THE COVERT REPORT – WEEK 2

“SETTLING IN AT THE SHUBERT”

Greetings from “The Bungalow” here at the historic Shubert Theatre on Broadway. Many thanks for all the words of encouragement regarding my initial blog last week. The outpouring of support was overwhelming…I expect at any moment to be summoned to the E! Network and given my very own Chelsea Handler like half hour talk show. It was hard to keep up with all of the encouragement and emails I received praising my blog. I feel I must give a shout out to EVERYONE who wrote in with kind words. Therefore, get ready for the list as it reads like a who’s who of theatre royalty. Here goes…

Molly Payne-Hardin and Kelly Ramey.

Who are they you ask? Well, they are two lovely, talented ladies who attended The Florida State University with me. The very first scene I ever did “Owl and The Pussycat” was with Kelly my freshman year and we came full circle our Senior Year, starring opposite each other in “The School For Scandal” right on the Mainstage at FSU. I also did a wonderful scene from “Beyond Therapy” with Molly. Molly had bigger political aspirations than Acting 2 at FSU could handle, so the World will never know what could have been.

Nonetheless…they have rallied in support behind “The Covert Report” and their tireless efforts (a comment on the blog from Molly and a 2 line email from Kelly) will not go unnoticed when the E! Network finally comes a callin’….

Back to The Shubert. As I mentioned before, this is my second show and second original cast here at The Flagship (as I like to call it). The beauty of this theatre is breathtaking. To stand on the stage and look out at the audience is overwhelming at times.

There is such a difference between “Spamalot” and “Memphis”.

The first was an outlandish comedy…a silly two plus hours that passed like a runaway train. I will forever be grateful to have made my Broadway debut in that amazing show!!

I am even more grateful to be a part of this amazing journey. “Memphis” has been a labor of love for all involved. I can’t describe to you how exhilarating it is to be a part of something made from scratch. Every dance move, every word, every note has never been heard or seen before. To watch the audiences EXPLODE with applause and support sends chills down my spine (of course, that could also have something to do with the fact that The Flagship is FREEZING most of the time…or HOT as hell…never a middle ground…or maybe it’s menopause…)

The Men’s dressing room, as I mentioned before, is known as The Bungalow (I don’t know if someone from “Spamalot” made that up or if it has always been called that…anyhoo…that’s what it is called…don’t judge).

Well, here at “MEMPHIS” it is a rowdy and happy bunch. There are twelve of us plus two amazing dressers (Franklin and Kyle…well, Franklin is amazing…Kyle is a hot mess….not really, but I just like to be a pain in his ass…) all jammed in here!!

You would think that it would get tense or claustrophobic, but so far so good! The spirit is light and funny…and we are constantly watching youtube videos and howling at other peoples tomfoolery (do I get a bonus point for using tomfoolery in a sentence?).

Of course, maybe we are all getting along so well because we got more candy than a fat kid on Easter could ever want for opening night!! I swear, there is candy EVERYWHERE. It’s like Willy Wonka threw up in here. Well, whatever the reason that we get along so well, I only hope it continues.

I can’t really speak as to the Women’s dressing room…but I did just hear the doorman say that the “exterminator” was on his way down there…hmm…I’ll just leave it at that.

The principals all have their OWN dressing rooms…(how in the hell Buck Wiley doesn’t qualify as a principal…..I REALLY have to get on that entrance applause thing…) so don’t go worrying about them…..

SO, everyone is settling in just fine at The Shubert, or The Flagship, or The Home of Memphis, or whatever you would like to call it. SO, get your tickets or tell your friends and come see us!!

Keep those cards and letters coming, and the words of encouragement flowing! (Speaking of…brown waters can be delivered to Leon or Rose at the stage door c/o Kevin Covert)….

Hockadoo!!

-Kevin

Celebrity Sighting – This week it goes out to Marion Ross!! I mean, Mrs C from HAPPY DAYS was here!! She was so kind!! And she looks like a MILLION Dollars!! I totally had my picture taken with Richie Cunningham’s Mom….maybe she was the original MILF? Too much????