Running with the shadows of the night...

Wow, what a week this has been.
Seriously.
From the show taking a break this week, not getting into B&B, converstaions with close people, and the lack of business at work...it's been a suck fest.

In fact, so much stuff hit on Monday night that I actually went for a long walk. A two and half hour walk, through North Toledo. Many mixed feelings were battling within me and I did not want to have them at home, so I decided to take off. Most of you don't know me well enough to know that this is not something I would normally do. But it was time to vent. I walked to Meijer from where I live, and then left Meijer to walk to Kroger. In that time I had plenty of free space. It felt so good just to be out of my element, and my comfort zone for that matter.

I'm still feeling the after effects of the experiance. I haven't slept well yet, and this is the week I'm supposed to be able to. There's not too much going on, but it feelings like I'm struggling to go uphill. It would just be easier to turn my back on these things, ignore them, and let them run their course. But I can't do that.

Of course, I couldn't just up and leave my house at 10:45, but I did that.

So I'm at a crossroad of sorts. Where do I go from here. The light is red, the little walking man is flashing. Dare I run across the street, or do I stay here and wait for the next signal?

Shot through the heart, and you're to blame...

I got the call from the Croswell. I did not make it into Beauty and the Beast. Apparently there was someone more clock looking than me. I'm a bit sad from the news, as this is the first show that I have auditioned for in my young and early career as an actor that I was not cast in.

Depression set in sometime about 1:20 this afternoon.

I'm sure it will be gone by Friday.

If any of you have made it, I congradulate you on your accomplishment. I'll be at home if you need me..

Super pissed!!!

— ‘Full Monty’ reveals heart — and as much as network TV allows
By Arlene BachanovDaily Telegram Special Writer

ADRIAN — Plenty of raised eyebrows probably greeted the announcement of the Croswell Opera House’s fall/winter productions and the fact that the season was beginning with the musical “The Full Monty.” After all, this is, well, considerably more cutting-edge than the usual Croswell fare. But focusing solely on the theme of the show — a group of unemployed Buffalo, N.Y., steelworkers deciding to stage a strip show in order to earn money — misses all sorts of other layers.

When it comes right down to it, “The Full Monty” is less about a male strip show than it is about much more down-to-earth themes: the importance of friendship, a father trying to do right by his son, the emotional turmoil of being unemployed and feeling worthless, and how a bunch of guys who’ve never amounted to much take on a challenge and win against all odds.Yes, there is a fair amount of adult language, and yes, there is some nudity (which amounts to no more flesh, really, than “NYPD Blue” became infamous for showing on broadcast TV). But the show really is a lot of fun as it tells the story about how six very different men form a friendship and band together to help out a friend in trouble.

The show stars Eric Parker, formerly of Adrian and now an Equity actor living in Chicago, as Jerry, the dad who hits on the idea of the show so that he can raise money for child support for his son. There’s also Jeffrey King as Jerry’s insecure best friend, Dave; Edmond Reynolds as Harold, the mill supervisor who’s been out of work for six months but can’t bring himself to tell his wife until their things start getting repossessed; Wesley Grudzien as Malcolm, the mama’s boy who’s just grateful to finally have friends; Matt Richardson as Ethan, a goofy guy who wants nothing more than to re-create Donald O’Connor’s role in “Singing in the Rain” and keeps crashing into walls as he tries to run up them as O’Connor did; and Byron Taulton as Horse, the retired millworker who can still bust a few moves.

Together, these six form an ensemble that really clicks together, as well as all being completely believable in their roles. After all, the whole point of the show is that none of these men exactly look like they should be trying to earn money stripping, and the actors capture perfectly the awkwardness, self-consciousness and second doubts the men all have about what they’re trying to do. And most of the show’s considerable dose of humor comes from the scenes where the men are auditioning for the rest of their group and putting their act together.

The actresses playing the men’s wives, or ex-wife in Jerry’s case, also deserve a mention for the strength of their performances, because all three are exceptional. Rebecca Bernath plays Pam, Jerry’s ex, who actually still wants to be friends with him and wants him to succeed. Carol Vendemo (who’s also the show’s choreographer, and does an excellent job with that too) plays Dave’s wife, Georgie. And Leah Crocetto plays Harold’s wife, Vicki.In a brief but very funny part, Peggy Snead plays Jeanette, a showbiz veteran who accompanies the act. Also with nicely played roles are Colton Mullinix as Nathan, Jerry’s son; Peter Stewart as Teddy, the new man in Pam’s life; and Scotland Mills as Buddy “Keno” Walsh, the real stripper who gets Jerry to thinking about trying it out himself.

The show is smartly directed by Doug Miller, who not only has put together an excellent cast but keeps the pace going well and has his usual good eye for how to stage this production right. He also is responsible for a set design that, properly, doesn’t weigh the show down and is quite effective at enhancing the story without becoming too much a part of it. Butch Marshall leads a spirited musical ensemble that does a really nice job with the score, even though there’s the all-too-usual problem of a large imbalance between orchestra volume and voice volume when it comes to underscoring.The dozen or so musical numbers, some of which are better than others, range from touching to funny, although it’s likely to make more than a few audience members squirm a bit to hear suicide sung about in a humorous way or, for that matter, to hear Horse singing “Big Black Man.” But on the other end of the spectrum, the rollicking “It’s a Woman’s World,” Malcolm and Ethan’s “You Walk With Me,” and the finale, “Let It Go,” are among the highlights of the score.

Different from the Croswell’s usual fare? Absolutely. But beyond the subject matter, which is only a small part of the whole, this is a show about things that are all too relevant today: family, friends and the pain of losing one’s job and one’s identity along with it. The Croswell could have (and has in the past) broken out of its mold with an adult-oriented show that’s just not a very good story. Ultimately, “The Full Monty” is a good story, told in a way that’ll make you laugh — and make you root for these six poor schlubs all the way to the finale.

The show continues today at 3 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Oct. 1 at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for senior citizens and $20 for students. Call the Croswell at 264-7469 for reservations or more information.

Blade Article about the Show

Croswell Opera House to stage 'The Full Monty'By NANCIANN CHERRYBLADE STAFF WRITER

From steelworkers to high school students, senior citizens to white-collar workers, the regional theater scene offers a variety this week.

In 1997, a movie about unemployed steelworkers in Sheffield, England, was a surprise hit. In 2000, with the help of Terrence McNally (Ragtime, Kiss of the Spider Woman) The Full Monty made the transition to the stage. In the process, it changed the setting to Buffalo, N.Y., added 13 songs by David Yazbek, and grew from 90 minutes to 2 1/2 hours. The result earned nine Tony nominations.

Recently released to community theaters, the show opens tomorrow in Adrian's Croswell Opera House.

Yes, it's about pals who become strippers for a night, but it's much more than that, director Douglas Miller said in a phone interview.

"It's a story about a lot of people we know in our lives," he said, referring to the economic winds that have buffeted northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan recently.

Basically, the story is this: Jerry, who lost his job, his wife, and his dignity when the steel mill closed, must pay his back child support if he wants to continue seeing his much-loved young son.
With few prospects, he comes up with the idea of an amateur Chippendales-type evening, to be held in a local tavern. He gathers some friends, recruits a few more men, and starts rehearsing. It isn't long until the idea has spun out of control, and the six would-be dancers find themselves agreeing to perform "the full monty," which means baring it all.

"Stripping is such a small part of this wonderful story," Miller said, explaining that it's about family, friendship, and love in various forms, from father and son, to husband and wife, to pure friendship.

In the lead role is Eric Parker, an Adrian native who is now based in Chicago, where he often works in suburban dinner theaters.

"I've played Jerry once before, at the Barn Theatre in Kalamazoo," Parker said. "I love the show; it's really sharply written, and it's interesting how it flows like a screenplay … no choruses, just lots of special moments."

Starring with Parker is Jeffrey King as Jerry's best friend, Dave; Carol Vendemo as Dave's wife, Georgie; Rebecca Bernath as Jerry's ex-wife, Pam; and Colton Mullinix as Jerry's son, Nathan.
The cast also includes Rick Casalina, Leah Crocetto, Christopher DiPietro, Andrew Dunn, Susan Eversden, Dalton Gerber, Wesley Grudzien, Jayna Katz, Mandy Kruse, Audra Miller, Scotland Mills, Edmond Reynolds, Matt Richardson, Peggy Ann Snead, Byron Taulton, Jessica Randall, Peter Stewart, Robert Whiston, and Lance Wiesmann.

With sometimes-raw language and adult situations, the show is recommended for mature audiences. But for those who are old enough, it will be a delight, Miller and Parker promise.
The Full Monty opens tomorrow in the Croswell Opera House, 129 East Maumee St., Adrian. Performances are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 1. Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors, and $20 for students. Information: 517-264-7469.

Come up and see me sometime...

Shamless self promotion... come and see...