The bluegrass musical, That Other Woman’s Child, which I co-produced with my brother Rex, and also choreographed for the New Musicals Festival in New York in 2008, is being mounted in a new production in Australia. The show is being done by the Regional Institute of Performing Arts at the Hunter campus of TAFE NSW in Newcastle CBD in West New South Wales. The show will open on December 18, 2013.
A former student of mine at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Chelsea Cooper, just sent me a message on Facebook with a picture quoting something I had said one day in class. I don’t remember saying it, but I do think it’s apropos for surviving in the business and being happy while doing it. Thanks Chelsea for reminding me of that!
Had a great weekend at Big Bear Lake where we went kayaking. Also went up the ski lift – a bit nerve-raking when it stopped over a gorge for a while, but spectacular views.We took Ruth and she acted like a puppy running all over everywhere.
This morning I’m meeting with musician Scott Harlan to create an opening number for Alison England’s new cabaret act. The song is called “Just One Woman.” We’ve already done two other songs for the show called “When Molly Sings” and “Every Time I Love.” Scott and I have collaborated on several song-writing adventures in the past, including the children’s musicals Wit’s End and The Big Orange Splot.
Mark is directing a new cabaret evening with soprano Alison England. The show is entitled “Not Just One Woman,” and will be on November 4, 2013 at Sterling’s Upstairs at the Federal. Mark also wrote three songs with his writing partner Scott Harlan which Ali is debuting.
Amazon is already sold out of The Man Who Made the Jailhouse Rock! It’s exciting to know the book is actually selling so well. New shipments should get to them soon.
I came home after teaching at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts yesterday afternoon and discovered a box of books from McFarland Publishers sitting on my deck. The biography of Alex Romero that I wrote is finally out. I remember years ago when I first asked Alex if I could write a book about his life and he got so excited and immediately said yes. I promised him that some day I would do it.This morning after I woke up I sat on my couch and looked through the book and thought, “I kept my promise to this man I loved and respected so much.” It made me so happy.
Over Labor Day weekend, I went to Palm Springs and had lunch with my former tap dance partner, Callie O’Bryan.It was so great to see her and catch up and after lunch, we even did a little shuffle or two in the parking lot. Callie and I won First Place in the Duke Ellington Tap Dance Contest held at the Shubert Theatre in LA back in 1984. The contest was judged by the late, great Gregory Hines.
Mark, Callie, and William in Palm Springs.
The new fall semester at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts started today, Tuesday September 3, 2013. I am teaching Movement and Dance of Actors for the first year and Period Dance for the second year. It looks like we have a wonderful group of incoming students!