I can't believe January is nearing an end.  The time just flies.  This time last year I was just starting rehearsals for Saigon.  I want to thank you for visiting my website and my new blog.  I have been very hesitant about creating blog's before, but am realizing that they are a journal, news letter, and way to share my thoughts and ideas with you, all my loyal friends, family and supporters.  For this, I am eternally greatful and proud to launch my 2007 BLOG.

So many NEW things are going on in my life, and I am loving every minute of it.  To begin the year I started rehearsals for The Wizard of Oz with Magical Starlight Theatre in Naperville.  Tom Jesse and Verna Esposito are among the staff members and Tom asked me...how can I ever say no to TJ.  So I am playing Tenor Sax, Flute and Clarinet.  This provides me an opportunity to play reeds, which I haven't done since Merrily We Roll Along a couple years back.  Thanks to Kimberlee <M> Burhans for letting me use her flute again.  I think I do more playing on it than you do, especially right now.  It also provided me with a much needed break from playing Flanagan's Wake at Noble Fool.  I love FW, but I have been playing fit or 4 months consecutively...needless to say, the break was well deserved. 

Last week, we had Auditions for Annie Jr. at Pheasant Run with Noble Fool Youth Ensemble, the new children's program started last October with High School Musical.  Dan Walsh is directing and choregraphing again.  Dan and I are extremely familiar with the show, and it should be another hit for NFYE.  Rehearsals start Feb 7 and it goes up on Mar 17 for 6 Saturdays.  As usual we are looking for boys and young men (old enought to read dance and sing through 18 y.o) to fill out the cast...we had 2 audition.  So that will be a challenge.

This summer I will be MD'ing West Side Story with Summer Place Theatre in Naperville and last week we had Pit Orchestra Auditions for WSS and FORUM that is the first show in June.  We had a nice turn out over 2 nights and between the talent at auditions and my contacts I think I should be able to have a great orchestra!!

Speaking of Auditions, I just rolled out a new service at Ken-Jones.com.  It is an Audition service designed to help performers with their audition songs.  If you haven't, please check it out at ken-jones.com/auditionsongs and don't forget to tell all your performer friends.

In February I will be teaching a NEW class with Noble Fool's NEW Performing Arts Academy geared toward jr. high and high school students and Auditioning for a Musical.   Visit www.noblefool.org/nft_academy.htm

On Tuesday I started rehearsals for A Chorus Line with ECC Musical Theatre.  A show about an audition...I've never done this show and the talent seems to be very good. 

And finally, Auditions for American Idol are on again, and I just love to laugh ;)  Wishing everyone a bright and prosperous 2007!