Giddy about "Birdie"

Hopefully, anyone who reads this post is either IN Bye Bye Birdie, or received my email inviting you to come see it (if you are not in the show, and did not receive an email, I apologize. Please leave a message here or call me and I'll shoot that to you ASAP!) I played Penelope Ann in Birdie nine years ago at the Grand and had a blast, but I can't imagine I had as much fun then as I am this time around. I feel so blessed to be a part of it!

I would now like to list 3 reasons why I am loving this experience:

1. The Pro Team: Steph, Candice, and Stephanie. I respect these women so much! Their goal (as it seems to me) is to produce a quality show and facilitate a positive experience. They are succeeding! They have fantastic artistic instincts, work well as a team, command respect and discipline without being harsh, and are not stingy with praise. They are my rock and my cheerleaders, and I am grateful I get to know them as friends too! Steph, Candice, and Stephanie have shown unfailing confidence in me, and the only way I can think to really thank them for this opportunity is to continue to grow, and give them nothing less than my best every time I rehearse and perform. (Oh, what the heck: THANK YOU LADIES!!)

2. Circle of friends: Was I ever thrilled when I saw the cast list, and realized that a bunch of my dear friends are playing the leads! As well they should be, since they are ridiculously talented. Kate, our Rosie, directed me in Brigadoon last year. We've been friends ever since, and I am really excited to get to finally do a show with her. I got to know Jason and Amy, our Mr. MacAfee and Mae "Mamma" Peterson, and their kids during Brigadoon as well, though I had met Jason before then. It's our third show together, and I am constantly amazed at how versatile he is. I could go on and on about pretty much every cast member, but because of time contraints, I'll just say that we really have developed a community, and I hope that translates on stage. I could (and often do) talk with just about anyone in the cast and feel completely at ease. We have quite a few families involved, and I am surprised at how many people say this is their first play -- everyone is fantastic! They care about the show, and are working really hard.

(A few people to watch: the Mayor's wife in "Kids", Conrad in the Ice House scene, Harvey Johnson's parents in "Honestly Sincere", and little Kira during "American Boy" -- HILARIOUS!)

3. A dream role: How lucky am I to get to play a second dream role in a row? (The first was Amy in Midvale Arts Council's Little Women in March.) I still can't believe it sometimes -- I'm playing Kim! ME! Wah-hoo! I feel giddy every time I go to rehearsal! I love singing Kim's songs, finding new ways to deliver the dialogue, building the character, the interaction with the other characters, the fact that most of my costumes are my own clothes, and getting to tell people "I'm playing Kim" and see them get even more excited to see the show. Practically every scene has a new challenge for me, and it's fun to stretch my creative muscles. My confidence in my abilities as an actress, singer, and dancer has grown tremendously these last two months. I cannot begin to say how grateful I am for that! Plus, I get to play a teenager the year I turn 30. How many people get to say that? Life's lovely when you're a woman like me!

We open in just over a week, and it will be bittersweet; bitter because it means the whole experience is almost over, but sweet because we'll get to perform before an audience who hopefully appreciates all of our efforts and enjoys the production! Meanwhile, I'll be giving my all, and loving every minute of it. Thanks everyone for being a part of this show, whether onstage, behind the scenes, or in the audience. I really couldn't do this without you!!

p.s. Thanks to Erica "Shutterbug" for snapping photos during rehearsals! Every Birdie photo on this site is available because of her.