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Saying Goodbye to Violet

Posted on : 13-10-2011 | By : Harmony | In : The Scoop on Harmony

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On October  20th, 2010 at 8am I got the call that I was playing Violet. Almost exactly a year later I’m heading into my closing weekend. So much has happened to me in this past year both personally and professionally, but through it all Violet was there. That plucky, damaged, but hopeful creature has occupied my brain for a full year. She helped me get through some of the toughest times of my life, because I knew I had her to look forward to. Conversely, that little minx caused me a couple of mini-breakdowns. I just didn’t know if I could pull her off. Maybe they had made some sort of mistake by hiring me? Could I really do justice to this beautiful role? Well, her and I got through all of the self doubt and neurosis and created something that became very special to me, and now I have to let her go. We close on Sunday.

I’m heading into my last weekend of shows for Violet A Musical, and I can say honestly that this has been the most rewarding theatrical experience of my life. I have never felt more connected to the material of a show. I have never felt more artistically satisfied or creatively challenged. I have never felt more proud of a project, a cast, and frankly of myself. I have also never felt more love and support from friends, colleagues, teachers, and the community. This show moves people. What a gift that we were able to move people.

This project was fraught with struggles and complications that have already been talked about extensively, so I won’t go into specifics. I’ll just say that overcoming each problem that came our way has made the reward so much sweeter. So much hard work and passion and love was poured into this project by so many people. I could go on and on about my esteem for these people and about how much I love them and respect their talent and integrity. Thank you to everyone that made this show possible. I will miss you and more importantly, I respect you.

I shed many tears the day I was cast as Violet and I’m sure I will shed many more the day I say goodbye to her. She has changed my life. This show has changed my life. I could not be more grateful. Thank you from the very bottom of my heart and soul.

Harmony France (Violet)

Violet at the Mercury Theatre for one last weekend:
Thursday 7:30pm
Friday      7:30pm
Saturday  3pm & 7:30pm
Sunday    3pm

BUY TICKETS HERE: http://mercurytheaterchicago.com/

The Scoop on Harmony 08/22/11

Posted on : 24-08-2011 | By : Harmony | In : The Scoop on Harmony

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Well first of all there is this little bit of news:

Now don’t freak out. I’m losing it healthily. This has been since November. I had hit a plateau the last couple of months, but now I’m doing Weight Watchers and it’s moving steadily in the right direction again. :) I’m just taking it a day at a time and trying to make smarter choices. There is no real secret to losing weight. You just have to do it. Eat healthy and move more. So I guess the only secret is willpower.

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Violet rehearsals are underway and I’m having the time of my life. I’m bone tired, but feel the most artistically free that I can remember in recent memory. I love working with the director, Elizabeth Margolius, because I feel so safe to create. She truly loves to collaborate with actors. She wants to hear what you have to say.  You throw in her other half, the brilliant music director Andra Velis-Simon, and it is a rehearsal room filled with joy and extremely hard work. We’re all working our butts off. Every day I’m more and more in awe of the talent of the cast. I know I’m gushing. I’m sorry I can’t help it. I haven’t felt this alive, or this artistic in a long time. It feels great. You won’t want to miss this show I can promise you that.

To buy tickets go here: http://www.bailiwickchicago.com/2011-12-season/violet-a-musical/

The day after Violet closes I start working on a workshop of Opus 1861 with Elizabeth Margolius and Terry McCabe at City Lit theatre.

During the holidays I will be performing in The Secret Garden, directed by Stacey Flaster at Light Opera Works.

This Spring I will be in the world premiere of a glam rock musical called Rise of the Numberless. It is a co-production with New Colony and Bailiwick Chicago.

I have a lot going on this year! I feel blessed and unbelievably grateful to be a working actress in Chicago.

Harmony


The Scoop on Harmony: TROGG!, Violet, and Secret Garden…oh my.

Posted on : 24-06-2011 | By : Harmony | In : The Scoop on Harmony

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Hello friends! I hope that you’re having a wonderful summer so far! If you can call what we’re experiencing in Chicago, summer. It feels like we live in the mountains or by a craggy sea. Anyway, I’ve been keeping very busy with shows, managed to find some time to visit family, and have started reading the Game of Thrones series. SOOOOO good! This is of course added to my already busy schedule of data entry and watching as many cop/detective shows as I can possibly manage.

I’m very happy to say that as of yesterday I’m booked through the New Year. I’ve been extremely fortunate this year to work consistently, and I am incredibly grateful. So this is what I have going on:

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TROGG! is still going strong! We’ve actually extended two extra weeks, so we are now playing through July 16th. Thursdays and Sundays are $10 for Industry.

This is what it’s all about: http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/off-broadway-in-chicago/2011/06/review-hell-in-a-handbag-presents-trogg-a-musical.html

Go HERE for tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/165898

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September 16-October 16

VIOLET is almost here! I’ve had a couple of music rehearsals and a movement workshop, and we start rehearsals in earnest in August. Sooooo excited and honored to be playing such an incredible role in such a beautiful show!

If you would like to make a donation to help fund Violet go here: http://www.bailiwickchicago.com/make-a-donation/

If you would like to learn more about Violet or watch a teaser video go here:  http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/354916751/violet-a-musical

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December 26-January 1

And finally, I’ve just signed my contract to play Mrs. Shelley in Light Opera Works holiday production of THE SECRET GARDEN. This show is in my top 5 all-time favorite musicals and I’m so happy to be a part of it!

To order tickets or learn more go here: http://www.light-opera-works.org/SecretGarden.html

That’s all for now. Hope you are all having a wonderful summer and that it warms up a bit for us Chicagoans!

Harmony

The Scoop on Harmony: 3/22/11

Posted on : 22-03-2011 | By : Harmony | In : The Scoop on Harmony

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There is so much exciting stuff that I want to tell you guys about! I’ll just jump right in shall I?

284-9288 I can still be seen in Meet John Doe with Porchlight Music Theatre through April 17th!

Click HERE for tickets!

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MEET JOHN DOE

Music by Andrew Gerle, Lyrics by Eddie Sugarman

Book by Andrew Gerle and Eddie Sugarman, Additional Story by Matt August

“In a last-ditch effort to save her job, a newspaper columnist fabricates an anonymous letter from a reader threatening suicide over the state of the nation. Capitalizing on the public’s reaction to the letter, she convinces the paper not only to keep her employed, but to hire an out of work baseball player to be her “John Doe.” But can a social movement borne from a media ruse succeed as a catalyst for change?”

Critics are raving about Meet John Doe!

Meet John Doe is a winning new musical with an old-fashioned heart, a stirring soul, rock-solid structure, and a rich collection of political and romantic themes ideally matched to our own tough times. As the song says, “Here’s to America.” Even more, here’s to the American musical. “

- Hedy Weiss, Chicago SunTimes

“…Porchlight took on a laudable challenge with Meet John Doe, a full-on new American musical, and this remains both an enjoyable and intriguing night out and, for most of us, a very welcome introduction to young Gerle’s formidable talents.”

- Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune

“You won’t find a more prescient musical in Chicago than Porchlight Music Theatre’s Meet John Doe.”

- Scott C. Morgan, Windy City Times

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Only Hell in a Handbag Productions would DARE to release the fury of

TROGG! A Musical

Book and Music by David Cerda w/Cheryl Snodgrass & Taylor E. Ross

Directed by Scott Ferguson

Previews, May 13-15, 7:30 & 3pm

Opens May 16, 7:30pm

Runs Thurs.-Sat. 7:30pm, Sun. 3pm until July 3.

Tickets $15-$28, The Chopin Studio Space


I am so excited to be part of Hell in Handbag’s new musical, TROGG! A Musical!!!!! I’m playing Katie Kling, the British Mod reporter who is trying to get to the bottom of the Trogg mystery!

“Hell in a Handbag Production is proud to unleash the fury that is TROGG! A Musical.  Loosely based on the final film of legendary actress Joan Crawford, TROGG, Hell in a Handbag’s Trogg! A Musical adds teenagers, rock and roll, and the beach to the mix with Handbag’s extra special touch that has made them Chicago’s leading purveyors of camp and parody theater.”

“See what happens when science clashes with religion, a caveman meets rock and roll and a town learns the true definition of being human in TROGG! A Musical, Hell in a Handbag’s first new musical in 6 years!”

SAVE BIG- GET ADVANCED DISCOUNTED

TROGG TICKETS STARTING MAR. 20.

CLICK HERE FOR $20 TICKETS

For a limited time!

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VIOLET

SEPTEMBER 16 – OCTOBER 16

After TROGG! A Musical, I will be starting on a role and a show of a lifetime, Violet. The cast is phenomenal, the director is one of my favorite directors in Chicago, the Music Director is one of my favorite music directors in Chicago, and it’s with my beloved company. I am going to try so hard to do justice to this beautiful story. I feel so honored that I get to make that attempt. I can’t wait for this journey to begin!

“With music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Brian Crawley, VIOLET is set in 1964 in the Deep South during the early days of the Civil Rights Movement. The story follows the growth and enlightenment of a bitter young woman accidentally scarred by her father. In hopes that a TV evangelist can cure her, she embarks on a journey by bus from her sleepy North Carolina town to Oklahoma. Along the way, she meets a young black soldier who teaches her about beauty, love, courage and what it means to be an outsider.”

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Speaking of my company, Bailiwick Chicago, just before Violet we are producing the incredible musical PASSING STRANGE.  I assisted with casting administration on this show, and let me tell you, YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS. The cast is so good, the show is so good, the music is so good. Trust me. This one is special. We just launched a kickstarter campaign to help us fund this amazing production, we are almost halfway to our fundraising goal, but we can still use your help!

Here are a couple of ways you can help:

1) Donate or find our more information about the project and our kickstarter campaign by going here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/354916751/midwest-premiere-of-passing-strange

2) Come to our event featuring the star of PASSING STRANGE, Jayson Brooks, and his band JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound.

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@ Funky Buddha Lounge, 728 W. Grand (@ Halsted)

Featuring a live performance by JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound

Sunday, March 27 from 7-11 pm

A Benefit Event for Bailiwick Chicago’s upcoming production of PASSING STRANGE

The Tony-award winning rock musical

Featuring JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound

$30 – admission + open bar [beer + wine]

Drink Specials All Night!

Cash / Credit accepted at the door!

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WHEW! That’s it for now folks. Happy Spring!!!!

-Harmony

The Scoop on Harmony: 2011 edition

Posted on : 02-01-2011 | By : Harmony | In : The Scoop on Harmony

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Happy New Year my loves!

It’s been quite a year hasn’t it? This has been the most eventful year I’ve had in some time. Huge highs and huge lows. I feel so blessed for everything that occurred this past year, and I’m so excited about next year! I would like to thank City Lit Theatre for my amazing experience there AND Peninsula Players for my life-altering dream of an experience there! (Click on either link to read about it!) And also my family. I always have to thank my family AND my friends. I would be lost without you.

So what’s coming up!? Lots of stuff!

First off I’d love to share this. My extremely talented friend Brigitte Ditmars has a blog called The Social Network Butterfly. This is what she’s trying to achieve in her own words: “A popular social network says I have over 500 friends! 504 to be exact. So I’ve invited each friend to join me in a drink. I have 365 days to make a personal connection with each and every one of them.”

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So basically she’s meeting with each of her facebook friends to have drinks and blogging about each experience. It’s really fascinating and I was truly honored when she invited me to have drinks and then wrote about our time together. We talked a lot about our places in the theater community of Chicago and about the joys and trials of theatrical competition. Check it out! You can read about it HERE:  http://thesocialnetworkbutterfly.blogspot.com/2010/12/healthy-competition.html

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NEXT UP!

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Playing March 3-April 17 2011


I’m thrilled to be making my Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago debut in Meet John Doe. MJD is a musical based on the classic film by Frank Capra starring Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper.

MEET JOHN DOE

Music by Andrew Gerle, Lyrics by Eddie Sugarman

Book by Andrew Gerle and Eddie Sugarman, Additional Story by Matt August

In a last-ditch effort to save her job, a newspaper columnist fabricates an anonymous letter from a reader threatening suicide over the state of the nation. Capitalizing on the public’s reaction to the letter, she convinces the paper not only to keep her employed, but to hire an out of work baseball player to be her “John Doe.” But can a social movement borne from a media ruse succeed as a catalyst for change?

Porchlight Music Theatre Chicago

2814 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago, IL 60657

773-325-9884

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AND THEN!!!!!

I am still completely over the moon to be playing Violet in Bailiwick Chicago’s production of Violet. I’ll be sharing a lot more information as the show gets closer. I may even keep a stage diary. :-)

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That’s it for now folks! I hope that you had a wonderful New Years Eve and that you have an inspiring 2011. If there is anything I learned in 2010 it is that nothing is guaranteed. So stop and smell the flowers my lovelies. Enjoy it! Love you!

Harmony

Soooo this happened….Violet

Posted on : 24-10-2010 | By : Harmony | In : The Scoop on Harmony

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Everything about this is prophetic. The very first professional show I did after returning to college was The Christmas Schooner. Many Chicago actors also got their start with this show. I played the pivotal chorus role of Olive, brilliantly I might add. At the time I ran a small theater company, Blue Moon Studio Theater, may she rest in peace. Nancy Kolton, one of my Schooner castmates, gave me a CD of a little-known musical to listen to for Blue Moon to possibly produce. That show was Violet.

Well we did not produce Violet, but I fell in love with the show and I am happy to announce that I will be playing Violet in Bailiwick Chicago’s Spring production of VIOLET! I’m so excited and thankful. This is one of those characters that I just slide right into. She feels like home to me, which may say something about my mental health! ;-) Not only do I get to play this incredible role in this BEAUTIFUL show, but I get to do it with a ridiculously-off the charts-talented cast, with one of my absolute favorite directors (Elizabeth Margolius), and with my very own company (Bailiwick Chicago).

There is so much more that I want to say and feelings I want to share. Discoveries! Breakthroughs! Musings! And they will follow. For now let me just say that this is one very happy girl right now. Sometimes you work hard and it actually pays off. Not usually…but SOMETIMES IT DOES!

P.S. You know that woman? Nancy? The one who gave me the cd? Yeah…her. She’s in it with me. Talk about serendipity! Theater is AWESOME!

P.S.   I love my friends to a ridiculous degree. Danni, Jenny, Eric, Laura, Sam, Annie, Jess, Jim, Tom, Patrick, I’m talking to YOU. And thanks to Elizabeth, Kevin, Peter, Kate, Lil, and, Jonathan. Can’t wait to get started!

I AM ON MY WAY!

Harmony

Almost paradise…or…Peninsula Players: A Study

Posted on : 25-08-2010 | By : Harmony | In : Inspiration, The Scoop on Harmony

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Well I’m back from my adventure in the Mystical place called Peninsula Players Theatre, tucked into the lush woods of Fish Creek in Door County, Wisconsin. I’ve been back in Chicago for a little over a week now, and still don’t quite know how to describe my journey Into the Woods (heh heh).

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First of all there were things like this…

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And people like this…

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And a THEATRE like THIS…

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And this amazing angel heart of a woman…

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And these phenomenal women…

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And this utterly delightful and insanely talented creature…

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And these funny ladies…

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And THIS blessed man…

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And my two fabulous partners in crime…

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And moments like this…

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And more nights like this…

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And more amazing folks…

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And food like this…

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And completely inspiring families like these…

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And a dressing room filled with this kind of talent…

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And even MORE of these…

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I could go on and on. I think I’ll be processing my experience for some time. It was life-changing, awe-inspiring, heartbreaking, life-affirming, intimidating, welcoming, frustrating, loving, comfortable, and fun. Sharing the stage with these actors was a master class every single night. Singing this quality of music was like a blessing from God. It was so beautiful. That is the word to describe the experience: beautiful. The show, the music, the property, the theatre, the people, the scenery….BEAUTIFUL.

I feel so unbelievably fortunate and thankful that not only did these amazing people open up their theatre and their art to me, but they opened up their hearts and their HOME. Anyone who has worked there will understand that it is not just a theatre, it is home. People are always drawn back to this magical place. Some choose to vacation there, some get married there, some even choose it as their final resting place and I fully understand why.

If I am ever fortunate enough to return I’m promising myself now that I will spend less time being terrified that I’m going to mess something up, or that people will learn how much I like to sleep, or that sometimes after eating I lick my bowl completely clean (especially if it’s ice cream or kraft mac and cheese), or that I like to sit in complete silence, or that I’m really loud, or that people will learn how insecure a tough Navy broad can sometimes be. The one thing I learned, amongst MANY things, is that you can’t help but be exactly who you are at Peninsula Players. It’s too beautiful to be anything but truly honest and beautifully flawed.

So that’s it for now. Those are my thoughts. I’m sure many will follow as I fully process my experience. I just can’t say enough how lucky and honored and amazed I felt this summer. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Thank you.

Love Harmony

Tales of an Ingenue

Posted on : 27-06-2010 | By : Harmony | In : Musings, The Scoop on Harmony

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Theater is a funny thing. You never know how shows are going to end up. You never know which shows are going to really stick with you and which ones you’ll happily move on from. Oh Boy! ended up being the best theatrical experience I’ve had in some time. I fell madly, deeply in love with this little unknown show. It was a gem. It was extremely special.

A couple of things to know: Oh Boy! was Jeff-Recommended, It is extending its run, and I can’t extend with it.

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I’m feeling very sentimental this morning. Today is the last day of the original run. Today is my last show and I am going to miss this show immeasurably.  My roommate always teases me that I only like this show as much as I do because of the pretty costumes. And to be perfectly honest, that’s part of it. But it’s not just the costumes, it’s the whole package. I never get to do this. I never got to play the girly, pretty, effervescent roles that I would fantasize about while putting on my fatsuit, or unibrow, crazy wig, or whatever else my crazy character role required.

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This was a breath of pretty, frothy, lovely, fresh air and I loved every minute of it. I just loved playing Lou Ellen. She was such a sweeetheart and so pure and loyal. Lou Ellen was cupcakes and butterflies and cotton candy and rainbows. It was nice to live that for a while. I’m sure starting tomorrow it’ll be back to playing whores and witches again, which I LOVE…don’t get me wrong, but this was a nice change.

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Who knew that a character that sings “I want to be a good little wife in the good old-fashioned way. I’ll honor and obey. From my home I’ll never stray,” would end up being one of the most liberating roles I’ve ever played. Theater is a funny FUNNY thing and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

***All photos by Johnny Knight***

The Scoop on Harmony: musicals, readings, benefits, and Jess Godwin’s cd release…Oh My!

Posted on : 11-05-2010 | By : Harmony | In : Show Promotion, The Scoop on Harmony

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When it rains it pours. And I mean….POURS. I figured I better knock one of these scoops out before I’m too busy to have the time.

This past weekend I sang, along with many other Columbia College Chicago alums such as Tom McGunn and Leah Morrow, at the Retirement Party for Estelle Spector. After almost 30 years at Columbia College she is retiring. It was her retirement party, her birthday, AND Mother’s Day!

I sang Joanne’s big solo “The Ladies who Lunch” from Company, a show that Estelle directed me in in 2005. In addition to Company, Estelle directed me in Guys and Dolls, I had class with her, and for a time I worked as her assistant. In classic Estelle fashion when I was finished with the song she said, “It’s gotten much better,” and we both laughed. Indeed, Estelle, it has gotten much better. ;) It was good to see you and talk to you and I wish you the best!

If you know Estelle Spector and she touched your life in a positive way send her a message HERE.

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1) Fifth of July reading

I am so thrilled to be working on this amazing play. I’m playing Gwen, the nymphomanic wanna-be Country singer. Fifth of July is a 1979 play by American playwright Lanford Wilson. Set in rural Missouri in 1977, it revolves around the Talley family and their friends, and focuses on the disillusionment with America in the wake of the Vietnam War.

This is the second installment of Five Decades of Great Gay Plays being put on by my dear friend David Zak’s new venture: Pride Films and Plays.

Patrick Walsh directs a cast featuring John Zinn Jonas Grey, Brian Rooney, Harmony France, Kieran Welsh-Phillips, Deanna Norman, Michele Gorman and Jeremy Cohn.

The Host for the evening is Misha Davenport of the Chicago Sun-Times.

For tickets call 773 250 3112 or 1800 838 3006 or on line at Brown Paper Tickets.

The cast is really fantastic and it is a terrific play. Come check it out!

WHEN: May 16, 7pm

WHERE: Theatre Building Chicago, 1225 West Belmont, Chicago

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2) Join me for a one-night only benefit performance of:

SHOW US YOUR LOVE

Sunday, May 23

7:30 pm

Pre-show Lobby Reception at 6:30 pm

Skokie Theatre

7924 Lincoln Ave, Skokie, IL

Proceeds will help fund Bailiwick Chicago’s summer production, Elton John and Tim Rice’s AIDA.

I will be singing “Kind of Woman” from Pippin and “Someone to Dance with Me” from Summer of ’42.
Additionally there are selections from Floyd Collins, Barnum, Hair, Sunday in the Park with George, Aida, amongst others.

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3) Oh Boy!

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FINALLY!!!! FIIIIIIIIIIIINAAAAAAALLLLLYYYYYY!!!! We go into tech this weekend and I think the show is in a pretty good place. We still have a ways to go, but we’re at that point in the process where things are really starting to happen. I’m seeing the show rear its pretty little head. I have absolutely loved working on this project. My cast is delightful and Terry McCabe (Director), Kingsley Day (Music Director and he plays my father!), and Amy Uhl (Choreographer) have made it such a smooth process.
I adore my character, Lou Ellen. She’s such a sweetheart and she’s so hopeful and a little quirky. She’s the kind of part I never get to play and I’m LOVING it. I’m a dainty girl and my costumes by Tom Keiffer are simply beautiful. My mother will be so happy that I get to wear the pretty costumes! Anyway….here are the deets:
WHEN: Previews start May 21st, Opening May 25th and runs through June 27th

WHERE: City Lit Theater Company, 1020 W Bryn Mawr Avenue , Chicago,
(773) 293-3682
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4) Jess Godwin’s CD Release Party!!!

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I have to include this in my scoop. Yes, I’m singing back up, but don’t come for me, come for this incredibly talented woman! Jess Godwin was one of my first friends in Chicago, literally. I met her on our very first day of college and we’ve been friends ever since. Her music is so phenomenal!!! Jess will be performing along with her band: Matt FitzSimons, Bryce Dudka, and Alain Milotti.

And check out her list of guest artists, featured musicians, and back-up singers!:
Le Percolateur
Katie Gavin
Alan Schmuckler
One Voice
The Cast of Bailiwick Chicago’s “Aida”
Route 66 Theatre Company
Harmony France
Angela Ingersoll
Lili-Anne Brown
Jenn Rhoads
Karen Marie Richardson
Kat Fitzgerald
Elizabeth Baltes
Katie Romano
Natalie Pelletier
Grace Anaclerio
Laura Katz
Caroline Thinnes

WHEN: June 13, 2010 at 8:30pm

WHERE: MORSELAND, 1218 West Morse Ave., Chicago
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5) A Little Night Music

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I am so ridiculously excited to be part of Peninsula Players 75th anniversary season in this beautiful show.

“A Little Night Music” is Broadway’s sophisticated, stylish and disarmingly funny comedy about second chances.  In turn-of-the century Sweden, six people, whose love-lives have gone off track, are given a taste of love’s endless possibilities. Old flames are rekindled and others ignite while Sondheim’s waltz-like score plays on.  This witty and elegant musical is a celebration of romance, a Valentine for Door County audiences, and features one of Sondheim’s most popular hits, “Send in the Clowns.”

This cherished musical is the winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score.

I’ve heard nothing but amazing things about this theater company and I am honored to be part of this production.

WHEN: July 28 –August 15

WHERE: Peninsula Players, 4351 Peninsula Players Road, Fish Creek, WI

920-868-3287

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AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND Finally…if any of you have made it this far down…Congratulations to all my friends that just received Non-Equity Jeff nominations!

Congrats to two of my favorite Non-Equity theater companies Bohemian Theatre Ensemble and  Theo Ubique for garnering 11 nominations each and Congrats to my lovely, lovely friends:

Fred Anzevino, Brenda Didier, Stephen Genovese, Courtney Crouse, Jeremy Trager, Tom Mcgunn, Maggie Portman, Sarah Hayes, Danielle Brothers, Eric Lindahl, John Leen, Kate Garassino, Danni Smith. Trista Smith, Dana Tretta, Nick Sula, Brigitte Ditmars, Edward Kuffert, and Andrew Park.

Here’s the full list of nominees: HERE

Enjoy our gloomy Spring! I LOVE IT!

Until next time,

Harmony

The Scoop on Harmony

Posted on : 05-04-2010 | By : Harmony | In : The Scoop on Harmony

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So much has happened since my last scoop. I’ve had sort of a fantastic theater streak. I’ve also had some crazy personal problems. Not sure how to write about it all. I guess I’ll just do some word vomit and just apologize ahead of time for it. I apologize. There, I apologized. So, read on at your own risk I suppose. I did warn you. No complaining later.

steppenwolf

First an update on Steppenwolf, since so many people have been so supportive and want to know the outcome. I did not get accepted to the School at Steppenwolf. I did, however, get offered an “alternate” position. Basically, if someone can’t go I am on a short waiting list of who they will call. It’s not exactly what I hoped for, but it’s a feat none-the-less. I am extremely proud of myself. I did something that was so extremely intimidating for me and I came this close to getting it. I hadn’t done a non-musical audition for close to 5 years, so I’m going to pat myself on the back a bit. I’m going to take a moment to be proud of myself, even if it’s just for almost getting in.

I have had a lot of questions of how the whole process works from people that might be interested in attending in the future. So here goes. I had to fill out an application, write two essays, give a $50 application fee, and get a letter of recommendation. I sent three because I’m a freak. After sending in your audition packet you get notified by email whether you’ve been granted an audition or not. This year they granted 260 auditions. For the audition I had to do a monologue, have a second monologue ready just in case, and pick a scene to do. They gave me an option of 5 scenes. I picked the Frankie and Johnny scene and did a monologue from Keely and Du.

I then waited about 2 1/2 weeks and got my notification by email. This year of the 260 people that auditioned for the school, they accepted 28 people and then have a small “alternate” list. Another thing to keep in mind is that Steppenwolf fills their school in the same way they would cast a company of actors. They want different types and personalities. They said it is all about the mix of people. So, I would only be offered a spot in the school if the person who couldn’t go fit my type, or I filled that slot well. I’m guessing one of the older actors would have to drop, since I have heard that they only accept like 2 people over 30. Did I just give away my age? SHIT.

alnm

That brings me to my other bit of news. I’m just thrilled to announce that I was just cast in the 75th anniversary season production of A Little Night Music at Peninsula Players. I’m one of the Liebeslieder Singers. I couldn’t be more excited. It’s in beautiful Door County, Wisconsin. Greg Vinkler is directing. There will be much more information on this show to follow!

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And FINALLY Oh Boy! starts rehearsals next week. I feel like I’ve been talking about this show FOREVER. I’m so glad it’s finally going to be underway. I was cast at the beginning of the fall, so I’m really happy to get started. Unfortunately Sheldon Patinkin is no longer directing. He needs a little more time to recover from his surgery. Fortunately, however, Terry McCabe is our new director and Sheldon will be popping his head in from time to time to give his advice. I’m very excited about this project. I’ve read the script a couple of times now and my character, Lou Ellen, is hilarious and not in an obvious way. I think everything she says is funny, so hopefully I can do her justice.

So that’s all the theater news…and it’s so exciting. I have two projects that I’m really passionate about coming up and I got a serious confidence boost through Steppenwolf. I probably wouldn’t have even auditioned for Peninsula Players if it hadn’t been for my experience with Steppenwolf. It has really given me a renewed confidence in myself. I feel like I’m not an idiot. I’m not wasting my life. I can actually do this and it’s time to raise the bar for myself and go after things that maybe I was too insecure to go after before.

The thing that I’ve learned in this last couple of weeks though is that you can’t have your cake and eat it too. I have been so stressed out about other personal aspects of my life that it was hard to enjoy the theater accomplishments I was achieving. I haven’t been eating well, been drinking way too much, and I’ve been a big ole worry wart. We dream about breaks like I’ve gotten in the last week or so, but I think in our dreams we’re also happily coupled, our families are in great shape, our friends are fantastic AND we get great theater news. It doesn’t work like that. You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have the facts of life. The facts of life. You like that? I’m thinking about writing a song. No copyright infringements!!!

Seriously though, it’s all good. The good and the bad. Take the bad with relish. It makes us human. It makes the good so much sweeter. And another thing…don’t be afraid of life. Don’t be afraid to take a chance. Put your neck out, seriously what’s the worst thing that can happen? You can fail. That’s it. If you don’t take big risks, you won’t get big rewards. I am no longer talking about theater, but it can apply to theater too of course. Now my brain is wandering. I was doing so well at staying concise. I did warn you though. hmmmm what do I want for dinner? What is the meaning of life? If a tree falls in the woods and no one hears it, did it really fall? So many questions. Goodbye. See you in hell.

Harmony