Everyone wants to understand art. Why don’t we try to understand the song of a bird? Why do we love the night, the flowers, everything around us, without trying to understand them? But in the case of a painting, people think they have to understand. If only they would realize above all that an artist works of necessity, that he himself is only an insignificant part of the world, and that no more importance should be attached to him than to plenty of other things which please us in the world though we can’t explain them; people who try to explain pictures are usually barking up the wrong tree. – Picasso

Yep, I’m working on my next show!

It was one of those days today that leaves you tired, and inspired.

I spent a lot of the day in the office, working on several things: Finalizing next season, prepping (with help from the awesome Lynn) a series of staged readings we’ll be doing soon, and organizing the many things on my to do list that I need to… y’know, DO.

As that was happening, I occasionally chatted with the actors, director or stage managers of Flyover, USA (which was rehearsing downstairs) as they would wander up on breaks. There’s a sense of excitement surrounding the process which is really invigorating: the “we’re making something new from scratch” excitement that surrounds new plays. As we worked on our project, I talked with Lynn about her upcoming job interview (teaching theatre at a university), and I talked with our Managing Director Christine about our financial issues, and how we, like most theatres in the state/country, need more money!

In the midst of all of that, I got a text message from Christina, at the Tipping Point theatre. Shakespeare, Abridged (that I directed and just opened there last week) has sold out this weekend! That’s a good sign, considering that in just over 6 weeks it moves to Williamston! Then I left, and stopped by the bookstore to drop off flyers about our Stone Soup Storytelling series, and the bookstore owner and I talked about a couple collaborations we are going to work on with the Storytelling project!

Lastly, I finished off the day by seeing a low-budget-high-energy-big-fun-well-done production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, directed by my friend Jaclyn who is finishing up her MFA at Michigan State. The show was a great example of good theatre: fun, energetic, moving, imaginative, and there was, in the words of Jon Jory, a “delight in the playing of it”! Everyone involved was having fun, audience included.

So – times are tough all over. I keep hearing about the demise of theatre, how it’ll be a miracle if any of us make it through this financial crisis, etc… Well, that may be true. But after today… I’m pretty optimistic!

The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare, Abridged got a a great review!

Star Trek opens next week!! Check out the website!

Rehearsals have begun for Flover, USA: Voices From Men Of The Midwest. Some great stuff happening with this production, I’m really excited about it!

Had a great night last night: Dinner with my wife, kids and parents (who have returned from their winter trip to Florida!)

We currently have another dog! My brother-in-law needed someone to take care of his Siberian Husky, Nanook, for an undetermined amount of time… so our cockapoo Sneakers now has a playmate!

Bonus Good Thing: My car is working wonderfully now. (Although, it did cost me $600, so maybe this isn’t as good as I thought…)

Michael Emerson, who plays Benjamin Linus on LOST, is wonderful in this clip from the Jimmy Fallon Show!

(Thanks, Joe, for the clip!)

Chuck was awesome last night! Jeanne and I love this show, it’s sweet, silly, funny, and I really hope it’s not cancelled!

This video, VALIDATION, is quite fun: a simple, moving little fable about life, positive energy, and free parking!

This former astronaut says “We’re Not Alone In The Universe” – do you agree or disagree?

Williamston Theatre announces a Saturday Storytelling Series for young people and adults!

The 7th Annual Grilled Cheese Invitational is coming soon! Man, I want a grilled cheese sandwich now. (For an added bonus, here’s Hints For Making A Champion Sandwich!)

The last “Good Thing” for today is: Rehearsals for The Complete Works Of William Shakespeare, abridged at Tipping Point are going well! Keith Kalinowski, who just took over a role this weekend with 4 days until previews, is doing wonderful work! It’s a fun, funny show, and I’m excited for audiences to see it! 🙂

WORK
Closing Panache at Williamston Theatre today. This week we’ve been packed! I think Saturday matinee was the only day not sold out. Today I was going to watch the final show, but we had walk-in audience members looking for tickets, so I let the box office sell mine! I would’ve loved to have seen the show again, but even more I want to sell tickets and get happy patrons! 🙂

So a couple of days ago one of my actors, Laurel Hufano, had to drop out of Shakespeare, Abridged, the show I’m directing at Tipping Point Theatre (that will move to Williamston in June and be our summer show). Laurel injured her ribcage (not in rehearsal), and separated the muscle from one of her ribs – she’s in a ton of pain, and doing the show was impossible. SO – live theatre – we start previews on Wednesday of next week, and I start working with the new cast member, Keith Kalinowski, this evening! Keith will be great, we’ll all be working overtime the next few days to get everything up to speed, but I’m fully confident that it’ll be wonderful!

LIFE
Went out for a great brunch with my family this morning! We’ve been so busy, some sit-down-and-eat-and-talk time has been sorely needed. During the brunch, I couldn’t help but laugh: Maggie picked an italian sub and hot chocolate(?!) and Max ate a cheeseburger as big as his head “lots and lots of pickles, please!”. I’m so often re-amazed at the people my kids are becoming. Sometimes it just stops me in my tracks to think that I’ve got an 11 year old daughter, and my son will be 9 next month. When did that happen?! And Jeanne and I just marvel at their creativity, their ingenuity, their stubborn persistence in getting their own way! I’m not even sure where this train of thought is going, other than that despite the poor economy and constant “bill paying” issues, I love my life. 🙂

It’s closing week of Panache!

This show has gotten all rave reviews, if you’ve not seen it – this is your last chance! 🙂

For a taste of a couple of the reviews, here are some links:

The Lansing State Journal says the show is “a delightfully funny evening of fast, smart banter, real human emotion and absolutely terrific acting.”

Encore Michigan says Panache “delivers some of the most endearing theatre of the season”!

This show has been a delight to have on our stage. It’s a big challenge for us – in our little space and with the economy worsening, a cast of 5 can be a financial challenge. It’s one we were excited to tackle, though, because we really liked the story in this play. And we really liked these actors! We’re truly grateful for all of the support from audiences and critics – Director Suzi Regan did a fabulous job of leading the team of designers, crew and cast in creating a piece of theatre that really fits what we like to do here at the Williamston! It makes you laugh, it chokes you up a bit, it makes you think, and when you leave you want to re-connect with the people you love. In our book, that’s a good evening of theatre!