Mwahahahahahahaha!!!!

                   Sorry folks, had to share this cuz i'm just toooooo darn excited!!! Drumroll please........

          
         TA DAH!!!! That's right!! Seein it wednesday!!!! Drool, all of you, DROOL I SAY!! Haha.   You can be sure that I'll leave a full review after I've seen it!!! Oh, and can you hear the people sing???? lol

True Acting

       Acting.  The thing that so many aspire to do, but so little succeed in doing.   What I think the real problem is with most "actors" these days is that that is strictly what they are doing, "acting".  Actors such as David Hasselhoff, who you can plainly read on his face, "I am portraying the emotion of ________." (anybody who's ever seen Jekyll and Hyde staring the Hoffman, you KNOW what I mean!!)

      I think the definition of acting should be redefined as "one who feels true emotion at the right time".  If you are not feeling it yourself as you are portraying it, it's not right.  What needs to happen is those emotions need to become your own, not just your characters.  Forget the dumb show, forget about looking good, stick with the realism.   Stick with all of this, and epic things will happen!!!  But most of all, remember, don't be this guy!!!! *shudder* The HORROR!!!!!

O.O

A Christmas MUST!!!!

      
          IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME!!!!  So, I've decided to talk about my absolute FAVORITE Christmas movie of all time....Muppet Christmas Carol.

        
           I know, i know, this story has been told and retold to the point of wearing it out.  But this re-telling i think stays very true to the original story, while adding a lot of humor, and, many touching moments.  There are still sometimes that i watch it and choke up.  This movie stars Micheal Caine as Scrooge.  I think, right there, is another reason that this is one of my favorite movies! He is such a wonderful actor, and his interpretation of Scrooge is my favorite.  A lot of the time with the christmas carol re-tellings, i think the scrooges don't show the proper character progression...it's either they show too much change too fast, or too little.  Micheal Caine has the perfect amount for me, starting out as the cold-hearted skin-flint and ending to be the loving-christmas-fairing man that the story works up to.  
         Another thing, the music. The muppets have this way of being extremely off key, but in all the right places!  It's almost a child-like way of singing.  I'm not quite sure what it is about it, but when the muppets sing, it really does touch a lot of people.  Whether it makes you laugh, or makes you cry, it gets to you, and somehow delivers the message perfectly without hitting you over the head with it.  I guess that's what the muppets are all about, though. Making you feel good, delivering good morals, and touching your heart, but in a simple, understated, very silly way.
          No matter movie it is, the muppets are one of my favorite things ever, but this has to be my favorite of them all.  This movie was also the first movie after the death of Jim Henson, and is dedicated to him.  It is very fitting, as i feel it best demonstrates everything that the Muppets were, and are about.  Love, and, (in the words of the newest muppet movie,) the world's third greatest gift, laughter.  This show is the one that always puts me in the christmas spirit, no matter how many times i watch it.  It just isn't christmas without it.  So, go watch it! Now!  I garantee, it WILL make you smile!

 



                                                                     

SINK ME!

 

 

 

Just because he's TOO awesome! Haha

 

Higher, Higher, and Into the Fire

                 I have had one of those months that makes me question why I do what I do.  Earlier this month, I had another audition for Hale Center Theatre.  They were having auditions for an upcoming production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.   I'd been throughly preparing myself mentally, and physically for another one of their auditions.  I had a perfect song picked out to sing in a brittish accent; Practically Perfect from Mary Poppins.  I'd been practicing it for awhile, and I may say, I was rocking at it!  The only wild card in this audition was the dancing section.  If you know me, you might say I am a fairly good singer, fair actress.....dancer.......NO. I was nervous out of my mind, and not really even wanting to go at all.
                  The day came, and I waited with a number on my chest like everyone else.  The first audition was the musical section.  I stood when it was my turn on the mark, sang my song, and sat down. The music director gave me a compliment, which is a big plus for a Hale audition.  And THEN came the dance audition.  During the technical audition, they asked me to go into a double spin...(yes, i'm sure there's a better term for that, but hey, I'm not a dancer!) my foot flew out from under me in the process and i landed flat on my back.  The whole room went completely silent, all staring at me with stoney faces.  As I was getting up the choreographer came over and told me that I was excused to leave.....ouch.  I didn't even make it to the acting audition. 
                  I ran to my car, slammed the car door shut as i got in, and sobbed.  Sobbed like a 5 year old.  Before I made my very tearful call to my mom and drive home, I plugged in my Zune player to my car and started blasting music.  What i had been listening to before i had gone into the audition was The Scarlet Pimpernel the musical.  It had been almost to the song "Into the Fire" in the tracks.  As the song started to play, a couple lyrics caught my ear, "never doubt, and your courage will grow," "Hold your head even higher, and into the fire, we go." I shrugged it off at the time, called my mom, and headed home. 

               
                 The aftermath of this disasterous audition was quite bad.  I've had a hard time moving on from this bad, bad audition.  I've questioned my abilites, whether I have talent or not, why I was even trying to audition at all.  Also at the same time, i was listening to this musical on a constant loop, and I kept going back to the same song.....In the end, i started to really listen to what it had to tell me.  Note, it is meant to be a light-hearted song, but, it ended up being so much more to me.   I needed to hold my head higher and jump back into the fire.  I needed to never doubt.
  

                  
                 Sure enough, my courage is growing.  I'm not fully recovered yet, but I'm slowly gaining more confidence in myself.  And, if I don't have it yet, I fake it till I make it. 
                    Yet again, theatre has proved to be a driving positive addiction in my life.  I encourage you that the next time you are having a hard time in your life, go through your playlists.  Whether it's a musical or not, find the songs that uplift you in a way nothing else could.  Music touches us in ways regular words can't.  Actually, I'm pretty sure it's the reason I'm still standing here today!

Not Advisable....

 

                                                  Doesn't really work...but keep trying!!!

Les Miserables....I've been there....

     So I have been absolutely miserabley sick all week.  I went to the doctor on monday, and it turned out I have a HUGE sinus infection.....yay me.  I've barely moved from bed all week, living in some kind of miserable daze.  Not much has roused me.  When I'm in this state of mind, not much can reach me, but my music.  When I'm not loving life, my music diet generally consists of The Phantom of the Opera, Jekyll and Hyde, and (of course) Les Miserables.  These happen to be some of my favorite pieces of music in the theatrical world, and they always seem to get me through rough times.  So....I put on the Les Mis and listened for awhile....becoming absolutely addicted all over again.  This got me on a Les Mis binge and I ended up watching the movie trailer a couple different times as well as the special extended behind-the-scenes look.  I'M DYING FOR DECEMBER TO COME!  I know I'm probably going to get criticized for this whole post, but I'm a little too excited for this movie to come.   Here's my accesment of the movie so far baised on the trailer, what I've heard of the singing, read of the production, and overall.....

          
               First of all, the posters and the overall look of the movie so far I'm loving!  The director is Tom Hooper, who directed The King's Speech.  I definately like this decision. I've seen the King's Speech and have been quite impressed with it.  I'm hoping that the same quality of direction holds for this movie as well.  Now....as far as the casting...........I've fairly pleased with what I've seen.....so far. I mean, come one now, HUGH JACKMAN!!!! The man is a legend in the making!  I know Anne Hathaway has already taken a beating for her interpretation of I Dreamed a Dream, but, i have to say, I really like it!  I have many theatre finatical friends that absolutely hate her singing for this show.  That her voice doesn't have the chops, that she doesn't have the ability to act it properly, etc.  What I think the theater world is having a hard time understanding is the difference between acting for the stage, and acting for the screen.  This movie is taking a more realistic take on this musical.  In the song, I dreamed a dream, on the stage it is generally done with a lot of vocal power.  Looking at it realistically, if you were really dying of disease, selling yourself to save your daughter, and knowing that you were not going to be making it out of the sad situation you were in.....I don't think you would be belting as loud and prettily as you could.  The way Anne Hathaway has done it, it as completely re-invented the song.  I've heard it over and over, and when i listened to the trailer, it was like listening to it for the first time.  It literally brought me to tears to watch her emotion and hear it in her voice.  May I just say, BRAVO!
                 I'm extremely excited to see Sacha Baron Cohan and Helena Bonham Carter as the Thenardiers, and the same to their Marius (who i can't remember his name for the life of me)and of course, Samantha Barks as Eponine(too excited!). Russel Crowe I was skeptical of at first, but after hearing him sing, my hopes are better.  The one I am NOT impressed with at all is Amanda Seyfried as Cosette.  Her singing worked for Mamma Mia, but, it does NOT translate well for this part. When i heard her singing In My Life, i wanted to cover my ears!  Her vibrotto is not supported, neither are her notes.  She cuts of at strange places and.....it just sounded terrible! I wanted to cry!!!!
                  The news that they are recording all of the music live is groundbreaking!  Acting wise, it makes it all the more real in that moment, and I am exstatic to see how it turns out!!!
                   Anyway, I've now babbled on too long on this subject.  I'm probably a little too passionate about it, but, who cares!!! I'm an addict for crying out loud!!!!

 

 

Watch for youself and tell me what ya think!!

                                                                  
                                                                      

Oh, What a Feeling!

Hello all!! Sorry for the absence this week! I went a little crazy with getting ready for my solo recital, helping with weddings, and callbacks at Hale Center Theatre.

        
               So.....I've NEVER been called back for anything quite like THAT before!  I had no idea what to expect....let alone that i would even get them!! One thing that you have to understand about Hale...they are EXTREMELY hard to get into.  It can take many times auditioning just to get a callback.  I went in for the audition last Saturday not expecting anything.  I was going in simply to let them hear me, and get used to my style...make a good impression.  The next day, i went to see which of my friends had gotten called back...and to my great surprise, MY NAME WAS ON THE LIST!  Major day of celebration at my house!  This doesn't happen very often that a rookie even gets called back! I went on monday to be greeted by over 100 people there also being called back....it turned out i was one of 5 people who had never been in a show there before.....WOW.  As i looked around...i seemed to get smaller, and my resume seemed to get shorter as i saw all of these experienced actors that i had been lumped in with.  Needless to say....i didn't make it in to the show...but, again....WOW!!!
            The feeling of actually being acknowledged for something you thought that you were only average for is an amazing feeling.  So...I'll keep auditioning....I'll keep on trying, and I'll keep working to get better.  Whether i ever get in, or not, it is just fabulous to have been considered for such an amazing company of people.  And...who knows! MAYBE I will make it someday!

The Ultimate Anti-Depressant

  One thing about theatrical addiction.....it is not detramental!  I was reminded of that today as i went to my psychiatrist appointment today.  He was asking what i did to make my depression better.  And the answer.....theater.  Well, technically theater and music, but still! I am probably THE HAPPIEST version of myself when i am in a production.  It got me to wondering why...and i have actually come to some conclusions.....

    When you are acting in a play/musical, you are removing yourself from yourself.  Meaning, by pretending to be someone else, you are not thinking about the different problems and stresses in our lives.  We are given the opportunity to be someone else for two to two and a half hours.  Besides the fact that, no matter what part you have, you are getting some MAJOR excersize.  Excersize has been proven to improve mood.....you are healthier, you look better, so you feel better.  The other thing....who DOESN'T love applause. The feeling i get during final bows is one of the best feelings i think i've ever felt.  All those people are clapping FOR YOU.  For all the hard work you put into this, for the performance they so enjoyed. For you.  Some of us i don't think recieve the recognition that they deserve, so to feel so apprieciated by someone simply putting their hands together just for you....it's special.

   Even if it is just an illusion, in a play, you can win the guy in the end, can dream the impossible dream, can defy gravity, can feel pretty, can be popular, you can be successful....
All these reasons are why theater has been such a blessing to me.  I truly believe that it is one of the reasons I am alive today.  It has saved me. It has given me wonderful friends, it has given me confidence, but, most improtantly, it has taught me to believe in myself.  So, this addiction is one of the best addictions I, or anyone else for that matter, a can have.

Creating a "Masterpiece"

   I've been in SO much theater over the past couple of years and i love the whole experience.  Yet, I had never tried and/or thought about the other side of it before.....the people who REALLY make it happen: the writers, the composers, the directors, the tech crew, the set designers......there is SO much more then just the actors!!!  I have recently been given the opportunity to dabble in these areas. Yes, it is only for a my singles ward christmas musical, but, even so, it's a TOTALLY different experience! I'm currently helping to write the script, the music directer, and will be co-directing....oh, and I'm the lead.

  We have named our show "A Very Single Christmas".  It's set in 1953 at a malt shop called Frank's. It's you're typical..."chick-flick" if you will?  We started out with the idea of combining so many of our singles ward experiences, and also some fun puns off of the 1950's and dating in general.  So, here's how it goes:
              Gary is in love Linda, his best friend.  But he doesn't know how to express his feelings to her.  Molly, (a nosy "adelaide" type of character, a waitress at Frank's who is waiting for her missionary, her "hippopotamus" to come home from his mission to marry her) is determined to set up all of her friends with dates for the ward christmas sock hop...where everyone MUST have a date to get in.  In doing so, she confuses who likes who, sets them up with the wrong people, and everything's a mess.  But, with the return of her Hippopotamus, she sets everything to right, and christmas is saved.  Everyone has a date, and they all live happily ever after.....  The show will be featuring music of that time, or similar to it such as Mr. Sandman (mister santa), Don't be cruel, Oh, baby it's cold outside, Blue Christmas, and I can't help falling in love with you.

 

 

 

  A relatively simple plot, that's sure to be corny, but has a lot of heart, and some touching moments along the way.  We are currently in pre-production, but it has surprised me at how much fun it is to help to create an original production, and then act it out.  Besides the fact that i'm working with some of my favorite people on the planet!
        What this has REALLY done for me so far is a greater apprieciation for everyone behind the scenes.  The unsung hero's of every production.  If you are, or have been one of them; You rock, my friend! Thank you for all the work that you do!
      I will post updates and developments on this silly little production as we work, because it has been, and will be, so much fun.  I also believe that others, as well as myself, will grow from this wonderful experience!
     If you have never been in a production before, try it! You never know just how much it might change you for the better....(oh, jeez, now i'm almost quoting Wicked....)  This is one theater addict who won't be going through "rehab" anytime soon!
  


 



What Musicals Have Taught me.......

Stage Fright!!!

 

I'm sure all of us, at one point or another, have all experienced the shaky knees, the racing heart, and the increased sweat that comes from stage fright.  For awhile, I lived with the idea in my head that it didn't exsist for me. Boy was I wrong!  I can get up in front of a large audience and do practically anything without being afraid.  When it comes to small audiences....(namely auditions), I'm toast.  I REALLY don't understand this.  I go into auditions, even for the smallest things, shaking like a leaf.  It's really the last place that one would want to have stage fright.  If you screw up because you're too nervous, you don't get cast......thats it, end of story. Now comes the real delema...finding a way past it.  None of the typical tricks have worked for me.  And I'm not real sure what fool came up with the idea of picturing your audience naked.....cause that's almost more traumatizing than the actual audition!

 



Like i said.....EW! 
I guess the only thing to do is to practice, do the best that you can, and except your fate.  My policy in life has always been to "fake it till you make it".  I guess it definately applies here!!

REVIEWED!! For the very first time!!!!

Recently i was in a great produciton of Rogers and Hammerstien's Cinderella playing the part I've always wanted to play.....an ugly stepsister!  It's been done for a little while now, but I was just thinking back to that wonderful experience today, and decided to share with you the very first review i've recieved in my entire life!

"Other standout performances included Cinderella’s stepfamily and her Fairy Godmother. Cinderella’s stepsisters Joy and Grace (Amanda Jewell and Katie Larson) were annoying and inherently rude in the loving way only sisters can be. From Joy’s infectious laugh/snort to Grace’s soaring complaints in “The Stepsisters’ Lament,” both the physically awkward and the emotionally shallow personas were well portrayed and very entertaining."
       If you want to read this full review by Zach Archuletta it's at http://utahtheaterbloggers.com/12257/cottonwood-heights-cinderella-is-a-lovely-magical-night

This production is one i had been dreaming about ever since i first watched it when i was little.  I grew up on the Whitney Houston-Brandy-Bernadette Peters version, and still to this day, it has remained my favorite!  I had always loved it for the fun, but, i really had no idea what kind of an effect it would have on people.  I guess i just regarded it as an old fairytale, and nothing more.  How wrong i was.   It amazed me the amount of emotion that flew up at us from the audience.  They were with Cinderella (played by the gorgeous April Joy Tritchler) in her plight in not being happy in her situation in life.  Little girls came from all over the valley in their princess dresses, just to catch a glimpse of their hero.  And when the shoe fit Cinderella, I looked done into the audience to see tears in their eyes.  When the prince, (played by the ever talented Rohit Raghavan) declares, "I have found her!" The audience lit up like a christmas tree and applauded!  I was astonished.   It goes to show that you never quite know what effect your actions will have on others.

  
       As for my part, I had a blast doing what i do best in life....being an absolute geek! The director gave me free reign to go as crazy as i wanted, so that's just what i did! I made some amazing new friends who are now, in many ways like family to me. I blasted my voice out of wack, creeped on a prince, whined, cried, got injured, danced very badly, and enjoyed every minute of it!!! Another example of great community theater!   To the cast/crew;  I love you and miss you greatly!  You are amazing! Much love to you all!

      
 If you haven't seen this show yet, i would encourage you all to catch it when you can, in a video, live, or by any means possible!  With a little folderall and fiddle dee dee, anything is possible, as long as you believe in yourself!   There's a message to take with you, my friends......believe in yourself, and nothing is "Impossible".

Just Trooping in the Rain!

A new level of epic has OFFICIALLY been achieved in this picture!! Now, can you only imagine what kind of a musical it would be.........I'd be slightly afraid to find out!!! Haha

An Upper

    There are some shows out there that just make you happy.  (an upper, in drug speech lol) I have many, but i would have to say one of them that is sure to improve my mood on a bad day is All Shook Up.

   

          This is a musical based on the life and career of Elvis Presley, also on Shakespeare's 12th Night, if you can believe that combination. It also has to be one of the funnest musicals i've ever been involved with! It is, by far, not the best musical i've ever seen, and it doesn't try to be, but if you're looking for a good laugh, and a rocking good time, this is the show for you!

       The show starts out as roustabout Chad comes to a sad, segregated town who's mayor has banned all upbeat music and dancing.  Not for long as Chad comes in and puts new life into their juke box and, in turn, the entire town. Not to mention winning the heart of Natalie the machanic.  Soon everything goes wacky as Chad doesn't love Natalie, he loves Sandra, the beautiful museum manager, who is also loved by Natalie's dad.....Who is loved by Sylvia, his best friend. And it gets even more complicated as Natalie decides to dress as a guy, (who she names Edd) to become close to Chad! Soon, Sandra is in love with Edd, Natalie's friend Dennis is in love with her, and Sylvias daughter and the mayor's son are in love too!!  Phew.....crazy crazy crazy! But crazy awesome! Everything turns out right in the end, and they all live happily ever after!

      
Favorite Part: It's nearly impossible to choose my favorite part of this show! The arrangements of the music were wonderful and fit in wonderfully with the story line. The script was fairly well written with the right amount of funnies and a lot of heart. For the production i did, the choreography was fantastic.  There are plenty of opportunities in this musical for the ensemble to shine, as well as the leads, which is something that is very impressive to me.  Just an all around fun show!

Before this production, I had developed a bad attitude about theater from some bad expiriences i had had in the past couple of years. You could say that like Chad in the musical, this show walked into my life and reignited my love and convicitions about theater.  It tore down my bad views about myself as a performer, and gave me a new view about myself, as well as the world around me.  Is it a musical Les Mis in proportions, no.  Did it change me, give me some wonderful friendships, as well as give lots of enjoyment to others? Most definately.  And for that, I will be forever greatful!

                        Needless to say, if this musical is playing near you, it's not one to miss!!!

Not Your Typical "12 Step" Program

    I would assume that since you're here, you have the same problem that I do......you have a serious addiction to theatre.  I would like to be positive, but I will tell you my friends, there is no hope of ever being free of this addiction! I would say I was sorry, but....it wouldn't be true! Because of anything in this would you could be addicted to, theatre is actually not the worst you could do, and one of the happiest addictions you could have!! Me, I have a peticular addiction to musical theatre.  Having studied music most of my life, it makes sense, but, come on.  Have any of you EVER SEEN a musical????  It has to be one of the single most happy feelings you could ever have watching one, live, or on a tv/computer screen!  The only thing that could top that feeling is actually being in one! That's a high that you can't get with a drug, not to mention the fact that it's a lot healthier.
         I myself am an actor.....amateur at that, but hey, ya take what you can get! I take pride in the fact that I feed my addiction with what I can do with it, and enjoy the laughter I get at others seeing me try.

        
              Alright, so lately I've been trying to expand my knowledge of musical theatre by checking out, listening, and watching shows I haven't ever seen or been interested in before.  My most recent on is one that friends have been trying to get me into for years; Jekyll and Hyde.

             Unfortunately, I wasn't able to see this one live :( but luckily they have the full dvd version of it on youtube. (oh, praise the lord for youtube!) The sad part is that the only full version available that i could find to watch was the one with David Hasselhoff starring.....eep.  BUT, it didn't prevent me from liking and loving most of what i saw!

The Best Part: I would say, whole-heartedly, THE MUSIC!!! There are moments where your heart just soars from some melodies....this musical had many of those moments! From the most well known This is the Moment, Someone Like You, and In His Eyes, to the less popular Facade, His Work and Nothing More, and Alive.....I was floating high as a kite! These are only some of my favorites, but there was pretty much not a song in the show that i didn't enjoy. Needless to say, i got done watching and imediately ordered the cd. The music really helped carry the story, an amplified the the mood/tone of the whole show.  Absolutely wonderful music!

My Least Favorite: Really, this show didn't have much that I didn't like.....(unless you count the Hoffman) but, if i had to name one, i feel that the ending could have had a bigger bang to it.  He stabs himself, Emma sings a phrase, and it's done. To me, there almost needed to be something like a bigger musical number, or more of a problem at the end.  The other thing was the sexuality....i would have toned it down just a notch. A notch. I guess it's just the mormon coming out of me, but, there you go!

Overview: A wonderful study of human nature from all angles, well written and relateable. With music to touch your heart. What a great show!

Anyway friends, i will write later. Because i have been writting all this about J&H, the craving is coming for the music! My addiction calls!!!  Stay awesome, my friends!!! Elephant Shoes!