Back/Spine Update

I have a back health update. After I had the MRI back in April, the chiropractor told me that I was suffering from some mild scoliosis (joy of joys) as well as a spondylolisthesis...in layman's terms: I had both anterior and posterior disc bulges on the right side of my lower back. Two shit-storms for the price of one!!!

Luckily, with some conservative treatments over the course of this month as well as some resolve to do all the prescribed stretches and walking exercise, my lower back has improved. At this point, I'm not back at 100%, but I'm getting there. My flexibility has improved the most. I still have mild pains mostly at the lower back, but the chiropractor says that if the pain is centralizing, that's a good sign. Before, the pain had been up/down the back as well as into my hamstrings and right leg. So there you have it...I'm not completely out of the woods, but I at least am able to manage the pain without the aid of Vicodin or, worse, a trip to a pain specialist for an epidural... Yup, I was this close to getting a procedure for birthing mothers!!!

MRI bizness

After some visits with the chiropractor, it was decided that he needs to get a closer look, so I had an MRI tonight. When I got to the imaging center and filled out the forms, they gave me what looked like a menu. After the initial confusion, the tech told me it was a list of Sirius Satellite Radio Stations that I could choose from. Apparently, they like to keep your mind off all the obnoxious THUD THUD THUD THUD PLONK PLONK PLONK PLONK noises inside the MRI chamber. Very kind of them. I chose the opera station, and was treated to a live performance of Die Walküre from the Met (sadly without Christine Brewer as Brünnhilde...*sigh*).

We'll see what the MRI has to tell the doctor tomorrow...

(On a happy note, I got to surround myself with good friends afterwards...which helped me take my mind off everything that's been plaguing my mind.)

April without Recitals is to December without Christmas

April has been, like most Aprils it seems, a month chock full of recitals at your local university. Here are some of my favorite moments of the recital attendance:

- the masterfully-conceived figur of baritone Alan Naylor's recital
- soprano Alison Moritz's portrayal of five English queens by composer Libby Larsen
- baritone Max von Schlehenreid and mezzo soprano Meghan Garvin's ravishing duet
- a sweetly sung "Un aura amorosa" by tenor Anthony Heinemann
- tenor Joshua Stanton rocking out to Tosti

These recitals make me want to get my arse back on the recital stage. I am dying to explore more song repertoire, especially in the russian realm (got a taste of it on '06 and am wanting more). I've also been working diligently on Schumann's Liederkreis Op. 24 (Heine). I'd also LOVE to delve into Winterreise, though I don't see myself performing that one anytime soon. My voice teacher has mentioned the prospect of a recital series featuring his post-grad students, so this could happen in the near future. I can hope!

Spinal drama!!!

Ok, so Vicodin only helps so much when your back is in excruciating pain. I can't even sit down or stand up without pitching a fit. Decided to take the damn day off and bypass my doctor's suggestion to revisit HIM if I didn't improve...because sometimes you have to take things into your own hands or Scheisse doesn't get done!

On the recommendation of a dear friend, I found a local chiropractor. After a consultation, the chiropractor decided to have me come in every other day for some conservative treatments. Such repeated visits would have scared the crap out of me this time last year when I didn't have insurance...so I count myself lucky for having it!

More info on this later?

Back drama!!!

Oy, my back!!! I think I pulled something during all that comical crawling-around in Don Pasquale. Seriously, my back has been in SUCH pain lately. I had a short episode like this a few years back, but it went away after a massage. I guess I did something much worse. The pain is seriously impairing my ability to do just about ANYTHING.

As such, I got in the car (a feat in and of itself--lateral movements are a BITCH!) and went to the doctor. After a look, he said, quite plainly:

"Do you want narcotics?"

I found the statement a little funny, considering you usually hear the word "narcotics" on Cops in reference to someone who's about to be or already has been arrested for possession. Nevertheless, the doctor put me on Vicodin. While it DOES make the pain go away, I feel like it's a mere mask.

I feel like such a dumbass for letting my back get this unhealthy. They say that back pain is a life-long problem unless you're constantly doing something about it. I think this is a real wakeup call. More later...

REVIEW: An Evening With Patti & Mandy @ Fox

The other day, my dear friend Joy happily came across some comps for a concert that I had decided initially that I'd have to pass up for scrimpin' and savin' reasons.

In the past couple years, I've seen several of my favorite singers/personalities live, including Christine Brewer, Bryn Terfel, Susan Graham, Debbie Voigt, Margaret Cho and most recently Kristin Chenoweth. It's all so surreal! To finally know they exist not just on CD or television. You're actually in the same concert hall/opera house/theatre with them!! I know this seems so gauche of me, but it's an honest feeling I get...

...and I got it definitely tonight at An Evening with Patti Lupone and Mandy Patinkin. They'd not worked together since their monumental performances together in the original Broadway production of Evita...and it was like watching two old friends collaborating as if twenty or so years really hadn't passed by.

What I loved most about the evening was that it didn't feel like a conventional concert. Patti and Mandy treated the evening almost as if it were a classical recital, except the repertoire was not Schubert, Debussy or Copland...it was of equal giants in the musical theatre canon: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Kern, Loesser and Sondheim. Groups songs by these composers were woven into almost a Liederkreis of sorts. We were given a story to watch. I was very touched by Mandy and Patti's recapitulation of the Carousel story, especially.

Of course, the evening also allowed for some solo turns. Patti came out and knocked 'em dead with two solos instrumental in her early career ("Don't Cry for Me, Argentina") and her most recent work ("Everything's Coming Up Roses"). Mandy gave an inspired, borscht-belt reading of "Buddy's Blues" from Follies. It was a little disappointing, though, that he nixed "Oh What a Circus" this evening. The duo closed out the evening with the delightful ditty "Coffee in a Cardboard Cup," which I now am determined to sing with a willing duet partner!

It all flashed by so fast, yet with such pacing, I was never left wanting more. A truly wonderful evening of song!

March has been good to me

The expression on my face in the picture below is inversely related to my joy at how wonderful March has been for me as a singer.


I won’t repeat all the details, as I covered them in the last post…but I do want to talk about Don Pasquale (from which the above photo was taken). This has to be among one of the most enjoyable productions I’ve done in a while. Our director was a delight to work with. The conductor was, as always, spot on. Gina, John, David and Joel were outstanding leads and kept the show bright and comical throughout. Opening night was generally good, but closing night was better…I somewhat wish we could do a few more performances.

Oh, and I cannot leave out this little detail. The director has connections to OTSL, who provided a lot of our props and costumes. My costume, pictured above, included an apron. At my first costume fitting, the director and I noticed a name well known to opera singers, directors and conductors…



I’ll always think of that apron every time I use one of his IPA guides!

So, what does April hold for me besides getting more work done at my day job? Recitals, Recitals, Recitals! No, I’m not giving recitals (though I really want to put one together—the sooner the better). Alan Naylor gives his WashU grad recital on Thursday, and I’ve heard promising things about it. I’ll be seeing a recital every day on the weekend of the 17th-19th starting with Megan & Anthony (joint junior recital at SLU), then Alison and Josh (undergrad & grad recitals, respectively, at WashU). Perhaps all these fresh-faced singers will all inspire me to actually get that Schumann/Heine Liederkreis out in public for once!

A surprising development

I was surprised by a UAO development three days ago. A chorus slot in Lakmé opened up and was offered to me. There were a lot of pros/cons to weigh. The major pros are $ and the chance to be in an important french opera; the only major con is that I'm giving up a significant portion of my summer to do all three operas. I accepted the offer. Who knows if I'll regret this choice or not. Nevertheless, I have decided to act against regret by making some concrete plans for vacation, preferably the last week of May or first week of June before chorus music rehearsals begin.

As for vacation, I'm thinking of spending a week in Fort Lauderdale to lounge on the beach and visit my Uncle Lance and Brian. Maybe they'll even let me stay at their place! *crossing fingers*

Tomorrow night is the opening night of Donizetti's Don Pasquale with New Opera St. Louis. I highly recommend the production, as all four principals are exceptional singers...and there's a bitchin' couple of choruses in Act Three...well maybe not bitchin' but I think the director has given us some fun stuff to do with what little stage time the composer gave us. ;) Here are the details...

WHAT: Don Pasquale
WHEN: Friday, March 27 @ 8pm / Sunday, March 29 @ 5pm
WHERE: Saint Ambrose Church on "The Hill" / 5130 Wilson Ave / St. Louis
TICKETS: $30 / $26 / $22 (Student Rush $10 @ the Door) Call 314.865.0038
WEBSITE: newoperastl.org

Prodigal Blogger Vol. 1

Woah, where have I been this month?!?

*cue cheesy baptist church organ music*

I’m a bonafied certified blog-backslider!!!  I am a lost sheep!!  But I—the Prodigal Blogger—have come home to beg your forgiveness!!!

Ok… now that that part is over with…lemme fill you in on what’s up…

WILLIAM TURNS FIVE!

My nephew William turned 5 years old at the top of the month.  His parents threw him a Cowboy-themed party, and the kid just had a ball!  Was glad to have been a part of it.  I have learned that one of his birthday presents was Tae Kwon Do lessons…though I think they are less a “wheee! fun!!” present and more a “we need to harness this kid’s energy so he doesn’t drive us nuts at home” present.  Either way, I’m wearing a cup next time I visit him in case he wants to practice any kicks when I walk in the door.

MOVIES

So I decided to catch up on a couple Oscar films, albeit retroactively.  I spent a Saturday afternoon at the Chase Park Plaza seeing two films in a row: The Reader and Frost/Nixon.  The Reader was quite amazing and prompted a lot of moral questions, but for reasons of plot spoilage, I cannot comment why I feel that way.  Nonetheless, Kate Winslet proved once again why she’s one of the best working film actresses today…and I actually feel this role to be Oscar worthy, even though I feel like the Academy pulled a “Scorcese” on her.  Frost/Nixon made me feel as if Frank Langella was robbed—and I loved Sean Penn in Milk.  Now I want to see the actual Frost/Nixon interviews.

GIGS, GIGS, GIGS

Got cast at Union Avenue for the coming season.  They’re doing Il trovatore, The Merry Widow (in German), Lakmé and a Christmastime production of Amahl and the Night Visitors.  I’ll be appearing in the Verdi and Lehár, the latter of which I’m most excited…because any chance to flex my german muscles is worth taking!  We have yet to hear how Amahl will be cast, but I am not necessarily holding my breath.

(Oh, and I entered the Crapshoot Olympics® but didn’t even get the Bronze.  However, I did get a compliment from the judge.)

Last weekend, I solo-ed with the St. Louis Women’s Chorale.  Got to sing some Lehár and Weill, one of which I can sing at parties; the other I can add to my aria list…SWELL!!

As if all that weren’t enough, I got hired at the last minute for a chorus gig in New Opera St. Louis’ season-closer Don Pasquale.  Great director, great conductor, fun colleagues... To quote the great Ethel Merman: who could ask for anything more? 

Review: ABE

ABE, a new musical, received its world premiere in Quincy, Illinois two weekends ago.  Presented by the Muddy River Opera Company in a city that hosted one of the historic Lincoln-Douglas debates, this new work holds particular nostalgia for the state of Illinois in 2009, the Lincoln Bicentennial Year.  Composer Roger Anderson and Book-Writer/Lyricist Lee Goldsmith began collaboration on this musical in the 1970s, but had not finished it until recently, when MROC took interest in premiering the work.

ABE focuses on the life of Abraham Lincoln from his early years until his departure from Springfield, Illinois for the Presidential Inauguration.  The first act mostly concerns Lincoln’s formative years in New Salem, Illinois; the second with his rise to power and marriage to Mary Todd.  Dramatically, the musical suffers at the beginning.  While the creative team succeeds with a stirring, effective prologue set at a New Orleans slave auction (at which Lincoln is a prominent spectator), their opening number—“Fifteen Houses, A Hundred People”—lacks energy.  Despite this initial flaw, the musical numbers that follow manage to liven up the pace.  “Who Are You” gives the audience a glimpse into Lincoln’s quest for purpose.  “Corn,” “Two Hundred Seventy Seven to Three” and “Who, Abe? You, Abe!” gives the ensemble ample opportunities to shine and put a smile on our faces.  The second act of ABE happily maintains the established dramatic pace.

In the title role, baritone Samuel Hepler gave a sensitive, well-considered reading of the iconic 16th president.  His warm, rich baritone and lanky, handsome stage presence exuded Lincoln’s idealism, melancholy and heart.  Soprano Elise LaBarge was charming and sympathetic as Lincoln’s first love Ann Rutledge, and her solo “A Man Like Him” proved bittersweet, given Rutledge’s fate.  Ms. LaBarge also deftly negotiated some of the more awkward, stilted dialogue in the show.  Soprano Joy Boland portrayed Mary Todd Lincoln with gutsy aplomb and gave us a glimpse of a woman that—despite an often difficult temper and shifting mood—loved, cherished and supported her husband wholeheartedly.  Baritone Greg Lewis had clear diction and strong presence as Mentor Graham, schoolteacher and early friend to Lincoln. Tenor Robert Boldin was an utter delight as Lincoln’s oft-smashed law-partner Billy Herndon.  Boldin showed remarkable versatility in the unsettling “What Am I Bid?”

Director Mark James Meier handled this big, old-fashioned book musical with careful attention to detail and resourceful usage of his ensemble.  Along with the bigger, splashier numbers, Meier offered many simple, touching moments throughout, especially regarding Lincoln’s early courting and eventual loss of Ann Rutledge as well as the enduring friendship between Lincoln and Billy Herndon.  Conductor Scott Schoonover’s leadership of the 20-piece MROC orchestra was a generous complement to the proceedings onstage.  Paul Denckla’s production design made the effective approach of suggestion over presentation with a rustic unit set (calling to mind Lincoln’s early years in Kentucky and southern Illinois) coupled with projections of actual plot locales.

The production team, cast and crew of Abe are to be commended for giving such a wonderful world premiere.

Oscar Observations

Before I get to the Oscar observations, I thought I'd say that given how late it is, I will have to put off a review of Abe for a day or two...so check back for that soon!

Last night, I joined friends for an Oscar Viewing Party at Doug's.  As the show went on, we all partook of some yummy veggie lasagna followed by key lime pie.  The show itself was quite enjoyable, especially with the company I kept.  So, without further ado, here are my Oscar Observations!

Pre-Show Baba Wawa Special:

- Skeezy Mickey Rourke had his left hand down his pants for nearly all of the interview...when I said "he's a hot mess," a fellow viewer said "No, he's just a mess."

- Baba Wawa requested a lap-dance from Hugh Jackman (a la The Boy from OZ) at the end of his interview; he obliged.  (What a horny old broad!)

Fashion:

- Sarah Jessica Parker's dress grew her some boobs.

- Josh Brolin needs to lose the moustache.

- Meryl Streep, looking not so good in that grey sackcloth, was definitely out-glammed by her daughter.

- Penelope Cruz mistook the Oscars for her wedding.

- Kate Winslet was dressed to kill...and win an Oscar.

- Tilda Swinton?  Still lookin' like an alien.

Miscellaneous Stuff:

- The camerawork on the Death Montage was quite frustrating and made a fellow viewer seasick.  (On the plus side, Queen Latifah's vocals were sweet and classy.)

- Bombed overall presentation of the evening?  Jack Black & Jennifer Aniston.

- Ben Stiller KILLED as Joaquin Phoenix.

- LOVED the inclusion of Braveheart when they showed clips of Milk interspersed with other films dealing with freedom and resistance! (I would like to believe that it was an intentional swipe at Gibson...)

Musical Numbers:

- Hugh Jackman is a real showman...I'm not a huge fan, but his opening number was camp-licious.

- What is the point of a big movie-musical medley in a year that produced only Mamma Mia and the third installment of High School Musical?  And the dancing lacked OOMPH.

- Do they seriously need to trot out Beyoncé every single year?  Seriously?

- Glad to see the Best Song Nominees condensed into one segment...because they were grossly unmemorable to begin with.

AWARDS:

- Sup. Actress-- uh, yay for Penelope Cruz??

- Sup. Actor-- we all saw that one coming; classy to let Heath's family accept it

- Actress-- Yay Kate!!!  It's about time!!!  Martin Scorcese & Susan Lucci welcome you!!!

- Actor-- Good for Sean Penn.  His performance in Milk was uplifting and heartbreaking.  Plus, maybe he'll lighten up a bit now...before he won, he looked so red as if he may burst into fiery anger if he didn't win ;)  So glad Mickey Rourke didn't get it.  You shouldn't win an Oscar just for showing up clean & sober to a movie set.  (These may be harsh observations, but I stand by them.)

- Director & Picture-- Whatever.  Not that jazzed about Slumdog...but I will Netflix it out of obligatory curiosity.

(In fact, I've got to Netflix a whole lotta movies now!)

Goin' up to see "Abe"

Tomorrow, I'm going up to Quincy, IL to see the world premiere of Abe: the Musical presented by Muddy River Opera.  I first heard of Abe way back in June last year, when Mark Meier (director of UAO's Elixir of Love) said that he was offered the job of directing the show.  To hear him describe it, you'd think that it had the potential to be a campy adventure a la the play-within-the-movie of Waiting for Guffman.  When he told me that the composer and lyricist wrote a show-stopper called "Corn" I knew I had to see it.  Of course, there's more reasons than that to want to come to my college town, including the fact that several friends are involved.  Joy is Mary Todd Lincoln; Elise is Ann Rutledge; Emily is some role I cannot remember right now; Scott is conducting; Mark is directing.

So, up to Quincy I go tomorrow.  I shall offer a full report here...perhaps in the wee hours of Saturday morning when I've stumbled back to my motel room after some inevitable post-opening-night partying.

Valentine's Day, or just another day?

Ok, so I'm cooled off after that last diatribe.  Moving on to happier subjects...

VALENTINE'S DAY

So yeah... uh... it's Valentine's Day.  And I have no sweetheart...so I guess I'll have to love myself before I love another...  How's that for Hallmark-Card sentimentality?  First on the docket of loving oneself?  Buy oneself some sugar cookies with red/pink/white frosting and eat them.  Second on the docket?  Take oneself on a date to the Symphony (Christine Brewer's rockin' out on the Verdi Requiem.  WHEEEE!)...  At said Symphony, one must also take advantage of the 50-Free program, because after all, it's great if oneself is a cheap date.

REALITY TEE-VEE BINGE

I'm on a Reality TV binge as of late.  And so I'm going to take some time to talk about what keeps my DVR nice and chock-full as of late:

American Idol has been chugg-a-lugging along for over a month now, and I'm finding myself actually watching past the auditions/hollywood shows.  I haven't done that since the season Carrie Underwood won.  I am not a huge fan of the show, so I'm very amused by two histrionic, sanctimonious demographics that watch AI: tweens and housewives.  Both groups tend to fiercely support a very annoying, mediocre singer that seems to be "chosen" by the producers to advance (see David Archuleta & Clay Aiken).  I tend to find myself in the camp that wants to be entertained... so I find myself drawn to the trainwrecks that make it to the Top 36.  Thus, I really enjoy visiting VoteForTheWorst.com!  Check it out sometime.

Survivor: Tocantins premiered the other night.  I'm not really feeling this season's locale (the Brazilian highlands), though I will give the producers points for finding such a seemingly desolate place...which they've not really done since the season in the Australian outback.  As for the cast, there are a few loud, wannabe-alpha-males that, in the pursuit of being top dog, ought to make fools of themselves for our enjoyment.  There's a few underdogs worth rooting for, too.  Survivor: Gabon was a hard act to follow...we'll have to see about this season.

The Amazing Race starts up tomorrow night!!!  The cast was revealed a few weeks ago, and I am pre-rooting for both parent/child teams (one of which includes the first deaf contestant) as well as a team of two seemingly strong/competitive red-headed women.  HOLLA, FELLOW GINGERS!  (Ok, so I'm not a ginger...but I was at an early age...) I've heard wonderful things about the race course...but my most anticipated moment will be when the teams go to Salzburg, Austria!!!  Amazing Race Producers: Please tell me you fashioned some kind of task involving the mythical rivalry between Mozart and Salieri!!!

GRACE TURNS 2

My little niece Grace Emily is turning the big T-W-O on Monday.  She's growing up so fast! According to insider reports, she said her first full sentence last week: "I know Pop-Pop like tatos."  (Her brother tried to tell her that grandpa didn't like potatoes, and that direct quote was her merry retort!)  The grandparents, parents, uncle and big brother are all celebrating tomorrow afternoon with a lunch of my momma's famous chicken 'n dumplings followed by Rice Krispie treats.  Unfortunately there will be no ice cream, as my niece is lactose intolerant (hopefully only temporarily) so if the queen of the day can't have it, we all can't...and those are the rules ;)

Rant: Spoiled, Errant Children

WARNING: I'm about to get very political, angry and possibly, admittedly irrational.  Beware some language, and if you're a republican, you may want to pass this one over.

I realize that in this Obama era, we're all supposed to be post-partisan and willing to reach across the aisle and blah, blah, blah.  I have tried very hard to understand and read about all viewpoints left, moderate and right...especially those on the right, for they're usually tough to swallow.

But when it comes to the economic recovery/stimulus package and the Republican obstructionist actions, I say screw bi-partisanship...at least for now.  Obama tried his level best, and it's just not good enough for those spoiled, errant children in the GOP.

The Republican obstructionists seeking to score cheap political points (and the blue-dog Democrats that enable their bullshit) are despicable.

Don't get me wrong.  I'm not even completely sold on this economic recovery/stimulus package.  It's damn risky...but what other choice do we have?  Do we apply defibrilator paddles to the rapidly dying body, or do we step back and say that if we leave it alone, it will cure itself?  I know the sane, if uncertain, option.

As of right now, it looks like the stimulus will pass the Senate, barely...with credit due to a few Republicans who chose to be proactive.  Nevertheless, why should Obama and those working under him EVER trust the Republicans?  If one looked at this in Peanuts terms, the GOP is holding a football, only to "fake out" the Democrats every single damn time it is offered.  This whole circus is a desperate ploy to try and regain power in 2010, 2012 and beyond.  They know that the only glimmer of a hope for Republican Revolution 2.0 (and avoidance of being a minority, regional party) is for the stimulus plan to fail.  That's all they have, and they'll stop at nothing by acting like spoiled, errant children that deserve a swift backhanding.

My advice to the Obama and his party: don't bother kicking the football.

I Pagliacci

Last week, I was so busy with work, car repairs and my supertitles gig, that I practically forgot I had an internet connection and a blog...

...so here goes.  The highlight of last week was my gig as superititleist for New Opera St. Louis' production of I Pagliacci.  I'd never ran supertitles before, but it was a very simple job of making sure everything was readable on the screen (cleverly built into the set), watching the score, and making sure the running translation displayed at the right moments.  All in all, it was a fun way to make some needed cash...though I don't think I shall miss negotiating the catwalk every night...it's not a very big-guy-friendly space ;)  The best part, though, was reuniting with friends that I've made through the company.  Lots of good times!

Oh, and New Opera St. Louis got its first (and glowing) review from the Post-Dispatch.  Go NOSTL!

Sunday night, after the final show we had the cast party, which doubled as a SuperBowl viewing event.  I don't really watch the game with any great interest, but I did enjoy some of the commercials, including this one (my favorite):

In other news, I'm readying myself for the Union Avenue audition.  Tonight, I'm previewing "This is my Box" from Amahl and the Night Visitors @ the voice master class.  I'm also plugging away at "Dein ist mein ganzes Herz"...a deceptively simple aria, to be frank.

To end this entry, I leave you with a question... What do you recommend as an appropriate gift for a 2-year-old girl's birthday?  My neice is almost freakin' TWO!!

grumblings

Lots of stuff has happened today to make me grumpy.

First off, I decided to purchase some music from iTunes, which my computer downloaded and processed at a mind-numbingly slow rate.  Then, it lost 3 of the files which I had to re-purchase.

Secondly, my computer (in many ways other than the iTunes debacle) is a piece of crap, and I really hope that if Obama can pass this stimulus package, I'm seriously buying a freaking laptop.

Thirdly, Circuit City didn't have anything worth purchasing in their liquidation sale.

Fourthly, the air in Maplewood smells like farts.  Seriously, I think the sewers are belching!

Finally, I didn't get a callback for STAGES.  That's life, I guess.

The only bright lights?

1. watching a deliciously campy shot-on-a-soundstage-and-they-weren't-apologizing-for-it DVD of Salome from 1974 with Teresa Stratas in the title role and Karl Böhm conducting.

2. seeing my good friend Charlie Martinez, who is in town for a production of I Pagliacci, at Dressels.

Thankfully, my day wasn't a complete drag.

STAGES audition

OK, so I had the STAGES audition about two hours ago.  Here's how things happened...  I entered the room to notice the accompanist (whom I know from WU, and she was tickled to see me, so that put me a little bit at ease) and the one-man audition panel.  I announced my song, "Mr. Cellophane" from Chicago, sang it pretty damn well (it's so ingrained by now), and the panel thus asked me to sing those 32 bars once more in my most 'new-york-gangster' manner.  I had a bit of a memory lapse this second time around...partly due to nerves, but mostly because I overthought another directive from the panel.  Nevertheless, they seemed to like my 'gangster' characterization, even if I felt my nerves didn't allow me to go "full out," as it were.

I was asked if I had anything else, and proceeded to sing "The Desert Song."  My high A-flat at the end was stellar on first approach, but my second approach...a little squally, perhaps?  Should have just done a portamento down to the F.  Urrgh!  No re-sing of this one, but the panel did thank me for singing.

Overall, I give this audition a B.

What I can gather?  Not a whole lot.  Word is that STAGES is looking to hire more locals as they are in the red after their December production of Little Women...so that doesn't necessarily give me hope, but is at least a little encouraging.  If I get a call from the company on Saturday night, that means they want me at Call Backs the next day.  Judging from the 'gangster' directive, I deduce that if anything, I might have been considered for the ensemble of Guys and Dolls--but that's a mere assumption.

In other audition-y type news, I might go with my friend Jason out to Crestwood Mall on Saturday afternoon to be considered as an "extra" in the soon-to-be-filmed-in-St.-Louis movie Up in the Air (with George Clooney).  Production needs types to play travelers, airline employees, TSA personnel, etc.  I'd only have to set aside one day, and I'd probably end up in a scene filmed at Lambert Airport's recently closed D concourse.  We'll see.

Inauguration Day

I've always been proud to be a citizen of America and grateful for all her blessings.  As clichéd as it sounds, we really do live in a "land of opportunity."  For a son of a diverse racial and cultural background to attain the highest office in the land is a testament to what has been and can be done in this country.

As much as I can be very catty about the political opposition, I think this is a day for everyone...not just 66.8 million people.  We have a new leader, and I think good-hearted Americans want our leaders to succeed for the common benefit.  I have heard accounts of some Republicans saying that despite their strong political differences with Obama, they realize that the nation's problems are too dire, and that we all must want him to succeed.  After all, it's about the country.  To that end, I pledge not to let my admiration for the man cloud any judgment if and when he does something out of hand or ill-advised.

May God bless Barack Obama and his administration.  And most importantly: God Bless America!

Only for now!

Well, today's the last day of the Bush Administration. In order to avoid too much negativity, I won't go into any long-winded diatribes. (It's just too tiring to recount all the crap that has been visited upon We, the American People since January 20th, 2001.) However, I will say that George better hope God is merciful. History won't be. No amount of self-delusion will change that.

I won't lie...I am taking some definite Schadenfreude in this transfer of power. I want to be in the heads of all the conservative pundits, journalists, shock jocks, et. al. that are unhappy with the new administration coming into power tomorrow morning. How must it feel now that their hands are off the levers of power? Sure, the pendulum could swing back...but for now, I wanna know if they're gonna all wear black tomorrow.

In the finale of Avenue Q, the cast sings a bittersweet sentiment that so many joys and hardships in life are "only for now..." Towards the end, the lyric goes:

Only for now
Sex-- is only for now
Your hair-- is only for now
George Bush-- is only for now

That lyric has heightened meaning for us today, doesn't it?

Auditions to come...

So, I've got three auditions on the horizon for summer companies (STAGES, Union Avenue Opera & The MUNY).  I get so embarrassed sometimes that I'm not casting my net wider.  It's due to several factors--most of which are in my power to change.  I just need to have more faith in myself...et cetera.  Anyhow, I am thinking of the following game plans:

STAGES

Just scheduled an audition with this summer musical theatre company doing Little Shop of Horrors, Drowsy Chaperone and Guys and Dolls.  I'm probably most appropriate for the third show, as the first two are a belty-singing show and dancing show, respectively.  I'm a singer that moves...so a good number of the Rodgers/Hammerstein, Loesser, Lerner/Loewe shows are right up my alley.

Thus, I'm bringing in my requisite two contrasting songs.  I'm starting off with "Mr. Cellophane" to give the panel a glimpse into my comedic personality.  Should they want to hear something else, I'll sing the title song from The Desert Song--which is my "ballad" with a lot of "money notes" during and at the end.  A friend smartly suggested I have a cabaret song ready and in my binder...so I've got a bittersweet William Bolcom number planned in that case.

UNION AVENUE OPERA

They're doing Verdi's Il trovatore, Lehár's The Merry Widow (in german), Delibes' Lakmé in the summer and Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors at Christmastime.   In short, there's a lot that I would love to be considered for (and have noted on my audition letter) in every production this season.  Though, I'm really gunning for Kaspar in Amahl and a few supporting roles in Merry Widow...did you think I'd pass up the chance to compete for a role in german?

At UAO, one usually gets to sing two pieces, time- and panel-permitting.  My thought is to begin with "This Is My Box" from Amahl, followed by "Dein ist mein ganzes Herz" from Lehár's The Land of Smiles.  This is, by my estimation, the best course of action.  You've got A.) an aria straight from the opera AND the role...and B.) another aria in the style of the composer to be featured.

MUNY

Oh geez... I don't even know where to begin.  Maybe the "Debbie Plan," which would consist of:

1. hardcore dance sessions w/Debbie Allen

2. Debbie Voigt surgery (maybe the lap-band kind?)

Ok, so the "Debbie Plan" is wildly expensive...so I'll just have to seriously out-sing the conservatory students.  I don't know what to sing yet, but luckily, the MUNY auditions aren't until the beginning of March.  I have a decent amount of time to find something old-school musical comedy that is both something I'd actually sing onstage yet aesthetically pleasing in all the ways it must be aesthetically pleasing.  Oh, and lots of ZOWIE!  I'm not sure what "zowie" entails, but I'll get back to you on that.

. . . . . . .

Your thoughts, if any?