| JOURNAL - Page Three |
| Read the REVIEWS |
Clay Adkins, Jeff Griggs and David Barnathan in "Bananas" |
|
We all had a great time. The cast was laughing because in the show they have to madly jump into these clothes and for this photo shoot they had all the time in the world. This is a cast of nine comedians so the quips were flying fast and furious. I offered producer SHIRLEY HILLARD the use of these photos in black and white to send to the newspapers. This photo of the "Bananas" number is here to placate CLAY ADKINS who thinks the other photo of him as Carmen Miranda that they chose to use makes him look like he has double chins. (The boy doesn't have an ounce of fat on his body!) I told him when you're dressed like that, who is looking at your chins? Actors! |
Heidi Godt - "Special" |
July 8th - The matinee show was the
last with original lead HEIDI GODT in the part
of Dorothy. (She'll be back for the recording.) ANETTE SANDERS threw a pool party at her house to
celebrate and send Heidi on her way. It occurred to me that this was the
first time this cast gathered for an actual party. (Who's had time? We went
for food together after a couple of performances.) It was loud and rowdy
and fun! Also there was our new Dorothy BETH
MALONE. She starts next weekend. She's got a tough act to follow!
It's going to be ... interesting. SCOTT DAVIDSON is out of the show for two weekends starting next Friday and his understudy quit this week to do a TV pilot. (Well, wouldn't you?) Another actor - DAVID GOLDYN - has agreed to go on after only a week of rehearsals! Two new kids in the same weekend! |
July 16th - BETH
MALONE is fantastic! She slipped into the show as if she's always
been there. Her Dorothy is a little "edgier"
than Heidi's had been and her new interpretation works really well. And she
sings "Special" beautifully! DAVID GOLDYN also did a great job filling
in for Scott. I've been an understudy and had to go on with very little notice.
It's a terrifying experience. It's obvious these actors are "pros".
I've had an idea for the original cast CD that watching these new singers - as well as Bryan, Gina and Anette, our other understudy/replacements - has reaffirmed for me. There are three songs that were cut from this production. (I've written a total of 40 songs for the various incarnations of this show, but let's not get into that!) I'm going to record them for the CD and use our "additional original cast" talent to sing them! |
Amy Collett as Marilyn Monroe and Jeff Griggs as James Dean - "Be Careful What You Wish For" |
The Ensemble in "Busby Berkeley" |
July 22 - I just had the most fun you
can have sitting up! I played piano for the show for the first time. Musical
Director ROBERT BRANDZEL had a schedule conflict
and I filled in for him. What a hoot! I think the cast was somewhat in shock:
Bob and I play very differently! But this was the feel of the songs the way
I wrote them, and the actors got into it. We had the best show in weeks!
Apologetically, Bob has asked if I can fill in again for one show next weekend.
Twist my arm!
The company has a new publicist, FLO SELFMAN. Since "There's No Place Like Hollywood" has been extended, Flo is using next weekend as a second "press" opportunity. Our own SCOTT DAVIDSON comes back to the show as well, so spirits are high! |
|
Stephanie Andersen
David Barnathan & Heidi Godt |
"Sci-Fi Movie" - Amy Collett, David Barnathan, Heidi Godt, Stephanie Andersen, Jeff Griggs and Anette Sanders |
||||
|
Melissa Brandzel as Greta Garbo, Heidi Godt as Dorothy, Stephanie Andersen as Mae West and Anette Sanders as Bette Davis singing "Divas" |
||
|
Sunday's performance will close the current production of this show.
There are plans afoot to do the show again; I'll be sure to let everyone know. It doesn't feel "over" yet because we start the recording tonight! If you'd like to read about that, click over to JOURNAL PAGE FOUR - THE CD. |