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.
“when it rains, it pours”, huh? argh! sorry you and don are sick, on top of the unemployment and anastasia news. hope you both feel better soon, in every sense of the word.
i admire your attitude of being grateful and remaining positive (especially in the midst of crummy stuff), knowing there are more opportunities ahead for you two and that you just can’t see them yet …? love that. and you are right!
hope every day gets better and better for you and don! brighter, easier days are ahead!
kathy in iowa
ps: your maileg princess mouse is sure cute.
It’s an attitude that we constantly have to work on. It’s easy to feel despair but we remind ourselves of our blessings. We had to do the same thing then Margaritaville unexpectedly closed. Be grateful for what we’ve had and be hopeful for the future.
Claudia it is hard when things change and endings are always hard. I’m in a new season of life where my main focus is caring for my Mom. I’ve struggled with giving up my own life but know this too will change in time. I just wish my health would improve. I plan a day of rest even though I’ve so many things I need to take care of. Tomorrow is another day. Love you Maileg mouse and we all need a little whimsy in our lives. Hugs to you and Don.
And, though it’s tiring, you will know that you did your best for your mom, Linda. That doesn’t make it easy, though.
Oh my goodness, Princess Mouse is just adorable! I like winter (living in the Canadian North you kinda have to), but I’m done with the deep freeze this week and the ice-rutted roads. I’ve always thought it an odd coincidence that minus 40 Celsius is the same as minus 40 Fahrenheit – could do without the reality of it though! Any more thoughts on decorating the vintage dollhouse?
Not right now. I’m so exhausted from being sick that it’s the furthest thing from my mind!
It IS utterly adorable and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect, what with the cold crud and the disappointment of the Anastasia closing. I’m sorry — those chapters are hard to close, aren’t they? Sending good wishes to you both.
Thank you, Jeanie.
Claudia, I’m so sorry to know that you’re being heaped with so much now and both of you to be ill on top of it. As long as you both get better as each day comes along, you’re on the right track. And then you can deal better and clear-headedly about the logistics of your life. Hope your new whimsy continues to amuse you while you’re laid up. I love that adorable crocheted pea.
It’s pretty darned cute!
We know exactly where you are as our viable careers wind down. Noble worked for years at the Alley and because of the admin scandal, that is over. Four other artistic directors that hired him for years have left: Pioneer in Utah; Pittsburgh Public and City Theaters in Pittsburgh; and Hartford in Connecticut. Out of nowhere he got a job in Delaware but those one-offs are rare. We are not ready to retire but the decision has been made for us. We feel your pain. Isn’t the Margaritaville tour coming up? Also, you mentioned Don gets unemployment. I didn’t know you could collect when you are on SS and pensions. That would be a blessing if Noble could collect when his jobs end. Feel better and stay toasty! I prescribe healing flannel sock monkey jammies and cocoa!
The tour is in October. Whether Don will be asked or even want to do it are both open to question.
I am truly sorry to hear about not only the loss of Don’s unemployment, but also the end of Anastasia. While you both are certainly no strangers to the business side of the theatrical world, that doesn’t make this any easier for you I’m sure. Hoping that good things will come soon for you both.
The Princess Mouse is just adorable! I can see why you had to have her. Rest up and stay warm! ;)
I only occasionally worked on Anastasia after it opened, so it’s not a loss as to income. But it’s sad, nonetheless.
Oh Claudia, doesn’t life have a habit of heaping everything on you at once? I feel sure, knowing you a little, through your blog, that things will improve for you and Don, I certainly hope it doesn’t take too long. Take care x
Thank you, Fiona!
Oh my goodness, that little mouse! Love her. From yesterday, your China is beautiful. What a treasure, Claudia. I think your heart needed a present.
A friend gave me this quote many years ago and I kept it over my desk at work: If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft, and of thy slender store, two loaves alone to thee art left, sell one and with the dole buy hyacinths to feed thy soul.
I’ve bought a lot of “hyacinths” over the years!
I agree! I need some hyacinths!
Oh! That. PEA!!!! No words!!
Glad to hear you are on the mend. Sorry about Anastasia. The only thing we can be sure of, I guess, is that things will continue to change. Hope the rest of your day goes well and Don starts to feel better, too.
Don is feeling pretty miserable right now. I feel so badly for him!
I know I’m not telling you anything you don’t know, Claudia, but it must be difficult to work in a field where, unless you seriously luck out & become a mega-star [and I truly believe some of those successes ARE good luck to a significant extent], you OFTEN don’t know where your next job will be. You HAVE to love it to keep doing it. From you I’ve learned that the vast majority of people in “show biz” are plain folks like all the rest of us, working day to day & just trying to make a decent living. And of their utter love for what they do. Also of the continued value of unions, which have provided much-needed benefits to people in your world [& others]. Hadn’t really thought about them for a long time, and of course these days I think they need to be back stronger than ever. Doing what they began doing – helping the working public to raise their families & lead decent – not posh or privileged – lives. Oh dear, I’m up on my soapbox! Climbing down… and hoping both you & Don feel better immediately! PS – “The Princess & the Pea” was one of the very first stories I can remember being told to me as a child. Fond memories – and your little version of it is so sweet. Peace. 🐁
#Resist
#ProtectMueller
Thank god for unions! I’ll join you on that soapbox. We need them more than ever, Janet.
Sorry about Anastasia closing. Hope Don b.els better soon. Princess Mouse is adorable.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn!
My daughter just got back from visiting New York with a friend (we live in Southern California) and they went to see Anastasia. She loved it! She says the projection effects were amazing, and so was the music, and the singing was beautiful. She knows I follow your blog and we found your name in the program!
So glad they got to see it! The projections are by my friend Aaron Rhyne and they are spectacular.
So sorry to hear about Anastasia…Sending you both hugs and wishes for better health!
Thank you, Nancy!
I’m so glad you did this post; I knew nothing of Maileg and now I’ve read about the woman behind it. Love all her creations and have now received two things yesterday which I’d bought online (all because of you!). I love the mouse and the pea a lot better than their princess and the pea; is just cuter. I really do think that, over time with your blog, and exposure to all of your wonderful miniatures shared with your readers, you’ve made me grow my love for (and expanded my knowledge of) the tiny treasures out there available to us to fill our hearts with the child inside who still needs a little lovey. Hopefully none of us ever turns our back on wonder and whimsy. And, for the adult in us, the marvel at unique craftsmanship/art.
Thanks, and sending you the best from rainy and muddy SoCalif