Isn't Life a Kick?

[mrdreamjeans]

“Evita” opened last night at the Barbara Mann Performing Arts Center in Ft Myers, Florida. We reconvened here after a layoff week where cast and crew scattered to the winds. We’re staying in a Radisson (as of this week a Clarion) Hotel along a busy stretch of highway replete with strip malls and franchise restaurants. I already miss the conveniences and comfort of the equivalents in San Francisco.

One of the definite perks of flying to the West Coast of Florida and being based here for a week is that wherever I go, I’m one of the younger people:) Even on the plane, I was surrounded mostly by folks 25 years older than me. It’s probably the only place where I can go to a Perkins Restaurant and have the server call me “kid”:)

A downside to the age of the populace here is that they don’t stay in their seats at the end of the show. Even before the drop flew in signaling the end of the show last night, people were crowding the aisles to leave. I guess the 10:20pm finale is past their bed time. The crowd who stayed in their seats rose up and gave us a standing ovation, but then again, maybe they were just struggling to get up and anxious to leave too:)

We’re going to have several rehearsals this week in preparation for our Toronto opening a week from today. Press attention will be intense, plus Hal Prince is coming in to see the show. Our Magaldi, Gabriel Burrafato, is from Toronto and did a lot of press on the layoff week. He said the levels of anticipation and excitement for “Evita”s arrival are high. I am thrilled with the opportunity to be spending six weeks in one of my favorite cities!

Our flights on Monday are really early, violating the union rest period. Travel overtime will be incurred. Final curtain is 9:30pm on Sunday night and the bus call for the Ft Myers airport will be at 5am Monday morning. We will make our border crossing in three groups. Our company manager asked that she be warned if anyone was going to have trouble getting into Canada. No judgment, just a heads-up... We’ll see what happens as legal issues/ criminal past are incredibly private/personal subjects.

Saving the best for last .... on the flight between Houston and Atlanta, I struck up a casual conversation with the stranger next to me. We only spoke briefly till the last 20 minutes of the trip, but the final 20 minutes may lead to something wonderful for me. It turns out the guy I was speaking with is major player in Los Angeles in the film, television and music industry. Among the artists he represents are Kenny Rogers, with whom he’s worked for 25 years, and Jo Dee Messina.

At the end of our conversation, he gave me his card and invited me to send my song-writing demo to him, as Kenny is currently looking for songs for his next album. My song-writing is very important to me and, whether it works out or not, just to have a possible foot in the door is unexpected and exciting. I have a strong bullshit detector and I can tell this guy is the real deal. Chance meetings can be life-altering in positive ways. It’s happened to me time and time again. I plan to submit the tape and see what happens. Isn’t life a kick?

Comments

Re: Goals & Genres

[bearfuz.livejournal.com]

I can relate to your assessment of Country music, Neil. I didn't *get* it as a kid, but there were a lot of things I didn't get then, and because for some reason I *did* get classical music, that was the only thing I cared about at all. Then came showtunes, then the Carpenters (and, by extension, other forms of pop music), and still later the acquired tastes of Opera and Country, expansions in both directions, I suppose.

I like the honesty of the stories told in Country music. I like the beat and the danceability. I cringe at the false rhymes, but only if I'm really listening for them; I accept them in Country where I would not accept them in Music Theatre. :-) I'm glad that I've developed an appreciation for all these musical styles, each in its own pocket. I think it makes me a more interesting person — as well as being more *employable* if I also learn to play or sing in the different styles.

Best of luck with your contact and where it might go. :-D

Re: Goals & Genres

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I completely agree with everything you've said and how you've said it. I really appreciate your words of support. Are you still in St Louis? Hugs!

Re: Goals & Genres

[bearfuz.livejournal.com]

Yup, still here! I presume you saw my Hannibal travelogue. :-) We are here through Sunday the 24th, and then *I* get a two-week hiatus during which I'll go home to NYC, sleep a bunch of nights in a row with john_nyc, coach a couple of singers, participate in a fundraiser with a singer, do *another* benefit with a group of singers -- do you detect a "working with singers" theme here??? -- and then attend a commitment ceremony for a couple of contra/Scottish dancer friends -- yes, they'll be in full kilt, while I'll only have my Utilikilt to wear -- anyway, it should be a great party. And after that it'll be time to rejoin the tour for its final four weeks! :-)

I'm crossing my fingers that I can make it to Philly to see you, since Toronto would be a lot harder trip to make!

Re: Goals & Genres

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I hope you can make it to Philly too!!! We'll be staying in Cherry Hill, NJ because the Philadelphia hotels are booked, but after we close there, we'll have two weeks off. HUGS!