Dreaming of fall

I’m not a huge fan of roller coasters, but in my older agoe I’ve found myself more willing to step on one from time to time. I’m not sure why, because I don’t like them anymore then I did when I was younger. I hate the lack of control. It’s not just the lack on control you have on a roller coaster, it’s that the entire effect is making you FEEL as out of control as you possible can. Every picture of me riding a coaster with my kids in the last few years looks the same, me with my eyes closed and a fake smile on my mouth. Me, just letting the ride happen while I wait for it to be over.

This also sums up the last few months of life in general for me.

Opening Night For Hamilton In San Francisco

Well, it’s official: the Hamilton Tour officially kicked off in San Francisco, and it was a sight to behold. For many of us, this will be our first chance to actually see the musical we know and love, and, when we hold a show like Hamilton in such high and protected regard, there is plenty of room for disappointment. Thankfully, the cast of the Hamilton tour were up to the task — so much so, in fact, it was easy to forget some of originators of these roles were actually in the audience.

The show was as mesmerizing and magical as I’d hoped it would be and so much more. It’s truly a marriage of a captivating cast, amazing songs and a timeless story. And it translates perfectly from Broadway in NYC to Market Street in San Francisco.

TALKING 20 YEARS OF RENT WITH KATIE LAMARK

In these troubled times, it’s hard to imagine there being a better time to celebrate and honor the 20th Anniversary of Jonathan Larson’s epic musical, RENT. And that’s just what I had the chance to do this past week in San Francisco when I attended the opening night of its month long engagement at SHN’s Golden Gate theater.

The story of RENT is a powerful one, and I got the chance to talk to Katie LaMark, who stepped into the role of Maureen, originated by Idina Menzel (and boy, did she do it justice!). We chatted about how the show how translates 20 years later and the impact of telling a story like RENT in today’s political climate.

Finding Neverland with Kevin Kern

I can’t imagine there being a better time to capture a little magic on the stage then right now. And I can’t imagine a better type of magic then the special kind that only comes from Neverland. So I was ecstatic to go see “Finding Neverland” at SHN San Francisco’s legendary Orpheum Theater.

A truly magical production that will definitely leave believing win the fairies and the power of your own imagination.

And I was even more excited to get the chance to sit down with the talented Kevin Kern who plays the legendary J.M. Barrie himself.

LENA HALL TAKES ON HEDWIG

Hedwig and the Angry Inch has made its triumphant return to the stage this month in San Francisco. The long awaited return opened to rave reviews and has been anticipated by fans for ages. But what makes this production unique and history making is, for a handful of performances, the Tony Award-winning Lena Hall, known for her long time run (and aforementioned Tony win for) as Hedwig’s husband, Yitzhak, will be performing as Hedwig. This marks the first time in the show’s history that the lead role has been played by a woman. And I can’t imagine a better woman to take the wig down from the shelf.

LISTENING TO THE MIDNIGHT RADIO IN SAN FRANCISCO WITH HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH

One of the best things about live theatre is watching a beautiful story and a magnificent group of storytellers come together to make magic happen. That’s what I was lucky enough to witness this week during opening night of Hedwig and the Angry Inch at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Theater. Opening night also marked the triumphant return of Glee‘s Darren Criss as Hedwig and Lena Hall reprising her Tony-awarding role as Yitzhak. But the powerhouse that is Lena Hall will also be stepping into the role of Hedwig during a handful of performances. This will be the first time since the show’s inception that a woman will step into Hedwig’s heels. And after seeing Lena as Yitzhak, I can safely predict she’ll fit in those heels just fine.

JERSEY BOYS IN SAN FRANCISCO – OH WHAT A NIGHT

I might as well come clean right up front in this review, I adore the theater. I love music, especially vintage rock n roll, and I live for pop-culture history. So when heading out to see Jersey Boys begin it’s run at San Francisco’s legendary Orpheum theater, my expectations were high. I mean, c’mon, we’re talking about the Four Seasons. Your childhood was lacking if their music wasn’t at least part of growing up. With music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe, and book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, the Tony and Grammy award winning Jersey Boys should be at least decent right?

Nope. A show with rave reviews and music you already love, how could it possibly exceed expectations? I have no idea – but it did.

Shaky Tuesday

This was actually written on the 2008 Anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake, but I’m reposting it today.

They say sometimes animals can sense when something is about to happen. A storm, tornado, flood, or an earthquake. Well Mama Kitty had been missing since Monday, and it was now Tuesday afternoon. We decided to make some flyers and hang them up around the neighborhood. We sat at the kitchen table making up our lost pet posters, when suddenly the earth began to shake. Movies and books began falling of the shelves, and as all good California boys & girls do we got underneath the doorway.

Once the shaking finally stopped we all ran outside. All the neighbors had stepped out into the October evening and began joking and making guesses as to what size the quake was. Us kids were laughing and standing in the street watching the parked cars still gently rocking back & forth. When the cable finally came back on we all went inside to see the verdict. You see, earthquakes here aren’t really a big deal. They happen all the time, and though this one was obviously a doozy, it was still just an earthquake. Or so we thought.

The State of Creepy and The Houses October Built

Last night I had a dream. I dreamt that there was a creepy girl in a porcelain doll mask with frayed and dirty hair, and a creepy dirty old dress with blood on it and she had crazy horror movie eyes. In a singsong voice she asked me to play and followed me in a slow creepy skip down a dark ally. From out of nowhere she began to lunge at me. But lo and behold I had Ruby’s Knife (from the show Supernatural) and began to fight creepy little porcelain thing off. Suddenly I jolted awake and was in my bed. It was 4AM.

Quiet

I’m taking part in Mama Kat’s Writing Prompts, and the prompt I opted to write about this week was showing where I go for quiet.

But the truth is, where I go for quiet, well it’s not entirely quiet, because I never go there without my music. That place? My trail.