Hello! I haven't really been feeling terribly motivated to write in my blog. The other day I heard someone say "blogs are dead!" so I wondered if I would be the worlds biggest geek if I made another entry. But that's not why I haven't written lately. Chalk it up to only having nine followers and feeling pretty depressed over the state of our lunatic, deadlocked government and the world in general. It makes me very anxious and depressed. I clearly need to find something to focus that energy on.
That being said, there is a lot going on or a lot that is going to be going on which is all very exciting. I had a very encouraging week back in mid-December. My pottery made a nice chunk of change at the annual Craft Guild sale and then I sold a lot of bird bottles and coffee mugs that very same week! Needless to say I feel very encouraged and can't wait to get back into the studio! Of course, it's closed for two weeks which makes me FURIOUS! I am jonesin' for some clay studio time! What is wrong with you people!!!!!! Other good news on the clay front is that some of my pottery is currently being sold at Unpotted Gardening Solutions in Oak Cliff. Fantastic all organic gardening center! Check it out!
James and my mom and I had a great trip to London back before Christmas. We saw A LOT of theater. (Or do the Brits say theatRE?) The highlights were:
The National Theater's transfer to the West End of One Man, Two Guv'nors. FANTASTIC! HYSTERICALLY FUNNY! Amazingly talented cast and I don't think there was a microphone anywhere in the room! Highlights of the show were the audience participation, especially the very game young woman recruited out of the front row to help James Cordon "Serve" dinner and the 87 year-old waiter who was continually falling into an unseen abyss!
Matilda: the Musical was very smart, very funny, had an excellent score and amazing, and I mean AMAZING cast! I laughed! I cried! One of the best musicals I've seen in years! I hope it comes to the USA soon!
The Menier Chocolate Factory's production of Pippin. AMAZING! The Menier is a tiny black box space seating 100 or so with no backstage space but they make the most of what they have. It was an amazing re-imagining of a show that seems to cause a lot of eye-rolling. Gone were the silly comedia del arte costumes and clown make up. This version takes place inside a video game being played by Pippin who is dressed in a t-shirt, jeans and sneakers. In fact, the entire production is either modern dress or futuristic in its concept. Lots of projections, LOTS of surprises and only minimal changes to the script. Frances Rufelle, famous for being the first Eponine in Les Miserable, played Fastrada. It was a revelation to see what is truly possible in such a small space! Very inspiring!
Things are inching along where the theater company is concerned. We are on the cusp of filing our non-profit status and we have the dates set for our first season but we haven't signed the contract yet. It's exciting and scary. There are so many possibilities! There are so many things we want to do. We have a list of shows we want to produce. We want to start a cabaret/concert series. We want to offer classes and lectures. On and on and on. The hardest part is waiting! Patience!!!! ARGH!!!
Anyhoo, that's about it. I hope all nine of you are having a lovely holiday season! Stay well!
Jay in Dalals
