Award Winning Shirtlessness

With the awards season upon us, I realize that I will probably spend a great deal of time in the next few weeks trying to catch all the Oscar movies. Between that and the fact that we are beginning our repertory schedule of doing one show while rehearsing another, I doubt I will have much time for new shirtlessness. I'm also concerned that none of the front runners for Oscars aside from Christian Bale who was recently posted give good shirtlessness. So let me take a moment to commend the Cecil B.DeMille Award winner from the Golden Globes, Robert De Niro. In his younger years, he sported quite a bit of shirtlessness, and then when that faded he turned to comedy - never a bad choice. Granted "Little Fockers" was not his best work, but I can respect a man who replaces a fit torso with a jaunty wit. So congratulations to Mr. De Niro for the recognition of his body of work.

Julius Caesar begins preview tomorrow. Although there is no shirtlessness in the show, technical rehearsals over the weekend revealed that the costumes feature quite a few bare calves. When not wearing togas, the men all wear tunics with short breeches. Although I have never been an advocate for pantslessness, I do know some members of IMS who thoroughly enjoy a bare calf. This show is definitely for those individuals. Calves and swordplay and the infrequent appearance of me in a wig reminiscent of Liza Minnelli. I've never actually had to play a boy before, and so I'm enjoying myself. I don't know if anyone believes that I'm either male or a child, but here's to hoping. Our first audience arrives tomorrow morning, and then only time will tell. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Old Spice and Shirtlessness

Ahhh, the Old Spice guy is back! Though I don't like this spot as much as the one wear he rides a horse and builds a kitchen, I can't complain about a commercial that uses nothing but unadulterated shirtlessness to send its message. I also appreciate that he uses a wonderful vocabulary while being shirtless which as you all know is a big turn on for me. I have often in the past noted some fine accessories to shirtlessness like kindness and intelligence, and this week, I would like to add a deft handling of the English language to the list. It's very, very good.

I am currently in tech for the first show of the season here at ASF. So far, it's going well. I'm happy to report that while no one is shirtless in this show, some of the actors are wet. After Colin Firth's infamous lake scene in Pride and Prejudice, I have to offer being soaking wet as an acceptable alternative to shirtlessness. What I think is particularly appealing about this instance is that the soaking occurs on stage which is a little piece of stage magic. Sometimes I really love the theater!

I have to go back to continue tech rehearsal, but I do assure you, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Sugar Ray Shirtless

In the march towards the Oscars, I am anxiously watching as many of the soon-to-be-nominated films as I can. Last night night, I saw "The Fighter." While there was a lot of good shirtlessness in the film from previously featured actors Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale, there was also some footage of probably the first good male shirtlessness I ever saw when I was a child, boxing film of Sugar Ray Leonard. My dad used to watch boxing when I was a kid, and I have distinct memories of watching some of Sugar Ray's fights with him. Mr. Leonard made a brief appearance in the film, and I was reminded of how cute I always thought he was. So in honor of fighters everywhere and comebacks of all kinds, I give you Sugar Ray Leonard who always gave great shirtlessness.

Having seen "The Fighter" I also see how Mr. Bale and Melissa Leo won Golden Globe awards for their performances. They both broke my heart in this film, and I'm routing for them to win Oscars. The movie has a lot of heart, and it's hard not to get swept up in the story of a down on his luck boxer fighting his way to the top in spite of the heavy weight of a crazy family. How can you not cheer for a shirtless Mark Wahlberg? And a new IMS member did remark on a great shot of Mr. Wahlberg's back, and I have to say if anyone can find that clip from the film, I will post it. That is all good.

It is still not warm in Alabama, but it's not as cold here as in New York. So I'm grateful and...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

We Are All Romans Now

So I have migrated south for the winter in order to perform in the Shakespeare festival here, and our first show of the season is "Julius Caesar" which has put me in a rather historical mindset. One of my fellow cast mates (and recent new recruit to the cause) suggested that I check out a certain Dustin Clare of the recent "Spartacus" film, and it appears that Mr. Clare does uphold the Two Point Standard of good shirtlessness. It also appears that the Roman Empire was a high point for shirtlessness, at least as depicted in popular culture. Sadly there is no shirtlessness in the current production that I am in (maybe not so sad since no one is really in shirtless shape although that could change), but I think doing research for this show will provide fruitful for the blog. Already, I have enlisted some new members of IMS. Welcome, fellow thespians! We do plan to watch the series "Rome" which promises lots of shirtlessness and I may just have to watch this Spartacus as well. So even though it is freezing like the Northeast, who says there can't be some good shirtlessness is Alabama?

Friends, Romans, Countrymen - lend me your shirts!

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Golden Shirtlessness

In honor of his Golden Globe win, I have to post Christian Bale, mostly because I don't think that Colin Firth would hold up to the Two Point Standard even though I love him. Mr. Bale does give consistent good shirtlessness, and I have to give him props for being an absolute chameleon. He looks so different in every single movie he does, it comes as no surprise that he would win a statue for his efforts. I'm a bit miffed as to why his acceptance speech was twice as long as everyone else's, but the group of actors that I watched the show with last night all thought it was well-deserved. I have yet to see this shirtlessness-filled movie, but it is on my list to watch before the Oscars, along with approximately nine other films.

One hopeful note in the Golden Globes last night was that all the female winners appeared to be women of some maturity. It's nice to see women who have put in the time to receive some recognition. Natalie Portman was the youngest winner, and even with her youth, she's been at it a long time. Maybe next year, one of the winners will be a different race than Caucasian and I'll really feel hopeful.

It continues to be freezing here in Montgomery, leaving very little opportunity to encounter real life shirtlessness, but I feel confident that the nino winds will changes soon. At least I hope so. Five months without shirtlessness seems like a long time. Let's hope for change, shall we? I continue to be...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

Off the Map

I have attempted to watch the new ABC show "Off the Map" twice and have yet to be compelled to add it to my list. But I will say that I'm happy to report that there was shirtlessness from the above Martin Henderson before the first commercial break. I fear that this show may be as preposterous as "Private Practice," but unlike PP, it seems to understand that the audience really just wants to watch hot doctors take their shirts off, not hot doctors grappling with emotional issues from their childhood and failed marriages. Some of you may remember Mr. Henderson from "Bride & Prejudice," the ill-fated Bollywood remake of the Jane Austen classic. As an avid Austenite, there is not time enough to discuss the atrocities committed in that film, but I can say that Mr. Henderson, though no Mr. Darcy, was charming enough there. I'll give "Off the Map" a few more weeks before giving up.

In other news, I have also dumped B&S from my viewing list. Hearing that they were bringing back Tommy was simply too much for me. I also think I have seen all the permutations of sibling rivalry that is possible on that show. Finally, they sent Luc away. He was really my only hope.

I'm still freezing in Alabama but hoping for a return to Southern weather over the weekend. Until then, I am...

Your in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS

The Beauty of the Ballet Body

Last week an IMS member directed my attention to Benjamin Millepied, otherwise known as Natalie Portman's fiance and baby daddy. This NYCB dancer has been giving a lot of shirtlessness lately, and I felt I had to post him to honor the beauty that is the ballet body. Being a moderina myself, I know I often look to modern dance for a shirtlessness fix, but let us not forget the ballet. I have yet to see "The Black Swan," but this photo is enough to persuade me to see it. I have no idea what that Mondrian-esque tattoo on his abdomen is, and frankly, I don't really care. In any case, well done, Ms. Portman!

I apologize for the erratic timing of my posts lately. Life has been rather topsy-turvy for this hyphenate of late. My Jane Austen play opened in Silver Spring on Friday night, and the excitement of the experience threw off my shirtlessness schedule. Right after opening, I flew down to Montgomery where I will be participating in the Alabama Shakespeare Festival for the next 5 months. That transition also threw my posting schedule off. But now that I am here and getting acclimated, I hope to get back on track. Thank you for your patience, gentle IMS members. Please know that the cause is never far from my heart even though it can be at times far from my computer.

I had looked forward to coming south as an opportunity for more real life shirtlessness, but alas, I have been greeted by 30 degree weather. I am not amused. Hopefully this is only a minor detour on the way to extremely good shirtlessness some time soon. Until then, I am...

Yours in shirtlessness,
Nandita
President
IMS