Feels like Home...

Normally...I'm not a chimer.
Maybe a peep here or there while the poo is FLYING off the fan, but nothing huge.
But I do feel like there is something that is needed to be said.

I was dreading moving away from my home in Fort Lauderdale and moving here...to Huntsville. Where I didn't know anybody. I was sad, depressed, angry, in addition to MANY other emotions.

The day after I moved here I was just doing an internet search for things to do in Huntsville. Mainly, a theatre search.

And I found Renaissance Theatre.
I also saw that they were holding auditions for my all time favorite musical "The Rocky Horror Show.".

I literally walked in off the street, basically off a plane, and into the audition.
Walking in I was so nervous.

It seemed everybody knew everybody. And they did. It was me, and Carrie, and that's about. Everyone else had paired off with their groups/cliques/etc.

I thought for sure I wasn't in. I didn't know these people and why would they cast me when they have other people, just as talented, if not better that could easily fill my space.

But to my surprise, I was cast. And that show was one of the best theatre experiences of my life.

Then I worked on back to back Renaissance shows, "Steel Magnolias", my last show with Lee, where I met the wonderful Kim Parker and Terri King, and Karin Lynn, and Gaylen Pugh, and Cam Scales, among others and I felt like I had made friends.

After that I had the hilarious experience of working tech on a Tony Argo show, "Drop Dead".

I was then able to Asst. Direct "Reverse Psychology" along with Tony and Jason.

And from there, "Almost Blue" and the 2008 "Rocky", and now "The Book of Liz", which I will be eternally grateful for.

And you would be lying if you said that EVERYSINGLE theatre experience of your life has been 100% wonderful with kittens and rainbows and sunshine. Because, mine haven't. But I have taken something or someone and learned something about myself from each and every experience.

There have been times where we all have been frustrated and run down and possibly even angry with some of the people involved, but because of the heart that is put into that theatre...it's things that we decide if we can forget/forgive/move on from.

Because of the trust I was given with "The Book of Liz", I have seen RT's true colors and working with everyone there from Jackie and Billy and Gary and Gay and Jo and Bob...they have all dropped what they were doing to come and help me with whatever I needed or asked.

I cannot thank these amazing VOLUNTEERS enough, because of them, I have been able to accomplish something I have been dreaming about for years.

I think every theatre in town is wonderful.

Having a children's theatre is such a great thing because theatre and acting allows you to be more confident and have proper speaking skills that I think all children should have. And they can play and be silly and have fun, which is the best part of being a child.

And I adore musicals, so the more musical based theatre's will always have my heart. Musicals are sweeping and grand and can make you laugh or break your heart. Music is something that is universal, so I believe that musicals are as well. And the talented people who are in those musicals, I tip my hat to you...I was literally brought to tears during "The Last 5 Years" because of the beautiful voices in that show.

The basics of theatre involve the play, and those theatre's in town who focus on the "straight" show are great to have. They do the classics. And the new-er stuff. The ones that educate and the ones that arer there for pure silly. There is nothing better than a well produced, and thought out play.

All that being said...no matter what, Renaissance will always hold a special place in my heart just because they we're my first family here in Huntsville. They were the first theatre to give me a chance to direct. That first show I did here gave me these amazing people who are now family.

I know we will never sing songs and hold hands as a "theatre community" around the campfire, and frankly, I don't want to.

I just wish we could all feel supported by everyone in town.

...i'm done chiming now.

hmm...

There are MANY things I could write about tonight...

but...it's going to be random thoughts.

In my almost 3 years here...I have come across some characters. Some people with amazing hearts of gold and some people who I swear are kin to the devil herself.

And I've been thinking that I want to combine 'Waiting for Guffman" and this insane theatre community we all "love" so much and I want to write.

I haven't written in years.

Little things here and there, but nothing worth posting.

I'm not even sure I would post it..

It's just random jumbles I have in my head.

...(eventhough you probably don't believe it anyway...)

Um...this is amazing.

Thank you Chuck Puckett.

And thanks to everyone who came out and supported "Liz" this weekend.
If you haven't had the chance to see it yet...you have one more weekend.
DO NOT MISS THIS SHOW!!!

Why I love Joanna White

So...last night was amazing. There will def. be a post on that later.
I am still in shock. 38 people. 180.00. Insane for a pay what you can night.

Today is going to be amazing, my best friends coming into town, the official opening of "Liz" and even better...I got out of working today.

But I digress...
this post here made me cry.

And that is why (along with many other reasons...) I love Joanna White.

The Book of Sam

http://blog.al.com/go/2009/01/prepare_to_laugh_at_squeamish.html

That, my fellow internet users, is the most amazing thing I have ever read in my life.

I'm aware of just how lame that sounds but I am serious.

This show has been a year and a half of work, time, heart, stress, tears, and laughter.

This show has taught me so much and these amazing people have been nothing short of a God-send. This cast, this crew, have all bent over backwards to make this show something EVERYSINGLE person involved can be proud of.

And honestly, as I type this, I am getting teary-eyed. "Liz" has been such a huge part of my life, what am I going to do when this is over. It's like (and this is a HORRIBLE metaphor, but run with me on this), I have a child and raise it and teach it lessons and make it this absolutely wonderful thing and then, it turns 18, moves out, and moves on.

You're proud, and relieved, and excited, but sad.

This show, has brought me closer to old friends. New-ish friends, I've had the chance of getting to know some people I wasn't close to before and the most amazing thing of all...

...today, Jason and I were driving to get food. We're both at the end of our mental ropes/physical ropes. We're tired, sick, and stressed. And as I am babbling on about something, he turns to be and says that I've done a really good job and he is proud of me.

And tonight, we have our final rehearsal. There may be an audience, and they are more than ready. They've been ready for a month. And tomorrow, my mom and Aunt come into town to see this theatre-baby we've all birthed and put onstage. And there will be audiences and there will be laughter but all of that pales in comparison to the feeling I have watching this work onstage with my friends and knowing that they are having just as much fun doing it, as I have had putting all of this together.

And that, my friends, is why I do theatre.

what a difference...

So, the holidays have come and gone and I breathe a sigh of relief.

I love the holiday season- the tree, the decorations, the food, the feeling of Christmas.

...but this year, that feeling just wasn't there. I've been so busy with "The Book of Liz" and the constant bad news on t.v. and with the economy, my heart just wasn't with it this year.

I still cannot believe that it's 2009. And just how different everything was around this time last year, well, last Holiday season.

It was my first Christmas with Jason and we were doing Christmas at our place (well, it wasn't our place then...I didn't move in until mid January) and I was doing everything in my power to make it perfect to impress his mom and dad. And now, this year, it was no stress and fun. It felt comfortable and right.

At the start of the previous Holiday season, Jason and I were just dating. We were serious, but dating. And then last Christmas Eve, he proposed. And it was the most amazing night of my life.

I cannot believe that we have been engaged for a year, living together pratically a year, and have been together almost 2.

It feels like it's been forever, and that is a good thing.

I felt alot of pressure this holiday to try and top the last one (which I could NEVER top Jason's Christmas last year...) and I was trying to make it a memorable holiday on a server's pay. It wasn't easy.

It was a great Christmas. It was a wonderful New Year's.

But I am SO glad it's over.

I'm just impatiently waiting for "The Book of Liz" to hit the stage and have all this hard work from everyone be seen and appreciated, and I am so ready to have my Mom and Aunt in town...I need some family time.

So...peace out 2008.

It was fun...but seriously, 2009 is the year of Samantha Musto.

what words can do...

..."Is that my name up on that list? Does someone know that I exist? Is this a mistake?
Am I even Awake? Pinch me now to make sure.
Yes that's my name in black and white, maybe I'm doing something right.
WOW! I feel so much better than before!"...

..."I don't have the time to cry. I'm too busy loving my name up on that list, kind of a cool ironic twist. Who else can I tell? Oh Wait where's my cell? Mom will fall on the floor. HEY MOM!"

..."Look at my name in black and white, your daughter's doing something right.
I feel so much better, I am so much better than before!"
-"So Much Better" Legally Blonde: The Musical

Always an Ethel, Never a Lucy.
Always the Step-Sister. Never Cinderella.
Always the comedic relief in a drama. Never the drama.

Until today.

Last night and Sunday night, I auditioned for a show that, well, honestly, I didn't love at the start but fell in love with.

I'd been planning this audition since, well, last January when the show was selected. And I knew, after talking to the director that I HAD to be part of something that was going to be a really passionate piece of theatre. I would work props, set dressing, costumes, ANYTHING. Then I was eligible to be a producer and I said I would. I just had to be a part of this show.

I decided to audition. And was sick about it the entire week and weekend. I wanted to be Kate Keller more than anything. And after doing my research, I am so thrilled it is me. This woman, young woman, marries a man much older than her and really didn't know what she was getting into. She has her first child, Helen, and we all know how that went. The heartbreak of feeling like a failure as a mother is something I can understand...more than anybody can and will ever know.
And last night was one of the most emotional auditions I have ever been on. The feeling that was in that room at times was disgusting and I was just thanking whomever I thank for Jo and Jeff.

And I am sure that this may stir the ridiculous shit even more and I was told my numerous people to let it go...and I have. This has NOTHING to do with that. This is me, being ecstatic that I get to play a serious seriously awesome ROLE (not the kind you butter....) and I get to do it in a supportive environment with a supportive cast and crew that I love.

We should all be supporting ALL local theatre...if we all love it like we say we do.

And I do.