The Sleeper Car

Day Two

2011-07-22T20:28:00.000-07:00

Sorry, folks, I've been home from Cedar City for two days and just now posting.

Day Two at this year's festival was awesome. We saw "The Music Man" in the afternoon and then "Noises, Off!" in the evening. They were both wonderful productions!

It was nice to have a beautiful day out for a change and Mom and I took the time to eat early and arrive early at the theater in order to enjoy the surroundings and atmosphere. There is a specific feel about this festival. Intimate, cozy, just plain feels like home.

This trip was quick, but worth it. It has been a couple of years since I've been able to see a show in the outdoor Adams theater which was awesome. There is nothing quite like Shakespeare under the Stars at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. I am so looking forward to returning in August for the other three shows.

Overall, a nice little vacation away from it all in beautiful Southern Utah.

Day One

2011-07-19T09:27:00.000-07:00

We've arrived. Yesterday was awesome. We had a nice trip down and last night was magical. This year is special because it is the 50th anniversary of the Utah Shakespeare Festival. That is quite the accomplishment for a not-for-profit theatre company!

We saw "A Midsummer Night's Dream" last night in the outdoor Adams Memorial Shakespearean Theatre. This theater is so magical at night, watching "Shakespeare Under the stars" as they call it down here! The production was magical and exquisite! Fred C. Adams, the founder and executive director emeritus of the festival directed it. He did such a fantastic job!

We got to visit briefly with Fred and Scott Phillips, the current executive director of the festival. These two men are wonderful mentors of mine and mean a great deal to me and my family. It was so great to see them again.

We missed last summer because of illness, which saddened me, but it was great to be back once again. Sitting in the theater last night, I realized how much I have missed it; seeing Shakespeare outdoors again in that beautiful theater. I have many fond memories of this place and it's always wonderful to return each year.

Today we are seeing a matinee of "The Music Man" and then tonight we see "Noises, Off!" Both in the indoor Randall L. Jones Memorial Theatre. My dear friend Mindy Young is playing Alma Hix in "The Music Man." It will be wonderful to see her again, particularly in a show! It's been quite some time!

U.S.F. 50th Anniversary

2011-07-14T13:28:00.000-07:00

I am so excited! We leave on Monday for Cedar City to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Utah Shakespeare Festival. I can't wait!

We are splitting the trip in two. We are going down on Monday for 2 days and seeing: "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "The Music Man," and, "Noises, Off!" We will return in August to see: "Romeo and Juliet," "Richard III," and, "The Glass Menagerie."

Money being tight, we decided to do it this way this year so that we could make the trip more affordable.

The festival means so much to me and my family and my life as an actor. I am so excited and happy to see that the festival has made it to its 50th year. That is a huge and wonderful accomplishment.

I will have photo's, reviews, etc. on this blog next week, so stay tuned!

Farewell L.A.

2011-02-16T13:30:00.000-08:00

Well I'm back from L.A. It was an incredible experience that I will never forget. It was exhausting, incredible, fun, a learning experience, and an inspirational one as well! I fell in love with L.A. as well as with the gorgeous weather! The week was filled with activities, workshops, plays, etc. And I was so glad I had the opportunity to go! It has really enriched and enhanced my college theater experience! I highly recommend it to everyone!

The L.A. Adventure

2011-02-11T17:29:00.001-08:00

Los Angeles has been really fun today! I've walked all over till my feet are killing me thank God for the Angels Flight train at Angels Park (where the park scene in "500 Days of Summer" was filmed). It's an absolutely gorgeous park. I'm going up tomorrow to see the Disney Music Hall and the Biltmore Hotel. Click here for photos. You can look on my "All the World's a Stage" blog for details about my Irene Ryan experience.

Los Angeles has truly been a wonderful vacation. Beautiful hotel, great food!!!!!!!, and the weather has been heavenly! I am so grateful that I got to to go on this trip!

Journey to Los Angeles - Part 3

2011-02-08T08:27:00.000-08:00

Journey to Los Angeles - Part 2

2011-02-08T08:26:00.001-08:00

Journey to Los Angeles - Part 1

2011-02-08T08:24:00.001-08:00

Good Morning Los Angeles

2011-02-08T08:12:00.001-08:00

Wow, what a gorgeous morning! I'm siting here in my bed and looking over at my window out onto downtown and it is one beautiful morning! Nice cool breeze and that nice ocean air. *happy sigh*

I am so excited to be here at K.C.A.C.T.F. 2011. I can't wait to get started. The next two days are basically dedicated to "She Stoops to Conquer." We set up @ Noon today. That will take about 3 hours. Then we have the evening to enjoy Hollywood. Then tomorrow we perform the show twice. I am a dresser/costumer for the show. Then the rest of the time is dedicated to enjoying the convention. My preliminary round for Irene Ryans are on Thursday @ 4pm. So I can enjoy the morning and some workshops before competing. I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. Our hotel is absolutely breathtaking! I'll continue posting updates throughout the week and photos as well. So stay tuned! My L.A. adventure has begun!

L.A. Here I Come!

2011-02-07T13:03:00.001-08:00

I'm on the bus and we're just leaving sunny Vegas. I'm headed to the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. I can't wait! There are no outlets on the bus so I'm keeping this short. I will post more when we get to our hotel! Have a great week everybody!

Homecoming 2010 - Part 2

2010-10-17T06:43:00.000-07:00

Last night was wonderful. I attended the S.U.U. Theater Arts & Dance Alumni showcase. This featured alumni performing theater pieces, solo's, dance pieces, etc. It was so much fun to see some of my old classmates once again. This is now an annual tradition to raise money for the Fred C. Adams Renaissance Man Scholarship fund, which is a wonderful cause. This scholarship will help an aspiring Theater Arts & Dance student get their undergraduate degree in Theater & Dance. My years spent here at S.U.U. shaped my life immensely and I was so happy to give back a little! Well, it's been a fun trip and now it's back to school tomorrow. Thank you for coming along with me!

Homecoming 2010 - Part 1

2010-10-16T14:59:00.000-07:00

Today was Homecoming @ S.U.U. I attended the Alumni Brunch and after wards the parade. It was so much fun! It has been way too long since I had been back down for homecoming and it felt good! I ran into my dear class mate Mindy Benson, who now is the President of the S.U.U. Alumni Association, which was so awesome, as well as Sterling R. Church who was the Vice-President (Student Services) when I went to S.U.U. as well as Gerald R. Sherratt who was president of S.U.U. when I attended. It was so wonderful to meet with these two gentlemen who had such an impact on my life! This was also the first time I had been in the renovated Great Hall of the Conference Center, which was actually the Great Hall of the Student Center when I attended S.U.U. I remember many a dance in that hall. It was spectacular to behold! Below are some pictures. Enjoy! I'm attending the Theater Arts & Dance Alumni reunion showcase this evening, can't wait! More to come!

ALUMNI BRUNCH

HOMECOMING PARADE

U.S.F. Fall 2010

2010-10-16T06:34:00.000-07:00

It has been so much fun coming to the fall season of this year's Utah Shakespearean Festival.

You can click on the following links to read my reviews of the shows.

Pericles
Diary of Anne Frank
Greater Tuna

I have really enjoyed this incredible fall season here in Cedar City and it's been so relaxing!

Today I have two homecoming activities to attend. The SUU Alumni Brunch and the SUU Theater and Dance Alumni Showcase this evening. It will be so wonderful to get together with old friends and to enjoy the first homecoming here at SUU I have attended since leaving back in 1990. Stay tuned!

We've Arrived

2010-10-14T14:55:00.000-07:00

Well, we've arrived. It took us a while with all of the construction and I can't believe all the traffic. We see "Greater Tuna" this evening. I am so excited for this weekend! With work, school, "Antigone," and other obligations I have been going 15 hours a day away from home 6 days a week. This is a really welcomed vacation. Stay tuned for reviews, photo's, etc. Hope all of you have a great weekend and to all my fellow U.V.U. students, have an awesome fall break!

YAY for Fall Break

2010-10-10T05:22:00.000-07:00

I know it's been quite some time since I've been able to take a vacation. Well this school year's Fall Break has afforded me the time to finally get away for a few days.

Stay tuned! I'm headed for Cedar City for the fall season of the Utah Shakespearean Festival this weekend. I'll post all about it! I'm so excited to get away for a bit!

Day Six

2009-07-26T05:10:00.001-07:00

It has been a wonderful trip! The 2009 Summer Season of the Utah Shakespearean Festival IMHO is a smashing success and I highly recommend it to everyone! There is truly something for everyone! Last night we ended our trip with the glorious Noel Coward classic, "Private Lives." It was a terrific production!

I'm sitting here at the desk in our hotel room and feeling a bit melancholy. I don't want to go back, but I know I have to. I have many great and new adventures on the horizon. This has been a marvelous getaway, with many memories to last a lifetime. Good friends, good theater, good times! I highly recommend this festival to everyone out there. It will change you! I've been coming since 1986 and I enjoy it each and every year! Here's to another awesome season of the tony award winning Utah Shakespearean Festival. I can't wait to return in October for the fall season. *happy sigh*

Day Five

2009-07-25T11:26:00.000-07:00

WOW, yesterday had a few surprises. I ran into my dear friends Jan and Andy. It was so great to see them. I got to sit and visit for a bit with my dear friend and mentor from college, Fred Adams. He is always a delight to be around and to hear him talk about the plays. Overall, a very fun day. We even took a drive up Cedar Canyon and I took pictures of Zion Overlook. The photos really can't do it justice. It's breathtaking to behold. Something you really need to see for yourself.

"As You Like It" was a fun show. A lot different than the production I was involved with a few months ago. It was fun to see the differences and to see the awesome cutting/adapting job that Chris Clark did on our behalf for our production. It was also fun to see those cuts put back in. A wonderful evening.

Tomorrow is our last day in Cedar City. I'm sad and not looking forward to getting back, but I have to. It's been a wonderful week and so relaxing. I needed this vacation and I'm so glad I took it.

Day Four

2009-07-24T15:05:00.000-07:00

Another great day here in Cedar City. It was a lazy day but that is what vacations are for right? LOL!

"Foxfire" was absolutely beautiful. This play really hit home for me. At times a bit too close. But it was a wonderful experience. Like I say in my review, this is the sleeper of the season and needs to be seen by all!

Day Three

2009-07-23T09:10:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned yesterday, this has been a really extra special and relaxing trip and I have so needed it. This past year has been really stressful at times and this has been the ticket to freedom. IMHO, this is the only way to experience the Utah Shakespearean Festival. If you can afford it, taking a whole week (1 show per evening) to see the festival. It is very relaxing and it gives you a lot of spare time to enjoy the surroundings and to visit the parks, lakes, etc. It's wonderful!

"Henry V" was magnificent. I admit, a bit long, but I didn't care. I enjoyed every moment of it. It is the must see of the outdoor plays this season. Tonight we're off to see "Foxfire" and then to experience the "Cabaret" @ the Grind Coffee House. It's a cabaret of acts from the festival company that helps raise funds to buy travel for casting agents to come to Cedar City. Basically, helps the company find work after their time here at the festival. It's a worthy cause! These poor actors, technicians, stage managers, etc. are out of casting/hiring loop during their stay here in out of the way Cedar City and they need all the help they can get.

It has been nice and cool for the past few days. I counted my blessings. It was a nice change from up north, but all good things must come to an end. Yesterday was a scorcher. This summer has really been hot! Ta ta for now!

Day Two

2009-07-22T15:08:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was another relaxing day here in Cedar City. It amazes me. Year after year I travel down to this beautiful little city in rural southern Utah, and each year this town never ceases to amaze me in what it offers to visitors. Magnificent scenery, small town friendliness, and a real escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. All I need do is look out the window of my hotel room at the Marriott, and I can see the beautiful red rock mountains. The scenery surrounding the Utah Shakespearean Festival complex is breathtaking. That's why I come here year after a year. To escape the mundane and to renew my spirit. I highly recommend it!

"The Secret Garden" was breathtaking! I was moved to tears on numerous occasions. Simple but beautiful. That is the best way IMHO to describe this beautiful production.

Day One

2009-07-21T10:15:00.000-07:00

"Comedy of Errors" was fantastic. Today was relaxing. Just the show in the evening. There has been a lot of cloud clover, so the weather has been really nice and cool. A wonderful change from the oven at home. We enjoyed the show and are looking forward to tomorrow's activities.

We've Arrived

2009-07-20T03:25:00.000-07:00

We've arrived. We got in about 1pm. It was a pretty drive. We went to the 3:30 showing of "Harry Potter & the Half-Blood Prince." It was awesome as well as sad. I'm really excited for this week. Stay tuned for more from Cedar City. :)

Cedar City Here I Come

2009-07-18T19:36:00.001-07:00

Well, it's Saturday night and I've been packing. I leave tomorrow morning for Cedar City. I can't wait! I'm really excited about this year's offerings and I'm just plain relieved to get away from it all for a while. Stay tuned for much more from Cedar City. Meanwhile, here is a taste of what I'll be experiencing. Enjoy.

Welcome

2009-07-13T17:42:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my travel blog. Here you can see pictures, read about my adventures on my travels. I hope you will come back often! Enjoy.

Only 5 more days until my annual trek to Cedar City. I can't wait! Stay tuned for lots of stuff from Cedar City!