So Long Rainmaker...It's Been Fun!

It was over twenty-one years ago that I worked at the amusement park, a park located about a mile from my house. Growing up I spend more time at Lagoon Amusement Park in the summers than I did at home. Okay, maybe not more hours, but many. 

When I turned sixteen I first worked there and during high school and while earning my first college degree, my summers were spent working at Lagoon. This summer I returned and tonight I did my final performance of the season as The Rainmaker. I'll miss the people and I'll miss that car. 

The show was a blast, at least, it was for me. It's a strange feeling having every set of eyes look at you as you travel through a sea of people. It got to the point where, when I was walking around while not in my costume, I felt like everyone should be looking at me. I also learned that when you wave at people--no matter how far away they are--if they're looking at you and you wave, they'll wave back.

We had some technical issues on my final day. I wondered if we'd do any shows, but as I pulled the car into its parking spot for the last time, we ended up doing most of our scheduled shows. I really had a good time having fun with the patrons and telling corny jokes. I got some people to hopefully come out of their shell a little bit and I saw a lot of smiles. 

And for a summer job, that's hard to beat.

The Vibraslap...Yeah, You've Heard (Of...) It

"So, what's it called, again?"

"A vibraslap."

"A what?"

"A vibraslap."

"Why can't I ever remember that name?"

I've got a summer gig where I dress up as a turn-of-the-century salesman and get a crowd of amusement park patrons all excited for a rain storm. And one of the props we use is a vibraslap.

What's a vibraslap, you ask? Good question. A vibraslap is a percussion instrument consisting of a wooden chamber (with vibrating metal pieces inside...) connected by a wire to a wooden ball. When you strike the ball, the metal pieces vibrate and echo inside the chamber. I think everyone's heard the sound. It's kind of a cool sound, I think.

We use the vibraslap as a signal in our show. We choose a few of the audience members to help us bring the rain and when I hit the vibraslap, it signals each volunteer to do their thing. For some reason, we could never remember the name of it, though. Luckily my son did.

So, if you're watching the Rainmaker show this summer at Lagoon Amusement Park and we bring out the vibraslap, if you yell, "Hey! That's a vibraslap!" I'll make sure everyone gathered knows you know what you're talking about!

Lagoon's CANNIBAL Is Now Open!

News was announced today, news that those in my neck of the woods have been waiting for ever since we saw the huge dark tower rise from the field once roamed by cattle.

CANNIBAL is now open!

It's hard to miss Lagoon Amusement Park's latest ride. The thing is massive! And, because of this new ride I got a job at the park. They're anticipating very large crowds once the ride opens and since the news hit today that it's now officially open, tomorrow's going to be a zoo.

For the past six weeks those of us at the park and those driving by in their cars have seen the ride being tested. Up until a week or so ago the cars were empty. Testimonials from those lucky enough to ride it since have been glowing. They've loved it! I was even offered a chance to ride the beast, but I declined. As my age rises my tolerance level lowers--just one of the joys of aging.

So, for all of you who've waiting until CANNIBAL opened, now is your chance! And if I'm doing the Rainmaker Show when you do go, please come over and get a little wet.

Falling Asleep...At Church

So, what does this picture have to do with falling asleep in church?

Good question.

When Sunday afternoon rolls around and I find myself with a couple hundred of my neighbors in a large building designed for worship, I inevitably begin to fall asleep. Maybe not every week, but most weeks. Today was like most weeks. 

As the speakers begin, my eyelids get a little heavy. Of course, I'm still listening to the talks and taking in as much as I can. But then, after a while, I realize that my eyes have been closed for more than a few moments and if anyone asked me what the last speaker said, I'd be hard pressed to give specific details. Sometimes I even catch myself softly snoring. Usually when that happens, my wife gives me a little nudge and I return to the world of the living.

I've had trouble staying awake in church for a while, but recently, it's been even more difficult. Working two jobs, especially when one of those jobs deals with walking around in 100+ degree temperatures during the warmest part of the day dressed as a turn-of-the-century snake oil salesman. That can take a lot out of you.

I should say at this point that the reason I nod off is NOT due to the quality of the speakers. They are usually excellent with important things to learn, so really, my inattention is definitely my loss. And every once in a while I end up staying awake for all of the meetings. Maybe I'll do that next week.

But what does the above picture have to do with falling asleep in church? It's usually the first thing I see when I wake up.

A Hot Afternoon At Lagoon...

This afternoon (the hottest day of the year so far...) I went down to Lagoon Amusement Park to watch "The Rainmaker" show and while I was there, I snapped a few pictures. For photographers, the place is a gold mine!

Here's some pictures from today. I only spent twenty or so minutes to take pictures. Maybe on a day when I go down for the specific reason to take pictures, I'll get some better shots. 

For those of you who know the park, you'll recognize the place. For those who've never been, it can be a fun place. Enjoy!

I Made The Scene Change...

After each play that I've done over the past fourteen months, I've told myself that things will start to slow down after the particular play that I'm in is over.

Somehow, it never seems to work out that way.

In fact, things have gotten busier.

Case in point, after Shrek ended, I was certain I'd have the rest of the spring and summer not being involved in shows. When my friend asked me if I'd help out with Harvey, I said I would as long as I could play the cabbie. He agreed and I was then in another play. Since the cabbie is only in the last five minutes of the production, rehearsals for me were almost non-existent, at least for the first month. Things picked up int he last few weeks, but still--not very stressful.

Then came another performing opportunity, and this one's a paid gig! I was hired by the local amusement park to do a one-man show. It's a total blast and I've blogged about it a lot since I started. Thankfully the director and stage manager of Harvey  have allowed me to come late to the play. Normally I have time to go home, grab a quick bite to eat, take a shower and show up in time to do my scene change at 7:55pm.

On Saturday things change.

Saturday at Lagoon Amusement Park is the busiest day of the week. On Saturdays we do our Rainmaker show at 4pm, 5pm, 6pm and 7pm, which means I cannot get dinner or a shower if I'm to make it to the theater in time to do my one scene change at 7:55pm.

Tonight was the first Saturday night of the Harvey run and the first time I did four shows at Lagoon. After the last show I hurried and changed, dropped off my son and home and hightailed it to the theater. Once there I got changed in my costume and made my scene change with a few minutes to spare.

I've got three more Saturday nights of Harvey performances, so three more times this will be an issue. At least, this one worked out.

The Snake-Oil Salesman In My Mind...

Around 2:30am this morning I woke up and had a tough time getting back to sleep. It's not an unusual occurrence--waking up in the middle of the night, but usually I can go right back to sleep.

But not last night. Last night it took a few hours for me to drift off.

What kept me awake was a new show I'm doing. I am one of the Rainmakers at Lagoon. I get to drive a cool car (the most expensive car I've ever driven...) and put on a show several times a day. When I was hired last week, I was told that there really wasn't a script. There were props that we were to use and a general format to follow, but much of the actual "script" we were to make up ourselves.

And so, after I woke up early this morning, my mind would not shut down. All I could do was to imagine things to say. And my mind wouldn't stop. The downside was this is not a good week to lose even an hour of sleep.

But the upside was a lot of material to use to make the show longer and better and more true to the character, that of a snake-oil salesman who promises to bring the rain.

Even though I was tired when I got to the park today, I was also excited to try out some of the things that ran through my brain during those early hours this morning. The result? Today's shows were longer--closer to what the director asked us to do. And I had more confidence which translated to more fun for me, but more importantly, more fun for the paying audience.

Last night I sacrificed a couple of hours of sleep for art. So far, it's paying off.

My New Ride...

I got an e-mail a few weeks ago asking me if I would consider auditioning for a new show at Lagoon. They were bringing a one-man-show to the park and they needed someone for the part.

I auditioned.

I got the gig.

Here's my new ride.

I will be "The Rainmaker."

Come see me in the late afternoons/early evenings! It's going to be a blast!