To battle the ogre windmills...

Last Saturday I went to see a wonderful production of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" in the Woodlands.  This show is (in my mind) a masterpiece that combines very witty, quick dialog that would make today's viewers think of Aaron Sorkin along with Bob Fosse's choreography (none better).  This amateur production would have made Robert Morse proud.

Last night I had the pleasure to attend the Theater Under the Stars (www.tuts.com) and a production of "Man of La Mancha".  First off, the the venue is magnificent.  'Nuff said... and after some initial sound issues (the background/supporting stomps, claps, noises tended to drown out the dialog) I settled into a wonderful performance of a wonderful musical.

One of the best things about the Theatre (to me) is the magical way a good production can make you forget what is rumbling around in your mind (and I had a LOT of things rumbling around there last night) and transport you into a story.  Now, 'Man of La Mancha' is a special one to me just because I have had a special affinity with Senor Don Quixote and that special kind of "madness".  But more to the point, it is wonderful to have the number of venues and the breadth of productions available to this version of Cervantes' hero.

Get out there and enjoy.  Tilt at a few windmills.  Dream a dream.  Go lose yourself in a story... you just might find yourself in a whole new light.  Experience the power of the story teller, we all could use a little madness in our dreams.

To dream ... the impossible dream ...
To fight ... the unbeatable foe ...
To bear ... with unbearable sorrow ...
To run ... where the brave dare not go ...
To right ... the unrightable wrong ...
To love ... pure and chaste from afar ...
To try ... when your arms are too weary ...
To reach ... the unreachable star ... 

This is my quest, to follow that star ... 
No matter how hopeless, no matter how far ... 
To fight for the right, without question or pause ... 
To be willing to march into Hell, for a Heavenly cause ... 

And I know if I'll only be true, to this glorious quest, 
That my heart will lie will lie peaceful and calm, 
when I'm laid to my rest ... 
And the world will be better for this: 
That one man, scorned and covered with scars, 
Still strove, with his last ounce of courage, 
To reach ... the unreachable star ...

Black tie and tails...

I am excited!  I am going to see Man of LaMancha.  I do love that show.  There is a series called Theatre Under the Stars (www.tuts.com) and it is a wonderful season.  I am going to see "How 2 Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" at The Woodlands this weekend (www.classactproductions.org/).  The Houston Ballet is performing "La Bayadere (The temple dancer)".  The Houston Symphony is wonderfully attended (I will be there), there is Shakespeare in the park (I will be there), numerous smaller, independent theaters.  Movie houses that show independent films.  The list goes on and on...

This is one of the greatest benefits of living in a large city.  Alongside the culinary choices are the wonderful breadth of artistic endeavors.  Just like you could find any restaurant to fit your particular mood at any given moment, you can find culture to fit your mood and tastes.

I am just having a ball...