While I've been busy with the kids, their school, my day job, and trying to pursue - or what at times seems simply not to lose touch with my own acting career, Tenny and his cast and crew have been busy. Very busy. My non-theater hubby and I went to see the last night of Heartsgaard at The Muse. Great food and coffee. I was very skeptical of this whole theater in a cafe idea - and the whole concept of vikings and dreams and prophets. Let's keep it in the real world, shall we? I was trained with the whole proscenium arch, very British, traditional kind of theater but as I get older, I am drawn more towards unconventional theater. Probably something to do with the grind of everyday life - give me something a little but more interesting, please. And that's what happened tonight. I hadn't read the play, which is always a plus - no expectations. I spent the whole time wondering WTF was going on - and in a good way (I also wondered how much is autobiographical, Tenny!). I didn't really get into it until the second act though - more to do with having to erase any preconceived thoughts about WTF this was all about than anything to do with the writing or acting. Gerard and the whole cast was very committed - so much so that until Christie's character was given a name, Simone, I wasn't sure if it was Christie in the audience or a character. I liked not knowing. My husband just told me that he thought Christie was part of the audience too. Gerard held us captive the whole time - and I warmed to the girls. It took me a while, mainly because I needed to understand their relationships with Conrad. Not sure how I feel about the Shakespeare (which always turns non-theater folks off) but felt it worked for the purpose of the story. The real barometer for me is always my husband - I try not to drag him to too much theater. Mainly because so much is bad here in LA and at the same time to defend LA theater, there is a lot of good stuff as well. More importantly, if he can stay home, then we can save paying a babysitter!  But I wanted him to see Tenny's play. He loved the concept, loved the characters, enjoyed the whole experience. He laughed more than I did!  And from a personal point of view, from two very busy people - my hubby has 2 jobs, works 6 days a week and is getting his MBA and I work a full time job, plus two kids, one only 18 months old etc etc blah blah - we left the cafe feeling invigorated, entertained and more alive than when we got there. I loved Chef Dave at the end, threw everyone for a loop, Gerard handled it brilliantly, as did Christie and it had me wondering, yet again, WTF was that!!! Thanks everyone, for a very refreshing evening.