A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

Last night I had the immense pleasure to take part in a reading of the updated script for the musical, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. The Peccadillo Theatre Company produced the reading at The Bank Street Theatre in the West Village, and it was so cool to head down there. The Village just oozes this artsy vibe, and I always love going down there.

When I arrived at the theatre, most of the cast was just getting there as well. Our stage manager, DC Rosenberg, whom I worked with on Hell's Belles , had everything set up for us. Since this was a "table read," there were 3 long tables set up with chairs facing the audience. The main idea of a reading is to simply hear the script brought to life. It is still acted but the actors are seated (in most cases) and are "on book," referring to the script.

I was cast as Hildy, a brassy dame character who starts out as the leading lady's best friend, but quickly becomes her enemy when Hildy's boyfriend (the lead fellow) goes after the best friend, Katie. It was fun to be one of the first voices heard in the show, setting the tone with brass and sass, making way for the bittersweet love story that ensues, and keeping the sparks flying. I also had a juicy scene at the end, showing this "dame" had a heart as well.

The delightful Dan Wackerman directed the reading and also narrated. He welcomed the audience when they arrived and gave them some background on A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, saying how the original musical had veered from the novel, focusing on the talents of Shirley Booth, who played the supporting character of Aunt Cissy. If you listen to the original cast recording, you can see how Ms. Booth stole the show. Very funny lady!

Susan DiLallo revised the script to get back to the core story of Katie and Johnny, a young couple trying to get by during hard times, and it seems most effective. I teared up twice during the reading - it is such heart-breaking stuff! And there's still plenty of humor with Cissy, so it's well-balanced. A really beautiful piece.

I was very honored to take part in this production and hope to move forward with the piece as they enter their next phase.

In the meantime, the Hell's Belles cast are getting ready to record some songs for a promotional CD, and I'm looking forward to jumping back into my characters, especially Janis Joplin and Judy Garland. It's gonna be fun to see the whole crew again! Although last night's reading of "Tree" was almost like a Hell's Belles reunion with Omri Schein, Deb Radloff, DC Rosenberg and costume designer Gail Cooper-Hecht there to help make it all happen.

Good stuff!

No Time to Lose Steam

As the Northeast gets hit with a snow storm, I'm girding up for a filmshoot this weekend, praying we make it through the snow and that I get over this flubug that's gripped everyone. Luckily my friend, Tina, at The Essential Herbal has been guiding me with all sorts of natural remedies, and of course, my friends in the biz have turned me onto old standys like Wellness pills and ginger root tea. But enough of that! I leave in a few hours for the filming of Everyday, a short thriller. I promise to take lots of pics! Should be great fun!

When I get back, I'm doing a reading of the new script for A Tree Grows in Brooklyn at The Bank Street Theatre. My lovely stage manager from Hell's Belles, D.C. Rosenberg, recommended me and I'm ever so grateful! Tuesday I have an audition for a casting director who saw me in Hell's Belles and called me in to read a new script for an upcoming farce. Whipping out my British and French accents for the roles. Wednesday I got called in for the new musical The Big Show and later that day we go into the studio to lay down some tracks for the Hell's Belles CD.

Full speed ahead!

Whee!

I'm glad I had a few weeks off after Hell's Belles, because I'm back in high gear! Woo!

I just booked a yummy role in a short film called, Everyday. The director and some of the crew are from CA and we were all digging it that we've got CA roots. We're shooting in an old Victorian home at the crossroads of NY, NY, DE, and PA. Sounds interesting, doesn't it? I play an overly sweet Southern real estate agent who pushes her luck too far in a Hitchcockian battle of wills. We started rehearsals this morning.

Then I zoomed to a music rehearsal with Robby Stamper, my music director from Singing Nun. He's helping me put together a cabaret piece. We had a great jam session then I had to boogie for another appointment.

I hit the Lincoln Center Library for the Performing Arts on my way home to check out more tunes. In the meantime, I was also sent a script for a new play and am prepping on that audition. I'm also hoping to hit a Born Yesterday audition for the Cape Playhouse mid-week.

Zoom!

Brilliant Blue Coyotes

Every once in a while you come across an ensemble of actors so enchanting they bring to mind great groups like the Steppenwolf Theatre Company.

Blue Coyote is such a group.

I was first introduced to them via Tracey Gilbert, my co-star in The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun. We rehearsed in the spacious Access Theatre's Gallery which also has a delightful black box theatre where Blue Coyote does many of their productions.

Tracey and I were fortunate to reprise our roles as childhood sweethearts, Jeanine and Annie, in the Bound for Broadway concert of The Singing Nun this past December. Then I bounced into Hell's Belles, which Tracey came to see, and she started work on Blue Coyote's Happy Endings.

I saw Happy Endings last night and it's AMAZING! Hysterically funny to tremendously touching, it's seriously some of the best written and best performed work in downtown theatre. I brought some theatre friends with me to see the show and we all agreed: Blue Coyote is the kind of theatre group that absolutely INSPIRES!!! The production values, the direction, lighting and scenic design combined with a killer cast and delectable writing make Blue Coyote a group to keep your eyes on. Catch them while you can because this little Coyote's howl is certain to grow to an incredible roar!

Hearts and Rainbows

I love this time of year. Even though it's chilly outside, our hearts are warm with love and friendship.

I'd like to share one of my favorite songs with you: "Be A Lion" from The Wiz. I sang it last Summer in between performances of Lucky Stiff at Mason Street Warehouse and was able to get the MP3. Hope you dig it!

Happy Valentine's Day! May your hearts be full of love, laughter, radiant health, and boundless joy.

A Whole Lotta Shakin Going On!

Gosh, it's been a busy time! Lots of ups and downs in the weather, as we all know. Hope you kids in the colder parts are keeping warm!

It's been wild and woolly in NY! I was out in the snow yesterday, running around between auditions at Actors' Equity and Telsey's office. It was so white and beautiful! I loved it! By the time I got home, there were still snowflakes clinging to my coat! :)

Got a callback today for the short film, Everyday, and I received lovely feedback yesterday on my audition for the Ellis Island piece, Taking a Chance on America. It's cool when you get a tasty script. Speaking of which, thank the gods the writer's strike is over! Woo!

"I have a little list"

Since my family lives in southern CA, I've been putting together a small packet of Hell's Belles stuff for them, and I realized the programs did not list the songs or who played whom, so for anyone else who was interested in that info, here it is:

Cast in order of Appearance:
Delilah (Music Director) – Elaina Cope
Lester – Omri Schein
Pop Star / Medea / Guenevere / Eva Peron / Calamity Jane – Alicia Sable
Eleanor Roosevelt / Ma Barker / Eva Braun / Gertrude Stein / Lizzie Borden / Bette Davis – Deborah Radloff
Lady Godiva / Salome / Janis Joplin / Alice B. Toklas / Princess Diana / Joan Crawford / Judy Garland – Laura Daniel

Songs:
Hell’s Belles Revue…………………...................Lester and the Devilettes
Poor Little Pop Star………………………………............……….Pop Star
That’s Lady Godiva………………………............……...……Lady Godiva
Hootchie Cootchie…………………..........…...……..Salome and Eleanor
Someone………………………………………...………………......Medea
Godiva #2…………….……………………....…………..........Lady Godiva
Mother…………….……………………....……..........…......……Ma Barker
Sex Drugs Booze and Rock n Roll...…….........Janis Joplin and Pop Star
I Saved Hitler’s Brain……………...……….....……..………......Eva Braun
I-N-F-I-D-E-L-I-T-Y………...………..............…Guenevere, Lester, Delilah
As Long as I Have You……............…Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas
Godiva #3……………………………...………………………Lady Godiva
All The Best People are Here...………………………...…Princess Diana
I Had a Good Lawyer…..............Lizzie Borden, Lester, Pop Star, Godiva
Godiva #4…………….…………..……………………………Lady Godiva
My Little Black Book………...…..…………………………………....Lester
Andrew Lloyd Webber…………………………………………...Eva Peron
I’m Twice as Camp as You………….......Joan Crawford and Bette Davis
Those Bad Little Girls…………........…Lester, Eleanor, Godiva, Pop Star
Let’s Sing ‘Em All……………………………………..………Judy Garland
That’s Lady Godiva……………………………………….…..Lady Godiva
Come On Down……………………....Eleanor, Lester, Godiva, Pop Star

Groovy pics

Ah the wonders of Photoshop and Dreamweaver!

My graphic guy, Rob, helped me update my website and added some groovy touches to my Hell's Belles pics:

http://www.lauradaniel.net/stage.htm

Hope you dig em! :)

Rockin it!

It's been a busy time, coming off of the red velvet heels of Hell's Belles. I've been called in for a new show by Theatreworks, a musical SNL/Forbidden Broadway sort of thing, and I just got a call for a short film about a southern realtor in NY. Looks to be a dark comedy which is cool. I'm also bouncing around between EPAs (Equity Principal auditions) for Broadway, Off Broadway and regional theatres, and enjoying time with my mate.

Most importantly, today I hit the polls and voted. I feel especially passionate about this because women have had to fight for the right to vote: http://www.ipu.org/wmn-e/suffrage.htm

So rock the vote, people! Make it happen!