2017 So Far, So Good

It's been an incredible year of delicious acting work, and it all started at the New Year when I got called in for "Steel Magnolias." That same week, my best friend from college, Wendy Ruth, brought her family to the city, and we saw Dear Evan Hansen. Wendy worked with Kristolyn Lloyd at Disney, and I had studied with Rachel Bay Jones, so it was incredible to see them and celebrate their success.

We went backstage after the show, and Wendy made introductions, telling them how I'd just gotten called back for Steel Magnolias. I'd had to juggle my callback in order to make the curtain for Dear Evan Hansen, but the director, Angela Shultz (below right), was awesome and said, "Of course! Get going! I have tickets to see it next week!"

I found out the next day that I booked Truvy in Steel Magnolias, performing in March in NYC! What a dream come true! I got to work with all these amazing people, including Melissa Harlow (above center) co-founder of Stomping Ground Theatre Company, and Chad Anthony Miller, co-producer and all around Renaissance man!

In the midst of rehearsals for Steel Magnolias, I was interviewed by Indie Activity, and got a call from Mike Jones to guest star on his webseries, The Mike Jones Show. SUPER fun! I played the winner of the lottery!

Then I did Steel Magnolias, and just drank in the beauty of that experience.

When April hit, my husband and I went to see the legendary ladies of Sunset Boulevard - Glenn Close was heartbreaking! - and War Paint. Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole were FANTASTIC! Talk about a masterclass in stage work from all three divas! Simply amazing!

Then my best friends took us to see The Great Comet for my birthday!

I also received a gift of Sunday in the Park with George, which was GORGEOUS!

I know that show well, but I heard lyrics as if for the first time. It was SO beautiful!

Then I sang in a concert with my dear friend Tracey Gilbert, celebrating producer George DeMarco. We all met during The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun at NYMF, and it was such a thrill to revisit that piece!

I kicked May off with Six Degree of Separation and the fabulous Allison Janney and Corey Hawkins. I'd only seen the movie before, so it was a treat to see it live. I really loved how much deeper the play was. So many great monologues about life, humanity, connection and philosophy.

I was also honored to revisit Pat the Park Ranger from Sasquatched the Musical when the creators asked me to do a recording of my big song.

Then I started rehearsals for The Pound and made my debut at Signature Theatre, a gorgeous Off Broadway theatre! And I was called back for the new web series, Human Telegraphs, recalling feisty ladies with power whom I've played over the years.

Speaking of powerful women, I was blown away by A Doll's House 2. The music and speech were modern, but the clothes and story were antiquated in which a woman was still beholden to her husband and could go to jail for "living a free life" if she wasn't properly divorced. It felt so intense, especially in this political climate. When the lights went out on Nora's exit and the audience erupted with applause, I sat there stunned. I couldn't move. It was like a tidal wave of emotion had hit me. Nora's journey, beautifully played by Laurie Metcalf, just vibrated through my entire being. It was an incredible experience!

Then I got to see The Little Foxes, which was excellent! Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon trade off the roles of Regina and Birdie, and I marveled at their dexterity. My best friend and I saw the Sunday matinee. Laura Linney, who had played Regina the day before, was playing Birdie, and it was as if she had inhabited that character for years. She made me cry!

I'm so inspired by all these amazing performances I've seen, as well as all the beautiful pieces I've been honored to perform in this year. It's been deeply fulfilling work, and a very busy first half of the year. I'm excited to see what's around the corner :)