SMITTEN { A Little Night Music } on Broadway

Can you believe that I once said, "I don't really get the big deal. . . why does everyone worship Stephen Sondheim?"

Can you believe I used to hate the song, "Send in the Clowns"?

Can you believe I was ever so dumb?

Wait. . . don't answer that!

Well, I have learned the error of my ways, and my teacher is none other than the marvelous and sparkling production of A Little Night Music currently starring on Broadway.

I, literally, just walked in the door and could not wait to write down my thoughts.

In the midst of yet another apocolyptical winter storm here in New York, I was lucky enough to get two tickets to the perenially sold out performance tonight.

Smitten, mesmerized, enamored . . .

From the first note of the cello, the glide of the voices, the simplicity of the set and the stunning performances, I could not have been more in love with this production!

I loved everything, but I must say that the stand out moments include:

These three had me hanging on every word. The chemis

try was palpable and real, and though I was in the back of the theatre, I felt like I was in on their every secret.

Alexander Hanson, I think I have a crush. Angela Lansbury, a legend I adore, was the ultimate voice of wisdom and sass. And Catherine surprised me with her strength and ease, along with her gorgeous voice. I used to despise the song "Send in the Clown," and now I realize it is because I never really heard it before.

Aaron Lazar is brilliantly hate-worthy, and no one is complaining when he takes his shirt of in the last 20 minutes, either.

The five lieder singers are each in their own right spectacularly talented, but beautifully subtle as they move from scene to scene.

The lighting is almost ghostly, and it makes you feel as if you are peering into someone's dream throughout the show.

And the music is somehow familiar and part of you. When I was younger, I truly didn't understand the way Sondheim's music works. I'm so grateful I get it now!

And did I mention that I laughed non-stop throughout the show? I don't know why I wasn't really expecting that.

I am in love with the costume design. . . I think I'd look pretty fabulous in Catherine's act one silver and black traveling dress!

And the ultimate honor (read artistic jealousy and respect) is to the ridiculous Leigh Ann Larkin who simply put, made me want to be her. I knew I would love her from the start of the show, and she surpassed even my expectations. She has such complete control over all that she is doing, yet lets go and makes you believe she truly lives without anyone watching. In the Miller's Son, she oozes sensuality without making you queasy. Overall, she is my favorite thing in a show of amazing things!

So, in conclusion, if you are in New York anytime in the near future (and yes, I'm talking to you family who is arriving in 3 weeks) this is a MUST SEE! Let me now what day works best for you :)

Wanna see what I'm up to? Vaudeville Sneak Peaks!

Today, Cirque du Soleil announce a weekly video journal, that will give you a sneak peak in the incredible new creation process of Vaudeville. You can subscribe and check in each week for a behind the scenes look at this amazing new show I'm doing! The clips are excerpts from the documentary they are making about our show, as we are breaking new ground with this project! Check it out here!

Creative Journal | Vaudeville | Cirque Du Soleil

I've Run Away With the Circus!!!

Have you heard?
I've Run Away with the Circus!!!
Cirque du Soleil, to be exact! And the verdict is in. . . I'm in love with this company! I'm part of the original cast of Vaudeville (which will receive it's official name later this year), which will be come to New York in 2010!!

Today was the first day of school. . . Circus School!
I arrived at the Cirque du Soleil compound here in Montreal, and was blown away!
The people are all so delightfully kind and helpful, and facilities beautiful, and the amenities. . . Whoa, Nelly, I feel spoiled already!! Pilates and Yoga every day before rehearsal, full time on staff Physical Therapists/ Trainers, everything I could possibly need!
I can't wait to get started rehearsing on Wednesday!

I will be posting the little bits that I can, and fellow circus peep, Alex will be video blogging about us all! I'll post her first blog-cast later this week! Until then, imagine me juggling, tapping, and sliding down a vertically rotating stage. . . Pretty fierce, eh? Just a sample of what's to come!

The Tony Awards!

A week ago tonight, I had the insane honor of getting to attend the Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall with my darling roommate Jen. We get all glammed out, as it was a black tie event, and in true frugal fashion, hopped the subway down to the red carpet. We got some serious looks, but we loved it! Everyone knew where we were headed, and the buzz was thrilling.
From the moment it started, we got the chills, and I unashamedly cried at least 10 times! Here are my favorite moments:
1- Laura Benanti's seriously comedic hosting skills for the pre-show (sadly, not aired on tv.) From that little bit, I have decided Laura and I should be best friends.
2- The insanely elaborate opening number! Though there were sound issues through out the show live in the theatre, we at least didn't have to hear Josefina Scaglione warming up backstage! LOL. The end of the number, when all of the casts of all the shows came out, I thought about the amazing theatre community, how it is such a family, and how incredible it must have felt to be up there! So many moments in that opening number were thrilling, but none more than. . .
3- Bret Michaels getting face planted by the dropping set piece. . . There was a huge collective gasp in the theatre when it happened! Then we didn't know if we should be concerned or if we should laugh our faces off. . . We went with an uncomfortable combination of the two.
4- Angela Lansbury's incredible acceptance speech, and the crowds standing ovation. It was incredible to see such a huge star and legend so overwhelmed by the respect she has garnered.
5- Karen Olivo's incredible win and acceptance speech! Yet another teary moment for me!
6- The overall message of encouragement to all of us up and coming performers watching either in the audience or at home. . . I felt like everyone was telling me to keep going and not give up. It was exactly what I needed to hear!
7- The Billy's! When they won, and they were overwhelmed with tears, I was like a proud momma, and I think everyone in the audience felt the same way! So precious!
8- Alice Ripley's win! Though her acceptance speech was a bit crazed, the fact that she won was exhillerating to the young crowd up in the 2nd mezzanine! The entire crowd litterally sprang out of our seats when they called her name! And she looked right up at us as she approached the podium. Her performance in Next to Normal is one of the most extraodinary things I've seen in ages.
9- Hair. . . need I say more. Love 'em or hate 'em, they know how to put on a show. The energy coming off the cast was so infectious and made me wanna be on stage with them! And then, when they won Best Revival right after that and the entire cast came back out, it was overwhelming! Jen and I both have several friends in the cast, and we were so proud to see how far they had all come!
10- NPH. There are no words to describe how much I adore him. He hosted the Ovation Awards 2 years ago when I was nominated, and I loved him as a host then. But he just took it from love to obsession with this year's show. His little looks and jabs, his adorable interaction with the crowd during commercial breaks, and that seriously amazing finale number, just blew my mind! Neil Patrick Harris, can we be best friends, too?

So, that sums it up! Here is a little pic of Jen and I from our seats in the theatre that we snuck before the show. Here's to next year! And maybe one day, I'll get to be on that stage!

Next To Normal

Yesterday was quite possibly my favorite half day in New York ever! It was the most beautiful weather, I saw the most incredible show, and hung with one of my favorite peeps. Too bad I only had half a day!

I got up early with my former cruise ship roomie and stunning dancer, Ann Skufca, to get General Rush tickets to the hottest new Broadway musical "Next To Normal." And we got the last two!!! This is a brilliantly original musical about a family struggling to keep it together while the mother battles with bi-polar disorder. A bit of a rock-operetta, the music is captivating, and the performances just mind-altering! We're talking some serious Tony's people!
Now, I must disclose that this is not a family friendly show, and it is an extremely heavy and dark musical, but the beauty that it embraces is just stunning. I laughed for sure. I cried about 7 times. I left feeling so inspired and moved and thoughtful.

That is the beauty of art, to move you like that! And to combine that with the most beautiful sunny blue skies, 80 degree weather, Red Mango fro-yo and good company, and you got a little piece of heaven right there!

My "Hubby"

You may have heard me refer at various times in the last year to my beloved "husband." Sorry for all the confusion, and just to clarify, my left hand is still ringless. . .
However, in Japan, I had the blessed opportunity to meet one of the most incredible and generous people I've ever met. Ralph Meitzler was a dancer in my cast of Wicked, and now back in New York, he is ready to stake his claim on Broadway not only with his dancing, but with his incredible voice, great acting, and seriously manly looks!
Last week, we had gorgeous weather, so I called Ralph up, and he ran over for a quick mini-shoot!
Here's the results.









I had to put this in there, cause. . . can we just talk about the size of that arm???