mrdreamjeans: (Neil B)
[personal profile] mrdreamjeans
Press - A year on tour and I’ve not been asked to do any press or publicity for the show. That changed yesterday when I was asked to participate in an event at Barnes & Noble. Ann Brummel, Richard True, Rob Rokicki and I were picked up in a Limo (a little much:) at 4pm and driven to the Fort Lauderdale Barnes & Noble.

The press person for our producer had not provided many details other than it was an appearance for an educational outreach program called Discover Broadway. To our surprise, there were cameras, sound, a moderator, a line of chairs ... very similar to Inside the Actors Studio. We taped a one-hour program with about 40 people in attendance. The moderator asked good questions about the production and touring and was well-informed. I really enjoyed listening to my co-workers stories and adding my own.

Following the appearance, we were given complimentary meals, which we had pre-ordered, and headed back to the limo which took us up directly to the theater and the performance. I’ve got to admit, arriving at work in a limo beats walking, busing or car-pooling:)

Profits - I’ve written previously about our contract on “Evita”. It’s called a “Special Agreement”, instead of Production Contract. Essentially it means that Actors Equity, our union, granted our producer several concessions, first among them a reduction in salary from the usual minimum for a national tour. Added as an afterthought, was a profit-sharing clause. I expect that no one in the production office ever thought that a 25-year old musical would sell well enough that the actors (last in line) would ever see overage, but it’s happened ... several times.

Last week in Tampa, “Evita” played to near sell-outs and did nearly a million dollars in revenue. Each actor will receive an amount in next week’s paycheck equal to 2/3 of a week’s salary. For the record, the cast received profit-sharing in Schenectady, NY; Los Angeles, Toronto, San Diego and Tampa. I plan to use the extra pay for debt reduction.

Potter - After last night’s performance, 15 of us drove in a driving rain to a special midnight showing of Harry Potter 4. I enjoyed the film, though I should have re-read the book to remind myself of story-line details. I’m sure that people will quibble about how much of the book was left out, will say that depth and character development were sacrificed at the expense of special effects. This is true. I found its visuals dazzling, the tone much darker than previous installments and and moments which were flat-out funny. The film moved at break-neck speed.

It was fun to see it with a large group and a surreal experience to see Kathy Voytko as Eva appear five times in an advertisement on the big screen before the movie. (We called Kathy on the spot to tell her of her guest appearance. She’s in Denver visiting her husband who’s playing Raoul on the tour of “Phantom”) I got to bed at 3:30am, but it was a perfect ending to a long day of press, profits and Potter.

Date: 2005-11-18 05:48 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] musicbearmn.livejournal.com
You jet-setting limo boy you! Sounds like a lot of fun was had by all.

I'm learning more about overages and Equity contracts. We had to add a daytime matinee for the Christmas show, are looking at adding a daytime for the January show, and have already set aside 2 extra possible daytimes for Snapshots: Life in the City (wish you were around...this is a gotta see!).

Someday, I'll get you up here :)

Date: 2005-11-19 04:46 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com
Hmmmm... Do a show where they need a character actor/tenor who's employed under an Equity Contract and I'm there. For the record, I'm available after April 9 when "Wonderful Town" is completed in Seattle. I'll be driving home and could easily swing by Minneapolis. *grin*

Date: 2005-11-18 05:54 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tbone1961.livejournal.com
YAY for limos and extra bucks!!

Date: 2005-11-19 04:47 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com
Especially the bucks! :)

Hugs!

Date: 2005-11-18 05:55 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] daltxfurry.livejournal.com
Way to go on the profits!!!!! Hehehehe I am sure ALW is raking in the $$ also.

Hmmmm...why am I suddenly wanting to sing "And The Money Kept Rolling In"???

Date: 2005-11-19 04:52 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com
Yep! ALW gets a steady stream of residuals from all of his shows, but mostly from the big five... Phantom, Cats, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph:) Plus, "A Woman in White" just opened.

The Money's Rolling in ...for one week.... The crowds have been decent here in Fort Lauderdale, but the area really is hurting from the economic damage from Hurricane Wilma. Right now, we're keeping an eye on Tropical Storm Gamma. It's supposed to come through here Monday night.

Hope you're doing well. I don't expect to see you, but just mentioning again that our next city is San Antonio, November 28-December 4. Hugs!

Date: 2005-11-19 11:54 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] daltxfurry.livejournal.com
Wish I could make it down but other half is STILL not working so funds are tight....vey tight.....painfully tight. Maybe next year when you are in the Pacific Northwest???

Date: 2005-11-20 04:10 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com
I understand. Really just wanted you to know that I am looking forward to meeting you and took this method of saying so:)

Date: 2005-11-18 08:27 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] gyvyr.livejournal.com
how wonderful for you on all accounts..

yes, i have been very quiet lately, but I am still following your adventures!

*nuzzle*

Date: 2005-11-19 04:55 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com
I'm happy to see a comment from you! I've been wondering what's happening with you! Thanks for readling along. I'm on the downward slope of the tour now. Three months. Hard to believe I've been writing regularly about "Evita" and touring for over a year.... which is a big reason I'm happy that folks are sticking with me ... It gives me motivation. HUGS!

Star

Date: 2005-11-19 07:17 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] tkn1114.livejournal.com
Picture: Neil heaving himself out of limo, straightening undie, clad in a fairly but not too sheer snug pistachio green paisley shirt opened to bed of chest fur over beat-up sierra-colored suede pants with side lace-ups under which psychadelic color cow-boy boots stick out. All is topped by naturally skinned (i.e. transluscent) JPG crocodile *Twiggy* trench and chewed-up/rolled-up straw hat. A long piece of straw hangs off his mouth. The crowd roars. But Neil rules the gazers with sweeping "You wish" glare - trademark. Everybody sighs "OOOhhh!..." It's just that Rolling Stones are coming and I think you can top them - like that! (snaps)

Re: Star

Date: 2005-11-19 11:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com
LOL! As evocative a picture as your description creates, the only accurate items in your fantasy costuming were the "bed of chest hair" and the cowboy boots:) I was actually in a black tee-shirt, black jeans and boots and a subtle gold/bronze sport coat:) People weren't awaiting our entrance; in fact, they looked more annoyed that our limo driver had parked directly in front of the store and was blocking the walkway. Hehehe....

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