Winding Down

So the time is fast approaching...and never was it more "real" than this Saturday evening. Beth Malone has officially made her exit from the Prom....and that only brings Victoria and I closer to the end ourselves.

We had a wonderful day together and survived the show with little tears and a whole lot of laughter.....which if any of you know Beth.....just goes hand in hand with her.

(Beth in her Tshirt dress Victoria made her for closing.)

For those of you who don't know...Victoria Matlock is a woman of a million talents. Not only is she amazingly talented on stage...but she makes beautiful jewelry and purses and sews like a fiend.

So.....we all were the lucky recipients of many of her talents. She made us these wonderfully comfortable jumpers to wear between shows....here they are.

It's hard to wrap my brain around how many "lasts" I've experienced with the Wonderettes over the last ten years. The last of Milwaukee...twice, the last in Hermosa Beach, the last El Portal (LA) the final Laguna before I shipped off to NYC and now...the final Beth show. I said a few words....cried in front of quite a few strangers....drank a little too much...and the next day....did a show like it all had not even happened. Everything just continues...and when it's my turn next week...the next day...it will be like it never happened.

(here we are just before places- Beths final show)

(and Act two)

(We killed her in 58 and shoved her out the door in 68.......off you go Malone!!!)

So now....I have 8 shows left. One full show week. The new girls are coming along and I think they will be so very good in the show. My friend Larry has said that it is empowering to originate a role and then leave the show and let it continue without you. I wish I was feeling good about my decision right now....but I'm not. Hopefully there will be some shifts this next week....but I think some people will never be happy knowing that the prom is going on without them.

THE BEST THING- Experiencing NYC with glorious weather living in Mid town....what a different world

THE WORST THING- somehow it always bothers me to see our Wonderette program in the trash right outside our theatre...thought I'd take a picture

Once again The Wonderettes were thrilled to participate in raising funds for Broadway Cares- Equity Fights Aids. This season is the annual Easter Bonnet Competition. It was held in the Beautiful Minskoff theatre which is currently home to The Lion King.....this would be the only way I believe it would ever be possible for me to perform on The Lion King set......for obvious reasons.

The show was so fun and we were so proud of our number and our bonnet (neither of which won a blessed thing.....but it's for charity right)

(In the lobby of the Minskoff)

For our number we did a five part arrangement of Gilda Radners Lets Talk Dirty To The Animals. Our musical director Michael Borth lent us his amazing talents and arranged it and made a musical track for us.

Bobby our costumer pulled together the cutest costumes and one of our newest members, Kristen did our Choreography.

An added bonus was that I got to meet youtube sensation Miranda who was part of the Mama Mia number.

Our bonnet was my design.....but everyone chipped in making it happen and our darling dresser, Kaitlin  proudly wore it. 

We recreated our Trash cans that can be seen all over town.....it actually looked so real, after the show one of the mothers from Billy Elliot threw her gum in it.....her child was mortified. 


(shots of us during the show)

Despite our collecting efforts.....we did not win this time around, but I believe we raised over $20,000. Not too shabby for an off Broadway little Gem.

THE BEST THING.... I was in the same show as Jane Fonda and Liza Minnelli

THE WORST THING.... I saved time taking the stairs, not realizing I could have ridden in the elevator with Liza.

xoxo

so...It's been a while and much has happened.

Quite a lot of "newness" since all the cast changes....all amazing.

My Big Head is now up on the side of our theatre. It was quite a surprise  and I'm still amazed that all of this has happened for me! 

Later that same week I wandered into a theatre gift store....actually the very one where I worked in 1995 for $6.00 an hour under the table.....and there we were. Our Vocal score was on the wall nestled in between Mary Poppins and Miss Saigon.

Of course I begged the clerk to take a picture of me. He said it was against store policy and then I laid the whole story on him....and he snapped it!!

Just recently a man came to see our show who asked to take our picture for an article he was writing. I exchanged emails with him and he sent me the link to his magazine.

He's an affiliate to Vanity Faire...the magazing is called MUSICALS....oh yeah....and it's published and distributed in Italian (tee hee hee)

Si Si....we like it!!

And then....Ta Da....we reached our 200th show.

The cast that evening was Myself, Victoria, Misty and Leslie Spencer Smith. (Beth was with us in Spirit)

It was filled with loved ones and felt just like opening night all over again!

David and Larry were there and took pics with the four of us and the brilliant Mr. Bean for Broadway world.

then....a party next door...so fun!

The newest crew toasting the evening!

Bethy....come home!

Welcome Welcome Welcome...Misty

Kristen (as cindy Lou)

Kristen (as Missy)

And Leslie (as Betty Jean)

She covers me as well!!!

All in all I continue to collect memories I will never forget. I will be assisting Roger running auditions for the next set of replacements who will be with us before we know it.

will update soon...I promise!!! 

 

THE BEST THING- Having SO many friends come to see me in the show

THE WORST THING- It's all going too fast

Living the Dream!!

The first leg of our journey is almost over and it really has flown by. Our original contracts are all up....I'm staying for six more months. We have three girls leaving and three coming in. I'm very conflicted.... because there will always be something unique and special about the original group I shared this once in a life time experience with.... but I am so excited about the freshness of change.... and all three of the new girls are great friends of mine. Misty Cotton, Leslie Spencer Smith and Kristen Beth Williams. As I am the associate director...I have the lucky task to teach these girls the show... this is actually something I NEVER tire of doing. I LOVE bringing people into the Wonderette world. So far, I've started with Kristen and Leslie... and it's been so fun. Misty comes in a little over a week!

So....

When I was a little girl I waited (sometimes very impatiently) for any holiday that would create an excuse to be given either a Broadway Cast Recording or Vocal Selections Book. My parents were amazingly generous and supportive- they knew this is what I HAD to do.... or at least they knew it was what I BELIEVED I had to do.

This experience has really made me reflect on those times ....first with our cast recording

And then tonight.....I saw for the first time our published Vocal Selections....complete with tons Productions Photos, descriptions of the Wonderette journey....My dear Best Friend Rogers tribute to his mother Lois.... and fun facts about '58.

I started thinking about the ten year old Musical Theatre Dork out there somewhere....the little Betsy Malone....who is tearing through the music and wearing out her CD.

I must say I am overwhelmed... humbled.... greatful

And just HAD to write about it tonight.

When it all starts to feel like a job.....I would be a fool not to take a moment to realize I am living the dream!!! The dream that started so many years ago in our living room in Vista.

Thanks so much to my family and my amazing husband for understanding still....this is what I HAVE to do. And  look....I'm doing it!!!

THE BEST THING- Seeing the Vocal book tonight for the first time

THE WORST THING- It's so cold here I feel I will never wear cute little dresses again.

Christmas!!

So...

Christmas time was upon us and Steve came out for Ten Whole Days.

No only that...there were so many friends in town for the holidays it almost made my longing for home jump to the back of my mind.

We went to see our friend Charlie Williams in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular.

We were so proud of him!!! Just last year he was dancing in the Musical Theatre west Christmas show... and now On Stage at Radio City!!!

He Took us backstage after....what a theatre that is. I have to admit I did cry when the Rockettes first came out and started dancing......to hear about something for absolutely your whole life -and then SEE it.....It's Overwhelming!!!

(Steve refused to pose with the Nut Crackers.....he's still too cool for school)

(Baileys and hot cocoa anyone)

Christmas Eve and Day were spent with our best pals Eric and Jessica. We are so happy for all they have in store for the New Year. Eric will be making his Broadway debut in South Pacific, and Jess will be in the revival of Guys and Dolls....her second Broadway stint in one year! 

Steve and I gave them a puppet for Christmas....I think Jessica will probably be tortured with it.

They don't seem to ever change, do they

I made a Roast and the boys carved

I wish I had pics of all the friends in town....it was amazing. It was just the boost I needed to get me through the next few months

The Beavers Came to town

The beautiful Jenn Rias Marmolejo

Casey and Stevie

Richard and Sarah

We spent New Years first at Carmines....way too much food...never too much Garlic!

And then we joined our dear friend Richard Israel for New Years Eve in Central Park. It was the fourth time we've spent it there....but definitely the coldest.  17 degrees/wind chill 2 degrees

"Hey Old Friend...whatta ya say Old Friend"

Happy New Year!!!

All in All the holidays this year were filled with their own kind of magic. As corny as it may sound....as long as Steve's with me Everything seems to be all right....how lucky am I??

Hope you all had beautiful holidays and lovely people to share them with.

THE BEST THING- I Made it another year feeling OH so loved

THE WORST THING- After it all was over...I got sick and spent three days in bed....at least I could catch up on the Blog

Wow...It's been quite some time since my last BLOG. Winter has definately set upon us. The city is lovely with all the lights and crowds. It really feels like you are a part of the pulse of the world when you're walking through mid Town. Since I couldn't go home for christmas....I put up a tiny little tree in my apartment

 

(More decor than branches I fear)

One very exciting time we had recently was BROADWAY CARES.

Not only did we raise the most money Off Broadway...but we got to perform at the event. 

It was on stage at the New Amsterdam Theatre where Mary Poppins is currently playing.

Now.... technically speaking this was my Broadway Debut- and just in case "that was it" I savored EVERY moment.

(wonderettes singing Snowfall)

Our award was presented to us by Harvey Fierstein. We raised over $17,000.

The winner for Broadway was Equus....they raised over 

$200,000... (they auctioned off pieces of Daniel Ratcliff's-Harry Potter's clothing)

(and the winner is...)

Like I said...Winter is upon us and so is the snow...

My many thanks to all the strangers that are nice enough to take my picture for me...

I'm planning to sign on for six more months....so I should do better keeping up with the blog...More soon!!

THE BEST THING....My kind of Broadway debut

THE WORST THING.....Missing my family....a whole lot!!

Wonderette field trip in NYC

What do you get when you have four innocent Wonderettes waiting for a ride home in the Big Big City???
Some classic pictures....enjoy

Missy...taking it all in

Oh Taxi!!!

Any one want a weenie??

Nobody makes 'em like they do in NYC!

Forever the pin-up....waiting for Spider Man!

Missy maintains her high standards!

Clang Clang Clang!!

 

"wake me when the car comes"

"I don't get it"

THE BEST THING- we had a blast!!

THE WORST THING- It is FAR too cold to be hailing a cab in a prom dress!!