Well, it's still almost two weeks away, but I wanted to give you advance notice about a wonderful musical comedy that I will be performing in!

Over the last two years, I've been in and/or attended lots of Applause! Musicals productions - and I have to say, STRIKE UP THE BAND looks to be the flat-out funniest and most delightful show they have yet produced. It's coming up on November 2 through 5, and I hope you can make it.

Musically it's a treat - it's the show that gave us the Gershwin standards "I've Got a Crush on You", "The Man I Love" and the title tune.

But more than that, it's downright hilarious! Last Sunday night, the cast and chorus read through the whole thing for the first time, and there were many moments when we all simply broke down with laughter, bringing the read-through to a halt. Once it's on stage, it will be an absolute treat.

It's also my first full speaking role in an Applause! musical! I play a mysterious yet pivotal character named Spelvin.

The story's about Horace J. Fletcher, a wealthy cheese manufacturer who drums up a war on Switzerland, purely for business reasons. He even offers to pay for it - as long as they name the war after him! He arranges with the President's advisor to hold the "Horace J. Fletcher Memorial War" in Switzerland – at the request of the Swiss hotel owners. "Height of the tourist season... for good battles we can get $5.50 a seat!"

Though it's quite a farce, the humour masks some surprisingly pointed jabs at war profiteering and mindless patriotism.

I look forward to sharing this raucous, irreverent, and (considering it dates from 1930) remarkably topical musical confection with you. Hope to see you there!