BWW is excited to present a new blog, which will follow the Early Stages of CHIX 6, a new multi-genre rock musical written and composed by Lourds Lane (lead singer and multi-instrumentalist from the national touring band, LOURDS) and directed by DJ Salisbury which is now being workshopped...
Miss week one? Click here!
DAY 5
Tuesday, August 10. DAY OFF! (and a FULL day off for Eric and Wendy, who are currently in Mamma Mia- Tuesday is their dark day.)
DAY 6
Wednesday, August 11
When I walked into rehearsal, I was greeted with presents! How did people know? Ohhhhh... facebook! Sarah, the drummer of CHIX 6 and my band, LOURDS, got me a dog tag necklace that had "CHIX 6" engraved on it. Of course my BFF knows where my heart is! Gail got me a gorgeous silver necklace with a wing on it. I wore them both proudly! Mary came in with a wrist corsage "so everybody will know it's my special day." I wore the single pink rose around my forearm because for some reason, my wrists are thin as pretzel sticks. Molly got me dozen orange sweetheart roses mainly because the name of the bouquet was called "BABE" (one of the show's song titles!) Scents, soaps, and candles from DJ and Wendy! Danielle treated me to lunch. And then in the middle of rehearsing the big group number that kicks off the second act, the cast suddenly switched songs and sang the most gorgeous rendition of "Happy Birthday" I've ever heard. It felt like 15 part harmony! AND I got to blow out the birthday candle on a luscious chocolate cake! I knew exactly what I was going to wish for! Happy day for sure! Wendy and V's cards almost moved me to tears. Wendy's said, "Dear Lourds, You are in the throes of birth (but without the intense pain!) I am so happy to be in the "birthing room with you - and you are affecting many people already, bringing joy, excitement, love, acceptance, and creative freedom to us all! Happy Birthday! xo Love, Wendy." It was written on a "WHOLE BODY" bag with lots of hand-drawn plants sprouting all over the bag. I'm totally framing this! And V had a wooden blue butterfly pinned to her card that said "Even though it is your birthday, I feel like I am the one getting presents... For Lourds who taught me to fly. xo, V"
Juicy rehearsal bits today! Molly, who plays the seductress of the show, Lola Touche`, started learning how to suspend herself on a hoop. She's a fantastic dancer, legs for miles! The moves that our aerial sequence consultant, Bobby Hedglin-Taylor taught her came pretty easily. She's a natural. Unbelievable to watch her pose, spin, suspend, and contort on the hoop! Ron started choreographing Danielle in "Most Gorgeous Creature" and Mary in "Babe" ... and even though they were marking, both performances are already hilarious. Ruthie brought in her accordion to start learning the solo for her first feature song, "Misfit." When I play the misfit nerd, I play electric violin, but Ruthie's axe might even be nerdier... I mean the accordion! Pahahahaha! How perfect is that? Makes me laugh just thinking about an accordion shredding on a rock song! A full day working on CHIX 6 with all these beautiful, fun, and creative people is EXACTLY what I want to be doing on my birthday! I feel so grateful and happy! And to top it off, I finally signed with NEDERLANDER-BROWNE productions! WOO HOO! CHIX 6 is taking off!
DAY 7
Thursday, August 12
Yesterday, Carrie had all four of her wisdom teeth pulled! But she came in today on pain killers ready and excited to keep on working. What a trooper! And she wasn't even swollen! If that doesn't qualify as "superhero," I don't know what is! Carrie also showed us a pose she did in pictures as a little dance recital girl: legs turned in, fist pushed into her face with a big cheesy smile. It's hysterically perfect! She says she tries to do the pose at some point in every show. She even did it in when she played the lead in "Mamma Mia" on Broadway. Brilliant! By the end of this workshop, I vow to snatch a picture of the whole cast doing her "Putting on the Ritz" pose!
