Steves Big 4o!!

The very same day of our recording...Steve turned 40.

Actually it was a tremendous day in our little Forest Hills Apartment. Steve was turning 40, I was recording my first Cast Recording and Kevin was opening A Tale of Two Cities.

I am now ecstatic to report that all three events which occurred on September 18 2008 went amazingly well.

We had Steves party at a lovely restaurant next door to my theatre. I was able to get there just when it started (yippie...we got done early) and friends -old and new- came and went all night long. We feel very fortunate to have so many amazing friends in our lives.

MANY pictures were snapped....here are a few!

(with our first roommate (1995) in NYC Aaron James)

With Bryce Ryness... can you tell he just closed HAIR??

The beautiful Melina and Kristi

Steve with Corey

Great friends Nathan and Robert

With DJ, Luis and Laura

John, Steve, Don and Kilty

All Shook Up peeps....Danny, Laura and Derek

Stevie with the New Yorkettes!!!

THE BEST THING- It was AMAZING to have so many people show up for Steve.

THE WORST THING- I can't believe he's gone :(

the Marvelous Cast Album Part III...It's in the can!

Steve came by the studio to visit. His timing was perfect....we had just started recording my Act 2 set and he was able to watch the whole thing!

Roger, me and Steven

(our producer Jeffery Lesser in a Malone sandwich)

Victoria Matlock

Gee...I wonder why she never wins Prom Queen

The gang with David Elzer, Jeffrey Lesser and Mr. Bean

Here's some footage Beth took from her "booth" The music is mostly just coming through our headphones.....so you don't get a proper mix.... and you really can hear Beth's harmony since she's filming. So cool to have!

THE BEST THING- Well....recording my first and possibly only original Cast album

THE WORST THING- I'm too impatient to wait for it to come out....Look for it in early November!!!

the Marvelous Cast Album Part II

Our show has been so blessed with some musical masterminds. It was exciting to hear the band for the first time...as I wrote on an earlier blog....but now that I've gotten to know the guys...I'm so thrilled to have shared the recording experience with them. They are truly the best!

Brian Baker....my great friend and our musical supervisor

Our conductor and keyboard #1 player... basically our back bone...Michael Borth

Keyboard #2... and lots of other funny sounds...Brandon Sturiale

cool cool guitarist extraordinaire... Neal Johnson

And our warm and fuzzy awesome drummer... Danny Taylor

The Marvelous Cast Album Part I

For anyone who thinks that dreams don't come true....I'm here to tell you that from the moment I started working on THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES I dreamed of one day making a recording.

It's an amazing gift to EVER have the honor of recording an Original Cast Album. Many of my brilliantly talented friends- most of whom have twice the resume- have not been a part of one. I think that being coupled with the fact that of all shows....my first Cast Recording was also my nearest and dearest project-I was riddled with tears off and on the whole day!

We were all in the same room...on our own mics separated by sound walls.

(me with one of the best stage managers ever Andrew Neal)

Victoria

Beth

Farah

We stared at 11:00 took one half hour break and one 45 min break and completed our portion of the recording at 8:30.

It was our only day off from our 8 show a week schedule.....but was so incredibly worth it!!!

opening The Final Chapter

( Me and my "sister from another mister" Beth Malone)

Once the photogs settled and I got to see the many friends who traveled out just for opening, I really was hit with what an accomplishment the whole business had been. My great friend Roger Bean had created this Hallmark of a show inspired by his amazing mother and his love for the theatre.

I was so happyto be a part of it, so happy for him and thrilled that his nearest and dearest friends were there to witness it all- The friends in NYC,  David Elzers family, The San Diego sisters, Rick and Jeff and his wonderful siblings. One of which I met for the very first time.

As if that wasn't enough.....he got engaged to his long time partner and my very dear friend Perry that very day!! How could we not feel blessed at this time??

(Roger and I at the end of the party)

(Roger opening my present......a sketch by the brilliant Squigs)

(Me opening a book Roger had made called "A Marvelous Journey" How True How True)

(Me with the Author of "Lipstick on your collar" (in orange) and his Partner)

I Just don't think it could have been a better opening with more love surrounding it....from those who were present in body to those of you who have been following along with the whole ordeal. How could I ever begin to thank you all???

And this concludes my report on Opening night.....but we've only just made a dent in the entirety of the adventure.

THE BEST THING-I have so many memories to share for the rest of my life

THE WORST THING-How oh how will we ever top this???

opening Part V

SO many loved ones in the house that night. Like I said....I could look anywhere from the stage and see someone I knew.....the party was no exception. 

(Me and dear friend John Scherer)

(Derek Keeling came by after his Grease Performance)

(me with brilliant choreographer and wonderful friend Janet Miller)

( Steve and the beautiful Jessica Rush)

(Eric Anderson joined us after a performance of The Producers with Steve and Aaron)

The Who's Who was quite impressive!!

opening Part IV

The Party was at a Loft just a few blocks away. I actually didn't see much of anything since the moment I arrived I was pulled in every direction to pose for pictures. The Wonderette colors were everywhere as were the old and new Wonderette fans!

There were hot dogs, french fries, Mac and cheese...

Malts were made to order....

Cotton candy machines...

And then....just like the old days in New York.....our first review hit in the Associated Press and David Elzer read the rave aloud for all to hear.

The four of us were posing for various papers and press agents...and by the time we were done....no more hot dogs....Oh well...I couldn't have fit one more thing in that dress!

opening Part III

The show went amazingly well. It actually stopped after our second act Rescue Me set. We just had to wait to continue. From where I was I could see Steve, my agent Victoria and friend Jessica Rush crying. What a feeling.

After the show Steve was waiting for me in the lobby. Kevin snapped this picture of him.....for those of you who were there way back when.....he looks so much like he did waiting for me to come down the aisle at our wedding. How could I possibly love him any more!

(here we are when I finally came out!)

(leaving the theatre to go to the opening night party)

(dear friend Bob Cuccioli and friend Meredith met up with us before the party)

On to the party....

Opening Part II

So as I readied myself next door, Steve held down the fort at the restaurant waiting for all the friends to arrive.

(Jamie Aaron and Steve)

The friends...Jessica, Mindy, Steve, Eddie, Tom,Jamie,Aaron,Kristi,Kevin and Julie

(Kristi ,Steve, Kevin and Jessica in the Lobby)

My Girls in front of the theatre

Julie, Jessica, Kristi and Mindy

One very neat thing is that everyone was very spread out in the theatre...so no matter where I looked I saw someone I knew and Loved. How very Lucky I am.

More to come!

Opening Part I

Opening Night was upon us just like that and it only took 9 1/2 years and six productions to get it there!!!

Kevin and Julie drove Steve and I into the city for an early dinner....just before we arrived at the theatre I realized I had forgotten my Opening Night Dress....after much profanity....They dropped the two of us off and went back to Queens to get my dress.....now that's a great friendship!

Steve and I met Our great friend Jamie Torcellini and Aaron James at the restaurant next door.               

(Steve and I just before the show)

When I entered my dressing room I couldn't even see my space for all the amazing gifts and flowers.

(Steves flowers with all the others)

I finally moved all the Flowers into another room where there was more space. Thank you everyone who was so generous!!! It was an amazing feeling!

Right before we went on Rosie O'Donnell came backstage to take photos with us. I was out of my mind!   
Stay tuned for more!!!