Terror!!!

I find it very odd that the top three states listed in our government's list of top terrorist threat locations are Indiana, Wisconsin, and New York. What's the common denominator between the three states? Hmmm... Well, I just spent the last 5 months doing theatre in Wisconsin. I've been in Indiana for the past month on vacation. And I'm headed back to New York City in a week and a half to live and work. I had no idea that Osama disliked me so! I am more than willing to sit down over a good cup of coffee and work out our differences. Can we call a truce?

New Beginnings

Yes, I know. It's been months since my last post. There's not much to say about the last few months. Well, there are book loads to say, but I prefer to look forward to the future. In just under a month's time, I'll be moving back to New York after two years of work on the road. I just mailed a large check to Actors Equity and am now a "professional" actor. I'm making my return with pretty much no security- not much money, no job, and many expenses to move into a new apartment. Is this what they mean by taking risks? It reminds me of my first move to New York almost 9 years ago. It was rough back then, but my passion to succeed carried me through. Do I want it bad enough 9 years later to make this work? It's all very exciting and terribly frightening at the same time. I hope I remember to breathe!

Latest Addictions

There are two things that I've become addicted to in the past couple of days. The first is the website www.youtube.com. You can find practically any video recording on any subject you want on this website. All the clips are furnished by other users and many of them are rather rare. Of course I spent the majority of one evening using it to watch several different actresses tackle the song "Defying Gravity" in the musical Wicked. My other addiction is an online game- Bookworm. Very similar to Boggle and part Tetris, Bookworm challenges you to create words with connecting letters before the letters are set on fire and burn to crisp! Hours of fun, Kids!!!

Tito Brian

I wish to extend a warm welcome to Emma Magnolia Mayne Jose. She was born on January 24, 2006 at 7:59 PM. She weighed in at 7lbs. and 15oz. Your uncle is looking forward to meeting you in person and spoiling you rotten! A huge congrats to the happy parents!

Every Little Thing He Does Is Magic

The last night of my Vegas trip was spent with my company manager from tour, Jack. As a thank you for his hard work, I treated him to dinner at Daniel Boulud's brassiere at the Wynn Resort. We sat down for a sumptuous meal- one of the best I've had in my life! But the best part of the evening was to come after dinner. Jack and I had bought tickets for David Copperfield's show at the MGM Grand. I have always been a huge fan of David. I recall the excitement I had watching his many TV specials and seeing him out do himself with each- from making the Statue Of Liberty disappear to walking through the Great Wall Of China. So it was more than a dream come true when I was selected to be a part of one of his acts on stage! The act I was involved in was one of the highlight acts of his show which centered on David fulfilling his grandfather's dreams of winning the lottery and buying his dream car. Me, and about 7 other people, were asked to hold up a very thick rope around this large platform. David then proceeded to put a silk sheet over the platform and in a blink of an eye, made a car appear underneath! I was standing about a foot away from the end of the car and had absolutely no clue how it was done! There was no sound or sudden burst of light that distracted my attention. I kept my eyes focused on the platform the whole time. David's show was filled with many other unbelievable acts like this, but this one will live with me for many years to come. Amazing!

Back From The Trenches

Hi Faithful Blog Readers,

I have finally resurfaced from a Vegas excursion and the beginning of rehearsals to report back to you my findings. There is much to report, but let me just start by saying it's good to be working again and in such a comforting and supportive environment. Our producers have gone out of their way to make us feel appreciated and cared for. Our actor's housing feels more like a home. Our meals have been so delicious and prepared with such care by chef Mike. And the show, performed by a mixture of tour veterans and locals, is going to be top notch. The next six months aren't going to be so bad after all!

Comfort Claus

There's nothing better than spending time with long time friends that you haven't seen for awhile. Tonight I did just that, hanging out with my good friend Ryan from college. We ate yummy ethnic food, encouraged each other to buy sale clothing, traveled all over in search of an elusive musical theatre CD, reminisced about college memories, and had over indulgent pieces of cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory. Who could ask for anything more!?! Thanks for the fun evening, Mr. Claus! See you again soon!

The Biggest Loser

I watched a rather interesting report on New Year's Eve about how the top resolution has shifted from "stop smoking", since so many have, to "lose weight". I have to say it's an amazing feeling to start the year at the best physical shape I've ever been in my life. I watch what I eat, I go to the gym, and still enjoy the food that I choose to eat. Today, the Bravo channel has been showing a "The Biggest Loser 2" marathon and I have been transfixed! I don't watch much TV now a days because I don't find too much on the air worthwhile, or more so, I find more enjoyable activities to fill my time. But this show is so inspirational to fat and fit alike. What amazing courage to televise your trial with obesity- and what an amazing triumph these contestants have attained! Bravo to all of you fighting with fitness and may 2006 bring you much success. Inspirational song: "Proud" by Heather Small (theme song for The Biggest Loser)

Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot...

OK- I know I've been missing in action since September. For that, I apologize. The end of tour was time consuming, exhausting, exhilarating, and one of the most meaningful times of my life to this point. But it's 2006! Time for new beginnings, a clean slate, and a year of new memories to look forward to. And the promise of a more concentrated effort to write this blog. So to begin the year, let me make a list of the things I look most forward to (in no particular order) :

1. Baby Emma- my first niece
2. taking my Equity card
3. moving back to NYC
4. turning 32
5. Vegas, Baby!
6. performing in a show other than Miss Saigon
7. learning a foreign language (a new years resolution !)
8. restaurant week in NYC
9. using my passport (another resolution!)
10. the unexpected

Here's to a happy and healthy 2006 for everyone! Peace.