Taking it to the Streets

Alright blogfans. Are you in NYC today? If so, take time after your brunches, laundry loads, spring cleaning, TiVo catching up to stop by what is sure to be an amazing event today at 6th Ave and 45th Street at 5pm. This is a unique opportunity to gather with your fellow New Yorkers and rally in support of the Marriage Equality Act which will be going before the New York State Senate during this current session which ends at the end of June. Both Governor Patterson and Mayor Bloomberg will be attending the rally, as well as many wonderful people from the Broadway community. Look for me and my Rock of Ages peeps!

It's important to keep in mind that though this act has many supporters in the Senate, it will eventually end up in the hands of 4-6 Senators who are still undecided about the issue. Check out Broadway Impact for the simple ways you can make sure your voice is heard. Literally, 5 minutes of your time can make the difference. Doesn't that make you feel powerful!!

See you all at the rally! xo

Finally, A Part of It All

Exhausted, hungry, stressed, maybe a little cranky.

Happy, exhilarated, excited, nervous, overemotional, proud.

Today, I land on Broadway.

Where Have I Been?

Now that I've finally achieved my Broadway goals, I should rename this blog the "I'll Update It When I Get Around To It" blog. Sorry all 3 of you faithful readers, but turns out putting on a Broadway musical takes up a lot of my time. Time I would normally be drinking wine and blogging, and obviously, neither of these things are happening enough.

I'm sitting here in the back row of the Brooks Atkinson watching the company tech "The Final Countdown." I hope ya'll have bought your tickets already. It's looking amazingly fierce. And speaking as someone who has sent THREE shows to Broadway, I obviously have really great taste in what looks great on the Great White Way!

Seriously though, every night that I sit here, I'm completely amazed that this entire thing is happening. For my non-theatrical readers, I wish I could explain just how many people it takes to open a show. There are a good 30 people in the theatre now, with 15 on stage, and countless others backstage. Or upstairs in the mezz, where our amazing makeup designer has set up her shop. Incredible. Let's pause for strobe lights, shall we. Amazing!

Let me take you on a journey of who's rockin' out at the Brooks tonight. To my right is one of our kick-ass producers Jen (see that beer in your hand...she helped arrange it!), to my left is our fearless leader, Leslie, go ahead, try to see that she had a baby SEVEN WEEKS ago. It's her Broadway debut as well. Big dreams people, big dreams. Next to her is our amazing press agent Leslie. She just sent us a possible opening night invite list with Bob Saget on it. Insane. Next to her is our Assoc Director/SM Adam. Try that double duty sometime!

In front of me are Phil, Mike, and Mike some of our production crew (sound, props, elex). And a house guy I don't know. (I should go introduce myself!)

In front of them Gregory, Karl, Julia our fearless (and sleep deprived costume designers - check out the lycra they had to find from all over the place), in the center section of the orch are Claudia and Justin - stage mgmt team extraordinaire. Kristin, Kelly, and Robert. Director, choreographer, and associate choreographer. They spend a lot of time up to the stage, down stage, in the house, in the mezz, oh, and also putting together this amazing show!! Behind them, Jason, Dricoll, and Barbara our 100% kickass lighting team are making magic happen. It's all pretty amazing.


*It should be mentioned I wrote this a million years ago. I'm posting it now because, well, because I need to get back into posting SOMETHING!

Exciting Day!!!

How about this blogfans!! The marquis for ROCK OF AGES went up today at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. It somehow made this crazy journey so very real for me. I'm actually here!! On Broadway! Can you handle it? And that truck you see in the front of the theatre is loading in our FOH rigging. That's right, the lighting and sound packages are on the way!! Exciting!!

We have an excruciatingly early production meeting tomorrow and then Thursday is our first day of rehearsal for the new cast members. (Stay tuned for the announcement soon!!). This crazy Broadway machine is getting underway. Have you bought your tickets yet!!! What are you waiting for?!


if you'd like to see 900 more picture of this marquis, take a look here.

Negletctful

It's true, it's true. I've been neglecting you dear blog. I have no reason, but here I am, back to tell the masses what I've been up to lately. This wonder cough/cold that I've been suffering through since Thanksgiving seems to FINALLY be running itself out. Thanks to Dr. Mendoza for the drugs. I have no idea what it was, but for the love, it's about time it's over. I'm still taking the meds lest the virus think it still has time to win out. Suck it virus!!

In better news, I am indeed on my way to the Great White Way!! I've officially been hired by Rock of Ages to bring my house seat/travel planning/debit credit skills to the Broadway. I still don't think this has set in yet. I've been working in New York for almost 7 years to make it to this very goal, and now that it's here, I'm not quite sure what to do with myself. I will say that everytime I've walked through the stage door of the Brooks Atkinson, I've gone a little insane on the inside. They have all the show posters up on the wall, and I see all these amazing shows (She Loves Me, anyone?) When the marquis goes up, it will make it finally real, I think. We have a marketing meeting on Tuesday afternoon, where we'll get our first glimpses at the new art. Also, keep your eyes posted on Times Square. Rumor has it, Rock of Ages will be gracing it's own billboard. Can you handle it? It's all pretty exciting!!

Apart from that, life continues on as normal, I suppose. I attempted to start my running again this morning. My aforementioned cough almost got me to quit early, but I persevered. Yay for me. I mean, I do have to be in a strapless bridesmaid dress this summer. Not to mention my impeding 30th birthday and first Broadway opening night. I've got to kick it into gear.

I do have one heartbreaking loss to post. My beloved TiVo has indeed died on me. It tried to hang on for me, but after a few days, it is apparent that it is indeed dead. Thankfully, I start on the Broadway contract tomorrow, so in addition to health insurance (thank the LORD), I will hopefully be making a slightly fancier Broadway ACM salary and will be able to replace it soon. I honestly don't know how I've gone so long without it. I suppose I've just been planning to be home on the nights my favorite shows are on. SO lame. I can't handle it. TiVo 2.0 and I will soon be introduced. I'm looking forward to the day.

Ok, I'm off to bed. The upside of my TiVo being dead is that I actually just go to sleep at night instead of trying to watch all the shows I've recorded. I seriously can't continue on like that. Night all.

Nessa, Nessa, I have something to confess - a reason why...

Alright kids. The meeting went well. Many props to my former employer at MCC who gave me a nice recommendation, it would seem. That makes me happy. The wheels may finally be starting to turn, for which I am eternally grateful. I'll be heading back in September to meet with the other GMs, and we'll see what what the theatre ghosts have in store for me.

I would like to mention, that the "gravity" of this meeting did not go unnoticed. As I walked down the hall toward the door marked Wicked , I was like, holy hell. I AM a part of it all.

Wish Me Luck...

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

Happy Opening Y'all

Just a moment to send a shout-out to the show that forever changed my path in theatre (and thereby, though it sounds dramatic, my life) and taught me what happens when you dream big!

Happy opening night [title of show]!!!! It's time!

What? Oh, yes, I am fancy!

Big news blog fan(s?). My ridiculously amazing Off-Broadway show is off to the Great White Way! Read these fancy articles from Variety and The New York Times. Impressive isn't it? What does this hold for your favorite company manager? Oh nothing, really. Just another successful Off-Broadway show managed so amazingly that it's heading off to Broadway. :) Ok, so maybe the writing, directing, and acting has something to do with it, but I like to think that I helped...a little. I mean, I am the house seat gatekeeper!

In any case, many congrats to all involved in our little MCC show. Exciting!

I pray that Jesus Christ will help you get to Broadway

Seriously, y'all. Look how cute my [tos]sers are with their fancy Broadway internet ads. I just love them. I can't believe it's been two years since I was a baby company manager in charge of these kids. Awww. I'm so proud of them and can't wait to see the big show at the Lyceum. Who's in with me!

PS You may be wondering why I'm posting this at 3:25 in the morning, but a random flu-like bug knocked me right out Sunday night, and I slept for a good 16 hours yesterday. So, of course, now I'm completely awake. LAME. Here's hoping I can get some sleep soon!