'Thenardier's Inn' Encore!

We had another three-week run of 'Thenardier's Inn' in September and October.  We had shows at our studio space in Santa Monica (CAC Studios) and then at Three Clubs in Hollywood!  Once again, all the shows were sold-out/over-sold and we had a great cast of people to bring our story to life!

There were a few originals from our cast and also some new people.  Our new people brought some excitement and fun to the show, bringing a different character trait and that made it interesting.  As we've all said from the beginning, no show is exactly the same and that's what really makes our show magnificent. 

With the Steward and Jean Valjean before a Friday Night Show!

I was back to my Lovely Lady antics for the show, brought my crazy hair back, and love doing my make-up for this show!  We had Todd, Bartending for us at the Studio in our closing week and he had a beautiful set-up of food and drinks that were popular in France during the Revolution.  I had a Mint, Vinegar, Simple Syrup and Water drink that was absolutely delicious and got rid of my sore throat within a day!  I found out the next day as I was perusing Pinterest that Vinegar kills bacteria.  Who knew?!

We all wrote a little something on the wall to remember
our first real CAC home <3

Unfortunately, as we did our last show at CAC Studios last weekend, we informed the audience that we no longer had that space.  Thankfully, we have outgrown it, and this clears the way for bigger and better things!  We started 'Thenardier's Inn' and CAC Studios there and we ended with that show nearly two years later, where it all began.  

Thanks to Courtney for coming to two of our shows and bringing her roommate, Jacqueline, and her Dad!  I loved having you in the audience and I'm so glad you all enjoyed it :)

'Thenardier's Inn' certainly isn't ending; I've said from the beginning, can we just do this show forever? #notlesmisforever  And I know we will <3

Thenardier's Inn...One Day More!

We made it through another extension of 'Thenardier's Inn - A Les Miserables Cabaret' and it was such a fun run!  We had plenty of time for rehearsals to prepare for the show with a mostly new cast and it certainly paid off.  The show was sold out every week and we barely had any space left for our closing show this past Saturday!  Thankfully, Three Clubs (the venue of our show in Hollywood) was happy to have us and we loved filling the space and sharing our hard work and 'Thenardier's Inn' with new audience goers as well as repeat guests!

Double the Trouble, Master & Madame of the House!

It was such a blast to play Madame Thenardier for this run!  She's a wild and fun character and with Nathan as the Master of the House, I couldn't imagine playing the role opposite anyone else.  The relationship we have built through rehearsals, the show and more translates on-stage and I feel like I'm working with a best friend.  It's a really great feeling and since we have to be a team, that playfully picks on one another, steals things during the show, and feeds off the audience to tell the story, I'm proud to get to work beside him!  We did our first show together 'Babes In Toyland' nearly two years ago!

The rest of the cast that stepped into new roles really impressed me, as I've been a part of the show for over a year now and we've had some fabulous cast members.  Everyone brought a fresh perspective to their roles and also brought the humor.  It's the same show but with little tweaks here and there that brought new life into something that was fabulously magical to begin with!  Michael took over as Director and lead us into a creative environment where we could play.  He as able to keep all the parts that have worked over this past year and also give the audience some new discoveries.  Thanks to our Improv, the show changes and evolves every time and we find out what works and get to keep the audience on their toes. 

I have all the emotions and colors of the rainbow :)

After one of our best shows ever on Saturday night we were all excited to announce that we'll be going into our seventh extension in November!  I will be playing Madame Thenardier for one more day, on November 7th which is also the One Year Anniversary of the show.    I can't believe we've been doing this for a year!  We have some old cast members that will be joining us for this show, as well as filling the audience with family and friends.  My parents and brother will be in LA for the week so I'm so glad that they'll be able to see me perform as Madame Thenardier (especially my Dad and Brother) since they haven't seen me in a Theater show since I was in College!

These tickets will sell out by the end of this week because it's such a monumental show for all of us.  You can purchase tickets at www.cacstudios.com using the Promo Code: NOTLESMIS for 50% off tickets or if we're sold-out there you can go to www.goldstar.com for discounted tickets as well.  Since it is our Anniversary Show and we're inviting all the CAC Studio/Theater Company Members it's going to be an incredible show and tickets will go fast, so if you want to see me one last time as Madame Thenardier, check out the above listed websites and get your ticket for November 7th!  I can't wait to share this with you <3

Our Current 'Thenardier's Inn' Cast...I love being your Madame!

"Can't we just do this forever?" ~ My words at Intermission during our first show on November 7th 2014...and we are!

You can call me Madame Thenardier...

It's been nearly a year since I auditioned to be in 'Thenardier's Inn - A Les Miserables Cabaret' and little did we know our fabulous show would still be running a year later!  From extensions at CAC Studios, where it all began, to being a part of the Hollywood Fringe Festival, WINNING the 'Best Cabaret & Variety' at the Festival, having another extension at 3 Clubs, to bringing in a mostly new cast to our sixth extension, once again, back at 3 Clubs!

We are opening this Saturday and running for four weeks on the 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th at 8 pm!  Doors open at 7 pm and trust me, you don't want to be late to this one ;)

If you want to laugh, cry, drink heavily, and anything in-between, this is the show for you!  I'll be playing Madame Thenardier, and you'll want to watch your purses and wallets around me, and I can't promise to keep my hands to myself, but you can bet that I'll be making fun of my husband, making you drink more, and having a grand old time!

Tickets are available at: www.cacstudios.com and go ahead and use the promo code NOTLESMIS for up to 50% off tickets.  Tickets are going fast so jump on it and check out our wonderful story that will be sure to melt your heart <3

'Thenardier's Inn' at Hollywood Fringe!

Lovely Lady takes Fringe at Three Clubs!

It was our first time participating in the Hollywood Fringe Festival for us at CAC Studios for our production of 'Thenardier's Inn - A Les Miserables Cabaret!'  We had sold out our shows by the time our first performance came around and we were so excited to perform in the Festival to a room filled with people from other shows and productions, industry guests, our company's VIP patrons, and every other fabulous audience member.

It was definitely a different experience putting on the show in a bar and very different staging situation but everyone really pulled it together, including our sound and lighting crew that picked up everything so quickly!  Props to the crew people as well as the cast for adapting so easily :)  The audience really got into the show and we had a couple really great audiences that gave us standing ovations and were cheering during every single one of our songs, as well as heckling all the cast members, and really getting deep into our show.  Everyone seemed to enjoy it and the reviews clearly showed that!  I think my favorite part of our show is being able to share it with audiences because it's so different and fun and there's no way to describe what we're doing accurately enough as people see it and love every bit of it!  We all have such a blast performing in it, the energy and excitement radiates from every single cast member.  

My favorite Behind the Scenes photo from our show at Three Clubs during Fringe...Photo Bomber Nathan!

We had five performances including a Preview Night and at the Closing Ceremonies for the Fringe Festival Awards we won Best Cabaret and Variety!  It's an honor for all of us that have been a part of the show currently, or in the past that started this production, because we've worked so hard to bring it to life and it's thriving!  On top of winning this amazing award we got another extension for the Fringe Festival and will be performing this Thursday, Friday, and also next Friday.  Tickets can be purchased at: www.cacstudios.com using the promo code ENCORE or on www.goldstar.com.  If you haven't seen this show yet, you really have to see it, or if you've seen it before and loved it, come on back and check it out at this unique venue.  There is a drinking game within the show so the setting of it being in a bar is perfect!

After we won 'Best Cabaret and Variety' at the Fringe Festival Awards Show for 'Thenardier's Inn!'

Not only did we get to perform our show in the Festival but we were also a part of Pick of Fringe and the Fringe Cabaret which took place at Fringe Central in Hollywood.  It was very exciting for us as we were new performers to the Festival so I really hope to see you at 'Thenardier's Inn' this time around!

Hollywood Fringe Festival Shows

Not only was 'Thenardier's Inn' a part of the Fringe Festival this year, for our first ever time participating in it, it was my first time seeing shows at the Festival in Hollywood.  There is now a Theater Row in Hollywood which is super exciting since theater has been such a huge part of my life since I was little.  Theater was also my first introduction into Acting as my Mom started taking me to shows at a very young age and I've loved going ever since!

Programs for the two Fringe Festival Shows I saw in June!

The first show I saw at the Fringe Festival was 'House of Rabbits - Charivari in Voyeurville.'  Ian (my Boss and fellow Bartender from Saint's & Sinner's and current Manager at Irish Times) and Jess, one of our regulars from S&S, both of which I've known for eight or nine years were in this show.  Jess came up with a concept for a show and the best way to describe it is a Vaudeville Rock-Musical Masquerade, or what I read in the Program about their style of music being like a Piano falling down the stairs.  It was described in reviews as weird, visually stunning, unbelievable aerials, sexy and mysterious, and more.  I agree with all of those statements!  It was definitely strange, even a little creepy at times but works with the music the band was playing.  Jess' voice fit perfectly with what was happening on stage throughout the show; I just wish his microphone had been louder so I could have heard him better.  The aerials were definitely my favorite part of the show and also nearly gave me a heart attack as this part went on for quite some time and I held my breath pretty much the entire time.  But it was beautiful and strong!  In fact, all of the characters were strong and worked really well as a team.  The music was a great blend with the story and it was a show like no other.  Congrats to the musicians, cast, and production team on an epic show!

I also saw my friends, Jamie, Spark, and Lyle in 'The Blonde and Other Slight Distractions.'  This show was wonderful.  Jamie and Spark opened it up with a Kidnapping scene that was crazy, wild, and made me laugh.  It was one of my favorites.  Both of them played their roles so well and then later on in other scenes played a different type of role, so the audience was able to see their versatility.  This was my first time being able to see Jamie perform and I was so excited and happy for her.  Also, this was the Curious Beast's (their production company) second time producing a show for the Fringe Festival!  Lyle closed out the show as a stockholder who was trying to charm his way into Heaven, being stopped by a Painter/God but who really knows.  My other favorite scene from the show was between Spark and Lyle.  This was yet again, a different side of Lyle, that I hadn't seen before and he was incredible.  He played a Mentally Handicapped gentleman, whether it was Autism or Asberger's, it was so real and honest, I couldn't help but laugh during the parts that were sweet and endearing and cry in those beautiful and heart-warming moments.  Spark was patient, kind, understanding, and professional, and this scene could not have been done better by anyone else.  The show was a lot of fun and they got extended at Fringe so you can still see their show!

Jamie and I after her show at Fringe Central for Live Band Karaoke Night!

Feel free to check out more details on the Hollywood Fringe Website at: Hollywood Fringe Festival and even see details for our show 'Thenardier's Inn' as well!  We've been extended for three more shows and tickets can be purchased at www.cacstudios.com using the promo code ENCORE for discounted tickets!  There's a reason we keep getting extended so it's a show worth checking out :)

Bar Lubitsch Birthday

June 19th was my Birthday and since it was my Birthday at midnight on Thursday I decided to have my Power Hour Party at Bar Lubitsch.  We had a performance of 'Thenardier's Inn' at the Hollywood Fringe Festival that night too so since we were performing at 3 Clubs it was just a few minutes from the bar.  Cara, one of our fabulous Bartenders, is also an incredible cook, and makes food every Thursday for the patrons of Lubitsch, and Matt Wise, DJ's on Thursdays and plays a mix of awesome music!

We got to Lubitsch just minutes before midnight and thankfully I had a shot in my hand and friends to cheers with as soon as the clock turned, in addition to a Birthday announcement!  Lauren, another Bartender at Lubitsch, was helping Cara out that night, and they served Chicken Sliders with a home-made BBQ sauce, along with a Feta, Basil, and Watermelon salad, finishing off the meal with a Cara's special Jalapeno's!  Everything was so great!

My Birthday at Bar Lubitsch...my wonderful Bartenders (Lauren & Cara) and Chefs for the evening,
and my Bestie, Mike and I taking celebratory Birthday shots!

I had such a great time with friends, dancing, singing, and just hanging out together outside of our show and out somewhere different!  I'm so glad that everyone could come by if even for a little while, special thanks to Arky, Adam, Austin, Max, Todd, Emily, Kenni (and her Mama), Samantha, Mikey Weiss, my co-workers and managers, Aaron, Brian, Eric, Lauren, Ashley, Cara, and Mike, for stopping by, shots or drinks, hospitality, and celebrations.
 

After a majority of my friends left and with everyone else working, it was Max, Adam, Samantha and I.  We all got out on the dance floor and closed down the bar with dance moves and laughs.  The party continued at my apartment with McDonald's, 'Tommy Boy,' and Powerpuff Girl T-shirts.  Thanks to you guys for making my night so memorable and to Samantha for taking such amazing care of me!

Adam, Max, Samantha and I taking a dance break!

In typical Birthday fashion (at least the last couple years) I've been a little bummed before my Birthday.  Then as soon as my Birthday hits, I'm totally fine and excited to celebrate.  Lucky for me, I have fabulous friends and family who always brighten my week with wishes and love.

It was the perfect way to kick off my Birthday, with an excellent performance and crowd at 'Thenardier's Inn' and then rocking out with my friends at midnight!  My Birthday came and was an absolute blast so I knew I was in for a run of fun the following night and weekend :)

'Thenardier's Inn' Photo Shoot at 3 Clubs

Lovely Ladies going for a song...

A couple Sunday's ago the cast of 'Thenardier's Inn' had our Promo Photo Shoot for The Fringe Festival in which we'll be performing at, throughout June, at 3 Clubs in Hollywood.  The Fringe Festival is LA's largest celebration of Performing Arts and I know all of us are so excited to be a part of it this year!

Since we'll be performing at 3 Clubs, which is a bar, we had the photo shoot there, and took some group shots as well as some solo shots to tell a little bit more about our story since it's a re-telling of 'Les Miserables.'  Master Thenardier, Eponine, Fantine, Jean Valjean, Marius, and the rest of the cast were there for our shoot.  While we waited for costumes and the rest of the cast to arrive, we bonded over 'Never Have I Ever' while putting our phones out of sight, and out of mind, for over an hour.  Something nice that we all need to do every once in a while :)  It's as if it was a little Improv Game to get all of us into character!

Tickets for the Fringe Festival went on sale May 1st at: See 'Thenardier's Inn' by clicking here!  Use promo code: FRINGE for a discount.

We're taking over Hollywood!

*I'd like to give a shout out to everyone who came to the Third Extension of 'Thenardier's Inn;' thank you so much for your support, generosity, and laughter.  I truly love seeing family and friends in the audience...my Mom (who saw it for the second time and loved it more than the first), Paul Ebner who came all the way from Minnesota, Brad, Kelly, Jack, and Keenan (you guys rock), Acquah, Aimee & Andy, Kristina, Lee, Kayt, and Patrick, you are all amazing and I'm so glad you enjoyed it!  Thank you so much <3  

Thenardier's Inn Extension :)

Showtime!

I've been a part of Creating Arts Studio's production 'Thenardier's Inn: A Les Miserables Cabaret' which is an immersive theater experience.  We opened back in November for a weekend, sold-out, so it got extended for two more weeks.  We sold out the show again and found out in December we would be re-opening for a second extension that would run for four weeks in January and end on Valentine's weekend.  Needless to say, all of us were so excited to be doing the show again as it's an absolute blast!  In fact, we had sold out before we even opened!

Although the cast has gotten a little smaller, the sound of our voices has grown, and we've made the show tighter, and also added more comedy and humor throughout.  We had a change of actors for some of the roles, created new cocktails for audience members to sip on during the show, and just really honed in on the story.

I just wanted to share some more photos from this run of the show and thank all of my friends who made it out to Santa Monica to see the magic we're creating!  Thanks to Nick, Sam, Scottie & Nicole, Michael & Jordan, Neil, and Khad & Heike for supporting the show and laughing with all of us during our second run :)

Jean Valjean, a Lovely Lady, and Fantine before the show!

I said it at intermission during our first show and I'll say it again now, I really hope we can do this for forever and right now we are! #notlesmisforever

Lovely Ladies!

To read more about the show check out my original blog from November right here: Thenardier's Inn - A Les Miserables Cabaret

Thenardier's Inn - A Les Miserables Cabaret

I've been doing Theater here in LA for the past year and working with Creating Arts Company that produces Children's Theater year-round as well as Princess Shows, parties and events, and TV appearances.  We just started a new division, Creating Arts Studios, where we do Adult Shows and we just finished our three-week run of "Thenardier's Inn - A Les Miserables Cabaret" last weekend and it was absolutely spectacular!

Originally we were doing one weekend but got extended for another two weeks since we had sold-out our first show so quickly and the buzz around it was so big with the LA Critic's and Times among other outlets showing major interest.  Before our last weekend (we literally sold-out every show) we all found out that we are getting a four-week extension starting Friday January 23rd through Saturday February 14th!  I'm so proud of the hard-work that everyone has put in through this journey and the product is just incredible.

Opening night of 'Thenardier's Inn' with the Lovely Ladies & Mistress of the House

The content is classic yet original, basically everything you're thinking during 'Les Mis' we're saying during the show.  So there's dramatic-sweeping music and moments, emotional heart-felt songs and quotes, and pure comedy as well.  Did I mention that we serve alcohol throughout the show?  That includes complimentary wine from the Mistress of the House or from the Lovely Ladies during 'Master of the House' as well as a free cocktail for those dressed in French Revolutionary costumes.  I've seen the show numerous times now and I still get teary-eyed during certain songs, and laugh out-loud thanks to the writing and directing of Nick Rubando, who also plays Enjolras, and director Lee Marshall, who plays Javert.  Along with the fabulous improv of our entire cast bringing all the characters to life in this immersive theater experience.

Javert and I sneaking around...

I'm playing a Lovely Lady, and all the Lovely Ladies basically spend the entire show on-stage, flirting with patrons, serving cocktails and drinking with the guests.  Our cast packs a punch, tells a saucy tale, and the group numbers are sure to impress with our small 15 member talented cast.  One of my favorite parts of being a Lovely Lady is the costuming, hair and make-up involved.  It's wild, crazy, and totally different than anything I could wear in my daily life so it's fun to play and get dressed up for the show!

Everyone I've invited has been so happy and impressed by the show.  I can try to explain it to people but it just doesn't do the show justice, you have to see it, to really be a part of it!  There's no disappointment, only laughter, love and tears, for how awesome the show is.  Thank you to Bob, Cathleen, Joe & Kevin from Gabe's, John and Tatjana from Irish Times, Jamie & Spark, Ben, Kalissa & Chelsea, my Mom for coming all the way from Wisconsin to see me close "Sleeping Beauty" and open this show, and all of our super duper CAC members who've come to support and check out this life-changing show!  I'm so grateful and happy to be a part of something that makes me realize each and every performance that this is what I'm meant to be doing and exactly where I need to be.  I'm so proud of our talented cast and crew, Shannon and Todd, who keep our spirits alive and growing, and those that support us in this crazy career.  Every show is magic and as I said during intermission of our first show, I want to do this every day for the rest of my life.

Successful show now let's celebrate!!

To get tickets to this amazing show check out: http://www.cacstudios.com/lesmis/  I look forward to serving you a drink and a kiss on your cheek ;)

Mom's Visit to LA in November!

My Mom wanted to be able to see me in 'Thénardiers Inn - A Les Misérables Cabaret,' and the weekend it opened was the same weekend than 'Sleeping Beauty' closed.  So she decided to come for a few days to catch my performances in both and spend a little time with me before I go home for Christmas in December!

Mom with her 'Lovely Lady'

I picked her up from the airport on Saturday after 'Sleeping Beauty' finished and after grabbing a bite to eat it was time to get ready for 'Les Mis.'  I play a Lovely Lady and Mom ended up loving it!  I was worried because it's a little risque but she really enjoyed it.  She had made a joke a week before saying "as long as I wasn't swearing, playing a butch lesbian or giving birth on-stage again," like I did in 'The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told' she could handle it.  She was happy to see some of our other CAC members in the show and meet some of my new friends.  After the show we stopped by Gabe's to see Aimee and sing a little Karaoke.  She had wanted to hear me sing 'On My Own' and 'Just Like Jesse James' :)

On Sunday I was playing Maleficent in 'Sleeping Beauty' and the kids that day were quite rambunctious.  In fact, at one point after hearing nearly every cast mate tell the kids to quiet down so they could tell the rest of the story, I came on-stage to say my lines, and this boy who was a non-stop talker continued to talk over me.  I literally turned and 'shushed' him and gave him an evil Maleficent look.  I could hear my Mom laugh out-loud along with all the other parents and some of the kids.  Later on, I mentioned how talkative he was and asked what he thought of my dress, and he stared blankly at me.  I think it might have been the first time someone told him no; guess I taught him a little lesson...oops!  It certainly didn't stop any of the other kids from coming up to me at the end of the show to hug me and ask for pictures.  Thankfully, I'm Maleficent, so I can play on that scary side a little bit!  Once again, Mom enjoyed the children's show and commented on how different both shows were and how I had changed my look so drastically between the two.  I love being able to adapt to new characters as an actress!

I was able to get Mom to work-out with me for a couple of days and we took our normal walks around the neighborhood, one day having a glass of Sparking Moscato to celebrate because, it's 5 o'clock somewhere!  It was awesome to watch the Packer Game together on Sunday and on Monday we made Dinner together and watched 'Maleficent.'  She liked the movie and even got teary-eyed at the end.  I loved being able to see the movie again and only wish I could have seen it right before I started 'Sleeping Beauty' because it was great research for the role since Angelina Jolie did such an incredible job.  Mom also made this Texas Caviar Salsa that was awesome; it's so good I'm surprised I still have some left over from the giant bowl it made!

On our last night together I took Mom to the Culver Hotel for some Happy Hour cocktails and Dinner.  I've been there before but never got to try the food aside from the the Chocolate Lava Cake so this time it was a must to check out the menu.  The live Jazz started at 7:30 pm so we were able to get in some great music, yummy cocktails, and food as well.  I had Afterbuzz that night for the 200th episode of 'Supernatural' so she came to watch us film the show and see me Host.

Celebrating the 200th Episode "Fan Fiction" of 'Supernatural' at Afterbuzz TV with Bacon Cheeseburgers & Cupcakes!

Once again the few days we had together went way too fast but now it's only just over a month until I head home for Christmas for a nice extended vacation!  Thank you for coming out to spend time with me Mom, see all my shows, and just get some quality time together.  Miss you already and see you soon <3