I Know Who Knows Me
04/27/04 Filed in: Balderdash
A few weeks ago I wrote about an audition. I have
since discovered who did the recommending, albeit in
a roundabout way: My once and future director,
Mark Steven
Robinson. Moons ago, Mark attended NYU with the
folks who were producing that play, and they
contacted him for casting suggestions. He hadn't read
the play, but based on their description of
the character, he gave them my name and number. Their
description omitted one tiny detail, namely, the
character is in his 60's. And when the director
called me, she didn't mention the character's age
because she thought she was speaking to a guy who fit
the description....See, it all makes sense, sorta.
(Unless Mark really does think I look 60. I'll have
to ask him.)
Anyway, Mark and I will work together again soon. He's directing a staged reading Rich Orloff's "Pool Party" for the 6th Annual TRU New Voices Festival, and he's cast me. (May 16th at The Greenwich Street Theatre. Y'all come.) Also in the cast is my friend Mary, with whom I've worked a few times, and who is loads o' fun to hang around with. I'm also in the reading of "Endurance" by Jennifer Fell Hayes on May 11, at the same theatre for the same festival, and this Thursday the 29th, I'm reading the role of Buffalo Bill and others in "The Bones Of Giants" by Cheryl L. Davis at EST. (This'll be our third go 'round in the script revision stage as the play moves toward a full production.)
The American Heartland Theater has done wrong to my friend Patricia by canceling their production of "Perfect Wedding" in order to extend the run of the current show. Not only is Patricia out the salary (less 2 weeks cancellation compensation) but she, and the others in the cast lose precious work weeks toward health insurance (all of the performers unions have increased eligibility for health insurance to ridiculous levels), and she also loses the money she would've made subletting her apartment here. Look, I know its the producers' prerogative to juggle the schedule, but they didn't shift the show to another slot, they flat out cancelled it. At least move it to next season's schedule, and employ the same cast. Sheesh, contracts were signed, lives were rearranged! If their current show is such a big hit, let it pay back in good will next season. I'm certain that they haven't signed the contracts for shows announced for the end of next season. They obviously like "Perfect Wedding" or they wouldn't have put it on their schedule in the first place. Will they like it less next year?
Anyway, Mark and I will work together again soon. He's directing a staged reading Rich Orloff's "Pool Party" for the 6th Annual TRU New Voices Festival, and he's cast me. (May 16th at The Greenwich Street Theatre. Y'all come.) Also in the cast is my friend Mary, with whom I've worked a few times, and who is loads o' fun to hang around with. I'm also in the reading of "Endurance" by Jennifer Fell Hayes on May 11, at the same theatre for the same festival, and this Thursday the 29th, I'm reading the role of Buffalo Bill and others in "The Bones Of Giants" by Cheryl L. Davis at EST. (This'll be our third go 'round in the script revision stage as the play moves toward a full production.)
The American Heartland Theater has done wrong to my friend Patricia by canceling their production of "Perfect Wedding" in order to extend the run of the current show. Not only is Patricia out the salary (less 2 weeks cancellation compensation) but she, and the others in the cast lose precious work weeks toward health insurance (all of the performers unions have increased eligibility for health insurance to ridiculous levels), and she also loses the money she would've made subletting her apartment here. Look, I know its the producers' prerogative to juggle the schedule, but they didn't shift the show to another slot, they flat out cancelled it. At least move it to next season's schedule, and employ the same cast. Sheesh, contracts were signed, lives were rearranged! If their current show is such a big hit, let it pay back in good will next season. I'm certain that they haven't signed the contracts for shows announced for the end of next season. They obviously like "Perfect Wedding" or they wouldn't have put it on their schedule in the first place. Will they like it less next year?
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