LET HER, OOPS, I MEAN HIM SING!!!

Have you heard about this story?! About this kid, Mikhael Rawls who has been denied the chance to sing soprano in choir? It just really burns my cookies. (I was once a boy soprano myself ) I say - let the boy sing!!

NO MORE "MAMBO"

Producers pulled the plug on the Broadway-bound Mambo Kings. Wise choice.

I THINK I'M GONNA LIKE IT HERE! - H&M WEEK 1

Hi all,

Sorry it's been a while since I've had time to write. There's so much to write about, I hardly know where to begin!

The night before our first rehearsal I was sooo nervous. I felt just like I did my first year of college - what if the cool kids didn't want to be my friends? The amazing Daniel Marcus (who I am understudying) told me "YOU ARE one of the cool kids!" That sets up the tone for this surreal experience.

At the first readthrough I found myself at a table with Eric Shelley, Pamela Myers (the original Marta in Company! who looks & sounds incredible!!), Alice Vienneau, Daniel Marcus, Alison Ewing, Ryder Bach, director Robert Kelley, assistant director Mike Ward, musical director William Liberatore and composer Joseph Thalken & lyricist/playwright Tom Jones!! All I could think about was "what am I - a fat boy from Peru doing here with this torrent of talent?!!!"

My nervousness turned into amazement when I heard Joseph Thalken's beautiful, haunting score (the score is unbelievable - like nothing I have ever heard before!) and Tom Jones' funny & witty lyrics & immensely touching script. The actors are all amazing & cool & FUNNY and each so welcoming & friendly. They immediately made me feel at ease.

The writers are still making changes to the show - and are a part of the rehearsal process. (Joseph was playing his own music at the piano!) The show has gone through a lot of changes since it's first workshop/world premiere - songs have been cut and songs have been added and I think the show is just terrific. I have never had the privilege to be a part of a work in progress so I am sooo honored & proud to be a part of this show (even If I never get to go on!)

There is so much more to tell but I don't want to seem like a starstruck kid so I'll leave more for later. All I know is that when I get in my car to drive to rehearsal I am ridiculously happy.

=+)

THE PERFECT THEATRICAL EXPERIENCE

Tonight was our last performance of World - It was an amazing performance. I really want to thank you all of you who came to see it. It meant so much me. There was a lot of talent in the audience this last weekend including my gorgeous & talented girl Hilary Little and the boys from FMT's Sweeney and upcoming Brigadoon: Ray Renati, David Wiesen & Cabaret's Sean Fenton - it was great to see them and I look forward in seeing them in Brigadoon.

Being a part of this show was a dream come true. I have wanted to do it for years & I have auditioned for this show before and it didn't work out. I was starting to think that maybe I wasn't "musical review" material so from the bottom of my big ol' heart I have to thank Barbara Cannon, Michael Spector, Mark Hanson, Shannon Stowe, John Lawrence Paul Araquistain, Jackie McSwanson, Jen Oku, Linda Piccone for making this show the perfect theatrical experience. I shall forever hold this show in my memories - the amazing cast, staff & crew & the gorgeous and sometimes haunting music of the show. Our wonderful director Barbara Cannon said that this was one of Bus Barn's best shows - and it was the greatest compliment.

If you are an actor - I highly recommend you auditioning for Bus Barn. If you a patron of the arts - go see their shows, or better yet - make a donation. They are the best!

I start H & M on Monday and I am both scared & excited (and a little exhausted.) I'll write all about it at the end of the week.

Below are some wonderful photos from the show.

=+)

M.

P.S. I am slowly but surely updating my little blog and adding more to it when I can - if you are a fellow performer & friend and you'd like me to add you to the performer link area (I don't want to add anyone without their permission) - e-mail me and I will gladly do so. Also - my best friend Heather Clemens is about to release her first CD - I was so honored to receive one of the first copies - it's phenomenal. More details on that & much more to come.

Publicity Shot

How Lucky Can You Get

Mr. Cellophane

My Coloring Book

Arthur In The Afternoon

Kiss of the Spider Woman

Full Company

How Lucky Can You Get

Coffee in a Cardboard Cup

OPENING NIGHT: THE GOAT, or WHO IS SYLVIA?

Tonight I had the great pleasure of seeing a work of art. Aftter the lights came down and the actors took their bows and the curtain came down, I was speechless. It has been a long time that I have seen something that left me breathless after it was done. I can't give too much away - except this: GO SEE THIS SHOW! I am going to try to see it again. The performances are great but Pamela Reed was magnificent. This show is not for the squeamish - so if you are repulsed easily - this show won't be your cup of tea. I thought it was brilliant and now sits at the top of my favorite plays and one that I hope to perform in one day. Playwright Edward Albee is simply a genius.
It is a modern day greek tragedy - it's funny, it's disgusting - it's great theatre!

After the show I met up with Teatro Zinzanni's Diva Heather Clemens and we had a very nice night on the town. I almost never go to the city unless I'm going to see a show so it was nice to hit Martuni's & a late dinner. Tonight I ran into a couple of theatre folks - Mike Padilla & Carly Ozard. It was great to see them both.

It's late so I better go rest - remember only 3 performances left of World!

ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE

The incredibly talented & gorgeous Mariska Hargitay

Recently my sister laughed at me as I was writing a fan letter to Ms. Hargitay and asked for an autographed picture. She's the reason I watch Law & Order SVU. Much to my sister's surprise, today I got this awesome surprise. I know it's adolescent, but it made me smile and nothing beats proving your sibling wrong!

=+)

FINAL PERFORMANCES OF "WORLD!"

We had a really nice weekend of shows and a very intimate & wondeful cast party hosted by Linda Picconne. Tonight was also Jenn Oku's birthday (she was just cast in the title role of Bus Barn's upcoming Aida!) I wasn't feeling so hot tonight and my incredible castmates were very supportive. I gave it my all and overall I must say it was a damn good show.

It looks like we have a very small house for this Sunday night's show at 7 PM - If you are sitting at home with nothing to do - come see us! I can't stress how wonderful the show is. It's funny & moving and filled with some of the greatest music ever written for the Broadway stage. I know I am biased because I'm in it - but the show is really good. Tickets are $22 for this Sunday night's show.

After this weekend, we only have three remaining shows, then I have one night off and then I start rehearsals for H & M. I'm excited but nervous at the same time - this is big time stuff for me and I just want to do my best.

Great talent was in the audience this weekend including Tomas Theriot (who is doing 42nd Street with ACLO), Jon & Barbara Rosen (who is the costume designer for BBBAY's upcoming Joseph and its's cast of over 90!) and my beloved Patti Appel (she will be directing South Pacific for Coastal Rep next summer) & her wonderful husband Ken.

I've been real lucky with free tickets this month - because I won tickets for opening night of The Goat or Who is Sylvia? at ACT - starring the wonderful Pamela Reed. I'm so excited!!

That's all for now.

=+)

M.

p.s. Remember - Final performances of "World!!!"

TEARS IN HEAVEN

The world loses a legend - Anne Bancroft dies. Most people will remember her as Mrs. Robinson but I will always remember her as Harvey Fierstein's mother in Torch Song Trilogy. Brilliant & beautiful actress who was married to the equally brilliant & beautiful Mel Brooks.

"NEVER LET A FRIEND FOOL YOU TWICE"

Just a random/non theatrical related post tonight - I decided that from now on I would limit myself to just weekly posts - I run out of stuff to say and more and more I am unable to come up with theatre related stories. If of course I have something important from the theatre to report I shall.

I'm listening to Nobody's Side from Chess which is one of my favorite theatre songs and a philosophy I use in life. I won't post all the lyrics here but if get the chance listen to the "rules" mentioned in the song - very interesting. Especially in the land of theatre - you think people are your friends when really...well anyway...

Writing in these posts can be tempting, especially when you have juicy tales to tell. I finally joined My Space.com (just for fun) check it out:
http://www.myspace.com/divinelydecadentmsm

Beautiful segway isn't it? No. I am an adult and I will wait to tell all when I write my book someday.

=+)

M.

Everybody's Playing The Game BUT Nobody's Rules Are The Same

LOOKING AHEAD

I was just going over my calendar for the rest of this year and I almost had a coronary. World ends June 18th. I start rehearsals for H & M on June 20th - it opens July 20 and runs to August 14th with a possible extension to the 28th. School starts on August 17th which means that work also starts - working as Assistant Director to Linda. The plays at Canada start rehearsals August 30th - opens October 27th and closes on November 5th. PLUS currently I am deliberating saying "yes" to another show AND then one more show (4 shows to choose from) before the end of the year. Then we go to January of 2006 when....OY! I'm tired just thinking about it. I better go to sleep.

=+)

M.

LOOKS LIKE I DIDN'T MISS MUCH!

Norbert Leo Butz as the Emcee in CABARET

Today was one of those great days I'll always remember. We had an amazing show with a warm audience. My entire family attended and presented me with the most beautiful extravagant bouquet of flowers I have ever had the pleasure to receive. We had an amazing dinner at one of my favorite restaurants Los Altos Grill (which conveniently is located a block from the theatre!) I was presented with a gorgeous hand-made lei by my friend Joey Montes who was in Sweeney Todd with me - could it get any better than that?! - It did. My Sister & I went to get Gelato and rented Episode VI of Star Wars. Then 10:30 came around and I sat at my computer to check e-mails when my calendar said "TONY AWARDS 8 PM" I missed most of it, but from what I saw I didn't miss much. All the critics predictions were right on the money. I was thrilled to notice that I actually had the pleasure of seeing both winning best actor & actress in a musical perform. I saw Norbert Leo Butz as the Emcee in the tour of Cabaret that came to the Curran Theatre a few years ago - he is by far the best Emcee I have seen. I saw Victoria Clark play the role of the Beggar Woman in the Davies Symphony Hall concert version of Sweeney Todd. She was good in the role, I guess I didn't enjoy her performance because I really wanted to see Audra McDonald in the role. I was happy for both of their Tony wins and loved their acceptance speeches. I was also happy to read that the wonderful Bill Irwin won for best actor in a play. He is an amazing talent. The duet of "Somewhere" by Hugh Jackman and Aretha Franklin was perhaps one of the worst versions I have heard of that song. Looks like I really didn't miss much - what's memorable for me is that today was one of those really great days.

=+)

p.s. Only 7 performances left of The World Goes 'Round. Come see us - we are good!

DOLLY WILL NEVER GO AWAY AGAIN!

It's been almost ten years since I graduated from high school and now I have recently finished my first year of college. In high school I got horrible grades and I was scared to death at failing in college. I just checked my grades for this semester - 3 A's & 2 B's (there are no +'s or -'s in college transcripts) and combined my 3 A's from last semester which makes my G.P.A. 3.75! It's a f!@#^!~!@! miracle!! I feel like singing "Dolly will never go away...Dolly will never go away...Dolly will never go away again!!!!" At least not without her Bachelor's Degree!!

=+)

TOPIC: THE WORLD GOES ROUND...DISCUSS!!

Tonight I was part of my first discussion night. It was great! We weren't sure how many people would stay but about half the audience did. We were seated onstage with our wonderful director Barbara Cannon & they asked us about the casting, the show, our training - it was great and it's always nice to hear positive feedback from the audience. I am going to be very sad when this show is over. It has been a dream come true for me. My friend Patrick Niemeyer & his Mom were in the audience tonight and they were amazed at all the energy onstage. I'm amazed every night too! My Mom & baby Sis are coming to see the show again this Sunday only this time my Dad will join them. I think I am the most nervous when my family is in the audience. Of don't forget - THE TONY AWARDS this Sunday night on CBS!

=+)

M.

JUNE IS GAY PRIDE MONTH!

A few years ago, I took my sister to see the Bugs Bunny Film Festival which was playing in the Castro Theatre in San Francisco (for those of you who don't know - the Castro is the gayest part of town) My sister was only eight or nine years old and I worried that she would start to ask questions. Questions I wasn't sure I should be the one to answer. All was going well, we had a great time and even had lunch at Orphan Andy's (my favorite diner in the Castro) we stopped at a hardware store and she was fascinated with all the flags. Oh boy, here it comes. Right before we leave the store, she ask "What does the rainbow flag represent?" A drip of sweat comes down my forehead. I think long and hard before replying "It represents ...a group of people." "Oh!" she replies. I think I'm home free but then, "What group of people?" "Gay people" I reply. "Oh..." and a long silence. As we're leaving the store she says "I didn't know gay people had a flag!" You see she already knew about gay people. Where she knew from, I have no idea. Fast forward to six years later and she is one of my best friends and even a gay expert - telling me which shows I should or should not do. Since June is Gay Pride month, I thought I should educate those of you who don't even know the meaning of the flag:


Gay Pride Flag
The gay pride flag, which was debuted at the 1978 San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day Parade, was designed by a man named Gilbert Baker. It's inspiration came from the black civil rights and hippie movements.
Each color on the gay pride flag (also known as the rainbow flag) has a different meaning. Test your knowledge below.

Rainbow Pride Flag
RED = Life
ORANGE = Healing
YELLOW = Sun
GREEN = Nature
ROYAL BLUE = Harmony
VIOLET = Spirit

Gay Pride Day commemorates the Stonewall Rebellion in June, 1969, when drag queens, dykes, queer street kids, and transvestites rioted for three nights against police harassment in New York City. Within two weeks, the Gay Liberation Front was founded, and a year later the first pride march transpired on the anniversary of the melee with the cops.

I hope that one day Gay Pride will bring equality for us all, especially with this government who asks that we die for our country but doesn't give us the right to bridal registry! That is a crime!

=+)

WHERE ARE MY SHOES?

It's Thursday and back at the show for our third weekend. I'm a little tired from doing nothing this week. All I've done is lay about the house like a beached whale and watch T.V. Tonight's performance went great - except that I forgot my black shoes at home...so I did the show in my tennis shoes. I don't think the audience seemed to mind (and they were sooo comfortable!) Live theatre - wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

=+)

p.s. Only ten more performances of The World Goes 'Round left! See it or die! =+)

OPENING NIGHT: MAMBO KINGS

Tonight my gorgeous baby sis & I went to the opening night of Mambo Kings: The Musical. I'll leave the reviews to the critics. I have to say the women steal this show: Christiane Noll (Broadway's Jekyll & Hyde) was amazing and a true Broadway star. Grammy-winning Latin star Albita was sensational - Her accent made it difficult to understand some of the lyrics but I didn't care because I LOVE her voice. Justina Machado (Six Feet Under) is such a great actress that her lack of musical theatre experience is nowhere to be seen. She is a scene-stealer. I really loved the nightclub lighting & costumes - to die for. The show is Broadway bound and I wish them the best with their journey - I do hope that they take the time to trim & fix the show before going to Broadway - it has a lot of potential.

=+)

M.