I'm aliiiiive!

Yes, it's true, I've finally found five minutes to sit down and write in my dear darling blog. American Soldiers was a great experience, and has since come to a close. We had a great audience turnout, much more than I've experienced in Off-Off Broadway especially in the BITTER cold we've been having. Unfortunately (or fortunately, I guess) my performance was not enjoyed by the two critics who wrote us up. Figures that my first actual New York reviews were unpleasant. But I say they were fortunate because now I understand that feeling and also understand how little it really means in the scheme of my career. One reviewer thought I, as the actor, had not decided what my character thought about what was happening or where her loyalties stood. I found that interesting, because first of all, I'm not stupid and of course I made choices. But besides that, I'm not sure how necessary it is to know how every character feels about every aspect of any situation. I'm not sure they ever need to know anything! Ever heard of Beckett? Pinter? Those characters are never entirely disclosing everything. Ugh, it's not even worth it to argue when the person you're arguing with is on the Internet and gets to judge you as their job.

The other review, from a very large publication, was just plain mean-spirited and I feel sorry for people who feel the need to project negativity on the undeserved. But enough about that, as it doesn't bother me anymore. The show was good, people liked it, just not the people who write on the Internet! Rawr.

But of course, in typical Julia busybody style, I am already in the thick of rehearsals for another show, and the character couldn't possibly be any different from Marie. Yes, I finally get to play an ingenue, and it's awesome. In Dear Brutus by J.M. Barrie, a bunch of strangers are invited to a mischievious ageless (Pucklike) man's house, where it's said on Midsummer Eve a magical wood appears. If you chance to enter the wood, you can experience what everyone there desires: a second chance at life. For my character, whose husband is in love with another woman, the second chance is the possibility of never marrying him, and therefore never being a wistful, sad pathetic creature. And it's a COMEDY!

As you can see, I'm really, really excited for this show. Everyone in the cast is spectacular, which is so important when doing period pieces. I'm using my Adler training more here than I've ever been able to before (the classical training anyway; how to sit in a chair, walk in heels, not be a clunky awkward thing, etc) and it's great to work with people who have the same vocabulary and understanding of the time period. And I love, love, love the challenge of working with a British accent. And this is RP, the mother of all British accents--this is the "oh, dear", and "Rather!", and "We're awfully sorry" accent that is so crisp and proper that my mouth feels weird after doing it for a while. It's hard not to get wrapped up in the character when you change how you walk, sit, and speak! I'm sure people who know me well will get a kick out of me being chased through the forest by a suitor wearing a flowery pink dress and holding a parasol. Hopefully the audience will laugh too. That's the other hard thing....this comedy is so specific. It's all about timing and inflecting the right words, so I'm lucky to have such generous and smart scene partners.

So come to Christopher Street and see me! We're at the Wings Theatre and the showtimes are weird so I'm going to list them here for clarity's sake:
Saturday 2/20 2p
Sunday 2/21 2p
Tuesday 2/23 8p
Wednesday 2/24 8p
Saturday 2/27 2p
Sunday 2/28 2p

Press, Industry, and Ticket Line: 212-627-2961

More info at theateronline.com

Anything else? I'm tickled pink that the Saints have won, as were the thirtysomething people gathered at my apartment. Many thanks to all who brought copious alcohol and pretty much gourmet food (including an awesome NFL cake) (thanks Lisha). Ummm, I have no Valentine's plans despite having a boyfriend. We may just eat chocolate and watch TV. That's pretty romantic to me. Not spending money is also romantic. Wow, I'm old.

Ok, I have to find time to update more often. I'm very pleased with all the work I keep getting, but it's making it very difficult for me to actually DO anything. Alright, I promise my next post will be soon. Soonish.

American Soldiers, and Happy New Year!!!

Hello!

Again, I apologize for my absence. I'm in a brand new show, premiering at Theater for the New City on Jan 14 called AMERICAN SOLDIERS. Details can be found at kadm.com and http://theaterforthenewcity.net/americansoldiers.htm AND in the New York (freakin') Times: http://theater.nytimes.com/show/24392/American-Soldiers/overview .

It's about a young woman who returns to Long Island from Iraq and attempts to bring her boyfriend and sister (me!) along with her to a new and un-bullshitty life in Colorado. Without revealing too much of the plot, it's heartbreaking, compelling, and real family drama that will make you rethink what it means to be a soldier, an American, a member of a family. It's good. And yes, it's funny too. It's probably the most experienced and professional group of people I've worked with, and it probably shouldn't be a surprise that I'm the youngest person involved. I'm learning more every day and just being in such an intimidating and hallowed space as TNC is overwhelming. Confession: I listened to Matchbox Twenty's "Bright Lights" (about a girl who moves to NYC....yes I am lame) while walking down 9th St which is draped in holiday lights sipping my Peppermint Mocha and heading to rehearsal--and I believe that feeling of belonging and content and success and giddiness was what I've been trying to accomplish ever since I decided as a child that I wanted to be a professional actor. Whew, that was a run on sentence if I've ever seen one!

Bonus: I am dressed kinda slutty for some of it. Not sure whether that would deter or encourage you, but there it is. Needless to say I have stopped eating entirely.

That isn't true. I literally just had McDonald's for dinner. But I didn't Super Size! Baby steps.

Aaaanyways you can get tickets on Smarttix. And while you're at it you can vote for me on the NY Innovative Theatre Awards website! Not till it opens obviously, but I'm in a plugging mood so!: http://www.nyitawards.com/oobshows/show.asp?showID=1566

Oy! So much to go over. My Charger boys are the #2 seed which means I am a happy happy lady. I got to scream at them when I was home for the Bengals game, and the crowd caused 3 penalties!!! Awesome. And for Xmas, I raked in some serious loot including a Chargers sideline beanie, Chargers earrings, a Chargers sweatshirt, and that's just football stuff! I'm lucky my family knows the only thing on my mind in December are the Bolts.

Also, news flash: it's cold over here. Really cold. So cold I need Baxter the dog as a body warmer. Thank goodness he is a willing participant. And it sure is a bitch to get up when you can feel the cold seeping through the window and you're cuddled under the cover, sheet, and blanket in pj's and fuzzy socks with Baxter snuggled also under the covers with his head curled around your elbow. Oof!

But seriously, 2009 has blessed me with jobs on movies, TV shows, and principal roles in 6 shows! I was so busy but so so happy and can only hope that 2010 makes me busier, happier, and richer! This decade has been kind to me, guiding me from braces-clad, awkward 13 through my first love, first heartbreak, first kiss, marching band competitions, San Diego Junior Theatre, college, New York, parties, old friends and new friends, my first apartment, second apartment, first dog, a fairly healthy 5 year relationship, watching my sister grow up and my parents become actual cool people--through right here, right now, as a 23 year old actor in her Manhattan flat. My biggest dilemma is what to do on New Year's Eve. Which is tomorrow. Times Square is out. Any last-minute thoughts or ideas for next year???

Happy New Year blog readers...I hope your decade was as lovely and eventful as mine and hope the 2000-teens will both entertain and teach you. But most importantly, let's all remember that tomorrow is for drinking, and I mean drinking a lot. Cheers.