Equality NOW!

I'm marching at the October 11th rally in D.C for marriages rights for same sex couples. I'm going with BroadwayImpact. They are sponsoring buses to take groups of people from New York to and from D.C. If you want to join or help out go here http://www.broadwayimpact.com/. 

Broadway Flea Market

I have a lot to post about from reviews of 9 to 5, Burn the Floor, Memphis to events I have covered and to what I have up next. I have been a busy bee which I love just a little tired but today was the Broadway Flea Market so cant complain. 

I have to say that the flea market is one of the best events held each year in the alley and a bit disappointing it had to be moved inside this year. I love just being outside for the day walking aimlessly in the alley just looking at all the Broadway merch being sold, seeing the actors work the tables and just mingle and just seeing hundreds of people come together to raise money for a great cause. Today it was a mad house. It was moved inside the Roseland Ballroom which was cramped, packed and hot but just glad they even had it. It still was fun and was able to find some great deals. I made a few rounds before purchasing anything. I was on a search for anything 9 to 5 yet unfortunately didn't find much. There was a large Stephanie Block Poster which I eyed for a while but than realize there was no way I could carry that out of there let alone bring it home. It was sold and brought up to the autographed table which was quite humorous to see this life sized post of Stephanie just being walked around. I wonder what her reaction was. I believe my first purchase was a chocolate chip cake by the wonderful chefs over at the Lion King. I than hit the TKTS booth yet lost like usual. Why I even bother I don't know since I never win raffles. It was hard to even walk let alone look at the tables around 10am so we decided to take our chances in the basement. While walking to the stairs we hear a familiar voice . who was it? Felicia Finley working the auctions. Nice surprise to see her and I cant wait till she makes her return to the stage! she was hilarious today and a great seller. We made it downstairs where I found my favorite purchase. I saw a few A Chorus Line show jackets yet the first one i tried on was huge and didn't fit at all but the second one was perfect but 150 dollars to much for me to pay for a jacket. I made a few more rounds up stairs getting a one dollar Rent poster, five Dollar Rock of Ages off Broadway program. I didn't see many things I wanted to buy. The Wicked table had a few things but couldn't see myself spending 300 on a leather bag. A few 9 to 5 shirts but didn't have my size, Rock of Age calendar but wasn't going to spend 40 dollars on it. few other posters and records but ended up not getting. Turned one O'clock and we hit the photo booth. I wanted a photo with Stephanie Block, Chad Kimball and Montego Glover but Chad didn't make it but I was still able to get a photograph with Stephanie Block which I wanted since 9 to 5! She was a doll and couldn't have been sweeter. I was quite nervous like normal but she called me over put her arm around me said thanks a bunch of times and rubbed my back ha ha! told her how much I loved 9 to 5 which she seemed very happy to hear I was going to say how I felt I shouldn't have closed but that was way to many words for me to get out. I also wanted to give her prints of the photographs I took at 9 to 5 but punked out. oh well.

 

Maybe next time. Alice Ripley was also doing photos at the same time which was nice to see Alice, shes amazing. 

After the photos we were hot, tired and had a headache which meant food and resting. Before we left I ran down stairs to see if the jacket was still there. It was! I asked how low they would be willing to see it for. I was thinking 100, 80? he told me 40!! I took it right there! I love it! best purchase I have made at the flea markets yet. 

Overall it was a nice day and hope they raise a lot of money! 

I had my first day of work yesterday for BroadwayWorld. I covered the premiere of Clear Blue Tuesday at the Musical Theatre Festival. The film was amazing (if you get a chance to see it go), they were so kind and invited me to stay and watch it. Many producers and the cast were there, I covered the two sessions of Q&A and than posed shots after and before the film. I was so nervous esp when i got they they asked me how long I worked for bww and all i could say was a few days and everyone laughed haha! It was my first time and i thought i did ok. The times i had to go up to people I felt very nervous and hated interrupting there convo's for a photographs but i have to get over that when its my job to. Kelli O'hara was also there which was amazing, I hadn't met her before and she was very sweet!! Overall it was a great experience and cant wait for the next shoot!!

Speaking of Julie Andrews! she is coming to NY in October for a evening with her! Shes having a question and answer and selling signed copies of her new childrens book. I must get tickets to this. My only problem is I have class at the same time the event is. Just my luck but hopefully ill find a way to go i mean its Julie Andrews!

PlayBill.com A evening with Julie Andrews

I cant get anymore excited really this past week has been pretty amazing. My first published photo essay on BroadwayWorld, I might get the chance to meet a Broadway legend and a Broadway director wants to meet up in a few weeks. I think I'm still in shock this is all actually happening. I feel like i use say hey i want to work for Broadway and just didn't seem possible it was just an idea I had after looking at all the images in my favorite shows programs and such. I cant wait to begin all of these and jump right in. I want to start tomorrow there is so much i want to photograph! The other day after I heard from BroadwayWorld i ended up in times square early around 9 and i just walked around the theatres, there were about four shows unloading ready to begin there Broadway run. I got this huge thrill that I could be photographing this season coming up that I could be working for all of this. It was a great feeling hopefully it all will happening! 

I'm working 9 to 5. I saw the show this past Saturday and I absolutely just adored it. I really don't know why i hadn't seen it sooner wish I had. Not many shows out there are three strong women! That's what I loved the most about the show that it was about these women's friendship and bond and being strong and getting through it all. It wasn't your typical love story or anything but a sweet funny and esp fun show. 9 to 5 should still be open and I feel it deserved a longer run and more recognition because it really was a great piece of theatre just wish i had discovered that sooner. 

Can I just say how much I adore Julie Andrews! Ive been glued to the Sound of Music recently and I just love it so much! I would love to see her on stage one day.

My first Photo Spotlight!

Check it out everyone, my first published photo essay on Rock of Ages now up on BroadwayWorld!! 

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo_Spotlight_ROCK_OF_AGES_OnStage_And_Beyond_20090906

yep school started that's for sure. Already have the stress from it. One thing is I get to work on another project on Broadway. I was thinking instead of focusing on one show I'm going to do a book on the season. To show Broadway as a whole rather than separate. Im excited just hope i have enough time and money to do this! crossing fingers! 

My Photos from my Rock of Ages series will be featured on Broadway World soon. I will also hopefully be shooting photo essays for the site in the next month! Look out for my feature at
Broadwayworld.com

Thanks!

Life

One thing I am so glad I have discovered is Life images on google! I have found some amazing and a few new favorite images. Imagine that definitely impact my work, to strive to capture like these images.

   

Gordan Parks

Lisa Larsen

the goal.

This post might just end up being a lot of rambling but i just wanted to get out some of my thoughts. 

I have being trying to explain this to anyone with ears and I feel i just confuse them or they just don't think it will happen. One day i will gather as many photographs I can find on Broadway from production images, rehearsal, backstage, studio shoots just anything that shows a part of Broadway history. I will curate a photography exhibit that will show fans, viewers who ever will come to the show a chance to see a piece of theatre they could not be there for. Also it will hopefully show what is missing in today's theatre photography. I feel there is not enough fine art in today's theatre work. I feel all i see is images from the show or poorly thought out digital images of events. Events that could be important in years to come but digital is easier and faster but I'm afraid the images don't hold up to past photographs. There are some great photographs today though I cant say all of them. Rachel Papo, Gillian Laub, Jenny Anderson, Amy Arbus just a few photographers shooting theatre and are terrific! I just wish Broadway was more photographed. I'm not saying more productions photos because I understand the need to only show certain parts and not wanting to give to much away but to have images of the cast, costumes, rehearsals etc. is important. Photographs define history it is what is left in years to come and if all we have are photographs during the show and not how it was made or the memories created by the show there is not much to remember it by. I hope one day there is a Broadway exhibit just like the many sixties, seventies rock and roll photo shows. I think Broadway has just as much history than rock music. Its just another form of music. There has been shows that has transformed theatre, A Chorus Line, Guys and Dolls, Hair, Rent there is so many and there are wonderful images of the people behind those musicals that will hopefully one day be on exhibit. I think shows today even such as Wicked, Spring Awakening, In the Heights, Next to Normal are shows that will be remember and have had some amazing performers. I just want to put a show together that shows the Broadway and the performers. So one day there will be a photography exhibit that displays all the great shows,performers and performances. It will happen. It will. 

Next to Normal : Natalie

Drawing I just finished of  Jennifer Damiano as Natalie in Next To Normal. I have to urge to do a small series on the rest of the cast. 

Broadway & Photography : Gillian Laub

Gillian Laub

http://www.gillianlaub.com/

This is one of my favorite series centered around Broadway. It captures a day in life of Patti Lupone on her last nigh in Gypsy.  Gillian capture the whole experience for the fans to see. Moments on fans wish they could be there for. Gillian delicately capture each moment perfectly all showing a different yet important emotion.He doesn't need text to bring us through the day brought. We experience intimate moment  with Lupone and her cast mate and friends. ad the heartbreak of a show closing but also the celebration once the curtain comes down and fans are the waiting to great her. Gillians images are beautifully composed, the color is muted and balanced throughout the series and each image progresses the story. His images look to be more art photographs than the usual event photography and some might be even film which would be amazing and make my day! This series is simply amazing and wishing he will continue shooting in the theatre world!

http://nymag.com/arts/theater/features/53603/

7 23 09 Next to Normal

Day after day,

Wishing all our cares away.

Trying to fight the things we feel,

But some hurts never heal.

Some ghost are never gone,

But we go on,

We still go on

And you find some way to survive

And you find out you don't have to be happy at all,

To be happier alive.

Day after day,

Give me clouds, and rain and gray.

Give me pain, if that's what's real.     

It's the price we pay to feel.

The price of love is loss,

But still we pay.

We love anyway.

I have been following this show since its "Feeling Electric" days and have been dying to see it ever since. I am still kicking my self for not seeing it when Amy Spanger was involved. I would love to see her in a more serious role rather than another funny eighties chick. I have been putting off seeing the show simply because of my own childhood, growing up with 

a mother that resembles Diana. I listen to the cast recording constantly and i decided it was finally time for me to suck it up and see it. 

We ended up getting standing room (luckily there was no height restriction like WSS), I wasn't crazy about the idea of standing during this show but I was excited none the less. 

7 30 finally came around and we were inside the Booth Theatre. I have never been there and I must say it is a lot different than other theatre. It is tiny and warm and fit perfectly with the show. I also love the downstairs lounge, adorable! we took out 117 and 119 standing room spots. We had clear clear yet the top of the stage was cut off from the balcony but what can you expect when you pay only 26 dollars. The show began and I was already nervous I wouldn't be able to take it but fell in love with it from the start.

 Alice Ripley was incredible, I mean don't even think i have to say that since it is known shes

 incredible and now a well deserved Tony Award Winner.

 She made me love Diana even with her flaws and was not expecting that at all. I thought I was going to go in knowing her character having lived with someone like her. Ripley made Diana funny, vulnerable and real. I left thinking that even with her troubles she is still just person and needs people to listen and be there for her. I felt sorry for Diana at times and made me re-time a few thing in my life. Ripley is an incredible singer and just as good of an actress. 

Jennifer Damiano was also amazing. It was great having seen her in Spring Awakening and now a featured actress. She played such a real normal young

 girl just trying to make it out her house and onto college. I think many kid can relate to her character trying to impress and live up to your parents standards and having there life an problems carry over onto yours. I def related most to Natalie being scared you will one day end up like you mother who doesn't think about that. Jennifer had the teen angst but you also felt for her because most of the problems she was dealing with was not her fault at all. Damianos acting I felt out shinned her singing at some parts but it could have just been a off night or sound problems but for such a young girl she was terrific and so was her co star Adam Chanler Berat. Henry is just such a likable character and was pulling for him throughout the whole show. 

J.Robert Spencer and Kyle Dean Massey were also incredible, lets just say the whole cast was. I don't have one single bad thought on any of them. This show is about the struggles of a family. Its not your normal happy ending musical. It is much more than that. The set was shockingly beautiful, I will admit seeing photos I was in love with the art work or the Warhol looking graphic on stage such as the eyes but now seeing it in the show. I love it. It works so well with the feeling of the show and the lighting was the best Ive seen. It felt like concert lighting at times but than transitions between scenes or feelings the color background would drop and silhouette the performers it was beautiful! 

few high lights for me was Super boy and  the Invisible Girl, a favorite song and just a personal connection with how Natalie was feeling. Make up Your Mind/ Catch Me I'm fall, I Dreamed a Dance, Song of Forgetting, You Don't Know Reprise, light were just a few of my favorites. 

Why Stay was possibly my favorite part. When you saw both couples dealing with there problems. I loved how both Diana and Natalie where doing the same choreography due to her being scared she will end up like her mother. simple and very effective!

Overall I loved this show even if at some parts they were to close to comfort for me. I even felt I had said or thought a few of the same things Natalie was saying but in the end it was comforting to know there is a show out there that is addressing some more serious and could help people.

 I not use to seeing a show that was so much like my life. I tend to like shows that take me out of my life to escape for just two and half hours but Next to Normal was moving and I'm glad there is a musical out there like this!

I def plan to go back and have a seat next time. 

Broadway in Bryants Park : Vanities, Rock of Ages, Mary Poppins & Wicked.

I always try to make it out to Bryants park at least once a year. This year I went to see Rock of Ages and Next to Normal which was disappointing that they switched with wicked but It will give me another reason to go back and Wicked ended up being a lot of fun to watch. I got to the lawn around 10:30 and was excited to see the lawn the same as it has in the past. Stage right in front of the fountain, white background displaying Broadway in Bryants park and its sponsors with rows filled with the green wooden chairs and tables. We took a seat in the fourth row but not for long after we found our rock of age group and moved up a row. All of just chatted and listened to show tunes in till the sound check. Not knowing many people who are into theatre its a nice change being surrounded by fans. Vanities came on first. Honestly I was the show i was least looking forward to, I did not know much about this show. All i knew was it had three cheerleaders involved but it ended up being the show i left wanting to see.

Lauren Kennedy, Annelise Van Der Pol, Sarah Stiles

The Vanities girls formed three catchy and wonderful songs all of which i wanted on my ipod right after. I dont want to miss a thing  was a sweet and funny song that showed the girls before they left for college, their idea of what will happen once they are there. They all had funny and pretty good southern accents and all three of them had terrific voices. "I want to cook but never clean" " i want to make a jello mold" just to lines that make laugh a bit from I dont want to miss a thing. Lauren Kennedy performedFly into the Future another catchy song and than she was joined with her cast mates for one more song which i think is titled I cant imagine ?. I must say i was very surprised how great Annelise Voice was only knowing her from the disney channel. 

 

 Jeremy Jordan, Savannah Wise

 

James Carpinello, Katherine Tokarz

Rock of Ages was up next. I love this cast! I went mostly to see them. I have seen the show numerous times and it is always a party. The show is a different kind of experience on Broadway. Most of who was there was understudies but I guess it Bryant’s Parks so that is expected. I was excited to see Savannah Wise and Jeremy Jordan together. I have seen both of them in the show separately but have felt they would work better than savannah and Constantine or Amy and Jeremy. Coming from an Amy fan, I was glad Savannah was the one who replaced Amy, she is a wonderful Sherrie a bit different than Amy, and she is more 

Innocent where Amy had more humor, Savannah more natural and she can belt, I find my self-missing her solo in the Heaven Medley. The only thing that throws me off is she looks a lot younger than Constantine. I think her and Jeremy seem around the same age and Jeremy is a great Drew. I would love to see them both together in the show. They both belted out High Enough and than James Carpinello took the stage to sing Dead or Alive with his ladies backing him up. I can watch him perform this many more times and it will still be great! He is always into and seems to love playing Stacee and the fans love him as someone in the audience screamed " I love you Stacee" Next up was Dont Stop believing where James got the crowd going and told everyone to sing along. I must say it was odd not seeing them dance and I looked like they wanted to. The fans and the cast would do bit of dancing during dont stop believing. It just happens, its catchy and fun! It was also great seeing Katherine Tokar sing Reginas Parts. I would love to see her in this role after seeing her in A chorus line. This is why I love Bryant’s Park it gives you a chance to see the understudies! 

Mary Poppins Cast

Mary Poppins was up next. I dont have much to comment on them. It not my kind of show or maybe it just works on stage with costumes and props but on a stage with just show tee shirts it made me wanting another show to come on. They all had good vocals, the kids were adorable,the choreography made me dizzy and confused.

  

Dee Roscioli, Kevin Kern

  Laura Woyasz

Wicked was the last to take the stage with the announcer stating it’s her favorite show on Broadway yet she miss pronounced not only the performers names but the characters also. It was a funny mistake. I love Wicked because even though I thought I grew out of this show when ever I hear or see any song from this song I feel like a little giddy twelve year old. This musical will never change for me. I love it. It was my second show I ever got into but I think probably any young girl that was into theatre fell in love with it. I was expecting to hear, Popular, which we did, Wizard and I and Defy Gravity but was surprise when they did As long as you’re mine. I have not see the show in year and haven’t been following since Eden Espinosa was on Broadway and knew nothing of who was currently in the cast. Laura Woyasz was a joy to watch she was a terrific Galinda! She had me and my friend singing along laughing and getting excited over little lines in song where we could act like galinda! She was wonderful and made me want to take a trip to the Gershwin! Dee Roscioli was elphaba for the concert. I will admit im the hardest on who ever is in this role. I am biased because after seeing Idina in the role for me its hard to imagine anyone else. I know I know it’s been years since she played the green girl and I should just see the show for what is now and I am. I thought Dee was pretty good better in the actual concert than the sound check. Her Wizard and I was good, her acting was what I like out of her performance. Kevin Kern was Fiyero was nice seeing him since his Wedding Singer days. As Long as your mine was sweet and they seem to have good chemistry together. Seeing Wicked again made me feel like I was listening to songs from my childhood. I know it hasn’t been that long but When I was into I didn’t know many shows and now if feel like the start of my Broadway interest. It was just good fun knowing all the words and small choreography and singing with my friend just brought me back. It was the nicest surprise of the day finding something from my past, which I still love.

Thought id make a blog with all my broadway/photo/random thoughts. It will be a good way to get out all my excitement or just thought without boring the people around me.