Musical Works in Progress

This weekend, I got to sing "At Night He Swims Home to Me" from JAWS: The Musical by Wayne Henry.

This was a presentation for the Dramatists Guild in which writers met and discussed their work, looking to grow. It was such a cool experience and reminded me of some of the BMI presentations I've done over the years. It's always cool to be part of something like that, to sing for a composer I adore, to share his or her work with others, and to hear what other writers are working on. There are a lot of cool ideas out there, and it'll be interesting to see if these musicals get on their feet.

I think that's one of the most interesting parts of being involved in a musical in development. It takes years for a show to grow.

Downton Abbey Season 3 Finale: An Actor's POV

My friends tease me about reading the end of books before I dive into them, but it gives me a sense of comfort, knowing what's coming.

So when Downton Abbey's season 3 finale hit last night, I thought I was ready to say good-bye to a beloved main character, but boy, was it hard.

I can only imagine it was just as difficult for writer, Julian Fellowes, to work around some of his lead actors' decisions to not renew their contracts. But I understand these things happen, and I understand Dan Stevens' desire to do other things.

Hey, at least Bates came home!

Still, I wish TV was like theatre, in which case Matthew would have been replaced by some other young actor, eager to step into his shoes. They did it on Bewitched and Roseanne! ;)

Ah well! I still thought it Season 3 was very well done. It really gave the whole cast some serious drama to dive into.

SPOILER:

Lady Sybil's death scene was really heart-breaking. I lost it when Tom (Allen Leech, who was really superb this season) was holding onto her, begging her to stay with him. I wasn't so keen on his character in the past, as he seemed too pushy. So I was surprised to see his character really dive deep, and I felt for him. Last night's breakdown to Mrs. Hughes was heart-breaking!

And I couldn't stop the tears when Elizabeth McGovern's Lady Cora talked to her dead daughter, telling her she would take care of everything. That was chillingly beautiful.

I'll still take the journey to Downton Abbey next season, curious to see what happens with Lady Mary and the rest of the family upstairs and downstairs. I liked the side story of Dr. Clarkson and Cousin  Isobel. I hope that blooms.

I'm sad to see Matthew Crawley go, because as Mary said, he brought out the best in her and was looking out for Downton.

But as one reporter said, "However sad the end of Matthew Crawley, the happiness of Dan Stevens is likely to grow and grow." And I'm glad. I look forward to seeing him in other productions, and I look forward to seeing what else happens at Downton Abbey.

Carry on!

Character Voices

Today I had the immense pleasure of working with composer Andy Monroe on a demo recording of a new musical. Andy and I met several years ago when I was cast as the lead in The Tragic and Horrible Life of the Singing Nun. The show won several awards at the NY Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF), including Outstanding Individual Performance for me. :)

Today I got to play Bawbwa Wawa (thank you, Gilda Radner!), Diana Ross, a teenage girl, and a young boy's mother. It was a BLAST!

Next up, I'll be taking an SNL writing class with Ali Farahnakian, whom Tina Fey mentioned as a mentor. My last round of performing in Hell's Belles had various folks saying to me, "You should be on SNL!" Writing and fine-tuning my comic chops is a good step.

Musically, I'm working on a cabaret with my Singing Nun co-star Tracey Gilbert. Woo! So I have a lot of fun projects in the works!

Making faces

Had a blast at today's commercial print audition for a major client. All I had to do was make funny faces!

Making it Happen

I was excited to see a former classmate from Karen Kohlhaas' class, Bonnie Swencionis, have a scene in last night's final episode of 30 Rock. Quite a few classmates, friends and castmates have been getting screen-time, and I'm so inspired and excited for them!

Ann Reilly, who directed me in "Sincerely Yours," had some delicious scenes on Castle and Leverage. My friend Kacey Camp (below), whom I worked with at the PA Renaissance Faire, had a supporting role on Justified.

And Kevin Kolack, whom I worked with Off Broadway on Johnny On a Spot, recently worked on Blue Bloods and filmed a commercial for the Superbowl.

I'm so thrilled for these folks and am encouraged. Everyone gets a chance.

And I'm off to an audition for a commercial print! :) Woo!

Creating Your Own Work

I finally got into the show GIRLS on HBO. A friend of mine who's a filmmaker had mentioned Lena Dunham to me a few years ago and told me about Dunham's film, Tiny Furniture, so I was aware of this inventive filmmaker through my friend, The Filmmaker. :)

Totally weird segue, but this makes me think of the SAG Awards which I just got to vote for. It was so cool to see all these delicious films. They were really really good this year, and I'm honored to be a SAG member, and I love getting to vote for the recipients of the awards. They're incredibly talented people who inspire me to be a better actor.

One of the actors up for nomination was Helen Mirren in Hitchcock, which was a fascinating film because it was about the struggles Hitchcock went through to get Psycho made. Who would've guessed that one of his most popular films almost didn't get made? Hitch had to produce it himself!

And look at Argo - Ben Affleck's film on the hostage crisis of the 70s. Affleck also produced the films with George Clooney and a host of others.

I just dig that people are committed to getting their work out there!

Lastly, the TV show "Enlightened" was created by Laura Dern and Mike White, who star in it. It's a really good show, and I love how each episode surprises me.

All these examples make me want to get my writing cap on. I have some 
ideas in mind. I just need to let them out there!

Hell's Belles ride again!

Performing today at the Snapple Center at 6:30 PM. If interested, please contact Tweiss Productions at HellsBellesNY@gmail.com

I've been with Hell's Belles for a few years, and it's always a thrill to step back into Judy Garland and Janis Joplin's shoes, performing music that's basically an ode to these iconic women and countless others!

The musical has a Forbidden Broadway vibe with 3 actresses playing 20 women from history and pop culture. My castmates for today's show include the fabulous Kristen Mengelkoch (Forbidden Broadway), Danielle Erin Rhodes (Grease), and Kevin B. McGlynn (9 to 5).

As Judy says, "Let's sing 'em all!"

The Audition Process

I've found it encouraging that the A-list actors for Les Miz were put through and prepared for a rigorous audition process. I love hearing Sally Fields' story of fighting to be seen for the role of Mary Lincoln. Each audition is an opportunity, and it's something that's still part of the artistic process.

I've already been to 2 auditions this New Year, and it felt good! Even the nervous energy that can hit before going into the audition room feels exciting. It's all part of it!

Tim Phillips' book, "Audition for Your Career" has been an invaluable tool. Though it's geared towards film auditions, the "Sherlock Holmsing" section can be applied to any audition. It's great homework for analyzing the text and looking into the human element of why characters do what they do, and of course, what they want. :) I cannot recommend it enough! It gives me the tools to go into auditions feeling stronger.

Happy Auditioning!

2012: What a trip!

It's been a really weird year, seeing people go through incredibly traumatic times, doing what I can to help. I am hopeful that each day brings people closer together, hopeful that people will let go of hate and really let love light the way.

Not to get heavy. I just care.

My husband always says that laughter is the best medicine, and I found in 2012 that my artistic adventures were indeed more skewed towards comedy. It was cool to hear many a casting director discover, "Oh! You're funny!" ;)

Most of my work was Off-Off Broadway, and I took part in several readings. At the Manhattan Theatre Club, I played Judy Garland and Janis Joplin in the musical, Hell's Belles, which has a Forbidden Broadway vibe. I've been involved with this show since 2008, and the audiences are incredibly loyal. Many folks have come up to me after each presentation, telling me that I remind them so strongly of Judy Garland, that they can see and hear her entire career in my performance. I'm always moved by how people respond to my take on Judy, and I'm thrilled to take them down memory lane.

Wayne Henry, a friend of mine from the Off Broadway play Johnny on a Spot, caught me in Hell's Belles at HA! Comedy Club, and asked if I'd be interested in playing Sally, the quirky female lead in JAWS: The Musical! Wayne wrote the book, music and lyrics; took the basic premise of JAWS and made it entirely his own, focusing on a love story between the shark and a woman while finding plenty of humor for all the characters that inhabit "Amity Island." It was one of the most joyous experiences of the summer and ran from June to September at the Broadway Comedy Club.

Wayne is working on extending the 40 minute show into a full length musical for 2013, and I'm hoping we record some of the tunes, because they ROCK!

I also got to work on the new musical, "How to Marry a Divorced Man," reprising the role of Glenda, a punk rock mom going through a divorce, trying to find love and reboot her punk rock career. It was a lot fun! We did the reading at an art gallery in Manhattan, and as one of the producers said, I was the art! :)

I also found fulfillment, preparing for auditions and callbacks this year. I was called back for Martha in "The Secret Garden," received great response in my audition for Clarice in "Silence! The Musical," and was called in for leading roles in "Educating Rita" and "Urinetown."

Studying with LA acting teacher Tim Phillips was life-changing. I also took a 5 week commercial workshop with Brette Goldstein and video game voice overs with Kim Graham.

It was a good year, and I look forward to many more adventures in 2013. Hope your New Year is very happy!

Twinter Wonderland

Last week I had the pleasure of entertaining the masses via 360i's snowglobe cam at http://www.twinterwonderland.com.

Every time someone tweets about this project, 360i donates $5 towards Hurricane Sandy Relief.

360i is one of the online ad agencies I work for at my support job. They're a great company and have worked around my theatre schedule for the past 8 years. Since the main company I work for is global, I've been able to juggle hours successfully around both this job and my acting projects. They even gave me time off for a gig in Michigan!

So playing in the snowglobe last week was a real treat. I joined fellow comedian and improv clarinetist, Allison Hein. And Stephen Dauwalter alternated as Santa then a penguin. We even paid tribute to the Rockettes with the tiniest kickline ever!

I am very thankful to have a good support job, surrounded by other artists, innovators, techies, movers and shakers.

Here's to bringing some holiday cheer to everyone out there! Happy Holidays!

The Blessing is in the "Break"

I don't know if it's the holidays or what, but this month in particular has me meeting up with old friends whom I haven't seen in years. Three in particular are actresses whom I loved working with, and it's a delight to share past adventures and learn from each other.

While I've stayed in NY, working on new plays and musicals Off and Off-Off Broadway, one friend has done the same thing and just closed a great play. Another friend went to grad school and was doing delicious work there. Another has been playing stellar roles in musicals throughout the country.

While we've all been very lucky, surviving the hurricane, one friend mentioned something about how "the blessing is in the break," and she equated it to the story Jesus breaking bread, miraculously building loaf upon loaf to feed the masses.

This made me think of all the ways artists view "the break." We're all looking for our "big break," and that seems to come about through discipline, persistence, patience, positivity, passion, and connecting with others.

My friend who went to grad school mentioned breaking bad habits as part of her acting process, and it makes me think of "tempered steel," how metal must be heated in order to be shaped.

                                     (Russian woman blacksmith in Siberia)

This also makes me think of the film, "The Life of Pi," which I saw last night (I'm now reading the book). I love the main character's view of religion since as a child he was initiaed in Hinduism, "met" Christ as a boy in a Christian church, and later discovered Allah. He viewed spirituality as different rooms in the same house. Not to get all preachy, but I love that sentiment, and the story of "The Life of Pi" sees a young man whose spirit is constantly tested when he's lost at sea in a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger.

Just when you think he's broken, something appears to lift him up. It's like the book The Alchemist, another fabulous spiritual adventure story.

So where does this put me and "breaks"? I feel like I'm excavating, digging for buried treasure within myself. There are classes I want to take to strengthen my acting and singing. My writing side is also calling to me, and there are projects I'm working on with friends. I can see the need to break bad habits, or to release old ways of thinking. It is time to change, to let go, stretch and grow, be persistent but flexible.

I am open to the ride.

The Privilege to Act

I took a chance and hit two auditions today that were not my usual fare. One was playing an uptight homophobe in the new Off Bway play called "Hit the Wall." The other was for an old fashioned play from the 1930s-50s. I do a monologue by Paddy Chayefsky that's a passionate declaration of love, and it was such a treat to go from playing such a closed person in "Wall" to a woman making a stand for love in the other play. It really was a rush, and each audition room felt so full of possibility, alive with potential because of my commitment to these characters and their needs. It was an absolute blast and reminded me of why I love acting in the first place, that feeling of being creative and unfettered, playing and discovering. I love it!

Q&A after "Les Miz"

After the debut screening of "Les Miserables," director Tom Hooper (center) and cast members Samantha Barks (Eponine), Eddie Redmayne (Marius), Amanda Seyfried, and Anne Hathaway, joined Lincoln Center monitor Annette Insdorf (not seen here) for some Q and A with the audience. It was incredibly cool. The actors were asked about how they prepared for their roles, and Tom Hooper cited Victor Hugo's novel as the main source they all went back to. Anne Hathaway said she investigated the lives of sex slaves, which was heart-breaking, and they all talked about the stamina needed for singing through this musical.

I was impressed by Tom Hooper's decision to keep the musical sung-through. It's pretty much operatic in that vein, but I thought it worked. He said he had consulted Baz Luhrmann on this topic, and I was glad he did, because Baz Luhrmann's "Moulin Rouge" is one of my favorite movie musicals.

Another question that was asked was about everyone's first experience with the stage musical and how it affected them. I thought that was a great question, and I want to pose it to you:

Where were you when you first heard about or saw Les Miz?

I was 19, and I was at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Upon hearing me sing, one of my classmates said I had to sing "On My Own" from Les Miz, and she shared the music with me. I ended up singing the song in a talent showcase where I met my future husband, so it has special significance to me.

I later worked with Gina Milo, who had understudied Eponine and got to perform the role on Broadway. She and I became close in Lucky Stiff at Mason Street Warehouse. She was the quirky ingenue, and I was the big belty bad girl, so of course we had a blast together.

I recently did a musical theatre round table with some cast members from the Les Miz tour and Broadway production, so I got to see first-hand rehearsals of "Stars" an "Empty Charis and Empty Tables." It was really incredible work!

Seeing the film version of Les Miz yesterday made me think of these talented performers I have been fortunate to play with, and I'm inspired to keep working in the field. As Tom Hooper said in last night's Q and A, there is something extra emotional that comes out of an actor when they sing. It's like they access another part of themselves and bring something else to the table.

Les Miz

I was incredibly fortunate to see an advanced screening of the film, Les Miserables, at Lincoln Center yesterday. Tom Hooper, the director, welcomed the massive crowd, saying he had just completed the film at 2 AM, so we were the first audience to see the movie in its completed form. You can imagine how special that made us feel.

The film, as one friend put it, was EPIC. The opening scene was amazing, and I don't want to spoil it, because it was so powerful. People should see it for themselves.

Hooper said he looked to Victor Hugo's novel to guide him through the musical, and I was very impressed at the references to the novel. Granted, I don't remember much of it since my last reading in high school, but ValJean's strength was something that was highlighted, and through Hooper's interpretation, I realize this was physical as well as inner strength of spirit.

Hugh Jackman was fantastic as Jean Valjean, a man who serves 19 years in prison for stealing a loaf of bread and trying to escape the harsh confines of prison. He was brilliant.

The whole cast did an incredible job, particularly Anne Hathaway, as Fantine, a woman struggling to make ends meet for her daughter, Cosette. I have heard many renditions of "I Dreamed a Dream," and Anne's is completely new, raw and real. There was not a dry eye in the house!

I heard one audience member say he felt the film filled in gaps in the musical, because the story-telling was so strong. It was clear why every character was doing what they were doing.

One thing I missed from the stage play was seeing the whole body of the actor particularly in the solos. There were some intense close-ups that made me uncomfortable, but left me in tears, so I guess something was working! :) But I do feel the film will still drive people to the stage musical, because both have something different to offer audiences.

Something I loved about the film was the environment. Everything was so visceral. I felt like I was in this world with the characters.

The ensemble piece "One Day More" was particularly well done, and I loved seeing the personal journey of each character as they raced to get to tomorrow while trying to grapple with the present.

I'll leave the rest of the critiques to other reviewers. Suffice it to say that the film and music have stayed with me, and I'm sure everyone who sees the film will have a very personal reaction.

Kindness and Compassion

It's been a weird couple of weeks, and that's putting it mildly. As "life goes on" here on the East Coast, I can tell many of us New Yorkers are still trying to "find our feet" after the devastation of Hurricane Sandy. We're trudging to work, thankful to have jobs to go, but we're all exhausted.

I have two jobs. I'm an actress and I work with an online advertising company below Canal Street. We just got access to the building this week. Everything looks "normal," but you can tell people are still devastated. So many people are still without power, or power is intermittent.

I was called into some auditions this week, and it's been interesting getting to and from places. Thanks to the MTA workers for making things happen so quickly with the subways and trains!

I keep thinking of what Judi Dench said about "acting is a job" and sometimes you don't want to go "out there," but that's your job: to go "out there."And boy, have people been putting themselves out there in amazing ways, donating time, food, clothes, power sources...

Facebook has been helpful because friends and "friends of friends" are shouting out for help or providing it, and we all are sharing the info. There is a definite sense of community.

In Manhattan, people seem to be speaking kinder to each other. I ask everyone I run into - absolutely everyone - if they're ok, how they were affected by the storm, and they look at me in shock, but then we share that "where were you when" moment, and there's a sense of comfort and connection. A little kindness goes a long way!

We all were affected by this terrible disaster, and I am thankful for so much. May we all share kindness and compassion at this time. Every day would be great!

If you or someone you know needs help, US.gov has a ton of links and helpful info.

Take care!

Finding the Funny

As a kid, my parents dubbed me, Dramatic. I must've watched "Gone With the Wind" and "The Wizard of Oz" too many times, so my response to things was either as Dorothy or Scarlet O'Hara. :)

Luckily my Dad had a penchant for Mel Brooks' movies, so I was exposed to Blazing Saddles, History of the World, Space Balls, and my favorite, Young Frankenstein.

At school, I threw myself into drama, but my funny bone must've been showing, because I landed some comic roles. Even my first professional acting gig - in the Shakespeare troupe for the PA Renaissance Faire - focused on comedy. Juliet, I wasn't.

So here in NY, I continue to "find the funny." It's actually a game my husband came up with. How can you take something ordinary and find it funny?

I'm also nurturing my funny factor in my film and TV classes. Luckily my coaches are helping me to hone my craft. In my current commercial class with Brette Goldstein, she showed me how "the comedy is in the switch (of intention)." All I have to do is commit to it.

Preparing for my audition for Silence! The Musical, I let my imagination run wild! I took a standard musical theatre song and tailored it to the show and the character I wanted to play. It was a risk, but I'm realizing comedy is all about taking risks. And luckily, the risk paid off. I got great feedback from the casting director about how to go even further with my piece for a callback.

So for my next trick, I'm working on a script for a YouTube sketch with my JAWS friend and fellow writer, Wayne Henry. It's fun letting the ideas fly in, putting them to paper, and seeing what comes up. I was going to say, The sky's the limit, but there is no limit! We are only limited by thinking we are.

So here I go!

"At Night He Swims Home to Me" on YouTube

I finally got a chance to post a clip from JAWS the Musical on YouTube.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xKDARhJQxw
Part 2: The Big Finish:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KajE0KZiKwc

In JAWS the Musical, I played Sally, the big-hearted, big-voiced heroine who falls in love with the Great White shark. In the song, "At Night He Swims Home to Me," Sally uses some macabre methods to bring her sweetheart back to her.

Hope you dig it! :)

Life in a suitcase

This past week makes me think of Judy Garland's song, "Born in a Trunk" from a "Star is Born," because I've been living out of my suitcase. Not only that, but I had 3 separate bags for 3 specific events.

One was for the closing show for JAWS the Musical, filled with my costume, props and gifts for the cast. We had a blast of a last show. Thanks to everyone who came and caught that wave! ;)

The 2nd bag was for a quick trip to PA to celebrate my father-on-law's 70th birthday. I had sent pictures to my sister-in-law for a slideshow of his life, and I tell ya, that was something to see! 70 years in pictures! Amazing! I hope I live so long! :)

The 3rd bag was filled with my "punk" gear for a sold out invite-only concert of the new pop musical, "How To Marry a Divorced Man."I played Glenda, a punk rocker juggling motherhood and trying to revive her career. It was incredibly fun! We performed at the National Arts Club in Gramercy Park, and I felt a little bit like Lisbeth Salander, walking around this very rich museum, dressed as a punk rocker.

At last I'm home again, very happy from my travels, looking forward to the next adventure! :)

Saying Good-bye to the Great White Shark

Tomorrow is our final performance of JAWS the Musical. This show has been such a blast to do this summer, so it seems fitting that the "beach" is closing right before the first day of Autumn.

We've received some great notices, and I hope we'll keep working on the show to take it to a full-length production. Right now, it's a 40 minute pop rock funfest that is leaving people asking for more!

Our last interview this year was conducted by Molly Equality Dykeman. She posted a hysterical interview with JAWS the Musical's writer, Wayne Henry, and I believe she'll be posting a cast interview soon.

Here were some of my silly answers:

Weirdest thing that happened backstage: When the staff at the comedy club took our "dressing room" apart while we were changing right after the show. The audience got a whole new view of the cast as they left the club.

Least favorite cast member and why: The severed leg. He just lays there! ;)

Any Showmances? The whole cast is a lovefest! I adore each and every one of them! Gonna miss them like crazy!

Do you have a fear of sharks? Ironically, YES! When I was a kid, I had a terrible fear of sharks. I still do! The JAWS theme would send me running from the room! Now it makes me run onstage!

What's it like to work with a real live shark? I love it! John Flynn makes me fall in love with his Great White every time! ;)

Best audience responses? I love when people say they want to see the show again! It's also a blast to share my big number, with them: "At Night He Swims Home To Me." It's a fabulous pop ballad with some big belty fireworks at the end, and I feel so thankful to get to sing that song. It is a thrill every time! And the audience is right with me! Feels like a rock concert!

This show has been a blast, and I will truly miss playing with our fabulously fun group! Hope to see you all next summer!

Busy Weeks Ahead!

I thought last week was busy with 2 shows, an audition for Educating Rita for Florida Rep, a voice over class and juggling work.

This week and next will be just as full! I've got a video game voice over class with Kim Graham at Judy Henderson Casting. SO MUCH FUN! I have to edit the clips before posting, but I've played everything from a sassy southern waitress to a perky tennis player and a hard-core German DJ named Helga. ;)

JAWS the Musical swims off into the sunset this Friday at 6:30 at the Broadway Comedy Club. While Amity Island closes up for the winter, we're hoping to expand this show's running time and horizons. I'm planning on recording my big power ballad from the show sometime this Fall / Winter.

Over the weekend, I'm celebrating my father-in-law's 70th birthday. I keep thinking of 70 years, ya know? Living one's life. He has great kids, amazing grandkids, and has helped to shape all our lives through his quiet strength and boisterous humor. I'm looking forward to celebrating with him!

Then on Monday, I play Glenda, an ex-punk rocker trying to revive her career while juggling motherhood in the new musical by Clare Cooper and Bryan D. Leys, "How to Marry a Divorced Man."

We're doing a private reading at The National Arts Club at 15 Gramercy Park South. If you'd like to inquire about seats, contact Tweiss Productions at tweissprods@aol.com. 

It's a very fun show about people looking for love. The music is an upbeat RnB rock 'n roll flavor with some delicious pop ballads. I get to do a "punk ballad" called "Work," which is a fast-paced rant about my ex-husband being a workaholic, and then I've got this groovy little number called, "I'm Not You," where my character compares herself to her ex's latest flame.

I have a blast playing Glenda, because I get to bring out my inner punk rocker, pink hair and all. I scoop it up into a faux hawk for the show, but the Katy Perry look works too. :)