Theatre from the Past: Moon Over Buffalo (2007)

Picasso at the Lapin Agile opens this Friday (June 17!) at the Muncie Civic Studio Theatre (Get your tickets now!). It's been three years since I've been in a Muncie Civic production and, to mark the occasion, I'll be posting some pictures from past shows I was fortunate to be in.
First off is a photograph with the enchanting Helen Graves. I was lucky to have Helen play my wife in Moon Over Buffalo in 2007. It was my first show playing a lead character and I was blessed to have Helen by my side. She is lovely, smart and dynamic! Everything you want in an acting partner! She was and is truly the best!
Photograph by W. Sierra Hoffman.

Oink!

Today's Holiday Greeting: Happy Chinese New Year! It's The Year of The Pig so break out the ribs and the pork chops!

Boob Tube: According to my friends Theresa and Joe, a commercial for the Muncie Civic is airing locally that features the cast of Moon Over Buffalo which includes me. I have yet to see it, but I remember it was filmed during one of our later rehearsals. Though I dread to see how I appear in the spot, it's kind of nice to know I'm back haunting the local airwaves. It's been a couple of years since I stop making my little public access show and I miss knowing my massive mug could be seen in someone's unsuspecting TV set every Thursday night at eleven. Glory days...

Cruel Nicknames I Have Given People at Work: Moose. Swamp Witch. King Zombie. Grandpa Woman. Little Frigidaire.

Question of The Day: Is it me or does prefecture sound more impressive than state?

Current TV Crush: Last week's episode of The Office involving the bat was chockfull of comic bliss. From the pandemonium of the bat "attack" (Especially Angela's roll on the floor) to Michael's candy bar lecture to Pam's heartbreaking art show turnout (I think we both painted the same cup), the episode had all its bases covered and hit a homerun. Bonus points for the great use of Creed and Meredith. All comedies should be this good.

I'm Not Your Stealer Partner

The Sad Facts of Life (Sort of Like That Episode Where Natalie Was Portrayed as Being Loose): No matter how busy my life is with activity and excitement, I will not blog about any of it. On the other hand, I could have all the time in the world and I would still find an excuse not to blog. Shameful, shameful behavior! Mrs. Garrett would not be proud.

What I Learned Today: Comedians Sarah Silverman and Laura Silverman are sisters. Huh!

Moon Glow: So we're into the second week of Moon Over Buffalo and Thursday's show went pretty swimmingly with some nice snap that belied the fact we were off for three days. We got a positive review in Wednesday's paper which is always nice. I don't know if good reviews effect ticket sales, but they're always nice on the ego.

Last week during rehearsals, I pulled something along the calf of my right leg which caused some swelling and some hobbling. My limp is not as pronounced this week, but my foot has swollen to look like a giant baby's foot which delights me to no end.

Acting Up

Practice: Rehearsals continue for Moon Over Buffalo. For awhile we had to endure through some bouts of illness, but things are shaping up nicely as we plow towards our opening night next Friday. I've been rather rough on some of my clothing during the practices which is typical for me. Wednesday found me with a bloodied knee that bled through a new pair of slacks and Thursday was the day I found a slight tear in my shirt. I should really play it smart and wear cheap t-shirts and jogging pants during the rehearsal process.

I also seem to hurt people when I'm on stage. I guess I've been grabbing some of my co-stars rather roughly at times and leaving bruises in my wake. I guess I better work on that.

Bada Bleep!: I caught the first episode of The Sopranos on A&E a a few nights ago and it was strange to hear some of the language cleaned up. I don't know about anyone else, but I found it very distracting. I understand why they have to do it, but it really pulled me out of the episode so I flipped it off. I haven't seen any of the first season in years so it was funny to see how young the kids were (I had forgotten how AJ resembled Bobby Hill way back then) and James Gandolfini was practically slim and trim in the beginning. It was also great to see Nancy Marchard up and running as Livia, the true dark heart of the series. Great show, but stick to the DVDs.

Austin City Limits: I guess some ice and snow invaded Texas this past week which effected everybody at The Group Home West. According to an e-mail from Eric, the ice practically shut down Austin which would happen to a city that doesn't even own a snow plow. Thankfully the local news gave helpful hints about how to successfully walk on ice such as "Don't run!" and "Take small steps!".

Blog, Sweat, and Tears

Admission: I am really a boring blogger and I apologize for my general lameness. I'll try to liven up the proceedings around these parts and refrain from using such bland adjectives such as "pretty well" to describe my go-go life style.

Second Admission: I don't have a go-go life style.

Stage and Scream: Last night's rehearsal was rather maniac for me. For some reason, I was pretty animated for the most part with some running and jumping and yelling and stuff. The fat man sweat surely flew and I want to apologize to any of my fellow cast members if they had the misfortunate to experience the downpour. I'm afraid the sweat will continue to flow until the show closes so if you have a chance to sit close to the stage I would advise wearing raincoats or plastic wrap.

On My Mind: Banana stickers, Eartha Kitt, bad reality shows, Daffy Duck, and all of my damn lines.

On A Minor Note

Ten Days In: Happy New Year! So far the new year tastes like 2006, but I guess that's to be expected.

Work and Play: After three weeks of memorizing, rehearsals for Moon Over Buffalo once again started up this past Sunday and I think things are going pretty well so far. Some nights are better than others, of course. For example, last night went so great I got a hug from our director. Tonight I kept blowing the same four lines so hugs were not in the offering.

It is hard to believe the show premieres two weeks from this Friday! (By the way have you got your tickets yet?) As for work, I'm on first shift until the show ends. Thanks to the shift change, I've been slightly tired, but I vow to keep plugging on! Besides, it's not like I have a choice!

TV Quote: "Fifty dollars for a toy? No kid is worth that!" - Homer Simpson (The Simpsons)

The Cadillac of Worms

Work: 'Tis the season for lay offs at Touchy Feely Fotos though I survived the cut so far. I'm debating if that's a good thing or not.

Play: We had a great rehearsal last night. I actually think I found my character's voice after struggling with it the last couple of weeks. Though George Hay is in his fifties, I've decided to play the part younger and it seems to be working.

Today's Holiday Greeting: Happy Hanukkah!


The Most Played Christmas Song on The Radio: "I Want A Hippopotamus for Christmas"

The Reason God Made DVDs: For Your Consideration was in town for two weeks and I never got a chance to see it. Dang it!

Living on The Air: Speaking of DVDs, the one show many thought would never come out on DVD is actually coming out soon. WKRP in Cincinnati is supposed to be out sometime next year. However, due to copyright issues, some of the music originally used on the show will be replaced with some other stuff so it will be interesting to see how they'll work around that. As a fan of the show, I'm just glad it will finally be available to own. In honor of that, here's some WKRP trivia: Which character was the highest paid employee at the station? The answer next time around!

Party Poop

Moon Over Buffalo: Rehearsals for the big show started this past Sunday and we finished blocking out the first act last night. Despite being in massive shy mode (No surprise there unfortunately), I think things have started out on the right note. Now I just need to memorize my 10,000 lines and learn how to fence.

Company Christmas Party: Yesterday was the big holiday gathering for Touchy Feely Fotos, a joyous celebration that gave all of us serfs the opportunity to sup with our generous masters. I only went for the free food (which I admit was pretty good) and for the gift card they handed out (Twenty dollars this year, five more than last time). Fortunately, I got to sit at the cool kids' table (I would mention names, but they know who they are!) so I was with good company as I devoured my free lunch. Then I fled the scene to avoid hearing The Great Master give his annual speech about the company's past year and all of the useless numbers that entails. I'm sure I didn't miss much.

Also: One of the servers at the big feast had a slight resemblance to Amy Sedaris. She gave me water and I said thank you.

Today's TV Quote: "I want to cry so bad, but I don't think I can spare the moisture."- Lucille Bluth (Arrested Development)

If Yesterday Was Black Friday, Is Today Beige Saturday?

Ate: Thanksgiving dinner at the Cracker Barrel with my mom and grandma. The place was packed, but the food was good. I don't see us making a tradition out of it, but it was a nice change of pace for a Thanksgiving. Simple, but tasty.

Saw: Over the River and Through the Woods at the Muncie Civic that featured a stellar cast of actors (Hello, Wanita! Hello, Earl! Hello, Jan!). If you were in the audience, you could have seen a familiar fat cartoonist tear up for the last twenty minutes of the show. Strong men also cry...strong men also cry!

Received: The script for Moon Over Buffalo. Lots and lots and lots of lines! Challenging, but fun (Uh, right?)!

Hate: Being a hypochondriac! I need to train my mind to think I will live forever!

Man in The Moon

Lunar Landing: Well, I finally got some info from the Muncie Civic last Friday and it looks like I got a part in Moon Over Buffalo! In fact, I was cast as one of the leads which came as a big surprise to this fat cartoonist. I've always considered myself a supporting character type so to get one of the main roles is kind of daunting, but exciting, too. Something tells me I have a lot of lines to remember! Memorizing will probably begin once I get the script this Friday.

More info as this story develops!

Faux pas: Yesterday I told a Jehovah's Witness to have a Happy Thanksgiving. Did I do bad?

My Granny's Favorite Flugelhornist: Chuck Mangione

Closing Words (Please Don't Get Offended!): Happy Thanksgiving and safe eating!