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

To Live Is To Love

You all know I am a lover of Broadway shows. I’ve blogged about my obsession with Priscilla Queen of the Desert The Musical and the Jack Kelly debate that I ... once and for all ... put to rest in my Newsies blog. If you follow me on Twitter you know I loved Murder Ballad and ...well ... would have killed to have been able to see it for a third time. You know what though? I’m anti-violence, so I fell in love this week with Once. 

Yes. I finally went to this Tony-winning musical. For months my parents have been like, “Can you stop seeing the same musicals over-and-over again and go see Once? It’s supposed to be good!” First off ... I don’t think “good” is a word to even describe this show. I think I used the words “breathtakingly beautiful” in a Tweet I posted. 

I really did fall in love with Once. I really did get that excited, pit in the stomach feeling you get when you’re falling in love with someone. Okay, yes ... y’all are rolling your eyes and calling me “weirdo.” That’s okay. I’m used to people calling me weird. But seriously ... who doesn’t like a bar that’s on stage??! That was the first sign I knew I was in for a good evening. Since I was sitting in the mezzanine I didn’t have the time to venture on stage for my whiskey sour. I got to the theatre just in time for the curtain to rise. When that curtain did go up (figuratively speaking cause there isn’t one) I found myself enjoying the simplicity of this show and in awe of its very talented cast. I can only imagine what a rush it must be for them to not only be able to act, but play their instruments. Steve Kazee just left me speechless. It was just awe-inspiring to watch him as Guy.  It wasn’t just Steve. The entire cast was just incredible. There were moments that just took my breath away like no other musical had done before. As Act I ended, I really was “Falling Slowly” in love with the story being told on stage. At the end of the show I was a puddle of tears. What Guy says is true. “To live you have to love.” 

After two weeks of working on stories about the tragedy in Newtown and the mall shooting in Oregon ... you just need to breathe ... and remember to love. As I worked tonight, I tried to sprinkle some love into my lineup and find some stories in the U.S. about love. It’s one of the things I enjoy the most about my job ... the ability to find those happy stories and the opportunity to share them with people across the country. Because despite all the tragedy ... there is love that comes from tragedy. I saw it in the girl who held a school-wide toy drive for the students of Sandy Hook Elementary School. I saw it in all the #SIP pics tweeted last weekend from casts of shows on Broadway. I see it every day in the little things people do for one another. 

So, as we begin this holiday weekend (Merry Christmas to those of you celebrate) ... remember to smile ... live ... and love. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cb6-HdfvWZQ