I was dumbfounded to learn that Phil Hartman was killed today. Apparently by his wife, no less. Sheesh. Sinatra and even Chris Farley were not a shock, but this is totally unexpected. Maybe there really is a curse on the SNL alumni. If Hartman can go, then no one is safe. I never knew him personally, of course, but he… Read more →
Category: Stage
Microsoft v. Dept. of Justice
It is such perfect timing for Pick Up Ax, I tell ya. This Department of Justice lawsuit against Microsoft for anti-competitive practices is fascinating. Strangely enough I’m actually on Microsoft’s side on this one, even though I love Netscape. I was watching Burden of Proof on CNN today and they had lawyers for both sides arguing their respective cases. It’s… Read more →
Pick Up Ax Finale
I’ve been so good about avoiding any news, articles, conversation, etc. about the Seinfeld finale for the last week. I didn’t get to watch it live, but since I taped it, I figure I’d only have to hide out for a little while. Unfortunately, yours truly picked the one bum videotape at The House of Rapp to record the long-awaited… Read more →
Cheer Up
I’m pretty bummed about the lack of audience we’ve had for Pick Up Ax. We only had four people tonight. Even in a 99 seat house, that’s pretty bad. Where the hell are all those people who said they’d be there back when I told them about it during the past year and a half? It’s so discouraging to play… Read more →
Pick Up Ax opens!
Well, we did it. We finally got through the whole show without blowing any dimmers, circuit breakers, or other electrical elements. You wouldn’t believe the sigh of relief I let go after the curtain call. This has been the longest week I can remember, and most of it shouldn’t have been necessary. But I learned some valuable lessons about doing… Read more →
My Worst Nightmare
Damn damn damn damn DAMN! For the first time ever, I’ve had to halt a show in medias res, shut it down and send an audience home in the middle of a performance. It’s a hard thing to do. I know the phrase “the show must go on” is just that–a phrase, but it accurately reflects some inate drive toward… Read more →
Down to the Wire
Whew, I’m beat. A bunch of us working on Pick Up Ax just pulled an all-nighter at the theatre trying to get things ready for our first preview tomorrow. The lights have been giving us problems–fuses have been blowing. We’ve managed to get some new ones, but what was supposed to be a tech rehearsal yesterday ended up being just… Read more →
Rejection
And the saga continues. Got a lovely letter today from Yale. I know it well, on that 100% cotton fiber paper. Such high quality and so official. “I regret that we are not able to offer you admission to the department.” Then there’s the obligatory paragraph containing the generic justification. Gotta love that. Is it supposed to make me feel… Read more →
Uncle Sam’s Fandango
It’s been a busy week, and I’m ready for a few days off. Unfortunately there’s no break in sight. The staged reading of Uncle Sam’s Fandango at SCR went pretty well. We rehearsaed all day Saturday and Sunday. The director, Dan Kern, wasn’t there for the performance, but I think he would have been pleased with how it turned out.… Read more →
Fortune Cookies
You know you’re scraping the bottom of the barrel when you’re looking to a fortune cookie for advice. I mean, even the Magic 8-Ball is a step up from this thing. At least the Eight Ball is a dedicated bullshit meter. A fortune cookie is nothing but an afterthought from a cheap Chinese restaurant. Nevertheless, I got one today that… Read more →