Hello gentle Americans.  Blogging has been the last thing on my mind lately and perhaps that is a good thing?  With my work schedule being so intense this summer in PTOWN (a small fishing village off the coast of Boston) and my sleep patterns turned completely upside down all I could think of doing in the morning is just eating a light but hearty breakfast consisting of oatmeal with a banana, one hard boiled egg and a cup of decaf coffee.  Putting finger to the keyboard was the last thing on my mind.

The show in PTOWN is going grand.  I have been getting solid audiences, though as of late I have been feeling a little artistically stinted.  I suppose it happens during the run of any show? The beginning is filled with excitement and freshness and somewhere in the middle you begin to feel like a broken record and maybe perhaps towards the end you get a surge of new energy making everything seem fresh again.  I think my broken record spell was broken during last night’s performance.

I love improvisation and working the crowd is one of my specialties.  Asking certain audience members about themselves and than turning what they say into comedic gold is what I am known for.  For the last 6 or so shows I have been running on cruise control, feeling that my magic improv powers were weakening over time.  I just did not feel in the moment, which is crucial in improvisation.  Until last night.

It happened at the end of the show when these five 16-18 year old girls got up to leave during my closing number.  I was shocked and had decided it was time to take a chance and be willing to fall flat on my face.  Before they could reach the door I shouted out to the soundman, “Stop the song!” And bum rushed the door.  “You girls just sit down until I am finished with my show do you understand me.”  I was acting like a substitute teacher trying to gain control of a disagreeable class. You could feel the nervous tension build up in the audience as they wondered what in gods name is she doing.  “No one walks out on Lettuce.  So sit down and I will finish my final number in front of the door to ensure no one leaves.” It worked.   The audience began to laugh uproariously bringing myself and them into the moment revitalizing all of us.  The girls just laughed politely as I directed most of the song at them.  Perhaps they were afraid what I would do next?

I had to ask myself afterwards when was the last time a performer has held the audience hostage?  I am surprised no one called the National Guard to come in, guns balzing, to save the crowd. I am forever grateful that did not happen because by the the end of my song the audience and I both knew we had shared a unique and special theatrical moment.

Stay fresh,

x

Hello gentle Americans.  A little bird told me the other day that the reason Jackie Beat left PTOWN to head back to LA was because of the unprofessional environment that permeates the management at the Post Office Cabaret.  And another little birdie that used to work at the Post Office (who is now hugely successful at another space in town) told me the management at the Post Office is problematic to say the least.  Something must have gone terribly wrong with both parties for this to happen.

Who did they replace Jackie with you may be asking yourself?  A puppet.  Those of you who are a certain age may remember the Puppet called Madame?  In the 70’s her career was launched here in PTOWN and she went on to great success in television and live performances all lover the country.  The man who created Madame died many years ago but someone is still holding the torch and is trying to revive Madame’s career and they brought her back to her birth place.  My feeling is If Rupaul’s career could be resuscitated so can Madame’s. So my darling Jackie (who by the way still has not accepted my friend request on Facebook) you are too big a star to be replaced by a human being and only a non-human filled with sawdust could fill your flat shoes.

How am I doing?  Doing very well indeed.  The show is doing better than last year and I have two days off in a row.  I plan on taking the bike trails to the beach and than take a swim in the ocean.  Delicious!

Stay fresh,

x