Big Day

Yesterday was all out crazy.

I caught a 6:30 bus to NYC and was signed in to 2 auditions by the time 8:05 rolled around.

All in all, I went on 4 auditions and was on my way home on the 1 PM bus.

Here's how it all went down.

I started at the ArtsPower audition. They were looking for a more legit/non-belty sound. Great. I have that. That's in my wheelhouse. Bring it!

Well, I had the hugest of brain farts and belted. My voice cracked. It was bad. No callback.

So I hauled it to midtown for the Tokyo Disney audition. I went to the room and noticed that it was basically a ghosttown. Where IS everybody?

That's when I spotted Cinderella's doppleganger. She was marking a freshly learned dance routine. There were a few others in the room as well, all dripping with sweat, marking the routine, and donning numbers on their outfit.

The casting call said that there would be a 'movement assessment,' so this was not uncommon. After 30 minutes in a monitorless room and no direction, I left. Why waste my time with what was clearly a hardcore dance call.

That's when I checked my phone. It turned out that there was, literally, an audition across the street for the musical Ghost, based on the movie of the same name. They were seeing non-union actors, so off I went!

Well, I got in and panicked slightly. Why?

Another empty holding room.

Oh no! Don't tell me this is a dance call too!!!

Luckily, it was not. It was merely a very empty audition.

I waited 10 minutes and was seen. It was awesome.

They were looking for a pop singer. That's cool. The problem is that I have no pop songs in my book.

So I made the smartest move I could make- I went for funny.

I ended up singing All The Men In My Life from Evil Dead: The Musical. It's brassy and belty and a whole lot of fun. Casting just looked at me and went, "You're really funny!"

I'll take it.

Then I went to the Equity (union) building to audition for Steel Magnolias. The rumor on the internet was that they were seeing non-union people, so I figured that I had nothing to lose. I also had a monologue ready to go.

I made it up there (after using my headshot as ID because I couldn't find my little wallet in my big, huge bag) only to find that non-union actors were NOT being seen. So I left my headshot and resume with the monitor, thanked her, grabbed a sip of water from the water fountain, and headed back to Port Authority.

I learned a lot about myself yesterday.

My first audition was pretty terrible. My voice cracked. It would have been very easy to pack it in, throw a pity party, and call it a day. Instead, I went to 3 other calls. The last audition I was seen at, Ghost, was for Broadway and I nailed it after running around town all day. I learned that my stubbornness, at least in this case, is an asset and that I am not detered easily.

The whole day, in the grand scheme of things, was a win. So I didn't get a callback because I chose the wrong material and my voice went wonky. So what? I picked myself up and kept going. That's the important part.

Time to regroup today and prepare myself for 3 days of auditions next week...

Demons

A post drafted a month ago:

Things are rockin' and rollin' over here!

Yesterday was very, very productive. I had a voice lesson, applied for a few print jobs, and got a non-Equity audition time slot for NYMF- the NY Musical Theater Festival. All of this, mind you, was done on my phone in the middle of New York City.

The NYMF audition is on Tuesday. Christy helped me pick out and work on an audition piece. We chose All The Men In My Life from the show Evil Dead: The Musical.

You guys, I am SO EXCITED!

In listening back to the recording of my lesson, there's a discernable difference in my voice. I'm sounding more contemporary and more poppy. Singing is fun again. I can't wait to get out there on Tuesday and knock 'em dead!

With all good, unfortunately, comes some bad. I had to let Rae, my first teacher, go after working together on and off for 10 years. It was really hard to do, but in my heart of hearts I know I made the correct decision.

That said, I am finally, FINALLY making peace with my body. It is a huge victory for me. I've been on a very restrictive diet for a few weeks and the changes in my body are unbelievable. I feel better when I eat the right foods. My stomach has all but flattened out and I'm really digging how awesome my legs look. I've been doing cardio like it's going out of style- running, yoga, and dance classes with a possibility of Zumba in there as well. I'm feeling strong, fit, and motivated. While I know that I probably have another 10 lbs to go to be 'Hollywood thin,' feeling good about what's looking back at me in the mirror is enough of a victory for me.

Time to get going on the day. Lots to do today- kiddies from 10:30-4.

Come On, Irene

In the aftermath of the hurricaine, I have decided to venture into NYC to audition and am currently at the Come On My Baby call.

It is a veritable Equity cattle call. I was told, being non-Equity, that I should leave & come back at 4. That, my dears, is an impossibility due to the fact that my voice lesson will be ending at that time and is 30 blocks away.

However, dear readers, not all has been lost today.

There is a FABULOUS website called auditionupdate.com that let's actors communicate about various auditions in real time. It functions a little bit like a message board & we all help each other out with updates. Well, I checked auditionupdate.com & saw that the audition for a new show called Kinky Boots was seeing non-union actors.

I meandered up there, signed in, got changed, did my makeup, and no sooner did my fanny hit the chair I was sitting in than I was called. With no warm-up & no prep besides a quick glance, I sang.

I sang WELL!!

It's a funny song, and casting ended the audition with, "Ooh! You're funny!"

Win!

This next audition, well, I've already explained how that has gone.

I also got rejected by a literary agent.

I am nothing if not productive!

Another 10 minutes & I get to catch a subway uptown!!

Proactive Solution

I haven't written/blogged in a while for a very specific reason.

My auditions were solid. I was singing well. The casting directors laughed at my monologue. Everyone told me I sounded great.

But nobody gave me a callback.

Friends, I've been too embarassed to write about my auditions because I've felt like a failure. It has not been fun & I found myself on the precipice of quitting. More often than not I have felt defeated- even after good auditions that have yielded no callback.

I started taking a closer look at things. Maybe it wasn't my voice or my height that was holding me back. Perhaps I've become bored by singing the same songs day in and day out for 6 years. I'm no longer challenged.

So I did a Google search for voice teachers. I love Rae, I really do, but she's very old school. I can sing Rogers and Hart like nobody's business, but that gets me nowhere when everyone is looking for a pop singer. I need someone to help guide me, revamp my audition book, and help put me back on my feet. I want to be excited again.

My search led me to Christy McIntosh. Christy and I arranged to meet and figure out if we would work well together.

I could not have asked for anyone sweeter. She and I arrived simultaneously at our Starbucks rendez-vous and got to work. She looked through my books- all 3 of them- and helped weed out the overdone material. Most of my book needed to go. I knew that it needed to be updated, but Christy really gave me some insight into what was lacking and what worked. She was honest and kind and took copious notes.

Her forte is pop and contemporary- my musical nemesis. She was able to see my frustration and asked questions about my musical taste and what I was looking for. As our conversation wore on, I felt very comfortable with her. I asked her about a show that never made it to Broadway that contained a song that was about my life. (It was like the lyricist took pages out of my journal) Like me, Christy likes a challenge. I'm sure that between the 2 of us we'll find it.

I am so excited about this new endeavor. It's been so long since there's been a challenge set in front of me that I've really had to work at to overcome. This could very well be the breath of fresh air I'm looking for to revitalize my career choice.

Head, Meet Wall. Repeat.

Lately I've been having a series of really good auditions. They feel solid. I feel great & sing well. I get all dolled up with the hair & makeup & I look good.

There's just one problem with this whole thing: I'm not getting any callbacks. Not a one.

It's frustrating as all get out.

Today, for example, was a typical case of what happens at an audition.

I got in, checked in with the monitor, filled out the form & handed in 2 headshots & resumes. I got changed, put on my heels, did my makeup, & waited. Once I was called, I waited in line (comparable to a firing squad), & went in when it was my turn.

I said hello, introduced myself to the accompanist, went over the music, & took my mark. Then I sang. I smiled, had fun, and most importantly hit my notes. They were looking at me, smiling as well, making various notes.

What did I get for my efforts?

"Great. Thanks for coming in."

Kill me.

What do I have to do to get a callback around here?!

To help remedy this issue, I've started looking into acting classes in NY. I have to get back in touch with my craft. I need to meet people & help myself get better.

I'm also going to enlist the help of a friend & set up mock auditions. She comes from a theatrical family & can certainly be of more help than just about anyone else I know.
This no-callback issue needs to be fixed asap. I don't get it at all.

My frustration is mounting & all I want to do is curl up & cry.

Help?

Silly Alarm Clock...

I have been away for quite a while, fair readers, and for that I apologize.

Here is, at long last, what has transpired since the last update.

StrawHat has come & gone with little to show for my efforts. In preparing, I managed to drop nearly 15 lbs & feel spectacular about myself. The day of the audition was fairly uneventful. I got up, commuted in to NYC, found Pace University & otherwise had a pleasant day. My song was OK. It wasn't wonderful, but it was better than last time. I rocked the monologie & felt like I had a good chance at being called back.

Well, I got a callback...

For a teaching job that pays $200 a week.

Oh well. I figure it's one callback more than I got last time. For that, I call it a win & take some good vibes with me.

I've since auditioned for nearly anything I could get my hands on.

Most recently I went to a call for Chorus Line & Hair. Here's how it shook out.

I arrived at the studio bright & early. My efforts were rewarded by being #81 on the day. 81. I was there before 8:30. That's typical.

So I went into the holding room & found a spot. It filled up FAST. There were at least 150 girls in holding & a solid 150 in the hallways & lobby. The theater, I'm convinced, was vastly unprepared for such a turn out.

They panicked.

Turns out they were taking 15 girls at a time (hooray for typing!) and needed us to do a time step & double pirouette.

Hmm...

That's odd...

So I went with it.

The names were called and my group of 15 (lemmings) were hearded (off a cliff) into the audition room. There was a table of gentlemen who reiterated what we were to do before basically saying "and go!"

I got hearded into the group with the lythe & limber. Lucky me.

The first girl went & was perfect. Same with the next 2. Then it was my turn.

For the record, my time step was rather awesome. I set myself up for the double pirouette, took a deep breath and...turned crooked!

The floor was slick & my jazz sneakers slipped a bit and I made it around once ok. The second rotation was all about saving face & staying upright.
So there I am, clad in my leotard & tights amongst these beautiful dancers & I'm about to fall down mid-pirouette. I salvaged it the best I could and ended it with jazz fingers & the cheesiest smile I could muster. I figure making them laugh was better than nothing.
In that regard, mission accomplished. I was successfully the only dancer who made them chuckle.

Everyone else nailed their steps. Bitches. :)

And truly, I mean that in a very lighthearted way. They were wonderful & those who got callbacks absolutely deserved them.

So now I'm back on the audition trail in another holding room for another show. This one seems infinitely more organized than the last with much fewer attendees. They started at 10 and are already through the first 20. Being #55 at this call won't be as crazy as the last call.

Breakdown:

Show- 7 Brides For 7 Brothers
Role- I'm hoping for Alice, the youngest bride

Keep your fingers crossed that there's no double pirouette involved!

That's Size 2 To You, Mister!

I have been making a concerted effort to eat better and go to ballet class. Since starting this regime, I have lost 10 lbs.

For the first time in a very long time (read: 15 years), I feel good about myself and by body.

That's why this morning was so upsetting.

I went to my usual ballet class this morning. There were 3 of us and I was, as usual, the youngest. I was also the sickest, as I have been fighting a terrible cold and have learned to hate mornings. I can't breathe through my nose, I hack up my lungs, and I generally feel rather icky.

All I managed to do today was the barre. I could barely breathe and I was just plain miserable. It was awful and I ended up sitting out for the rest of the class. This is not the usual routine.

After class, I approached my teacher about making a video of my dancing abilities. I've had interest from a theater and they certainly want a video ASAP. When I explained the situation, the teacher agreed to help with the video under the pretense that I waited a month. My silence urged him into saying that I was 'still too heavy.'

Strike 1

He then proceded to tear me a new one about how heavy I was. I got angry, bit it back in order to keep my cool, and cried. I felt like crap and I was looking for help on a project- not advice from a nutritionist.

Strike 2

I calmly stated that we would continue this another time and removed myself from the situation. I went into the bathroom and grabbed a tissue.

He proceded to yell from the ballet room, "Deborah, don't do this! Don't leave it like this!"

I shot out of the bathroom and said back, "Then don't call me fat!"

The response?

"But you ARE! You're too fat!"

Ever see a killer whale chase after a seal? The rest of it kinda went along those lines.

Strike 3. It was ON.

From there it was an all out screaming match, one that I am proud to say that I did not start.

Me: I lost 10 lbs! What more do you want from me?!
"Teacher"- No you didn't. Who are you kidding? You're bigger now than you were when you started!
Me: I'm 110 lbs!
T- Then you have to cut your carbs! Whatever you're putting in your mouth is making you fat!

It kept going along those lines with him blocking the staircase and thus the way out. I was completely trapped. The whole time he was insisting that he was trying to help. It was relentless and oppressive.

So finally, I hurled my last grenade.

"I hired you to teach me how to dance- not call me fat!"

Guess who got offended and told me to leave?

I did just that. My little size 2 butt was down the stairs in 2 seconds flat.

I never looked back.

However, I was an emotional wreck and still am to some extent. Back I went to my parents' house. It was a wonder I could drive, being that I was shaking and crying to the point where I could barely breathe. It took me well over an hour to calm down.

Then my phone rang.

Guess who?

Guess who ignored the call?

The voicemail was an apology of sorts, more concerned about the video than anything else. He sounded upset, which made me rather happy. Good. Let him be upset. I don't need to give a 'man' like him nearly $50 of my really hard earned money a WEEK, $200 a month that I really need. It's money back in my pocket. Let him suffer.

The moral of the story is that having a backbone and standing up for myself has never felt so good. I was able to peel off my layers (last count was 4) of spandex, look at myself in the mirror and say "He's crazy! I have a rockin' body!"

It has been a very trying day, but a war has been won on behalf of my self esteem. I take from this the knowledge that I am strong both physically and mentally and that I will not be pushed around.

That said, I'm exhausted and ready for bed. :)

A Big Smile

I have a big smile on my face tonight. It has been there since 11 o'clock this morning.

Why?

"You've lost weight. You look good!"

Said my ballet teacher, who used to criticize my weight at every turn. Compliments from him are difficult to earn, so this was a big deal.

Audition tomorrow at 3:05 PM- just in time for the snow! Keep your fingers crossed!

I Held My Nose, I Closed My Eyes...

I have the memory of a fruit fly lately, so I'm not sure if this was mentioned in my previous entry. Forgive me if it was.

I signed up for Backstage a few days ago. Backstage, for those non-showbiz kids, is a well respected industry insider newspaper that arrives weekly. Due to new technological advances, Backstage is also available online. I bought the yearly subscription to Backstage that included both the hard copy and full internet access.

That said, I have started to submit myself for shows, showcases, tours, and just about anything that I can get my hands on.

Tonight I received 2 emails from companies I had mailed my headshot and resume to previously, resulting in audition time slots for both this week and next.

So. So. EXCITED!!

Keep your fingers crossed!

It's Official!!!!!

I GOT THE STRAWHAT AUDITION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now to work even harder!

I haven't eaten anything mildly delicious or satisfying in the last 24 hours in a bid to lose 10 lbs in the next 6 weeks and 5 days. I've become addicted to moisturizers to make sure my skin looks decent. So far I am losing this battle...

In stepping on the scale, I have maintained my weight. I was mildly disappointed before I realized that the last week has included abusing my liver more times than I care to admit, pizza, cheese, really yummy food, and chocolate. None of this was productive in my bid to shed some weight. I'll take maintenence, thank you very much. That weigh in could have been disasterous.

Yesterday, I signed up for a year's subscription to Backstage magazine. I have already submitted myself for at least half a dozen shows/productions and have been notified to various auditions. This will be my year!

That said, ballet kicked my butt something fierce today. I took a nap for well over an hour and can already feel my muscles barking. Tomorrow morning will not be fun. I can feel it already. I'm so excited!

None of this is very fluid and I realize is more along the lines of train of thought. My next thought, dear readers, is about bed.

Goodnight!

Yeah, Yeah, Yeah

Saw the Beatles tribute called Rain tonight. It was playing at the Neil Simon Theater on 52nd Street on Broadway.

For the record, they were pretty damn good. I'm still not a Beatles fan, although I appreciate what they did and how drastically they changed the musical landscape of everything pop.

That said, cover bands belong in concert halls and plays/musicals belong on Broadway.

The Wizard of Fix

Just came back from an audition for The Wizard of Oz.

Here's how it went down:

I got in, filled out the paperwork, got changed, refreshed my makeup, and took a seat. This particular theater has an AEA clause and there were Equity contracts available. I was SUPER psyched. And prepared. Ready to go. 16 bars were picked, practiced, and rehearsed.

BRING. IT.

I sang well. Glad to be Unhappy from On Your Toes went pretty well. I felt really good about it.

Then we had to dance. It wasn't great, but I was far from the worst.

FAR from the very worst.

By this point I had befriended 2 gals who had a similar look to me. One was older, the other younger. They both sang and danced well. I figured they'd get called back with no problem.

Then they read the names for the callback.

I didn't get called.

Ready for the kicker? The other two girls didn't get called back either.

On the way to the parking lot, the older girl and I got to talking and came to the same conclusion:

It was fixed.

Think I'm bitter and looking for an excuse?

Let me give you an example.

This was, as stated before, an audition for The Wizard of Oz. It is a classic musical. One girl sang a song from a very popular musical that has been gushed about previously in this blog. She was barely audible, and when she was, she was not necessarily in the same key as the accompanist. During the dance callback, she stood in a stance not too dissimilar to a rock.

She got a callback.

This, my dears, was a waste of time. I am never going back to this theater or auditioning for them again.

While I am angry, it is not at myself. My audition was solid and I will use this audition as a confidence booster.

On to bigger and much, much better.

Score Update

Ballet 2, Deb 0

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Now Put Your Foot Behind Your Ear

I'm not 100% sure it's been documented here, but a big reason why I've been shying away from auditions has been because I am grossly out of shape. (Well, at least as grossly out of shape as a size 2 can be!)

Almost 3 years ago I nearly broke my ankle in ballet. It is now arthritic, but the most accurate barometer around.

Last Christmas I nearly fractured my hip while doing a cartwheel. It looked hairlined on the x-ray, but the specialist and the MRI declare that it is not a new injury. (Go me?)

So a big part of why I'm so out of shape is because I've been really, really injured.

Up until yesterday, I've been terrified to do much exercising because I was afraid that my hip would crumble.

However, with StrawHat Auditions lurking in February, it's time to get the ball (and hopefully not my ankle) rolling.

I placed a call to my old ballet teacher last night in hopes that he was still teaching. Lo and behold, he is not only teaching, but is offering classes that are conducive to my schedule. Alas! I have caught a break!

So at 9:30 this morning I donned a whole lot of spandex, I'll certainly spare the details of how 'amazing' I looked, and went to class for the first time in nearly 2 years.

The first 10 minutes were OK- it felt like riding a bike. The other 80 minutes, well, they were none too graceful.

I am proud to report that my back attitude was actually pretty good. The rest of it needs work and my ankle needs to strengthen a bit. This will come in time.

My next class is on Thursday morning. I am sore from this one already (it's been less than 12 hours) and I'm sure it will be quite the adventure come Thursday.

The ibuprofin party will commence in 5...4...3...2...

It was... a day...

I had 2 auditions last Friday.

The first was for a musical called Dollface.

I arrived, got changed, and made small talk with the other actors.

Then, I found a proverbial unicorn.

There was a very cute, male actor waiting to audition. Why is he a unicorn?

Because he was straight! AND nice.

And engaged, as I found out.

Regardless...

The audition went...ok... I cracked on Oh What A Night by Frankie Valli and got cut off on Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow.

However, they liked my dress and my eyes.

Then I took a subway back uptown to audition for a film that has evidently been commissioned by Sundance for 2012.

The audition went pretty well, although it was a bit odd. The casting directors weren't there, but the two lead actors were. It really felt like a student film audition to be completely honest.

They said that if there was to be a callback I'd hear from them next week.

Very strange.

Then I made it to my voice lesson on time. It was a good day. While exhausting, it was a step in the right direction. At least I got out there and auditioned. It might not have been the best auditions, but I did it. I'll work on quality of the auditions for the next round. Right now I'm very content in knowing that I budgeted my time wisely and made it to every obligation.

And so the hunt for the next acting gig continues...

A Journey... Of Sorts

Hello Dear Readers!

As mentioned in previous entries, I'm gearing up for the big StrawHat Audition in February.

So far, to prepare, I've started a new exercise/butt kicking routine to help me tone up & shed some extra pounds.

Today, I had a FANTASTIC voice lesson & just might have picked a song for the audition.

For the first time in nearly 2 months I'm feeling like I'm ready to get back out there. I'm starting to feel more 'in my body,' if that makes any sense.

I've also made some decisions to clean up both my diet and my skin.

Cleaning up my skin will include a mild astringent in the morning after my shower, and separate moisturizers for my face (Clinique), arms (Victoria's Secret angel touch lotion), legs (Bliss' Ultimate Moisture), and hands (Bliss' All Hands On Deck). There's also a fat reducer that I'll be using on my stomach in the form of Bliss' Love Handler. Tonight I took an extra moment to do a foot massage with Bliss' Foot Patrol. I am so zenned out it's ridiculous.

My trip to the grocery store included healthy things like almonds, spinach & artichoke hummus, and whole grain mini pitas. It's a big deal because I LOVE to eat crap. If it's greasy, grimy, and loaded with sugar, chances are I've eaten it within the last week. I'm also very fortunate that despite a previous lack of exercise and unbelievable consumption of carbs and fats, I still fit comfortably in a size 2 pair of jeans. Granted, I am not toned or fit and the very thought of running gives me an asthma attack. It's time to buckle down a bit. The goal is to slowly eliminate excess sugar (save for that which I put in my green tea) within the next month. It will be super difficult, but I can do it.

I also picked up salmon. when I requested it to be skinned, I was told to come back in 15 minutes. That was a bit strange, but I returned 15 minutes later and was handed a warm, sealed, double foam packaged & bagged thing. The tag said salmon, so I didn't argue. Maybe there was a skinning machine or something that caused the salmon to be warm. Whatever. So I went home, got out the lemon juice, the cookie sheet, and set the oven to broil.

I should have known there was trouble when the salmon contraption was still warm/borderline hot & started leaking.

Turns out the nice lady behind the fish counter cooked the fish for me.

Anyone else confused by this? Plus, it still had the skin on it. I was totally squicked out.

However, it tasted just fine after a few minutes in the broiler.

Oh the adventures of eating healthy...

I still count this as progress in acting. I am refining my body, and that alone will help me get jobs. My voice is a work in progress, but that will come.

For the first time in a long time I feel empowered about my skills. Maybe next week I'll check out a few auditions...

Dr, I have this pain...

It's been a while and there isn't much to update.

I mailed out all of my StrawHat Audition material last week and the gentleman at the post office promised it would be there by Friday. Hooray for effiency!

Also, I've started taking voice lessons again. They're expensive, but Rae is the best. Check out her website- www.claim-your-voice.net. I'm also looking into getting a second job to help counter-balance the financial constraints. Keep your fingers crossed!

Still to be done is my journey back into fitness. I haven't taken any sort of dance lesson in over a year and a half- partially because it took at least 9 months to confirm that my hip was not broken.

So, dear readers, I have taken a step forward.

I'm doing P90X. I made it through the 1st day of the Classic workout and have been dead for 3 days. So I deemed it a good idea to try the Lean workouts.

I lasted 35 of 60 minutes.

I'm writing this blog from my bed. Hurting immediately after your workout is a sure sign that getting out of bed tomorrow is not an option.

Updates on my exercise routines will also be (comical) posted here on a regular basis.

Off to take a nap until 10:45!

Also, I wanted to say that I am available to teach piano, trumpet, and voice to all levels in the NY/NJ area. Please go to the Contact page of www.deborahheagen.com and send a message if you're interested.

- Deb
www.deborahheagen.com

The Biggest Idiot Of Them All

My dear readers,

When a big, non-Broadway name 'invades' the Theater District, I typically roll my eyes, mutter, and begin to whine about how the real actors are starving while a movie star or reality tv castoff is taking the spot of someone truly talented.

That tends to be the order of things. It happened with Scarlett Johanson, Claire Danes, Joey Fatone, Jordin Sparks, Fantasia,and various others. They already have careers. Let those of us who didn't whore our way to the top have a chance.(Allegedly!)

However, every so often there is stunt casting that is so pitch perfect that it stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Billie Joe Armstrong is every exception to the rule.

Sir Armstrong (too dramatic?) wrote the original American Idiot album as a member of the legendary punk/rock/a toe into pop group Green Day. He also helped pen the book, or script for you non-theater kids, for the musical of the same name. Already he had my blessing. When you lend your creative voice to a project and continue to see it through, you get props for not simply throwing your name on it and calling it a day. This was Billie Joe's project and collaborative vision.

And damn if he didn't pull us in for one hell of a ride!

Billie Joe is, first and foremost, a rockstar. He knows it. I know it. The audience clearly knew it. His stage presence was all encompassing, even usurping the stage from giant in the making John Gallager Jr. The part was to play a rockstar. OK, so it wasn't much of a stretch. Hell, he only wrote the damn thing...

Clearly, Billie Joe was excellent. He did his thing and sang the hell out of his own songs. It was so much fun to watch that I literally sat up in my seat for the entire 95 minute show, tapped my foot, and grinned like a kid on Christmas. This was stunt casting done right- finally!

However, this wouldn't be a review without a critique or 2.

My main gripe is that there was no real character of St Jimmy. I know, I know- he's in a band. That IS his character. His trademark is black spikey hair, a scowl, and enough black eyeliner to keep CoverGirl in business for the next 20 years. I get it. But as an actor, I didn't see a difference between the man himself and the character of St Jimmy.

Second, it is painfully obvious that Mr Armstrong wasn't a big fan of the steps on the scaffolding on set. While John Gallager Jr and company swang freely and with nearly reckless abandon, Billie Joe seemed to have a thought bubble above his head that read, "are you fucking kidding me?!" every time he was required to run down the stairs. For an drug dealing character, fear of stairs wasn't a good choice.

The third, and final, gripe of sorts has nothing to do with Billie Joe or the production. It simply has to do with the people who put the idiot in the show while sitting the next row over. Yes, we're all there to see Billie Joe. I'm there for the exact same reason. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Please don't ruin it by loudly professing your love for him during the show. Don't switch seats to get closer. You distract others and it's terrible theater etiquite. Maybe you can afford to see the show again and I'm happy if you can. But not all of us are that fortunate. My excursion tonight means that I have to go light on eating this week because it was not in my budget. I'm not saying this to complain or to draw pity- I'm saying it because when someone screams in the middle of a song, or changes their seat, or exhibits any other sort of cretin-esque behavior, it's distracting. Above distracting, it's rude not only to your fellow audience members but to the actors on the stage. Those kids busted their butts to make us, the audience, happy. Theater is supposed to be an enlightening experience. It's hard to be enlightened when there's people running in front of you, obscuring your already partial view of the stage.

Let me step off my soapbox...

There were some really nice moments on stage tonight. Many of them happened in the background when the ensemble thought noone was looking. They all had these huge grins on their faces; like they couldn't believe that they got to rock out with the voice and partial creative force of Green Day. Their expressions went from "Holy cow" to "I can't believ this is my life" to "holy crap, I don't want to screw this up- don't forget the words!" It was refreshing to see a cast so into what they were doing.

Also, there is very clearly a nice rapport and respect between Billie Joe and John Gallager. They really like each other and at times it felt like more of a jam session that the audience was privy to instead of a show. It's not a gripe by any means- I have a weakness for guitar players and musicians- it's just an observation. There was a wonderful moment early in the show where Billie Joe put his hands on the back of John's shoulders and shook him in the way a mentor would when passing the proverbial torch. The fact that I got to witness such a moment made it worth the price of admission.

So, dear readers, should you find yourself in the wonderful City of New York and you're looking for a punk-rock musical experience before Sunday, I highly suggest taking in American Idiot at the St James Theater.

Trust me- you won't regret it.
- Deb
www.deborahheagen.com

Idiots of America

It is an integral part of the growing process as an actor to see live theater and to have the full theatrical experience.

Tonight, I am fulfilling my duties and will be seeing American Idiot on Broadway.

But why, Deb, are you seeing the show again after seeing it in early July?

The reason?

Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day is playing the role of St. Jimmy until Sunday.

Also, I'm mildly phobic of seeing Green Day in concert. I'm tiny at exactly 5 feet tall and those Green Day fans certainly like to mosh. To say that it would be unsafe for me to attend is an understatement. Tonight is likely the closest I will ever get to seeing the band in concert.

A full review of the show will be posted on the way home tonight. Since I already know what to expect, I'm looking forward to a new take on St Jimmy and to figuring out how they did all the set and prop changes when I wasn't looking.
Cross your fingers that I can snag Billie Joe's autograph after the show. I'm armed with a sharpie!

I Could Only Hope For A Black Hole Instead Of A Time Warp

Had a terrible audition for Rocky Horror.

I was so bummed I had a Cinnibon for lunch.

Some auditions hit me harder than others. This one knocked the wind out of my sails quite a bit.

My voice is much more West Side Story than Rocky Horror it hurts. I have 4 octives but it's all too classical for pop and too pop for classical.

I'm just very frustrated with auditioning.

How do I combat this?!

~ Deb
www.deborahheagen.com