It has been ages since I last blogged all the way from Detroit, my very final stop with the Grinch Tour last December! MY OH MY- where does time vanish away to!? So much has happened since my snow swept tour ending as a Who to my ramalamalamin’ life in sunny Florida to now back living the American Bandstand ‘50s dream (pictured above!) in Philadelphia. Let me blog it up and attempt to connect the dots!
Click all photos to make larger for your viewing pleasure!
Original Broadway Cast of GREASE, Riverside Beginnings Promo Shoot, and vintage Freddy My Love!
.the wHoliday happy ending.
Grinch Cast signed the wall of famous Indiana pizza joint Mother Bear's
The Grinch Tour had a bitter sweet closing in Detroit as I was sad to see the holidays go by in a giant flash, but excited to return to my home and loved ones! I really loved everything about doing that musical from start to finish and will miss my roomy Who muffin top most of all- no costume will ever be as forgiving. Our associate choreographer Jackie Nguyen cooked up some YouTube sensations, organizing with fellow company member Garret Hummel-Esparza, the Broadway World featured Who version smash hit of Gundam Style, and a sweet compilation of our memories and time together on the road complete with Who interviews and backstage footage. I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to the touring life. Check out our videos below and visit www.taratag.com for production shots!
And may be I found a bootleg from our previews in Indiana...sssshhhh.....
I then flew back to good ole New York City early New Year’s Eve at some ungodly hour in the morning to welcome in 2013 with my dashing boyfriend, who I’d been missing insanely, in his Astoria neighborhood. It was a jarring switch to suddenly be thrust back into reality, pretty exhausted, with my life stuffed up into suitcases and no more bus and show schedules to follow. I was in a wacky daze and still walking with turned out Who feet. My boyfriend Patrick and I decided to keep the big night low key (i.e. staying far away from Times Square and the subways), traveling only a few feet across the street for food and drinks for midnight and then training to Jersey later New Years Day to be with my much missed family. We toasted a year ahead in which both of us, Patrick and I, would be embarking on our own separate theatre adventures (extremely exciting!) and also extremely hard knowing how many goodbyes we would have to say to each other. I stayed in New York for 10 days, adjusting back to normalcy, but also to get as much Patrick time as possible! After all, we had a cabaret to get cracking on!
Bun Bun, my stuffed bunny I've had since birth, fell out of my bag at La Guardia Airport during baggage claim mayhem and road the luggage carousel when a stranger found him on the floor and thought this would be the best way he'd be found.
My last horrifying moment of 2012.
.patrick and tara's philadelphia duets debut.
Patrick and I then headed back to Philly to make our shared cabaret debut with the New Voices Series at the Society Hill Playhouse, opening an evening featuring two other delicious cabaret sets. It would be one of our last nights together before Patrick left for six weeks to perform Shakespeare abroad in Italy, so we really wanted to relish in the opportunity to sing and be dorks together. I guess it had a little to do with that and our New Year’s resolutions to push ourselves at new skills, but I truly can’t put a finger on what gave Patrick and I the nerve to play one of our duets ourselves on the guitar and ukulele. Bahahahahaha! Neither of us have more than a few youtube tutorials and idiot’s guide wisdom under our belts...
As a Christmas gift, my mom gave Patrick her old guitar she bought right before she got pregnant with me. Well low and behold as soon as she got the news of expecting this baby girl, the guitar got buried and forgotten in our home closet, only to make an appearance several years later in my middle school production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC as Fraulein Maria’s guitar (still unplayed), but then got buried shortly after again. Patrick is truly doing it more justice than our closet and the von Trapps- he’s pretty dedicated to learning it and it was a thrill to say we played together in the infancy of both our hobbies.
Forever engraved in Verona, Italy at the Casa di Giulietta aka Juliet's House
from ROMEO AND JULIET
We opened with Jason Mraz’s and Sarah Bareilles’ “Lucky,” getting the guitar and uke jitters squashed right off the bat, and made the rest of our musical choices truthful to our relationship and how much we mean to each other. We poked a lot of fun here and there and even dared to step further out of our performance comfort zones with some song stylings. We were indeed lucky to have such a healthy helping of family and friends come root us on in the Philly theatre community and I truly just love anytime I get to share any stage with Patrick. A big thank you to Larry McKenna, the New Voices Creator, for a successful evening and our one hell of an accompanist Trevor Pierce! The other cabaret acts kicked butt too- it was such a good night! CLICK ME TO VISIT THE NEW VOICES WEBSITE!
CLICK ME TO VISIT PATRICK ROBERTS WEBSITE!
CLICK ME TO VISIT PATRICK ROBERTS WEBSITE!
Patrick and I's Golden Age Medley featuring GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES, REDHEAD, and
THE PAJAMA GAME
.terrible, horrible, no good, but really
pretty excellent walnut kids play.
Patrick shipped off just as I started rehearsals for ALEXANDER...VERY BAD DAY at the Walnut Street Theatre (what a good distraction for my heart!), which was basically like recess every day with an awesome creative team and cast continually at play. We all unleashed our inner child and shared elementary war stories, starting each rehearsal with a show and tell (cast mate Matty brought in a pog maker- HEAVEN!), and made this classic Debbie Downer tale something very special to tell. The audience response was pretty incredible- the kids actively chimed in on Alexander’s defense and the parents and teachers out there sometimes seemed to enjoy it even more than the kids. I had way too much fun playing the Mom and cooky school teacher Mrs. Dickens! Favorite moments: getting to belly flop on my rolling school desk and ride it out on stage in a scene change, soft shoeing to a song that all lyrics were adjectives to describe shoes (this song is the reason to see this musical), and closing the show with a solo ‘90s power ballad/lullaby with flourishing AAH back ups- the best! We were all asked to be a part of next year’s sequel, and are happy that the show was so well received! Children’s theatre rock stars!
ALEXANDER Cast Collage: Bun Bun at Show and Tell, My engagement ring for my on stage marriage as Alexander's parents to my best friend in real life Matthew Mastronardi, and our cast photo...and yes, that is Bren Thomas and Samantha Joy Pearlman as a Kangaroo and Koala
.welcome to a list of my wacky realm of side jobs and performance opportunities
January- March.
*EgoPo Theatre Company’s The Phollies
A part of EgoPo’s Vaudeville Festival this season, I teamed up with my lovely gal pal Samantha Joy Pearlman to devise a knock out tap act that could have hit the Orpheum Circuit back in the day! We called ourselves “The Van Nutty Sisters” since we were both Walnut Acting Apprentice survivors and put together a charming little tale told through tap (and surprise drum sticks!) to Martha Raye’s “Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater.” It was a last minute collaboration that I’m so grateful to have been involved in thanks to Philly performer K.O DeMarcelle!
My look was inspired by Lucille Ball’s Hobo character- thanks Philly thrift stores!
*Walnut Street Theatre Musical Theatre Intensives Teaching Artist
w/ teaching partner in crime Nate Golden
w/ teaching partner in crime Nate Golden
A highlight of my teaching career: creating a mock audition for HUNGER GAMES: THE MUSICAL- you should have seen the fierce dance call- watch out Bill T Jones!
*Day Job at the National Constitution Center
Their recent Prohibition exhibit was exquisite and I walked through it on any break!
Their recent Prohibition exhibit was exquisite and I walked through it on any break!
*Greek Orthodox Youth of America Sights and Sounds Competition Choreographer in the Group Dance and Solo Jr. Divisions for the St. Thomas Church in Cherry Hill, NJ
“Summer Nights” Group Dance (3rd Place Winner!) and Tap Solo “It Don’t Mean a Thing if it Ain’t Got That Swing” (2nd Place Winner)
These kids were just tremendous sports at committing to storytelling through dance and for taking big chances! Their award winning numbers coming soon to YouTube!
These kids were just tremendous sports at committing to storytelling through dance and for taking big chances! Their award winning numbers coming soon to YouTube!
*Main Line Reform Temple’s Purim Spiel Choreographer and Assistant
w/ the lovely Heidi Hayes for Year 2
This group of people made me belly laugh each rehearsal- talk about hams!
Alicia and Sherill Neff- A scene stealing married couple of the Spiel troupe with pup
*Private Coachings from My Home and the Walnut Street Theatre
I have a sweet roster of aspiring performers and I love having a front row seat to their growth! Visit www.taratag.com for more info on my teaching!
I have a sweet roster of aspiring performers and I love having a front row seat to their growth! Visit www.taratag.com for more info on my teaching!
*The Philly Advisor on Brandon Monokian’s original play GRIMM WOMEN
GRIMM WOMEN debuted in Philadelphia this spring while I was in Florida after a successful Off-Off-Broadway run in NY last December! Here is a blog I wrote for GRIMM WOMEN, acting as an associate producer before I left for GREASE, that shares my love for my college buddy Brandon’s accomplishments with this piece and Philadelphia.
CLICK TO READ BLOG!
GRIMM WOMEN debuted in Philadelphia this spring while I was in Florida after a successful Off-Off-Broadway run in NY last December! Here is a blog I wrote for GRIMM WOMEN, acting as an associate producer before I left for GREASE, that shares my love for my college buddy Brandon’s accomplishments with this piece and Philadelphia.
CLICK TO READ BLOG!
*Monday Night Advanced Acting Class at the Walnut this Winter
Susie Riley Stevens, our stunning teacher and fierce powerhouse actress about town, gave me new juice in approaching scene and character work. I wish I had her class everyday- she’s such a poignant women who got me all rallied up over my scene work!
Stunner Susie in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at the Walnut
*Momma Tag Featured in 1812 Production's Advertisement Campaign for IT'S MY PARTY: WOMEN IN COMEDY Project
Not really a side job or anything, but just wanted to share. My mom's a star and my acting teacher above was in this!
It really did just feel good to be back home in Philly floating between these odd jobs, which always make me appreciate the therapeutic release of theatre more and more, especially as an educator. I also started popping into yoga classes in my neighborhood and seeing as many shows as I could all over town (national tours galore featuring so many of my friends!). There is such good juju and fuel in all that. And yoga is really becoming my answer to any negativity or insecurity that causes trickles of self-doubt to enter my blood stream as well as the place where I practice just being a kinder, more open soul. Its detox for me for sure! Oh and the number it does on my hips...woweeeee!
Also, I had a lot of check ups with my acting and voice coaches over those three months (talk about performance detox), whom together assemble this fantastic and loving team I have to keep me on top of my game, feed me perspective, deepen my technique, and most importantly, continue my growth and thought process as a performer. I got a scoop of pop rock nourishment from the one and and only Sheri Sanders (author of ROCK THE AUDITION), vocal hygiene from NY voice teacher Michael Hadary and Philadelphia Barrymore Award Winner Jennie Eisenhower , audition and rep coaching helpings from Carrie Johnson Greer (recently seen in Broadway’s SISTER ACT and currently on tour with BUDDY HOLLY) and director and choreographer Gary John La Rosa (recent BroadwayWorld.com Best Director Award Winner), and began a new relationship with the hilariously unique ball buster of Broadway and NY cabaret scene Kristine Zbornik (recently seen in Shakespeare in the Park’s INTO THE WOODS) to work comedy and cabaret pieces. I like to always feel like I’m in school, working toward something, and this team of people never let me settle or stop exploring.
The end of February into mid-March also became Audition Central, landing interest from my first agency in NY and attending an assortment of EPAs and other calls in both New York City and Philly. Even though I had a hiccup and got slightly set back by strep throat (worst sickness season ever!), I had a good time auditioning and working on call back material. It was also beautiful staying and/or catching up in NY with my college buddies and summer stock chums when I’d come in, since my usual spooning buddy Patrick was out of town. All those coffee and hot cocoa dates in Manhattan made those cold months bearable!
I also FINALLY launched my brand new website design early March that no longer depicts a college Tara frolicking Montclair parks, but the shorter hair slightly older version of me frolicking Manhattan streets! Nate Golden beyond exceeded expectations for my new site as my web designer, featuring promo photos by my go-to photography goddess Kellyn Uhl. I couldn't be happier and I feel it really represents my spirit across the board! A huge thank you to both these life saviors for giving me a web life!
Visit www.taratag.com
Those chilly months now seemed to have flown by and I couldn’t contain myself for Patrick’s return mid-March. We went to Atlantic City on a Groupon deal to celebrate right away and Patrick stayed with me right up until I left for Florida a little less than a week later. Our timing this year is pretty rough- when he ends a gig, I start and vice versa- but all that missing makes us not take our time together for granted. Atlantic City was a blast, complete with my first drag show experience that I legitimately cried at because the "Liza" was that breathtaking, and some spa treatment, all included. Thanks Groupon!
SOOOO GOOOOOD. DIVAS POSTERS!!!!
.and then there was florida.
It so feels like light years ago when I boarded an Orlando bound flight from Philly in a sea of toddlers sporting Mickey wear and gear, straight out of the annoying Northeast cold and incoming allergy season to a little piece of heaven on Florida’s Treasure Coast. I now know where I’m going to retire.
Florida Air Bound with Bun Bun
The Riverside Theatre in the slightly sleepy, but deeply charming Vero Beach, Florida gave this GREASE experience such a sublime summer escape of a beginning, feeling like a paid vacation combined with a Rydell High student ID. Its hard to complain if you have favorable weather and a beachy paradise surrounding your job, flocking each day off to park it on the warm sand where a lot of our cast bonding began. We would jokingly say while in Florida “#soyblessed,” but really that’s so what we were. I never knew ocean water could be that blue. Sorry Jersey- Florida takes the cake.
Disney's Vero Beach Resort Dreamland
Our flights into Orlando, coming from NY, Philly, and Cali respectively (this cast has a nice blend), all arrived near the same time to put us on a welcome wagon of a bus down to Vero Beach. We started rehearsals the next day and boy, I couldn’t tell you how excited I was to wear all my new Old Navy rehearsal clothes and to play a teenager, probably the first one I played since I was one! I had been looking forward to playing “Jan” since June of last year (my mom was even a Pink Lady in her excitement for Halloween this year!) and I had to keep pinching myself that it was now finally a reality alongside of my roommate Rachel Camp cast as “Marty” and close Philly friend, other former apprentice, my website designer, teaching partner, and above mentioned all around hero Nate Golden cast as “Eugene.” It almost seemed to good to be true.
Rachel and Nate and Me- I think we can pass for high schoolers in this photo! First post rehearsal cast party! (Someone was thinking about Disney already.)
The Riverside is a beautiful contemporary theatrical space, comprised of two theatres in the main building and an educational theatre right next door, with one of the most impressive main lobbies I’ve ever seen. It almost looks like a reception hall! The complex is also surrounded by luscious trees and flowers with the Indian River right across the way and the beach not to far behind. The majority of the cast was housed on the mainland over the bridge in various gated communities and at the Spring Hill Suites (my home!) with a few lucky ones right on the island. I know- treated terriblly, right? JK!
It instantly felt pretty easy to fall head over heels for this cast and creative team as it seemed we were plucked from reality to take a break and have so much fun together with this show. I cannot thank the stars above enough for such an wildly talented (Playbill Vaulters and Philebrities alike ;-) ) and hilarious group of people to travel deep into ‘50s nostalgia with. Our rehearsals, especially when we first did the zinger-filled “sleepover scene,” were filled with uncontrollable giggle fests and lots of conversation about making GREASE as authentic as possible. There was a huge amount of team work happening every day, especially when our butts were being kicked by killer sock hop choreography by Michelle Guadette (Side Note: Roger played by the stellar Adolpho Blaire and I make the Hand Jive Top 5- its such an honor)!! Thank God for her choreography because without, I would have to had join Weight Watchers to keep off my Jan on stage carb consumption.
Jan Costume Collage Inspiration Created by Our FIERCE Designer Lisa Zinni
Pre-Wig Vintage Car Photo Shoot that makes me beam
That was one of the first twinkees ladies and gentlemen (I'm about 80 in by now)
Also during rehearsals in addition to pool time wine unwinds with hotel cast mates and other nighttime gatherings, I started watching old HAPPY DAYS and AMERICAN DREAMS episodes that became my before bed pleasures and inspiration for rehearsal the next day. HAPPY DAYS was my favorite insight into 1950s teen life and lingo and AMERICAN DREAMS, an early 2000s show I always wanted to watch following a fictitious Philadelphia family in the ‘60s with a daughter dancing on AMERICAN BANDSTAND, became my obsession. I recently just finished all three seasons (it got canceled so there were so many loose ends that never got tied up!) and cried- haha- I fell for this show! I just can’t handle the music that burst from that era. I would so much rather what was hip in the ‘50s/’60s to dominate the radio stations than what does today- sorry bout it.
Yes Philadelphia!!! I was born a little too late though.
A bunch of the cast also found a community in attending yoga together at the blissful Yoga Pagoda in spare time, which offered our bodies and minds the most exhilarating post-rehearsal/pre-show yoga practices. Now I know I blab on and on in these blogs about how much I dig yoga, which makes me sound like I’m a yoga champion, but trust me, this warrior isn’t always so radiant. I’m usually wobbly and extra gangly feeling as I sink into downward dogs and rise in tree poses, but it was at the Yoga Pagoda where I really started to notice a change in strength, especially in locking my core, and my inward focus to melt into the crazier poses and rejoice in small successes. It was transformational and this cast has the owner Shelley Adelle and her tremendous students to thank for being so welcoming. She made class so affordable and unforgettable in shaping our inner Yogis that I can’t wait to practice with her again! I’m just putting it in the universe that I will. Namaste.
GREASE Yogis with Shelley, our guru,second from the bottom left
We also celebrated during rehearsals as a cast Easter aka grEASTER with one hell of a poolside BBQ led by our Danny Zuko, Matthew Ragas, and a grand ole egg hunt hidden pretty obviously by yours truly filled with lots of screams and shoving and major rewards. Under the Florida sunshine, we really became a family and that feeling dominated in rehearsals. I was having simply the best time, living life in a comfortable hotel suite surrounded by an awesome staff, seeing tan lines for the first time in forever, downing ridiculously fresh sea food (my favorite at the fancy Sonya’s at Disney’s Vero Beach resort!), feeling like a yoga star, wearing the iconic Pink Lady jacket in run throughs every day- is this real!?, getting to do two promotional radio interviews aired in Vero- soooo crazy funnn!, and just inspired by the whole process and the Vero Beach community. I couldn’t wait to open and share our show!
grEaster shenanigans- Rachel was the major reward winner of a Sonic Gift Card in the hunt!
I had always wanted to Disney's Vero Beach Resort! This was my last Saturday night off with cast mate cuties until August- we wined and dined!
Our Riverside opening night came upon us so quickly with only one full dress rehearsal under our belt, but it was greeted with such enthusiasm from our crowd that made our energy soar. Members of the Walnut Street Theatre staff and board of directors even fancifully flew down to join in on the excitement, marking this the first co-production between both theatres and a pretty special night. I felt so lucky to have this job, rushing to celebrate with the cast on the starlit beach after our opening night party, letting the waves crash on my heels as I danced like a fool just so so happy. There’s nothing better than moments like that! Even if my red pumps still have sand in them.
;-)
Our Last Backstage Pass Promo Video- FINAL DRESS:
We did it! A Very Merry Vero Beach Opening with Directing Team and Cast!
The Rydell Ladies- I'm surrounded by one attractive bunch of gals!
Getting hit by waves in the darkness with Nate- my soaked pumps are proof!
I really do love what we’ve done with our production, a pretty solid collision of the original Broadway book and score with highlights from the classic Hollywood version and even some new arrangements made by our creatives! Don’t worry- you will get “Hopelessly Devoted to You” and “You’re the One That I Want!”, but also some oldies but goodies like “Shakin’ at the High School Hop” and “Alone at the Drive In” (this was the first time I ever heard that song and it won me over!). Its a sweet blend and this cast is just so mega-talented that I can rave about each and everyone in their roles. A huge thank you to our peachy keen married director/choreographer team Bruce Lumpkin and Michelle Guadette for giving us this fresh new GREASE! I also just love opening a show by busting out of a locker- what an entrance!
DANCE! I'm in the back behind my calm and cooly collected roomie killing it with Matthew Rossoff as Marty and Sonny! LIFTS!
Once we were open, we had two days off every week in our three and 1/2 week run that we filled to the max with lots of beach laziness, ice cream shoppe splurges, GREASE 2 bowling competitions-”We’re gonna scor-or-ore tonight!,” movie nights like Jurassic Park 3D as you do, and of course, a planned mission to take on Disney World full throttle in one solid day. Well, minus Animal Kingdom. All the Disney nerds like me were itching with nostalgic excitement and couldn’t wait to run down Main Street USA!
My team, the Velociraptors, kicked butt, especially when we switched to our non-dominat hands! I did better as a lefty!
3D Good Times: Free Popcorns with our STAR CARD (discount card distributed by the Riverside Theatre!)
Lucky for us, a friend of two of our cast mates originally from the Philly area and now an enthusiastic employee of Disney- the one and only Jason Mangano, made us feel like first class royalty at the park with free park hoppers, free parking, and his lovely self as our tour guide to quickly navigate us through the attractions we didn’t want to miss. He was Disney magic rolled up into one sensational man and our own personal VIP fast pass. Endless thanks to Jason, who has also seen our show 3 times- once being in Philly! He has become a momentous part of the GREASE experience.
Nate Golden's 1st Time at Disney, Main Street USA Star Sighting of Disney Dancer College Friend Matt O'Neill, Entrance to Park Tears next to that enthusiastic Jason Mangano
The Rides Collage with Rachel: Our two favorite rides, Splash Mountain Screams and Poncho with Bun-Bun, and Bun Bun in New Disney Clothes trembling on Tower of Terror!
I can’t even tell you how much fun I had and now how much I wish I can go back to Disney for a week with Patrick in hand, the biggest Disney dork I know. The Disney Greasers screamed and squealed so much that we were lucky we had no show the next day! It all began with us dancing in anticipation on the decks of the steamboat taking us to Magic Kingdom and ended with wide eyes, no matter how exhausted they really were, in awe of FANTASMIC at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and a last minute Great Movie Ride attack. We paraded through the lands of Magic Kingdom, seizing our hit list of rides (we even did my dad and mine’s favorite Carousel of Progress!), feasted in Epcot’s China followed by a stroll in the sunset past the other stunning countries, and rode the scariest thrill rides at what I will still call MGM right before the park closed. It was unbelievable and gave us all something special to look back on. As much as I originally wanted to do Harry Potter world at Universal and a whole day in Epcot drinking around the world and toasting to Figment, this was really just the perfect all satisfying cast getaway. I remembered so much from my amazing family vacations as kid that I was filled to to the brim with happiness. What is it about that place? You really can’t help but smile until your jaw hurts. Thanks Walt!
More Disney Favorite Moments: Jumping at Magic Kingdom, New Fantasyland, Dinner in China, Epcot Ball Group Pic entirely too full, and little Nate's last treat at Fantasmic!
Our run at the Riverside now feels so short and some lovely dream I dreamed. Our audiences were overjoyed by the show and so much fun, really bopping and singing along to our GREASE ending curveball- our own original MEGA MIX! arranged by the brilliant Ken Clifton, and some even dressing up as Pink Ladies and T-Birds. Being a retirement community, we were easily recognizable out on the town and it was spectacular to hear how many residents support the Riverside- it felt like all of Vero Beach! My best friend from middle school Michelle Hernandez, who moved to FL before I entered high school (this was a 14 year old Tara devastation), was my only friend to see me out in Florida and it was a wonderful and unexpected mini-reunion. Also, while attending a callback at a Florida regional theatre (yup- the work horse in me found auditions!), I got to see my best friend from college and old roommate Amanda Catherine Phillips, who also happened to be performing in another part of Florida. That was a needed embrace. I love that girl!
Favorite Picture from Riverside Run! Lunch Room!
I really can’t thank the Riverside enough for giving me a paradise to perform in. We barely even had rain! I also go to reconnect with the mentioned above Ken Clifton, our dapper musical director, who wrote a musical I performed in a college workshop of with Rachel Camp called SOMETIMES Y- what a small world!
Riverside Dressing Room: GREASE script, Pink Lady Doll for my director and choreographer's little girl, and flowers sent by the Yoga Pagoda addressed to "Frenchy and Friends"
I only hope to work at this theatre someday in the future and send all my best to their upcoming season!
40th Anniversary- A RUBY JUBILEE!
.my official OFFICIAL walnut street theatre
main stage debut.
Before I knew it, I was all packed up and on a NYC bound flight to be greeted at the airport by my Patrick and thrown into audition land for my short hiatus from GREASE. It was so nice to be a busy bee in NY and I treated myself after my audition to NEWSIES (first to win the lottery!). I arrived in Philly a few days later and instantly set my room back up to its cozy and cluttered norm. HOME SWEET HOME!
I LOVED NEWSIES!
Then it was time to introduce GREASE to the Walnut Street Theatre, heading straight into tech after a fabulous evening soiree hosted by our producer Ed Satell at his gorgeous home out in the Philly burbs (in which we sang at and were shuttled to in an old fashioned private trolley- a hilarious start to our Philly beginnings). Tech was fast and furious and I really owe it to our stage management team and crew to learn this show without a rehearsal process so quickly- they were all completely new to our show. We also had some changes to make choreographically and musically, adding “Grease is the Word” into our finale fun, and it took a little time to adjust to the new space. At the Riverside, the girls were all in the same dressing room minus our Sandy and Miss Lynch, but now we were all divided, which at first made me sad. This is a comedy troupe of women when all put together in the same room, especially when we are all quick changing together. But I was really happy to share with Tracey Dunn (who I loved sharing a car with in Vero along with Liz Racanelli, our Cha-Cha, and one of the funniest, most down to Earth people I ever met) with the rest of the Pink Ladies next door. Tracey is our adorable Patty Simcox, a real life past Philadelphia Eagles Cheer Captain!, and I cannot tell you how grateful I am to share with her. She is the sweetest, cracks me up on a daily basis, and has become my rock backstage. If you come into our dressing room at 5 to places, we are usually in our skivvies playing the Alphabet game (we are getting good but still always get hung up on X with whatever category) and/or listening to the DIRTY DANCING soundtrack and/or applying Icy Hot all over each other’s bodies. How do you get ready for your show? ;-)
Welcome to Philly: Lobby Superlatives and Cast Head Shots, Mezzanine View of Stage, and Grease Banners that are making Centre City pretty in pink this summer!
At the Walnut, we got to do a week of previews before officially opening to the press and Philadelphia theatre community, which was really valuable as we tried out our new changes and adjusted to the audience reactions, which were incredible. The Walnut’s house is just plain huge, seating over 1000 people, and it feels like Broadway. In all this hubbub, I was getting so jump up and down jittery for opening and for so many friends and family to finally see the show!
My love Andrea Dotto came to previews and was my first friend to see the show!
Getting to have two opening nights as a lady is like getting have to have two sweet sixteens (just add open bars)- getting all dolled up and extravagant to be the belles of the ball (may be even leaving those fake eyelashes on!) as the whole company salutes the collaborative process that helped make the show possible. The Walnut’s was such a dazzling affair in which members of the Riverside staff attended in style! The cast was dressed to the nines yet again and it was so nice to have two of my favorite gentlemen on each arm- Patrick, of course, and my high school bestie/facebook husband of nearly 8 years (not kidding) Mr. Brett Figel before he headed off to his summer theatre gigs. It was such an electrifying night on and off stage that I will admit...ended with 2 am cheesesteaks at Pat’s. Now that is how you do an opening in Philadelphia!
Opening Night Magic with my gentlemen!
Out of the blue before opening, something super sweet happened that helped calm my nerves- I had my first fan messages come in during preview week from my website contact page. These messages deeply touched my heart and reminded me to drop theatre groups and fellow performers a line, if I know them or not, anytime I am moved by their work. One of the subject lines was JUST DON’T STOP PERFORMING! and that just made me melt. Here’s what these fantastic ladies had to say:
You were great in the production of Grease tonight. Congratulations on a job well done. I thoroughly enjoyed your stage presence and skills. You and the entire cast were a big hit! Hope you come to Texas in your performance career! We will watch for you and hope to see you perform again! Blessings, Cindy
I was at the Walnut on Tuesday evening. I LOVED your Jan! She was so vibrant, and very likable. Even during the group dances, I found myself watching your face, and your dancing. Your "Jan" somehow illustrated the entire scenes by her facial expressions and body language..........I enjoyed your performance immensely. I hope to see you again at the Walnut. .....Sincerely, Ruth McDonnell PS GORGEOUS WEBSITE!!!! and adorable pictures
Also during previews and after we opened, Nate Golden and I began teaching workshops and residences called YOU’RE THE ONE THAT I WANT: Learn the Music and Moves of GREASE. I’ve got some videos below of these kids nailing it!
These four girls picked randomly which Pink Lady they would be from character description cards and learned this in about an hour, making their teacher, friend Samantha Joy Pearlman, one proud momma!
Nate and I's Hand Jive Battle at the Walnut Rehearsal Hall
The audio goes a little off, but hilarious! I love the little one behind me!
Pink Lady Workshop
Nate and I's Hand Jive Battle at the Walnut Rehearsal Hall
I got to do another radio interview with my Adolpho, since we were such hits on the air waves in Florida haha, and was featured in the Walnut Newsletter email blast. Here is my full interview that got featured:
1) What is your favorite 1950’s TV show and why?
No brainer- I LOVE LUCY! I watched it on Nick at Nite on Nickelodeon when I was a kid and would laugh my pants off! Lucille Ball is a comedy dream boat and I would always wish I was her best friend Ethel. I just don't think I would ever be able to keep a straight face around Lucy- haha! My favorite TV show that depicts the 1950s is definitely HAPPY DAYS, which I've been watching a lot of to get in the teenager mood and style of GREASE.
2) What is your favorite 1950’s song and why?
"Sh-boom" by the Chords and anything by the Marvelettes. I rock out to stations by them on Pandora all the time. Doo-wop music is my favorite 50s style- the harmonies and clashing (god love the bass in the boys groups), the serenading and fun pursuit of love, and the fact that the rhythms and musicality was mainly all vocally based. Also the back up just sings the most non-sensical lyrics like "who put the bop in the bop shoo-bop shoo-bop" and gets away with it- it created a new language!
3) What is your favorite 1950’s movie and why?
Any of the 50s film musicals like GUYS AND DOLLS and OKLAHOMA...but I got to stay I got hooked on the Gidget series when I looked it up this winter before starting GREASE rehearsals. Rizzo calls Sandy in the show Gidget a lot, or Sandra Dee, which I never knew what that referred to. The GIDGET movies are adorable alla BEACH BLANKET BINGO and I felt like a kid watching them- Sandra Dee is adorable! I also have the biggest crush on Moondoggie, Gidget's love interest!
4) What is your favorite 1950’s fashion trend and why?
Crinoline under dresses to make them flare out! It makes you feel like a princess!
5) What was your team mascot in high school?
The Blue Jays! Three cheers for Middlesex High- You bring the Whisky- I'll bring the rye!....No Joke- that was in our fight song.
6) What is your best high school memory and why?
I loved the band/choir trips we went on and my senior year was just awesome- my whole class just got along and celebrated each other- FINALLY! I played my first lead in a musical that year too with my best friends as the other leading roles and we had a ball. I got nominated by the Paper Mill Rising Star Awards and that is when I started thinking about doing theatre as my career- I just loved messing around with my best friends on stage. OOH but best memory: My best friend Brett and I organized a theatre showcase right before we graduated and staged the scene leading into "Everybody Dance Now" from the movie SUPERSTAR (our favorite SNL inspired film that we quoted to death starring Molly Shannon and Will Ferrel ) with us as Mary Katherine Gallagher and Sky. It was perfect! The audience nearly peed their pants when we started doing the robot.
7) Who was your best high school teacher and why?
I loved all my English Lit teachers because that was my favorite subject, but Mr. Gange, my sophomore year science teacher, takes the cake- I hated Chemistry, but he made it so much fun and could be a stand up comedian if he wanted too!
8) What’s your favorite song from GREASE?
I live for the "Hand Jive!!" Brad Greer as Johnny Casino is singing the bejeezus out of that tune and our feet are flying all over the stage! I also love the duet I'm in called "Mooning" and getting to have such a moment with Adolpho Blaire, who plays Roger- I feel 16 again!
9) Who’s the cooler T-Bird/Burger Palace Boy, Danny or Kenickie and why?
I think Danny is a lady killer, but Kenickie got the wheels! So he wins!
10) Who’s the hippest chick, Rizzo or Sandy and why?
I have to say Rizzo or she'd kill me. Sandy definitely finds her hip though throughout the show!
The South Philly Review, locally referred to as “the paper” by my neighborhood residents that decorates stoops every Thursday delivered, also did a feature on me in their Life Styles Profile! It really is such an honor as a lot of the Philadelphia theatre community call South Philly home (kind of like the Brooklyn or Astoria of NY) and I’ve enjoyed reading write ups on fellow actors, directors, and playwrights in the past. Joseph Myers from the SPR was a terrific interviewer and somehow managed to put together an eloquently worded article from all my enthusiastic ramblings. I’m very grateful!!!!
Now we are nearing the July homestretch of our GREASE experience, doing over 100 performances in total when we end our extension week, and I just can’t believe it. Even though this has been a lengthy contract, it seems to be speeding by and I’m trying to cherish my company, and the amazing feeling it is to have such a stable schedule, as long as I can. I love having 8-show weeks in my life! Especially with such gems of people- this cast and crew means the world to me. I am so happy that so many of friends from all over have made it out to see this show or are still coming as well as my family. My parents have come 3 times always with new guests in attendance, including my 90-year old Pop-Pop (who was confused when watching the show why I wasn’t in “Greased Lighting” hehe), my beautiful Grandmom (who’s laugh I could hear on stage and warmed my soul up and down!), my devoted Aunt Maureen, and many other loyal family friends who are angels to be so supportive of my shows. I got my mom for Mother’s Day a sweatshirt that says “Pink Lady Mom” and my dad for Father’s Day a “Summer Lovin” GREASE towel for all his Jersey shore trips this summer. They are my favorite fans. Lots of my cousins have also been coming out to see GREASE and its been so great reconnecting with them. I have one heck of a family.
.highlights from GREASE thus far.
*The Phillies Game Starring the Pink Ladies and the T-Birds
This was a day I’ll never forget- VIP at my very first Phillies Game!!! We spent the whole day before our evening show June 5th at Citizen’s Bank Park, enjoying America’s favorite past time, dancing with the famous mascot the Phanatic during the 5th and 7th inning stretches (the latter right after Phillies baseball brilliance scoring 4 runs!), taking tons of photo with Phillies fans, and essentially performing and promoting our show to over 30,000 people live. We even got featured on TV! Watch the video featured below!
Phillies Game Collage: Before and After of Stadium, Italian Sausage, and Cast Love
Cutting Rydell High!
Dug Out Dancing! I'm with the Phanatic!
At the old ball game...
*Richard Cerato’s Broadway Debut
During intermission in his sock hop spiffy attire, Richard Cerato, our magical Doody, got the phone call in our backstage stairwell that he had booked SOUL DOCTOR, a new musical going to Broadway this summer! Our whole cast seized him and erupted like a volcano, shedding tears and screaming like crazy as Richard lost it!!!! What a moment we got to share with him!
Richard's Last Show Before Places
The saddest thing was that meant we would have to say good bye to Richard in our cast for he started rehearsals the following week in NY. I miss Richard so much, but really could not be happier for him and can’t wait to see him shine on the Great White Way. Before this all happened though, Richard got featured on Playbill for a photo-spread documenting a 2-show day in GREASE at the Walnut Street Theatre. Its pretty hilarious.
Richard and I use to leg wrestle on lunch at the Riverside- YEAASSSS!
*New Cast Member and Understudies On!
Within our insane 9 show week, we had a total of four understudies and a new Doody, the adorable Will Nash, go on. Theatre madness! Liz Racanelli took over for “Rizzo” for 2 shows with Kerri Rose for “Cha-Cha” and ensemble swings Doug Atkins and Madalyn Czerniak joining our cast as well. I was wowed by these kids and its great to know this show is in such good hands at all times. My understudy Annabelle Garcia, who was coincidently my sublet during Florida, was fantastic in the understudy run alongside of the rest of our understudy cast!
The Understudies Collage: New Superlatives Featuring Will Nash, Liz with her Pink Ladies, "There Are Worst Things I Could Do" Popcorn Support Party from the wings, and Kerri looking hot and ready to win the Hand Jive!
*My Bike
I bought this bike in 2007 when I lived down in LBI while working at the Show Place Ice Cream Parlor and am finally riding it again. I love riding my bike all about Philly and to my performances! It has a bell I love to ding.
*Yankee Doodle Dandy
I won’t say much about this, but Adolpho Blaire, that goofball “Roger" of mine, is going to town in creating a cast video that celebrates Philadelphia and a certain upcoming holiday that may be sort of a big deal in this town. Its going to be a lesson in lip synching. Coming to Youtube July 2013 and will be featured in my next blog!
Exhausted in starfish after filming! ROCKY STEPS!
*Matt Steffens, Associate/Dance Captain, the Movie Star
We also said goodbye to another loved cast member, our fearless leader Matt Steffens (Richie in our ensemble!), who will be involved with an upcoming musical film. So proud of him and can’t wait to see him on the silver screen! Doug Atkins has officially stepped into his role like a pro!
Our Last Night with Matt: He gave each cast member a "Richie Gram," stick figuring his favorite moment of the show with each of us. I got him this necklace to always remember us!
*Saturday Intermission Pic
The dance before “the punch” and the dance after “the punch.” Sonny may or may not spike it.
*More Audience Members Dressed as Pink Ladies and T-Birds!
These little honorary Pink Lady members stole our hearts. Those glasses! Their favorite moment was when Marty dropped her diamond in the macaroni.
*A few more pictures and videos stolen off the Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube!
Frenchy and Jan: The cute as a button Lilly Tobin, who is also a past Whovillian too!
Pink Lady Loves at Riverside Opening: Lilly, Rachel, and the killer Kate Fahrner!
These women mean a great deal to me and I'm so happy to be wearing those iconic jackets with them! BTW: Jan's mom totally made them.
I love my Roger, the rock star Adolpho Blaire! Adolpho's opening night card will come with me to every dressing room from now until the end of time! He's my mooner and nobody else's.
Walnut Street Theatre Promo Videos!!!
GREASE is playing now-July 21st at the Walnut Street Theatre and it really makes my day when I have friends out in the crowd. So get your butts down to Philly before our class of 1959 goes back into the lockers. Check out www.taratag.com to see some production shots and a little press!
.in memory
rip chris roy.
LUCKY STIFF Senior Year HS Musical: Chris is closest to left
While I was in Florida, one of my best friends since I was 8 from home Erin May contacted me to let me know her serious boyfriend and my good friend from middle and high school years, Chris Roy, was diagnosed suddenly with an rare strand of lymphoma cancer. It was jolting news. Chris was the guy in high school who played football, but also had an artistic side doing the school plays, choirs, playing guitar, and painting- an all around nice guy with way too many talents for him to handle. He graduated high school to go on to study architecture and then to become a Marine and had been dating Erin since 2010. Chris and Erin have come to see me in a lot of shows since then- even my NY solo cabaret debut last year!, and we usually would catch up around the holidays in my hometown and keep in touch throughout the year. I loved that they had found each other- they were so happy together and it was a huge comfort to know Erin was in such good care.
I wanted to be there for Erin so bad, so I planned to go home my first Monday off after the Walnut opening (Memorial Day) to go visit Chris, who I had been talking to on Facebook. Unfortunately, I was too late. Chris died on his birthday May 23rd at the age of 26 peacefully in his sleep. It all happened so quick. I was heart broken for Erin, all my friends still so close to Chris, and of course, his family. Going home was really tough, spending the day with Erin and my friend Matt from high school as well, just trying to be there for them because what else can you do or say? I was so inspired by Erin’s strength- no 26 year old should ever have to go through losing the man she loves and who she planned to spend the rest of her life with. I just can’t imagine.
Some of my best high school memories include Chris Roy, being his Jamaican flavored brother in JOSEPH...DREAMCOAT and his off-the-wall Jersey-fied girlfriend in LUCKY STIFF on the MHS stage. He even came to summer theatre camp with me one year and had the best solo in “Kill the Beast!” from our whack Disney medleys- I played a boy in that one too. And man oh man was he a lady killer back then- I think all my girlfriends had crushes on him at one point! My heart hurts when I think about how quickly this charmer was taken away, but I’m so glad he was a part of my life. I wouldn’t want to have grown up with out him. All my love to Erin, Matt, and Chris’ family and friends and huge thanks to members of the GREASE cast for helping me donate money to the Roy family. My parents gave me a his funeral card which I have in my dressing room and I think it says exactly how I’ll remember Chris.
After Glow
I’d like the memory of me to be happy one;
I’d like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I’d like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways;
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sun days.
I’d like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun
Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.
Cpl. Christopher Edward Roy (May 23rd 1987-May 23, 2013)
.wrapping it up...with a little twist.
Sometimes I forget how precious life is and just how blessed I am. Though I may live pay check to pay check sometimes, I have such a good life doing what I love. Patrick is getting ready to leave soon for his Tennessee theatre debut and a Tag family vacation is in the works to go to Nashville and see him come early August, after I finish my second summer with CAMP WALNUT. I’m thrilled to be involved with CAMP WALNUT again, this time as an assistant director to the Development 1 Division, and a teacher of Improv and Dance! These kids better be ready for Second City inspired activities (I’m reading Tina Fey’s BOSSY PANTS right now so watch out!) and yoga stretches to get them going! I hope to spend the rest of August into September making trips to see friends in their summer stocks and regional theatres, going down to New York to take class, and going home to be there for Erin and Matt and spend time with my family. It always feels like I have limited time when I with my family, so I hope I can change that this summer into fall. I’ll call August my time out.
I recently got the news that I’ll be joining DR. SUESS’ HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS National Tour again this year, and I can’t wait to go snuggle back up in Whoville with old and new cast mates, led by this glowing creative team. Christmas came early for me yet again and I am beyond honored to return! We’ll be going all over through New York state, Texas- my first time!, Ohio, and North Carolina.
.tara’s announcement.
Well, I guess this is pretty big news that still equally scares and excites me every time I voice it to a friend or to my family, but here it goes. Take it away blog:
I am officially making the move to New York City: Coming soon early 2014 to an undetermined artsy, yet affordable borough/neighborhood near you. BAHHHHH!
As much as I have felt more and more rooted in Philadelphia and an accepted part of this enthralling theatrical community, it is time for me to give New York a whirl. That boyfriend of mine Patrick and I are diving into our third year together and even though I feel I can write a manual on how to beast long distance all while making the love stronger (hmmmm- any interest in this kind of book?!), we now feel we need to be living together and tackling our dreams in the same city. Its our next step and something our relationship deserves. Besides, my day dreams have always been curious about a future in NY...
When I read my old journals from college, NY is always where I saw myself. It was this massive playground to me back then that I couldn’t wait to call home. I originally saw Philadelphia as a short pit stop after graduation, but it took me by surprise and captured my heart. I am so thankful to Philly for catapulting my career as an actor and teaching artist with the most juicy opportunities a gal could ask for and it has given me the the hardest thing to say goodbye to- some of the most magical wonders of people I have ever met that I consider now best friends and mentors. Two of them I have the pleasure of currently living with in South Philly, another two live just a few blocks down, and another, one who feels like a big sister, is getting ready to take motherhood by storm. It will be hard not to have people like them so close by, but I don’t see this as an end to my love affair with Philadelphia and plan to manage both cities from Philly like the Bolt Bus pro I am. I hope to keep working in Philly despite the move and even see myself eventually ending up here. I know Philly will never let go of my heart!
But I do owe it to myself, as an always hungry and ready for anything actress, and this beautiful relationship I’m in to give New York the green light. After all, it is where all the Broadway magic happens and knowing I can bare witness to that, fills me with warmth and this immediate thrill for what I will discover. I also can’t wait to reconnect with all my college and collected theatre friends throughout the years and mentors whom call NY home (a total ease to my adjustment), find my communities in those ambitious smaller theatre groups, cabaret venues, networking classes, dance schools (yes ballet I see you there- its time to meet again!), and of course yoga studios, and audition with an enormous sea of talent, probably the biggest in any city out there, and just see where it all takes me. The hard worker in me is pretty revved up and I will definitely blog more details about the move when its more set in stone. But I assure you, its happening!
.that's all folks.
Wow- I just covered January-June and am exhausted! There was so much to remember! I’m looking forward to the rest of summer being a relaxing breath of fresh air and for getting my life in gear for tour and this big move. As always though, I have way too much to be thankful for and so much to embrace in my life. Thank you for reading, skimming, or just accidentally clicking on my blog- I appreciate your visit and just you.
See you in the fall!!!!
The Many Faces of Tara Tag
OHHHH PS: I saw ONCE UPON A MATTRESS in Concert (ONE NIGHT ONLY!) starring comedic sassy pants Jackie Hoffman at the Transport Theatre Group in NY this June as a Monday off treat and have marked this as an event (complete with a talk back by legendary composer Mary Rodgers) I’ll never forget. I sat next to original cast members, listened to stories about Carol Burnett, nearly peed from laughing so hard at this ridiculously talented cast, and before I knew it, my burning desire to do this show was lit yet again! Go support this theatre company- they dusted of one my favorite Golden Age gems and approached it as if it were a new piece of theatre! They are getting a new biggest fan when I move.
Okay, I’m officially done. I promise.
