leaving to say hello
I realized recently that I’m once again way too stretched for comfort. I do this to myself all the time. Trying to balance all the things I want versus the things I need is my Sisyphean plight.
So I made some room.
As of today, my final post on the Jersey Boys will mark my last post for Chicagoist. I could cough up a million reasons to stay with them. But I have a million and one more for leaving. The only thing I can say is that the return isn’t worth the investment. Working at an investment bank keeps me cognizant of such matters.
It’s not personal. I’m glad to have met a wide range of really interesting and talented people. God that sounds like I’m blowing smoke up their collective asses. But it’s true. They are a great group of writers. If they weren’t, the site would shrivel up and die like a dead shrub. That’s not going to happen any time soon. Trust.
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Rudolph rehearsal began last night. The rewrites are catty and fun, in true David Cerda & Handbag style. The new cast members all seem totally enthusiastic about the show and our director Justin has some terrific ideas about the show.
Of course, my first costume change will come exactly 45 seconds into the show. I shouldn’t be surprised because I had something like six changes in the last show, including three different sets of makeup. Ahh, theatre! How I’ve missed thee!
We blocked some of the open, but we’re still missing an elf. Sadly, my former cohorts Spike and Chip (played brilliantly by Chad and Geno) aren’t back this year. But the newest elf seems to have that comic knack for Spike and Fireball. I hope the third elf does too. And I also hope I don’t have a gigantic Drag Beast number…
Linda is back as Samantha the snow woman. I almost yelped with glee when I saw her at the table as I walked in to rehearsal. That gal can drop me with a look. I can’t remember what snarky comment she shot out last night but I nearly peed with glee. She’s got the gift of gab, and backstage with her was amazing last year. More of the same this go ’round no doubt.
Ed and Terry are back, as are Mike and Steve , along with Rachael who was in our little summer show Follow My Lead. The naturally talented Lori Lee, who makes a brilliant Yukon Cornelia, also rejoined the group. Dan, the littlest Herbie EVER (with sexy, ripped abs) should be back too, but he wasn’t at day one. I think BC is joining us as well, but SHE was naught to be found either. Divas, the lot of ‘em.
And so off we go, following the candy-cane road back to a darkly comic place called Christmastown. Knowing what I know of what we did last year, this ride is going to be even more fun than before.
What THE HELL am I going to bake for opening night?!