  Friday -had a productive day at work, Chris J bailed on lunch, which was just as well because I had lunch instead with 3 of my residents and Dr. Wiley at Fric N Frac - home of a great Philly cheesesteak sand, and great steaks on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They have tables outside which is great when the weather is superb. &nbsp; Friday night at the show Mark (who plays my brother) and I handed out the pins we had made. They were small pins that said "Chin Up", which is something we say rather chipper repeatedly throughout the show. I handed them out first to the stage crew when I got there early. Went out front to save seats and the next thing I know the other actors are asking me for the button cause all the cool kids have them.
:) So everyone in the cast asked for the button and wore it with pride all weekend. It was a great idea and I liked it that everyone enjoyed it so much. Did I mention yet that I lost my wallet at the front gate? Luckily, the ushers found it and returned it to me. Good thing I have people looking out for me. &nbsp; Greg came with the girls, my father-in-law came in from Albuquerque, my mother-in-law came in from Topeka with friends, and most of Commedia.
The light board got rained on so they lost all the light cues which were programmed into the computer. Why should this affect the lighting, I don't know. All the equipment still worked - what they can't turn on a switch at the right time? You would think people could still run lights manually? WTF? The show went pretty well.
I screwed up the tap number and was late for my last entrance. Just was unfocused. After the show came out to see everyone. Danielle and Madison ran up and gave me big hugs. Found out Danielle was dancing on the sidewalk and Madison was singing during "I Got Rhythm". Awww.
My friends in commedia brought me flowers...awww. Hugs and accolades. :) &nbsp; Greg and I went to the cast party. It was near 92nd and Holmes in a fabulous arts and crafts house. They had obviously treat the home with love and care. We sat around talking and laughing until 2 AM!
We planned to steal a construction cone and turn it into a megaphone as a director's gift for Brian. Luckily, no theft occurred as Taylor's dad had one in his garage. Almost fell asleep on the way home. &nbsp; Have become inspired to do a fundraiser for the Alcott Center. Want to do "I Do, I Do" in April at Alcott. Mark (played my brother)is willing (excited and enthusiastic even) to play my husband.
He has a such a beautiful tenor voice and the right attitude for the character. We had nice onstage chemistry and had so much fun working together. I thought the show would be perfect because it's a two person cast, takes place in one place and can be done with only a piano. I think it would work well in the Alcott stage space. Will present a proposal to the Alcott board and check on royalities. Have a couple of piano players in mind.
I've always wanted to the show. I could direct it. Have a couple of choreographers in mind...not that much is needed. I hope it works out. &nbsp; Saturday - slept till 10 went to the Alcott Center for the pirate improv workshop. We had 16 participants.
Started with evaluations and then played games until 2. I love observing, digesting and then trying to vocalize what I see in a constructive manner. I find it to be so helpful when I get constructive criticism. The hardest part was not jumping in to play. It's been gosh, almost a month since I did any improv. Went to lunch at Arthur Bryants with the crew.
Had the pleasure of sitting with Don and Chris . I respect the work they are doing with Red Griffin and enjoy watching them perform at fair. Am so glad I am getting the chance to get to know them better. Lovely people. A new color to the palate of friends. Went home and painted the cone.
The paint I used said it would dry in 72 hours. Uh-oh. Stopped at Target to get markers and found just the best card for Mark, who plays my brother. Stopped at Alcott on my way to the theatre. Saw Adrian and Leslie and Faye and Chris and some other renfest friends. Went upstairs and played for a bit.
&nbsp; Saturday's show was wonderful. No lighting issues, no sound issues. Managed to make all my entrances and did the tap steps right. Yaaay! The party was in Olathe near Black Bob and 146th. One of the cast brought his karaoke equipment so we had karaoke on the first floor and musical theatre jamming in the basement - with a partial orchestra ;) Scott the violin player can play be ear.
He and Greg and I had a great time talking. I invited he and Jenny who plays piano excellently to my house sometime to jam - a folk jam! So I sang "Love Shack" with David who did the best imitation ever of the B52s...I really forgot that I always dance to this song and have never really listened to the verses...oh well, we certainly had fun. I made up for it later with "I will Survive". Brian, the director started dancing like a crazy man and the next thing I knew I had back up girls dancing behind me on the fireplace hearth. I so rocked the kazbah!
Then I went downstairs and sang "Tell Me On A Sunday" from Song and Dance, cause it was demanded. ;) "Take the hurt out of all the pain...take me to a park that's covered with trees...tell me on a Sunday please" We were out until 4AM. Greg played foosball and pool and laughed and made friends. I think he might have a better time at these cast parties than me ;) Okay, probably not. It's a tie :) &nbsp; Sunday Got up at 10:00 and went to teach improv. They started at 10.
Damn. Had fun anyway :) I learned a lot about pirate vocab and ships and pirates in general. Did evaluations. The group as a whole did so much better the second time around. I think every person there got something out of it. We stayed late to play shopkeeper.
I took my group (woo-hoo! I got my own group! ) with Rissy (woo-hoo! I got to play with Rissy! ) into another room. Secretly pleased that Don and Chris and Jeremy [hearts and flowers!
Heavens, I'm shameless for Seamus ;)] came with me. They played shopkeeper a couple of times and then I taught them slide show (badly) and explained elevator, though we didn't really play it. I really enjoy running the games. But man, it made me hungry to play. I had planned not to go to any rehearsals until after fair, but I doubt I make it. I miss playing with Rissy and everyone.
So went to lunch with everyone at Fric N Frac. I was in the middle of man sandwich - between Jeremy and Don. Woo-hoo! Great conversation! Learned a lot about everyone. Chris' mom - I think I love her.
She's bold and witty and kind. Just a joy. Jeremy bought lunch, what a sweetie. After lunch I showed Jeremy the way to the QTrip and then to I-35 south. I headed North to home. &nbsp; Got my things together, hung out with the girls for a bit and then headed to the show.
The last show was great. We all got a bit teary at circle. Before every show Brian gathers his cast together and we take care of any business or general announcements and then he says something inspirational. I really like this tradition. He's a really sweet man. I gave Mark a card that had a peacock on it.
Inside it said, "I couldn't be prouder of you". I wrote in "This is the only card I could find with a c$#% on it. " LOL...he died laughing. We really bonded by being just frankly so nasty...we made fun of the song "Slap that Bass" as "Slap that Ass"....my, oh my, we had fun. I took lots of backstage pics before the show and during intermission. During the last scene Mark and I are sitting having *martinis*.&nbsp; I had this business where I spill a little on my chin - imagine that but that night I spilled the whole thing down the front of me.&nbsp; Jenny was so cracked up she had to leave the stage early.&nbsp; I was using my cardigan to wipe off my face.&nbsp; And then we struck... &nbsp; and we struck... &nbsp; and we struck until 2:30 in the morning.
I got to work with Kaitlyn and Tara in the shop pulling staples and screws out of wood. Then we got to stack huge pieces of Luon - I carried them over my head "Val Smash"...Managed to have a good time. Hung out with Loren and Curt a little. I adore the cowboys who are light in the boots. I didn't stay for the pizza. I sort of sneaked out cause I didn't want to say a bunch of goodbyes.
I'll see the people I connected with again. I am so grateful for this experience. And I was afraid I'd fall asleep. &nbsp; Which I almost did anyway...It's a long drive to almost Gladstone. &nbsp; Monday I slept until 10. Greg was off and so was I.
We kept the girls home and had a great day all together. We watched Greg play golf - 9 holes and then went home while he played 9 more. He loves it so. I love being outside and walking and thinking. Reflected on the weekend and what it is I want. I achieved my goal of being in a musical so what's next?
I enjoy teaching and playing improv, I enjoy spending time with my children. I suppose the next big challenge I face is my hearing. That will be solved in the next couple of weeks, hopefully. We went swimming. We ate a snack. I took a small nap.
Then our friend Bill and his girls (15 and 11) came over and we all went to the Royals game. We tailgated and watched the game. The girls really enjoyed it. Got home around 11 and went immediately to bed. It was a fabulous day. &nbsp; Today I slept till 10.&nbsp; I'll start normalcy tomorrow.
Today, I'm going to do some domestic stuff and spend time with the girls. And tonight I'm going to write. I don't think one day creates balance. But it's a nice start. 
