Countdown 14 weeks till April 4

   I love actors who take it on themselves to find out what makes a play tick or more pointedly, why their characters exist. One of them contacted me this week to ask what books to research for BUFFALO'ED. Lovely. And another posted on FB his disappointment on not being cast BUT that he'd now work on skills for future plays.
   I'm always amazed at the resilience of theater folks. A friend awhile back remarked on something I've always remembered: theater works much better than for-profit groups in that they have all these production elements that MUST "hit" on one date, continually, multiple times a year. Miracles happening each time.
   Also this week: a playwright wants to return to work with me the first quarter of the year. I also have a couple other writers I consult with. It looks like food's back on the table:) The April 9 Stanford gig at the Nitery is a plus, and of course, THE PRODUCTION. 14 weeks... relax, settle down, breathe... whew.
A couple of reading groups contacted me last year for inclusion in their 2012 calendars. This is when I wish there were two of me: one to be visibly connected outside, and one to hunker down in jammies and work.
   Ah, the world outside: the P.I. got hit hard twice: the first on Dec. 19 in Cagayan de Oro, and today for a landslide in Pantukan, both towns in Mindanao, total fatalities 675. There's groups city-wide here sending aid as 16% in the Bay Area are Filipino (32,000). How this year already fares for some folks...
   I won't jinx it but there's another cool possible writing gig, one with Art, research, symbolism, right up my alley. We'll see.
  So casting still meanders through our minds; a draft of a schedule came through for all to contemplate...hmm. There's also talk about the soundscape. It may entail my own keyboarding to at least give ideas. (I wish I could talk more openly about all this, but for now it's playing kind of close to the chest.)
   Here's an outright blast: Tickets are on sale online: www.thestage.org. Get 'em now, get 'em there.
   I told myself to keep these weekly blogs shorter...I'll aim to next week.