2013 - A look back

So this year has been unique for a couple of reasons, getting a woodburning stove in the living room might be one of them. But since this is a blog related to my theatrical misadventures we won't talk too much about that . . . though the day we got it installed I performed Old Hickory at the Snowball Festival in New York.

In fact, in 2013 I performed three of my solo pieces, one of which wasn't even a gleam in my eye when the year began. The quirk of scheduling that made that happen was One Man Talking adding a fall session to the mix; typically they only go one time a year, but for a variety of reasons they decided to do it again . . . and since I had this new piece . . . well what the heck! So Old Hickory in January, Letter of Resignation in OMT for the spring and Preston's Spot in the fall.

Y'know: while I'd like more opportunities to get perform these pieces, it ain't too shabby any way you cut it. I'm proud of them all and am happy with the work I've done on them.

It was great that Bette was involved in the solo thing this fall too! Her show went very well, and working with her as director (which she has done with/for me several times) was a treat as well.

I guess it's only fitting that for the final session of the Woodstock Fringe for the fall I read the beginnings of my newest solo thing . . . as yet untitled, and I'm just figuring out what it is, but it was fun to put it out there.

The Fringe continues to be an inspiration. It feels like family and is a safe and supporting atmosphere to work in . . . what more can you ask?

This year also saw the final part of my miners trilogy, at last! I sent it to several contests and we'll see if it gets any traction, but I like it and we'll see what happens.

As to things we've seen: This fall we had a bit of a binge. First up was The Weir at Irish Rep. A good production of a wonderful play. Not outstanding but good.

Next was The Glass Menagerie, which was exquisite. Cherry Jones is a treasure, but the rest of the cast were equal to her in every way.

Then came our Shakespeare day: Richard III for a matinee followed by Twelfe Night in the evening, both with the same cast, both with Mark Rylance in the lead. Rylance is one of those actors that I will never miss . . . brilliant. It was great to see them back to back to see the actors stretch from one play to the next . . . quite an experience.

Last, and least, was Waiting for Godot. I'd say it was misguided. Ian McKellen was amazing, but everyone else was way off the mark. Too bad. Having seen the Gate Theatre's production, I'm waiting for the one to surpass it, but I never expect for that to happen . . . every element of the Gate production rang true . . . if you trust the play that can happen!

Summing up the year in theater wouldn't be complete without mentioning Chicago in the spring, which seems like years ago now! The hip hop Othello, the show at Steppenwolf and the readings at the Goodman made for quite a weekend of theater (which I wrote about in an earlier post).

All in all a wonderful year in so many ways. Some losses along the way; my father in May and my friend Micki Maley as well.

So onward. Keep writing and keep growing. The next great thing is right around the corner.