SUPER SWING WEEKEND and ADIEU PPAC

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...

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

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

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

WandelProbe and NEWS COVERAGE

So yesterday proved even more interesting......another cast member semi bit the dust. This makes NUMERO QUATRO!!!

We ran through the show twice---FULL OUT!!! But, the first one was filled with another person out. Coleen had a Dr. appt. (please mind the abbreviations) so on went Swing officianado and provocateur Sara ( pronounced Sare-RAH by Jerry) Andreas as Brooke Wyndham. 

 

Once again, no rehearsal. In NYC a few times Leslie sang through it, but it was total cold turkey.......and Sara was great. Much like me, she may have piddled a wee bit in those parachute pants. But she was flawless.....and thats hard with all that crazy jumproping added into the song.
And now here we are the Friday before we open, and the WANDELPROBE is in full swing. What is that you may ask...."Sounds like a weird SITZPROBE Nick"( and you would be right)......so check this

SITZPROBE: the first music rehearsal involving both singers and orchestra, usually held in the theatre, where the orchestra plays from the pit and the principals and chorus are seated on stage (Probe is German for rehearsal - a sitting rehearsal).

vs.

WANDELPROBE: like a Sitzprobe, but the singers stroll about the stage to their approximate blocking. (Wandel means leisurely walking, as in ``Ihr wandelt droben im Licht auf weichem Boden... Doch uns ist gegeben auf keiner Stätte zu ruhn'') 

( i know you all know what that means--obviously)

But, the orchestra has been rehearsing like Banshees( which are Irish perfectionists for those that have never seen the Disney classic "DARBY O'GILL and the Lil People" which is one of Sean Connery's greatest movies AND while sporting a full head of hair)--and the band is rocking@@@ Check out the video to the right!
Also, we only travel with a three piece band of consistency. We have our conductor/pianist, secondary synth, and drums. Other than that, each town brings with it a new scaled down orchestra. I believe we are actually 6 pieces less than the BWAY show.....

And tomorrow Rhode Island's going totally Legally Blonde with some serious news coverage.....

Eyewitness News anchor Karen Adams is going to take viewers behind the scenes. Meet the cast and see what it takes to put on a mega musical road show in the vamped up PPAC.

Saturday Sept. 20th at 7:30pm on WPRI 12 and re-aired Sunday on FOX at 2 p.m.

And to clarify, may i say that by BUBBLY i meant very happy and a shining BEACON OF

 POSITIVITY. This was in reference to Bway Conductor and co Arranger JAMES SAMPLINER (pronounced Samp-LEEner for those wanting to introduce yourselves), who has taught us most of the music to the show. He is a Libra with a rising Sag moon, enjoys a biting Single Malt, laughter by candlelight, is glad that SEXY got brought back, and IS single ladies. For his #- please email me..........but seriously, he has lost alot of sleep working on this puppy (as well as the rest of the artistic army) so give him a hug when you see him. In fact, give them all a hug.
IN closing, i sadly say that Rhiannon will no longer be sporting her huge BLUE finger sleeve. Last night, amidst GUITAR HERO marathons, we removed her two stitches. She was going to go to the hospital in the WEE hours of the morning, but I insisted she just let us take them out. For those of you that have never had stitches, be not afraid. You can usually let them disintegrate and fall out, or just have a friend use a nice pair of small scissors and take care of business. It doesnt hurt at all, and is much cheaper than covering a CO-PAY and waiting in a smelly waiting room next some strange fellow sporting a gunshot wound to the cheek that he gave himself.

In closing, here are some new lyrics in POSITIVE which were changed due to the lack of height of Megan Lewis........

"Fighting is not Delta NU, plus who knows what the heck she'll do. Some preppy ass J. Crew Kung Fu...whose got a plan B?"

Week 2 of Tech....playing catchup

So i have been informed that I am a bad blogmaster, but I was trying to keep everyone in suspense. Plus, i wanted to compile things to say. ( or maybe i was just lazy and distracted----but here goes)

We wrapped up the 1st week of tech with getting through the entire show , and blocking the bows. It took all week, but I think we were all glad to reach the end. AND, we did so well that Jerry let us out at 6pm instead of goin all the way to 1030. Thank you captain.....thank you!!!! So, of course chaos ensued.

Unfortunately, I cant go into the details of the late night adventures (young impressionable ears /eyes are present) around the metropolis of PROVIDENCE. But, I know that some ventured to CHEESECAKE FACTORY, some saw HOUSE BUNNY, and there was a GUYS NIGHT OUT to the infamous CITY GRILL. And maybe i had a fabulous steak that was preposterously expensive.......but we were then joined by Larry & Nell, as well as the ever bubbly James Sampliner ( i think he would hate that i called him bubbly but i thought it funny). And now, we are the infamous CAST that gallivants around town. Forget the college kids ( of which we cant decipher between them and the homeless vagabonds) because the Musical Theatre Kids are raising all out mayhem. This is all happening when we aren't simply playing WII or GUITAR HERO. Its the simple things in life.....

OH----for you reality kids--- you should know that Rhiannon got injured over the weekend. She was running off stage and ran into one of the SMs( stage managers) holding a clipboard and it gouged a chunk out of her finger. So, now she has a bright bedazzled finger tube. It is quite nice, plus she made one for Tally's cheese hand. Not very manly but beautifully ornate. Maybe we should start selling a line of them in the lobby........always looking for a hook and away to make a buck in this horrible economy. Speaking of, Mark Bruni had a great T-Shirt on yesterday that was grey with the word CHIP in pink on his shoulder. Apparently this was a gift from Laura Bell. And I say it was genius.

So week two has shown a bit of a snails pace. It consists of stumbling/lurching through an act a day, and then running the act again in the night. Also, Jeff was not feeling well Tuesday morning ( I think because Leslie and I made him laugh too hard the night before). So, as he was getting ultrasounded in the hospital I played Warner for the 1st act. And for your info out there, our first understudy rehearsal isnt happening until the thursday after we open. So, blindly thrown into the act was a bit numbing. But, it went really well......and I think i may have caused myself to age 3 years in a few hours because of it. But, Jeff is back and better than ever, and tomorrow marks our full run with all the works. THANK THE LORDS OF PINK!

There have also been some interviews for local papers, and other changes that people will have to see when they see the show (sorry I will not be giving spoilers on this blog). SO, google the boards or the show in Providence to hear some interviews with Becky, Rhiannon, and Lauren.

Til then kiddies...........(pictures soon cause i left my camera back at the theatre)

In memoriam of Sept 11 on DAY 3

So in lieu of todays blog, in respect to the WTC tragedy, I will add a quote from 

Gandhi-----"Love your enemies. Bless those who curse you."

Joan Baez---"Thats all nonviolence is--organized love"

Bible---"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you"

MLK---"Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal              violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him."

This message is universal and one that everyone should/could adopt. Whether its the Crusades, the WTC tragedy, the invasion of Iraq, extremists in Sudan, the conflict in Israel, or beating up a kid on the playground..........CANT WE ALL JUST GET ALONG! (thank you Rodney King)