Sunday, November 26, 2006

Dreamland Lives! My B-day Bash






Just a few pics from my birthday party last night. I did a last-minute run to Chinatown to get some lanterns and fans. Since I pilfered (the executive producer at Miss Saigon actually gave it to me when I asked) the "Dreamland" sign from my recent show, I created a Asian brothel theme. I also got a funny hat. We had a great time. We had die-hard Karaoke fans come out on the Saturday night of Thanksgiving weekend to sing with the Karaoke DJ I hired for the evening. It was seriously silly and fun. Can't wait to have another birthday (party).

Friday, November 24, 2006

Thanksgiving Dinner 2006




Bob and I went over to our friends' place--Ruben and Arlene's--for Thanksgiving Dinner. We shared a great meal of turkey and cranberries with their daughter Crystal and Arlene's sister's family (husband Mark, their sons Evan and Ken and Mark's mother). It was a fun time. Then we went to my friends' John and John's house and partied with their friends from John's school. Fun, fun, fun!

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Thanksgiving Day Parade Chicago Style




Just me and Kristine taking in some of the fun Thanksgiving Day morning at the State Street parade! Wish you were here!

Monday, November 20, 2006

Chapter Closed

Our final show of Miss Saigon was yesterday afternoon, and I have to say, it was my best show. I was the most comfortable compared to the entire run; I felt more of a flow and like I was the character of the Engineer. Everyone else had a strong show. We hit our emotional peaks, as well as getting laughs on the funny parts. All the gunshots went off as planned. I hit my notes and did my turns. Then it was over. We took a couple of hours to strike the set and then went to a cast member's apartment for a party. We spent almost the entire time watching ourselves on the DVD. It looked great. I even watched more when I got home later that night. Yes, it's done. Chapter concluded.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Loving every minute

I'm so grateful to all my friends who have come to see me in this role of the Engineer. Seeing them after the show just makes me so happy. I feel like they've shared an important moment with me. And here I am now. Two more shows left. I'm already living it in my head. Each of my on-stage scenes...I'm going to savor everything.

Sunday, November 12, 2006

One Week Left

I have one week left in the time of my life. Yesterday, we videotaped the performance (of our Miss Saigon in Wilmette, Ill.) and I have to say, for the most part, I was happy to have recorded that show. Triple turn, notes on pitch and in-the-moment scenes with me, the gal playing Kim and the guy playing Thuy. It's nice to know I'll have something to look back at when I'm 80. And the parties have been fun. Last night we were at the producer's house and she had a split level with stairs and a balcony. We got into this thing where every time someone walked on the balcony we sang "Tonight" from West Side Story. Then when they came down the stairs we sang, "Hello Dolly." And when people walked up the stairs we did the lyrics "Up the steep and very narrow stairway" from Chorus Line's "At the Ballet." It was funny with people going up and down the stairs. Anyway, the little girl who plays our Tam (Alexis--the smiling girl in an previous entry below) suddenly got frustrated by the game. She stomped up to me and in a Dragon Lady demeanor demanded that we stop singing every time someone went up the stairs. A true diva in the making. Again, having a great time; wish you were here.

Monday, November 06, 2006

Backstage at Saigon





Here's a few photos from backstage at the Miss Saigon I'm in. The first picture is of our two "Tams." In the play, Tam is a boy, but we have two great little gals playing the role on alternating nights, Alexis (left) and Katarina. Then there's me with our other Asian leads, Jessica (as Kim) and David (as Thuy). The third shot is of the soldiers and the last shot is of me, and the people playing (left to right) John (Rob), Ellen (Sarah) and Chris (whose real name is actually Chris).

Having a great time. Wish you were all here.

Sunday, November 05, 2006

Engineering





I'm an Engineer virgin no longer. Two shows down, one to go this weekend and then two more weekends. It's been a real blast. My lines are almost all under my belt, although I've had a couple of brain farts here and there. I'm feeling the role more every night and in some places it's been really stellar. The show is really pulling together and I think it'll be fabulous in the coming weeks. I've posted a couple of cute images of me. (I'm so expressive.) I'll chat more and post more pictures as the weeks go on. Having fun in Wilmette! Wish you were here!