A restrospective on 1776

1776 closed nearly a month ago, and I miss it! On closing night, I felt neither heartbroken or happy. I loved performing and I loved the cast, and it was time to end. It took about two weeks for it to hit me: It's over! I'm very grateful to the friends and family who came to support me. I'm surprised how many came all the way out to Magna.

• During rehearsal, the swamp coolers did not work, and we had a major mosquito problem indoors. It was pretty easy for our men to "act" as though it was 90 degrees outside and plagued with flies. The cast joked that we might as well have done the show outside since the conditions were the same :) Fortunately, the mosquitos died out as soon as we got the coolers working (about a week into the run). Unfortunately, the coolers weren't always on during performances. We were never sure why.
• I brought in a couple of ringers when I auditioned. I take full credit for bringing in Stephen Hopkins (Stephen), Richard Henry Lee (Brandon), John Hancock (Marc), and Thomas Jefferson (Matt). Thanks for taking a chance, men. You were terrific!

We had a devil of a time casting Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. They needed to have a certain look, and be talented AND available. Our director found a Franklin, but I asked no fewer than 16 of my tall male friends to be my Jefferson (I obviously had a personal stake in the matter, considering the kissing scene. I wanted him to be a decent person and friend). I even asked an almost-stranger in my ward. 15 nos make for a lot of rejection in a relatively short span. I am grateful that Matt said yes. He is a handsome, talented sweetheart, and I think he was terrific in the role. Several people asked if we were married in real life -- I guess that means our chemistry was good. Hooray!
• Maybe I didn't learn all of the men's names. I didn't even learn a lot of their character's names. Most were identified by the state they represented. I feel a little guilty because they were all such nice guys and made Melissa and I feel very welcome, mostly (I did have to say "I may look like this but I'm not actually stupid" once). If either of us left the dressing room, we were immediately surrounded and admired. Not a bad gig!

• The audience feedback I received the most was: "It was so much better than I expected!" Thank you? Such a weird compliment. I was proud of the play. I'm glad that it was well-received. I was even mentioned by Front Row Reviewers :)
• I showed my nieces some photos from the show. Zonks asked if I was playing a rich lady and I said I was. They asked me about my role and I said I was married to a president. Of course they wanted to see photos of my husband. Then Breezy asked if we lived in a mansion, so I showed her photos of Monticello. She was fascinated by that beautiful, historic house. It was pretty awesome to get to tell them a little about America's history. For awhile after, Breezy referred to Jefferson as "your president" in a sing-song voice like a teenage girl gossiping about her friend's boyfriend. It was seriously adorable.

The photo Breezy and I are looking at in the photo above

• Melissa made a comment early on about my playing the "hot" girl. That freaked me out a little, since I've never considered myself in those terms. Then again, I know I looked great in my costumes, and anything anyone says about Martha in the show refers to how gorgeous she is, and I spent most of my first scene kissing my on-stage hubby. So, there's that ;) 
• I think it amusing that the Adams' relationship as portrayed in the play is a sweet, romantic one where they talk through letters and never touch, and the Jeffersons get to actually be together and end up kissing and more during their time in the show -- good times!

• It was either the preview or opening night when I shared the quote about you only being as good as the night the audience sees you. Mr. Thompson looked at me in mock-awe and said, "That was profound, and you're not even high!" What I heard, however, was "You're not even hot!" After we cleared up my misunderstanding, it became our joke that he'd tell me how not hot I was.
• Melissa's little brother, Brigham, played the Leather Apron, probably the most thankless role in the show seeing as he had to stand up onstage for almost the entire play and only had 2 lines. He and Melissa schooled me in the ways of neediness, introducing me to the Elvish and Indiana Jones methods for giving high fives. (Ask me and I'll demonstrate sometime.)

• Speaking of random skills, South Carolina used to beatbox backstage during "The Egg." A patriotic song set to a modern style? Yes, please!

• I was asked once after a performance to take a photo with a star-struck little girl. It was fun to be a "Disney Princess" for a minute or two.
• Benjamin Franklin's wig was notably bad. Because he and I have similar skin tone, I was in charge of his makeup for a minute (they then found someone who actually knew what she was doing). The wig was unfortunate, but as I said, I'm just glad they found someone decent to play the role, even if he did stand a little too close to me during our dialogue.

This was before we put makeup on the cap.
The makeup helped, a little.

• The producer had a photographer take photos during our final dress rehearsal. I wasn't satisfied with the photos of Jefferson and I together, so I dragged him outside for a couple of shots. We got the dipping-kiss photo after about 4 seconds. Matt pulled me up and said, "Oh, hi Elders." The missionaries were walking by while we were kissing and Melissa never said a word! So embarrassing!

• Our Courier, Caleb, received his mission call right after he was cast in the play. His date to go into the MTC was the Wednesday before we closed. He spent much of his time backstage reading the Book of Mormon, and performed his role with sweetness and sincerity. 1776 is his favorite play and he was thrilled to play this role before leaving on his mission. The best part? He was called to serve in the sovereign state of Virginia!

• Michelle and Vic did a terrific job with the set. I particularly liked that the red brick on the top half (Jefferson's balcony) was reminiscent of Monticello. I don't know if it was on purpose. I'm guessing it was.

• I want to keep this cape for forever and ever. It's the same one I wore in Robin Hood a few years ago; the costumer for that show was kind enough to lend it to me. I let her borrow some jewelry she needed for her current show. Honestly, I wouldn't mind if she kept that jewelry if it means I get to keep the cape. I love it. As a bonus, I pointed out to Melissa that it's the same color as her skirt, making it the "wife" color (maybe I've been reading too much MadStyle).

• The last two weeks, Brandon, Matt, and I started tossing "That's what she said" jokes at each other. Full disclosure: I'm terrible at them. We had a lot of fun, though. Brandon won the game when he wrote "Thus saith she" on a piece of parchment and hid it in one of Matt's books for him to find onstage. We Virginians had a great time together. We're warm-blooded people, you know :)

• It made me laugh that Brandon's character imitates mine at one point. I did an impression of his, too. I felt it was appropriate, since his wife (who I named "Esmeralda") and I were probably friends. We figured that he saw Martha while she was visiting with his wife and he had to send her away so he could "refresh the Missus." I can see Martha demanding in a fit of pique and jealousy "When's Tom coming home?!"
• The cast gift for Michelle was pretty darn cool. We gave her two baseballs: one with our signatures on it, and the other with the signatures of the original signers of the Declaration of Independence. She loved it.

• It turns out, we don't know a lot about Martha Jefferson. I read the information on Wikipedia and the official Monticello Web site, but it seems that after she died, Jefferson was so upset that he burned all of their letters. There isn't even a reliable portrait of her. What we do know is that she was married once before and had a baby who died before she married Jefferson. They loved to play music together -- he on the violin and she the harpsichord. They had 6 children, three died in infancy. Only one daughter lived to adulthood. Martha died when she was 33. It's so, so sad! (I also found out that it's about 260 miles from Monticello to Philadelphia -- quite the journey during a hot summer day!)

• Just a few favorite photos of the guys:

• This is "The Swing" by Jean-Honore Fragonard. I think the dress looks like mine, don't you?

• Beloved fans :D

Chantryce, Natalie, Melissa, and me

Chantryce gave this paper doll book to me, along with some flowers.
I laughed and cheered. She knows me so well!

Laura, me, and Theresa

These men and their canes. At least Melissa and I are normal...oh, wait!

My final trip to the Adams Theatre at the Utah Shakespeare Festival

My annual summer trip to the Utah Shakespeare Festival was a little bittersweet. It's the last year they'll be using their Adams Shakespearean Theater, because next year they'll produce their outdoor plays in the new Engelstad Shakespearean Theater (currently under construction). So, I had to take a ton of photos of that old place. Such a cool venue. It's going to be weird not seeing a play in there next year.

After King Lear

Tree in the courtyard

Set for Henry IV part 2

After Henry IV part 2

A portrait of the Adams Theatre composed of Shakespeare Theatre ticket stubs
(Amazing!)

My dear little sister/friend Jillian is working on hair/wigs and makeup at the Festival this summer, and she generously let me crash at her place the few nights I was there. It was such a bonus getting to hang out with her. We planned our upcoming Disney World vacation and stayed up too late talking. I adore her!

I didn't get to talk with her, but I saw another friend, Halie, in Amadeus and the Greenshow. She is so lovely. I cannot wait to see what she does next!

Halie is sitting just left of center in the back, wearing a purple skirt

I saw Charley's Aunt, King Lear, Amadeus, and Henry IV part 2 while down there. They were all very different and all wonderful. I love seeing the actors play different roles in their two or three productions. Amadeus was heartbreaking (Salieri becomes a true villain when he stops seeing Mozart as a human being), King Lear frustrating (he creates all of his own problems!), Henry IV part 2 a little strange (it feels like it flips back and forth between two entirely different plays; Falstaff was brilliant), and Charley's Aunt was just plain hilarious. I think Charley's Aunt was my favorite. The characters and slapstick were terrific. I could watch it over and over.

I like to sit in the box seats at the Randall J. Jones Theatre when I can.
Leg room and comfy chairs and an unhindered view!

As an added bonus, I finished out the TheaterGoer's Journal that Larissa gave me a few years ago.

So long, Mr. Shakespeare. Until next summer, or this October if I'm lucky. I'll be back!

Sizzling July

July was busy, busy, busy! I opened and closed 1776, celebrated two holidays, attended quite a few plays, and still had time to spare for friends and family.

In case you have ever wondered what it looks like when I brush my hair.
This is what I imagine J.K. Rowling means when she talks about Hermione's "bushy, brown hair."

Independence Day

The celebration of America coincides with my grandmother's birthday, and we had extended family over to my parents' house for a party. I think my favorite part was having a lot of little kids and a few teenagers running around. Our family is growing and it's wonderful. I love hanging out with these people.

Gram says she doesn't feel "a day over 93." ;)
I hope, if I live that long, that I'm as sassy and spry as she!

My family knows how to cook and eat

For years to come, my 1776 show shirt will likely be my go-to for 4th of July festivities

My dad is adorable

Cookies by Mom.
I have yet to find a better sugar cookie.

Mom's eyes are closed, as usual. I'm starting to think that she does it on purpose to keep from posting photos of her.

Propelling a bottle in the air with water and air pressure -- entertaining for hours!

Cousins make the best friends

Credit for this photo goes to my niece Zonks.
She delights in photography and has a pretty good eye!

Show-going

I found some time to support a lot of my friends in their shows this summer. It's a daunting feat, especially since 1) my own show ate up so much time, and 2) a lot of the runs overlapped.

The Little Mermaid - Hale Centre Theatre

Ursala and the eels were my favorite. The roller-skating was just so cool!
Shout-out to Jeremy on the left who remembers me even though it's been 5 years!

Ames was brilliant as Chef Louis. He was definitely a show highlight!

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in Taylorsville

Every time I go to see Joseph I think, "Ugh, Joseph again?" But this production surprised and delighted me. I loved the modern costumes and characters, Larissa's choreography and that of her assistants was awesome and well-executed (particularly the Pharoah's "Uptown Funk"-inspired number), and there were a lot of just plain fun moments. I missed most of "Go, Go, Go Joseph" because I could not take my eyes off the Baker eating her cupcake in despair (she was sentenced to death, after all). I'm a little sad that I went closing night, because it meant I couldn't tell the wide world they needed to go.

Jamie and the cupcake - hilarious!

Beauty and the Beast in Herriman

I've never really cared to play a role in this play, but after this production, I really want to! It was visually gorgeous -- Herriman spared no expense -- and I loved a lot of the characters, particularly Gaston, the Silly Girls, and the enchanted objects in the castle. The Beast was hindered by his bulky costume, but his acting was darling and sincere nevertheless. I'm glad that I could support Theresa in her biggest role yet -- Silly Girl #1. She keeps growing in confidence and skill, and she's so fun to watch!

Dad's birthday

My dad is adorable. He and I went out to eat earlier in the month to celebrate one-on-one, and it was great to see him in his element as patriarch of the family. I get much of my work ethic and sense of humor from him. I'm grateful his is my dad and I'm excited to see what adventures he creates for himself and the rest of us this year.

Changes at work

We're implementing a new method of tracking and releasing our software this year. This month, my development team started the new program. It means we have a LOT more meetings (and the meetings we had already have been significantly shortened). While getting used to all the team time, I doodled just a little. Change is hard, but I think it will be worth it. I'm already seeing pluses with the way we work together - hooray!

Martha Jefferson and Abigail Adams

Captain America and River Song

Ant-Man

I enjoyed this movie so much that I saw it twice! It had a different vibe from the other Marvel movies, and was silly, and funny, and fun. The first time I saw it, I went on a Tuesday and got a recliner seat for only $5. I decided my mom needed to see it, so Aaron and I took her a week later, and they liked it, too (though, having missed the last couple of films, Mom didn't know who Falcon was).

Can you see my feel propped up at the bottom of this photo? Obviously I didn't want to use a flash :P

A few days later, a couple told me they hadn't caught up on the Marvel movies, so I sketched them out, in order, from memory. Because I am that nerdy and awesome.

Random merriment

While at Ant-Man, my mom mentioned that she'd seen something about the Share a Coke campaign, but had never actually seen names. She'd only seen things like "Superstar", "Mom", and the like. The next day I found some displays at my local grocery store and a lot of our family member's names were there. I enjoyed putting together this Brady Bunch-inspired collage, and putting myself as Alice :D

My Instagram caption:
"Pretty excited to #shareacoke with my parents and siblings. Too bad they spelled Dad's, Lindsey's, Aaron's, and Jordyn's names wrong :P Sorry, guys!"
(FYI, Dad is "Reginald", and Aaron is "Edward.")

While viewing the photos taken during 1776, I found the one on the bottom right. I proceeded to post this picture with the following caption:

"I see this face in photos and always wonder, "When the heck do I do THAT?!" I've finally figured it out: This is my "I'm singing and acting and my character is having a great time" face. Consequently, I'll only be playing sad people or non-singing roles from now on." #whytheface #scrunchednose

Looking at my plethora of books and bookshelves, I pulled a bunch that I'd like to read ASAP (you know, 'cause I have so much free time). It's an impressive stack, especially when you take in to account that most of them are part of series and I only included a few books, and that I have at least 15 more on my Kindle.

I was stuck for a while on how to choose, and then the decision was made for me when Harry Potter's birthday came up on the 31st. I'd wanted to read the actual novels instead of listening to them on tape as I do every year, but after the first I devolved onto the tapes so I could start Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books, too.

And now it's August. Looks like I'll get a little bit of a breather schedule-wise, so I hope I make the most of it and spend boatloads of time with the people I like best. I have the most terrific family and friends in the world. I'd also like to spend some time outside, and see some more plays, and go to the Shakespeare Festival. And if another show opportunity comes up for me, I won't slap it away. Just want to enjoy summer as much as I can before autumn comes and my allergies ruin everything!