Decent song. Reminds me of my ill-spent youth…

…but I digress…

So. I’m in Cleveland. Heading towards the tail end of week 3 here. The longest we’ve been in a single spot yet during this tour. And coming to the end of month 3 of a 4 1/2 month stretch with no break. On a contract that started in NYC last August. It’s been an interesting experience. Seen a lot of places. Worked in some incredible theaters. And the cast of this show is a group of wildly talented performers, whether that be actors, singer , dancers, acrobats, or a combination therof. Our original contract extended to Nov. 8 of this year. Long gig. 15 months or so.

But now we have been offered an extension until May of 2027. It would include some places I really love. L.A., Orange County, Portland , Seattle and others. Cool.

A really good role. Money as good as you can expect, doing what I’m doing. Travel, which, historically, I’ve always been good with.

Then why am I hesitating…? Couple things.

First, I had a taste of stable life and a community of friends while I lived in L.A. People with whom I connected. Who “got” me, if you will ( and that’s not a terribly common thing). Not necessarily my age, but at least in the neighborhood. And in my brief and sporadic time in Cincinnati, I just started to develop similar connections. And started to re-establish some connections from way back in the day. Out on the road, I’m fairly solitary. The people I work with are good people. But 90% of them are 1/2 or 1/3 of my age. Their interests aren’t mine. To be clear, I’m good on my own. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who is as good on their own as I am. But I’m feeling the disconnect.

Another thing is a lack of, well, positive reinforcement. In the 8 months I’ve been working for this company, I’ve never heard a positive comment from any member of management. Directors, choreographers, producers, M.D.s, nobody. In an environment where people throw around kudos and congratulations on a daily, I don’t hear it. And honestly, it starts to bug after a while. I don’t need a bunch. But when I don’t hear a thing, I start thinking that I might not be welcome at the party. And if you know me, well, you know me. I don’t go to most of the parties that I AM invited to.

On the other side, I once did a show with a guy named Henry Polic. Henry played the wacky neighbor on a series called “Webster” back in the 80’s. There were a lot of name actors in the cast and they ribbed him about that gig. His response? “You ever been to my place in the Hollywood Hills? My Mercedes? That’s what sticking with a good gig gets you”. This isn’t a “home in the Hollywood Hills” gig, but it’s a good gig nonetheless. The role is good. The travel and hotels are good. It’s about as good as it gets unless you’re actually on Broadway. In Denver, at an opening night party, I had a older gentlemen who acted in local theater say “You know how lucky you are, right?”

I do. I know this is a pretty cool job. And I know that 3 months into 8 shows a week and travel without a break probably isn’t the best time to make decisions about extensions. I’ve got until the end of June to make a choice. And maybe this blog is part of my decision-making process. If so, thanks for being my sounding board.

And I promise . I will get back on the “Practically Well” horse .

Talk Later,

Bob