Thank You for Being a Friend

The show had its first preview performance last night.

To celebrate, this blog is now fully integrated into the Memphis Official Website, which is sort of like a virtual promotion.

It's been real Blogspot, but I have to move on.

Don't Stop Believin' and Don't Stop Readin'.

You can find the Memphis Lives in Me Blog here:
http://www.memphisthemusical.com/blog

Last Fun Fact on Blogspot: My best friend from middle school whom I haven't seen since we graduated high school [redacted] years ago came to the show last night.

This morning, as part of her New York tourist experience, she went to the Today show.

And she made this sign:

...and she is coming back to see the show again this weekend.

Now that's a good friend.

You've been a good friend too, Blogspot.

You were my first blog and I shall never forget you.

A Memo, not a Mission Statement

To: Company Management
from: Carolyn
date: around 2am on 9/23
re: Post show, 9/22

Dear Company Management,

The Invited Dress went great. Thank you for organizing all of those passes, especially the last minute RSVPs. It was wonderful to have a few hundred of everyone's friends, families and colleagues in the house.

However, I did notice when I was leaving that there were an awful lot of socks in the aisles.

Apparently, the show is rocking people's socks off.

I'm not sure if we should be thinking about hiring someone specifically to pick up the orphaned socks after each performance or if it is something the Shubert house staff wants to handle internally.

Either way, we definitely need to start a "Lost & Found;" there are a lot of people who will be trying to retrace their steps to figure out where they lost their socks. Perhaps we should start a sock reuniting initiative on the website? I don't know. Maybe this idea is premature.

I guess we should see what happens tomorrow night at the first preview.

Let me know your thoughts.

Hockadoo,
Carolyn

Memphis Blog Shout Out: Happy Birthday to Sarah of New Time Productions!
Thank you for being my desk neighbor, for your technology "consults," for your willingness to jump in and do video release forms when it is so not in your job description, and for knowing that I take my bagels "poppyseed, toasted with cream cheese"- and for making me eat one tonight as dinner. You are fantastical. And your new haircut is super cute.

I think, therefore, I am

I think this is Week Seven.

I think today is Monday.

I think the cast & crew must have enjoyed a much deserved day off today.

I think that Samson (Show Pup) looks handsome after his grooming appointment.

I think I better get those Opening Night gifts ordered.

I think the Stage Managers really enjoyed having Joe, Kevin and I in their office yesterday whilst we "tweeted."

I think everyone is thrilled that we got through 2 full run throughs this weekend.

I think I am loving that Lin Manuel Miranda (In the Heights) is on House right now.

I think that there are changes to the blog coming.

I think I have everyone on the list for the Invited Dress Rehearsal tomorrow night.

I think I learn something invaluable from my bosses everyday.

I think the show is ready for an audience...I don't think, I know.

Holy Run Through Batman!

I'm not sure what I expected to happen tonight.
I expected to be entertained, but I was rocked.

Having only caught glimpses of the show during tech, to see it play out in front of me, with a full band, fully lit, fully staged, fully costumed=fully blown away.

How could I not be with Danny Tidwell doing things like this?

Photo by Chris Owyoung www.onelouderphoto.com

I know what it is like to have expectations be built up and get to a show and have it not deliver. So I am not going to use the blog (much) to tout the fierceness, or rattle on about performances that break my heart a little each time.

It's time I encourage people to embrace the idea of not knowing a lot about this show.

Forget about not having the recording (yet) and knowing every word to every song before you walk in the theater doors.

Stop reading this blog if you have to (not really) and embrace the surprise.

There was a time you wen to the theater just because.
Not because it proved you were able to get a ticket, or saw this person in that show.

Take a friend. Buy a student rush ticket (or a full price one). I want you to love it, but I won't have my feelings hurt if you don't (well, maybe just a little).

But now is the time that you can have an impact on musical theater by going to the show during previews. The creatives and producers are all around: seeing what lands, what doesn't, what's clear, what needs clarification.

If/when you go, email me your thoughts.

Post them on our Facebook page.

Heck, if you can keep it under 140 characters, tweet it.
(in my mind, I heard "Just Tweet It" to the same tune of Michael Jackson's "Just Beat It.")

Memphis Blog Shout Out: Thanks to all who tweeted us during the Broadway League Tweet-Up today!

Oh, and if you leave the theater and feel like I did tonight, feel free to shout it from the rooftops.

Nick-tastic Broadway Video Series, Vol. 2 or Drink with Me Susan Blackwell

First of all, when Nick-tastic brought this into the office, he was rocking a sweatervest which should indicate that we are officially into the Fall season. Sweatervests=Fall goodness. Fall is, in this blogger's opinion, the best season in New York City. And not just because Memphis opens.

Second of all, the fact that Susan Blackwell (of the phenomenal Speech & Debate and the equally brilliant [title of show] and the fantastical "[titleofshow] show" webseries)
a: interviewed Chad Kimball (4:18 into the video),
b: suggests a Memphis drinking game,
is beyond brilliant.

Beyond.

I will be playing this drinking game very soon.
Perhaps tomorrow during tech would be the perfect time for the inaugural game.
Susan, please stop by the Shubert. BYOB.

[Insert witty blog title here]

This blog entry is brought to you by the letter"D."

"D" is for "Dance." Which they do in Memphis. A lot.

And they do it really well:

"D" is also for "Discussion."
Which the choreography associates Edgar, Jermaine and Kelly do during Memphis rehearsal.

And that discussion leads to more dance.

"D" is also for "Danny Tidwell." Danny is in Memphis doing a lot of dancing.

And tearing it up while rockin' the period costumes.

"D" is also for "Dress Rehearsal."

Which means the actors are getting used to moving and performing in the clothes they will be wearing in the show.

Fun Fact: Montego's character, Felicia, used to wear a pink dress in this pivotal scene in Act II. I have to say that I am loooving the new green dress. It has really fantastic pleating on the bodice and a really interesting back. Plus her shoes....

Apparently, I am obsessed with shoes. I'm just going to embrace it because let's be honest, most people rarely pay attention to what an actor is wearing on their feet but sooo much time is spend on footwear that it at least deserves some blog attention.
Bravo to the wardrobe personnel who have been working on the footwear! I support you.

"D" is also for "Director." And Memphis has a great one in Christopher Ashley.

Chris works with Chad and Montego on perhaps my favorite moment of the show.


Fun Fact: Chris uses a microphone during tech so that he can speak to the entire theater and be heard. Especially helpful during the rockin' musical numbers which we also have in the show.

"D" also stands for "Do you think this is picture of Chad Kimball (Huey) is amazing?"

Because I do.

Hit the Wall Wednesday

Welcome to Hit the Wall Wednesday. I'm not sure if it is because of the change in weather or the lack of sleep or the fast paced nature of producing a Broadway show, but, whatever the cause, I was not having the most productive day. Sometimes the art of making art involves no art and that can be hard on one's soul.

I'm happy to report that the show saved the day! Being over at the theater today for tech was exactly the cure I needed. Even though the technical rehearsal process is a stop/start, hurry up and wait, fix the lighting cue, reprogram the set change, kind of experience, watching it come together is ridiculously reinvigorating.

There is magic around every turn, like taking a trip to the restroom and finding August (dance arranger) and Edgar (Associate choreographer) using the piano in the downstairs lobby working out some new ways to pump up the "Stand Up" number in Act II.

You see scenes like this in the PBS documentaries they do of Broadway shows-capturing an idea at the moment of creation. It's pretty awesome to bear witness to these moments all over the building. The creative electricity in the Shubert is overflowing and was exactly the jolt I needed to get over the wall.

Plus, actors are fun to watch during tech as they find ways to amuse themselves during the "holds."

Chad and Derrick, acting:

Chad and Derrick during a hold:

Still holding:

Yup, still holding:

Plus, I will never tire of Derrick Baskin's smile.

Here are some more photos from the tech of Act II today:












Favorite Photo of the Day:

Brad Bass makes me laugh.
(And you have to love the guitar print shirt. Paul Tazewell=genius)

Thanks Memphis. Looking forward to Thursday.

Samson, Stockard, and Peanut Butter Squares

I love this photo of Lead Producer, Sue Frost, on the phone taken outside the Shubert box office during tech. To me, it epitomizes the serious multi-tasking that is going on at this point in the production process. The day flies by in a blur of emails requiring approvals, producers making ticket requests, daily press clippings, Playbill proofing and constant double, nay triple checking, to make sure that all systems are a go.

Working in a Producer's office is like being an air traffic controller. The challenge is trying to keep everything on your radar, each initiative flying smoothly and landing without incident.

I'm pretty sure my work email is outpacing my personal email at a inbox ration of 17:1; my Netflix queue is empty and I am barely updating my personal Facebook Status Update (tragedy, I know). Samson (Show Pup) and I were running around town today: to and from Grand Central, 3 visits to the Shubert Theater, and an advertising meeting at SpotCo.

Show Pup Broadway Star sighting: While we were leaving SpotCo's offices today, we walked right by Stockard Channing. Props to Randy (Producer) for seeing past the "I'm going incognito" dark glasses and pointing her out. Samson was thrilled.

The cast returned to the Shubert today after a day off to continue technical rehearsals. Producers Nick Demos and Francine Bizar sponsored a delicious buffet meal down in the lower lobby tonight for the cast and crew. The tortellini was out of sight but I was most excited to see that Francine made her famous peanut butter squares.

We should really call them "I wish I could quit you" peanut butter squares- they are that good.

(This may not seem like important "show related" information but when you are in technical rehearsals, getting a good, not-so-fast-food meal is a challenge. One barely has time to sleep, let alone go to the grocery store/pack nutritious and delicious food for the day ahead.)

The countdown continues as we have our first preview performance one week from tomorrow!!
What the What?? I am dizzy with anticipation.

Just for Fun: Broadway.com released photos from the Memphis cast visit to The Toxic Avenger performance last night. Photos by Jenny Anderson.

David Bryan, Chad Kimball, Montego Glover, Toxic's Diana Degarmo and Nancy Opel, Joe DiPietro. I wish you could have seen the shoes Diana and Nancy were wearing...I covet.

Thank you to Broadway.com for capturing this super fun evening--
next time, don't crop out the fierce shoes...

Totally Toxic

Dear Oprah,

I know you are busy prepping for your two day season premiere Whitney Houston interview, and goodness knows that is like opening a hot box of crazy, so I will keep this short.

I think I had one of those "aha moments" you are always writing about in your magazine; moments that take you to level of understanding about who you are and further define your purpose. (Every time I hear or say the word purpose, I sing "gotta find my purpose" from Avenue Q in my head. Shout out to Avenue Q, who closed their Broadway run yesterday, BUT announced they are reopening at New World Stages in 3 weeks!)

It happen halfway through The Toxic Avenger tonight.

Ironically, this "aha moment" did not come during the "Choose Me, Oprah" song- though I suppose that if it had happened during that song, it wouldn't be ironic so much as it would have been poetic.

So Memphis composer David Bryan and Bookwriter Joe DiPietro have two shows in New York. The Toxic Avenger, which is currently playing Off-Broadway at New World Stages and Memphis which begins performances next week (!) and opens October 19th. Joe and David were so generous and invited the entire Memphis cast to see Toxic tonight.

Fun Fact: Memphis cast member James Iglehardt reminded me that the first NYC reading of Memphis took place on March 21, 2007 in Stage 1 of New World Stages. This is the same theater where Toxic is currently playing. I'm not sure if that is ironic, poetic, or just, cool.

Anyway, my "aha" moment came during "Bitch/Slut/Liar/Whore" (yes that is the name of the song) while Nancy Opel proved she is:
a. a genius
b. a comic revelation
c. fierce
d. all of the above

Fun Fact: I'm pretty sure that my dog (Samson) met Nancy Opel's dog (Momo) on 9th Avenue last week. But, due to my inability to talk to people whose talent I appreciate and admire, I just let our dogs do their thing which mostly involved a lot of smelling.

Back to Nancy. The cast of Memphis gave her a standing ovation after this song and that's when it hit me; I think my whole life has been leading up to this moment.

That may sound trite or cliche, but I never thought that I would ever be part of theater in this way, knowing and working with people who are creating musicals. And it's pretty addicting. Dare I say, In-toxic-ating.

I could really get used to this. Being around amazing people. Talented people. Watching amazing, talented people do genius things in brilliant original musicals. Between Memphis and Toxic, my cup runneth over.

So Oprah, do what you have to do to come to New York to see Memphis and The Toxic Avenger. Call Gayle, send Stedman an email, let them know you are heading to the Big Apple.
Bring the dogs if you want- Samson would love to hang out with them.

Perhaps you too will leave the theater with a renewed sense of purpose.

Perhaps not, but I can guarantee that you will have a good time.

Yours very truly.

Huddled Masses

Broadway on Broadway was crazy....crazy awesome. Die hard fans had been lining up since 1 or 2am this morning to get a good spot at the barricades (there has to be a good Les Miz joke in there somewhere) and the show did not disappoint. Mother Nature let the sunshine in; there was no rain on this parade.

Memphis Blog Shout Out: to Mat's group who found us in the crowd and won tickets to the first preview!

Times Square is funny because when there is something going on, people will just line up even when they don't know what it is for. And when there is music, it's like the Pied Piper's drawing them in to the crowds. So the thing about wearing an "official" show t-shirt that says Staff on it, is that you instantly become the "question girl." Team-tastic and I were happy to help the good folks in Times Square, because at Memphis, we are all about bringing people together.

Here are some of the people we brought together:

The only thing about my location was that I could not see the stage and could only see one of the jumbo screens. But fortunately, my boyfriend is somewhere in the range of 6'8" tall which means with his wingspan, he was able to get some excellent shots.

The Cast of Memphis on a screen in Times Square!!!


Tracee, Hillary, Sydney, Dionne, Vivian, and Katie:

The fifties were such a beautiful decade for women: the silhouettes, the hairstyles, so flattering. I'm sort of obsessed with Paul Tazewell (Costume Designer) and Chuck La Pointe (Wig Designer).

Rhett, Charlie, Ephraim, and Daniel (check their image on screen behind them also):

I think that Memphis is going to bring the Fedora back.
Hip Cats all around the city are going to be rocking them.

Danny Tidwell and the Cast lookin' good:

They have made it onto the jumbo screens, now all we need is a GAP billboard ad in Times Square. If anyone knows anyone at GAP corporate...our cast looks excellent in winter scarves.

James, Cass and Chad:

Chad sang his face off.
Edgar (Associate Choroegrapher) told Sue (Producer) that from where he was standing, a group of fans were standing with their arms crossed waiting to be impressed by our performance. Little by little, as Chad and the cast rocked them, Edgar said they let their arms down and finally exclaimed "oh, that's so going on my list of shows to see."

In the brilliant words of Effie from Dreamgirls, "And I am telling you," you should go see this show while we are in previews and there are some good deals out there. Go in with your arms crossed. I'm pretty sure you will have the same experience as those fans had today.

How fun is this?

I felt like stalkerazzi taking this picture but I had to capture Derrick, Dan'yelle, and John walking down the street to the Shubert; the juxtaposition of them against the modern city was just too good. Dan'yelle has opted for more comfortable walking shoes which makes it even better.

Daniel strolling down 44th street:

Total Hip Cat.

Tegan (Associate Company Manager) reports that the Broadway on Broadway greenroom was fun because the cast got to see a lot of their friends who are in other shows.
James leaves Times Square with Chris Jackson from In the Heights.

I'm a total stalker on this one too, but I did it for the blog, James.

The Blog made me do it.

Ticket Giveaway or Throwing You a Bone

When I first moved to New York City, I can remember waking up one Sunday and deciding over cereal that I would go to see a show. I played the matinee lottery for The Drowsy Chaperone and saw the original cast right before many of the first replacements were set to begin. It was a great day. That, among many other things, is what makes New York special- you can just wake up and go to a Broadway show.

But tomorrow, if you live in the area, you can wake up and go see many Broadway Showstoppers before they go to their matinees or, in the case of Memphis, back to tech rehearsal. The weather report says it is supposed to be 75 degrees tomorrow, so here's hoping.

Things I'm looking forward to:
1. Seeing the Memphis cast in costume and wigs for the first time.

2. Seeing the Fela performance- I didn't get a chance to see that show Off-Broadway so I am excited to see a glimpse of what it is all about.

3. Nick-tastic is excited because he says the cast of Ragtime is allegedly doing a "Wheels of a Dream" and "Ragtime" medley. Nick-tastic is as obsessed with Ragtime. And Memphis. He likes shows with one-word titles. And sassy high belting.

4. Seeing the In the Heights performance so I can tell my mom about it. I gave her the CD last Christmas and she tells me she's obsessed with it. I'm pretty sure it's the only CD she listens to. I'm looking forward to giving her the Memphis cast album so she can mix it up and live on the edge a bit.

5. I GET TO GIVE AWAY EIGHT FREE TICKETS!

Yes, that's right. I get to hand some lucky fans tickets to the first preview performance! We know times are tough and that everyone is cutting back. So all you have to do is show up at Broadway on Broadway in your homemade HUEY gear!

The first 2 groups of four to meet the Memphis fan street team at 44th and Broadway (we will be wearing show t-shirts) will get tickets for their whole group (total of four) to the first preview of Memphis, on September 23rd at 8pm.

Of course no contest would be complete without some legal eagle conditions:
Contestants should wear homemade H-U-E-Y shirts with each letter of his name being worn by one member of your group. Contestants must find the street team between 11:30am-12pm, get their picture taken all together, and they will get a voucher for scheduling their seats. Seat location will be determined by the production.

So get your Sharpies out and make it happen. Don't say the Producers of this show never threw you a bone.

Speaking of bones, several people have been asking me if Samson (Show Pup) will be attending Broadway on Broadway tomorrow. And while Samson is particularly obsessed with Cheyenne Jackson, I'm pretty sure that Times Square during a huge Broadway event is not particularly safe for a small, 14lb dog.

Unless of course, I invested in a quality stroller:

Or perhaps he would prefer a trendy knit carrier:


But I draw the line at Dog Belts.

Or is this a fanny pack? Either way, no.

See you tomorrow!!

Singing and the Rain

Today in New York City, it rained. Now this is not newsworthy in itself but it does play an important role in my day. Let's start from the very beginning.

This morning, I made a poor shoe choice. The misstep really stems from Labor Day when I ignored my impulse to purchase rainboots at DSW. Still, I wore little flats to work today. And I brought Samson to work, which means the Show Pup and I walked in the rain from Grand Central to Times Square. We were both a little wet, but it was still manageable.

Then from 12:10-12:25, before the start of today's tech rehearsal, the cast of Memphis had a music rehearsal with the orchestra for their Broadway on Broadway performance this Sunday in Times Square. The rehearsal was at Carroll Music Studios on 55th Street and 12th Ave. We took a cab there so this was good for the shoes.

This rehearsal was very cool not only because we got to hear the song "Memphis Lives in Me" performed with the full orchestrations, but because it was like a revolving door of Broadway shows. As we were walking in, the Bye Bye Birdie cast was coming out. Alex Lacamoire, the Tony-winning orchestrator of In the Heights was conducting, and as we were leaving, Sutton Foster, Daniel Breaker and the cast of Shrek were coming in. It was a pretty awesome 3o minutes. I really had to concentrate on not totally geeking out over the coolness of it all.

But the coolness was quickly over and it was time to go. And when you are on 55th and 12th Ave and its pouring out, there are no cabs to be had. So we walked all the way to 43rd and 8th which essentially meant that I was soaking wet from the knees down.

And that is why I was then forced to pull a Britney.

Yes, I went into a public bathroom barefoot. Try not to judge. And it wasn't exactly a public restroom as much as it was the bathroom at the end of our hallway, but still, I felt a little too close to Brit Brit.

Speaking of toxic, next Monday, Joe DiPireto (book and lyrics) and David Bryan (composer) have invited the cast of Memphis to see their other show, The Toxic Avenger, which is currently playing Off-Broadway at New World Stages. Toxic is ridiculously funny and just when you think there is no way they are going to go there, they do. I think Monday is going to be a blast and I am super pumped to see Toxic again.

And it better stop raining soon.

1. Because I do not have the proper footwear, and

2. Because we are giving out fans at Broadway on Broadway and rain would make that difficult. Handing out fans in the rain, to quote Memphis, would be "downright foolish. Dangerous even."

Sunshine equals fans and fans equal happiness.

Like these ladies.
The one with the fan is clearly happier than the one without the fan.


Don't be the lady without the fan.

Living on a Prayer...and a Diet Coke

Today's blog post is brought to you by Diet Coke. And the Westway Diner on 9th Ave between 43rd and 44th.

Highlights from today:
1. Chatting with David Gallo (set designer) this morning at the Westway diner. He is a fountain of Broadway Fun Facts, which I am so excited to share. As we are in technical rehearsals, I thought it would be fun to hear a little more about his background, how he approaches his work and what makes him tick. He had so many things to share I need a couple days to get that blog posting ready.

2. Watching the afternoon tech session while working with the film crew on capturing our first footage of backstage antics. The Women's Ensemble were crazy funny to interview and I can't wait to see that video. Basically, we handed them the mic and magic happened.

Fun Fact: Broadway dressing rooms are notorious for being small and outdated. People often think that the dressing rooms must be luxurious and glamorous because it's Broadway after all-not the case. I can't wait to show you around the nooks and crannies of the Shubert.

3. Finding myself at the Westway Diner again, this time with my gal pals, Tegan (Associate Company Manager), and Sarah (Associate New Time Productions), for a chat 'n' chew.

4. Watching the evening session of tech-which was purely for my own selfish enjoyment as I contribute nothing to the process at this point. EXCEPT, I was able to rescue my boss, Producer Randy Adams, who found himself locked in the Shubert box office lobby! So I guess I was somewhat helpful.

The Orchestra has become command central. I think Sarah and I counted almost 30 computer monitors throughout the house tonight.


I have no idea what is on this computer. But whatever it is, it is doing its job- the show is looking great so far.


They started the day with "Hello, My Name Is Huey" from Act I. John Jellison waits to get started. Waiting is a common theme during technical rehearsals.


While waiting for some technical cues to resolve themselves, Chris Ashley (Director, in the white shirt) works on the staging with Chad and Michael. Stage Manager, Monica, chats with Kevin Covert in the radio DJ booth. Kevin's character of DJ Buck Wiley may be one of my favorite character parts in the show.


Cary Tedder hanging out during the tech of "That's Not Possible" in Act I. That contraption around his chest, which will be worn under his costume, is how his mic pack stays on his body.

I was in the box office lobby during parts of this number and kept hearing phones ring. I could not believe that so many people had their cell phones on during tech. Turns out, those ringing phones were sound cues. You know, for the phones like the one in Cary's hand. Apparently, I could not put two and two together while taking this photo.

Fun Fact: Several people walked into the Shubert box office this afternoon to buy tickets and could hear the rocking out that was happening inside. Going to the box office of a new musical that is in tech is a great way to get a little aural sneak peak.

Shubert Hot Tip: The first couple of rows of the mezzanine may be the best seats in the house. I typically like sitting in the orchestra for a show, but I love it up in the mezzanine of the Shubert. I'll be checking out the balcony tomorrow...