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.
Noble and I are the same about reviews. When they are bad they wound and when the are good they are not good enough. We also don’t want to know who is is the house. The only time, we broke the “don’t read reviews” rule was when we did Lady from Maxim’s at Great Lakes. Gerald Freedman was brutal during rehearsals. The worst I’ve ever been treated. I almost quit the show and decided I would never act again. The morning after the show, Noble went to get coffee and had a copy of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. He said, “This is the only time we will break the rule of not reading reviews.” It began, “There is no reason to see this show except to savor the performance of Christiane McKenna . . .” Ah yes, revenge was sweet. But that was the only time because the director had almost destroyed me. Needless to say, I was not popular with the cast after that review.
And my fear as that my followers here and on Instagram will send me links or talk about the reviews – well-meaning, of course – but I want to nip it in the bud before the show opens. I don’t think this show will be driven by reviews, anyway. It’s its own thing, if you know what I mean.
BTW, I admire your masterful command of the use of “it’s” and “its” in one sentence!
xo
All reviews are subjective. I agree. Why burden yourself with them. Stay warm. xo Laura
I will. It’s windy today but it should reach 40 degrees, which seems warm to those of us in the Northeast!
I never thought about reviews and all that. So subjective as you said. I think this production has a built in audience and will be a hit because of the great music of Jimmy Buffet and the fun of the show. We all need some fun in our lives these days. The cast recording is wonderful, I can just play it, sing along and feel happy! Hope the snow melts. I’m trying to dig out of the ‘stuff’ that has just piled up in my home while I recuperated. I am not sure where it all came from but now that I’m better, it’s got to find a place to be or leave! Hugs!
I’m getting that urge as well! Thanks Linda!
Your day of errands was made more fun with the social encounters. That’s the way it should be! Every time I read about your trips to the dump, Claudia, I’m grateful for curbside pick-up! The only things I need to bring somewhere to recycle are the plastic grocery bags (minimal since I use reuseable bags), hazardous waste, and donations. My daughter brings any bubble wrap and “air bags”, and shipping containers to her job and they are reused there.
I promise not to forward any EtM reviews to you!
I’m holed up at my kitchen table, the traditional place to do my taxes. I have a desk in the office and in my bedroom, and a computer hutch in my living room, but I always end up at the kitchen table, for almost anything. I should be done with taxes by the end of the weekend….but I’m an excellent procrastinator.
Actually, I don’t mind going to the dump. There’s something curiously satisfying about it. I get to know that I have correctly recycled everything – cardboard in one bin, newspapers, cans, glass in other bins. It’s sort of fun. I just don’t like having to truck everything to my car, but I’d have to truck it to the curb if we had curbside pickup, and that’s even farther!
Duly noted: No review references! I can do that—except, of course, after I’ve seen it for myself! Happy Saturday to you.
When do you see it? June? I can’t remember!
Saturday matinee in May, I think it’s the twelfth, maybe?
xo
I just watched Don and the gang perform on the Today show (via youtube b/c I missed the “live” show). Loved it!! I am always taken aback at how slight Jimmy Buffett is…his personality is definitely outsized, though.
We are going to see Jimmy B. here at Blossom in Cleveland in May. Can hardly wait; I have never seen a live performance of his. My mom & dad are actually coming up from Florida to join my kids and I for the show; should be a good time.
Stay safe; hope your storms are over.
His schedule is pretty amazing – touring, working on Escape to Margaritaville, surfing and skiing – that guy gets around!
I also don’t like when people give me their review of a book, play, TV show, local HS musical, movie, etc. etc. when I just happen to mention I am going to see or read something. If I ASK what they thought or think about it, that is completely different. But I just dislike when people feel that they have to tell me their (unsolicited) opinion. If we don’t have the same tastes, feelings, values, or thoughts ~ I don’t know why they think I will, or should, feel the same way that they feel. I always tell people I will be curious to hear how they liked or didn’t like it AFTER I experience it for myself. I know some people roll their eyes…. oh, well!
I’m glad you left the snow to do its own thing. Ours is nearly completely gone since it fell on Tuesday. The sun and length of days seems to help. Don’t forget to “spring ahead” tonight. Not my favorite thing, but it is a lot easier now than when we had little ones. Hope you had a good Saturday, Claudia. And glad you will have a couple of days in the city to shop before Opening Night!!!
Exactly. I don’t want their opinions to color mine!
I’m thrown off by the time change, of course, but it’s sunny out this morning!
Hope your snow melts and you can move the car back to where it belongs. i have a book with reviews of most of the movies. It seems when I look up the review, it is completely different than my opinion. Reviewing is all a matter of a person’s taste.
Marilyn
Exactly. And we all have different tastes!
Sunshine here, too, and it feels great! Enjoy the weekend, Claudia!
I will. Thank you Judy. You too!
I’m not in the business and I still don’t read reviews. I go to a show because the subject or premise appeals to me not because someone gave it a favorable review. Reviews are subjective and I often see things a bit differently than the mainstream so no attention paid to them. Aargh snow. We may get more Monday into Tuesday. I need spring!!
It seems like it might be snow showers here – but we’ll see. I think they’re not sure of the storm’s track yet.
Claudia, just found your blog recently. Turns out we are neighbors. We live down Albany Post about a mile south. And just saw Don in the show last Saturday. It was wonderful, full of fun!
I waited by the stage door to say hi to let Don know how much my group of 20 enjoyed the show. Yes we are parrot heads! Don knows my husband through local politics. He sent Don an email to let him know I was coming, but didn’t get a reply. Might have gone to the wrong email. Anyway, no worries, just so happy to have experienced such an upbeat show.
Also noticed you are dollhouse/miniature person. I will have to invite you over sometime as I used to have a dollhouse/craft shop in NJ and have lots of minis I would love to show. Need to clean out the basement!
Did you get to say hi to Don? I hope so! I’m so glad you enjoyed the show, Diane. Nice to meet you! Are you married to Mike K? If so, I know him too. Great guy! I’d love to see your minis someday, Diane.
Yes I did get to say hi to Don after the show and Mike is my husband. I’ll keep in touch about the minis when I get my act together and start sorting through them.
I agree that people will be at the show because they love Jimmy’s music and also because they love the way the cast interprets that music!
Exactly! They had very good audiences yesterday and, yet again, someone recognized Don when he was walking home. Fun!