Apparently last month, there was a performance of Chess The Musical in Concert in London with Josh Groban as Anatoly, Idina Menzel as Florence and Adam Pascal as Freddie. From the youtube shots that I've seen of it, it was amazing. Also there's a DVD of the concert coming out later this year.

This is Idina Menzel and Kerry Ellis singing "I Know Him So Well".

this is the way to spend mother's day. glass after glass of homemade bourbon slush.

Went to Chris' aunt's for mother's day and unfortunately, there was drama. I really can't go into it, but all I can say is that his mother is being an overbearing, over-reacting drama queen. So,I induged in the slush.

And it was good. oh, so so so very good.

It's hard to believe that Chess is over with. I don't think I've processed this completely yet. I want to stay in contact with the friends that I've made with the show. hopefully, with this blogger, i"ll be able to.

My mind is racing with thoughts of the cast... Allie's infectious smile, Robert's gregariousness, Thurm's dry and completely hysterical sense of humour..... even April's energy. I'm going to miss seeing and experiencing them on an almost daily basis.

Huh, looks like the post- show depression is starting to creep in.

after show dinner at nicholson's

Three down, four to go. and I bet y'all are sick of me talking about this show. Oh well, c'est la vie.

Today's matinee had to have been the strongest perfomance we've given yet. Everyone was just on, the scene changes flowed well. From what I heard there were a lot of theater people there today, which just added so much more energy to our performance.

it's going to be weird not seeing the cast for a few days, but after spending the past 10 days with them, I think we need a break, just to re-group and rest.

I'm going to be nice and put this behind a cut since it's big, but here's a pic from Monday when the crew were working on the set and it was set up for Bangkok:

( Bangkok techies hard at work )

Tomorrow is Chris' birthday, so his family is doing the cookout thing at his mom's house. Plus, I'll be working in suburbia this week, so baloo_2u, if you want to do lunch I'm available tomorrow through wednesday. you still owe me a birthday lunch... :-)

I just woke up and I have to be at the theater in like an hour,so here's a quick recap:"

The show is rockin'...... Thanks to theatercub and queensheba for coming last night to see it (I was looking for ya after the show Dani but you and Mike must have left right after....)

Last night was the cast party at Allison's place (Allison plays Florence, the female lead) and it was a great time with some good munchie combinations:



Who knew that Brie and White Castles went together?


Or, if you please.... Scotch, dates, cake and cheetos?




Everyone had a great time at the party, including Maddy, the 90 lb. Golden Retriever. She loves company.




one more show... then two days off!!!!! YAAAAY!!!!

In the middle of HELL tech week.


They are right. Tech week is HELL week.

Ran the cue to cue tonight and it was very difficult because there are so many cues to remember. The cast is doubling for the stage crew, and it seems like we're getting reassignments on a daily basis. It also seems like Chuck and I are moving the wagons in 80% of the show. And believe me, those wagons are a bitch to move, even with the lightweight construction and the casters. I'm not sure I'm able to make my quick changes....... then again, when are my quick changes?

I occasionally hear about the guys in the chorus (CMC, not CMT) complain on how difficult tech week is for them when we get to perform the men's chorus concerts. All I can say is until you've worked community theater, you have no idea how pampered and easy teching a chorus show is.

Anyway, even with all my bitching, it's still going to be a terrific show.

I got my stitches out from the little hand surgery last week, and my pathology report wasn't ready. Dr. Fassler called me later when i was at work and told me that he Pyogenic Granuloma was not a correct diagnosis. The pathology report came back stating that by judging the type of cells that were in the growth, I had Dermatofibroma. It's still a benign growth, so I'm still a happy camper.

ok, time to go to bed.

I'm sure everyone's heard of the old wives' tales- "Bad things always come in 3's".

Well, tonight was no exception.

Matt, one of the guys in the show was helping move the big set piece and the railing at the top of the piece catches a light fixture. The fixture falls, and nails him in the head.



He's okay... he has a mild concussion and will be fine in a couple days.

After the accident, the first act just fell apart. nobody could remember lines, timing was off, cues were wrong. We were having a hard time coming back from this.

Now, where does the 3's aspect come into play?



Miss Sarah, with sprained ankle from falling down stairs at her place. also heard that Melissa, another cast member did something to her feet and left early.

Glad this is happening now versus next week. But still, people left during the rehearsal, the piano player just up and left at 10pm tonight.... Mark had to fill in as accompanist.

Does Anyone have any good luck karma that they can throw our way? I'm sure we can use it.

Now that the accidents have happened, can we have a good run now?

I Know Him So Well

Everytime Allison and Kelsey sing this song, it moves me. I think it's amazing the way they sing it.

Last night, we moved out of our normal rehearsal space in Norwood to the Warehouse space where the sets are built. I think the sets are simplistic, yet very brilliant. It's remarkable to see the working model 6 months ago which was no bigger than a shoebox and see it visualized into this beheamoth of a set. Here's the set/staging for "I Know Him So Well".....



Tomorrow is the last rehearsal before load in to the Aronoff. I'm so frickin' nervous about this show.... I think it's more anxiousness than nerves. One good thing is my aunt/godmother is coming down from Toledo with my mom to see this. They're both excited to see this show. My aunt has never seen me perform onstage and she never travels anywhere, so this is like a bonus for her.


now for the pimpage of the post.... click the link below for tickets!!!!

I haven't pimped this enough yet....



CHESS!!!!

Set against the backdrop of the Cold War in 1986, the ancient game becomes a metaphor for romantic rivalries, competitive gamesmanship, super-power politics and international intrigue. A true rock opera with score by Benny Anderson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (ABBA, ‘Mamma Mia!’) in collaboration with Tim Rice (‘Evita’, ‘Cats’, ‘Aida’). The score includes such tunes as ‘Nobody’s Side', ‘Anthem', ‘I Know Him So Well', and ‘One Night in Bangkok'.


If you're in the area, come see it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Click on the picture above for tickets....