6 Shows Left!

Les Miserables closes this Sunday. Wow. I can hardly believe it. It has been such a fantastic show to be a part of, and such a wonderful family to belong to. I just can't believe it is almost done.
We began rehearsals in late October, so it has been a stretch.
Check back here through the weekend for photos from closing weekend. I'm sure there will be many.

I am pretty sure that the show is sold out for the rest of the run, but there may be standing room available. Not sure. Call 703-820-9771 for details.

Next Up...

I will be in The Civil War at Ford's Theatre this Spring.
Details HERE.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

SIGNATURE THEATRE DOMINATES 2009 HELEN HAYES AWARD NOMINATIONS WITH 39 NOMINATIONS!

A full list of nominees HERE.

The Washington Post's article HERE.

Further DC Theatre Scene Coverage HERE.

Les Miserables alone garnered 13 nominations!
Get your tickets while you still can for the final two weeks! Les Miserables MUST CLOSE on February 22nd! GET TICKETS HERE!

Bloody Barricade Death

Saturday Matinee's VERY bloody barricade aftermath.

Back to the park with Buddha.

Matt, Buddha and I went down to the dog park for Pug day today! This was the first time Buddha had been back to the park since late November. The poor guy has been missing it so much! Between the cold weather, and the sewage scares in Four Mile Run Creek, the park has just not been the best place to go for the past few months. This morning the temperatures soared into the 50's, and on top of that, it was the first Saturday of the month - PUG DAY at Shirlington Dog Park. We tossed pug into car and headed down the hill.



The sun was terrifically bright and there was not one cloud in the sky. The weather made me ache for Spring to be here. It was the kind of day that made you want to be outside working in the garden.




Buddha had fun as always, and was very bummed to leave. Since tomorrow is going to be even warmer, I think we will go back in the morning. I want to try to get all of the exercise time that I possibly can in with him before it gets cold again! Enjoy the photos from today...



































Have a nice Saturday night everyone!
luv,
SGS

February Candle Sneak Peek

The last monthly candle of CBS is out now. The February candle is chocolate brown and pink, featuring the scents of roses, chocolate, and champagne.
This is the last candle of the month to be offered by CBS. From here on out, there will only be one candle offered per season.
So send your orders to candlesbystephen@yahoo.com.
For pricing details, go to the Candle Website.

IMAGE OF THE WEEK: Billboard FAIL

I snapped this while at Bailey's Crossroads Shopping Center. Apparently something happened to the sign and they tried to fix it with red rope lights....to not much success.
I can hear the thought process...."Maybe no one will notice is we just..."

Weslie Woodley as Fantine

Speaking of the Norovirus, Tracy Lynn Olivera was apparently stricken with the virulent plague yesterday. She teaches voice at Catholic University, so....you do the math there. As all of you know, I love her with my soul and hope she mends well.
Her understudy is Weslie Woodley, who usually plays my wife, Marie.
As you all may also know, I love her just as much, and was SOOOOO proud of her last night as she went into the role of Fantine for the first time!
Here are the photos...






































Well done, Weslie!
Get well, Tracy!

luv,
SGS

Matt Conner as Thenardier...

Here are a few photos of Matt Conner as Thenardier. Matt has been Thenardier for the past two weeks, as Chris Bloch had a vacation conflict. Matt was amazing, needless to say. It was a joy and delight to see him do this role.
Enjoy the photos!

Funny Pug Videos

Ok...the blog is back...here are 3 hysterical and cute pug videos. ENJOY!
You have to go HERE for this one (embedding was disabled)

Sick Again.

Well, just as soon as I had recovered from "The Plague", I have acquired a new treat. A coldish/fluish thing that currently has me laid up on the couch. I have not been ill so frequently in one season since childhood. Interestingly enough, Channel 4 talked about Virginia being the first state in the country to reach "widespread" flu break out levels this year.
Also, speaking of the plague, I saw this little gem of a news story this morning: Catholic University has been hit hard by "The Plague" which in actuality is the Norovirus. There are several ties to Catholic that run through Les Miserables, so I do hope that those folks stay healthy.
Everyone remember to wash your hands frequently, and take your vitamins and get plenty of rest.
Stay well,
SGS

The Plague

A plague has ripped through the barricade this past week and a half. Sorry I have not written much. Matt and I both got the horrible stomach virus that we lovingly refer to as "The Plague".
I have read of local outbreaks of a "norovirus" - much like those cruise ship viruses.
So I thought I would pass on this funny photo sent to me by Jordi Perry, who plays Gavroche ...



Stay healthy everybody!

Video of the week

Ok, folks. I owe you a hell of a lot of catch up blogs, and here goes the first one. The year in images from this blog. No, I won't keep it limited to 12. There were too many good ones for that. But here are my favorites, and why they are.

January

This photo was taken by Channez McQuay while we were vacationing on Fenwick Island last January. I love this photo of our family, and this picture makes me want to be back on Fenwick as I write this. The beauty of the beach on those crisp January days was something that sticks in my head.
This was the first trip I had ever taken to the beach during winter. How different and gorgeous it is.




This was the view from the top floor of the beach house that we stayed at. You could see the outline of Fenwick Island's lighthouse right in front of the setting sun. It was absolutely gorgeous.





This is Matt flying a kite on the beach there. I just love this photo. Not sure why.













FEBRUARY

Two cuter than cute February images of Buddha.













The best couch companion you could ever hope for.




















MARCH
For Rusty.



APRIL


The trees coming back to life always fills my heart with joy. Here are just some of the trees awakening around our house.

















MAY
Buddha takes no heed of the signs around him. He is his own man.























Eleasha, Katie, Annabel and Andrew - Memorial Day.



















JUNE
Idiot graffiti : 7th and New York Avenue.






















and the welcome of the newest Smith dog, Tanner.












JULY
Kid's Camp.
















































The tree growing out of a rock in the Potomac.


























Boaters on the Potomac.

























Me and the Boo.
























AUGUST
8:08 on 8/8/08.




























Real dog and fake dog.























Ass meets bigger Ass.




















SEPTEMBER



Buddha and Blanket.
























Buddha and Pillows.
















OCTOBER

Extreme pumpkin carving.



















NOVEMBER


Felicia admiring the decor in the Conner's Auction House.

























A very long line.



















DECEMBER






















More year of 2008 wrap ups ahead.
Take care.
Luv,
SGS