Twinkling Lights Endeavors: Achieved!

A bit over 4 years ago when I began this blog I had posted somewhere in the layout "Oh, I'd like to be on some marquee, all twinkling lights" which are a snippet of lyrics from the song Broadway Baby. I used to adore that song and sing it all of the time as the book that it was in was one of my two musical theatre books that I owned at the time. The blog was named after that line, and YOU GUYS, IT HAPPENED! Proof:

With me as Rita Rose's band "The Sugar Daddies" are Billy Shaffer, Marc Edelstein and Shaun Whitley!

AND to top it off, I got my very first review. Victor of Vic's Drum Shop attended the show and said this: 

"@  Martyrs' in Chicago taking in the musical stylings and comedic antics of the Rita Rose Show featuring GMS Drums artist Billy Bob Shaffer.

Ms. Rita (Rachelyn Primm) never breaks her 1950's character as she tells jokes, shares tips, and role plays with audience members, all while ripping through a set of classic rockabilly tunes with a band that consists of current and former members of the Million Dollar Quartet musical.

Highly entertaining!!"

The Rita Rose Show at Martyrs' was my best show, yet. Each performance I feel is kind of like a workshop in the theatre world. I'm learning what material I've written works, what material flops, good song choices, how to play and interact with an audience even more, pacing, how to better cue the band, and quite a few other aspects that go into The Rita Rose Show.  Dan, Martyrs' sound man, was brilliant!

Through a few different circumstances, my band members that night were completely different than who I had originally planned on, but I was incredibly honored to get to share the stage with current and former Million Dollar Quartet cast members Billy Shaffer, Marc Edelstein, and Shaun Whitley. We didn't get the chance to rehearse, yet they were amazing, of course! Definitely missed having Michael Goodman on stage in the show, though.

Also, Among the wonderful audience members was the cast of Paramount Theatre's RENT who made it even more a party.

Rita Rose singing and dancing with Sawyer Smith (who was stunning in the role of Angel in RENT)

I had the pleasure of meeting a lot of fantastic crowd that night including Tim who just opened up The Foxhole Chicago (and actually joined me on stage during Rita's game "Casting Director"). Tim showed me around The Foxhole a week later, and it's a great new artist space that has many uses including a recording studio, rehearsal space, photo studio, etc. It was fun chatting, too, as we have many friends in common. I can't wait to collaborate on future projects!

Lastly, I couldn't resist snapping a shot of Wanda Jackson's headshot and signature in Martyrs'. I felt so privileged to get to play with an incredible band where she and so many great artists have previously played.

The show will be making its way back to Martyrs' this summer! Date TBA!