Monday, December 04, 2006

Well the Broadway musical stage has not found a new star in me. Today was the first performance of the Gypsy of the Year Competition. I am doing well for a little while. Then I missed a line, I try to jump back and retrieve it but it is set to music and that train leaves the station without me. I think I am in the right spot for my next musical line, but I realize I am early. I vamp for a minute and start listening to the music to try and catch up and completely went up on the next line. I have always prided myself on an ability to pull most any situation out of the fire, but I went totally blank. I dipped into the well and it was dry as the Mojave. It was one of my dyslexic moments where my brain has no clue what my mouth needs to say. Bob (my wooden co-star) finally says, “I understand now why they closed your show”. It was a personal disaster.

Fortunately all of this takes place before the real number starts to cook and the real gypsies save the number in spite of my involvement. The rest of the show is wonderful and clever and exciting, so perhaps my participation will be quickly forgotten. However, I never felt more like hiding my face backstage and getting out of town very fast.

Tomorrow is another show and another chance to get it right. I really feel awful about letting the dancers down today. I am sure I have lost all credibility with them, as well as Josh and Lauren the director/writers.

It was not the experience I needed to improve my disposition. I was hoping for a really wonderful memory to end my Broadway experience. This was not it. Perhaps tomorrow.
As you were,
Jay

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Yea, you'll do GREAT Tuesday.

So great that Bob will be speechless!

--Usher Bob

Anonymous said...

Dear Jay,

I saw your show twice, and loved it both times. You made me laugh so hard that I nearly split my sides (sorry, Squeaky.) Right now, knowing how long and hard you worked to make it to Broadway, I imagine that it is very difficult to see the half full side of the glass, but know it's there. None of the reasons why the show lasted for less time than you had hoped can outweigh your career success and track record of winning over audiences. And it's no mystery that New York is the busiest and most expensive town to maintain a presence. Even great reviews will fade from the minds of ticket buyers if vast sums of marketing dollars are not available to maintain awareness. It happened to me when I opened my film in NY. The important thing is that you were favorably recognized by the press and entertained audiences for as long as the business could be sustained. And I'm sure you know that recognition will reward you personally and professionally for a lifetime. Hell man, you brought your show to Broadway, and the critics loved it! Have fun while you're in NY, and knock 'em dead tomorrow night because you've earned it. There are many wonderful shows ahead for you and your cast. Any dummy (sorry, Bob) can tell you that. Break a wooden leg, Jay!

All the best,
A Fan

Linda said...

You will be fabulous today and I can't wait to see you and the show!!

Anonymous said...

Are you sure anyone else noticed? To everyone else, you're the same person you were one month ago...

best holiday wishes

a doctor who wishes he had the talent/nerve you have

Anonymous said...

Jay-
You'll have a great show Tuesday! As we know, it's never the same show twice!
Wiz