20 Years in NYC & How I Spent My Summer
Today is a sentimental one for me: my 20th New Yorkiversary. Two decades ago today, I relinquished the keys to my Somerville apartment…only to find that a blackout in New York City meant that I had to sleep in the Boston bus station (I could not afford a hotel) until the buses would start running again. Once they did, we got as far as Providence but were then delayed again. Mind you, this was before smartphones, and I only had a Frankenstein’s Monster of a laptop which rarely functioned properly. So, my books, my journal, and I waited…and waited. The next day, the Peter Pan bus finally dumped my suitcase into a Manhattan puddle. Hours after that, I finally arrived at my first rodent-infested East Village sixth floor walkup, an illegal situation where the super (who slept in a hammock, was constantly stoned and [justifiably] screaming at George W. Bush on the TV) had convinced the landlord I was his girlfriend (I was not) to eke out ¾ of his total monthly rent from this unsuspecting newbie. But it was right around the corner from school, and I had rooftop access!
A classic total cliche of a story. So much has happened since then, and it’s obviously a very different world now. (What grad student can live in the East Village?!) And surprisingly, most of my career would come to fruition outside my home base here. Teenage Rachel in St. Louis with amorphous Broadway aspirations could not have predicted that part. I don’t mean to sugarcoat it: there’s been no shortage of burnout, dreams long deferred, depression, heartbreak—all of which happen on a rolling basis—and student loans I’ll still be paying off after I’m dead. Miraculously, I’m still doing what I love, but there are so many different ways to have a career. Some unsolicited advice: do it however you need to do it.
What’s going on this non-blacked-out summer twenty years later? As previously indicated, I had a magical week in Oslo at Voksenåsen Summer Academy workshopping new material from Three Amputators with longtime collaborators Royce Vavrek and Chris Mirto. I admit that I was pretty anxious to see how anyone would take to my work in Norway. The experience, haphazard as it always is (Crazy schedule! Cast illness!) was lovelier and more satisfying than I ever could have imagined. The dedication, preparation, and fearlessness (not to mention impeccable English diction and comic timing) of our singers was something to behold. And I found the exact kindred spirit I needed in our repetiteur, Laurits Dragsted, who understood the music inside and out before we even had a conversation. (Our shared love of Kurt Weill certainly helped.) Also: a concert of my own operas in a castle in Norway on my birthday with everyone surprising me during the bows by singing the far superior Norwegian version of “Happy Birthday to You” complete with choreogaphy?! Yes, please! I am grateful to Peter Herresthal, Randi Stene, and all forces behind this wonderful program for taking a chance on me. There was so much goodwill and support in such a stunningly beautiful place (I am semi-seriously considering moving there permanently, and Mister Husband says he’s not opposed to the idea), and I cannot wait to reunite in the winter with orchestrations in hand!
After Oslo, I was back in the saddle with Opera Steamboat, as you can see from the photo of our equine collaborator below. (Yes, the show features a live horse who will show up at least twice.) It is always a treat to revisit Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School & Camp. The inimitable Ben Robinson, now at the helm of the company, is thinking expansively with us and wrangling an excellent team to rally around the further evolution of Welcome to the Madness. We had a reading of three new scenes, met some wonderful singers, and schemed with our stage director and choreographer about next steps in bringing this to life. Leanna Kirchoff and I believe we are collectively on our way to something very special to unleash on Colorado next year. We are dreaming up some teaser events, too, so keep your eyes open for further announcements. Below are miscellaneous pictures that can't possibly capture the fullness of these experiences, but the very best ones are taken by Helgi Reynisson and/or Royce.
Back at the ranch known as my Brooklyn apartment, I’m currently gearing up for fall readings of Good Shabbos and Manor of Speaking. I’m also happy to report that Sketchbook for Ollie is returning to Lyric Opera of Kansas City in the winter. Tour dates are January 29th-February 14th; if you are an educator in the Kansas City (MO) area, see details here to bring Ollie and his family to your elementary school or community organization! Beyond that, there’s more in the works that I’ll make a lot of noise about as soon as I possibly can.
More anon,
RP
P.S. I did actually go on a vacation in June, but I kind of feel like I did that in the wrong order.
