just back from Louisville, having seen “Basement Story” in The 10s — the show of the finalists for the Heideman Award at Actors Theatre.

Oh but first there was the Swerving Off The Side of the Road, at mile 10 on I69, the night before. Black ice, scourge of the highway. I was just innocently tipping shrapnel from the peanut bar wrapper into my mouth when the car started to fishtail. A very long second ensued as I swerved and ended up in a ditch on the side of the road for an hour.

And I wondered: Is it okay to check Facebook while stranded, roadside, in the dark during a blizzard?

(yes)

And at what point do you call your mother and tell her?

(haven’t yet)

The following night, having had my fill at Proof and seeing my old friend Kiki and her fiancé for a drink, I swung over to the theatre. Now, the show started at 10:30 pm, isn’t quite at the 11pm Sleep No More level, but still. That’s late. However, my furnace was nicely warmed by the second Old Fashioned that accompanied me to my seat. Along with my friends Brian and Brian.

The show was really strong, with a couple of definite contenders in the mix. “Hero Dad” by Laura Jacqmin was this prismatic look at parental responsibility, an interesting triptych really, and maybe the smartest. “Advanced” by M. Thomas Cooper, about cavemen arguing in Lincoln/Douglas style, got huge laughs and was really winning. I have to remember the benefits of absurd costuming while writing.

The totally charming, perhaps-shall-I-say-it?-Beiber-banged Sean Mellot did great in “Basement” — I loved this magician-table-cloth swipe he did with the sheet over the bureau. He told me he was nervous having me in the audience, but it didn’t show. I was super happy: this is as realized as this show will ever be, probably, and I didn’t wince once at the writing (which happens).

One of the best aspects of the show was the total variety: 22 actors, no repeats, in 7 shows. Each one was a pilot episode. Crashed afterwards, even though the fresh-faced Apprentice Co. invited me to the after-party. Sean, if you’re reading this, congrats. You were as good as I could have hoped for. Now just be aware Colin might be paying a visit to your room at night…