Friday, May 30

The Eccentricities of the Intern Pt. 2


New Title: The Eccentricities of an Intern. SCENE II:

(IGUANA enters the subway car with SUPERVISOR. He stares aimlessly around the car looking for some kind of way to divert the possibility to faking a conversation. Relentlessly IGUANA has tried to make smalltalk with this man and failed repeatedly.

Along side the both of them stands ELBERT. He is a completely odd figure, with long curly hair and he never speaks unless spoken to. He is a theater fan with a fierce passion for Spring Awakening. Where IGUANA has failed in conversation with his SUPERVISOR, he finds ELBERT impossible to even look at.)

IGUANA: (Stares out the window) I love elevated trains.

SUPER: Did you-- (Speaks so inabudibly that IGUANA can't hear though he's next to him. ELBERT somehow hears and nods his head. SUPERVISOR looks at IGUANA for a response.)

IGUANA: So how many stops to Woodside?

SUPER: Only 17 uh-- more stops. We'll be eh-- there in about three days--

IGUANA: (Blinks) Wh--What did you say? (Looks to ELBERT for help, but quickly looks away. The train begins to tilt as it goes around a bend, everyone leans.)

SUPER: I said seven more uh-- stops we'll be there in uh-- 30 minutes.

IGUANA: (Resumes looking out the window) At least there's something to watch. I love riding the elevated train.

(BLACKOUT)

SCENE III

(IGUANA sit around a table of the gay elite. THE WRITERS of Music Fold know everything and anything about Broadway. They sit around a table that the SUPERVISOR is conducting. THE WRITERS as a whole make up a whole personality, but individually they are hardly memorable. While the SUPERVISOR tries to conduct a meeting, they just go on about their way.)

SUPER: So let's discuss uh-- new possible stories--

WRITER 1: I have the Hal Prince obituary complete. (Laughs) Next we will work on Carol Channing and...

WRITER 2: Stephen Sondheim! (Everyone laughs slightly.) Lets face it both of their careers are done.

SUPER: Uh-- Any ideas for Tony stories? Does anyone eh-- want to go to the Tony's. (IGUANA watches not surprised, as none of them raise their hands.)

WRITER 3: I'll just watch from home and post a moment to moment bulletin. Like I did last year.

SUPER: I was thinking of doing a story about what people mean when they thank certain people in their speeches. Like when Roger Bart thanked um-- Jonathon Larson.

WRITER 2: That's a good idea, we'll have to do after the fact interviews.

SUPER: I was hoping to write the story up for um-- Monday. (All three stop smiling at once.) Oh! (Turns to IGUANA) Do you want to tell them about your tattoo?

(IGUANA's eyes open widely. He has prepared for this, but not so suddenly! He is used to telling people on his own terms. To a group of the elite he is intimidated. Slowly rolls up his sleeve.)

IGUANA: It's Anita Morris...From Nine...

WRITER 1: OOOoohhhhh! (Bursts out laughing.)

WRITER 2: Well, I'll be! That is her. Did you see her performance? (All three giggle.)

IGUANA: No, only through resear--

WRITER 3: Do you have anymore Broadway tattoos?

(IGUANA tries to hold it in his mouth. But as a reflex, he gives the usual speech.)

IGUANA: Yes. I have more. (Beat) I am into Al Hirschfeld. You know the New Yorker? Of course you know! Well I like Al and I like Tennessee Williams. So I have two. Yes, two Al Hirschfeld. (Quick pause) Wait no three! I have three. I have the two Tennessee Williams. Well no, I mean of two characters from his plays. So I have The Eccentricities of a Nightingale on one calf and The Night of the Iguana on another calf. (Aside) Oh God! This was my worst fear! Explaining my Theater Tattoos to Theater people. Oh and lastly I have Judy Garland on my rib cage. (This sudden end comes complete with silence from all parties at the table. Then suddenly followed by laughter.)

WRITER 1: (Clapping hands) Brilliant!

WRITER 2: That's dedication right there!

WRITER 3: Anyone else have any Broadway tattoos?

(IGUANA doesn't know whether to be proud of mortified.)

WRITER 1: I have Cheyenne Jackson on my back.

(IGUANA realizes what to feel.)

(BLACKOUT)

Picture-A-Day #74


Guess who's going swimming tonight at 9:30? While I still have the option, might as well make use of the YMCA's pool.

Thursday, May 29

Picture-A-Day #73


I am trying to be happy. Really trying. This is serverly difficult when I find out I'm being forced out of my apartment. I have a month, ample time. Without warning. So yea, that is that. More on that later.

End of Days



If this ever happens to me. Then I quit life.

The Eccentricities of the Intern

My biggest fear about my internship:
Having to explain my theater tattoos to theatrical people. Odd right? Anita Morris is my partner for life. We've been going together for about two years now and I NEVER regret her. My tattoos are brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! I am a fan, so what? Anita Morris was the perfect female archetype and I celebrate that. Anita Morris, Judy Garland, Tennessee Williams are three different people who I find so amazing I don't care what people think.
Yet.

I find it difficult to explain when people don't know me. Especially people who will recognize Anita Morris. Who will ask me, "Did you see her in Nine?" And I can only answer:

Only through research.

Without further adieu. A Rewriting of The Rose Tattoo*...
(IGUANA is in his cubicle printing out every article written by a freelance reporter who doesn't own his own printer. IGUANA sits there smiling at the irony. SUPERVISOR enters the cubicle. He is a man born without humor or a single emotion in his body. He is Asian.)

SUPER: (Softly spoken) Iguana? Hi, are you, uh, busy? I want you to-- (Turns head and is inaudible) --This is the President of Musical Fold!

IGUANA: (Dumbstruck and unprepared for such a surprise on his second day.) OH! Hello! Very nice to meet you! Thank you for choosing me! I'm so happy to be here! I know you won't regret it!

PRESIDENT: Hello. What is that on your arm?

IGUANA: (Timidly) It's...(Goes with it). It's my tattoo. Of Anita Morris. You know, from Nine.

SUPER: Uh...yes...

PRESIDENT: Do I remember? Of course. She was a lady! Her dance was absolutely unforgettable.

SUPER: I...uh...remember that show...with Anto--

IGUANA: (Nervous) Yes! It's just funny--You're the first person to ask--Of course THE PRESIDENT would ask me about my theater tattoos!

PRESIDENT: Well you got it for a reason! To talk about it! (IGUANA stops himself.)

SUPER: Did you uh...see her perform in it?

IGUANA: Of course! (Aside) Well only with archival abilities.

PRESIDENT: What do you do for school? Where do you go?

IGUANA: BKLYN College.

PRESIDENT: Great school!

IGUANA: I'm a theater B.A. Which means I'm not going for acting...

PRESIDENT: (Understated) Good move. What do you want to do?

(IGUANA opens eyes wide. The $500,000 question has been placed on the table and as usual he is without a response.)

IGUANA: Just getting my hands wet and seeing what I'd like to do. (Aside) Which I'm sure I'll realize with all this data entry work. These mundane tasks are sure to clarify things.

SUPER: (Over IGUANA's aside) I--uh--went to school for--

IGUANA: But I'm sure I'll figure it out one of these days.

PRESIDENT: Well, it was nice meeting you. Make connections it's how you thrive here! (Exits before he finishes his sentence.)

(BLACKOUT)


*The following play is a work of fiction. Any events that resemble real life are purely coincidence.

Wednesday, May 28

Picture-A-Day #72

Until I reinstall photoshop. This is the best I can do. Plus it's been one of those days. More on that later though.

Scene With My Family: The Unexpected Plan

(IGUANA picks up his phone.)

IGUANA: Hey Mom, what's up?

MOM: I have some bad news.

IGUANA: Huh?

MOM: So it turn out that it's your father's birthday next weekend. Your grandma refuses to come to the city on her son's birthday. So I guess that means we're not coming. How does next week sound?

IGUANA: You've been married for 26 years.

MOM: I still want to come...

Tuesday, May 27

Picture-A-Day #71


I was going to write a lot, but this new laptop is too much! It's so different! I can't even begin.

Monday, May 26

In Memorial

Patti LuPone deserves the Tony. End of story. A friend sent me Rose's Turn sung by La LuPone and I'm determined that Kelli O'Hara can't wash enough men out of her hair to win this award over the Goddess that is LuPone! Sure it's a little insane, but she took Madame Rose to her final breakdown. Whatever, if you hate her. That's your prerogative

Yes Ms. Merman, it's not just singing on the down beat that makes Rose's Turn work.

In real news. I have been reading Paula Vogel. And Baby Makes Seven is a production my theater company will do.

Oh, yes I've forgotten to mention that some friends and I will be creating an all gay theater company! Our tentative title is: The Sausage Factory. We will be gay men creating theater. Women will be allowed, but their title will be as HAGS.

Meaning they can participate, but have no artistic say in the process. We're not doing this as a statement, we're doing is cause we're gay! Okay, so the official statement is in the works, but we're hoping that will be included.

Wow, this entry has gone to a different place than I intended, see what Patti does to me. I've started reading Sarah Kane. This shall be a summer of plays I am sure. Along those lines, William Inge is brilliant. A true friend of Tennessee Williams at best! Come Back Little Sheba was sadly missed near the end of February. If you know the circumstances you'll understand why. Yet, when I read the play I missed it much more, because it was brilliance at best. I need to buy the movie, I need Shirley Booth in my life.

In short, I cherish my friends. Feeling loved is nice. Feeling enjoyed is better. Feeling needed is terrific. There is a moment upon leaving them that the loneliness returns quickly. I take a few deep breathes and go back to it all.

I tried for happiness, but I did return to depression.

Internship starts tomorrow. Oh life did shift, how?

Picture-A-Day #070

I now wear baseball caps. Oh, so many new things happening this year!