OH, WE'RE HALFWAY THERE...

First, and foremost, I would like to thank the cast and crew of Evita. This has been the most the amazing theatrical experience I have ever had. All of you are so talented, and it has been an honor to appear on stage with all of you.

That being said, I'm not ready for it to end. We've just finished our second weekend of performances, with two more coming up, and I just want it to keep going. I've only had this feeling once or twice, and they were few and far between; namely, Seussical at Nerinx Hall, How to Succeed, and Bat Boy. Those were some of the best shows I've ever been part of, at least when I look back on them, and Evita has already shaped up to become next on the list. Never have I had so much fun on stage, and it just continues when we get off. I love the friends I made and the shows I did at Truman, but at the end of the night, it always just felt like another class. I never really got a good sense of fulfillment from an audience because, though a lot of my friends came to see me, a good majority of our audiences were people seeing shows to get credit for class. They were enthusiastic, but they didn't seem to want to be there. On the other hand, all of the audiences for Evita have been stupendous. I mean, these people want to see a New Line show (and why wouldn't they?). These are the audiences I've always wanted to perform for. Not just parents and friends; not just students; but real patrons of the arts, real theatre people; more importantly, people just like me, who see a good review, and decide to see a show that night. For this I applaud Scott and the rest of New Line. They have found their place in the Saint Louis theatre scene, and they are basking in it.

Scott mentioned this in his most recent entry (check it out: New Line Theatre), but I have been trying to remember one of the first shows I saw. This may sound crazy, but I know I have memories of seeing Peter Pan with Cathy Rigby at the Fox when I was around two. I know I saw most of the first act, when they are in the Darling home, but after that, I think I fell asleep. This has been confirmed by my mother, who knows I didn't make it past the first act. Sometimes I wonder what this says about me. I mean, I have always found myself identifying with Peter Pan, always afraid to grow up, to enter into the "adult" world. But at the same time, I look back on my childhood, and I try to figure out what I was so afraid of. If I hadn't grown up, I never would have had all the wonderful opportunities that I've had. It took maturity to go to that first audition for Crestwood-Kirkwood, and even more to head to Characters & Company after that. It's as if theatre has made me grow up, in a way. With each passing audition, I matured and got rid of my nerves. Hell, Peter Pan is still in my top 5 musicals...

DESERT ISLAND ALL-TIME TOP FIVE MUSICALS
1. Grease
2. Jersey Boys
3. Peter Pan
4. Seussical
5. South Pacific

Anyway, that's enough for tonight. Everyone go see Evita

Vaya Con Dios, mis amigos. Strawtilla

HEY EUGEN(IO)!!!!!

The show opens in two days...HOLY CRAP!!!! This has been one of the best theatrical experiences that I have ever had. Before, I would always look forward to going to rehearsals. But this is the first show that I don't want rehearsals to end each night. I am so drained by the end of each run through, but it is one of the best feelings I've ever had. It's a sense of accomplishment, that I have put forth the best performance I can based on my abilities.

In other news, the cue to cue and sitzprobe this past weekend were a lot of fun. It was a new experience doing the cue to cue, since the only people that had to be there at Truman were the crew for the most part. It was nice being able to see the lights taking shape to form just another layer to this wonderful show. Also, the band is working hard out there. This score is not the easiest thing to play, and they are kicking ass and taking names. This is not your mother's EVITA. This production has an edge to it that just rocks.

This show is also the first time I've really tried to delve into the life of the character that I'm playing. I love the freedom to actually create my character for the show, and not just have to play one that was written originally. This is the freedom that actors dream of.

So, everyone come see Evita. It runs Thursday through Saturday at 8pm, starting July 8, 2010. For more information, see www.newlinetheatre.com/evitapage.html