Seeing plays, auditioning, thriving on pressure.

Last night we went to opening night of The Exonerated at Theatreworks. The Exonerated is an indictment of the death penalty though the examination of six cases which were subsequently overturned based on other confessions, additional evidence, and so on. I don't require reinforcement in my aversion to the death penalty, but it's pretty good theatre, and since we knew five of the cast members and the director we figured it would be a worthwhile evening for socializing and networking.

At the reception after the performance, we ran into the director of the upcoming production of Jerry Springer: The Opera (I'll be auditioning in a week and change), who asked my wife to be sure and audition for him (she wasn't planning on it) and didn't recognize me at all, so I'm sure I probably creeped him out. That probably helps my chances immensely--of course, having no formal vocal, theatre, or dance training isn't much help, either, especially with professorial types, who make their living teaching people how to do stuff that I do for funsies.

Oh, and in the "ever stiffening competition" department, auditions for Jerry Springer take place both in Memphis and New York, with some Equity Guest Contracts available. No pressure there, naturally.

Also, I'll have to tap dance.

Whew.

Amy didn't want to go see Children of Men (or any substitute movie) so I went out and caught it myself. Wow. It's not a perfect movie, but it is one powerful work of cinema.

You can very much see where Cuaron draws influence from Spielberg: the film looks like a cross between Minority Report and Saving Private Ryan. You can also see where working on projects like Harry Potter has boosted his confidence with technology.

Saying more could easily spoil the film, and plot synopses are certainly available all over the web, but I will mark it as a film worth seeing.