California - Candide feb 2004

February 12, 2004 California

I just got into California from Trieste. What a change of weather, pace, EVERYTHING!! From butt-cold and wintry to sunny and springy; from a dark, emotionally draining Ophelia in Hamlet to a real "show" with snappy tunes as Cunegonde in Candide; from an all-French-speaking cast to an all-American cast.... It is night and day. Whereas our cast in Trieste kept pretty much to themselves, besides a few nights when a few of us went out for dinner, I have a feeling this is going to be a close-knit group. About 7 of us went to lunch yesterday, and ended up in a big politic discussion! Very fun - - I didn't think that happened in the U.S. any more. What a treat to actually have a heated discussion without anyone feeling offended afterwards! Maybe this country's not in such bad shape, after all. On to my next rehearsal!