Don't Wanna Be A Canadian Idiot

It's nights like these, when I can't get to sleep and there's no boyfriend to talk to, that I should be blogging or reading the next book in The Hunger Games series. After a day like today, I think the former is the way to go, hopefully I'll get a little of the latter in too...

As scheduled, Gabe was to go on for the role of Johnny tonight so we had a put-in rehearsal in the afternoon to make sure all would go smoothly during the show. We had a couple boys out because of relatively minor-ish injuries, so both of our boy swings were put into the show. It was a bit of a whirlwind because one of the boys disappeared with his injury just as we were finishing notes, so we did the run through while spacing a fixing and figuring out tracks at the same time.

Then... just before the show started, before I was hooked into the chains that take me up for upside down girl, we get word that the rig isn't doing what we'd like it to do. Something about the power source in Toronto is different than how we had teched it in Utica, so we said 'better safe than sorry' and cut it. The great part about that is that I got to do the first number without a harness on! It felt glorious. A little weird to run on stage with the rest of the girls, but I had no idea what fun I was missing backstage while I was hanging out (literally) waiting for them.

We had an ever so quick discussion right before the curtain came up about the possibility of the fly rig not being ready. We were told that they were confident that the issue would be sorted out within the next 35 minutes, but in the off chance that it wasn't we were to basically walk the number. At some point one of the stage managers found some old non-fly contingency plan for bway (that was never put into use because FOY always works) so I got a chance to glance at it for a few seconds here and there during my numerous quick changes. Luckily, our team is so amazing that the rig was unquestionably fixed and we could fly Extraordinary Girl like nothing ever happened.

If I had ever doubted it (and I haven't), I know by what happened today that I am a part of something incredible. So much credit goes to the entire cast who tweaked things here and there to fill in spacing, vocals, and movement, but mostly to Vince and Tommy who combined did the work of three men tonight with only a scant rehearsal this afternoon. Gabe was an incredible Johnny, and we were all so excited to be doing Canadian Idiot for the first time!

What a day. With today's put-in rehearsal, I'd call this a nine and a half show week. I'm not sure that I've ever done more than five shows in one week before this, so it will be quite the personal accomplishment when we get to Sunday night! And then it all starts again on Tuesday...

What A Silly Girl

I'm shaking a little as I'm typing this. I have a phone interview for a radio station in Detroit (WWJ 950AM) in about ten minutes and I'm nervous! It's weird, I don't get nervous about shows or auditions much anymore. Just excited. But I've never done this before! I think what's freaking me out is that it's for a newsradio station. I'm afraid they're going to ask me how this show relates to the current political climate and I won't be able to come up with adequate answers. There's a pad of hotel stationary next to me on which I've scrawled a few notes about the show, the people involved, Green Day, but nothing about politics. Hopefully this will be more like the "All Things Considered" segment on what's-that-station in Los Angeles that has more to do with entertainment or fun stories as opposed to news items. It'll be taped, not live, so maybe they can just cut out the weird/uninformed things I say and make me seem like a bright shining representative of American Idiot. Or maybe I'll do so poorly that they'll decide not to air it at all, or interview someone else instead. I'd be totally ok with that... Yup, still shaking.

. . . . (20 mins later). . . .

What a silly girl I am. It went just fine. The anchor, Greg Bowman, was nothing but pleasant and much to my relief didn't mention anything about politics :) My hands are still a little clammy, but my heart rate is back to normal. Phew.

Now that that's over with.... Hey! We're in Canada!! Have been for a week now. You may be happy to know that my neck is feeling just fine and my back is nearly back to normal. My voice on the other hand... well, it's getting there. It's been one hell of a week... several great previews, opening night with a gala afterword (Adrienne, BJA's wife, was there and seemed very proud of what we did!), more shows, sound check and performance on new year's eve for the giant televised celebration downtown, and an open bar/free food party at a "British pub" to follow!

Saturday morning I woke up and noticed my voice felt a little hoarse. I'm not surprised after the week we had, I think all the excitement and adrenaline caused me to push a little to hard. The NYE party didn't help either, because how can you not loudly celebrate on new years eve?? I decided to put myself on vocal rest for the past two and a half days (we got Sunday AND Monday off!), speaking as little as I could manage. This interview was the second actual conversation I've had in those past 2.5 days, so that's a part of why I was nervous. Luckily all the words came out. Hallelujah.

We're back at it again tonight. So glad I had that time to rest and recuperate, because understudy and put-in rehearsals are already underway. It's gonna be another big week! Alright, another hour or two of Catching Fire before I'm off to fly call....

*Fun fact: even though my pants don't fit anymore, when I went to LA for xmas I found out I gained three pounds. That means I probably gained 5 pounds of solid muscle, baby.*

A Little Bit About Nichi...

Oh hi, I'm Nicci!

One. What is your middle name?  Marie
Two. What are you passionate about?  Finding meaning through art
Three. Zebra or leopard print?  Ooh, maybe zebra!
Four. Do you have any fears?  I'm terrified of tsunamis. It can be slightly debilitating. Also I guess being along... not on a day to day basis but in the grand scheme of things.
Five. Silver or gold?  I like to mix and match.
Six. Top three places to visit?  I've always wanted to go back to Leipzig, Germany. the Philippines has some of the most amazing scuba diving ever, and.... Aroma Coffee and Tea in Toluca Lake :)
Seven. How many siblings do you have?  One seester, Sarah. Two step brothers, Jesse and Justin.
Eight. Where are you from? As I tell everyone, I was born in Utah but am somehow not Mormon. Lived in Washington state for about 5 years before moving to northern California. Have been living in Los Angeles for the past 7 years.
Nine. First career you wanted as a child?  Artist. Then I think I wanted to be an astronaut for a minute.
Ten. What's your sign?  Libra (just barely, my birthday is Sept. 24)
Eleven. Future names of your children?  We'll get there when we get there...
Twelve. Do you have any pets?  Grew up with them but don't have any now. But I supplement my lack of pets by visiting my sister's website.
Thirteen. What are you listening to right now?  The ever pleasant sounds of a babbling humidifier.
Fourteen. Do you believe in fate/destiny? Hmm. I guess I believe there are great possibilities for everyone that they can reach if they're driven enough. So I think you kind of create your own.
Fifteen. What are your career goals?  To continue being a working actor and be able to pay my bills by doing what I love. And to be on the broad way ;)
Sixteen. What is your favorite color?  It's hard to pick one. I don't want to hurt the others' feelings.
Seventeen. What is your favorite flower?  Orchids and lilies.
Eighteen. What was the first concert/show you attended? I saw Phantom of the Opera with my family in third grade, and my first concert was Cake with my sister and her friends.
Nineteen. Something you are working on right now?  This thing...
Twenty. Have you ever had a near death experience?  I'll say probably.
Twenty-one. Are you a procrastinator or do you get things done early? Depends on what the thing is. Getting a flu shot or cleaning my room?  Procrastinator. Learning music/lines or organizing outings? You'd better believe I'm on top of it.
Twenty-two. Left of right handed?  Righty tighty.
Twenty-three. TV shows you watch regularly?  Breaking Bad. The Biggest Loser. Top Chef. Mad Men.
Twenty-four. Where do you work?  First national tour of American Idiot, baby!
Twenty-five. Halloween costume this year?  Jem from Jem and the Holograms. Made it myself (it was totally outrageous...)
Twenty-six. What is your relationship status?  I'm in one.
Twenty-seven. Last movie you watched?  Bradesmaids, last night, for the first time. 
Twenty-eight. Your best friend's name?  Kat(t) ;)
Twenty-nine. A song that's been stuck in your head?  Mama Knows Best - Jessie J
Thirty. A book you want to read/have recently read? Almost done with The Hunger Games, and after that it will be the Heroine Diaries.


I'll do a real blog update soon. Any other questions?