Monday, March 31, 2008

SPEAK NOW OR MISS MARCH CANDLE MADNESS!


I have received another order for March in this late (last day of the month) game, so I say this once more - Last Chance! E-mail your order for the March Candle, Emergence, by Midnight tonight.
Buddha and I have been working hard all day trying to prepare these orders. As you can see, he is exhausted.

Here is the latest batch, ready to ship out.

Ok, because of this influx of last minute March orders, I will probably not be posting the April Candle design till tomorrow. Unless I get crazy efficient and over achieve. Which is not out of the question.
Remember to visit Candles By Stephen for pricing info, and you can e-mail orders to candlesbystephen@yahoo.com
Buddha and I will ship your orders out to you as soon as your candles are completed.

Opening Night Photos (Belated)

I forgot to post these, but BroadwayWorld.com was at our opening night and took these pictures of the bows and after party. I thought that I would let you see them.
PHOTOS BY WALTER McBride/RETNA

(Stephen Gregory Smith, Danny Binstock, Kurt Boehm, LC Harden Jr, Matt Conner)

(James Gardiner, Stephen Gregory Smith, Danny Binstock, Kurt Boehm, LC Harden Jr, Matt Conner)

(Stephen Gregory Smith, Danny Binstock, Kurt Boehm, LC Harden Jr, Matt Conner)

(LC Harden Jr, Steven Cupo, Stephen Gregory Smith, Matt Conner)

(Channez McQuay, Kurt Boehm, LC Harden Jr, Steven Cupo, Stephen Gregory Smith, Matt Conner)

Sources: www.broadwayworld.com
www.retna.com

Monday, Monday


Well, here it is Monday, and I am running around like crazy trying to get a thousand things done. Laundry, candle making, getting groceries for the week, etc.
I have almost finished my first batch of the day, only 3 or 4 more. wow.
I spent extra time in the shower trying to scrub the dirt from the show that I had missed in the shower last night. I was a tad bit disturbed to find that it would not come off. It is like it is tatooed into my skin now. Yikes.
I guess it will just work it's way out eventually.
I took this photo of one of the "Dirt Rooms". It looks like a murder scene, doesn't it?


I gave Boo his monday bath, so of course, he is mad at me right now. I try to spend as much time as I can with him when not at TICKETplace or the show, and today is one of our days of quality time together. We would have gone to the park, but it is raining, and he abhors the rain so that was a wash.
When I went to the show the other night, he seemed so sad, so I built him a pillow fort on the couch and put his toys in it with him, and also a cookie. He loved it, and was there in the same place when I came home from the show.


So...what else?

CANDLES BY STEPHEN news...
The April Candles will be up and posted later on tonight, or tomorrow morning. This is also the last day that you can order the March Candles, so if you want one, better put the order in in the next few hours! You will see the April design later on tonight or tomorrow, but I can tell you that it is light in color, using faint traces of purple to white to yellow. It is fragranced with Hyancinth, Gardenia, Apple Blossom and Orange Blossom. It is a fresh burst of Spring fragrance and color, and will light up the darkest corners of your home with the vibrant first colors that Spring yields to us. More to follow. And thank you to all of my candle subscribers and customers. Your orders help me to afford to do what it is that I dream of doing. Please pass on my website to your friends who love candles and want to help support local artists. And God knows with the economy being what it is and prices of almost everything up, I need all the help I can get.

So, that's it for me for now. I have to run and pour another level in the current batch of Candles I am working on. Take care, and watch for the April candles later on.
Luv,
Steve

Sunday, March 23, 2008

I'm Walking into Spiderwebs...Leave a Message and I'll call you back..


(Photo from Kiss of the Spiderwoman, from left to right, Matt Conner, Kurt Boehm, LC Harden Jr., Natascia Diaz, me, Danny Binstock, and James Gardiner. Photo by Scott Suchman)
Sorry I have not written much lately. Between TICKETplace during the day and then KISS at night, I don't think I have ever been this tired. Two show days are even more grueling. The amount of energy that it takes to keep up the claustrophobic tension and horror, and then to dance these amazing numbers is...welll...it is a LOT of Red Bull, ok?
The show is going well, and I LOVE everyone in it. From the NYC contingent to the DC contingent, EVERYONE is giving it their 210%, and I will say that this is one of the best ensembles of guys that I have ever had the pleasure of dancing with.
What else? Ummm..

Oh yeah, Happy Easter to all. I hope everyone is having a lovely day. My Mom called and asked what I was doing for Easter. I said getting tortured and killed. Twice.
Anyways, I have to run back to the theatre for the second show now. Have a god rest of your day, and I will have the day off tomorrow, so I will hopefully be able to post more stuff on here tomorrow.
I really want to go take a walk in my neighborhood and take pictures of all the gorgeous tress in bloom and flowers that are blossoming, but that largely depends on tomorrow's weather, so...that's a wait and see.
Ok, talk more tomorrow.
Steve

Friday, March 14, 2008

Kiss


Kiss is about to have its opening weekend. The show is fantastic.
We performed for John Kander tonight. He was the first one to jump to his feet at curtain call.
It was kind of surreal.
Don't miss this show.
Luv,
SGS

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Thank You


This came in from my Mom and Dad and I thought that I would pass it along to all of you who read this blog and have extended your prayers and positive thoughts to Rusty and my family.

"To all of our family & friends,Roger and I want the thank you for all of your prayers and concerns for Rusty these past months. Today, seven months to the date that we found out about his tumor, he lost his valiant fight. As sad as we are we know he is once again running in the green fields. He's chasing balls & bunnies & rolling in the grass. He is free from pain and hunger.He has been such a blessing in our life & he touched so many lives. He had the sweetest, gentlest soul and we will never forget him. Our pain will be measured against ALL of the love we received from him these past 11 years.
We told him just before he slipped away the same thing we told him every night for years,"We Love You Rusty,You're The Bestest Puppy In The Whole Wild World" and he was.
Please remember him in your prayers tonight.
Thank you,Love, Cyndy and Roger"


I again thank all of you for your warm wishes and prayers.
Love,
Steve

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Rusty


Rusty passed today at 3pm. He had gotten so bad that it was just time. He went peacefully to sleep on the vet table with my Mom and Dad by his side.
We are all devastated. This has been a long process for all of us, and I had once thought that when he finally passed that there would be some kind of relief, but I don't feel that right now. I don't think my parents do either. I know that grief and mourning all takes time and goes in stages, but it is hard to even think of when I will feel better about this.


I know that every pet is a member of the family, but we (the Smith's) took that phrase to a whole different level. Smith dogs are always on equal level with us, almost treated like human beings. Truth be told, we like dogs better than we like people on the whole. And Rusty was an exceptional dog. I think that he was the best dog that I have ever had the pleasure of spending time with. (Sorry, Buddha, you run a very close second). I know that people say this of their dogs all the time, but Rusty truly acted like a human being. He even talked back to you when you asked him a question. He would wine out a human sounding response.



Sometimes he got mad that Mom was talking on the phone instead of paying attention to him, and he would yell at her (again with these human sounding whines).
When he first came to us (my dad found him on the side of the road and rescued him) we called him Rusty pretty early on. Do you remember "Sit, Ubu, sit...good dog" that used to be on tv? I started joking that we should call him Ubu. My mom laughed at this and said, "Yeah, can you imagine being in the vet waiting room- Ubu? Ubu Smith?" We had a good laugh at that, and though Rusty was always his name (Russ for short), Ubu became my pet name for him. I would yell this loud and drawn out and it would always get him wagging his tail and running towards me.



To borrow from another phrase that I have heard before, they called you a rescue dog, and you were. Your love rescued me.
Rusty saved me from myself when we got him. I was heading down some wrong paths and he helped me find the right ones again. His love and affection was like a beacon in the night to this ship. He found me and brought me home.
He has also been a companion and loving son to my parents in the years since I left the nest. He was faithful, obedient, loving and the finest of company.
He will always be with me, and all of us, watching over me.
Remember this picture that I found what appears to be the face of a golden retriever behind me on the rocks? He will always be right there. Watching over me.


I try to find comfort in these two poems that I have frequently passed on to clients whose loving pets have passed on. Now I find myself needing them more than ever.
But they still make me cry.

The House Dog's Grave (Haig, an English bulldog)
Robinson Jeffers, 1941

I've changed my ways a little; I cannot now
Run with you in the evenings along the shore,
Except in a kind of dream; and you, if you dream a moment,
You see me there.

So leave awhile the paw-marks on the front door
Where I used to scratch to go out or in,
And you'd soon open; leave on the kitchen floor
The marks of my drinking-pan.

I cannot lie by your fire as I used to do
On the warm stone,
Nor at the foot of your bed; no, all the night through
I lie alone.

You, man and woman, live so long, it is hard
To think of you ever dying
A little dog would get tired, living so long.
I hope than when you are lying

Under the ground like me your lives will appear
As good and joyful as mine.
No, dear, that's too much hope: you are not so well cared for
As I have been.

And never have known the passionate undivided
Fidelities that I knew.
Your minds are perhaps too active, too many-sided ...
But to me you were true.

You were never masters, but friends. I was your friend.
I loved you well, and was loved. Deep love endures
To the end and far past the end. If this is my end,
I am not lonely. I am not afraid. I am still yours.





Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...



There is peace to be found in these words. I guess. I'm not finding much right now, but with time I suppose I might.
This is what I know.
Rusty, I will always carry you in my heart.
I look at this picture below and my heart warms.
I will always be holding you in this embrace, lovingly in my arms.
You will always be there with me my friend.
Always.

Please pray for my parents and my family. And for Rusty.
Love,
Steve

My Favorite Song

This song always brings me comfort.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Rusty


Rusty, I love you and am praying for you.

CAN I GET A NAPKIN?

From the troupe that brought you "FROZEN GRAND CENTRAL STATION" that was posted here earlier, comes this new public improv experiment. The group is called Improv Everywhere, and this latest stunt is to start a spontaneous musical number in the middle of a food court.
Enjoy.

Caught in the web...


I have really been slacking on the blog posts lately. Sorry. Part of that is this: Spiderwoman is the largest thing going on in my life right this minute, so I have little else to talk about. And I am not allowed per contract to talk about it on the internet, so...(I mean, other than to say come and see it, it's gonna be good). Which it is. I think that it is going to be a fantastic show. We start previews tomorrow, and will still have rehearsals in the day before each preview. Slowly through the week, I will get more time back and be able to write more on here.
Talk to you guys soon!
SGS

Monday, March 03, 2008

Emergence


The March Candle, entitled Emergence, is up for purchase over at Candles By Stephen. Go on over and CHECK IT OUT!

NEVERMORE wins best musical at WATCH AWARDS!


Kensington Arts Theatre's production of my husband's show, Nevermore won best musical at the WATCH Awards tonight. It tied with another show, but still won for best musical. It also won best Sound Design.
Kudos and congrats to all involved in this fantastic production of this fantastic show.
A well deserved show of appreciation for a show that has always deserved it.
CONGRATS!
luv,
SGS