MISS SAIGON AND CALGARY

No they are not part of the same thing but last night, . . . .  I went to . . . . . the  . . . Miss Saigon Reunion.  It’s been . . . .wait for it  (drum roll)  16 YEARS!!!!    What???!!!!???!!!!   And what was amazing was everyone looks more or less the same.  I won’t lie to y’all cause you know papa doesn’t lie to his people (I may leave something out every now and then) – some people looked a little more “the same” than others but pretty damn good.  What I found particularly fantastical was that it’s been 16 years . . . and yet I’m only 9 years older.   Isn’t that amazing???!!!

Seriously, it was really fun to see everyone.  Some have kids now (Melissa, Ma Anne,  Stacy), some have changed careers (Toto), some are in a different aspect of the business (Gino, Sammy, Romeo), some have gone on to great success as performers (myself, Joe, Laurie).  It was great to hear everyone’s stories.  Some people I’ve seen many times since, some I haven’t seen since the show closed (as opposed to when I left the show)  It’s the longest I’ve ever been in a show to date – 1 year and 9 months.  God help me.  But what a great time.  And serendipitously (I’m pretty sure I just made that version of that word up), Robert Billig, who was the music supervisor of the show from New York back then, happened to have just gotten into town doing Young Frankenstein and he came after his show.  Cool experience.

And now, here I am in Calgary.  About to start The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Theatre Calgary.  So excited to get started. It’s going to be a blast, I can feel it.  And I’m glad I don’t have to carry the show or be a major show pony for this one.  Don’t get me wrong, I’ll be pulling out all the fabulousness I can.  hahaha.  But it’s going to be a bit of a working vacation which is really nice.  Now, for those of you who may want to take that in some negative way, GET OVER YOURSELVES – I’m not suggesting that I don’t have to work hard when I say “vacation”.  I mean I don’t have to pull out the BIG fireworks.  I can be a little “quieter” in the show.  I’m talking in comparison to Aldolpho.  As I’ve said, you could see my performance from space in “Drowsy”.

That’s about it for now.  And yeeeeeesssss, the news is still coming. I’m hoping to make tow announcements soon.  One is bizarre but cool.  The is freaking awesome.  LOL

WAITING

My dear Peeps,

I know I’ve been saying that I had news soon.  Well, I keep writing soon and meaning soon but unfortunately as these things go, it’s not necessarily up to me so I’m waiting right now.  I’m hoping to know things soon but its not really up to me.

And I’m sorry I haven’t written in so long, but most of what I want to write is about the news so I can’t.  Well, let’s see, what else is up.  Oh, well I think I forgot to mention that I’m one of three guests artists singing with the Metropolitan Community Church choir this Friday and Saturday night (Mar. 19 and 20) at 8:00.  It’s called “Arms Open Wide”

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It’s myself,  amazing singer/songwriter Stephanie Martin and the incomparable Jackie Richardson.  Some great tunes, great singers and great choir.  Should be a cool evening.  Come out if you can.

Otherwise . . .  hmmmm  again, not sure what I can talk about that won’t give some stuff away.  Well, let’s talk about Spelling Bee.

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To be more specific The 25th Annual Spelling Bee – the show I’m doing at Theatre Calgary in a week.  Wow.   A week.  I leave a week tomorrow and start a week from Tuesday.  I have to admit, I’m excited.  I’m so looking forward to going to Calgary.  I’ve had a great time at Theatre Calgary in the past and Dean Paul Gibson is directing.  He was our Man In Chair in Winnipeg in The Drowsy Chaperone.  He was great in the show and I loved him.  He was so great in the show and such a great guy.  Real no-nonsense but a great sense of humour and fun.  I’m curious to now work with him on the other side of the creative table.    We’ll see how that goes.

HANG ON

Sorry to keep you all in suspense but the news is happening.  It will be a two-fold announcement(s).  I’m very excited to share this stuff with you guys but all is not settled yet.  Hopefully I’ll have it for you all in the next week or two.