Hello Little Girl

Well, I decided to combine the almighty powers of my passion for Theatre and my need to type out my experiences in...Life. And here is the result, an awesome blog completely devoted to my obsession with everything having to do with gaff tape, safety pins, wooden cows, and homosexual chorus boys.

I should start off with a better introduction, the name's Ashton. Or at least, that's my name according to you. I'm an actress in high school, though I'm trying to both tech and acting. My ultimate dream is to direct, although I don't know if I would look good with the gray hair of stress that seems to plague every director I've had. I'm still learning...A LOT, and I have a long way to go before I'm ready to do any of this professionally. For now, I'll stick to school and community. Oh and my favorite show[s] right now is[are] Bat Boy and Book Of Mormon.

I do believe that is the basics of myself. Now on to more important things, like what the hell has been up in theatre world recently. Or at least, community theatre world.

Starting off, Sondheim can go to hell, no really, I know he's one of American Theatre's Treasures [Emphasis On The Capitals], but I really think he must have made this show as some sort of sick joke. I am referring, of course, to 'Into the Woods.' The most difficult, fucked up, brilliant shows ever written. The basic premise, in layman's terms is 'A bunch of fairy tales meet up and screw with each other because somehow they're all related.'

Sounds crazy in theory right? That's what I thought, but this guy at the theatre who is the archetypal 'Sage' in this Odyssey of teenage proportions explained most of the symbolism behind the show.

For example, the Wolf and Cinderella's prince are often double cast because with both the stories are based on 'The Chase'. The Wolf for Little Red, and The Prince for The Princess [Cinderella] The way he explained it was that the prince is meant to find the princess not necessarily to be a good husband to her. Which really is done a thousand times but is really cool symbolism when you consider Sondheim basically took a wreaking ball to the fourth wall to do it.

In short, Sondheim can go to hell, but maybe not as far down as the hacks behind 'Shrek: The Musical' [God don't even get me started..]

I'm in love with this cast. Considering the fact I came in the very last minute, [Final Dress Rehearsal, Again Emphasis On The Capitals], they've been really accepting and understanding when I screw up [which is often]. I loath the idea that actors are just these pretentious idiots who can't handle taking care of themselves, because even though I'm there I can't be everywhere at once and they do a lot to make my job easier.

Annnnnddd then there's the hot guys. Of course most of them are flaming, as with all productions, and the rest are at least twice my age, but it's nice to look on occasion And really? Just because some one's gay doesn't mean they become any less attractive to the opposite sex. Man 'Rapunzel's Prince' is quite the looker. And he's amazingly nice...and talented.

Why are they always gay? Why?

Right. Theatre.

So anyway, what went wrong this show. Lets see.

Well for one, the CD kept cutting [yes, we can't afford even a pianist, suck it]. So The Wolf's first song, which is already creepy enough. Creepy as in pedophilia. Was done completely accapella. For all you who lack musical inclination, that means 'sans-music,' this made it all the more creepy.

That's right, we had to do most of the first act with no music, on opening night, yeah thanks for that 'God Of Musicals.'

So that happened, and then the wooden 'cow' we have fell over as I pulled it off stage. The actress playing the baker's wife covered amazingly by grabbing it and screaming at the top of her lungs 'DON'T YOU DARE DIE ON ME YOU!'

Have I mentioned I love this cast?

I think that's about it-wait no, oh yeah, we cut out Cinderella's wedding scene and part of 'Ever After.' So I never go to fly the birds in, and that was the only cue I was on 100%.

It was the most wonderful disaster I have ever been a part of. I loved it, and I suppose I should get used to the music because I'll be doing about 20 runs of the show. I'm. So. Excited. [Not the sarcasm please]

For the next month, this will be my life, which I don't really mind because it gives me something to do with my life that collages will love. And I just love the feeling of working myself to the bones and getting nothing but satisfaction at the end of the day.

So that's the end of this entry.

I will master those mother f-king birds by the end of the month.

~Ashton