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!

Upcoming Show Dates

I'm very happy to announce that The Rita Rose Show will get to play in a venue that I've passed every single day during my life here in Chicago AND where so many great artists (including Wanda Jackson!) have performend....drum roll....Martyrs'! Click here for the Facebook Event for The Rita Rose Show @ Martyrs' on 3/24! Here's the promo poster:

Also, this Friday (3/7/14) at noon I get the privilege of doing a set of The Rita Rose Show at Morton College during their Lunch Hour Concert Series. I've "guest-taught" Rebecca's art class at Morton College as Rita Rose in teaching her students how to draw Monsters--something I've become excellent at doing--so it'll be fun to have those students as well as the other students, faculty, and staff in the audience. Morton College is where JPAC is, and I've done numerous theatrical shows there, so I'll feel right at home performing as Rita Rose. 

Lastly, Rita Rose has an instagram account now! I have a feeling that will be the best way to keep up with Rita Rose happenings as I'm already having way too much fun with it.

Follow Rita Rose here:

   

The Rita Rose Show #2!

It's been just over a week since the second performance of The Rita Rose Show! 

These people have played a ginormous role in The Rita Rose Show:

Michael Monroe Goodman. When the concept for the show first popped into my head, he is the one that verified that it wasn't a silly idea, encouraged me to go for it, and offered to play in the band, too! As for this particular show, he helped me a lot with editing the script, and all of the fabulous members of The Sugar Daddies were musicians that I'd met through him. 

My lovely sister, Rebecca. I could not have survived without her keeping me calm and in line, blinging out the Rita Rose costume, spending hours designing my posters, and being a food runner for the day of the show.

On the day of the show, I knew snowfall was expected, but I didn't realize it'd be blizzard conditions. As the day and the snow progressed, it was so dangerous outside, that I thought the show would be cancelled. The show was still a go, and everyone involved arrived safely. The guests who trekked through the show were such a wonderful audience, too. The Sugar Daddies were a blast to play with, and though none of the photos of us after the show turned out, here's a matchy-matchy photo with Zach Lentino  (upright bass) and his leopard print tie. :) 

One more photo! One of the special guests on stage was the birthday boy, Ryan Roets, who just moved to Chicago for the next few months. I've known Ryan since high school, and here's a photo with Rita Rose and The Razzle Dazzles. 

I wish I could turn this off, especially when trying to sleep, (but I guess it's a blessing) but I replay over and over performances in my mind to figure out what I could've done better. Here's a few things I learned from this show!

1. Always giving your best performance. Focus. Turn off "the voices" that try to bring you down. 

2. Know the show like you know your ABC's. You can never over prepare. "Over-preparation" is especially necessary in the event when something unexpected (like a blizzard) happens that shakes you up a bit. 

3. Don't let your nervousness as a result of the unforeseen circumstances affect the way you handle pre-show preparations. Deep breaths and an optimistic spirit are necessary.

The creation of both shows were a fun, but sometimes difficult task. You have to have a lot of will-power to succeed as you don't have a director or stage manager giving you call times and telling you when to be off book. This includes getting up early, going to bed late, and limiting attending social events. A friend at the very start of my theatrical career taught me the importance of spending time perfecting your art.  It's tough to juggle a day job while writing, coordinating, costuming, and learning music for a show, but thankfully my day job has been so sweet and supportive throughout the whole process. 

A couple of more show dates are in the works to happen before I head out of town for a couple of months for training for a new job! All of those will be announced when everything is official :) 

The Rita Rose Show

You are invited to the upcoming performance of The Rita Rose Show! This performance will have extra special treats including The Sugar Daddies (Guitar: Michael Goodman, Piano: Colte Julian, Upright bass: Zach Lentino, Drums: John Perrin), The Razzle Dazzles (Rita Rose, Nelia Miller, and Lauren Demerath), seat prizes, and the opportunity to purchase Rita Rose merchandise!

It is on February 17 at 8:00pm, $10 Cover with a 2 Beverage minimum, and once again at Davenport's Piano Bar & Cabaret. Reserve your seats at www.davenportspianobar.com or by calling 773-278-1830!

I'm very excited for this upcoming performance as this show contains a new script, new setlist, and very special guests. Also, be on the lookout for new Rita Rose Show dates that are in the works for other venues! 

Success!

In spite of only having a month to write/memorize a script and learn 10 new songs, band members changing last minute, and a first full band run through the day of the Rita Rose show, the very first Rita Rose show was a success!

I'm super thankful for my brother Matthew's and my sister Rebecca's encouragement and support. Rebecca had to bear through me script brainstorming, reading my script to her over and over, and had to listen to me cracking myself up constantly. She also was there for me to design my poster, help with the female costumes, pick up food for the band, and whatever else was needed. When it got down to serious crunch time and we didn't know how things were going to come together, Rebecca reminded me that "Failure is not an option. Primm's don't fail."

I about burst into tears after the show in the dressing room as she walked in and told me how proud she was of me. That meant the world.

I also could not have had a show without the incredible talent of Michael Goodman, Sharon Knickerbocker, Zach Lentino, and Zack Darce. Michael gave me encouragement from Day 1 when I thought up the concept of the show and dropped it by him to see if it sounded ridiculous. He thought it was great and graciously offered to play. Sharon accompanied my audition to get the gig at Davenport's and had been excited every step of the way. Zach Lentino stepped in with his fantastic energy and beautiful upright bass in the midst of a busy school schedule.  Zack Darce learned the set list last minute to play in place of the drummer who 3 days before the show date discovered she couldn't do the show. 

Micheal Kott was also a giant help in filming the show!

"Go team!" just before we went on stage.

Rather exciting news: A VIP gave me very nice compliments regarding the show (and this genre is his specialty) and also gave me super helpful advice for future performances. He is keeping contact to help me out with furthering the Rita Rose show!

Taken by my lovely roommate, Denise, who also encouraged me every step of the way!

You can now like Rita Rose on Facebook at  www.facebook.com/RitaRoseShow  and follow her on twitter at www.twitter.com/RitaRoseShow to stay informed of upcoming events!

In the meantime, I have started rehearsals for Towle Theater's "A Fabulous Fifties Christmas" and am so thrilled to be a part! The theater is in Hammond, Indiana, and the show runs from November 30 until December 22. Visit www.TowleTheater.org for more information!

Rockin' & Boppin' with Rita Rose

For a week I've been ecstatic that "Rita Rose", a project that has recently been in the works, is coming to life for the first time on September 16 at 8:00 pm at Davenport's Cabaret!

Rita Rose is pretty much summed up as my alter ego from the fifties. She was inspired from the character I played in White Christmas the Musical as the character was not only a blast to play, but also was very well received by the audience. 

I've recently renewed my love for Rockabilly music and have been wanting to share that love since the women of Rockabilly aren't quite as popular with our generation. Once the idea of mixing Rita Rose with a night of rock-n-rollin' & boppin' tunes popped into my head (after a receiving inspirational advice with friends from Jarrett Payton stating that "Life doesn't just hand you things. You have to go out there and get it"), the idea never left and the brainstorming began. 

Joining me on the piano will be the lovely Sharon Knickerbocker, on the guitar will be Michael Goodman (he doesn't fully know yet that he'll be Michaela for the evening, haha), and the rest of the band is TBA ;). 

More Information on "Rockin' & Boppin' with Rita Rose" will be able to be found at davenportspianobar.com!