Birthday Wishes

I'm going to let you in on a little secret... I never lie about my age... but I rarely discuss it either... Once someone asked me how old I was and I had to think about it before I changed the subject without answering... Truth is I don't look my age and I don't feel my age ( the  possible exceptions were after running the Honolulu Marathon or after any ski trip lasting three days or longer) My secret is simple I take almost  everything in life in moderation except friendship and love.

Another thing that I do on my birthday every year is go to the doctor for a full physical check up and the dermatologist to make sure my birthday suit is good to go for another year of fun and upbeat good times... I also keep a record of what has happened to me over the last year and how it relates to my progress report ( You see every year I make a list of no more than 10 things I want to achieve during the coming year) as the year goes by I make notes on how to achieve those goals and what actions I  need to take and also sketch out any notes that relate to their success or failure. The truth of the matter is I've always gotten most everything I've ever wanted (not always when I wanted it ) some issues have been known to carry over 10 years or so on the birthday list if they were important enough to me (and some were) others had to be discarded because sometimes by getting something else unexpected  you have to make a change in the play and go down another road... The most important thing is you have to be honest with yourself and realistic... If you want to win the Nobel Peace Prize and you have not even mapped out any outline or ideas on the matter than this better be one of those long term goals but make the first step on getting the prize part of the plan for the coming year.

 I said in an earlier blog that sometimes no matter how you plan and calculate and try to make something happen it just won't happen and other times things get thrown at you like a gift from Heaven... Without going into a lot of details that will just bore you to death The Fantasticks was one of those gifts for me (twice) When I was in my salad days... (I've loved saying that since I was actually in my salad days) I was offered the part of the boys father (I was actually younger than the actor playing Matt the boy in the show...  Well let me tell you what can be done with hair color and makeup to make you look  40 years older (I wish it was as easy to look 40 year younger... but more about that in a minute)... To make a long story short I had a short-term contract  for the show until I had other obligations and I had a blast during every show and in my life in general. I was still healing from the wounds of getting the worst review probably ever written about any actor ever in the history of the theatre and in the New York Times  to add insult to insult. The show and my performance brought back my confidence and self esteem because otherwise I was uncertain about ever setting foot on a NY stage again.... (or any stage) Now let's jump forward  about 20 years... I got offered the part of the boy Matt in a tour of the show (again a short term contract until I had to meet other professional obligations in the spring) I thought it was the cherry on the cake, for this chapter of my life. I can actually hear your thoughts... "Why did they want you at your age playing this obviously young part?" Good question because I asked my agent the same thing .... Because The person (who shall remain nameless) who was cast as El Gallo ( Who sings "Try To Remember"  and is kind of the lead character) who was a washed up actor (I'm only being petty because he was such an ass-hat and so difficult to work with) and was at least 100 years old  ( not really... but he was lying about his age)... OK OK I'll answer the question... They had to cast older people so he would not look so ancient.   Despite the difficulty of working with this awful man and being on tour (in the winter) it was somewhat of a turning point for me as a performer especially as a singer... The music and the way it was written was one of the most challenging scores for me to date (Keep in mind I was used to singing jingles for soup and canned goods and under arm deodorants) so out of this show with a great deal of work and coaching I aced the vocal work... and subsequently my favorite song is "They Were You."  (Click Me)They Were You- The Fantasticks

 I think it truly is one of the most beautiful songs ever written and it sums up my feelings for my life and my love for my partner Nicholas (who was on my b-day wish list for a good 20 years... I'm very picky and would rather be alone than with the wrong person) and I have it on my demo CD along with "But It's A Nice Dream"... (by Peter Allen...2nd favorite song)
"Buffalo Gals" ... and
"Animal Crackers In My Soup"

There are also some spiffy songs about coffee, and soft drinks and soup and snacks and all the crazy things people have written songs about to sell things on television commercials... The only thing I won't lend my voice or face to are pharmaceutical drugs and political campaigns. (I don't need every single job and I would feel terrible if a product I was involved in selling had negative consequences for anyone and I just don't want my name or voice involved in anyones political career... even if I like them) I make up for it by trying to do at least two public service announcements every year... Funny it's usually around my birthday.

So what does this all mean? I'm not getting older I am getting better... and if you are not then you need to rewrite your life list and start writing  yourself some happy interludes and happy endings and while you are at it make sure you are the hero in your story not the victim... And finally for me... when my other half and I finally came together and decided to spend the rest of our life loving each other  he became an emblem for me of what it's like to have a family again and he became the moment in my life when my luck changed and I did not have to face the world alone....

Oh and one more thing (I've been watching Columbo reruns on television) if anyone knows where I can find or order these socks let me know they are on my list this year as I'm recording a new demo CD and acquiring some new things to wear to auditions and call backs!

Thanks in advance! See you next week!