IT WASN’T MISERABLE………

Last night Tom and I went to see the new stage adaptation of “Misery” with Laurie Metcalf and Bruce Willis and I can honestly say it wasn’t miserable. I have to applaud the producers for their courage in staging a thriller for the Broadway stage. It hasn’t been done  in a LONG time and it is a difficult genre to pull off, especially in live theater. We all like to get scared, but it seems easier on film with dramatic lighting, a spooky score and not knowing who or what is around the corner or on the telephone extension “in the house”. And while this production did have all of that it tends to be a bit clunky on stage.

Now don’t get me wrong, there were a couple of moments where I actually screamed like a girl. But, in taking a film such as “Misery”, that was brilliantly performed with deadpan humor and steely fright by Kathy Bates, I wonder, are we scared of what we know is coming? And is it the memory of the film that makes us scream or what the actors are actually doing on stage. A couple of other Broadway shows fall into this category, the much anticipated flop “Young Frankenstein the Musical” and “Roman Holiday”. In “Young Frankenstein” I kept thinking am I laughing at what I am seeing on stage or my vivid memories of the film? And with “Roman Holiday”, also a musical, I just say WHY??? Such an iconic film and the entire audience was waiting for Audrey Hepburn to come out on stage.

All of the heavy lifting, literally, was done by Ms. Metcalf. Her Annie Wilkes was nurturing, funny and off the charts unstable. Usually when we are scared, or nervous or uncomfortable what do we tend to do? Laugh. But the humor in her Annie was deadpan funny and well placed. The one territory that she only skimmed the surface of was threatening. Her moments on stage were welcomed, as a matter of fact when she left the stage the production literally stopped cold. (Read between the lines Mr. Willis)

I also want to applaud the stage craft which was impeccable and truly well done, I don’t want to get into the specifics because they would be HUGE spoilers. I also thought the set was brilliant, which sometimes is my code for they play was a flop, but not so much here. To craft a full house on stage, on a turntable and structure the house so the entrances and exits and the rooms all functioned like an actual house was refreshing.

I would recommend seeing this production not only for Ms. Metcalf’s outstanding performance (come to think of it I haven’t seen her in a bad turn on stage yet) but to experience something on stage that isn’t rapping or tapping you into a frenzy.

THE SURVIVAL JOB

Every actor has or had a “survival job.” And these jobs vary from nanny to receptionist, sales girl to tutor and to the ultimate cliche – waiter. Read More

CLOSE BUT …………

Actually I should say “the closest I’ve ever come!” This has been an extremely challenging and rewarding month and I just wanted to share this experience with you all to prove that it all actually happened and how I can use this experience in the future.

We all now use and or subscribe to some of the MANY on-line casting networks and we often don’t hear how some of those submissions can come (almost) full circle. Well this was my journey. I submitted myself on Casting Networks to be a full-time host on HSN. It was a self-tapped submission and after talking with the casting director  I learned he received well over 500 submissions. OH the brilliance of technology!! All you have to do is “click”. Well my click got me a callback in Orlando, FL.

The first lesson is you have to be “in the room” if you want anything, so I got “in the room” Luckily there were 4 people from HSN in the room. Even though they called it a callback it felt like a first audition. Proof that being in the room works, I then got the call from the “mother ship” inviting me down to the HSN campus and studios for a full day of auditions and meetings.

Let me tell you they put us through our paces, and in a good way. We were sent 8 different products to research and become familiar with, everything from jewelry to cookware and electronics. We were in one of the kitchen studios, which I recognized from binge watching HSN every day for 2 weeks. I stood before 5 cameras for different 2 shots, close-ups, product close-ups and guest close-ups, they mic’d me and gave me an ear piece so while focusing on my products, which camera to look at and having a little voice in my head counting me down and directing me, I kept myself calm and focused, and kept thinking “Eyes Judy, EYES” (that’s a weird reference from “Me and My Shadow” when Busby Berkley chews out a young Judy Garland) ANYWAY it was terrifying and exciting all at the same time!

They also had a dynamite Life Style coach giving us feedback and “tough love” and she was an invaluable asset, she helped me find my “voice”.

Now I don’t want to bury the lead, but I am writing this on the day that I was “released” from consideration. And while I am very disappointed and I may be down but I am certainly not OUT!! This is what we do and keep doing. Be in the room! Give it all you’ve got! We don’t know what the universe has in store for us, but we sure as hell gotta put ourselves out there to be in it!