"All for one..."

This was, without a doubt, one of the best times I ever had onstage! Me, Eric Johnson and Tom Phillips playin' the HELL outta the THREE MUSKETEERS at LSF in the summer of 02. It was also one of the most challenging. My 36 year old, outta shape ass running , jumping and wielding a rapier and dagger for two non-stop hours- let's just say it kicked my ass like Bruce Lee!
But FUN??? HELL YEAH! The most fun moment? A 4 minute fight scene where the Musketeers take on the whole French army, and...GET KILLED! Then, Alexander Dumas (righteously played by Mike Friedman- who had some experience kicking my ass when I was a Boonie) comes out and says "Nope! That won't work...RUN IT BACK!" And we do the whole friggin thing in reverse! Standing ovation every night! But as tough as anything I've ever done onstage...
So, since I'm thinking alot about physical theatre (I teach a movement class next semester) what is your most physically demanding role and why? Sorry, gang, but I guess this one is for actoids only...

Groove me, babies!

"Well the night's begun and you want some fun..."

So this is what I would be doing right now if I had a spare..Oh, I dunno...ten grand? And a week off in February. I'd have my ass out in LA at the ROCK AND ROLL FANTASY CAMP, where me and all the other middle aged Rock Star wanna Bee's would be up onstage rocking out with PAUL STANLEY (among others!) The deal is, you pay a measly 10 G's , you get assigned to a Rock and Roll Camp counsel er (someone who is, in all honesty, a washed up rock star of yore) , you work up a set with said rock dude, followed by a chance to get onstage with a real heavyweight (last year Roger Daltry- this year Mr. Stanley) and live out all your rock star fantasies. Seriously, dudes...gimme a little more disposable income, some vacation time and I'm THERE!

I'm pretty lucky: When I was in college, I got to sort of live out my rock and roll yearnings by playing guitar and singing with a club band that, all though we weren't top tier, we did pretty well for ourselves. I got to get my jollies out onstage, sew some wild oats, and bide time till I went into my "stable" career choice...THEATRE! But honestly...that time I had with my band from 89-93? Wouldn't trade it for a million bucks...

So here's the question for today: what is something that you've ALWAYS wanted to do, but have never had the where-with-all, time ,money, ability,etc to do?

Rock my world, people!And remember, if it's too loud...

"I live my life like there's no tomorrow"

VAN F****N' HALEN!

No offense to Sammy Hagar (as I love me some Sam) but I've been waiting over 20 years to get to see these guys together again...and what do they do? Take away their original Bassist (Michael Anthony) and replace him with a TEENAGER!!!! (The kid on the far left is none other than Eddie Van Halen's son..WOLFGANG...I kid you not. That's the kids name! Good looking kid, though! Luckily he got his Mommy's DNA...) Makes me wanna puke...and yet, I'll probably lay down my hard earned jack to see them, should they play a shed near Lex-ville...You gotta admit, Diamond Dave looks fabulous! Tanned and rested and ready to rock! Eddie? Once again, he goes to a photo shoot looking like an aging, homeless skate punk...oh well- can't win 'em all!

But it's got me to thinking about nostalgia...is there an artist (musician/group, actor, whatever) from your youth that you'd like to come out of retirement (or the grave- the ULTIMATE retirement home) and perform again?

Do it.....DO it!!!!

"My make-up may be flaking, but my smile still stays on"

Howdy, ya'll. It's been a red letter couple of weeks for me, let me tell ya! I've had to shell out enormous amounts of cash on my car... bills keep piling up...I've been buried in work... It's cold as shit, so naturally my son has horrible cabin fever (as do I!) and NOW to boot, the poor little guy has a rotten cold (after just getting over the flu a few weeks ago!) Life, it seems, is a bit tedious of late. BUT, I know it will get better. Always does...It's times like these that I try to count blessings and be thankful for all the good things (and they ARE many)...but BOY HOWDY it gets tough to do that sometimes.

On the bright side, I have entered into a really positive rehearsal process with my cast at school, my classes are going well, and I actually feel re-energized as a teacher. My classes, for the most part, are large and attentive, with some very talented and interesting folks. The wife and I have discovered the joy that IS VERONICA MARS (do yourself a favor and rent or buy the DVDS) AND...ATLANTA HER I COME!!! I GET TO GO TO SETC IN TWO WEEKS!!!!! Much to the chagrin of my long suffering better half...but I'll make it up to her someway...

So, with all that in mind, how about a new querry? If you were running a Theatre, what would your DREAM SEASON of plays be? Lets say, hypothetically, you are allowed six shows to produce. Any genre, any era, anything you like. Com'on people...light a fire under me. I need it!

AND let me know if there is anything show or audition-wise you'd like me to add to the front page. Be glad to hook you up. Also give me a shout as to what you think of the new look to the Clones. I'm here to serve, people!

"Oh make me over..."

HEY GANG!
Thought it was time for a new look to this ole' thing...
In the future, I might even add a PICTURE of myself, or something...one never knows how fancy-smancy I'll get.
So, to celebrate this new look, here's a new discussion.
All the talk over poor Anna Nichole in the past few days has been a tad disturbing to me. The woman is dead, and yet that actually seems to be an afterthought compared to all the hoopla swirling around. It's enough to make one vomit, imho. The obsession with the private life of celebs has, to coin a well used phrase amongst geeks like myself, "jumped the shark".
SOooooooooo...
What do you consider the most disturbing trend in either;
a) Theatre
b) music
c) film / tv
d) all of the above

Take your pick, and whack a mole!

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO"

I ask you...is this NOT the funniest commercial ever????
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em-b0wQzQ-0


AND - check out this alternate take....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_pnQ-zrzSQ&mode=related&search=

-So- since it's SUPER SUNDAY coming up, and we know what THAT means (COMMERCIALS FROM HELL!!!) What;'s your favorite commercial ever?
Ok- I know this is a fluffy one, but what the hell? I need something light and fun right about now....

-x