A quick update from the footlights

Right now, I'm in final rehearsals for a production of "The Fantasticks," opening next week at the Corn Stock tent. We've reached that point in the process where we run the full show every night -- which makes for some long, and tiring, rehearsals.

A couple of days ago, we lost the actor playing Henry, my very good friend Clark Rians. Fortunately, our director made some calls over the holiday, and Larry Stratton agreed to take on the role on very short notice.

While I'm devasted at losing Clark, I know it'll be great working with Larry. He played the same role ten years ago (the same production Madeline was in, as it happens), so I know he'll ready to go. He's a real pro, and we've worked together in the past. A couple of years ago, he was my sidekick in "The Crucible," and now the roles are reversed.

[EDIT: One of these days, I have *got* to figure out what it is that makes directors think to pair us up like we're the Mutt and Jeff of community theatre. I mean, Larry's got twenty-some years on me; he's tall, and thin; and I'm short and... umm, NOT thin.

We're getting better every night. I can't wait until opening -- a week from tomorrow.