Good Evening!
What an interesting day...
Well, I went to my uncle - aka, the doctor - and he checked me out, and, sure enough, something was/is wrong. It's nothing major, but I am back on two anti-biotics - thankfully, they're low-level, and they don't seem to be upsetting my stomach. Ah, well...
After running around the apartment like mad trying to get my laundry folded, clothes packed, dishes washed, trash trashed, etc., I headed in for the matinee. It was the first time in a while that I had driven in for the matinee, and I was beginning to regret that I had when I came upon my usual exit into downtown D.C. and it was closed off for road work. Thankfully, the detour was not much of one, but then I had to deal with finding a parking space. I came across a few close calls, but after some perserverance I ended up with a very nice space just a few steps from the stage door. Very nice indeed.
We had a good matinee today. And everyone seemed to have that "end of the work week" energy. It was riff-city on stage - thankfully, riffing works for/in this show. It was not a full house - the matinees have been strangely not full
- but they were very appreciative.
*And for those interested in seeing the show - Ford's is now offering 2 for 1 tickets for all remaining matinees. However, I can also get 1/2 price house seats for any show for anyone.
There were two young ladies in the front row - two sisters - and watching them made me feel very good about the world. From what I could tell, one of the young women had some sort of physical and/or mental disability. Her sister walked her to her seat holding her hand, made sure she was comfortable, and even read the program to her. They were great audience members. And I believe both young ladies were yound ladies - in their teens. Nice to know that that kind of love and devotion exists in today's world.
After the matinee, I got in my car and started the drive back to Richmond. There were a few minor traffic delays - the usual for a Sunday afternoon - but I made good time. I stopped over at Steve's new place - which I hadn't seen yet - and then we headed over to Chili's for some dinner with his new apartment-mate.
It was so nice being social again. With being sick for the past few weeks, I just haven't had the energy to hang out with the cast, and it was nice just to be at a dinner table with someone other than myself tonight. -Yes, I know, that sounds kind of pitiful. Well... after dinner - which was surprisingly good for Chili's/chain food - we headed back to the apartment to watch some TV. Again, it was just nice spending time with people - even if we were all just glued to the TV set. And it's still nice spending time with Steve - I'm so happy we've remained close friends. He provided some good moral support for me when I was at my "sickest" two weeks ago. So after watching "While You Were Out", and "Queer As Folk", I headed back to my place... and now I'm bed typing away on my laptop.
DR SWW - Yes, brined shrimp are the way to go! *Next time you may want to add some spices to the brine - a few sliced cloves of garlic, some lemon zest, etc. And the brining also insure the shrimp cook evenly.
DR Jay - I thought the same thing when I conducted
Jekyll & Hyde a few summers ago. But, hey, I did love having a 21 piece orchestra under my baton. That was truly an amazing experience! -And such, nice, semi-overblown orchestrations too!
RE:
The Human Comedy - I conducted this show two summers ago. I will say it took a while - the rehearsal period - for it to truly grow on me. Part of it was Galt's music (even parts of
Hair still don't sit well with me), part of it was Demaresq's lyrics (whatever happened to him?), and part of it was the structure of the show. But all in all, I came to love the show. And that ending is truly heartbreaking - and with what is going on now in the world... Hmmm... Maybe it's time to pull my recording out... Hmmm.. Or even the (sssh) video of our production.. Hmm... *And I have to say, "Long Past Sunset" is one of my favorite underrated songs. -And then when the mother sings her reprise...
Well, I need to get to bed. I have a follow up in the morning with my doctor here in Richmond. Hopefully, it will be my last one. Keep your fingers crossed!
Goodnight.
