Happy Wednesday, everyone!
Tonight is the dress rehearsal for my New Short Fiction Series show coming up on Sunday. This will be my first chance to hear the actors performing my stories from Wild Grass. I find that I'm nervous about meeting everyone, just because I'm shy, but I'm not feeling nervous at all about how my stories will come out. I guess I feel like I've put everything out into the world, and I'm just curious to see how people interpret them. I'm giving all the performers a copy of my book. I don't know if that's presumptuous of me. I usually don't like to force my stuff on people, even as gifts. But there you have it. I'm also bringing them wine.
The down side, though, is that I found out I won't be able to video record the dress rehearsal because the manager of the rehearsal space has apparently been dealing with stalker issues. Who stalks a room? Why can't we all just stalk people like we always do? So, I wanted to be able to share the performances with all of you, but it looks like only some local friends will be able to see it. I'll be able to record the audio tonight, luckily. Because no one stalks sound...except for maybe Bjork. I can see her doing that. Anyway, it's better than nothing. And, I'll be able to take photos at the show on Sunday. I'm thinking if I take enough pictures fast enough, I'll be able to make a flip book edition of the show. (That's my never-say-die spirit!)
In other news, I'll also be moving this weekend. (Because I really couldn't imagine going to see a show without spending the rest of the day carrying heavy things.) You'll soon be able to find me in a downtown L.A. loft built in 1924 and originally used as a railroad company warehouse.
Note added later: J.C. Martin, one of the editors of Stories for Sendai interviewed me today as well. Go here.
Rick said this in the comments: Roger Ebert has a very good blog post about a dumbed-down version of "The Great Gatsby" that is both though-provoking and infuriating.
That's very cool, I hope all the performers break their legs!
ReplyDeleteI once broke my leg rehearsing for a play. It was my senior year in high school, and I was Tiny Tim in a production of Scrooge that our theater director wrote. (I was the tallest person in the cast, and lobbied hard for the role.)
I was practicing walking with a lame leg, and my boot got caught on the cover for the orchestra pit and I did a pile-driver on my left leg, completely dislocating the knee. It didn't hurt as much as it Just. Felt. Wrong.
I was on crutches for real during the performance. True story.
I'm envious of your new very hip and cool living space, Mr. Malasarn. Please say I can visit sometime! Also, I wish I could come see the reading. I've stalked rooms before...
ReplyDeleteRick, that's dedication. And quite the dramatic challenge. I hope in the playbill you were called "Awesome Tim."
ReplyDeleteMichelle, why am I not surprised that you've stalked rooms before? :P
This is very exciting! The reading, the room stalker (maybe it is Michelle?), the new place to live (that means you're free to get a puppy, right?), the flip book! Hurrah!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I got my copy of Stories for Sendai last night and I'm almost disappointed that it didn't contain the full text of The Rights of Man and Alice in Wonderland. Nevet's copy is ubercollectable.
Giving actors wine will overcome any shadow of resentment on their part at being given a book. The only people who drink more than theater people are chefs and archaeologists.
ReplyDeleteHuzzah for the three-in-one omnibus edition of Stories for Sendai!
Scott, totally. I view Stories for Sendai as a box of cereal, and each one might have a cool prize at the bottom. And sometimes you want the prize so much that you open the bag and dump out all the cereal without even bothering to eat it.
ReplyDeleteI want a puppy! Yes, I made sure the building allows puppies, and I've already met several in the elevators when I go to visit my new home. Elevators are great places to pick up puppies.
Oh, and Michelle, yes of course you can come and visit! I forgot to mention that. You can even stalk my rooms if you want. I was planning to do Disneyland or something, but, you know, stalking's cool too.
Nevets, I'm just going to soak my books in wine before giving them to the actors. Thanks for helping me put my plan together.
ReplyDeleteMmmm. Wine.
ReplyDeleteNo wine for you, Rick. From your story it sounds like you have enough trouble walking already.
ReplyDeleteDamn.
ReplyDeleteWell then, switching the subject, Roger Ebert has a very good blog post about a dumbed-down version of "The Great Gatsby" that is both though-provoking and infuriating:
http://blogs.suntimes.com/ebert/2011/07/_did_it_seem_to.html
Thanks, Rick. I'll put your last comment up on the main post for everyone else too.
ReplyDeleteRick, the Ebert blog post isn't dealing with anything new, but I like the way the original text is presented along with the new version. It really drives the point home. Thanks for pointing it out.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's so, so exciting! I don't think I knew your short stories were being performed! That...is so, so cool! I'm excited for you!
ReplyDeleteAs for moving the same weekend! Wow! You're brave! I hate moving. Hate it. But that may have something to do with moving over 10 times in less than that many years. I've always equated moving with the bad stuff that filled those years.
Now, I'm settled, and when my husband and I move, it won't be a bad thing.
Anyway, good luck with the plays! I can't wait to hear how they went! And I hope the move goes smoothly!
April, thank you very much! I'm really excited to see the stories performed by people who know what they are doing. I've given a couple of readings, but I've never really "acted" one of the stories before. I also got Sally Shore, the woman who started this series 15 years ago, to answer some questions about doing public readings, so hopefully I'll have some good information to pass on to everyone.
ReplyDeleteDomey- I like the way Ebert does the comparison too. To distill paragraphs of such striking prose into a couple throw-away sentences is a disgrace to the English language.
ReplyDeleteI've long been a fan of Ebert's writing. Even when I disagree with his movie reviews they are usually well-written and he has a clear reason for his point of view on a film.
His blog can be very interesting, too. It's worth subscribing to the feed, if this is your experience with it.
Good lu...er...break a leg. It must be a thrill to see your work performed and though we can't all share that, we'll be there in spirit.
ReplyDelete(No, I don't understand stalking a room either)
Thanks, Martin. I do still wish I could share it with everyone, though. It's so nice of them to do this, and I want to share it. Stage actors are probably more at peace with this than I am.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it would be hard to stalk a room. It just sits there, never moving, never blinking, just getting unknowingly watched.
ReplyDeleteIt's too bad though. Well, best of luck. You can break through your shy barrier. I believe in you.
I hope everything went great. I just bought my copy of your book and I'm looking forward to reading it. I also have something to send you, but I knew your move was coming up so I thought I'd wait until you get settled in the new place.
ReplyDeleteMcKenzie, I spent much of my afternoon stalking a room. You're right. It's pretty easy. And I scared the hell out of the room. I was really creepy.
ReplyDeleteEric, Thank you very much for buying my book. I really hope you like it. And, yes, I'm in the horrible swamp of escrow at the moment. I hate it.
Haha, you make me laugh. I'll bet that poor room never saw you coming.
ReplyDeleteWhat are your best room-scaring techniques? Those could come in handy one day.
Oh my! Your stories are being performed? That's incredible! I wish I was there to see it.
ReplyDelete