My friend Nate's theatre company is currently putting on a solo-performance show and here's the review from the Chicago Reader:

iAlone

When: Through 6/27: Thu-Sat 8 PM, Sun 3 PM,
Phone: 866-811-4111
Price: $15
redinktheatre.com

Red Ink Theatre's angsty autobiographical monologues deal with the standard 20-something subjects: childhood traumas, bad college break-ups, sexual frustration. But this fiercely talented quartet of writer/performers have crafted lean, literate, tantalizingly unresolved pieces full of effortless poetry. Nathan Stoner, for instance, remembers the "upturn" in his long-lost boyfriend's mouth growing "softer and more spearmint with each kiss." And unlike many monologuists tackling similar material, these performers seek neither pity nor personal catharsis, but simply bear witness to their own worst impulses. Brian Bush compulsively hires prostitutes, Erin Lane (who also directs) obsesses over a self-esteem-crushing boyfriend, Ann Schlegel recounts moments of sobering sexual degradation with volcanic fury. The show is set in an el car, but compelling performances render that forced and unnecessary contrivance nearly irrelevant. --Justin Hayford

She's BaAaAaAack...

This shepherd girl will be returning to her home flock at approximately 6pm this evening. She returns home with a better knowledge of scripture and all things Aussie (include a spot on impersonation). I'd be a lying fool if I didn't say that I've missed her terribly.

I will now resume my role of Kathy Samsam, Besty Extraordinaire as she gets used to the flat lands of the Midwest once again.

Welcome home, RayRay :)

Aaaand Scene!

On Monday, I shot a scene for Peter's pilot, I Am Diana Ross as a favor to my favorite Greek from Canada by way of LA...

I completely viewed it as a favor, so when I pulled my tired rump out of bed @ 6am on Monday, I was not feeling very inspired to deliver my four lines...HOWEVER, I ended up having a great time! It was totally a legit little shoot. They even clapped for me when I was done filming just like the kind of thing you'd see in the "Making Of" portion of the special features. Oh! And they had a food! They even catered! I was impressed. I wish I could do it more often (uh oh!). From what I could tell, it seems like a pretty funny concept they've got going on, so I'm definitely honored that Pete asked me to be a part of it.

I still love acting, y'all- I just don't love the business, BUT if I get a chance to do a little bit every few months, it definitely soothes my tortured artist soul.

It's my first love, after all.







((If I get a hold of some pics, I'll post them; I looked wonderfully hideous))

Clownin' Around

So, I happened upon this ridiculous picture the other night and my first thought was "Even baby clowns are kind of creepy!" then I realized it was supposed to be a baby Ronald McDonald and then I was even more creeped out. Are you creeped out? You should be. Sorry to be so bossy, but come ON!

Anyway, I immediately thought of my hungry-for-knowledge best friend, Rachael- she's currently reading Consumed by Benjamin R. Barber, and being the good little Blogita she is, she posted an interesting and informed blog all about it. She mentions the "infantilist ethos in the current marketplace". What does "infantilist ethos" mean exactly? Well, Barber says it "Dumbs down adults into impetuous consumers and empowers children as consumerist decision-makers".

Thanks, McDonalds- you never fail to embody the capitalistic dream.



Barf.

Hey, want to hear about my weekend? Cool.

Just this last weekend was the coldest we’ve had all year. It was disgusting. I felt like I should have been hanging out with Jack London and husky. Anyway, the cold didn’t keep me inside. In an uncharacteristic move on my part, I actually went out ALL weekend…and I’m really glad I did; it was a hoot!

Friday- I met up with Carly, Ann and Keenan for margaritas at Caesar’s. From there we headed over to SoPo (sans Carly- she’s our “mature” friend) where I happened to run into my childhood besty, Ms. Katie Nudo. We were close back in the St. Raymond days and into high school. Back in the day, we enjoyed riding bikes, passing notes and fighting over John Bopp. Anyway, it’s always good to catch up with old pals…especially when they were around during the dramatic puberty years ;)

I ended up at Carly’s, after finding myself locked out of Dustin’s (my fault!). I also made a few phone calls that I remember about 5% of. Needless to say, Saturday was painful, but STILL fun!

Saturday- Dustin and I went to see Cloverfield. I actually really liked it! I love a good destructive, creepy, “holy crap!” movie. Plus, the lead is a Columbia Theatre alum, so that’s totally cool (and he’s totally adorable!). From there I went to a party with Gabes and Keenan (aka “The Kristins”) where we knew about 1.3 people, but became fast friends after playing “slap the bag” (You don’t know what that is? Too bad!) THEN we headed over to Sedgwicks…while there, Keenan and I were talking to a guy from the party when suddenly another guy jumped out of nowhere and punched the guy we were talking to, and knocked over an exposed flame, starting a small fire and getting blood all over the floor. It was gross and scary…and we still don’t understand why it happened. Drunken fooooools!

Sunday- Ann, Gabes, Keenan and myself spent a glorious two hours at Chipolte before Gabes and Ann met up at my house where we ordered Italian and watched Bring It On Pt. 4: In It To Win It. I’m sure you caught that one as well. I like to think it’s going to be an instant classic! CHEER SMACK DOWN!

The only way to get through a job that tends to get me down is to have weekends like this one (well, sometimes I don’t need to ingest so many toxins, but still!). I love my friends and after a lame, lame, LAME past few months, it seems that things are looking up.

Oh! It’s officially t-minus 16 days ‘til I join the old ladies club and turn 23!

B-day shout out to Dustin, who joins the club today! Love youuuuuu!!!

Crikey!

I forgot to mention in my debut blog that my besty has fled the country. Okay, well she hasn’t actually “fled”, she’s just moved…to the other side of the world! Rachael “Fatty” Albers is now residing in Australia with her honey, Mr. Scott Farlow. She left just before the New Year and yes, there were lots of tears. Although I welcome this exciting time for my favorite gal, I do miss her terribly. She starts school next month and here’s hoping she knocks ‘em dead (well, not dead…it is a Theological school, after all!). As many of you know, we have been pretty disgustingly inseparable for the last three years, so it’s definitely taking some getting used to. I am currently feelin’ the burn, BUT I’m sure even Romy and Michelle welcomed time apart (this is, of course if they weren't fictional characters...)

She sealed the farewell deal perfectly with pretty much the greatest gift ever- a coffee table book all about US. That’s right, it’s called Professional Besties: How we made it in the world’s toughest business. It’s hilarious and wonderful. I’m pretty darn blessed :)

Happy adventure time, fat girl!

PS- "Fatty" is a term of endearment. Let it be known that RayRay is a fit chica.