Ohio Light Opera

OLO is one of the only companies in the US that focuses entirely on light opera and operetta.  I started there in the summer of 2006, singing almost entirely in the chorus, and moved into more interesting and prominent roles over the next couple years, arriving at  the "golden summer of Anthony" in 2008, in which I played fun, exciting roles in every show I was in.  Here is a brief photo tour of the roles from that summer.  (There will be a pay-off for looking at all these, I promise.)

First, Andrew Carnes in Oklahoma (Guest-starring in the photo is Amanda O., who played my daughter, Ado Annie.)

Carnes is an old curmudgeon who carries a fire arm at all times and has a crackly voice like an old-timey prospector.  When Desiree saw the show, she swore my dad had walked onto stage the first time I entered.  Note the brilliant age make-up, provided by yours truly.

Next, Bennie Kidd in The Desert Song.(Guest star: Karla H. as Clementina)

Bennie is a New York reporter caught up in a world of espionage and intrigue in Morocco.  He and his girl friend, Susan are the comic relief of the show.  Perfect.  Bennie even gets to dress up like a girl, because humiliation is always funny.  So, try not to pee yourself when you see this photo of me in harem pants and a skimpy top.

Next, The Grand Duke from The Czarevitch.  That's me at the far right.  (Guest stars: Robin and Todd as the Soprano and Tenor who couldn't stop singing)

We couldn't tell if this show lost something in the translation from German to English or if it was always really bad.  But my role was kind of fun to play because I was a serious, villainy sort of guy.  Again, kickin' age make-up by yours truly.

Next, Mr. Gravvins from The Cabaret Girl. (Guest star: Sahara as Little Ada)

Doing this show was probably one of the funnest things I have ever done in my life.  Gravvins is a British music store owner who constantly gets himself in trouble by being a big idiot and raving like a lunatic.  Here he is posing as the vicar:

He actually just looks like a beatnick.  And here he is in the world's most ridiculous cabaret costume:

There's a CD recording of the show you can purchase.  It's awesome.  Tell me you bought it and thought I rocked, even if you never do.

Last of the 2008 photos is Herisson de Porc-Epic.  He is the obnoxious ambassador from France who looks like a mime and wears Puma-brand tennis shoes.  This show was also outrageously fun to do.

So, point is: every character in 2008 was wildly different.  An Oklahoman farmer, a New York reporter, a Russian duke, a British musician, and a French ambassador.

Now on to 2009:

A sailor in HMS Pinafore

Dick Dauntless the sailor in Ruddigore

Enrico the sailor in A Night in Venice (Guest star: Tania as Barbara)

A chorus dude with a sailor hat in La Belle Helene (Guest star: Cecily.  We were wicked fierce!)

and a gangster?  Wait a minute!  He's not a sailor!  

But wait... he gets appointed to be the secretary of the navy in the second act of Of Thee I Sing.  Oh, that's better!  He's a sailor after all!

Everyday when I'd show up at the theater in 2009, it was just a question of which sailor outfit I put on.  I kept wondering if it was some cosmic sign I should join the navy.

Settling in to Salt Lake City

We have now been here a month - we arrived on Tuesday, August 11th to a warm welcome at my younger sister's home where we stayed for a week.  Since that time we have been staying with my oldest sister while we have been figuring everything else out.  Things are finally falling into place.

I am working part time in the box office at Rodgers Memorial Theatre in Centerville.  It is an overall enjoyable job where I get to help people support performing arts by selling them tickets. Our Friend, Cecily helped get me connected with the opportunity and it is working out very well.

Anthony is on the substitute teacher list at 5 school districts - although it seems that everyone that is unemployed in Salt Lake has done the same kind of thing.  Not much has come of it yet, but it is also still in the first couple weeks of school  We are still hopeful that jobs will come from the schools.

On the music front, Anthony has also been busy trying to coordinate and work out some details for an opera recital series that will take place throughout the next year.  It has been tough trying to get it to come together, but I know it is something he is excited about, so I would be surprised if it didn't happen.  Anthony will also be directing the Gilbert and Sullivan Operetta HMS Pinafore for Rodgers Memorial Theatre in the early spring.  He is also teaching voice lessons - he has about half a dozen students with a few more wanting to start in a couple of months.

I am not sure if many of you know this about Anthony, but while in Binghamton he had a little more time than he counted on and has written a few children's books and has started a novel.  I am not going to get into any details, but he is busy continuing to write as well as digitally re-creating the artwork for his children's books.  Things are going great - and one of the books will probably be ready to send to a publisher within the month.  We just need to figure out the best way to do it - and have a real chance at being successful.

The other exciting thing is that we are starting a job as apartment managers.  It is really funny because we knew that some of the properties with open positions were downtown - and it ends up that we will be managing some apartments that we lived in for three years - several years ago.  We loved those apartments - and we are so excited that we get to live there again - and that our compensation is free rent!  It means we have a place to live and bring our baby home.

I have felt for months that the Lord would take care of us and that everything would work out and be okay.  Not everything is ideal, but we are going to be able to make ends meet, and Anthony is still going to be able to have artistic pursuits and fulfillment, and I think we will be able to make it so that one of us can be home with the baby (when she comes) almost all of the time.  We have been so blessed - and a lot of it is that we have generous family and friends that have been keeping us in their prayers and helping us with our networking.  Words cannot adequately express the gratitude I feel for the blessing that everyone around us has been.

A very special thank you to Valerie and Adam and Aunika and Bill who have so unselfishly opened their homes (and fridges) to us since we arrived.  Also, a thank you to my parents, Ray, and Mark and Maren for keeping all of our stuff while we have sorted everything out. We love you guys.