Emotionally, it was a tough year. Early in 2009 my dear friend/co-worker, Janine Dallas Steffan passed away unexpectedly. At work I still look over to her desk (even though she reitred in 2008) and miss seeing her smiling face.
Also in January last year my Mom was hospitalized unexpectedly and had major back surgery. She's recovering, but it's been a lot of work, for both my sister Jenny and myself (not to mention Mom). We both get down to see her on alternate weekend, to help her out.
Performance-wise. I did a musical version of "Jane Eyre" last February for Seattle Musical Theatre. I played the butler, Robert, had a couple of great lines and worked with a wonderful director, Gregory Magyar (alas, he's since moved to Texas). The music from that show still haunts me. In a good way. Also in Jan. I played Father Kenny in a great production of "A Man of No Importance" for Showtunes Theatre Company. Frances Leah King was another great director to work with, and that show still gets me weepy.
In May it was "Guys and Dolls" at SMT, then another show ("The Last Magician") with Breeders Theater at the E.B. Foote Winery. Sept./Oct. brought one of my most wonderful and thrilling theater experiences, "The Producers" at SMT. Ja wohl! Then it was on to "Guys and Dolls 2.0" for my dear friend, Loretta in Federal Way and "The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge," which I'm still working on today (more to come on that one).
Other highlights of 2009. A great hike with my Uncle Roy (and other assorted family) in June in celebration of his 82nd birthday. The reunion (of sorts) of a whole bunch of former Edge of the World Theatre performers, also in June. A visit from my sister Suzie and her kids that included a trip to "Twilight"-land (Forks and La Push) and a great gathering at my Mom's house. And my lovely vacation to Sechelt and Vancouver Island in Canada (see previous posts). And topping it off was a nice New Year's Eve at my friend Marsha's house on Queen Anne (see photo).
