My Week

Do you see what we are dealing with? By this time next week (at least here's the plan) we will have everything finished- stage floor done, curtains clean, all this put back together and the auditorium cleaned ready for the music department shows on Tuesday and Thursday as well as Christmas in My Hometown on Saturday through Monday. Some may scoff, but hey as I've been told many times, where would be the fun in it all if it were easy? Once I'd like to see if it is as fun...

Going and Going and Going...

The painting of the snow backdrop began today. The costumes are, for the most part, roughly made- no hems or decorations. The set is in pieces waiting to be created, painted and assembled. I am tired and hungry. It's the time of a show where we should be scrambling to do things, but with the refurbishment of the FAB, we can't. All we can do is sit and wait and prepare. If we make appropriate preperations, we should be fine for the load in Friday after next. We get about ten hours to do what we would normally do in two weeks. Alas, we can accomplish! We also only get one tech rehearsal and one dress rehearsal. On top of all of that, I still need to memorize my songs. The show is still getting trimmed- last night we did a great deal of trimming and I think the audience will appreciate us for it. Not that the numbers we lost were bad, something had to go in order to create a tighter show with a good pace. We also did quite a bit of dancing- new dancing, which I hope we will remember tonight. Act two is fine length wise, we just need to clean it up a bit. We have reached that point in rehearsal where we get no time off. We do get this coming Saturday but that is it. I'm glad I like these people.

Worker Bees

Heigh ho, heigh ho, it's time to build a show!
(Notice the newly sanded floor in the background.)

Aida

I saw Aida this weekend- not the Broadway version, but a professional touring production. It was terrible. Maybe had I not seen the Broadway production, twice, I would have enjoyed this version if for nothing else but the music. The singers were good, but that is all they were- singers. A show such as Aida has to have an emotional arch- without out it, you really don't care about the ending (I won't be specific in case you haven't seen it, I don't want to spoil it for you). I think what disturbed me most was the actual physical production. The set was this large metal looking box with a balcony across the top and a door below the balcony. The costumes were even worse. Servants wore strange looking green feed sacks and Aida wore the same thing from the moment we first saw her until the end. They really screwed up the style of the show, I don't think they had a clear concept of where they were going. The Pharoah wore a traditional and historically correct Egyptian robe while his soldiers wore green army coats and carried machine guns. It is ok to set a show in a different period- just be consistant. I imagine they were trying to be "artsy". Some charters wore blue jeans and modern looking hats while standing beside someone dressed in an Egyptian Chiton. Really irritating. They also took some scenes out of context. One scene that is supposed to be performed as women waching laundry on the river bank became a group of servants polishing the floors of the palace complete with yellow mop buckets with "caution wet floor" written on the side- like you see being used in the cafeteria. That is just one example of many- don't even get me started with the "Another Pyramid" number. I'm still trying to figure that one out. The relationship between Aida and Radames was so horribly done that you didn't even believe they came close to loving one another. It was if they were saying each other was scum and the very next moment how much they loved one another. You may argue that often people who are in love fight with one another in order to resist those feelings. Not in this play. The audience has to see the gradual connection or it doesn't support the songs. All in all, I am happy to have experienced the real Aida. If I hadn't I might not like this show very much right now. I often go to things in order to get ideas, to see what we can steal adn do with some cradboard and duct tape. This time I got nothing, but I did enjoy getting away from being bombarded with people. Every now and then you need to get away from the toils of knowing and seeing everyone on the street around you and be surrounded by strangers.

We Need a Little Christmas

I am so ready for holiday time. The decorations are up at the mall, stores along the street are beginning to put out their displays and Christmas commercials have started running on tv. A lot of people say where is Thanksgiving? I've begun to link the two together. You start Christmas preperations and such long before Thanksgiving and then you officially begin to celebrate when Santa comes down the street at the Macy's parade. So for me, Christmas begins a 11:50 am each Thanksgiving day. If you don't already know (and how would you, the "Frustrations" post disappeared- it was there one day and gone the next and I didn't delete it, but who cares- spilt milk) we have completely re-tooled the Christmas show. It now runs almost two hours with and intermission and lots of different and fun songs. We turned complete songs into medleys and deleted or exchanged other songs. I think we will have a very fun, entertaining, exciting show that will touch and move people. That also changed the who clothing aspect of the show. We all have different costumes. My mom and Camila's mom have been sewing their fingers off, making each of the girls a Christmas skirt, panatloons and a cape- the guys only get vests... well, you know what I mean. Act One is set in a traditional country cabin- fireplace, stockings, snowball fights, family and celebrations. In Act Two we honor the Christmas story and present the birth of Jesus through scripture and song. Great fun, great people, great times and lots of fabric.

Les Miserables Opens Tomorrow

One of my top favorite shows is opneing tomorrow for a limited run of six months on Broadway. I've seen Les Mis three times, but would happily see it three times more. It is a great and powerful piece of theatre. The picture above is one of my favorite scenes and a tragically ironic moment in the show. There are more photos in the broadway.com show blog. You may have to scroll down a bit to see them- but there are other interesting things as well and a very disturbing poster for the forth coming production of Equis staring Harry Potter.

Beast and More...

So last night I got to meet Terrence Mann at Western. It was a very fun experience- my plan was to slip in, say "hi, I enjoy your work" and move on. I waited patiently as others circled him and then told them their life story and everything they had perfromed since first grade. Luckily, I know the head of the theatre department pretty well and she gave me a formal introduction to him rather than me just going up and saying I'm this and that. I had no plans to mention Beauty and the Beast from this summer, mainly because you know everyone that does that show tells him about it, however, he found out. He was very gracious about it and even asked a few questions about our production including if I had played the Beast. Very timidly I told him "yes" and then went on to discuss my students (see I don't have the ego that all of you claim). He might even get to come over sometime and talk with them and us, the players. He spoke briefly at the beginning of the evening and he said two things that stuck with me. The most important was about teaching and how when you are out in the world of performance, you are always going to find people just as talented or even more so, but the difference is they me be a jerk and you don't have to be. Why be the jerk? Good point, I think I'm going to like this Mann. The other was this philosophy about performance, which I won't bore you with, but all in all it was a very simple evening and a very small conversation, but a great time. Next time, we'll compare "Beast" notes- ha!

Holly Jolly Around the Corner

The Grinch has arrived on Broadway! That must mean that Christmas is around the corner. Halloween is over, the decorations are starting to go up at the mall and we have begun rehearsals for Christmas in My Hometown. Last year, I let Christmas go by without really celebrating and I promise to not let that happen again. I am in a very Christmas mood- already! Maybe it is from listening to so much music get ready for the Christmas show, maybe it is I love from Halloween to January 25 (if you people don't know what day that is, you are cut), maybe it is because I get to hang out with Mickey and the gang during Christmas and New Years, maybe I am just having a good time at life in general right now. Don't know, don't care- I'm just going to enjoy it.

Happy Halloween!

Ohhhh, Scary

As Halloween approaches, the weather cools, the nights get earlier and the goblins and ghouls come out. Here is one of the scariest Halloween cards I have ever seen! Go away, bad monster! See it here.

Fall Fun

If you don't have time to carve a jack-o-lantern this year, this is a really fun- try it!

Jack-O-Lantern website.

Here I am

I was told today that I haven't put a post lately. Here it is... I always do what I'm told.

Gotta See This!

I was at Lowe's this morning getting paint mixed. As I waited, I wandered back to the Christmas section where they are beginning to put out decorations. I love the first time you start to see Christmas decorations appearing on the store shelves! Anyway, I see this thing perched among all the tacky and awful robots that are being created these days, but this one is different. The Santa sounds like a jazz singer and the reindeer are his back ups that dance and spin and shake. I stood there and laughed like a maniac. I kept waving my hand in front of it to activate the motion sensor until I had heard his entire production number. You have to go see this thing! Granted, maybe it wasn't that great and maybe I am just tired from late night scenery painting, or maybe I am just ready for a little Christmas cheer. Either way, it made my morning.

Bop Till You Drop in Atlanta

It has just been announced that the first professional stage performance of High School Musical will be produced at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta. You may or may not admit it, but the Disney Channel movie is pretty entertaining. If nothing else, it has gotten a whole new group of young people interested in performing and the theatre. To that we can say "bravo"! Read about it here.

Till the Barricades Arrive

I found an interesting video of rehearsals for the upcoming limited engagement of Les Miserables on Broadway this fall. It is very exciting to hear the music and see the revolving floor. Check it out here. As another note, the London production just became the longest running current musical in the world.

Big Mann in Little Cullowhee

It was just announced that beginning this fall Terrence Mann will become a musical theatre professor at Western Carolina. Mann has originated roles in Cats, Les Miserables, The Scarlett Pimpernel as well as the Beast in Beauty and the Beast. Wow! Maybe he and I can compare notes... ha!

I See Strange People...

The Wiz Revival

The Wiz is being revived at the La Jolla Playhouse in California and many hope to see it transfur to Broadway. I thought some of you would like to see the pictures since you got to experience the show last spring.Dorothy lands in Munchkinland. The Munchkins scare me.
Addapearle, the feel good girl!
The Scarecrow hangs around while waiting for Dorothy.
The Tin Man gets a little excited after having some oil slid to him.
The Lion, Dorothy and the Scarecrow "Ease on Down the Road".
The Wiz or Doc from Back to the Furture?

Ichabod Crane

Here is the first look a Ichabod from our upcoming production of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow to be performed October 17 at 7:30pm at the Fine Arts Center. Nothing says scary like Jarrod in a purple waist coat.

Creative Costuming

The new batch of contestants for Who Wants to be a Super Hero!

Everybody Cut!

I was doing some research earlier and found another one of our favorite personality tests. In honor of our approaching production of Footloose for the spring, I decided to post it for casting purposes- ha! By answering a few questions, you can see what character from the musical you are most like. Take the test here and be sure to let us know your results. I was best described as being Ren, however, I am far too old to play that part (although I do like to take control of most situations) and realize this test must have some flaws.

The Communication of Theatre

I read some interesting comments today on broadway.com written by one of the actors (and the guy who wrote the book) from The Drowsey Chaperone on Broadway right now. It is about how the audience and actors communicate with one another as well as how the actors communicate with one another while on stage. Pay attention to the litmus test in the first paragraph. We do this all the time- "Boy, this crowd is going to be dead." or "Gee, the are a lively bunch!" We've all been through it, no matter how big or small- too funny. Read the article here.

Great Picture

I haven't had much time to write lately, what with getting Christmas show stuff ready and Sleepy Hollow going full force while getting the rest of the semester planned- I just haven't had the time. I have however, had time to read Camila's Blog and about the adventures that her parents are on while in China. Today I opened her blog and found this picture. Do you ever see one of those photos that makes you smile for no reason other than it has a perfect innocence about it. What a relief to be reassured that kids all over the world are basically happy to be kids. It's when the grown ups get in the way of telling them how to be a grown up do they loose the sparkle. I love this picture! If you want to see more or read about it, go to Camila's Blog. There are other photos as well.

A Splashing Good Time

Disney recently announce that its newest Broadway adventure would be the musical addaption of The Little Mermaid. Wow, does that sound amazing! How the heck are they gonna accomplish such- can't wait to see it. The Little Mermaid is the first Disney movie ever to have songs and score written by Alan Menken, who also did Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame to name a few. No one can write a melody that can rip out your heart like he can. Besides Beauty and the Beast, if not as much as, I've always felt that The Little Mermaid had the best emotional pull of any story that Disney has animated. After all, who hasn't had dreams just out of their reach but yet close enough to touch?

Remember

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

We had our first official read through of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow today. It is going to be a fun evening of entertainment with lots of laughs and a great bit of creepiness. The performances will be mid October (specific dates TBA). Be sure to come check it out- Jarrod was born to play Ichabod Crane, don't you think? I love a show with lots of fog...

The Pirate Queen

The creators of the mega-hit (and one of my personal favorites) Les Miserables has a new show set to hit Broadway this season. It is called The Pirate Queen and looks to be very interesting. The pre-Broadway tryout begins early next month in San Fransisco. Check out the official web site. There is an interesting section called cast com where the cast and crew talk about the development of the show.

Random Thoughts of a Three Day Weekend

Here it is Sunday afternoon. The middle of a three day weekend, thanks to Labor Day, which is to me the official beginning of everything Fall. School has gotten into its swing and classes are going very well. I have two classes of fairly new people and one class of kids that I have had it seems like forever. For some, this is their fifth year in a row having class with me. I have no major plans- only to rest up so come next week I can dive head first into Sleepy Hollow and the Christmas show. I saw a very good movie yesterday called The Illusionist- go see it! Top of my list for this year.

Have you ever been in a situation where you were without something for a brief period of time and during that time you suddenly realize how important that specific thing is to you? You thought you knew, but you had no idea. I cannot express it in words.

Our New Superhero

Way to go Feedback- we were all cheering for you!

A Performance Style We Don't Need to Worry About

So I read an article today about a theatre company up north that didn't have enough money in their budget to afford costumes. What was the answer? Every show they do is in the nude- I'm not kidding! Play, musical, revue, you name it- they are naked. The artistic director says this approach has done them very well since they don't have to buy materials to make costumes or rent them or mantain them. Now they are able to make money (go figure) rather than going in the hole. I think I'd rather be broke. Much of their profit comes from ticket sales and patrons, but about ten percent comes from the sale of binoculars in the lobby. Yes, I was cracking up too when reading this, but at the same time completely horrified. The craziest part of the whole deal is the artisitc director's last name is Modest.

The Days We Are Living In

Entertainment news reports that Osama Bin Ladin has announced that he is offering for Whitney Houston to become one of his wives. To most that would seem rediculous, but think if you were married to Bobby Brown?

New Discovery

I found something new and wonderful in the grocery store this weekend. Drum roll... Dr. Pepper Popcicles!!! Do you every feel God just says, "Here, just for you."

Newness

Here we go. New day, new year, new place, new fun. I'm excited, well as excited as one can get that isn't used to functioning before 9am. First show begins next week. I'm addicted to the process... and I'm not even a brat about it. Ha! Where did the summer go?

Two Interesting Things

The first is an exhausting trend where reality tv is taking over everything. Don't get me wrong, I am just as hooked on Survivor, Project Runway, Big Brother, Who Wants to be a Superhero, the Amazing Race and so on, as anyone else my be. They are planning a Broadway casting show on NBC this fall where people off the street can audition for Danny and Sandy in a new revival of Grease to be on Broadway. Help us. When the show finally hits the great white way, it will close within weeks.

The second is lots of fun. Joan L. (the bed/bottle lady art teacher from B & B) recently saw the Broadway tour of The 25th Annula Putnim County Spelling Bee in Atlanta at the Alliance theatre. As part of the show, they choose four people to be guest spellers and she was chosen. Of course they give words that are beyond difficult so they can make fun of you, but she said it was a blast. She has a button that says she was a finalist. They also gave her a juice box so as to comfort her loosing. All of us work our rear ends off and the lady who moves the bed and the bottle appears in a Broadyway show? Where's the justice? Ha!

Moving Right Along

I have a few seconds to say a few words. Everything is out of MMS. Whew! But no a lot of it still has to be packed away. I have only a small path backstage, but it will be taken care of by Friday morning. Anyone interested in burning the midnight oil, let me know- a pizza and a few Dr. Peppers should make it fun. I am currently getting into the swing of a new place, getting my class lists and schedules ready. They let me do my thing, which I appreciate. I have a new school website, or you might say a re-doctored web site. It still needs some work. Check it out here.

New School Year

New day, new work place, lots of sitting.

Last Day

Here we are, the last day of summer vacation? Where did it all go? Well, most of it was spent in a dark a doomy castle- the other, moving costumes and props from a dark a doomy basement. I am excited to begin, but I am disappointed that I can't sleep late any more.

PS Saw The Ant Bully this weekend. Kathi G's husband is the exterminator!

Tarzan Video

I found this video a few weeks ago and forgot to post it. It is a backstage tour at the new Disney musical Tarzan. The really cool thing to see is the set is a giant inflatable. Since most of the cast spends most of the show flying through the air on bungie cords, the set had to be soft. Some really interesting stuff to see. Check out the Tarzan video. It will take a minute to load, but worth it.

Attend the Tale...

I just read that the rumors of a Sweeny Todd movie are true. It has been announced that Tim Burton will direct Johnny Deep in the big screen version of the musical Sweeny Todd. Sounds cool and scary. Check it out on theatremania.com.

Food For Thought

Here is a new personality test. Look at the desserts below and then pick the one you would choose. After you pick, read below what that dessert choice says about your personality. My first choice was chocolate on chocolate and my second would have been the carrot cake. Uh-oh! Now when we eat after rehearsal, we will all pay close attention to what is being ordered. Your choices are:

*Angel Food Cake *Brownies *Lemon Meringue *Vanilla Cake with Chocolate Icing
*Strawberry Shortcake *Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Icing *Ice Cream *Carrot Cake

ANGEL FOOD CAKE ... Sweet, loving, cuddly. You love all warm and fuzzy items. A little nutty at times.
Sometimes you need an ice cream cone at the end of the day. Others perceive you as being childlike and
immature at times.
BROWNIES... You are adventurous, love new ideas, are a champion of under dogs and a slayer of dragons.
When tempers flare up, you whip out your sabre. You are always the oddball with a unique sense of humor
and direction. You tend to be very loyal.
LEMON MERINGUE... Smooth, sexy, & articulate with your hands, you are an excellent after-dinner
speaker and a good teacher. But don't try to walk and chew gum at the same time. A bit of a diva at times,
but you have many friends.
VANILLA CAKE WITH CHOCOLATE ICING... Fun-loving, sassy, humorous. Not very grounded in life;
very indecisive and lack motivation. Everyone enjoys being around you, but you are a practical
joker. Others should be cautious in making you mad. However, you are a friend for life.
STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE... Romantic, warm, loving. You care about other people and can be counted
on in a pinch. You tend to melt. You can be overly emotional and annoying at times.
CHOCOLATE ON CHOCOLATE... Sexy; always ready to give and receive. Very creative, adventurous,
ambitious, and passionate. You can appear to have a cold exterior but are warm on the inside.Not afraid to
take chances. Will not settle for anything average in life. Love to laugh.
ICE CREAM... You like sports, whether it be baseball, football, basketball, or soccer. If you could, you
would like to participate, but you enjoy watching sports. You don't like to give up the remote control. You
tend to be self-centered and high maintenance.
CARROT CAKE... You are a very fun loving person, who likes to laugh. You are fun to be with. People like to
hang out with you. You are a very warm hearted person and a little quirky at times. You have many loyal
friends.

Two Things to Talk About

First, can you belive we opened B & B a month ago? It seems like last night, but at the same time it is like we did it last year. Where is life going? I feel like I had just found out I could get the rights and now the show is already a month gone. We are all getting older faster than we realize. My nieces turn nine on Tuesday. NINE!!! I was there when they were born- good grief! And now they it is nine years later. They ask me if they will ever get to know what is like to have a cousin- I change the subject. I think time is the one thing we cherish the least because we think we always have it. Silly mortals. Which leads me to thought number two: I saw World Trade Center last night. It is very well done, not at all a cheezy re-enactment or anything that true-life disaster movies are. There are no moments of straight in your face we are showing this to get an emotional response, but rather a very gritty, true life example of what a handful of people among millions were experiencing. It is not a movie for everyone, but at the same time it is an experience to be had by most- puts the whole issue of time in perspective. Who knows if we will see the sun set that we saw rose this morning. Time is one thing I will never take for granted.

9/11 Slides

Speaking of Sept. 11, Steve just sent me an email with this attachment- in case you forgot and just like I said earlier, what impacts one of us should impact all of us. Click here for the 9/11 slides.

World Trade Center Opens Today

The new movie World Trade Center, based upon events of Sept. 11 opens today across the country. Almost five years later I am still amazed by the events of that day and can't help but wait with anticipation to see the movie- not because I am what you would call an ambulance chaser or do I thirve on the misery of others. I do, however, take with a huge amount of seriousness what you might call "the human experience". Maybe it comes from being an actor person, but the various emotions people go through are terribly interesting to me. How this person copes with a certain situation while another deals with the same events in a totally different way are the building blocks of character. Ok, maybe I am sounding a bit deep- I just want to see this movie and think everyone else should too because after all, we are all part of one another's moments whether we are in the same town or half way around the world.

Aha!

Today I had one of those "AHA!" moments where you see something so clearly. Aha!

New Show Alert!

There is a new show on the SciFi channel that is beyond weird. IT is called Who Wants to Be a Superhero and these normal everyday people are trying to "create" a new comic book superhero by pretending to be them. I stumbled upon it by accident and then couldn't stop watching because it is so funny! Are these people for real or did they not get enough attention in their childhood? Be sure to check it out on Thursdays at 9pm. Here the the website which will give a description of each character, one being Fat Moma who has donuts attatched to her utility belt.

Christmas Already?!?!?

Just when you thought is was safe to go back to the theatre and actually have dinner at home, we are getting ready to start pre-production work on the Christmas show. Christmas show you say? Yea, it is something new- but I think something that will be a lot of fun and different. The show is called A Hometown Christmas and includes music and stories inspired by the celebrations of the people of the Southern United States and their holiday traditions. The Chamber is going to do a dessert buffet before the performances which will be December 9, 10 and 11. Mark your calendars and get ready for some Christmas cheer!

Ah, to Be a Celebrity

This is one of the funniest things I've heard, beyond the minature actors inside the wolf puppets, beyond the robot Chip head. Yesterday a woman I know was talking about how much she enjoyed the show. She was very impressed and excited by it all. Then she proceeded to tell me that she had seen Gaston on the street and wanted so bad to go up and talk to him but she knew she couldn't because celebrities hate being hounded by the public! Ha!!!

As Time Goes By

So, it has now been two weeks since B & B opened. I have been cleaning out MMS to move everything to FHS, but most of all missing all the gang. I've seen several of you in passing, (If you haven't seen Dana H. lately, my goodness, that baby is growing!) just happening to be at the same place at the same time- not at Wal-Mart though- I don't think I've been there since the show. Yeah! Two days ago I had such a fit to be working on a show- I literally thought I was going to pop! It has calmed down since and I actually am relazing a bit before the weeks fly by for school to start. I've been thinking about Aida, especailly at night. My clock is still backwards and I can't even think about sleeping before 1:30am. I've also been getting my ideas together for the Chistmas show. Check out the web site, it has the pictures downloaded now and all the updates. Specific show dates will be there in the next week or so. The biggest treat lately came this afternoon when I finally got my lasagna! Several of you remember that while working late at night I often craved my most favorite of foods. Well, I just never got around to it- until today that is. The lasagna angel visited me and dang, it was good... and made from scratch! I'm not surprised though, everything this person sets their mind to comes out perfect. Problem is though, it has created a monster in me that now wants it for dinner too and then lunch again tomorrow and then dinner and the so on. Hope everyone is well and rested. See ya 'round!

B & B Photos

I've finally got the Beauty and the Beast photos downloaded. There are some really good ones. Also, be sure to check out the Macon County News today. Betsey put a really nice spread of color photos from the show. Here is the photo link. I will have them on the web site later today. Enjoy!

Wow! You guys!

Hearing about all the things all you guys are doing since we have finished the show is making me crack up. From hair cuts to cleaning to square dancing, every one seems to be staying pretty busy. I did everything I needed to on Monday, yes- everything I had let slip for the past month and a half. You may think I didn't have very much to do, but I did, I'm very efficient. No I wander around, I work on moving the rest of my supplies to FHS and I read lots of magazines. Photos are still on their way. And Steve, the grey won't wash out of my hair either... but wait a minute, I was wearing a wig?!?!

Beauty and the Beast

Hi! Long time, no see. I promise to better. The whole purpose of this blog was to keep things up to date as rehearsals progress, however, rehearsals and production needs demanded more time for B & B and the blog got left behind. Things went great! We could not have asked for better shows and better audiences. No major problems, at least no major problems that a little Febreeze can't take care of... let me say that another way... a dump truck of Febreeze might be able to fix that problem. Here is the first photo- there will be more posted within the next few days. If you want to see some fun rehearsal shots and video go to Camila's blog. Now what to do for the rest of the day...

Endings and Beginnings

Today is the last day of school! Yeah! My last dat at MMS. I had some very good help yesterday to move boxes to FHS. We moved four truckloads and one my vehicles full. I just watched my nephew graduate 5th grade- wow! I feel old... um mature. B & B is coming along- actually on scedule. We should be able to finish up all blocking and choreography by the middle of next week. Now all we need is something to keep us all from dancing around the stage naked- that's what Monday is for. Costumes, I mean- not dancing around naked. Paul started putting up the frame work for the castle yesterday- huge set and great fun.

So Long...

So we come to the end of another year- it's good to see the same classy people always seem to turn up in drama class.
Bye Diane, Kimmy, Brian, TJ, Tiffany and Samuel- We are proud to know you, happy to have performed with you and excited to see what the future holds for you... impress us!

"My greatest ambition is to leave the world a little better place by having been there."
-Jim Henson

Tell Me It Ain't So!

I just read that Patrick Swazy will be playing the part of Nathan Detroit in the London production of Guys and Dolls. I thought London was the hub of classical theatre? First David Hasselhoff in Peter Pan and now Swazy?

The Drama Proma

Today we had a prom. Our theme was... The 80's: You make me want to vomit except for the music and a select few episodes of the Cosby Show. Many dressed up, many just wore what they usually do and seemed to fit right in. We had a runway walk off (yes, a salute to Zoolander) to decide who best personified the 80's in style and attitude. And the winners were...
Best male/ female ego battle went to Tj & Kimmy. As usual, Tj's performance included fire arms and dominating violence. Best style went to Gretchen for her bedazzled jumpsuit, complete with a rhinestone belt of metallic pleather along with Rachel for her even though I'm not doing ballet, I'm wearing a tutu skirt. Klara and Brian won best runway attitude which personified the generation of 80's teenagers trying to "find themselves" without the influence of Boy George and Cultrue Club. And finally Jennifer represented the boom in population during the 80's. Actually her dress was ten sizes too big and looked like maternity wear. Congratulations to all!
Daniel or Bobert?!?!?

Lestat- the Undead is Dead

I haven't had a chance to write about it, but the big new musical Lestat, written by Elton John has already called it quits. After only a month of performances, Lestat closed its doors on May 28. That makes it the third vampire musical in the last three years to close in less than a month and a half of performances. They must suck the life out of their audiences or make the public batty or drive a steak through the heart of musical lovers- no don't stop me, I can go on forever- better yet, maybe I will stop... nothing like too many lifeless puns. Hopefully though, composers have now learned to keep that coffin lid shut. Ok, I had to get one more in.

Whew!

Can you tell that school is almost out? Frenzy, chaos and the ultimate sense that we could suddenly and tragically fall off the end of the earth with out warning. All of that and a big show right in the middle, not to mention more sets, costumes and props to move than I have space to move it to.

Conflicts

I have come to realize, the larger the cast, the larger the conlficts. You my be saying, "duh?" But really, it is so much harder to do large production numbers. I have decided that if we ever have another cast as large (and if I do, knock some sense into me), that we are going to go into quaritine during the production of that show. Meals will be provided as well as exercise, entertainment and clothing- yes, we will all wear matching jumpsuits, but being the show people that I know you are, each person will have their own bedazzle kit to enhance theirs. That way, no conflicts, no problems with working with schedules or anything- well maybe the bedazzled jumpsuits will give some people 80's flashbacks. But for real, time is ticking- it's time to get tough and say too bad, we can't wait on you. Wonder how many mommys will call me now?

It's Been a While

Haven't had much time lately to visit, but here goes the last few days:

Been packing up at MMS ready for the move to FHS. I've got lots of stuff, more than I realized- where to put it all? Praise the heavens for plastic storage boxes, I'm a big nerd when it comes to those things. I should get a discount because I buy them in bulk.

I saw two plays this week. One very good and entertaining, but not at all what I had invisioned. That is my problem when it comes to a show I am familiar with the cast album. I get pictures in my head of how the show is supposed to look and feel and when it doesn't I get a bit disappointed. It's not that the show was not good, it's just it didn't happen the way I had planned. That sounds egotistical and I don't mean for it too, I was entertained. The other show... have mercy... it was the first show I have ever left at intermission. I was so bored and not because some claim that I have ADD. The pace was slow and the scenery was a non exhisiting study type room and the accents were terrible. There were two entertaining things about it though, the person sitting to my right had long dangling earrings on and everytime she moved her head, which was always at a quiet moment, I could hear a tinkle. It sounded like on of those rain sticks that you used to find a booth in a flea market run by hippies. It made me laugh and I shouldn't have been laughing when I did. It was like the giggles in church. Then to beat it all, an older gentleman in the row behind me fell asleep and began to snore. I had to squeeze my eyes together and hold my breath. It is a wonder I didn't snort because the giggles were slipping from the corners of my ever so tight lips. I went outside to stretch at intermission and never went back in. Then later that night, I had an absolutely perfect moment, which I did not appreciate or take time to enjoy because I do have ADD. Maybe someday I'll learn.

Rehearsals are coming along, but now is when we start losing so many people due to summer vacations. One month from now we will be running tech. Note to self, refill nexium prescription.

Saturday night I went to Steve and Karen's wedding for the second time (they renewed their vows). It was very nice. It was one of those moments that when you left, your heart was really full and you hope you are so lucky, no a better way to put it is blessed, to have an experience with someone in a manner such as theirs.

Happy 25!

Happy 25th anniversary Steve & Karen!!!!! Wow! Do you know how much has happened in the past twenty five years? Let's just think about what was going on 25 years ago:

Ronald Reagan becomes president of the US.

Minutes after Ronald Reagan becomes president, Iran releases 52 American hostages that had been held captive for 444 days.

President Reagan is shot in the chest by would be assassin John Hinkley.

Space shuttle Columbia, the world's first reusable spacecraft, is sent into space.

President Reagan appoints Sandra Day O'Connor to be the first woman on the Supreme Court.

The Pac-Man video game is introduced in the US.

Alicia Keys, Elijah Wood, Kelly Rowland, Anna Kournikova, and Britney Spears are born.

Los Angeles Dodgers win the World SeriesOakland Raiders win Superbowl XVNew York Islanders win the Stanley Cup.

Raiders of the Lost Ark is the top grossing film.

"Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes spends the most time at the top of the US charts.

MTV debuts on cable television, playing music videos 24 hours a day.

Gimme a Break premieres on NBC with Nell Carter.

You may wonder why I don't have picture of the two of them. Well, the reason being is this photo was taken before the wedding, you know when the bride and groom are seperated and not seeing one another. Anyway, Happy-Happy-Day!!!

Blocking Beauty

Last night we finally began the actual stagework for B & B. I only had a few people there, but we got a lot accomplished. The entire first act is blocked minus two small scenes that we will make up for tonight. Amazing when you have smart people to work with. I almost think we could start doing two shows in the summer. You know that whole summer stock routine where you rehearse one show earlier in the day while doing another show at night. Just kidding- don't panic, you guys. At least we won't do that until we start getting paid. By then I'll have to direct holding on to my walker and hope my plastice hip doesn't give out.

Relay for Life

Some of the singers from the donner show sang under th big tent at Relay for Life Friday night. The microphone was very pingy. When you said anything that began with an "f" sound it came across the mic as a "s" sound. I had several people, that I didn't even know was there, comment on how fun it was. As loud as the PA system was, they were probably at hot spot and still heard us.

Frustration is My Middle Name

It is a terrible let down when the hustle of a show is done. Even though the exhaustion is heavy, the needing to be somewhere getting something done is satifying- so when it is gone, it hurts... big time. I swore that I would not darken the door of school or the stage to work this weekend and I had made plans to assure myself of that- I was going to make myself relax and enjoy my company without anything to preoccupy my brain, which hasn't happend in several weeks. Lately, I have been places that should have been lots of fun, and they were, but in the back of my brain while I was eating cake I was making out my list for the following days. Ahhhh, for an entire weekend I didn't have to do that- I could just live in the moment and enjoy it. Well anyway, plans fell through so I made other plans then those fell through and everyone else was busy to fill in so what did I do? Yep, went to the stage and started pulling cords and tearing down scenery. I can't sit and do nothing- especially when I want to be doing something fun so badly and I can only watch so many episodes of American Idol Extra (You know Ty Treadway, it isn't as earth shattering as you make it sound that another Idol contestant is going home and who cares if you are having "the worlds first concentrated, in-depth interview" with the idol that just go the boot Geeez! It's a talent show contestant, not a leader of a super world power nation.) I can't begin B & B work until I get all of The Wiz packed and put away. I am also going to be moving stuff out of MMS to FHS in the middle of all of that. One would think I have plenty to do, and I do, I just needed that little bit of fun to give me a boost of energy. Right now I am frustrated because I can't seem to get my head focused on any of it.

Wiz Photos

Here are some of the photos from The Wiz. Some are publicity shots, some are dress rehearsal and some are actual show photos. You can alos go to the MMS/FHS Drama webpage and click on "scrapbook" to see pictures from the entire year or the past eight years. Enjoy!

So Proud Am I?

Yea, those drama kids are reeeeeaaaaaaallllllll classy!

Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

Yet another show is done (and done well by a great group of performers)- after a weekend of playtime, B & B watch out on Monday!

Gaston... in Purple Bellbottoms?

It was just announced that Donny Osmond will play a limited engagement as Gaston in the Broadway version of Beauty and the Beast. Watch out Everett!

As cheesy as that sounds, I have to admit that I love the old Donny and Marie Show from the 1970's. To my thrill, they are going to be released on dvd this summer. I feel a marathon coming on. Can't we just be the type of friends that hang out and... watch old Donny and Marie re-runs?

Tarzan Not Swinging So Well

The newest Disney Broadway musical Tarzan is being ripped to shreads by critics. Not only that, but the only Tony nomination it received was for the lighting design. I thought with Bob Crowley designing, it would be a visual feast, but from what I've read his directing can't come close to mediocre. It is interesting how some creative people can only function in one form of creativity and find it difficult to branch out into a different medium, but yet the same creative form. I just read an interesting article titled "What Went Wrong with Tarzan?" I posted it below. It suggests that the material is what went sour, but rather the creative team. I remember seeing a production of The Scarlett Pimpernel and thinking how great it was. That production, however, was the third rendition with a third director of the same material. The first two directors never found their vision, but the last had finally created a fun, fast paced interesting show. The bad part is, by the time the third good version arived on Broadway, the public was so disgrunted by the other two bad shows which proceeded it, that they automatically dismissed it before giving it a chance. You can have a million perfect notes in a show, but if you squeak once- the audience will remember that squeak more than those million perfect notes- audiences are very ready to have a good time, but they are not very forgiving. That is why I surround my self with capable people. One of my acting professors told me once I was very shrewd in the sense that I knew who to hang around with and who to get involved. I also like to think I know who is fun- that's the most important. Below is the Tarzan article.

The fact that Disney's Tarzan opened on Broadway to largely terrible reviews last week can't have been a huge surprise to anyone who'd been listening to word of mouth (not to mention word of internet) about the show. But what really made me despair about the production even before I saw it was an article by Robert Feldberg that appeared in the Bergen Record on Sunday, May 7.
According to Feldberg, a major question for director Bob Crowley, composer-lyricist Phil Collins, and librettist David Henry Hwang in putting Tarzan together was "how to present the title character, whose image as a primal macho man is so deeply embedded in our culture. Would he, for example, sing? 'We discussed it for a long time,' said [Crowley], who is staging his first Broadway show -- one of a number of risks Disney is taking. 'A singing Tarzan -- it seemed rather weird. He doesn't sing in the [Disney cartoon] film." But "Crowley and his colleagues realized it would be hard not to have the lead character in a musical express himself in song, and they finally hit on what seemed a good solution. 'He sings about his feelings, what he isn't able to say,' said Crowley. 'I think the character gains real emotional depth.' "
Of course, this brainstorm is no brainstorm at all; the vast majority of all the songs ever written for musicals are about the characters' feelings. Confusion on this matter, not to mention everything else that's wrong with Tarzan, might well have been avoided if Disney had chosen a different creative team. Crowley has made a great name for himself as a set and costume designer but has never before directed a show. Hwang's play M. Butterfly is excellent, but his musical theater work thus far -- the libretto for Aida and that rewrite of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Flower Drum Song -- has been, shall we say, less than excellent.
As for Phil Collins, his credentials as a pop singer-songwriter are beyond reproach but his knowledge of musical theater is spotty at best, as proven by a comment he made about his Tarzan score in the Bergen Record interview: "I didn't want to do the heavy vibrato, Ethel Merman kind of song. That's the cliché of Broadway. I saw Idina Menzel in Wicked singing 'The Wizard and I.' That had a kind of pop sensibility, and it showed me that it could be done." Note to Collins: The kind of sound you're talking about has been a part of Broadway at least since Hair in the late 1960s and has become more and more prevalent in the intervening 40 years. Further note to Collins: Denigrate Ethel Merman and the traditional Broadway sound at your own risk! Who do you think you are? Simon Cowell?
That Crowley and Collins have stumbled in their Tarzan assignments is certainly not to say that talented people shouldn't be allowed to grow and challenge themselves; but when artists branch out into different fields, they need strong support. I've often criticized the most recent Broadway production of Cabaret, but at least the Roundabout Theatre Company had the wisdom to tap musical theater veteran Rob Marshall as co-director and choreographer of the show, which would surely have been far less successful if Marshall hadn't lent a helping hand to out-of-his-element director Sam Mendes. There's a lesson to be learned here, and it's really too bad that it wasn't applied to Tarzan.

One Down, One to Go

We opened The Wiz last night with a great show. The actors were good, the crowd was good and everyone had fun. It is always a relief to get the first show done and everything work well. At the same time, my nerves get a little more buzzed when you've had one good show and you want another so that the audience can have as good an experience. I think the kids are up to it. The stage crew, however, is nothing but a bunch of loser drunks. Geez! Where do I find theses people?!?!

Poppy or What?

I think one of the "freaks" from Oz has escaped a little early!

Ease on Down to Opening Night

After months of planning and weeks of rehearsal, not to mention nights of no sleep and tired muscles, The Wiz opens tonight! It is going to be great fun. The silver shoes are polished, the Scarecrow stuffed, the Tinman good and rusty, and the Lion permed- not to mention Toto's rhinestone encrusted water dish filled. Yea, now I remember why I do this. Break a leg, gang!!!

Heeee's the Wiiiizzzzzz

Last night was the first dress rehearsal for The Wiz. Things went well, in terms of a first dress rehearsal. The kids are doing a great job and we only have a bit of cleaning up to do before we are ready to fly.
What is it about putting a costume that makes people ham it up so? Great fun!

Tony Time

Nominees were announced this morning for the 60th annual Tony awards to be aired on CBS on June 11th. The Color Purple and The Wedding Singer (surprised?) cleaned up pretty good. Lestat and Tarzan got zipo other than lighting design by Natasha Katz for Tarzan. Here is the entire list of nominees.

Celebrations, Cuts & Cake

You'll be very happy to know that I celebrated my "milestone" last night. Nothing big, just simple, fun and very pleasant. Actually, it was so good I'm going to have to think of other moments to be declared "milestones" so I can celebrate them as well. Ishould be very ready for B & B rehearsals to resume. As for The Wiz, we tightened some things up today which included cutting two small scenes. They really weren't crutial to the main story and it felt as if those scenes were slowing down the action. We were able to cut another ten minutes off of the pace of the show, before we even cut those scenes. Everything is up and ready to be costumed now- that's when everything falls apart again. But alas, the show does go on! By the way, thanks to Betsey for giving us the top front page of the Macon News in color! Big weekend ahead- setting lights, sorting props and finalizing sets- plus another wedding to go to. Where will I find the time? I'll make time for dancing and cake. Ah, the excitement of showtime!!!

Tarzan Video

Here is some cool video from the opening night of Tarzan on Broadway. Check it out!

Milestones

Today I have reached a milestone in my life (at least if everything is the way I think it is this morning, I have). It is a moment that most people would go "good grief" to, but not me. There are several things that I aspire to in life, things that most people take for granted, and to go to a place that I have never been in regards to one of those aspirations is a big deal for me. I'm not going to say what it is, because all of you will make fun of me. All I can say is that as insignificant as it might be in the eyes of others, it is the most significant to me- especially knowing how long it has taken me to get there. Good day- I shall celebrate!

Going in Circles

I'm in a funk right now. I have clothes to pull, things to hot glue and two styrofoam trees waiting on me outside to be painted... and what am I doing? Going around in circles, constantly getting side tracked with another list. Earlier today I got a sudden burst of creative energy and focused it in the wrong place saying crackpot things faster than I realized I was saying them. Boy, I was in a mood. Hopefully I'm known better by someone to realize I was being serious. I was a massive heap of giddy insults- whew! And now, my trees still wait. It is a strange thing to be working on one show while another one is running through your brain. I have to stop and write down my ideas or draw a picture so I don't lose those thoughts. I guess it is my own little form of being bi-polar. Did I mention I am starving too. I've been skipping lunch in favor of working then getting something to eat after school that fills in the space of both lunch and dinner. Anyway, while I think about how hungry I am my trees are not painting themselves.

On a better note, B & B scripts came today!!!!!

Disney is Up!

Everyone will be happy to know that Disney is on its way up. After a stretch of dwindling theme park attendance and poor box office returns, Disney is showing sign of a turn around. Maybe they just heard I was coming back soon. That's enough to thrill anyone- no wonder theme park attendance is climbing!

Tarzan Swings onto Broadway

Disney's newest musical Tarzan opens tonight on Broadway. Based on the film, with songs written by Phil Collins, the new musical is claiming to be unlike anything ever seen. How are they going to do the gorillas and other animals without looking like the Lion King? Producers have said they have done it, and done it well. Collins wrote nine new songs for the production which is directed and designed by Bob Crowley (the genius who designed the amazing sets and costumes for Aida). From what I've read, most of the show takes place in the air. Can't wait to see it or hear the new cast album. Check out the official Tarzan the musical web site. Also, here is an interesting interview with Phil Collins from Broadway.com about the show and how it was conceived and then put into production.

Ease on Down the Road

We had a good rehearsal for The Wiz Monday night. Most of my panic, performance wise, eased up a bit. The kids were great to come on their free night. I love dedicated people willing to do their best in order to look their best. Of course, free food probably didn't hurt either.

This morning we took some publicity photos for the newspaper. The costumes are just rough examples of what they are going to be, but in a newspaper photo, not much will show up anyway. Samuel, Whitney, Paul, Jarrod and the unnamed dog are going to be great. One week from tomorrow!

Do's and Don'ts

I have decided there are only two types of people in the world- those who do (in other words the real go getters) and those who don't (the dead beats). There are no in betweens. You are either so on fire (the do's) for what you are doing that the only reason you stop is so you won't die from starvation of fatigue or you (the don'ts) just never get off of your lazy rear end and therefore suck the living life out of those who are killing themselves to make the world easier for you to live in. What is the reason for being a "do" rather than a "don't". Stuborn pride in yourself- pride isn't always a bad thing.

Back to Reality

I had a wonderful weekend out of town for the past few days. Lots of food fun and incriminating photos. Ha! Now it is time to get my rear in gear and get The Wiz done. We have one week till dress rehearsal and ten days till show time. In terms of how far behind I am, let's put it this way: If this were a trip to the moon, I wouldn't even have my seat belt strapped on in the rocket. Don't worry- it will get done. Like anybody would worry? I may be really grouchy, unpleasant and even a little irritating- I know this seems impossible, but it is true. For the most part, I am looking forward to the actual show. It is just going to take some time to get everything ready- time I don't have, but will find. Tomorrow is newspaper picture day, so I at least have to have enough for a good photo. Toto is being groomed at this moment. I imagine he will be the most tempermental actor demanding this and that and yapping like the "special" poodle that he is until he gets it. Whew! Divas!

Knight Rider vs. Peter Pan

Book your plane tickets NOW! I just read that David Hasselhoff will be staring as Captain Hook in a London production of Peter Pan this December. We all know what a great Jekyll/Hyde he was in the Broadway production of Jekyll & Hyde. I can only imagine, but don't want to.

Speedy

Do we need to explain what this sign means?

Rehearsals Begin

Tonight is rehearsal number one for Beauty and the Beast. I'm excited, nervous, and tired. Tired from all the work on The Wiz, but happy that we are getting so much done. This show (The Wiz) is fast approaching and things are coming along, very slowly at times, but still coming along. We have had the usual several people drop out of B & B. Amazing how a person is free as everything with out any conflicts and then when the cast list comes out and they haven't gotten the part they wanted, suddenly the calendar is filled and they drop out. Oh, well- fewer costumes and more space backstage. We have lost seven, but expect a few more. At the same time, we have gained four new actors. Here we go!!! Fun, fun, Fun!!!