October 31, 2008

Today I traveled with my niece Heather and my son Tim to the Phillies parade. It was quite a challenge. After the train blew right through the Wayne station without stopping, Heather and I threw our bikes in the van. We then picked up Tim and his bike. We drove to Fairmont Park, park there, and headed out for the city on our bikes. We then parked the bikes at my other son's apartment near the Art Museum. We then walked 2 miles to an office building at Broad & Sansom. We viewed the parade from a wonderful "skybox" thanks to my nephew Patrick and his partner James. What a great day!

The highlight of the entire day was when my son Shaun told me that he had always wanted to share a championship like this with his father.  I knew EXACTLY how he felt.

October 30, 2008

Today I realized one of my dreams. I signed on as a volunteer for Project Home, a Philadelphia agency that deals with the homeless. One of my lone regrets is that I never joined the Peace Corp. This will be a nice substitute. In the beginning I will be volunteering one day a week. When my theater commitments subside, I hope to increase the amount of time I can spend with Project Home.

Friday, October 24, 2008

Tonight marks the opening of the brand new play entitled Magnetic North at the Act II Playhouse in Ambler, PA. I have served as Assistant Director and have loved every minute of it. Although this is a total change from my normal type of show, it has been a wonderful journey. The play is beautifully written, wonderfully acted, and skillfully directed by Buddy Martin. I have thoroughly enjoyed my association with this project.

October 10, 2008

Today I drove over 7 hours to get to the Goodspeed Opera House's Norma Terris Theater in Chester,  Connecticut. I do not recommend Route 95 on a Friday afternoon. However the trip was well worth the time.  The Story of My Life is a beautiful show that I absolutely loved.

In the picture here you will see me standing with Buddy Martin (right) and Richard Maltby (center), who is directing this wonderful show. He won the Tony Award for Best Direction with Ain't Misbehavin' and was nominated for these other shows: Baby (Best Direction of a Musical, Best Original Score), Blood Knot (Best Play), Song and Dance (Best Direction of a Musical, Best Musical, Best Original Score), Miss Saigon (Best Origin

al Score), Nick & Nora (Best Original Score), Big (Best Original Score), Fosse (Best Direction of a Musical).

The Story of My Life features music and lyrics by Neil Bartram and a book by Brian Hill. They are pictured here.  They are extremely talented...and nice.

October 10, 2008

Today I will travel to the Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut to take part of the opening night festivities for the show The Story of My Life.  This famed theater has won two Tony Awards and has been the birth place as such shows at Annie, Shenandoah, and Man of La Mancha.  The show will be staging its pre-Broadway run at Goodspeed's Norma Terris Theater in Chester, CT.

October 8, 2008

Today was another read-through of the script to the brand new show Magnetic North, which opens October 21 at the Act Two Playhouse. The script by Bill Donnelly is excellent, as are the four performers in the show. I already knew that Buddy Martin was a great producer, I am now learning that he is also quite an amazing director as well.

October 7, 2008

Today we start work on the production of Magnetic North. After a meeting with author William Donnelly, it is on to the theater for a "meet and greet."

October 4, 2008

Today I traveled to a recording studio in Fairless Hills to record an original song entitled "Long Way Back." Several months ago I was contacted by a gentleman from Houston who spearheads a movement to save the leatherback sea turtle from extinction. Oddly enough, his name is also Larry McKenna...but no relation. He asked me to write a theme song for a documentary that they are making about the cause. To learn more about this wonderful group, check out their web page at http://saveourleatherbacks.org/

October 1, 2008

Today I was offered a position as the assistant director on a brand new show entitled Magnetic North at the Act Two Playhouse in Ambler, PA. I have accepted the position and am very excited about the opportunity.