Check Out The Paving on the Road to Hell!

OK. I had a week where I did a couple of posts. Then I vanished into the thin air of the blogosphere. I guess you are going to have to take what you get and not get upset. I truly am striving to write more and more often. But I'm a busy gal.

Since I last wrote, here are a few of things that I would have blogged about individually: we had to put our dog Shakespeare to sleep, the family saw Elf on Broadway, I produced a concert at The Palace (Gaby Alter and Sophie Jaff's Not That We're Bitter) and I celebrated my 2 year anniversary of being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

Actually, since I have your attention, I wouldn't mind if you took a minute to check out this American Diabetes Month PSA.

You may not have known I had diabetes, it's that silent a disease. But to the one diagnosed with it, trust me, it screams. That shrill constant reminder to check your sugar, give yourself insulin and be aware of potential complications. It is precisely for this reason that you see me accomplishing so much in my life. It is because I live in constant fear that there will be no tomorrow. So in a way, my diabetes makes me live harder. And for that, I am oddly thankful.

In fact, those who know me, I don't live any harder than when I'm in the theatre. The theatre, my sanctuary. Tomorrow is the first day of auditions for a production of Parade that I am directing in Ridgefield, CT. This show is so seldom done and I am blessed to be at the of helm this powerful and important production. Take a glimpse of what will be coming to Connecticut in March 2011.

So if you are wondering as you wander by this little page of mine why there hasn't been an update, it is most likely because I have rehearsal. And to say that phrase, "I can't, I have rehearsal," is to utter what I believe are some of the most beautiful words in the English language.

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As I Wish!

This morning, whilst perusing the Sunday paper, my husband was struck by the logo in the Best Buy flyer for the 20th Anniversary Edition DVD of The Princess Bride:

First, off, isn't that cool!?! I know it was released a couple of months ago but this is the first I'm seeing it. We've owned this on DVD for a few years and, according to a pretty amusing review I read, this is the fourth release. It's not surprising that this would have passed way under my radar. I love that the cover reads both upside down and right side up but I think the title logo is especially amazing.

** I'll wait while you attempt to turn your laptop upside down**

What has been on my radar, however, is the once-planned musical adaptation of the film. Prolific screenwriter William Goldman (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, All The President's Men) had teamed up with Tony Award-winning composer Adam Guettel (The Light in the Piazza, Floyd Collins). The talented team began work on the highly anticipated stage version of the beloved fairy tale and a well-received workshop of a few of the songs was held at Lincoln Center. Shortly thereafter, the two parted ways. It has been reported that Goldman wanted 75% of the authors' share of the profits, despite the fact that Guettel was contributing both music and lyrics.

Following the separation, Guettel returned to the comfortable arms of his Piazza collaborators, Craig Lucas and Bartlett Sher, to provide the music for Lucas' 20007 adaptation of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya. Hopefully, he will soon begin work on a new project that will guide him back to a deserved home on Broadway.

I know that many purists have had their fill of movies being transformed into musicals but the adaptation of this witty and heartwarming film has such tremendous artistic and economic potential. Hopefully, Mr. Goldman will take a break from writing the screenplay for Shazam! and pursue another composer. I would love to see what Joe Iconis would do with this classic film. Of course, I suspect that he wouldn't settle for 25% ownership, either.