AND LASTLY....

I'm sure I won't be the only one to say Good Riddance to 2016. Although artistically, it was a very gratifying year for me, the activist in me had a rough time, particularly after November 8th. Those who know me won't be surprised to learn that I will be attending the WOMENS MARCH in Washington, DC on January 21st. I have many loved ones whose equality is being threatened and I will not sit quietly and do nothing. So, in addition to my letter writing, protesting, and petition signing, I have made a commitment to stand by anyone who is targeted by hate and offer them support. Having that message heard on the 21st is my mission. 

The encore run of THE LEATHER APRON CLUB was a big success!

We earned three more rave reviews, including one where I was described as "the ruthless Karen Ragan-George," when referring to my portrayal of Presidential Candidate Senator Emily Green! I'd say that was accurate!

We were all sad to have it end, but the cast holds out hope that we'll get the opportunity to present it again somewhere, somehow.

* * * * * * * *

And in Other News....

I had the privilege of participating in a Staged Reading of SHE IS HISTORY by the extremely talented writer/actress AMY JAN SIMON. Amy assembled a cast of some of the most incredibly talented working actresses in the biz today. Every line they delivered was knocked out of the park.

What a pleasure to sit alongside CATHY LADMAN, MELANIE CHARTOFF, MO GAFFNEY, CLARA RODRIGUEZ, JANE BRUCKER, Saturday Night Live legend LARAINE NEWMAN and fellow THEATRE WEST members ASHLEY TAYLOR and RILEY RAY BAKER. I primarily read Stage Directions, but got to have some fun reading the part of Henry Stanton (husband of famed feminist ELIZABETH CADY STANTON) as well as a couple of one-line characters. It was directed by the extraordinary LEE COSTELLO, who with only one rehearsal, managed to pull it all together beautifully. It was truly inspiring to see all of these women bring their A-Game! 

Next Up:

Developing, via the Workshops at Theatre West, my one-act play, ONE NIGHT AT SEA and my one-woman show, SECRETS THAT YOU KEEP.

And, of course, submitting, submitting, and submitting for acting work!

THE LEATHER APRON CLUB returns!

Due to the overwhelming response - critically and in ticket sales - THEATRE WEST will be presenting three weekends of Encore Performances beginning July 15th. The play will run through the last weekend of July with performances Fridays & Saturdays at 8p, Sundays at 2p, and two additional Matinees on Saturday, July 23rd & July 30th at 2p.

Please come see if it you haven't yet - or see it again if you have!!

For tickets, click on this link:

http://theatrewest.org/onstage/the-leather-apron-club/

The time is almost here!

THE LEATHER APRON CLUB, starring the amazing ADAM CONGER, ASHLEY TYLER, ALAN SCHACK, ROGER KENT CRUZ, YANCEY DUNHAM, DON MOSS, TONY BATTELLE and Me opens this FRIDAY, APRIL 22, 2016!

Click here for tickets:

https://theatrewest.secure.force.com/ticket#details_a0IG000000xD3tGMAS

It's many things, but life is never dull.... I emailed some of you about my commercial shoot, but here's the rest of what happened this week.

Sunday, I was house managing the matinee at Theatre west and as I was about to open the house to the audience, an electrical fire broke out in the light booth. I had walked into the house to check with the Stage Manager to see if I could bring in the audience and immediately saw smoke in the booth. Ernie, the Stage Manager was inside the booth reaching for something (it turned out to be a fire extinguisher). I immediately rushed out to get the lobby fire extinguisher. In the short time it took me to rush back in, smoke had filled the booth, but Ernie had the booth fire extinguisher and was working on putting it out. I handed off the lobby extinguisher to the producer and told him I'm evacuating the building. Everyone got out of the lobby quickly, as I told them to, and I ran upstairs to evacuate anyone up there. It was fortunate that our heroic stage manager happened to be in the booth when it happened and eventually put it out, but not before the lobby was overtaken by smoke. I inhaled quite a bit of acrid smoke and had some bad reactions to it that lasted for a couple of days (as did Ernie).

On Weds., I had a pre-shoot meeting for the Best Buy commercial & some of the crew were sick. Since my resistance was way down because of the smoke and my asthma, by Thursday, shoot day, I was sick & had laryngitis. I took everything under the sun and was able to speak (albeit in my best Brenda Vaccaro), and thankfully the shoot was MOS. By Thursday night, my voice was gone. Yesterday, I cancelled my rehearsal and stayed in bed until I had to leave for the theater. I'm house managing all weekend. I prepped the theatre, assigned tasks to the Ushers, and left before the audience arrived. I'm somewhat better today, but am staying in bed until I go to the theater tonight. Unfortunately, there is no one available to house manage so like last night, I'll go set everything up (wearing surgical gloves, of course!) etc., and go home. Bah!

On a lighter note, the director, producer, crew, ad agency and Best Buy reps loved (their word) my work. They laughed at almost everything I did. I was very happy about that. :-)

Ah, the life of an actor!