Princess Jasmine, Polo, The Vineyard, The Tony's!

Me as Princess Jasmine

The first weeks in June brought some pretty exciting firsts. I booked a gig playing Princess Jasmine for a ritzy TriBeCa birthday party. Now I know what you're thinking...I do not look like Princess Jasmine. I'm a fair-skinned blonde, and far from looking Arabic. However, with a wig and a body suit, I looked pretty authentic. I showed up at the birthday party in full Jasmine attire (yes, I rode in a taxi dressed as Jasmine), and had to stay in character until every child had left. I sang "A Whole New World" and put on a little show for the 40 kids celebrating the birthday and their parents, and answered questions such as, "Where's Aladdin?" It was quite an experience. I'm hoping to book many more gigs as other characters because I truly had a blast!






On Sunday, June 5th, Fallon, Whitney and I decided to be super WASPy and go to the Governor's Island Polo tournament. Pretty Woman style, we put on our preppy sundresses, and took the ferry over to the lush, green Governor's Island. It was such a lovely escape from the city. The event was free, but the champagne and concessions were ridiculously expensive. Next year, we will pack a picnic basket and plan a bit more accordingly. It was such a fun event though, and there were some AWESOME hats!

on the ferry to Governor's Island

Polo at it's finest

me with the Statue of Liberty in the background

I made a last minute decision last weekend to go see "Now.Here.This" at The Vineyard Theatre. The Vineyard is a theatre near Union Square that debuts new shows in workshop format. The shows are slightly different every night, as the actors and directors make changes and improvements. I had been wanting to see this show, and I realized that Saturday that the only way I would be able to see it before it closed was to go that night. I got one of the last two tickets, and met Sherrie and Sarah there. I cannot imagine a more perfect show for me to see during this time in my life. It was by the creators of "Title of Show," starring the same cast. They told vignettes and stories from their lives, and nearly all the tales involved tears - either from laughing or crying. The recurring idea that wove all of these vignettes together was the idea that we are all a part of many elaborate journeys that lead us to what we call the "now." Of course I cannot do it justice in a blog post, but take my word for it when I say this show is not one to miss. After one of the most enjoyable 90 minutes I've had in 2011, Sherrie, Sarah and I went to Max Brenner's for Dessert and Drinks. That place is incredible, and one I would recommend to ANY chocolate lover. (Ima, it would be heaven on earth for you!)

Sherrie, Sarah and me at Max Brenner!
Chocolate fondu and chocolate drinks!

I had the incredible opportunity of going to the dress rehearsal of the Tony's for the second year in a row. Sherrie got two tickets through work! Just like last year, I was reminded of how blessed I am to live in a city of such talented people who are creating amazing theatre. It's so neat to see Broadway stars (a few of whom I would actually call friends) in person, honoring the arts from this past year.  Daniel Radcliff, Sutton Foster, Katie Finneran, Samuel L. Jackson, Vanessa Redgrave, Aaron Tveit, Brooke Shields, James Earl Jones, Hugh Jackman, Neil Patrick Harris, Patti Lupone and Angela Lansbury were several of the actors I got to share the Beacon Theatre with on the morning of June 12. After a tiring week of auditions, an experience like the Tony's Dress Rehearsal reminds me that it's all worth it.