::OZ

Two more performances, and here we go.

It's been a marvelous run, but it's almost over. Time to give it our last push and gung-ho before we put the costumes away and say so long to each other for now, the family-cast we've been with every minute for the last month. Then we'll laugh after it's over at all the many inside jokes, funny memories, good times together. From the first rehearsal just meeting each other to becoming new best friends. Oh boy, let's give it everything we've got and have so much FUN these next two, last days as the cast of Oz.

Last night's performance was quite interesting...After a fall towards the beginning of Act I, I hobbled through the rest of the show with a sprained left ankle and very bruised knee. Way to steal the spot light on stage, right? I got up, thinking I was fine, finished the scene and ran off to the lobby. Ran on again, and once more, but when I exitted to the lobby that time, my ankle started hurting pretty badly and I was limping around trying to make it to the next entrance. Someone told Jason I was limping, and he came back to carry me to the Green Room to declare me sprained, and get me wrapped and iced up. We kept it elevated on his knee back there for the rest of the Act and through intermission, and then I changed for Emerald City...heels were *not* my friend at that moment, but the cast and crew was so sweet and helpful, and they helped me limp along throughout the rest of the show, missing several scenes here and there. I appreciate them all so much - I had bunches of darling munchkins checking on me and giving me their arm to lean on all through the evening, stage hands helping me to a scene, Jason checking on me, and all the dear Ozians making sure I was resting and all set, and filling in for my scenes. Wow, I felt very pampered! Thank you all SO much!

Today I'm icing and working it a bit before the show this evening - hopefully with no trouble!! And everyone - let's *not* break legs tonight, eh?

Another adventure in the books. And now - on to Oz!

-m-

::an afternoon on the farm.

We've had such beautiful weather lately, and before all of this crazy 100+ degree weather hit in I wanted to take the four wheeler out to all the fields. It was such a gorgeous day yesterday, and so nice to get out into the woods. I got to spend bout 3 hours out there in the hot sun, riding or exploring the woods. I found a really neat place along the creek bed and stopped to take some pictures - So beautiful. Once again, God - amazing.

Is it me, or is that a perfect heart in the middle of that rock?? Too cool!

This rock is so fascinating - all those tiny rocks molded together onto this solid large one - so neat!

Normally I'd tell you all to skitter outside and have an adventure, but it is soo hot today - so if you do venture out, please take lots of water breaks! It is so beautiful in the summer time..you may want to take the camera with you. :-)

::Simple joys.

It's a day for sprinklers and squirt guns. With red face-marks from brand-new goggles.

::OZ

 First run of the show went wonderfully. For the most part we had fun audiences and only a few glitches! We are all pumped up after a couple-day-break to get back there and perform the last five shows! We are completely sold out for every performance, so it will be a very exciting week.

 I can't believe it'll only be five more shows, then over. Done. So fast! I've grown so close to this unique cast in a matter of weeks and it'll be sad to say goodbye so soon - I hope to get to work with them all again soon!

Cast photo(credit to Bob Phelan):

::OZ

Opening night is tonight!!??!!? Goodness gracious, did those two weeks fly by! It's been an incredible learning experience and I am so excited to perform tonight with all these fabulous people. The Lord is good, so good.
Above is pictured the Lady Ozians from Emerald City(minus Lena and Mary), LtoR: Cheyenne, Jill, Susan, Clara Marie, Martha, me, and Katie. I love these beautiful women!

My BFF Mo and me, all ready for dress rehearsal. I love you forever, Sweet Mo! There's a crazy gal after my own heart. We have a blast together, and I'm so thrilled to do another show with her -

Above, in our blacks, getting ready for curtain!
It's been a whirlwind. I'm so grateful for new, precious friendships made during this production. Now to prepare for opening tonight - we've got a full audience, and we're so excited to bring them into Oz!!
----------------------------------------------------
Taking you back to rehearsals a second - Mrs. Stanley(show photographer) sent me these pictures from this past week. It became a game to to do a "spirit week" of sorts: hat day, scarf day, ugly shirt day, nerd day(you would not believe some of the nerdy things those munchkins put together!), and pictured below, PJ day. Our favorite. ;) Such a fun cast! -

It became our habit to hang out on the steps in between scenes - our group could always be found huddled together laughing and having fun. Good memories...

Here are three of the nerds - Mo, Kelly, and Eve. Too funny!!!

I've lots to do before tonight, so I'd better get on it. I hope you've got your tickets - we're selling out fast! I look forward to a great night tonight, full of energy and fun memories. More pictures to come!

Love and miss you all,
m

::Oz

Off for another OZ dress rehearsal!! Looking amazing! So excited, having so much fun...pictures to come!

::OZ

Tired. I've explored this word in a new way the last two weeks. Wake up, rehearsal, go to sleep for a few hours. Wake up, rehearsal, sleep for a few short hours. Wake up, rehearsal..the cycle continues. Nearly every day for the past two weeks and we open this coming Thursday. That's insane.

I can't even count the minutes I've spent with this cast these two weeks. Really...it's a lot of time. The entire month of June shall have been spent with them at Castleman Hall or OAT. Do you know how many laughs you can fit into that many minutes?? I'm pretty sure we've maxed it out. But that's also a ton of choreography, music, practice, lines, practice, choreography, music, running through your head, getting your muscles in shape to do it naturally. Every day.

The stunning thing about this is, it's going to be a fantastic show. That much cramming, that much ticking, ticking, ticking, the show flowing through your head each moment. And it's really impressive. It's professional, has got its own 'OAT' twist to the original show, is dynamic, exciting, and stuffed with energy and fun. And talent, too. They're very talented. :-)

We owe a ton to our incredible director, Jason Cannon. Oh, the Cannon. He brings a new level to the show, knows exactly what he wants, and how to get us to do it. How to push it out of us, to bring forth energy from us that we didn't think we had at the end of a 7 hour rehearsal. Also, he's ridiculously creative. I truly enjoy working with/for him.

Munchkins are fantastic. These kids are so much fun. *having* so much fun, and really know how to work the munchkin thing. It's hilariously amusing. Plus, they're all great kids, and when I'm not running a scene my lap and sides are packed on the couch with the sillies. I'm pretty sure that all the teens/adults in this cast are just big munchkins too. It's unreal how many inside jokes we've created in this short amount of time. It's been admitted that, yes, we are having too much fun working together.

This is something I love. Every piece of it, including the tiredness after so much cramming. Because I do, I just   love theater. Putting together and putting on a good show. It's all worth it to me, each minute. The hard parts teach me more, stretch me, grow me. The enormous good and real fun and real memories you receive are outstanding and mean the world to me. I love this. And I'm so, so grateful for everything in it.

::a few thankfuls [29-33]

Today I'm grateful for:

29} sisters.

30} Old pianos.

31} Standing up tall.

32} Trips to Wal-Mart with the big brother.

33} Instagram.

::OZ

This may be the longest stretch of time in which I haven't blogged anything on here...what's kept me so long, you ask? Let me inform you:

Oz.

This is by far the busiest, craziest, most crammed, packed in show I've ever been part of! Can't imagine? Well..two weeks to rehearse the show, two weeks to perform. That's how fast this sucker is.

Needless to say, my time has been pretty occupied with it. I'm not complaining - it's one of the most eye-opening, bazaar shows I've done(which is a good thing, I think). This is not a Fine Linen show, and much more out of my comfort and normal zone, but it's been very beneficial.

With several "Fine Lineners" being a part, of course then, they bring "Fine Linen fun" right along with them. Plus, I'm getting to meet many new friends(mostly munchkins...you don't know how fun those kids are!) and I'm enjoying working with this new cast and crew. Everyone is very talented, and I think it's safe to say that we may be having just too much fun becoming "Ozians."
What am I? I play the yellow brick road, a winkie, Ozian, Polisher, the Twister. Now that's a list of characters, or should I better say, "things," I never thought I would portray. :-) But in theater, it's sometimes the odd, little parts that are the most fun and goofy. I'm also playing Nikko.
Yeah I know, you have no idea who Nikko is. No one does. I didn't either. Well, you learn something new everyday.
Nikko is commander of the flying monkeys. AKA, the Wicked Witch's sidekick. He's the dumby who thinks he's some big stuff as first mate to the witch, when really, at the end of the day, he's the one who gets yelled at. I think the reason no one notices him is because he really doesn't do much in the movie. It's in the play that he actually gets his shining moments.

Yup, that me, up there, in the red hat. I'm the ape general who gets orders from the Witch, and carries them out with the other flying monkeys. That's right, I have my own minions too. Don't get me mixed up, now, I'm the head guy. I take my monkey status very seriously.
It may also interest you to know that I am a Hispanic monkey. But that's kind of my own twist on the character...

 Above is pictured left to right, Kaylee(our Toto in Oz), Greg(Tin Man), Blane(Lion), Michael(Scarecrow), and Tessie(Dorothy). These five do the cutest job as the principles in the story. You would think you're watching the movie, except that, in my opinion anyway, they're better.

 Gessell, our amazing choreographer, and some of the munchkins. Kelly, in the red shorts, is one of the finniest kids you'll ever meet. He plays Mayor of Munchkin City, and oh boy, does he ham it up! He steals the show, that's for sure.

Above, our Kansas Toto, played by Boromir. He's wonderfully trained, and just the sweetest thing. I'm delighted to have this cute little guy as my dance partner in one scene. :-)

Last night we ran all of ACT 1, put together in 5 days. *phew* We get Mondays off, but then it's back to work Tuesday for the rest of the week, and opening next Thursday, I believe.
 I plan on taking my camera to practices this week, but I may not have time to put them up till after the show. Now I've given you my excuses and I hope you can cut me some slack until after the show. Only 3 weeks, you know, so you shan't have to wait that long. I hope you're having a wonderful month of June - get out there and enjoy some extra nice weather for me, while I'm inside the theater! :-) See you all next month!

We're in the middle of supper when Dad stops everything and solemnly says, "Well guys. I've never done this before. But I've just always wanted to."

And the next moment we're all staring at the wall where Dad's pea was flung from his spoon at the other end of the dining room.

Um, some more peas followed...