Show #54 "Hairspray" at Tacoma Musical Playhouse

I needed to have some fun today.

I had sprained my foot while walking the dog the other day, and was still hobbling around with an ace wrap on my foot and a cane in my hand. Randy was gone for most of the day today, so I was once again on doggie duty.

Doggie and I went for walks in the pouring rain. Well....doggie went for a couple of brisk sprints around the neighborhood, while I limped with cane in hand and rain drenching me and my raincoat.

Granted, this doesn't qualify as the worst day in history, but I still was in the mood for some fun and joy. Some DRY fun and joy. Well...I got it!

Thanks to Tacoma Musical Playhouse, I was able to end my day humming, tapping my non-injured toe and laughing with glee. Yep, I got to watch "Hairspray."

You all know the show I mean. The one about chubby teen Tracy Turnblad who dreams of becoming a dancer on TV's "Corny Collins Show" in 1960's Baltimore. Her friends, both black and white, want to see the Collins show integrated on a daily basis, rather than accept the once-a-month "Negro Day" that is currently offered. Standing in their way is a manipulative TV producer and her self-centered daughter.

But, everyone knows that all's well that ends well, especially in musical comedies like this. Tracy gets on the show, gets the guy and gets the show to integrate. Happy ending.

And the journey to that happy conclusion was pure fun. Just what the doctor ordered.

I have been impressed with the good work that the folks at the Tacoma Musical Playhouse are doing. Their talent comes from all over the Pierce, Thurston and King County regions. Dedicated musical theatre performers will gladly (and repeatedly, show after show) hop onto I-5, drive a great distance and head toward Tacoma for a chance to do some good theater.

I don't blame them. TMP is one of the most successful theaters in this area, with an ever-growing number of season subscribers. If you are a theatre artists, and want to be seen by a large number of audience members (remember, in this business, exposure is everything), TMP is the place to be.

And tonight, the audience was big and appreciative. The cast got a standing ovation from many of us. Why? We laughed, we hooted and hollered, we tapped our toes, we had fun.

Yes, the Pacific Northwest rain was still falling. We didn't care. The cold, wet weather couldn't ruin our evening. We were enjoying "Hairspray," and nothing else mattered.

And there was a bonus. After Randy and I got home, it was HIS turn to walk doggie in the rain. Me? I stayed warm and dry, sat at my computer and gushed about "Hairspray."

Thanks, TMP. You made my day.

Thanks to Hairspray cast member Lexi Scamehorn for graciously posing for this photo!

Show #19 "Flower Drum Song" at Tacoma Musical Playhouse

"52 Shows in 52 Weeks" is my on-line diary of support for live theatre in the Seattle/Tacoma region. And for this occasional actor, what better way to show that support than to participate in one of the shows myself?

Last evening, the Tacoma Musical Playhouse was filled to capacity for the opening of the rarely-produced Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, "Flower Drum Song." Asian-American playwright David Henry Hwang has lovingly updated this story while incorporating almost all the beautiful songs from the original show.

Judging from the reaction from the gushing members of TMP's audience, I guess we were a hit.

Or should I say, "they" were a hit (meaning the FDS cast and crew)? I won't exactly include myself in this equation...not yet. You see, I spent most of the show backstage carefully watching the actress playing the role of Madame Rita Liang. Oh yes, I made an occasional appearance in a crowd scene, and even got in a few spoken lines during a moment taking place in a fortune cookie factory.

But, the rest of the time, I was studying. Why?

I must study Madame Liang. On closing weekend of this show, I will be replacing the actress in that role.

Am I ready? Can I do it? You bet. I must admit, I am a bit nervous about singing those solos, but as an actor, I am more than ready to put on that character and make those scenes come alive.

But, in the meantime, I will remain in the background, watching (yes, watching, so this show DOES count toward my 52) and studying.

Madame Liang has a line in act 2 when she is reminiscing about her days in Hollywood. "They called me the Queen of the Oriental Crowd Scenes!" she exclaims. For weeks 1-3 of this show, that's me.

But on Saturday and Sunday of week 4, watch out. I get to try Rita Liang on for size. So far, I haven't even had a single rehearsal to run through this part. But I'm ready. And from what I can see, Rita Liang and I will fit together nicely.

And it won't even take a hundred million miracles to do that...just preparation and hard work. That's what's happening everyday.

Graphics courtesy of Jessilyn Carver

Show #10 "The Wedding Singer" at Tacoma Musical Playhouse

Sigh.....since when did the 1980s become an historical era?

At one of the elementary schools where I work, the student council recently organized a "1980s Day." The publicity encouraged students and faculty to wear retro clothes from the 80s, including sweaters with big shoulder pads, spandex leggings (I hear they're still in style, however!) and big hair.

This all would have been rather amusing, especially considering I still have some of those outfits in my closet, until I realized that none of my students there had even been born during that decade.

I was no longer amused.

"The Wedding Singer," of course, is a rollicking musical, dancing adaptation of the 1998 Adam Sandler flick of the same name. The Tacoma Musical Playhouse put on a thoroughly enjoyable opening night last evening, complete with the teased hairdos, hefty shoulder padded floral dresses and men in pink.

The songs were a musical love fest to 80s pop. The characters were a cavalcade of newsmakers and stereotypes from that era. All of it made me smile....that is, until I realized once again how "long ago" that era really was. Most of those dancers on stage either hadn't been born or were just pre-schoolers during the 80s.

Again, I was no longer amused.

I know, I know...I should lighten up. This middle-aged dinosaur should accept the fact that shows like "The Wedding Singer" are the younger generation's "Grease." Retro. Nostalgic. Bygone era. Good old days. Historic.

So, one day when my grandchildren are celebrating "2010s Day" at their school, how will my sons feel? Will they smile? Or will they just feel old?

I'm hoping they'll smile. If they feel old, what will that make me, pre-historic?
Sigh..........

Photo courtesy of Tacoma Musical Playhouse

Show #6 "Rent" at Tacoma Musical Playhouse

Artistically speaking, I feel as though I live in Peoria. You know that old saying, when someone has a brilliant idea for a play, movie or some other enterprise? "Yes, but will it play in Peoria?"

Peoria...the synonym for "mainstream," "Main Street, USA," or "ordinary man-on-the-street suburbia."

Peoria...or Tacoma.

It's been said that Tacoma audiences like their theatre safe, somewhat conservative and predictable. The theater seats are mostly filled with middle-aged and elderly viewers. If you want to pack the houses each weekend, conventional wisdom tells us, stay with mainstream, tried-and-true shows such as "Oklahoma," Neil Simon comedies or just about any British farce.

But, as I watched the non-safe, not-so-conservative "Rent" last evening at the Tacoma Musical Playhouse, I looked around me just to assure myself I was still on 6th Ave. in my humble town of Tacoma, WA.

What I witnessed there was a wonder to behold.

First, I saw a first-rate production that could hold its own against ANY professional company anywhere. Lest you think I am just a gushing Pierce County fan, let me assure you that I have held season tickets with such fine companies as the Seattle Repertory Theatre, Intiman Theatre, and ACT, as well as attending many shows at the Paramount, 5th Avenue and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland. I know good theatre when I see it.

Second, I saw a near-capacity crowd of mixed ages and ethnic backgrounds enjoy a story that TMP has billed as "R-rated" entertainment. AIDS, homosexuality, violence, drug use and tragic, early death were among the themes of the evening. Not exactly a show where the opening scene tells us, "oh, what a beautiful morning" it is...

At the end of this amazing show, the audience rose to its feet and cheered. Blue-haired members and well as those still wet behind the ears applauded their hearty approval. In the lobby afterward, I overheard an elderly patron say, "They said this was R-rated. I didn't think so...it was really GOOD!"

"Rent" has played to adoring crowds in theatre towns such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and (ahem!) Seattle. But will it play in Peoria?

Who knows...but I am proud to announce that it WILL play in Tacoma.