SUNDAY SUNDAY SUNDAY!

It's the day of the big game!!!
Is everybody ready to eat three times the amount of food that you normally would in one evening, scream at the television louder than you ever would, and drink until you are ready to vomit?
Yeah, me neither.
I don't really have anything invested in either team, so what will I be watching on this gorgeous Sunday evening?

Of course.
And before it comes on, and after it is over?

Of course.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    I have been monitoring a weather system that will be coming into the DC area overnight into tomorrow.  While it looked a bit more serious in model runs a day or so ago, it has lessened with further model runs, and now looks to be a trace to two inches for our region.

 Some may see more North and West of the DC Metro area. Overall, not a big deal.

Some people (like 75 by now) have messaged me about this rumored blizzard to hit the Eastern coast on February 8th to 9th. This all started with some early model run being shared around all of social media, and people not understanding that model runs that are that far away from the event are not reliable at all.  We will not have a 25-35 inch blizzard in our area.  Now, that doesn't mean that we won't have any snow, nor does it mean that we will have snow at all. It could be an all rain event. Things will become clearer in the next several days, and I will surely post about it if it comes to anything. For any of you who read this blog, but aren't friends with me on facebook, drop me a friend request - but please - send me a private message telling me that you are a blog reader - otherwise, I might think you are merely one of those friend requests that you have no idea where they came from. I post many updates on incoming weather on facebook, and I don't want to turn this blog into a weather blog. 

I was sad to hear of the passing of Philip Seymour Hoffman today. I first became aware of him after seeing him in one of my all time favorite films, Twister. Soon after that, I saw him again in a film that would become another favorite, Boogie Nights. He has done countless films since then, and earned an Oscar for his performance in Capote.  I think that my favorite performance of his is from the film version of the play, Doubt. He will be missed. 

Ok, that about wraps up this Sunday brunch update. I am about to launch into a crazy week, workshopping a new show, having understudy rehearsals, and more performances of Violet at Ford's Theatre! Till the next blog falls into place...
XOXOSGS

Kensington, Cole Porter, Jaylee Mead, Pug Chaises...

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't written in a few weeks, but man, I've been a little crazy busy!
Where to begin?
Well, when last I wrote, you see we were missing a Tom for NOTLD at Kensington.  We found one, and the cast was finally announced on my Letters from the Living Dead series over at DCMetroTheaterarts.com - go check the article out over HERE.

Rehearsals have been going well, and I am always excited to get back into the rehearsal room with my awesome cast!


I recently took on another project, which is putting together a Cole Porter review and directing it at Creative Cauldron. The show will feature Carolyn Cole and Sean Thompson, and with that cast and the subject matter, what more could you want?  The show is called Cole Porter: You're the Top!
The show runs from October 5th through the 28th. For more information, click HERE.











The Whorehouse keeps chugging along over at Signature, where tonight we will be dimming the Signature marquee in honor of the passing of Jaylee Mead. Without the Mead's incredible support to Washington Theatre, I can't imagine what this town would have been like, except a lot less lucky.
I also had the distinction of being picked by Peter Marks for an article of 12 Actors that Washington Loves to Watch. For this article, I had a fashion photo shoot by Marvin Joseph that was incredible.  I am, as always, grateful for this and everything else that is happening in my life.  Oh, and also, Buddha has a new chaise lounge. Till later, my friends...

xoxoSGS

Rest In Peace, Thomas DeBaggio

Thomas DeBaggio wrote the books that I am reading currently, "When it Gets Dark" and "Losing My Mind", which focus on his struggle with Alzheimer's Disease. The novels are haunting and beautiful, and have moved me to tears at times and made me laugh at others. I had written about "When it Gets Dark" only yesterday, and through a misunderstanding, I thought that Thomas had passed some time ago, only to learn that he actually passed this past Monday, February 21st. I opened the Washington Post today and saw his obituary there, and it was quite a shock.

Thomas talks about the things he sees on his walks every morning, and lived in North Arlington. I used to walk a few dogs in the same areas described when I worked for Happy Hounds. I even remembered passing his house on one of my routes. It has been fascinating to read about his observations of Arlington present versus Arlington past. One of his first apartments was even near my previous apartment. In the book, he even sings the praises of The Italian Store, an Italian grocery store and deli that was a frequent lunch stop for me on an afternoon of dog walking. The connections I have made with things that he says and sees in the books has been quite amazing.

As many people surely have felt after reading the books, I feel like I knew him. His candid writing style and fragmented story vignettes paint the picture of not only a man's life and remembrances, but his struggle to write it all down before the images flicker away. When his frustration and anger come out, you feel it too, and the moments of joy that he recalls bring a smile to your face. More than anything, the books have taught me more of the beauty and fragility of life itself, and to enjoy every single living moment that you can. And when a book can do that, it is truly written by an amazing human being.

Rest in Peace, Thomas. You have been and will be very much in my thoughts.

Full Washington Post Obituary can be found HERE.

Here is another mention from the Washington Post Blog.
And another from NPR. Which you can listen to HERE,
and Thomas's son,Francesco, wrote his own message on the DeBaggio's Herb Farm and Nursery website.
xoxo
sgs

RIP Dennis Hopper

His earliest films (appearances in Rebel without a Cause, and a strong turn in Giant, Easy Rider)are my favorite. I also enjoyed his more recent films, including his classic role in Speed, and the hysterical villain in George Romero's Land of the Dead. RIP, Dennis.

RIP - Gary Coleman

At age 42, Gary Coleman passed today. Full details HERE.

RIP Mary Travers

I was always a Peter, Paul and Mary fan. Since I can remember. My parents loved them, and I inherited their shared love. All of their television specials drew me in more. Their Christmas special remains one of my favorite Christmas specials to watch.
I got to meet Mary backstage at Wolf Trap when I was there doing Street Scene in 2003, and I will never forget that. To go from being a boy watching her on my tv screen and listening to her records to a man performing a show at the same theatre as her was a truly humbling moment. I will always hear her singing in my mind, and hope that she is singing somewhere peaceful now.