And, no, I am not talking about the white fluffy things that could take off your head with one swipe.
I refer to polar opposites. There I go trying to be witty again…
Few people know that I enjoy watching sports of certain kinds. The assumption that I am in theatre from some reason precludes any additional interests when the fact is that I grew up a jock playing multiple sports and watched a lot of it on TV (mostly wrestling and soccer).
Aside from the Olympics, there are few sports I watch in the US. I find football boring and tennis repetitive (and all the grunts make me uneasy). However, last year I discovered a great little reality show that got me hooked onto Ultimate Fighting.
I know, the shock first of all that I watch a show called Ultimate Fighter and second that it is on Spike TV. But it reminds me of watching wrestling as a kid and screaming over ring luminaries such as Andre the Giant (how thrilled was I to see him in Princess Bride?), the British Bulldogs, old school Hulk Hogan, and the Japanese guy who always threw stuff into people’s eyes.
I literally scream at the tv: KILL HIM!! Take him down!!! Aw, come ON!. Yes….I do. And I enjoy every minute of it.
On the complete opposite end is the same fervor I felt watching Gillian Murphy and Ethan Steifel in ABT’s The Sleeping Beauty – my first official ballet performance viewing in NY. I bought some $24 standing room only tickets and stood in the back of the third level. I tried to find creative ways to rest on the bar so I could see the whole stage. I felt like a dance hall girl from Sweet Charity. Those ushers at the met are bastards too as I tried sitting down on the steps and was shooshed off. I dare not try to take one of the empty seats for fear they may flay me. Broadway ushers, while spikey at times, are so much friendlier.
Anyway, the ballet, one of the longest in ballet repertory, was great…and long. I did not get out until 11. But Murphy and Steifel are in-fucking-credible. I wanted to catch it again tonight with another cast of faves, but fell asleep. That is ok as there are plenty other shows coming up where I can see them, including one of my faves, Manon.
I am telling you, ballet and opera folk know how to rape audiences for money. Same shows, different casts so you have to come back to see the ones you like. Seats on the mezz (Grand Parterre as they call it) that run $168 (I will never complain about Bway tickets again). They have it cornered I tell ya. Of course, all the money they are obviously making and I still don’t understand why dancers are the last paid of artists and do more work.
It reminded me of seeing Swan Lake with Sara oh so many years ago at the $ C’s conference in Colorado. We were supposed to be networking and schmoozing and went to the ballet instead. It was my first dance show ever and I absolutley fell in love with the art form and that specific ballet. I don’t think anything beats it in terms of classical rep.
Aside from all this, I THINK I got a bite for my book. A small agency requested more pages so I am hoping this leads somewhere. In the meantime, I have this other idea that has been floating around in my head and screaming to get out, so I should get started on that.
Theatre stuff is going fine (go to the other site :).
Feel a sense of anxiety and forboding but I am sure it will pass.