James Bond on Letterman!

James Alexander Bond, my dear friend and director of many Richmond Shakespeare hits, is going to be on David Letterman on Monday night!

He's reading the top ten list, which is James Bond-themed. Apparently, the producers called James Bonds in New York to audition on Friday, and James lives 10 blocks from the studio. Also his middle name starts with "A," so he was the first one in the phone book.

There exists the possibility that the producers will pull him at the table read, but the gig is currently his. Don't miss it!

Workshop canceled

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the workshop for this evening has been canceled. We will try to reschedule it for later in the year. I apologize for any inconvenience.

Cheers,

Andrew

Good night, sweet prince

Hamlet closes this afternoon, and I have mixed feelings.

The company has become very close, like soldiers sharing a foxhole, and it is truly a group of very kind, sweet people. I will miss working with them all very much. Playing opposite Jeff Cole has been a singular joy, and the thought of ending that relationship fills me with sadness. (Here's a little behind-the-scenes tidbit for you: In the blackout after Hamlet's death, Jeff and I either clasp hands, or I kiss him on the head, or we tell each other "I love you" every night. It's the only thing that pulls me out of the moment enough to do a curtain call.)

I will miss little moments onstage like looking for the ghost when Hamlet says "Methinks I see my father," like Marcellus and I being dragged to our knees by the Ghost's voice, like how many times Ophelia has heard her father talk about having played Julius Caesar, and the serene calm before the storm of the Gravedigger scene. My favorite moment in the play is just watching Hamlet with Yorick's skull, soaking in his wonderful complexity and loving him.

I will miss this show.

BUT, I'll be grateful for the small break I have through December. I'm starting a new job the week after next. I'm starting to work on my lines and physical vocabulary for Salieri in Amadeus, the role I feel like I've been waiting my whole life to play. And I have two directing projects (neither of which I can talk about yet) in the works, and I want to get as much preliminary work on them done early so I can focus entirely on Salieri in January.

So good night, Hamlet. Thanks for the memories, and for the growth.

What's next?

Richmond Shakespeare's November Workshop

Dialects
(French and Scots)
with David Sennett
Tuesday, November 11, 7:00-9:30 PM

Offend men. Romance women. Or romance men. Offend women. Nothing says romance more than speaking with a French accent, and nothing puts people off quite like the Scots dialect. Learn both in just one evening! Come prepared to leave with a new relationship or a new bruise.

David Sennett, instructor for this workshop, has offended nearly everyone in nearly every dialect. Ever since high school, he has failed at romance, but he suspects that has more to do with his behavior than his accents.

20 students maximum, high school age and older. Cost: $20. Call 232-4000 to make your reservation today!

All classes and workshops are held at Second Presbyterian Church (5 N. 5th Street). Participants should bring a bottle of water and dress for moderate physical activity.