Haiku #187 - Kokopelli Goes to Seattle

caught the Space Needle
and Kokopelli in a
drive-by photograph


I got to see my best friend last night in Seattle, and also a high school friend I hadn't seen in over a decade!  We had a drink and apps at an awesome happy hour in Queen Anne.  My first time to Seattle, just a quick overnight.  I hope to go back soon!  We're in Washington state this week - Yakima, Olympia and Spokane.

Haiku #186 - Happy Easter!

just as I promised
like the daffodils in spring
after "death", new life
According to wikipedia, none other than Dear Abby
did research that proved this poem was actually written
by one Mary Elizabeth Frye.


This photo was taken at the bonfire memorial at Texas A&M - a really moving monument to the 12 students who were killed tragically in the collapse of the bonfire in 1999.  


My other favorite Easter-related poem is this e.e. cummings poem, set to music in two beautiful choral settings, one by Eric Whitacre and one by Gwyneth Walker.


Happy Easter!

Haiku #184 - April Fools!

something is diff'rent
a certain je ne sais quoi
maybe it's the hair
"Lac" and "Zach"
Photo by CBT


For yesterday's April 1 matinee, "Lac", with his distinctive hair, conducted, and "Zach", his associate on Broadway, played Key 2.  "Zach" wore 4-inch platform heels for extra height, possibly the first time he's ever been in drag.  A good time and many laughs were had by all.  


By the by... goodness knows what was in that wig.  Kurt found it in Toronto.  He seems fine so far...


Great audiences and nice weather all weekend in Palm Desert.  


Sorry about the haiku silence - the internet at the hotel didn't work, and I didn't have the patience to contend with the mobile app.  In NYC this week for a short break, will try to catch up - lots of fun in SoCal to haiku about!

Haiku #183 - Mutual Admiration Society

guess who came to see
the show and hung out after?
Rico and Raini


Cherie, Rico, me, Raini, Kurt
Kurt, Cherie and I watch Modern Family every week, so we were pretty excited that Rico and Raini Rodriguez (Rico plays Manny on Mod Fam; his big sis Raini is also an actress) came to see In the Heights in their hometown, College Station.  There was a little meet-and-greet after the performance - turns out they're big fans of the show.  It was a mutual admiration society! 

Haiku #178 - Captain Kirk

today Kat 'n' Kurt
of the starship In the Heights
met William Shatner


During tech rehearsal back in October, Kurt and I took turns at the piano, but often we were both there.  Our director would call out, "Off of Kat 'n' Kurt" to have whichever of us was playing start a number. After about a day of this, he said, "I feel like I'm saying 'Captain Kirk'."  And that is how Captain Kirk became the music department's collective nickname.  


A friend from this tour is currently working William Shatner's one-man autobiographical show, Shatner's World which was in Dallas tonight.  We got to meet Mr. Shatner briefly before we had to go do our respective shows.  He was very gracious, and it was cool to watch him work for a few minutes and wish him happy birthday!  Living proof that one does not have to be a diva to have a long, illustrious career.  

Haiku #177 - Dallas

good meals, inside jokes
random youtube videos
that's what friends are for
Cherie photographing her tandoori lamb burger at Chop House
 Nice to be in the same place for a couple weeks.  Kurt & Cherie and I went to Chop House for lunch today and enjoyed some spectacular burgers and (yes) truffle parmesan fries.  I'm a little under the weather, so didn't join other company members for karaoke tonight, and instead made a hot toddy and geeked out on youtube videos with Kurt for a little while.  Four more days in Dallas!

Haiku #173 - St. Paddy's in Dallas

many shades of green:
St. Paddy's Day in Dallas
means jalapenos


Last night we celebrated St. Paddy's Day with a mixer with the cast and crew of the Million Dollar Quartet tour at a bar downtown.  There was dancing and drinks, and there were jalapeno poppers the size of my head (slight faux-Irish exaggeration). Everyone was Irish, even our resident Italian.