The Covert Report – Week 6

“FACEPLACE”

I hope that everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving, and I hope that someone out there ate more than I did….but I am not sure that is entirely possible.

For you see, I had not one, but TWO Thanksgiving dinners!! They were both so special and so full of friendship and love.

I began my day by going to my dear friend Sutton’s apartment. This is the 3rd year in a row that I have gone to her cool pad. I think we might have a little tradition goin’ on….She makes a mean bird and I can make a mashed potato (who doesnt’ love a mashed that has butter, cream cheese and sour cream?).

She assembled a lovely group of people including some of her fellow “Shrek” castmates and two very dapper “Memphis” fellas (myself and our own Huey Calhoun, Chad KimBall!!!) In addition to the turkey and taters, there was just about everything you could ask for when you think of Thanksgiving: We ate, laughed, watched some football, drank Mimosa’s and wine.

It was relaxing and joyous. I made some new friends and even reconnected with someone I hadn’t seen in years (Welcome back Kirsten Wyatt!!)

After wrapping things up there, I scurried back to my apartment to put on some fancier duds because one of my favorite people ever, Miss Molly Thayer (another FSU gal) flew in from Texas with her family and we were lucky enough to grab a reservation at CRAFT STEAK (anyone who watches Top Chef knows that is Tom Colicchio’s place!).

So, why not a steak on Thanksgiving? We ate, laughed, caught up and by the time I was done, I felt like a stuffed Turkey.

It is the Monday after Thanksgiving and I am still full!!

In addition to Molly (or THAYER as I like to call her) coming to the show this week, another friend of mine from growing up in Virginia, Hilary Lew is Afshary, also flew in with her family to see “Memphis”!!

The reason I bring these two amazing gals up is b/c they were both very important in different phases of my life. Hilary and I were, well, trouble in High School. Molly and I were, well, trouble in college. NOT any sort of “getting arrested” trouble (well…) but they both helped define me during those years.

As happens with so many amazing people in your life, we slowly started losing touch with each other. Molly moved to Louisiana to teach and then decided what she wanted was to open a shoe store in Dallas (Lou Lou for those of you in the area). Hilary got her Masters, worked for Intel, up and got married and moved to Denver!!

These truly amazing women may have never come to see me in “Memphis” if it wasn’t for a little invention called FACEBOOK (or Faceplace as Kathy Griffin’s Mom likes to call it).

Kathy Griffin and her mom, Maggie.

I had been searching for Hilary basically since we graduated from John Handley High. I was on my computer in La Jolla (doing the out of town tryout for a little show…) when I got a friend request from her!!
I nearly peed in my pants!!

We immediately got back in touch and starting planning. I am SO happy she came to NY (with her awesome husband, Tony) to see “Memphis”. It really means the World to be back in touch with her and that she would come support me!!

Thayer and I reconnected on the ole faceplace years ago. Well, there has been no stopping us since. (I mean how can you not love someone with whom you share a “Golden Girls” bond??…for the record, I am Dorothy…she is Blanche).

She flew up to see “Spamalot” and we regularly harrass each other on line and on the phone. She was truly blown away by “Memphis” and her opinion means so much to me. In college, Molly was one of the best actresses at FSU in my opinion, and I know that she has a tough time lying about what she thinks of a show.

She was OVER the MOON about “Memphis”!! Whew!! I love her guts and am SO glad that faceplace brought us back together.

In December, it seems like you will be seeing a lot of “Memphis” faces all over the place!! Starting with The Today Show this Wednesday, several Memphians will be performing “Steal Your Rock and Roll” (I, unfortunately, didn’t make the cut this time…something about space size…..it was nothing a few brown waters couldn’t appease…). I am excited that the show is getting more and more exposure!! You never know where we might pop up!!!

Show Power alert: Watch or set the Tivo for Wednesday morning between 8:30-9am for this Memphis performance.

Well, I gotta go check my facebook to see who from my past has finally caught up with me (as long as it isn’t the authorities…remember when I said Hilary and Molly and I were trouble? well…) I hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving week and I really am thankful for the FACEPLACE!!

-Kevin

Celebrity Sighting of the Week – UM…can you say Patty Hewes from “Damages”…the Marquise de Merteuil from “Dangerous Liaisons”…Alex Forrest from “Fatal Attraction”….Teddy Barnes from “The Jagged Edge”…..Iris Gaines from “The Natural”….Cruella DaVille from “101 Dalmations”…..Sarah Cooper from “The Big Chill”….YES…..GLENN CLOSE!!! She came backstage and I went to shake her hand and she HUGGED me and told me I was fantastic in the show!! AAAHHHH!!!! LOVE HER!!!

There is only 1 day and a handful of hours left to bid on this Memphis prop benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS! Both records are actually signed by Chad and Montego- the photo was taken before we had a chance to get them to sign the opening night record for this lot!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bway-Memphis-leads-signed-authentic-prop-broken-records_W0QQitemZ380179966205QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item58847de8fd

Memphis will be participating in the The 21st annual Gypsy of the Year!

Monday December 7th, 4:30PM
Tuesday December 8th, 2:00PM

THE PALACE THEATER

BUY TICKETS ONLINE at www.bcefa.org

1564 BROADWAY, New York, NY

Cited as “possibly the season’s most dazzling talent show,” the GYPSY OF THE YEAR COMPETITION features New York’s most talented “gypsies” (chorus members from Broadway and Off-Broadway shows) in a competitive variety show.

The event is the culmination of six weeks of fund-raising when shows on and Off-Broadway engage in a friendly competition to see which show can raise the most money for BC/EFA. Awards are presented to the shows raising the most money and to the winning presentation. (Rumors are circulating that A Steady Rain, starring Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig will run away with the top honor this year having raised a gazillion dollars auctioning off their show undershirts. Whatever it takes for the cause!)

Thanksgiving is a time when New Yorkers actually leave the island and venture onto the mainland- and judging by the car traffic on Thanksgiving Day, long island was a very popular place to go…

Others find themselves on the trusty Metro-North, which delivers me and many others, to and from Westchester County everyday. That’s how my special agent Miz Molly got herself to Chappaqua where she was greeted by a very familiar sight:

I love Molly for always sending me her Memphis sightings!

Molly, keep your eyes peeled for the Memphis buses that are about town- I haven’t seen them yet, so I am dying for a glimpse or shot of those- Oh, and if you see Bill or Hilary whilst in Chappaqua, let them know we’d love to have them at the show….Glenn Close was there last night and she can vouch for it.

Here are some second helpings of thanks from yesterdays Thanksgiving shout out!

May we give thanks for being in this country, in a place where anything is possible. Let us work together to to show the world that everyone can have a happy Thanksgiving day when ever that is or where ever that is. Let the light shine from under the basket it will illuminate the globe.
-Mike Pilipski (Memphis crew)

I am thankful that all these people could be together, all three generations, not all of the same family, but all of the same community, to share a meal and think about how blessed we all are……..

-Jens McVoy (Memphis Sound)

I’m most thankful this year for old friends, new friends, endings, new beginnings, the past, the future, music, my husband, my family, my step son, my amazing job, and knowing that regardless of anything…I’m gonna be ok!
-Brad Bass (Actor)

Thankful for wine when with the family at the holidays, and the amazing spirit of the entire Memphis family with or without wine :)
-Nick Demos (Producer)

What am I thankful for? I should write an essay, but I’ve got brussel sprouts to saute, so I’ll keep it simple. I am thankful for the many people who have become a part of my life in the past year, all due to MEMPHIS. When you actually think about it, it’s kind of amazing – this big, new family of talented, passionate people – onstage AND off, literally hundreds of people who made, and continue to make, it happen. It is a gift to be part of it, and I am truly blessed. Have a great Thanksgiving!
-Sue Frost (Producer)

I’m thankful for literally living my dreams.
I’m thankful for my health, for love in my life, for being a grown up.
And I’m thankful for laughter.
-Montego Glover (Actor)

Montego Glover. Photo by Chris Owyoung, www.onelouderphoto.com

I would like to thank all of the group leaders, teachers and tour operators who have gone the extra mile to bring large groups to see MEMPHIS. They do a ton of work to organize a theatre trip (think of how much work it is to coordinate your family for Thanksgiving dinner!) but the crowds are having a great time and we’re so happy to have these groups at the show.
-Janette Roush (Director of Ticket Services, Type A Marketing)

Photo credit: David Bryan and Dianne Cirone, Broadway Ray, LLC.

I am thankful that so many people are reading the blog and that Carolyn is able to write in it so well and so regularly. I am also thankful that my job involves making a difference in people’s lives. Have a happy Thanksgiving!
-Christina Sees (Goddess of Online Social Networking, SpotCo)

Let’s all be thankful that we are working on a project that is fun, entertaining, friendly, while reminding us that we are all one……
-Tony Ponturo (Producer)

Photo by Chris Owyoung, One Louder Photo

I’m a thankful for the generosity of Tim Kashani and the entire Apples and Oranges Team that has and will allow me to pursue my dream of working on Broadway. An amazing gift and a dream come true.
-Jacob Matsumiya (Apples & Oranges)

I am thankful for the AMAZING new family of friends I have made here at ‘Memphis’. I add them to a long list of people who I am eternally grateful to have in my life. I have the best friends EVER. Period.
I’m also thankful to the legions of ‘Covert Report’ fans.
Oh…and I am grateful for the brown water….
-Kevin Covert (Actor)

This year has been full of milestones – getting my Equity card, doing my first gig on Broadway (three gigs, really) and many more personal and professional markers. I’m writing from Hartford, CT, on Wednesday, where I am working on a show… and tonight and tomorrow, when I have time off from work, I will be having a virtual Thanksgiving with my family in the city and on the West Coast… via Skype! It’s a hard choice to make, but for the second year running I’ve opted to take work that keeps me away from my family during the holidays. I am lucky and thankful that they understand how much this work means to me, and that today’s technology supports having a little “face time” over thousands of miles.
-Meg Friedman (Memphis PA)

I’m thankful to have been involved with such a great show from the beginning to its triumph on Broadway, and for all the great people I’ve met through it. Happy Thanksgiving!
-Clare Cooper (Music Associate)

Apples and Oranges would like to thank Carolyn for her infectious sense of humor and insane work ethic! We all love you.
Tim Kashani (Producer, Apples & Oranges)

I am grateful for my nieces, Allegra who loves, cares for and protects animals and Justine who loves art, fashion and design. I’m thankful for their parents too – not just for giving the girls their all but because they are MEMPHIS investors and devotees!
-Lauren Doll (Producer)

Lauren's neice, Justine, won a pumpkin decorating contest with this pumpkin! This was the photo that was featured in The Ridgefield Press; she won a $100 gift certificate, and a $250 dollar donation for her school. Bravo Justine!

I am thankful for Montego’s hurricane-force high belt.

In all seriousness, I’m also thankful for Carolyn, who is the best friend anyone could ever ask for. I only wish everyone was lucky to know someone so wonderful! Happy T. Day, fantasticals!
-Nick Gereffi (aka Nick-tastic, Captain of Team-Tastic and manager of Memphis Merchandise)

1. That Samson the Show Pup gets to visit the office,
2. Chicken Bar/La Paloma/Deli/Lenny’s Green Symphony=keep us going,
3. Priscilllaaaaa!, 4. Batman, 5. Robin, 6. Team-tastic,
7. The word “Hockadoo”, 8. Carolyn’s blog,
9. That my co-workers don’t kill me no matter how many times I start humming Memphis lyrics out loud.
10. That Randy Adams has chocolate on his desk, always. 11. Diet Coke,
12. Toe Touches. All those toe touches that are in Memphis and all those who can do them,

Danny Tidwell demonstrates a toe touch. Photo by Chris Owyoung. One Louder Photo

On this Thanksgiving we are thankful and send our gratitude to all the people who make up our MEMPHIS family. We have gotten close to so many of you in the last few years and our lives have been enriched by the enjoyment of knowing you all. We are so happy that the Shubert family gave us the gorgeous Shubert Theatre so we can entertain and enthrall all of the MEMPHIS audience members eight shows a week. To Carolyn, our intrepid blogger..we look forward to your words every day. Congrats on reaching 100 and thanks for keeping it up through thick and thin. Happy Thanksgiving to all!
-Barbara & Buddy Freitag (Producers)

Buddy & Barbara Freitag

I am thankful for the beauty around me that I never took notice of before. Also, thankful for my family and friends. Thankful for peace and love:) Happy THANKSgiving!
-Dan’yelle Williamson (Actor)

Dan'yelle Williamson

HAPPY 100th Post Memphis Blog and HAPPY THANKSGIVING to you from all of us at Memphis on Broadway.

As widely reported on this blog, Monday night was the fantastical Hibernia bar event benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Though, lets be real, I feel as if I was the beneficiary.

I don’t think I have had this much fun since I went and saw Memphis from the front row on Oct 23rd! Not only did I have great friends there, but I got to meet so many new people- fans, friends of friends, staff from Broadway Cares…I had to keep drinking to prevent getting dehydrated from all the chatting…and the singing. Yes, there may or may not be a recording of me singing along to Montego’s “Colored Woman.”

It was a terrific night that raised over $1200 for BC/EFA!

When Jermaine said they were bartending, I thought it was “pour a few drinks” bartending. No way. They were full on pouring, using the cash registers, closing out tabs, bar backing, waiting on tables- the whole nine yards.

Kevin and Jermaine barely had time to pose for this picture!

With all the people there, they were so busy!

Megan kept the raffle going. Congrats to Howard who won the 2 tickets to see the show!!

Several cast members stopped by (I think I remember seeing: Chad, Ephraim, Tracee, Derrick, John Eric, Candice) but I was so busy “chatting” that I only managed to snap one picture- Bryan, Daniel, Charlie (aka Boo Bear or Mr. Adorable) and the impossibly gorgeous Katie Webber:

Thanks to all for a great event and for those of you unable to get your raffle on this time around, look for another bar event in the Spring!

The Covert Report – Week 5

“SWING BATTA BATTA!!”

I had a stage manager once who had the mantra that “A Show Is only as good as the swings in it”….well if that is the case, Memphis is a GOLD MINE.

A swing for those of you who don’t know, is a performer who has to learn not just one, but SEVERAL ensemble tracks in case someone is out of the show due to injury or illness.

The performers “on stage” only have to worry about where they go every night, but a swing needs to be ready to fill in for any number of people. They must learn the blocking, vocal tracks and choreography for ALL of the people they cover. Trust me, it ain’t easy!!

Memphis is blessed with 4 amazing swings. Jermaine, Sydney, Candice and Charlie. Charlie (or boo bear as I like to call him) is actually an onstage swing. Meaning he has his own track AND he needs to know the tracks of others in case he needs to fill in.

Confused? Me too.

Well, all of our amazing swings have had the opportunity to perform in Memphis on Broadway. They are all so unique and talented. They don’t just bring a carbon copy of the person they are filling in for, they bring their own LIFE and TALENT to the stage.

I am inspired and in awe of them all!! My first big job out of college was the National Tour of CATS…and I was, you guessed it, a swing!!

It was the HARDEST job that I have ever had. To have to know multiple roles (not to mention multiple make-up plots) was such a huge challenge. It was the most frustrating and thrilling job I have ever had!!

The swings are the true unsung heroes of a show….and I just wanna give a big shout out to the amazingly talented group that is assembled at The Shubert!

Boo Bear (aka Charlie….aka Charity Charlie) is heading up our fundraising efforts for BC/EFA and doing an AMAZING job. We consistently raise over $2000 nightly and I am so proud of him for heading the cause!!

It is really nice to be able to get into the groove of the show now that it has been open for a month!! The audiences go crazy and the cast is really finding and exploring the vibe of the music and the storytelling is just stronger and stronger each week.

The craziest part about this business they call show…is that just when you think your “friend card” is all full…in walks an entirely new group of people that you have never met….and they become your family.

The bonds that are tightening at Memphis right now are some of the strongest I have ever made. (Well, most of my college friends and I bonded over brown water or Busch Light…THAT bond is pretty unbreakable…). I am making so many new friends both onstage and off. Memphis brought us together and for that I will be eternally grateful.

I’ve said it before and I will say it again…I am one lucky f……fella.

I have to wrap this up now because I am recovering from my Guest Bartending stint at Hibernia last night!!

I had been practicing pouring beer all week…(mainly pouring it down my throat)…my friend Dylis was insistent that her vodka be poured with a heavy hand…can’t we just skip the middle man and give her the bottle?

SO, hopefully some of you SWUNG by (get it..swings…swung…) Hibernia and enjoyed an ice cold brew or, you know, a brown water.

HOCKADOO!!

-Kevin

Celebrity Sighting — This week it goes to the very funny and talented Robert Townsend. If you have not seen “Hollywood Shuffle” do yourself a favor and Netflix it. One of the funniest movies ever. I particularly like the segment when they are reviewing movies a la Siskel and Ebert…instead of thumbs up or down…he says, “I gave this movie…the finger”!!!!

Thanks for coming and for giving Memphis the fingers up!!!

Top Five things you need to know about Memphis today that will get you up to speed:

1. I’m back so I apologize for the last few days of spotting blogging. Thanks Megan for guest blogging!

2. TONIGHT, some of the cast members of Memphis will be using their night off to serve refreshing adult beverages at:

Hibernia
401 W. 50th Street
7:30-10:30pm

When you tip the bartenders, you are donating to Broadway Cares! Nothing like supporting a great cause while drinking a delicious cocktail and rubbing elbows with fancy Broadway types!

Please join us!

3. Due to the amount of emails I received from people who are not in town and are hoping to have a piece of the show, we have started doing online auctions of our Broadway Cares Memphis memorabilia, previously available only in the theatre.

Right now, there is one lot up on the BC/EFA Ebay website- broken records from Invited Dress AND Opening Night!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Bway-Memphis-leads-signed-authentic-prop-broken-records_W0QQitemZ380179966205QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item58847de8fd

Holiday Gifts, y’all. Holiday gifts. I will keep you posted as more items go up for auction!

4. James Iglehart (Bobby) is hi-larious.

He just released this clip on his YouTube channel of the cast visit to The Toxic Avenger (also written by DiPietro & Bryan who wrote Memphis)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jbxf3jpuN8

5. We have a special schedule of performances this week due to the Giving of Thanks Holiday- also known as the “stuff your face and make sure you bring a tupperware for leftovers” holiday.

There is no show on Thursday, 11/26, but there is a 2pm MATINEE on FRIDAY, 11/27th, in addition to the regularly scheduled 8pm performance.

If you are in town, make your way to the Shubert this weekend and bring your family with you.

Think about it…Memphis has zero calories. In fact, you will probably burn calories from watching the show- with the amount of laughing and clapping you will be doing, its almost like low impact cardio.

Thanksgiving is a feast of the belly but Memphis is a feast of the senses.

Memphis will feed you a lot longer than Thanksgiving will. Trust.

Good afternoon you ever-faithful, blog-reading, rock n’ roll-crazy, ticket-buying Memphisheads!

This is Megan Alvord, guest blogger today. I was lucky enough to be involved with Memphis in many different capacities, starting first in La Jolla where I worked with stage management. I worked with stage management again on the current production, making my Broadway debut! Currently, I’m filling in for Miss. Amazing (Aka: Carolyn Miller) in the Junkyard Dog office while she’s off, more or less, “producing” her brother’s wedding, as the unofficial wedding planner.

Here is a compilation of the tid-bits of knowledge I have gathered working at Junkyard this week:

1. Being a producer DOES NOT end once the show opens. Perhaps the workload gets a bit lighter, but it appears that there are just as many important things to get accomplished. My role here this week has primarily been filling house seat orders for producers and friends of producers. This is a tricky job and I give full props to Tegan and Carolyn for creating a smooth, almost flawless, system for compiling these orders.

2. Stamps.com is the most amazing invention EVER. Did any of you know that it’s possible to print out postage from your very own computer? Well I didn’t, and as anyone of you who knows me knows, it’s the simplest things that make me happy. Anyway, simply weigh your package, enter it into stamps.com, and voila! Your package can be on its way! Sure beats standing in the nasty post office line.

3. Cast recordings take A LOT of work. I remember back to my days at the Shubert when patrons at the theatre would distressfully ask when the cast recording would be available, I’m sure none of them even thought about the endless hours and countless people it takes to get this accomplished. Now, I only hear about it in the office, but Sue and Randy are working so hard to get this done, just in time for the holidays. Stocking stuffers anyone?

4. Being a Producer Associate means you will never be without your Blackberry. Carolyn, in the midst of sunny San Diego, has been available for me, and all of my silly questions, instantaneously responding with a bit of wisdom.

5. Working in a producing office means you get to rub shoulders occasionally with those glitzy, glamorous, tabloid-enticing, stars of the screen and stage. Earlier this week, while walking back from an errand, who do I walk by as I make my way onto the elevator? Angela Lansbury…Broadway royalty people!! She starred in the original Sweeney Todd and, of course the last show to reside in the Shubert, Blithe Spirit. I adored her as a little girl watching Bed Knobs and Broomsticks and Beauty and the Beast! Anyway, she’s currently set to star in a revival of A Little Night Music along with the beautiful Catherine Zeta Jones. Someone told me I had just missed her, as she had gone up the elevator before I arrived. And then today, while delivering posters to the 10th floor, I spotted Katie Webber, star of American Idol Season 3 and, more importantly, MEMPHIS! Meeting / seeing stars, who truly seem to love their art, brings me back to reality and reminds me what a blessing it is to have the chance to work in this industry.

6. And finally, I’ve learned there are sides to this theatre industry that people rarely give notice to. It takes just as much hard work, creativity, discipline, and passion as working on stage at the Shubert every night. And without everyone’s hard work something as fragile and alive as a Broadway show would crumble. Therefore, I would like to take this brief cyber opportunity to thank all the Producers, Designers, Interns, Assistants, Costumers, Make-Up Artists, Hair Crew, Carpenters, Props Crew, Automation Crew, House Managers, Ushers, Box Office Workers, Doormen, Janitors, Actors, Stage Managers, Electricians, Sound Engineers, Company Managers, General Managers, Swings, Understudies, Marketing Teams, Lawyers, Consultants. You are the reason we have a beautiful, successful, original piece of breathing art at the Shubert every night.

Thanks to each and every one of you for, in a little way, making my Broadway dreams come true.

Thanks for reading…

Hopefully I’ll be back soon…

-Megan

…Reason #576

Who says the honeymoon is over? Just because the show is opened does not mean that the exciting “firsts” are over. On the contrary.

Tonight I looked at my blackberry and nearly had a heart attack.

Tico Torres emailed me.

Yes, Tico Torres, drummer of Bon Jovi, was emailing me asking about tickets to the show. Tico, like Whoopi, is a huge fan of the show and is now sending all his people to come see it. Hence, Tico and I are instant friends. Just add water, mix.

David Bryan, our composer, is also in Bon Jovi, which is why I feel justified with a Bon Jovi themed Memphis blog.

It’s still thrilling that I get to call/email/text David, but interfacing with the other members of the band?

Get out of town.

And Tico, well that’s a hop, skip and a jump from Richie and well, Richie? He is just a stone’s throw from Jon Bon Jovi himself.

I have never checked my blackberry so many times in one day…