Gems From a Bona Fide (Awesomely Well Deserved) Diva

I heard many stories of Francesca before she arrived. Especially coming from musical theatre, I was really excited and slightly worried of some opera diva-ness. But she's really chill and just right (and I love the scarves. Werk!). She doesn't sugarcoat and has great things to say. Plus she's keeping making me laugh. Here are some of my favorite Francesca gems. "You're an actor. Fix it." "It's like a symphony of Uggs." "It's an active song. Not a flaccid song." "Let me tell you how I feel about blackouts-I have never used blackouts in my entire career!" I'm sure more gems will occur (and have occurred when I was hopping up and down in a different room). I'm just glad I get to hear as many as I do. And I think I might rock one of my grandmother's scarves tom ala Zambello. Perhaps the leopard print one?

My Tribe And Caitlin's Christmas Shiner

I have been really lucky to be where I am right now. HGO was wonderful about giving me time off, and then all the wonderful folks involved with both Showboat and the company made coming back to week amazing. My fellow swing got my back, and worked up the most amazing condolence card from cast. And there are some heavy hitting names with wonderful personal messages on that card. Lots of hugs and good thoughts. (Though Morris wins the hug contest. He's our Joe and you can't beat a hug big black manwith a delightfully low voice and a heart bigger than his body) (Though all the hugs were amazing, and I appreciated every one of them) I got thoughts from lots of folks from previous jobs. As Patrick used to say in his philosophical moments at Westchester theatre folk are a tribe. It was beyond lovely to feel supported by my tribe when I needed it. On another note, I got my first experience swinging in yesterday. A whoopsies in a lift left poor Caitlin with a Christmas shiner. I got one time to rough it through, a few notes from the marvelous, talented, and supersweet Michele Lynch, and it was off to show it to Francesca (who is a quite a character in a marvelous way. More about her later). Francesca hadn't seen the number yet. It's a new one that wasn't done in Chicago, so there was a lot riding on us. Smile and Charleston! It went well and it felt great to get in there and dance. It also felt good to roll my hamstrings out after some surprise face kicking. Happy baking everyone and stay away from the mall if you can! Kisses!

To My Grammy

It's been a rough week for me. Monday morning, my folks got a call at three in the morning. My Grammy, who has been in and out of the hospital for the last six years, was dying. Ensue mad rush, long hours in the hospital, and an early morning Catholic blessing. Soon enough,I was back home to rush thru the shower and get to the second half of work. Thankfully Tues was just a short evening rehearsal, so I was able to sleep in and work on music for the funeral mass. At first I was averse to the idea of singing at the funeral, but I soon realized it wasn't something for me. It was something I could do for her and my family. It was tough, but I'm glad I did it.The funeral was yesterday. I wore a pair of her old evening shoes from the fifties. Green satin covered in fishnets with a rhinestones where the fishnet meets. There was an arctic front so my mom wore her mink coat. I'm sure Grammy was smiling down on us. There was plenty of desert, lots of people, and lots of cute shoes. All things that mattered to her. After we buried her, we toasted to her with a bottle of 16 year old Bushmills I had picked up. It was a good way to say goodbye to a life well lived with lots of love. Slainte. To microwaves. To high heels. To cookies in your purse. To a woman with more character and love than anyone I know. To my Grammy.

Beginning at the Opera!

I've been remiss in writing. Folsom was an experience. There were lots of ups and downs, and now onto Showboat! Just finished day two of Showboat rehearsal. The staff is all super sweet, the dancers and singers are great, and I really love the choreographer Michele Lynch. Her choreo just feels really good in my body (plus it's super cute. Life upon the supercute stage). She's really chill and I love the way she works. The biggest challenge has been the building. Putting together my swing notebook of death is so much easier!For all of us new to HGO, navigating their studios in their Wortham is a little challenging at first. There are chorus girls plans to investigate the tunnels. I shall write soon my own Phantom of the Opera! Or Phantom of the Opry. Knowing my life.....

My First In-N-Out Or An Ode To Whataburger (For Kerry)

So today was tech day one. As is true with most techs, you want to eat your feelings afterwards. Which we did Cali style with an In-N-Out visit. As an In-N-Out newbie, I was curious as to what all the fuss was about. It was pretty good, but I'd still prefer some late night Whataburger (no hyphens needed). Onion rings and Texas pride y'all! Plus it's open all night. Some vintage Whataburger Christmas love. This whole post is dedicated to my lovely gal Kerry, the biggest Whataburger lover I know. :-*

Christmas ABAD Style

When I'm out on a job, I have a harder time writing here. I have to be more politic, plus I don't have crazy NY audition happenings to report. But every once in a while something goofy happens that is totally worth writing about. Yesterday I was spending my day off at a nearby shopping center, rummaging for deals at Marshall's and giggling at the little old ladies in Stein Mart, I heard a blast from the past. As a kid, I never hardcore Nutcrackered. We did a little short one every other year that went to nursing homes. I always preferred what we did on the off years-cheesy Santa suits, guantlets, heels, and bad big band covers of Christmas songs. My favorite year was Gloria Estefan cover of "Let It Snow." Perfect cheesy music and some classic Barbie flex hands via Amy Blake. It should have been obvious at that point I would end up in theatre. I resisted the urge to tip through Marshall's, bought another French Connection top (I look like an Apache escapee on a regular basis due to this addiction), and smiled all the way home. Good day off and great memories! We took most these in August by the highway. We got some awesome looks! (And check out my vintage Marilyn Monroe pose. And the awkward candid!)

A History Of Taco Sunday

Down at Broward, we had some awesome cast housing hangouts. One of my favs was taco Sunday. Reasons why: 1. Regan's face as he mixed a giant bowl of gauc by hand (It's more fun that way). 2. Margarita in a bowl. My solution to not having a pitcher brought about instant classiness. 3. The random sombrero in cast housing. 4. General awesomeness. Diana had brought taco Sunday with her from another cast, so this week, I paid it forward in Folsom. Taco Sunday was a success even without the sombrero. Plus the hot tub helps!

Because You're Mine I Drink Some Wine

(Please sing the title of this entry to the tune of "Walk the Line") Two days of rehearsal down and out in California. Plus adventures in what street tappers look like clogging. I'm in the ensemble and covering June Carter, so the days and the brain are full. The work is fun, the digs are great, and the company is fabulous. The California weather has been particularly enjoyable after switching between NJ and TX. Wool coats and scarves or t shirts and flip flops? Here it's a comfortable in between. Now I'm heading back to my lovely glass of pinot, some amazing Irish cheddar (we have best cows and therefore the best cheese), and ratatouille with the ladies!

Jersey Pride

Sometimes you have revelations at the oddest moments. I had one this morning. Watching the post election blow up on Facebook, I was witnessing all extremes (and several amusing statements about a Dorito shortage in CO). I'm not a fan of politics. I'm private about who and what I vote for. I don't want to discuss (which almost always means yell my viewpoint in your face while wildly gesturing and reminding myself that my opinion is both better and smarter). In fact, I sometimes adopt my cousin in law's strategy of leaving a room. Though I have yet to take a walk to avoid the closed eared "debating" from all sides. As I read from the hopeful to the downright angry, I found one aquantiance who had ranted about Obama being no better than Bush in the post hurricane visiting cause he hadn't gone to NY post Sandy. I was surprised to find myself offended because most of the storm damage was in NJ. (Which Obama did visit). I wanted to stand up for Jersey (still didn't care about the politics). So here I am. I am a New Jersey resident. My license plates are a nasty urine colored yellow. My car is covered in sap most of the year due to our "garden" state-ness. We make the best cheap greasy pizza and giant kosher muffins. And we got to be Gotham City instead of New York City this last Batman film (well, for most of it). I really like my adoptive state (but I will still occasionally wear the "Screw you I'm from TX" shirt my dad bought me). I've become a Jersey girl, and I'm proud of it! (Everyone who reads this that's a New Yorker will hang their heads in dismay. :p That's my response!)

Nutz and Boltz

Car shuffling fun- the trek from NJ to TX is a haul. On day two, we hit an adventure in TN. The best type of flat tire the middle of nowhere flat. Luckily there was a gas station in addition to a large green adult Superstore (the only two buildings in sight). Put on the donut, then raced back towards Knoxville. We barely beat the garage's closing time. We entertained the mechanics with my Jersey plates, and they fifted me the culprit. It wasn't a nail- it was a big industrial bolt. Which is nuts.

We're crashing tonite at a naval air base in MS. The scotch I brought along in myflask is helping the flat tire fun leave our bodies. Tom we get up early and hit Houston!

Vegan Muffins and a Telethon?

Sandy left a mess behind her. The repair and clean up crews have done an amazing amount of work in very little time, but there is still so much left to do. I have friends both in and out of the city still without power. Yet New York City soldiers on. All of the workaholics seem to congregate here. Hence storm damage is no obstacle. Instead, I'll walk two hours to where I need to be. The city is picking itself up by it's bootstraps in the weirdest way possible:by pretending nothing is wrong. I'm used to Hurricanes and their destruction. Tropical Storm Allison taught me long ago that the cat of a hurricane can often mean nothing. Houstonians asses the situation, head back in, and clean it up as best they can. The city kids respond differently. Theywalk miles to go the gym, a coffee shop, or work. Like the whole thing never happened and this is just another subway delay, not a complete shutdown south of 34th St. New York City and it's people don't know how to stand back and wait. They have to take action. Generally vegan muffin and soy fair trade latter action. As I'm often reminded by the wealthy here, money doesn't buy common sense.

I tried to get to work today. NJT is running buses again. Delays are nuts and buses are overcrowded. After a forty minute wait in the cold, I gave up and headed back home. God only knows how long it would have taken me to get home after work. I've been cleaning and packing my apartment up for my subletter. I feel like a rat escaping the Titanic on a lifeboat headed to Sacramento. Blame the Catholic guilt of old for my guilt at leaving when everything is a mess. CASH has been downgraded from a production to a workshop, but it doesn't change my contract in any negative ways. Especially right now, I feel blessed to have somewhere to go and work for a regulated salary. I'm trying to head south tom with my car. Let's see if I can get it back to TX, and then hit a few post storm auditions here before I escape to CA. (This post is my one mopey and honest post about Sandy. I don't believe in wallowing and will be back to cracking jokes next time I post.) Now the important question: who else thought of Jack's telethon stunt on 30 Rock when NBC announced their telethon for Sandy?

Sarah's Choice: A Tale of Hurricane Sandy

She had to have it. Two days of being stuck in the house. The plate of muffins was only half eaten, but they no longer fulfilled her. Nor did the bags of frozen vegetables, the Greek yogurt, or the bizzare varieties of cheeses sitting and waiting in the forbiddingly black fridge. What she wanted was a thin crispy crust of delight. Covered in oozy cheese and just waiting to be folded in half and devoured. Screw the hurricane. Her destiny was pizza. Trying to get thru the shoddy phone lines, she cannot reach Dominos. The internet tells her nothing. Crawling over her room mates half packed suitcase, she gazes out the window. Is the mob up and running the pizza joint across the street? Jumping over the suitcases, she grabs her phone and dails the elusive number on the awning. Once again, the phone fails her. It looks open, but is it? Dare she brave the lack of winds, rain, and cold for just the possibility of the cheesy god across the street? The debate with herself gets intense. Pizza or the promise she made to her fiance to stay inside? Who is really her true love? The panic moves back to the kitchen. The big black doors open and close again. Then to the pantry with a fury. She irritatedly grabs a bag of popcorn and throws it into the microwave. The cheese she will place on it won't replace her cheesey and delicious true love. It is merely a second choice. The true tragedy of the hurricane blinks from across the street. It declares "Pizza." A taunt or a challenge? Or possibly just an expired dream.

Waiting For Godot Sandy Style

Due to the hurrican, I ended up canceling my DC audition plans. All transit is shut down, so no work. Lot of movies, Irish coffee, and muffins (the roommate and I both ent on a pre-hurricane baking binge). Staving off boredom and trying to stay safe and sane. Currently watching "Scoop." Which means bits of "Swan Lake" will be stuck in my head. Hopefully we don't loose power and I can fight it off with something else! My calves just start to hurt when I hear this music. Dance Olympus days of old. When you're an assistant you get to do it over and over and over again. But pretending to be real Trina was half the fun!

She Works Hard For The Money

I have hit the ground running upon returning to NY. I temped for a day, then did 7 straight days of promo work. Which is nuts. So tom will be just for me! Starting with a buddy from Houston grabbing lunch and then hitting a bakery, and a later jaunt with my the ladies from Broward. Yes. We are going to Panera. While doing my legwork tonight, I treated myself to a fabulous cocoa face mask and a hot toddy. I'm getting closer to being back at work in the best way possible. Things are looking up! I tapped to this as a kid. We didn't get the variety of occupations (why is one a lion tamer?) But we rocked a similar hip wiggle with our trays. Sassy little ladies!

Fingers Crossed And Feet Bare

I'm going to jump the gun. I haven't ironed out details and contracts, but today work was so lousey I have to pretend like it's all a go. And eat cookies (though eating cookies isn't as a very unusual occurence. I listened to Cookie Monster's wisdom as a child and have heeded it as an adult.) This way my mantra of "18 days" was not a lie. Fingers crossed that it was reality (and that I will manage to stop singing "You're never fully dressed without your pants.") Here is a link to Emotion Dance Ensemble's website. Check it out. http://emotiondanceensemble.com/cash/ Or you could eat cookies. Either will help improve my day. This is an old promo video for the project I'll be working on. Starting the country music before I hit Texas. Back to barefoot concert work and no granny boots at all. Maybe I can sneak them in. Or wear my kicker boots!q

19 With Plenty Of Bengay

So in between my rock and my hard place, I have found myself working promo an insane number of days this week. Auditions are slow/for shows I am unavailable for, so I have taken lot of sickees shifts. Take the work when I can get it. Making the perpetual Bengay feet better was a message on my answering machine. I'm off hold for "Cash." Contracts and details still have to be worked out, butI have high (and hopefully realistic) hopes. Thank heaven. (For little girls. I can't help it. That phrase always becomes a "Gigi" moment.) So now I can work as much as possible with a very clear end in site. I just need to figure out getting my car back to Houston for "Showboat."19 days til I'm back to working my favorite way!

(I'm skipping my original comment about vanishing scent Bengay being no fun. Much funnier spellcheck doesn't believe in Bengay and keeps adjusting it to Be gay.)

Epiphanies in Space: David Bowie Optional

Being back in New York after my trip to Chicago has been a series of strange epihpanies. I've been in and out of New York for about a year and a half now. At first I felt ashamed of being another actor in New York City. I told people who asked that I was a grad student, like my lovely room mate. I was ashamed. And I shouldn't have been. In Chicago, I caught a preview of a new stage adaption of "Trainspotting" that one of my old college friends had worked on. He did a beautiful job as the assistant director. It was masterfully done. From the staging, to the actors, and the design elements. Even the script was better than many plays you run across in NY. In it's own way, it was even oddly Hipster commercial. But the entire company (except the director) was nonunion. Which means the pay scale was lousy. Which is absurd. There was a skill set and some hardcore balls (literally in quite a few cases) being shared and unearthed with the small but appreciative audience.

(The cast of "Trainspotting: USA") Today, after temping at the New York Historical Society and answering a number of questions about my profession to my very sweet and energetic superior, I went to see Jersey Boys. I'm promo-ing it in Times Square for the next few weeks. The producers are picky about their baby, and they should be. It's pretty decent for a big Broadway jukebox show. But it's just as decent as the dedicated cast and crew in Chicago giving their all to "Trainspotting: USA." Only the talents are more valued and paid for in NY. Which brings me back around to my New York epiphany. Here, my skill sets our valued. I can and will make a living. It won't always be the best. I'll be a gypsy on a regular basis. But I will be in a community that values and supports what I do. That pays me for what I do. Which is awesome. And now I step off my soap box preaching. Some silliness to take away from my soapbox.

New York State Of Mind

I stuck out like a sore thumb yesterday. My look, style, and energy didn't blend in at all with the tall slender concert dance locals. So I expected the cut. I was happy with how I danced. What else can you do? I got to see some lovely friends from college days and take a slight break from NY. It did make me grateful that I moved to NY instead of Chicago. I'm not the only variation on me in a room in NY. Which means I can compete for jobs cause they fill full choruses with mes! Even walking up and down the street, I fit in more in NY. These midwesterners are so friendly and working class. Where is snotty and weird? :-) Back to my east coast home I go!

Put On Hold?

So I just got an offer from Sacremento. I sh. They are having problems with their housing situation and want to put me "on hold." I'm going to ask some more questions, get the details, and make the decision. I'll prob say yes, just because I can always still turn them down if they want me and it doesn't work that last minute for me. No contracts. Just an email. Though the latest devolpment with the "Rebecca" debacle makes me vervous. Read about it here! http://www.playbill.com/news/article/171133-Arrest-Made-in-Scheme-That-Hobbled-Rebecca-Musical So people are scummy. And I am always nervous. Also got any email from a web series to come in for an audition. They were looking for someone Kat Denning I sh. Of course they wanted to see me. Hahaha. Well, I'm off to Lyric Opera to put on my granny boots and dance my big old butt off. Hopefully it results in a job. Not in being put on hold.

I Like Sacramento in Nov

So yesterday I went for a dance show based off Johnny Cash's life. Somewhere in between concert dance and a musical. I think. Details weren't real specific on the posting but I gleaned what I could from the company's website. Turnout was tiny. They said they were hiring two girls. I was in the final five. Apparently there is some singing, so the last thing they did was sing us all. The notice had said country, but my country song is from college and rusty as hell. One of my belty songs sounds like a salooon, and belting is country, so I went for it. The music director like it and gave e a fierce as he handed my music back. Hurrah for Ethel and Liza belting for gay men! All five of us were drastically different, so it will just depend on who best fills their gaps. General consensus of the tail enders- Sacramento sounds much better than New York in Nov! I agree. Made it to Chicago early this morning for some r and r with old friends and Oklahoma auditions. I've got my card and my granny boots and I'm ready to go!

My baby brother playing rugby 7s for Texas A and M this weekend. He's the dirty blonde one. He gets a picture because he actually read something I posted. I think. And it's a funny picture. Love you boo bear! :*

Sometimes It Takes You By Suprise

Back on the hustle, and I got a big surprise today. I hit up two ECCs, and they surprised me. First was Tuck Everlasting. Totally working a quirky contemporary dream ballet. But they didn't have their own music yet, so it was to "Out of My Dreams" and right up my alley. I felt really good about it. They aren't calling anyone back until Nov. Onto Millie ot at Papermill. I did all right but I wasn't happy with it. I got cut. At least it was quick. Lord knows there are five million gorgeous showgirl tappers in New York. I always look like a small spunky mutt amongst the greyhounds. Oh well. Back to my granny boots and high kicks.I've got an interview tonite with a call center, a dance audition tom for a project in Sacremento, then I'm off to Chicago for an audition with the Lyric Opera and some r and r with an old college roomie. I spent my college career singing "O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A." Maybe I can finally get paid to sing it. (Let it be noted that this show involves boots, can can dancers, and petticoats. Which seems to be all of the shows that I book.) Fingers crossed and ever optimistic! We floozies enter about ten minutes in. This is a recreation of the DeMille choreo (like the lyric will be doing) but hopefully they will replace those hooves with boots! (And me)

Instead of Sheep

So with the end of the show, I'm back at the grind. I thought I would get a good chunk of promo work with my return, but instead got scheduled for five hours a week. Which don't pay for nothin'! So sending out more job apps, talking to temp agencies. Those fun things. I probably should refrain from saying I'm employed in another city in less than two months, but businesses around here know the score. If they don't already have a high turnover rate, they don't want to add actors to the mix. I don't blame them. Amongst the search for the next job and the panicky ramen noodle eating, I find the body clock switch to be hard. You're used to slow mornings, perhaps a matinee, and then no holds barred evening show, which is way different than most schedules. Getting up for a job at 7 or having to be on a set at 630 feels like living hell. (Mild exaggeration unless there is no coffee at crafty. In which case it is hell). Working from home, I find I work the best from 8 to 12. PM. Which does not help sleeping schedules even if it got things done. Fingers crossed for the future and taking it one day at a time. When I start to panic about the little things, I just have to remind myself of how lucky I truly am. I booked four shows in my first year in New York and managed to make money teaching and dancing at parties in between shows. I have an awesome beginning at becoming part of the "tribe" of performers, techies, and other theatre folk, and I have an amazingly supportive family (who also happens to be going in a nutsier direction. (I look nuts next to my engineer and accountant relatives but not next to pastry school, the oboist, and my baby brother who wants to be a stormchaser. Flying into hurricanes or playing lets pretend and sing and dance for a living? Equally crazy.)Count those blessings as only Rosemary can!

To My Can Canners

Another one bites the dust. I closed Can Can today. I can honestly say it was the most enjoyable cast and crew I have worked with so far. As one of my fellow Can Canners declared "I feel like my next cast will suck because this one was so amazing." (slight paraphrasing) We did one last matinee kicking and belting for Jesus and then went on to one of the cast member's gorgeous apartments in the Upper West Side for a little unwinding and some partying. Jazz, booze, food, and an all around good time. Sending all my love to the crew at Westchester. They were starting the changeover for Fiddler before we even left the building. They work so hard and are so amazing. Kisses to get you through this sleepless week. And kisses to everyone involved with Can Can. It' not goodbye, it's au revoir! (And that was a hokey line said with sincerity, love, and a French accent that keeps sounding rather Bavarian.)

Hugs and Kisses!!!!! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Bits and Pieces

I've been doing a little editing on the blog. Working on it keeping it up to date and matching my career. Which means granny boots! Cool news: local hire for Cpt Andy for Showboat is none other than Tommy Tune. Which will be fierce. He will dwarf me so badly. I've been hitting up auditions on my day off. Evita'd it yesterday. "What's new Buenos Aires? I am very sweaty." Then went to Prather today. Dragging my butt out of bed was not fun, but I've got to work my audition skills back up. Hopefully, I can book some work for the spring before I leave for my winter contract. Fingers crossed. Prather own a few non union theatres. The always call me back and then don't hire me. Pay isn't great but one of them is in Florida. And as anyone who knows me can attest, I like jobs in vacation destinations. I have an early morning tom dancing for them before my last Wed matinee of Can Can. I'm sad to be so close to the end of what has been a fabulous experience. It is an amazingly talented, kind, and funny cast working out some Cole Porter sparkles. From the swing to the leading lady, everyone has been a joy to work with. Hopefully, I will work with them all again! Here are some backstage photos taken by one of the incredibly talented Can Canners. They are disgustingly good! As I told him "You made me look pretty in pin curls! I didn't know that was possible." Bjorn is too sweet and too talented. And he's my carpool/train buddy!

Mao's Last Dancer and My Own Attempted Trina Start

As much as we might poke fun at the Trinas of world, most of us mt ladies have wanted to be a Trina at one point in our lives. I was so lucky to grow up under an extraordinary ballet regime where something was really happening. I finally saw "Mao's Last Dancer" today. Based off Li Cunxin's biography of the same name, it reminded me of how amazingly lucky I have been. The movie making is ok, but the story it portrays is worth so much more. Li's story is as equally epic as "The King's Speech," and could have been an amazing film. Even without it being amazing, the story is still well worthwhile. It pulls at your heart strings even with some bad Texas dialects.

I watched Li dance as a little girl. He and Janie Parker were on (and still are) on the walls of the bedroom I grew up in. (As are Lauren Anderson and Carlos Acosta). As much as my little tapping tot feet remembered seeing "42nd Street" (and "Tommy" of all things), I have vivid memories of Lauren in her absurdly hot pink Aurora tutu. While the history books may put Li, Carlos, and Lauren up as breaking race boundaries in ballet, what the really were and still are is extraordinary performers. (Lauren is built like me, which makes her hefty in the world of ballet. Overcoming her build is way more extraordinary than overcoming the color of her skin. She is fierce!)All technique aside, they were all something beyond technique. The artistry that Ben Stevenson assembled for what was an unknown ballet company was amazing. So much adversity to overcome and so much passion for dance. Just like the city it was in, Houston Ballet was a diverse mix. Stevenson's choreo was never about technical wizardry, it was about passion and heart. He found the dancers that could kill it and didn't give a damn about their ethnicity, their homeland, or their build. It was about the art and the heart of the dance. The place where little girls made dreams about pink tutus. Myself included. This video isn't great, but he's killing it. If I had not been myopic from a young age, I could have looked at him and Lauren from across my room as I went to sleep. As it was, I looked at the fuzzy something that might have been them before going to bed!

Catch Up!

As do many good intentions, my good intentions to write about last Tues the next day came to nothing. So after another week of high kicks, here it is! I started off at a footloose call. They were trying to reinvent the wheel that is Footloose. "No 80's here! Just sexy teen rebels." And thrash choreo. I got cut and had whiplash soreness in my body really bad the next few days. Who needs a car crash when you get that feeling through a good thrash. Back to the Addams Family I went next. Once more, I was in the last bit only to be cut at the last minute. Oh well. They wanted a screecher. And I haven't done that in a long time. I killed my song and got the producers bopping along. Last time they looked at me like I was a crazy person with my Kander and Ebb. What else can you do? Do your best and let it go. I keep pushing my belt up, but I'm still not a true high belter. Mezzos don't work as much young! Which is stupid. Oh well. Fiona and I are just going keep jamming no matter what the world says. Hurrah for low voices and young ladies!

NJT Train Tails

It was a wet and blustery day. You know, one of those fall days that makes you long for sunshine or just an excuse to stay home. For young Gus, the opposite was true. The wind was blowing the rain into his little but normally cozy home. And there was nothing that Gus hated more than wet feet (After all, he did have four of them!). So he set out in search of a warmer and dryer spot. Skipping along through the puddles (Gus was a very optimistic little fellow), he stumbled (literally) upon a train yard. Low and behold, the rear car of one of the trains had an open door. He could see the warm dry seat by the door, so he snuggled up in it for a nice nap. Soon the train began to chug slowly along as Gus snored his heart out in the warm heat of the "Quiet" car. Other soggy passengers began to board the train, heading to work in the big city. Suddenly the scent of one of their breakfasts reached Gus' drowsing nose. That croissant had some mean smelling chedder cheese on it. He made a jump for it. His seat mate squeaked as she saw him. "There's a mouse!" Never have I seen so many loafers and pumps lift off the ground so quickly. Thank you Gus for an amusing commute this morning. And for not going after my cranberry muffin. (Audition stories will come tom. This was too good to lump or leave!)

Another Week In Paris

It's been a good week! My parents came to visit. We had a nice relaxed visit and they saw Can Can five times. Either they really like me or they are just a little crazy. Probably a little of both! We had a cast member out on Sunday in the worst of unplanned ways. His father had died and he was leaving for the funeral. Not only was the cast great about filling in Peter's shoes, they were also great about supporting him and giving him hugs while he was still with us. It's so lovely to be a part of cast that is not only super talented but it is also full of so much heart and humanity. Plus they're all pretty damn funny. Which is awesome.

My good intentions for auditioning today were overtaken by a need for sleep, so it will be adventures in laundry today and multiple auditions tom. I'm refreshed and ready to go. Plus I will have lots of clean underwear!

A Typical Tuesday

Headed out to a Music Man call today. Wrote the wrong Pearl Studios down and ran into the director and choreographer duo from Can Can. Some hellos and how are yous, and then across the street I went. This theatre wanted jr. high young on their teens. They cut cast sizes down at this theatre and get really exact on what they want. I was happy with how I danced and they cut me. Oh well. I will find other ways to work in Florida again! My past record was about one in fifty on booking auditions. Have to get through those next forty or so auditions before I find my next one. Hopefully I can keep working on bringing that number down! Doing some cleaning this evening after grocery shopping. Planning those lunches for those long two show days out in Westchester. Plus my rents are coming for a visit and to come see Can Can. Now to bleach to bathtub! (While I watch the Big Lebowski in the background. I'm a classy broad!)

Tom it's back to Westchester and fun times in Paris. May we have many buses awaiting our arrival!

7 Buses Full of Blue Hair

At Broward we would count the buses full of seniors with great anticipation. A three bus matinee meant a good time. At Westchester, the senior buses are taken to a whole new level. Today there were 7 buses full of seniors. They were a decent audience, but I missed the crew of sassy black ladies from last Sunday. To them, "Every Man Is A Stupid Man" was a show stopper. Not so much with today"s crowd!

Fatty Muffins, Tokyo, and Sarcastic Captions

On my way into the city this morning, I stopped by neighborhood bakery for a muffin and coffee. I have a slight addiction to their cranberry muffins. When they Starbucks and Dunkin gift cards run out (as they have), I go back to bribing myself with muffins. Today, I got asked a bizzare question. Did I want a low fat muffin? Apparently the look of disgust and confusion was so evident on my face, that she laughed and grabbed me a full fat muffin. Which is how muffins should be! Went in for Tokyo Disney today. Sang well. Got a very polite thank you. No biggie. There are always other fish in the sea! Plus I got free entertainment walking home in the form of a skinny young man with big, silver headphones who decided to slide down the train station railings like Mary Poppins on a Bannister. He had no idea of how entertained I was! Here are some of the Can Can promo shots. I just can't refrain fom sarcastic captioning (even though I know I should). Staged productions photos are always bizzare!

"Gorgeous girls of Can Can" It totally looks like we were drinking on the clock and Pistache found out. Whoops! And the kicks and the feathers. Cause there are certain thingas you just have to do in Can Can!

Into September We Go!

With a new month, comes a new phase. We ended up the month with our official opening night. It's been a little crazy, but we have a show! Putting up a show in nine days was difficult for me. I don't pick up on movement as quickly as I want to and my dyslexia gives me trouble. Jonathan Stahl the associate choreographer worked with us for most of the rehearsal period and was so sweet about my special ed moments. I just wish there had been more time to the process so I could have baked him cookies in thanks. The whole cast and crew are beyond great. The amount of heart and glitter thrown into this fluffy little show make all the difference. Here's to the next month of days and nights out in Westchester.

Wacky Dust On A Monday Morning

In and out! It was amazing to get seen with the Equity chicas today. For a street tapper, I got through 42nd Street well enough. I only left some of my brains in my granny boots. I was cut and OK with it. Then on to Guys and Dolls. Which was insanely fast. Hot box girls on wacky dust. Also cut and OK with it. I got out there, put some mileage on my brand new little card, and got home in time to chill out some before heading out Westchester for rehearsal. Nap and a shower are the next things on my list!

Voila!

Cole Porter writes stupidly catchy songs. Even ones that are not his best keep hopping thru my brain. We're halfway through our stretch. We have a short day and a late start tom. I plan on hitting some auditions in the morning and getting some mileage out of my AGMA card. Then it's on to ten out of twelves (grossly long days) and opening! As my favorite button declares "Voila!"

Lunchtime Update

Coming to you live from the bowels of the Westchester Broadway Theatre! It's day 2 of rehearsal and we have already chunked out a whole lot of material. Which we have to for how quick we go up. Yesterday went well, and the leftover Indian food from palling around with my Pappa made yesterday a very good day. I'm sleeping amazingly well, having a good time, and getting paid. Plus it's time for lunch! Can't complain!

On Lake Time

Life always seems to move faster than it should when it's going well. Dentist visits, eye Dr. Appts, an a hair appt all crammed into 24 hrs. Now my eyes are declared no worse than before, my teeth are clean, and my hair is redder than I meant it to be (which is all right cause it will fade before I'm auditioning again). It was then onto my aunt and uncle's lake house in Crockett, TX. On lake time, it's always five o'clock somewhere and chilling is the plan. No internet to do work with. Just boats and brewskies. It was a fabulous full vege-ing and relaxing time. Visited the g parents and now it's back to Jersey and onto the next job!

Will Travel. Somewhere. Hopefully.

So here I sit, starting my 11th hour at Newark airport. Travel plans to escape have not gone well. The boss wouldn't let me leave early on Fri, then didn't pay me. Rain caused all sorts of delays and cancelations. It made it impossible to get out Fri night and Sat was impossible. So I got my poor little non revenue standby butt up before the sun and have been trying all day to get somewhere else. A diverted flight, mechanical delays, and overbookings have meant that my chances are small, but I got to get out of here! Anywhere but the tiny flourscent lit terminal in the most depressing part of Newark. Things that have kept me sane so far: 1. The early morning Air Canada crew. The pilots were one really young and one really old South Park-esque Canadians full of goofy prononuncitations getting their coffee. Then the booking crew on the ground was a Jamacian man and a hispanic woman. At 6 in the blesses AM, that's high comedy. 2. The Denverite standby who has been here long than me. Her hair is french braided into pigtails, she's carrying a backpacking backpack, not wearing any makeup, and wearing hiking shoes. While this makes sense for Denver, what on earth was she doing here? 3. A grown man eating sourpatch like a small child or a dog. 4. The Aumish family that couldn't figure out their gate. (Hint: It's one of three) 5. Derranged yuppies and soccer mom's who think their travel plans are the most important thing in the world. The yuppie in plaid pants and a turquoise polo ties the crazy soccer mom with over plucked eyebrows, pink capris, ugly sandals with bows, and a crazy look under those super high arched brows. All in all, I'm just trying to keep my sanity and my hope. I will get somewhere. Over the rainbow!

Woof For Marvin: Nobody Does It Better

I got a text message today from a college coffee buddy that confused me. "I am reeling right now. I did not expect to be this upset about Mrvin's passing...Woof." It took me a few minutes to figure out. Marvin Hamlisch died today. Quintin is a huge Chorus Line lover, so naturally he got a little upset. But there is no need to be upset for Marvin. He lived a rich full life and is now tickling the ivories elsewhere. In his honor, let's all make one hell of a wake. Get out your whiskey and sing along for Marvin. Woof indeed, my dear Quintin. Woof!

Evita And My Cobbler

Took the kids to see Evita yesterday. The production was slick and opinion less which doesn't work. Weber and Rice gave enough one note writing that n entirely one note production of it. Hal Prince's staging def has an opinion of Perron. And it's not a good one. Instead dingy, dirty, backstabbing politics, this was a sleek sexy Evita. Which was boring and pointless. Plus Eva had vocal issues and some hardcore one note acting. Ricky was also miscast but given the right project, he could actually be a decent pop to Broadway transplant.

But now onto my true favorite topic: shoes. Took a visit to the cobbler during my break at work. No matter where I go, cobblers seem to all be little old men. Quite often, ethnic little old men. My cobbler in South Orange isn't super cheap, but he does beautiful work. Plus I love that he asks me in heavily accented English if I dance in the Broadway. He does shoes for the Metropolitan Opera. Hopefully, someday he will be doing work on shoes for me when someone else is paying. But for now, he's putting zips in my boots and bracing and rubberizing my silver shoes. Once I pick up a pair of taps, I will,l send him my black shoes. After all, cobblers are a dancer's best friend!

Fridge Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Landlord

So the fridge wars continue. After a fun post work jaunt to the New Jersey MVC, I bid adeiu to my Tejas plates. Then the landlord called. My fridge has been out of commission for way too long. My life has been crazy. Plus southern women don't like having to ask. Or get tough. Don't get me wrong, I really do like my landlord. He's a sweet I and doesn't say anything if we whoopsie and send our checks a little late. But I want a working fridge! Luckily I have collateral. The new lease against the fridge. If he comes to look at one, he gets the other. It is not going in the mail. Hopefully that's good incentive for him to get over here at last! On a happier note, peaches are in season and sooooo good. Go enjoy one. Or two. Or three. Like me!

Old People Feet

Sometimes as a dancer or an actor, one puts heavy demands on your body. I'm used to stiffness, soreness, and odd swelling. But promo work puts a whole new level of swelling on my feet. Work currently has only one pair of size 7 character heels that have seen better days. After two days of long shifts in the rain and beating sunshine, my feet have also seen better days. I've been wrapping my feet to try and reduce the swelling. Last night I slept with my feet elevated. I am loathe to ice bathe them like dance marathoners in days of old. It just sounds like more pain until you get the numb. Today I broke down and used the Fosse method: Bengay. It's a warm up and pain relief in one. Plus you smell fabulous. Like mentholated old person. Bengay and some pinot noir. I unwind like a champion!

I Keep Breaking Things

It's always when you don't have a lot of time that things start to jenk up. The fridge saga still continues. My phone died, so I have been out of communicate with the landlord. New phone in hand, I called him ready to be as much of a steel magnolia as I can (I'm too southern for hardassery amongst the Yankees who are so good at it) only to leave a voicemail. High points for today-I scored a super cute teal pair of polo boat shoes for hardly anything while waiting for my phone's death sentence. Like this but all teal. No yellow on my feet!

It's been a roughish week. I'm still working pretty long hours this weekend and I feel myself being rundown. It's not just lack of sleep, it's lack of play. I need a good zoo trip. I have a day off in a week, and then soon after, I have a whole week of family fun at my aunt and uncle's lake house. (Plus a dentist appt which is better forgotten) There is a light at the end of tunnel. And a cut new pair of shoes to wear on that boat!And if you could, say a few hail Marys for my electronics. They all seem to be dying!

Shows and Silver Shoes!

Took the kids to see Ghost today. There is a very good reasoning it is closing soon. It's lousey. Most of the problems with it are the creative team's, not the casts. There will be some talented kids back in the audition game soon. Like Spiderman, the problem with bringing in pop songwriters, and mtvers is they don't know how to bring the music and dance out of the plot. They just feel it is time for a song and it ought to include a dance. Which creates a bad stereotype of musical theatre. In this case, it was also made worse by a sreenplay writer pretty much putting movie dialogue on stage. Which doesn't work. What works on film with closeups and the ability to capture the eyes, doesn't work on a big stage. Even with lots of projectors and shiny lights. But enough about Ghost. Onto the important things!

Capezio has cut down on their output of theatrical shoes with Laduca picking up some much of their business. I scored a blackpair and silver pair on eBay. At least one pair needs to become tap so I can throw out my jenky heel less Manhattans. Do they both become taps?Or do I leave one pair as regular heels? My current heel count is 1. black granny boots 2. tan capezios 3. squishy black laducas 4. a pair of the good old bloch splitflexs in black with a strap in need of repair. What to do. What to do!

DIY Spa Evening Corkey Style!

I worked a long weekend.There were some new weird pressures at work, I worked a long split shift, and Sunday was be an a-hole in Times Square day. Another first day of new kids at camp, and I was dragging. I did a little tap therapy during my break. My keeping the eight is really rusty. Put that down on my list of things to work. Anyways, I decided I needed some home spa fun. In college, I tried one of June Havoc's dance marathon remedies. While I have yet to try the ice bathnumbing, I have done the olive oil. It stops the Okie dries without peeling all of my calluses off. Thru the danger of stumble upon, I have seen a variety of bizzare DIY beauty treatments that involve honey. Apparantly it's a natural anti inflammatory. I mixed honey and love oil together, zapped it, and slatheted all over my tired, slightly sunburnt body. Washed it off after about half an hour. I feel better. The Italian kitchen scent washes off quickly. I don't know if it actually did anything. It was me time with a cup of licorice tea, some almond coconut chocolate cookies (Peperidge's Farms ate good but I will have to make my own when the fridge is fully fixed), and MASH reruns. I feel better all ready. And it was def within my budget!

A Busy Maiden Typical of France!

Another busy week. Took my dad to see Porgy Tues night. Once again, I cried, laughed, and had a grand old time. Much grander than I had with kids the next day at Nice Work. Which was not so nice. It was an odd cobbling of old Gershwin tunes arranged around a cast of names with minimal thought or care. Broderick is not a Gershwin leading man, and I am very tired of his Ferris Buehler game. Especially when you can see the receding hairline from way up! Plus, he doesn't dance. Kathleen Marshall worked around him, but Erin Dilly (who was in during Kellie O'Hara's working vacay)showed him up.She's fierce and it is good to see her working! Overall, I had been expecting a show as thought out and beautifully cast as herh Anything Goes was last year. Or even as brilliant as Ken Ludwig's new Gershwin musicals with Randy Skinner and Kathleen Marsall. Lots of awesome dance numbers! Instead it was a quick cobble together of names and Gershwin tunes. Which sells well to a largely geriatric audience. I'm sure my rain fidgety kids didn't help my criticalness. Nor did the child with some severe stanky foot smell. Erin Dilly years ago at the Alley Theatre. She werks!

The kids showcase went up yesterday. After a long day of runs, they did a good job. I came home to tax forms, contracts, and my Can Can script. Which perked me back up. First number of the show is the can can girls defending themseleves in court. "We are maidens typical of France." Which is awesome. I stayed up way too late working on it. So I'm hitting the hay early tonite. I have to sleep some before I go promo all day. Two short shifts with a break in between. Ruby slippers in the morning. Red tights in the evening. And money to pay the bills!

Muppet News Flash

As has been my trend, I have been absurdly busy. Saw Peter and the Starcatcher with the kids. It was phenomenal. And there was tons of word play. Malaprops? I'm totally there. There were a couple of them where the awkward only a few people got it chuckles ensued. Add pirates, tranny mermaids, and a greasepaint stache and I am so there!

Saw End of the Rainbow for promo work. Was less impressed. It will be a great regional theatre show for tiny houses with geriatric audiences, but it is not a Broadway quality play. Always, Judy Garland. Except for she wasn't as much fun as Patsy Cline. The writing was also uneven. The playwright and director couldn't decide what to make Mickey Dean out to be. And with it being a show about Judy, he ended up being a bizarre mix of things and the catalyst for most of the action. Not quite right. The performances were good. And the costumes included a double breasted, bell bottomed blue velvet pant suit for Mickey. The blue hair and the gays weeped openly at the end of the show. They were more entertaining than the show at times. It should be an interesting promo to work. Judy is a tough sell if you are under 60.

In non theatrical news, my fridge has died. I have called my landlord and left a message. Trying to get up the balls to clean out the really jenky smelling spoiled things. Of course this occurred after I went grocery shopping Thursday, so it's going to cost me. I've put on Cat Ballou, thrown a handkerchief over my hair, and I'm thinking about the cleaning fun. The more I delay, the worse it will get. So I better hop to it! (And my landlord needs to call me back quick!) I just have to remind myself, it can always get crazier!

Clybourne Time!

Clybourne Park was fabulous! I have a shift promo-ing it this weekend. It was amazing. Sharp, witty, horribly relevant, and I laughed and laughed and thought. Which is damn good theatre. And the redheaded guy looked like a friend from college. And even moved like him. Margaritas with coworkers afterwards. Good night indeed! (Irony the underneath my last blog post the ad was for Clybourne. Because it was fated to rock my world!)

Life Is Better With Penguins

So working 7 days a week makes me a bad blogger. I had mixed feelings this week about the stage version of Mary Poppins, celebrated July 4th by being lazy and chilling with the ever fabulous Stahcey, crammed lots of choreo into little heads, got sick, and spent the weekend schlumping about Times Square in Chicago drag. Today I did all of the Manson Trio from Pippin while entertaining myself and handing out promos. Wrong show but who knows. I pull out lines and dances from Sweet Charity on a regular basis. Why not Pippin? My problems with Mary Poppins include 1. No tap dancing penguins 2. No fox hunt 3. They rewrote my role so it was no longer one I would play Sister sufferagettes unite! 4. No I love to laugh which means no flying bankers. Laughter didn't cure everything! 4. Most of the new songs were OK but not as tuneful as the ones they cut out 5. Naked statues coming to life seemed vaguely pervy. Probably because the giant fig leaf over the crotch was very eyecatching 6. The umbrella handle didn't talk 7. There was never a cohesive dance break. Like the script and constantly moving set, the choreo seemed to have ADD. Lay off the pixie dust and give me toe touches over chimneys! Do over the log over your broom. The Newsies down the street will teach you how. 8. Mary didn't wear the white dress with the red corsalet. Which I have lusted after for years. 9. They cut the politically incorrect talking segments of supercal. Come on. Its funny to have a fat lady and a tiny man as a couple. Especially when she hits him over the head with a tambourine!Forgive for my laxness with penguins, Bert, and Mary in my favourite outfit!

Catfish Row Pulling Me Through Friday

Porgy and Bess was quite wonderful. I cried and laughed through almost the entire two and a half hours. The cast is stellar. The voices just soar over what is some of my favorite music of all time. The energy and passion on the stage are worth seeing even without the excellent material. Plus, they are some really hot men with nice deep voices running around in overalls with no shirts. Even with Audra on vocal rest, there is still plenty to see and love in the show. Money better spent than most of what is running on Broadway. (Plus for me it was a little southern time. Hurricanes, drawls, picnics. Made me miss my family!) The music is obviously amazing. The choreo was really well done. I enjoyed their dance breaks more than the Newsies. There was a definite vocabulary and the dancing really came from within. There was a reason to it textually. Instead of doing switch leaps and flips to impress the tourists. And I wanted to join them during the picnic! Critics and artsy snobs alike have condemned the production for shortening and "dumbing down the opera. It was well done, plus you got an audience that you would never get into an opera house. You could never fully put all of Porgy and Bess onstage on todays Broadway. The rigours of a four hour opera are not possible to do 8 times a week (even with the mikes that no one in the cast needed). Plus, you couldn't manage two show days. By presenting Porgy and Bess this way, there were tourists from Wyoming who never set foot in an opera house getting to experience one of the greatest American works of art ever(I love Gershwin. Can you tell?). It was the theatrical equivalent of reading the abridged Les Miserable in high school. That inspired my roomie to read the full version. If I had been old enough, it would have inspired me to drink. Yuck. Porgy and Bess is much better!

The entire cast was phenomenal, but I ended up with a bit of a crush on Joshua Henry who plays Jake. He is amazing and gorgeous. Who wouldn't want to head down to Catfish row and see him? ;) The kids were difficult on Friday, which didn't help after my bus had been really late getting me home. The joys of construction. Traffic at weird times! After two hours, we had a verse and refrain set of Magic To Do (and you bet we will repeat that refrain) and all of Seize the Day. And we had exhausted all of our productivity. I went easy on the afternoon classes. They earned some game time!

Newsies with My Newsies

We took the kids to see Newsies yesterday. They had a master class first with one of the Newsies. The kids are sweet, smart, and fairly left footed, so they did the choreo with enthusiasm. We're still working on accuracy and picking things up faster. Especially with my itties! Overall, I was underwhelmed by Newsies. It will run for a long while. It's family and tourist friendly. You always loose cinematic qualities from screen to stage, and it was a valiant but not entirely successful attempt to keep that sweeping feel. The three story high fire escapes that moved freely were a little wobbly and reminded me of West side Story. The love story they added wasn't quite necessary or as well written as the rest of the show (though the cast did give it their all). The cast made some great and very solid choices that helped to make up for the problems with the book. The choreo was so You Think You Can Dancey- which the kids loved- but it didn't quite do it for me. There was a very limited vocabulary of movement when there could have been so much more! The spoons tap break in King Of New York was by far my favorite bit of choreo. Plus it cleverly helped set up the deli beyond the few tables and chairs they threw onto the stage. All in all it wasn't my favorite show, but it was miles above Spiderman!plus, the kids are super excited to work on Seize the Day for their showcase. Which makes my job much easier! I've got my Porgy and Bess comp in my hands, and I'm off to the theatre. Even promo work has it's perks if work for the right company. :-)

I Can Can Can!

Hurrah! I booked Can Can! So excited!!!!!! I left my phone at home, so I came home after camp and went to check my emails. Then I danced about the room excitedly. My first year out in the real world, and I'm finding my way. I booked four shows this year, did lots of event and extra work, got a sweet teaching job, and only went marginally crazy. I can get through my twenties and pay my bills. I just can't buy lots of shoes. Here's to jobs that don't feel like work! May they always find may and may they pay my bills! Totally funny. If I don't book a show between Can Can and Showboat, I will just have done three shows in a row with granny boots and petticoats. Maybe I should change my blog name. Have granny boots will travel?

New Jobs And Busy Days

Two first days in a row. Got a text last minute saying there was a sicky on the Chicago promo team. I took her shift. I now have my own pair of super sexy red tights (note sarcasm). It wasn't the most awful thing I've done. I took lots of pictures with tourists, first name out of my mouth when someone asked my name was "Venezuala" (which isn't a even a name). I got complimented on rocking my ivory white skin. (Like that is a decision I get to make. I thought I was born with it!) Plus I heard some really bad pick up lines. All in all, it was much better than being a strolling human table (why rich people want a girl in the middle of their desert table, I do not know.) and it paid better. If I keep to shorter shifts (some of the girls will work 9 hour shifts. 7 hours was on the too much side) and avoid dehydration, I can stomach it enough to make my income much more comfortable. Reality of this photo: I'm bored and entertaining myself. On the other page, had my first day of camp today (much easier). It was surreal how small my classes were. I had to scale down my little combo (Life's A Happy Song). We got through the half tempo grapevine and trucked it a little. Didn't make it through to three step turns. I will save those for after their audition. It's amazing how difficult they are at first. But they'll pick it up and get super excited. Freeze dance is still popular up North. I don't mind. It makes my life easier. I just have to give them a way to dance and pause and play the CD player. They're happy. I'm happy. Stretching is not at that point yet, but we will get there. Time heals everything. April August. (Mack And Mabel. Check the show out if you don't know it. It rocks!) I had dinner with my dad tonight. He had a Newark overnight. He always buys me a good meal and a beer (and quite often a bottle of Scotch) and brings me coffee beans and chocolate. True love! (If you add shoes) Busy chica needs to head bed to start all over again tom. Ciao!

Turning Down A Show :(

I got an offer yesterday for Guys and Dolls. It's with a choreographer I want to work with and a theatre I would love to work for, but now isn't the time. The pay is not great, it's last minute notice as far as finding a subletter goes, and I just signed a contract somewhere else. I'm sure the JCC would make it work, if I chose to run off, but I would have a problem with my own conscience. Good old Catholic guilt! Right now I'm finally at a place where I have the jobs to stay afloat in the city, but I'm fresh hire at all of them. And I let my bank account get way too low. I want to get some work under my belt and money back in my account before I take another low paying gig. It sucks and it felt really weird. I turned down the contract. After I sent out my no thanks email, I was totally down. I know it's not my last chance. I have another contract in Dec that's amazing. There is still this fear of not having another show. I've been getting great feedback post My Fair Lady. Lots of callbacks. I should have been able to sleep last night! With Monday and the start of lots of work, I should be less neurotic. Hopefully Can Can will offer me a contract. Even if they don't I know that I booked three shows and quite a few gigs in my first year in New York. Not too shabby! I can do this and I can survive in between contracts.

Dear Irving Berlin, 93 Degrees Is Not A Tropical Heat Wave

We are currently having one hell of heat wave. Hell is not firey, it is instead New York City when it's one hundred degrees outside. Hot and nastey! The stink and the dirt seems to magnify and the subway is beyond unpleasant. Which makes me glad I live out in the burbs. And work somewhere with air conditioning. I've been in and out of planning meetings and juggling my jobs. Which is great fun. At least they feed me at work ll the time. In summers past, I have lived off tuna fish and apples when I taught at camps. Now it will be whatever they supply, or I can just bring in tuna fish and apples. I got a beautiful big bag of apples at the farer's market in Union Square the other day. Nothing says New York like carrying cheap and taste fruit in a canvas bag. Especialy if it is a Book of Mormon bag. :-) Jack Cole, Irving Berlin, and Miss Monroe's wonderfully silly idea of a heat wave. She almost plus the hat off. If it will drop the temp to 93, I will gladly put this in my book! Auditions have been super sparse, whih helps me cover any qualms bout taking the gig camp. And noe one has heard anything about Guys and Dolls out at Cohoes. Methinks I made the right decision! Chilling out with Popsicles and South Pacific on the old tube. Debating the Laduca once a year sale on Sat. Will it be worth it? Dunno. We shall see!

A Flurry Of Activity!

I'm quite sure I've written it five million times (which is of course a fabulous exageration), when it rains, it pours, hails, tornadoes, hurricanes, and blizzards. Which is oh so lovely! Interviews have been all over my schedule. Successful interviews with a temp agency,a summer camp,and a theatrical promotion company now mean I have an insane amount of jobs for a while. The summer camp is super close to my apartment. Just a short jaunt through the nearby nature reserve (my best drive to work ever!) at a nearby JCC. The staff is fabulous, the program great and small, right up my progressive alley, and we take the kids into NYC for a master class and Broadway show every Wed. I get to see theatre and get paid for it! Thirty kids who like theatre should make my job easy and wonderful. Maybe I can even sneak in some Scottish Highland dance via Brigadoon. Get out my kilts! Hahahahaha. I'm still in shock that they wanted me! Their last dance teacher had Broadway credits. Now they have me. Hurrah! I also have the temp agency and the promo crew. I am beyond employed. Which is amazing! Hopefully, Can Can will work out too. I'm on a winning streak. Why not? It's a show I would love to do and a director I have a super secret (no longer since I posted it on the web) adoration for. Such sweetness is absolutely amazing in the crazy world of theatre. It should be treasured. As should his V-necks. My celebratory bottle of wine is uncorked. My mom is coming for a visit soon. And I am a super happy and busy beaver. Figuring the world out one adventure at a time. One's twenties should be an adventure, and mine are proving to be so on a regular basis! Students of mine from Houston camps past. A dance fit for the divas they were. :-)

Puss In Boots: Or How I Learned To Cat Can

Everything seems to come in spurts. My life was not spurting, and now it is exploding. I had an interview with a temping agency. It went will and they are willing to use me. Still talking with telemarketers. Interview with a day camp tom. And I had more callback fun today. I went in for Can Can today. Or as I like to think of Cat Can. (I was Puss in Boots. Hahahaha.) One of the most entertaining director/choreographers is working on it. He is the world's foremost expert on Cats (or so I like to think). He always sets the tour. He is the only reason I show up to the tour call. Cause I don't fit Cats. And don't really want to do Cats for that long (biggest reason for this: the unitards. Unitards are twiggy people's revenge.) I'm not a Jellicle and I won't. But he cracks me up an he's ridiculously nice, so I go. Today with Cat Can, there were several cattish moments in the choreo. He kept me to sing after we danced. Score. 8 bars went well. Then he had me do fouette turns and turns in second. Holy hell! Thank God for one of my favorite accompanists playing impromptu music to help make it less awkward (and for those times when Amy did Houston Ballet torture fouette training with us.) Muscles that were definitely out of practice. Fouettes from a pro! Mine don't look like that. At all. And granny boots are much more comfortable. Heels over pointe shoes any day! Somehow mine were good enough to keep me to read. Or a sang well enough to make up for it. Without a reader, they used the world's most awesome and entertaining accompanist in the flirty French scene. He was game! Got a "nice job today" and we were all done. Hopefully it can mean a job. That would be amazing. If it doesn't something will come. I've had too many callbacks of late. In honor of my friends on the West Side Tour "Who knows. Could be...." Fingers crossed and onward ho! Boots and butt ruffles! These are a few of my favorite things!

A Visit, Callbacks, and Food: Apparently I Love Food. Which Is Probably Why I'm Not In Ballet.

My dad had a Newark overnight last night. So I picked him up, showed him my digs (which I had cleaned within an inch of their life that morning), and then we went out for dinner. I have not eaten so well in a long time. And he replenished my Scotch! My nice bottle of birthday Scotch is almost gone and I am feeling poor, so it was very appreciated. And I like to see my dad. I like my parents. They're fun. :) (And he reads this) He suggested that I start a second "fantasy" blog that would become more of a book. Take the audition nonsense and spin. He even said the words "romance novel." Smash the blog? Except for I would be funny on purpose (hopefully) and my fantasy casting skills would be way better. Kat Macphee or Uma Thurman as Marilyn? Really? But now the bee is in my bonnet. Do I stick with what I know? Do I make this shit absolutely outrageous? Would anyone actually read it? (I said that about this. I started this to avoid recapping nothing but auditions to my family. But since there is very little in life besides auditions, it is still inevitable! I went to a call today for a theatre that likes to hop in and out of the city. It was their third time here for Guys And Dolls and second time for Hello Dolly (I will do it somewhere!). I missed the first call cause I was in Florida. At the second, the choreographer was in Florida. He had been in the show in the smaller house at the Stage Door (He did some fierce tap dancing!). I went to the dance call and didn't get kept. Today, it was just a singer's call and then callbacks from their last trip in town. They had me come back and dance. Lo and behold, he was back. Smile, wave, recognition, and I got kept to the end. For once in my life, I was that girl who knew someone. Which is tacky. But boy it felt good. Plus, I killed the choreo with a big smile and one helluva shimmy! It was a great day with a big Panera break with a friend during lunch. I found some Ghiradelli coffee in my cabinet this morning. It is much better than crack. Domingo Ghiradelli is my favorite Italian man ever. Thank you for coming to America, and making my life beautiful with chocolate and coffee. "These are a few of my favorite things." Then, some tastey leftover snapper for dinner. (I like to put an e tastey instead tasty. It seems yummier to me, but spellcheck hates is. I am taking the liberty to spell tastey the way I want to. Just know that it means so much more than if you leave that e out. It means I savored. Over an e.) So even though it rained, and I didn't have an umbrella, today was a great today. And so was yesterday. Plus being rain soaked on the train home covered my usual sweat look. Though the sweat look was still there if you looked hard enough... :) The key to my heart. Chocolate and coffee.

Early Morning Nunsense

A theatre about half an hour away from is doing Nunsense. Pay is low, but there, and the EPA was at the theatre out in Jersey. So I figured why not. "There'll be early morning Nunsense" makes an ok theme song. Plus, my mother would love to see play a nun and not a floozey. My dad just likes hokey things. So it would be a score for both! I was in an out y, in under two hours being non eq. If the pianist had been there earlier, I would have been out super fast. He was nice. And attractive. He seemed straight to me. But he couldn't play my song. I just went balls to the wall and kept going. I'm not sure what that was. Thee most bizarre rendition of "I Wanna Be A Rockette" I have ever performed! I then attempted to make my Diablo Cody monologue about why I chose to strip be more funny and quirky, rather than angry and edgy. He laughed and asked me if I tapped. Not the most awful audition of my existence. I got in my car, laughed hysterically, and went to Target for cheap groceries. Home before noon with errands run. Not entirely a loss. I did feel good that I just went. 8 months ago, I would have been having a super panic attack. Finding my stride as I go. As long as I learn, I'm still doing good. Happy weekend to one and all!

River Deep, Mountain High

My life continues on in a hilly sort of way. Like the song says "River deep, Mountain High." (with the Tina Turner shakes!) Yesterday I got to giggle through (only a few snorts) The Book Of Mormon for free. It was Josh Gad's last show, and he lost it in the last number in the best way possible. Helluva of way to go out (plus he got a big bouquet!)The show is great, and I recommend it to anyone with the money or luck to get tickets. Funny and heartwarming. Plus I have been singing "ORLANDOOOOOOO! I love you!" all day. Hahahahahha. Everybody in the cast worked it, but the dorkey Mormon missionaries (each and every one them a great big queen) won my heart in pink sparkley vests and tap shoes. I would join a religion that involved those things. Plus any show that also has hobbits, Darth Vader, and Yoda just wins! I entered my mother into a contest to win an early release copy of a book I wanted (Elizabeth Hoyt's latest. Guilty pleasure!) and a crystal duck (Lucky duck club. Quack! Quack!). I also entered my father. And myself of course. But my mother won. Hahahaha. She was pretty tickled. So I do still have some luck. Did some background today. It was an audience spiel. Nonunion for good money and done in 4 to 5 hours. It sounded too good to be true. And it was. They kept us sitting outside for almost five hours. With not enough shade. So I have a lovely v neck sunburn. If I ever have skin cancer, it will correlate with my love of v necks! We were out in a little over 8 without being fed at all. At that point, we could get food beyond chips and tiny water bottles on set, but I just wanted to go home. I miracle caught the 8:02 literally stepping on at 8:01, and then grabbed some tastey pizza from the place across the street from my apartment. It's super good and cheap, but I always feel like the big Italian family that owns it gives off mob vibes. Maybe I need to stop watching Boardwalk Empire...At least I was paid well to be the fire hydrant today! Just stop and sing mt kid style whenever I feel down. If ancient Jews can sail to America, I can make it!

Hipster Pippin

People will futz with scripts. Try and update them. Point out what is more relevant in their day and age. But there will always be someone who does it heedlessly at the expense of the script. Today, that was Hipster Pippin. My day began with train delays where the hipster next to me entertained me. Beard, flannel, khaki pants, khaki merse, and Cormac Mcarthy novel. Funny. Helped me get through the train delay with a smile. Disney was closed by the time I got there, so I met Elizabeth for lunch and then headed over to Pippin. I love Pippin. Yes, it's "dated," but it's dated in the same way that Oklahoma is dated. The style doesn't belong to today's world. Musically, script wise, or dance wise, but it thematically is always relevant. It hits the heart of so many things. You can find so much in the script to bring to the forefront thematically that it can be fresh without comprising the original package. There is a reason every tenor wants to sing Corner of the Sky. A lot of times Shakespeare is done with a concept. But only the concepts that come from the script of the play work well. Even if you don't know exactly what the concept was, if it adheres to your key themes it should accomplish what you want. It should help invoke reactions. (Operas are normally really successful in this. Which is bizarre but awesome. If you can bring yourself to sit through the opera.) I want some of those outfits. Hahahaha. Love this song! This production, instead of bringing to light the themes that are relevant, was trying to update the material with a concept that was completely unsupported and not coming from the script. The script of the musical isn't just the book. It's also the music and the dance. It's a whole package. They were trying to make this rock and roll. Which is a very loose term. And odd thing to put on some soulful 70s tunes. What they meant, was Green Day-esque punk. It has it's place. It's been a guilty pleasure of mine before. It's place is not in Pippin. That doesn't go at all with the score. The dance combo was pedestrian (which is true of the original choreo and I like), overwrought, and just overall trying too hard. At one point, we went from shooting a gun with glee, then with apprehension, and finally horror. Put the gun in your for suicide and then be suddenly and slowly aroused by yourself and touch yourself for 32 counts. That many extremes that quickly is trying way too hard. Plus, there was no reason for it other than to shock. The music we used sounded nothing like Pippin. They wanted their chorus to also be the band. They are going to completely rewrite the score. Why not just do a different show then? American Idiot if you like Green Day. Spring Awakening has the angsty teenage sex themes and does it so well. If you don't want to do those, why not write a new show? You can play with that story line. It's older than a lot of dirt. No script is every truly original. From Shakespeare and beyond, writers write the stories that interested them. There are how many different versions of Taming of the Shrew. West Side is a departure from Romeo and Juliet, but it is so different and wonderful. Even the Scarlet Letter was recently played with to create a chick flick. It could actually a really cool, new, rock musical. There are so many other directions that you can take it when you don't already have a full realized show. There are other medieval monarchs and wars that would make a cool rock musicals as well. There's so many possibilities of something sweet and new in that line instead of just hashing and slashing at something old and well established. Chet Walker once told a crew of us in college that we shouldn't aspire to be the next Chita Rivera or the next Ben Vereen. We needed to aspire to be the best and next version of ourselves. Hokey but so true. And the hipster Pippin crew needed to hear that. They could be so much more! Off my soap box I come. This song is totally how I felt today. I need the Davies brothers and company to come give me a hand. Save me from bleeding artists!

To Coney and Beyond!

Chezzamed it up Saturday. Alter egos this weekend included Snow White, Ariel, the Genie, and Supergirl. Lots of sequins, safety pins, and wig fix ups later, I was back home and exhausted. But it is nice to be making money! Sunday I went to Coney Island with Elizabeth, which was a blast. Best moment: spontaneous rainstorm and we're way out far away from the shelter. Too windy for umbrellas, so were wet and laughing. All in all, our first trip to Coney was a success. Even if we refrained from eating hot dogs at Nathans. (The Cyclone is much smaller than the old Texas Cyclone at Astroworld. Everything is bigger in Texas!) Hair tour auditions today. I could tell the moment I stepped in the room, they were not interested. Sixteen bars of "Paint It Black" later, and I was out the door without callbacks. I was happy with how I did. I would make a decent Jeannie, but they are some straight out peace children out there. And I exist in dead white people land. No granny boots no go! Out the door and uptown to an interview for a dance teaching postition with a day camp at St John the Divine. Super gorgeous church facilities and they were really nice. It went well. It makes me laugh when I get comments on my skimpy resume. I am 23 years old. I stayed at the same job for four years. What else is my resume supposed to look like? I wish it was about your work not about your resume. It's silly! Guilty admission: I watched Breaking Pointe. It made me want to watch Turning Pointe and flounce around in pointe shoes. I had hoped I had outgrown this need for but ruffles. Put on my granny boots! Make tutu envy go away. I have petticoats, and bustles, and jaunty hats!!!!! I'm just as glamorous as a ballerina! Or not. Fuzzy, artsy photos do not make glamour out of jaunty cockney smudges. Nor does wiping your nose on your sleeve and loudly snorting. I miss cockneyland! Hitting up a Pippin call tom. It's a regional production. I love Pippin. It had some hit parade hits which is pretty crazy being after 1960, but it feels so 1970 something. Which means a lot of people try and reinvent. Chet Walker is working on the production in MA that is supposed move to Broadway. Their update involves not just being chorus kids. Now they are fire breathing, contortionist chorus kids. Pippin was the first show with a triple threat chorus. Before then it was two separate choruses. Is it going somewhere else inventive? We shall see. Not a production I will never be in, but still could be really cool. The production looking tom has an idea about a more rockish show? We shall see what they mean. I will still show up in my jazz cut black leo, fishnets, and granny boots. Because I can. Mr. Vereen back in his glory days. He no longer moves this quickly, but he sounds and gestures about the same. He just anoints you with sacred oils before the show now. Skip to about 3:45. Because all anyone ever wants to see is the Manson trio. Because everything is better with Charles Manson! Enough back bumps for you? I hope I get to do some tom!

My Slow Week So Far...

So I hit up two auditions on Tues. Parallel Exit (dance theatre-y comedic stuff) and Memphis. I got to tap. I felt good in the combo. I like Ray Hesselhink and need to take his class. Bone up on my tappities! Did the Memphis hopscotch (which involves a leg thwack that made the next few days feel really great). And then I went to the Met with Stacey to look at pretty clothes and art. Schiaparelli and Prada went together in a fabulous fashion. The parallels and contrasts made in the exhibit were awesome. Things I learned: I want to be a thirties and forties movie star and wear Schiaparelli's clothes (and then we go out drinking together. Me in the lobster dress. Her in the shoe hat. Talk about how we love hot pink.)

More job hunting. Blah blah blah. Had an "audition" today with Gymboree. They made cuts throughout the afternoon and most of their applicants were very unused to what seems normal to me. They kept me all the way through. And then made a comment about not wanting to hire performers who go out on the road. In which case, you should have looked at the email I sent you before you invited me to audition. Boo. I had a summer camp who urged me to call about a dance job, put me on hold, said they would call me back, and they haven't. Which means I get to call them again tom. Hurrah!

Butt bow! Werk! On another note: I feel really silly that I only just realized this. Donna Murphy already played Rapunzel's witch and now she is doing it in the park. Because she is fierce. Work! Mother does know best! (But children don't listen)

You're a true BAMF when you get your own set of boys. :)