Join Us… ♫♪We’ve Got Magic To Do! ♫♬

I am not sure what it is about Sunnyvale Community Players, but for each of the shows I’ve done there have been super important, maybe even life altering events.

Little Mary Sunshine

The first show I had ever done with the Sunnyvale Players was this campy little show called “Little Mary Sunshine.” It was directed by Ben Canter and it was kind of a free for all. At least that’s how it seemed to me. It was fun and funny, but the cast was madness. The significant thing for that show was that’s where I met my munster! Looking back to those 17 years ago and being in the parking lot of Braley Park after rehearsal with the whole cast leaving just the two of us to meet them at Jakes was so shady, but I am forever thankful that it happened.

jesus-christ-superstar

The second show I was lucky enough to take part in was one of my three favorite shows of all time. Jesus Christ Superstar. Not being a religious person, it was mostly the story and music that made me love this show. It was also the very first musical that I was exposed to once I was old enough to understand what a musical was. My best friend at the time had showed it to me one night during a sleepover and I became obsessed with it. We would sing the songs when we hung out so it only seemed right to dedicate my performance as Judas to her. That is for sure, my absolute favorite role to perform.

And now we come to 2013.

Bob Fosse has been a source of inspiration for me for over the past two decades.

My friend, Rachel, used to say, with a roll of the eyes, “he’s only the best choreographer in this life and the next.”

As a man, yeah, he left a little to be desired. He abused drugs and was a womanizer. As a creator, he, I believe, was amazing. He took everything that was a weakness, like his bowed legs and pigeon toes, and created a style! The shows that he’s created have amazing characters that I would one day LOVE to play.

And now I have the chance!

My third show with Sunnyvale is going to be PIPPIN!! Part 2 of my trio of favorites!!!

Bet you can’t guess who!!!

Rehearsals start in July and I want it to be here NOW!!!

So excited that I cannot even properly express in words.

SO close!!!

I wanted to get this up at least by 11pm on New Year’s Eve. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find ANYWHERE in the space from Reno to Gardnerville at an hour before midnight that had a wi-fi connection that would load the podcast fast enough to get it up and running before the end of 2010! I was standing outside of a place called Keva trying to piggyback off of their wi-fi as a last resort, but standing outside in 30 degree weather for 20 minutes and only getting to 51 percent complete really got me so mad!! Now that I am home, here it is:

Episode 15

(click to play)

Show notes will be up on Sunday afternoon. I really need to sleep off the last two days! Cheers.

Can’t wait to dance…

I am super stoked for rehearsals to begin for White Christmas. Only 8 more days. In order to get inspired and to ready myself for all the hard work that goes into a show, especially one as big as this, I wanted to see some dancing. Of course I have to start with something Bob Fosse from My Sister Eileen…

And then play you something from what would be a dream role for me! Enjoy…”Glory” from Pippin starring Ben Vereen

This next one is just plain fun!!! “With You” by William Katt (Or as I like to call it, The Garden Dance) also from Pippin.

If you really want to get inspired, check out a few of the clips I added to the Dance page!!! “Hand to Hand” will melt you!!

Woo hoo! Got some details on my RENT callback…

Last Saturday, I had the scary enjoyment of auditioning for one of my favorite shows, RENT.

I am always such a mess when it comes to auditioning. It’s something that I really have to work on. I get so nervous that just thinking about an audition, and what I have to work on that it makes me have to catch my breath and wait a moment while my heart stops pounding away in my chest. I don’t know if I have the right look for any of the major parts, which is always what an actor wants. However for this show, I would be happy to just be part of the cast. It’s with a different company than I usually work with, but the director, Joe Duffy, was incredibly kind which made the audition process easier. I worked with him when he choreographed PIPPIN for Foothill Music Theatre. and he was a blast.

But back to the audition…I walked into the room, and Mr. Duffy was out so I used this time to go over the song with the accompanist who had really scrutinized my resumé. Now that I think about it, he could be the Vocal Director. It was a simple little room that had a raised stage inside. When Mr. Duffy came back it there were only the four of us inside. I love auditions like that. While I love to cheer on my fellow auditionees, I have a hard time auditioning in front of them. Weird, huh? I was really surprised because the stage had two couches, a desk style table, and a few other odds and ends, and Mr. Duffy said “Feel free to use the stage”, but I didn’t feel like it would have suited the song. I wonder if that was a mistake. I sang “Pinball Wizard” from The Who’s TOMMY. I had asked the accompanist/Vocal Director to make a big cut so that I can sing the end of the song that has a key change. After the first half of the first stanza, he made the jump, and I wasn’t expecting it and just continued to sing what my original plan was. Luckily, the he was able to jump back into the song with minimal confusion. I was a wee bit worried because Mr. Duffy stopped the song before I could get there. He didn’t say anything at first while he wrote some notes. He had the Stage Manager give me a couple of songs to memorize and work on this week, so that on Saturday, I would be ready to go for the callback.

Well I got my phone call today and I got my times for my callback roles and what they are expecting of me there, so I have to do some research. My first call back is at 2:15. That’ll give me plenty of time to get there. I forgot to mention to you that I wasn’t too sure where the place was when I first auditioned, so I arrived right at 12:00 which was my audition time, so I didn’t really have too much time to get the shakes. Now, I have three days to get over a panic attack. So I am off to prepare! Wish me luck, and to all of you who have auditions and or performances going on in your careers…Break A Leg!!

Are you preparing for an audition? Are you currently rehearsing a production? Let me know how things are progressing. Email me at Jery@theactorvist.com.