Too Close For Comfort

As I mentioned a couple entries ago, I've been feeling a little blue. I think all actors get like this now and again. You're in between gigs, not knowing what is next. Then when nothing seems to be coming around, you start to question why you do what you do, and why you didn't didn't go into the priesthood like your mom wanted because at least then you know you'd have a steady job. (If you've met Ceil, you know this was a true life plan for her only son.) :) Part of my "blueness" includes not opening mail. I don't know why. It just does. So...I finally started going through it a couple days ago. About half way through the stack I came across an envelope from Actors' Equity. I opened it up to discover my newest membership card. Whenever they send out a new card, there is always some sort of inspirational quotation about "the business" on the paper. This is what it said this time.

"Who is more brave than the person who walks out on stage, giving his all in the hope of pleasing the audience, but knowing full well that he is, in truth, at the mercy of a group of people, namely, the critics, who, if they dislike his performance, make this fact known, often in quite soul-destroying terms.

"Actors are often thought of as people who lead fairy tale lives or are no'er-do-wells. In point of fact, neither is the truth. They are artists whose minds and bodies take on the aspects of the most ingeniously programmed computer.

"Yes, the actor manages to carry on with his job in spite of colds, broken bones, and personal tragedy because he has an unassailable dedication to his profession which is seldom found outside of it."

Now, you know what I'm about to tell you is not like me. But I actually started CRYING when I read that. Maybe it was the Ambien. Maybe the final episode of the Golden Girls was on. Or maybe I'm just turning into an old sap. I don't know. All I know, is that it really made me realize why i do what I do and that I am happy that I do it. Gay.

Anyway...

July has been a good month for me career-wise. Last week, after a number of auditions, I was offered a job at the Kansas City Repertory Theatre in their upcoming production of WINESBURG, OHIO next February. This is a new musical written by the new artistic director there named Eric Rosen. I'm VERY excited about it. From what I've read of the script and from what I've heard of the music, I think it's going to be a really interesting piece to work on. We all know I'm a sucker for a musical...any musical, really...but I'm excited to be a part of this project. It will be a nice acting challenge, and it will be great to work with Eric.

So that was cool.

Then YESTERDAY, I got what we actors like to call a "job job". You know...NOT an acting job. For any of you who've known me for any length of time, you know I've had a number of strange jobs. I've been "the guy" that flours chicken for a catering company, I've driven an electric pallet jack in a warehouse, I worked in an ice cream parlor, I've counted the votes for the new color of M&M's, I've sold jewelry, I've merchandised window displays, I did phone interviews about prostate exams, and I even took phone orders for Richard Simmon's Deal-a-Meal and the infamous Flowbee Home Haircutting Vaccuum attachment. (No, it's not an urban legend.)

Well...keeping in that vein, I searched for a job. I really only had ONE requirement. It was to require ZERO brain power. After searching through countless craigslist ads I finally found the perfect job. So...as of 5:45 tomorrow evening...John-Michael Zuerlein is....................a VALET! Yup, you read that right. I'm a Valet. It's just part time. I think it's AWESOME. I get a smart new outfit and everything. I'll post a picture of that soon.

Also yesterday, I got a call from the American Heartland Theatre (where I just finished doing PERFECT WEDDING) asking me to come in today to read for their Christmas show..A TUNA CHRISTMAS. Now...for those of you unfamiliar with it (which is probably most of you) it's a two man show about a small town called Tuna, Texas and the two actors play all the various citizens of the town. Well, since it's getting late and I'm getting sleepy...I went in today to audition, it went exceedingly well, and this afternoon they called to offer me the job. YEA!!!!!!!!!!! So...I officially have work for the holiday season.

It gets better.

Who is the other actor you ask? Well...I'll tell you. It is none other than..........Jim J. Bullock. Yup. Jim J. and JMZ together at last. Many people apparently know him from Hollywood Squares, but I know him as Monroe on Too Close For Comfort in the early 80's. It was one of my favorite shows. What's strange, is that I worked with Nancy Dussault, who was ALSO on that show when I worked at the Ravinia Festival in Chicago. CRAZY. Needless to say I'm excited about the show and definitely looking forward to working with Jim J. Maybe he'll let me call him Jim.



So that's it from me again. It has been a crazy week. I guess all Ceil's prayers to Baby J are helping after all. Life is good. :)