In the hopes of ridding myself of some of the drama...

This morning, I received this email from the (now) director of AMS:


Good Morning All,

Hope to see everyone at the space as close to 6:30 as possible. I should be arriving at just about 6 if I'm successful in my quest to convince Michelle to forgive me for my (almost) unforgivable gape-fest during our little flurry of reorganization. In case any of you are unaware, in my desperate attempt to improve the cast I may have lost one of our precious assets when I tried to move Michelle into a more substantial role based on my very positive impression of her spot-on - Lydia. A precious asset in Michelle and a second precious asset in a GREAT Lydia.

So, in pursuit of bringing our friend and colleague back into the fold for everybody's benefit, I have just crossed the Rappahannock on the Route 1 bridge. I am on my hands and knees with my tongue pressed firmly to the pavement (even if
I have to pass over one of those flat things that still have a little fur on them). I will crawl all the way to Michelle's house and beg her (I may have to use a pen and paper) to come back. We all know what a big and forgiving heart beats within Michelle. I can only hope that, somehow, through witnessing this display of rank debasement and complete servitude/humiliation, I-am-lower-than-low-throw-me

-out-with-Kate's-potatoes-garbage, ------ she will see how sincerely sorry I am and realize that old, bald tenors can make horrrrrible errors in judgement and sometimes need a little tenderness to make it to the curtain. Just like everybody else. Boy, I hope this works. And I should have left after rush hour. Even with tongue to pavement, it's stop and go 'til Aquia.
Keller
ps - hey, did any of you guys read in the Free Lance Star that a bunch of Hollywood producers were going to be in town in May? It was in the Style section right under the article about Bernadette Peters and how she got her start playing Lydia in AMS.


This was my carefully constructed reply:


Good afternoon,
I'm sure everyone has had their fair share of confusion in the last few days, myself included. I was very sorry to hear Laura had been asked to step down from her role as Ann, but excited that I was being given the chance to make my own attempt at fleshing out the role.

I accepted the role Wednesday night.

Thursday night, (having just gotten a tattoo Tuesday night) I called out of Millie to stay home and rest my foot and learn my lines. I got a phone call from John asking if I was going to be at the theater that night and when I said no, the phone was handed to Todd, who asked me the same question. He got the same answer and proceeded to say that "we" were wanting to do some readings at the theater. I said I was completely available and to let me know if I was needed at the theater. I was assured of a return phone call if I was needed.

I was never called. Naturally, I assumed no readings were taking place and I , therefore, wasn't needed.

Friday, I arrived at the theater for my shift and, through normal conversation, learned that Thursday night an impromptu "audition" had been held and the role of Ann was given to Kate. Surely, had an "audition" happened, I would have been called in to read (for what I thought was already my part). Puzzled by what I thought was misinformation, I sent a text to John. He replied by saying he thought I knew what had happened. I was supposed to have received a phone call from Brian informing me that I was no longer playing Ann, but was, in fact, playing the part of Sue. Needless to say, I was never informed of this decision. I'd only agreed to continue playing Lydia or take on the role of Ann, depending on the decision that was made concerning Laura.
John and I had a nice long chat Friday night in which I expressed my disappointment at the entire situation, my annoyance at being tossed around and my being very upset that all of this was done, in my opinion, behind my back. I felt (feel) very taken advantage of.

Now, some or all of this reiteration of events may be familiar to most of you, but I felt the need to put everyone on the same page with my side of the events. I'm not trying to lay blame on anyone, mind you. I am merely trying to illustrate the events that lead up to my decision to respectfully bow out of the production, either as Lydia or Sue.
Please know that this decision was not easy to make. Though there were some frustrations before these events, I was enjoying this production, the cast and Lydia. This was not a decision based on emotion or friendship; it was a decision based on professionalism and this unfortunate turn of events. I realize people make mistakes, and I harbor no resentment or anger towards those involved in the decision making process. I understand what they went through to make some of the decisions, and I commend their willingness to forge ahead. I am disappointed, however, in the lack of communication, professionalism and honesty that was displayed over the course of these somewhat unnecessary events.

I accept and appreciate all apologies and explanations that have been extended to me. Now, please accept my resignation from any/all roles in this production. Thank you.

I look very forward to seeing all of you on opening night!

Speaking from my professional side, I remain
Respectfully yours,
Michelle



It was with a heavy heart that I made the decision, but it had to be done, I feel.