Wow, I was totally conflicted.
I have loved this Metrostar thing (and I certainly love what it has done for my career in the past week), but to watch last night and then have to make some decisions was unhappy and tough. I like these people.
Stearns is a cute dollbaby who sings like a dream and I long for him to do something of mine. And, of course, I wanted to vote for the gay boy. He made it. Anne is a dynamo from Indiana with that undeniable star thing goin' on. I wanted to vote for the Hoosier. She made it. Neesha is --- well, I have no words. When she eventually sings "When You Loved Me" from Sylvia So Far (as she wants to do) I will probably implode from pride. I wanted to vote for her. She made it.
And I am wildly hoping this morning that Angela and Clarice are completely embracing just how wonderful they are. I left last night having no idea what three names would be on the list today. Really, no idea.
Clarice is beautiful and exquisite and a rapturous singer. I wanted to vote for her. Angela is like no one else --- funny and heartbreaking simulataneously and just perfect. I wanted to vote for her.
So, rather than congratulate three of them this morning, I am going to congratulate five. Because of things that are happening in my life only because I participated in the Metrostar Challenge, I totally feel like I won. I want that for all five of them.
I can't go next Monday and the following Monday I am in New Orleans. I am so relieved!
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Monday, August 4, 2008
Speaking of Abigail...
I found this picture online when I was searching for a Rocka My Soul pic. I love it. Sure, I love the glamourpuss shots. But this is Abby.
Abby and "Rocka My Soul"
No, it wasn't art and it didn't quite work and I think the material is simply inappropriate to musicalize. That said, there were enough exciting moments in "Rocka My Soul", which I saw Saturday night, to justify going.
And, of course, there's Abigail, my little love, who starred as child murderer Susan Smith.
That's right. This musical takes the appalling and truly sickening real story of Smith who, at the age of 23 and separated from her husband, strapped her three year old into his seatbelt, the baby into the car seat, then drove them into a lake in South Carolina. It's a horror.
Seems her new boyfriend didn't want a ready-made family.
So, someone decided this would make a great musical. And the conceit wasn't bad. The murders incited terrible race rage because Smith, before confessing, invented a mysterious black man who she claimed carjacked her then drove off with her children. The musical focuses on the social injustice of profiling and uses well-known gospel numbers to tell the story from the community point of view. The playwright spins his own story of false incarceration and execution, which does take it out of the realm of docudrama (in real life the truth emerged within days).
I just think it's something we all remember too well with too much horror and this is maybe one of those things I think it inappropriate to musicalize.
That said, ABIGAIL WAS FANTASTIC. What a gifted, sensitive, resourceful, charming actress. I was immensely proud of her and glad her parents, up from Tennessee, could see her in something where she was not only the lead, but great.
And, of course, there's Abigail, my little love, who starred as child murderer Susan Smith.
That's right. This musical takes the appalling and truly sickening real story of Smith who, at the age of 23 and separated from her husband, strapped her three year old into his seatbelt, the baby into the car seat, then drove them into a lake in South Carolina. It's a horror.
Seems her new boyfriend didn't want a ready-made family.
So, someone decided this would make a great musical. And the conceit wasn't bad. The murders incited terrible race rage because Smith, before confessing, invented a mysterious black man who she claimed carjacked her then drove off with her children. The musical focuses on the social injustice of profiling and uses well-known gospel numbers to tell the story from the community point of view. The playwright spins his own story of false incarceration and execution, which does take it out of the realm of docudrama (in real life the truth emerged within days).
I just think it's something we all remember too well with too much horror and this is maybe one of those things I think it inappropriate to musicalize.
That said, ABIGAIL WAS FANTASTIC. What a gifted, sensitive, resourceful, charming actress. I was immensely proud of her and glad her parents, up from Tennessee, could see her in something where she was not only the lead, but great.
Update from the studio
Spent portions of both Saturday and Sunday in Jim Papoulis' studio recording bits of the Sylvia score with the cast. It was fun.
Saturday went very slowly and all we got was a complete take of Josh doing "Twenty in my Pocket", the first two verses of "The Good People of New York", and the bridge of "The Man Reading Kafka on the Train". Johary hung out to be supportive and also to get a feel for the room. He is recording some stuff there later in the fall.
Sunday was a bit easier. We got Caes doing "Not No More" and "When You Loved Me" as well the SSF lead in version of "I Guess You had to be There" and Gavin's reprise of the number. Our guest Sunday was George Nieves, a talented young choreographer with an interest in the show. Caesar says he's great.
Then Elizabeth and I went out a talked through changes, casting, etc., for four hours over maaaaaaaaany glasses of Pinot Grigio. It was lovely and we had a splendid time.
Saturday went very slowly and all we got was a complete take of Josh doing "Twenty in my Pocket", the first two verses of "The Good People of New York", and the bridge of "The Man Reading Kafka on the Train". Johary hung out to be supportive and also to get a feel for the room. He is recording some stuff there later in the fall.
Sunday was a bit easier. We got Caes doing "Not No More" and "When You Loved Me" as well the SSF lead in version of "I Guess You had to be There" and Gavin's reprise of the number. Our guest Sunday was George Nieves, a talented young choreographer with an interest in the show. Caesar says he's great.
Then Elizabeth and I went out a talked through changes, casting, etc., for four hours over maaaaaaaaany glasses of Pinot Grigio. It was lovely and we had a splendid time.
Friday, August 1, 2008
I love this painting
I was googling one of the singers from Monday (I need him for a reading) when I came across this painting. It's called "Aphrodite" (my favorite pagan deity) by Robert Fowler. The funniest thing is, it reminds me sooooo much of a photograph of me! Wearing only a pair of Calvin Klein briefs and a smile, it was used to relaunch my dating life in 2006. And it was fabulously successful. I just don't think I have the guts to post it here.
And speaking of August...
It's starting off busy. Going out tonight. La dee dah. Then both tomorrow and Sunday I'm in the recording studio with the cast of Sylvia So Far putting down 8 numbers. I'm really looking forward to Sunday, when Caesar Samayoa, my star, lays down "Long Time Coming". He does it so gorgeously I find it hard to believe I wrote it. I'm hanging for a bit tomorrow afternoon with Lori then seeing Abigail in a show tomorrow night. Her folks are in from Tennessee, so I will enjoy spending a bit of time with them. Sunday night after recording I'm supposed to go see Boy A at the Film Forum, but at some point I need to do grocery and laundry and drug store, blah blah blah. Then on Monday we launch an important 2 day conference at the seminary. So August begins!
July
Do you know that song "I Hate To See October Go"?
I'm feeling that way about July. Or, specifically, this July. I had such a delicious, happy month. It felt long and it felt that, while it wasn't manic, hardly a day had a wasted moment. There were so many old friends, new friends, lovely times. Songs and recording sessions. Birthday parties that were too drunk and birthday dinners that were scrumptious. There was theater and movies. Excursions to the mall. Metrostar. "Mamma Mia!". Boys boys boys. Some special convergence of the stars seemed to make it a very special time. I'm wondering if August will be the same? I hate to put pressure on an innocent perfectly innocent month. I am liking my life right now.
I'm feeling that way about July. Or, specifically, this July. I had such a delicious, happy month. It felt long and it felt that, while it wasn't manic, hardly a day had a wasted moment. There were so many old friends, new friends, lovely times. Songs and recording sessions. Birthday parties that were too drunk and birthday dinners that were scrumptious. There was theater and movies. Excursions to the mall. Metrostar. "Mamma Mia!". Boys boys boys. Some special convergence of the stars seemed to make it a very special time. I'm wondering if August will be the same? I hate to put pressure on an innocent perfectly innocent month. I am liking my life right now.
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