We Are Closed for Renovations....

HA! That could have more than one meaning, couldn't it? And it does. The "Closed for Renovations" title is a very appropriate one, because not only have I been away from this blog for months now, but also because I am almost done with my 2nd renovation project. In October/November it was the kitchen (see pics in previous posts from November) and now in February/March it's THE BATHROOM.

Unfortunately, I realize that I don't have any pictures of my original bathroom. But suffice to say that it was hideous. A salmon and black late 1950s style tile with an ugly sink attached to the wall with all the pipes showing underneath.

The new and improved bathroom has changed color. That's right, it is now White. And I did not have to re-tile. How did I do it? Easy..."Permaglaze". I know, it sounds nasty, like something off of an industrial donut. But really it's just a glossy sort of paint that gets sprayed onto the old tile to create a brand new look, feel and color. So I went with the white and I am pretty happy with the results. It also cost just a fraction of what re-tiling or bath-fitting or any other bathroom improvement procedure might have cost. It was a good call and now I feel like I have a new bathroom!

I also ripped out the old sink and have a new vanity and sink that goes much better with the bathroom and adds more storage space. I still need to paint and also need to think about changing the medicine cabinet and light fixtures and maybe add a switch/plug near the door.

That's about it for now...I will most definitely post pics of the newly renovated bathroom once I get it all done. I am shooting for April to have it all ready...so I will definitely keep the updates coming.

In terms of the rest of my life, well, some things have changed a lot and others are still pretty much the same.

On the theatre front, I am working on choreography for AIDA at American Music Stage. Part of me is very excited to be working again with my favorite director, Hans Bachmann (who directed SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS and THE PAJAMA GAME that I choreographed in 2004 and 2005 respectively) and the cast is very hard-working and dedicated. But another part of me is exhausted with the difficulty we have with keeping males in the chorus. There simply are not enough men in musical theatre in DC (at least not at this level) so it's virtually impossible to find a decent male chorus. The women are wonderful and will be great in the show, and the 4 guys I do have are working really hard...but we really need at least 1 or 2 more guys to complete the ensemble. It's a problem with almost every show I do now, so I've gotten used to it, but it does affect my choreography, especially for this show, which has at least 3 dance numbers for men.

I am excited about my next project, BEEHIVE at Lazy Susan Dinner Theatre, again directed by Hans. I am particularly excited about this one, because it was my recommendation and Hans went with the idea and Lazy Susan agreed! So I feel sort of responsible for the success of it as well. Hans has decided to make me Assistant Director as well as Choreographer, so I will had double duty. The other plus is that BEEHIVE is a musical review with ALL WOMEN. That's right...NO MEN. Which means no desperate scramble to find guys to be in the show. We are guaranteed to have a fantastic turn-out and a wonderful cast! Rehearsals for that don't start until May, but I can't wait!

In terms of my personal life, a lot has changed. Robert and I are still together (going on 9 months now..wow, that's some sort of record) and we went nuts and bought 2 Jack Russell Terriers back in November. They are both Girls and they are sisters. Their names are Sukie and Sally. Sukie is the runt and Sally is her older sister. They are the cutest things ever and they really brighten up our day. Whenever Robert and I feel down, we just take a look at these gorgeous girls and they make us smile. It was a crazy idea to get them, and its been difficult at times, but it was also a wonderful idea and they have changed our lives...

I hope to post pics of them when I get a chance...there's a reason to stay posted!