Sets in the city | Laura Freeman Sings!

it's Today (Part deux)

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 23:00:24 -0500

So, after we started rehearsals, we had an audition for a small bit part. Wait for it…I got it! It was this annoying woman who fawned all over Frank Butler, Mrs. Potter-Porter. The best part…on the last performance, I got exit applause! The audience was overwhelmingly happy that I was leaving! Lol.

Best story of the show: At the closing night party, Mandy Patinkin was there. Here is how it went down. Eric came with me to the party and notices Mandy in the corner. He is dying to go up to him and talk. I can tell this is going to be bad. But, he is looking at me so adorably; I think what the hell- what could happen? Mandy is sitting with one of the associate conductors and I wanted to say thanks to him anyway, so I take him to the table. I thank Paul and he introduces me to Patinkin. I then introduce them both to Eric. Eric says, “Mr. Patinkin, I’m a huge fan. I wonder if you would do me a huge favor. Would you say the line while I tape you with my phone?” You know “the line” folks. From The Princess Bride? The prepare to die line?!? Mr. Patinkin graciously says “ah, thanks, ah, no.” Eric is sweet, tells him it’s no big deal and I, dying of embarrassment, push Eric away toward the dip.

I love this man. I was proud that he asked for what he wanted from Patinkin. Happy Mandy handled it so well and ready to get out of there.

What an amazing thing to be on stage with a character again. I’ve missed it. I hope this is the beginning of a new phase, without losing the old performing opportunities. Cause it has been a great year folks, a great year.

it's today (part1)

Sun, 22 Aug 2010 22:31:27 -0500

OMG! After 7 years here in Chicago…I’ve finally gotten cast in my first show! Ok sure, I’m very busy doing the cabaret/concert thing...and I love it! But, this is the first time I’m putting my Equity card to use since I arrived in 2003, not counting the mock trial thingy. And what better show to be cast in than the ensemble of Annie Get Your Gun, staring Patti Lupone, George Hearn and Patrick Cassidy.

Could you just? Plus, Paul Gemignani and Lonnie Price?!? Have I died and gone to theatre heaven?

Now, the show might as well be Camelot, as little as we are on stage, but I’m having a blast getting to know some of the other actors in town and watching them work. I had forgotten how wonderful watching someone else’s process is for me. I love seeing people try new things and suddenly a character develops in front of my eyes. I mean, I love doing that kind of work too! But, this time it’s observing others ply their craft and I am loving it. I could sit and soak up rehearsals all day. So much fun.

blogging on blogging

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 17:19:36 -0500

I’ve never been one to give myself a deadline for writing a blog. Usually, I just write something when the spirit moves me. Lately, I have been reading some great blogs. The writers update them either every day or once a week. I feel a little overwhelmed trying to come up with something fascinating to say every day. Even once a week…and I do a lot of stuff during the week! I am sure I could come up with something, but I am lazy. That’s not true, I am actually quite the go-getter…but, I’m not a very motivated writer. But, oh I love getting up in the morning and looking through my feeds! I pull up a chair and grab a cup of coffee and settle in… for my “friends” to tell me their stories.

Here are a few of the blogs I read:

http://phyllisnewmangreen.blogspot.com/

Phyllis Newman, the wife of the late Adolph Green (of Comden and Green fame) writes a lovely, funny, poignant blog. I love that she writes about old Broadway: opening nights, parties. She also has an interesting perspective on life, one that only a widow of a LONG marriage can have.

http://abillings.livejournal.com/

Alexandra Billings, is a powerhouse performer. She has been in movies, TV, stage. A transplant from Chicago to LA, she has a Midwest sensibility that butts heads with her urban setting. I was lucky enough to see her when she lived here. Her performances were always bright balls of energy, she was sexy and huge and yet so intimate and simple. Her humor on the page is just as honest, heartfelt and contagious. I laugh out loud every time I read an entry. Sometimes she writes about an audition, or an actor she admires, sometimes it’s a paragraph about something that has happened to her recently. Her point of view is all her own, check her out if you don’t believe me!

http://www.playbill.com/playblog/

If you aren’t reading that one…shame on you and you are on the wrong blog. Playbill.com is the website to use to find out everything theatre related. Their blog…gives it to you first! And who doesn’t like to be first?

http://chitheatreaddict.com/

I don’t know this guy. I don’t know how I started reading him, but he is one of those everyday updaters. He has a voice that I find right on topic. We have a very similar way of writing and he has a point of view that I dig. He writes about the theatre scene in Chicago.

http://physicianhealthyself.com/trespasing_with_intent_to_l/

http://winenot69.wordpress.com/

Above are two that don’t get updated as often, but when they do…I love to sit down and read away. The first is the crazy talk/musings of my fella, Eric. The second is a good friend, Heather Moran, who writes about what life is like with a sulfite allergy.

I have ones I read that are very specific to Chicago, to Chicago theatre, to Chicago events, to the gay community, to the cabaret community around the country. It is time consuming. Thank god most of them aren’t updated every day, I would be reading all morning. Maybe, like me you are glad I don’t update too often. Hmmm, I like that. It’s like my sloth is giving us both a break.