Christmas Day

It’s Christmas Day and us Jews are at work. Actually .. if you think of it… a lot of people work on Christmas Day. Performers, waiters, bus drivers …. a lot people. I enjoy working Christmas. It can be slow in the newsroom. It’s a nice break from the normal hustle and bustle of demands and deadlines. I enjoy being able to email or call a person at an affiliate and be able to talk about something other than news.  It’s one of the things I enjoy most about my job ….  the people I am in contact with on a nightly basis.

Before I came into work today I stopped at Lincoln Center. It’s one of my favorite places in New York City. I love everything Lincoln Center represents. It oozes talent. The Julliard School is there too. The New York Public Library For The Performing Arts is there as well. It was quiet. Another thing I love about working on Christmas. It’s quiet in the usually bustling city. I looked up at the Christmas tree smack dab above the doors of The Met and took in the stillness. All that moved was the delicate toy train circling under the ornamented tree. There was no noise. There was no people. It was quiet.

I looked at my clock and noticed it was still early to head to work. It’s a cold day in the city. So I decided to stop at Starbucks. As I opened the doors and let the warmth of the heat hug me …  the stillness and quietness that once was … was broken by the baristas and dozens of people inside.  I ordered my Peppermint Mocha … wished the smiling barista a “Happy Holidays” … and walked across the street to work.  The stillness of my surroundings made me smile and offered some clarity as I pushed on the revolving door to 47 West.  The door whistled as it spun me into the building. The security guard looked up and shouted, “Welcome! Merry Christmas!” I waved back  …  swiped through the gates … and smiled at the lit up lobby. Fairy lights twinkle for the holidays.  As I got off the otherwise empty elevator I turned the corner into the newsroom. Four sets of eyes looks up and everyone shouted “MERRY CHRISTMAS!”  

It certainly is a Merry Christmas! I hope Santa was good to those of you who celebrate. I hope the holiday season brings you warmth and sprinkles you with hope for the New Year that’s just around the corner. Happy Holidays everyone!

Just Be

Sometime’s you just have to be. If you know me ... I mean really know me ... you know I’m always running around or have something to do. I think it’s in my blood. Maybe I’m used to always being on the go with a list of errands because that’s what I’m used to. 

As I’ve gotten older, I’ve started to write things down. My daily “To Do” list. I like seeing items being crossed off. It makes me feel accomplished. I even put “Go To Work!” However, I didn’t work today. It’s my Sunday! My “To Do” list looked a little like this today.

1. Go to a barre or pilates class (I’ve been eating a lot lately. Shhh! Don’t tell anyone but I baked cookies and am consuming the gluteny goodness as I type).
2. Get a mani/pedi for Thanksgiving 
3. Book car for airport
4. Pack
5. Do laundry
6. Start Christmas cards (Chanukah and Turkey Day cards were already sent)
7. Go out at night and do something
8. Pick up my Rx

I’m usually pretty good with my list. Today, not so much. I didn’t go to any class AND I had three to choose from. I didn’t get a mani/pedi. Now, I have to do that tomorrow before work at 3:30pm. I also have to do no. 7 and no 3 tomorrow. I did start packing and I did do laundry, but I did not finish Christmas cards. I didn’t go out either. The going out part was the indecisive me. If you know me well you know how difficult it is for me to make decisions ... even the smallest ones. I had high hopes of going out tonight. I am a real homebody. I love being home. The cold weather we’re having in New York doesn’t encourage one to go out either. BUT, I did ask some people about going out. All were in for the night. Others were working. One person was a maybe. So this was my night as I tried to decide whether to go out.

1. Wrote a couple more Christmas cards
2. Drank wine
3. Baked cookies 
4. Eat cookies
5. Continue my Gilmore Girls marathon
6. Text friends in hopes of encouragement to go out
7. Shower
8. Get dressed and ready to go out
9. Get back on the couch and watch Gilmore Girls (I have the entire show on DVD)
10. Put on make up
11. Watch more Gilmore Girls
12. Eat veggies
13. Drink cup #10 of tea  ... in front of the tv  ... watching Gilmore Girls (FYI: I’ve had 3 different types of tea today)
14. Eat more gluteny cookies (I took some gluten cutter my dad gave me this year. Not sure if it works, but I like to pretend it does)
15. Decide to stay in
16. Text my friends with my decision. They’re probably all like “Thank God! She finally made up her mind and will stop asking me!” 
17. Get back in comfy clothes :)
18. Decide to write a blog about staying in ... while watching Gilmore Girls

So bottom-line. I did not accomplish everything on my “To Do” list. I didn’t go, but I am slowly learning that It’s okay to just be. Oh geez... now the Kinky Boots track “Raise You Up/Just Be” is in my head.

19. Listen to that song on my iPod

Reflection

L’Shanah Tovah! It’s about to be a new year in the Jewish calendar! It’s a special time of year for those of us who celebrate. I have fond memories of growing up and going to synagogue with my parents for the High Holidays. I loved the shofar, apples and honey, sponge cake and prayer. As I grow older though, the holidays have become more of a time of reflection. I’m not perfect. Nobody is. So I look back at the things I could have done differently. I also reflect on the things I have. I have a lot of stuff. It’s good stuff. I’m lucky to be able to say I have stuff (or clutter as I guess you can call it). I mean do I really need all these shoes and clothes?! I have three bags of clothing and shoes that I’ve been meaning to sell for months. However, in honor of the New Year I will donate them to those who need it. It’s a move to de-clutter my life of things I don’t need. 

What one always needs is family and friends. I am eternally grateful for those in my life. I would not be in this amazing city if it wasn’t for the love and support of each and every one of them. They have each left a handprint on my heart. I have met my close friends here in New York through my love of Broadway. I have Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical to thank for that. It’s the friends ... the family ... the random messages I get throughout the day, from family and friends I have all over the country, that remind me of all I have to be thankful for. 

This is the time of year I also begin to look back at what I’ve given to others. I like to make people happy. I love to sprinkle love and happiness around. Whether it’s moving a story at work to affiliates around the country that I think will put a smile on someone’s face, giving Valentine’s to the homeless, giving random gifts, or just making someone smile with my “jazism’s.” 

More importantly though, Rosh Hashanah is a time ... at least for me ... to give thanks. I am thankful for where I am. Sure, there are things about my life that I need to work on and change. There is a balance I need to find and something “magical” that happens every day that ... when it happens ... I need to stop and say, “That was a magical moment.” Every day there is something magical that we need to acknowledge.

So as the High Holidays begin I’d like to share what a Rabbi recently wrote. “May we be inspired by the Jewish tradition’s message that each of us has the potential to renew our lives in meaningful ways, repair that which is broken, and together, build a world of justice and peace. Jewish tradition demands that we live exemplary lives of hope and kindness, stepping in to the breach and shining the light of goodness where there is darkness. In the spirit of this season we pray for peace and safety for everyone.”

Ain't No Lying, "Steve Kazee and the Shiny Liars" are True Talent

Things that make me happy. Great friends, great music, great food, popcorn and express trains to Brooklyn! I got all of those tonight. My day off started rocky. I was feeling pretty craptastic. I spent most of my day on the couch drinking water/tea, sleeping and watching Laguna Beach! Despite my feeling bad, there was no way my not feeling great was keeping me from seeing Steve Kazee and the Shiny Liars at 54 Below. I’d seen Steve and his band before, when he debuted his songs for the first time earlier this year. I couldn’t wait to see them again. Being that Monday night is my night off and the only time I could see them perform during this second set of performances .... I lassoed my friends up and headed into the city.

Those of you who have read my blogs from my pre-New York days know that they are a mix of philosophy, poetry and Broadway. You also know that I like to support Broadway performers outside the theatre ... from Adinah Alexander, Nick Adams, John Jeffrey Martin to Steve Kazee, etc.

Steve’s music is real ... sweet ...  and gritty... all in one. It's kind of like a really good egg roll with that duck sauce you always need to ask for more of because it’s just that good and everyone wants it! There’s nothing better than hearing talent wrapped around with great talent. Can you tell I’m hungry? 

Anyway, that’s what Steve Kazee and the Shiny Liars are. A just plain good combination that you’ll want to order more of. They’ll be performing at 54 Below this Wednesday (7/10), Thursday (7/11), Friday (7/12) and Saturday night (7/13). I’ll be working ... so that’s my excuse for not being able to go ... again. But, what's yours?  Trust me. You’ll be howling for more. Hoooooooowl! If you go to the show ... you’ll get that and not just think I'm coo-coo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SJlj1NUUUU

http://54below.com/

Land of Lola

It’s been a busy month, so I apologize for the lack of posts. My best friend was in town and I went to the Tony Awards. I cheered on Team Kinky Boots! They picked up 6 Tony’s, including Best Musical! 

Speaking of Kinky Boots The Musical. I went for the 16th time this week. Hey! It’s the first time post-Tony’s ... so no grumblings and rumblings from the peanut gallery who thinks I’m coo-coo for cocoa puffs. While it was my 16th time, it was something brand new for the woman next to me.

One thing I love about the theatre is that you get to meet people from all over. That is very true here in New York, where many of the people that go to theatre are here on vacation. However, many people travel from New Jersey as well. This woman had done just that. So, what makes her so special? As she settled into her seat she turned to me and told me it was her 45th Birthday! Not only that ... it was her first musical! I told her she was in for a treat, explained her “partial view” wasn’t so partial and that she would love Kinky Boots. Naturally, the next question was, “You’ve seen this before?” She got giddy like a girl on her first day of school when I told her how many times I had seen the show! So we discussed the characters, “Martha” the mullet (a factory worker wears a mullet which I have named “Martha”) and different Broadway discount ticket websites. 

As “Don” came out and the music started I knew this was going to be the best Birthday present this woman ever gave herself. It was like Christmas in June for her! Her reactions where priceless! She tugged at my shoulder to point out things to me! I think she gasped and had her hands over her mouth in awe of what she was seeing for much of the first act! When the first act ended she was definitely saying “Yeah!” So were the 5 women behind me and the mother and son in front of me. My new friend next to me turned around to the women behind us and was like, “Oh my god! This is amazing!”  Then she pointed to me and was like, “She’s seen it 16 times!” I always get the, “Why?” and “Are you rich?” questions. Going to the theatre in New York is not ... let’s say ... inexpensive. I always respond with a laugh. Anyway, the ladies behind me gushed about the show. We chatted for a bit and then the mother and son (from Detroit) in the front row came back. No, they hadn’t gone to the bathroom. They literally bought out the entire merchandise display (minus the socks that are still out of stock)! I think I persuaded everyone to by a hoodie too. The hoodies are like butter! They are soft, silky and smooth. I digress. So the mom tells us how her young son is an aspiring actor and wants to be on Broadway. Then she pulls out her phone and shows us a picture of her son with Hugh Jackman! Turns out Hugh had mistaken her son for his son because they look alike. Hugh took a picture with the boy so all three could laugh about it one day. Moments later Act 2 began and we entered the Land of Lola again. My new friend cheered wildly. The whole second act was her gasping, crying and applauding. The woman behind me even gave Stark a standing ovation after his big solo. 

So, yes. I’ve seen the show a lot. This time I saw it a bit differently. I saw it through the eyes of a woman ... from New Jersey ... who was experiencing her first musical. As the ovation ended she turned to me and said, “Thank you. Thank you for sharing my Birthday with me. I get it.”

That’s the thing about Broadway, where the community is so close. You are with people who get it. Who realize what they are seeing on stage is something they won’t experience anywhere else in the world. There is only one Broadway. There is only one Great White Way. It brings people together from all corners of the world. For those two hours we experience the best the theatre-world has to offer. We experience the same thing ... and we get it. 

Good JuJu

Good JuJu. Yes, I’m talking about the happy feeling you get from certain objects ... and more importantly ... people. I never really knew anyone with good JuJu before I moved to New York. Now I can say I do. I mean there are positive vibes I get from people all the time, but never before positive energy. Well, these two people I’m about to mention have good JuJu. They always leave my smiling.

The first is my pilates instructor. I don’t see her one-on-one often. It costs a lot of money. However, when I do see Anna, I always leave a little in pain but very happy. Her good JuJu just bounces off her the moment you see her. While she reforms my body on the reformer we talk. We talk about lives... work ... men (the lack of decent ones lately) ... Broadway ... dance ... things of that nature. She’s like a shrink for my body and my mind! It’s worth every penny I spend each time I see her. Just thinking of her makes me smile.

I work in television news, so finding good JuJu to spread is sometimes like finding a needle in the haystack. My goal every day at work is to find at least one story that I hope will bring good JuJu to someone. Sometimes the stories are really sad stories that turn into positive ones. I tend to be drawn to those stories more.

For me, the talented and funny Steve Kazee fits that kind of JuJu. I think part of the reason he’s so loved is because everyone can see a little bit of themselves in him. I mean we’ve all had our heart broken ... we’ve all had setbacks .... we’ve all had losses and hit bumpy roads on our journey of life. Steve performed some of his original music last night at Below 54. As some of you know, I try to support the actors and singers of Broadway OUTSIDE the theatre in which they perform. So, it was good seeing Steve back up there on a stage and singing his own music. The songs were really great and it was nice to see Steve be Steve and not just Steve, “The guy who won a Tony for ‘Guy’ in Once.” I always think it’s great to hear an artist’s own music. You can learn a lot about the person ... and sometimes even learn something about you through others words. 

When a person writes ... whether it be lyrics, a biography, a blog ... it’s little pieces of them that they are sharing with you. Little footprints they are leaving behind in one’s heart.

I’ve left behind the musician, the ballet dancer, the poet, the storyteller, the cheerleader, the spy ... but they are still part of the fabric of my being. I may not play an instrument anymore but I do go hear the symphony. I may not wear tutu’s anymore but I do dance. I may not write poems anymore but I write for work and recreation. I may not stand on the sidelines of a football game and cheer on a team but I cheer on my friends. You get the picture.

As I’ve said before. We are all connected in one way or another. Through this blog. Through Facebook. Through work. Through school. Through friends. Through Twitter. Through family. We are all connected by living on this planet. Every day we have a chance to make a footprint in someone’s life. 

I'm attaching a some links. One is for the ever sweet John Jeffrey Martin ... now in Kinky Boots on Broadway .. a show that leaves you blanketed in good JuJu! 

http://www.reverbnation.com/johnjeffreymartin

The other is of Steve Kazee's pre-Below 54 press for the show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_VYK6wR08E

A Major Award

It’s Tony time! It’s that exciting time of the year when the lights of The Great White Way shine a bit brighter. Needless to say, everybody said “Yeah!” when Kinky Boots got 13 nods! Well, this fan of the show did! I mean, who will the Lucky Guy holding the Tony next month be? Stark Sands or Billy Porter? Maybe they’ll tie! 

Tony day is a bit like the holidays for theatre-lovers. It’s like we’re Counting Down To Christmas. Then ... when Christmas finally arrives ... we say Bring it On! 

Maybe there will be a Cinderella story. I mean, there’s usually one in the Final 4! This isn’t basketball though. I mean the Tony Awards is a contest ... in a fun, not mean kinda of way. It leaves all the nominees thinking it’s not impossible, but that it IS possible.  For them ... this is the time leading up to that One Perfect Moment. It’s the "When I Grow Up" I wanna be a Tony nominee moment come true.

Bottom line. There is no loser (at least in my book). The musical, plays, directors, actors, etc. all win. So a big congratulations to all the nominees and a big thank you from this theatre fan to everyone on Broadway for all you do. 

The Marathon

Sometimes working in the news business sucks. I enjoy having a pulse on what’s going on daily across the world and the U.S. However, on a day when tragedy strikes ... there’s nothing worse (at least for me) then watching it unfold. It’s my night off and I was not needed at work to help cover the attack at the Boston Marathon. Do I feel guilty for not being there? Of course. However, I have been there for 9/11, Newtown, Columbine, and the Shoe Bomber. These are just some of the senseless attacks, or attempted attacks, I’ve had to cover of the years. 

It’s during these times ... especially ... that we need to remember that we are all human beings. We all have purpose and life on this earth ... and it’s not to kill or injure one another. There are other ways to communicate then through acts of terror. 

Nobody has the answer as to how to end this senseless violence ... in our schools, in our businesses ... on our streets. I just know it needs to end.

Incidents like these always make us stop and reflect. I know I’ve blogged about this before in “Footprints in the Sand,” back in 2011. Did I tell those I love, “I love you.” Did I do everything I wanted to do today? Did I do something nice for someone? If I died today would I be happy with how I’d be remembered? Would I even be remembered? I ask those questions after every horrible attack. Why? What happened in Boston can happen anywhere  ...  at anytime. It happens every day in cities sprinkled across the world, while we are asleep in our beds. 

Life changed in an instant for hundreds of people who just wanted to run a marathon or stand on the side and cheer their friends and family on. A marathon ends. A marathon is a race ... a race against time ... a race against others ... to the finish line. This marathon ended in a way that should not have. 

Marathon: “Any contest, event, or the like, of great, or greater than normal, length or duration or requiring the exceptional endurance.”- Dictionary.com

Well, this marathon fight against violence and terror needs exceptional endurance. I know that. I pray that that endurance to end terror and violence never stops. My heart aches for those dealing with this tragedy. I give thanks for those who are coming to the aide of those in need. I pray for those angels who are now looking over us. And I hope ...and I pray ...  that this marathon of violence ... here and overseas ... can one day end. 

While there is (as far as I know) no recorded winner of the Boston Marathon... the winners are those who are helping others in their hour of need. Not only in Boston right now ... at this very minute ... but those that come to the aid of people ... every day ... all around the globe.  May God bless you all.

http://www.redcrossblood.org/

http://theworldaccordingtojaz.blogspot.com/2011/11/footprints-in-sand.html

Sharpie Smackdown

Stage dooring. Okay, I usually don’t blog twice in 24 hours. Well, I never do. However, when I saw a tweet from @BroadwaySpotted about how someone dissed my girl Ellyn Marsh I just had to pick my computer back up. Apparently the smackdown over the Sharpie happened after Sunday’s matinee of Kinky Boots. Someone who had seen the show decided to stage door and apparently was miffed that Ellyn didn’t have a Sharpie with her. Seriously? 

I was not a happy girl when I read this tweet. Ellyn ...  who is in the ensemble (and sports a mullet during the show I named “Martha”) ... did not deserve that. Now, I wasn’t there. I don’t know what went down or how the Sharpie smackdown ended. However, I’m speaking on behalf of theatre-goers I know when I say this. Rudeness is not acceptable at the stage door. First of all ... Ellyn is one of the sweetest people ever. Second .... why are people yelling at actors for not having Sharpie’s? Seriously? I mean bring your own Sharpie if you’re that concerned. I have my backup skinny Sharpie with me usually. I’d let you borrow mine. Those of us who stage door are typically really friendly. 

I’m somewhat new to the stage door experience. I’ve only been in New York a little over a year. Priscilla Queen of the Desert was the first musical I ever considered stage dooring. I never did though. I was too chicken to do it alone. I mean what would I say to Nick Adams and Will Swenson!? OMG. I could only imagine what would’ve come out of my mouth. I laugh just thinking about it. I hadn’t met all the great people I know now to show me the ways.  I mean I had no clue what to say ... not that I do now. I still say some really silly things. People are like, “You work in television. You must be good talking to people.” LOL There’s a reason I work behind the scenes and not in front of the camera. ;) 

I think my first stage door was The Mystery of Edwin Drood. My friend Danielle was with me and we were there to see the very talented Eric Sciotto. The first stage door I did alone was for Once. You’ll laugh at this. I thought the stage door was the stage door I went to to deliver something for my internship the day before. So, guess what? That’s where I went after I saw Once for the first time! It was freezing out. I stood there and was like, “Where is everyone??!” It took me 20 minutes to figure out I wasn’t at the correct stage door! I finally figured it out and walked over to where the actors come out. I had missed everyone but Steve Kazee! So my first solo stage door experience was me getting only one signature on my Playbill, and my saying something to Steve about seeing him at Murder Ballad the previous weekend. Blah Blah. I didn’t even say anything about his performance in Once. Ummm... yeah. I was a dork. I left thinking, “Jess! You didn’t even tell him how brilliant he was in the show. You didn’t even say anything about the show at all.” Steve was so sweet though. I still am weird about getting pictures at the stage door. Just ask my friend Kim. 

Bottom line is ... all the actors that stage door should be treated with respect. I mean how would you like to work 2 plus hours to come out from your office and have someone bark (allegedly--see my Journalist side) at you for not having a Sharpie? So please ... don’t bark (allegedly) at the actors. Also, while I still am a loss for words at most stage doors ... I don’t think the actors care if you sound stupid. I think they just appreciate the fact that we are there to see them and show our support. Actors??? Care to respond?

Anyway, I’ll be at Kinky Boots Wednesday (5th time). I’m not sure if I’ll have time to stage door. I have to go work. However, if I am there .... I’ll be on the lookout for rude people. Oh ... maybe I’ll bring some extra Sharpies too.

PS: Let me know if you like that font. I think the other font is hard to read! Thanks!

Once... A Musical You Can't See Just Once

Happy St Patrick’s Day! I hope you’re having a wonderful and safe day! I spent part of my day enjoying the talented cast of Once. Today was my eighth time seeing this beautiful show. I went for a couple of reasons. 1. Last year I said I’d go on St. Patrick’s Day (the show is set in Dublin) 2. Because Cristin Milioti will be leaving the show in a week. I wanted to see her brilliant performance as “Girl” one more time. 

It’s always fun seeing a musical with someone who hasn’t seen it before. Let’s just say that person will be going again. However, she didn’t get to see the amazing Steve Kazee. Steve is still out (Steve: I hope you get better soon and are doing okay), but his standby is pretty great! I hadn’t seen him before. I give big props to Ben Hope. It’s always fun to see an understudy grab the spotlight and get to perform. He played “Guy” in a way that suited him perfectly and made the show new to me again. He truly made the role his own, while at the same time honoring Steve’s portrayal of “Guy.”  Ben also has a beautiful voice. 

I know I’ve said this before, but every time I go to a show again I see or hear something new. Besides Ben being new for me ... seeing Lucas Papaelias sport some tight, green underwear on stage was hilarious. Nobody in the cast knew he was sporting it! It was just as funny to them, as it was to us, when he ripped off his pants and unveiled the surprise! I wish I could have whipped the camera out to take a picture. However, for those of you who have seen Once ... I think I would have been in big trouble. Plus, Paul Whitty’s character (Billy) would’ve probably karate chopped me as well! 

Truly though ... I wanted to write a short little something to pay tribute to a show that is one-in-a-kind, inspiring and brilliant ... especially since Cristin is leaving (wish you only the best!). I also wanted to write a little something to give props to Ben and Brandon Ellis (u/s Andrej). So, I’m pulling out the whisky (I really am) and pouring a shot! As I lift it ... a special “Cheers!” to Cristin, Ben and Brandon! May the luck of the Irish always be on your side. Wait ... and Steve (looking in my liquor cabinet for some bourbon) here’s a shot for you ... (raising the shot glass) ... ”To good health!”

Link to my original blog about Once:

http://theworldaccordingtojaz.blogspot.com/2012/12/to-live-is-to-love.html?spref=tw

It's Kinky Time! Part 2

Hello! It’s Sunday ... and one week ago tonight I was checking out the first preview of Kinky Boots the Musical. I blogged about it last week  ... and I’m blogging about it tonight.

I saw the musical for the third time today. The first time was in Chicago at the final dress rehearsal. Yes. I’m counting that! Yes. I’m seeing the show again this week. Yes. I have tickets for the first matinee. Don’t judge. Honestly, I don’t care if you do. I mean accepting people for who they are is the main theme of this musical. So what! I tend to be on a Kinky kick right now! Don’t worry, I’ll spread my love to other shows. I always do. If you read my blog you know I’ve also written about Once and Priscilla Queen of the Desert the Musical.

Anyway, some people go to church every Sunday. I go to a musical. I’m sure acceptance is a subject preached about in temples, churches and other places of worship. Like church ...there’s just something about live theatre. The audience/cast connection is definitely there ... especially when you sit near the stage. Stark Sands (Charlie) caught me singing along during the finale. I think that’s when I stopped singing along. However, when I stopped singing, the woman next to me started doing some of the choreography with the Angels! I thought that was pretty awesome. Things like that are kind of like our “Hallelujah!” 

Kinky Boots is still in previews though. Accepting the show as it’s in previews is something that’s probably a challenge for the creative team ... at least I would imagine it would be. The whole point of previews is to make changes. The creative team is continuously molding the show into the final product. The show isn’t “locked in.” That’s part of the appeal of previews to some theatergoers. There’s something different each time you go to the show.

It’s been an honor seeing this musical morph into the big hit, I have a feeling, it’s going to be. It’s already getting great buzz. The lady next to me today even said it was going to be a hit! She also went on .... and on ... and on ... about how Cyndi Lauper did great work with the music and lyrics. I’m all for accolades, but oy.  She also had a few “Bravo’s!” to shout at Billy Porter (Lola). She even sighed in admiration after “Charlie” sang “The Soul of a Man.” You’ll have to come to the Al Hirschfeld Theatre to see for yourself why there’s so much buzz. Maybe I’ll see you there!

It's Kinky Time!

Hello! I hope everyone is having a kinktastic evening. I just did! Yes, you guessed it. I went to the first preview of Kinky Boots!  This is now the second time I’ve blogged about this amazing show. The first was last year when I won a contest to see the final dress rehearsal in Chicago. As you can imagine, I’ve waited a tense-filled few months to finally see the show on Broadway. My mother was like, “Jess. You already saw this show!” However, I explained that the show is not “locked in” ... that it surely had changed between Chicago to Broadway. Let’s just say it’s even better!

The sex was in my heel (be it a tiny heel) as I walked my booted feet to the theatre with some friends. I had talked the show up so much to those with me that I was fairly positive that they ... and everybody ... would be saying, “Yeah” by at the end of Act 2. 

Step one is always getting people into the theatre in the first place. However, it was packed! I’d never been to a first preview before, so I wasn’t sure just how packed it would be. I think the sold out audience would agree when I say that once you enter the land of Lola you never want to leave! The partial standing ovation Billy Porter (Lola) received after “Hold Me In Your Heart” just gave me goosebumps. I’ve always wondered what that must feel like for the performer on stage. Anyway, he and Stark Sands (Charlie) really do know what women want. I think I heard some swooning from the people behind me! Wink, wink.

I know most of you reading this have not seen Kinky Boots yet. You're probably wondering why I’m writing so weirdly. Well, I have incorporated some of the songs that are in the musical in this blog! Yep. That’s right. You’ll just have to run to the Al Hirschfeld Theatre to hear them. Take what you got in your wallet and go buy a ticket if you can. Slip on your stiletto’s and go! The show will raise you up and inspire you to just be.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CAST, CREW AND CREATIVE TEAM OF KINKY BOOTS! 

Hourglass

It’s funny. That thing called life. We sometimes take it for granted. The cold, crisp winter air. The joy of a hot cup of tea. A conversation with a friend. A funny text. A phone call with a loved one. The sparkles of a fresh coat of snow. We think we have years ahead of us. Years of more living to do. Then our journey on Earth ends. 

It could be years from now. It could be today. Only God knows. We are all as vulnerable as each other. Anything can happen to any one of us ... at any time ... for any reason. 

Sometimes the journey of life takes you to a moment. You stop. You reflect. You promise to live each day to the fullest. To enjoy the crappy days. Because a crappy day is better than no day. To enjoy the challenges ... those moments of perfection ...  heartache ... and laughter. The moments that make up one’s life journey. 

The journey is life. Life is easy to get, but easier to lose. It’s like an hourglass. Each grain has a meaning. I like to believe though, that when the sand stops ... the grains ... the memories ... your legacy, never goes away. Your love ... those memories you make with others... the footprints you have made in others hearts... live on... forever.

TFJ Jin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tauOJkZwwKU

“Like sands of the hourglass, so our the days of our lives.” -Macdonald Carey

Making Resolutions: A Cleansing Ritual

Happy New Year! I hope everyone rang it in safely. Gosh, I sound like my mom. Anyway, a New Year often means new beginnings. A time to start over and try new things. My first new things in 2013 is a cleanse. Okay, before everyone starts freaking out ... just relax! It’s only for three days and I can cheat if I want. I mean I don’t want to, but if necessary I can munch on celery. My best friend is probably gagging right now because she hates celery and she knows how much I love it ... with Easy Cheese on it! I guess if I cheat I won’t be putting any of that creamy, cheesy goodness on the stalk. I’m excited though. I love to nibble on food all day and talk about food a lot. So having 6 juices a day should be challenging. I don’t know what to expect either. Not knowing makes this cleanse a little scary too. The good news is that I have support because a group of us are doing this together and cheering each other on! Go team! 

We are doing the BluePrint Cleanse ... which I find fitting considering it’s kind of like making a blue print for the year. Right? Okay, I don't know if that makes any sense to any of you but I get it. We all like to map out our days or years to some extent. Anyway, I have no idea where I’m going with this. 

Bottom line is that this year, for me, is about trying new things and taking risks ... physically and emotionally. Last year I took some baby risks and tried new things that I now can’t imagine living without. This year, I wanna just do and try even more things that I typically would run away from. If it wasn’t for me trying and doing new things last year I wouldn’t have met so many great people. I wouldn’t have moved to New York. You only live once. So my goal is to step out of my comfort zone at least once every week ... even if whatever I decide to do makes me freak out a bit. That’s good. Because to quote a few great musicals (Seriously. You didn’t think I’d write a blog without some Broadway tie):

“How do we know who we are if don’t cross the line?”

“To live in fear is not to live at all.”

And if you need some insipration or just one smile ... take a look at Rachel Potter’s new video! If you're in New York go check her out in Evita!

http://on.cmt.com/WFt2jw