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

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

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]



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