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
….

Do you have a preference, stage or screen?

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.

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.

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!

Monday is an interesting day for the blog. Seeing as the theatre is dark, there isn’t alot of “show” in “show business.” That doesn’t mean that things aren’t crackin’, but it definitely is the most boring unique day of the week.

Though it always seems to be fraught with technical adventures. Internet goes down, copier decides that it does not want to do what it was born to do, aka make copies; Mondays are just challenging. Even more so when it is pouring ridiculous buckets of water on your head. I’m not complaining as there was ample warning of the rain today but it sort of went to the next level.

Exhibit one:
The NEW umbrella I bought LAST night at the Rite Aid in Grand Central in preparation for today’s rain.

Literally broken in two while in Times Square. And how bad ass does wet Samson look? Sort of punk Samson…

Exhibit Two:
Raining…Indoors. Literally leaking through the windows.

We went through TWO full vases full of water today- our maintenance men said 14 offices in our building were getting indoor rain. I can only hope that Rachel upstairs in Telsey Casting was either safe in a casting room or had a flotation device because it was that intense. (Rachel, no worries. Sarah and I are working on an ark to get us all to the Westway diner for milkshakes and fries.)

I think I have the perfect cure for the rainy day blues however; his name is Derrick Baskin. Here is his new Broadway.com video blog in case you haven’t seen it yet.

Oh, and Randy is baaaacccckkkk! Yay! And tan. And, as I predicted, all business. Though he did bring me a Bahamas (double) shot glass despite my previous statement about not needing a present…I’m rawther fond of it.

What’s Randy looking forward to this week? Besides getting to participate in our “what are we having for lunch” daily conversation? Memphis pizza at Two Boots!!

This pizza sounds incredibly bold with the coleslaw ontop, but alas, my pescatarian ways will mean I will not be able to partake. I guess I will have to hope that Memphis will also get a specialty sundae at Serendipity someday- as long as they don’t put any BBQ on the ice cream, I should be good to go.

Speaking of good to go, a special Memphis Blog Shout Out to Janet who is a senior management officer at Boeing and is retiring this week. I have it on good authority that her retirement cake is even going to have Memphis on it! And while the “Hockado” license plate took it to the next level, Superfan Janet has also shown the spirit. Janet’s new email address? Has “memphishead” in it. Now THAT is Fantastical!

Best of luck Janet in your new adventure from all of us at Memphis !

Here’s to all of those who made it through Muddy Monday. And if you spent time today straightening your hair only to find it curly again in an hour, I feel you.

Randy!

How are you spending your last night in paradise? Are you peeling yet? Did you get me a present? Have you had to start packing yet? Remember your toiletries in the shower. People tend to forget those.

Dude, I have huge news.

Well, huge to me. Leon is fixing the red wagon!!

Yes, the beloved red wagon. The one that has been sidelined in our office all these weeks; the wagon that was unneccessarily injured when that man (that joker)delivering the second round of CDs to our office, by mistake mind you, wouldn’t bring the CDs to the freight elevator. As I walked 118 more CDs to the theatre yesterday, I was really missing that wagon.

And then, in comes Leon, like a knight in Nike armor, straight from his post at the Shubert Stage Door, tools and all, to come and repair the wagon.

He ultimately had to take the wagon with him back to the theatre to put it on blocks or something technical to get the wheel off, but the good news is that the wagon may be back to the office in full working condition by Monday! I know, you couldn’t ask for a better welcome home gift than that could you?

Some people reading this blog may not be able to fully comprehend why the red wagon has seen so much space on this blog. To quote Billy Elliot the Musical,
I can’t really explain it,
I haven’t got the words
It’s a feeling that you can’t control
I suppose it’s like forgetting, losing who you are
And at the same time something makes you whole

This wagon “means the whole wide world to me” to quote Ms. Felicia Farrell. And when it helps me deliver posters, fans, peanut butter squares, embedments, hats, or CDs to the folks who need them, that wagon makes a difference in the lives of others.

And Leon is fixing it for 5 bucks, which I know makes you happy, Randy.

So, I’m not sure if you were able to see this the other day when Chad Kimball emailed this out, but you have to watch it. Remember when I was in Chad’s dressing room getting ideas about that MLK piece we just made? That night, he also played for me an mp3 of his nephew, William, singing “Memphis Lives in Me”, which was just about the cutest thing ever- especially since Chad was clearly very familiar with the recording and singing along to William’s version- adorable.

Well, now that cuteness has been recorded in video format for all the enjoy. Not only does William look like a mini-Chad, but he also has a Huey Calhoun hair thing going on, don’t you think?? Randy, aren’t you impressed by William’s ability to match pitch? Plus the nice dynamics he incorporates into the performance- the quick forte crescendos for example. Plus, the puppets. The puppets take it to the next level.

Perhaps Director Chris Ashley should reconsider the staging for “Memphis Lives in Me” to incorporate the puppets- though that might read too Ave Q….

Now if only I could get my flip cams working (ahem, Jacob- the other one I have is crashing my computer) than I could record you, Randy, doing your impression of this kid:

Gosh, it’s going to be great having both you and the red wagon back in the office Randy. We’re going to get some serious work done next week, I can feel it…watch out Broadway…the sheriff is coming back and the sheriff has a tan.

Travel safe! And don’t worry about getting me, or Samson, any souvenirs or anything…we’re just happy to have you back.

Your totally not expecting a present employee,
Carolyn

Randy!

What is up my man?

I see that the weather in the Bahamas today is a lovely 81 degrees which is a whopping 44 degrees warmer than the Big Apple- although, our office is doing its fun “tropical-steamy” thing so I’m currently feeling a little island fever myself right about now.

I’m glad to know that you have internet access in the islands and that you were able to get my letters. It’s important work we’ve got going on here.

I’m not sure I can explain last night, but I do think that my recent foray into a pescatarian diet may have directly contributed to my inability to handle those refreshing adult beverages. Whatever the cause, I have to catch you up on yesterday’s events.

I think I’m going to start where my last post left off and work backwards- an homage to Merrily We Roll Along if you will.

Fun Fact: In Memphis, Felicia says to Huey “Why aren’t you wearing any pants?” In Merrily, Franklin says “Why didn’t you tell Daddy that he has no pants on?” I think this justifies the use of Merrily’s backwards in time construct for this blog.

Here’s where we last left off:

Sue, Kristel and I ended our long day at the mothership- the Sardi’s 2nd floor bar. Kristel, this her first time at the bar, realized why we like it up there.

Besides the excellent view, there is of course the famous crackers and cheese, though there were no mini pizza bites going around; this proved only to be a slight bummer but did not damper the spirits of the group.

Speaking of groups, I know how much you love seeing the buses pull up outside the Shubert, so I thought I’d throw this in as a little added bonus to your 81 degree day.

Bryan was on again last night so Chad could fully recover- I didn’t get a chance to see him go on again as I had Samson with me and well, I had been the victim of the 2 drink minimum at the Chatterbox.

Now I love me some Seth Rudestsky- maybe because he knows everyone and everything about musical theatre, maybe because he appreciates a well placed belt more than a fine wine- and having been to the Chatterbox interview he did with Montego, I was giddy with anticipation about James, J. Bernard and Derrick being on the show last night.

Randy! Did you know that J. Bernard went to college on a football scholarship but then had an ACL injury? That Derrick lived in Germany for part of his childhood? That Derrick and J. Bernard were in a production of AIDA at Northshore Music theatre where Montego played Aida? I knew none of this so I was enraptured the whole time. And slightly inebriated.

One of the best stories that I had not yet heard was that James and J.Bernard were the last two guys going up against each other for the Lion in the City Center Production of The Wiz last summer!

I can’t really retell the story, but will totally reenact it when you get back to the office; Sarah can play James and I will play J. Bernard.

Perhaps the funniest story told last night was from Derrick. First, I did not realize he has a degree in biology (though I realized today it is in his bio in the Playbill. I may have proofed the Playbill but I apparently didn’t read it). But he told Seth that he came to New York because he wanted to sing jingles and be a hand model!! Sing Jingles. Be a Hand Model. Brilliant.

I neglected to get a picture of Derricks hands but perhaps we want to consider using him if future Memphis ad campaigns require someone to be holding something in a photograph. Maybe the next Times Square billboard should just be Derrick with a thumbs up- Thoughts?

The afternoon in between Bryant Park and Chatterbox was pretty typical. Samson was also, pretty typical.

Though perhaps Samson was a bit more tired than usual because I walked him across town with Sue to catch the cast performing at the Pond at Bryant Park. As we walked up, you could hear the cast album playing over the loudspeakers while everyone skated, which was excellent. It was pretty face-burning cold out there but the rink was packed with what looked like a bunch of school groups.

Sue and I couldn’t quite figure out how to get in to say hi to everyone so we found a spot across from the stage to make sure we didn’t miss the performance. Cass, J. Bernard, Derrick and James knocked it out of the park with “Change Don’t Come Easy”, Mama’s big song from Act II.

You can’t quite see Cass in this picture but she was there! James followed with some “Big Love”- he was in terrific voice and nothing was as cute as this dad making his child dance along. I know your not a big softy, but I could resist snapping a picture.

But perhaps the coolest part of the day was hearing someone ask “Is that Samson?” Yes! Samson was recognized in Bryant Park. He’s really quite famous you know. If you Google image search “Samson Show Pup” his picture comes up. Perhaps I should think about contacting Bill Berloni and getting him an agent…

Of course it was members of the Front Row Crew out at Bryant Park that recognized Samson so we had to take a picture.

Before Bryant Park, there was just more Inbox management infused with a dollop of technical mishaps. Why is Flipshare causing my computer to freeze? Why won’t Apples and Oranges come to my rescue? There are videos to edit and get out on the interweb!! Clearly, Jacob does not read the blog everyday…busted.

You’re in the Bahamas and you’re still reading the blog everyday.

You a good man, Randy Adams.

Your currently sober employee,
Carolyn

Dear Randy,

Somewhere between the two drink minimum at Chatterbox followed by the drinks at Sardis, I’m having trouble focusing. And typing. And feeling my lips. I blame Sue. And Tanqueray.

There are too many pictures to resize, too many stories to tell– this blog entry is going to be so much better in the morning! Hold tight!

Cheers!
CMiller

Dear Randy,

Of course the one day that you are out of the office- it all goes down.

Don’t get me wrong, as your faithful servant dedicated employee, I can vouch for the fact that I have never seen you take a sick day, let alone a vacation. All I’m saying is that your time off is well deserved, but boy did you miss a doozy of a day!!!

So while you throw back your Bahamanian cocktails, I want you to know that I am committed to giving you an in depth report of what’s going on in Memphisland.

Where to start?

I know you got the performance report from last night about Chad Kimball being sick and needing to call out of the shows today- sinus infection or something, right? But of course that meant that for the first time EVER in Memphis, an understudy went on for Huey Calhoun- how much did it kill you not to be here to see Bryan Fenkart on for Chad?? :) Bitter? Me? That you are on vacay? No.

Anywhoozle, Sue and I were amped up in the office, which means that I was talking to myself alot and Sue was, well, doing her Sue thing. BUT THEN, we got the call from SpotCo that the billboard was up. We were dying at this point. Even Office Pal Sarah was lamenting how you were missing all the action…

You would have thought that the office was on fire. Like really on fire, not like those drills we do in our building CONSTANTLY, (Rachel at Telsey Casting can back me up on this one) where we meet at the end of the hallway and hear about how we should have a meet-up spot in the event of an actual emergency. (Westway Diner of course). Sue and I jumped up and ran out the door.

All I had on me was my camera, a flip cam and my cell phone. Not even my wallet, which of course, you always say not to go outside in New York City without your wallet in the event you are hit by a bus. Alas, we were off to see the gloriousness that is our billboard in Times Square.

All of those emails- those thousands of emails- drafts and comments and new drafts and approvals- and now it is a towering beacon of rock on the southeast corner of 46th and 7th. I cannot wait for you to see it, Randy. I think you’ll be pumped.

So, I’ve got my camera out, taking this picture from the TKTS stairs

and I’m realizing that James Monroe Iglehart is across the street with Freestlye Love Supreme doing Seth Rudetsky’s Sirius radio show that broadcasts live on Wednesday from the Times Square Alliance center.

So, of course, I convince Sue to come with me. We a bit early and they are running behind, we are STARVING, but of course I don’t have my wallet. Sue is the best and gets me a Diet Coke and we split a thing of fries from the McDonald’s next door. Its totally classy and glamorous, standing in the lobby of the Times Square McDonalds chomping on fries, slurping down “the good stuff.” I digress.

So we head back to the Freesytle Love Supreme (FLS) interview and of course, Sue runs into like 30 people she knows, including Thomas Kail- the director of In the Heights.

So she totally introduces me and he and I discuss how Sue is going to get major street cred with her teenage daughter for being at a FLS concert. You may not recognize Sue when you get back because she is so legit now…

The FLS concert is, as Seth would say, Ah-mahzing. I took a video but I cannot upload it (surprised?) because it requires too much technology. Pictures will have to do for now until someone from Apples and Oranges answers my desperate plea for tech support.

*I did not get any pictures of Sue during the concert, but trust, she was there and totally into it.

So, the show is over and James tells me that Seth’s wants him and J. Bernard and Derrick to be on his Chatterbox performance tomorrow!! I was “all over it” as you would say and Juliana helped us get that all squared away for tomorrow at 6pm at Don’t tell Mama. Of course you won’t be there as you will probably be eating delicious treats and caring for a over-confident-first-day-sunburn.

At this point it is only 1pm. Sue and I stop by the Edison for some take out. I think she got Split Pea soup which is interesting because that sounds so unappealing to me, I don’t know why. Who knew Sue liked split pea soup? [Cut to Sue reading this and turning to me saying "I can't belive you blogged about me eating split pea soup?"]

We scurry over to the theatre and I grab some floor in the stage managers office, which was, naturally, ablaze with activity. Bryan had been doing some rehearsing earlier in the afternoon, but now it was time to do fight call and all that kind of official business. I watched it on the monitors because I didn’t want Bryan to feel uncomfortable that we were all there to watch him. But, we were. All of us.

Even Office pal made her way over. Tegan too. We had a pretty full house today; the audience took the understudy slip in stride and welcomed Bryan with open arms.

Bryan did a great job. When you are shot out of a cannon like that, the fact that he was standing at the end of it was a miracle in itself. That role, as Kevin Covert said, “is a beast.” Huey is only OFFstage about 4 minutes total in the whole show, but every time he is off, he is changing clothes, running up and down to the radio booth trap door, I mean it requires some serious stamina. Chad has had months (nay, years) to work on the stamina it takes- Bryan has had but a handful of rehearsals.

Fun Fact: Broadway understudy rehearsals are a bit, um, how shall I say it? Dumbfounding. Not the work, but the work environment. They rehearse without lights, props, sets, costumes, orchestra- using folding chairs and facsimilies of props- understudies don’t get the full experience until its showtime.

Remember sitting in on Bryan’s audition? We were at the Hilton weren’t we? I can remember thinking, we need to cast this kid so that we can discover him before someone else does.

After the show, I saw him in the stage managers office and he came in, and all he could say was “what just happened?” I had to remind him to go onstage as he had peeps waiting to see him!! It was cute.

The rest of the day was sort of a blur: house seats, meeting with Jacob, Fed Ex drop offs, remembering the days in 2009 when we had chocolate in the office, that kind of thing.

And on my way home, I stopped by the theatre before the evening show where Derrick, J Bernard, James and Cass were running through the music for their appearance at Bryant Park tomorrow at noon, Bryan was getting ready for his second canon experience, and I was able to snag a chocolate peanut butter square from backstage (see aforementioned longing for chocolate in our office).

As I was leaving, a busload of people were being dropped off, a gaggle of high school students were already in line with their classmates, Superfan Raellen was there to see Bryan go on, and Clay Aiken was reportedly on his way.

And then I missed my train.

I’m not sure what tomorrow will bring but with the Bryant Park thing and the Chatterbox taping, at least there will be more pictures. Hope you are having fun and that the weather is as glorious as our new billboard.

Hockadoo.

Your pasty employee,
Carolyn