What a ride

The day of our invited dress rehearsal was quickly upon us and upon arrival to the theatre I came up to our little 43rd street home only to see our picture up on the front of the building!

The Lobby display also has a poster that was thrilling to see for the first time.

The invited dress went great. I had a few friends there for me and it was wonderful to see them after. Everyone has been so supportive...it's overwhelming.

However.....nothing could have prepared me for the response of our first Official Preview.

I guess I had it in my head that we would be an acquired taste here in the city.... but they were with us from the first down beat to the standing ovation. I got emotional many times..... after all this time... here I was in my best friends show...in New York City and people were loving it!!!

I got off stage and Beth Malone said to me "that was your New York Debut"

All I can say is wow.

The amazing David Elzer threw us a "first preview reception" at a lovely french restaurant. On the way there I called Steven who was in Vista at the Moonlight just before curtain time for Les Mis (which has been receiving RAVE reviews) and I shared with him how it all went.....and I cried almost the whole way.

How the heck am I going to make through opening?

  

(The girls and wonderstudies -Melissa and Lauren at the after party)

(me and the brilliant music makers Michael Borth and Brian Baker)

(the men who made it all happen for me...David Elzer and Roger Bean)

All in all I'm just amazed at the turn of events in my life. I can now say that I truly believed (and was perfectly fine) with the "New York thing" never happening for me. So as far as I'm concerned this is all just frosting. 

So happy to be sharing it with some amazing friends!

THE BEST THING- They liked us they really liked us

THE WORST THING- Kevin, Julie and I waited 50 minutes for a train.....that never came. After we learned to read the sign correctly.....a cab delivered us home at 2am.

Friday we had the great fortune of being joined for the first time by our incredible band! Having done this show for nine years with recorded tracks...I must say it was a very emotional day for me.

Many thanks to our producer David Elzer and Roger Bean for "doing it right". A live band will absolutely take us to the next level our wonderful show so richly deserves. Not to mention that the guys are so fun and it will be such a happy collaboration. They sounded great!!!

(Mr. Bean admiring the musicians w/the girls)

(Mr. Bean and choreographer Janet Miller look on)

(singing along)

(with amazing producer David Elzer)

(Farah, Victoria, Bets and Beth)

We move into the theatre tomorrow!!! More to come!!

THE BEST THING- hearing the new orchestrations for the first time

THE WORST THING- I missed my great friend Jennifer Rias wedding today!! BOO

XOXO

A Tale Of Two Cities

So.... There have been many things I can thank my lucky stars for these days. I actually don't think there is a Blog big enough to cover the MANY blessings that seem to be constantly coming my way!

My great fortune of booking this show in NYC....then finding out that my dear friend Kevin Earley booked the new Broadway show A TALE OF TWO CITIES (the very same day I might add)...and then his amazing wife Julie calling and asking if I wanted to live with them!! I still find it hard to believe that it all seemed to work out that way.

Living in a home where two shows are rehearsing, previewing and opening during the same time is nutty. We get home and exchange stories....good and bad. It's pretty cool. Well Kevin is first out of the gate on previews and I was so lucky to get one of his tickets for the first performance. Kevin was GREAT. So was the show. They will be fixing and fiddling with it quite a bit before the official opening....but I just couldn't have been more proud of my friend!!

(The company of A TALE OF TWO CITIES- Kevin is in the middle to the right of the shortest girl- Natalie Toro)

Kevin-top- in one of the most dramatic moments!

look at his great wig!

And...there he is again center in the Act I finale

He will continue to preview for the next few weeks. We start our previews a week from Friday....however we will open three days before TALE....what a week that will be!

THE BEST THING- My first invited dress on Broadway! Thanks Kevin!

THE WORST- Missing Steve's big opening of Les Miz at the Moonlight....I'm sick over missing this one....but SO proud of him!

XOXO

unexpected day

Today was a much needed day off. The plan- Trader Joes, Home Depot and then Julie and I planned to go into the city to see our producer David Elzer's hotel and then bring him out to Queens to see our neighborhood and to have dinner.

When we arrived at his amazing digs...he then asked if we wanted to see the theatre. Today was the day to paint the stage.

Julie and I in front of the stage.

View from the stage

David describing to Julie how it will all look.

Our Marvelous lobby!

The early publicity campaign is doing very well. I am currently the "poster child" for the Wonderettes. A role I am very proud of...

COMING SOON TO A MILK CARTON NEAR YOU!

BEST THING- Of course....seeing "Our Home" The West Side Theatre for the first time

WORST THING- Nobody in Home Depot was able to help us "it's great to see people working to the limit's of their capabilities"

xoxo

Things are moving along. I'm still not completely acclimated, but every day seems to be feeling more and more right. My dear friend -Aaron Brenner- was in town on business and took me to dinner. Great time!!

On Monday I had a costume fitting early. Kevin and Julie were driving into the city to drop off a new chair for Kevin's dressing room. Of course I hitched a ride. Kudos to Julie for driving in this crazy city.

Kevin took me up to his OWN dressing room. He also took me out on the beautiful set of A TALE OF TWO CITIES which starts previews quite soon!

I then was on my way for a costume fitting and it was POURING rain. Kevin took this shot of me right before I left.

I got to the costume shop and Beth Malone was just finishing up her fitting.

No.....she WILL have two sleeves!

The next day I arranged to meet up with Jenn Rias and her Fiancee-Luis for lunch. They are getting married in 11 days in Los Angeles, and I was thrilled to see them since I will be missing the wedding! BOO

and then...back to rehearsal with Mr. Bean. Too bad this show is No Fun

(Farah, Me, Mr. Bean Beth and Victoria)

THE BEST THING- Seeing Jenn and Luis before the wedding

THE WORST THING- Saying goodbye to them, crying my eyes out and going right back into rehearsal a sloppy MESS

Week one has come to an end and I'm thrilled to have a day off. I am so looking forward to waking up to a normal room without boxes stacked in every corner.

The girls are great and we are having a fun time together. Kudos to the two that are newer to Wonderettes....it's unbelievably dense....and they are doing an amazing job!

(Beth Malone, Me, Farah Alvin, Victoria Matlock)

On my way to rehearsal on Friday (of course I just couldn't wait) I went by Our Theatre. West Side Arts.

I then stopped a group of girls walking together and asked if they would take a picture of me. 

After rehearsal we took our musical supervisor, Brian Baker, out for dinner. Yes, those are rather large drinks!

On my day off I worked from the moment I woke up trying to get out of all my boxes so week two would feel like home. I set out for Bed Bath and Beyond.....and it was MORE than beyond where I thought I was walking. I believe I walked about 40 blocks today. 20 of them were in disbelief that my destination was so far, and 20 of them were with an extra 25 pounds of BB&B purchases stuffed in the backpack on my back.

When Kevin and Julie got home...Kevin put my Bed together and......we have a room!!!!!

Yippie. I think I will have a shock when I wake up tomorrow morning.

On to week Two!!!

THE WORST THING- Halfway home from my looong walk to Bed Bath and Beyond....the heavens opened up and rained on me

THE BEST- I SLEPT!!!!!WOOPIE

XOXO

So rehearsals are going great. I'm the associate director on the show and for the first week I'll be teaching choreography until the brilliant Janet Miller arrives.

They have provided us with rehearsal skirts and on one of the breaks Victoria Matlock (Cindy Lou) did an impromptu project runway

The crazy NEW-YORK-ETTES

Victoria Matlock, Bets Malone, Beth Malone and Farah Alvin

After rehearsal Beth Malone(Betty Jean) and I went to The Broadway Wig Company to have our first wig fitting. They traced our heads so they can front our wigs. The very suave Robert Charles Vallance is our talented Wig master.

Golden Gidget is what I like to call her.

WORST THING THAT HAPPENED- Some lady sat uncomfortably close on a NON CROWDED subway

BEST THING- Beth turned to me today and said "your in New York and your teaching choreography" Got a little teary

xoxo Bets

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL

So things went great....met the new girls....didn't shove my camera in their faces yet....just give me time. :)

My day started with a trip to Studio Rouge first thing in the morning to have a costume fitting. I successfully took the express train from Queens to West 25th street...where I met Rosie and Cloe (who are working on our costumes) Farah (who is playing Missy) and got to see Beth Malone.

After fittings we all headed for rehearsal.

After a brief meet and greet -where I was so proud to witness Roger and David embarking on this journey- we tackled the score.

We are rehearsing in the Snapple Building. A building until today I had only walked by or seen on TV....now we rehearse in it.....crazy world!

I also walked around my beautiful neighborhood on the way home and picked up some local sushi menus. MMMM. And for those of you who know my affinity for grocery stores....there's an amazing Natural food store on my way home! Yippie Here's a shot I took of my "hood" on my walk.

In Summery

THE BEST THING OF THE DAY- I found my way around on the subway alone (thanks for the map Kevin)

THE WORST- I got lost three times

XOXO

DAY 1

                                (Kevin, Julie, Jess and Eric in our hallway)

so here's the deal....I'm just exhausted... but feeling so great about everything!

Kevin and Julie picked me up at the Airport...so nice to see friendly faces.

We got home and I got to see the apartment for the first time....so cute. I have my own room and bathroom. We have SO much space and it won't take long to get really comfortable.

I slept only a few hours.....partly because I have sleep problems and partly because of the new situation...anyhow....Julie and her mom and I went for a nice walk around the neighborhood at around 7:30 am....Kevin joined us around 8:00...and I fell in love with our neighborhood.

We went to Trader Joes, Target, and Ikea picking up odds and ends. We took Julies mom to the airport in Long Island and proceeded to get lost coming home.

Then dear friends Eric Anderson and Jessica Rush came to see our place and to grab a bite.

Such a busy fun day. Rehearsals start tomorrow....I can't believe it's finally all happening.!!!

Well....now it all begins!

I leave for New York in one hour. Kevin and Julie are already there and I can't wait to see them. This has been such an emotional month, but I am overwhelmed by the support and well wishes coming my way from all directions. 

I've never kept a blog....I hope I will be better at it than I was at "dear diary"

Thanks again for all that you all did to help me thus far on my journey.

So much more to come!!!