LEGALLY BLONDE TOUR BLOG

The Death of an Era and The Birth of an Era

2010-01-28T08:38:00.000-08:00

So, I sit amongst the winter wonderland of NYC

(on my now permanent lay off )

and this will be the last post of CHORUS CHRONICLES. With my departure from the tour, the blog will sadly end. Its been a great run, and I am supremely grateful to everyone for the journey.

It all ended with a great week in Tucson---which involved MONSOON rains, a visit from our producer HAL ( who threw a rocking PIZZA PARTY), celebrating at HOTEL CONGRESS (where Dillinger was caught), and the fact that I can now announce who some of the new people.

For Kate/Chutney-----Liberty Cogen.

For Pforzheimer----Jason Kappus

And for Callahan.....just wait.

And lastly, here is the inaugural video by of the sizzling and hilarious Laura Bell.

It has already skyrocketed to the most streamed video on CMT, and is working its way up the charts at the speed of light. NO SURPRISE THERE!!!!!!

Also check out Brian Patrick Murphy giving you full facials the whole time.....PRICELESS!!!!!

And here it is..........

Laura Bell Bundy More CMT Music More CMT Music Videos

Thank you for following this blog for the last year and a half. Also, thank you for supporting live theatre. Without you guys, we wold not have a livelihood that pays rent.

Til then LBers across the world....

Good night and Good luck!

Shanti Shanti and Namaste!

Nick

LBB giving you character work

2010-01-14T07:49:00.000-08:00

So not only did she announce that she is working on writing a musical ( very top secret) but has released this hilarious video of pure unadulterated LAURA BELL BUNDY. ENJOY!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR and NEW ADVENTURES

2010-01-09T22:05:00.000-08:00

Dear 3 F's:

Fans, Friends, and Family

This gap in writing has been the longest to date, and for that I apologize wholeheartedly.

Its a New Year, and with it come new adventures and things to come for the LEGALLY BLONDE.

Since last I wrote, we had a killer Halloween AROUND THE WORLD PARTY in Detroit.

RAYSON AS MR HANKY!!!!!

Also, we lived in sunny south Florida for a while. While we were there,we got to see our sister Lauren Zakrin kill it as Sandy in the national tour of GREASE, along a bunch of our other comrades from NYC. YOUTUBE her performance to see some vocal brilliance!!!!

Alson, BPM got the honor of flying out to star opposite the original ELLE WOODS herself, LAURA BELL BUNDY, in her 1st country music video. It comes out Jan 18th I think, so keep your eyes peeled. Its on ITUNES, and I say that he is gonna blow up like Cortney Cox in the Bruce Springstein video. And only fitting seeing as how he is a huge BOSS fan. But most importantly, LBB is going to be the launch of a whole new era in Country Music. You mark my words!!!! Combine the sultry dance skills of Britney Spears, with the story telling prowess of Madonna, and throw in the irreverent humor of Ellen and you have LBB.

I smell a CMT AWARD WINNER!

Legally Blonde KOREA has opened and Legally Blonde London opens tonite....

Our head flyman, Andy Bergdorf a.k.a. BIG SEXY has left us, to be replaced by the man infamously known as Squatch (so hilariously true you couldn't possibly make it up).

Leslie Mc came back to replace Sara Shepard as KATE/CHUTNEY, but will now be leaving the same time as me to be in GREEN DAY's Bway Musical

AMERICAN IDIOT!!!!!

Shep is currently starring in FUNNY GIRL at the DRURY LANE in Chicago. Check out these Rockin pics!!!! SHE' S A STAR!!!!!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO

And, I soon will be leaving to star in 1st Offbway run of ROMANCE ROMANCE since the original in the 80's- produced by ACTIVE THEATRE COMPANY and the New York directorial debut of Marc Robin.

click here for information

And as of now no replacements have been announced for either of us (which is a lie though I am not allowed to say who due to the fact that I could be sued for breach of confidentiality--isn't that intense). So stay tuned...

Cause Ken Land is also leaving to go be in the Bway Revival of PROMISES PROMISES!!!
Get ready for an original broadway cast member with a TONY award to appear...

Our friends (Original cast members Mamie Parris and Josh Walden) in the Bway Revival of RAGTIME have opened and then sadly closed as of Jan. 10th.
It was beautiful---Constantine and I sat dead center in the first row and wept like children. There maybe have been some hand holding and laughing as well, though I will never admit to it. The last hoorah, though, must go to Mamie. She got to play MOTHER the last 3 performances!!!! I haven't checked for any bootleg video on youtube but I am sure there will be some.

We also now have 3 Elle covers- with the fabulous Kathleen Monteleone leading the pack most matinees.

Whilst splitting her time betwixt and between the ensemble and the matinee Elle (most 8 show weeks), she and her hubby launched also launched a new website. Its about living savvy on a conservative budget.
Click here for 24 SAVVY
You can win butt loads of free stuff!!!!
We closed before the 2 week holiday break in Hershey, PA---which is BEAUTIFUL!!!

A great holiday party involving SECRET SANTAS (or CHANUKKAH HARRYS as it may be) was a great way to lead us into the New Year.

Oh also, the end of our tour has been solidified. The tour will be in Toronto all summer ( congrats you Canuks) and then close at the WOLFTRAP outside D.C. next august. And then, LB will be at every summer stock and college from here to Djibouti, Djibouti!!!

Its almost been a year and a half since this journey began...and more adventures are to come. SO STAY TUNED!!!!! FULL OUT !!!!! XOXOXOX Pforzy

2009-09-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

Friends, family and readers alike: This is Kiki (aka Brian Patrick Murphy) here as your new Blonde blogger guest starring while my dearly departed and injured brethren Abs Dalton is healing. I will try and faithfully continue this lovely blog whilst he heal.

We are in Tempe Az and the weather is hot and the show is busy. We have been losing people left and right as our 1st year came to an end. On the road we become a family for good and for bad. We realize who to go to for all things. You learn who to call when looking for Whole foods, or who to get directions to the gym from, or who to find out where CVS is. Not to mention who to talk to about anything. So when turnover happens in a cast, which is inevitable in this business, it is always a little strange.

The new cast members are wonderfully nice and absolutely talented. We are thrilled to have them and excited to get to know them. Last night Ashley Moniz went on and did a superb job for her first show. WOW, what a great opportunity! She proved to be a total pro and it was thrilling for her and for the cast.

We look forward to putting Candice Marie Woods in the show as Pilar and Adam Zelasko formerly Nikos/Padamadan into Monster Dalton's track. Adam is a great actor and will be awesome and i am sure Candice will too.

We send love to our brother Tally Sessions who opened in the South Pacific tour this week and are thrilled that departed family Josh Walden and Mamie Parris will be working together in Ragtime on Broadway. They are both brilliant and great people, so please support them and go see it in NYC.

It is strange to be here for over a year now. I remember a year ago like it was yesterday. So much has changed yet so much is similar. We will again be experiencing Halloween, THanksgiving, Christmas and New Years together. All of those seem so monumental from last year and now it will be with so many new people. I am nervous and excited about all of it.

So, let's wish all our departed well and hope that this year will treat us as good or better than the last......

til next time, KIKI

KIKI goes Cyber

2009-09-18T17:36:00.000-07:00

Whilst I am gone Brian Patrick Murphy will be taking the over the blog.......

FIERCE!

Times they are a changin.......

2009-09-18T17:01:00.000-07:00

I write this while living in unfortunate irony, having sat by the shore in Newport Beach for the last two weeks because I was sleeping less than 100 yards away.

The irony is I skinned my toe going to PT so am unable to submerge in saltwater for the rest of the weekend.

And, tonite is the night that Lucia Spina starts as ENID.

I leave Monday for an inditerminate amount of time on Medical Leave, alongside Cortney, Gretchen, and Crystal Joy. We will have Bloody Marys in the airport as Zelasko flies back to cover me for a month. Hilarity!!!!

Its been sunny and beautiful here, watching dolphins frolicing in the sand doesn't really feel like work. But, people have still been stuck in theatre in rehearsals. Why you ask?

Lauren is leaving after Tempe to go to the land where all Prom Nights are rained out and Sara Jenkins leaves after Sacramento.

So, we now have Kathleen Monteleone ( my acting partner from GREASE: YOURE THE ONE THAT I WANT) replacing Lauren.

Who is replacing Sara? Did anyone ever see the movie DOUBLE TROUBLE in the 80's?

Also, Ashley Moniz is our new swing and

Candice Marie Woods will be Pilar as of Wednesday.

So many changes and in so little time, but once we pass the

1 year mark of tour, after Costa Mesa, anything is fair game.

Thats right---

year 2 totes goes International!!!!!

Enjoy these random

pictures from the year......

NJJ on the Internet Highway

2009-09-09T10:33:00.000-07:00

Click for NJJ's Interview on Broadwayworld.com

Click for Pics from Natalie's Cabaret on Broadwayworld.com

LB Goes Daytime

2009-09-09T10:31:00.000-07:00

One more reason to love BEN + JERRYS

2009-09-01T17:30:00.001-07:00

So....

as if there was a better reason to stick w/ the ole standby

instead of conceding to the debaucherous vehicle of COLDSTONE,

BEN + JERRY'S has turned yet another hypothetical liberal thought into yet another

genius entrepreneurial adventure.

Click This For The Article on Equal Rights Ice Cream

New Additions to the Cast

2009-09-01T12:46:00.001-07:00

So as forseen by Shawnee Shamans across the great burning state of California, our new additions have gone on early.

Let us begin with.......

Mrs. Cjay Hardy Philip as SALESWOMAN/JUDGE

then Mr Jonathan Rayson as AARON SCHULTZ

Soon it will be Constantine Rousouli as NIKOS

Then JD Wing as MOM/COURTNEY/WHITNEY

Then other people as:

Serena (rumor is it is TIFF ENGEN),

Pilar (could be another HSPRAY alum),

Enid (who closed it on BWAY?),

and whoever will replace the adorable Lauren Zakrin?

Well, with Lou Diamond Phillips and our writer Heather Hach visiting this weekend anything was possible.........

And so we went to support our friend and comrade

(and my TWEEDLE Partner from BwayBares)

JAKE WILSON

on the launch of

Season 2 of

BATTERYS DOWN

(starring LB cast members old and new)

Stay tuned for "Last week in LA Shenanigans"

Natalie Joy Johnsons Cabaret--Sept 7 at UPRIGHT CABARET

2009-09-01T12:11:00.000-07:00

“Natalie Joy Johnson is a knockout who sings with a purity of spirit.”
The New York Times

"Merman-voiced Johnson is a scream as the floozy-ish Paulette, nailing every laugh and belting out her numbers to the back row of the balcony."
Los Angeles Times

“It truly felt like watching a young Bette Midler, just on the verge of exploding.”
HX Magazine

NATALIE JOY JOHNSON
at Upright Cabaret
Vermont
1714 Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90027

MUSICAL DIRECTION by OUR LADY J
SPECIAL MATERIAL and GUEST APPEARANCE by JOHN HILL
DIRECTED by BEN RIMALOWER

Monday, September 7th at 9pm

Tickets: $20
http://www.uprightcabaret.com/events/2009/08/12/natalie-joy-johnson/

Natalie Joy Johnson, currently starring as Paulette in Legally Blonde at the Pantages Theatre, brings her popular club act to Upright Cabaret for its West Coast premiere, after sold out engagements at Joe’s Pub, the Cutting Room, Feinstein’s and Ars Nova. Natalie’s act harkens back to a time when the great ladies of show business entertained every night in swanky, smoky rooms. She brings her powerful and expressive voice to an evening both compelling and irreverent, and completely unlike any other show around.

Audiences can expect to hear Natalie’s exciting take on songs originated by an eclectic group of artists including Amy Winehouse, Cyndi Lauper, Melissa Manchester, Whitney Houston and Diana Ross, as well as original songs, all woven together seamlessly by the signature sound of Our Lady J’s unforgettable arrangements, created just for Natalie.

NATALIE JOY JOHNSON is thrilled to be in the Legally Blonde: The Musical family, originating the role of ‘Paulette,’ the hairdresser in the National Tour and the role of ‘Enid Hoopes,’ the Law School lesbian, on Broadway. Other NY credits include bare: a pop opera (Nadia), But I'm a Cheerleader (Sinead), Joy (Kegan), and the national tour of Godspell (Bless The Lord). Her concert act, Natalie Joy Johnson with Our Lady J and the Pink Champagne Orchestra featuring the Bubblies has been selling out shows at Joe's Pub, Ars Nova, and the Cutting Room. www.nataliejoyjohnson.com

OUR LADY J is a New York based singer/songwriter known for her visionary gospel stylings and powerhouse piano playing. She has been described as "virtuosic" (Time Our New York), "stunning" (New York Magazine) as well as "dazzling, talented and deliciously playful" (Metro UK). Along with The Pink Champagne Orchestra and The Train-To-Kill Gospel Choir, Our Lady J has performed at NYC's The Zipper Factory, Ars Nova and The Beechman Theatre. She has also traveled the US, Ireland and England as music director for Justin Bond's critically acclaimed production of "Lustre." This year, Out Magazine named her as one the "OUT100", a list of men and women who helped shape LGBT culture in 2008. Before her work with The Pink Champagne Orchestra, Our Lady J (aka Jonnah Speidel) musical directed and performed with some of NYC’s most colorful talents in hot spots including Alice Tulley Hall, Birdland, Carnegie Hall, Caroline’s on Broadway, The Cutting Room, Feinstein’s at the Regency, Joe’s Pub, Makor, The Metropolitan Room, Radio City Music Hall and The Town Hall. As a pianist, she has accompanied the NYC Gay Men's Chorus, American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, and the Mark Morris Dance Group, where she was a featured performer in the MMDG Music Ensemble.

JOHN HILL is best known to Broadway audiences for his roles as Fender in the original cast of Hairspray, Mark Herron in The Boy From Oz, and Jason in Bare. He wrote and starred in the critically acclaimed (lol) one-man performance art show Whiskers on Kittens and the deeply hated Skinny Corpse, directed by Ben Rimalower. After his days as a Broadway slut, he went on to serve as a producer on the television shows "Tori and Dean,", "Project Runway" (Emmy Nomination), "Top Chef", "Dance on Sunset", "Step It Up And Dance", "MTV Show Choir" (which was shelved due to teacher pedophilia), "Attack Of The Show", "Ninja Warrior", and "Kathy Griffin: My Life On The D List".

BEN RIMALOWER is a director and producer working in theatre in New York. He directed The Fabulous Life of a Size Zero (Daryl Roth/DR2 Theatre), Joy (Actors Playhouse, Out Magazine: "Top Ten Theatre" & HX Award nomination), Snoopy! (Symphony Space, starring Sutton Foster), And/or (Dixon Place Hot Festival) and Sodom the Musical (Kraine Theatre) as well as staged readings for Second Stage, The York and Ensemble Studio Theatre. He conceived and directed Leslie Kritzer is Patti LuPone at Les Mouches (Time Out New York Award) and subsequently produced Sh-K-Boom/Ghostlight Records’ long-awaited recording, “Patti LuPone at Les Mouches” (#25 on Billboard “Heatseekers” Chart), digitally restored from archival tapes of LuPone’s legendary 1980 performances. In venues such as Joe’s Pub, Ars Nova and The Zipper Factory, Ben has helmed a slew of solo shows for artists including Alec Mapa, Natalie Joy Johnson, Lindsey Alley, Wendy Ho and John Hill. Ben writes the weekly blog “The New Old Gay” for the website akawilliam.com. Assistant Director credits include Lonny Price’s productions of A Class Act (Manhattan Theatre Club, Broadway and Tokyo) and A Little Night Music (starring Patti LuPone, George Hearn and Zoe Caldwell) as well as the Emmy-winning Sweeney Todd. Ben studied Theatre Arts at U.C. Berkeley where he was the founding Artistic Director of BareStage (now celebrating its 13th anniversary).

Upright Cabaret at Vermont is located at 1714 Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027. For more information, visit www.uprightcabaret.com.

City of Angels Opening

2009-08-26T11:19:00.000-07:00

Injuries and Sickness and Goodbyes

2009-08-23T12:58:00.000-07:00

So i have been injured since thursday, other people have been sick and I thought.....

why not just update more often.

So here goes......

Today we mourn the loss of yet another brother-
Monsieur Tally Sessions ( a.k.a. Aaron Schultz)

He leaves us to go play with the
1st National Tour of SOUTH PACIFIC.

So, we shed a pink tear and hope that we will see him soon.

Jameson-a-plenty will be spilled in lieu of his departure....

A highlight of the weekend, that I missed, was Christian Slater bringing his daughter to see the skit.

But, courtesy of fellow cast members I have a picture.

Can anyone say....

"Gleam the Cube!"

Also, if anyone is out and about tomorrow night, Monday Aug 24th, come to the

STAR SPOT

ELEVEN NIGHTCLUB

881 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood

It starts at 9pm and there is no cover til then---

and a mere trifle to see us and all the other casts that are currently in town (SPAMALOT, PARADE, etc...)

It is hosted by Scott Nevins and Ryan O'Connor normally....
but tomorrow will also be

RUSTY MOWERY + HAYLIE DUFF

Be there or be square!

LA LA LAND

2009-08-20T21:18:00.000-07:00

Bunker down....its time to catch up!

We r simply goin to pretend that Fayetteville + Atlanta were blurs.

Nuf said!

It involved swing magic (Alex went on a week early for a role he hadn't studied- as I predicted), understudies abounding, sickness, altered tracks, and now BPM is the UPS guy through LA.

What I am at Liberty to say is that Rusty Mowery came out for Atlanta to be multiple people then settled on Kiki. And then Nathan Balser showed up for 3 weeks as KIKI til Rusty can return in LA for the month.

Highlights, however, were Megan Lewis and Rhiannons bdays. We all went skating and costumes abounded for Megans, whilst we limoed to a college bar for Rhiannons 21st----stunning the locals with girls dressed to the 9's when i think they were used to dress sweat pants.

Dallas Summer Musicals treated us well. We were in the middle of FAIR PARK, which is also home to the COTTON BOWL , which i think all my Texas family have been too for the famed UT vs OU game since the dawn of time. Our opening night party was held at a great law firm downtown, with glass windows looking out across the city. The highlight of the night wasn't just the hospitality and the live music being played, but also one of the producers. His father had run Dallas Sumer Musicals for a long time, and somewhere in the world found a pastel pink suit and pink patent leather shoes.
I wish I had a picture, because it was something better seen than read.

I feel like somebody was on vacation that week, but I couldn't honestly tell you who.

The monday in between, which is always a coveted day, we were given free tickets to the RANGERS game and SIX FLAGS and asked to do a cabaret. But, due to a major rainstorm going through town we weren't able to do all three. Some baseball'ed it up and some did yet another BCEFA benefit cabaret at MAMMA's PARTY ( which took place in an old church), raising over 2000 dollars. There were jumpropes auctioned, jumproping, and BPM even carried a woman to her car for cash. Oh the things actors will do for money or food.......

The 2nd week brought alot of heat......and a grill out. We started a tradition now, if we can, of grilling out as a family in between shows on the weekend. Along with it came the arrival of casting director JUSTIN HUFF, which we had a bday party for, and the arrival of X Swing Leslie McDonel ( AKA Guadalupe) and Josh Walden. One of our favorite haunts was the DOUBLE WIDE, not far from the theatre, and it is exactly what the name implies. But, also add black velvet paintings on the wall and gay men ravagely playing BUCK HUNTER.

It was surreal and beautiful.....

At the end of our DALLAS trip, before driving 15 miles to Ft Worth, we presented a box to the theatre. Every show that comes through is asked to build a box that best represents the show itself. We painted it pink and included alot of trinkets from the characters of the show and pictures. Then, we sadly said adieu to vacation swing Casey Leigh Thompson. I am going on a limb and saying that she will be back, but before she left we also started a game called WHERE CAN WE SHOVE CASEY? So far its been a laundry hamper, a company managers road box, a prop box, and my Pleated Cavaricci Pants from 1991 that we both stretched out to fit. It looked like something from the group PARABALUS.

So a weight fell offstage right during the harvard party, a cast member violently ill, understudy chihuahua was on, and Shep had her hat on under a visor ALA MushMouth during WYW. That was our Happy opening to Ft Worth!!

Ft Worth was great, sans the drive from our hotels in Arlington because 40,000 people convened on the city for an Evangelical Conference.

But.......

The downtown area is great, and THE STOCKYARDS area just north is even more interesting. It is the oldest running cattle drive in the coutnry. Every day at 1130 and 4 they bring the cattle through the streets before they are shipped or slaughtered. It also has a great slew of vintage stores, boot shops( where I had a pair made by a Cherokee woman named Georgia), and the largest Honky Tonk in the world.

If anyone is ever in the area, go to BILLY BOBS on the weekend or just stop in during eth day for $1. It is a huge space, with two performance stages, a dance floor, an indoor bull riding arena, pool tables, video games, and a BBQ restaurant that serves CALF FRIES- which is actually another name for Rocky Mountain Oysters. If you dont know what those are, they are Deep Fried Calf Testicles. Needless to say, nobody ordered any. We should have though, cause that is where we lost Nathan Balser to the quickly closing 9 TO 5. We will miss you Kiki 3.0!!!!!

Then off to LA......with a quick two day stop in Vegas for Gretchens Bday.

We also got to see PEEPSHOW while we were there, which is directed by our own captain JERRY MITCHELL and starring Bway's Josh Strickland, Shoshana Bean, former Bway LB member Nick Kenkel, and PLayboy Bunny and all around nice girl Holly Madison.

15 of us convened on what was the 1year anniversary of when we started rehearsals, but no better way to ring it in for the 2nd year but with a huge vat of milk, a smoldering car number, and a good ole 30 foot saddle ride, a Playboy Bunny, and old friends who may or may not remember the nights happenings.

If you go to Vegas soon, venture on over to the Planet Hollywood, spend some time in the
Pleasure Pit (yes thats its real name) then see PEEPSHOW!!! You wont regret it!

We flew into BURBANK just in time for sound check on wednesday, where we were greeted by the smiling JERRY MITCHELL. We waited for the double doors to pop open and he to come sweeping in embracing us with those mammothly long arms. But, it wasnt until stretching during the half hour that we saw him.

The crowd that night was great, and maybe it was due to the return of Rusty Mowery as KIKI......or they just understand the show better than the rest of America. Either way, it was a nice way to end the night running on minimal sleep.

The next day we had a brief note session before our second show, and then on to opening night---which had everyone a lil nervous. This opening was to be the equivalent of the original BWAY opening in NYC, and it came damn close. There was even a red carpet for the dogs to walk down...well and Dick Van Patten, Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, and many others.

The party was great, with both Larry + Nell coming in, after their current reading of HEATHERS, and all of our producers. As usual with this bunch, we shut the place down----eventually getting kicked out at 2 am. But, sleep was needed. We still had 4 shows for the weekend.

Now here we are in week 2. Its Tally's final week, with replacement Jonathan Rayson already here.

Cjay Hardy Philip went on early in the JUDGE/SALESWOMAN track, we know who the new poolboy will be in a few weeks, and there may be more people leaving. It could be a whole new show in a month, so stay tuned. But before that happens, Ass Dir. Marc Bruni also came in to tweek some things.

The highlights of the week:

* LOU the chihuahua from THE SOUP rode out with Mamie on the golf cart during WHAT YOU WANT. We are still waiting for the shmeer campaign that will be on cable!

*Cast members are filming Webisodes of THE BATTERYS DOWN

* And our friends from PEEPSHOW came in on their night off for a lil pink relaxation.

Ft Worth BabYYYYYYYYY!

2009-08-20T20:17:00.000-07:00

Dallas ELLE CAM

2009-08-20T20:14:00.000-07:00

KANSAS CITY ELLE CAM

2009-07-10T15:39:00.000-07:00

Everything was UP to DATE in Kansas City

2009-07-07T12:18:00.000-07:00

So once again I am playin catch up on our travel bus, but here goes...

We landed in Nashville and were eager to get out. So BPM + I headed towards The Gulch to a place I read about on Tripadvisor.com----which I will say has not guided me wrong yet on this tour. We hit up a local joint called THE STATION INN. Not only does a great band called THE TIME JUMPERS play every Monday night, but international country star VINCE GILL joined them. He apparently subs in when their regular guy is unavailable. Not only was the place like an old Juke Joint, with no windows and only selling beer, but u also had to get their at least an hour early to get a seat. The standing room was the aisles. Due to a massive storm moving through, bringing tornado warnings and blackouts we were not privvy to, it started a lil late with even an audience member going to their car to help aid with an amp. I asked for a Hootnanny and that's what I got. They jammed for 2 hours, jammin on C+W Swing. They would feature each other, whether it being a specific persons song they had written or just solo driven. With a 10 piece band, the variations rocked. Vince sang 3 times, amazing, and the two female singers were offensively effortless.

Opening night was a blast and a blur. Not only did the day start with BUY 1 Pair of Boots Get 2 Free, but a few of us also decided to get $5 cowboy hats. What better way to welcome LBB back to the company? Well, that wasn't the only addition to the night. At the end of the show, the curtain was held and D.B. Verbally welcomed LBB back as a now local Nashvillian. But, then Betty Witherspoon came out and welcomed all of us. She gave birth to the woman who gave birth to Elle Woods: Reese Witherspoon. That night we were shuttled in a stretch limo-bus to a swanky party, where we stayed only shortly before venturing out for some music. We ended up at Roberts, which would then remain our stompin grounds for most of the week.

Also, Cortney was on vaca all week. So, Tiff was on as Serena. And as always, she kicked the role in its butt.

Wednesday brought us the death of an icon--Michael Jackson.

One LB Fan said he " thought he was just a child molester." But, long before court trials and weird babies dangling out of German windows he was a beacon of hope and Americana----back before the Bush Dynasty and the creation of The Simpsons. Yes, that long. My first Vinyl Album and non christian music as a kid was the Thriller Album, which I still have in the plastic sleeve.  And before that, he was apart of the Jackson 5. Son that night became shout out to MJ Day. We changed a few dance moves, improv'ed in some blank spaces, and sold it for the King of Pop. So what that he named his child after the inanimate object that they would prize for the first 5 years of their life. I dare anyone to name another current artist that will be remembered in 100years.

On friday, we all went to LBB's pool to catch some rays and avoid the heat. Cause it was stiflin!!!!!  It was great and also got to run into Miley Cyrus' X boyfriend...it made us feel very special. Sat started the ELLE switcheroo with Lauren and LBB again, but that night LBB hurt herself, which ended up being her last show in NVille.  BOOOO!!

Then to KC. Its the home of more BBQ, Swing, Bebop, and was the 2nd largest FBI center in the country at one time. Yep, high national security in Missouri. Go figure!

Our first night, after a lengthy bus ride, we hit the road for BBQ. After stopping at Gates, which I kid u not has a "4 Boner Special", we ran back to the car wanting table service so ended up at Fiorello's Jack Stack. It has Flintstones Beef Rib and hands down the best Carrot Cake I have ever had. We all went home in a food coma and prepared for the opening night skit.
Only 6 shows in KC....because its outside. And no, that's not a typo.

Kansas City Starlight is a 7918 seat amphitheatre in the middle of a city owned park, smackdab against the zoo(which was nice when the wind changed course and blew fragrant bouquet of Elephant Droppings our way). Not only does AC barely tease the heat away while we r dawning layered clothes, but patrons mill in while we soundcheck, it isn't completely dark til the Dewey scene, and there was an army of bat around to eat the bugs hanging around by the lights.  Oh yeah....and the Star Bangled Banner is sung before every show en masse. Who said Patriotism was dead?

Cue the bat drama!! So it started with one sleeping under a speaker during soundcheck. Then, one flew out at the end of "Serious" and landed on Jeff as it buttoned. He swatted it to the floor where it squirmed during the "Candle Flying V." It was even noted in the review!!!! Hilarious. Then, as we r changing into beer bash one crawls out from the back scrim into our quick change booth, which was then slightly kicked by Efe. They swooped backstage, even hittin our ASM Greg in the face, which resulted in the head of Wardrobe walking around with a laundry basket for a helmet.  They kept swooping, the funniest being during Scene of the Crime, and ended with one just swooping back+forth upstage during the graduation. Well apparently the theatre was so embarrassed that they brought in peeps from the Zoo to do something. What they did we have no clue, but the next nights brought only one bat. What it also brought was the emergence of Mike Isaacson to tell us that as of Dayton our tour recouped all of its initial investment. That's right, we are now a money making machine!!!

Thursday, we got free tickets to the Royals. Why u ask? We sang the 7th inning stretch on top of the dugouts. Not only is it one of the most beautiful stadiums, with massive water fountains in the outfield, but they have frozen margaritas en masse. Heaven!!! We even got free T Shirts.

The other highlight of the week, other than fireworks going off the whole show on July 4th, was a torrential rainstorm that happened on Friday. People had ponchos, and we kept going. But I think it was a first for us all....watching the scuttling and sheets of rain as the curtain rose for Act 2 was amazing.

We had a sad departure of our MD Jan though, and hope she gets back soon....so Kyle will be conducting for a while. AND, Louis the Bulldog made his debut!!!! The fireworks freaked out Nellie too much....she has delicate tendencies. We have also now a new swing to replace Jay Garcia. His name is Alex Puette and came the last day in Nashville.  Will he go on this week, a week early? It could be so...only time will tell. With both NJJ and Ven on vaca anything is possible!!!

Bring on Arkansas!

Legally Blonde Takes FRANCE

2009-06-30T11:36:00.000-07:00

LAURA BELL BUNDY is ELLE all of NASHVILLE

2009-06-22T11:39:00.000-07:00

Okay fans,

So this week you can find us in NASHVILLE with LBB back at the healm, with Lauren Zakrin doing the matinees.

for the full press release click here
For all intense purposes, we will just pretend like DAYTON happened and all is well. LZ was on all week while Becky was out, as well as Sara Shepard's first performance as Kate/Chutney ( welcome to the LB fam sistah), and the appearance of Mamie Parris as Viv for the first time. All 3 of them are fabulous!!!!!

Also, some people went to KINGS ISLAND and forgot sunscreen.......or maybe Paul just wanted a real Golfers tan because he is so method!!!!!!

Wait for shenanigans in TENNNESSEE!!!!!

Elle Cam in PITTSBURGH

2009-06-22T09:17:00.001-07:00

Pitts ELLE CAM part 1

2009-06-22T09:12:00.001-07:00

ELLE CAM in Pittsburgh

2009-06-22T09:12:00.000-07:00

Backstage Videos

2009-06-22T09:09:00.000-07:00

Josh Waldens Farewell LB Ballad Dance

2009-06-22T09:05:00.000-07:00

Our Girls on the TONY's

2009-06-16T21:56:00.000-07:00

300 Shows, 3 million pride filled trannys, and a Stanley cup

2009-06-16T11:13:00.000-07:00

So as I sit on our ever quiet chartered bus to Dayton, I thought it only due time to pontificate on recent events.

No, this isn't just because for some sad reason ( which many people could postulate and have) North Shore Music Theatre is closing its doors after 55 years of business, or that the people of IRAN have finally decided to unite for a cause, or that strange foreigners are trying to have sex with porcupines in FLORIDA to see why its illegal.

Nope, just because.

So, Week 3 in Chicago was great and melancholic. Tiff led us into it with show as BROOKE, while Coleen did a concert in Seattle with Savion Glover. We also got to finally see Mary Poppins. They changed TEMPER TEMPER, which I didn't even know having not seen th Bway run. But, my brother and I squealed like little kids the whole time. And, I may or may not have cried the first time MP flew into the sky. The cast is amazing, the story a classic (other than HOOK it was our favorite childhood movie), and I'm proud of my friends ( both in the cast and GEORGE STILES who wrote the new tunes).

That monday was our benefit cabaret at SIDETRACK. It was a raving success. We got a full video of it (thanks to the bar), and BPM MC'ed the evening. The bar was packed with strangers, lovers, producers, and fellow actors in Chicago shows. And by the end of all the awe inspiring performances ( Mrs Elizabeth Ward Land even joined) we raised 1500 more dollars for BCEFA + Chicago House. That brings our total monies raised on the tour to a lil over $113,000 I think. So thanks!!!!

The last week of ChiTown was full of grey weather, and much shenanigans. Adam was on for Warner the first part of the week, with me rounding off the weekend. But,also Lauren was Elle all weekend so that Becky could sing on the Tony's(putting Casey on as the Stenog). And it was great!!!!  The LB performance was about halfway thru the show, and sounded amazing!! And congrats to all the winners!! There were some surprises and some expected...but anything that helps BWAY is a good thing. So, thank u for supporting live theatre!

Pittsburgh produced sun and a week long Arts Fair----which many of us took advantage of by paying hefty sums of money. Our opening night party was at the FISH MARKET, which also saw the return of bronzed Jeff McLean and Josh Walden. Josh happens to be doing SWING after us in the PCLO season. So, its like old home week. Also, since Crystal and Coleen were gone all week it was super swing bonanza. Andreas played BROOKE the beginning of the week with Jenkins as PILAR. Then, Tiff played Brooke all weekend with Andreas as BROOKE. And it was sports final madness!!!

On Friday not only was it our 300th show, Mamie's Bday which inspired a healthy Cake, but also Music Supervisor James Sampliner surprised us with having secretly watched for 3 shows, and then the PENS won the Stanley Cup. There was 5 mins left as our curtain came down, and Becky came out with a jersey on for her bows. The place irrupted into mayhem!!!!! Then as they won, the town went crazy. All this happened after Champagne toasting our 300th show, and a cast member getting engaged to another surprising guest. It was jubilatious evening! The only thing that could Trump it?  GAY PRIDE WEEKEND!!!!

The weekend was full of streets being shutoff, scary Trannys mingling with the blue hair patrons, another surprise with Mike Isaacson stopping out to say HI and then we all said a goodbye to Alex Ellis. She is heading to a new Cirque show, and will be missed. But it marks the addition of the first Non-Bway cast member. Sarah Shepard is replacing her, who ironically enough is totes besties with Kyle Brown.  I can't wait to see her in action. She had only been in rehearsal 2 days and already everything but Chutney.

That's a professional, babeeeeeeee!

This week will be Dayton. Sarah and LBB's joint put in and Spencer's vaca should make it a colorful week.
And I am not just talking about the 15-year-old telling people he is joining the touring cast by simply taking the workshops led by cast members.
I'm talking WIZARD OF OZ once film went TECHNICOLOR!!!! Those horses were crazy!!!!

U better serve us Dayton.
Serve us good.

Beware of JOB SECURITY Delta Nu Ladies

2009-06-04T00:51:00.000-07:00

How we should vent our frustration on modern news frenzies

2009-06-03T23:45:00.000-07:00

Cleany Your Seaty in the Windy City

2009-05-27T23:16:00.000-07:00

So I'm sitting our dimly lit dressing room, shaded strategically so that old man Murphy can take his ritualistic 2 show nap, and amid savory sips of my capitalistic STARBUCKS realized its time for a mid Chi-Town update.

First off let me say that this last weekend was the

WORLD Beard & Mustache CHAMPIONship.

If you have never read about it CLICK HERE

Also, there was a picture of a soldier in Afghanistan.

Read the article of why REAL MEN WEAR PINK overseas.

Our preview went smashingly well, which was celebratoriously received by our friends in the resident company of MARY POPPINS. We did a ticket exchange, which means Our bosses and Their bosses swapped tickets so we could see each others skits. Kinda cool right?

The next day was our opening--on--a-Wednesday. But first, we had another soundcheck so that everything was just right.

That night we went across the street for our party, which was full of adorable lil fans in PINK. We then cabbed it thru rain to ROCKIT, to wrap the night. Its a great bar with pool tables and delicious comida. Our old pal and producer Mike Isaacson even came with friends. It was a right ole' hootnanny!!

Thursday saw the assembling of a bike gang. A slew of us went and bought bikes to traverse the hectic streets a lil easier, while also working the waistline to offset the awesome food in the Windy City. Our first weekend saw Casey on for the 1st time as Stenog, cause lauren was gone all week. And if u havent seen her, she is a pint sized cat lady of adorability. Sunday produced a mixer with Jersey Boys cast at rockband karaoke. That's right, a live band to make u feel like u are actually Steve Perry.

Impossible?

I say yes....nobody is Steve Perry.

With our 2nd week came Tally going on twice and Barry on twice for Emmett. They both soared in this palacial theatre, which was no surprise to anyone. Also added in was Amber rockin it fro-style as Paulette. Thursday, however, was chalk full of fun. 1st was a Macys promo for the TONYS. Natalie, Jeff, + Lauren got to judge the contest. It was kids singing preappro

ved songs. And the winner....well I don't know who it was but it ended with Lauren singing "So Much Better" in the scarf department, to a track that was a step higher than our show version. I wish I had even a picture. That day also came the announcement of a revisit to the ELLE FANDANGO...only this time its the ELLE SWITCHEROO.

CLICK HERE FOR THE OFFICIAL RELEASE

The city of Dayton will see only Lauren as Elle and Nashville will see the return of Laura Bell for the week. Go buy tickets now kiddies!!!!

That night was another gloryous WHIRLBALL event paid for by our producers. They totally know how to keep up morale amongst the touring ranks A bus awaited us as the curtain came down, and we scurried into the night for 2 hours of fun packed Ball de Whirly. It was the first time for a lot of peeps, though with the attendance of producer extraordinaire Doug Meyers competition was at an alltime high. If I had the pics of the unisex bruising that happened, it would look like pictures of domestic violence. Those metal steering cranks do some serious damage!!!!

Jump two days, and saturday gave birth to Tiff as mom because......

(cue the musical theatre horns)

Cara was Paulette all day. She kicked some serious heinie.....what I love is how totally different all the possible hairdressers are!!

The holidays took us to Doug Meyers pad for BBQ.

He bussed us up into what was the closest thing to a musical theatre museum. His house is full of childhood memorabilia, the show posters of the ones he has produced, his sons awesome Star Wars Legos, and oh yeah....his 2 TONY awards sitting above the piano.

That's right....

readily available

for photoshoots!

Monday was the CUBS Game.

Mr D.B. Bonds got to sing

"God Bless America" and the "Star Spangled Banner".

At the end, Challenger the bald eagle was released then quickly chased by some pidgeons. We were hoping it would eat one in the cold air, but alas.

We were sitting right behind home plate( with a few peeps in the SKYBOX ON SHEFFIELD), and other than a Triple Play that was technically only a double play(which rarely happens), the highlight of the cold night was the 7th inning stretch.
Who sang? None other than Mr T...yes that Mr T.Check out the video of he and DB I spliced together.

Tuesday brought the first of 4 shows with Lauren as Elle and Casey on as the stenog. Why u ask? Well I am guessing by now word is out that there is a montage of the touring shows on the TONYS. So, Becky will be singing SO MUCH BETTER, from what I know along at least Kate Rockwell + Stacey Sargeant + Cara Massey. Thus, Lauren will also be ELLE the entire last weekend we are here, alongside me as Warner. Adam will be on for Warner the beginning part of the week.

Things to come:

#1 Tiff as Brooke on Friday

#2 Our Benefit Cabaret next monday

Here's the info again:

6p.m. - 8p.m.

Showtunes til 2am

SIDETRACK

3349 N .Halsted at Roscoe

$25@door or $20@Adam Zelasco's FBook EVENT

Benefits BCEFA/Chicago House

I will close with this, a quote from a weird lady that spoke to my friend Maria in the Wrigley Stadium Bathroom.

"If u sprinkle when u tinkle be cleany and wipe the seaty" --lady in bathroom 5/25/09

THE BOSS before the WINDY CITY

2009-05-12T11:17:00.000-07:00

Well here BPM, Spencer, and I sit in the early morning of another tuesday morning. This one is little different though....

We sit, slightly sleep deprived, in the observatory deck of an AMTRAK train from ST PAUL to CHICAGO. Which, all in all, I believe is an 8 1/2 hour trek. It wouldn't be that bad, all three of us love long travels on trains. But, there is a gaggle of AMISH families and the strong aroma of manure filling the air. I am guessing one of the brothers---i will call him stinky BROTHER JEBEDIAH---may have IBS. Because, everytime he walks through the car with his button flap crotch open, the strong nose curdling stench of fertilizer and top soil beats our senses into a bloody pulp. Yet, he and the other men are well manicured. To this I say, "Is it possible for an Amish man to be stinking and still be called Metrosexual due to hair product and cuaffage?"

Since Rhiannon came back, things have flown by. Our put-in/dance cleanup went smashingly well!!! RUSTY MOWERY, dance captain to the stars, was amazing. He tweaked some things, and also solidified some moments that had either mushed into oblivion or we never even had. These were things that all parties involved didn't remember when we were mounted. This would also be why he and James Sampliner are the cats going to LONDON to set that company ( which by the by is all Brits). Once done we had Rhiannon's first night back, which also brought the 1st of 2 night with Barry Anderson on as Emmett. He was amazing.

He was lovingly endearing, awkward as Emmett should be, and pulled the audience in with him the whole way. I felt like a proud brother!!!! If i had pics this would be where I inserted them.

We also had a vocal cleanup with James, who was completely happy with the show---spare some tweaks here and there once again.

Other than that it was a pretty much cut and dry week. All three Kate/Chutney covers went on---Andreas, Tiff, and Jenkins....and we soon see the return of Megan Lewis as Lauren leaves us for a week.

But, after seeing DR. MAMBOS COMBO again ( who rocked the mic as always) a few of us stayed behind in the Twin Cities. This is why the 3 of us are now on the train.

We stayed behind to see the BOSS, Bruce Springsteen, in concert at the EXCEL CENTER next to the Ordway. BPM has been now 15 times, and it was the virginal voyage for the rest---including Josh Campbell who came along. We got General Assembly seats on the floor.....which means you have a chance at heaven. There is a lottery 3 hours before the show and if you are part of the mass of fans selected you get the honor of standing on concrete for close to 6 hours to be within 50 feet of the front of stage. We sadly fell out of the bracket chosen, which was boosted from the normal alottment of 500 to 600 people due to the size of the crowd.

It was the 2nd largest turnout for the Lottery--1159 people i believe.

So dejected, we went to use some free drink chits at a local restaurant we ate at for opening night.

I will now go on record as saying that BRUCE gives one of the most amazing concerts I have ever been to. It ranks in my top 4---with FARMAID '98, BEN FOLDS at CARNEGIE HALL, and ETTA JAMES at the NEW ORLEANS in Vegas alongside it.

Not only was it the earliest he has started all tour, but he plays continually for close to 3 hours with no breaks. This has happened for 35 years, and astounding seeing as how he turns 60 this fall. Also astounding is the fact that his amazonian best friend Clarence Clemons--the tall Black man in the ornate MJ looking band costume, is 67 and still rocking it out 4 nights a week. BPM thinks this may be his last tour--so we saw history in the making . It was action packed, non stop, and as a now FAN awe inspiring as a performer. He is truly the peoples entertainer. And not only did he open with THE BADLANDS, but he takes requests. They have a thing called STUMP THE E STREET---which is impossible He grabs signs from the audience and decides what songs are next. They played a song that they have never done on tour---EVER----and we got to watch it. And GOOD LOVIN was better than I ever remembered!!!! Nils Lofgren on guitar is just jaw dropping. He shredded at every turn. My favorite is when he started doing whirling dirvish turns while still fingerpicking at the speed of sound.

Also, he has a new drummer. If you watch CONAN O'BRIAN you know that his band is led by MAX WEINBERG. Well he has also been BRUCE's drummer since the dawn of time. But, with the LENO takeover, Max is unavailable for concerts. So, Bruce has brought on Max's son---Jay Weinberg. He is 18.

Thats right, 18!!! And after only playing drums for 4 years he is playing for THE BOSS. Not bad when most kids are too busy drinking their freshman year in college away!!!!

The story goes that Bruce gave jay a list of 200 songs to learn. Jay came back a month later and Bruce then gave him another 500 to learn. And learn he did. Jay brought a level of ROCK and energy to the concert that is unabashedly unique, and something fans haven't seen from Max. This was evident when he even shredded a drumstick during the BALLAD OF TOM JOAD. And, from BPM's prediction, he's going to be a staple in concerts from here on out. History in the making on all levels!!!!

Before I close this lil ditty....I want to plug a great organization. Since Bruce is the people's entertainer, he dropped the backdrop and sold all the tickets behind the stage for 20 bucks. He then gave those ticket proceeds to benefit

SECOND HARVEST HEARTLAND. They are an organization in Minnesota that gives food and aid to families that are down and out. Recently, they are especially helping the families of those that have lost their jobs with the recession. Its the only safety net that some families have, and a massive gesture coming from a generous performer who pays all the people on stage alongside him the same that he pays himself. Selfless? I would say so. Its the little things that can make this a better earth to be on, and I now know why they call him THE BOSS. Its gestures like this that remind me why I don't shop at WALMART---when the CEO's and the WALTON CLAN donate under 5% of their net profits to charity while their full time employees still live below the poverty level.....please excuse the soapbox.

In closing.....

HAPPY NATIONAL RIDE YOUR BIKE WEEK!!!! Commute, car share, or hop on that banana bike Schwinn and take a lengthy ride to your nearest tree. Hug it, and hear the wind gently whisper THANK YOU for saving the environment one small step at a time.

I sit here not broken hearted.....a PUT-IN/CLEANUP has just started

2009-05-06T12:38:00.000-07:00

So I sit here in the middle of our RUSTY MOWERY Cleanup/ RHIANNON's Put-IN Rehearsal, and thought it only fitting that I update the blog now. And while we are here, the Tech Staff and Josh Campbell are off playing PAINTBALL again....

Last week was great. Not only did an army of pink shirt wearing families come from Becky's hometown ( i think the # was actually over 300 and were shipped in a fleet of buses). But, we also had a great party, hosted by Becky's parents at the ST. PAUL HOTEL.....which involved even more people from her hometown.

It also gave us a week of Andreas as BROOKE WYNDHAM, which then end capped with Tiff Engen going on as well for 2 performances. Check out her smoking courtroom outfit!!!!!! She did amazing---and she never covered it on the BWAY so I think she has now played everything except Callahan.

Sunday night, not only did we sadly say goodbye to Kate Rockwell----with a great party at the W Hotel, but also got to see MAMBO'S COMBO at BUNKERS. They are amazing, if you have never seen them. They are a staple of the TWIN CITIES, and from what I am told have played there every Sunday and Monday night since the beginning of time. They have all played with PRINCE (or insert the symbol), seeing as how its his hometown, and Jellybean(his guitarist) is also there every night. And if you have never heard Margaret Cox sing, you have missed out on some musical brilliance!!!! Needless to say, I went back again monday night.

Also, Monday brought a tour of the GUTHRIE---which is the most beautiful theatrical complex I have ever seen. Its open all day to the complex ( their motto is YOUR new Guthrie Theatre), and my college bud David Alpert ( who was Asst. Dir on the GUYS AND DOLLS revival and is Asst. Dir. on the new Kushner play there) gave me the V.I.P tour. Its breathtaking!!! Google it!

But back to FUNK.....

From what James Sampliner our Music Supervisor told me, who is back in town for a cleanup tomorrow, this is the home of FUNK. George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, and all the P-Funk AllStars came from here. Without the TWIN CITIES, we would have no funk!!!!!

Last night Lauren got to go on for Margot as we await....( cue the horns) .....putting RHIANNON back into our show, and cleaning up our dance numbers from start to finish. Thats right kiddos, the PMS GIRLS are back intact!!!!!

What also came this week was the notice that Alex Ellis will be leaving after Chicago ( so warm up your KAte/CHUTNEY routines if you want to be out here) and the arrival of our new Vacation Swing---Casey Leigh Thompson. She was in the BWAY company as it closed last fall.

Lastly, I want you all to know that we are doing a Cabaret while we are in Chicago.

It will be at SIDETRACKS on Monday June 1st. It will benefit both BCEFA and a local charity ( which I don't know the name of).
So, wait for more details on that!!!! I think tickets will be $20 and feature most of the cast!!!!!

Alex is also going to be VIV all week....so expect Tiff and Andreas swapping off all week.

Til then friends.....

Whose on TOP and whose on BOTTOM now?

2009-05-04T16:38:00.001-07:00

We just took home 3 BROADWAY TOURING AWARDS!!!!!!!

CHECK IT OUT HERE!!!!!!!!

And just in time for a CINCO DE MAYO celebration!!!!

Welcome to ST PAUL

2009-04-29T09:28:00.001-07:00

So after our last week of 1 weekers in Charlotte, which sent Lauren on as MARGOT and Alex on as VIV again, we have arrived in the cool lil hipster-ville of Minneapolis.

But first, let me go back to CELEBRATE EARTH DAY!!!!

YEAH---HOPE YOU RECYCLED!!!!

Cause truly, its the only international and bipartisan holiday that we can all enjoy. There is no religion, no political views ( spare the meatheads that think we aren't causing the Earth's warming), and the proof is right there in the pudding.

So for that I bought this great water bottle.

If you don't use them get a reusable waterbottle. SIGG is a great brand, and I loved my NALGENE but it gets funky when you put anything but water in it.

DONT REUSE PLASTIC BOTTLES because chemicals will leak into your body. It is your temple and should be treated as thus.

Okay, so now that we are along the mighty M I DoubleS Double P I River, we got to go see Josh Campbell in GREY GARDENS at the ORDWAY ( same complex we are in) and it was amazing. The cast was top notch---it would compare equally to any BWAY stage.

And not only was Josh graceful and hilarious in both roles ( I think our overall highlight of the night was the song "JERRY LOVES MY CORN." If you don't know it, check out the tune). But, in the scene when older Edie is prepping for her patriotic anthem, the amazingly brilliant Christina Baldwin did the BEND AND SNAP--both shocking Josh on stage causing a crackle of laughter and sending all of us into an uproar.

So thanks Christina!!! Check out the youtube promo and if you live in town GO SEE IT!!!!!

Also, our 2nd Fundraising for BCEFA has come to end. The EASTER BONNET competition went on the last two days,

and we are lucky enough to have now contributed over $111, 000 to the cause. So thank you to all the fans

that contributed over the last few weeks, either in the form of loose change of purchasing some PINK swag.

And for those that are interested in the Charm bracelets that Sara Andreas made throughout...

contact me and maybe something can be worked out. We aren't allowed to sell them in front anymore because

there are bracelets in the Merch Kiosk, but maybe EBAY or something will be a good venue.

Til then friends.......

An inspiring Celebration of Life

2009-04-29T09:18:00.000-07:00

I have been following this amazing performer for a while,

and Crystal Joy just shared this video with me.

She is amazing beyond words,

and could use her talents to celebrate Bernie Macs life.

If you dont have it, get her LIVE AT MONTREAUX album. It will change your life!!!

This is what our famous singers should be, not people that are tweaked by a studio and overproduced.

Watch and enjoy this improvisational Gospel Choir Celebration of Life and Love!

Deaths, Births, Goodbyes, and Hello Agains

2009-04-25T20:28:00.000-07:00

(enjoy random pics I have been meaning to add)

So first things first, other than yet another apology for a delay in writing.

First let us take a moment of silence for an infamous woman to ride the boards.

This is Bea Arthur.

R.I.P Beatrice!

For anyone who doesn't know who that is click here for a Wikipedia explanation.

Second, CONGRATs to our Captain Jerry Mitchell on the

opening of PEEP SHOW!!!!!

It opened at the Planet Hollywood Casino in Las Vegas last week, and has Original Cast

member Nick Kenkel rockin it out nightly!!!!

Click here for the PEEP SHOW WEBSITE.

Thirdly, congrats to Josh Walden opening RAGTIME at the Kennedy Center. he is in it as well as Asst. Directed and Choreographed it.

And fourth, lets catch up on what has been going on.

Naples involved alot of beachtime and shopping.

We weren't allowed to collect for BCEFA because they protect their patrons ( a.k.a. keep their money close), and it had a strange horseshoe looking balcony.

Clearwater brought more beachtime---culminating in also a two hour jetski mission on the ocean and a pirate cruise!!! Thats right, a pirate cruise!!! It was priceless---15 of us on a sunset booze cruise and 20 families of little kids.

No words could express the glee....

On the professional front, Paul was on for Ken all week. We also got the emergence of Alex Ellis as VIV and Jenkins in the Kate/Chutney track. What also emerged was Marc Bruni again for notes ( always a good time), Tiff Engen to replace Leslie ( p.s. we miss you), and the magical sign swap outside our La Quinta. Everyday was a different sign, until Mark Pardy (our drummer) left to be back in vegas with family and work on the new LION KING production at the Mandalay Bay. Here is a lil disclaimer---we only travel 2 of our 3 keyboard players and 1 of 2 percussion guys. So, it was like losing a leg of a tripod stool.

But his replacement, Paul, is amazing beyond words.

Also, the theatre was designed by one of Frank Lloyd Wright's students. So, check it out cuase its really cool inside and out.

Durham........ I was on vacation---but from what i heard was a lot of rain and a cool hotel that used to be a factory.

Now here we are in Charlotte: where allergies abound, the landscape is luscious, and club music keeps people up at night. Literally, a club is across the road and their music is bumping every night. Multiple complaints happened, until the owner of the complex across the road was invited to come stay and listen over night. BRILLIANT!!!!!

But on a cool front, our last original tour member got to go on. Tally was EMMETT. Now the round of swaps is complete!!! He was great, and some family got to come see too which is great!

What is to come: Seeing Josh Campbell in GREY GARDENS at the Ordway, the end of 10 weeks of 1 weekers, Rhiannon and Mamie come back & Kate and Cara leave, and another original cast member leaves...

Tune in same PINK time same PINK channel........

OLE to You!!!!

2009-04-08T09:50:00.000-07:00

This is a speech by the writer of EAT PRAY LOVE--which I haven't read yet for my own reasons. But, for any child who doesn't feel support from their family or community, or any artist that feels oppressed, or those wanting to make a difference outside the capitalistic commercialism that runs alot of the world and feels misunderstood, or if you just need a lil inspiration........watch and enjoy.

thank you www.ted.com

How Musical Theatre can change someones day.....

2009-04-06T16:20:00.001-07:00

SEVERE CATCHUP ON A TRAVEL DAY

2009-03-30T07:19:00.000-07:00

Ho there ye rogue of this here musical theatre....

It has been nary a three fortnight and here I am a non-twittering updates on yonder musical of Pink.

it has been three cities and I thought, " Hmmm enough has happened that its time to update and add some pics." I do this while we embark on our 3 hour bus ride to West Palm Beach, having been fully fed by a free Chick-fil-A press event on the corner of the glorious Bohemian in Orlando.

Des Moines ended with all us longing for good food, entertainment, and some warmer weather. It also saw the sad departure of our Assoc Electrician and Josh Walden. I dont know if I am allowed to disclose the electrician, so I will say as a last hoorah with Walden something amazing was done. Our entire changing gondola went to a glamour studio and had pictures taken. The catch is that it is a CHILDRENs photo lab, so there were teddy bears and little chairs all over the place. The parents stared at us, we were all sweating because we were laughing so hard, and i think we made the photographers week. I will also guarantee that we will make the wall amongst the babies and smiles. Something tells me Walden will be back after he gets done with RAGTIME at the KENNEDY CENTER. Only time will tell......

After an epic travel day, thanks to Mother Nature blazing the countryside with winter storms, we pulled into our trusty DoubleTree at around 8pm---nowhere near where our original 8 hour travel day would take us. So, whilst the majority of the company snacked and dined at the trusty TGI Fridays, I ventured to BEALE STREET. And, it was suprisingly bumping for a Monday. I saw a simple three piece band singing hits. A half rack of ribs and a brew later, I was relaxing to the tunes of classic rock and blues. The guy headlining the band, whose name I cant remember, helped re-open sun studios some 20 years prior. So not only was it a concert but a history lesson as well. Nothing like hearing PINBALL WIZARD to the tune of RING OF FIRE. Spencer then met up with me and we headed across the street to B.B. Kings( which i believe is the original) and heard an amazing R&B House band. WELCOME TO MEMPHIS--where the homeless are more aggressive than in Times Square.

Here was my major goal for the week: Eat BBQ at least once a day for the entire week. ( what i didnt know is that finding veggies along that quest would be close to impossible). But here goes....

Tuesday found me at not only SUN STUDIOS ( where Elvis originally recorded his first album under the rues that it was for his Mammas Bday( which was a lie)), but also eating a healthy lunch of TOPS BBQ. I will call this the most blue collar BBQ you will find in Memphis. Its simple, cheap, and easy. Not life altaring but a nice "in the meantime" meal.

Mic Check was easy breezy, following a quick stop at the great Local Folklore Craft shop/Museum/cafe for some coffee( which I have found out is the only way I can jump start through an opening night). Its a great place on Main Street, mere streets from the Trolley, that is full of local artists music and wares. They also serve some simple gnash.......( i suggest the greens with hotsauce and cornbread). There was a great lil opening night party, then we were out rocking it again at Slicky O' Sullivans hearing a double piano concierto. This time, great gumbo and some sweet sweet wet ribs.

Wednesday found us all recovering from the travel day blues, as well as a put in for Barry Anderson and Kyle Brown--who are now in the show. For those who follow Wikipedia and their insider info, you may already know this. Both guys did great in rehearsal and in their first night back at in the show. Barry now plays the Josh Campbell track--also covering Dad/Winthrop + Callahan + Emmett, and Kyle plays Carlos and is now our resident Adonis. Watching he and Adam strut around in GAY OR EURO is liking two mythological gods do an intimate tango. In a word: priceless. This night I went back to BB Kings, to discover that their ribs are amazing as well.

Thursday found me not only visiting my Uncle Buck in Arkasas across the river (which looks like a bomb zone still from the huge Ice Storm) but also with our Company Manager's Bday. The gloriously young Nathan Gehan. We jammed out to one of the best bands in town at RUM BOOGIE. Once again, wet ribs and love were had by all. But then we hopped down to a few more clubs on Beale. All the while, being accosted by guys shlepping their Strip Club cards, then asking to be bought a sandwich. Classic bums----handing out the blues at every turn.

I finally went home when we ventured into a bar and found out that "Morally Challenged Freelance Entertainers" ( which was my 10th grade English Teacher's nice way of saying HOOKER) could be acquired by stating that you "wanted some roses." I didnt want any. I wanted sleep.

Friday found me adventuring with my uncle John, Aunt Debbie, and a few others. We first went down by the mighty Mississip, seeing a great and saddening sight. It was the memorial to , a man who saved a bunch of boaters in 1956. We gafawed at the writing of the original phalic and boring granite plaque stating he was a "worthy negro" and then walking further down to find the artistic memorial. In a time when segregation was still rampant in memphis, a poor black man that couldn't swim saved over 30 people from a sinking ship. If that doesn't say AmeriCana I dont know what does. Well there is a correction, that would be CORKY's BBQ.

It is the most infamous place in Memphis, having been made famous by TV, Presidents, and stars alike. And for good reason, the half ribs and brisket combo leaves one thinking they got both the milk and the cow. It was amazingly sweet and I suggest the Apple BBQ Sauce. And for those fellow "Former Fat Kids of America" out there, they also deliver. XANADU.

That night, once again we hit up the B.B. Kings for some entertainment. It was great----with people jamming all over the place and some of the finest musicians I have ever seen. They played breakless from song to song for at least a half an hour, all the while bringing up different lead singers and crooning between Stevie hits, MJ power ballads, and old Earth Wind & Fire funk.

Saturday brought the BBQ of Rendezvous---another world famous abode. But, theirs is for DRY ribs. Which, for the novice is when they simply put a rub of spices on the rack. There is no sauce, though you can add it obviously. It is downstairs in this side alley, and by they time we came out was a good 2 hour break. Our gondola of fellas (Kyle, BPM, Adam, &I) killed some serious BBQ, and we neared our overall intake for the week. We rolled back to the theatre for another show, and then hit up the party thrown for us at Meridian Grill. Its a great place on on main, with a delicious spread of comida that any artist would ravage. There is an old addage that you provide free food and an actor will be there, and thats pretty close to real. Also that night, we said goodbye to our man Jason Gillman. Due to family things, he had to leave the contract a day early. And we are sad to see him go.....but as all for all of us I am sure we will see him back soon. So, once again I was on the for youngest DAD ever!!!!!

Sunday we were fed by the glorious ushers. Its apparenty notorious, and for good reason. The Potluck spread would have put any local Presbyterian Church to shame---even though the local Presbyterian church was probably partly responsible. Any kind of southern cuisine possible was there, including homemade cobbler and pecan pie, which I can never say no too. There was so much left, that we all got a to go box, bought one of their cookbooks, and rolled our glutenous butts back to the show. That nights theme was "EXTREME....pooch."

Over the past two weeks, we have also seen Becky move from flats back to heels. What with her toe, a carefully manicured swap of flats and open toed stilettos have been swapped.......and I am guessing by the end of WEST PALM will be totally back on point( dont mind the pun).

ORLANDO brought sun and happiness in the way of the classiest hotel on tour thus far. The GRAND BOHEMIAN ( formerly known as the WESTIN). They have a great pool positioned on the 6th floor, is right in the middle of downtown madness, and put us in close proximity to NKOTB, The Chicago Bulls, PINK's Husband, and another basketball team i cant remember. The week also saw the arrival of Paul Canaan and Rusty Mowery, who were doing another OVER THE TOP teaching workshop. So, certain lovers were happy for a reuniting. But, on Monday night our ASM Sharon Del Pilar also got to go moonlight in her old show at Disney....The Fantasmick. She was the Wizard Mickey with Pyro coming out of her hands for two shows. OH BOY!!!!!!!

The crowds in ORLANDO were the best we have had on tour, bar nun. The first two nights were filled with every line receiving a whooping, and I am guessing also adding a good 5 mins to our runtime.

Mike Isaacson then made another appearance saying that things are looking great with this weird economy, and dates are being swapped around but we will definitely allready be going back to Houston. Nothing like job security!!!

Throughout the week people shopped, hit the club scene ( which is crazy on Church street), loved the discovery of PITA PIT, hit UNIVERSAL, all the MOUSE parks, and soaked sun. Whether HOLY LAND EXPERIENCE (now infamous from RELIGULOUS) was toured I am not sure, but sunday also brought our 200th show. So as a hoorah, we drank some cahpagne in Ken and DB's dressing room, then venturing out and about to say goodbye to Meriah. She has been our Assoc Hair thus far, and is leaving to go back home. So Meriah, you and your beautiful soul and style will be missed.

yesterday, we took over DISNEY en masse. We were hooked up with VIP passes and ushered around the parks. We got FAST PASSES- which we all felt bad about passing 100s of families uncomfortably waiting, and then also getting snuck into the back of SPACE MOUNTAIN. But, one of the heights of the day was meeting the whole cast of the CASTLE SHOW. It was a mutual celebration of craft, with some of us even breaking into tears from the sheer joy. All the while the Evil Witch kept hanging in back and not talking to anybody.......but from insider info I am told its actually a man and thats why. Apparently they dont trust females to lift the massive staff. Ah the magic of theatre!!!! We would like to thank our trusty guides Jay and ?.

I also got to run into some other princess along the way......one of which was also from Paw Paw, MI and another who I have known since high school vocal competitions.

It was a Magical Monday that helped lead us to a sold out run in West Palm Beach. Atlantic Ocean here we come!!!!!!!!

We arrived to West Palm and all its beauty only to find a funky hotel. They had dropped the ball at preparing for our arrival, so management made awesome progress swiftly to get us situated. But, i will say that this hotel has never heard the term CUSTOMER SERVICE. Many things happened, but the most colorful was the discovery of a used cathater and pee filled bag behind the door of an uncleaned bathroom. And no surprise, they didnt offer to move them or come get the bag. On the positive side, at least it wasnt a used and full colostomy bag.

The crowds here seem dead, due to the massive space between us and the seats. But, having started BROADWAY CARES again for the EASTER BONNET Celebration, we get to hear the accolades as we collected cash for our show items.

Oddly, the weather has been rainy and grey. So unless you drove down to South Beach, the only real sun was had day one. But, i guess one wouldn't want to be roaming the surf as long as the statewide MAN OF WAR alert was still going on. I have never seen a purple flag fly on the lifeguard stand before..........

But, the sunny disposition of Mike Isaacson once again brightened the day, He seems to be the perfect actors producer. He always looks you in your eyes, asks how things are going, and gives the same support to ensemble and principal players alike. HE also happened to be here when three girls were out( one with Personal Days and the other two with Floridian Allergies). So, the swing fandango gave us many things. The best was another appearance of Jay Garcia as a Delta Nu in SO MUCH BETTER. Simply put: he should never be a dragqueen. But the greatness of both Sara and Sarah being Pilar made the whole week worth it.

OHHHHHH--------we also have the addition of a new Bulldog. Lewis was flown in and China was adopted by one of the Bway company. Lewis was the standby at the end of the Bway run, and is possibly the cutest thing i have ever seen in my life. With this picture we head into a long weekend.............and that brought us a new Paulette.

Natalie flew to NY to film some new scenes for a movie she shot last year with Danny Devito. So, Amber Efe became our Paulette---along with Alex going on for Enid. It was a whole new show.

We then flew into Greenville to find a luscious land of green. Spencer and I went up to ASHEVILLE to see my best friend from high school, his newly pregnante wife, and GOMEZ ( a great Brit band that got its come-uppance on the AMERICAN BEAUTY soundtrack) in concert at the ORANGE PEEL, and then drove back for our opening. Also opening in this cool little town, though a bit less hippie than Asheville, we found that we were adding an intermission voiceover. This was Becky saying to call your South Carolinian friends to come party at the PEACE CENTER( which the title makes me happy in ways i cant describe). I am guessing because we weren't sold that much, which has proven true as the week has progressed. But, I close with a special occasion that happened for the ARGITAKOS' joint bday party.

Actually, I dont think i can actually include in the blog the entirety of what went down ( must protect the young that may be reading this). All i will say is though WILL & GRACE night consists of 3 Tv Screens at

CLUB 621

Screen 1= WILL & GRACE with volume up

Screen 2= Gay Porn in HD

Screen 3= Japanimation Music Videos

Add that behind a bar with a pool out back......and add little to no patrons.......and an entire cast of peeps taking over a bar becomes a mighty adventure ending with the owner and Zelasko both driving to bring back pizza. As Borat would say........GREAT SUCCESS!!!!!!!

Wish us luck as we have a 12:30 matinee this weekend amongst 4 shows and no sun in sight til well into late next week........................

once again internet is spotty.....so pics hopefully in NAPLES....

Also, HAPPY FIRST PREVIEW to Jerry with PEEPSHOW in Vegas. For those of you that dont know, our captain and director Jerry Mitchell is directing a new burlesque show at the PLANET HOLLYWOOD.

CLICK HERE FOR THE WEBSITE

Dewey Burp #1

2009-03-27T20:44:00.000-07:00

Dewey Burp #2

2009-03-27T20:42:00.000-07:00

Dewey Burp #3--- Watch this one last

2009-03-27T20:41:00.000-07:00

Disclaimer * WARNING this contains vulgarity*

Goodbye Oil Hello Corn

2009-02-26T09:40:00.000-08:00

DISCLAIMER: INTERNET IS WEIRD HERE SO PICS TO COME

Well Des Moines has welcomed us with open arms, and decided to warm up a bit.

We were expecting a winter wonderland, but its pretty calm. I was actually walking around in a T-Shirt yesterday.

First off, let me include this pic with fan Anthony Berardinucci. It was taken before Becky's injury. Speaking of which, she is back and more badass than ever. Also, a new edition to the ensem' is an army of JUICY flats. To help the healing process of her toe, she now sports fashionable pink MARY JANEs most of the show.

But, yesterday also brought the first performance by CARA MASSEY, who is replacing Mamie whilst she ties the knot. She is eating some serious scenery on stage, and its a blast hanging once again with a friend I made before I left the city. A funny story: Cara and Cortney went to college together and haven't been in a musical with each other since PAJAMA GAME at UofM.

This theatre is spacious and nice, but a little weird. Its multicolored and stadium seating.

But, there is no middle isle. We only saw this in one other place, Lansing. We are guessing it got grandfather claused in for safety reasons, but i cant imagine being claustrophobic or having the bladder of a squirrel. OOFTA!!!!!! Also, there have been some weird lighting things happening here in the land of corn. Our first night, during the Harvard party seen we just lost all lights except for a few spotlights. Then last night, on the button of WHIPPED there where lights missing and moving window gobos. Very bizarre......but it keeps it fresh.

OHHHH----i dont know how i could forget this. So sunday matinee, we were joined backstage by the Bushes. No, i dont mean the shrubs from MONTY PYTHON The Meaning of Life. George Sr and Babs came to see our show. They are apparently huge supporters of the HOBBY CENTER. So, as I entered the theatre I passed some incognito Secret Service members in tweed. Then, we were informed that they were coming backstage for pics at intermission. OH HAPPY DAY!!!! Most of us have never met a president, former or present. So, it was great to see how friendly they were. George was sporting a cane, but was still nimble enough to flirt with barbara calling her the SEXY LADY and she called him her Silver Haired Fox. It was cute---that was until Amber had her buttocks cupped during a photo. TRUE STORY......BUSH GRABBED HER TUSH. I wish i had the picture that was taken, but according to our dressers that is a normal thing. BUSH LIKES TO GRAB THE TUSH. I guess its better than enjoying a sensible cigar!@#$

We have also started a new tradition called MAN MEAT MONDAYS. I think this will include Y chromosome fellows venturing out for a great steak or burger. This week was amazing, with a ridiculous bill above 400 bones. But, any meal that includes 12 oz Filet with fromage and a dessert for all 5 men cant be bad!!!!!

And for those understudy fiends out there, Jay Garcia will be covering JOSH CAMPBELL all week.

What other chaos will happen......stay tuned.

OH Sunny Day

2009-02-20T14:11:00.000-08:00

Well the weather here in Houston has been interesting: shades of rainy, massive humidity, and then the sun comes out. Good thing is that we are in close proximity to the Bayou ( seeing as how all of downtown used to be marshland). So dogs, joggers, and bikers have been soaking sun while they exercise.

Then there are the people who spray tan for the golden brown---does anyone have longterm scientific facts on the effects of the Mystic? I have been in a tanning bed before but that stuff freaks me out a bit.

Need i remind everyone what happened to the TinMan from the WIZARD OF OZ movie?!@!#

So this city has been great, and bizarre. As most people know now, Rhiannon is out until Chicago, and she has been replaced by KATE ROCKWELL until her return(which means Alex is back in her normal track of KATE/CHUTNEY). Kate was the final Margot in the Bway Company....so after a few days of rehearsal she was on with a flurrish!!!!

Also, Paul Jackel is out for the next two weeks or so, so I was on for Dad/Winthrop for a few shows before ( cue the trumpets) we are joined onstage tonite by the infamous Jason Gillman. He was in the original cast of the Broadway Company and a great guy. So, looks like he will be with us til Orlando. More BWAY folks to come, but i will announce as it happens ( so as to not be in breach of contract my leaking press before our PR cats get the chance).

Also this week----Leslie was on for VIVIENNE once, China has now been sent to Bill's farm and we get a new RUFUS understudy, and we lose Mamie for three months, Josh Campbell to the ORDWAY in Minneapolis, and LBB. This sunday night will be a sad night that will end in rejoicing.

This follows after Mamie's celebratory night on the town for the bachelorette party this week. I cant divulge a lot of information, but it was a country theme and we would like to thank the front of house associate. Her husband, who goes by the name ROGUE, is a stripper at "La Bare". Apparently, VIP services were received in the form of discounted libations and themed dances that outmatched THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER in Vegas and the Chippendales. Nothing like some morally challenged freelance entertainers!!!! NJJ used the word CRAFT and the phrase TELLING A STORY---and some say its unbeatable. So if you are in Houston and in need of some lady fun hop on over.

Two final things for this friday of days: if you come to Houston hit two places.

The first being the FLYING SAUCER--which is a cool restaurant downtown. If you drink 200 beers or more you get a commemorative golden plate that is placed on their

walls for eternity. We got one before our first week was out ( to no surprise) and it will be included in our mural on the walls of the HOBBY CENTER. We are the first 3D Mural in the building........blazing the trail for change!!

The second is that you must see the tunnels under the city. Its like LOGANS RUN all over again, and it freaks me out. I am guessing it is to help escape the stifling heat in the summer, but there is a network of cement tunnels that course through the whole city, also supplying restaurants and nail salons---like NAILS BY JULIE where a few of us got man pedis to celebrate Josh Campbells departure. I may still have a contact buzz from the nail polish.

Tonite? NJJ is performing her cabaret again at a local gay bar ( whose name I cant remember right now) But, if you know where it is, be there or be square. OH--almost forgot.

Last week a bunch of us went PaintBalling and had a blast. It lasted 4 hours and resulted in pingpong sized welts that still havent left some of our skin.

Check out PAINTBALLZONE

2009-02-11T22:12:00.000-08:00

Blog Post #?

I apologize for the elongated break since the last post my friends--despite some inspirational videos I thought you would enjoy. It isn't that nothing has happened( i.e. Jerry coming out to visit, Rhiannon being out of the show for a while again, or JAY as a Delta Nu again----which i will touch lightly on later), but a concern has been raised as to how I detail this internet journal. So, i took a hiatus trying to reassess things and decided to come on back despite a resolution. Things may change.......but you will be informed as it happens.

ST LOUIS was beautiful, despite the largest ice storm to hit this country this century. It was madness, resulting in most of my SE Missouri family being stranded without power for 4 days and some still not having it. The FOX Theatre is one of the most beautiful ones i have ever seen, also cramming over 4000 inside its Moorish style iconic walls. Our producer, Michael Isaacson, was backstage most nights beaming at his child that has now sprouted legs and is taking the country by storm. Speaking of, apparently we were the talk of the ball at a huge conference recently in Florida. Rumor has it that we are a screaming success when others are not doing well. A few tours are actually losing dates because of bad reviews and things. But, this PINK puppy keeps ticking. And why you ask? That would be morale. Our first sunday in St Louis, our producers treated us to a WHIRLYBALL party. Thats right-----FREE WHIRLYBALL. It also had lasertag, but I dont know if i stopped playing the Ball of Whirly the whole night. I simply stayed in my bumpercar waiting for the next game, to run headlong once more into someone elses bumper. Pseudo dirty no?

The second week Rhiannon came back to standby for Lauren, which was interesting considering all her costumes had been fitted back to LBB. But, Lauren never got sick on her first 8 show week, so no costume miracle need to happen. !!!!!!!

With Rhiannon also came the appearance of our captain JERRY MITCHELL and the skipper too---MARC BRUNI. Jerry went to WEBSTER UNIVERSITY. And nothing like some brushup rehearsals to get us through the winter crunch. Then as a farewell, Jerry hung with the cast at the hotel after Sat nights show. Sadly for me, I contracted food poisoning from a soulfood place called SWEETIE PIE's. It had great ambiance with live music---a neo-soul singer and her albino lover on keys, but the food had other things to say. So, I missed the last show and barely had the energy to walk downstairs to see the SUPERBOWL(which was great if you missed it).

AUSTIN brought live music and the sun. I think most of us spent the first 3 days darkening our outer epidermis. Hitting some great vintage shopping, hopping bars on 6th, and finding some awesome emo coffeeshops were all the rage. One night in a club crawl, hearing awesome bands and lighting stuff on fire with 151, we befriended a great up and coming band called

ESTHER LAVONNE AND THE ROTTENS.

They are a great pop/rock/soul/punk band in the ilk of BLONDIE, PINK, ETTA JAMES, and KATIE PERRY.

Two of the many highlights this week were :

#1 My dresser went to UT with a great friend of mine, CHARLIE POLLOCK from Broadway's "9to5", so i got to see a great picture of him from a production of WEST SIDE STORY circa early 90's. It was priceless

#2 I went to UNIVERSITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH on campus. My great grandfather, Dr. Heinsohn as they call him, was the head pastor for over 30 years----also being a huge Civil Rights Activist and Leader before it was the social norm. There is a huge educational wing named after him, as well as a loft entrance from his office into the small chapel. So, during office hours he could hear people singing and practicing. It was in lue of a balcony, and i can see his long lanky body craning from a swivel chair to hear the kids choir. The man giving me the tour had been baptized by PA, my greatgrandfather's nickname, some 50 years prior, so it had even more deep meaning.

We were all sad to leave Austin----and not only because they were honestly the greatest crowds we have had thus far. We truly should play huge college campuses all the time. They just get the show more than the blue hair toting subscription crowd---not to say it isn't appreciated. Its a generational thing.

But, we were also sad to leave because of: the sun bringing us from the depths of CASPERhood and instilling VITAMIN D, live entertainment every night after shows, and beautiful ladies in cowboy boots.

ON a slightly negative note: they just finished a huge 18 month renovation on Bass Hall and the AC was not working properly all weekend. At one point the stage was 77degrees---i kid you not. The jumprope number is deathly fatal at MACH 10 and 100 degrees. My glands were sweating, if that is possible.

Management asked the house to turn on something cause we were all dying quickly, some even worse because of severe asthma. But alas, after multiple requests, only the audience had the cool winds of nonsweat. I am guessing the powers of LONGHORNS that be didn't like us or dont truly want professional shows back.......but hoping not. I mean who really wants to see the 4th National 1Nighter NonEq Bus and Truck of DRAT THE CAT?

So now we are here in Houston. I have more family here as well( and yes thy are alive), but i cant wait for the NASA MUSEUM!!! And truly, I think we all would have preferred to stay wearing our boots and swimtrunks in Austin one week more.......( more updates to come as I know that I am allowed to say certain people will not be back for 3 months)

The crowd opening night was INSANE....and we loved it. Apparently, the man who founded the HOBBY gives a speech before every show. Who knew? So, it feels like summer stock with the places call really a good 10 minute call. But, that is how you make the theatre personal and keep bringing people back.

Tonite, i found out a couple of things. First, we have a new margot coming in. Can't tell you who( though i know), there will also be a new dad for two weeks( which i actually dont know), and also tonight a gel caught on fire. During the remix, smoke starting filling the stage and it smelled like burnt chemicals. Everything was all right, i think they turned off a grid or something, but the kickline was full of us looking up to see if burning debris was going to fall. I think the audience may have been a little privy to it, seeing as how they didnt respond at all but perhaps out of fright!!!!! Also, found out from my dresser that there is a ghost in the theatre.

Apparently, the woman who helped start the theatre was murdered by a security guard in one of the board rooms. And now, on opening nights, flowers ( that nobody brought) will just appear in random places like the flysystem, on stage, or in the seats. MOOOHAWHAW!!!!!!!!

Also, i was asked to take the dates for the LBB/LAUREN shuffle off cause it was believed to affect ticket sales......so simply know LBB will be back this weekend and next week. TIl then.....(oh, also more BWAY cast members are on the way to replace the JOSHS---stay tuned)

A realization that we dont have it that hard....thanks to the peeps from DOWN UNDER

2009-01-21T09:23:00.000-08:00

HAPPY INAUGURATION and legoland

2009-01-20T10:41:00.001-08:00

Elle Update and BRUNI sighting

2009-01-17T08:00:00.001-08:00

Hey kids,

So the updated schedule for Lauren and LBB's fandango tango is to the right. So, now you can figure out who will be seen when you come for the next month or so.

Also, last night, out of the wintery snow came a vision of Marc Bruni===our Ass. Dir.

It was good to see a familiar face after this last week!!!! Lets see what happens over the weekend!

Its a WINTER WONDERLAND of TOUR LIFE

2009-01-16T13:37:00.000-08:00

The weekend ended with a much tired Lauren, who was amazing and superseded any expectations people had. She made it her own, and I wish I had that much talent at the ripe age of 19. And i definitely don't look as good in that infamous bunny outfit.

We landed in Lansing to find a blanket of snow, and the bitter cold of winter biting through any layer of snow we were wearing. Tuesday, we had LBB's put in. 3 quick hours, which also included soundcheck, and we were ready to start. NJJ called out, so LBB got to get a haircut from the scenery munching Mamie Parris. And LBB was amazing---having been thrown into the mix with a mere 3 days. But, muscle memory is a great thing and she is hilarious!!!!!!! That night, after we had a post bow cheer en masse by the cast, we went to rock it out at BEGGARS BANQUET for our opening night party. I caught a lil pic of the three Elle's.

On wednesday, there was a huge press event at the ASPCA---with a bunch of adorable lil puppies. Then, we got to go to the capitol building and get honored by the state government. One of the state reps, TANYA SCHUITMACKER, is an old family friend. So, Lauren, Kevin BeeBee, Spencer, Paul, and myself got a tour of the capitol---with its glass floors and antique furniture. Then, we got a tour of the Governors private chamber---by her aide who also happened to be assistant to the pres of WMU at one time. Then, we got certificates honoring our contribution to the arts on behalf of the state. It was a glorious time!!!!!

Last night, we had ourselves another ROUND THE WORLD party. The first room was NAM--which was hilarious being pelted by water guns and having to duck through a shredded trashbag jungle. The second was JONESTOWN---with kool-aid and dead people abounding. Then, we moved onto KEN LAND----literally a room with Ken Land's headshots scattering the walls and Stella and KEN nametags. Thats when the management came complaining of noise. WHOOPS!!!! And then the last room-----we will call it SUSTENANCE. It was an art Gallery featuring the work of Jeff( whose name i cant remember). It was a photo montage of an experience of sadness by LESLIE. BPM walked around handing out sliced cukes and small pieces of jerky and saying SUSTENANCE, while Josh Walden thanked everyone for enjoying his work alongside Tally acting all SPROCKET like. There were white sheets hanging behind everything which resulted in one being pulled like a curtain and Leslie rocking back and forth and just saying SUBTERFUGE. Once again the building manager came to complain, but got to figure out what exactly we were doing. I was once again amazed at the artistic ideas of our family......and how crazy we are. This resulted, in the end, to being convinced to go to the conference room to end the night while the manager on duty bought us all pizza. Thanks TOWN HOME SUITES!!!!!

Here is a bit of an update on the LBB/LAUREN shuffle---exact stuff tomorrow

This week: LBB is on except the SAT MAT and all day SUN.

St Louis Week 1: Its all Lauren and Rhiannon is coming back

( LBB is judging Ms America in Vegas)

as for the rest..... i will update when i get specifics tonite~~!

Also, yesterday was Jerry Mitchells 21st birthday(well maybe 22nd). So, now that he is legally able to drink St Julian's wine in Paw Paw......why not send him a case!!! Or, just go wish him a happy day!

( there would have been pictures but once again internet is slow and wont download them)

Pics of Understudies and more.......

2009-01-11T06:39:00.000-08:00

I forgot two things, as always seems to be the case lately. Friday night we all trekked over to TOWN, on 8th and U, and the glorious NATALIE JOY JOHNSON gave a cabaret to defy all odds. She was mesmerizing, as always if you have ever seen her in concert. The sound system was not keeping up with the demands of the space, but thank god for operatic training. She wrapped up the 8 show set with ROLLING, alongside the 3 Dragqueens that normally frequent on the weekends. in a word ...........GLORIOUS!!!!!!

So i thought it would be fun to put on a few pics.....

First off is Jenkins in this heinous wig....

Jay as a DELTA NU...

Our Wig Mistress
is MEMORY from CATS....

Andreas as
SERENA.....

And Mamie as
ROCKER PAULETTE

The official word on the weeks happenings

2009-01-10T23:51:00.000-08:00

So by now most of you know the downlow......i am guessing that a huge majority of you read the boards.

Cue the musical theatre trumpets ........

LAURA BELL BUNDY is in the national tour for the next 6 weeks!!!!!

With Becky's broken toe ( which lets admit most dancers are clumsy including myself), and short an Elle understudy still, it was the only option. And, i think it will spice up our tour a bit---why not add the original for wee bit. LBB flew in today and watched the evening show and it looks like she will watch again tomorrow and open Lansing----if all things go right with pulling together costumes, finding shoes hidden in corners of closets in NY, and working with new changes. You never know.....

This weekend has been magical, with the cast and crew pulling together the only way a professional group of Actors Equity Actors can. It was weird at times, not knowing which small holes would be to your left or who was in your scene opposite, but we trudged onward. There was literally a flow chart on the call board to help decipher who was on at what time. And jay as the Delta Nu in "So Much Better" was priceless......... Here is a pic of the board in front of the theatre, and combine it with inserts-a-plenty in the program.

As far as understudies go, everybody was on their game. And honestly, we have had 4 months of rehearsal so there was no emergency other than figuring out what tracks had to be combined.
And please, listen to the preshow announcement and read your playbill when you go to a show. Because, though people do look the same in their wigs and costumes, its not always the same person. I once heard a stagehand in Europe refer to us as FRAGGLES. We all look the same only slightly different.

So here are the Cliff Notes to recap:

1. Courtney is out til Lansing with throat crud
2. Rhiannon is out til at least St Louis
3. Laura Bell and Lauren are switching off and on for the next 6 weeks ( i am guessing that Lauren most definitely will be matinees) meaning...
4. Becky is out for 6 weeks( which takes her up thru the vaca)
5. Yes we stagedoor ( its our only way out)
and 6. Its still a rocking show

I feel bad that Tiffany and Amber came amidst this wild week, but thats why its live theatre and we do what we do.
Also, today we had Japanese Producers come through that were ecstatic. So, other than the rumors that 5 weeks in TORONTO next Xmas and New Years is possible, lets venture across the pond and spread the PINK a little...... what do you say.

to close, let me say that dont be scared by the happenings of our tour. This is typical.....people get sick ( hotels are not assuredly the most clean places) and injured (especially when you dont travel a sprung floor and the ladies are traipsing around in 4 inch heels not meant for dancing). We are not falling apart but coming more tightly precise. We are selling more than ever expected( and selling out most of the time), and there is no thought of going NON UNION anytime soon.....so stop worrying please. And as far as my writing style......

I tend to write a wee bit eclectic and stream of consciousness.......i think its probably more entertaining. If i am wrong, just let me know. And with that, I say happy sunday!!!!

OH MY Tier B Tetris and A STAR IS BORN

2009-01-09T08:34:00.000-08:00

This week has been mad.

Still mourning the loss of Shay Shay ( Stacey) and welcoming two new folks to the fam, tuesday began a week of madness.

Both Natalie and Megan had family die Monday night, so CHURCH CHAT ( our weekly Tuesday PreShow Meeting) was chalk full of updates. Not only was Gretchen out( so Leslie was on) but the rest of the week would be another SUPER SWING WEEK. Let me just lay down the schedule as of Tuesday..........these are the things we do when wakes are inevitable

Tuesday: Gretchen ----OUT Leslie----On for ENID
Tiffany----Welcome her into the KATE/CHUTNEY track
Rhiannon----OUT Alex--On for MARGOT
Sara Andreas---On for JUDGE/SALESWOMAN

Wed: Gretchen---OUT Leslie---On for ENID again
Rhiannon---OUT Alex----On for MARGOT
Natalie-----OUT Mamie-----On for PAULETTE
Sara Andreas----On for Mamie's Track ( MOM/WHITNEY/SALESWOMAN)
Amber Efe-----Welcome her into the Judge/Saleswoman track

Thurs: Gretchen: back on as ENID
Rhiannon & Alex SWITCHEROO still on.......
Natalie and Mamie still switched...................
Sara Andreas on for MAMIE's Track

So that being said, we were preparing for Jay Garcia to be a DELTA NU partially on saturday because that was when both NATALIE and MEGAN would be gone and we didnt have enough swings to cover it all. These are the things that happen when you cut two tracks from BWAY so that we can go out an EQUITY TOUR----and it keeps us on our toes. But, it would be to the point of a switcheroo that Sarah Jenkins would have to be MOM and paid as an internal swing for the Saturday Mat. Let me go back though.....

Amber and Tiffany are amazing, and Mamie's PAULETTE is oober amazing( and bizarre seeing how she is wearing all of ORFEH's clothes. ( i will post pictures tomorrow) But with those clothes, also came the glorious world of COSTUME FITTINGS. So, looks like we all have costumes en route and all is well.

But, last night was the clincher. After the show, Becky fractured her toe.

So now we are having a PUT-IN rehearsal for
(cue the trumpets)

LAUREN ZAKRIN is the next ELLE WOODS.

So kids, wrap those mittens around your kittens and AWAYYYYYY WE GO!!!!
The text rumor is that she is out for two weeks, but we will find out at rehearsal today. Also, there is no way the Saturday mat can happen----so that may be cancelled.

We have new dogs, new leads, new costumes, new cast members, and a whole new show. Who could have predicted this was gonna happen? That would be me when Stacey put in her 4 week notice. When it rains it pours, and the only constant in life is change. That being said, sometimes a little too much change affects the SPACE/TIME continuum and the world of MUSICAL THEATRE comes to a screeching halt. With 10 Bway shows closing, 3 massive regional theatres, and this madness......i think it may be what NOSTRADAMUS predicted as the sign of the ensuing Apocalypse.

This is why i love live theatre!!!! Keep you updated!!!!

The new year brings fun and a loss of fur

2009-01-03T07:43:00.000-08:00

I forgot to mention that Tuesday was even more crazy. CRYSTAL had some sort of infection, so we had a white and tiny Pilar. Sarah Jenkins rocked it out. But next to Alex, who is an Amazonian in heels, it was high comedy.

So new years was a blast!!! We had a late show at 830 and then hightailed it into the HALL OF NATIONS for champagne and the countdown. There were bands at either end of the hall jamming out up until the 10 SECOND COUNTDOWN and then after. As we were all then heading to another afterparty, I got in a horn blowing contest with some intoxicated woman, and it soon looked like a scene from PLANET EARTH between two geese fighting for breeding ground. She chased me around the HALL OF NATIONS for 20 minutes. First she would blow her horn and then i would blow mine back at her and run behind a pillar. The security guards just laughed. It was also nice to hang with Larry and Nell and the infamous Justin Huff from TELSEY & CO.

Here is a small conundrum that has effected our tour this week as well as the MARGOT FANDANGO.

China, who pays Rufus, has gotten too comfortable. Back when we were in Schenectady i think, or maybe it was Hartford.......anyway, she started exhibiting some odd behavior. We already have a problem because most of the people that deal with the dogs are actually allergic( which is pseudo ironic and our union is the only one that doesn't compensate for dealing with animals---which is another battle for another day).

But its been such a problem that "dog trainer to the stars" came in for the end of this week

and as of last night, Nellie has been permanently promoted to HEAD RUFUS. We dont know what will happen with China. SO, with Roxie on all the time now and Nellie-------almost any cast member possible has now been on stage--spare some secondary covers and EMMETTS and CALLAHANS.

All this weekend ALEX has personal days.....so Lauren is on for MARGOT----and it should be a riot. Here is to a 4 show weekend......

Catching up on the PARTYBUS and D.C.

2009-01-01T20:03:00.000-08:00

You know that when Jerry Mitchell sends you a facebook to update the blog, that maybe its time to do just that.

So, the holiday hiatus has come to an end.

The PARTYBUS to Philly was amazing---nothing like dancing on a vehicle at 80 MPH. Though it felt like old school High school sport trips-----complete with urinating in bottles so we wouldnt have to stop.

The weather couldnt have been more perfect, and the EAGLES wipes the field with the Browns. Thanks to Company Manager Nathan for the hookup on the tickets!!!!!! We even met becky and her husband Tyler at the stadium.

After catching a train to DC, it was soundcheck and our first show. The OPERA HOUSE is beautiful. There is even a row of box seats where the one directly center stage is reserved for the president, which was actually filled last week by Condoleeza Rice.

The back stage is huge, so huge in fact that the local Stagehands union has erected a huge screen to watch football on weekends as well as a basketball hoop and a small gym.

And, the weather has been grand so walking to the theatre from our hotel in the Dupont Circle area is easy and beautiful. My buddy Jeff Thacher, who is the granddaddy of ROCKAPELLA mouthdrums ( does anyone out there remember WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CARMEN SAN DIEGO on PBS?) met us, and thus began the beginning of family/friends invading D.C.

That night, we found out a few things. Not only was the stage not completely even( with small holes and ridges and things to later cause problems), but our ASM Sharon got engaged on the day off. REJOICE!!!!!!! This is actually the first of two in a week, with Mamie getting engaged on Xmas. Who will be net to fill out the 3--cause we all know thats how good things come.

The first week proved to be a full SUPER SWING week. It started with Andreas still on for Lauren, which then melded into Leslie going on while Andreas took over for Mamie while she went to deal with some family stuff. The reason for that, something is wrong in communication and funds from the top and we still dont have costumes for certain understudies and swings. We are well past 100 shows and its a bit rediculous considering SHREK had full understudy costumes before they even opened in SEATTLE. I guess it shows where priorities are.

I digress. BPM hurt his knee as well, so WED Spencer became kiki. As the weekend came, so did contracted personal days. This resulted in Adam getting to be WARNER all weekend---to which he rocked it out. But otherwise it became a shuffle, especially with people getting hurt but not calling out because we would be screwed. I think the most memorable even would have been Stacey hitting a hole int eh deck during the IRELAND kickline, screaming, and log rolling off the stage. She is now okay, after a few adjustments to shoes, but there is never a dull moment on this tour. AH the road!!!!

WEEK 2 of DC began with alot of us going to see the West Side Story revival. I will leave all opinions about the show to you, but please go see it for the beauty of the music and the sweet Argentinian making her American debut. She is amazing and I smell a Tony nom!!!! Also keep an eye out for the JESUS and MARIE moment at the end......if you know iconic christian history you will know what i mean.

Then, I also got to go see NEXT TO NORMAL at the ARENA STAGE-----which i totally suggest seeing. They made changes from NY, and had Spencer and I weeping and holding each other by the end.

Bring a tissue........and who said that noon matinees were a good idea? OYE>>>>>

As the holidays neared, Spencer and I created a CHANUKKAH BUSH for our apartment. We decided to make it the Hebrew refuge for the 3 people who celebrate it in our cast.

We also started a lil cast Secret Santa, which proved funny during the week. I got to make D.B. put on a blinking red nose and have two carrots as ears, while singing "DB THE RED NOSED REINDEER."

On XMAS, Andreas' parents were great and had a lil brunch/WHITE ELEPHANT party for those that didnt have family in town. That night, we arrived at the theatre to learn that a guest was coming. We had already seen Ass. Choreographer Denis Jones because his family is from D.C. and his brother is playing in the pit, so we thought it might be Jerry. We walked on stage at 1/2 hour and who greeted us: SANTA. Andy, our head flyman, dressed to the part and was adorned with Jill( props mistress phenom) as the elf--which was her job during SECRET SANTA. We got pics with Santa, sitting on the bathroom throne, and then did a show for 3/4 of a house. ANd the 2nd weekend, I was gone. I went home for my best friends wedding, and Coleen came back from being sick so Sara was off after a week stint.

While in Michigan, I got to see the great 1st National Tour of WICKED---and it was phenomenal. I have multiple friends in it, but i was mainly going to see my old roomie Blake Whyte.

Amber Efe is now in town, and Stacey's last show is Sunday. So, i have a feeling we will all be getting a lil sentemental. I guess the most we can do is hold our PEEPSHOW T's that Jerry sent for XMAS, and remember the memories. Here we go....

Holiday Hiatus and funky internet connection

2008-12-31T09:15:00.000-08:00

So i received a FACEBOOK from our captain JERRY MITCHELL saying to update the blog, so this is the end of the holiday hiatus. I also spent the last two hours trying to upload what i had written and then it was all erased. SO, just know that the last two weeks have been grand and life is well. This new week brings new things and change however.

I had the weekend off, so coming in last night i learned a few things. Not only was Larry and Nell visiting, and Michelle Kitrell( original Dance Captain for the BWAY show)---but more people than just Stacey are leaving now. Amber Efe came in to start rehearsals, but Rhiannon found out some bad news. She has a small fracture in her Tibia, so she is out for a month. She will be returning in ST LOUIS. So, here is the magical understudy fandango.

Alex will be playing MARGOT for the next month. This morning, Tiffany Engen flew in. She will be playing KATE/CHUTNEY for the next month. So, we have two new people going in next week. The deal is that alot has changed from the Bway production. But, seeing as how Tiffany was the BWAY swing, i am guessing she will be our new vacation swing. It should be an interesting week!!!!! So we will just hold the PEEPSHOW T's that Jerry sent for xmas and rock back and forth to find our happy place. The only constant in life is change ( thank you greek philosophers and Frank Wildhorn), but when change happens on this tour it seems to happen on a monumental scale. TIER B TASTIC!!!!!

Wait for the epic entry that got erased earlier...

Super Swing Sundays

2008-12-15T07:50:00.000-08:00

Well Saturday went on without a hitch. Then yesterday, Lauren called out sick. But, because Sara Andreas was already on for Kate/Chutney, Leslie had to go on in her track. Thing is, she hasnt really been covering her thus far. THIS HAS NOW CHANGED. So, throw some greasepaint and costumes together and she was on. Then, after WHIPPED, Brian called out. His knee was in really bad shape, with him hopping around. In talking to him, I think its the high impact landing when he jumps off the table as the Karate Attacker. So, Spencer rallied and came on in everything from BEND AND SNAP on. The REMIX was a small cluster&%*$ but we all pulled it out. Thanks to the BERLONI for their sweet treats for taking such good care of the dogs. OH_____So Bill was here all weekend.

For those who dont know, he is the Dog Handler Guru. Hartford is close to his farm, so his family was in and out all week. But also, Marjorie, our chihuahua handler, had to go back to NYC to move unexpectedly, so he just so happened to be here when the ROXY swithceroo happened. Sometimes the universe makes the magic happen.

Lat night, we all went out to celebrate the weekends shinanigans. We had made friends with a local bartender, so we got a table late===just in time to see my COWBOYS wallop on the GIANTS( though in all truth I was semi scared halfway thru the 4th quarter). However, our quote unquote "friend" decided he would try to manhandle not only two of Crystals Aunties but also Coleen. So amidst our wings and SMORE-making brilliance we got a drunken bartender fired. The saddest part, other than he losing his job, may have been him riding into the cold horizon on a harley with no motorcycle. Who thinks that is a good idea? Oh gentlemen of the night......

As i sit here sipping my morning coffee, I am excited for the day. We rented a party bus to take us to PHILLY and we are going to see the EAGLES play the BROWNS. What will happen? One cannot be all that sure. But I am sure of this, with a team of 12 people its going to be hard not to have fun--especially with a 4 hour busride and blacklights. Just try and stop us Philly, you just try!!!!!!!

Proposal 8 the Musical

2008-12-12T15:58:00.000-08:00

Thank you Marc Shaiman and friends!!!!!!

"Prop 8 - The Musical" starring Jack Black, John C. Reilly, and many more... by Jack Black

TGIF and sunshine

2008-12-12T15:49:00.000-08:00

So last night's WHIRLYBALL was amazing. There was only one court, sadly, but the bumper cars ran at probably double the speed of the ones in Ohio. And, in order to score you actually had to hit the area in the middle of the backboard. The highlights of the night were Sara Andreas blindly running into walls at breakneck speeds and our company manager Nathan Gehan getting so enfuriated that he started smackin' the side of his car with the stick.

Today, the monsoon rains let up and the sun came out. With the sun came Ass. Dir. Marc Bruni straight from mounting a bazillion productions of WHITE XMAS!! He was watching understudy rehearsal today, and then the show tonite followed by a copious note session for an hour.

ALSO, i found out that Alex will be playing Margot all weekend. So, she will also be swung out tonite to watch some specifics. Therefor, Sara Andreas will be Kate/Chutney from tonite until we reach D.C.

And now i head to the evenings show, with a full blown headcold. If only i can have a river of transparent slime oozing out of my nostrils during the entire beginning of WHIPPED INTO SHAPE like last night!!! I guess the first couple rows did pay a lil' extra for extreme closeups. Be careful what you wish for!

HASTA LA VISTA PHILLY....for a week

2008-12-11T07:46:00.000-08:00

So a week has transpired, and now my father is mad and insists that internet must exist in the NE or the grassroots campaigns would have never gotten OBAMA elected. TO that i say" Yes true, but your hands are tied when the ethernet cable at the HAMPTON INN says too many subscribers are online and you are not allowed." It truly feels like the fable of Mary, Jo, and the christian babe being rejected from the inn......

Well Philly was amazing!!!!! I truly love that city. The theatre is great, the people are great, and the food will knock your socks off!!!!! Plus, the sights are majestic and historic. On Thursday, we had a great understudy rehearsal that consisted of all scene work. Lauren was in all day, then Tally got added, then me, then Stacey ( which is slightly ironic which you will hear in a sec), and then Sara Andreas as Kate Chutney.

For those of you out there actually following, Becky will be taking a one week vaca in Houston. So, Lauren and Rhiannon will be splitting the week as Elle. I wanna say its the first week, but i dont remember.

STAY TUNED FOR A BAR TO THE RIGHT THAT SAYS WHEN PEEPS ARE ON VACA

Also, Rhiannon is out all this weekend so if you are coming expect to see some glorious covers.

But i digress........

That night we had a tremendous show, still continuing to collect for BCEFA. But, we actually got cheerleader outfits from the BWAY show to sell. One did, and I dont know about the other. They belonged to Lindsay Chambers--original company swing and petite lady. And oddly enough, also a college friend of mine from Otterbein.

On Friday, I got a personal tour of INDEPENDENCE HALL.

My cousins husband JOE has been working for the Park Service for over 30 years, and has m

ore or less helped make it all work. He even wrote all the literature and designed the models around the Liberty Bell---which was originally called the FREEDOM BELL but when it was acknowledged that the slaves were still not free they changed the name. And here are two quick facts......#1 the crack was made on purpose and #2 in circa 2001 an ultra hippie was hanging out around the park for a week then came in with a drum mallet and hit the bell 4 times yelling FREEDOM FREEDOM FREEDOM FREEDOM before he was tackled and prosecuted because he had caused 4 chunks to fall off the bell. And here is random fact 3-----all of the historic sites are actually owned by the city of Philly and the state of Pennsylvania. So, the national government leases the property for $1 for 100 years. This is why the bell has stayed in Philly.....

Check out the video of my cousins hubby playing the ARMONICA---an invention of Ben Franklin that was based on wetting your fingers and playing your mammas good crystal. It was dwarfed by the invention of the HARMONICA and the modern day piano.

Later that day, we learned that Stacey Sargeant had given her four week notice. She got a gig at the McCarter doing a great 5 person play, and couldn't get a month leave. So, maybe Amber Efe will be joining us soon. She didnt have to do the DELTA NU scenes originally, because two tracks were combined for the tour. But, never a dull time. That being said, we also found out our drummer Marc Pardy will be doing LION KING in vegas. So, we lose him so he can be closer to his family. I support but will miss our constant beat in the varying pits that we experience across this PURPLE MOUNTAINS MAJESTY.

On sunday, Josh Walden took a day off. So, amidst the ARMY-NAVY football game madness Jay Garcia became CARLOS. It was hilarious and completely different from Walden. And, an exciting way to end the week. That night, a majority of us RAN ( literally) to the 30th street station to catch AMTRAK home.

Monday was GYPSY OF THE YEAR. THis is the annual BCEFA fundraiser endcap, which results in an ecclectic type VARIETY SHOW by the Bway shows ( with the addition of some OFF BWay shows). It was beautiful, hilarious, and sad all at the same time. IT was inspiring to see Tyne Daly reminisce about the 80's( which i am sure most readers dont even remember because they werent born). But, LION KING did a beautiful dance, and the cast of TITLE OF SHOW wrote the final number, which curtailed on HAIRSPRAY singing I KNOW WHERE IVE BEEN with all the Motormouths to date and what castmembers were around. I felt reinvigorated and inspired as an artist, and proud of my community of friends.

That being said, i was ill on Tuesday and actually had to call out of the show---as did Leslie. I could barely walk. So, i sat in the rain overlooking the park whilst our first show in HARTFORD happened. It was an interesting fate seeing as how a year ago, i was here in Hartford and my life took a change i was not expecting. Its funny how life comes around in full circle and the only constant is change and to just embrace it.

That being said----tonite we play WHIRLYBALL again!!!!!! thats right, another hotbed of bumpercar madness. Its a full day. I am doing a reading of a PILOT i wrote in our Bfast Buffet area, a show, and whirlyball? It could be topped off by nothing better than Ass. Dir. Marc Bruni visiting and then us renting a party bus to PHILLY for the EAGLES vs. BROWNS game on monday........oh wait thats really happening. Is it a dream? No, just the life of a touring gypsy!

My grandma is mad its taken so long----but welcome to PHILLY!!!

2008-12-03T10:34:00.000-08:00

Thanks to an INCREDIBLE lack of good wireless internet i am just now chiming in. That and the last week and a half have been chock full o' crazy! So, grandma and dad here is what has been happening---other than my dead cellphone.

So sit back, sip a latte, and read on.....

The last thursday in Cleveland we did a cool thing called WHIRLYBALL. We rode in two parybuses lined with blacklights to the hinterlands of CLEVELAND and embarked into what may be the most fun i have had in the sports realm in a fortnight or six. WHIRLYBALL is a sport that combines hockey/basketball/lacrosse/soccer/. You are in what looks like an indoor hockey rink, and are riding around in bumpercars. THATS RIGHT----bumpercars. You are equipped with a plastic field hockey stick from high school gym class. On teams of 5, the goal is to hit what looks like a basketball backboard at either end of the court( depending on your teams color). You can also get a massive amount of points by hitting the net behind a small circle cut into the middle of the backboard. There are also rules about hitting an opposing member with your stick, running over the ball, etc...

You play in 15 minute increments----and i think i may now try to open one in LONG ISLAND CITY.

( see both videos for more fun).

That night, after rejoicing from the spectacle, most of us awoke to a beeping. Then, Rhiannon was screaming and banging our door. THE RESERVE SQUARE WAS ON FIRE!!!!!! Thats right....but unlike college where most of the fire alarms are fake, smoke was bellowing into the hallways. SO, i gathered what i needed( passport, cellphone, and MAC) and ran outside as quick as i could, past the naysayers that were timidly peering out their doors as SPencer and I reached the speed of sound down 8 flights of stairs. Surprisingly slowly, people started oozing out of the building. People in nothing but boxers, people in wheelchairs, and all walks of life appeared--including the fire department. We tried to make sure everyone could be found, but some were in the other tower clear of harm, and other people simply didn't answer their phones. As we all froze to the bone, we learned that there had been a fire in the trash compactor chute. It runs the height of the building. 2 hours later we were ushered back in, also after some city buses showed up to house the temporarily frostbitten folk. In the end, everyone was allright. But, the upper levels reaked of burnt plastic, and some got a little shaken up. I have never personally be in a fire, so I guess i can now write off one natural disaster i have been apart of.

The rest of the weekend seems to dwindle in comparison to that event, which is probably why i cant remember anything other than my mom and brother coming to visit. and then there was the intestinal plague....

The night of AROUND THE WORLD, Sara Andreas had to be taken to the hospital due to uncontrollable vomiting. She was given 3 IV's, and then we found out that she had an intestinal disease that has been sweeping through the "Mistake on the Lake"--Cleveland. Two days later, Courtney got the same thing. They live together, which is how we think she got it. She felt like crap, but Leslie got to go on for SERENA. It was hilarious and brilliant in different ways. But, here is the most mind boggling part. The disease is passed on through fecal matter. Thats right----the infamous POOP PLAGUE. It gives the term CLEVELAND STEAMER a little bit of a more ominous tone.

Schenectady, however, was then a horse of a different color.

Upon arrival in the burb of our states capital, we learned that Paul's dad had passed away. We knew that he wasn't well back in BOSTON, but it never makes it easy. So, we prepared for him to be gone all weekend. Then, after tuesday nights show we learned that our head carpenter had been fired. So, Jason got to step up. The next night was an interesting journey of slow moving pallets and odd mishaps. One of these was the pallet moving out of HARVARD VARIATIONS too soon, while BPM was still standing upon it, and it gave him whiplash. Then, at the end of CHIP, it wasnt out soon enough. The girls came out and Mamie was stepping on it when it was whisked out from under her. She flopped on her back hard, and later went to the hospital during the 2nd act---with Leslie throwing on the Mom costume for the REMIX. This all happened while JENKINS was swung out to watch the show and make sure everything looked good from the house. WHAT A NIGHT!!!!! That day we also found out that our head props man, Johnny, had his dad die unexpectedly. 2 in the same week---that combined with the head carp going endcapped the bad things in 3's.

First let me say that JAY STREET is adorable in downtown SCHENECTADY. There is an awesome crepe restaurant, a coffeeeeshop/grill called AMBITION, a cool head shop owned by an INDIAN national named ANDY, and a tattoo parlor/recording studio that some of us may have gotten some tats at.

Also, the theatre seems to be haunted. PROCTOR's ghost is around-some of the girls have felt it. And, they just gave him a name---which also ended up to be his actual name and that of his 2nd wife. CRAZY!!! But, its an adorable theatre with a great ARCADE attached with shops and a coffee shop.

TURKEY DAY proved beautiful. The weather was amazing----most everyone was bussed to a great restaurant called the CENTURY HOUSE. They have stone fireplaces and is apparently fancy. Some loved it and some said the service was slow and the food canned---but when you come together as a family for the holidays anything is better than IHOP.

I took Stacey with me to go visit my dads college roommate, who is truly an uncle and my dads doppleganger. He and his family live in QUAKER STREET--its a cute lil' hamlet on the SW side of ALBANY. It used to be a QUAKER colony starting back in the day, but has since gone into a bit of remission. They have a wee organic farm behind their 150 year old farmhouse, that they have had since they moved their in the later 60's. It was amazing!!!!! And truly, dont know if there was a better way to spend the holiday. Homemade grape juice and pecan pie? I call that PARADISE! A wee walk, and then some took a nap while I finished off the last half of the pecan pie. What can i say, I am a glutten. That night, the producers also paid for a lil party at the great hotel next door to the theatre called the PARKER INN. It was great, and I dont know the last time I saw everyone so happy. Paul and Johnny were commiserating in the corner over the loss of their fathers, and it felt truly like a family holiday. I am tearing up as I write this, and as Johnny walks into the cafe across the room. I am grateful for all my friends and love the size of our companies heart. That being said, as I weep quietly for the departure of all the people in my life, lets go to PHILLY.

OH NO-----so Leslie went on for MAMIE til saturday, when she finally came back from back recovery. She was just bruised. Also, Adam was out due to neck injuries, which have apparently been a problem for a bit. AND, Josh Campbell got to go on for Paul all weekend. It is what i like to call SUPER SWING WEEKEND!!!! It felt semi like playing dress up as a kid and doing college theatre where we are playing roles 20 years our elder.

So after a 6 hour bus ride at 85 miles an hour, and witnessing JENKINS puppy doing a front stall whilst pooping, we arrived in the city of BROTHERLY LOVE. I love this city, having visited it 4 times in the last two years. I quickly hit up some of my favorite places, EL VEZ and MONKS, and we were into it. The company is glad to be back in such a metropolitan town, and i think the trip back to NYC for alot of people was a nice recharge. Also, the crew loaded out and in in record time. SO, the whole switcheroo and Johnny being gone proved how resilient our stagehands are. SNAPS!!! What the week will bring nobody really knows.....but the weather is brisk and the theatre is dropdead gorgeous. I love the gas lamps out front. ANd now, to understudy rehearsal.

Week 2 and THEFT #1

2008-11-20T12:37:00.001-08:00

So last week ended with Adam taking a personal day(for love reasons) and Jay was once again on for Sundeep/Carlos. Also, Leslie had a personal day to fly to LA( for love reasons and a man called FLERN). I think the 2nd show was where Mamie hurt herself halfway through---she tripped over a table or something. So, we got to do a little fandango while she iced her feet.

We escaped to find horizontal rain. Thats right---the kind that no umbrella can do a damn thing about. But, amisdt the rain and horror we then went bowling. It is a great place down on 4th street( which i dont remember the name of). But, a mass gang of us took over 5 lanes. Some were great, the majority of us were horrible. But, nothing a little buffalo wings and some beer doesnt remedy. It was black light bowling, and we actually got comped alot----i am guessing they were making more money on apertifs!!!!!!!

Monday brought 6 inches of snow. I flew out early in the morning, going to NYC for a rehearsal of a reading called BLITZKRIEG. Some chicas went to the ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME, while others simply hybernated. I think they also went to LOLA, which is the restaurant of the American IRON CHEF( whose name i cant remember).

Tuesday, we were back in full force---some more recharged than others. Something happened that night.....oh yeah. Stacey couldnt find her mail. She thought she had left it in her dressing room, and then was hoping she had taken it back to her apartment. Sad to say, she did not. So, living up to the reputation that Jill Johnson( head of Props) has had something stolen everytime she comes to Cleveland----Stacey fell victim to the curse.

Also, Megan saw someone stabbed outside her window Monday night. SO, now we are all on high alert!!!!! This town is madness!!!! As my friend Mike Cassara ( who grew up here and whose family owns JOHNNYS STEAKHOUSE) says----CLEVELAND IS DYING!!!!! But on a happier note, BPM's girlfriend came into town. So, we all watched a bit of the last BOND movie and then i crashed.

Yesterday proved interesting. Stacey waited from 11am until 7pm for the police to show up, also calling them 3 times within that time period. Then, at 7:10 the dispatcher called her and said a cop was at our apts. No wonder so much stuff happens downtown when they are laxidazical to come.......or there is just so much crime that they are overwhelmed. Then an amazing thing happened: BPM's back zit burst.

In Boston, Ven had been trying to squich the cyst/zit on BPM's back that had apparently been there since April. But, to no avail. Then, while watching TV Cortney had been playing with it and it burst. We all were quickly rallied and ran downstairs.

This thing oozed white puss for close to 8 minutes. We caught it all on film, showing the remains on a black BALLYS TOTAL FITNESS card......but the unprecedented seepage may be too much for YOUTUBE. We will see. It looked like PLANET EARTH when the spores growh is set in high speed as you see it grow to a full flower.

Then last night, with his back devoid of puss, BPM went on for the UPS guy. Ven is in FLorida for his Dad's 60th Bday. HAPPY BDAY VENS DAD~!!! He did great, and our music supervisor James Sampliner got to see it. He is in town doing a standard visit to make sure we aren't all making up our own harmonies now. He raved and was really happy, which prepared him for the great thing we like to call AROUND THE WORLD.

Different apartments create different themes, and we travel from one room to another in 20 min increments until we reach the end.
1st was GRANDMA BOOTSIES SURPRISE BDAY party.

2nd was XMAS #1.

Then we had WHITE TRASH.

4th was XMAS #2.

5th was GAYLAND.

6th was THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF GOYA.

Each room came with its own brand of libations and food, and costumes were abounding. I dont know which room was the best---but i was rolling with laughter in full INDIAN garb. You cant wear it all the time, but this was the perfect moment.

Today, understudy rehearsal and then WHIRLY BALL after the show. what is it you may ask?just wait for it....... Jennifer is back in town for massages and will probably have to correct some muscle spasms.

also, as a closer, here is the homeless guy from Buffalo that we helped to win the underwear competition....look how happy he is with Cortney.

Horizontal Snow and JAZZ

2008-11-16T07:48:00.000-08:00

So this weekend the fall/winter has gone into full swing. I had to track through horizontal rain yesterday to our matinee, which was then broken by the roaring sound of "DEAD OR ALIVE." If the gents hadnt been enjoying Jameson and Jazz at FAT FISH BLUE til the wee hours, i would have actually remembered that there is a tribute to LES PAUL this week.

There are rumors that PAul McCartney was coming in, Ricky Sambora, and a bunch of others. Could i call out to see a tribute concert? The answer: not without getting written up probably.

Then this morning I woke up to the sight of horizontal snow. Thats right, the lake effect has begun. Somebody told me that snow actually comes up---to which i say poopoo on your theories. It may blow around but it isnt coming up.

Maybe Cleveland just prefers its weather at a horizontal level.......well the 1st OFFICIAL BROADWAY PAJAMA SUNDAY will tell the tale. Huzzah.....to my quick change station in the lobby.

I made a mistake and saw a good movie

2008-11-14T14:08:00.000-08:00

So first off, let me apologize. Elizabeth Sherman is not a widow----her husband is alive and well. I think it is his brother that is dead. MY BAD!!!!

But, also go see the new Bond movie. We took a little ManJourney today to see the latest installment and it seriously rocked. It was Tally, Spencer, BPM, and myself.

Other than that.....i dont have much to say. I hope the weekend goes well and we will see what happens.

OH-----and it is close to impossible to find a cab in this town for some reason. If somebody knows a secret, please let a brother know.

peace

ROCK AND ROLL, Opening, and some massages

2008-11-12T13:12:00.000-08:00

We are now in BROWNS heaven !!!!!

The travel was easy, with my dad driving down from Michigan to meet us at the airport. We checked into our hotel, which also has a grocery store less than 5 feet away which is great because we HAVE A FULL KITCHEN!~!! We have been on the road for over a month and now we all get to cook every meal if we want. I guess its the small things that matter.

But that said, a group of us went out for dinner. We went to STAR, which is actually right next to the OHIO THEATRE. Its a great restaurant, which is actually in the place of the old entry way to the theatre. The food----amazing!!! And, found

out that not only did my dad know Stacey's acting mentor in NYC when they both studied with Strasburg, but he and MAmie both have toured with Kenny Rogers. Madame Parris in 98 and my dad way back in the 60's. Even better---STAR is where our opening night party was. So, all things were looking up.

We decided to walk back on 13th street, which is now FORBIDDEN WAY. Apparently that is where the CL cast got held at knife point, but honestly not that scary. There is just a scaffolding on the front of a building that I am guessing could be the launch point for some trouble. But, now the producers/theatre are providing a WALKBACK service in groups after the show just so nothing happens. But, according to our sleepy front desk security guard nothing really happens much. I am guessing it is simply the close proximity of the GREYHOUND station to where we are and the socialites that congregate.

Yesterday also brought an interesting revelation-----PROP 8 reared its dirty head again. WE all found out that the Artistic Director of SAC MUSIC CIRCUS had donated money. There was a huge uproar in the theatre community, he apologized and in turn donated money to the HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN, and then today resigned. I fear this wont be the last time this will happen.....but in the words of Rodney King---CANT WE ALL JUST GET ALONG!!!! Live out of love and happiness and not fear. ( i am now removing my soapbox)

So, this theatre is a bit wee in the back. Rochester was crazy small, but here is an even smaller ordeal--literally. Some girls are quick changing in a converted loading dock---that is ICE cold. I may hang meat to dry during the shows. But, my quick change booth, along with BPM, Zelasko, and Walden is in the foyer to the stage door. Thats right, our naked j-bird butts are on parade if one walks in the stagedoor. This could come back to haunt me later, but its hilarious. The underbelly of the theatre is like a labyrinth, and there is little to no crossover space. So, SL has a metal spiral staircase to help come up from the caves. Its great--and everything I love about live theatre.

The show was interesting--with i think 50% of the ladies feeling sick. We had to condense some rails, lose 2 people in the hall sequence prior to SO MUCH BETTER, and it was not devoid of chaos. Mine was the greatest I think though, with my dad watching and all. Coming off for the EXTREME cross, i quickly stripped naked to find my dresser with the costumes for the HARVARD YARD. Somebody had grabbed the wrong basket--so needless to say there was no PFORZHEIMER. Josh and Paul tried their damnedest to make the scene work, but i think it seemed a little----especially with no OPRAH WINFREY line. I came back on as the band invades, cause there is no way Becky's lift would have happened.

Also, Dame Lewis went up during GAY OR EUROPEAN and sent the intern/callahan bunch into a murmur of silence. IT was like their was a dance break that somebody forgot to move in, but McLean jumped back on with his FRENCH line. It felt like a weird show, but the food at STAR was amazing!!!!! A Maryland crab stuffed Rainbow trout with lemons risotto? COME ON!!!! Also, amidst the live theatre mayhem, one of our head producers MIKE was in town. And, as I was shoveling piles of Salmon on my plate i was attacked by a man in a leather coat. This person turned out to be the infamous GEORGE STILES.

He helped write the new music to MARY POPPINS, which the tour of is apparently opening in Cleveland. So he, along with his writing partner Anthony Drew and the widow Elizabeth Sherman ( whose Husband and brother-in law wrote the tunes to the movie) are in town shooting a PBS special for the opening. AMAZING!!!!

CLICK HERE FOR THEIR OFFICIAL WEBSITE

I did George's THREE MUSKETEERS at NORTH SHORE MUSIC THEATRE last fall, and we became fast friends. it was great having the artsy types around all the time. Also, apparently he is in talks with Jerry to work on one of he and Anthony's shows. So, they were doing some homework. I put in a good word, and am hoping to catch some java before the week is out. They are great peeps, but I had to go put my dad to bed so no late nights were possible.

We avoided 13th street this time, seeing as how some hooligans were hanging beneath the scaffolding(our instincts were dead on), and pappa and I stayed up late into the night hashing life and this thing called BIZ.

Today, Jennifer the Masseuse( from Buffalo) drove into town to help give our bodies a wee break from the compaction of jumproping. And, she is amazing!!! Apparently she used to be the head masseuse for the BILLS, and know Spencer & I are going to try to get the company to fly her out all the time. Cause daddy is getting old and these bones need some love...in the form of a massage.

OH----also yesterday Rev Billie( my dad) and I scoured the ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME. It is one of the raddest places I have ever been. Thats right, i said rad. They have a crap ton o' costumes from different peoples tours, Janis Joplin's car ( which was stolen at one time and then returned and repainted all psychedelic like), and an entire LES PAUL section---to barely nip the tip of the rock iceberg the museum contains. It is along the lakeshore, right next to the BROWN's stadium and a huge wind turbine. Football, wind energy, and rock & roll---what else do you need?

Well to wrap up, this is how Cleveland got the museum. Apparently USA Today was doing a poll to figure out where it should be, and it was judged by call-ins to a 1-900 number. The first day, 20,000 natives called in--blowing the next closest cities call-in # of 1,000 to shame. So, then they conducted a second day. This time the toll reached 110,00 people. Isnt that crazy!!@! The city unified on TV, Radio, and any other form of communication to rally and get the museum. So in the end, a little while after the Cuyahoga river and the mayor's hair had both caught on fire ( which is true) they got a huge glass pyramid of ROCK LEGENDS that looks like the LOUVRE butted up against a huge ocean. Never what i thought Cleveland would offer to the table......

oh and Veterans day was yesterday. So i called my brother, being a survivor/vet of Operation Iraqi Freedom III. He survived, and i am grateful and will lift him up, but it still doesn't we have to agree to the war. What with Bush admitting that speaking infront of a MISSION ACCOMPLISHED flag 5 years ago was wrong, its time to do something. OBAMA lets see some magic!!! Also, here's some history. TAPS is originally called BUTTERFIELDS LULLABY. The only reason its been nicknamed TAPS is because its symbolic of the three taps that are played at the end of a day. So there it is AMERICA......stars, stripes, and rock & roll music theatre!!!

Nuf Said---

2008-11-11T21:50:00.000-08:00

This is a rightly said epitaph by MSNBC's Olbermann

BYE BYE BOSTON and Hello Muggings

2008-11-09T21:17:00.000-08:00

So today was an interesting one........

Matinee audience was quite possibly the most cadaver-like peeps we have had to date. I am guessing they were tired from church and green bean casserole in the basement afterward, but it never fails....at the end they were on their feet. It could be the ole BLUE HAIR MATINEE syndrome.....but I swanee we thought they hated us.

Jay was great going on for Tally---as expected a small bit of misformations but no major tragedies. And, he drove the golfcart like a pro!!!!!

The evening show proved a little interesting with Mamie hurting herself coming out of SERIOUS. The cafe tables are not eh most sturdy objects ever made by man. One night Ven sent the entire table and chilled champagne sprawling. But, she seriously injured her foot. So, going into BLOOD IN THE WATER she left stage to tend to a bloody bruise. Other than that, not much changed. But, Sara Andreas did have to take a break from Leslie teaching her all the NICEST KIDS IN TOWN ography from HAIRSPRAY to jumprope. And, Spencer was great filling in for VEN again as well. For dinner, a wee excursion to FAJITAS AND RITAS was had. The food was great, though STACEY was having a small mexican baby during show two. But, we we are guessing that they had someone not showup to work because they were totally understaffed and full of anxiety filled starving customers.

Also, a wee bit of a clarity. In the post about Ven I said he had been kicking for Jehovah. I received a few emails asking if he was a JEHOVAH'S WITNESS. The answer is a no. After some research, and remembering the SCRIVNERS from my childhood, I don't actually know if it is possible for a JEHOVAH'S WITNESS to be in a musical. None the less, for one to be in LEGALLY BLONDE where they say OMIGOD almost 4 million times( please know that its not an exact number). If somebody else knows something, please help educate me cause the official website didn't exactly dictate whether one could sing or dance. I just know that Delwin's older sister was Valedictorian and couldn't be at the joint worship service or graduation.

To close, we were treated with two boxes of clothes that were used either by the broadway cast or from other shows and made out like banshees. I got a great suit of Borle's from GAY OR EUROPEAN, though i will have to remove a shoulder pad cause he is a little lopsided and has more shoulderpads on the right side, as well as an Armani jacket of BRIAN DACRY JAMES' from the SCOUNDRELS tour. Happy day of the Pagan Sun God i say........

And kudos to Lauren, Kevin, and others for completing our mural for the theatre. It rocked and left stripper dust, all over the place, to remember us by for weeks to come. And i will say it, we would have liked to stay here a few more weeks and loved the deck crew. They were the best we have had thus far. But honestly, if DIRTY DANCING can be here 10 weeks why not give us another one? LEts start a petition to come back what do you say?!

In closing, I thought you all should know that we ended up making over $25,000 for BCEFA in a week and a half in BOSTON. It was totally inspiring, and great to hear the responses from the crowd as wee children threw in allowance money and moms threw 20's. It will be cool to see how much we get by Dec.

Off we now go to Cleveland.......

Laughter and hurt poochies

2008-11-08T08:43:00.000-08:00

So in Ven's update I forgot to include another injury, that being of ROXIE our Bruiser standby. Two days he got excited and ate part of a new phone recharger. Sadly to say, he had to be taken to the hospital. Apparently some metal had been injested--but he is on the upswing to be sure.

Yesterday, Spencer once again made the audience swoon( speaking of, they were the most rucus audience we have had and it felt great). But, Murphy's Law and the gods of live theatre swung their heavy gavel. Right before the Legally Blonde Ballad, Elle smacks Callahan for kissing her.

Well, the UPS GUY track has to do the actual slap sound offstage( i hope that doesnt spoiler it. Also, the descant at the beginning of IRELAND is MAMIE PARRIS offstage). So last night, Spencer came about two seconds after the actual slap. The audience roared--multiple times. ANd, Ken lost it. I think he actually doubled up with laughter at one time. He tried to restart about 4 times and couldnt get the line out, egging the audience on even more. We all rushed backstage to see what was happening. He finally recovered, but that is one of many reasons why i love doing theatre over film====you never know what will happen!!!!

The crew also have decided that the first friday of each month is now going to be MUSTACHE FRIDAY. So, enjoy some of the pictures of our backstage counterparts. Some involve some odd Amish looking beard. I wish I could have been involved, but our contractual clause is that we must be clean shaven. Also after the show, we decided to play a little shakey face and hair flip at a wee pub. This is explains Gretchen's ELVIRA doo........

Here is to our last weekend in Boston.....

Update on VEN

2008-11-07T12:44:00.000-08:00

Last night Spencer did a kick ass job covering VEN, but today the verdict came in.

VEN has a muscle strain that involves the PUBIS muscle---i would guess from kicking for Jehovah at the beginning of the IRISH DANCELINE. So, he has now been prescribed a small Apothecary of meds to take until better. It could be sunday, or a week, but either way Spencer will be on til at least Sunday.

Never a dull moment on the touring circuit---lets just hope nobody else falls victim to strain or sickness. Sunday Tally has a personal day, so JAY will also be on. This is where it gets interesting.

There is a story that has been passed on down from the BWAY company when Rusty Mowery had to go on at the end of Act 1. They were one girl shy, and both females swings were on. So, adorned with FALSIES( fake eyelashes), rouge, and a wig he quickly became the S in WOODS in the Act 1 Finale. Hold your breath-----this boats about to rock!!!!

Future of Musical Theatre

2008-11-07T08:44:00.000-08:00

Ven got this sent to him.....its from THE ONION and is completely fake, but totally hilarious. And I think in all joking there is some truth.

More understudies and a new president

2008-11-06T12:53:00.000-08:00

Well lets start with sunday....

Sara Andreas went on for both shows again...and was flawless as expected. She has this red-brown wig and sings the crap out of it(which is actually really hard to get out of parachute fabric pants).

Since Thursday, we have been collecting for BCEFA after the shows---and its going great. As of last night, we have collected $15,000. Its amazing, cause we didnt even collect on sunday. What with 4 more weeks of collection we could have over 50,000 bones collected.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE THROUGH BCEFA's SITE via LEGALLY BLONDE TOUR

Monday, Kevin BeeBee(one of our Company Managers) and I drove up to MAINE for some R&R. This trip completed Kevin's presence in all of the Continental US states. Driving up the foliage was amazing, and the weather...perfect. We ended up in OGUNQUIT, which is actually the P'TOWN of MAINE and has a Political Sign Cemetery as you come off the highway. I worked up at the OGUNQUIT PLAYHOUSE most of last summer, and fell in love with the town.

It is an artists village that didn't become an official town until the 80's. They don't allow any chain stores in town and won't allow a traffic light. In a word: quaint. One could even say, with a Middle Eastern accent, PARADISE!!!! In the winter, the population goes down to a mere 600 folks.

We met my friend KIM ( former company manager of the playhouse) at the best breakfast place in town---AMORE. Leanne, the owner and one of the most shining people i have ever met, greeted us with a smile and a hug. After shoveling dainty morsels of heaven into our mouths, without their amazing HASH, all three of us went for a stroll down the Marginal Way. This is a picturesque mile-long walk along the oceans edge. It leads from the main beach down to PERKINS COVE. It was as peaceful as i remembered, having run and meditated along its edge every day i could last summer. We then took a scenic drive down to YORK, so I could show Kevin the lighthouse---also giving Kim time so she could go work on publicity for our friend and heavenly hilarious friend Sally Struthers, who is currently on tour with an anniversary tour of NUNSENSE. We froze, watching the fattest seagulls i have ever seen and a class of scuba divers from U of NH dry in the wind. We then drove back up the winding country highway to check in to the ADMIRALS INN. This great hotel, which 20 years ago was a sketchy bathhouse, was left solely to our own private occupancy.

So, some blueberry beer and hottub was had before a search for lobster. Dame Starling(Kim) drove us to three places, all to no avail, before heading back to the infamous FRONT PORCH. Its the piano bar in downtown OGUNQUIT, that also has great food. We gnashed, whilst I was recognized by some locals. I tried to introduce myself, to which they gave me a Cheshire Cat grin sand said " Oh, I know who you are." It was a lil weird thinking that men citywide remember that they have seen me pseudo naked and may not exactly place that it was in a show. Thus is my life........

That night BeeBee enjoyed more of the hottub and Salty Dog, enjoying the night. You can see every star in the sky up there, and helps remind you of why we live. Its a simpler place, and a reminder that we have lost track of what is important in life. All you need is natures beauty, friendship, and not always get caught up in the rat race. A night on the most comfortable beds i have been in for 2 months, and then another great Bfast at AMORE. I shoveled some succulent HASH( that had minimal taters) and then caught a beach walk where we collected shells. the recharge was complete, so we headed home.

tuesday night, MAMIE had a personal day, so Sara Andreas was on again--with Coleen back in business.. We were all excited to get done with the show and see how the election was going, also seeing as how a handful of peeps had gone back to NYC specifically to vote ( not having been able to get absentee ballots). After the show, in which Andreas once again rocked, a group of us gathered in Spencer and my abode. We then witnessed the single most influential event of our lives, now knowing what our parents went through with the CIVIL RIGHTS movement, moon landing, and any other major event between 1950 and 1975. A lot of us sat, cried, and listened to the first BLACK man ever to give his presidential acceptance speech. There was in international party, but none like the group of Boston U kids that joined in the streets and blocked traffic. they siphoned the flow of cars down to a single lane, High-5ing and cheering for close to two hours. That was, of course, until a small army of RIOT GEAR CLAD BIKE COPS showed up and sent the kids scattering. it was an amazing night!!! BPM's roommates Jamie Grayson and Landon Beard also came to celebrate.

yesterday, we all were reeling from the bliss, also attempting to buy OBAMA shirts---none of which could be found. And then, Principal Understudy #3 went on. This time, it was Leslie going on for VIVIENNE. Megan was out. Also, HAL( our lead producer) was in the house. And, my Maine ladies came down to see the skit. So, it was a full house. Leslie rocked, Hal was gleefully happy, now tonite VEN is out and SPENCER is on.

yesterday, Ven was feeling like he pulled something. So, combined with today's U/s rehearsal, Paul Canaan coming in to co-teach a workshop with Nat Joy JO, its going to be another action packed day.

All Hallows Eve and PRINCIPAL COVER #2

2008-11-02T07:49:00.001-08:00

Boston is grand-----its been a great week of temperatures fluctuating like the body heat index of a menopausal beauty. But, the bodacious FOLIAGE makes up for it ten fold!!!!!

Thursday, our understudy rehearsal was cancelled to make room for costume fittings. All the costumes were supposed to have come in, from the now dead broadway company (R.I.P), but then it all got cancelled. Apparently some costumes were sold to London with the rest of theBROADWAY package(which is typical), but we now learned that we actually dont have all the costumes we thought we would have because they are across the pond. Its interesting, but I guess comes down to the benjamins when all else fails. That day, a friend of mine came in from Cali for a workshop out on Cape Cod, and we met up and walked through the Commons. We actually went through CHINATOWN first and saw this awesome mural. But, we alos just so happened to stumble across the BULL & FINCH pub.

This is what CHEERS, the TV show, was based on. Its on the BEACON HILL side of the park, and is a great place. They shot the outside of the BAR for the TV show, but then used a studio for the rest of the show. The inside looks nothing like the TV set, but they have since created a replica of the TV show down at the NORTH MARKET--which is actually downtown in the midst of the FANEUIL HALL MARKETPLACE. So, there are two CHEERS--people knowning your name everywhere!!!!!

That night, after the show, we had our first night of fundraising for BROADWAY CARES EQUITY FIGHTS AIDS (BCEFA). We are selling signed playbills, custom cards by JOSH WALDEN, a signed jumprope, a signed piece of the HARVARD paper Becky pops out of, have the standard money buckets, and VEN is taking pictures with people as the UPS guy. Our first night we made 2000 dollars, and now have made well over 8000 dollars in just two days( still waiting for last nights total). Its great!!!!! We will be collecting into Dec, so wait for a grand total.

This happens after the show every night, so wait to see cast members in hats as you leave the theatre. Give $5, $10, deeds to your house, we even take small children or angry spouses to sell on the black market.

Friday was the great and wonderful HALLOWEEN. One of our traveling stagehands, Garry, is from Boston and arranged a party for us at BOSTON BILLIARDS. We all rushed over as soon as the curtain was down, also after a talk back with the EMERSON COLLEGE musical theatre cats, and it was on. IT was a cluster of random costumes and laughs. A core group dressed as SEXY Wizard Of Oz characters( with friends from NYC coming up), Becky was SARAH PALIN, Spencer was a MOOSE, Kevin BeeBee was our Head Carpenter Brian( hilarious), J was a UPS Guy/Dick in a box, and one of my favs was Ven dressed like a ghost.

He cut two holes in the hotel sheet and was walking around going OOOOOOOOHHHHH. I piddled in my pants more than once, especially when he hid in the corner and pretended like nobody could see him. Another, which i forgot, was Jeff and Josh as SIERRA MIST. Josh was Sierra Boggess as the LIL MERMAID and Jeff was a stagehand with a mist bottle. We are some funny M&%*^&% F&#*$%$S!!!!

Saturday, the BCEFA rep Monsieur Graziano came up to see the show and enjoy our fundraising efforts. He gave a wee speech before the evening show, sharing stories from people that have been helped by the fundraising, and told us that we are the 2nd largest HIV/AIDS aid contributors in the country. THATS HUGE!!!!! That also coincided with a gift basket being sent by Donna ViVino of the WICKED tour.

They were McCain and Obama cookies.

They were hard, but inspiring......and then ANDREAS was on.

Coleen called out due to ankle problems, so Sara Andreas was on. They threw some costumes together and a wig, and she was thrown on. AND WAS EXQUISITELY FLAWLESS!!!!!!

Following up her YELLOW BRICK ROAD TO THE EMERALD CITY, it was a great weekend for her. She is the second understudy to go on for a principal contract and showed that people should never get pidgeon-holed as SWINGS. This happens all the time--but mamma rocks the socks!!!

What will happen today? who knows.......it is the day of the Pagan Sun God as well as the adopted day of the Christian Jesus.....so all possibilities are GLOWINGLY possible on a SUPERSTAR level! And tomorrow I get to go to Maine.....

Finally able to post ( Buffalo,Rochester, and now Boston)

2008-10-30T11:26:00.000-07:00

So for some reason BLOGGER has been down whenever i try to log on and write--plus the internet at our hotel is still being updated from the mesazoic period. So, here I am with a long post. Grab a chair, a beer(or juicebox depending on age) and get ready for a small yarn of truth.

For those of you who dont know, you can now see SABRINA WILLIAMS(a.k.a. the black lil' person dragqueen) on youtube. It's amazing---and a sheer spectacle. lets help make her an american staple...what do you say? EIther look on youtube or on the videos to your right.

Well many things have happened since last i wrote. Wrapping up in Buffalo was exciting, in more ways than one. As if anything could get weirder, things started falling apart. Rhiannon sprained her ankle in the middle of a show, which was then followed by her having an ashmatic attack while the Entreacte was happening. Also, some cables got caught on a fly so we had to stop the show and TOM ( our PSM---Production Stage Manager) came over the GOD mic and announced we were stopping the show due to technical difficulties and could the actors leave stage. I was backstage watching the whole thing unravel---BRILLIANT!!!! That combined with the residually decreasing talent of the trumpet player.....made for a STAY ON YOUR TOES weekend. Sunday, the local producers bought us pizza and wings in between shows. It was gone in a matter of seconds.

That night, a bunch of us went to a friend of Adams house. It was a middle aged gay couple--and it was beautiful. It was a huge victorian style house , with complete original

stainglass window. They had a nice spread, which is great cause actors always love free food. Later that night, a bunch went back to MARCELLO's. ANd sure enough, both the homeless guy and

SABRINA were both there. Cortney befriended said toothless homeless man, and they became quick friends. Apparently he is a regular, and totally didnt think he would win and was why he just kept smilin. Whether he was cracked out at the time is still up for grabs!!!

But, monday a chunk of us( as in multiple people) went to NIAGARA FALLS. Some stayed behind because they didnt have passports or Birth Certificates ( which is where i plug that all people should get a passport--even though the government IS requiring in the next two years). It was magnificent. Most of us hadnt been there since our youth( which was 9 for me). Our bus was a half an hour late, and then a nice German lady narrated the 30 min ride north. She was hilarious, every word dripping with dry Bavarian wit. She dropped us off at the HILTON in Canada, and we were off.

First, the MAID OF THE MIST. It was everything I remembered---only much colder. They actually shut down the boat after today, so we barely squeaked in. Apparently there are also 2 suicide attempts a week in the summer months, so sadly we missed that season as well. Though truly, I feel better just knowing that a small child once went over the falls and was uninjured----she has some guardian spirits/angels working seriously overtime.

After a small concert by Josh Walden(see video soon) we ventured up the STREET OF FUN( no joke--thats what it is called). We stopped at an arcade, where Spencer adorned his new moosehat, Stacey got ripped off by a photobooth caricature that wasnt meant for PEOPLE OF COLOR, and then we went on a SHOOT THE GHOUL ride. It was a lot like ITS A SMALL WORLD only with blacklight and blinking lights you shoot while wearing 3D glasses. It was alot. But, Paul joined me in my carriage. I love that he came along.And then, the scariest haunted house I had ever been too. It is called NIGHTMARES. Once again RUN, dont walk, because it rocks the socks off any haunted house EVER. We went to one last night, across from THE AUDITORIUM(the name of our theatre in Rochester) and it was complete boots( and by boots i mean bad). Paul Jackel cowering behind Stacey, at NIGHTMARES, was possibly the funniest thing i have ever seen. There are other places in town, apparently SCREAMERS is great. But, we hit the cashprize. Then add in a bit of awesome Indian cuisine, and my day was made. Literally, cause we had to catch the bus back to Buffalo.

Tuesday we caught a 45 minute busride to Rochester, and it was city #4. The theatre is a huge building, that looks like a school that could be used for rave parties. There is a neon sign saying AUDITORIUM and ENTER HERE. It seats around 3000 i think, once again, though we dont feel like we are being swallowed. Before the show, the unmarried straight man coalition and I made our way to DINOSAUR BBQ--which is amazing. There is one in Syracuse, here, and in HARLEM in NYC. We ate ourselves semi retarded, did the show, and then the theatre threw us an opening night party in the lobby, which had the best vegetable soup I have ever tasted( i feel like i keep saying THIS is the BEST and THIS is the BEST EVER but its the truth). It was also thrown in conjunction with one our producers, well one of our largest. it was BILL, from FOX Theatricals. So, it was good to also see "Daddys" face.....we kind of feel like the kids they sent away to school.

Wednesday ...what happened wednesday? well my friend Van Hughes ( who is the boyfriend of swing LESLIE and in the upcoming BWAY musical 9TO5) came into town. We rejoiced and sang.....that meaning the show. That night we went to a great cigar bar called HAVANA JOE'S(which will be a tradition as we tour this fair country). It iwas an every guys bar, near EASTMAN. We enjoyed some glorious stogies, and then decided we were hungry. This is where we decided to enjoy the cities finest and famous.

Recently, there have been a slwe of shootings outside the best known diners...so the city has shutdown some and restricted hours on others. There is NICK TAHOU's and MARK'S9 which has twon locations). Only one MARK's TEXAS HOT was open.....so lower GI problems called us!!!!

We walked into this small diner, and first ran into two AARP men watching THE GODFATHER on a small portable TV behind the bar. Two women stood ready at the grill---one of them being Mark's Wife. ANd it was done--4 GARBAGE PLATE SPECIALS. Check out the grease spots on the containers...that is what is called LUBRICATION in the food world!

The makings of said "special" are this....

Bottom layer: Buttered Pretzel Roll, 2 scoops homemade Macaroni Salad, 1 order of Fries

Middle Layer: 2 Cheeseburger patties with onions on top

Top Layer: Special Meat Sauce ( i dont know if that was special cuz Mark made it or just cuz)

And for Garnish: Yellow Mustard

We all ate like we had never eaten before in our lives, and then the realization of what had just happened hit us. This is called GAS. If i could include all the pictures of this momentous journey i would, but I am sure you can imagine.

Thursday proved difficult, having understudy rehearsal, but team #2 did great ( almost getting through the whole show). We tottled over to a great place called STARRY NIGHTS ( which has amazing food and a huge mural of Van Goghs STARRY NIGHTS on the wall) which also happened to be across the street from THE BACHELOR FORUM. This is a local gay bar that used to be called the MAN CAVE--- i think( according to local lore). On the lawn, outside what looked like a double-wide, were three steel statues. One was two female symbols, the second two males symbols, and the third was an amalgamation of a male and female in one ( the now universal sign for a TRANNY i guess).

Friday was for Lazertag. On the way to LAZERQUEST, i got a call to go on for Jeff. I would be the first PRINCIPAL cover to go on. EXCITING!!! After two rousing hours of 2 games of lazertag----scurrying behind walls and down ramps amongst a two story labyrinth and 20 other players, we were tired. Becky kicked serious ass, getting 1st place every time. WHen i have the picture of all of us i will post it. But, it will definitely be something we do again EN MASSE cause it was amazing. Then came the show....

I was nervous like a whore in church, but it went really well. As the weekend proceeded, i went on another 4 times. Jeff had the flu, and actually ended up going to the hospital and geting a shot of MEDICINAL HEAVEN in his rump. He was feeling better as we rolled into BOSTON, but Send him happy thoughts....cause he still doesnt feel 100%.

We are staying in BEACON HILL area, which is amazing. There are WHOLE FOODS, a TRADER JOES, and most of us can see FENWAY PARK from our hotel. Plus, Larry and Nell came up.

Tuesday, we had a PRESS EXTRAVAGANZA.We first met the Mayor of Boston at MACY's, were a slew of us sang HAPPY BDAY for its 150th Celebration.

We were then shuttled to HARVARD where we were led around campus by some HASTY PUDDING members. For those of you that dont know, HASTY PUDDING is the oldest producing theatricl company in the country. They write a new show every year( all by students). They then produce it in the newly renovated NEW COLLEGE THEATRE( which will be renamed back to HASTY PUDDING once Jack Lemmon ( HP Alum) or anyone else donates 2 mil to change it--much like a BWAY house) for 3 months. They then transfer to NYC for a show, and then trek to the BAHAMAS for a run. Its a rough life I know. Well, two members also gave us a tour of Harvard Yard.

It was Brian Polk and Tom Compton----and it was in complete drag.

(See pics for in costume and out, plus the video).

(click here for the article in the GLOBE on LARRY & NELL)

It was exciting because not only are Larry and Nell alums, but so is Paul Jackel. ANd not only of the UNIV but also of Hasty Pudding. I also found out that Lowel, Pforzheimer, and Winthrop are the names of dorms. So wait for those pics!!!!!!!!

We returned to the theatre, where we signed the wall of GUEST ARTISTS, and then it was on. HASTY PUDDING did a skit ( see video) of WHO IS THE REAL ELLE WOODS. They called Becky up and threw some funny stuff at her, but she was a trooper and I threw the improv right back at them. It was hilarious, followed by a Q & A, and a small performance. We then bought some HARVARD swag and returned for our first show.

The OPERA HOUSE is beautiful-having been recently renovated. It was nice to have Jeff back, and nice to have a huge backstage space. For those of you that dont know, there was no wing space in Rochester. So, for quick changes, all the men had to run to the bowels of the theatre to change. It was cartoonish at times.

And then, last night the BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA threw us an opening night party at the HYATT. It was adorned with huge fake reeds, what looked like BROCCOLI crowns, and had amazing food. There was MAC & CHEESE( a tried and true fav), a chicken and fig thing, pistachio encrusted swordfish, and a POOPOO PLATTER of CHEESES. Also, enjoy the video of Leslie teaching Tally how to give a sensible Body Roll.

What else will happen this week----we can only hope. OH-but i will leave you with this thought. Before the show last night, an army of our cast ladies decided it would be a good idea to get BRAZILIAN WAXES. Note to self: A HOT WAXED VA J J is not conducive to dancing WHAT YOU WANT.

Nuf' said!

OH MY GOD YOU GUYS---SIMS music videos

2008-10-21T07:45:00.000-07:00

Okay cats---some genius put songs from our wee tuner to a SIMS video. I dont know how to do it, and i am completely grateful, but i cant imagine the time this took!

ITS OUR PROMO REEL

2008-10-21T07:41:00.000-07:00

Check it out kiddies!!!!!

Cabarets, Black Midget Drag Queens, ad R.I.P Bway

2008-10-19T09:13:00.000-07:00

There is more to Buffalo than LINGS WINg-THINGS

(which apparently makes your body go into epileptic meltdown, cold sweats, & power diarrhea) ---------

Buffalo has been a grand and gay week. And by gay, i mean both 1920's gay and 2008 gay.

On Friday, after two days of understudy rehearsals, we put on a cabaret in the adjoining theater at the SHEA's. This was our 1920's gay.

It benefited Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids, a charity that we always try to give a little monetary help to. It is the center of BROADWAY BARES ( Jerry Mitchell's brain child that is now HUGE), as well as the Broadway EASTER BONNET competition in the spring and the massive fall fundraiser in the fall( which i cant remember the name of). It helps people living with AIDS and HIV to pay their everyday bills---i.e. groceries, medicine, Dr Pepper, condoms, Starbucks----and also goes toward the Phyllis Newmans Women's Health Initiative. We sold that puppy out, 18 of us singing songs. And (cue the drumroll) we raised $1000!!!!

How about that!!

It was a great night---with everything from Ken and DB singing a love duet to open, me with a puppet singing RAINBOW CONNECTION, Rhiannon in a lil girl dress, and Spencer wrapping it up with some SWEET CAROLINE Sing-Along. It was amazing and made all of us proud to not only be apart of this company of talented friends, but also unified as a family of LB. Even Ricky Lee, our Merchandise Officiant, got up and sang a rousing altered version of SOMEWHERE THATS PINK ( originally GREEN from LITTLE SHOP).

That being said, let me take a minute to wish the Broadway company good journey!!!!! They have their last show today, and without them we would not be here on this trip across America. What with the economy, wish them good vibes on getting another job.

So heres where 1920s gay becomes 2008 gay. Last night, we went to a local drag bar called MARCELLA. It is kitty corner to the theater. We bopped over after watching Sarah Palin watch herself get mocked on SNL(which was brilliantly hilarious and hopefully doesnt make people think it gives her even a modicum of leverage to be more accessible or even right for the Vice Presidency)( I loved Huckabee on THE DAILY SHOW, COLBERT REPORT, and LETTERMAN but his policies and ideals still freak me out). But i digress.......

So we went to see the infamous Sabrina. She is a BLACK MIDGET DRAG QUEEN. Thats right...i didnt stutter and no its not a typo or you being dyslexic. A BLACK MIDGET DRAGQUEEN!!!!!! She is infamous on the touring circuit, more friends of mine remember that from Buffalo than the wings----dont let locals know that. ( video coming soon)

She came out in a cheerleader outfit and rocked the house!!!! Not only was she energetic with her pompoms---but mamma could cooter slam into the splits and then hop across the stage. It was priceless, and I think my life may now be complete. Where she was when Jerry was casting the revival of LA CAGE... i dont know, Sweet mystery of life, it got better!

After her awe inspiring dance, there was a wet underwear competition. Leslie and I had talked about joining, but our better judgement said NO.

So, Coleen got up, rounding out 3 girls and 6 guys. Coleen whooped ass and won---granting us a 100 dollar bar tab. (the villagers rejoice) But, she also pissed off the back bend girl, while the 13 year old Key Club member with the flowery bra and nipple high karate kicks didn't really seemed phased. This was when we noticed that though it was an 18 and up club, there were definite illegals amongst us. Rhiannon even danced with this poor prepubescent kid for 20 minutes. But the men competition took the cake(combined with the random crunked man with the BK crown on).

There were 6 mighty contestants, some twinkies and some semi ripped. But, the sleeper competition was the man on the end. A black homeless man in his mid to late 30's sporting corn rows( it had to be) walked up with missing teeth---sporting some loose fitting boxers and some shoestringLESS worker boots(That is what he wore to the bar). I am guessing he was cracked out on something, but brother was LIVING LIFE!!!

He was shy and just stared at the others dance and giggled, even when we had to CLAP-O-METER.

So as an act of solidarity, good karma, and the ideal that he needed the tab more than the skinny twinks( who thought that making out would better their chances), we cheered him on to the point that it wasnt even a question. THE BLACK HOMELESS GUY WON THE UNDERWEAR COMPETITION!!!!!!

It was a great night, with Ryan Gosling's mom( whose daughter used to date Jeff's brother and is nicknamed MAMMA DONNA) joining us. All in all, Buffalo rocked our socks off. Now, if the BILLS can win today and our trumpet player can break the record of playin 40% of the show correct 40% of the time........this could be the most perfect week ever---and (cue the 80's synth music)WE"VE ONLY JUST BEGUN.

Here is to the adopted day of the Christian Lord and true day of the Pagan Sun........

A Buffalo Review

2008-10-15T19:56:00.000-07:00

Thanks for your wings and your reviews!!!!

It’s hard not to like glitz done well
By Colin Dabkowski NEWS STAFF REVIEWER
Updated: 10/15/08 6:33 AM

The Broadway version of “Legally Blonde,” which opened Tuesday night in Shea’s Performing Arts Center, is many things to many people.

Some bemoan its simplistic message, its overt tendency toward the melodramatic or its casual reinforcement of a contrived feminine ideal. Others complain about its formulaic songwriting. And while they might have a point, those people are boring.

To everyone who counts, the show is a breathless affirmation of the triumph of girlishness, a thoroughly and consciously crowd-pleasing collection of Adderall-fueled Malibu morality tales. It succeeds in the degree to which it assaults us with endorphin- producing melodies and nuclear-powered dance numbers that intend to leave no soul unentertained. Which is to say that it succeeds brilliantly.

If ever a glitzy Hollywood film begged for translation into the language of musical theater, it was the 2001 girl-power extravaganza “Legally Blonde,” which upon its release entranced legions of tweenage acolytes with the message that ditziness, like nerdiness, is only skin deep.

The show follows the sordid tale of Elle Woods (Becky Gulsvig), a sorority sister from Southern California whose boyfriend Warner (Jeff McLean) has the gall to dump her before flying off to Harvard Law School. Not to be tossed aside like the last issue of Vogue, Elle studies like mad and miraculously enters the hallowed halls of Harvard, where she learns to kick some serious legal butt and discovers that her love of the uberfeminine is a virtue to behold, even a weapon to wield.

The music, by Nell Benjamin and “Bat Boy: The Musical” composer Laurence O’Keefe, shines brightest in the show’s opening number, “Omigod You Guys,” which becomes a leitmotif for later moments that require an amped-up grandiosity. The first act closer “So Much Better,” and scattered homages to past Broadway greats like “Dead in the Water” also stand out. The lyrics, also co-written by O’Keefe and Benjamin, are as smart and sassy as the show’s protagonist, and they bolster some of the musical’s quirkier assets, notably the totally out-of-left-field “Ireland,“ sung beautifully by Joy Johnson as Elle’s sage hairdresser Paulette.

The musical’s book, when briefly on display between songs, is smartly written and includes several savvy updates from the original film, along with lots of hilarious asides. Those who have watched the MTV broadcast of the Broadway show (which closes Sunday) will notice some changes, most notably in the sets, which have been modestly scaled back to allow for travel. A second-act duet has also been retooled, but the all-important sense of high-octane euphoria remains.

Gulsvig, a longtime understudy of Elle on Broadway, fits seamlessly into those glittery shoes. Her performance is understated but strong, her confidence engrossing. Other standouts are Ken Land as skeevy Harvard Law Professor Callahan, D. B. Bonds as Elle’s new love interest Emmett and the voice, if not the acting, of McLean as the haughty Warner. Local boy-made-good Adam Zelasko turns in a hilarious performance as the pool boy Nikos in the rather un-PC number “There! Right There!”

The show’s not-so-deep message — don’t judge a book by its cover, dream big, to thine own self be true and so forth — is all well and good. But where “Legally Blonde” really succeeds is in the overwhelming force of its execution. It’s a glitzy show that knows what it’s good at, and that’s all the reason necessary to check it out.

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PHOTO CALL on PLAYBILL.COM

2008-10-15T19:53:00.000-07:00

Well friends its here......a section of the photo call from Providence. Check it out- courtesy of PLAYBILL.com

Click Here for Photo CALL

BUFFALO....more than just wings

2008-10-15T14:53:00.000-07:00

Friends of Pink,

So much to say in so little time.

Baltimore Week 2:

We returned from our day off to find we had been more tired than when we left. How that works, I dont really know. But, the week awaited us with parties.

First, Tuesday night the HOLIDAY INN INNER HARBOR threw us a party after the show. This was apparently because we were the best behaved tour to ever come through( which i dont really believe). It was a late HAPPY HOUR. Pizza, veggies, and discounted drinks were great---but the kicker to the night came when Tally was cruised by a man in the bathroom and asked to come upstairs. He was officially skeeved at the notion that a married business man thought he was reliving the 70s YMCA motif. That and Tally is totally a "breeder".......laughs were had before i got

uncomfortable and went to bed( no explanation for this). If only i had been smart and gone to bed when Campbell had gone. I just cant seem to get to bed any earlier than 2am...

..OOH! I also got a guided tour of the LEXINGTON MARKEY by local reviewer Charles Shudow. He is a great guy, who daylights as a judge on equal rights. He took me to FAIDLEYS----which has the most amazing crabcake ever. Challenge it.....I DARE YOU!!!! He also introduced me to the infamous Baltimore Berger Cookies. Its like Crack Candy to be sure......

Wednesday we had a party at the M&T Bank down the street from the hotel. It is their corporate headquarters and they catered a nice spread with a wee MEET & GREET with some local Art High SChoolers.

This was then followed by BPMs second Bday Party.

Also, apparently one of the execs of M&T fell in love with Cortney. So, she got paid 100 bucks to deliver a package to his office. Originally they wanted her to come in costume, but its

totally illegal to take the costumes out of the theatre for "personal" use.

Thursday found us in another understudy rehearsal(

they are doubles from here on out I fear) and then the infamous boat trip. Gretchen arranged it so the entire company could ride the SPIRIT OF BALTIMORE after the show.

There was food, libation, and dancing a plenty. BPM ran naked around the PoopDeck, while scoured the boat to see what they were working with.

The highlight i think, other than BPM's butt, was when we started chasing a small SEA DOO because it belonged to our captain. Some hoodlums had stolen it and we were chasing them around the harbor. We then docked to the sight of 4 cop cars greeting us. I had never felt so loved!!!!

The rest of the week was a little slow, other than a great meeting with the adorable MacKenzie Stuck and her folks.

She is an 11 year old diagnosed with brain cancer. She came back stage and we all hugged, took pics, and signed things. To learn more about MacKenzie and her different causes go to

http://eriklerchbenefit.org/?q=node/137

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mackenziestuck

Not a one of us left without a little tear.....and it made the end of Baltimore totally memorable. ummmm......i think that was it for the BALTIMORE(other than celebrating Mark Pardy( our drummer) having a Bday). I had BPM get a naked cake from the market, and it was spot on. I also got him a gift---it was playing cards of old vintage pinup girls. The kicker is that all the faces have been replaced with George W's..........I cant wait for Poker night.

So, now we find ourselves in BUFFALO---the home of ADAM ZELASKO. We arrived, and after being harrassed by local SCIENTOLOGISTS, made our way to the ANCHOR BAR( which is apparently the home of the original wing). We stayed for a while, some leaving early due to fire shooting from their rear, and then thoguht to find another place to watch the GIANTS game. Problem is, nothign is really open in Buffalo on Monday. So we wandered to Chippewa street and crashed at an Irish Bar.

Tuesday night proved interesting, even after Adam's brother starting giving discounted chiropractor/PT treatments to people. The SHEA's THEATRE is HUGE---i think 3067 seats? Plus, there is a huge organ that is plyed as PRESHOW for a hafl an hour before curtain---so OLD SCHOOL!!!! The proscenium is huge so we had to mask in about 15 feet, and it has the reverb of a sports stadium. But, first night jitters ran amuck. Frankie got distracted by spilled food so that his bark(dialogue) section was all jacked up, the table for SERIOUS locked up and tipped as Ven brought it on, it then tipped again as it got shoved off, certain musical lines were incognito, all of sudden there was a massive ANVIL solo in SO MUCH BETTER, lines were flubbed, and........then another party next door. It featured stuffed cookies, and was hosted by one of our producers. It was very low key and chill.

Oh crap...i forgot to say that Megan's shoe went flying into the audience our last show during the LORD OF THE DANCE kicks downstage. It flew to probably the 15th row and a whole groupd tried to catch it. It was a brilliant way to say goodbye to Baltimore and great way to end now. Just imagine her walking across stage, still powerfully, with nothing but STOCKING FEET. Thats why i love live theatre!

Into Week 2 and so much HIPPO Madness

2008-10-07T14:15:00.001-07:00

Its a beautiful day here in BalMore ( as the locals call it) and lets wrap up a bit shall we........

Okay so the last week was interesting in this wonderful Metropolis. After opening, to much HUZZAH, we had two days of understudy rehearsal--where i believe we actually got through most of the show. It was promising for us understudies, and we were singing people downstairs while others were working it out on stage. BRILLIANT---thats why we are called PROs i assume.

Amidst jubilation, we have also started doing a pre show DANCE in the mens ensemble dressing room. Its so wrong its right, and if I could post the video on this blog i would. But, middle school girls seeing Grown Men liturgically dance in their undies is probably not the best(considering one of the dressers even said she wouldnt bring her 12 year old granddaughter backstage due to the men in undies). Here is where i say--STOP BEING SO UPTIGHT AMERICA!!!! Backstage is a huge party of naked people running around, but here is the deal.

"UNDERWEAR IS LIKE WEARING A BATHING SUIT." Honestly, a bra and panties are like a bikini and briefs/boxers are like a speedo or swim trunks. So i say, why make the big deal when people are in their underwear but not in swimming suits? (now retract the soap box)

Also, we had a few functions. Thursday proved to be a party, with the HIPPODROME throwing some anniversary party that we were invited to. It was for a major MONEY totting patron, i would guess, and we came to enjoy libations and wee sweet treats. Then, Friday finally provided a great day off. Then it came(cue the sound of storms clouds)....

5 SHOW WEEKEND

For those of you that dont know, this is when there is a show Friday night and then two each corresponding day until we all pass out from exhaustion and a celebratory merry making session Sunday night. Its vicious(though not as vicious as the WICKED tour schedule of 8 shows from Wed to Sun).

There has also been a lot of wandering around town--enjoying the harbor(though apparently the DRAGON PADDLEBOATS are now closed), watching RAVENS fans walk toward the stadium while we trudge to a matinee, and finding some nice wine bars near FELLS POINT.

There was even a FREE FUDGE show at the FUDGERY ( which Natalie admitted to having applied to in high school) and we found some cutouts of the horribly erroneous SARAH PALIN and McCain(which we took pics of after gorging ourselves on ALL YOU CAN EAT CRAB).

Sunday in between shows, we had two parties. We are the bell of the Baltimore Ball!!!!

Natalie was having a family PARTY at one of our favorite places, LUCY's(where a few of us closed Sunday night and was able to witness the General Manager sing along with 80's tunes while the bartendress scoffed). But, there was also the fundraiser for the BALTIMORE GIRLS LEADERSHIP SCHOOL.

Amanda, one of our producers and the producer of the MTV show, is from Baltimore and her mom is founding this school for inner city girls. Its a great cause, and we got to give a wee presentation in a Courtroom at the local UofM law school--followed by a POOPOO platter of great food. There were a bunch of little girls running around and asking adorable questions....plsu Seth Rudetsky, Paul Canaan and Dennis Jones came down for the presentation. What else could someone ask for? Well, maybe world peace, a decent health care, and a VP candidate that actually knows what they are talking about & doesnt wink at a camera man thinking it is the american people. Does this remind anyone of another VP from say, oh, the original Bush dynasty? I will say one word...."potato."

And then the last show of the week happened. This came with many of us running to catch a train back to NYC afterward, some even hiring private cars(cause they are fancy). I was not one of them---staying to put together a DVD for the kids I taught in India. But, I am guessing peeps will be more tired from the trip than if they had stayed, but thats why i stayed to enjoy ALL YOU CAN EAT crab!!!!! Thats right--Ven, Natalie, Lauren and I went to PHILLIPS & Natalie and I got collectable glasses. The fat kid in me REJOICED!

With that said, we start week two. And(cue the feasting horns) the beautiful Stacey is back on tonite. Leslie has been amazing, and the character of Guadalupe may appear on the blog. But we are back to the full strength of the pink army after almost two weeks, if not more!

Hippo Press

2008-10-03T11:14:00.000-07:00

HOUSE OF HIPPOS and WORLD VEGETARIAN DAY

2008-10-01T21:18:00.000-07:00

First off, HAPPY WORLD VEGETARIAN DAY!!!!

As an homage to not consuming animals, most of the cast ( though alot of us are veggie) refrained from consuming meat today. There is this whole theory that you ingest that animals fear when you eat it. The thought being that you are eating the last feeling the animal had the split instant before slaughter. Also, what with whats happening in the world of PRODUCE you never know what you may get.

Heres a suggestion: Read FAST FOOD NATION and OMNIVORES DILEMMA and FATLAND. Or even watch SUPER SIZE ME.....a great person once said READING IS FUNDAMENTAL(but its also informative)

So back to business, we are now in the HIPPODROME

( which i have nicknamed the Hippo Home). It was a dilapidated theatre until it got a complete renovation 8 years ago. Its beautiful, not as massive as the PPAC ( a mere 2100 seats) but its way more intimate. The surrounding area could use a little sprucin' up--much like the rest of major cities across our country... but you cant beat Lexington Market two blocks away. This is the largest open air market in the U.S., and any cuisine known to man can be found within its walls. Some more clean and healthy than others, but for a good affordable price none the less.

Anyways, I digress.

So we flew in Monday, enjoyed crab a plenty Monday night (at both PHILLIPS on the harbor or at OBRYCKI's over by John Hopkins). Obrycki's is one of those great places with bibs and brown paper placed on the table before they slop peppered whole crab at your eager hands. But tuesday was another long day.

We had sound check and placement beforehand (we are talking 6pm), just to make sure everything was copacetic, and then had to wander through the labyrinth to find our dressing rooms. The male ensemble room is so huge that we have a dance party before the show. I would show videos, but I dont think putting them out in the ether of the internet highway would be a good thing for us---though XTube would probably offer us cash.

And, last night proved interesting. The poor dressers were thrown into the fire, deciphering the Sanskrit that our PPAC peeps had left. But, the quick changes all happened

( most surprisingly quicker than before). The set however was a different thing. The "viewfinder," as I like to call the proscenium, just kept coming in during the opening of HARVARD VARIATIONS to the point that Mamie started pulling people upstage. Also, some dark spots were found----but you cant transplant an entire plot and not expect some funky stuff. This includes interesting ways to dry bras and panties.....

Today, we had our 2nd understudy rehearsal. This consisted of picking up where we left off, singing music, then working out #'s to stand on. It is such an intricate show, that we are finely tuning how to get a general skeleton of positioning so if one of us has to go on we wont be completely in the dark. Have to be on the ball with that......and give Stacey more positive kudos. She is still out with pain, though Adam is back from the stomach funk, so send her happy vibes@@@@!!!!!

Tonite nothing super interesting happened, so I am sorry for those wanting some drama. Though, i can tell you that i screwed up the jumproping for the first time and threw it clear across stage. It smacked Adam totally in the face, and i dont know how he didnt have to leave. I was angry at myself for a while. But, i can say that LUCY's across the street from the HIPPO HOUSE is a great place for food pre or post-show.

Here's to the night and Here's to romance.....and here's to watching the awe inspiring VP debate tomorrow.......

BE THERE OR BE L7!!!!!!!

SUPER SWING WEEKEND and ADIEU PPAC

2008-09-28T21:18:00.001-07:00

So this weekend turned out to be more colorful than we thought--Swing #2 joined us on stage. This being Jay Garcia.

Stacey called out again, and looks like she might not join us til the middle of next week ( if then sadly)( and its pronounced Tabagonian) but then Adam Zelasko got ill. Nausea and weakness isnt the thing to be dealing with while venturing through the world of Pink, so at intermission of Saturdays show it was decided that Jay was going to go on. And yes, for those interested, he had his own pair of white leather pants. It was brilliant. He did great--and so much so that my cousin today would never have guessed that he was an U/s. WAY TO GO BROTHER!!!

Also, our Equity Rep came, the infamous Keith Sklar. They came to assess the safety situation on stage, how many moves we do as ensemble, and other things. For those of you who don't know, we get paid extra for THINGS OF EXTRAORDINARY RISK ( i.e. riding the golf cart, lifting Becky).

It was a little sad saying goodbye to our dressers and stagehands, "Billy 2 Guns" being the biggest handshake imaginable, because this is truly where the tour begins. Til now, it has been like a long regional gig that just rehearsed alot------but I do look forward to the crabcakes!!!!!

Goodbye PPAC, Goodbye Biltmore, and Adieu Providence........you have been fully enjoyed!

Understudies, Put-ins, and corrections...

2008-09-26T12:13:00.001-07:00

Yesterday proved more interesting than we had expected---

It was our first UNDERSTUDY rehearsal. The majority of us convened in an empty theatre, without stage crew, to mime through the show with minimal cast and music(that meaning only a piano that was onstage after being moved from the green room).

Normally in an understudy rehearsal, a cast of characters is assembled using our rslim roster of peeps and we run-through the show. This has no sets, no costumes, no props(because that would mean paying the StageHands union to show up just so we can use a prop), no mics, and nothing but flood lights to see. We might as well be back in the rehearsal studio with a bunch of the cast being sick, because there are people missing from the formations all over. Yesterday's cast involved:

Elle: Lauren
Warner: Adam
Emmett: Tally
Margot: Alex
Pilar: Sara Jenkins
Serena: Leslie
Kate/Chutney: Sara Andreas
Callahan: Paul
Dad/Winthrop: Josh Campbell
Mom/Saleswoman: Sara Andreas
Saleswoman/Judge: Leslie
Aaron: Spencer
Padamadan/Nikos: Jay
Pforzheimer: Spencer
Lowell: Jay
Paulette: Mamie
DJ/Dewey/Kyle: Brian

We got actually about half way through the 1st act- stopping and starting due to people never having been rehearsed. So basics were mastered---i.e. blocking, choreo, basic intentions, and vocal lines. At one point there were 4 different things happening on stage at the same time---people were taking full advantage of time. We are professionals people---and by that i mean UNION actors. check out http://www.actorsequity.com

And here is where the day got more interesting....Stacey called out for the night's show.

For those of you who dont know--Stacey is the SALESWOMAN/JUDGE track. She was stretching before the 2nd act wednesday night and felt like she pulled something. After consulting both Xander ( Coleens boyfriendwho is a masseuse) and a holistic specialist she was informed a muscle ( the one that wrapped from her bottom ribs around to the back) had lifted off of the bone and not returned. So, it was inflamed and she had trouble even sitting down. The last hour of rehearsal then became a semi PUT-IN for Leslie into Stacey's track. Here is the definition of PUT-IN:

Def- a rehearsal in which an actor gets costumes and mics and gets the honor of running through the show with the full cast on stage( i think that is right, though the rest of the cast are in street clothes)

Funny thing about us just opening is that the understudies & swings have no costumes or wigs for the roles they cover. So, Leslie got to rummage through what costumes we have in the basement and they quickly sewed up some of Stacy's wigs to make them the right size for Leslie's head. HILARIOUS---one would think that the swings would have a basic outfit just in case this thing happened(which happens all the time!!!!!). But, as I found out from AEA today, the understudy costumes are not actually contractually covered by the costume designers contract. WHAT?!@! So it is left to the talent and time of the traveling costume supervisors to fill the gaps. HA!

Needless to say, Leslie did awesome. I was sad to not see her in all of Stacey's wigs( though putting her in the tina turner wig wouldnt quite be right--- FYI Leslie is Caucasian and Stacey is Tobagoan/Trinidadian?)

The only real snaffoo came during the bows when the front scrim flew in and almost took out 4 of our leads--Ken, Jeff, Megan, and Coleen. Tom ( the PSM) was seen berating someone afterward--whether they got fired is unbeknownst to any of us on this rainy RI day. But, the show proved full of surprises. Oh almost forgot, during BLOOD IN THE WATER the SR prop closet came crashing down and those onstage SR had no idea what was happening. Though Ven ( the golem of strength he is) kept giggling like a wee child to reassure nothing was wrong, i still thought death was imminent. AND, Campbell and BPM almost lost half of the Dept. Store unit when we move them US at the end of the song.....but the jumprope number was pseudo flawless for the first time. Go figure!

What will happen tonite? Stay tuned to the same LB time same LB channel.........

and in closing, Dani Spieler( BWAY vacation swing) also came up for the opening night. Dont know how i missed her name, but its a magical thing i like to call HUMAN ERROR. She is glorious!!

HAPPY OPENING---every goodbye is hello

2008-09-25T11:01:00.000-07:00

I sit here in the throws of our first understudy rehearsal, and am once again playing catchup. I am coming up for air, after our opening and first week still full of rehearsals. It was great.

Opening night was amazing. The energy was insurmountable......i think i used that word right. We had a pre show energy circle (sans Tequila Handle like BROADWAY BARES) and thus the birth of LEGALLY BLONDE the tour occurred. The audience was ruckus, cheering sometimes on exits, entrances, and giving us great motivation we have needed for a week or so. The applause after the LB Remix was i dare say retAHded. THe show was more or less perfect, spare a jumprope entanglement as we donned our bright orange jumpers. This begat a full hour of jumping the day after, but other than it was great.After the show, we held the curtain and Providence threw gifts at us. First, the First Lady of Rhode Island ( the governors wife) came out and gave the artistic staff certificates welcoming us. Then, the mayor came out and gave the producers the key to the city. My question is, does this truly open every door in the city---i think not. Then, they announced that this will forever be remembered as LEGALLY BLONDE week in RI. AND, because of that, a streak of pink will be added to the blue and white light on the capital dome all week. FANCY NANCY!!!!!Then it was party time!!!!! Busses shuttled us to WATERPLACE CAFE for our opening--where we had free reign of the entire place. All the TELSEY & CO boys came up, as well as Lindsay and Jody from the BWAY company came up to celebrate. And, we rocked that place until they turned the lights on and kicked us out at 1. Its been a wee bit of shock for us NYers when we are violently ejected from an establishment as the clock strikes 1. In NYC, most restaurants/bars will possibly stay open til daybreak if you keep purchasing. This is a sign of things to come as we span the continental US.
Then Wednesday, we had a brush up with our ARTSY types at 3pm. Sleeping in was great, and then we were back to work. A jumprope warmup, which later cursed us ( Lauren and Alex had to leave in the midst of it during Wednesdays show), was a nice way to warmup our tired bodies. We also cut some things----the saddest being the HEY WAIT FOR ME quick change from face mask DELTA NU to the DONE UP "DELTA NU." I am just glad that i got to immortalize WALDEN as a lady in pink. But the infamous Paul Canaan also came and said ITS A HIT! (cue a huge battement(with french accent))

Then the saddest moment came all week. Mike, the main Producer from FOX theatricals, bathed us in Kudos and then informed us that the BWAY company would be closing Oct 19th. What with the hard economy, it all makes sense. Apparently LITTLE MERMAID and MARY POPPINS even took a major dive post LABOR DAY, and things were just looking grim. But, with every end there is a new beginning. So, as we weaped a tear (literally) for our fallen comrades , we have the inspiration and demand of carrying the PINK message across this land of Democracy.

Also, our leaders left us. So here we say thank you to Jerry, Dennis, Mark, Larry, Nell , and James as we have been handed over to our dance captains, Jan the Conductor, and our SM's. Its like the first time you go to summer camp and leave your parents. And this time, we do have our names written in our underwear.

(please note that pics will be added when the wireless in the theatre kicks up a few bars)

PREVIEW Splendor

2008-09-22T19:39:00.000-07:00

So enjoying my day off today, south of the booming COSTUME JEWELRY Capital of the world, I decided to write about last night. It also coincided with the moment I attempted to get into my cousins kayak and flipped that puppy while still in 3 feet of water. So now here i sit, semi drenched from salt water, and will belabour you with tales of things we like to call PREVIEWS. But for us, it is simply singular.

The Artistic Team graced us with not having to do a full run through yesterday, after we did a pseudo TWO runs the previous day. And with a photoshoot starting at noon, following SATURDAYS all day B-Roll/PHOTO shoot, we were glad. Oh so glad to enjoy the afternoon basking in some freakishly hot INDIAN SUMMER heat. It also involved some awesome healthy food and some indepth VINTAGE SHOPPING. If any of you know of great vintage places along our route, dont hesitate to point the way.

By the by....B-Roll is when video crews record performances/run thrus for promotional purposes. This can be used for commercials, background video during interviews, etc....

Last night we were ignited with energy as we eagerly waited to hear the response of our audience. Frankie had been a wee bit timid the last couple of days, and we thought he could still be an X factor but we were wrong. It all began with a wee rally circle with Jerry and the crew, and then Dr Mitchell warmed up the audience. And anyone who has heard Jerry talk OFF THE CUFF knows that he is the same with everybody. I wish i had video taped it, and I very well might tomorrow for Opening, but my favorite quote was when he told everybody to "Turn off your cellphones and vibrators." We all knew he meant things that vibrate, but you cant write that kind of comedy. The Rhode Islanders were primed, while certain mothers squirmed at the thought of explaining that one to little Betty Lou who was donning an all pink Ensemble(dont forget the French accent).

The show went great, spare a slight jumprope snafoo at the beginning, and the audience was great. The applause at the end of the LB Remix was ridiculous---causing Ken and Becky to hold extra long. I am not going to lie, it was slightly uncomfortable by the end. But hey, thats why we all love live theatre. Give the people what they want!

They were all on their feet, and we were more than happy to have a willing audience react to out schmackting across the stage. And by us on that one, I mean KIKI and myself. Well, perhaps the whirling dirvish Josh and Alex as well. Other than that, no schmackting.....though that is up for interpretation.

The kids at the stage door were hilarious. A few young fans decided to show Crystal JOY(Pilar) their BEND AND SNAP. The wee babe was nervous and shaky, and apparently she and her friend had worked it out so the other would give her a pen. I may stand aside after the show from now on and just record people. It will be STAGEDOOR confessionals.

Well, happy opening to all. Our costume folks all left already----so thanks to Greg, Skye, and Sophia----who all rocked serious socks off. And soon the bigwigs leave and we are left to Uncle Tom and Greg and Aunt Elle Woo (who is actually our ASM Sharon Del Pilar.)

Let me end with this back story......Tom Bartlett and Sharon Del Pilar were our SM staff on Hairspray in Vegas. Sharon used to dress up as Penny and call herself PENNY WOO PINGLETON. So, when i asked her if Penny WOO was coming on tour she said..."NO, she got departed back to Asia but her cousin ELLE WOO may be getting a visa and coming over." Wait for those pictures folks.......and last night i heard a dirty rumor that the tour is more or less sold out the second year except a week here or there and that TOKYO and TORONTO are being talked about. I hope you all have your passports ready!

OOH- one more thing. The previous picture of someone in the BROOKE outfit was Coleen and not Sara Andreas going on for her. Crap what were the other questions......Oh yes----yes we have the full bunny outfit. But, didnt get it until after I took the picture. And lastly, remind your parents to vote for change. Nuf said! (was that politically subliminal enough)

WPRI Interview with Becky Gulsvig

2008-09-21T06:58:00.000-07:00