Christmas Time... Is Here !

Happy Holidays Everyone !

It's amazing that I haven't posted on my blog in almost a year ! I can't believe it's been that long - where in the world does the time go ?

Well, better late than never. It's been quite a year, this 2010. Amazing things, amazing shows, all of it pretty astounding !

A recap - in the Spring of 2010, I decided to get on the "getting-in-shape" bandwagon, join the gym, and get healthy again after putting on almost 60 lbs. of weight that wasn't with me when I moved to the Rogue Valley in 2005. So, after lots of sacrifice, hard work in the gym and dedication, I finally dropped the 60 lbs., and got back to my current weight of 180 lbs. It's nice to not see what I was seeing in the mirror previously, not to mention the sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and chronic snoring that also has disappeared.

In the world of our TMTO ( Teen Musical Theater of Oregon ), we had some incredibly great shows this year ; in the Spring, we produced "The Will Rogers Follies". A daunting show to attempt, much less make great, but our cast and team did it in high-style. Our "kids" ( I say that lovingly - many of them are almost 17-19 - young adults practically ! ) never cease to amaze me. What talent these remarkable performers have. Needless to say, our "Follies" was a big hit. So proud of each and everyone of our TMTO / CMTO "kids"...

In the Summer, we continued the TMTO / CMTO tradition of great, splashy, highly-produced shows, with the musical, "Seussical - The Musical". Another blockbuster show, this time, with the added fun of having our "little ones", the CMTO branch ( Children's Musical Theater ) join their older brethren in a cast of 60 (!) for what turned out to be a gigantic, live-action "cartoon" of the the very best of Dr. Seuss in a Broadway-musical scenario.

Another incredible cast ( we always seem to get the very best, and just the "right" people, for our shows - we're so blessed ), and audience once again rose to their feet in standing ovations and sold-out performances at the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater in Medford for the TMTO Summer 2010 hit show. It's exciting to see that, after 5 years of existence of the TMTO / CMTO entity, that our shows truly approach the quality and production values of national touring act productions one would see in a major city. Credit for that goes to our kids, our talented production and artistic staff, and of course, the place that does it ALL for us - The Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater - our hallowed home.

On a personal note - it was exciting to finally connect with my paternal father and sisters whom I didn't learn about until I was 40 years old ( I'll be 47 a month from now ). Rhonda and I hired a private investigator to locate my father and sisters, and we had the great fortune of meeting up with all of them in Las Vegas for a three-day visit. What an incredible feeling to finally meet your father, face-to-face, after living a lifetime without having the privilege of knowing him, or my sisters, for that matter.

All three were / are, terrific, and it was truly a joyful connecting. It's great to have them in my life for the first time - I'm so grateful for having the good fortune in knowing them - especially my father, before he gets any older.

In October, TMTO / Craterian Performances staged and produced, "A Howlin' Halloween", which was a musical / dance review featuring the most favorite "spooky / supernatural / Halloween-ish" musical numbers from television, movies, and Broadway. Another great show, with a sold-out performance at the Craterian.

And now, tomorrow night we'll be wrapping up the TMTO 2010 season with our reprise of "TMTO In Concert - A Musical Christmas". This show, by popular demand, is a remounting of the similar show we produced last year, and features eight of TMTO's very finest young performers in a musical review of the most revered Christmas musical numbers from television, movies, and Broadway. As a "bonus" ( I guess that's what you'd call it ), I personally play keyboards / piano with a live band for the performances. Two shows are scheduled - Friday, December 17th, and Saturday, December 18th. It should prove to be a fun holiday treat for all...

2011 is coming up fast on the horizon, and we'll kick off the TMTO 2011 season with the classic musical, "Hello, Dolly !", with rehearsals commencing January 3rd, and the production opening at the Craterian on Thursday, March 5th, running the entire first weekend of March. Another talented cast in the chute for the production - you don't want to miss this classic Broadway musical !

Lots more exciting things coming up in 2011, including a special CD project I'll be producing with one of Southern Oregon's premiere vocalists ; also, look for an exciting Summer 2011 TMTO show, as well as a possible Halloween offering, and perhaps some Christmas 2011 surprises in-store, all courtesy of Craterian Performances, TMTO, and of course, yours truly...

I'll sign off for now - have a joyous Holiday season, and I hope to see all of you come out for the TMTO shows throughout the year !

Happy 2011 !

- John.

January 2010

Hello, and Happy 2010 !

2010 - Wow - it sounds like a sci-fi movie ( which it was )... Hard to believe that it's actually the year in which we live ! Amazing ! Well - I hope all of you have a wonderful beginning to a new decade that I'm sure will prove full of rewards and surprises, much like the last one did. I look back in reflection as to what 2000 through 2009 held, and I'm amazed at how many incredible things happened to the world, and for me personally ! I'm looking forward to seeing what the new year and new decade hold !

Speaking of which - TMTO ( Teen Musical Theater of Oregon ) is about to hold it's Auditions for the 10th (!) production of its' existence, "The Will Rogers Follies". The "Follies" is the musical telling of famed philosopher / comedian Will Rogers' life, in the high-style of the Ziegfeld Follies. Great music, dance, and poignant story all promise to be a terrific show for all to see, as well as participate in. Auditions are at the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theater, Medford, Oregon, Saturday, January 16th, from 10am to 2:30pm. Performances at the Craterian are April 15-17. Go to www.craterian.org for tickets, and to www.cmtoregon.org for more info...

Personally, some big changes are in-store for me this year. I can't go into detail right now, but suffice it to say, 2010 promises to have some major and exciting changes planned. Of course, as timing permits, you can learn about them here in my blog. Stay tuned for more on this - I'm excited as to what this year ahead holds. Be assured - you'll be impressed and surprised !

My birthday is tomorrow - another one already ?? I can't believe another one is upon me - the saying you hear really is becoming true : time really does go faster as you get older. I don't know how that happens, but it certainly does seem to be the truth. I'm very grateful for all of the blessings and good fortune I've had / do have, and to be honest, I still feel, mentally, about 28 years of age... I've also been blessed with good health, ( knock on wood ), so things are going quite well at this birthday.

Thanks for reading my blog, and stay tuned to this channel for exciting info as it develops this year... You don't want to miss it !

Have a great January, and come see TMTO's soon-to-be smash hit, "The Will Rogers Follies" in April !

- John.