Jamie's Journal

Thursday, April 28, 2005

 
Hey there,

So I did a little recording yesterday. Playing Kuromarimo in ONE PIECE on 4Kids (Fox Saturday Mornings). The episodes I just recorded should be on by mid-May.

Also the lovely and delightful Michele Helberg (who produced the Embrace! Concerts with me for the Matthew Shepard Foundation) took me to see The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. I'd seen it off-Broadway, but it was great to see it in their Broadway space. The cast is really first-rate. Big kudos to one of my favorite girls in the biz, Celia Keenan-Bolger, and of course my good friend Deborah Craig (who was in the Archie workshops with me years ago). Jesse Tyler Ferguson is downright brilliant. Go see it if you get the opportunity.

Things are moving ahead also with my producing partner and friend, Traci Klainer. We spoke to our lawyer yesterday about forming our producing company...all very exciting. And I will be with her for the next 3 days as part of the CTI (Commercial Theatre Institute) 3-Day intensive...WOOHOO!

I think that's about it for now...considering a few musicals for this year's World AIDS Day Concert...we'll see where we land!

Love, Jamie
with love from Jamie at 12:26 PM

Monday, April 18, 2005

 
No need to be afraid of Jennifer Holliday...

Dear Lord,

I was TERRIFIED of last night's Standing Ovations 3 Surprise Special Guest, Jennifer Holliday. I mean, she's a legend...and not just a little legend...she's a gay icon. But honestly, I have to say, one of the nicest people I have had the pleasure of meeting in a very long time. She's a pro, and turned out an unreal performance last night. But then I got to spend a lot of time with her at the after-party, where we decided we're going to learn to golf-well maybe not LEARN to golf but at least go to a golf resort and hang out because let's face it, some of those golf resorts are really nice. Anyway-it was a pleasure and one of the highlights of my young career to have her in last night's concert.

The funny thing is, the concert was FILLED with some amazing highlights...Natascia Diaz sang a song that had been written and added into the new production of Sweet Charity...then, after Cy passed away, not only was the song cut, but the actress as well. It was such a pleasure not only to hear this song no one had probably ever performed publicly, but to hear it done by this singer. Natascia is a gifted performer and last night was the first time several people had the opportunity to hear her. She rocked.

Also a highlight for me was the amazing Jenn Gambatese, who is currently starring in All Shook Up. She sang Marilyn and Alan Bergman's "The Promise," one of my favorite songs ever. Cheyenne Jackson's "Breeze off the River" was also great to hear-watching Cheyenne blossom right in front of me has been such a huge pleasure...To think that 2 concerts ago, we had to explain to people who he was and now...judging from his applausee on his entrance, they know who he is. There were dozens of other highlights as well...but it's 8:30AM and I have to clean my apartment for my nephew's arrival in a few hours.

Thanks to anyone who was able to make the show and especially to all the amazing performers who took part. Also a BIG thank you to Rob Diamond for not only asking me to direct all these shows but for being a very good friend as well.

Love, Jamie
with love from Jamie at 8:23 AM

Saturday, April 16, 2005

 
Hey there!

SSSSooooooo....

FINALLY, NEARLY 2 YEARS LATER, I AM VERY PROUD TO ANNOUNCE...

Ok-you remember the VERY first benefit I ever put together?

It was called NEO for New, Emerging, Outstanding and took place the day after the Tony Awards-June 9th, 2003. I remember it was the day after the Tony Awards, cuz Matt Morrisson spent the day fast asleep on the green room sofa after his rehearsal. And then somehow turned in a fantastic performance that night. It was a really great evening over all and was recorded live on Jay Records. The remarkable John Yap had a great deal of trouble cutting through a lot of red tape (it being a benefit recording, the unions weren't all too happy about it, despite the fact that the singers and writers all were fine with donating their services). But now...finally, it's coming out in May!

I just got my copy. It's a double CD that will benefit the York Theatre Company. And you can find out more about it on www.jayrecords.com.



That's all for today...off to some more Standing Ovations 3 rehearsals with the unbelievable Larry Blank-what a great man with such amazing stories-I could speak with him for days...and have been!

See you all Sunday at Joe's Pub!

Love, Jamie
with love from Jamie at 1:42 PM

Wednesday, April 13, 2005

 
Hello,

All is going well-working on Standing Ovations 3 endlessly it seems. But having fun...had a lovely chat with {j} (the surprise guest star for the concert on Sunday)-very nice person with an even nicer answering machine message.

Meeting with Rob, Eddie and Larry Blank (Musical Director) tomorrow night for dinner. Woohoo!

Saw ROSIE'S BROADWAY BELTERS Last night at the Zipper Theatre with my new friend Victor. It was really a remarkable night. Rosie's just wonderful. She did a set of standup to open and she's just so great onstage and no one can really take that away from her. She put together this evening of a bunch of hugely talented, lesser-known Broadway singers (several of whom appeared in the Pippin Concert). So it was a real treat to hear these amazing singers in this American Idol type show...so fun.

Rosie told this story of someone from the chorus of Pippin coming up to her during the rehearsal and (tears running down her cheek) said to her "When you were in Grease in Boston, I was 9 years old. I met you at the stage door and you said to me 'One day we'll work together.' and today's that day." It was a really moving story that took Rosie a few moments to come back from after telling it. I also teared up a bit and realized that I'm going to have to do the concert again this year. I had been considering not doing it since from a logistical standpoint, Pippin was a real difficult undertaking. And since this year I will be doing some commercial producing, I need to dedicate more time to that and was unsure if I'd have the energy to do both. But hopefully I'll be able to start assembling a team that will take up a lot of the slack that Kate and I had to do on our own last year. We're tossing around titles right now...so Ill let you know when I know!

And my nephew is coming to visit me next week for a few days. I can't wait! He's 10 so I'm trying to find all the places I can take him in the city...I can guarantee this boy will have cool stories to take back to school after his vacation-I'm going to take him to one of the recording studios and show him around a little bit. We'll do a show and a couple touristy things...if anyone has recommendations, let me know.

I'm also getting over a cold...it's crazy. i feel almost all better except for a little cough and a voice like Kathleen Turner...on a bad day.

Ah well...off to bed!

Love, Jamie
with love from Jamie at 12:07 AM

Sunday, April 03, 2005

 
So,

I'm staying in today and watching Finding Neverland. WHAT A GREAT MOVIE. I saw it in the theatre with my friend Max. We were both heaving, sobbing messes leaving the theatre.

But I did recall a really true line from the film that makes me sad, but at the same time, something I've experienced...

JM Barrie (Depp) hears some rumors about what others are saying about his relationship with the young boys and the widow and he replies "The moment you find a glimmer of happiness in this world, there's always someone wants to take it away from you."

Speaking of JM Barrie, and those things Scottish. I was at Bennigan's last night with a writer named Jeff Thompson (The New Kid). And a handsome young man walks in wearing what? a kilt. That's right. So I chatted with him...his name is Gary (pronounced "Gaddy" with his accent...grrrr). And then leaving the restaurant-bagpipes playing, people in kilts EVERYWHERE. So I had to ask...apparently it's a day when the have a parade down 42nd St once a year...all boys in skirts...I LOVE IT. But why didn't I get the memo?

Love, Jamie
with love from Jamie at 3:58 PM