A lot has happened since May. It seems almost a life-time ago, but in reality, it has only been a quarter of a year.
FOLK WANDERING was a huge success. It was a very stressful few weeks leading up to the performance at Ars Nova. I had many sleepless nights in front of a computer orchestrating and notating. I would randomly zone out watching tv, riding the subway, seeing theatre because I would be thinking of what kind of "voices" the orchestra can add to each song. I was definitely a space-cadet.
My father, my sister Austyn, Lisa and Michael all came to see the show. My father made the remark, "It was just as good as RAGTIME." I don't really know what to think of this remark, seeing as we saw the 2009 revival together, but it is definitely a compliment that I really appreciate. Austyn was all tears because she has not heard me play since I was in High School when she came to EPSO's performance of Prokofiev 5. Hopefully I made my family proud.
It is definitely a very vulnerable feeling having your work demonstrated in front of others. GRANTED, I did not write the libretto, the book, the music or direct the show (and orchestrations are always heard sub-conciously and no one ever says "Did you hear those amazing orchestrations!" unless they are a musician), but I still put forth a creation. Luckily, and extremely gratefully, people appreciated what I brought to the table.
FOLK WANDERING is a show I cherish deeply, and the people attached, and I have the utmost faith it will continue to have a life. We shall see what the future holds.
Elisa Lovelie & The Device went into The Cutting Room and laid down some tracks. I am really happy with how it is turning out. There should be a release party in the up and coming months, but we are still debating if we should make it an EP or a full-length CD. Never-the-less, it is still a great team to be a part of, and I know we have a shot at something!
It was crazy amazing seeing Ryan do a 540 on the Tony's!
I went to Ottawa, ON to visit Ben and his family while he was waiting for his Visa. I had a fantastic time, and always enjoy going to Stittsville--the roads are clean, the people are friendly, it is rich in culture, the air is noticeably fresh and clean etc. I also love Benjamin's family. Sometimes, they treat me better than my own. On a side note, by the way, Ben indeed received his Visa. However morbid it sounds, his application went up for re-consideration (after the initial RFE), the day Marvin Hamlisch died. Hamlisch's unexpected death really shocked the music world, and it made national and international news for days so much so, he became a household name to average Americans. This all ties back to Ben because during his CBC's TRIPLE SENSATION appearance, Marvin Hamlisch is recorded saying "I would buy stock in that kid," and he also said these same things in Ben's recommendation letter. So, thank you Marvin Hamlisch for not only putting a glorious mark on the world with your music, but also for dying at an opportune moment.
For about 1.5 months, I worked as as music assistant for Rob Fisher of NY City Center Encores! fame. It has been an amazing experience, and it is definitely crazy how I received the job. Maybe it will open doors down the road, but even if it doesn't, I am grateful for the experience.
Currently, I am in rehearsals for a new show with the working title A Musical Fantasia on Piratical Themes. I am playing violin. More about this after the show in September.
I am also about to begin rehearsals for a new show by Felicia Hunter called FANNIE LOU. It is a historical-fiction musical about Fannie Lou Hamer, who was a civil rights activist in Mississippi. The book is interesting, and I am very excited to hear what the music has to offer. I do think this project is important because Felicia is doing Score, Book, Lyrics, Orchestrations--Blacks are looked down on in the creative process of musical theatre, and I do not think there has ever been a Broadway-bound musical created by a Black woman. Props to her! The show is in October.
Once school begins in a couple of weeks, I will be diving into FIORELLO! rehearsals.
I am also doing a Joe's Pub concert next Sunday (August 16th). It is a new musical theatre composer benefit concert for St. Jude's hospital. I am a last minute replacement on violin, and am very excited and nervous. Broadway singers singing Broadway songs. Should be a fun time.
I am currently on an airplane towards the Rockies of Colorado where I am meeting with Chris Koelzer for our cross-country road trip. It should be a fun and awesome adventure as he goes to MD for grad school at the University of Maryland. I am sure there will be pictures somewhere.
Shows I have seen:
NEWSIES--since I saw it at Paper Mill, I was really excited to see Ryan in his element just performing and goofing off.
A STREET CAR NAMED DESIRE--why didn't I like this as much as everyone around me? I got bored.
SISTER ACT--Lysh made her bway debut in the show, but I saw when she went on as Deloris! What an amazing talent AND beauty she is.
I went and saw BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD at Lincoln Plaza Cinemas. Definitely the movie to beat at the Oscars. Sundance does it again!
Last, but certainly not least, I speckled the plethora of holes in my wall and painted three of the four walls Frosted Juniper. I am waiting until I get back from Colorado, to pain the fourth wall some version of a Cobalt. It is quite sad how excited I was/am in this project.
TTFN, ta ta for now.
