Sam - 11 months old

One of the joys of living in Texas again is getting to see my family so often. I am so glad I get to be in my nephew Sam's life on an ongoing basis. Here are some photos I took today of my sister and Sammy at my mom's house:

My sister is such a good and loving Mom, and you can see the delight in her eyes when she looks at her son. Family is awesome.

A Good Supporting Player

I came across this article this morning on Yahoo Health suggesting that eating lots of red meat increases one's mortality risk. This was my favorite quote from the article:

Successfully shifting away from red meat can be as easy as increasing fruits and vegetables in the diet, said Elisabetta Politi of the Duke Diet and Fitness Center in Durham, N.C.

"I'm not saying everybody should turn into vegetarians," Politi said. "Meat should be a supporting actor on the plate, not the main character."

It seemed apropos to a conversation I had with Hubs a couple nights ago at dinner. I intended to make 2009 the Year of the Veggie, and I did pretty well for the first month or two, but somewhere on the drive to Texas from California, it turned into the Week of the Hamburger.  ;0)

Ever since arriving in Texas, I have been eating meat as part of my diet, but not making it the major thing I'm eating. I told Hubs that I think I feel best when I am including meat in my diet, but when its portion on my plate is like a side dish, and not the main part of the meal. For example, we had a big salad the other night with lots of diced veggies and lettuce with bits of rotisserie chicken shredded on top. I like the principal part of the meal to be the veggies, and for the meat to be the "supporting player".

Just a little food for thought....

Basking in Suburbanity (Is that a word?)

I just got back from rollerblading. In my neighborhood.  As in, I sat on my front doorstep, laced up my blades and cruised!

I can't tell you how awesome it feels to be living in an environment in which I can just go out my front door and start exercising.  That was one of the things I missed the most when I was living the urban life in Los Angeles.  Taking a walk meant braving busy city streets, and going rollerblading (my favorite form of exercise) meant driving 45 minutes to the beach so I could skate on the boardwalk.

I suppose that with every change, there is a loss--the Pacific Ocean is no longer 45 minutes away.  Still, I'm loving this suburban life, and taking comfort that downtown Houston is only 30 minutes away!

Image of rollerblades found here.

TexaCaliEspañYorker

I once heard former New York mayor say (and this is paraphrased): You move to New York, and after a while you start talking a little faster and walking a little faster, and lo and behold, you're a New Yorker!

My roots are in Texas. That is where I grew up. Texas taught me about friendliness, smiling, climbing trees, and walking and dancing in boots.

My early adulthood was spent in New York. Not only did New York teach me to walk and talk a little bit faster, but it pushed me to my limits, and in many ways, it showed me what I am made of.

In my late 20s, I lived for a year in Spain. Spain taught me how to be a straight-shooter. It also taught me that I was guapa and the virtue of being tranquila.

During my final weeks in California, I pondered what about my 3.5 years there made me a little bit more Californian. California made me a better (if not more aggressive) driver, a bit more liberal, a wife (!), and a person who is surprised when the sun isn't shining and it's not 70 degrees outside.

There is so much to appreciate about life in California. For me, it is the place I went to pursue one dream (acting) and found another (marriage). It has the most glorious weather, and I completely understand why so many people endure the awful traffic just to live in that oh-so-perfect climate. The gorgeous aesthetic of nature in So Cal is reflected in its people, who take pride in looking stylish--both men and women. The soothing rhythm of the ocean waves make for a laid-back lifestyle--one where people understand good and bad "vibes", and where the word "dude" has as many nuances as "How you doin'?" has to a New Yorker.

At the end of the day, though, I moved to LA because I didn't want to be 80 years old sitting in my rocker on the porch, saying to myself, "Why didn't you just try?".

While I didn't land on the sitcom of my dreams, I did get to do some fulfilling acting work. 

I went to Los Angeles. I learned how to act for the camera. I landed a few acting jobs (some paying and some not).  Funny enough, my two favorite jobs there were actually theatre jobs, not on-camera jobs--not a bad thing to learn about myself.  All that to say...I have no regrets. I'll have a satisfying answer to give my 80 year old self, who I have a sneaking suspicion won't be beating herself up at all!

When I was young, I remember hearing a story about a young girl who loved her plastic pop beads. She popped them together everyday and wore them as a necklace.  One day, her father noticed that she was growing up and had gotten a little too old for her plastic pop bead necklace.  He sat her down and told her so. She threw a fit, because she loved her pop beads so. Eventually, though, she let go of them, and her father gave her a new string of pearls, fitting for the young lady she had become.

I can't help but wonder if LA was my pop beads and maybe, just maybe, this new chapter in Texas is my pearls.

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

Nesting

Have I really been in Texas for four days already?  Each day that passes is an exciting frenzy of nesting.

Mom, Jilly, Sam, and my mother-in-law have all been over helping us to get things unpacked, arranging furniture and even cleaning!  The house is looking great, and I have to say that I'm really loving living in it. I haven't really done much in the way of decorating yet. I've mostly been focused on getting things unpacked and in their places.  Once a few things get hung on the wall, I'll be sure and post some photos.

Today was my first day at our new church. I had such a warm welcome from so many people, and enjoyed getting to meet some of Hubs' co-workers. 

In the words of Annie, "I think I'm gonna like it here!"

Tomorrow (pardon the pun!), Mom, Jilly and Sammy are coming over. Living close to them is the biggest blessing, and I'm so thankful to get to see them so regularly!  

Thank You, Lord, for this beautiful new life.

Home.

I arrived at my new home in Texas this evening. It feels really good to be here, reunited with my husband (who is currently snoring away on the pillow next to me). I guess I'm still on Pacific time, because I'm wide awake!

Walking through our house tonight was so cool! I'm overwhelmed in the best way possible--so many possibilities as I think about nesting and decorating and making this house a home.

It feels so good to be in our new home, to be home here with Hubs, and to be back in Texas--my home state.

After living in California for the past 3.5 years (and loving it!), there is something very special about returning to the culture I grew up in, the culture that I understand. While I've never really been the obnoxious brand of Texan (the kind who thinks everything is bigger and better in Texas--although it is sometimes true!), there is no doubt that it is and will always be my home state.

And today...it feels good to be home.

Awesome Closing Weekend

The closing weekend of "Our Leading Lady" was wonderful.  My friend, Kelly, flew in on Saturday afternoon to make the drive back with me. We drove to Redondo Beach because I wanted to go to the beach one last time before leaving for Texas. 

While we were there, something amazing happened!  Not 100 yards off the coastline, we saw whales!  Can you spot the three dorsal fins and one fluke (tail) below?

That night, we met up with my blog buddies who drove down from San Francisco. From left: Tommy' Mommy, Jelly Jules, Me, Autumn's Mom, and Cherry. This was our dinner at El Torito Grill...my fave Mexican Restaurant in Cali!

Then they all came to see my show:

We all had so much fun over dinner, we decided to go out afterward for dessert at Denny's! Thank you for making the trip, ladies!  I had such a great time seeing you again (and meeting you, Liz!)

On Sunday, several local friends came to see my show!  These ladies are from my acting class.  

About a year or two ago, the Hollywood Prayer Network matched me with a wonderful woman named Patty who committed to pray for me and my acting career. We have e-mailed and talked on the phone, but met in person for the first time on Sunday. She gave me these beautiful roses. So sweet!

It was a great closing weekend!

Kelly and I hit the road this morning and made it to Tucson, AZ!  You know you're not in California anymore, when you see this display at Wal-Mart:

I'll likely not post again until I arrive at my new home in a couple days. Until then, may God bless you all!

Closing Weekend of "Our Leading Lady"

Well, it's been a fun experience getting to be part of this production of Our Leading Lady, and I'm so grateful to my husband for supporting me in my decision to stay out here for a few more weeks after he moved to Texas (where he has already started his new job) so that I could play "Clementine Smith".

Just Friday night, Saturday night, and two shows on Sunday, and we're done!  I'll be hopping in my car on Monday morning to drive with a friend out to Texas to start a new life there with Hubs.

I'm getting so excited to see my blog friends who are driving down from San Francisco on Saturday. Ladies, Clemmy sends her kisses and promises to do her very best at Saturday night's show!

Love and hugs to all for a wonderful weekend!

xoxo,

Starshine

My Nephew is nearly 11 months old!

Isn't he a handsome little fellow?

He went over to help Hubs unpack at our new house!

Thanks for helping, little guy!

Feeling Honored, Flattered, Loved and PUMPED!!!

Several of my San Francisco blog buddies have decided to give me the most amazing send-off from California ever!

Cherry, Jelly Jules, Autumn's Mom and Liz are making a road trip down to LA to see my show on Saturday night.

From left: Autumn's Mom, Jelly Jules, Cherry, and me last month in San Francisco.

Ladies, I can't tell you how loved I feel right now...thank you! Looking forward to finally meeting you, Liz!

More Good Press!

As reported in:

Local theater livens up with  a ‘Leading Lady’

Pictured from left: Gillian Doyle, Robert Youngs, James Jaeger, Carla Valentine, Kathleen Taylor, Tracy Ahern and Michael Tatlock

Thursday, February 26, 2009 5:54 PM PST

Other than the assassination, the play was quite humorous.

By Mary Scott, Peninsula News

With the observation of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday past us, how timely it is to premiere a comedy about his death. Yes. I said comedy. And it’s a good one.

 

The Neighborhood Playhouse opened the West Coast premiere of Charles Busch’s new comedy “Our Leading Lady.” Busch is the brain behind “Psycho Beach Party.” The comedy is less about Lincoln’s assassination or the Civil War (both serve as a backdrop) and more about the outrageous goings-on behind the scenes of the acting troupe that was on stage performing “Our American Cousin” the night Lincoln was assassinated.

Actress Gillian Doyle returns to the South Bay to take on the role of the queen diva, a femme trailblazer in mid-19th century theater, Laura Keene. The real Keene, not only a popular British actress at the time but also a reputed theater manager, was leading the Ford Theatre’s cast of “Our American Cousin.” The president was not the only one assassinated that night. Keene’s career never recovered.

In Busch’s fanciful version, Keene is trying to take over the theater. Her plans are to have Mr. Ford hand over the management of his theater to her. Afterward, she will oust the resident company and replace them with New York actors. But she must keep this a secret — something hard to do in the theater! In the meantime, she must deal the assorted personalities in the cast all the while maintaining her ego.

When Laura learns that the president will attend the final performance, she concludes his presence will benefit her plan. When he cancels, she shames him into coming.

“Our Leading Lady” is not your run-of-mill situation comedy; it is reminiscent of the great classic Greek comedy where tragedy is still comedy if it ends on a high note. Besides some poignant dramatic moments, “Our Leading Lady” is full of humor, trysts, backstabbings — goes well with a shooting — egos, divas, all that you’d expect from a troupe of actors high on whiskey and themselves.

The playhouse cast of nine is made up of hardened stage veterans. Doyle, already mentioned, is brilliant, poised. I saw her several years ago in a Long Beach production of “My Boy Jack” as (Mrs. Kipling). Loved her performance then, love her performance now.

The graceful Doyle is paired with a spitfire, Kathleen Taylor, as Verbena de Chamblay (say that with a loud Southern accent!). Miss de Chamblay, the wife of Gavin de Chamblay, a closet homosexual, is the Southern belle and sympathizer of the Ford The-a-tre. An exhausting character, Taylor holds up quite well to her counterpart and is by far my favorite performance of the show.

“Our Leading Lady” is better suited for the community’s adult theatergoers, not that there’s anything too randy about the show. But given its historical content and subtle and some not-so-subtle adult humor, the younger set may not appreciate it. So leave them home.

Joining Doyle and Taylor in the cast are: Tracy Ahern as Clementine Smith; Rita Hull as Maude Bentley; James Jaeger as W.J. Ferguson; Michael Prohaska as Major Hopwood; Michael Tatlock as Gavin de Chamblay; Carla Valentine as Madame Wu-Chan; and Robert Youngs as Harry Hawk. Brady Schwind directs.

Performances of “Our Leading Lady” are: Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m., Feb. 27 at 8 p.m., Feb. 28 at 2 and 8 p.m., March 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m., March 6 and 7 at 8 p.m., and March 8 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Neighborhood Playhouse is located at 415 Paseo del Mar in Palos Verdes Estates. Reserved tickets cost $22 to $34 and are available by calling (310) 378-9353 or online at www.neighborhoodplayhouse.net.

 

Review for "Our Leading Lady"

Gillian Doyle (as Laura Keene) and Carla Valentine (as Wu Chan)

Comedienne extraordinaire Carol Burnett once said, “Comedy is tragedy plus time,” an adage which playwright Charles Busch proves spot-on in his hilarious backstage farce Our Leading Lady, now playing at The Neighborhood Playhouse in Palos Verdes Estates. The tragedy is the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln at Washington D.C.’s Ford’s Theatre on April 14, 1865, only days after Lee surrendered at Appomattox. In imagining the backstage shenanigans taking place in the hours leading up to that fateful performance of Our American Cousin, starring real-life actress-manager Laura Keene, Busch has written an outrageously funny play which finds comedy out of national tragedy—and serves as an affectionate love letter to the theater as well.

The repertory company of Ford’s Theatre have decidedly mixed reactions to the presence of Keene (Gillian Doyle) amongst them.  Southern belle Verbena De Chamblay (Kathleen Taylor), a self-described “actress of great accomplishment” is none too pleased about being “cruelly reduced to being a supporting player” during Keene’s two-week stay.  Others are concerned that the stage star plans to take over their company and bring in her own New York City troupe of actors.  Still, no one can dispute that having an actress of Keene’s renown will be good for business.

Vebena is married to the very “theatrical” (i.e. gay as a goose) Gavin De Chamblay (Michael Tatlock) who has his eye on W.J. Ferguson (James Jaeger), the comely younger backstage worker and understudy. (“I’ll coach you privately on Sunday,” Gavin offers W.J. entirely with ulterior motive. “I shall keep you there late and be a strict taskmaster,” he promises his protegé.)  Maude Bentley (Rita Hull) is an elderly company member whose husband and she once “played in log cabins with handmade candles stuck into large potatoes for lights.” Harry Hawke (Robert Youngs) is a dashing young leading man with alcohol on his breath and the guts to tell Laura Keene that she’s “a great, big, shiny, sugar-glazed ham” to her face.  Clementine Smith (Tracy Ahern) is a booze-swilling former child star whose “reflection in the gin bottle tells me my ingénue days are fast coming to an end.” Accompanying Laura is her devoted servant Madame Wu-Chan (Carla Valentine), whose name (and dialog like “See Tow Chee Chee Poo Ma Tow”) would seem to indicate someone born in China were it not for her darker-than-average skin tone.  One might assume this to be an example of alternative casting were it not for Clementine’s matter-of-fact “You’re a Negro lady, aren’t you?” Yes, even we were fooled there for a while, so it’s no wonder that everyone at Ford’s Theatre assumes that the escaped slave is an honest-to-goodness “Oriental.”

As Our Leading Lady begins, Laura Keene is rehearsing Act One, Scene One, “once again, please, from the tippy top.”  Harry and Gavin have only just said their first lines when Laura interrupts them, complaining, “The two of you have managed within seconds to completely eviscerate this play. As an actress-manager and visiting star, I shall not lower my standards to fit those of a provincial stock company!” Clearly with Keene around, the road to tonight’s performance will be a rocky one for the Ford’s Theatre company of actors, though at least President Lincoln is coming to brighten their spirits.

Not that Laura Keene is without a heart. Her previous performances of Our American Cousin have inspired “cripples” to send her “countless letters.”  “Yes, CRIPPLES, who trudge torturously into the theater on CANES,” she declares with a combination of pride and false humility. She’s compassionate to her costars as well, telling Verbena that “there is nothing wrong with being a supporting character woman. One’s value in a repertory company is only increased by a thickening waist and softened jaw line.” The ungrateful Verbena has the nerve to declare that “everyone knows (Laura Keene) was spawned only several inches higher than the gutter.”

Lines like the above give some idea of the particular brand of comic genius that is Charles Busch.  Famed for his theatrical movie spoofs in which he transforms himself into the glamorous leading lady (Shanghai Moon, Die, Mommie Die!, Psycho Beach Party, Red Scare On Sunset, etc.), Busch here allows an actor of the biologically female persuasion to portray real-life stage star Laura Keene.  Kate Mulgrew originated the role in New York to considerable praise, and Doyle is sure to garner equally fine notices for her performance in the West Coast premiere, directed with considerable panache by Brady Schwind.

Doyle, looking gorgeous in her period brunette wig and hoop skirts, captures all the elegance and hauteur of a legendary stage star, and has the razor-sharp comic timing to milk the most out of every one of Busch’s laugh lines.   Every bit her equal is Valentine as Madame Wu-Chan, throwing political correctness to the wind with her pseudo-Chinese-accented speech and deliberately clichéd “Oriental” subservience. Valentine’s subtle transformation from Asian to authentic African-American is particularly well-played.  The two actresses mesh perfectly, whether playing scenes for laughs or, in a sudden switch to the dramatic following the assassination, discovering more about each other in half an hour than they had in all their years together.

The supporting cast deliver gems of just-over-the-top-enough performances, from Youngs’ amusing take on the stalwart “leading man,” to Taylor’s feisty faded Southern belle, to Hull’s comically aging character actress. Ahern is a hoot as the perennially tipsy ex-child actress and Michael Prohaska does solid work as Major Hopwood, who investigates the troupe following the assassination.  Stealing every scene they’re in are Tatlock (swishing and flouncing with the best and gayest of them all) and Jaeger (all sweet innocence as Gavin’s apparently willing pupil).

The tonal shift in the first half of the second act bothered some New York critics.  Though one does suddenly feel that one is watching a different play, the scenes between Keene and Wu-Chan (especially as brought to life by Doyle and Valentine) are so well-played, and somehow still connected to the broader characters they’ve painted in the first act, that I didn’t particularly mind the change of mood.  In any case, soon enough, the other actors are back on stage and things return to their previous brand of Busch hilarity.

The Neighborhood Playhouse’s venue (Palos Verdes Estates’ The Neighborhood Church) proves as perfect a setting for Our Leading Lady as it did for Jason Robert Brown’s Parade. Scenic designer Vali Tirsoaga has transformed the 1927 Mediterranean-style church into an 19th Century theater, surrounding the stage with precisely the assortment of props and scenery that Ford’s Theatre would have accumulated.  Lighting by Ric Zimmerman and John Stirling’s sound design are both first-rate. Jane Greenwood’s original New York designs, with additional costume design by Diana Mann, are elegant and pitch-perfect for the period.  Michael Aldapa gets an “A” for his wigs as well.

In Our Leading Lady, Charles Busch has created one of his most memorable leading ladies.  He’s also given us a colorful glimpse of theater life back in the mid-1800s, and even taught a bit of a history lesson.  The end result is a thoroughly delightful and unexpected new play being given a sparkling West Coast Premiere well worth a drive to beautiful Palos Verdes Estates. (And the ocean view from just outside the theater is included in the price of admission.)

Neighborhood Playhouse, 415 Paseo Del Mar, Palos Verdes Estates. Through March 8. Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays at 7:30. Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00. Sundays at 2:00  Reservations: www.neighborhoodplayhouse.net

--Steven Stanley
February 22, 2009

Great Visit With Mom

My mom came out to LA for my opening weekend, and like the BEST stage mother EVER, she came to the show three times!  Thanks, Mom!  This is my mom standing in front of The Neighbhorhood Church (which houses the theatre) in Palos Verdes.

Fun bit of family history:  My maternal grandparents wanted to have a Southern California adventure/chapter in their life, so they moved out to Palos Verdes in the 60s and lived here for five years!  Mom and I found their old house:

...and this is the insanely breath-taking view from their old house. On a clear winter day, you can see the beach, downtown LA, and snow-covered mountains in the background.

It was a fun stroll down memory lane!  Thanks for a wonderful visit, Mom...I love you so much!

Smurfette is my muse....

About a month ago, Saucy wrote about the Smurfette Makeup Collection available at Sephora. When I saw this blue glitter "Smurfy-Eyed" eyeliner, I knew I had to buy it!

For reals, people! Am I not giving Smurfette a run for her money?

My friend Dave implied that I looked like a "lady of the night". My smurfyness is just too cutting edge for him!

Review in 'Variety'

My play, Our Leading Lady, got its first review in 'Variety' today. 

While the review of the show isn't the best, the critic's review of my performance was positive (phew!), and my picture was included in the article!  

PHEW!!!

After a whirlwind week, I can finally stop to catch my breath!

Here's the update on the last week:

~My mother-in-law arrived

~Our house was packed up by movers

~The movers came back the next day to load up the moving van

~My mother and cousin flew in

~I had my opening night on Friday (lots of friends and family were there to support me! Thanks to all!)

~Hubs and his mom left on Saturday for the long drive to Texas

~I did a show on Friday night, Saturday night, and two shows Sunday

And now...I have three beautiful days off to enjoy time with my mom!

Have a great week!

The Starshine Report turns 3 !!!

I can't believe it, but yesterday, my blog turned 3 !!!  

I love having this space to express myself and to share with all of you what is going on in my life. Thank you for reading. It means a lot.

I haven't been posting too often lately--mainly because we have been so busy preparing for our move, and I'm in my final week of rehearsals before my play opens!

If any of you are in the So Cal area, come see my show!  It's called "Our Leading Lady" and it's playing at The Neighborhood Playhouse of Palos Verdes Feb 19-Mar 8. Tickets can be purchased here.

Here is a photo of me as "Clementine Smith"...yep! I'm a corset and a bustle! Clemmy's got a little junk in her trunk!  Come on out and see the show!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Three years ago on Valentine's Day, I went on a date with a guy I met on eHarmony. He took me to see Mamma Mia!, the musical. We had a nice time, but at the end of the evening, I was getting the strangest vibe from the guy. He called shortly thereafter to tell me that he was getting back together with his ex-girlfriend.

Three years ago on Valentine's Day, Hubs was feeling pretty down because he was alone.

But three years ago, on the day AFTER Valentine's Day, Hubs and I matched on eHarmony.

Valentine's Day has never been a bummer since!

Our first Valentine's Day together (2007)

xoxo

Update:

This year for Valentine's Day, Hubs took me out for a lovely lunch at La Vie en Rose

and he gave me these beautiful roses!

Still Life

Frondly

Show off!

Thirsty

Normal is a Relative Term

I got an e-mail from my mom last night in which she said she was marveling at how Hubs and I are living life as usual even though there is really nothing normal about our lives right now.

Isn't that the truth!

We are in serious transition right now. Half of our belongings are already packed in boxes. Our bedroom furniture sold yesterday, so our bed and box springs are just sitting on the floor and we're using TV trays for night stands!

I'm rehearsing a show right now and Hubs has finished his previous job and hasn't yet started his new one, so we are keeping crazy hours.  Late nights and lots of sleeping in...yea, me!

Meanwhile, we're living life as usual--spending time with friends, oil changes, meals, etc.

Life is good, and there are definitely no complaints here.  We found renters for our condo here in CA after we move, so that is a huge answer to prayer, and the major furniture items we hoped to sell have sold.  So like I said, no complaints.  

But as far as life as usual goes?  Well, normal is a relative term, right?