Been too busy to stop and write an update and now *poof* it’s almost December. Crazy! Bright Star at Musical Theatre West was an unbelievably awesome experience. Only a three-week run, but in a 1,000+ seat theatre, with the Broadway sets and costumes, and a top-notch cast (including four members of the touring company), band, and crew, my first foray into regional theatre was one to remember. Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s songs were soooo fun to play, especially since I was part of the onstage band, which was spun around in a shack every show. And for the Entr’acte (the music at the start of act 2), we got a nice instrumental feature and tremendous applause every night. A wonderful performing experience.
Immediately after closing (and the cast party) Bright Star, I hopped a red eye to New York, for a week of rehearsals for Carner and Gregor’s show at the Kennedy Center’s Millenium Stage. In between rehearsals, I was able to squeeze in some recording sessions with Elmo Zapp and Selda & Derek, and some quality time with friends and family in the area. Only got to spend about 36 hours in the nation’s capital, but the show was fantastic (Link to the full show here or embedded below) It featured an unbelievable line-up of singers and musicians and was a great way to be welcomed into the Carner and Gregor family. I also got to spend some time at the Smithsonian’s Museum of African American History, which I highly recommend.
But wait, there’s more! From DC, it was back to LA and John Burroughs High School’s production of Dark of the Moon. Got to play acoustic guitar and banjo for this one. The next weekend I was back at the Rockwell Table and Stage filling in for the final two nights of Starry, a new musical about the lives of Theo and Vincent Van Gogh. A very moving, touching show with all original music.
I’ve got a bunch of things in store for December and beyond, but I’d better save those for another time!
