Big City, Small World!

I was just over dropping off a package in the mailroom when a woman who works on the other side of my floor stopped me.

"Do you know Jen (insert last name here)?"

Well I have a ton of friends named Jen, so I answered "I don't think so".

So she starts telling me about how she's got this friend who recently had a birthday, and she swears that she recognized me from some of the pictures. So she asks me what my name is, and by the time I get back to my desk she has forwarded me pictures of her friend's birthday bash.
And sure enough... THERE I AM!

As it turns out, her friend (in the blue on the right) is "Upper East Side Jen". And "UES Jen" is really good friends with my friend Shannon (the very tall one on my left). Those pictures are from the night that Katie's (who is on my right) company was sponsoring the Daytime Emmy Pre-Party that we all went to (See TIDBITS! from 06/07/07!). I had forgotten that it was UES Jen's birthday, too.

So there ya have it.

Even in the largest city in the United States, it is still a very small world!

Cry, Freedom!

SHE'S FREE!

This morning, one Miss Paris Hilton was released from jail in L.A., thus ending what has been the most ridiculous celebrity-incarceration-media-frenzy in the history of...well, EVER.

Photographers sprinted after Hilton’s vehicle as she left. When the SUV hit a red light during the ride, photographers jumped out of their cars and swarmed it. (Source)

Everyone needed a shot of the reportedly reformed party queen. Apparently this stay in the big house has made the heiress realize how lucky she is. In a phone call to Ryan Seacrest from her cell, she said "...I'm just so grateful to have a pillow. And food!" She also put in a call to Barbara Walters, admitting that she's not as dumb as she lets on...

“I used to act dumb. It was an act. I am 26 years old, and that act is no longer cute,” Hilton said during the call, according to an account posted June 11 by Walters on ABC’s Web site.
“It is not who I am, nor do I want to be that person for the young girls who looked up to me,” Hilton was quoted as saying. (Source)

There are some that would have you believe this party girl is the new American Royalty. Some have even compared her to Princess Di (which is absolutely shameful in my opinion).

Will she really be a changed woman? Can we truly expect Paris to use her blonde ambition to more philanthropic ends?

Maybe. But I'm guessing it will all be after some killer welcome home parties. After all, Old Habits Die Hard.

Even for Paris Hilton.

Tidbits! 06/25/07

I can't believe that June is already over! I know, we still have five days left, but come on! We're HALF WAY BACK TO CHRISTMAS!

Crazy...

Because I have no news, I offer this video instead. This little girl does a fierce impression of Jennifer Hudson! She even goes for all the same vocal chops... HILARIOUS!



So this weekend was pretty great. After work on Friday I went to an open bar party at Calico Jack's over on 2nd Ave and 42nd Street. I definitely took advantage of the open bar - I think by the time we left (2 hours total) I had sucked down 9 or 10 margaritas. I didn't feel drunk, but I definitely was! We left (we = Katie, Brad, and myself) to go meet David for dinner at Arriba Arriba. We waited about 20 minutes so that we could sit in David's boyfriend's section. Chad is a sweet guy, and David seems to really like him so he's all good by me!

One chicken chimi and a Papa Margarita later, I dragged my now inarguably drunk ass home. I woke up sans hangover (thank god!) on Saturday, on time to meet Katie at Grand Central. Off we went to Noroton Heights for some great beach/boat time. Mandy and Jack came down, so it was them, me, Katie, and DJ & Jo. I wish I had a picture of all of us. Oh well! I do have this super cute picture of me and Jack, though. His glasses are a little dorky, but those were the ones he insisted on wearing that day. He has like 6 pairs...



I babysat that night so that Mandy and Doug could go to a rehearsal dinner. Then yesterday was Doug's cousin Jeff's wedding. It was a lot of fun. Very typical sit-down-dinner type reception, but with a great live band that played an awesome mix of classics and recent stuff, like Gwen Stefani's "Sweet Escape"... SO FUN!

I had to get up ridiculously early to get back to the city this morning to be at work on time. But what are you gonna do? It's family!

I have nothing going on tonight. I need to get some sleep and shave...so that's what my agenda entails as of right now. Exciting, eh?

Have a nice day!

Tidbits! 06/20/07

Sunday night was the Broadway Bares concert. Here are some photos from the show! (Source)




For many more photos (many of which I was hesitant to upload…) click here!

So a few nights, Matt Lauer aired an interview with Princes William and Harry. As soon as it started, I couldn't help but think of my good friend Jeremiah's recent comments on "Ginger Kids". I do think that Prince Harry rightly qualifies, and apparently even carries the nickname "ginger"! Now, I'm not generally a fan of redheads, but Harry is Royally Hot. No?

Monday night I went to a reading of a new musical by Adam Gwon at the New York Theatre Barn. The show is called Ordinary Days and reminded me a lot of something Jason Robert Brown would write. It told the story of four characters living and loving in NYC. It was very relatable and very touching. It definitely has a LOT of work that still needs to be done to it, but for a first draft I was AMAZED. So I wrote to the producers giving my own feedback, and got lengthy emails back from both thanking me for my input and calling me "highly intelligent". I was even asked by the executive producer if I was a theater critic… Maybe someday!

Tonight my group at work is heading down to SoHo for a Wine Tasting. It's a goodbye to a few of the guys that are moving on to other things. Should be fun! I of course have to be out of there in time to get home for So You Think You Can Dance!

Have a great night!

Broadway Bares All for AIDS

This weekend is the annual Broadway Bares performance to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS organization. The concert series was started something like seven years ago by Jerry Mitchell. He and six friends were hosted by the Union Square bar SPLASH, one of Manhattan's most popular gay clubs. Their first show had people lined up around the block, so they ended up staying and doing two performances that night.

That was the birth of this tradition. Now the concert of strip-tease and burlesque inspired movement features over 200 Broadway actors and actresses. This year the show will have a Greek Mythology theme and feature current stars like Laura Bell Bundy and David Hyde Pierce.

To give you an idea what the concert is like, I've found a great clip for you! Last year, the theme was Sexy Superheroes. Actor Christopher Sieber and his boyfriend (also an actor) were featured in this particularly enticing act as Batman and Robin.

It's what I always dreamed the cartoons could be. And now it's in real life.

WARNING: THIS VIDEO FEATURES INCREDIBLY HOT ACTORS, AND MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR VIEWING AT WORK! (JUST IN CASE YOU ARE AT YOUR OFFICE, YOU MAY WANT TO WAIT TO GET HOME... I'M JUST SAYIN'!)



Hope you're enjoying your weekend!

Getting back into DANCE, and Tidbits! for 06/14/07

CASTING CALL!
Want to make your Broadway debut in…SHREK...???

I only wish I were kidding. There is a casting call in LA on June 20 for Rock/R&B Singers who would be playing the roles of Shrek and Donkey respectively. Now I'm a big Disney fan, and I love when the old Disney musical films finally make it to the Broadway stage.

But Shrek? Really?!

I suppose it's wrong of me to judge before I see or hear something. But I'm me. And I'm judging. And I'm very skeptical of how this will turn out.

Almost as skeptical as I am of Spiderman: the Musical, which is also currently in development.

Ok, enough Broadway news (mostly 'cuz there really isn't all that much more to tell…) and on to my new obsession: SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE!

Last night was the first night of the Finals, and the 20 finalists were paired up to compete for their spots in the Top 10. I'm not a big fan of some of the contestants, but let me just give you a quick run down of my own Final 10!

THE BOYS:

Kameron Bink: The Hipster. A hip/hop contemporary dancer also trained in jazz, tap, ballet, and acrobatics. His hobbies are skydiving and riding motorcycles, and he is H-O-T. I have just a little bit of a crush…

Pasha Kovalev: The Russian. A ballroom trained dancer with a Latin style focus. He's Russian, and yummy! Every season has that good looking foreign guy, and he is it this year.

Neil Haskell: The Boyish Charmer. A jazz/ballet dancer with a musical theater background. Neil was part of the short-lived Broadway production "Times They Are A'Changin". He's going to have to work harder than some of the others to make it to the Top 10 because his personality doesn't really come through, but I think he'll get there. He's got that same boyish quality that got Ivan into the finals last year.

Hok Konishi: The Edge. An absolutely ridiculous breakdancer. He also likes to cook, draw, paint, and play the violin. We also started seeing him last season, when he got rejected in semi's for not having a work visa (he's from England) so I think he won't have any problems finding a spot in the top 10.

Danny Tidwell: The Talent. A professionally trained ballet, jazz, and lyrical dancer. He is the adopted brother of last season's Travis Wall, but he doesn't have the personality that Travis did. Danny is great, but has a lot of attitude which could get him in trouble with both the judges and the audience. After all, this is about personality as much as it's about dancing.

THE GIRLS:

Lacey Schwimmer: The Heir Apparent. Swing/Latin dancer, and sister of last season's winner, Benji. I'll admit that I was skeptical in the beginning that she was getting advanced because of her family ties. But last night she really stood out. She is obviously well-trained and versatile, and has an awesome personality as well. She's a shoe-in for the finals.

Sara VonGillern: The Cool Girl. Trained in all facets of dance, but specializing in hip hop, breaking, and choreography. It was surprising to see that she can do more than just hip hop. She may be the surprise of the season.

Lauren Gottlieb: The Technician. Trained in jazz, ballet, hip hop, lyrical, and tap. We began seeing Lauren last year when she was the assistant to one of the choreographers. There may be some people who will think she's being favored by the judges because of her past involvement with the show, but it's up to the public now. And I think the public is going to love her.

Jaimie Goodwin: The Girl Next Door. The underdog of the girls, but her with her background and relatable personality, I think she'll make it through. She is trained in tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, pointe, and musical theater. The only thing missing from her resume is ballroom, so we'll see how she fares.

Jessi Peralta: The Artist. She's a self-described Gumbo dancer, meaning she mushes it all together to express whatever it is she is feeling. Her contemporary solo work in the auditions was impressive, and then she wowed her first time out in a smooth waltz. With the amount of face time she has received, the judges enthusement, and her raw talent, I think we'll see her straight through to the end.

Here are a couple of highlights from last night's show, in case you missed it.

First is Kameron and Lacey doing a contemporary piece by Mia Michaels.

Sara and partner Jesus doing a pop/jazz routine by Wade Robison.

Danny and partner Anya diong a Jive by Alex Da Silva.

So maybe my little crush makes me a little bit biassed, but how amazing were Lacey and Kameron?! They are by far my favorite couple, with Pasha and Jessi coming in a close second. I wish I could find a video of their Waltz.

If you haven't started watching yet, I highly recommend doing so. As the competition progresses, the dancers and choreography get better and better. You won't be disappointed!

Today is my parents 36th Wedding Anniversary. Can you believe that? 36 years... I have a really hard time getting my head around the fact that they've been with each other that long. I mean, they're great people and all... but that's a long time for anyone!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, MOM AND DAD!!!

I don't really have anything going on tonight. I need to pack for the weekend. Mandy and Doug are heading up to Boston to volunteer at the Special Olympics, so I'm heading out to CT to watch the Jack-man. I feel like I haven't seen him in forever, so I'm really excited! Sunday is also Father's Day, so I'm hoping it'll warm up and that we can get some good boat/beach time in.

Have a great day!

Life After TONY and other Tidbits! (06/13/07)

THIS JUST IN: Jake Gyllenhaal in his Broadway debut?

Ok, so before you get too excited, let me just begin this by saying that it's not confirmed yet!

Farragut North may be coming to Broadway next season. The show had a reading previously starring Hollywood IT boy Jake! Michael Reidel reported in the New York Post that Gyllenhaal will be deciding by the end of the week whether or not he will be joining the rest of the workshoppers in a Broadway production of the piece. The show will be directed by James Lapine and co-star Alison Pill.

After walking away with 8 Tony Awards on Sunday night, the cast of Spring Awakening gathered at Spotlight Live to throw a little after-party of their own. The show was the monster hit of the season, cementing what's sure to be a long run at the O'Neill. Lots of people turned out for the fiesta. There were awards winners, nominees, family members, and numerous people from the community who were out to show their support! (Source)Tony Winner John Gallagher, Jr.; Musical director Kim Grigsby; Tony Nominee Jonathan GroffCastmates Steven Spinella, Phoebe Strole, Tony Winning Composer Duncan Sheik, and Skylar AstinCastmates Johnathan B Wright, Phoebe Strole, Lauren Pritchard, and Skylar Astin

Tony Nominee Jonathan Groff and his parents (anyone else surprised by the size of his dad?!)Jonathan Groff and his brother, who is apparently a big Angela Lansbury fan (and H-O-T) Tony Winner John Gallagher Jr. and Sr. (Is it odd that I think he is so cute? The Jr, I mean...)Actor Zach Braff presented at the Sunday awards, and then decided to hang with the SA gang. Don't get me wrong, I like Zach and all... but he looks kinda creepy all up in Lea's face like that.Actor Neil Patrick Harris stopped by to say congratulations to his fellow actor (and dare I say, homo?) Jonathan Groff. I see Neil often at Arriba Arriba on 9th with his boyfriend, so I'm sure it was purely professional good graces... Tony winning actor (not this year mind you) Liev Schreiber made a quick appearance (sans the very pregnant Naomi) to say congrats to his good buddy Duncan.Former Tony Winner Michael Cerveris and John Gallagher Jr.Last, but not least is my FAVORITE photo of 2004 Tony Winner Idina Menzel and SA star Lea Michele. I know that Lea idolizes Idina, so I'm sure this was a great moment for her! UGH I'm so jealous...

On a less happy note, it has been announced that John Doyle's recreation of Sondheim's masterpiece Company will be giving it's final bow on July 1st. I guess the producers weren't happy enough with the show walking away this season with a Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle award for Best Revival of a Musical, and a Drama Desk and Outer Critic Circle award for Best Actor for Raul Esparza's performance.

It's a shame. Seriously. Company was the best show that I saw this season. I liked even more than I liked Spring Awakening.

Anyway, if you live somewhere that you can see it before it ends, I promise you will not be disappointed in the show. And I promise that this is a theater experience that you do not want to miss.

The next big question: What will Raul do next?

Could they cast him as Sky Masterson in next season's revival of Guys and Dolls? Or how about Gomez Addams in Andrew Lippa's upcoming musical version of The Addams Family?

There were some casting changes announced yesterday for Billy Elliot: the Musical in London. Now, I'm not going to go far into who it was and why, as I'm sure no one really cares.

This show is going to be making it's Broadway debut next season, so I wanted to post a video of the the number "Electricity" just to give you a little taste of what's in store. This sequence comes after a woman asks Billy "What do you feel when you're dancing?" It gets off to a slow start, but hang in there! The dancing this little kid does is RIDICULOUS!