Detour ahead.

For the coming weeks leading up to the opening of Ordinary Days at Roundabout, I will be blogging over at Roundabout's blog about the production and the process of putting up a new musical. Please check it out!

Pina Bausch.

I read the sad news today that Pina Bausch, my favorite favorite artist, has passed away. Her exquisitely beautiful dance-theater pieces lit up my soul every two years when they came to BAM, and she will be greatly missed.

I first saw a Pina Bausch piece my freshman year at NYU, at the suggestion of my directing teacher Jim Peck. My friend Lauren and I hopped on the subway toward Brooklyn, only to discover, halfway to Coney Island, that we were on the wrong train. We doubled back, and ran up to the BAM box office just in time to nab two student rush tickets -- for less than the price of a movie ticket -- smack dab in the middle of the first row of the mezzanine.

For the next three hours I set mesmerized watching what, really, transcends any description I could write here. Over the past decade I've seen every Pina Bausch show that's come to New York, and every time I've been re-energized by her signature blend of beauty and humor, athleticism and elegance.

Pina, I shall miss thee, but you and your work live on in those whose lives you've touched -- not least of which is mine.

Here are some photos I quickly culled from the web of Pina Bausch's work. Ah, the memories.

Sitzprobing.

"Sitzprobe" is a funny-sounding word which means the rehearsal when the singers and the orchestra rehearse together for the first time. Check out some pics from yesterday's sitzprobe for Ordinary Days!

Orchestrator Andy Einhorn contemplates changes in the score.

Cellist Allison Seidner marks it up.

The band plays on.

All you really need for a sitzprobe: a score, and Shake Shack.

Come check out the show at Adirondack Theatre Festival, opening next week, and hear the beautiful orchestration for yourself! Tickets and info at www.atfestival.org.

Just announced!

Ordinary Days is gonna be at the Roundabout Theatre Company this fall! Read about it in Variety and Playbill.

I'm very excited not only because, well, it's the Roundabout, but because I actually used to work there a few years ago, so it's a strange, unexpected homecoming. Performances will start in October, and tickets will go onsale in August -- stay tuned for more details!

Also, please watch this hilarious and unrelated YouTube video.

Classic.

MAC Award showcase.

2009 MAC AWARD SONG/SPECIAL MATERIAL NOMINEE SHOWCASE!
Saturday, April 18 @ 3:30PM
(Doors open at 3:00pm for seating)
at Don't Tell Mama, 343 West 46 Street, NYC

Come hear this year's nominees for Outstanding Song and Special Musical Material:

SONG
"Running" (Adam Gwon)
"Change In Me" (Carol Hall)
"Come Home" (Mark Janas & Peter Napolitano)
"Right Here, Right Now" (Paul Rolnick & Jim Papoulis)
"Living Without Love" (Jason Wynn)

SPECIAL MUSICAL MATERIAL
"This is MY Birthday" (Carol Hall)
"Leaky Ceiling" (Sharon Kenny)
"The Olives of Regret" (Nicholas Levin)
"The Mess" (Ryan Scott Oliver)
"You May Have a Problem" (Dan Page, John Domurad, Michele Page)

FREE FOR MAC MEMBERS ($10, guests)
NO MINIMUMS! Cash bar available!

RESERVATIONS APPRECIATED:
(212) 465-2662 ext. 1
or email RSVP@MACNYC.com

Running on full.

Read this glowing review of my friend Cait Doyle's cabaret show, "Hot Mess in Manhattan," complete with a mention of the song I wrote for it, "Running."

It's true, Cait's show is as awesome as this reviewer thought. If you're in NYC and haven't seen it, go now!

To whet your appetite, here's a video of "Running" for ya.