In Comes Company

Last night we went to the film premire of COMPANY, which I cast for the NY Philharmonic. Some of you may remember me mentioning in this post that in addition to the 4 live performances in NYC April, it was filmed and will be showing at movie theatres across the country in June. So whether you live in Austin TX, Boston MA, Denver CO, Statesboro GA, Richmond VA, Louisville KY, Honolulu HI, NYC, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Arkansas, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Alaska or nearly any other state across the country, you too can see it. It's also being shown in Canada. The performances are great, and besides, Stephen Colbert and Martha Plimpton have a wrestling match right there on stage and what is better than that?? Click here to find out when it's playing near you. It's playing in most theatres June 15, 16, 19 and 20, but there are a few places with other date options I think. Plus, if you do go, thrill of all thrills, you can see my little name right there in the credits. It's small, but it's there. Note to self: Get an agent and get better billing next time so my parents don't have to squint to see my name.

AND, you can also see the cast perform one of the numbers from the show live on the Tony Awards this Sunday June 12th at 8pm on CBS. Think Stephen Colbert, Neil Patrick Harris and Jon Cryer in a kick line. I know, not to be missed, right? Set your DVRs for Sunday and book your tickets to the movie now!

Is This My Real Life?

I live in New York. I work in the theatre. And so it follows that as a child, I was a special kind. Not more special than your average child, but just a certain kind of special. The story goes that when I was little, my parents would sometimes ask me to sing a little song or recite a poem when family or friends were around. I would promptly do so. And when I finished my performance, I would look at them all and say, "You clap." See? That kind of special. There is an audio tape of me making my Barbie dance and perform acrobatics on her roller skates as I narrated the entire thing in song - for some reason to the tune of "The Chicken Dance". In middle school I performed "routines" on the swingset behind our house, usually to "Livin' on a Prayer" blasting from my pink boombox. It seems my musical tastes were also a certain kind of special in those days. I performed soooooo many "numbers" in my bedroom. I started with songs from "Annie" when I was younger (although strangely I was most drawn to Ms. Hannigan's songs, even then. Hm.) and by the end of high school I had worked my way through Les Mis to The Secret Garden to RENT and everything I could find in between. In high school I was in, (or wanted to be in) every music and theatre related thing there was. I was even voted "most likely to sing on Broadway" in my graduating class. Now, it was not a very large school with about 7-10 theatre geeks total - so it wasn't a huge achievement or anything, This is the same school that gave me the Physics award. And if you know me at all, you know I'm the last person who should win something math or science related. It was just known that musical theatre was what I was into/obsessed with. I majored in music in college, listened to every Broadway cast recording I could get my hand on, and read plays and musicals left and right.

In 8th grade, I went to see the local high school's production of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods, and it captured my heart and my imagination in a way I will never forget. It has been cemented as my favorite show ever since. As has Sondheim as my favorite musical theatre composer. My first big part in high school was as Philia in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. I wasn't particularly good, but I was one of a very few who semi-had the soprano notes. My senior year of college I fought tooth and nail for a part in A Little Night Music and for some reason, even managed to beat out the school's star belter for the part of Petra. Determination, man. Well, that and a professor who believed in the value of educational casting (meaning, casting me in the part, as I'd learn more from it than she would have, since she'd played parts like this twice a year for 4 years). So Sondheim is a true favorite. His lyrics are the most emotionally intelligent out there - something I've realized even more as I've gotten older. Now all someone has to do is sing "Move On" from Sunday in the Park with George or "No One Has Ever Loved Me" from Passion, and they can easily turn me into a puddle on the floor.

I remember when I first saw him in person. It was when I first started working at my current job, and I was volunteering at a gala where he was being honored. I've never been the kind of person who wants to meet famous people when I see them. I'm content to just watch them talk to other people and be in the same place as they are. So I think I may've gotten to shake his hand briefly (my co-worker had been put in charge of making sure he was taken care of throughout the evening) and then I was happy to just watch him interact with the other Broadway greats in the room. It was pretty amazing just to be in the same space as he was. If you'd told my teenage self that that would ever happen, it would've been something I could've only dreamed of.

Then last season, I happened to be seated in front of him at the first preview of Sondheim on Sondheim, a retrospective of his work featuring both his well and lesser known songs, stories of his life intercut with interviews with the man himself. At the point in the show where (in a videotaped interview) he shares a fairly brutal thing that his mother once wrote to him in a letter ("My greatest regret was giving you birth"), I had an overwhelming urge to turn around and hug him. I almost had to physically restrain myself. I wanted to be his friend. So much it nearly made me cry. Another unbelievable moment that my musical theatre-obsessed younger self would've nearly passed out over.

Cut to last weekend. I had the opportunity to cast the concert version of Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY for the New York Philharmonic, which had only 4 performances over a weekend. The director, Lonny Price, has always been incredibly kind in asking me to cast things for him. This was the biggest thing yet. I didn't really realize it at the time, while we were in the trenches of it this winter, trying to get various stars (it was partially a benefit after all) to join the cast. But last week, I went to the dress rehearsal on a Thursday afternoon, and there, again, I was in the same room as Stephen Sondheim. This time, attending a rehearsal of one of his shows that I was a part of. He was just there, reading the New York Times and waiting for the rehearsal to begin. It was overwhelming. And a feeling I never want to forget. Now, after 10 years in NYC, I'm as jaded as the next New Yorker. I don't really think twice if I pass Laura Linney on the street or see Ethan Hawke at an opening. And like most people, all I can usually see is the parts of my job that drive me nuts. But this was one of those moments where I truly can't believe I get to be a very small part of the Broadway community. Seeing Stephen Sondheim waiting to watch a cast that I put together? Even this jaded New Yorker has to admit...it's humbling. And kind of amazing. And something that would've made my 15 year old self absolutely pee her pants. That being the case, can you imagine how I handled actually seeing the dang thing performed the next day? Lets just say, it was emotionally overwhelming. Which really took me by surprise, I have to say. I've worked on a lot of Broadway shows. But this was different. I just felt so blessed. I kept thinking back to my younger self. If you had told me then that I would be doing what I do for a living, let alone, being a part of something created by a composer whose work has made such an impact on my life, I never would've believed it. Not in 100 years. Probably would've passed out and peed my pants at the same time. So I'm truly, truly grateful.

For those that are interested, the show was filmed and will be shown at movie theatres across the country starting June 15. I'm sure I'll cry all over again.

Hey Ma - Guess What I Did Last Night?

Yup. You go to a rock star party, you end up doing crazy rock star things. Like getting a tatoo.
Of course, given the degree of rock star in my blood, this one obviously lasts 3-5 days.

Last night was the opening of American Idiot on Broadway. It was pretty stinkin' awesome.

The cast at curtain call. Billie Jo Armstrong (Greenday) in all black on the right


At the party there was a grafiti artist making a mural on the stage all night at Roseland. Which was amazing. I swiped this picture from my friend Quinn's Facebook album.


I bought a special "rock" outfit. Which was basically all black with a studded belt and big ole earings. Big hair and smoky eyes too. Naturally.

Me and Jillian, one of my co-workers


Oh, and in addition to the grafiti artist, there was a drag queen DJ dressed as a majorette. Or something. Makes for a good party.


I took a bunch more pictures on Jillian's camera, (since I'm an idiot, no pun intended, and forgot mine) so more pictures may be forthcoming if her little point & shoot got anything good.

The show was great, the party was great and I got home at 2am.

On a Tuesday.

That's right. Rock Star.

Birdie Opening

Bye Bye Birdie opened last night. This is a show that is very dear to me, because we cast actual teenagers as opposed to 25 year olds who "look young". And I think they are really terrific. I'm so proud of them! And at least half of these kids came from the open call we did back in April and had never done anything besides their high school musicals in their hometowns in Connecticut, Virginia, Iowa, Maryland, Long Island etc. Here I am at the party with about half of them. And yes, they are all way cooler than I ever was at their age. They are amazing and I love them!

Testing

I am attempting to blog from my iPhone. If this works it could be really awesome.

Just finished up what will hopefully be the last round of auditions for Bye Bye Birdie (knock on wood it will stay cast this time. We cast it all in may and then lost 4 people) and am heading downtown to see my friend Amanda in her show, Shafrika, The White Girl.

Happy almost Friday!

Catching Up

I've mentioned we've been swamped the last few months. I think it may calm down a bit once June rolls around. In the interim....here are things you've missed in our lives.

Since we have limited cabinet space in the kitchen (the ones you see here are the ONLY ones we have, which is why we also have a bakers rack), Geoff came up with the idea of using the top of our cabinets for both artistic, and functional purposes. This is the beginning of it. Food & wine storage are key. Those wine bottles cost between $5 and $7 each and we actually really like them. Economical AND Tasty. An excellent combo.



We went to see the Norman Conquests (very funny British comedy) and stumbled upon another Accidental Paparazzi moment. Who knows who the woman in the trench coat is? And again, we were really taking a picture of the crowds and the review quotes behind her.


We had lunch with our friends Rich & Kelly who were in town celebrating their anniversary. He's a photographer, she's a physical therapist. Geoff shot their wedding, and Rich taught a photography seminar that we went to back in March. Which I STILL haven't blogged about. Ugh. OK, someday....but how cute are they?


We met this (brand new, JUST home from the shelter) puppy. Please. Could you just die?



I've decided that when I become a dog photographer, this will be the picture on my business card.


We've had brunch whenever possible, as it is often our only time together in a given week. Geoff likes to take pictures of me at brunch.



I like to take pictures of brunch at brunch.



We are into purchasing cheap flowers and produce whenever we pass them on the street. Bought some flowers today in fact. $8 for two bunches of chrysanthemums & spider mums and they'll last at least 10 days. Yes please.


My sunglasses did this again. Does this happen to anyone else? I bought new ones and they have been featured in nearly all of these pictures, as I mostly like to wear them as a headband.

I got my hair cut. Finally! Mom, here's the picture you asked for. Sort of. Geoff snapped one of me squinting into the sun, so it wasn't really for purposes of seeing my hair. Can't really fully see the cut, but you get the idea.



We have gone on two excellent biking trips into Manhattan for the day. More on those in another post.

Other than that we've been working like crazy people. And it's Saturday and I'm heading into the office for more of it right now.

Lately - in Brief

We are still both really swamped with work, so there's NO time for blogging, which makes me sad. There's also no time for laundry, eye appointments or grocery shopping. We have been living on tomato basil mozzeralla salads, protein shakes, taco salads from wendys and amys organic frozen burritos. Yes, i am quite the homemaker these days.

Other things that have happened:
-we bought bikes. Geoff's had to be ordered cause he's so dang tall and he's picking it up today. As it is planning to be in the 80s on Sat, we are counting on a fun day of adventure on our bikes.
- i got caught in a torrential downpour on Monday on the way home from work when the train when out of service 5 stops from my house. I was left to walk & find a cab or bus, was completely soaked and halfway in between being angry enough to kick something, but somehow having the urge to laugh at it all. i finally got home and we drank wine and had a frozen pizza and talked for HOURS on the couch. Which was lovely.
-we saw THE NORMAN CONQUESTS last Saturday. A british comedy & a trilogy. Three plays in one day all about the same thing but from different perspectives. VERY funny. Am hoping to post about that separately. Cause there were some fun pictures.
-I'm in the middle of casting the Broadway production of Bye Bye Birdie and my desk is constantly covered in teenagers headshots. We've found some really talented kids. So even though its hectic, the auditions are fun.
-all of my socks seem to have dissappeared. Perhaps this is linked to the laundry issue.
-I've officially gained back the 20 pounds I lost for the wedding. Which is just awesome. While on the bright side, this supports the idea that we are, in fact, living in marital bliss, the not so bright side is that none of my spring clothes fit. Hoping the bike purchase will assist in this new issue.
-I am obsessed with The Millionaire Matchmaker on Bravo. Patti drops truth bombs all day long and does not play around. I love her.
-I've switched back to my yellow bag that i carried all around Italy, as it is spring now. Even though i have been slightly too optimistic in my clothing choices this week. Sandals, i have learned, are not quite appropriate for the upper 50s, even if its sunny.

That's about all for now. More tidbits as we are able. Hope everyone has a great weekend.

M.I.A.

Just wanted everyone to know we're still alive. Work has been crazy for both of us. No weekend for me this past weekend, and only half of one the weekend before, which totally resulted in a meltdown on Sunday night. Definately still haven't done my taxes yet either,(awesome), but am finding a spare moment to breathe here and there and wanted everyone to know we were still in the land of the living. And will post when we can.

In the meantime, this is what I did on Saturday. Over 1300 kids wrapped around a city block as of 830am. Whew!

This Week: in streamofconsciousness

MONDAY
It begins again. After a weekend with Mom, and while Geoff recovers from a ridiculously long and hard weekend of 12 hour shoot days and less than a quarter of that in sleep, I head back to the office. Tired. Mom and I were up late too. And lost an hour with the springing forward. Arrive at work shortly after the suggested time of 10am. The usual hecticness, then a reading at 2pm, quite good and interesting with talented actors, back to the office for more and by 630pm I'm down at NYU to teach the first of a trilogy of audition workshops for NYU's CAP21 musical theatre majoring seniors. 3.5 hours there, and some nice moments of feeling like maybe I actually helped them a bit and answered a few questions. Or at least I tell them what I wish someone would have told me at their age. A nice chat with my friend who is one of their teachers. About life. And "the business". And how we both think there's more/different that we want. And it will come when it's supposed to. Encouraging. Home by 11pm for dinner. Sit next to Geoff on the couch for an hour or so. Not able to talk much, on account of the Tired, but just needing to be near each other, since we haven't had any recharging time together over the weekend. I fall asleep on the couch during an episode of Property Virgins where a gay couple, both named Scott, search for their dream home. No idea if they found it.

TUESDAY
Day 2 of 5. Busy as usual. Lots of fragments of things that want tending to. Which leaves me feeling like I must have forgotten 12 other things. And increases my general job-induced dyslexia. Auditions at the end of the day for 8 year old boys to understudy in a play. Found one at 620pm, will hire him tomorrow, but for now, I dash to the subway and head downtown. Catch the express and get off at 14th street, but no local train in sight to take me the one stop further that I need to go. Head above ground and walk it instead, there's time. Slight drizzle. West village. Dash to ATM and arrive in time for the 7pm show that my friend Sarah Lilley has the lead in. Miles (of Alice's Tea Cup fame) has saved me a seat. I pre-order my 2 drink minimum and catch up with him. We agree on how to survive in this city/this business. Marisa makes it just in time and the show starts. Its nothing to write home about, but Sarah sure is. Charming and funny as all get out in a part that Carol Burnett originated when this show first played on the Broadway back in the day. We enjoy the heck out of Sarah and hang at the bar afterwards. Chatting, reminiscing, totally digging the amazing mix of 80s music they are playing which makes me want to sing at the top of my lungs, even though I'm hungry and tired. Catch up a bit with Marisa. Ride the subway home with Miles. Home by 11:15pm for dinner. Geoff arrives soon after from a networking meeting. We talk a bit. I do manage to fit in a small meltdown before bed. In the fashion of a 4 year old who is just so tired all they can do is cry. Everything triggers everything else. And I tell Geoff maybe I can't shoot the wedding with him on Saturday. This week is going to be so busy and I'm really stressed about being booked every night. Even though that's a common occurrence, I haven't had a week like this in a month or so. And what, I've gotten out of the habit? I forget how to handle it? I will need a day off on Saturday. I selfishly dream of it. How can I feel this way when it's only Tuesday? And while he's in the bathroom brushing his teeth, I tell God all the things I'm tired of. Out loud. And I feel a bit better.

WEDNESDAY
Hump Day. I hate it when people call Wednesday that. Surely we can think of a better phrase for it. I can't help it, it only makes me think of what dogs shouldn't do to your leg. I'd prefer a less awkward mental picture, please. Auditions in the morning. Didn't quite find what we wanted. Maybe one guy. He's a good actor, but is he right for this part? Spend the rest of the afternoon scrambling to have more options to bring the director tomorrow. Phone calls come at inconvenient times and I'm running late for my "early departure" - leaving at 5:15pm today. Get wires crossed with Geoff about meeting him downstairs at the end of the day. It's half AT&T's fault, but it still makes me fussy. We are heading to Newark tonight to see Alison in her show. Yes. TOPOL in Fiddler on the Roof has come to the NJ Performing Arts Complex and the Bokas wouldn't miss it. We can't find a gas station on the way, but eventually do, and solve my fussy-ness via processing/talking it out. We arrive, park and have to eat at the hotel restaurant across the street since both NJPAC restaurants are PACKED. Our waiter informs us that we are "late late late" if we're wanting to make the show (it's just before 630pm for a 730pm show - please....I've eaten a full dinner in FAR less time in the city, get over yourself). We have a glass of wine, steak for him, salmon for me and make it in plenty of time. Told you. We have box seats. As we are fancy. We eat candy in our box seats, which is so against the laws of theatre etiquette and it drives me NUTS when Geoff does it at theatre in NYC, but I do not care here, as it is Jersey. 1) Because no one knows us here and 2) because it's Jersey. No offense. The show is good. Alison is great (naturally), and Topol is hamming it up. But besides the fact that you can tell he's been doing this show for 50 years, he's actually pretty good. Consider me surprised. I'd take a little less clowning and mugging from him, but NJPAC feels differently. They LOVE him. At his curtain call we may have actually been transported to a Jonas Brothers concert, considering the thunderous applause and screaming and leaping to feet. Alison says its like this in every city, every night. Wow. We see her afterwards and she rides back to the NYC with us. We discuss the tour. And life. And Decisions. And drop her at 82nd and Amsterdam, making plans to see her at the weekend. We drive home. I am thirsty. Geoff (kindly and because of his great love for me) drops me at the house so I can get water ASAP while he looks for parking on his own. He always drops me off first. Love him for that and many other things. Home at 1130pm again. But at least we ate dinner at a decent time tonight. That's something.

THURSDAY
Closing in on the end. Auditions at noon. We start running way behind. And I have to tell one poor actor we won't have time to see him today. After he waited an hour. He was lovely and understanding. But I feel bad, regardless. Also feel bad for two more reasons involving two of my friends - one not being given the additional required scenes by her agent and the other, shoved aside a bit by a less than warm/less than considerate someone else. We get it cast, and with good actors. The one from yesterday that I thought was good but might not be quite right, apparently was both good and right, as he booked the job. Which of course makes me question myself. In perhaps an unfair way. But the whole thing makes me feel crappy and when it's over I flee slightly to get lunch before heading back to the office. I get cheese on my sandwich in attempts to self medicate. As always, it ends up being disappointing. More afternoon work, including Light Mill duties I have shirked as there has been no time up until now. Am therefore behind. Take advantage of some post 630pm quiet time in the office to catch up on that. Geoff finds another shooter for Saturday. I am off the hook. And.... relieved. Head down to Union Square and snag a very disappointing snack-sized pesto chicken salad from Au Bon Pain prior to seeing This Beautiful City at the Vineyard Theatre. Interesting subject matter. Based on real interviews from New Life Church in Colorado Springs and examines the evangelical Christian movement there in light of Ted Haggard's sex/drug scandal and alongside gay rights initiatives. Very interesting. And very impressive (and accurate) performances by most of the actors. Very interesting. Not quite as even-handed as they'd like to think it is, but far more so than most theatre that deals with Christianity. FAR more. I'm sure I'm biased, as everyone is, but consider myself right in the middle of these two often opposing groups. the Right and the Left. The Christian and the Not. So.... feel I can make relatively sound judgements about when something is fair to both sides. Am still thinking about it. But perhaps more on that and my experience/thoughts on the subway ride home another time. Swing by the grocery store on the way home, as I am craving granola for dinner. I purchase 2 different kinds, and try to remember if our milk is past its due date. I leave the grocery store, still concerned about our milk status, so I buy another quart at the Turkish deli across from our apartment building, just in case. By 1130pm I'm home in my PJ's and contemplating a second (small) bowl of granola, as I have to see if the other kind is any good. (The old milk was fine, by the way). Geoff gets home another 45 minutes later from a networking party in CT that a wedding planner friend threw in his honor (complete with his picture pasted to Popsicle sticks - like... Geoff masks) and he falls asleep pretty quickly. I'm close behind.

FRIDAY
Finally. No more auditions this week. Phew. Plenty of list making, organization, planning, phone calls, some Light Mill prep. Busy, but the least busy of the week. And oh no. I've got to do auditions on a Saturday. Sometime in the next 2 weeks. And our 2 remaining weekends in this month already have one day each completely occupied due to work of some kind. Nuts. No choice though. Just means less time for us. We will have to deal. I breathe. I take a walk to the bathroom and fill up my water bottle and breathe. And dive back in. Disappointing Potato Leek Soup for lunch. Better with salt, so I add some, as I am unafraid. Emails. A phone call from an agent who thinks his client is so right for a particular part. He describes her, and she seems anything but. One co-worker has a date this weekend and the other is very funny about it. As in making jokes, not as in acting funny/upset about it. Someone from another department comes in around 5pm asking if we have any alcohol. We do. We open and 5 of us split a bottle of pino grigio while we finish up the last of things. I make it out by 620pm. Yippee!! Home by 7pm. Enjoy the book I'm reading on the train. The one I'm reading on my iPhone. That I downloaded for free, as I never pay for anything dowloadable from iTunes or iPhone. I only have applications that are free, as am kind of a cheap bastard. Wonder how the poor author makes any money if I didn't have to pay for his book. Am concerned for him. Geoff is finishing up his day when I get home. I perch on the L part of the couch ("my spot") and we talk. And decide what to do about dinner. We talk. We laugh. We have wine and order Mexican food. And watch The Millionaire Matchmaker. Because I love her. She tells it like it is. And the Real Housewives of NYC. Who Geoff doesn't like as much because their drama stresses him out. They are pretty ridiculous. We do like Bethany and Jill though. We talk a bit and get to bed by midnight. He has a big day tomorrow. And I feel a little guilty for having tomorrow off. I remind myself that I need it. That the more I push myself to suck it up and push through on a week like this, the worse it is for everyone. Still feel guilty though. Will have to work through that some more, it seems.

SATURDAY
Get up early for brunch at Pastis with Alison and Sarah. 930am brunch because Alison has to be in NJ by 1pm for her matinee and will have to catch a train. Geoff gets to sleep in a few more minutes after I leave at 830am, and I want him to get as much rest as he can before the 12+ hour day on his feet that awaits him. I slip out. And enjoy my iPhone book. The Whiskey Rebels - very good so far. Slow in the very first few pages, but am really enjoying it now. Historical fiction. Which is so up my tree. (I realize that is a phrase we use at work, which basically means, "up my alley" - just in case anyone was confused). Still wouldn't have paid for it, since I never do, but do hope this author has some sort of all encompassing deal about free downloads, as I'm really liking him. I get out of the train at 8th Ave & 14th street and start heading to Pastis a few short blocks away. And realize I'm completely turned around. In the way that I used to be when emerging from the subway back when I first moved to the city. Back when I exited the subway with one finger or a thumb pointed discreetly (hands down at my sides) in the direction that the train was going when I got off it, so I would have some concept of uptown/downtown when I emerged above ground. Clearly should have done that today, as am fully as turned around as a first timer. Make it to Pastis and sit down with Sarah. Alison is missing. And ends up not able to make it. We miss her. But I shall see her when she's back in a few weeks at the beginning of April. Sarah and I have great conversation. About life. And fascinating conversation about how Sarah thinks the driven/independent part of me (the part that got me this far in this life and this city) needs to maybe take a backseat for a while. And let myself rest without feeling guilty. Without beating myself up. And I see the logic of that, and yet have a hard time silencing those voices and expectations I have of myself. And I don't fully realize that I am being that hard on myself. That deep down I think, in addition to feeling guilty for not helping Geoff with the shoot today, I should also use this day to myself to:
Go to the eye doctor
Go to the gym
Get groceries
Organize my iTunes on my new hard drive
Clean out my closet, as it is a disaster
Figure out a crock pot recipe to try tomorrow
Start organizing my receipts for taxes
Finish the last 12 thank you notes from the wedding
Clean out my filing cabinet and transfer files to Geoff's
Drop off the laundry
Edit photos for various friends
Blog
Make the apartment homey and welcoming for Geoff when he comes home after his long day
14 other similar errands
Basically get my act together

And likely, I won't do most of those things, but will feel like I should have. But after Sarah tells me to stop being so hard on myself and I feel tears start to well up in my eyes, there in the middle of the subway mezzanine with the world passing by (including a group of JMU kids on spring break), I know that means there's truth to it. And so I decide to let myself off the hook today. I read The Whiskey Rebels on the way home. I talk to Alison briefly before her show. I get home, change into sweats and lay on my bed reading until I get hungry. Then have half the other half of my burrito from last night and start to watch some TV, but blog instead. I know, I know, that seems like it was on my list of "things I should do", but I do actually enjoy it. In a way that I don't enjoy cleaning my closet, prepping my taxes or going to the gym. It helps me process. I look at photos that I like. And Geoff just texted to say that his day is going fairly well so far, all things considered, and that he's glad I'm resting myself. And he wrote it with an exclamation mark, so I know he means it. So now....back to those Whiskey Rebels.

This may have been the longest post ever. If you made it this far, I trust it was interesting enough to you, so I won't apologize.

Simple Little Things

In the musical 110 in the Shade, the main character, Lizzie, sings a song called "Simple Little Things". About how much she longs for just that. Simple things. And maybe because this week has been so hectic, or maybe because I've just been thinking more about the simple things in life these days, but I've wanted that too. Needed that too. And for some reason, I cannot describe how much this picture makes me happy.


Weekday morning sunlight on hastily arranged tulips. Tomatoes on the vine. The wood of the butcher's block we bought at Ikea because we needed more counter space. The white pitcher that The Petersons gave us as a wedding present. I love the colors of it all. And how it happened accidentally, those matching tomatoes just set down and left there. And the sight of it in the morning sun just makes me.... feel content. Makes me pause and just look at it for a moment. Which ultimately makes me late for work. But makes me breathe easier. Makes me grab my point-and-shoot camera (not even the fancy one) and just need to take its picture. To remember it. To remind myself to take pleasure in the simple things. And to remind myself to breathe.

My First Time

Kind of cool. My name has been in the NY Times. In the Sunday Arts section. You have to click on the photo to actually see it.

It's small, but it's there.

All About Eve

Have any of you seen this movie? I'd never seen it until we were working on a benefit reading of it at work. Its pretty great. Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, Thelma Ritter, Celeste Holm and Marilyn Monroe in a tiny two scene part. Its about a young ingenue who insinuates herself in to the company of an established but aging stage actress and her circle of theater friends. And the drama that ensues. Some pretty great one liners too.

Well, this past Monday The Actors Fund put on a one-night only benefit reading of the screenplay, and my boss and I cast it. And even though it was a long, drawn out. stressful process, actually sitting in the theatre and watching it on Monday night was pretty awesome, I have to say. We cast Annette Bening in the Bette Davis part and Keri Russell as the young ingenue who appears sweet and wonderful at first but eventually causes all kinds of trouble. Angela Lansbury, Cynthia Nixon, John Slattery (Mad Men), Peter Gallagher, Joel Grey and Brian Bedford rounded out the rest of the cast. And Jennifer Tilly played the Marilyn Monroe part. Quite geniusly, I must say. Even though "geniusly" isn't a word.

And sitting there, as they took their places on stage, was one of those moments where I thought…ok…I do actually love my job. It drives me nuts most of the time, but to be in that theatre on this one night when these incredibly talented stage actors (because even though half of them are famous from TV or film, they all got their start on the stage) come together just this once to create this story…at the risk of sounding cheesy, it felt pretty magical to me. And maybe it's because the movie is ABOUT the world I live in…Broadway…producers, directors, playwrights, actors…all the dramatic (and at least slightly, if not entirely crazy) people that I work with on a daily basis. There is something incredibly romantic and historic and…just magical about working in the theatre. There would have to be considering the crazy hours and horrible pay. But on Monday night, all the bad parts were forgotten and I just enjoyed the amazing experience of having been a part of something so special.

Sorry it's a bit of a blurry picture, but here are Annette Bening and Keri Russell at the curtain call.

Fancy at the Last Minute

On the same night that I came home to find our completely green kitchen, I got a call from Alison saying that she had two extra party passes for the opening her show that night, and did Geoff and I want to get dressed up and meet her and Stephen downtown at Cipriani for the party. Um. Yes please?

So we met them at the theatre and took the world's longest cab ride downtown. But finally we got there and the party was in full swing.


The ceiling of Cipriani was pretty cool...


We quickly snagged some food and somehow the beverage of the night became champagne. Which I quite enjoyed.


Stephen and I having a "cheers!"


How gorgeous are my two friends? I know everyone is dying over Alison's dress. She was stunning and fancy and the very example of how cool I wish I could be.


The four of us...


I think I must have just told Alison how much champagne I'd had at this point...


Alison taking a picture of me and her friend Dan. Clearly we must not look so good.


Me and Jim Moye. He and I went to rival high schools in southwest Virginia, did community theatre together where he played Curly in Oklahoma (they made him get a perm - SO wish I could dig up pictures) and I did his make up. We also both went to the same college and now are both in New York and he is in Alison's show. I've known him for over 15 years, which is completely wild. It's so fun to be reconnected!


One of my favorite pictures of the night...even though the picture quality itself is dark and grainy, it just really captures the evening, and especially these two. Just fun, friends, celebration, good times. There's nothing like being at a party with friends who know and love you completely. So much so that they (Stephen) are willing to get on a train from Boston to NYC on a THursday afternoon to be your date at opening night, stay with you at the party until you've basically shut it down and then get back on a train for Boston at 3am, and still make it to your 10am meeting on Friday morning. That's real friendship right there. And does Alison look like a 30s movie star or what?


It was a blast, despite not getting home until 230am on a school night. We've been to a ton of opening night parties for Broadway shows in our day, but this may have been the best one. I think it was because I didn't have anything to do with this show, so I didn't have to work at the party. It makes a big difference.

And on a School Night!

Don't let it be said that I'm not dedicated to my job. Or my friends. Especially not when they coincide. Geoff and I took a road trip up to Hartford last night to see a performance of the 12 Angry Men Tour. It's a show I help cast and it's in its 2nd year of touring, and I had yet to see this cast perform it. It's an incredible play that the Roundabout Theatre produced on Broadway a few seasons ago and every single cast I've seen is exceptional (if I do say so myself, for my humble part in it). It just so happens that one of my friends from college, Mike DiSalvo, is in the cast this year. He was our reader for auditions and was so damn good that the director just up and offered him a part. So we made the trek up to Hartford to see Mike and the Angry Men and even were wild and crazy enough to go out for a drink afterwards. The show was fantastic. its just one of those plays that everyone loves. The Men played Toronto earlier this year and after they left, the theatre up there called and asked to have them back because it was the best play they'd ever had. So the actors were great, Mike was awesome, and Juror #2, Todd Cerveris has THE CUTEST pit bull that we met after the show (which was really just the icing on the cake for me). We had a great time and even though it meant not getting home until 2am (keep in mind I usually fall asleep before 11pm) and being super tired this morning, it was well worth it. Check out their touring schedule (playing through mid-June) and if they come to a city near you, go see it. Truly one of my favorite nights at the theatre. And I promise that's not just because I cast it, or because Mike was in it, or even because of the pit bull. It's just that good.