Hail to the Chief!

History was indeed made the other night, as we elected the first African American to the White house. A historic moment indeed, and one that I must admit made me feel proud to be American. In the midst of all the many troubles we're encountering as a nation, to see such a man who came from humble beginnings make it to the highest office in the land is indeed an inspiration. It makes one think that perhaps those things my folks told me as a child are true, and that anything IS possible after all.

I'll admit that Obama wasn't my first choice, and that I've been critical of some of his positions (personally and politically) but he got my vote, and he now has my full support. I really hope (there's that word again!) that we can rally as a country and put some of our bitterness on hold. We need to regain the spirit of unity and togetherness, that unfortunately only seems to come when we're in peril. Perhaps instead of a crisis, a positive moment might inspire that unity, and we can again remember that despite our differences, we're in this thing together.

Wow- I actually feel patriotic...go figure!

So here's to President Obama and his family. May they bask in the glow of his exciting victory, and truly enjoy the moment.

THEN- get to work and deliver on all that promise that we see in you!

Any thoughts?

ps- On a much lighter note, if you get the chance come out and see DANCING WITH DANI this weekend at the DAC. It's been a tremendously long, hard tech week and we're all ready for a good, energetic theatre crowd! Also, check out this weeks ACE for a tremendously written article on yours truly and the show. Thanks Kim!!!

Is this REALLY the best we can do???

While I agree that this is a VERY important election (we're mired down in a seemingly endless war, there's unrest world-wide, and oh by the way...the economy???) and I'm firm in regards to which candidate I'll support...I have to ask; is this REALLY the best we have???? These two? Really?
My mother, a life long conservative, called me this morning and ASKED ME WHO SHE SHOULD VOTE FOR! Yes, Ma is getting a older, but her wits are all there. She's really bamboozled on this one, and referred to the candidate of her party of choice as "a clown". As for my own choice, during the primaries he was a DISTANT third on my list. Not much to get excited about, I'm afraid.
The best that both these men can be accused of is "poor judgement". Where do I start? How bout with VP selection. In this corner, Senator Obama- agent of CHANGE. Gonna take the country by storm- no more "business as usual" in Washington. So who's my VP choice? Do I break further new ground by going with the woman who ran a hard fought campaign against me and can bring her 18 million supporters to the table?? Nope- say hello to Smokin Joe Biden- WASHINGTON INSIDER and CAREER POLITICIAN!!! So much for "change"...

AND in THIS corner- John McCain selects...Romney? Jindel? Huckabee? Hell, even Rudy G????
Nope- Gosh darnitt I'm gonna select the Gov of Alaska- a woman who barely sees eye to eye with me on anything, is embroiled in a NUMBER of political and personal scandals, and - oh by the way...doesn't appear to be very SMART!!! (Oh well, worked for W all these years, right?)


Hooooo boy! It's enough to make one want to vote for Ralph Nader again...almost.

What say you?

Cool Hand Luke

WESTPORT, Conn. - Paul Newman, the Academy-Award winning superstar who personified cool as the anti-hero of such films as "Hud," "Cool Hand Luke" and "The Color of Money" — and as an activist, race car driver and popcorn impresario — has died. He was 83.
Newman died Friday after a long battle with cancer at his farmhouse near Westport, publicist Jeff Sanderson said. He was surrounded by his family and close friends.
In May, Newman had dropped plans to direct a fall production of "Of Mice and Men," citing unspecified health issues.

I knew this was coming, and it still hits me very hard. Newman was truly one of the first guys (along with Redford) who made me want to be an actor. Those two brilliant, and pivotal (in my life, anyway) films, BUTCH CASSIDY and THE STING made such a strong impression on me at such a young age. As much as I dug Redford's macho image, it was Newman's cool, low key persona and very realistic, genuine portrayals that really helped to shape my impression of what acting, as it's finest, is all about. Over the years, I became aware of his older performances (HUD, THE HUSTLER, THE LONG HOT SUMMER,COOL HAND LUKE, and his brilliant turn as Brick in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF) and in later years came to truly enjoy the work he did in his twilight. (NOBODY'S FOOL and ROAD TO PERDITION, especially). I was genuinely in awe of his presence onscreen, and also of the man he was off screen. A remarkably long Hollywood marriage, founding the NEWMAN'S OWN company, his opposition to the Vietnam war and his civil rights activism, not to mention that the man drove a race car well into his 70's!

There just aren't many great ones like Newman. He's truly one of the last of a dying breed. That's unfortunate, but I feel genuinely blessed to have come up in a time with his fine example of how to practice the craft of acting. He will be missed...for a long time to come.

RIP Butch...

"Autumn leaves"

Well, damned if Summer isn't over already! And where the heck did it go? I tell ya...there's nothing quite like a couple of kids to make the old life clock speed up! (and if one more a-hole says to me "Then you shouldn't have had kids!" I'm gonna explode! I work damned hard as a Father, and if I want to vent a bit to the world...deal with it!!!!) There- that felt better...

Anyhoo- Fall is, and always has been, my favorite time of year. The colors changing, a slight chill in the night air, we can all start wearing long pants again, and, oh yeah FOOTBALL!!!
There's something about a crisp Autumn night that stirs up many an old memory inside of me. It makes me feel alive.

And of course, with the school year cranking back up, Fall means BUSY BUSY! Lots going on in the salt mines of late. I'm most pleased with the cast of our Fall production of DANCING WITH DANI (by yours truly- let the "self serving" remarks begin!) Actually, I've always been proud of this script, and I just felt that now was the time to mount a full production. I have a tremendously talented cast and a GREAT designer (who's a former student, no less) ...not to mention that I'm working with my old buddy Mikey again, so let the magic begin! I think all who see this piece will be very pleased with what we come up with...and don't sleep on us just cause we're only a "two year institution". I have some of the finest young (and not so young) talent in this city in my casting pool. So come November, check us out!

In the meantime, lots of other cool productions to see. CONSTANT STAR @ AGL (which some of my students have been raving about) and DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER @ Studio are both in thier 2nd week, and UK opens up a trio of student written one acts this weekend. Plus, AGl's PILLOWMAN is on the way (with Leif R.-a fellow faculty member and frequent actor in our productions ) and MACBETH @ Woodford County ( with one of my acting students in the cast! WE'RE EVERYWHERE, BABY!!!!) coming in October.

So, as Paul Stanley might scream, "lick it up!" There's some good stuff to be seen out there.

If you can pull yourself away from all the great football, that is! (TITANS ARE 2 and 0, BABY!!!!! FIRST PLACE IN THE AFC SOUTH!!! WHO-HOOOO!!!!!)


So tell me, what's your favorite season of the year, and why???
And let's have some more responses folks! I ain't doing this for my health!!!


Cheers!

"It was always summer and the future called"

Greetings, all! So- a rousing Democratic convention, complete with a HUGE rock show like ending! (I get the feeling that Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley were watching last night saying
" Must EVERYONE crib our stuff???") and now today, MORE big news with Sarah Palin's selection for McCain's VP. So any way you slice it, some history is gonna be made! Pretty cool times we're living in, huh?

At any rate, I've been working like a Trojan today trying to get my life caught up to where it needs to be. As I was in my office listening to some "you tube" (yes, I mainly just listen- like a big free jukebox!) I came across a few songs that gave me pause. Songs that in a sense, feel like the story of my life.

I was on a bit of a MEATLOAF jag (anyone who's known me for any length of time knows of my love for the big fella!) at first. Meatloaf is interesting, and it's no secret why I love him. He's big, bombastic, theatrical, etc...but really it's all Steinman's songs that make him what he is. Jim Steinman's songs are melodramatic (and a tad cliched from time to time)...they sort of hit you in the face like a big open wound, just daring you to look away. BUT- when he's on, the man is on. One song in particular, OBJECTS IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR hits me very close to the bone.
Yes, it's a crappy title, and it has one of the goofiest choruses in creation, but in between is an incredibly theatrical and powerful tale, and one that I relate to all to well.
Watch for yourself
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37GrbCUvZEM

It's also a damned fine little video, in a Michael Bay kinda way:)

Then, there's this gem:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcLA596zUwc&feature=related

Don't ask me exactly why, but this song is the story of my life... I think sometimes you don't choose art, it chooses you. Author Nick Hornby writing about Springsteen's THUNDER ROAD said, "It's a process something like falling in love. You don't necessarily choose the best person, or the wisest, or the most beautiful; there's something else going on." He goes on in this essay to talk of how different he is from the characters in the song, and yet the connection to the piece was so strong, he still felt it was still "about him".

Now of course these songs aren't "about" Nick and me, but that's the beauty of Art. It makes us feel a little less...alone in the world. That someone out there understands us...feels us...knows our pain, our struggles, our joy. It's a pretty cool thing if you ask me.

So it that vein, hit me with some songs that tell the "story of your life". And feel free to add the youtube link, if one exists.

"Heavy decibels are playing on my guitar..."

Well, the trip down memory lane was a good one! This weekend, Fletch, Dave, Patty and I dusted off the old INTENT CITY machine and played a set at the Boro for their 20th annual BOROSTOCK show.

It was rusty in places, and I blew my voice out after the third song and sounded like a cross between Tom Waits and Phil Anselmo for the later portion of the show, but I gotta tell you folks...we ROCKED THE F****N' HOUSE!!!!

Sure we were older, grayer and a step slower, but I was amazed at how easy it all came together. And, oh by the way, did I mention that we only had TWO HOURS of rehearsal? We got LOTS of comments about how people couldn't believe we hadn't played in 15 years and we only had that short amount of rehearsal time.

The crowd was good sized, loud and very appreciative (and quite understanding about my vocal woes.) My undergraduate Theatre mentor was there and she told me afterward that I sounded fine, but that if I was one of her students NOW and I ragged my voice out that way, she'd kick my ass! There were also lots of old faces from the past. My buddy Lonesome Cowboy Bill and his pal Mark (who was up from Birmingham), our friend Helen who drove in from Jackson just for the show, my old buddy Neal who used to play in a band with me in the mid 80's...and tons more! It was a beautiful experience. And you know what it taught me? That despite what the cynics say, sometimes you CAN go home again! (the coolest moment of the night was when Patty, the bass player who's the only one of us still actively gigging, leaned over to me after we started the first song and said "Welcome back!" What a great moment!) And that I really wanna do it again!!!! How will that manifest itself? Who knows. Maybe we'll get together every six months and play a show, or maybe we'll record some. Hell, if that doesn't work out maybe I'll find some folks around here who wanna play. But I really feel that it's something my life has been missing. And now that I no longer harbour any illusions of doing this as a full time occupation, the pressure's off and I can just have fun. (I'm thinking Rick probably gets this better than most!) Of course my plate is ridiculously full, and between work, kids and all that goes with it, I may never get the opportunity to play like that again, but I am truly grateful for the privilege to have shared the stage with these men one more time. It was, as they say...a gas, gas, gas!!!

So here's to the men of INTENT CITY. Hope to see you again down the road boys. And please, as Lars (the guitarist from LAUGHING STORM DOGS) said after our set "Don't wait 15 years to do this again!"

...cause then we'll REALLY be old!

2 million points for the song reference. And as soon as we get the youtube links active, I'll post those.

AND DON'T FORGET TO VOTE IN THE POLL!

"Backstage smoke is risin'..."

Well, the reunion is almost here and me and the fellas are stoked! It's gonna be a real, by the seat of our pants affair, as we're only gonna get to rehearse once before we play, but as Dave (our lead guitarist) says "What we lack in talent, we'll make up for with enthusiasm and volume!"
True that, big fella!

I'll be posting a post mortem of the show early next week, then it's on to Auditions and other such Theatre and work related activities, and the rock and roll lifestyle will be laid to rest once more. What's been coolest about this thus far is reconnecting with the guys. Fletch and I have stayed close over the years, but I haven't seen Dave and Patty since before I was married, so this will be a nice event all the way around. Adult time, with two kiddies, is at a premium anyhow, and time with old friends is almost non-existent, so this is a treat. The older I get, the more I start to value not only my old friends in Tennessee and Mississippi (and spread out all across the nation) but my newer friends here in the Bluegrass as well. If George Bailey's book inscription is correct, then I am a rich man indeed!


BTW- Take a gander at the new poll. AND- for those voting in the "other" category, give me a title in a post so we can see "where your head at!"

Peace out, and LET'S ROCK!!!

X

"Cause I'm on Fire..."

Dog Days!!!!

August is always a weird month for me, especially since I moved "north". As much as I come to despise the cold weather during the seemingly endless winter we have here in the Bluegrass, and as much as I pine for Summertime during those cold months, by early August, I'm usually over it and ready for the Fall cool down. When we were down on the coast, the coldest we got was about 2 weeks in February when the mercury MAYBE dipped to the low 40's. That's shorts weather around these parts! I'm also ready to get back to the ole' teaching grindstone. I've got a big year ahead of me, and I'm anxious to get the show on the road. (although, for a guy who was ""off " this Summer, I've spent a helluva lot of hours in my office advising and working. Perhaps I'm just anxious to start getting paid again for all my work! That'd be nice...)


So, lots going on. Got one baby that's about to start teething, another smack dab in the middle of potty training (and on that front, to quote John Denver "Some days are diamond, some days are stone...") who is also getting ready to start (gulp!) pre-school! God, is my boy that big already??? Damn, time flies!


But the BIG news for me is what's going down on August 16th in Tennessee! These four lads will be playing their FIRST live gig in over 15 years!!!!!




















Yes INTENT CITY is back!!! My old rock and roll outfit from my undergrad daze are gonna crank up and rock the house one more time! We have a gig Saturday night, Aug 16th at the Boro Bar and Grill in lovely Murfreesboro, TN (where it all began!) as part of their 20th anniversary BOROSTOCK concert. We'll also be playing with our good friends from back in the day, the LAUGHING STORM DOGS (get it?). The LSD's go on at 10 pm and we go on at 11. Cover is free that night, so if you're in the area, haul your ass on down for some loud, cantankerous rock and roll!!

Now if only I can still play AND sing at the same time!!! I'm really excited about doing this. Call it a midlife crisis if you will (better than a corvette and a 20 year old, right honey? :) but I can't wait to do this. To my lovely wife's credit, she has been very supportive of this endeavor, and kept the eye rolling to a minimum. She's a good one, that Mrs. X!

I'll give ya'll a full report whence we return, and PERHAPS...video???


In the meantime, if anyone can guess who wrote the above lyric, you get 3 zillion points! And here's the question Du jour...how are you gonna live out YOUR mid life crisis? (or, in the case of some of our readers...how DID you??? :)

I...can't...WAIT...

...to see this film!!!

This one "spoiler free" line from VARIETY's review says it all to me:

"With all due respect to the enjoyable camp buffoonery of past Jokers like Cesar Romero and Jack Nicholson, Ledger makes them look like -- well, clowns."

Good on you, Heath. I will watch this film with a sense of both exhilaration and sadness, all due to Mr Ledger's performance, but watch it I shall!!! And Geek-out I shall also!!

You KNOW you wanna see it- you know you wanna write about it (SPOILER FREE ONLY!) when you do!

Hit me...

"I've had my share of sand kicked in my face..."

"...but I've COOOOOOMMMMMMEEE THROUGHHHHHH!!!!"

Mark it down, baby!!! MERRY WIVES took the trophy for the 1st annual Lex Theatre Bowling Extravaganza! (Which s REALLY a continuation of the old LSF Bowl-o-rama) Of all these bowling shindigs I've been in, I've never won, so it was SCH-WEEET getting to hoist this baby! AND- my top score was a 195- my best game EVER!!! Lots of fun was had by all, and lemme tell ya...them damn LORD OF THE FLIES kids can flat out bowl! But...in the end, the night was OURS! Thanks to Trish Clark for organizing the whole she-bang, and to all our our cast and crew who showed up.

Here's what they look like- nice lookin' bunch, no?

...'cept for the fat guy in the cowboy hat! How did Brett Michael's older, hairier brother get in the picture??? Ah well...

So the show is down. All in all we had good crowds (not great- we never got close to the 600 they had on one night last summer) but, with gas prices the way they are, and the economy in the dumpster (Sorry Scott, if you;re reading this, but it's true!) it was a pretty respectable showing. While, admittedly, the rehearsal process sometimes was a bit tough for a Daddy with a newborn, we did lots of fine work, exploring the text and getting to the heart of the the show. And performance was an absolute joy! It was very physical, and at times rough on my aging, out of shape frame (this is the 2nd outdoor show in a row I've had to wear a knee brace to make it through!) but I had an absolute blast. Sharing the stage with two of my students, with old friends like Chris, Jimmy and Tony and new friends like Todd, Mikey and all the gals made for a fantastic ensemble. All in all a VERY good experience, and one I hope to do again...but next year, no knee brace and 30 lbs lighter! You heard it here first...

So.. something else is on my mind. I've been seriously thinking of shutting down the shop here at the Clones. I've been at it for almost 3 years and I feel like, though we've had great response, I'm not sure how many folks really frequent here and get anything out of it. SOOOO- here's your chance- If you are here frequently (or just lurk occasionally) pipe up and drop me a SAVE THE CLONES note- if I don't get alot of response, I'll probably shut it down by month's end. No pressure, I'm genuinely just interested to see who's still out there. This thing started as an adjunct to the DIVA NEWS LETTER that my boy Jason started, but it quickly turned from a USM alum medium (as very few alums use it!) to a more Lexington / regional thing. It's been fun, but with two kids and a very demanding job, I need a reason to keep going.

So there- now more than ever, LET ME HEAR YA!!!

Oh- and just for fun- 2 million points for the first to correctly ID the lyrics! Haven't done that in a while...Chuck YOU may even know this one!

FINAL WEEKEND!!! EVERYTHING MUST GO!!!

(at left- Tony and Gina from AGL/EQUUS RUN'S MERRY WIVES)

So we're coming up on the final weekend of our run of MERRY WIVES. Last weekend's performances were tight, fun and very satisfying. We had very strong, receptive crowds, but more folks need to get out and see this show! I know most of our theatre locals are busy with other material, but we really need to support each other. So spread the word and haul your arses out to the vineyards and enjoy a helluva good show!

It's been a blast doing this piece. I'll post a little post-mortem after we're all done. For now, here's the query:

What is the Shakespeare role you've been dying to play (or the show you really have been dying to DIRECT) that you haven't "gotten around to"?

Lemme hear ya!!!

Friday the 13th INDEED!!!

Last night, our MERRY WIVES company had a very memorable evening. AS time is short for me now (got a call in about an hour) I'll let Chuck Pogue describe the scene:

For thebrave sixty people who defied the forbidding auguries of thunderstorms and came to Equus Run last night, they got towitness...nay, got to be a part of...a rare and weirdly wonderfulnight of magical incandescent theatre.Shortly before curtain, a brief shower came down, making the stagewet and slippery. The possibility of more rain threatened and Artistic Director and Falstaff Tony Haigh had a decision to make --cancel the show or carry on.He chose to carry on in a most unusual way! The audience moved fromthe amphitheatre up to the covered patio that flanks two sides ofthe wine-tasting barn. There on a platform at the apex of this triangular space and utilizing the area in front to expand this makeshift stage, the company begin its performance, making entrancesand exits into the barn, where wine was being served to patrons.All the costumes changes were also done in the barn. Meanwhile blocking and performances were being adjusted on the run...with no one missing a beat. The Equus staff found light to focus on thestage to compensate for the early darkness brought on by the rainclouds.Halfway through the first act, the rain tumbled in such torrents, it drowned out the actors. The show was stopped...but only to move the audience a second time -- into the barn!

The crowd toted their chairs inside around another makeshift stageand the show picked up where it left off...the most amazing mingling of actors, audience, wine-sellers I've ever seen. Actors walked offstage and became part of the audience waiting for their next cue.They changed costumes right there. The audience could see Tony come off as Falstaff, whispering in a corner with his actors about sudden variations required to accommodate the changing conditions. Actors rubbed shoulders with customers coming up to buy wine. They threaded through and around chairs, figuring out to make their next entrance in the most effective way.

The ensemble was on their toes, ad-libbing with facileness, making impromptu inspired adjustments, energized by the danger and excitement of the moment. Everyone of them I talked to as they come off said, "I'm having a blast!"

The audience was having a blast too...in the moment, following the play, with the actors and their daring every step of the way...and,at the end, leaping spontaneously to their feet to give the actors an honest and well-earned standing ovation.

Thanks, Tony and your wonderful ensemble for your courage and dazzling dexterity for a wonderful night in the theatre. And thanksto the audience for their courage to go with the flow and be a partof the excitement and fun!All of them were giving a raincheck to return for another performance, but I don't think they could attend one that could surpass the specialness of this one. What a night of theatre!

-Pogue

That sums it up....one of the most incredible nights of Theatre I've had the pleasure of being a part of!

more later...

Eat, Drink and BE MERRY

Ahoy, hoy!

This week, we open MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR at Shakes @ Equus Run. We have a preview Wed, and we officially open Thursday. Right now, it looks as if the weather gods will give us a good opening night, but it's looking a bit iffy on the weekend! Lets hope the rain holds off! Last year, I went out opening weekend to the show, and while a bit cloudy, it was a VERY nice atmosphere to see a show in. Very relaxed and inviting.

We have a great cast, and Tony Haigh has done a marvelous job getting us all together. (And, he's also doing a splendid job as Falstaff). If you haven't read the Herald Leader article yet as to why he's going on, here it is. http://www.kentucky.com/701/story/427546.html

And if you click onto the ACTORS GUILD link to the right, it'll take you to some cool cast and show info. I hope all of you in the area can make it out. Any of you non-KY residents who wanna make a road trip, I got spare rooms with your name on 'em!

And for another cool, winery- type event coming up, read this:

FREE TO THE PUBLIC!
on the grounds at TALON WINERY
7086 Tates Creek Road Lexington, Kentucky
Teresa Tope - (859) 246-6601



Saturday, June 14 ~ 11-7 p.m.Saturday, June 15 ~ 12-5 p.m.
Featuring:
Talon Wine
Art Vendors Sales
Food
Performing Arts
Children's Activities
and more!

Come one come all!!! It's gonna be a great weekend!!

"I'm so glad we had this time together..."

Boy this one breaks my heart too!

Harvey Korman, the tall, versatile comedian who won four Emmys for his outrageously funny contributions to "The Carol Burnett Show" and played a conniving politician to hilarious effect in "Blazing Saddles," died Thursday. He was 81.
Korman died at UCLA Medical Center after suffering complications from the rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm four months ago, his family said. He had undergone several major operations.
"He was a brilliant comedian and a brilliant father," daughter Kate Korman said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "He had a very good sense of humor in real life. "

For the rest of the story go to http://tv.yahoo.com/show/28851/news/urn:newsml:tv.ap.org:20080530:obit_korman__ER:800

Korman was a brilliant comedian. I adored watching him on Carol Burnett over the years (and learned a damn site about comedy and timing in the process). One of my undergrad professors used to refer to me as HARVEY due to my propensity to crack up during a particularly funny moment early in my stage life. His work, particularly as ED in the early MAMA skits, was absolutely flawless. Just watch he and Carol at work here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJLVgPPF40M&feature=related

I've said it before, but one of the hardest things about growing older is watching those you learned from and respected pass on. But Harvey lived 81 years, and that' s a pretty good stretch in my eyes.

RIP Mr. Korman... we'll miss you...and when you're in that great variety show in the sky, try to keep a straight face!

Any memories of Harvey? Let me hear em.

"So it's the laughter..."

(at left-members of the cast of MTSU's 89 production of HAIR!)








Wow...I mean really...WOW! Time goes by so freaking fast! This little shot will be 20 years old
next May! My friend Tracey posted some old shots of all of us MTSU folk after the recent
reunion. This is a shot of some of us backstage during the run of HAIR in the Spring of 89. Strangely enough, I would adopt the hippie / mountain man look a number of times after this (for plays and just cause I was too lazy to shave!) In the front row and to the right of me is one of my best friends since childhood, Dave. Dave and I met at a showing of STAR WARS (no lie!) when we were 11 and 12 respectively. We've been pals ever since (despite the occasional dust up). This means I've known him, and been friends, now for THIRTY years! Again...all I have is WOW!




This shot is a little more bittersweet. To START with, there's the ensemble. (Why is it that my response to every shot of me from the 80's/early 90's begins with "WTF am I WEARING???) Then there's also the guy to my left. This is a shot from my old bachelor bad in the boro. The fellow is one of my former roomies, and at the time best buds, Chris. Chris is no longer with us, and his passing was incredibly painful. Chris was a brilliant man, and one of the most fun people I've ever had the pleasure of being around (well, SOMETIMES he was...) and it pains me that he's not still here to share my impending midlife crisis, and that my children will never know him. I had no pictures of the two of us up till now, and I am incredibly grateful to have this one. Thanks, Trace!

I was never a big picture taker in my youth. I was the third of three children, and where their are albums full of my older siblings, there exist about three shots of me in my infancy. So I guess because of that I never valued it. My wife, on the other hand, has about a metric ton of pictures from her youth. I envy her that...and I wish I had been smart enough to buy a damned camera back then...

So here's my question to you...what were the 80's like FOR YOU??? Love em? Hate em? Don't remember 'em????


I'll post later...I have a baby to tend to at the moment!!!

"...there she goes again..."

My wife has written a great post regarding Clinton's victory in KY and a wonderful reflection of the ridiculously flawed process that is Campaign 08. Go here to read...
http://fridayplaygroupconfessions.blogspot.com/

Feel free to come back here and comment.

"...we'll go dancing in the dark..."

This weekend down in M'boro, my Alma mater is having a Theatre Dept reunion. I missed the last one and TONS of my old friends showed. I really regretted it. Unfortunately, I will also have to miss this one. Some of the folks I know will be there I haven't seen in over 15 years. Bummer, as I'd really like the opportunity to catch up. My undergrad friends are an interesting lot. Like many Theatre folk who go to grad school, I think my Grad friends have been closer to my heart and stayed connected to me in a much stronger way over the years. But there is definitely a special place in my heart for the folks of my misspent youth! I think of them fondly and often, even though we really aren't in one anothers lives at this point.

Life is funny...people come and go in and out of it so fast, sometimes you forget they were even there. But I believe we encounter everyone for a reason, and everyone, no matter how brief the stay in your life, leaves an impression. I miss those carefree days of my youth sometimes...and I'm thankful for them. They helped shape who I am today...

So here's to the MTSU Theatre program of yore...sorry I can't be with you guys in body this weekend, but I'm definitely there in spirit. Have a drink for me, and remember...if you drunken phone call me, do it before 10pm eastern, as I DO have kiddies in the house!

To any old alum who might be lurking, leave a post an introduce yourselves...we're a real nice bunch around here!

FILM SHOOT

Hey people! I need lots of folks for a film shoot I'm helping to cast! Some roles pay, and the schedule looks like May 17th, 18th and 20th inRichmond. I only have sketchy details thus far, BUT if you think youmight be interested/available, email me at woundedeagle8@yahoo.com or leave a message here in the posting section andI'll send details when I get em. I'm looking for everything from teensto 50's, so include your age / brief vital statistics just in case Idon't know you.

Thanks,
X

"we can't even think of a word that rhymes..."

Hey all- it's been awhile. I've found it increasingly hard to have time to keep posting, but now that Summer's here, I get a bit of a break, and may be able to keep this thing updated.
Soooo...school's out for me, and for the first time in a long time 'm not teaching Summer courses. Just hanging at the house doing my daily rendition of DADDY DAY CARE, and I'm pleased to say I'll be doing a role in Eqqus run's MERRY WIVES (more on that in a later post). There are, of course, lots of things in the planning stages for the job next year (the main one being DON'T GET AXED BECAUSE OF BUDGET CUTS- though there is scant little I can do about that) and me and the Missus are hoping to travel SOMEWHERE (even if only to...Tennessee! Seems that's about all we can afford lately) . I'll also be in my good friend Darren's wedding in late July, so still lots going on.

So, tell me- what's lined up for YOUR Summer? Spare me no details...

RIP Danny...

(Springsteen, Federeci, Bittan in Danny's last performance)

From backstreets.com

DANNY FEDERICI, 1950 - 2008

Danny Federici, the E Street Band's organist and keyboard player since its inception, died this afternoon, April 17, 2008 at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City after a three-year battle with melanoma.
The Federici family and the E Street family request that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Danny Federici Melanoma Fund; more details on the Fund will be forthcoming.
The Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band concerts scheduled for Friday in Ft. Lauderdale and Saturday in Orlando are being postponed. Replacement dates will be announced shortly.
We extend our deepest sympathies to Danny's family, friends, bandmates, and blood brothers; we here at Backstreets, and surely all those fans touched by his spirit, mourn with you.

God Speed, Danny. We'll miss you...

"If you see a painted sign..."

TONIGHT through 4/12! BCTC's Theatre program presents THE BOYS NEXT DOOR @ 8pm at the DAC. Tickets are $7 for students and $12 for General Admission.

A little about the play:

About The Boys Next Door:
The scenes takes place in a communal residence where four mentally handicapped men live under the supervision of a young “burned out” social worker. The play is mingled with scenes from the daily lives of these four, where “little things” sometimes become momentous, and often very funny moments of great poignancy. This touching show moves the audience to an awareness of how many things in everyday life we take for granted.

The cast includes Jeremy Gillett ( AGL's MA RAINEY and BCTC's Blessed Assurance) Leif Rigney and Zach Moseley (BCTC's THOREAU), Erica House (BCTC's WORKING) and newcomer Kevin Greer. We are very excited about this production. I know there's a lot going on, but if you can make time to come check us out, we'd appreciate it!

Feel free to take up valuable bandwidth with various leg-breaking sentiments.

Tramps like us....

(at left- Brother Bruce and Sister Soozie tearing it up in Cincy!)

Ok, this is a straight up request from Mr. Pogue...


Last weekend I was lucky enough to get to see the Boss for the 7th time in the last 28 years. Granted, that hardly qualifies me for the title of SUPER FAN, but I does what I can for Mr Springsteen. And anyone who knows me knows of my love for all things BOSS (except the GHOST OF TOM JOAD! I agree with my buddy Ryan on that one- listening to that album feels like doing homework!)


Of all the (literally) hundreds of concert events I've been to, no one even comes close to the power of a Springsteen show. Last week's show, while not quite up to the roof-raising we've all come to expect from the E streeters, was still pretty damned good! (The Boss at half speed is better than anyone else at 110%, for my dinero!) I just wish I could explain the splendor that is the moment when the house lights come up, the Boss counts off into the mike , and the familiar strains of BORN TO RUN begin to rumble through the auditorium. It's one of the greatest thrills I've ever known... as the dude standing next to me in CIncy yelled to me over the din of the first chorus "THIS SHIT NEVER GETS OLD!"


I consider myself lucky every chance I get to see him lately, as the man is nearing 60 and CAN'T possibly do this type of show for much longer. But by God while he can, I'll find a way to get there at least once a tour.


Soooooooooo- what's the GREATEST live music experience you've ever had???





And remember- it ain't no sin to be glad your alive!

"Time doesn't wait for me..."

Ok...it's official. I have the coolest little boy ever! The other day the wife was asking the Wolverine why he was talking in such a low voice (which he's noticeably been doing for the last few weeks) and he answered "I'm trying to sound like Johnny". "Johnny who?" the wife asked. You guessed it...JOHNNY CASH! If I do NOTHING else as a parent, I have at least imparted to my son a love for the coolest man to ever walk the face of the Earth.

So, in other news...it's been a long time since my last post, as you may have surmised. Truthfully, I've been in a bit of a funk. Whatever the male equivalent of post partum depression is, I got it. Don't get me wrong, the little one is very sweet (and a really good baby- no huge all night crying jags! THANK you Jesus!) but I've just been feeling...like crap, for lack of a better way of putting it. Part of it is the extreme sleep deprivation that is endemic with new parenthood, part of it is job stress (Budget cuts and the like...Gee, THANKS Mr. new Democratic governor!!!), part of is feeling overworked and under appreciated, and part of is just this shitty weather we've been having of late. (Could it BE any more gloomy???) But, as I usually do, I'll get over it. The sun is starting to peek out every now and again, and hey...I'm going to see the BOSS this weekend! There, see what I did? I just cheered myself up!

BTW- the little girl's name was inadvertently misspelled last time. The wife wanted to spell it "Vivienne" instead of the more traditional spelling. I thought about arguing, but hey...I ain't the one who had to push her into the world, so my better half wins that battle. She is a beautiful little girl, and I hope those of you in the area get to see her soon. You will swoon at her beauty! ...or ELSE!!!!

No real question this time...just post and let me know how you're doing and what YOU'RE up to right now.

Oh baby!

OK- so lots going on and I'll have a full rundown soon, but just so's you'll know:
Wed morning (at 7:34 am) my wife delivered (naturally- AGAIN! Talk about a super woman!) a NINE POUND / FOUR OUNCE baby girl!
Her name is Vivian ("Vivi" for short) This was actually the name the Wolverine picked out for her some three months ago (where he came up with it I have no idea!) and it just grew on us. Haven't settled on a middle name yet, but it's comin.
We're still in the hospital dealing with a few post birth health issues, but anticipate coming home late Saturday or early Sunday.
We love you all, and we are both exhausted...especially the wife... mine, despite the sleep deprivation and the least timely bout of strep throat in the HISTORY of mankind, was the easy part!
That woman is amazing.

Keep us in your hearts for awhile...

"We've got a hit..."

One more weekend of CATFISH MOON at Studio. Thanks to all who've come out and made this show a big hit. If you haven't made reservations, do so, as they're going fast! THanks to the cast and crew for doing such a superb job on a piece that's very special to me.

Also BOSTON MARRIAGE opens at AGL this weekend. Check it out!

Still no baby...yet.

Awful news...

This one really blows me away.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080122/ap_en_mo/obit_ledger

Heath Ledger is apparently dead. I don't know why this kicks me in the gut quite so hard, but it does. Perhaps it's that he was SO young and gifted, perhaps it's his 2 year old he leaves without a Father, perhaps it's just where my head is, but damn...this sucks.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.

"There's a gator in the bushes..."

Happy New Year, everyone!

It's my first post of the new year. Got lots going on:

1) NEW BABY - any day now, the wife should be delivering bambino number 2. We can't wait to meet her!

2) NEW SHOW- Catfish Moon opens at STUDIO PLAYERS this week. Come out if you get a chance! Great cast and crew, cool set, and a REGIONAL PREMIERE!

3) NEW SEMESTER- Lots going on with the new program. I'll offer an update on our Spring doings asap! Can't wait to get revved up...

So, I hope everyone has a great year! Looking forward to 08 and the joy and surprises it will bring. If you have anything cool coming up soon, leave me a message! See you in the funny papers...

Oh yeah....and ....GO EDWARDS!!! DON'T BUY INTO THE CORPORATE MEDIA BLACKOUT!!!!!

...that is all....