There are definitely stormy times in life. There are times when I know that things aren't fair and there's nothing I can do except stand watch over my attitude. I tend to get gloomy and stuck. I guess the word for it is depression. However, I have also noticed that its ALWAYS darkest before the dawn, and things have a way of working out as long as I put my faith in God, believe in myself, and keep on climbing. I have learned that because I am old..... that's what it takes, time. "Peace is right there Kami,...Hello?? Grab ahold of it.." How many times did I hear that little voice, and chose to worry instead. What a waste of time.
"Listen to me, you who have been borne by me from before your birth,
carried from the womb;
Even to old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you.
I have made and I will bear, I will carry and I will save." (Isaiah 46:3-4)
To paraphrase I would put it this way;
"HEY!! You hard-headed woman! Listen up! I have things under control and I always have. Start listening! Start doing! I got your back!"
I recommend listening.
I moved here to Riverside two years ago and I didn't really want to. It would take up a novel if I told you the whole story of these last two years. To sum it up I could say, it's been kinda like a rollarcoaster. It's been restorative, it's been healthy, hopeful, playful, and magical. This is where I am supposed to be. I know that now. The climb has been good. I'm up high enough to get some perspective now and for the first time, in a long time, I feel really happy about my life. It feels weird and new, but I like it. Yipee and Hallelujah!
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Thursday, June 28, 2012
2 cents
I have definately decided that people are selfish. I can tell by the facebook posts and the ALL CAPS and the repetitive, annoying (alright already!!) amount of posts I get about politics. It afirms in me the desire to be no part of it. I mean, I vote, and I care, but ranting and raving about how I feel is nobody's business. It's interesting though because I see everyones bias. Everyones, opinion of where they see the world going.
My world is simple I guess. However, I am kinda glad that I never had kids because I don't envy the next generation. I can understand how children can play a part in how we vote. I think about my nieces and nephews and pray they will be successful. It seems success and money are imparitive, now and in the future. Plus, at this rate, they may be supporting me one day. See what I mean....people are selfish, including me.
I can definately tell that the people who are republicans have enough money. The people who are democrats don't have enough.....for the most part on my FB page. This is just a generalization. Nonetheless, a comment on my world as I see it. People need help. Seems like.
Again, this is a political comment from the MOST unpolitical person, but this seems more like a human issue to me.
Just my two cents.
My world is simple I guess. However, I am kinda glad that I never had kids because I don't envy the next generation. I can understand how children can play a part in how we vote. I think about my nieces and nephews and pray they will be successful. It seems success and money are imparitive, now and in the future. Plus, at this rate, they may be supporting me one day. See what I mean....people are selfish, including me.
I can definately tell that the people who are republicans have enough money. The people who are democrats don't have enough.....for the most part on my FB page. This is just a generalization. Nonetheless, a comment on my world as I see it. People need help. Seems like.
Again, this is a political comment from the MOST unpolitical person, but this seems more like a human issue to me.
Just my two cents.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Class
As some of you may know, I am doing a production of CHICAGO at Performance Riverside. Being a dramaturg at heart, I relish in the research of the script. I like to read about the people who wrote it, and why, and everything about the history of the production. Not only is this play based on actual events, which leads to rich research by itself, the story of how the musical version came to be is interesting.
Gwen Verdon found the original play, she brought it to her husband Bob Fosse, she told him that this would make a great musical. Out of guilt, he pursued the project, as he felt that he owed it to Gwen. Their relationship was complicated and though Bob had many other girlfriends, they shared a daughter and they never divorced. They worked professionally together and lived apart. Bob took the play to Kander and Ebb and they collaborated on the script. Bob had also just recovered from a heart attack, and surgery and was in a deep depression. The musical numbers explore the world he knew best; vaudeville. Having played the vaudeville circuit himself, as a teenager , he had a great love and respect for this genre which is also reflected in some of his other films.
Trying to pinpoint a theme to this show?? There are so many. Jazz (and its many meanings), Greed (and corruption), the criminal (who we make into a celebrity) and how all that stuff can backfire or not. Is it fair? no. But it happens. It's real. It doesn't hide anything. That's why this show is so in your face.
The theme may be up for grabs, but I feel like I have a handle on how the writers felt when they were writing. The song in the second act; Class, sums it all up for me. To me, although its crass and funny, its the saddest song in the show. It gives the audience a chance to think about what they have been witnessing, both on the stage and in real life. It's a sad state of affairs sometimes. It's the place in the script where I think the writers are kinda knocking you over the head like, holding up a mirror to us. We all do it. People have lost so much. Sometimes being good just doesn't pay off in this world. Innocence and devotion are optional. What happened?
We worked on the amazing set this week. Lets just say, I've never been up so high in the air, it's kinda exhilarating. Come and see the show!!
Gwen Verdon found the original play, she brought it to her husband Bob Fosse, she told him that this would make a great musical. Out of guilt, he pursued the project, as he felt that he owed it to Gwen. Their relationship was complicated and though Bob had many other girlfriends, they shared a daughter and they never divorced. They worked professionally together and lived apart. Bob took the play to Kander and Ebb and they collaborated on the script. Bob had also just recovered from a heart attack, and surgery and was in a deep depression. The musical numbers explore the world he knew best; vaudeville. Having played the vaudeville circuit himself, as a teenager , he had a great love and respect for this genre which is also reflected in some of his other films.
Trying to pinpoint a theme to this show?? There are so many. Jazz (and its many meanings), Greed (and corruption), the criminal (who we make into a celebrity) and how all that stuff can backfire or not. Is it fair? no. But it happens. It's real. It doesn't hide anything. That's why this show is so in your face.
The theme may be up for grabs, but I feel like I have a handle on how the writers felt when they were writing. The song in the second act; Class, sums it all up for me. To me, although its crass and funny, its the saddest song in the show. It gives the audience a chance to think about what they have been witnessing, both on the stage and in real life. It's a sad state of affairs sometimes. It's the place in the script where I think the writers are kinda knocking you over the head like, holding up a mirror to us. We all do it. People have lost so much. Sometimes being good just doesn't pay off in this world. Innocence and devotion are optional. What happened?
We worked on the amazing set this week. Lets just say, I've never been up so high in the air, it's kinda exhilarating. Come and see the show!!
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Umm huh, :-)
My brain is screaming to blog right now. It's been a while, and I promised myself not to do anything lame or uninspired...so you be the judge...(like I really care what anyone thinks)
Chicago is an incredible musical. It is full of itself. I have been reading a great bio of Bob Fosse, I think that the legacy of CHICAGO is the way he wanted it. He wrote this around the time that he was recovering. He had a very dark and sarcastic wit in the script, and I think it may have been affected by the fact that he had just had open heart surgery. Yet, the irritable, short dialogue, ( at least in my part) seems to make sense. It seems like he was saying, " just write the f*!ing script already" When I read that he was raised in Chicago, I knew then, that this was legit.
He's one of my fav's ...believe it or not. I took dance history. I saw Damn Yankee's, Kiss Me Kate and Sweet Charity. Don't get me started on Cabaret. I loved Lenny and Star 80. Truly mesmerising films. I admire Fosse, I feel him.
There is something....bare,.... about the way we are doing it...(the show, CHICAGO at Performance Riverside I mean :-) That I know Fosse would have loved.
Do I think it's ironic that I learned my "When you're good to Mama" blocking on Mothers Day, and was unable to go see my own mother??? Hell to the yes! But, I had a great phone convo with the sweet thing, so it's all good. I am blessed. God is good and all is well. :-) Do I think it's slightly odd that Sophie Tucker AND Gwen Verdon , ( two women highly referenced in this show) share my birthday? Yes, and it makes me smile just a little wider.
So I leave with with these wise words;
Gotta little motto
Always sees me through
When you're good to Mama
Mama's good to you
It's called reciprocity, karma,
you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. Be good to your Mama.
Chicago is an incredible musical. It is full of itself. I have been reading a great bio of Bob Fosse, I think that the legacy of CHICAGO is the way he wanted it. He wrote this around the time that he was recovering. He had a very dark and sarcastic wit in the script, and I think it may have been affected by the fact that he had just had open heart surgery. Yet, the irritable, short dialogue, ( at least in my part) seems to make sense. It seems like he was saying, " just write the f*!ing script already" When I read that he was raised in Chicago, I knew then, that this was legit.
He's one of my fav's ...believe it or not. I took dance history. I saw Damn Yankee's, Kiss Me Kate and Sweet Charity. Don't get me started on Cabaret. I loved Lenny and Star 80. Truly mesmerising films. I admire Fosse, I feel him.
There is something....bare,.... about the way we are doing it...(the show, CHICAGO at Performance Riverside I mean :-) That I know Fosse would have loved.
Do I think it's ironic that I learned my "When you're good to Mama" blocking on Mothers Day, and was unable to go see my own mother??? Hell to the yes! But, I had a great phone convo with the sweet thing, so it's all good. I am blessed. God is good and all is well. :-) Do I think it's slightly odd that Sophie Tucker AND Gwen Verdon , ( two women highly referenced in this show) share my birthday? Yes, and it makes me smile just a little wider.
So I leave with with these wise words;
Gotta little motto
Always sees me through
When you're good to Mama
Mama's good to you
It's called reciprocity, karma,
you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. Be good to your Mama.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Mabel - My friend
When I lived in Murrieta California.
I was living in a barn house above my sisters garage.
We moved in with our 3 yr old pitbull, Molly dog. We thought, after a while, that she might like a friend. My husband and I had been on the look-out for a dog that Molly might like, and also one that we could rescue. We started out at a shelter in Lake Elsinore. We even brought Molly with us, because, we thought if we saw a dog we liked, they could meet. We walked around and saw two dogs that we wanted to introduce to Molly. I went into the office and filled out some papers so I could start the process. After I was done, the lady told me that they would not allow a dog to be adopted into a home that has a pitbull. I learned later that this shelter, has a very low tolerance for pits, and euthanizes them regularly. So, we waited. The right dog would come along.
About 2 weeks later, I went into town. I was going to Big Lots in Murrieta. They happened to be right next door to a Petsmart. They were having an adoption event. As I was walking into the store I looked to my right and I saw this black and white dog (like Molly) curled up in a pen. I walked over to the pen. This lady immediately walked up to me and said, "Would you like me to take her out out so you can see her?" I said yes and she took her out. She immediately rolled over and showed me her freckled belly, begging for love. So, I called my husband, and said " I have found our dog." I just knew that Molly and Jerry would love her.
Long story short...... Molly didn't quite love her, but they got along very well. Jerry found a companion that could keep up with his energy, and I found my shadow. I guess this girl just never forgot that I am the one who took her out of the cage. She was the most loyal to me. I am just realizing, now that shes gone, what an outstanding friend she was.
I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes, and it brings me great comfort.....
"God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe she'll be there." ( Billy Graham )
Rest in peace Mabel face.
I was living in a barn house above my sisters garage.
We moved in with our 3 yr old pitbull, Molly dog. We thought, after a while, that she might like a friend. My husband and I had been on the look-out for a dog that Molly might like, and also one that we could rescue. We started out at a shelter in Lake Elsinore. We even brought Molly with us, because, we thought if we saw a dog we liked, they could meet. We walked around and saw two dogs that we wanted to introduce to Molly. I went into the office and filled out some papers so I could start the process. After I was done, the lady told me that they would not allow a dog to be adopted into a home that has a pitbull. I learned later that this shelter, has a very low tolerance for pits, and euthanizes them regularly. So, we waited. The right dog would come along.
About 2 weeks later, I went into town. I was going to Big Lots in Murrieta. They happened to be right next door to a Petsmart. They were having an adoption event. As I was walking into the store I looked to my right and I saw this black and white dog (like Molly) curled up in a pen. I walked over to the pen. This lady immediately walked up to me and said, "Would you like me to take her out out so you can see her?" I said yes and she took her out. She immediately rolled over and showed me her freckled belly, begging for love. So, I called my husband, and said " I have found our dog." I just knew that Molly and Jerry would love her.
Long story short...... Molly didn't quite love her, but they got along very well. Jerry found a companion that could keep up with his energy, and I found my shadow. I guess this girl just never forgot that I am the one who took her out of the cage. She was the most loyal to me. I am just realizing, now that shes gone, what an outstanding friend she was.
I am reminded of one of my favorite quotes, and it brings me great comfort.....
"God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe she'll be there." ( Billy Graham )
Rest in peace Mabel face.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Annie on the brain
Preparing for an audition takes on a totally different feeling when you are going for a part you REALLY want. I am getting reacquainted with Miss Hannigan. Remembering what shes about is easy. I grew up listening to the Annie broadway soundtrack recording...on 8 track tape no less, so of course I knew every song. You can't fast forward an 8 track. My mom made several musical soundtrack selections from her Columbia House music membership. Among them Jesus Christ Superstar and the movie, American Graffiti. I know all those songs too. It was different with the Annie soundtrack. These were girls, my age, on Broadway! I don't know a girl in the theatre who didn't want to be Annie. But, alas, there is only a very short window of time in which a gal could tackle the part.
In the late 80's I auditioned for Hannigan. I ended up being cast as Lily St. Regis, Roosters dim-witted accomplice. A great part, but, I want Hannigan. In the 90's I played Hannigan in a broadway review, we performed Easy Street, that was fun too. But I want to do the whole show! I kinda hate using the phrase "dream role" , but really it's one of many. Annie was my first dream role. I always thought a great concept for a musical review would be ; "PARTS I WILL NEVER PLAY" . Actually, I think it may have been done ala Forbidden Broadway.
So, in 10 days I will have another chance to make it happen and I get to revisit a character and have a blast feeling like a kid singin in the living room. I love what I do.
In the late 80's I auditioned for Hannigan. I ended up being cast as Lily St. Regis, Roosters dim-witted accomplice. A great part, but, I want Hannigan. In the 90's I played Hannigan in a broadway review, we performed Easy Street, that was fun too. But I want to do the whole show! I kinda hate using the phrase "dream role" , but really it's one of many. Annie was my first dream role. I always thought a great concept for a musical review would be ; "PARTS I WILL NEVER PLAY" . Actually, I think it may have been done ala Forbidden Broadway.
So, in 10 days I will have another chance to make it happen and I get to revisit a character and have a blast feeling like a kid singin in the living room. I love what I do.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)