More art and music...

Hey all! I just got back from a really great visit with my brother and his family in St. Paul. We went to the apple orchard and carved pumpkins and had just a great time. Since LA is relentlessly warm lately, I was happy to experience the gamut of weather possibilities... In my four days there we saw rain, snow, sun, and fog. The leaves were ablaze in color. And it was just amazing to be able to give my niece and nephew a squeeze or three.

While in MN, I had to go find some sheet music, something Billy Joel-ish for an audition the day after my return. Well, the audition ended up being a bit awkward. I seriously felt rather un-hip... if I could have had the white man's overbite while singing I'm sure I would have. But I read well (nonshowfolk translation: reading the sides or bits of scenes provided) I guess. I just found out that I booked it. I'll be in a quick reading of a new musical version of Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion directed by Christopher Ashley, artistic director of La Jolla Playhouse (and director of Memphis which recently opened on Broadway). It will happen mid- November and it should be a blast!

In the mean time, I've hit the drawing board running, balancing commissioned pieces with my own projects and the Signature exhibit. I feel like I have a million irons in the fire but I'm getting things done. It's great to be busy and I'm doing what I love.


Here is a sampling of the direction I'm going with regular Broadway illustrations. There are possibilities looming for getting pieces like this out to a broad audience. Once I can share specifics, I will. But in the mean time, here are my impressions of recently opened Broadway shows Bye Bye Birdie, Memphis, and Finian's Rainbow (actually opening in a couple days).

Well, that's it for now. I've got to get some drawing done. Take care, all! Peace and love.

Heigh Ho indeed!

Wow! What an amazing evening it was! I'll keep it short, but suffice it to say that the Disney Symphonic Legacy concert at the Walt Disney Concert Hall was incredible. Not only was it very well received and evidently successful. It was also a blast and such a rush. It was the first time the Disney Concert Hall featured an entire evening of Disney music. It featured pieces (including our 50 minute version of Snow White) that featured the original studio film score charts. (In the photo above, from left: Blake Griffin, Rick Wasserman, Harrison White, Ruth Williamson, Jeff Lee, me, Ashley Brown, Bob Bouchard, Jeffrey Polk, Michael Arden, Matt Crabtree.)


Maestro John Mauceri had been curating this collection for years, and Disney Theatricals (Jeff Lee, Dusty Bennett, and Thomas Schumacher) had been working on this project for a year and a half. A wonderful enthusiastic audience included the president of the Disney Company, Bob Iger, the head of Disney Studios, Rich Ross, and many more influential folks in the Disney world. By the time the audience had finally stopped applauding, everyone knew the evening had been a success. It sounds like the project will live on in some form. Whether I'll tag along I don't know. I'm really just thankful to have been a part of it.


I'm incredibly grateful... to Mark Brandon at Binder Casting for picking me, to Jacole and gang at KSR for putting me out there, to John Mauceri for dreaming up this vehicle, to the gang at Disney Theatricals for dreaming up this way of presenting it (and for picking me), and to the amazing gang of musicians and vocalists and crazy actors who made this an experience of a lifetime. I'm still floating and I'll bet I won't touch down for a while. Peace and love, y'all!

Overture! Light the lights...

Hi all! I've been getting some good news and learning of some fantastic possibilities lately. Before I share the new stuff, here's something I've written about previously but am still really excited about...


Tomorrow morning I'll be making the short commute to downtown Los Angeles and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. We're starting rehearsals for Tuesday's big symphonic extravaganza, celebrating the legacy of Disney film scores. The segment I'll be involved in is a 40 minute retelling of Snow White, featuring the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and the Cal State Fullerton choir, Ashley Brown (Broadway's Mary Poppins) as Snow White, Ruth Williamson (Broadway diva show-stealer) as the Evil Queen, Blake Griffin as the Prince, a gang of wackies as the Dwarfs (Bob Bouchard, Jeffrey Polk, Rick Wasserman, Michael Arden, Harrison White, Matt Crabtree, and me)... all led by maestro John Mauceri. I'm thrilled and grateful to be involved, and I can't wait for the first day of school tomorrow. Event info? Click here.


And I just received my script and score for a reading I'll be taking part in November 1-2. It's kind of blowing my mind, but I'll be a part of an eight-person cast reading the Richard Rodgers/Martin Charnin musical (and vehicle for a difficult Danny Kaye) Two By Two. In this retelling of the story of Noah and the Ark, I'll have the pleasure of sharing the stage with Jason Alexander, Faith Prince, Steven Weber, Vicki Lewis, Shannon Warne, David Burnham, and Megan Hilty. David Lee is directing and is very responsible for pulling me into the project. I'm incredibly grateful and I look forward to playing with this great gang (and having a blast). Event info? Click here.

While I'm genuinely surprised to have gotten direct-booking calls for these two projects, I'm incredibly encouraged that when you work hard and put yourself out there (combined with just the right level of chance), really nifty things can come your way.

I've been chatting via e-mail about a really fantastic opportunity. I don't want to go into specifics until things are more solid, but if it works out, it will be a regular illustration gig with some pretty great distribution. Think good thoughts!


And as I wrap up, I just want to say that I really enjoyed Where the Wild Things Are. I attended a midnight showing last night and just had a great time. There are maybe a few things I had issues with and the reviews have been mixed, but I really liked it and I was rather moved. I recommend it highly!

Well, that's it for now. I've got to take a peek at my Snow White score before I'm in music rehearsal with the Maestro tomorrow. (That's tripping me out.) Take care, all! Peace and love.

Another Broadway sketch and an update...

Hi all! I've been delinquent in my updates lately, but I've been super busy. Among the recent efforts, I've drawn another Broadway show. Oleanna is a David Mamet play currently starring Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles. Producer Larry Kaye (who was instrumental in bringing my art to DC recently) commissioned it...


I'm also fielding some other commissions, working hard on the Signature Theatre exhibit, and trying to balance it all with a new personal pet project. I'm trying to keep a low profile on the latter because I don't want to jinx anything, but suffice it to say it's a logical (while possibly far-fetched) progression in my caricature career. I'm obsessing a bit, but whatever the case, it's a good exercise that could lead to some great things.

I'm also really looking forward to playing with John Mauceri, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, a huge choir, and a cast of fab folks in a symphonic evening at Disney Concert Hall. We begin rehearsing on Saturday and put on the big show next Tuesday night. Very exciting.

Oh, and I got a flu shot. Happy, Mom?

Well, that's it for now. I'm off to buy more watercolors and illustration board. Then it's back to the drawing board. Take care, all! Peace and love.

My Sunday...

Hey all! Just dropping a quick note about my tomorrow. But first... my today. I spent the day sketching for my Monday Facebook posting and taking steps to finalizing some recent commissions. I've decided to have a curious Sunday.


(The best of life is reserved for the curious as far as I know.) So after the morning coffee and a little "The Swingin' Years" on KKJZ, my Sunday will start with a visit to All Saints Episcopal and soon thereafter find me seeing what's new at independently owned Vroman's Bookstore in Pasadena. Then I'll jet to The Stuffed Sandwich or Lucky Baldwin's for a bite before heading to LaVerne for an event featuring four of the foremost wacky minds in childrens' literature (Adam Rex, Mac Barnett, David Shannon, and Jon Scieszka). I'll then head back west to catch a "Where the Wild Things Are"-themed exhibit called "Terrible Yellow Eyes" at Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra. I have some inking to do in the evening, so I'll likely head home early evening to prep the drawing board... but not before keeping my own big yellow eyes open and eager to witness something magical. Here we go...

NYC and the Flea Market!

Hi all! I'm finally feeling rested after a whirlwind trip to NYC. The main purpose of the trip was to participate in the Broadway Flea Market (benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS). Here's a little photo montage from the day. Due to rain, we had to relocate the event to the Roseland Ballroom (from Shubert Alley and 44th Street). It was crowded and crazy, but festive and fun. I offered prints of sketches and I drew quick-sketch caricatures. The best sellers of the day were the live sketches and prints representing Next to Normal, 9 to 5, and [title of show]. We did pretty well and made some decent cash for the charity. The photo furthest right is of my table team, my pals Tyler Foy and Aaron Umstead who I worked with in Wichita. Both of them recently graduated from college and hit NYC in a big way, each booking a show pretty quickly.


Another exciting development in the Flea Market excitement was getting featured on the Broadway.Com featurette on the Flea Market. Susan Blackwell interviews me and I sketch her... right around the 11 minute mark. See it here. Thank you Susan and team!!


Here are some narcissistic shots of me around Central Park. I was in town for just three days with a travel day on each end. So it wasn't the easiest to get together with all I had hoped to, but I did see a few cherished pals... old friends, new friends, Wichita peeps, California folks transplanted or just visiting, online friends and fans, amazing Broadway gypsies and celebs, etc. etc. etc.

It was a fantastic trip and I can't wait until I can get back to the city.


Now I'm home and I've hit the drawing board running. Lots to do! I have a few commissions, and I'm working on a line of fun stuff for possibly putting on t-shirts. I'm prepping for the Signature Theatre exhibit (premiering November 10). Just booked my ticket to head to Arlington, VA to curate the exhibit and see the first preview of the show my work is accompanying, Show Boat. Add to all this an engagement at Disney Concert Hall, a visit to my bro and his family in St. Paul, and a smorgasbord of autumnal activities, and life is a fun, challenging, wonderful whirlwind. I'm so grateful. Take care, all! Peace and love.

I won!

Hello all! I'm so grateful to report that I've received a lovely award. The Mary Jane Teall Awards recognize excellence in theatre in Wichita, Kansas. They've given me the 2009 award for Outstanding Guest Artist. I treasure my time with Music Theatre of Wichita, and I'm really glad any chance I get to visit the city. I'm proud to say that I've taken part in eight shows and a gala fundraiser since 2002. Thank you Wayne Bryan and MTW family, and thank you Troy Dilport and Deb Campbell for the nomination. I'm so thankful for you all. I look forward to the next time I can return to Wichita.

In other news, I'll be jumping on a NYC-bound plane tomorrow morning. Sunday brings the Broadway Flea Market where I'll be selling prints and drawing live quick-sketch caricatures to benefit BC/EFA. Monday I have an audition. I'm doing my best to get in touch with as many friends as humanly possible, and I've got tickets to a couple shows (new musicals via NYMF). It's a quick trip, though. I'll be home midday on Wednesday. I'm really looking forward to the whirlwind.

Well, I'm back to last minute prep and packing. Take care, all! Peace and love.