Closer Than Ever...

Well what do you know? 

In front of me now 

is an open door.

I'm moving ahead.

Not sure of the way.

And yet there's a light that I'm heading for.

It's closer than ever

Closer than ever.

         - Maltby and Shire

It has been a whirlwind of a month, and I'm not even sure how it all happened except that God is good and has plans we cannot even imagine.

My internship at Mungioli Theatricals has been nothing short of insanity. I absolutely love my job. I don't even mind that it doesn't pay a dime. HA! Granted, after this month I will have to fine a rent-paying survival job, but the benefits of the internship so far have been priceless.

When people ask what brought me to the city, I often reply with the simplest answer: I'm an actor, and this is the place to be. OH how true that is! (Many of you know there are a bazillion other reasons I love NYC, but for the purposes of this particular posting, we will focus on the theatre.)

I've seen two shows since I moved up here, plus the Tony Awards, BRAVE, a concert at my church, and a few movie sets. I've also witnessed production meetings of future Broadway productions, sat in on auditions and callbacks for a New York Musical Theatre Festival show, and talked to countless industry professionals via phone and email. I'd say that's pretty decent for 4 weeks.

During my first week at the office, I picked up a brochure that had Jenn Colella's face on it. (If you don't know who that is, open a new tab and Google her...right now... seriously, the blog will still be here when you finish, and you'll appreciate this story even more... She's pretty awesome). Jenn and I have worked together on audition material through the Amy Murphy Broadway Intensives I've been to each January for the past few years. So, I said to Arnold Mungioli (my boss) "Hey! I know her!" And he replied, "Oh Jenn? Yeah, I just cast her in Closer Than Ever. They start previews tonight. Do you want to go see it?"

EXCUSE ME, WHAT!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Fortunately, I was wearing appropriate theatre-going attire, so after we finished with our work for the day, we hopped on a subway and basically ran to the York Theatre to see the opening preview of Maltby and Shire's Closer Than Ever. 

Quick pause:

How many of you know who Maltby and Shire are?

Just a few? Maybe more? It's totally fine. Google them too... Seriously... 

(ok fine, for those of you too engrossed in the writing or too lazy to look them up, they wrote, among other things, the Broadway musicals Big and Baby - Montevallo did a production of Baby in 2011, and I played Arlene McNally)

Maltby and Shire were both in attendance that evening, and Arnold proudly introduced me to them. WOW! That was incredible. For a few minutes, I stood completely entranced as these two talented individuals talked about old memories of shows they wrote, shenanigans in which they participated, and the history behind songs that I have performed. It was beyond incredible.

After the show, I was also introduced to the cast (all of whom are phenomenal performers). When Jenn came out, and Arnold began to introduce me, she exclaimed "LINDSEY! I had no idea you were here until I saw you at the curtain call! How on earth are you?!?"

SHE REMEMBERED ME!!!

We got to chat for a little while, promised to do lunch soon, and that was that. I reconnected with a friend and admired colleague...

But wait, there's more.

Last week, Arnold invited Jimmy (the other intern) and me to the actual Opening Night of Closer Than Ever  with the warning, "Dress nice... You never know who you might meet."

The FIRST person I saw as I entered the theatre was Rebecca Luker. THE Rebecca Luker (do I even need to say it again?... If you don't know the name, look it up... You'll be even more impressed... or at least you should be). She was accompanied by her husband, Danny Bernstein (another BIG Broadway name... like so big he performed at the Tony's this year). I could go on for hours and hours about waiting until the right moment to say hello, but to make this story short

SHE REMEMBERED ME TOO!!!!!

While our time chatting at the theatre was short, we had a nice conversation at the Opening Night After Party (OH MY GOSH I WENT TO AN OPENING NIGHT AFTER PARTY) where she made me promise we would sing together soon - a promise I intend to keep. She also introduced me to Michael Feinstein, and George Dvorsky. There was so much networking going on, my head was spinning. At one point in the evening, I found myself listening to Tony Nominated Christianne Noll (Ragtime) talk about having a bad day and slamming her finger in the door of the set, and I was reminded that all of these incredible people are just that... People... People just like me who moved to New York once upon a time with a dream and a lot of determination. Granted, these are all very talented and incredibly successful people, but still, they are people.

There were actors, agents, casting directors, musicians, and "musical theatre greats" everywhere I looked. Then there were the interns. The young, bright-eyed hopefuls who clustered together after doing their best to make a good impression. I found myself in a circle of 20 somethings who are all somehow connected to this industry whether stage managing, play writing, choreography, acting, or costume design. I couldn't help but thing "This, this right here... THIS is the future of the theatre industry... This is the start of history." It was really incredible.

I'll leave it at that for now, but don't you worry - the rest of the Show Business update is soon to follow... 

A little teaser to keep you interested:

NYC Dance Week

Blair Underwood and Nicole Ari Parker in Streetcar Named Desire

The apartment piano

Celebrities at auditions

...and...

a voicemail from Mrs. Incredible herself.

Grace be with you,

Lindsey Shea

Living in Harlem...

I like to tell people I'm living in Harlem... You people down south believe me... and you will probably continue to believe after reading this blog. People in the city look at me like I'm crazy, then ask, "No really, where do you live?" When I respond, they quickly correct me pointing out that I live in Hamilton Heights - NOT Harlem.

Technically, Hamilton Heights is in Harlem, BUT it's in south west Harlem, and it's considered to be a much nicer area than the Harlem of the stories you have maybe heard. I can attest to that, actually. I have always felt safe in my neighborhood. I've never been bothered. I do, however, stick out like a sore thumb.

Oh the joys of being a blonde white girl...

I'm the only one in the neighborhood as far as I can tell.

I do get catcalled and whistled at occasionally, but I usually don't understand what is being said about me, so it doesn't really bother me. And as I said, I have never felt unsafe. I keep to myself, and so does everyone else.

Apparently there's no such thing as a quiet, lazy Sunday afternoon in my neighborhood, though. After a crazy week, I had full intention of napping and reading all day. As I left for church this morning, there were already snow-cone stands being set up all up and down the street. As soon as I stepped off the train this afternoon on my way home, music flooded down into the station and the neighborhood culture enveloped the entire block. From my room, I could hear bumping salsa music from the apartment next door. I moved to the living room. From our open window, I could hear spanish pop music blasting from a car parked next to people sitting in the park enjoying the sunshine and grilling dinner. When I was making my spaghetti for dinner, music drifted up to our kitchen from the courtyard of our apartment building. While I couldn't locate the source, I could tell that behind one of those windows, there was a family enjoying dinner and company.

I also had to go to the grocery store today. I could practically hear people singing "one of these things is not like the other..." My bright blonde hair is like a siren wailing through a sea of brunettes everywhere I go... Maybe I'm just self conscious, but I don't think so. If you remember, last summer I mentioned grocery stores could be pretty expensive. I decided that to save money, I would go to our local grocery store, Super Compare. I actually really enjoyed it... I couldn't translate most of the signs and labels on the shelves, but I recognized most brands, and fortunately for me, numeric symbols are the same in both English and Spanish. The cashier and I just kind of smiled at each other and pointed to the screen when I was checking out, but overall, it was a successful trip.

The trip to the post office was another adventure! I missed the delivery of a package from home (shout out to my awesome parents for sending me things I forgot to pack), so the pink slip left at my door told me to go pick it up. I took a little morning jog to the post office before work. I was pleasantly surprised that there wasn't a huge line waiting to be helped, and the workers moved fairly quickly. I was surprised, however, when I noticed the 1.5 inch thick glass that separated the employees from the customers. Trying to talk to a person behind an inch and a half of glass is difficult no matter how the tiny communication opening is configured. They also send the package through a glass cage that can only be open on one side at a time. I'm not sure what they need to be protected from, but whether it's dangerous weaponry or bubonic plague, they aren't playing around with that glass... It's intense.

I can't remember if I've mentioned this or not, but my apartment is fantastic. Our living room overlooks Riverside Park, we're only one block from the 1 train, and I have my own toilet/sink. (My room used to be the maid's quarters when this was a fancy schmancy place). I've always joked about moving to New York and living in a closet, but it's a real thing. I have a walk-in closet in Biloxi that is about the size of my room here. The room is pretty tiny, but it's cozy, and the rent is super affordable. We also have a really nice sized kitchen and a great living room.

I know many of you have been curious, so I hope that this update gives you at least a glimpse of the living aspect of my life. I hope this doesn't sound cynical or unappreciative. I'm a little exhausted this evening, and I'm not sure that what I'm saying makes sense, so if this is deleted by tomorrow afternoon, you who have read it will know why. :)

Well, it's bed time, and I've got a big day tomorrow in show business ;)

Grace be with you,
Lindsey Shea

Red Carpet Royalty

Before we begin, I should warn you... I just discovered how to post photos with my blog, so it may be a little much, but I thought you might enjoy some visual aid.

New York City...

Wow...

Sorry, sometimes I catch myself thinking "oh man, I live here," and I get a little overwhelmed and have to remind myself to breathe. It's a little bit crazy how much I love this city and how blessed I feel to be facing my dreams head on. I feel even more overwhelmed when I think of the opportunities and the talent that are housed on this rather small island. Last weekend was definitely a reminder of that.

As many of you know, I'm a big fan of themes. I like themed parties. I like planning "themed days" (remember History Day?). I think that themes provide a creative boundary that often enhances a situation and makes it easier to retell... I didn't even realize last weekend was so thoroughly themed until I sat down to write this blog this morning. So, without further ado, I present to you, last weekend's

RED CARPET ROYALTY!

Ok, ok, so maybe it's cheesy, but I'm sitting on my couch reminiscing, and that's the most fitting title I could come up with... maybe I'll change it later...

The weekend started with the 33rd Annual MISSISSIPPI PICNIC in Central Park! If you remember, the MS Picnic was one of the first things I did last summer when I moved to NYC. I went alone last year and bumped into a few people I knew from home, but I didn't stay very long. This year, I brought a crew with me. My roommate Rachel, Katherine (you may be familiar with her from previous posts) and two of my Mississippi comrades, Zach and Chase (Southern Miss alumni), met just below the Bandshell on 72nd street to celebrate the best of Mississippi with catfish, hush puppies, McAlister's sweet tea, caramel cake, shrimp, crab claws, cheese straws, art, music, and free t-shirts. The theme this year was, rather fittingly, "Southern Fried Hollywood"- celebrating the Mississippi stars of 2012.

Please note the red carpet ;)

Good Food... Good Friends

After a delightful afternoon of hobnobbing on a red carpet lined by white tailgate tents, we bid adieu to our friends and headed uptown for more red carpet fun... sort of.

Katherine was throwing a birthday party for her friend Brittanie on Saturday evening. I didn't know Brittanie, but in New York it doesn't really matter, because from what I can tell, New Yorkers love meeting new people. I'm not sure if it's the fact that this is a huge city and nobody wants to feel alone or if it's the acutely developed NY mindset of networking. Either way, I was welcomed to the soiree with open arms. Katherine shares (and often exceeds) my love of themes, so she and Brittanie had planned a rather elegant party centered around classical literature. All guests were encouraged to dress as a famous literary character, and all of the food was connected in some way to popular novels. I was unaware of the costume requirement, but I'm a theatre major, so I quickly scrambled together a few articles of clothing and made a rather adorable Huckleberry Finn, if I do say so myself. It was a perfect red-carpet after-party, complete with pumpkin scones, chocolate dipped strawberries, and fancy cheese. We welcomed an assortment of "celebrity" guests and had a delightful time.

What a fun weekend! BUT WAIT! That was just Saturday!!

Do you know what happened Sunday? Some of you should. On Sunday, all eyes were on the Beacon Theatre for the 2012 TONY AWARDS!!!!!!!

Again, if you remember, last year I watched the Tony Awards alone on my couch with the cats... It sounds kind of pathetic now, but I remember having a good time. This year, I decided to accompany my new friend Brittanie to the red carpet to watch the arrival of the Broadway stars. I think the best way to emphasize the epicness of the evening is to list the actors we saw, then show some pictures, then continue with the story... So here goes:

Rebecca Luker (a Montevallo grad and Broadway legend), Corbin Blue, Harvey Firestien, Cynthia Nixon, Bernadette Peters (who looked GORGEOUS as ever), John Lithgow, Ricky Martin (who's performance in the Evita number was just dreadful), Josh Grobin, Nick Jonas (so...much...screaming... completely unnecessary), Hugh Jackman, Audra McDonald, Nina Arianda, James Marsden (AAAHHH, not enough screaming), Amanda Seyfried, Ben Vereen, John Stamos, James Earl Jones, Matthew Morrison, Jeremy Jordan, Paul Rutt... There were others, but I couldn't text them fast enough, and I'm having to use the list I sent to my mom because I'm having difficulty remembering... there were just so many. :)

So now for the pictures:

We were standing directly across from the first red carpet tent

JAMES EARL JONES!!!!

 Matthew Morrison came across the street to meet fans

UNCLE JESSE up close and personal : John Stamos

After we watched everyone walk in, we rushed uptown to Katherine's to watch the Tony's with some of our theatre friends. And let me tell you, watching a theatre award show with theatre people is hysterical. Everyone had a different opinion. Some of the guests even knew actors in the ensemble performances. It was so great.

The whole weekend was a red carpet extravaganza. I'm sorry it took so long to update you, but once Monday started and show business took over, I didn't have enough time to devote to the recollection of the weekend. So there you have it.

Well, the sun is out, and the city is calling, so until next time...

Grace be with you,

Lindsey Shea

Musicals, Mosquitos, and Merriment

Tomorrow marks the one week anniversary of my return to the city, and good grief it has been a jam packed week! I have successfully settled into my apartment, am starting to get the rhythm of my internship, and am enjoying city life immensely. I have a whole list of things to update, so I think this blog will be done categorically...

My apartment:
After a few days of renters and rentees moving in and out, things have settled into what seems to be the summer crew. One night this week, we piled eight people into the apartment- we had some family visitors, friends who needed a place to crash for a night, and two overlapping rent schedules. It was a little bit crazy, but definitely fun. My room is in the back corner of the apartment. It's about half the size of my college dorm room, but it's clean and organized (we'll see how long that lasts) and I have my own toilet and sink (which is GREAT in the mornings). Our living room overlooks Riverside Park, and it is GORGEOUS! My roommates are fantastic. They are all connected to Juilliard in some way - most are graduates - so there is an endless stream of beautiful music coming from behind the closed doors along the hallway. The neighborhood seems safe. It's an extremely diverse group of age ranges and ethnicities, which is really pretty neat.

The only major issue I've had with the apartment is the mosquito problem. Apparently in old buildings, mosquitos find standing water in drains and pipes and can multiply. Either that's our problem, or the holes in the screens are letting them in. Either way, it's not good. I woke up on Saturday morning and my eye was swollen shut because I had a bite on the side of my nose. I panicked a little bit, then decided that desperate times called for desperate measures. IKEA saves the day!! After a refreshing ride on the water taxi (including a view of the sun setting behind the Statue of Liberty) I found a delightful little mosquito net/ princess canopy that now hangs over my bed, keeping me safe from the monster mosquitos.

My Internship:
As many of you know, I'm working for the casting director Arnold Mungioli this summer. While I would love to name-drop and tell you all about the juicy drama of the theatrical world, I feel that it's my duty to keep a large majority of what I hear in the office to myself. I CAN tell you, however, that we're casting two shows this summer - a New York Musical Theatre Festival show, "Howe and Hummel", and Bill T. Jones' "Super Fly." A ridiculous amount of work happens before an audition is even posted, and I've already learned that I will never take that for granted again! I've learned so much already about the process and am just trying to absorb everything that I see and hear so I can implement that into my own auditions in the future. The other day, my boss handed me a brochure of a show he had recently cast, and on the back was a picture of Jenn Colella - an incredibly talented performer that I've had the pleasure of working with during the January intensives over the past three years. I told him I knew her and he asked if I would like to go see the show with him that evening!!!!! At the show "Closer than Ever" by Maltby and Shire, I was introduced to an assortment of writers, directors, actors, and other industry greats - including the fantastic Richard Maltby Jr and David Shire (Who also wrote "BABY," a musical I was in my junior year). Oh I almost died! It was incredible.

The internship isn't all rainbows and sunshine. Things get a little hectic and stressful in our business, and I've learned that quickly, but it is definitely exciting.

My Friends:
It was so wonderful to be able to just jump right back into life instead of having to get started on my own this time. I've had friends with me every step of the way since I moved back. Even the first night, Katherine and Cara came over to bring me pizza and help me unpack. I'm singing in the choir at Central Presbyterian again, and there are some new faces to add to the familiar ones from last summer. They are a vibrant and wonderful group of people, and I so look forward to hanging out with them all summer.

Saturday is the Mississippi Picnic, and the Tony Awards are Sunday, so I'm looking forward to a pretty epic weekend to top off the week.

Well, it's time for work, so I'll be back soon with more stories and whatnot.

Grace be with you,
Lindsey Shea