I've decided to share the occasional blog that's about everything and nothing, just short & sweet and full of good things...the non-photography related ones. :) You'll recognize them with their "Bliss Blog" titles...this is the inaugural entry. :)
My weekend was pretty darned awesome. My husband Brian Doyle, a marvelous playwright, had an excerpt of his latest full length play, "Sounds in the Bowery" performed at Woolly Mammoth Theatre in DC on Friday night. It was presented in a series of 12 plays by area playwrights via The Inkwell Theatre, a wonderful group dedicated to helping new playwrights (and their works) find their way from page to stage. I was so proud that Brian's play made it through the first three rounds, chosen from over 300 entries. I'm not surprised, since *I* think he's brilliant, but it's always nice when others recognize it, too. :) He's written over 20 plays, each one a unique jewel
I'm a pretty harsh critic, and even though I love him, I wouldn't tell him that he has tremendous talent unless it was true. I know that he may not be as out there and avant-garde as many current playwrights that the DC theatres love to stage; instead, he does classic theatre with a modern spin, complete with richly drawn characters, natural dialogue, clever one liners, and creative plots. As an actress with over 20 years of experience doing bad theatre, good theatre, and great theatre...I know a good show when I read it. As an actress, there isn't a single female character he's written that I don't want to play...they all speak to me, they all appeal to me...there's never a moment of "Please don't make me say this trite line" or "No one would realistically do this or say this" with his work. I hope with all of my heart that his plays keep getting selected and that many of them get the full productions they deserve. He's not just a great writer. He's an amazing husband, friend, and person overall...he has the stuff that it takes to survive in the harsh world of theatre because he never takes himself too seriously, and is always gracious, humble, and grateful in all things.
AND...with all of that stuff sure to make him blush out of the way, the photo above is the one I took at the performance, with the fabulous actors who gave thoughtful, lively renditions of his words, the director who gave the reading an extra oomph with her careful staging in a limited space, and the dramaturg who recognized the intelligence and humor in his script and embraced it. What a great team!!! They all busted their butts for a week to make the weekend readings happen and they did a stellar job.
Please support The Arts: go out and see a new work being done, take your kid to see a musical, and consider donating to up and coming (and struggling) theaters that are trying to find the next Albee, the next Mamet, the next Miller. :)
Sunday was the perfect day to lounge around...we slept in, had breakfast at IHOP, went to McKay's Used Books for our normal stock up and managed a short walk in the glorious weather with Mr. Darcy & Whiskey, who basked in the sunlight. :) For avid readers, try McKays...they have a little bit of EVERYTHING at low prices. I bought a dozen books for about $24...and when I'm done I simply return them and get a small credit to use towards the next bushel of books I buy. :) I recently discovered Catherine Anderson and Sherryl Woods, the former who writes Oregon cowboy romances contemporary and historical, and the latter who writes various trilogies about big families (especially Irish ones) in Charleston and on the Chesapeake. They are uncomplicated and perfect for light reading when I'm stressed with classes. :)
My weekend was pretty darned awesome. My husband Brian Doyle, a marvelous playwright, had an excerpt of his latest full length play, "Sounds in the Bowery" performed at Woolly Mammoth Theatre in DC on Friday night. It was presented in a series of 12 plays by area playwrights via The Inkwell Theatre, a wonderful group dedicated to helping new playwrights (and their works) find their way from page to stage. I was so proud that Brian's play made it through the first three rounds, chosen from over 300 entries. I'm not surprised, since *I* think he's brilliant, but it's always nice when others recognize it, too. :) He's written over 20 plays, each one a unique jewel
I'm a pretty harsh critic, and even though I love him, I wouldn't tell him that he has tremendous talent unless it was true. I know that he may not be as out there and avant-garde as many current playwrights that the DC theatres love to stage; instead, he does classic theatre with a modern spin, complete with richly drawn characters, natural dialogue, clever one liners, and creative plots. As an actress with over 20 years of experience doing bad theatre, good theatre, and great theatre...I know a good show when I read it. As an actress, there isn't a single female character he's written that I don't want to play...they all speak to me, they all appeal to me...there's never a moment of "Please don't make me say this trite line" or "No one would realistically do this or say this" with his work. I hope with all of my heart that his plays keep getting selected and that many of them get the full productions they deserve. He's not just a great writer. He's an amazing husband, friend, and person overall...he has the stuff that it takes to survive in the harsh world of theatre because he never takes himself too seriously, and is always gracious, humble, and grateful in all things.
AND...with all of that stuff sure to make him blush out of the way, the photo above is the one I took at the performance, with the fabulous actors who gave thoughtful, lively renditions of his words, the director who gave the reading an extra oomph with her careful staging in a limited space, and the dramaturg who recognized the intelligence and humor in his script and embraced it. What a great team!!! They all busted their butts for a week to make the weekend readings happen and they did a stellar job.
Please support The Arts: go out and see a new work being done, take your kid to see a musical, and consider donating to up and coming (and struggling) theaters that are trying to find the next Albee, the next Mamet, the next Miller. :)
Sunday was the perfect day to lounge around...we slept in, had breakfast at IHOP, went to McKay's Used Books for our normal stock up and managed a short walk in the glorious weather with Mr. Darcy & Whiskey, who basked in the sunlight. :) For avid readers, try McKays...they have a little bit of EVERYTHING at low prices. I bought a dozen books for about $24...and when I'm done I simply return them and get a small credit to use towards the next bushel of books I buy. :) I recently discovered Catherine Anderson and Sherryl Woods, the former who writes Oregon cowboy romances contemporary and historical, and the latter who writes various trilogies about big families (especially Irish ones) in Charleston and on the Chesapeake. They are uncomplicated and perfect for light reading when I'm stressed with classes. :)
Next up: photographing the art auction for the amazing PROJECT CREATE in DC on Wednesday night. It's a truly worthy cause that helps the poverty stricken kids in DC express themselves through art. If you can't make it out to buy some beautiful and original artwork, please consider a donation to the cause itself. There's nothing greater than helping kids find the beauty around them.
WORTHWHILE LINKS:
www.inkwelltheatre.org
www.woollymammoth.net
http://projectcreatedc.org/events/2012auction/
http://mckayusedbooks.biz/
Hope everyone has a super week ahead!!! :)
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