A "Wicked" Good TIme

Returned to "Wicked" yesterday after a 3 year hiatus. Several pleasant surprises: Carol Shelley is on the road reprising her role of Madame Morrible. Stephanie Block, who originated the role of Elpahba in workshops, is on the tour in the same role: she does a fantastic job.

The traveling wardrobe crew is very chilled and cooperative, which makes the job easier for all of us. AND they ended up giving me a similar track to the one I had in SF 3 years ago. It is nice to know what is coming and to be familiar with the show I am doing. The 12 hour day was a bit rough, but our first show went very well.

And then I ran into Luis Figueroa, one of the men's ensemble whom I dressed in "42nd Street" over 2 years ago in San Francisco.

The attached photo is Susan Hilferty's original sketch for Elphaba's fancier witch dress.

"Memoirs of a Geisha"

I decided to get yet another Big Screen "fix" yesterday by seeing "Memoirs of a Geisha." This will be my last chance for awhile, since I start "Wicked" tomorrow for 2 weeks, and I may start up right after that without a break at the Palm Beach Opera.

The film is beautiful; having choreographer Rob Marshall direct really helped. The book is a wonderful work, and they translated it well to film. The only thing that was strange was that the endings were a bit different, and I am not sure why. I will reread the book and see this beautiful film again.

I have been pleasantly surprised by all the films I have seen in the past month.

My Favorite Photo

Here is my great niece Claire checking out Scott Stewart's wall of Phlorescent Alien Babies. She looks a bit nervous! This took place in November 2005, on my mother's and my famous "Escape from Wilma" trip to the Bay Area. Claire thinks that Scott is just great!

"Transamerica"

Just got back from seeing "Transamerica," and I LOVED it. Felicity Huffman does a great job, as does the entire cast. William H. Macy was executive producer and it is well done. It is warm and humorous, and asks and answers some great questions. I nearly cried at the end as Dolly Parton's song played over the credits.

Even if Felicity doesn't win the Oscar, I am so glad she was nominated and that many more people will check this little gem out. You don't need to see it in a theater; it will translate well to the "small screen."

I am eager to hear what folks in the Transgender Community think of this film.

Viggo Mortensen

Nobody has mentioned the fact that Viggo Mortensen "bussed" somebody on national television at the Golden Globes. They were mentioning his nomination for "History of Violence." My good friend Peaches sent me a link to this photo showing him in a public kiss with David Cronenberg.

So, WHO was he kissing on the Golden Globes?