Arctic Plunge!  Polar Vortex!  Hello, 2014!  This record-breaking, history-making subzero deep freeze may have brought a halt to many businesses; but at Paramount Theatre, the set for 42ND ST. is being loaded in by a dedicated crew, and rehearsals are moving full steam ahead by an indomitable cast.  With a production schedule that is always tight, I’m overcome with admiration and pride in how we haven’t missed a beat or lost a day of work  due to the determination and team work of everyone who has stayed on the job.  This has got to be one of the biggest shows we’ve ever done, and a delay would have cost us valuable time in the quality and timing of installing and rehearsing.  The teams working together in every phase of production simply kept their eye on the prize as if to come to a halt was never an option.  What makes me happy to be a part of this organization is how the communication and decision-making is kept in gear long after business hours and into the weekend nights, whatever it takes to get the job done.  A stunning achievement in how progress continues today with the company preparing for its first Designer Run-Through this afternoon.  I cannot wait!  Dropping by rehearsal yesterday, the feeling was “no worries, we got this.”  I couldn’t keep a smile off my face as the magic of these songs and these dances and performances got to me and melted my worries away!  Thank you!

I’ve got keep it short & sweet today as I’ve got an audition coming up this morning for RENT.  Very excited for this!  Keep a good thought!

You’ve got two tremendously diverse works of musical theatre and Broadway greatness in 42ND ST. and RENT, Dear Reader.  A story of persevering the hard times of the 1930’s and the other of the late 80’s.  From the Golden Age Broadway melodies of 42ND St. to the Pulitzer Prize winning story and songs of RENT, both tell a tale of how young people deal with the challenges of their era.  I am so excited for you to experience the second half of our third season!

Find joy in what you are doing and in each other…it’s the only way to find warmth these days!

See ya later!

Jim