My little sister is in college. My sister who is still about 11 in my head, because that's how old she was when I left for college, is living in a dorm room with college friends and having college experiences.
When did that happen?
And also... when did the TV dorms (you know that when Rory Gilmore went to college, your first thought was: dorm rooms SO do not look like that) become actuality? At my college, we had what we called suitemates. As in, I had my roommate... and across the bathroom was my suitemate. There was only one dorm that had a community bathroom... all of the other bathrooms in every dorm were shared between two rooms. My sister oh so gracefully informed me that what I lived in was NOT a suite. Her room, however, is. She has a roommate.. and two suitemates. You go into one room, and you're in a common area which also has the bathroom. Off of the common room are the two bedrooms. Not dissimilar to the dorms in Saved By The Bell: The College Years. In fact, that's exactly what it looks like in my head. It probably doesn't look quite like that, but the set up is the same.
Baby sis is a theatre major (like me... despite spending her entire adolescent life trying NOT to be like me) and she has her very first call back!! Tonight. She calls me two days ago at like 11 at night and says "I have an audition tomorrow morning, and I need a monologue and a song." Well.. you should probably do one you already know.. "I know, but I don't know where they are, so you need to email them to me." I really do love my sister, but this child is so disorganized. It cracks me up.
I made the decision that I'm going to give her all of my plays and books about acting. Because really? I'm not going to use them anymore. I don't have any time in my life for theatre, unfortunately, and when I do have the time for theatre... all of the monologues that I have in my "back pocket" at the moment with the age range 15-19 will be too young. Someone might as well get good use out of my stuff.
But for my sister's good luck... I asked all of the theatre "gods" I know... Bacchus, Dionysus, the Bard, Thespis, Carol Channing... to smile upon her and have her first callback go well. It's for a dead girl. Who says obscene things, and is kind of a slut. She's typecast a lot. :)
Showing posts with label theatre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label theatre. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Why must I torture myself?
I love theatre, I really do... but whenever I see a show, especially a good one with a great cast, I miss it so much and then I get sad. Because right now I just can't do theatre even locally. I need both of my jobs too much, and I'm not in a place where I can let my second job go so that I can do a show for two weeks.
Right on the heels of seeing an amazing show in NYC, I'm going up to my college today. My school houses a Shakespeare Festival... and I'm a big ol' Shakespeare nerd. Shakespeare acting and text and everything was a big part of my education, because of the Shakespeare Festival. There is an acting internship program that is only available to students of the acting program I went through. Granted, I was never part of it... because I wasn't a "super actor" according to a certain someone (ahem!) but oh well. I only auditioned twice. My freshman year I skipped it, because I was too intimidated. My sophomore year I was called back, but I wasn't that good. My junior year I rocked it. And I didn't get called back at all, and was crushed. So my senior year, I didn't audition. And THREE of my professors pulled me aside and said "We really think you should reconsider auditioning for the festival this summer." Too bad. I had a job already in place (the job that became my fulltime job at the radio station) so I really think that I made the right decision. Besides, if I auditioned, it wasn't like they were going to give me an actual role. I was going to be in the chorus of one thing or another.
I'm very excited to go up and see what the festival is like this summer. There is an outdoor show everyday at 6pm that is all of the acting interns. It's called The Green Show and it's a lot of Shakespeare Improv and audience participation and embarassment. It's GREAT. And then a very good friend of mine is playing Demetrius in A Midsummer Nights' Dream, which happens to be one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. My favorite is Twelfth Night, then the Scottish play, then Midsummer. The only Shakespeare play that I've ever read and not liked was Henry II. Hated that play. It could have been the class I had to read it for, but it holds some bad bad memories.
Right on the heels of seeing an amazing show in NYC, I'm going up to my college today. My school houses a Shakespeare Festival... and I'm a big ol' Shakespeare nerd. Shakespeare acting and text and everything was a big part of my education, because of the Shakespeare Festival. There is an acting internship program that is only available to students of the acting program I went through. Granted, I was never part of it... because I wasn't a "super actor" according to a certain someone (ahem!) but oh well. I only auditioned twice. My freshman year I skipped it, because I was too intimidated. My sophomore year I was called back, but I wasn't that good. My junior year I rocked it. And I didn't get called back at all, and was crushed. So my senior year, I didn't audition. And THREE of my professors pulled me aside and said "We really think you should reconsider auditioning for the festival this summer." Too bad. I had a job already in place (the job that became my fulltime job at the radio station) so I really think that I made the right decision. Besides, if I auditioned, it wasn't like they were going to give me an actual role. I was going to be in the chorus of one thing or another.
I'm very excited to go up and see what the festival is like this summer. There is an outdoor show everyday at 6pm that is all of the acting interns. It's called The Green Show and it's a lot of Shakespeare Improv and audience participation and embarassment. It's GREAT. And then a very good friend of mine is playing Demetrius in A Midsummer Nights' Dream, which happens to be one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. My favorite is Twelfth Night, then the Scottish play, then Midsummer. The only Shakespeare play that I've ever read and not liked was Henry II. Hated that play. It could have been the class I had to read it for, but it holds some bad bad memories.
Friday, July 24, 2009
I killed the boss. You don't think they're not going to fire me for that!?
Yesterday was the best day ever. Okay, that might be a slight exaggeration, but not by much. My best friend bought us tickets to go see 9 to 5 on Broadway for my birthday. And I do have to admit that when I first heard last year that 9 to 5 was coming to Broadway, I was not a happy camper. I was skeptical... because I noticed a trend that all of these movies keep becoming musicals (Hairspray--which I love, Shrek--which I don't really know, American Psycho--which I'm still really REALLY skeptical about, etc. etc). But I admitted that I was wrong. I listened to the music for 9 to 5, and fell in love with the song "Get Out and Stay Out" which Judy sings at the end of Act 2. Dolly Parton really is a musical genius. (I heart Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. I really really do. I think it's amazing.)
I was very lucky to still see the original cast... and I don't think that's ever happened to me before. I always see it a few years later when the leads have been turned around a few times. But I was super lucky to see Allison Janney, Megan Hilty, and Stephanie Block. These three ladies are absolutely incredible. Allison Janney is IMHO one of the funneist women in show business. I fell in love with her at "She's got a big ass then...she's got a big ass now" in Drop Dead Gorgeous. And if you haven't seen that movie, rent it now. It's HILARIOUS.
Megan Hilty is one of my favorite musical theatre actors. She was my favorite Galinda in Wicked because she has this amazing sense for comedy. She's definitely not afraid to look stupid... which is so important in comedy. Her accent was also perfect. If you closed your eyes, you'd swear it was Dolly Parton onstage. And Stephanie Block breaks my heart. I just wanted to run up there and give her a big hug. I SOBBED during "Get Out and Stay Out." It's definitely my favorite number. They're all great songs... but this one is so incredibly moving. And Stephanie Block totally hits it out of the park.
I'd have to say that my favorite part of the show was watching these women's faces. You can just tell that they're having the time of their lives onstage. During the number when Allison Janney's character dreams about being CEO of the company, she was just beaming. I could also tell that they're getting to that point in a show where you do your own thing? Stephanie Block had a line in the show that I can't imagine was in the script. When they're about to kidnap their boss... she says to him "No good deed goes unpunished" which is hilarious since she went from playing Elphaba in Wicked to playing Judy in 9 to 5. I cracked up... and a few other people got the joke, too. But it's the little things like that that make me love (and miss...) live theatre.
One of my favorite moments of the day, though, was not during the show. We had horrible horrible weather... it rained THE WHOLE TIME and my pants were soaking wet. And of course I wore dark jeans.. so they were sticking to me. Gross. But I'm walking through Times Square not paying attention to anything because I'm wet and slightly cranky when I hear someone shout my first and last name. Interesting thing to hear in Times Square. One of my friends from college was working in Times Square handing out flyers for tickets to a musical. It doesn't surprise me that I ran into someone from college..because MOST of my friends live in New York, but I don't expect to hear my name shouted in Times Square.
We also had an amazing dinner before the show. If you're looking for a great place to eat in New York City, walk a few blocks to 9th Ave and pick something there. There are so many great restaurants on 9th. We went to a place called Frangolino. Great food. Really good calimari, and really really good pinot noir.
I was very lucky to still see the original cast... and I don't think that's ever happened to me before. I always see it a few years later when the leads have been turned around a few times. But I was super lucky to see Allison Janney, Megan Hilty, and Stephanie Block. These three ladies are absolutely incredible. Allison Janney is IMHO one of the funneist women in show business. I fell in love with her at "She's got a big ass then...she's got a big ass now" in Drop Dead Gorgeous. And if you haven't seen that movie, rent it now. It's HILARIOUS.
Megan Hilty is one of my favorite musical theatre actors. She was my favorite Galinda in Wicked because she has this amazing sense for comedy. She's definitely not afraid to look stupid... which is so important in comedy. Her accent was also perfect. If you closed your eyes, you'd swear it was Dolly Parton onstage. And Stephanie Block breaks my heart. I just wanted to run up there and give her a big hug. I SOBBED during "Get Out and Stay Out." It's definitely my favorite number. They're all great songs... but this one is so incredibly moving. And Stephanie Block totally hits it out of the park.
I'd have to say that my favorite part of the show was watching these women's faces. You can just tell that they're having the time of their lives onstage. During the number when Allison Janney's character dreams about being CEO of the company, she was just beaming. I could also tell that they're getting to that point in a show where you do your own thing? Stephanie Block had a line in the show that I can't imagine was in the script. When they're about to kidnap their boss... she says to him "No good deed goes unpunished" which is hilarious since she went from playing Elphaba in Wicked to playing Judy in 9 to 5. I cracked up... and a few other people got the joke, too. But it's the little things like that that make me love (and miss...) live theatre.
One of my favorite moments of the day, though, was not during the show. We had horrible horrible weather... it rained THE WHOLE TIME and my pants were soaking wet. And of course I wore dark jeans.. so they were sticking to me. Gross. But I'm walking through Times Square not paying attention to anything because I'm wet and slightly cranky when I hear someone shout my first and last name. Interesting thing to hear in Times Square. One of my friends from college was working in Times Square handing out flyers for tickets to a musical. It doesn't surprise me that I ran into someone from college..because MOST of my friends live in New York, but I don't expect to hear my name shouted in Times Square.
We also had an amazing dinner before the show. If you're looking for a great place to eat in New York City, walk a few blocks to 9th Ave and pick something there. There are so many great restaurants on 9th. We went to a place called Frangolino. Great food. Really good calimari, and really really good pinot noir.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Reasons why you should probably look at the schedule FIRST.
I'm on the website of the theatre that's doing Thoroughly Modern Millie... and it's a good thing I did. They have three dates for auditions. Monday and Wednesday, the auditions are 45 minutes away. Tuesday, they're 10 minutes away, but that's the day that I work at ULTA at night. So I can't do the Tuesday audition.
And then I'm looking at the run of the show... and it runs from August through October (oh yeah, long runs... five shows a week Wednesday thru Sunday) but I didn't realize that the Wednesday shows? Are at 11am. As in while I'm at my fulltime job. As in for two months, I'd have to take a vacation day so that I could do the show if I'm cast. Plus I'd have to quit ULTA because um I'm not doing a show, a full time job, and a part time job. No way. So what the heck am I going to do?
And the other theatre that I was going to audition for? Those auditions were on Saturday, but I had my friend's wedding to go to...so there was no way of doing that. Apparently they're having more auditions tomorrow because they wanted 35 people to fill out the cast, and they only had 25 show up. So they need more bodies. This show isn't a show that's really "my type" but their run is only a few weekends rather than two months... and the rehearsal schedule would probably be a bit easier. That way I'd only have to take a small ULTA hiatus if any (I can't afford an ULTA hiatus.. the other theatre with the Wednesday matinees is a paid position because it's a dinner theatre and the actors are the servers, so they make money on tips)
I don't mean to talk myself out of this audition, because I REALLY want to do it.. but if I get cast in the show? What's that going to mean for my full time job? I can't do eight or nine Wednesdays off in a row... unless I can make up my hours some other way. I don't know. I'm trying to see how this can work out, and I'm not coming up with anything. I don't know what to do. The dinner theatre I think I could possibly have a shot at a role. The theatre that's doing the show I'm not crazy about? No way in hell. I can't be a Swedish sexpot. I could be her spunky sister. Not a sexpot. That ain't happening...ever. Unless the director is blind.
And then I'm looking at the run of the show... and it runs from August through October (oh yeah, long runs... five shows a week Wednesday thru Sunday) but I didn't realize that the Wednesday shows? Are at 11am. As in while I'm at my fulltime job. As in for two months, I'd have to take a vacation day so that I could do the show if I'm cast. Plus I'd have to quit ULTA because um I'm not doing a show, a full time job, and a part time job. No way. So what the heck am I going to do?
And the other theatre that I was going to audition for? Those auditions were on Saturday, but I had my friend's wedding to go to...so there was no way of doing that. Apparently they're having more auditions tomorrow because they wanted 35 people to fill out the cast, and they only had 25 show up. So they need more bodies. This show isn't a show that's really "my type" but their run is only a few weekends rather than two months... and the rehearsal schedule would probably be a bit easier. That way I'd only have to take a small ULTA hiatus if any (I can't afford an ULTA hiatus.. the other theatre with the Wednesday matinees is a paid position because it's a dinner theatre and the actors are the servers, so they make money on tips)
I don't mean to talk myself out of this audition, because I REALLY want to do it.. but if I get cast in the show? What's that going to mean for my full time job? I can't do eight or nine Wednesdays off in a row... unless I can make up my hours some other way. I don't know. I'm trying to see how this can work out, and I'm not coming up with anything. I don't know what to do. The dinner theatre I think I could possibly have a shot at a role. The theatre that's doing the show I'm not crazy about? No way in hell. I can't be a Swedish sexpot. I could be her spunky sister. Not a sexpot. That ain't happening...ever. Unless the director is blind.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Keepsakes
The Fidgeting Gidget has bestowed upon my blog the "Keepsake Blog Award." (aw thanks!)
So the rules are:
1. Post a funny or sweet keepsake that tells something about you
2. Pass the award on to 10 other bloggers that you think are keepers
Okay. So. Keepsake.
Lately, theatre has been popping back into my life. I've decided to audition again (one week from today... AAAH!) after three years of giving up the theatre, so my keepsake is going back to my theatre roots.
This was the first show I did in college where I had a lead role. It was The Philadelphia Story and I played Dinah Lord, the bratty younger sister of Tracy who was getting married. To the far left is Liz Imbrie, Dinah Lord (me), Mrs. Margaret Lord, and Tracy Lord. The three other ladies with me were all amazing actors and wonderful people, and I miss them dearly.
We used to have this tradition with this show... if you're not familiar with the show, the Lord family is based on a Main Line family in Philadelpha (main line = old money) and Tracy is getting remarried. Her father is a Broadway producer and has been in tabloids recently. Liz Imbrie is a photog for a tabloid, and her friend Mike is a reporter, and they are invited to the house to do a piece on the family, but the family decides to mess with them a bit. In this one scene, my character comes out all decked out in a purple dress, pink tutu, white gloves, patent leather shoes, a tiara, pearls, and a yellow cumberbun. And I give a little "performance" for Liz and Mike.
Every night after this scene, Momma Lord and Tracy and I would still be in character backstage (for this scene only.. we aren't crazy Method actors) and we'd go through this whole little scene.
Momma: Dinah... why are you dressed like that?
Me: Like what Mom? Say, those people sure are nice. And that man is cute!
Momma: DINAH! What did you do?
Me: (getting changed) Nothing. See ya later!
Momma: Dinah! You get back here and put some clothes on!
Tracy: I don't know why you put up with that bitch. Just send her to military school.
And then in Act 2, Tracy gets WASTED... so our Tracy would come crawling into the dressing room as if she were blasted and tells us all how much she loves us. I'm pretty sure we had more fun backstage during this show than we did onstage.
I just hope this next time around in the theatre world I find people that were just as talented and fun to work with as my college crew. First things first... I need to get cast.
And now for my 10 people:
1. Chelsea at Chelsea Talks Smack
2. Joanie at Joanie's Random Rambling
3. Jess at Everyday Adventures of Me in the City
4. Tess at The Thoughts and Sarcastic Observations of a Starbucks Addict
5 & 6. two lovely gents at Zombies, Whiskey, Random Musings & Witticisms (and that means you each have to do one... the keepsake part at least)
7. Ysolda at Ysolda She has LOVELY patterns for any knitters.
8. Tia at Clever Girl Goes Blog
9. Ali at Because it's the Same Backwards and Forwards...
10. CJ at CJDaily's Blog
So the rules are:
1. Post a funny or sweet keepsake that tells something about you
2. Pass the award on to 10 other bloggers that you think are keepers
Okay. So. Keepsake.
Lately, theatre has been popping back into my life. I've decided to audition again (one week from today... AAAH!) after three years of giving up the theatre, so my keepsake is going back to my theatre roots.
This was the first show I did in college where I had a lead role. It was The Philadelphia Story and I played Dinah Lord, the bratty younger sister of Tracy who was getting married. To the far left is Liz Imbrie, Dinah Lord (me), Mrs. Margaret Lord, and Tracy Lord. The three other ladies with me were all amazing actors and wonderful people, and I miss them dearly.
We used to have this tradition with this show... if you're not familiar with the show, the Lord family is based on a Main Line family in Philadelpha (main line = old money) and Tracy is getting remarried. Her father is a Broadway producer and has been in tabloids recently. Liz Imbrie is a photog for a tabloid, and her friend Mike is a reporter, and they are invited to the house to do a piece on the family, but the family decides to mess with them a bit. In this one scene, my character comes out all decked out in a purple dress, pink tutu, white gloves, patent leather shoes, a tiara, pearls, and a yellow cumberbun. And I give a little "performance" for Liz and Mike.
Every night after this scene, Momma Lord and Tracy and I would still be in character backstage (for this scene only.. we aren't crazy Method actors) and we'd go through this whole little scene.
Momma: Dinah... why are you dressed like that?
Me: Like what Mom? Say, those people sure are nice. And that man is cute!
Momma: DINAH! What did you do?
Me: (getting changed) Nothing. See ya later!
Momma: Dinah! You get back here and put some clothes on!
Tracy: I don't know why you put up with that bitch. Just send her to military school.
And then in Act 2, Tracy gets WASTED... so our Tracy would come crawling into the dressing room as if she were blasted and tells us all how much she loves us. I'm pretty sure we had more fun backstage during this show than we did onstage.
I just hope this next time around in the theatre world I find people that were just as talented and fun to work with as my college crew. First things first... I need to get cast.
And now for my 10 people:
1. Chelsea at Chelsea Talks Smack
2. Joanie at Joanie's Random Rambling
3. Jess at Everyday Adventures of Me in the City
4. Tess at The Thoughts and Sarcastic Observations of a Starbucks Addict
5 & 6. two lovely gents at Zombies, Whiskey, Random Musings & Witticisms (and that means you each have to do one... the keepsake part at least)
7. Ysolda at Ysolda She has LOVELY patterns for any knitters.
8. Tia at Clever Girl Goes Blog
9. Ali at Because it's the Same Backwards and Forwards...
10. CJ at CJDaily's Blog
Jesus loves my boobs.
Week one of the wedding crazy was a heck of a lot of fun. Wedding #1 was, well, interesting. Outdoor wedding.. we got rained on. The grooms family was, um, loud and outspoken at inappropriate times. Like during the first dance. But the bride and groom looked wonderful, and they had a good time, and that's what counts. And it isn't a wedding without some kind of family drama anyway!
Wedding #2 (my friend's wedding) was absolutely wonderful. Every girl sobbed like a baby during the ceremony. My friend's father passed away from brain cancer about six? years ago, so it was bittersweet. But I lightened up the ceremony by dropping the Eucharist down my dress, so it's all good. I think it took all of the willpower of the bride to not cackle with laughter from the front of the Church.
At the reception, my friend danced a tribute to her deceased father with her brother to an aria from an Opera that she prerecorded. It was an aria that her father (who was an Opera singer) always wanted to hear her perform. Again.. much crying. I'm amazed that my mascara wasn't all over my lips by the end of the night. And that my friends is why I only wear Smashbox mascara. Also... I had FIVE (yeah. five.) cosmopolitans... and I wasn't drunk. I have no idea how that happened. And one of my friends (who is a bit of a lush) had a sip of it after I told her that it was my fifth one and said "Jesus! That is really strong!! How is this your fifth and you're still standing! You're doing really good."
This wedding made me really miss my college friends. They all live in New York City, and I rarely get to see them... but damn do we know how to have a good time!! My legs hurt really bad now from all the dancing. I even got Gene to dance! (well, I convinced the mother of the bride to guilt him into dancing with me... worked like a charm!)
And I really know how to get the party started... one of my friends who is, um, energetic and very expressive in his dancing accidentally PUNCHED ME IN THE FACE. Luckily no black eye. I kicked him in the balls later in the evening. And again, weddings wouldn't be weddings without the drama... one of my friends left in the middle of the reception for no good reason... just disappeared, and another one of my friends broke her dress while doing air guitar.
One really good thing came out of the evening though. I finally decided which song to use for my audition next Monday. The bride and groom's first show together (theatre people ALWAYS have a blast... they did a little skit coming in to introduce the bride and groom to musical songs rather than the music for the starting lineup of the 1996 Chicago Bulls) was Crazy For You, which was the show we did our senior year. And the one song I was thinking of performing is "But Not For Me" which is also from that show. During the course of the evening, "Crazy For You" came up about four times. So that settles it... "But Not For Me" it is. I got a lot of support from my friends when I told them I was thinking of auditioning again, so hopefully this will work out. I mean, I'm not expecting to walk in there and be cast as Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie, but hey... it wouldn't hurt!
Wedding #2 (my friend's wedding) was absolutely wonderful. Every girl sobbed like a baby during the ceremony. My friend's father passed away from brain cancer about six? years ago, so it was bittersweet. But I lightened up the ceremony by dropping the Eucharist down my dress, so it's all good. I think it took all of the willpower of the bride to not cackle with laughter from the front of the Church.
At the reception, my friend danced a tribute to her deceased father with her brother to an aria from an Opera that she prerecorded. It was an aria that her father (who was an Opera singer) always wanted to hear her perform. Again.. much crying. I'm amazed that my mascara wasn't all over my lips by the end of the night. And that my friends is why I only wear Smashbox mascara. Also... I had FIVE (yeah. five.) cosmopolitans... and I wasn't drunk. I have no idea how that happened. And one of my friends (who is a bit of a lush) had a sip of it after I told her that it was my fifth one and said "Jesus! That is really strong!! How is this your fifth and you're still standing! You're doing really good."
This wedding made me really miss my college friends. They all live in New York City, and I rarely get to see them... but damn do we know how to have a good time!! My legs hurt really bad now from all the dancing. I even got Gene to dance! (well, I convinced the mother of the bride to guilt him into dancing with me... worked like a charm!)
And I really know how to get the party started... one of my friends who is, um, energetic and very expressive in his dancing accidentally PUNCHED ME IN THE FACE. Luckily no black eye. I kicked him in the balls later in the evening. And again, weddings wouldn't be weddings without the drama... one of my friends left in the middle of the reception for no good reason... just disappeared, and another one of my friends broke her dress while doing air guitar.
One really good thing came out of the evening though. I finally decided which song to use for my audition next Monday. The bride and groom's first show together (theatre people ALWAYS have a blast... they did a little skit coming in to introduce the bride and groom to musical songs rather than the music for the starting lineup of the 1996 Chicago Bulls) was Crazy For You, which was the show we did our senior year. And the one song I was thinking of performing is "But Not For Me" which is also from that show. During the course of the evening, "Crazy For You" came up about four times. So that settles it... "But Not For Me" it is. I got a lot of support from my friends when I told them I was thinking of auditioning again, so hopefully this will work out. I mean, I'm not expecting to walk in there and be cast as Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie, but hey... it wouldn't hurt!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Step one: New Voice Teacher
In the world of musical theatre, it's imperative to keep ones voice in shape, which I have not. I haven't sung out loud in front of people in over three years. And it definitely shows. So I called up a local vocal coach who was recommended by a friend who works in the industry, and had my first lesson about an hour ago. It went all right... not the best lesson I've had... but that's understandable with the shape that my voice is in.
I basically need to go to a vocal boot camp between now and June 8th (the date of my audition) if I think that I'm going to be in any shape to do this right and get cast. We picked out possibly two songs, not the two songs I originally planned on singing. But Not For Me by George Gershwin from various shows he's done, and from The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd, Nothing Can Stop Me Now! The Gershwin song I'm very familiar with, I've worked on it before, so it's comfortable. The other song I've never heard before in my LIFE but it is a great song.
The strangest thing about this lesson? I heard the six words that I dread hearing: I really think you're a soprano. I've categorized myself as a BELTER forever. My first two voice teachers were convinced that I was a soprano... and I fought it with everything I have. The teacher that I had the longest agreed with me that I was an alto, a belter, possibly a mezzo. Even the musical director from college (weasel that he was) was convinced that I was a soprano. He even told my best friend, who is a coloratura soprano (so ridiculously high it could break glass) that SHE is an alto and I am a soprano. We laughed at him for years over that comment.
But now I'm questioning. What if I am really a soprano, and I've been fighting it for so long, and now I've screwed my voice? I think that if I work hard over the next two weeks (and see if I can find instrumentals of these songs somewhere) I can improve my voice enough so that it's back in good shape again. But we'll see. I'm still terrified of this audition. Why do I do these things to myself?
I basically need to go to a vocal boot camp between now and June 8th (the date of my audition) if I think that I'm going to be in any shape to do this right and get cast. We picked out possibly two songs, not the two songs I originally planned on singing. But Not For Me by George Gershwin from various shows he's done, and from The Roar of the Greasepaint, The Smell of the Crowd, Nothing Can Stop Me Now! The Gershwin song I'm very familiar with, I've worked on it before, so it's comfortable. The other song I've never heard before in my LIFE but it is a great song.
The strangest thing about this lesson? I heard the six words that I dread hearing: I really think you're a soprano. I've categorized myself as a BELTER forever. My first two voice teachers were convinced that I was a soprano... and I fought it with everything I have. The teacher that I had the longest agreed with me that I was an alto, a belter, possibly a mezzo. Even the musical director from college (weasel that he was) was convinced that I was a soprano. He even told my best friend, who is a coloratura soprano (so ridiculously high it could break glass) that SHE is an alto and I am a soprano. We laughed at him for years over that comment.
But now I'm questioning. What if I am really a soprano, and I've been fighting it for so long, and now I've screwed my voice? I think that if I work hard over the next two weeks (and see if I can find instrumentals of these songs somewhere) I can improve my voice enough so that it's back in good shape again. But we'll see. I'm still terrified of this audition. Why do I do these things to myself?
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Musical Update
The reason that they can't say the name of the show is apparently because another very well respected theatre in the area is also doing it, and their show closes July 19th. So they can officially announce it July 20th. But it isn't a big secret. The problem? It is not a show for me. There is only one female character, and I am not tall, blonde, nor do I have giganto boobs. Nor am I sexy on-stage. (and that is not to sound down on myself. There's a reason I'll never be cast as the sex pot, and actually cast as her super smart and nerdy little sister)
BUT!!! There's another theatre around here (that is paid... because it's a dinner theatre) that is doing THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE. THAT is a me show. I can sing the crap out of that show. So. I'm working on something for that audition which is on June 8th. Definitely more to come on that. Also, I auditioned for this theatre in the past when they were doing Chicago, and I was called back for Roxie. So I KNOW that I can get a callback. I wasn't in the show at all... but the problem with me in Chicago is that I can play Roxie, or I can play Roxie. This face ain't a Merry Murderess. The thing with this theatre is that their casting call is AEA and Non-Equity will be seen as time permits. And they generally cast AEA for leads. So chances are that I'll just be in the chorus. But ya never know. I'm still gonna sing and dance my ass off.
At the moment, I'm thinking about probably using "I Got Rhythm" for an audition piece or "Astonishing" from Little Women. The first because it's similar in style to songs from the show, and the latter because it was originally performed by Sutton Foster who played Millie in the Original Revival Cast of the show a few years ago. Both are songs I've worked on in the past, so I'm comfortable with either. I still feel like I'm having a panic attack about it, though.
BUT!!! There's another theatre around here (that is paid... because it's a dinner theatre) that is doing THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE. THAT is a me show. I can sing the crap out of that show. So. I'm working on something for that audition which is on June 8th. Definitely more to come on that. Also, I auditioned for this theatre in the past when they were doing Chicago, and I was called back for Roxie. So I KNOW that I can get a callback. I wasn't in the show at all... but the problem with me in Chicago is that I can play Roxie, or I can play Roxie. This face ain't a Merry Murderess. The thing with this theatre is that their casting call is AEA and Non-Equity will be seen as time permits. And they generally cast AEA for leads. So chances are that I'll just be in the chorus. But ya never know. I'm still gonna sing and dance my ass off.
At the moment, I'm thinking about probably using "I Got Rhythm" for an audition piece or "Astonishing" from Little Women. The first because it's similar in style to songs from the show, and the latter because it was originally performed by Sutton Foster who played Millie in the Original Revival Cast of the show a few years ago. Both are songs I've worked on in the past, so I'm comfortable with either. I still feel like I'm having a panic attack about it, though.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
What if I've forgotten how to sing and act at the same time?
I might be crazy. I didn't want to do any theatre this summer at all, because it took my life last summer. And I like my life. But there's this community theatre down here (yes, community theatre, but they do some pretty good stuff) that I have an "in" at... and my "in" is directing. And the auditions are May 30th. But they won't tell me what show.
So I may or may not have (that means I did) emailed his wife and said I wasn't asking her what show her husband was directing, but if I decided to audition... do I want to prepare something Kander and Ebb/Stephen Sondheim-y? Loud, low, and belty? Or do I want to prepare something Rodgers and Hammerstein/puppies and rainbows-y? Pretty sounding ballady about how awesome love is until your husband beats you up? (that's from Carousel, in case you were wondering).
AND! Later in the year... this place is doing RENT. I love RENT. I can sing the crap out of RENT. Hi, community theatre in Delaware, meet your new Maureen. Please?
I know I'm probably going to regret this. I think. Oh, God, someone help me.
So I may or may not have (that means I did) emailed his wife and said I wasn't asking her what show her husband was directing, but if I decided to audition... do I want to prepare something Kander and Ebb/Stephen Sondheim-y? Loud, low, and belty? Or do I want to prepare something Rodgers and Hammerstein/puppies and rainbows-y? Pretty sounding ballady about how awesome love is until your husband beats you up? (that's from Carousel, in case you were wondering).
AND! Later in the year... this place is doing RENT. I love RENT. I can sing the crap out of RENT. Hi, community theatre in Delaware, meet your new Maureen. Please?
I know I'm probably going to regret this. I think. Oh, God, someone help me.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Idina Idina Idina!
Idina Menzel is coming to Delaware... again. She was here last year, and the show sold out in five minutes...and I was really sad. Apparently, this time they gave her a much larger venue... and there are lots of tickets left. A friend of mine managed to get us a few bucks off the tickets, so they were only $31 instead of $38. I'm super excited.
The only dilemma I'm having at the moment... next week, for four days, Mandy Patinkin and Patty LuPone are also in Delaware. And I REALLY want to go. With all of the "servicing fees" and nonsense that the theatre is charging ($11.50 for a service charge) the ticket would cost over $70. I mean, I love Mandy and Patty... Patty LuPone was one of the reasons I wanted to do theater...but I really can't afford that much money! I'm so bummed. And! The thing is... the theatre that's hosting the show is a client of the stations. SOMETIMES I can get comp tickets to shows, but usually only if they aren't selling well. I don't know if I can work my comp magic for this one, but I'm really crossing my fingers. I keep trying to convince our programming director that he needs to get Mandy and Patty in-studio for an interview. When I told him about it, the only thing he could say was "Mandy Patinkin is in town? When? Really? Mandy Patinkin? I love Mandy Patinkin." I mean, I'd be backstage and be Patty's bitch for the evening. Please? Pretty please? You don't even have to give me a seat! Just let me stand in the back... I will. I'll do whatever you want, damnit.
Idina will be fun though. I heard that her show was great the last time she came through... and her non theatre stuff is actually pretty amazing. Maybe we can get Idina in studio for an interview... or I'll have to suck up to someone to get backstage. Seriously. Of all of the crazy people I've met in radio, these are my people. These are the people that if I meet...I faint. Because I love them. And they're amazing. And they were the reasons I wanted to sing. I don't anymore, not really. But maybe for a night I can live vicariously through a stranger.
The only dilemma I'm having at the moment... next week, for four days, Mandy Patinkin and Patty LuPone are also in Delaware. And I REALLY want to go. With all of the "servicing fees" and nonsense that the theatre is charging ($11.50 for a service charge) the ticket would cost over $70. I mean, I love Mandy and Patty... Patty LuPone was one of the reasons I wanted to do theater...but I really can't afford that much money! I'm so bummed. And! The thing is... the theatre that's hosting the show is a client of the stations. SOMETIMES I can get comp tickets to shows, but usually only if they aren't selling well. I don't know if I can work my comp magic for this one, but I'm really crossing my fingers. I keep trying to convince our programming director that he needs to get Mandy and Patty in-studio for an interview. When I told him about it, the only thing he could say was "Mandy Patinkin is in town? When? Really? Mandy Patinkin? I love Mandy Patinkin." I mean, I'd be backstage and be Patty's bitch for the evening. Please? Pretty please? You don't even have to give me a seat! Just let me stand in the back... I will. I'll do whatever you want, damnit.
Idina will be fun though. I heard that her show was great the last time she came through... and her non theatre stuff is actually pretty amazing. Maybe we can get Idina in studio for an interview... or I'll have to suck up to someone to get backstage. Seriously. Of all of the crazy people I've met in radio, these are my people. These are the people that if I meet...I faint. Because I love them. And they're amazing. And they were the reasons I wanted to sing. I don't anymore, not really. But maybe for a night I can live vicariously through a stranger.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
By popular demand
Not so much popular. Just my mom. But she's my mom, so I have to do what she says.
I had to do a bit of digging to find this... I blogged about the almost theatre fist fight shortly after it happened on my myspace blog (which I've been neglecting entirely since starting this one, but no one goes on myspace anymore anyway)
Originally titled "Flintstones...I'm obnoxious..." which is a take from the Flintstones theme song that my friends rewrote to be: Flintstones... I'm obnoxious... I have no social tact at all. And they'd sing it really loud in hallways.
Friday night I had a lovely evening planned. I was going to leave work on time, go to becklette's, go to the train station, enjoy a lovely play about Italy and British people, and just have a grand 'ole time. Simple, right?? It started off as planned... we got the train on time, found the Walnut, had a drink before the play (like you do), found our seats, and started enjoying this lovely little play.
Then it started. The obnoxious Main Line lush and her snooty lush friends started running commentary on the play. It wasn't even well thought out, or intellectual at all. It was blatant obvious comments such as, "Look he's eating. And he has his Times," or "Oh! She's a drinker!" Really? Because I have eyes and can see for myself, you wench!! Captain Obvious and her sidekicks Redundency, Repetitive, and No Shit, Sherlock were in full force. THEN they took out the box of candy. Not a bag.... not little wrappers... BOX of candy. Like a box of lemondrops or jujubees, or something that would sound like maracas when you shake them. And they shook them. For about 4 minutes. We glared, we sighed, we did the grunt that shows we're annoyed... all of the little things that you do to signal quietly to the people behind you that they are annoying you.
At intermission, I went to the house manager, and politely asked her to deal with the people in house Right row O seats 303-306 (oh that's right... I found out their seats... not that it was difficult, it was the seats directly behind me). After intermission, they were quieter. They talked, but only during scene changes. THEN they started doing things like laughing when they shouldn't be.. and I'm all for having fun, but when you're having fun A. at the actors expense and B. to the annoyance of EVERYONE around you... there's a problem. That's when I said something. I wasn't rude. I was never rude. Here's the conversation:
Me: "Excuse me, could you refrain from the running commentary throughout the entire play? It's distracting."
Obnoxious Lush: "What the f*** is your problem?"
becklette: "Our problem is that you've been unbearably obnoxious throughout the entire play!"
Obnoxious Lush: "Well just turn around... just turn around!" (while shoving her hand in becklette's face)
Then... she called one of us a stupid bitch (I say one of us because she was too drunk to use plural. She probably meant both of us). I almost decked her then... but I didn't. Instead I just flipped her off for five minutes. If she touched my finger, I would have elbowed her in the nose, causing her to get even more plastic surgery. Stupid mainline snob.
I may also have called her my favorite curse word at the end of the play. It rhymes with "hunt." It's my favorite word because it pisses off so many people... and I very rarely use it directed at someone. Only two people. This woman and a second who shall remain nameless. I don't know that I've ever been so angry at a play before. My heart was thumping so loud that I was sure everyone around me could hear it. Later on, I had told my friend who was doing costumes for the Walnut at the time what had happened, and found out that the actors on stage could hear this woman... and they told my friend to thank me and becklette for sticking up for them. The play was very good... and if you are a fan of theatre and get a chance to see Enchanted April, do it. Just hope that you don't have the peanut gallery behind you.
I had to do a bit of digging to find this... I blogged about the almost theatre fist fight shortly after it happened on my myspace blog (which I've been neglecting entirely since starting this one, but no one goes on myspace anymore anyway)
Originally titled "Flintstones...I'm obnoxious..." which is a take from the Flintstones theme song that my friends rewrote to be: Flintstones... I'm obnoxious... I have no social tact at all. And they'd sing it really loud in hallways.
Friday night I had a lovely evening planned. I was going to leave work on time, go to becklette's, go to the train station, enjoy a lovely play about Italy and British people, and just have a grand 'ole time. Simple, right?? It started off as planned... we got the train on time, found the Walnut, had a drink before the play (like you do), found our seats, and started enjoying this lovely little play.
Then it started. The obnoxious Main Line lush and her snooty lush friends started running commentary on the play. It wasn't even well thought out, or intellectual at all. It was blatant obvious comments such as, "Look he's eating. And he has his Times," or "Oh! She's a drinker!" Really? Because I have eyes and can see for myself, you wench!! Captain Obvious and her sidekicks Redundency, Repetitive, and No Shit, Sherlock were in full force. THEN they took out the box of candy. Not a bag.... not little wrappers... BOX of candy. Like a box of lemondrops or jujubees, or something that would sound like maracas when you shake them. And they shook them. For about 4 minutes. We glared, we sighed, we did the grunt that shows we're annoyed... all of the little things that you do to signal quietly to the people behind you that they are annoying you.
At intermission, I went to the house manager, and politely asked her to deal with the people in house Right row O seats 303-306 (oh that's right... I found out their seats... not that it was difficult, it was the seats directly behind me). After intermission, they were quieter. They talked, but only during scene changes. THEN they started doing things like laughing when they shouldn't be.. and I'm all for having fun, but when you're having fun A. at the actors expense and B. to the annoyance of EVERYONE around you... there's a problem. That's when I said something. I wasn't rude. I was never rude. Here's the conversation:
Me: "Excuse me, could you refrain from the running commentary throughout the entire play? It's distracting."
Obnoxious Lush: "What the f*** is your problem?"
becklette: "Our problem is that you've been unbearably obnoxious throughout the entire play!"
Obnoxious Lush: "Well just turn around... just turn around!" (while shoving her hand in becklette's face)
Then... she called one of us a stupid bitch (I say one of us because she was too drunk to use plural. She probably meant both of us). I almost decked her then... but I didn't. Instead I just flipped her off for five minutes. If she touched my finger, I would have elbowed her in the nose, causing her to get even more plastic surgery. Stupid mainline snob.
I may also have called her my favorite curse word at the end of the play. It rhymes with "hunt." It's my favorite word because it pisses off so many people... and I very rarely use it directed at someone. Only two people. This woman and a second who shall remain nameless. I don't know that I've ever been so angry at a play before. My heart was thumping so loud that I was sure everyone around me could hear it. Later on, I had told my friend who was doing costumes for the Walnut at the time what had happened, and found out that the actors on stage could hear this woman... and they told my friend to thank me and becklette for sticking up for them. The play was very good... and if you are a fan of theatre and get a chance to see Enchanted April, do it. Just hope that you don't have the peanut gallery behind you.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Wait, Tennessee Williams is funny?
Over the weekend, I saw A Streetcar Named Desire at the Walnut Street Theatre... and it was WONDERFUL! Streetcar is one of my favorite plays (not my favorite... Vieux Carre is my favorite... it's okay that you've never heard of it. It's not a well-known Tennessee Williams play. One of his first.) and my college did it while I was there. When my college did it...I was amazed by the acting abilities of my peers and thought it was so incredibly well done, and such a heart-wrenching serious piece of theatre.
And then I saw it at the Walnut...and laughed. A lot. I never laughed at this play in college. I never laughed at it when I read it a dozen times. I never saw this play as funny...but it is. It's really really funny. The actor who played Stanley is unbelievable and I've seen him in probably a dozen plays in Philly. Most recently (besides Streetcar) I saw him at the Arden Theatre in Assassins as John Wilkes Booth. The range of this guy is incredible. If someone had told me that Jeff Coons was in Streetcar, I would have said "Oh, is he playing Steve?" not "Oh, is he playing Stanley?" But he was amazing as Stanley.
The only downfall of the evening was the box office. I've never really had a bad experience at The Walnut, except that time that I almost got into a fist fight with this woman, but she was a patron not someone who worked there. So that's different. I am a season ticket holder and had my tickets switched from Saturday matinee (because I had a knitting class that day) to Friday evening. I was told that i needed to pick them up at the theatre, because it was too late to mail them. Which was fine by me since my father's address is the address listed on the subscription and he lives in Jersey. I went to will call to get my tickets, and he curmedgeon in the box office said "What makes you think that your tickets are here?" To which I responded with, "The person I spoke with on Tuesday told me that it was too late to mail them and that I had to pick them up at the box office prior to the show. I have my original tickets with me, would you like them?" I just couldn't believe that someone who worked for the Walnut would be so rude to a person that they know is a subscriber! A little hint... you want to keep your season ticket holders since not a lot of people are going to the theatre anymore. It's probably not a good idea to be very rude to your subscribers, because they might not be subscribers any more.
Luckily, the rude box office guy wasn't enough to ruin my evening. My friend Deb and I had a lovely dinner in a little Chinese restaurant on Walnut that looks a little strange on the outside, but has very good food. And we had a lovely time at the play itself. And I got to see my friend Megan who works at the Walnut. All in all, a nice date night with my friend. She really needed a night out, anyway.
And then I saw it at the Walnut...and laughed. A lot. I never laughed at this play in college. I never laughed at it when I read it a dozen times. I never saw this play as funny...but it is. It's really really funny. The actor who played Stanley is unbelievable and I've seen him in probably a dozen plays in Philly. Most recently (besides Streetcar) I saw him at the Arden Theatre in Assassins as John Wilkes Booth. The range of this guy is incredible. If someone had told me that Jeff Coons was in Streetcar, I would have said "Oh, is he playing Steve?" not "Oh, is he playing Stanley?" But he was amazing as Stanley.
The only downfall of the evening was the box office. I've never really had a bad experience at The Walnut, except that time that I almost got into a fist fight with this woman, but she was a patron not someone who worked there. So that's different. I am a season ticket holder and had my tickets switched from Saturday matinee (because I had a knitting class that day) to Friday evening. I was told that i needed to pick them up at the theatre, because it was too late to mail them. Which was fine by me since my father's address is the address listed on the subscription and he lives in Jersey. I went to will call to get my tickets, and he curmedgeon in the box office said "What makes you think that your tickets are here?" To which I responded with, "The person I spoke with on Tuesday told me that it was too late to mail them and that I had to pick them up at the box office prior to the show. I have my original tickets with me, would you like them?" I just couldn't believe that someone who worked for the Walnut would be so rude to a person that they know is a subscriber! A little hint... you want to keep your season ticket holders since not a lot of people are going to the theatre anymore. It's probably not a good idea to be very rude to your subscribers, because they might not be subscribers any more.
Luckily, the rude box office guy wasn't enough to ruin my evening. My friend Deb and I had a lovely dinner in a little Chinese restaurant on Walnut that looks a little strange on the outside, but has very good food. And we had a lovely time at the play itself. And I got to see my friend Megan who works at the Walnut. All in all, a nice date night with my friend. She really needed a night out, anyway.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
...ok. Maybe I was wrong.
I admit that I haven't seen anything from 9 to 5. Because it's only in LA. And has been for the past year since it's been workshopped. Since I live in lowly Delaware, I'll have to wait until it hits Broadway in March 2009 to see it... and that's if I feel like paying the exorbitant amount that box offices are charging nowadays. I may look into preview tickets.
I have been scolded for knocking 9 to 5 since I hadn't seen it. I have seen the movie, and I've been noticing the downward spiral in the quality of theatre. I just could't see how that movie can translate into a musical that's going to catch on the way that Wicked, Rent, and Hairspray did. It's a cute movie. It's one of those movies that I categorize as bad movies you love. It's not that the acting is bad, because it isn't or else it would be unwatchable. It's just a lot of fluff. Legally Blonde is one of those movies, and so is Bed of Roses (which happens to be one of my favorite movies ever). Even Mel Brooks' latest musical didn't do so hot... and Young Frankenstein has musical juggernauts in it (Megan Mullally, Sutton Foster, Roger Bart... and Susan Stroman choreography). There's no reason that that show shouldn't have a sold out house every night.
With that said... I looked up the cast of 9 to 5. And I have to tell you... it has my three favorite musical theatre women in it. Allison Janey... one of the funniest ladies in entertainment today. If you want to see good comedy, watch Drop Dead Gorgeous. She's flipping hysterical. Stephanie J. Block...the woman who was supposed to be Elphaba in the first place... she's incredible and very underrated. And finaly, Megan Hilty...who is comedy gold. She's playing Dolly Parton's role, and she's this perfect mixture of Dolly and Loni Anderson's character from WKRP in Cincinatti (and if you have no idea what that is, RENT IT...IT'S AWESOME. I wish they would release it with the original music in it though. WKRP was a great TV show that I only discovered last year...and it isn't just funny for radio people.) I also looked up some stuff on Youtube, which is scarce since 9 to 5 is only on the West Coast, and us poor lowly East Coast folk have to wait and search on Youtube, and I now have the song 9 to 5 stuck in my head. So thanks for that. The only stage clip they have is a montage to the chorus singing 9 to 5. Which sounds pretty good. And they have a clip of Megan Hilty (which is where I got the Loni Anderson vibe... because the way she stands and a scene where she rips the boss a new asshole really reminded me of something that Jennifer did in WKRP). but that's it. Any other songs are just audio with the logo on 9 to 5 on it.
I said before that when I listen to musicals or see them... I'm looking for that song where I go "Wow... I need to sing that." 9 to 5 has that song. Get Out and Stay Out. Stephanie Block sings it... and man can that girl sing. It's really visceral. My gauge for good theatre (and this may sound really dumb, but whatever) is if I cry or not. And I cry at happy theatre. I cry HARD at happy theatre. I saw Beauty and the Beast on Broadway when I was 14 (STARRING ANDREA MCARDLE WHO I FREAKING LOVE) and during Be Our Guest...I burst into tears. Because it was pretty. The next year, I saw Annie Get Your Gun...and as soon as Bernadette Peters walked onstage I was a sobbing mess. And that entrance is funny. Sometimes I'm crying because I'm laughing so hard, like in Hairspray. When I saw Wicked... I knew I was going to cry as soon as Elphaba started flying in Defying Gravity, and I did. I know that if I do get to see 9 to 5... when that song happens... I'm going to burst into tears.
When I'm wrong, I admit it. and I was wrong about 9 to 5. I hope it does well. I don't wish ill on any piece of theatre...I hope they all go well. I'm just a realist, and when I don't think something is going to work I have no problem saying it. But when I'm wrong... I say I'm wrong.
I have been scolded for knocking 9 to 5 since I hadn't seen it. I have seen the movie, and I've been noticing the downward spiral in the quality of theatre. I just could't see how that movie can translate into a musical that's going to catch on the way that Wicked, Rent, and Hairspray did. It's a cute movie. It's one of those movies that I categorize as bad movies you love. It's not that the acting is bad, because it isn't or else it would be unwatchable. It's just a lot of fluff. Legally Blonde is one of those movies, and so is Bed of Roses (which happens to be one of my favorite movies ever). Even Mel Brooks' latest musical didn't do so hot... and Young Frankenstein has musical juggernauts in it (Megan Mullally, Sutton Foster, Roger Bart... and Susan Stroman choreography). There's no reason that that show shouldn't have a sold out house every night.
With that said... I looked up the cast of 9 to 5. And I have to tell you... it has my three favorite musical theatre women in it. Allison Janey... one of the funniest ladies in entertainment today. If you want to see good comedy, watch Drop Dead Gorgeous. She's flipping hysterical. Stephanie J. Block...the woman who was supposed to be Elphaba in the first place... she's incredible and very underrated. And finaly, Megan Hilty...who is comedy gold. She's playing Dolly Parton's role, and she's this perfect mixture of Dolly and Loni Anderson's character from WKRP in Cincinatti (and if you have no idea what that is, RENT IT...IT'S AWESOME. I wish they would release it with the original music in it though. WKRP was a great TV show that I only discovered last year...and it isn't just funny for radio people.) I also looked up some stuff on Youtube, which is scarce since 9 to 5 is only on the West Coast, and us poor lowly East Coast folk have to wait and search on Youtube, and I now have the song 9 to 5 stuck in my head. So thanks for that. The only stage clip they have is a montage to the chorus singing 9 to 5. Which sounds pretty good. And they have a clip of Megan Hilty (which is where I got the Loni Anderson vibe... because the way she stands and a scene where she rips the boss a new asshole really reminded me of something that Jennifer did in WKRP). but that's it. Any other songs are just audio with the logo on 9 to 5 on it.
I said before that when I listen to musicals or see them... I'm looking for that song where I go "Wow... I need to sing that." 9 to 5 has that song. Get Out and Stay Out. Stephanie Block sings it... and man can that girl sing. It's really visceral. My gauge for good theatre (and this may sound really dumb, but whatever) is if I cry or not. And I cry at happy theatre. I cry HARD at happy theatre. I saw Beauty and the Beast on Broadway when I was 14 (STARRING ANDREA MCARDLE WHO I FREAKING LOVE) and during Be Our Guest...I burst into tears. Because it was pretty. The next year, I saw Annie Get Your Gun...and as soon as Bernadette Peters walked onstage I was a sobbing mess. And that entrance is funny. Sometimes I'm crying because I'm laughing so hard, like in Hairspray. When I saw Wicked... I knew I was going to cry as soon as Elphaba started flying in Defying Gravity, and I did. I know that if I do get to see 9 to 5... when that song happens... I'm going to burst into tears.
When I'm wrong, I admit it. and I was wrong about 9 to 5. I hope it does well. I don't wish ill on any piece of theatre...I hope they all go well. I'm just a realist, and when I don't think something is going to work I have no problem saying it. But when I'm wrong... I say I'm wrong.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Wallstreet meets Mass Murder meets....Kicklines?
Recently I had a post venting about the absurdity of 9 to 5 becoming a musical. We have yet another atrocity to add to the list of bad musicals. The evil musical gods are taking one really good movie and making one of Christian Bale's creepiest and best known characters sing songs on stage in the limelight.
AMERICAN PSYCHO: THE MUSICAL?! Are you KIDDING me!!??? I found this gem piece of news from filmDrunk. The bad theatre that America has been exposed to lately is not only heart breaking to those of us who love good theatre, but it's really sad for everyone else. The people I feel the worst for are high school musical nerds who are just finding their niche in musical theatre, and they have to get exposed to this crap. American Psycho, 9 to 5, Cry Baby, Legally Blonde, and Movin' Up are just bad. When I was in high school and discovering that musicals were cool (because they are. They're super cool. Except West Side Story. No gang members I know pirouette.) I had things like Rent, Wicked, Urinetown, The Producers (you know, when Mel Brooks redid it), Aida, The Last Five Years, and the revival version of You're A Good Man Charlie Brown. When I was in high school, no one knew Sutton Foster's name but a select few, Kristin Chenoweth was still sort of up-and-coming, Idina Menzel was that chick from Rent... and now we have the Rent clone, Spring Awakening that everyone is gaga over.
Very rarely do I listen to new shows and think "I have to sing that song." The last musical I did that with was Avenue Q. Even Spamalot I LOVED but know damn well that no normal person can hit the kind of notes that Sara Ramirez does as the Lady of the Lake. All of my favorite shows were from the 90s, or old Kander & Ebb. Very rarely do I buy soundtracks of musicals anymore...except for Bklyn but it was Eden Espinosa, and she's amazing. I really wish that producers and writers and composers would stop trying to bring the "people" to Broadway by writing all this trendy crap. In twenty years, the revival of Movin' Out isn't winning any Tonys. But the revival of Oklahoma (which I do think is craptastic for the record) probably will. In ten, twenty years... the shows that will be revived are the ones that are always revived. The well-written ones by Rodgers and Hammerstein (gag), Kander & Ebb, Sondheim, Schwartz. These are going to keep coming back, because, uh, they were GOOD. God this upsets me. Just wait until we get Twilight the Musical. It's coming, I'm sure.
AMERICAN PSYCHO: THE MUSICAL?! Are you KIDDING me!!??? I found this gem piece of news from filmDrunk. The bad theatre that America has been exposed to lately is not only heart breaking to those of us who love good theatre, but it's really sad for everyone else. The people I feel the worst for are high school musical nerds who are just finding their niche in musical theatre, and they have to get exposed to this crap. American Psycho, 9 to 5, Cry Baby, Legally Blonde, and Movin' Up are just bad. When I was in high school and discovering that musicals were cool (because they are. They're super cool. Except West Side Story. No gang members I know pirouette.) I had things like Rent, Wicked, Urinetown, The Producers (you know, when Mel Brooks redid it), Aida, The Last Five Years, and the revival version of You're A Good Man Charlie Brown. When I was in high school, no one knew Sutton Foster's name but a select few, Kristin Chenoweth was still sort of up-and-coming, Idina Menzel was that chick from Rent... and now we have the Rent clone, Spring Awakening that everyone is gaga over.
Very rarely do I listen to new shows and think "I have to sing that song." The last musical I did that with was Avenue Q. Even Spamalot I LOVED but know damn well that no normal person can hit the kind of notes that Sara Ramirez does as the Lady of the Lake. All of my favorite shows were from the 90s, or old Kander & Ebb. Very rarely do I buy soundtracks of musicals anymore...except for Bklyn but it was Eden Espinosa, and she's amazing. I really wish that producers and writers and composers would stop trying to bring the "people" to Broadway by writing all this trendy crap. In twenty years, the revival of Movin' Out isn't winning any Tonys. But the revival of Oklahoma (which I do think is craptastic for the record) probably will. In ten, twenty years... the shows that will be revived are the ones that are always revived. The well-written ones by Rodgers and Hammerstein (gag), Kander & Ebb, Sondheim, Schwartz. These are going to keep coming back, because, uh, they were GOOD. God this upsets me. Just wait until we get Twilight the Musical. It's coming, I'm sure.
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