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| Cast & Crew. Yes, we were all in the same show. |
Way, way back, one week ago, our sold out run of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat came to an end. I am having trouble accepting this, as I feel like I should be getting ready for a matinee performance right now - eating quickly, dancing around my kitchen, pinning my bangs back so they'll hide under the wigs, & applying pale foundation, obscene amounts of black eyeshadow & dark lipstick to transform myself into my goth character.
Instead, I'm sitting at my computer, looking through photographs from our 3 months together, in disbelief that there won't be even 1 more show. No more wrestling with quick costume changes, no more hoping I can get my scarf off, no more constant hugs from children who aren't mine, no more laughing in the green room.
Whether they are photos from the call-back auditions, way back in June,
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| At the time, they were strangers, every one of them. |
time spent rehearsing,
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| Learning music |
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| Rehearsing Song of the King with our Pharaoh, Andrew |
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| First rehearsal with the fantastic band |
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| Me & my adorable shadow, Mikayla |
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| The handcuffs were a big hit with Kai |
our mall flash mob,
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| Coming to you in technicolor! |
the gorgeous professional shots from our dress rehearsal,
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| Poor, Poor Joseph |
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| One More Angel in Heaven |
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| That's me! |
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| Close Every Door |
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| Mega-Mix, we conquered you |
candid backstage photos,
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| Melanie's vintage Joseph jean jacket |
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| Luke, Martin & Derrick - our Biker, Movie Director & Rastafarian |
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| Too much colour for this goth. |
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| Todd & Katie, our Joseph & Narrator |
or dimly lit, fuzzy moments from our cast party,
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| Derrick, Shira, Dan & Matthew |
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| Lara, Madison & Thalia |
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| Me & The Camel. YES. |
they all seem to provoke an odd, strangled laugh that I'm sure is scaring my son in the next room. It's hard to believe I didn't know any of these people in those first photos.
2 weeks ago I was having mixed feelings about Joseph coming to an end. Of course I would miss all the people, & being part of such a great show, but I was looking forward to my life getting back to normal. While this experience has been tons of fun & a fantastic challenge, it has been hard for me to be away from my family more than I ever have before.
I was 21 the last time I was in a musical - after that, the timing never seemed right. Engagement came soon after my last role - Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors.
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| I didn't know it here in rehearsal, but a blond wig + stilettos + a push-up bra = husband! |
Next came the house, wedding, a new house, pregnancy, baby, another new house...life was a never-ending stream of commitments that made "doing a musical" seem selfish. Time flew by, & suddenly I had a 7 year old who had never seen me on a stage. Something that was such a huge part of my life had been absent for so long, my son had no idea that his Mom had ever been in plays. I realized that much like waiting for the perfect time to have a baby, there would never be a perfect time to do a show.
I had to work up a lot of nerve to audition for this...12 years had passed, & I felt more than a little rusty, out of shape, & also,
auditions terrify me. My husband fully supported me, & I am so, so glad that I went out for this. When I got a part, I was excited...& then my younger brother was cast as well, & aside from
everyone telling me how
amazing he is
all the time, having him there calmed my nerves & made super-shy me way more comfortable & able to be myself.
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| My brother, Matthew & his show wife, Melanie - the Geeks |
This experience has been special for so many reasons, & one of them was sharing it with my brother, with whom I have always sang, but never on a level like this. If I wasn't trying to embarrass him, I was bursting with pride. But everyone else can shut up about how awesome his voice is, despite never being trained, ok?
3 months ago, at our first rehearsal, most of us were strangers, learning names along with our notes & steps. Now I can't think of a single person involved in Joseph without a fond memory or inside joke springing to mind. I spent more time with these people than I did with my family - I'm a little annoyed that my son is doing so well in school this year, because I feel like I've been severely slacking on the homework front. Turns out everything was just fine while I was gone. Huh.
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| Paul & I - the Goths |
I didn't know if I would be able to pull off the "goth" character. I am no triple threat - I've always thought of myself as a singer, & I'll try to act, & stumble my way through the dancing. The idea of being cast as a character so far removed from myself was daunting. I thought I would be a nondescript wife, singing in the background, doing exactly what the other wives were doing. Not in this production. Yet, in this working environment, I was never afraid to try something new. Despite all my previous musicals, this was honestly the first time I ever felt like an actor. It was also the first time I felt like I could dance without tripping over my own feet. The confidence I have gained from sulking around on stage & glaring at audience members has been enormous. Who knew?
In building this show, we built our own family. We all made mistakes & helped others fix theirs. We used our breaks to go over never-ending choreography & difficult harmonies. We shared our coffee. We reminded each other about staging, props, costumes...& we bonded over drinks, like any decent family. We were, in all accounts, a remarkable family, in anyone's book.
