Just before taking the bloody plunge I call Morgan Freeman on his cell.  Rumor has it, says Morgan, that all the money has melted due to global warming.  But there may be some coin left on the one continent that I missed – Antarctica.  Morgan should know what he’s talking about - he’s accessed the Penguin Network.  He says I should go to Hollywood where penguin power couples have merged with Pixar to produce a new penguin animated feature, and that big business was being done at a Sundance cocktail party on Doheny Drive. He suggested I wear my black silk Hong Kong suit with the white galabiya that Ruth brought me from Cairo, and try to waddle without spilling my martini.  He thought it would be hip if I could lay an egg because penguin money is for the birds.

I came up empty flippered.  I can’t believe it.  I can’t believe there is no money in the world.  It’s a classic case of poetic injustice, since 2007 promises to be the greatest Mabou Mines year yet to be recorded. 

• Mabou Mines DollHouse continues to tour -- currently at UCLA Live through December 10 and on to Toronto’s Harbourfront Center January 22 – February 4. Other 2007 international dates include Singapore, Edinburgh and Rome. 
• Song for New York will be at a White Oak Residency in January and featured in concert celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Sundance at BAM on June 4th -- before its Moveable Feast Premiere in September 2007 -- a five borough NYC tour on a barge.
• Lucia’s Chapters - will tour to Colby College in Maine Feb. 22, Charlestown Working Theater in Massachusetts June 7, 8, 9 and UC Fresno July 6.
• Finn will have showings at Mabou Mines on January 18, 19, 20 and at Pittsburgh Irish and Classical on May 5.
• Peter and Wendy will be at The Arena Stage in Washington, DC for an 8 week run  from April 27th – June 24th.
• Summa Dramatica will tour Europe next fall.
• Arte (that’s the PBS of French/German Television) has just contracted to produce “Mabou Mines Dollhouse -- The Movie” to be shot in August.

Awards

• Lee Breuer has been named a Chevalier des Arts et Lettres by the French Ministry of Culture.
• Ruth was honored at the 18th Annual Cairo International Festival of Experimental Theatre for her influential, pioneering role in experimental theatre.
• Karen Kandel received a Fox Foundation Resident Actor Fellowship with Mabou Mines. 
• And the entire company will be presented with the Edwin Booth Award in May ‘07.

   
It’s painful to see all these goodies go down the drain because there is no money in the world.  But it does follow logically that if there is no money in the world, there ain’t no art either. 
   
There is one straw that I grasp at….“Reprieve by conspicuous consumption.” Dostoyevsky was reprieved at his moment of execution. The Czar’s messenger galloped up with a pardon.  Maybe all our wonderful friends will gallop up with a proclamation reading, “Yes, there is money in the world and we, your beloved friends, want you to have the thrill of conspicuously consuming it.”  And, oh so conspicuously, checks will spill out of the messenger pouch over the fallen coconuts and we will be spared for another year.  I dream, oh, how I dream and dream of crying, “To hell with all the Penguin Networks of Antarctica,” and of flying back to the East Village in the golden chariot sent down for Elijah, who (just in case my dreams come true) has agreed to drop me off at PS122 on the way to heaven.

Love,

Lee,  Ruth,    Sharon,    JULIE ,   Terry,     Fred