Week 6 & 7 - SEATTLE! (Part 2 of 3) or "Is This the Face of Harvard Law?" By Jason Kappus, Legally Blonde The Musical cast member, Seattle native It's obviously nice when we spend more than one week in any city because we get a REAL day off, instead of just a day to travel. It just so happens that I'M lucky enough here in Seattle to spend that whole day off at home with my wife and cats - heaven! =) It was particularly nice to come to the day off because we have been spending a LOT of time in rehearsal. That's partly for me, because I have still been learning the two tracks that I cover (Dad and Warner), and also because there have been a number of full cast rehearsals to clean both music and dances. Everybody knows that Seattle is a big theatre town, so the producers came out to see the show here, and the creative team wanted to make sure that the show was in great shape. As I mentioned in the last blog, I got to go on for a new track in the middle of week one in Seattle. The man who plays Dad/Winthrop/Reporter was in Hawaii on vacation, so Barry and I combined to cover his track for the week. (Every person in the show is covered by at least two people - three for Elle.) It was a little nerve-wracking, as I sort of feel somewhat new to my OWN track, but especially after the first performance (where I was largely concerned about just making sure I wasn't in anyone's way) it was a lot of fun... especially because within the span of four shows as Dad, I ended up having two different daughters and two different wives - never a dull moment! Speaking of which - here's a tour fun fact. As you can tell, we end up with swings and understudies on pretty regularly, as people have vacations, take personal days, or are sick or injured. So far, I have done 31 shows with this tour, and I have yet to do a show with the full cast. We've always been missing at least one person - keeps it interesting! =) Also in our second Seatte week, I got to participate in my first understudy rehearsal, where I played both Dad and Warner. The Dad stuff was pretty easy as I'd just done it in the show, and it was great to get to run through the show as Warner, which I have not yet gotten to do yet. Here's hoping I get to go on for Warner this last week before we leave Seattle! If I find out, I'll post it on here right away! More soon! *** For all blog entries by Jason Kappus, click on his name in the tags below! |
Friday, March 12, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
5th Avenue star returns to Seattle - on tour! Pt 1.
by Jason Kappus, Ensemble, Legally Blonde The Musical (Seattle-native)
Week 6 - SEATTLE! (Part 1 of 3)
The Return or "Let's Go Home Before Someone Cries"
Week 5 was great, and Portland's a great town, so we had a good time. After a few weeks away from home and my wife, though, I was READY to be home. Lucky me, that's exactly where we were headed. Since it's so short, we took two buses instead of flying for this trip. It was really nice not having to deal with security, baggage weight, or keeping your elbows to yourself. I couldn't keep a stupid grin off my face as we rolled past Olympia, Tacoma, finally hit Southcenter and then Seattle proper. How cool is this?! Not only do I get to do a national tour, but I get to do it AT HOME for three weeks! I was a little worried that I may have talked the town up too much to the rest of the cast - but of course, the city did not dissapoint. Everyone LOVES it here (duh).
The coming home feeling I got driving up I-5 was just enhanced the first day at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Especially after the amazing experience I had here this summer with Catch Me If You Can, I was ecstatic to be back.
A few unique things about the 5th Avenue:
1) I had been telling everyone about how beautiful the theatre is, and it was fun to watch everyone taking in this gorgeous house on the first day. The bulk of the theatres we play are more multi-purpose performing arts center types. This theatre, as most of us here know, has more class and character than most you come across, including a lot of the theatres in New York.
2) A somewhat less well-known fact is that the backstage area at the 5th Avenue is particularly small. In fact, a lot of the national tours specifically take this theatre into account when planning their sets, as we have one of the smallest backstage spaces they will come across. Our tour is not particularly set-heavy, but even so, everyone really has to work hard to fit backstage!
3) The audiences here are FANTASTIC. I heard happy comments from a number of cast members on opening night, and it hasn't quit since then. The good ol' PacNW theatre goers are theatre savvy, but know how to show their appreciation! Makes for a fun show on our end!
I could ramble on forever about how great it is to be back here on tour. I've had friends at EVERY performance so far, get to work in the heart of my FAVORITE city, and sleep in MY OWN BED every night. Are you KIDDING ME?! And as if things weren't fun enough, I got to make my debut in a new track in the middle of week one. More on that in part 2, coming soon!
Don't miss Legally Blonde The Musical - it closes in just over a week on March 14! Tickets and info, here.
Week 6 - SEATTLE! (Part 1 of 3)
The Return or "Let's Go Home Before Someone Cries"
Week 5 was great, and Portland's a great town, so we had a good time. After a few weeks away from home and my wife, though, I was READY to be home. Lucky me, that's exactly where we were headed. Since it's so short, we took two buses instead of flying for this trip. It was really nice not having to deal with security, baggage weight, or keeping your elbows to yourself. I couldn't keep a stupid grin off my face as we rolled past Olympia, Tacoma, finally hit Southcenter and then Seattle proper. How cool is this?! Not only do I get to do a national tour, but I get to do it AT HOME for three weeks! I was a little worried that I may have talked the town up too much to the rest of the cast - but of course, the city did not dissapoint. Everyone LOVES it here (duh).
The coming home feeling I got driving up I-5 was just enhanced the first day at The 5th Avenue Theatre. Especially after the amazing experience I had here this summer with Catch Me If You Can, I was ecstatic to be back.
A few unique things about the 5th Avenue:
1) I had been telling everyone about how beautiful the theatre is, and it was fun to watch everyone taking in this gorgeous house on the first day. The bulk of the theatres we play are more multi-purpose performing arts center types. This theatre, as most of us here know, has more class and character than most you come across, including a lot of the theatres in New York.
2) A somewhat less well-known fact is that the backstage area at the 5th Avenue is particularly small. In fact, a lot of the national tours specifically take this theatre into account when planning their sets, as we have one of the smallest backstage spaces they will come across. Our tour is not particularly set-heavy, but even so, everyone really has to work hard to fit backstage!
3) The audiences here are FANTASTIC. I heard happy comments from a number of cast members on opening night, and it hasn't quit since then. The good ol' PacNW theatre goers are theatre savvy, but know how to show their appreciation! Makes for a fun show on our end!
I could ramble on forever about how great it is to be back here on tour. I've had friends at EVERY performance so far, get to work in the heart of my FAVORITE city, and sleep in MY OWN BED every night. Are you KIDDING ME?! And as if things weren't fun enough, I got to make my debut in a new track in the middle of week one. More on that in part 2, coming soon!
Don't miss Legally Blonde The Musical - it closes in just over a week on March 14! Tickets and info, here.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
It's time to play GUESS THE SEASON!
Check out our website this Sunday, March 7th for a listing of our 2010/2011 Season of Musicals!
Already announced: NEXT TO NORMAL & VANITIES!
Now it's time to play: Guess The Season!
Guess what shows are going to be part of our upcoming season! All correct guesses will be entered to win two tickets to our upcoming production of ON THE TOWN! Each contestant can guess up to 5 shows.
Here's how you enter:
FACEBOOK:
Visit our Facebook Page (here) and write on our wall YOUR guesses for what shows will be in next season
or
Write a status update using @5th Avenue Theatre in your status update to have it post directly to our page.
TWITTER:
post a tweet including @backstage5thave in the body of the tweet along with your show title guesses
Each person, once eligible by making a correct guess, will be entered into the drawing once! Entries must be posted by end of day Friday.
GOOD LUCK AND GOOD GUESSING!
Already announced: NEXT TO NORMAL & VANITIES!
Now it's time to play: Guess The Season!
Guess what shows are going to be part of our upcoming season! All correct guesses will be entered to win two tickets to our upcoming production of ON THE TOWN! Each contestant can guess up to 5 shows.
Here's how you enter:
FACEBOOK:
Visit our Facebook Page (here) and write on our wall YOUR guesses for what shows will be in next season
or
Write a status update using @5th Avenue Theatre in your status update to have it post directly to our page.
TWITTER:
post a tweet including @backstage5thave in the body of the tweet along with your show title guesses
Each person, once eligible by making a correct guess, will be entered into the drawing once! Entries must be posted by end of day Friday.
GOOD LUCK AND GOOD GUESSING!
LAST WEEK of Legally Blonde offer
Legally Blonde The Musical closes March 14th, which means we are fast approaching the LAST WEEK of performances. The last week to catch the show that critics are raving about - the last week to cheer with the Delta Nu's - the last week of Bruiser, the UPS guy and Elle!
We would like to extend a LAST WEEK offer to all our social media fans.
Use promotion code PINK to receive $25 off tickets to March 9th & 10th performances.
Buy tickets online, over the phone at 206-625-1900 or in person at the box office!
Click here for more info on the show.
To receive this discount enter promotion code PINK when signing in to your account or creating a new account. Not valid on previously purchased tickets or in conjunction with any other offer. Not valid on Pearl, Upper Balcony or Side Balcony seats.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Omigod, it's a Dream Come True!
by Jason Kappus, Legally Blonde ensemble, Seattle Native.
Week 4: Denver (continued)
Wednesday, Feb 10th was my opening night! Show number one for me, show number 500 and something for the company. I remember when former Seattle and 5th Avenue actor Steven Taylor was joining the Broadway cast of The Lion King, he said it was weird because it was his Broadway debut, but for everyone else, it was just another day at work, so it didn't feel like the big celebration it maybe should be. I thought my experience might be similar, but everybody in the cast and crew made a BIG DEAL about my first show. They were very excited, encouraging, and happy for me throughout the whole day.
We had a put-in rehearsal in the afternoon, for both Michael Rupert and myself, so that we both got to practice all our scenes (and costume changes) once through with the cast before our first show. That was actually a little bit more nerve-racking than the actual show, since all eyes were on me during my scenes and it was the first time a lot of my new friends/colleagues were seeing me work. But the put-in went very smoothly - I discovered a couple helpful things about quick costume changes, and how some on-stage traffic works with people actually there.
When I got to the theatre for the show that evening, there was a lovely opening night present from some of the boys in the cast, as well as some flowers from my wife - both very nice surprises. I went over everything in my head during half-hour, got dressed and ready (WAY earlier than I needed to - ha) and then all of a sudden, the overture was starting, and we were underway. My first night on my first national tour. Wow.
Week 4: Denver (continued)
Wednesday, Feb 10th was my opening night! Show number one for me, show number 500 and something for the company. I remember when former Seattle and 5th Avenue actor Steven Taylor was joining the Broadway cast of The Lion King, he said it was weird because it was his Broadway debut, but for everyone else, it was just another day at work, so it didn't feel like the big celebration it maybe should be. I thought my experience might be similar, but everybody in the cast and crew made a BIG DEAL about my first show. They were very excited, encouraging, and happy for me throughout the whole day.
We had a put-in rehearsal in the afternoon, for both Michael Rupert and myself, so that we both got to practice all our scenes (and costume changes) once through with the cast before our first show. That was actually a little bit more nerve-racking than the actual show, since all eyes were on me during my scenes and it was the first time a lot of my new friends/colleagues were seeing me work. But the put-in went very smoothly - I discovered a couple helpful things about quick costume changes, and how some on-stage traffic works with people actually there.
When I got to the theatre for the show that evening, there was a lovely opening night present from some of the boys in the cast, as well as some flowers from my wife - both very nice surprises. I went over everything in my head during half-hour, got dressed and ready (WAY earlier than I needed to - ha) and then all of a sudden, the overture was starting, and we were underway. My first night on my first national tour. Wow.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Spotlight Night on On The Town & Candide!
Reserve your FREE tickets now to Spotlight Night, online, over the phone at 206-625-1900 or in person at the box office.
Monday, March 22 at 7pm
Spotlight Night on On The Town & Candide
The final Spotlight Night of our 2009-2010 season will take you behind the scenes of two of “the greatest musicals you’ve never seen” -- On The Town and Candide, as well as preview this spring’s exciting Seattle Celebrates Bernstein Festival
Act 1
Seattle Celebrates Bernstein!
Over the next four months an unprecedented consortium of 19 of the region’s leading arts organization with join forces to celebrate the life and music of legendary American composer Leonard Bernstein. David Armstrong will provide a sneak peek of the incredible potpourri of concerts, theatrical performances, lectures, film screenings and special events that will make up this unique, first-of-its-kind citywide arts festival.
Act 2
The Best Of All Possible Worlds: Bernstein On Broadway
In this music-filled segment a host of our Seattle’s finest singers will help us review the life and glorious songs of Leonard Bernstein – featuring selections from his legendary Broadway musicals and other theatrical works including West Side Story, Wonderful Town, Trouble In Tahiti, Mass, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, On The Town and Candide. With musical performances by Greg Allen, Anne Allgood, Candice Donehoo, Mary Jo DuGaw, Brandon O’Neill, Matt Owen, Sarah Rudinoff, Billie Wildrick and guest artists Laura Griffith, Joe Aaron Reid and the Seattle Woman’s Chorus.
Act 3
I Can Cook Too: Serving Classic Musicals To A Modern Audience
Candide’s director, David Armstrong, and On The Town’s director and musical director, Bill Berry and Ian Eisendrath, will give you an inside look at how they approach the challenges and rewards of whipping up classic “Golden Age Of Broadway” musicals to meet the taste of a contemporary audience.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Seattle Times says Legally Blonde is...
"A sweet, pink frothy concoction...solid entertainment!"
Check out The Seattle Times review of Legally Blonde, here.
Tickets still available! Order online at 5thavenue.org call 206-625-1900 or visit the box office in person.
Legally Blonde The Musical plays The 5th Avenue Theatre Tuesdays - Sundays, now until March 14.
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