M-M-M-Myyyyyyyy Ramona

I've had so much to say since May. I resolve to do a better job with updating this thing, much like I'm newly keeping on top with writing on my FaceFriends' walls on their birthday to wish them a HB. I'll just talk about what I'm doing now, and when I'm in the "off season" between projects, I'll catch you up.

I am pretty much living at GA Ensemble Theatre now. I'm an actor in RAMONA QUIMBY (the Theatre For Youth department which will tour schools around the area, and perform at both the teaching museum in Roswell and the Cultural Arts Center, home of GET), and I'm playing the keyboard for THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (their mainstage show). Honestly, it's a little bittersweet that I couldn't be considered for an acting role in Spelling Bee because of my musician situation, but it works out very well for me financially this way.

Our last dress rehearsal for Ramona (before we take it on the road Monday) is tomorrow. I auditioned for this show for fun - because I was invited, and to inevitably see and enjoy the company of people I know at the audition. It was a fun audition. Lo and behold, I got cast. I don't know why, but I am enjoying myself more than I ever have in my history of kid's shows, and even more than some of the grown-up shows I've done. This process has left me filled to the brim with delight every day. When rehearsal ends, I feel a twinge of sadness, and I feel a rush of anticipatory excitement as I drive to rehearsals every morning.

No idea why.

Laurel Farley Crowe is our director. I've had the pleasure of being directed by her dad 3 times (or 2 1/2 times, or 2 times, depending on how you look at it), but this is my first time being directed by her. She says she was the Assistant Director for GREASE, but I honestly don't remember seeing that much of her during that. She tells me that's how she wanted it - she was the invisible woman off in the shadows not saying much, just observing, taking it all in, and occasionally giving her dad feedback. She's a pretty new director - this is only her second time directing. She told me she feels nervous apprehension - what she described to me sounds pretty much what I went through at the beginning of my directing career. I told her that with each show you direct, it will get a little bit better.

Hayley Brotherton is our stage manager. She was one of the ASMs for both Buddys, and for the rock and roll show that we rehearsed but didn't get to do. She was a major factor in making the backstage crew for Buddy #1 literally the best backstage crew I've ever worked with. They NEVER ONCE made me feel like I was in the way, or that I was overwhelming her with my questions/requests. I would say thank you, and all of them would say "No problem. I'm here for YOU."

The cast of RAMONA QUIMBY is off the chain.

Phillip Justman plays a couple roles, but spends most of his time as Mr. Quimby. If you saw either production of BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY, he's the tall Crispin Glover lookalike who stole the show with his unique dance stylings. He also played the most intense radio DJ in existence, in the Apollo scene.

Claire Rigsby is our Ramona - one of only 2 people in the show who only plays one role. I get to play opposite her as both 8-year-old Howie (Ramona's best friend) and future uncle Hobart, who Ramona spends most of the play disliking. One of the best director's notes I've heard was when Laurel told Claire to make sure the front of her overalls doesn't ride down throughout the course of the show, because the illusion that she is 8 will vanish and it will be obvious that she's a nicely "developed" young lady in her 20s.

Mary Saville (who I worked with in 2004 in the show about the big boat that sank) plays my mother, my grandmother, my classmate, an uptight bridal shop owner, and Mrs. Quimby. She is doing an impressive job with different voices for the characters. I wanted her to be in my production of CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF, but the stars didn't quite align for that. It's nice to be back with her again in this. She's a smart, courteous, unassuming person and one of the most supportive fellow actors ever. She'll come and see you in anything, and usually does.

Sarah Wallis is Beezus (Ramona's older sister), and probably wins the award for most energy in the cast. She was an intern at Actor's Express during the 09-10 season, and she worked on GREY GARDENS, which I was a part of, but I didn't see much of her. I think she spent most of her time in a little booth in the distance operating a spotlight. But she's wonderful in this - she carries the show, as Beezus - being the narrator - has to.

Paige Mattox as Aunt Bea, the teacher, and the waitress at the Whopperburger is absolutely phenomenal. She impresses me every day with her versatility in the different voices she uses in her roles. The hardass teacher, the cool aunt, the ditzy waitress - she nails them all. I feel very fortunate to get to interact with her pretty extensively in this show, as a lot of our characters cross paths. She was also an intern at AE, and I do remember her during GG, but I sadly didn't get to know that intern company nearly as much as I got to know the previous two I worked with (in ZANNA, DON'T and HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH). Paige is fabulous - she'll be playing Maureen in RENT this December with Fabrefaction Theatre Company, a community theater that is downtown somewhere.

Off to bed for the night - another day of double-rehearsing awaits me tomorrow. I'll continue to give you a taste of what's going on as it all happens.