Friday, April 30, 2010

Some of you are probably wondering what the hell is up with The Wedding Singer. Tech week starts tonight and I’ve only just mentioned it in passing a couple of times here in the last three months. To be honest, I’ve been so overwhelmed with rehearsals, research and prep, that any time I have away from Wedding Singer is cherished, mullet-free me time. What were we smoking back in High School (Class of '88, hollah!)? I mean, really, no one looks good in a mullet.

It’s not that I don’t enjoy the process or the cast. In fact, we have a kick ass group of leads and an ensemble with (gasp) actual male dancers! Unfortunately, that means I need to have actual choreography prepared for them to execute.

I am the first to admit that I have quite a large artistic ego. So I challenged myself not to copy any of the Broadway dances. Unfortunately, many of the iconic moments are fully ingrained into my psyche from having seen the show twice (maybe three times? - can’t remember) and watching the numerous youtube clips of regional productions all copying the Broadway choreography. I’m content, though not totally happy to admit that I’ve come up with about 90% original work. I mean, it’s an 80’s show so you basically have to resign yourself to using the running man somewhere, right?

Did I also mention that I’m the co-director, set designer, set painter, part-time rehearsal pianist and second keyboard player in the pit band? I know, talk about control freak, right? Oh well, at least I can admit it.

But back to the original point - what’s been going on at rehearsals for the last three months? Well, there is plenty of gossip (who’s gay, who’s not gay, who used to be gay), artistic rifts between staff and cast and an inevitable show-mance or two. But hey, just change the names, show and theatre and you pretty much get the backstage drama at any theatre group in the country (and probably the world). Dear God, am I actually having an existential moment here? What is the meaning of it all? Oh, sweet Nietzsche, I need a drink before our forty hour rehearsal tonight.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Food, glorious food!

I know. It’s nearly May and I’ve not written a single entry for the month of April. What can I say? This old b*tch has been busy shopping for a Hoveround (I’m obsessed with the commercial - from the Esther Williams-esque chairography to company president, Tom Kruze (!). And that theme song - “Go, go, go in your Hoveround” - perfection)!


Yes, I know it’s hard to believe given my incredibly youthful good looks, but your dashing blog hostess turned the big Four-Oh this month. The celebration was uncharacteristically un-theatrical except for the fact that Trish and I celebrated with two of my closest friends, Chris and Jaygee, who happen to be actors (see adorable pics below). It was actually a perfect evening for me since I no longer have the patience or energy to hike it down to Chelsea to ogle the buff eye candy at Splash - just me and a couple of friends hanging out at Studio Square, the “new” beer garden, in LIC. PS, although Studio Square is sleek and modern, the old Beer Garden in Astoria is still my sentimental favorite - boasting more character, better food and none of the young douche-ie types that seem to congregate at the LIC establishment. Not that I’m a size queen, but the Beer Garden’s also got bigger, thicker, juicier brats. In your face, Studio Square.

Speaking of food, how can I not mention the Pineda family’s most recent all-you-can-eat Easter food orgy at the Stone House. Mom and dad were up from Richmond and though technically not immediate family, black Billy and a non-Pineda relative, Merce (a newly arrived San Franciscan joining us just a week after moving to NYC!), joined the festivities. Anyone who can match a Pineda plate-for-plate and cocktail-for-cocktail, I consider family. With a few champagne sangria’s in us, the lips loosened up and we started commenting on a Filipino family sitting at the table next to us. As if on cue, the patriarch at that table got up, approached my dad and asked him if he was from Concepcion (my dad’s hometown in the Philippines). That wouldn’t strike most as unusual, except for the fact that my dad hasn’t been to the Philippines in decades and we were at a random lunch buffet in the middle of Jersey - small world indeed. As for the food, well, what it lacked in culinary excellence it made up for in volume. I mean, how can you complain staring down at a plate of breakfast sausage, spicy tuna sushi, lamb and paella?

To keep on topic, can I just mention my latest NJ food obsession - a cheese steak sandwich with potatoes. It’s thoroughly disgusting, dripping with grease and cheese (or some tasty bright yellow facsimile) and topped with… wait for it… french fries! Why have I not known about this heavenly creation until just recently? The first time Trish and I tried ordering this strange, but glorious creation, we asked for the cheese steak “with the french fries on it.” Our request was met with silence, then confusion and then finally “We don’t have fries... Oh, you mean the cheese steak with potatoes.” Um, duh. I mean, I can understand someone correcting us so that we could order more accurately in the future, but potatoes versus fries? Is there really that big a leap in logic? New Jersey mystery #1 - A restaurant that doesn’t serve french fries as a side dish, yet puts french fries on their sandwiches. Eerie…

JG & me (notice fancy pin from Chris)

Trish hiding, Chris wasted as usual

Blowing out the candles

Friday, April 23, 2010

Ovo

That psychedelic blue and yellow swirl’s confusing the crack whores on Randall’s Island again. You know what that means (photo courtesy of NY Times). Cirque du Soleil is back in town. This year it’s all about insects. Is it me, or do their recent show titles all sound a little naughty? First Kooza and now Ovo (cue Beavis and Butthead laugh). Anyway, after battling a terrible cold and having to miss my first Wedding Singer rehearsal - and for the record, that’s one miss in three months, bitches! - I was well enough to make the trek to Randall’s with Trish.

Thanks to Goldstar, we had some crazy-ass seats six rows back and just off to the side of the stage. Overall, this year’s show was much more enjoyable and more cohesive than last year’s Kooza (giggle, giggle). The stronger, yet oft told storyline - ladybug meets boy bug, boy bug loses ladybug, ladybug and boy bug reunite and make sweet entomological love on a big green table (don’t ask) - is just universal enough to string along all the freakish acrobatics without employing one bit of dialogue.

Trish’s personal fave was the giant afro-ladybug played by Michelle Matlock. She gave just enough head bobbing, lip pursing, index finger waving attitude to put any ghetto princess to shame. After some google time, I discovered she’s an American actress who sent her pic and resume to Cirque and was granted a general audition. Three years later, they called her up and asked her to create the role of the ladybug. Crazy, no? Anyway, she also created and performed her own show here in NYC called the Mammy Project, which explores the “Mammy” stereotype in American culture - sounds disturbing and hilarious.

The costumes and stage setting for the show were intense. I need to get me one of those grasshopper costumes! As for the acts, the kiwi-juggling ants and rope swinging spider (?) couple were my personal faves. Honorable mention goes to the woman a few rows in front of us who was wasted (they sell beer and wine at the concession stand) and screaming, blowing kisses and acting like a slutty fourteen year old at a Jonas Brothers concert during the curtain call. She truly gave one of the best performances of the evening.
Oh, and to all you iPhone, crackberry and droid users - if you don't want people up in your business, learn to text more discretely. I don't need to know you're having a heavy flow day. And I'm talking to you, young "lady" in section 103, gleefully texting everyone in your address book about cleaning up after your "friend's" monthly visit.

"I'd rather be nine people's favorite thing thana hundred people's ninth favorite thing."

Jeff Bowen, Lyrics "[Title of Show]"