...and a happy new year!

Only one more week, people. One week. What the huh?? When did THAT happen?

Everything is winding down. The attendance at the park is dwindling, though I hear that Labor Day is still a big draw, and that's our last day of work! I have two swing-out days this week and a day off tomorrow, so I'll have lots of time to finish up all the packing and cleaning and organizing and using-up-of-whatever's-in-the-fridge before John and I drive back down to NYC. I can't believe that it's been 12 weeks already, and we're almost through! Unfortunately, I discovered recently that the six months of Equity health coverage I earned from this contract won't go into effect until January, and my current coverage runs out on October 1. So I guess I'll have to be extra careful until then....but that won't be too much of a problem because

I'LL BE ON A SHIP!!!

SUBTLE SEGUE!

That's right!!! I BOOKED THE ZUIDERDAM, BABY! I found out last week that I will be the lead female singer ("F1") on the Zuiderdam for Holland America Line from December 10 until at least April 19th, and possibly into August. This is the same company I worked for when I performed on the Maasdam, and I'm so excited to travel and sing again! I'm so incredibly grateful for the opportunity, and I think it comes at a really opportune time...I really think I need some big and shiny and wonderful to distract me for a while, and endless smoked salmon buffets, Costa Rican rainforests, and belting Tina Turner sounds like just the ticket.And not only that, but I'll be joined by the beautiful and talented Miss Charlotte Skilling, who was my F2 (female singer-dancer) on the Maasdam!

that's my girl.

I'm so excited to be reunited with this sassy Scottish lassie.
Rehearsals will start on November 4th in Los Angeles, so I will have a bit of down time between the end of Santa's Village and the start of rehearsals. I'll be returning to my fabulous roommates in NYC for the month of September. As soon as I get back, I'm going to ride the subways as much as I can and revel in all the freedom of travel, order sushi delivery, and watch the sunset behind the George Washington Bridge. Uuuuuungh, I can't WAIT!! After that, it's all shows, appointments, a few auditions, and hopefully picking up a few shifts at Ellen's for some extra moola (and to share the stage/diner again with some fabulous people!), and generally reveling in all that my favorite place in the world has to offer.

Come October, I'll be flown out to LA early so I can spend some time with my parents, then it's up to Sacramento to live with my brother David and my nephews Ben and Will for a few weeks!! We've been talking about this for almost a year now, and now the timing is perfect! I'm so excited to cook for my boys (especially since I'll be kitchen-less on the Zuiderdam!), see their soccer/baseball games, and be the Hot Auntie picking them up from school! Maybe do a Tahoe trip, maybe a little San Fran...who knows! I'm just so happy!!!

Then back to LA...if you want to check out my ship, you can take a virtual tour here, and you can check out my itinerary on the same website or look at the calendar at the bottom of the "News" page here.

Oh, I almost forgot!! In addition to the cruise gig, I also got hired through the same company to perform in a one-night show at Revel casino resort in Atlantic City on September 7! I'll be playing the role of Conchita singing "Ay Caramba-- in what i can only hope is a ridiculous Cuban accent-- from the West End musical of "Copacabana", based on the Barry Manilow song of the same name. I'll be backed by two dancer girls. Three other singers will be performing the song "Copacabana" as Lola, Tony, and Rico. I'm not 100% what this performance is, other than it is for a private party, but beyond that... What I do know is that Mr. Manilow himself is performing at that same casino the next night, so I'm wondering/hoping that I will actually get to meet the man in person! Barry meeting Barrie!!! THE COSMOS WOULD EXPLODE.

How YOU doin'?

Meanwhile, back in New Hampshire...

On my day off last week, Dan and I took the biodeisel-fueled cog railway up to the summit of Mt. Washington, the highest peak in New England. The view was incredible, and we got very very lucky with the visibility. Mt. W is known for its extremely bad weather (they once recorded wind speeds at 241 mph!), but we were below the clouds and in 50 degree weather. We could see as far as the Atlantic, Vermont, Maine, and southern new Hampshire. It was really incredible, and I'm so glad we got to do it (for free! Yay, employee discount!)

Attitude at high altitude.

We also had out end-of-the-year employee pizza party and raffle last week. I won a $10 Wal Mart gift card! Which I used to buy a pie plate and champagne! The pie plate is for the apple-pear-bourbon plumped golden raisin pie I'm entering in the Lancaster Fair this Friday. First prize is $100..and PRIDE. :-D I can't enter the L.A. County Fair this year, but as soon as I found out I could enter the fair just down the road...i couldn't resist. We're going to go to the fair as a cast on Friday, and since it's open until 11pm, we'll actually get to be out together longer than most of the bars and restaurants in the area close down! That's New Hampshire for ya...


We also had a White Party with the international employees a couple of nights ago, and I have to say, the cast look SMASHING.

right?

We also had one of our last family meals this week, and it was a combined effort between Rebecca and Dan. It was delish! Stuffed shells with homemade bolognese. Yum yum yum!

So that's the news from Jefferson. This will likely be my last post. Thanks for following me on this journey, and I hope you've enjoyed the ride. I'll definitely be keeping a blog for my contract on the Zuiderdam, so I'll update when that starts up. In the meantime, as always, please follow me on my Facebook Artist page and check out the new media and news page on my website.

Until next time...Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Baby, all I want for Christmas...

10 Mistletails + 30 The Christmas That Almost Wasn't + 7 Storytime With Candy Cane and Peppermint Twist = 2 WEEKS LEFT!!!

I can't believe it!

I've actually had a pretty eventful week, though nothing has really changed at the park. They repainted the Elf University..?

Anyway,

Dan and I went to Whale's Tale Water Park last Tuesday and had a blast and a half! I've clearly been spoiled by the epic greatness that is Raging Waters, but Whale's Tale was cute, and we had a nice time. And pizza and beer for lunch! SCORE!








Then I helped Corey learn how to bake blondies, and we had such a fun time. Then again, like I really needed an excuse to bake... He did such a great job, and OH MY GOODNESS those blondies were good!

champ.

There was a costume party over at the international house a few nights ago, snd the cast got decked out and had a fun time. I think all told there were about 35 of us all dressed up. I love a good costume party consisting entirely of found objects and clothes you already own. Valentina took the cake by wearing nothing but curtains from her bedroom. Very Scarlett O'Hara 2012! 

Bruce

The best thing about last week was the plane ride I took with Corey and Haley, piloted by Bruce, who works at the park. He's been flying for 30-some years, and has had his own plane for the last 13 years. He volunteers with Angel Flight and has been giving rides to a lot of the internationals here, giving them a once-in-a-liftime view of the White Mountains for free. His generosity is incredible! And not only that, but he let me pilot for a few minutes while we were up there!! I have honestly never felt exhilaration like that in all my life. I literally piloted a plane at 6,000 feet!! Me!! Me, who is scared of flying!! I'm so grateful to Bruce for giving me and my cast mates this opportunity. 

in the clouds

I put together a little video of our trip, you can see it here:

John made Family Meal on Sunday night. He made ham, spinach, and cheese quiche with a delicious salad of apples, almonds, and Gorgonzola on the side.  I think next week, Dan is going to make pasta sauce, and Rebecca is going to use it on stuffed shells!! It's a double-dip Family Meal! I'm saving my paella for the last Sunday before our contract is over.

chef!

And then finally, this morning, big news for Rebecca and Corey...they became Equity! As part of their contract, they received Equity status during the last two week sof their contract, and today was Day 0!! I wrote a little ditty for them and baked them a special cake, and we all got together as a cast and celebrated them this morning.

Here's a video of the event!

Lots more in store for these last two weeks, and hopefully some big news in the future...!


Until next time...!

How'd ya like to spend Christmas on Christmas Island?

I meant to post here last weekend, but Oli and I had The Inevitable Talk and we are no more. It's been a very difficult road this last week, but I know in my heart of hearts that it's for the best. The strangest things will set me off, but I'm blessed to be distracted by work.

Speaking of which..
3 1/2 weeks left.
It's about that time where I start to be legitimately concerned about what I'm going to do when the contract ends. As of right now, my only solid plan is to move back in to my friends's apartment in Harlem and go back to serving at Ellen's (assuming they allow me to come back, which I don't forsee being a problem) and jumping right back into auditioning. Not that that's a bad plan, but it is the curse of the performer that we live gig to gig, and not having a booking to look forward to is a little like jumping into a murky lake. At night. And you've only had a couple of swimming lessons. And you're almost positive you saw something moving down there...

IT'S NESSIE!

On a positive note, however, I am still in the running to be the F1 (lead female singer) on the Zuiderdam for Holland America Line. Final casting should be done sometime in the very near future, so I'm thinking as many positive thoughts as possible, and I hope you can join me in that.

I also am in the process of working with Landau Music for possible bookings on cruise ships, but as the band singer, a job I've wanted to explore since I worked on the Maasdam. Not a whole lot of news on that yet, but it's another pot on the fire.

But for now...
Mr. RWS himself, Ryan Stana, is visiting the park today, and I'm excited to meet him. We got gift baskets from our lead director, Amy Cannon, a few days ago, and now we get to meet The Boss Man! Let's hope for good weather and clear voices today.

That's all for now.
Staying positive,
Barrie

Maybe we'll have some pumpkin pie, and we'll do some caroling...

Only 5 weeks left!

Ryan Stana

I can't believe it's almost August!! We have lots of family members coming in August, as well as an appearance from Mr. RWS [and Associates Entertainment Inc.] himself, Ryan Stana. My own parents and my aunt Gail are coming out next week, and I can't wait to show them around the White Mountains and have some tasty lob-staaaaah! Hopefully, the Weather Gods will smile favorable upon us, since the idea of getting caught in a rainstorm at the summit of Wildcat Mountain is not exactly what I have in mind!

I was on Family Dinner detail last night, and I made my mom's recipe for Pear, Walnut, and Gorgonzola Foccacia, for which she won 1st place in the national Flesichmann's Yeast competition a few years ago. Needless to say, it was a big hit! It's strange to think that all six of us have had a chance to make Family Dinner, and we're back to the top of the rotation again. So far, we've had:
1. Beef Bourguignon (me)
2. Summer Vegetable Lasagna (John, assisted by Rebecca)
3. Chunky Chili (Dan)
4. Chicken Stew and Biscuits (Corey)
5. Beef and Turkey Tacos (Rebecca)
6. Super Cheesy Mac n Cheese (Haley)

Isn't that an incredible line-up? Even the folks who claimed they "can't cook" found out that, well, they were WRONG! :-D All these meals were really good, and I think it means a lot to all of us that we have made a tradition of getting together and eating as a cast once a week. It's easy to get divided as the weeks go by, but to have one night set aside for just us (and yummy food!) is really a blessing. And I can't wait to see what everyone dreams up for their next (and last!) go-around.


We also watched the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics together, and made appetizers to represent different countries. We are adorable. And apparently, a very food-related cast!

In non-food-related news, I have a favor to ask. RWS is putting out a Facebook contest in which the employees of the company get one-on-one session with casting directors and agents is they get 6,000 "Likes" on their Facebook page. Do me a solid and Like their page, please? It would be a huge opportunity for me to be seen by a bunch of industry professionals!! We're currently at 3,365 Likes. Here's the link: RWS and Associates Entertainment Inc.
Thanks!

That's all for now from the White Mountains.


Until next time...

Haul out the holly!

So...we have officially passed the halfway mark of our contract!
It's been 47 days since we began, with 44 days left to go. I can't say that the time has FLOWN, exactly, but I will admit that it doesn't feel like we've been here for almost 7 weeks. There are days when it feels like we jusst arrived last week, and days that I'm surprised that we're still in July.

On the other hand, I got an excuse to make cake.

I've been going to physical therapy sessions twice a week for a few weeks now, and it's been nice to get some consistent work done on my shoulder. It still hurts, but I'm hopeful, and my therapist is lovely. Luckily, the therapy clinic is only a 10 minute walk from my apartment, so for once I don't feel like a burden on anyone to get me where I want to be. Also, it's a nice walk. :)
Haley is cooking Family Meal tonight (last week was Rebecca, who made an AWESOME taco spread), and Corey will be debuting his original one-act "Three" on Monday night with a staged reading! It's in the apartment, granted, but we're all really excited to see his work on its feet. Speaking of performing, the Santa's Village Idol talent show is next week, and we have nooooo clue what to do. Interpretive rain dance? Synchronized mosquito-swatting? Beat poetry about moose? I'll letcha know..
Dan and I went to see a concert given by Elizabeth Von Trapp (a direct grandaughter of Captain Von Trapp of SOUND OF MUSIC fame) at a church in Lancaster. Her voice is truly beautiful and it was a lovely concert. I would highly recommend looking her up on YouTube! Like here:

It was also really cool to hear "Eidelweiss" sung by a Von Trapp...it made all my musical theatre senses tingle! :)
That's really all for now. I'm looking forward to my parents and my Aunt Gail's visit in a few weeks, and I'm hoping to get some sightseeing in if the friggen rain will let up long enough to let me!!
Until next time...

O Come, All Ye Faithful..

 Today's blog post is going to start with a short reel I made of the shows here. I made this to send off to the CD at Hong Kong Disneyland to sort of keep me in her mind for casting the upcoming contracts for October. Enjoy!

And now...

Has it really been 9 days since my last post? Jeesh, I need to get better at this blogging thing.

The shows are still going fine, the park attendance has been picking up, and the Christmas spirit is alive and well, so nothing new to report in that department. The weeks have been going by quickly (we're already into week 5!), but the days go by slowly. It's a weird feeling, but I suppose that's to be expected when you fall into a rhythm.

RHYTHM!

We celebrated the Fourth of July by staying indoors, avoiding the thunderous downpour and the lightning. the rain actually let up a bit by the time the fireworks in newarby Lancaster were scheduled to go off, but the lightning came back. Not gonna lie, it was pretty cool to watch fireworks against a background of a lightning storm. I tried to get a picture of the phenomenon, but alas..

Happy Fourth!

We celebrated Rebecca's 23rd birthday a few days agowith a house party with the international students and  a cast dinner at the 2 Kings pub at the Spalding Inn. We all ended up having the seafood-stuffed haddock special, which was DELICIOUS.  It didn't sit too well with the many beers we had later that night, but man...delish.

pre-haddock hotness

Last week Dan and I went to the Flume Gorge, which is a beautiful ravine in the White Mountain National Forest (and was also free with our employee passbooks!). It was a really beautiful walk, and an even more beautiful day. Lucky for us, since the rest of the week before and after our one day off was MISERABLE and rainy. Yick. The Day Off gods must have smiled on us.

and when they smile, they SMILE.

In other, less exciting news, I am now a card-carrying member of the Jefferson Public Library!

Hellooooo free DVD rentals!

local.

I hope you all enjoy the rest of your week, and as always, check my Artist page on Facebook for day-to-day updates. 

LIVE FREE OR DIE,

Barrie

I spent Christmas down in Aaaaaafricaaaaa...

So, in total defiance of New England meteorologists everywhere, it has been just lovely and sunny these last few days. It was nothing but rain rain rain in the forecasts, and then BAM: I have a farmer's tan after glad-handing the park guests for an hour outside. Or maybe I should call it an elf tan? :)
This is a good thing, since the last almost-two weeks have been dreary, chilly, and torrentially raining. So while the rest of the country stews in its own sweat and loses their electricity, we worry about our wigs getting wet and trying to making spirits bright under the ominous cumulus clouds.
But enough about the Live Free or Die state's weather issues..

Today's forecast is Puddle-y with a chance of Damp.

 

Attendance at the park has been picking up, which means doing fewer shows for a quasi-enthusiastic theater of 10 people. Also, it means many after-work trips to the pool across the street, thankful for the sunshine til 9pm-ish. Elves come in all colors, right? Even Italian/Hawaiian Toasty Summer Brown?  I'm still trying to get up the courage to go blonde this summer, since I'm wigged for all my shows. The hair salons around here are a little dubious, however...
I was visited by Oli for a few days last week, and it was nice to have him around to chase the gloomy days away. Many gingerbread cookies were decorated and eaten, many crossword puzzles were defeated, and one night of international charades were some good times. We went through part of the Kancamangus Highway--which cuts through the White Mountain National Forest--for one afternoon, and despite the rain, the scenery was gorgeous.

Gorgeous?

 

Looking forward to the Flume Gorge on Tuesday (the Grand Canyon of New Hampshire, apparently). Also, my parents should be coming out in early August, and I'm very excited! We just got our NEAAPA (Neww England Area Funtime Parks and Such..or something) discount books, with lots of free passes to all kinds of attractions in the area. It looks like it's time to go exploring all that the Granite State has to offer!! Why do I feel like it's going to involve a lot of maple-flavored ice cream and moose-themed souvenirs?
Have a great July 4th week!
Until next time,
B