Life: post-Bellevue

{Note: I write this post from behind my borin' beige desk at the Day Job in a mildly melancholic post-Bellevue state...sigh.}

So...the last five shows were a big success. I received the official stamp of approval from all of my family members (who traveled up and over from their respective states to come see the show) and from Dan who saw it a total of three (3!) times (quite possibly the world's most supportive fiance). The last few shows were our strongest yet, making it all the more difficult to believe that it was actually over (we were just getting started!!).

So now I am back to reality. Or trying, anyway. I have to admit, it has been a rough adjustment getting back into the swing of things since wrapping up the show. Normal life (especially the aforementioned Day Job) feels a bit blah by comparison, and though it is lovely to have free time again, ironically enough I miss the busyness of that life now. It was a CRAZY and sometimes stressful schedule to keep up with, but living and breathing that show for so many weeks in a row became so familiar, and now the emotional release from it all has been...hard.

And (perhaps as evidenced by the photograph above) we all had the time of our lives doing this show together and genuinely came to care about one another. The people were what really made the whole experience so special -- they are some of the most quality, talented people I have ever met. So, that's hard too. Not getting to see my Bellevue pals day after day anymore.

This experience has also shown me how much I have missed being a part of something. It has reminded me that my heart and soul thrive within community, projects, and w/ PEOPLE. I loved the camaraderie. I loved working together with a group of people to create something new that had never been done before. I loved breathing life into an artistic project. (Oh and the singing/dancing/acting was pretty dang fun too).

So yeah, in addition to being a fun, amazing experience, it was also pretty eye-opening and helpful in revealing a little bit of insight into possible future direction and endeavors.

I recognize that now is not the time for big changes (career-wise). I need to focus on the other VERY big life-changes that are just around the corner first and foremost (hello September wedding!). But my heart has been good and stirred and I think it is important to pay attention to that -- to what my heart is saying. I've been talking about trying to turn my creative passions into a living for a long time, something that is scary to consider in this economy, but maybe it is time for me to start taking that more seriously. After September it will be a whole new chapter of Life...a fresh start. Perhaps in more ways than one?

the journey {thus far}

photo by Patricia Willis

It is hard to put into words how amazing the Off-Broadway experience has been so far. I have never been involved in anything like this before (I was never a theater kid growing up, just a music kid), and I have to say -- the feeling of standing on a stage under those bright lights alongside 20+ other people, as story and song and movement unfold around us -- man...it's a powerful, wonderful thing.

The nights leading up to opening night were incredibly intense and stressful -- last minute changes and overall disorganization had us questioning if we would be able to pull it off. But somehow (and I really don't know how!) come opening night, we went out there and did our thing and sang our hearts out, and...{sigh}...*magic.* It was as if all the stress and frustration only pushed everyone harder, and in the end the result was surprisingly wonderful!

Audiences have reacted positively, the feedback has been great, and we are having the time of our lives! I am anxious to get back into it all again tomorrow night (we've been off since Sunday). While it's been lovely to have a few nights off to get things (life, laundry, groceries, etc.) in order again, I have to admit, being away from it all has been hard....and strange. The last few months have been filled with night after night (and hours upon hours) of these songs and this script and these people...to the point that that, as crazy and hectic as it was, felt more like normal life than my "old" "normal" life (ie: the Day Job). So yeah, it's been tough to switch gears and just sit behind a desk again like some sort of office drone, without rehearsals or shows to rush off to.

So now we are five (5) shows in with five (5) shows to go and I just can't believe it will be over so soon. I am trying not to think about the end. I just want to revel in the moment....in this incredibly unique, surreal moment (seriously, pinch me...is this real?!). As you can imagine, I (along with everyone else) am praying that this goes places. How cool would that be?!!

Anyway, that's all for tonight, folks...more recaps and thoughts to come next week!

{until then, I leave you with a bit of info about the show, just in case you want to stop by :) and you should. stop by, that is}:

Bellevue Sketches is a "schizological musical" that follows the story of a young writer who interviews patients in Manhattan's famous Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital only to doubt his own sanity...

Music, book & lyrics by Patrick M. Wickham
Directed by Thomas G. Waites

when:
June 11-14 and 18-21
where:
Players Theatre
115 Macdougal Street
(212) 475-1449

Tickets can be purchased by phone at 212-352-3101 or (toll free) 866-811-4111 OR online here.

Use the promotional code RAE for $5 off. Or if you are a student, you can get tix for $25 by using the code studentticket.

There is a $6 convenience fee if you purchase on the website or by phone, so go straight to the box office at the Players Theater on MacDougal Street to avoid that (students will need to have a valid student ID).