Broadway Dreams

Epic. In a word, Sunday I witnessed the most epic spectacle of my life thus far: The Broadway Dreams Foundation's "Don't Stop Believing Concert" at the Cobb Center for the Performing Arts in Atlanta.

Broadway Dreams is an organization that brings together the brightest Broadway stars plus casting directors, agents, and all sorts of lovely, helpful people such as these from The Big Apple to put on a week long summer intenstive for kids considering pursuing musical theatre. Several intensives, as well as day clinics and other events are put on throughout the year by the foundation. Find the schedule and more information about the organization here: http://www.mybroadwaydreams.com/.

What I saw was the end of the week show put of by the students and faculty. Basically, "Mom, I swear I got something out of the $900 or so you spent on camp..." Let me also clarify something. By "faculty" I mean: Nikki Snelson, Nicole Parker, Megan Hilty, Paul Canaan, and Stephanie J. Block (among others.)

I can't even describe what the concert was like. Suffice it to say: Nicole Parker singing "Do Re Mi" as every person she has ever portrayed on Madtv (with seven children copying her exactly); Nikki Snelson leading the opening number tap in 42nd Street, the feet-only curtain-raise in the beginning and all; For Good, Megan and Stephanie (we moved up at intermission to front row, dead center seats... this happened ten feet from my face. Megan was crying, I started crying...); and all the over 100 kids piling on stage with all the faculty belting out "Don't Stop Believing" Glee style. The concert was almost 4 hours long, but didn't feel like it at all.

We went into the lobby afterwards (we being me, my father, one of our friends, and her four year old little boy who is completely in love with both Megan and especially Stephanie.) Nicole came out and headed for the door (the vast majority of people there were simply waiting for their children, who had been with the stars all week, so there was no buzz when they came out.) I stopped her and asked her to sign my Wicked key chain. She asked my name, and seeing the key chain was too small to write it, she signed that and then signed my playbill with my name on it. She is so sweet/talented/hysterical. I want to be her when I grow up. Great. Now, whoever filmed this video is a TERRIBLEAWFUL person and you should NEVERNEVER do it, but this performance has to be shared. It has to be. Go to *secret magic online movie site* and type in "Nicole Parker Broadway Dreams." Or you will be eaten by a squirrel.

Next, Stephanie came out. The little boy we were with gave her some M&Ms that he had been saving for her. She opened them, gave him his favorite color, and sat on the ground eating them with him. This is why I'd be cool with her ruling the world. Anyway. It was all very casual. Again, no one really mobbed her, so she stayed and talked to us for about twenty minutes. It was odd- her not fielding a barricade or line of fans that all wanted an autograph or picture. Just her, chillin in a ball cap, playing with the most adorable four year old ever and making faces at him when he wanted to take a picture. She talked about the "Covenant House" organization she had recently done a benefit for *take another trip to said magic movie site, type in "Stephanie J. Block Covenant House", watch the best Defying Gravity you've seen in your life.* She said she'd like to be involved with them in some way- sitting on the board or something. She also talked about Glee- how her agent had told her that they were looking to incorporate Lea's mother into the show, how she'd been excited about the prospect of doing it until she turned on the television and found Idina already cast and filmed. Oops. "I'm always one step behind Dee." But cha. It was fantastic. She left after a good twenty minute chat to watch the Tonys with a friend in Atlanta.

Megan never came out (that we saw) although Stephanie kindly left room for her on the Wicked key chain by signing "SJB." (The key chain was really only for Nicole to sign, but I didn't really object when Stephanie signed it... as well as my picture with her... and playbill... :))

Anywayz. The show was mind blowing- the talent of the children at the clinic was INCREDIBLE. And the faculty wasn't shabby. We had an awesome trip. I think we got enough Broadway in our systems to hold us for... another week or so.

Till then folks.
<3 Jess