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 CRAWFISHDAY!
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 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.
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!
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.
My deliciousness
