Top 10 Thrills Of 2007

1. Riding the new roller coaster at Animal Kingdom in Orlando.
2. Hiking Tubbs Hill in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.
3. Singing Karaoke with Saigon- Cohoes cast.
4. Wine Tasting with the Millie- Indy cast at Oliver Winery.
5. Filipino night with the Saigon-Cohoes cast.
6. Finishing Harry Potter 6 and 7
7. Grilling a salmon from the Pikes Place Fish Market in Seattle.
8. Babysitting Emma Magnolia.
9. Discovering The Secret via Oprah and Genevieve
10. Finding size smalls on sale at J CREW.

Top 10 Songs I Played Out

1. Feedback by Janet
2. Gimme More by Britney Spears
3. Brave by Idina Menzel
4. Girlfriend by Avril Lavinge
5. Give It Time by Jon Mclaughlin
6. My Junk from Spring Awakening
7. Gimme Gimme from Thoroughly Modern Millie
8. Makes Me Wonder by Maroon 5
9. New York City by They Might Be Giants
10. Don't Stop Believin' by Journey

Top 10 Favorite Places I Ate in 2007

1. Bouchon Bakery
2. Saigon Grill
3. Cheesecake Factory in Albany
4. Dick's in Seattle
5. TAO
6. Vynl
7. Pam Real Thai
8. Cafeteria
9. Tea and Sympathy
10. Max Brynner's

Time Of Year For Top 10 Lists!

So here we are at the end of another year... time goes so quickly nowadays, doesn't it? I love this time of year for it's end of year reflection and it's clean slate beginning. And for Top Ten Lists!!! And so without further a do, here's my first top ten list- I plan on doing one every day until the new year... we'll see how that goes!

TOP TEN THEATRICAL EVENTS OF 2007- in no particular order

1. Playing The Engineer for Cohoes Music Hall's production of Miss Saigon
2. Seeing Yellow Face at The Public Theatre
3. Striking with the stagehand's union at Spamalot
4. Playing Bun Foo in Thoroughly Modern Millie for Beef and Boards and Coeur d'Alene
5. Xanadu
6. Spring Awakening
7. The success of Movie Musicals...Hairspray, Sweeney, Enchanted, Dreamgirls, etc...
8. Playing Mr. Crabs for SpongeBob Squarepants Live! photo shoot
9. Being featured in the Indianapolis Star theatre section for a second time
10. Getting new headshots

Merry Christmas

It's easy to forget the spirit of the season when you work retail... the not so classic renditions of Christmas songs on a constant loop in the store, the crazy and endless supply of customers, the intense frenzy and energy in the air.... but as I sit here slightly after midnight on Christmas day, I'm reminded that in a few hours I'll be surrounded by those who love me the most, I'll search the Christmas tree for all my favorite ornaments, I'll eat to my hearts content, and all will be right with the world again... even for a brief couple of days. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night. Here's hoping your holiday is filled with peace, love, and happiness.

Mr. Crabs - Final Shots

I know... I've been missing in action! Holidays at THE CREW are murder on the mind and spirit! But had to share my final SpongeBob shots! More interesting things to come... I promise! Photo was taken by Carol Rosegg.

Mr. Crabs!

So Monday I did a photo shoot for the SpongeBob Squarepants Live! tour which will be touring China next year. No... I will not be going to China - it's being performed by a Chinese cast in Mandarin. But nevertheless, it was still a fun day! I've never done any sort of theme park/costumed character work before so it was fascinating for me to see how these costumes work and feel on the body. They put me in a skin tight body suit and then inserted me into this HUGE, round, and kinda cumbersome buddha belly sort of thing. I couldn't move much. And then to top it all off, I wore a 4 foot headdress. I didn't think it was heavy at first, but after 10 minutes or so it started to give me a headache- it was kinda tight. God bless The Lion King cast! All in all, it was still a fun day... We were shooting at the studios of Joan Marcus and Carol Rosegg- the two women responsible for shooting most B'way production shots nowadays. I met some wonderful new friends and even had a lovely lunch spread to boot. Not a bad way to spend a rainy Monday morning.

Grateful

I've got a roof over my head,
I've got a warm place to sleep.
Some nights I lie awake counting gifts
Instead of counting sheep.

I've got a heart that can hold love,
I've got a mind that can think.
There may be times when I lose the light
And let my spirits sink.

But I can't stay depressed
When I remember how I'm blessed.

Grateful, grateful, truly grateful I am.
Grateful, grateful, truly blessed and duly grateful.

In a city of strangers
I've got a family of friends.
No matter what rocks and brambles fill the way,
I know that they will stay until the end.

I feel a hand holding my hand.
It's not a hand you can see.
But on the road to the promised land,
This hand will shepherd me.

Through delight and despair,
Holding tight and always there.

Grateful, grateful, truly grateful I am.
Grateful, grateful, truly blessed and duly grateful.

It's not that I don't want a lot,
Or hope for more or dream of more.
But giving thanks for what I've got
Makes me so much happier than keeping score.

In a world that can bring pain
I will still take each chance.
For I believe that whatever the terrain
Our feet can learn to dance.

Whatever stone life may sling,
We can moan or we can sing:

Grateful, grateful, truly grateful I am.
Grateful, grateful, truly blessed and duly grateful.

Truly blessed, and duly grateful.

- John Bucchino

Happy Thanksgiving Day to all! May this day be filled with family, friends, good food, and love. Peace.

Strike!

So... I got back from Cohoes a week ago to a Broadway that was in the midst of a strike. Sad for me as I was planning on taking this week off from work to catch up on some shows. But even worse for the thousands of tourists that have descended upon Manhattan for the Thanksgiving vacation. They all look so sad walking around Times Square with "nothing to do". Hopefully a resolution will be reached this weekend and the shows will be up before the holiday....otherwise, the mall that I work at will be filled to the brim...Yikes! My union is in full support of the Stagehands. Solidarity in numbers. So last night, I ran into some friends at the the theatre where Spamalot is playing... and helped them picket! My first official picket! Not as exciting as I thought it would be. It was a bit cold. But with a hot chocolate from Starbucks in hand, I marched to support the cause! I can check that off my list now.

Could I Ask For Anything Better?!?!

"Having seen the young, sexy, and energetic Brian Jose as the Engineer, I cannot imagine middle-aged, oh-so-white-and-British Jonathan Pryce, who originated the role in London and New York, in the part. It was not surprising to learn that this is Jose's fifth production of Miss Saigon, including the 2004-2005 North American tour. He looks like he is having a wonderful time playing the scum of the earth, and he is indisputably the dancing star of this production."

WOW!!!

"Jose is a delight as the amoral, pansexual Engineer"

... and he uses his bright, focused voice to it's fullest on his big, "The American Dream."

First reviews are in.... I'll take it! More to come, but in the meantime, here are some pics from the production. Hope some of you can come see it!

Back In The Trenches

Hi Faithful Readers,

I've resurfaced momentarily from rehearsals to report on my latest production of Miss Saigon. THIS IS GOING TO BE AMAZING!!! I cannot express to you how excited I am to revisit this show as the lead character of The Engineer. It's vocally demading, physically draining, emotionally taxing and I LOVE IT!!! The cast is truly top notch. This will be my fifth production of this show, and the leads all have shown me new "colors" in the roles they are playing. Lots of work left to do, but l look forward to each moment.... more to come!

September 11, 2007

It rained this morning. Not just a light drizzle, but one with booming thunder and lightning...the rain hitting the pavement with great force...conviction. It was almost as if someone from above was sending us a wake up call. A reminder that this was no ordinary day... that we had to take notice. I will always remember. The weather was so beautiful that day. It had rained the night before, and the dawn had brought with it blue skies and a cool temperature. The sun was out. Such the perfect late summer day... except.

As we go through our day, let's not forget to take a moment to reflect on this day six years ago. What have we done to make this world a more peaceful place? What do we value in life? What do we need to do to be a better person? Today is a great day for reflection. Peace and God Bless.

It's Britney, Bitch!

OK.... I have to admit that Britney Spears is a guilty pleasure of mine. And it pains me to see how f***ed up she's become after she broke up with JT. I mean, back in the day, when I escorted her for the VMA's, she was as sweet and Southern and "innocent" as can be. So I'm happy to report that her comeback single, "Gimme More", doesn't suck. It's not great, certainly no "Toxic", but it's catchy and danceable and that's alright with me. And how can you resist the opening line, "It's Britney, Bitch." That's so White Trash of her, and I LOVE it. Looking forward to seeing what she does on the VMA's this Sunday. On another musical note, I'm working the Fashion Rocks event this week. Don't know who I'm escorting yet, but I helped out with Carrie Underwood's band today. She performed her rendition of "You Can Go Your Own Way" by Fleetwood Mac. She sounded OK, but she brings in her special guest in the middle of the song and they blow her out of the water! Watch it on Friday night!

A Decade Of Dreams, Deliciousness, and Determination

Ten years ago this weekend I arrived in NYC, well Newark, NJ really, with two pieces of luggage, two 70 pound boxes, and a pocket full of dreams. It's hard to believe how much has changed in my life since becoming a New Yorker. I've accomplished some goals... and have made new ones. I've made so many new friends, worked so many different jobs, lived in so many different places, eaten at so many wonderful restaurants, seen so many shows, and on and on and on... So, in honor of 10 years in New York, I give you 10 highlights from my decade. They're not necessarily the most meaningful moments in the last 10 years, but they certainly symbolize New York for me. Here they are:

1. Sleeping on a street corner with my sister in law, right by Macy's, to get a good view of the Thanksgiving Day parade.

2. Watching Broadway on Broadway on Sept. 9th, 2001 with Jim, Fred, and T and then going to the World Trade Center and sitting in the plaza between the two towers for an hour or so.

3. Going to the final dress rehearsal of The Lion King and thinking how cool it was to be working for the Mouse and how this show was going to change Broadway.

4. Beating out 5 equity actors and two non equity actors to win the role of Thuy for my first production of Miss Saigon at Gateway Playhouse.

5. Being interviewed in the Virgin Megastore for a special on Billboard's 40 Anniversary which they showed on VH1.

6. Eating my first Recession Special at Gray's Papaya on 72nd and Broadway.

7. Grabbing a cup of coffee and reading a newspaper at the now extinct Big Cup.

8. Playing an NYPD officer for five hours on a rainy morning for Law & Order.

9. Walking in my first AIDS Walk with the Group Sales Box Office gang.

10. My first concert at Madison Square Garden- Janet Jackson's Velvet Rope Tour.

So I'll probably celebrate tonight in some fashion with some friends... one being my friend Charissa, who is staying with me for awhile, as she pursues her dream of Broadway as well. Funny how things happen in ten year cycles. Happy anniversary to me!

Doing My Homework

I have one month until I start rehearsals for my FIFTH production of Miss Saigon... but this time, I'm playing THE ENGINEER, the Tony award winning role that Jonathan Pryce played in London and New York! It's all overwhelming at the moment. I've never played such a large role. I've never received final bow in a show. I've never felt so much pressure! Ahhhhh! But I look forward to the challenge with open arms. So with all this in mind, I've started to buckle down and get back to my homework before we start rehearsals... singing everyday, reviewing lyrics, going over my acting intentions, getting back to the gym, etc... It's going to be a tough month, but hopefully the outcome will be worth it in the end. And I'm overjoyed that I have some tour friends with me to play with... Yvonne Same playing Kim and Eymard Cabling (aka. Cos Cos) playing Thuy. This one's going to be FUN!!!

I'll Cover You... Jessie Martin!

So... my last two tapings for Law and Order were with Jessie Martin. Well, I was in the background and really didn't interact with him (except for a nod passing down the hallway), but he was a mere foot or two away from me. I, of course, being a bit of a Renthead, must admit I got a little tickle in my stomach every time I saw him. I mean for years I dreamed that we would play opposite each other as Tom Collins and Angel. I sang with his voice countless times as I listened to the cast recording. And then he decided to leave the show... and I was there for his last performance. Wow! In this 10th year of living in NY, I'm finding that so many things are making a reappearance in my life. And though I thought it would be in Rent, working with Jessie Martin on Law & Order will do just fine! Plus... he's got the kindest smile ever!

When It Rains It Pours!

And I don't mean the weather! It's been the most amazing week in regards to my career. Not only have I already worked three days for Law and Order this week, and tomorrow will be 4 (they called again!), but I also got an offer to play the Engineer in Miss Saigon for a theatre upstate. Still in negotiations, but I'm sure it will work out. So far, my 33rd year has been as miraculous as I hoped it would be. Keep it coming!

On Location

So... while I was on the set of Law and Order on Monday, I got a call to do some extra work on Law and Order: Criminal Intent on Tuesday! This time I would be playing a NYPD officer. We shot on location down by City Hall. It was raining and cold, but regardless of the awful conditions and the expression on my face in the pics above, I had a GREAT time. Now, if only Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (my favorite!) would call, I could complete my trifecta!

Finally.... A TRUE New York Actor

It's finally happened! I shot my first episode of Law and Order! For years it seemed to me that I was the only New York actor that hadn't appeared in an episode of Law and Order. I mean, it's been on TV for over 17 years now! Many of my friends have had that credit on their resumes for years. I was beginning to feel like a loser! But miraculously, I received a call last Thursday to tape an episode on Friday and Tomorrow and my schedule happened to be free! Granted, it's just background extra work, but hey... work is work. My first day of taping was grueling... not for the hard work in front of the camera, but for the 8 hours of sitting around and waiting! I got there at 12 Noon and didn't start filming until 8:30 PM! We taped for about 2 hours and then it was a wrap for the day. Usually extra work can be rather boring... you're just filling in the scene. But for this scene, it involved a little bit of excitement for us. I'm not going to spoil the ending, but the episode is called "Called Home" and involves a Dr. Kevorkian type doctor at the witness stand. It's a "Killer" of a scene!

The Jesus Year

I turned 33 last week.... also known as the Jesus Birthday. I've been told that this year is rather significant in a person's life. That it is within this year that one must decide their true calling in life and therefore, shape the rest of how their remaining time on this blessed earth will unfold. Hmmm... sounds a little too deep for me. What I know is this.... I like the number 3. My age is two of those numbers put together. I feel the number 3 is lucky. And that means I'll hopefully be twice as lucky as I have been in the past. That concept is a little easier to grasp... and a lot less scary. BTW, thanks to all of those who helped me ring in and out my birthday last week. It was a very special couple of days filled with much love and warmth and goodness. Thanks again.

Early Birthday Present

So... a couple of days ago I splurged a little... well, a lot... and bought myself an early birthday present- the iphone! As you all know, I've been in love with this phone the minute they presented it at the APPLE conference several months ago. And I'm happy to report it's the most cool gadget I have ever held, owned, used, etc... It truly is a revolutionary device. I certainly have received a stare or two on the subway and on the street. It's sleek, it's sexy, and so New York. I nearly fainted the day I dropped it in the street.... thank goodness I had smartly bought a protective cover for it the day I purchased it! I love the youtube function and the videos are so crystal clear. And you know what... it's pretty decent as a phone too!

I'm Not Waiting

There is a sense of renewal within me at the moment. It can be attributed to many things... my birthday is coming up, my first year in my apartment is nearly complete, audition season is upon us, etc... And I've taken a new approach to life- at least for the time being...I'm not waiting. I think one of my greatest attributes is that I'm a very patient person. Perhaps too patient. But as Sept. 11 and more recent tragedies continue to show, life can be too short so it's best to make most of your time here. This feeling of urgency and productivity has been most exciting.... and hopefully rewarding as well. Forward always forward. Onward always up. And with that... I leave you to conquer the world!

Insignificant

Just when you think that you have too much to deal with and that all hope is lost, there comes that person that sheds light on the matter and makes you realize that those problems are insignificant in the over all picture. And that years from now, maybe not even that long, those problems that seemed insurmountable weren't even worth all that stress and anxiety. It's been one of those weeks, and I thank those of you that have been the "light at the end of the tunnel" for me. Here's to a new week and new beginnings.

Goodbye, Good Goody Girl

I am mere hours away from our closing night performance of Thoroughly Modern Millie in Coeur d'Alene, ID. It's been such a pleasure revisiting this show and this role- so much love and joy. To all those lovely new friends I've made here in the Northwest, I thank you for all the fond memories that I will take home with me. And now like our heroine, time to head back home to the Big Apple! Only in New York....

Nature At It's Best

Last couple of days here at Coeur d'Alene and the weather has finally decided to warm up! That means time to go hiking, lay on the beach, and jump into the lake! This i will miss!

Ironman and Charles' Mom

So, the annual Ironman takes place here in Coeur d'Alene, ID next Sunday...the same day I fly out. Little did I know that this small resort town is host to this legendary event every year. The atheletes have started to arrive and it's easy to spot them- super dark tans, slim bodies, usually wearing a bathing suit or running shorts and little else. I remember watching the Ironman on TV when I was a kid and thinking how tired they must be at the end. The endurance it must take to swim, ride a bike, and run for miles! So, here's to those brave men and women who will be competing next weekend. You are our true physical superheroes! PS.... I met Ellen Travolta yesterday! She is on the board of Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre and performs in productions from time to time(She's performing in the next show, The Full Monty). Quite a lovely woman! I couldn't help but internally hum the Charles In Charge theme while I was chatting with her!

Sleepy In Seattle

Greetings from Seattle, Washington. I'm in town on my days off auditioning for a couple of theatres here and having a grand time! This is my first time in Seattle and I've fallen in love with this city. It has a great theatre district/community, a lively fisherman's wharf, hip and trendy people, a beautiful downtown area, and some wonderful new friends. Here's hoping I get to have an extended stay here in the near future!

Opening Night!

Here's to a fun filled, energetic, flawless opening night performance! Merde, break a leg, may the force be with you...always!

Deja Vu!

Ross...The Wonder

I have met the most amazing actor/choreographer/drinker/supermodel/drag queen right here in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho! His name is Ross aka. Black Diamond. I like the way he talks. He has a very distinct accent. I can't quite locate where this dialect is from, but neither can he. I think it's all for show. He admits it too. He has dimples to rival mine. In conclusion, everyone should get to know this fine gentleman. But dare not get too close, lest your heart be stolen.

Membership Has It's Privileges!

I'm sitting in the auditorium watching all these young and eager actors work thru our tech rehearsal for the show. God bless them! Our set is GORGEOUS, and huge, and heavy! And I don't have to lift a finger to help them! Well, I did volunteer my services, but being that I'm an Equity actor, I'm technically not supposed to do any set changes. So here I am, finding a lot of time on my hands today...perfect time to catch up on blogging. We had our sitzprobe on Sunday night and I almost peed in my pants with excitement! We have a 17 piece orchestra! That is unheard of in regional theatre, and some broadway theatres even nowadays. What a thrill it was to hear the FULL orchestration back up our vocals! I mean.... we even have a harp! I must say I wasn't expecting much when I arrived in Idaho, but what a pleasant surprise it's been! Can't wait to see all the elements come together this week.... more to come!

Greetings From Idaho

So.... I safely made it to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. It's absolutely BEAUTIFUL here... a huge lake just feet away from the theatre, rolling hills of trees, fresh air, a mini strip of beach, and plenty of sunshine during the day and stars at night. The show is going well... almost too easy for me since I just did the show. It truly feels like a mini vacation... and that's just fine with me! Oh, and I did have some Idaho potatoes. They may not be any better here than they are in NYC, but they sure know how to cook 'em here. Had some pretty good french fries the other day! And... they also are big on huckleberries here. Had a huckleberry beer. Still looking for a great piece of huckleberry pie. So far, so good. More to come!

AIDS Walk 2007

Here's hoping that in 2007, this tragic crisis will come to an end. Thanks for all of those who supported me on the walk.

I'm Making A List and Checking It Twice

I seem to be on a list frenzy at the moment. I've always loved lists ever since I was a child. I would buy those kids books that made you fill out lists. I couldn't wait for the end of the year/best of lists. I make a daily "To Do" list. I think I like them because they help me attain my goals. For example, today was my day off and I made a list of 15 things to do. I accomplished 11 of them. Now mind you, some things were small tasks like buy new stamps, but hey, I managed to do it because it was on my list. And that's something I probably would have let slide for weeks until I had an urgent letter that needed to get out and I didn't have anymore stamps. And what joy I get from merely crossing things off my list! And I don't simply put a line through the item, I scribble it out with lots of ink and intensity. Like I'm eradicating the world of some horrible disease. OK, that may be going a little over board, but you get the picture. It's rather therapeutic. Try it.

Karaoke Reunion

A final get together before we go our separate ways for the Summer. Thanks for the fun evening! You guys are unparalleled!

It's Millie Time

A week to go before I revisit Thoroughly Modern Millie!

Things I Want- Early Summer Edition

1. The new Maroon Five CD
2. Tickets to see Xanadu- The Musical
3. Dinner at DB Bistro Moderne
4. A Wine and Cheese with co-host Henry O'Neill
5. A great linen shirt
6. A bouquet of flowers
7. Summer lovin'
8. A true Idaho potato
9. Another acting gig
10. The iphone

I acquired 6 of my 10 from my Spring Edition list. Not bad. Let's see if I can get at least 8 this time. Bet I can!

Nicknames Roll Call

So... here are all the nicknames that I can think of that people call me:

1. Branjing
2. Cos Cos
3. Bri Bri
3. Bri
4. Jose
5. China
5. BJ
6. Braaain
7. The Acclaimed Actor, Brian Jose
8. Bri Guy
9. Beej
10. B
11. Blaino
12. Mommie
13. Papi
14. Brajan
15. B Jose

With all these nicknames, people still like addressing me most by saying my whole first name and last name - Brian Jose. Interesting, huh?

Slow Boat To China

I received a wonderful email and letter from my dear friend Cos Cos, who is in Korea performing in The King and I. I was almost moved to tears by the beauty that was represented in the pictures he sent. There were rehearsal photos from China, costume shots, opening night party shots, photos of gorgeous landscapes and buildings. Ahhh... it makes me long to visit a foreign land... to immerse myself in a different culture and experience life in a completely different way. Does Idaho count?

Customer Service

Ok, not to toot my own horn or anything, but J. Crew definitely has superior customer service. I was at Saks Fifth Avenue today to buy a new pair of jeans... and to open my long overdue Saks credit card. I had so many issues! I couldn't find the size and style that I was looking for and it took FOREVER to get someone to go to the back and get what I needed. Once I tried them on, I had all sorts of questions- shrinkage, tailoring, etc... and not once did my sales associate come back to check on me. After I decided on the pair that I wanted, I told him I wanted to open the credit card up. It seemed like a hassle for him, though I'm sure there was some incentive for him in the future for opening up the credit card. Once I finished the paper work, he proceeded to help a gazillion other people before getting back to me. And to top it all off, though not his fault directly, their computer was acting up and what should have been a 10 minute transaction tops took more like 50 minutes! Yikes! Though I can't really imagine shopping at Saks on a regular basis, this experience has made me think twice of shopping there again! Not pleased! Not pleased at all!

DMV

So yesterday I went to the DMV to FINALLY get a New York ID. The wait wasn't terribly painful- I think just over an hour. But it kills me, and scares me, how angry people get when they get to the counter. This one woman, with a hairy upper lip and bright florescent pink lipstick, went on and on screaming about how her DMV worker was so rude and didn't show her the respect that she deserved. She didn't have her 6 points required to get her ID. Another guy, who had obviously been there before, was throwing a fit that he was being denied again because he has two last names and his legal ID only lists one. He wanted to speak to the person in charge, who told him the exact same thing as the previous guy- that his Identification had to match. I think he had to be escorted out because he didn't want to leave until he got an ID. Ah well, my only concern is that my picture looks cute.

A Step Ahead

So I got an email from my dear friends in London that they are getting married. A small private wedding in Richmond for family and friends. Oh how I miss them both and my yearly jaunts over the pond. They are a very special couple. One is British and one is Spanish. They've lived together happily for years. One works as a teacher for the deaf and one works in the theatre industry. And they're both gay. Why is it that this country always seems to be a step behind with the times compared to my beloved England. They set the trend in music, in fashion, and now in accepting gay marriage. Such class, and style, and decorum. I feel a visit coming on soon...

Anticipation

There's a great number of things that I'm anticipating at the moment. Movies. Music. Events. Visits. But I've come to realize that one must keep their emotions in check when it comes to these things. The dilemma is that you can become so excited for the moment to arrive, that when it finally does, it doesn't live up to the expectations that your mind has created. You have "hyped it up" to such a high that the reality fails to measure up in comparison. But isn't it fun to let your mind go! To simply imagine how incredible the experience is going to be. I'm sure there is a happy medium between the two extremes, but for now I like to imagine that all my anticipated moments will far exceed my expectations and provide much happiness and excitement in my life!

Denied!

Today I went to audition for Les Miserables, one of my very favorite musicals ever.... and I was typed out! This practice seems to be getting more and more common nowadays. The funny thing is that they weren't even looking to replace anyone as no one is leaving the show at the moment- which made their choices even that more arbitrary. My friend Henry who was on tour with me, and who would be perfect for this show I might add, was also typed out. Had typing happed back in the heyday of Broadway, who knows who would have been denied the opportunity to audition. Would they have typed out Barbra Streisand from the I Can Get It For You Wholesale audition because of her nose and no previous b'way credits? I think not! I'm just asking for a chance people! A measly 16 bars! On a much happier note, they seemed much more receptive at my Mamma Mia audition earlier in the day. I would much rather sing the hits of ABBA than wear rags all night anyway!

Game Night With The Boys

Yesterday I had a very enjoyable evening with my boys. I finally had them up to my apartment since I moved in. We went out to the Pipers Kilt for the traditional burger and fries, picked up some booze, and headed back to my apartment for some competitive rounds of Taboo and Cranium. There's something very comforting in knowing that somethings never change. The dynamic between the four us is just as entertaining as The Golden Girls, The Sex and the City Girls, the Designing Women Girls- any of those Lifetime for Television shows(Right, Jim?). The best Tom quote of the evening: (during Outburst, trying to get me to say Thomas Jefferson) It's my first name and the last name of George and Weezie!) Gotta love the TV sitcom reference!

Oh My God! Oh My God, You Guys!

So, I've always been a big fan of those teenage girl movies. You know, like Clueless, Bring It On, She's All That, etc... but one of my favorites is Legally Blonde. It's one of those that TBS plays at least once a day, and I always seem to stop and watch it. And Reese Witherspoon's performance is just brilliant. So... when I heard that they were making a musical of it, I was a little hesitant. How could they take a such a perfect piece of movie fluff and turn it into an equally enjoyable piece of theatre fluff? But they have! Just saw the musical this afternoon... and I had so much fun. Now granted, this certainly is not Pulitzer Prize winning material and the score I'm sure to forget after a week, but I was smiling and laughing the entire two and a half hours. It's been a long time since I've done that. I mean, how can you not love a greek chorus made up of Delta Nu sorority girls and any show that has a song called "Gay or European" is a winner in my book!

The Year of the Millie

Just a quick note to say I booked another production of Thoroughly Modern Millie- my new bread and butter show of the moment. I'll be leaving in about a month to perform at Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre in Idaho. I'll be there for a month. More details later.... it's good to be a working actor again! Yippee!

What I Did For Love

Yesterday I watched the B'way revival of A Chorus Line. Despite it's flaws, I still left the theatre moved by it's portrayal of these b'way chorus wannabees. Towards the end of the play, those auditioning are asked by the director that if today was the last day they could dance, what would they do ? The answers vary from "Die!" to "Start teaching." to "Have babies and become fat!". And then the actors anthem song begins- What I Did For Love. It's words speak so true for me. I was moved to tears. We all make so many sacrifices as performers. From eating raman noodles for a month to pay rent to giving up a social and romantic life to do what we are passionate about. But in the end, there are no regrets. Regardless of how successful I become in my performing career, I will always be so very proud that I moved to New York City and put myself on the line.

Kiss today goodbye
The sweetness and the sorrow
Wish me luck, the same to you
But I can't regret what I did for love
What I did for love

Look my eyes are dry
The gift was ours to borrow
It's as if we always knew
But I won't forget what I did for love
What I did for love

Gone
Love is never gone
As we travel on
Love's what we'll remember

Kiss today goodbye
And point me towards tomorrow
We did what we had to do
Won't forget, can't regret
What I did for love

No One Is Alone

The assailant in the Virgina Tech shootings is being described as "troubled" and a "loner". It makes me sad to know that this poor kid felt he had no one to reach out to. No friends. No family. No teachers. No one. The sad part is, I think many Asian kids, including myself, have felt that at one point in their life. Our cultures tend to shy away from emotion. We are taught to suppress our feelings and "be strong". Especially in rural areas, we are the "odd balls". We're teased and called derogatory names. We're "pressured" into being the best in all that we do- sports, academics, arts, everything... and if we don't succeed, the feeling of failure is great- especially for someone so young. And because we work so hard to succeed, our social skills don't get the attention they deserve and need for proper growth. Of course, this is a generalization, but I have a feeling many other Asian kids can relate to some degree. I guess what I'm trying to say is that even within our personal "dysfunction", we are not alone. There is always someone who can sympathize with you, who can relate to your pain. In the wake of this tragedy, let's all try to be more sensitive to those around us and lend a helping hand or a listening ear to those who need it... and those who are too proud to ask for it.

Sadness

I was so saddened to hear of the tragic killings that happened at Virginia Tech earlier today. My heart goes out to the friends and family of those who were killed and to the poor parents of the troubled young man that took his life. What a tragedy. Please keep them all in your thoughts and prayers.

Let The Sunshine In

So today was the first of three days where we're expecting a torrential downpour of rain. That's not so fun when I have to spend two hours of each day running back and forth from theatre to theatre dropping off orders and payments. That's not so fun when I have the next three days off from The Crew. That's not so fun when I have auditions to go to and people to see. The bright side- I get to wear my super cool rain boots and my fun Mary Poppins umbrella is getting a lot of action! I also forsee a lot of knitting and sipping on tea in my future.

Grateful

My horoscope today provided a rather kind reminder. Basically it said that now is not the time to focus my energy on wanting something I don't have, rather, I should not lose sight of the fact that what I do have is something that people would give their eyeteeth for. Well, ain't that the truth! I've spent the majority of my time in the last couple of days pining away for a theatre gig, a relationship, money, etc... that I haven't stopped to really realize how "wealthy" I am to begin with. First off, I'm living in this treasure of a city. I have friends who actually are loyal to me despite how often I'm gone and how little I keep in touch. I have a job that pays well and keeps me dressed well. I have my own, true one bedroom apartment in Manhattan proper. I have family that actually care about me. I have it pretty good! It's nice to get those reminders from time to time. I think being an actor, I tend to always be looking forward. Where's that next paycheck coming from? What auditions do I have next week? What shows am I good for next season? We're always told in acting class to "live in the moment". Perhaps we should use that advice in our everyday lives as well.

Only In New York

I have a friend in town for the next two days and that means I get to play tour guide! Now, most New Yorkers hate all things touristy. They avoid the touristy spots, the touristy restaurants, the touristy attractions. But I, on the other hand, LOVE to do those touristy things when I have guests in town. For one, that's usually the only time I get to venture out and experience these things for the first time. It's embarrassing how long I lived in New York before I step foot into the Metropolitan Museum of Art, or any of the many museums here for that matter! Shameful! Secondly, it reminds me of the time when I first moved to New York. Everything was so big and exciting and colorful and too good to be true. I think the trick to living and succeeding in this city is that you have to, from time to time, rediscover your love for it. You have to go to one of those kitchy theme restaurants. You have to go to the top of the Empire States Building. You have to grab a hot dog from a vendor. It's those little exclusive things that create those "New York Moments" and make this city so unequalled to any other. Perhaps I'll buy one of those I Love New York shirts tomorrow. I still don't have one!

Unlimited...My Future Is Unlimited!

So in a couple of hours, I'll be auditioning for the musical Wicked for the first time. The auditions for this show are crazy! More than 300 people (that's just men), sign up to be seen. We go in. We sing our 30 seconds of a song. And then we leave... not knowing if we even made an impression.

I remember the first time I saw the show. I was still working at Group Sales Box Office and, of course, was invited to see the show for free. It's very rare that I find myself crying profusely at a show. But after Idina Menzel closed down the first act with a goosebump inducing "Defying Gravity", I found the tears rolling down my face. And I just kept repeating to myself, "Wow!". I think there's a little bit of Elphaba in all of us- that awkward kid that nobody wants to associate with, that's misunderstood, that simply wants to fit in. Tears, again, were running down my face for the second act duet "For Good" where the two witches, who are destined never to see each other again, confess their admiration for one another. Who hasn't had that best friend that has been there for everything?

I could talk about this show for hours- it's themes, it's music, it's many wonderful leading ladies, etc... But I'll end this entry by saying that I'm # 66 on the list. And regardless if I make an impression or not, I feel so very privileged to be auditioning for this very special show.

Happy Easter!

Hi All,

Hoping you have a wonderful day doing festive, family, relaxing sort of things. I, on the other hand, will be grabbing a coffee from the Bucks shortly and heading to the Crew for a full eight hour day- yipee! If you're anywhere near the Time Warner Center in New York, New York, stop on by and make my day a little more bright! Laters...

Fashion Trend

OK, I seem to be a little obsessed with yellow at the moment. I bought this great layering shirt from the Gap that's yellow. I just purchased a pair of butter yellow pants from the Crew. And I'm still on the lookout for that small yellow hoodie that we sold out of at the store. I even wore a yellow polo shirt today for work- which I vowed never to wear again since it was my uniform for eight years of catholic grade school! Hmmm.... maybe it's my attempt to bring the spring temperatures sooner as opposed to later? And it is a happy color, isn't it? I think I read somewhere that painting a room a light shade of yellow brings out calm feelings. In any event, Yellow seems to be the hot color in J. Crew and many other stores at the moment. Good thing I look good in it!

The King Of Cashmere

Now I've been called many a name in my life- some endearing nicknames to some downright crude insults. But at J. Crew I'm know as "The King Of Cashmere". Why do you ask? It's simply for the fact that I fold the cashmere better than any of the other "closers" they have in the store. I've never owned a piece of 100% cashmere before I worked at J. Crew. Frankly, it was just too darn expensive to pay full price for. But I must say, I've quickly grown to love it's soft, warm, lightweight goodness. My body takes to it quite well! So, I'm not so offended by this new title I've acquired. And if anyone is looking for something to buy me.... cashmere is truly the gift of LOVE! Ha ha! My, what expensive taste I've developed!

What's Up With That?

There were snow flurries in Manhattan today, April 5th- SNOW FLURRIES!!! What's up with that?!?!?!

Gimme Gimme!

Ok, today was my callback for Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Fulton Theatre in Lancaster, PA. This is my third Millie audition in less than a week! Third time is always a charm, right? Boy, does the competition get tough when you're Equity! There were 8 of us called back- half of us read for the role I just played, and the other half for the younger brother role. We were partnered up to read. All of us called back had either done the show before or were actually Chinese and could read the sides with ease. They ain't messing around! Anyway, I was partnered up with someone I knew, which is always nice. He actually covered the two roles on the Equity tour of Millie. The readings went fairly well I thought. So... now it's the waiting game. We will find out by the end of next week at the latest. Keep your fingers crossed for me! I know you're supposed to forget about it, but I'd really like to do this one. I'm not ready to give up Bun Foo yet! And they do quite high quality productions at this theatre- rather reputable. Send me your good vibes, please!

2 Things To Combat A Rainy Day

Today's weather couldn't have been worse in New York- Rainy, Windy, Cold. Such a difference from the 80 degree weather that I left in Indianapolis! In any event, I wasn't going to let it ruin my day. I've been in this very positive thinking mode since I got back. And so far, it seems to be paying off. I had a wonderful audition this morning for another production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, which resulted in a callback tomorrow. And Anthony and Dominic were there- two of my Millie loves. Then I went to Equity and ran into my college friend Staci- yeah! After much reminiscing about the famed McHale's hamburger with my friend Christine, my Millie, I sought it out at Le Rendezvous, where the cooks from McHale's ended up- and it was just as mouth watering as I remembered! I returned to J. Crew to open arms with several people saying how much they missed me- it's nice to be missed! And my Tall Dulce De Leche Latte from Starbucks was ever so delicious and reminded me of some dear friends doing "Guys and Dolls" at the Beef. Hmm... so what am I trying to say here? Friends and Food make any rainy day better? Yeah... I think that's what I'm trying to say.

Things I Want- Spring Edition

Ask and you shall receive. Here are a couple of things I want this Spring, in no particular order:

1. That yummy yellow hoodie from J. Crew
2. A Spring Romance
3. A night at the Astoria Beer Garden with friends.
4. Another Equity contract.
5. Flowers.
6. A vacation to a new location.
7. A day at the beach.
8. A great new pair of jeans.
9. Tickets to Legally Blonde.
10. A Cinnamon Dolce Latte Frappucino from the Bucks

Seder Meal... W/Class!

I'm very excited about tonight's festivities! Since I've been away from New York the past three springs, I've missed out on the yearly Seder meal that my dear friend Carol Cohen throws every year. And this is not just some bitter herbs and matzo- this is a GRAND production! There's waitstaff that serve dinner and Hors D'oeuvres. It's for an intimate party of 30 or so. And it's held in the very beautiful Penn Club in midtown Manhattan. It's quite a fancy, elegant evening. I mean, I have to wear a suit and tie! And of course, there is the whole religious aspect. Ha Ha! I actually do enjoy that part of the evening. I've always been taught to be open minded and accepting of others beliefs. And if it brings about an evening of friends, food, and fond memories, even better! Mazel Tov!

The April Fool

I like to think that I'm a pretty smart guy and can figure out when someone is pulling my leg. But it never fails that on April Fools Day, I'm always duped! Now, it's not just anyone that can fool me. It's those blasted theatre websites that manipulate my mind into believing their preposterous headlines! And I fall for it- hook, line, and sinker! Broadwayworld.com was running several fake headlines today. The two that caught my interest were that Dakota Fanning had her heart set on making her broadway debut in Spring Awakening next year and that Fox TV was going to do their own reality casting show for the musical Tommy. I mean, don't those two things sound feasible? If Melanie Griffith can be in Chicago and there can be a musical on broadway called Urinetown, then those two headlines could certainly be true? Right? Who am I kidding! I'm so gullible!

Down Right Pinoy!

Kumusta Ka? (That's Tagalog for 'How Are You?')

Tonight is all about getting in touch with my heritage. I'm meeting my good friend Aldrin for some Filipino food at Krystal's, a Filipino restaurant in the East Village. He's bringing his friend Jaygee, also a homie. And what do we have in common other than being Filipino, we've all done productions of Miss Saigon! Ha Ha! They also have karaoke singing- which is a staple in every Filipino household and the main source of entertainment at any respectable Filipino party. I'm actually looking forward to that part, having found my inner karaoke voice in Indianapolis. Alas, will Filipinos forever be known for Lea Salonga, Imelda's shoes, and Miss Saigon?!?!?! Well actually, I was watching a Discovery Channel program on weird foods from around the world and they were doing a spotlight on the Phillies. Perhaps I'll have a chicken embryo or blood soup or another one of our "delicacies" to celebrate my Filipino pride. Ewwww, I think not!

Shhhh.... It's A Secret!

So how many of you are aware of The Secret? Oprah had it on her show, and of course, it became the next big thing. The Secret, for those of you who don't know, is a motivational/inspirational DVD and book that centers around the law of attraction. The main message of the DVD is that if we use our mind to visualize our wants and allow ourselves to feel what it's like to have those wants, than the universe will deliver those wants to us. Pretty basic concept, huh? I just watched the DVD again last night with a friend who seems to be "all over the place" with his career, his love life, his housing situation, etc... And though, he may not have believed in it wholeheartedly, I think he took some important lessons from it. For me, The Secret is life changing. I believe that it works. The first time I viewed it, I found that I practice a lot of the concepts already. It was great though, to see it layed out in such a concise way. So... if anyone wants to change their life around for the better, rent or buy The Secret...but you don't have to take my word for it. A reading rainbow!

Re-entry

Hi Faithful Blog Readers,

I find myself apologizing frequently for not being consistent with my blogging, but in this case I have no regrets. The reason I haven't blogged in a month is that I was enjoying my stay in Indy so much that I hardly found the time to write. And isn't it better to go out and experience life than to be in front of your computer writing about it? The run of Millie was a DREAM. I couldn't have asked for a better experience, a better cast, a better show. It was so great that I found my re-entry into the world of New York to be a little daunting and scary! Riding a taxi, taking the subway, even just walking the streets seemed so strange to me. No doubt I'll be back to normal by the end of the week, but for the time being, I like to think back on my simple life in Indy and the great new friends and memories that were created. Ahhh.... I do love that Midwest life...for short durations. After all, New York is the BEST city in the world!

No Pain No Gain

OK.... A first in my life has occured. I had to call out of a show. Now, not the whole show mind you, but two of the dance numbers that I was in. On Thursday morning, a fellow cast member and I went to a gym class called "Body Pump" at 6 in the morning. It was a combo aerobic and weight lifting workout. The class kicked my ass, and as a result, my thighs were so sore from lunges that I was unable to bend my knees without my legs buckling underneath me. Nothing is worse than not knowing when your legs will give out from under you without prior notice- as they did at the cafe we went to breakfast. People thought I had fainted/had a stroke/heart attack. Needless to say, it was/is quite embarrasing, and very frustrating. Hopefully I'll be able to be back in the show fully by tomorrow.

A Day Off

So yesterday was my first day off from the show since we started rehearsals. And what did I do? Spent the entire day with the cast! You would think I would need a break from these folks, but we all actually like each others company and have lots of fun together. We went downtown to go see the movie Music and Lyrics, which one of our leads did extra work for and then me and my roommates held the first Millie poker night. Our Millie is a major card shark! She held a mini masterclass on how to play and then we had ourselves a $1 buy in tournament. And how did I do- came in second! Caesars Indiana, here we come!

We Got Magic To Do

So last night was Opening Night of Thoroughly Modern Millie and it was.... magical! I can't express how in awe I am of this amazing cast. The voices of each and every member are to die for. We went to karaoke night at a local eatery after the show to celebrate- and these kids can sing! I've never been to such an intimidating karaoke session in my life! I thought it would be difficult to top my experience of performing in the final year of the Miss Saigon tour, but this production has the potential to rank up there among my favorites. The cast dynamic is truly remarkable. Not one person that I don't get along with or dislike. And boy, do we like to PARTAY!!!! Here's to an incredible run and to live theatre!

Oh... there's also a great feature on me in The Indianapolis Star - www.indystar.com - titled "Leaving Saigon" in the entertainment section. Check it out!

Everything Is Thoroughly....

Exhausting!!! I started rehearsals for Beef and Board's production of Thoroughly Modern Millie this week. Having lots of fun, but it certainly is tiring. I'm doing a lot more dancing in this production than I was anticipating, but I'm up for the challenge. My costumes are GREAT! I'll post some pics when I get some copies. Did an interview for the Indianapolis Star which will appear in the paper next Friday. Probably not a lot of time for blogging this week, but stay tuned for more regular posts after we open next week. Stay warm!

Happy Birthday My Dearest Ems!

There's nothing cuter than a baby smearing whipped cream and ice cream all over her face and the wide eyed expression created when trying pizza for the first time. It was so lovely to see you and help you celebrate your first birthday Ms. Ems. Hope you like the presents and I can't wait to see you in Indy!

Much Love,
Tito Brian

Oh What A Circus!

Today is the official start of Restaurant Week in NYC and my brother and I decided to try out Osteria del Cirque. The atmosphere was quite festive with its big top theme- metal monkeys and lions, canopy, etc.... And the food- hmmm, certainly not the best, but very above average for the outstanding price of $24.07. They did trick us into getting "distilled" water as opposed to just the plain tap water that we wanted so we ended up paying another $8 for the bottle. $8?!?!?! Now that's an expensive bottle of water! But the portions certainly were quite healthy and left me full for the rest of the day. And the service at this family run and owned establishment was quite good- a little less on the formal side and bit more on the friendly, relaxed side which is fine by me. Tomorrow, it's off to Porter House at the Time Warner Center for some steak and then my final shift at the J. Crew. The countdown has begun....

Diet Secret...Shhhhh!

Ok.... I don't know this for a fact, but I think my latest drink addiction is keeping me thin. I'm kinda hooked on Arizona Green Tea at the moment. Now I know that green tea is known for it's natural abilities to "flush out the system", but can this really be working that well. Since I've moved back to the city, I've not been to the gym once. I do walk quite a bit more, but I certainly eat more poorly than I did before (that damn Bouchon Bakery upstairs!). Someone test this theory with me. Report your findings. And if it is true, keep it between you and me. Because at 99 cents for a "40", it's the cheapest diet I've ever seen!

Doors, Windows, and Ice Cream.

My day started with me getting back home at 7:00 AM after completing my last overnight work shift at J. Crew. I fell right to sleep and enjoyed the warmth of my bed until my phone rang at noon. It was the casting department for The King And I - Asia Tour that I recently had a callback for. I let my voice mail pick up- partly because I was still sleepy, partly because I knew why they were calling. As expected, it was a call to let me know that casting was complete and that I would still be considered as an alternate should they need a replacement. Always a bridesmaid, never a bride. Kind of like the Indianapolis Colts, but hopefully their luck will change this Sunday! Anyway, though the news was no surprise, it's still never fun to deal with the rejection- one of the harsh realities of being an actor. But when one door is closed, a window of opportunity is opened. So with that in mind, I proceeded with my day. I went to Equity to turn in my contract for my next show which made me feel a little better. I have to remind myself that I am a working professional actor. Not everyone has that luxury. And after that I thought, what's a better pick me up than seeing a B'way show! I decided to do the lottery for Wicked. Winter has finally arrived in NYC- 25 degree weather!, and I thought my chances of winning would be better today since no one in their right mind would want to stand in the cold. No such luck as there were still several hundred people there to win tickets. But low and behold, I won! I've tried at least half a dozen times to win this blasted thing with no such luck, and today, of all days, I got in! The show was great from the front row and was just what I needed to complete the day. To make this story come full circle, I got a call from Cos Cos, my friend who is on that blessed Asian tour, saying that he's in town. I kept him up in the air about the whole thing, since we like to toy with each other's minds on such things. But if he faithfully reads my blog, as everyone should, he'll be privy to the whole days events. And now here I am, typing today's entry while finishing a pint of Breyer's Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream. Why is it that on the coldest days of the year, ice cream seems to be the most appealing dessert treat? I'll leave you with that thought.

Whatever Happened To Class?

So yesterday I went to The Lion King audition. After years of submitting while I was non-equity and not being able to be seen, they had to see me and.... I think it went fairly well! They liked my song. They were attentive during the whole minute I sang. I think they were pleased. Anyway, let's chat about the waiting room for a minute. Now, when I go to the waiting room to sign in, I like to do just that, find a nice quiet spot on the floor, and listen to my music until I'm called up. I'm not one for phony chit chat or tap dancing (AMDA Kids!). Yesterday was unbearable! There were so many disrespectful people shouting and laughing at the top of their voice. So many insincere conversations about theatre. Ignorant and disillusioned actors, clearly not right for the show, taking up valuable audition time. Ughh..... so frustrating! I know people have nervous energy, but come on! And then let's talk about appropriate audition attire. One does not go to a singing call dressed in a tank top. I don't care how body beautiful you are. A lime green sweater does not make you memorable, it just makes you unfashionable. And hairspray is not going to fix that tired 80's hairstyle that you're sporting! Jeez! Ain't there no decency left!?!

Life Is A Cabaret.

Tonight, while at the apartment of some good friends for a dinner party, I was able to hear some wonderful cabaret music that I haven't heard in a long time- David Friedman, John Bucchino, Nancy Lamott. It certainly saddens me that the Cabaret scene here in New York isn't flourishing as it did 10 years ago when I first moved. I remember going to places like Feinstein's, Eighty Eights, and Don't Tell Mamma's , to catch some brilliant performers sing some of the most moving, truthful, hilarious, heart wrenching songs I've ever heard. They didn't always have the best voices, but they were captivating in song selection, in their personal stories, in their honest deliveries. These songs, more than any, spoke to me. Told my story. They found those simple, yet perfect words to describe all those confusing thoughts in my head. John Bucchino's song, "Unexpressed", is my theme song at the moment. A Sample:

Sometimes I think my heart will burst
Like a balloon inside my chest
With all the love that's waiting here unexpressed.

Fingers that ache to intertwine.
Warmest of chords but missing tune.
Where is the laugh to echo mine. Send it soon.

So poetic. My kudos to the new generation of cabaret perfomers, especially fellow school mate Brandon Cutrell (www.brandoncutrell.com) for keeping this art form alive. And now it's time for me to dig out those old CD's!

Focus and Shoot

Today I started cleaning my apartment and getting it in order for my subletter that will take it over in a couple of weeks. It amazes me how quickly dust accumulates in a place that I don't even spend that much time in. Where does it all come from?!?! In the process of purging old checkbooks, papers, and such, I stumbled across a whole bunch of old pictures that I've taken since I've been here in New York. Do people still take photos? The type that you need to get developed and are printed on paper? I am all for moving into the digital age, but I must confess I do like to hold a photograph in hand.

It was eye opening to flip through these stacks and look at how much my life has changed. 2007 marks my 10th Anniversary of moving to New York. The things that were important to me then don't hold so much weight now. Some friends that were so close to me when I moved here are no longer in my life. I tend to look at the bigger picture instead of focusing on the hear and now. They say a picture says a thousand words. I wonder what my current photos will reveal to me 10 years from now. One things for certain, it's always better when you smile.

The Devil Wears ABBA

I was thoroughly pleased to read that Meryl Streep has signed on to play the lead role of Donna in the big screen adaptation of the musical Mamma Mia! For those of you who are Musically Challenged, Mamma Mia! uses 20 or so ABBA classics in a story revolving around a daughter trying to discover which of her mom's three lovers is her father- just in time for her wedding day! The show is loads of kitchy fun and will hopefully transfer well to the big screen. While we're on the topic of movie musicals, what's up with all these movies being turned into musicals? Legally Blonde? High Fidelity? Shrek? I know it's all a money game and that tourists and theatre goers around the country want to see stories they know with "Household Names" (I won't even get into discussing Ashlee Simpson playing Roxie in the London production of Chicago!). But can't there be a place for original stories with original music and super talented "no name" theatre performers. Wasn't that place once called Broadway? Sigh. Save Meryl in Mamma Mia! for the big screen. I'll pick Carolee Carmello in Parade over a film any day!

Jolly Holiday

Today was my day off from work and in an effort to satisfy my inner Brit, I had afternoon tea at Tea and Sympathy and went to see Mary Poppins this evening. I don't know why I have this fascination with all things British, but I do! I miss my yearly jaunt across the pond. And I am a sucker for a genuine British accent. God save the Queen! In any event, tea was quite lovely- I do love a good scone with clotted cream and preserves! And the show- a bit long, a little off in pacing, but overall quite entertaining and at points, quite moving. It was a jolly holiday with Mary! Alas, it's back to the cruel, brutal reality of life tomorrow. As Mary Poppins says, "Just a spoon full of sugar makes the medicine go down." And on that note, it's back to my leftover sticky toffee pudding.... laters!

iphone

Ok, for someone who was dragged into the cell phone era, I'm certainly obsessing over this new product that Apple unveiled at their Mac Conference in San Francisco yesterday. I mean, have you seen this thing! It's sleek, it's sexy, it's super cool... and I want it! I know I just got a new phone less than a month ago ( the also very sexy Motorola Slvr ), but everything pales in comparison to this new must have gadget! OK- if I have an extra $500 or $600 dollars come June, I'll buy it (yeah, right!). Here's hoping Cingular will give me a sweet deal!

Proud Uncle

As I have no children of my own, I have to post one of my niece, Emma Magnolia, who will be celebrating her 1st Birthday in a couple of weeks. Oh what can your dear uncle get for you on such a special occasion? Hmmm.... while I'm thinking about it, I'll have to grab a cupcake tomorrow in your honor!

It's Gonna Be A Happy New Year!

My Faithful Readers,

A new year. A new layout. A new commitment to blogging. Here's hoping that 2007 will bring some great things to talk about, obsess over, lament, get angry over, celebrate, and most importantly- simply share. For what good are all of these musings if you have no one to share them with. 2006 brought much joy to my life- a niece, an equity card, a new apartment in NYC proper, some great J. Crew clothes, new friends.... 2007, you have a lot to live up to!