Bit by Bit...Putting it Together

Howdy Blog Land! I hope you have had a great week and are looking forward to an even better weekend.

The second week of rehearsal for "Storytime Live!" is almost over and we head out for tech next Friday. It has been quite a quick process, but a total blast.

The cast is continuing to enhance the characters they've created and I've had the opportunity to swing in a few times when people have been out for costume fittings and such. I'm feeling pretty confident and not nearly as overwhelmed as I was when we were first learning it...which is a good sign.

On top of all that, I have been asked to be the Dance Captain and the Vocal Captain. Both of which are a huge honor and I'm extremely honored to take them on. Many cast members have approached me and asked to have dance classes throughout our time on the road and I cannot wait to collaborate and create with them. It is such a fun and genuinely easy-going group of performers...so refreshing.

That's it for now. My next post will hopefully come from our Tech in York, PA!

Until then, take care of yourselves and take a little time to dance with your arms waving wildly in the air. Trust me, it's the best medicine...other than a nice bottle of red.

Laters.

-Joey-

Es Un Lugar Maravilloso

Greetings my dear readers.

Today was the second day of rehearsal for "Storytime Live!" This is the next chapter of my life...a year long national tour.

Nickelodeon has combined four of their cartoons into one mega-show. It includes: "Ni Hao, Kai-Lan," "The Backyardigans," "The Wonder Pets," and "Dora the Explorer." Each individual segment of the show combines the characters from each cartoon with characters from classic fairy tales like: "The Monkey King," "Alice in Wonderland," "Robin Hood," "Sleeping Beauty," "Jack and the Beanstalk," "Little Red Riding Hood," and "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." In essence, children are going to lose their shit when they see it all put together.

The production team for this show is incredible! Director Sam Scalamoni (Beauty and the Beast), Choreographer Wendy Seyb (The Toxic Avenger), and Musical Director Gary Adler (Altar Boyz). The cast is definitely in good hands. I could not be more thrilled to be working with such accomplished and genuinely wonderful people.

The cast of 10 are all fantastic. As with most shows, energy is to be expected, but these actors and actresses bring it up a notch. It's only been two days and I'm having a blast.

I'm the swing, which means that I cover all of the male tracks. Should any one of them need to be out of a show, I go in. I'm essentially an on-call actor. Ready to go when the time comes. It's a bit overwhelming because each track plays so many different characters, but it's a very welcome challenge.

There will be more updates as we progress through the rehearsal process, but I've got to review and get to bed.

I hope that you are having a safe, healthy, positive, productive, and loving start to 2010! I would like to emphasize the loving part. Take some time and let people know how much they mean to you. I know it's easy to forget, but we truly don't know what could happen from day to day, so take that extra time and spread some love.

-Joey-

P.S. I met Tony Yazbeck (A Chorus Line, Gypsy, most recently White Christmas) today! He was preparing for an audition, so I didn't want to bother him...but I did. He was really nice and humble when my word vomiting produced endless piles of gushing at his feet. THEN, as I was getting on the elevator, who should be coming out of said elevator but Sutton Foster. That's right, Millie herself, or most recently as Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical! All in all, a fantastic day!

Grab a Cup and Have a Seat

Hello, Hey, Howdy, Holler, What's up, Ni Hao, and Welcome. I'm not entirely sure what I want the purpose of this blog to be, which could be an indication that I shouldn't be writing one at all. Oh well, I've never been one to listen to indications, even when they are very loud and in my face. We will touch on that at a later time.

The main reason for my newly discovered interest in blogging is boredom. Boredom and the fact that I feel like I have things I would like to share with the world. I also happen to thoroughly (modernly) enjoy typing. I have always loved typing. When I was a kid, I would visit my step-mom at the local newspaper where she worked as a graphic design artist. I loved the "click, clack" of the keys as she would type with such speed. This might have also been the birth of my love for tap dance. I'm just saying.

If you're still reading this, thanks for hanging in there. I know you must have many more important things to do. Your loyalty and patience will not go unnoticed. That being said, let's get down to business.

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A fantastic friend gave me a book for my birthday that I would like to recommend to you. It's called, "The Self-Destruction Handbook: 8 Simple Steps to an Unhealthier You." Don't judge a book by it's title and think that this book is not for you. It is full of sage advice to help you not help yourself.

Chapters Include:

*12 Steps to a Drinking "Problem"
*Condoms Are for Suckers
*How to Lose Way Too Much Weight in 90 Days

This book might not change your life, but it just might help you end it. It's hilarious and includes some crossword puzzles and word finds. Get to your nearest bookstore, grab a copy, and begin your downward spiral into darkness today!

In conclusion, thanks for checking out my first foray into journalism. I can't promise any entries will get better, but hopefully they'll give you something to do while you have that cup a joe...y.

Dumplings and Gummy Bears,
Joey