I was at rehearsal yesterday plunging through a comedic classical mononlogue struggling with timing and placement. One of the challenges, I faced was reconciling the language with modern physicality. I have always considered myself fairly humourous but using verse as a communicator I found a little daunting. The benefit is learning how and I appreciate the challenge ahead of me. I have frequently heard that comedy is more difficult that drama and in this particular instance I am finding it to be true. Each time I have to rehearse in front of my castmates, I can literally feel my skin burning and I am so aware of my surroundings. I believe it can be a challenge to remain in the moment with the audience, it can be even a greater challenge to remain in the moment with your castmates. I am not advocating any solutions but just the continual process of refining performance and confidence in this game. After doing so many shows and performing in all kinds of arena, it is amazing that you can still feel like you are a newbie. I guess it some ways that can be sort of comforting.

As a working actor in New York City, you are bound to experience ups and downs. The relentless pursuit of your passion can drain you emotionally, physically and of course financially. It is so important to have outlets to express all that frustration and just “enjoy yourself” One of the biggest benefits of living in this over-priced meteropolis is the free concerts/performances in the summer. Yesterday, I was pretty down because I didnt get the call back, I so desperatley wanted. In those times you have to just experience that loss, and like any disappointment it hurts. Fortuantely, I was planning to go with my sis to the George Clinton/Parliament Funkadelick concert featuring the Ohio Players. I had never seen either live and barely knew the music of the Ohio Players but being legends, how could I not attend. So, like any seasoned nyc concert goer, I got in line a couple of hours before the performance with my sister and waited. The Ohio Players were first and I realized because of my love of the oldies, I knew more of thier songs than I realized. The orginal members showed some wear and tear on thier bodies but thier musical talent was tight. It was wonderful to see artists who actually knew how to play and improvise without the help of sampling, They gently led me into the land of the funk. After thier set, I was pleasantly energized waiting for the official funk masters. In between there was a lovely but a little too short tribute to Lena Horne on the screen, surprise of the day…Lena Horne is from Brooklyn and was born in Bed-Stuy..WHO KNEW??? Makes me love her,even more. Finally, the funk masters took to the stage.. albeit a different line up and the diaper man with us no
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George Clinton shows all his life lessons etched on his face and in his body, his voice is no more, there was not even a hint of melody when he screamed and his platforms have been replaced with sneakers, cargo pants and a brotha do rag. The lead singer had one cataract, the back up singers featured a an attractive white woman without a hint of soul during her solo, with all this said..I was on my feet from the first note to the the last. One of my friends let me know this was not the best of the Pfunk, well thier mediocrity is still kick ass. The band was just ridiculous, the muscianship was fantastic, there was a sexy, fine ass brotha walking along the stage, entertaining us with a most flexible pelvic stunts and 20 min remixes of every song kept me rapt. I came away understanding why so many wanted to be part of G. Clinton’s world. His love of music, fun and expression was completely infectious. I know this has been a difficult year for him with losing a band member, son and his mother in the span of 9 months. In spite of the pain, he gave us some joy and this new york actress a little more fuel to keep up the fight.