Snowed Under in June

I had a birthday this weekend.  We celebrated by going to a great Mediterranean restaurant in Helena.  Altricia joined us.  She is with us for the summer from Jamaica on a student work visa.  We ordered a bottle of wine.  She got carded and didn’t have her passport with her.   She was a good sport … Read more

Risk Taking

I just got back from an international film festival in Las Vegas. Okay, so I didn’t just watch films. I spent a few minutes in front of a slot machine. Or maybe that was a few hours. I’ve conveniently forgotten, I think. Whatever the case, I risked a dime or two on the penny slots … Read more

Spring into Action

Mark and I spent 7 hours yesterday cleaning up the yard from an ice storm that struck central Kentucky in February. Seems a little late, I know, but I’ve been in Montana all winter and just got back east to face the mess. And it was quite the mess, the whole town, still when I … Read more

At the Heart of America

Valentine’s Day has gone but the hearts that beat stronger still echo across America.  Or not.  Amidst the turmoil and bickering on Capitol Hill and the critical state of our economy, it’s difficult to hear anything echo at all.  Should I be happy that money will be dedicated to bolster artists and the arts in … Read more

Breaking In

It’s easier to break into a house then into publishing.  Not that I’ve ever broken into a house.  I haven’t.  But I have broken into a car, my car, to retrieve my keys.  I have a nasty habit of locking my keys in my car when I’m absorbed in thought, such as when I’m directing … Read more

Cabin Fever Writing

It has been winter in Montana since November. I’m not complaining. If you could see this place you’d love holding up here as much as I do. I haven’t had enough time lately with the holidays and all to do much writing but I have a 2-minute play wallowing around in my head clamouring to … Read more

Tis the Season to Cut Costs

With the winter solstice rising and the economy plummeting the forecast for theaters and performing arts groups looks a little bleak. Fortunately most companies will weather the winter but a production slowdown looks imminent for spring when most theaters set season schedules for the following fall. A royalty rollback seems ill advised, artists barely make … Read more

A Topic to Chomp On

Mark and I flew to Chicago over the weekend to attend the Mercy for Animals Celebrating Compassion Gala at the Chicago Cultural Center.  Mark’s son, Nathan, founded MFA in 1999 at the age of 17 proving once again the power of commitment, passion and vision no matter one’s number of years on earth.  The Gala … Read more

Across America

After strike following the Arts for Kids, ETC production of “Elves in the Toyshop?!” (again, coming to Heartland Plays summer, 2009), Mark and I headed across America on our way back to our home in Montana. Kentucky is great, especially during the spring and fall. The magnificent colors and phenomenal weather make the winters in … Read more

When Good Kids go Bad

Okay, so maybe I’m dating myself, but when I say bad, I mean bad, like great! Like awesome. Like the very best. Our show “Elves in the Toyshop?!” (available in 2009 at Heartland Plays) opened this weekend to a standing room only crowd at Pioneer Playhouse, the oldest and longest running playhouse in Kentucky. Pioneer … Read more