It's just a little bit appropriate to use part of a Betty Schaefer line. ;) Sunset Boulevard closed a week ago Saturday evening. Once again, lots of hugs to everyone involved. This is the first show that I've cried on closing night. I grew so much in the show with the mentoring of Dante Orfei the director, Sarah Bright the choreographer, and James Nedrud who played Joe Gillis. The cast of Sunset Boulevard was so much fun to work with, and it was especially nice having dear friends involved such as John Warren who music directed and his wife Tiffany who played the flute beautifully in the orchestra. (Tiffany is the one who encouraged me to go for Betty Schaefer in the first place!) Kristin Lutzeier who was Joanna and Heather in the cast has been in all 5 of the Chicago productions I've been in, and the tradition continues with our next show! Lindsay Prerost, our costumer, was so lovely in letting me use a couple of my own dresses/shoes/pieces of jewelry in the show, so now I have an even more special attachment to them when I see them in my closet, haha.
I left everyone hanging on this ;) --I didn't end up going blonde, but had a long dark brown wig (which I didn't perfect styling until closing night). Here's a photo:
For an opening weekend cast gift, I was inspired by a gift my sister previously created. The outcome was devoured probably before Act I was over:
Ensemble member Alicia Hurtado surprised me with this adorable drawing of Joe and Betty's love scene:
I was overwhelmed with the love and support of friends who came out to see the show!Unfortunately, my mom and little brothers couldn't make it, but my brother, Matthew, and sister, Rebecca, came two separate weekends! Matthew had a whirlwind of a trip--flew in on a Saturday morning and left at 5am that Sunday. I always love Matthew time. Here's an unflattering photo of us trying to get Chick-fil-a in the background (which we were ecstatic about devouring since we are chick-fil-a deprived):
After Chick-fil-a happy time, we sipped hot chocolate in the Signature Room at the top of the Hancock Tower. Breathtaking views. Reminded me of my days working at the Sears Tower gift shop. This photo below was taken from the restroom. Yes, I know, the coolest restroom ever.
The following week after Matthew visited, Rebecca flew into town, and it was bliss! I came down with ridiculous sinus infections/sore throat that week, so our activities were limited, and my performance with her in the audience that Friday night wasn't up to par, BUT it was still so enjoyable to have her here. She is going to spend the summer here beginning June!
If you'd like to see a few clips from opening weekend of Sunset Boulevard, go to www.jpactheatre.com. I have a couple second clip in the middle of the video. Hopefully I'll be able to post a couple of videos in the near future ;)
I have an audition horror story. Stiletto Entertainment held auditions on April 30 for singers/dancers for the Holland America Cruiseline's Showroom at Sea. I was scheduled to audition for the female lead opera singer who was required to be 5'6"-5'9", which explains my excitement for the audition, because it was something I have a degree in, AND I'm not too tall which is beginning to be the case for Disney auditions. The appointment was during the afternoon when my nanny child is usually asleep, so my nanny mom was completely fine with it, since she'd be working from home. Fifteen minutes before I was planning to leave, my other nanny child's school called and said he had a fever and needed to be picked up from school ASAP. After about 10 minutes of debating what to do, I have permission to go audition then pick him up. I zoom to the audition, then drive around for a while looking for parking. Finally parking was found, then I rushed in the pouring rain to the audition. I'm late, my dress is soaked from the rain, my slip keeps on showing no matter how much I pulled it up, and I'm frazzled from all of these factors. I get called in, don't sing my best from being frazzled, my dress has wet spots all over from the rain, and my slip is still showing in front of the casting people. What makes this situation worse? This was all recorded on camera!
"I have some good news!" (another Betty Schaefer line reference) I'll be in the ensemble of Legally Blonde at JPAC this summer. We all will get "Whipped into Shape" (Legally Blonde song reference) this summer for sure with all of the dance numbers, which will be fantastic experience.
[Edit: 5.15.12---I received a call last night from the director of Legally Blonde offering me the role of Vivienne Kensington. I accepted and am ecstatic! It's the exact role that I wanted when going into the auditions!]
Lastly, our amazing improv class has graduated onto Level E, which is the final level before auditioning for the conservatory. Our teacher is great! All of the exercises we've done so far are brilliant, and definitely helpful in gaining confidence on the improv stage.
One thing more: HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to my darling mom. I LOVE YOU! Can't wait to see you again.
