From Smudge:
12/7/02
At the 2:00 show, I was sitting front row, maybe three feet from the stage. There were these to really cute little boys to my left, and they were fun to talk to. Brian Collier (Pouncival) stared at me during the whole beginning. Ryan Jackson (Mistoffelees) played with me the whole ball (and a lot during the rest of the show). He said I reminded him of a ballet teacher he had when he was sixteen. lol. Let me just say that I think Memory is the low point of the show. I'm usually figitty (however you spell that) and bored, but I was BLOWN AWAY by Dee's Grizabella. I didn't move the entire song (both times in the show). And she was sick and she STILL was so incredibly powerful! Her intensity was fabulous. I loved her! I got lots of interaction with the cast because I was on the front row and I couldn't stop smiling. The show was great!
After the show I searched for the stage door and finally found it. I was supposed to get a backstage tour, but Ryan forgot to arrange it for me. So I finally get back there and Karl is walking out and I started talking to him. He is SO sweet! Of course, all of them are, but that's beside the point... I talked with Ryan and Karl and Jaqueline for a long time. Walked down to McDonald's with them, just chatting and getting things straightened out about that tour (which I did get to go on after the 8:00 show, thanks to Martin (Deuteronomy)). It was a lot of fun, and the cast were all very very sweet. Brian Collier and I got to talking about the strangely dressed children at the theater, which led to people coming "dressed like us." It was quite entertaining.
8:00 show. Just as good, if a little bit enteresting...They had two or three females out sick or injured, so they did a split track, in a addition to having several swings. Katie Wanner was in for Katy Burns as Rumpleteazer and it was her first time on in the role. She was so good! I'm sure she was incredibly nervous, but I was very impressed with her nonetheless. Stacy Rudnitsky, normally Jennyanydots (and a very good one at that!) went on for Grizabella, because Dee Riscioli was sick. It was Stacy's first time as Grizabella and she was also incredible! I knew it was her first time from talking with Ryan and Jaquie after the first show, but you would never have known that she had never played the role before. I was as captivated by her as I was by Dee. Both were phenominal. I was second row for this show, but there was still a lot of interaction with the cast. A lot of them had met me at McDonalds, and knew where I was sitting and such. Ryan kept "snarling" at me, Brian winked at me and made faces at me, Mario (who I never did get to meet) made faces, Karl played with me a lot. It was much fun. Nicole Johndrow is my hero. She was the one stuck with the split track and she handled it so well! She not only played Jellylorum/Griddlebone, but since Stacy was on for Grizabella, she also played Jennyanydots...It was so great! In the trio for Bustopher Jones, she and Ashley Yeater (Bombalurina) picked up the extra lines flawlessly. It was perfect. Had I not been so familiar with the show I would never have known that they were missing a cat.
After the show, I joined up with some people Martin Hurt had invited on a backstage tour, and got to go check stuff out backstage. The tour guide (I never caught his name!!! AHH!!!!) let me take a couple pictures on the stage!! It was so cool! He's my hero just like Nicole! yay! Anyway, I met Nicole, Jean Michelle Sayeg (Victoria), Adam Walters (Alonzo), several other people on that tour. It was so much fun, and I'm so grateful to Ryan, Karl, Martin, and Collin (even though he's not on the tour anymore) for being so cool with me and making the trip so fun! This is already way longer than I intended it to be, so I'll stop now. Thanks for bearing with me!
Ok, I just can't resist going through the cast and singing their praises. They were so incredible, and they absolutely deserve it! So here goes:
Alonzo (Adam Walters)-Great Alonzo! He really got into that hip action stuff! lol. Anyway, his fight with Macavity was great. He and Karl do the thing where Macavity hooks his legs on Alonzo's shoulders and Alonzo spins. I don't remember them doing that last time I saw it, but it looked really good. Especially cool because Karl just grabbed onto his leg and kicked up onto his shoulders. The trust in your fellow performer that that requires is insane...
Bombalurina (Ashley Yeater)-INCREDIBLE!!! The attitude Ashley gives the character is hysterical. I was in love with her version of Bomb as soon as she came onto the stage. She's tied with Marlene Danielle in my book of Best Bombalurinas. lol. This woman has INSANE flexibility in her back...She'll just drop her head back and practically lay it on her butt. At the end when she steps on Tugger, she does this kick and hits her head. It's upsetting how flexible she is! I wanna be able to do that!!!!! She really draws your eye when she's onstage, whether she's dancing or just sitting and chilling. Her character never breaks, and she plays of the other actors SO well. Plus, her make up was just awesome...
Bustopher/Gus/Growltiger (William Hartery)-Just as good, if not better than the first time I saw him. Bustopher was incredibly commical! The noise he made when he was about to "fall" off the hat was hysterical! lol. Gus was so SWEET! When he was recalling Firefrorfiddle (sp?) he had a tear running down his cheek, and it was so sweet. I loved it. Growltiger was so funny!!! And of course he has an incredible voice. I could write an essay on all the funny/cute/sweet things this guy did yesterday (but I won't). He's so much fun to watch!
Cassandra (Andrea Young)-Unfortunately, Cassandra isn't a character that I generally pay much attention to, but I was drawn to Andrea's Cass. Some of the Cassandras I've seen make some STRANGE faces....I did watch her to see if she made weird faces, and she didn't. I was happy! lol. Andrea is a really great dancer! And when Misto chooses her to bring Deuteronomy back, she's so cute! She sits on the pipe and makes faces like, "No, I'm scared!" until Deuteronomy is out and she disappears into the pipe. Very good!
Demeter (Kate Fahrner)-Another favorite! Ties with Celina Carvajal for favorite Demeter! She's an incredible dancer (I'm going to be saying that about everybody...lol) and her voice is so strong and clear. She puts so much into the character and it's really hard not to watch her, especially when she's coupled with Bombalurina. I was torn between which one to watch during Macavity! lol. I was about to go cross-eyed.
Grizabella (Dee Roscioli)-As I said, I was simply blown away. Her energy and intensity made it impossible to peal your eyes away from her for even a second. She is my favorite Grizabella of all time! There's nothing that I can say about her except oh my GOD! I seriously just don't know how to describe it... The way she embraces all of the cats after Victoria finally touches her is so sweet! She has this look of utter shock and complete joy on her face and she holds on to the other cats like she's afraid that if she lets them go they'll shun her again. It was incredible!
Grizabella (Staci Rudnitsky)-She is another "oh my God!" I saw her first performance as Grizabella and I was SO impressed. She does the role so differently from Dee, but it's just as good. And she's TINY!!! Dee is tall, and she's like, my height, maybe an inch or two shorter. (I'm 5'3") Her Griz is REALLY cute next to Deuteronomy cuz she hardly comes up to Martin's shoulder.
Jellylorum/Griddlebone (Nicole Johndrow)-Nicole is just too cute! I adore the way she sings Gus's song. She chastises him for holding his little meetings at the pub, and just a lot of cute little things like that. She makes an incredible Griddlbone! Her voice is just...I don't know...It's incredible. Just crystal clear and GORGEOUS! Some of the looks she gives Growltiger are hysterical! She and William make a great pair. When Genghis says "Griddlebone, she gave a SCREECH..." she does this adorable little step. I can't, to save my life, remember what it's called right now, but it's just a little ballet step. I've never seen any Griddlebone do anything but a pose there and I loved that little addition! She's my hero.
Jennyanydots (Staci Rudnitsky)-How cute can you get?! She is another one I don't know how to describe. She was such an adorable Jennyanydots! I saw her as Jenny before I saw her as Griz, and it was VERY neat to see how easily she made that transition from one show to the next. Great actress, singer, dancer (her tap is awesome!). I just loved this woman on all accounts!
Jennyanydots (Nicole Johndrow)-Did I mention that Nicole is my hero? She played both Jellylorum and Jennyanydots in the 8 pm show! She was so cute as Jenny! She and Staci did a lot of the same things, but did them in VERY different ways, if that makes any sense at all...It makes sense in my head, but not when I read it. lol. I don't know how to describe it, but she was really good!
Mistoffelees (Ryan Jackson)-I can't possibly say enough about Ryan! He is absolutely my favorite Mistoffelees ever, and I've seen *counts* six. The way Julius Sermonia shoved Jacob Brent out of the top spot is nothing compared to how Ryan tossed Julius out. I was captivated with him as soon as he came leaping onto the stage. He played with me throughout both shows, which only endeared him to me more. Ryan is an INCREDIBLE dancer! Of course, he could have been the worst dancer I've ever seen and I probably wouldn't have even noticed. The intensity of his character is GREAT. I have never seen Misto characterized the way Ryan does it. I think one of my favorite parts is at the beginning of Jenny's song. All of the other Mistos I've seen get embarrassed when Munkustrap starts talking about Jennyanydots instead, but Ryan got really indignant and hissed at Mungojerrie and Pouncival and the other cats who started joking with him about it. It was SO cute. Then again, so was everything else he did. Ryan is one of the nicest people I've ever had the pleasure of meeting! I really just can't say enough about him, but I'll stop now anyway cuz I've written like...twice as much about him as anyone else.
Mungojerrie (Mario Martinez)-This guy is, hands down, the cutest Mungojerrie I've ever seen! During Moments, he actually chews on Rumple's shoulder fluffs. It's too cute. And he's so playful. He tickles Tumblebrutus and he and Rumple crawl all over each other and fall on the floor. It's so funny! Mario and Roger Kachel (Broadway) are my favorites, but they do it so differently that they are no comparison to one another.
Munkustrap (Joshua John Edwards)-Big guy! At least he looks big from stage, I don't know if he really is or not cuz I didn't get to meet him. He's got a really good voice and he's a good dancer. I don't think he interacts much with the audience, which I don't particularly enjoy, but I suppose that's how he sees the character, and I'm in no position to critique his characterization. I certainly wouldn't comlain about seeing him play Munkustrap again! I liked the way he played the fight scene with Macavity, especially after he gets hurt. Cassandra kind of cleans his wounds and the way he responds to that is VERY realistic!
Old Deuteronomy (Martin C. Hurt)-Aside from being a fabulous Deuteronomy, he's also a really nice guy! If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have gotten to go on that backstage tour! Martin's voice is SO good! I loved him Jellicle Songs too. VERY cute!
Plato/Macavity (Karl Warden)-Oh my God! Can we say ADORABLE?! Karl's Plato is just so cute! He's a great dancer, and his tumbling is incredible! When he comes out as Macavity, his laugh is awesome! It's scary dude! I really think he scared the little boy sitting beside me at the first show! lol. Karl is also a really great guy! He was so sweet to me at the stage door and we chatted for a good while about absolutely nothing, which is the best type of conversation! lol. He makes one HOT Plato and freaky as hell Macavity! lol
Pouncival (Brian Collier)-Brian played the role both shows is place of Eric Shorey. He stared at me the entire opening number in the 2:00 show, and made some cute faces at me during both shows. His Pouncival is hyper! He slid into the stage right moniter more than once, with Karl right behind him to put it back in place. It was very cute. Brian is a really nice guy, but then again, I didn't meet anyone that I didn't absolutely adore, so that kind of goes without saying!
Rumpleteazer (Katy Burns)-Katy is cute as a button. Unfortunately, I only got to see her for the first act of the 2 pm show. She was adorable in the M&R number! I can't imagine how she and Mario manage to do all that movement and still sing the song. I suppose using a character voice helps, so they don't have to always worry about making it "pretty." The two made a great team and worked very well together!
Rumpleteazer (Katie Wanner)-This Katie was also very cute! I was kind of disappointed that I wouldn't get to see Katy Burns finish the show, but I was very pleased with Katie Wanner's performance! She and Mario were HYSTERICAL! I was biting my finger to keep from laughing too loudly when they came out at the beginning of the second act! They were climbling all over each other and she crawled over his back and he just collapsed. It was SO funny! And in the Moments, they sat side by side, and Mario layed his cheek on her shoulder and started chewing on her shoulder fluffies!!! He was grabbing on and pulling and she was like, "What the HEEEEELL?!?!" It was great!. Anyway, she was on the whole 8 pm show. It was her first time performing the M&R number, and she did so well! Her voice is just so CUTE, and of course she's a great dancer! She's just as cute in person as a cat too. Absolutely adorable.
Rum Tum Tugger (Stan Stanley)-Naturally, he was very sexy! He picked the lady like three rows behind me to dance with him at the first show. Oh well, I suppose I shall survive. Stan was just as wonderful this time as he was when I saw it in Charlotte!
Sillabub (Jacqueline Stedman)-Jacqui is so CUTE! She is one of my favorite Sillabubs! She has a really pretty voice, too! I don't think it's "typical" North American Sillbub, but still gorgeous! I think her voice was clearer than many, many other Sillabubs I've seen. My eye was really drawn to her during the Ball because she is an excellent dancer!
Skimbleshanks (Adam Lendermon)-Adam is also, naturally, a great dancer. He is such an animated Skimbleshanks! The train changed from one show to the next though. I was like, "Whaaaa...." The front of it wasn't the same. It was strange! lol. Anyway, I loved his face when he turned around and realized he was "naked." It was priceless. If you don't know which part I'm talking about, it's during his song when the "kittens" are laying in a semi-circle around him...That's about the best I can do right now to describe it...lol
Tumblebrutus (Joey Abramowicz)-Joey just started playing Tumblebrutus last month to replace Collin! *pout* I was disappointed that I didn't get to see Collin play the role, but Joey was really good. He's got some mad tumbling skills! He's also a very good dancer, but that goes without saying. During Gus's number, some of the looks passing between him (on the oven, CR) and Victoria (on the tire) were priceless! She would look over at him and he would "blush." Obviously he wasn't really blushing, but he facials and his body made it quite obvious that that's what he intended. It was very cute!
Victoria (Jean Michelle Sayeg)-Can we say PRECIOUS?!?!?!?!?! She makes such an adorable Victoria! Her facials are just absolutely precious, especially when Skimble chastises her during his song for bumping Jellylorum out of line. She just looks so crestfallen! She glances over at Sillabub like, "But you said I should...." Omg, SO cute! I love her to death! She is hands down the most adorable Victoria I have ever seen. And she is such a BEAUTIFUL dancer! She is technically flawless, but the expression she puts into everything she does is just...just...ah! Favorite Victoria EVER! And she's so sweet! I also LOVE her name!
The techie dude who gave me a tour (dunno his name)-He is my other hero!!! He let me take pics on the stage, which makes him just perfect! lol. I wish I knew his name though! If any of you tour people know who I'm talking about (I know there are a few of you here...lurking), could you please tell me his name?
The tour is awesome! I would put this cast up against any Broadway cast in a minute. They all work togther so well, it's almost scary! lol. I really enjoyed the time I spent with you guys, and the shows were fabulous! Thanks!
~Broadway Taeby
Note from Staci Rudnitsky:
For those of you who saw the show Saturday nite, The Jenny/Jelly split track was actually played by Elizabeth Inghram, as Nicole was unfortunately sick as well It was also Elizabeth's last weekend with us (she left the tour today), and we will all miss her terribly - you're right, she was absolutely fantastic, and she certainly went out with a bang It was a crazy weekend for all of us, and it's fun to know that you were there to witness the massive schizophrenia that occured onstage (which cat am I today?), and enjoyed it!
ps-the reason the train looked different in the second show is that we had to cut the umbrella that Jenny usually holds towards the front of the train....as phenominal as Elizabeth was, she couldn't be in two places at once!
From Cherasa:
12/7/02
.:. I was there, too! First time seeing it live, I had an absolute blast. (Section H, row C, seat 14!) I was right on the aisle, though rather in the back. The seats were still bloody expensive. But I was sitting there watching, and Quaxo passed me, and then another cat, someone pale, I couldn't tell who it was, but they stopped and looked at me and held out their hand and my brain turned completely into GOO. I could think to do ANYTHING intelligent. I was just sitting there in a state of absolute shock and awe, etc., etc. It was fantastic. Looking back, I wish I had at least said, "Kitty!" and patted them or something equally silly rather than just sitting there, stunned, like a complete moron...
We went to the stage door after the show and stood about, getting autographs and things. I looked around to see if there was anyone in costume, but there wasn't. Poo. Let me tell you, the bloke that played Mistoffelees, that Ryan bloke, was drop-dead GORGEOUS. He came out with the chick that played Cass, and they stood and chatted with me for a bit. Old Deut (or perhaps it was Gus, it was dark and hard to tell) made a very hasty retreat while I was talking to the dance captain, who was playing Pounce that night. I told him Pounce was my favourite, he sort of nodded and didn't seem too impressed. *L* A bit earlier, we were talking to Joshua John Edwards, and me and this little-girl-type-person asked if Misto had come out yet and if we had missed him. He said no, and we both squealed like spazzy Etceteras. It was really funny. *laughs* I was so hyper it was insane...
.:. But yeah. If anyone thinks they know who that cat was that stopped and peered at me, it would be good to know. Everyone was such a talented dancer, and Rumpel was just SO cute. Silla was a wonderful singer, Jenny was so matronly, Grizz made me cry, Munkus was very regal, Gus was fantastic, Jelly/Griddle was fantastic in both roles, Mac was so scary I jumped a mile when he zapped the cables even though I knew it was coming, Misto was a GREAT dancer and there was so much applause while he was dancing, Mungo was hysterical, Bomby was really kickin' it up out there, I enjoy run-on sentences, Genghis was absolutely terrific, Demeter did that snazzy little hissy-wind-up-look-it-isn't-really-old-dude thing and sang WONDERFULLY, Alonzo was rather indistinguishable from the rest of the cast, if perhaps only to me because I couldn't tell him from Plato/Pounce/Tumble/Mungo, who all seemed to be the same CAT from where I was sitting. I couldn't see but the SLIGHTEST details of everyone's makeup, which was dissapointed... This is the longest paragraph ever.