Where Da Party At

A few years ago, when I was going through classes at iO, I wanted to be on a team so badly. To the extent that I even started dressing more nicely and wearing makeup more often because I was RAISING MY GAME UP. Of course, that stuff doesn't necessarily work - funny people make teams regardless of how they look, but I think slobs have a lot more work earning the audience's respect. (Speaking of respect, how about that picture, amiright?!?)

Today, here I am on the iO website as the official show poster for a new show called Where Da Party At? Just seeing this picture on the iO website makes me happy. Mostly because this picture makes me happy. I am my own spirit animal. 

The show opens in a few weeks. It's got a simple premise: each week, a different member of the team will bring a party photo to the show and the audience gets to decide who tells a monologue based off the photo. It could be a picture from a birthday, a Christening, or a fake-bachelorette party like the one above. I like the show concept because it's simple. A photo, a monologue, and some improv. No crazy gimmicks or costumes. We're just here for the party. 

The Soundtrack of Our Lives – Pt. 3

This post is the final installment of “The Soundtrack of Our Lives” project. For more info, read the original post here. 

  

(A musical gift that Mike wants Susie –and everyone– to love)

Mike’s thoughts on this hot piece: “This song is so unbelievably good. Sure, some of the production sounds a little dated, but if you listen to it a few times through you'll love it. Great back up vocals and Bonnie Raitt has a killer voice.”

Movie Title: "Hopeless Feelings"

Screenwriter: M. Malarkey

Genre: Independent Woman Reconnecting with Herself (1990s)

Some context: When Hope's best friend from college Kyla, a whacky free spirited poet, is diagnosed with cancer, Hope realizes she's lost touch with what’s important in her life. Hope sees how delicate life is and that she's been too wrapped up in work for the last decade. She quits her job and takes Kyla on the cross-country road trip she always wanted to go on. Unfortunately, Kyla succumbs to cancer.

Montage: Hope scatters Kyla's ashes in the Pacific Ocean and drives back to New York by herself, feeling independent and close to herself once again.  She looks in the rear view mirror, flips on Kyla's whacky shades, laughs at herself, and drives off. 

Ending Line: "Who cares, we're free!" (A line that Kyla says throughout the movie)

(A musical gift that Susie wants Mike –and everyone– to love)

Susie’s thoughts on this hot piece: “I love the song's non-traditional hook: she mermaids the beat ('hee-hee-hee-hee-hee!') instead of using words. And when I listen to it while walking/day-dreaming around the city, I am reminded of the potential each day brings. AND she sounds like Dolly Parton - especially at the very end."

Movie Title: I Claim This Land for Elise Erickson

Screenwriter: S. Gutowski

Genre: Teen Coming of Age

Some context: Elise, a gangly teen, has just arrived at college. She exchanges tearful goodbyes with her parents and heads back upstairs to meet her new roommate, a spunky and confident girl named Jules. The two hit the dining hall and walk around campus. After a few laughs, Elise confesses that she’s never really had a boyfriend. She’s never even kissed anyone. Jules tells her she needs to loosen up. They plan to go to a party that night.

Montage: Jules lends Elise a cool dress and does her hair and make up. Following Jules’ lead, Elise knocks back a few vodka shots. When she knocks back her third nasty shot, the camera shakes, and we cut to: the girls entering a party. Elise and Jules are making tons of friends and Elise is smiling and charming the boys. She makes one guy laugh and they exchange numbers. Jules pulls her to the dance floor; Elise resists. Jules whisper-shouts in her ear that this is her chance to start over and be the person she wants to be. The girls party so hard: hair flying in slow-motion, head-back smiles, and the freedom to DANCE LIKE NO ONE'S WATCHING. 

Ending line: “I'm never going to stop!”

$7 Challenges

After my show on Saturday, there was a surprise party for another actor at the theater. I knew a lot of people there and had a fun time catching up with friends. But by far the best part of the night was when the "$7 Challenges" began. A number of people had chipped into make a pool of money ($7) and you'd throw out a dare, someone would accept it, and they'd win the cash. The best dare of the night was "Shrimp Bluetooth." My friend Brett was dared to put a shrimp around his ear and walk around the party, start up a conversation, and then take a call on his "bluetooth device". He really committed to each call he got on that shrimp blue tooth.  It was so stupid but so funny.