Saturday, April 16, 2011

Final Dress Rehearsal: "Seance On a Wet Afternoon"

Backstage in my costume as Rita Clayton
Today was an absolutely breath-taking performance on all counts from every single member of our cast. I just want to stand on top of the tallest building and shout, "EVERYONE must take a few hours of their lives and come see this MASTERPIECE!" Stephen Schwartz has just outdone himself with artful tunes that can be whistled as you walk away, wonderful segues from section to section incorporating drama and comedic timing seamlessly. His music is informed and rich in texture. There is meaning behind each theme. I have begun to connect some thematic material and the revelation of his story-telling threads is exhilarating. The small invited audience really seemed to pick up on these same feelings. We could all tell that they were "with" us every step of the way. Lauren Flanigan is completely committed and captivating, Kim Josephson plays Lauren's torn husband with aching intensity. The children in the show are just spectacular actors and singers. Here's the beginning of a long but exciting run!

"Seance On a Wet Afternoon" Interview

Check out my "20 Questions" mini interview with New York City Opera.

Monday, April 4, 2011

Hello, New York!


New York City Opera's David H. Koch Theatre

With director, Scott Schwartz and our show poster
I arrived in New York City on March 28th and have just today taken my first real breath while walking through Central Park. On the way out of a long rehearsal, I decided to take a whimsical right turn down 65th from Lincoln Center and proceeded to walk along the winding passages to the Mall. I don't care what time of year it is or what the weather forecast says, this park is magic and a much needed reprieve after a long week of rehearsals.

Our first sing-through of the opera, Seance on a Wet Afternoon by Stephen Schwartz (composer of Wicked, Pippin and Godspell) took place the morning after I arrived in New York. All husky, dry and jet-lagged, I approached the morning with my fingers crossed.

Our tenor, Todd Wilander, and I sang through our duet having met just 7 minutes previous.  We connected immediately and it sounded as if we'd been singing together for weeks. Mr. Schwartz pumped his fist into the air after our triumph and I knew that all was well.

We have a remarkable cast for a remarkable piece of theatre and music. It is really as if every perfect fit that could happen did happen. Our director, Scott Schwartz, is intent on ultimate realism and that's just what we're striving to create...breath-taking reality.

What a gift to be involved in this project. As I take a moment, under William Shakespeare's statue in the park,  and reflect on my whirlwind week in New York City I wonder who I should thank? How long would that list be?! And, could I ever truly show my full gratitude to every person and for every step that got me here?