Circles Within Circles.. Jewish Boys and Flying Nuns...

[mrdreamjeans]

"Evita" rehearsals are moving quickly. Yesterday we staged "Goodnight and Thank You", which through the use of a revolving door, symbolizes Eva Duarte's "sleeping" her way to the top. There are a series of lovers (based on actual men) who come through the door, each one more powerful than the next. Each time Eva appears, she is in a nicer robe, finally winding up in white satin with marabou feathers. We then spent the remainder of the day on vocals for "New Argentina" and the balcony scene at the top of the second act. Today is the "Charity Concert" sequence where Peron and Eva Duarte first meet and the beginning of the staging for the Aristocrats. The military portion of the number has been staged.

The circles I refer to are in friendships which I am making through Live Journal. After rehearsal yesterday, I made my way to the stage door of the Belasco Theatre so that I could meet John_NYC and his partner Chip. Chip is playing "Dracula" and we had a nice opportunity to visit and get to know each other a bit and compare notes:) John, who knows me through Live Journal, is Chip's partner; Chip and John are friends of Joel and Scott; Joel is in the "Evita" tour with me; Chip worked on "La Boheme" for several months and is friends with my friend Bill, whose apartment I'm staying in here in NYC and who was in the cast of "La Boheme". John and Chip are also friends of Gary (fuzzygruf), Steven (doubleohsteven) and Cameron (handlebear) in San Francisco with whom I spent a wonderful day in Muir Woods a month ago. In addition, Chip is familiar with Bob (lowfatmuffin) through another forum. Like I said.....circles....

I really enjoyed the visit with John and Chip last evening. As we stood in the outdoor backstage area, John who worked as a personal assistant to the musical staff during the preparation and rehearsal period for "Dracula", was able to greet folks he had become fond of during that several months period. I wasn't prepared for the hirsute bundle of energy LJ named john_nyc; he's really a very sweet man, full of ideas, questions and mischief. Chip was delightful and charming, our talks centered on our mutual love of theatre and our common experiences. What a nice couple! Oh... though he had to take a phone call just before Chip was going to introduce me, I was able to stand by while Chip and John got to visit with composer Frank Wildhorn. Frank is a very handsome straight bear. Maybe next time:)

Chip had to go to work, so John and I walked across the street and went for Mexican food, chattering away like old friends. I can't explain how rewarded I've been by meeting the men who have come across my path through Live Journal. I feel blessed... After dinner, John went way out of his way to walk with me from Times Square up to 71st and Broadway where I am staying. Sights during the walk, which greatly aided our digestion, were colorful. John and I kept seeing dozens of young Jewish men in long black coats, white shawls, white shirts with tails sloppily askew and soft black floppy hats, running the streets. It looked like a casting call for Yentl chases the bulls in Pamplona:) As we turned the corner of my street, there were dozens of Nuns leaving a theatre under a nearby Catholic church. The performance was titled "Women Who Have Served". I don't think the nuns were from America, as their dress was very traditional... even old-fashioned... think Sally Field in "The Flying Nun" with the big white hats:)

Another adventurous day completed in New York... chock full... completing circles within circles... new friendships begun... midst Jewish boys running...and flying nuns....

Comments

[woofytexan.livejournal.com]

finally winding up in white satin with marabou feathers.

I am sure you looked stunning in this ensemble. *ducking*

Hey, if you happen to partake in the occassional cigar, there was a great place in Little Italy that I use to frequent in '98 when I was up there doing some Y2K work for Morgan Stanley called 10 Little Indians. It was one of the best places to get Romeo & Juliets (the cigar of choice at the time). Just an FYI.

Glad you are having fun.

[tbone1961.livejournal.com]

See? Us New Yorkers ain't that bad. Especially those upstate breeds who are out of the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple...LOL...

Glad to hear things are running smoothly. Ironically, though, night before last, I went back to your post with performance dates so I had the right one for Montreal. Ecstatic to reread that it will run for a week up there. I had thoughts of only one/two performances, and being weighted down by the responsibility of my kids and not making it up there at all. On the verge of nightmare for my goodness sakes!!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

No worries! As of right now, Montreal is still on the schedule at the end of August next year.

More circles

[ricksf.livejournal.com]

John and Chip are both fellow square dancers and very good friends of yours truly. Chip stayed with me during the SF tenure of La Boheme, John has visited several times as well. I've even seen them together, a comparative rarity up until a year or so ago when they kept a bicoastal thing going. I doubt that there is anyone in the Broadway circuit that they don't know.

They're also both evil, EVIL men, but then they are New Yawka's after all.

Re: More circles

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Hmmmm... I had no idea:) There are more "cult" members everytime I mention someone. We discussed going Country-Western dancing here in NYC tomorrow night, but Chip and John didn't mention that they were square-dancers too!

...full of ideas, questions, and mischief

[fuzzygruf.livejournal.com]

Hee! That certainly sounds like John! Especially the mischief! Glad you got to meet them. One day it'd be great to have the three of you in our home at the same time for Gary-aoke.

Re: ...full of ideas, questions, and mischief

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Sounds like fun to me!

[nlotic.livejournal.com]

Thanks for keeping us posted. Sounds like you're having the time of your life.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I'm enjoying the rehearsal process, the times when I am making new friends and the opportunities to see Broadway shows, but I also find the city overwhelming and expensive. I've been away from here so long, that I don't know many people. Most of my friends have retired from show business or moved away from New York; they've settled down and had families (of many definitions) and either quit the business, moved to a kinder, gentler metro area or died in the 1980s.

I have one close friend here. Bill is the generous soul who lent me his apartment for three weeks while he is touring with "The King and I", but of course, he isn't here. Fortunately, he knows Tim too, so a visit from gotmoof was possible (and affordable). However, I feel a bit lonely over all. Most of my fellow actors are still going to their homes at night. For all practical purposes, I'm already on the road. I understand my good fortune, but it is also tempered by the fact that I don't like to be in this city for very long. It's a great place to visit, so when I tell my stories for the next three weeks, remember to filter them through the prism that they are fun because they are short-term.

[dr-scott.livejournal.com]

I remember Chip well from a GCA Caller (Gay Caller's Association) stint he did at the Convention in Phoenix this year, where his mike went out and he fumbled charmingly. But I never realized this Chip was John's Chip until I read your previous posting. The talented Chip really gets around....

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I had no idea that the common thread of square-dancing connected so many of the people I am getting to know through Live Journal until I visited SF a month ago; I'm developing a great affection for some of my LJ friends. Square-dancing must attract all nice folks:) Chip didn't mention his "calling" duties last night, but then we didn't have a lot of time to visit before his show.