'Wizard of Oz' Final Weekend

I can't believe how quickly those five weeks of performances as the Wicked Witch in Wizard of Oz went.  I got to perform as the Witch in six shows and a Munchkin/Citizen of Oz in four shows.  Being in this show was brand new territory for me and such an awesome learning and performing experience.

With my Mom after the Show :)

Normally, I am cast as the girl next door, fun spunky girlfriend, or sassy female character.  I've never gotten to play a villain, especially to the degree of the Wicked Witch.  There was this sense of anger and frustration I had because my sister was killed when Dorothy's house landed on her.  I had to be terrifying and mean, pushing the monkeys around and frightening Dorothy, her friends, and the kids in the audience.  To top it all off, I wanted to change my voice, so I found this raspy evil sounding voice that did a number on my throat but was so worth it!  Although, I'm very happy I won't have to do it again anytime soon.  When I played a Munchkin and Citizen of Oz, I completely changed characters, doing a nerdy/dork with bewilderment and then excitement as a Munchkin and when I came on for the scene in Oz I played a stuck-up Debutante that enjoyed the finer things in life.

Twinning with Rachel as Citizens of Oz!

The impact the show had on the kids was incredible.  I loved hearing them during the show talking to their parents or us, answering our questions, and getting involved.  For the most part, the kids weren't really afraid of me and aside from scaring a few children AND adults (which I was very excited when I scared the parents on my entrance) they all were very excited to meet and talk to me.  The fact that they could conquer their fears and hug me was pure joy.  Of course, I picked up little bits of conversations like one little boy who kept asking where I was because he knew I couldn't scare him, or the little girl that comforted her Mom after I made my initial entrance saying, 'It's ok Mom, it's not real.'  Better yet was another little boy sitting in the front who got glitter on him saying, 'I'm very disturbed by this, there is glitter in my hair, there is glitter in my eyes, I am NOT ok with this.'  Kids really do say the darndest things!

My costume was absolutely stunning and I felt wicked in it, with the addition of some amazing make-up that really made my character pop.  I got so many wonderful compliments from friends and family and truly appreciate everyone that came to the show including: Neil, my Mom, Sam, Ashley, McCracken, Danny and his girlfriend, Bobby and his girlfriend and her daughter, Jeff, Aimee & Andy, Chris & John, Carolyn and her sister's family, Tyler & Monica, and Cathy.  Thank you so much for coming and supporting me on this fun adventure, and also thanks to those that sent wishes, luck, and tried to come but weren't able to attend.

The children were so brave to meet and hug me; I was ecstatic to talk to them!

As an Artistic Member of Creating Arts I look forward to working with our company and challenging myself in more ways.  My passion lies in acting and doing theater has brought me back to my roots and it's so fulfilling to do exactly what I love to do :)

Mom's May Visit to LA! Part 1.

My Mom came to visit me almost two weeks ago and stayed with me for a week.  Our time together went too fast as it always does and we were busy nearly every day with something to do.  Lucky for us, that was making dinner together, laying by the pool, having a four-course dinner in Hollywood, and taking walks around the neighborhood!

Mom got in on Wednesday morning so we decided on En Sushi for Happy Hour since Mom and I haven't had Sushi together in a long time.  I had picked out two different kinds of sashimi, two rolls, spicy tuna on crispy rice, and edamame.  We also had a couple of drinks and En Sushi is one of my favorite Sushi Happy Hours to go to because it's such a good price for so much food.  I always leave full!  I was happy to hear Mom say that everything was really delicious and she'd like to do this again sometime!  That night I hosted Karaoke at Gabe's with Mom's help and we had a fun night there with friends and Gummi Bear Shots :)

While Mom was visiting it was in the high 80's and low 90's so we were able to get in pool time on Thursday morning before I had to work at Irish Times that afternoon.  Mom always likes to help me get the bar set-up and I repay her with a little beer tasting of new beers since her last visit.  She came back later so we could have dinner at the bar together too; we had the Guinness Shrimp and Bangers & Mash and also got to try the French Onion Soup, Fried Ravioli, and Grilled Cheese with caramelized onions and bacon.  We've changed our menu at Irish Times and updated it with some new items and elevated some of the older ones and everything I've tried has been really great!  We also stopped at Freddy Smalls to have dessert since they had a Yogurt Panna Cotta with Pinot Noir soaked blueberries and my favorite, Rocky Road dessert that's meringue, a pudding/mousse, with almond cookies, and sea salt.  I wouldn't normally go for Panna Cotta but this is by the best one I've ever had and the Rocky Road always delivers!

Took Mom to Dinner at Amalfi in Hollywood to celebrate Mother's Day early!

On Friday it was another day by the pool after a long walk around the neighborhood and I made my famous Bloody Mary's to sip on during the 90 degree day.  We did a little shopping that afternoon before we went to Dinner at Amalfi in Hollywood.  We had our four-course meal that started with Jumbo Shrimp in a White Wine Sauce (that was awesome) and then Mom chose the Brussel Sprouts Salad which was really good and a nice portion.  Potato Leek Soup is usually my favorite but I wasn't a huge fan of theirs; Irish Times is still number one on their version.  Mom and I planned on splitting our entrees so I chose the Filet with Gratin Potatoes in a Mushroom Demi-Sauce and Mom got the Lobster Ravioli with Shrimp and Asparagus in a Saffron Cream Sauce.  My steak was cooked perfectly and the potatoes were really yummy.  The Ravioli surprised me because I really enjoyed the lobster in it and cream sauce.  For Dessert, we decided on Tiramisu, and it wasn't the best I've ever had but we were both so full it took all I had to finish it!

Sunday Dinner for Mom!

Mom had helped me run lines for the play on Saturday morning since this was her first time being able to see Wizard Of Oz since we had opened three weeks prior.  I felt like it was my best show and performance as I almost lost my voice and was emotionally exhausted from performing that day, my muscles were actually sore.  A bunch of friends came to see the show on Saturday and on Sunday, Mom came to see me play a Munchkin and Citizen of Oz.  Mom even commented that she had no idea I was going to change my voice for the Wicked Witch role since when we had practiced, I did it in my normal voice.  Of course, I couldn't give my great idea away when I wanted to surprise her with it during the show!  That night I made a Quinoa salad, and Salmon Dinner with rice, lemon asparagus, a cheese plate and we had a mini-wine tasting too.

That was just the first few days...we had a trip to Solvang that started on Monday, but I saved that for Part 2 of Mom's week-long visit to LA :)

To see pictures from Dinner at Amalfi or any other photo's from Mom's trip and Wizard of Oz check out my Instagram at: http://instagram.com/lyndseywegner#

'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!*

'Wizard of Oz' Promo Video

The Cast & Crew of Wizard of Oz has been fortunate enough to sell out our past four shows!  We've got three more weeks of shows coming up and it's been such an awesome experience playing the Wicked Witch and getting to perform and talk to the children and parents after the show.

You can see a Promo Video for Wizard of Oz right here!

I can't believe we put this show together in three weeks and we're all having a blast playing and entertaining families and attendees.  You can find out information and details about how to get tickets on our Creating Arts Company website at www.creatingarts.org or find half-off tickets on www.goldstar.com.  Come and see the magic :)

'The Wizard of Oz'

I'm happy to announce that I will be playing the Wicked Witch of the West in Wizard of Oz.  Once again I will be working with the wonderful and talented Creating Arts Company!  It opens on April 12th at the Promenade Playhouse in Santa Monica and I will be performing on Saturday's at 2 pm as well as one Sunday in April at 3 pm.  It's running for six weeks and I can't wait for this exciting challenge :)

Playing the Wicked Witch will definitely be a fun experience for me since I'm used to playing the good girl but as I've been doing some research on witches, I've found some really awesome traits to use for this role.  Hansel & Gretel with Gemma Arterton and Jeremy Renner was really beneficial for me to watch as they're witch hunters and Famke Janssen plays the main evil witch.  She was a great strong character and her demeanor was interesting.

I've also been trying to find the perfect make-up for the role.  In typical Wizard of Oz fashion the Wicked Witch was an ugly evil witch but Mystic (we're sharing the role, she's incredible and performing on most of the Sunday's) said she brings out the fun and sexy side of her.  Since Wicked has come out there's been a whole new idea that the Wicked Witch is just misunderstood and really not some horrible person.  So I plan on using qualities from that musical and the movies I've seen to create an intriguing but really sassy and wicked character with stylish make-up more like the movie Oz: The Great and Powerful.

Rehearsals are under-way, I'm almost completely memorized and we open in two weeks.  We've got an amazing cast and crew and I can't wait for this acting adventure!