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!

An Early Spring?

This morning, with the rain drizzling throughout Manhattan, it felt so much like Spring! Of course, once the rain subsided, a cool breeze swept in to remind us all its still Winter in the Big Apple! And this leads me to today's post: yummy reading to tide us all over until Spring! :)

My friend, Tina, an awesome soul sister from PA, created this groovy magazine called The Essential Herbal. In these times of going green, Tina was ahead of it all with focusing on natural soaps, herb gardens, essential oils, etc. Her upcoming mag focuses on the importance of home-grown goods, and to get a taste of it all, she's offering a free download of last Spring's magazine:

http://www.essentialherbal.com/March%20April%202007.pdf

It's an awesome magazine, and I actually started writing for it a few months ago. My article is called "Deep Within the Core." Hope you dig it!

For whom the Belles toll...

Ah, it's always sad when a show ends. You've poured your heart and soul into a project for however long it lasts and then it's over and you're onto the next project!

Hell's Belles went out with a blast! The last set of shows were full of surprises. On Thursday about 10 of my office-mates from my supplemental job came to see the show, and that was so cool. It's great when people get to see what you really do, ya know? Then on Friday, the audience went absolutely WILD for my portrayal of Judy Garland. They just kept breaking into applause in the middle of the song or after a speech, and it felt so transcendent. Just me in the spotlight, warmly embraced by the audience and the music... It was amazing!

Saturday matinee had us on the edge of our seats! The music director, the lovely Elaina Cope, was trapped on a train in Brooklyn. And our light operator, Barb, was delayed as well. The cast was afraid the audience would be restless or disappointed, but when we finally were able to go on, they were such a joy! Every song was greeted with great applause and joyous laughter.

Saturday night we sold out. My friend, Babs, suprised me and came to the show. I actually was very blessed with support from friends and must give shout-outs to Rob, Michael, Carl, Ataman, Jayne, Richard, George, Andy, Tracey, Lani, Bob & Carol, Steve, Dimitri, Lindsay, Tina, and to all the friends and family who wanted to come but couldn't make the trip from afar: THANK YOU ALL!

Sunday afternoon was our last show and it ended sweetly. Such a great crowd and such a fun show.

I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to perform in a new musical and to play such amazing women like Judy Garland and Janis Joplin. Just the research alone was worth it, getting to see them do their thing, captured on film, availble to the masses thanks to YouTube, and then getting to bring them to life in my own way. Wow! What an incredible opportunity!

Thanks to Tweiss Productions, our marvelous director John Znidarsic, and our tremendously talented cast: (left to right): Elaina Cope (our amazing musical director), Deb Radloff, Omri Schein, Alicia Sable, John Znidarsic, and me. :)

Happy Trails!

Week 2 of Hell's Belles

Finally! I got the chance to get some pics backstage during the midst of our fast and furious 85 minute run of Hell's Belles. I tell you, it's like running a marathon! But it's wonderfully fun. :)

The West End Theatre is a lovely little theatre in the Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew on the Upper West Side. It's on the 2nd floor and has red velvet seats, curtains, even a little chandelier!

This "infernal musical revue" starts with the devil of musical theatre (Omri Schein) and his 3 showghouls (pictured in an earlier post).

We 3 girls turn into all sorts of characters throughout the show. I go right from Lady Godiva to the temptress Salome. Eleanor Roosevelt, played by the incredibly talented Deborah Radloff (below left) busts in on my song and we end up trying to get ahead of each other (pun intended):

A miscellaneous pop star (Alicia Sable) gets stuck in Hell but she gets to groove with Janis Joplin:



Left: Alicia Sable and me as Janis Joplin

Right: Me with our delightful wardrobe mistress, Kat Martin.

Bette Davis and Joan Crawford bust out of their dressing rooms and battle it out (Deb Radloff as Bette and me as Joan):
Fortunately, Judy Garland shows up to save the day. I get the 11 o'clock number as Judy Garland, and it is a thrill to look out at the audience and see these huge smiles of delight on their faces:

Then we close the show with a rousing gospel number, so there's something for everyone! :)

(Left: me, our incredible musical director Elaina Cope, Omri Schein, Deborah Radloff, and Alicia Sable)

Growing and Growing

Our opening weekend for Hell's Belles feels like a nice start. We had delightful audiences with a different vibe each night. Saturday's matinee was a very intellectual crowd - they got all the literary and highbrow jokes - while the Friday and Saturday evening shows were wonderfully raucous. Some audiences have cheered for us Belles the moment we take the stage, and that always sets such a cool tone. We come out as "showghouls" and then transform into various historical "wicked women" throughout the evening. Each character has a story to tell and a song to sing. It's a lot of fun.

The crowds have also been lovely after the show, and I've had definite shout-outs for me and my alter egos, "Janis" and "Judy." Everyone asks how hard is it to make my quick changes (especially my many changes into Lady Godiva), and I tell them it's like running a marathon: fast and fun and exhilirating!

We have one more week of performances - Wednesday through Sunday - and it'll be fun to see how this journey continues to roll along. Hope you can join the fun!

There's a great line....

In the movie Tootsie Bill Murray's character is a budding playwright who says that he doesn't want "a full house at the Winter Garden (theatre)." He wants a few people "who've just come out of the worst rainstorm in history.... These are people who are alive on the planet... until they dry off."

That's the audience we had last night.... and they were wonderful!

A Hellacious Opening ;)

Hell's Belles opened last night and our hard work seems to have paid off, because the audience graced us with generously loud applause. I was especially thrilled that my portrayal of Judy Garland was so warmly embraced, because as I looked out into the audience, I saw all these smiling faces, just beaming away at me. It was an incredible moment.

I'll have to get more of my character pics, though it's a challenge to do so because this show is like running a marathon. I change into 8 different characters in the span of 85 minutes, going from a devilish chorus girl to Lady Godiva, Salome, Janis Joplin, Alice B. Toklas, Princess Di, Joan Crawford and Judy Garland. Each character has their own song, though Lady Godiva (pictured left) makes the most quick-change appearances throughout the show, and I'm just praying I won't trip on my 5 feet long blonde wig.

Here's a picture of our motley crew right before the opening number, a devil and his "showghouls":

Left to right: Deb Radloff, me, Elaina Cope (our fabulous musical director in front), Omri Schein and Alicia Sable.

We have 11 more shows, running January 16-27, so if you're in the mood for "an infernal musical revue," come on down!

Clothes! Glorious Clothes!

With one week of rehearsals done, and less than a week to go before opening night of Hell's Belles, we had our costume fitting today. It was at the prestigious Starrett-Lehigh Building on 26th and 12th Avenue. I'd never been there before, and boy, was it posh! Executives and designers bustled about while delivery men and women moved shipments in and out. There was this great sense of "chic" that simply oozed out onto the sidewalk. :)

Once inside, I headed to the 3rd floor to Costume Collections where row upon row of costumes greeted me. Gorgeous stuff! I was in heaven! Then I met up with our costume designer, Gail Cooper-Hecht. She is a marvelously refined lady with a great sense of style and humor. I LOVE her vision of this show! Its so incredibly unique and we had a blast trying on all of the costumes that will clothe these famous women I get to play. My favorite was Judy Garland's "Get Happy" look from the movie Summer Stock. To put on that tuxedo jacket and jaunty black hat... well... all I could say was, "Wow!"

When you read a script (or any material for that matter), you get your own ideas about how something should look, but then a master or mistress designer takes the material into their hands, and that's when the magic happens! I noticed that earlier in the week when we first started rehearsing in the theatre. The set designer had begun to transform the space into... well, Hell! :) And it set the mood for sure! Then you add the music and the players and the lights and costumes and the audience....

That's what I love about theatre! We all come to the table with our own unique dishes, working together to create a delicious feast for the senses. Bon apetite!

Starting the New Year with a Bang!

Does anyone else feel like we've simply zoomed into 2008? I celebrated the New Year in CA with my family and friends, rockin out 2007 with one of my brother's bands, Hippie Cream. This was my first time seeing them live, and if you get the chance to see them, DO IT! Seriously, it was one of the wildest and most enjoyable concerts I've been to in a long time. Completely inventive and fun. Reminded me of some of Oingo Boingo's early stuff. I'll have to post pics and expound their virtues further in another post. :)

Right now, I'm deep into rehearsals for Hell's Belles, "an infernal musical revue." I'm playing Lady Godiva, Salome, Alice B. Toklas, Joan Crawford, Princess Di, Janis Joplin and Judy Garland, to name a few. The music is in the style of each of these characters, and it has been such a treat to research these women and bring them to life. Janis Joplin has always been my rock and roll queen, and it is a thrill to play her. Godiva is a hoot - can't wait to see the costume or lack thereof. And who wouldn't want the chance to play Judy Garland? I get a kick out of the fact that Judy and I have the same height in common: 4'11". There is some incredible footage of her on YouTube. One of my favorites is her duet with Sammy Davis. Though Judy wasn't in good voice for the number, her acting in astounding. Watching her performance of "Smile" is mind-blowingly inspirational!

Here's info for the show: January 16-27 at the West End Theatre on 263 W. 86th Street. Wednesdays - Saturdays 8 PM. Matinees Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.

If you're in the Big Apple, come on down!

Happy Yule!!!

Had to share a few more pics from this beautiful Big Apple I call home.I just love how the whole town is decked out for the holidays! The shop windows are magnificent!
And the lanes are strewn with Candy Canes. :)
Happy Holidays!

Wonderful Winter Wishes to You!

Don't most of you feel like superheroes this time of year? Rushing around, doing your daily tasks while trying to save the world and boost people's spirits? Trying to find those special gifts which will make your loved ones feel fabulous. I feel like Wonder Woman. All I need is my crown, bracelets, bustier and magic lasso. ;)

Of course, there are marvelous moments of serenity and beauty. I braved the elements last weekend to go to FAO Schwarz toystore for my nephew, and it was the most wonderful adventure. I haven't been over there in a few years and it was a treat to see how beautifully decorated the store was. There was a mystical menagerie right in the center of the store with plush dragons, unicorns, griffons, pegasi...
The dragons had to be over 20 feet tall! They even had a Harry Potter store which was just like stepping into Hogwarts!
It completely brought out the kid in me! Which come to think of... aren't kids always pretending to be superheroes anyway?

Hope you all have a Merry Christmas, a cool Yule, and a very Happy New Year!

The Wow Factor Continues

How cool is this? I just found out I'm going to be playing Janis Joplin in the new musical, Hell's Belles. I am beyond thrilled to say the least. Janis is one of my absolute favorites! She was truly unique, a rock n roll pioneer and beacon of inspiration. I am so psyched to get into her psychadelic groove.

I also had a neat growth spurt today. I've been working on music for the upcoming audition for Jerry Springer the Opera, soon to play at Carnegie Hall. The call is for a woman who can belt to the heavens, and the gal who set the bar was an Australian singer named Alison Jier. She belts a high G# (sharp) which is super super high. So I've been working on it, because I belt a G in my rendition of "Piece of My Heart" (another nod to Janis). Well, today, while working on "Once Upon a Time" from Brooklyn the Musical, which ends on a G#, I hit that high note. Hit it and didn't hurt myself, which is an accomplishment. :) Just let it ride.

Feel like I'm bustin' loose!