Anticipating Shirtlessness

Okay, I know this is not an actual shirtless picture of everyone's favorite actor, gorgeous George Clooney, but I also know for a fact that he will be shirtless in this film. So I'm posting it and feeling happy that in the next week, I will be feasting my eyes on some excellent shirtlessness. I hope you, brave IMS members, will feel happy too. Apparently some shirtless photos will also be coming out in W magazine, and I will be sure to post those just as soon as I can. But for now, we will just have to enjoy this still of him in a suit which frankly is a look that I have always loved on him. I think that if you can't have shirtlessness, the next best thing is a well cut suit. I offer "Ocean's 11" in support of this theory.

In any case, I'm readjusting to life in New York where I don't have to recycle quite as maniacally as in Ithaca, although I am trying to keep the recycling flame alive. I have been separating my tea bag wrappers from the tea bags and wondering how much landfill would be saved, if people would simply take this one step. It boggles the mind to think how much could be changed with small adjustments in lifestyle like unplugging chargers and turning off the lights, and yet so many people are unwilling to make even these small changes. Clearly things like derivative trading, health insurance, and the tax code are not going to be adjusted in my lifetime. Whenever I start to think about overwhelmingly negative things of this nature, I go back to the touchstone of good male shirtlessness and think that at least one thing is going in a positive direction - there is more good male shirtlessness every day. Phew!

It's good to have something positive to think about when the facts of life seem overwhelmingly negative. The work we do is important. Don't stop advocating for good male shirtlessness. As you know, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Oh Brad!

I'm feeling nostalgic again for the days when couples kept their own names and Brad Pitt had short blod hair. Oh, those were the good old days! I was not able to post on Monday because I was visiting my parents who for some unknown reason decided to cancel their internet service. I think my dad thinks that the internet is a passing fad, and I didn't really have the heart to explain the truth to him. For three internet free days, I did harken back to a time when the news cycle was not constant, and I could watch "Law & Order" reruns without interruption from the comfort of my bed. But back in the gritty city, I am reminded that indeed the internet is here to stay, and Brangelina no longer knows what his natural hair color is. The good news is that shirtlessness seems to be becoming the norm. One cheer for progress!

I was watching a rerun of "The Middle" the other night and noticed that the oldest son in that show seems to be shirtless all the time. Now granted, he is a teenager and very pale, but he walks around the show without a shirt and without anyone commenting on it. I have to wonder if the next generation of males is being trained to believe that good shirtlessness is their duty and responsibility? I can only hope! IMS members, we are a subtle but powerful group. Don't give up the fight!

Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

A Good Move for Connor

How happy am I to find out that Grant Bowler after his amazing stint on "Ugly Betty" and that coming out of the water scene has joined the cast of "True Blood," ensuring that his shirtlessness will go on? Very happy. I clearly need to get HBO to increase my shirtlessness quotient. Hopefully the universe will hear my call and respond by providing me with a job that lasts long enough to justify raising my cable bill. Ah the delicate balance of being a performing artist while trying to maintain an acceptable level of shirtlessness!

My show opens tonight, and although I was not able to advocate for any shirtlessness in it, I am incredibly proud of the work. I have an absolutely adorable cast who has worked hard to incorporate all of the movement into their characters in a most organic and natural way. It has been a joy to work with all of them and with the creative staff. Since this was my first time choreographing an entire show, the process was filled with stress and insecurity, but I am grateful to find out that even in one's late 30's, it is possible to rise to new challenges.

I continue to challenge all of you IMS members to advocate for good male shirtlessness, far and wide. Anything is possible! Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

A Blast from the Past

Forgive me for the last week without posting. Choreographing a musical has taken more brain power than I expected, and between the exhaustion and connectivity issues, I just could not post. I realize that in these stressful times, I probably need good male shirtlessness more than ever, but alas I could not quite get it together. If only some good shirtlessness would come to me once in a while!

In any case, the other night Spike TV was showing a marathon of the original Star Wars movies, and I was reminded how much I enjoyed Harrison Ford as Han Solo. My favorite of the trilogy was "The Empire Strikes Back" partially because it seemed so selfless when he allowed himself to be frozen in carbonite. Looking back, I realize that watching these movies probably began my unrealistic expectations of men and the endless search for selflessness and compassion in the opposite sex. Good thing I have replaced this search with the search for good shirtlessness which is infinitely more achievable!

I start tech for my show this evening and open on Friday. While I was unsuccessful in getting anyone to take off their shirt in the show, I am told that for the "Adult Swim" night where all the spellers will be given dirty words, perhaps shirts will be optional. A girl can dream! Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Shirtlessness for Good and Not Evil

So apparently filming has begun on an Asian version of Jersey Shore called "K-Town," and I am baffled as to how assimilation has led to ethnic versions of bad television shows. I shouldn't really speak since I have never watched the "Jersey Shore," and reading last week's People magazine expose on its inhabitants (What do you call people on a reality show that isn't a contest? Characters? Members?) did not make me want to start. The only thing that seems positive is that a certain Mr. Peter Le is getting a lot of attention for his abs in the same vein as his white counterpart, "The Situation." I'm not really sure if this is progress, folks. Even I have to draw the line somewhere, and it seems like there should be other ways to recognize the rocking abs of Asian men than bootlegging a reality television show that celebrates the idiocy of its cast.

Currently I am working very hard on trying to figure out how to make my Spelling Bee cast take off their shirts in the show. Being a choreographer has been fun so far since I tell the cast what to do and they do it. Today I made everyone fall on the floor. It seems like I should be able to make shirts disappear. But I do feel a little bit awkward about it since the actors are portraying children in middle school. Perhaps inappropriate? Well, maybe this show will lead to another show in which male shirtlessness would not offend. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Vampire Shirtlessness

I know it's crazy that as the president of IMS, I have never watched "True Blood," but Madame Secretary tells me that this hunk, Joe Manganiello, is joining the show as a regular werewolf which I can only assume means that he will be shirtless most of the time. Yay! If this blog would take off, perhaps I could add HBO to my pathetic cable package and enjoy "True Blood" on a regular basis. To be honest, I'm a little bit afraid of the show because I think there is a lot of pantslessness as well as shirtlessness, and you all know I advocate for shirtlessness only. I know the Vice President will have something to say about this as well, but what can I say? I'm just a sweet Indian girl who enjoys good male shirtlessness!

Today I begin rehearsals for "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" at the Hangar Theatre as the choreographer. I was a bit terrified by the prospect of creating the movement for an entire show, but now that rehearsals are upon me, I'm excited to be creative in a different way than I have been in a while. I also am trying to figure out how to get at least one speller to take his shirt off. My job is really never done. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS