REMEMBERING A LEGEND

The brilliant lyricist Fred Ebb & I.

One of the joys about being a part of THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND is celebrating the work that Fred Ebb accomplished in his long partnership with John Kander. They wrote music together for four decades. That is an incrdible accomplishment. I can't think of a better show that celebrates & recognizes the body of work this brilliant writer left behind, before his death earlier this year. This picture was taken a few years ago at a performance of Chita & All That Jazz at the Golden Gate Theatre. Thank you Fred Ebb!

Publicity Flyer for THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND 

THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND! OPENS SOON

Here's the info from the publicity flyer for the show:

"Sometimes you're happy, and sometimes you're sad, but the world goes 'round." Life, with its glories, indignities, hopes and quiet dreams, is the subject of thi stunning revue of the beloved songs of John Kander & Fred Ebb. Filled with humor, romance, drama, non-stop melody and brassy, insightful lyrics, THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND is a thrilling celebration of life and the fighting spirit that keeps us all going.

THE WORLD GOES 'ROUND
the songs of Kander & Ebb

Music and Lyrics by John Kander & Fred Ebb
Conceived by Scott Ellis, Susan Stroman, and David Thompson

Directed by Barbara J. Cannon & Michael Spector
Musical Direction by Mark Hanson
Choreography by Shannon Stowe

Featuring: Paul Araquistain, Jacqueline McSwanson,
Jennifer Oku, Linda Piccone & Martin Rojas-Dietrich

Tickets: $20-30 On Sale Now

MAY 19 - JUNE 18

Call (650) 941-0551

or visit www.busbarn.org


p.s. If you'd like a flyer for the show - please e-mail me with your mailing address and I'll send you one. -M.

LAUGHTER MAKES THE WORLD GO AROUND!

We had the best rehearsal tonight! I can't remember having this much fun doing a show - ever! We get our work done but there's just so much joy in what we're doing. I'm thrilled to be a part of this show and to be working at Bus Barn.

Someone recently asked me why I don't allow comments to be posted on my blog. Well I thought about it and decided that if you're reading this you're most likely going to have an opinion. The only thing is I see people post comments on blogs and it turns very confrontational. Now I wouldn't care personally because I can't stand who those people are. The short answer is: This is America, by all means, make your comment - I just don't want to see it on my blog.


=+)

M.

INSPIRED BY JONI

Just a few random bits:

* I have been slowly adding new songs to my repertoire. However they are not from the world of musical theatre. I love showtunes but I also have an incredible appreciation for all kinds of music - from opera to jazz to rock - I love it all. Lately I have been listening to a lot of Joni Mitchell music. Her songs are just beautiful. They are inspiring me to sit at the piano and sing, which is something I rarely do anymore unless I'm rehearsing music for a show. Sooner or later I'm not going to be able to resist singing all this new material that ranges from Joni to Randy Newman to Edith Piaf songs and even a song from Radiohead. I smell a concert in the works.... =+)

* "The World Goes Round" opens in less than a month! We had our publicity photo shoot today. I have fallen in love with all of the music in the show and especially the songs I have to sing, expecially the songs "We Can Make It" & "I Don't Remember You." There are some beautiful ballads, comedic songs as well as some showstoppers in the show. "Kiss of the Spider Woman" is starting to grow on me too. I think I just need more confidence when it comes to those "money" notes (for me that's anything that need to be belted above a "G")

* I am also tired beyond belief! I can't wait for this school semester to end. Today I sang at my friend Heather's recital. I had a great time but I am desperately in need of a day to just sleep in!

M.

GREAT SINGER

There is this great article on the timeless diva Barbara Cook on the NY Times. I saw her perform a mostly Sondheim program a few years ago on New Years Eve. It was a wonderful night. What I remember is not her voice (which is still an amazing sound at 77!) but her delivery of the material. I love to see singers FEEL the music and show it. To me singing is just that: singing. Barbara Cook is a performer. I pray that one day I'll be able to call myself that.

=+)

M.

LOOK: I'M A DANCER!

NO! Not really. But I had the best time at dance rehearsal today. Our wonderful choreographer Shannon Stowe made me feel totally relaxed and like I actually could do the steps. This is the most fun I have done doing theatre EVER!

=+)

M.

THOSE DANCIN' FEET!

On the little time I have off, I like to go see shows, but I have this new ritual where I am mostly seeing shows that I haven't seen before. I saw opening night of Sunnyvale Community Players' production of 42nd Street last night. It's a great show and by far the best show I have seen there, largely to the great talents of my pals Sean Patrick O'Connor, Ruth E. Mullins & Kathy Burch. The show is great fun and there are some wonderful moments in it. I had a great time. Go check it out. Speaking of dancing feet, tomorrow is our first "dance" rehearsal with "World" Why do I always feel like one of the fat hippos from "Fantasia" at these things?

=+)

M.

"HAROLD & MAUDE" IT IS!

For years now, I have carried my cell phone with me at all times. Sometimes people would ask "Why do you carry that thing EVERYWHERE you go?" I replied: "In case Leslie Martinson might call!" I am sure glad I persevered, because today she did call and asked me to be a part of the West Coast Premiere Theatreworks production of "Harold & Maude: The Musical!" I am going to be an understudy for them which is something I have always wanted to do as well as join the equity candidate program! I am over the moon!! My gig with Bus Barn ends on June 18th and rehearsals at Theatreworks will start on the 20th. =+) Too happy for words right now!

=+)

Martin.

The ladies of THE POETRY OF WAR: Kimi Carey, Velica Davis, Vanessa Alberti, Tammy Lewis, Victoria Pacquet, Catharine Emma Hershey 

Me and the gorgeous & talented Linda Hoy on opening night of SOLDADO RAZO & THE POETRY OF WAR

I took this picture with my disposable camera & it was the picture used for the review in the Redwood City Daily News. Go figure! Johnny ( played by Tom Shamrell Jr) and La Muerte (Death) played by Maryann Moore in Luis Valdez's SOLDADO RAZO

PICTURES!

Yes! I have finally learned how to upload pictures onto my blog! Here are a few from SOLDADO RAZO & THE POETRY OF WAR

Enjoy!

M.

AN EMOTIONAL FAREWELL

We closed our very patriotic & moving production of Soldado Razo & The Poetry of War today. I was overwhelmed by the love & appreciation I received from the cast today. They were so sweet. They gave me a gift & thanked me for the work I did just like we did for our director Linda Hoy last night. It was a wonderful surprise. I had to rush outof there so they wouldn't see me get emotional. I hate getting mushy on closing night but this was a labor of love. I had the best time working with Linda Hoy (who is a Goddess of the Theatre) and all the actors involved and I wish them the very best always in everything they do. I hope I get the opportunity to work with these talented boys & gals on stage sometime. The work-load goes down tremendously but I still have a lot of schoolwork to catch up on as well as learn my stuff for "World". Later this week I'm going to see opening night of 42nd Street at Sunnyvale Community Players. My dear friend Heather has snagged me to perform as a guest performer at her student's voice recital in Half Moon Bay later this month which should be fun. Allright, that's all from me. Have a wonderful week!

=+)

M.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

You know a lot of people ask me if my "name" is a stage name. In a way it is. The name my parents gave me at birth and what's written on my birth certificate is Oswaldo Martin Rojas Dietrich Jr. You try signing checks with that name. =+) For a long time I was known as Martin Rojas for short, until I realized that were a million other Martin Rojas' in the world. However (to my knowledge) there is only one Martin Rojas-Dietrich and it also celebrates both my parents and their Peruvian & Brazilian heritage.

=+)

M.

BERLE DAVIS ON CBS BAY AREA

I found this wonderful interview that CBS BayArea did on the wonderful choreographer Berle Davis that aired back in March. You can see bits of our "Cabaret" and if you look closely you can see me for 1.5 seconds during our vocal warm-ups. =+) You can see the video on your computer screen. It's a great homage to one of the nicest individuals to have ever touched my life. I quit smoking because I made a promise to him that I would. He still checks up on me to see if I kept my promise and it's been almost 5 months and I have kept my promise.

=+)
M.

CLOSING WEEKEND

Just a reminder that the wonderful show at Canada College, "Soldado Razo" & "The Poetry of War" closes this weekend. The performances are at the Flex Theatre on campus at 4200 Farmhill Blvd.
Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 7:30 PM
Sunday at 2 PM
Admission is $10 General, $9 Staff/Seniors & $5 All Students
www.canadacollege.net
reservations at (650) 306-3396

I will be running the box office tomorrow night. If you mention the word "e-savers" or "artsopolis" or "Bay Area Theatre Bums" you can get a ticket for $5

Hope to see you there!

-M.

PROJECT "?" REVEALED

Okay, the reason I didn't want to say anything is because auditions make me nervous enough as it is. You'd think that by now I'd get the hang of them, but no. After many years of waiting for the phone to ring, Theatreworks finally called. The show is "Harold & Maude The Musical" I only had a couple of days to look over the material and I am forever grateful to my friend Heather Clemens who coached me with my audition piece and the song I was given from the show (called Woe). The coolest thing about auditioning was getting the chance to sing for the composers. Joseph Thalken who wrote the music and Tom Jones who wrote the book & lyrics (and of course The Fantasticks!) I don't want to speculate on how I did, because I am always my biggest critic. The audition was a rare & pleasant surprise. I don't have any expectations, I just hope they'll call more often. =+)

In other news, "Soldado Razo & The Poetry of War" received a very nice review by John Angell Grant in the Daily News. He said "Canada (college) has staged a moving student production of the show, ably directed by Linda Hoy. In her red dress, actor Maryann Moore stands out as a serene and philosophical Death." I'm thrilled for them! We actually have a couple of special added Wednesday morning shows for the college. I really hope they have nice full houses this weekend.

I'll be sad when my work is done at Canada College for this semester, but I will be able to concentrate on my schoolwork (which I have been neglecting) and of course learn the difficult harmonies in "The World Goes Round".

That's all for now

=+)

Martin

FIRST "WORLD" REHEARSAL

Today was the first music rehearsal for "The World Goes Round" and I can already tell this is going to be a great show. The cast is phenomenal. Jackie McSwanson, Linda Piccone, Jen Oku and Paul Araquistain sound amazing. The five of us blend really well together. Our musical director Mark Hanson is hilarious. I love a good conductor with a sense of humor. I'm so thrilled to be a part of this show! I'm up late because I am FINALLY going to watch the LuPone/McDonald/Cerveris concert of "Passion". I got my beverage & kleenex ready.

=+)

M.

" PROJECT ?"

We had a very small house at the show tonight. It's a shame because the show is so good. We're going to add two extra shows for the students to attend next week to hopefully attract more publicity on campus. In other news: I gotta be honest here, there's something I'm dying to write about, but I'm afraid to jinx it, so I won't, but I promise I will tell you all about
"PROJECT ?" soon. =+) Actually my friend Heather Clemens who now holds a M.A. in Music was so wonderful in helping me with "PROJECT ?" She is not only an extraordinary musician (and now teacher) but a great friend. I'm going to try to get some sleep before tomorrow's rehearsal at Bus Barn.

=+)

M.