ones for another long stretch of time. I can’t go there yet. I tear up at the thought. The work can be exciting, yes, and rewarding, but it requires a sacrifice.  And that’s very hard, indeed.

My heart is grateful for the opportunity to do satisfying, good work. It also breaks a little at the thought of leaving my family. And so it goes.

Sign by the talented Paula of Castle and Cottage.

Didn’t think I’d have any time to post but the show sounded great in the bigger venue, therefore, no rehearsal this afternoon. Yesterday I was up at 5:30 am and didn’t get to bed last night until 1:00 am Chicago time, which is 2:00 am New York time. I was up for just about 23 hours. Not good. I made myself get out of bed at 8:00 so I could spend some time with my very best friend in the world, Laural.

I cropped this since my 17 year old leather coat (bought before I was a vegetarian) was falling off my shoulder making me look rather hulk-like.

I’ve known Laural since I was 12 and she was 13. We met doing summer theater in our hometown and I’m proud to say we are both still working in theater. Laural just lost her brother, Sandy, last week. So I was especially happy to have this visit scheduled. We needed to talk, to remember Sandy and, in turn, remember my brother. Laural’s parents are also gone. Her dad was a State Representative in our home state of Michigan and I used to help on his campaigns. Her mom was like a second mom to me. We’ve been through so much together, Laural and I. I’m very grateful we were able to see each other today.

I’m staying at the Palmer House. I’ve spent a lot of time here over the years. When I was teaching in San Diego and we went on our yearly audition tour, we always stayed here. It’s been 11 years since I last visited and the rooms are looking very trendy.

The lighting in my bathroom is so dim that I had to do my eyebrows over 4 times. I looked like Joan Crawford.

The Palmer House is a huge, grand, lavishly decorated hotel. I love the ceiling in the lobby:

They don’t make them like this anymore.

A little tour in the area around my hotel:

This incredible sphere is in Grant Park – a giant gazing ball, if you will – and it reflects the skyline. Love it.

Also in Grant Park. (I thought it looked sort of like Steve Carell.) It changes to this:

The wonderful Art Institute of Chicago. I remember spending a long time in line many, many years ago to see the King Tut exhibition.

Home of the famous Chicago Symphony Orchestra – conducted by Riccardo Muti. He was the conductor of the Philadelphia Orchestra when I lived in Philadelphia.

I made a little trip to Marshall Field and Company – which is now, unfortunately, a Macy’s. In yet another blow to individuality, what once was a store with a distinctly Chicago identity has become just another building in the Macy’s arsenal. Part of what I call the Homogenization of America. Everything is now part of a chain; so no matter where you go, you will find exactly the same store in any city. Yuck.

The building is still beautiful – many memories of lunches in the Walnut room, of gasps at the beauty of the architecture. And of these:

Used to be you could only get these at Marshall Field. Now, of course, you can find them other places. But not, I think, where I live. So, for old times sake, I bought some. Frangos are great, especially if you like the combination of mint and chocolate as I do. Note to Don: the caramels are all gone. How did that happen??

My niece and nephew and their families live in the Chicago area. Unfortunately, not enough time this visit to see them. So I will have to come back.

Oh, and here’s the marquee:

Gorgeous theater, by the way. Very ornate with lots of gold and 3 balconies.

Talk to you soon.