First Night....Schmoozing

We just completed our opening night at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood. It was the first of two press openings, the other being tomorrow night. The audience was astonishingly responsive and that energy spurred us on to an inspired performance.

The audience is close to the stage at the Pantages, so it’s not unusual to spot celebrities in the first few rows, even if you’re not trying to. There are always a few B list celebs at every opening, according to one of our LA-based cast members. Tonight we spotted Rip Taylor on the front row and Joanne Whorley was backstage before the show.

I happened to be by the stage door when she came back with a friend to drop a note off for one of our dancers, Jeffrey Drew. I took a moment to schmooze, saying, “Hello Joanne. You won’t remember me. I’m Neil Badders. I did “Annie” with you in 1985 in Houston.” (She was terrific as Miss Hannigan.) Though she complimented me on my memory, it tweren’t nothin’. After all, she’s the celebrity:) She also was eyeing the trays of sweets spread out for the cast, so I stole a cookie for her. LOL!

I ran into a former 1998/ 99 “Evita” Tour cast member, Katherine Blake, who lives in LA and is an aspiring country singer. She goes by the name of Katie Blake if anyone sees one of her recordings anywhere. (Please let me know.) Though I’m not fond of West Hollywood, it will be fun to catch up with people who I seldom get a chance to see who are spread out around this area.

We had a note to “the gang” from Hal Prince on the callboard saying he was sorry to miss our LA opening as he was putting the finishing touches on the first act of an Albert Uhrey play in New York. (I’m sorry, but that kind of note just makes me smile with pleasure. It’s pretentious and yet not because it’s the truth:)

Our original conductor Kevin Farrell returned to us from a stint as conductor for the Stephanie Powers “King & I” Tour. We’ve been self-contained for several cities, carrying 13 musicians with us. Our rhythm section and keyboards (five people) are with us here, but the other touring musicians have been laid off during the runs in Los Angeles and San Francisco. It’s a question of the strength of the local unions and the contract required for the pit in certain theaters.

The orchestra rehearsed this morning with the new additions and the locals were given just a few hours to be up to snuff for tonight’s show. For the most part the new people, with a only a couple of sour notes from the horns and trumpets, did a good job. Give them another night to finesse things and I’m sure they’ll be terrific.

We had to be on our toes, as Kevin conducts a very different show than Elaine Davidson who fills in when Kevin isn’t with us. Also, we have children for our two opening shows, but will miss them for bows and week-night performances the remainder of the LA run. The California child labor laws require it. The kids can’t work over a certain number of hours and the rules are strictly enforced.

It did take 50 minutes to drive the three-miles from our hotel to the theater which is located at Hollywood and Vine. We weren't doing too badly, until we turned on to Hollywood Blvd a mile from The Pantages. There was a film premiere at the El Capitan Theater (The Pacifier? Starring Vin Diesel.) The street was blocked off in front of the theater, so it took my car pool an unexpected 20 minutes to get around the gridlock. However, first night is successfully over; there won't be any more early calls for sound check; so we shouldn't be in the middle of rush hour the remainder of the run.

Tomorrow, Larry Fuller and Kim Jordan are holding a future replacement call for singers and dancers in our tour. The auditions will be held at the Debbie Reynolds Studios. So, if you know anyone in the Los Angeles area who might be right for the show, drop them a note or make a call. The auditions are tomorrow and Thursday only, then they head back to NYC for callbacks from last week's auditions there.

Please forgive the eye-rolling ooze of schmaltz and schmooze emanating from me while I’m here in La La Land. When you’re in Hollywood, it goes with the territory. Don't worry, I’ll be myself once again in 13 days:) Ciao Bella! LOL!

First Night....Schmoozing

We just completed our opening night at the Pantages Theater in Hollywood. It was the first of two press openings, the other being tomorrow night. The audience was astonishingly responsive and that energy spurred us on to an inspired performance.

The audience is close to the stage at the Pantages, so it’s not unusual to spot celebrities in the first few rows, even if you’re not trying to. There are always a few B list celebs at every opening, according to one of our LA-based cast members. Tonight we spotted Rip Taylor on the front row and Joanne Whorley was backstage before the show.

I happened to be by the stage door when she came back with a friend to drop a note off for one of our dancers, Jeffrey Drew. I took a moment to schmooze, saying, “Hello Joanne. You won’t remember me. I’m Neil Badders. I did “Annie” with you in 1985 in Houston.” (She was terrific as Miss Hannigan.) Though she complimented me on my memory, it tweren’t nothin’. After all, she’s the celebrity:) She also was eyeing the trays of sweets spread out for the cast, so I stole a cookie for her. LOL!

I ran into a former 1998/ 99 “Evita” Tour cast member, Katherine Blake, who lives in LA and is an aspiring country singer. She goes by the name of Katie Blake if anyone sees one of her recordings anywhere. (Please let me know.) Though I’m not fond of West Hollywood, it will be fun to catch up with people who I seldom get a chance to see who are spread out around this area.

We had a note to “the gang” from Hal Prince on the callboard saying he was sorry to miss our LA opening as he was putting the finishing touches on the first act of an Albert Uhrey play in New York. (I’m sorry, but that kind of note just makes me smile with pleasure. It’s pretentious and yet not because it’s the truth:)

Our original conductor Kevin Farrell returned to us from a stint as conductor for the Stephanie Powers “King & I” Tour. We’ve been self-contained for several cities, carrying 13 musicians with us. Our rhythm section and keyboards (five people) are with us here, but the other touring musicians have been laid off during the runs in Los Angeles and San Francisco. It’s a question of the strength of the local unions and the contract required for the pit in certain theaters.

The orchestra rehearsed this morning with the new additions and the locals were given just a few hours to be up to snuff for tonight’s show. For the most part the new people, with a only a couple of sour notes from the horns and trumpets, did a good job. Give them another night to finesse things and I’m sure they’ll be terrific.

We had to be on our toes, as Kevin conducts a very different show than Elaine Davidson who fills in when Kevin isn’t with us. Also, we have children for our two opening shows, but will miss them for bows and week-night performances the remainder of the LA run. The California child labor laws require it. The kids can’t work over a certain number of hours and the rules are strictly enforced.

It did take 50 minutes to drive the three-miles from our hotel to the theater which is located at Hollywood and Vine. We weren't doing too badly, until we turned on to Hollywood Blvd a mile from The Pantages. There was a film premiere at the El Capitan Theater (The Pacifier? Starring Vin Diesel.) The street was blocked off in front of the theater, so it took my car pool an unexpected 20 minutes to get around the gridlock. However, first night is successfully over; there won't be any more early calls for sound check; so we shouldn't be in the middle of rush hour the remainder of the run.

Tomorrow, Larry Fuller and Kim Jordan are holding a future replacement call for singers and dancers in our tour. The auditions will be held at the Debbie Reynolds Studios. So, if you know anyone in the Los Angeles area who might be right for the show, drop them a note or make a call. The auditions are tomorrow and Thursday only, then they head back to NYC for callbacks from last week's auditions there.

Please forgive the eye-rolling ooze of schmaltz and schmooze emanating from me while I’m here in La La Land. When you’re in Hollywood, it goes with the territory. Don't worry, I’ll be myself once again in 13 days:) Ciao Bella! LOL!