Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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.