loss

I've just discovered that my former girlfriend's father has passed. Sandra Joseph was on tour with me in Phantom and we were in a relationship about twelve years ago (my God, has it been that long?) and then became Christine in the other tour, followed by a long and successful run as Christine on Broadway. Her Dad was a fantastic man who endured an insane man at the car dealership where he worked trying to kill him, and the positive outlook he had on life was an inspiration to me. I'll have to try to put a small film that he and I "starred" in from Disneyworld on YouTube or something. He truly was a great man. Much Condolences to the whole Joseph family.

My own father has been gone since 1989, and every year during tournament time I have a moment where I want to pick up the phone and ask him if he saw what the Tigers did-how they're going to the final four! I did pretty well at the funeral, but three months later, back in NYC, I picked up the phone to ask him if he was watching the game and the recording rang in my ear...

"The number you're trying to reach...901 357 0979...is no longer in service or has been disconnected....

I held the phone away from ear for a moment, wondering if I'd misdialed. Then it hit me and it hit me hard-my father was gone. I cried for the first time, really, for quite some time after I hung up the phone.

Our loved are never gone as long as we hold them fast in our hearts and memories, I've found, and I hope that if you are a person experiencing loss of a loved one today, you'll think of that person fondly and realize they are resting in the arms of the Lord and probably wishing we wouldn't fret so much about them.

"Heaven rest them now..."

Steve

the one true ring

Well, I'm finishing my first week of this long term sub position and it is working out okay, I think. Being that it is a drama class, I am more equipped than I might be elsewhere. Today the students are studying scenes from The Lord of the Rings-The Fellowship of the Ring and looking for continuity issues and doing quite well, I'm surprised. Ian Holm is so amazing in this film, and I haven't watched it in a while. Elijah Wood is wonderful, and the cinematography is amazing. I forget when I haven't seen this in a while that the film uses some wonderful camera trickery to make the Hobbits look so short. See you soon...

This is the beginning of my journey through thoughts, ramblings, musings, et al about opera, theatre, and performing in general. I'm moved to do so by reading the blogs of Michael Ching about our trip to Wynne, Arkansas, to do a preview of La Cenerentola with Micheal, Steven Carey, myself, and the incredible mezzo Rachel Waiters. I've had the incredible pleasure of being on stage with her in Carmen and Rigoletto and now she prepares one of the great bel canto roles for mezzo, Cenerentola. She is absolutely wonderful in the rehearsals I've seen and in singing these previews with her. I can't wait to see her do this role and neither should you. If you're in Memphis, you should make plans for next weekend, April 5 and 6, to see these performances at the Orpheum. More later....