In the Shoes of...Sean MacLaughlin

Ok, folks...I have deleted my Daddy entries on this blog...I just couldn't deal with scrolling down and being saddened by it. He is much better, and awaiting test results at home. That is that. Thanks for the prayers. And now for something completely different. A new interview series...
The first in my men's interview series focuses on my good buddy, Sean MacLaughlin. Signature audiences remember him from Grand Hotel, The Gospel According to Fishman, Follies, The Rink in Concert, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and the original reading of One Red Flower. He has appeared locally at the Kennedy Center, and many other places. He left our fair city for the bright lights of NYC to do Bombay Dreams, The Woman in White, and the soon to open Lestat. I caught up with the man who I consider a very dear friend of mine recently, and here are the spoils...


SGS-Sean...tell the folks at home how we first met, and the story behind it...

SM- So I am this kid right outta college, I haven't even moved from home yet- I am still at the teet - I am on my way from DC to New York for a Signature Theatre audition. Marsha, the beautiful lady from the theatre, told me that 2 other guys from Signature were going to be on my flight. I swear to GOD, the first guy was Simon from American Idol. We talked for a bit- well, he talked and I listened. It was cool, but It was friendly banter.


Next there was this guy who wore safety pins in his shit and pants and had spikey hair- and his svelte boyfriend... Steve. I knew I would like Stephen because he looked as nervous as I was. My nerves came from fear of auditioning and his came from flying. We made a perfect pair. All three of us talked for about 10 minutes and then we boarded the plane. Although we weren't all next to each other in the flight, Steve and I were connected by something greater: Musical Theatre.
While waiting for take off, I put my $2 headphones on and clicked through the channels on the armrest. Once I found the best channel in the plane (that wasn't Yanni, yo-yo Ma, or Joni Mitchell) I turned around and screamed because the music was so loud and I'm a tool, "Steve!! Turn it to channel 13!" I thought he might appreciate it.... even if it was playing the whole CD of Robert Goulet's "Camelot". From that day we were the best of friends. We finished that audition, got to the airport bar- drank, got on the plane, drank, got off the plane and went to Cap City... and Drank more. Those were Good times. I still don't remember how I got home from DC to Petersburg, VA that night...Thanks R. Scott.





SGS-When preparing for your role as Eric, front desk in Grand Hotel, how did you try to get the feeling of a straight man getting hit on by a sinister gay man? {Rhona-played by the very straight Tom Simpson}...I mean...I can't imagine that has ever happened to you before??

SM- I went to alot of Leather bars...






SGS-We were doing Grand Hotel during 9/11. Where were you on 9/11?


SM- R. Scott and I went to New York for an Audition 9/10. We woke up the next morning to the news - and it was a really strange feeling- even though this terror was going on about 90 blocks away, no one in the area of 96th and Lex knew what was going on. Not to mention I couldn't even call family and friends to tell them we were alright, because the phone towers were down.

It is funny when tragedy hits- you think the strangest things... I thought- Oh God -- we're going to miss the show tonight.
Messed up.
The GW Bridge opened that night and we were able to leave at 9pm. Driving out of the city we saw the fires of the towers, driving into Arlington, we saw the smoldering Pentagon. It was one hell of a night.


SGS-Do you remember the talk back we had with the audience on September 12th?


SM- IT was was wonderfully Strange. After the previous day, I was surprised that people would still show up for a show. They came to escape. Randomly, I can't remember, but I think it was set up to be a show talk back. It turned into this roundtable discussion... a forum to vent about anything that just happened. It was extremely cathartic. That cast and show was phenomenal not JUST because it was a brilliant piece of work, but because of that day.



SGS- What was the best part of working on Follies at Signature?
Photo of Will Gartshore, Tracy Olivera, Sean, and A.K. Brink)


SM- Geez, what wasn't. We were packed into that theatre like rats- we loved each other so much- the show was amazing - the loved flowed like wine... wow that sounds so gay.

The love and relationships that were created from that show will last forever... I feel like I have another mom (Flo)... and it is one of the best productions I have ever been a part of...
But, I would have to say the best part was smoking on stage. The show was fantastic and I was lucky to be able to play that part. Young Ben was a FUN role- BUT- I always wanted to smoke on stage and that was a first... until people got sick from the smoke...



SGS- Any special memories from The Rink in concert? I thought you were particularly good in that part...not that you weren't in any others, but, you know.



SM- Favorite memories -Lynn Filusch- she Rocked the house with all her stuff - Eleasha Gamble- Sang- she didn't sing- she sang. But - my special memory is performing that show in that space. It was freeing and God that music is incredible... Being able to sing Not Enough Magic and Blue Crystal out there is a memory I have striven to re-enact. Least Favorite memory- Mosquitoes


SGS-Tell me your memories from the DC Sniper attacks...

SM- I drove a white van with ladder racks. I didn't drive that week because my accelerator pedal broken and I was waiting for a new on to come in the mail. Even if my car wasn't broken- I wouldn't drive that POS around- I don't want the cops yanking me out and putting a gun to my head just to check the van (Yeah-they did that). Since I was Car-less, Steve would take me out to go over to his place- or he would come over to mine and make t-shirt prints and download music...we're geeks. Whenever we left the apartment or house- we would run for cover. You would think that we were in the middle of freekin' dessert storm. We were in the parking lot of Giant and we ran from his car into the store (not in a straight line- you have to zig-zag so the bullet doesn't hit you). People in the stores were laughing at us, but even if we look like ninnys- we weren't getting shot.


The day after the sniper was caught- I fixed my van, drove to Stephen's old place and scared a bunch of people in the neighborhood with my white van with ladder racks... I think I saw somebody running in a zig-zag pattern into the woods.



SGS-We could discuss A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum...but...should we?



SM- ...Wasn't Floyd Brilliant...



SGS-And where were you on the morning of December 5th, 2003?


SM- Wow, It really was that long ago. Asleep on the pleather couch in your old house. The night before we were prepping for Buddah's B-day and after all the prep I crashed furiously in the living room. I had a dream about Mattie burning newspapers and the woke up to the sound of Steven Yelling my name. I could go into details, but 3 things I will always remember the most from that morning- 1) The tone def girl on the TODAY show waking you up. 2) you screaming at howler Monkey levels "HURRY (pause) MY HOUSE IS ON FIRE!" While I am on the phone with 911. 3)Me trying to fill a cracked up holey trashcan with water. We still have to talk to the today show and get that girls # for saving our lives and call 911 for a recording.

You know as terrible as that day was, so many wonderful things came out of it.




SGS-We have been through SO MANY tragedies together, yet so many fantastic times. Yet you've still never made a pass at me. Explain this in detail...{just kidding, Matt}-Umm...Go on, Sean...

SM- Whenever I stay over (which is alot) I go downstairs and watch you sleep... it's better that way...



SGS- Can you tell me of your greatest role of all, starring alongside Tracy Olivera, myself, R. Scott Thompson, Matt Conner, and Ryan Dean in the motion pictures, Snuff Film, and Crazy from the Heat...


SM- It was a hard nights work. Murder- my poor drunken improv skills - Mystery - and skin...Ito. I would say my finest work- but- out shone by Tracy's Devo moment.


SGS- So then you were a punk and moved to NYC, and have done like..what 3 Broadway shows already? And what were they...Carrie the Musical, PrettyBelle the musical, and By Jeeves? Was that it?

SM- Nice. Yes- 2 Webber's 1 John -sounds like a porn. BUT Lestat is going to be Awesome. We had a run through today and I got chills- not just because of the piece, but because I thought- wow- I am in a show that has LOTS of Potential and is FANTASTIC!.



SGS- I'm totally kidding, and you know that...I am so proud of you for having the courage to go up there and take things by the balls. You big Tool. What music have you been listening to...(besides Lestat)..

SM- Mostly James Blunt, Gavin Degraw, John Legend, Kanye West, and Skid Row... Yeah I said it.



SGS-What geeky and nerdy place did we go to a few years back where your brother was seriously considering banging a woman old enough to be his Mother?

(Photo of Sean's brother,Matthew, me and Sean with the 3 ladies of the film The Evil Dead)
SM- We went to the Horror Find Weekend Horror Convention. I am damn proud of that and I am pissed I missed the passed 2 years. Matthew (my bro) goes every year and still wants Barbara{Judith O'Dea from "Night of the Living Dead"} - just for bragging rights. The Year we all went- Tracy Lords was there. "When I tell people I went to the horror convention and Tracy Lords was there" - they think I am saying - "I went to the Whore convention and Tracy Lords was there." It makes sense though. What the hell was she doing there anyway?

SGS-OK..here is the faggoty James Lipton-esque section of the interview...Favorite musicals?


SM- A New Brain, Sweeney Todd, The Last 5 Years, Nevermore, Side Show, Jesus Christ Superstar, One Red Flower, The Full Monty
SGS-Dream roles?

SM- Cannibal King in Side Show, Gordo in New Brain, Jamie in Last 5 Years, Jesus or Judas, Roger in Rent, Tommy, The Father in Full Monty
SGS-Favorite role you have done...

SM-Cain/Japheth in Children of Eden SGS- What makes you happy?

SM- Being with my friends and family and watching them all get along- knowing that I brought people together

SGS-What makes you angry?

SM- Bad Drivers- I am a nice guy- until I am behind the wheel.
(Photo of Sean, Buddha and Leslie, Sean's Girlfriend)


SGS- What makes you horny?

SM- Ci Ci's Pizza

SGS-Favorite movies(top 5)-

SM- Swingers, Old School, Stewie the untold Story, The Great Escape, GodFather 2

SGS-Advice to those just starting in the business?

SM- First- don't get in this if it is for the recognition. Do it for the art and know that you are not the best ever- you always have room to learn. Second - Don't rush into some big move to New York until you are ready. Move with contacts, move with a job- but don't move alone and with out a union. And finally--If you aren't in DC already, move to DC. The best thing that ever happened to me was living in DC for 3 years. Not only did I make the best friends anyone could ever have, I got the best training anyone could ever get. I learned from the best... (ie: Signature, Sherri Edelen, etc) The theatres in DC are amazing and you won't find anywhere else that has better taste or selection... I am where I am because of the arts community in DC and Virginia. I miss everyone and everything there and I hope to one day soon get back home and perform.

SGS-Alright, knuckle head. Go memorize..Love and miss you much. To see a clip of the Lestat rehearsal process, click here. You'll see ol' tooley MacLaughlin singing and drinking coffee. Funny stuff.
Lestat- Opening Previews: March 25th; Opening: March 25th at the Palace Theatre. Click here for tickets.

The Aftermath...Part 4

Here is our bedroom put back together.
It's all over. They fixed it all...
Thank god...the sewage week is over...

Nutrition Guidelines that I really dig...

I think I might be more healthy than I thought I was...This from MSN.
:)
SGS

Image of the Week

For all of you Project Runway freaks like me, I found this on Bravo's website, in the portion dedicated to the show. For those of you who saw the episode of the show where Santino constructed a whole skit and imitation of Tim Gunn having a torrid love affair with Andre, ("My Dinner with Andre at Red Lobster", I like to call it), then you will love this picture...which was apparently a goof that Tim and Andre planned afterwards. God, I will miss this show!

Insomnia

I finally fell asleep about 2:30AM...after a long attempt. I awoke at 6AM. From being uncomfortable, and the sunlight streaming in. I fell back asleep till 9. Oh, get this...the home owner is sending an appraiser over to appraise the house between 11 and 12. This was planned long before the septic overload. Heh. I'm sure he'll love to see the downstairs!
This is Matty already sleeping in our makeshift bed. We took the cushions of the couch down and manipulated them like puzzle pieces to form a bed, then covered them with bedding from or real bed. Looks comfortable, right? Don't kid yourself. If you are wondering, the Buddha is soundly asleep, tucked beneath the blankets...

Project Runway Finale...

A sad week for the gays...
First, Brokeback loses the Oscar...
Then, Daniel V. DOESN'T WIN!!?
And Chloe DOES??
I can't go on.
Shit on the carpet, shit on the TV.
Ugh.
The couch is SO uncomfortable.
Alright. I'll try another attempt to go to sleep.
Luv,
SGS

The Aftermath...Part 3

One week ago tomorrow (Thursday), the flood of poo invaded our house. Still, we are couch diving.
Here is the current fan of doom, blowing poo fumes all over the air downstairs. I have come to think of the downstairs of our house as, "The Dead Zone".
The last post relating to this ridiculous event had me much more chipper and optimistic. That bloom has faded fast as I continue to lose sleep night by night.
Here are our clothes, heaped up in a conspicuous pile on our bed. Can't wait to put all that back.

Why?
Here is the timeline.
Thursday-March 2nd-(7AM) The flood occurs.
Thursday-March 2nd-(4PM) The cleaning crew arrives and "cleans" the shower stall and washroom floor. They put a high powered disinfectant on the carpet, peel it back and put high powered fans on it. They tell us that the fans will need to blow for 48 hours in order for them to dry. Which puts them back on Saturday. Me being freaked out by the smell and bacteria threat, decide that we should sleep upstairs until this is all resolved.
Saturday-March 4th-(11AM) After me calling and reminding, oh yes, I'll say the name, Universal Cleaners in Alexandria-(they said, "Oh...I thought we had already finished that job..."), they came at about 2PMish. Replaced the carpet padding, steam cleaned the carpet, put it back to normal. I start to move back into our bedroom.
Saturday-March 4th-(7:30PM)-On our way down to see Jenny Soto Benson in her first night in Nevermore, Matt confesses to me on the way down to the theatre that he went into the closet to grab a shirt that had fallen by the back of the closet wall, and it was soaked. So was the carpet by the back of the closet wall. We get home later that night and I look between and under the washer/dryer. The "cleaning" crew failed to move the washer/dryer to clean under them. Raw sewage still remained underneath, and had bled from the washroom wall into the facing wall of the walk-in closet. You follow me? I am livid.
Sunday-March 5th(all hours)-I leave several messages, all in curt, yet not unrealistic tones. One to the "Property Manager" (hah!), one to the "Professional Cleaners" (hah!)
Monday-March 6th (10AM) I get a call from the "Property Manager", who isn't doing a great job at managing the property, if you asked me. She says, "So what's the problem?"
?
I am aghast. I say, "What part of the message that I left was unclear?"
She tells me that she is going to come over to see this for herself, and maybe take pictures. I say bring it on, but hurry it up, I gotta get to work.
30 minutes pass, although her office is less than 4 blocks away. Nice.
She comes to the door, and what I had imagined {from her voice} was a woman in her mid-fifties, maybe a silk scarf sloppily knotted around her chicken-like neck, frizzy and wild hair that is being poorly restrained by a navy blue banana clip, and some sort of sailor-striped tee with leggings and maybe a librarian sweater-jacket of beige overtop. (Seriously, that's what I saw in my head when I talked to her).
What walked in was a mid-forties vixen with blond hair...well, close to platinum, severe make-up, a tight black dress and a blood-red scarf around her neck. (I was right about the scarf, at least).
She looked like a cross between Cha-Cha from Grease the movie/Joan Rivers/ and Amanda Lepore. Mostly the latter.
While patiently waiting for the slapper to arrive, I printed out two 8x10 shots of the sewage exploding in glorious technicolor. (Yes, the same ones so disgustingly featured on this very blog). I wanted to give them to her to keep in her records, and also, she said that she wanted to take pictures, so I figured I would give her mine, so that she would have an idea of the level of poo that there actually was before it resided.
I started to walk her downstairs when she came in, and I couldn't help but ask her...
"I'm sorry, but I guess I'm confused why you wanted to come here. You said you wanted to take pictures, but brought no camera. So this isn't an insurance thing. So why?"
"I just wanted to see this with my own eyes.", she coldly blurts.
"So, you don't believe me?"
"It is a bit much to believe.", the slag says.
"Well, Miss," (I always use that as an insult to older women when I need it-especially brazen huzzies who looked like her) (Is that mean?-Good.) "Follow me!"
I show her the carpet that we had newly discovered wet. To prove the point, I had a tissue in my pocket and simply placed it on the carpet, and she watched it get soaked. Then I took her around the corner to the washroom. I pushed aside the washer to reveal...you guessed it. Poopies.

I then whip out my 2 pictures, showing her the washroom one, and indicating that the water/feces cocktail came up from the drain, passed under the washer/dryer, and seeped into the closet. The cleaning crew had failed to move the washer dryer, and if they would have, they would have noticed the wall of the closet, and maybe we wouldn't have found it so late. Was this so hard to believe now??
She said, "Fine." and began to leave.
She seemed filled with piss and vinegar.
I couldn't resist this pot shot.
"I'm sorry if I ruined your day, Miss.", I said, as boy-next-doorish as I could manage.
"This situation is just frustrating.", the wench snipes before walking out the front door.
"You bet it is, Miss. And you're not even the one with the shit on your floors.", I smiled my biggest Walmart/Have-a-Nice-Day smile.
No response as she left.
Monday-March 6th(5PM)-The Cleaners arrive and move the washer/dryer, lift the closet carpet and restart the cycle. They say they will be back in 48 hours to finish the process. Those 48 hours passed at 5PM today. No sign of them. I guess I'll be making another phone call in the morning. Here we go again.
Written by Stephen Gregory,
on the 6th of uncomfortable and sleepless couch nights.

Dreamland haunts me still...

PHOTO of Amy McWilliams and Dan Cooney, By Carol Pratt.
DREAMLAND
Edgar Allan Poe, 1844
dialogue-
By each spot the most unholy-
In each nook most melancholy-
There the traveler meets aghast
Sheeted Memories of the Past-

For the heart whose woes are legion
'Tis a peaceful, soothing region-
Bottomless vales and boundless floods,
And chasms, and caves, and Titan woods,
For the heart whose woes are legion
'Tis a peaceful, soothing region-
Mountains toppling evermore
Into seas without a shore;
Seas that restlessly aspire,
Surging, unto skies
Surging, unto skies of fire;
By a route obscure and lonely,
Haunted by ill angels only,
Where an Eidolon, named NIGHT,
On a black throne reigns upright,
I have reached these lands but newly
From an ultimate dim Thule-
From a wild,weird clime that lieth, sublime,
Out of SPACE- out of TIME.
By the lakes that thus outspread
Their lone waters, lone and dead,-
Their sad waters, sad and chilly
With the snows of the lolling lily,-
By a route obscure and lonely,
Haunted by ill angels only,
From a wild clime that lieth, sublime,
Out of SPACE- out of TIME.
Out of SPACE- out of TIME.
out of TIME.

This song has bored a hole into my brain...


Copywright-Matt Conner-2005

REGISTER!

Many of you have expressed that you love my blog, but don't want to "register" to comment...
DO IT!
It takes 1 minute.
I look at all the stuff I have written about you all, and hear nothing back.
Speak up!
It really is self-explanatory. Take 1 minute and do it!
It is sad not to hear from y'all who are reading(and I know you are) and not have you comment.
Don't make me beg.
Register and talk!
I want to hear from you!
Luv,
SGS

Jarhead

Matt, J. Fred Schiffman, and I watched Jarhead tonight at my house. First we had dinner: Lemon-Pepper Chicken stuffed with Turkey-Bacon, Vegetables(which I did not eat, and wild rice) It was amazing.
Then cocktails and Jake G.
I have one question...why was this movie nominated for nothing?
Many said that it wasn't about anything.
Having a cousin who served in Desert Storm...and yes, I have heard his stories...
It wasn't about anything.

As he had told me...the book(before the movie was made) captured the whole experience perfectly.
Nothing.
Welcome to the Suck.
This is a perfect thesis statement for that war, and the one that followed.
Can no one see that?
See this film. I am reading the book now.
The film is representative of the war experience as it was...
and Jake is naked. Come on.
Rent it.
Luv,
SGS

"There the traveler meets aghast, sheeted memories of the past.."

Photo of Steve McWilliams and Amy McWilliams
Well. Hmm. So tonight starts 7 weeks of boredom. I think we've established by now that Damn Yankees closed a month ago yesterday...Nevermore just closed last night. *Sigh*
Blue would be my general hue right now. I was so bored tonight that I actually watched "Deal, or No Deal" on TV.
Yeah.
This closing was harder on me than any other, and I wasn't even in the show.
Well...at least it's not 7 months of boredom. I'm trying to focus on the positive.
I am in great need of a second job, though. Something part-time and at night or on the weekends. Of course, I only need this job for 7 weeks. So this will not be an easy find. If it happens at all.
Wow. Welcome to the depression blog, folks! LOL
OK...I'm completely over myself at this point. I actually just started writing this because I was so damn bored. Ha. I bet you are really enjoying it, too.
Alright...here are some more shots from the closing night party last night.
The last one really almost made me cry when I looked at it.
PS- When you do spell check on McWilliams, it comes up Muslims. Hmmm.
Here are the members of "The Husbands Club". Don't ask.

Saying his goodbyes.

One word.

Robbed.

Nevermore...Closing Night.

The night that I least looked forward to has come. Closing. Brad Oscar and Kim Shriver from Damn Yankees were in attendance.
I cried SO much, that I was embarassed.
I got to see the show from the second row tonight.
Wow.
What a great closing it was.
Here are some photos...including the entire cast and crew of Nevermore...
Eric gave the cast their own set of hands from the set...
Here is the party...

The Aftermath...Part 2

The cleaning crew came and steam cleaned the carpet, and put it back to normal. I was so glad to put this shitty episode behind us.
Then, on the way to the show tonight, Matt confesses to me that he was in our walk-in closet...(that butts against the contaminated washroom), and he feels wet carpet against that wall.
Which means...they did not clean the sewage from underneath the washer/dryer...also, sewage is in my closet.
The cleaning company is not open again till Monday.
Couch bedding will, no doubt, continue into next week.
You know what, folks...I could have a really shitty(pardon the pun) attitude towards this, but...our house burnt down 2 years ago.
At least we have part of a house to take refuge in.
I view it all as an inconvenience.
A big one, but still...we will live.
That is the straight dope from the Shit House.
G'night.
Luv,
SGS

Jennifer Soto Benson

Jenny took over the role of Elmira tonight, and wow...did she take it over...
She and Jaqui are 2 totally different Elmiras...both have their own takes on the character...I found her to be so soft and sensitive. It was a joy seeing my college buddy up there, tearing it up. Folks, she raised to ROOF off of the joint...
I was SO proud of her...not that I expected anything less, of course.
More on Nevermore tomorrow...
Luv,
SGS

Image of the Week 2 (I changed my mind)

I thought this was SO tacky..yet so funny in a strange way...Lee Harvey and his Jailhouse Rockers, you might caption it. I TOTALLY know what picture will be on the front of my opening night cards now.

;)
SGS

Jaqui Piro

Tonight was Jaqui's last performance as Elmira in Nevermore. It was an emotional night for the entire cast, as well as me and Matty. It is sad to see the beginning of the end. Her performance was fantastic, and was so very honest. What she brought to the show was so fresh and new. Plus...come on, folks...that voice...that freakish voice that defies description...
She is SO my date to the Helen Hayes Awards this year! Come on, you know Channez will be Matty's...
Here are some photos of the evening: First at Signature, then at "The Office".


Here is "Snowboarder" Jaqui...

Jaqui and me love to tongue...

Amy McWilliams and Matty missing each other already...

Matty very sad to see Jaqui go...


G'Night,
Luv, SGS

The Aftermath...

Well...the high tech fan(?) is still blowing the underneath of the poop carpet. We live in the year 2006, and this is the high tech solution to this problem?

I slept so poorly on the damn couch, I can't begin to explain. Of course, Buddha has to sleep right between my legs, and I swear- small dogs tend to stretch out to the size of a Great Dane when they want to. Ugh. So basically, Buddha slept on the couch, and I hung on to the edges.
Matt slept fine on the other couch, since Buddha decided to let him sleep through the night. How nice of Buddha.
I tried to get to sleep by watching my latest Netflix arrival, The Outer Limits, Season 2. It didn't help.
The cleaning stuff they put on the carpet is beginning to wear off. I think that the only verdict here will be: infected.

So I suppose that now we just wait until when...tomorrow? They told us 48 hours. I start to wonder if they will really be coming out on a Saturday to work on this. I start to wonder if our couches will be our beds for a somewhat longer period of time than expected. Hmmm. I wonder who Buddha will choose to sleep with tonight...

The Week in Review...

Hmmm...Well...life post-Yankees has been pretty low key. I have been taking on more dog clients...(strange way to phrase that...), and basically just working. I have stopped down at the Signature almost every night this week, as Nevermore will be closing this weekend..
So, lots of dogs. Lots of dog walking. As it happens, I usually do office work for the company, but we have had a rash of new clients, and 2 employees left, so I am trying to pull the weight of this.

I usually get the dogs that are REALLY strong, or REALLY aggressive.
Hence my story earlier in the week about occupational pet peeves. Please folks...don't bring "Lil' Fluffy" over to meet "Killer". I don't want to have to deal with the clean up involved.
There was the big 7 year Anniversary on this Tuesday past...thank you all for your kind comments. I know that many read this site daily, as I have a site-meter that keeps track of that, but it is always nice when you speak up and say howdy.
This past week was also my niece, Tessa's 1st birthday! I sent her a raincoat and outfit that matched it. Just in time for a rainy Spring in Pittsburgh.
Here she is, the cute lil' thing...

I got a new pair of glasses, thank goodness. Although, at times I wonder if I prefer to view most of this world just slightly blurred...hmmm.
Got to hang out and catch up with J. Fred Schiffman the other night, and Karma Camp last night...who made countless funny references to this week's mild catastrophe.
More on that later.
This weekend will be very emotional for us both, as the show comes to a close. Starting, actually, with tonight's performance, which will be Jaqui Piro's last.

She will not be in the weekend shows, but will be replaced by Jennifer Lori Soto, who actually was one of the "B" cast of Nevermore along with Kurt Boehm, Eleasha Gamble, and I. She is an outstanding performer, and know that she will blow the roof off the theatre for the final 3 performances, just like Jaqui did. I will hopefully get some pictures tonight of Jaqui's farewell. Again...more on that later.
So stay tuned this weekend for a Nevermore retrospective, Closing night photos, and much more.
TGIF, folks.
Love,
SGS

Stephen and Matty's Shitty Day...

I wake up at 7AM, and saunter to the bathroom. I come back, and as I pass by the laundry room, I feel wet carpet...
I flip on the light...water is seeping up from the drain in the floor.
Great. I throw towels down...Matt is leaving to teach at a school. He gets up to shower...he opens the shower stall door to see this...

Ok...the basement shower is out...he showers upstairs, where there is no fecal leakage. I am left in charge of the crisis...wrong choice. I am NOT the one to handle this...trust me folks...we did have a fire...I am NOT the level headed guy to talk to these so and so's...
But I do.
I get the run around from Long and Foster all morning. Shit water is rising...
Here it is in our laundry room...before it got worse than that...

I started calling people to fix the issue at 7AM...it took until 3:30PM for a cleaning crew to arrive...and only after I got all Irish on their asses and yelled.
You don't get anything in this life if you don't bitch about it...as my mom said, "the squeaky wheel gets the oil"...
Well...they came in and cleaned the shit out...we are currently prepping to sleep on the couches upstairs, since the carpet in our bedroom was peeled back, and fans are "drying" the carpet for 48 hours until they can determine if the carpet was "contaminated"...I am SO not sleeping down there.
Closing weekend of Nevermore..we are sleeping on the couch.
On the upside, we went out with Karma Camp tonight. Nice to talk with her about Assassins, and future projects...I adore her. She saw Nevermore tonight and loved it.
Here's to prepping for a crazy weekend...
PS...Most of Keegan's Sunday is sold out (Death of a Salesman)...Saturday is still open...book now, before it sells out...
More tomorrow from the shit house...
Love,
SGS

Image of the Week

A little fuzzy...but you get the point.

Research...

I am delving into the assassin half of my split character, and finding new viewpoints...
I cannot wait to explore them...

Occupational...

So, after viewing these 2 different posts about occupational terrors, I thought I would voice my own...
1) If you are walking your dog, and see someone else walking their own..don't assume that they want to play with you...
EG: I was walking a German Shepherd with a thousand teeth,and a little poof of a dog came up upon us...the owner was smiling that idiot smile..like..isn't this fun?
Doesn't your dog wanna play?
NO!
Ladies and Gents...if you approach a man/woman on the street who is walking a dog...A) they may not be walking their own dog...
B) Don't assume that they want their dog to play with yours...
C) Keep your own dog on a fucking LEASH!!! It is the law.