Into the Woods and Out of the Woods....

This was the finale of Into the Woods.
That's me on the far left, in the blue dress and shawl!
Photo Credit: Michelle Seitler

Rumors were flying during the winter of my junior year of high school. 

Everyone was making guesses about what the musical was going to be.  Since my school had the regional premiere of Legally Blonde: The Musical we knew we had to do a memorable show.

The announcement was made and it was the breathtaking musical that is "Into the Woods."

Into the Woods tells the story of famous fairytale characters from the stories "Jack and the Beanstalk," "Rapunzel," "Little Red Riding Hood" and "Cinderella."  These stories are woven together by two new characters, the Baker and his wife, as they follow a witch's instructions in order to have a child. 

The moral of the story is to be careful what you wish for because you just might get it and it may be more than you can handle.

I decided that I wanted to play Cinderella because it fit my vocal range as a soprano and I felt that I could connect with her.  And who doesn't want to sing "No one is alone?"

This was when I got to take my first
solo curtain call bow.
Photo Credit: Michelle Seitler

I went through the audition and got a callback.  At the callback, I sang for Rapunzel, the Baker's Wife and Cinderella.

I left callbacks feeling terrified.

The cast list went up the next school day during last period.  

I did it.  I got Cinderella.

I was so excited.  This was the first lead in a musical that I had gotten in high school.

I couldn't wait to portray a different side of the classic Disney princess that James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim had dreamed up.

The role challenged me as an actress as well as a singer.  I found things out about the character and myself that I didn't know were there.

Performing in the show was an amazing experience and I still consider myself to be Cinderella even today.  

Once you're a princess, you never go back.

Break Legs,

Sydney

Broadway Has Gone to the Dogs!

The play "Sylvia" opened last night at the Cort Theatre.

This play stars Tony Award winners Annaleigh Ashford (Sylvia), Matthew Broderick (Greg), Julie White (Kate) and Clarence Dewart Award winner Robert Sella (Leslie/Tom/Phyllis).

Annaleigh Asford stars as the spunky
pup in Sylvia.
Photo Credit: Playbill

Sylvia Stells the story of a New York couple whose lives are turned upside down when they take in a new dog, Sylvia.

In the show, Sylvia is actually played by a human and has conversations with Greg, who is very attached and bonded to her.

"Sylvia" opened Oct. 27, 2015.
Photo Credit: Playbill

The original production of Sylvia premiered Off-Broadway on May 2, 1995 and starred Sarah Jessica Parker as the title character.  It ran for 167 performances.


Even though this play has appeared in New York before on a professional stage, since it is the first time it has been on Broadway, it is considered a new play.  This show will most likely be up for the "Best New Play" award at the Tony's in June.

The show has opened to rave reviews, with critics calling it charming and zany.  Many praised Ashford's acting and commitment to playing a dog.

I have a feeling Ashford may have another Tony Award in her future after playing this animalistic role.

To purchase tickets to Sylvia click here.

Break Legs,
Sydney

Housewife Headed Back to Broadway

 Leakes
Photo Credit: Playbill

Real Housewives of Atlanta star, NeNe Leakes, will return to the Great White Way after a highly acclaimed stint playing Madame in Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella.

Leakes will play Matron "Mama" Morton in Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre.  She will play this role Nov. 23 through Dec. 20

Leakes made her Broadway debut in Cinderella replacing Sherri Shepherd.  Leakes was with the show until it closed Jan. 3, 2015.

The first revival of "Chicago" opened
Nov. 14, 1996.
Photo Credit: Playbill

The role of "Mama" in Chicago has been played by many famous actresses like Jennifer Holiday, Debra Monk, Bebe Neuwirth, Sofia Vergara and Wendy Williams.

I think that Leakes will be great in the role.  She has already proven she can handle Broadway after appearing in Cinderella.

This role calls for a powerful and sassy actress, which Leakes can definitely pull off.  This role is in great hands.

Although Leakes started out as a reality star, she has acted on shows like Glee and The New Normal.

Chicago currently stars Rumer Willis (Roxie Hart), Amra-Faye Wright (Velma Kelly), Raymond Bokhour (Amos Hart), Jason Danieley (Billy Flynn) and NaTasha Yvette Williams (Matron "Mama" Morton).

Chicago holds the record for being the second-longest running Broadway show behind "The Phantom of the Opera."

To buy tickets to see Leakes perform, click here.

Spotlight on "Dames at Sea"

"Dames at Sea" stars six extremely talented actors and actresses.
Pictured (L-R): Danny Gardner (Lucky), Mara Davi (Joan),
John Bolton (Hennesey/ The Captain), Eloise Kropp (Ruby),
Cary Tedder (Dick) and Lesli Margherita (Mona).
Photo Credit: Playbill

The Broadway musical Dames at Sea opened last night at the Helen Hayes Theatre.

"Dames at Sea" opened Oct. 22 at
the Helen Hayes Theatre.
Photo Credit: Playbill

This glitzy musical is finally getting its Broadway debut after having success Off Off-Broadway, starring Bernadette Peters, and in film.

The show tells the story of Ruby, played by Eloise Kropp, who finally earns a spot in a Broadway show only to learn that the theater is to be demolished.  Ruby and the cast decide that the show must go on, even if it means performing on a naval battleship.

Dames at Sea also stars the hilarious Lesli Margherita, Mara Davi, Cary Tedder, John Bolton and Danny Gardner.  It is directed and choreographed by three-time Tony nominee Randy Skinner.

This tap-happy show will certainly have audiences feeling nostalgic and have them humming the songs on their way out.

Maybe there will be a Tony Award or two in store for this musical.

To purchase tickets to see Dames at Sea click here.

Break Legs,
Sydney

Best Birthday Ever

Kristen Beth Williams (Sibella), Kevin Massey (Monty) and
Adrienne Eller (Phoebe) star in the tour of A
Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder.
Photo Credit:The News and Observer

I met up with my big on my 19th birthday back in September and she said that she wanted to give me a present but it was not something she could give me.  I was curious as to what this was but then she told me.

She bought us tickets to see the tour of A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder in October.  I could have screamed.

I saw A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder on Broadway with the original cast shortly after it won the Tony for Best Musical.  I loved every minute of it.

So of course I thought that this was one of the best birthday presents ever.

A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder tells the story of Monty Navarro who finds out he is in line to be the next Earl.  The only problem is that there are eight people ahead of him.

We were so excited!
Photo Credit: Sydney Cheuvront

So naturally, Monty decides to kill them off one by one in order to reach Earldom.  Throw in a wife and a mistress and this show will have audiences laughing the entire time.

The show's big gimmick is that one actor plays the eight people Monty needs to kill so fast costume changes and character switches ensue.

I counted down the days until we were going to go see it and finally the day arrived.

We found our seats at the Durham Performing Arts Center and impatiently waited for the lights to dim and the orchestra to start playing.

The show started and I have to say it was of the same caliber as Broadway.  Everything looked the same and the cast was fantastic.

I forgot that I wasn't actually at a Broadway theater like I was a year and a half ago.

I wish we could have stayed to meet the cast but we had to get back to campus.

I don't know how many times I can thank my big for giving me the best birthday ever.

To see if the tour is coming to your town, click here.

Go see it!

Break Legs,
Sydney

Nunsense is Habit-Forming

Nunsense is a great show for everyone!
Photo Credit: StagePlays

This past weekend I had the privilege to see the completely sold-out production of Nunsense right here at High Point University.

I discovered this musical right before my senior year of high school.  I watched the entire thing on Youtube from when they filmed the original Off-Broadway cast that starred Rue McClanahan as Mother Superior.

This show tells the story of five nuns who, after a cooking incident that killed 52 nuns, need to raise money to bury the remaining four nuns that they are keeping in the freezer.  Mother Superior decides to put on a show in order to get the funds.

I think what makes this show so funny is that no one expects a show about nuns to be entertaining, so it is a surprise when pretty much every song brings laughter.  

The production at High Point was amazing.  The show is pretty challenging to do, even though there are only five cast members.  There are a lot of lines, songs and especially harmonies to learn.  But the five actresses pulled it off beautifully.

Each woman was and is extremely talented and really became her character.  While none of the ladies are actually nuns, they made it very believable.

The set looked amazing and made me really believe that I was in a grade school auditorium.  The show really uses the entire set which worked in a small area like the Empty Space Theater.

The songs are very catchy, especially the opener, "Nunsense is Habit-Forming," and the finale, "Holier than Thou."  I left the show with these songs stuck in my head.

I highly recommend this show to anyone on campus.  Too bad it is already sold out!

Break Legs,
Sydney

5 Roles I'd Like to Play

Even though it's been a while since I have performed in a show, a girl can dream, right?

Stephanie J. Block (Judy), Megan Hilty (Doralee)
and Allison Janney (Violet) starred in the
Broadway production of 9 to 5: The Musical.
Photo Credit: Playbill

5. Judy Bernly/Doralee Rhodes in 9 to 5: The Musical

I have gone back and forth over which character in this fantastic musical I would like to play.  I would like to play Doralee because the role is so iconic after being portrayed by Dolly Parton in the movie.  Plus it would be fun to don a blonde wig again!  I want to play Judy because I feel like she is the closest to my personality and that I can really relate to her.  Also, Judy has a killer song towards the end of the show where she kicks her ex-husband out and then belts her face off.



4. Ariel in The Little Mermaid

Sierra Boggess was the original Ariel on
Broadway.
Photo Credit: Playbill

When I was a little girl, Ariel was my favorite princess.  I thought that she was the most unique princess since she had a tail.  I would watch the movie all the time and I even had a little Ariel rag doll that I could not be without. So it only makes sense that I would love to play her onstage.  How fun would it be to put on a tail and roll around the stage on Heelys?  Also, since I've already played Cinderella in "Into the Woods," I think it is time that I add another princess to my resume!




3. Wendla in Spring Awakening

Lea Michele (Wendla) and Jonathan
Groff (Melchior) starred in the original
production of Spring Awakening
on Broadway.
Photo Credit: Playbill

I have already posted about how absolutely gorgeous this show is, so of course, I want to play a role in it.  I think that the role of Wendla is so complex and really challenges an actress.  She goes through many ups and downs throughout the show, ending with the ultimate down (I won't spoil it!).  Wendla also has some really beautiful songs that I would love to sing.







2. Elle Woods in Legally Blonde: The Musical

Laura Bell Bundy
originated the role of Elle Woods
on Broadway.
Photo Credit: Playbill

I have been obsessed with this musical since seventh grade.  I remember watching the whole show on Youtube because MTV had filmed it.  I knew all the songs and dances and wanted nothing more than to be in it.  When I was a sophomore in high school, that dream came true, when my drama teacher announced that we would be doing the show in the spring.  I ended up getting cast as a Delta Nu, not Elle, but it was still an amazing experience.  I would love a chance to play the smart and
courageous Elle Woods onstage and be a blonde again!


1. Cathy Hyatt in The Last 5 Years

Betsy Wolfe played Cathy
in the revival of The Last Five
Years.
Photo Credit: Boston Theatre Scene

Of course this is my number one role I would like to play!  I have already gushed about how much I love L5Y so I am dying to play this part, even though I will probably have to wait a few more years to be the right age.  I love the simplicity of the show in that there are only two characters so I would really be able to connect with the other actor as well as get a lot of time in the spotlight.  Cathy has some amazing songs and character transitions that would really challenge me but I am up for it!

Break Legs,
Sydney

Waitress Will Serve Broadway in 2016

Jessie Mueller stars as Jenna in the new musical, Waitress.
Photo Credit: BroadwayWorld

The new, highly anticipated Sara Bareilles musical Waitress will start serving customers in Spring 2016.  To read more about this exciting announcement, click here.

This musical will mark Bareilles' debut as a Broadway composer even though she is no stranger to show business.  She has been nominated for a Grammy five times in the past six years and has had multiple hits on the Billboard Top 100 chart.

The musical also gained attention when it was announced that Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller would take on the lead role of Jenna.  Mueller won a Tony for her portrayal of Carole King in the Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.

The show is an adaptation of the movie Waitress that starred Keri Russell.  It tells the story of Jenna, a waitress who is extremely skilled at making pies and could go onto stardom in a pie contest if she weren't stuck in a loveless marriage.  With the help of her friends and the town's new doctor, Jenna just might have a shot.

I am so excited to see this musical when it opens.  I have always loved the movie and I cannot wait to see how it is adapted onstage.  I am also a big fan of Mueller and know that she will be great in the lead role.

Bareilles has released one song from the show but I have avoided listening to it.  I really want to go into this show fresh considering I have already seen the movie.  I want the first time I hear the songs to be when I am actually sitting down in the theater.

I have seen pictures of the show from its pre-Broadway tryouts and it looks amazing in my opinion.  The costumes and set are spot on and I am dying to see it all put together on the Great White Way!

Break Legs,
Sydney

My First Show

I took on the role of Lady Capulet at the age of 10.
Photo Credit: Dawn Cheuvront

When I was a young girl I developed a knack for performing.

I would always jump up and sing karaoke in front of strangers while on vacation and I couldn't wait to go to music class in elementary school so I could sing my heart out.

When I was in fifth grade, I had the opportunity to audition for an extremely re-written version of a Shakespeare show.  This show was produced every year to give the fifth graders something big to do at the end of the year.

Romeo and Juliet was selected when it was my turn to audition.

I was dying to play Juliet.  Even at the young age of 10, I knew I wanted to be the star.

I'm in the red dress and my little sister is sitting
at my feet. Acting, unfortunately, does not run in the family.
Photo Credit: Dawn Cheuvront

I auditioned and waited days for the cast list to be read aloud by my homeroom teacher.  I never knew that I could be so impatient.

I ended up getting cast as Lady Capulet, but I was still pretty happy.  It was one of the biggest roles in the show next to Juliet and the Nurse, so getting a lead after auditioning for my first show ever was a big deal to me.

I took my part way too seriously.  I overacted and even had a family friend make me a beautiful costume from scratch.  But it didn't matter how good or bad the production was because I thought it was great and of course my parents loved me in it regardless.

In reality, the play was very long and boring and should not be acted out by kids in elementary school.  I learned this hard fact when it was my turn to be an audience member and had to watch my little sister in Macbeth.

Fun Fact: My directors needed flower girls for the wedding scene and my little sister, who was in Kindergarten at the time, was chosen.  That was the first and last time we ever performed together (she plays sports now).

Being a part of this show was the thing that really got me interested in theatre and made me pursue it all throughout middle and high school.  For that, I am eternally grateful.

Break Legs,
Sydney