It's Not the Poconos!

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My family back home is vacationing in the Poconos mountains in Pennsylvania having a good time. I do admit that Fall was my favorite time of year and I still miss the changing of the leaves. However, I am relaxing by the pool and getting ready to eat dinner before I go to rehearsals tonite.

The show is going great, many talented folks. There are the dancers, the children who are munchkins and some of the vocals are beautiful. Can't wait to see the sets and I've heard there are some great effects too. My part is coming along nicely and I am not sure if I will be dancing after all. I had to learn the dance just in case and I'm glad I did. We will see if my costume fits because whoever wore it before me sure was tiny.

I am meeting some new folks and making some new friends. I forgot how much I love doing musical theater. All day long I was humming some music from the show. I'm trying not to get too comfortable here at home. Have to start making dinner soon before heading out the door for a late rehearsal.

The kids are off for a few days. I have to admit they are as cute as they can be. They are so talented too. One little girl was telling me that she is taking dancing lessons in every form, except hip hop. I was not surprised that she picked up the steps very quickly.

There are some other acting jobs out there and I am hoping to get some more auditions before the show is completed. Well, I would love to go away on vacation sometime soon. Maybe we'll go to Big Bear before it snows up there. The weather is still in the low 90s which is nice for swimming. It seems hard to believe that we will actually get to use the fireplace again.

Okay, I have to stop yawning and gear up for tonite. Later, folks!

Ding Dong, the Witch is Dead!

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We started rehearsals last night for the Wizard of Oz. I think I heard this song in my sleep all night. It was a long rehearsal, singing, dancing. I haven't done in a musical for a very, very long time. I am hoping that it will all come back to me but I admit it is taking awhile. Of course this was just a first rehearsal.

The little children that are playing munchkins, poppies, crows, etc. are so precious. Their little voices were so sweet as they were singing. It's going to be a great show!

I ran into the Ex. Producer of the show as I was leaving and he gave me a big hug and told me how glad he was that I am part of the show. I told him how excited I am to be a part of the show too and how all this dancing is going to help me lose weight! I won't need a personal trainer since we are dancing five days a week. And as it comes closer to show time, we are rehearsing six nights/week.

"Wicked" is coming back to the Pantages theater November 30 to January 30 and I am so excited, even though I've already seen the show twice. I have to get some girlfriends together to see the show again. I made the mistake of listening to the soundtrack all the way home from rehearsals and of course now I can't get those songs out of my head too.

Well, wish me luck people! I am going to need it to keep with these little munchkins!

Oh My Goodness!

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Well, it has been a sad day watching all the events from 9/11 all over again. After watching for most of the day, I had to change the channel and watch some HBO. I also wanted to just thank God for all his blessings, most especially for my family and to get the chance to enjoy living! We had a lovely barbeque and afterwards took a dip in the pool under the full moon. It felt great!

I decided to stay off the computer today and in the evening checked my email. I received an email from a photographer that I know. He wanted to know if I would be interested in shooting some pix for a LA designer. Would I? You bet. Now I do not consider myself a model. I am an actor. But for this photographer and this designer, yes I could certainly model for you. So we shall see what is what. It was too late for me to call him on a Sunday night but perhaps we can talk tomorrow.

I still have to review my contract for the Wizard of Oz. I looked at it briefly but I have to review it in depth before I proceed. I had a costume fitting on Saturday. I went a little early and got to meet our Tin Man. He was really nice. We were both frantically trying on our various costumes. He looked great. And I had to have my dress taken out a little due to boobage. I guess whoever wore this costume before me did not have that much on top. But me, oh sometimes I wish there was a little less boobage, but what can you do?

Tomorrow is Monday which means voice lessons in the afternoon. Early dinner and swimming laps in the evening. I'm really not a morning kind of gal. But that's okay.

I'm hoping to go to Las Vegas sometime soon but now that we are starting rehearsals very soon, that may not be possible. Darn!!! I haven't been there for awhile and I really want to see my brother soon. And now that the temperature has gone down, I'm ready to go. I will keep my fingers crossed cause once rehearsals start, I won't be going anywhere. Sometimes I wish I could clone myself. My goodness, two Lisa's running around LA? That would be crazy, indeed!

The Land of Oz

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Yes, the musical production "Wizard of Oz" is being put on once more onstage. I auditioned on August 2 and did not hear anything for two weeks. Then the Ex. Producer called me and offered me a role as one of the Munchkin Royalty. I sang a song from the show for my audition. I sang, "It Really Was No Miracle". In the movie version, Dorothy actually starts the song and the munchkins join in. Well they must have liked me because I do have a contract in my hands.

We begin rehearsals on September 19 and the show is the last 2 or 3 weeks of October. I'll have to double check those dates. I know it will be a lot of work in rehearsals and then actually putting on the show. I have a wardrobe fitting next week. Yay!

I was called into audition for a film on Monday but as I looked at the audition it was for a deferred payment. That means you work on a project and if anything comes of the project, then you get paid. If nothing comes of it, meaning it does not get picked up at any film festivals, then you never get paid. Forget that. I have worked too hard and too long to not get paid for my work. You want me, then pay me. Simple as that.

I saw a very interesting article and subsequent video. It was called "F*ck you, pay me! They talked about the importance of having contracts and how everything is spelled out in the contract so there is no misunderstanding as to who does what. If you work hard on a project and complete the project you should be paid. If something occurs and the project changes somehow, you either renegotiate the contract or get paid and then this new change is written up in a new contract. Makes sense to me.

There is nothing wrong with paying your dues. When you are in a learning phase, the knowledge you gain is essential for future projects. If you have a mentor, even better. There is nothing like being on the set of a film and just learning. But after awhile you want to have an actual role with lines, blocking and actually working. It's so rewarding when you do get a chance to perform. And then when you get paid, then you know that you have moved up to that next level.

My friend, Andy already told me that he plans to be in the first row! So sweet. Well in the meantime, I just finished another round of head shots with a new photographer. It was fun and can't wait to see the final two that I have chosen. There's so much to do and not enough time.

Rebecca and I are going to see the movie, The Help. Great book and a good movie. Yes, I saw it already but it is so good that I want to see it again. And I have to call Sweden and see her in Pasadena. I have to tell them both that my film, White T is being released soon and we have the premiere on September 29 in Hollywood. Yes, I get to walk the red carpet again but may choose not to. We'll see how it goes.

No voice lesson tomorrow because of Labor Day but I resume the following Monday. Hopefully, a quiet day today resting, cooking out in the backyard and swimming. Love long weekends. Do I miss being back home? Yes -- occasionally but most important are family and I do miss them. Our niece, Melissa was married yesterday. I hope she had a lovely wedding.

Times continue to be tough for our country, the economy. But we have gone through so much and I know that we will all get through these difficult times. It takes patience and resilience and thinking outside of the box. But every time I try to get away from show biz, I get pulled back in again. So someone up there is trying to tell me something.