Don't Rain on My Parade

Good Things

2011-07-02T20:52:00.001-07:00

Last week I auditioned for the Broadway revival, "On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever)". I was brought in for the role of Melinda Wells, a 1940s jazz singer with whom the star of the show falls in love. The star of the show will be none other than Harry Connick, Jr., himself. What an incredible opportunity! Who knows what will happen, but I feel great knowing I did my very best. I prepared for that audition like no other. And, I can rest knowing that if God wants me in that show, it is going to happen. Still, a very exciting moment for my career and personal dreams!

Yesterday, after giving my 5-year old mini-me, Tessa piano lessons, I taught her how to dive into the pool. Her 2-year old sister, Marlow, learned to "run in the water". It was the most hilarious thing ever...she clenched her fists underwater and then kicked her legs -- albeit completely vertically. (She was wearing a little swimming vest to keep her afloat). What joy to watch Marlow discover her new ability, gain confidence, and then just cruise around the deep end of the pool! Amazing. I'm so happy to have such great friends in my life, and to be a part of their kids' lives, too.

Best laugh of my day today was in the car with Andrea, and her two boys, Miles and Theo. They had been up in Oregon with Andrea's family, and, sometime during the week had met a man who was "Seattle's Top Chef". Miles was thrilled to add him to the list of famous people he knew.

"How many famous people do you know?" asked Andrea.

"Well, let's see," he replied. "I know Leslie..."

One more beautiful thing: after returning home from a happy afternoon at the pool yesterday, I heard a kitten screaming somewhere outside my window. At first I thought it was perhaps a neighbor's cat, but it sounded pretty desperate. So I set off to save it. Sure enough, I found it in the garden, sort of wandering around. As soon as she saw me, she ran towards me, as if she knew I was going to help her. I scooped her up and brought her up to my apartment.

"Now what?!" I thought.

I cannot be that 33-year old single woman with a cat. I mean, it's just not going to happen.

So, I figured I'd take the kitten to the Humane Society the next day, but needed a place for her to stay that night. Her sweet face was infested with fleas, but other than that, she was pretty lively and healthy. I decided to call my dad and see if he wouldn't mind if I boarded the kitten at his house for just one night.

Long story short, my sister Carolyn fell in love with the little animal and decided she wanted to keep it. She named the kitten Evey. After a visit to the vet, Evey is in great health and parasite-free. I'm so happy to have helped the little one find a good home!

Good Friday

2011-04-22T21:57:00.000-07:00

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Oh, thank You, Jesus.

Thank You.

It's Been a Long Road

2011-03-19T18:12:00.000-07:00

Wow.

I completely forgot that I had this blog. It's kind of a time and date stamp in my life.

Since my last post, I have endured a lot of life changes. One friend put it this way: "You were stripped of everything." Yeah, I think that about sums it up. I can also say, even though the trials are still fairly fresh, there has been much joy, love and laughter throughout the process.

I am now divorced. I have nothing else to say on the matter, because it is the past. I am thankful that it is over, and looking forward to the future. I am learning to find the simple joys in every day. I am not at all where I thought I would be, but I couldn't be in a better place.

God is so good. Grace is so abundant. I can't wait to see what -- and who -- God has for me.

No words...

2010-06-10T00:12:00.000-07:00

Dearest blog readers,

There are actually no words to describe what journey I have been on over the past several months. I recently visited this blog after taking a massive hiatus and it's actually super painful to read my entries.

Hopefully one day I'll be able to go through the blog and read it from start to finish...and be thankful for who I am this very day and who I will become.

Until then.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T17:40:00.000-08:00

Check out the Brian Setzer Orchestra Christmas Rocks! Extravaganza on BILLBOARD LIVE TONIGHT -- Christmas Eve -- at 7 pm. PST!

Merry Christmas and Happy 2010! Let's get '09 over with already.

Taking a break

2009-10-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

Dearest Readers,
It has been a long time since I have posted. I fear that my blogging abilities -- rather, my interest in blogging -- has much waned. There will come a time when I will return.

Until then, please enjoy my friend Eric's youtube channel, Five 'Til Curtain. (Notice that I spell it correctly, mwah, ha!) Eric is a cast member of the Broadway revival of "South Pacific". It's good, mindless entertainment.

See you soon.

One Month Left

2009-07-30T09:18:00.001-07:00

As I type this, I am almost in disbelief that I have only one month left in my contract. How could six months (six and a half, really) go by so quickly? At times it has felt painfully slow, waiting for the weather to change, waiting in the dressing room, waiting, waiting...and once June came around time flashed forward at lightning speed.

I have been on a roller coaster, and the ride is coming to an end.

I present a photo essay of my summer so far.
Dear friend Lindsay's gorgeous Malibu wedding, June 25, 2009

July 4th in the City!
BSO goes to Canada, the Netherlands and Finland! July 9-19, 2009
Self-portrait in Montreal

Quebec City:

Amsterdam!

FINLAND! We flew in a private jet from Helsinki to Pori, Finland. The gig was at 8:30 p.m., notice how the sun had no plans of going down. Sunset was around 11:30 p.m.

Life F&*$ing sucks

2009-07-05T23:27:00.000-07:00

Putney ran away on July 3, 2009, most likely due to terror from the pre-4th of July festivities on our street.
Chester, pictured here with Wimbley and Putney, died last month due to either some neurological or cancerous tumor.
Wimbley is all we have left, but he could care less and prefers to live with the neighbors who feed him hot dogs and table scraps (but can you blame him?) Charlie had to drug him up to extreme on July 4th that the poor animal couldn't walk. He's a needy fellow.

Can I please get a BREAK?

Eff this effing situation.

It's a Good Day...

2009-06-23T11:49:00.001-07:00

When I moved to New York nineteen weeks ago, I was excited and optimistic; hopeful. Over the course of the past four and a half months, I have been on a complete roller coaster ride. When I actually stop to think about all that I have been through -- a tour of Japan, getting sick on top of jetlag, moving to New York and leaving my home, husband and family four days after returning from Japan, enduring the long New York winter, re-learning a difficult four-part harmony show and performing three of the four roles -- it all keeps things in perspective. I have complained a lot. I have also not allowed myself to really process the huge change that has occurred in my life. On the performance part of it: I don't allow myself make mistakes. I am a perfectionist.

It's beside the point to say that it's been "a lot". Yet I'm honestly shocked at how quickly the time has passed. I think I have finally gotten comfortable with everyday life in New York. I've learned how to manage my time, especially my downtime. I've got to find a quiet place because this city is so noisy.

The best lesson I've learned is that I MUST be proactive in achieving my dreams. I fell into a pattern of thinking that my agent was going to get me appointments for the auditions that had come up recently. I got NOTHING. Zero. Zilch. What's worse: when I asked him to get me in, he replied: "I'll see what I can do," and then nothing came of it.

Yesterday I decided to take things into my own hands.

Whereas lately I have been making excuses for not going to open calls ("You can't get cast from an open call!") I decided to just start going to ANYTHING and EVERYTHING I possibly could. I mean, that's how I got here in the first place, why should I sit back now? With about two months to go in my contract, NOW is the time to get on it.

So, after performing in "Broadway Bares" on Sunday night (that's a whole 'nother story!) and getting to bed at 3:00 a.m., I rolled out at 8:00 a.m. to sign up for a couple of auditions.

The first was for "Ragtime" in Portland. I deemed it my "warmup" audition. After singing my song ("Solitaire"), the man behind the table said, "Interesting choice. Thank you so much." I didn't know whether to take that as a compliment or not, so I just smiled really big and said, happily, "THANK YOU!" and bounced out the door.
Ehh, whatever, guy. I just didn't care.

Feeling liberated and confident (and just not really caring), I bounced into the next audition. This was for "Bonnie and Clyde" at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego. Basically, the history of La Jolla is that a LOT of hit Broadway shows have started there. My friend Victoria is currently rehearsing "First Wives Club" there now, and it's slated to come to B'way in 2010.

The audition notice for "Bonnie and Clyde" called for a country and/or gospel song, but I decided to sing whatever I felt like. I had nothing to lose. Things couldn't be any worse than they already are, and at least I was getting in front of the casting people.

I bounced in, sang my song and, to my surprise, the casting associate said, "You sound really great."

"Thanks!" I chirped.

"Have you ever been in for the role of Elphaba?" he asked, glancing over my resume.

...

...

!!!!!!!

"NO, but I would LOVE to," I replied, my mouth going a bit dry.

He adjusted his glasses and peered at my resume once again. "I'm really surprised that your agent hasn't DEMANDED that you be seen for that role. I'm going to pass along your info and have them bring you in; we're having a casting session coming up."

"THANK YOU SO MUCH," my flippant tone of voice was now one of genuine gratitude.

I glided out the door and did a little victory dance in the elevator on the way out. Will I get a callback for "Bonnie and Clyde"? Probably not, but WHO CARES??!!

It's a good day when a casting director notices you.
It's a better day when a casting director is impressed with you.
It's the BEST day when a casting director recommends you for the role of Elphaba in "Wicked", every musical theatre girl's DREAM role to play.

I'm really hopeful that it will work out. I know that I can book that job if given the chance to audition.

And, I am re-inspired and realize that I am here for a reason. I know I can get more work. I KNOW IT.

2009-06-14T16:45:00.000-07:00

I am in Harlem.
I am sipping a dry, white French Bordeaux.
I haven't eaten much today. A handful of nuts, a salad, and eggs and toast for dinner.
Tomorrow I will go grocery shopping.
I just took Gordon, my "god-dog", to the park. I am house and dogsitting for Matt and Christy, my friends from the Actors Co-Op, until Tuesday. I have been here for over a week, with the exception of Thursday through Saturday when I was in Los Angeles.

It was wonderful to be in LA after a full four months. I loved sleeping in my bed. I actually loved cleaning my house. I loved being home. It was also all very strange.

Chester died last Tuesday. He never fully recovered from whatever ailed him -- we now think it cancer -- and Charlie made the difficult decision to have him put to sleep. In the end, it was Charlie and Lisa in the room with Chester as he died. Niki sat in the waiting room. I was in New York, only to return two days later.

Charlie took Chester's death very hard. When I arrived in Los Angeles the house was a total disaster. Chester's medicine was a bit strewn out in the laundry room; there were sheets and blankets that were dirty and piled in a corner; that had been used for a makeshift hospice bed for Chester. Dishes in the sink were crusted with the remnants of Charlie's attempts at getting Chester to eat anything -- beef liver, cooked hamburger. Anything Chester wanted.

In the end, the big, sweet dog went in the car and Charlie came home minus his best friend.

There is something to be said for a man and his dog. I do mean to be sexist in this sense. I loved Chester, too, but Charlie really loved Chester. They had a special relationship. When I pulled up to my house in my filthy Toyota Corolla (hadn't been washed since I left in February), I started to cry. No Chester to greet me at the gate. No Chester to stand in my way and demand his rear end scratched before he would allow you to pass. No excited tail-wagging or barking in that deep bass tone of his voice. Just silence. Stillness.

Memories are all we have left.

And then the family drama set in. Oh, Lord, what a weekend it has been. We hope the war will end soon.

Until then, I am back in New York. It is a beautiful day. Charlie is in Yemen, being dangerous and mysterious. I have learned not to worry about him. He will be OK. I love him fiercely and I support him 100% and I can only really say that with full conviction now because he does the same for me. I am beyond blessed to have Charlie as my husband, to have someone who understands who I am and what I am capable of. I have probably not been very fair to him in complaining about his trips all the time. I get it now, as I am the one who is away.

I will now curl up on the couch with Gordon and watch a movie. On Thursday night, Charlie and I watched "He's Just Not That Into You" and neither of us really liked it. It was cutesey and quirky, but overall pretty stupid. Sometimes stupid is refreshing, though.

Sundays are lovely and quiet in New York. It is 8:00 pm and the sun is still fairly high in the sky. Gordon and I will take a stroll after the movie is over and probably chat with the toothless homeless man who hangs out on the corner of 125th and 5th. He's cool. Sho 'nuff.

Month Four

2009-06-02T21:58:00.001-07:00

It's almost 1:00 a.m. on my sister, Marilee's 18th Birthday. (Happy Birthday, Marilee!) I have been meaning to update more often...sometimes thoughts just pass me by.

I would upload pics but my camera is out of batteries at the moment. Bah.

Show updates are as follows: I'm on as Betty Jean until June 10th. I played the role of Suzy on May 19 and 20, also May 27th. I will go on as Suzy again in July. I have really been blessed during this contract with a LOT of stage time. I have performed a total of 34 shows so far, as three different characters. Not too bad! The new cast is coming in on Monday, June 8th, with the exception of the new Betty Jean, because she's closing another off-Broadway show. I am going home June 11-13 to perform with the BSO for a Friday evening gig, and then again June 25-29 for my friend, Lindsay's wedding. In July, I will go to Canada, Norway and Finland with the BSO for various jazz festivals. I'm really looking forward to it! I'm SO SO SO glad the whole ordeal worked out, as well -- I was worried for a moment that I wouldn't get the time off.

In other news: Chester, our almost-eight-year-old St. Bernard, is really sick. He hasn't been able to walk for the past two days, so Charlie took him to the vet today. He had some bloodwork done and it was revealed that his red blood cell count was dangerously low. His inability to walk is due to anemia. He's staying overnight at the vet to be monitored and is on an IV...but things don't look very good. It breaks my heart. I know Chester is just a dog, but he has been such a joy in our lives these past eight years. He truly is a member of our family, and everyone who has known him loves him. I am hoping that he will be able to get well -- that this sickness is just an infection that can be cured with antibiotics. And, if not, I am hoping he will be able to hang on until I can fly home next week so I can just kiss his fluffy face goodbye. He is the sweetest dog I have ever known. It is never easy to imagine saying goodbye to one's dearly loved pet. Chester is extra-special.

So, if you would, please pray for him? I know he doesn't have much time on this earth, anyway -- St. Bernards don't normally live beyond 10 years of age, but I'm not quite ready to say goodbye.

Month Three

2009-05-05T21:52:00.001-07:00

It's time for an update!

I enjoyed a two-week run as Betty Jean during Spring Break, and my mom was able to come out and see me perform (twice, actually!) It was great to have her out here, not to mention have her see New York in 2009. Her last experience in NYC was not a good one...back in the '80s when, as a family, we drove across the country in our Chevy Caprice Classic. I remember something about a homeless man trying to wash the windshield, and some stripped cars on the freeway...but, New York has changed a lot since then. We had fun, complete with dancing at the Whisky in Times Square.

From left to right: Misty Cotton (Missy), Victoria Matlock (Cindy Lou), Bets Malone (Suzy) and me (Betty Jean).

My BFF Joy was also in town during spring break, with her neighbors, Chatelaine and Jay, and her boyfriend, Micah. On Thursday, April 9, Micah proposed to her in Central Park and they are ENGAGED to be married in September! I am beyond thrilled for Joy...it's been a LONG time coming and she couldn't have been more surprised. I'm also so happy that I was able to be a part of the engagement. It was perfect timing...God certainly knows what He is doing.

The happy couple celebrated with us at the Tavern on the Green in Central Park. Micah took Joy on a carriage ride around the park, with roses and champagne. She was blissfully unaware of what was coming next....
GORGEOUS ring! Good job, Micah!

With my Joy...

After that fun week, it was back to the dressing room, playing Bananagrams, knitting and/or picking my nose. We had the 23rd Annual Easter Bonnet Competition coming up, however, and five of the six girls in the cast performed. We sang a five-part harmony version of Gilda Radner's "Let's Talk Dirty to the Animals". It was my first official appearance on a Broadway stage!

My partner in crime: Kristen Beth Williams (aka "KBW")
The day after the second Easter Bonnet show, I found myself performing as Cindy Lou in "The Marvelous Wonderettes". KBW was in Florida (she normally covers the role), so, by a total fluke, I had to go on. I hadn't had any official rehearsal, but, thankfully, I had performed the role at the Laguna Playhouse in August, so it was in my brain somewhere. It was really FUN and I'm so glad I got to play the role!

On May 1st, my new niece, Camilla Dane Smith, was born. Congrats, Andy and Dana! I immediately went out and purchased her an obnoxiously pink "I LOVE NY" onesie -- probably much to the chagrin of the new parents. But, hey, I get to be the fun, crazy aunt, right?

Charlie is here, visiting. I am happy. That is all for now.

Month Two

2009-04-06T08:06:00.000-07:00

Today marks eight weeks!
It's been a while since I've updated. Sometimes I am reticent to sit and blog, because I feel like there isn't anything truly interesting to report.
A lot of people say that your first year in New York is extremely hard. I disagree. I think your first MONTH is hard, especially if it's February. When I sit back and think about all that was going on when I first got here -- coming off a tour of Japan, getting very sick, the mental and emotional rollercoaster of leaving my husband, family, friends and life-as-I-knew-it all behind, the WEATHER, getting thrown into rehearsals and into performance almost immediately, having to get to know everyone in the company, having to figure out how to get around, furnish my bedroom, etc, etc., etc., it's all QUITE A LOT to deal with.
Now things have calmed down.
I am in week two of my two-week run as Betty Jean, and it's going well (or so I believe). I am feeling very comfortable and am having a lot of fun onstage. This is what makes it all worth it, I believe. Although I have learned to knit backstage, I would much rather be performing to make the time pass by. If I have to be at work, then I'd rather be working, not sitting around and knitting. (Can you believe that I KNIT? It blows my mind. Me, a knitter. We'll see how long it lasts...)
Anyway. It's Spring break, Easter is coming, and the weather is starting to turn. I just looked out my window and the naked tree that I have often gazed at is full of tiny blooms.
The one thing that I am scared of is that my six months here will pass by and all I will have done is learned to knit and enjoy the city. That is not the point of me being in New York! I am hoping for a "job upgrade", if you will -- or even just to get out there and audition and meet new people; new casting directors, etc. The problem is that the auditions are quite scarce. With the crappy economy comes limited opportunities in that department.
So, I will sit and wait...and hope...and trust that this is exactly where I am supposed to be. Patience is a virtue that I struggle to possess!

Dogsitting

2009-03-20T07:14:00.001-07:00

I have been in New York for a month! Charlie is here with me, visiting. We are staying in a gorgeous apartment in Harlem, dogsitting for Gordon Lutz while his parents are in Florida. We marvel at God's "sense of humor", if you will...we have taken care of Gordon several times over the past couple of years. Gordon lived with us for about six weeks last summer while Christy did a show in Long Beach and Matt was at the Welk. Then, Matt & Christy moved to New York in the fall. This is their first trip out of the City without Gordon, and here we just happen to be, available and willing to dog/housesit!

God is good.

The show is going well. I feel like I have finally settled into NYC. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it here...it is probably going to be very hard to leave. The biggest downer is that I have not really put myself on a budget, and, especially with Charlie visiting, I'm going through money like crazy.

Snowflakes

2009-03-01T06:54:00.000-08:00

I have been in New York for two weeks now. Life is busy with rehearsals and attending the show (especially on two-show days). I am quickly learning how easy it is to spend an exorbitant amount of money on food. It's just THAT much more expensive here, so your average sandwich between shows costs $9.00 instead of $4.00. Boo.

I am living in a cute little brownstone apartment in Astoria with two other girls. They are absolutely wonderful. One of girls, Sharon, did "Damn Yankees" with me in 2000 when she was FOURTEEN. Yeah, that's awesome. I am old. But, it's funny what a small world it is.

My bedroom is the smallest, which is fine by me, meaning I am paying the least. The tricky part was to get the room furnished. My mom ended up finding me a free bed on Craigslist, and the owner lives seven blocks away. Apparently there is a big bedbug problem in NYC, so I had to make sure that I wasn't getting a bedbug bed, but it's all good. I ended up having to pay movers $100.00 to go get the full size bed and deliver it. I figure it was easier than hauling it seven blocks on foot, in the rain.

I'm in the process of painting my room a dark purple. I am hoping the color choice was not a mistake, but since I am all about the free stuff right now, I was happy to have received the paint for free. I have used a half gallon so far and actually have to go back and buy more. That will be a journey, seeing as I have to go to Harlem to the actual hardware store where the paint was originally purchased, because it is a custom-made color. It will be an adventure!

I have a week of performances coming up very shortly: this Friday, March 6th, through next Friday, March 13th. Beth Malone, the lovely actress who has originated the role of "Betty Jean" off-Broadway, is going on vacation. I am also going on for her in April, when she takes another week off. Yay for vacations!

It is weird to be away from Charlie. At first it just felt like I was on tour, but when I am on tour I am not living in an apartment and taking a train to work everyday. Sometimes it's daunting to think about how long we will be apart, but then God is so good. Our friends Jeff and Sam(antha) Zabel offered to buy Charlie a round trip plane ticket to come visit me starting March 15th. Of course our pride says "NO!" but we happily accepted the offer since maintaining two households is proving to be slightly difficult. I know it will work out; I KNOW that I am supposed to be here, and, at the risk of sounding Christian-ese and/or cliche, I am constantly re-affirmed. God is making Himself really known to me here in New York. Sometimes I can't imagine how people live here without work - especially actors. The weather is HARSH, the people are impatient (at times) and it is crowded and fast-paced. I wish the overwhelming smell of man pee wasn't so prevalent. A word on that: you KNOW when you smell urine that it is ALWAYS men who are peeing. Girls don't just squat in the corner of the subway station! I want man pee gone, especially the smell. The only thing worse is cat pee!

I digress.

I am watching snowflakes fall out my window and grateful for my free, comfortable bed and my warm apartment. I cannot wait until I get to perform; until I get this show back into my body and onstage. I can't believe that I am performing OFF-BROADWAY...it's one small foot in the door to my dream! I have NO idea what the next six months hold for me. I secretly hope it's not just six months of covering "Wonderettes" -- whereas I am very grateful for this job, I want to get to know people and audition for other things! I truly, selfishly hope something big happens...this may be my only shot at New York and I want to take every opportunity!

I leave you with a glowing article. NO, it was not written by me. It actually makes me laugh; I do not officially have a role in this show - I am just a cover. I have given up vanity for lent, but it's Sunday, so I'll indulge a little. :)

Start Spreadin' the News...

2009-02-12T08:10:00.000-08:00

..I'm leaving TOMORROW...

That's right, folks, I'm headed to the Big Apple. To make a long story short, I accepted a six-month contract to perform in "The Marvelous Wonderettes" (yes, AGAIN) as an understudy (yes, AGAIN). My initial reaction when presented the offer was, "No way, I'm not covering that show again", but after much thought and deliberation and some prayer, I realized that an amazing opportunity has presented itself and I must seize the day, as they say.

My dream is to be on Broadway. This is a show that is a huge success OFF-Broadway. It's one step closer to that dream, it's one foot in the door...

It's scary as hell. I returned from a 16-day tour of Japan with Brian Setzer on Sunday, and I'm packing and leaving on the red eye tomorrow. It's insane, I am a bit of an emotional mess (not to mention I've been sick with SARS/the Japanese Bird Flu this week). Obviously the hardest part is leaving Charlie at home. He will come visit me as much as he can, we are going to make this work. My mother is nagging me and telling me she's sad I'm going, blah, blah, but so far, she's the only one who doesn't think I should do this. And, of course, she's my mother. I don't think mothers are too keen on change.

I already have a week of performance dates lined up in March, so I'm excited about that. The day before I left for Japan, Charlie and I prayed that I would be able to find a place to live for a reasonable price: about $500 or so a month. THAT VERY SAME DAY, I found a room in Astoria to rent from a girlfriend of my friend. It will be $550 a month. Sure, it's tiny, but my lovely friend Andrea (BRAVO's Top Design!) is going all out and designing it for me so it will be comfy and a place to call my own.

I can't believe it's all happening...

The best part is that Charlie is flying to New York with me tomorrow night. We've never been to the City together, and we will be able to spend Valentine's Day there, together. He'll help me lug my suitcases to my new place...it's all surreal...

Please pray for me/us as this new adventure begins.

Sedaka is baaaack...la, la, la, la...

2009-01-19T14:06:00.000-08:00

Neil Sedaka came to see our performance of "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" on Saturday, January 17th. It was an incredible experience to have the songwriter in the audience, listening to you interpret his lyric and music. He performed "Love Will Keep Us Together" at the end of the show...what an adorable man! I was so privileged to meet him. He told several of us that we did his songs justice, and he really loved my voice. Wow!

Public Access, yeah!

2009-01-19T13:54:00.000-08:00

I sang at the Thousand Oaks City Council Meeting last week to promote "Breaking Up is Hard to Do". It wasn't the best singing of this song I have done, but it was at least captured on "television". There's a lot of blabbing that you have to sift through, but if you want to scroll to 34:27 that's when I'm on.

Woot.

Breaking Up is Hard to Do

2009-01-16T16:20:00.000-08:00

It's been a while since I've posted. I have been terribly busy doing a brand-new musical, "Breaking Up is Hard to Do". We opened last Friday to great, lively audiences and have been receiving great reviews! It's been a long journey and I am so glad I was able to do the show. It almost didn't happen, because I leave for Japan with the Brian Setzer Orchestra one week from today! I was nervous that rehearsals for Japan would conflict with performances for "Breaking Up..." I took the job blindly and prayed (and STRESSED!) for it to all work...and it DID! P.T.L!

Next on my plate is a big decision to make. I've been offered a six-month contract to understudy The Marvelous Wonderettes (YES, AGAINNNNNNNNNNNNN). This time, it's in New York. I want to be in New York, I NEED to be in New York, but something about this whole thing just doesn't sit well with me. I want to be playing LEADS in New York, not understudy roles. I realize there is a difference between New York and Los Angeles, but I feel like this show ("Breaking Up") might have put me in the running to finally be playing leads consistently. I don't know...we'll see...I have a big decision to make, and soon.

In the meantime, I'm off to the theatre for the final weekend of our show (it was quick!) Enjoy the shameless self-promotion I've highlighted for you below:

Backstage West - Les Spindle
January 16, 2009
Equally delicious are the portrayals by Jackson and Smith -- virtuoso belters and masters at comedic timing.

Variety – Julio Martinez
January 13, 2009
As painfully introverted Marge, Spencer Smith offers captivating solo turns on "Lonely Nights" and "Solitaire." She also unites with Leatherwood's slowly evolving Gabe on "The Diary" and the musical highlight of the show, "Laughter in the Rain."

Fortunately, a talented, hard-working six-member ensemble, under the guidance of Troy Magino, instills an infectious vitality into the proceedings, powering through the throwaway plot while projecting the songs directly to the audience.

Los Angeles Times - Philip Brandes
January 13, 2009
Jackson and Smith, both veterans of the recent retro hit "The Marvelous Wonderettes," turn in assured, charismatic performances in roles that shrewdly showcase some of the Sedaka songs originally popularized by singer Connie Francis.

Marge (Spencer Smith) finds her natural anthem in "Lonely Nights".

STAGE SCENE LA - Steven Stanley
January 9, 2009

"Finally, there are the star-making turns of Leslie Spencer Smith and Jeff Leatherwood, as the most vocally gifted pair of nerds you're ever likely to see. Smith graduates from her fine supporting work as Abigail Adams in 1776 to center stage as the klutzy but endearing Marge, and demonstrates Broadway-ready pipes with a powerful rendition of "Solitaire."

LA City Beat
January 15, 2009

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do. This pleasant jukebox musical uses Neil Sedaka hits to punctuate a story about an attempt to salvage a would-be Borscht Belt honeymoon for a jilted bride in the early '60s. The cast includes L.A. theater stars Julie Dixon Jackson, Eileen Barnett and Nathan Holland, plus the formidable Leslie Spencer Smith, Ryan Nearhoff and Jeff Leatherwood. Troy Magino directed, with a book by Erik Jackson and Ben H. Winters. It's innocuous but considerably more interesting than such bookless jukebox shows as Smokey Joe's Cafe. Cabrillo Music Theatre at Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. (805) 449-2787. Closes Jan. 18.

Oh, Jason.

2008-12-07T20:23:00.000-08:00

My beautiful friend from college died tragically at 2:01 a.m. on Saturday, December 6, 2008.

I am shocked and so, so sad. Life is oh, so fragile and I am just trying to process it all.
Jason is with the Lord, I know that. It might sound cheesy, but it's true. Oh, my friend.

Something Better...?

2008-12-03T14:36:00.000-08:00

After a lovely Saturday evening out with friends -- first the trendy "Pho Cafe" in Silverlake accompanied by an 8:00 viewing of "Slumdog Millionaire" at the Laemmle in Pasadena -- we found out late Saturday night that Charlie didn't get the job. Side note: I HIGHLY recommend the film; it was excellent and I'd go see it again in a heartbeat.

Charlie went to take a shower, I sat in the kitchen and cried.

And, yet, somehow I knew that it wasn't going to work out how we wanted it to.

I had planned the next few years of our life around Charlie landing this position. Ironically, I desperately need to go to the dentist but have to wait until January, when my re-enrollment in a paid dental insurance program will be able to be processed. I keep thinking my teeth are going to fall out. Is it possible for a fake tooth to rot? Probably not, but these are the things that are going through my head.

After telling myself, "Something better will come along" (that's what we always say when things don't turn out the way we'd like them to. Something BETTER is coming.) What if that is not true? Neither Charlie nor I, in all our years of working, have had a better job opportunity. EXCELLENT health benefits, FREE schooling, a SALARY, and the job security of being FULL-TIME. Charlie wouldn't have to work two or three adjunct jobs. Think of it!! Just ONE job. Wouldn't that be a concept?

So, no. NOTHING better, as I see it, could come along.

So, as it turns out, the girl that has been working the adjunct position for almost three years got the position. It obviously makes sense: seniority, politics, blah, blah, blah. Sure, sure, maybe Charlie will considered for the next full-time position that comes up, but who knows when that will be? Especially since USC is in the middle of a hiring freeze, and our economy is in the middle of a poo-filled toilet. And, as almost a hilarious turn of events, Charlie isn't even guaranteed an adjunct position come this spring. We're waiting to hear from his boss about that.

I'm tired of this sucky parade.

Hee hee

2008-11-20T11:21:00.000-08:00

I'm so glad I'm not a model.

Interview

2008-11-20T08:28:00.000-08:00

Charlie has been teaching at USC for the past six months as adjunct faculty in the language department. It was a real blessing when he got the job in the first place - back when we were strapped for jobs and money. He began with summer school and then they kept him on for the fall semester. He really enjoys it and it's helped supplement the income that I have lost because of tour being canceled this year.
Yesterday, Charlie had an interview for the full-time position at USC; full-time professor of English (English as a Second Language). He felt really good about the interview. The perks of being a prof at USC sound amazing: he could attend the school for free, I could attend the school for free (!!) and we'd be covered with full benefits. Both of us, without having to pay for them ourselves! What a concept! Of course, I have it all planned out: I'll get my Master's Degree at USC while getting my teeth cleaned every three months, just for the heck of it. Wouldn't that be nice? Here's what my mom wrote on her blog about Charlie. She's lovely.

So, I guess I'm asking for prayer for Charlie to land this job. It would mean security in some senses...but also would just be a huge relief and blessing. We'll find out next week.

Photo Shoot

2008-11-18T18:08:00.001-08:00

I'm doing this new musical, "Breaking Up is Hard to Do" at Cabrillo Music Theatre. It's a cute show with all Neil Sedaka music. I am playing the role of Marge, an aspiring dentist who gets left at the altar and goes on her honeymoon (to the Catskills) with her best friend, Lois. Lois is being played by the lovely and talented Julie Dixon-Jackson, who originated the role of Betty Jean in "The Marvelous Wonderettes" at the El Portal Theatre. That's right: I was her understudy. It will be SO fun to actually get to be on stage with her this time, as well as not be an understudy anymore.
I'm really looking forward to it, even after having a few meltdowns about the possibility of closing weekend conflicting with BSO Japan tour rehearsals. I still don't know my rehearsal schedule, but I accepted the theatre job, anyway. I am praying that it all works out. It was a difficult decision in that I just don't want anyone angry with me; I don't want to create a situation for myself that threatens my "job security", if you will. But, at the end of the day, I realized that it would be very silly for me to NOT take the Cabrillo Music theatre job just because of the unknown. I would have passed up five weeks' of work, as well as health insurance because of the possibility of missing a rehearsal (or two, yikes!?!)

So, I am happily playing the role of Marge and hoping that I can do BOTH and that it all works out smoothly.

Today we had a photo shoot for publicity and program stills. It was really fun to dress up and start to get into character. We don't start rehearsals until December, but it will be a quick hit once it all begins. The show runs January 9-18, 2009.

O.P.C. (Other People's Children)

2008-11-18T17:25:00.000-08:00

Sunday we went to lunch with our dear friends, Jeff and Jenny. They are awesome people. They have an adorable baby, Henry. We stole him and took pictures with him.

Early, early Monday morning, Marlow Finch Barkley was born. I was so excited to be invited to attend this birth, but I stupidly left my phone in the living room Sunday night. I missed the entire thing! Katie gave birth to her second baby girl at home (she's amazing!) at around 2:40 a.m. I got to be Marlow's first visitor the very next day!