https://leavenworthsummertheater.org/
I am beyond thrilled to post that I will be returning to the hills of
Leavenworth Washington to “Sing Once More” in the majestic mountains!
I am honored to have been offered the opportunity to perform the roles of: Maria in The Sound of Music, Marian in The Music Man, and Lily in The Secret Garden.
Last year I was offered the role of Lily in The Secret Garden and I had the honor to understudy Maria in The Sound of Music. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic The Secret Garden was postponed to the summer of 2022. After lots of “praying to the theater Gods” that I would be considered for the role again; I was over the moon when I received this incredible offer.
Three dream roles in one summer, in the fantastical land of Leavenworth, WA. I could just SING with joy!
These roles and characters have been childhood companions, inspirations, and guides. It is an abundance of gifts to be so rich with opportunity. This will truly be a wonderous summer.
I can offer tribute to the beautiful Rebecca Luker who originated the role of Lily and revived the roles of Maria and Marian. I continue to be inspired by the voice, grace, and art of Dame Julie Andrews. These roles, these women, and these productions capture the strength and beauty of strong, beautiful, resilient women and are the standard bearers to all of us who follow!
The shows will be running from July 8th-August 28th!!
https://leavenworthsummertheater.org/Photo includes: (L to R) Top: Meredith Wilson (The Music Man), Rodgers and Hammerstein (The Sound of Music), and Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon Bottom (The Secret Garden) Bottom: Rebecca Luker as Marian, Maria, and Lily.
Above: Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music and Leavenworth Summer Theater
We had a wonderful opening weekend of Man of La Mancha! I am grateful to my fellow cast members and our audience which has made this show and my experience such a critical success (Reviews below).
I am performing the role of Antonia, the distraught niece of Quixote, and am the understudy for Aldonza!
In preparation for this role I read the original text “Don Quixote” (Almost 1000 pages) by Cervantes. The themes could not be more relevant today. The book gave me deeper understanding of the context in which the original character was created!
I look forward to continuing to share this story with more audiences! Man of La Mancha performances are Thursday’s through Sunday’s with additional days and matinees. Tickets can be purchased at https://plazabroadwaylongisland.com .
Join us just outside the city at “Plaza Broadway Long Island” – Nassau County’s only AEA theatre!
Recently I was the recipient, of a grant from the MA Cultural Council. My idea was to put on a entertaining performance, for all ages, while providing an outlet for artists to use their creative juices during the COVID-19 pandemic. I teamed up with the Cultural Council, MMTV, and asked some performers to join me to help create this vision. I chose the month of February (Valentine Month) for Love All Ways to celebrate the message of the universal and limitless language of Love and music. I described this experience as follows,
“We embrace the freedom to reinterpret songs, some of which may be familiar to you, and turning them on their head. We have fallen in love with these songs and are eager to share this new way of hearing and seeing them performed. The musical theatre term for most of what we are performing is “gender bending.” This is interpreting music that is traditionally attributed to male or female identifying characters and/or performers and rendering a more fluid interpretation. We have had a wonderful time singing songs we love and hope you will enjoy the experience as much as we have in assembling it for you. As we navigate through COVID-19 we find our friendships and music carry us through even though we cannot all be together and cannot celebrate in person.
Thank you MMTV, Melrose Cultural Council, and my fellow performers for making this possible, and spreading love and positivity as we navigate through this time. “
After my wonderful experience with Lynn Kao on “Think of Me” I heard of another opportunity to work with her. There was a wonderful creative team and full cast of Into the Woods in the search for a Rapunzel. Immediately I thought, ah yes, a tall, dark, brunette, soprano is just what one wants for Rapunzel. I have always wanted to play Rapunzel, but felt my features would restrict me, but I was wrong. So of course, I submitted and audition.
To my surprise, I was exactly what they were looking for. Finally someone was ready to break the stereotype and they were ready and eager to cast a brunette Rapunzel! The first one!
We filmed throughout MA and NYC, in some of the most gorgeous areas. With all the appropriate COVID-19 PPE, I would sweat through our masks and costumes, but I was just blessed to have another story to tell.
The Summer Institute of the Vocal Arts really taught me about the wonders of film making and movies. That is when my love for movies and story telling in this way grew! Not only do I love to share stories through live theatre, but I love the experience filming it too! That is when it lead me to my next project… a Netflix Film!
After COVID-19 shut down theatres in March 2020 I felt helpless. Where would or could I share the next story? How long do I have to wait?
Just when I thought I could not wait any longer, a teacher reached out to me and expressed her excitement she had recommending me to audition for an international conductor and composer Lynn Kao, for her upcoming film project of excerpts from The Last Five Years. I immediately submitted my audition for her and impatiently waited for her response.
It was like the classic moment from A Chorus Line “God, I hope I get it.”
After what felt like forever, I was delighted to receive an email for Ms. Kao expressing she had loved my audition but had a different film project in mind for me… “What are your thoughts on Phantom of the Opera?” “Heck yeah, Ms. Kao…” or rather, “thank you so much for the opportunity I would be delighted….”
After several meetings, Lynn Kao zoomed in with me, from Germany, directed and conducted me on our collaborated vision of “Think of Me” and we created art! With the help of a tripod, a selfie stick, my cat, my colleague Chandler Sinks, and my oldest sister Tina, the vision had started to become a reality.
When the COVID-19 pandemic began, I needed another stress mechanism, besides my usual of baking. I started doing yoga. I already have a love for and experience with Alexander Technique and I felt yoga would provide me with the opportunity to be able to use the Alexander work as I also find a new sense of self.
I started to do Yoga every other morning, and then it became every day, sometimes before my classes, before bed, or after a run. I started to get very comfortable very fast. Every day I wanted to master a new yoga pose, and the next thing I knew I was on my head in a headstand.
In my vocal lessons I work on body alignment, with a 45 degree curve in my back, it is especially important. I found if I was in a headstand, I had the alignment I searched for in my lessons standing. If I gave into any of the detrimental curves-I would fall. If I moved a part of my neck or jaw forward- I would fall.
I began to sing on my head, not feeling any the tensions I would have standing, because if I did.. I would fall. Initially, I would use a wall to help support me- it was a lot to think about without the wall. But over time I was able to sing like this without the wall (granted the wall did help me stay in it longer, but part of the fun and challenge was to do it without).
The Phantom of the Opera is one of my favorite Musicals. Christine fascinates me and she has a great deal of strength. I knew if I could sing Christine’s music on my head, I could do it anytime. So, of course, I go for the E6 (aka the high note) at the end of the song “The Phantom of the Opera.” Below is the outcome…
