In My Head Blog

AND BREATH

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Well, Elegies finished yesterday afternoon.  It was beautifully attended by many from the theatre community and I have to say, the love that came us really made us feel like it IS a community.  So warm, and they were really listening and going on the journey with us.  Elegies has really been an incredible experience a second time around.  There were moments of great joy as well as deep frustration for me but what an interesting time observing the audience and how they “felt” us.  Literally every show was a different adventure in how they would hear it.  A real test of an artist’s ability to be simple and present and be in the moment with commitment because there were definitely moments that could have thrown one off.

But as for a cast . . . . I could not have been more blessed.  So wonderful and loving and open and fun and dedicated.  I love every one of the people I got to play with every show – including our amazing pianist John Hughes and our fantastic stage manager Lisa Humber.  I wouldn’t take that time back for anything.  But a break will be nice now.

Then last night, I went to the launch of Micah Barnes new single, New York Story at Jazz Bistro.… [Continue reading]

WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO BE DOING??!!!

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The immortal question.  I want some answers soon.  I know I need something new but what.  Well in the immediate future, I’ll be going to the launch of Lilly Barnes’ new amazing book of poetry on April 30, 2014.  Which I’m very excited about.  I have to say a little bit about the newest addition to my life.  Lilly Barnes is truly one of the most incredible human beings I’ve ever met.  At an age where most people are slowing down, she is so full of curiosity and creativity.  She was the head writer for Mister Dress-Up for the entire run of the show.  She was a freelance documentary producer and interviewer, a writer of children’s books and short stories, a novelist (I met her for the first time at the launch of her novel, Mara),  and now a published poet.  I’m sort of in awe.  But I have rarely met someone so accomplished who has such love of human life and experience – in all it’s good, bad and in between.  She observes mankind and translates it into emotional works of art. I’ve spent many hours in her company where I can’t believe she is talking to me because she’s so extraordinary. … [Continue reading]

A NEW ERA

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Hmmm  as I wrote the above title, I accidentally wrote “A NEW EAR” first and it made me think, “actually that is not inappropriate”.  I’m in New York, ready to start a new experience.  Well, many new experiences.  And I like the idea of a new ear, a new way to hear things, a better way of picking up signals.  Like an ear in music.  Hearing the natural way a melody should go.  I want to “hear” what the universe is actually telling me.  I feel a bit like I’ve been living the life beside my life for the last 32 years (how long I’ve been acting – in case anyone thought I was trying to pretend I’m 32).  I’ve had an amazing career.  Truly exciting and thrilling and filled with opportunities.  But I’ve always felt like I’ve been on a parallel path with my real life and its like the real life is on the other side of a very thin wall of rice paper – I can see the shadows, glimmers of the light but I don’t quite know what I’m looking at.

Well I feel so much closer to knowing now.  And being here in New York, I want some new adventures. … [Continue reading]

FAR TOO LONG

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Wow, everyone.  I’ve been away from you for such a long time.  I don’t have any excuse really.  I had this period where I wasn’t sure I had lots to say. But I feel like I want to reach out and let you know that I’m still here.  So where to begin.

Well, both of my shows have opened here at the Shaw Festival.  Guys and Dolls and Major Barbara.  It’s nice to not be rehearsing anymore.  A very interesting rehearsal period and wonderful to have two such different shows and such different positions within each.  In Guys and Dolls, I was playing Nicely-Nicely Johnson, a role that not many people would instantly think of me for but it’s really more where I imagine myself in my mind.  Because I grew up heavy, I always think of myself as a character actor, even when I’m playing a leading man.

For Major Barbara, I was the assistant director.  I also play a small part at the end of the show.  I’ve been asked why I’m doing this small role but it was worth it to get to work with Jackie Maxwell on the other side of the table and learn from her. … [Continue reading]

CONCERT CLIP

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I finally was able to get a clip together of my Nov. 30 solo concert, BROADWAY, MY WAY, in Toronto.  It was at the Metropolitan Community Church and it was pretty thrilling night for me.  I will try to get a couple more just to give a taste and eventually some of my Christmas cabaret SHUT UP, IT’S CHRISTMAS!

But for now, here is People from Funny Girl.  It’s an arrangement that I created with Wayne Gwillim that I love.  What he did is exquisite, in my opinion . . . and it’s my blog so my opinion is what counts.  😛  Diane Leah, my wonderful musical director, played it so beautifully.  It was a very happy moment for me. I hope you guys enjoy.

… [Continue reading]