A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC INFO

This is an e-mail I sent out today - it's only fitting that I also post it here.

Dear Theatre Friends & Colleagues,

Happy new year! I hope you are doing well. It has been a while since I performed in my last show which was last summer's Urinetown, The Musical at San Jose Stage Company. In case you didn't know I have been absent for all this time because I am now a Junior at Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont and that has pretty much taken all of my time. I will be performing in their spring musical, A Little Night Music. It is a great show with exquisite music. I am playing one of the members of the quintet otherwise known as "The Liebeslieders." The cast is great and my fellow liebeslieders are out of this world - they are: Marisol Urbano, Julia Louise Hosack, Adia Griffith and my fellow Sweeney Todd pal Nick Patton. Our musical director is TheatreWorks' William Liberatore, assisted by Clint Cancio and my amazing voice teacher and head of the NDNU Music Department Debra Lambert plays Mrs. Armfeldt.

Here's all the info in case you would like to come:

A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Hugh Wheeler
suggested by a film by Ingmar Bergman

Directed by Michael Elkins
Musical Director William Liberatore
Associate Musical Director Clint Cancio
Choreographer Coleen Lorenz

When:
Opening Night: February 23 @ 7:30 PM with reception following performance.
Other performances: February 24, March 2 & 3 @ 7:30 PM
Matinees: February 25 & March 4 @ 2 PM

Where:
Notre Dame de Namur Theatre
Please note that the Theatre's address is 1500 Ralston Avenue, but it shares a driveway with the High School, which is 1540 Ralston Avenue.
The driveway is west of the University's main entrance and tennis courts on Ralston Avenue.

Box office: (650) 508-3456
Admission: $15 general, $10 students


Hope to see you there! Please feel free to call me or e-mail me if you have any questions.

Hugs to all

Martin


"No Day But Today"
www.martintheatre.blogspot.com

HARRY POTTER ALL GROWN UP

This is the amazing poster for London's upcoming revival of EQUUS starring Mr. Harry Potter himself, Daniel Radcliffe and also the amazing British actor Richard Griffith (Tony winner for The History Boys.) Here's a link to some provocative publicity shots (if you didn't know he has to be naked on stage.) Daniel was just terrifically hilarious in HBO's EXTRAS - (check out this hilarious Ricky Gervais creation - it is genius) How times flies - Harry Potter is a man.

=+)

M.

ACCOSTED BY A HOMELESS MAN

Okay so I saw a brilliant film (The Queen) and then a beyond-awful one (Epic Movie) but I drag my baby sis to see so many of my things that if she wants to see something I will bite my tongue (not for long) and go see it. The most memorable part of the afternoon was a homeless man who first asked me for some money and when I didn't respond - he proceeded to say: "motherfucker.....lose some weight!" What is the world coming to? First, this man asks me for money and when I don't give it to him he insults me. What happened to homeless people? Where in the fuck is the world coming to? And I must confess this is not the first time that has happened to me (not the weight comment - being insulted by a fucking homeless person.) I didn't know what to say to that - I could have said plenty but why pick on someone less fortunate. Anyway - it's something that bugged me this weekend and I thought maybe some of y'all could relate.

In other news - I am very excited to be seeing my teacher Wesla Whitfield perform at the Plush Room on Wednesday. I fell in love with Wesla when she taught me last semester (she is not longer at NDNU) and she was by far the best thing about coming here last semester - her presence, her energy - she is an amazing performer and I am bringing my dear friends Peter & Hilary to go see her - can't wait!! Wesla is of course perfoming with her amazing husband/musical director Mike Greensill.

Tomorrow & Wednesday are also auditions for the plays at Cañada as well as rehearsals for Night Music - so a full week lies ahead.

Have a great week y'all!

=+)

M.

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!

On Friday night, some of my fellow Night Music cast members & I went to see THE QUEEN. I wanted to see it because all I hear is how Helen Mirren is a sure-win for this year's Oscars. I already say Meryl Streep's brilliant performance in The Devil Wears Prada and Penelope Cruz's moving role in Volver and plan to see Judi Dench in Notes on a Scandal (no plans to see Little Children as of now - sorry Kate) The movie was quite brilliant - very quiet but graphic and intense in some scenes. Helen Mirren brought an amazing heart to this person who is not very likable. A stunning performance and I concur - give her the damn Oscar already. She gave a wonderful speech when she received the Screen Actors Guild Award this weekend (well actually 2 awards - again!) I have always been a fan of her work and this recognition is long overdue. Brava!

WHAT - THE WEEK IS ALREADY OVER?!!

I apologize for not being in touch this week - between school and being violently ill - it was a hard week. Not very much to report here though - next week are the auditions for the play at Canada which I will be Assisting Directing again for Linda Hoy. I have an insane amount of music to memorize over the next couple of weeks (not to mention a shit load of school work) - first on that list is the music for A Little Night Music. The show opens February 24 - then these the songs that I am singing at school: O Sole Mio, Bring Him Home from Les Mis, Il Mondo Era Vuoto from The Light In The Piazza, Wheels of a Dream from Ragtime, The Song That Goes Like This from Spamalot, My Heart Is So Full of You from Most Happy Fella and probably the most challenging piece (probably ever) is Soliloquy from Carousel. That one (for Musical Theatre Workshop) really scares me - it's very long and I hope that I will be able to hold the audience's attention for that much time - I am honored that Marc Jacobs believes in me that much to give me such a monster piece. Wish me luck!!! Okay I am off to bed because I have a full day tomorrow.

=+)

M.

THE BOAT HAS SAILED

I had the most amazing lesson yesterday with my new voice teacher, Debra Lambert. Debra & I get along great (she's also my advisor) but I felt very much at ease with her. I look forward in working with her. I told her how scared I was to be entering tenor territory or as I call it "unchartered waters" and she said that boat has sailed. I will be working on really challenging and beautiful music this semester - yay!!!

Speaking of having a good time - I had the best time with my friends Laurie & Julia the other night. Too much fun on a school night!!!

=+)

M.

SWEEEEEEEENEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am over the moon! The revival production of Sweeney Todd will tour and will play a limited run first here in San Francisco! The production will sit at A.C.T. from August 30-October 14. I will see it probably more than once! Can't wait!!!!!! Here is the article from Playbill. Now - who will play the coveted roles?

GOLDEN GLOBES 2007

Well it was a very predictable evening but I am glad some of my predictions came true! Kudos to:

*Best Actress (comedy/musical) MERYL STREEP who gave a fierce (yes girls I said fierce) speech and looked fabulous. Did Beyonce really think she was gonna beat Meryl?! HAH!

*Best Supporting Actress JENNIFER HUDSON who deserved to win but her acceptance speech was a wee bit funky. You're gonna win the Oscar girl so I expect you to be ready!

*Best Director MARTIN SCORSESE - about fucking time! Hear that Academy?

*Best Actor (comedy/musical) - SACHA BARON COHEN - brilliant speech.

*Best Supporting Actor - EDDIE MURPHY. Well deserved - he really did a great job on Dreamgirls.

*Best TV Series (musical/comedy) - UGLY BETTY - YES!!!

*Best Actress (TV musical/comedy) - AMERICA FERRERA. I cried with her as she gave a beautiful & heartfelt speech. The most deserving honor of the evening.

*Best TV Drama - GREY'S ANATOMY. A great ensemble cast and great episodes that make me watch week after werk - truly a great drama.

It should be interesting to see who gets Oscars nominations...

PAN'S LABYRINTH

Go see this film - it is heartbreaking & beautiful. A modern fairy-tale for adults that mixes both elements of fantasy & real life to tell a most beautiful tale. Beautifully shot and brilliantly directed. As the credits rolled, I cried my eyes off. I highly recommend it - don't forget the kleenex.

THOUGHTS FROM THE WEEKEND

*This afternoon I performed a scene from Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor with my friends Liz O'Neill and Adia Griffith for Pocket Opera's 30th Anniversary Kick Off Party which featured songs from the upcoming season and selected pieces from last season. The scene went great but I did have to leave right after because I had to come home and be with my Dad. Plus those of you who know me know that I don't like meet & greets. I never know what to say. I usually feel really uncomfortable. I know some actors love to greet the audience after a performance but I sure don't. I usually can't wait to get out of costume and make-up and either go eat or go to sleep. I appreciate the love - just give it during curtain call =+)

*Last night my friend Nick Patton came to see me at Max's which was very nice - I made him sing of course and he did a lovely rendition of "Misty." I love how my very talented friends come and sing with me =+)

*Night Music rehearsals are going well - the music is very demanding so I have a lot of harmonies to learn. Together the quintet is a torrent of talent. It's very exciting!

Not much else to report (yet) and I am going to enjoy tomorrow off and watch the Golden Globes and tonight Rome (the most decadent show on TV) & Extras (featuring the hilarious Ricky Gervais)on HBO.

Have a great week y'all

=+)

Martin

NIGHT MUSIC BEGINS REHEARSALS

Sorry - while school wraps up its first week I find myself having no time to breathe. Tomorrow I am at school from 9 AM to 10 PM!!!! (with breaks in between of course) but it is still a 13 hour f'ing day!

I am officially excited about A Little Night Music - largely to Billy Liberatore's involvement. He is just such a force and he brings this amazing energy to his musical direction so I think we all just want to catch up to him and do a good job. The quintet sounds AMAZING and we have a lot of music - the quintet acts like a Greek Chorus of sorts providing commentary on the action while still singing some amazing Sondheim harmonies. Billy was really inspiring about the nuances of the music - I think I know how I am going to play Mr. Lindquist - thanks Billy! I'm also really glad my pal Nick Patton was able to join us for the quintet. It's really nice to be able to sing with him again. I am really excited about being a part of this production now.

My "drama" has not resolved yet - well it's not really drama anymore but... oh more on that to come soon (I hope)

My dear pal Courtney Stokes gave me a really cool gift today - love ya Courtney!

Another pal of mine - Arielle Jacobs (pic on right) is performing in the first Equity production of High School Musical. She is playing the lead female role. It was so cool to log on to Playbill and see her pic on the cover page - you go baby girl! We performed in The Secret Garden YEARS ago - and I mean YEARS ago. I knew back then that she would make it - such a talent and has the right attitude too. Oh yeah and her brother is Marius in Les Miserables on Broadway - another talented pair of siblings!

Okay - I think that's all for now.

=+)

M.

SO MUCH DRAMA, SO LITTLE TIME

SOOO much has happened in the last 48 hours but I'm afraid my long (probably boring) story is at the middle still, It should come to an end in the next few days and then I'll tell the whole story from the beginning =+)

In other news school starts tomorrow. Oh here we go...

=+)

M.

SOMETHING'S COMIN'....

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Monday will be an interesting day to say the least - I can't really give a lot of details but if you can send me some good thoughts - 'kay? I'm very happy to report that my Dad's surgery went very well and he is now on his way to recovery. I had a great night at Max's tonight - I had two surprise guest singers - both fabulous Divas: my girl Heather Clemens and NDNU Diva Julia Louise Hosack - their visit made my night. Anyway - not much to report here (not yet anyway) but I will have plenty to say in the next few days. Stay tuned.

=+)

M.

TEARS IN HEAVEN

I just found out some very sad news - my friend Sean Patrick O'Connor's younger brother Kyle died in a car crash that happened on Tuesday evening. I don't know much about the accident, just from what I have read in the newspapers. My heart goes out to Sean and his family. I cannot even begin to comprehend what it's like to lose a sibling - my deepest sympathies go out to them. Those of you who know Sean - please send him a note of support. I think at a time like this we need to be reminded that we are surrounded by friends.

Martin

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Well it's 2007 - I can't believe it. Warmest wishes for everyone! My New Years Eve was a quiet night at home. PBS showed Audra McDonald Sings The Movies - Live at Lincoln Center and it was a beautiful way to ring in the new year. My dad watched it with me - it was a rare and beautiful thing - spending quality time with my dad. He is not doing well health wise so send lots of warm wished our way. Audra was magnificent as always and she & the New York Philharmonic were an incredible team. She sang some probably one of the most beautiful renditions of Over The Rainbow I have ever heard. I sincerely hope her next CD is a collection of movie songs from this concert. Other highlights were You'll Never Know, Moon River, I Could Have Danced All Night, Can't Stop Talkin', As Time Goes By, The Glamorous Life and Ain't It The Truth. Thank you Audra for the inspiration you give us all. A wonderful & memorable evening. I remember once upon a time when New Years eve meant partying - I guess I grew out of that which is fine by me =+)

Happy New Year Everyone!

And as always - thanks for reading.

=+)

Martin