Archive for the ‘Show Promotion’ Category

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

Tuesday, May 11th, 2010

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
http://www.jessgodwin.com/
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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

A show about a bargewoman and a horse…

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010

I realize that a whole show went by and I didn’t really talk much about it. In my defense I was really crazy busy. I was working, doing shows, benefits, concerts, auditioning, taking a class, etc. Well now that I have some time (ebb and flow) I figured I would post some pictures from the production Wind in the Willows that I did.

Dressing Room Buddies!

Dressing Room Buddies!

Hallie and Bertha!

Hallie and Bertha!

Sisters!

Sisters!

Show Besties!

Show Besties!

The Bargewoman and her Horse!

The Bargewoman and her Horse!

We thought the show was about us...

We thought the show was about us...

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And let's face it....IT WAS! (There are no small parts, just small actors. :-P )

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This lovely lady has played my SON twice. Don't believe me?...

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Ragtime. Columbia College. Circa 2005? 2006? Something like that.

Cheers!

Harmony

5 Reasons you better come see Cousins Grimm

Saturday, July 11th, 2009

3709743155_2043e2717cIf you don’t come, Mimmy might smile at you some more.

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3710543464_b1ca7f1139If you don’t come, you too, will grow a uni-brow like Margita.

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3710543952_debed04c36If you don’t come, Trinity will come after yo ass.

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3710544976_784f3f4a6eIf you don’t come, Werner will follow you around and look at you like this all day.

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3710563712_7031211d54If you don’t come, the show will be canceled and I’ll be left to my own devices. THIS is what happens when I’m left to my own devices. Please save me from myself.

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Thank you much,

Harmony (the actress with a clear case of multiple personality disorder)

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THE COUSINS GRIMM previews Friday and Saturday, July 10 and 11 at 8:00 ($15) and opens Sunday, July 12 at 6:00. ($25). Regular performances are Thursday and Saturday at 8:00, and Sunday at 2:00 till August 23. Tickets are $25 Thursdays and Sundays, and $30 Saturday.

Center on Halsted: Hoover-Leppen Theatre

3656 North Halsted

To order tickets performances, call the Bailiwick voicemail 773 883 1090. Tickets can also be purchased at www.Brownpapertickets.com, or by calling 1800 838 3006.

Cousins Grimm/Pride Parade

Monday, July 6th, 2009

One of the more tedious things an actor must go through in super-stardom is public appearances and show promotions. I had one such commitment a couple weekends ago.

4956_1164615802574_1443246852_30449872_4944210_nWhere are my handlers to fan me with Palm Fronds and feed me grapes?

What!?!?!

There are no handlers for this event! Do you KNOW WHO I AM!??!

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4956_1164615882576_1443246852_30449874_4016689_n“Can we smoke? Can the adults please smoke?!?”

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4956_1164654603544_1443246852_30450060_2220377_nWe’re always asked the same questions at these events:

1)”What do you do to get into character?” I meditate for 3 hours in the downward dog position and do a shot of wheatgrass juice.

2)”How is your show relevant in today’s political atmosphere?” Our show is about love. Love is love man. No one should tell anyone else who to love man. Make love not war. Love is love.

And at this particular event there was a third request repeated over and over.

3)”Show us your boobs!” Excuse me? How dare you!!??!?! I’m an artist not some hussy!!

5064_580292093317_48602736_33892355_1512189_nummmmm…..I categorically deny this photograph. It never happened. I’m being framed I tell you! You’ll have to speak to my publicist about this one. His name is Eric Martin and his number is 773-555-1212.

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P.S. I do apologize for this post. I’m in tech(hell) week and I’ve lost what’s left of my feeble mind. Do forgive me.

Love Harmonique Francious

P.S.S If you think this post is crazy, come see me in my show opening on Sunday. You’ll see me be a real lunatic, and wear a fatsuit, and there’s girl on girl action, and male nudity. What more do you need really?

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Movies you must see if you’re a musical theater freak like me!

Thursday, June 18th, 2009

YouTube Preview Image EVERY LITTLE STEP

I actually already saw this one and it’s FANTASTIC!

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FAME 

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NINE

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I  love this quote from the Fame movie, so I will leave you with it today.

“Everything you want to change about yourself. All the parts of yourself that you keep secret. It’s your power. It’s who you are.”

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