2014 in Review

Remember how I used to do a million shows every year? And how I'd overlap, and how sometimes I'd be performing in a show at the Hale, race to the SCERA, rehearse for a bit, and then make it back to the Hale before my next entrance? HOW DID I DO THAT?! I went from doing one show last year to doing 4 this year, and NEVER AGAIN. One was even just a brief few days commitment, but it was just too much. I feel like I never saw my family this year. And when I did see them, I was pushing the baby away to work on scene breakdowns and set sketches and whatnot. I have no theatre commitments in 2015, and I'm not feeling bad about that. Maybe it will finally be the year that I audition for something and end up on stage instead of behind it. Who knows? Anyway, here's 2014.

Favorite Personal Theatrical Experience: Les Miserables (Director/Music Director)
Despite the cast member from Hell, who made me question every day why I do theatre, this still came out on top. There were so many amazing people that I got to meet and work with that I would be a terrible person if I couldn't focus on them. And there were some beautiful moments in this show.

Least Favorite Personal Theatrical Experience: Anthem (Accompanist)
I really have high hopes for this show. And my friend, Rachel, who conceived and produced it, has a vision that is inspired. But the composers are really frustrating. I was supposed to music direct it, but I was so micro managed that I gave up. My biggest job ended up being a cheerleader to the actors after one of the composers would constantly beat them down and berate them. Which is nuts, because the only time I've ever worked with such a great group of actors was the last time I helped with Anthem when the other composer was the challenging one. Moral of the story: don't ever work on a show before it's complete. When you write your own work, be willing to see what it can do in the hands of others' and let them work.

Favorite Movies: Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men: Days of Future Past
Confession: these are the only two movies I saw in the theater this year. I have officially become the crotchety old man who hates everyone, but most especially, movie audiences. Why spend $20 for the two of us to see a movie with awful people when we can just buy the Blu-Ray when it comes out for the same price, or Redbox one for $2 when it's one we're unsure we'll like? However, these two movies were really good. I'm a sucker for a good comic book movie.
Runner-Up: Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Least Favorite Movie: Paranormal Activity: The Marked OnesOriginally, we weren't going to see this, because we found out they had added nudity to this one. But then I found out it would be easy to skip over (it was). Unfortunately, the boring plot/acting was not easy to skip over. And I hate being lied to, such as "this is not a sequel." IT WAS A SEQUEL. And the way they tried to tie it into the original movies was forced and felt more like a sci-fi movie than a good old scary movie. PASS.

Favorite New TV Addictions: Almost Royal, The Flash, Arrow
I dare you to find something more uncomfortably funny than Almost Royal. Ed Gamble and Amy Hoggart are brilliant. We were late to the Arrow game, but glad we showed up. Despite the fact that none of the females on the show can act, it's probably my favorite comic TV adaptation ever. And to be fair, the females are finally showing some growth as actresses in season 3. The Flash is better in some ways than Arrow was, but only because the latter paved the way.

Least Favorite New TV Shows: Gotham
I waited and waited and waited and nothing ever happened. Plus Jada Pinkett. I stopped watching before the "midseason finale."

Favorite New Books: Doctor Sleep by Stephen King, Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle
Both came out in 2013, but I devoured them both in January of 2014. The former is definitely not as good as its predecessor, The Shining, but it was a worthy continuation, and though not scary, it had great tension. The latter was just plain fun. I'm not a huge reader. I've been doing year-end blogs for years, and this is the first time I remember adding books. But I was hooked on these pretty quickly and read them both faster than I've read anything non-Rowling in a long time.

Favorite Album: The Blessed Unrest by Sara Bareilles
Technically, it came out last year, but I got it at the beginning of this year. And then listened to it on repeat for days.

Best Concert: Miranda Sings
I'm kind of over her videos on YouTube, but she was ridiculously funny in person.
Runner-up: Dave Coulier

Best New Recipe Discovery: Deep Dish Pizza
I found an amazing crust recipe, bought a pan, and never looked back.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!