Random Posts: July 26, 2015 - I'm a Producer!

I cannot believe it, I actually produced a very successful concert at 54 Below called Uncharted: The Songs of Sara Bareillis. The amount of time and work spent on producing this was even more than I could have imagined. It had its ups and downs but I got things done and could not be more proud of how it turned out.

Sound check was earlier in the day and Billy and Adam my 54 below sound/lighting guys were so awesome and helpful. They told me i was so well organized and that they wished I could be at every sound check because i was really good at keeping things moving along and that made me smile so much! The band and talent were doing their thang and mad me really excited... I was actually not too stressed until later that night when I arrived at the dressing room and it was about 90 minutes before show time. I was so stressed and anxiety ridden. I was visibly shaking like cray and with barely a one second look at me people could tell i was stressing out. Andrey kept trying to get me to sit down and relax which only happened like once. Everyone showed up on time and we ended up almost selling out the place (we might have actually sold out who knows).

Then it happened, it was show time... I can't properly express the feelings and excitement i felt as the show began and I could see people enjoying themselves. As each song passed by I felt more relaxed, and then I took to the stage with Andrey to do some brief thank yous and was shocked to hear my voice bounce back in the monitors... it was pretty funny actually. The show was right on time, people didn't miss their songs. The audience was cheering and it was just magical. I think my favorite moment of the night was when one of our backup singers, Candice, stepped into sing a song last minute because our scheduled performer fell ill that morning... she freaking nailed it. She is amazing but in the community not a known person so to see the audience lose their minds over her talent was everything because they were that into it! It was also fun to see the servers enjoying themselves and dancing and singing along at times in the back. Did i mention how incredibly awesome the band was? They were such nice and fun guys and have so much talent, it was incredible, the sound was fantastic and each performer nailed it.

After the show was over it was weird to be the person that everyone was coming up to to congratulate and speak with me, and even Billy and Adam said they got chills a few times, and considering how many of these shows they see that was a great compliment. I mean it was crazy, and it took so long to get over to Characters after because of it.... i felt on top of the world and had a glass of prosecco to celebrate.

Then it was nice to chat with Shoshana and a couple others over there after and just let go of all the stress i had built up, a perfect evening truly!

Actually found out we were 2 seats from a sell out! craziness!

Day 319/365 (June 1, 2015)

Got asked to film a concert just after midnight at 54 Below tonight so that is fun! I got up and plugged my camcorder in to charge.

Got up went to work. We have a box where we put papers that need to be shredded before being thrown out but haven't actually shredded anything in a while so I decided to buckle down and begin shredding. Let me tell you in the movies when people do emergency mass shredding because they are trying to cover something up it is lies! it took so long and kept getting jammed and after emptying the barrel twice it over heated and I had to stop! still have a whole bunch more to go, it is a good thing I enjoy shredding things. I should have moved the shredder back in my office sooner to prevent this. It is still all rainy out.

After I headed home and had a lip sync battle min-marathon followed by America's Slang. At some point I ended up accidentally taking a 45 minute nap that felt really good. I  woke up with two sleeping kitties near by. Helped Laura pick up the camera and also helped Sasha with some "playbill" flower prep work.

Then i got ready for the concert. It was for Chris McCarrell. I had never seen him before so I had no clue what to expect. It was a very enjoyable evening, He is bubbly and fun and put on a wonderful show. Glad I got to see it! Almost had an issue beforehand, thankfully Shoshana to the rescue! I need to see what is wrong with my camera battery! It said it was fully charged and when i went to test his memory card in my camera the battery all of a sudden said it had only ten minutes left! Thankfully she had her camera there and it had a charge and was very kind to let me use it.

After i went back home and helped Sasha some more with her flowers., then I couldn't sleep thanks to the nap so i put on Daredevil since it usually puts me to sleep but I actually got into the episode... oops!

Day 299/365 (May 12, 2015)

work work, womp womp. Then i walked to my Jenny appointment where i got good results for the week. It feels good to be back on track. Then i rushed home to change and headed down to training.  OMG i got murdered during training! Then i rushed home and took a quick shower then headed out to 54 Below to film a concert. Had no idea what it was or who was in it but it ws a pretty good show, so well done people involved! Then finally home for good!

Fred sleeps in interesting ways.

Day 296/365 (May 9, 2015)

A busy and wonderful day! I started the morning off with a 90 minute walk, then came home and relaxed for a bit before Lola arrived. She took the suggestion to make her own Derblin inspired Critter and story very seriously. I was extremely impressed with her creativity and dedication. She worked on her story for about 4.5 hours. She kept asking us how to spell words, but not all of them. At one point both Sasha and I fell asleep briefly on the couch. She wanted to send it to "the company" meaning the couple that wrote the Derblin is a Derblin book she loves.

A bit later Karen came home and they worked on a necklace for Ellyn then we all headed off to NJ. While in the car we started playing "evil fairy." I have enjoyed all the games I have played with Lola, but I must say this was not one i liked and i felt slightly tortured. We got to her house and between bath time and dinner time and birthday planning we were able to avoid playing more of the evil fairy for a while. Then we played it again for a tiny bit before her dad got home. Then we went to trader joes and got some much needed groceries.Once home i was finally able to eat!

Eventually i headed out for another walk to finish my step goal and ended at 54 Below for Eric Michael Krop's show. I got there earlier than planned but step goal was achieved and I didn't want to add too much more steps to the count for the day! The girl who ended up in line behind me was working my last nerve. Every other word out of her mouth was like. I like totally like did like this thing like i.... And she kept creeping closer and closer to me an hitting me with her bag and phone and being oblivious to it. Luckily the doorman took notice and said i could go downstairs to wait at the seats until they were ready to open the house.

I got myself a lovely seat and Eric's show was really great. The boy can sing! So talented! so happy i stayed up so late for it! After it was over and I was up by the bar area i almost didn't recognize Brian (Nash) when he tried to say hi to me. The lighting was such a way i didn't really see his face until he was very close... oops! It was nice to chat with him for a bit, and then Eric... then I had to go home I was so sleepy! These 11:30 shows are killer on the sleep cycle!

Day 240/365 (March 14, 2015)

Up early and then walked up to my Jenny appointment in the rain, and hit up Trader Joe's. Then headed home to put stuff away. I made the frosting/filling for the Irish Cream whoopie pies in the hope that it helped them taste good. The frosting tasted amazing... sadly it didn't help them. Eventually I got dressed for David and Karolina's St. Patrick's Day Party and got to see Lola for a tiny bit.

Headed off to their party and it was nice seeing them and James and everyone else. I am a rocking carrot and potato peeler. I overate oops!

Then Nicole and I headed out, it was nice to have company on the walk/subway ride back. Nicole went to work and I went home to change into normal clothes.When I got home Charlie toppled me and I discovered that Sasha hadn't taken the hat off of Fred before e left and it got wrapped around his body. She had been gone for over two hours the poor thing could have chocked to death! I put on the new dress/sweater i got a few days ago and I felt so cute and springy even if outside didn't feel springy.

I headed to 54 Below to see Sam Underwood in concert. I ended up sitting 3 seats away from Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedwick... pretty cool! He is really quite talented. He can sing very well and tap dance like crazy. He was also pretty funny. He sang a song with Valeire from "The Following: The Musical" that was hilarious! The show was quite enjoyable. After I got to meet him Katherine and I headed across the street to Characters. Eventually all the people filtered over. Got to chat with him for a bit and I even chatted with some random guy. I was practicing talking to a straight boy because there are so few of those in my life.

Stayed there so late and it was so good to be in the company of friends who actually seem to like me right now. I really didn't want to leave when I did but i was getting very sleepy.

Day 215/365 (February 17, 2015)

I spent the majority of the day in New Rochelle with the cousins. I worked remotely and Penny was not pleased. She spent a great deal of time glaring at me like "get that computer off your lap and cuddle/pet me" It also snowed for a bit. Dennis made us pancakes which I ate too many of, then I finally went to Trader Joe's and made my way back into the city. As I was driving and listening to a song sung by KDM I got some sad news about the ABz reunion concert and was crushed. When I got home I turned to cookie butter. Charlie passed out in front of the space heater.

Eventually I got ready and headed out to 54 Below to see Kate Rockwell do her solo show. I loved it so much. She is so talented and pretty funny too! I think my favorite moment was when she ended up playing "diva tag" sort of with the song "And I'm Telling You" from Dreamgirls. Justin Matthew Sargent  joined her and they kept trading off (though rehearsed" and he has an insane voice so it was fierce! I also really loved a medley she had that ranged from les miz to phantom to cats. It was also nice running into some people I haven't seen in a while that were in BIO so that was fun! (Sheldon, Nikki, and Taylor).

I also met Vanessa Ray (Blue Bloods) who was there to support Kate and she was so super nice. I know she has been on Broadway but I never saw her on anything but I do love me some Blue Bloods). I tool a picture and chatted with her a bit... really just super sweet!

Day 197/365 (January 30, 2015)

On my way to work I noticed they were changing the show stuff over at the Lunt-Fontanne so it looks like Matthew Morrison is the next star of Motown... haha!

I also had my jenny appointment, and went to work. I also went to film a cute concert at 54 Below and found out I would be filming Ellyn's return show tomorrow.

I also bought a super fancy new camera today and I am not sure if I should keep it or not.

Day 170/365 (January 3, 2015)

Got up early to go to training... only to discover Travis forgot and was in Florida so no training for me, but I did go to the gym and hit my step goal for the day by 11:16 am! Then I came home and grabbed stuff for a few errands. Dropped a care package off to Ellyn and went to the Music Box to deliver the cupcake to the stage door guy, who wasn't there so I gave it to the girl and had an awkward run in with Carly... I really hate running into people when making deliveries. Then I came back and had lunch before going back to the theatre to meet with Adam to give him the big delivery of cupcakes and cookies. We chatted in the area just inside the door for a while then I headed back home for a bit.

Way later it was time for Ellyn's show at 54 Below. It started so late but was hilarious! Jake Odmark played the role of Lola to perfection, Ellyn did a hilarious version of her character Gemma Louise's inner monologue. She rapped and people laughed when they saw the pictures during The Last 5 Years song. We said good bye to Dawn, I packed my rush bag and Jo Ann came to stay with us since the show was so late.

Fred and Charlie were cuddling all cute like and I finally read the card Zina sent me on New Year's Day.

Day 142/365 (December 6, 2014)

The morning started off quite interesting... Sasha saw someone outside the window of our apartment and woke me up... we called the police... eventful! Then I got some sleep and woke up again to find Fred and Charlie playing at my feet. I let in the exterminator and then begun making the creme part of the creme brule. It was surprisingly easy. Later Lola came over and it was earlier than expected and I was still in my PJs and when she saw me she said "tamra it's not morning why are you still in your pajamas?"

We played some games and went on more adventures in the rocket ship, and the boat. She wore her space tutu and I had space sunglasses. She drew more flavors from her scented markers and we voted so we ate cotton candy since it was the winner. I even made a cone for it since she asked if there was one using parchment paper.

I went to use my kitchen torch for the first time and it didn't work... I was so sad, but I improvised and used the broiler to caramelize the sugar... it was SO tasty! Then it was off to Bea for Rita's bachelorette party dinner. It was nice to see her and meet her soon to be future sister in law. The restaurant however was TERRIBLE. The service was so bad, prisoners get more water than we did. The food also wasn't that great. While we were there we found out poor Ellyn's place had more than major ceiling leak... it made us feel not so bad about our situation. Then I came home and got dry (it was raining badly) and headed over to cabaret to try and get a Playbill for Sasha.. I had to be sneaky, but I succeeded! Then I went up to the 54 Below dressing room before Michael's concert since I was filming it and had all my stuff with me and a change of shoes so I could wear my boots over. I filmed Gioia to the World: My Holiday Hell and it was lovely. Of course I had some troubles filming at first because of where they put me, then moved me once the show had already started.... grr! Then after the show a bunch of us went to the three monkeys bar. I only stayed for a bit since I was so tired!

Day 65/365 (September 20, 2014)

Another super LONG day, but super great day! It was an early wake up and then Sasha, Karen and I went to pick up Lola for a day of suburbia. We headed to the pick your own veggies and fruit farm. Lola had a grand time helping us pick apples/veggies. There was a "little village" made up of little versions of typical town buildings like the post office, fire station, school, church, etc... She had so much fun running from place to place and making friends with any other little kid. Then we headed to a Michael's and then to Sasha's mom's house to see Pip and her brother's cat Aticus. Poor guy was shaved recently and didn't look too happy about it. It was good to see Pip... i miss that "little" guy!

Then we headed out to another Michael's and Target for some final shopping before heading back home. We hit some traffic so it took a really long time and we didn't get back until after 7. Then I had just a bit of time to eat and shower before heading out again!

It was a concert by Actor Friend at 54 below and it was so good/funny!. It started just about 11 and didn't end until after 1 am! everyone had something they were talking about before their song so we heard all kinds of funny stories from the various performers. Kyle Dean was one of them and he spoke abut his disastrous college auditions and tried to recreate that for his performance. That meant he sung Corner of the Sky but it was probably the funniest I have ever seen him. Ellyn was also one of the people and spoke about her time working at Ellen's Stardust Diner.... she is so freaking funny it hurts to laugh.

Day 46/365 (September 1, 2014)

Another crazy early morning. I had to get up to get on a 6:45 am train to Boston. Then i walked from North Station to South Station (while pausing in Faneuil Hall for some breakfast. I was at South Station way earlier than I needed to be but it was either that or take the next train which would have gotten in after my bus was supposed to leave, I was hoping to get standby on an earlier bus, which thankfully (despite potential revolt) I was able to get on the 10:30. The bus made great time until we got stuck outside of Macy's for a really ong time. After about 15 minutes or so I knew something strange was up because our driver parked the bus and came back to us the bus bathroom! He then told us all he would let us off there. We had no idea why until we were off the bus. I went to walk towards 7th and the entire area was blocked off. The police officer there said there a bomb threat so they couldn't let anyone through and I watched a giant double decker tourist bus trying to turn around to drive out while my poor bolt bus and one other waited their turn to do the same.

I was able to walk home using 6th and unpacked and ate and then got the air mattress ready for Andrey. I then met up with him and did some arts and crafting.

Later i got ready and met up with o Ann since we were going to 54 Below to see Grind: The concert. I knew nothing about the movie or its music but Eric Michael Krop, Anthony Rapp, and Natalie Weiss were performing so that's why I went. Eric even got to perform a few of his personal songs... seriously that dude is insane!  Then I stayed for sMASHed Up... Ben's mash up concert. Andrey and Rachel joined me for that and let me tell you it was cray! Not only did Ben create incredible song arrangements but the performers were just unreal! There were several BIO people which made m happy, including Taylor who has returned to NY (at least for now).. Those videos will become popular! Zach came to it also so we chatted after for a bit. I went home and didn't get to sleep until well after 2... oops!