Valerie's Weblog

Last weekend for Bye Bye Birdie! Since I last wrote, I was cast in Saratoga Drama Group's production of Bye Bye Birdie! This was a surprise, because I was asked at the audition if I could tap dance and do the splits - neither of which I can, but I was still cast as Gloria Rasputin, a woman who has a tap solo that ends in the "flying" splits! As the summer progressed, I worked with dancer friends & yoga teachers to start getting to the splits - finally accomplishing a "jazz split". Close enough, apparently - *phew*!

Rehearsals began, and I was originally under the impression that I would only be on stage for a few minutes for this "cameo" role of Gloria Rasputin. After a few rehearsals, the director asked me to start learning the "adult" music, so I could join the chorus of parents when I wasn't being Gloria. Sounds great!

Then one night, the director asked all of us "parents" to learn the teenager songs so we could beef up the volume by singing from the wings. No problem, I said.

A few more rehearsals, and the director asked Carla (another "parent") and myself to additionally be teenagers. Um - Okay!

So, now I am proudly the oldest teenager in the cast - and here I thought my days of playing a teenager were over!When I did finally get to my first rehearsal for the "Gloria" scene, I was surprised when the choreographer, Kayvon (who rocks, btw!) was not there. Once I inquired, I found out I would be choreographing my own tap dance. Apparently, it's very funny when someone doesn't know how to tap stomps furiously across the stage in leapord patterned "hot pants" and a jacket made of purple feathers. The choreographer's favorite part is the "cheetah butt section", which I've been told can never be removed from the dance.

SDG has been fun to work with and I'm so happy to finally be cast in one of their productions after many years of auditioning for them.

So, if you have time tonight, tomorrow or Saturday, come on down & see the show. I promise you'll have a great time! You'll recognize me in my hot pants.

Comments:

Valerie, My 8th grade daughter is auditioning for a part in "Bye Bye Birdie!" and wants a dancing part. She loves tap, and I noticed Gloria's role has a tap solo. But she does want a "lead" and the part of Gloria seems from your blog ("cameo") to be a one-scene shot. Can you send me an email or make a post regarding how much stage time you got as "Gloria"? Thanks, it will help determine what role she auditions for.

Posted by Mark Gross on February 21, 2007 at 02:23 PM PST #

Sure, I'll make a new post on the role. watch this space :-)

Posted by Valerie Bubb on February 22, 2007 at 04:31 PM PST #

Heeeeey, I'm gonna play Gloria! WHOOT WHOOT!!

Posted by SheliDee on December 14, 2007 at 07:39 PM PST #

Congrats! Since our school had to edit the full version of the play somewhat, the Gloria role was limited to one scene in our production. My daughter ended up getting the role of Kim, and since we had never heard her sing before, we were in for the shock of our lives when she sang "It's Lovely to Be a Woman" absolutely perfectly. She was great and it was the highlight of her 8th grade year -- which says a lot. Thanks again for your comment, and best of luck to your and your cast on a great show.

Posted by Mark Gross on December 17, 2007 at 08:18 AM PST #