A Dancer Dances

A Rolling Rock arrived at its destination only to be refused; it was the first time I had ever bought a drink for someone.  The beautiful dancing muse walked in my direction with beer in tote and smiled as he grew nearer.  He said, "Thanks, but I don't drink beer; I'm Phil."  Phil and I have been soul sisters for 14 years now; from that first late night conversation on art as a form of expression, he has been a mentor.  He dances, wait. . . he expresses his soul when he moves.

Sometimes artist lose direction and need a helping hand; reasons unknown.  Fragile creatures who are driven by idea, situation or expression who are squashed like a gnat with one swoop of the hand.  Lately, we have both needed a helping hand; us Midwest folk are full of ideals and a kind of stubbornness that gets in the way.  With each others help, out came the albums of our past and together we reminded each other of how we began; remembrances of the way we smiled, dressed and presented ourselves to the world.  Though our creativity may be buried, it doesn't mean it's dead.  With each picture we pointed out and demanded each other to not forget; good or bad, it is a memory to be cherished.

I want to see Phil dance again; it has been a long time.  I call him out when he tries to give me an excuse; we can do that for one another.  The medicine is usually very hard to swallow, BUT it is always necessary.  Expression is very important and everyone must find their way; it's not easy.  But, I do promise that once you start, it brings nothing but joy.

Phil's gonna dance and I cannot wait to tell you how, when and where; I warn you though. . . he will be like a phoenix rising from the ash and will leave you with an overabundance of hope and love!

"Kiss the day goodbye, and point me towards tomorrow; we do what we have to do!"  Show the world a musical is real!!

FAIRY DUSTING! #1 - Karen Morrow & Megan Carver

I have a thing for belters.  As long as they can hit the back wall and have that sound slap an audience across the face twice with a silly reverberation, as Irving Berlin has put it, "I'm Happy!".  Karen Morrow and Megan Carver are two of my favorites!  I don't know Ms. Morrow except from what I can find in books and what I read on the internet, but I do know Megan, she's a Portlander! 

I have a fascination for the failures and the obscurities of Broadway. I came across Ms. Morrow's name in one of my coffee table books; the section discussed talent versus luck.  Among others, Ms. Morrow's name was listed and included a photo of this gorgeous brassy broad with a smile that begs for the compliment, "Nice Chompers!".  Well, I hopped on youtube and found this gem of history!  Ms. Morrow is one of many reasons I decided to train myself for working the boards.  I never wanted to be a Richard Kiley or a John Rait, though they melt my heart like any damsel in distress.  I wanted and still want to be a worker, one that has the talent and the ability to motivate an audience to the point of an "aw shucks" perma grin. 

When I see Megan Carver perform live, she slaps me across the face THREE times while falling back into my chair with a brassy belter's snuggie hug!  I got to know Megan a couple of years ago working on a production of "The Producers". We hit it off over a break, where we discovered we both had an affinity for Emergen-C.  Inside note: she likes orange, I prefer lime...  Just like Ms. Morrow, with ALL do respect, they both have unhingeable jaws that flip back when they hit that awesome note at the end of the phrase; AND they both do it with a smile!

My goal for April...  Make an appointment with Ms. Karen Morrow for a voice lesson and see if she's got time to talk to this west coast gypsy... keep your fingers crossed and send me some pixie dust of love my way!

Today, find your favorite brassy belter, turn the volume up to ten and see if you have an unhingeable jaw!  Just trying, I bet, puts a smile on your face!

Until next time, "Let them sing a funny song, with crazy words that roll along; and if that song can start you laughing...  I'm Happy!!"  Show the world a musical can be real!!