robin's blog

We've had an interesting run so far. We kicked off with an invitational dress rehearsal on Thursday, Sep. 8 that was quite well-attended, and then opened to a sold-out house on Friday the 9th. Driving to the theatre on Saturday I got a cell phone call; our youngest lead player, Vickie Truscott (playing Abigail Williams), had been in an auto accident. Subsequent shows that weekend were cancelled, and following weekends would depend on Vickie's prognosis.

There was no way to do the show without her. She's not only a central character and a magnificent young actress, but the chemistry among her, David Kelso (as John Proctor), and Summer Spense (as Elizabeth Proctor) is really the centerpiece of the whole production. Despite bruises and lost teeth, though, Vickie was ready to go on the following weekend. We were packed each night, selling out on Friday and Saturday, and had nearly a full house for the Sunday matinee.

My wife never gets sick. Lucky her. I, on the other hand, get colds three or four times each year, not horribly debilitating, but enough to stuff up the head and ears and irritate the throat with coughing. I used to just tough it out, but just as I get annoyed when someone coughs in my direction in public, so others must be annoyed with me for bringing this into their presence.

Thus, I've stayed home today, hoping that physical inactivity and a hot bath will keep the bugs at bay. Besides, I've got a briefing to give tomorrow at work, plus four performances of "The Crucible" to deliver between now and Sunday afternoon. No matter how sick I get, the show must go on.

Arrrrh, Matey.

After growing up together on the farm, two brothers take different paths. One stays on the farm, working side-by-side with his father, and the other goes to the city and becomes a wealthy businessman. Years later, the father dies. The son in the city tells his brother that he's too busy to come to the funeral, but says, "Make it a first-class affair, and I'll pay all the bills." Three months later he calls his brother, saying, "I'm glad you did it right for Dad, but what's this bill I keep getting from Gingiss each month?"

"If you ever see me getting beaten by the police, put down the video
camera and come help me."
--Bobcat Goldthwait

"I've been doing the Fonda workout: the Peter Fonda workout. That's
where I wake up, take a hit of acid, smoke a joint, and run to my
sister's house and ask her for money."
--Kevin Meaney

"My mom said she learned how to swim. Someone took her out in the lake
and threw her off the boat. That's how she learned how to swim. I said,
'Mom, they weren't trying to teach you how to swim.' "
--Paula Poundstone

"In elementary school, in case of fire you have to line up quietly in a