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

LIMITED EDITION HOLIDAY CANDLES FOR SALE!

After a two year hiatus, I have decided to come out of retirement and make two rounds of holiday candles this year. Part of this is because I haven't made them in such a long time that I had an itch to make them again, and had a design in mind that came to me a month ago that was unlike any that I had ever done. The other part was for some additional Christmas income, which everyone needs, but especially actors!

These color families are the traditional red and green, and a more winter/ Hanukkah inspired purple and blue and white. The red and green are scented with Douglass fir and Macintosh apple. The purple are scented with fireplace, winter night, and winter berries. I can ship these if you will include an extra $6 (for local shipping), for distances greater, contact me and I will figure the postage out. The sooner you place orders, the quicker you will receive them, so email me at stephenishome@yahoo.com and I will get your order to you as soon as possible. These make fantastic and unique gifts, and by purchasing from me, you are supporting a local artist!

Pricing is as follows:

Extra Large Pillar= $25

Large Pillar=$20

Star Pillar=$15

Oval Pillar= $12

Medium Pillar= $12

Sphere= $8

Thank you for choosing to order my handmade candles for your holiday gifts! xoxoSGS

A Matt Conner Christmas!

Just wanted to let you all know that my partner's holiday CD, "Snow" is available for sale not only in the Signature Theatre lobby, but also in Shirlington's Le Village Marche, and both "Snow" and last year's album, "Winter" are available on itunes! Check out Theatremania's 12 CDs of Christmas list, in which "Snow" is listed as one of the top 12!

And here is last year's Metro Weekly 4 star rave about "Winter", for good measure! They are both the most soothing and relaxing Christmas albums that I own, and you can also buy both CD's in a special deal in the Signature Lobby for $30! So whether you download them or buy a hard copy, make sure you get your own copy soon! You don't want to spend the holidays without it! xoxoSGS

UP NEXT THIS WEEK!

This week in the wild world of Matt Conner, we have three big events...

First, our new children's show, "Eddie Allan Poe" opens November 4th at Creative Cauldron in Falls Church, VA.

I wrote the book and lyrics, and Matt wrote the music and lyrics. The cast is a wonderful and very talented group of children, anchored by the fantastic Dani Danger Stoller as the head mistress of the Edgar Allan Poe Academy. Join the lovable little terrors as they learn an important lesson about being true to yourself, no matter what people might think about you. www.creativecauldron.org

Then, Sunday brings us the CD Release party for Matt Conner's second album, Snow. This collection of timeless holiday classics also features two original songs written by Matt. There will be CD signing and then a live performance from Matt at 6pm. Start your holiday season out right, with the music of Matt Conner! Come enjoy some wine and cheese and some Holiday Cheer!!!! CD's will be available for purchase at $20.00 OR purchase a Gift Set of WINTER/SNOW for $30.00! Matt will be available to autograph each and every one with a personalized note to make each gift special!!!!

And finally, on Monday brings us a concert presentation of Matt Conner's Nevermore in New York City at The Duplex at 9:30pm!

Here are the details:

"NEVERMORE" Music by MATT CONNER Book by GRACE BARNES Lyrics adapted from the writings of EDGAR ALLAN POE... Orchestrations by JONATHAN TUNICK Music Direction by KEVIN B. WINEBOLD Directed by DAVID NORWOOD

CAST

Edgar ... DAN COONEY

The Whore ... ELEASHA GAMBLE

Virginia ... MARGO SIEBERT

Muddy ... MARY PAYNE

Mother ... NATASCIA DIAZ

Elmira ... WHITNEY BASHOR

“Nevermore” sets Edgar Allan Poe’s writings to music, telling the story of his relationships with five women in his life. The Washington Post described it as “a dreamscape of a musical” and called Cooney’s performance “robust” and “virile.” Conner’s score has been universally praised, attached to words like “hauntingly beautiful” (Theatermania.com) and “dark, lush and swooningly romantic” (Washington City Paper). Tickets: $15, available at http://www.theduplex.com/~thedup/webcalendar/view_entry.php?id=6282&date=20111107

And all the while, we are rehearsal for Hairspray at Signature Theatre, where I am hosting the Big Hair Ball this Saturday night.

So needless to say, this is a very busy week in the Smith/ Conner household. I feel like all that I do is promote different events constantly. I hope to see some of you at one of these many upcoming events. Until then, buckle up! November proves to be just as bumpy as October was! Children's shows, CD's, Concert Presentations, and lots of Hairspray!

xoxosgs

ThunderSnowCommuteApocalypse!

Wednesday night's thunder snow was quite an amazing meteorological event. I was geeked out beyond all geekdom, going from radar screens to my balcony to The Weather Channel. But what I had not thought about was the roadways.

With the government letting employees go at 3, when the storm was just starting to hit, the situation became dire. Heavy snow hit the region in the peak of an early rush hour.

Sunset Boulevard cancelled it's performance and many were already en route to the theatre. I have heard tales of 6-9 hours in a car from several people. Conditions deteriorated so rapidly, that many were caught off guard about how much snow, the quality of the snow, and the poor visibility.

I had an exchange with a Giant clerk on Tuesday. Let's just call her "Patty". She saw me buying Duraflame logs and getting a few other supplies, and she rolled her eyes and told another customer that I was overreacting and rolled her eyes. She then went on to tell me that it was only going to be rain, and that she saw that on the news a day ago.

Now folks, if you are reading this, I think you fairly know me. I was LITERALLY on the web on my phone while in line, monitoring the reports and computer models. The models had shifted significantly since the forecast that she saw. She went on to tell me that Doug Hill said it would just be rain, and that he was always right. I told her that Doug Hill had changed his mind, as the storm shifted track. She said "No. I've lived here for 20 years. He didn't change his mind". I held up my phone and said "I am looking at his website right now. He. Changed. His. Mind."

She said, quite inexplicably while pointing at my phone, "Well, I wouldn't trust that thing."

This was clearly her last defense. At this point I also questioned why I was having a weather spat with a Giant clerk.

I have thought on this long and hard, and it boils down to this:

Some think I am a geek for obsessing over weather. Ok. Point taken. But I'll tell you what. I was prepared for what was coming because I paid attention to the forecasts. Just because you hear that Sunday is going to be nice on the news on Tuesday, does NOT mean that the forecast has not changed SINCE Tuesday. Weather is part of nature, and is constantly evolving and changing. And then the yammering begins, with people saying that this wasn't called for, and they didn't say this, blah,blah,blah.

Knowledge is power, folks. Arm yourself. It is but a click away on your computer.

And in my opinion, the MOST accurate place to find any weather information, as they were also the FIRST to call this storm accurately and in advance of everyone else is the Capital Weather Gang. Trust them before and above anyone else.

Not a sermon, just a thought.

Now I am going to go monitor the Tuesday/ Wednesday storm scenarios, as there is already a possibility of something headed our way then, most likely Wednesday. I will keep you posted.

xoxo

SGS

Conner and Smith in the News!

Matt and I are featured in an article by Kris Coronado that appears in the Washington City Paper this week. The article is about NightoftheLivingDead the musical, and the long process of writing it, and the actual reading of it at Kensington Arts Theatre this past October.

We could not be happier with the piece, and cannot thank all of our supporters enough. The article can be found HERE.

And in further Matt Conner news, his CD, WINTER was reviewed by Metro Weekly, placing it one star behind Annie Lennox, but 2 above Mariah Carey...yes, that's right...Annie Lennox= 5 stars, Matt Conner= 4 stars, Mariah Carey= 2 stars. Not bad placement for a first CD at all. The review is located HERE.

Check these out, and thanks so much for your continued support of both of us!!

xoxoxox

SGS

COMING UP!

FROM SIGNATURE THEATRE'S NEWSLETTER...

Page To Stage Monday: December 6

Conversation with STEPHEN GREGORY SMITH

Monday, December 6
7:00 – 8:00 PM

Arlington Public Library, Shirlington Branch
4200 Campbell Avenue

Arlington, VA 22206

Stephen Gregory Smith has performed on the Signature stage for over ten years! In 2004, he received the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor for his performance in 110 in the Shade. He was also a member of the Helen Hayes Award-winning cast for Best Ensemble in Les Misérables and in 2009, Stephen played the lead role in Signature's eagerly anticipated new musical The Boy Detective Fails, based on the book by Joe Meno.
Other work at Signature over the last decade has included Kiss of the Spider Woman, Into the Woods, Assassins, One Red Flower, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and numerous cabaret performances.
Recently, Stephen has branched out in areas other than acting. He is the book writer for a new musical NightoftheLivingDead which had a reading at Kensington Arts Theatre in October. Stephen has been instrumental not only in the creation of the musical, but also in bringing it to life financially. He launched a Kickstarter online fundraising campaign that resulted in raising close to $10,000 to support the show. In addition, Stephen teaches art, creative drama, and improvisation to Fairfax County students through Creative Cauldron in Falls Church.
Now, Stephen Gregory Smith can be seen again on the Signature stage in Sunset Boulevard. Take this opportunity to talk with Stephen about any aspect of his varied career endeavors.
Page to Stage Mondays are free to the public. No tickets or reservations are required.





For tickets to see Stephen in Sunset Boulevard, click here or call 703 573 SEAT.





AND ALSO...



Matt Conner's Debut CD

Matt Conner, a Signature Theatre composer, actor and our lobby pianist, has recorded his first album, entitled WINTER. This Signature-produced CD of holiday favorites with two original songs by Conner is a perfect holiday gift for family and friends. If you've enjoyed Matt's music in the Signature lobby or saw his musical Nevermore, you'll love this mix of holiday songs played by Matt in his Signature style. The CD features 14 melodies including "Jingle Bells" and "O Holy Night" and is available in the Signature Shop beginning November 15.
Be one of the first to purchase this album by attending Matt's WINTER CD signing and release party on Monday, November 15 from 6:30 - 8:30pm in the Signature Lobby. Matt will be on-site to autograph CDs. Join us for a glass of wine and a special concert of the songs from 7:15 to 7:35pm.
WINTER is available for $20. If you purchase 4 CDs, you get one for free.
It's the perfect holiday gift for friends and family!

Outdoor Balconies of DEATH - Adams Morgan Photos

Josh Speerstra spotted these stalagtites of doom on our way into the back entrance of the DCAC. I whipped out my camera and caught these icicles that could kill an elephant. Doesn't this look like a fun address to live in the event of a domestic dispute? Murder weapons are out on the balcony!
Here's to a quick thaw!

Meteorologist Jim Kosek

A story on Jim Kosek, the insane weatherman featured in the video that I posted earlier in the week. Full story in the Washington Post, HERE.

It's Official - Snowiest Winter on Record.

At 3:10pm we reached our snow goal. Read more about it over at the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang.
From the NWS statement:

AS OF 2 PM TODAY...WITH THE 9.8 INCH TWO-DAY SNOWFALL TOTAL AT RONALD REAGAN WASHINGTON NATIONAL AIRPORT...THE SEASONAL SNOWFALL TOTAL IN WASHINGTON DC STANDS AT 54.9 INCHES. THIS WOULD BREAK THE PREVIOUS ALL-TIME SEASONAL SNOWFALL RECORD FOR WASHINGTON DC OF 54.4 INCHES SET IN THE WINTER OF 1898-99.

Breaking News: No Mail

USPS: Mail Services Are Suspended From U.S. Postal Service spokesperson Deborah Yackley:

"We have suspended delivery and collection for today. There was limited retail but it is all closing down at 11 a.m. We don't know about tomorrow yet."

Almost there...

They just said on WTOP radio that we are now only 4.2 inches away from setting the record as the snowiest winter ever! Ok, at this point, after all that we have been through, I say come on! Let's break it! Snow is coming down at 1-2 inches an hour according to WTOP, so four more inches doesn't seem that hard to beat, does it?
We still have power but dear God is that wind howling out there!
We'll keep fingers crossed that the power remains on.
All of this and it's only 11:47AM.

White Out Wednesday: Blizzard Warning

Well, the conditions, as they say, are deteriorating rapidly. The Blizzard Warning has been expanded to now include most of the DC Metro Area. Winds will become northwest and increase to 20 to 30 mph with gusts around 45 mph. Blowing and drifting snow will reduce visibilities to between one quarter of a mile or less at times, producing blizzard conditions.
Looking outside my window right now, I can barely see anything. As you can see from the photo above, visibility is poor as it is, but then look at the photo below that I just this second took:




You can barely see the shopping center. I look at this and look at Buddha and think - wow. How are we going to get you to go potty this morning? Yikes. We'll have to think on that.
So again, everyone - charge up those phones and have someone you can call who lives far away who can look up information on a computer for you (like numbers to call when power goes out, etc.) And try to expect a power outage rather than hope you don't get one. I have my extra blankets laid out, along with my candles and flashlights. I have firewood (thanks, Karissa) and food that needs not be cooked to eat. So have a plan. And then have a back up plan. It might feel like being over prepared, but rather over than under.
I will keep blogging to you all today as long as I have power. So till we talk again, stay safe out there. It's a cold white mess.
xoxo
sgs

SNOVERKILL '10

The snow is pouring down at a steady rate now as we await our THIRD blizzard of the season.
In good news, Jill and I dug my car out, of course, just in time for another dumping, but at least the old snow is clear in preparation for the new snow. Thanks so much, Jill - you are so amazing!!
Then Karissa came over bearing two bundles of firewood and a fine visit, and as always, my guy Friday, Fred was here several times to check in and make sure I was doing ok. I have the best friends on earth and thank everyone for helping me through strep snow weekend.
I feel TONS better after Aunt Val got me a prescription for a Z pak, and my throat pain is finally numbing down. The Frederick preview weekend of HIFI has been cancelled due to the weather, but it is probably for the best. We now have more time to concentrate on our DCAC opening.
In further weather news, the Metro is only going to be operating below ground tomorrow, and no metrobuses will be running, according to WMATA.
So tuck yourselves in, it's going to be a bumpy night.

You spoke too soon.

Saw this shirt for sale on zazzle.com. Funny, but I suppose a bit premature...
Snow slated to begin in t-minus 3 hours...

Weatherman with too much stress.

A Baltimore Weatherman forecasting this past weekend's blizzard. Too funny.

Snow!

A cute time elapse video of this past weekend's blizzard, set to Irving Berlin's "Snow" from White Christmas. I particularly enjoy how all of the branches start to bend. Enjoy.

Icey Dicey Roads and Roofs.

Here are a few photos I snapped off my balcony last night as I watched with mounting humor the one,two,three,four cars get stuck on my street. First of all, all of the cars stuck were cars that NEVER belonged out in conditions like this. One was a little Mazda Miata. I understand how people have cabin fever (believe me I do), but when you take out a car like that, you are putting not only yourself, but everyone else out there in danger. Cars like that are not meant to function in weather like this, and are better left at home till we thaw out. Use your heads, folks.
OH - and while I'm at it - REMINDER (because I've seen it about a hundred times this weekend) - When you shovel out your car and brush it off - BRUSH OFF YOUR ROOF!!!!! You would think that it would not even need to be mentioned in this day and age, but it does. I have seen several vehicles driving around with 2 foot sheets of ready to go rear roof missle projectiles ready to fire at the car behind them. If you leave snow on your roof and do not brush it off, most likely it will freeze, thus becoming a hard missile. A hard missle that can slide off of your roof and go right through someone's windshield. This could easily kill someone. So take the extra 2 seconds and please, PLEASE brush off your roof.
Ok.
Enough preaching for one morning. Sorry.

Calm before the Storm. Again.

Here we are, on the morning of yet ANOTHER major winter storm about to hit us here in the DC Metro area, and boy, aren't we all just so excited?
.
.
.
The latest updates from ABC 7 say:

"A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from Noon today through 7pm Wednesday for the entire region. There is the potential for 10 to 20 inches of snow across the region..."

This storm will be starting today after or around (still much debate on that matter) noon, and intensifying after 5pm, with the most heavy snowfall occurring overnight and into the morning. Just like the last storm. In fact, a lot of this sounds JUST LIKE THE LAST STORM.
Also, there is another thing about today and tomorrow's storm that is much more troublesome to hear than it's accumulation totals. The winds are supposed to be stronger than this past weekend's storm. Winds could crest around 40 mph. Yet again creating blizzard conditions.
Continued from ABC 7:

"Major concerns will be with the added snowfall combined with the stronger winds, more power outages will be likely and potentially more trees will come down. This in combination with the current snow-pack will have the potential for more roofs to collapse. While you can, be sure to go out and get added supplies such as flashlights and batteries, extra water and non-perishable food. This is a major storm and we want you and your family to stay as safe as possible through the next couple of days."

So be sure this morning as you prepare for whatever this current storm will bring that you secure any loose items on balconies or patios, charge your cell phones, make sure you have batteries, stock up on firewood, Have candles and flashlights in an easily accessible place, have sleeping bags and extra blankets out and ready, and make sure that you have plenty of food that does not require cooking. Power outages are likely, and something to expect rather than just hope you don't get.
So in closing, I'll keep taking photos and letting you know what's going on with the storm till I lose my power. I hope everyone is safe out there. Make good choices.
Here are some photos I took of this mornings sunrise. It was too calm, too pretty to resist. Also, I was happy to see the sun, and wondered how long until we see it again. Good Morning.