Happy New Year!

Is there really any better place to perform in central Texas than the Hyde Park Theatre? Not for Gag Reflex.

This New Year's Eve was amazing. Both shows sold out, both crowds had a great time. The Mangia pizza was delicious, and the MGD, wine and cheap champagne made for an ideal way to boot '05 out on its sorry ass.

The cast was incredible. Some highlights, in no particular order: Carrie's breakdown in "A Christmas Sketch" garnered spontaneous applause from the audience -- that's the first time this has happened down here since our first New Year's show in '02; Robin took the mime role and made it her own, using an imaginary rope to try and pull herself away from the Holstein sisters and dad, who were about to shoot her; Ryan produced an amazing array of characterizations ranging from a senile law-firm partner to the tearful, mime-owning young boy, and gave hilarious gravitas to the euthanisizing veterinarian; Dena exploited her amazing voice, charm and unreal comic timing, all on display in "Patsy Decline" (finally done the way I've always envisioned it -- thank you, Dena!); Kelly nailed "Pets!" and "Stu" (and drove more than a few frat boys crazy with lust); Joe Kirked, deadheaded and dadded hilariously, as always, and he led the "let's have fun" brigade. And me? I was just incredible in everything I did.

We were worried going into this show without Dino, and he was missed. And we'll also miss Robin, who (like Clay) is going off on hiatus. But the core group we've got right now is as strong a bunch as we've ever had, and our replay of this show in a few weeks in Lockhart is going to kick ass!

We're lean and mean, and I like it.