After my last blog of self-reflection and bemoaning over my lack of action in showbiz at my advanced age of 54 years, I have decided to submit my one woman show in a solo festival. If I make the cut it will be produced, mounted and given all the bells and whistles (production, stage managing, marketing, a theater) that I have only dreamed about. It will become a reality! And it is kinda scary, but not too scary. I feel good about the work. I have a great team: Arlene Malinowski (the Empress of …
I’m getting old and I can’t deny it. Yet, still I dream of doing great things. Is that crazy?
I feel it more than I can deny it. It is in my bones, my muscles, in the number of things I have accumulated in my house. I think about death. I look back on my life and realize that I have advanced past the age to fulfill a lot of dreams. It's almost too late. Every time I realize it is my experience that makes me wiser I am confronted with it. I am getting old. Sometimes when I say: I am getting old I wonder if I should correct myself. Should I be saying: I am old? Should I just get real …
nigger, nigger, nigger, nigger, nigger
That is the opening line of a piece from my one woman show that I performed at the January Story Jam series in Wimette, Illinois. Wilmette is a mostly affluent, predominantly White suburb of Chicago. I entitled the story "nigger," which tells the story of the first time I was called such by a White person. I have to admit that I had some reservations about presenting a story about being called a nigger to a mostly White audience - for about a minute. Hell, I told the world that I weigh 300 …
My Words for the New Year 2016 and for 2015: Verklempt & Gratitude!
Verklempt. Definition: Verklempt is a Yiddish word that means "overcome with emotion." Pronounced "fer-klempt," people use it when they are so emotional that they're on the verge of tears or at a loss for words due to their emotional state. I am Verklempt. I've been trying to compose a New Year's message but I am just so grateful for the love that I have received, the response to my Gofundme campaign and my recent sold-out show at City Winery (for starters) that I just end up sitting at my …
January 1, 2016: Wonderful Night at City Winery Chicago. Photos!
Glorious. Happiness. Joy. Dancing. Laughter. Some tears. Fantastic dress. Gorgeous make-up. Killer band. Special guests. A drag queen. Music. Fela! Sold-out show. So much love. …