Fairy Dusting #3 Karen Morrow, "Here she is Boy!"

The song "Funny Girl" by Styne/Merrill is in my ear and I can't help but wonder what story is being played out in the performers head as she emotes such tender fragility.  You see, Karen Morrow gifted me some tools that I had either forgotten or never knew.  Musical Theatre is theatre with music and it must not be forgotten.

This gorgeous woman, draped in a color (gold) which matched her heart and an ambiance that rivaled the sun in the sky, came strolling down Wilshire Boulevard.  As she approached I kept my joy inside for only seconds, because when she came through those doors and down the stairs; we greeted each other with musical theatre smiles that were only tamed as we took a sec to hug and kiss on the cheek.  I was meeting an inspiration and hopefully, a mentor.

What I had educated myself with YouTube clips, google searches and history books was coming true; the woman I saw, read and dreamed about was the real woman.  A genuine persona, conveyed in every performance, as actors we train continually towards.  A truism without falsehood or weakness, but confidence and eagerness.

In true Midwestern fashion, Karen had to be convinced that yes, a 30-something kid also from the Midwest, wanted to meet, learn and be taught by her.  Just as I was asked to accept what she told me during our lesson, I asked her to accept why I came to Santa Monica.  We both bowed heads with gentile smiles and giggled and accepted.

I don't want to talk about details because, well, I enjoy doing that over cups of decaf...  I will say this...  I began a friendship that is pretty dear to me.  I will cherish the experience and how it all came true; the simple way a letter can change a life and perspective of how one can look at the world and how a lesson in Musical Theatre acting can remind onself to be true and real in everything we do.

In 2004, I bought a one way train ticket and vowed never to go home, but promised myself to live the 1950's technicolor musical that I held so dear.  I'm doing it; and I will continue to follow my heart, dream the impossible and work hard making it happen. Sure, being a cockeyed optimist can be disappointing, but the reward and lesson learned when it's not, is amazing!

Sing a song and tap a toe; wherever you are and wherever you go!  Don't give up and don't stop dreaming; tomorrow may bring a purpose and meaning!

I Was in the Company of Stars!

May 6, 2011

A Pork Rillette sandwich, made and served beautifully by Chef Ben Bettinger, is sitting pretty in my gullet while being washed down with a glass of cold water.  I'm using the WiFi at Beaker & Flask; I got the last sandwich of the day and can I just pronounce a resounding YUM!  This bun filled with the other white meat has done nothing but make eating comparable to hitting a Kristin Chenowith unexpected C note!  It's 71 degrees in the Southeast industrial district of Portland, Oregon and the sun is still shining at 8 in the evening.  It's only Wednesday, but the week has been incredible!  When I arrived home, the sweet smell of Murphy's oil soap was permeating the halls with a sense of clean that I only know at my mother's house when it's the holiday season.

The production team of the new Amanda Seyfried feature film "Gone" was using my apartment as a holding room for the Producers, Directors and Actors.  I was hinted of such possibility by a musical performer friend of mine on my Facebook wall.  When he told me the building was going to be featured in a couple of scenes, I reminded him that I was once a great Barista in my day and if lattes needed to be made, I was the man to call.  I got the call and this wide eyed fella moved Piwacket, my silver tabby, to a friends and cleaned the house from top to bottom just in case my porceline throne was going to be used.

I called Katie at 5 and asked if it would be okay to come home; she said sure!  It's your home, why not?  With a spring in my step and a hint of a skip, I arrived with an introduction to Amanda Seyfriend's bodyguard.  I was told she would be in a bit of a hurry, but Amanda would be willing to snap a picture.  Katie told me to walk around and snoop a bit.  Without being told twice, I started to check it out.  With an efficiency like a Henry Ford assembly line, the crew set up, tore down and moved equipment that was foreign to the SE walk up; I thought I had walked back into my dormitory days amongst the rolling hills of the bluegrass.  Shots were gathered and prints stored until either the cutting room floor or audience would see the manipulated perspective the director visioned.

Heads with headsets shot down like a choreographed number and I was told Amanda is about to exit the building and I should place myself for her arrival.  She was GORGEOUS!  A natural beauty emerging from the factory after a long day of work.  She graciously said hello and shook my hand and said it was very nice to meet you.  We chatted about hiking possibilities on her time off and tap dancing; she noticed my tap shoes!!  We shot the picture and well... it was AWESOME!  Hunter Parish, Sabastian Stan, Jojo Proud and Bruce Lawson were just a few of the amazing folks that make the magic of the movies happen.

Movie making is magic, no matter what the genre; how we manipulate real life situations for works of fiction, transforming and emphasizing realism is amazing.  As humans we indulge ourselves with escapism art in order to check out from our work, our families, our lives...