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.