Super Outbreak 2 - wrap up.

(Photo right: Stafford, VA)

Not since the 1974 Super Outbreak have we seen such a violent tornadic outbreak in the US. In the past several days, over 160 tornadoes have touched down in multiple states in the Southeast, killing as many as 249 known people. Many are still missing or unaccounted for. It is a rarity to have such an outbreak in the DMV region, though we have had strong tornadoes in the past. Nine years ago today, an F4 tornado ravaged Charles County, and La Plata, MD in particular. But to have this many funnel clouds and Doppler indicated tornadoes, as well as spotted tornadoes on the ground is very much out of the ordinary.

The South also suffered horrific damage, including a horrific F5 tornado that hit Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, Alabama. The Capital Weather Gang wrote a good summary piece about how this outbreak happened, and in their post, you can watch incredible footage of live news coverage from downtown Tuscaloosa as the monster storm approaches. Click HERE to read the article and see the video. And to step back and really look at the big picture on a human scale, you should look at this link of photos from the devastation. Click HERE. The photos bring tears to my eyes.

Below are several photos that I have found of tornadoes throughout the DMV region from yesterday. After this week's devastating and too close for comfort storms, my hope is that everyone develops a tornado plan for themselves and their family, in case you have not already done so. After 249 deaths, 8 of which occurred in Virginia, I really hope you do. Stay aware and stay safe.

SPOTSYLVANIA/STAFFORD VA

DUMFRIES, VA

CLINTON, MD

ANDREWS AIRFORCE BASE

You can follow your local DMV weather at my links to the side, Weather.com, Capital Weather Gang, or WTOP News. Tornado season is just beginning. Have a plan of action for you and your family.

xoxo
SGS

UPDATE: The death toll has risen to 272 and counting. This now ranks as the 2nd deadliest outbreak in the past 50 years.

Signature Theatre Season Announcement

Signature has announced their new theatre season, and I personally think that it is quite an exciting line up! On top of everything else, Matt Conner's The Hollow will be produced, and we all know how happy that makes us both! Read the Washington Post article for the details HERE.

Tornadoes in Western PA

Yesterday several tornadoes touched down in Western, PA according to the National Weather Service in Pittsburgh, PA. While there have been tornadoes in Western PA before, it is not a common event. I was watching the coverage on tv yesterday, and when the classic "hook" echo popped up on the radar, I knew that WEPA was in for some bad weather. Pictured is a photo of the tornado in Hempfield.

Here are photos of the Greensburgh tornado, first as a funnel cloud, then as a fully developed tornado, crossing the road in the middle of rush hour.

Featured in the link is a video that is going viral, featuring a Western PA teen filming the formation of the tornado. Why is it going viral? Several factors at play here...1) The WEPA accent is a thing of horrid beauty, especially his repeated exclamations of "Oh My GAWWD". 2) His waaay over the top reaction at the end of the video when the funnel touched down...as he yells "TOUCHDOWN", you might be tempted to think that a Steelers game is on. 3) His phone conversation with his Mom as he is filming, where he lies and says that he is going inside, then describes the small funnel as HUGE, and when he sees a leaf blow by, telling of "things being ripped apart!". Enjoy the over enthusiasm HERE.

CROSSING

Matt Conner's second musical, Crossing, is having it's premiere at Shenandoah Conservatory (our Alma Mater) this spring. It runs March 31 - April 3. For more information, click HERE.
Here is Priscilla Cuellar singing "After the Rain" from Crossing at an Open House at Signature Theatre - CLICK HERE.
Here is a video of myself singing "Bed and Breakfast" from Crossing at Open House - CLICK HERE.
And finally, here is a video of Jennifer Soto Benson singing "The Caged Bird" from Crossing at Open House - CLICK HERE.
Crossing at Shenandoah Conservatory - March 31 - April 3.

The Selfish Giant

My latest project post Sunset Boulevard is an adaptation of Oscar Wilde's The Selfish Giant. Matt Conner and I adapted the script, along with Laura Connors Hull. Margie jervis was the scenic designer and Puppet Designer. This new adaptation features new original songs by Matt Conner.
This is my first foray into large scale puppeteering, and I am really loving it! This will hopefully be only the first exploration of this art for me, as I am enjoying the challenge of it. It is a whole new level of conveying emotion and expression that is just fascinating to me. Margie Jervis has designed such a wonderful puppet that it is easy to convey his emotions. The songs by Matt Conner are both joyous and moving when they need to be. They are simply gorgeous...but hey...it's Matt Conner. What do you expect? lol.
The show runs on Friday nights, Saturdays at 2 and &:30, and Sundays at 2pm for the next 3 weekends. tickets are $12 Adults, $10 Children. For more information, or to purchase tickets, click HERE or call
(571) 239-5288.
Here is a link to the first review of the show that has come in so far...read HERE.
UPDATED: Another Review from Falls Church News Press: READ HERE.

Below are photographs from the show, taken by Michelle Kinney.
Hope to see you there soon! xoxoxoSGS

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

Hump Day Check In

Hello all...

Well, Sunset Boulevard has closed, and as is always the case, a bit of melancholy has filtered in as a result.

It was a fantastic run, and a wonderful production. I truly feel blessed to have been part of such a talented family of people. Now, it's back to 25 different jobs...oy.

I have returned to teaching 2 days a week in Fairfax County Schools, I am back at Ticketplace one or two days a week, I am doing some data entry for my friend Kim's company, Happy Hounds LLC, and am also back bar tending at Signature.

I have an exciting audition in one week for a major production at a major DC theatre that would run this Spring if I got it. Please send positive vibes. This would make my life sooooo much easier this Spring.

I also will be in a children's theatre production of Oscar Wilde's "The Selfish Giant" at ArtSpace Falls Church in March/April. But unless that other show works out, the next time I am back on a stage after April will be in August. That project has not been announced yet, so I can't put it out there just yet, but I expect it will be announced very soon, and boy am I excited about it! Details to follow...

Let's see...what else?

Buddha laying in bed is my new banner up top, because he is the cutest thing on the face of the planet and I couldn't help myself. So there.

Book of the Moment:

I have been reading a book by Thomas DeBaggio called "When It Gets Dark" and thoroughly enjoying it's beauty. DeBaggio himself is dead now, but before he died, he chronicled his life after being diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's Disease. DeBaggio also lived in Arlington, in a house that it turns out I walked past everyday when I worked for Happy Hounds as a dog walker. His remembrances of Arlington past are quite detailed and very interesting. This book is an eye opening glimpse into the mind of one grappling with a vicious disease, and seeking to document the beauty of all things in his life while he can still remember them. I highly recommend it.

Song of the Moment:

Erykah Badu's "Turn Me Away (Get Munny)" is currently playing in repeat in my head...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67Jn3pcc178

And that's about it for this Hump Day Check In. Hopefully life will get a little more exciting very soon. Take care of yourselves.

xoxo

sgs

First Look: Streep as Thatcher

Meryl Streep as former British PM Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. The film is currently in production. I. Cannot. Wait.

Sunset BLVD closes February 13th!!!

If you have not yet seen Sunset BLVD, it will close on February 13th so your time is running out! Don't miss this incredible show featuring Florency Lacey as Norma Desmond!

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

THE YEAR IN PICTURES: 2010

Wrapping up 2010 this week, and taking a look back at the photos that say the most about my particular journey through the past year...

JANUARY
I started tending bar at Signature on nights off from High Fidelity...





















I was getting ready to open High Fidelity at the DCAC...











FEBRUARY
And then came the blizzard...


























But High Fidelity opened, nevertheless...























Every show, I would dodge "Icicles of Death" in Adams Morgan to get to my stage door...























The "hawk".


















...and Buddha and his cousin Nicky had some bonding time...

























MARCH

High Fidelity at the DCAC...


Photo by Amanda Williams




Photo by Amanda Williams



Photo by Amanda Williams













And Buddha, ready for St. Patrick's Day...


















APRIL






















James Thurber's "Many Moons" at Creative Cauldron...























The Helen Hayes Awards...























And a visit to Winchester with Matt brings one of my favorite photos that I have ever taken...


















MAY


The workshop of Parade at Ford's Theatre...
















The raucous Gillian Shelly Luau Party...


















JUNE
A trip to the Zoo with Matt brings me another favorite photo...


















We met the legendary Tommy Wiseau from the legendarily horrible film, "The Room"...

























I also had the pleasure of choreographing "How I Became a Pirate" at Imagination Stage...


















JULY
July was one of my busiest months ever...the major project of the month was a DC Fringe Festival Production of Super Claudio Bros...






















We had the Open House at Signature, where there was a Hedwig Reunion Concert...
























...and Karissa Swanigan and I opened our cabaret act, "Least Complicated" at Signature Theatre's Ark Theatre.
























AUGUST

..oh, plus I was teaching camp for the entire Summer....so there was that...


















SEPTEMBER
...saw us deep into writing NightoftheLivingDead the musical, and the photos that I took of Karissa Swanigan as Barbara are still some of my favorites ever...




















OCTOBER
...saw the reading of NightoftheLivingDead the musical...






















NOVEMBER
















DECEMBER
(Photo by Chris Mueller)...was the month of Norma Desmond, as we opened our still ongoing production of Sunset Boulevard at Signature Theare... Florence Lacey is amazing.















Happy New Year to all!
XOXOXO
SGS