BACK IN NEW YORK

JANUARY 31,2009

Been back in NYC since Jan 18th.
The AMTRACK ride was comfy and since I took the "Quiet Car" I was relaxed and ready for the transition back into the New York groove. I worked on my computer and read through the trip.
When I got to NY Penn Station Jeff met me on the platform and helped with luggage. We got home and it was SNOWING. I LOVED IT. We had no real extended Winter weather in Baltimore. I figure if it is Winter then BE Winter.
The NY snow was soft and quiet and splendid. Nothing like a raging storm so we walked to TELLO on 19th Street near 8thAve and had a delicious dinner.
I recommend it!
It has been almost 2 weeks since CAROLINE OR CHANGE and it seems farther away.
I hit the ground running with auditions on Monday the 19th and the week was speckled with a few more including an UGLY BETTY audition out in the bowels of Queens SILVERCUP EAST STUDIOS.
I met friends that I had done EVITA and CABARET with at the UB audition. That was fun.
It is said they are putting UB on hold for a while to try some other new programming on Thursday nights...WAS IT MY AUDITION!!???
On the 20th the INAUGURATION and Aretha's Hat were the focus. I hear the Smithsonian asked for the hat.
SO we finally have our ELECTED rather than appointed President who is OF THE PEOPLE.
He has already hit he Republican Stonewall but I expected nothing less.
Time for the Democrats to put the foot down and make these hardnose right wingers realize that the PEOPLE WON this election and want CHANGE! Their Obstructionist stand is Anti-Progressive and Anti-American as far as I can see.
It kills one to read how people are suffering and need help and relief that can only come from the government CHANGING...Changing laws and stupid De-regulation rules and policies.
At least we have an articulate ADULT in the White House and I feel no matter how much Rush Limbaugh and the Neo-cons want Obama "to FAIL" (how patriotic of them) he will overcome and prevail.
We NOW can at least live in HOPE and look forward to BETTER no matter what form that takes.
Meantime stay cool and focused.
"With all it's sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy." That is a quote from my touchstone document: THE DESIDERATA...found in St Paul's Church...IN BALTIMORE in 1692!!!

I have been having a flare up of Diverticulitis and that set me back some. I am in Cipro which is a tough Antibiotic and wreaks havoc on one's system. But it already has helped a lot!
Not much else to report except that the weather is still in the 20's and that I took the time indoors to rid the place of excess stuff and detritus collected for too many years. That felt very good and cathartic.
January is OVER tonight and we go into the short 28 day month of February...We should get a Discount in Rent for that amount of days!!
=0-)
We are toying with going out to Brooklyn the DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan and Brooklyn Overpass) as friends are displaying wares in an upscale indoor Flea Market called the Brownstoner today and Sunday...
Here's the link :

http://www.brownstoner.com/brooklynflea/2009/01/a_fine_vintage.html

It is near the river and may be too cold..but hey it's Winter!
Snow predicted on Tuesday night..OF COURSE..I have an audition on Wednesday!!
I hope all my CAROLINE pals are working or in line for future projects and that I get to work and play with you all again.
It was a JOY! Truly...
HAPPY TIMES and GOOD STUFF to ALL!

XX
keybored

9 DEGREES OF SEPARATION

OH MY GOD..IT IS 9 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND ZERO WITH THE WIND CHILL!
It was however a HOT SHOW and a HOT AUDIENCE! It was little Matthew (one of our Noah's) last show.
I LOVED working with him. Talented and smart and will have a terrific career if he keeps at it. I guess he is as he is going tomorrow to Atlanta for some Junior Theatre Contest or something like that.
Both he and Brad, who shares the role of Noah, are both pros at such a young age!! Neither kid really understands the respect and how well thought of CAROLINE OR CHANGE is among the theatre industry. SO having done the show and so well they already are in the major place that has resonance.
Our incredible Caroline, E.Faye Butler, took Matthews hand and shared her final bows with him. Very moving and I know it meant a lot to the boy.
GOOD LUCK MATTHEW BREAK THE LEG!!
All Baltimore is preparing for OBAMA'S appearance tomorrow at the War Memorial across from the Court House.
I find it Ironic that the Memorial is on GAY Street and then we have all that controversy about Rick Warren, who abhors Gay Marriage, giving the Inaugural Prayer.
We are all getting set to leave on SUnday or Monday and I am sad to break up this amazing cast and leave this stirring and terrific version of CAROLINE. But we must go ONWARD!!
I am looking forward to going home and getting back into my own world and old groove.
I will very much miss all of the fun and talented people I was privileged to work with on this project.
And I will also miss playing the upstart Mr.Stopnick! It was a comfortable fit and joy to sing. ONE I LEARNED IT!!
We are saying goodbye to Bush as he leaves under a cloud of mishaps, mis-steps and mistakes.
We celebrate Mr.Obama's first steps toward the White House. Along with a new outlook and a New Year under a New Administration.
I too will be watching on the viewing screens with hope and joy tomorrow.
ONWARD ONWARD

xxx

Keybored

FISHY

AQUARIUM AQUARIUM

Went to the Baltimore National Aquarium on the Inner Harbor yesterday.
Pals, Wayne & Patrick and Oscar & Jeff Bernstein were here from NY . They all saw the Sunday Matinee and Wayne & Patrick stayed till Monday evening. Oscar & Jeff drove back Early Monday morning.
I met Wayne & Patrick at Philips restaurant at the Harbor and we walked to the amazing Aquarium.
We spent the entire afternoon viewing some of the most exotic and interesting creatures. Not just fish, but birds too in a huge re-creation of an Australian Rain Forest. We also sneaked into the Dolphin show and were eventually thrown out....politely,

We had a hectic and exhausting CAROLINE OR CHANGE week and performed 2 10:30Am Student Matinee that sent us into a tailspin.
The second one on Friday, My 64th Birthday, was hardest for me...but the students at that one were older and more receptive and responsive than the audience was on Wednesday morning. The Glowing Screams and applause were wonderful. Satisfying when you realize they are school kids and get this multi leveled show.
Most of last week had audiences that were unbelievable and loving the show.
I would like to see some NY Producers like Margo Lion who produced this originally, come see this ultimate version.
Anyway..We start our last week tonight. Renn Woods has left for work in LA and Danielle Greaves who plays the Washing Machine will cover the Moon this week. So CAROLINE is going through a real CHANGE!
I must return to Baltimore and visit pals Bob & Kevin again and see some of the other sights without the responsibility of the show each night. Like a real tourist
I kinda think that we, onstage, are like those creatures in the Aquarium sometimes. You come and see performers that float through beautifully manufactured environments in sometimes glorious costumes that one couldn't imagine in real life.
The actor is sometimes Be-wigged (I am always) and Bewitched himself by the magic of the very theatre he works within.
Those are special times for those of us who perform.

The exit from the Aquarium is preceded by a winding ramp that is about 4 levels high and is mysterious and darkly lighted as you a descend surrounded by huge glass window as the many fish fly by in dappled water.
It is totally theatrical and beautiful. I Highly recommend it.
We,of course, had a delicious seafood dinner in mind as we left.

XXX
Keybored

AFTER THE BALL

Well all the Holidays are over and THE BALL has Dropped from the old Times /Allied Chemical whatever that building now is named in Times Square!
The Bloat of Holiday indulgence is however now a part of the challenge of 2009. I find don't have the energy for exercising and doing the show. But curbing the carbs is a must. I did however have a Starbucks Cookie and a Grande today.
Mostly I have been eating Protein and greens.my eating a priority so
Ok had eggs yesterday and today,,,but the were poached!
Anyway..I will make my eating habits and intake a priority for sure...
May we all have a Healthier and NEW YEAR..
And a Little less Stress would be welcome as well!!
THE THREE ODDBALLS ARE RANDY BRENNER, BIL RUSSELL AND MYSELF IN "SEENEY TODD" FROM SAN JOSE..IN THE LATE 80'S

xx
Keybored

NEW YEAR WE'RE HERE

FIRST OF THE YEAR

A GLORIOUS NEW YEAR is Here!!
2009
We welcomed it with a Party in the Lobby of the Baltimore Center Stage.
Irene Lewis and Debbie Chinn, Artistic and Managing Directors respectively, were gracious and generous to throw a New Year's Eve bash like that. THANK YOU SO MUCH LADIES!!
Champagne flowed and live music was in the mix. Laughs and fun and good will and good cheer abounded.
I was totally surprised as my partner Jeff showed up after telling me he wasn't coming for New Years.
That was a treat and a joy. PLUS to be able to share together the New Year's birth with this Wonderful group of people.
LOVE THEM!
Smart, talented, witty and FUN all of them.
And when the Midnight Hour was past the dancing was fierce. Libya & April burned the floor up!!
I 'm feeling truly blessed to have this shared experience with you all!!
We did Jump off the chair with money in our hand...and got Danielle to jump too!!
So we expect that action to keep us financially solvent in the coming months!! =0-)

It was Cold last night but the alcohol kept that at bay.
This morning we had Brunch with friend Bob at STABLES on CHARLES ST and it was very good ...very!
Jeff and I walked to the train station this afternoon for the 3:04 train to NY. It took all of 10 minutes! Who Knew!!
Wasting money on Cabs for no reason!!
It was near 40 degrees all day and Sunny so that helped to make the day more pleasing for sure.
So we start the New Year onstage singing and performing this terrific production...Not a Bad way to begin 2009.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
HAPPY THROUGH YEAR!!

xx
Keybored