So rehearsals started on Monday, and yesterday was my birthday, I'm 25. Guess what I got for my bday? An upper respiratory infection!! Yay!!! It's been interesting....
Monday night went really well, the ensemble sounds great. Its nice to finally hear this material live after listening to a recording for weeks and weeks.
Tuesday night after rehearsal I started feeling sick, and then by Wednesday I was all messed up. On my birthday, I ended up at the doctor, then to rehearsal where I managed to get out a few notes, then I was off the to the Whitfield School Thespian Banquet. I choreographed Beauty and the Beast for Whitfield last month and was invited to speak at their annual banquet. It was actually really cool to be there because I was never part of any of that when I was in high school. It was great to see all the kids again, and I think they're all planning on coming to see the show.
Today I do feel better, but I have no voice. I sound like a squeaky toy, it's kind of funny. I'm not trying to whine about it, I just think its funny that I've been so concerned about taking care of my voice for the show and trying to drop some bad habits, and then I get this infection. But hey, better to deal with it now than the week of the show, right?
A few general thoughts that have been bouncing around in my head lately:
Before I got a recording of the show, I would go on Youtube to try to listen to the songs to get an idea of what the material was like. I don't know why, but I always read the comments for Youtube videos. Does anyone else do that? Sometimes people get into really intense arguments about the video and they're pretty comical. I always think "why are you so upset, its just a Youtube video..."
I found something very interesting as I was searching through Evita clips. Someone always ends up making a comment about Patti Lupone, and it's generally comparing whoever is in the video to Patti. It's always something like "well, this person did an ok job, but it's not just not Patti." Well no shit it's not Patti. The video description even said "Me playing Evita at a local theater company in 2006" Read the description! If you only want to hear Patti Lupone sing Evita, then buy a recording with her on it and shut up about it already! I don't know why that bothers me so much, but it does. Yes, I agree, Patti Lupone is amazing, but why are people always comparing women who play Evita to her? Obviously there is only one Patti Lupone. I don't want to be compared to her because I'm not her. Its not just Evita, though. I see that all over. People always compare singers to whoever originated the role and I just don't understand it. It's as if the original person's interpretation is the only way to perform the role. With that logic, why even perform the show anymore once the original cast quits?
What I also find interesting is that the first recording of Evita actually came out in '76 and it was a concept album. It was made before the show was even staged. Evita was played by Julie Covington, and I happen to think she was awesome. On top of that, Evita opened in London a full year before Patti did it on Broadway with Elaine Paige as Eva. I'm just saying...
I suppose I've rambled long enough. I had some thoughts to share about the role of Eva, but I'll save that for next time.
Taylor
Friday, May 28, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Shall we get started?
Hi all! So, this is my first time doing the blog thing...so I guess, let's do this...
I say that pretty much anytime I have that nervous excitement, where I'm a little unsure but I know I've prepared so there is nothing left to do but just, do it...I typically say that right before a tap performance. I know I've prepared enough and I know all the steps, but for some reason I'm still a bit nervous and anxious. Instead of break a leg or good luck, my feeling is just sort of, just get out there and do it. That is how I feel right now about this show. I'm excited, but nervous and a bit unsure. I'm sure all performers feel that way in the beginning of a new process. I know that by the time we open, I will have done all the necessary preparation and work, so there won't be anything left to do but just get out there and do it.
I work with / for Robin Berger, New Line's resident choreographer. She and I have been tapping together for years, and I'm excited to work with her in this setting. She introduced me to New Line when I was 17. She convinced me to audition for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas back in 2003, and it was a blast. My next New Line show wasn't until last October when I did Love Kills. I didn't blog for that show, but I wish I had. It was an intense experience, but it made me realize that this is where I want to be.
To be honest, I've never been a huge Lloyd Weber fan. I knew of Evita, I'd seen bits of the Madonna version, but never on the stage. In fact, I wasn't super crazy about it the first time I heard it years ago. But after listening to the '76 concept album, I liked what I heard much better. I'm excited to be working with such a talented cast on such a great show, and I'm also excited about the concept. From my understanding, we are doing a more scaled down, more edgy, rock and roll Evita, which I think suits me. It probably won't please everyone, but no show ever does. Rehearsals start on the 24th, so I have a few more days to try to get ahead on some of this material.
As for a few tidbits about me: I work at Leaping Lizards Performing Arts Studio with Robin as a dance and acting instructor, and I also teach private piano lessons. I just finished college (finally, after changing schools and my mind several times) and I'm glad to have some much needed free time during the day. During these free hours, I plan to get my act together and go to the gym. Yes, the gym. Most people hate it, but I actually like it. After Monday and yesterday, I feel like I've been hit by a truck. But that's okay, I'm going to go again today anyway.
Random subject change: I tend to think of my life as a sitcom. If something completely ridiculous is going to happen to someone, it will happen to me. I guess that's why I share my thoughts and experiences with my friends. Sometimes they are just so bizarre that they just have to be shared. I'll probably be sharing many of those thoughts and experiences here. Well, off to the gym!
Taylor
I say that pretty much anytime I have that nervous excitement, where I'm a little unsure but I know I've prepared so there is nothing left to do but just, do it...I typically say that right before a tap performance. I know I've prepared enough and I know all the steps, but for some reason I'm still a bit nervous and anxious. Instead of break a leg or good luck, my feeling is just sort of, just get out there and do it. That is how I feel right now about this show. I'm excited, but nervous and a bit unsure. I'm sure all performers feel that way in the beginning of a new process. I know that by the time we open, I will have done all the necessary preparation and work, so there won't be anything left to do but just get out there and do it.
I work with / for Robin Berger, New Line's resident choreographer. She and I have been tapping together for years, and I'm excited to work with her in this setting. She introduced me to New Line when I was 17. She convinced me to audition for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas back in 2003, and it was a blast. My next New Line show wasn't until last October when I did Love Kills. I didn't blog for that show, but I wish I had. It was an intense experience, but it made me realize that this is where I want to be.
To be honest, I've never been a huge Lloyd Weber fan. I knew of Evita, I'd seen bits of the Madonna version, but never on the stage. In fact, I wasn't super crazy about it the first time I heard it years ago. But after listening to the '76 concept album, I liked what I heard much better. I'm excited to be working with such a talented cast on such a great show, and I'm also excited about the concept. From my understanding, we are doing a more scaled down, more edgy, rock and roll Evita, which I think suits me. It probably won't please everyone, but no show ever does. Rehearsals start on the 24th, so I have a few more days to try to get ahead on some of this material.
As for a few tidbits about me: I work at Leaping Lizards Performing Arts Studio with Robin as a dance and acting instructor, and I also teach private piano lessons. I just finished college (finally, after changing schools and my mind several times) and I'm glad to have some much needed free time during the day. During these free hours, I plan to get my act together and go to the gym. Yes, the gym. Most people hate it, but I actually like it. After Monday and yesterday, I feel like I've been hit by a truck. But that's okay, I'm going to go again today anyway.
Random subject change: I tend to think of my life as a sitcom. If something completely ridiculous is going to happen to someone, it will happen to me. I guess that's why I share my thoughts and experiences with my friends. Sometimes they are just so bizarre that they just have to be shared. I'll probably be sharing many of those thoughts and experiences here. Well, off to the gym!
Taylor
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