It's the Feeling of Being Alive!

Thursday I joined Amy and saw her adorable husband Jason play Sir Danvers Carew in Jekyll and Hyde at Rodgers Memorial Theatre. It was amazing! Such a good show! It's a little short on plot, but it's a character piece anyway, so I didn't mind. I love the music, and Rodgers did a terrific job using the stage and gorgeous costumes to help us suspend our disbelief. I loved watching Jason play an earnest and truely nice guy -- it was a breath of fresh air in the midst of all of the murder and horror going on.

Meanwhile, I was surprised to find that my friend Danny Lasko was playing Jekyll/Hyde! Hadn't seen him in years and was thrilled he finally gets to play his dream role. He had an insane amount of charisma and I have no idea where he found all that energy. I had chills every time he came on stage as Hyde. I was so proud of him! It was fun to chat afterwards and catch up a bit. It's always nice to meet someone who is achieving his dreams and knows how truely blessed he is!

There were several other cast members I had performed with years ago that I was excited to see. I don't know why, but I'm always afraid people won't remember me, so I don't always say "hi". But this time I did, and every one of them remembered me and seemed so happy to see me! Hooray! I love having friends in the theatre! One can never feel alone when one is involved in Utah's theatre community. Eventually, you run into each other again and most of the time it feels as though no time has passed. It's fantastic!

Anyway, I had a great time, and will recommend the show to anyone who asks. Tickets are selling out, but go if you can! You likely won't be disappointed. Thanks again Amy for being my date. I love talking with you and cheering with you, too! Well done, Jason! Love you both!

Some Enchanted Evening!

Just want to thank Mandee and Laren for joining me at Sandy City's South Pacific last night! I always have fun with these two, and this was no exception. It was cool to sit between these two darling women, and through Mandee see the play with new eyes, and through Laren realize how truely beautiful the music is. With gorgeous music and a thoughtful storyline this show is classic for a reason, and I really enjoyed watching my friend Jason play the hammy Luther Billis. Not only did I wish I were on stage with him, but I wanted to go back to Hawaii and sit on the sunny, peaceful beaches...

I took Amy and Jason up on the offer to join them and their cast at Village Inn afterwards, though I couldn't blame Laren and Mandee for chosing not to come; it was late! I didn't order anything, but Tony let me share his pancakes which I thought was awfully nice! Mmmm... pancakes... I think it worried Jason just a little that I didn't eat more, but I'd been eating all day and felt good about not overdoing it. It was lovely to chat with my Wadsworths and their friends.

Good times! Thanks to everyone who was there.

Good-Bye "Bye Bye Birdie"

Bye Bye Birdie closed on Thursday night. I admit, I'm exhausted and excited to get to spend time doing other things, like working and sleeping and all those things posted in "Still Awake", but I already miss the show, the cast, and the whole experience.

At Kate's advice, I auditioned for the play in March, a little dubious that the pro team would actually consider me for Kim. After all, I'm 29 years old... nearly twice as old as the character. To my surprise and delight, I got the part anyway, and even better, Kate earned her dream role as Rose Alvarez, which meant that we finally got to do a show together!

Music rehearsals came first, which make me nervous especially when I have solos, which I did this time. Fortunately, our fearless music director, Candice, is patient and talented and knew what she wanted. I don't sing high soprano very often -- I pretend I prefer to sing Alto, but most of the time I'm just worried I won't hit the required high notes -- so I was always worried Candice and Steph would trade looks when I missed the A flat in "One Boy" like "why did we cast her again?" Fortunately, if they did I didn't see it, and by the time we actually opened that note (and the B flat in "Hymn for a Sunday Evening") was no longer a problem for me. I even hit a high C in warm-ups a few times! I can now cross that dream off my list -- woo-hoo! Thanks Candice!

Then came two weeks where I didn't have any rehearsals, because the rest of the cast was working on "The Telephone Hour" or "The Shriners' Dance" or "Kids" -- numbers I wasn't in. It's hard to be excited when you aren't involved.

My next scheduled rehearsals had choreographer Stephanie teaching me and the other teens/twenty-somethings-pretending-to-be-teens the choreography for "Lot of Livin'" and "One Boy". I felt like since I was a lead and in the front I had to be perfect right away, but I wasn't. I decided to put my pride and worries about being a lousy dancer aside, and instead of being frustrated I should just work harder. Thanks to Stephanie, dance captain Sarah/Nancy Rei, and Karl for running "Lot of Livin'" with me until I felt I had it right! The choreography was really cool, and ended up one of my favorite moments in the show.

After that point, I had at least 4 rehearsals a week... until I went out of town. My parents and I visited my brother Aaron in Washington D.C. over Memorial Day weekend and it was awesome! I'd been to D.C. once before, and really loved it; my feelings haven't changed. However, I got sick the second day there, and even now am not quite myself again. Ah well, it was a great trip.

I returned home and jumped back into the four rehearsals a week thing. I missed blocking most of the first act and all of the second, but with the help of director Steph and my co-stars I was able to catch up pretty fast.

Then June hit -- and rehearsals came every day! We started running the show with all of the blocking, singing, dancing, costumes, and lines more or less memorized. We didn't have the set until the Saturday before we opened, but even then we didn't hit too many snags.

That last week, I started to feel a little complacent. I felt like opening wouldn't be a big deal -- just like a rehearsal except there would be people watching. I was kind of sad that I wasn't more excited. Yeah, that problem was solved during the dress rehearsal! Some people in the cast had invited friends and family members, and they laughed at all the right places and even some we didn't expect, and it was so fun!

Opening night was electric, and it continued through Saturday's performance. I love to perform! There's just something about being in control of what I do (not necessarily anything else that may happen but oh well), and hearing the music, and dancing, and hearing laughter and applause, and just getting to be a spazz but not a freak 'cause it's within the confines of the show... it's hard to describe. I just love it!

Monday's performance was more than a little hectic, what with the videotaping, and Austin/Hugo, Mandee/Ursula, and Sarah/Nancy Rei all being sick. We made it through, though, and my cousins, Mom, and friends there all said the show was great. Isn't it wonderful that if the audience doesn't know that we're goofing up, as long as we keep smiling and doing our best they don't notice? They love the play for what it is, as they should. It may not have been our best performance, but it was still enjoyable. That's all we can ask for, and I am so glad they could come that night!

We had Tuesday off, and I ended up hanging out with Birdie cast members anyway. At Kate's insistence, Brandon escorted me to Midvale Art's Council's production of Honk! and we sat with Amy and Jason W, director Steph, and friend Kari Ann. Good times! The show was entertaining and creative, and the best parts were my friend Ricky as the villainous french cat, and the show-stopping number "Warts and All" where a chorus of frogs reassure Ugly that one day someone will love him for who he is. Good times.

The show on Wednesday went well, but what with all the performing, going out afterwards, and working during the day, I was starting to feel exhausted. By Thursday, I was looking forward to closing. I'd miss the show and especially the people, but I'd been in rehearsals or performing since I auditioned for Midvale's Little Women the first week of January and I need a break! The folks already cast in other shows and going straight into rehearsals again are in my prayers.

My fear of being too tired to perform that night proved to be unfounded, as just driving to the SLCC made me feel totally jazzed! (It didn't hurt that Peter Brienholt's "Birken Street" came up on my iPod shuffle. I love that song.) I had my make-up done early and was ready for mic check when I saw Kate and Brandon performing "Rosie" on the stage. I watched for a minute, curious as to why director Steph was videotaping, and then decided to go work on my uncooperative hair. I had curled exactly one section when the song ended and the entire cast ran onto the stage, freaking out. I thought "What the heck? It's a good song but..." and then everything clicked into place and I ran onstage to see Kate and Brandon standing on the platform making out and everyone else applauding! He had proposed and I'd totally missed it (but Kate did not miss it even though she was completely surprised, which is way more important than my selfishly wanting to witness it). It was a perfect moment. I am thrilled that I've been able to watch their courtship these last few months and get to know them both better during this show. They are darling separately, and even cuter together. I am so excited for them!



Of course, that put me over the edge, and I really did cry. I felt guilty missing the vocal warm-up, but joined the cast again when I'd pulled myself together.

The show was fantastic. We had a large and appreciative audience, and every scene I went out and thought "Wow. I am so lucky to get to sing this song, or perform with so-and-so, or do this dance one last time." Loved it. I am so glad we had 5 whole performances! I had a ton of fun; it was a great final show.

After, I chatted with the friends who had come to see me, and then had to pack up ALL of the stuff I'd brought for the show: all the costumes, the mirror, the curling iron, the make-up, the teddy bear, the blanket, the multiple pairs of shoes, and I don't know what else. (I had to return the purple dress -- sadness!) When I had all my odds and ends gathered, I was greatful I hadn't had to lug it around every night!

There were multiple changes of plan for the post-show cast gathering, but we all managed to reach the Denny's in Midvale about midnight. As stated before, I was exhausted, so I only stayed long enough for some photos, chatter, and hot chocolate. I wish I hadn't been so tired; I would have liked to stay, but I’d asked enough of my poor physical self and needed to give it a rest.

So, it's over! Well, not entirely -- we still have the cast party. I'm glad that we decided to postpone the party for a few weeks. That way, we'll be really, REALLY excited to see each other because we didn't see everyone yesterday! It's good to miss people I love because I appreciate them so much more.

Thank you everyone for making Bye Bye Birdie the wonderful experience it was! I'll see you soon!

A terrific cast



My gorgeous onstage family, the MacAfees: me, Mother (Emily), Randolph (Jimmy), and Daddy (Jason). Emily thinks she's the odd man out with her dark hair, but I think we all look quite nice together...


Me and my teenage girl posse singing to my "One Boy" Hugo (Austin)


Hugo picks the worst possible moment to be jealous: I am so glad we did this section in slow motion! Though knowing that everyone would keep going slowly until I said my line stressed me out a bit... and made me feel powerful...


Never fear, we used fake cigarettes. When I blew into one end, smoke came out of the other. Thanks Candice for finding them for me!


Emily, me, and Kate: peas in a pod

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.