Almost there - Almost!

Rehearsals for Almost, Maine are becoming more and more exciting. There is something very enchanting and compelling about this show. It is like the tiny piece of polished sea glass that I have been missing in my theatrical mosaic. I feel so privileged to be involved in this exploration through the depths of love. I am constantly being challenged by my director and my talented cast members. Every rehearsal is an adventure and I know the final product is going to be a special jewel for all to enjoy.

LBPH Opens "Our Town"

Our Town – the classic American drama by playwright Thornton Wilder opens this week at the Long Beach Playhouse. The play depicts the fictional, average town of Grovers Corners through the everyday lives of its residents. Keeping true to the premise of the play, LBPH’ s production utilized minimal sets (designed by Andrew Vonderschmitt) and almost no props. The actors mimed much of their physical actions, the only spectacle being the glorious costumes designed by Donna Fritsche. Director Sharyn Case leads the actors through solid performances. Brain J. Page is average, but dependable, as the stage manager, the only character permitted to break the fourth wall as the omnipotent narrator. He carries a strong vocal quality and visual presence, but seemed uncertain at times and lacked the proper enthusiasm to propel the story. Erica Farnsworth delivers a superb Emily Webb, just as Wilder would have intended her growth from innocence to adulthood and beyond. She asks, “Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it?—every, every minute?” Farnsworth deliveries subtleties only present in a veteran actress and a well-developed character arch. The play is a long three acts, for which the playwright intentionally paced the show to describe the transience of everyday life. While there are some pacing issues and a couple lack-luster performers, the LBPH delivers an authentic example of this masterpiece of the human condition, which every student of the theatre should attend.

Performances are 8 pm, Fri. & Sat, 2 pm, Sun. The play runs until March 6. Tickets are $12-22. The Playhouse is located at 5021 E. Anaheim St. For more info call 494-1014 or visit http://www.lbplayhouse.com/.

Paging Mr. Jones

Harrison Ford: "I think one of the hardest things I had to learn in becoming an actor was how to talk to people about it. Because I'd say to a director, "I have an idea," and he'd say, "Yeah, give me a break kid; I'm busy." It's the most difficult at the beginning of your career, when nobody really gives a shit about what you think. You're there to say the words and go home. But probably the most important juncture in my career: the first job I did when I was under contract with Columbia, to play a bellboy. My entire dialogue was "Mr. Jones, paging Mr. Jones, Mr. Jones, room 503," then hand this person a note and accept his tip. I got called in to the head of the new-talent program the next day, and he said, "You're never going to make it in this business. Let me tell you a story. The first time Tony Curtis was ever in a movie, he delivered a bag of groceries. I took one look at that guy and said, 'That's a movie star.' " I leaned across his desk and said, "I thought you were supposed to think, 'That's a grocery delivery boy.' " He said, "Get the fuck out of here." And I did. But I persisted in thinking I was right and he was wrong. And I did make a living in the business, and I still think that's what you're supposed to think."

"Almost, Maine" inspired collage

Adam Lambert.. need I say more? ;)

Everyone is allowed one guilty pleasure. Mine just happens to be Adam Lambert. I think I hold him in high regard because he is more than just a singer; he is a true performer and an actor. The first time I saw him was not on the national setting of American Idol, but at the Pantages Theatre as Fiero in Wicked. Had I come any other night I may have missed his performance as he was the understudy. I followed his story to the Idol stage, voted for him hundreds of times, and was among the disappointed when he was not honored with a win. However, in retrospect I think not winning American Idol is probably one of the best things that could have happened to his career, as he now has the freedom to be an individual and build himself as an artist. I am glad that he followed his own path and found the right moment to come out to the public. This is another reason he pulls me into his world – he is a business man and knows how to handle his career. He knows who his audience is and caters to their preferences; He has excellent marketing sensibilities. He seemed extra special on Idol, because there was a sense of mystery about him. We all knew he was gay from the start, but left it unspoken for fear it would cost him votes on the "wholesome," "all American" show (barf!). He spoke with intelligence, seemed humble but confident, and showed that he was a genuinely kind person underneath his layer of eye-liner. -Plus, I have always been a sucker for men in leather and lace. - That is not to say he hasn’t made some mistakes along the way (I will leave these unsaid, since we all know what they are and would like to forget them). His debut album “For Your Entertainment” is not the best written or most musically innovative, but in true Lambert fashion I have never seen him perform a song the same way twice. He keeps his music fresh. There is something unusually catchy about his songs and watching him perform, whether in a music video or live, is worth its weight in gold. Now that he has proven himself I think he will only get better with time. It is my hope that in his next album release we will see something truly special.

It's the polite thing to do, you know, get a kiss/give a kiss, very fair.

I was filled with anticipation at our first rehearsal for Almost, Maine. Which characters would I be playing? What would the cast be like? Would I be able to read cold from the script? I was filled with relief to sit at a little round table in the Transit Depot with my fellow cast members and director. Michael Eiden reminds me of Richard Dreyfuss for some reason. He smoked a cigarette in his van before he came into the rehearsal space. I feel safe when he is there, like I can experiment and try new things. I am playing Ginette, Sandrine, Gayle, and Hope. Our first read-through was very exciting since all of us were reading the script as a whole for the first time. They were many discoveries made and we made them together. I love the magic in this play, the element of surrealism that gives it a fairy-tale-like quality: literally falling down with love, shoes falling from the sky, sacks full of love and tangible pieces of broken heart. All of the characters are developed, deep and relatable. The script is very challenging. I am looking forward to actually getting on my feet and putting movement to the work.

Almost Maine Casting!

Yesterday evening I got news that I have been cast in Almost, Maine at the Whittier Center Theatre! I do not know which scenes I will be playing yet, but I am thrilled. I am excited to meet the other three cast members. I have a good feeling that this small cast will be a tight knit group, full of ambition and knowledge. We are being led by director Michael Eiden into the fictional town of Almost, Maine. Today at 7:30 PM we begin our travels!