Cabaret rules!

Welcome to those of you visiting my website for the first time! Leave some comments so I know you were here!

Well, I did it. I starred in my first cabaret show in 7 years and it was a hit! Thank you to everyone who came out and made the show a success: Mom, Dad, Uncle Art, Mary, their friends, Matt, Robin, Steve, Kristen, Mike, Somer, Lloyd, Jack, Kathryn, John, Debra, Mitch, Jason, Kim, John, Rob, Jim, Ric, Karen & David, Brooke & guests, Mike & Lisa, Mariel & guest, and the countless others I didn't know who took a chance on me, and of course the Schroeder's gang Sher and Tom (producers) and Ian and Matt on spotlight and video camera.

It was a great evening had by all. Everything went off without a hitch, except for when I slowed the evening down to do a popular, jazzy ballad and I was gently getting onto the stool, I got a gigantic cramp in my calf (which is still sore today). I had a decision to make- do like actors usually have to do, grin and bear it, and try to make this lilting ballad as natural as possible. Or, I can stop the show, and laugh about it. So, that's what i did. I waited until the pause right before I had to sing, then said I had to take a pause because I had a huge cramp in my leg. This was right after the audition nightmare segment, and it was totally unplanned, but as I stretched, Cris, my trusted accompanist, starting playing the Chariots of Fire theme and making the famous "running" sounds from the movie. Hilarious. You can't write material like this...

Other parts of my performance life area great. I just finished another round of Standardized Patient training at UCSD school of medicine- that is where I simulate a patient with a certain illness so that the medical student can practice their bedside manner and information gathering skills. It is so wonderful to be able to make a difference while also doing what I love, which makes a difference for me!

I am preparing for the Festival, and it is going to be a good one! If any of you are planning on seeing my two shows, the one I am directing and the one I am starring in, please consider buying a Festival pass and enjoying the whole series. For only $75 you can see 7 evenings of theatre- that's only $10.71 a ticket (normally $18 a ticket). Over the 2 weeks you will see more than 35 short plays, all produced, directed and starring local, Actors Alliance members. 80% of the pieces you'll see are written by local playwrights. Since we are non-profit, proceeds from tickets sales go toward expenses for putting on the Festival, which includes paying the artists for their hard work. We don't have any administrators takes thousands off the top- 100% of your money goes to support this events and the artists. So, please consider giving a little and seeing 7 unparalleled evenings of theatre! (and if you are an AASD member, you get a Festival pass for only $50- what a deal!)