AIDA review

The show was great. I had great seats too. A little off to the side, but I didn't miss any of the action - from what I could tell. I've never seen the Broadway staging, and I heard it was pretty good. But this was great as well. Very good dancing. It was staged by a Alvin Ailey choreographer and was amazing stuff. Some of it wasn't appropriate for the song - at least for "Another Pyramid", but it was visually stunning.

There were understudies on for Amneris, Zoser and Mereb and all seemed very experienced. I'm sure that with a tour they probably get a lot of opportunity to go on. The Zoser was a little young (he's supposed to be Radames father), but he had a great voice. I heard over the boards that the original guy is not that great. The costumes were ok, not really Egyptian looking - more contemporary. Ah, I think sometimes recreating the original staging would have been better - but this was satisfactory. The cast was excellent overall...especially Aida, Radames, Amneris, Nebehka and the ensemble too.

I always wanted to see if I could do this show. And with the choreography I saw last night, I would have to say....NO. But who knows, maybe the original staging is more attainable.

Elton John's AIDA

I just got tickets to see Aida at the 1894 Grand Opera House in Galveston, TX. I grew up there and I just happen to be in town for my dad's birthday. I've heard mixed reviews of the show, but wanted to see it anyway. It's the non-equity cast and I heard they revised it...so it's not a copy of the Broadway staging.

Well...

We had a bit of an interruption at rehearsal yesterday. I'm not going to say much in detail, but the musical director and one of the leads went head to head. Some expletives were said...in a church music room, but ah well. I'm told it was ok as long as it wasn't in the sanctuary.

Anyway, I wrote previously about someone giving the ensemble notes. And then this happens. Yes, it was the same person. I guess my instinct was right. I was going to email the director about it, but just decided not to. I was going to actually call the musical director about it. But from what was said during the confrontation - I think she already realized that and some kind of friction happened between Tuesday and Saturday's rehearsal. Hmmmm....and for the record, I'm with the musical director. We've been friends for almost 20 years now. For her to leave a rehearsal, it had to be something really bad to piss her off.

Also, the musical director left rehearsal. So, we're hoping she comes back, but they are also looking for another to take over - just in case.

Trying to Get Off Book

Well, we were supposed to run thru the show tonight using our books for the last time. But instead we worked on Act 2 and staged it as well. I just realized I really don't know my lyrics as well. I have the notes down.

Well, there's one lead that is behind in learning his music. It's almost a week before we are in front of an audience and he's still quietly singing his music and doesn't even know his notes yet. Did I mention we are in front of an audience in about a week? Does this worry anyone else?

I Love MySpace!

Besides keeping in touch with friends, I love MySpace even more because I just reconnected with a good friend of mine, Illeana Kirven, from way back when we both were performing at the Galveston Island Outdoor Musicals. We were in Showboat together - and I was in the white ensemble, if you can believe that. I need to look back at my programs to know what year that was, but it was over 10 years ago - so we'll leave it at that! She's been doing very well and is also encouraging me to move to NYC!

I'm very psyched about my plans to move. I have a lot of things to take care of before that happens, but I think this is a definite. I looked at maybe transferring with my job at the bank. But also, I wanted to audition for a regional production of Les Miserables at North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts. I think auditions will be around August and so if I get in - I'll take a personal leave from my job for rehearsal and the run of the show (October - November). See how I am after the show is over and see if I want to go back or find another job.

I'm getting out of my apartment at the end of July and possibly moving back with my parents for a bit to save some more money before the big move. Also, I have this oral surgery to schedule too. I need to make an appointment with my oral surgeon and my orthodontist AND my dentist. So much to do!!!

Act Two Sing Thru

Well, we got through Act Two last night. This is similar to an opera, in a way. I'm really psyched on hitting those high A flats to B flats (with ease) in those ensemble numbers. I think I'd hit them better if what's left of this chest congestion didn't get irritated and I start hacking after hitting them. I really need to get back to taking lessons again with my voice teacher. We were doing pretty good until I started rehearsal for Opera in the Heights, followed by Urinetown at Main Street.

Anyway, the show seems in really good shape for such a short rehearsal time. One of the actors in the show kept giving the cast notes that the musical director should have been giving. I appreciate the help, but I really hate when other actors give notes.

Act One Sing Thru

We sang through the entire of Act One last night. Most of the show is sung...so it was pretty much a run thru of the entire act. We just need to add more staging and choreograph a number for the twins.

This morning, the ensemble worked through some of the more difficult songs in Act One (some of these chorus numbers are hard vocally and rhythmic wise) and went over a couple songs in Act Two. I hit a high B flat in the AM - that's pretty good for me. I guess working out that morning didn't hurt. It was a short day today because they were going to work with the leads for the rest of the day. Yea!

Back to the Side Show

We started staging the concert last night in the little church room where we are rehearsing. I got my libretto last night for the show and basically - it's all sung with a couple spoken lines in between. So the score is pretty much all we need. Some of the lines are in the score and I think there is only one big speech in the beginning from The Boss that is not.

Before rehearsal, I got to tell my Norm Lewis story. The director suggested inviting him to possibly to the production in July. Let's see what I can do.

We also went over some musical numbers in Act Two - which is great, because I missed learning these. Some of the cast was out performing in The Diary of Anne Frank at MST so we had some voices missing in the ensemble and Terry Connor.

Off Topic: I got my new eyeglasses yesterday. I've been getting a lot of compliments on them at work - so I guess I made a good decision. I guess when I get this old, I can pretty much know what looks good on me.

Farewell, Urinetown. Hello, Side Show!

Ok, I just realized that I never wrote a last post for Urinetown.

Well, we closed the show a couple weeks ago on January 27. The cast was sad to see the show end because we had such a great time doing it, and also that we were just starting to build an audience in the last couple weeks of the show. And people were getting it....in Texas! Yeah, really! Well, we hope that we can find another venue to do the show again. I'm not sure how aggressively we will make an effort to find it - but I hope it happens. We also have to make sure everyone's schedule can do it - so we can bring the original cast back.

It was a great ride and I had a great bunch of people to take that journey every night. I remember that it was hard to find how much stamina you needed for the show, because our first real run-thru of the show was our first preview. I just felt like we were running a marathon - especially in Act 2 where most of the ensemble is onstage without leaving for 3 musical numbers. But after a while, I found my pacing and made it through the show fine every night. It was a pain that I had a lot of chest congestion and had to fight through all that for pretty much the entire run of the show- but I made it. Hey, the show must go on!

And now I am starting rehearsal for Side Show for a newly formed theatre company in Houston called Arneson Productions. We had a couple music rehearsals before I went to NYC. The cast sounds great. I can't wait to learn the entire show. I can tell that my high range is coming back and it's much easier than I remember now that I've learned a better technique for those high notes. We perform the show at Ovations in Rice Village on March 3 & 4 as a concert staging and then we peform a full production in July.

I play the Geek. Yes, I know people have said that I was typecast..but it's not THAT type of Geek. A Geek in a Side Show is a performer who performs bizarre acts such as biting the heads off of chickens. The director, Kent Arneson, told me at first rehearsal that they have a fake chicken all rigged up with fake blood in it...so I get to actually do it onstage and have the blood drip all over...YES!

Anyway, since I was in NYC last week, I missed about 3 rehearsals. So, tomorrow I'm ready to catch up as quickly as possible. This is sure to be a great show. Hope to see you there!

Check out the cast pics on www.myspace.com/arnesonproductions

NYC Trip (2/11/07) A Little Dog Laughed and Avenue Q

A Little Dog Laughed (3pm matinee) - I thought this was a great show. I can see Stages or the Alley doing this one. All 4 actors were strong - 2 men and 2 women. Julie White is hilarious! I love this woman. You may remember her from "Grace Under Fire" a few years back. She was truly the star of this show. Also a stand out was Zoe Lister-Jones who originated her role of Ellen when the show was Off-Broadway. The guys were great as well - I just enjoyed the women's roles better. It will probably be produced in Houston soon after it closes in NYC. Which I hear is just around the corner. That's one of the reasons why I decided to go see it instead of A Chorus Line or another show that I have seen before.

Avenue Q (7pm evening) - Great as always! I went to see the show again mostly to see my friend from summer stock, Ann Sanders. She was wonderful and funny as I knew she would be as Christmas Eve. I got to talk to her afterwards and we had a great conversation. She immediately recognized me. Wow! She asked how long it's been and it's been over 10 years! I just can't remember what year that was. I mentioned again that I was planning to move up there soon - and she was all for it. She is as sweet as she was back in summer stock. She told me to let her know when I come back and we could go out for coffee and she'll tell me all the good places to go to around the city.

NYC Trip (2/10/07) The Drowsy Chaperone and Les Miz

I thought TKTS opened at 9am for Saturday matinees, but was suprised when I got there at 8:30am and was near the front - really near. I think I was 4th when I got there and then these 2 girls decided to leave when their show didn't show up on the screen where it shows you what shows are available. Anyway, I looked at the box office hours sign and saw that it didn't open until 10am. No wonder. Then, I met Michael again for lunch at this great little Chinese/Vietnamese restaurant that he goes to regularly now after I got my tickets at TKTS.

The Drowsy Chaperone (2pm matinee) - Sutton Foster and Joey Sorge were out of the show at the Saturday matinee performance I saw. Andrea Chamberlin and Jay Douglas were on. Andrea was great and sounds very similar to Sutton. Bob Martin as Man in Chair was hilarious and touching at the same time. The show is absolutely everything I have heard. I related with the Man in Chair very much. As many people who know me will agree. Danny Gurwin as Adolpho was perfection. Great character. I would love to do this role or Gangster #1. Or be a swing and play both those roles - and add George, the best man. I'm sure this show will be produced in Houston as soon as the rights are available in the near future. And one of my favorite moments in the show was the first 'production number' in Act 2. Very clever show!

Les Miserables (8pm evening) - I got front row seats! But actually, the seats were a bit TOO close to the stage. Some downstage scenery tended to block any scene behind it. Which happened a couple time during "Master of the House" and the Wedding scene near the end of Act 2. I loved some of the new staging and some added scenes from tours and the London production in this revival. Alexander Geminani was a great Jean Valjean. Some interesting new acting choices and more of an active personality that some I have seen before. Norm Lewis was perfection as Javert. I love his voice. Gary Beach and Jenny Galloway worked well together as the Thenardiers. I just loved getting to see Jenny after seeing her on the 20th anniversary performance on video. Great voices from the ensemble and most everyone got their moment in the show.

I met new friend, Victor Hawks (who had some great moments in the ensemble and Brujon), after the show at the stage door. As we talked, I got introduced to Daphne Rubin-Vega, Drew Sarich and Norm Lewis. Vic mentioned that I was doing Side Show and Norm immediately said - "So, you're playing Jake, right". And I looked at him with a puzzled look on my face. He said, "Well, you can play Jake." and I said - "Yea, but they already got a real...black guy." which he completed the sentence with me. Then he laughed and gave me a big hug! Very sweet guy! And he's so tall.

While Vic and I were talking, he brought up the subject of me moving to NYC. I was taken aback because I have been thinking of this lately. He pretty much advised me to take "the jump". It's funny because a few years ago, I would have done it in a minute. But over the years, I've been afraid to take more risks and do what people tell me to do and be a responsible person and just settle. I remember my first trainer told me a bit of good advice - "Don't Settle!" I see people doing making a living as an actor - and I silently say to myself, I can do this! But I wanted the security of a steady paycheck - which was good for a while, but lately....not so good.

So I guess what I'm saying is that what Vic said really made me think as I walked away and rode back on the subway to the place I was staying . I woke up this morning with a sense of calm and serenity.

I think it's time to make "the jump"! Thanks, Vic - what you said was exactly what I needed to hear!

NYC Trip (2/09/07) The Apple Tree and Evil Dead: The Musical

Friday (2/09/07) Woke up around 8am and thought I was late for getting a good spot for the TKTS line, but I was near the front of the line. I found out that a lot of people don't like to wait hours in the line when it is so cold out - so I lucked out. I struck up a conversation with two women on either side of me. One from New York and the other from Louisiana (who was here for a dog show). Me and New York woman were educating the woman from Louisiana about the TKTS line and things around the city. While we were waiting, a woman came up to us to fill out a survey. New York woman volunteered and we found out later that they survey woman was from the Scientology place. I found out some scary stuff about that because NY woman's husband had a friend who was a part of that and then when he tried to leave - it was very difficult exit process. Scary!


The Apple Tree (8pm)- Mike McGowan was in for Brian D'Arcy last night. I was looking forward to seeing D'Arcy, but McGowan gave a great performance. I've seen Marc Kudish on some TV spots for musicals, but never live - until now! And I really enjoy his great stage presence onstage. Kristin was perfection last night...well, except for when there was a loud sound coming from maybe the lights during "Lady and the Tiger." She kept referring to it, first to Walter Charles (who did not break - but Kristin did) and then to Kudish (who both broke and had to be prompted by the conductor to get back into the show). I loved all 3 shows and liked how they all related to each other. "I love brown."

Evil Dead: The Musical (11pm)- well this was a complete 180 degrees from The Apple Tree. For what it was, it was fun. No, I did not sit in the "Splatter Zone." I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had seen the movie first. I noticed there were lots of people who did who were quoting the famous lines along with the actors. I think it's a great premise, and performances were good, but I felt that if some actors took their character more seriously (which all of the female actors did) instead of letting us in on the joke - I would have enjoyed it more. I think they were playing for the laughs a bit much, but with that audience I can see why.

NYC Trip (2/08/07) Grey Garden Review

I saw Grey Gardens Thursday night (2/08/07) with my friend, Michael. He just moved here recently from Houston. He met me that afternoon while I was waiting in the TKTS line. We went out for early dinner then coffee, then dessert. I haven't seen him in a long time and it was great to hang out with him again like we used to in Houston.

First of all, we got great seats (tickets at TKTS) on Row J, 2 aisle seats, center orchestra. Also, I got the entire original cast - no understudies.

Amazing! Christine Ebersole is everything I thought she would be. Mesmerizing in my opinion. I just adored seeing Mary Louise Wilson onstage. I have seen her in many things on TV over the years. The entire cast was just excellent. I have to say that my absolute favorite person was Michael Potts who played Brooks Sr./Brooks Jr. His face during a certain not PC song peformed by Christine Ebersole as Big Edie in Act 1 was hilarious! I also thought the two little girls in the play were extremely talented.

Act 2 was very interesting! I told my friend who I was with that I want to see the show again, because there was so much to take in - especially in the second act.