Just Because...

Let's call this a #ThrowbackThursday post.

A throwback to yesterday when Kenneth-in-the-212 shared the above for his weekly installment of Wrestle Wednesday.

#Dang

Throwback Thursday: Betty Buckley "Amazing Grace"

It's been quiet in the house lately.

Michael has been traveling with clients doing press in NYC, and with Bruno the wonder dog having crossed the rainbow bridge recently, I've been reflective of late.

My mind kept finding it's way to this meditation on "Amazing Grace" from the brilliant Tony Award winner, Betty Buckley.

I've seen Ms. Betty perform live onstage countless times and it's always a transformative experience.

Yes, everyone loves her huge show-stopping vocals in songs like "Memory," "With One Look," and "Meadowlark," but her brilliance is revealed with equal ease in her quiet, pensive musical moments.

This performance is from her Stars and the Moon (Live at the Donmar) concert which, thankfully, was fully recorded for us all to have now and forever.

It's not often that artistry of this depth can really shine through via a YouTube video, but as always, Betty is right in the center of the song's emotional core.

While a "throwback Thursday" post is defined by looking back, I'd be remiss if I didn't add here that Buckley has recently been announced to star in the upcoming national tour of Hello, Dolly! currently killing it on Broadway.

Happy Thursday, kids.

Throwback Thursday: Backstage At Broadway's FOLLIES

My dear friend and former castmate Joey Sorge (currently killing it in the hit Bway production, A Bronx Tale) recently sent me this pic from my first performance in what was arguably one of my happiest experiences on Broadway from the 2001 Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's brilliant FOLLIES.

This was taken as I was getting "mic-ed up" for the show.

Wow, time flies. Who is that guy?

I've written before about this incredible experience and the ensuing reunions of this amazing cast here.

If you're a Broadway fan you may be interested in the backstory here :)

#TBT - My First Bow

Regular readers know I've been a professional theater dancer and choreographer since my teens, but I often forget how far back my dancing days go.

This is me (white sweater) leading my kindergarten class out on the floor for a square dance in Fort Worth, Texas. I'm guessing I was age four perhaps?

And to answer the question before it's asked - no, there was no more square dancing in my future after that auspicious debut LOL

Although, a two-step with a hunky cowboy is always fun ;)

Throwback Thursday: 3rd Grade

Front row, 2nd from right

So, I don't do many #ThrowbackThursday things because I never think to go find something.

But recently I was moving some boxes and came across of picture of me in 3rd Grade.  Why on earth I would have this still after moving all over the world...?

But, honestly, it's pretty cool to see these faces all these years later.  Friends of mine from Fort Worth days feel free to chime in a identify folks.

I think I'm standing next to Stephen Phillips, who would be one of my future best friends through Texas Boys Choir days - note the crossed arms - a rebel even then.  On the other side of me might be Randy MilliganSecond row - second from left is Leanne Price, my girlfriend of elementary school years.  I'm pretty sure that's Ricky Moore looking away in the third row.  All the way at the end of that row on the left is Steve someone - I just remember he was always the smartest kid in class.

Mrs. Anderson was the teacher.  Kinda famous for being tough.  But I remember not so bad once we were there.

In any case, there you go.  I should note my instinct for pulling focus even then by wearing red...  That would serve me well later :)