Seattle

I've got to admit that Seattle very well may be my favorite city. I am here singing the title role of Nabucco in Seattle Opera's production of (Nabucco). We opened the show this past weekend and it was a huge success! It seems that the public very much has enjoyed the twist on the production in that the orchestra is on stage behind us and we, the performers, are on a raked (angled) stage over the orchestra pit...thus, much closer physically to the audience than ever before. It provides a few issues regarding contact with the maestro, but thanks to modern technology, we have numerous monitors and hitting' it old school, we have a prompter. Now we have a few days off to rest before kicking things up again with the next performances. Which, is wonderful... because the weather is wonderful... and Seattle is wonderful! Things I would like to do: Ride the space needle and have lunch/dinner at the restaurant, Drive up to Mt Rainier and visit Paradise Inn, eat all the salmon, continue to explore all the amazing restaurants Seattle has to offer! The great thing about this is that I will be back in Seattle in Feb/March for their production of Maria Stuarda singing the role of Talbot. So, there is time for it all.

The Great Escape

I am wrapping up an amazing escape from the 100+ heat index of Dallas, TX to the lovely New England town of Portland, Maine. I have spent the past 2 and a half weeks rehearsing and performing the role of Peter, the Father in Humperdink's HANSEL AND GRETEL with PORT Opera. In addition to the lovely weather (it didn't once reach above 90) another highlight (yet again) was the delicious eats of the New England coast! I have one word: LOBSTAH! If you THINK you have eaten lobster, you don't know nuthin! Get yourself over to J's Seafood on Commercial street or better yet The Lobster Shack out on Cape Elizabeth. TRULY AMAZING. The views from Cape Elizabeth are truly stunning...almost as good as the LOBSTAH! Can you tell I loved eating lobster? The one trek and HJ and I made on this trip was out to Wiscassette, ME for an adventure in culinary delights to RED'S EATS. Oh. My. God. This is a little shack on the side of the road that boasts a pound and a half of lobster in every lobster roll! Now, for our newbies, a lobster roll is essentially all the wonderfulness of eating a lobster w/o all the work! Its lobster meat on toasted bread with mayo or butter. Holy Cow, RED'S EATS WAS AMAZING!!! We had THE BEST lobster roll in all of New England and zucchini sticks to boot! Nevermind Sarah's just across the street with THE BEST Blueberry Pie you've ever heard/seen/envisioned! Truly blissful.

As I head back to Texas I will fondly remember our crustacean friends of the deep blue ocean and how yummy you all were! :-)

Change o' plans

Ok... so, after realizing that most people read blogs using their google blogreader that essentially downloads all of their favorites to one place... I think for the time being I will continue to blog here as well as on my website. So.. here is the latest blog that I recently posted on my website:

As I have been blogging during the past few years, I am sure that many of you have been disappointed or curious as to why sometimes my blogging is kept up to date while other times I am absent. Perhaps because there is no common theme... no method to my madness! With the help of a friendly Canadian, I have decided that my blog will focus on my travels and perhaps more specifically on the wonderful culinary delights I find along the way!

Soooo.... back tracking a bit, lets talk about Toronto. At first glance I seriously thought this might have been the first town where there wasn't an overwhelming obviousness to where one should grab a bite to eat! They had the standard Irish pub and decent late night eatery near the theater, but where was the stuff that would eventually blow my taste bud's mind??

It seems that it takes a native to show a tourist whats what in the "Great White North". You can imagine my surprise when the first idea thrown out was pulled pork, BBQ brisket, and shredded chicken sandwiches at Toronto's very own Black Camel. I was like BBQ in Canada? Whoa people, WHOA! This place is truly amaaaaaaazing! Check out this review! - so, yeah... we started off on the right track! Another recommendation that soon followed was another surprise for this Texan: Burrito Boyz , voted "Best Burrito in Toronto" ..ok, sooo, whats the big deal? My friends, it WAS a big deal. This burrito was DELICIOUS! Your choice of whole wheat or regular tortilla with all the fixin's that you would imagine in an off-the-beaten-path bodega in any Tex-Mex lovin' city here in TX! Needless to say, I quickly became a happy stranger in a foreign land. Other fantastic recommendations include Beer Bistro, Fran's Diner, and of course, The Keg. Thank you my friendly Canadians for your delicious cuisine, admirable hospitality, and wonderful taste in all things fun. :-)

Next up... Portland, Maine! (I'm thinkin' LOBSTER!!)

Movin'.....

Dear blog readers...

I have recently launched my NEW website over at www.westonhurt.com, which, among other things includes a BLOG inside the website, which is where I will be doing my blogging from here on out... so, its kinda like a one-stop shop! See some photos, hear some tunes, read my goings on...

So, come by and check it out! WESTONHURT.COM


Thanks!!!


-Weston

back at the ranch...

Home, home on the range... Its always nice to come home, especially after such a lengthy gig! I had an amazing time in Toronto debuting with The Canadian Opera Company! Truly an amazing company from all angles. Now comes the downtime. Its always an interesting period when I come off such a high of performing and meeting new friends and living the dream to being at home where I am just me. I guess its a wonderful balance to have. I think anyone that lives too much of one or the other just might go crazy!

Ok, so... home. Its freakin' hot in Texas, y'all. Seriously. It was 100 F degrees last night when I finished up at the gym at 9:40pm! 100!!! It feels like an oven when you walk outside. Thank God I'm in Dallas where it isnt all that humid. I can only imagine my poor family down in Houston where it is 110% humidity!? How did I ever play football with 2-a-days in August in Houston, TX?? But... thats why they make swimming pools, right? I just might head out to work on my tan and have a little dip in the pool!

In business news - my new website is about to launch! Thats right, pretty soon there will be a whole new look over at www.westonhurt.com! I'm very excited about the work that Patrick Nigh has been doing for me. He truly is a gifted visionary when it comes to web design! Thanks Patrick!! I'm very excited to see the finished product. And, next month I have the opportunity to revisit a favorite opera of mine, Hansel and Gretel! I get to escape the height of the TX heat in July and begin rehearsals in Portland, Maine on this wonderful new production of H&G. I sing the role of the Father with an outstanding cast. Check out http://www.portopera.org/cast.php for cast info.

For now I shall continue to work out at the gym, swim in the pool, master the art of FIFA '10 on my PS3, and enjoy my time at home.

Seasons are a' changin', eh?

As my time in Toronto winds down the days are filled not only with boredom and anticipation of being back at home, but also with Canada's version of sweltering heat! It was but a few weeks ago my colleague and I were hurrying to the gym in order to get out of the cold wind... and today there is a high of 31! (thats 88 to you and me) ...its odd it feels a lot warmer. I think the conversions might be a little off.

Tonight we have Maria Stuarda #6 with only 2 shows remaining; Friday evening and Sunday afternoon... and then HOME! sing it with me... "The stars at night are big and bright .... DEEP IN THE HEART OF TEXAS" Its been a wonderful few months here in the great white north and I thank our neighbors to the north for their hospitality, but I'm ready to be home.

Oh Canada...

After having "lived" with our neighbors to the north now for about 3 and a half weeks, I am here to say that its not all that different from home. I mean, is it ever? I guess if you're 100 miles from civilization in the Siberian tundra, things might seem foreign... but here in Toronto there are a few words that when pronounced will always make my giggle - but other than that its quite familiar.

But, lets talk singin'. This cast of MARIA STUARDA just might be the most amazing cast of singers that I have ever been surrounded by. I have been incredibly fortunate to work with the colleagues and directors who truly put their stamp on the work that they do, but this cast that The COC has put together is truly a dream team of Bel Canto. Serena Farnocchia takes the title role and truly offers what I believe to be the most amazing singing I have ever heard. She is simply amazing. Alexandrina Pendachanska plots the death of Mary as Queen Elizabeth and is FIERCE! Eric Cutler not only brings a bromance of epic proportion but is a fantastic tenor who truly makes the role of "Lester" his own. My lovely friend Patrick Carfizzi brings his powerful bass-baritone and Canadian knowledge of housing options among other must-have tidbits of genius to the role of Talbot. I'm singing the evil Iago/Scarpia-esque villan Cecil, and the young superstar soprano Simone Osborne takes the role of Anna Kennedy. Have I mentioned that these people can SING? I have to say that its REALLY FUN when you can make music at this level AND have a cast as fun as these people are! :-)

Just returned from an amazing walk around the Kensington Market, University of Toronto, and finally Hospital Alley before returning back to the diggs across from The Four Seasons Performing Arts Centre - all skillfully shown by Toronto's own Pete McGillivrey, friend and colleague. Thanks Pete! ...oh! not to mention the amazing smoked meat sandwich for dinner at this amazing Russian Deli place. :-)

Orchestra Dress Rehearsal numero 3 tomorrow night - they claim it will be a complete runthru of the show... we shall see. ;-) Opening night is creeping upon us. BUT, my sweetheart returns to Canadia for opening, so, in my mind it can't come soon enough!!