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.

SWEET AS SUGAR, BUT A LITTLE TOO LOUD?

I know I'm a rather exuberant football fan and that I have a voice that projects well, but in the excitement of the moment I sometimes forget proper decorum. Apparently, I was a teensy bit too enthusiastic in my appreciation of the Sugar Bowl last night and my neighbors felt the need to pound on my door to get me to reign it in and quiet down. Now I ask you, if you lived peaceably in an apartment complex with the same neighbor for 3 years and you've never complained about their noise level before, why would you beat down their door when there are less than 8 minutes to go in the final quarter of a once in a lifetime sporting event and it's not even midnight? Doesn't that seem a bit excessive? And cranky? Or am I just being overly sensitive?

A-Ha! Maybe they're Georgia fans...whiny baby pee pants sore losers.

Here's a tip: If your neighbor gets a little too excited tonight during the Orange Bowl or tomorrow night during the Rose Bowl, or--God forbid!--gets downright rowdy during the Super Bowl next month buy some fucking earplugs and get over it! It's not like I bitch about being awakened every morning by your lead feet thudding across my ceiling at pre-dawn hours or your snoring that is so loud that I have to listen to the TV or music in order to drown it out so I can fall asleep at night. I thought everyone in the Chicago area was a sports fan of some sort. For crying out loud. How are these people going to act during the approaching NFC playoffs?

Anyway, way to go WVU Mountaineers! Sugar Bowl Champions! I hope 2006 is off to an equally great start for all of you out there!