Friday, April 30, 2010: Max and Elsa

Me with my buddy, Sean--MAX!

I had an awesome turnout at the show tonight!  My friends from teaching at West Avenue, Kate and Dawn and their families came!  So did Patrick and David.  And, of course, my momma!

It was a great night.  :)

Thursday, April 29, 2010: Opening Night

3 of the von Trapp Children

Some of the kids posing for "So Long, Farewell" in the dressing room.

Saturday, April 24, 2010: Costume!

Elsa's "day look"

Got the most fabulous costumes today...with "a little help from my friends."

Saturday, March 20, 2010: Down and Dirty

Planting flowers on the first day of Spring!

Today's been an eventful day!  I met Nicole to get my wig for the Sound of Music.  Then we ate lunch at Nifty Fifty's, and I bought flowers.  After I came home and took ella for a walk in the field, I planted all the flowers, and even moved my hydrangea plant (which was NOT easy!).  It felt so good to get down and dirty planting flowers on the FIRST DAY OF SPRING!

Sunday, 2/21/2010: The arrival of Frau Schraeder

One of my scenes (with blocking noted)

This afternoon, I had my first rehearsal for The Sound of Music. First, we learned and sang our song (it's called "No Way to Stop It" and it's NOT in the movie). That was so much fun. Then we got down to the nitty-gritty and began blocking. I've completely and utterly forgotten how insanely HARD theater is! I have not done a show for ten years, and I'm having a hard time breaking myself back in.

In high school, singing, dancing and acting were all so integrated into my life (and, come to think of it, my self-definition) that being in a show--being a lead in a show--was like breathing, or walking and chewing gum. I'd started appearing on stage in third grade, and by twelfth, it was old hat for me. It came so naturally. I remember it being so embedded in me that while center stage in the spotlight singing one of my solos, senior year, I caught myself thinking about what I was going to do after the show, and my unfinished homework for Bio II class, and some other nonsense, in front of a live audience! I had an entire stream-of-consciousness conversation with myself during my performance.

I am so very far, far away from that at this point. Now, I got a little nervous just singing in front of the choral director and my two fellow actors...and a little intimidated acting in front of the director and the same group of thespians. I'm really hoping the opportunity to "get my feet wet" will build my confidence back up somewhat. And I think with time, practice, and perseverance, it will. I'm really grateful not to have a bigger part!!

Here's the shameless plug: Come see the Road Company's production of The Sound of Music at the Grand Theater in Williamstown! April 16-May 1, 2010. For tickets & additional information: http://roadcompany.com/html/2010Season.html

The hills are alive...Friday, 1/29/10

Sound of Music on DVD

It has been ten years since I last performed in a musical on stage. TEN YEARS. In October, I went out for the Road Company's production of RENT, and got called back but didn't make it.

Last Sunday, undiscouraged, I returned to the theater to give it another shot, this time for The Sound of Music. Lo and behold, I got called back again, and this time I made it! I have been cast as Baroness Elsa Schraeder. I think it's the perfect role to help me "get my feet wet" again.

Went out to get the movie tonight so I can watch it, and see just how high-felutant I'll need to pretend to be!

Rehearsals begin on Monday, and I'm ecstatic!

[Just to be thorough, I'll list the info here FYI. The play runs from April 16-May 1. Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM. (http://www.roadcompany.com).]