I DISLIKE (NO HATE) 1PM MATINEES!!!!

My body already hurts in preparation for this intense show that I am in. If you don't know I'm in the national tour of A Chorus Line. Preparing for the show is intense for me. I have to get to work an hour early. Run around the theater to get the blood flowing. Then take the time to stretch every inch of my body. Not to mention rolling on the foam roller for 15 minutes. Usually our matinees are at 2pm. Once in a while there is a curve ball. I know it is strange, I'm complaining about a 1pm show. Only an hour difference right? Oh, but that hour makes so much of a difference. My body seems to reject the 1pm show. It is like "J.R. NO NO NO, THIS IS TOO EARLY"! I try so hard to tell my body, I have to, this is my job, and daddy needs the pay check. But my body doesn't listen to me. Every time we have a 1pm, my knee's say "I Hate You J.R". My thighs cramp up, and say "I know you warmed up properly,but I'm still angry"! The worse is when my neck decides it is not going to move at all!! Oh how I wish I could listen to my body!! But I can't, cause if I do listen, on Thursday (when my check clears), it won't be pretty. I have three more weeks of 1pm matinees. Oh wish me luck!!!!!

I Saw What They Were Hiring!!!!

Every morning I wake up, and eat breakfast, and groan in my head!  I think to myself "Do I really have to go to the gym today"? When is it going to be a way of life for me?   When will I enjoy every moment of lifting heavy things over my head?  When can I eat snicker's ice cream every evening?  When can I have spaghetti every day for dinner?  They told me it will all become a way of life.  I have been living like this (off and on) for three years now!  I'm still waiting, tick tock tick tock!  

I have to do these things for my craft, so that I can compete against the other guys in the room.  Just to be a leading man, I have to do this to myself.  Not to mention health reasons, but honestly that is not why I do what I do.

I walk into an audition, looking good, lean, nice big dimples, curly hair, and ready to give the room all my talent!  Then moments later, I'm the understudy, or I didn't get it.  Hmmm, what do I need to do?  Who got the part?  I look it up online, and there he is....HERCULES!!!!  Abs bulging out, Chest and Nipples Poking.  The same big dimples I have.  Nice straight and white teeth.   More than likely less talent, but damn does he look good!  WOW!!! 

So I say to myself, "Imagine what you could do, if you had that body, and the talent you already have"!  I could conquer the world!!!!!!!!!

Therefore, every morning I will continue to groan.  I'm going to lift until I can't anymore.  I'm going to put in my teeth whitener every evening.  I'm going to run millions of miles.  I'm going to eat a salad, and tons of protein!  I'm going to hate the world every morning.  I'm going to lift up my shirt in the locker room and admire my abs.  I'm going to wait until this thing I hate, becomes a way of life!!!  I'm going to make myself into THEM!!!!  Val, in  A Chorus Line, says it best:  I SAW WHAT THEY WERE HIRING!!!!

Tour Life

I have been on tour for a little over a year now!  I have seen some beautiful and wonderful cities across the U.S.  It is a gift to me, because, I have seen most of Europe, and realized that I haven't seen my own country!  There is some beauty out there!!!  Some people that I have met along the way that are awesome.  Some stunning Cathedrals, Amusement Parks, Fun Bars, and many other things.  Not to mention, the wonderful cast of new friends that I'm touring with.   So much talent, and always learning, growing from each other!

On a down note, I'm sick of living out of suit case.  There is something to be said about staying put, and having your same friends.  The stability of life, and seeing the same people at the gym, grocery store, neighbors.  The since of community, the yearning to take an acting class.  To be back in the city that never sleeps, and to have people over for American Idol!  To go on many auditions, and to better yourself as an artist.  To actually be able to try not to be single anymore, and try to make a life with someone special.  All these things, you CANT really do on tour.

I'm trying to learn to focus, I have an amazing job.  In this time when people are out of work.  I'm saving so much money, and better yet, I'm doing the show of my dreams.  I only have 5 more months left.  We are also leaving the states and going to Asia!  That is going to be an awesome experience in itself!  I can't wait, and I have excitement bubbling in my stomach for the trip to Asia!

It has been hard lately for me to be a tourist, sometimes, I just wanna stay in my room, and do my show at night!  Sometimes I don't even wanna go out in this town, that I should be taking advantage of.  After a year, of seeing new places, and meeting new people.  I just don't wanna anymore.  I don't wanna wonder the city to find CVS, a Hair Cut, and the Gym!  I don't wanna be lost on the streets.  I don't wanna find a good restaurant!!!  I JUST DON'T WANNA!!!!

What I'm learning from writing this, is again, to live life day by day!  And try to live it to the fullest.  Even when  your dreams come true.  Sometimes, you don't know what you got until it's gone.  All the cliche's that I have heard and  know.  I have just relearned, and have more clarity.

This tour journey, is one that I wouldn't give up for the world.  I do look forward to the future, and will try real hard to enjoy the moment!  Six months after I leave this tour, I will miss tour life.  I know, cause that is how life is.

Ashanti in "The Wiz" on Broadway!!!! REALLY?

I'm not happy with the casting announcement of Ashanti, (the has been R&B singer) playing the lead role in an African American Musical, at Encores this summer in New York City. "The Wiz", also has the hopes of  a revival on Broadway.  I'm an actor, and a working one.  I work really hard, and train, to master my craft.  Some people might not like my performances in some roles, so with that said, this is just my particular opinion.

I think Ashanti is beautiful yes, and looks young enough for the role.  But I don't believe she is a draw to bring big box office.  I also don't think she can sing, enough to handle the challenging role.  Not to mention, her acting is hideous.  There are a ton of beautiful young gifted unknown talented African American women, who would dream to play that role.  Why bring an OK talented name into a show, that I would love to see succeed.   I'm sure some African American girl in college 20 years old, at The Boston Conservatory or Cincinnati Conservatory, or some college with so much talent to give the world is waiting for that break.  I would prefer to see that in the role.  I know I know, people think Broadway is dying....  That they need  to have a name.  OK, if your going to get a name, why Ashanti???? Does she even have an album out?  There are many celebrities who could play that role and be brilliant!!!!

Now in her defense  I haven't seen the show.  I pray to GOD that she proves me wrong!!!!  But they have a clip of her singing the song "Home" from the show on www.broadway.com.  I was horrified by the acting, and more horrified by the screaming and strain of the last note.  

I had to get this off my chest!!  So what better way then to blog about it!!!  I will say this on a positive note, the rest of the cast list, looks excellent!!!!  But Dorothy has to carry the show!!!  We shall see what happens.  Please ASHANTI prove me wrong!!!!