So...
As many of you may know I've had what is undeniably a rough few months. Some highlights were a quite nasty car accident and a break in at my home (my actual home, not the theatre). There were other personal trials as well, which while devastating to me, are probably of little interest to the theatre going community.
It's been less than fun.
On the bright side I manged to stay alive and positive enough to open AGL's 29th season. NOVEMBER by David Mamet, directed by Bo List. And despite being regulated to moving around with a cane I still managed to accomplish some meaningful work on the show including on the set.
Audiences seemed to really love the performance of despicable President Charles Smith as provided by Lexington staple Joe Gatton, and during a vicious year of politics we all seemed to cross the aisle enough to agree it's a good thing neither presidential candidate is anything as bad as NOVEMBER'S protagonist.
But after striking the oval office I realized that after quite a long time, I really needed a few days off. I won't bore anyone with my vacation slides, frankly my 3 day semi unplanned vacation was pretty boring. I was never more than an hour and half from Lexington, and the most recreational thing I did was go to the movies.
I returned to Lexington in time to attend a lovely party thrown for me by the AGL staff and board, members of the theatre community, and some just generally wonderful people.
They just wanted me to know that they appreciated me.
And it's a funny thing, but sometimes that's all you need. We get bogged down in this crazy art life, and sometimes when it gets really tough, it's nice to know people actually notice what you do. Especially your peers, the people that you respect and admire.
I am very grateful for all the people who continue to prop me up. Life and art without them simply wouldn't be the joy that it is.
Now that I've been sappy, I'll wipe the tear from eye and let you know about some actual theatre events!
BCTC's dept of theatre is coming to AGL Nov 29th - Dec 8th with IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE by James Rodgers, directed by my favorite X-Man, Tim Davis. We always enjoy opening our doors to other groups, and BCTC and AGL have had a great relationship the last few years. Find out more info on the show here.
After that there will be a special presentation of A CHRISTMAS CAROL RADIO SHOW presented with the students of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute Dec 3rd. Two shows, one at 2pm and the other at 7:30pm, admission is free.
Other than that AGL's holiday season will be filled to the breaking point working on our first show of 2013, tony award winner RED by John Logan. It's a big show, and an incredibly important show to AGL as we continue to move forward so we have a ton of work to do over what normal people call the winter break.
Looks like it'll be awhile before I get another couple of vacation days, but honestly who needs a vacation when you love what you do as much as I do?
Cheers,
Eric Seale
