Help Diabetics & Vote for Tony's Plate

Although it is not something that I spend a lot of time advertising, there is something about me that you probably don't know. I am a Type I diabetic. I was diagnosed in November 2008 and, as you can imagine, being diagnosed weeks away from my 40th birthday with a chronic illness typically associated with children was like a punch in the gut. However, I am one that is fairly adept at rolling with the punches and my diagnosis was no exception. Almost two years later, I have grown accustomed to the inconveniences of diabetes: the constant carb counting, the incessant pricking of my finger, the occasional low blood sugar episodes ("Drink the juice, Shelby!") and being constantly tethered to an insulin pump.

Last week I had a herniated disc removed from my back, which required an overnight stay at the hospital. After the surgery, I was wheeled up to my room. It was about 5:00pm and, having not had any food since midnight the night before, I was a bit hungry. I proclaimed that I was starving and, shortly thereafter, I was delivered my hospital cuisine which consisted of macaroni and cheese and some of the best damned canned peaches I ever ate. Alongside the tray was a menu, with the carbohydrates conveniently listed next to each menu item. I took my blood sugar reading, entered the BG level and the total carbs into my pump, and I had a very satisfying meal of institutional cuisine.

The next morning, after a virtually sleepless night, my breakfast arrived. This menu, however, did not have the convenience of the carbs listed next to the menu items, so I asked the nurse if someone could get me that information. After asking three times and getting no response, I stared longingly at my breakfast and resorted to my trusted Blackberry to Google each individual item to ascertain what the carb value of my breakfast was. By the time I had all the information at hand, my scrambled eggs were cold. Believe me, there is nothing worse than cold, hospital prepared scrambled eggs.

At lunchtime, as my sugar levels had elevated to near 400, the same thing happened. The food was delivered and there were no carb values listed. At this point, I was reduced to tears. Quite ridiculous, really. A 41-year-old woman sitting there sobbing because all she wanted to do was eat her lunch and get her blood sugar under control. This was certainly one of the moments that I missed the convenience of being able to eat anything I wanted, whenever I wanted. A convenience that the average, non-diabetic takes for granted.

Now that I am home from the hospital, recovering from back surgery, I spend a lot of time on the computer. Yesterday, the cramazing Susan Blackwell posted a video on her Facebook page and it came through my news feed. When I saw the [title of show] gang in the thumbnail, I clicked on it, diehard Tosser that I am.

This video, embedded below, is a call to action. Susan Blackwell's nephew was recently diagnosed with Type I diabetes and, in response, her brother built this amazing application called Tony's Plate. The application is a one-stop calculator where you can enter all of your food items and portion sizes online and it calculates the nutritional information for you - most importantly, the total carbohydrate intake. I cannot express how invaluable this tool is for a diabetic. Believe me, I wish I had known about it a week ago. It would have spared me a pretty pitiful emotional display.

This application has been submitted to Michelle Obama's Apps for Healthy Kids Competition as part of the Let's Move Campaign and, if it wins, Susan's brother gets to go to the White House and could win a couple of doubloons for this invaluable effort. So please, click on this link and take 90 seconds to vote for this application. Do it for Susan! Do it for me! Do it for diabetics everywhere! Do it because you're a Tosser! Do it because John and Susan are from Ohio! Just do it!

Rock the vote, kids!

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In Memoriam: Patrick Lee (1959-2010)

It would seem you have stumbled upon a rare post on a neglected blog. This blog started in 2005 and through the last 5 years, in spits and spurts, I’ve posted my thoughts and musings about theatre, film and life. Writing for my blog is a beloved hobby. It started around the time I was writing the screenplay Harvest Home and, over the years, has morphed into a blog that is primarily theatre-centric.

I love theatre. I love it hard and I love it true. I’ve said it several times in my life and I will say it several more: it has been my one true constant, ever since I toddled around backstage during shows my father directed. Theatre never disappoints. She entertains, she educates, she energizes. She is most definitely the jealous mistress in my life and she will always beckon.

Not many people feel the way I do about theatre. But I’ve been lucky in my life to find a few. Several of them are bloggers themselves and are included in the “Bloggers You’ll Learn To Love” list to the right. I’ve met most of these passionate and intelligent theatre addicts and my appreciation for this glorious art has undoubtedly been made richer by reading their blogs.

Someone who has been included on this list for quite some time is Patrick Lee who, among other things, was the author of the blog Just Shows To Go You. On Wednesday afternoon, a mutual friend and fellow blogger posted a link on his Facebook page, informing us that Patrick had unexpectedly passed away at the age of 51. Through the magic of social networking, it did not take too long to realize just how many lives Patrick touched.

My only face-to-face meeting with Patrick was at a bloggers brunch at Angus McIndoe in March 2008. For the majority of the brunch he was seated at the other end of the table. However, before dashing off to a matinee of Passing Strange, he came to our end of the table and introduced himself. We chatted briefly about Show Showdown, our blogs, Taboo and Passing Strange, for which he had a great enthusiasm. That afternoon, I was off to see Lit and Messy and Not At All Ashamed at NYU, a concert featuring the music of my composer friend Joe Iconis. At the time, he hadn’t heard of Joe (also a Passing Strange fan, BTW) but soon thereafter he became a big fan and supporter of Joe’s work.

Following that brunch, I started reading Patrick’s blog. I would also read his reviews on Theatermania, became Facebook friends with him and followed him on Twitter. I knew him virtually, as so many of us did. It did not take long for me to realize what a gift to the theatre community he was. Most definitely, Patrick was a champion of new and original theatre as evidenced by his love of [title of show], Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, The Amoralists, Joe Iconis and more. We are so fortunate, to have an online legacy of Patrick, where we can Google his reviews, interviews and musings to our heart’s content.

I am lucky to also have a tangible reminder of Patrick. When Equus returned to Broadway, I won, via a Just Shows To Go You contest, a Playbill that had been autographed by the entire cast of said revival. Little did Patrick know, Equus was an instrumental part of my theatrical development, so it was a thrill to own such a meaningful piece of memorabilia. While I don’t know for certain, I am going to presume that Equus was one of Patrick’s favorites as well, since the original logo is the first tile on the banner affixed to the top of his blog. Ironically, one of Patrick's last published articles on Theatermania is an interview with Sam Underwood, who is playing Alan Strang in Tony Walton's production of Equus in East Hampton. From this day forward, whenever I look at that Playbill, I will think of Patrick.

It is always very hard, when someone passes away suddenly and unexpectedly, to make sense of it. I barely knew Patrick and I instantly became immersed in thoughts of his life, his family, his close friends and his colleagues. If I’m so deeply affected, how do those closest to him make sense of it? Then I think to myself, how wonderful it is that Patrick was a writer! How wonderful that so many of his friends are writers! As Patrick’s family and friends gather this weekend to memorialize him, they need only turn to the blogosphere for comfort. The online eulogies that have been cropping up on the internet are numerous, several of them by the bloggers listed to the right. In them, Patrick is remembered as an intelligent, passionate, sarcastic, inspiring, jovial, caring, witty, kind and much loved person. Most of us can only aspire to be remembered so fondly.

In whichever way great or small Patrick Lee may have touched your life, I think we can all agree we are better for having known him and for having known the work that he loved so dearly.

We have learned that Patrick had a heart attack and passed away quietly in his sleep. While nobody knows for certain what happened, I like to think that Patrick enjoyed a nice glass of wine, posted his interview with Joe Colarco about Burnt Part Boys, climbed into bed thinking about his predictions for the upcoming Tony Awards and then drifted off to his final sleep dreaming about the theatre, something he loved hard and that he loved true. A love that, thankfully, he shared with so many.

Curtain.

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TBTA Offers Die Vampire, Die! Workshop with Susan Blackwell

proudly presents


featuring Susan Blackwell

Sunday, May 3rd from 2:00-5:00pm

From the [title of show] Vampire Hunting Guide:
“a vampire is defined as any person, thought or feeling that stands between you and your creative self-expression.”


This writing/performing workshop, led by [title of show] star Susan Blackwell, invites participants to identify and nurture the seedlings of ideas through the writing process and into performance.

THEMES OF THE DIE VAMPIRE, DIE! WORKSHOP INCLUDE:
Creative Writing * Performance * Identifying and taking creative risks

Contributing to a collaborative process * Tapping into brave artistic freedom
Developing clear self-expression * Establishing a creative safe space

The Brookfield Theatre

for the Arts
182 Whisconier Road (Route 25 behind the library), Brookfield CT
For further info: 203-775-0023 or www.brookfieldtheatre.org

Fee: $60.00 per person ($50.00 for TBTA Members), includes all supplies

Space is limited! Click here to register now!
Fee and contact info must be received by Thursday, April 30th.

Registrations processed on first come, first served basis.

Mail Payment and Contact Info to:

TBTA [tos] Workshop, P.O. Box 528, Brookfield CT 06804

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Top 5 Productions of 2008

So I’m sitting here on this cold, snowy December morning thinking about the New York theatre I saw in 2008, attempting to compartmentalize everything into a scant few Top 5 lists. Let me tell you – it has been a challenge. But I think I’ve done it.

So, without further ado…

TOP 5 PRODUCTIONS OF 2008
The following Top 5 list is based on Broadway and Off-Broadway productions I personally saw in 2008. There were, in fact, a lot I did not see: Passing Strange because I was stupid, South Pacific because I had to make choices, Billy Elliot because I’m broke. I suspect this list would have been drastically different had I seen any of those shows.


1. August: Osage County
August: Osage County is widely known as the three-hour play that you want to last another three hours. And it has not earned that reputation without reason. It is a brilliant, character-driven story that propels you through a few tragic yet hysterical days in the Weston household. To put it simply, August: Osage County leaves you beautifully stunned. Tracy Letts’ subsequent Tony and Pulitzer are so well deserved. I saw the production early enough to see the entire original cast, including the author’s father, Dennis Letts, who was in the final days of his battle with lung cancer. To read my complete review, click here.


2. Hair
In September 2007 I slept on the line at the Delacorte to see the concert in Central Park. In August 2008 I did the same thing to see Diane Paulus’ fully realized production as part of The Public’s Shakespeare in the Park series. And in February 2009, I’ll trade in my sleeping bag for a $100 bill and will be able to see it in a big fancy Broadway house. Little will compare to that sultry summer evening in Central Park, seeing this moving and inspired production of Hair under the stars and in this political climate. The memory of rushing to the stage to dance to the final strains of “Let The Sunshine In” with this stellar cast will be forever cherished.



3. [title of show]
[title of show] touched a nerve, tickled my funny bone, made me cry and won my heart in 90 minutes. The “little show that could” chronicles its own move to Broadway in a way that speaks to all creative types battling those dreaded vampires. Rocking hard with only four chairs, Hunter, Jeff, Heidi and Susan proved that a small, original musical has just as much right to the Broadway stage as those big, splashy type musicals. Sadly, [title of show] was one of the many casualties of the bleak 2008-2009 season. Something, however, tells me that we haven’t seen the last of this incredible foursome or their original musical. And I certainly am one [tos]ser eager for their return.


4. In The Heights
In June, being caught up in the delightful frenzy of Ms. Antoinette Perry’s company, a friend and I agreed to get tickets for In The Heights for September just moments before it won the Tony for Best Musical. Of course, I was foolishly thinking I’d have the money to afford a full-price orchestra seat by then. After selling about $150 worth of CDs, I raised the money and despite the looming threat of Hurricane Hanna’s aftermath, I headed to NYC to see In The Heights. And the adventure begins there. I missed my train and arrived in GCT with 10 minutes until curtain. I grabbed a cab and was dropped off in a torrential downpour two blocks away from the Richard Rodgers. As soon as I got out of the cab, I realized that I was missing my wallet along with my train ticket, credit cards, ID and $200 cash (to pay my friend back for the aforementioned unaffordable ticket). I ran through the pouring rain to get to the theatre, picked up my ticket at the box office and rushed down to the 2nd row. Just as soon as I announced, “My wallet is gone!” the house lights dimmed and the show began.

During the whole opening number of In The Heights, my mind was racing with worry. Even still, it didn’t take long for this invigorating and heartfelt production to reel me away from those worries for a couple of hours. In The Heights is an exuberantly performed show that inspires on so many levels. And, like [title of show], I heart Lin-Manuel Miranda and the cast of In The Heights, too.

5. Port Authority
One of my personal favorite actors, Tony winner John Gallagher, Jr., made two post-Spring Awakening appearances on the Atlantic Theater Company’s stage in 2008. Most recently he appeared in the much touted Farragut North, which I unfortunately had to miss. Earlier in the year, however, he appeared in Conor McPherson’s beautiful monologue play Port Authority, which I did have the good fortune to see. Alongside the brilliant Jim Norton and the masterful Brian d’Arcy James, Gallagher’s vulnerable and heartbreaking turn as a young Irishman helped to create one of 2008’s most pleasant surprises and a memorable evening of theatre to behold.

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BROADWAY/OFF-BROADWAY SHOWS I SAW IN 2008:
Broadway: [title of show], August: Osage County, Cry-Baby, Equus, Hairspray, In the Heights, Spring Awakening (2x) and Xanadu; Off-Broadway: Damn Yankees, Green Eyes, Queen Esther, Hair, Hamlet, Port Authority, The Black Suits and The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks.
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You Can't See Everything

OK everyone, this economy is beginning to piss me off! Why? Because I can't afford to go to the theatre.

It angers and saddens me to hear and say these words. But it's true.

Despite the fact that all but one of the Broadway and Off-Broadway shows I've seen this year have been either heavily discounted, inexpensive (under $20), a gift or free, it is still a costly venture. When you figure in the price of getting into the City, parking and food, it can end up costing in the neighborhood of $100. Multiply that by a dozen shows and we're talking a significant chunk of change. Factor that in with the rising costs of gas, utilities and food and it's just not pretty.

Alicia's world with no theatre. Not pretty.

The other distressing effect this economy has is on the shows themselves. Several shows planned for the 2008-2009 season have been postponed or canceled, primarily due to issues of the money sort. Running shows have been taking the hit at the box office. This is the reason Rent closed. This is the reason I was not able to see Passing Strange before it closed. This is probably why I will not get to see [title of show] before it closes.

My bemoaning the fact that I had heard that [title of show] is papering heavily and is rumored to close very soon was met with this response from my husband: "You can't see everything."

So not pretty. I really wanted to tell Susan Blackwell that she is my hero.

Good thing we received an early anniversary gift from my father and will be seeing Equus in October. Because if I missed that it would get downright ugly.

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Anticipating A Summer Of Awesome Theatre

In just under two weeks I will be back in the director’s chair, which is truly one of my favorite places to be. This time I’ll be bringing the timeless musical classic Peter Pan to the boards at TBTA. When I direct a show, however, some things in the ol’ schedule have to give. Basically, you can expect a reduced presence here on my blog and not quite as many adventures in NYC.

Once the show opens in July, however, I will be making up for lost time, taking in some of the theatre that is currently my “most anticipated” list:

• [title of show], having mastered the art of viral marketing, got their sought after Broadway opening at the Lyceum Theatre on July 17th. I did not see the show during its Off-Broadway run but the YouTube [tos]casts and peer reviews have earned it a spot on my dance card.
• Joe Iconis’ The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks will open in July at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. Finally an Iconis show I can bring the kids to.
• Damn Yankees returns to NYC with Jane Krakowski as Lola and Sean Hayes as Applegate in City Center Encores! Production opening July 10th. This show has always been a personal favorite of mine and I’m definitely ready for Sean Hayes to make his theatrical debut.
• In August, Hair makes its return to the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park as part of the Shakespeare in the Park series. The fully-realized production of the September 2007 production opens July 22nd and runs through August 17th.
• After Labor Day, Richard Griffiths and Daniel Radcliffe will be transplanting the West End production of Peter Shaffer’s Equus. My father directed the Pennsylvania premiere of this riveting play in the 70s, giving me an early exposure to and appreciation for this show. I’ve seen my father play the role of Dysart in two separate productions and am really looking forward to seeing the Broadway production at his side. Equus opens on September 25th and will be a limited engagement running through February 8th, 2009.
• Finally, amid the buzz of the forthcoming Sheik/Sater projects The Nightingale and Nero, is the Duncan Sheik project Whisper House. This less publicized work is making its debut in my back yard at The Stamford Center for the Arts. All indicators point to a Fall 2008 opening for the musical about an orphan living with his aunt and a Japanese man in a Connecticut lighthouse during World War II. The boy thinks he sees ghosts that are telling him not to trust the Japanese man because he might be the enemy. 30 Rock’s Keith Powell will be directing the musical and states, “It's about this boy's loyalty and overcoming his fears and really trying to do what's right when all of the world is in turmoil. It's -- of course -- a metaphor in a way for what's happening in today's politics."

Yes, it will definitely be a busy summer, filled with the lifeblood that courses through my veins: theatre. Hope to see you at the show!