Mr Monk and Melissa

Hello to you! Currently, it is unusually warm here in Los Angeles. We are having a case of The September Summer (at least that is what I am calling it!) Speaking of cases I have always been a fan of the television show Monk. When I did Jersey Boys in SF, I would wait out the rain watching Monk Marathon's on USA in my cozy studio on Geary Street. It doesn't get any better than Tony Shalhoub as the obsessive compulsive detective who uses unconventional means to solve mysteries, murders and baffling cases. Monk is scheduled to come back on the air January 2009 to complete it's seventh season. Wow, seven seasons!

Yesterday in 104 degree heat, I am delighted to inform you that I shot the holiday episode of Monk entitled "Mr. Monk and the Miracle." The episode was written by Peter Wolk and directed by Andrei Belgrader. I play a small role as a young clerk in a recycling center. My scene is with Mr Monk himself. The crew and and cast took over an entire mini strip mall and recycle redemption center. Dressed for winter and shooting in the crack of the valley- the heat made shooting on location a little rough- but after a while your mind gets warm and tells your body to remain steady (I call that mind over heat wave!) There was a huge crane holding a light scrim above us that diffused the bright sunlight and created some shade. The crew supplied everyone with gatorade, water and wet rags to keep cool. I had a great time acting with Tony and being on set! The script is really great and I am excited to tune in during the holiday season and watch the episode (official air date to be determined, but I am assuming near Christmas!) To learn more about Monk and watch clips please click the title of this blog to link to the official Monk website.

Thank you Corbin, Anya and Amy of CFB and of course Tony and Andrei and the entire cast and crew of Monk. It was a great day. So glad to be a part of the episode.

Switching gears now! I have had the opportunity to see a lot of theatre lately. I love to see shows especially if my friends are in them. I get so excited for them. I've seen Vanities, the Musical (Elizabeth was so great), Dreamgirls in San Diego (Charl was amazing), I've seen Memphis in La Jolla (MBW was outstanding) and with my good friend Darrin I saw This Beautiful City at the Kirk Douglas, CTG. Whew- it has been a busy month of doing what I enjoy- acting and watching acting and yes, I do declare, I am officially back! So thankful and so good to be back...