The New York Actor’s Dilemma: Go out of town – Stay in town.

If I take a job out of town, I could miss that ‘important’ audition. Casting directors and agents  don’t like it, when you leave town. They want you ‘available’.

Bolton Hill Theatre is doing Under The Yum Yum Tree…I’m cast, but the Bolton Hill Theatre is in Baltimore.
Baltimore isn’t that far, but it is ‘out of town’.

The train from Penn Station in NYC to Penn Station Baltimore takes about three hours.

As I drag my trunk-sized suitcase down the platform, a man waving a poster board sign, ‘Welcome to Baltimore’s Yum Yum Tree’ , grins as he skips toward me.

Auggie Dorset, a one man welcoming committee.

We drive to Auggie’s apartment where I’m greeted by Yum Yum cast members and the aroma of herbs, spices and  ‘Is that fresh bread?’

Auggie laughs, “Actors are always hungry.”

“Lucky for us, we can’t keep Auggie out of the kitchen.” , the cast reply.

Okay besides being a living encyclopedia on the Baltimore-Washington theatre scene, passionate for Maryland Public Television, Auggie loves to cook. How lucky can I get.

Maryland is famous for Crabs. Auggie’s involved in a sketch comedy show, ‘Crabs’.  Perfect name for an irreverent comic relief show for Maryland Public TV…proving that public TV isn’t only about education. Hopes are high that this comedy will go National.

Auggie and I share April birthdays. He tells me, my birthday happens to be same day as one of Baltimore’s celebrities. He organizes an excursion to one of Baltimore’s prime tourist attractions. We are celebrating at The Block’s, Two O’Clock Club. That’s right the club owned by that iconic red head, with a gimmick, Blaze Starr. Only Auggie! Well he’s an Army vet and Blaze is a regular entertainer at the VA, where Auggie also volunteers.

Two weeks of rehearsal, six weeks of performance fly by and I’m on the platform at Penn Station, Baltimore, waving good-by to the man with the grin as big as his heart.

The unstoppable,  Auggie Dorsett, passionate about theatre, acting, Maryland Public TV and his kitchen.