Random List on an Overcast Spring Friday

I get it. The Hunger Games in movie form is as big as the second coming of Christ itself. You can stop reaffirming that on Facebook.

I don't get to go to London next week after all, and that SUCKS.

I DO, however get more time to spend with my wife and puppies.

And I'm probably going to take a PTO day because I deserve it.

The song "What About Love" from The Color Purple sounds like the bastard love child of "I Swear" and "Reunited." And now that I've made that connection, I can't listen to the song anymore, which is unfortunate.

I've got three shows in rehearsals right now, and it's fascinating how different three shows can be. It's REALLY fascinating how different three directors can be. And it's mind-boggling how different three casts can be.

I'm starting to get really excited to direct The Wizard of Oz. Initially, I was hesitant, but I'm really starting to figure out a way to make it "my" version and still keep the masses happy who want a carbon copy of the movie. Spoiler: it won't even be close to the movie, but hopefully they'll like it...

I got to have a one-on-one session with one of the kids in The Secret Garden last night, and it made me miss teaching.

TV is starting to bore me.

I still really like my new ward, but there are some people in it that are fully grown children. And other people who enable/empower those people to act like children. And that's frustrating.

It's been a really rough week, but I have nothing to rehearse or work on tomorrow, and it's Lauren's birthday. I get to spend an entire day at home, hopefully catching up on some projects, making birthday cake, watching Mad Men (Lauren's THIS close to getting hooked...), hanging all of our Disney pictures, making food, putting together a Wizard of Oz concept book, and relaxing. I can't wait.

The Color Purple is almost done recording the audio, so I guess I better get back to work now...

Summer in Review

School starts in less than 12 hours. While I'm glad that it didn't start when Utah school districts start for the first time in ages, giving me an extra week, I'm still not excited. I should be. I have classes with all of my favorite teachers in the theatre department. Most of my classes this semester are fun classes and not required. It's my final senior year, meaning after two more semesters, I'm DONE. I should be stoked, right? But I'm not. Oh, well. Even though it was way too short, I had a GREAT summer. In honor of this, I decided to create a blog to award some moments of the summer and give them due respect. Drumroll, please...

Best Personal Theatrical Experience: The first full run-through of Saturday's Warrior/The White Star. I really teared up when Jimmy reformed and saw Pam at the end of the show. Other than one little issue I had to deal with, working on the show was an incredible experience. I would give my right eye to work with Matt Neves again, and I would cast pretty much the entire cast any chance I could get. There was such an amazing atmosphere (which I credit to the Spirit, but that's another blog in and of itself) that I've never experienced working on another show. I secretly hope that I get asked to do the show again next year.

Best Professional Theatrical Experience: In the Heights. Holy freaking crap. Loved every minute of it. And I not only teared up, but for the first time ever, I CRIED at a show. Very moving. From the moment "Atencion" began to the moment "Everything I Know" ended, I had tears streaming down my face. I really was the ultimate fanboy after the show. Brilliant theatre.

Favorite Music: In the Heights, OneRepublic

Favorite TV: Mad Men, Fear Itself, Psych (the 80s prom episode was one of the best episodes of any show ever), The Soup

Favorite Movies: As if it wasn't obvious, The Dark Knight. I really loved WALL-E, though, and I quite enjoyed The X-Files: I Want To Believe.

Favorite Activities: Hooters & The Dark Knight with Emily, Matt, and Melinda; relaxing bbq with Taryn, Megan, Taven, and Holly; meeting Ashley Brown after Mary Poppins; catching a ghost on film in the form of an orb at the Winchester Mystery House

Best Personal Achievements: Teaching the advanced acting workshop for youth theatre and seeing the progression in some of the kids - I may not be the best actor, but dang, I can coach kids in it; Various cleaning projects - I've never had such clean and organized living space; rewriting the majority of the vocal parts in Saturday's Warrior/The White Star - I had a blast, and I was really proud of how they turned out, especially when I was told that Janice Kapp Perry was pleased with what I had done with WS

Best Purchases/Gifts: Batman lunchbox, license plate, and keychain from Teri & Bristol, new iPod, new car, New York souvenirs (especially my 30+ scripts that I bought from The Drama Book Shop)

That's about it for now. I may come back and add some more stuff if I remember something. It's late, afterall, I'm dead tired, and I've got school in the morning. UGH!!!!