I'm Wearing Someone Else's Clothes...

...And I'm feeling better! So goes the lyrics to a song on Jason Robert Brown's new solo CD Wearing Somone Else's Clothes. An AMAZING new CD filled with the witty and vibrant lyrics of Jason Robert Brown with rocking jazz accompaniment that I purchased last night AT HIS CONCERT! PEOPLE! I cannot begin to describe this awesome theatrical event that I was so privelleged to witness last night! Jason Robert Brown kindly came down to The Barter Theatre here in Abingdon, VA for a concert to promote his new CD and to celebrate his show The Last Five Years which is now playing at Barter's Stage 2 (and is an amazing show in itself)! So my friend Ryan Cury and I got second row center seats last week and are now VERY glad we did!

So he came down and last night he did an amazing concert (sans Caucasian Rythym). He also brought his friend Jen Colella, star of Broadway's Urban Cowboy, with him to do the duo songs. She was equally amazing as well! Currently she's working on a musical about Johnny Cash called Ring of Fire as well as a new project with Twyla Tharp, creator of Movin' Out, about the music of Bob Dylan which will be opening at The Globe in San Fran later on. AWESOME! I will definitely have to catch her in the Bob Dylan project later on. If it's anything like Movin' Out it is bound to rock!

But about the concert...JRB was as great as I expected. His talents abound with singing and playing the piano. I list him in the greats among Sondheim. His music is so true and he uses it as a tool by which he tells the stories through -- that kind of music akes for good theatre. Otherwise it's fluff. His sound is catchy and honest. Listening to his songs, I couldn't help wonder: How much of his music is based on his true life? Because the lyrics in his songs are so stirring and interesting. Many artists base their works on life experiences, and if this is the case with JRB, I would love to read his autobiography if he ever writes one. This concert was all that I expected and then some, well WELL worth the $20 I paid for it. Both of the performers soooo talented and two of the nicest people on earth - especially Jen. After the show I was able to semi meet them. JRB signed my CD and I met Jen Colella. So much more casual at Barter than meeting the stars outside of the stage doors on b'way.

So I urge all people who like good music to go out and buy his new CD Wearing Someone Else's Clothes. It speaks to you on many levels and it's just plain good! Especially if you like his work as much as I do! You'll be glad you've got his great CD in your library.

I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change

WOW! What a show it is! I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change is one of my top FAVORITE all-time shows EVER! I would bet that it would rank among the greats of musical history, as well it should! It's been running off-Broadways for years now and is still going strong. I saw a tour production of it come through the Barter Theatre a couple of years back and was awed by the wonderfulness of it all. Smart comedy with intelligent lyrics. Yum! The feast of a theatre go-er with good taste.
SO anyway, the reason I've been doting so heavily recently on this show that I on this show that I once saw is this: Theatre Bristol will be doing a production of it this season in 2006!!! JUST what I've been waiting for! I need to do a show like this to further my career and grow more. I will audition, I'm not sure what will happen - if anything. But I can always hope for the best. I may go and do a little schmoozing over there at their offices soon so that I may let it be known that I have interest in a part. I have done many shows through Theatre Bristol, and I do accredit it with my start in the business, the place where I really got serious and started to learn. However, as all actors do, I grew out of Theatre Bristol and their usual run-of-the-mill productions. Always the same boring stuff. But now they're doing this! Very cool. So I could use a production like this, and we'll see what happens casting wise. Who knows? I can only hope...
Other news includes the Jason Robert Brown concert here at Barter on Tuesday. I got second row seats to this sure to be amazing show. SO I'm very excited. I'll be sure to poost after seeing that. But I don't feel much like blogging anymore. I'm actually looking towards D.C. at the moment for a possible trip to see a friend newly returned form London....so I'm out for now.