Oh, it’s time to start livin’
I’m back to uploading music to forScore, and All Good Gifts is the first song in the “A” notebook to add. This song leads me to Stephen Schwartz — who composed that song for “Godspell.” That leads me to another show written by Mr. Schwartz, “Pippin.” Back in the day I wore out the grooves on my “Pippin” album. My mom loved that show, and I vaguely recall choreographing myself, in my bedroom, to the song Kind of Woman. How strange that there was a time when I was wondering about what it would be like to be a woman. At that time my parents were separated, I was splitting time with them and my mom and dad were both dating. I was living next to their partner selection process, of sorts, and seeing firsthand, what kind of woman my mom was, and the men she wanted, and what kind of women my dad wanted. Or maybe what kind of man my dad was, and what kind of men my mom wanted? All I knew was I had no idea what kind of woman I wanted to be.
The conversations offered to me as a teen were limited at best. Remember health class? I did have a terrific Health Teacher, thank you Mrs. Tobin and her frank and fact-driven teaching was countered by my favorite magazine, Tiger Beat, that touted articles such as: “Where to meet your favorite guys this summer.” This mag was a sly little guidebook grooming me for the misogynist culture I was slowly being steeped in, not unlike a frog in a pot being turned up to boil. I had little idea that the kind of woman I’d like to be was up to me at all. That said, the lyric “Still I’ll understand if I’m not your kind of woman, anyone can make one terrible mistake…” was one that, for me, took some power back, so thanks Stephen!
Magic to do
Last month was an audition frenzy and what’s emerged for my theater life, next season, is a stint in “Pippin” playing Berthe at Stumptown Stages. I’ll be appearing in that show in January of 2026. That seems a lifetime away. I’ll also be playing, you’ll never guess … Squidward, at Portland Playhouse in the Spring, in “Sponge Bob Squarepants.” So yes, if you hear the sounds of tap shoes, out Damascus way, it’s me. I’m tapping with the wonderful Laura Hiszczynskyj a couple of times a month.
What’s it all about?
This week I’m leaning into my Concert at the Barn on August 13th with Lo and Mark Steele. Oh my gosh, Alfie. I’m in love with that “A” song. What’s it all about, Alfie? Is it just for the moment we live? What’s it all about when you sort it out, Alfie? Are we meant to take more than we give? Or are we meant to be kind? Is that a lyric for now, or what? If you’ve never been to Concerts at the Barn, get thee your tickets. They are a perfect summer date; sip some wine and spend time with friends surrounded by music. Ours will feature some Broadway and Burt Bacharach — dreamy! Songs will include Somewhere from West Side Story.
There are three consecutive Wednesday evenings featuring a new Combo Concert format. It’s a “two concerts in one” experience that starts at 7:00pm, ends around 8:30 with one intermission and has two contrasting styles of musical experiences that will thrill and entertain you. Some of Portland’s finest artists are gathering at the Hoffman Farms’ Butler Barn on three consecutive Wednesdays; July 30, August 6, and August 13. These concerts are curated with chatterPDX, a fabulous Sunday morning series in downtown Portland!