AND GOD SAID...

"LET THERE...BE!"



I have been cast as Father (that's our Heavenly Father) in CHILDREN OF EDEN, the spring musical at NDNU. Most of the roles have been split up - Adam and Noah are not played by the same actor and Eve has been cut down to three actresses but I am relieved that instead of spliting Father they double cast the role. I will be doing half the performances and that's a-okay by me. It's a very demanding role - almost operatic in its range so I am looking forward to this challenge.



Yesterday I received a wonderful e-mail from my dear friend Dottie Lester-White (who is choreographing the show) that just made me weepy. She means the world to me. The show will be directed by Greg Fritsch whom I have heard a lot of great things about. Just from the little direction he gave me at callbacks - I know that I am going to enjoy working with him. The show performs in April of 2008 and of course lots more info on that next year.



I mentioned this to a few people: "If a gay fat boy from Peru can play 'God' -- well then anything is possible!"



=+)



Cheers



Martin

p.s. Here is the discount link to tickets for this week's performances of The Secret Garden: http://www.artsopolis.com/esavers/5-44.htm

2ND WEEKEND OF THE SECRET GARDEN

The second weekend of shows went very nicely (except Saturday night which featured a new piano player in the orchestra who seemed to be playing a completely different show but alas we persevered.) even though some of us were feeling a bit under the weather. Audiences have been so wonderful to us - I really didn't expect the show to be so well received. I have done my share of community theatre but there's something about the heart of this production that really touches people. I know I have to fight (and ultimately give in) to tears at the end of the piece.

I had car trouble this weekend and my saviours were my dear friends Kris & Laurie - who are amazing in the show. Laurie spends most of her time backstage in the men's dressing room next to me and we are having such a blast.

There are some incredible people in this show and I can honestly say that I get along with all of them (not always the case with every show) but I do have to mention my beloved Patti Appel - I especially felt that during Sunday's show there was a sort of spark in the atmosphere. She makes playing Archie so worthwhile because she breaks my heart as Lily (just as she did in Cabaret a few years ago - twice!!) We share a wonderful passion for performing and I love playing opposite her.

There are two actors playing Colin (my son in the show) and two actresses playing Mary - and even though they are all wonderful in their own way - my favorite is little Conner Pope - who is 11 years old and just too darn cute for words. He is such a great kid and he makes us all laugh backstage. I have had my share of theatre experiences with kids - and trust me most aren't memorable but this kid is aces and it is a pleasure to work with him. Here's a pic of Conner & Patti (my son & wife =+)

The next couple of weeks are going to be tough because of all the school assignments I have due before school is out - this happens every year - teachers are so fucking evil. They wait until the end of the semester to have the most difficult assignments due. It is countdown until December 16th as then school will be over for the semester and the show will have ended its run leaving me 4 weeks of doing absolutely nothing!

Okay - that's all from me - have a great week y'all!

Hope to see you at the show.

=+)

Martin

A TUNA CHRISTMAS

Hello everyone - I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. It was a lovely time here at the Rojas-Dietrich household. Nobody got angry at anyone and we all all ate in peace and laughter - what more can you ask for?

On Wednesday evening I headed to San Jose Stage Company to see A Tuna Christmas with the amazing duo performances of Kevin Blackton and Tim Hendrickson. Last season I caught their hilarious Greater Tuna - which was a lot of fun. This production features a lot of the same characters which are played to perfection by both talented actors. What struck me the most was the heart of the production. Director Randy King has found some wonderful moments to play reminding us all about the deeper meaning of Christmas - it was just lovely to see.

I highly recommend you check out this production - it will make you laugh and fill your soul with Christmas spirit. Everytime I go see a show at the Stage Company I feel like it's a second home - everyone who is a part of that theatre group is very special to me and I always feel so welcome.

Also remember that The Secret Garden runs until December 16th so get your tickets if you can - the theatre is small and it is likely that tickets will sell out. If you do come see a Sunday performance know that I don't come out to the lobby as I have to race over to Palo Alto to work right after the curtain call. If you do let me know in advance that you are coming I can say hello to you though! I would hate to miss anyone that came all the way to Half Moon Bay and I couldn't say hello. =+)

Have a great weekend y'all!

=+)

Martin

THE SECRET GARDEN - REVIEW

Here's the review from the local paper - The Half Moon Bay Review.

THE SECRET GARDEN PHOTOS

"Quartet" with Kris Hauck, Patti Appel & Avis Calhoun
"Race You To The Top of the Morning"

"Storm I"

"Storm I"

"How Could I Ever Know" with Patti Appel

"LILY'S EYES" with Kris Hauck

Thank you to our wonderful Lighting Designer Valerie Clear for these wonderful pictures!

BACK TO NORMAL

Sorry I haven't been able to post in while - this last week was really an awful one. I was knee-deep in rehearsals for The Secret Garden which was one of the most trying "hell" weeks I have ever experienced. Everything seemed to be going wrong and I was out of my mind trying to get things fixed - my issues were mostly problems with tempos with the orchestra & sound - there were so many problems and they were not all fixed by opening night which made me feel devastated but a miracle happened on Saturday night's performance - the tempos were right and the other problems were getting fixed and all seemed to be coming together and I am so glad because it is a lovely show and the cast is super nice.

I have already heard some of the most wonderful comments about my performance that I could hope to hear - at opening night an older gentleman came up to me and told me how much the duet "How Could I Ever Know" meant to him - he had tears in his eyes and told me how he lost his wife a few years back and that song reminded him exactly of that loss - what can you say to that kids?

If you are able to make it to Half Moon Bay please come see the show - it is lovely. And without tooting my own horn - this is my first lead and a performance that I am especially proud of. The show runs until December 16th and tickets are not expensive at all. You can also go to this link for discounted tickets via artsopolis (tickets as low at $12!!!:) http://www.artsopolis.com/esavers/5-43.htm

By the time Sunday came about I was beyond exhausted and I had callbacks for the spring musical at school, then the show and then had to haul ass to go to work at Max's. That was a tough one kids - but goes to show what the human body can endure. I am thrilled that this week I only have two more days of school and a four day weekend. Alright - off to get some rest!!!

That reminds me - Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!

Cheers

Martin

THE SMELL OF THE KILL

Last night I went to see a couple of friends in a wonderful production of Michelle Lowe's The Smell of the Kill. A funny & dark piece about the relationship between women, men, friends and if you could kill your husband and get away with it - would you? The three talented ladies in the piece all shine: Mederdith Hagedorn, my pal Shannon Stowe and my recent Man of La Mancha fellow performer and friend Laura Jane Bailey (who steals the show.)
All three ladies are divine but L.J. really travels the most with her role and It was wonderful to see her play this delicious role in which she makes us laugh but also makes us cry. I highly recommend you head over to the Dragon Theatre in Palo Alto and check it out. The play runs under 2 hours and it has a great pace - kudos all around. The show runs to November 18th and check out www.dragonproductions.net for more info.

As I was driving home from the show, I received some sad news last night - my friend Jeremy whi worked with me at Max's (when we were both waiters) died this week in a motorcycle accident. I don't know many details but Jeremy was a dear and sweet man who once told me one of the dirtiest & probably best compliments of my life - I'll refrain from posting it here but it's one that made me blush. My heart goes out to his family - especially his mom Mona. Jeremy we will miss you.

Monday is the beginning of dress rehearsals for The Secret Garden so I will not be able to write until after opening night.

Have a great weekend & week y'all.

=+)

Martin

FINALLY!!!

I can't believe Follies just closed and I am about to open in another show next week - the life of the gypsy!! I have been struggling with illness this entire fall and it's driving me nuts. I can stil sing but I am not 100% well. We have our singthru with the orchestra tonight (that's sitzprobe for you hoity toity theatre folks =+)

Today I voted for the first time in my life!!! After many years of living in the U.S. I am now a U.S. Citizen and was able to vote today. It was kind of cool - I can't wait for February and the Presidential Primaries.

On Friday I went to see my friend Tyler Kent in One Touch of Venus at 42nst Street Moon which was lovely. I have never seen a show there before. They present rare musicals in a semi-staged/concert setting. My friend Amy Cole was also in the cast and I was also able to see my Man of La Mancha musical director Dave Dobrusky. This weekend I will be seeing my pals LJ Bailey & Shannon Stowe in Smell of the Kill at Dragon Productions.

I am back at Max's (after my two week vacation to do Follies - thanks to my wonderful replacement and pal Nicki Kerns for filling in for me.)

Not much else to report just keeping busy with school and rehearsals. I will write more later.

Have a great week y'all!

=+)

M.