i just can't take laugh tracks

Love this quote from an interview with Albee.

"I’ve always loved very sophisticated comedy and cheap comedy. It’s the stuff in between I have problems with."

For the whole thing go here.

Thanks to Adam for the link.

inching along in a cloud of smoke

I was one of the minions that helped elect Tim Kaine. I think he has a lot to offer Virginia and am excited that he has made transportation and education at the forefront of his agenda. Now I want to disagree with him. Sorry Tim.

Kaine is against the gas tax. This is really no surprise, as he was against it all along. I tend to think along the lines of Bill Maher. Gas should be more expensive, not less. I feel that, like tobacco and alcohol, it should be heavily taxed. Gas should be so heavily taxed that carmakers will freak out and start making all their cars be exceptionally fuel efficient, and that the voters will support anything that will hasten along the building of metrorails and public transportation. This really comes down to the environmentalist in me. High gas prices discourage its use and encourage carpooling, and taking the metro. I think we should heavily tax anything that emits noxious fumes into our air. This includes cars, boats, trucks, factories and Karl Rove (I think the level of pollutants from Rove are single handedly responsible for the melting polar ice caps).

My other reason for supporting the tax comes from the commuter in me. If we took the proceeds of a large gas tax and funneled it directly to transportation issues, it is not only metro that would be built, but wider and new roadways. Then I would burn less fuel (again better for our ozone), and get to my destination in half the time, and the cost would be a wash. I am someone who that gas tax would hit hardest, I cringe at the thought of the prices I would pay, but I am willing to make the sacrifice. Now we only need a few thousand others to feel the same way.

shake up shake down

Did you see the news about Snow? McClellan was as numbing as novacaine, but Snow is scary and prettier than his predecessor (both traits that serve Bush well). Both can sling pure bullshit, but Snow will do it more effectively. Watching him actually makes my blood pressure rise. McClellan just made me laugh.

With every change in the Bush administration comes the opportunity for them to make it worse than it already is.

take it again

I am in tech right now. It is a little rough, mostly because of the vast amount of sound and light cues. I also have some freelance work I have to get done. I am feeling fuzzy and hazey and want to talk about McClellan resigning, or Rumsfeld being a complete ass, but I am tired, so I will give you something fun to visit instead.

I am totally going to their next taping!

funny funny, ha ha funny

While in Chicago I was lucky enough to see a couple different improv shows and be part of an exceptional commedia workshop. First off I will say that the commedia brought on such a wistfulness for me that I am still fantasizing about starting my own commedia troupe here. That is how good they were, and how good I wish I could be, but it has been years since I did any of that work and I would need to be fully retrained before doing it again.

As I sat through the improv shows I took note again of how underrepresented women are in comedy. Especially in improv comedy. Here is why I think that there are less women than men in comedy.

Men are funnier than women.

I hate to admit this. I hate to say this. It is, however, true. The question is, why. Why are men funnier than women?

I asked this very question to City Mouse a few nights ago, as we downed our dinner whilst appreciating the spring air in Dupont. *She started in about gender roles and about how women are raised to be more docile and to be nurturers. I don't disagree with her thoughts, but I think that it really all boils down to sexuality. Women do not own their sexuality in the same way men do.

In comedy,

A man kissing a man is funny.

A woman kissing a woman is hot.

A man in drag is funny.

A woman in drag is hot.

The interesting part of the weekend came with the commedia workshop, in which we were treated to a sample of the amazing work they do at TriArts. Only here did I see the women well represented. In their masks, gender was unimportant. The physicalization of commedia, and in particular, the new twist that their Adult Swim Ensemble has added, eschews any sexuality for pure character work. They play each stock character, male or female, with such ease and precision that the only way to tell who is who, is to watch their shoes (the only costume piece that does not change during their shows).

Before anyone gets in a huff, let me state that there are many talented female comedians and comic actresses. I am sure many will disagree with my assertion about females and comedy. I too wish it was different. The one conclusion I can come to is that in order for woman to be the comedian and not the butt of a joke, she has to be willing to forgo sexuality to some extent, just, I think, as many men do. Think of the ladies on SNL. All are very pretty, but not one uses it in there comedy. Maybe what it comes down to is that comedy is not so pretty as much as it is clean and timely. So 'sexy' has very little place in it. Sex has a big place in comedy, but not sexy.

I have reached the point of blathering. Someone chime in. Anyone?

*CM - Sorry for abbreviating your remarks so much.

throat hurts too

I am back. Chicago was great and I have a major thought on my mind. It started in the windy city and grew as I flew back. But for the moment I am too worn out from the trip and rehearsal. Tomorrow my friends.

not the macarena

Oh, but before I get on a plane can I just mention the little dance I have been doing at the demise of DeLay!

Why is he always smiling? Does he really think that it makes us all believe he is confident and innocent? Hell no! It solidifies his utter evilness. Smiling, always smiling. I bet he cackles and rubs his hands together while doing an Iago-like shifting of his beady eyes.

On his own terms?

Which terms would those be?

Were those the terms of being indicted for felony money-laundering or because of being so closely linked with the corruption charges by lobbyist Jack Abramoff? No his own terms means defeating other Republicans so they cannot take his seat! Evil I tell you, evil!

monday monday

There is always this place of frustration for me in the rehearsal process; after choices have been made and major discoveries have happened, when you have to begin to let it flow. Lines cease to be words on a page and become your natural instinct. Right before I hit my stride I have the worst couple of rehearsals where everything feels clunky and I forget every memorized word and the arc of each scene does not seem to match what I had previously done. I have to remind myself that this will pass, but it always catches me off guard.

It also comes at a weird time in this particular rehearsal process, because I have to go to Chicago for the next few days and I am not prepared for the absence. I wanted to feel like my grasp on this show had gelled more before leaving. I have promised myself that I will read the show and mentally walk through it once a day until I get back.

I watch some actors and it seems so effortless for them during rehearsals. There are times like that for me as well, but I always hit a couple snags and have to take a step back to see the picture again before moving on. I am craving that moment when it all fits and the puzzle makes sense and then it just feels oh so wonderful to let the part crackle and spark out of me. I know some actors who love the rehearsal process for its discovery and, in fact say it is their favorite part of doing theatre. I do love finding a role, and exploring a script. I am always happy and willing to try something new, but I must say that I love it best when it all comes together and fits just right.

Until next week...