.NOW.
The start to my season, which just looks like it’s going to be a lot of laughs and good company! I pop up in both acts to sing a song per act for some female flavor and then get to spend the rest of the time being serenaded by these men’s killer vocal chords in the wings. My job is so hard. ;-)
The show will be performing the last weekend of September at the Hedgerow Theatre in Media, PA and then the first two weekends of October at the Society Hill Playhouse in Philly. CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS!
.NEW HEAD SHOTS AND A NEW WEBSITE: COMING SOON JANUARY 2013.
Thank god I have Kellyn Uhl in my life, who not only is one of my best friends from summer stock days, but a gifted gal with a camera and an inspiration to boot. I’m so excited to create a new website with Kellyn as well, which will feature new pages and all these new pictures we took on the Upper West Side. It was an awesome day- please do not hesitate to contact Kellyn if you are thinking about new shots. Trust me- she gets the job done and you’ll be glad you met such a unique lady. Totally worth it. KELLYNUHL.COM
.THE SUMMER RUN DOWN.
I warn you this gets to lengthy proportions, but my BLOG is going to start becoming a little more personal than a news update (my new website will have a skinner news section right on the homepage), written more like love letters for my family and best friends who I don’t get to see every day to read. So enjoy, skim, or just look at pictures at your own liking!
Where to start...
Lets do the hard part first.
.I CAN’T READ MUSIC!: IN LOVING MEMORY OF HARRY BUBERNAK.
Amidst the jam-packed July Project I had previously blogged about, I lost my first grandparent four days before the Philly premiere of my newly spruced up I CAN’T READ MUSIC! My Pop-Pop’s health took a turn for the worse at the beginning of the summer and he passed peacefully in his sleep July 25th, catching my family off guard and rushing to be by my Grandmom’s side. Let me tell you something- my grandparents went through it this year. My amazing Grandmom Rita had a stroke back in October, her and my Pop-Pop bounced between hospitals and assistant living for the holidays following and majority of the winter, and then the two moved from their hometown of Scranton, PA nearer to my Aunt Suzanne’s, which is conveniently only 25 minutes outside of Philly this spring. They were really put to the test and it wasn’t a piece of cake to be up-routed so suddenly like they were out of their lives. The last time I saw my Pop-Pop they both were finally adjusting to their new living community and I showed him my newly bought ukulele, which I promised to learn him a song on. He said, “Okay doll” and I never thought that would be the last time I’d talk to him.
My cabaret was almost cancelled due to the timing, but it was my family who told me it needed to happen saying everyone was going to need a laugh and an escape. So that thundery afternoon performance on July 28th was all for my Bingo Pop-Pop, my nickname for him since I was a kid thinking the “B” etched on my grandparent’s garage stood for Bingo (it of course stood for “Bubernak,” my Mom’s maiden name-what did I know haha) and it will forever be one of the most special days of my life. Not only did I have the most family I’ve ever had attend one of my shows including my strong Grandmom, but I had a surprising turn out from the Philly theatre community, my students of all ages, and a wonderful showing of my old college buddies as well. Even my high school theatre director was there! I will be eternally grateful for all that love I felt and very much needed, and had an absolute ball. For an hour and half, I got to forget all life’s woes and just play with Matthew Mastronardi, my partner in crime featured in a playground jamboree tap number we created in the Shirley Temple section and as the Louis Prima to my Keely Smith, Trevor Pierce also trading off the keys with Matty, and my boyfriend Patrick Roberts back for his surprise number. I CAN’T READ MUSIC! became another beast since the residency at 1812 Productions with new numbers flowing through a more cohesive storyline of my little life’s tale. The space was ridiculously fitting- set as a 1950s diner that matched my black and white checkered dress to the floor and red crinoline to the bar seats and juke boxes. I used every inch of the space and ran wild, just wanting to hug everyone out there and sing on top of their laps. Some audience members got just that. Favorite moments included busting open a pinata and wearing ridiculous hula gear in Betty Hutton’s “Banana Boat” (my anthem to the summer), sharing stories about my Pop-Pop and his love for the guitar, my big ukulele debut- yikesss...secret revealed I possibly can read music???!!, and the out of control mic I was wearing that would not stay on my face for anything. I think it was my Pop-Pop messing with me. He got Patrick too...our duet was a mic catastrophe and we resorted to swinging around our chords and getting tangled in them through our chuckles. Surrendering at its silliest! The performance ended with me in sweat drenched dress, dodging pinata fallen Starbusts covering the floor, a ripped crinoline skirt from a flip over the bar (don’t ask), and lots of mascara tears...
I CALL THAT A SUCCESS!
I will always rave on and on about Mazeppa Productions and how grateful I am to them for giving me that chance to do I CAN’T READ MUSIC! again. I hope to help them in future years develop their Cabaret Series. I do think this little cabaret I threw together is becoming something. I hope on time off between gigs and teaching this season that I can begin figuring out whats the next step, search for the next venue, and hopefully land a director if I ever decide to make it a bigger scale production. The piece just means so much to me- its become my performing fingerprint; it shows you why I’m crazy in love with theatre and I thank 2012 so much for letting me find that. Wow!
And to my Pop- thank you for giving me your gift of music, for twirling me about the patio to polka and country music ever since I took those first steps in your basement, to singing folk songs with me on the old brown swing, to beating me countless times at croquet and shuffle board, to sneaking and sharing your late night apples with me, to scratching my back before I'd fall asleep, to taking me bowling, to traveling all over to see my shows, to being full of one-liners, to being the best kind of whipper snapper out there, and to just being my sunshine. I will always miss singing with you and I will never let our memories leave me. I love you so much. RIP Harry Bubernak.
.CAMP AND TEACHING.
The Musical Theatre Performance Group!
I also thank the Education Office at the Walnut Street Theatre for being so good to me through out my family’s loss and thanked God that I had them and all the kids wonderful smiles and energy to lift me up through those tough weeks. It made it easy to go back to work. I cannot even tell you how amazingly rewarding CAMP WALNUT became. From the classes I taught to all six of the shows (4 created by the different discovery and development groups, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE JR, and THE TEMPEST), I was astonished by the hard work these kids poured into their performances. “Forget About the Boy” is my proudest accomplishment yet as an amateur choreographer, THE TEMPEST showed me the most brilliant ensemble acting I’ve ever witnessed amongst youth and inspired me to get back into Shakespeare, and all the other groups reminded me how theatre truly has no boundaries and is all about collaboration. If I didn’t have camp this summer with our weekly camp fires gathered around the ghostlight on the main stage all as one big group, I don’t know how I’d have handled this summer. I couldn’t ask for better directors and counselors to be challenged and creative with and just loved getting those kids exploring themselves through dancing and movement. Camp really made me more passionate about theatre education and just one proud momma of all the campers! They were all stars!
Millie and Me!
Campers Stuck in the Rain!
I also had the fortunate opportunity to sub for the teen and adult beginner musical theatre classes at the Walnut Street Theatre School this summer, becoming a co-teacher as I covered a handful of classes while my dear friend the teacher Matthew Mastronardi had rehearsals and tech for his Shakespeare in Clark Park debut. It just added to my new found love for teaching as I pushed, laughed, loved, and was inspired by all the leaps these students from 13- retired doctor took. It was just therapy for me too, doing theatre and singing for the pure love and thrill of it. These students were class acts and their showcases were such celebrations. I just grew so fond of everyone, especially my adult class, and their support for one another. I hope every teaching experience can be that good!
The Adult MT Class Showcase!
CAMP WALNUT ended in early August alongside with my Musical Theatre Audition Technique Class Showcase hosted by 11th Hour Theatre Company’s Megan O’Brien before a panel of Philly casting directors and invited family and friends. I just loved being in class and giving myself the freedom to grow, trying new material that showed different colors of me. It was such a safe environment and truly added to my summer.
.HELLO 25.
Then I turned 25! In Disneyland!!! With a Birthday Girl pin slapped right on my chest for all of Disney to see! A ragtime band played to me in New Orleans Square and I almost fell to my feet! I almost lost my stuffed bunny Bun Bun that I’ve had since birth on the first drop of the Tower of Terror when he flew out of my bag! I rode Splash Mountain two times and got so soaked the second time, I never officially dried off until the World of Color show at night! Our first day in the parks, hopping between Disneyland (which won my heart as my favorite) and the cool California Adventure, we stayed from park open past close like champs! Patrick and I’s much needed vacation made us 10 year old kids again and we were swept underneath a magic spell that only Tinkerbell can cast. Thank you to Patrick’s buddy Pat for housing us on our stay just miles from the coast in LA, to the Pacific Ocean for hitting me with such forceful waves that I lost a earring on Santa Monica Pier, to Hollywood for preserving Shirley Temple’s tiny hands, and to Patrick for filling every moment of this trip with all his heart and excitement. I couldn’t ask for a better travel buddy or Disney fanatic. Oh and California- you’ll be seeing me again!
.THE REHEARSAL WAITING GAME.
As soon as I got back, it was back to real life as I started working again at the NCC (totally missed Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis’s appearance in promotion of THE CAMPAIGN- drats!) and privately coaching students who were interested from camp. I am now the proud owner of a tap board, privately teaching the fundamentals of tap to beginners, and own array of young adult monologue books, coaching acting through monologues and songs as well. I’ve been digging through my college books, reading up on Viewpoints, getting more Zen- trying all these new things and basically creating my own grad school that I can share with my students. I always say techniques are methods to try on like shoes- walk with the one that fits. I love the relationships that I’m building with my students, getting them ready for auditions, and overjoyed when it all pays off.
I took a week’s trip to New York, tapping all week with a little ballet (oof that was a welcome back if I ever felt one- HIPS!) and theatre dance at Steps and BDC, a master class on 42nd Street Audition Dance Calls with choreographer Dontee Keihn at Stage Door Connections, got new head shots with the one and only Kellyn Uhl posted above, and just spent the week dashing between meetings with friends who I’ve missed insanely. New York was so good to me that week that I even strolled 45 blocks of Broadway with the biggest grin all on my lonesome. I felt like my own Woody Allen movie.
Hogwarts Enrollment!
I’ve also just been treating myself to Tara Time, back on the Harry Potter train reading the books and beginning a re-watch all of the movies to follow my reading. I plan to finish before I go to Florida with GREASE, hoping to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter while I’m out there- YESSS!! I’ve also been getting my butt back into a gym and yoga classes thanks to Living Social deals, enjoying Philly Fringe shows that I’ve been plastering all over my Facebook- especially of my friends, and found a Christian Church in the Italian Market I’m hoping to become a part of. I also have been catching up on MAD MEN, getting into THE UNITED STATES OF TARA, and watching movies on Netflix and DVR, highlights being THE ARTIST, MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, and CAROL CHANNING: LARGER THAN LIFE. You must see the latter asap to see the most precious love story and courageous musical comedy star give it all to you like a rare and true dame. They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore. Also, you better watch BROADWAY OR BUST on PBS. Its better than DANCE MOMS....well may be not, but I LOVE IT!
I got to flex my choreography muscles this month a little more with University of Pennsylvania's Penn Singers Light Opera Company too, giving them some groovy moves for their performance of "You Can't Stop the Beat!" for Freshman Performing Arts Night. Now they kept stressing they were all singers first, but they totally worked it out! They are doing LEGALLY BLONDE this semester: CHECK THEM OUT!
.BROADWAY STAR.
I got to flex my choreography muscles this month a little more with University of Pennsylvania's Penn Singers Light Opera Company too, giving them some groovy moves for their performance of "You Can't Stop the Beat!" for Freshman Performing Arts Night. Now they kept stressing they were all singers first, but they totally worked it out! They are doing LEGALLY BLONDE this semester: CHECK THEM OUT!
.BROADWAY STAR.
The Little Tramp
And I saw CHAPLIN, starring a fellow MSU past student and my Philly neighbor Rob McClure as the title role. I’ve had the privilege to see Rob tackle roles from college to Philly stages with a charm and presence that just screams STAR! There’s just no one like him; he mesmerizes you and just lives in whatever world he is thrown into. And there isn’t a more deserving, inspiring force I know to have this all happen to him. He was Charlie Chaplin with all his heart and soul that I couldn’t stop the tears flooding down my face. To top it off, Rob is also the most humble man on the planet. I spent nearly an hour in his dressing room after his standing ovation of a performance in utter awe, admiring his star dressing room full of Chaplin inspiration, trinkets, and treasures, asking him all about the process, and could not have been more thrilled for him, the show (which I LOVED!), and just felt like I was swimming Broadway dreams. Its so great to see it all happening for him and its also just a great musical about a spectacular comic that I’m glad I saw. Please...any musical that will take me to Hollywoodland has usually got me wrapped around its finger- its just my type of show. GO SEE CHAPLIN!
.AN ACTOR PREPARES.
The relaxation is just about to come to a close...
My season of shows is just about to kick off and I’m a mixture of nervous, anxious, excited, ecstatic, and spastic, freaking out as I ride a see-saw feeling the highs somedays and the lows the other of all the unpredictability coming my way. I just want to be the best I can be, but can’t be afraid to fall on my face and laugh it off and try again. Just be me- thats all I can do. Gosh, who knows what new friends I’ll make, new experiences I’ll gain, and new fears I’ll conquer. Its a good scary- that is for sure.
.THE JANUARY-MARH GAP. (Between Tour and Pink Lady School Ruling :-) )
I also have some projects in the works during my wintery break between Seuss holiday magic and Rydell High, which are making those cold months look mighty bearable! This month, I met with Mark York, the Executive Producer and Founder of Manhattan’s Ziegfeld Society, a theatrical dream club for an old soul like me that was created to preserve the charm of Broadway’s Golden Age and the reign of Florenz Ziegfeld, the ultimate producer of the early Great White Way. Ziegfeld made Broadway the Heaven it has become of live theatre and it was a pleasure to see that gratitude shine through Mark, just as in love with old lost musical treasures, feathery fans, show girl struts and bevels, and stars like Fanny Brice as I am! My boyfriend Patrick Roberts is doing a cabaret at the end of the month directed by Mark at Birdland to kick of the Ziegfeld Society’s upcoming eventful season and I hope to perform with them in February 2013. Keep them on your radar! CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THE ZIEGFELD SOCIETY!
Look Ma!
Patrick and I were also selected to join Society Hill Playhouse’s New Voices Series this season, which weekly hosts an evening of selected Philly theatre folk singing their hearts out in solo sets with a piano and drinks for guests. We are happy to announce our set will be shared, glad to have an excuse to sing, work, and be silly together. More details will follow as our exact date becomes official, but we are really looking forward to this! CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON NEW VOICES
I also have possibilities to stay connected to the Walnut Street Theatre Education department during my break, teaching and possibly choreographing. Exciting news to come soon! I also can’t believe its now been two years since I became an acting apprentice...WOOOOOAH.
And of course, there is dreams of furthering I CAN’T READ MUSIC!, dreams of starting a cabaret and theatre society in Philly and of fringe festival possibilities, and visions of sugar plums dancing in my head. Keep the dreams on coming I say! I never want them to stop.
CHEERS TO THIS YEAR! To all my fellow actors and artists embarking on the beginning of seasons and to my family and friends feeling the pumpkin freshness in the air, embrace all you've been blessed with and let your heart lead and surprise you!
Its September and I feel like I’m back in school- just the way I like it!
HAPPY FALL AND THANK YOU FOR VISITING!
