Old lady debut

Tuesday Bloody Tuesday. I had a short day answering phones at Church Pension Group through one of my trusty temp agencies. Being a temp is quite an interesting experience. There's something that really sucks about coming in to work for a company for a day. Somehow I have difficulty learning everything I need to know about the company in the 2 minutes of "training" I get upon arriving at each assignment. I don't know, call me slow.
I went to the gym after my short day then did some serious line studying for my NY Dinner Theater debut. I can't, for the life of me, remember what I did for the rest of that night. Must've been life-changing.
Wednesday morning I went to coffee with my friend Lauren. It was great to see her. After that I bummed around Sephora trying on makeup for a good two hours. I figured I should probably spend some time getting to know the makeup I was selling. ahaha. My face was raw after all that applying and removing makeup.
Wednesday night I went to see "Legally Blonde" (the musical) on Broadway. It was pretty much like the movie with a few minor differences. The understudy for "Elle Woods" (Reese Witherspoon's part) was in that night. She did a nice job. The girl who normally plays the part, Laura Bell Bundy, was nominated for a Tony Award. I can only imagine what kind of pressure that would bring, being her understudy.
The musical itself was funny. I thought it was really entertaining. I mean it obviously wasn't the most powerful and moving thing I'd ever witnessed but I think it brought justice to the new wave of widely criticised movies turned musicals.
I also loved the guy who played "Emmett" (Luke Wilson in the movie). I think his names Christian Boyle. I saw him in Spamalot last summer and he was amazing. He's so funny. I love how natural he is on stage. He did so much with a part in "Legally Blonde" that could easily have fallen flat. He made the audience fall in love with him so when Elle Woods fell in love with him, it was that much sweeter.
Thursday I worked a LONG shift at Sephora. After that I took the express train to my C.S. Lewis reading group where we're studying "Mere Christianity." I'm still learning a lot it's just such heady reading that I find myself getting lost. It's so hard to focus on something for a long time in this city. It feels like life's moving too fast to take time out to comprehend the subject matter. I'm trying though.
Friday I spent the day getting ready for my performance in "Let's Kill the Boss." I studied my lines and otherwise got myself ready. I was so nervous and excited. The show was in New Jersey so the whole cast traveled in one car (6 people) to the site. It was a great bonding time for us. My fellow cast members are hilarious. We ran lines and got to know each other's sense of humor along the way.
We performed for a crowd of about 250 people that night. The audience was great. I'm so glad they were because the interactive part would've been torture had they not. It was a corporate party with a lot of older people so I felt a tinsy bit awkward as I was playing an older woman. I was afraid they'd resent me, playing an old woman.
The show went really well. I didn't forget a single line or any blocking. Yay! The cast, other than myself, had been performing this show together for a long time now so I didn't want to come in and mess them all up. It went off without a hitch. We worked together really well. I'm so lucky to be working with them.
The show's a murder mystery and most of the audience thought I did the murdering. I thought that was hilarious. I didn't, by the way.
We're encouraged to improvise so I walked around to the tables during breaks between acts and that's when the older folks said stuff like: "You're the youngest one in the cast aren't you?" Yes I am, but I responded with some comment about a miracle face cream that makes me look young. I stayed in character although they really enjoyed trying to get me to break. "You have a young face" "Do you use Avon?" "Your osteoporosis really showed." "Don't ruin that pretty face with the sun" ok. Good advice. "Did you study pantomime? You do a good job at it!" (This from a little old man whom I'm pretty sure meant acting. Did you study acting?)
Also, I didn't know I'd bring the house down when I used one lady's walker to exit the stage after the show. I think I filled some Depends with that one. Sorry, that was inappropriate. All this to say that playing an old person for a crowd of old people can actually be a lot of fun. You just have to be careful not to offend.
After the show the whole cast rode back to NYC together. That was a trip. You couldn't pay me to drive in the city. Ok, maybe you could but it would have to be a small fortune.
Alright, my first performance is complete so now I can relax a bit. I got a call from the producer of the NY Dinner Theater telling me she was pleased with my performance. Yay! I get to keep my job! :)
I have another show soon but before then I perform in a different show through the same company. (The Sopranos spoof) That's next week so I'll be rehearsing for that over the next few days.
Saturday I saw the movie "Dan in Real Life" with my friend Annie. We went to the cheap ticket matinee at AMC theaters. I really like the theater we saw the movie in. It was huge and there was a mezzanine level. We sat in the mezzanine level and I think seeing a movie from that vantage point is a better view than the usual orchestra level. Give it a shot if you get the chance.
The movie was adorable. I loved the cast. Steve Carell was just great. He's so easy to like on screen. Well, if you get a chance, see it.
After the movie we ate lunch at some sort of Oodles of Noodles place. Then we went to a bar called "Time Out" and joined other NYC U of O fans for a viewing party of the U of O vs. USC game. There were a bunch of people there supporting the team. Everyone, including me, wore U of O gear and cheered for the Ducks as if we were in Autzen Stadium (loudly). The game was very entertaining. I got so nervous for the Ducks though. There were some close calls but they ended up beating USC 24-17(Holla)!
I met a bunch of Oregonians now living in NYC with a common interest: The Ducks. I can't think of a better way to have spent a rainy Saturday afternoon.
Now I'm enjoying a mocha at Esparks Coffee where they finally have Wifi again. (It was down for 4 painful days). I'm sitting near the window watching grown adults walk by in odd looking Halloween costumes. Just a little premature Halloween partying going on here in Queens. I'll be attending some sort of horror fest(aka lower Manhattan)on the real Halloween. Should be a scary time.
Other festivities planned for Halloween include an appointment to have an Internet connection installed in our apartment. So I will have a more reliable source soon. I look forward to that, not that I don't enjoy Esparks's mochas.

Let's try this again.

Alright, I finally wised up and wrote this entry on my laptop BEFORE I came to the coffee shop. The coffee shop that likes to conveniently close before I’m done writing. Duh. Why didn’t I think of that before?
Let’s see I was writing about playing a prehistoric Italian woman in a 2.5 hour play/improv and how much fun I thought it was going to be. Yah, I’m having fun with that. The cast is a riot. The guy who plays the equivalent to Tony Soprano is straight out of Jersey. He’s great. I’d go so far as to say that James Gandolfini should be this guy’s understudy.
After rehearsal I called my Dad and talked to him as I walked around the Times Square area. We decided to see if there was a live web cam in Times Square that he could see me on from home in Oregon. We found one and he actually could see me. I got to wave at him through the miracle of modern technology. That was fun, I highly recommend it. If you’d like me to wave at you from Times Square give me a call will arrange a meeting time. Haha. No really.
Thursday I got up early and went to work at Sephora. It was a good day. I was there for a LONG time though. My keen sense of observation tells me that they were short people this week. I won’t be working that much in the future. I gots to audition!
Thursday night I went to dinner with my friend Jana and then we went to see a play. We saw Cyrano de Bergerac on Broadway. It starred Kevin Kline as “Cyrano” and Jennifer Garner as “Roxanne.” Kevin Kline was great. He handled the heightened language with such ease. His spot-on comedic timing really shown through in this role. Jennifer had moments of great work but I don’t think she was very consistent. I think she definitely has promise as a stage actor though. The set, costume, and lighting designs were beautiful. It took place in France in about the mid-1700s. I thought it looked very realistic or at least like they’d done their research.
After the play I was a weepy mess. I was moved. Every so often something gets me. Who knows? I thought the play itself was incredible. I think it’s just about my favorite play now. If you get a chance, pick up a copy at your local library. But you don’t have to take my word for it…yes, that was a blatant Reading Rainbow reference.
Jana and I stood outside the stage door after the show. Kevin Kline didn’t come out to greet fans but Jennifer Garner did. She was very gracious and generous with her time. She’s beautiful up close (no surprise). I was too far back in the crowd to meet her but I liked that I could still tell that she was handling fame with grace and poise. She’s a class act. There was no sign of Ben Affleck though. Bummer.
Friday I went to the gym, did some laundry, and picked up ANOTHER can of paint. Last one I hope. I went back to my apartment and painted for about 8 solid hours. I realize that that sounds like a bit much but I had to use about 3-3.5 coats of primer and actual paint. My walls suck. My freakin’ walls are finally covered. Now I gotta get the grey smoke stained ceiling. AAAHH!! Damn cancer sticks.
Saturday I woke up early and did a tiny bit more painting and then grabbed lunch with my friend Annie. We hit up the CPK. That’s California Pizza Kitchen for the layman. It was tasty.
After that, I’ll be honest, I bought another can of paint. We’re on a first name basis at Home Depot these days. This time I bought ceiling paint. I’m sadly ashamed that I need so much stinking paint. I didn’t go directly to my apartment to paint this time though.
I had a rehearsal with my director to go through my blocking for “The Soapranos.”
After we went through the show I went to Long Island to watch a performance of the same show. The shows I’m joining the cast of are already playing in sort of an ongoing engagement. I’m just replacing actors so there is already a set cast I get to join.
The show was very entertaining. I liked what the gal did who plays the part I will be taking over. I’m excited to put my own spin on it though. I don’t really know how to describe the show but I’ll put it this way: dinner theatre + fun audience members + alcohol= one crazy night. I’m really stoked about this opportunity. I’m gonna have some fun. I start with the cast on November 3.
After the show Saturday night I took the train back to Manhattan. In the LIRR station I ran into Rob from the MTV show Rob and Big. I recognized him as I was walking by him. He was with a crowd of people and it looked like he was rushing to catch a train so I didn’t get to talk to him. I really wanted to though. I love that show. He and “Big” are unbearably funny.
Sunday morning I went to church. My friend Courtney from college came with me. I was really happy she wanted to come with me. She met some of my friends from church and I hope she’ll come back again.
Sunday afternoon I went to work. I had my first day as a “Color Consultant.” Which is Sephora talk for “makeup artist.” Considering that I had zero training on Sephora brands I think I handled things quite well. My co-workers complimented me on how well I handled clients and answered questions. It was actually really fun. While I don’t know half of what I need to know there, I feel like I know enough for a good starting point.
Sunday night after work my new roommate Lebeka moved in! She's a really nice girl that I get along with swimmingly. So now our apartment is complete. There are three of us and we're like a little family. We're having fun turning our cozy little apartment into a home.
Monday I worked at Sephora for 8 hours. I went to the gym after that then went home and crashed.
Alright, NOW I'm up to date!

Where was I...

I'm back in what's quickly becoming my favorite little hang out. Because my living room has no furniture and I currently sleep on a borrowed air mattress, coming to the comfy couches of the Eparks Cafe is the highlight of my evening. One tall hot coco and I'm a happy little internet surfer. I have no shame.
Did you know that if you're on a community wifi account(wireless free internet)and you have iTunes, you can listen to other people's iTunes music libraries(that are on the same wifi account)? I just discovered this and I'm enjoying someone else's extensive music library. It's awesome! And free. It is a bit distracting from the task at hand, however. I really need to get this thing up to date.
Ok where was I? I believe I just left the Salvation Army on Monday afternoon. Monday evening I went to my first rehearsal for the New York Dinner Theater. I went to my director's house and we sat and talked through the show. I'll only have one rehearsal with (almost) the whole cast so we thought it'd be good to meet up and discuss my blocking. It was a very productive first meeting and I felt better prepared for my short rehearsal schedule.
Tuesday morning I went to my second day of Sephora training. Again we met at Sephora University on 34th. ahaha.
It was a very informative 8 hour day complete with role playing and free lunch. I liked the role plays. I got to play the part of various customers and, of course, Sephora "cast member." We learned all about Sephora and I love how much confidence all this training is giving me. I would hate to sell cosmetics at a company I didn't like. I really feel like they take care of their employees. That's refreshing.
After the day at training I took a train to Long Island (via LIRR) where we where rehearsing. At the train station the producer picked me and some other cast members up and took us to the theater. The theatre was in a rural area with a good old American strip mall. It had been a while since I was anywhere rural. I also managed to look up at the sky and see the stars. It was like coming out of a cave after hibernation. With the all the huge buildings and hustle of the city you forget to look up and see the sky. I took a moment to enjoy what so many take for granted: a view of the stars.
I met my fellow cast members for "Let's Kill the Boss." I'll be joining them in a performance next weekend. They are hilarious and really wonderful. They made me feel right at home. They also made me feel more comfortable. I do, after all, have to memorize the blocking and lines for an entire play in one week. I also get to perform after just one quick, basic rehearsal. Instead of having a panic attack (because what would that accomplish after all?), I feel safe in the company of this great cast.
We rehearsed in, well, I'd call it an adult Chuck E' Cheese. It was a "Dave & Busters." Great space to perform in though. There were pool tables, bowling lanes, dancing, video games, and all sorts of fun stuff to do. Since it was a Monday night it was a little slow. I didn't really notice, I promise, I was rehearsing.
The producer bought us all some grub and drinks and we all had a fun, crazy rehearsal. I hope to GOD I'm ready by next Friday.
On the train ride home I had a hilarious discussion on the best comedies of all time. It was a heated debate. Not really, we just laughed a lot and quoted our favorite comedians. All the more reason to love the cast, we can talk forever about funny movies. Good times.
Wednesday I had my last day of training at SU. We had cashier training. I learned all about how Sephora cash registers work. I discovered that the only thing I won't enjoy is processing product returns. They are a pain with a giant paper trail. Nightmare.
After the training, I called my store and asked what my schedule would be like for the next week as I was now done training. When I finally got through to someone they asked me to come in right then. "Right now? Uh, I don't..have...my...uniform," I was caught a little off guard. But I hopped the train and went to work. I just jumped right in as it was BUSY and they needed extra hands. I had fun. I think I did pretty well too. It was all that good training, I'm telling you.
After work I went to another rehearsal for NY Dinner Theater. This time it was for the Sopranos spoof. It was a whole new cast of fun people. We played improv games and read through the script. It's going to be easier than the murder mystery ("Let's Kill the Boss"). I have fewer lines in this one and I get to improv most of the time. I love it, improv as an old-as-dirt Italian woman. This is going to be too fun!

Dang it! The coffee shop's closing. To be continued...again...