FINALLY!!! A new Blog post from Miss Musical!

Oh, lovelies! Has it really been a whole month since I've last blogged!?!?! I've missed you!

Let's call this whole thing a Christmas card from Miss Musical to you lovelies out there who read my little bloggy blog. An update of sorts over the past month!


Well, well - the show closed on Sunday, and it was a bittersweet closing show. Tons of my family members were there, and several friends came as well! For all those of you who turned out for "Sisters of Swing" over the past four weeks, I cannot even begin to tell you how much your support (and applause) has meant to me.

I was truly humbled to get to work with the greatest "Sisters" a girl could ask for: P.N. and Stace-a-frass. Both are so uber talented, kind, generous and warm... The list could go on & on... And I'm also lucky to have worked with a great 6 piece swing band, a wonderful crew and a great professional creative team!

When I first came back from NYC for the rehearsals I was a very angry gal with a lot of confusion, especially in the theatre world. I didn't know if that's where I fit anymore, and if this would be my "swan song" last show ever. Well, after a fabulous opening night, excellent reviews, and a great run my faith has been restored in myself as well as the universe's plan for me!

Even though I may have not been in a show for four long years, it does not mean that I'm untalented and useless. On the contrary, I've come to the conclusion that I am right for a great many things, but I've been so busy focusing on the jobs I didn't get that I forgot to look to the future. There's loads of "what-if's" that await me! (Aka. What if I get a Broadway show the week I move back? or What if I land a national commercial? or What if I have two agents fight to have the privilege of representing me?)



I feel hopeful again. And hope is something I haven't felt in quite some time, especially in the theatre realm.

So here's to life experiences that are therapeutic and thought provoking! May you all have a truly wonderful holiday season!

It's the Day of the Show, Y'All!

Lovelies, I've been waiting 3 1/2 long years for this! Its my opening night in a new musical tonight! (Well, new to me...)

Sisters of Swing is going to be a blast! It's the story of the Andrews Sisters ( you know - the girl group in the 1940's that sang "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B" and "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree" and also the Christmas favorite "Mele kelikimaka".

We've had 2 previews, that have both gone fairly well. I'm thrilled to be back & doing a show again! I really missed being in front of an audience. They're rooting for us! It's quite exciting!

Take Back Your Mink!

Lovelies, I envy the mink wrap that my boss has in NYC. I actually tried it on when she wasn't there and thought to myself "Gosh, I've never really seen how beautiful fur can be before - but DAMN it looks good!"

So I've been having fur envy since I tried it on, and thought I'd never ever be able to afford one. Well, surprise, surprise lovelies...

Yesterday I was in my favorite vintage store in Minneapolis (Melrose Antiques) and they have the coolest vintage clothes. I get most of my dresses from there and I just love their stuff! So I was looking through the furs for fun and saw the most BEAUTIFUL mink wrap I've ever seen! It's got little arm holes in it, would be perfect for the opera, night out, musical or even just a fun chilly day in the park.

I had to have it.

And guess what - the Lady of the House paid upwards of $10,000 for her mink. Guess how much mine was?! 250!!! BRILLIANT!! (and it looks the same as Lady of the House's and it's just as high end & quality!)

I put it on lay away and am planning to pay it off within the next 30 days! Hooray!

Plus, I got it, as I'm feeling kind of sad for myself... The Straight Cute Banker never called. But instead sent me an e-mail saying "I'm sorry I can't give you the attention you deserve right now. Things are just too busy at work for me. Hopefully it'll calm down when you're back in NYC, Miss Musical".

I'm so stupid lovelies. I actually thought that he liked me enough to have a 5 minute phone call once or twice a week... AND he said that he wanted to keep in touch before I left. Uugh. Perhaps its out of sight out of mind. I just don't know how to respond back to him. I feel like he's asking for a temporary break up - and I know we just started dating - but c'mon. 5 minutes a week is not a lot to ask.... Am I right??

Happy 40th Sesame Street!!!

Lovelies, I have a confession to make. I LOVE the Muppets. And Sesame Street! I have the first three seasons of the Muppet show on DVD and (get ready to laugh it up) I'm really excited about this new 40th Anniversary Sesame Street DVD that's coming out!

I mean, c'mon! That show taught me my ABC's, how to count to 10 in English AND Spanish, how to be kind to my neighbors, what happens when someone you love dies (Mr. Hooper... sigh.) and also that C is for Cookie! C'mon - it's a brilliant show for kids!

And now I love that the First Lady is teaching kiddos how to plant a garden and raise their own healthy food! Also they just did a special on the recession and how Elmo's mommy lost her job, so they're being careful with their money - going to the park for fun, watching movies at home, and having dinners at home to help save cash.

They film the show at Studios in Actoria, too - I would pee my pants to get to visit that studio! (and I would probably crap myself if I ever got to audition for it-- I'd be so excited!)

And didn't you just die when you saw this on Google today??

Can you believe that 6 year old Big Bird hasn't aged a day - although Gordon, Maria, Luis and Bob look like they've all kept in pretty good shape!

Ah! Jim Henson is smiling down from heaven!

Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree...

Lovelies - I'm here! I'm in Minnesota doing Sisters of Swing: the Andrews Sisters Musical at the History Theatre! It's just so freakin' exciting! To be doing theatre after 3 long years of waiting! I just love it - and I'm very grateful to have the time to spend with my folks, as well...

I'm currently staying with Ma & Pa Musical - which is great, as they found a car for me to drive and also aren't charging me rent while I'm here.

When I'm not in rehearsal, I'm going to the gym, weight watchers meetings, Target (a lot) and Starbucks. I love to sit in Starbucks and journal & watch the world go by... I think I'm going to have to find a part time job when the show opens - I'm making 1/4 of the income here that I was making in NYC and that's just sad...

Oh, but here's an update on the Straight Cute Banker:

We went on Date number 5! And I think it was our best date yet! I met him at the theatre - we went to get lottery seats for Ragtime and he WON!!! (Lottery is where everyone puts their names into a bucket and they only pull 12 names -- 2 tickets each at $26 bucks each! And you sit in the first Row! AMAZING deal!) I was so excited that he won I jumped up & down!! - and almost broke a heel in the process...

Then we went for a quick Thai meal and I gave him a very early birthday gift - Table Topics! You know - that fun box full of cards that have all sorts of interesting conversation-inspiring questions on them! I said "I hope we'll get to talk on the phone a bit over the next few months
and these might be fun to use in our phone calls!" He seemed genuinely excited about it and we actually opened it up at dinner and started asking the questions inside!

We walked back to the Neil Simon Theatre where Ragtime is playing. Let me tell you, lovelies - that show was AH-MAZING! I'm going to go back and see it again. And again. And again. I just love that show!

And guess who was there?! At the opening night? With his 14 year old daughter?! KEVIN McCOLLUM!!!! (remember the dude who I openly - and lovingly- stalk?!) I almost fell over myself walking to my seat - and he smiled at me! Of course I was with Straight cute banker, so I couldn't run up to him and say "Hi Mr. McCollum, my name is Miss Musical and I think you're swell!" but I may have shouted "Let's have babies!" over my shoulder... This is such a knee jerk reaction with me to gush over Kevin McCollum that I think I may have frightened Straight Cute Banker a bit. He seemed OK about it, though - and actually think he was amused a little as well...

So the show was GREAT! I really can't say enough good things about this cast/ direction/ costumes/ set/ lighting and choreography! All amazing. And the talent - oh, lovelies! The talent in that show rocks the roof right off the Neil Simon Theatre! If you're lucky enough to be in NYC or visiting in the near future - go see it!

Canceled dates & Date #4

Lovelies, I was supposed to go out with College Professor and the Young Lawyer again this past weekend - but I canceled the Saturday evening out with College Professor because I got a FREE ticket to see Tosca at the Met.

Now, I love dating, but I love Puccini more - so I called and apologized to him that I was busy. And Tosca was well worth the date nixing. (is that a word? Nixing? Now it is.) Great singing, great story, respectable set & costumes and one free seat = one happy Miss "Opera" Musical!

And lovelies, I was canceled on by the Young Lawyer who had to work, but it was actually a great thing because my brother (who just got back from OSI Military training) and I got to go to church and have a nice long brunch after. That was nice... Was good to catch up with my bro and check in on how his life is going...

So that Sunday evening I had date number 4 with the Straight Cute Banker. Lovelies - he suggested seeing an off Broadway play!

So we met for sushi before hand and had some lovely conversation - he is just so warm and open and a total gentleman! Helped me into my coat at the end of the meal, got the door for me on the way out, and was careful to have me not walk on the grates when we were walking to the theatre.

We saw "A Perfect Crime" which is an off Broadway thriller/ mystery type play. Very interesting and was pretty well acted. I really enjoyed it, and I enjoyed even more that he suggested going here and he seemed pretty pleased that I was pleased!

After the play we went and got a little Red Mango. I think I could die happy after having a Red Mango... They're just perfect and not nearly as tart at Pinkberry - and don't get me wrong - I enjoy a little tart, but when you get too much it's just overwhelming!

We finished our yogurt, had a lovely little walk towards the park and then (he did it again!) the Straight Cute Banker bid me goodnight and got me a cab ride home!! I feel like such a queen when he does that! Loves it! Can't wait for Date number 5 (which he asked me out for at the end of the date!)

AWESOME Date number 3!!!

Lovelies! The Straight Cute Banker is winning every round of the dating game! At the end of our date last Saturday night he asked when I was free again and I suggested Wednesday night. He asked if he could see me then and of course I accepted!

So, I'd mentioned in passing that I enjoyed opera - lovelies, he sent me the sweetest e-mail on Wednesday afternoon saying how he tried to get tickets for Tosca, but they were all sold out and he kindly suggested we go see an off Broadway play... Well, I was running errands around mid-town at 3:30 and decided to swing by the theatre where Memphis is playing. (I've wanted to see this musical for a while and it's got some great word of mouth!) So they had Student Rush tickets left -- I got 2 tickets in the first row for 25 bucks each! I promptly texted Straight Cute Banker who was super excited and then suggested that we go to Sardi's for dinner before hand!

Oh, lovelies - ever since I saw the Muppets Take Manhattan I've wanted to eat dinner at Sardi's (I've had appetizers there, but not a real dinner!) And I did! Straight cute banker and I had some delightful conversation & tasty eats - we also have the same pallet for food! Very curious - both of us wanted the same things! And so we ordered and had little tastes of each others dishes! And he got a lovely bottle of wine for us to share - and always asked me first "What are you in the mood for Miss Musical?".

And then we saw the show - ohmygod! This is the BEST musical I've seen in a long time! The dancing/ set/ costumes were great enough, but the winner of the show is the phenomenal book and music! I was totally into it! :) And it made me cry, laugh, clap and jump out of my chair at the end! Just wonderful stuff - go see it! NOW!

After the show we went to grab dessert at my favorite place to eat Etc. Etc. I just love this little restaurant on 44th between 8th and 9th Ave! Brilliant desserts, great food and awesome service. More lovely conversation and Straight Cute Banker asked when I was free next - I said Sunday after 4pm. We're going out again then.

I can't tell you how happy it makes me that he always asks for the next date at the end of the previous date! And he's so open and sweet... I think he may be a keeper! :)

THEN we did a 2 stop cab ride home - his first and then mine -- and he paid for it! (Clappity-clap-clap!) And reimbursed me for the tickets! What a kind and appreciated gesture!

Enjoyable 3rd date?? Oh yes! Bring on date #4!!!!