Co-Workers

Some people are like slinkys!

They don't really have a purpose,

but they still bring a smile to your face

when you push them down the stairs.

Silent Movies

Last night Hutch and I went to the Organ Loft aka Edison Street. It is located off of 33rd south and just east of State Street. A few times a month they play silent films and have a real pipe organ accompany the film.

The first organ was in 1946 the Utah Theatre's Robert Morton. Later additions included the organs from SLC's Gem Theatre and Ogden's Egyptian Theatre. Finally they purchased the 3 manual-19 rank Wurlitzer with two consoles from the New York Staten Island Paramount. The owner of the Organ Loft, Lawrence Bray, then combined the two consoles to build the organ they use today. A Colossus five keyboard console with 378 stop tabs, which controls today's 2,400 highly unified pipes. After Lawrence's passing, his nephew, Larry Bray, continues this historical treasure.

Last night they played the film "Nosferatu" It has been called "A Symphony of Terror". It's the first and best telling of the Dracula tale. I guess I can't really say it's the best telling since I haven't really seen any Dracula movies. The Organ Loft's program says it's the best telling so I'll go off of what they say. It was made it 1922. When the film first came out, Bram Stoker's widow sued the film company for creating it without permission. The case didn't end until 1924 so it was too late to stop distributing since it had already been sent around the world over that two year time. It was a fun night. The film was actually kind of funny since silent film acting is way different then acting we have today. The vampire was really creepy though. He had long pointy fingers and a pale white face. He also had a pointy nose and his teeth came over his bottom lip. His eyes were dark and sunken. The actor did a great job with that character. The person who played the organ to the movie impressed me the most. He makes up the music as he goes. There's no set score. He says he gets the feeling of the room and it guides him to play the music. He did such a great job!!! I was impressed.

If you ever get a chance to go to Edison Street (aka The Organ Loft - the sign on the side of the building says Edison Street) go and see a great silent film. It cost's $5 a person. The seating isn't like a normal theatre. It's just chairs they place facing the organ and the film plays above the organ. The next film they are doing is "The Phantom of the Opera" starring Lon Chaney. They will be playing that film October 22, 23 & 24 at 7:30 p.m. get there a bit early to get a good seat. You can call ahead for tickets by calling 485-9265. If you want to know what films they will be playing in November and December you can go to their website which is http://www.organloftslc.com/.

This is Count Orlock better known as Nosferatu played by Max Schreck. Very creepy!!

Funny Things I've Heard Today

1. "Hm. That's odd. Usually the blood gets off on the 2nd floor." ~Mr. Burns, The Simpon's Treehouse of Horror.

2. Said angry "You're one of those people who thinks the wedding is about them." My co-workers cousin said this to her then hung up. My co-worker is the one getting married.

3. Reading sign "Don't Touch. Willy." "Good Advice" ~ Homer Simpson, The Simpon's Treehouse of Horror.

4. "Well Rebecca can do it." ~Weight Watcher coach "Well Rebecca reads puncuation." ~Co-worker. Discuss about WW point system.

5. "Remember, today is Megan's wedding shower." ~Co-worker "Um...oh...well...I think I need to get some office supplies...from the store...I'll be back..." ~Me, then runs out the door.

6. "I lost 3.8 pounds this week! I even ate at Taco Bell!!" ~Me

I Did It My Way!

Last night, Hutch and I went to a performance of "The Rat Pack" at Kingsbury Hall. It was WONDERFUL!! If you enjoy the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr, then you don't want to miss this show. Each of the actors did a great job sounding and kind of looking like their famous alter egos. My mouth dropped when the actor playing Dean Martin started singing, he sounds exactly like Dean Martin. They joked around with each other in between songs. Some of their jokes were a little inappropriate but that's how they were. The director and choreographer said about the show, "I want to show the audience the friendship. I want them to understand the way the friendship operated. Though this is not a re-enactment of an actual concert, everything on stage did actually happen in concert. I've just written a little bit of connecting material."

Most of the songs they sang are my favorites and some I hadn't heard and I can add them to my favorites. A few of the 40 songs they sang were, "Fly Me to the Moon", "New York, New York", "I've Got You Under My Skin", "Mack the Knife", "That's Amore", and my most favorite "My Way." The guy who played Frank Sinatra sang "May Way" for the last song of the show. I was almost in tears because it's one of my favorites, he did such an incredible job and it reminds me of my dear friend Scott Morgan. It was sung at his funeral.

I plan on adding a video clip of Frank Sinatra singing "My Way" but it will have to be added a bit later. My work has youtube blocked along with Yahoo and Gmail and...that's for another blog.

*Insert Video Clip Here


WARNING: Complaining to occur now.
One thing that really bothered me about this production of The Rat Pack wasn't anything with the performance, but the patrons. The program lists what songs they are singing. They bow together like it's over but there are two more songs listed which means, the show is continuing, but people were leaving during their bows. I was so annoyed. Then they start singing again and some go back and everyone is sitting again. The final song of the show is "My Way" like I mentioned earlier. He has finished the words of the song but the music is still going and people are getting up to leave. They all come out to bow again and everyone is applauding, they are bowing again and people are leaving. Is it really going to kill you or make THAT big of a difference in traffic to stay 30 seconds more for the curtain to fall and the music to stop for you to leave? When did society become so rude? I've seen this happen at most of the performances I have been in and/or watched. The actors can see you! It's very dishartening to see people get up and walk out before you have even finished your bow. Is an extra 30 seconds to 2 minutes really going to make a difference? We, as actors, have spent months preparing a show for you and you could at least, give us that extra time. If you hated the show, then by all means, leave. But if you want to leave early to beat the traffic, then it hurts. Where's the respect?

VOTE!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aBaX9GPSaQ (For Steph)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nf8tuVny4Q (ONE Vote 08)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYyttEu_NLU (Delaration of Independence - it's almost 15 minutes long but worth the watch)

I know everyone has been posting and emailing the "Don't Vote/Register Now" message. I decided to post some fun and informative videos instead. :)

The voting deadline is past and I hope you all are registered. I have heard people say they don't care what political leaders we have, it doesn't effect them, but it does. They affect you each time you go to the doctor, each time you put gas in your car, each time you go to a national park or zoo, each time you take your child to school, and so on. Please, read about each candidate. Know what they stand for, and vote for the person who best supports what you believe in. Not what I believe in, not what your friend believes in and not what your parents believe in. What YOU believe in. Each vote counts! You can make a difference in your life and the life of your children and your children's children.

"Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost." ~ John Quincy Adams

"My Love Is Like A Storybook Story"

Opening night was awesome!! Everyone did an incredible job! Everyone remembered their lines, we only had one costume malfunction and all of the technical stuff seemed to run great! When we arrived in our dressing rooms in each of our boxes was a CD entitled "Inspired by the Woods." It was created by Josh and Jennie Richardson. It's awesome!!! The first song is "Storybook Love" then the following songs are songs that match each charactor. For example, the wich has "Witchy Women", the Steph Family has "Money Money" from Momma Mia, the Wolf and Granny song is "I've Got You Under my Skin." It's such a fun CD. I've been listening to it all morning.

Another fun thing was a surprise friend came and saw the show. I wasn't expecting to have anyone at opening night for me because my family is coming to the Saturday matinee and then friends will be following after that performance. So it was a wonderful surprise to be greeting strangers and turn and see my wonderful friend Mark! I screamed and jumped into his arms because I was soooo excited to see him. I asked why he didn't tell me he was coming and he said it wouldn't have been a surprise. So thank you so much Mark for the surprise! I'm so glad you enjoyed the show and that you were able to perform vicariously through me. Mark really wanted to audition but didn't think he had a good enough voice. You are very talented Mark! Don't sell yourself short!

This is a picture of Mark from my cell phone. It's from our Vegas trip we took for our birthdays.

Opening Night

Another op'nin, another show

In Philly, Boston, or Baltimo'

A chance for stage folks to say hello!

Another op'nin of another show.

Another job that you hope will last

Will make your future forget your past

Another pain where the ulcers grow

Another op'nin of another show.

Four weeks, you rehearse and rehearse

Three weeks, and it couldn't be worse

One week, will it ever be right?

Then out of the hat it's that big first night

The overture is about to start

You cross your fingers and hold your heart

It's curtain time and away we go -

Another op'nin Just another op'nin of another show!

Opening night is tonight!! If you don't have your tickets yet, get them soon!! I perform in the Monday, Wednesday, Friday cast and I also perform the 12:30 p.m. Saturday matinees. Into the Woods is an incredible show and we have incredible talent. The set, the technical stuff, the acting, the singing, the everything is worth seeing!!!

SEE YOU AT THE THEATER!!