Thursday, September 2, 2010

Thanks, Mom

I've been thinking about the Emmys since Sunday night...not about the winners, or who should've won, or really anything having to do with the actual dissemination of the awards.

What resonated with me was one of the questions they asked the nominees, "What did your mother want you to be when you grew up?"

An odd question for an awards show, I think, as it's completely irrelevant to the work. But whatever. Like the awards themselves, who really cares.

What resonated with me, though, is the collective set of answers that the respondents gave. Each was something specific and job-related. A fireman, an engineer, a famous actor. I don't remember what specifically they said, but it was really kind of sad.

What did my mother want me to be when I grew up?

Happy.

It's that simple.

I'm sad for the nominees that that wasn't their answer. And I'm sad for their mothers.

But who cares about them.

I'm happy that my mother instilled that immediate response in me.

Thanks, Mom.

Friday, August 27, 2010

And Betsy Ross Used to Sit Home and Sew and Sew and

So...

It's been pretty fantastic year for me, artistically speaking...and I'm hoping to continue the streak with a remounting of In Our Own Image at FRIGID 2011...So keep your fingers crossed.

In order for that to happen, though, I need to rework the final of the 3 plays that make up Image, Who Art In. I've had some strokes of brilliance (ha!) this week, and rewriting has begun...So that's very exciting.

That said...my self-diagnosed (well, to be honest, my mother diagnosed it first) ADD is kicking in and from an artistic perspective, reworking Who Art In just isn't enough. In addition to that, and providing comments to Jamie on his great play, Roy of Troy, and working with Casey on the play (musical?) he's conceived, I've decided to pick back up with my series of 175 short plays, Over the Table and Under the Bar. To-date, I've written, or begun writing, 94 plays for the series, so I'm just over halfway there...

Only 3 have been transcribed from my handwritten journal to the typed and formatted template, but baby steps. So that transcription is going to be happening as often as possible. I don't consider the plays complete until they're typed in. So, here are the titles so far:
1) You Don't Know, Jack
2) Excess Hollywood
3) Eldergarten

Hopefully, I'll get #4 typed in today.

All that said...Here's the question, responses, and song for the next/current play...Feel free to add your own responses in the comments section...And, for more info on what the hell Over the Table and Under the Bar is all about, go HERE.

Question 21:
Would you stop eating all junk food to live 5 years longer? Why or why not?

Responses:
  • I would give it up. And as many have said, the extra five years would feel like 10 without junk food.
  • Extra 5 over 80—no; under 80, yes. I’m really not hooked on junk food. Easy to give up. Bread and cheese, much harder, yet I would still give it up for 5 more years if I was under 80 years old.
  • NO - How could they be good years without cookies? Enjoying food is part of life’s pleasure and life’s regrets usually include missed opportunities for having fun. No one dies saying, “I should have had more broccoli.”
  • Ask me when I’m 70

Song:
When I Met the Girl, by Big Kid

Lyrics:
When I met the girl
I lost my mind
'cause she is the only one that turns my world upside down

When I met the girl
she stole my heart
right from the start I knew she saw right through me, already knew me, makes me crazy, Oh Yeah!

(Chorus)
Girl gives me feelings I never had before
Blushing under cover, She's like no other
I never had a reason to love like this before
Girl gives me feelings, Oh Yeah!
'Cause I can't get her out of my mind,
Can't get her out of my mind- at all

When I met the girl, you changed my world
She is the only one that turns my world upside down
At the end of the day
I call her name
Gives me this crazy feeling when she calls back, turns her head, smiles at me, Oh Yeah!

(Chorus)
Girl gives me feelings I never had before
Blushing under cover, She's like no other

I never had a reason to love like this before
Girl gives me feelings, Oh Yeah!
'Cause I can't get her out of my mind,
Can't get her out of my mind- at all

When I met the girl...

Ask me what I dream of
Ask me what I think of
When I'm not with you
Ask me what I dream of
Ask me what I think of
When I'm not with you
When I'm not with you

when I met the girl
I lost my mind
'cause she is the only one that turns my world upside...

(Chorus)
Girl gives me feelings I never had before
Blushing Under Cover, She's like no other
I never had a reason to love like this before
Girl gives me feelings, Oh Yeah!
'Cause I can't get her out of my mind,
Can't get her out of my mind- at all

When I met the Girl- I met the girl
When I met the Girl- I met the girl

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Another Publication!

My 2008 MITF play, Truth Is, is being published by Next Stage Press. This is #2, after Four Quarters. Needless to say, yet said anyway, and typed, I'm very excited.

More information about the Truth Is 2008 production.

IN OUR OWN IMAGE Nominated for 2 MITF Awards

We were nominated for Outstanding Production of a Play and Outstanding Supporting Actor - Matt Welsh.

Woo hoo!



Thursday, May 20, 2010

This One's for You, Jill

A college friend recently wrote on her blog that she creates a playlist to help with what she's writing. She posted the list and was slightly embarrassed by the dork level of it...

But I challenge.

Jill, you're not a dork.

Below is the original inspirational playlist from my 2002 show, Four Quarters, with a couple more added in for the revised production in 2010. Yes, 2010.

Read it and dork.

Louder Than Words - by Jonathan Larson, featuring Raul Esparza, Jerry Dixon, and Amy Spanger, from Tick, Tick, Boom!

Mean Sleep - Cree Summer (yes, this is the edgiest song on the list)

Stuck In a Moment You Can't Get Out Of It - U2

I Will Never Leave You - Henry Krieger, featuring Alice Ripley and Emily Skinner, from Side Show

Brand New Lover - Dead or Alive

Sexual Revolution - Macy Gray

Stars and the Moon - by Jason Robert Brown, featuring Jessica Molasky, from Songs for a New World

Tell Me - Billie Myers

Come to Your Senses - by Jonathan Larson, featuring Amy Spanger, from Tick, Tick, Boom!

All I Want Is You - U2

You Walk With Me - from The Full Monty

I'll Be All Right - Jorma Kaukonen (Hot Tuna)

The Origin of Love - John Cameron Mitchell, from Hedwig and the Angry Inch

2010 Additions:

Wait for it...

Gethsemane - from Jesus Christ Superstar

Throb - Janet Jackson

If I Were A Rich Man - from Fiddler on the Roof

Another round, Jill?

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

PUBLISHED!

So now I'm not only a produced playwright, I'm published as well.

WOO HOO!!!

http://www.shop.nextstagepress.net/product.sc?productId=62&categoryId=1

Monday, April 5, 2010

Another Show, Another Opening

So...

I'm about to embark on my second show of the year. Quite a new thing for me.

My first show was 2002.

Then a short in 2005. 2004? Jen, when did we do Briefs?

Then someone else produced me in 2006.

Truth Is was in 2008.

The Four Quarters came back in February/March.

And now, In Our Own Image, this summer. It's 3 one acts: Wally and Jesus, Big Boy Two Scoop, and Who Art In.

Coming soon. To an independent theater near you.

But not really near you, unless you live near the theater.

Regardless, you should come see it.

Irregards,

Chris

A New April

but an old Argentina.

Take THAT, Evita.

Is it cliche to ask where the time has gone? or to in any outwardly way wonder ponderously about it being whatever-time-of-year it is? If so, then so be it. But I won't dwell.

In Spite of Ourselves is on my iPod right now. Sarah got me listening to this song, yet I can't not think about Julie Boehm every time I hear it. It's just that inappropriate. Would be a perfect duet for Julie and Jay. The two masters of inappropriateness.

Yeah, I said it. Appropriately.

But enough about whatever all that means.

I had something to write about, but I forgot what it was. Oh well. It'll come back to me. Or it won't. Whatever it chooses is fine with me.

I won't discriminate.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Final Tally

Best Picture: The Hurt Locker

Final Tally:
1st - with 16
Chris
Marge

3nd - with 15
Carl
Mark

5th - with 14
Chrissy
Daoud
Jay
Joe

9th - with 13
Helen
Jacquie
Theresa
Val

13th - with 12
Sarah

14th - with 11
Jamili
Kevin
Peter
Phillip

18th - with 10
Robbie

19th - with 9
Joann
Lisa
Robin

22nd - with 8
Trish

23rd - with 7
John

24th - with 3
Mariko

So it goes to the tiebreaker:
Sarah Jessica Parker
Gabourey Sidibe

Next steps: Joe Stangarone, the assistant IOC commissioner, will determine who is the final winner. You are all welcome to offer your thoughts, but Joe will be the ultimate authority.

Will he pull a Marge and vote to keep Boopsie with his countryman?

Wait to find out.

Best Director

Kathryn Bigelow...nice...

Best Actress

Sandra Bullocks...


at least she's funny.

Time for the hook

get off the stage, jeff.

Best Actor

Jeff Bridges

So...

It looks like Marge and I are going to tie...

Not sure anyone can catch up...


Which leaves us down to the tiebreaker...Worst Dressed.


Vote:

Sarah Jessica Parker
Gabourey Sidibe

Foreign Language

Argentina wins!


Mark pulls closer to Marge and Chris...12 to our 13...hmmm...

Editing

Hurt Locker


And Marge and I are pulling away...

Documentary Feature

The Cove


And Marge and Chris pull ahead!

(you're goin down, marge.)

Leaderboard:

Chris
Marge
Mark

Next:
Chrissy
Daoud
Jay
Peter
Sarah

Visual Effects

Um...Jamili?

Original Score

Up

Leaders:
chris
MARGE
MARK

We hate

J Lo's dress.

What...

Does Bea Arthur not warrant an Oscar mention?

Cinematography

Avatar...

New Leaderboard!!!
CHRIS!
Chrissy
Daoud
Marge
Mark
Sarah

FOUR QUARTERS Selected for an Additional Performance at FRIGID Hangovers!

Woo hoo!

Thursday at 7.

http://www.frigidnewyork.info/

Sound Mixing

Hurt Locker

AND WE HAVE A NEW LEADER!

SARAH THE BIRTHDAY GIRL WITH 9!

In 2nd:
Chris (yeah, that's right. I'm still here, bitches.)
Chrissy
Daoud
Kevin
Marge (she's back, like Jack Nicholson in The Shining)
Mark

Sound Editing

The Hurt Locker

Daoud
Mark
Sarah

straighten your posture

and cover your mouth when you cough.

haven't you heard of swine flu?

Leaderboard is constantly changing

With 8:
Chrissy from Space Camp
Mark

Close behind with 7:
Carl
Chris
Daoud
Jay
Joe
Kevin
Peter
Sarah
Val

With 6:
Helen
Marge (how the high-and-mighty have fallen)
Robbie
Robin
Theresa
Trish

With 5:
Jacquie
Jamili
Joann
Lisa
Phillip

With 3:
John

And finally on the board:
Mariko, with 1.

Costume Design

The Young Victoria...

designed by a woman who just couldn't give a shit that she won.



Though perhaps she could've done something for Charlize...


I mean, REALLY, Charlize?

Horseface

looks AWFUL.

nice hair, Sarah. pfft.

Art Direction

Avatar

NEW LEADERBOARD!

Chrissy
Daoud
Mark!!!

Leaderboard

Chrissy
Daoud
Helen
Jay
Kevin
Marge
Mark

with 5:
Carl
Chris
Joe
Peter
Robbie
Robin
Sarah
Val

next, with 4:
Jacquie
Jamili
Joann
Lisa
Phillip
Theresa
Trish

next, with 2:
John

and...trying really hard:
Mariko. With 0.

Supporting Actress

Mo'Nique

How about thanking or acknowledging your co-star Gabourey? Just once?

Queen Latifah

Looks fabulous!

New Leaderboard!

CHRISSY!
Daoud
Helen
Jay
Kevin
Marge
Mark

Adapted Screenplay

One I'm happy to have missed...

Good for you, Geoffrey Fletcher!

Rachel McAdams

has finally found a use for Carl's old curtains.

Thank you, Rachel.

Make-Up

Star Trek

Marge pulls out front again with 5

Tied for 2nd with 4:
Carl
Chris
Chrissy
Daoud
Helen
Jay
Joe
Kevin
Mark
Peter
Robbie
Sarah

I really really really

hate ben stiller.

Live Action Short

The New Tenants...

Kudos to:
Peter
Jamili
Sarah
Theresa

Leaderboard: Marge and Peter with 4 - and Sarah, too!

Pushy White Women

in a purple cape.

get over yourself, honey.

An IOC Second!

No one chose this one, either!!!!

Animated Short

An IOC First!

NO ONE PICKED IT!!!!

Marge Cheats!

enough said.

Dammit

John Hughes was brilliant.

Original Screenplay

The Hurt Locker...

nice pick Helen, Marge, Robbie, Sarah, Trish

Marge is in the lead!!

We're Back!

Disney has relented.

We're back at home...where we ought to be.

Why is Tina Fey wearing leopard print?

leaderboard

Carl
Chris
Chrissy
Daoud
Jacquie
Jay
Joe
Kevin
Marge
Mark
Peter
Val

original song

Is miley pregnant or just in an awfully ill fitting ugly dress?

Crazy Heart

animated feature

Annoying intro

Up

All got but
Mariko
Trish

all tied except

Mariko
Robbie
Phillip
John
Lisa
Trish

supporting actor

Christolph Waltz
Internet issues across street

We are eating

Waiting for Sarah to step inside the house...she's standing outside gabbing away on her phone...

We'll have to cross the street to see the show...Thanks to Disney's need to grub for more and more money than Cablevision already pays them each year to broadcast ABC, we are without ABC in our house. So we'll have to go across the street to Mama Zetterstrom's house and watch the Oscars on her Direct TV.

Take THAT, Disney.

The Ballots Are In!

Check your email for the master file...you can play along at home!

Yes, Phillip

we got your entry.

9 Minutes.

and counting.

One Hour Left

Well, a little less than an hour at this point...

Here's who we've received ballots from:
Carl
Chris the Champion
Chrissy from Space Camp
Daoud
Helen
Jacquie
Jay
Joann
John
Kevin/Heather
Lisa
Marge
Mariko
Peter
Robin
Sarah
Trish

Jeter and Jamili, I know you sent emails, but nothing was attached. Resend!

Oscars 2010 are here!

The 2010 IOC is almost upon us...15 ballots have been cast and we're anxiously awaiting the remainder.

Though, we all know that I will continue my dominance. So the race is really for 2nd place.

And there's no prize for 2nd place.

So, really. Why bother?