The Anniversary Approacheth

As I sit here to begin writing the report this week, I am struck by many things. One, I can’t believe how unbelievably hot it is in NYC today. Two, there is a bottle of brown water sitting at my station still about a third full that has been there for months (what is wrong with me?) Three, I can’t believe I am up to Volume FORTY FOUR on the report (which should technically be 45, but Fenkart failed me on my vacation). And Four, I have another vacation coming up next month!! OOH…that just got me excited.

This time around I am splitting up the time off. The first half of the week is still up in the air (but I am thinking a spa somewhere in the tri-state area will be in order)…then on Thursday morning bright and early I am flying down to the Riviera Maya in beautiful Playa Del Carmen Mexico.

This time I am seeking fun in the sun with one of my dearest friends from Florida State….Dearing. No one can make me laugh like Dearing; she has the quickest wit of anyone I know. She never fails to make me laugh (and she is also a professional when it comes to brown water!). She has two absolutely beautiful daughters and this will be her first trip SOLO…so I hope the resort we are staying at has the brown water stocked up (Note to self…call travel agent to make sure this happens…)

Before I go soak up the sun…there are big happenings over here at MEMPHIS. I can’t believe that the starting date for when we started rehearsal was over a YEAR ago!! Where did the year go? Craziness I tell you.

Also, we are swiftly approaching the YEAR mark when we started previews here at the Shubert! Then, the mother of them all. On October 19, 2010 MEMPHIS will be one year old on Broadway!! What a difference a year makes!! We came into the city “the little musical that could”….hardly anyone had heard of it. Even some of my friends thought that I was working in the city of Memphis when I told them what I was doing. One friend (coulda been Dearing…) even offered to come visit me if I promised to go to the Peabody Hotel to see the ducks.

Almost a year later, and we went from the “dark horse” to the winner of the Grandmother of them all in Theatre talk. The T-O-N-Y!! It’s crazy all the hard work that goes in to making a Tony Winning Musical. I talk a great deal about the hard work that the cast puts in here. But, I tell ya, without the never-ending hard work of our crew, our management, our creatives, our PR, our marketing, and our Producers things would not be the same here at The Shubert.

I can’t imagine the challenges they faced trying to make MEMPHIS a hit and getting the “word out” to the masses when we first opened. Now, they have the challenge of making sure the show continues on for a long and healthy run! And these folks do not STOP!!

Look for MEMPHIS everywhere in the coming months. First off the annual “Broadway on Broadway” concert on Sunday, September 12th! I love that event. It really galvanizes the entire community and it’s nice to see friends from other shows getting to strut their stuff in Times Square! I’m not sure if I am supposed to say what number we are doing. But it may involve thievery.

Also, as our year approacheth (I don’t think that is a word really, but I just made it up….) I think it is kinda cool that there are still 20 original Broadway cast members (22 if you count Dionne and Charlie who are just on leaves)…It seems like we have had so much turnaround, but 20 originals is pretty awesome!! If we are going old school…all 5 of us who were in the original incarnation who are in the original Broadway cast are still here. Wait…was that confusing? Wow…that brown water looks thirst quenching right now….

A year might seem like a long time….but I look forward to all of the adventures that year two brings here at MEMPHIS!! It definitely seems like we are getting off on the right foot. How nice to be sitting pretty a year later when I didn’t know last year if I would even still be sitting in the bungalow at all! I had faith, but as an actor you are always filled with a little doubt!!

As the year anniversary approaches, we are still having some firsts around here!! This afternoon, Rhett made his debut as Wailin’ Joe and he KILLED it. This cast is ridiculously talented!

One wonders if we will get a cute little present for the one year birthday? IF I was to wish for something…maybe brown waters all around?

Hockadoo.

-Kevin

Celebrity Sighting – THE AMAZINGLY talented Alfre Woodard!! I think she is one of the finest actresses around. She is always good!! (and she is on True Blood this season!!) I told her that I was a HUGE fan of hers, and she fired back “Well, same here!” I almost peed!

I recently came across all of this footage from a flip cam that Memphis ensemble member/Huey understudy, Brad Bass, had taken during rehearsals one year ago.  Why was it LOST? I blame the black smoke monster.

In today’s Double Dose of LOST: Memphis, Episode 2 introduces us to a day in the life: commuting, paychecks, and the simple joy of making it home again. Also, meet three special friends in Brad’s life.

In Episode 3, check out what started a year ago today- I call this series of videos “The Illness.”

Things We Love:

Memphis Buses making hot summer days better.

Dining a la Huey.

Memphis going Global.

Mini fans.

Memphis Babies.

If my friend Kristal does not email/text/or call me about the above photo within 24 hours, then I will know she is not reading the blog religiously and I will have to question the sanctity of our friendship and her love of babies and of  Memphis.

Or maybe she is just busy and I should let it go.

I will decide in 24 hours.

James chats with Preston in the basement of the Shubert Theatre- directly underneath the stage on the stairs to one of the automated lifts. Not quite the set he was hoping for, but you have to start somewhere.

One year ago today, some of the cast members were given flip cams to ‘capture’ what was going down, down, underground leading up to Opening Night of Broadway. Brad Bass was one of those cast members.

The footage he shot was never seen (my lack of “know how” a year ago may have contributed slightly to this phenomenon). But when I rediscovered this footage, I found myself falling deeply in love with Brad, his turn of phrase (he calls them “handicams”), and feeling completely awestruck by the passage of time- which seems to have taken forever and to have gone by in a flash.

And so, it is with great pleasure that I introduce this first episode of LOST: Memphis. Look out for more to come in the coming weeks as we gear up for our big 1 year anniversary October 19th. We’ve given the video a little extra something to make it more current so make sure to keep watching.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Brad Bass, circa 2009.

Wanna read the blog entry from one year ago?
http://www.memphisthemusical.com/blog/2009/08/26/fan-tastical-debut-in-shubert-alley/

Wanna see the performances from that day??

“Charity Kevin” just doesn’t have the same ring…..

First of all, this is the first written word Report I have written in forever. I hope I remember how to write. With all the damn exit interviews going on around here, the Report has been all video. Well, hopefully that is over for the time being….

It continues to be a magnificent summer over here at the Shubert. Great audiences, great cast, great everything. I feel so silly when my friends ask me “What’s New?” because frankly, there really isn’t anything new. Sometimes life is just par for the course, and that is just fine with me. I have been enjoying a relaxing summer.

After Labor Day look out for the return of the Strike-Adoos and The Pin-tasticals as bowling season is upon us again!! The cast and crew would like to officially thank our Producers for being such supporters in
our pursuit of bowling glory!!

So, we all know how much I miss my Boo Bear (aka Charlie Williams). He is having a blast out in California with “Leap of Faith” and we anxiously await his return in November. Not only because he is dear to all of our hearts, but he is the go to MEMPHIS guy for all things Charity. He was even given the nickname “Charity Charlie”……well, who is supposed to be in charge of all that mumbo jumbo now that he is in LA?

I’m telling you “Charity Kevin” just doesn’t have the same ring to it…nonetheless, it seems that the duties have fallen into my lap. We have a few events and things coming up that I am trying my hardest to spearhead…..but I may need help (or at least a few stiff brown waters) to get me through.

First up is the annual Christmas CD “Carols For A Cure” that Broadway Cares puts out every year. Last year we didn’t participate because, well, we were in Tech and Opening for what would eventually become the 2010 Tony Winner for BEST MUSICAL! However, this year, that CD better WATCH OUT!!

Our very own Shelton Becton has arranged an AMAZING version of “Carol of the Bells”….I am giving everyone fair warning….Y’all are NOT READY for this track on the CD. The cast sounds incredible and the work Shelton has done is breathtaking! I can not wait to hear the finished version!! MEMPHIS continues to rock…even on a Christmas Carol!

SO, my heartfelt thanks to Shelton for taking the reigns. It is going to be MAJOR.

Also…the 24th Annual Broadway Flea Market is scheduled for September 26, 2010. Equity has asked MEMPHIS to have a table…and guess who is supposed to be in charge of this charity event? Yours truly. Charlie, get your ass back here.

Basically, every show has a table and sells stuff…old playbills, cds, memorabilia, whatever. At SPAMALOT…Sara signed a jazz shoe and someone bought it for 75 dollars. One man’s junk…another man’s treasure. I will be putting out a plea for any old theatre type stuff that people don’t want to sell at our table. I also need to find people to man the table certain hours. Carolyn…I’m talking to you.

Now that I am thinking about it, it occurs to me that Gypsy of The Year will be coming up again soon. I wonder if Charlie will be back in time to spearhead that event?

I’m telling you “Brown Water Kevin” has a much nicer ring to it. I’m a firm believer in sticking to what you are good at…but I will try and fulfill the duties, much like the 1st runner up in a beauty contest. Wait a second…does this mean that I am temporarily “Mr. Broadway”? If so….I want that crown boo bear!!!

Hockadoo!

-Kevin

Celebrity Sighting – From CSI Las Vegas….Marg Helgenberger was seen trying to not let anyone steal her rock and roll!

It has only taken me all night, but here are the videos from last night’s performance at Joe’s Pub. It was a truly incredible night and raised money in support of Broadway Impact. The videos are posted in show order so hopefully, if you weren’t able to join us, you can still enjoy the fantastical performances!

Tracee Beazer opened the concert. As a “Felicia” understudy, we always knew Tracee could sing, but I think we were all surprised how she could rock it out- we always knew she was sexy- hello! Ain’t Nothing But a Kiss? She is fierce in that number.

Hillary Elk sang a song written by fellow Memphis cast mate, Jennifer Allen. Overall, it was so great to hear the women’s ensemble who do not have a ton of featured singing in the show, belting their faces off.

Rhett George followed Hillary with a song he wrote. Want more Rhett George? You can buy his CD here:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/Rhettgeorge

An unexpected treat was getting to hear MemphisAssociate Conductor, Shelton Becton, perform his own original piece. Shelton is a brilliant musician and arranged the piece that the cast will perform on the new BCEFA Carols for the Cure CD- let’s just say I listened to four bars of the cast singing and it is jaw-droppingly good. Seeing Shelton on the spotlight was a true highlight of the night.

James and Rhett. I think the video speak for itself, but let’s just say that these two are insanely funny and I am so glad that you all get to witness what I see on occasionduring their quick changes it the stage manager’s office. Of course, the presence and musical genius of Memphis Music Director, Kenny Seymour, took it to a whole different level. They got a word, a location and a music style from the audience and off they went into a delicious improv.

INTERMISSION

James returned to the stage and gave us a totally different flavor then his previous piece by doing a Brook Benton tune.

Betsy Struxness sang “Beautiful Disaster”, well, beautifully. Her voice suits this rock ‘n’ roll style so well, its hard to believe she came to us from her legit singing in Wicked- just proves what a talented vocalist she is- also, rumor has it that the song writer of “Beautiful Disaster” was actually at the concert last night AND Betsy got to meet her! Crazy!

Watch Dan’yelle sing Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” and let it bring back all those fond memories of early Whitney. Dan’yelle’s voice will take you to that good place and make you forget “Crack is Whack Whitney.”

Bryan came out after Dan’yelle and declared that he must have drawn the short straw in having to follow her. But Bryan is a terrific singer/songwriter and cast us under his spell with his own original song.

I had previous posted a clip of Sydney Morton singing “Don Juan” from back in college, but her performance last night proved that her skillful command of song interpretation and delivery has gone through the roof. And that control throughout her registers? Amazing.

The concert ended with this piece with John Eric Parker and featured backup vocals by Dan’yelle, Rhett, and Tracee. A huge Kudos to John Eric for not only his performance but also for organizing the cast for this concert. Wrangling is not an easy task and what he put together was nothing short of spectacular. Check out who John Eric was shoked to see in the audience!

Thank you Broadway Impact! And to all those who came out to support the cast and this cause.

Fair Warning: This blog entry was written under the influence of a grande skinny extra hot vanilla latte. With a pinch of sass provided by Nick-tastic.

Junior Meteorologist and Broadway Producer, Sue Frost, is back from a well deserved vacation complete with tan lines. This means that the Doghouse is fully operational and now I am the whitest person in the office. Make that American in the office. Sarah is the whitest Canadian. Sarah may actually be the palest person alive- her words, not mine. The Sephora lady officially calls her “fair.” Extreme fair.

We are busting out of the Doghouse in a few minutes to head to the Broadway Impact concert at Joe’s Pub and if this is the first time you are hearing about that concert, you must not be part of the Memphis social networks because it is literally all we have been talking about for the last week. That and Zac Efron.

There will probably be a lot of coverage of the concert in various forms of media so look out for that the coming week. No word if Zac Efron will be back this week….

And because it is Monday which is catch up day on Broadway, I put forth my newest challenge:

How do I archive these newspapers in a functional and creative way? Thoughts? Suggestions?

Sidenote: With Nick-tastic back from Summer break, it means I can guarantee two things. One, that the sass is back in town and two, that I will be going to the Olive Garden soon. Sass and Breadsticks is a fantastical combination.

If you are joining us at Joe’s Pub, thanks for helping us make an impact!

He is big. She is small. Watch as James Monroe Iglehart officially welcomes Tanya Birl into the Memphis Family (while sitting in the stage right quick change booth at the Shubert Theatre). Find out what she has in common with cast member Rhett George AND my office pal, Sarah!

Fun Fact: For those of you who love the JMI Show intro song….it was written by James and Memphis Musical Director, Kenny Seymour and recorded in Kenny’s dressing room at the theatre! (yes, it is like a full recording studio in there- Besides conducting and playing the keyboards for Memphis, Kenny is also a composer and is always working on some project, whether it is scoring a film or working on new shows or recording fun stuff like the theme song for The JMI show.)

So, on yesterday’s blog, I mentioned that I had only passed out things once in Times Square- then Nick-tastic called me out and reminded me that, in point of fact, I had also handed out fans last year on the day of the BBQ. Point taken Nick. So naturally, I started to think back to what this time was like one year ago and checked the blog entries to see what was going on.

A year ago today at this time, I  was making packets. And ruining my Blackberry. http://www.memphisthemusical.com/blog/2009/08/20/a-day-in-the-life-or-razzle-zazzle/

Investor Packets were the bain of my existence and we, as a company, have decided that next time around-do not read into this, we are not taking on new projects right now-next time around, we are sending everything to Kinkos. Which is sort of a catch 22 for me I guess because on one hand, I won’t spend my days yelling at our copier with it’s inevitable paper jams, but on the other hand, I will have to work with Kinkos. Those of us who are associates know what that means. Though I stand by the Kinkos on 47th and 6th Ave in the City as the best, most tolerable Kinkos.

Yesterday, two major things happened which put into perspective how far we have come from making packets.

One, I walked through Times Square with 2 Tony Awards.

Two, I drank a Memphis Cocktail at B.Smith’s restaurant.

The first occurred as the Broadway League has been shipping out the TONY Awards to the various producers and entities that get them, but I got a call yesterday that they have not been able to deliver 2 awards to one company. It just so happened I was going to be stopping by that Producer’s house last night for one of her infamous mangotinis and thought that it would be awesome to surprise her with her TONY. Walking from the Broadway League offices through Times Square, the madness that is the TKTS booth line in the summer, and cutting through Shubert Alley on the way back to the Junkyard Offices, I momentarily thought about setting up the TONY in Shubert Alley and doing a photo shoot. Then I imagined someone running through the Alley and swiping the TONY while I was trying to take an “artsy” shot and how that would not only be awful, but also totally embarrassing. So I kept walking.

And handing her the TONY was totally incredible. We both had the same sort of incredulous, humbling moment that comes when in the presence of one of those awards. You almost cannot believe it. Who would have thought it. What are the odds. All of the sentiments coming rushing at you at once and with wide eyes and a dopey smile, you try and take it all in.

Well, mangotinis led to dinner at B. Smiths where, in light of the presentation of the TONY Award, the conversation steered towards what it means to be a producer. This is a conversation I get a lot and I still have not been able to create my 30-second elevator pitch response. As I fumbled around for the right way to answer the question, the mangotini-making Producer next to me pulled a laminated card out of her purse. This is what it said:

“I think only the people in the theater know what a producer is. The public does not know. It knows a writer writes and an actor acts and a director tells them what to do. A producer raises money. Well, he does, and in some case’s that’s all he does. But the workers in the theater know that it is not the real thing. A producer is a rare, paradoxical genius- hard-headed, soft-hearted, cautious, reckless, a hopeful innocent in fair weather, a stern-pilot in stormy weather, a mathematician who prefers to ignore the laws of mathematics and trust intuition, an idealist, a realist, a practical dreamer, a sophisticated gambler, a state-struck child. That is a producer.”
-Oscar Hammerstein II

Over vegetarian ribs, (yup and they were delicious) and a MEMPHIS Rock ‘n’ Roll cocktail at B. Smith’s (signature cocktails at a famous NYC restaurant!), I had a moment, reading a laminated card that quoted one of the greatest lyricists of American Musical Theatre:

If I had never made those packets, I would not have been having this moment.

Or these ribs.

And if I had to do it all over again and live August 20, 2009, over again, I would in a second, packets and all. In a way, I am. Without knowing it, I had an lemonade/iced tea for lunch today, just finished re-reading Eat, Pray, Love, and will be headed to Verizon tonight to activate my new phone- a Droid X which I will not drop into the toilet or spill diet coke on. Fingers crossed.

Seriously though, B. Smith’s is one of our restaurant partners and I had never been there until last night. It was delicious and I highly recommended it if you are looking for a spot close to the theater district. Make sure you order the Rock ‘n’ Roll.