RUDE FORUM ENTRY

I was just checking out a theatre forum on where I read the rudest comment about Eden Espinosa. The brainless & thoughtless comments don't need to be repeated here - that would just be glorifying them but this childish person chose to rip this talented lady a new one - even making fun of her Latin last name!!! I found that to be borderline racist. It just seems that more & more I am outraged by how people will write whatever it is they want without thinking about it first. Not knowing that their thoughtless remarks just spread hatred & ignorance. Obviously this person won't get very far in the theatre world if he/she trashes talented employed performers - because it all gets back to them. Anyway - I must remind myself that in this day & age every Tom, Dick or Asshole will have an opinion and even though they stink to high heaven, we must tolerate it. Why? Karma. And besides, would Eden be cast in a national tour production if she was a terrible singer? I think not.

=+)

You rock Eden!

Martin

THEATRE RESPONSE: WICKED

When I first heard that Stephen Schwartz had done a re-make of The Wizard Of Oz, I said "I'm SO not going to see that shit." I eat my words, because this is absolutely not a re-make of The Wizard of Oz and doesn't compare - it's a new animal and frankly speaking a much better story. The original cast was here last year and I missed Kristin Chenowith & Idina Menzel and even though I love Menzel in the recording, I fell completely in love with Eden Espinosa who plays Elphaba. I had reservations about her unique vocal style when she started singing "The Wizard & I" but by the end of the song, she revealed her incredible booming voice. By far- her technique is much better than Menzel's who struggles & sometimes strains with the difficult score. One of the greatest compliments I have received as a singer was that I have a very unique voice - I pay those same compliments to Ms. Espinosa who took my breath away in her incredible rendition of "Defying Gravity" My baby sis who was with me last night, saw the tears in my eyes at the end of act one. She finally realized how much the lyrics in that song mean to me. It is one of my favorite songs but the lyrics are what make me love it most. Bringing much needed humor to the dark piece was Kendra Kassembaum's Galinda (the GA is silent =+) She was a hoot and very funny in "Popular." Hands down - Glinda's music doesn't compare to Elphaba's, but Kassembaum does the music beautifully. I wasn't so impressed with Carol Kane's singing but her acting was right on the money. Smaller roles like Fiyero, The Wizard, Nessarosa & Boq were wasted on me - but after all this is Elphaba & Glinda's show. They make the show, but helping them along is the awesome ensemble who sounded beautiful. (I have never seen an audience to eager to give a standing ovation to an ensemble) The set & costume design's Tony Awards are well deserved as should have been the lighting - breathtaking. I am so happy that I was able to see this show - it was a beautiful spectacle.

"Everyone deserves the chance to fly"

SOOO LUCKY!

I was in San Francisco today, running an errand for my boss and since I was already in the city I thought I would stop by the Orpheum asnd see if there were any available tickets for Wicked. The show has sold out it's SF run and the only way to get a ticket is by lottery or buy a ridiculously over-priced ticket from a scalper. When I arrive at the box office, I'm told that he just happened to have to 2 center orchestra seats 11th row for tomorrow night. Happy Birthday to me!!! (not for two weeks but what a way to start celebrating!) I am so excited. I really wanted to see this show.


I didn't get to see Eqqus on Wednesday because I wasn't feeling very well but it's all good because tomorrow night: WICKED!

=+)

M.

CATCHING UP

Sorry I haven't been able to write but I have been crazy busy - plus y'all don't want to hear the daytime drama that is my life, right? =+) School has started and I made my schedule a bit too hectic, so after realizing that I am a human being, I cut down on my classes so I have some time to breathe. My gig at TheatreWorks ended on Sunday and even though I never got to perform in front of a live audience, I feel that I could have gone on - and in a way I did - we had a full runthrough on stage and a couple of rehearsals. The highlights of this experience for me have to be: Being able to sit in during table work (I really wish more directors did that), watching Robert Kelley pay such incredible attention to detail - the man is a genius, getting to see all these incredible actors bring these characters to life, realizing that I was understudying one of the best actors I have ever seen perform, the joy that was Pamela Myers - I am completely in love with her - (BUY HER CD! The Chance To Sing- It's incredible! You can also get it on Amazon.) but mostly the chance to sing for Tom Jones and actually getting to sing Joe Thalken's music with him playing the piano - that one will stay with me for a loooong time. It was an amazing summer - scary at first but incredibly rewarding. I also realized what an undertaking understudy work is - I applaud all those who do it. It's really fucking hard work! Really glad I did it but it's not something I wanna try anytime soon. =+)

Tonight I attended my friend Heather Clemens' CD release party which was fab. Heather has grown so much as a performer and it is such a joy to see her perform. She & I go waaaay back. She sang some songs from her CD as well as a number of beautiful jazz gems & standards. The great Larry O'Leno was at the piano and Heather had a few special guest singers including the amazing Houston Allred (he accompanied Heather in an aria from La Rondine which was the highlight of the evening) and Tammy Nelson from Beach Blanket Babylon. Even though I wasn't feeling so hot, I was nudged over to the piano to sing a song for my dear friend. It was a great evening.

I'm excited about seeing Eqqus in Berkeley tomorrow night with a couple of friends from my drama class. I've always wanted to see it - full frontal nudity - yes please!! It reminds me of a time long ago, when I saw a then unkown Jude Law full frontal NAKED on Broadway in Indiscretions (with Kathleen Turner & Roger Rees) I'll never forget the woman in front of me - as soon as Jude rose from that bath tub and was there for all to see, she turns to her friend and says "Ooh, now it's gettin' good!"

=+)

M.

DON'T MISS THE CHANCE

H & M will close on August 21st - do not miss it. My dear friend Hilary Little & I caught the show on Thursday and it was awesome. It amazes me how much I still enjoy the show (even after seeing it so many times) There is nothing playing right now like it - you'll be glad you saw it.

I go back to school on Wednesday to begin my third semester and also to once again work for the lovely Linda Hoy as her assistant director. This year she has selected two outrageous comedies - Christopher Durang's take-off of The Glass Menagerie - For Whom The Southern Belle Tolls and David Ives' Babel's in Arms. It should be a lot of fun. Between working for Linda & school I will have my plate full until the end of the year (this will be the SEVENTH show I have worked on in the last 12 months!) and I also have some cool gigs lined up. Stay tuned for those.

Mwah!

M.

HEATHER CLEMENS - CD RELEASE PARTY

My partner-in-crime/fellow diva/best friend (who also happens to have one of the best voices in this planet) is releasing her first CD - My Ideal. There will be a CD release party in Half Moon Bay - Here's the info:

CD RELEASE PARTY
Heather Clemens, "My Ideal"
With pianist Larry O’Leno
"MY IDEAL", an eclectic sampling of Heather’s repertoire, spanning opera, musical theatre, jazz and novelty songs, will be available.

Order drinks and appetizers while Heather and Larry perform songs form the CD and more!
Tuesday, August 23rd
7 pm
Miramar Beach Restaurant
131 Mirada Road
Half Moon Bay
From highway 1 turn west onto Magellan
Continue to ocean and the Miramar Beach Restaurant will be on the left

You can also buy her CD on Amazon and CD Baby.

About Heather:

A native of the Bay Area, Heather is a recent graduate of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she trained operatically with Sylvia Anderson. Heather won the 2002 Conservatory Voice Concerto Competition, and then performed her winning work, Strauss’ Vier Letzte Lieder, later that year with the Conservatory Orchestra. You may have seen Heather in San Francisco’s Teatro Zinzanni, a circus-cabaret unlike any other show in the Bay Area. For over a year now she has created the diva roles of Diva Dolly, Sonja and Josephine the Bearded Lady. Displaying rare versatility, Heather is also at home in the cabaret setting, performing vaudeville and novelty songs, musical theater and jazz. Combining a shocking combination of comedy and high-class art, she has performed one-woman shows at venues such as The Empire Plush Room, Morrison Planetarium in Golden Gate Park and Lush Lounge. Heather’s first CD is "My Ideal".

H & M - REVIEWS

Praise for

Harold & Maude: An Intimate Musical!

San Francisco Chronicle

Aisle Say

Metroactive Stage

Palo Alto Weekly

San Jose Mercury News

The Almanac

ROSIE BACK ON BROADWAY!

Fellow blogger Rosie O'Donell sent this to her blog fan list:

" i will be playing golde in fiddler on the roof on broadway sept 20 - jan 8th
harvey fierstein stars as tevye 2 good 2 b true i am over the moon excited feel like a teen
thank u 4 the comments comfort and care for getting it peace out"

It's great to see you back where you belong baby!

MARC SHAIMAN RESPONDS TO LA CHUISA

The brilliant & funny composer Marc Shaiman responds to an article written by the pretentious Michael John La Chuisa where he says that "the American Musical is dead." Kudos to Mr. Shaiman for tellin' it like it is. You go baby! Continue to do what you do which is more than I can say for others.
La Chuisa - shame on you. Check out Marc Shaiman's response!

BUSY DAYS, VERY BUSY

Yesterday was a busy day starting with our last full understudy rehearsal. We sat in chairs and read/sang through the show for continuity. At night I was able to see the show (audience packed as usual) and I am amazed on how I still respond to the show after seeing it so many times. It still makes me laugh and moves me to tears at the end. The cast continue to shine with their characters and the pace of the show has never been better.

In the parking lot of the Lucie Stern, I ran ito my pal Matthrew Mattei who is currently working next door to us rehearsing I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change with Palo Alto Players. It was very nice to run into him.

My best friend & fellow diva Heather Clemens persuased me to drive to Pacifica to meet up with her to discuss her upcoming C.D. release (My Ideal) which is coming up on August 23rd in Half Moon Bay. I'll post more info here later. We had a fabulous time and before I knew it it was 2 AM so I had to drive over the hill so I wouldn't turn into a pumpkin =+)

-M.

CATCH IT WHILE YOU CAN!

I went to the Lucie Stern tonight to see H & M (for those wondering why I'm seeing the show so much - understudies have to see the show once a week to keep current) and they were completely sold out - I couldn't believe there wasn't a single ticket available! Get your tickets now while you still can!

EL GATO DEL DIABLO THEATRE

My friend Amy Cole has started her own theatre company in San Francisco - El Gato Del Diablo Theatre Company (The Devil's Cat - cool, huh?!) Their first production is called The Rise and Fall of the Monkey King. Check it out!