In the Shoes of...Matt Bogart

Matt Bogart had been an inspiration to me since the first time I saw him perform, in Miss Saigon. Since then, I have been fortunate enough to watch him perform in many other shows, and have had the wonderful experience of working with him several times, first in 110 in the Shade at Signature Theatre, then in Damn Yankees at Arena Stage.
If you don't know Matt at all, I want you to know that he is probably the sweetest man you will ever meet. He ain't hard on the eyes, neither.
:)
Everyone should be in love with Matt Bogart. Men, women, dogs, cats, machinery.
Sorry...off the point.
He is working on a new musical called ACE right now with new wife, Jessica Boevers.
I caught up with him on the phone for several hours the other night, and here are the details...





SGS- How did you and I first meet?
MB- Let's hold a few secrets close to our hearts, shall we?

SGS-*blush* Ummm...of course..{clears throat}...our first show together was 110 in the Shade at Signature Theatre. I think that Starbuck {Bogart} and Jimmy {moi} had a very "special" relationship. Don't you think that we brought that to the table?


MB- Yup! Brokeback Mountain had nothing on us. I'm waiting for Brokeback the musical to really launch our careers to the next level...and then Fred Shiffman can come to watch us 6 times. Honestly, I respect you and your work ethic so much, Stephen, because you're up for anything and you make the work so much fun and collaborative. I think our Jimmy and Starbuck were tired of people in the world trying to make them less of the men they strove to be. They shared the same loneliness and it naturally brought them to side with each other as friends, just as we are...friends...and I just can't quit you.

SGS-{unbuttons top buttons}..ummm..so....Side Show at Signature. I saw that show 3 times! Tell me a little bit about working on that show...


MB- All I can say: Joe Calarco is a genius. I felt very lucky to have performed the role of Terry, a role considered to be outside of my age range at the time, along side Will Gartshore who played the role of Buddy, and with an extremely talented ensemble of mostly DC actors. Joe is one of the most gifted and visionary directors that I have ever worked beside. I was continually intrigued and fascinated by his choices for the show. He was most brilliant at striking that beautiful balance between allowing his actors to invent and feel ownership of their characters yet guiding them to clearly express his perspective of the story.

SGS-When I first saw you perform, (Tour of Miss Saigon), you were instantly a role model of mine...I SO respect your work, and doing 110 with you was one of the highlights of my career. When the Helen Hayes nominations came out that year, and Matt was NOT recognized for his touching Starbuck, I was very sad. He was nominated for his luscious Lancelot in Camelot at Arena Stage...I felt that Lancelot should have been considered a leading actor role, not supporting...Dunno...and it was you as Lancelot, nominated beside me, Tom Simpson, Harry Winter, and Jim Moye from 110...(also Michael Forrest from 1776)...I love all the other men, besides Jim Moye the tool bag (just kidding, Jim...I love you too....tool) and it was almost awkward to see everyone at the party afterwards, but Matt Bogart was so gracious and congratulatory to me...it touched me. I guess this is not a question, but me saying to the readers what an amazing guy you are in real life. I still am a little bit pouty that you were not nominated for your dreamy Joe Hardy in Damn Yankees, but hey. I know, nominations, nominations, blah, blah. Awards ceremonies sometimes strike me as oddly structured and unfair. Squares versus triangle vs circles...


MB- Thanks for your sweetness, and I do want to address this question/comment: Jim Moye is a complete toolbag...and we love him. Beyond that, you rightly deserved to have been awarded recognition for your work as Jimmy in 110 in the Shade. To my mind, award ceremonies should simply acknowledge those who attempt to do work outside their own boxes, push boundaries, and specifically, the Helen Hayes Awards, should highlight local talent responsible for that bravery. Unfortunately, awards ceremonies are now advertisements for the actors, the numerous theatres, and the industry itself.


It's important that we continue to do the work for the purest of reasons and not to get carried away with receiving praise to float our egos. The work should stay focused, not to be aimed towards attaining award recognition or the work runs the risk of becoming static and ceasing to be honest, artistic or story driven. Without question, I'm thrilled to be recognized for my work but, moreover, I'm just happy to be part of DC's wonderfully rich theatre community.

SGS-Well said...{lets hair down and lowers eye glasses-ala Brooke Sheilds, circa 1987}...Tell me about your wife...


MB- She's foxy, talented, hilarious, and cute as a button. All this at first glance, but to me she's one of my oldest and best friends-my true companion. A woman who will disarm you with her beauty, her wit, and her attentive heart. Oh, yeah, she's also an incredibly versatile actress and singer who I've witnessed successfully direct two very difficult plays.

SGS-{Rebuttons top buttons}...How did you meet?

MB- We met in college at the University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music, but we didn't date until after we had graduated and lived in NYC for many years.

SGS-{leans forward}-You were featured on the infamous Times-Square Jockey Broadway Ad...how was that shoot?


MB-Mr. William Ivey Long was the costume designer for the shoot and he had originally drawn me to be wearing Jockey boxer shorts. However, when I showed up for the shoot, he had other garments in mind, since he had time to rummage through the upcoming season's underwear choices. In the midst of the excitement of the shoot, I lost my inhibitions and agreed to wear a very skimpy Jockey jock strap type underwear. My grandmother, Chloveta, came to NYC to see me perform in Miss Saigon, and we took her to Times Square where you couldn't ignore the billboard. She looked up and said, "That's really neat. However, if you took anymore off, it would become a completely different thing all together."

SGS-Indeed.....Um...You have 2 CD's out. How and why did you decide to record these? PS, they are really fantastic CD's, everyone...

MB-I've always wanted to be a recording artist. In college I was always taken with the musical theatre voices of David Carol, Brent Barrett, and Anthony Warlow. I fell in in love with the big baritone, 11 o'clock songs that told story, possessed great meaning and resonated with me. I made mixed tapes (I'm showing my age) of these songs and tried to aspire and assimilate my talent by singing along with these amazing singers.



Eventually, I made contact with a well-established musical theatre record producer, John Yap of Jay Records, and he's been my ticket to becoming a musical theatre recording artist. To date I have 2 solo records, working on a third, 2 original musical cast recordings and I am highlighted on 5 compilation recordings. Hopefully there are a few college students out there singing along with their mixed tapes...CD's, that is.

SGS-When will DC audiences see you again?

MB-I have nothing lined up at this time, but I'm filled with antici....pation.

SGS-What makes you happy?

MB-Hearing the people I love laugh and watching children being themselves.

SGS-Mad?

MB-Disrespectful people and noise, which is all the same to me.

SGS-Dream roles?

MB-Billy in Carousel, Sweeney, George in Sunday, Bobby in Company, Hamlet, Henry V, all of Tennessee William's men including Val in Orpheus, Brick, Stanley, ect.


SGS-I'd make one hell of a Blanche...Last time you were inspired?

MB-Recently, I began writing a novel I've been thinking about for 3 years after seeing the movie Syriana. My novel is not that intensely political but it was perfect to be writing from my apartment in SW, DC with a clear view of the Capitol building's dome. Now that's inspiration...for change, I think.

SGS-Last time you cried?

MB-Simultaneously laughing and crying about becoming married.

SGS-Top 5 films?

MB-The Godfathers, Trainspotting, Southpark, Amadeus, Room with a View.

SGS-Favorite music?

MB-Independent musicians like my brother Kevin Bogart, friends Todd Almond and Katy Pfaffl. They rock and they're trying to share what they've got to say.

SGS-Favorite Musical?

MB-Carousel, by far my favorite.

SGS-What's up next for you?

MB-I'm performing the title role in a new musical called, "ACE", opposite my wife, Jessica Boevers, which is written by Richard Oberacker. Richard had written "The Gospel According to Fishman" which had it's premier at Signature Theatre in Arlington. Including Richard, there are several other U of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music(CCM) compatriots collaborating on the project. Other than that, I'll be figuring out the rest of my life, like everyone else.

SGS-Advice to those young theatre folk, scratching their way up?

MB-Well, I hope no one is scratching but, rather, bounding from one great life/work experience to the next. I loved what Fred Shiffman said in his interview with you, "Find something to fall back on and then find time to fall back on it" (I think that's the quote) because it will enrich your theatre experience and you won't take it for granted. Work your tails off so that when opportunity meets your preparation, you're ready for luck to step in.
All the best.

SGS- Well folks, there you have it. I have to go take a cold shower.
Hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did...
Luv,
SGS

TRACY LYNN OLIVERA SAYS...

Today on the phone, as we chatted about the brilliant film, "Snakes on a Plane", reviewed below, I asked her what she thought of the film.
She replied, "It changed my life."
There you have it folks, go and make this fantastically funny flick numbah ONE this weekend!

S-s-s-s-s-nakes on a Plane

I saw Snakes on a Plane tonight in Kingstowne with Filmdom, (Ryan), who will no doubt have a review up tomorrow.
Wow.
Classic.
Every cliche that you could imagine in this movie is enacted. To hysterical effect. Yet the film still makes you jump.
It reminds me of 70's exploitation films, but a tad more polished. Sort of reminiscent of Cabin Fever.
I have never been part of a more vocal or participatory audience...for example, at one point, a passenger says..."Great...dogs, babies, what else is on this plane?.." and some kid in the audience yelled, "SNAKES!", and everyone applauded and cheered.
As did they on the first appearance of Samuel L. Jackson. As did they on the first appearance of the snakes. As did they on every cliche line..."You're not going to believe this, but...there are snakes on the plane!", audience erupts in applause.
I had such a great time, and as we left the theatre, I said to Ryan..."It was perfect."
It really is one of my favorite films that I have seen in awhile...go and see this film this weekend...as long as you go expecting nothing more than snakes on a plane, you will not be disappointed.
Stay for the credits to see this fantastic music video for the theme song, "Snakes on a Plane (Bring it)", by Cobra Starship. Note the girl singer, who is just a little too overly enthusiastic in a campy way.
Fabulous.
Watch and enjoy.
Luv,
SGS

Why?

LOOK OUT LITTLE RED...

(VIA-TOWLEROAD and STRANGE FRUIT)
Maybe Into the Woods should be set in Maine?

My New TV Addiction...

WORK OUT
I have to say that this show really has captured my attention...between the health and fitness tips, and the personal trainer drama, I am hooked!
Catch the new episode on Bravo tonight at 9, and I am sure that they will be playing the previous 3 beforehand.

I Felt It...

Last Friday, I felt a change in the air...it wasn't temperature related...I just felt the retail season break...on instinct, I drove to the Party Store...
It was the first day that they were hauling out their Halloween goods...
I felt it in my bones that day, and had to drive there to see.
I asked the first employee when they had started dragging the fake corpses out from the back...
"Today", one confused employee responded.
I knew it.
The countdown to Halloween decor begins.
In August.
Worse than ever is my impulse this year.
I put purple lights up tonight.
It has already begun.

JOHN WATERS QUOTE OF THE DAY...

"I got a knife here in my pockeybook and I'm gonna cut you up after class. "
-Confetta, from Female Trouble

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD PROJECT AT THE KENNEDY CENTER...

Speaking of Page-To-Stage, my hubby will have the first public hearing of some of his new songs for the Underground Railroad Project.
This showing will be a part of...I'm sorry, if this post doesn't make sense, Matt is laying on the floor, singing "Ching-a-Ring-Chaw" to the pug...the Page to Stage Festival, on Monday, September 4th at 6PM on the millennium Stage.
This will be a showcase of all of the new works being cooked at the Signature Theatre, including: Saving Aimee, Ass Backwards, The Next Big Thing, and The Underground Railroad Project.
The performers of the Underground Railroad Project include:
Priscilla Cuellar,
Who just closed Assassins, and will be in the Ensemble of My Fair Lady at Signature, as well as playing one of the Stepsisters in Into the Woods.
Jenny Soto,
Who was part of the famed "B Cast" of Nevermore at Signature, but unlike her other "B Cast" alum, actually went ON in Nevermore for the last weekend. Jenny being the only "muse" to make it into the show.
Eleasha Gamble,


Legendary in the DC area, having one of the most flexible and astronomical voices that I have ever heard, Eleasha is another "B Cast" grad of Nevermore, and is a 2 time Helen Hayes nominee. She will be in the Ensemble of My Fair Lady, and after that will be playing the Witch in Into the Woods.
And finally,
Yours Truly.
As always, the showcase will be broadcast on the Kennedy Center's website, and I will provide details about that as it draws nigh.
This is a very exciting opportunity to hear Matt's Sophomore effort after Nevermore, and hear the newest work from a budding composer.
Make sure you check us out!
Luv,
SGS

Steve McWilliams is the new Chris Issac...

My good buddy, who I really need to give a phonecall to, Steve McWilliams, got a nice compliment from Nelson Pressley today.
It was a nice little mention of Steve's portrayal of Migaldi in Evita, with Open Circle Theatre Company.
Any time a man is compared to Chris Issac, it is definitely a good thing.
And PS...
His wife is still hot...

Mrs. Mig...

...speaking of actresses who play my mother... Donna Migliaccio, who will be my mom in Into the Woods,(pictured so foxy above), will be part of an exciting reading coming up.
Now that DC Fringe is done, we have yet another exciting festival to look forward to, the Kennedy Center's Page to Stage Festival, featuring new works that are up and coming in the area.
You will be able to see Donna in Safeword, by Callie Kimball (Lucky Spinster)...(pictured so foxy beneath).


It will be performed on Sunday, September 3 at 8:30pm in the Kennedy Center’s Family Theater.
Donna, Matt, and myself did a reading of this play last year, formerly titled Sexy Time Explosion. It is a very fascinating "American Beauty"-esque, but more fu*ked up kind of piece. I LOVED it!
Here are all the details...

Bogie...

I get a voice mail from Bogie tonight that says..."If I ever want to know what is going on in DC Theatre, I check your site..."
Thanks, Bogie...his "In the Shoes of..." is up and coming...if he has time to send it in...come on, readers, don't you want to know the important questions...boxers, briefs, commando?
Come on, Matty Bogart...send it back and let us know...
Stay Tuned...
PS, he sends his love to DC...
Luv,
SGS

Flo Lacey News...

My former mother in "One Red Flower" at Signature Theatre, Florence Lacey, is in a show in the NYC Fringe Festival...
Here are all the details, thanks to Playbill...

WUSA 9 Theatre poll-VOTE!

WUSA 9 is having a poll on the best theatre in DC...Signature is leading the poll! to keep it that way, click here...then they will e-mail you, and you will have to confirm...do it!

In the Shoes of...Stephen Gregory Smith

Since the other men who agreed to the "In the Shoes with..." interview have since forgotten or changed their minds about sending the questions back, or maybe they turned down my interview to chat with Barbara Walters instead...I know that many of you have wondered when the next interview would be, so... my bestest friend in the world, Eleasha Gamble, has decided to turn my questioning eye in on itself and ask me some questions for a change. Why not. What do actors do best, but talk about themselves. So, Here it is...a bunch of things that you all probably already know...


Eleasha- When did you know that you wanted to do theatre as a career?

SGS-Around my senior year of high school, when I knew my math scores were too low for me to go into Meteorology, which I was looking at Millersville University for. If I wasn't going to be a Meteorologist, I wanted to be a Tornado Chaser...and this was before the movie 'Twister" came out, folks. I had been doing theatre since I was 10, and had just played Joseph in Joseph and the blah,blah coat. I went to see Sam Harris do that role on tour, and he really served as my idol. I bought his CD's and wanted to sound just like him. I also watched James Dean and Marlon Brando movies, and wanted to act just like they did...if I couldn't chase tornadoes, or try to learn to predict them, for that matter, I would be an actor. Seemed the next logical step, right? I reasoned with my mother that actors probably made more than weather men, anyway. heheheheh. *sigh*

EG- How did you meet Matt?
SGS-1st day of school at Shenandoah Conservatory, I was at auditions for Pippin. I went to the restroom as he was coming out of it. He introduced himself to me, and I thought..."Oh my GOD! He is the hottest thing I have ever seen! He had a boyfriend, of course...so we ended up becoming friends for years before we actually ended up together...it was a long process...I believe the fact that we built such a strong friendship is the reason we have been together for so long...he is my best friend. Besides you, of course.



EG- What was you first show?
SGS-Oliver. I was Oliver. I caught the theatre bug hard and never looked back.

EG- Where do you see yourself in five years?
SGS- Eleasha...I don't know where I see myself in 5 minutes...ummm..I don't know...so much is happening with Matt's music that we could be here, could be in NYC, could be in both places...I dunno. One day at a time. All I ever have envisioned of my future life is the hope of a lively career, health, and a cute little Cape Cod style house that happens to have a wrap around veranda with ceiling fans. Is that too much to wish for? ;)

EG- What has been the happiest moment in your life?
SGS- I can think of many. I love seeing Matt happy...it makes me happy...ummm, what else? The first day I got Buddha...but then every moment with him has been happy. Almost. The first time I saw Nevermore performed. Winning the Helen Hayes Award is pretty high up there. Dunno. I would like to think that the happiest moment of my life is still ahead of me. Keeps me moving forward, you know?

EG- Why are dogs so important to you?
SGS-I grew up with 3 dogs at any given time, plus at least 2 cats at any given time. I have always cared for animals much more than people. They are more honest and more trustworthy. Their love is innocent and unconditional. And they are far wiser than any human I have ever met.

EG- Why are you such a picky eater? Did something happen we don't know about?
SGS-After puberty, I started to develop ridiculous allergies to foods that I had always been able to eat, previously. After several hospital trips due to bananas, carrots, ect, I stopped trying. I also have shellfish allergies. I stick to what I know. Someday I hope I will grow up and try something new, but...have you ever had your throat swell shut? It is the most terrifying thing ever. Your own body is so angry at what you ate that it is trying to suffocate you. You can take your carrots...I'll eat a PBJ instead.





EG- What's your dream role?
SGS- I have already done some. Billy in One Red Flower was a dream come true for me. I've already done Jinx in Forever Plaid. Already done Ren in Footloose twice. Would love to do Jo Jo in The Life. Love to be Jamie in Beautiful Thing. Love to be Jimmy in Reefer Madness. Love to be Charlie in Merrily We Roll Along. And I would be a hell of a Hedwig.





EG- What is something most people don't know about you?
SGS-I am usually broke. I recently have considered taking time off or giving up theatre in order to get a job that affords me to pay my bills. So sad, but true. The money I made in theatre used to be enough for me to live on, (along with my day job), but after 8 years of these gas prices and economy, I can't do it much longer. The saddest fact of all is that I am making more than I have ever made for theatre, and it still isn't enough to pay my loans and rent/utilities, ect. I have no credit card debt, because I have no credit cards...I don't trust myself with them. I wish there were artist grants to apply for that I could attempt...but I really wouldn't know what to write anyway. Hmmm. Sorry...tangent.

EG- What's your most embarrassing moment on stage?
SGS- Too many to count. In Assassins, which just closed, one night I sang, "Czolgosh-working man, born in the middle of Wishigan.." Wishigan. It just came out. Don't know why. That's pretty high up there.

EG- What scares you the most?
SGS- Being without Matt. I could never live without him.

EG- Why horror movies?
SGS- Why not? You act like I am the sole human in the world who likes horror movies...I don't know why....as a child I always sympathized with the villains in comic books. I have always liked horror....since the first time I saw "Night of the Living Dead".

EG- If you could be in a horror movie what movie would it be?
SGS- Dunno. Something awful. Hopefully a zombie flick.



EG- How would you want to be killed in a horror movie?
SGS- I wouldn't. I would want to be the quirky kid...the Matthew Lillard type, who survives because he knows so much about horror movies. Or I'd be eaten by zombies, I suppose.

EG-Explain why you have such a fascination with the weather.
SGS- I think I touched on this earlier...Ever since witnessing a tornado at a young age, I was drawn to what I was frightened of. Wanted to understand it, I guess.

EG- When did you come out?
SGS- Hmmm...It was a long process...I said I was gay in high school, but my Mom , at least I think, thought it was a phase. Really my Freshman year of college is when I really had the conversation of, "No, it's not a phase."






EG-Was it difficult to tell your family and friends? Family?
SGS-Yes...but...at a certain point, it becomes a life or death feeling...like if you don't tell everyone and start being who you are that you will suffocate.

EG- If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go? Why?
SGS- ummm...? Dunno...I'm not much of a traveler. Ummm...? I love beaches, so probably something involving a beach. I'd love to go to Great Britain. And to France. Some Caribbean Island, maybe. As long as there were things that I could eat, and as long as I didn't get eaten by a shark. Hmm. I loved Gatlinburg Tennessee. I'd love to see New Orleans. And Chicago. And California...although I don't think I could smoke in that state. Vegas was fun. Sorry, I guess my answer is any of the above. I need a vacation in the worst way imaginable.

EG- If you won the lottery tomorrow what would you do with the money?
SGS- Haha. How often do I have this fantasy? Pay off all of my debt...Buy a house, and a new car...a truck, probably. I've always wanted a pick-up truck. Sink the rest into investments.

EG- If God told you that he would answer one question, what would you ask?
SGS- What does he do with his spare time.

Well Stephen there you are, my 20 questions. I went pretty deep with some of them, I know. Hope you like them.
Love,Eleasha

Thanks, Eleasha. Talk to you later.
Luv,
SGS

Boo

The lil' pug has been blogging again...go check out his tips for beating the Summer heat...he would love some feedback onwhat you other dogs do to keep cool...

ON A CENTRAL SQUARE...

I finally had the priveledge of watching The Light in the Piazza yesterday afternoon.
I am happy to report that it was fantastic, and I only wish that I had the experience of seeing it live.
PBS aired a recorded version of this show at Lincoln Center in mid-June, and I missed it then. Jenny Cartney had it on Tivo, and recorded it for me to see...
Where do I begin?
The beauty of this show is the seasons that love goes through...a mother in what seems to be the Winter of her love, while her daughter is just starting to experience an emergent Spring. The soaring melodies of the opening as a gust of wind blows Clara's hat off and into the hands of Fabrizio, her soon to be lover...

Passion drips from this score, that soaks you in strings. The set is a triumph, evoking a perfect Tuscan setting, even down to the floor's huge tiles.
Victoria Clarke is perfection in this role. It truly is the role of a lifetime for her. Her humor is showcased, but she also shatters as the show goes on. To see her realize what her sacrifice must be is a gorgeous thing indeed.
And Clara...oh Clara. As played by Katie Clarke here, she is such a fragile extrovert. An accident has left her "special", and she has always been looked after by her mother, but on this Tuscan Vacation, she believes that she has found true love. Love at first sight, even.
Love would be easy to fall into with Aaron Lazar, who plays Fabrizio in this performance....

His earnest passion and excitement from his chance encounter with Clara on the street fuel an intense love that threatens to combust the stage by Act 2.
Jenny Cartney bought this cast recording for me for my birthday last year, and I have loved it ever since...but my favorite song was always Aiutami...


The depth of feeling and the operatic scale of the dramatic song are unparalleled.
I am hoping that this show will come out on DVD, since it has already appeared on television...I belive someone told me that that would be happening sometime in the Fall...if so, go to the store and sweep up this amazing piece of theatre that urges you above all else to "Love if you can be loved..."
Love,
SGS

UNDERGROUND RAILROAD PROJECT

Head on over to Signature's Blog to read a lil' sneak peek about my hubby's newest piece that he has been working on. Also, as we have for the past 2 years, we will be back at the Kennedy Center on Labor Day weekend to sing several songs from the new project. I'll post details as soon as I can!

THE DESCENT

Tonight I went to see "The Descent". Now...it takes a whole heap of a ton to get me to the cinema anymore. I wanted to go see it starting around yesterday, when the buzz machine for the film started burning my ears with "Best horror film in a decade" claims.
Today, I woke up and smoked the morning cig, and read the great review in the Post. Hmmmm...it's on. I wanna see it. I call the Husband, I call the Roomie. I call Kara Tameika Watkins, they are all in. Beloved friends Nancy, Eleasha, and Jenny Cartney all say a respective "Hell, no".
I stop home for lunch...The new EW is there, giving the movie an A-....I'm SO in now...
We get there and the movie starts...



I was on edge for 2 hours. The claustrophobia, the darkness...the movie takes the time to give a damn about developing characters, so that you get a sense of who you are soon enough going to watch die.
The scariest part of the film for me was the spelunking parts. I'm sorry, but people need to find better things to do with their time. People who do this are fu*king nuts.
The film is directed brilliantly, and yes...I had some problems with things, but I have to say...this is the direction horror films should and WILL start getting back to.
You will jump, scream, cover your eyes, feel nauseated, and want to yell at the screen.
I recommend this film to anyone who is looking to be genuinely scared...but be ready...this is really terrifying...don't go expecting "Scream"...this is raw and brutal horror.
Warms my heart that we are moving back into good horror flicks...
Best since the 70's...hmmm...maybe because we were fighting an endless and bloody war against people who we don't know are the "enemy" because they dress like real people, and our government is lying to us the whole while...ohh...sorry. But this political climate is WHY horror films are getting better by the year.
Go and see it. Man up and deal with the gore...the film is fantastic.
Luv,
SGS

Post 400!

Yes, this lovely Friday marks SGS's 400th post! It all started with a whimper, and...well, grew to a low mumble, but I'm still posting, nonetheless.
On this Friday, have a couple of pieces of pizza (come on, it is Friday...remember when we'd have pizza on Friday at the cafeteria in grade school?), throw a few back, and enjoy some of these picture of the week highlights!












Thanks for shopping!
Luv,
SGS

So how come I haven't heard of this? A remake (yes, YET another) of my favorite film of all time, and in 3-D, no less? Yes, I'll see it...but...ohhh...I already think that it will be awful.

MUST SEE MOVIE OF THE WEEKEND...

SGS Blogspot's Birthday Month!

So 1 year ago this month...(August 20th, to be precise), I launched this stoopid little blog into internet orbit, and I am so proud and pleased at what it has turned into, and proud that I get as many readers as I do per day.
A big thank you to all who frequent this site, and it is much appreciated!
This is the schedule for the month:
-Highlights of the photo of the month entries
-a couple of new "In the/On the heels/shoes of...", plus a retrospective of the past interviews, along with a new link bar that I will put up so that these interviews may be accessed at any time
-a new "My favorite shows" entry...what will it be? "Forever Plaid"!
-a new "My favorite Bad Movies" entry...the film? "Zombie Honeymoon"!
-and my tablet is bursting to share a new "Sh*t I like right now" entry!

So...all of this is in the works, and thanks again for stopping by as often as you do. Luv, SGS

THE RUINS by Scott Smith

Upon the recommendation of my roomie, Filmdom, I started reading Scott Smith's "The Ruins" on Saturday. I got about 5 or 6 pages in, but couldn't really concentrate during closing weekend. I liked it from the start, but too much was going on. I figured that I would leave it until Monday.
Monday, after the dog-walkin' day was done, I took up my usual place in "my chair" in the back patio. As the heat filtered through my canopy, I drank ice water and smoked cigarettes. I started to pour through the book by page 10.
I finished the book last night, and I have to say, it is terrifying.
It is about 4 American kids, say about 22ish, who are on vacation in Cancun. While there, they meet a trio of Greek men who speak not one lick of English, but make for amusing drinking company nonetheless, and they also meet a man named Mathias, a German, who does speak English.
As they are there for a few days, Mathias tells them that he is starting to worry about his brother, who was on vacation with him, but left to go off to this archaeological site with a girl that he met and was smitten with.
He has left a map of where he will be. He has not returned yet, and they are supposed to leave the next day.
The Americans agree to go with him to find his brother, some more reluctantly than others.
This is the story of what happens to them when they reach the site, and discover an insidious "other" in their presence.
The last book that I poured through so quickly was Stephen King's "Cell". Stephen King himself called this book "The book of the summer".
I yearn to tell you more about this book, but hesitate to spoil the ride, and let me tell you, I didn't expect ANYTHING to happen like it did.
If you like to be scared, this is the best book this summer to do it.
To read the first few pages, click here.
Luv,
SGS

It's 8PM...why aren't I warming up?

Well....it happens everytime I close a show. The day after the obligatory Monday off, the Tuesday evening rolls around and I start to feel a loss...something is supposed to be happening at this time...why isn't it?
Another thing that frequently happens to me after close of a show...I am starting to nurse a cold. So is Matt, in response. A cold in a heatwave. No fun.
As I walked dogs in the 110 heat index temps, I became delirious and a little bit sun stroked. My mind drifted to the past 2 months of theatrical life lessons.
Assassins is a tricky show, you see. It seems very shiny and bright and funny on the surface. Full of jokes and cakewalks...behind that deceptive surface lies a disturbing core of sadness.
When I started the run of this show, I saw it, but paid no attention, preferring to concentrate on my own show; (lyrics/intentions/dance steps/volume).
As the show went on, I started to live in it, like you do. This place became more and more dark. It started to affect me. I know it had its toll on Matt as well.
One of the last audiences we had laughed at the close of "Unworthy of Your Love", in a moment that I view as ANYTHING but funny, and I had to hold myself from screaming at the audience..."How dare you laugh at this?". Now...this was irrational behavior on my part, I know. But I was SO sucked into the world of this piece that I wanted to jump up and defend these sick characters who I cared for so much.
Now. Before I get a flood of e-mails...no, I do not support their actions, but I care for them all until the moment that they pull the trigger. Why? Because they ARE us. I can identify certain aspects of my life with almost all of the characters in the show. You can too, if you think about it. (Bear in mind that I had about 3 months to think about it.)
I learned so much through this experience. I battled volume issues every night of the show because I had to find the sweet spots in the house, and learn how to balance my voice against these. I also had to master trajectory of sound, as to where to aim my head as I sung. The configuration of the set was such that I had never seen, and I took some time to warm into it.
I learned concentration. To the billionth degree. The ability to sustain energy of that kind for a ten minute scene. I appreciated the opportunity to live in Lee Harvey for awhile, but am glad that I am letting him go. I sent back my Netflix DVD's of research about him, and finished a book about his mother yesterday. I am sending them all back, and I need not revisit them. One can get too close to negative energy sometimes. It can take someone to a bad place. I started to get there.
I will miss every person attached to this project.
I got the honor of working with Joe Calarco for the first time, and I am so grateful for that. He chose a bold and daring path for this show, and never looked back, and my hat is way high his show was a leap of faith that was masterfully pulled off. A Coup de'Theatre was committed every single night.
But now, as I sojourn into an August of a few weekend get-aways, and little else till the last week in August, whereupon I start My Fair Lady rehearsals, I let these memories settle and subside. I thank every single cast member, production staff member, and audience member. But as I shipped off the DVD of "A Death in Dealy Plaza", I heaved a sigh of completion. Of finality.
This was a fantastic show, and a fantastic time. And now it is time to move on.
Love to all of the ASSASSINS family.
Luv,
SGS