In addition to performing in Working, I am also doing a little working of my own. I am currently holding 3 jobs, to allow me the financial “freedom” to do Theatre. And though I often kvetch about being exhausted, I am blessed to be able to piece my life together in such a way that I am able to be part of the creative process of Theatre. Doing this show, I started out to help bring a story to audiences, but as time has gone on, I realize that this show turns around and shows me a thing or two about life, choices, and strength of the human spirit.

It is sort of ironic that this show involves a group of actors talking about people and their work, yet there is no one on stage talking about the work involved in acting. Although performing is without a doubt a labor of love, it is definitely labor. The biggest contrast to almost any other job is that when you finish your work, there is applause (hopefully), and you get an instant pat on the back. How wonderful would life be if we all got applause when completing a difficult task. That would most definitely keep one’s smile from fading.

On my hours away from the Theatre, I have two jobs waiting tables, and I also host Karaoke. In the evenings, I work at a restaurant in Hillcrest called Café W. It is the brainchild of an incredibly talented local Chef, Chris Walsh. If you haven’t eaten there, you owe it to yourself to be swept away by it’s charm and incredible menu. Chris and his partner, Sam Cuevas have created a gem of a restaurant. My other wait job is very corporate, and that’s all I wish to say about that.

Every other Sunday night I host karaoke at a bar called “Numbers.” I alternate weeks with another host, so if, when you show up, the host is a black drag queen, don’t worry that’s not me, I’m on the other weeks! I find that since I love karaoke, it is better to make some money hosting rather than spend it as a customer.

In Working, I play a few roles. I play a trucker towards the end of a 48-hour run, I also play a man on the verge of road rage. There are also some group numbers that I am involved in, but the character I play that is closest to my heart is Tom Patrick, a fireman. His words are so poignant, post 9/11, but he is far from a hero, he is the average Joe, who has decided on a noble profession. He’s not a role model, just someone who loves his job and does it well. Come to think of it those aren’t bad role model qualifiers.

I guess the character in the show that taps closest to my life would have to be the waitress, but I really try not to define myself by how I make a living. Of course that attitude would/will change if/when my living was made by my art. I would have to say, though, that tips are pretty darned close to getting applause. When you get a big fat tip, you feel like Sally Field felt when she won her Oscar. Well, maybe not quite, but it sure makes your smile stronger.

Although when I auditioned for Working I much preferred the songs that the women sang, I have grown to love the whole score. The song that really makes me feel is and always has been Millworker. I have been a big fan of this song for many years. It reminds of when I made hand-woven fabric for a living. Here you are creating beautiful fabric that will end up on some over-privileged wealthy person’s sofa, and you have to work as fast as you can, because you get paid by the yard, and you’ll never be able to afford the product you make. It’s a very helpless, sad feeling.

If you could just put out of your mind what happens to the product after you inspect it, you could just focus on the fact that you have a steady income, to live your life, but when you contrast your life, and the life of the consumer, it makes you feel a little empty.

Another song I love is Un Mejor Dia Vendra. Although there is not a Mexican bone in my body (unfortunately), I have always felt for the struggle of the Mexican-American in a very profound way. I was raised in California, and California is originally Mexican soil, and I feel that it still is, in a way. Their heritage and culture is ingrained in the land.

I have had a great time getting to know all of the diverse cast members, and look forward to running across them again on my journey, and getting a chance to work with them again. One of the perks of theatre is that you acquire an extended family along the way, and you catch up at auditions and, if you’re lucky, you get the chance to work together again.

We all work, at something, in one way or another, but you do have a choice in what you do. I think a line from Kander & Ebb’s Chicago sums up my feelings on life. “You can like the life you’re livin’, or you can live the life you like”

Work on!!!!!