Photo Post for "Nothing Bad - A Werewolf Rock Musical"

So, I wasn't able to share all the photos from our Rock Musical during Fringe because I didn't want to give anything away but since we're not doing the show for a little while, I feel like it's ok to share.  It's out of context, right?  And you'll still be totally surprised if it re-opens and you come see it...it'll be brand new!

Welcome to Perfection, California!

Mayor White and some pretty amazing Werewolves!

It was a challenge to do the make-up so quickly, I only had 20 minutes to change everything and Kenni designed a really interesting look for the werewolves. I loved being able to play the opposite of what I was, although in constant control and power.  It was totally different than any role I've ever played before.  I started with a 50's vintage make-up style after perusing some different hair and make-up looks and settled on something glam but classic.  It's something I could easily do day to day and still look natural.  The 80's werewolf make-up was rocker-esque, especially my Joan Jett wig!

We did have a professional photographer come and shoot photos at our preview and then closing night so hopefully I'll have some more Werewolf photos to add to this post later on :)

Playing Maleficent in 'Sleeping Beauty'

"Sleeping Beauty" is at the top of my list of Disney movies and it's always been my favorite!  Aurora has been my all-time favorite Princess, too!  She's the only Princess to have violet eyes and I always thought she was just classical beautiful.  So I was very excited when Creating Arts decided to do this as our Pint-Sized Play during the Fall Season.

My Maleficent Costume!

For this production of "Sleeping Beauty," I'm playing Maleficent, the evil fairy who has magical powers and can turn into a winged dragon.  After seeing "Maleficent" in theaters this past Summer, I fell in love with the story even more.  I won't give away the storyline of "Maleficent" but I like the hybrid character I created to play the role with a mix of evil from the original Disney movie, and that air of confidence, an edginess, and a little humor from Angelina Jolie's role.  Plus, I've got my Guard to make me look more sinister and mean, and she gets to play it off more goofy.  As much as I'd love to play one of the Princesses for a show and not be the villain, this gives me more room to grow as an Actress and a better opportunity to delve deep into character work by doing some research and analysis.  And obviously, I'm not an evil person so this is truly acting...muah ha ha ;)

All the Fairies in "Sleeping Beauty"

We put this show together in just two weeks and it's got a six week run (with one weekend off, which was this weekend).  Right now, we've already had two weekends of shows at the Promenade Playhouse in Santa Monica where we do most of the Children's Shows.  I think one of my favorite things about the show is how different each audience reacts.  The first week I made a lot of kids cry, I heard them wailing after my first entrance and exit (and that seriously tugs at my heart) but then the following day, the kids were more brave.  When King Stephan asks what he should do now that I've cursed Aurora some little boy yelled, 'kill her!'  We've had children with Birthday's in the audience so our next show we could barely get through our lines because all the kids were talking the entire time.  And our last show we did was probably the hi-light so far because when the Prince asks if the audience wants to forgive me for trying to hurt Aurora after they banish me from the kingdom, all the kids said yes, and as soon as I got on-stage they mobbed me, about 15 kids, hugging me, saying they forgave me, told me 'You're beautiful, you're evil, but you're beautiful.'  So cute!

The costume for the show is just incredible!  It's this long sequined one-shoulder dress with a wing on the one side, and I'm wearing the green glitter shoes from "Wizard of Oz" and of course the Maleficent horns, and later on, get a ginormous set of wings!  They are literally magical.  I came up with a make-up plan doing shades of purple, with winged liner, glitter, and then lots of contouring, plus no CAC show is complete without glitter lips!  As the villain I really do get some of the best and most beautiful costumes.

We've got four more weeks of shows lined up for "Sleeping Beauty" and a lot more fun to be had!  Each week brings a new challenge of scaring the kids but winning them over in the end, and finding myself in my character to bring out something new and different for every show.  I always look forward to those challenges!

'Wizard of Oz' Weekends!

We're four shows into our 10 show run of Wizard of Oz at the Promenade Playhouse in Santa Monica and it's been an absolute blast!  I've gotten to play the Wicked Witch for three of the shows and have three more to go.  I can't believe how quickly the time is flying and how much fun I'm having playing such a crazy character!

From Wicked Witch to Oz Debutante!

The cast and crew of our show really enjoy bringing happiness and joy to those attending our mini-musical and it's incredible to hear stories from families that come to all of our shows, and how we impact their children's lives.  This is why we do this, this is why I love what I do!  On top of it all, I'm getting to do my own make-up and play such an iconic character.  It's been a challenge to change my voice and be this mean and horrible person but I've been excited about it every step of the way.  My make-up takes me about 45 minutes to do and I usually wait till the last minute to get into costume since there are so many layers and it gets hot.  The costume is one of the most beautiful costumes I've ever gotten to wear; I feel like it's a couture piece!  In fact, pictures don't even do it justice.  It's amazing how incredible our team really is!  And if Dorothy gets to wear red glittered shoes than the Wicked Witch should get to wear green glittered shoes.  When I'm not playing the Wicked Witch, I play a Munchkin or Citizen of Oz which is also fun just to do something different and be a cheerful and colorful little character.

Scaring Dorothy without my gloves ;)

Our rehearsals went by just as quickly as we had three weeks including our tech rehearsal before we opened two weeks ago.  Since it is Children's Theater, the show was supposed to be around 60 minutes but it's currently running around 70-75.  The kids really seem to be enjoying it and even though I was warned that I'm going to make kids cry and then I'll know I've done my job, I haven't seen any tears just yet.  Although, on Sunday I heard one little boy whimper and repeat a couple times throughout the show, 'I hope that Wicked Witch doesn't come back.  I don't like her.'  I almost have to laugh because if they knew the real me, they'd be begging their parents for me to be their new babysitter.  (I used to bring Kid Kits that I learned about from "The Babysitter's Club" books, and my little ones always loved playing with them and I baby-sat some families for years!)  The Wicked Witch really isn't that bad, I think anyone would get cranky if they had buckets of water thrown on them out of nowhere.

In fact, after the shows, most of the kids want to come up and talk to me.  Some are proud to admit I didn't scare them, while others tell me they're going to throw more water on me, and then I'll get the one adorable little nugget that will ask, 'Why are you so mean to Dorothy?'  I do have to talk and answer any and all questions in character which can be difficult when kids are a little nervous.  So I flash a big smile, get down to their level, and wave them over; hopefully they're not too afraid of me.  That has probably been my favorite part of this whole experience!  Well, that and getting to die on-stage.  'I'm melting, I'm melting, oh what a world!'

To purchase tickets or find out more information about our show or Creating Arts Company check out their website at www.creatingarts.org.  You can get discounted tickets on www.goldstar.com but make sure to hurry because they are selling out fast!  I'm so thankful to all my friends who've gotten to see the show so far: Neil, Sam, and Danny, thanks for coming!  Hope to see y'all in the audience soon :) 

*I play the Wicked Witch on Saturday's at 2 pm and the show runs under 75 minutes at Promenade Playhouse in Santa Monica!*