Just wanted to give you an update about what's been going on in eWorld of late.

Well...

This weekend I am finishing up a run as Ex- President Art Hockstader in Gore Vidal's BEST MAN. This role and show have kicked the hell out of me. I haven't done any long-form acting since 1992's Musical Comedy Murders of 1940. Everything since then has been sketches, music, writing and the like. I wasn't sure I had the chops and (as you'd expect with me) I was riddled with self doubt. So - weeks and weeks of rehearsal, a goofy haircut and a mustache bleaching later I can proudly say - this is the best acting I have ever done. Along the way here I decided that this is my last role (Gag Reflex and short stuff not withstanding). So, I am very proud to close the book on acting with this role.

Thanks to everyone who came out and saw it.

We finally, after a year and a half, opened The Geneva Underground Playhouse. The lease was literally signed 6 hours before lights went up on THE BEST MAN. I can't tell you the relief of finally seeing in seats that we imagined over a year ago. There's still a learning curve, but it's going really well.

In other Schwartz related news -  We are preparing the first Gag Reflex revue since New Year's Eve 2006. We have but a short time to do it in - the show opens June 5 and runs for 2 weekends. So we are pulling out the best sketches for it. So many of the people who have been asking us to perform again haven't seen these... even though we know them like the back of our hands. It should be a great show; PEARLS BEFORE SWINE FLU (or: Have You Vaccine Us Lately?)

The other day I got a chance to collaborate via the internet with my old bandmate Gary Lent. He's living in Hong Kong and recording under the name Disaffected Members of a Warlike Tribe.  He sent me a great song he's written called "Monsters" and nearly completed recording. It sounds great and is really catchy. He asked if I might be able to come up with some lyrics for the third verse. I have sent them off to him. As soon as it's available I'll post a link. It was a thrill getting to work with Gary after 18 years - even if only through Facebook.  I hope to do more.

"An Easy Heaven", my one act, is still in the process of being published by Playscripts. I should see some proofs before to long. They sent me an email to that affect last week. I'm getting really pumped about seeing a professionally bound script with my name on it. Then it will be available to theaters and I will collect royalties.  Can you believe that? Awesomazing!!

Finally I am working on another script to be shot later this summer in Dallas. I am nearing completion on a short for writer/director/producer/actor Jim Blumetti. He and I were at the Texas Black Film Festival in Feb and didn't get a chance to meet. I've been working on a draft of his script "BAIT" for a couple of months now. The first thing I needed to do was write an ending - that was my audition. Then he asked me to go back and do a full draft, including my ending.  The film, an action thriller, is set to shoot in July and August. The plan is to use the short to build interest and backing for an indie feature. That will be the next step in the process - expanding the short script we've written out to feature length.

It's an interesting process and really exciting. Another movie. Hmmm... I like the sound of that. I'm working on another movie.

I could get used to that.

Peace Bro-hams... and Ham-sisters... or... I suppose Ham-sters.
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