And so it begins!

The Broadway Bowling League feature TWO teams from Memphis: The Strike-adoos and the Pintasticals.

The blog entries this week have been very word heavy- so in honor of Friday, a feast for the eyes. Thanks to Melissa, featured yesterday on this blog, for capturing the inaugural bowling match for all to see.

Fun fact: Apparently both SM Gary and Bar Manager Melissa, both featured on Behind the Title, have their own bowling shoes. Either they are wicked good bowlers or they have a wicked strong reaction to strange footwear.

The Bowling League Begins!

Cary is looking for that illusive strike.

Charlie and Daniel

Ephraim is all smiles.

Group shot! Jermaine, Tegan, J.Bernard, Kevin, Chad, Vivian and Candice

Congratulating themselves on being awesome bowlers.

Jermaine is pensive about a 7-10 spilt. (I don't even know if that's a bowling term)

Rhett and Charlie

Tyrone is thrilled by his bowling skills.

Former college athlete, J.Bernard, helps bring victory!

If you are in the City this weekend, DO NOT let the much-talked about snow keep you from “feeling the heat” (Waiting for Guffman, anyone?) at Memphis!

All day long the weather is ALL anyone (including junior meteorologist Sue Frost) seems to be talking about which is hilarious to me, coming from Colorado, where no one talks about the snow; I guess in Colorado snow is not a major event and more a way of life.

So this weekend, be like the rugged men and women of Colorado and get out in the snow- you will not melt at Memphis. That only happens at Wicked.

Saddling up to the bar at Sardi’s this afternoon, I realized that a bar is perhaps most uncreative place to schedule an interview of the Shubert Bar Manager. Fortunately, Melissa showed no signs of annoyance at the choice of interview venue, happy to enjoy the crackers and cheese at my recommendation.

Petite and gorgeous, Melissa is like the head cheerleader of the Memphis family. From her employees to the Producing staff, people respect her as much as they covet her curly hair. Take the girl out of Altoona, Pennsylvania, throw her into the muck and mire of the big city, and somehow she has remained a truly delightful person. Words people around the building used to describe her? Lovely, wonderful, a truly good person. (And New Yorkers don’t throw those words around lightly…or often).

Maybe its her Sicilian/Italian/Irish/German and French genetic makeup. Maybe it was the BA degree in International Politics (with a History minor). She’s a smart cookie but also a talented one who has recently been inspired by Memphis to get more serious about the acting game- though she already has NYC street cred having been on Law and Order: Criminal Intent, and by having a credit on www.imdb.com (for her role in the film “Anything for You.”).

In the event you get up and use the restroom during the show, you may catch a glimpse of Melissa, and her sidekick Matt, setting up for intermission while acting out the “She’s My Sister” scene (Melissa plays Delray) or trying to figure out the clap sequence in “Radio”- Dance Captain Jermaine may be called upon to consult. Though I can’t imagine Melissa will be around forever- she seems destined for something more and looks to get it sometime soon.

Melissa: Unplugged

What is your favorite piece of Memphis swag?
MM: Definitely the tote bag. I’m going to use it until its holier than a religious experience.

What’s your favorite song in Memphis?
MM: It changes every week. This week it is “Ain’t Nothing but a Kiss.” Last week it was “Steal Your Rock ‘n’ Roll.” The week before that it was “Colored Woman.”

If you had to go on in someone’s track, who would you want to go on for?
MM: Felicia. Though I often get mistaken for Hillary Elk at the stage door.

What’s your favorite thing to do on a Monday?
MM: Sleep in!

Favorite Moment in Memphis?
MM: In “Everybody Wants to Be Black,” figuring out how/when Huey exits the radio booth. Its pretty stealthy.

First Broadway Show you saw:
MM: Jekyll & Hyde.

Any Pets?
MM: A Shitzu named Max.

Are you OCD about anything?
MM: My office- I like everything to have a place.

1st Broadway show you worked on?
MM: The Color Purple

Last movie you Netflixed?
MM: ‘Leave Her to Heaven’ and the French version of Beauty and the Beast. I love old movies.

Question you are most freqently asked:
MM: “Where’s the bathroom?”

Favorite thing about your office?
MM: Its my lair. I love having a space in the city, especially in between auditions and things.

Favorite thing about working on Memphis?
MM: At Memphis, I definitely feel that I am working in the show versus working “at” a show; there is not this huge divide between the front of house and backstage. I also love how you experience live theater in a different way everytime. Like when Huey proposes to Felicia, Chad Kimball does something different every time. Its inspiring because you get to see those things you learn about in-class in practice onstage.

The Covert Report – Week 15

No Buck At The Beach? No Martin in Miami?

As reported by our very delightful and talented writer, Mr. Joe DiPietro, it would seem that some members of our company travelled to the sunny skies of South Florida this past day off to perform and mingle with “Broadway Across America”. Imagine my surprise when I read about these events on our very own blog.

Now, at first, it would seem natural that Joe, Sue and Randy would go. Hell, I will even concede that Chad and Montego MAY play a role in the importance and success of MEMPHIS. But, can we honestly say that MEMPHIS would be what it is without TWO very pivotal characters?

I mean, if Huey never goes into the radio station to watch Buck Wiley work…then where are we? What if Buck didn’t have to excuse himself to use the restroom…that backward hick would have never gotten into the radio booth…and that music would have never made it on the air. SO, was Buck rewarded with a little R&R in South Beach? I hear tell that the brown water down there is particularly tasty. Did he get to maybe consult with a top hair stylist while sipping on a brown water by the pool? Did he?

Then let’s consider the always cool headed and debonair one might even say, Martin Holton. Certainly Martin holds the key to main stream success for Huey. The man is a TOP executive at a MAJOR television studio. You would think the Producers of MEMPHIS would want a man with his insight and power into the world of entertainment down South to schmooze with other high powered execs from across the country. Martin knows what will sell, does he not? I’m sure he would have enjoyed a few complimentary Manhattan’s while discussing the future touring aspects (unofficially of course) of the show. Martin, who holds the key to success. Did anyone see him in Miami this past weekend? Did they?

The answer to both of those question is N-O. I expect my legions of followers will rise up in revolt upon hearing the news of this outrage!! Please address all letters and condolence bottles of brown water to me at the Shubert Stage Door.

The current collection of Brown Water in the dressing room. Thanks to all who contributed to the collection!

SO, while everyone else was hob nobbing and drinking mojitos….what was I doing? Mainly freezing my ass off. It was like, negative 10 degrees in NYC. So, I bundled up like a deranged Easter Bunny and spent my one day off running all of the errands that I had neglected to do the previous week.

I then met up with a good friend from SPAMALOT, Thomas Cannizzaro, to catch up on the going on in his life. He and his wife recently welcomed their second child, Aengus, into the fold. He joins big sister Tessa. Thomas is a really fantastic man. SO, spending a little time with him eased the blow of not hanging out at the Delano on South Beach.

I am also lucky enough to assist an amazing choreographer, Christopher Gattelli (TONY nominee for South Pacific). He has been out of town forever working, but he was finally back. SO, we had a little dinner, some great catching up, and a little scheming about future projects. I would follow that man to the end of the Earth. Just adore him and adore working with him! I have been really blessed to work with some AMAZING choreographers. Anyone who has seen the choreography in MEMPHIS knows how great it is!! So, a quick shout out to Sergio as well. Wonder if he was invited to South Beach?

All in all, if I was going to be shut out of going to Miami, I had a really productive day here!! SO, in time I may forgive and forget. MAYBE.

Also, another fun story. Last year in Seattle, Brad Bass and I had a wonderful day off together. Shopping, exploring, eating, brown watering…etc. SO, I put it in my phone that it would be a yearly event…”Bradsie and Kevinsiepoos Day”. Which also happens to be Groundhog Day. Well, the alert popped up in my phone!! SO, last night after the show, we had our annual day!! A sampler platter from Angus and a few cocktails will work wonders!! And, it was great for he and I to have some awesome QT!! Can’t wait for next year!!

Until next week (or the next trip I’m not invited on…) HOCKADOO!!

-Kevin

Celebrity Sighting of the week – from my FAVE movie last year, AVATAR….Joel Moore who plays Norm Spellman!!! LOVE THAT MOVIE!!

Hey Memphians –

First, I have to give a big Flordian shout-out to Kevin Covert of “The Covert Report” (oh yeah, and also “Memphis”) because as any of you blog followers know, Kevin is not happy that A) New York gets cold in winter and B) New York gets dark early in the winter. So every time a bead of sweat runs down my forehead here in toasty warm Miami, I think of Kevin and laugh send him thoughts of hot sunshine. And though it may be chilly outside in New York, rest assured that Kevin and the whole Memphis crew generate enough heat inside the Shubert Theatre to melt every drop of snow that falls in NYC. So keep up the awe-inspiring work, Kev & crew!

But back to me in much warmer Miami. So after the soundcheck, I rushed to my room to make sure I had my speech together. The way I rehearse a speech is I frantically pace around my room for an hour, holding a pen for a microphone and lipsync-ing to “Dreamgirls” reciting my speech over and over. The only being who has ever witnessed this sorry spectacle is my dog, Rocco, who generally sleeps through it.

When presentation time came, I rushed to the presentation ballroom to meet Montego (looking gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. Does that woman have a bad angle?) and Chad (looking very handsome in a casual way that subtly says, “I just threw this on with no effort whatsoever and I still look better than you.”)
But it was showtime (or ‘presentation-time,’) and any nerves I might have had were calmed by the knowledge that even if my speech was totally inept, Chad and Montego would follow me and raise the roof.

John Gore, the head of “Broadway Across America,” has been a great fan (BAA is also one of the producers of “Memphis,”) and he gave us a terrific introduction, inspiring the audience of Theatre Bigwigs and Grand Poohbahs to give me (well, the show really) a very welcome reception. So I strode out and started speaking, but I quickly noticed that I didn’t seem to have the whole rooms attention, which was odd since I had a microphone in my hand. Things began to look up though when someone in the front row yelled, “Move over, you’re not standing in the light!” Yes, it turns out for about two minutes I was rattling on in the dark, wondering why no one was responding to my excited tales of Memphis.

Anyhoo, I listened to the heckler and stepped into the light. I then began to read Davd’s unused Grammy acceptance speech (see my previous blog if you have no idea what that means.) Now, trying to do a comedy bit in front of an audience of jaded, semi-drunken industry honchos is a little dangerous ’cause crowds like that tend to be tough, tough, tough. But I reached into my back pocket and removed a slip of paper and started reading —

“Oh my God, this is such a surprise! Thank you, members of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences! I am thrilled to be here among you — (note to self: give shout out to Beyonce) – Hey Beyonce girl! – But as thrilled as I am to be here, I would much rather be at the glamorous Broadway Across America Theatre Conference, held in always sunny Miami.

To be best honest, compared to the music industry, the great people at the Broadway Across America conference are smarter, better looking and
much less coked up. And I am so proud to say that I have show on
Broadway now called, “Memphis.” (Note to self: give shout out to Bono and The Edge, but try not to make it about Spiderman.) “Hey, Bono! Hey The Edge.”

And though I normally take full credit for “Memphis,” I have to acknowledge my collaborator, Joe DiPietro. Dear, funny, little Joe. What nasty thing can I say about him that the New York Times hasn’t said already? I’m so kidding, ha, ha. Joe and I have a great partnership with several future shows planned. Original stories with original scores, we like to think of ourselves as a rock ‘n roll Rodgers & Hammerstein, except with less wives.

We also believe in only working with insanely talented people, like the two magnetic young stars of Memphis, Chad Kimball and Montego
Glover. They’re both absurdly talented, and I have no idea why they’re not huge pop stars. So thank you, Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, though I wish I was partying in Miami with the crazy MoFo’s who tour Broadway shows. By the way, this is my real hair.”

Happily, the honchos gave up some nice laughs. And then, after a brief video of “Memphis” highlights, Montego came out and sang “Colored Woman” (and totally brought the house down,) then Chad came out and sang “Memphis Lives in Me” (and totaly brought the house down,) and then we all took a bow and our fantastical Memphis producers Randy and Sue took us out to eat and drink at a fancy place to eat and drink.

Oh, here’s a Memphis “fun fact” (to use blogger-extraordinaire Carolyn’s phrase) — turns out, Montego is like this wine expert. My wine ordering skills generally are limited to “Give me your cheapest Merlot,” but Montego studied the wine list at length and then asked the waiter some informed questions and then proceeded to order us delicious bottles of red and white. Chad did his part by drinking much of what Montego ordered.

But it was a great night, and early this morning Chad and Montego hopped a plane back to join Kevin Covert and company for Tuesday night’s performance of Memphis (our 121st!) I, on the other, realized that since I didn’t have to perform in Tuesday’s 121st performance of “Memphis,” I may as well stay in Miami where it is sooo much warmer. Sometimes, it’s good to be the author. Rock on, Memphis!

With much love, poolside,
Joe

Hey Memphians,

My apologies for not posting yesterday from here in sunny South Beach. Yesterday was our big “Memphis” presentation for America’s Broadway Touring Bigwigs. We’re here to present a taste o’ Memphis in order to sell the “Memphis” national tour that is nothing but unofficial at this point though if it were official it would be happening in the Fall of 2011 but it is not official so I am denying most of what I just wrote. Officially.

Anyhoo, fantastical producer Randy Adams,and I flew into always sunny Miami on Sunday afternoon. We were greeted by a sky thick with clouds, but at least it wasn’t negative 27 degrees like it was in Manhattan when we left. We immediately hopped a cab and headed to our hotel bar where, to no one’s surprise, we found another fanastical Memphis producer, Sue Frost, drinking something large and fruity. Randy immediately curled up with a Tanquery and Tonic, and I, not one to go against my bosses, hopped into a Miami Margarita that was big enough to take a bath in. After liquoring up, we felt we were in the perfect state of mind to discuss Monday’s big presentation. I had to come up with some opening remarks to be delivered to a roomful of jaded, cynical, heard-it-all-before Theatre Bigwighs. “Oh yeah, and make it funny,” Randy and Sue said, stirring their drinks and looking longingly at various members of the Loew’s wait staff.

We also took a sneak peak at where the presentation was to be held — outside in a beautiful courtyard. It was scenic and warm and perfect. We were gonna kill.

We awoke on Monday morning to torrential rains and immediately realized A) we were not going to see a drop of sun on this trip and B) if we present outside, it will be in a swamp. I also awoke to realize A) since I had such a good time drinking and yapping with Randy and Sue last night, I hadn’t written one word of my presentation. Not good. I cranked up the old laptop and jotted down some witty and delightufl remarks. After an hour or so of inspired scribing, I took a short Starbucks break and then came back to reread my witty and delightful remarks. It was at this moment that I realized my remarks were neither witty nor delightful. Instead, they were — what’s the word? what’s the word? — oh yeah, terrible. And keep in mind, I was going to be speaking to a roomful of bigwig producer-types who know me (and produce me) as a WRITER, so it wouldn’t be a good thing if I got up there and gave them an example of me not being able to write well. That would officially be known as “killing one’s career.”

With the clock now quickly ticking towards our presentation, I jumped into panic mode. Since it was too early in the day to do something sensible like start drinking, I decided to focus my energy by going for a jog. Before I left, I checked my phone to find a text from David Bryan. David played the Grammys on Sunday night (very cool!) and he also lost the Grammy he was nominated for (very uncool.) But David wanted to know how my speechwriting was coming, a question which sent me running into the rain. And somehow, while running in the downpour, an idea hit me –for my presentation, what if I read David’s acceptance speech that David never got to read last night? Of course, David hadn’t actually written an acceptance speech, by no matter — I’d dive in and
write it for him. And if the speech wasn’t good, I could just blame him. Perfect!

So I ran back to the hotel, banged out a heartfelt Grammy acceptance speech, then rushed to our soundcheck. And guess who shows up for soundcheck? Chad and Montego, looking beautiful and relaxed and ready to sing (even though they had caught a plane after the Sunday matinee and arrived at midnight the night before.) And for those of you who don’t know, a soundcheck is the time before a live peformance when the singers sing their songs into the venue’s sound system to see how it all sounds. And the amazing thing about Chad and Montego is that you expect them to blow people away in the actual performance, but these two blew everyone away in the soundcheck. Waiters and busboys just stopped working to watch and applaud them. When I got up to speak, the waiters and busboys went back to their business but no matter! I had David’s acceptance speech in hand so I was ready to rock the evening crowd.

As for how’d it go … tune in later… an actual speck of sunshine just appeared outside and have to run out and remind myslef what that is.

Much unconditional love though there are always conditions attached to love, isnt’ there?,
Joe

Hey Memphis-ites,

It’s your loyal author, Joe DiPietro, and I’m highjacking the blog from Carolyn for the next couple of days ’cause “Memphis” is going to Miami. Well, actually just Chad, Montego, a couple of producers and I are going to Miami. See, a huge national producing organization, Broadway Across America, is having their annual touring convention, and we’re going to be giving them a little taste o’ “Memphis.” The conference will be packed with … Actually, I’m not really sure who will be there. All I know is the producers asked me if I would like to go to Miami in February and I said yes (which turns out to have been an excellent decison since it’s negative 47 degrees in New York today.)

Also, let me state for the record that just because we’re going to a touring convention, I DO NOT HAVE THE OFFICIAL AUTHORITY to announce that “Memphis” will be going on a national tour in the future. All I can unofficially say is that we’re going to a touring conference to, uh, talk about the fact that “Memphis” will unofficially be unofficially touring in Fall of 2011. And I mean that sincerely and unofficially. I am also willing to deny that statement faster than John Edwards is willing to deny a lovechild.

But basically, I will be blogging for the next couple of days from the convention. Yes, for three days in Miami, distinguised men and women of the national theatre scene will be gathering to drink discuss future touring schedules. “Memphis” is scheduled to do a little song and dance for these good folks on Monday evening. Here’s our plan — I’ll get up there and yap a bit, then we’ll see a cool video featuring highlights from the show, then Montego will come out and sing “Colored Woman,” then Chad will come out and sing, “Memphis Lives in Me,” then we’ll party till we drop mingle, mingle, mingle. And this will hopefully all be done under the glare of sweet Miami sunshine.

But wait, you worry! Does this mean Chad and Montego will be misisng performances? Hell, no! They’ll be flying down to Miami first thing in the morning, then they’ll go to a rehearsal, then they’ll perform, then they fly back on Tuesday morning so they’ll be back in plenty of time for Tuesday night’s show. All this after having done a relaxing 8 shows last week, followed by another relaxing 8 shows this week. That schedule is exactly why I decided not to become an actor (also, any noticeable lack of any performing talent helped inform that decision, too.)

Now my co-writer, David Bryan, was supposed to come to the conference, but instead, Mr. Fancy Pants Rock Star is singing on the Grammy’s tonight. And I’m sending him good vibes since Bon Jovi is nominated this year, I think in the category of Best Vocal Performance by a Group Who All Still Have Great Hair Even Though They’re in Their Late 40’s. David told me that they never won a Grammy for any of their classic songs (no “Living on a Prayer? WTF?) but did win a Grammy in a category called Best Country Colloboration for a random song they recorded with some country singer. This gives me great hope that next year “Memphis” will be up for Best Mariachi Recording.

Well, I gotta catch a cab to the airport now. Actually, I gotta quickly pack first. See, I was going to pack last night but I can’t pack in front of my dog. See, whenever my trusty but needed dog, Rocco, sees me open my suitcase, two things immediately happen — A) He jumps in the suitcase in hopes that I will pack him up and take him, and B) there’s suddenly more dog hair on all my clothes than usual. But I’ve already dropped Rocco off this morning at his country house (i.e. my friends in the country who take care of him while I’m gone) and now I have to head out of here in order to rendezvous with the Memphis producers early tonight in Miami so we can get a head start on the drinking presentation. More blogs to follow!

Fondly, but not inappropriately,
Joe DiPietro

Some of the most fascinating things about Memphis happen offstage. Spend anytime in the tight quarters of the Shubert and there are wonderful little discoveries around every corner.

After almost four months of performances, I just found out about Dollar Friday. Each Friday, a member of the company goes arond to everyone in each department and those who want to participate, write their name on a dollar and put it in the bag. The drawing which is held at intermission has two parts. The person who belongs to the first dollar pulled out, wins their dollar back while the entire pot goes to the person who owns the second dollar drawn. And even though I did not win last night (the money went to Daniel Watts), I have to say, it was way more fun than playing the lottery.

Shubert sources tell me that during Spamalot, Hank Azaria often threw a nifty 100 dollar bill in the pot. Kevin, can you but in a bottle of brown water if you don’t have a dollar on you?

So tomorrow, after the matinee, Chad and Montego and a bunch of Memphis big wigs are flying down to Miami to particiapte in a Broadway Across America event on Monday. This is exciting for several reasons:

1. Book Writer and Co-lyricst, Joe DiPietro will be back and GUEST BLOGGING FROM MIAMI!! I cannot wait for Joe to be back on the blog and I hope you enjoy it.

2. Chad is bringing a flip cam. I hope that there will be some videos that can actually be released online….

But before I let Joe loose on the blog, I have a couple events that I want you to make sure you have on the calendar for Monday.

James Monroe Iglehart and Freesyle Love Supreme are performing Monday, February 1st at Comix, 353 West 14th Street at 9th Ave, 8pm.

ALSO on Monday Night, Derrick Baskin and Daniel Watts will be performing as part of a benefit to raise funds for Haiti. The performance is open to all with a free will donation at the door.

Having seen Derrick and Daniel perform together in August, their performance will certainly be amazing. Daniel’s poetry and Derrick’s singing…I’m not sure it gets any better than that.

ST. MALACHY’S-THE ACTORS’ CHAPEL
239 West 49th Street (between Broadway & 8th)
7:00 PM

Joe’s emailing me for the log in information for the blog right now so clearly he is itching to say hi to the Memphisheads…

Almost everyday, Frances from our Press Office at The Hartman Group, sends us whatever stories there are of Memphis in the Press. This week has been an unexpected week in the press world I must say.

There was this article in the New York Daily News about the recent recall on cars made by Toyota- not the most natural place to find a mention in a Broadway show, but sure enough:

“Even though the defect seems to be rare, it has many looking warily at the cars they once considered supersafe.

“I’m going to make a call as soon as I get home tonight,” said Bill Dyer, 57, of Pearl River, Rockland County, a retired teacher who drove his tan 2009 Toyota Camry into midtown Wednesday so he, his wife and a friend could go see the Broadway musical “Memphis.”

Nothing, not even a potentially hazardous vehicle, could keep them from seeing the show.

http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2010/01/28/2010-01-28_toyota_difficulty_moving_forward_after_big_recall.html

And then there was Mr. Ben Vereen on BroadwayWorld.com where he “gushes on just how much he can’t get enough of Broadway’s Memphis.”

BWW Interviews: Ben Vereen
….

Yeah, I wish I’d done “Avatar,” I love that movie (laughs)…see it in IMAX 3D. It’s an amazing piece of work, I must say myself. I just love great work. Like – what did I just see – Memphis. Memphis is gooood, if Memphis doesn’t win something (whistles) it’s so good, I mean-I went to see a lot of shows when I was in the city and then I thought “I’m going to see this show Memphis” and I went in, got a ticket, went in to see the show and I was blown away. The performances, that storyline, that music…It’s such a departure from tradition and it was so good – it was beautiful. Good people. Good piece.

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW_Interviews_Ben_Vereen_20010101

I immediately emailed Frances back and said it was probably because I played the Leading Player in Pippin while in College and me and Mr. Vereen are simpatico- theatrical karma or something.

A shout out to those blog readers who were also in that show: Kristel, Darin, Lindsey, Jenny Hager. College Theatre=Good Times.

Frances emailed back that she played Fastrada, so clearly we had the karma in the bag.

When I thought about starting this blog, I had all of these genius ideas for what I was going to do with it. As it turns out, nearly six months later, most of those ideas are still in my head. But finally, I am actually debuting one of my original ideas: A personal profile paired with a Memphis inspired questionaire; part Playbill Q & A/part James Lipton, I hope to do a regular series to introduce those who make Memphis Magic. Except, I don’t know what to call it. Six months of thinking about it, and I am stumped for a name.

Tonight, I’m choosing “Behind the Title” as a nod to VH1’s Behind the Music. I don’t know it its exactly right but “Playbill Exposed” felt wrong. To quote the show, “Is that dirty?”

And so, without further ado, I give you Gary Mickelson.

Walk into the stage management office and it becomes clear that this is no ordinary theatrical lair. Maybe its the TV that is usually tuned to the important sporting event of the moment. Maybe its the wall of neatly laminated sports clippings of people who I don’t recognize. Gary’s corner of the stage management office is the den of a dude who has spent his life working in theatre and has somehow managed to remain straight a sports fan.

He can tell you about Mark Sanchez as easily as he can tell you about Patti Lupone (with whom he worked with on the Gypsy revival)-he clarified for me the historic divide between what makes a Yankees fan and what makes a Mets fan; he has stories about Julie Andrews from Victor/Victoria, though he seems less impressed that she is Mary Poppins and more impressed that she came to watch the V/V softball team. He’s better than Wikipedia though most of his stories are unpublishable (sorry kids).

Perhaps Gary’s most hidden talent is found in the nightly Production Stage Management reports. In the general notes section, Gary has been known to add these brilliant one liners when discussing the elements that make live theatre exciting- commenting on the occasional mishap. He writes things like “The only caterpillar in our buttermilk was when…”. I need more examples as I am really not doing it justice. I need to dig into my outlook folder of PSM reports and do like a top ten of Gary witticisms for you to get the full picture. Let me get back to you on that.

A full on prankster who seems to be able to get me everytime, Gary is also the guy who, in addition to calling the show and the other 3,000 daily stage management duties he has, always makes sure that the Opening Night notes to other shows get signed, or finds a place to put the newest Front Row Crew poster up.

And while I still may not know everything about the difference between a Giants fan and a Jets fan, I do know who I can ask to get the answer.

Gary: Unplugged

What is your favorite piece of Memphis swag?
GM: The fleece vest I got from Sergio.

How long have you been wearing glasses?
GM: Since 5th grade.

What’s your favorite song in Memphis?
GM: “Colored Woman.”

If you had to go on in someone’s track, who would you want to go on for?
GM: I would do a one man Memphis, and go on in every track.

What’s your favorite thing to do on a Monday?
GM: Ski
(follow-up) Do you own or rent your skis?
GM: Own. Renting creeps me out. I also own my own bowling shoes.
Fun Fact: Gary came up with the name “Strike-Adoos” for one of our Bowling teams

Do you own a car?
GM: Yup- a Mini-Cooper in British racing green with white stripes.

Favorite Cue in Memphis?
GM: Any cue where I get to flirt with Katie Webber.

Any Pets?
GM: a 17 year old cat named Simon

Snack of Choice?
GM: Reduced Fat Cheez-its

Rockband?
GM: Vocals and guitar- on medium

Are you OCD about anything?
GM: The shorter list would be what I am not OCD about. I thought this was suppose to be an exposé, not a humiliation…

1st Broadway show you worked on?
GM: Victor/Victoria

Last movie you Netflixed?
GM: Julie and Julia- though I did instant stream Man on a Wire

Boxers or Briefs?
GM: Boxers exclusively. Currently wearing Hawaiian themed Winnie the Pooh boxers.

Favorite thing about your office?
GM: My corner. It looks like a dorm.

Favorite thing about working on a Broadway Show?
GM: The Bowling League and the Softball Team. And flirting with Katie Webber.

Gary appreciates Jets QB Mark Sanchez almost as much as he appreciates beautiful women: Memphis ladies Sydney Morton, Hillary Elk and Katie Webber.

And as I end my first Behind the Title Exposé, its only fitting that tonight’s PSM report has just come in on my blackberry. I wonder what Gary has to say tonight…what’s this about a mouse??…

The Covert Report – Week 14

Shake The Blues

Did you know that the song “Ain’t Nothin’ But A Kiss” in the show used to be called “I Can Shake The Blues”. When we started rehearsal for the Broadway production, new lyrics were added to the song. It really makes a lot of sense when you think about it. It is a kiss on the air that causes all sorta trouble in MEMPHIS. Interesting that the song is called “Nothin But A Kiss”…implying what’s the big deal?? Well, in the 50’s South…it was a MAJOR deal.

Anyway, back to shaking the blues. What is it about January that brings out the duldrums. I suppose the glow of all the holidays is over and the credit card bills from all the holiday spending roll in….ALSO, I want to start a petition to do away with this Daylight Savings. How depressing is it when the sun goes down at 4:30 in the afternoon? Add that to chilly NY weather…and January can be downright depressing.

Luckily for me, once I step into the Shubert…most of that melts away. The show is so lively that you forget it is dark and cold outside!! Speaking of lively, it was a fun filled and exciting week last week here at MEMPHIS.

Bryan Fenkart who understudies Huey went on for the first time last week for 3 performances. Now, the role of Huey Calhoun is a BEAST!! With the exception of the opening number, the character is on stage pretty much the entire show. When not on stage he is changing frantically into a different Paul Tazewell designed costume!! I am exhausted just thinking about it.

Well, Bryan handled the entire experience like a true professional. He rose to the occasion and did a really lovely job. He certainly didn’t have the blues last week!!

One of the cooler things I get to do being in a Broadway show is to teach and do Q and A’s with visiting students from across the country. I work for a company called “Broadway Classroom”. Yesterday, I did my first Q & A for MEMPHIS. It was for a group of students from North Monroe, Louisiana. They actually aren’t theatre students…just honor students involved in a program called “cultural experiences”. They had lots of questions about what goes into making a Broadway musical happen, and I was happy to answer any and all questions they had (with the exception of what my salary is….and how much brown water costs in the city…)

They are seeing the Wednesday matinee, and I can’t wait to hear their reaction to the show!! I think Arts in the schools are SO important, and I am happy to hear that some schools still feel the importance of this. MEMPHIS has paired with VH1 Save The Music in the past, and I hope we continue to do more of that in the future.

Speaking of music, I have been asked by well over 100 people when the MEMPHIS cast album will be available in stores and on iTunes. I wish I knew that answer to that, but I don’t. It is certainly important to get the music out to the masses, and I am sure that the powers that be are busy trying to get it out ASAP. SO, my fellow Virginians and many Floridians….patience is a virtue. Shake those blues and expect a facebook message from me when I find out what is a happenin’.

One thing that is getting me excited and a little less bluesy is the fact that in a few weeks, The Broadway Bowling League starts! We have so much interest over here at MEMPHIS that we have 2 Teams. We will be called the “Memphis Strikeadoos” and the “Memphis Pintasticals.” Catchy names, right? Listen, as long as we beat SOUTH PACIFIC, I’ll be happy. My buddy Christian Delcroix who is in “So Pac” has been talking a whole lotta smack about taking us down. Bring It On South Pacific!!!

I hope everyone stays cheerful and positive over the next few weeks. February tends to be the same as January…Bring on MARCH!!!

Hockadoo!

-Kevin

Celebrity Sighting of the week – I added a new show to my DVR list this past week. Imagine my surprise when watching “The Deep End” to see Tony Winner Norbert Leo Butz on the TV. He saw MEMPHIS last week!!!! Woo Hoo!