Jere-Rigged

Sunday in the City

On Sunday, I did something I had never done before. I actually walked the entire length of Central Park. You see, usually, I hang out in the lower half of the park, which is right around the corner from my apartment. I just never think to go up much past the area where the Delacorte Theatre is (approximately the middle of the park) because there's really no need.

But on Sunday, I had an audition up at Columbia University for a bunch of directors who are first years in the MFA Directing program there. I was a little concerned about the audition because I was asked prepare a classical monologue. Now, I don't do classical theatre as a rule and am rarely called upon to do classical monologues.

Now, don't get me wrong. I've done them, with varying degrees of success, just not often. So I pulled out my favourite, the opening speech of a restoration comedy dating from 1697 called The Provok'd Wife by Sir John Vanbrugh. It's fun and I can usually remember all the words (if not precisely in the correct order).

In addition to this piece, I was asked to have either a contemporary monologue or 16 bars of a song. Since the song would have to be done a capella, I planned on doing my usual contemporary piece, the famous "Isn't the world full of wonderful things?" speech from Thornton Wilder's The Matchmaker. No problem. I can do this one in my sleep.

So I show up at Columbia for my audition. They were running behind, but it wasn't a big deal. I was looking super cute and was working some spiffy hair to boot.

I walked into the room and met 7 or 8 people all sitting at a long table in some sort of flexible theatre space. It could have been intimidating, but I was at the top of my game and was utterly charming and captivating. I was cracking jokes and smiling and was the life of the party. If it had actually been a party, of course.

Those of you who actually know me will just have to imagine me as charming and engaging. It's just something that I can turn on now and then for auditions. Rarely does it work in real life.

Anyhow, I asked where they wanted to begin and, of course, they requested the classical piece. I launched into it and they loved it, laughing in all the right places. Whoo-Hoo!

Then they asked what else I had for them and I got all charming again and told them that I had a contemporary piece, but that I also sang and could certainly do a song for them if they'd like. And, as it turned out, they did like. Yikes! I hate singing a capella! But I was being Mr. Charming Guy, so how could I say no? They said "sing," and I said "ballad or uptempo?" Lucky for my ass, they picked a ballad...ever so much easier to sing a capella.

I did the last 16 bars of Sondheim's "Being Alive," a number I do a lot because it's a fun 16 bars and manages to show some range. It was a little rough in one spot due to a lack of music, but went fine all-in-all.

After my stirring anthem, I was prepared to pack up my things and head out then when they asked if I could do my contemporary piece as well. Wow. That never happens. Really. See, if they don't like you, they usually try to get you out of the room as soon as possible...especially if they are running behind. And, even when they ask you to have a bunch of stuff prepared, you NEVER end up doing more than, say, one of the things you brought in. It's like when you're at an all-you-can-eat buffet...you think you want the roast beef AND the fried chicken AND the macaroni and cheese AND the shrimp AND the soup AND the chocolate cake AND the jello, but when it gets right down to it, you just can't eat all that and most of it gets left on the plate. But I digress...

Again, they loved me and laughed in all the right places. I felt so validated. It was cool.

Anyway, there were more charming exchanges between me and them and I finally left. I feel pretty good about this, even though I have no idea what specific projects these directors are doing or what their timetables are. But, even if nothing happens, I had a really great audition. Yea for me!

After I was done at Columbia, I walked over to Central Park, passing by the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and Tom's Restaurant (the diner used in establishing shots as Monk's, the Seinfeld gang's favorite hangout). I entered the park at 110th Street and Central Park West and wandered down toward the Great Lawn, which is about in the center of the park.

It was so great. I saw parts of the park that I'd never seen before. The crowds weren't as large up there and I saw so many inviting places to sit and read a book or watch the world go by.

When I got to the Great Lawn, I went and joined a picnic being hosted by this guy. I missed most of the food, but it was nice to sit and enjoy the sun and enjoy the company of nice people. Let me see...I know she was there (and she thought I was him. Even though he lives in Los Angeles. Sigh. I don't really mind though...he's cute.) and he was there. Who else? Yikes! Too many names to remember.

Anyhow, after the picnic broke up, I took the time to walk all the way down to Columbus Circle and home. Even though this was a more usual route for me, it was still a great time. I walked through the Ramble and across the Bow Bridge and worked my way over to Bethesda Fountain. Then I headed up to Bethesda Terrace and walked the length of the Promenade for perhaps the last time this season. Is it ironic that one of the best parts of New York City is Central Park?

I wish we had this beautiful weather all year round. I'm not looking forward to the return of winter. I'll miss being able to be outdoors. I'll miss being able to breathe. I hoping to break up our now-usual six months of chilly weather by getting out of town some as I did last year. We'll see.

What a brilliant day. To top it off, I met a date at Island Burger on 9th Avenue for their super duper chili and a guacamole burger. Mmmm... Hadn't been there in ages. Love Island Burger. So Much.

After dinner, we felt the need to walk off some of what we'd eaten, so we headed down to the Ninth Avenue Saloon to talk and drink. I think I really do prefer the divey gay bars to the more upscale ones. They're not as loud and the drinks aren't as expensive. And you can usually find a place to sit.

What a great day.

Posted by Jere at September 21, 2005 11:58 PM | TrackBack