Three Tears for Oz

Okay, anyone who knows me knows I'm a big ol' sap and here in Baltimore I seem to be crying a lot. Not sad tears, happy tears. We happen to be playing a theatre where the audience is extremely close to the stage. The applause they give at the end of the show is positively overwhelming. It sounds like a rock concert. And when the witches take their bow, it might as well be Woodstock. The response brings tears to my eyes that we can move people to that level of appreciation. It's an honor to be a part of a show that has that affect on people. Its just a reminder that we actors really make an important contribution to the world. Carry on fellow actors! Carry on!

Photos From Oz

Okay...here's some photos. Me as the midwife goat. Me as the mean faculty member. Me as an Emerald City ozian. Me as a psycho troll in wig gone bad (NOT part of the show...but fun to wear nonetheless.

Bye Bye Providence

Wow! That was fast. We say goodbye to Providence today. I made it through my first week in Oz. What a hoot. I'm thrilled that I get to do it again...and again...and again...in a new city next week. For those of you NYCers, we're in Baltimore for a month which is about the closest we'll be to the city, so come and see us! Photos of me as a goat coming soon ; 0

Official Ozian

Well...I'm now official. Last night I opened in Wicked and had a blast! I'm blown away by the great reception I have received from the entire company. It's an amazing group of people and they have welcomed me with open arms. Aside from the 9 degree weather, Providence is a delightful place. If you ever travel here, don't miss Bob and Timmy's Pizza. Some of the best anywhere. They even have pink vodka sauce...delectable. More soon.

Good Fortune Witch Hunters!

Yes, that's the line I'm supposed to yell with a vengence as we seek to kill the wicked witch..."supposed to yell" would be the key phrase in that sentence, but my brain just didn't remember I had to say that. So instead of yelling it, there was just silence on the stage. You know that dreaded silence when you wonder whether it's your line and then you realize that it is!!! Yes, today was my big put-in with everyone watching and I just completely forgot to say it. We all had a good laugh at my expense. Otherwise the rest of the show went off without a hitch....gotta love rehearsals. I open on Tuesday and I'll be practicing that line until then. It's fun to be in Oz.

G is for Giddy

Okay, yes I am a drama geek. Today I finally got to get on the stage for rehearsal and I was downright giddy. It just felt so good and it made me realize how at home I feel on the stage. I'm just meant to be there. Oh sure, I made mistakes, threw a fan across the stage and sang the wrong lyrics, but I didn't care, I was in heaven. I even got to practice delivering the baby...not just any baby, but the GREEN BABY, complete with green arms, green legs, even a green *beep*...yep...Baby Elphaba is anatomically correct. They cut no corners here in Oz. And I'm in hog heaven. Oink Oink.

A Real First Day of School

We're finally off and running! After two full days of watching the show, we finally began rehearsal today and well, I learned almost the entire show in one sitting, music, staging, everything....lots to absorb. What an amazing show to be a part of. To see these glorious costumes up close is truly astounding. We're playing to sold out houses in a 3300 seat theatre....I can't wait to be on that stage with them.

First Day of School

Wow! It always amazes me that after many, many years in this business, I still get a giant rush on the first day of rehearsal! Well, I guess you can't really call today a first rehearsal...more of a meet and greet. The tour is in a new city so i got to meet the rest of the company and watch the show. I was actually reunited with some folks I haven't worked with in a long time including PJ Benjamin who plays the wizard. PJ didn't recognize me cuz it's been oh, let's see, about 15 years since I last worked with him. Back then, I was a skinny dancer girl with long dark auburn hair who danced the pas de deux of Another Autumn in Paint Your Wagon at Sacramento Music Circus. And now....pas de what? You won't see this girl kickin' her legs up in this show. But you will see me with goat-like facial hair screaming high C's! Should be a hoot. Or was that a baaaaa...More to come from Shiz...