Lots of writing this weekend!

I am spending the day at home.

Why, might you ask?

Well, first off, it's rainy and cold!

And second, I have been super busy with rehearsal's for Best Little Whorehouse in Elmira. Go check it out if you are local! But, also, this weekend in the Keuka Lake Players "24 Hour Theatre". Where in the course of 24 hours, 5 shows are written, directed, and performed! Sounds amazing, right? You bet it is! And for the writer in me, I am all a-go to write one of these scripts. Having penned three 1 acts in to last couple of years, which is a pleasure to have done. It is giving me the chance to stretch my creative muscles. Last year (September 2012) was the first year I wrote a play and got to see it performed, twice actually. Once at 24 Hour Theatre, then the second at a 1 act festival for Mother's Day weekend (2013). Talk about the most AMAZINGLY AWESOME feeling EVER!!!!

Since then, I have penned two other (1 newly written a few weeks ago) 1 acts and working on a third as I type this. KLP has put on this '24 Hour Theatre' for three years now. Last year, I included my own 24 Hour Theatre with the Lake Country Players, with a delightful degree of success (I am planning next years already). So, now that world knows about this extremely fun and low cost fundraiser, the word is spreading.

So, this year I am staying home from work to write my 1 act, because I have an IMPORTANT dance rehearsal tonight and my gracious and sexy friend Sara, who is coordinating this event is letting me early. YAY! I am also directing one of the shows, not my own, thankfully!

The scripts need to be written and emailed to Sara by 4 am tomorrow morning (the other writers start at 6:00 tonight). While tomorrow morning dawns, the directors meet at 7:00 to get their scripts and prepare for the actors arrival at 8:00. Then it's rehearse, rehearse, REHEARSE until 5:45 when the show starts.

I am a bit nervous this year, partly because I am doing things out of order this year; and also I am trying to write more of a light comedy, instead of just drama, or suspense, as I have in the past. But what comes out, will be: Que Sera Sera. In about 2 hours I got a 7 page script, but I am not completely satisfied until I can read it again, find the mistakes, and weak points (without anyone's help), and refresh and revise it. I am also writing Toasted Cheese's Mini-NaNo's contest this month. A 5,000 words challenge gearing up for NaNoWriMo in November. I have to write at least 167 words a day until I hit 5,000 words or finish the story (but it has to be at least 5,000 words). Plus, I am revising a 1 act I wrote at my friend Amelia's 62 Hours of Art fest back in August.

All this and rehearsals for Whorehouse! No rest for the wicked!

I should go and review the script. Later internet! Leave me a Comment or some Love below:

Birthday Weekend 2013

I had a few ideas for things I wanted to write about this week, but couldn't really settle on enough to make a blog worth while. It is almost like over the last 2 weeks I got some great snippets of neat nostalgia and inspiring things, but not enough for a full blog, or so I thought.

I am sitting here in my study, listening to "Welcome to the Neighborhood" by Meatloaf, second time through actually, drinking coffee I starting thinking. Why not just blog about the last 2 weeks. There is a lot of stuff that can be connected and sometimes it's nice to see what I've been up to. Today is my low key lazy day, filled with running some choreography for the parts I am in "Best in Little Whorehouse in Texas", drinking coffee and catching up on life. It rather a quiet day, but the perfect day for reflection and chore doing. But, that's not relaxing, is it? For me, doing laundry and putting the dishes away is completely relaxing. And since my dryer still hasn't been replaced, it's line drying for me, but today is breezy and partly sunny. So, while the clothes are 'drying' in coffee and dancing for me, followed by Meatloaf. ~SIGH~

What have I been up  to lately? Well, first of all, you all should know by now that (from the above paragraph) I am currently rehearsing for a production of "Best Little Whorehouse". It is definitely in my top 10 of musicals (see previous post about musicals). I am in the chorus with a slew of other talented folks and some freaking talented leads too. Often the choral parts are more demanding, having to learn more songs and dance steps than the lead (although not always). Today's work includes "Texas Has a Whorehouse In It" and "24 Hours". I haven't dance and sang together this heavy since the Lake Country Player's production of "Beauty and the Beast" in 2006.

"Watchdog's gonna get you. He's gonna shine his light on you...."

This weekend was my 34th birthday weekend. I am not ashamed of my age, I prefer to live and NOT be worried about a number. My birthday was August 2nd, a Friday. I got to sleep in and in the afternoon visit some of my favourite people, the Love's (Ryan, Sara, Wendy, and newborn Daphne), where I got a birthday cake, a balloon, and sung to by some of my best theatre friends. I even placed Candyland with Wendy Love, Sara's adorable 3 year old daughter. The game board has changed quite a bit from the 80's, there a few characters added and a couple have been removed, while others have been re-tooled. I guess my nostalgia really kicked in when I saw the Queen Frostine is now Princess Frostine and looks more like a tweaked up version of a Bratz doll/Disney Princess. Also, there no Plumby, Grandma Nutt or Mr. Mint, having been replaced by the likes of Grandma Gooey, Duke of Swirl, and the Gingerbread Kids. I guess it's a sign of the times, but wow! It was still fun to play, and I never thought I would be playing Candyland on my birthday.

I also drew a picture of Maximus (from Tangled and Wendy's FAVOURITE movie) in Banana Pants. I am working on a full colourized version for all to see (I've included the pencil sketch here).

Me and Sara Love

Carousel Shot

Carousel Shot

Yesterday my friends Amy (from college) and Richard came down from Rochester to play Putt Putt, ride the Dragon Boats and the Carousel at Eldridge Park in Elmira, NY. It felt great to be a kid again. After being an adult for far too long, it's nice to revert back to childhood, the good parts at least, and play skeet ball, pinball, ride the Carousel (picking your favourite animal to ride is a tough choice), and laughing. This is the second such day of youthful shenanigans I have had with DAScottJr; last weekend it was Darien Lake. Where we rode the Viper, Sleighride, and Grizzly Run to name a few. It was only the fourth time going to Darien Lake in my life and the first since Six Flags left...eh, oh well, it still look basically the same since the last time I had been there. There were new rides and what not, like the wilderness area with the GIANT wooden rocking chair and the Motor-Coaster (that was a fun ride), but I still knew where most of the rides were located, like the Predator, the Carousel, Grizzly Run, and the Pirate Ship. It was a blast!

Some shots from Darien Lake.

Some shots of our day at Eldridge Park.

Hole-in-One David

Weeping Amy

Lake Eldridge

Riding Eragon

Dragon Boats

The Ladies on Eragon

The Men on Eragon

Meet Gaspara the Red!

Cute!

I love these guys!!!

Saphira the Indigo Dragon

And today, the 12th Doctor is revealed! Oh, the excitement!

Thanks The Doctor Who Hub for the picture

It's been a fantastic weekend! Not read to go back to work, but lots of exciting stuff coming up. The summer is going by really fast, but I guess I am not surprised, it seems to happen every year.It was the best birthday ever! Thank you!!!

"Y'all come back now, Y'here!"

My Top 10 Favourite Musicals

Muses from Xanadu

I was thinking about what to write about tonight. There wasn't going on in my head today, truth be told. Work had been a full day of reports, ringing phones, and printing envelopes (not a favourite task, as the printer at work hates envelopes). Any who, I was left tired, irritated, and with still nothing to write about. David had planned on taking me out to get a desk for my study, just a small work desk for my easel, and after that a nice dinner. Well, while looking for a restaurant that wasn't standing room only (the popular phrase of the night, we ended up at Jelly Beans the Restaurant. I cute little local eatery that serves American cuisine and gives out Jelly Belly jelly beans instead of mints. Yum! Anyway, check it out out if you are in the Twin Tiers (Corning, NY).

So while wondering around Big Flats running a few errands, before settling on food that we didn't need to wait for, the topic of musical popped into my head. Now, yesterday, I watch "Godspell" the movie adaptation, so musicals were already kinda in my head. I started thinking about my favourite musicals. Since 2006 I have been acting in Community Theatre and have been in a number of productions. I wondered what I would put on a "Top 10 FAvourite Musicals" list. During dinner David and I brain stormed musicals. I was surprised how hard it was list my top 10. I have seen (both on stage and in movie format) and been in good number of shows, but I was having trouble narrowing it down to 10.

The criteria for being on my list requires that I had seen the full show, or have been in a productions, but doesn't limit movies, as there a a good many movies that do not have stage adaptations. It has to be a musical, in the aspect of having a certain amount of song. And the most important part, they have to have meaning in my life. I cannot pick 10 musicals without them having a special place in my heart.

Charlotte saying goodbye

Number 10: Charlotte's Web

Now while this is a movie, it is also a musical. I grew up with the movie, and know the whole thing by heart. Everything from Templeton lines to the song "Chin Up". But after directing a stage adaptation and falling in love with the music from the musical. I count both versions, because each are their own version. Both are loved! Favourite Song:  "Chin Up" (movie) and "Whose Says We Can't Be Friends?" (musical)

Number 9: Xanadu

I know. A lot of people are going WHHHHHHHY?!?! There are reasons. I realize that the movie (I have not seen the stage adaptation of this show, so I am basing this on the movie) is cheesy in it's own right and the acting isn't the greatest, but there are a few things that stand out. Firstly, most of the music was written by ELO (Electric Light Orchestra), if you don't know who they are, you should look them up. Second, Gene Kelly is in this version, and he gets to dance a some. And third, Olivia Newton-John sings. The story of the roller disco is rather silly, but the underlying theme that you should follow your dreams is a good one. It's on the list. I love it! Favourite Song: "I'm Alive" and "Xanadu"

Number 8: Willy Wonka

I got the chance to play Mrs. Beauregarde in a production of Willy Wonka the musical. I grew up on the movie and Gene Wilder's Wonka. He was born for that role. The songs that are in the movie are touching and sincere (with exception to "Cheer up Charlie"). "Pure Imagination" is just timeless. When in the stage adaptations, there were new songs, each kid got their own song, tailor made for them. Violet Beauregarde sang "Chew It", I had my first solo with that song, that part. It was scary, but also exciting. It will always hold a special place in my heart. Favourite Song: "Pure Imagination"

Number 7: The Full Monty

I knew nothing of this show prior to auditioning for a production. I just knew that I needed to audition. I ended up in the chorus, but I had so much fun. I got work with some talented people. The songs in Full Monty are all real and heartfelt. Just a great show all around. Favourite Song: It's a tie between "Big Ass Rock" or "Breeze Off the River"

Number 6: The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

Would it surprise you that I used to watch this a lot with my parents? Taped from TV (so there weren't nudy bits showing). The characters are fun the songs are silly and touching or about touching in silly places. My favourite characters were Melvin Thorpe (Dom De Luise) the TV watchdog out to stop the Chicken Ranch, the Governor (Charles Durning), and Miss Mona (Dolly Parton). Favourite song: "Do a Little Side Step"

Number 5: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

I always thought this was a Disney movie, but it's not, I guess with the Dick Van Dyke, I got confused. It's just a fantastical story, full of silliness, which Van Dyke excels in. Favourite Song: "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"

Number 4: Beauty and the Beast

A classic story. A beautiful story. Something that Disney got right on the first go around. I got to see Beauty and the Beast up in Toronto in high school. I freaking melting during the Beast's song "If I Can't Love Her". What can I say, but my favourite song will always be "Beauty and the Beast".

Number 3: Annie

The first musical I auditioned for, back in third grade. Guess what part i tried out for? Go on! Guess! What happens when the tallest girl in third grade auditions for Annie. Nothing! That's what. No, I am not bitter, just wiser. There is something about Annie that drew me in. No sure what, to tell the truth. I wasn't familiar with the comic or the old radio show. i do recall having to see tomorrow for chorus, I think. Anyway, the movie is what I remember most and the characters. Oh man, Rooster, what a scoundrel and Miss Hannigan!! I won't lie, Tomorrow is a favourite song, but my all time favourite song from Annie, "Little Girls" sung by Miss Hannigan. that is a role I would love to play sometime.

Number 2: Rocky Horror (Picture) Show

I remember not understanding this movie at first. So, for a number of years, I just passed it by. Sometime is college I was re-introduced to the movie and subsequently joined the Rocky Fan Club. It was there that we put on shadow casts of the movie, including all the call back and the audience participation. Oh, those were great days. It was also where I met my husband, who was the first guy in the fan club to play Dr. Frank-En-Furter. I got to play Eddie, Dr. Scott (married a Scott too), Magenta, and Betty Monroe (the Hoe). Magenta is my dream role for this show, because she gets to sing the song "Science Fiction, Double Feature". A couple of years ago David and I, along with friends got to see a live production at the Hanger Theatre in Ithaca, NY. It was an AWESOME production. Frank played a violin during his soliloquy. the floor show was matching and well choreographed. It was so good! Favourite Song: "Science Fiction, Double Feature"

Hugh Jackman as Curly

Number 1: Oklahoma!

Oklahoma! I watched this on tape so many times. I am surprised I didn't wear the tape out. I watched to be Laurie, who married Curly the handsome cowboy. Years later, when I got to audition for a production, I switched gears and aimed for Ado Annie, to buxom flirt of Oklahoma! I got neither, but i was part of one of my favourite shows growing up and that I performed in. i got to play a western saloon girl in the Dream Sequence. The Burlesque Girls were a favourite part of the show. Favourite Song: There's a tie! "I Cain't Say No" (When sung well, this song is full of AWESOME. Katie Robinson (local gal) knocked Ado Annie out of the park in the KLP stage production. This is not the case with the movie version. Check out the Hugh Jackman version, which is also great.) and "Oklahoma!" of course.