Yay! Go Suzanne!

Suzanne won! Suzanne won! Suzanne won!

Dancing With the Stars that is - if you've been living under a rock.

I didn't actually see it; in fact I only saw the first couple of episodes thanks to Annie, but tonight I had txt updates from Mum and got home just in time for the announcement.

Am so stoked, I can't stand Megan bloody Alatini, but have always liked Suzanne, she's such a fun person and a great inspiration too.

Yay!

And on another note, what the giddy is this???!!!!!

"Janine's in Annie; she's faymous"

(That's a bastardisastion of the line, "Annie's on the radio; she's faymous").

Anywho, just as Judy Garland has a cult gay following, it's looks like I have a cult geriatric following!
Once again, I got recognised at work by some of Riverlea Theatre's blue rinse brigade. (Saturday afternoon matinee goers for those of you who aren't theatre peeps). Apparently they have seen me in a number of shows - the most recent being yesterday's performance of Annie and that was reason to stand around cooing at me and not letting me clean the cinemas! lol
Anyone familiar with The Music Man? "Pick-a-little-talk-a-little-pick-a-little-talk-a-little-cheep-cheep-cheep-talk-a-lot-pick-a-little-more". Hehe!
Anyway, it's always quite fun to be recognised. Good for the ego!

Speaking of egos, everyone's favourite - Greg the Hack was on bar last night, and still thinks it's ok to come up behind me and give me a big bear hug. Yuk.

The times they are a changing

And so has my blog! Whatcha reckon?

I'm always happy to share my genius (hehe!) with others, so if you want a purdy new blog template like mine, here's the site I got mine from - there's a Harry Potter one out there for a certain Shambley pair I know! And a Pirates of the Caribbean one for you ladies with a lust for Johnny!

http://blogger-templates.blogspot.com/

Only downside is I can't have my pretty face above my profile for all to see. Ah well. Here's one of me exploring my inner blonde bombshell instead!

There's no business like show business....apparently!

So, on Monday I decided that I needed to take a break from the dramatic world for a bit; maybe that way when I started up again, the adrenaline might come back and I would start enjoying it again.

But it seems that someone up there has very different ideas and doesn't want me to stop!

Yesterday of course, I found out I had a role in the vampire flick and this morning I get a call from Gaye Poole saying someone has pulled out of a play she's directing at uni, would I like the part!

So, I figure I may as well give it another shot. Afterall, it's an actor's dream to have roles coming in left, right and centre! Right?


Oh, and thank you to everyone for your birthday wishes :) To bad, it's such a yukky day outside!


Crispy MnMs are sooooooo good!

Grrrrr! (Or whatever sound vampires make)!

So, apparently I have a role in this vampire film Joe Citizen's making. Go figure!
A few weeks ago I had a really strange recall where everyone went in and we crawled around on the floor like vampires for an hour. I thought that was the beginning of a rehearsal and we were all vampires, but no. I have yet ANOTHER recall coming up and apparently if you got one of these recalls you've got a part, it's just a matter of finding out which part!
Kinda cool, except that I find screen quite boring to do compared to theatre and my heart is not really in theatre either at the moment. (I actually groaned to myself when I realised I had a show tonight. All cannot be right in the Fairy Kingdom).
But maybe being in a gorefest vampire film might be kinda neat.

By the way, if you've been wanting to check out Sylvia Park shopping centre in that nasty Auckland place, don't bother. Same old, same old. Went there yesterday on an impromptu road trip with my...um...er......ahh......my 'gentleman caller' and ended up at The Warehouse. Whooppee.

1 more sleep until I'm a ballerina's fluffy pink dress! (22; two-two; tutu...get it? Never mind).

I've lost that loving feeling

Well, tonight was the opening of Annie. It went so well, no mistakes, great audience, I didn't flash the audience like I did last night when my blouse button popped, and yet.....I feel nothing. I accepted a few shows ago that I no longer get nervous....then that the loss of nervousness meant a slight loss of the adrenaline rush you get from a great show.......but now..... Nothing. I'm just on autopilot the whole show. Even the standing ovation we got tonight didn't do it for me!
I mean, this is my life I'm talking about! I'm doing the only thing I've ever wanted to do since I was four and I'm not really enjoying it much anymore.
The cons are starting to outweigh the pros. I'm sick, I'm tired, my house is a mess coz I'm never home, I've missed several shows I wanted to see.......This really bites the big one.
Am not going to give up just yet though. I'm thinking it may just be that I am a company member in another musical and that I need a decent size role in a show that is perhaps more challenging.
I know there are no small parts, only small actors, but that's not how I'm feeling at all. I just want a challenge, something juicy I can really sink my teeth into.
Playbox has another farce coming up, and hopefully I will get a part in that (and not just a non English speaking maid, with four lines. Four lines that are basically the same line repeated four times!)
Time for another Lemsip I think. Cough. Cough. Splutter.

Opinions needed please!

Right, so I'm wanting to get myself a personalised plate. Frivilous waste of money perhaps, but I also heard that cars with personalised plates are less likely to get stolen. Anyway, I want one!

I have two choices, but I can't decide, so it's up to you lovely people! Whatya think?
By the way, if anyone pinches my ideas....LOOK OUT!!!!!

Choice #1: A fun plate that may make me come across as a materialistic tart:


Choice #2: A more serious one that shows me as the true drama nerd I am:

6 more sleeps!

So, the birthday countdown has started - hehe! I think I'm still 2, not turning 22!
And I have decided to treat myself to a prettification at Beauty World next Wednesday, with a facial, manicure and maybe even a wax if I feel particularly brave!

I have also decided that I will turn 21 again sometime this year. So watch this space for details of my splendiforous 21st extravaganza to be announced........well sometime!

By the way, anyone else on Bebo? My latest net addiction. Add me!

http://www.bebo.com/invite/1186348997a342189985b229

To life, To Life, L'Chaim!

What a fun day!
Our only day off in the last two weeks and instead of sleeping, Emma and I were up and on the road to Auckland by 10am to see the legendary Topol perform in Fiddler On The Roof at the Civic.
Not only was the thought of actually SEEING a musical for a change, and one of my favourites too exciting, but it was at my favourite theatre. If you haven't been to The Civic, you have to go. It is very Paris Opera, with plush red velvet, golden statues of Buddhas and elephants, luscious, sweeping staircases, an elaborate proscenium arch, boxes and of course, my favourite part, the deep blue ceiling on which twinkling stars and floating clouds appear when the lights go down.
Emma had never been there before so she was very impressed.
So, the show.
And you know what? Our small, humble little Riverlea Theatre should be extremely proud. Our version was BETTER!!!!!!
One reason is the intimacy. Emma and I were stuck way up in the heavens in the cheap seats, so we were very removed from the action, which makes it hard to feel for the characters. Whereas Riverlea only seats about 150, so every person in the audience can be right there in Anatevka experiencing Tzarist Russia with Tevye and his family.
Then the actual acting. The cast were not a family. I'm an only child, but I have five little sisters. Everyone in our cast got along so well and you can see that in performance. We even had a Jewish lady in the cast who would bring in the special bread and hold Sabbath Prayer in the Green Room before a Friday night performance. How's that for getting into character!?
You couldn't even tell the three older girls apart. They were the same height and build and had no personality at all! And Tzeitel seemed like she could quite easilly resign herself to marrying Lazar Wolf. My Tzeitel went completely nuts, pleading with Papa. I found that quite amusing. So, yes, my Tzeitel kicked professional Tzeitel's ass!
Oh, and I won't even comment on the fact that except for Topol, the entire cast spoke with a broad Aussie accent.
Makes my Yiddish/South African accent look pretty darn good!
The dancing however was their one-up on us. Emma and I were disgusted that noone clapped after the very impressive bottle dance, so we ended up starting the applause - which in a huge theatre like that, 3/4 full, is a LOT of fun!
I was surprised that all of the dances were staright from the movie, but Emma informed me that the choreographer actually gets a handbook with dance instructions! Thank goodness, Emma ignored it and choreographed her own dances. It was so much better. Especially since, I've already seen the movie, so when I go to see a show on stage, I expect to see something different, a different interpretation, not the same routines I already know off by heart!
The set was very similar to ours, with unfolding "Polly Pocket" houses, but they had a revolving stage. Lucky buggers.
The Sabbath Prayer made me cry, it was so beautiful. It is my favourite number from the show and they did it so beautifully. Words cannot describe it.
Our Russians were also much more disruptive at the wedding, and we only had two! It sets the entire tone for the end of Act 1, and this production just didn't have the intensity. All they did was pull the tableclothes of the tables and shread the pillows.
What else can I criticise? Lol.
The end didn't mkae us bawl our eyes out either, We both sat there dabbing at our eyes, but that was because we knew what was happening and were even anticipating what would happen. But our ending at Riverlea, made so many people cry! It was great! Very, very moving. Even being onstage, my eyes often got a little moist!
Overall, we weren't overly impressed by any of the performances excpet Topol. And we were highly amused that after 30 years of playing Tevye, he still forgets some of his lines!!!! (We both know the whole show off by heart, you see. So we notice things like that!)
Now, I've critised a lot, but it was an amazing show and I am so pleased I got to see it. I'm mainly just thrilled that our little amateur theatre can hold it's own against the big flashy, huge budget shows!
Of course, credit must go to the amazing Mrs Ryan, who is an incredible director and can bring out the best in every actor. And even though she's my mentor and second mother, that's not a biased opinion! Ask anyone who's worked with her!

Ok, so the rest of our day.
Walking back to the carpark along Queen St, we passed a beauty parlour with a sign outside that said: "Waxing, 20% off." Now Emma and I are over tired, so we burst into hysterical giggles waiting at the crossing. Two snotty old ladies in front of us turned around and looked down the pointy noses at us, and then this big, scruffy Maori guy comes up behind us and says, "What's so F'n funny?" Emma turns around and says, "It's just a girly joke, you probably woulldn't get it." And then he starts hurling abuse at us, in effect calling us "F'n white honky maggots"!!!!!!
Gees, those Jafas need to get a sense of humour!
Anyway it certainly made us anxious about laughing in public again!
So we had time to kill before the ballroom showcase, so we wandered around, practised our socialite window shopping that we do in a scene from Annie, had some dinner. Had some coffee and cake. Gossiped. Talked theatre. The usual.
Then it was time to "dance with the stars". Well, just Megan friggin' Alatini, coz Frank Bunce was delayed at the tv studio, and Suzanne Paul had broken Stefano's nose that morning! (You heard it here first, folks!) Am so disappointed Suzanne wasn't there. She is so going to win. She's great.
Megan however, had to have two restarts when she and Johnny got up to dance!
Some amazing young dancers at that studio, some really young boys too, which was great to see. I expected it to be all middle aged plus people.
I wasn't wallflower all night either. Emma persuaded her friend Roz to loan me her hubby Gary for a waltz which was magic. And apparently I am very good! I got back to the table and Emma said, "Where did you learn to do a '...........' turn?" "A what?" Apparently, Gary had lead me in some sort of fancy turn (not that I even noticed!) which meant I had achieved a twelve week course in 3 minutes! See, it's true, once you've done ballet, and if your partner can lead well, you can do anything!
Fun drive home too, moccahinos and singing along to Classic Hits Jukebox Saturday Night. In bed at 1am and now a 9 hour rehearsal to go to! Fun, fun!

Happy Mother's day and text 'Suzanne' to 8981!

I am officially the girliest girl around

Got laughed at last night at rehearsal when I discovered there are now pink peanut MnMs. My "Ooh! Pink!" was apparently a tad loud.
But how cool is that!? Pink MnMs!!!!

Ay Caramba!

Check out the dotties on my map!
How cool am I?!

Singletondom Sucks

So, today I reserve the right to be a hermit and wallow.

It's a year today that Conan went back to the UK for good and I have been (technically) boyfriendless. And according to Sex And The City, revirginised. Hmm...not too sure how I feel about that!

The strange thing is that at the time, standing at the airport, waving goodbye and watching the plane leave, and explaining to Mum how the pilot was getting into the circuit and all the checks he was doing (!) I didn't cry. Which for anyone who's met me for five minutes knows is a major thing! I'm always crying! I guess I just didn't want to acknowledge it then, but I had a feeling that that was it. I would never see him again. Creepy.

I still miss him terribly though. Although, it's not really him that I miss, rather than the amazing character he created. His ego was right; he was an amazing actor. I guess I now know what it must have been like for Vivien Leigh and Joan Plowright being married to Lawrence Olivier!
He really did create my version of the perfect man though.

And it seems I am one of those pathetic women who actually needs a boyfriend to be happy. However, I claim that I need a boyfriend for my health! As the only time my depression goes away is when I am in an happy relationship! I was initially disgusted with myself for not being a stronger, more independant, who needs a man, woman. But I would rather be pathetic than put up with the scary thing known as depression.

Damn Chris Zampese! It's all his fault. Finding out I was one of four women he was seeing absolutely devestated me and I haven't been the same since. And of course the theatre world is a small one and he's in charge of photos and the programme for Annie, so I had to put up with seeing him and smiling at the camera he was holding on Saturday. Grrr. Really don't need that!

However, after Chris, Conan came along, and poof! Depression gone. Until Nichola. Poof! Depression back.

Is it because men in the theatre world are teased about being gay so much that they have to prove their manhood by seeing as many women as they can at one time? Hence, why I'm swearing off actors. We can't be trusted. But it's men more than women who can't be trusted. No woman I know in the theatre does this. But I can name several men.

So since I found out about Nichola, I have been out with three guys. Two said, not really into a relationship but am really keen to have you as a bonk buddy. The third may have been thinking the same but I don't know. He just wants to be friends, but I have't heard from him in awhile, so who knows. A shame really, coz I quite liked that one.

Now, if I were blonde and pretty and walked around with half my clothes missing, I betcha I wouldn't have this problem. I'm really hating skanky blonde bimbos at the moment, since it seems that this is what men think they want. Elegance, class and grace mean nothing and if you're not a slut they don't want to know ya.

Gee, I wish I could have been around in the 1950s instead. Not just for the decent, well behaved young men, but the only fears one had were communism and nuclear bombs! Now it's gangs, drug fuelled violence, rape, savage dogs, war, terrorism and who knows what else. I don't even feel safe walking from my car to my front door when I get home late at night.
Horrible, horrible world.

Ok, rant over.

You've probably learned more than you ever needed to know about me! My apologies.

There will be a quiz on Friday.

Breakfast At.......Pascoes?!

Have decided I need a new self indulgance to ward off the mean reds, which are getting worse by the day it seems. Damn depression. So, since there is no classy jewellery joint like Tiffany's in Hamilton where simply standing outside eating a danish and drinking a cup of coffee can make you feel better; I decided the next best thing to do is actually go inside a relatively cheap and much less classy shop like Pascoes and BUY some diamonds. Time to move on from silver jewellery to the hard stuff! And no, I don't think it would be tacky for me to wear diamonds before I'm forty! You do understand.

So, I'm now sitting here watching Breakfast At Tiffany's wearing a pretty 9ct gold diamond ring. Now, the diamonds may be so small they are practuically nonexistant, but they are still diamonds......Just!

And at least jewellery will take up less space than 120 pairs of shoes!

The Friday Five

My life would not be the same without this...
1. Song / Movie / Book:
Dancing Queen / An Affair To Remember / Gone With The Wind

2. Person:
My Mummy

3. Place:
Riverlea Theatre

4. Event:
Any production I'm involved in

5. Self Indulgence:
Shoes!

So, what does a young, single plain Jane do on a Friday night? Absolutely nothing. Again. I am so over living by myself. 2 years this month, I've been in my little flat and I love it to bits, but I am so lonely! All I've got is Cary to keep me company. Cary and Malteasers that is. Hmm. No wonder the costumes I have worn in several different musicals no longer fit :(
The thing is, I couldn't stand living with flatmates, and there's no way I'd ever move back home, and anyway, I love my house too much to ever want to leave it! Sigh. Keeping busy ain't helping much either. So if anyone is as bored and lonely as me, feel free to come visit!

I am slain.

So, apparently I do a pretty good death by poison, coz I got a callback for the vampire movie! Haha!