the Butchers are coming

after some unfortunate delays, mainly the fault of my lethargic writing and revision pace, it looks like my play -- THE BUTCHERHOUSE CHRONICLES -- is finally going to see the light of day.

sure, THE PUBLIC rejected it, but it probably wasn't the fit for them. their audiences skew older, and i don't think this play necessarily serves the senior citizen crowd.

i'm setting up a reading of it in late january/early february. i actually almost reserved some dates at THE RED ROOM (on e. 4th, above KGB Bar), but there was a scheduling conflict w/ one of my actors and that space is otherwise booked solid through february. so i am following some leads on some other spaces for alternate dates.

the cast is *nearly* set, with 1 or 2 exceptions. the people i've showed it to seem really excited about the material, which is so encouraging. it makes such a difference when people are EXCITED to be involved with something -- as opposed to just doing you a favor. it's many actors i've never worked with before -- in fact, just about all of them, with the exception of Jennifer Ahn. and i don't think i've ever directed her.

i really want this to be something special. it's just a reading and we'll probably try to do a full production sometime later in the year, but i want people to walk away from this buzzing. i want people who've seen the reading to WANT to see the full production. i want people involved to feel proud about the work when the show's over.

i love setting myself up for failure.

i will send the word out. i will raise flags, shoot flares. come to this reading, i will try very hard to make it worth your while...