Wednesday, March 25th
The tempests roiling the economy continue to blow their way through the University leading to all sorts of stresses and strains. I have no idea where it's going to end, but it's not going to be pretty and it's not going to be good. I think we'll be able to remain relatively unchanged as regards to clinical geriatrics, but as a cost center rather than a revenue generator, we will remain a bit of a political football for a while. In the meantime, my stress level will continue to rise until something snaps. Hopefully, damage will be minor.
'La Traviata' performed this past weekend and was a smashing success. Tommy is now focussing back on school and Tracy, the Gastone has vacated our guest bedroom after a very pleasant stay. Next season is 'Aida' which I will probably be part of and 'Marriage of Figaro'. I'm wrapped up in one last PIC performance for the year on Friday and on an elder program benefit happening on Sunday. After that, there's some down time other than the tap show. I auditioned for a Dryden restoration comedy that's going up in June last night but I don't know that it's really my cup of tea.
We're in the middle of the annual spring bloom so, even if the world is falling apart, there are still lots of lovely pastels in the trees and bushes so all is not completely lost.
Thursday, March 12th
March madness is upon us and I feel very like the March Hare at the teaparty. It's been a very peculiar few weeks and is likely to get more peculiar as time goes on. The collapsing economy has unleashed forces within the mammoth bureacracy known as UAB and all of the various political factions are scurrying around like rats, looking for holes in which to survive the storm. This leaves programs like mine in a somewhat treacherous position - we're a cost center, not a revenue generator, and those costs get passed around like the proverbial hot potato. I just hope I continue to find a chair when the music stops. (Gack! There are way too many metaphors in that last paragraph but this is a blog, not an English essay - get over it.)
Since last checking in, there's been some news in the performing arts career. Tommy has been busy rehearsing 'La Traviata' which opens next week. We have one of the principals as a house guest and it looks like it will be a good production. I cannot be in the chorus this time as I have to spend a couple of days next week in Ohio. Fortunately, I'm being paid to be there. I'm rehearsing for the annual tap extravaganza where my numbers are 'Step in Time' from Mary Poppins, 'You Can't Stop the Beat' from Hairspray, 'Drinking Shoes' from Pump Boys and Dinettes and 'Off time' from Ain't Misbehavin. The last one, which should bring the house down, is eight gay boys between 40 and 60 doing the Aggie Song from 'Best Little Whorehouse in Texas'.
I was cast as Hortensio in 'The Taming of the Shrew' for Shakespeare in the Park this summer. That should be fun. Looks like there will be some good people in it. I think it a bit odd that I am a dozen years older than my friend Lee, who is playing Gremio, the pantaloon, but what can you do? I'll have to get my script out and start working lines soon. I don't memorize anywhere as near as quickly as I used to be able to.
The 'Generations' fund raising event for the Center for Aging and the Seasoned Performers theatre company is rolling along and should be ready for the 29th. Now we just have to sell 320 tickets. Buy them now!
