Universes Collide

In my young life I have had the great pleasure of knowing quite a few people. After losing my parents I realized it was up to me to redefine what I was to call my “family” after all I lost them really young and have a lot of years (knock on wood) to fill.

I started with a solid foundation of acting apprentices with whom I earn my Equity card. Ronnie, Katie, Erin and Allen are the cream of that crop, friends I have known now for 12yrs. They have seen me at my lowest and fattest and still love me just the way I am, because if they don’t I know where all the bodies are buried!! LOL!! Hello, pot this is kettle, you’re black!

After moving to New York and discovering that Stage Management was NOT the true course of my life. I stumbled into a Learning Annex Class on How to be a Stand-Up Comic. Not exactly a paint by numbers course but in the process I have collected a menagerie of comedians all of which share the trenches with me on a weekly basis. We support each other in shows, help with bits and of course drink our way to the stars after slaying them in the aisles. I have met both amazing comics and amazing assholes. Luckily I can tell the difference and there isn’t a day that goes by that I am not thankful for those who have stuck with me since the beginning. Vinnie, Poppi, Jeni, Andrea, Ron, Darlene, Ophira, Ann, Fiona, Karith, Susan, Nicole & Erin, just to name a few, but then there are the new comics that inspire and keep me going Michael, Cooper, David, Wendy, & Jackie they remind me of how fun this all is and why you do it for no pay (most of the time).

Then there are the theatre folk….the talented gypsies that have strolled into my life and have stayed, because I’m not one to break up a party. They are singers, dancers, singers who dance, dancers who sing, there’s even a dog act. I’ve done shows with them I’ve kissed a few and dated even less. This family grows the quickest because not unlike the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon Game, show people know other show people and so on and so on. You can’t sling a cat at a party with out figuring out that so in so went to grad school with the guy you just closed Fiddler on the Roof with in Indiana. Not to mention the “showmances” that occur when working, they say the Lesbian community is incestuous, we have nothing on theatre whores.

This lattice work makes me believe that we are all in this together. That if you hang in there long enough you will find yourself on a stage somewhere shaking your jelly and maybe someday someone will hand you a TONY for it.

So here they are in no particular order but alphabetical the cast of thousands that keep me smart and polished: Abe, Angela, Angie, Anne T., Blake, Brian D., Brian E., Chan, Chris G., Curtis, Danielle, Francis, Ginger, Jake, James, Jen R., Josh, Jules, Julia, Katy, Kevin, Kristin, Laura Beth, Leigh Anne, Liisa, Madeline, Mark, Michelle, Meish, Missy, Ned, Nora, RAJ, Ryan, Sara, Shannon, Sorsha, Stephen, Suzanne, Tom, & Wayne. Honorable mention to Buddy & Vickie…the invisible glue.

I am sure that I have left out a few and I am sure I will hear about it, but whether you’ve known me for 12yrs or 15 minutes hang on, it’s bumpy, but it’s one hell of a ride.

Oh, and momma, don’t worry, I’m fine, these angels are watching out for your princess. TTFN!