Okay, here they are. The five things I've tuned into recently. I think they're about Rob's most recent girlfriend.
One: She eats her boogers. Usually very dry, but also surprisingly delicate on the palate.
Two: She got Summer's Eve feminine wash. She's cleanly and scent free, and if she's having a bad day, she doesn't take it out on other people. She just washes with Summer's Eve.
Three: I miss her smell, and the way she tastes. It's a mystery of human chemistry, but some people as far as your senses are concerned just...taste like Bandana's barbecue.
Four: I really dig how she doesn't shave her thighs. But her calves are as smooth as silk. She's just not affected, I guess..by the chafing the hair on her thighs leave behind. It's really beautiful.
Five: She does this thing in bed before we pass out. She takes 5 & 1/2 Ambiens and rubs her old nipple holes an equal number of times. It just kills me that she took out those nipple rings 4 years ago and she can still put a straw through them to drink her sour apple pucker.
Six: She's always bloated. I really dig a chick that looks like she's retaining water all of the time. Something about ovulating really gets me goin'. Beer only makes this occasion even better.
And she stocks up on tampons, even though she doesn't use them. Ever. It's really cute. And really efficient.
Seven, or Eight, I guess: She eats her boogers. Everyone I know just wipes them under the car seat, but Laura has a real appreciation for the mucosa glands. Never lets one get by without savoring the shit out of it first.
Nine: I'm not sorry for this---her cocaine addiction. Which she thinks I don't know about! If I walk into the kitchen and she's making brownies, she immediately spreads it over the batter so it looks like powdered sugar. But I know what she's doing, and it's adorable. What she doesn't know is...I do it too. There's really no need for us to hide it from each other.
Ten: She thinks abortion is a really really groovy deal.
Anyway....
Those are the things Rob really thinks about what's-her-face. And us ex-girlfriends know. Because we're inside his head. Forever.
Maybe this is common knowledge...but I doubt it. Even Google asked me if I meant to type something else. You gotta be kidding me, Anna. John Tesh!
I thought for sure I knew where I was going with Anna...until now. When I youtubed John Tesh and all his flowy blonde hair glory, I was at a loss for words. I wanted to call Anna up and tell her she's retarded and that I never want to talk to her again. I can see why Barry hates you so much! Then I thought, no. It's not her fault. Someone wrote this---this character that could adore John TESH (and whoever thought up this character trait should be punched in the face). No, Anna is not to blame. And whether I like it or not I have to embrace her and all her absurdities.
I figure everyone can change over time, right? Unfortunately I can't make time rewrite High Fidelity so that I don't have to pretend to like this jolly green piano player for the next 2 months.
John Tesh. He can't be that bad...or can he. He used to host Entertainment Tonight with Mary Hart. I like her. If she liked John then maybe I could learn to?
I watched some Live at the Red Rocks. Interesting to say the least. I have never seen people so happy to play instruments in my life. It's like this really strange symphonic sex thing going on. Weird vibes. I was very confused. Very.
I looked further into this 6 foot 6 inch Jesus freak and it turns out, he can play the piano really really well! So...he's got that going for him at least, eh?
I'm not too keen on his vocal work. Or his suit colors for that matter. So what in the world can I love about John Tesh?! Don't even get me started on his radio show!
Initially I thought he was fairly attractive. But I'm into that big 80's do. And he's tall. I like that too. He has nice hands. But I'm not sure Anna likes him for the way he looks...
She likes his music. (I wish you could see the distress in my face right now)
Is Anna religious? No. No way. Why would she be in Championship Vinyl if she was looking for Sunday morning sing-a-longs. (Sorry, Mom. Sorry, God) There's just no way. Maybe she's just confused. I think Dick is right about her being into learning stuff, so it won't be a problem. Maybe John Tesh was a real smokin' hottie back in the day...or maybe Anna has just been exposed to terrible music her whole life. She seems curious enough. We'll see where this all goes.
Fact: I thought John Tesh was Mr. Camden from Seventh Heaven before all these shenanigans took place.
After discovering this, I think I can take a breath and chill the eff out:
Nice save, Anna. I think we can all go back to being friends now.
I'm a little bit behind on the blogging process for High Fidelity.
My apologies. Honestly, I wasn't sure what to write about. But I usually don't ever know what I'm doing, until I'm actually doing it. So, here I go.
I really wasn't sure of High Fidelity at first. And by that I mean I really didn't like it. This is the book I'm talking about; not the movie (because I've never seen it) nor the stage production (because I started reading the book before rehearsals began and had never been introduced to the show). I had a really hard time getting into High Fidelity, the novel (so we're clear now). Maybe it was because of Nick Hornby's writing style, or maybe it was because it's written with British slang and all around weirdness, or maybe simply because it's written from a dude's perspective (and I do not understand dudes), but I'm really convinced I couldn't really get into High Fidelity solely because Rob Gordon is a big.rolling.turd. Seriously. The guy is a freakin' asshole. And I cannot stand him. With every chapter I read, I just hate him more and more. I haven't finished the book; I'm about 12 chapters out. Though, once we had our first read-through and I started to love Jeff Wright it was easier to read High Fidelity. Probably because Jeff instilled some genuineness? into Rob that I couldn't find before. Nonetheless, I still hate Rob. Maybe I will avoid the movie...
I'm Anna. I'm also Allison Ashworth. Again, I get a chance to display my multiple personality disorder onstage. Lovely for you all. I've got a pretty good idea of who I want Anna and Allison to be, but considering we've only just begun I'm sure those ideas will change quite a few times in the coming weeks.
I like Anna. She is really pretty cool. She's so different from any other character I've played. She's quiet. :)
I like Allison, too. She's probably exactly who I was when I was in 7th grade. That may or may not be a good thing..
Most characters in High Fidelity are fairly small. Rob and Laura are some mongo stage hogs (not literally), but they do take up like the entire story obviously! Which is perfectly fine with me. I love love love developing character. And the smaller my parts are, the more I get to decide who they are. I love the freedom we have as actors to create personality in a role. I get to get creative for 2 individual people this time! Pretty exciting stuff, my friends.
We're moving right along with this show. It's really fun! I really really love it. Not like the book (because I still hate that Rob guy a little too much to ever love it), but this show is awesome! I feel like we're in a giant rock concert all the time. And don't we all wish life was a giant rock concert? As if that's even a question. :)
Our group numbers sound incredible! We all blend so well, and our harmonies are saweeeeet! We girls are boppin' around like the sexy thangs we are. And Rob, Dick, and Barry are retardidly hilarious. And sweet sweet Laura brings us all back together again. I love working with Kimi. I have missed her.
That's all I got for now. I'll be back with more later! Until then.
Well, hi! I'm not sure if I know you...have we met before? I'm Lenora. I used to be Cry Baby's destiny. But now I'm Baldwin's. He's really good at kissing with tongue.
I'm not exactly sure what I'm doing here. There's this voice inside my head that keeps telling me what to do. It's like I can't even think for myself anymore!
I have a nifty suspicion that someone has stolen my identity. Terrie is her name...or at least that's what she claims. She talks alot and is always bossing me around. Everyone tells me I'm crazy for thinking she's there, but I know she is. She's reading my mind. I can't get away from her.
Normally I would only think about Cry Baby. But recently I've been really focused on Terrie. And Baldwin. My mind is just so full of so many things! Sometimes I can't keep up. Terrie tells me that we're friends, but I really don't know her. Other than she's a mind/palm reader. Which, is really neat! She's pretty. I think we look alot alike. And I'm pretty. So we're both pretty. Baldwin said so at the Anti-Cold War Picnic this weekend. We're so insanely in love!
I wonder if Cry Baby ever thinks of me...
Terrie says that Allison isn't so bad, I'm still not so sure though. She's says something about Taylor every so often, but I still have no idea what she's talking about. I don't know any of these people!
I used to only have 2 friends: Morning Glory and Biscuit. But about 2 months ago, I started noticing that more and more people were showing up in my head. Terrie was talking about so many friends that I didn't know I had! If you ask me, I think Terrie might have a mental disease. I figured that out when she wished out loud once that we could have polio WHILE we were AT the Anti-Polio Picnic!...
I really kind of like Terrie.
Everyone in Baltimore keeps telling me she's not real. Because apparently it's not 1954 anymore, according to Terrie. And she told me that we're all for integration! Who knew?! Baldwin tells me that it's not okay. But Terrie convinced me to kiss Dupree! Which was really fun! I only went along with it so easy at first, because I figured it would help me get closer to my beloved Cry Baby. After the first couple of times though, I couldn't resist Mr. Dupree W. Dupree any longer. I had no idea Drapes were so talented. I trusted Terrie with my whole heart and body after that. I love her alot now. I think we're going to be best friends for a long time! Until the Prepubescent Rehabilitation Center for Make-Believe-Pregnant Schizophrenics forces me to start taking those yucky medicines again.
Terrie says they just don't understand us. She says that people with sociological diseases are funny. She thinks I'm funny! We're always laughing together. Terrie makes me happy. She says that no one will ever know a love like our's. But hopefully Baldwin will. I'm so happy we're married now!
I think Terrie is a little jealous...because she keeps telling me that Cry Baby could still be the one. She could be right. We're open to possibilities!
Last night, Terrie made us a strawberry malt. And it was soooo wonderful! I'm glad we like to eat the same things. And I like how she does my hair. When Terrie first showed up in my head, she said that if she could decide what we looked like, I could decide what we think like. I wasn't sure about negotiating with the devil then, but I figured if Terrie was a zombie instead, then I would...so I did.
Terrie seems very pleased with our "work." I'm really not sure what work she's talking about. She keeps saying all these things about audiences and cast members and costumes. I just want to talk about my ant collection. But she will not stop blabbing.
Baldwin has the zircon I stole for Cry Baby on his left nipple. I was really surprised that he could do that. But I really kind of like it too. Terrie said something about him being gay. He doesn't seem any happier than us, so I'm not sure why she keeps saying that. She says alot of things I really don't understand. At least she's funny. She has that going for her, sort of..
Wellllll.....I don't really have anything left to say. I have to go away soon, Terrie says. So she gave me this keyboard thingy and told me to confess anything I had never told anyone ever before. I'm excited! I think she might be sending me to the moon finally. I just hope Baldwin gets to come too.
Oh yea! My confession...hmmmm..
I guess I need to confess that Morning Glory and Biscuit are actually Siamese twins. Neat, huh?! But they're so moody and they have a very wide torso. Terrie told me that's okay and to be nice to them anyway; everyone deserves to love and be loved.
I guess it was nice meeting all of you, whoever you are. Terrie is making me say good-bye now. So...bye! I'll wave to you from the moon! BYE!!!
With love,
Lenora
It's been a while since I've updated this old blogger of mine. Sorry 'bout that..I just get so wrapped up in a show! And if you've seen Cry Baby already, then you can understand why.
Cry Baby has really been a roller coaster of a production. Ever since our first rehearsal, I knew this was going to be alot of work. Not just finding Lenora, but being able to keep up the amount of energy necessary to make Cry Baby as exciting as it is. After hell week, I thought I was done for. My voice was shot, I was absolutely exhausted, and I didn't know how I was going to keep up with everyone onstage. But as always, once I see that audience out there I get silly with excitement and my adrenaline forms an endless amount of energy from only God knows where. I blog about this feeling for every New Line show, but really. It's something I crave. It's such a wonderful sensation to experience. Performance. I cannot stand to be without it.
So 9 performances down, with 3 more to go...and I'm not sure how to feel. Honestly, I'm exhausted. But I'm sort of addicted to all this endurance I've built up. And really I'm not ready to say good-bye to Lenora quite yet. Although, I get this strange feeling that she's not going to let me get away that easy. And she certainly isn't going to let Cry Baby get away either. Things'll get interesting come this Saturday, I'm sure. :)
It happens all the time, but every weekend that goes by Cry Baby gets even better. This show really has been a great time. I thoroughly enjoy spending time with my cast and crew in the theatre and out. I've had many a people say to me after Cry Baby that they can't believe I started off my New Line debut as Peron's mistress singing "Another Suitcase in Another Hall," and now here I am throwing myself around onstage actin' a fool as a cutesy crazy pants. I've come a long way as a performer. Something I'm not fully aware of until I'm told. And I'm so incredibly appreciative that I get to come to work everyday just to entertain people. It's a really great feeling to know that Lenora and I have made an impression. I love nothing more than to make people laugh.
I'm not sure if I'll be able to blog again before our show is officially over. So if I don't make it back in time, know that I love you all! and am very thankful for your support in my endeavors (I'm talkin' to you, Mom and Dad). Lenora sends her best!
This has been one of the most fun "hell weeks" I've ever experienced. I know things are stressful with coming together with the band and adding lots of costume changes and scene changes and blah blah blah. But really, I feel like everyone just melds together during hell week and this one has been like none other. I feel so connected to everyone! and everything! It might be the crazy talkin' to me, but I think this cast is having a hard time hating us, Lenora. :)
Lenora and I have been jammin' alot lately. And by that, I mean I've been listening to my Ipod and we boogie in my kitchen.
This playlist, and our bodies, are dedicated to Wade "Cry Baby" Walker:
Me, Myself, and I---Billie Holiday
Loose Talk---Carl Smith
In the Mood---Andrew Sisters
Why Do Fools Fall in Love---Frank Lymon & the Teenagers
Stairway to the Stars---Ella Fitzgerald
Lollipop---The Chordettes
and last but not least...
I Gotta Know---Wanda Jackson
Only 2 more nights before we open! exciting!!!(said in my exorcist voice, which you will all get to experience soon enough). So I better get on this bandwagon of not breaking character. I really hadn't at all! Even when were still in the church rehearsing still, I didn't break. Until last night....when I finally came onto stage with my "baby."
I have never laughed so hard before. I was seriously crying onstage because of the pain from laughing! I was so high on laughter fumes after that, I could barely say the rest of my lines! Freakin' baby...oh geeze. I don't know how I'm going to keep from cracking once I have 200 people laughing at the sight of me too. It's gonna be hard, but it's gonna be so awesome too. Normally breaking character this far into the rehearsal process would normally scare me. But really, it's the first time Lenora has made me break. Why are you so freaking crazy, Lenora?! You make me so giddy inside. Like a little school girl. Which, I guess..we kind of are.
Anyway! My point is..after last night's rehearsal I am so aware of who we are, Lenora and I. Our crazy is so cute, you won't be able to stand it. I know you'll be wishing for us to get with Cry Baby by the end of it all. Instead of that pinko, Allison girl.
I can't wait for all of us to finally be together, Cry Baby.
Cry Baby is so great! Every rehearsal is just way too much fun and I can't wait to start adding all the other stuff like costume changes and lights that suck your will to live and the band and the bushes and the mics! Oh, wow. I get real excited just thinking about it all.
Everything is coming together so perfectly. And as I re-study my lines, it's interesting to see how far we've come. Lenora and I. I mean, the rest of the cast has come a long way too. But this is my blog. So I have to talk mostly about Lenora or Cry Baby, or else she gets angry. Anyway...
Trish, our lovely stage manager, has started giving us line notes. Dun dun dunnn. This happens right before "hell week" starts and basically she sends the entire cast an email listing all the crap we said wrong onstage and what we are actually supposed to be saying. Simple concept, right. But once you've said something wrong for so long, it's sorta hard to flip the switch sometimes. So after I read my "line notes," I flipped through my script to correct my errors but I was immediately distracted.
For those of you who have done shows with me, you know that I am notorious for doodling in my script and score during our "blocking" rehearsals. Well, Lenora and I reminisced our divine meeting last night with these beautiful artist renditions...
Enjoy.
I don't know why I've never thought about sharing these with you all until now. I have to give Dupree some credit. He wrote a hilarious blog the other day that included some of his blocking notes and I thought it was such a wonderful idea to show you all what we really do in rehearsal when Scott is looking...
Well, that's really all you need to know about Cry Baby before you come see us next weekend.
My most favorite part of finalizing characterization in my roles is playing with my body onstage. Yep, I just said that.
Let me explain. I have Lenora in the palm of my hand. I know her lines, I know her thoughts, I have her looks, I've got everything laid out for her. But what I haven't pinned down yet is her physicality. It's always the most exciting part of character analysis for me because it's the part of the rehearsal process where I finally get to just let loose and play.
Lenora is freakin' wack, my friends.
I'm discovering things about her that I didn't know until now, all because I get to play with her movements! It's so much fun!
Last night we had a no-stop run through in the theatre, finally. And I have never felt more comfortable in Lenora's skin. It's such a creative process! I tried out so many new stances for Lenora last night, so many new dance moves, so many new faces, so many new feelings, gestures, sounds, discoveries. Everything! I tried every single thing I could to really finalize the transformation of becoming a schizophrenic 16 year old that is so far from reality, it's almost cute...in a sad way. Every crazy inch of Lenora is only getting crazier with each rehearsal.
The best part about figuring the physicality of a character for me is, I don't even realize I'm doing it most of the time. Most of what I create for a role, I do unintentionally. I allow myself freedom to explore, full range. At the start of rehearsal, I told myself that I was going to just have fun with Lenora. All fun, no business. I agreed with her that we would work together and merge our "crazy" for good. I told her I'd throw in some of my best moves if she would do the same. And whaddya know, I left rehearsal last night feeling incredibly proud of the new stuff we created. Nothing can stop us now. Gosh I love you, Lenora.
I like the progress we've all made with our characters at this point. I feel as if everyone onstage knows exactly who they are and what they're doing. It makes the "acting" aspect of it seem so obsolete because we are really convincing real people, not characters anymore. Everything really comes together once everyone is on the same page. And we are so on the same page now.
I've dedicated the rest of my blog to my awesome CB cast, because I love you all so much. Here are the deets:
Allison: She is so full of life! Taylor has really given Allison a real sense of being a teenager. She really knows what she wants, she just doesn't know it. Gotta love those high school years! And Taylor's voice freakin' owns the stage. If I didn't have to root for Lenora winning Cry Baby, I'd vote for you just because of your voice, Taylor. This is for you:
Cry Baby: I love you. For obvious reasons. Ryan is a freakin' badass, people. One, your voice is so perfect for this role. Two, you give Cry Baby such dynamic. I actually don't love Johnny Depp like most females do, and in the movie I think he's way too sensitive. Ryan though, gives Cry Baby so many kinds of emotions. He's a total greaser and yet at the same time he is so soft and loving towards Allison Lenora. And I just really love making you break character. :)
Baldwin: You, sir...are so hilarious. I really wasn't crazy about The Whiffles when I first read our script. But you came along and changed everything. I admire your tenacity, Baldwin. Keep going after Allison so that we can keep chasing after Cry Baby. Dowdy, you seriously are the most fun person I've ever worked with. You turn your characters into people that I genuinely miss after a show is over. I really wish Baldwin was real. We could all hang out and play Twister and drink malts and talk about how icky Justin Bieber is.
Terrance: Hopefully you read this..because I'm pretty sure you're the only one that calls yourself Terrance. Which is my dad's name. Which is cool. Christopher, you are so great! You always have such alluring stage presence. You have the quirkiest, silliest, dorkiest moments onstage. And I'm almost jealous that I'm not nearly as adorable as you. Bravo, my Whiffly friend!
Hatchet-face: You are without a doubt, the one that hates Lenora the most in this show. I'm convinced that you actually hate me more than Cry Baby. And I licked his face last night! Ya know why I love you, though. Because you are disgusting. You burp and slurp up your loogies like it's nobody's business. And I just love watching you during rehearsals. The other night I saw you standing there practicing making ugly misshapen faces and you probably didn't think anyone was watching you...but I was..because I'm a stalker. Your devotion to being horrendous, though, is quite charming. And to top it all off, your hair is so great. You know how I feel about hair, Sarah...
Pepper: First of all, you need to know this. My boss's dad's nickname is Pepper. And he is the craziest man I've ever met. So I knew right from the start that your name would lead you to also be a crazy awesome person. Marci, you are the proudest pregnant 16 year old I've ever come across. You are so excited about being preggers! Not because you actually want a baby, but because you think it's actually cool to be pregnant. Haha, and you are a total rocker! I absolutely love your voice in "A Whole Lot Worse." My favs!
Square girls: Alex and Jen, I think we need to get you some Square names to match those Square do's. I really love both of you. You guys hate Lenora so much! But not like The Drapes hate me. You guys hate me because you actually think I'm icky; like I have leprosy or something. Rude. But really, you guys keep me in line. Alex especially is constantly reminding me when I'm doing something wrong...which is like all the time. And Jen, you are just too cute. You remind me so much of my favorite New Liner Michelle Sauer. You guys should have brunch with me someday soon, so we can discuss floral print and ModCloth dresses.
Whiffle men: Devon and Evan. How perfect. :) You guys are so Square. And I love you most, because you never get to express your disgust for Lenora like the others do. You both have sweet dances moves! And Evan, you get to tongue Marci. Which we all think is hilarious...in the best way possible.
Mrs. Vernon-Williams: I feel it necessary for you to buy a VW in honor of this production. And because you deserve it! You're the only person EVER, who encounters Lenora and I onstage and doesn't shun our crazy. You are the only grandmother I've always wanted ever had. And I applaud you for being the oldest person in this cast and still being able to keep up with our ridiculous antics. You're so funny on and off stage, Cindy. I also think you should have a baton at the end. Just borrow Allison's.
Wanda: I want your hair. We all do. And we might have to make that happen...You, ma'am, are awesome! You're a Pisces, which automatically makes you cooler than everyone. And you are willing to make mistakes; I really like that about you. You'll get these dances down, don't worry. I believe in you. And I feel like you deserve a Sister Act moment in the nun outfit...I'm just sayin'. Your shining moment is definitely when you sing "perves" in "A Whole Lot Worse." I'm glad I'm off stage at that moment because I crack up every single time.
All of Zak's personalities: Tuck in your shirt. And quit movin' your ass like that. You're making it very difficult to not like you...we don't wanna get Cry Baby jealous now. So knock it off, you hellion.
Dupree: I envy your vocal chords. And if you whisper to me in that raspy voice of your's behind our beautifully trimmed bush ever again...well, you know what's gonna happen to you. Haha, have I mentioned that I love that Lenora and Dupree get to tongue? You are without a doubt, the only Drape that even remotely likes me. It may have something to do with the fact that I'm the only Square-ish girl that will let you touch me, but who knows.. I think you are pretty groovy, Ari. Put in a good word for me with that bestie of your's.
There ya have it! We're rockin' and rollin', friends. I'm very happy with what we've all created. This is definitely going to be way better than the movie...sorry, Mr. John Waters. But I think you'll all agree.
Hurrah for the fun to be had backstage, awesome cast mates!
A little less than 3 weeks from now Lenora will have completed her mission: taking over my soul. And Cry Baby's. Maybe.
I always try to make the characters I portray my own. I don't want to do what another actor did for that character in another production; I want my characters to be completely original. And Lenora is nothing but original.
Lenora and I were getting along peachy keen...until about a week ago. I was waiting for this moment. The moment when I can't find her somewhere in what I'm doing onstage. First Act, I have Lenora down like the back of my hand. Second Act, though...we're struggling to see eye to eye sometimes. It's nothing that she's doing. It's all me. I've been distracted. With my life outside the theatre. WHICH! I know, I've been a bad actor because of this..but I haven't been "leaving it at the door," when I come to rehearsal. I was always taught that no matter what happened during your day, once you get onto that stage you better forget about it. Never bring it into your performance. And I have been.
Dag nammit.
With that being said, I'm also a huge critic..towards myself. So on days where I can't muster up energy that I find to be performance worthy, I get pretty angry at myself. Which is silly, I know. But that's just the good ol' perfectionist in Terrie talkin'. I've been a little under the weather this past week, and I feel like I've let Lenora down. And when I'm not proud of what I'm doing, I don't really talk about it. Which...is sorta why I haven't blogged in a couple of weeks.
But I've shaken it all out! I'm feeling much healthier and I've regained my stamina. We also just had our "fix-it" night at rehearsal on Thursday and I'm feeling much more confident in areas that I was struggling previously. So I can go on enticing you with my crazy eyes now that I'm back to my Lenora self.
So in celebration of getting my crazy back, I've constructed a list (as usual) of things that I'm really happy with about Lenora:
1) she is so devoted to whatever she is doing; nothing is half-ass with Lenora
2) Lenora has serious rhythm. If I wasn't the one dancing for her, I'd really wanna be in on those sweet moves. Especially the little jig she does in Jukebox Jamboree.
3) Lenora is a lover, not a fighter. She never tries "getting back" at anyone. Even though everyone is against her it seems. And though it may seem like she's sabotaging Allison and CB's connection, she's really just trying to prove to Cry Baby that she's the one he loves more. Not Allison. That damn devotion again.
4) she has the most fluent awkwardness I've ever given a character. Cesario and Lenora have very similar quirks, but Lenora's craziness is almost graceful. Or at least in her mind. And no one in their right mind would ever tell her otherwise.
5) she's all for integration! eh, Dupree? :)
6) Lenora is so passionate about her fantasy of her and Cry Baby finally being together. I have never met someone so in love.
7) she likes bad boys.
8) Lenora is into ant farms and space zombies. She is no Square or Drape for darn sure. But she is such a nerd. And I love nerds.
9) I think Lenora may be a savant.
10) "All is not lost" in Lenora's world. She never ever gives up. She just changes her perspective to better suit her needs. And I absolutely love that about her. In the end, she still gets what she wants. She's misunderstood, but Lenora is a pretty cool chick. I'm so glad to have met her.
This show is kickin', friends. We are having such a great time bringing this production to life! Oh, and I finally got to witness "I'm a Little Upset." Freakin' sweet. Our boys are smokin'! I'm really glad I don't have to sweat like that in this show, but wow. This choreography is totally awesome! I'm so excited with where we're taking Cry Baby. It's only going to get even more fun and I'm so pumped about it!
That's about it for now, my devoted readers (aka Scott and my mom). I promise I'll write to you more often. Here's a little tid bit first, before I go. Scott Miller posted a blog the other day talking about how our characters have come to life. And how great we are. It's always very endearing to get compliments from your director. I felt pretty groovy after reading his comments. Thanks, Scott! Also, last night I had a pub crawl promoting my sketch comedy Bye Bye Liver. One of the girls that I "replaced" in the cast came out to drink with us and we got to talking. She kept going on and on how happy she was that I was the one that took over. She missed being in the show, but she's so thankful that they chose someone as good as me to be a part of the cast. And she kept saying how funny I was. On and off stage. :)
All these happy feelings came back to me last night, after reading Scott's blog and talking to Kate with a beer in hand. Sometimes it's really hard to leave our problems at the door when we get to rehearsal. And sometimes it's easy to forget that you are appreciated even when you're feeling low. I live for my performance. And I really want to make my audience happy. Needless to say, I'm feeling loved right now. Not just as Terrie Lenora, but as an actor. It feels good, my friends. It feels really good.
Every time I think that this musical couldn't get any better, it does. Cry Baby is insanely wacky. And I fuh-reakin' love it.
Now, Cry Baby is set in 1954. And Scott keeps reminding us of Cry Baby's musical genre feud. It's originally set in 1954, duh. So, it's over-the-top musical comedy jokes here and there constantly. But there are also the grungy bad-ass kids creating all kinds of raucous. So we're stuck in the middle somewhere between old school musical comedy and hip-swingin' Rockabilly musical style. I get it. I do. And it's really easy for me right now because my character is WAY more on the musical comedy side than she would like to be. Anyways, I don't explain Scott's theory on neomusicals very well at all. I don't explain anything very well, and yet I have a blog. But my point is, I don't have a very firm grasp on Cry Baby's musical-genre-fusion. So I decided to do a little researching of my own. Nineteen fifty-four, let's time warp...
Thus! I researched 1954, and by that I mean I found some sound clips on Youtube that I think can really compare to the sensational and emotional bits between Cry Baby and Allison Lenora.
In 1954, Hank Ballard and the Midnighters topped charts with "Work with me, Annie." Take a listen. Pretend this is Wade serenading me (Lenora, not Terrie. Well, I'd be okay with it too but just for right now we're pretending this research is for Cry Baby and Lenora only).
In the 1950 and 60's, a trend deemed as "answer" songs became quite popular again; these nifty creations formed somewhere in the 30's with the Blues era. Which I think are really cool! An answer song is a song that is written in response to a previous song by a previous artist. This is a perfect example...Cry Baby plays "Work with me, Annie," on the radio for his one and only, Lenora. In response to CB's dedication, Lenora plays this on the radio: "Roll with me, Henry."
You get the gist. I hope. It's really not a hard concept.
Just for fun, I've thought of the songs with answers in our neomusicalCry BaBy.
1)Anti-Polio Picnic
answer: Nothing Bad's Ever Gonna Happen Again
2)Watch Your Ass
answer: Can't Beat the System
3)Baby Baby Baby
answer: Do That Again
4)Nobody Gets Me
answer: Screw Loose
5)A Whole Lot Worse
answer: I Did Something Wrong Once
Not factual. Only the opinions of a subtle loon. Once you actually get to see these songs in action, then my subjective list will make a little more sense.
Whew, I'm really glad I got that off of my chest!
Back to our show in progress. We've finished blocking all of Act I! Hurrah! And we've got the choreography down for most of our group numbers. (I think.) "Nothing Bad's Ever Gonna Happen Again" is crazy talk. Literally. That dance is so cool, but it is so fast. It's so hard to think that like 17 pages of the same lyrics over and over condenses into a 2 minute dance fiasco! Robin's choreography is so much fun all of the time. She challenges us, no doubt. But the end results are always as delicious as an apple martini. If you like apples, of course. Really. Apples have plenty of health benefits. Eat them.
I haven't seen all of the dances yet. Like, "I'm just a Little Upset," is apparently awesome opossum! But I have yet to see our men perform the task at hand. I'm squirmy to see it. And once we start blocking Act II, I can finally witness this saweet dance break.
Last night we blocked "Girl, can I Kiss you with Tongue." And well, I definitely got some tongue action. I, Lenora, have been paired with Turkey Point's hottest MC, Dupree. That's right: I get to have my first integrated makeout sesh!I mean, I always dreamed of smooching Lil' Bow Wow in the 6th grade. But now it's for real. Not only do I get to tongue a black man, I get to tongue a black Jewish man. (which he likes to refer to as being Blew; black and Jewish).
So, ya know..we're sitting there last night behind our bush pretending to sing and slobber on each other..no big deal. When all of a sudden, I feel the warmth of a big pink muscle on my neck. Dupree is already gettin' up on this and it's not dress rehearsal yet! I must say...Lenora is so okay with chocolate malts too. And so am I. Just as long as they put the malt in there, or else it's just a plain chocolate shake..not a malt. Yeah, yeah. You know.
What you really need to know prior to coming to see Cry Baby at New Line is this:
I may convert to Judaism if Dupree keeps licking me like that every night.
I'm signing off with one last song from 1954. Sh-Boom! by The Crew Cuts is my dedication to our entire cast, whom I love like you can't even believe.
It has been prophesied...Lenora just may give Cesario a run for his money. Scott Miller has said twice now that Lenora is going to outdo Cesario and I am in total agreement. But...in Cesario's defense, Lenora is actually crazy. And everything is always more funny when it's real.
Ya know, I keep calling my characters crazy..but I'm the one that embodies these animals. What's that saying about me? Last night at rehearsal, Zak (of all people) said at one point "Oh, look. Terrie gets to play herself again."
Yea...I lost my mind a long time ago. But hey, at least I'm entertaining right?! Don't answer that..
It's been a couple weeks now, and we're moving right along. Already have a good chunk of the first act blocked. Now we just have to remember it all and make it performance worthy. Which, by the way things are going I think we could put this show up in 2 weeks! We are seriously so awesome. We know our stuff already and we're all bringing out our characters full throttle. And we still have like 6 weeks of rehearsal left! I'm worried for myself a little..I realize how much I've transformed into Lenora already at this point. She may very well take over completely by the end of it all. It was good knowing you, sound mind. I'm ready; we've lived a good life.
I like this cast. Everyone is so colorful and unique in our own ways. Some of us are really funny. A few of us have a very keen fashion sense (every girl except for me). Some of us are just plain people, but phenomenal performers. Just as every cast I've ever been a part of at New Line. We all want to put up a great and memorable show. And we'll all work like the dickens to make you feel like you aren't sitting in a theatre watching actors. Like always at New Line, you'll forget you bought a ticket to a show; you'll think you're one of us just sittin' in the car, listening to the radio and livin' like a true greaser.
I can't wait to put all the pieces together and get an audience in front of us! I'm so anxious already.
I'm really ready for a musical. I was cast in a weekly sketch comedy called Bye Bye Liver in October '11 and I really love it. It's so different from what I'm used to. I get to show off my strengths using my funny bone and I get to party with alot of really awesome people. But I have been so lost without my musical interjections! Waiting for Cry Baby to start up was really agonizing. I needed it bad. I'm here working on it and I still need it bad! There's just something about being immersed in character with song and dance. It's just a feeling I'm so acquainted with. And when it's missing from my life, I become such a different person. Bye Bye Liver is every Saturday night at Maggie O'Brien's at 8 pm, just so's ya know. In case you wanna see me flaunt around in skimpy clothes and make you laugh all night. Just for fun. :)
Anyhoooo, Dowdy and I tackled our choreography for "All in my Head." I think it's pretty freakin' hilarious. I am so happy I finally get to sing with Mike! We get our very own song! Something I've waited for since Evita. Wow...I guess I am kind of obsessive. Interesting...anyways, I think we look a little like this: sassy.
This weekend we're all cramming into Leaping Lizards studio to get our groove on for "Nothing Bad's Ever Gonna Happen Again." I love that title. Long titles for songs make me happy. Just like overweight animals. Like this panda, in particular. Just so you know, when I watch Mulan, I laugh uncontrollably at is that freakin' panda every single time. He's awesome.
In conclusion for today here are a few of my favorite things about Cry Baby:
1) Cry Baby, obviously.
2) Dupree; Ari is so hilarious! and sweet beans, his James Brown yelps really get a girl goin'
3) Our ensemble; they are so alive I didn't realize I was living prior to meeting all of them
4) Scott Miller; his insight and humor drive us to be the wackiest people you'll ever meet. He is our fearless leader.
5) Lenora, duh.
6) Zak Farmer playing 16 different characters possible. And each one of them as authentic as the first. Hey, at least I'm not the only person in this cast with multiple personality disorder.
Finally! Last night we got to sing through the entire musical. I was getting quite anxious to hear everyone else's songs. And let me reiterate: we freakin' rock this music! Not only do we rock, we're really good too. :)
I got to serenade my beautiful Cry Baby last night with "Screw Loose." And I think after it was all said (shouted) and done, he realized I am no ordinary psycho. Maybe it was my conversational bits in between verses, or maybe it was just the way I said his name but I think Cry Baby might be fallin' for me. We got him right where we want him, Lenora. I knew we'd make a great team.
I love my ballad "Screw Loose." Once you hear me sing this tune, I'm not sure you'll refer to it as a ballad. But it is in its entirety. It is a simple song about very simple, sentimental feelings. Lenora absolutely loves Cry Baby. Loving him is the best and worst thing that could have ever happened to her. And for him not to reciprocate such passion and angst for her, is horrifically tragic. However...I truly believe that Lenora has manipulated her own mind in such a way that Cry Baby not loving her is in no way possible.
In "Screw Loose" and even before (in the script) Lenora confesses to Cry Baby her eternal love with every breath she takes. (How dramatic) There is a specific line that I love in the script when Cry Baby is pushing Lenora away from him. He says to her "I thought you'd take the hint when I ran over you with my car." (or something like that) And Lenora's immediate response: "I'll always treasure that moment." No matter what kind of attention Cry Baby gives to Lenora, it is in fact just that: attention. That is the only thing she really craves. And that's all she really needs to prove that he loves her too.
I have found myself referring to myself as Lenora lately. Like, we actually are morphing into a single soul. Which I wouldn't be opposed to; I truly admire her passion. I caught myself being overly dramatic about a silly situation that happened at work one day, and realized that I was sounding an awful lot like my character for Cry Baby. So to help myself complete the transformation and fully allow Lenora to possess me, I have created a piece to better help me in forming my character analysis for her.
I've thought of a nifty little list of similarities between myself and Lenora. Just so I see for myself how crazy I might actually be.
Lenora Frigid
Age: 16 going on 13.
Height: average, about 5"
Weight: perky.
Hair: lustrous, like her love for Cry Baby.
Likes: extraterrestrials, discovering new shortcuts so as to stalk people better (specifically people named Cry Baby), painting fingernails, carving initials or pictures of lovers into her skin, daydreaming, serenading a crowd of Cry Babies, zombies, animals that may come in handy if she would ever decide to actually kidnap Cry Baby, spaghetti, ice-cream cones (strawberry preferably), doodling stick figures into trees that Cry Baby will potentially pass by, and sneaking into Cry Baby's trunk just to be closer to him.
Dislikes: The Drapes (they are so rude), The Squares (they are so dumb), Allison especially (she is so not better than us), Turkish Taffy, locks on doors that make it very difficult to be close to Cry Baby, black licorice, and when she gets a malt without the malt powder...so then it's a strawberry shake..not a strawberry malt. And anything that keeps her apart from Cry Baby for more than 5 minutes, like Allison. Did we mention Allison, yet?
Voted most-likely-to after graduation: live in a bomb shelter.
Social status: single and highly unaware of reality.
VS.
Terrie Carolan.
Age: 23 going on 13.
Height: incredibly tall.
Weight: chubby in all the right places.
Hair: an inch for every personality.
Likes: E.T. and Drew Barrymore, driving faster than is permitted so as to mingle with people sooner, painting fingernails, carving pictures into bathroom stalls, daydreaming, serenading a crowd of drunks..or not drunks..zombies, animals that may come in handy if I ever decide to start my own petting zoo, spaghetti, ice-cream (preferably strawberry), doodling stick figures on people's shoes that they will potentially wear everyday, and sneaking into Prince's SUV so as to convince him I'm the one he's waited for.
Dislikes: The Squares (they are so weird), Alf (the only alien I'm so not cool with), Turkish Taffy, locks on doors when I really have to pee, black licorice, and when I get a malt without the malt powder...so then it's a strawberry shake..not a strawberry malt. And anything that keeps me apart from Prince for more than 5 hours, like sleeping.
Voted most-likely-to after graduation: become a professional story-teller.
Social status: single and mostly unaware of reality.
I'd say Lenora and myself are going to be friends for a long time. Like Dory and Marlin. And Calvin and Hobbes.
I personally have never stalked anyone. But I think Lenora can easily convince me in due time.
I'll say sayonara for now with this: A quote from the original Lenora -- "Lenora tries hard and has the best intentions. When she was growing up, she wasn't taught — er, boundaries, maybe? She doesn't realize how far she goes is really not the norm. She doesn't get 'no.' 'No,' to her, is still 'yes.' At the heart of it, she wants what we all want — to belong and be loved."-Alli Mauzey. Lenora is so crazy. But don't forget why. She's crazy in love. And love takes us to crazy measures.
If we had to be screwy, well we'd rather be screwy for Cry Baby than anybody else.
Another year, another show. And another life to live...as a misunderstood (cough...crazy ass) 16 year old called Lenora. I couldn't be more excited! Finally the long awaited Cry Baby rehearsals have begun. We've had our first week already; working on music. Which is so freakin' great! I love sock hop sounds, 50's style especially. And let me tell ya..we sound awesome as an ensemble! I pounded through my parts with Baldwin in "All in my Head," and kicked those second soprano notes' asses in our group numbers. Haven't gotten to sing my beloved 2nd part in so long. I forgot how much I love being in the middle of harmony. This show is going to be so much fun; I can feel it in my shins. I'm prepping for a solid character analysis on Lenora. I really love her. Like, I really really love her. And if she and I weren't the same person, I'd date her. I probably will still try to date her.
I'm really fighting with toning her down a bit, still. Sorry, Scott. Lenora is a real person. And really actually very unaware of reality. She isn't over the top as she has been portrayed in past productions of Cry Baby. Loving Wade "Cry Baby" Walker is the most beautiful and most tragic event to ever exist in Lenora's mind. And I intend to paint her true colors all over the stage.
I am so excited for this show! I know I say that every time..but here we go again on a journey with Scott to make another New Line production that has legitimate substance underneath. Nothing is on the surface at New Line. Every character is very real. Every person who plays these characters are very perceptive. I think Cry Baby is going to rock you out of your seats. And I think you will have to fight the urge to get up join us. Really.
It's going to be a great year. And I'm very glad to make my appearance as Lenora. My first personality of 2012..or multiple. It'll depend on how well her and I get along these next couple of months. :)
So here I am blogging once again. I will try to keep up with my posts..those of you who follow me on here know I'm not always very tactful with tracking my progress. I hope I never have to diet...yeesh. That process wouldn't go very well, I imagine.
Wishing you all a wonderful winter solstice! And warning you to come see this show March 1st thru the 24th. Or else.
