What's this in my tooth?

It's a kernel of truth:

We're Singing... Because It's A Musical...

Our first week of rehearsals for the last show of the Studio season, Musical of Musicals: The Musical! is over and let me tell you, this one's going to be hilarious. Seriously, don't miss this it.


Tom Miller took the Publicity Photos on Friday:

(clockwise from top left: Craig Fols, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Sarah Gliko, Rebecca Robbins)

Yes, Carl is wearing pink knickers. Our costume designer Mary Folino is made of awesome.

Sarah strikes her Chicago/Cabaret pose:

We run from May 4th-June 27th. Don't miss it!
(l-r: Rebecca Robbins, Alex Bechtel, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Sarah Gliko, Craig Fols)

More rehearsal photos to follow soon!

It's About Fucking Time

From The Daily Beast today:

Hospital Visitation Rights for Gays?

It's not gay marriage, but it's a small step in the right direction for same-sex couples. President Obama has signed a memorandum requiring hospitals to grant visitation rights and medical power of attorney to a same-sex partner. Before now, only blood relatives or legal spouses of patients were allowed to visit. Under the president's orders, the Department of Health and Human Services can no longer discriminate in hospital visitation, and the move will affect any hospital receiving Medicare or Medicaid funding. The decision will likely place Obama right in the middle of the same-sex marriage debate.

Available With or Without Nuts

Okay, I'm in my double week (for Musical of Musicals: The Musical! which is going to be hilarious so you should come and see it.) but I had to leave you all with this:



The rest of Tina's SNL episode was a bit hit or miss to me: the stuff about Michelle "Bombshell" McGee was a little harsh, babe. It takes two people to cheat, and I didn't hear you ragging on Jesse at all. Plus, just having tattoos doesn't make you trashy. (Having white power and Nazi tattoos however, does indeed make you trashy)

Okay, rant over. I still love you, Tina.

Do they make "Brownie Wife" for us gay gals?

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch Cherry Bomb!

Many years ago, some springtime mastermind planted dozens of cherry trees along my block. Obviously I don't know who this person was, but if I ever met said mastermind, I would give them a big fat kiss.

For those of you who don't remember, we are celebrating our one year anniversary in our apartment, after escaping from the wilds of 2 Street and crooked landlords. I have a vague recollection from last year of spring being absolutely beautiful in our new place, but we were so stressed out that I barely had time to appreciate it. Not this year, though. This year I'm loving every second of it.

And because of our weirdly warm April weather, boy oh boy have these babies just POPPED.

I present you now with a photographic journey of my walk to work through cherry blossom heaven. You're welcome, dear readers, you are welcome.

A view down the block:

Happy spring!

Spring/Philly

I'm feeling a little guilty for letting the craziness of my life right now interfere with how often I update this blog, so I have decided to try harder. For you, my dear readers. All for you.

So spring is aggressively springing all around us here in Philly, with our record temperatures. Seriously, it's going to be 80 today. In April. I'm not complaining, but damn!

Deb and I have been experimenting with taking the dog to work with us when there is an empty dressing room for him to chill out in. He really loves the walk in, and of course all of the attention he gets from the actors in the greenroom doesn't hurt either.

In our breaks between shows, we take him to Washington Square Park to romp around. He LOVES the warmer weather. He loves being with his two mommies too!

Look at this handsome fellah:

We taught him a new trick, which Deb calls "hugs", but I call "jumping on mommy":

Happy stupid doggie face!

This morning I took my camera along for my walk to work to capture the absolute perfection of this day. Happy Easter, by the way! And here's some excellent reading material about Easter's origins as a pagan holiday!

Anyway, I digress. Look, the oak tree in front of our apartment has started to grow some teeny-tiny leaves!

Yes, those are a pair of shoes hanging from the branches, or just some "urban fruit" as I like to call them.

This tree is on the end of our street-- gorgeous!

Um... dogwood?

I know a lot of people view them as weeds, but I personally love dandelions. And I think they make a stellar addition to any city window box:

Philly in the spring: mirrored murals and blooming trees!
Tomorrow we have Epic Plans to clean our deck. I can't wait for beers and barbeque and hanging out in the sunshine!

April Fools

The times, they are a changin'...

So because I think we have developed a bit of a hive mind, our group of friends has suddenly, independently decided to make some major life changes. I'm very proud to share that Melanie has been accepted to grad school in London (and hopefully AJ will be able to join her there!), Alison is working on getting into grad school here in Philly and Amanda & Arizona plan to leave the country as well to teach English in Brazil or some other exotic location like that.

And it all happens this fall. So basically we have this summer ahead of us as Our Last Summer of Fun & Debauchery. Or at least that's what I've decided to call it.

We've decided to start early with the Epic Hanging Out.

Opening night of my show, Travels with My Aunt, Mel and AJ joined us for our traditional Coco's after opening shit-faced session:

Carolyn, our House Management apprentice, and Lauren, my apprentice:

This morning Arizona invited us all over for a vegan brunch. Holy moley, it was awesome. Arizona made tofu scramble and spicy potatoes, I brought my Breakfast Carrot Cake and Beth made smoothies! Linds & Carrie brought over a New Zealand pudding, but I had to go to work before it came out of the oven. Sad face. I'm told that even as I type, they have moved to the park to kick around a soccer ball. I'm so jealous!

Beth is a big fan of brunch:

Lindsay can't decide whether to drink his smoothie or his beer:

Amanda went with the smoothie first... but I can bet her beer will follow shortly!

Chillin' with Arizona's Italian friend Matteo, watching some futbol:

So whenever the kitty goes to the litter box, there is a giant ritual of incense lighting and general exclamations about how very stinky it is:
It's hard not to be a little sad that our tight-knit little group is breaking up, at least in a geographical sense. But I have every confidence that no amount of distance will destroy these bonds we've forged and these memories we've made together.

Congrats, guys: I'm so proud of you all for moving and shaking and following your dreams!