In other news...
I finally made the decision this morning not to take the contract at New Harmony Theatre this summer. It was a not an easy decision at all.
When I was offered the gig back in January, I was still waiting on word from the contractor in DC on whether or not he would be able to fit me in when Mamma Mia! comes to town this summer. I never heard back from him, so I assumed that he was just going to use the guys he used the last two times the show was in DC - which was/is totally understandable. I also knew that Ford's Theatre was not going to work out this spring due to the way the contract - and the pit - was structured for their current show. So...
When I was in New York, I received a call from the DC contractor inquiring about my availability for Mamma Mia!. In the meantime, of course, I had already signed on for As Thousand Cheers at New Harmony. So...
After many, many e-mails, and many more phone calls, I have backed out of As Thousand Cheers.
When I was first approached about the show, I was sort of hedgy since I wanted to stay as close to home right now considering my father's recent bout with prostate cancer. I was trying to find work that would keep me in and around DC or at least a short shuttle or train ride away from home. When all my leads panned out, I went ahead and took the gig in Indiana.
Thankfully and gratefully, the director in Indiana is also a great friend, and he gave me his blessing to check back into the other possibilities when those possibilities presented themselves again. I know I have a spot in the pit for Mamma Mia! in DC this summer, but it may only be on a part-time sub basis, so the money is not really a factor. I could end up potentially making less, but at least I am guaranteed some work.
My biggest worry came when I realized that my father's first major follow-up is scheduled for May 25. I would have started rehearsals May 24. So, in other words, I would have been a nervous wreck during the first week of rehearsals.
It's not that I'm thinking that my father's current prognosis could be reversed, I just want to be close to home if I can since I can.
I will really miss not being able to be back at New Harmony Theatre. Great people, great staff. And I even have two of my favorite people cast in the show. Again, it was not an easy decision to make. This is only the second contract I've backed out of. -The first one I broke since the working conditions started to become totally unacceptable. And, after a few more phone calls, I believe I already have my understudy in place. They'll be in good hands.
And that's my afternoon rambling for today...