Life is a Cabaret

It’s a week away people…..one week from today I will be at home getting ready for my big Cabaret Debut!

I’m excited and nervous all at the same time.  One minute I can’t wait for next week, and the next I’m trying to quiet the voices of negativity in my head (you know the ones, the ones that tell you you’re not quite ready, you’re not good enough, you should quit, etc. and so forth).   But I’m not listening to those voices, well, not much.   I’m trying to stay positive and realize that being nervous is normal.  This is my first show….on my own.  I’ve done workshop shows where I’ve sung between one and three songs, but never a whole show of just me and yes, that’s nerve-wracking.  It’s also so exciting I can’t stand it!

This week I’ve been spending time on my own going over my blocking, my patter, and my lyrics.  Tonight I’ll be looking over every single song in my show and asking myself the question Why?   Why am I singing this song?  What am I trying to say?  I’ve asked these questions before, but I will ask them again to solidify my motivations and my inner monologues for each song within the show, because that can change things.   A song can be about one thing on it’s own, but in the context of a story arc, it could be about something entirely different and I need to make sure I understand that for my own sanity.

This weekend I have my final rehearsals.  Sunday is a final music run-through with my wonderful musical director, Steven Ray Watkins.  Monday is a final (and full-dress) run-through with both Steven and my amazing director, Lennie Watts followed by an hour of cue-to-cue tech (which should be interesting and new).   Then I’ll have two days before the show.   Hopefully I can keep on with my positive thoughts and thinking….and not run away to Pennsylvania (where my parents live) — of course, if I did that, my Mother would just talk to me and make me realize how much I love this stuff and I would be back on the bus to NYC (probably with them as they are coming to all three shows — I love my parents!).

So….there you go….the show is a week away.   If you want details and dates, check out my homepage for all the details and a really great picture of my postcard (designed by Hector Coris - Thanks!) with a cute photo of ME on it!

So, where the heck have I been lately?  Well, when I’m not in classes I’m working my tail off on my show!!!

Yes, the elusive Cabaret Show is really happening people, and it’s coming up fast.  So, that has meant rehearsals, meetings, and home study on songs, patter, etc.

Firstly, rehearsals.  I have had a few with the boys, Lennie and Steve, to work on my TV Theme song medley (will have another medley rehearsal this weekend) and to talk about other issues with my show.  These are going really well and are alot of fun.  Steven and Lennie are a joy to work with - not only are they brilliant, but they are hilarious!

Meetings - I met with Sidney Meyer, the booking manager of Don’t Tell Mama to talk about my show, me, him, and Cabaret in NYC in general - it was a delightful and informative meeting and I came away knowing way more about cabaret and booking a room for a show than I did before (which, to my credit, was not much).    After our meeting I went back to the boys to discuss days they were free in September, looked at my calendar and my fan base (my family and friends!) and came away with three dates that worked perfectly.  Luckily, they also worked for Sidney and Don’t Tell Mama so I’m all set.   Are you ready?  Here are the dates for my Premiere Cabaret show - my debut as it were - September 10th at 7pm, September 13th and 20th at 6pm.      So exciting!!!

What’s next on my to-do list for the show?   Memorizing new songs, working on the medley, working on a few really new songs (things we just decided to add about two weeks ago), working on my marketing plan (in fact, I’m meeting with my friend and talented Cabaret performer, Dezur Kenna, this evening to go over postcard design), coming up with a title, writing patter, attending Summer in the City again (yeah!), and rehearsing, rehearsing, rehearsing.  Whew!   I’m tired after just writing that list!

So, I have two months to get this show up and running - way more than enough time, so says my crack team of experts, but I’m feeling a bit worried.  I know I’m in good hands though, so I’ll try to relax and go with the flow.  Most of all I’m going to have a great time with the process, learning all I can, and trusting that things will be amazing!