Most. Awkward. Ever.

So, I may have had one of the most awkward moments of my life two days ago – which for me is pretty awkward.

I had a doctor’s appointment to get my annual “man work” taken care of. And of course, I always get really nervous when I have to change in the dressing room while the doctors away, as I fear them returning too soon (Emily Ruddock suggested I keep one foot on the door, I hadn’t thought of that), so as soon as they say “I’ll be right back”, I race to get everything on or off.

So, on Tuesday, I took off my shirt and zip-up jacket at the same time, and at the end of it, I put them on at the same time. Then I chatted with the doctor for a few moments…and reached down and felt something that felt like a giant cravat on my neck – I was wearing my shirt backwards and my doctor hadn’t commented on it, and she can’t just think this is a style choice, as she saw me come in. To make things even worse, I didn’t comment on it, I just waited until she was writing things down, and quickly tried to turn my shirt around – she was kind enough to keep writing the whole time. I quickly tried to wrap up the rest of the conversation and go home. Oh god.

Awkward.

4/4

CPH's Hurricane Gordo Is A Promising Debut

3/3, at this rate we'd be batting clean-up for the Indians

'GORDO,’ fun--not the usual CPH fare

Feel the love

2nd Review Today

'All Hail Hurricane Gordo' offers fresh, funny theatrical voice to open FusionFest 08

Well looky here

2.0

So we are at opening (for what feels like the 4th time). We’ve spent the last 11 days making some great tweaks to the show (acting and script-wise). It really feels like Gordo 2.0, essentially the same show, with some new added features. We’ll see how people respond in Cleveland, where much more traditional fair usually plays (right before us was Pride and Prejudice, right after us is the Glass Menagerie). I have faith it’ll find it’s audience. Last night there were 6 people, who appeared to be under 30, and they went crazy for it, and that seemed to allow the rest of the audience to relax and enjoy it go (our first night getting scene applause after every scene). So, we’ll see.

The staff at the Playhouse has been awesome. The production staff built us new walls instantly, the bar kept the kitchen open each night so the actors could eat, and everyone has seemed delighted to have us here.

Best Burger: Old Angle in West Cleveland. Apparently the rust belt (as the locals call it) is famous for it’s hamburgers, after much debate with my cast, and much sampling, we’ve declared it the best. Though while we were there, this man (who we named: meat with eyes) just kept staring at Tracy. Weird. So, we faked taking a picture of the boys so we could capture him in all his mustache glory.

Best purchase so far: Fro $2.50 I purchased an old-school game of Battleship (as in “you sunk my battleship”), and since we couldn’t find any open bars, created the game of Beer Battleship, where you take a drink for each hit. If it sounds like the worlds most ludicrous-college-seriously-how-old-are-you-game, you’re correct. And Matt Dellapina and me are unstoppable at it.

Also, in more shocking news, we attempted to go see LeBron James play in the playoffs – we braced ourselves for the high ticket price and legions of scalpers ready to jack up the price – until we found out: the game wasn’t sold out. Whoa. Cleveland Cavalier fans are the new Atlanta Brave fans: call me when we get to the second round.

Also, in a strange 1984-esque turn, while the visiting team is shooting free-throws, the Cavs management flashes images of things that the audience hates: The Red Sox, The Yankess, John Elway, The Pittsburgh Steelers – it was pretty insane, I think the idea is that the fans seem to hate almost everything, we kept waiting to see pictures of: trans fat, recycling, John Kerry, or babies to show up on the jumbotron.

So, a few hours till opening….

All Hail Cleveland

A few pics so far. Callahan and I drove Bob here, teched for one day, and then were treated with a day off - so of course we took in a little Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (did you know the Doors put out an album after Jim Morrison died entitled "other voices", oh that's sweet, and sad), and then went to see Matt's beloved Red Sox play the Indians. It was less than 40 degrees, so we turned to our friend scotch to keep us warm. In a stunning re-play of last years playoffs, just as the Indians were about to win, a fan threw a home run ball back, and then the Red Sock smacked the Indians. Oh, Indians, that's even a little sadder than the doors, at least they only made their hubris error once.

maybe my favorite thank you from a playwright ever

Craddock

only did three things last week

So, I essentially took a week long nap after Humana. Though I did co-host my wife's dj show, take the dog to the beach, and go in search of the "greatest sandwich of 2007". Here's a good one: For unknown reasons in 2007, Rolin Jones (fan of Humana, and current writer on Weeds) was lost in Oakland when he discovered a tiny place that only sells two kind of sandwiches, fried chicken and egg. He got the fried chicken, he ate it and dubbed it the greatest sandwich of 07. Over drinks last week, when he heard I was going to the Bay Area, he promised me that if I did not also agree, he would refund the price of my sandwich. So, of course we tracked it down - I ate the fried chicken, my vegetarian wife had the egg. There will be no need for a refund. We're still talking about it.