Showing posts with label 9 to 5. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 9 to 5. Show all posts

Monday, September 7, 2009

I Feel a lot Better

Now that I know that 9 to 5 will be replaced by Spiderman and Elf. UGHH. Broadway. *Dies*.

That is all.

Jess

Now They Can See A True Show...

...because all those disappointed audience members who could not see 9 to 5 can now see Dog Sees God. Kidding, Jess.

Yes, today is sad that 9 to 5 will not be performing on the stages of Broadway for a while, but, if this provides any consolation, the sudden stopped project for Spider-Man is continuing at the end of the month. I guess that this masked superhero will make it to the great white way after all.

Jess - Break a leg with crew!

My birthday in 8 days!

P
C

Sunday, September 6, 2009

9 to 5 Closes

This is not an informative post. This is a Jessica gets her feelings out post.

9 to 5 closed today.

Up till today, I'd been so sorry for the entire cast and crew, out of work after today. It was awful. I wasn't that upset for myself, though, cause I knew I'd never see the show again [on Broadway], and esp. not with this cast. Just now, though, a huge wave of depression hit me. I've been following this show since casting was announced. I am a HUGE country music fan, love Dolly, love the movie. And, if y'all haven't figured this out yet, I'm a bit of an sjb fan... (and Megan- I looove her. :)) This show was incredibly epic in my life, cause it was everything I loved. I followed it through out of town in LA to opening on Broadway through when the closing notice was posted. As soon as we found out about closing (probably an hour or two after the cast, hahaha) we started a gazillion different projects to show our love. Not only have I followed it extremely closely, but I SAW it. I have been to NYC twice in my life, and once I was very young. 9 to 5 was the reason I went this summer, and I saw it twice. I can't imagine New York without it. The big video player and marquee in Times Square? That IS New York to me. I've offcially become heart broken.

Ok, enough of me whining, here's day four of my trip:

Birdland, Stephanie J. Block concert

Ok, the first story comes before Something Beautiful. Stephanie was introducing the song and talking about how the composer’s father had scoliosis and was attached to this tree in central park. He’d gotten a picture of it because it was gnarled and bent, but glorious (her favorite Word) and he felt connected to it. Then she went on to add, “And if I’m not mistaken, your (she was talking to the composer) mother is in assisted living and still has the picture of the tree… did I just make that up?” The composer must have nodded “yes” because she got so embarrassed and said, “See, that’s what actors do, we just create!” And everyone laughed.

Story number two: 15 pounds. Tory from 9 to 5 and Jennife Dinoia got up and sang it with her. The intro was her talking about how lucky she was to be married (she pointed out Seb in the back) and how awful dating is in New York City. Through the whole song, Tory (mainly) and Jennifer were throwing out hilarious comments (different from the CD.) When it got to the point where Steph sings, “I ran into him in front of Carmine’s with his brand new wife…” Tory goes, “what a skanky whore!” or something to that effect. Stephanie stopped and went, “We did NOT rehearse that. Look at this poor little girl *points to girl like 5 or 6 years old in the audience*.” It was hysterical.

Third (shorter) story: Before Never Neverland, Steph was talking about meeting Scott and hearing NNL for the first time. “When I heard that song, things moved inside of me… that sounds gross.” Hahaha. That was the end.

The encore was Life Starts Clapping. She said she wanted to send us back to the mean old city or wherever we were from with these words- with positivity.

After the show they announced that Steph and the composers would be over in a corner taking pictures, etc. I grabbed Sebastian [Arcelus- stephanie's husband, Bob Gaudio in Jersey Boys currently] as he was trying to fight the crowd to deliver sharpies to Steph. I asked him to sign my Happiness [off Broadway show w/ a limited run- he and Hunter Foster had starred] playbill that I had with me. "Well, nobody’s signing anything till I get these to Steph." But he did anyway. I told him I'd never gotten to see Happiness and he's like, "It was a great little show, sorry you never got to see it." I told him I was leaving the next day, too, and couldn't see him in JB. "I know." I'd told him this at Broadway Barks, but we'd met for like 2 secs, so I didn't think he'd remember. He did.

While we were waiting in line, I started talking to Scott Alan (SUCH a sweetheart.) I told him that Keys and Dreaming Wide Awake [his two albums, gorgeous music w/ EVERYBODY (broadway-wise) you could possibly want singing on them] were both gorgeous and he said, "well, so is your dress so we're even." We talked about all the amazing people he's gotten to be on his albums, and he's like, "Eh, sometimes you just have to settle for hags like this one *points to Steph.*" We discussed Piece [his musical in the works] (nothing happening as of now- he wants to focus of album no. 3!) and how he started making connections in New York. Then we got a picture.

So. Then we got to Steph. I was with my dad, and when she saw us, she's like "Hi guys!!" Cause we had stage doored the day before and I told her we were coming. Then she complimented my dress too (new fav. dress! Hahaha) I put down all the things I was holding at the table she was sitting at and one of them was the Happiness playbill. She's like, "Did you catch Seb?" And I thought she meant in the show, so I said no. She got up and started looking around for him, and I'm like, "No no, we didn't catch him in the show, I found him here." "Oh, ok good… how do you spell your name again?” I’d never told her my name. Hahaha. “J-e-s-s-“ “i-c-a? Good, the normal way.” While she was writing, dad snapped a picture and she's like, "You're a good pop!" Then I gave her a cross necklace I'd found at Scottish fair near where we lived cause it reminded me of The Pirate Queen [a show about Grace O'Malley, an Irish pirate that was a contemporary of Elizabeth I, Stephanie had played Grace.] "Oh, thank you, it's beautiful!" *Hug* (Big hug <3) and then she hugged Dad. Then, we got an adorable pic of the three of us and left.

So ends the Broadway portion of our vacation. I saw my favorite actress four times and met her three of them in the course of a weekend. :)

Ps- Stephanie's album is called "This Place I Know" and you can get it on Amazon or itunes. If you don't want the whole thing, at LEAST buy 15 Pounds (Away from my Love) [hysterical], Never Neverland (Fly Away) [gorgeouuus (it's by Scott Alan and a dif version can be found on his CD Dreaming Wide Awake)], or I Will Always Love You [duet w/ Dolly, nough said.]

*Goes back to sulking about 9 to 5's closing.*

Till Latah,

Jess

Friday, August 28, 2009

Day Three and JB

Day three of my vacation was 9 to 5 again:

It’s so interesting how the show changes every time you see it. For instance, Megan was much more ticked at Hart during the rooster to a hen scene and she played Backwoods Barbie more lightly- not as deeply offended as last time. Marc’s chair fell completely back during the second time it malfunctions this time. Fri, that happened the first time he did it. It must happen a lot. Get Out and Stay Out wasn’t quite as intense emotionally, but the end belt was better (if that’s even humanly possible.)

Then, we stage doored. Stephanie came out first again. When she got to us, I said something about being at the Birdland [small jazz club in the city where lots of Broadway stars have concerts] concert tomorrow and then asked if she had gotten the scrapbook we made her for opening night. “Oh my gosh, yes. You guys put so much work into that. And the handprint on my heart thing? [the theme was "handprint on my heart" (she'd been in Wicked) and we all had a heart w/ a handprint on it somewhere on our pages.] Come on, come on!” *Picture* “I’ll see you tomorrow!” And she moved on.

Got a picture with Tory Ross [who said they’re planning another Daphne video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKl226oeghg- Daphne is a minor character in 9 to 5 w/a couple lines who they decided to make a music video for. Lol! Andy Karl directed (and is singing in the background)] and Megan, and then decided to leave. “Wait, Jess, could you get a picture of ME with Stephanie?” Hahaha, I love you Daddy. She was at the end of the line still signing and taking pics, so he got up beside her and I took the picture. She goes, “See you tomorrow!” And left.
We ran down to Rockefeller Center and hung for awhile. Hit the M&Ms store. Got pizza. Came back to the hotel.

Sorry yesterday's was so ridiculously long. I had to document every moment. Haha.

Philip- CONGRATS! Good luck in your show.

JB- I'm reading it now, almost done. It's in verse- reminds me of Waiting for Godot or Rozencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. There are two main male characters (Mr. Zuss and Mr. Nickles) who decide they are going to put on the story of Job. [show in a show- now THERE'S a new concept!] But it's not as simple as they usually are. For instance, when they are deciding who will play who, Mr. Zuss decides to play God (which is why he's "zuss" --> "zeus" I'm assuming) and Mr. Nickles plays the Devil, but he origionally wants to be Job. He wonders where they will find a Job, and Mr. Zuss says: "All we have to do is start. Job will join us. Job will be there." To which Mr. Nickles replies: "I know. I know. I know. I've seen him. Job is everywhere we go. His children dead, his work for nothing... (he continues listing Job's ills.)" Sure enough, as soon as they start, Job appears. So, it's more symbolic and the language is deeper than, say, A Chorus Line, Title of Show, The Phantom of the Opera or any other show within shows I can think of. It's a good read, but not the first show I'd recommend picking up for fun.

And ps- Philip- I'm just doing crew. :)

In other, sadder news, 9 to 5 closes in 9 days. D:

Fourth day of my vaca (the Broadway part) in the next update.

Till then,

Jess

Saturday, August 15, 2009

New York!!

So, I've simply been insanely lazy. I have no excuse for not updating, especially since I went to NEW YORK this summer! Here's what I wrote while I was there, copied from my trip diary:

First up: 9 to 5. [Marriot Marquis- staring Allison Janney, Stephanie J. Block, Megan Hilty, Marc Kudisch]

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It was incredible. One of (if not) my only major freak out happened when I saw Stephanie come onstage and hide behind the mob of ensemble. I was squeezing dad’s arm and he had no idea why. *Shrug* Most of the show was the same as LA except for the cut songs and the addition of “I Just Might,” “Always a Woman (or something like that)” and “Change It” which I had seen a clip of on youtube (BEFORE I knew I was seeing the show live. Don’t judge.) A few lines were changed and some jokes were added. Altogether, it was a clearer show.

And then. Get Out and Stay Out happened. [Big 11 o'clock number Stephanie sings @ end of show] *Faints* She outright screamed a few of the lines. It was so much more intense. LOVE. And then… it was over. Sad… no WAIT. This is when stage door happens!

Stephanie came out first. I said something about my birthday present being her Birdland concert. She asked me how old I was turning, and I said 16. Something along the lines of, “oh, that’s great.” And then we took a picture. And then she moved on. Then Megan came out. We chatted a bit, she signed, picture, and then went to take a BAZILLION pictures with every single person there. She was there forever.

Next- Marc. Honestly, I hadn’t been that excited to meet him. I didn’t agree with him on a lot of issues and he just seemed like a really intimidating person. He was BRILLIANT on stage, though. When he got over to us, I told him this was my birthday present. “How old are you turning?” “16.” “Really?” *Nods* “Really?” “I promise.” “Well, for that,” and he drew a mustache and side burns on to the little picture of him on the poster. Then we took a picture. He was such a sweetheart. Then he sped off on his motorcycle. Hahaha. Allison wasn’t coming out, we were informed, so we left.

Maybe I'll do one show at a time. Make it all soap opera-y. Stay tuned: Next day is Blithe Spirit [Angela. Lansbury. Second. Row.] Broadway Barks, and Next to Normal!

Annnnd in other news: 9 to 5 is closing! WTC, theatre world??? The show is so much fun w/ an amazing cast. Stupid Tonys. I refuse to blame RoA, but I will blame the Tonys. And all the lame people that didn't go see it. Seriously, if you can, go, it's spectacular.

The funny thing about closing was that the day closing was announced, I found FIVE different projects to be a part of as presents for the cast. In one of them, we wrote letters to the cast and crew- one for every performance from a month until closing (it's closing Sep. 6). We just got word the cast and crew gathers and reads the letters before each performance. How sweet is that???

Anyway, spread the 9 to 5 love, see it before it closes. Here's a quick vid that cannot capture the awesomeness, but it tries: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNQLnxZ_w3Q

Jess

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Drama Desk Awards

So, the Drama Desk Awards were two days ago. I wish I had something interesting to tell you... I really don't. Sooo, 9 to 5 was nominated for FIFTEEN awards, record breaking number... won one. Thank goodness Next to Normal wasn't considered or Alice woulda snatched up Outstanding Leading Actress (925's only award- it went to Allison Janney.) Billy Eliot won everything. Blah, blah, I guess it deserved it, but geese- I didn't even wanna stay up to watch the end. Seriously- they must have given that show 78 awards. It was really... boring. Meh. The Tonys will probably split between N2N and BE, with a couple for Hair. At least there will be entertainment then!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Tony Noms

Ok, so the Tony nominations were pretty much a complete failure. http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/nominees/index.html

Ok, so first of all, yay for Next to Normal- 11 noms! But seriously? Rock of Ages and Shrek in best musical over 9 to 5? I've lost hope for mankind. I might post more thoughts later, who knows....

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Softball Results

Well, 9 to 5 didn't have enough people to play but they still did anyway.

So, even though HAIR won by default, they still played. And HAIR won!!!! A good day for the tribe. A suprisingly close score of 9 to 8 left 9 to 5 in the losers braket. And don't get me wrong I love the show BUT I love HAIR! Good job guys!

New News! and Old News!

Hello!

First off, this is the new layout. The old one was dumb, and this looks like a playbill anyway. Yay!

Second, I heard (via twitter) that 9 to 5 and HAIR are facing off in a softball game tomorrow. I think that this is hilarious since this these are Jess' and my favorite musicals currently on b-way (9 to 5 is Jess' and HAIR is mine). Will post who wins tomorrow!

www.broadwayshowleague.com

P
C