A Bloody Good Sign

I got a phone call tonight from Nano. Nano of Irma Vep fame. (I mention this because it'll be relevant a paragraph from now.)

Nano is approaching the opening of Blood Brothers at the Industrial Strength Theatre. He's playing the Narrator, who only needs (unlike other shows) the one costume.

And what costume did they give him? What raiment will my good friend Nano be decked in, come opening night? My old Nicodemus coat. No kidding. This is outstanding. Can't wait.

In other news, I now have all the colored pages for the comic. They're done. We're a stone's throw away from getting this thing in the mail. Shazam.

One Heck Of A Night

Home again, home again, jiggity jig.

Folks, you are reading the words of one happy customer. Damn. I had me a night. I mingled, schmoozed & parlayed with the theatre community of the tri-state area. The Mystery of Irma Vep won a prize or two, including Stan Harris’s unbelievably impressive tie with himself for best Sound Design. Outstanding.

Did I win?

Nope.

Hardly the point. I enjoyed my night incredibly, regardless. There are specific people to thank for that.

To the winners, congratulations. To the rest, my entirely empathetic pats on the back. Rock on. To Leta, who kept the show running smoothly, well done. Damn well done.

More to follow, folks. With a snapshot or two of yours truly in a sharp-lookin’ tux.

Bam.

WATCH Out

Best Director. Best Sound. Best Hair (HAH!). Best Props. Best Special Effects. Best Actors. Best Show.

The grocery list of items you see above is the full roll of nominations garnered for Elden Street Theatre’s The Mystery of Irma Vep.

Damn. I mean, Hot Damn!

Nano and I were both nominated for Best Actor. The word I’m looking for is ‘outstanding’. Can’t wait to see what happens, in six weeks. Can’t wait.

And if you’re thinking to yourself, “Hey, Jerk! Who else got nominated? It isn’t all about you, you know!” Well, I don’t know yet. Nano told me what he could, but that’s all. The WATCH site will have the nominations listed later tonight, when a full report will be happily given.

But for right now? Hot Damn. Seriously.

I Owe A Lot To Monty Python

I don’t know what possessed me to think on it, but here it is anyway:

I was walking down a hallway at work just now, on my way to pick up mail for my charges; when I started reciting an old Monty Python bit. One of my favorites from the two-disc soundtrack I keep in my car. It was radio theatre, performed by the mentally infirm. Idjits. They’re supposed to be performing this esteemed bit of melodrama, and the guys are just stomping around, running through the walls, all sorts of great stuff.

“Comb een!” (Actor proceeds to blast through door, great noisy SFX) “I meant open tha DOOR and comb eeen…”

“Sorray…” (Crashes through another wall.)

“Deuh! My bwain hurts!!”

“Sorray…”

It occurred to me, just reciting those lines of comedy gold, that I had slipped into my Nicodemus voice and stomped around a bit (in my head, not actually stomping in the hall. They frown on that kinda thing). Nicodemus from The Mystery of Irma Vep was more or less completely inspired by the Monty Python dunce characters.

I’d completely forgotten where I’d gotten the voice from in the first place.

The omnipresent expression of mildly aggressive confusion just came along with the rest of the package. Right down to a loud “Deuh!!!” on every single entrance through the upstage French doors.

I think Nicodemus could lumber into a room with those nitwits and feel right at home. Think I should write them a thank-you letter for the inspiration?

“Very loike… Very loike.”

Holding Up My End of the Bargain

A few months ago, I promised Leta that should Irma Vep win any awards, I'd recite a little something that she hopes will become standard practice among actors; namely thanking the person that suggested they audition for whatever show it is that wins the acclaim. After all, we don't get trees if no one plants the seed (acorn?) in the first place.

The Mystery of Irma Vep won the Ruby Griffith Award for Outstanding Achievement in a Play. It's an award to everyone involved, which seems only fair... Everyone did an outstanding job, and I'm lucky to have been a part of it. So here it is:

"Thank you for this major award. I have to tip my hat to my good friend Leta; who let me know about auditions for this in the first place. She handed me a copy of the script, and let me know when and where auditions were. Thanks, Leta."

Bam!

The Ruby Griffith Awards

The Ruby Griffith Awards ceremony took place yesterday, in Germantown. The RGA’s are a big deal in these parts, giving out only three awards a year for Outstanding Achievement in a Play, Outstanding Achievement in a Musical, and All Around Production Excellence.

I wasn’t at the awards ceremony personally, I was attending Norm Seltzer’s All My Sons at the Writer’s Center in Bethesda, and it was an incredible show. It’s replaced The Crucible as my favorite Arthur Miller play. I hope you got a chance to see the production, because now it’s gone…

That didn’t stop me from hearing the outcome of the Awards ceremony, however. I want to congratulate the cast and crew of the Arlington Player's Ragtime for winning Outstanding Achievement in a Musical. Director Christopher Dykton must be very proud of his people; all the hard work really paid off.

The age of cell-phones ensured that Andrea Spitz found out ASAP that the Silver Spring Stage’s Proof had taken All Around Production Excellence. I gave her a hug and a high-five. We *rocked*. So much work went into making Proof as good as it could be. We had a tight ensemble cast, great direction from Norm, and Richard Ley took very good care of us as Producer. I was pleased as punch and proud as hell to have been a part of it.

About ten minutes later, my head just about exploded. I got *another* call, this one from Nano Gowland, informing me that the Elden Street Players had also won for The Mystery of Irma Vep, with Outstanding Achievement in a Play. A list of exuberant profanities left my lips in the span of about two minutes. I was ecstatic.

Not only for Nano, or Bruce, or Gina, but everyone that worked their tails off on Irma Vep --while managing to make it feel like a vacation half the time-- and I was very proud. I was also just happy. Incredibly happy.

In showbiz, a little praise goes a long way; and usually straight to one’s head. We don’t do the work for awards or prizes. We don’t even do it for the same reasons as one another, necessarily. With that said, of course, being part of a team that wins an award *does* feel great. Twice!

I don’t know who to be prouder of: Silver Spring Stage, or Elden Street Players. Two entirely different shows in format, feel, and substance managed to walk away with outstanding honors. Hell, I’ll just be proud of both of ‘em, call it a day, and wait to see what happens next…

Wahoo! Pictures!

Sweet. I can now post pictures with greater facility since Blogger made it easy. BAM.

And now... a moment from The Mystery of Irma Vep.

I Miss Irma Vep. *Sniff*

Well, it’s done. The Mystery of Irma Vep’s run has come to its inevitable close. And I really, really miss it.

I’ve been doing this acting thing for a number of years, now. High School, College (granted it was largely Guard duty), professionally and non, I’ve done plenty of shows. Most of them were fun, a lot of work and memorable; but when they were put to bed, I didn’t dwell on it and I moved on with ease.

I haven’t been this attached to a show since High School. The Crucible was the spring show and our last chance to act as Seniors. Half of us were fighting tears at the final curtain. We knew we weren’t going to work together again. I think it had more to do with that sense of finality and less to do with the play.

This time it’s both. I loved working with Nano, Bruce, Joyce, Kat and Kim, Gina, Stan, Austin, Tori, Kevin, John, Mike, everybody. Nobody had an attitude or gave less than their level best. And the play itself… I have never had as much fun, just doing what I do best. The chemistry with Nano was effortless. The crowds that came in had a great time and they showed it. Family, friends, and even co-workers showed their support by filling seats. It was a terrific work out, to boot.

I think what I’ll miss most was the tangible bond we had with the audience, every night. I could feel it. Touch it. Pull it a little or give it some slack. Nano and I had the audience in our hands, and we were given license to run with them. Even when something went wrong, and we were forced to adapt and ad lib as the circumstances demanded; the crowd loved it and called for more. It was nothing short of beautiful.

And now it’s over. Even though I’m not currently working on any new plays, I know it’s only a matter of time. Regardless: I’m left with the satisfaction of finishing a job well done, with new friends and great memories to savor.

I kind of wish I’d stolen the wooden leg when I had the chance, though. Talk about a conversation piece.

Not Buying Corduroy Again Any Time Soon

I’ve never considered myself thin. I’ve got some weight to me. I’ve never considered myself fat, either. Saturday, my pants didn’t share that opinion.

Irma Vep ended last night. (More on that later *sniff*.) Our producer and personal Wonder Woman Gina threw the closing party at her place. After stopping at a 7-11 to pick up the token chips and beer (neither of which ended up being needed, hooray for bountiful parties), I was getting back into my friend’s car and tchrrrriiip!

I froze. My friend, McCall, looked at me with eyes and mouth agape. I put down my parcels, and found out that the corduroy slacks I’d worn decided to make like an atom and split. The rip was huge. I called my best friend, Pedro, and asked if he wouldn’t mind bringing me a pair of pants. (I’ve been crashing with Chris for the last few nights since it saved on mileage to the theatre and also, he’s my best friend.)

McCall drove us from the 7-11 to the theatre, and she was laughing the entire way. Her stomach hurt she was laughing so much. Oy.

I got new pants. The old pants (ruined past the point of salvage) went in Gina’s trash. I told McCall: Any party where a pair of pants ends up in the trash is my kind of party.

A Certain Curse

Anyone who’s worked in Theatre for even a moderate amount of time knows about it. If you say the ‘M’ word inside a theatre, you are begging the drama gods to make something go wrong during the show. If not something truly bad or worse, like a physical injury. I’ve seen it happen, more than once. In any case, this curse has been known to extend to even *quoting* the Scottish Play.

The Mystery of Irma Vep has been far and away my favorite show to do. If I ever get the chance, I’m going to do it again. Something that had to be pointed out to me because it’s been ages since I read the bloody thing: Irma Vep uses quotes from the play of Shakespeare’s regarding a married couple of ambitious Scots. That, then, explains the fact that in nearly every performance, something has gone wrong.

Usually a technical thing, sometimes it’s something little and barely noticeable, and before you know it we’ve moved on. Other times it affects the dialogue if it’s a very important prop. The audience knows something is up, and the can’t help but howl with laughter. Can’t say I blame ‘em.

Here’s the thing, though. In this show, it’s *okay* for things to go a little awry. My beard has fallen off twice onstage, as the Egyptian guide Alcazar. Nano saved the day by calling it the ‘Curse of the Follicles’. We had a field day working around a sarcophagus that wouldn’t stay closed when it was rather important it did, and even more fun with an electric candle that was supposed to be burning steadfastly through the first act that we couldn’t get to light to save our lives. None of these things are anyone’s fault. They just happen. And it’s hilarious when it does.

Take last night, for example. In the 3rd act, my character Enid has taken to playing a dulcimer. In a fit of anger, Nano’s character Lord Edgar took a step too close to the chair the dulcimer was under and he accidentally kicked it. Loudly. A smile crept onto his face, and I repeated my line, a question to him, as if he had been struck dumb. The audience ate it up. Later, when he handed me the instrument to calm down, saying “Play your dulcimer, darling,” I couldn’t help but reply “If it still works!” Again, the audience was in hysterics.

My point is this: I think we may have the curse licked. Irma Vep is the kind of show with the elbow room to improvise should something not go right. It’s a very technical show, relying on a trap door or two, pyrotechnics, over 100 well-timed sound cues, and more props than we sometimes know what to do with. And when something has messed up, we’ve rolled with the punches every time, and the audience has just laughed *harder*. It’s beautiful. So, the curse, if that is genuinely what it is, has actually helped make Irma Vep an even better show.

I’m not a superstitious man about a lot of things, but the curse is one I’ve always faced with terror because I’ve seen its handiwork. Now, it’s not so scary. Especially since its most recent efforts to ruin the show have only made us look better. So bring it.

Bring it. Macbeth.

Hotcakes Aren't Doing This Well

Tonight begins the third week of The Mystery of Irma Vep performances, and it’s already sold out. All three nights. We’re sold out. I’d say these tickets are selling like hotcakes, but I’ve seen the hotcakes, and they sometimes have some left over. Not the case here!

To accommodate the insane amount of business we’re doing, we’ve added a night to the final week of performances. Yep, next Thursday night, we’re adding a show. Just for you, the viewer. Shazam. (And yes, Leta, I remember that you’re coming on Sunday. No worries.)

I sent out my Voice-Over CD’s this week, and I’m sending out another pair this afternoon. I know it takes times for seeds to grow, but patience… still not a virtue. I’m working on it, though.

In other nifty news; I’ve been cast in a TV pilot for Montgomery County Public Television. Improv comedy is the name of the game, so let’s see if it gets picked up! If not, well, hey. I can still put it on my résumé. Because I rock.

Things are going pretty darn well at the moment. That, and I get to do my favorite thing tonight; perform… Irma Vep has been the single most amount of fun I’ve had on stage, and I dearly hope it continues to be so. Because that would also rock.

Later, people. Have a good weekend. It’s gonna be a busy one.

Now Hear This

Ever wonder what I might sound like? Wonder no more. In efforts to promote my voice-over demo’s (which I’ll be mailing out later today to a potential agent or two), I’ve posted my Commercial and Cartoon demo’s on my website, on the Work page: www.tuxxer.com, baby.

A lot of work has gone into making those little darlings ship shape; including the fine editing talents of one Stan Harris, sound man for The Mystery of Irma Vep. The man’s an artist. What else can I say?

I also received my first response on the comic book-- turned down with an option to take a second look in three months… The editor in question mentioned that the art needed work. We may literally have to go back to the drawing board. Not that it’s particularly cheap to do so… Still. Something I’ll have to take under advisement. Dang.

In other news; the show was a smash hit again this weekend! We were sold out in advance for Saturday, and Friday’s show filled up rapidly as well. Nano and I… well. Without bragging too much, we freakin’ rock. People who’ve never seen either of us before have been commenting on our teamwork, something a lot of effort has gone into. One guy asked how long we’d been working together, because to him it seemed like years. That’s pretty sweet, right there.

Well. Another week has begun, and it’s time to get started. More to follow.

Sha-Freaking-Zam

Oh. My. God.

I just finished reading Michael Toscano’s review of The Mystery of Irma Vep. He came to the show opening night. It is officially safe to say that Mr. Toscano enjoyed himself.

Holy $#!t. That’s one damn fine review. Okay. I’m not gonna twist my arm patting my own back… I’m just… putting this out here for your perusal… and I’m going to go do my happy dance. A few times. Sweet.

Opening Night

The Mystery of Irma Vep opened this weekend at the Industrial Strength Theatre in Herndon, VA. We had a sold-out house for both performances. Out-freaking-standing.

My co-star, Nano Gowland, and I would be hard pressed to find a better way to spend two and a half hours. I can’t remember the last time I had that much fun on stage, just doing what we do. Playing in Irma Vep is a workout, but a vacation, too. The audience had a great time if their laughter was any indication (and the Standing O we got on Saturday!), and the whole thing is one great whirlwind of kinetic goings-on from start to finish.

I love it. I love doing this show, I love the audience’s reactions, I love getting to use silly voices onstage for once rather than getting looks from friends for using them elsewhere… The script leaves itself wide open for plenty of sight-gags, and the time spent ad-libbing while we cover for each other (doing one of dozens of quick changes) make some of the funniest moments of the whole show.

My best friend, Pedro, came opening night. He’s coming back in two weeks to see the show again; this time he’s bringing a date. He said that his stomach hurt after the show, he was laughing so hard.

I have to tip my hat to my good friend Leta; who let me know about auditions for this in the first place. She handed me a copy of the script, and let me know when and where auditions were. Thanks, Leta.

The only thing that I would change about this show is the fact that it only has 7 more performances. Curses. This is one show I would absolutely love to take on the road indefinitely… Oh well. In any case, I’m going to enjoy it while it lasts.

If you can, please come see it. I promise you won’t regret it.

The Infinite Necessity of Velcro

The Mystery of Irma Vep opens this Friday. Everything has come together: Lights; sound cues (over 100), props… and costumes. This show would not be possible (for two actors, the way it is intended) without the help of Velcro. George de Mestral really knew what he was doing when he invented the stuff.

Of course, things don’t always go perfectly. In the third act, Nano attempts to rip a sleeve off the dress I’m wearing. Of course, the sleeve has not yet been tailored to come off, and so instead, the dress nearly came off entirely. The Velcro fastens in the back, so fortunately the audience of the director, stage manager, sound technician, make-up artist, and one or two others didn’t see anything they weren’t supposed to wardrobe-wise, but the rest of the scene was played out sprawled up against a wall to prevent my back from showing. They couldn’t stop laughing. I had a time of it myself, keeping my act together.

This show is going to be something. I cannot wait for Friday to arrive. If you’re anywhere near Herndon, I sincerely hope you’ll come check it out.

That’s all, folks.

Great Way to Kill a Day

Saturday, I reported to the Industrial Strength Theatre at 9:30 AM and got down to work on getting The Mystery of Irma Vep ship-shape for this coming Friday. It's a huge collaborative effort involving some great people at Elden Street Players. I brought coffee. (The good kind, too, for everyone to share in Joyce's coffee-maker. And there was rejoicing.) After rehearsing, a break for lunch, and a six-hour cue-to-cue, we were let go around 6:30.

I don't know what it was, but I was tired all day Saturday. Friday night I got home from work, didn't get to bed that late, and woke up as not the morning person. The cue-to-cue is an important step in the rehearsal process, and it was made no less delightful by my inexplicable exhaustion. Still. We got through, and at 7:30 or so I pulled into my driveway. At which point I went to bed. I was done.

I woke up bright and early (not to mention refreshed) Sunday morning with absolutely nothing to do. I made coffee, had breakfast, watched The Incredibles, had lunch... and was bored out of my skull by noon.

I thrive on being busy; I don't like doing nothing, and these days it's rare that there's nothing for me to do. But I knew my lines, there was nothing new to read, I'd seen all my movies... so I decided to go out for a walk. Got a haircut, too. (Needed one anyway for the show.) This got me to 3 o'clock, where I was once again at a loss for a diversion.

At which point, I remembered I had a game I picked up for my X-Box that I hadn't really gotten into yet; namely Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. I sat down, resumed a game I had spent less than an hour on total, and got sucked in. Like slipping into a warm bath...

Next thing I knew, it was time for dinner. Then, it was time to do laundry. Then time for bed. The game (which I'm getting good at) successfully finished out the rest of my day. Thanks, George Lucas. You rock.

Irma Vep Is Going To Need New Boots...

…for all the ASS she is going to kick. I couldn’t be more excited about how things are going. Honestly. Last night, we did a run-through of the costume changes (2 guys playing 8 parts!), and it was ridiculous. Even taking things step by step, it was enough to make my head spin. Thank god for Velcro. We’re still looking for costume volunteers… otherwise who knows how we’re going to make the changes fast and efficient. Anyone out there interested in being part of our ‘pit crew’?

In addition, our sound man was also in the theatre last night. He showed us what he had in store, and the musical selections were phenomenal. The music which will also be played during the scenes, not just for between, is really going to do something to heighten the suspense, the comedy, and the dramatic tension. It gave me and Nano (my co-star) chills, and we were just sitting in chairs listening to the music. I can’t wait until we have a live audience…

We’ve got another rehearsal tonight. It’s going to take some time to coordinate everything into a fine-tuned machine I know it can be, but it’s also going to be one heck of a ride.

Come and see.

A First Tonight

Good Morning, all!

I have absolutely no reason to be so chipper today. And yet, here it is. The light at the end of the blah blah blah.

I am somewhat jazzed, however; tonight is the first night of Mystery of Irma Vep rehearsals where we'll be dealing with costumes. Woohoo!

Why is this such a big deal, you ask? Easy. It's a two man show. I play four characters. Four characters who, on occasion, talk to each other. Onstage. Yup. Tonight we pay homage to the velcro god with our humble (who am I kidding, we're actors) show. Hmm. Velcro god. There could be something there. Potential for a sketch, who knows.

In any case. We open on the 25th of March and run for four weekends. Anyone in the neck of the woods of Herndon, VA should scoop up tickets. There are a lot of season ticket holders, so there will be limited opportunity to get 'em. www.eldenstreetplayers.org. Neat!

Oh. One other glorious facet I neglected to mention: Nerf boobs. I am playing a woman or two in the show, and our costumer has been kind enough to provide me with enough decolletage to play a few rounds of tennis. With. Her boobs could serve as the balls, is what I'm going with there. Anyway. The last time I played a woman (or a guy pretending to be a woman) I was modestly (again, who am I kidding) lacking in the endowments. Strictly A-cup material.

No longer. No more will I feel the shame of playing a flat-chested woman. Lady Enid will be robust and voluptuous. Rock on.

Ooh. Feels good to say that. Been in a positively crummy mood of late, (seeing as how my girlfriend and I broke up) but it's great to feel the beginnings of the bounce back. Speaking of bounce, come check out Lady Enid's. Heh.

Rock on, indeed.

Things Are Going Well

Good morning!

I have to say, I'm really pleased with the way things are progressing at the moment, artistic-expression wise.

The Mystery of Irma Vep finished blocking a day early, so now we have tonight off. Heaven only knows what I'll do with the free time, but I'm grateful to have it. Bruce and Nano (Director and Co-Star, respectively) are making it just fun to do. And it's been just blocking so far!

My acting class is going smoothly, too. I signed up for a class that focusses on an actor's weaknesses; namely things I don't think I'm particularly good at. In my case, that's playing scary, intimidating guys. Frankly, I'm on the cuddly side. I've never been cast as the jerk, the brute, or the bad boyfriend. I'm doing a scene from Sweet Bird of Youth by Tennessee Williams, and I'm playing Chance. Just looking to broaden my horizons a bit, and we're off to a good start. The teacher said I did in fact scare her a bit last night (in doing the scene). Woo hoo!

Granted, the 'Woo hoo!' won't send kids hiding behind their parents, but it doesn't detract from my enthusiasm. Woo hoo, indeed.

First Read-Through

Last night, we had our first read-through of The Mystery of Irma Vep. The Director, the Producer, and other members of the Elden Street Company were there. Everyone seems intent on making the show as good as it can be, which is fine with me!

My Monday night acting class will not be a problem, as the Director has agreed not to hold rehearsals on those nights. If I've done my math correctly, the class will end just in time for the "Hell Week" of tech rehearsals, all the way through to opening night. Sweet serendipity...

A word about my co-star, Nano. The man is as pumped as I am about doing this show. I'm warning you now, this thing is going to be madcap. It's going to be a bit zany. Certainly harried at moments. But it will most definitely be fun.

There were at least half a dozen incidents last night where all assembled just broke down laughing. The script is on the far side of ridiculous, poking fun at Poe, Shakespeare, Victorian melodrama, legendary monsters, and of course, itself. I cannot wait.

There will be a ton of memorization to get through, which is pretty obvious in a two-man show. The other big worry I have at this moment is my ability (or lack there of) to keep a straight face. I don’t know how Chris Parnell does it. In the history of Saturday Night Live, he is the one cast member to never break character. I’m determined to figure it out, and I have one or two ideas on that tack, but nothing to share at the moment.

The other thing I’ll have to watch is how I use my voice. Sustained falsetto (yep, I play a woman or two) is one of the worst things for the voice, so I’ll be taking lots of Vitamin C, drinking tea, and gargling saltwater if necessary. I don’t know how gargling saltwater benefits the cords, but if it helps me from sounding too much like Harvey Fierstein, than I’ll do it.

People hear that I live in MD and drive to Herndon, VA to rehearse, and the reactions are pretty uniform. “You must be crazy/ a glutton for punishment / stark raving bughouse!” I can’t help but shrug. I like the show. The Elden Street Players have a great reputation. I get the chance to play four different people at once, something I’ve wanted to try ever since seeing the likes of Eddie Murphy and Jim Carrey do it in their movies. What can I say? I’m psyched.

I’ll do my best to keep you posted as we progress, without giving away A) the ending, B) too many of the gags, or C) any other excuses for you not to come see the show. It’s going to be wonderful.

You just have to wait for it.