crumbles

Just wanted anyone who does community theatre, or knows these people, to know some info:

--The wake for Mary Jo's father will be on Sunday at the Kutis funeral home in Lemay from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the funeral will be Monday. (Not sure of location or time; check the Post Dispatch for exact info.)

--Dennis will not be playing the role of Terry in "Side Show". Our musical director, Kevin, will be taking over the part for both weekends, and fair warning: he will (obviously) be doing the show with the script. It was announced to us last night before rehearsal that Dennis has leukemia and lymphoma. They are transferring him to Barnes Jewish Hospital today, where they will start a month-long treatment of intense chemotherapy. He will be in the hospital for the entire duration of the month, but then will be able to come back home. Dennis will have to be in and out of the hospital after--for more rounds of chemotherapy, some radiation I'm sure, and possibly bone marrow transplants. Jim (his partner) said the reason his body was destroying (?) the platelets in his blood is because he has so many tumors that it's affected his bone marrow, of which he no longer has much. Dennis wrote a short, but very heartfelt, letter to the cast which brought us all to tears. Poor Jim had to leave the room, but he's being a trooper even though he's scared to death. To close the note, Dennis told us all, "Take care of my Jim for me." I have the utmost respect for those two, and if you ever get the pleasure to be around them, they're so infectious and such a joy. Dennis, you're in our hearts and minds, and this show's for you.