Angel Juice, or Third Time’s A Charm

(Why am I naming days?)

2/18/14, Day 13,782: Angel Juice, or Third Time’s A Charm

This day is so named because I have begun writing Angel Juice for my next attempt of fulfilling the Play a Month pact….and this is not the first time I’ve begun to write this play.

I first began Angel Juice in 2002, and got about 40 pages in before putting it aside for other projects. In 2007, I then resurrected the idea of the play and started over, getting about 20 pages in before setting it aside again (though the first scene was staged at Flux’s very first Have Another.) However, I’ve grown as a playwright, if not in talent, at least in my capacity to finish what I’ve started, and I do believe this third time will be a charm.

Working on the play, it struck me: I’ve almost never fully abandoned an idea for a play, especially not once I’ve begun writing pages. Plays like Denny and Lila, Stepping, The Sea Concerto and now Angel Juice have lingered in my head for years–in the case of the later two, more than a decade–before it was finally time to finish them. Is this how it is for other playwrights?

I also had a fun rehearsal of Blood Brothers, in spite of feeling increasingly under the weather.

Technique never stands still: it only advances or retreats…

Writing: 45 out of 51 days (Angel Juice)
Spanish: 45 out of 51 days

What small things did I do the past day to help build the Honeycomb?
(And what does it mean to “Help build the honeycomb?)

• Signed a petition to end “Stand Your Ground” laws;
• Rehearsed the Blood Brothers show;
• Shared the inspiring Khanisha Foster’s most excellent post on Mixed Race Theatre, and I encourage you to add other plays to our growing list of work that features mixed race characters;
• Cooked vegetarian meals (mostly organic and vegan, some local) and added no additional food waste (like plastic bags);
• Asked Congress to fully fund SNAP;
• Signed another anti-Keystone petition;