Classy and Fabulous

[Garry Marshall and CINDY cast on closing day.]

We closed 'Cindy and the Disco Ball' and in the spirit of keeping "Fabulous" alive for everyone I found an appropriate quote from the quintessential woman, Coco Chanel: 'A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous." I will miss singing to audiences about the benefits of wanting to be "gorgeous." One of the show's reviewers said it best, "Eleanor sings a cute little song called Fab-u-lous that reminded me an awful lot of Stephen Swartz' 'Wicked' anthem "Popular" (Mooche Music.)

"Eleanor" and 'Cindy' got some other great press during the show's ten week run that I haven't shared with you yet! "Melissa Strom plays Eleanor, the evil step sister. Ms. Strom is the delight you love to hate as she flounces about the stage in her denim banana pants, her peasant blouse and her perpetually black mood ring" (Mooche Music.) Speaking of mood rings, I will miss wearing mine greatly. I was always secretly worried the audience could see that the mood ring was really changing to all of these great bright colors while I was on stage. Yes, mood rings really do change colors!

[Christine Lakin as Cindy and Melissa Strom as Eleanor]

My mean character portrayal got a "bad word" out of this critic. "Bitchy, nasty Eleanor (Melissa Strom) is a teenaged diva who feels it is her god-given right to boss poor Cindy around, making her do all the housework" (Sun Community Newpapers.) Well said- it was fun not to be cast as a "sweet" thing for a change. Although I did have fun playing the "mean" one as I greeted the younger audience members I would remind them that Eleanor changes for the better in this sassy saga. If Eleanor can get "I'm sorry" out of her mouth then there's hope for us all. I liked this project because "Eleanor" had a well developed arc, the music complimented the character's journey through the story and the acting in 1975 with the feathered hair, the costumes and props kept it fun and interesting.

[#1 Connie Jackson and Melissa: 70's Makeup for Everyone!]
[#2 Self Portrait in Disco with Bystander Alex Miller]

I also will miss going out into the lobby after the shows and talking and taking pictures with the audience. I mean a ten year old will get right up in your space and tell you what they REALLY thought of the show. That is my kind of critic! Ten times out of ten we got groovy thumbs up and ALOT of questions about my mic, wig, makeup, bell bottoms, the Hustle, my shoes and about Eleanor's 'meanness.' It was also fun being greeted in the lobby by family and friends that had come to support the show. Inevitably, someone would surprise me so it was always a delight to come out after the show. This reprise was the first time my little niece got a chance to see me perform making 'Cindy' especially sentimental.


So for now the shag carpet, latch hook, platform shoes, mood ring, magic eight ball, gum chains and macaroni art are packed away. I guess I'll have to start being nice to people...kidding!

We started rehearsals in February and now its already summer! I could not imagine a better way to spend the first half of 2008. It was fun and I miss it already.
[Chris Prinzo, Connie Jackson, Melissa Strom, Christine Lakin, Alex Miller: A final pose before the final show]