 |
 Bound
For Broadway
ERIN JAMES joins the
AussieTheatre.com team to give us a special diary insight into her time in New York as
part of the Bound For Broadway scholarship...
June 3: Here I am again, sipping
coffee and clicking away at the keys. Only this time, I’m not drinking from a plastic
cup at Starbucks, but my own mug in my lounge room in Australia! Although we landed in
Sydney this morning (Sunday… where has my weekend gone??), my feet haven’t
really touched the ground, and I’m struggling to believe the trip has come to an
end…
We had a few things to do on Friday before heading to JFK airport, like enjoying the
summer weather and finding last minute souvenirs (I’m devastated to report I
didn’t get the I heart New York T-Shirt I had my eye on due to sizing issues: Devo).
I’m glad I spent time outdoors during the day, as the next time we saw sunlight was
29 hours later in Sydney.
The first leg of our homeward journey, a 5.5 hour flight to Los Angeles, turned into a 10
hour debacle. 4.5 of those hours were spent WAITING to take off at JFK, the plane not
moving and no option to disembark! 4.5 hours is a long, long time to be sitting still with
no food and drink carts available, and no knowledge of the reason for the delay. Although
a very vague report about severe weather was broadcast over the PA, we really had no idea.
As it turns out, we were actually in the middle of a major terrorist operation trying to
blow up the fuel lines, which was foiled by the FEDS! I can’t believe we were sitting
on the tarmac while the FBI were working to save the day (A real life “Jack
Bauer” might have been just meters from me, and I will never know!)
I’m glad they didn’t tell us about it while we were sitting waiting, or there
would have been chaos on the plane! I was quite happy to be angry with Mother Nature for
conjuring up a nasty storm and delaying us thank you very much. Rather not think about the
alternative, actually.
Other than that, the rest of the journey was as expected: LONG. But it was worth it to see
the skyline of Sydney as we flew into Kingsford Smith and to hear everyone greet me in
Australian accents!
I have come back home so inspired by what I have seen and done in New York. I have seen
more theatre, met more people and learnt a whole lot more than I dreamed I could in such a
short period. I can’t wait till next time!! My relationship with the city that never
sleeps is far from over. This trip was my first date, and I made it to first base.
I’ll let you know how the romance works out.
So I’d like to thank everyone who has made their way to this page and read about my
journey on the TDP Bound for Broadway scholarship. The last few weeks have been simply
wonderful and I am so lucky to have been given this opportunity to share my experiences!
Thanks Troy and AussieTheatre, my fellow travellers Lucy Maunder and Kirby Burgess, Mazy
Lopez, Talent Development Project, Michael Kerker from ASCAP and the host of people who
have taught me, guided me and helped me along my way (and Mum, Dad and the rest of my
family of course.. who are always glad to know I’m home safe. So stop worrying!)
Thanks for reading! I’ve had a ball!
  
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June 1: I just can’t believe my time here is almost over. We leave
tomorrow night, and there are still so many things I want to do…
But I won’t talk about that! How dull! Let me tell you about the last 2 days…
Lucy, Kirby and myself were all awake bright and early Wednesday morning and found
ourselves pacing around the apartment, singing, fretting, preparing and generally just
fussing for several hours. Our showcase at Don’t Tell Mama, a famous New York cabaret
venue was in the afternoon, and the day seemed to pass so slowly. I think I held my breath
in anticipation all morning. But the show ran smoothly and I am breathing a little easier
with the knowledge it’s over and was well received. I’m still getting over the
guest list for our show, which included John Bucchino, Zina Goldrich, and various well
respected critics and cabaret performers from around New York. Some of the audience were
asked to make notes on our performances to give us feed back later on. It will be
wonderful to hear the thoughts of a few different masters!
Each of us performed 5 songs in a cabaret style set, so the show was about an hour long.
My set list included The Alto’s Lament and an Alan Menken/Dean Pitchford song called
Sailing On (a new addition to my repertoire). Michael Kerker, (director of Musical Theatre
at ASCAP) was very complimentary towards all 3 of us. I’m so happy to have had this
wonderful opportunity!
I was lucky enough to listen to a new concept album of the musical A Tale of Two Cities
which is being produced in Florida later this year. I imagine this will be a show of epic
proportion! (watch this space!).
An unexpected surprise today was a phone call from Craig Carnelia to our apartment land
line to ‘check in’ and ask how we fared in the showcase yesterday (he
wasn’t able to attend due to prior commitments). He also gave each of us a copy of
his songbook. I am constantly overwhelmed by the generosity of the people we have been
working with. They have all been wonderfully accommodating and extremely supportive.
I’ve just come home from my last night at the theatre, after seeing The Drowsy
Chaperone at the Marquis Theatre. A wonderful show to top of a wonderful month! It was
faced paced, hilarious, moving and such a spectacle! I particularly liked the narrator and
the woman who played the chaperone. (Her number was a showstopper!). Next to us in the
theatre tonight was Christine Lavin (singer/composer), who we met the other night at
Birdland. Lucy actually sang one of Christine’s songs in the showcase. She mentioned
in passing that she has seen The Drowsy Chaperone 30-something times!
So now, I’m about to pack my oversized suitcase full of Playbills, tickets, music,
CDs and everything else I lugged over here… I hope I can lift it come time to leave!
It’s been wonderful over here in the big apple. I can’t wait to come back again!
I heart NY!
Here’s hoping. Keep your fingers crossed for us all!
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May 29: Another weekend of theatre mania here in the Big Apple, I am still
getting over the events of the past 4 days, so forgive me if this comes out as a stream of
consciousness. I just can’t type fast enough!!
SPAMALOT!
As soon as I’d finished the last entry, I headed to Times Square and bought a
standing room ticket to Spamalot. I knew I would love this show and had no
problems standing up to watch it! It was as silly and funny and crazy as I had imagined,
and I was very impressed with the performances, although I thought King Arthur was holding
back a little. The script is almost exactly the same as the film, though the man beside me
quipped “I’m disappointed the swamp scene was cut from the musical”. I
think he loved it all the same!!
GREY GARDENS
That night I saw Grey Gardens, a new musical about the family of Jacqueline
Bouvier Kennedy Onassis and the house ‘Grey Gardens’, an old 28 room mansion in
East Hampton, New York. The musical is based loosely on the 1975 documentary of the same
title. I LOVED IT! Very, very different in style to Spamalot (obviously), but
very moving and very funny at the same time. Christine Ebersole is stunning as Edith Snr
(act 1) and even more wonderful as Edie Jnr (act 2). I hope she wins the TONY!
CORAM BOY
Coram Boy, a British play, is probably one of the best pieces of theatre I have
seen in ages. Lucy and I were lucky enough to get comp tickets to the closing night, and
we were seated in the 2nd row! The leading girl (who actually played 2 boys – a 14
year old and an 8 year old) was spectacular. Her voice, her characterisation, and her
singing were perfect. The play revolves around music, and choristers from a Cathedral
choir, and all the females play young males with ‘boy soprano’ treble voices.
The sound they produced was beautiful and pure. I honestly can’t write enough good
things about this show (which is more than can be said for the New York critics it seems),
but I don’t know how to write about it without writing an essay. So I will leave it
at that, with my fingers crossed that somehow it might come to Australia!
COMPANY
Raul Esparza is wonderful as Bobby! I loved his performance. He is so natural and relaxed
and so easy to empathise with. Brilliant! All the cast played instruments so they
orchestrated the show as well as sang and acted (which was a little distracting at times,
but still very clever). Joanne’s triangle/martini glass was a particular
highlight… I am so glad I saw it (and I got a last minute rush ticket). Ahhh,
Broadway.
There are so many other shows I wanted to see, but I simply don’t have enough time
left! Oh well, I suppose I’ll just have to come back again soon.
LULLABY OF BIRDLAND…
…So. Here’s the thing…Every Monday Birdland hosts an open mic night called
Cast Party, where Broadway performers and cabaret artists come to perform for those late
night eaters at the club. After dinner and a show by Melissa, Lucy, Kirby and I decided to
stay for the open mic session. Well, one thing led to another, so to speak, and suddenly
we found ourselves ON STAGE…SINGING impromptu at the Cast Party! My Broadway debut!!
Besides the thrill of being able to sing solo at Birdland, there were some notable people
in the audience. One was Michael Feinstein (gasp!), and there were several critics,
writers and high profile musicians too. Our pianist was fabulous (he played all our
numbers with no music and no rehearsal) as was the double bassist! Definitely a
highlight!!
Melissa Erico is a music theatre performer and has been in several Broadway productions
including the revival of My Fair Lady. Her most recent projects have been looking after
her 1 year old daughter and recording a lullaby album. Last night (Monday) we had dinner
at Birdland and then watched her jazz/lullaby show. How apt! Her warmth is just lovely on
stage and she has a gorgeous voice. I could have listened to her for hours!
I also rehearsed with Chris Marlowe yesterday, and am now stressing myself into a stupor
about tomorrow’s cabaret at Don’t Tell Mama. I am less nervous about it now,
having already sung here once at Birdland. But only marginally less!!
Here’s hoping. Keep your fingers crossed for us all!
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May 27: Saturday Morning and right now, although it’s a gorgeous
sunny day, I am quite happy to be sitting in Starbucks, my home away from home, to get out
of the 81 degree (32 C) heat outside. I can’t believe it can go from 6 degrees last
week to 32 degrees this week! Crazy town! The locals are all getting ready to pack up and
leave for the summer, as it can get quite hot here apparently.
Last time I wrote I mentioned the ASCAP workshops I attended briefly. (ASCAP = American
Society of Composers Authors and Publishers). On Tuesday and Thursday nights we watched
performances of selected new musicals in the ASCAP workshops, directed by Stephen
Schwartz. Each creative team were given 40-45 minutes to present a consecutive section of
their musical to the room. Some chose the first 40 minutes, some gave a brief synopsis of
the first 20 minutes and performed the next 40 up to the Act I curtain. Watching the new
musicals come off the page was very exciting. The three we saw were “The Unauthorised
Biography of Samantha Brown”, “Out of the Blue” and “Snow”. My
favourite of the 3 was “Snow”…so look out for it in the next few years,
folks!
 There
were several different professionals critiquing the shows: Stephen Flaherty (wrote Once
on this Island, Seussical, Anastasia [film] and Ragtime) David Zippel (wrote
the lyrics to Hercules, Mulan and Woman in White) Craig Carnelia (Is
there Life After High School) Stephen Schwartz (Pippin, Wicked, Godspell…).
One thing I found amazing was the concise feedback each member of the panel was able to
give, in such a short amount of time. Everyone was direct, to the point and described what
everyone else in the room was thinking, but in 50 words or less. I guess that’s why
they’re the professionals!
Yesterday we were lucky enough to have a 3 hour masterclass with Craig Carnelia to work on
our music and to talk about interpretation. He is such a generous teacher, and I feel so
incredibly lucky to have been given the opportunity to work with him. He was all about us,
and our thoughts, and how we felt about the songs we were workshopping. He’d ask us
questions about ourselves to get us thinking about something in our lives, then he’d
tell the pianist to play and we’d be right in the moment. It’s such a clever
technique. His people skills are amazing. It’s so easy to talk to him and he makes
you feel special and confident while challenging you and pushing you to achieve higher all
at the same time! It was certainly a highlight of the trip so far!
Last night Kirby and I saw A Chorus Line (we won the lottery and got $20 seats in
the front row). An old friend of mine from Newcastle, Grant Turner, is in the company and
we met up after the show. I haven’t seen him for more than 10 years, but we
recognised each other instantly! I was so proud to know someone in the show! The other
cast members were fantastic, and the energy of the show was unstoppable. Two hours without
an interval must really take it out of you every night, but by the time finale came around
(“one”), they didn’t even look tired!! The set design for the show was
minimal but wonderful and the lighting design was superb. Ohhh, I want to be in that show!
So, that’s all for this Saturday, but there will be plenty more to talk about next
week!
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May 24: After a quick late-night stop to the Apple World on 5th ave (yes,
they are open 24/7 for Mac technical support all year round!) my computer is back on
track, and I’m ready to fill you in on this week’s excitement so far…
Craig Carnelia is a genius. Just like to put that out there. His masterclass on Monday (a
weekly event for the 10 lucky students he has on a regular basis) was 4 hours of GOLD.
Listening to and watching current Broadway Performers sing in a masterclass situation was
wonderful in itself, but Craig’s constructive criticism was just sensational. His
insight into each piece performed (by a myriad of composers like William Finn, Sondheim,
Jason Robert Brown) was astounding, and his ability to communicate ideas and suggestions
succinctly and in a motivational way never faltered. I am looking forward to our private
coaching with him on Friday this week. I know I will have a lot to take away from the
class, it’s just a case of applying it to my work!
Lucy and I saw an off-Broadway musical called Altar Boyz on Monday night, and I
am so glad we did. It was silly, crazy, and it had some very funny moments. I really
enjoyed myself! The story revolves around 5 boys who form a Christian Pop boy band, (4
young church choristers and a token Jew who is allowed in the group, as he is their
lyricist). The book is not fabulous, but I thought the show was great none the less,
largely thanks to the choreography and the vocal arrangements.
I’ve just come from a special screening of a documentary made about Jerry Herman (Hello
Dolly, Mack and Mabel, La Cage Aux Folles, Mame) and a function afterwards at the
92nd Street Y. The girls and I were lucky enough to meet him and get a photo with him too.
We also met Stephen Flaherty (composer: Once on this Island) and Barbara Cook (from the
concert production of Follies). The documentary was really wonderful and has taken about 5
years in all to put it together. Jerry held a question and answer session after the
screening, and I felt so privileged to be sitting in the auditorium (in the 2nd row!)
listening to this great master speak!
Will write about the ASCAP workshops in my next entry, as there is so much to tell…
and I haven’t even seen the 2nd one yet!
---
May 22: Seeing 9 shows in a week is certainly an achievement! I’m not
sure if it’s a record but it’s got to be close! We have had more sleep this week
(thankfully!) and there have been no major disasters that I know of… although Lucy
and I did encounter a naked cowboy in times square… (this place is CRAZY!)
So, let me tell you about some of the shows I have seen. (I am such a lucky girl!)
FRIDAY NIGHT
We saw the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, and we laughed so hard our
sides ached. The cast is new, most having started on Broadway only a few weeks ago, and
the show was fresh and vibrant and really touching. The audience participation was
hysterical and everyone had a ball.
SATURDAY NIGHT
After a walk in the rain to 54th street and Broadway, (seriously, not an umbrella vendor
in sight!!) I saw 110 in the Shade starring Audra McDonald with a friend from
Newcastle at Studio 54. Audra was stunning as Lizzie and the whole production was really
well done. Very simple and stylish. I could sit an watch Audra for hours, she is just so
engaging. The theatre is actually the infamous night club of the same name, but it has
been transformed into a 900 seat theatre. It’s just gorgeous and very fun! (the
carpet is leopard print… need I say more?)
That evening Lucy, Kirby and I were lucky enough to see Andrea Marcovicci at the Algonquin
Hotel for a late night show (starting at 11:30pm). The cabaret was “By Request”,
and she had a booklet on the table with the HUNDREDS of songs she has sung over her 20
year careers that we could choose from and drop in her top hat. She is renowned as one of
the greatest cabaret performers, and after watching her show, I can see why. Her people
skills are incredible. In a room like the Oak Room, where she was playing, half of her
audience is behind her, and yet she still seems to make every person in the room feel
special and involved. She was so relaxed and talkative and absolutely wonderful! We met
her after the show, she signed our tickets and I felt like I was talking to royalty.
(swoon)
SUNDAY
Kirby, Lucy, Alex Lewis and myself took off to see Love Musik Sunday afternoon.
The story is based around the relationship between composer Kurt Weil and the sultry
chanteuse Lotte Lenya. Broadway veterans Michael Cerveris and Donna Murphy starred in the
production and while I enjoyed their performances I really wasn’t sure about the show
as a whole. It’s strange really – to enjoy individual performances and not
particularly like the show. I think it felt a bit clunky for my liking. But the music is
wonderful, and the singing is excellent. I’m very glad I saw the show, but I
don’t know if I’d go back for seconds
Avenue Q was the final show for the week, and I am so glad we saw it last! I came
home feeling wonderful and grinning from ear to ear. The puppetry really is so clever and
the characters are all spectacular. It’s such a well written show and very well
executed. What a weekend!!
So, now I am off to a workshop with Craig Carnelia for the afternoon and hopefully will
see another show tonight. So much culture! I’ll check in again soon.
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May 20: What a crazy week! I can’t believe how much has
happened since the last time I had a chance to sit down and write. I’m exhausted just
remembering the chaos we have experienced over the last few days!
We flew to Washington DC to attend a special performance/interview with Alan and Marilyn
Bergman, the lyricists who penned songs like Windmills of Your Mind, The Way We Were, You
Don’t Bring Me Flowers and the movie Yentl. Alan sang some of the material
himself at the concert, which was very special! I cried when he sang The Way We Were and
the final scene from the film played at the same time.
We also saw a production of Songs for a New World which was Musically Directed by
the composer, Jason Robert Brown. He played the piano for the show and lead a fantastic
band. His playing is virtuosic! I could hardly take my eyes away from his hands! The other
performances in the show were spectacular too: Tituss Burgess’ King of the World and
Alice Ripley’s Flagmaker 1775 were definitely highlights!
Back in New York Thursday, and my first ‘Broadway’ experience was at the
Nederlander theatre on 41st street, where I saw Rent. I scored a $20 front row
seat, half an hour before the show started and LOVED every minute of the show. It was so
real and human, funny and moving and fabulously sung! The man who played Mark, Matt
Caplan, was terrific and the entire cast was so strong!
I am now sitting in the Starbucks on 35th and 5th (our home away from home, it seems..)
after my first meeting with Michael Kerker, Director of ASCAP’s Music Theatre
Division. (American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers). We spent 3 hours with
him in his office talking about the workshops we are attending, repertoire, composers and
coaching sessions. It was such a surreal experience, listening to him talk about Zina and
Marcy (Goldrich and Heisler: composers of the Alto’s Lament, and Taylor, the Latte
Boy), Craig (Carnelia), Steven (Schwartz) and listening to him calling them all up on the
phone.
The three of us were lucky enough to secure a private coaching session with Craig
Carnelia, and the opportunity to see him conduct a workshop next week. We also will be
involved in the workshops conducted by Stephen Schwartz. (I’m still awaiting
confirmation on a session with Zina and Marcy). I’m floating!
---
May 14: 21 hours of flying. Qantas Movies on Demand. (Razzle
Dazzle is great, by the way), a video diary and some quality time in the Los Angeles
VIP QANTAS lounge… Very exciting beginning to what will hopefully be a fantastic few
weeks.
It’s amazing how fast a 21 hour flight goes when you can choose from a hundred films
on demand, the food keeps coming, and champagne at altitude knocks you for 6 (even better
when, upon arrival in LA, a kindly airport employee takes a liking to one of my travelling
partners and puts all 3 of us into the VIP lounge and gives us free food and drink!)
Nothing beats the feeling when you land in New York and see the city for the first time in
the twilight. It’s very difficult to describe the feeling I experienced as we drove
into this amazing city. Awe, wonder, excitement, amazement mixed with delirium (and
Valerian) I suppose is encapsulated in the word “WOW!!”
The apartment we are staying in is on Madison Avenue and is simply gorgeous! I feel right
at home in this building, (with a doorman!) and everyone we have met so far has been so
lovely. That is, once they have stopped us and asked if we ‘speak English’ and
apologising profusely when they realise they are actually talking to
“ORST-RAIL-YANS’. Ha ha! We must sound so strange to them!
We are right in the hub of town… A 5 minute walk to Times Square this evening was the
highlight so far. The lights are breathtaking and there are so many shows to see, I wonder
how on earth I’m going to afford to see all the ones I would love to see. I suppose
I’ll have to rationalise…
Wicked, Hairspray, Avenue Q, The Spring Awakening, The Colour Purple, The Drowsy
Chaperone, RENT, Spamalot, Legally Blonde, A Chorus Line… That’s about ¼
of my wish list. Hoping to see Kristen Chenoweth and Ruthie Henshall in a show Monday
night called Stairway to Paradise and will be seeing Songs for A New World
in Washington Wednesday night with Jason Robert Brown as Musical Director and playing
piano for the show. I am going bananas with excitement about this amazing trip. I
can’t wait for tomorrow, and the next day and the next.
So, now it’s 8:30 am Monday morning and jet lag has stopped me from sleeping all
night… (not for lack of trying though). I’m at a Starbucks on 5th Ave and East
37th street), and I’m about to email this little rambling. I hope it’s coherent.
I certainly don’t feel awake enough to write a structured sentence, but here’s
hoping!
Don't
forget you can also follow Lucy Maunder's time in New York as part of Bound for Broadway
through her regular Thursday column. |
