Downtime?

October was supposed to be nothing more than me lying on the couch all weekend slothed out watching football and napping. I've done some of that but all the sudden my schedule is pretty full with readings, performances, meetings and the national film challenge.

I've also been motivated to write a few pieces, including a longer play called "Three Dicks from Austin" about Lance Armstrong, Andy Roddick and Matthew McConneghey trying to solve a mystery. Also, working on "Middle Class Hero" a monologue about a guy giving Commencement address to Stockton State U about the benefits of just being mediocre. And, "Testosteroned" about a guy at a Bachelor Party who ODs on testosterone and gets a little too crazy. And I'm doing some prelim research for a possible documentary on the infamous Eagles Court. I'm endlessly fascinated by insane Eagles fans, what can i say...

Walking on Air

We are in the middle of our Fringe run. Feeling really good as we our first three shows were all sold out (90 seats). I always feel like no one will come, and then this happens. I'm very grateful. But, I know this show is very good, I must say - the best one yet by far. It's fast, tight and funny. Two years ago, City Paper reviewed Wawapalooza 2 and said it had some funny quips but overall was "mildly entertaining" This motivated me and the crew to work harder and erase the "mildly" from the entertaining. So, fast fwd two years later, City Paper reviewed Friday's show and had this to say:
"Suprisingly spot-on. Smart, inspired bits of funny business." It feels good because we earned it.

Wawapalooza 4 Rehearsal Pics

Van Gogh

Care of Bonnie's Photoshop skills.

3 Weeks till Fringe

Mindset. 3 Weeks till the new show opens. This year, I'm less stressed because we have 21 minutes of short films, which is already in can and can't get fucked up- you just hit 'play'. As for the other 45 min of live theatre, sure I worry about the actors' lack of energy or forgetting lines, but really I can only do so much. It will all work out. The key is to have fun and enjoy our loose and fringe-y show that we've created. As one of the actresses told me, "It ain't Shakespeare"

Props. One thing that will help is we aren't using props or exotic furniture this year. In year's past we loaded all kinds of shit. Last year for K-Mart sketch we used a real 50lb cash register and bag of charcoal and sign and etc. This year we will fake everything. This will make up for in speed, what it takes away from in realism. This also is one less headache for me.

Press. I foresee lack of press for us this year. I sense we are old news. Even though I think this show is fresh and targets certain things that aren't being targeted or satirized too much. Anyhow, I can't control that. I can only control the process up to the show.

Tech. We were at theatre on Tuesday to do a little tech and let me just say that Wayne is amazing, having him is huge. He was able to set up and align projection and work the board and all that. And he's a super nice guy. Tech is the least of my worries thanks to him.

The Next Short Film

With "The List" finally done, and all my side projects completed, I am not focusing on shooting the third (and final) short film for Wawapalooza 4. The short is called "The Accidental Environmentalist" and is about how my Grandma is best environmentalist I've even met, and she doesn't even know it! A true model for us all.

I also take down several Eco-Hypocrites including Thom Yorke, Leonardo DiCaprio and of course, Al Gore. (the key for me is to figure out how to make it funny!)
This is not meant to be a left or right thing, just that I'm pretty tired of hearing how I need to change my lifestyle when these people pollute and trash the planet at a rate of 50 times an average person. Hypocrisy is something that pushes my buttons, especially under the guise of righteousness. Ech. This pic of Al Gore says it all...

Cast Photo

May 2010