We got out of rehearsal at 12:30 a.m. this morning, by far our latest -- and sweatiest -- departure of the process to date. We open Wednesday, and that means understudies have to have at least one full run-through on stage and under the lights. And all at one time.

Jack Nicholson once said something to the effect of every character is 80 percent yourself, and the rest is in the details. I should have paid more attention to Jack early on in the rehearsal process for "Barefoot in the Park," because Harry Pepper is totally me.

Looking for naughty? Nice? How 'bout weird? Influential? Funny? Pathetic? Since at least the beginning of November, Filmoculous.com has been compiling a list of lists for those of us who enjoy reminiscing about the year that was.

A few times a year, Good Company Players head honcho Dan Pessano speaks to the casts and crews of each season's four productions. It's a way for fellow community theater actors to mingle, but it's also so Dan can talk about an important topic: hygiene. When you're around other people in a tight environment for weeks at a time, it's nice if you don't stink. Now if you have to kiss, that's another story altogether.

So there I am, flailing my arms and marching up and down the sidewalk at the corner of Van Ness and Floradora in the Tower District. I'm standing outside a rather nondescript gray building with my scene partner, Renee. Across the street, diners chow down on egg rolls at Ming's and drinkers mingle outside Club Fred. I'm trying to ignore them, but I have a feeling they're trying to figure out what we're doing.

It's a sad day for "West Wing" fans. John Spencer, who has played Leo McGarry for six seasons on the four-time Emmy-winning NBC drama, died of a heart attack Friday in Los Angeles. He was 58.

The blog Regret the Error, which chronicles the media's mistakes (or at least the ones it cops to), has compiled its best-of-2005 list with some real doozies.

The U.S. Government says Cuba can't participate in Major League Baseball's World Cup-type exhibition series it is holding this spring. The 16-, er, 15-team World Baseball Classic is designed to showcase international talent in an attempt to market baseball on a more global scale. Steroids is one thing, imposing decades' old anti-communist policies is another. Or is it? We'd love to hear your thoughts on the latest political involvement in America's pastime.

Last night was one for the blooper reel. I had to go on as Paul for the first act, and lemme tell ya, it wasn't pretty. This was one of those nights when understudies went on because the director had to go act in his other show. So the stage manager was in charge and giving lines when needed. Needless to say, she earned her money last night.

Last year, "The Aviator" and "Sideways" were honored as the best film drama and comedy/musical, respectively. "Million Dollar Baby" took the Best Picture Oscar. So, if the Globes are no longer the best predictor for the Academy Awards, what good are they?

Now I don't want to sound as though I'm unhappy to be the understudy for the character of Paul Bratter, an uptight lawyer who has just married a carefree seemingly crazy woman. The premise for "Barefoot in the Park" does provide for many comic opportunities. It's just that rehearsals take a lot of time.

It's the fourth week of rehearsals and I still don't know my lines. I auditioned for and was cast in Good Company Players' production of "Barefoot in the Park" at 2nd Space Theatre in September. Got my script in October, and we started rehearsing in November. So I've had awhile to prepare for my character and about two solid months to memorize my lines. However, getting back into this acting thing has proved to be harder than I thought.