What I Did For Love

I just finished reading Making It On Broadway by Jodie Langel and David Wienir. It wonderfully illustrates "the good, the bad, and the ugly" of being an actor. Through interviews, actors candidly let the reader know what it's like to be in their shoes- from their move to New York to collecting unemployment while waiting for their next gig. It's brutal honesty took me by surprise at first. People want to read about the "glamour" of being an artist, not the hardship. But reading the truth has somehow inspired me to try even harder, commit more deeply, and really relish in the fact that I have chosen this profession. Nothing can beat it! I can't wait for the show to start up again!

This Christmas

Happy holidays faithful blog readers! I'm having a wonderful time in a very snow covered Indianapolis. Enjoying plates of Filipino food. Staying up too late. Sleeping in. Making my rounds of the malls. Hanging with the family. Pretty typical stuff, really. Here's hoping you and yours are having "a very special Christmas" as well.

Nothing Has Ever Held You Like This

Greetings from a rather COLD Cleveland, Ohio- our last city until our holiday hiatus. And boy, do we need it! So many people are coming down with colds. Tonight was opening night and Jen Paz, our "Kim", had to be replaced for the second act due to illness. This is only the second time during the 2 1/2 years this tour has been out that this has happened. Perhaps if we all just hold each other for body warmth (as pictured below), we can make it through the week- or would that perpetuate the spread of illness? In any event, here's hoping for a healthier end to the week! As a side note- how does one review an opening night performance where two people end up playing the lead? Tomorrow's papers will tell!

In The News...

Today I was contacted by our press representative about doing an interview for an Evansville newspaper. Now I know it's not the New York Times, but there's something really COOL about being asked about your opinion on something and then seeing it in print or online- kinda similar to blogging! And I'm pretty well versed on the subject matter. Hopefully they'll ask me," If you are a tree, what type of tree would you be?" I would have to say a FIR.

The Circle Of Life

Isn't it funny how life is cyclical? I was going through my digital pictures I have stored and came across this picture from 9 years ago. It's a picture of me at the Aronoff Theatre in Cincinnati posing in the lobby with the big cardboard cut out for Miss Saigon. I was a Junior in college and we were in town performing with the Cincinnati Pops. The second national tour of Miss Saigon happened to be playing in Cincy at the same time so a group of us young and eager kids went to the Aronoff to catch the show. Playing Kim that afternoon was Alex Lee Tano, who I would end up playing opposite when I did my Gateway Playhouse production. Who would have thought it possible that I would be playing the very same show, in the very same theatre, 9 years later? Thanks for a glorious two weeks Cincinnati- it's been real and your town has been oh so hospitable.

The Champagne Room

Ahhh... the perks of being an actor in a national tour in Midwest, America! A group of co-workers and I went to a local restaurant/bar after the show tonight. We were the "belle at the ball". Not only were we treated to a free round of drinks by the owner, but another patron offered to wine and dine us on another evening. Not to be outdone by this offer, the owner of the restaurant invited us back on closing night to be "taken care of". How come my social calendar is never this full in New York?!?! Both of the generous benefactors told us how grateful they were to have our show in the city. We should be the grateful ones since we are doing what we love as a profession, and if that means having some free champagne from time to time, so be it! Who knew the Champagne Room was in Cincinnati, Ohio?!?!

How Do You Measure A Year In The Life?

Today is World AIDS Day. So many still infected. So many families devastated. So many still ignorant or apathetic. On tour, we measure our time by cities played, shows performed, miles traveled. Yet for many others, their time is measured by taking pills, hospital visits, and waiting for a cure. On this day, let us take a moment to remember those we have lost to this tragic epidemic, especially our fellow performers (including Barry Bernal, Broadway's original Thuy) and the children. But rememberance is only part of the process. We must get involved, as well. Wear your red ribbon. Educate. Volunteer. Contrary to popular belief, AIDS does not discriminate. It is only through our collective efforts that we will be able to eliminate AIDS once and for all. Take this opportunity to reflect and make a difference.

On An Ordinary Sunday

There's something rather comforting about Sunday. Not necessarily this Sunday, in particular, but just Sundays in general. I know many people dread it's arrival because it signifies the start of another work week. I, on the other hand, find the day rather relaxing. A day to reflect on the week gone by and a new opportunity to start the week off well. Today started early with Mass in a rather ornate cathedral followed by a lovely breakfast with friends. Two shows today. Even the task of doing two shows, which usually wipes me out, sounds bearable and perhaps, even enjoyable. There's a calmness and peace within that I haven't felt in a long time. It's rather enjoyable. Such an ordinary Sunday...but in ways, also very unique. I hope your enjoying your ordinary Sunday as well.

Black Friday

Following tradition, I woke up at an ungodly hour this morning to check out the day after Thanksgiving sales in beautiful downtown Cincinnati. Unfortunately, my morning shopping adventure was a rather big let down as many of the stores didn't open until 10. I did manage to get a $78 Wool and Cashmere scarf for free at Structure with the purchase of a pair of boxer briefs(retail $10). You can never have too many pairs of underwear! And it was all about getting the free scarf anyway. Ah well... on to another city and better purchases.

We Are Family

Thanksgiving on the road can be tough. You miss the smell of food permeating the house. Your home cooked meal is now instant potatoes, stove top stuffing, and cranberry sauce from a can. There are no seconds or third servings at a hotel restaurant. But Thanksgiving is not about the food, it's about remembering what you are grateful for this past year and breaking bread with those close to you. One of the things I'm most grateful for this year is that I am a working actor. There are so many of my friends who are not "working" and struggling to make ends meet. I am so fortunate to be doing what I love and to have the opportunity to use my talents to their fullest. And though we may have our arguments and get on each others nerves from time to time, it's opportunities like this that show you that the actors that you are performing with are your family. They are there to support you, inspire you, and share in your triumphs. We share memories- funny ones, sad ones, and every emotion in between. We, as a whole, are what make our show succeed night after night. And so on this Thanksgiving, I give thanks to my fellow cast and crew members. It is an honor and a privilege to be on this tour with you.

Why Oh Why Oh Why Oh

Tonight we start a month long engagement in Ohio- two weeks in Cincinnati and a week a piece in Columbus and Cleveland. Until a few weeks ago, with the exception of some lovely memories of Cincinnati, my thoughts of Ohio were rather apathetic. It was always that long, boring state that we had to pass on the road trip to New York City. But now that the election of 2004 has brought some noteriety to the state, my opinions are not so neutral. Last night, on the way to the laundromat, our cab driver, a Vietnam War vet, proceeded to tell me and my friend that he hasn't voted in an election since he got back from the war due to the fact that the government leaders of the time didn't allow the soldiers to finish the war. He applauded our current government for "following through". I had to bite my tongue for the entire ride. Here's hoping that our performances this month remind the good people of Ohio that War is not a long term solution and that the consequences can be rather tragic and irrevocable. I think I've found my "fuel" to carry me through the rest of our run until break.

Southern Comfort

I enjoy food immensely, and nothing is more fun than visiting new cities and trying out the local dish. I've been to three "Southern" cities so far- Lexington, Louisville, and Nashville. And I must say that some of the best food that I've had has been "Down South". Two items that come to mind are The Hot Brown and Sweet Tea. The Hot Brown is a rather delicious dish of hot turkey and toast points swimming in a creamy cheese sauce topped with bacon, a slice of tomato, and of course...more cheese. I first tried out this sinful meal at The Brown Hotel in Louisville... which apparently, is the home of the original. Pure ecstasy! Sweet tea is really nothing more than a glass of iced tea, but with more sweetener, or liquid sugar added. It's a staple drink in most Southern restaurants. I've had my share of Sweet Tea while I've been in Nashville and I'm afraid my addiction to it will cause me to oversweeten my "ordinary" tea in the future- thus prompting my inevitable diabetic coma. Hmm... can't wait to try the cuisine in Texas! I thought the goal was to get in shape while on tour, not gain weight! Oh well, you only live once...

Sesame's Treat

Yesterday I was fortunate to see a production of the Sesame Street Live show "Out Of This World". They happen to be performing in Nashville this week, too. As a child, my parents never took me and my brothers to this type of fare- the circus, ice shows, kid shows and the like. So yesterday's outing was quite the treat for me. I felt like I was 5 years old again! Picture if you will a grown man of 30 cheering on Cookie Monster to eat the letter of the day- which was the letter "Y" if you were curious. And kudos to the actors in the show who night after night put themselves into those heavy and hot costumes to the delight of children everywhere. We had a private "meet and greet" with a few characters before the show and I must admit I got a little choked up when I saw Burt walking down the hall. I gave him a big hug and I'm sure the grin on my face stretched from ear to ear. It was so great to see all the little tykes in the audience "eating up" the show. I, on the other hand, was eating a rather tasty funnel cake. "F" is for funnel, fattening, and loads of fun!

Baby Baby

I'm here in the country music capital of the world - Nashville, TN! Too bad I left my country shirts and cowboy hat at home. I'm still on the quest for a kick ass pair of boots- that are affordable! In any event, I'm very excited about tonight's performance because Amy Grant and Vince Gill will be attending. Now mind you, I've never fancied country music so much and couldn't hum you any Vince Gill songs, but Amy Grant is a different story. Back in my high school days, I went through a couple of months of really digging Contemporary Christian singers- Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith being among my favorites. Since then, I've parted ways with that infatuation, but I do find myself humming "Love Will Find A Way" and "El Shaddai" from time to time- just some really "feel good" music. Of course the world knows Amy for her crossover hits "Baby, Baby" and her cover of "Big Yellow Taxi", but to me she will always be that sweet, down to earth Christian girl.

The American Dream

As I look back on my week of performing in Washington D.C., I struggle to choose which event was the highlight of the trip. Was it my trip to the ultra hip and super cool International Spy Museum? Was it my reflective visit to the Vietnam War Memorial on Veteran's Day? Perhaps it was my afternoon in vocal rehearsals with Claude-Michel Schonberg, the composer of Miss Saigon? As meaningful as those events were to me, I must say that it was the shortest of events that probably moved me the most. I got my Miss Saigon tour jacket. Yes, that's it. Now, I know that may sound odd, but let me explain. Ever since I became a musical afficionado and actor, it has been my DREAM to own one of these prized possesions- a wool bomber jacket with leather sleaves, a show logo on the back, and my name emblazoned on the front. To own one is like being a member of an elite clique. It's kinda like being a Varsity member in sports, only you recieve your "letter" for hitting solid high notes and doing the perfect double instead of how fast you run or how far you can throw. It was a bit overwhelming to put it on for the first time. And of course, the attention you get wearing it is the best part. What actor wouldn't like that?!? Does this mean I've "made it"? Of course not... but I'll enjoy the warmth and goodness my jacket provides in the meantime.

THE HEAT IS ON

Well... I can't believe I've actually started my own blog! I feel a great deal of pressure to write intelligent, thought provoking, witty, life altering information in my blog. Let's get real! I'm on a national tour of a broadway musical! My blog will be filled with frivolity (is that a word?!?!), gossip, scandal, and lots of useless information- and perhaps a showtune or two. I hope you can handle it... it's gonna be a bumpy ride! More to come...