Arlington

I want to talk about something.  
     before I tell you about something

There are a great many professional philosophies out there about this Business of Show. Constant messages about the importance of "who you know;" about networking, PR, media presence, branding, meeting a revolving door of the correct people, and being in the right place at the right time.

Personally? 

My professional philosophy has always been to let your work be your calling card.
It's a classic. 

Last year, when I participated in Arlington in the "Inner Voices" series down at Urban Stages, I realized that the project had fallen in my lap through a series of positive working relationships, and the work was some of the most terrifying, challenging, and rewarding of my life.

Why?

That tiny little production brought me previously unchartered artistic territory, and some wonderful new friendships. It lead me to some of the most satisfying projects of my career thus far, plus, was the pivotal piece that challenged me to recognize (and confront) my inner conflict of being-or-not-being a "singer."

But, most crucially, it taught me a lesson about success.

I was headed home one night after a performance in our tiny theatre, having recently deposited my humble downtown paycheck, when the following thought hit me like a ton of bricks: I have never in my life been happier. Never. I was working on a piece of art with dear friends in a city that I had carved a wonderful life in, out of (what at times felt like) air, and THIS--THIS WAS SUCCESS. It didn't matter who ever saw this work. It didn't matter what I was or was not being paid. It had nothing to do with reviews or professional buzz; nor my theater's real-estate, or geography.

It was about the nature of the work,
It was about the people I was working with,
And how I felt about myself within the context of all of this.

To summarize:

Success is not about what you do. It is how you feel about what you do. 

And by that definition, Arlington was, in every way, my life's greatest "success." It was an absolute touchstone moment in both my life and career.

And thus, it feels incredibly right to be revisiting the piece again in an extended form.

In a way, it feels like a reward. Not for artistic prowess, mind, but more of a nod from the Universe. A confirmation that the pure motives of a pursuit of excellence, of loving your work, of working hard, and of truly allowing your work to be your calling card...? Well, it proves that integrity always presents you with the very best of gifts.

Please join us at The Vineyard Theatre. 

*

It's a sunny day and Sara Jane is valiantly trying to keep it that way. Her young husband, Jerry, is away at war - and though Sara Jane believes in the cause, nothing has seemed quite right lately. Especially the last few messages from Jerry. At least she has her piano - and Jerry's bourbon - to keep her company as she tries to figure things out. But how far will she go to keep the impending storm at bay?

ARLINGTON is a stirring, funny and powerful new work from playwright/novelist Victor Lodato and award-winning composer Polly Pen. (An inaugural version of ARLINGTON was commissioned and presented by PREMIERES in New York City; Paulette Haupt, Artistic Director.) The Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15 St.) has announced previews set to begin Wednesday, February 12 prior to its official opening night on Sunday, March 2. 

Carolyn Cantor will direct, featuring set design by Dane Laffrey, costume design by Jess Goldstein, lighting design by Tyler Micoleau, and sound design by Dan Moses Schreier. The Production Stage Manager is Megan Smith. 

For performance and ticket information to ARLINGTON, call The Vineyard box office at (212) 353 0303 or visit www.vineyardtheatre.org.