Busy!!!

The holidays always feel like a whirlwind, but this year in particular my schedule is jam-packed with gigs, and I am loving it!

Tonight I'm singing a song from The Kid by Andy Monroe and Jack Lechner for the BMI (Broadcast Music Inc) "Smoker." This workshop showcases new writers and their works and has that whole "about to ignite" factor. Very cool.

I'm just jazzed to be singing music I really love. Andy's tunes have this way of getting into your heart and mind and they're so much FUN! This song from The Kid is called "Deep Process" and it's about a lesbian couple exploring the process that goes into any important decision (like having a baby). It's really funny and can be applied to any couple in the midst of those big life lessons.

The music is in the realm of The Indigo Girls meet Melissa Ethridge. And I love that I get to let my growly rock side out. ROAR! :)

Then after "The Smoker," I head to Jen Rudolph's Film/TV workshop for our showcase with NBC casting director Katja Blichfeld. I have a scene from 30 Rock, and it's really fun and funny.

Seems to be the theme of the day. :)

An abundance of blessings

Autumn has finally hit NY and it's so beautiful! This weekend my sweetheart, Rob, and I bundled up and strolled around Central Park, enjoying the flourishes of red and gold that seem to have appeared over night. Truly a gorgeous sight and just in time for Thanksgiving!

I am so grateful for the abundance of goodness in my life, made meaningful by getting to share it with my sweetheart, friends and family. Thanksgiving seems particularly poignant, giving thanks for all the love, laughter, good health and happiness that abound!

There's also an interesting bit of serendipity in that I just discovered I'll be performing in the Bound for Broadway concert with Mary Testa, the actress who originated the role of Rita in Lucky Stiff. Since I just came from playing that role at Mason Street Warehouse, I can't help but marvel at the coincidence.

Playbill.com is covering the Bound for Broadway concert, and I'm feeling positively buoyant to be sharing the stage with such incredible artists. I mean, I saw Chip Zien in Into the Woods when I was kid! And now... I'm getting to perform in the same concert with these folks... singing a role I love... Wow!

Back in the Habit

I have been so fortunate this year to get to revisit and perform 2 characters from my past whom I absolutely adore. First was Rita in the Ahrens/Flaherty musical, Lucky Stiff, a tornado of a character with a killer sense of humor and perspective. Stepping into her stiletto high heels this summer allowed me to click down a path that I had travelled two years prior, and it was exciting to find new aspects to this character. It was like going on an archaeological dig to a site I’ve been to before, having a good sense of the terrain, but finding marvelous new treasures.

Now I’m back in rehearsals for The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun, prepping for the Bound for Broadway Concert December 3rd, and I am so thrilled to get back into the habit of Jeanine aka Sister Smile, the Singing Nun. The show is a fun mix of fact and fantasy, and it’s a great tale of this woman’s journey to find spirituality, love and acceptance. Really big themes. And the 3 scenes/songs we’re doing for the concert give a nice preview of the show as a whole.

Since Sister Smile was a real person, I’ve been going back to my notes, reacquainting myself with her. In rehearsals, it’s all coming back very quickly, because I’m remembering what I had learned about Jeanine when I did the show last year, and finding a new understanding as well. Digging deep. I love it!

Everyone has been remarking on how much “heart” there is in this show. There is a lot of broad humor and irony, but most importantly, are the matters of the heart. And the music pulses with that beat... which is wonderful!

The Subtle Science of Film

Since I've been doing a lot of theatre work this year, I wanted to refresh my film acting "chops," so I started taking Jennifer Rudolph's 4 week Film/TV workshop. Jen has been on my mailing list for all my promos, and when she sent me a note about her workshop, it seemed like a good place to dive on in. And it really is!

Last night we worked on dramatic scenes, which reminded me of the short film I did last year called Divine Intervention. With the camera right on your face, a little goes a long way, so there's no need to be larger than life. Theatre demands an extra amount of fireworks and energy while film is so wonderfully subtle. Just breathing, being present, letting the writer's words guide you (and there are SUCH wonderful writers out there)... its such a pleasure!

I was also reminded of something another acting teacher had told me, that every scene is a love scene. I noticed this in all of the scenes last night. Even though there was a great deal of conflict with various characters fighting and families and friends at odds, all of these scenes had humanity and heart and small touches of humor. Good writing, as I said. And I marveled at how art expands our hearts and our minds.

It is so cool to be doing this, to be finding freedom and truth and inspiration in my art... in all of its forms! From film and TV to music and theatre. Follow your muse!

Two Times the Fun!

The next few weeks are going to be a blast! Sure, Thanksgiving will be here before we know it and that means lots of savory treats and joyous connections, but I'm also gearing up for two cool NY concerts right after that! Woo!

First is BMI's Musical Theatre Fall "Smoker," a semi-annual showcase that focuses on new musicals that seem about to ignite. I'm singing a song from The Kid, a new musical based on the novel by Dan Savage, and it's a fun song called "Deep Process." I performed it in October with my Singing Nun co-star, Tracey Gilbert, and the music is by Nun composer, Andy Monroe. We were invited back for the Smoker which is going to be a blast!

The Smoker is on Thursday Nov. 29th at 5:30 PM in BMI's 3rd Floor Media Room on 320 W. 57th St. I believe it's open to the public.

Then there's the Bound for Broadway Concert on Monday December 3rd. The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun was chosen to be amongst 5 new musicals presented, and I am absolutely thrilled to reprise the role of Jeanine, the little Belgian girl who becomes the Singing Nun. So much fun!

Word is that the show is already sold out, but here's the info just in case: