Summer Vacation Ends

And by 'summer vacation', I mean a vacation from my blog, evidently. I think a solid 10 days away from a blog constitutes a 'good vacation' - so now I'm back and ready to catch up. Between working and auditions and the searing heat wave we had last week, I just had little to no UMPH when it came to 'blogging time' every night. I found my UMPH today, though...since my commute took 2 hours (damn power outage across the city!) and I needed to channel my energy somewhere when I got to work. HAHAHAHA! Why channel it towards work? Boo, I say.

So - in no certain order, here is what has been going on in my life over the past couple of weeks. Please keep up...there will be a test at the end.

1. ROSS PATTERSON VISITS WASHINGTON DC!!!

The last day of May, I did a Segway tour that included a fellow Idahoan, Ross Patterson. Ross was in town for a conference or convention or something 'official' like that...but he took some time to see the city, also, with the 'Matt Anderson Complete Tour Services' - including a Segway tour, dinner and lunch at DC 'hot spots' (dinner at Matchbox and lunch the next day Ben's Chili Bowl. People who know, can I get an "AMEN!"? Thanks!) AND - an amazing storm as we walked down U Street back towards his hotel. All in all, an successful 24-hour span of time hanging with Ross. (HE MADE THE BLOG, STEPHANIE! YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!)

Here are Ross and I on our Segways...Ross complete with a Boise State shirt! On the steps of the Capitol Building. God bless the USA!

2. 'DAVID' annouces it is closing early!!!

So after an 8 week rehearsal process, which was probably one of the most frustrating and stressful experiences of my life, 'David' opened to a series of SCATHING reviews in local DC press....about 11 harsh reviews....each one more brutal than the next. (In our defense, the Georgetowner Current Press Ledger Courier thing....whatever it's called....LOVED it. So...you know. We have THAT going for us.) And by the time it was done, the reviews effectively kept the masses away from buying tickets...so after comps and deep-pocket-discounts, the theater annouced we would be closing on June 15th - a week (5 shows) earlier than anticipated. So we lost a week of salary...although, it DOES mean we don't have to do the show 5 more times. That's solid. It might not sound like THAT big of a deal, but shows like this don't normally close in DC. We were not a show having a commercial run. We were running at a venue that has a subscriber base. But whatever. However it happened, it happened. And we have 3 shows left. And although I'm going to miss being with this cast, I'm sure we're all going to have an extra-special celebration on Sunday when that final "...AND" is sung and the final sheep puppet has its final moment with David. I wonder if we will all have our "moment" with N.O. in the Land of And someday? hmmmmm..........

I took these photos for Russell's wife, Janine. She wanted some Goliath shots to show her mom.

Donna shows off the sheep puppet poop (I'm sure you're sad to know it was CUT from the show in previews) to pass time between shows. Honestly.....SHEEP PUPPET POOP. Read that right.

3. I SAW THIS DUDE.......

Sitting outside the JCC one day, this dude went ZOOMING by on a...um....motorized skateboard? I guess? And then when he was coming back from the Whole Foods the other direction, I got my camera out in time to snap a picture of him. See the cord from the back of the board up to his right hand? Controlling it? I mean....why even buy a skateboard? Isn't the whole POINT of a skateboard to do the whole leg-pump thing? Ridiculous. And I want one.

4. I got another job for the 2008-2009 season!!!

I'm thrilled to be slowly filling up my 'theater dance card' for the upcoming season. As regular readers know, I'm doing 'BUSYTOWN the musical' with Imagination Stage in the fall. And I can't WAIT! (I just got the script - hysterical - and the cast list - fun people. Bring. It. On.) And last week, I filled my 'Spring Show' need when I got cast in a world-premiere play with Theater J. The play is called 'The Rise and Fall of Annie Hall' - it's a really funny script and it's a cast of 5. And I'm very excited to get to work on my first real play (not-musical) in the area. More information on this show as it gets closer. But you can click HERE to read more about it.

This is a graphic from the advertising for the show.

5. The Nationals are still not good......

but going to their games at the new Nationals Park is so much fun....who cares? You can get Ben's Chili Bowl, Five Guys, Red Hot & Blue BBQ at the stadium....all the best of DC AND US President Characters with huge heads racing in the out field? Who needs a good team! Matt P, Russell, Anais and I went to the Cardinals/Nats game...that was subsequently rained out by a cr-izzzzzzzzzzzzzzz-azy storm. Here I am just including a couple of photos from that night...but my next entry....maybe this afternoon after lunch...will be photos from the rain delayed game. It was wacky. SOOOO much rain.

Me, Russell, George and Matt P strike a pose pre-game. Evidently the girl we asked to take the picture has never heard of 'centering'. It's a new concept but I BET it catches on eventually.

I couldn't choose which picture I liked better...so I added them both. Russell and Matty P show off the FREE t-shirts we got. Anais showed up late so no t-shirt for her. And that's sad because who doesn't want a Big-Head-Jefferson t-shirt?

6. A trip to the country.

Delaplane, VA, to be exact. Still unclear about many of the details....but I know it was an appreciation dinner/bbq for some of the donors who have donated to 'David'. And the cast was there to entertain. It was far away.....the hamburger balls were......interesting....and it was 400 degrees outside. BUT the setting really was beautiful. And Donna M and I had a blast on our 'road trip' that had written directions including 'turn off the paved road on to the dirt road that runs along side the train tracks.' How could you NOT love an adventure like that? PLUS after it was all said and done, we had an awesome lightning show on the drive home! Here are some pics of the "farm" we were at.

A look out across the back of the property.

The guest-house-pool-dining-bbq-don't-let-your-dog-around-here area.

The koi pond.

Up close down at the pond.

Russell and the Yates family....looking back up the hill towards the house. Wait...we have to climb back UP there to eat? Grrrrrr....

7. I came across an old picture/memory that delights me everytime....

enough said....

* * * * *

So there you go. A written/photo report of 'what I did on my summer vacation away from my blog.' I'll be back sooner than later with more summer excitement from our nation's capital city. Happy Friday the 13th!

2016 Olympics

I can't even HANDLE the excitement of breaking Olympic news! Today in Athens, the IOC announced the 4 finalist cities who will compete to host the 2016 Summer Olympic games. The field was narrowed down from 7 cities. Eliminated from the race today were Doha, Qatar; Prague, Czech Republic, and Baku, Azerbaijan. (Read more about it HERE.)

Before the IOC gathers in October 2009 to cast THEIR votes, I'm interested in knowing what you think. Feel free to base your opinion on fact, emotion or the simple choice of 'coolest bid city logo.'

The 4 finalists are:

(I vote CHICAGO! It's my kind of town.....)

(I love the Spaniards in my life...but honestly...Europe is hosting 2012/London. Do they get the 2016 games, too?)

(South America has NEVER hosted an Olympics.)

(Asia has the 2008 games in Beijing....should they get another one THIS close? But - this IS my second favorite logo. Behind Chicago.)

should i call someone for help?

so yesterday, saturday, we had a big rainstorm in dc. it was awesome. but i got caught out in the middle of it, so after a quick trip to rite-aid for some needed supplies, i decided to hop a cab home. it took a few minutes, but a nice cab/car finally stopped, and i hopped in and told the guy to take me to 36th & T in georgetown. i could tell when i sat down that he was on his bluetooth headset, in the middle of a conversation, but he stopped to say 'OK' and we sped off.

as we drove, i tried to distinguish what language was being spoken. it was nothing i could pick out, but it did have a clicking element to the sound, so i figured it was maybe something from west africa. (i drew this conclusion based on my brother, tim, telling me about the clicking dialects in the cape verde islands....off the horn of west africa.) i continued to listen to the sing-song of the language, and the clicking and the sheer animation that the driver was using to talk.

and then suddenly, in the middle of all the speaking, i thought i picked out the words "sex slave." i was a bit stunned, and thought maybe i had zoned out and my mind was making things up. so i focused again, and about 20 seconds later, he said, in full english, "no. she is a sex slave." um.......excuse me? and then he went back to the sing-song, click-click language.

the ride only lasted about 5 more minutes, but in that 5 minutes, the term 'sex slave' was heard 4 more times, in the midst of the strangely captivating, metered language. i'm not sure if it was just an english language study session going on.....maybe via teleconference? or maybe a prankster english tutor somewhere having a good laugh about the homework list of words he sent home? i guess i'll never know.

but what i do hope is that the thumping i heard in the trunk when i got out of the car at home was nothing more than a loose tire....





(i'm kidding....there was no thumping in the trunk. just muffled screams.)



(kidding again.)

Brought To You By Stoney's

So when the cast of 'David' isn't busy doing their show or discussing with each other how to handle all the glowing press, we like to gather at our favorite local hangout, STONEY'S, and eat their delicious grilled cheese, discuss the merits of our show and just unwind after a hard nights work on stage! And, when we have friends who come see the show, it makes it that much more fun!

Last night, after our Wednesday night show, a group of us headed over to Stoney's for our standard fare, and we ended up having some fun with my camera. We started with the now-standard 'Motorboat' pictures. But we switched to the newest photo-technique, introduced by Will. It is the 'Loose Jaw Shake Your Head Back And Forth' style....and they are FIERCE!

So, enjoy some fun, sponsored by the folks at Stoney's. And, when you're taking your next photos, try the new 'Loose Jaw' technique, and send me the results!

Happy Thursday!

MOTORBOAT

Russell and Gillian (with her 'Shear Madness' makeup on. )(Many of you will remember Gillian from my first year of Willy Wonka. I love her.)

Gillian gets very serious with her Motorboat attempts.

Russell's wife, Janine, gives Motorboat a try, as well.

Russell and Will decide to show the girls how it is done.

LOOSE JAW SHAKE

Ladies first. Janine just laughs....but Gillian gives it a good try.

A second attempt from the ladies proves a little better.

Janine gets into this one....but Gillian's head hurt after 3 attempts.

AND THEN....the boys decided to show the girls up...again...

and again!!! GOOD FUN!

Wordless Wednesday

Weekend Words of Wisdom

what's it like being single?
i like it.
i like starting each day with a sense of possibility.
and i'm optimistic because every day, i get a little more desperate....
and desperate situations yield the quickest results.

-michael scott

Ideas For Memorial Day Fun

A HUGE shout out to my friend, Dainon, for posting this video on his blog. And now I am sharing it with all of YOU, in honor of Memorial Day 2008! Why Memorial Day? No reason at all.

For those of you who follow my blog, you'll know that I have an on-going love-affair with the Japanese and their ridiculous game shows! This is just another reason for that love. So get out YOUR kimonos, marshmallows and stretchy bands, and have fun!

FYI....

Wordless Wednesday

(To: Josh Campbell.)

Opening Day & Night

So Sunday night, we pulled it all together and "DAVID...." opened here in DC. It was fun to be part of the opening of a world premiere musical. I had my camera handy to snap some pictures along the way - both before and after the show. Whether the show is well received or not, and I guess for the most part it will be 'not', I have to say that I LOVE working with this cast of people. (I might even have a crush on all 9 of them, collectively.) We have had an incredible time together....we probably laugh way too much...but we're having a ball. The talent is incredible - I am deeply humbled to be working with them all. And for better or worse, the show is open and we don't have to rehearse ANY MORE! Yay US!

Enjoy the photos!

Everyone in their jumpsuits....right before heading on stage.

Another group-flight-suit-shot....with Maribeth, our AMAZING stage manager in the center.

Our hero, Matt Pearson (Young David) and the beautiful Peggy Yates (Batsheva) at the Opening Night Reception.

Carolyn Agan (Michal) with her boyfriend, Mike and the ever-awesome Larry Redmond (Prophet Samuel).

Everyone is all smiles! R-L: the always entertaining George Fulginiti-Shakar (music director), Peggy Yates, playwright Yehuda Hyman and Otis (George's partner).

5 of the 7 men in the cast. L-R: Will Gartshore (Jonathan/Absalom), Bobby Smith (Saul/Older David), Me, Matty P, (front) Russell Sunday (Goliath).

Somehow, EVERYONE finds Bathseva! Russell, Peggy, Matty and Will enjoy a moment with each other...as Will starts to show everyone his NEW traveling phrase he just made up during the reception.

Our incredible composer and a good friend, Daniel Hoffman (center) with his wife, Karine and daughter, Talyah (who thinks i'm pretty cool) and our playwright, Yehuda Hyman.

POST Opening Night Reception was held at Stoney's. Maribeth and Russell are all smiles!

And then the night went black and white....which, as you know, I like to call ART SHOTS! So enjoy some 'David In Shadow And Light' (or DISAL, for short) art shots! I call this one: "Peggy, Matty and Onion Rings"

And this one is called: "Half A Ring & Complete Surprise"

Next art shot: "Discussion"

I call this one: "A Moment Enjoyed"

I love this DISAL art shot. It's actually untitled.

UPDATE: NEW Case Of The Unfortunates

They are everywhere, folks! Thanks to my brother, Jeremy, in Boise....for being quick on the draw with him camera phone....and getting this covert-op shot (notice the rim of the umbrella sticking out.....) of the ULTIMATE soccer fan! Have a GREAT Sunday....and don't be unfortunate.

It's About Time

LIFE is meted out in time...whether you adhere to it or not. The bus comes at 8:47am. Taxes are due April 15th. The flight leaves at 7:32pm. Your brother's birthday is October 18th. The New Year rings in at 12 midnight. Movies start, trains depart, hair appointments are scheduled, bill deadlines are set. For the most part, we function based on the things we have scheduled in our lives. And it's easy to say that you're not bound by time...and that you work on your own schedule.

But the truth is...no matter how you look at it...there are general rules of time you ARE bound to. The bus isn't there at 8:51am. It left 4 minutes ago. On October 19th, the only thing that applies is a card with belated birthday wishes. And in your effort NOT to be bound by time, you find that you have to reschedule your hair appointment for 3 weeks down the road, at the next available opening. Your intentions could be the best around, but if you're late, you're late. There really is no way around it. For better or worse, 'time' is a part of our lives and the sooner we learn to adhere to it, the easier our lives will be.

I started thinking alot about this idea yesterday as I sat at rehearsal. This rule of 'time' is applicable to things that can't be measured by clocks or calendars or Day Timers. Thank You's have a window of time to be expressed in. Bless You's aren't really meant to be delivered an hour or a day or a week past a sneeze. And as I realized yesterday, apologies, in whatever form they come, really should be delivered as soon after the indiscretion as possible.

As a responsible adult, if you know better (and I would hope most adults would), and yet you still let the offense sit and simmer and fester before you decide to apologize, then shame on you for missing your deadline. Shame on you again for thinking a half-assed apology and 3 hours of acting goofy does away with 6 weeks of avoiding responsibility, mis-managing of time, condescension, and general over-all unpleasantness. And shame on you for having to be told that your best option is to just swallow your pride and apologize. Shame on you for thinking you were going to make your 3:49pm flight....when you didn't show up until 4:07pm.

The thing is....life is about time. Try not to be late.

I LOVE Washington DC!!!!

Just be warned....there is some harsh language in here...but it such a funny video clip, it needs to be shared. It illustrates the magic of living in Washington DC. And occurances like these happen more often than you would think. I especially like that the woman who is getting yelled AT is a quiet, nice little old lady! HAHAHAHA! And an extra amount of thanks for whoever added the subtitles. They really add to the whole thing.

This video is brought to you compliments of Segway-boss, Jack. I owe you, Jackson. UNLESS of course you're paying me back for introducing you to Elevation Burger. Then I guess we are even again!

Everyone else - ROLL TAPE!!!!

Let's Discuss A Few Things

So it's time for another lengthy blog post to catch up on what has been keeping me away from blogging recently. Except....I'm going to try and not be too lengthy. It's late - and I need to get to bed.

1. DAVID IN SHADOW AND LIGHT starts previews.....

So yeah. This past Saturday night, for better or worse, we started previews of the show. It was quite a feat getting it up and running....and after a day off yesterday, we were back tonight making changes and cuts to parts of the show to try and whittle it down to a 'manageable length.' (The entire evening is clocking in at about 3 hours at this point.) It is definitely a work in progress, and it has never been the same show twice. LUCKILY - I am working with a stellar cast of people who make it bearable and fun! We might laugh a little too much...but it is getting us through. So I say it's worth it. The show runs until June 22nd, I believe....so....I guess come see it if you want. I know it's been available through Gold Star Events here in DC - so check it out.

2. I got a gig for Fall 2008!

Last Friday, I got cast in a new show that will give me work from September through the beginning of November this year! And I'm very excited about it. I'll be working at Imagination Stage in Bethesda, performing in their production of BUSYTOWN The Musical! It's a family musical based on the Richard Scarry books and characters that we all grew up with! It the DC area premiere...and I am going to be playing Huckle The Cat - who serves as the narrator for the day in Busytown. (OR...as my friend, Bobby, likes to call it: "Frantic City".) The music is great and I am very excited for this chance to work with Imagination Stage. PLEASE let me know if you're going to be in the area and would like to see the show. Especially those of you with little ones. I think it's going to be a fun show.

3. THIS JUST IN - FRAGGLE ROCK: THE MOVIE!!!!

Who really cares about rehearsal or new plays or ANYTHING when you hear information like THIS! Just announced today - a full-length feature film of the Fraggles! It will not be done with CG....just good ol' fashioned Henson puppets! Seriously - nothing else is of importance to me. You can read more about it by clicking HERE. And you can ALSO relive the magic of the opening credits by watching this YouTube clip!

4. The British Bachelor is an IDIOT!

So the dude, Matt, from London chose the LAMEST girl to win! Her name is Shayne...she's an actress...and her dad is Lorenzo Lamas. And she told her dad she wanted to be on the show because it would be good for her career. But then back-peddled on that when her dad brought it up. Anyway - she's annoying. But after choosing her, now I think he's annoying, too. So they deserve each other.

THAT'S RIGHT! I just weighed in with my opinions on The Bachelor. Sue me.

5. PROM 2008

So, one of the coolest people I know in the 18-and-under category is my niece, Samantha. She's a sophomore at Centennial High School in Boise...and she's an amazing kid. She got asked to the prom this year - AS A SOPHOMORE - and this past weekend was the big dance! And last night, she sent me some pictures of her and her date. I can't believe she's all grown up and going to PROM! Sam was born when I was a senior in high school (at Centennial High School) - and it's been a pleasure watching her grow into the young woman that she is today! I love her dearly and I am so proud of her and so very happy that we are friends!