I'm Not Bitter, I'm Just Unsweetened

My Love Letter for LPT

2011-08-16T23:21:00.003-05:00

Let me reiterate what I ended my last blog post with....
2011 can go fuck itself!

Another loss in my life has occurred, this hot day in August.
Beloved theatre I grew up adoring, Le Petit, has unfortunately been handed over to the Brennan's.

When I was a wee girl I would go see every single production at Le Petit.
I still have all of my programs from every show I had ever seen there.
It was my dream to get to play on that stage one day.
My absolute dream.
Many of us who are from here had the notion that if you had gotten cast in a Le Petit production...you had made it in New Orleans theatre.
I, gratefully, grew up, and my dream came true.
I got to perform on that big, beautiful stage.
I got to experience all the ghosts.
I got to sing along with the orchestra.
I got to smoke in the alley on stage left.
I got to stand on the balcony and have people yell questions on why I was dressed so funnily (i.e. my Indian costume from Damn Yankees)
I got to watch Cecile hand sew a new costume in the length of an intermission in the ladies dressing room.
I got to watch the Saints win the Super Bowl in Muriel's!
And so so so many other things that I was given the opportunity to do because of that wonderful theatre.
Mr. Marmalade, Taste, Weird, The Night of the Iguana and Damn Yankees were the last shows i did there.
These are some of the most important shows to me because these were the shows that gave me most of my current friendships.
Taste and Marmalade are the reasons I got to be in The NOLA Project.
Which is my other family.

Le Petit did all of this, and so much more than I could ever express in the written word.
Theatre is the only thing I'm good at.
It's the greatest love of my life.
And Le Petit was one of the places I got to nurture that love.
And for that, I will forever cherish that building and all the people I have because of it.

"Stay: the most charming word in a friend's vocabulary."

2011-07-24T10:48:00.003-05:00

Hello everyone.
How are we all doing.
I know...I don't hardly write in this any more...
It's been a busy year.

This summer has been incredibly lovely though, seeing as though I haven't been doing a show.
After Norman Conquests closed, and Romeo and Juliet was postponed till December, I have had a nice little break since June.

That will all be over in August when we start rehearsals for Is He Dead?...which is our co-production with UNO.

Mark Twain farce.

90% of my lines are asides to the audience.

It's going to make me very happy!

So.

With all of this free time I have had I've spend many many hours watching TV on the netflix/hulu.

One Sunday, Kristin and I watched so much 30Rock that hulu actually stopped and a pop up asked me if I wanted to take a break.

Sad.

I have also been watching this past season of The Office over at Yeargain's house.

And last night I finally got to the episode where Steve Carrell leaves the show.

I cried like a small child.

Ugly crying.

It was embarrassing.

I just cannot handle people moving away, or having a friendship be altered in any sort of negative way.

It's really something that has always been extremely difficult for me to cope with.

All those abandonment issues I have, I guess.

And this year...and it's only half way through...has been a rather difficult one in terms of friendships.

Michael died, Zach and I got all fucked up, and now Mark and Andrea are leaving.

And apparently Michael Scott leaving the Office was the impetus for my catharsis....

Mark, Andrea and Zach have become three of my very best friends since Zombie Town last June.

Usually not more than a day goes by without me getting to see or talk to them.

So when things change, I get very sad.

Things between that boy and I have been extremely rough for about the past three weeks...and I have been a big hot mess about it.

I know things will get better, and we will be fine, but I feel like I lost one of my best friends. Being around him used to make me very, very happy.

Now, I just feel sad when I see him, or think about him.

And, again, it will get better, and I will be fine, it just won't be the same...for a long time.

And now stupid Routhier and Andrea have to go and move to Orlando for a year.

I don't know what AJ and I are gonna do without our Tracey's partners.

Mark is one of the most amazingly talented, loving, warmest humans I have ever met.

He's just a big barrel of hippie love.

And I adore him, and all his goodness.

The love I have for Andrea is almost inexpressible.

Who else is going to mock my lack of line learning, and my awkwardness and tell me how beautiful I am all in one sentence?

And I'm pretty sure she's the only republican I've ever kissed on the mouth.

I know it's only for a year, and it's only Orlando, and I'm already planning a trip to visit, but I still like my people where I can see them.

And I can't see my people in Florida.

I don't know why I felt the need to write all this nonsense into the interweb...

I just want them to know how much I will miss them.

I think this is a very obvious trait about myself, but, my friends are my most precious possession.

I'm rather obsessed with them...all of them.

I don't pick good fellas to date, but I pick the best friends to surround myself with.

And I know I tell them I love them every day, and most of them say it back...

But, I don't use that term lightly.

I love them.

So. Much.

And I truly appreciate my friends more than I could ever fully let them know.

So, please, no one else die or move...ok?

I'd really appreciate it.

Oh. Right.

And Le Chat closed.

So, yeah...2011 can go fuck itself.

2011-05-02T13:15:00.003-05:00

So much time has passed.

.

Had an amazing Fanny Pack themed birthday bash.
I actually couldn't believe that approximately 40 people bought, found or bedazzled fanny packs and wore them in a public place for an entire evening.
The most useful part of it was that since Mardi Gras was right around the corner everyone just used their fannypacks for the parade route.
You're welcome, everyone.

And I've also been engulfed in theatre land for the past couple of months.....

We were remounting The Night of the Iguana for UNO all during January and February.
Then we got to take a lovely little trip to the sprawling metropolis of Amarillo, Texas to perform our wonderful show on the anniversary of his death.....creepy!
Unfortunately, the day I got there I became insanely sick.
I could barely get out of bed...I felt like I needed to crawl out of my skin.
I couldn't eat anything...and I really only left the hotel to go see other school's shows.
I was beginning to worry how well I would feel for our performance on Friday....
I knew Beau was freaking out silently because James Yeargain was also super sickly with allegies and such.
I finally made myself go to the urgent care in amarillo, which was a whole other level of hell to deal with.
And it only took about 2 hours before they could figure out what to do with me and let me know that on top of everything I was severely dehydrated and thats the main reason I felt like death.
So i got some meds and shots and I woke up Friday morning and I felt like a million bucks.
I ran into Beau's room and said, "I FEEL AWESOME IT'S LIKE A TENNESSEE WILLIAMS MIRACLE. HE DIED ON THIS DAY SO I COULD PERFORM!!!!!"
We performed the show and it was going amazingly. The audience was so involved and with it, it was just delightful to get to perform for people who really understood and enjoyed everything that went into the production.
Unfortunately, as the show went on James' voice started to just go...and as we know, that poor baby never left stage in the show.
So, Beau is in the wings next to me and he's like...
Beau: "Ok....figure out a way to make James drink a glass of water."
Me: "BUt this is the dinner scene, I'm bringing on a drink cart. The whole point of the scene is he is supposed to refuse a drink from me..."
Beau: "Yeah......I'm gonna need you to just make all this work."

So....I made my entrance...walked up behind James and said, "Here baby, have some water...sounds like you need it."
And the audience burst into laughter.
That's the benefit of performing for other performers....they knew exactly what was going on and they knew that had to be done.

The next day we got an amazing response.
So many awesome things said about the whole production and all our work.
It was truly satisfying to have such a lovely response to something we have all worked so hard on for such a long time.

And then in April I started rehearsing for The Norman Conquests
It is I think the hardest thing I have ever attempted to do.
So many lines, so many props, so much blocking.
It makes my brain hurt so much just to think about it.
I generally have a good cry about it once a week.
Rehearsals are going really well, and I think we are in a super place right now....I'm just so overwhelmed.
It's gonna be super hilarious and great though.
The cast is extraordinary and just swell to work with.
I'm going to be very happy for everyone to come see it.
Especially since most people I know are gonna come on the EPIC SUNDAY OF THEATRE.
Which is where we do all three plays of the trilogy in succession at 11, 3 and 7.
AHHHHHH.
Going . To . Be . EPIC .

NOLAProject is doing Midsummer in the Sculpture Garden. It is going to be stunning and funny and great.
I've seen one rehearsal and I am going again tonight so I can judge more thoroughly.
Everything I have seen has been beautiful though.
It opens THIS FRIDAY! And runs all the Fridays in May.
GO SEE IT.
I'm very proud of everyone involved, and super proud that the company is getting the opportunity to do this event.
We are also going to be doing Romeo and Juliet inside the museum in August.
Which I am very excited I will get to be a part of since I am so jealous I couldn't play in the outdoor one...
Even though I would much prefer to be inside instead of rolling around on grass.

So yeah.
Thats about what my life has involved for the past few months.
Whole lot of line learning.
I also enjoyed some French Quarter Fest.
And some Jazz Fest.

I am definitely looking forward to a very long break.....very long.
Can't wait till December.
I don't think my little brain can handle much more....

"It's the metal......"

2011-02-04T13:33:00.005-06:00

Hello everyone.
It has been a very, very long time.

3 months actually.
A lot of things have happened in these past few months.
Lots of stupid fun times with all my friends during the Chrismakuh break.
Lots of wonderful plays have been produced and watched.

Including the NOLA Project's Almost an Evening.
We opened two weekends ago and have been having great houses and responses.
And as A.J. so lovingly told me last night...the two shows the company has produced that ended up in the black were the two shows I have been a part of.
So Yeah.
Can't kick me out of the company just yet, fellas.

I've also started re-rehearsing for The Night of the Iguana because it did indeed get moved on to the second round of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre festival.
Which is a lovely honor, and I'm so happy for Beau because his show was quite stunning.
It is just a whole fuck ton of work to remount a show that you did 10 months ago.
And a show that is so intense and line heavy and just a lot of investment for the people involved.
But, it's trucking along nicely.
And we've got six whole days left before we perform it in front of an audience...
We should be so golden.........

We take Iguana to Amarillo at the end of the month.
I can't wait to go there.
I can't really admit that I am excited about going to Texas, but I am.
It's going to be a week of nothing but theatre.
No work, no school, no stress about anything.
Just watching plays and doing plays and scenes and drinking some Rolling Rock.
I cannot wait.

The other major thing that has occurred over these past few months has been something that happened just this past weekend.

And this is where my blog entry takes a turn for the worst.
I apologize.
I just need to get some stuff out of my head.

Michael Tramontin passed away on January 29th.

I have had the amazing pleasure of being friends with MIchael since I was about 13 years old.
He is one of my oldest and dearest friends that I have.
We did tons of shows together in high school.
He and Keith were basically my other brothers.
We were a very inseparable trio.
He was one of the funniest guys I had ever met doing shows at Rummel and we immediately became friends.
I would just laugh hyterically watching him and Keith doing things up on stage, or sitting in the audience next to him.

One of my favorite things we did together at Rummel was the Christmas show our senior year.
We had a lot of amazing sketches we wrote including a Back to the Future sketch, complete with original theme song.
But my absolute favorite thing we did together that year was a Scooby Doo sketch.
I was playing Velma, obviously, and we were searching for the Phantom of the Opera....
And the all of a sudden we found him, being played by Michael, and we just proceeded to sing Phantom.
It was so weird and random and hilarious and the only reason we did it was because we both really wanted to sing that song.
So we wrote an entire sketch around it.
And it was pretty brilliant.

We all graduated high school and Michael went off to AMDA in New York.
I was very sad because he was one of my best friends and I'm very selfish, I like everyone where I can see them.
That summer he came back in to town and we did a Rummel Alumni production of Rumors.
Michael and I played Lenny and Claire Ganz.
We were a ridiculous married couple.
Best on stage hubby I could have ever asked for.
My favorite thing from this show was when Michael is doing this huge two page mono loge at the end of the play...trying to sum up the entire play...he is running down the staircase and he trips over the last step and kind of rips the front off the bottom step.
THat happens, and as we all know, I can't keep a straight face on stage, so I immediately start laughing.
Michael runs back up the stairs and this time when he comes down the stairs he jumps over the last step and everyone on stage just lost their shit.
And everyone in the audience was going pretty nuts.

The next summer we did Hayfever together and played Sorel and Simon Bliss and that pretty much solidified our brother/sister bond.
We had always called each other brother and sister, and the show just made us constantly do it in a british accent.
We were strange kids, what can I say.
I still am.

Michael finished up at AMDA and came back down to New Orleans.
At the time he was getting back in to town we were having auditions for Cabaret and JPAS.
And I knew that the director needed to see some more guys for the show so I convinced MIchael to go to the call backs with me and just sing for Kris.
He sang for a Kit Kat Boy and got cast as the Emcee.
I was so happy and proud of him.
I knew how fucking amazing he was and now all of NOLA theatre was going to realize it too.
The show was, to this day, one of the most fun theatrical experience I have ever been a part of.
I have never felt more of a rock star in all my days....but it was nothing but theatre and having a good time.
And we had a really, really good time.

Then MIchael was asked to be in The Buddy Holly musical we were doing, and play Ritchie Valens.
The show was ridiculous to begin with, and Michael took that role and ran with it.
He would limbo on stage, and every night he would just say the most random things in a terrible latino accent.
The absolute best was on the closing night, the night we taped, so thank christ it is on film, right before he starts singing La Bamba he just says into the microphone "I HAVE SALSA RUNNING THROUGH MY VEINS!"
And everyone lost their minds.

I have so many other amazing stories from other shows that we did before and after that.
But its just too many to share.
I think you get the picture of the type of person he was.
He was simply awesome.
And even though he hadn't been living here for the past couple of years, just sporadically visiting, we still talked at least once a week.
And he always sent me text photos of things he thought I would think were funny or things that reminded him of me.
And I did the same for him.

I have never had a person this close to me die.
When you are as young as we are you don't think your friends are going to go to sleep and just not wake up.
You never, ever think that.
So when I got the news last weekend I was completely devestated.
I still am completely devestated.
I am overwhelmed with sadness.

It's a strange hurt losing a friend.
You kind of just expect family members to pass away.
It's weird, but true.
Not any less painful, but expected.
At least for me.
It is so much harder for me with this because family you are given.
My friends, I pick.
And I pick very carefully.
Let's be honest....I don't like that many people.
And I chose Michael a long time ago.
And I wanted him around for a long, long time.
I always said at my wedding I wouldn't have bridesmaids...I'd have brides men because I have this wonderful male support system in my life.
And now I'm gonna be one short.
And I am just so very sad about it.

I love him so very much.
And he will always be my brother from another mother.
I will miss him every single day.
And I will never look at salsa without getting a little teary eyed.

Wow.....

2010-11-08T11:06:00.002-06:00

So.
It has been quite a long time since I've written in this little thing.
A lot of fun things have happened.

I will try to recap as quickly and as proficiently as possible.

I got let go from my job.
I had to start working at my old restaurant again.
And my landlords are selling my condo....so I will be homeless on December 1st.
Awesome.

Those are the non fun things.
On to the swell stuff.....

Had a really fun Halloween weekend.
It also happened to be tech for the UNO show....so I didn't initially think it was going to be too eventful....
But....I was very lucky to get free Voodoo 3 Day passes from Jennie because she had won them and didn't have any real desire to go....so I happily took those off her hand.
So. ON that Friday between work and rehearsal Zach and I went and walked around for a little while.....this was his first festival and the weather was spectacular...so it was quite lovely.
Saturday we were supposed to have an epic Q2Q till 10 that night...but we got done super early, so we headed over and got to see some fantastic bands.
Streetsweeper Social Club....who I had never heard of before...but the lead guitarist was Tom from Rage Against the Machine and the lead singer was a cross between Ludacris and Lenny Kravitz.
And the entire time they were playing he would pause and talk to the audience and say...."We are Streetsweeper Social Club....and we are not just a band....we are a SOCIAL CLUB."
I liked them very much.
We had to leae the set early though because Zach was literally about to pee on himself.
I have never seen a person have to pee so badly in all my life.
And I am including the trip to Disney with Kristin.......this poor boy was about to die.
I kept telling him to just pee in an empty bottle, but unfortunately he is a little too classy for that.
Then we walked over and watched Ozzy for like 30 seconds and then made our way over to watch The Eagles of Deathmetal.
And they were awesome.

The next day was the old Halloween.
I had found this amazing gold lame' dress in the costume shop that fit me pretty darn perfectly....so I figured I needed it for the day's festivities.
Zach was Edgar Allen Poe....he was excited about it...and his mustache.
We went to Voodoo all day and then made our way over to the Saints' game.
Where I had to throw away my entire back pack....because FYI--can't bring them in the dome....even though the purse I carry is bigger than a backpack....couldn't fight my way in with it.
I was a bit angry...but I had been drinking since noon....so I couldn't actually get that upset about it.
The game was awesome.
Thank christ we won.
That would have been a very depressing First Saints Game in the Dome for Zachary.
Then headed down to Frenchman after the game....and then to Mimi's to do some super sweaty awesome dancing with Kaminstein.
Finally made it back home at about 3.....
And then had to go to work. And rehearsal.
I was a slightly unhappy camper.

An Experiment with an Air Pump opened this past weekend.
It has been quite the interesting rehearsal process.
And the show is going as well as it could possibly be going.
And I get to wear the most beautiful costume that has ever been made for me.
It's stunning. Mignon is wonderful.
And makes me feel very pretty.
And British accents are just fun.
It runs this weekend as well...Thurs-Sat @ 7:30 and Sunday @2:30.
Come see it!!!!

And....I guess that's really about it.
Hmmm....I really thought some more entertaining stuff happened since September.
Yeah....that's what happens when you're in a show....life revolves around rehearsals and those are only entertaining to the people directly involved.
So i will stop blabbering know.
I promise I will have some more entertaining stuff to talk about next time.

Oh oh oh.
Highlight of the school year.....?
I managed to get my entire acting class to hide in a stairwell from David Hoover in hopes that he wouldn't come looking for us and just cancel class.
Unfortunately, I started to feel bad after about 20 minutes of hiding and I reluctantly came out laughing and apologizing to Hoover right before he had found us in the theatre.
Have to say I was quite proud of myself.
Very seldom am I the leader in such depravity!

"That date ended with jujubees and no sex."

2010-09-17T17:50:00.001-05:00

I'M VERY TIRED.
And I have no one to blame but myself.

The insanity started last Thursday.
SAINTS DAY!
Which started off awesome. Went to class. Everyone at school was super psyched up.
I just yelling "Go the Saints" and hitting Marshall cause I was just so happy!
Finish my last class at 12:30 and head home to make a bloody mary, load up my back pack with beer, and make my way over to Zach's house.
We had planned on going downtown to partake in all the festivities, but as soon as we were ready to leave of course it starts torrentially downpouring.
So, we decide to try and wait it out for a while for things to die down.
While we are waiting we realize that the street is beginning to flood.
Awesome.
Of course Zach, myself and Caleb (his roommate) all have rather lowlying cars.
So we start freaking out because the water is getting way too close for comfort on the car doors.
So the boys move their cars, and then I complain about getting wet so Xach runs and moves mine.
And of course as soon as we move them.....20 minutes later the rain stops.
By then, it was like 4pm...and I refused to try and go downtown at that point because trying to park and find a bar so we didn't miss kick off would be basically impossible.
And suzannah and james had offered to let us come over to their house and watch the game there.
So, we decided that was the best option.
And we all now how that turned out.
Happy we got the W!
But whoa, what a boring friggan game.

So then Saturday we had a Zombie Town show.
We all get to theatre at 9:30ish for a line thru.
The stipulation that was given to us earlier in the week was that we needed to get more than 40 people to come to the show in order to keep performing.
We are all up in the dressing room supposed to be going over lines....but we figure it would probably be way more fun to just wing it.
Ya know...like a 70/30 show.....70% improv/30% scripted.....
So we forego doing a line-thru, and instead just start creating new, ridiculously insane things for our characters to do that night.
We assumed there would be about 10-15 people in the audience, so we figured who cared.
It would be more fun, they couldn't really get mad at us cause it would be our last show...and we had already been given our paychecks.
So really, no downside to this situation.
At ten minutes to 11 we all go down stairs to get ready to go onstage....we get out there to start doing our warm ups....and holy shit....the theatre is full!
I mean, not totally full.....but way more people than we had expected.
So then we all start freaking about because we are totally unprepared and we are gonna look like assholes.
Ah well.
The show was so much fun for us! It was like doing a whole new show.
I could not stop laughing at some stuff.
Glad I'm super professional.
MY favorite part of this show is when I go back to my seat and Gamal and I have this yellking match.
We are all supposed to be making zombie noises while Chris is making a change...
But these noises have turned into Gamal and I (in our zombie voices) just taking food items and exhanging one part of them for brains.
The week before I had one the game by yelling out "Brains and Waffles!!" "Chicken Fried Brains!!" To which Gamal responded in hystericla laughter.
He got me good this past show though, with "Count Chocula Brains!"
But then I retorted with, "Red Beans and Brains! Cornbrains!" Which not only broke him and won the game...but got Andrea to snort all the way up in the booth!
Awesome!
So after the show we were told that there were exactly 41 people in the audience.
Seriously?
The show goes on! Another weekend. We'll see if we can bring in another 41 tomorrow night!

Then Sunday we had a Blue Plate Comedy Show rehearsal.
This is going to be a super fun little show we are doing.
Members from NOLA Project, Cripple Creek and Inside Out Productions are combining forces and writing and performing our own sketch comedy show at Le Chat.
Going to be at 11 on the first Saturday of every month.
So we had a read thru of all the first show sketches, which are going to be hilarious....especially with our host Nick Slie.
We got done there and I went home to attempt to learn my scene for school.
Didn't have time to take a nap....just went over to "rehearse" with Zach.
And by rehearse I mean watch football.
Real productive.

Monday was the day of driving hell.
Went to Le Chat.
Went to work.
Went back to Le Chat for 6x6 rehearsal.
Went to school to audition for the UNO show, An Experiment with an Air Pump. (Sounds a lot dirtier than it actually is)
Finally went to Zach's house to make another effort at rehearsing.
But, ya know, Monday Night Football.

By Tuesday I was so sleepy I wanted to cry.
Went to school where Zach and I finally rehearsed seriously for our scene that we had to perform that day in class.
The scene went well.
I slapped the hell out of him, so that was fun.
And then we went and attempted to nap before we went to callbacks that night for Air Pump.
Callbacks of course lasted for about 3 hours....and of course Zach was on of the two last people there....so I had to stay even longer.
On the car ride home Zach was nervous about the casting....
"If I don't get cast I'm not going to school tomorrow."
Such a ridiculous human.
Went back to his house to wait for the list to be emailed to us.
Every five minutes he would ask if we had gotten anything.
"NO! I will tell you when we do! Calm the fuck down, Rogers!"
We finally got an email and thank christ we were both cast.
Crisis averted.

Last night we went and saw Southern Rep's, In the Next Room.
The general comments I have heard from people is that women tend to appreciate and like the play more so then the menfolk do.
I told Zach this to which he responds..."Oh...so I guess I will really like it, and you'll hate it."
Ha. Ha.
And during intermission we were reading all the symptoms of hysteria, which Zach pointed out included: Random outbursts of laughter, loud laughter, and uncontrollable giggling.
"Aww that's ashame. That's all you. You are definitely hysterical."
To which Ron Gural leaned over and interjected...."just hysterically funny."
Thank you, Ron.

I thought the production was great.
Sets, lights, costumes all beautiful.
And I though it was well cast and supremely acted.
Really enjoyed the lady who played Elizabeth.
And of course I adore Lucy and Kirkpatrick and Morrey.
And Shad was awesome. Including his mustache.
So yeah. Super happy I got to see it.
Go see it!
It plays for another weekend after this one!

And now it's Friday.
And I'm going to pass out.
Just writing about all this made me tired.

And it was probably not very exciting.....but my life makes me laugh.

Then again.....it apparently doesn't take much to make me laugh.
And that makes me crazy.
I'm just gonna go find me a vibrator.

This post is dedicated to the very talented and lovely, Aimee Hayes, my biggest blogfan!

"Are you straight? That's very disappointing."

2010-08-30T12:59:00.001-05:00

I know.
I know.
I'm a very bad blogger.
But my life isn't very worthy of writing about right now.
I mean, it has been quite entertaining/confusing/awesome/sad/down right comical for the past few weeks....but I don't think most of it is appropriate for the blogosphere.

The past few weeks have been busy with birthdays and play-going and inappropriate conversations taken place at bars and wine-thrus (which are, in case you can't figure this out, line-thrus whilst drinking wine).

Saw The Fantasticks and it was a weird, interesting little show. I had never seen it before.
Or heard any of the music, which is beautiful.
Nicely done.
Happy I got to see it.
Cliff was awesome.
And Leslie and Keith looked and sounded spectacular.

Also saw Blackbird over at Elm Theatre.
That play is rough.
The material is not the most uplifting and it just is rough.
But Garrett and Becca did an great job with everything.
And the space is a fun new place in town.
So. Good things are brewing all over.

The other show I've seen this month is The Four of Us over at Le Chat.
AJ directed it and Glazebrook and Zach are the two fellas.
It's good.
It's really, really really good.
I'm so proud of all three of those fellas.
Really solid work.
And the play is hilarious and heartbreaking.
Go see it.
They've had trouble getting audiences-which sucks because it is such an amazing show.
I've been helping them furiously promote the show because Mark has been bummed that they aren't getting the same houses that Zombie Town had....
And I've tried to explain to him that he was spoiled doing that show first because that was the easiest show ever to promote.
All you literally had to say was, "a play about zombies and texans" and boom.
You had a full audience.
I've seen the show twice and the first time I went I was obviously enjoying myself too much, so much that the older people in front of me actually turned around a shushed me.
Nice.
So when I went and saw it on another night with far fewer people in the room I tried to stifle my laughter.
Which I did through the first two scenes but, then we got to the Barnes and Noble scene and Sean is so disgusting and hilarious that I just couldn't keep it in.

So yes. I laugh.
A lot when I go see shows.
What's wrong with having a good time and enjoying theatre?

Then this past Saturday we started up Zombie Town again for our late night run.
5 Saturdays at 11.
We had a dress on Saturday afternoon and it was utter silliness.
Zach was just like doing the most ridiculous added things...probably because the poor thing is delirious from exhaustion...but, none the less.
He was on comedy fire that afternoon.
I could not stop laughing the whole run.
Oh. And the fact that Kerry couldn't remember one of her lines in one of her monologues and she just paused for a bit...then started back up again with "sorry. too much acid in college."
Best recovery of a dropped line I think I have ever heard.

So, we had ZACH ATTACK SATURDAY (which is what I like to call the days in which he has two shows back to back because a. that is what I call him in my phone in homage to Saved by the Bell and 2. because it really annoys Andrea. and I think that's funny)
And then after the show we went over to AJ and Sam's joint birthday extravaganza, aptly titled, "Bookends to Tragedy" since their births fall on either side of the Katrina anniversary.
It was quite a lovely party.
Since Zach and I didn't get there till like 1 things were on the downswing and most everyone there was already drunken.
I decided shots were what needed to happen.
And my personal goal of any evening is to get Glaze to take a big shot of whiskey.
Because he is a girl when it comes to his drinking skills.
Like a little girl.
But I made him do shots with me and Sam.
And then I made everyone outside do shots with AJ.
Which ended up being the death of me because I should not do shots of whiskey and chase it was whiskey.
It's just not the best decision.
But it was for the birthday boys.
So yeah.
I guess all that needed to happen.

And then yesterday I didn't really move from my couch.
Well, I baked cookies.
So I moved a little bit.
And James and Suzannah and Zach came over and watched the Emmys.
Which, I have to say, Bravo Mr. Fallon.
That opening number was super fun.
And you weren't annoying the whole time, and you only laughed at one of your own jokes once.

Oh.
And school started back up again.
So that's fun.
I get to take a costuming class and an acting class with Mr. Hoover.
Unfortunately, David forgot to close the class early so too many people ended up being in it.
So he had to divide us into undergrads and grad students. And now we meet on two separate days.
Which I told David makes me feel "less than"....to which he just laughs at me.
But it is a lot less fun since now I can't do scenes or watch scenes with Cliff and PJ which I had been looking forward to.
Luckily though, Zach is an undergrad as well...so I do have him, and Caroline.
And then he tells us we have to pick scenes from early 20th century playwrights.
Miller, Williams, Inge, Odets, O'Neill...blah blah boring boring boring.
And then he says he is going to divide us into partners and I get slightly nervous.
Mainly, because of what Marshall did to me last year in our acting class and the partner he chose for me.
Asshole.

So, David starts with the grad students and finishes partnering them and just looks over at the undergrads and is like, "oh. I guess ya'll can just....just pick your own partners."
Which was far less stressful since I know Zach is good and reliable and we see each other all the time anyway.
The thing that sucks is trying to find a stupid scene because I hate plays from this period.
Everything that is age appropriate are just scenes of two people falling in love.
Or being confused about being in love.
Or being in love with someone they can't be in love with.
BORING.
And the style of this time period is like heightened realism I would call it.
I don't like it.
Not one bit.
But apparently that's why you take acting styles classes.
So you can learn to do styles of acting that you would never normally be forced to do, or choose to do.
Ever.

This wasn't very detailed or funny and I am sorry.
But as Sean Patterson always tells me, "Don't be sorry. Be better."

I promise the next one will be.

"You're brassy, you're not a bitch."

2010-08-05T11:42:00.002-05:00

You know how when life is really swell, and things are all moving in a great direction, and you're just genuinely happy....why is it that most of us, when we have this delightfulness in our lives, assume that at any given moment, a monumentally horrible thing is going to happen to us?

Isn't that just a dreadful way of looking at things?
But, seemingly, unavoidable.
At least for me.
Seriously. I'm super happy right now.
And that scares the ever-living hell out of me.
I'm hoping the fact that I will not be doing Hairspray this fall is the bad thing that was going to happen to me.
Because that's manageable.
Actually, because I've had so many other lovely distractions, I was only upset for a day.

The main distraction being the final two weeks of Zombie Town and the shenanigans that accompanied that show.

Yeargain took over for Chris and I've honestly never seen James more freaked out about a show.
It was kind of awesome. Because everyone knew he was going to be great, and of course, he was.
SO he had nothing to worry about, yet he was in full panic mode for a lot of it.
But by the second weekend I think he was actually having fun.
I always have a blasty with James, especially when he gives you the "I'm so sorry" eyes after he says something ridiculous on stage.
I have mastered the art of being on stage with him though....seeing as I think he's my most frequent costar.
Matthew Mickal was talking to me about him the other day and he was like, "I don't know how you do it. Cause ya'll have done tons of shows together, and I can barely look that guy in the eye on stage."
It's a finely tuned skill, I must say.
But after, lets see....6 shows together....James gets a lot easier to handle.
The best thing that he did for me during ZTown was my closing night present.
As I have said, Chris and I would hide presents for each other under the curtain so that after we died we would have something to giggle at for what seemed like an eternity of lying silently and motionless on stage.
Well, this was not something James and I were doing because I figured by the time James got to being killed he just wanted to lay there and breathe and stop freaking out about beaucoup lines.
Closing night we die.
James lifts the curtain and I can't really see what it is.
I just see WEIGHT.
And I get slightly confused.
Then I take another look and realize, it is indeed, the SHAKE WEIGHT!
James got me a shake weight.
The most ridiculous of all ridiculous gifts.
It basically teaches you how to give really uncomfortable hand jobs.
Well, when I realized what it was I like lost my shit and could not stop laughing on stage.
It was amazing.
We played with it all night and then when I woke up Monday morning I couldn't figure out why my arms hurt so much...and then I realized...the shake weight actually is a work out!
Awesomeness all around.

This week post show has also been pretty stellar.

Rachel Zoe night with Frannie and Charles.
Truly, nothing better, than trying to explain to a straight male why stylists are important and how the fashion industry is run.
And having the added bonus that your pizza delivery man, is Jacob Mayer.
I'm so happy that show is back on.
I die.

And yesterday was all kinds of goodness.
Got to play with Shauna and Beau during the day, then took Glazebrook for our weekly outing to an establishment that serves alcohol so I can get him wasted and send him back home to Robyn.
I think it kinda reflects poorly on my character that all I do with Sean is take him out and get him wasted, but I think Robyn appreciates it...and I'm sure in the long run, Sean does too.
After that hung out with the Murray and watched a disturbing E! True Hollywood Story on that creeper Joran Van Der Sloot.
Then went to see Zach's new place that he just moved into this weekend.
While we were moving things in from the car his upstairs neighbor noticed us and invited us up to come chat and drink wine.
His neighbor had her sassy gay friend over who was quite sad Zach was straight and was totally in love with my boobs, and very, very interested in our love lives.
It was pretty awkward.

But hey....now we know the neighbors will give us wine.
And hit on Zach.
And try to touch my boobs.

Ah. Things we endure for a little free vino.

"Five-Thirty.... Bitch Raping Time"

2010-07-16T10:59:00.002-05:00

Wow.
Sorry I've neglected this blog for so long.
I feel like a bad parent.
But I've been keeping busy.
And work has been stupidly busy and that is when I usually get to post stuff.

Anyways.
Zombie Town has opened and been getting really awesome houses every night, and swell reviews written about it.
It has been so much fun to do this show.
The audience is so into it every night, and the characters just keep getting tighter and more ridiculous as the performances go on.
It has been quite a new experience for me to work on this kind of a show for different reasons.
First, I hadn't worked with any of these people before so that was something new and exciting.
Except for the stage manager, Andrea, I've known that whore for a few years now.
I love that she busts my balls every single day, and constantly refers to me as a stage manager's worse nightmare. Which is only partly true...but whatevs
I love her.
But, I have really enjoyed getting to know Gamal, Kerry, Chris, Zach and Mark.
We are just the most loving, disgusting cast I have been a part of in a long time.
Chris and I have even come up with this game for each other that when we are lying on the ground for the last ten minutes of the play we hide presents underneath the curtain for one another to find.
So far I have received hand made art from one of his students, a self help book, my favorite adult beverage(which was the best present ever because he did indeed hide a huge drink under the curtain for my immediate consumption after the play), and then last night I got a foam jet that you can launch at people.
Awesome.
I have given him a belt buckle that says "Guns & Ammo: Protect your 2nd Amendment Rights", Grease the Musical trading cards (which was inspired from a present that Frannie once gave me!), and candy cigarettes complete with fake tattoos on the inside which Chris put on last night.
I love this game.
Comes close to the "I'll give you a $1 if...." game that Frannie, Lynne and I played a lot during Whorehouse and Superstar....and then again in Cabaret.
It's the little things in life.

The other thing that has made this play different from all I have done is that I never really interact with anyone else on stage.
And we all know how much Natalie thrives off of human contact and eye contact on stage.
So it kind of makes me sad that I never touch anyone on stage.
But I have just taken it upon myself to touch both Chris and Zach at points during the show.
And since I'm deaf it has made actually hearing the show really hard since I NEVER LOOK PEOPLE IN THE EYE TO DO ANY OF MY LINES.
My dolphin method of acting has really come in to good use for this play.

So for all the things I love about ZTown...there are two things I really, truly hate.
Because I change my hair so much throughout the play, I must straighten it to make it easier to deal with, since naturally my hair is crazy and doesn't really make sense.
And because I get blood in my hair every night I have to wash my hair every day, which means I have to straighten it every day too.
BOO!
It takes like an hour and I hate it.
I mainly just hate that after all that hard work, I fuck it up with disgusting fake blood....gross.
And the fake blood. The other thing I hate.
I have lots of it on me....like way too much.
And it's really sticky and gross and it feels just unpleasant.
Last night was a real treat though.
Usually, I have some excess blood that gets on my hands and arms...and a little extra on my face.
Well, last night while I'm waiting backstage with the blood in my mouth, I laugh...and blood...goes all over my face and down my chest.
Covering my ladies.
Attractive. Let me tell you.
It looked really cool, I'm sure...and I guess for some demographic, a girl with boobs covered in blood is probably very sexy...but, ugh, it felt disgusting.
So, in the future, should your mouth be filled with blood....don't laugh.

Tomorrow night the playwright comes to watch the show.
I think it's gonna be stellar.
Andrea thinks he is going to hate me because I'm not work perfect.
I keep telling her that my amazing comedy skills and pigtails are going to make up for my lack of being a responsible actor, but she just rolls her eyes and gives me line notes.
And after this weekend Chris will be taking a hiatus from the show.
We have extended for at least one more weekend and he has to go to a wedding in Cali, so JAMES YEARGAIN will be playing his part.
YAY!
I am very sad that Chris will not be here, because he is awesome and swell at his part, but I am pretty psyched to get to play opposite The James.
He came and watched the show again last night and everyone else in the cast is really quite lovely to him, while I am being an asshole and trying to provoke him and Chris to duel...because they have the same glasses, and because James won't be able to grow the same facial hair that Chris has.
It's been fun for me.
Last night, Gamal was like, "OH it must be really nice that Natalie is in the show because ya'll are so close, and basically all your scenes are together and ya'll can work on stuff outside of the theatre."
And James and I are like, "Nope. Not happening. We barely even like each other, and this show is going to go down like a sinking ship because their isn't one ounce of chemistry between us."

I will say, if he fucks this up, Routhier is holding me responsible because I was the one who suggested James.
So. Yeah.
Don't fuck it up Yeargain.
Or maybe he should, I much prefer things that keep me on my toes during a performance.

Other than doing the show I haven't really done anything.
Except play with the people from the show.
We had a Fourth of July party at my house where people climbed on my roof and I got into a shit ton of trouble with my condo association.
Awesome.

Marshall's birthday was this past Monday.
Casino and sushi...two of my favorite things.
And then Marshall did indeed put on children's suspenders.
I had no idea how they fit him, because Zach....who is about 5'5 tried to put them on and they barely fit...and then Marshall who is 6'8 put them on....and they totally fit and don't snap off.
It was a birthday miracle.

This is a silly, all over the place, rather inarticulate post.
Sorry....I'm working on like 4 hours a sleep a night...so I'm a little hazy.
I drank 2 red bulls yesterday and I started seeing yellow lines across everything.
I think I was having a stroke of some kind....or my brain with melting.
One of the two.

But yeah...if you've already seen Zombie Town, you should go see The Wedding Singer at Le Petit.
I can't wait!
Or if you'd prefer something a little more, I won't say important, because zombies and 80's musicals are very important, but maybe thought provoking...
There is a workshop/practicum thing at the Shakespeare Fest for A Streetcar Named Desire with Harkins, Ashley Ricord, Santos and Aimee Hayes.
And Routhier directed it.
I hear good things about all of this.

So go see some plays.
I promise a good time....and if not a good time, at least a big, sticky kiss from me after the show.

PS
ESPY Awards...?
Yeah.
Go the Saints.
Team of the Year and Athlete of the Year for Drew Brees.
I almost cried.

AND PSS
Jeremy Shockey looked all kinds of good with his newly shorn hair.
A little less like "My eagle tattoo with come to life and capture you while I eat your skull" and a little more "I'll beat you with my empty glass that was once filled with a fine scotch."

"You Can Always Come In My Backdoor"

2010-06-28T12:02:00.002-05:00

It has certainly been a while everybody,
And so many fantastical things have happened.

Moonshine Madness was a blasty.
Of course right when I got to the theatre it started typhooning. So I sat in my car for about 25 minutes and watched the water rise up almost to the bottom of my car door.
Then I scrambled out of my car, with electricity rod in hand (umbrella), and took my very expensive shoes off.
I waded through shin deep water and finally made it into the theatre.
Needless to say, I was not a very happy camper.
AJ and I went over our sketch a couple of times.
He, throwing things in, to try and make me laugh.
I think it's a personal goal of him to try and make me break on stage during sketch comedy.
Not real shows. Then he is all business.
But if this is a one time thing just for laughs, he will do anything in his power to get me to crack.
And he is usually quite successful.
We all recall the days of him trying to touch my teeth on stage.
Son of a bitch.

Then, Michael gets to Le Chat from the airport.
Delayed from previously mentioned typhoon.
We go upstairs and he grabs his guitar and we just sit and pluck the song out.
We had never sang it together before, and we had only tried to learn it from the CD.
So, it was a little wonky, and we did it downstairs on stage twice.
One person was so kind as to let us know how terrible we sounded.
Thanks.
Awesome. Stellar.
Totally what I would like to hear right before I have to go sing with a person who makes his living SINGING!

Anyways, we tweaked the harmonies a little bit, made them more pleasing to the ear, and that was that.
AJ and I performed and got lots of laughs, and Michael and I sang our song which got tons of laughs as well.
The best part of the whole thing was that he totally forgot the last lyric of the song, which is the setup to my biggest joke.
I'm sitting there on the stool, and he just keeps vamping the guitar, and I look over, and he's like laughing going "I can't remember the words", so I happily stage whisper the lyric to him...making sure everyone knows exactly whats going on.
It made the payoff even better!

The rest of the evening was grand. We headed over to the bar across from Le Chat, which we called THE DIVE BAR all night long.
Sean Patterson drank a very large blue daiquiri, and sang a lot of Counting Crows and Cranberries to me. It was swell.
And then I almost got in a fist fight with a lady who continually made it known how much she hated Journey, and how anyone who would play Journey on a jukebox should be killed.
The evening was swell, and I thoroughly enjoyed my brief stint as costar to an actual star.
(No worries for those of you who missed it, Michael and I are planning a cabaret for the upcoming season! Something to do with bald guys and half jews.)

Went and saw Macbeth this past weekend with the Gores.
Whole bunch of standout people in that show.
Some interesting things going on.
Like the puppet children, which were horrifying, and I have no idea why they had to be included in this rendition of the play.
Drew Battles was a good Mac. A very solid performance.
His Lady M was way too nice for my taste.
I just think Lady M needs to be a raging, mother of a cunt.
And she was not.
Santos was great, as was AJ and James, and Emilie Whelan as her creeptastic cat witch.
And watching Mike Harkins tell a puppet to avenge his death was a pretty amazing thing.

On Saturday there were the City Wide Auditions held at Southern Rep.
This is the lovely little thing where a bunch of actors come in and do monologues and a song for a bunch of different theatre companies.
I went with Yeargain and Allegra as reps for the NOLA Project.
It wasn't nearly as exciting as we had hoped since the "Robot Guy" from last year has apparently gotten some training.
SO that was a little bit of a bummer.
But the day wasn't all for nothing.
There were a handful of really awesome people.
Like this little guy who did an awesome Glengarry monologue and then sang "Being Alive" really, really well.
He is an adorable, little, pocket-sized man. He should be in more plays.
And one guy did a monologue about Comic Sans....the font.
Hilarious. I want it.
And one woman did a monologue about gutting a rat and smearing the insides on a Christmas card for her boss.
Stellar.

Other than all that fun I haven't really been doing anything except rehearsing for Zombie Town!
Which opens Thursday at Le Chat.
Please please please come see it.
It is very funny.
And my boobs are on full display.
And there is blood.
And mockery of Texas.
What more could you want in a 80 minute show?
Runs through the 18th.
And on Saturday nights we play zombie movies on the projector after the show!

And go see Macbeth if you can, or go see some comedy with Bob Murrell. He is a member of Brown and they perform at the Zeitgeist.
He's hilarious, and adorable and a swell human.
And he is always very supportive of promoting all current theatre happenings.
And he will be appearing in Wedding Singer, which is opening at Le Petit next week!
Which is just gonna be 80s amazingness.

So yeah.
I got nothing else.
Except zombies, literally, on my brain.

"I don't even want a Tony anymore!"

2010-06-14T12:58:00.002-05:00

This weekend wasn't really a break....
I had stuff to do the whole time, and all I really wanted to do was sleep.
But that just wasn't in the cards for me.
Saturday was rehearsal with AJ and then BBQ pool party for the Love's Labor's kiddies.
A whole bunch of them came over after the show and Wallace cooked meat for everyone who eats it.
I warned everyone before they came over that they had to be very quiet because it was like 11:30 at night, and I live with old people who like to complain, and there would be a strict no show tune singing policy in place. Sorry.
Everyone agreed on the terms specified and came over.
It turned into this ridiculous game of all of us whispering.
It was especially funny when we would start yelling, but in a whisper.
So, literally, we--ALL THEATRE PEOPLE--never spoke about a slight whisper for about an hour of outdoor quiet cooking and swimming.
I was very very proud of everyone.
Then this heinous cunt comes outside and sits next to the pool and starts chain smoking.
And she just keeps saying that we are going to get fined because she had a big party here two years ago and they got fined for having too many people and for being too loud. And she kept insisting she wasn't "trying to be an asshole"....but her tone implied otherwise.
So, she rudely starts asking, "Who lives here? Seriously, who is it?"
So I say, "I do. I'm the one who's lived here for 4 years."
"Oh well, I live here!"
"Ma'am I never said you didn't. You just asked who lived here, so I was letting you know."
"Well, you're gonna get fined. Like 200 dollars. But I guess if you stay quiet it'll be ok."
"Ok. That's fine."
And then she silently, and angrily smoked her cigarette and went back into her house.
Which is when we all start looking at each other and whispering ...WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT ABOUT?
Honestly, no one else even opened their doors, except for this old man who wanted to discuss Mike Huckabee with Andrew Larimer for some reason. Odd. But not angry with us in the least. And that guy was like 80....chain smoking cunt is only in her 30s.
About 20 minutes after she had gone back inside she quickly opened her door again, looked out, leered at all of us, and then slammed the door.
To which Pete's response was, "Shhhhhhhhhh!"
And then he walked by her door and looked through the peephole.
This woman was so angry for no reason.
IT was very bizarre.
We decided we should head upstairs as to no longer be gawked at by crazy cunt.
Everyone left at around 1pm.
A successful Whisper/Meat Party, if I do say so myself.

Sunday started of bright an early with Frannie's Broadway Wedding Shower extravaganza.
I piled into a car with Cherie, Meredith, Lynne and Trina and we headed downtown to the swanky building that Reggie Bush lives in.
It's so hidden down on Poydras that, had I tried to go down there alone, I would have eventually just started crying and given up and gone home.
But we made it.
And the shower was super nice.
Yummy food, and show tune sing-a-longs.
And Frannie got lots of good stuff. And she looked so pretty in her all white ensemble.
And it was actually just really fun to get to watch Frannie enjoy herself, and have people throw her a party, because she is our unofficial group party planner.
She really deserves to have 20 showers...and I have no doubt this is just the first of many many more to come.

Later that evening....

I ended up at Sam's house to watch the awards that we all get very excited for year...
The Tonys!
Boy, was that a rather horrific display of the talent in the theatre world right now.
Not completely, I admit, I am very happy Viola Davis won...and just happy that anyone but Jude Law won in Best Actor category.

I missed the first hour of the awards because I was at Zombie rehearsal, which just gets more and more fun as the days go on.
The cast is very, very funny and I love me some Mr. Routhier.

So I get there and everyone is watching it, and they alert me to the fact that Scarlett Johansson won, and talked for like 20 minutes.
Boo.
I said, fine fine. I figured she was gonna win anyway....but if Catherine Zeta Jones wins...I'm punching the television.
The awards go on....performances happen, some legit people win some awards.
Then...we have to suffer through Catherine Zeta-Jones' rendition of "Send in the Clowns".
Which is a tough enough song to begin with.
Oh. MY. GOD!
It was wretched.
She looked maniacal. Kate Keun and I were just stunned and horrified.
We all booed tremendously when this horrible display was over.
To which Pete says, "You all booed Catherine Zeta Jones more than the BP oil spill commercial, you realize that, right?"
That's an old would, CZJ is a fresh cut.

So then the best actress in a musical category comes up.
This is when I reiterate, if Catherine Zeta Jones wins...I am punching the television.
I thought for sure the gal from Memphis was going to win.
She was favored and I thought her performance was fantastic.
Then they announce that CZJ won and we all yell in amazement and utter disappointment.
None of us could believe that, nor do I think, Catherine could believe it either.
And then she gives the most bizarre speech which ends with her saying, "I'm married to a big movie star who is sitting right there, and I get to sleep with him every night."
What the fuck?
The rest of the awards were uneventful and somewhat predictable.
Whatevs.
Not really impressed.

Tonight is Moonshine Madness at Le Chat.
AJ and I have a very funny scene ready to go, and me and Mr. Cerveris, will be singing a duet, which I'm going to go ahead and guarantee will be better than what CZJ did last night.

And if it isn't, you can take his Tony, and my Big Easy away.

"We should have glitter blood!!!"

2010-06-10T13:30:00.002-05:00

Well hello there everyone.

How have we all been?
Swell, I hope.

Life has been kind of odd recently.
I don't really understand why, when people start dating people, they feel like they don't need certain people in their lives anymore.
When I date people, the ones I like, at least....I want to show off how awesome and funny and talented and great they are to all my friends.
I find some people are not like that....
And it's beginning to become sort of a bummer.
I am very happy that they have found someone to be happy with for the time being...but if that, god forbid, ends....you've alienated a friend that you've had for much longer than you've known this new girlfriend.
This all seems so very high school of everyone...
I'll stop talking about it now...because no one wants to hear about this...but I just think it's odd.
And slightly uncool.

Moving on.
I saw Love's Labor's Lost on their opening night.
The show was stellar.
Really, really enjoyed it.
The boys (Pete, Glaze, Yeargain and Andrew) were extra funny. The ladies were lovely as well, but the boys are just written to be funnier.
And I couldn't quite figure out what the girls, (Laura, Emilie, Claire and Jessica) were all wearing...they looked like the pastel version of Three Sisters.
But they all did an awesome job.
AJ looked like a mechanic, and was very funny as per usual...
Sam looked extra extra dapper with his gray hair....and he has such a good voice for Shakespeare....everything just sounds prettier when he says it in his baritone. Wonderful.
Mark McLaughlin was awesome. And he got shat upon by a bird.
So that was tremendous.
And Kate Kuen was beautiful, and wide eyed and looked super sassy with her newly red hair.
Harkins was also very funny eating his chicken leg and cookies onstage in that ridiculous Ranger costume and mustache.
I liked it all quite a bit.
If you haven't seen it...this is the final weekend.
Thursday through Sunday.
And if you go Saturday or Sunday you will see Glazebrook's understudy, Mr. Alex Wallace.
Should be a very different and stellar show!

So, last weekend the almost entire NOLA Project went and saw a movie called The Room.
It was playing at Prytania as one of the midnight movies.
Pete suggested we should have an outing for this.
I cannot even begin to describe to you this movie.
I just suggest netflixing it or watching clips on youtube.
It made me speechless.
It was like a Rocky Horror type experience.
People dressed up, and their are certain props that you throw at the screen and many many shout outs during the movie.
All those die-hard fans really made this movie bearable.
It is insane....and horrible and amazing.
THEY USE THE SAME SEX SCENE TWICE!
THEY FILMED IT.
PLAYED IT ONCE.
THEN THEY WENT TO HAVE SEX AGAIN.
AND IT WAS THE SAME EXACT SHOT FROM TWENTY MINUTES EARLIER.
INSANITY!
It was a lot of fun to say the least.

Started rehearsals for Zombie Town.
They are beyond ridiculous and fun.
I really enjoy being in a show with a bunch of people I've never worked with.
All new kinds of dynamics.
I don't want to give anything way, but the improv rehearsals we have been having are borderline crazy talk...and somehow totally helping us with the characters and the whole show.
It's going to be pretty spectacular.
I think a lot of people are going to like this show very very much.
As long as everyone gets the joke...

Moonshine Madness is this coming Monday at Le Chat.
I'm very excited to sing and do a scene.
Should be a rousing good time for everyone.
It's a little pricey....but the 45 dollars is all for good stuff.
So if you can come, Monday night...at Le Chat.
Sean Patterson will be there!
If that's not reason enough...I don't know what is.

And now I'm very tired.
My job has required me to come in an hour earlier for the past week and my little body can't handle that.
I don't think I am made to function before 10AM.
I am just unpleasant.
If you want to know what I mean you should ask Beau Bratcher.
He has seen me at 6AM trying to "help build a set", and instead I just took it upon myself to lie in the fetal position and utter, "I'm so unhappy right now I'm either going to cry or vomit."
Nice.
Or during the Much Ado student performance when I sat in a corner and refused to speak to everyone during warm ups.
And David Hoover mocked me the entire time.
I refuse to forgive him for that.
Somehow, when I had to do student performances of Speech & Debate I was somewhat ok.
Probably because I would drink 3 redbulls before each of those to ensure I could make it through the interpretive dancing at 9AM!
Boo.

Theatre should be done in the dark.
At night.
Like the good lord intended.

"You gotta know when to hold 'em....."

2010-05-25T12:02:00.002-05:00

Hey everyone.

It finally happened.
They day we've been dreading for quite sometime.

The onslaught of summer.
The fact that the weather is now so unbearably hot, that all one can do outdoors is walk from their house to their car.
I am very lucky, and have a pool, so everyone likes to take full advantage of their friendship with Natalie during the summer.
Which is fine by me.
Last week we had a Monday Night Pool Extravaganza complete with Cliff and Kristin singing the entirety of "A Little Fall of Rain" from Les Mis and Alex Wallace cooking steaks, shirtless, while smoking cigars. Classy.

And this past weekend Trina came to visit and sit poolside with her little "peanut", as she so lovingly refers to him.
Porter was having somewhat of a fussy day, but he is still a handsome little man.
And I did manage to hold him, and keep him quiet long enough for his mama to get a quick dip in the watery oasis.

I've been enjoying my last few weeks of nothing to do.
I often will be lounging on the couch, and stop watching The Tudors on my netflix instant.
Sidebar.
Netflix instant is amazing. I never realized how awesome it could be till I got my swanky new iPad, and it has an app for watching all that stuff.
So, now all I do is watch TV series that I can't normally watch.
The Tudors is currently my guilty pleasure.
Everyone on that show is, like, painfully good looking.
Even Sir Thomas More.
Sexy McSexerton.
Anyways.
I've done a lot of netflixing and reading.
But I'll suddenly stop, and try to figure out something more productive I should be doing.
And then realize I have nothing more productive.
Which is kind of a nice feeling.
It's over in a few weeks, though.
I start rehearsals on the 8th, and I'm quite looking forward to it.
Can't wait to work at Le Chat again, and can't wait to work with Mr. Routhier.
Gonna be a swell time.

I went and saw Singin' in the Rain this past Sunday out in the Rivertown.
I have not been to see a show in that theatre in probably 2 years.
Quite a long time, and I almost forgot how funny the audiences are in that place.
They will just talk to the actors on stage, and comment about the plot at FULL VOLUME.
I find that very amusing.
The show was quite charming and delightful.

Abbey and Bob were swell as Zelda and Charlie Chaplin...I just wish Abs had more to do!
Micah, the girl playing Kathy Seldon was very tan. And very pretty, and had a beautiful Disney Princess voice. She did a good job.
Ken Goode was fun to watch. He played Cosmo, and he just kind of looks like a cartoon character in life, so that worked well for the part. His "Make 'Em Laugh" looked down right athletic, and I don't know how he was able to sing and do all that craziness at the same time. I also enjoy Ken tap dancing because you can see him pounding that floor. He was adorable.
Jennifer Delatte played Lina and she was hilarious. I was quite surprised.
Not gonna lie, I've always wanted to play Lina, so I had very high expectations, and she was very funny. Her voice was perfect and she landed all the jokes. And the best part is--Jennifer is a very trained opera singer, so the fact she was playing the girl who can't talk or sing, was quite funny.
And then there is my darling Cliff.
He is just a dream to watch on stage.
He dances so well, and his voice is so beautiful, and I totally believe he could charm the pants off of anyone on that stage or the audience.
And yes, perhaps he doesn't have all the attributes of the stereotypical "Gene Kelly" type, but he's tall, he's super handsome, and he's got the prettiest eyelashes ever.
And who likes stereotypes any way?
Not this redheaded, bespectacled, short, slightly chubby lady.
I'm pretty sure I get parts because I DON'T look like anyone else at the auditions.
Then again, to each his own.
I'm just saying, I think Cliff was swell. And all those little old ladies after the show just went nuts for him.

In more recent theatre news, last night was the 18th Annual Storer Boone Awards, held, as per usual, at Le Chat Noir.

The evening was quite an event. Lots and lots of people. And all people I really enjoy.
Before the doors had been opened Kristin and Laura and I had decided that we needed to weasel our way to the front of the crowd so we could be the first ones in the theatre.
Well, we managed to get in the front, and then the three of us immediately grabbed the coveted corner booth near the door/bar.
We did it. We represented, the three of us, plus the NOLA Project intern, Sara, got the entire corner.
Many people walked by and gave us evil looks for for little ladies holding court in this huge section.
Eventually the rest of the company sat down and we didn't feel like such bitches anymore.
There was a large group of us: Claire, Pete, Yeargain, Suzannah, Sara, Laura, Sam, Cliff, Kristin, AJ, Casie, Shauna, Jamie Wax, Jaci, and myself. And immediately in front of us were Carrie, PJ, LJ, Lisa and SEAN PATTERSON! (Who, by the way, I was beyond thrilled to see. I wouldn't stop hugging him. And the first thing he said to me was that we needs to get some cake, put it in some to go cups and eat that shit! Its a joke we have about the fact that one Mardi Gras we were at a house a party and we both put cake in to-go cups and started eating it with spoons. This is when we realized we'd be friends forever.)

It was a little slow getting started, but once it did it was off and running.
The category we were looking forward to the most was Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy. The nominees were: AJ, Yeargain, Bartelle, Sam and Michael Sullivan.
We joked with Michael before hand, that if he wins he would single-handedly defeat the entire NOLA Project.
The award comes up, and of course, Mr. Sullivan won!
Congrats to him for a hilarious victory.
Things continued, everyone around me got more wasted.

And Jamie Wax is a terrible terrible influence on me. We cannot sit next to each other at these things, we just talk, and comment and gossip the whole time. It's terrible.
Especially when PJ and LJ have to turn around and tell us to shut the hell up.
I blame Wax. Completely.
His Fault!
Dennis Assaf got the Lifetime Achievement award. Which was lovely, and quite nice for him....even though he really isn't old.
But, everyone in the community agrees, he has the hair styling of Kenny Rogers. I think even Dennis can agree to that.

So when he went up there, PJ ran back to our booth and just quietly sang, "You gotta know when to hold 'em....."
And I lost my mind. As did everyone at the table so we were all like kids in church trying not to laugh out loud as this poor man is giving his speech.
Sorry Dennis. We all love you!

Brief rundown of the awards:

Laura Jean won Best Stage Manager. Because she is. The damn award should be named after her.
Cecile won Best Costumer. I was hoping somehow Shauna would edge her out...but, if my bestie can't win, CC is my next pick!
David Hoover won Best Director of a musical. Yay!
Carrie won Best Choreo for Damn Yankees....wish she would have tied with Frannie!
Trina FINALLY won an award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama for King Lear. I happily took that home for her, seeing as everyone thought it fitting for me to give her the award, I have it in my custody! Perhaps I will give it to her.....mwhahahaha.

Taste won Best Original Play which was awesome and kind of a surprise, seeing as though is was up against tour de force, Loup Garou.
AJ won Best Actor in a comedy for Marmalade and Andrew won Best Director of a Comedy for Marmalade!
My category was filled with all kinds of goodness like Claire Gresham for Taste and Lisa Picone for Valley of the Dolls.
Before the show Lisa said she hoped we tied.
Sucker.
Our category came up and my name was announced and it was the loudest applause and hollering I've ever heard. I've never felt so loved. I really almost teared up.
Pathetic, I know.
I kept making evil faces and Claire and Lisa...and then Chrissy and Mike Harkins announced that I had won.
Double the fun, my peers think I'm funny, and Chrissy and Mike gave me the award.
The Storer Boone's are kind of my favorite because I think it is very lovely that the community votes on them, and I think it is a very nice gesture that we all appreciate the work of one another.
I made my speech, thanked everyone, and said I was really happy that Lisa and I didn't tie.
Class class class.

The big awards were all that was left.
Mr. Marmalade has been a big loser in the Best Comedy category all season.
It wins the acting awards, but then can't take home the big prize.
So...we weren't really expecting for anything different last night, especially since those damn Running With Scissors people always win!!!!
But, alas, WE WON BEST COMEDY!
Yay!
We were so surprised we didn't know what to do.
Since I had been up, and AJ had gone up twice, and Yeargain accepted on behalf of Larimer, Sam went up and accepted for the show! YAY!
We're funny, us!

I think a good time was had by all.
It was a lovely way to close out this year of awards.
I haven't done anything funny in 2010, yet....so...I don't think I'll be defending my title 3 years in a row....
Perhaps I'll take a turn into Drama-town.....?
Or maybe I'll get back to my roots and do a damn musical?
I think that Chase Kamata needs to be taken down a notch....heh.

And on a plugging note:
Love's Labour's Lost opens this weekend for the Tulane Shakespeare Festival.
Go see it! It's a co-production with NOLA Project.
Hugely talented cast.
And poop jokes.
Win win.

Roe Balls!

2010-05-14T12:34:00.004-05:00

Today is an awesome day.
I'm so giddy with excitement.

Unfortunately, my excitement has to be kept hush hush for a few more days.
But I've already squealed in a public place twice today.
So. Yeah.

I think the evening I had is just rolling over into today!
Got to hang out with my favorite "soon to be married lady", Ms. Rosenberg.

We went to Vega Tapas and had a feast, like every single time I go to that place.
It is so yummy, and underrated.
We had an apple and brie salad, gazpacho with crab meat, cheese plate, carp roe dip, a lobster and avocado stack, and the dessert waffle.
Delicious.
It was very lovely to hear all about the wedding plans and shoes and dresses and such.
It's going to be a killer wedding.
As PJ said, "Knowing Frannie, she'll probably give US presents just for coming."
Which is very true.
Oh! And I got to be the first to see the Save the Dates.
And they are perfectly Frannie-like.

The only downside to the evening was the fact that my car didn't start while waiting for Frannie.
So the old AAA had to come out and jump me, except when they came out to jump me I tried one last time to start the car, and of course it worked.
Very odd.

I got Fifi checked out this morning and they said her battery was just fine.
So, don't really know what all that was about.
I guess sometimes our batteries just need a little break from life.

And, when I got to work today...
A lady who was a raging cunt to me yesterday on the phone, and said I was a useless little girl, called to apologize for being so mean to me.
The apocalypse is surely near us.

This weekend should be equally stellar.
Tonight Beau and Chrissy are graduating from Grad school!
Huzzah!

And then Sunday will be a day of pool hanging, Project planning, and seeing Lisa's cabaret at Le Chat.
I'd like to go to Lenny Kravitz's Gulf Coast concert thing, but I think lounging is going to take precedence.

PS.
I read this great book called, I Don't Care About Your Band, by Julie Klausner.
She is one of my favorite funny ladies and bloggers.
The book is great.
Very girly.
All about the terrible and ridiculous men she has had in her life.
And all about her love of musical theatre.
And she is a redheaded jewish girl.
I want to be her best friend.

PSS.
Speaking of fabulous red heads I would like to be best friends with.
Mad Men.
Season 4.
July 25.
Solid.

"YOU ARE NOT BOXED WINE!"

2010-05-11T09:47:00.003-05:00

Ah. Life.
This year is going by so quickly.
I finished my spring semester of school last week.
And now I have nothing to do but work.
And go see all my wondrous friends in spectacular shows.

A few weeks ago I saw Our Town at UNO.
A show I normally hate, but the production was great.
Caroline made me tear up.
I rarely feel anything when I see that play, so bravo for making the 3rd act actually mean something.
Good job Mr. Hoover, you got me to not hate this play for once!

I also saw Grey Gardens this weekend at Le Petit.
The show was solid and lovely.
The costumes are to die for.
Cecile did an AMAZING job.
The cast is great. Kristin and Wallace make a fabulous pair.
Vatican is so ridiculous and sassy and enjoyable.
Janet Shea makes me laugh hysterically, and breaks my heart all in a matter of her saying one line.
She's amazing.
Leslie also does a great job with her beast of a role.
And it is always a pleasure to watch Kris Shaw work.
And even more of a pleasure to talk with him for hours after wards, and have him regale all your friends with how he used to get you and your boyfriend and all the rest of the cast falling down drunk at Sidelines.
Thanks, Kris....very classy.

Everyone go see Cliff and Abbey and Bob in Singin' in the Rain out at that Rivertown.
Who wouldn't want to look at Cliff in vintage suits and listen to him sing Gene Kelly music?
Sounds like a night of perfection.
I can't wait.

And Lisa is doing her Peggy Lee cabaret at Le Chat this weekend as well.
Lots and lots of things to go see.
I have extremely talented and in demand friends, what can I say.

Speaking of talented and in demand....
I got to attend the Marquee awards with two of my favorite fellas last night: Mr. Wax and Mr. Dudley.
The Marquee awards are quite a spectacular thing.
Jay Stanley loves theatre, and appreciates what we do for the community so much, that it is swell to be recognized by a person who really loves the stuff.
I especially like it when there is a tie.
Last night there were 3 ties, I do believe, to which Jay just casually mentions, "I couldn't make up my mind."
It was stellar.
I really wanted my category to end up in a tie, but alas, I won all by my lonesome, and defended my title in Comedy for the Marquees.

It also happened to be the UNO banquet on the other side of the Marigny, so I got to hit two award show birds with one stone.

I, of course, lost my Best Actress award for the third year in a row.
Damn you Chrissy Garrett, damn you.

Wax and Sam came and crashed that side with me and we people watched and listened to the crazy cowboy band that was very good.
My favorite comment for the night from my two dates was them trying to compare me and the men I date to wines:

"Natalie, you are an aged, 1985, full bodied, red wine....and you continue to find these guys who only drink boxed wine. YOU ARE NOT A BOXED WINE!"

Then we went to Dino's and met up with Cliff, Bob and Abbey and talked about the future of theatre in New Orleans.
We would all like to not have day jobs.
So let's make this happen.

Other awesome things that happened since I last wrote:

My brother graduated from Loyola.
Drew Brees was the speaker.
He accidentally said sex while referring to Ellen Degeneres.
Awesome.

Saw Iron Man 2.
RDjr and Sam Rockwell are amazing.
The movie is super fun.
Watching the movie next to James Yeargain who is RDjr's long, lost brother....even more fun.
I love that James and I have our summer movie blockbuster midnight showing at Prytania tradition.
Last year we had Star Trek and Transformers 2.
We've been looking forward to Iron Man 2 for quite some time. And it definitely did not disappoint.
And the fight scene Scarlett Jo has as Black Window is pretty spectacular, too.

On Treme, John Goodman finally gave the infamous Ashley Morris blog rant.
Complete with Fuck you, you fucking fucks.

Made my life.

"Please no one talk to me or touch me until I drink a gallon of water and some diet coke."

2010-04-22T11:47:00.004-05:00

I have successfully defended my title, ladies and gentlemen.
I know.
You were all desperately awaiting the results.

So, yeah.
The Big Easy Awards were Monday and, boy, where they a hoot and a half.

The evening started very early, which was a good thing because my entire drunken debacle was done by about 1:30-2AMish.
Not too shabby.

Mr. James Yeargain was my impeccably dressed date, complete with motorcycle boots.
We began that evening's events with a stop at Dino's with Mr. Jamie Wax, Laura Jean and Carrie.
Had a few quick drinks and then walked over the The Sugar Mill, which is where the festivities would be happening this year.
They've been at the Casino the past few years, so it was a nice change of pace to have an outdoor option to the evening as well.
The courtyard of the Sugar Mill was quite lovely, and the weather was so swell that it was quite pleasant to step outside periodically throughout the evening and chat.

I know when I got my tickets in the mail that some covert moving of chairs was going to have to happen at the banquet. James and I were at table 53 and the majority of everyone else we wanted to be around were at 35. NO WHERE NEAR EACH OTHER DESPITE ASKING TO BE AT THE NOLA PROJECT TABLE AND BEING TOLD I WOULD BE.
No worries, though.
The chairs were light, and the tables very large.
So I just moved to chairs from 53 over the 35 and all was well for the rest of the evening.
Another great thing was that we were literally 2 feet from the bar and we were on the edge so we had lots of walking around space, so we were standing up and mingling most of the night anyway.
Cliff and Casie also just kind of moved to our table, since they were supposed to be at the fancy table 1 down front and center with table service for Le Petit.
They chose to slum it in the back with the Project.

We were all a little concerned with how long this whole shindig was going to be since they had returned to their old ways, and combined the Theatre and Music awards into one big evening.
Awards were promptly started at 6:30. And these things just flew by.
It was especially quick since the first three award winners weren't there to accept and make speeches.
The came the award for Best Musical Director....
Anthony Beane was presenting and they started reading off the list...Brandt Blocker, James Kelly, Leonard Raybon, Jefferson Turner,
They hand them the envelope, "And the winner is..." Anthony opens the envelope...."DAVID HOOVER!"
Huh?
PS...David Hoover was at the table directly next to us...so...this was fun.
Everyone i the audience kind of has a bewildered look on their faces...and no one is going up to get the award....BECAUSE THEY HANDED THEM THE WRONG ENVELOPE.
We all started realizing this one by one....since David, was indeed nominated for Best Director of a Musical...not Best Musical Director.
A.J. was also up for that award(trying to defend his title from last year) and when this happened he just went, "Well, I don't have to worry about that award for the rest of the evening now!"
And he went over and congratulated Hoover.
Poor Anthony Beane.
He looked like someone kicked his puppy.
And it totally wasn't his fault.
He finally got the correct envelope and read the correct name, Jefferson Turner.

10 minutes in and already something has gone awry. Hey Oh!

The awards were a back and forth affair.
Which was nice. They would present a few theatre things...have a performance and then go to the music stuff.
It was a nice give and take, and it gave everyone from the opposing sides time to get up, get drinks, go to the bathroom, and get food....all without missing any of our own awards.
The evening continued on...and we all got progressively more tipsy.
I was absolutely convinced I was not going to win two years in a row.
I just didn't think that would happen...especially after AJ was defeated in his returning category.
So, I took it upon myself to fully utilize the open bar.
Last year, I was a bit more nervous and concerned about possibly winning and giving an acceptance speech...so I did all my drinking after my award.
Not so much this year...especially since my award was one of the final, like 5 awards given out.

No big surprises or mess ups anywhere else in the evening...
They finally get to the last section of awards...
Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy...A.J and Sam were battling each other for this one!
We had all agreed that Leon was probably going to win because he is Leon and he was in a jock strap for most of the show...and who doesn't want that in their lives...?
So they read the names as AJ and Sam hold fists......Allegra, Contavesprie, Dudley and Edes....
"And the winner is....AJ Allegra for Mr. Marmalade!"
Heeeyyy oh!
He beat the jock strap.
And as Sam said, "Way more fun to lose to your friend."
(Which Trina Beck fully and completely understands! HAHAHAH)
AJ gave a very lovely speech and then ran offstage to go take his photos for the papers.
My award was next...
And our table was gettin' rowdy!
I started talking smack to Liann and Francine who were seated right by me. (Completely joking of course...I adore Liann from Speech & Debate and Francine is always nice as anyone can possibly be to me....its just fun to talk smack...especially about THEATRE AWARDS.)
Boyd, Pattison, Dorian Rush (who had already won once for her cabaret show Livin' Janis), Segal.
"And the winner is.....Natalie Boyd for Mr. Marmalade!"
Oh crap.
I'm drunk. And now I have to go talk in front of Trombone Shorty and John Goodman.
Ahhhh.....
I mean...YAY! I won!

So I get up to the stage, meet Aimee and Jim and get my prize.
"I got to put my hands down Sam Dudley's pants, and teach AJ Allegra how to do a line of coke. This is the best play I've ever done!"
Classy, classy way to begin my speech.
I thanked the committee and the Project, said how happy I was and that this was my mom's favorite play I've ever been in...which is weird...but whatever mom.
And then ended with, "Yeah...I'm happy. And I'm done now. THANKS!"
So...not as articulate and kind as last year...but gracious and happy to be there none the less!

I ran backstage to take photos, AJ gave me a great big hug, and then Bryan Batt gave me a big smooch.
We took lots of photos together and then separately, gave them our names and ran back to the table to cheer for the rest of the awards.
Jamie won for Damn Yankees and looked like Bobby Kennedy up their at the podium.
So All American, and such a lovely speech.
That man could run for office and get elected in a landslide.
David Hoover was finally presented with his real award and gave an equally lovely speech.
Spelling Bee won best musical, I Am My Own Wife got the award for Best Drama, and then Best Comedy was presented last...weird....I know.
So, AJ, Kristin, Alex, Sam, James and I got in a circle and tried to decide who would talk and what would we say....or we could just prepare to lose with some dignity.
And that is just what we did.
Damn you Running with Scissors! And your drag queens and your funniness. DAMN YOU!

Not to worry though....our spirits were immediately lifted when DJ Jubilee came on stage and sang "Get it Ready" with the Imagination Movers...complete with Imagination Mover blue jumpsuit.
Everyone who went to high school in New Orleans knows exactly how amazing this truly was....and we all reverted back to high school and danced and sang our little hearts out.

The official party was over, we all looked at our cell phones, and OMG it was only 8:45.
How in the hell did that happen?!?!?
Fastest award show I've ever been to....and there were twice as many awards!

We all headed back over to Dino's for the unofficial after party.
Jam packed with all our friends and cohorts.
It really was a very very fun night.
I did unfortunately keep repeating how heavy my prize was and how I thought I was gonna drop it.
And I think at one point Gary Solomon and I decided, that yes, I must sing "Wheels of a Dream" for some Le Petit/NOLA Project fundraiser because that is just too much comedy gold to be missed out on.

We all went home at reasonable hours and got tons of sleep.
The next morning I had agreed to go to breakfast because I knew I would need it in order to recover from the heinous amounts of whiskey.
And I did.
Sam and Cliff and Sean Glazebrook and I went to Slim's for breakfast.
Sean said he was going to start bowing to me every time I walked into a room since I was now a two time winner.
I told him I was going to kick him if he continued to do that nonsense.
We go to Slims and I felt like death.
And then Yeargain joins us, and he and Sean won't leave me alone with the bowing and the trying to touch my feet.
Oh so weird, those two.
We got food in our systems and we were all a little less cranky.
Then we went to Pinkberry because it is just too good to resist....and it makes you feel better after all the grease you just ate at Slim's.

And then I laid on Sam and Sean's couch for about 5 hours watching CNN and reading New York magazine aloud with Glaze.
Then we went and ate again....
$2 Tacos at Rum House.
Yum.
And then I went to bed at about 9 o'clock.
Tremendously productive day.

When I got to my acting class on Wednesday my friend asked me if I had won my award.
I said I had and he responded, "You're like the Tom Hanks of New Orleans theatre!"
Yes.
That comparison is completely valid and correct.
Thank you.
Ridiculous my friends are.

So that was the Big Easys of 2010.
I had a blasty and I think most everyone did, too.
And now I've got to be funny for at least another full year, or people will think they've made a mistake.
PRESSURE!

Back to real life.
School is almost done.
Very happy to have successfully completed the semester without wanting to kill anyone.

Lots of theatre continuing to happen around the city.
Its a beautiful thing, ya'll!

Our Town opens tonight at UNO.
Runs this weekend and next weekend.
Lots of swell people!
And Hoover has a Big Easy now...so you know it'll be really well directed!

November also opens this week at Tulane.
Bob Edes as the president, directed by Ashley Ricord.
What's not to like?

And if you want to see pretty costumes, Shauna, designed and made all of them for The Sicilian Bachelor out in the Westwego.
Set in the 20's, and that is her uber specialty.
So you know that they look stunning.

[title of show] closes this weekend at Le Petit, if you have not seen it, go immediately!
Amazing.

Try and make sometime in between your busy Jazz Fest goings to see some theatre.
It's hard to get audiences this time of year...and these casts have worked hard and deserve awesome audiences!

PS
Treme this past weekend was amazing.
James had his whole scene...just him and John Goodman.
And he played an English grad student...so that was some hard, hard acting!

And Jason Kirkpatrick was the best cowboy I've ever seen on HBO.

It was awesome.
The show is awesome.
I wanna be on it.
How can I make that happen?
I should just ask Steve Zahn, right?

"Is there a Big Easy on that set?"

2010-04-16T16:47:00.002-05:00

So I am almost back to my original form again.
My hair will be red by the end of tonight and my bangs are back in full force.
And my fake tan is almost 100% gone.
Except for the few spots on my bazooms that won't seem to wash away.
It is quite peculiar.
But, yeah....feels good to be able to wake up in the morning and only have to put on some powder and mascara.
MUCH less time consuming.

And just in time for the eve of all eves for our little theatre community.
Monday is the Big Easy awards.
I'm excited.
I don't care if they're silly, and they "don't mean anything".
I like getting fancied up, and fixing my hair, and partaking in delicious buffet and open bar goodness.
And I especially love it cause the boys get all done up in their suits and tuxedos.
Adorable.
And it is an evening when most all of our friends are in one place, celebrating what we do best, and just having fun.
It is like prom for adults!

And some well earned, friendly competition is always an added bonus.
Don't we all remember the Beck/Boyd B'Geezy Battle of 2009?
Priceless.

School is almost done.
And then I'll have to go back to work full time.
Booooorrrrriiiiinnnnnng.
But, I think I may be hitting up the old New York sometime this summer.
I really want to see that hot mess of a musical, The Addams Family...and apparently, despite terrible reviews, it is going to be difficult to get tickets until the fall.

Other than that...I got nothing.
All my friends are in super shows right now.
With a Bang was great. Sean and Wallace never cease to amaze me.
[title of show] is wonderful. The cast is the best and the show is fantastic.
Kristin and Wallace will be dazzling us soon in Grey Gardens....which I can't wait to see!
And then Cliff will be tap tap tapping his little heart out in Singin' in the Rain.
So much theatre. So many friends that are good.
They make me look better.
That's why I keep them around.

And I am thoroughly looking forward to Le Petit and Southern Rep announcing their seasons...I have a feeling they are gonna rock my socks.

PS.
I met Trina's little man, Porter.
Awesome.
Stellar.
Handsome as can be.

"What, What, What Are You Doing?!?!?!"

2010-04-06T12:31:00.008-05:00

So long, Costa Verde hotel.... You've been swell to us.

The Night of the Iguana has opened and closed, and I could not have been more pleased with how it went.
Especially, the last night.
James went extra berserk that night during all the cracking up business and I got to unleash on him.
It was awesome.
After the show James said he didn't know I had that kind of thing in me, but it shut Shannon up right quick!
It was a really great run though because everyone who came had awesome things to say about the show, and the Kennedy Center committee raved about it.
So, we were held for the regional festival, which means in December we will find out whether or not we get to take this puppy to Amarillo, and perform it there for consideration into the Kennedy Center.
James, Chrissy and I are convinced we will go to Amarillo because we desperately don't want to have to remember all these damned lines and do all that hard, hard acting.
Naturally, we will have to remember all of this again in FEBRUARY! But it will be super fun if we get to go.
The cast is one big group of good time.

The best part about the show ending though was the fact that Marshall promised to put on one of the German bathing suits at the end of the run.

As you can see, a 6'7" man in this get up is just....glorious.
I never really forget how tall Marshall is because I am barely a human in comparison to him, but on stage he just dwarfs everyone...and it is amazing.

Usually, though, Marshall slumps when he walks so you don't really get the full effect of his massiveness...
But on Friday night during the scene where he has to basically turn James into his bitch, Marshall discovered he could really be intimidating if he stood up straight.
He walked up slumping on stage...and then as soon as James gave him some attitude Marshall bowed up and grew like 4 inches and you could hear the whole audience just go..."ooooooohhhhhh".
Fantastic!

The other best thing about the show ending....NO MORE FAKE TANNER! AND NO MORE NON RED HAIR!
The things I do for a Beau Bratcher Production!

I just have to scrub for a few more days, I think, and this crap should be off of me. And I can't wait to go get my massive mane of hair chopped and colored back to its appropriate shade of fire.
Ugh.
Then, finally, I'll feel and look like myself again.
No offense, Maxine...but you are just too much for me to handle!

And now I have no show to do for the foreseeable future...which bums me out greatly...but I guess a break isn't all that terrible.
I want to go to New York this summer so I guess that can happen now. I really want to go see McDonagh's new play, ever though Ben Brantley basically called him a raving racist.

The good things about having free time is the fact that I'll be able to play with all my friends' new babies!
Trina had her bundle of adorableness on Friday!
Porter James Noyes.
He is awesome.
And I have purchased him a onesie with Big Lebowski on it...so Aunt Natalie is already showing him the ways of The Dude.

And finally.... On the "Whore Out My Productions" note: Go see With a Bang at Southern Rep and [title of show] at Le Petit! They need your patronage! Good shows! Super talented people in said good shows! And now...I will go back to work and dream about the snoball I'm going to purchase later this evening.

P.S.
The title of this weeks post was inspired by The Second City's youtube video of "Sassy Gay Friend"!
Which is amazing and there are three of them so far. It is as if Shakespeare's characters had a sassy gay friend....none of the tragic stuff would have happened.
Please watch them.
They are spectacular.
And backstage we decided that Tennessee Williams' plays lend themselves to the same thing...being as though they are just as tragic.
But seriously...go watch them. This is the one of Othello....my personal fave.

"I'm sweating my tan off!"

2010-03-30T10:08:00.008-05:00

Hello long lost blog readers.
Sorry.
It has been a long time....

Some good and some slightly disheartening things have happened since our last meeting, (Like how I won't be doing Shakespeare or Patchwork....but let's not dwell)

The Night of the Iguana OPENED! YAY!
And we didn't suck! And the weather was stunning!

We had a really awesome last two weeks or so of rehearsal.
Things really did start meshing and working well.
We had a successful, albeit, stressfull move in to Le Petit Monday before we opened.
They took some photos at one of our dress rehearsals and I really had no idea that this was a play all about Natalie's Boobs.
But it is.

I mean...I had a vague idea that my bazooms would be on somewhat display....but when you can finally see yourself in your costumes they way everyone else does...makes a lot more sense as to why I kept getting all the comments.
And the fact that I have a fake tan in the play is slightly jarring and funny.
Shauna did help me master the art of matching my face to the rest of my body's color and I'll have to admit...I do look kind of sassy with the tan...especially when I wear my gold jewelry and my 1970's romper with my big hair...I look straight out that disco.
And not at all like myself.
At girls lunch on Saturday, Meredith Long didn't even recognize me...just thought I was some random broad at the table...
And when AJ saw me he said, "You're like Elphaba if she were a Mexican!"

But anyway...the show went well.
We had really good houses for the opening weekend because it was all those Tennessee Williams' Fest people who just go gaga over this stuff.
Trina and Sean Glazebrook came and seemed to enjoy it thoroughly... and my family came, too.
My favorite thing that was said was from my brother who after the show just looked at me and was like, "No wonder your character drank the whole play....if I had to put up with those complaining people for 3 hours I'd drink too. STOP TALKING AND DO WHAT YOU WANT!"
Thanks, bro.
My dad's response was..."Well, that was a lot of lines...and intense."
My mother's response (which I totally called in the dressing room before the play started), "You look very tan. And I didn't like those Nazis."

Ted Mahne was also there on Saturday and gave us a very lovely review on nola.com.

Which Yeargain and I are a little worried about since when we do shows together we like to strive for "mediocre at best", but Ted said some very complimentary things about us, so now we are very concerned people are going to expect things from us for this weekend.
Ugh

On Sunday, since I didn't have a show, Trina and I made our way out to metry to see JPAS' The Producers.

It was swell.
Leo Blum was a part written for Allegra. He was fantastic.
Everyone was great.
I loved listening to Cliff belt the shit out of the tenor parts, and Dwyane looked like he was in heaven playing Carmen Ghia, Bob frigganEdes made me laugh so hard...I was practically crying.
Very proud of everyone and JPAS for doing such an awesome job with such an epic show!

Sunday night was filled with a cast outing to the old Laser Tag.
Do you have any idea how ridiculous/slightly sad it is for a bunch of mid twenty year olds to go play Laser tag?
It's insane.
But, oh, so fun!
It was just us who had rented out the space, so they let you play this really horrifying version of "Blackout Tag"....
Which is when it is every man for themselves and every single light in the building is turned off.
Even the vests!
A person only lights up when they are shot.
It is terrifying. And dangerous.
I have so many bruises from running into walls and being knocked to the ground and shot at like a wounded animal.
These boys, especially Beau, had no sympathy on us ladies running around.
Marshall had the best tactic of just lying in the corner and waiting for people to come to him since he was taller than most of the protective walls.
Dangerous. Stressful.
But fun.

Yesterday was equally great because it was ALL YOU CAN EAT CRAWFISH DAY!

My deliciousness

Marshall teaching Sarah how to peel and eat 'em...she is from Arkansas and has never experienced the wonder that is crawfish and beer, and Yeargain about to get the good stuff!

Such a swell thing all of this was.
Sidelines in Metairie, every Monday night.
$20
All you can eat!
We stumbled upon this glorious thing last year, and Marshall and I have been looking forward to this day since the beginning of rehearsals.
Totally worth the wait.

I'm enjoying my time off from the show...I actually get to read books again, but it is a strange feeling not getting to love up on James and hate on Chrissy every night.
Just three more this weekend then all done.
Way too quickly for all the effort!
We are being judged for KC/ACTF on Friday night.
Most of the NOLA Project crew is coming then, and AJ asked if he should stand up and weep in front of the adjudicators.
Yes, please.
But if you would like to come...try to on that night. We need friendly, happy faces in the audience to make us seem funnier and more talented!
And make sure you go through BrownPaperTickets!

That is all for now.

Oh!
Don't forget to go see With a Bang at Southern Rep.
They also got a stellar review, and the show is just fantastical and crazy and awesome.
I did the staged reading of it last year and it was incredible, I can only imagine what Pete has done with it over the past 12 months!

Now, everyone go enjoy the weather!
Because in a few short weeks we are all going to be miserable and complaining about how ungodly hot it is.

I Just Wanna Lie Down and Have a Rum-Coco.....

2010-03-11T12:24:00.002-06:00

I'm tired.
Is anyone else tired?

I find that March is always the most taxing month of the year.
Not that it is a bad thing...
Its just always very, very busy.

Between work, school and rehearsals.
I'm just sleepy.
A lot.
Which is fine because I love all three of them.
I just need to go to sleep after rehearsals instead of staying up with Yeargain till 2 AM "learning lines".
We are actually doing much better on this show than we did on Marmalade.
Mainly, because the amount of lines James has scares the ever living crap out of him.
I, too, have a bunch of lines...but nothing even close to what he's got.
I mean, the show is basically a three person show.
So....many a line to be learned.
The other night while we were memorizing I stopped and said to James, "Oh....right....once we've actually LEARNED our lines we have to start acting, too."

And since this is Tennessee Williams it requires that "hawd, hawd actin"
It is definitely tough...but I love it.
I love Maxine. She's a total trip.
And I'm so thankful that if I have to love all up on someone for two and a half hours, at least it's one of my best friends.
Makes the whole "raw, unabashed sexuality" thing much, much easier on my very awkward self.
My biggest problem I am having is working in my lower register.
I have a naturally, I would say, medium voice...higher when I'm excited or trying to get something from someone.
I have no problem singing down there, but I am so used to making my voice higher(i.e. playing four year olds) for the parts I play on stage, that trying to do all my vocal gymnastics that come so easily to me normally, are just not happening way down there.
So yeah. I need to get some tips from some people with stellar vocal prowess.
I think Santos is the man I need to employ.
His voice is so low and never boring...and he is my teacher.
So, he's obligated to teach me, right?

Other than all that...
Rehearsals are going very well.
Especially this week.
Getting a lot of the moment to moment stuff down.
And I just love all my little things I have with James and Chrissy.
Tennessee actually knew what he was doing.
"Gives me the shivers"....to quote Maxine, herself.

Then, of course, there is the dreaded hammock.
From Day 1 of rehearsals I went on record stating that I knew this hammock would, at some point, break.
Then I learned that I had to lay down in it with James.
To which I amended my statement to: This hammock will break when MY FAT ASS gets in it with James.

So of course, two nights ago, I go to get in this stupid effing thing, while James is lying in it, and crash boom pow.
I break it and James knees me in the jaw.
Stellar.
Needless to say, I pouted and felt really, really super fantastic about my self for the rest of the rehearsal.
I hate that thing.

Last night they had gotten it fixed.
I gave it another try while we weren't rehearsing, just kind of lounging around.
James and I snuggled for a good 15 minutes.
Even though I dislike it immensely, the picture it creates is so very lovely.
We just lie together and smoke our herbal cigarettes.
Quite nice.

In other awesome theatrical news...I was asked to be a member of Patchwork Players for the summer!
I'm super excited to get to play with Seany P and Allegra.
Because if anyone can make me have a good time before 10AM those two fellas are the ones to do it.
So Yay!
And I think there may be some Shakespeare in my future plans as well.
I'm very much looking forward to all kinds of good times we'll be having this summer!

And, in Baby News.
All my friends who are knocked up are about to pop!
We are having our Broadway Baby Shower this weekend.
Complete with attendance by Cammie West.
Which is a treat in itself!
Of course, that meant we had to double the amount of booze we'd be purchasing...
But I think it'll be worth it!

And finally, in Saints News.
What the hell Scott Fugita?
What the hell?
Now I have to find another defensive boyfriend.
Thanks. A. Lot.

That Hard, Hard Acting....

2010-03-04T12:43:00.003-06:00

In my last post, I completely forgot to "Yay Hurray!" all my friends for their Big Easy Noms!

You people are talented.

And Mr.Marmalade and Damn Yankees and Taste were nominated for many numerous things.
Which is super swell.

I am a little disappointed that I don't get to duel anyone this year.
My Arch Nemesis, Ms. Beck, and myself are nominated in different categories this time around.
You stay away from the Comedy, Beck....if you know what's good for you and that unborn Enchilada of yours.

I will enjoy AJ and Sam dueling for Supporting Actor in a Comedy, though.

Always makes it more fun when you've got a buddy to try and beat!

"I want to eat a gun!"

2010-03-03T14:15:00.002-06:00

Friends.
It has been way to long since we've last spoken!

I apologize for the delay.

Quarter of a Century Birthday Bash went splendidly.
Had a grand time partaking in the Hibachi for the very first time in my little life.
Yeargain and I had actually, both, never eaten at a Hibachi so we got to sit in the front two seats....afterall, we were the guests of honor.

Tons of food, and flames, and bad jokes like...rolling an egg acros the counter while the chef yells, "EGG ROLL!".
And I got shrimp thrown at my face, multiple times.
Success.

For a classier part of my birthday, my family did take me to Galatoire's.
Yum. Yum. Yum.
We had Oysters Rockefeller, Cauliflower au Gratin, Shrimp Remoulade, Eggs Sardou(two poached eggs on top of two artichoke hearts on top of creamed spinach topped with hollandaise sauce), and sweet potato cheesecake.
I feel disgusting just thinking about it.

Two days after the festivities I was lucky enough to travel to Amarillo, Texas for the Region VI KC/ACTF.
Which meant a whole lot of workshops, seeing plays, and judging plays.
Also, while we were there Beau had entered into the Directing competition, and both he and Marshall had been asked to direct 10 minute plays.
Beau had asked me to be in his directing competition scene a long time ago, and I had happily agreed to play "Loud Stone" in a scene from Sarah Ruhl's Eurydice.
"Loud Stone" seems like a pretty easy fit for me.....all of you stop your laughing in agreement.
Caroline was playing "Little Stone" because she is indeed tiny, and Marshall was playing "Big Stone" because he is indeed 6 foot 7.
And on top of it all, these stones are written as 8 year old children.
Brilliance personified was our performance.
How Beau didn't advance for his directing prowess wa beyond us all, but I think we all had a swell time.

I also got to be apart of the 10 minute play Beau directed, Apple Cola Bread.
And that play was selected to be held for consideration to go to the Kennedy Center.
So hurray!
The rest of our time at festival was spent watching plays from around the region.
My mama always told me, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all."
I will abide by this rule for this one post because I don't want to offend anyone who may have had anything to do with any of these productions.

(See....I have learned some things in my wiser, older age.
But if you want to know my true feelings all you have to do is read the title of this post.)

I enjoyed my little vacay because I got lots of quality time with Beau and Marshall and Mr. Hoover and Caroline and Rebecca...
But, I must say...Texas is a very difficult place for a vegetarian to dine.
Especially, when the main attractions include The Big Texan, Home of the 72 ounce Steak!
That place was so scary. Every inch of every wall was covered in animal fur/heads.
The best thing about it was the fact that I got a plastic boot shaped mug to take home with me.
Which, since it included and top and a straw, will be making it's Mardi Gras debut next season.

The best restuarant we went to was Chili's......calm down.....only because they had black bean burgers! Yay! Vegetable friendly.
But other than that...I really don't think anything green or not deep friend is ingested in that lovely city.
Kudos to you....ya'll will outlive us all, probably.

I will round out talking about the trip with my final comment about trying to watch Marshall board an airplane.
6'7" wall of man trying to board one of those tiny express jets is maybe the funniest thing I have ever witnessed.
The end.

*~Favorite Quotes of Trip~*

"I want to eat a gun" --Marshall (as much as I want to claim it)

"If I put 4 1/2 lbs of meat in my stomach I would die." --Kevin

"I'm sure they lept to their feet like freaks!" --David

"Not very often you freak out a clown." --Marshall...he's just funnier on his home terrain.

And now I'm back to the real world, or working and schooling and rehearsing.

Last night was our first off book night for Act I of Iguana.
Not a pretty sight.
At least James and I are funny when we call for lines.
Not exactly calling so much as yelling obscenties followed by a hushed..."line, please".

Tennessee was surely having himself a good laugh last night.
No doubt.

Time for Detox

2010-02-18T16:34:00.003-06:00

Mardi Gras was really fantastical.
I got so many treasures...like a pirate hat (thank you Elizabeth), and a plush Saints spear, and a so many things that light up!

Except for Bacchus when I had to almost get into a fight with these two raging cunt beasts.
Ugh.
I don't want to even get into it.
It angers me to think about them.

Between the last three weeks of Saints Super Bowl madness, and parades galore.
I'm tired.
I'm too old for all this stuff.
I still can barely speak.
Which I guess is good because to get a smooth, clear speaking voice I have to talk real low in my register which is perfect for Iguana rehearsals.

My birthday is this weekend.
I'm pretty excited.
I think birthdays are so important and awesome.
I also believe that should be celebrated for no less than a week, and up to one month!
I'm sad I couldn't have my prom...but alas, if I make it to 30 I'll have one then.
Because nothing says "I'm an official grown up" like taffeta and spiked punch.

Yeargain and I have back to back birthdays so we like to celebrate together some years.
So this weekend will be Delachaise on Saturday for me, and hibachi on Sunday for him.
For some reason he thinks it will be tons of fun to have shrimp thrown in our mouths.
So yeah...
BOYD/YEARGAIN BIRTHDAY BASH should be fun times.
Text me if you want to play anytime with us.

And now I'm sleepy.
And I'm at work, and have to be awake.
And then I have to go to rehearsal, and be active.
Ugh.

Hush.
Let me whine.
It's my birthday week!

Oh, right....parades

2010-02-11T15:37:00.002-06:00

As we have all slightly forgotten, due to magnificent circumstances, it is indeed the Carnival Season.

And what better way to celebrate these circumstances than with a giant parade, with over 300,00 attendees.

The Saints Parade on Tuesday was bittersweet.
Bitter because of the bitter coldness that we all had to sustain in order to reach the sweetness that was OUR SUPERBOWL SAINTS!

I left work early and went and picked up Kristin and Suzannah.
We headed downtown to MiLa, the restaurant James works at.
Stellar deal because MiLa is in the Renaissance Hotel on Common street, two blocks off of St. Charles.
So we could park there and have an easy getaway when the parade was over!

We get downtown and Kristin decides daiquiris are necessary while the temperature is just barely 40.
So we trek over to Bourbon to pick up some frozen-ness.

Then we try and find Alex down near Lafayette Square, but it was pretty much madness by around 3 o'clock so we headed back towards Canal. Found a lovely spot right near the restaurant and James was waiting for us.
Unfortunately, our spot did not include barricades because we were in a wind tunnel in front of a cross street.
Prime locale, ya'll.

Alex eventually walked down and met us and we all proceeded to complain about the cold. And the people. And the fact that we were in a wind tunnel.
But hey, it was all for the SAINTS so eventually it would pay off.

The best thing about our spot was this tall drink of water cop that was standing next to us the entire time.
The entire night I referred to him as my boyfriend, naturally.

Well, after standing around for a few more hours...around 5o'clock my boyfriend and some of his cop buddies just tear through our crowd and start hauling ass down the side street chasing after a purse snatcher.
It was awesome.

Then later on during the night my boyfriend had to physically remove a person standing next to us who was being insanely stupid a rude.
So protective. I like it!

Before the parade started, I was very cranky, sadly.
I was cold, and no where near drunk, and there were many unsavory people all up on me.
James did his best to make me laugh.
Which worked out quite well. We even managed to memorize the first 3 pages of Iguana while on the street.

Once the parade actually started rolling, I got up on the ice chest and I was ready to go!
The boys in black and gold looked like they were having so much fun.
Drew looked smashed. Which is just funny.
Tracy Porter looked like he was having the absolute best time out of everyone.
It was spectacular.

And I got beads from J. Shock and Devery Dogg!!!

We sneaked away from the crowds, got to the parking garage and decided that we had all earned seafood platters for standing in the cold for the past 7 hours.
James, Suzannah and I made a pact to meet at Cooter Brown's.
We were leaving at about 8:30...so we predicted ETA would be 10:00.

Surprisingly enough, only took us both about 25 minutes to get there.
Superbowl Miracle!

We enjoyed our tasty tasty deliciousness and got to watch the Superbowl all over again on ESPN.
Everyone in the bar was hysterical.
They were all cheering and hollering as if it was the first time they had seen it.
I think this cloud we are all floating on will last for quite some time.
And I don't have any problem with that.

Last night we finished blocking Act I of Iguana...2 nights and a whole act blocked.
Not bad...since there is tons and tons of precise blocking.
Which is great for me because, as we all know, I like to be told exactly what and how to do things on the stage.
James and I were running lines for about 2 hours in the green room before hand, and we decided that Beau needs to become uber rich and famous because Chrissy, James and I work so well together. We have this great little triangle bond in all the shows...and Beau loves using us....so yeah.
Become famous Beau, so we can be used for the rest of our lives, please!

Was looking forward to Muses tonight, but secretly I kind of hoped for a postponement.
I need one day off of everything to regroup, stock up for the weekend and go to bed early.
So thanks parade gods....I appreciate the effort.

But, starting tomorrow...Mardi Gras Central will be in full swing!

Happy Lombardi Gras!

2010-02-09T12:22:00.002-06:00

A day that will go down in New Orleans History...

Mitch Landrieu was elected mayor!!!!

Oh, right...and the Saints won the Superbowl.....
Could the city be more fantastic right now?
I mean seriously!
It is so stellar to be a New Orleanian.

What a glorious, wonderful weekend.

Friday night I went and saw Footloose starring my lovely and talented friends: PJ, Angela, Abbey, Scott, Caroline, Dylan, Price, Kevin, Katie and Dwayne.
Frannie directed and choreo'd, and Nat True did the music.
It looked like so much fun to be in that show, despite the ridiculousness of the script.
Just pure fun. Which is always an enjoyable thing to watch.

Saturday was the first day of parades that I watched.
Just one little day time parade, but I got to watch it with Izzy and Dom and Cliff and Sam, and Lynnie who came all the way in town with baby Sam for his first Mardi Gras, and to watch the Superbowl!

Then I went to the Carousel Bar with my brother and family--worst decision of the weekend.
Too many people, and everyone just kind of abandoned me in the hotel.
Nice.

Finally, got home and just couldn't get to sleep.
Way too excited about the big game.
So I decided that watching ESPN till about 4 in the morning was the best thing to do with my time.
The best thing about all the Superbowl coverage was that all the documentaries that were being played were all narrated by JEFF GOLDBLUM.
I took that to be the ultimate good sign.

Woke up bright an early Sunday to head over to Commander's for Jazz brunch with the fam.
The whole place was decked to the nines in Saints gear.
Everyone dining was in black and gold and there was a three piece band walking around the Garden Room playing music.
Amazing.
The food was delicious.
I had a Honey Glazed Fruit Salad to start, Pecan Crusted Redfish with a corn bisque type of sauce, topped with crab meat, and Strawberry Shortcake for dessert.
And a bloody mary, and a few of these Whiskey Smash drinks (whiskey, mint and lemon juice.)
Yummy in my tummy.
My mom took one sip of it, grimaced and said, "I don't know how you can drink that, it tastes like straight booze."
Yup.
That's why I like it.

Towards the end of the meal, I was just sitting their soaking everything in, and my dad was like, "What's wrong with you, you're so quiet."
"I'm just thinking how very sad it must be to be from somewhere else. Thank christ I'll never know what that feels like."
And it is true.
On days like that, I can't imagine being from anywhere else.

Kristin happened to be working that day, so once I was done gorging myself, I joined her downstairs to wait for Alex to pick us up and head to the Quarter.
We got down there fairly easily and found a stellar parking spot on N. Rampart.
We happily walked through the madness over to Le Petit.

Such a grand set-up at the theatre.
They had the little theatre set up like the movies with the big screen pulled down, and the projector going.
We had a table of food set up house right and the keg and booze in the courtyard.

Everyone got there, bedazzled in their finest Black and Gold attire.
We got our drinks, took our seats and the madness began.

Off to a rough start we all decided that we had to switch seats.
So we all moved around trying to get the good mojo going.

At one point I was standing outside with AJ and Cliff and the Saints started driving down field...so I would let the boys go back inside.

To which Cliff says, "Natalie...sometimes it's really hard to be your friend."
And then AJ chimes in with, "Yeah...being friends with you is like cheering for a losing team...its really painful at first, but in the end, it's worth it."
"Meanest thing you've ever said to me, thanks AJ!"
**Big hug** "You know I love you."

Halftime.
We turn up the dance party music, drink and eat some more.
Get back into out newly found "good" seats.

OH MY GOD ONSIDES KICK.
I lost my mind.
We all went crazy.

The best part of this crowd was that we were all yelling and screaming as if we were inside the stadium.
Booing the other team....cheering loudly in support.
Every time we would cheer, and the Colts would not get a first down Lucas would just yell "WE DID THAT! THAT WAS US!"
Amazing.

The game just got better from there.
We were up.
Then the Colts scored.
Down by one.
Keith just starts clapping and saying, "We have a ball game ladies and gentlemen, WE HAVE A BALLGAME!"

Yeargain is sitting next to me the whole time.
A person more nervous than I when watching.
I love it.
He just keeps mumbling to himself "We haven't intercepted it once. We need to intercept it."
I respond, "We're due...don't worry, it's coming. We due for a Pick 6."

OH MY GOD TRACY PORTER INTERCEPTION FOR TOUCHDOWN!
OH MY GOD
OH MY GOD
OH MY GOD

Everyone goes out of control.
I'm just screaming at the top of my lungs.
I start crying.
We are all nuts.
Because at that beautiful moment we all realized.
We were gonna win the fuck SUPERBOWL!

We all start hugging, we throw open the side doors of the theatre and start yelling on the streets.
Then we all slowly start realizing that there are 2 minutes left in the game.
This is Peyton Manning.
Some shit could potentially go down.

Liam starts walking around with a bottle of vodka making us all take, "Get it together" shots.

We calm down, slightly.
We watch as Peyton drives down the field.
We watch as we hold them on third down.
We watch as they DON'T MAKE A TOUCHDOWN!

SAINTS WIN!
SAINTS WIN THE SUPERBOWL!
OH MY GOD THE SAINTS WIN THE SUPERBOWL!!!!

We all rush out into the streets.
The fireworks start going off(of course Kristin, AJ and I start singing WISHES!!)....people everywhere are pouring outside.
Yelling, cheering, high fiving, crying.
Beads are being thrown, champagne being sprayed everywhere.
Hugging and smooching abounds.
It's like you've been in love with someone your entire life, and finally, Sunday, they say "I love you" back.
THE BEST FEELING!

The rest of the night is a blur of black and gold.
Bourbon was amazing.
The drive home with Alex and Kristin....long and tedious.
But so worth it.

I curled up on my sofa and just watched ESPN till the wee hours of the morning.
Watching the post game interviews with Drew and Sean and all the other tremendous players.
I cried a lot.
Especially, since every other word out of their mouths was about how much this meant to the city because of Katrina...blah blah blah.
But, it does make me very happy to hear all the players saying how proud they are to play for the Saints, and how happy it makes them to play for the city.
It is all so awesome.

Monday.
Woke up.
Tried to talk.
My vocal chord scoffed at me.

My first two classes of school were canceled.
I had to go in at 3 for Acting class and Advanced Voice for the Actor.
Hurray for not being able to talk!
Both classes were, thankfully, cut very short.
Had to stay for Iguana rehearsal which was long, but awesome, because James Yeargain is now in the show.
And that just adds infinite amount of happiness and relief into my life.
I had so much fun blocking the first 20 pages...
So much loving up on James.
Going to be so awkward and fantastic.

And that's about it.
I'm at work, anxiously waiting to go to the celebratory parade in the CBD.

I'm going to make a sign that says MARRY ME, MARQUES.

I'll keep you posted on his response.

And the Winner is....

2010-02-04T10:14:00.002-06:00

The awards season down here in the NOLA has official begun.
The Ambie Awards kicked everything off this past Monday night.
And what a kick off it was....

More people crammed into Le Chat than I have ever seen.
Unfortunately, a bunch of us didn't make reservations, but we had no idea we wouldn't be allowed in....especially those of us who were presenting and performing.
C'est la vie.

I sat out around the bar with Yeargain, Suzannah, Alex and Kristin.
Then, Trina texted me that I could squeeze into her section of the room...which happened to be the same section that we were sitting in last year when we became best friends with Mr.Cerveris! (Who I texted with back and forth all night...updating him on the goings on of the evening, finally ending with "we are going to play a drinking game...everytime someone name drops you at this damn thing we're doing shots!" "I hope you get hammered." was his response. And hammered, I got!)

So, sitting in the back corner with Trina, Angela, Frannie, Charles, Lucas and Megan. This woman was sitting a little further away...and you think I talk and comment a lot during these things?...well this woman was in rare form.
She was making all sorts of animal noises and cheering for people...it was hilarious.

I realized this was going to be a very long evening once it started so I went back to the bar to sit with the outsiders.
They had left me!
But they were just next door eating...so I went next door, ate dinner with them, and then ran back over to the theatre when Trina texted me it was almost time for me to present.
I helped with some Glammie awards, handing them out to a bunch of people I didn't know with two other people I didn't know.
I get very uncomfortable around that...so yeah.
But then while I was waiting backstage, a rather tipsy Jason Kirkpatrick was awaiting his presenting turn.
He sees me and is all, "Help me present this award! It'll be hilarious! I'll introduce you as the speaker and I'll act as the signer."
Why not. I was tipsy, he was tipsy, we had all been there for close to four hours.
It was time for a little mischief!
So, we go out there and I realize that I was presenting Best Actress in a Play.
The one category I could have been nominated in, and wasn't!
So I announce this category, "Best actress in a play....hmmm....this is awkward...I was in a play this year....Mr. Marmalade....we all thought it was pretty good.....anyway the nominees are...."
I personally enjoyed Jason's interpretation of The Glass Menagerie the best because he just limped around stage for way too long.
Comic Gold.
Hope we didn't offend the Ambies with our unnecessary ridiculousness.
Mr. Marmalade didn't win anything...but last year's Taste won Best Ensemble, so hurray!
And Frannie won Best Director of a Musical...which she should get because anyone who can wrangle 83 children on stage in a pretty picture deserves an award!

Head back out to the bar, where Jason insists on doing shots with me.
Yikes.
Too much bourbon.
Then Jamie Wax insists that we all go to Delachaise to eat, drink and be merry.
Jamie was already quite merry by that time though, and as we were walking to my car he was screaming, literally screaming at people.
Happy screaming...just very loud happy screaming.
Quite, quite funny.
AJ, Casie, Andrew, Becca, Gabby, Kristin, Alex, Jamie and myself all arrive at Delachaise....we drink waaay too much good wine and share way too many appetizers.
But it was delightful. And such a fun way to end the evening.

Ugh.
I got tired just typing that.

Yesterday the Marquee Award nominations came out.
Mr. Marmalade was nominated for Best Comedy...and Musical....we think it is a typo....or confusion because yes, while I did sing for about 10 seconds and James did do a very stirring version of "I've Had the Time of My Life", definitely not a musical.
Andrew was nominated for Best Director, AJ for Actor in a Comedy, and I got Actress in a Comedy.
And all of our names were spelled correctly!
Small victories.
I'm sure all of that will make for another very interesting night of awards.

I think that's all the theatre news....

I can't really concentrate on anything this week because I feel like everyone in the city should just be sending good vibes to Miami.
I love how he city has just taken to looking at this weekend and Monday as a holiday.
My morning classes have been canceled on Monday, so...win or lose....I will be celebrating heavily.

And I hope everyone has read the "Dear, Miami..." letter that was in the Times-Pic...brilliant.

I've got Black and Gold on the brain...so I really can't say anything else except...

GO THE SAINTS!

Dear NFL (aka No Fun League),

2010-01-29T10:33:00.003-06:00

You can suck it as far as I'm concerned.

The city of New Orleans has been using the phrase "Who Dat" since the early 80's, and the world has been using "Who Dat" since the early 1900's through the 40's within the vaudeville circuit and with jazz musicians.

And you're going to try and trademark the Fleur de lis?
Are you out of your collective mind?
That, my friend, belongs to the French.

Why, oh why, NFL, do you choose to care about this stuff now?
You haven't cared that we've been using it at Saints' games for the past 43 years.

Clearly, you (the NFL) are showing me the biggest display of a "Fair Weather Fan" that I have ever encountered in my life.
Which is saying a great deal, considering, I GREW UP IN NEW ORLEANS!!!!!

I think you will lose this battle, NFL.
Don't you realize that NOLA doesn't really adhere to the same rules as the rest of the country.
We still smoke in bars, we drink on the street, we jaywalk, we talk on cell phones while we drive, people throw plastic trinkets and cups at us from floats during the winter...and we still use the Napoleonic Code.
We're not exactly up to date on "the rules".

I applaud your effort.
I think it is adorable.

But, please...stay away from our stuff.
We already have to worry about crooked politicians and storms taking away the things we love.

Let us be.
You never cared before, and frankly, we liked it that way.

Sincerely,
A Faithful Member of the Who Dat City

WHO DAT!

Where were YOU, when the SAINTS made it to the SUPERBOWL???

2010-01-26T13:03:00.002-06:00

GO THE SAINTS!!!!!

I have no words for this feeling that I have had since late Thursday evening.
I imagine this is what pure joy and elation feels like.
Seriously, I can't stop smiling, and anytime the game is mentioned, or I see it on ESPN...I start getting teary-eyed, and almost cry.

What an amazing game.
Watched it with Yeargain, Suzannah, Kristin and Alex.
We made shrimp and grits with biscuits (how very southern of us), and I brought so much frozen adult beverage...Kristin referred to our mixture of strawberry with amaretto and pineapple a "Daiquiri Brees Explosion".
It was.

I have bruises on my legs from where I kept hitting myself every time we'd get a penalty called on us.
And then we had to go into overtime.
I, at one point, did announce to the lord that if they won I would convert to Catholicism.
Dammit.
I never thought in a million years that Garrett Hartley, the itty-bitty 23 year old who MISSED the field goal against Tampa Bay, could ever make this attempt.
The amount of pressure must have been unreal.
I had to go outside while they were lining up for the kick.
I didn't want to watch...but while I was standing there I could hear the neighbors screaming and I went inside just in time to see the ball go through the uprights...
So pretty.

I laughed, I cried, I hugged people and wouldn't let go.
The neighborhood all around us was screaming so much we could hear it from inside.
People driving around in cars, honking their horns.
It was just amazing.
I'm getting choked up now.
I just...I'm just so so so happy.
I think this may be the happiest I've ever been in my whole life.
A little sad, I realize, but the city is just in a state of euphoria.
It cannot be explained.
It is amazing.

At one point my mother called me, from the QUARTER, drunken...and was yelling at me.."Where are you? Why aren't you down here? SUPERBOWL!"
Classy mom. Glad you have dad to keep you in line.
My brother was down there, too...apparently, hugging and high-fiving strangers.
The amount of texting after the game was insane.
So much joy!

I did not brave the crowd.
I just went back to my house and watched ESPN till about 2 in the morning, and just watched the gloriousness replay over and over.
My favorite thing is when they play the WWL commentators on ESPN over the kick, because they just go nuts.
Before the game I kept telling everyone how I really wish there could have been a camera on Bobby Hebert the entire game, and we could somehow split screen, and watch him watching the game on one side, and have the game on the other side.
Because I imagine he was going insane the entire time.
And I would have loved to see his reaction to the field goal.

I have also decided that a Saints' tattoo is probably in order.
I'm thinking of getting "Who Dat" written on my wrists, or my kuckles.
In white ink.
So you can't actually see it, unless you're really looking for it.
I figure I should stick with my words motif I have going so, Who Dat would be appropriate.

There really isn't anything else to say about this weekend.
Nothing compares.
Taste completed it's wonderful run.
It was stellar.
Final performance had a great crowd, who really enjoyed the localness of the whole thing.
Night of the Iguana read-thru happened last night.
Went well. I had so much fun just reading Maxine...I can't wait to put her on her feet.
Going to be some of the most genuine fun I'm ever going to have on stage.
Ava Gardner is basically the ideal Maxine..I do realize I have a lot to live up to.
But, Beau sent me this amazing quote of her's that makes me feel like we're on the same page...so hopefully I can channel her.
(I think I may have been her in a past life...minus the dark, smoldering temptress-ness, of course)

"I wish to live until 150 years, but the day I die, I wish it to be with a cigarette in one hand and a glass of whiskey in the other."

Indeed, Ava. Indeed.

And let's be honest.
With that type of thinking..pretty safe to say, if Ava were alive today...she'd be rooting for our team.

GO THE SAINTS!

King Cake and Wine...Breakfast of Champions

2010-01-21T13:20:00.003-06:00

I just don't care for the month of January.
The weather is usually unpleasant, and karmic-ally...things usually just don't go well in my track record.
Massive car accidents, massive colds, traumatic experiences abound.
This January has seemingly kept up with tradition.
I have been sickly for the better part of two weeks now.
It's terrible.
BUT--the good news is...I have quit smoking!
Like officially.
James Yeargain and myself started one day apart...and he's been going strong for 10 days, and I'm on my 9th official nicotine-free day!
(small applause is necessary, people)
We text each other back and forth all day with "SMOKING KILLS!" or "BLACK LUNG!!!"
Ya know...just friendly encouragement.
We are each putting five dollars a day in a jar, so that at the end of a month we can buy ourselves something fancy.
James will be getting video games...I will probably just buy things from Amazon...because I have a massive addiction.
Which, I am deeming as totally acceptable, since I have recently lost one of my favorite ones.

I like to believe that I am sickly, and cannot shake this horrible cough because I am no longer smoking and my body is very angry with me....and at the same time trying to get the black out of my lungs.
So, yeah...I guess it's worth it.

The only good thing about January is that it is the beginning of Carnival!
Hurray!
Kristin and I have successfully eaten king cake everyday since January 11.
She likes to think that if her diet consists of ONLY king cake..it's not entirely terrible for you.
Every night of Taste tech week and first weekend of performances we had a different flavor king cake.
Gabby brought this swanky, chocolate one from Whole Foods, I found the beloved Bavarian Cream, cream cheese filled, regular old cinnamon covered in white icing.
Oh, the thought is mouth watering.
The one we are all on the lookout for is the elusive Lemon King Cake. Yeargain has a special request for it, since he...nor anyone I've ever known, has ever tasted one.
My personal fave is the blueberry cream cheese filled...so decadent and unnecessary...just like me!

Speaking of TASTE!
The show is going so well. We had pretty awesome crowds all opening weekend, and everyone really seems to enjoy it!
I have a lot of fun cooking every night during pre-show, and watching the actual show never really gets old to me.
I find new things that are funny every night. The cast is stellar, and seeing Allegra with his haircut and mustache is totally worth the 20 bucks.
Not to mention, the food is quite tasty.
This is the final weekend to see it!
Tonight, Friday and Saturday at 8:30 and...
We are moving the show on Sunday, to a matinee on Saturday @ 2:30.
To accommodate our beloved Saints! WHO DAT!
If you haven't seen it....please join us!
And if you saw it last year...come see it again...its a pretty revised script, and the actor changes make it quite a different experience.

Speaking of the SAINTS!
Are we all looking forward to putting Brett Favre in the same nursing home we put Kurt Warner in?
I am.

School is going well, too.
I like all my teachers a lot...it's uber fun to have Santos and Marshall as two of my teachers.
And I don't completely hate being there, as of now...SUCCESS!
Everything is a bit busier adding school to the schedule, though.
But...we all know I'm happier when I'm busy...even though I bitch more.
It's a weird thing...I think the more I complain the happier I actually am.
It's when I get quiet--that's the time to start worrying.

We had the Southern Rep Bacchanal New Play Riots last night.
There are five short plays being staged and read.
I'm in one called 200 Feet and Counting, by Marco Ramirez.
Allegra directed it, and Jason Kirkpatrick plays my giant brother.
It's really swell, and everyone has liked it a lot. It's my favorite one out of the bunch.
During rehearsal Jason and I got a little teary-eyed at the end, to which AJ reacted...."Don't you dare cry! For christ sakes! This is a reading! Pull it together!"
Thanks, fearless director.

We have another performance of them all next Wednesday, January 27th at 8.
Tickets are 10...and its a delightful evening. Lot's of talented local people, and interesting scripts.

I think that's it for now.
Sorry this was all over the place...all the meds make me a little loopy!
So yeah.

Have a stellar weekend!
See a play, eat some king cake, cheer for the Saints!

...sigh....

Sometimes...I forget how awesome it is to be from this city.

I know some people were offended that....

2010-01-06T12:22:00.003-06:00

I forgot to mention my wonderful friend Keith in the last post.
You may remember him from his "Season of Keith" reign at Le Petit this fall.

It was his birthday on Monday.
He's old now.

And he was nominated for some Ambies.....unlike myself.
Congrats Keith.

I love/envy you and your "mediocre" talents....

Let's see if you ever complain about NOT being in a post ever again.

Happy Twelfth Night, Ya'll!

2010-01-06T11:31:00.002-06:00

A New Year.
Time for a new post.

Hey everyone.
Hope we all had a splendid holiday season.
Which continues into my favorite season...Carnival Season.
Which, happily, begins today!

Did all kinds of fun things over the holidays.
Ate lots of good food, drank lots of good wine, saw lots of good movies (Up in the Air, NINE..(yummy Daniel Day-Lewis), and Sherlock Holmes (yummy Robert Downey, JR).)
And, unfortunately, watched a lot of sad, depressing football games.
Ah, well.
13-3....not the worst thing that could happen to us, right?

New Year's Eve was quite lovely, as well.
Sam, Cliff, Kristin, Alex, Casie, AJ and myself started the evening off by heading over to Jamie Wax's lovely lady friend, Jaci's, house in the quarter for some pre-gaming activities.
Fast forward though lots of gumbo, fancy cheese and whiskey, and we all headed over to Le Petit to ring in the New Year.
Some more people joined us in the girl dressing room/balcony to watch the fireworks and drink waaaaaay too much champagne.
At one point though, Casie was just throwing blueberries into everyone's glasses and it made me laugh a lot.

As the fireworks were exploding all Kristin, Alex, AJ and I could do was yell/sing WISHES!!!! at the tops of our lungs....because that was indeed the theme song to the Disney World fireworks that we loved so much.
Jason Kirkpatrick heard us doing this, and immediately chimed in with his own WISHES!!!
It was pretty stellar.

We ended the night somewhat early, but when I woke up the next day...at about 1:30 in the afternoon, it felt as though someone was drilling railroad spikes through my skull.
Holy lord.
I love champagne so much, and before I start drinking it I know what a terrible hangover it will cause, but once it starts flowing, that care slips right out of my head.
Truly.
One of the worst feelings ever.
Poor Shauna had to come over at like 4 in the evening and pick me up so we could go get food to hopefully make me feel a little better.
It kind of worked...but I think, really, the marathon of You've Got Mail and Ghostbusters was probably far more effective.

So, yeah...2010. Started off pretty painful...can only go up from there.

Moving on....
After a lovely, almost two months, of nothing really to do...the craziness is about to ensue.
I start school on Monday (yay!), I'm doing one of the 10 Minute Plays for the Southern Rep. Bacchanal (super yay!), Night of the Iguana will start sometime at the end of the month, then a week after Mardi Gras the KCACTF in Texas where I have to do a scene from Eurydice for the Directing Competition for Beau.
Way too many things for Natalie's little brain to try and memorize.
Because we all know the pathetic memorization skills I seem to have acquired this past year.
Ah well.
I'm uber excited about everything.
I actually can't wait to be busy.

Give it two weeks.
I'll hate everyone, and everything.

And, finally...
Award Season in New Orleans has officially begun.

The Ambie Nominations came out today and so many of my lovely friends were nominated.
I mean...I wasn't....but many of them were! :-)
The Uprising was nominated for Best Unique Theatrical Experience.
Mr. Marmalade was nominated for Best Comedy, and Allegra was nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Play. So, huzzah for that!

And the Project's Taste was nominated, too....speaking of...it's also being revived at Le Petit, January 14-24. Get tickets now!
A show AND food!
What could be better!

The best thing about the Ambies...besides the fact that last year I got to befriend a Broadway superstar...is that they love to recognize theatre that normally is overlooked the rest of the season.
Especially, the high school/kid shows in the area.
And I think it is pretty stellar that they do that.
Because I'm sure it absolutely makes those kids' day to have their shows be nominated for stuff.
And the adults who work on them deserve credit too...for dealing with all those children.

The sad thing about this season, is that it looks as though my arch nemesis and I will not have any chances of being nominated against each other...seeing as though she didn't dare step into the world of Comedy this year...smart move.

So, you can sleep well at night, Ms. Beck....
I won't be "stealing" anything from you this go 'round.

The Holiday For the Rest Of Us!

2009-12-23T09:51:00.000-06:00

Happy Festivus Everyone!

"Drain the fountain, put the fish in cups, and let's build a fire pit!!!"

2009-12-21T12:40:00.004-06:00

The only reason I am writing in this today is because Amy Pfrimmer gave me such grief last night at the Le Petit Holiday Party.

So, here Amy, here is your damn post!
:-)

For the past two weeks, life has been filled with trips to the casino for major penny slot winnings and magical breakfast buffets, Lisa's Saints' themed birthday bash at Avenue Pub, The Princess and the Frog, latkes, and egg nog daiquiris.
So far, I would say, a pretty successful holiday season.

This past weekend was more of the same.
Well, Friday I couldn't get tickets to the Judith and Harry sing-a-long that Trina always raves about.
And I was completely exhausted from the 8 days of partying I had done prior, so I decided home, on my couch, was the best option.
Slept forever.

Went and had lunch on Saturday with my long lost friend Izzy.
We went to the new place, Catch, on Magazine St.
It is where my old restaurant used to be.
The people from Byblos took over.
It looks pretty nice on the inside, not one...not even two, but 3 giant flat screen TVs adorn the walls.
The food was actually quite yummy, too.
We split a few things...sauteed mushrooms, steamed mussels, a spinach salad with this weird, but awesomely tart raspberry dressing, and a celery root wrapped in smoked salmon with delicious dill dressing.
The best thing about it, though, was the fact that their version of bread service is jalapeno cheddar hush puppies.
I was very happy since I have been wanting one single hush puppy for about 6 months now.
So, yeah.
Goal achieved...tastily, too.
And the dessert crepes were yummy...pistachio cream filled with raspberry coulis on top.
They should do quite well in that locale.

Did the rest of the present shopping that day as well.
Plum is always my go to store.
It's just got the quirkiest little knick knacks.
I love it.
But the best gift I found was for AJ.
Literally, I saw this thing, and new I would never find a more appropriate gift for one of my friends.
I had promised to get him a Saints shirt for Christmas since he is now a bona fide fan.
AJ, also happens to be a large fan of the children's book, Where the Wild Things Are.
Miracle of miracles...there is a t-shirt with the Wild Things dressed in full Saints' gear.
I may have squealed in delight, just a bit.
Hopefully, this shirt will bring better luck than the Franken-Brees shirt he was wearing Saturday night.
(PS..I already gave it to him, so none of this is ruining the surprise)

Speaking of Saturday night.....sigh....
It was sad ya'll.
We know.
I don't want to delve into specifics because it makes me sad.
But I was with Keith, Sam, AJ, and Casie for the last half of the game.
And everyone kept saying we could still pull it out.

Cerveris sent a text that he had just gotten out of his show and could really concentrate on the important things, like the Saints, not Broadway.

Marshall was in TEXAS, in a TEXAS bar, wearing full SAINTS attire.
He kept sending me updates, saying how everyone was giving him a hard time.

And when Keith called the missed field goal from Dallas at the end, not only did we go nuts, but we all really thought that was a sign.
It just sucks that Drew didn't even get a chance to score on that last down.
Getting sacked just blew.
But as Keith kept saying...."13-FUN!"
As long as we don't drift to "13-BOO!", I'll be ok.

Sunday...bar tending for the old White Christmas, and then Holiday party at the theatre.
Quite nice that it was an open bar party.

At one point, everyone was on the balcony watching the drunk caroling going on in the Square(it was led by Becky Allen, can we all just take a moment to relish that very idea)...AJ asks Gary Solomon, "Gary, is the balcony supposed to lean?"
To which Gary responds, "It's charming AJ! It's got charm! And I checked the insurance policy, we're fine should we fall."

At the point of major tipsiness I kept saying how good the chicken looked, and how I wish I ate chicken.
AJ: "Why are you a vegetarian? If meat looks good, just eat it."
ME: "If I'm not, I don't really have anything else that is interesting about me."
AJ: "Oh, yeah, that's totally true. That's really the only thing you've got going for you. Except your giant glasses. You'll get rid of those, too, though, and then dye your hair blonde..and you'll be done for after that."

After this point...AJ convinced me a LUCKY DOG was the best thing I could do to myself.
So he bought me a lucky dog.

Which only conjures thoughts of my friend Kristin Popich, in a full ball gown after the Orpheuscapade, walking down Bourbon ( we are all completely wasted), yelling to us that we have to stop walking because she really REALLY needs a luck dog.
Like you do, when its 3AM and you're trashed on Bourbon during Mardi Gras.

I ate a lucky dog.
It was ok.
About ten minutes later I was sick in the bathroom.
I'm sure it was psychosomatic.
None the less, bad idea Natalie.
AJ was very proud of himself.
Happily yelling, "I just made you eat FIVE kinds of meat."
Ugh.

Yeah...so I guess that's that.
Are you happy Amy?

Hope everyone has a stellar Holiday, and enjoys their shortened work weeks.
If anyone wants to go see Nine or Sherlock Holmes with me.
I will be in attendance for both this Christmas.

And let's keep the support for the Boys going!

14-FUN here we come!

"Maxine, you're bigger than life, and twice as unnatural."

2009-12-11T14:46:00.003-06:00

All right boys in Black and Gold.
Let's make sure that this weekend's game is a lot less stressful than the one in DC last week.
Yikes.

I was watching the game at my good friend Marshall's house when the tides began turning into a very bad direction.
I was so frustrated and angry that I silently removed myself from the living room, and went back into the bedroom where I curled into the fetal position and concentrated with all my might.

I could hear the guys' reactions to everything that was happening in the closing minutes of the game, and being the superstitious human that I am, I refused to move until the team had safely secured an overtime chance.

Slowly, as the game started shifting back in to Brees' oh so capable hands, I tip-toed out into the doorway of the living room.
I successfully got to watch most of the overtime before the boys saw me and started yelling for me to get back into bed before we did something stupid like miss a game winning field goal.
But I didn't, and they didn't, and the glorious streak of perfection was upheld for one more week.

It's a beautiful thing.

Onto a more theatrically inclined post...
I killed at my auditions last week! And I truly never think that I'm anything close to good at most auditions.
Nor, do I ever really think I deserve big roles, but, I wanted this role! And I know I can do it, and do it well.
My only problem is that on stage I look about 19...with the right costumes I can pass for my actual age, maybe late 20s...but c'mon, I've made a career out of highschoolers and toddlers!
So I was very nervous about the looking "age appropriate" factor.
But, I hear make-up can do wonders these days!

So, needless to say.
I am very happy to get to be in The Night of the Iguana for the Tennessee Williams Fest this year!
Huzzah!
I told my mom they were going to have to age me and she said, "To how old? Like my age?"
To which I responded, "Oh GOD NO! Not that old....jesus, mother."
Hehehe. I love teasing my mom about being old.
She has such a problem with it, and she shouldn't.
My mother is stunning and looks about 15 years younger than she actually is.
I just really, really like reminding her that she basically is a senior citizen, especially since she takes Centrum Silver.
HA!

Youth.
Overrated.

I already have the personality of a 45 year old divorcee and the dress code of a vintage librarian.

Speaking of getting older...
My prom is right around the corner, people.
February 20th.
I turn 25.
We are having prom at Southern Rep.
Dress codes, guest lists, corsages, and spiked punch.
It will be epic.
Plan accordingly.

Who is that who says they are going to beat my Saints?

2009-11-30T14:25:00.003-06:00

My goodness it has been quite a long time my friends.

My life truly is un-entertaining when I don't have rehearsals and shows to fill my time.
Anywho.
Just got back from a lovely vacay in Seaside for Thanksgiving.
Went with the fam and my bestie Shauna.
She comes with us every year for Thanksgiving because she's from LA, so she doesn't have any family here to go hang with.
It was our third together.
And we are getting ready to celebrate our three year anniversary. It's a lovely thing that I have Shauna.
Our relationship is tremendously more fantastic than any I've had with any of my long term boyfriends.

The beach was lovely.
I drank too much wine and ate way too much food.

Speaking of delicious food. I'm not even going to go into the fantastic-ness that was eaten all day on Turkey Day itself....but the food in Florida was so yummy! At this little french bistro we bough these amazing strawberry Parisian macaroons.
Holy lord.
And some other random beach front restaurant had this delicious veggie sandwich with zucchini, roasted peppers, pesto, and fresh water mozzarella that was about 2 inches think.
And the last place Shauna and I went to as sort of our final evening date was this little wine bar, similar to Delachaise, I would say. Everything was supposed to be tapas but it was HUGE!
We had a cheese plate with like six different cheeses, a whole sliced orange, apple, grapes, strawberries, and giant loaf of bread. We also ordered a crepe (Which was two GIANT crepes, BTW) filled with field greens, honey, walnuts, and goat cheese.
And, finally we had sauteed shrimp with tomatoes, onions and a Gorgonzola sauce. Everything was so delicious, and gianormous portions.
We were in quite a lot of pain by the end of the ordeal.
But it was vacay, so it was completely acceptable.

I did not want to come back home and go to work.
But I am very much looking forward to this week.

Very important Saints game last night!
Tom Brady is a little girl.
I'm glad we made him cry.
I almost cried from pure elation.

And very important auditions later in the week.
I'm going to destroy people at those auditions.
I have never been so psyched up for an audition in my entire life. It's like all of a sudden my extremely competitive high school edge has come back.
And I will be on the hunt for weak actresses Thursday and Friday.

November was so fun-filled I don't know how December is going to compete.
I am very much looking forward to Celebration in the Oaks.
But I think that's about it.

Ah well.

I'll just focus all my energy onto my fellas in black and gold!

Especially Mr. Fugita and Mr. Colston. (My defensive, and offensive boyfriends, respectively.)

WISHES!!!!

2009-11-11T14:34:00.002-06:00

Oh my.
Where to begin writing about our fantastical trip to the happiest place on earth?
I had such a blasty in Disney World! I guess I'll just go through day by day and share the magic!

**Let me just being by saying that on the plane ride over there, my seat buddy, Randolph...an extremely charming, charismatic man gave me free drink tickets the whole time and told me all about his wife and 5 kids. And then proceeded to inquire about which bar I would be at that evening....I have a gift, what can I say.**

Day 1: The Universal and Beyond

I got to Orlando Wednesday night, while the rest of them (AJ, Kristin, and Alex) arrived at about 7:30 -8o'clock Thursday morning.

At which point they called and were like, "Let's go to Universal Studios! We're ready to go!!!"
I had only gotten about 5 hours of sleep, as had the three of them between all the driving.
So, we all meet up in our room, where I announce I need to take a bag with me, as to hold my massive amounts of crap: suntan lotion, sunglasses,sweaters, camera, phone, etc.
Alex says I shouldn't take a bag cause it will hold us up trying to get through the lines.
Whatever!
I'm a girl, and I need a bag to carry everything!
(By the by, EVERYONE put crap in the bag that I carried. So there.)

We psyched ourselves up on the car ride over for this brand new ride called Rock It.
It's an interactive roller coaster. You basically pick the soundtrack that you listen to while riding this massive thing. The ride goes from one end of the park to the other and in and out of other buildings in the park. It looked amazing.
We get to the park, and it is almost completely empty.
AND NO BAG CHECK LINE!

We immediately go ride The Hulk.
Then Alex takes us over to the Popeye Ride. Which is like a big raft ride through Popeye world. It would have been pretty fun if the ride had not included about 6 waterfalls which completely soaked all of us.
It literally looked as though we had jumped in a pool.
Not happy campers.
Well, Alex was fine...but Kristin and I were pissed we spent an hour getting ready only to have dirty ride water thrown in our faces.

Since we were all completely drenched we went to the Dudley Do-Right ride next...which only furthered our shivering cold wetness.

On to JURASSIC PARK WORLD!
Ahhh it was so glorious, and so much fun to just walk around being way to excited about fake dinosaurs, and quoting the movie non stop.

Up next, Dueling Dragons! The roller coaster with two tracks and two separate cars riding at each other. Literally looks as though your going to A. plummet into the ground and B. hit the other car dead on.
Awesome!
As we were walking over to the other half of the park we noticed the massive new ride Rock It was not running. Highly disappointing. Shut down for the only day we could ride it.

From there we rode The Mummy, Jaws, Men in Black, and the hilarious Simpsons' Ride. The detail for that ride is so fantastic. It's probably my favorite thing in the whole park. AJ's head nearly exploded with happiness since that is his favorite show on the planet.
We left at closing time, went and ate dinner and then we all passed out at around 7:30 that night.
We didn't wake up till 8 the next morning.
Stellar first day!

Day 2: The Kingdoms

Animal Kingdom was up first.
Of course we hit up the Dino Land right after The Bug's Life Show. We had built up how scary this one ride was for Kristin that she just covered her face the entire time and the picture was the three of us laughing hysterically and Kristin's head in her lap. The ride isn't even bad at all...it was just fun to make her nervous.
We rode that one twice so we could get a good photo to buy...the second one involved Alex just staring and laughing at Kristin, her looking stunned by the giant dino and AJ punching me in the face. Memories.

The Mount Everest roller coaster starring the Yeti is uber fun.
We decided to skip the Kali River Rapids ride, since we had gotten sufficiently soaked the day before.

From there we took the monorail to the glorious Magic Kingdom!
So many rides to be ridden: Peter Pan, It's a Small World, Splash Mountain, Thunder Mountain every other mountain you can think of. AJ and Alex even made us go to the Hall of Presidents. I thoroughly enjoyed how each of the four of us separately cheered for our fave presidents, mine being Rutherford B. Hayes....c'mon...who names their kid Rutherford? (Trina, maybe you can start a new trend...)

One of the coolest things that happened was the first entrance of Princess Tiana. She is the first black princess that Disney has created and her movie is coming out in November I think...called The Princess and the Toad. And the whole thing is set in New Orleans! So for her first entrance into Disney they had this massive second line, and the big River Boat all decorated in Mardi Gras colors and she was on the ship with her interracial boyfriend Prince (another first for Disney). And all the music is jazz from New Orleans in the 40's because that's when the movie takes place. It was pretty fun to see and hear all of that.
Finished off the night truly running through Magic Kingdom to the buses trying to beat the mad rush of people who would be flocking that way after WISHES the magical fireworks show was done.

That night we went to downtown Orlando...the very spot a crazed gunman was on the loose, but 6 hours prior to our arrival there.
No worries, they had caught him earlier in the day after her shot 6 people.

We went to a very yummy sushi place where they had created rolls such as: Chicken Teryaki Roll, Cream Cheese, Avocado & Cashew Roll, and Sweet Potato Tempura Roll. Yum.
On to Orlando Nightlife....ugh.
We walked into a bar and sat down and I said, "I'm wearing glasses and vintage clothing...I'm clearly in the minority."
AND they served me "Jameson" in like a plastic condiment cup.
This was NOT Jameson....the bottle had a WHITE label.
I was unhappy to say the least.
But, then we found a little hole in the wall with a lovely bartender and the night was redeemed.

DAY 3: Hooray for Hollywood & The World Showcase

At long last, my favorite part of the trip.
Hollywood Studios and Epcot.
We immediately got in line for The Tower of Terror. My absolute favorite ride in all of Disney. I love the setup for the ride. The creepy old hotel, the 40s music playing the entire time.
Yay! The best.
Hopped on over to The Rock n Roller Coaster! (The Aerosmith ride as everyone calls it.)
Then, Muppets 3-D, The Great Movie Ride (AJ nearly had convulsions because the tour guide was so god awful), and then the tour through Walt Disney's life.

Boat ride over to Epcot and the fun really began!
It was Food and Wine Festival in Epcot the weekend we were there. Which means in addition to all the countries they already have set up in Epcot, they add about 15 more booths from different cities and have wine and food to try from all of them.
Quite delicious and fun.
Soarin' which is one of the most pleasant rides created had a 70 minute long wait, which Alex really wanted to join so Kristin went along as well.
Allegra and I decided sitting on a bench in France drinking was a much better route. So we just sat and chatted for about 2 hours while I proceeded to get pretty drunk off of 4 Frozen Greygoose Lemonades.
We all went and had dinner in China, jumped on the absolutely wonderfully terrible Norway Troll ride, and then walked around the countries.
Whiskey in the UK, pina coladas in Mexico, more Greygoose in France, Spumanti and gelato in Italy, and PURPLE HAZE in the New Orleans booth for USA.
$6.00 tiny Purple Haze, but hey, we were supporting local even from out of state!
We stayed for the fireworks in Epcot, mainly because we were all far too intoxicated to outrun any crowd. It was lovely.
And such a good ending to our vacay.

On my plane ride home the next the pilot played the last ten minutes of the Saints game on the radio for everyone on board.
8-0
Such a good ending to our wonderfully awesome vacay.

So much ridiculously, hilarious things were said and done, but I'll leave you with my three favorite quotes of the trip:

"It's vacation, just pee!"--Alex

"We have to leave Norway so I stop talking like a vampire"--AJ

"If you do not stop I am going to take you home! AND I MEAN NEW JERSEY!"--angry parent

I'm a need ya to calm down!

2009-10-29T12:56:00.005-05:00

Please stop forwarding my blog to people across the NOLA theatrical world.
If they want to read it.
They will.

Otherwise, it's just annoying spam mail.
And no one wants that.

I'm asking just this one time, nicely.
Otherwise. It's going to have to become private.

And I don't want to have to do that.
So, the person doing it.
Please please please STOP!

You've already forced Trina to become completely private.
Which is unnecessary.
So let's all be adults about this, and cut it out.

Thanks.

On a much happier note.
I got new glasses!
They are big, and dorky.
And I love them!
I think I'm hip enough to pull off the fact that they are so geek-tastic.
When you see me, let me know what you think!

"You're on a spiral, and I think I want to be a part of it."

2009-10-27T11:41:00.004-05:00

I'm not even going to explain the debauchery that occurred this weekend.
I'll just say we all had an exceptionally good time.

More importantly....

Halloween is on Saturday!
Yay!

Lisa's dinosaur costume is fantastical.
And Katie as a dragon/dino is just as wonderful.
I have to finish my Lex costume.
And by finish I mean find high waisted 90's jeans and a stupid purple tank top.
And a backpack.
Which will come in handy for holding the Halloween necessities: booze, cigarettes, money, cell phone, and camera. And my hands will be completely free to use all of the listed items.

I cannot believe we are then going to have to do a matinee of Damn Yankees on Sunday.
Rough one, my friends. Rough indeed.
Although, I will say, our past two matinee audiences have been absolutely stellar.
They are just hooting and hollering, and standing ovations. They must just be a bunch of day drinkers that wander in after brunch.
It's been great though. I've never had so much fun doing a play in the daylight.

I'm sad and happy that the show will be closing this weekend.
The entire cast genuinely enjoys each other. We all get along really well.
And everyone is just so funny and entertaining.
I will miss the ladies dressing room sing-a-longs and the ridiculously over the top arguments Picone and I have just to make everyone else laugh.
Ahh...memories.

I'm happy that the show will be closing because then that means...three days later...I'll be in Disney World!
Hooray!
It's going to be such a blasty! I cannot even wait.
Lot's of ride riding, picture taking, and around the world drinking and eating in Epcot.
I hope I actually see some characters this time around.
Last year when I was there, nothing.
I didn't seeing an effing Mouse one time!
It was quite disenchanting.
Because they don't just walk around and take photos anymore.
They have designated times and locations that they go to.
Nothing like when we were little and they would just magically appear in a crowd.

My mom always tells me the story of the first time I saw Minnie Mouse.
I saw her walking up to me and I just stood there with my mouth wide open smiling. And then I whispered "It's Minnie!" And then basically I lost my shit I was so happy and I ran up to her and hugged her.
Apparently it was the most adorable thing I've ever done.

I want that again! I want that magic of character just appearing!
Not standing in line waiting for them to appear in their kiosk.
Dammit Disney!

Whatevs....I'm sure it's going to be awesome....

Almost as awesome as the Saints/Dolphins game this weekend.
Holy hell was that amazing, or what?!?!?!
I watched the second half of the game with Yeargain, Suzannah, and Keith after the show.
Keith said they must've played so poorly in the first half because "they were out the night before getting wasted and singing karaoke at Gennero's....oh wait...that was us."
And Reggie Bush walked through the air for that touchdown.
He finally earned his paycheck for the season with that move.
Such a good game.

I'm in a big, successful, highly praised show (It's true watch our Steppin' Out review, or read the Times.), I'm going to MICKEY LAND next week, and my boys are the only undefeated team in their division....did I sell my soul to Jamie Wax, too?

"Down in Chevy Chase, staying at the Belushi Heights..."

2009-10-21T13:06:00.010-05:00

Well, hello everyone.

What a long, effing week this has all been.

Damn Yankees previews, and eventual opening weekend went quite well, if I do say so myself.

Everyone's reactions to the show have been genuine surprise, and delight.
No one really expects to seriously enjoy a 1950's musical comedy.
But A.J. is just so damn clever, and stupid creative that he makes this show fresh, and funny, and sharp. He sees potential in things that not many other people see.
He's a really stellar director. And I'm very happy about all the good things being said about him and the show.
On a personal note, I think it's pretty hysterical how many compliments I've been given for my little part.
I timed it.
I'm onstage for less than 20 minutes, and I've gotten more nice things said to me about this sad, pathetic character, than I have any business getting.
I guess when you've got something small to work with, you can really make it specific. I had a lot of time to layer on things. Not to mention, I look ridiculous, and next to Lisa's bombastic performance, my "pathetic virgin" (as A.J. so eloquently put it) version of Doris is pretty damn funny.

(Sister & Doris on the balcony)

A lot of going out and staying up way to late occurred this weekend to celebrate a successful opening.
In a more adult move, on my part, I chose to not go out Thursday night.

But resumed my unnecessary amount of having a good time on Friday night at Boondock and Yo Mama's. After drinking about 5 glasses of free champagne at the theatre.
My parents came to the opening night soiree (mainly for the free booze).
But it was kind of adorable when my mom was like, "You're like an actual actor. You were nothing like you were in Mr.Marmalade. You can even play an old lady. You're good at this."

Amazing how it only took 18 years of doing this to prove my point.
Better late, than never!

Saturday night was a rousing evening of turning Boondock into our own private karaoke bar. Jamie Wax and I played so much Journey and Queen it was starting to become embarrassing.
But we all just sang along, at the top of our lungs till about 3:30 in the morning.
That's when we all looked around and realized we had a matinee the next morning, and yelling Freddy Mercury style all night was probably a silly decision.

(The Lovely Lauren Elens. A lady after my own heart.)

(Why is Keith's beer so gianormous compared to my whiskey? Not fair.)

I don't even remember the matinee because I was so intent on listening to the Saint-Giants game where we almost made Eli Manning cry.
Amazing.
Of course it was the best game of the year, and I'm not able to watch.
We just had to listen to the radio in the dressing rooms, and we all had our phones backstage so we could obsessively check ESPN.
Best matinee I've ever been apart of.

Monday night Trina, Chris and I went to the sneak preview of Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant, starring our lovely friend Michael Cerveris. Who was kind enough to invite us to the special screening.
The movie was a campy delight. I loved that Michael was the total bad guy, and Wilem Defoe looked as though he accidentally wandered into City Park while they were filming, and the director just went, "Hey! Wilem! Wanna be in a movie and wear this creeper John Water's style pencil thin mustache? It'll be great!"
And he did.

I enjoyed it thoroughly.

What I did NOT enjoy was stupid Paranormal Activity.
Let me rephrase that.
I love love love scary movies.
But I don't know why I love them because the entire time I am watching them, I am on the verge of tears, and I have to hide behind my giant hoodie, or if it's really bad, just take my glasses off all together so I can't see a damn thing.
Unfortunately, I can still hear everything.
Ugh that movie was disturbing.
If I didn't believe in ghosts that would be one thing, but I totally do.
So , now I get to wonder if I'm being possessed in my sleep and doing terrible things to other people.
The movie was really entertaining and pretty original.
If I wouldn't have taken my glasses off, and covered my face for 80% of the movie I would have more to say about it.
But from what I heard.
It was scary!

And....on the Fetus Fever front, Drew Battles and his lovely wife are expecting a little theatre baby! Also, oddly enough, due in April.

It's starting to get weird, people.

*Oh! My brother is going to Belize this holiday season to teach Mayan children how to read and do math and arts & crafts.
Things of that nature.
Because he is the far superior child.
So if anyone wants to donate to his trip.
Lemme know, and I'll send you the info.
He would greatly appreciate it!
Anything would help!*

Fetus Fever

2009-10-15T11:37:00.002-05:00

The time has finally come.

The time I've looked forward to, slash dreaded for a while now.

All my friends are slowly starting to become real grown ups.
It's a sad, but wonderful thing.

Almost all my best lady friends are married or have live in boyfriends.
Now, slowly, they're all becoming knocked up.
(Meredith had her baby earlier this year. The roundest, most adorable thing ever.)
And a lot of them have the same due date.
It's really quite strange.
The real fun part is going to see all the names they pick out. My friends are quite creative, so I'm really looking forward to that.
Although, I'm not sure anyone will be able to compete with my little bundles of joy: Penelope Faye, Phinnaeus James, and Elliot Ellery*.

*I know some ladies freak out over secrecy of names, luckily, no one else would ever want to name their children any of these, so I have no problem posting them for you.

Normally, this sort of information doesn't make me too worried about the state my own life is in, but it does when my parents start bothering me about it!
And how dare they?!?!
My mother didn't get married till she was 27, and then didn't have me till she was 31!
Woman needs to calm down.
And my dad is no different. But, he has a better hand to play, seeing as though he was 22 when they got married, and 25 when they had me.

I do also enjoy how my father always asks me, "Why aren't you married yet? Or at least living with someone?"

Oh, I don't know dad. It must be because from the line of spectacular men waiting to sweep me off my feet, I just decide....thanks, but no thanks fellas. I'd rather be alone.

What the hell kind of a question is that?
I guess I wouldn't mind the "getting married" part sooner, rather than later.
But, I like beer. And whiskey. And I hear that kind of stuff is bad for a baby.

Then again, my baby will probably pop out with Diet Coke addiction, and a high tolerance for Jameson.

"In Fourteen Hundred Ninety-Two, Columbus Sailed The Ocean Blue"

2009-10-12T15:48:00.007-05:00

The worst day of Tech rehearsal for a gianormous musical, is immediately followed by the most fun day.

Saturday was our cue to cue for Damn Yankees.
It was miserable and terrible. And then the run we did after C2C was long and bad. The whole day was about 10 hours worth of not good.

And the AJ basically told all of us to get our shit together and get funny, and better. He did do it in the nicest way he possibly could, though.
"I love you all as my children" was how he started the speech. Which eventually turned into..."learn these fucking lines."
Which has been a slight problem this entire show.

And on top of it all LSU lost to stupid Florida.
Bad day, to (quite honestly) finish off a not so good week.

Sunday. New day. New week.
We had sitzprobe in the morning. The band is amazing. They rock out on all this music. The show sounds incredible.
As I was telling my pal, Mark McLoughlin (who has never been in a musical), this is my absolute favorite part of the entire rehearsal process.
The sound of that orchestra for the first time is just so wonderful and exciting. It makes the day before always worth the bullshit.
It totally reminds me why I love to do musicals. And how I need to be in more of them!

Side note: I think it's so funny that I used to only do musicals, and for the past two years have really only done plays. This summer doing Leader of the Pack, Will Bryant came up to me and said, "I had no idea you even did musicals. I had no idea you could sing like that! I thought you were just an actor." Lovely compliment. Just very funny, since I used to only be associated with singing. It's a nice change of pace. I used to say I had to do one non musical a year so I could keep my street cred. Now, I need to make sure I do one musical a year so I can keep my geek cred.

After sitz we had a run, and it was much more productive than the night before.
Things are shaping up, we just need to be faster and more energetic and this show will be smoking.

And Jamie Wax is just the best thing ever. He is a tiny little man that I adore, and I just want to carry around in my pocket. He is so damn talented it's stupid. Plus, he is so wonderful and lovely to me. He's like my own little personified anti-depressant.

I've also been having a splendid time with Keithy. We haven't done a show together since high school, and it's amazing how badly we still behave in rehearsals together. It's like we never left Rummel. Mr.G would be throwing Diet Coke cans and scripts at us, no doubt.

We have a preview on Thursday, we open Friday, and then run Thursdays-Sunday till November 1st. If you order your tickets online and enter the code DYFAMILY you get a 20% discount.

ALSO, go see NOLA Project's production of Finer Noble Gases in the Marigny. Two shows for the price of one. After the play a live band performs! How exciting!

And more exciting and important than all of the above information...Kristin Witterschein moved to NOLA this weekend!!!!!! Some of you may remember her as the epic role of SUNFLOWER in Mr.Marmalade.
She's the best.
And now she lives here.
Makes my heart very happy!
And my liver very nervous.

PS. What the F, Mad Men?!?!?!?! That was the meanest thing ever! Why would you do that to that man? Why?

Luck Be a Lady Tonight

2009-10-05T17:09:00.005-05:00

Over the past month, I have unknowingly decided to start enjoying my weekends as though I was an 18 year old, with unending amounts of energy and unlimited funds to spend.

None of this is true, so I should probably stop living this way. About every four months or so, I figure that I've earned the right to live this hard.
I haven't.
And I'm rather tired.
So. Just stop encouraging me, please.

(All my older friends get offended when I say I'm not young anymore, but I'm not as young as I used to be. And things are starting to catch up with me! I'm MID TWENTIES NOW PEOPLE! Let me grieve!)

Friday was our friend Caroline's 21st Birthday.
Naturally, she wanted to spend it in the casino.
She sat down at a PENNY slot machine. Spun once. Nothing. Spun a second time. Ding Ding Ding We Have A Winner!! $500.00 on her second spin ever.
She's going to have a very lucky year, I feel.
The night proceeded on to Pat O's, so Caroline could enjoy her first Hurricane, then we went over to Boondock where shots could be had. By that time it was about 3AM, and like any good drunk, we got hungry. So we WALKED back to the casino. And thoroughly enjoyed us some Harrah's Breakfast Buffet.
My favorite buffet in the whole city. Yum!

Saturday I got to enjoy a LSU victory while watching the game in a house full of UGA fans. Priceless.
Then continued the evening at Southern Rep for Beatles Rock Band playing.
Ah. So, so, so much fun.
I made a new friend, and singing partner in Mr. Drew Battles. He was impressed with my singing while drumming skills. After that we basically duo-ed on every song till we ran out of things to sing. He's got some pipes, I must say. He can wail in that falsetto of his.
And, again, with the staying out till 3AM.
Not needed.

Which takes me to Sunday, where I'm exhausted, from lack of sleep and too much cheering of the Saints! 4-0! SUPERBOWL! Whoo!

Just so tired at Damn Yankees the other night. The only thing that kept me awake was the constant laughing at the fact that AJ has directed the one Asian boy in our cast to speak in a completely ridiculous, slightly offensive, stereotypical Asian accent. And they ran the scene about 20 times because everyone couldn't stop laughing. It was amazing.

Ah, racism. It's even funnier when you're singing.

"Envy is the ulcer of the soul." --Socrates

2009-10-02T11:09:00.001-05:00

So.
I've got this problem.
(It's that I start every post with the word "so".)

No, seriously, I do.

Well, it's not really a problem, so much as a challenge.
There is a person, a girl. Who is an actress in the city. And I use the term "actress" very loosely.
She hasn't been in the city long, but somehow, has managed to cause a tremendous amount of stress for myself, and a few of my dearest.

It's not like she has done anything seriously heinous, just her entire being is seriously heinous.
I just don't understand her, and her crazy, delusional dream world that she lives in.
Where she is the almighty talent, and can be taught nothing, and is too good for most theatre here.
It must be so nice to live there.
I would like to visit sometimes, see how it feels to consider myself perfection.

I would normally just laugh about people this coocoo, but recently, some new shit has come to light (to quote Big Lebowski, if I may).
And if you're going to cry, and moan, and complain because you didn't get a part, that is one thing.
But, if you're going to threaten to go to others, and start demanding that certain people (ME!) don't get roles because it's not fair?
Then you're just a little bitch, and you don't deserve the role.
Fucking act like a grown up. A professional, maybe? Since that's what you consider yourself to be.

I've never done anything but out audition this girl.
I can't help that. I'm doing what I love, and do moderately well.
Some people are just better for certain roles.
Sorry.

And if said person is also going to go around to their current fellow cast mates, and talk about how miscast a certain person (ME!) was in a past show, and how she could have done it better.
Shut the fuck up.
If you would have been better, you would have been cast.

And more importantly, if you have such a problem with me, my abilities, and the fact that I will always get cast over you, come talk to ME!
Don't go complaining to everyone else in the city.

No one wants to hear it, or you.

Sorry. I just needed to get all of that out so I don't accidentally destroy her with words next time I see her.

Clearly, I'm speaking about Trina Beck....my theatrical rival/nemesis.

(And clearly, that last remark was sarcasm. I don't want the rumors to start....at least not those rumors.)

I'm Just a Small Town Girl....Living In a Lonely World

2009-09-30T15:48:00.004-05:00

This past weekend.

Where shall I even begin.
Friday was uneventful. Except for the fact that I was so excited about the following day that I could barely sleep!

So, Saturday. The blessed, glorious day I've been waiting for, for what seems like years of my life.
JOURNEY DAY!

(As some of you may have witnessed on Facebook, I had a slight problem with the purchasing of my Journey concert tickets.
When I thought I had booked them through ticketmaster, I really hadn't.
It was just a funny little lie that the website was playing on me.
Ha ha.
Funny. Real nice, everyone.

Apparently, the universe hasn't learned that it's not an OK thing come between me, and my band.)

Alas, my Dad...being the Dad he is, found a way to get me two tickets to the sold out concert.
Tragedy avoided.
Unlike the last effing time Journey was in town, and I was doing a stupid play.

So, Saturday afternoon, like any good pre-gamer would do, we went to Port of Call, so the boys could get burgers, and I could get a baked potato, and begin the Day Drinking!
Two Monsoons later, I was feeling quite pumped for Journey.

The Day Drinking continued...then I made cupcakes.
Don't really know why, I was just in the mood for Funfetti.

Then, the time had come.
Glazebrook was finally done taking the LSAT, and it was time to pick him up,and head to rock and roll fantasticness.
We got there, immediately purchased (as Sean called them) "extremely manly" frozen pina coladas, then took our seats.

Night Ranger opened, and they were pretty wonderful.
They of course closed with their biggest hit, "Sister Christian".
The sold out crowd of middle aged women, and the biker men who love them, went crazy.

At about 9:15 the wonderment began.
The lights dimmed, and the beginning notes of "Separate Ways" started to be played.
I was so happy. I couldn't even stand it!
The little Asian man, as I have lovingly referred to as, "Asian Steve Perry", took the stage and to everyone's delight, creepily sounded exactly like Steve Perry.
They found this guy on YouTube, singing Journey, and then Journey asked him if he would be their new lead singer.
Sweet deal.
He was awesome. I just closed my eyes, and it was just like Steve was actually there, singing just to me....and Sean.
The other awesome thing was to see and hear Neal Schon play all those famous guitar solos. Since he is the only remaining original member touring, it was pretty stellar to witness that.
They played more of their new stuff in the beginning, but then played all the essential greatest hits: "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin", "Wheel in The Sky", "Open Arms", "Lights", "Faithfully"(which is what made the crowd go the craziest, strange to me), "Don't Stop Believin'", and "Any Way You Want It".
It was so good.
I couldn't stop singing and smiling.
So worth everything.

After the concert, since we were celebrating Sean's birthday, we went and met up with Larimer at a house party uptown.
Then everyone decided to go to this Hipster Tree house.
Needless to say, I wasn't very thrilled.
It was slightly in the scary part of town, and it cost me five dollar to go associate with naked hipsters, who were in a tree house.
Granted, the 3 story tree house looked straight out of the movie Hook.
It was pretty amazing that hipsters had actually built all of this.
Rope ladders, and swings, and a hand dug swimming pool WITH a water slide.

Literally, looked like Lost Boys built this.
If only there had been less of the naked going on.
I maybe would have enjoyed it more.

Sunday, equally as fun.
Saints game.
3-0.
Nothing more needs to be said, my friends.

Damn Yankees rehearsal.
I'm going to just go ahead and let everyone know that Picone and I are funny. Like, damn funny.
I never knew I could make people laugh without saying one word.
Who knew "sad virgin" would be a hoot?
Allegra knows his comedy.

Then we all headed over to Boonedock to continue celebrating Glaze's and Carrie's birthdays.
Uber fun. Even though Sean was a creeper with his chest hair Chester, and scary Scottish voice he has invented to torture me.
We also nailed down a few more people for our Jurassic Park themed Halloween group.
That's right. Jurassic Park, people. Lot's of plaid, bandanas, back packs, and movie quoting.
Picone is going to be a Pterodactyl and Yeargain is going to be a
Dilophosaurus. The dino that has the big pretty fan thing around his neck, and spits poison on people.

It's going to be great when he gets into a bar fight that starts like this:
James spits on large man, large man gives him the "what the fuck face",James responds, "What?? I'm a dinosaur!"

I'm going to be Lex. After the giant dino sneezes on her.
And I'm going to walk around the whole night saying, "What's gonna happen to
the goat? It's gonna eat the goat?!?!?!"

Going to be dino-rrific.

Strike Three, I'm Out!

2009-09-23T17:38:00.003-05:00

So.
Couldn't manage to get myself a part in With a Bang, either.

That's three shows I've auditioned for with fairly undesirable outcomes.

I'm done for the year.
I'm not auditioning for anything else until the new year begins.
Nothing.

I don't care if someone is casting Hello, Dolly and they are specifically looking for a Dolly Levi that is 5'2", rather curvy, has bright red hair, is too young for the role, and glasses.

Because I'd go audition for that, and somehow....someone else would get it.
It's just not my season.

Such is life.

On a much happier note.
I finally played The Beatles Rock Band last night with Izzy and Dom.
It was splendid.
Super splendid.
I was like a child...well, I am like a child. But it just made me so happy to visit with my long lost friends and sing Beatles music.
The only complaint I have is that there is no option to sing "Ob la di, Ob la da", my absolute fave song!

"You've got to admit, it's getting better....Getting better all the time...."

And it will....eventually.
:-)

"Forgive, O Lord, my little jokes on Thee; and I'll forgive Thy great big one on me."

2009-09-22T17:11:00.003-05:00

Why has this happened.
I'm not a terrible person.
I make some mistakes....but why, oh why, must I miss the Journey concert TWO TIMES in one very short lifetime.

Really? Really?

The first time, I was in a show. Which I very seriously contemplated about not doing because I would be missing the concert.

And now, under none of my own control, Ticketmaster has ruined my day.

I went on to check about my tickets, just to look at how beautiful they were, and oh, lo and behold, my tickets are no where to be found.

THERE WAS AN EFFING ERROR!
WTF, Ticketmaster, WTF!

And now, I think it is sold out.
Because I tried to search for available tickets and THERE ARE NONE!
And the only ones I can find on like ticketstub.com are like 200 bucks.

I literally cried on my lunch break.
I'm so disenchanted with everything right now.
I might cry again.

And to top it all off, really, Mad Men??
Seriously, we are cutting off limbs now?

What a day.
A sad, sad, pitiful day.

"Learn How To Tell Someone To Go To Hell, So That They'll Want To Go"

2009-09-21T14:14:00.002-05:00

I got that post title from the Emmys last night.
Writers and directors are funny.
They are awkward, strange looking, funny people.
I like them a lot.
And that is really stellar advice.

So yeah. The Emmys. I was happy with most of the winners.
Always happy when 30 Rock wins, because it is the funniest thing on television. Even as big a fan as I am of The Office, I'm sorry, there is just something about Alec Baldwin that cannot be outdone. HI-larious.
And of course, Mad Men won.

And to top it all off Neil Patrick Harris was a pure delight.

This weekend was pretty productive...yeah I guess that's what one could call it.

Friday night rang in the New Year!
Clumsily, sleepily, fell and re-injured my knee.
Top notch, Boyd.

Saturday auditioned for With a Bang at Southern Rep. Had a blasty...(ha. pun actually wasn't intended till after I just read it.)

Then I went and saw AIDA at Le Petit.
What an effing ordeal it is to try and be nice and volunteer for a theatre you work at.
I was ushering upstairs in the balcony, so I could earn my free ticket.
First off, this rather tall man comes over and complains to me about how his legs do not fit in these seats.
"Well, sir, I am just a volunteer actor I suggest going downstairs and speaking with NICK THOMPSON. I'm sure he has nothing better to do than accommodate your gianormous stature."

Then, at 8:08, well after the show should have started I get two ladies and a baby waltzing in trying to sit in their seats.
Well, someone else was sitting there. Two men who were "Subscribers!" who had changed their night from last week to this week bullshit bullshit blah blah. But they refused to move to two other seats a couple of rows back. And of course the ladies start yelling at me to do something.
"I'M ONLY AN ACTOR. I'M VOLUNTEERING. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU WANT ME TO DO PLEASE STOP YELLING AT ME MA'AM!"
Then Jamie the fantastic stage manager starts saying (loudly), "It is after 8. You lose your tickets! You have given those seats up."

It was great.

Poor Nick and Johnathon had to come up and deal with everything.
While Solomon got on stage to calm the restless audience down, thanking them for their patience.

Them musical theatre fans be rowdy!

So yeah, AIDA was interesting. Ab-tastic is how I would describe Keith. With a touch of Billy Idol.
Leslie sounded fantastic. Her solo at the end during her wedding preparations was the best in the show. James was very funny.
Some odd choices here and there.
But the best stuff was the African dancing, and the pictures onstage that Donald created with the gorgeous lighting. It was just a really exceptionally stunning show to look at.

Then Sunday morning, callbacks with Aimee, Seany and Bartelle.
Made me oh so happy to get to be in that theatre with those people all over again.
It was about this time a year ago that my world changed. My whole little theatre life was flipped right side up from Speech & Debate.
And I started my love affair with Ms. Hayes, and those two glorious fellas.
I know I often thank Speech & Debate for the many awards and accolades it brought to me (Because those are the really important things in judging my own personal self-worth), but I'm really, really happy that I have Glaze and Bartelle. The best thing a wonderful director could give you...two lovely friends.

And do not think that I am only writing all that because I know Aimee reads this, it's true. I thought about it a lot yesterday.

And, again, SAINTS WON!

Superbowl.

Yeah. I said it.

Ahoy Mateys!

2009-09-18T13:34:00.002-05:00

In case you are unaware, of one of my absolute favorite holidays is tomorrow.
No, not Rosh Hashanah. Although the Jewish New Year is pretty wonderful. Who doesn't like apples and honey, right?

But no. Tomorrow is indeed national, "Talk Like a Pirate" Day.
I've been happily celebrating since I was in highschool and my friend Jacob Mayer informed me of this glorious day.
So. Yeah. Everyone should talk funny tomorrow. It's a hoot!

Speaking of TLAP Day, I always like to share my favorite, most embarrassing waiter story I ever had.
(It involves piratry, don't fret.)

So I was waiting tables at the good old Bistro, and I got a table with one lady sitting at it. She was wearing an eye patch (fantastic!).

It happened to be the weekend of October that the Pirate Convention was in town. Yes folks, New Orleans has a Pirate Convention every year. It's stellar.
So I ask this jaunty lady with an eye patch.
"So, you going to the Pirate Convention?!?!?! I can't wait it,s going to be awesome!"

To which this poor woman just sat there and looked at me like I was crazy.
"What convention?"

"Oh nothing.....never...I mean...I just thought maybe...nope. Forget it. How about something to drink?"

Yup. I did that.
So word to the wise, don't just assume that eye patch = Pirate Convention. Apparently, and eye patch isn't enough to qualify you as a Pirate.
You need at least one other distinguishing mark: a fluffy white shirt, or a peg leg, or a parrot on your shoulder.

Anything other than just an eye patch.

**On a completely different note, check out Kevin's blog.
It's pretty funny. And if you know Kevin Marshall, it's even funnier.**

I'm One of THOSE Actors Now

2009-09-11T19:42:00.003-05:00

So.

There comes a point in every performer's life that they decide, they have to be a little more specific in the roles they chose to accept.

I never really wanted to become one of those actors.

I admit, it is far more fun to have a named role, than it is to be in chorus.

My actor ego has been quite beaten these past two weeks.

I didn't get the part I really wanted in Damn Yankees.

And I didn't get anything in Footloose. I was offered chorus. I'm sure one would say, "featured chorus", none the less. I didn't even manage to get one of the silly, giggling side-kick roles I thought I'd for sure be a shoe in for.

Nope. Just chorus.

And that sounds so incredibly ungrateful and bitchy.

But, I was a little surprised. And my fragile ego was hurt. (Don't be mad at me Frannie.)

I realize they are just shows, and they are super fun to just be in them. But, honestly, it's way more fun when you get the part you really wanted.

Otherwise, you just sit there judging every last choice the actor makes, or the note she sings.

And why do I want to be that stupid to my friends. It's just silly.

Anyways. So yeah. I'm sad about both of those shows.

I'm gonna audition this weekend for a UNO show that I'm sure I won't get.

And then, next week is Southern Rep. which again, almost positive I won't be getting anything in that either.

Boo hoo. What an effing pity party this is.

Everyone feel bad for the girl who had the best time last year, won all kinds of silly awards, and just got through being the lead in a hit NOLA Project show.

Boo effing hoo.

While I'm complaining about things I hate....I really am tired of people telling me I'm funny looking, or that I'm "not the right look" for certain roles.

I know it just means I'm fat. ARGH. Ok. Enough of that.

On a much, much more pleasant note I saw The Last Days of Judas Iscariot last night.

Loved it. I love the play to begin with, but I thought the cast and direction was super solid.

Yeargain did great. He is so good it hurts sometimes. I told him last night that I realized the only reason he did Marmalade was so he could watch adults acting like children, and steal everything we did for one of his scenes in Judas.

Joyce Deal was also A-mazing. I'll never think of Catholic saints in the same way, again.

Kirkpatrick was equally amazing. Liz's coif, accent and bedazzled white pleather jacket...equally amazing.

And making Gore break on stage was just the icing on the very scrumptious cake.

Go see it. It runs tomorrow night and Sunday matinee, and then next Thursday through Sunday.

Ok. Sorry for all the complaining.

It was lame, I realize.

Lest we forget, I'm an overdramatic actor.

Self loathing, blaming others for all our problems, and desperately needing the pity/love of others come with the territory.

What's Become of Me?

2009-09-04T15:23:00.002-05:00

I had a startling revelation just a moment ago.

I've basically become everything I hate, and used to make fun of in the technologically advancing world.

Let's take a look, shall we?

1. I own an iPhone--the only way I justify that it is ok for this to be apart of me is because I do not have a computer, and I need some way to check my email 500 times an hour. And update facebook daily.

Which leads me to...

2. I am fully committed to facebook. I check it obsessively. I update my status at least daily. I upload photos, comment all the time on other people's things. It's not so much a problem though, because it is a very important networking tool. And it's super fun. And at least I usually put intelligent quotes as my status updates. That makes me seem a little less loser-ish, some might say pretentious. Ah Well.

3. I have an effing Twitter account. Which I always forget about, and then realize I've neglected it, go on to the site, and immediately post something. Mainly, because I know I'll get criticized by people if I don't update in a timely fashion. BTW, what the hell is the point of Twitter anyway. See I don't even know why I have one, yet I do. Absurd.

And last, and certainly not least...

4. I HAVE A BLOG.

I always made fun of people with blogs. Always. They just seemed so selfish, and narcissistic, and ridiculous.

Then, Trina got a blog. And then other really amazing things started happening with blogs. Like Stuff White People Like, Look at That Fucking Hipster, and Texts From Last Night (those are just a few of my favorites.)

And being the linguistically oriented person that I am...

I do like to write in this silly little thing.

I mean I keep so many journals and note pads at my house, the next logical step would be to have a blog.

I've already started my book of memoirs a la David Sedaris.

So I guess when that finally gets around to being published my blog will become super famous, and then maybe it'll turn into a nationally recognized blog with sponsors, or maybe it'll get mentioned on the Today Show, or maybe turned into a movie.....

The possibilities are endless.

Anyway...

So yeah. I hate everything about myself that I just listed.

Truly, the only way I could be more of a hypocrite, is if I started eating meat, and joined a sorority.

"This song is nothing without George Michael."

2009-08-31T16:06:00.005-05:00

What a fantastical four days I've had.

Thursday night took the fellas (Sam, James, Sean) to Creole Creamery. Had my favorite flavor which is the delectable Oatmeal Raisin Molasses Cookie. Yum.

Then, Friday was Sam's birthday.

And I got a new job! Which I'm super excited about.

I think it counts as an actual grown up job. Nine to five, five days a week. I never have to again request off nights or weekends for my shows.

What a lovely feeling.

Saturday was Sam and AJ's Birthday Extravaganza since they both turned 24 two days apart. They decided their theme would be: "Sam and AJ are 20 Years Older Than Katrina." Since, it was indeed, on the anniversary.

A very lovely distraction indeed.

Brought my record player over to the house and played DJ for as long as I could, before all the whiskey kicked in.

(The said whiskey.)

(Speech & Debate all grown up)

(The more drunken I get, the more I smooch people.)

Some of the finer moments of the evening included, but not limited to:

When I was sitting on the couch with AJ while Elton John's song "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me" was playing, and AJ just says, "This song is NOTHING without George Michael."

True that.

When Shannon Miller, former TD at JPAS and current TD at UNO came in, dropped off a huge box filled with liquor, told everyone hi, and then peaced out.

Or when Martin and Cecil Covert came in, started pulling out giant bottles of booze from their bags. Martin pulled a giant bottle of vodka out and just looked at me and went, "We knew you'd be here."

And lastly, Suzannah just yelling loudly, and turning to me to say, "It's fun to yell!"

I have some peculiar/spectacular friends.

I got quite intoxicated, but not nearly as bad as Mr.Glazebrook. His behavior was similar to when he was drugged up after his surgery. It was pretty hysterical. I had to put him to bed for fear of furthering the drunken embarrassment he would inevitably eventually face.

All and all. Successful party.

Then yesterday morning we went to breakfast to celebrate AJ's actual birthday, and by breakfast I mean we went to Slim's at about 12:30 in the afternoon once we had all crawled out of the dark caves of bedrooms, regained enough balance to walk, and found our voices we had apparently smoked away.

Then last night, District 9.

Really wonderful film. So detailed, and gross, and awesome.

I thoroughly enjoyed how every time something disturbing and gross would happen AJ would just cower into himself and mumble, "I can't take much more of this." He managed to man up, and stay through the end.

And the SAINTS won!

Something bad is going to happen, isn't it?

Damn it!

"Your's Forever, Mr.Marmalade...."

2009-08-27T15:06:00.005-05:00

So.

Mr.Marmalade came with a fury, and left in a hurry.

A grand total of three weeks, and we are all done.

I'm kind of sad. I

wish we could have just done one more

weekend. Especially, since we had gained so much momentum by the second go round.

Damn you, AIDA.

Ah well. We all had a blasty.

And I think Kristin is actually considering moving her wonderful little self down here for an extended period of time. Which will be quite the great thing because I just adore her. She has single handedly restored my faith in the state of New Jersey. Which is no easy task, believe me.

Now for the next two weeks I'm back to Boring Natalie, where all I do is complain about my stupid job, complain about how UNO jerked me around all summer, and now won't let me go to school this semester, and watch too much television.

Then, luckily, Damn Yankees will begin, and I'll have something to occupy my free time with.

Because we all know once I start sitting around my house, by myself for too long, I start busting out the old VHS copies of Beaches and The Way We Were.

Then it's all down hill from there.

P.S.

Inglourious Basterds was fan-fricking-tastic!

Best World War II movie I've ever seen.

Eli Roth is my new boyfriend.

Go see it. Immediately.