Panache is Scrumptious
I have a tradition, at least in my mind, of reflecting on, and hopefully blogging about, what I've learned from each show I've acted in. So now that I have a free evening, which is rare (to slightly misquote my onstage alter ego, Kathleen, in "Panache") between performances (so yes, you, yes YOU can still come see us this weekend) I want to chronicle what I have learned from playing Kathleen and being a part of "Panache."
Words are scrumptious. And also sometimes evil. The words of "Panache" have dazzled, overwhelmed, confounded and entranced me. Sometimes with the pure number of them that I have attempted to memorize. Sometimes with their beauty (scrumptious, relentless, glorious, desolation) and their banality. And their difficulty. Turns out, I had no idea how to pronounce "tempestuous."
Quick costume changes are fraught with danger and possibility. You may come onstage wearing your shoes on the wrong feet. But you can get to an extremely tight dress in minutes with the help of a good friend like Gary.
I am blessed to collaborate (and socialize/drink) with some insanely talented, kind, sparkling people in my theater family. (No, I don't know why I chose the word "sparkling" exactly but that's what came to me so I'm going with it, all association with lame-ass "Twilight" vampires be damned). Speaking of learning how to pronounce "tempestuous"...I couldn't have accomplished this feat without the grace and kindness of my castmate, Ben, just as an example.
My husband is also one of those insanely talented, kind, and yes, sparkling (in his way) people. Which does NOT mean that I don't sometimes think, as Kathleen would say, he deserves a good shaking (especially when he corrects me and he's right).
"Choose love now." Okay, the connection between that and "Panache" may be a little tenuous, but this is the temporary tattoo I am currently sporting on my wrist (because I got it for free), and every time I look at it, it reminds me more and more of "Panache" and the journey the characters take. For Chad's character, Harry, there is a pretty obvious connection, as Harry learns he can't keep living in the past, fixated on his dead wife. But this directive can be about much more than taking a chance on a romantic relationship. For both Harry and Kathleen, it's about being willing to take a risk and live a life of meaning and passion, possibly including but more expansive than romantic passion. Choose to love life, and what you are, and who you want to be. Choose to love it today in all its imperfections.
Chad and I have had some maddening, and yes, fun, fights about the script of "Panache,"...mostly about who our characters are and how believable we think they are. But we agree that "Panache" isn't really about the romance of Harry and Kathleen but about the people they become because of their encounter with each other.
Don't get me wrong, on a purely emotional level I love that Kathleen and Harry get together (sorry if that is a spoiler but this is a self-avowed Rom Com after all so you probably should have figured that out). But what really moves me is that Harry and Kathleen learn/re-learn to love life. Even if, after a month, they decide to call off their relationship because it turns out that they did rush into it, I think they are going to have richer, deeper lives.
Some people are really into golf. And Blackjack. I know nothing about either which makes learning lines about those two pursuit that much more challenging. Turns out 55 over par is pretty bad.
Brandy is not as girlie as I thought. Or I can be a more girlie drinker than I like to admit. But I still judge Harry for ever drinking Pina Coladas.
We all know about loss. This might be the loss that death brings, but smaller loses add up, too—the loss of romance, youth, interest, skills, bravery. Hope. Some things and people we can never get back, but other losses we can redefine and reclaim.
Don't end it—whatever it is—in a flurry of hedging and fears. End it, and start again, with a little bravery and style and panache. (And a tight dress and brandy probably won't hurt).
Words are scrumptious. And also sometimes evil. The words of "Panache" have dazzled, overwhelmed, confounded and entranced me. Sometimes with the pure number of them that I have attempted to memorize. Sometimes with their beauty (scrumptious, relentless, glorious, desolation) and their banality. And their difficulty. Turns out, I had no idea how to pronounce "tempestuous."
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| I actually hate talking on the phone and am probably holding this upside down...but, ACTING! |
I am blessed to collaborate (and socialize/drink) with some insanely talented, kind, sparkling people in my theater family. (No, I don't know why I chose the word "sparkling" exactly but that's what came to me so I'm going with it, all association with lame-ass "Twilight" vampires be damned). Speaking of learning how to pronounce "tempestuous"...I couldn't have accomplished this feat without the grace and kindness of my castmate, Ben, just as an example.
My husband is also one of those insanely talented, kind, and yes, sparkling (in his way) people. Which does NOT mean that I don't sometimes think, as Kathleen would say, he deserves a good shaking (especially when he corrects me and he's right).
 |
| There may be a reason wrist photography hasn't caught on... |
"Choose love now." Okay, the connection between that and "Panache" may be a little tenuous, but this is the temporary tattoo I am currently sporting on my wrist (because I got it for free), and every time I look at it, it reminds me more and more of "Panache" and the journey the characters take. For Chad's character, Harry, there is a pretty obvious connection, as Harry learns he can't keep living in the past, fixated on his dead wife. But this directive can be about much more than taking a chance on a romantic relationship. For both Harry and Kathleen, it's about being willing to take a risk and live a life of meaning and passion, possibly including but more expansive than romantic passion. Choose to love life, and what you are, and who you want to be. Choose to love it today in all its imperfections.
Chad and I have had some maddening, and yes, fun, fights about the script of "Panache,"...mostly about who our characters are and how believable we think they are. But we agree that "Panache" isn't really about the romance of Harry and Kathleen but about the people they become because of their encounter with each other.
Don't get me wrong, on a purely emotional level I love that Kathleen and Harry get together (sorry if that is a spoiler but this is a self-avowed Rom Com after all so you probably should have figured that out). But what really moves me is that Harry and Kathleen learn/re-learn to love life. Even if, after a month, they decide to call off their relationship because it turns out that they did rush into it, I think they are going to have richer, deeper lives.
Some people are really into golf. And Blackjack. I know nothing about either which makes learning lines about those two pursuit that much more challenging. Turns out 55 over par is pretty bad.
Brandy is not as girlie as I thought. Or I can be a more girlie drinker than I like to admit. But I still judge Harry for ever drinking Pina Coladas.
We all know about loss. This might be the loss that death brings, but smaller loses add up, too—the loss of romance, youth, interest, skills, bravery. Hope. Some things and people we can never get back, but other losses we can redefine and reclaim.
Don't end it—whatever it is—in a flurry of hedging and fears. End it, and start again, with a little bravery and style and panache. (And a tight dress and brandy probably won't hurt).
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