The Best of 2009
December 27, 2009
My checking account balance tanked. Finding a day job is like looking for a rabbi in Iraq. We lost one of our dearest friends. I fired another agent. My laptop crashed – twice. But to hell with “the worst of times,” let’s focus on all that was good this year!
So, in no particular order:
|
 |
| Carved in Stone |
|
| 1. Carved in Stone
Getting Jeffrey Hartgraves’ wonderful comedy on the boards this year was not only the realization of a long-term goal, but also a wonderful dream-come-true. The show was not without its share of labor pains – in fact, the behind-the-scenes drama would have made a great reality show – but like child birth, I can only remember the good times, of which there were many, many, many. I loved playing Quentin Crisp again, and saying Jeffrey’s wonderful dialogue.
|
It was an honor to share the stage with such an amazingly talented, committed cast (Levi Damione, Curt Bonnem, Jesse Merlin, Kevin Remington, Amanda Abel & Alex Egan) and understudies (Michelle Faraone, Gerard Marzilli, Matthew McCallum, David Pavao, Ryland Shelton & Trace Taylor), and inspiring to witness our dedicated and hard-working crew (Mitch Jacobson, Akemi Okamura, Roberto Rangel, John Toom, Philip Sokoloff, Andy Howe, Brooks & everyone else). Special thanks to my co-producer Laurence Whiting, our angel Matthew Quinn at Theatre Asylum, and to all the friends and family from out-of-town (some of whom I hadn’t seen in years) who came to see the show. The only one missing was Jeffrey himself.
2. New friends and associates
I made a ton of new friends this year (some listed above, others listed below). I am a lucky guy to know so many interesting people!
3. Back in front of cameras with The Cave
After a two-year break to focus on Carved in Stone, it was great to be on a soundstage again for Leonard Menchiari’s short film, inspired by Huxley’s Brave New World. Shot entirely in green screen, this is unlike any film I’ve ever made, and a great experience. Leonard mixes animation with actors in a way I’ve never seen before. I go back for pick-ups next month, with the finished film scheduled to screen in May.
4. Back Stage column/Writing for WeHoNews
I was pleasantly surprised when Dany Margolis asked me to be one of Back Stage’s “Take 5” columnists for 2009; and I was flattered but conflicted when Ryan Gierach of WeHoNews.com asked me to become their theatre critic. Both assignments have been a blast! I was able to blather about pretty much anything in my monthly Back Stage pieces; I’ve seen some pretty terrific theatre for WeHoNews (psst, go see Absinthe, Opium & Magic now!).
|
 |
| The President of the United States |
|
| 5. Obama is President!
The love-in may be over, but frankly I love having a President who treats his constituents like thinking adults (even if I wish he’d grow a pair)!
6. gay apparel:A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Two plays in one calendar year? God bless us, everyone – particularly you, Jason Moyer, for asking me to play Jacob Marley/"Uncle" Tim/Fezziwig (and a few others) in this year’s production of your very clever yet faithful adaptation. John Downey III, Mandi Moss, Christopher Pearson, Lorianne Hill and co-director Lauralea Oliver were wonderful to work with. I even enjoyed the big dance number. Yes. Dance. Me. Shut up.
7. Laurence & Charlie
Laurence is happier than ever, working as “Minister of Hospitality” at the Petit Ermitage Hotel in West Hollywood. We spent the holidays there, and the place is pretty amazing! Meanwhile, Charlie survived a pretty nasty dog attack unscathed. He’s also lost about five pounds as a result of his new diet, and has more energy than I’ve seen!
8. My Family
Mom’s RA is on the retreat; one niece is pregnant, and the other is getting married. Everyone is healthy and happy, thank God.
|
 |
| gay apparel:A CHRISTMAS CAROL |
|
|
9. Facebook
From selling a show, to sharing photos with friends, to re-connecting with long-lost classmates – I personally think Facebook is why God (or Gore) invented the Internet. Twitter? Not so much.
|
 |
| Halloween 2009 |
|
| 10. Halloween is back!
Our parties in SF were the stuff of legend (one year, I overheard a stranger on his cellphone: “I don’t know who’s party it is, but it’s great! Come on over!”). We waited patiently for Halloween to fall on a weekend ever since we moved, and this was the year. While maybe it wasn’t a bash like in days of yore, it was a hell of a lot of fun – and I’m already looking forward to Halloween 2010!
|
|
|