BigdaddyUtah

Who am I? This seems to be the single question at the heart of why I blog.  Sure, I use the shows that I am in to investigate the human condition.  And there is no greater guide to that journey than Shakespeare.  But I don't seem to be getting closer to any answers.  I've now been on this globe circling the sun for 57 years and I find myself simultaneously feeling the same as I did when I was a dumb kid, and also terribly old and severely broken.  But I celebrated my birthday this year like I usually do, in rehearsal with wonderful people. It's been a long time since I played supporting roles in Shakespeare's canon.  When I first started to act professionally, that's all I did.  I went from role to role as guards, servants, and soldiers.  I once promised that I would write a book called Shakespeare's Army on how best to serve the play with few lines of dialogue.  Although I never wrote that book, I find myself once again playing supporting ro...

 I've been at the Utah Shakespeare Festival for two weeks, and it's been a whirlwind.  I was talking to my angel, Tanya Searle, during a break today and we were both amazed that it's been two weeks.  Of course, for me, I've felt like it's the first few days at a new school where everybody knows each other, and nobody knows who I am.  However, those first day jitters have been taken away by the lovely people here.  I've been welcomed with open arms.  Given a seat at the table and been encouraged to be a partner in this process.  By everybody, directors, actors, administrators, designers, choreographers.  It's sort of like dying and going to the heaven I hope exists.  A beautiful Shakespeare festival that is loving, welcoming, and filled with ridiculous talent!! I love the characters I am playing in Much Ado and Henry VIII, and I especially love that I am doing Henry VIII.  My new friend, Topher, who is playing Henry commented on how lucky...