Happy Birthday Alyssa

So I'm on my way to Miami. Literally! I am using the internet in the SKY. Should land a little over an hour now. YAY! It better be nice there. I want to get a fierce TAN when I get back to the city.

I closed A Chorus Line yesterday. It was amazing. I was also blessed to have my best friend Kelli and her boyfriend Sandy drive up from Manhattan to see the show and drive me back home. It was so fun having them and the road trip back to the city was so much fun. It was sad closing the show. I really loved my experience there. During the last song, "What I Did For Love" I was bawling. Mostly because I sure do love what I do and if God forbid of anything happens to me that happens to my Character Paul in the show I would be devastated. Paul falls during a tap combination and hurts himself really bad and doesn't get the job in the end. Not sure what I would do if I couldn't dance again. Sure, I have some ideas but for now I love performing and I want to keep doing it. Another reason why I was probably crying was because I am officially unemployed again. UGHH! I don't know what the future has instore for me but I still have faith in that its going to be good. I have to get a job when I get back and hope and pray I audition for something good and get it. Back to the grind as we say. But enough of that....

I am going HOME to MIAMI! I am so excited. My niece Alyssa is turning 8 and is getting baptized tonight. I am so happy and proud of her. She is such a sweet and kind soul. I was asked to sing at the baptized. I am so privileged to be there. And blessed that I even got a flight that gets there just in time since my original flight was canceled this morning. I'll barely make it but it should work out fine. My beautiful niece Alyssa last year on her 7th Birthday!

I also can't wait to want to relax, have some family time, tan, and eat some yummy food. Should be fun!

Alright signing off from the internet from the Sky

A Chorus Line Miracle

Don't be MAD people...for the few that read my blog. It's been such a long since I have blogged and for that I apologize. Since coming out here to Forestbugh to start A Chorus Line things have not stopped. We only had a week and a half of rehearsal with some scheduling challenges which made it difficult to get everyone together to learn everything and review. But we got it together and opened with few minor bumps.
To give you a better understanding how it all works here I will try to explain. We call this type of theatre Summer Stock and what that means is that the theatre does multiple shows through out the summer. And they open the shows one after another. So while a show is running another show is rehearsing. Now, they have here what they call a Resident Company. They found 16 college age kids at a huge cattle call auditions that they have every year regionally. These kids who are NOT part of the Actor's Union stay all summer and participate in most of the shows of the summer. They also do what they call a Cabaret every night after the show. Which they do in the Tavern attached to the theatre. The Resident Company serve food and drinks while doing 2 short acts of a well crafted themed showcase of great songs. And they have a different Cabaret with every main stage show that runs. Every main stage show runs about 2 weeks. So now running is A Chorus Line with "The Oscar Goes To..." Cabaret which showcases all songs that are associated with movies that won OSCARS.

Anyway, along with that the Resident Company also have to do a children show every Thursday and Saturday. This year they are doing Seussical the musical. They are double cast so they usually only have to do one children show a week. So rehearsals are interesting cause they usually have rehearsal for the next Cabaret while in rehearsal for the next main stage show. Then they do the main stage show that night with a children show once a week. So needless to say they have a ALOT of work. Oh and to tack on to that. They also have to do Chores around the theatre. Like set up the Tavern for the Cabaret or clean up the theatre or grounds of the theatre. They are working these kids ragged. I am so lucky to be part of the Union because I don't have to do any of that. I just do this one show then I'm done. But it is definatley a great experience for these college kids to do alot of shows in a short period of time. They will look back on this time and will appreciate the things they've learned.

(I'm the one with the I heart NY shirt)

I sure wish I had a job all summer though but that's not the case. I AM grateful that I have this JOB and I am having a blast with it. Paul is a wonderful role even though emotionally draining every night. I love doing this show and will be sad when it's all over. I will also miss living in the CATSKILLS. Its so relaxing out here. I know I won't be missing the BUGS. The other day a huge Dragon Fly the size of my hand fly on stage while we were on The Line and landed on one of the actors. The audience was laughing so hard. The actor finally slapped it to kill it and it landed on the stage and was distracting the rest of that act. But that's the charm that comes with doing Summer Stock Theatre out in a barn in the Catskills.

Ok, I think this blog is way to long. Sorry 'bout it! I'll try to post more often so I don't have to write a book every time.

Love you all,
Tony

NIGHT OF STARS!

My friend Scott called and said he can get us free tickets to The 55th Annual Drama Desk Awards. For those who don't what that is. Its like what the Golden Globes are to Oscars.....Drama Desk Awards are to the TONY'S.

When I heard he could get me free tickets I jumped on it and said YES! We were to sit in the Orchestra Pit to fill space. These seats were right in front of where the STARS sit. So we were there to mask any early exiters and those gone to accept their awards. We were supposed to be a young good looking audience and that we were.

It was so much fun to be in the room with so many creative people. The Broadway/Theatre community is small but have alot of heart. I jest felt blessed to had the opportunity to be apart of it that night.

So now to the fun part. So many STAR sighting. I was literally sitting in front of Ben Vereen and Ann Hathaway. I think I was even blocking some of their view...lol. Then across from me was Micheal Douglas ans Catherine Zeta-Jones. OH MY! I was freaking when I saw them. Then up from them were Liev Shreiber and Scarlet Johansson. OMG! Freaking out even more. The of course there was Angela Lansbury sitting next to Catherine Zeta-Jones. Patti LuPone was hosting. Crobin Blue and Brooke Shields were presenters amongst other really BIG Broadway stars. We were so close to the stage I could almost touch them. I had such an amazing time being in the same room as these people. I could get used to that. What do I have to do????

I am glad I had that amazing opportunity to go to this amazing event. Next.... THE TONY'S! I mean it's named after me. It's only logical ;)

Modeling before i left the house. Gotta look good for the camera ;)

Me and my friend Scott who hooked me up with the ticket.

Michael Douglas!!!

The Program

Viola Davis

Ana Gaysteyer

Corbin Bleu now in In The Heights

Liev Schrieber

Montego Glover and Catherine Zeta-Jones both Won Outstanding Actress in a Musical

So Beautiful!

She almost fell coming up the stairs because of her heels.

Brooke Shields

Met up with my best friend Kelli and her bf. Her manager is the Ex Producer of the Drama Desk Awards. So she gets special privileges. Like going to the after party ;)

Friends in HIGH places.

So my friend Ali Ewoldt who played one of my Maria's on tour with my in West Side Story graduated from Yale University. You know, that little Ivy League school in CT. She was singing at a concert for a benefit for Yale called Sing For Hope. This benefit was organized by Alumns form Yale to give back to the community. Check out SingForHope.org if you are interested in learning more. At this concert Ali and other Yale Alums who have been successful in Musical Theatre or other wise performed at a concert to raise money. Among them were Dick Cavett, Emmy Award winning writer, performer, and host of the Dick Cavett show, Sam Tsui, the YouTube sensation who has been on Oprah and other Talk Shows, and many other past and recent Broadway performers. It was a great night. I was excited she invited me. I also enjoyed myself at the pre and post parties. Got to network and meet some great people.

Ali Ewoldt, Sam Tsui and ME!

So I am kind of a nerd and really enjoy Sam Tsui. I love the videos he posts on YouTube. We got to chat at the party for bit and he is a real nice kid. He wants to get a pop album out and some other things going like appear on Glee and return to Musical Theatre. If you don't know who he is or don't remember here is some of his stuff.

Happy Mother's Day

I just want to take this time to wish my MOM and my 2 sisters a very Happy Mother's Day. These 3 ladies have been there for me in several occasions. They have supported me and one of them gave me life...and for that I am grateful. I truly cherish this life that I do have. I sure want to make them proud and I hope that they are. I love you guys and thank you for MOTHERING me. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Give me LIBERTY!

So its going on 4 months on being back from tour. I have been pretty busy. It's been nice. But now that the audition season is slowing down. I am getting bored and more poor. I need a J.O.B. I would prefer in the theatre but right now I think I will have to settle for anything that pays in that GREEN stuff. Anything will do. I do have a job coming up in July but for only 3 weeks. I'm grateful for that job

I have been seeing the dentist also. I finally got my root canal and crown done. So that is over. Woosh! I need more work done but I don't have the cash to finish it all. I found out that if you qualify you can get Invisilign from k9 to k9 for really cheap like $1,000 bucks. I was really excited cause I wanted to do it. But I found out that I didn't qualify due to too much crowding and I would need a full mouth ortho for $4000. UGHH!! I can't afford that! I want to get it done so bad. I will do anything. I hate the thought of borrowing money but I'm at the point of looking into it.

Anyway, past few weeks have been good. Just auditioning and working on getting my body into shape for my next project in A Chorus Line. I also had the opportunity to see a good friend of mine April in Philly(the birth place of out country). She just married in Utah and I was not able to attend because of the cost of flights but she was in Philly the week after because her NEW Husband's work. So I took a cheap bus to Philly and hung out for the day. We had a great time and had some good food. YUMMY! I wish April and Kevin a very blessed marriage.

April and I at the Liberty Bell

Sipping on Some Frozen Hot Chocolate

I didn't like it that much.

The Happy Couple. They are so cute!

Jersey Shore Marathon Relay Race

The Team. 5 man/woman relay race. We each ran to finish a 26.5 mile marathon. My leg was 4.5 miles.

Mike spraying our teammate Carl on his leg of the marathon.

My turn. Trying to pass a friend.

I PASSED HIM! YAH!

Coming to the finish of my leg. I was so happy. Jumping for JOY

Posing for the camera

Getting there

The pass of the baton.

Happy to be done. Jersey Shore in the background.

We went to Cheesecake factory to celebrate after our run.

Didn't get any cheesecake but we sure got NACHOS!!!

Overall it was a good day. It started at 5am. I was so tired when I finally got home. But well worth it. The run was to support the Special Olympics. It felt good to run for a purpose. I also wanted to do this for my family. Maybe inspire them to be a little healthier (as I munch on some Nachos) lol!

One Reason Why I love...

NEW YORK!

Central Park in the Spring!

THE MARRIAGE REF!

So yesterday a friend IM'd me on gchat and wanted to know if I wanted to go to a taping of THE MARRIAGE REF in 10 min. Its a new show on NBC created by Jerry Seinfeld that tapes here in NYC. So last minute I got dressed and got in a taxi. We got there just in time and there we were in the audience. WE had such a blast. It was really fun seeing the celebrities do there thing and improve. There was a guy on the panel that I didn't know but became his fan. HE was so funny! I can't say who he was cause I had to sign something saying that I wont say who will be on. It should air in like 3-4 weeks. I can't wait to see what they keep and what they cut because there was some really riskay things that were said and ad-libed. lol. I love NYC for this. Just randomly go to a taping of a show and FOR FREE. Love it!

"I need this job Oh God, I need this show."

So I GOT the JOB! Its only a 3 week gig in JULY in a small theatre in the middle of the forest about 100 miles outside the CITY in NY. But the kicker is that I will be playing the role of PAUL in A CHORUS LINE!


I am so excited to play that part. First the dance is incredible in it and his monologue(story) is pretty incredible. So I am excited. Paul has been a dream role of mine and I feel lucky to play it.

So here are the details.

Rehearsals start June 24th
Performances: July 6-18

@ the Forestburgh Playhouse
in Forestburgh, NY

I am still auditioning and trying to line other things up. So even thought this is great I am still pounding the pavement and hoping for a BIG job.

Oh and by the way, SPRING IS HERE in NYC and it's BEAUTIFUL! The weather is fantastic. I wore SHORTS today. I am a happy BOY!

Audition Season

So I have been crazy busy with auditions. Everyone is auditioning for there summer shows and there are also alot of Broadway shows looking. I figure since I have been gone for so long I need to put my face out there and audition for everything. I've had some good auditions and had many bad ones. Nothing so far in the horizon but I am still hopeful.

In the mean time I am enjoying not working and enjoying the city. The weather is finally getting nice. So I try my best to be outside as much as I can. The other day after a crazy morning and afternoon of auditions I walked from 34th street to my home on 111th Street. That is over 70 blocks. It was fun! I am an outside boy. Being indoors and lazy can be nice sometimes but I would rather be outside soaking up the sun and being active. I am from Miami after all.

So, my focus right now are on auditions. Send good and positive vibes. I NEED a job ;)

First POST BACK in NYC!

So its been a month and a bit since I have been back from tour and I am loving it. I have been busy getting my feet on the ground so that is why I haven't blogged in a while. I have my new apartment(pics to come soon) and I have been auditioning alot. Things have been really busy since I've been back which has been nice. I have also had opportunities to catch up with some friends and evaluate some of my life goals.

Here is a picture of me and some friends from my little birthday bash last night at a club called SLATE here in NYC.

Claudia, me, Kelli and her boyfriend Sandy.

Tomorrow is my "real" birthday so I think I will just hang out run some errands then have some dinner with some friends. I am turning 31! AHHH! But I feel great where I am. Healthy and doing fine. Bring it on 31! Bring it on!

Coming To an End...

So it's Saturday morning and I am getting ready to do 2 shows. After today we have another 2 show day then we are DONE. It's been a ride. We got a letter from our producer the other that really put this tour in perspective.

Letter from Michael Brenner:

Dear Friends, On Sunday the first leg of this season's WEST SIDE STORY will end - after having performed 180 great shows to raving audiences and press around the world.

To get to the 16 cities where we have performed in the last 31 weeks, we used 3 different scenic sets simultaneously leapfrogging around the globe via sea, air and over land.

To get permission to perform in the 8 countries we went, we filed over 650 work permits and visa. We booked over 800 flights and countless coaches, cars and trains.

We used nearly 3,500 hotel nights (meaning a single person could live in a hotel for almost 10 years).

The tour travelled over 60,000 km (37,300 miles) which equals more than 1.5 times around the equator - truly justifying bearing the title "World Tour".

Thank you very much for all your passion, hard effort and great team work to make this happen. We are looking forward to the 2nd leg and wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

Yours,
Michael Brenner

I thought this letter was cool. It was a great tour but now I am ready to move on. Monday I will land in NYC....land of opportunities. YES! What will lie ahead!?

Precious

I Just saw this moveie last night and I love it. It was so intense. I was very upset at most of the movie. I just feel like I know Precious the girl in the movie. People who have to go through that kind of hardship and trials in life really shouldn't have to. It really made me appreciate the quality of life that I have now. This movie even though does end with some sort of hope it still leaves you thinking and maybe a little empty. I do suggest it though.

8 LEFT!

One more week left and only 8 shows left. Then I go back to NYC. I am excited to get back.

I can't help but to reflect on 2009 and see everything I did. What a year! That just gets me even more excited to see what this year has in-store for me. I am excited to tackle it. I do have a good feeling this is going to be a great year.

I will move into a new apartmetn right on Central Park North which technically is Harlem. I will have my own room living with 2 other LDS guys. I will be hitting the auditions hard and probably collecting unemployment until I find a job. Other than that I am just going to see what life has to offer.

Right when I get back I think I am going to need to detox for a while and ease my way back to "normal" life with auditions, church, and friends. With touring and this role of Chino it will be nice to not do anything for a while. I think when I get back I will just focus on getting my room together. Paint, get furniture, decorate and stuff like that so I can make it my OWN. I am so OVER having a ROOMMATE! No offense to any roommates I had over the year but it will be nice to have my own space ;)

Here is to finishing a great tour where I grew alot as an actor and as a person. Seeing all these amazing places has truly changed me. I am so blessed. This world is full of great places and people. I will never forget this experience.

So here is the furniture I think I am going to buy from a friend which I won't be able to get until Feb. But patience is a virtue. I guess I will be sleeping in an empty room on an air mattress until then ;)Here is my new bedroom that I will be empty when I get there Jan 11th.Some other pics of the apartment.