The shows are almost over, strike will begin soon, and in a way, it all seems like a dream, so far away, but at the same time, so real. This is an especially hard goodbye for me. This is my goodbye to Shady Shakes all together, well, at least for a couple years. I have for 7 seasons, given sweat and blood (a little more blood than I would have liked) and it is time for me to take my final bow. There are many reasons, and it was an extremely difficult decision. Mainly, I will be turning 40 in little over two years, and by that fateful 2009, November day, I have promised myself that I will have run an Ironman triathlon. Training for this will be intense, and I do not want to divide my attention between theatre and workouts needed to fulfill this dream.
Over the years, I have been very fortunate to play some of my favorite characters, sometimes, not knowing how great they were until getting cast. I remember so fondly, Valentine, my first part with Shady. I had such a good time that year, helping with building the sets and playing a lover (which I rarely get to do). Don John is always one of the best parts to play, and was thankful to Dinna, giving me the chance to give him the edge that I thought he needed. And then there is my favorite, "Bottom", thanks Doll, for taking a chance on me, that cast was magic. The pre-show was so much fun, and making Bryan, Drew, Sharon and Lucinda laugh at the end was so special, it is a moment in time that I relish and look back on often. I pushed so hard to get Laertes, and it was one of the biggest challenges for me. I finally clicked with the character, closing night (LOL), well at least it happened. Dr. Caius was a part I wasn't sure I wanted, since I am really bad at languages and accents, but oh how that part grew on me. Tapping into a "mad french doctor" part of my soul. I will forever remember calling Steve a souffle during one of the shows, as the "secret" french word. I am also honored to have been able to work with Ron on the Romeo and Juliet / Taming of the Shrew sets. Wow, he is so talented and creative, it just leaves me standing in awe. I am proud to have been part of that process last year and this year.
That brings us briefly to present. At the start of the process for this year, I felt very out of place, like I no longer belonged, I wasn't sure if I could make it through the year feeling that way. I wasn't needed with the sets, I am not the strongest actor in the bay area, and I didn't seem to be needed in other areas, where do I fit. The beginning of rehearsals, I let this show, and there was a point where I had to acknowledge that if I kept up that attitude, I wouldn't have any fun this year. So a made a deliberate decision to just enjoy myself. And it made all the difference. That's not to say, that there hasn't been rough spots, but over all, it turned into a very good year. Macbeth is my favorite Show, one day I would like to see my vision performed, but until that time, I am proud to have been a part of this great cast and these wonderful people that worked so hard to bring it to life.

Goodbye, may not be the right word to use. I mean, I will still be in the area, I will still see everyone (hopefully at auditions for Arsenic and Old Lace, the last theatre I will be doing for two years) so maybe, instead of good bye, maybe I should conclude with what I have been saying all summer, which is "Have fun with that" and I mean that sincerely.