*sigh*

It’s over. And it’s taken me several days to collect my thoughts – as always – enough to blog about it.

I can’t even begin to say what a WONDERFUL experience “The Wizard of Oz” with Broadway Center of Arts was for me. I’m almost at a loss for words…almost…

I’ve said this a million times, that “the end of a show is always hard on me”, but it’s so true. And the end of this one in particular seemed to hit me like a punch in the stomach. It’s almost inexplicable.

I got the email from Arts for Life saying the production was looking for an interested party to play the Wicked Witch of the West, and to contact the director (Kathy) for more info. After telling Dustin about it, he said, “There is NO WAY you can pass this up. CALL HER.” I did, and the rest, as they say, is history.

I came into the show TEN DAYS before opening. I read for (and got) the part Monday, July 28, and the show opened the next Thursday, August 7. I had ten days to learn my lines, and was FREAKED OUT…but ecstatic beyond belief. This is a role I have wanted to play for a VERY. LONG. TIME. And I FINALLY got to.

I was nervous as hell at my first official rehearsal, Tuesday the 29th. I know theatre people get close quickly, and are all a species of their own, but I wasn’t sure how the collective cast would take to me, coming in on such short notice. I was pleasantly surprised. They all welcomed me with open arms, no questions asked. Soon enough, I became one of “The Four Stooges”, and couldn’t believe how much of a whirlwind I was caught up in. It was ONE HELL of a ride.

A big part of it is that it was incredibly REFRESHING to do something, well, different. I went in not knowing ANYBODY, and came out having met some really great people, and having made some very dear friends – very quickly. This is no knock against my fellow DB SAT’ers, or any of my other theatre buddies…but it was nice to be a stranger. It was nice to go in where no one had any preconceived notions of me, or any typecasting set in their heads. It was a clean slate. One on which I could draw whatever I wanted.

Not to mention, this show let me prove to people – but most importantly, to MYSELF – that I CAN do this. I’ve had my doubts over the last several years. I love being onstage, no matter what capacity, but it’s nice to have someone take a chance on you and say, “Ya know…you would be good for this ROLE.” It’s something I’m not used to. I almost feel like, “Once a chorus girl, always a chorus girl”. Again, this is no knock to anybody; this show was just a great change of pace for me.

All in all, thanks to everyone who came to the show; it means so much to me, and I hope you enjoyed it.
Thanks to my mom, who never hesitates to step up to the plate and help me out - whether it be costume shopping, or just listening to the "actors' sordid tales".
Thanks to Kathy, for taking a chance on me, and giving me the opportunity in the first place.
Thanks to the cast, for welcoming me with open arms, and taking me in so quickly…the Stooges for just being who they are, and giving me a TON of wonderful memories.
And thanks, especially to Dustin, who never ceases to encourage and support me in this.
I couldn't do it without all of you.