In high school, I was in a production of the musical "Gypsy"- I played Agnes, one of the "Toreadorables" . I invited all my pals to come, including my youth pastor. After a performance one night, my cousin and best friend were there, but I didn't see our youth pastor. Yeah, they said, I don't think he liked it very much... because it's about strippers. Most ridiculous thing I ever heard. "Gypsy" isn't about strippers. It's about family and ambition and, umm, well, yea, ok, "Gypsy" is about strippers. But I think it's very tasteful!

It is possible that years of theatre-going has made me a little blind. Particularly the New York years. Honey, I've seen it all. Nudity from all genders. Drug use. Sex acts. Violence. Rape. Urination- and not fake urination, either. That was definitely a low point (and not something you want to be in the front row for, either). After that, what could possibly shock me?

I'm taking M and a friend from out of town to an encores performance show this week I saw at the Fringe Festival. The show is amazing- writing, acting, content, all of it just INSANELY good. To say it's one of the best things I've seen at the Fringe is an understatement- it's one of the best things I've seen in New York, period. I think it should win a Pulitzer Prize. Did I mention it's about suicide and people who become sexually aroused watching people die? This is why they pull arts appreciation out of schools- this is how you end up. Dragging all your friends to see a play about sickos that you truly, madly, deeply are in love with. RUN AWAY. SAVE YOURSELVES! I AM TOO FAR GONE.