Burnerblog

In case you didn’t catch it on Sherry’s family blog, Gelli got a “named role,” that of Martha Cox, friend of main character Gabrielle. Her callback audition was Saturday morning, and the cast list was posted at around 1:30 p.m the same day. The cast list is quite a bit smaller than it was for the original High School Musical play she was in last year. Also, being a principal, she will have lines in both dialog and in songs.

We’re obviously very proud of her. This is a big production; one of the first eight to be produced in the country. The final show will be in Jones Hall since demand is so high for tickets to these shows (High School Musical II). It’s also her first named role, and is a great step forward in her acting.

Gelli auditioned for her high school’s production of “My Fair Lady,” and was selected for call backs. Today, she will have to do a cold reading in a Cockney accent as well as sing a song or two with facial expressions and some dancing. She’s fine with all but the Cockney. She practiced a lot, but it’s a difficult accent for Americans to master without sounding silly. Just ask Dick Van Dyke how hard it can be.

We’re proud of our little girl making the call back list. She was the only freshman on the list. She’s very excited and is hopeful that she will get a part in the play. For her sake, I hope she gets a part, too. It’d be great for her to be involved in a school play. She’s had experience in three stage productions at Class Act Productions and the Woodlands Repertory Theater, but she has yet to do a HS play (to be fair, however, she is just a freshman in her first semester of HS).

Now, we wait and see what happens after tonight’s audition.

Last night, I was having trouble with my Internet, but already, I’ve begun without saying something I feel is very important to get off my chest before I continue any further:

Thank you, Comcast, for thinking of me; the customer. I know you’ve spent millions of dollars on research and consultants to determine how best to diffuse angry customers prior to be assisted by your trained professional customer service representatives (who are, by the way, recorded and monitored for quality purposes).

My call went something like this (and no, this is not a joke):

Them: Hello, thank you for calling Comcast High Speed Internet. My name is (insert name here). How can I help you today?

Me: Well, I have an interesting problem. You see, I was trying to access a service that is located in Germany and my connection seems to be intermittent. I did a traceroute to see if there was a problem along the way, and sure enough, the hop to Dallas was timing out at level3.com’s routers. I then VPN’d into my work network and was able to connect to this service just fine (and a traceroute revealed that they had no problems along the way and were not using level3 anywhere along the way). So, I was able to determine that the problem is with the Comcast network and not with the site. I know there’s not much you can do, but I thought I’d let you guys know so that you can get someone to figure it out and perhaps contact level3.com so they can look into it.

Them: (long pause) Umm, can you connect to the Internet?

Me: Yes

Them: So, what is your problem?

Me: (short pause, not believing what I was just asked) Basically, my computer can’t talk to Germany.

Them: You’re trying to talk to Germany?

Me: No. My computer cannot talk to sites in Germany.

Them: Is this a porn site?

Me? What? No. It’s a regular site. The problem is that if I try to get my computer to talk with another computer or server in Germany, it won’t work.

Them: (long pause) Can you connect to the Internet?

Me: Yes. I can connect to the Internet. I can access sites here in the US, but not in Germany. There is a problem with computers trying to talk to computers in Germany. There’s a bump along the way, and I was trying to let you guys know so that someone can look into it.

Them: We don’t have anyone in Germany.

Me: I know. The problem is actually in Dallas.

Them: (long pause) Umm, can you hold please? I need to talk to level 2.

Me: Sure.

I wait for about 27 minutes. Yes, I timed it.

Them: OK, so are you having trouble connecting to the Internet?

Me: (finally I snapped and realized I was getting nowhere, so I lied) Nope. It works now. Thanks!

Them: Great! Sometimes you just have to wait and these things clear themselves up. Is there anything else I can help you with?

Me: (I was thinking, “Besides hitting yourself repeatedly on the head with a brick?”) Nope! You helped so much! Thanks!

Them: Well thank you for calling Comcast!

I hung up and tried again. Two more times, the conversations weren’t any more insightful than the one I relayed above. I finally remembered that I’m a business class customer for Internet services, so I asked for their business customer line. I talked to them, they talked to Level3, and within about 45 minutes, everything was working just fine. At least I know their business folks are on the ball.

As for the site I was trying to access: Bounty Bay Online. lol I was playing an online game that kept timing out on me, and that is entirely unacceptable!

Then, today, my daughter said she needed a short one-person play to use as an audition for a play she’s auditioning for. I wrote the following based on last night’s experience (and of course, fictionalized it a bit):

There Are These Tubes…

By E.J. Hunyadi

I want to thank CableCo for their thinking about their customers and cheering us up when we’re having trouble with our Internet connections. I had to call customer support last night and it went something like this:

Them: Hi! This is CableCo! We’re here to help you! How can we help you today?

Me: Hi. I’m having trouble accessing a website in Germany. It seems there’s a problem talking to the German network.

Them: Are you trying to talk to someone in Germany?

Me: No. My computer is.

Them: Your computer talks to Germany?

Me: No. That’s the problem; my computer won’t talk to Germany.

Them: Um, I don’t think we can help you with that. I think you need to call the phone company. Do you have their number?

Me: (breathe) No. Not talking as in “speaking;” talking as in communicating. I was trying to simplify it for you.

Them: I don’t need to talk to anyone in Germany.

Me: Look, I was trying to let you know that there is a problem with your network, and that your network isn’t communicating properly with Germany. That’s all.

Them: Our networks don’t communicate. They do Internet. I think you’re confused. You see, there are these tubes…

Me: You’re right. Thanks very much.

Them: Thank you for calling CableCo. I hope we were able to help, and that you have a great night!

Me: Thanks! You too! You were a great help!

So, that’s how it went. I called to let them know I had a problem, and nothing got solved or fixed. Heck, I don’t think she even understood a word I was saying, but oh well… as least my phone can call Germany without a problem. I know. I tried it and it worked. At least I think it worked, ‘cause someone was yelling at me in German (or what I think was German) when I told them I was calling from America. I didn’t realize it until later that it was 3 in the morning there. Sorry!

Now, while I thought it was funny, it ended up being a bit long, so I decided to write another one based on another incident that happened here (actually, was happening as I was writing it, but my version was a bit funnier):

Noah

By E.J. Hunyadi 

So, like I was sitting in my room reading Tiger Beat about Nick Jonas and the Jonas Brothers and a new show that’s going to be on Disney Channel called J.O.N.A.S. when my mom comes in and tells me I need to help her clean. HELLO! I was READING TIGER BEAT! She’s always like, “You need to read,” and I’m finally reading and she tells me to stop.

So I was like, “NO-AH!” and she says, “Noah? What? Anyway, you need to come help me clean.

So I was like “NOAH!” and she says, “Noah can’t help you now. Besides, I don’t know what he has to do with cleaning.”

I can’t believe she doesn’t understand me! I’m trying to better myself by reading, and all she cares about is a clean house. I mean, it’s not like people are coming over right now. Well, they are tomorrow, but that’s tomorrow. I tried to tell her I would wake up early and clean, but she said, “NOAH!”

She thinks she’s funny. I don’t think she is.

Anyway, I gotta go… she’s waiting on me to help clean. And she says Noah can’t help.

It’s been a hectic last couple of days, but we’re finally done with the show. South Pacific’s run at the Woodlands Repertory Theater has reached it’s end.

It was a fun run, and I had a really good time. It was my first experience as an “actor,” and it was a good one. Everyone on the cast was very, very talented and they were a great bunch of people to work with. The man who played my executive officer was a GREAT help to me, and worked with me after rehearsals to help me get some of the finer nuances of my character right. Without his help, Captain Brackett wouldn’t have been nearly as funny. The directors were very driven and professional, and motivating. There were some issues with some of the stage crew (that I addressed in a performance), but all in all, it was a positive experience that I’d repeat given the opportunity.

The show ran from Thursday to Saturday, having gone through four performances (two on Saturday). Major flubbed lines: 1. I missed a “third point” on Friday night. Fortunately, the rest of the performances were spot-on, and Saturday night’s was probably the best from all actors.

After the show, we had to spend a considerable amount of time getting all the props together and separate the theater’s property from the donated property (including those of our friends and our own!), and afterwards we went to a Tapas restaurant for some live music and salsa dancing! I danced a little bit, but it was Gelli who danced the night away. We finally left at around 1:00 a.m., and she told me that it was the most fun she’d ever had, and that she’d have gladly danced until the sun came up.

Uh-oh.

Yesterday (Sunday) was spent relaxing and taking it easy. We needed the rest, and it was pretty much the proverbial lazy Sunday.

I made it through today’s dress rehearsal/full run through. We have one more of these before the show goes live before an audience. It was pretty fun, and things seemed to move along at a much brisker pace with people more comfortable with where they go, what they say, etc. I still have a few things to improve on (delivery of lines with emotion and “cheating out”), but for the most part, I now can say confidently that I know my lines. I still flubbed two of ‘em tonight, but that’s mostly due to the fact that I get ahead of myself sometimes and don’t “act in the moment.” I anticipate what people are saying as I prepare for the next line and sometimes mess myself up. I’m working on it…

Today, I also made what is probably the last prop I’ll have to construct for the play: a portable radio receiver used by a group of “pilots” listening to observation reports from a team behind enemy lines. This particular radio was a fun project because I made it look quite realistic using thumb tacks, prescription bottle caps, and bottle caps as well as back-lighting to illuminate the radio. I received lots of compliments on the radio, as it looks particularly real.

One more rehearsal and then the real deal. I think I’m going to enjoy this (as long as I can remember my lines and get ‘em out with more feeling!!!).

Today was the first time we ran through the entire play from beginning to end. While it was a bit rough in patches (due mostly to the stage crew getting used to moving the set pieces around), we did pretty well. I flubbed a few lines here and there (mostly in my last two scenes), but so did many of the others. I’ll work on my lines later today and will make sure I’m going to be completely ready for this week’s performances.

On the props front, I still have some work to do on some props that we’ll be using; namely the jerry cans. I’m almost done with them, but I’ve still got a little bit of painting and gluing to do. Then, I’m going to have to do some touch-up painting and minor repairs to props that the younger boys have damaged due to their playing around with them.

Otherwise, I’m enjoying myself, and I’m looking forward to going on stage and going through an actual performance.

…hours in the day. I wake up, work all day (hardly have time for lunch/drinks/etc), then, a quick (and I mean QUICK!) dinner, and then it’s off to rehearsals. Last night we got out a little after 10, while on Monday we were there ’til almost 11 p.m. Tonight, we get to go in a little later, although I think Sherry will head in sooner because she’s in charge of props and she likes to keep track of who is using which prop as well as keeping inventory control of all items (some of which were lent to the theater and are valuable).

I woke up today feeling a bit tired, once again unable to use the CPAP last night due to the last remnants of my cold. I hope tonight to have a clear enough nose to be able to attach my Darth Vader device (I call it that because when I breathe with the mask on, I sounds like Vader).

Off topic: last night, my daughter asked me if she could take her guitar with her to rehearsals. She’s only in one scene, and the rest of the time she has to just sit and wait, so I told her to go ahead and take it. She was also eager to perform a few of her new songs (she has written three songs in the past few weeks) and wanted to hear what her friends there had to say about the songs. One of the songs, “Chip” is very funny and reminiscent of Stephen Lynch or The Flight of the Conchords. Anyway, what I didn’t count on was her writing another song last night with two of her friends! Not only did they write some smart lyrics and come up with a nice melody, but one of her collaborators, John,  played piano while my daughter played guitar and Delin sang. They played the song for me, and it really was quite good; at least as good (if not better) than anything on the radio. I guess that’s what happens when you throw a bunch of talented and outgoing kids together with instruments and a desire to express themselves. It was really neat to see and hear. Obviously, she wants to continue taking her guitar to the rehearsals, and I think it’s probably a good idea. At least it keeps her out of our hair while she has nothing else to do there…

That’s right… at least when it comes to acting. Today was my first day on the big stage for rehearsals, saying my lines from memory, interacting with other cast and some minor props and the set. It went pretty well considering this isn’t something I’ve ever done before. Nerves? The funny thing is not really. I’m actually anxious and eager to do my parts, so it’s more positive energy than negative energy. I really did enjoy it.

I was actually quite surprised that I knew my lines as well as I did in some parts, and then as soon as I was so pleased, I disappointed myself in forgetting a few things here and there. I didn’t feel too badly, though; people that had three to four weeks longer than I have to memorize lines forgot as much if not more than I did. Admittedly, I only have six scenes in the play, but some of those are quite heavy on the dialog. I also surprised myself in that I was able to keep right on going when another actor flubbed their lines. It was like second nature. Sherry patted me on the back for it later, saying that it’s a good thing I just kept going and didn’t let if faze me.

So… add “stage actor” to my resume.