Theatre from the Past: God's Favorite (2008)

Picasso at the Lapin Agile opens TONIGHT (8:00 pm!) at the Muncie Civic Studio Theatre ($11.00! Get your tickets now)! Back in 2008, I had the honor to play Sidney Lipton to Jeff Shull's Joe Benjamin in Neil Simon's God's Favorite. Not only can you make great shows at the Muncie Civic, you can also make great friends! Thanks for being my pal, on stage and off, Mr. B!

God's Favorite

In honor of my friend Jeff Shull's birthday, I attempted to do a caricature of him and me in our roles from God's Favorite. The drawing above is the result. That's me as Sidney Lipton and Jeff as Joe Benjamin. Happy Birthday, Jeff!

The Final Bow

Well, after weeks of rehearsals and three weekends of comedy-packed performances, God’s Favorite is over. Saturday night was the final show. I think we went out with a bang. We had a very responsive audience. We brought out the funny and they laughed throughout the show. It was a good finish after a great run.

It’s always bittersweet when a show is over. You’re happy everything came together and satisfied all your hard work paid off in a series of fun shows, but knowing the cast and the crew are breaking up and going their separate ways is always sad. If you’re lucky, you were able to make some new friends or reestablish some old friendships during the run of a show and, when it’s over, you sorely miss the kinship and the camaraderie.

Of course, the one thing I won’t miss about this show is the set. That thing was a pain in the ass! During intermission, we had to move the set around and that was not fun. To explain, during the course of the play, a gorgeous living room becomes gutted by a fire by the beginning of the second act so all the props/furniture need removed, the French doors get replaced, and all the walls have to be turned around. I especially hate those damn walls! Those things were heavy and I’m so happy I never have to touch them again!

Anytime I get cast for a show, I feel very fortunate. I truly love being on stage, bringing a character to life, and helping create a new world that exists for a couple hours each night. I’ve been lucky to have been in seven shows the last few years and each one has been an utter joy to do. I’ve met so many good, talented people throughout my acting experience and I’m blessed to call many of these folks my friends. Hopefully, there will be more shows in my future, more chances to work with my friends again, and more opportunities to make new friends as well.

Tragedy Tomorrow, Comedy Tonight!

I’m tired. I just got back from our final rehearsal for God’s Favorite. It went pretty well, I think. I’m always haunted by my flubs and mistakes. My inner critic can be such a pain. I definitely think we’re set for the big show tonight. Uh, you are planning on going, right?

Well, if you can’t make it to tonight’s performance, here’s some other dates: September 13-14, 18-20, and 26-27. All start times are at 7:30pm except for the Sunday matinee (Sept. 14) which is at 2:00pm. Fun is planned and fun will be delivered!

Some random musings from tonight’s rehearsal:

* I guess one should never eat dairy before a performance. I guess it effects the throat or something. I didn’t know that until Hilary Metzger told me as I was eating a piece of cheese. Thanks for the info, Hilary, and I’m sorry I left you hanging! As I explained, I’m truly a nerd.

* The set is going to be a major pain to move. I’m not looking forward to that!

* My burnt wood placement skills are apparently lacking, but my megaphone gets the green light.

* Our star, Jeff Shull, graciously gave me his watch to wear for the show. Thanks, Jeff! As I type this, I’m still wearing it.

* Cathy Casazza and I agreed we should play Martha and George in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolff? in the near future. The ball is in your court, Muncie Civic! Don’t force us to create our own theatre group to make this dream a reality!

* Everyone in a show, break a leg! Everybody else, take care of those pins!

Showman

I went to rehearsal for God’s Favorite yesterday where the star of the production, Mr. Jeff Shull, and I went through our three scenes together. I thought things went rather well despite me sweating like a hobbled calf on the killing floor. I have forgotten that I often sweat a lot when I’m on stage. I guess that’s to be expected when a fat man moves about under hot lights and such. On the plus side, I’m inching my way towards being off book and I get to work with Jeff!

For those interested, God’s Favorite debuts on the Muncie Civic’s stage September 12 (Just three weeks away! Yikes!). It’s going to be a fun show, folks, so plan on coming!

On a bummer note, my other play, You Have the Right to Remain Dead, was postponed. This is rather sad since we were all set to go until a rogue church trustee and some behind-the-scenes church shenanigans put a kibosh to our efforts and really hurt a good friend of mine. Fortunately, the show will go on at a location yet to be determined in a couple months. More details as things get finalized!

Newsies

Good News: Touchy Feely Fotos just gave me a raise!
Bad News: It was only for twenty-one cents.

Good News: I got cast in a new film for BSU called Free Wall. I played Bob Mason, a diabetic floor manager for a fluid factory.
Bad News: It was a non-paying gig that involved filming in Indianapolis. I had to pay my own way there for four days of filming which cost me about ninety dollars for gas.

Good News: I also got cast in God’s Favorite for the Muncie Civic. It’ll be the first play in their 2008-2009 season. I’m also in an audience-participation comedy mystery called You Have the Right to Remain Dead. It’s a benefit show for Heartland Theatre Company.
Bad News: While my amateur acting career is in full swing, my cartooning is getting the fuzzy end of the lollypop.

Good News: Beck has a new album and Spaced is finally coming out on DVD!
Bad News: I can’t afford to get them at this time. Remember: only twenty-one cents!


Good News: Unknown Hinson, the voice of Squidbillies’ Early Cuyler, was in town last Friday to perform his psycho rockabilly madness.
Bad News: I didn’t get a chance to go. Can you believe that mess?