The Dog Goes to Texas

Last Friday I had the pleasure and honor to go down to Lockhart, Texas, to see the Gaslight Theater's production of "Nobody Knows I'm a Dog." This, to me, was cool on so many levels.

First, I'm happy that after 11 years, people still want to produce and see NKIAD. It's hard to keep fresh. I keep feeling it's becoming a Period Piece.

Second, I enjoy being the "Playwright." It's one of the rare occasions where I can feel important. Not that I've got an ego thing going on, but for someone who tends to blend into the background, it's nice once in a while to be up front.

Third, I love seeing other theater companies in other communities. It gives you a much broader scope of things.

Lockhart is a very tiny town between San Antonio and Austin. The Gaslight Theater is one of two companies in this small but cultured town. Their space is wonderful -- a 3/4 thrust with seating under 100 (and right across the street from Black's Barbecue, who makes the best brisket I have ever had in my life! It was CRAZY good!!!).

Their production was nice, and the audience loved it. In attendance was the Mayor of Lockhart and most of the City Council. After the performance, the Mayor presented me with a proclamation welcoming me to Lockhart (which was extremely nice!) and then I got to entertain a Q&A. I love doing Q&A's. Usually I'm up there with the cast and the director, but this time I was on my own. And I was good! I was charming, witty, enthusiastic, entertaining ... everything I'm usually not in real life. And why? Because I was in my element.

I find that I'm seldom in my element, which makes moments like this one bittersweet. But it does make me treasure when I am, and appreciate those moments and the people who helped bring it there.

So thank you Alfredo, David and the entire cast and crew out there in Lockhart. I had a great time and I was thrilled to be there!