No Rest for the Wicked

It has reached the point where I write on this blog so infrequently that I wonder if it's worth the trouble of keeping it at all. For now, I shall endeavor to continue. The lack of posts are my failing, not the blog's. And the truth is that August was a busy month.

Since last I wrote, I not only began rehearsals on Louis Slotin Sonata, but as of today we're already in tech. This has to have been one of the fastest rehearsals processes in which I have ever participated, and yet it never for a moment felt rushed, or like we were running out of time. We're in great shape for tech, and I can wait to see what this whole thing turns in to. I wish there was an image of the show's poster online, because it is stunning. We're in previews as of next Friday, and then we open Monday the 13th. I will keep you posted.

Last weekend I also participated in my first ensemble meeting at Lifeline Theatre. As the discussion grew, I found myself look around the room and thinking, I am surrounded by a bunch of really smart people. Seriously. It's a little intimidating. But I left the meeting with a good-sized list of new books to read, and I am now at the very early stages of a new project for the company. I don't want to go into detail yet because it is, as I say, in the very early stages. Nothing official yet, but the ball has started rolling. It's something that has me extremely excited, and perhaps more than a little petrified. We shall see what happens.

A few other things are moving along as well. Next Saturday, Signal Theatre Ensemble holds auditions for Accidental Death of an Anarchist, by Dario Fo. I'm working on the violence for the show, so hopefully I'll get a chance to stop by and get a look at some of the potential cast.

Then, after Louis Slotin Sonata, opens, I start in on a script development workshop with The Strange Tree Group. Getting a chance to work with this company will be the fulfillment of a lifelong dream... or at least it would be if they'd been around my whole life. Actually I first learned about them about three or four years ago, around the time I was directing Rogue 8: Issue #3 with Rogue Theater. Seeing their shows has been some of the most fun I've ever had as a theater audience member. I get excited every time I hear they have something new coming up. And now I get to play along a little. I am all kinds of thrilled about this.

This coming Monday is Labor Day. It is the only full day off I've had in a month, and the only full day off I will have until late October. You'd think that's a bad thing, but really, it's not.

Joining the Club

Neverwhere has finally closed, and I can say with certainty that it was the premiere highlight of my theatrical career thus far. I was fortunate to be able to work on a fantastic script based on a wonderful story, with an extraordinary group of talented artists. I've never had this much fun on stage before. I got to be scary and funny at the same time. I got to be larger than life. I got to fight with a quarterstaff, and a machete that sparked. I ate a rat. And an ear.

And Neil Gaiman came to see it.

But the show has closed, as they all must do, and it is time for new adventures. I actually have a few projects lined up that should keep me out of trouble until next summer. First up is a role in Louis Slotin Sonata at A Red Orchid Theatre, followed by a fight director gig on Signal Theatre Ensemble's Accidental Death of an Anarchist, and wrapped up next spring with Lifeline Theatre's adapation of Watership Down. That's right: I'm gonna be a bunny. I also have a workshop or two thrown into the mix, just for funzies.

Speaking of Lifeline, however, I do have some particularly exciting news: I have accepted an invitation to become a member of Lifeline Theatre's artistic ensemble. There was a press release and everything. I spent about a week after receiving the invitation just vibrating with excitement. What made it worse was that the company wanted to hold off on the announcement until after Neverwhere closed, so that whole week was spent sitting on a secret. But it's out now, and I am thrilled. I can't wait to get started.

Why I Do Theatre - Reason #342

That chubby guy right in the middle? That's me. The fellow next to me, with the shaggy hair, standing at a jaunty angle? Yeah, that's Neil Gaiman. Oh, and the guy three heads down from me, with the glasses and blue sports coat? Added bonus: Lenny Henry, who co-created the BBC miniseries of Neverwhere with Neil. Also one of the funniest men in England. They came to see our production last Sunday, June 13th, and were just two of the coolest guys you could ever hope to meet.

Lifeline Theatre did a fine job of keeping their visit a secret as long as they could, but they couldn't clamp down on actors running out for a cigarette before the show. Sean Sinitski (Mr. Croup - the fellow looming above and behind Neil in the picture) came up to me backstage about fifteen minutes before the start and just said, "Yes or no?" Yes, I said. "Neil's here." I spent about four seconds wondering if I was going to either barf or crap my pants, but then reigned it in enough to give, I believe, a respectable performance for one of my all-time favorite authors. I'd like to think we are doing justice to the work, while accomplishing something all-together new and exciting.

And I got Neil's autograph. He signed one of Croup & Vandemar's prop business cards. First though, he had to search his many pockets because he knew he had an appropriate "evil pink sharpie." And he did. He signed it, "With extra teeth." I'm gonna have it framed.

Press... and Extension!

NEVERWHERE has come close to selling out ever performance so far. It's going so well that we are extending the run for an entire month. Our new closing date is July 18, 2010. Click here for ticket info.

We've also been getting some great reviews. The folks at Lifeline have collected the best of them here, but I thought I might excerpt a few of my personal favorite quotes:

"Chris Hainsworth and Christopher M. Walsh have the comedy cavern down cold." - Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

"There is sharp character work by Chris Hainsworth (neatly ambiguous as the Marquis); Sean Sinitski and Christopher M. Walsh (terrific as the sadistic duo); Kyra Morris (as a sleek, unreliable huntress); Patrick Blashill (as the raven stew-eating Old Bailey); and Phil Timberlake (an eerie Angel)." - Hedy Weiss, Chicago Sun-Times

"And the villain brothers, Croup and Vandemar? Terrifically funny. Vile. Wear cravats." - C.S.E. Cooney, Centerstage Chicago

"Sinitski and Walsh are a killer comedy duo." - Katy Walsh, Chicago Now

"Sean Sinitski and Christopher M. Walsh, playing the hilariously sadistic duo Croup and Vandemar, are an absolute delight, their dry banter and garish demeanor heightening a menace that's nothing but playful." - Randall Colburn, Gapers Block

And just for fun:

The Floating Market

A couple of weeks ago I participated in Lifeline Theatre's annual benefit. This year's theme was Neil Gaiman's Floating Market from NEVERWHERE. I wandered the venue and recited stories written by Lifeline ensemble members. Photographer Paul Metreyeon took this photo, which I think is rather awesome (if I do say so myself):

Previews

After many weeks, NEVERWHERE encounters its first audience tonight. This is not opening night; it is the first night of previews.

The preview process is a luxury many (perhaps most) theatre companies in Chicago are unable to afford. At best they will have previews on Thursday and Friday, and then open the show on Saturday. While that does give the show a chance at a little audience feedback, there really is no opportunity to fix anything that just doesn't work.

Lifeline, the company producing NEVERWHERE, owns its own space. As a result, we have the chance to perform an entire weekend of shows, take what we learned from those audiences and continue to work during the next week, then test those changes on a second round of preview audiences the next weekend before we finally open the Monday afterward. The result is that the show we will open on May 10th will be a different beast from the one we'll perform tonight.

In this particular instance the changes probably won't be too dramatic. A shortened line here, a tighter entrance there. That sort of thing. However, I've heard stories of musical productions that added entire songs during the preview process. For an actor these changes can be dizzying, but there is nothing more exhilarating than the moment all the pieces of a show finally fit together.

If you're in the Chicago area and want to help us put the final touches on NEVERWHERE, we'll have preview performances April 30-May 2, and May 7-9. Click here for more information.

Thanksgiving

I hear the phrase "in this economy" three or four times a day. I have friends who have been out of work for over a year. I have friends who have sent resumes to the far ends of the country to find work. I have friends who have sent out over a thousand resumes and have barely scored any interviews. I have friends who have given up their chosen careers to go back to school after being laid off.

Two years ago I was laid off from a job I'd held for seven years. I had spent most of those seven years complaining about the job, but for a couple of weeks after my last day I felt as though I'd been kicked in the stomach. I couldn't get to sleep until three or four in the morning, and I couldn't get out of bed until noon. I got back into temping for a few months, but that world had changed dramatically since the last time I'd gone that route back in 2001. Assignments were fewer and far between, and the work was menial and monotonous.

Then a good friend suggested I come and temp at her office for a few weeks. She suggested I could at least get a higher hourly rate than what the agencies had offered me. Those few weeks turned into a few months, and then a little over a year ago turned into a new full time job.

I am ASTOUNDINGLY lucky. I want the universe to know that I am fully aware of just how lucky I am. I do not have an impressive resume by anyone's standards, haven't even finished college, but I have a job that not only pays fairly well, but that I genuinely enjoy. I have a theatre hobby/career that has never been more fulfilling. I have an extraordinary circle of friends. I have two cats whom I adore. I have a fantastic wife, and soon we might be buying our own home. I really, really, have little about which I can complain. I am grateful for all of the wonderful things that have come my way.

I am getting ready for rehearsal and watching the snow fall out my front window. Gonna be a good day.