Ritual

PUSHING BACK AGAINST DEATH
Hansen takes one-man show to NYC by way of CPT
by Michael Gill, Cleveland Scene

The last time Cleveland playwright and actor David Hansen took a one-man show to the New York Fringe Festival in 2004, it was with his autobiographical tale about the stillbirth of his son, I Hate This.

Several people suggested at the time — much to Hansen's irritation — that he consider a more uplifting sequel about his daughter. Eventually he did, and that's what he's taking back to the Big Apple for Fringe Fest 2009. The new play — And Then You Die: How I Ran a Marathon in 26.2 Years — takes up an ecosystem of subject matter having to do with middle age, fatherhood and mortality. He's booked for five performances in four days, starting August 19, at the Robert Moss Theatre. To get it in shape for the Fringe Fest stage, he's doing a trial run at Cleveland Public Theatre's Parish Hall this weekend. Alison Garrigan directs. (more)

Listening to: PODRUNNER Classic - Mad Dash (162 BPM)

Distance: 3.25 miles
Temperature: 66º
Weather: cool & humid
Weight: 154.5 lbs.

Almost stayed in bed this morning. Lying there, thinking, "hey, this is good, I could stay here." Only it wasn't, my head kept running around. Camp. Reports. Lines for the show. I got up, again, glad I did. This is not always so, sometimes my head tells me it is a mistake, I need more rest. Maybe tomorrow. A Friday sleep-in. Something I can look forward to.

Kelly and Ali have given me Friday night off so they can turn the Parish Hall into ... well, into a theater instead of a parish hall. I could have wept. I could have done a dance. It was an honor I thought not of. That's just the time I need to get everything straight in my head.

Running at 5 AM (or 5:20, whenever I truly get out) has become like Groundhog's Day. Sprinklers on Compton. That little Jewish walker-lady (she's a walker, she doesn't have "a walker") who I wave to headed up Taylor. The couple from two doors down, holding hands, holding thermoses, heading for the bus to the Clinic. It's all in the timing. This is why I love running in the summer.



Good morning!