I Only Know What I Know

On my facebook page I've been posting a bit about the Oliver! soundtrack. Auditions for a production of the show are in May. Before, oh, a few months ago, I didn't know a whole lot about this show. I knew Consider Yourself and a bit of Food, Glorious Food, but that was it.  I learned "As Long As He Needs Me" as a potential audition piece, but I didn't know how it was set within the context of the musical.

Anyway, now having watched the movie several times, listening to the soundtrack, and working on the vocal selections book, I have a pretty good grasp of the music.

Today's weather was really nice, so I posted "Who Will Buy This Beautiful Morning" as one of my status messages (just that line). This lead to a discussion about the song, and a friend being surprised that I wasn't familiar with Oliver! until fairly recently.

So here's a list of shows I could sing in my sleep: (bold type indicates I've seen it live, italic means I've been in it)

• Phantom of the Opera
• Les Miz
• Jekyll and Hyde
• Parade
• Miss Saigon
• The Scarlet Pimpernel
• The Secret Garden
• Ragtime
• Side Show
• Beauty and the Beast
• The Lion King
• Avenue Q
• Titanic
• Gypsy
• Jesus Christ Superstar
• My Fair Lady
• The Sound of Music
• Sunset Boulevard
• Evita
• Into the Woods
• Wicked
• Children of Eden
• Annie
• Annie Get Your Gun
• Cinderella
• The Producers
• Spamalot
• The Music Man
• Fiddler on the Roof 
• Aida

Ones I know fairly well:

• Oklahoma
• The Light in the Piazza
• The Pirate Queen
• Carousel
• Allegro
• Guys and Dolls
• Chicago
• Company
• Working
• Love Never Dies (still working on this one)
• State Fair
• South Pacific (I know almost all of the songs except for ones like Dites-Moi. Know the title, not the tune.)
• The King and I 
•  West Side Story

Ones I'm familiar with (as in, I can sing a few of the big songs, but that's it)

• Kiss Me, Kate ("Another Op'ning", "I Hate Men", "Brush Up..."
• Flower Drum Song (The ABHORRENT "I enjoy being a girl")
• Martin Guerre ("How Many Tears?", etc.)
• Cats ("Memory", that's it, sorry.)
• The Little Mermaid (this, and Mary Poppins--I know the movie songs)
• Mary Poppins
• A Little Night Music ("Send In the Clowns")
• Camelot ("The Simple Joys of Maidenhood", "Before I Gaze...", "If Ever...", "Camelot")
• Little Shop of Horrors
• The Fantastiks (Who DOESN'T know "Try to Remember"?)
• Finnegan's Rainbow
• Brigadoon! ("Waiting for My Dearie")
• 42nd Street ("Lullaby of Broadway", "42nd Street")
• Chess ("Someone Else's Story")
• A Little Princess ("Live Out Loud")
• A Christmas Carol 
• Street Scene (which could be considered more opera...)  
•  A Chorus Line ("One", "What I Did For Love", "Nothing")
• 1776 ("Sit Down, John"...I would like to know this one better. On the list...) 
• Hello, Dolly! ("Hello, Dolly!", "Ribbons Down My Back", "Until the Parade Passes By" )

A short list of ones I know nothing or almost nothing about:

• Swing!
• Contact
• Steel Pier
• Spring Awakening
• The Woman In White
• The Beautiful Game
• Little Women
• Merrily We Roll Along
• 50 percent
• The Apple Tree
• The Putnam County Spelling Bee (yeah I know, I shortened the Title)
• Mamma Mia
• Jersey Boys
• Stop the World, I Want To Get Off
• A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (I know "comedy tonight")
• How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
• Two By Two
• Zorba
• 
  

I know I'm missing some. But really, there's a fair amount of musical theater--especially from the 50s, 60s and 70s--that I know NOTHING about. Any big dance shows are not my thing, because my dancing skills are limited. And any shows without decent alto parts--also limited. So that eliminates a lot of early musical theater.

Audition: Company

Last night I auditioned for Gallery Player's Winter Musical, Company, by Stephen Sondheim. (this is als the company I did Parade with, last winter.)
I've been preparing for this audition for a long time--in fact, probably all fall. When I started lessons with my teacher back in September, this was one of the things I was shooting for.
Originally, I had wanted to sing a piece from COmpany--The Ladies Who Lunch, one of the show's more famous pieces. The director (who also directed Parade) hadn't had a prohibition on songs from the show last year, and I didn't read anything different on the audition notice, so Robin and I worked this up.
The reason I wanted to sing this particular piece was simple--the part I really wanted in the show (Joanne), is a contralto--a real one. In Ladies, she sings low E's as a matter of course. Now, not a lot of people can sing low Es. I can. As Yogi Bera said, "It ain't bragging if you can do it." So I wanted to sing Ladies to demonstrate that I could, indeed, hit those low Es. It would be like someone who wants to sing the Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute will probably audition with a song that shows off the high end of her range--because the Queen of the Night is very high, and very dramatic.
Well, of course, I re-checked the audition notice, and behold--no songs from Company allowed.
(Insert four letter word of choice here.)

So, I brought all my anthologies to Robin and we pawed through them. I was thinking Maybe This Time, from Cabaret, which is low and sexy and adult. But Robin found something else--the Diva's Lament, from Spamalot, which I had quasi-worked up in the years before I met Robin. I loved the song--it was hysterical--but I had never, ever thought of it as an audition piece.
Robin loved it. She told me that I could pick between that or the Cabaret piece.  But as I drove home, I knew I had to sing the Lament. IT was a real character piece, very funny, and demonstrates character, more so than Cabaret. 


So last night I went to the first night of auditions, of course listening to the Company soundtrack on the way (I have the newest version). The song What Would We Do Without You? was playing when I pulled into my 'usual' slot in the JCC lot.

I was the first one there, as usual. Between 15-20 people showed up, evenly split between guys and girls. SOme people from Parade--Dani, Wilma, Jay--and Jekyll and Hyde--Amy and Dave--were there, along with folks I didn't know. Kristin, Parade's music director, was playing the auditions.

A few minutes before 7, the stage manager called me in to audition. The director and Kristin were on the stage, and I felt like I was back at Parade rehearsals. I handed my form, resume and photo to the director and handed my music to Kristin.

When singing, a few things can happen. If it's going well, I don't really hear the accompaniment, unless I'm supposed to (as in, I'm at a rest.). I know it's there, it's doing its thing, but I'm not really aware of it. When things are going not so well, I am aware that one of us is off--I'm ahead, he's behind, whatever. There's no meshing of the two of us to create the single piece. Last night, I didn't really hear the accompaniment, and it wasn't because of the Bionic Ear--I felt good. It sounded right.

Frank (the director) was, of course, taking notes while I was singing. There was no one else in the theater, just him, Kristin, and me. After my song, Frank asked Kristin to take me through intervals--a scale going up, starting at middle C. On the audition sheet, he asks us to write our vocal range. I wrote: D#5-B-flat3, which basically means the D-sharp below the staff to the B-flat above it. It's almost three octaves--not too bad. So Kristin took me up to the B-flat, and she looked sort of amazed that I was still hanging in there as we ascended. Although I am a contralto, and I'm very proud of my low range, I'm also pretty proud of my higher notes, as well. They were hard won.

"What was that?" Frank asked Kristin as I hit the b-flat (and stopped).
"B-flat," She said.
Frank's eyebrows went up as he checked that against what I had written. No, I had not lied. "Good."
I went over to stand before his table. "I'm not going to have you read, because I've worked with you before, and I know what you can do." I nodded. "So thanks, and have a great holiday."
"No call backs?"
"Nope."
I thanked them, took my music and left the theater. I informed the other Parade kids that they wouldn't have to read--just sing--and I think some were disappointed (I was, a little), but my audition lasted maybe five minutes, which was good. I like to be in and out.

So, if this is anything like Parade, we should find out the casting (for this show, it's 15 people--8 girls, 7 guys) the Monday after Christmas. Today is the last day of auditions.

Me in Threes

Three names I go by:
1. Em
2. Emmers
3. Emmy

Three Jobs I have had in my life:
1. Old Navy
2. Swim Club concessions
3. Congressional Intern

Three Places I have lived:
1. Pickerington, OH
2. Reynoldsburg, OH
3. Bexley, OH

Three Favorite drinks:
1. Diet Coke
2. PEach iced tea
3. coffee

Three Favorite hobbies:
1. acting
2. reading
3. writing

Three Pet Peeves:
1. Smoking
2. whiners
3. bad drivers

Three TV Shows that I watch:
1. Bones
2. Pushing Daisies (until it died. Wah!)
3. Glee

Three places I have been:
1. Houston
2. OBX
3. Chicago

People that text me regularly:
1. Mom
2. Bub
3. Tiffany

Three of my favorite foods:
1. carbonara
2. pizza
3. burgers

Three friends I think will respond
1. Abby
2. um...I got nothin'.

Three Things I am looking forward to
1. Christmas
2. Fall/winter musical auditions
3. Christmas :)

(Note on the musical auditions: they are--Wizard of Oz with Columbus Children's Theater; Jekyll and Hyde (AGAIN!) with Emerald City Players, and THe Music Man with Pleasure Guild (directed by one of my J&H castmates)

Open Mic Night

So tonight I did something brand new.
I sang at Open Mic Night.
Columbus, as I am discovering, is a hotbed of musical theater/theater talent. Really. There are just tons of us out there. We're like this little community within a community. One of the gathering points is at "Sing Out, Louise", a cabaret-style open night mic where people can come and sing songs they've polished, or songs they're working on.
I had never been, but tonight, I went out.
It's at Club Diversity in the Brewery District, in a renovated old house. This was my kind of bar--the bar TV was showing the 1990s remake of Sabrina on AMC. A baby grand sat near the windows. Some of the organizers had brought music, but I brought my repertoire binder (songs I can sing at the drop of a hat), as well as "The Gentleman Is A Dope" from Allegro, which I'd like to get ready for audition season.
We began around nine, and the organizer, Stewart, sang some pieces, then drew names from the list of attendees. Most of us got to sing twice. For my first number I sang "Maybe This Time" from Cabaret, and for the second, the piece from Allegro. I took it a bit fast--it was the first time I'd done it with an accompanist, so I gave her a pretty quick tempo--but the audience seemed to like that one better. It's a bit more fun to sing, and I think I'm really making progress on it. The bridge could use a bit of work for tempo, but that's about it.
A lot of friends were there--Dave from J&H with his wife, Katherine; Jay and Amy; Aaron H. from Parade, and Kristen and her husband David (Kristen was Parade's music director extraordinaire). Jay and Amy are in the middle of You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown at the Little Theater Off Broadway; Kristen is the music director for Club Diversity's upcoming production of Cabaret. Jay and Amy did duets. Kristen often plays for the group and I can't wait to have her behind the keys.
There were a few people there just to hear us sing, which was cool. It was neat singing for them. any stage of development. It was great just to SING a piece, and not be judged on it. There was absolutely no pressure, because everyone there is there for fun. You took the mic, you picked your music, and you sang. Fantastic.
Now I just have to think about what to sing next month....

Audition for Peter Pan

So, another day...another audition. This time for Columbus Children's Theater's Peter Pan.

I like this show--I used to watch the old TV special on tape, and, surprisingly, remember a number of songs. But with there being 3, more likely 2, roles that I fit (physically, that is), I did it as sort of a lark, or audition practice.

Got there early, of course (first one!). Filled out the normal info sheet, attached my resume and headshot and went to sit in the theater. This show is being performed at the Southern Theater downtown and not at the CCT's Park Street theater, where we had auditions.

I was singing "Storybook" (again). I am almost ready to premier "The Gentleman Is A Dope" from Allegro, but I'll probably save that for the summer. I have never not gotten cast when I've done this song.

So the place starts to fill--there were probably about 70 auditioners, from ages 5 to 60. (Probably). So you basically had three sets of people--kids (under 18), adult men and adult women. I really only had to worry about the adult women, because CCT divides the roles into adults and kids, and then into gender (although some of the roles in Peter Pan are non gender specific, like nana, pirates, indians, etc. ).

Lots of Parade folk--LaRon, both Aarons (And Aaron L. didn't even tell me!), Amber, and Michelle (Lizzie). Michelle actually sang part of "The Picture Show." Aaron L. did a song from Oliver! and Amber did "Before I Gaze At You Again" from Camelot. And, very fun, Bethany from J&H was there with her daughter, Rachel. Rachel sang "You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile" and Bethany did "A Cockeyed Optimist" from South Pacific.

The director, choreographer and stage manager were all very nice, very professional. We had an excellent accompanist, although you got 12-16 bars and then he stopped! So I marked my music accordingly and didn't have an abrupt cut-off, like some people did.

I thought it went well. The theater has some interesting sound dynamics. A little girl told me that she liked my song. It is definitely more fun auditioning with kids, because they don't get so competitive and uptight, even with each other.

After we all sang, we had dance auditions. I was in the first group and we learned a simple combination. After learning it en masse, we performed it for the choreographer and director twice in small groups (Of about 6). I didn't stop or fall down, so that's successful for me. Really, though, I think I did OK.

The director shocked us by saying he would call by 11 TONIGHT and let us know who is going to be called back. Call backs are tomorrow. Cast up Thursday, first rehearsal Friday night. Whew.

So we'll see. It was a fun time and I enjoyed it.

A lovely night

Once again, another FANTASTIC opening.
Everything clicked. We had a great, responsive audience; beautiful music....cast camraderie. Everything was wonderful. Really.
Just had my friends over for a post-show breakdown!
Thanks to all who came tonight (we almost had a full house!) including:

• Mr and Mrs. Dulmage
• Tiff and Bill
  
• Tom and Andrea (from Indy, yay!)
• Branden
• Gary and Amanda
• Amy from J&H
  
• And Rita and Beth, my two best CF nurses!!!!
  

Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, all the way around.
Tomorrow will be just as good, I think.
Now, to sleep!
Pics, etc. up tomorrow (possibly post-matinee).
Of course, none of this would have happened without Suzanne. I hope she was watching tonight.

"Sometimes it was perfect"

That is what Kristin said tonight about "The Factory Girls/Come Up to My Office."
I am crediting Divine Intervention.

Tonight the three of us were called at 7, with Jon (Leo) to run this number. It is so, so fun to do. As Frank started choreographing it for Jon, he turns to us and says, "Do any of you mind being touched?" He got an emphatic No.

(Side note here: If you're really sensitive about that stuff, you probably can't do theater. There's a part of this number where Jon touches my butt in a suggestive way, but I know he's not actually doing it that way. He's probably thinking about his next line. It's like stage kisses are stage kisses. Now, do some people take it too far? Absolutely. Fortunately I haven't had that problem yet.)

So he choreographs the number on us (literally and in the balletic sense). We run it a few times, then Abby decides to ask Frank if we can dance.

Those of us who remember my J&H Fosse Resurrection Travails are wincing with me.

Fortunately it is very, very simple, times to Leo's second verse when he talks about "a new dance they're doing in Manhattan." The only thing I initially had to work on was the turn, but even that's OK. I'm sure it will look great from the audience. Frank liked it, anyway.

Jon takes this number and runs with it. It's really the only time he gets to have fun in the entire show, and I think he really enjoys it. We do, anyway. (Yes, we are unabashed hussies. Oh well.) I think the cast will like it too, and I can't wait for them to see it when we run Act I tomorrow.

Yes, we are running Act I, in its entirety. Then:

Wednesday: Act II (with the pesky "Where Will You Stand?" hopefully solved)
and...
Thursday: The ENTIRE show.

That's right. Two weeks before opening, and a full week before tech--we will run the entire show.

I cannot WAIT.

All is well in Essie's world.

Post-post audition

So mom has asked for more audition details, so here we go...
Got to the JCC around 4:15--I was very early, because I live in a highly store-congested area and didn't know how long it would take me to get to the actual highway. Surprisingly, it didn't take that long. (Maybe because it's about 0 degrees here?)

In the car, of course, I had the "Parade" soundtrack going. The last line I heard before I shut off the car was "It is time now", from the song "People of Atlanta" (before Leo's trial). And I thought, "well, it istime, isn't it?" I've been preparing for this audition for months now.

Once I got there, my friend LaRon from J&H was there,finishing up the matinee of the JCC holiday show. He introduced me to one of the theater guys (the one running the registration table). He is auditioning tomorrow night (the auditions are Sun and Mon). I filled out the sheet, attached my resume and photo, and then sat in the lobby to wait.

There were 3 other girls, 3 guys (one of the older, so probably auditioning for the Judge), and a girl, about 13 or so, who was reading for Mary, the girl who's murdered. I went first, since I had come first.

The auditions were private--meaning it was me, the accompanist, the director and his assistant. The director sat at a small table on the stage. After conferring with the (very good) accompanist, about tempo and things like that, I introduced myself and sang part of "Storybook," after which the director asked me to sing a scale to check my range.

He gave me a copy of the libretto and asked me to read for Mrs. Phagan, mary's mom. There are almost no monologues in the show--it's almost totally sung-through--so I was to read "My Child Will Forgive Me" (Mrs. Phagan's testimony at the trial) as if it were a speech and not a song. Since I know the song very well, I already knew many of the words.

I went out again to study the script and work a bit on my speaking southern accent. After everyone else sang, I went in to read. The director had me face the audience and do the bit. After I was done, the director said I did "very, very well" and that the cast would probably be up after Christmas.

I was very satisfied with my performance--it felt very good, and I think the director really liked me. I'm not sure how many people will say they want to be Mrs. Phagan, but I do like the role. This is one show where I could do every female role, except the ones played by African-Americans (there are four A-A roles, I believe). There are four factory girls, from ages 14-20, and a few boys, with the featured young male (he's about 17) having a big part.

I believe the cast itself will the small. The JCC's stage and theater is very intimate, so there can't be a very big cast.

Stupid nerves

OK, this is stupid. 

And probably petty. 

But this blog is, generally, about my life post-transplant, and this is what I'm thinking right now. So here we go. 

I'm worried about my upcoming theater audition. 

Not because I'l ill-prepared--I've done everything I need to do. 

I have a resume. 

I have a photo. 

I have a 16 bar piece that I know like the back of my hand, and that I know I sing well. 

So, in theory, I am prepared. 

But--it's an audition and the outcome is really not dependent upon me. 

You know? 

I know a lot of other people trying out, and they are good. They are excellent actors, singers, dancers. I am quite positive that they will be cast. 

As for myself? Not so sure. There are only so many people that can be, y'know. 

And yeah, I've read all the audition stuff about how not getting cast isn't a reflection on talent, yada yada yada.

This is the addictive thing about theater.

When I was doing J&H I talked to my friend Jay about this. He was mentioning that he'd gotten a little bit part as the orderly in Act I, which included some solo lines. But he mentioned he wouldn't mind getting other things to do. 

I called that the "nature of the beast." For example: I was in the chorus, and I was thrilled. But then you want a solo line. Or a bit part. Or something. And if you're not careful that can ruin the whole experience. 

(Eventually we both did get "other things to do"--he and I were in "Alive!" together, I had group lines in "Murder, Murder!", etc.) 

It's so ridiculous, and yet we keep on doing it. 

That's one reason it's tough to get back into auditioning, because it's that whole "what if I don't make it" thing? 

Which, in the context of my life, SHOULD be fairly minor. I mean, come on. Let's get real here. Right?

I get the feeling I'm just rambling. But this is part of the whole post-tx life, I think. You get nervous about things that normal people get nervous about. And then you berate yourself for being nervous about something that's so small, in the context of your life. 

Culture Cat: The Lion King (roar!)

above: "Circle of Life"

When I saw The Lion King at the Ohio Theater on Tuesday night, it was my second time seeing the show (I had seen it during its first trip to town in '04). Last time, the show was a recreation of what is done on Broadway (hence Pride Rock rising out of the stage, as seen in the picture above). This time, Disney Theatricals was trying out a "scaled-down" version of the show, which will make the show more portable and thus able to be seen in more places. In general I didn't really like the changes that were made (what I remembered of them), because I think it hampered director and designer Julie Taymor's original vision. Instead of rising up out of the stage, Pride Rock is sort of wheeled out on a circular track. Also, Mufasa's mask (and I could be wrong here) didn't look like it was as mobile as it was back in '04. If you've never seen the show, you won't notice. But if you have, then you probably will, especially during "Circle of Life."

But to particulars. Just about all of us have seen The Lion King, so I don't need to go into plot particulars. We still have Nala and Simba and Sarabi and Mufasa and Scar, and Zazu. There are a few new songs, some written by composer Lebo M, which are South African chants ("Grassland Chant", "Lioness Hunt"), and there are some trunk songs for the characters (Simba's "Endless Night", Nala's "Shadowlands", Zazu's "Morning Report" and "Chow Down" for the hyenas). There is also the Act II Opener, "The Madness of King Scar" (which for some reason has been shortened), my favorite piece in the show. The new songs integrate seamlessly into the existing pieces, and Tim Rice, Julie Taymor and Elton John wrote the music and lyrics for the new, non-chant numbers.

The cast was very strong, especially the chorus. I have to give them major props because much of their singing is off-stage. Having attempted to do this for J&H, I know how hard this is. It is pitch-black in the wings and the monitors are not very helpful. So kudos to them. Zazu was probably my favorite character, and Young Nala and Young Simba were done very handsomely by the child actors. The wildebeest stampede is an excellent, excellent scene, and probably, after "Circle of Life", the highlight of the show.

If you haven't seen this show it is worth it for the sheer spectacle--the costumes, the scenery, the lighting. The music is impressive, especially the numbers that incorporate chant, such as "He Lives In You" and "Rafiki Mourns." The two solos for Nala and Simba are also very nice and needed additions for character development.

So while the scenery may be simplified, there is nothing quite like watching the elephants and rhinoceri amble down the aisles of the theater and up onto the stage for the opening number. It's thrilling to watch.

GREAT!

Today was my three year clinic exam, which means the whole shebang of tests:

--Vitamin levels, in addition to regular blood draw;
--Chest X-rays;
--CT scan of chest;
--Annual bone density scan;
--VQ scan (which involves breathing and injecting radioactive material into me so they can see how that stuff is diffused in my lungs and chest--very fun);
--annual social work assessment;
--annual dietician assessment, and
--the PFTs

Good stuff all around...
I lost 5 pounds from the beginning of the month! Woohoo!
My PFTs were at 64%. I don't think I've ever blown that high post-tx and if I have, it was a long time ago, as Dr. A commented when he saw the results. So yay!
And I got to see all the lovely CF team people, including Dr. M, whom I haven't seen in quite a while. I showed them the J&H pics and generally caught up. It was great.

So it was a super-good, if very long, day. ..

Whew

OK so now that the show is like, really over...I am trying to dig out of the mess that is my apartment, since I sort of neglected it over the past, oh, month....
Hopefully I can make some progress!

So...more pictures!

It's Monday

without rehearsal.

I feel....unresolved. :(

THANK YOU!!!!

To all the people who came to see the show!
(in no particular order)

--Mom and Dad (who came twice)
--Bub and Mel
--Tiffany and her parents (Tiffy came TWICE!)
--Tom and Andrea
--Branden
--Gary
--Anne and Lindsay!
--Suellen
--Missy and Katie
--Rita and Hannah
--Steve and Sal
--Matt and Maggie
--Grandma and Pa
--Aaron, Richelle and Christine

Can I call y'all my fan club???? ha ha.
I love you guys!

Roses

I have thirty-six roses in my apartment right now. :) :) :)

In My Bag

Inventory of my J&H bag:

--two pairs of Simply Vera fishnet tights
--One Target tank top
--One pr. Capezio character shoes, size 8
--One black ribbon
--A baggie of hair claws
--Aussie hairspray
--My camera
--Vera Bradley bag for my make-up brushes
--a mirror
--a small Goody brush
--Dove hair cream
--2 water bottles
--My make-up kit, which includes: Clinique concealer, Bobbi Brown moisturizing compact foundation, Bobbi Brown pressed powder (pale yellow), Maybellne expert eyes eyebrow pencil (blonde), Maybellne eyebrow gel (clear), Lancome eye shadow base (nude), Bobbi Brown eye shadows (Bone, Rose Gold and Sapphire), Cover Girl Lash Blast mascara (black), Lancome lip pencil (red apple), Lancome lipstick (Midnight something or other--a dark red), Victoria's Secret beauty gloss, Benefit Miss Popularity highlighter (for under my brows), Benefit Boo Boo Zap! (in case any unfortunate things pop up on my face).
--Benefit body balm

MAJOR props to the lip color. If you ever need stuff that will last 4+ hours, this is what you want. It is awesome. :)

Now it's time to haul the bag into Lilo (my car) and go do it all again!!!! :)

The Best Night

Tonight was, without a doubt, the best night of my life.

Not only was the show amazing--from beginning to end, top to bottom, we rocked the house. It was seamless and heart-wrenching and funny and excruciating all at the same time. It flew by. The energy was unbelievable. (And the Red Rat scene was SO FUN!)

But what made it the best night ever was what happened after.

I did a lightening-fast change and went out to the cafeteria to meet my family. It was like a constant wave of people I have known throughout my life, from start to finish.

First was my brother and my grandparents. My grandparents taught me to play the piano. They have come to a vast majority of my events, from talent shows to requiems to musicals. They have given me incredible support and love. And my brother is just, well, awesome. :)
Then my parents. God knows how much I owe them. :-D
Then Richelle, Aaron and Christine, from college and political work. CPAC adventures!

Then Tiffany and both her parents. The Dulmage house has been like my second home for a long time, and I was thrilled to see them.
Then Anne and Lindsay, from elementary school! I haven't seen Anne is YEARS and almost didn't recognize her. She's getting married. It was insane!I couldn't believe Lindsay came, since she usually has to work. We all used to sing together back in the day.

Then Suellen, who I also have not seen in donkey's years. We have been theater buffs since Time Began.

Then Maggie and Matt from the office--I guess I owe Matt $15 now. :) Matt teases me endlessly, everyday. :) And Maggie is a great boss. :)

It was like one big awesome reunion of People From My Life.

And the best part?
I was here for it.
Thank you, Suzanne.

Opening....

In less than four hours.
The show runs 2 1/2 hours with intermission.
You know you want to be there. :)

Three years

Wow.
Check out that title again, huh?
Three years ago, I was flat on some operating table in the bowels of children's, not sitting here prepping for Opening Night of an awesome show.
And yet, without that day on the operating table, I wouldn't be here. That's for sure.
I was talking to my dad on Thursday and he said that the Saturday before transplant was probably the "worst day." I didn't leave the couch all day, except to try to eat something (which didn't go very well). He had to drag me to Easton the next day (and my dad HATES shopping. Absolutely hates it.). And I do mean drag.
Every day I drive by Children's on my way to work, and last night I drove by after rehearsal. It was about 11 or so, and three years ago Karen was calling us, giving us updates, telling us what to do. I blew the building a kiss as I drove by. I owe the people inside so much.
Three years. Wow.
I'm twenty-six now. I have been to Chicago, New York. I have seen my friends get married and have babies. I saw my brother graduate from college and my sister from high school. I've made new friends and met some awesome people. I have done things I thought I would never get to do. And all because Suzanne in Minnesota decided to donate her organs after she died.
I thank her.
My family and friends thank her.
It seems so inadequate, but it's all I can say. That, and live my life the absolute best I can.
When I mount the stage tonight, it will all be because of her.
Thank you.