Jersey Takes LALA LAND

Well, Jersey Boys has proven to be quite the little theatrical triumph here in LALA Land. A must see event on the top of your summer to do/be seen list. All the creative staff and producers have left. I must say it's a little lonely after all the opening night preparation and hoopla, but who am I kidding, performing eight times a week keeps me busy enough. It is a pleasure to be back in the city I call, "My home away from home."

The LA audiences seem to really respond to Jersey Boys. They love the "industry" jokes, the swear words and the sexy stuff in the show. Last night, when Deven sings "Earth Angel" to "mama"/me up on the firescape; we were greeted by applause and laughter. Maybe it was the combination of his charm and my "go eat shit look" that got them going? To my surprise, they LOVE "Boyfriend's Back." First they recognize the song and I can't help to crack a smile when I hear the audience "ooh! and awe." Then they start clapping along in the beginning...clap, clap//clap...clap,clap//clap! When the song is done, during the generous Angelenos' applause and whooping, the ladies finish the number with sassy sequined style!

I'm back to zipping around in my car after eight months of not driving. Let's talk about the parking situation at the Ahmanson. The garage goes under the ground eight glorious levels and fills up fast. It's nice to have a secure place to park, but not so nice to have to pay for it every month! Grrrrrr! Yep that's right, the actors have to pay. I admit to being a little disgruntled at this morally challenged situation (me being in the show and all), but which theatre egg came first....the
busine$$ or the art form? One thing I do enjoy... walking with all the patrons to the garage. People roll down their car windows and listen to th JB soundtrack. I've also spotted people doing the infamous "Who Loves You" dance. People are singing and dancing... fun summer times in the parking garage people!

Stars come back to say hello! Besides the opening night stars, Donna Summer and Jimmy Smits have come backstage. Pretty cool. It's pretty nice of them. I get a kick out of it.

PS We survived our nine show week! Ginnie, a devoted fan from SF sent the cast gourmet cupcakes from Sprinkes. So nice! I'm not gonna lie...by the time Sunday rolled around, if it weren't for our amazing audiences cheering us on, I don't think we would have been able to see through the fog that had settled in our exhausted mind and bodies. A little rough going. Nine shows a week should be outlawed...I'm just saying! Okay...I'm still loving it.
MSS, Over and Out.

Picture Credits: #1: Steve & Judy Orich's Memorial Day Party 2007, #2: LA Opening Night Bows, June 3, 2007, #3: Melissa Strom & Kelly Devine, Associate Choreographer, SF Closing Night, #4 Donna Summer and Cast, #5: Melissa Strom & Jimmy Smits, #6: Yale Knowledge Swing, New Haven, CT Tech Week May 2007.

Opening Night, Los Angeles

Welcome to Los Angeles, baby. We are now playing the Ahmanson Theatre through August 31, 2007.
Opening night the show started at 4pm Sunday afternoon right on time. The theatre was sold out with 2,100 reporters and critics, CTG Board Members, JB creative team and TV and film stars and lots of "industry" people. They cheered after the opening, "Ces Soirees La" until the end when the real "Four Seasons" come on stage after "Who Loves You." Because there are only three girls in the entire show, I'm pretty much running around changing costumes, wigs and characters with no breaks during the first act, but even I knew the audience was great from the get go. My best friend gave me the inside audience perspective. People stood after the "medley," got teary eyed during "Fallen Angel," whooped and whistled after "Boyfriend's Back" (thank you for supporting Sandy, Jackie and I) and generally toe tapped and laughed throughout the show. The audience was with us and their support carried us from scene to scene. The show was a hit on stage and off. We were vocal doubling, strutting, and acting up a storm in Jersey style. Pretty smooth considering all the hoopla and three inch heels. I was proud of everyone involved. We did it.
The after party was at the City Cathedral courtyard a skip and jump away from the Ahmanson. People were very complimentary about the show and my performance. I'm always surprised when people recognize me without my ten wigs and eighteen costumes. The spread was great and the company was good. We made the rounds, danced, ate and let loose.

We have nine shows this week. They have added an additional Thursday matinee. Back to the show! Back to work!