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.