Chance = Change

...not a single day...without my thinking "HOW ARE WE EVER GONNA MANAGE TO GET OUT OF HERE???...so much to do...so hard to really actually leave...and today is Wednesday, two performances of A MODERN CHRISTMAS CAROL and I am in my Barter office, getting the last of various scripts straightened away for my departure, so Derek will not arrive and be swamped with old, leftover scripts to read and deal with. Just came from the Staff Secret Santa Luncheon at the wonderful Hardware Restaurant...I had Hazel's reknowned chicken salad, yummy as ever. And lovely gifts were exchanged..both Heather B. and I were neglected , invitation-wise, so when they finally corralled us to join (thank you Joan B.!) both Heather and I rushed to next-door stores and bought each other gifts! She got me gorgeous deep red crystal pin at the Plum Alley Bead Shop and I got her some pretty shiny silver snowman jewelry to wear on her ears and coat. So we did good. And the company was great and Rick was charming (and even admitted in public that he will miss me, that dear friend), so I feel sufficiently pampered to face the future! MEANWHILE: HONK pal (and writer)Anthony Drewe managed to snag me 4 house-seats for MARY POPPINS in London (just opened, big hit,la la) and all that remains is for me to call the man (Kevin Dwyer) to whom I must give my credit card number to secure the seats. This is a swell way to begin our journey to London, with good house seats for the latest great show. And,of course,I am so grateful to Anthony for the favor. The only other thing I know we want to see is HIS DARK MATERIALS, at the National Theatre, based on the children's book trilogy by Philip Pullman. According to Julia Judge (Andre Bishop's second at Liincoln Center), those tix should not be too hard to buy the day of...so...that is what we shall do. Wow. It is all coming together. And before we know it, it will be time to drive away from here, and we shall be headed home. Wow. I mean, really...wow. There is so much here I will sorely miss, so many people and processes and problems to solve and caring. My sincere intention ,dare I say "need" at this point?) is to stay well in touch with all that is going on here, and several people have promised to keep me well informed on all fronts. I want this , not because I am "nosy", but because I genuinely care, and want to be able to help in any way I can, whenever I can, and knowing more about what is going on in a true and basic way, will perhaps help me to be more helpful from afar. If even just as a sounding board for whoever may need one. And it will be a telling season: an astonishing selection of shows is planned and, with courage and good press, and steadfast management and superbly produced shows, it could be a stellar year for this wonderful theater. The Barter Theatre deserves all the good glory and attention it can possibly be given, as it serves an important part of this country of ours, and gives good live art to many thousands of people yearly. It is a treasure, is the Barter Theatre, and people around this region know that, and have known it for over 70 years!! Here's to a strong 2005!