Checking in

There's no cure like travel...so they say. It's been an uncharacteristically busy summer at work for me. The off-season is not one big four-month stretch of leisure — you'd be surprised at the number of people who are astonished that we who (stand behind the folks who) don the cap and bells actually don't get a massive break after each April. "You work year-round?" they say, a bit flummoxed. "What on earth do you do when there's not a show?"

We do, friends, what we do every day: write, file, budget, plan and, from time to time, actually make an effort to advance the art or, at least, The Arts.

And it has been, as I mentioned, a busy summer so far. Greetings from the midpoint: one month until rehearsals begin anew, two months until opening night. Then hold on tight and enjoy the ride until spring.

I worked through Pride. I worked through The Fourth (Fifth, actually) when my planned escape to points west got water-logged. This seems as good a time as any to take a pause, so I'm giving myself a couple days off and heading to Chicago.

It's only fitting that, as I celebrate the successful completion of two rather large, short-term projects, I return to the city that nursed my psyche a few short weeks ago as I mourned the unfortunate conclusion of another, rather larger, long-term project I'll have to begin anew all too soon.

Cryptic? Of course it is, dears. There's a certain aspect of my line of work that relies more on what I don't say than what I do. Politics. Diplomacy. Brinksmanship. Who knew?

Anyway, let's just say that the last visit to Chicago, even though it came on the heels of disappointment, provided everything I ask of my second home, and I've every reason to suspect the days to come will surpass it in terms of sheer enjoyment.

Plans include stops at several notable local homosexual watering holes, a few good meals, a few good men, a little hair of the drama dog (namely this and, if time permits, this) and the always convivial fellowship of the Sisters all along the way.

Oh yes, and then there's the matter of catching up with her.

I'll see you on the other side, darlings. And I'll see you, you and — maybe you? — in my dreams.

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