Wide Awake in Orange County

I'm in a sketch show that opens and closes Friday, May 18. Then it reopens and recloses the first Friday in June. Then it comes back for a couple of more weeks. Wacky, isn't it? Some of the sketches are pretty out there, too. Come see "We Haven't Slept Together in a Week," performed and written by several of the people who brought you last year's senfreakingsational "Second Best Sketch Comedy Show Ever!" and some fresh new faces.

Second Stage, 431 N. Brookhurst #140, Anaheim.

May 18, June 1, June 15, and June 22 at 8 p.m.

Blog's Labors Lost?

I could have sworn I posted something about this already. But I shouldn't swear lightly. That's the message, such as it is, of Love's Labors Lost,* William Shakespeare's comedy of vows broken and love unrequited. I'm the director and producer of a a production currently playing in the heart of Hollywood. I also, by sheerest coincidence, happen to have the largest role — about 1/3 of the the lines, according to some sources. I haven't counted, but it seems about right. I've put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into this project — OK, not so much blood — but I'm having a lot of fun, and so are the cast and audience. It's a blast to hear people laughing at 400-year-old wordplay as well as the physical comedy with which we've liberally salted the play (as I believe Shakespeare's company would have done) and come up and say how much they enjoyed it, but the most satisfying are the ones who say they never "got" Shakespeare until now! We've closed the first leg of our two-city tour of Southern California, but there's still two more chances to catch us.

Saturdays @ 8 p.m.

May 19 and 26

The Next Stage

1523 N. La Brea

Second Floor

Hollywood, CA 90028

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/14049

* Yes, most people spell it "Love's Labour's Lost," but my spelling is closer to the one on the title page of the first published edition and makes a better title, I think.

Star f-ed

My STARmeter is down 44%. I just found out today I had a STARmeter, and now it's down by 44%. Some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed.

What's Next

My long-awaited* return to the stage takes place in a little over a week. Once again I'm directing and acting, but not simultaneously this time. I play Harry Scupp, seeking treatment at Ravenswood after attacking his wife with a remote-control lawnmower. I sing and dance a little in this one (very little, mercifully). I'm also directing a one-act about a man who doesn't want to go war and a sergeant who is less than sympathetic. Both plays are short comedies, with varying shades of darkness.

*Long-awaited by me.

Lost Time

Oops, I just accidentally deleted Keith Bush. No, not me, another K.B. who was nice enough to drop by and leave a friendly comment (unlike some people--yeah, you know who are). The mishap occurred while I was deleting dozens of spamoids that had settled here in my absence.

Where did those two months go? Seems I'm always losing track of time, or car keys, or something. Well, I'm determined to do a better job of keeping up with this blogging thing. There's a lot of exciting stuff going on in the Bushland these days. Unfortunately, I'm tired from clearing out all that trash (not you, K.B., the other stuff) so I won't be posting. Besides, it's Friday night, so I'm going to pretend like I have something better to do.

Cheers!

Day Trippin'

It turns out I'm directing myself in
"Giving Thanks."

Surprise!

Well, it was to me, anyway.

At the Second Stage, Again (and Again)

Following close on the heels of the specfreakingtacular success of "The Second Best Sketch Comedy Show Ever!", I'll be appearing in two evenings of improv (with some scripted material sprinkled in.

I'll also be making my directorial debut with "The Daytripper," part of the annual holiday show "Giving Thanks."

Be amazed by my diverse talents, or leave feeling better about yourself by comparison. Either way, you win!

Improv: Nov. 3 and Nov. 10, 8:30 p.m., $10
Giving Thanks: Nov. 11, 18, 25, and Dec. 9., 8 p.m., $15

The Second Stage
431 N. Brookhurst, Suite 140
Anaheim, CA

Second Chance at "Second Best"

The original cast of "The Second Best Sketch Comedy Show Ever!" (which I perform in and cowrote) is reuniting for a special command performance 8 p.m. Saturday at the Next Stage, 1523 N. La Brea, Second Floor, Hollywood, California. (323) 850-7827. This is your last opportunity to see it. We mean it this time. If you don't go, you'll regret it for the rest of your miserable little life. And I say that with love.

Second Best Slide Show Ever

"The Second Best Sketch Comedy Show Ever!" has played to capacity crowds and smashed box office records at the Second Stage. OK, that's not quite like playing to capacity crowds at the Pantages, but it's something. And it's even more remarkable considering my legions of faithful friends who haven't shown up in droves. Oh, well, there's always Mom, even if she was convinced I was making some kind of statement in the "Frat Mom" sketch, which I didn't even write or cast myself in. Anyway, for the rest of you who can't be bothered to show up, here are some slides from opening night, if clicking isn't too much trouble for you.

Character/Sketches

It's not a sure thing, but I may have a chance soon to direct a play of my choosing. It would probably be a classical piece (that is, pre-1923) so royalties wouldn't be an issue. Of course I'd want to put myself in a major role, but therein lies the rub. How can I be sure I haven't miscast myself before it's too late? Usually when I'm acting, I have the comforting thought that someone else thought I was appropriate for the part (and I try not to think about the dozen more-appropriate people who might have turned down the gig). But to rely on nothing but my own judgment and talent is an entirely different matter. Here are some characters I may be inappropriate for: Lear (too young), Cleopatra (too male), and Othello (too white). But I could use some help coming up with the perfect part. While you're puzzling over that, remember that I'll be appearing in "The Second Best Sketch Comedy Show Ever!" (co-written by me), Fridays at 8 p.m., Sept. 15 - Oct. 6, Second Stage at El Ranch Plaza, 431 N. Brookhurst, Suite 140, Anaheim, Calif. Admission $15 cash at the door.

Short Stuff

I'm still tall, it's the pictures that got short. I'm in Convicted for Life, screening September 10 at the Arclight as part of the Los Angeles International Short Film Festival. It'll just be you, me, the cameras, and those wonderful people out there in the dark.

Breaking News Extra: Our stage show now has a name: The Second Best Sketch Comedy Show Ever. (If it were the best, we'd have to charge more.)

Spontaneity: Plan on It

I'll be part of the "Improv Extravaganza" at the Second Stage, 531 N. Brookhurst, Anaheim, 8:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 18. Admission is $10 cash, or mention my name and get charged double.

Something Sketchy

I'm a cowriter and featured performer in an upcoming sketch comedy show. We don't have a title yet, but we do have outrageous characters and incredible situations that will have you laughing till you stop, so I encourage my reader (hi, Mom) to make reservations now (or just show up).

The Second Stage
El Rancho Plaza #140
531 N. Brookhurst
Anaheim, Calif.
(714) 502-2249

September 15, 22, and 29 and October 6 at 8 p.m., or whenever we get our heads together. Admission is a measly $15, cash at the door.

Who's the Boss?

I'm the boss. Well, I got to act like one, anyway. Over the weekend I worked on an independent short, playing the protagonist's disagreeable employer. I'd almost forgotten what it's like to tell other people what to do. Even though there was no chance of him actually doing it, there was something kind of satisfying about it. Maybe I should consider directing.

Back to Berubia

I'll be performing with the Berubian All-Stars of Improv again, this Friday at 8ish. A good time is guaranteed to be had by me. Tickets are normally $12, but mention my name and they'll let you in for $24.95.

Second Stage Theatre
El Rancho Plaza
431 N. Brookhurst, Suite 140
Anaheim, California
(714) 502-2249

I Put the 'Ear' in 'RehEarsal'

I gaze achingly, hungrily, longingly at her until my passion overwhelms me and I seize her, press my body against hers and plant a wet, passionate kiss on her... yep, her ear. Who knew she was going to move her head just then? Oh, well. One more week to get it right.

Living Beyond My Means

My beautiful, auburn-haired wife and I spent a few hours in Hancock Park today, looking at multimillion-dollar homes in which we might spend the rest of our lives together. In my dreams? No, in the short film I mentioned a couple of paragraphs down. If only life could be more like the movies (the ones where I don't get shot). Oh, well, it was a fun shoot working with cool people and I got to feel successful for a weekend, anyway, even if my character was a bit dorky. (Obviously the filmmakers decided it would be interesting to cast against type!)

New Flyer, New Date, New Time

Click the thumbnail to view the new, more-informative, less-scandalous art for Shakespeare's Italian Lovers. We have just scheduled a third performance. Because of the limited run and, uh, intimate nature of the space, reservations are strongly suggested.

June 23 (Friday) & 24 (Saturday) @ 8 p.m.
June 25 (Sunday) @ 3 p.m.
Actors Art Theatre, 6128 Wilshire Blvd. #110, LA 90048
323-969-4953

Hate, Eat, Love

Yesterday morning I auditioned for a part in an indie horror film, an unloving and unlovable misfit. I'm not sure who or what the killer is, but he'd be high on my list of suspects. Apparently I was good (bad?) enough to merit a call-back later the same day to read with some other actors. Then I had to rush from Huntington Beach to the Miracle Mile for a read-through. When I arrived I was in no state of mind for romantic comedy, but that was fine, because our Italian-American director started us off with a delicious Italian feast, wine included, that put us all in the mood to have a few laughs and pitch some woo. Looks like a good cast, and all the scenes are funny. That Shakespeare could write. You can quote me.

That's Amore!

I'm one of Shakespeare's Italian Lovers, but that's not me on the promotional material. Looks like I need to get in shape. And we might need a bigger flag.

8 p.m. June 23rd & June 24th (Friday & Saturday)
Actors Art Theatre
6128 Wilshire Blvd. #110, Los Angeles, CA 90048

323.969.4953