Nuclear Post-Show Update and Other Musings

Okay, I don't typically mind Monday's since I work from home but seeing as I spent the entire weekend in bed with a cold, I'm a little less than thrilled to see a new week start so soon. But considering I managed to tackle everything on today's to-do-list, I'm going to consider it a success. Before I crawl back into bed, here's my review of Nuclear Family.

Imagine 200 wigs, four chairs, no script and a packed audience (well as packed as the Groundlings theatre can be). For me, this would be a nightmare. But for the cast of Nuclear Family, it was a piece of cake. This was hands-down one of the funniest shows I've seen in recent memory.

Starring Stephen Guarino, Jimmy Ray Bennett and John Gregario, this improvised musical, yes that's right IMPROVISED MUSCIAL began with suggestions from the audience about what characters to play. The Frankenhammer family would consist of the mother, Celeste Gregario) the daughter, Betsy (Bennett) and the son, Jimmy (Guarino). While these were the central characters, each of these actors played other supporting characters, using new wigs to establish different roles. The songs were hysterical; broad ballads, campy upbeat numbers, some ballet and modern dance and as they lovingly mocked the musical theater genre. These actors have been performing together for years and their chemistry and inclination to one up each other in the improv made it even funnier. I heard someone in the audience say she'd seen them perform at least fifteen times and still kept coming back. I hope they make a West Coast return because they have made a groupie out of me.

On the ole acting front, I didn't get a third audition for the pilot but it's a victory nonetheless. At least for me it is! I had a pre-read for a drama pilot but that role went to a girl on Maxim's Hot 100. Can't compete with that now can I?

I had an audition last week for a film. It was an amazing role, the lead in a feature. The best part- I was playing a teenager. No really! Twin sister has said many times that there's no way in hell I could play high school so it was a confidence boost to get called for something THAT young. I keep hoping I'll book one of those roles so I can prove her wrong.

Anyway, I thought I'd sit in the waiting room feeling out of place and ancient but I felt like I fit right in. That's acting isn't it. It was great because the role was younger than me, so I didn't worry or obsess about whether I'd get it. I just went and had fun. I wished I could do that with every audition. It really does make the process a lot more enjoyable. I'm almost certain the role will go to some up and coming starlet but it's not often that you get a chance to work on such good material. It was nice to have a meaty role to sink my teeth in, even if it was just for an audition.

I'm enjoying all these opportunities to do what I love and looking forward to seeing what this year will bring.