Campaign for my GED and foray into the real estate business

To help out, click here: gofund.me/xg2ek7jg

Ever since I first started working, people have encouraged me to go into real estate.  It’s been a natural progression since then – my latest industry was luxury cars, so this seemed like a logical next step, finally.
Having recently completed 60 hour of training and passing the state exam, I only have a few more hurdles left before I can officially call myself a realtor.  The biggest one is my GED.  My late teen years were tumultuous and I ended up dropping out of high school 3 times.  Needless to say, I never got my diploma.

Things are a little tight for me while I finish this huge task of completing my real estate requirements and re-acquainting myself after 20 years with the subjects of language arts, math, social studies and science.  I’m also switching jobs and starting at Keller Williams in an administrative capacity in early September.  Everything is running smoothly but I could use a little help.

Hence why I have created this GoFundMe page.  Any help you can offer to support me finally having my GED and realizing my real estate dreams would be incredible.  Doesn’t hurt to ask, right?

Either way, I’m very grateful for the immense moral support I’ve already received.  It’s a big endeavor and I’m so excited to come out on the either side of it triumphant!

To help out, click here: gofund.me/xg2ek7jg

Help Michael get to Birmingham!

So amidst all the wildness of my life, becoming single, starting a new job…. I had the wild notion I should pick up and move to Birmingham!  While my new job is very promising, it will take a little while for me to get back to par with what I was making, and I have my usual bills to contend with, as well as getting re-established in Birmingham.

With this in mind, I went to UHaul’s website and discovered it will cost me nearly $400 to get a small truck with a car-tow for my little Kia.  Yikes!

The move is slated for November 27.  You can help get me back to Alabama by donating anything to the cause.  Here’s the link:

Donate via Paypal

If you can help, thanks so much. If not, that’s totally fine too. Once I get my goal of $400 put together, I’m coming, be it later this month or early December!

Lots of love.
~Michael

More Stuff Coming Soon…

Since I’m not directing a show or in rehearsal for anything else, this page hasn’t been updated lately.

Next weekend (July 25) I start rehearsals for Oliver! at Asheville Community Theatre.  Check that out and check back here occasionally to hear my playlist.

Here’s a fun picture of some of my absolute favorite people (like the kind you can’t live without) the other night at Sante Wine Bar:  Sarah, Brett & Layna.

Mountain Xpress Review of The Mousetrap

Review of the Mousetrap – By Meg Hale on 06/23/2010

In typical Agatha Christie form, The Mousetrap, the most recent production at the Brevard Little Theatre, grabs the audience immediately and keeps them guessing until the final scene.

Known for being the most successful writer of all time and selling more books than any in history with the exception of the works of Shakespeare and The Bible (according to the Guinness Book of World Records), Christie is most famous for her mystery novels, starring detectives like Hercule Poirot and Miss Jane Marble.

The Mousetrap, however, centers around a group of strangers that all happen to be staying at a British boarding house during a snow storm. As one would imagine, the situation intensifies when one of the guests is murdered. Opening at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham, in 1952, The Mousetrap had the longest initial run of any modern play in history, running 58 years and over 24,000 performances.

The ensemble cast of characters includes a mysterious foreigner, a disturbed young man, a retired military Major and a quiet older woman. They, along with the newlywed couple that maintain the inn, are all under suspicion for the murder. In the BLT production, all the characters are perfectly portrayed by the actors who play them. Although the most fun roles are probably that of Parvicini (Mich Barg), Mrs. Boyle (Ann Strother) and Christopher Wren (Joseph Barcia). I also very much enjoyed the role of the good-natured police officer, played by Scott Bean.

Under the direction of Michael Wilson (who was also in charge of the lights and set) and the stage management of Liz Malone, the design and timing of this show were spot-on, making for a most compelling and challenging mystery, and totally worth the drive to Brevard.

Although Christie is obviously a master of her craft and an undeniably successful writer, I must admit that I found the plot of The Mousetrap just a bit formulaic and predictable. I did, however, really enjoy the moment when the killer was revealed and that my suspicions were correct. It’s a lot harder than figuring out whodunnit on Law & Order, where you just assume that the actor you’ve seen before is the killer. So, I suppose that mine was the proper reaction of an audience member for a mystery play, and likewise, confirms me as a born mystery-lover.

This particular show is also known for its twist-ending, which for decades audiences who’ve just seen the show have been asked not to reveal. And I cannot abide breaking tradition; so if you want to know the surprise ending, you’ll have to check it out for yourself.

The Mousetrap will be playing at the Brevard Little Theatre in downtown Brevard Friday and Saturday (June 25-26) at 8 p.m., and Sunday (June 27) at 3 p.m.

Click here to see the original article on Mountain Xpress’ website.

Review of The Mousetrap (Transylvania Times)

BLT Presents A Stunning Production Of The Mousetrap
By Bill Mashburn

Brevard Little Theater has reprised “The Mousetrap,” a classic murder mystery by Agatha Christie. It is a good decision. Michael Wilson, a fine actor who has appeared in BLT’s “A Christmas Carol” and “Fiddler on the Roof,” makes his BLT directing debut with masterful and creative control. As usual Maureen Edick, producer, touches all the bases.

The play is fast moving and energy driven, and there is an appealing synergy among the actors. The well cast show is a wonderful blend of well known actors on the Brevard theater scene and some very talented newcomers to the BLT stage.

First, all the actors have strong voices and individualistic characterizations. They keep the mystery going with carefully designed twists and turns.

Mandi Hart gives a very creditable and empathetic interpretation of the character of the young and inexperienced innkeeper, Mollie Ralston, and Michael Boulos is very strong and reliable as her husband and co-innkeeper, Giles Ralston.

Joseph Barcia, gives an incredible performance as Christopher Wren, the young, effeminate, wannabe architect. He has the mannerisms, affectations and facial expressions down to an art form, and both repels and attracts sympathy.

Veteran actress Ann Strother does a marvelous characterization of the haughty and ever so critical Mrs. Boyle, who engenders little goodwill among the guests or innkeepers.

Marvin Barg handles the role of Major Metcalf with his usual professionalism and competence. His is a solid performance.

Sonia Arnold weaves an intricate web of mystery around her character of Miss Casewell. Hers is a surprising performance.

Mich Barg is very entertaining and effusive as an Italian charmer, Mr. Paravicini. This is perhaps Barg’s best and at the same time most difficult performance ever.

And finally, Scott Bean, is relentlessly strong and effective in his role of Detective Sergeant Trotter.

Don’t miss the opportunity to see this summer sizzler with its surprise ending.

Performances continue this weekend with performances on Friday, June 25, and Saturday, June 26, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, June 27, at 3 p.m. Reservations may be made by calling (828) 884-2587. All performances are at the American Legion Hall, 55 East Jordan St. in downtown Brevard.

See the original review in the Transylvania Times here.

The Mousetrap Opens June 18!

Some Photos from Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, at Brevard Little Theatre

Stuff I Listen To.

BLT in Rehearsal for Christie’s The Mousetrap

The third production of the Brevard Little Theatre’s 60^th season, The Mousetrap, one of the most popular mysteries by Agatha Christie, has been cast and is in rehearsal.  The director of the production, Asheville’s Michael Wilson, is directing in Brevard for the first time.  He says, “I remember the thrill I got when reading through my first Christie book, Ten Little Indians, because I never really knew just whodunnit until the very end.  The Mousetrap follows that vein and keeps the audience guessing the entire time.”

The cast, called “stellar” by Wilson, is evenly split between actors from Brevard and Asheville. It is comprised of Michele & Marvin Barg, Michael Boulos, Sonia Arnold, Joseph Barcia, Ann Strother, Mandi Hart and Scott Bean. Maureen Edick is the producer and Liz Malzone the stage manager.

The Mousetrap originally opened in London in 1952 and, with over 24,000 performances so far, is now the longest running show of the modern era.  The play is also known for its twist at the end that audience members are always asked not to reveal.  Previously performed by BLT in 2000, The Mousetrap is being reprised by popular request.

The play will be performed the two weekends of June 18^th and June 25^th at the American Legion Hall on East Jordan St. in Brevard.  For additional information or to make reservations, contact BLT at 828.884.BLTR [2587]

Cast announced for The Mousetrap!

Auditions for The Mousetrap were this past weekend and we had some fantastic people audition.  After careful consideration, the following people have been chosen:

Mollie Ralston: Mandi Hart

Giles Ralston: Michael Boulos

Christopher Wren: L. Joseph Barcia, Jr.

Mrs. Boyle: Ann Strother

Miss Casewell: Sonia Arnold

Major Metcalf: Marvin Barg

Paravacini: Michele Barg

Seargent Trotter: Scott Bean

Congrats to the new cast.

Mark your calendars to come see the show!

The Mousetrap, by Agatha Christie

June 18-27, 2010 at Brevard Little Theatre

Directed by Michael Wilson