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My Life In A Nutshell!
Thursday, 3 June 2004
And yet ...another month passes us by!!
CATS! Now and FORRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEVER!!
and ever...
and ever...
and ever....
and ever...
and ever....

Ok grant it, I LOOOOVE the people I'm working with and I love the theatre and the talent that surrounds me there, and I will say with out a doubt, once again, as I have MANNNNNNY times before....this job KICKS ASS compared to the one I once had. (Last Summers NIGHTMARE ON SHERKSTON ST.) But... I'm slowly growing tired of the feline and the MEMORY...sweet lord if I never hear that song again for a looooong time it may be to soon. hehe

But asides from that.... I'm still having a GREEEEEEAT TIME here in HALIFAX. The city keeps getting more and more tourists and the show has been extended through JUNE, now we're just waiting to see if we'll be extended through July. - Part of me wants the contract to run until the end of August like it's suppose too. - BUT WE ALL KNOW that it's not going to happen, unless out of the blue a surge in ticket sales takes over us. However I think as a cast in whole, we're ready for this one to be over.

The other day we had another cast member taken out of the show, she wrenched her neck BADLY doing one of the dance moves in the production and was out for a week, her side kick came down with a heavy cold and he's been out for the last three days. Tonights performance found our Macavity slugged in the face (accidentally) during the fight scene... and an up and down of sore throats, colds yada yada yada.

As for me, I'm still kickin' so to speak. I made another friend out here, his name is Patrick, a great guy. He's a probations officer and also does a lot of drug testing at a community center here in Halifax, etc..etc.. etc. He has a huge interst in musicals which his partner does not share. So we talk about that sometimes, ...but I have to say between him and my friend Dan, don't know who's a bigger musical fan. BUT... they share two diff sides of my life and somehow meet in the middle, that ones hard to explain so I wont'. - BUT... they are two gifts in my life, ...just like the rest of my family and friends, and loved ones.

I'm trying to keep my friends numbered here in town, ...I guess I shouldn't...but people who know me, should know that I CAN NOT do "Goodbyes" very well.. and meeting someone new, growing attached to that person and then having to leave them at some point just kills me.

I know... as Billy Joel writes "Life is a series of Hello's and Goodbye's - I'm afraid it's time for Goodbye again." Either way, stuff that like just gets to me, and I know I shouldn't let it --but...it's just the person I am. So Deal with it. - I do. :D

Anywhoo... Adam (who I believe has been mentioned in a previous BLOG entry)... and Patrick will remain my Halifax friends, if I ever find myself back in the city at least I'll have a couple folks to visit. - Besides those working at the theatre as well. They've been a HUGE welcome to my life as well, so Thank God for email and the ability to keep in touch with them when I do go.

There are a few things I'm VERY MUCH looking forward to doing when I get home in mid-July - August. (The CNE, going to see HAIRSPRAY, The PRODUCERS, sleeping in MY OWN BED AGAIN!! - Visit friends that I haven't seen for the past few months, ...getting in touch with some new friends I made back home before I left....and starting life (once again), but this time making it out into the world on my own at home. (That means something to me, and I guess I'm the only one that it matters for. LOL)


On the writing front, I've completed the score to a complete show, ..and ACT ONE of dialogue, now I just need to finish ACT TWO and see what happens from there. ALSO started composing yet ANOTEHR brand new show...this freedom away from everyone and everything has been great, because it's forcing me to write. - I can't go out, I can't call up friends back home and hang out with them, so I sit down and I compose and work my ass off, and some good stuff has been flowing from these finger tips and the melodies in my head.

My life, my friends, my family , the sights and sounds of my day have all found their way into the lives of the characters I've been creating. - RELATIONS...my musical about "coming out" and the terms that go with it, was spawn from pictures I've found here at the apartment where I'm staying, but also from conversations I've had with my incredible friend Dan, and my own relationships, David has had some influence, and just conversations with people I know.

Cast members from CATS have come over and sung through most of the music, a few have asked for pieces to be added to their Audition repertoire, which is always cool, and most importantly hearing them sing through my music, just gives me more and more inspiration. Something that I don't have back home as well.

Writing the new script that I've been working on hold some of my best music to date I think. - I listen to the new tunes and I'm just awed and filled with joy. - The story has it's ups and downs, and is something new (I won't say FRESH because God knows there are soooo many works out there that hardly anything can be FRESH anymore) but... it's something I've never tactled before, AND a new genre of music which I've never really tempted, but feel at home writing.

Ontop of all of that... my life just keeps on ticking by. I have up days and down days, mostly up, which is GRRRREAAAT. - But the weather here is bizzare, gloomy A LOT, and yet people still remain chipper through all of that. I've HARDLY watched t.v. since I've been here. - I've seen some stuff, Patrick has been kind enough to tape Queer As Folk for me, so I'm totally caught up on that, and I saw the American Idol finale, yada yada. I've been purchasing a few BOX SETS that have made me happy. Saved By The Bell....(Awww MARK PAUL. LOL ) and IN LIVING COLOR are my new ones. - I've managed to watch all 7 seasons of FRIENDS, 2 seasons of Will and Grace, and part way through seasons 1 and 2 of Married With Children. (they usually go on before bed, and I fall asleep part way through, but WHATEVER.... it's good company at night.)

What else it write about? Hmmmmm....I think for the most part that's about it. THINGS are GOOD, life is GOOD, people in my life ARE GOOD, ...(CORRECTION.... GRRRRREAAAAAT!!!) ... and overall I still feel TRULY blessed, and loved.

I hope my friends know that I feel the same way about them. I'm truly blessed to have them, and love them with every ounce of my being.

That said, ....I'm gonna sign off until the next BLOG entry...probably be another month from now. - But we'll see what happens.
Until then...

NOW and FOREVER...LEE :P MEOW! (oy vey!) heheh
xoxo





Posted by musicals/leemusic at 12:59 AM
Updated: Thursday, 3 June 2004 1:34 AM
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Monday, 19 April 2004
I've Been Instructed To Write Again... So Here Goes!
Well... low and behold an ENTIRE MONTH has gone by since I've written in the blog Last. - GO FIGURE. What's happened in that month? - WELL A heck of ALOT!! It's MONDAY April 19th I believe, and we just had our opening night weekend of CATS!!! - Both reviews were amazing for the show, we've recieved 4 stars. -the cast and crew are thrilled by that information, and the show has been officially extended to the end of JUNE! I do believe however, that the cast is feeling the torment of CATS. - It's definitely a show that puts wear and tear on the performers, and with no swings, and the understudies already being a part of the show... I have a feeling our bodies are going to wear down quickly. Opening weekend and we've already had 4 serious injuries. Two happened during rehearsal, and the other two happened out of production. (One a car accident, the other a serious kidney stone) ...however everyone still seems to be doing great. - Despite last minute rehearsals moments be shows to cover sections, or to know that so and so will not be performing this line, or this action today. The opening night cast party was GREAT. - it was held at the theatre, upstairs in the rehearsal hall, which had been nicely redecorated for us, and the event had been catered very nicely too. BRUCE DEAN (my agent) was at the show, and loved it. - Gave me several great compliments, and took the 17 of us (that belong to his agency) to lunch the next afternoon. - While standing talking with Bruce,and our director Ron, I was told that when I left the audition, the accompianst turned and said... "Lee Siegel, I must remember that name, I've a project that I'm doing this summer that I would LOVE to use him for" ... and Ron turned to Krista then back to the piano player and said: "Um..no you're not, he's doing CATS this season in Halifax" LOL .... That made me feel good to hear. -- Ron has said GREAT things about me , since I've started working and being in the rehearsals, being used, etc..etc.. - and I do have a feeling that I'll be back in Halifax doing something again, very soon. - Here's HOPING it's CHICAGO, which is the production they are performing NEXT Summer. Since I've last written my Birthday passed on by, I'm 26 now...another year older, and apparently wiser. - Older FOR SURE, wiser... um...who knows. LOL The cast was GREAT on my birthday, bought me a cake, took me out for dinner, and my friend OLIVIA (who I consider to be the GRACE to my WILL) took me for Lunch. Olivia is great, she plays Jellylorum in the show, and sings "Gus The Theatre Cat" ...plus this operatic aria in the middle of the production. - I love her to death because we are soooooo much alike. - She (unfortunately) was the one in a car accident the other day, hit from behind by someone going way to fast. - She's alright though, she had a day of whiplash pain, and she was just exhausted (like the rest of us) from the week of DAY REHEARSALS night PERFORMANCES. - But after a good couple hours of sleep and rest....she said she felt fine. My Friends LAURIE and GARTH attended Sunday's Matinee performance, and they loved the show. Said only good things about it, and stuck around to chat, ...unfortunately I couldn't talk long because I had another performance to do, but it was so nice of them to come out and see the show. That meant a lot!!! I've a list of guests still coming...which I look forward to seeing everyone who heads out. As I've said in the past BLOG, it's nice to be away from everything and everyone, but now that a month has gone, a little bit of homesickness has sunk in, and I DO miss being close by to my friends, and being able to drive around to places that I KNOW where i am. LOL There are a few faces, I wish I could see right now, right here, and just have them in the area the entire time. - I know that can't happen, but it would be nice. My friend ADAM has moved...no longer lives across the street. (I'll admit, that part sucks) - He's moved to DARTMOUTH in a house with a few roomates, apparently it's been a big task that's just driving him up the wall...plus he's been hard at work, and dealing with his ex, and a laundry list of events that just keep bogging him down. - I hope to get together soon, just to go out to a movie or have dinner just to hang. - It's nice to hang out with people who are not part of your daily routine. (again , don't get me wrong, I LOOOOOOVE the cast and crew that I work with, but I see them EVERY DAY, so the break is a breath of fresh air sometimes.) I continue to do A LOT of writing while I'm out here. - Some of my past experiences making it into music form. It's nice to have the freedom just to open up, and pour out things inside you. Disguising feelings and emotions behind different characters, is like allowing the personalities inside you to jump out onto a page, and live a moment of their life. (If that makes any sense. LOL) David and I have been on the up and down elevator lately. - That's just a topic that I don't need or want to get into right now. Allowing more time to pass...I'll probably be able to write more. I think I've put most of those feelings into music, and song anyhow. He and Lauren will be here next week, they're coming out to see the show. Which I look forward too. Talking to Lauren today, I found out that a bunch of my "KIDS" from the high school got together the other day to watch our production of BROADWAY IN CONCERT on video, and when it got to the section where I had a solo, they all started to cry because they missed me. - That means a lot to me!!!!! More than they'll ever know. So, now that I've blabbed on for eternity, I'm gonna go into the kitchen and make myself an Omlette for dinner. - Loaded with Veggies, and Ham, and cheese, and mmmmm mmm good. ;-) So for another day, another minute, another moment in my life...this is LEE signging out... - Who knows when I'll write next...but the most important thing to know, is that my life is GREAT right now... I've INCREDIBLE friends, and people around me, and I LOVE where I AM and most importantly WHO I AM!!!!!! Oh I forgot to mention one person, who I should thank for keeping me on the sane path lately... Dan. A great friend of mine, who I highly enjoy chatting with, just because he forces me to think sometimes. - even when I don't want too. - Like Adam, he's a person completely broken away from the CAST of CATS, and my life's daily routine, and he, like many people in my life, help keep me grounded. Plus he's a constant reminder of why I am, where I am, and who I have to thank for that. "Day By Day" my friend!!! ;-) So by the time I write in this Blog again, I'm sure David and Lauren will have come and gone, my mom and her friend Chris, will be arriving (Mom's never flown before, and this will be her first experience in a plane...OH I HOPE TO GOD THEY HAVE A SMOOTH FLIGHT in BOTH directions....mom can get a little nervous sometimes!!!) ...and who knows what else will have happened...you'll have to stay tuned!! To all my friends and loved ones... KEEP IN TOUCH. I MISS YA! Always: LEE xo - WHOOO HOOO time for DINNER!!! ;-)

Posted by musicals/leemusic at 7:03 PM
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Monday, 15 March 2004
HALIFAX - One Week In....
So, This is my first entry in the BLOG. - I'm out here in Halifax, and it's 5:18am... I've been away from home for a week now, and living on my own... I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss my family and friends at least a little bit.

I've been away from the family for a week before, but now we're pushing the time limit a bit further, and I'm starting realize just how far away from them I am...and yet, only hours away by plane.

I do LOVE it here so far. - The apartment I'm in seems great, ..although I do have to admit, I have this fear of bugs. - I've only seen one big, undiscribable thing..and two extremely small ones, ...I just have this feeling that the apartment is sooo great that it will be my ultimate fear of BUGS...that I will come face to face with in the near future.

Here's hoping that doesn't happen!!!

I've made one cool friend here in the area, his name is Adam, lives just down the street a bit. - He's a writer, enjoys writing books and also has an interest in music. - We've hung out the last couple of nights, got a bite to eat, watched some odd movies, and just talked for a while. - The best part about having him around is that he's the ONLY person in the area to know me now.

Talking to Adam this evening, I told him, that as much as I miss everyone...which is ALOT...it's also nice to have this distance...to be far away and not have any problems or worries banging on my door step. - He knew the feeling well.

Don't get me wrong, I love the people in my life, but sometimes just peace and quiet and being able to roam free with out running into familliar faces can be a great relief.

Although having a weee bit of money trouble while out here, everything is going GREAT! - We begin rehearsal on Friday (which is the 19th of March 2004), I've chatted with 2 fellas who are in the cast with me, they appear online from time to time, they seem pretty decent, but I will save that judgement for when I meet them face to face.

Hopefully this "BLOG" will become a staple to my time out here, ...although I know already that I'm bound to miss several days, perhaps weeks....but hopefully I'll be able to catch up and fill people in.

I've had an ample opportunity to write some new music while away, and the creativity has been flowing (knock on wood...hopefully that doesn't change. lol) - Other then that, I was thinking today how I miss the work I use to do at the high school. - I miss the students, Sandy, the faces, and the challenge that directing, and creating a musical brought to me.

An, intense stress that was enjoyable. - Hard to believe ANY stress could be enjoyable..but this was!! - Working with high school students was with out a doubt one of the biggest highlights in my entire life. - Watching them struggle to succeed and shining through with flying colours.

No gift can echo the sight of happiness in their eyes at the end of a performance and the audience would rise to their feet, celebrating in the success that THEY created.

I miss that. - One day, hopefully I'll be able to try it again...but it won't be the same as it was with MY KIDS!!!

(Laughing) - My kids? - Most of them are in their 20's now and off in University, or College, or with family, or starting a family of their own. - But I think about them, like it was yesterday. Those "KIDS" taught me soooo much, as did Sandy. - I firmly believe that part of the person I am today, A HUUUUGE part of the person I am today, I can thanks those "kids" for.

But sometimes even the best of times have to end...so that life can move forward, and moving forward is what I am doing....after all..CATS!!

I'm still struggling with the idea that I've been cast as the lead in CATS! at a highly reputable theatre in Halifax Nova Scotia. - I also have trouble believing that with in the last 3 years, I've been cast as a lead performer in 3 different shows. - 1 of them I was unable to do, and I turned down, but only God knows that there was a reason for that. - (Besides my dad being very sick.)

But here I am, typing a blog, about my next step in the theatre world. You may not believe, but I certainly do.... and I've no shame is writing "God Works in Mysterious Ways!"

I may not always understand the reasoning behind why the world works the way it does, and why things happen, but I am a firm believer that they happen for a purpose...a purpose that if you don't understand it now, you will in time.

Well, I guess it's time to sign off for the evening, ... I'll try to update this as much as possible, and until then... MY LOVE to ALL OF YOU - Here's to making this world a better place. Dave, Lauren, Jenny, Sandy, My B.I.C. kids and the students, family and friends who have shared in my life...my opening night performance of CATS I dedicate to you. - You rock my world.

LOVE ALWAYS

LEE xo

Posted by musicals/leemusic at 7:31 AM
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