THE CHILDREN ARE GETTING OLDER

Today (Friday) I went to the theatre for a fix-up rehearsal from the understudy runthrough. I was surprised that there wasn't much to fix. It's almost like we're a completely different cast and were having too much fun on-stage today. We get one more rehearsal next week. And of course - the show has been extended until the 21st of August!! Go catch it while you can!!!

At night I went to see the San Carlos Children's Theatre production of You Can't Take It With You. It was a very cute production though a bit on the long side. It was great to see some of the kids who were in Oliver! with me last year (It was my first show in over three years!) - how much they grow in a year's time.

Even though at first the play seems like a perfect production for kids to do - I found it to be quite racy at times - for little kids, but then I am always appalled by what some of these children's theatre companies get away with - kids doing shows like Jesus Christ Superstar, Side Show, Kiss of the Spider Woman, & Urinetown!!

But who am I to judge - I quote the great Stevie Nicks: "The children are getting older, and I'm getting older too."
SO?!

=+)

M.

H & M EXTENDED!!!

Due to popular demand - the critically acclaimed smash summer hit Harold & Maude: An Intimate Musical is extended until August 21st.

For more info visit www.theatreworks.org

UNDERSTUDY RUNTHROUGH

I was so nervous last night, I kept waking up in the middle of the night reciting lines from H & M. I was as scared as I have ever been in my life. I never knew how daunting a task understudying could be. Our runthrough was a great success - in fact better than I ever could have imagined since it was the first time all the understudies got to do the show completely. There were no trainwrecks, and the show went pretty smoothly - and I was very happy & relieved to hear from everyone that I did a good job. Fellow castmates Ricky, Elvy and Daniel were in the audience giving us support. Daniel Marcus is my new hero. I was petrified of performing in front of him (since I stole 99% of his performance) but he was so sweet & very encouraging. My fellow understudies were awesome - Andrew, Vivian, Zoe, Ryder & Mary (who did kick-ass double duty understudying two parts!) Even though it was scary at first, the rush of adrenaline kicked in after my first scene and soon after I stopped being nervous and started having fun. I had a ball performing the Uncle Victor/Harold military scene with Ryder - and the hysterical song "Rat-a-tat." We have two more rehearsals left - to clean up whatever needed fixing from the runthrough but overall I feel very good about the work we have all done.

I stayed to watch the evening performance and It was wonderful to see what everyone is doing with their characters - the show just keeps getting better and better. Even though I have seen the show numerous times I am always deeply moved by it. Tonight I was especially attentive to the audience's reactions - like the couple next to me would hold hands at tender moments or in the next row - I could see a lady wiping away her tears during Pamela's beautiful rendition of "The Chance To Sing." Ah, how I love live theatre.

GO BLOG YOURSELF!

It seems that more & more the term "Blog" is making its way into mainstream America. I recently got this mousepad from Rosie O'Donnell - I love it! Thanks Ro!

My fellow diva & all-around fab gal Jacqueline McSwanson has started her own blog. Check it out!

IT'S A RAVE!!!

Robert Hurwitt of the SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE gives Harold & Maude: An Intimate Musical a standing ovation! Check out the first rave review!!

"Smart, funny, irreverent, tuneful...superb cast...perfect musical" - San Francisco Chronicle

AN OPENING NIGHT TO REMEMBER

OPENING NIGHT

Tonight my beautiful baby Sis & I had the great pleasure of seeing the opening night of this great work. Having seen the show come to life has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. We had amazing seats - second row center. The show was terrific. Everyone in the cast - Pamela, Eric, Daniel, Alice, Alison, and Ricky, Ryder, Elvy & Elana were amazing. Alison stole the show with her act two number - I have never seen a showstopper like that. It literally stopped the show. I saw wonderful faces in the audience including my friend/mentor Linda Hoy & her husband Bill, fellow understudies Andrew Custer & Mary Melnick, and critics Richard Connema & Keith Kreitman. The opening night party was held in the courtyard of the Lucie Stern center where cocktails were served, sunflowers were given as presents & nooses hanged all over the place while 70's music was heard over the stereo. It was an amazing night. I am biased when I tell you how great the show is but trust me -it is. Go see it while you still can. It is the show to see this summer.

=+)

M.

H & M - P.A. WEEKLY COVER

Harold & Maude: An Intimate Musical is featured in this week's Palo Alto Weekly. Check it out!

UNDERSTUDY REHEARSAL

Last night my dear friend Hilary Little & I went to see FMT's preview of Brigadoon. It almost seemed like a Sweeney reunion since we sat with Michelle Jones, Austin Ku & James Iglehart. I had a great time with them. It was great to cheer my friends Ray Renati, David Wiesen & Sean Fenton on who were awesome on-stage. Hilary will start rehearsals soon for a musical called Ruthless in which she will play one of the leads - I am sooo happy for her. Austin has a lot going on - check out his website for more info: www.austin-ku.com and Mr. Iglehart will be playing the Cowardly Lion in AMT's The Wizard of Oz! - so cool!

As for H & M news - today was the first time the understudies got rehearsal time on-stage. I don't know why I was stressing about it. Overall I thought it went very well. It was an intimidating experience to try the material on-stage for the first time. Even though I know my lines & music, it's a another story to actually "perform" it on-stage for the first time. Our musical director Billy Liberatore seemed very pleased with my work. We didn't get through all the scenes since one of the understudies was missing so Ryder & I worked on our scenes which were great. I am looking forward to our full runthrough on Wednesday but even more excited for tomorrow's opening night. I'm taking my sis Mary Ann with me, since she has been an angel helping me learn my lines (even when she didn't really want to =+) and also encouraging me to do better.


=+)

H & M LAST DRESS REHEARSAL

Last night was the last dress rehearsal which was also an invitational free performance and the first audience that got to see the show - it was very exciting. I was surprised by how many people attended - the theatre (which holds about 400) was full. My dear friends Peter & Cynthia attended and afterwards treated me to The Cheesecake Factory in Palo Alto. I had never been there and really enjoyed myself. I was thrilled to see my friends, especially since they appreciate good theatre and I was eager to hear what a theatregoer had to say about the show (actors don't always tell you what they really think) and I was thrilled that they loved the show and had nothing but praise for it. It was wonderful to hear the audience react to the show which is hysterically funny at times and so moving as well.

H & M - WEEK 4 (LAST WEEK OF REHEARSAL)

Tuesday’s sitzprobe was incredible. You could not blowtorch the smile off my face while we heard Joseph’s brilliant orchestrations. It was awesome to hear the amazing cast sing with the orchestra for the first time.

Wednesday was our last day at the Colony Street rehearsal hall where Ryder Bach (Harold’s understudy) & I got to go over music with Joseph Thalken on the piano. Ryder is an awesome guy, real down to earth and very talented. In the evening we moved into the Lucie Stern, where I have never performed but seen many shows. (I remember the first show I ever saw there was West Bay Opera’s production of La Boheme - I think I was 13 or 14 years old) Anyway - I think the Lucie Stern is a great theatre and a perfect venue for this intimate musical. We began spacing rehearsals.

Thursday was the beginning of tech so I took the night off to review the material on my own and to go see Broadway By The Bay’s preview performance of Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It was great to see so many theatre pals both on-stage & off, especially: Berle Davis, Pat Parr, Matt Mattei, Lisa Price, Matt Ferretti and Robyn Tribuzi (who plays a fab Mrs. Potiphar!)

Friday - Still in tech - the show looks in such great shape. I am in such awe of Robert Kelley - I knew the man was a genius, but it has been a rare treat to watch him work. His incredible attention to detail - unlike any director I have ever worked with. I have been a fan of his since I saw his production of Sondheim’s Passion years ago. (I still have my playbill to prove it!)

Saturday -Tech all day so I decided to stay home and review stuff - I think I have everything memorized, though for some reason I am petrified of the understudy rehearsal next week. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. My baby sis has been my guarding angel - helping me learn the material. I have the world’s greatest sister.

Sunday - Dress rehearsal - I am speechless. The show is beyond words. Bay Area audiences are in for a rare treat!


To be honest - I didn't know what to expect when I was hired for this job. I am usually very picky about the material I am involved with and I had my doubts about being a part of a new show (the last two "new" musicals I saw were big stinkers) but as soon we sat at that table and read the script for the first time and heard the music for the first time - I knew I was going to be a part of something special. Special doesn't begin to describe it. This show has great meaning for me - and those close to me will know why when they see it. I hope that everyone goes to see this incredible work of art - you'll be glad you did.

Have a great week!

-M.

p.s. Previews start on Wednesday & the show officially opens on Saturday!

p.p.s. - There is a wonderful interview with the composers in the SJ Mercury News. Check it out. =+)

H & M - WEEK 3

I had an amazing experience yesterday - I got to go over the music for the show with the composer Joseph Thalken playing the piano for me. I was very intimidated & scared at first and even told him so. He said that I should forget about that and just pretend that he’s the piano player. The man is amazing - not only is he a brilliant musician & composer but also one of the nicest individuals I have ever met. He seemed really pleased with my work and this was one rehearsal I shall never forget.

My new pal (& mentor) Daniel Marcus has told me that he reads my blog - I thought he was full of BS until he made a comment about one of my posts, so I knew he was telling the truth! So it makes me really uncomfortable to talk about the man knowing he might read this - but anyone who knows me knows that I don’t kiss anyone’s butt and everything I write here is the truth: Not only is he a genius (honestly) but he is sooo funny and a wonderful guy. I’m really a lucky gal to be able to go to rehearsal and soak in all this knowledge & experience from my fellow talented cast members.

Today was the second designer runthrough which was amazing. Pamela Myers is a Goddess of the theatre - what an amazing talent. Her portrayal of Maude is astounding.

On Wednesday we move into the Lucie Stern and begin previews the following week. I know this show will be something really special - so plan to go see it!!!!

MARTIN ROJAS-DIETRICH & HEATHER CLEMENS - IN CONCERT

My dear friend and fellow demon diva Heather Clemens (currently starring as SF's Diva at Teatro Zinzanni - catch her while you can! She will leave the show in October) and I are planning a series of concerts starting with a performance in Woodside on October 16th (more details to come) and other shows in Redwood CIty & San Francisco, culminating in a Valentine's Day concert in February of next year. We haven't performed together in years (last time was the concert - Dueling Divas) I am thrilled & honored to be able to perform with her once again. Maybe we can call the new concert -Dueling Divas - Back with a Vengeance! (Just kidding)

=+)

HAROLD & MAUDE - PUBLICITY PHOTOS

Broadway legend Pamela Myers stars in the west coast premiere of HAROLD & MAUDE: THE MUSICAL at TheatreWorks. (use link on the left side for TW website)

HAROLD & MAUDE - SHOW NFO

Eric Shelley stars as Harold in Harold & Maude: The Musical
*west coast premiere*
CAST: Eric Shelley, Pamela Myers, Alice Vienneau, Daniel Marcus & Alison Ewing
JULY 20 - AUGUST 14, 2005
(650.903.6000)
www.theatreworks.org
Book & lyrics by Tom Jones
Music by Joseph Thalken
Based on the film written by Colin Higgins
Directed by Robert Kelley
tickets $20-54

H & M - WEEK 2

Only one more week of rehearsal left before moving to the Lucie Stern theatre. Today was the first designer runthrough and I got to watch the show & sit next to Tom Jones. (The little school boy in me was silently starstruck.) The show looks in great shape already. The scenes between Harold & Maude are funny yet incredibly moving at the same time. I'm completely in love with the score of the show - the songs are beautifully written. Some staff members were moved to tears by the end of the show. (I must admit I was one of them as well.) Alison Ewing cracks me up - she's awesome. (Her act 2 song is the showstopper.) I'm having an incredible time and have a lot of the music & script down which puts me at a little bit of ease. I'm sure I'll be talking a different tune during the understudy runthrough.

Tonight I saw the film "Dogma" for the first time. It was a very interesting film and coincidentally - one of the roles was played by Bud Cort (the original Harold in the film) - small world.

Happy Fourth of July!

=+)

M.

FAVORITE MOVIE QUOTE(S)

AFI just announced the top 100 movie quotes of all time: Mine came in at #9! Bette Davis as Margo Channing says "Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a BUMPY night." in All About Eve.




It's a close personal second to
Eileen Brennan as Mrs. Peacock saying:
"Our LIVES are in danger you BEATNIK!!" in Clue.

Okay, there's a third-
Faye Dunaway as Joan Crawford says:
"DON'T FUCK WITH ME FELLAS! This ain't my first time at the rodeo." from Mommie Dearest




What's yours?
E-mail me and I'll add yours to the list!


Ray Renati:

"Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!" from AUNTIE MAME

and

"You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya, punk?" from DIRTY HARRY