I’ve been thinking a lot lately about my “life” in the theater. When I was doing the Fischer Troupe back in Frankenmuth, Michigan, our director, Ron Kieft, once told me: “You have more talent than anyone I’ve ever met but you’ll never do anything because you have no ambition.” What could I say? He was…
I couldn’t think of anything much to write about today, so I am going to share one of my favorite memories from living in Los Angeles. Before the advent of our current days of pornographic abundancy, Los Angeles was sprinkled with Pussycat (movie) Theaters. The most well known one was on Hollywood Boulevard, which only…
I was in a production of Oklahoma in Burbank, California. I had agreed to be in the ensemble because they needed someone to sing the high soprano parts. I had not auditioned for the show because I had just done three shows end-to-end and I wanted/needed a break. I agreed to sing the part. I…
This is a very sad WTF Wednesday. I am asking WTF world? How could you, world? A dear friend of mine (and some of you) died yesterday in a solo auto accident. The authorities say she was killed instantly. Linda Dodson is no longer with us. The Hot Cross Nuns no longer have our beloved…
I have done two musicals through a college. Let me tell you something – if you have a chance to do a show through a college – do it. It is a different world. They have a full costume department, staffed by people who are excited about doing costumes. Often – new costumes, made just…
Growing up, my step-father always chose my (used) cars. He’d tell me how much, I’d pay, and I’d have a new-to-me car to drive. This was not always a successful endeavor – one car had the engine blow up about a week after I got it. But Charlie went back and got me a different…
It’s true! Okay, maybe just Laverne, because I think this was after Shirley left the show. I “celebrated” turning 30 by having my gallbladder removed, just before my birthday. Because I was fair and fat (although not yet forty, which according to the doctor, is supposed to be the gallbladder stone trifecta), the doctor assumed…
I have played the role of Miss Hannigan a total of three times, and I would LOVE to play her again before I die. I love Miss Hannigan. And what I find interesting is the biggest fans of my Miss Hannigan are usually the mothers of the children in the show. This is for two…
I was once in a production of Fiddler on the Roof that was just the most amazing cluster-fuck you could imagine. I was playing Yente (for the second time). I was joining the production late because they had lost their Yente (how careless of them) and needed a new one. It was only the second…
When I was living in LA, I was a founding member of a singing group – The Hot Cross Nuns. I was singing with the MCCV (Metropolitan Community Church of the Valley), and every year they put on a variety show. Being a gay church in LA (okay, Burbank), you know the show was always…
Thoughts from a Fat Old Lady 