My good friend Professor Al Geni, who has a terrific new book out on the subject of work, likes to quote Paula Poundstone when she says, "Grown ups are always asking kids what they want to be when they grow up. They’re looking for ideas." And that, of course, always reminds me of one of my favorite jokes. A little boy runs to his mom smiling and shouting, "Mommy, I want to be an actor when I grow up!" Mommy smiles and says, "Sorry son, but you can’t have it both ways."

If we’re lucky, we can (and should) have it both ways. We are actors, and damned lucky to be doing what we love. We don’t need the expensive toys that others have–those who make a lot of money doing stuff they hate. A bad day at the theatre beats a good day at the plant anytime. We do grow up. We have responsibilities. We have commitments to others and to ourselves. But we also have rights.

We learn, even as very small children, that actions have consequences. And, generally, we either gain pride or shame as a result to those actions. But in the end, all we really possess is our honor. That’s not a toy and you can’t go out and buy it. You can give it away, however, or sell it.

Contrary to how it feels, one day this strike will be over. And what a reckoning it will be then. Oh, the miserable handful of fractionally talented non union actors or financial core whore, who pick up the proverbial $20 left on the dresser after a job well done will no doubt be loud in their rationalizations and defenses. Certainly, no one else will offer a syllable in their defense.

There is so much for which to be proud. The way Chicago has been tough, crafty, brave and ready. The way all of us have hung together and made a real impact. The way we have shouted our indignation and our resolution as well as having listened and reasoned. The way those actors, casting directors and agents who have been offered struck work have turned it down no matter how lucrative. The way the whole community has come together as never before to form one helluva force team and family.

That being said, a final note of caution. As if betrayals by agents weren’t bad enough, now you have to watch out for teachers. If a teacher/instuctor calls you in for scab auditions, luring you with false counsel, don’t go. Talk about abuse of trust! So let me state this one more time for the record–if you have any questions about anything, call the union. They, unlike the greedy and opportunistic, will not lie to you.

To lead off the who-got-what, a bit of clarification. Somewhere in all the notes that I scribbled down for the last issue, I published that Claire Simon was conducting a search for John Travolta’s son in Domestic Disturbance. Silly moi, it was, of course, the lovely Jane Alderman, who was then also casting for "ER."

To borrow a phrase from you know who, oops I did it again. I printed Regina’s pager number instead of her hotline. My profoundest apologies to all. The hotline number is 312/409-5521.

Claire Simon, in addition to casting for the first episode of the Joan Cusack series and working for Judd Apatow’s television show for Dreamworks, also cast an independent film called Design. Those cast were: Rich Comenich, Alicia Hyde, Emma Bates, Julia Sobaski, Taylor Miller, Joey Bianchi, Taylor Bowen, Lara Phillips, Larassa Borkowski, Mary Kay Cook, Kipleigh Brown, Elisabeth Oas, Mildred Lombardi, Steve Cinabra and Lusia Strus.

And word comes from Big Mouth that the multi-talented Greg Mills was booked for the online game "Hunt For Millions." Industrials went to Ryan Wilbis, Sean Solta, Kim Curtin and Kyle Tekiela.

In the midst of Lily’s birthday celebrations, the folks there sent word that there were bookings for Larry Dahlke, Josh Howard, Daniel Shelly and Jill Theil. Cast in the NBC promo were Jim Goss, Todd Baczch. Amy Bakos, Sierra Rhodes, Jermaine Randle and Charles Browning.

Emilia Lorence (thanks to Judy) lets us all know that commercials–AND THESE ARE NOT STRUCK WORK–were booked by Jane Noles, Phil Duncan, Lynwood Jones, Roz Alexander, Wendy Melgarejo, Kalee Principato, Zachery David, Roberto Ortego, Jim Jackson, Rudy Misurec, Frank Wiltse, Dee Washington and Matt O’Toole. Industrials went to Mark Raz, Connie Kerulis, Jack Price, Joanne Biasetti, John Nygro, Glen Harston, Deb Goldstein, Aubrey Barnhill, Brittany Barnhill, Tony Brooks, Michael Estrada, Cedric Collins, Judy Barnhill, Connie Foster, Andrea Washburn, Chuck McLennan, Pam Montgomery, Rick Plastina, and Tom Higgins. Greg Sandquist was booked for Hardball.

We will all miss the genial and gentlemanly Ed Grennan, who died recently. I grew up watching "It’s Academic" and bemoaning the fact that my school was too small to participate. I was lucky to meet the kind man when I worked with several of his talented children while either teaching or in the theatre.

Peace.

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