Center Theatre Group Blog

There are three kinds of people in the world. Those that see the glass as half empty. Those that see it as half-full.

And then there are the Irish. They just see a half a glass.

Usually of whiskey.

Neither optimists nor pessimists. Pragmatists.

As my mean, little, off-the-boat Irish Grandmother used to say…”’Tis what ‘tis.”

(Which was ironic because after she died we discovered that somewhere on the Atlantic Ocean, between Killarney and Boston, and on her way to her exciting new life as a house servant, she miraculously shaved 6 years off her life. Apparently having reached old-maid status at the ripe age of 28 in Ireland, and unwilling to join the convent, she was tossed out of the house (and country!) by Great Grampa Maurice and told to find her own way. So in order to increase her odds of landing some dullard as an American husband she recreated herself as a blushing, young, 22 year old lass.)

So in my grandmother’s case it was more like “’Taint what ‘tis.”

Anyway (new subject!), I didn’t record any thoughts as a child. Diaries were for girls. (“Dear Diary, today Arianna looked at me funny. I will tell her to stop that.”) And I didn’t keep a journal, either. Journals were for adventurers. (“Today’s sightings: 17 otter, 3 muskrats, 6 deer, 1 large moose, many squirrel, a beaver family. And some Injuns.”)

I had (and still have) a penis, so a diary doesn’t feel right. And my life’s greatest adventures consisted of playing with matches in the woods behind Bobby Brindisi’s house, so a journal is suspect. But as I understand it, you kids today have come up with this thing called a “blog.” And I have been asked to inaugurate the new Center Theatre Group blog. And to welcome you. I am touched. You are welcomed.

However, I have to admit that I have been skipping all of the “Blog Meetings.” I have conveniently had a crisis erupt about ten minutes before each scheduled blog meeting that demanded my immediate attention. And then (even more conveniently) I would sit at my desk and go to espn.com. or broadwaystars.com and read other people’s blogs. (Hey, everybody else was busy at the Blog Meeting, it wasn’t as if I was going to be needed for anything.) (Do you think I write with too many parentheses?) (Am I thinking out loud?) (Do these pants make me look fat?) And, having missed all the meetings, I am not sure what this blog is really supposed to be. I know that we had an in-house contest to name the blog and are now calling it something witty like “Backstage Pass.” I also know that as a Non-Profit (take that, Massman!) we didn’t give a cash prize to the winning entry because we can’t afford it. So I really don’t know why anyone spent time on that contest. But lots of staff members did. When they could have been working. Or reading espn.com. (Late vote from me…I prefer “Chewing the Scenery”). But now that I have captured your attention here at “Backstage Pass!” I’d like to lay out some simple ground rules for this particular blog.

So let’s circle back to my opening about the three kinds of people and apply it to this blog. We will not be eternal optimists (“Order your tickets to Minsky’s immediately, it promises to be a HUGE hit!!!!”). Nor will we bore you to tears with our natural theatrical pessimism (“FedEx is late. Again. My job is really, really hard and nobody appreciates me”).

What we will do is to give you a peek behind the curtain. To let you read about, and respond to the way we pass the days and nights here at CTG putting on plays. All aspects will be covered, and many voices will be heard. We hope for honesty and humor, and interesting info and gossip to come your way. Much like our company softball team, we cannot promise perfection, but we can certainly guarantee enthusiasm. Hopefully, you’ll learn a little bit more of us, and we of you. And maybe I’ll get a few things off my chest, as well. As my college pal Bowie used to say “If this belt could talk…”

So, in closing…welcome. Come back. Throw some words our way. Let’s have a conversation.

And remember to order your tickets to Minsky’s. It promises to be a huge hit.

Seriously.

Michael Ritchie is the Artistic Director of Center Theatre Group.

Photo by Joe Pugliese.