Give Thanks...Being Asked To Help

I found this picture from a outdoor lighting website. I was looking for a theater marquee. Why? Because I was asked to audition for a show. The auditions were yesterday and I turned it down.

It breaks my heart.

Even though I've only been part of one theater community, I imagine it's the same if I lived in Boise, Fort Wayne, or Bangor Maine...the theater community is family. And you do for family, including help out and sacrifice.

I began my community theater career in the summer of 2000. My son (who was five-years old at the time...) and I decided to audition for A Christmas Carol. We made the cast two weeks in, the show was changed to Scrooge. We did the show, loved it, and returned the next year and did the same show again. Since 2000, I've been involved in perhaps twenty community theater productions as either an entertainer or director. It's been a huge part of my life, but things have changed...

Things always change.

I think because I was reliable (and less because of my talent...), I have several times been asked to either audition, or to replace someone in a show already in production. Almost every time, I've stepped up and helped. Some of my most prized memories are from those shows. I've made life-long friends and had experiences I'll cherish forever.

I remember in one of my last community theater productions, a cast member made the decision that this would be his last show. I remember hearing him say the words, and I couldn't believe it. How could such a talented performer just walk away? I asked him during one of those times when it's just him and me and he explained that he wanted to spend more time with his family and his business. He didn't say he would "never" do another show, but he just didn't see it happening. To my knowledge, I believe he's kept his word.

The request to audition for a Christmas show came last week. Amazingly, it's for the same production of A Christmas Carol that my son and I auditioned for twenty-three years ago and directed by someone from that original production in 2000. I LOVE that show, the music is wonderful, the people in the theater organization are simply the best, but I'm twenty-three years older now. Plus, I no longer live ten minutes from the theater.

Theater is family, and I feel like I'm letting my family down. They'll audition incredible actors for the roles and audiences will love what they've done with the story. It will literally change people's lives. I'm honored as ever, to be asked to come and audition, and it hurts to decline, but perhaps the greatest pain come from the realization that one day--and perhaps it's already happened--the requests to audition, the asking for help, will stop. I'm grateful to have been asked. I'm grateful for the trust others put in me with each show, each situation. I'm a better man for it.

Like my fellow cast member said, I'm not saying "never again" but I just wonder if there will be another time when I'll say, "Yes."

You Should Audition For "Pirate Of Penzance"...You Know You Want To!

 Oh, to be in a show again. Alas, it is not meant to be, at least, not for me right now.

But, if you're looking for a show in which to participate, I know just the one...

The Pirates of Penzance.

Of course, you need to be in the Greater Salt Lake City area, and available to be in a show this coming April and May, and want to do the show, naturally.

Here is the audition information from the top photo:

Auditions will be open to everyone aged 16+. They will be held on January 28th our Studio stage at 3601 S. State Street, located just north of the main theatre.

Callbacks will be held January 30th in the evening by invitation. Auditioners will be notified through email given.

Auditioners should prepare 16 bars of music in the style of song fitting for the piece. 
An accompanist will be provided.

We are accepting video auditions but strongly prefer to see you in person! Send all video auditions to auditions@parkertheatre.org

You can set up an audition time by going to the website: HERE.

I've never done a show at the Parker Theatre (you can find out about the theatre by clicking: HERE...), although, I might have seen a film at the Avalon. I know I drove past it several times. Even though I've never done as show at the Parker, I've worked for the show's Music Director, Dr. Anthony Buck. If you've worked with him in the past, you know what an adventure (a good kind...) it can be. If you haven't, well...you ought to give it a shot.

I was fortunate enough to be in The Pirates of Penzance two years before covid hit and Anthony was our Music Director. It's an amazing show with so many wonderful parts.

Check out the show and audition. After all, the world needs more art...might as well be the one to provide it.

Returning...To Bedford Falls

 As is our tradition (and, I'm sure a tradition for millions of others...), we watched Frank Capra's Christmas classic, It's A Wonderful Life today. It's rare when a film can "take you back" to the past, to a time years ago when a group of friends and strangers, family and partners joined together to put on a show.

It surprised me how many memories of a community theater production came rushing back...

Wonderful, beautiful memories.

I think at that point I had done either five of the past six Christmas shows, or six of the past seven...I lose count, but this one was different. Sure, we'd done several versions of Dicken's Christmas Carol, and we even tried,  Babes in Toyland, but this was new, new to us as performers and new to the theater. Lots of unknowns associated with that show. 

The film is so iconic--look up "Iconic" in the dictionary and you could see a picture of the title card. Before we started, I wondered how the theater would capture the joy, then near tragedy of the boys sliding on the ice, the high school dancers falling into the water, the portrayal of a man almost choosing to end his life, then showing his life redeemed.

It's quite a task.

The theater pulled it off beautifully. It's alway an honor to be part of any show, but that one--like the film--was unique. I love the above photo snapped by Bre Welsh, owner of Pepperfox Photography.

The show closed six years ago. Since then, much has changed. Two of the married couples in the cast are no longer married, one of the cast members got married and is now a father, and another young man just preposed to his fiancee. These are but a few examples. Each of us have had things change in our lives since we struck the stage--too many to keep track of--but the movie remains...

And so do the memories.

It's a special film. It was a special show. I hope they do it again so the performers, the crew, and especially, the audience can create new memories of their own. 

Merry Christmas, everyone. Here's to more angels getting their wings.

Give Thanks...For Community Theater

 My daughter is currently in a production of Singing In The Rain at the adorable Heritage Theatre in Brigham City, Utah. I was fortunate enough to see their second showing. Loved it. Usually, I've also been in the shows (mostly because my kids needed someone to drive them to and from...). The real reason is I love doing the shows, too--especially when I can do shows with my kids.

It's been several years since I was on stage. Covid then moving are the main reasons I haven't been as active in the theater as I once was. I used to do shows with my oldest son. He's married now and hasn't the time. Then my daughter caught the bug and she and I have been doing shows since 2006.

I wonder if we'll ever do another. Maybe...maybe not.

I am incredibly grateful for community theaters. In Utah, they're everywhere. It's almost more incredible that they do all those shows with unpaid talent. People come out of the woodwork to be in a show. Without the volunteers, community theater in Utah--and, I imagine most places--would die. I have friends who have met their spouses in shows, careers have been made, friendships formed, lives changed, and that's just in the casts.

I'm grateful to live in an area where these shows are supported and appreciated. People fill those seats.

The Heritage Theatre is small, quaint, lovely. They did so much with so little as far as the stage and the props are concerned. And the show only succeeded because people worked hard to put on the best show they could. I'm glad I was able to share the stage with so many incredible people over the years. It was--and hopefully will be in the future--an honor.

Jeffrey Robinson...Audiobook Narrator

 It's been years since Jeffrey and I shared a stage. It was only one show, even though both he and I continued to participate in community theater productions. Then, he up and moves across the country. Unless either he or I have one heck of a commute, I doubt we'll ever share a stage again.

It's too bad, obviously, but if I lamented about all the people with whom I most likely will not "share a stage" again in my life, it might be a bit of a downer for me.

Thanks to social media, I'm able to keep in touch with Jeffrey, as we post events here and there. A loving and proud father, he posts photos and stories of his family, as did I when my kids were younger (and still do, even though they're old enough to be embarrassed by their old man...). I've even read about a new endeavor in Jeff's life...that of becoming an audiobook narrator. Today he posted a link to his new website and I checked it out.

I was impressed.

Not that I shouldn't have been. Jeff is good at whatever he tries, or so it seems. On his website, which you can access by clicking: HERE, you can check out a few audio samples of his readings. I like his voice, it has a deep maturity to it, something I didn't expect since we were so much younger when we did the show many years ago. 

Jeffrey's narrator life is just beginning. I hope he has a long and successful career.

One Of My Favorite Shows...

 I found myself thinking of a show I did years ago. One picture from a social media site and it all came back, the music, the people, the amazing time we had on, and backstage. The show was Shrek, the Musical, and it was a blast.

It was 2015 at the Centerpoint Legacy Theatre in Centerville, Utah. I'd never seen the show, nor had I heard the music, but after doing the show, it became one of my favorites. I had seen the animated film, but after being in the musical, I can't bring myself to watch the film again...and even though there's some amazing voice talent in that movie, it's just not the same. It needs the music.

Every show has its own feel, its own vibe. For Shrek, it was always charged, as if we couldn't wait to get onstage and do the show. I can honestly say not all shows are like that...some, but not all.

A local theater company is doing Shrek, the Musical this summer. I've worked in that theater before--great venue, great people. Maybe it was the casts and people at the theater where I did the show...maybe it's the show itself. I can't be sure, but I'll bet that those people fortunate enough get in the show this summer will love it and they'll be unable to wait to get on that stage and perform the crap out of the show.

And I hope when it's all said and done, it'll be one of their favorite shows, too.

I Should Have Known...I'd Get This Reaction

 When you post a picture on social media every day...for over a decade, you see certain trends. I've posted some of the best photographs I've ever taken as my daily picture. I've posted funny pictures (or ones I thought were funny...), ironic pictures, pictures of my kids, of cats, of dogs. You get a sense for what people think of the photos based on the reactions of those who see them.

Last week, in our local Tremonton paper, a front-page story highlighted news of a wonderful memorial for a wonderful man, a man who meant so much to this community. There are discussions to build a community theater in town and name it after this man.

And I think the idea is wonderful and I hope it happens.

I took a picture of the front-page story and posted my picture online.

I received more positive response from that picture than any other picture I've posted in over ten years.

I should have known.

That story taught me much of Dee Pace. Years ago Dee and I shared the stage. I loved hearing his stories about when he attended college in Cedar City. I loved getting know him. Two summers ago I shared the stage with Dee's daughter. She was the star of the show and Dee attended one of our performances. It was great to see him after and share that amazing smile.

Less than a year later I heard the devastating news that covid claimed another victim. Dee was the first person I knew personally that passed away from the disease. The news story reported he was the Box Elder County's first fatality.

I did't know that.

I also didn't know Dee taught theater at Box Elder High School for fifteen years. I can understand why he was so beloved in the community. And I understand why so many people responded to my post. We moved from a place where a dozen or more community theaters were within a half-hour drive of our house. Now, that number has been reduced to two. I would love to see a community theater built in this little town, but the fact that it would be named after such an incredible person as Dee Pace, would make it perfect. Oh...I pray it happens.

Can't Get Enough "A Christmas Carol" This Year...

 My friend Bryan posted the above picture on Facebook. I had to include it. Today, as I channel surfed, I happened upon Scrooge, the Albert Finney version. I had to watch it. Of course, since it's a musical and since I've been in productions of that very show several times over the years, it makes the show that much more enjoyable for me.

The story's the very definition of "classic." 

Some of the film versions of A Christmas Carol are better than others--as with everything in life. I tend to identify them by who plays Ebenezer. There's Alastair Sim (the first Scrooge I remember), George C. Scott, Albert Finney, Patrick Stewart, Kelsey Grammer, Jim Carrey, Henry Winkler, Michael Caine, and Bill Murray (sort of...), and others that in productions I haven't seen. Each of those listed have strengths they've used to make the part their own.

Like most classics, A Christmas Carol speaks to us differently depending on what stage you are in life, at least it does to me. As a child, I thought, "Well, this is easy to understand--don't be a jerk and love money more than people and ghosts won't haunt you seven years after your business partner dies."

But then you get older.

It's not like I put money in front of love, at least, not on that grand of scale, but I have been selfish and kept when I could have been selfless and given? Sometimes, it's the small battles that have the biggest impact.

And then, you reach that "Scrooge age" and you go from "I'm not going to be that way when I grow up," to "I hope I haven't lived my life that way and do I have time to change?"

Maybe it's the year we've had...maybe it's the fact we're entering a new year on shakier ground. Whatever the reason, I feel drawn to the story and more importantly, its message. It could be because we need to hear those four words more now than ever before...God bless us, everyone.

Cartoon Credit: John Atkinson, @WrongHands

Instead Of My Dinner With Andre...I Had My Lunch With Todd

It' hard to believe that ten years ago (or maybe a little longer...), I had never met Todd Wente before. Then, in a matter of months, not only had I met him, he and I were in a performance group together. It was called A'cabbella, a Christmas handbell and singing troupe. Soon after that, he and I were in our first show together.

We've been doing shows together ever since.

But, it's been a while since I last hung out with Todd. We decided today would be the day to change that. The location: Crown Burger on 33rd and State. The Menu: fast food. The topic of conversation: lots of things.

If you haven't met Todd, he's a force of nature. I can honestly say there's no one quite like Todd. I guess you can say that about anyone, but some people make you realize just how unique they are. Todd is one of those people. Today, we broke bread, we had some laughs, we talked about shows, school, FanX, and second careers. And after a while, with the food long gone, it was time to go.

Working at home, and not doing as many shows as before, there are many friends I don't see near enough. I suppose that's part of getting older. Other things take precedence, priorities change, the importance of time changes. 

I guess, with time separating events like today, they mean even more. And if any of you (that know Mr. Wente...) are thinking of having lunch with him, I highly recommend it.

A Theatre...Full Of Ghosts

I sit alone in an empty basement surrounded by props, boxes, costumes, even a piano or two. In rooms above and to the side, groups congregate to either learn new material, or hone routines they should have memorized weeks ago. There's an energy here, unseen, but definitely felt. Even when empty, the building's alive with ghosts.

The basement's where the public doesn't visit, similar to the butcher shop where the delicious product is prepared, few want to see where the process takes place. It's where lines are delivered over and over again, songs are sung until voices give out, feet in uncomfortable shoes practice steps until blisters pop and heels bleed. It's where blood, sweat, and tears can be seen, can be felt, can be experienced. It's where people who do not have to be here dedicate their time for the enjoyment of others.

There's costumes, hanging like skin, waiting to be animated again. There's tables, chairs, desks, carts frozen in place until called upon. There's memories that float through the halls, the high ceilings, the carpentry shop, the ticket office, the rehearsal spaces--spirits representing the time each person gives up until finally a show comes together on the main stage, where actors, singers, dancers, stage managers and stage hands, lighting and audio experts await the guests.

And when the audience is seated and the curtain rises, the pain, the worry, the stress of each show disappears like a shadows in light. All that matters is the scene, hitting the note, nailing the step, delivering the line so that those who pay to see the finished product catch the smile, the kick, the laugh, or the sob.

And they understand.

I sit in an empty basement and the ghosts speak to me. They whisper the memories of those who came before. And I remember, my ghosts abound here, too.