Friday, October 19, 2007

Catching Up



On Wednesday evening I did a reading of All Hallowed, a new play by Bill C. Davis at the Player's Club on Gramercy Square. The reading was directed by Jerry Less. Also in the cast were Francis Sternhagen, Malachy McCourt, and Jeremy Jordan.

Last night I went to see Perfect Crime, playing at the Snapple Theater on 50th Street. My friend Rob Sedgewick has been appearing there recently in the role of Lionel McAuley. This show has been running for 20 years, and the lead actress (Catherine Russel) has only missed four shows in all that time. I'll let you do the math.

My colleague Miriam Eusebio is planning to direct a production of Samuel Beckett's Happy Days at WOW Cafe Theatre in 2009. I've been speaking with Miriam about fund raising for the project. The first big bill is due next month - $800 to the Beckett estate to secure the rights. Stay tuned for information to an upcoming fundraiser event.

These last few weeks I've also been running around on audition after audition. I'm not complaining. I'm happy that I have such distinguished representation as Doug Kesten at Paradigm and Pete Kaiser and David Cash at Henderson-Hogan Agency. In the last ten days I've gone out on auditions for a film, a play, a TV show, and several commercials, including spots for Lexus, Stay Free (yes, the tampon people) and Radio Shack. But so far...no news on anything.

Such is the life.

Meanwhile I've been desperately trying to figure out what I'm going to do for money. It's all swell and good to be an actor when you're working. You feel like you're at the top of the world. But in between gigs when the rent comes due, well, let's just say it can get a little scary. I'm not too proud to do what I have to, and I've already got some "bread and butter" work lined up. I think it's the waiting and wondering that really is hard. That, and the fact that you pretty much have to be available at a moment's notice to get in on some of these auditions. It makes earning a living really tricky. Unless, of course, you land a national spot. Then you can afford to spend your days running around auditioning.

I'm thinking about joining the Peace Corps.

w.