Hi Dolls,

We're heading into a big snowstorm on the East Coast. Finally winter's upon us. Eeek! Now my commute becomes difficult But it's so much fun to have been in a blizzard in New York City, actually make it to the theatre, and play to the 7 intrepid souls who demand that the show go on.  

All is well at my theatre. Our hairdresser Vanessa Andersen keeps winning all the backstage pools. Dollar Friday 3 times and the Super Bowl. People are congratulating her, I think she's the devil. Well, she's got red hair. Audiences are, for the most part, well behaved this month. I look out at the first couple of rows and wonder if people have read my Ramblings. I actually love looking out at the audience and you can in this production because there are no spotlights. It's great to watch the people actually become involved with the story and lose all inhibition. They become so vulnerable, they look like children listening to a story. And of course, those who don't get involved aren't back for the second act. A couple of nights ago about 15 of them in various parts of the orchestra left. Maybe they didn't speak English, maybe they thought they were at "Mama Mia". Maybe they just didn't like us.  

I'm going to talk about Diana DiMarzio, the Beggar Woman. She's making her Broadway debut and I love watching this woman every night. Not only on stage but off stage. The silent dedication and gratitude. She is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and it shows. She and I work together in a couple of scenes and how it shows up the most is in her technique. I love an actor with technique. I'll try something new and Diana is right there with me. She's game, she's alive every minute she's on that stage. She also has this voice that's freakish. It sounds like a dramatic soprano but she also belts with the same weight. And this girl will never miss a performance. She loves being on stage. How lucky I am to be on stage with her.

I love Cindy Sheehan's statements after she was arrested for wearing an anti-war t-shirt in Congress. "I have lost my son. I have lost my First Amendment rights. I have lost the country that I love. Where did America go?" 

At home, we've turned into a hybrid family. It's fun just trying to do a little bit to help. That's all for now.

Love, Patti

 

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