Happy Dooby-Doo Year

Why do I think I am all having to come up with the snappy titles for me blogs....now I am a pirate, I guess....me hearties.....you may have to wade throught this post due to the fact that I just...and I mean just....woke up....I walked from my comfy bed to the computer and decided that this was a great time to update.

I was dreaming that I was doing Sharron's Party in a gymnasium of a highschool in the afternoon and my guests were George Micheal...and I didn't want to make him sing "Careless Whisper" but...I made him...he was fine with it....and then Kristen Chenoweth walked in and was wearing a costume that she made at home that was of Christina Aquilera character from "Lady Marmalade" ...then I woke up...

Hmm......

I started to wonder what the frick I had eaten last night to make that happen.

Anyhow...I hadn't written for the past few weeks because after closing "Songs" and the two Sharron's Parties (am bad at Engish and don't know if Party deserves an "'s" or an "ies" and George is playing xbox and I don't want to bug him)I did this month I was a wee bit burned out.....so I spent the last two weeks sleeping and reading trashy novels, I read 5 of them, and just not doing much...except for Christmas day which is always the mass exodus to Hamilton, Welland and then St. Catharines.....all in one day....it is a long day....we are very pooped and full of food at the end of it.

But we saw three.....count'em, three movies.....Casino Royale.......I like that Daniel Craig.....I thought he was all old school and dangerous.....ladies love that......We Are Marshall with the two Matthews....Fox and McConaughy.....I think I actually spelled that right.......there is nothing George and I like better than a football movie...we really do.....McConaughy was riding the fine, fine edge of being OTT ( for future that means Over The Top) some will think he was ...but I liked it.....and then after wandering through the desert on Christmas day for many hours......we met with Thom, our friend Bill and at 12:10 pm on boxin day we saw.............................

DREAMGIRLS

Oh my god....I didn't wear make up for the crying.......I brought a box of kleenex .....I was so excited......it wasn't awesome.....but I still loved it............how can you not?????

A musical on the big screen......

That Beyonce...not my favourite....bland.....but perfect for Deena.......Jennifer Hudson.....young and new.....but she sang the crap out of it.....I wish that she had just stood still......and Jamie Foxx...fine.....but I love my Eddie....he has always been a favourite of mine......

I will see it again and then own it.....I found it inspiring.

Now here we are at the beginning of a New Year....I am going to see George's closing show of "Suessical" today and LKTYP and I am looking forward to that. I like to see the first and the last show.

I am excited about next year....I have started having ideas for the shows and things to do next year. That is always wonderful when I don't have to wrack my brains but it just comes to me.

I don't know what the year holds but, as I said,

I am excited.

I hope you all, all three of you, have a great and safe New Year, and that you all wake up where you want to tomorrow morning.....not covered in sick or anything else.......unless that is your thing.....than bless ya.....see ya soon!

Whew

I am oddly not tired. How weird is that?
Alright, it is 10:30am and I am just getting up...Georgie had to be at work at 9:00am to bring back the clover....how much do I love him??? We are finally going to get to decorate our Christmas tree tonight......
I had such a wonderful time last night...the mix of the people in the house and then Louise, Joe and George and always my Patrick...... it was just perfect....I wonder if random people ever come and read this and think.....who is this gaylord? Anyhow...it was awesome.
Who knew the dirty Rudolf medley was such a killer? Patrick and I felt like the King and Queen of the World (I am the King) after that one......bringing the funny always rocks my world.
Who knows what will happen next year.....we will do the shows and who knows what the show will turn into. We are keeping open minds. And Open hearts.
Oh....I wanted to thank all of the people who have come out this year....last night a couple of people marvelled at the fact that the audience was largely not theatre people and I yelled woo hoo....we are building something....not that I don't love my theatre peeps but our goal is always to get new people out at what we do. So....I am a- thankin' all of your guys who came ......who read my blog......and are generally awesome!
I thought that I would just be happy to be done all of the work but I feel oddly a bit sad. I just finished two huge projects with the "Songs" and two parties in one month.........I have now found out that with me busy is better....who knew...I can be quite a layabout.
Here are some of my Christmas Wishes......
I do hope it snows.( On Christmas and then never again)
I do hope that I get to see some of the Christmas specials that I already missed one airing of.
I hope that my audition today for the TV show " Till Death Do Us Part" is not ass-ie.
I hope that the 5 pounds that I gained in "Songs" comes off without me getting too angry and starved.
I hope that Canada's Next Top Model is better this year.
I hope that I am not disappointed when Thom and I go and see Dreamgirls.....(I am worried about that Beyonce and Jamie Foxx....they aren't all that awesome on the Soundtrack.)
I hope that someone comes to me and throws one million-billion dollars at my show.
I hope that my dog can have the cone off his head soon.
I hope that I get 4 voice overs in January
I hope that I get to play Baby in "Dirty Dancing"
I hope that someone figures out that one more song for the "Coug" medley...to go with "Alone" by Heart, "I Want It that Way" by Backstreet and "Stacy's Mom" by Fountains of Wayne. ( Cause I love a good Coug Medley)
I hope that when I come back later I will see some of your Christmas Wishes.....please....no one say World Peace....let us just say that we all wish that.
I hope that you all have a happy and safe and lovely holidays.

Breathing...

I can't believe that it is all done!

We have been working on that production of "Songs" for almost 8 years and now it is all over but the cryin'.

And I didn't do that cryin' like I thought I would..... I am generally weepy....and that was mainly because I saw a interview with Heather Headley who played one of the leads in Aida and she told a story about how her mother came to see her very last show (of Aida) on broadway and Headley was at the end of her last song and she got all choked up and in a 2000 seat theatre her mother yelled out

" You finish strong, girl!"

I laughed my ass off and so whenever I feel myself getting all choked up that way I think of that.

I was nervous last night....more than usual.

We have so many dedicated supporters who came to the show last night and you wanna make sure that they get the real deal....and Julia Murney was there....ya know Andrew Lippa's "Wild Party"....the awesome one....she played Queenie....and she was in A Class Act and Lennon and she will be taking over Elphaba on Broadway in January.....she is a bit of my idol....she can sing like a motherfucker and is a great actress....she did a show with Georgie at the Manhattan Theatre Club a few years ago.....when our friend Steve Ross found out that George was going to work with he he almost shit his pants....he also loves her.

Anyhow, she and Tracy worked together so she came to see the show....again, I was nervous.......but I made it.

I am gonna gush about this show one last time and then all 4 of us ( my bloggers) can move on, right?

I feel so lucky to have worked on it.

We had an awesome, challenging, thrilling and sometimes, bittersweet experience.

From the exciting rehearsal period to handing out handbills all over Toronto to get bums in the seats....it was awesome.

And we did get bums in the seats, by the way.....the last week was a constant surprise.

I loved working with Tracy, Jason and Thom...I will miss seeing them everyday...we all used to get there just a bit early so we could hang around each other....oddly yesterday we all discussed how during this run we gained 20 pounds......5 each......ug.

But I laughed my head off and sang my ass off....and I still gained 5 pounds....how the fuck did that happen?

Anyway, thanks to anyone who came to see it and stayed after.

I have a show tomorrow....I cannot believe it....I am excited about it......

I LOVE Christmas.......

7:00pm on Saturday

OH ya!!!!!
There is NONONO 10:00pm show of Songs on Saturday.....just a 7:00pm....spread the word!

What am I doing up?

What the eff am I doing up at 7:55 am? Well, I have a cold and my friggin' medicine seems to be giving me the jimmy legs.....and the jimmy mind....all I can do is run over my opening for Sharron's Holiday Party ( info is down one blog, incidentally ) .....Now, I went to see a cabaret hosted by my young friend Klye on Monday...I was so struck by the work and time that went into it. This was no rag tag, hoge poge....slap-dash.....alright Sharron move on......fly by night thing....Kyle did alot of writing here...and figuring.....he was just lovely....he is a grand singer and easy on the eyes for a youngin' but my favourite part....he is a fantastic storyteller. I remember when I was doing Showboat and I did a cabaret and George Grizzard came out to see it and after he took me aside and told me that I should never forget that I am a storyteller first...I was like....whatever....but that is something that has stuck with me and it is in instances like this that I recall the importance. People love a good story more than anything. And young Kyle told a few.
There were awesome guests....my pal Kristina from Hairspray The MOVIE!!!! was excellent...she sang a song from the Last Five Years and just knocked it out of the park, and Jordan Bell sang a tune I had never heard before and the side of me that is covetous wanted to steal it right away....but I am older and getting past those things....oh ya...and he sang it very, very well. All of the guests were just wonderful and I had a grand night. George and I both found it very entertainin and uplifting! Who could ask for anything more?
Well, there are only three more shows of "Songs" and we have fulfilled our little dream of a grassroots revolution.
This last week has been more and more packed every night. Everytime we walk out it is a grand surprise!
We love doing it! Here is my dream.....
tonight...Thursday.. which hasn't had a huge presale....will have a huge audience and the last night, Saturday...will just be packed....so packed.....I put it into the universe.

Christmas Time Is Here!!

HERE IT COMES!!!!!
Sharron's Holiday Family Party
( with dirty words...so don't bring your 10 year old and have to explain to them why the loud lady has potty mouth)
This Monday December 18th we will be once again at the fabulous Gladstone Ballroom
1214 Queen Street West
416 531 4635
doors @ 7:30 and show @ 8:00pm
Just a mere $15 to
see the Holiday Families that we have brought out to you!!!
WAIT!!!
YOU ARE GONNA FREAK!!!!
Husband and Wife
Louise Pitre and Joe Matheson
are gonna come on down and make nice with the singing and the talking and the awesomeness....
YES ...THAT Louise and Joe !
She has been on Broadway and been nominated for a Tony for "Mamma Mia" and has been touring to promote her latest CD "Shattered" and he has been touring his one man Hank Williiams show all over Canada and together they have written a show called
"Could You Wait" that just wowed the crowds at
Theatre Orangeville and in Collingwood!
GASP!!!
And I have invited my dear husband
George Masswohl
(fresh from a two show day of playing Horton in the Suessical at LKTYP)
to grace us with his sweet, sweet voice and dreamy eyes!
And Patrick and I have yet to come up with something that his partner James will agree to but don't you think it would not be a full family without him???
Anyhow!!!
It will be a night to remember and
AFTER!!!!
Since we haven't had a chance to have a real homey Christmas party we are inviting you to stay for chips and dip in the bar after!!!
WOO HOO!
Stay and say hello to all of your friends, old and new.
Let us make this a night to remember, huh?
All my best and cannot wait!

Cabaret BABAY!

Hey y'all!
I just wanted to pass on that some cabaret is being done this weekend by the young man who was my card bitch this last show....Young Kyle, I like to call him! He and a couple of his friends have rented the Bad Dog Theatre on Danforth and are self producing, ya gotta LOVE THAT!
Anyhow....here are the deets......


GO ON SINGING
December 10th, 8 pm.
Bad Dog Theatre (138 Danforth)
$10 adv/$12 at the door.
Featuring me, YOUNG KYLE, accompanied by Chris Mounteer.

But also featuring fabulous guest stars!!!! So far I've got a fantastic line-up of talented up-and-comers including: Billy Lake (fresh off his tour stopping the spread of juvenile diabetes!), Kristina Uranowski (moments after shimmying with John Travolta!), Adam White (taking a moment from writing fabulous new music, including the score he penned for this summer's Jewel!), Jordan Bell (stepping off the stage of LKTYP's Seussical!), and Rachel Fischer (sparing some time after her premiere as Constance in Script Lab's The Giant's Garden!).

To reserve your tickets, drop me an e-mail or call 647-207-5383.

You may find yourself with a Sunday night full of new talent! I love the line about the diabetes tour.......ah ......those were the days, huh?

Oh...what a night!

I just cannot contain myself...I am still pooped out!!!

I went to do he show last night and it felt like I had gone to another planet for a few days ......

Oh...I am so thankful to Shoshana and Maury and their monkey bunch....they wrote a song about Christmas that was funny ....fuck those two are humourous together and now that they are 6 1/2 months pregnant they are gonna make ...or have already made some funny, musical little person.

( You can get their album @ themonkeybunch.com)

Avery sang a song written by David Warrack and while I was compiling his bio I just about died when I really saw all the he had done.....he has been everywhere man.

He was awesome.

Shelley Simester had her appendix taken out a mere week ago but didn't let it stop her......she came and performed two numbers by the Shangri-las that brought the house down....that girl is damned funny!!!!!!! And she sings like a bird!!!!

Susan Gilmour, one of my idols, sang a dirty blues song about middle-aged sex....you could have knocked me over with a feather....I have never heard her sing like that!

She also sang a truly lovely Christmas song...ahh.

Then I sang a little medley .....all songs written in 1981!!!!

Whip it by Devo, Physical by Olivia Newton John, Bette Davis Eyes.....you get the picture, yes?

Then we started the second set with

the lovely Jenn Stewart talking about how she got engaged......she could not have been more excited.....that girl is an excellnt storyteller and singer....she did two excellent tunes....on of them from Dreamgirls....you sing it tiny white girl!!!!!

Kathryn Rose is always lovely and I find her voice truly haunting.......she is a wonderful songwriter and easy on the eyes.!

She sang two originals ...Jingle Queen and One Person....the second is from her album Kathryn Rose....which can be found at the website Kathrynrose.ca

J. Sean Elliot, a newbie @ Sharron's party, came up onstage and just wowed the audience with one of his songs from his album "No Name Canadian Stars" that he wrote and produced with David Warrack.......it was about bein' born........

funny....hehehe. You can ge that at his website......which I cannot find right now.....but I will update!!!

Then my Thom Allison.....you just can't go wrong....I adore him and he is just a talent.......he sang "Gorgeous" from The Apple Tree and a medley of Christmas songs....and then came out at the ghetto elf in my encore of "Surabay Santa".....he can do it all.

What a night....Patrick was awesome as usual!

And the audience was packed with a who is who ....I will say that whatever way I want....of music theatre peeps..

Leslie Arden and Cathy Elliot, Louise Pitre and Joe Matheson, Damien Atkins, Tim French and Lee McDougal( one of the .....just to name a few!!!

We raised alot of money for Liam's Light....we will be giving them a check for $750.00...woo hoo.

Oh...I need a nap just reliving it all!

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Stars.......

OHHHHHH....
I am all excited and I just can't hide it.....
Who is gonna be there to rub noses with the .....
STARS???????
Monday, peeps, is-a-comin' and what a night we have in store for you....
it is a visit to the some of the best of

Sharron's Party........
NIGHT OF 100 Stars ( minus 90)
The Gladstone Ballroom

Monday December 4th
1214 Queen Street West #416 531 4635
Doors @7:30pm
Show @ 8:00pm
And all for only $15!!!

It is a special night for a couple of reasons....it is one year to the day that I started the whole Sharron's Party venture with Patrick, and then Grant, and we have happlily and madly worked our tails off. I feel that this is a culmination of all of our efforts and a thank you to the people who have been supportive of the show in many different ways and for them and myself to remember the diversely talented people who are at our fingertips and who are out there making their own work and readly to step up and share!
Because of the night and all of the entertainers Patrick and I searched for a charity to donate a portion of the door to....and we decided on
Liams Light.
It is a charity started by my friend Deborah Moore ( you may recall her as Deb Wadsworth) and it is dedicated to Supporting Research and Care for Pediatric Transplants. Her son is Liam please go to
Liamslight.org
for more info.
It is an excellent charity.
Who will you see????
Here is to remind you and whet your appetite.

Sho Mo and the Monkey Bunch
Kathryn Rose
Avery Saltzman
Susan Gilmour
Shelley Simester
Thom Allison
Jennifer Stewart
and introducing to the Party J.Sean Elliot!

There will be games and surprises and a whole host of things to entertain you!
Have a christmas party that night?
Come here first and we will get you out in time for drinkies and finger food.....or at least we'll do our best ! Try and tear yourself away from....
The Night of 100 Stars!!!!!!

(minus 90)

Real Thanks....

Last night I was all overwhelmed by America's Next Top Model so I really didn't get a chance to thank all of the great supporters who have sent me emails over the last few days.
Your words have been a cool balm to my musical theatre soul.....I was gonna say ass but I am trying to keep this classy.
I guess we didn't know how much of a challenge this was all gonna be when we started down the SFNW road but I relish it.....I really do....that must mean that I am a glutton .....or super motivated!
I just wanted to include some if the upliftin' things that have arrived in my email inbox......

*I work at the Mill St. Brewpub, and since your show opened, it has been a barrage of great reviews from patrons coming from the theatre, some of which have seen your show more than once. That's all, just wanted to let you know!

*...if we don't support our own theatre, nobody will.

*.....the show really moved me. Your joy at having a great response from the audience was palpable, and there was tremendous give and take. Congratulations on a wonderful labor of love.

*I can't wait to see the show again, and I know my friends can't wait to see it either.

* I just sent out 40 individual/personal emails to friends and theatre goers we know that MUST see your show. We enjoyed it yet again last night and will return again.

*.... I am aware that none of us can do our work in a bubble, so on a personal note, I am grateful that you guys have chosen to do this if nothing else than to continue to raise awareness of other small musicals

* ...you have chosen a piece with a tremendous heart and a voice that should be heard by all audiences.

*Hey Kids, Just wanted to let you all know how much I enjoyed your show last night. I can't believe you had to do another one at 10pm! You're not as young as you used to be!

The last one is my fave.......And I am not......as young...that is.
It was so nice to have a feeling of community when theatre seems to be suffering a bit.....it really did warm my cold, cold heart.
Again, I really want to say .....people really don't have to like the shows we do.....maybe just not try to ruin it , or make feel stupid, those who do.
That is just my opinion!
And we all have one....just like asses.
Some are just cuter than others!

Whew....

Firstly....let me thank all of your asses for being so supportive......... of the show and all......We had two great Saturday Night shows and great crowds....it is always more fun with a big audience.....blah,blah, blah.....thanks.
I am right back to workin' on the Party and I am very excited about that....just contacted all the peeps about what they are doing and how it all fits together....it has been quite nice to have a break.
Patrick and I went out to breakie this morn....with James.....don't want to leave him out...George was there for two minutes and realized that he would not get to eat before he had to be at LYKTP for his half hour so I have to give him subway fare and send him on his way.....which felt awful after he took such awesome care of me yesterday. (He did something very sweet for me that I just wanna save for later....but it was sweet.) It was like I hadn't seen Patrick in twenty five years.....he is older and wiser.....but looks younger and ......well wiser.
Glad that we are getting back to it, baby.
Then today....on the day off.....I watched America's Next Top Model and can't believe that Cari-Dee didn't get the old heave ho...Ho! Neckin' on the balcony with some Spanish dude she just met on camera.....slutty.....and what she said to Nigel....shocking....for those of you who don't watch it.....it is all very important and interesting.
So, that is the short of it peeps, for now.......couldn't even get my ass off the couch to see a movie and that is just tired ass.

From the DESK of Derrick Chua...

Hey Y'all,

If you wanna read my response to the Globe Review it is the next one and .......Here is what the producer Derrick Chua sent me.....

“rhythmic energy and melodic invention galore”
“the quartet of performers…are all talented individuals, with a lot to offer.”
Richard Ouzounian, Toronto Star

“These are some of our finest vocalists and musical-theatre performers”
“inspirational lyrics and strong message of triumph over personal and political adversity”
Kamal Al-Solaylee, Globe and Mail

“this is sophisticated stuff”
“impressive talent”
John Coulbourn, Toronto Sun

“Thom Allison, Sharron Matthews and Tracy Michailidis are excellent interpreters”
“an interesting show if you like clever lyrics and character portraits in music
“very sophisticated theatre”
Paula Citron, Classical96.3


It’s all in how you sell the show!

Keep on keepin’ on!

Too much going on to see it this week, but will get there next week!

Derrick

Why Produce?

Hey All,

I am back and I got something to say!!!!!

If you are Tracy, Thom or Jason read no farther.....or at least wait till December 18th cause I know you don't read reviews.

So I will mumble here for a moment so you don't see any of this.........

lalalalallalalalala

humdeedumdum

poopeeedooooo

Alright my blog friends....I have never publicly responded to reviews because they are really one person's opinion of something and what other people think of me.....

IS NONE OF MY BUSINESS.....

But as a producer I have had to begin the horrifying task of reading what people think of my performances.

Ug.

There is nothing worse.

I think that performance in the theatre and on the stage are a living thing and that they change with the audience, present state of mind and new discoveries in the moment.

For myself for alot of years I found that daunting and searched for perfection every night.

BORING!

Who cares if you remember all the lyrics if your performance is cemented in ...........well....cement.

(Sharron has a moment of laughter here)

Here is the background.

J, Trace and Thom-ie and I did "Songs For A New World" 8 years ago and had a great experience. We recieved awesome reviews and the community was hugely supportive.

We did it as a co-op and rehearsed in Noreen Waibel's basement for two weeks .

We didn't make a red cent and felt great about the endevour.

Then we did 3 benifit concerts.

The response was so overwhelming that we sat down and talked about doing a real run of it.

There were dangers, of course.

People might not like it.

We didn't want to do it as we did before .....if we did it ....we were gonna try something new.

We were 8 years older, Jason had two kids and was going into casting, Tracy was doing more straight plays and TV, Thom had many successful seasons at Stratford and I was doing my Party and TV and Film more than theatre....we all had evolved and felt that the show should reflect our lives and new choices.

We decided that it was worth the risk.

We wanted a director with a fresh vision.

Tim Forte, our first director, was very supportive of our choice to go another way and we thanked him for that.

The point is.....why do something twice ?

Do it if you wanna explore something different.

We wanted to produce a commercial venture independently and we did thanks to the get-up-and-go of Jason Knight, Clyde Wagner and Tracy Michialidis.

We knew that we might suffer slings and arrows.

(Tell everyone you know that I kinda quoted Shakespeare here.)

Chris Abraham is an excellent, supportive, respectful and inspiring director.....I don't trust easily in that department.....because I know everything.....don't ya know...but I trust and trusted him.

He had us work and look into these people that we were singing about and not just create an evening of pleasant cabaret.

Instead, we all wanted an journey of people on the edge of huge choices and decisions.

That is the show that was written and we celebrate that.

I am proud as hell of the show that we have.

The thing that really got me, my friends, was reading the review in the Globe and Mail by Kamal Al-Solaylee.

You don't have to like the show.

I wish that he had but.....he clearly didn't.

Ah well.

I have chatted with Kamal in the past and he was very supportive and said that he loved musical theatre.

BUT.......here are a couple things that just made me sad.

We need good directors in musical theatre.

As musical theatre performers we want to stretch our muscles and not just sing "Ok-la-homa"( not that there is anything wrong with that) but if Chris Abraham is told that

"His foray into musical theatre is probably more of a palette cleanser--or a temporary lapse---"

we may have a problem getting him to do another music theatre piece.

Don't ya think?

In our city we used to have 5 or 6 musicals running at the same time filled with Canadians........self produced and Mirvish or Garth produced.

Now, we have road shows from the states that sit in our big theatres with one or two Canadians if you are lucky.

Anything that we try to do has been horribly shot down in the last two or three years....all culminating in the massive-media-hate fest that was of Lord of the Rings.

So, in this environment, we wanted to create work where there was none and challenge ourselves.

And this was the part that most bothered me....

"If you don't have much tolerance for live and over-amplified excess, Songs for a New World is not their shining hour but their moment of shame"

Holy shit.

"Moment of shame"????????????

I mean, really.

That just brought water to my eyes, truly.

How does one respond to that?

At the risk of sounding ......I don't know ........pissed......

I think he is a little bit overwrought himself.

Here are some of the words he uses to describe our evening.

"Unbearable."

Hmm........

"Case of collective histrionics from the four person cast.......who sing every note as if to prove their existence to an oblivious god"

Well.......

"Eardrum-puncturing and downright deafening"

Really.........

"I doubt this production will completely recover from it's endemic excesses, but here's to hoping..."

That is pretty dramatic stuff.

What does endemic mean?

-In biology and ecology endemic means exclusively native to a place or biota, in contrast to cosmopolitan or introduced. However, it is also differentiated from indigenous: A species that is endemic is unique to a defined place or region.-

Well....I still kinda don't get it.

So.....here I am.......I am trying to find a source of humour to turn this into something positive.

I was saddened and shocked by alot of what he said.....and oddly enough......I expected the overwrought .....from Kamal and Richard ( Ouzounian who, in the interest of total discloser, didn't like it either but beside this review his is kinda a rave) .....it was the "Shame" part and the mention of Chris Abraham's foray that really bothered me.

Like I said you don't have to like it......but it is already hard as hell to work in or produce theatre in Canada.....and with words and expressions such as this it will only get harder.

So....my friends ...if you wanna come see us in the Distillery.....please do......we would love your support.....people do seem to really enjoy it.

It may be loud......

We may be earnest.....

But I think we rock out.........

I STILL think it was AND IS worth the risk......

It would be a shame for you not to come!

Busy, busy.....

Holy ho ho!
It has become busy as hell and I have neglected the three people who read this....how could I?
WELL...it is getting close to the first preview of our show and I am working and shopping for clothes.......for the show, not for myself....and it has just been a whirlwind.
I am really excited.
We preview on Friday and the three of you should try and make it to the previews...why? because you never know......ya know?
The space looks very cool and there are more lights than I have ever seen...it is a rock show.
Woo hoo.
The whole design is by the team who does Rick Miller's shows, Beth and Ben, and they are something else.
Other than that.....I have nothing to tell you... this is all I am doing.
I haven't seen a movie....I haven't made a phone call.....I haven't done a damned thing.
I mean it!
So, I hope all is well and .....well... there you have it!

First Week!!!

Oh what fun we had....I can't believe that we are already done our first week of rehearsal for "Songs". And it was great....I never really feel quite this happy during rehearsal...usually about this time I am filled with self doubt (which I am sure will arrive at some point...not to worry) and asking myself why I took this fucking show and then doing the grand job a beginning to save me ass.
We all know "Save Your ASS Theatre"...... where it is every actor for themselves and your better get out of the way, baby!
But we have a great director, Chris Abraham, who was just named AD of Crow Theatre......exciting.....he is just great.
And I am with my peeps...my Thom and my Trace and my J.....and, of course, Noreen our MD is kicking our vocal asses.....all of sudden we are getting quite specific where we couldn't before......it was just so fast last time and we would all stand off stage hoping that we could remember the words to our 18 page song....yup.....18 - 23 pages some of them...woo.
On Wednesday we all sat counting the pages of each of our songs....to see who won...what would we win I ask you?......superiority...Isn't it worth it???
Thom won with Steam Train....23 pages.
Jason came second with She Cries......18 pages.
I think that Surabaya is my longest at 17.
Long ass songs.
But my favourite day was Friday. We came in to do music all day and Jason told us that he and his daughter Issy were sitting around in the evening the night before and she asked him to tell her his day, she is two years old and cute as hell, and he said, " I sang with my friends all day."
And then realized that would sound awesome to a two year old.
Then he got a bit choked up.
We are such gaylords for this show.
And, yeah, getting to sit around and sing with your friends all day long.....pretty awesome.

Studio 60?

So, I am reading the Star today, Saturday, and I read a bi-line that has "Studio 60" in the title and I think, oh, me readie......then I feel a bit flabbergasted.....READ IT!

I have loved "Studio 60"...it's dialogue was a bit high handed and trite but....anything about 'inside the entertainment biz' always turns my crank....the one thing I could never reconcile was that a little blond, left wing, christian girl who puts out a album of spiritual songs is

on a late night sketch comedy show.....and now I know why.....

Aaron Sorkin and Kristen Chenoweth ( who....dripa-droppie....I had the pleasure of working with in the Music Man movie...Chenoweth, not Sorkin.....could you imagine?)...did the nasty........eewwwwwww! And the character is based on her!

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

He is just so.........not......what she is.

So, I am in the Zehyrs in Collingwood during a tour of Charlie Brown earlier this year, my life is nothing if not glamourous, and Patrick and I are late night shopping and walking past the magazine section and I drop my hummus and pita when I see Kristen Chenoweth on the cover of Maxim.

MAXIM!!!!

It is just that I sat with her everyday in the make-up trailer telling little sweet stories about how she wanted to buy a special cross at Macy's and it was $1000.00 dollars but she just needed it.....which I do not judge but she was so .......spiritual? No, just proper and all.

Then there she is in a banana yellow bikini smiling like the day she won her tony, tits to the wind just waitin' for young boys to open the pages and smudge the print with their grubby fingers.

Was that too clear for any of you?

Ew.

So, in the article she talks about how she feels about being quoted on the show, or physically quoted......she sounds like she is hiding a world of mad.

How the fuck do you think she ended up with Aaron Sorkin?

Don't you think that he would see her as everything that was wrong with America?

Who knows....this Entertainment Biz is kooky........just when you think a premise is over the top ir far fetched ...........the Saturday Star tells you other wise!

Old and tired

Alright....I am 38 years old and after my third day of rehearsal I am going to bed at 9:50pm.

That is just effed!!!!

Did you check out my webstie changes?

Cool, eh?

I also just got a awesome dress from Fashion Crimes for "Songs".....gotta love the F.C. girls!!!!!!!

What about that review of Pippin?

Harsh....no wonder people aren't seeing things in Toronto...hmm.

Anyhow...did you know that my Georgie is playing Horton in the "Seussical" that opens next week at LKTYP?????

Yup....he is having a great time and I don't know if I can go and see him play so cute and not want to cry for the whole show....and tickets are totally affordable so go out and see it!

So...what is the deal with the recap episodes of "Survivor" and, my fave, "America's next Top Model"?

It sucks.

Off to sleep.

What can I hear?

Halloween....ooooohhhhh....scary.....

On my ....folks .....the guests that I just booked for December 18th.......staggering!!!

REALLY!

I will announce in a few days.

Second day of "Songs" rehearsal and I am off for a powerwalk at 7:00am.

I mean, really.

But I mostly want you guys to check out my webpage for the new stuff!

There are mp3's of the show!

There are new pictures!

And a list of the night of 100 Stars (minus 90) !

So...check it out and I will go and freeze my ass off.

Dance, Scream and Eat!!!

Wow....I have had to take time to process all that happened at the Hummingbird on Wednesday night...it was just too much to write about in the next few days after the show....WOWOW!
So YOU think you can DANCE!!!!
Hummingbird Theatre.
Filled with screaming, sugar -hopped-up, hair-straightened, skinny-jean-wearing, studio-dancing 14 year old chickies. Filled!!!!
It was sold out!
We got to our seats and we were in the 5th row baby!
RIGHT in sweating distance from Dimytry....not that he was my favourite at all. And I have to say..you all know how I want to be body accepting for everyone ...but his upper body is his bread and butter .....he pulled off his shirt and he had a couple tiny love handles hangin' over the side...and I thought....if this is your thing...you better do a couple sit ups, mister!
And Heidi!!! She was awesome...everyone picked a number that she was in as their favourite....she worked her ass of and got alot of stage time....
You guys it was like a rock show.
And my favourite part was the two 40 year old gay man who jumped to their feet after every number that Tracis was in!
It was the best birthday gift ever.....only to be topped by the good time that George had...I am so lucky!
Now I forgot to write about something in my last blog.
I went to Mitsy's Sister over in the west end.....I always feel that I have to get travelling papers when I go over there......and saw my friend Brendan in his band "The Chicken Pickers". They were awesome....they were excellent musicians and played some of my favourite tunes..... "Louisiana", I used to have a great recording of the Neville Brothers singing it and I dug it back out after hearing their rendition of it.... "O' Susanna" ...I never thought that I could enjoy that song so much...I was really toe tapping and singing along for the whole two sets. As was a real drunk guy that I wanted to heave the fuck out.....but they were so easy with it...they are a banjo, guitar, accordian, upright bass and another guitar and at some points a mandolin and they pass the instruments and the singing duties around.....it you get a chance.... get out to see them...they said the themes of their songs were love, drugs, jail and music...when can it get any better than that??? ...I think that their full name is " Cousin Jimmy's Chicken Pickers" and if I am wrong....Brendan or MF write in to this blog!
And what else?
It has been a busy week my friends....I start rehearsal tomorrow for "Songs for a New World" and am excited and nervous....I think that is the perfect place to be.
I am looking so forward to spending time with this awesome group of people....we have good chats and a seven year history with the show.....let's play and dish!
After doing your own show for a while....and I love my Patrick....it is nice to go out and have a little something social and work-ie....workie? That sounds gay....
I am also taping my first voice over tomorrow.
It is for Cialis.
Do you know what that is?
It is so fitting that after a ton of auditions this be my first one....for a pee pee medication.
All signs point towards life going interestingly from here.

So YOU Think you can Dance???

Dancin', dancin, dancin'........tonight is the night!!!!!
Travis ( and his sensitive heart and pushy-up hair), Benji ( who wants to meet a girl and settle down...?) Heidi ( who was my favourite ...and I so glad that the stylist made her not look like a meth addict), Musa ( wowie....he .....well.....I just think.....his.... he is an awesome dancer), Natalie ( they said her face was empty but I thought that she danced up a storm) are in my town tonight.
Do you know what I am talking about?
The concert of " So You Think You Can Dance?" is at the Hummingbird tonight and I got birthday tickets!!!!!!
So it will be me, George, two guys I know who are 49 year old partners ( & business men) and one has a shirt that says " I Love Travis" and about 4 million 13 year old girls.
Here is a fun fact......on the first day of ticket sales ( my friend works for the Hummingbird so I am not makin' it up as I am want to do, on occasion) they got one million calls for tickets and begged the company to do another show but they needed a day off.
Ya know what I say?
In this age of nothing selling in Toronto ......SUCK IT UP, People!
Give the audience what they WANT!
Did i just say that?
That was the inner voice that I save for quiet moments ....just me and my ....well..... inner voice...what shall I call her....why don't you three give me some suggestions?
Now, don't be mean in your suggestions.
I still get a bit upset when I happen upon someone saying something mean about me on the interweb, as George likes to call it...and it happens every so often and hits me in the gut.
So , here I am today on IMDB.com ( internet movie database ) and I am checking out my page as I just did a Self Promotion Workshop at Actra ( film and tv union) and I was on the panel and one of the other panel members, Mag Ruffman, ( who I love!!!!! ) told me it was worth it to use that resource.....oh I do go on but the punchline will be worth it....so I thought , "get to it wanna-be-tv-star!"
So, there is a discussion board place that I have nver seen before.......it says "Discuss Sharron Matthews with others"..."hmm".....I think..."who will have written on that?"
So, against my wise woman ...inner voice ......instincts I go it.
The first post is from a girl last year saying I rock.
"I ROCK!"
"Well," I am thinking, "this was a good idea...I can't believe strangers have been saying nice things about me and I didn't know."
I go to the next one.....the post person say something like " My friend told me her aunt was an actor and I thought she was lying.....then I saw her in Mean Girls"....yes you did, missy..." and I was surprised because she had gained weight!"
?
??
???
What the.....hey...that isn't nice...
That doesn't say I rock......
Then at the end of the post it says " It is nice to know someone in the business!"
Well, in the spirit of positiveness and turning the other cheek I have two words for this unknown post person...who is probably a teenage friend of one of my nieces........
SUCK IT!
I think that my niece needs some new friends and if that is the push that is needed I say so be it.
So, I am off to the Hummingbird tonight!

J the B

Hey....I thought that Junior the Barista was someone....but I think I am mistaken....I NEED to know.......are you K.G. ?
Or or you handsome-curly-haired-young-man?
Or am I totally off?
You don't have to say.....I love clues!!!!!
And now that I have a bit of time off between Songs for a New World and the Chiropractor ( my back still sucks and i have to say the 4 inch heels don't help..I was born for flats really....really) I have time for a puzzle.
And before we go any farther.......Why can't those girls speak properly on America's Next Top Model? They can't ask a simple question......of that crazy, cracky-head Janice Dickenson.....she is a piece, huh? She is one crazy byotch.
And they should have kicked off Jada? She is a manly man.....woo....not that that is bad...believe me......but wow.
That show is pure entertainment....I love it when Tyra thinks she is Dr. Phil...... one of the girls ( Amanda) was chatting with her and started to cry....Tyra said "It's okay to cry...." and not to be outdone by those young contestants she says ..." ...I cry all the time ....yesterday I cried for two hours."
WHAT??????
Why?????
Did you see your own talk show?
And I love that she said Oprah was her idol and mentor and then made a joke about her (Oprah) eating donuts....and then she apoligized to Oprah.....like she is watching.....Oh my god.....it is CRAKERTAINMENT.
AHHH!
And Grey's Anatomy.......well....that is for another day....
See what happens when I am not working on my show?
It is like I am missing part of my brain and I just pour TV into the side that is gone.....
I LOVE IT!!!!

Ohhhh tired and hair all fuzzy.....

Ohhhh I really am.
That fateful night ...just three nights ago......I just finished the show ....took off my wings and crown and hauled my ass home.
This one contained the most new material I have done so I was nervous and excited.
The crowd was mighty and thoughtful and I was so happy to have them all.....and especially have them all agree that "Skinny Jeans" are totally effed. I mean really.
I was soooo happy with my clothes and the guests were stellar!
Damien never fails to bring joy and excitement along with him and I thought that his story about Jude Law killed and "Diary of a Homecoming Queen" from his Dora Award winning show "Real Live Girl" ....which I had subsequently stole from him......was just heart wrenching....REALLY.
And Robert Cushman was very Cole Porter charming and funny and I love that he doesn't talk himself all serious-like. He laughed at the Stratford joke I made about his fall up there...that he was not pushed.....and he wasn't, peeps. He sang all 7 verses of "De-Lovely" and told the story with flair.
( I wonder if he will read that and use it as a bullet point for his new act?)
I did a salute to our sexually-not-pinned-down friend from the south " Clay Aiken".....loved that and I did a "Crazy Medley".....did you know how manys songs have that word in the title?
And SURPIRSE....Ms. Mary Pitt.....singing her ever popular rendition of "Trouble in Tahiti" and those of you would couldn't make it missed out on a true treat, my friends. She is one of the funniest ladies around.
There was so much more and so many awesome people showed up .......but i am so tired and I just got back from two days in Stratford with our friends Blythe and Mark that I have to cut it short.
But look for new updates on my website about the next two shows and I am also going to be posting some of the audio that was recorded from past shows just in case you wanna relive it or listen to it for the first time.
Talk sooooooon!

Too Long......

You would think that I was busy or something.....I was!!! But I miss my blog and my three devoted fans......

THE SHOW IS TONIGHT~!!!

And I didn't know how much I really loved Halloween until I started working on the show.....it's not like I am doing the monster mash or anything, believe me.....just love getting dressed up....and dressed up I will be, peeps.

And I am a bit fluttery in the tummy that for the first time ...except fo the closer and the opener...I am doing all new material....and Paul Butler by biggest blogger had some important business trip or some such thing....blah, blah, blah.....WHATEVER.......You will be missed.....

Tonight I will be announcing the line up for the Night of 100 Stars ( minus 90).....I am very excited because it is a very ecclectic and entertaining list of people.

I hope that you can all make it out.

P.S.......

Poor Georgie is afraid that you will think he was the one who screamed the "HOMO" insult below.....it was not him......remember .....George is straight but not narrow. (I love that line.) It was some yahoo redneck in the stands......his ( the redneck's) face was painted for the game...sigh........grown men talking about homo's when they are wearing a ton of blue and red pancake. The irony is just staggering.

My BACK!!!!

Owwie.....

Ever since dancing on the street car tracks on Dundas and Roncesvalles at 7:00am....oh ya after being up all night my back has not been the same, babies.

I went for a massage today and it was great but right after...I felt like I might puke....now I ask you...is that normal?

George said it was as he drew me a ebsom ( that might be the wrong spelling but isn't just knowing that enough?) salt bath.

ohhh.

Georgie took me to Buffalo for my Birthday on Sunday.....yes, my birthday lasts a good long time.

I wanted to go to the Anchor bar which is the birth place of the Buffalo Chicken Wing.....ah...it all makes sense. I love it there.

So, since we were gonna be there George got us tickets to the Bills - Jets home opener.

That is football for those of you who are like....what the eff is that?

Yes, I am a fan of the NFL....aren't I a
Renaissance woman. ( I went to spell check for that one) The game was good! The players are so burly. My my.

I think my Georgie would have been great out there. Maybe I can at least make him get a pair of those pants.

One thing I didn't know we still allowed in this world was for a grown man to lean over the stands into the field and call the ref....." ya fuckin' homo".

Oh my.

I was deeply offended.

That was the best he could come up with?

Loser.

Anyhow...our friends Mark and Blythe came to join us for wings. We had a great time...I am glad to know that 38 year olds are allowed to laugh like teenagers.

They got me pair of pajamas for my birthday....and George a pair too.

After the wings and then a long cab ride around the city in search of beer and chocolate....because we are nothing if not classy.......we went back to the hotel and Blythe said....lets get into our jammies and drink beer and eat chocolate.

That sounded great but we had one problem....my jammies were too big and Georgies' were too small so we thought....because we are professional entertainers....that he should wear mine and I his....tee hee....won't we be funnny. When they knocked I could hardly contain my mirth.

When I opened the door there were Mark and Blythe with pajama's to match ours.........they thought they had us damn it.....but when they saw my husband in my pink pajamas with butt clevage....

I knew we had the kicker.

Oh.....good times were had by all.

So, I feel a bit better in the back area and I am putting together the next show...woo hoo.

I am very excited.....it is going to be my first ALL New Show in a while. I am gonna pull out all the stops.

Look out baby!

Spell This!

I know....I know....

My spelling leaves a little to be desired.

The comic need to spell the last word wrong was something I fought with for a couple of minutes...but I think I did the right thing.

While Georgie read my last blog he told me that he thought that I should use spell check.

Know what I think?

Spell check is for pussies.

So, I will now try to do my best to write properly so my husband can read it.

Humph.

Okay.

Last night I went to see a show that my hubby is in called "Glory Days" at Theatre Aquarius.

That is in Hamilton for those of you who don't know.

The show was about the Stelco strike that happened in the fourties and how it affected the town.

Now, for a lover of the musical theatre I was a bit scared.

Though I know the show has some union songs in it ...I was sure that I might be bored out of my tree.

But no, my friends.

I am happy to report that it was quite a night.

Very well cast and the actors are at the top of their game.

All led by first time director Lee MacDougal.

Lee wrote "High Life"...a play that has won much acclaim and has been performed all over the world.

I saw him for the first time in a dress playing a role in "The Boyfriend" at Stratford years ago.

( May I add that he was awesome in that)

Anyway, I totally enjoyed myself and was reminded why I think my husband is one of the best actors I know.

He broke my heart as well as my mother-in-laws heart right beside me.

Enough soft stuff.

I decided to wear an awesome dress that I aquired from "Fashion Crimes" that I hadn't had a chance to try out yet.

It is a bit low cut.

Not totally inappropriate but still daring.

Whilst I made my intermission trip to the Ladies

Room a woman in a powder blue suit and ruffled top who appeared to be in her early sixties stared at my decollatage and then into my eyes and then repeated the gesture a couple more times.

I responded by circling the afore mentioned area with my "pointer" finger ( that is what I like to call it) and saying

" Never seen this before?"

And walking away before she could respond.

Eff her.

I effing hate Tyra......

It is like a car accident that I can't stop watching.....

I cannot stop myself from pressing the record button on the PVR.

America's Next Top Model goes against everything I believe to be good in this world but it is TV crack.

I taped the two hour opener ....for George, to be completely honest......and sat there and watched the whole thing.

I just love how they take it so seriously.....like it is important ....like.....university or dinner or something.

One girl...named Evita...I shit you not....left her two children at home, while her soldier husband is in Iraq to pursue this dream...." I had the American dream of the soldier, the model and the two children...." Evita proclaims...

Did I miss that dream?

Did they forget to tell the world that one?

OH YA!!!>>>>>>

And they made the girls, who's ages begin at 18, take off their clothes for their first photo shoot!~!~~!!

It was like Coco in Fame....the movie, people, not the TV show.

I just kept shaking my head and pinching George ( I cannot pinch myself as my skin is tender) to see if I was truly in La La Land.

And you guys know I love a drag queen as much as the next cabaret singer but.....

Miss J?

Pulease.

Get a life Miss J.

I love it when he starts a shot in pants and then ten seconds later he is in a skirt or better yet......he just takes off his pants and straps on 6 inch heels.

"Super Queen!

Able to shed clothes, swirl , strut down a runway and put down 10 people in the bat of a false eyelash!"

And the blond headed bitchy guy?

Whatever.

He wore a shirt last night that was rejected at some point by a twelve year old at La Senza Girl.

And then there is the cake.

Tyra friken Banks.

Her Momma musta put her in a little glass case and then let her grow up.

Her personality just screams spoiled brat.

My favourite thing....the thing that makes George laugh because it drives me insane....at the end of the show when she does her whole

" I have 10 beautiful girls in front of me....."

speech...she can't say

" America's Next Top Model"

without starting in a normal voice and then dropping down to a barely heard whisper by then end.

EVERY YIME SHE SAYS IT!

I can just hear her acting coach telling her people will think she is serious if she does that.

And, I am not done, she has a face that she puts on when she is trying to be sincere.

She squints her eyes and effects a half smile.

IT DRIVES ME INSANE!!!

I can't wait till next week.

PMS-Y but.....happy

"OHHHHH...what a night......mid september back in '06"

...

Remember that song?

"Oh.....I got a funny feelin' when she walked...in the room"

blah.....

Ya know how I love the retro tunes...

Well ...what a night it was....It was a mighty lovely group of peeps on and off the stage.

I do have the best seat in the damned house.

And I do love the Gladstone.

My guests were so diverse and I was just bowled over by their talent....Kathryn Rose sings like a bird.....and people flicked to buy her CD...which you can also get at her website

kathryrose.com

She has such an original sound and I watched the audience sit farther forward in their seats as she began her set.

The "Songs for a New World" people killed....oh ya ...disclaimer..I was in that part.....but we still killed......after "Flying Home" we got a standing ovation....I know it was a bit for Thom but we will all take the credit cause that is the kinda people we are!

And SURPRISE...............

Jennifer Stewart just lit up the stage.......

She sang from the Spelling Bee and from Footloose and from

Rocky Horror....

she just sang so purdy.....

And her sweet heart , Sammy, was my card bitch for the sing-a-long which was by far the best one sooooo far....

FOOTLOOSE....

I broke the group into three and then we all rocked out on the C section of the song.....

It is a challenge to pick something that will be fun for the audience.

But

I also love it when they sing with me on other tunes.

Like they did on "Tainted Love"

....gotta love the tainted love, baby....

For a birthday night it all felt pretty special...there were some new faces and the old faithfuls who I always am sooo happy to see...........

my Hamilton Crew...thanks.....

little Scotty Fink...he always warms my heart

...Great Grampa Randy....

Harry got a T-shirt.......

James' work buds...Graham....Kimball and Jay....Weesie and Rob...

Shout out...holllaaaaaa!

You are appreciated by all of the Sharron's Party Crew.

Yes, we do have our own crew.

And I got to sing a little Sondheim....how could that be wrong?

Now....I am just crampy .....

But happy....

I laid on the couch and read romance novels and ate cookies all date...isn't that a lovely white trash way to wind down?

Then I will go on an 8 hour bike ride tomorrow.

Then it begins again!!!

Oh ya.....for those of you who don't know....we have a line up change.. Adam Brazier had to cut out on the Oct 16th date but

we have an awesome addition....

Dora award winner for Real Live Girl and start of this season's Slings and Arrows

DAMIEN ATKINS!!!

Woo hoo.

I will be putting up the changes and the dates for Songs on my webpage ASAP!

I love doin' the show.

What a dream.

Life is good.

Judgers can eff off!