What a Week this has Been...What a Rare Mood I'm In

This has been a busy week...to put it mildly.

ShowChoir! has come and gone. The run went well and people enjoyed it.

Wrapped up shooting my first film on Saturday. The process is night and day to what I am used to in the theatre, and despite the absurdly LONG hours (they are not kidding when they say you wait around) I found that I love the process and having to find and hit the moment right there and then. Makes it feel more visceral and organic to me than weeks of rehearsing. The people were great, the writer and director are AMAZING artists and human beings, and I loved the feel of being on a real set and in a real environment I could realistically interact with. This is definitely not my last venture in front of a camera. It also made me feel really good that the DP and his assistant, German and Mexican respectively, both said I photography really well on camera. Definitely not something I have ever heard.

This week I start rehearsals for two shows in NYMF: Maccabeat! and New Generation of Song. The first being a rock and roll version of a Juddaic story (was called in to audition as a replacement - Michael Cassara, what an amazingly friendly and open CD) and the second an evening of music by up and coming composers at APAC with some people I love dearly (Jeffrey, Brian and Shad). I am REALLY looking forward to both and glad I am able to fit both in thanks to opposite rehearsal schedules.

I have to take a moment in light of the piano player lashing from the last post to extol the virtues of two great accompanists. Rich Silverman (I think that is his last name) Silverstein and Seth Weinstein. The first I met on the audition that got me my card. A fellow actor, Rich totally knows musical theatre and understands how to play the songs. He instantly knew my song, which not many people do because no one, as far as I have heard, sings it. It's not from a show and can be a bear to play, but I like it because it's not known and has not show or character to bias it. He's an uber-friendly guy with all the right skills and understands how to support a singer. Seth is a DEMON on the keys and played my song with such vigor that I thought I was going to leap out the window and sing all the way down. Note-perfect in every way. Though I did not get a chance to chat with him, his website is an open door to his personality. Much like myself he is a lingophile and annoyed by many of the verbal/written trips and falls as I am. I think he and I would have great discussions about things others would find banal.

And lastly, I had an audition for Wicked (the morning after my first long shoot day...tired much?), and though I was late, I was able to get a slot. After a couple of hours of wandering and waking my body up I went in and had another great time singing and had a wonderful conversation with Rachel Hoffman who was incredibly nice and warm. We briefly bantered about my name and my cultural background. Gaelen only confirmed my own experience of her being a great CD in the biz.

So, not a bad week. I feel like things are progressing. Next step is to get an agent, get my SAG card and keep pushing forward. Still feel like I am floating in the ethers, but as I have been told, I need only to hang on to the beast and let it take me for a ride instead of controlling it.