The Summer Wind

New Headshots, Courtesy Kellyn Uhl

The summer wind indeed came blowing in, delivering to my door an incredible package of opportunities that have been filling up my favorite months of the year! It has felt divine indulging in cool treats like fruit smoothies and fro yo, walking about Philadelphia under the warm sun, entertaining college besties in my new home, performing nearly ever night, falling in love with my cast mates, and busting at the seams in anticipation of my 1 year anniversary with the man I love and 24^th birthday. The summer always manages to find the best of my spirit, tickling my creative buds with its fresh air and unleashing a sense of freedom to play wild in. So much to gab about, I don’t even know where to begin!

WARNING: This blog gets very “Dear Diary”- I couldn’t help myself. Plus my Mom reads this- she needs details.

uPcOmInG...

Mount Washington Valley Theatre Company, NH

July 28th-September 4th

I am proud to announce that I will be returning to my last summer’s paradise in the White Mountains, performing my first ever Sondheim show SWEENEY TODD and “Bebe” in A CHORUS LINE at the end of the MWVTC season. I did A CHORUS LINE (Kristine) back in 2008 at the Mac-Haydn Theatre, my first role to have in a professional musical theatre production and also my first dance captain credit. I remember completely immersing myself with the astounding history of the production, reading “On the Line” and other available material after rehearsals, and also the many cast bonding sessions we had confessing our own personal dreams and fears in and out of show business. I will never forget what that experience gave me, being so young, and I can’t believe I get to have another round with this masterpiece, especially at a theatre that feels like home. I know this show will only take on more magical shades and could not think of a better way to kiss the summer good bye. CLICK HERE if you just happen to be in New England and want to visit!

FLASHBACK!
The Mac-Haydn Theatre ACL '08: Al and Kristine (Robert Teasdale and I)

Media Theatre, Philadelphia, PA

September 28th-November 6th

As soon as I return to Philly in early September, I will be beginning rehearsals at the Media Theatre, playing “Annie” and understudying “Roxie Hart” in CHICAGO starring American Idol’s Justin Guarini. I cannot capture how fortunate I feel to be working with the directing team of Jennie Eisenhower and Jenn Rose again, performing on stage with one of my best friends Matt Mastronardi in our 3^rd Philly production, and to be doing this HOT HOT HOT sexual beast of a musical. I can’t wait to find out what a sheba shimmy shake is. SKIDOO! (CLICK FOR INFO)

The Media Theatre, Built 1927


rEcEnT pErFoRmAnCeS...

Mazeppa Productions' Pippin

July 6th-July 23rd

The magic is done and I am going to miss this wonderful cast and crew to bits! Together we survived sweltering heat and grew closer as the run progressed. I am amazed at how this show pulled beautifully together after adapting to creative changes and new directors within the process. The artistic director of Mazeppa Rob Henry, choreographer Dawn Morningstar, musical director Jerry Kapral, stage manager Kelly Orenshaw, and managing director Brian Seaman cannot be thanked enough for resurging our company’s energy and giving us a production to be proud of. My biggest congratulations to Mazeppa Productions on having a successful inaugural season with PIPPIN partnered with their children’s show DEAR EDWINA! I am so happy I got to be a part of it and cannot wait to see where this company will go next! I have an incredible and expanding Philly theatre family and feel blessed to be working in such a magnificent and supportive city!

CHECK OUT what audience members said on Philly Fun Guide!

Company of PIPPIN, St. Stephen's Theatre

Dreamers Often Lie Theatre Company's Cheaters

July 18th

I did my first Philly cabaret gig at Q BBQ & Tequilla in Olde City as a fundraiser for fellow Walnut St. Theatre apprentice Chris McGuinnes and friend Kristine Bonaventura’s new theatre company. The evening was entitled CHEATERS (musically directed by John Daniels ) and I got to sing a wonderful range of songs about relationships and getting my heart broken, highlights being “Tell Me on a Sunday” (ALW’S SONG AND DANCE) and “The Gentleman is a Dope” (R&H’S ALLEGRO). It was packed and helluva good time! Thank you to my beautiful friends and roommates for attending and of course Chris and Kristine for the opportunity!

“To think I did all that, and may I say, not in a shy way…”

The Walnut Street Theatre's MY WAY Understudy Experience

June 28th and 29th

Danielle Herbert, Woman 1 of MY WAY, and I

Just like a starry dream, my 2-night stint in MY WAY at the Walnut Street Theatre washed over me like a wave in a surreal paradise. I began in the wings awestruck that my debut had finally arrived, then was suddenly shaking on stage with a martini glass in my hand as I heard the first song of the evening “Strangers in the Night” escape my lips. I was no longer practicing my songs and walking my track in the comfort of my bedroom; there was a sold out crowd before me sipping their own drinks ready to be entertained by the music of one of America’s most beloved and timeless performers. My eyes darted to lock with and take in the presences of those three amazing performers I spent so much time admiring throughout this understudy process and little by little, the jitters trickled up on out of my system. I flew to the moon and just let the music sink into my pores instead of horrifying myself with doubts of what was coming next. I refused to listen to my racing mind and instead insisted on having a good time and trusted that there was a confidence buried in me somewhere, ready to transform me into those variety show stars of the past I admire to the nines. My boyfriend reminded me in an encouraging voicemail before I went on that this opportunity was a gift, nothing to fear, and I totally let that thought lead the way.

Backpedaling…

My “Put-In” Rehearsal (the first and only time I got to rehearse with the cast before going on four days prior) left me dizzy, well quite literally from all the spinning I was doing, trying not to lose balance and fall off the tiny stage. I realized it was one thing to watch the show like I had been doing and another to actually do it. It was indeed a lot and took a lot of stamina, but the cast and creative team had me and wanted only the best for me in this experience and for their show. That gave me such a loving cushion and made me not afraid to fall. Towards the end of that rehearsal, I finally started to breathe again.

During the performances of MY WAY, I miraculously shut all the inner demons up and just lived, feeling like a little girl playing dress up and pretending she was a big star. I truly fell in love with the charming gentlemen beside me on stage, Fran Prisco, the director, and Carl Clemmons-Hopkins, drowned in the honey of Danielle Herbert’s angelic voice, let the lyrics paint far off dream lands in my mind, and thought of my own sweetheart in many of the love ballads, especially “Something Wonderful Happens in Summer.” The most unforgettable moment of it all was during the end of the second performance, right before singing the encore “I’ll Be Seeing You.” As I sat squeezing Danielle’s hand on a shared stool, tearing up after singing the Finale “My Way” of course, Fran announced to the audience that this was only my 2^nd performance while they were well on their way to reaching their 70^th on closing that weekend. I looked at my family and friends sitting together in a line and they all were wiping away tears, except my beautiful grandpa who was waving at me dead center as content as could be. My Pop-Pop being in the audience, looking ever so dapper, had me lose it more and I was just catapulted to Cloud 9.

Gosh, this whole experience will never leave me and has given me so much insight on myself as a performer. This was by far the biggest undertaking I’ve ever had musically and opened up incredible knowledge to me about my voice’s capabilities, which I have usually been quick to doubt. I am going to use this experience to push me forward only.

I thank all my family and friends who gave their support during this, especially Jennie Eisenhower and Matt Mastronardi for giving my voice and little inner soprano the confidence totally needed through their coaching. I thank all that were in the audience that I got to share this with-it seriously means the world-and the Walnut St. Theatre for the opportunity. I cannot stop thanking this beautiful cast enough; I learned so much from them on interpreting lyrics, musical phrasing, simplicity and ease, and professionalism. Fran Prisco created a wonderful and relaxing evening for the audience of some of the best music ever written. Ellie Mooney, the actress I went on for and the show’s choreographer, gave me big shoes to fill, but the best direction in how to do it. Alex Bechtel, the show’s music director and pianist, met with me before the shows and was always ready to go over my material with a smile. It was truly an honor to work with people so generous and I would not trade any of what I tasted during those two nights for the world. And finally, a shout out to Frank Sinatra himself, for being such an incredible icon, defining an era, and a man who wore his heart on his sleeve, allowing that to reinvent the art of singing a song. To be that fierce where people arrange a musical tribute in your honor deserves a full belted GET IT.

oThEr SiLly NeWs...

*Got a Bob haircut for my upcoming shows….so about those new head shots...Haha OH WELL.

Pictures COMING SOON of the new Thoroughly Modern Me. Totally inspired by Suri Cruise.

*Proud IPAD 2 owner and am in awe. So far I have stored on it a video of my parents playing Frisbee in Washington Park West and two L.M. Montogomery novels on my Kindle application. I think this is the beginning of a good relationship.

*Sweating my life away in dance classes at Koresh Dance School and a Body Language class taught by 11^th Hour Theatre Company Co-Founder Steve Pacek before leaving for August. WERQ.

*Getting goose bumps everytime Jessie J opens her mouth. She is brilliant and my summer siren. I can’t stop listening to that voice- its like a jolt of lightening and gets me out of bed in the morning.

*Sobbed while I read Remember How I Love You: Love Letters from an Extraordinary Marriage by Jerry and Elaine Orbach. Jerry wrote her a poem every morning before heading out to the set of LAW AND ORDER- its probably the most touching book I’ve ever read. I LOVE love.

*Nearing the end of my ANNE OF GREEN GABLES Collection. I hope to finish “Rilla of Ingleside” in lovely New Hampshire where it all started.

*Finally caught up on MAD MEN. Peggy Olsen is my new favorite. Plan to re-watch the whole series before Season 5 airs next year. Anyone want to join?

*More in love with my fabulous friends, old and new. I want to list all your accomplishments and what you mean to me, but it would be another blog entry on its own! I am truly surrounded by outstanding individuals and artists. Thank you to all of you for inspiring me.

*And I'm just in love with the best man I know, Patrick Roberts. I couldn’t be happier or luckier.

Ha, I’m a sap, but truly feel so blessed. So I’ve packed my Rodger and Hammerstein Movie Collection and a picnic basket to put to use in New Hampshire underneath the clear blue skies and moonlight nights. Summer is so good. And then the fall with its burnished leaves dancing in the fresh autumn wind will be a tasty pumpkiny treat! I want time to stand still the next few months. I look forward to updating through out all of my upcoming endeavors and of course, to stretching and expanding myself as a person and artist.

I leave you with Keely Smith and Louis Prima.
Laugh and dance the rest of the summer away!
Love, Tara Tag