Glee: Fact or Fiction

I am attributing this blog directly to Sharon Wheatley's brilliant NYC based blog.  Sharon is a Broadway actress who started a popular blog last winter entitled Smash:  Fact or Fiction that went episode by episode explaining what was and wasn't accurate about bringing a show to Broadway.  She blogs a lot about living and raising a family as an actress in NYC. 

I decided as a high school Glee Club director (although I don't think any high school's in Utah have something officially called a "Glee Club".  I call mine MDT- standing for Music, Dance, Theatre) I could comment on the accuracy of Glee (a show I know is meant for entertainment purposes and shouldn't be looked at that closely...but whatever). 
But, since I watch Glee every week- sometimes I love it (the musical numbers mainly- and when it's funny) and sometimes its painful and preachy (especially when they add and drop characters at the drop of a hat) I thought I could comment.
So, since Glee started back up on Sept. 13th, I'll respond to the premiere as a high school musical theatre teacher.
Opening:  In NYC.  Rachel is in a dance class (at a conservatory in NYC).  Her dance teacher is crazy-pants and mean.  I'm going to assume this is both inaccurate and accurate.  I've had crazy pants dance teachers in college- but never one that was blatantly mean just to be mean.  I don't know if I've had one teaching while drunk (I'm assuming no since it was at BYU... but who knows...) but I think at least one student would complain to faculty- even if she can roll around on the floor while singing Jennifer Lopez.
Back in Ohio:  The Glee club is popular at the high school.  They are the coolest team in the school because they won nationals.  I'm going to post this as inaccurate.  I don't think my students are either popular or unpopular- they are normal, good kids.  If we won nationals, it would matter a lot to the kids that performed, but it's not the end all be all.  I think if you give the kids good skills, it definitely helps them with auditions for colleges and shows.
Student Sing-Off to choose the lead of the club-  Not accurate- although it would be awesome if they came to me to tell me they were having one.  All the kids in my MDT class sing 3 solos and the class votes to see who will solo for the show in January.  No sing-offs- esp. accompanied by 42 strings on the stage and very dramatic lighting.  Our lighting board basically blew up during college tour this morning.  We're happy when it turns on let alone wasting it for auditions.
Glee kids hanging out with Jocks at Lunch and making fun of people:  I sure hope that's not accurate (not the sitting with jocks- the making fun of people).  My students all sit with different people- and I hope they don't make fun of anyone- they're usually to busy trying to get homework done for class.  And it's amazing most people eat lunch outside in Ohio.  That does not happen at our school.
Glee Auditions are backed by a full orchestra and an amazing pianist:  Well, I play for their auditions... but no full orchestra.  We also sit closer to the students (because I rarely see mics on Glee- and the backing tracks are loud.  No high school voice could be heard over that music without a mic of some sort).  However, I would do exactly what Will did if a student threw attitude because they got cut off at an audition.  Not cast them (or talk to them right away).
Singing and Dancing during lunch:  Accurate.  Not that good (or choreographed), but the SBO's play loud music that no one can be heard over.  And by dancing, I mean eating.
Students graduating coming back to eat lunch:  Sadly yes.  We call them Superseniors.  I like students coming in to say hi- but I like it usually after school- not in the middle of a class period.
Singing Billy Joel will get you into the club:  Ummm...if you have a voice like Marley did, yes, again and again...but she wouldn't get every solo...

Movie Preview

So the Wednesday before school started I scored 4 free passes from Universal Pictures to see a sneak preview of the film Pitch Perfect opening October 5th.  Free movie?  I'm there.
Turns out, the film was pretty brilliant.  You will like this film if you like any of the following shows (and you will probably like it if you don't watch these shows either)
Glee
Bridesmaids
Best in Show
Bring it On (the original.  Not the many sequels)
Waiting for Guffman
They do their own singing- and it's really funny.   We did not see the final cut (because its still being edited), but, if you trust my opinion in movies (and you should), check this out opening weekend.  (Unless you're at the High School Shakespeare Competition like me).  I'll be seeing it again.

I think you know a movie is funny if you still laugh watching stuff you've already seen.

Newsies Tribute

No matter what your thoughts are on The Addams Famiy Musical (I'm looking at you Jackie), this Newsies tribute from the current touring cast (which we're seeing in Salt Lake City in November) is pretty clever and fun.

NYC 2012 Day #7

So the week has flown by.  We wake up Monday morning and pack up and meet in the lobby to take the subway to 42nd street,  We walk to 10th Ave. to load up on our charter boat tour.
While on the boat, we curved around (getting some interesting information about Hoboken and other buildings on both the NJ and Manhattan sides of the water.

In 2014 we're doing this boat tour on the day of our red eye because you will get great shots of the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge. And then I'll never have to step a foot on Ellis Island again.
Since Renae and Ray had bussed up to Washington DC earlier that day, I was without sunscreen.  Thus, as I left the CircleLine Cruise, I was lobster red. 
Our bus was not taking us to the airport for a while so everyone had some last minute free time and shopping.  We ran over to the Drama Bookstore, the Disney Store, a mini-cupcake store and Broadway stores to get stuff for the girls.
We ate at a gourmet hamburger joint (The Counter- which used to be in SLC.  Until it closed) and then headed back to the hotel.
We loaded up without incident and (unlike the bus ride into the city a week ago), got to JFK just fine.
We ate some good food at the airport (the Jetblue terminal is great) and we loaded up on the airplane (and again, thank you Jetblue) I watched tv all the way home.  Until midnight.
Peace out NYC 2012.  You were fun. 
Out of my personal preference:
Peter and the Starcatchers- hardest I laughed on stage (thank you Christian Borle.  And the mermaid song was pretty great too).
One Man Two Guvs- Outstanding performances (James Corden slapping himself, the whole dinner sequence at the end of Act 1 and every word that came out of Stanley Stubbers mouth).
Evita-  Your set was beautiful and stunning.  I liked your choreography too.
Sister Act-  Carolee Carmelo was fantastic as the Mother Superior.  Good comic timing (and that triple costume quick change on stage is pretty sweet).  Oh- the only sholw with a disco Virgin Mary.
Nice Work If You Can Get It-  Great choreography (and costumes-  that wedding veil was great).  Great comic timing and Matthew Broderick was funny.  Kelli O'Hara has a great voice too...
War Horse-  Just overall mise en scene.  Stunning.
Once-  Beautiful set, direction and stunning stage movement.  Steve Kazee- pretty awesome.
Tribes-  great intimate setting and passionate performances.
Newsies-  Just a fun, Disney show- great dancing and Jeremy Jordan was great.
Oh, also, one day over the week we went and walked the Highline (Saturday morning). It's a cool former elevated train track that is now an outdoor park.  It's very nice. 
 It was awesome and I as I ate an organic blueberry pop, Amanda Cox gave us a botany tour of all the plants.  We even got Ray and Renae to go to!
Everyone, save your pennies now for NYC 2014!

NYC 2012 Day #6

Ahh Sunday.  A day of rest and contemplation.  So while Jackie was in the shower, I booked it on the subway down to Donut Plant to bring back an assortment of donuts (my favorite being the creme brulee one...).  Jackie mocked me for getting a dozen assorted (since her parents had left to go get rush tickets for The Best Man with James Earl Jones and Angela Lansbury) so up we went to the Coxes and Kelly DeHaan- but Kelly was full from eating previously mentioned Crack Pie from Momofuku Milk Bar.  So Jackie and I ate 6 donuts each.  Not really...but they were a great treat for later.
Jackie and I then headed over to the TKTS play line (where we made friends with a family in town for Father's Day from Staten Island.  When he found out we were from Utah, I was fully expecting a Book of Mormon musical question but instead he talked to us about Mitt Romney (he didn't like him).
We got tickets to Tribes a play Off-Broadway (in fact, way down in the village) directed and in the same theatre that we saw Our Town in previously.  The director (David Cromer) does great work and this play was highly recommended.
We went down near the theatre to shop for the girls---and eat lunch at Peanut Butter and Company.  Tribes was fantastic.  It's about a deaf boy whose parent's forced him to read lips and never learn sign language.  He falls in love with a girl who is going deaf and teaches him sign.  There were some great performances and it's in a cool small space.
After that we booked it up to the Nederlander Theatre for Newsies- which starts at a weird time on Sunday's.  We wandered around looking for food- but gave up (but we looked at a cool private dinner going on at Wolfgang Puck's Steakhouse...).
Newsies was fantastic.  Jeremy Jordan was awesome and so was all of the dancing.  We had a talk back afterward (but was sad when our friend from Utah, Thayne Jaspersen, didn't come out afterward- we had done 1776 together at Hale). 
After Newsies it was time for our annual dinner at Max Brenners.  It was delicious (but really dark...like- we had to open our phones to read the menu and see our food).
Only one more day left in the Big Apple.

NYC 2012 Day #5

Saturday morning was early...really early.  You see, Once had just beaten Newsies for Best Musical.  It was the only musical that Jackie really wanted to see...so I had secretly purchased tickets a month earlier to ensure we could get in.  I thought it would also be a show that Jackie's parents would like- and Brent Cox wanted him and Amanda to see it as well. 
Unfortunately, the only way they were getting in (cause the show was sold out) was to get a Same Day Rush Ticket.  Now normal shows that have been open for a while will do a lottery or you can just wander up the day of the show and try to get a ticket.  Not so with Once.  Since it was super popular (and since we had students try it on Wednesday), we learned that we probably needed to get in line at the box office around 5am to ensure tickets (and the rush tickets were only $32).  So, 4:45am the alarm went off (amazingly, Ray was not off eating his morning oatmeal) and me, Brent and some students were off to sit for five hours (box office opening at 10am) to get tickets.
I had a relatively comfy seat with Brent under an awning- and the weather was nice.  We were not 1st or even 2nd in line (there was a group from Boston in town for a bachelorette party right in front of us- but they weren't competition because they wanted matinee tix and we wanted evening). 
Honestly, I don't remember much of the five hours.  I dozed, hallucinated, chatted, and had my bottom fall completely asleep.  Jackie came by around 9am with delicious croissants from Petrossan Bakery that were amazing- and at 10am, I walked up and bough Ray and Renae a Father's Day gift of two tix to Once for that night.  Oh, and I sat it something disgusting on the concrete.  Brent told me to not wear them again on the trip.  Jackie looked and almost vomited.  I don't know what I sat in but it was disgusting.
I have no recollection of what we did the rest of the morning (I napped...I think...) and we met up with everyone in the lobby of the hotel at 1:00pm to head up to Lincoln Center for Warhorse.
I had seen this show a year before seated in the 2nd Row.  Watching it again from the back row (a better place for this show) I was completely taken in by the beautiful staging (the Beaumont has a huge stage- and is stunning for this show).  Although both Jackie and I were sad that the singer was a guy this time instead of a girl, it was just as beautiful and powerful as ever--and I mean it because Kelly DeHaan was weeping next to me like a child at the end of the show.
That night was Once.  We were so sad that the lead girl was understudied (I normally don't mind, but we REALLY wanted to see her) but Steve Kazee deserved his Tony Award for Best Actor.  He was fantastic (as was the set and ensemble) and it s sweet, sweet story with beautiful music.  We thought there were mic issues with the Girl character (and I would want to see it again with the full cast), but overall, it was great (and I hope it was worth the 5 hours sleep that was given up for Ray and Renae....). 

NYC 2012 Day #4

Charging ahead to Friday, we awoke to the dulcet sounds of Justin Bieber shutting down midtown Manhattan with a performance on the Today show.  Jackie being a fan insisted on waking up early to get within 5 blocks (not joking there- he shut down five blocks for his concert) of the Biebs.  Not. 
Instead, we opted to sleep in a bit and then get everyone over (after minor subway waiting- we were on the wrong platform- thank you kind woman that told us to walk around after waiting for 20 min...) to the Upper East Side to go to the Metropolitan Museum with our guided docent tour (Jim Spann!  The best- not kidding- the best).

Cloud City on the roof of the museum.  Only 12 people at a time allowed in.

After some great time in the museum (and me and Renae being brave and walking through the really cool roof-top sculpture that was made of plexiglass and mirrors- and took you 40 feet on top of the Met), we took a big chunk of the group through Central Park (with the usual stops- Bethesda Fountain, Strawberry Fields) and then it was the Clin Eaton eating tour of the Upper West Side.
We began with Grey's Papaya, followed by Levain Bakery (where we ran into Utah friend Rachel who was in 1776 with me and is now auditioning in NYC for roles).  For those who were extra adventurous (not Jackie), we headed over to Grom for some gelato (or in my case, a refreshing granita) and then, miracle of miracles, Amanda Cox found Beard Papa's- a famous cream puff restaurant and of course we had to fill up.

After that, for those that were more daring, (the Coxes, Kelly DeHaan and Jackie) it was off to Pomme Frites where we had fries with lots of good dips- and then almost watched Kelly vomit into the street.  We figured after that it was time for a foot rub so we zipped around the corner to a foot rub place that Jackie and I discovered in 2011.  The guy was a bit overwhelmed when 5 people all needing 50 minute footrubs walked in, but after a quick phone call, we were all having our calves washed (Amanda, Jackie and Kelly in the back room, Brent and I on the sofa in the front of the store).  I was complemented many times on my feet (she kept slapping them saying "so nice") and we felt great after that.
After a delicious dinner at Eatery (with the Coxes and Renae- I don't know where Jackie's dad was), it was off to Nice Work If You Can Get It. 

Now Matthew Broderick didn't get the best reviews, but I found him hilarious (along with the rest of the cast).  The story was fun and we saw the 2 Tony winners for Best Supporting actor and actress.  Plus, Kelli O'Hara and Matthew Broderick were super nice to my students and even posed for pictures with them. 
Jackie had a headache and went and fell asleep while some of us went to a diner on 9th.  We should have gone back and slept because the food was gross and the service was worse.  I should have slept because Saturday was going to be an early morning for Ray's B-day and Father's Day- it was an early morning to get Once rush tix...

NYC 2012 Day #3

I am bound and determined to finish this trip before school starts back up...let's see what I remember and if you were there, make corrections as necessary:
Thursday was our super early day which everyone complains about- until they see the security lines to go out to The Statue of Liberty in the afternoon.  So, off we hopped on the 1 subway downtown to hopefully catch the first ferry out to Ellis Island (everything on Liberty Island was pretty much closed).  We were successful beating the rush and made it out to Ellis Island before hoards of school children from all over New Jersey and New York descended upon it.
Jackie and I (and a few of the kids) did the audiotour- some kids visited the gift shop and some just slept on the lawn.  To each his own. (And new for the 2014 trip, no Ellis Island.  We are doing the Lower East Side Tenement Museum instead).
After that, we marched up Broadway to look at the Wall Street Bull (now under police protection- and new for this year, no touching his testicles for good financial luck), Wall Street, the statue of George Washington, etc.
Then, it was off on the subway to Chinatown where we sent the group on their merry way for fake purses and watches.
A few select grownups however (Jackie, me, Kelly DeHaan, Brent and Amanda Cox and Vicki Olsen) were off on a culinary walking tour of Manhattan.
First stop, dim sum at Dim Sum Go Go.  Our awesome waiter gave us our order forms and I had the regular dim sum platter and Jackie had the vegetarian one.  Mine was awesome.  12 different works of art.  I don't know half of what I ate, but it was good.

Kelly then found a tiny upstairs cupcake shop and treated us to cupcake goodness (although we were all mocking him for taking us down strange alleys looking for a cupcake).  Then it was off to the Village for some S'Mac (at Vicki's request).  We ordered one huge sampler platter that had 6 kinds of mac and cheese (all delicious). 

After that, it was off to the upper east side for macaroons at the new fancy French shop Laduree to sample their edible works of art.  The macaroons are boated over from Paris once a week.  Jackie and I bought a sampler and Amanda and I came up with a taste test idea for Jackie.  While Kelly, Brent and Vicki went their separate ways, Jackie, Amanda and myself went to a cool kids store in Rockefeller...and bought nothing.  But then it was off to La Maison du Chocolate where Amanda bought a macaroon the same flavor as a Laduree one (salted caramel in case you were wondering). 
At this point, my feet were weeping from all of the walking and when we made it back to the hotel, we made them open the dining area so Jackie could do a blind taste test on the macaroons so see which one was superior:  the results:  Laduree for taste (that filling was yummy) and La Maison for texture (which Jackie is very particular about).
It was then time for naps- but I woke up hungry so I took my mother-in-law out to eat at a great burger place on 9th.
That night it was Sister Act at the Broadway theatre.  I had seen it the year before and had a great time- but then I was worried that the group wouldn't like it--but, even with Raven Symone (who was good- but not as good as Patina Miller), it was a hit.  Really funny book, great singing (especially Mother Superior and the novice) and a huge disco Virgin Mary statue.

After Sister Act it was time for Momofuku Milk Bar.  I had heard about this place in magazines for a while and was determined to find it.  After walking by it twice, we went in and ordered the signature Crack Pie, a crazy milkshake for me (can't remember the flavor) and a cookie for Jackie. 

Crack pie at Momofuku Milk Bar.  Buttery, buttery goodness.  A great breakfast for the next morning too.

This was the day of 5000 calories- but in our defense, we walked... a lot.  However, I do think it was this day that turned Jackie off food for the rest of the trip.

NYC 2012 Day #2

So Wednesday, June 13th I awoke to hear nothing but rave reviews of our hotel's breakfast- especially the oatmeal- from my father-in-law.  According to him, you did not need to eat anything else the entire day it was so delicious. 
Since we had originally planned to go to Top of the Roc in the morning (and had changed it because of weather and the early hour), we instead had students (and any adults) who needed help getting tickets for a show of their choice for the Wednesday matinee.
Other than two of my students getting surrounded by hoodlums who forced them to buy a cd of their music (we found out about this after the fact- they were ok- and learned the lesson of moving like a shark on the streets of NYC- don't stop- ever...), we had students pick up lottery and rush tickets to:
Harvey (starring Jim Parsons from Big Bang Theory- rush tix for $29)
Ghost (front row lottery tickets for a ton of kids for $29)
Wicked (an alumni that said she never won anything won front row lottery tix for $30)
One Man 2 Guvners
Spiderman
Potted Potter
Other Desert Cities
All great (and cheap) tix.  After everyone got squared away, we were off to Nougatine with Brent and Amanda Cox.  After making a quick reservation (and killing time in the Time Warner Center waiting for lunch to open) we sat down (for our first time at a table instead of the bar...) and had their awesome $30 3 course lunch.  My meal was pea-themed (except for the strawberry dessert) and was awesome.  Jackie had shrimp and all of it was so pretty we didn't want to eat it.  We also got words of wisdom from our waiter after seeing him almost (but not) drop expensive looking wine glasses, explain it with the phrase "everything's an almost".
Then it was off to see One Man 2 Guvners.  In short, it was brilliant.  From the 60's style costumes, sets, band (that opened the show and played music in between scene changes to the plants in the audience and the improvisation with the real audience...it was in short one of the best plays we've (and I think I include Jackie) seen.  Not to be missed is James Corden's Tony-winning performance as the lead character who just wants to eat.  Also brilliant is Tom Edden (as the 80 year old waiter) and Oliver Chris as Stanley Stubbers (who has great one-liners). 
Floating on clouds of laughter, we were off to the East Village to Ed's Lobster Bar.  I had heard about this place online and thought it was a New England style lobster place (standing at a bar).  While it was decorated with nautical themes, it was NOT a cheap eat at the counter kind of place- instead it was expensive--but throwing caution to the wind, Jackie and I shared a lobster bisque and a lobster roll- both were awesome.  We also all loved Amanda Cox's lobster galette.  Everything is better covered in potato.
Then it was off to the not as awesome Evita.  Now, I've seen the live show before at PTC and really enjoyed the staging of it.  When we first arrived at the Marquis, I surprised by the line at the ticket booth- everyone must be wanting to see Ricky Martin.  Then we learned that Ricky was sick that night--so everyone (and I mean pretty much everyone in the balcony which is where we were) went and exchanged their ticket.  After being assured by our sassy usher that we were seeing the better Che and Eva (Elena never performs Wednesday nights- but I don't think our usher meant better than Mandy and Patti), our group pretty much sat by ourselves in the balcony.
Positive things:  That set was one of the most impressive things I have ever seen in my life.  Seriously it looked like a million dollars up there. 
As for the rest, it felt like the Cliff's Notes version of the show-though some dance moves were cool, I never felt emotionally involved (or even why I should care) with the story.  And heaven help you if you weren't already familiar with the story.  But our usher was hilarious and fun with our group.
After that, it was off to Top of the Roc.  Now, having done both Empire State and Top, I always recommend Top of the Roc.  I think the views are better because it's less crowded and you get awesome shots of the Chrysler Building, Central Park, bridges, Empire State and Jersey.  At night it was fun to see the lights of the Freedom Tower all lit Red, White and Blue.  I prefer it during the day, but going at night was pretty spectacular.

NYC 2012 Day #1

It's that time of year--a recap of our adventures with 60 people on the island of Manhatten.
Our adventure begins Monday, June 11th around 9:30pm at the SLC airport, JetBlue terminal.
No matter how early Jackie and I arrive to check off everyone that's flying with us, there is always someone that gets there earlier (there are also students that start packing 3 weeks before we leave.  Jackie and I packed an hour before we left...).
As Jackie checked everyone off as they headed to security (where for the first time in a while, no one was detained...) we waited for our flight (11:35pm) to JFK.
We loaded and I was seated next to a father and daughter going to the city for the first time.  Jackie was on the other side of the plane next to the Coxes (chaperones since 2006...one day they'll get sick of it...that day may have already arrived...). 
Even with a melatonin and an Ipod sleep app, I only lightly dozed...but we landed without incident (that came later) at JFK before 6:00am. 
The weather looked cloudy with a potential of rain, but we were excited to go into the city, drop off our bags, meet up with other people (including Jackie's parents who had arrived from Portland a day earlier) and walk the Brooklyn Bridge before it rained on our heads.
Then we met the best bus driver we have ever had (and we've had some doozies...).  First, he was 45 minutes late picking us up.  He then yelled at Bob Guymon (our travel cordinator) when Bob asked him for help.  Then he refused to help load luggage.  Then his bus smelled like pee mixed with tree freshners.  Then he tried to play chicken on the freeway with a lady in her Range Rover.  Then he hit her.  Then he tried to talk to her but she refused to roll down her window to speak to him.  She called the cops.  Our driver stayed off the bus and refused to tell us what was going on.  45 minutes later, a cop arrived.  Took statements (all the while we are trying to call dispatch to get them to send another bus...) took our flight list which had everyone on the bus and their ages, was told by the cop to exit the freeway, wait another hour until we finally headed into the city.  Luckily, most people napped on the bus- but he was awful.
We arrived at our hotel on 8th and then me and every adult male (except our bus driver) risked life and limb unloading our luggage on the side of the street (our friendly driver told us that the compartments on the side of the sidewalk were locked and that he didn't have a key...).
We met up with our other travelers (esp. Ray and Renae who looked fresh as morning daisies not having just arrived on a red eye) and we passed out our Metrocards and we were all off on the subway (60 total people).
We invited 2 fellow Salt Lakers that had been on our flight to tag along with us because we had extra tickets to the 9/11 Memorial.  We didn't have time to do the Brooklyn Bridge, but we made it in time to enter the Memorial. 

The 2 fountains are huge and beautiful- and the museum looks like it'll be great when it opens.  After about 30 minutes, we met up and took everyone to St. Paul's Chapel (where George Washington worshipped).  After that, I volunteered to take adults to the Seaport TKTS so they could pick up their tickets for Wed. matinees a day ahead.  Jackie and Amanda Cox were off with students and others that already had their tickets to Grand Central Station for lunch.
Of course it began pouring rain the second we arrived at TKTS- and I also encountered the longest line I've ever seen there.  But, we made friends with the people in front of us (hope you made it to London friendly mom from Boston who got tickets to Spiderman for her 11 year old whose passport was expired so they couldn't leave the country...) and Kelly DeHaan shared his umbrella and songs with everyone in line.
After scoring our 50% off tickets for 1 Man 2 Guvners (and convincing a lot of people in our group to get them as well), we were off (soaking wet) to meet up at Grand Central.
Of course by that time, Jackie's group was done, but Jackie and Amanda graciously said they would take the group up 42nd St. to look at the NYC Library and Times Square while we ate (yummy chedder tomato soup).  After eating (and a nice cupcake from Magnolia thanks to Brent Cox) we were going to walk our group the same way Jackie and Amanda...until we saw the sheets of rain pouring down.
After that, it was the subway all the way to our hotel.
We arrived to find Jackie and Amanda's group (mainly students) looking like drowned rats.  Amanda and Jackie had taken control releasing luggage and rooms as they became available.  After looking at Jackie and realizing she was completely sleep deprived, we shipped her off to her room for some R & R so she could enjoy the show that night.
After a much needed shower and power nap, we were off to Peter and the Starcatcher.  We were excited because Christian Borle had just won the Tony for Best Supporting Actor 2 days earlier- a title well deserved. 
The play was charming- a fun and theatrical retelling of the origian of Peter Pan.  There was a moment in Act 2 involving Mr. Borle (playing Black Stache- a precursor to Captain Hook) involving a trunk that was one of the funniest moments of acting I have ever witnessed.  It was a perfect way to start the week (and wash off the nastiness of our awful bus ride).
After being stuffed like sardines (both physically and stomach wise- really John's Pizzeria?  Our whole group upstairs in a very tight confined space?  But we forgive you because your cookies were delish.) We walked around a slightly drizzly Times Square, changed our reservation for Top of the Roc from the morning to the night (we couldn't face an early morning after our red eye) and went to our hotel to fall unconsicious until Wednesday morning.  NYC 2012 had officially begun.

Things I've Learned...

  The dashing Cecily Bills and Mark Knowles.  I share a dressing room with Mark.  I have stories...

So I'm playing Herr Zeller in The Sound of Music at Hale Center Theatre (T, Th, Sat. 4:00 and 7:30pm casts).  Here is what I have learned so far:
1.  If my Nazi uniform is period correct (and I believe it is), Nazi's were always grouchy and mean because a) their uniforms are SO UNCOMFORTABLE and b) you cannot sit down in them.  Or pee.
2.  It's fun to be in a musical where you never sing. I do dance, but there is no singing required.  Except for after the bows, but I make up my own words.
3.  When a theatre puts live fish in the pond, they will all be dead by the end of the week.  Except for one brave soul that's half dead, lying on its side flapping one little flipper (to heaven.  It was dead by The Lonely Goatherd).
4.  Our green room is very interested because you will find half dressed nuns (well, they're not wearing their headdresses) playing cards with Nazi officers- along with a kid or two wearing clothes made out of the nicest set of curtains you've ever seen.
5.  When you get a sun burn in NYC, a nice nun will let you borrow powder to tone down the red a bit.
Over all it's a great show!  Come see it (in July-  I think everything is gone for June).  Up next, blog posts from NYC 2012-  still tired but we had a lot of fun.  Save the date for 2014!

Grandpa Frank

So my Grandpa Frank Cope passed away last night-  so glad I visited him on Saturday with Millie and Ellis (and that for our visit he was chatty, awake and alert).  I wish I had a digital pic to post- here are some good memories of him (although thinking back, every memory I have of Grandpa Frank is a good one- that's probably a good goal to have in life):

• Swimming.  He love to swim (which seemed to be passed down to all of his grandchildren- and great grand children as well).  In fact, on our last visit he reminded me of the time we went to Seven Peaks and I lost my glasses in the wave pool- he dove down to the bottom of the pool to retrieve them.  I did not remind him that was also the trip where I lost my retainer.  And my mom made me go back to Seven Peaks and look through the trash for it.  I also remember that for a long time he would go on slides at Seven Peaks that the rest of us were afraid of. 
• I remember summer nights sleeping in his back yard with my cousins.  We would sneak in and steal toilet paper, go do some random neighbors house, our aunt Margaret would come out and have us move it to someone else's yard.  I remember the backyard because Grandpa had cherry trees and we would pick them with him.
• I remember long, late night battles of Mario Brothers and Duck Hunt on Grandpa's Nintendo.  He had a Nintendo before anyone else I know- and he was better at Mario than us.
• Although I know plays weren't his "thing", he came to see me in my high school shows (Damn Yankees seems to stand out).  I also think he came to some college shows at BYU as well.
• Grandpa Frank loved movies- I remember going to movies at the Scera with him (and the outdoor pool next door- where he would squirt us in the eyes with water by squeezing his thumb and fingers).  I also remember going to the Scera Drive In with him when I was little (and how Amy and I almost didn't get to go to The Great Mouse Detective because we watched our very first Rated R movie at Grandpa's house.  To be fair, it was Prince's Purple Rain and it was Joanne's movie- not Grandpa's...)
• He was generous.  He basically funded mine and Jackie's honeymoon as a wedding present for us.
• He would let me come over and do my laundry when I was at BYU.
• I will always remember the road trip that Margaret, Joanne and Grandpa Frank and I took to Nebraska one summer when I was in high school.  I remember all of our pit stops (and Grandpa's choice of music making Margaret, Joanne and myself roll our eyes)- I also remember Grandpa cataloging the miles as we went.  That was a fun trip.
• I remember Jackie interviewing Grandpa and encouraging him to participate in the Utah Senior Games in St. George- where Grandpa medaled in swimming events.
• Games at Grandpa's.  He always had soda (or was that Margaret and Joanne's soda- I think the Apple and Cherry Beer was his...) but family gatherings were about Pictionary, Risk and other games played in the kitchen.
• Grandpa Frank was always kind and ready to play with all of his grandchildren.  I think we all definitely knew that he loved us- and we all loved him a lot back.
• Were you a honker or a critter?

Come See

So next weekend (April 27-30th) come see the fantastic musical Working by Stephen Schwartz and Lin Manuel Miranda.  Based on a book by Studs Terkel,  this musical features all 25 MDT students portraying real life people sharing their feelings about their professions through monologues and songs.  There's a great mix of funny and touching stories- and you'll get to hear me play the piano for the show.
Tickets are only $6.00 and are available at the door (seating is limited and up close on stage).  Come see this show!

I Love This

Words cannot describe how much I love this show and song:

Excited for

I really like Sutton Foster (Broadway star) and this is from her TV show (created by the same creator as Gilmore Girls). Looks like a fun summer show:

Spring Break 2012

So the last time we went on a road trip to San Diego (with a brief stop over in Vegas), this happened (Jackie had a broken elbow, I spilled baby food on someone at a show in Seaworld, Jackie fell down in the shower, etc.

This go around, we are driving our van (instead of my parents), Jackie is in the middle of a PhD program (fun!) and my parents are meeting us. We shall see what happens.

Excited.

This is our last show on our NYC trip. Confirmed our tickets last week. Not to late to come...(but it will be next week).

Fix It Again

So the day after the great garbage disposal replacement, the toilet in the master bathroom was acting up. Now this toilet has always been what you might call, chatty, but now it just didn't shut up. So, Jackie turned off the water to it and we stopped using it.

On Saturday, we actually opened the tank and discovered some sort of red rubber ring had disintegrated. So, feeling flush with confidence after fixing the garbage disposal, I headed off to Home Depot to grab a new toilet thingy (I believe those were the exact words I used with the nice Home Depot gentleman).

I found a part that looked correct, went home, took the tank off the toilet and put it in the sink and realized that I did not have a big enough wrench to take the piece off.

Off I went to Walgreens. Bought the largest wrench they had. Took it home. Too small (but it was ok because that same wrench had been dropped into a hollow fence post by my brother never to be seen again). Off to Home Depot yet again. Grabbed the correct wrench (no roller blading brother-in-law this time!)

So about 40 minutes later, the part was replaced, the tank was back on- only to discover our old flusher was not compatible with this new part. Off to Home Depot yet again.

New flusher? Check. Tank back on? Check. Leaving for a birthday party in exactly one minute? Check.

I proceed to turn the water back on- the tank fills- hurray! no leaks so far. Everything looks good.

Jackie comes in. I, standing proudly by the commode, pronounce the toilet fixed and chatter free.

I flush.

And every ounce of water in the damn tank falls onto the floor out of the back of the tank.

Jackie and I frantically grab every towel in the house to stop the deluge.

There is no time to fix it, because we are late for a 1-year old's birthday party.

I enter the party angry at our toilet. Rollerblading brother-in-law's father (in town from California) and my dad are around for the party and agree to come back and look at it.

Long story short, I had ended up not putting on one of the tank seals (a very crucial part I discovered) and after a yet another trip to Home Depot (with roller blading brother in law's father), who, truth be told, just ended up fixing it himself while I nodded my head and pretended to know exactly what he was talking about.

But it's fixed! And no longer gurgles in the night.

Fix It

I am not handy. Despite the fact I teach 10-12 graders Stage Crew (set building, basic fix its and "that does not look how I described it, fix it now"), I call my dad, brother, cousin, neighbor or the Lord almighty when things break in our house.
Our house in Riverton is over 10 years old- which means everything is starting to break at once.
Monday was the disposal. I went to grab a garbage bag out from under the sink and noticed they were wet. I tried to pinpoint the leak and realized that water was running down the electric cord. This did not seem correct.
Jackie came in, took everything out from under the sink while I tried to tighten the screws that held the power cord. Luckily, I was not called home to heaven with a huge electrical shock, but since I had no idea what to do (and Jackie was weeping on the couch) I called my dad.
His advice? When water is leaking down the power cord, time for a new disposal. I asked if this was something I could do or is it best for a professional...he paused and said, "well, disposals can be tricky..." I took that for a yes, I could do it and off I went to Home Depot.
I chose the disposal that was in the middle of the range. I did not need one that could accommodate an entire chicken- bones and all. I also like the fact that the side of the box said it could be installed in 5 easy steps..
I got home and was ready to work. Until I realized I did not have a large enough plumbers wrench to take off the pipe that was keeping the disposal on.
Since my sister and her husband recently moved in down the street, I called them and my sister said Ben would check. Moments later, Ben was off on his roller blades wrench in hand.
2 hours later (with one trip for plumbers putty at Walgrens), thanks to Ben our rollerblading brother-in-law, the new disposal was in. Also- did you know that power cords are not included with disposals? So were learned basic wiring to remove the old one and install it in the new one.
The box the disposal came in neglected to say that the 5 easy steps were subdivided into 20 more complex steps.
So far we are leak free (although we haven't tried the whole chicken down it yet- it seems to be handling gravy and Jackie's tears quite well).

Opening Night NYC Show 2012

We'll be seeing this Tuesday night- its not to late to add (unless you're my parents. You're watching our girls).

New York 2012

It's not for a couple months and we're not seeing this as a group- but I know Jackie and I will try to go to this show:


The new musical adaptation of the film Once. So simple- but so lovely. And I dig the guy playing the cello standing up.

I Want to go to London..

and see this:

Art

So, we have one of the best art teachers in the state at Riverton High School. Robyn Harris is a master at all she does. The best Christmas present at our house this year? These pastels that she did of Ellis and Millie taken from 2 photos my vice-principal took of the girls last spring.Millie (age 6)

Ellis (age 4).

The woman is a genius- everything she does looks great. If you ever want some photos sketched, let me know and I'll send you to her!

MDT Revue 2012

What do Follies, Into the Woods, West Side Story, Sunday in the Park With George all have in common? That's right- they all have numbers being performed by the RHS Music, Dance, Theatre class on Friday, Jan. 6th and Mon. Jan. 9th at 7:00pm. (We are also doing numbers from 21 other shows as well).

Tickets are $6.00 and our fabulous accompanist will be:

And if you're a good audience, he might even sing something for you from Catch Me If You Can.

We also had amazing guest choreographers like:

Elizabeth Hansen (warning: audience participation dance...)

Kori Wakamatsu (former teacher at RHS and amazing professor at BYU)

Brooke Wilson- Friend and dance captain in Joseph at Hale Center Theatre.

David Holmes- Awesome performer- trained at Boston Conservatory (doing the number from Hair that we're also performing at BYU)

And last, but not least, former MDT alumni (and current BYU MDT major), Michael Milkanin (who did 2 numbers!!)

Some come out and see these awesome students and great Broadway numbers!