Opening night of Thoroughly Modern Millie went really well.

There were a couple of things that I wish went a little better vocally, but for being nervous, singing in a completely foreign style than anything I have done before and having so few rehearsals, I think I did ok. I manged to not to trip and fall and even managed to dance in heels.

Lots of friends and family came to lend their support. I don’t think I have ever had so many people I know at a single performance of mine. In fact, I broke the theater’s record for friends and family ticket reservations at 42! It was pretty awesome to have a Muzzy Van Hossmere cheering section, I must say. There was thunderous applause and cat calls every time I made an entrance. Even though they were friends and family I think everyone really loved the show on its own merits. A lot of people told me that they liked it a lot more than they thought they would, which is always a good thing. I’m not surprised, though. It is a just a funny and entertaining piece of musical theater.

I’m just glad people I love were a part of the evening. Jonathan was proud of me and had very minor critiques of my performance (I always ask him to be blunt and honest with me. I trust his musicianship and most of his acting comments are accurate.). My boys LOVED the show. James and Christopher asked me for my autograph and kept calling me “Muzzy Mamma” the whole way home and are begging me to do another season so that I can have them work the western BBQ cookout that the theater offers before the show begins.

The costume worked well and miracle of miracles, my hair managed to hold up through the whole show. No small task considering I wear a ridiculous wig for a portion of the show and have to rip it off while I’m still on stage. This photo was snapped with my friend, Tom and his wife Karen after the show.

Tom rocks. He is a fellow Cache Valley Illuminati member and also co-hosts a local political radio talk show, KVNU For the People and he is kind enough to give me shout outs on the air from time to time. Other bloggity friends came as well.

I’m dead tired and really wish I had the ability to make this into a funnier post, but there is no way THAT is happening tonight (this sentiment also applies any and all naughty acts of nature that I am sure my husband would love to have occur this evening).

I just wanted to check in and say thanks to everyone who came and hooted and hollered for me and for the well wishers who kept me in their thoughts!

Remember how I lost a role that I loved last week? ( It kinda blew chunks for those just tuning in.)

Today I had a “Close door, open window” moment.

I got a phone call from the very sweet assistant director who held my hand through the whole ordeal. She told me that she was participating in the summer stock season of an adorable lakeside theater about an hour away from my house and asked if I would have any interest in splitting a role with her because she is so busy she can’t commit to every performance over three months.

Dude.

I have always wanted to work in this particular theater. It’s small (About 300 seats) and it is a hand built log theater that a family founded about 40 years ago. I love it. I always have, since I was a kid. I just never really thought I could work it into my schedule or pay that much for gas. However, since I am splitting the performances, it will be a manageable 15 shows and since I’m getting paid, the gas point is moot.

The role is in Thoroughly Modern Millie as the eccentric diva, Muzzy (Typecasting, anyone?). Problems? She is in her late 40’s, and is basically supposed to be a bigger diva than Ella Fitzgerald and Aretha Franklin combined. You can check out the big number I’ll be singing if you care to. This is a crappy recording, but the actress is a pretty damn good Muzzy (Still a bit young, though.)

A real show stopper, no?

I can’t help but be a little nervous. I know that I am in my early 30’s and am a thin-ish white opera singer that lives in a house built by dairy hands in their spare time, but given that I live in a totally homogenized section of the country, you are doing awesome if you can find a female that isn’t blond, blue eyed and dainty featured.

Even though I was fairly confident I would be cast due to the strong recommendation of my friend, the people in charge still had to hear me in person, so last night I stopped by the director and producer’s house and sang. The role is heavy, jazzy, low and sultry, so I sang few stanzas of a jazzed up version of “Summertime” that I sing about an octave and a half down from the original key because that is the only remotely appropriate styled song I knew. The role uses the belt technique, which is usually harder for me, but the key is so dang low (my comfort zone) that I have little to no issues.

The producer was lovely. She recognized me from The King and I and she said, “I would be standing back stage and this glorious presence and VOICE would glide by.” (FYI, hearing that is much better for your psyche than auditioning when you know that the person doesn’t really dig your sound. Just so you know.)

They must have liked it because I got the call just now that the role is mine and my first rehearsal is tonight.

Even though in so many ways, I am not right for the role, I am really excited because it is TOTALLY different from classical or the musical theater that I usually do. I will get to channel my inner bluesy lounge singer and I will also have something to drag my ass out of the house and work at.

I have never seen the movie, heard the music before yesterday, nada. The cast has already been in rehearsals for almost 8 weeks. My opening performance is June 19th, which means that I have about a month to get this role down.

That is not a long time, people.

Wish me luck. (Don’t tell me to “Break a leg”. With my luck, Karma would probably translate that literally)

Hello, all! It’s April 3, 2007 and I am writing you from the past to celebrate the fact that since I moved to WordPress this month I can now set the publish date for my posts whenever I want! Oh, WordPress! How I love thee!

So, I am setting my post today to re-publish this post a year from now.

(As a side note, I totally wonder where I will be in my life a year from now? On April 3, 2008 I hope I am softer in stress, firmer of ass, heavier in pocket and lighter in soul and spirit. In other words? I hope I’m happy and that you all are, too. Most importantly, I hope I am still hot. Priorities are important, you know. )

I just hope that I remember that I set this up so I don’t double post. On the other hand, if I’ve forgotten about it it will be like a groovy little surprise in the morning. Kind of like my birthday only in April! (Ok, this would make for a pretty lame birthday, huh?)

So, what are we waiting for? My post today is about one of my passions other than Diet Coke and blogging.

I’m referring to SOUNDTRACKS. My favorite music EVER. Period. The END. I would make out with them, marry them and have little orchestral score soundtrack babies with them if I could get away with it and not be carted away to the crazy house.

It is a huge list but if you knew how many I LEFT OFF! Soundtracks are the new “Classical Music”.  The brilliant film composers of today would have been the Chopin’s and Handel’s back in the day. You may disagree, but that is how I feel.

So? Let’s discuss.

Here you go: