Well. This may prove to be one of those experiences wherein I spend absolute MINUTES writing things down that I hope will sparkle with wit and creativity and then hit "Publish," only to find that everything has been erased because blogger.com has wildly re-arranged its layout. if that happens.......well, none of you will ever read this sentence.
Let's assume it doesn't.
Hey y'all.
1. Deejay Gray (the fabulous. like really) penned a guest ghostpost following the April 1st Ghostlight. The post is fabulous as well. I know because he read it to me while we were eating burgers and fries and not seeing the "Seussical" cast perform at the Easter Parade. No offense to the Seussers. Love "Seussical." Will absolutely be in attendance each and every night. But we both figured collapsing dramatically from hunger mid-"Notice Me, Horton" might suck focus.
That said, let me find it, and I'll post it. Have had limited to no internet access due to my sudden intensely committed relationship with a pair of leaking sofas. Lynn West- that's for you. :)
2. Ghostlight After Party of 4/15/12 I was most certainly at. And it was grand. Here's what went down.
The illustrious illuminous illegible illovely illtalented- ok I'm tired of this game- Susan Sanford was the special guest. And guys- she is GOOD at that. She's one of those performers who slipped into a sequined cocktail number moments after cleansing herself of the afterbirth and presented a cabaret called "My Life in the Womb-Meconium's the Pits" for the delivery room staff. Just oozes with that charm and elan (how the hell do I make an accent mark) and has that way of speaking to an audience that just makes you want to know more and be fascinated by the prospect of what she might say next. Ms. Sanford will be next appearing as Mayzie in "Seussical- the Musical" with Theatre IV at the Novempire. As will such very big deals as Jason Marks, Antonio Tillman- who just got cast in one of my dream roles on a cruise boat: awesome, Ali Thibodeau, Liz Blake, and the one and only Margaret Roop. So you know, go see it.
Someone sang a song in another language, you guys. Matt Shofner kicked off the evening very successfully. I think it's always more successful when one kicks whilst wearing heels. That man can work a pair of high heels leagues better than anyone I have ever seen. Perhaps at the next Ghostlight he will re-enact for you what we all decided would be the very best way in the world for Olive's father to make his entrance into "The I Love You Song." We'll need a doorway. Maybe Tom Width will build us one. Oh wait. He DOESN'T READ THIS.
Billy-Christopher Maupin blew Bill Patton's pink socks off with his astounding vocal range. I was told this by Bill Patton himself.
Sandy Dacus was amazing, as always, on the piano. I love her. I think we all do, come to think of it.
Also come to think of it, when does Richmond Theatre Softball kick off again? Just because Scottie's very busy in Afghanistan updating his facebook status doesn't mean we shouldn't play. Perhaps there could be a Ghostlight sponsored softball game. Hmm.
The so pretty she looks like a elvin princess Brenna Wilson was in attendance with her camera. Thankfully. She's GOOD too. Please see the Ghostlight facebook page for evidence of this.
Michael Vandergrift manned the back of the house. Michael is lucky enough to be married to the just plain wonderful Wendy Vandergrift, who graciously supplies the Ghostlight After Party with amplification and lights- lights such as made for a stunning Brenna Wilson photograph of Allison Paige Gilman performing "All That Jazz."
Katie Ukrop was there. Also Pam Reynolds. Pam Reynolds SPOKE DIRECTLY TO ME you guys. She's someone I admire stylistically. She follows the same fashion patterns as myself. Motto: Let's see if I can wear all the stuff in my closet at the same time cause that'll be fun.
Quirk Gallery generously donated some fancy earrings for the raffle. A gentleman won the earrings and then promptly presented them to Susan Sanford. Raffle prizes are getting cooler and cooler, everyone. Who knows what you might win next time.
Overall, this seemed to me to be the best Ghostlight After Party thus far. Which is exciting. Because that means who knows how much better it will be at the next one. Which isn't til May. So you all have plenty of time to prepare your pieces and select your costumes. And (I think) it's on Mother's day. I have no idea what to say about that. It's a beautiful Saturday everyone.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
Ghost Post III
March Forth- irrelevant.
Much more important things to focus on at the 3/4/12 gathering of the Ghost Light After Party crowd.
Hold on- someone is trying to "sext" with me on facebook. One moment.
Ok. Back. Brutal honesty will nip some sexting in the bud like nobody's business.
Where was I? Ah.
Let's see. Scene: Sunday night, March 4, 2012. I am stuffing tubes of bread filled with cheese into my mouth and periodically running onstage at the Firehouse to sing about Russian prostitutes and appetizers.
Between these feel-good little ditties, I scamper backstage, where Joe Inscoe is telling me a story. And that's really all you need to know. Hence the scampering.
I begin receiving text messages from one Adam Dorland that say things like, "The Debra couldn't wait. She's singing "Back to Before," and "your brother and Anna are learning a blues song together." All of these texts inspiring towering fits of rage among the cast of "Hearts Online." We were missing The Debra. Items were thrown.
Curtain call. I am out the door before I am finished bowing.
I arrive at the Ghost Light in a blind fever.
Ben pours me a glass of wine that is slightly taller than the bar.
I quickly scout out the situation. Someone is singing. Well, that's good, it's a piano bar. Evan Nasteff is already there, so clearly it is later than I thought, but he's not singing "Baby One More Time" yet, so the evening is still in progress.
More importantly- sorry Evan, I haven't eaten lobster at your house and you also haven't filled the Empire stage with fog for me- Wendy Vandergrift is up in the house, yo. Thrilled. Had no idea she was going to be there. Is SUCH a good idea for her to be there.
I then make to scamper right up onstage to help Sandy with the page turning, as Matt Shofner is up there giving it a bully effort, but has so many other things to do he may as well be trying to put noodles through his ear hole. Before I can manage, Maggie Roop clotheslines me and hisses, "wait! i want to introduce you."
Side note- Matt- you don't even have an ear hole, do you? I mean besides the one you were born with. Is my imagination manipulating reality for the sake of an amusing simile.
So. I wait to be "introduced." Maggie introduces me, announces that I will be singing straightaway and I look at her and say, "singing what?" and she opens Binder #367 to "Gimme Gimme" from "Thoroughly Modern Millie." Now- it should be noted that "Gimme Gimme" is something I sing with great frequency and passion. When I am in locations like my bedroom and deep in the sewer. But apparently I am to sing it front of people. Like, right now. So I just think, "Well, this will be good for me."
And I sing it. And I discover, whilst singing it, that 1. I adore singing even more than I thought I did before, and 2. when one screws up ones face and eyes as though someone has just coated one's eyeballs with cottage cheese ala Lea Michele in "Glee," one is capable of hitting notes previously unconsidered and holding said notes for unprecedented amounts of time. Oh- you also have to partially squat to get the full effect.
This is me teaching audition class.
Anyway.
Scott Honaker (that's my brother) and Anna Hewett (see two posts prior) have sequestered themselves in the dressing room to learn/compose? a song. They will remain there for hours.
Suddenly, word reaches me that Simba and Nala from the production of "The Lion King" that's currently in town are in da house. So naturally my entire inside lights on fire and I am wildly excited. I demonstrate this by casually glancing into the back of the house to see what I can see. They are sure there. Which is awesome.
Jelani and Syndee (which turns out to be their names) take sweetly to the stage to perform "A Whole New World." And perform it they do- there is elegant blocking and choreography made up on the spot- there are searching, hopeful glances out into the audience as they sing- everyone is riveted, eyes glazed, drooling. They are GOOD. As the well loved ballad soars to it's apex, the effect is thrilling and immediately squashed by me flailing my hand at them and squawking "HOLD ON HOLD ON HOLD ON. You guys changed keys and our music didn't. I'm going to need you to back it up and take it down." Or something equally courteous. But they do. And it continues to be lovely and no one stones me for interrupting, so that's good.
In related news- Bill Patton once had a pet monkey that got stoned to death.
So by this point in the evening, everyone's having a ball, The Debra has performed a mad-lib to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (word has it that there may be video of this soon available on the Ghost Light After Party facebook page), Adam has punched me in the back, Matts Shofner and Doss have executed a reportedly brilliant rendition of "Light My Candle" from "Rent," and Scott and Anna have done nothing as they are still locked in the dressing room.
But they finally emerge. And take the stage. And proceed to strum and sing and enchant. Scott has had a list submitted to him of songs that various parties would like for him to learn on the guitar so he may accompany them at the next Ghost Light After Party. If you want to sing to guitar accompaniment, he's your man.
Anna then performs something in French. Cause why not. Further enchantment.
Brittany Simmons and the rest of the "Hearts Online" cast arrive. Brittany wails out a song from the show- accompanied by composer Paul Bartsch.
Joe Inscoe arrives. Everyone's heart flutters.
And that's really all I remember about this serving of the Ghost Light After Party because really, after I got to sing "Lily's Eyes" in my staunchest baritone with Simba, I was a little distracted.
See you all at the next event- April 1!
Much more important things to focus on at the 3/4/12 gathering of the Ghost Light After Party crowd.
Hold on- someone is trying to "sext" with me on facebook. One moment.
Ok. Back. Brutal honesty will nip some sexting in the bud like nobody's business.
Where was I? Ah.
Let's see. Scene: Sunday night, March 4, 2012. I am stuffing tubes of bread filled with cheese into my mouth and periodically running onstage at the Firehouse to sing about Russian prostitutes and appetizers.
Between these feel-good little ditties, I scamper backstage, where Joe Inscoe is telling me a story. And that's really all you need to know. Hence the scampering.
I begin receiving text messages from one Adam Dorland that say things like, "The Debra couldn't wait. She's singing "Back to Before," and "your brother and Anna are learning a blues song together." All of these texts inspiring towering fits of rage among the cast of "Hearts Online." We were missing The Debra. Items were thrown.
Curtain call. I am out the door before I am finished bowing.
I arrive at the Ghost Light in a blind fever.
Ben pours me a glass of wine that is slightly taller than the bar.
I quickly scout out the situation. Someone is singing. Well, that's good, it's a piano bar. Evan Nasteff is already there, so clearly it is later than I thought, but he's not singing "Baby One More Time" yet, so the evening is still in progress.
More importantly- sorry Evan, I haven't eaten lobster at your house and you also haven't filled the Empire stage with fog for me- Wendy Vandergrift is up in the house, yo. Thrilled. Had no idea she was going to be there. Is SUCH a good idea for her to be there.
I then make to scamper right up onstage to help Sandy with the page turning, as Matt Shofner is up there giving it a bully effort, but has so many other things to do he may as well be trying to put noodles through his ear hole. Before I can manage, Maggie Roop clotheslines me and hisses, "wait! i want to introduce you."
Side note- Matt- you don't even have an ear hole, do you? I mean besides the one you were born with. Is my imagination manipulating reality for the sake of an amusing simile.
So. I wait to be "introduced." Maggie introduces me, announces that I will be singing straightaway and I look at her and say, "singing what?" and she opens Binder #367 to "Gimme Gimme" from "Thoroughly Modern Millie." Now- it should be noted that "Gimme Gimme" is something I sing with great frequency and passion. When I am in locations like my bedroom and deep in the sewer. But apparently I am to sing it front of people. Like, right now. So I just think, "Well, this will be good for me."
And I sing it. And I discover, whilst singing it, that 1. I adore singing even more than I thought I did before, and 2. when one screws up ones face and eyes as though someone has just coated one's eyeballs with cottage cheese ala Lea Michele in "Glee," one is capable of hitting notes previously unconsidered and holding said notes for unprecedented amounts of time. Oh- you also have to partially squat to get the full effect.
This is me teaching audition class.
Anyway.
Scott Honaker (that's my brother) and Anna Hewett (see two posts prior) have sequestered themselves in the dressing room to learn/compose? a song. They will remain there for hours.
Suddenly, word reaches me that Simba and Nala from the production of "The Lion King" that's currently in town are in da house. So naturally my entire inside lights on fire and I am wildly excited. I demonstrate this by casually glancing into the back of the house to see what I can see. They are sure there. Which is awesome.
Jelani and Syndee (which turns out to be their names) take sweetly to the stage to perform "A Whole New World." And perform it they do- there is elegant blocking and choreography made up on the spot- there are searching, hopeful glances out into the audience as they sing- everyone is riveted, eyes glazed, drooling. They are GOOD. As the well loved ballad soars to it's apex, the effect is thrilling and immediately squashed by me flailing my hand at them and squawking "HOLD ON HOLD ON HOLD ON. You guys changed keys and our music didn't. I'm going to need you to back it up and take it down." Or something equally courteous. But they do. And it continues to be lovely and no one stones me for interrupting, so that's good.
In related news- Bill Patton once had a pet monkey that got stoned to death.
So by this point in the evening, everyone's having a ball, The Debra has performed a mad-lib to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (word has it that there may be video of this soon available on the Ghost Light After Party facebook page), Adam has punched me in the back, Matts Shofner and Doss have executed a reportedly brilliant rendition of "Light My Candle" from "Rent," and Scott and Anna have done nothing as they are still locked in the dressing room.
But they finally emerge. And take the stage. And proceed to strum and sing and enchant. Scott has had a list submitted to him of songs that various parties would like for him to learn on the guitar so he may accompany them at the next Ghost Light After Party. If you want to sing to guitar accompaniment, he's your man.
Anna then performs something in French. Cause why not. Further enchantment.
Brittany Simmons and the rest of the "Hearts Online" cast arrive. Brittany wails out a song from the show- accompanied by composer Paul Bartsch.
Joe Inscoe arrives. Everyone's heart flutters.
And that's really all I remember about this serving of the Ghost Light After Party because really, after I got to sing "Lily's Eyes" in my staunchest baritone with Simba, I was a little distracted.
See you all at the next event- April 1!
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Ghost Post II
I was going to make the title of this post something related to the awesome asiago cheese I am currently stuffing in my mouth, but decided to be a little more profesh and save such things for the body of the piece.
The second Ghost Light After Party happened, y'all. Robyn O'Neill didn't come. Let's just get that said early on. (She promises to attend again in the near future-- she was apparently "in trouble.....")
Hopefully all of you and many, many, MANY of your friends will be attending the next Ghost Light After Party- which is this upcoming Sunday, March 4th. Oh hold on- March Forth. Cause it's the only date that's also a command. And apparently human beings only happened upon this knowledge two or three years ago.
Word has it that somehow, this upcoming Ghost Light After Party will be related to "marching forth." And I'll tell you honestly, I have no idea what Matthew Shofner and Margaret Roop have up their sleeves in this case. All I know is March 4th is my dad's birthday so I will be arriving at the Ghost Light After Party full of steak and derision for blond waitresses and having just sung about being a Russian lingerie salesgirl.
That's right. I love meat and lingerie.
That- shockingly- proves to be a lovely segue: a lovely and talented cast featuring such luminaries (hah- I totally used "luminaries" while writing about theater) as Georgia Rogers Farmer, Russell Rowland, Billy Christopher Maupin and Brittany Simmons and directed by Deejay Gray will be performing a workshop rendition of the new musical "Hearts Online" on Sunday night at 8:00 at the Firehouse Theatre. I wish I could tell you what it's about, but I haven't actually read it yet. I've been very busy on the couch upstairs in the Firehouse reading "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close"- loaned to me by the dashing and kind Adam Dorland (he knows Maggie) and drinking stolen Diet Coke. Thanks, Carol!
But this particular reading promises to sound amazing and be good for a chuckle and a half. Whilst semi-marking through her big ballad the other night, Brittany Simmons gave such a performance that, when finished, an ovation issued from downstairs that was nigh on deafening. Which was especially impressive since it had been clear to all of us upon passing through the lobby that the majority of the people populating the downstairs area were deaf. Go Brittany.
Word has it (read: my director told me) that the cast of "Hearts Online" will be popping into the Ghost Light After Party once their performance is completed. So there will be some sanging y'all.
Oh yeah- also Joe Inscoe. Something like that. (Adoration for him. Who's with me? Oh right- EVERYONE'S with me.)
I'm glad I've remembered to do this post, because now I can wash what appears to be a bone deep bloody wound reading "Ghostpost" off my left forearm. (I found a red sharpie at the theater.)
In the biggest news so far- one Joseph Aaron "Regis is my bitch" Papa will be making an appearance. I know I'm excited about that.
Also- and she will slaughter (very kindly, but nonethless, slaughter) me for saying so, but the lovely and multi-talented Anna Hewett will also be in attendance. And who knows which delectable skills she will showcase.
There, now I've gone and made the Ghost Light sound like a stripper bar.
I hope Durron shows up again. Also Ali Thibodeau-- who just recently started fresh on facebook, so congrats for that! If Chase Kniffen comes again, I will be wanting to hear a song.
Perhaps newly minted uncle (to niece Karhorn Romelle or something) Jason Marks will make another appearance. Upon demanding a mad lib last time, he was presented with the challenge of "Tomorrow" mad lib style. Went off with upwards of a dozen hitches- which, mad lib style- is to say, perfectly.
All in all, the Ghost Light (whether Super Bowl related or otherwise) has proven to be a swell dandy tickety-boo time once again. I don't doubt that it will surpass its previous success with this newest installment. And Svetlana Honaker will be there. And for a teaser- so might her brother.
See you all there. ROBYN.
The second Ghost Light After Party happened, y'all. Robyn O'Neill didn't come. Let's just get that said early on. (She promises to attend again in the near future-- she was apparently "in trouble.....")
Hopefully all of you and many, many, MANY of your friends will be attending the next Ghost Light After Party- which is this upcoming Sunday, March 4th. Oh hold on- March Forth. Cause it's the only date that's also a command. And apparently human beings only happened upon this knowledge two or three years ago.
Word has it that somehow, this upcoming Ghost Light After Party will be related to "marching forth." And I'll tell you honestly, I have no idea what Matthew Shofner and Margaret Roop have up their sleeves in this case. All I know is March 4th is my dad's birthday so I will be arriving at the Ghost Light After Party full of steak and derision for blond waitresses and having just sung about being a Russian lingerie salesgirl.
That's right. I love meat and lingerie.
That- shockingly- proves to be a lovely segue: a lovely and talented cast featuring such luminaries (hah- I totally used "luminaries" while writing about theater) as Georgia Rogers Farmer, Russell Rowland, Billy Christopher Maupin and Brittany Simmons and directed by Deejay Gray will be performing a workshop rendition of the new musical "Hearts Online" on Sunday night at 8:00 at the Firehouse Theatre. I wish I could tell you what it's about, but I haven't actually read it yet. I've been very busy on the couch upstairs in the Firehouse reading "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close"- loaned to me by the dashing and kind Adam Dorland (he knows Maggie) and drinking stolen Diet Coke. Thanks, Carol!
But this particular reading promises to sound amazing and be good for a chuckle and a half. Whilst semi-marking through her big ballad the other night, Brittany Simmons gave such a performance that, when finished, an ovation issued from downstairs that was nigh on deafening. Which was especially impressive since it had been clear to all of us upon passing through the lobby that the majority of the people populating the downstairs area were deaf. Go Brittany.
Word has it (read: my director told me) that the cast of "Hearts Online" will be popping into the Ghost Light After Party once their performance is completed. So there will be some sanging y'all.
Oh yeah- also Joe Inscoe. Something like that. (Adoration for him. Who's with me? Oh right- EVERYONE'S with me.)
I'm glad I've remembered to do this post, because now I can wash what appears to be a bone deep bloody wound reading "Ghostpost" off my left forearm. (I found a red sharpie at the theater.)
In the biggest news so far- one Joseph Aaron "Regis is my bitch" Papa will be making an appearance. I know I'm excited about that.
Also- and she will slaughter (very kindly, but nonethless, slaughter) me for saying so, but the lovely and multi-talented Anna Hewett will also be in attendance. And who knows which delectable skills she will showcase.
There, now I've gone and made the Ghost Light sound like a stripper bar.
I hope Durron shows up again. Also Ali Thibodeau-- who just recently started fresh on facebook, so congrats for that! If Chase Kniffen comes again, I will be wanting to hear a song.
Perhaps newly minted uncle (to niece Karhorn Romelle or something) Jason Marks will make another appearance. Upon demanding a mad lib last time, he was presented with the challenge of "Tomorrow" mad lib style. Went off with upwards of a dozen hitches- which, mad lib style- is to say, perfectly.
All in all, the Ghost Light (whether Super Bowl related or otherwise) has proven to be a swell dandy tickety-boo time once again. I don't doubt that it will surpass its previous success with this newest installment. And Svetlana Honaker will be there. And for a teaser- so might her brother.
See you all there. ROBYN.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Socks rocked.
Hey you guys.
So, the first Ghost Light After Party happened two weeks ago. I'm gonna write about it. For those of you who were fortunate enough to be there, and for those of you who are unfortunate enough to possess such poor taste that you did not attend.
I mean that lovingly and jokingly. Matt Shofner gave me a lecture over steamed cauliflower and Fighting Cock about how I needed to behave myself. "Be nice, Audra" was the thrust of the lecture.
Speaking of Matt Shofner. He was awesome as a host. He's pretty awesome in general. Robyn O'Neill even gave him an unprovoked sterling review. And she's kind of a big deal.
Let's see. Who was there. Well, MOST importantly, Janine Serresseque. Oh. and Ben Hill. He's the most popular bartender in Richmond, VA and who knows where else. He is GOOD AT IT. And many girls like to lean on the bar while asking for extra ketchup. Even if leaning is really not called for. You feel me?
Matt kicked things off by- well hold on. Personally I feel as though I kicked things off by lighting upwards of seventy million tea lights with one of those cool lighter stick things. I even went so far as to save Tom McGranahan's daughter from sitting in one. See Matt? I'm a kind, generous soul.
Tom McGranahan was there as well. I just adore him. I think we all do. I squatted by his chair and he told me gruff and crotchety jokes until it was TIME. Then Matt Shofner got up and sang "Waiting for Life" from "Once On This Island." Matt does not know the words to this. I did not know the words to the song I sang directly following. But we have universally established that this is so not a problem.
The incomparable (it bothers me how that word is spelled vs. how it is pronounced) Sandy Elizabeth (I have no idea if that's her middle name) Dacus was womaning the keys. We all love her. She is splendid. I had the honor of being her page turner. An honor Richard Koch (who WAS NOT THERE, RICHARD) has afforded me several times in the past. Margaret Roop elegantly took the stage wearing a mini by Target. She did not fall down at all. Even though there were a lot of steps and she has some really long legs. Margaret (known to the masses as Maggie) explained the rules of Musical Theatre Mad Libs.
Ben Hill was tending bar. Which, we've established, he's good at. The bar made a killing. Due in part to Sevita's amazing cosmopolitans. I didn't have one, but everyone said they were amazing. I asked why they were amazing. No one knew the answer to that. But, good work Sevita.
**I should preface this all by saying that I broke the piano thirty minutes before the show started.**
We had several lovely new people none of us had ever seen before show up who could SANG. A lovely blond girl sang the late Etta James' "At Last" and elated all of us. We had a very adventuresome young gentleman who was described at different times in the evening in different places by Hannah Zold and Janine Serresseque as being a "super-sized" Joseph Papa. Was just like Joseph- with lots of steroids and magnifying glasses.
Other luminaries that graced the evening were BC Maupin, Evan Nasteff- who didn't bring my day-glo orange hat with a deer head on it but WHATEVER- Durron Tyre, Sarah Pruden, Adam Dorland, oh the list goes on.
Carol Piersol sat in the front row with Bill Patton. Carol really enjoyed BC's rendition of something or the other from "Little Shop of Horrors."
During one of my elegant crosses to the bathroom, Bill P. pulled me aside and asked me if he thought Matt Shofner would teach him to sing. He asked me this, I believe, because he knows what will make an entertaining moment, and is willing to contribute himself to make it happen. I told him that I was sure Matt wouldn't mind. Next thing any of us know, Bill has stormed the stage- he remained graciously just downstage of Matt so as not to upstage the leader, what a gent- and proposed that Matt teach him to sing some Lady Gaga. Matt does so. Needless to say, plans are in the works for a fully costumed rendition of "Bad Romance" to be performed by Bill Patton at an upcoming Ghost Light After Party. Personally, I hope it's gonna be that red pantsuit costume thing that makes her look like a blind lobster crayon. I think it'd be real becoming on Bill.
Tonight is the next Ghost Light After Party. It will be Super Bowl themed. I don't care about that so much, I just want Cheetos. And, the divinely voiced Aly Wepplo will be the Special Guest. Which will be awesome.
So really, you should all attend this shindig. I was considering wearing a tight black dress tonight, but then I ate like, two and a half pizzas last night, so I will surely be more comfortable in, oh, anything else. Like ponchos. Or tuna fish.
I hope to see you there. If I don't- you might get scathed in the next Ghost Post.
So, the first Ghost Light After Party happened two weeks ago. I'm gonna write about it. For those of you who were fortunate enough to be there, and for those of you who are unfortunate enough to possess such poor taste that you did not attend.
I mean that lovingly and jokingly. Matt Shofner gave me a lecture over steamed cauliflower and Fighting Cock about how I needed to behave myself. "Be nice, Audra" was the thrust of the lecture.
Speaking of Matt Shofner. He was awesome as a host. He's pretty awesome in general. Robyn O'Neill even gave him an unprovoked sterling review. And she's kind of a big deal.
Let's see. Who was there. Well, MOST importantly, Janine Serresseque. Oh. and Ben Hill. He's the most popular bartender in Richmond, VA and who knows where else. He is GOOD AT IT. And many girls like to lean on the bar while asking for extra ketchup. Even if leaning is really not called for. You feel me?
Matt kicked things off by- well hold on. Personally I feel as though I kicked things off by lighting upwards of seventy million tea lights with one of those cool lighter stick things. I even went so far as to save Tom McGranahan's daughter from sitting in one. See Matt? I'm a kind, generous soul.
Tom McGranahan was there as well. I just adore him. I think we all do. I squatted by his chair and he told me gruff and crotchety jokes until it was TIME. Then Matt Shofner got up and sang "Waiting for Life" from "Once On This Island." Matt does not know the words to this. I did not know the words to the song I sang directly following. But we have universally established that this is so not a problem.
The incomparable (it bothers me how that word is spelled vs. how it is pronounced) Sandy Elizabeth (I have no idea if that's her middle name) Dacus was womaning the keys. We all love her. She is splendid. I had the honor of being her page turner. An honor Richard Koch (who WAS NOT THERE, RICHARD) has afforded me several times in the past. Margaret Roop elegantly took the stage wearing a mini by Target. She did not fall down at all. Even though there were a lot of steps and she has some really long legs. Margaret (known to the masses as Maggie) explained the rules of Musical Theatre Mad Libs.
Ben Hill was tending bar. Which, we've established, he's good at. The bar made a killing. Due in part to Sevita's amazing cosmopolitans. I didn't have one, but everyone said they were amazing. I asked why they were amazing. No one knew the answer to that. But, good work Sevita.
**I should preface this all by saying that I broke the piano thirty minutes before the show started.**
We had several lovely new people none of us had ever seen before show up who could SANG. A lovely blond girl sang the late Etta James' "At Last" and elated all of us. We had a very adventuresome young gentleman who was described at different times in the evening in different places by Hannah Zold and Janine Serresseque as being a "super-sized" Joseph Papa. Was just like Joseph- with lots of steroids and magnifying glasses.
Other luminaries that graced the evening were BC Maupin, Evan Nasteff- who didn't bring my day-glo orange hat with a deer head on it but WHATEVER- Durron Tyre, Sarah Pruden, Adam Dorland, oh the list goes on.
Carol Piersol sat in the front row with Bill Patton. Carol really enjoyed BC's rendition of something or the other from "Little Shop of Horrors."
During one of my elegant crosses to the bathroom, Bill P. pulled me aside and asked me if he thought Matt Shofner would teach him to sing. He asked me this, I believe, because he knows what will make an entertaining moment, and is willing to contribute himself to make it happen. I told him that I was sure Matt wouldn't mind. Next thing any of us know, Bill has stormed the stage- he remained graciously just downstage of Matt so as not to upstage the leader, what a gent- and proposed that Matt teach him to sing some Lady Gaga. Matt does so. Needless to say, plans are in the works for a fully costumed rendition of "Bad Romance" to be performed by Bill Patton at an upcoming Ghost Light After Party. Personally, I hope it's gonna be that red pantsuit costume thing that makes her look like a blind lobster crayon. I think it'd be real becoming on Bill.
Tonight is the next Ghost Light After Party. It will be Super Bowl themed. I don't care about that so much, I just want Cheetos. And, the divinely voiced Aly Wepplo will be the Special Guest. Which will be awesome.
So really, you should all attend this shindig. I was considering wearing a tight black dress tonight, but then I ate like, two and a half pizzas last night, so I will surely be more comfortable in, oh, anything else. Like ponchos. Or tuna fish.
I hope to see you there. If I don't- you might get scathed in the next Ghost Post.
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