Oklahoma Hello

I'm an actor. It is what I do even if I'm not in a show. Sometimes I'm an actor who is choosing not to act (like the fact that I'm a smoker who chooses not to smoke). Acting is my passion - if I know I'm going to the theatre, my day is made. To some extent I feel like Cassie in "Chorus Line - The Movie." She has a song in the movie called "Let Me Dance For You." The lyrics to that song have been part of me since I first saw the movie:

"Let me wake up in the morning knowing I have somewhere exciting to go"

sure, in the movie it is all about being a dancer, a gypsy. In my life change the words to actor - and it is pretty much the same thing. I think I'm talented and willing to do anything for a show. The biggest thing that I think is a bonus is that I'm consistent. As an actor if you give me a direction - I'm going to follow that and be where I need to be every night. That isn't to say that I won't adjust as needed, or look for new sides to the character...but I will do my best to be in the moment, maintain high energy and do what needs to be done.

that however is neither here nor there.

the point to this post is this. The last show I did was two years ago. You can read about that experience further down this blog. It was a good time and a sudden show that was thrust upon me. "Oklahoma!" was not that frantic thankfully. I auditioned a week or so after the main auditions and callbacks. I wasn't planning on auditioning. My friend Liz (who stage managed this along with "The Fantasticks") told me that they still needed guys and I should show up at Callbacks. I didn't think that would be cool for those people who did audition so I didn't. The second round of auditions was being held a day or two after that - and I told the director (Janice who produced "The Fantasticks" and who I worked with previously) that I would probably be there. At the last minute, I realized that I really needed to finish my Thesis before i did a show. However, when a day or two after that I get a call from Janice asking me to audition....I cain't say no! I went to the audition - sang my song, did the dance audition, was offered a role in the chorus and then asked if I could stay for rehearsal. After the last experience of getting into a show, staying for rehearsal and not getting any food until 10pm...I said no....to staying for rehearsal that is.

So - I started rehearsal for 'Oklahoma!' and we opened on April 23. We just closed this past weekend on May 23. We played a total of 16 shows...the longest run I've done so far. I really need to ask my friend Jonathan Rayson (who is playing in "Legally Blonde" how he does long runs or tours). After 16 shows I wasn't tired of the role, or the show, the dancing - nothing. I still love it. I know that is an odd thing to hear from an actor. Most theatre people think that of all the Rogers and Hammerstein musicals - "Oklahoma!" is the sappiest. Most of my friends don't like it. I on the other hand...LOVE IT! I'll try to explain that love in another post.

I think that is enough for now...

ciao,

krl