The Friday Dispatch: June 14, 2024
WARNING: This newsletter contains musical theatre
Hi! Happy Friday! BOY am I tired! You know why? Because last night I performed I WAS NEVER CAST IN ANNIE (my first-ever solo show) to a packed! house!!! at UCB! Thanks UCB for having me! Thanks ALL MY FRIENDS for coming!
For context, I wrote/rehearsed/executed I WAS NEVER CAST IN ANNIE in juuuuust under a month. It was a whirlwind of song-writing, wig-buying and prop-arranging that left no time for second-guessing.
And it was so fun.
I WAS NO ONE BEFORE I PUT ON THE WIG
I wrote this solo musical comedy to RIGHT a multi-decade WRONG (me not being cast in Annie). Weirdly, the best way to do that is to talk about all the Annies I have not starred in, which means I essentially walked onstage and talked/sang about my assorted failures for 30 minutes. But, like–what else am I supposed to do with my failures? If I’m going to spend time thinking about them, I might as well turn them into something new, right?
Soon-ish, I’ll have video of this performance, which will give a little context to the Daddy Warbucks1, Rooster and Miss Hannigan pictured above. But for now, let me say: Thank you to my friends who came out to see the show, and who cheered so loud when they heard my name, I cried backstage with happy tears. Thank you to my family for cheering me on from afar (and to Momma, specifically, for giving me feedback when I did a first-draft run in the living room in my pajamas, propless and doing my own tech). Thank you to Elizabeth for gifting me reams of printer paper, which I used on script drafts. Thank you to Myles for letting me use your valise. And your blazer. And your fedora. And your mustaches. And your hats. And for watching multiple Annie movies with me. And for hauling my props around. And for giving notes. And for timing me. And also? For listening to me sing this show nonstop.
My friend Sydney recently released her first book (more on that later!) and I was honored to be included in her acknowledgments. Yes, I’m brag-stacking—give me a sec though! In her note, Sydney gives me possibly the best compliment, by writing “Thank you for reminding me that I can do whatever I want.” And, listen, that really, really is the message I want to give every single person I encounter. You can do whatever you want.
You can.
Write the book, the song, the show, the poem, and embrace whatever strange thing manifests. You’re better when you’re weird. If you’re waiting to be “ready,” get ready by doing it. I did not feel ready to do this show! I have never felt ready for anything in my entire life! And then I learned I was, by doing it.
All of this to say: I was finally cast in Annie.
Buy Sydney’s Book, Immediately
As I mentioned above, my friend Sydney just released her first book! Musings is a collection of poems and tiny tales. I’ve read the book a couple of times now, and several of her phrases have been on repeat in my brain throughout the week. Of everything in the collection, “Providence” and “Search History of a Single Woman” are my favorites, and when you read them, you’ll see that they aren’t at all alike; Sydney has a real knack for shifting between hearty-laughter funny and breath-stealing poignant, often within a single page. I keep finding new things to love.
You can buy the book online at Barnes & Noble, Amazon or ThriftBooks. Amazon has had some stock/distribution issues, so my recommendation is to go with B&N!
And check out this beautiful Corningware-esque cover:
Other Things Within My Brain
I’m gonna be honest, chief: not a lot of room in my brain this week, what with the “memorizing 30 minutes of material about theatre camp” I was focused on. However! What meager crumbs of thought I subsist on, I now shall share with you.
My copy of Syllabus by Lynda Barry came! It rules! I love using my brain to see and process images! I love redefining how I think of “images!” Gotta say, this is deeeeeefinitely going to influence some of the poetry prompts I’m planning to reintroduce to the newsletter, and also may give me some cool ideas for Good Work (hint hint, the next Good Work is on Monday and there are a couple spots left, clickity-click that linkity-loo if you want to attend!)
Because my brain no work good I had to listen to speedy music all week, to make it go FAST. Thank goodness! for: Brat by Charli XCX (Charles Xavier Charles Xavier), 3OH!3, Joey Valence & Brae, Elastica, and Amyl and The Sniffers.
Related: All songs should be under 3 minutes. All movies should be 2+ hours. All TV shows should be 30 minutes. Books should be under 150 pages, or over 450 pages. No exceptions. All opinions subject to change if I am thinking about Kate Bush.
Have I told you guys that I brainwashed Dottie? I Pavlov’d her by singing a little song whenever I feed her. If I need her attention/can’t find her, I sing it and she comes a-runnin’. WELL, this week I was looking her directly in the eyes when I started to sing, and her pupils got H U G E in a split second. Thought that was important to mention!
I walked past a store called “Scent Elate NYC” this week. I literally smelled it from a block away—I thought that the person in front of me was just really good-smelling, but then I reached the storefront and was hit by a wall of mmmmmm. Didn’t get a chance to go in but I WILL be going back!
WIDNBTW
I bought a big kombucha. So big. It was 48 ounces. I drank it. But it did take all week. It was delicious. Look.
Isn’t it sooooooo crazzzzyyyyy that Twitter user “dril” predicted my life 11 years ago?
So here’s What I Did Not Buy This Week (bc I spend allll my money on kombucha).
A suitcase which, according to the lady behind me at the airport, has a built-in indicator, to tell you if your suitcase is over 30 pounds?!
A desk fan that looks like Hello Kitty’s pet cat, Charmmy Kitty. Yes.
Floral bow pearl earrings from this company
Glitter body oil…which I am absolutely going to order after I pay my rent. Orphic Decor is a woman-owned, Black-owned company AND they use biodegradable glitters. Keep the microplastics in your food where they belong!
Croissant earring
A glasses-cleaning cloth that looks like a hot dog
Horse for my hair
LITTLE TIKES RV!!!!!
Cute Garfield
Okay! With that. I’m off to try and unstick the remaining spirit gum from my hairline. Godspeed, good weekend, and if next time you see me, I have chunks of hair missing…NO I don’t !
HATTIE WARBUCKS