Amazing, amazing, amazing...

So I saw the Broadway production of Jersey Boys tonight...more on that later.

To catch you all up, we are now on week two of rehearsal. In the past few days, we have gotten through page 49 for Act One blocking (78 pages in Act One). I have also learned how to play mandolin (for the pizza parlor scene - a big "thank you" to our tour guitarist, Brian, for showing me how), I have had my first costume fitting (11 costumes total for the show - not including accessories and wigs), and have been put into "Short Shorts" and "Ape" (play the right guitar chords as I hit the right dance steps and sing the right lyrics). And I also got my first paycheck and I'm still amazed I get paid for doing this!

It has been a whirlwind. The JB Factory continues to run. Des (director), Sergio (choreographer) and Ron (music director) and all their amazing assistants keep us all in line with little notes and hints and suggestions and it's wonderful to see everyone focused and willing to take risks with their choices. And it seems every day we meet more people that are going to be involved with the production (our bassist and guitarist showed up monday and will be here for the duration of the rehearsal process).

Yesterday, we blocked the scene where the Four Seasons sing together ("Cry For Me"). To see that simple scene come together and to hear our four leads sing together and interact was a really amazing. Erich Bergen (plays Bob Gaudio) led the number and as each one of the Seasons pulls to the piano, it really came together as a "group", you know? Sure, the blocking was a little rough and the harmonies not yet spot-on...but it was seeing them come together that really stirred something in me...

Now then...the Broadway show.

Let me put it this way. It never really hit me that I was in this huge tour...that I landed this great gig. It didn't really hit me when I first got to NYC. Not when I started the first day of rehearsal. Not when I learned my first vocal part. Not when I got my first paycheck. But sitting there, and watching them break into "Sherry" tonight on stage and hear the audience cheer...it hit me.

I loved the show. I laughed, I sang along, I cried...but more than anything it was the pride of being involved with this amazing piece of theatre that made me finally realize that I am now a part of this.

That should do it for now...I'm exhausted.

Dramaturgy, music parts, dancing...oh my!

So the last two days has been filled with more information about New Jersey, Tommy Devito, Gyp DeCarlo, Belleville, Cadillac Devilles, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and Joe Long that I ever thought I would ever know.

You see, there is a method of study called Dramaturgy where the cast sits down and reads through the script with a Dramaturg and she explains, in GREAT detail, what everything means in the script. We talk about "Big Girls Don't Cry" - we pause and for 10 minutes discuss when it was written, by who, and what it was inspired by.

Let me make this clear my friends...this process was amazing! I learned so much about the Four Seasons and where they are from and the woman who led us through this, Allison Horsley, a brilliant Dramaturg from Colorado, force fed us more information than anything I ever went through in all my studies in college.

After lunch today, when the Dramaturgy process was over, we finally got to spend some time with Ron Melrose, our music director and the vocal arranger for the show. We went through the first few songs with him and I am thrilled I get to back-up Deven May on a few of the opening numbers.

Oh yeah, so you know...in order to get the true "Four Seasons" sound...just as they did on their records, there are some of us in the cast who are literally doubling the leads voices from backstage. I get to take care of some of the duties in the first montage of songs...and I love that I am getting the opportunity.

From there, I was let off a little early because Sergio was working with other members of the cast on the opening dance number and I got enjoy the rest of the evening back with Sarah and Toby.

Tomorrow is going to be great...lots of time with Ron and Sergio...the ship has started to sail!

First day of rehearsal

Well folks - today was unbelievable.

The day started with the cast meeting in Studio 6B at the New 42nd Street Studios. After a brief (haha) one-hour meeting with our reps from Equity, we were all invited to studio 6A for an official "meet and greet". Walking into the great room, I am met by over 50 members of the production and creative staff including Des McAnuff (director), Ron Melrose (Music Director), Sergio Trujillo (choreographer), Rick Elice (book writer) and all the Dodgers (producers), booking team, music coordinators, casting, etc, etc, etc...

To be in a room with these talented (and Tony Award winning individuals) was an amazing experience that I will never forget. We were told by Michael David (HUGE producer) that we were all part of something wonderful and we are going to make history with this show...and what a privledge sharing this show with people around the Country...i agree completely.

The next hour was spent with Ron checking our vocal types and matching us up with each other for blending. He also heard the four gentleman who are going to be playing Frankie, Bob, Tommy, and Nick...and chills ran up my spine hearing them sing those first few chords of "Big Girls Don't Cry".

The rest of the afternoon was a read-through of the script and some wonderful stories from Rick Elice about the Four Seasons (did you know Tommy DeVito was arrested for running counterfiet money for the Watergate scandal?).

All I can say is that the cast seems so nice, our crew is really on top of their shit, and tomorrow couldn't be sooner.

I am in the first National Tour of Jersey Boys...holy shit.

I'm in NYC...how bout' you?

After 10 hours, 5 stops, and finally finding a spot to park on 88th between Madison and Park, we are in NYC safely...and exhausted.

Rehearsals start promptly at 10am on Monday, so that means I have tomorrow and Sunday to help get Sarah and Toby familiar with the city, walk the upper east side, find a garage to park the car, and of course, have a slice of pizza.

As I crossed the George Washington Bridge around 6:30pm, it finally hit me that the biggest adventure of my life is starting and this could be the most amazing experience in my life. I feel blessed that Sarah gets to share it with me.

So dear reader, keep checking the webpage and feel free to send me emails every once in awhile to let me know how *you* are doing.

Until later...

Packed up...

today finished (well 95% finished) a week-long back breaking packing rally that consisted of over 70 boxes, 6 suitcases, 4 30-gallon bags full of giveaway clothes, and 8 trash bags out at the curb of what was, will be, or has been our life up until now or on the road the next year.

it's quite amazing what one deems worthy or important to keep in storage for two years vs. "who cares if i even see it again in two years".

tomorrow is the big move-out day with the 20 foot truck and courtney and i breaking our backs even more to get everything to Public Storage at Grand River and Middlebelt.

it started hitting me today. seeing another empty house. talking to some friends and realizing we only have one or two more nights of hanging out to go. getting emails from the company manager talking about housing options for San Francisco. i can't believe that the next year of my life is away from family and friends on what will be the most exciting adventure of our lives.

NYC is going to be amazing. 6 days/week rehearsing 8 hours/day and i feel blessed.

but right now i'm just tired. it's been a long day of packing and tomorrow is no exception.

more to come.