This weekend was opening and closing of Hello Dolly! Eight weeks culminated in just three performances, but it was such a great experience. The city of Englewood’s summer drama program is a hidden gem in Denver’s theater community.
And since it’s National Mutt Day, I also thought I’d share the tremendous growth Harper’s made this past month, as well as what’s on the horizon for us in the month to come.
It’s hard to believe that one year ago I was in the opening week of Grease. This was also the week I fainted while running and scuffed up the right side of my face and body! I was running on empty: not eating enough (you can tell in my arm above… girl looks sickly) and not taking enough rest. Whoops!
I’m excited to announce I’ll be playing the role of Irene Molloy in a production of Hello, Dolly! put on by the City of Englewood’s Summer Drama program! Fun!
I’ve been wanting to get back to “legit” musical theater singing for a while, but my voice has been in an iffy spot since my last few roles have required some serious belting. This should be a welcome change and give me loads to work on in my voice lessons.
The past four weeks have been a little topsy turvy. I jumped into a last-minute four-person show, had my parents in town, met some lofty goals at work… and while those accomplishments feel great, other things fell by the wayside. Mainly: my feeling of equilibrium.
This past weekend, although it was the closing of Love/Perfect, I made some crucial decisions that should help me regain my footing.
Hey, loves! I am so sorry I’ve been AWOL. I thought life would slow down once Grease opened, but it hasn’t. Working, packing, moving, family in town, fainting while running (whoops!)—has all been a little much.
Here’s a quick little photo update until I’m back in the swing of things (soon!).
Hey, loves! It’s Wednesday, which means I’m halfway through Tech/Hell Week.
And guess what? I’m still alive!
In January and February of 2015, I was cast in my first bucket-list role: 1 of the 4-person cast of the musical I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change!
A year and a half later, I’m reflecting upon not just how my health has changed (I’m 30 pounds heavier in these photos) but also my overall happiness.
I now can look back with compassion and a heart full of love for the girl I was. It’s been a tough 18 months, but you know what they say: Diamonds are made under pressure.
This is going to be such an opportunity for growth in my musical theater career for multiple reasons. Rizzo has to:
I’m still stuck in ingenue mode—and classically trained opera-singing mode—so this ballsy, belty high-school-smoker thing is completely out of my comfort zone.
But that’s where all the FUN is!
I recently was cast as Betty Rizzo in Grease—a dream role for me. In honor of my first rehearsal on Sunday, I planned a Grease- (and Greece-) themed dinner for Saturday night (after my 10-mile long run and zucchini bread snack).
What’s a Grease-themed dinner? Diner food… Burgers!
I chose Falafel “Burgers” & Baked Sweet-Potato Fries. Ironically, it was light on the grease—but heavy on the taste buds. Take a look these finger-lickin’ recipes we combined.
I haven’t seen a show this good since Wicked at New York’s Gershwin Theater. I don’t care if you “don’t like musicals;” you will love this production of Sweeney Todd. (No one is paying me to say this.)
Everything was brilliant: the actors, the vocals, the set, the costumes—not to mention that the music is played by Grammy-nominated DeVotchKa, a four-piece multi-instrumental and vocal ensemble, originally from Denver.
The Real Life 