"And the award goes to . . ."

"Caitlyn Allison for Outstanding Supporting Actress!"

"Joline Atkins for Outstanding Lead Actress!"

"Scott Calhoun for Outstanding Director!"

"Pump for Outstanding Production!"

And so concludes my FIRST visit to the Pittsburgh New Works Festival, and my SECOND show in the Pittsburgh area.

Yes, I'm flattered.

No, I didn't even know I had been nominated. Nominations were read at the post-Festival Gala just last night.

Yes, I had to make a speech.

No, I wouldn't have won any awards for Outstanding Impromptu Speech based on my words last evening.

I managed to thank those who needed to be thanked: George, Scott (my Director), and Caityln (my fellow partner in pumping crime).

I also managed to thank the Pittsburgh theater community by muttering something like, "Yinz are great n'at." (how embarrassing - but, I did . . .)

And, as the award was given to me by a professor at Point Park who happened to have a small role in "Inspector Gadget" filmed here in Pittsburgh back in 1999, I actually hummed the Inspector Gadget theme while heading for the mike. (Yes, go ahead, hang your head, and shake it in shame for me.)

Oh yes, and there was also that little statement about being a Pastor's wife from Beaver in a play centered around boobs. (Nursing boobs - put your eyes back in your sockets.)

What do you expect?????

I WAS SHAKING IN MY HEELS AND WONDERING WHAT THE HULLABALOO I WOULD SAY!

Post-show thoughts:

• I'm digging my return to acting in this decade of life.
• I'm not running out to audition for every show that comes my way like I did in my 20's and 30's. I have a family.  A fulfilling life. I simply want to do good work. Pump was good work.
• I love performing. My desire for it is back after Yonkers and Pump. I'm content with being selective.
• Time to investigate agents so that I can continue to dip my toe into the performing pool, AND get paid for something I LOVE to do.
• I am auditioning for something tomorrow, but unlike in my 20's and 30's, I won't be devastated if I don't get it. Having played Bella and now this, I have a confirmation that age as brought a whole new maturity to what I can bring to the stage. I'll be disappointed if not cast, yes, but since performing doesn't run my life, I'll be cool. I am happy with the work I am doing, and will patiently wait for the next gig.
• Life is back to normal around here. I'm a mommy with a sick kid at home, and another who is stuck at home because his sister is sick. And when I showed them the award, their response was, "Oh. Is it made out of glass? Can we have some toast?" I'm Mom.

I truly felt like a fish out of water after accepting the award last night, and only knew 3 other people in the room - so there was this odd sense of "what just happened?" running through my head.

George, on the other hand, beamed. Came home, dusted off a shelf, and promptly displayed my award.

Back to being Mommy now. Off to the pediatric office. Dear God, I certainly hope it's not Strep.

CAST: The Pittsburgh New Works Festival Edition

The Lost in Yonkers experience bit me hard.

It was so refreshing to hop on stage after being away for close to a decade.

Immediately after leaving Yonkers, I started combing FB and the internet for Pittsburgh auditions, and came across the Pittsburgh New Works Festival, a competition of new one-act pieces.

I was available for the audition, and while auditioning has never been a strong, or favorite, skill of mine (although I spent years coaching others how to do so), I made an appointment, pulled out my monologue, brushed up on it, and went.

Walking in was frightful.

The sign-in table.

The wait.

And then, entering a room FULL of representatives from theater companies all over the city.  12 to be exact. 12 one-acts would be cast based upon a 2 minute monologue.

I cracked some initial jokes, mainly due to nerves, and thankfully, they laughed.

My piece? I would grade it as "meh", but it did get chuckles, so that calmed me.

I had one line to go when I heard the dreaded "2 minutes. Time.", but I couldn't leave them hanging, so I managed to squeeze in the punch line.

They called that evening. I had been offered a role in a two-woman piece called "Pump", written by a gal in Pittsburgh who now lives in, of all places, Evanston. And works at Northwestern. That. Is. Crazy.

So, I'm 2 for 2. And while new works make me a tad nervous (and the subject matter of this one may not be for everyone), I'm game. I'm in. I'm excited to be standing up on my theater legs again. And it's pretty cool to be learning more about Pittsburgh's theater community.

Thank you to Michelle Christ who did a rush job on my headshots last week - and a fantastic job at that. Talk about making oneself available. She rocks. Check her out here.

Thank you to my husband, who never hesitates before he tells me to, "Go for it." I had considered cancelling due to the events at the RUCKUS the day before, but he made sure to help me chuck that stinkin' thinkin'.

Thank you to my friends, who have been so lovely about cheering me on. If you don't have a cheering section in your life, you should find one.

So, I'm back to memorizing. And the hives.

Perhaps rather than simply praying before entering the stage at the start of a show, I should consider adding Benadryl to my pre-curtain routine.

Opening of "Lost In Yonkers"

Mountain climbed.

Fear conquered.

Sabbatical complete.

"Lost in Yonkers" opened last night.

If you know me from Evanston, then you aren't accustomed to my doing straight shows.

Musicals? Yes.

My 40's have had a theme.

FIGHT.

They began with moving to the Pittsburgh area after 20 years in Chicago.

The move came with heavy bumps: financial, emotional, mental, physical.  Those bumps created challenges to face and stare-down until they were forced to break eye contact.

I relentlessly sought after writing gigs. Pittsburgh Mom arrived.

A new business venture with Beachbody caught my eye and I attacked it. Voraciously. No looking back.

And the *last* piece of the "No Fear Tour" (and I hesitate to say "last", 'cause who knows what God has in store next) was auditioning for "Lost in Yonkers".

I HAD to play Bella. I adore her. I've adored her since seeing the movie years ago. With the goal of playing her ingrained in my mind, this girl who could once shoot from the hip quite successfully, researched the part, ran lines, and sought out advice from my favorite director back in Chicago.  No more winging it. It was go-time. Do the work. That's what I've learned since moving here.

Last night was glorious. The cast - absolutely delightful, and supportive, and forgiving (Monday night of tech, Bella was waaaay off game). I love the small size of the cast, as opposed to a ginormous ensemble. I dig the eye contact. The discoveries. The way Louie scares the sh*t out of me in the "chair" scene. In my head and heart I could hear the "click" of it coming together. Or, maybe that was just Bella hearing things . . .

I'm by no means cocky. I don't know whether it's nerves or age, but I MUST run lines everyday. My stomach is always in knots and my heart pumps audibly (at least to me) before I open the door in Scene 1. I dropped lines last night (pretty sure the audience didn't catch it). I exited the first scene to find my chest broken out in hives. I needed to expel a huge breath after an intense scene in Act 2, but couldn't 'cause I had to change clothes to turn around and re-enter. This is by no means "easy". Bella is exhausting.

But, the bug has indeed bit again.

Time off was necessary. And wise.

Back in the saddle.

Pittsburgh Playhouse: Thumb's Up!

Date night.

Only, he doesn't like me to call it a "date" any longer.

But, he can't read this entire post, so he doesn't know won't hurt him.

Date night with Zane.

It was amazing.

I first found out about the Pittsburgh Playhouse through Groupon of all sites. For other than the show I'm currently rehearsing, and the professional touring companies coming through the city, (Billy Elliott is on its way!), I have been completely out of the theater loop.

Pittsburgh Playhouse may be just want the doctor ordered.

"Peter and the Wolf" has been a favorite of Zanes for years. He loves listening to "beautiful music" at night and has been lulling off to Patrick Stewart's soothing narration of the timeless story for several years now. When the chance to see an adaptation of the story live on stage showed up in my email box, I purchased.

The theater was easy to reach (except for a few close calls in the car as I navigated the craziness that is the city of Pittsburgh), parking is accessible and cheap at the hospital next door (only $4), tickets are surprisingly inexpensive for Playhouse Jr. productions ($7), and the theater itself? Awesome. 10 out of 10.

The lobby had a display of the costume, set, and lighting design for the current show and the next show, "Diary of Anne Frank" (yep, I already have plans to attend with Harper). The cafe is warm and friendly, and offers wonderfully priced items to sit and munch or sip before the show. The roaming actors prior to curtain was a HIT- especially because somehow we had first row seats, prime real estate for interaction.

First row.

Each character made their way around to Zane and chatted with him. Oh, to see his face.

Seriously. Theater is so much more magical than a Wii game.

The sets, costumes, blocking, choreography, and length of the show were all perfect for a children's production. And, there were just enough adult jokes (not THAT kind of adult joke) sprinkled in for me.

Afterwards, for $1, you could purchase a black & white cast photo to be signed by each actor.

Zane stood in line patiently. Shyly communicating with the players.

Until he reach her. The one he REALLY wanted to meet.

The Bird. His ultimate, hand's down, FAVORITE character in the production.

She was terrific - he knows his stuff.

He was speechless upon meeting her, so she signed his photo and we moved on. Only, I KNEW he wanted a photo with her and just couldn't work up the courage to ask.

Mama to the rescue.

Done.

To know that there is a playhouse of such quality available to my family adds yet another "I'm home" quality to living here in Pittsburgh. And, they don't only offer productions for children. The Playhouse also houses full blown Rep companies and a conservatory.

I'd LOVE to do children's theater of this quality.

Who knows. Maybe, at some point, I'll click the "audition" tab on their website . . . .