Konnichiwa Tokyo

Hey Blog Fans - anyone? anyone? Doubtful, since it's been, oh, I don't know, a YEAR since I updated this blog. No matter, I'm back and ready to blog my latest adventure which has me and a traveling company of 54 headed to Tokyo next Sunday. Then, once we arrive, or company will take on a Japanese children's chorus of 42, making this almost 100 person company about 4 times larger than any company I've ever managed before. Rock on! Thankfully, I have my trusty ACM Katie to make sure I don't screw up too much.

My quick 2011 recap has Rock of Ages closing on January 9th. Rest assured rock fans, it will reopen at the Helen Hayes in March, but Tracy and I are both off to new company management adventures. She has moved over to the very fancy, very Broadway company of the Addams Family, and I am heading to the Ordway Theatre in St. Paul tomorrow morning where my gigantic company of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be starting rehearsal on Tuesday.

Oh, if we can all get through this mess...

thanks weather.com for the image - and the logistical nightmare

Um, yes, that bright purple spot on the map is directly where nine of my company members are headed at various times over the next 24 hours. Including me, with all their contracts and passports. So, say a travel prayer for all of us. It looks like it could get a little messy. Also is making packing a nightmare. Thanks nature.

In any case, our advance choreographer is already gearing up for the first children's rehearsal tomorrow, and my stage manager, is at least at the start of her trip. She's been delayed for about 2 hours, and I'm just praying that's as bad as it gets. 

So, stay tuned, where I promise, at least for the next 3 weeks to stay current with my blog, including many pictures of how I will be the tallest person in Tokyo.

Theatrical Inspiration

I mentioned recently that I headed over to the Richard Rodgers Theatre the other day in search of some theatrical inspiration. I surely found it in 2008 Tony Award winner for Best Musical In the Heights. The unfortunate part about finally working in the theatre here in New York City is that you're working in the theatre in New York City, meaning that your evenings and weekends are spent at work and doesn't leave much opportunity to check out what your collegues are doing.

*I would like to mention when I just typed that members of the Broadway community have now become my colleagues, I teared up a little. Wow.

Anyway, this brief hiatus while we ready the Broadway version of Rock of Ages has given me a chance to catch up on some of the amazing things that are happening here in New York theatre, and I must say, that In the Heights is one of the best productions I have seen in a long time. So, next time you readers find yourselves with a night free in Midtown, go check it out. You will not be disappointed.

And as proof of that, check out these two YouTube videos. The first one is awesome to me for a lot of reasons. It shows that the face of theatre is changing, that the voice of theatre is changing, and pretty much is amazing all on its own.

And here is the response from the amazing people at In the Heights. I dare you to watch it without being completely blown away at how amazing the theatre community is.



I'm going to make this happen on Rock of Ages. Not the stripper scenes though.

Rock-tober

Y'all, I'm not joking. Tonight was an awesome night. By some miracle of the theatrical gods, and with a little help from my friends (I like to call them, the theatre industry) we had a full house for our very first preview, and it was AWESOME. Yes, the show ran an 2 hours and 45 min long, but it's still a work in progress folks, that's why they are called previews!! It'll get cut and trimmed and the pacing will pick up and all will be totally ever MORE awesome.

To finally see this show take shape was really fun. I feel like it's important for me to get behind whatever project I'm working on; otherwise, what's the point, right? But, it's great when it's so much fun.

Seriously, y'all. Get a ticket, get your group of friends together, grab a few drinks (it helps you sing along better) and get down to New World. You'll find me in the back behind the light board dancing along to "Here I Am Again on my Own."

You want to know what else made my night tonight? I completely felt like the part of the team. I was able to talk to marketing teams, ad people, box office treasurers, theatre managers, potential investors, and a slew of producers without batting an eyelash. I was able to joke around and laugh and dance around like the sleep deprived girl I am, and it all just fit together. Any of you who are faithful readers of this blog (are you out there?) will know that I am always looking to to be "part of it all" as my dear [tos]sers have so well described it, and every experience I have that gives me the feelings I had tonight, make me feel so happy and fortunate to have a career that allow me to experience it over and over again.

I'm heading to bed now, for I'm home before 1 am for the first time in a week, and we've got a long week ahead of us. Keep posted to the blog for more updates. I've added a bonus pic of the set for you. Trust me. It rocks so much harder than this picture from tech can show! Good night Astoria!!

Teching

So, my rocking show fully moves into the theatre today as we enter what is lovingly known in the industry as "hell week." My next 6 days will consist of paperwork in the office during the day, then to the theatre until 1am for hours of "is this light too blue? Shouldn't he be holding a beer, not a mixed drink? Are the sounds on the 4th beat of every word of the intro sharp enough?" All decisions which I couldn't make if you held a gun to my head (unless one of the questions happens to be, "for the love of God, can't SOMEONE get a marketing code around here!"), but I am finding this process amazing. It's helping me very much to see the collabrative nature of this field, and is another reminder of why I do what I do and love it so much.

Moving on from my dorky techy blogging, I sent out an email begging everyone on the planet to sign the petition to get [tos] on Ellen (you know, this petition), and I'm amazed at the response. Way to go friends and family. Extra bonus points if you actually clicked on the link to my blog. Welcome.

I'm off to shower and drag myself to work. Much love from Astoria!

Have you Ever Thought About...

Readers. Have you ever thought about how many people it takes to make a musical? Oh. My. Lord. Today I was at a production meeting, and the following were in attendance:

• Director/Assistant Director
• Choreographer/Assistant Choreographer
• Production Stage Manager/Stage Manager/Production Assistant
• Scenic Designer/Assistant Scenic Designer
• Lighting Designer/Assistant Lighting Designer
• Props Master
• Wardrobe Assistant
• Assistant Sound Designer
  
• Production Manager/Assistant Production Manager
• Video Projectionist Designer
• Music Contractor/Orchestrator/Director
• General Manager (2)/Company Manager/Assistant Company Manager/Management Intern
• and finally two producers

Y'all, that's a lot of people. That's not taking in count the 17 actors that were on lunch break during our meeting or the people that were assembling the deck at New World Stages while we were in our meeting or my box office staff that were frantically processing codes for me. Tomorrow we meet with no fewer than 3 marketing firms, a press agent, a pr person, more producers and any other random people that I've missed off this list.

I can't even say how amazed I am at all that goes into getting a show to its opening night. I know, I know, I've been part of plenty show openings and what have you, but as I've mentioned before, this is the first time I've seen all of this "production" craziness, and it completely blows my mind. But as it's blowing my mind, its also sending chills up my spine. Every single one of those people will work their tails off come hell or high water to make the best production possible be on that stage come October 16, and they will fight for what they need to make that happen. Who says theatre is dead? It's an incredible thing to be in a room full of people so passionate about their jobs. I'm loving every crazy, ridiculous second of it.

In news outside my job (yes, I have a life). Wii Fit admonished my sister for telling it that she didn't think I looked in any better shape this week. It was amazing. That's news right? I'm not a total loser, am I? Whatever, I love that Wii Fit. TiVo is adjusting well to the newest addition. Also, I keep them in separate rooms, so that helps. Can you tell I've cut back on the social agenda lately? It seems that my bank account finally figured out that I spent many weeks this summer unemployed. It's finally recovering, but gave me quite a scare towards the end of August. Ugh. Can't I just win the lottery already? At least the health insurance lottery? Anyone? No one?

Last thought before I head to bed, I love the new iTunes. I love that Apple keeps making me want to upgrade my iPod even though I have absolutely NO reason to do it. I love that if I want to find twenty-five songs on my iPod that sound like Miley Cyrus' "7 Things" that I can do it, and my iPod won't judge me like all my friends do. Life is good. I'm out. Good night.

Oh - and Happy Birthday shout-outs to my cousin Mary, my college roommate Erica (who both turned 30 on Tuesday), my Pajama Gaming touring Thomas and my sole remaining swim team friend Eric. The first week of September is huge for me birthday wise! I hope all of you celebrated fully and will be blessed with the best year yet!

I've got a headache T-H-I-S big...

I know there are people out there that don't suffer from headaches, and for those of you, just know that I hate you all a little bit.

I got knocked OUT today by the worst headache I've had in quite sometime. Like, can't sit up, turn on lights, listen to any sound headache. Completely incapacitating. Thankfully, we also had torrential downpour here in NYC (thanks Hurricane Hanna), so at least I had a peaceful background to my misery.

Thankfully, it finally seems to be subsiding, and has allowed me to turn on the tv at least. I'm currently watching a show on The Food Network about kitchen gadgets of the future. It's like my tv knew I was feeling awful and put my favorite kind of tv show on just for me. Lord knows I don't cook, but I'm sure those that know me well know that if it's gadget-y, I want it. Right now, they're showing me an oven that you just push a button, put your meat/fish/pizza in, and hit go. It autmatically adjusts temperature and time for you. I love it.

Work is going really well. The show went into rehearsals on Tuesday and is actually pretty funny. Sitting in on production meetings and read-throughs are still pretty new to me, so I'm really enjoying watching just how much freakin' work it is to put a show up. We even have a team just for internet marketing (I don't think they ever sleep!). All in all, I'm very happy to be back in production mode. We start moving the set into the theatre on Tuesday. Whoooo!

Ok, I feel like I'm pressing my luck on the headache front, so I'm going to end it here. Good night from rainy, headachy Astoria.

Sad the Summer is Over

Hope y'all had a happy Labor Day Weekend! I sure did! I headed back to beautiful, relaxing Sag Harbor thanks to my pal Gail (holla!) It was a wonderful way to wind up Summer '08. My sister was able to ditch the city as well and come out East for some poolside time, so that was fun!

Things I learned:

• I don't make enough money to even look at houses in the Hamptons.
• I want these Coach sunglasses (in burgandy)! But I didn't buy them, because I have to pay rent.
• Along those lines, being responsible is overrated.
• There are a lot of good places to sit and watch college football in East Hampton on a Saturday.
• There is no limit to how many fried shrimp I will eat.
• If given the opportunity, I can spend 3 days straight in my swimsuit cover-up.
• Fancy drinks taste fancier the farther east you travel! In Montauk, they even put cucumbers in the water. Amazing!
  

In other news. our Rock of Ages Meet and Greet is tomorrow morning! I love meet and greets! It's so fun to look around the room and see so many different types of people all working to get the show up. Cool. Last week, I walked through Stage 1 at New World with Jason, our SM, our Asst PM, and two of the NWS ops people for my first sightline conversation. It never ceases to amaze me how many things need to be thought about before opening! Of course we have to cut those three seats in the balcony, otherwise, someone will be sharing their lap with our spot op.

Ok, I'm off to bed now I think. Big day tomorrow, as our Rader Family Fantasy Football draft is in the morning. I love football season!

Wish Me Luck...

I have a meeting with fancy Broadway people this morning. Think good thoughts!

Another Opening, Another Show

I'm not going to lie, I adore opening nights! Sure, it's completely crazy leading up to it, getting all the press reservations in, keeping everyone calm about how many people are in the theatre, making sure your cast has no idea when the Times is going to be there, but at the end of it all, when you're watching the curtain call. That's one of my favorite moments in theatre.

reasons to be pretty had a pretty fantastic opening night, and a great review in the Times to top it all off. Em and Nick joined me for the show and the party, which made for wonderful company and a great time.

It's time for me to head to bed now, but I just had to post that. Tomorrow's my day off, which I am so looking forward to! I'm still trying to shake this ridiculous cough, and I have lots of TiVo to catch up on!

Where God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window...

Well, not even the pinkest, sparkliest, most magical wish can trump the unfairness that is the "office loyalty" card. Person #2 is walking away with my so coveted ACM position on the Legally Blonde tour. I can't really fault anyone here, except the stupid theatrical hierarchy, but someday it will work in my favor, so I'm finding it hard to even fault that. The CM called today, and was very lovely and diplomatic about the whole thing, saying that we were really neck-and-neck, and the only thing stopping them from choosing me is my lack of experience in that particular office. He said that everything about me was great and perfect, and I needn't change anything, and that he would send my resume around with his highest recommendation. So, see, I can't even pinpoint my sadness on him. He was really very nice. In my theatrically-inclined mind, I've decided that he wanted to hire me, and that the powers-that-be chose otherwise. It'll help me get through it anyway.

Anyway, so thankfully, I was surrounded by wonderfully supportive people to get me through, so to those people, I say thank you for the drink invitations, for telling me I was too good for that tour anyway, for promising me that not getting that job meant Broadway was waiting for me, and for just being there to say it sucks, but that I will no doubt come out on top, thank you. For your favorite Pisces girl, this day has been ridiculously tear-free. Amazing.

Can someone pick me up some Kleenex?

Well, it was bound to happen, I suppose.  After spending my weekend in the teeny, tiny box office down at the Lortel with my box office treasurer, who I love, but who was also sporting a fever all weekend, I'm spending my treasured day off in bed with a stupid cold.  I'm supposed to be volunteering at the MTC Gala tonight, so I'm hoping I can pull it together by then.  

I'm mostly blaming this insane weather NYC has been having lately.  60 on Monday, 45 on Tuesday, 80 on Wednesday, sun, rain, snow.  (ok, no snow, but I needed a third weather element to balance out my list).  I am so over walking around in the freezing rain though.  Gross.  Good think I bought cute new pink rainboots.  They do make it a little easier to cope.

All is well down at the theatre.  The show seems to be in great shape.  I haven't stayed to watch the whole thing yet, and they are still making cuts and adjustments and things, but what I have seen looks tres good.  It's a fun group down at the Lortel, which makes all the difference.  I've been lucky to have really fantastic FOH (front of house) staffs in all my theatres here in New York.  It can be really boring spending your entire weekend inside a theatre, so a great camaraderie is a wonderful thing.

I'm going to see if I can pull myself together for the show tonight.  An update to follow later on whether or not I pass out into my chicken dinner.

Heigh ho, heigh ho, it's off to work we go!

Wow, what a difference a few weeks makes.  After way to many Top Chef marathons, I am now back among the employed people of the New York theatre scene.  I received a few emails from some of my theatre friends (how nice is it to know there are people looking out for you!) leading me to my new position as the company manager for Neil LaBute's play reasons to be pretty.  

I just watched the first run though on Friday, and it's great.  They are teching done at the Lortel now, and we get underway on Wednesday night.

I love starting a new job.  Knowing that when I pack up for the day, knowing that everything on my list is accomplished.  How rare a feeling is that?  I can honestly say that I don't remember the last time I felt that way.  So, that's cool.  The new people at my office are great, and I ended up having a million connections to the theatre that I never knew about.  I love becoming a part of this world!  I finally feel that I've been working long enough to be like, "oh right, I know them!"  Seriously, a giant shoutout to my people at the Vineyard and MTC for being those connections that brought me to this job!  I am so grateful to have such amazing people watching my back.  It's moments like this when I realize just how cool of an industry I work in.