Seussical closes today. 

How sad.  Oh how sad.  How dreadfully dreary.  My heart is in a twist.  And I'm terribly teary.

Goodbye, Cat.

"As the Cat, Kevin Hammond interacts beautifully with the audience and characters."

Ha! Not exactly a rave, but any positive mention in a review is good. I'll take it!

The overall review of the show, however, was a rave. It can be found at http://www.independentnews.com

Show info: http://www.trivalleyrep.com

Three more weekends! Come see!

I am playing the Cat in the Hat in SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL with Tri-Valley Repertory in Pleasanton. It opens tonight. This has been one of the most challenging, rewarding theatre experiences. The show is a more intimate, toned-down version of SEUSSICAL...I've never seen it done this way. Virtually no set, simple costuming. And I think it works very well.

I hope everyone can come out and see it.

SEUSSICAL is a musical based on the books of Dr. Seuss that debuted on Broadway in 2000. This fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza begins with the mischievous Cat in the Hat proclaiming "I can see that you’ve got quite a mind for your age! Why, one Think and you dragged me right onto the stage! Now, I’m here, there is no telling what may ensue With a Cat such as me, and a Thinker like you!"

https://www.pleasantonplayhouse.com/tickets/

SEUSSICAL is directed by Eric Neiman and produced by Kathleen Breedveld.

Performances are 8pm Fridays/Saturdays and 2pm Sundays Feb 20 - Mar 15, 2009 (12 performances over 4 weekends) at the Tri-Valley Rep Studio Theatre, 1048 Serpentine Lane, Suite 309, Pleasanton, CA 94566.

Tickets are $25 for adults (18-60), $22 for seniors (60+), and $20 for juniors (under 18). There is a substantial discount for groups purchasing 20 or more tickets.

This Thursday morning, the Academy Award nominations will be announced.  They are usually announced on a Tuesday, but due to some little thing called the, oh, Presidential Inauguration, they've been pre-empted.

Anyway, here are my predictions.  There is nothing here that's out of left field.  Everything on these lists are highly probable and are what most people are saying will happen.

( My Oscar Nomination Predictions )

I feel as if I have lost complete control of my life. I really have never been this depressed...ever.

I understand that this is a horrible time to be looking for a job, that the economy is bad and all that. But my landlords and my car and my stomach don't care about that. I can't live anymore like I've been living the past few years. I want a full-time job and at this point I'll settle for anything.

I paid my rent this month and I will have it for January, but after that I don't know what will happen. I haven't been getting calls to sub and I was hired by a temp agency who has yet to call me. I am subbing the rest of this week, but I was supposed to work the next two weeks as well on another job that I was counting on but I just got word that it may be falling through. If that happens, I don't know what to do.

Things that used to make me excited, such as theatre, are starting to become meaningless because I can only think of how I'm going to try to make money. I get invited out places but I tell people that I'm sick because I'm too ashamed to tell them I can't afford to go. I've been in bad financial situations before but this is the worst. I do, literally, feel like I'm drowning and I can't swim. I am so sad and I always feel sick to my stomach.

I need some sort of a miracle.

A new entry in the brilliant "Simon's Cat" cartoon series. I really do think they have cameras in our place and copying everything Toasty Wormbottom does.

...my car was broken into last night.  Nothing was stolen.  They broke the passenger-side window and went through my glove compartment.  They were maybe trying to find a button to open the trunk?  2 other cars in the complex had the same thing happen.

I feel violated.  And now I have to pay $200-something to fix the window.  And that's 200 dollars more than I have to spend right now. 

Oh, dream job, where are you?

And to the bastards who broke my car window:

I hate you.

So others have already said it and so will I: last night was really bittersweet.  Obama seems like a huge breath of fresh air and as I watched all the celebrating going on, I was proud to be an American.  Really.  Last night was a historic night.

McCain's concession speech was excellent.  As I was listening to him I thought about how much I really do like him.  God knows he's done a lot for the country.  But the selection of Palin, among many other things, bit him in the butt and he didn't stand a chance.  But I feel very strongly that Obama is what we need right now and have every confidence in his abilities.

But oh, California.  You giveth, then you taketh away.  I'm sad, sad, sad.  I find it amusing that while Prop. 8 passed (by a narrow, but significant enough margin), Prop. 2 also passed...and by a huge amount.  We granted rights to chickens and pigs and cows, but took them away from people.  Now don't get me wrong: I voted Yes on Prop. 2.  I believe in the humane treatment of animals.

Maybe next election we can vote on the animals' right to marry.  And "liberal" ol' California, you will probably say Yes to that.  As long as it isn't two roosters trying to get hitched...

This past Saturday was my birthday! Sundee hosted a fun party. The theme was "Dead Celebrities." Here are some pictures of the great costumes people wore.

( Cut for Your Sanity )

This cheered me up after my DMV call:



I'm sure we can debate this about more than one Disney character.

So I received a notice that I have to renew my Driver's License before my birthday, which is in about 4 weeks.  Now, a few years ago I had a job that required me to have a Class B license, which allows me to drive large passenger vans.  To get this license, I had to take a new written and driving test, and have a medical examination.  I haven't had that job in a couple of years, so I can go back to a Class C standard license.

The notice I received from the DMV stated that I need to take a new written test and bring in a new medical report to renew my license.  I decided to call the DMV to find out if I still needed to do all this just to down-grade back to a Class C.

First of all, the phone menus are hard to navigate, mostly because you have to speak the directions and half the time you get the automated voice stating "Sorry, I didn't get that."  Then when you shout an obscenity at it, it gets all confused and puts you on hold for a "technician" (which is who I needed to speak to in the first place).

After holding forever, a lady answers the phone.  I explain my situation.  She tells me I need to go into the DMV and apply for a new license and take the tests.

"Just to get a Class C, I need to take the tests again?  And get a physical?" I ask.

"Sir, I'm not sure what you are not understanding.  You need to go in and tell them you want a new license, then inform your employer.  Or you can always down-grade."

"That's what I'm asking.  Do I need to take the tests if I'm going to down-grade to a Class C."

"I already told you that and you asked me the same question.  I don't understand why you would ask me the same question when I've already answered that."

"I'm asking you again because I want to make sure I understand what you're saying."

"I don't know how you cannot understand."

"What is your name?  Can I speak to your supervisor?"

"Well, you were just itching for that, weren't you?"

"You are extremely rude and I would like to speak to someone else."

*Click*

Probably should have left out the last part and I think I abbreviated much of the conversation.  I'm still not sure if I got my question answered.

These are silly, but fun. The trailers are for Alameda Civic Light Opera's current season productions. I look typically ridiculous in them. The first is for West Side Story, which has already closed. The second is for Grease, which opens in just under a month.

Look out, Chris Crocker, 'cause I'm a YouTube star!

 

Bubba will be missed.  I didn't know him that well, but he was truly great person.  Rehearsals are not the same without him. 

I found out a close friend is hurting herself.  And the guilt that I am feeling because of it is overwhelming.

I feel completely defeated by the 5-7 year olds.  I truly dislike this final summer session.  It makes me want to stop teaching.

Both of my job possibilities fell through.  For the first time in a year I'm back to being (possibly) financially unstable.  I hate that.

I've pretty much walked through these last few days completely numb and it will probably continue through the week.

Cabaret opens in a little over a week.  While it hasn't been the most enjoyable of experiences for me (and I've stated these reasons before), I have had a great time within my own little circle of friends.  I have my own problems and feelings about the show, but they're probably only things that are noticeable to me.

I do hope people will come out and see it.  Among many highlights, I will indeed be playing the gorilla...the last time I did the show I played the Emcee, this time the gorilla.  Talk about a step up!  This is also my 30th onstage appearance, and my tenth at Stage 1, so it is a bit of a landmark show for me.  I will post info below.

I'm also rehearsing West Side Story with Alameda Civic Light Opera and will be starting Grease with them next month.

In other news, I start working the Musical Theatre Works summer program in a week and a half.  I have not been working for the past month and a half, and it's been nice, but a bit boring.  People are surprised that I'm able to not work that long, but all of the after-school teaching and choreography jobs that I have fill in the money gap.  Actually, this year so far has been my best money-making year ever (which isn't saying a hell of a lot, but still).  Musical Theatre Works will go through the middle of August, and then I believe I have some subbing work lined up for the fall already if nothing else comes around.

The Valley Christian High School kids performed "Forget About the Boy" from Thoroughly Modern Millie last Thursday at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.  They were selected by the American Musical Theatre of San Jose High School Honors program.  They got to close the honors ceremony.  Not only am I very proud of them, but something I choreographed was performed on that great stage!  You can see the performance at www.vctheatre.net.  It's very cool.

The City of Fremont Dance Recitals have come and gone.  I'm happy about that and that's all I'm gonna say on the subject.   As of right now, this was my last year in the program.  It's a little sad, since I grew up in the program and then taught for 10 years.  It's time to move on, though.  I will miss all my senior tappers.  I enjoyed spending their Target gift card they gave me on DVDs, however!  Mrs. Doubtfire has been re-released!

And finally, I'm a bit confused about something that's going on right now...I may post on this later...

Here is the Cabaret info:

Cabaret
Stage 1 Theatre in Newark
Performs at Newark Memorial High School on Cedar Boulevard

Opens Friday, June 13th and closes Saturday, June 28th
All Friday and Saturday shows start at 8:00 PM, All Sunday shows at 2:30 PM

Visit www.stage1theatre.org for more information.

Hope to see you there!

And that's all she wrote...

Kristi Yamaguchi had better win "Dancing with the Stars" tonight...

I know I'm a nerd...

That is all.

I wanted to post these for all to enjoy...tomato_thief posted the second one of these cartoons for me on MySpace. It's brilliant and it never fails to make me laugh. I found the first one. They're probably only funny if you have ever had a cat, but the second cartoon is basically an exact re-enactment of Toasty Wormbottom in the morning when my door is open.

( Simon's Cat Cartoons )

"Hittin' it every time it comes around!" (said with conviction) - larainebowbrite

As heard on Dancing with the Stars:

"One week you're a rooster, the next week you're a feather duster.  That's life."

"Don't touch what you can't have, Sunshine." - both by Head Judge Len Goodman

Chicago opened Friday and it was fantastic. Sold out shows, standing ovation. The response has been great. I've gotten very lucky lately by being in really great shows that I'm proud of. Next weekend is apparently sold out, but there are four more after it...get tickets soon by clicking on the above link!

Also, I choreographed Thoroughly Modern Millie for Valley Christian High School in San Jose. They opened this weekend. Another really great show. I'm very proud of those kids...definite shiny, happy pants. Get ticket info at hstheatre.valleychristian.net.

And I have THREE nights off this week...I don't know what I'm going to do with myself...then I go into High School Musical again at PYT...