Tidbits! (06/07/07)

Ok, so this is going to be relatively quick today. I've got a Tony Breakdown to prepare!

I'm totally getting excited for the film version of "Hairspray!" to release this summer! Broadway World has a sneak peak of a scene from the film. It's Zac Efron singing "Ladies Choice", a new song written for the film. It's the scene where Tracy first jumps on the scene and auditions for the Corny Collins Show! You can watch it here...

Tuesday night, the American Foundation for AIDS Research held their "Honoring with Pride" gala at Rockefeller Plaza. The special guest performer this year was Cheyenne Jackson, who I'll be seeing soon as Clark Kent in "It's a bird… It's a plane…" Liza Minelli was on hand to make a few presentations, and got reacquainted with her good friend Kenneth Cole who is the chairman of amfAR.
Broadway Week continues on "Live with Regis & Kelly". Yesterday they featured Company. Raul Esparza performed "Being Alive" which you can see here!

You know, there have been a few times that the show has been featured and other people have performed. Like yesterday, at Stars In The Alley they let Heather Laws do "Not Getting Married". Now, I get that this is an ensemble piece, but give me a break. The only reason it's doing incredibly well right now is because director John Doyle really centered everything around Raul. So I think the producers were really smart to let their star perform; everyone else from the show really pales in comparison…

And since I'm on the topic... here's a video that I found this morning of Raul's interview with TheaterTalk TV! It's not too long, and he talks about the way he lives his character. It's really interesting to hear how a soon-to-be Tony Winner pulls a character together!

Le Sigh. I heart him…

Yesterday was the Stars In The Alley concert, which I attended about an hour of. Apparently right after I left Laura Bell Bundy and the cast of Legally Blonde took the stage. D-A-M.

Legally Blonde does not contain core-shaking material or an unidentifiable yet moving sound like some other productions (Spring Awakening, much?) but it is one of the most fun shows I've seen in a long time. And Laura Bell is seriously fantastic in it. So of all the things that got stage time after I left, that's the one I'm most bummed about!

Bobby Cannavale is going to be making his Broadway debut in Manhattan Theatre Club's first play of the 2007-2008 Season, Mauritius. It's set to begin in September at the Biltmore.

I'm not familiar with the show, but apparently it's centered around an stamp collection that two sisters inherit from their mother. I'm not sure where Cannavale comes into that plot line. The production is also starring Alison Pill, who is currently starring in MTC's Blackbird, and who we all remember as the bitchy (and slightly crazy) little sister of Katie Holmes in "Pieces of April".

Darius DeHaas and Joanna Gleason are teaming up for a concert version of "Take The A Train" which features the music of Billy Strayhorn. It's being produced by the New York City Gay Men's Chorus. Joanna is staging and directing the production, with DeHaas as the featured vocalist being backed by the choir.

Should be really entertaining! Darius is an incredible singer. He played Cain in the original cast of Children of Eden. As someone who has played that role, let me tell you that he set the bar incredibly high for anyone else to attempt it vocally!

David Boreanaz is currently guesting down at Spalding Gray. So I have yet to go down and actually see the show, but it's getting higher and higher up on my list of things to do. Every week they rotate a guest star into the five person ensemble.

This week: David (who totally hit on my sister once).

Next week: Christopher Gorham. Who? He's "Henry" on Ugly Betty! I can hear my best friend going "oohhhhh!" right now. He loves him just a little bit…lol

So last night I joined Katie at an event her company was co-sponsoring. It was a pre-party for the Daytime Emmy Awards, which are apparently coming up soon… Anyway, it was a lot of fun! The venue (Nikki Beach) was really awesome, and the people were pretty cool too. For the most part, Soap Stars think much more of themselves than they should. There were more than a few people there who desperately needed to be taken down a few notches. But there were some very cool people that balanced it all out!

There was one guy in particular who I had a crush on as soon as he walked into the bar.

SO F*ING H-O-T.

Do I remember his name? Nope. Sure don't. All I can remember is that he's going to be at the Tony's after party at Rockefeller on Sunday (which I'm totally going to try to get into…) and that he's going to be doing a play soon called "Love For Sale", which is the opposite of "Pretty Woman". So he'll be playing the hooker turned leading lady. I'll be keeping my eyes out for him…

So anyway, an open bar and a slice of pizza later, I dragged my arse back up to my little abode on CPW. I'm seriously exhausted today, but I'm hangin' in!

Tonight I'm going to watch "So You Think You Can Dance" and "Traveler" with friends. And for those of you who have yet to watch "Traveler", start tonight! You will not be disappointed...

Tidbits! (06/06/07)

I love being right. A few months ago I went to see a preview performance of The Pirate Queen. It's the story of the first female Irish captain, and the Queen of England (sort of). It was produced by the RiverDance folks, and written by the Les Mis folks. I'm not going to completely reiterate how I felt about it (see my review in the archives!) but let me just sum it up with a simple "I Hated It".

It has been announced that it will give it's last performance on June 17th, after 32 previews and 85 performances. Normally I would say that it's not such a bad try. BUT the show ran up a reported 15 Million-Dollar bill! I bet the producers are kicking themselves now!

Let this be a lesson to the rest of the theater world - Don't Turn BAD Dance Shows into Worse Musical Theater!

Last Thursday, Lance Bass of N'SYNC fame came out (haha) to see Legally Blonde with a "special friend". I don't know who this guy is, but GOOD FOR LANCE! He's a hottie... This is Lance with his new beau and the dogs, and another with him and the Tony-nominated Laura Bell Bundy. (Source)

On Monday night, the American Theater Wing held a benefit to honor Carol Channing, Tommy Tune, and Darth Vader…

Ok, so maybe I'm not as well versed in Broadway History as I should be. But I know Tommy Tune. And I KNOW Carol Channing. But James Earl Jones? Really?! I thought he was a film star… So like a good theater-nerd I looked up his Broadway past. Come to fine out - he won 2 Tony Awards and multiple Drama Desk, Theater World, and other various critics' awards.

Looks like it turned out to be quite the event! Here are some photos of the Honorees and their guests.

It's fun to see Josh Strickland and Jenn Gambatese (from Disney's Broadway version of Tarzan) out and about! Their show is a dud, so they don't get many photo ops!

It's always great to see Raul Esparza. Doesn't he look fantastic in a Tux?

Last night, the cast of Tony Nominated 110 In The Shade performed at Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Center. Their cast recording released yesterday, so the event was a mix of "Hey, look what we recorded!" and "Hey, Audra is going to win another Tony!

I was able to get a quick video of her singing "Simple Little Things". It's only 15 seconds long, and I accidentally shot mostly just the ceiling. Oops! In my defense, I was being covert!

Also last night were the Theater World Awards. They celebrate Broadway and Off-Broadway debut performances, and among the honorees were Jonathan Groff, Fantasia Barrino (pictured with Barbara Cook) and Gavin Lee. The ceremony was held at New World Stages. Here are a few photos from the event. You can click here for even more...

John Tartaglia, Michael Cerveris, and Raul Esparza were all in attendance as former winners, and presenters. You know me, I can't pass up a good photo op of my favorite leading men!

The love of my life was immortalized at Groman's Chinese Theater in LA yesterday. Along with other cast mates, George Clooney put his feet hands and pen to the concrete. I tell you, I would love for him to put ANY of the above to me…!

He is the King of Cool; this generations Frank Sinatra. MSNBC ran an article comparing the two. I didn't know a whole lot about Frank outside of his music, so I thought it was pretty amusing. Read the article here!

Today was the Stars In The Alley concert over at the Shubert Alley (next to the theaters currently housing Spamalot and Year of Magical Thinking). I took a quick outing from my office to check out the festivities… Here are a few video clips! The crowd was huge, so they're not the best. But I did the best I could!

Christopher Sieber and Marin Mazzie - "The Song That Goes Like This" from Spamalot

Ashley Parker Angel - "It Takes Two" from Hairspray!

Heather Laws, Robert Cunningham, and Amy Justman - "Not Getting Married Today" from Company

Lea Solanga - "I Dreamed A Dream" from Les Miserables

I also saw Caralee Carmelo sing from Mama Mia!; the current stars of Phantom; the current Matron Mama Morton from Chicago; Annaliese Van der Pol, the current Belle from Beauty and the Beast; and the current Nala from The Lion King sang "Shadowlands" and was awesome! There were still going to be more performances, but I had to get back to the office. Wah Wah...

Seriously the BEST lunch break I've EVER taken! Lol At the beginning they were giving an award to the Actor's Fund for something, and I wish they would've saved it til the end so I could've seen more. Oh well. I saw Lea Solanga! Woot woot!

I'm so glad that I finally found out how to get my cell phone videos onto YouTube! Here is a video of my super-cute nephew last weekend, sneaking up on my Diet Coke…

Ok, I admit, I could've probably stopped him. But it's so funny! Ugh, I'm a bad Nano…

Tonight is the premiere of Public Theater's "Romeo & Juliet". I can't wait to see it. I doubt I'll be seeing it tonight, but soon! It's free, but I think you still have to get tickets in advance. In fact, I think that you can only get tickets the day of the performance. I'm going to have to figure out how to finagle that one. But don't worry; I'll think of something!

I'm not sure what I'll end up doing tonight. "So You Think You Can Dance"? Probably. Katie has an event over on the East Side that I may go to with her, but I haven't heard back from her yet... I guess, yet again, I'm playing it by ear. Good thing I live in a city with lots of possibilities!

Have a Nice Day!

Tidbits! (06/05/07)

Back in Utah, one of my favorite theater events was Plan-B Theater Company's "SLAM FEST". The concept was that five playwrights would meet at 8:00 pm, draw a title and three actors out of a hat, and by 8:00 pm the very next day the five new 10-minute one acts would premiere. It was such an awesome experience, knowing that 24 hours prior to watching these sometimes genius works that they didn't even exist! I stumbled across NYC's musical version of this: theAtrainplays.

"theAtrainplays are a celebration of New York, created by six teams while traveling the entire route of the A train, from 207th Street & Broadway to Far Rockaway and back. Four librettists will hop on the A train at 207th Street and begin writing the books for four 15-minute musicals, all set on the A train." (Source)

This begins two weeks from today. On Tuesday the 19th, the writers will get on the train. And then next day the six short musicals will premiere! I am definitely not going to miss this. It's a given that the shows may not be quite as impressive because of all of the additional elements that come with doing musical theater versus a play. But, none the less, I've enjoyed this process so much in the past that I can't wait to see it. Tracie Thoms (film "RENT") and Stephanie D'Abruzzio (2004 Tony-nominated Avenue Q star) are both set to be featured in the production, in addition to many other current Broadway actors.

Tonight, Hairspray is having it's 2,000th performance on Broadway. It was four years ago that the musical swept the theater awards season, winning everything from the Outer Critics Circle Awards to the Tony's. I guess this isn't a "happy birthday" thing, seeing as it won't celebrate it's fourth anniversary until August, but it's still really great. There's no word as to whether or not they'll be doing anything to celebrate, but I would be surprise if some of the upcoming film's stars didn't show up for some press. Anyway, here's a video from the original Broadway cast performing "You Can't Stop The Beat" on the Today Show.


Also, here's a video montage from the 2006 touring cast, featuring Brooklyn Pulver as Tracy Turnblad. Brooklyn is a good friend of mine, and was BORN to play this part! Go Brookey!!!


Yesterday, Live with Regis & Kelly (but without Regis…where is he?) kicked of it's Broadway week. Their first show featured was Spring Awakening. John Gallagher Jr (nominated Best Featured Actor) and Lauren Pritchard performed "Don't Do Sadness/Blue Wind", which is the final number in Act One. So, in the context of the show it is a much more powerful piece. But not everyone can come see it, so this will have to suffice!


Is it just me, or did they really shaft JGJ? I mean, he's nominated for a freaking TONY and all you want to talk about is how Lauren Pritchard used to be a go-go dancer? Um… wow. Lauren Pritchard was not that great in the show. In fact, she was quite possibly my least favorite thing about it. Given, girl can sing! But can girl act? No so much...

You know, my friend Anthony Rapp once described Oprah as being a "Star-fucker" because she would only give attention to the bigger names when interviewing ensembles. I think Kelly Rippa qualifies as well. How dare you ignore a Tony Nom, Rippa!


Last Friday, the new American Idol Jordin Sparks paid a visit to former Idol Fantasia backstage at The Color Purple after seeing the show. She was here doing a bunch of publicity stuff, having performed that morning on the Today Show in addition to a bunch of other things. She brought her new best friend and Idol upset 2nd Runner Up, Melinda Doolittle.

Now, it was really hot and humid here last friday. But these girls have stylists on hand all the time and should really not look so SHINY! And I'm proud of Fantastia. She's getting rave reviews and has breathed new life into Oprah's baby while on it's deathbed. But she doesn't look so good. I have nothing against bigger girls (I love Jordin, and J-Hud!) but she is really letting herself go. What's up, Fantasia?! Get. It. TOGETHER!

The Grey's Anatomy Season finale left us sort of in the dark as to who was going to be leaving the show. The writers left the final episode in a manner that could easily read up to the "write-off" of any number of characters. But for those who worry (like me...) worry no more!

"I think everyone’s coming back," Justin Chambers who plays Alex on the show told Access Hollywood at an event this past weekend. "It’s all good." (Source)

James Pickens, who plays Chief Webber on the show, also went on record saying that they wrote the finale that way so that people would continue to watch the show next season. After all, not many shows really survive a sloppy third season, and this season of Grey's was just that. It will be nice to clean up some plot lines with Addison getting her own show (Private Practice). And as far as all the other loose ends? Well, I will be watching next fall with the rest of the fans to find out…

And SPEAKING of Grey's stars… a big congrats goes out to Kathryn Heigl for her new film "Knocked Up"!

Last night I went and saw the movie, and it is really fantastic. I was worried going in that I wasn't going to be able to see her as a new character. But she really did a fantastic job.
The whole film is great. Seth Rogen is hilarious as the guy who gets lucky. Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann were perfect as the disharmonious sister and brother-in-law to Kathryn's character. We also get to spend two minutes watching Ryan Seacrest shamelessly mock himself. I'm sure the scene will be popping up on youtube soon. SO FUNNY.

The film has both smart and crass humor, and some good shocker moments (like showing the babies head trying to come out of her va-jay-jay… YIKES!) but it also doesn't forget that it's a romantic comedy, and has all the heart of a good Drew Barrymore flick! I loved it, and would highly recommend it to anyone.

Tonight was supposed to be the first preview of Public Theater's "Romeo & Juliet", kicking off their 2007 Shakespeare In The Park series. Because of the nasty weather we're having, the show has been postponed, and will be opening tomorrow instead. The show is starring the gorgeous Lauren Ambrose, whom we all know from her days as the pseudo-crazy little sister from Six Feet Under. I can't wait to see the production. Can you even think of a more perfect Juliet? I sure can't… The production is also starring Camryn Manheim as The Nurse. It's not a huge part, but it will be fun to see her live regardless…

Tonight I am going to Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Center right after work. The cast of 110 In The Shade will be performing a 30-minute set, and signing autographs and what not. I've got my playbill in my bag, and can't wait to meet Audra! I really couldn't care less about the rest of the cast. Not that they're not great. I'm sure they are. But it's like trying to get excited about seeing Kirsten Davis when Sarah Jessica Parker is standing right there!

After B&N, I don't really have anything on my schedule. I'll probably go watch "So You Think You Can Dance" and turn in for the night to be honest. Or if Matt's home I may see if he wants to go grab a drink at Suite. I guess I'll just be playing it by ear!

Have a good night!

Tidbits! (06/04/07)

Well, Happy Monday everyone!

What an exciting week - It's time for the Tony's on Sunday! I was messaging with a friend back in Utah over the weekend who I usually watch the awards with. She asked my opinions about who would/should win, but I was so overwhelmed with that topic, that I had to not message back. So this week I will be putting together a breakdown of the nominations, performers, and New York Buzz surrounding the ceremony that will take place this Sunday at Radio City. So keep your eyes peeled! It's coming!

Leslie Kritzer, who is currently in Legally Blonde as one of Elle Woods's best friends, was announced as the soon-to-be star of next season's A Catered Affair opposite Faith Prince and Harvey Fierstein. She will play the Bride in the production that follows a 1950's wedding. Prince will star as her mother, and Fierstein (who also wrote the show) will play her uncle. (Source)

How exciting for Leslie! A lot of people were saying that she was tragically under-utilized in Blonde. I thought she definitely stood out, but apparently she's got a lot more to give. I can't wait to see what it is!

Three generations of Tracy's were in LA just before Memorial Day to add a bonus track to the upcoming film soundtrack of "Hairspray". The track features Ricki Lake (Tracy from the original film version), Marissa Jaret-Winokur (the Tony-Winning Star of the original Broadway production) and Nikki Blonski (who is the most recent Tracy starring in the upcoming film!).

Props to Marissa - She looks fantastic! Tanned and much thinner than normal... Is it just me or do all three of these girls look pretty similar? Who knew that Tracy had a "look"? I mean, other than chunky… (Source)

Last week, after "the big one" between her and Hasselback, Rosie left the view early. She has since announced that she will be publishing her memoirs detailing her year on the estrogen-packed day-time talk-show-turned-melodrama.

From what I understand, this book has been in the works for quite sometime, but Rosie kept insisting that it wasn't ready for publishing yet. I guess this year's time in the spotlight has changed her mind. Does this mean she thinks she's hit her peak? I doubt it. Nor do I blame her. It's not often that loud-mouthed failed daytime talk show hosts can revive a career. I'd stretch and ride it out as long as possible too!

Last week my BFF Marcine notified me of an Off-Broadway play that just came over from Utah. The show is "Facing East". It takes place at the grave site of a young gay Mormon boy who has commit suicide, and is about his parents and lover finally meeting and coming to terms with the tragedy (in a not-so-eloquent nutshell…)

Director Jerry Rapier and Playwright Carol Lynn Pearson interviewed with Broadway Bullet about the show. Here are a few of the Q&A's, to give you some better insight into the production"

BROADWAY WORLD: "The Mormons are more confused about [homosexuality], like, "Why are you…why is this an issue?"
PEARSON: "I can hardly think of any conflict greater than the truly believing Latter Day Saint Homosexual, especially man, on whom the pressure is so great, and who has tried everything: fasting, prayer, reparative therapy, all of the things that he has been promised would be what would heal him, and then to find that that doesn't happen. He's in a place of anguish that I can hardly begin to fathom. And, for many, the despair is so huge that the only way out they can see is to destroy themselves."

Graveside clip from "Facing East":

I can't wait to see this show! I'm going to try to get in touch with an old friend who is here in the city to go with me. He also comes from a Mormon background, so much that he even served a mission. So I'm very excited. Plus, this is the first time that an original Utah production has been given an Off-Broadway run. So I am very excited too to go see my fellow Utahns perform!

Last night, CNN held a Democratic Presidential candidate debate. Sen. Clinton is still sitting at the top of all the poles, and for good reason! With each debate, she continues to come across as the most well put-together person on the ballot. I'm also glad to see that she is loosening up a bit. From her campaign song video (see last week's blog...) to this jab at Vice President Cheney, Hils is showing more humor, making her the most overall appealing candidate. GO HILS!

The weekend was pretty nice. Friday night, Katie and I never made it to the movies. I met her and Joanne at Library Hotel, at their rooftop bar Bookmarks. One drink later we were off to meet friends at Maya on the Upper East Side. Two or three drinks later… We were off to Arriba Arriba for Papa Margaritas and Burritos. Then David came and met up with us, and we went to another bar, whose name I can't even think of, until the night was done. I was so exhausted. I think Katie and David stayed out, but (in my old age) I just couldn't hang. I think it was about 2:00 am when I got home. Not super-late but boy was I wiped!

Saturday morning I went out to CT. Babysat, hung out, etc. Nothing too exciting. Yesterday was the same. The weather is kinda gross here, so there was no boat time as we had anticipated. Oh well, next time! I don't know that I'll be going out there this weekend, but the next weekend is Father's Day, for which I'm sure I'll be making a trip out!

Tonight are the Fashion Awards at Bryant Square. I may try and make it down to do a little Star-Spotting. Of course, if it's still pouring, I will not be doing that. I'll probably just go to the market and then head home.

My life is thrilling, eh?

Have a nice day!

Tidbits! (06/01/07)

Well, I really got nothin'. There is nothing new coming up on Broadway. Nothing of all that much interest to me has happened in the news or gossip world.

Now, don't mistake that to mean that nothing has happened. Plenty has happened I'm sure. More GI's are died. Employment went up. Lindsey Lohan didn't stay in rehab. And Branjolina bought another baby.

Ok, that last one isn't true. And, if it were, I would find it interesting and thus would be actually writing about it!

So instead of the usual little TidBits, I'm going to be leaving a few videos. "So You Think You Can Dance" began this week, and it's made me really reminiscent of past performances that got me so into the show! So here are some highlights from seasons past... Enjoy!

Clip One:

Season 1- Blake McGrath's Audition (he was my favorite dancer...)



Clip Two:

Season 1- Blake and Ashlee Lyrical



Clip Three:

Season 1- Nick Solo (Season 1 Winner - WAY better than Benji...)



Clip Four:

Season 2- Travis and Heidi Contemporary



Clip Five:

Season 2- Group Number by Wade Robison "Rama Lama"



Clip Six:

Season 2- Travis Solo



Last night Katie, Matt (my roomie) and myself went to see "Love's Labour's Lost" in Central Park. It was a really neat non-profit production (ie: it was free!) We followed the actors through the duck pond in CP for about two hours watching the show. It wasn't the best theater I've ever seen, but it was definitely unique in that there was no stage, lighting, or sound. For what it was, it was a ton of fun! Afterwards Matt had to locate his BF (Andrew) so Katie and I walked to 99th and Broadway to eat at Regional Italiano. I had walked by many times in my wanderings, so I was really excited to try it. I ordered the Sausage & Parmesan in Veal Roll-Ups served over sauteed broccoli rabe and onions - It was ORGASMIC. Seriously the best food I've found in my neighborhood. We also had a pitcher of their surprisingly potent Sangria. GOOD TIMES.

So this weekend is Mandy and Doug's 5th Wedding Anniversary. Tomorrow morning I will be heading back out to CT to watch my nephew so they can celebrate. Before heading out, tonight Katie and I are going to catch a movie, drinks, etc... We actually don't have anything planned out definitely except "See you at 8!" Maybe I can convince her into going and gaying it out a bit...

Have a good, SAFE weekend!

Tidbits! (05/31/07)

Former American Idol Carrie Underwood has apparently been put on the sidelines by boyfriend/NFL star (Cowboys QB) Tony Romo (yum).

"Carrie thought that they were moving closer to a more committed relationship," a source told the [National Enquirer]. (Source)

Poor Carrie! She is by far my favorite person to come out of Idol, so I'm really kinda bummed to hear this. She's had such a great year, and this totally sucks for her. And I'm sorry, but I don't know what is wrong with Romo. Your girlfriend has won more awards than any other female musician this year, is more popular than Jesus, and much hotter than…well, anyone!

A word to Tony… Mr. Romo, you better be careful with this one. Do NOT irk her or treat her badly. I mean, did you not SEE this video?!

In other Idol related tidbits, last night Tamyra Gray made her RENT debut as Broadway's favorite heroin addict, Mimi Marquez. It's a new look for "Mimi", who is usually played by someone a bit more Latina with a bit longer hair. I'm sure she rocks at it though. And I'm guessing that her contract is long enough that she'll still be doing the part when Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal rejoin the production this summer! View pics of Tamyra here...

Also last night, First Lady Laura Bush attended GREY GARDENS with her daughter. I'm guessing she didn't like it very much. There is a line in the show that pokes fun at Republicans:

"They can get you in East Hampton for wearing red shoes on a Thursday. They can get you for almost anything. It’s a mean, nasty Republican town."

Apparently Lady Bush wasn't amused. After the show she reportedly bolted from the theater. It's very unusual for high-profile people to attend as VIP's and then not stick around for photo opps, especially when the show and it's stars are all Tony-nominated… Stupid Republicans...

York Theatre Company is going to be putting on "It's a Bird… It's a Plane… It's Superman!" The show recently ran to surprisingly good reviews in LA at the UCLA Freud Playhouse. That production starred Cheyenne Jackson (mm hmmm! at left) and Shoshana Bean, both of whom will be appearing in the NYC transplant. I did a little searching, and here's a video from the TV version show from way back in 1975.

Yah-Ikes! Is it absurdly awful, or painfully wonderful?! Regardless, I'm definitely putting it on my agenda to catch while it is here. I actually volunteered with York. I haven't heard back yet, but I'm hoping that they let me usher the show. I'd love to see what kind of people pay to see this production. I mean besides me…

I think that if Shoshana weren't in it I wouldn't be so enthused. My best friend Brian (who has taken my lead and is now blogging here) introduced me to her back in Utah with a video of her singing in "Wicked". This video has a vocal on it from her singing "No Good Deed". There isn't video, just pictures; but watch it anyway and listen to her.

AMAZINGLY emotional. Apparently, her boyfriend had died in a car accident not long before this, and you can hear her on the verge of breaking down in a few parts. It makes it so raw...

I had a good night last night. Scottie's flight was delayed, so I was able to go hang out before he had to catch the PATH to NJ. He and his partner, Jerome, had a great time. I'm really hoping they move out here! It would be so nice having both of them around.

After I said goodbye, I went home and ordered some sushi, watched "So You Think You Can Dance" and my new favorite show, "Traveler".

If you aren't watching it yet, I would highly suggest giong to ABC.com and catching up on it! It's got some seriously hot boys (from Left: Off-Broadway star and 2004 Drama Desk Winner Logan Marshall-Green; X-Men star Aaron Stanford; and theater and soap star Matthew Bomer, who in 1998 starred in "Romeo & Juliet" and "Joseph…" at the Utah Shakespearean Festival, where I went to college!) In addition to a yummy cast, it's got the kind of on-the-edge-of-your-seat pace that reminisces the first and fifth seasons of "24". Very good and highly recommended TV!

Tonight, Katie and I are going to see a production of "Loves Labour's Lost". It is being done in Central Park. I guess there is no stage for the production, and you follow the performers as they go through the show. It should be a very cool experience!

Tidbits! (05/30/07)

Hillary Clinton has been running a campaign song competition. A week or so ago, I received an email from Hils saying that I could vote, and naturally I was all about it! Of course, now I can't remember what i had voted for... Anyway, Hils and her peeps are apparently getting a TON of response to the vote. She posted this video on YouTube...



It's good to see a lighter side of her! She can get so stiff sometimes in debates and what not. And who knew that she had a sense of humor? GO HILS! (Vote for your favorite campaign song here!)

There has been some controversy this year about who and what will get to perform at the Tony Awards. It is tradition that performance time is given to the top nominated musicals in both the New and Revival categories. There was early talk that in addition to those shows, other big well-publicized productions were going to get the chance to be featured as well, like Legally Blonde and The Pirate Queen. I can understand that the producers would want to feature those shows to draw a larger audience to the broadcast, but I definitely side with the theater community on this one. If your show is crap (Pirate Queen, you listenin'?!) then you have no right to perform in a ceremony that honors outstanding achievement. The only outstanding thing about The Pirate Queen is that it is still open. And it would've been fun to see Laura Bell Bundy perform because she is nominated for Best Actress. But then, wouldn't you have to let Donna Murphy perform too? NO THANKS. I'm looking forward to an award show without her…

The big surprise, and the apparent compromise, is that Fantasia will be doing a special performance. She has been getting RAVE reviews for her Broadway debut in "The Color Purple". I guess since "Purple" isn't nominated for anything, and neither is Fantasia, that it's ok. It doesn't really build up any precedents. But can I make a request? If a big star like Fantasia can perform for a role she has taken over, can we get Lea Solonga to come sing "I Dreamed a Dream"?

"The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" is bringing on SNL's Darrell Hammond in the role of the Vice Principal. The show hasn't been doing so well, so I think that the producers are hoping to boost sales. All I have to say is…why could they not pick someone more entertaining? I like SNL, but it's comedians like Hammond that are making the show less and less popular. I just don't think he's funny at all. Alternative Casting? How about Seth Meyers, Luke Wilson, or Jeremy Piven? They're funny, and carry much more appeal and, if you ask me, MUCH more clout.

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Last week, Broadway actor and Film Star Partick Wilson showed up at the Broadway Show League on team Pirate Queen. Although he's not currently performing on Broadway, I'm sure everyone was thrilled to have him there. Especially the Irish-dancing homos from Priate Queen. He would make it so hard to keep my eye on the ball…

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Jane Krakowski, Abigail Breslin, Stanley Tucci, and Chris O'Donnell are all set to star in the film "American Girl", which is the first of an apparent series based on the American Doll Collections. Breslin will play the lead, a young girl who helps her mother run an orphanage or something during the Great Depression after her father (played by O'Donnell) finds himself out of work.

Now, this isn't the kind of show that I'll be running to see. I am just excited about the cast is all. I LOVE me some Chris O'Donnell. When I was 14 I printed a picture of him off the internet and put it in my journal, saying that he had beautiful eyes or something. Yeah, I was that gay back then… And Tucci has that whole hot-older-guy thing goin' on. Love him! (Source)

Newly crowned American Idol Jordin Sparks is getting some negative press. Our God-fearing young diva is being called out on an apparent lie. During the show, she was asked if she had ever had any formal training. She said that she hadn't, but apparently that wasn't completely true…

"Jordin was just 14 years old when she studied with me in 2004," vocal coach Melissa Black told Star magazine. "Her mom, Jodi Sparks, and her grandmother, Pam Wiedmann — who acts as her manager — found me on the Internet. We were together for nine months of intense vocal work, with Jordin taking one 30-minute class a week at $25 per class … I knew she wouldn’t take long to perfect her craft because she was so good." (Source)

It's amazing how quickly the little people start coming out of the woodwork...

I'm sorry, but as a singer, 30 minutes a week doesn't do jack! Good lord, it's barely enough time for a proper warm up! I don't think this can qualify as "formal training".

I've worked with vocal coaches before in similar situations, and I don't consider myself as someone with formal training either. So if I ever get a break into music, I would like to right now take the opportunity to thank Jana Lee Hess for our once-per-week 30-minute sessions back when I was 15 for those wonderful 3 months. You taught me what a diaphram is, and for that I am grateful. But only informally so…

So last night I totally fell asleep at like 9:30pm and didn't wake up until about 3:00 this morning. I'm a bad friend - I was supposed to meet up with Scottie for his last night in town after he saw "Inherit The Wind". I'm totally bummed that I've missed him. Hopefully I can maybe see him today before he leaves…

Other than that, I've got no plans. I want to watch "So You Think You Can Dance", but then I may call it an early night again. I gotta admit… 8+ hours of sleep feels pretty damn good!