“I made it out of Houston by making it into Saigon!
So, I just finished the first week of rehearsals and I must say that I am excited and exhausted! Excited because TUTS and Miss Saigon is where it all began for me as an actor. Exhausted because rehearsals for the show is not all I have on my plate, but I will get to those details later. In the meantime let me give you a little background information on myself and how significant this contract, this show and this city is for me.
I decided to become an actor because of the show Miss Saigon. It is a show that I fell in love with from the first time I saw “the making of Miss Saigon” video. Now, I must have changed my major 200 times before I realized that performing was where my passion lie and Miss Saigon was my key towards that career. This may sound crazy, but I figured that if I could make that show on Broadway or one of the national tours, it would open the door for me. So I started my journey by becoming a vocal performance major - only a vocal performance major. Back then I figured that this would be all I needed to prepare for a career in Miss Saigon. I soon found out it would not be enough and I needed to do so much more. Also, I just was not happy as vocal performance major. It did not seem like enough.
Eventually I came to a point were I would need to change majors. Since the school I went to at the time, the University of Houston, did not offer a degree in musical theater I would have to create my own “program." I would need to major in theater and minor in music. This was not an easy choice for me, but then came my first sign … the legendary Stuart Ostrow, winner of several Tony Awards for musicals, was coming to teach at the University of Houston School of theater. You would think that was an obvious enough sign for me but it was not. I was still not convinced and I remember how torn and stressed out I was about making a decision. Then came the answer…
I remember I was with my girlfriend at the time and she was consoling me and giving me advice on my situation. I was, for the lack of the better word, “upset.” I think it was on a random weekday night around midnight and we were driving along Westhiemer when I decided to pull into the IHOP near the Galleria. I distinctly remember sitting in the car before getting out and saying to her “I need a sign." We got out of the car, went into the restaurant and were seated. Not even 5 minutes later who comes and sits down next to us but the actors playing “The Engineer” and “Ellen” … two principal characters from Miss Saigon! The tour was in town that month. I got my sign.
So there I was - a theater major with a minor in music. I was set. Since musical theater also involves dancing I also took dance classes wherever I could. I studied, I worked hard and I built my resume by doing local shows. With graduation just around the corner I knew I was ready for my official auditions for Miss Saigon for Broadway or one of the national tours! Then tragedy … Miss Saigon closed on Broadway and on tour! “Now what?!” I thought. It was 1998.
I ended up becoming a music teacher and decided to just go on with my life. But once again fate stepped in … I found out that the first regional production of Miss Saigon would be happening here in Houston via Theater Under the Stars! I auditioned and thankfully booked the gig. I can still remember the first day of rehearsal back in 2001. It was an all-star cast of “Saigon Veterans.” These were people I had only read about or heard on CD’s! You have no idea how star struck I felt. I could not believe I was lucky enough to be a part of that production. And now …. almost 9 years and 12 Miss Saigon productions later … I am back home. I guess you can say my plan worked!
Now in 2010, the first day of rehearsals for Miss Saigon had the same magic I felt back in 2001. The excitement of not only myself, but of those who have never done the show before was overwhelming. For those who may not know, the first day of rehearsal normally includes a meet and greet. This involves the introduction of all those involved with the show. And so we all went around the room saying our names, where we are from, our involvement with the show etc… So many people had the biggest smiles on their faces during their introductions. The excitement in the air was so thick you could cut it with a knife. This is what I felt almost 9 years ago. It was then I realized the tables had turned and I was now the “Saigon Veteran.” This was a flashback to the defining moment that launched my professional acting career. Miss Saigon, in a sense, was my ticket out of Houston. This show lead me to perform all over the world and eventually settling and performing in New York City.
Now I had mentioned earlier that it has been an exhausting week for me. I have basically been running non-stop ever since landing from NYC. In the first week alone I had to juggle not only rehearsals for Miss Saigon, but my friend’s bachelor party, my dad’s birthday, singing at church and preparing for a concert/benefit I am having here in Houston. Yes it is a shameless plug, but it is also for a good cause: “Take Me Home,” a special Home-Coming and Benefit Concert for the victims of the Haiti Earthquakes. It will be held at the Aquinas Center (next to St. Thomas Aquinas Church) on Monday, February 15 @ 8:00PM. The Aquinas Center is located at 12627 West Bellfort Avenue, Sugar Land, TX 77478. Tickets are available at http://takemehome.eventbrite.com/
It has only been a little over a week but I must say I am truly excited and honored to be part of this production. Not only do I get to perform in the show that changed my life, but also I get to do it with amazing people and in the city and theater that started it all for me … TUTS! Anyway, I should get back to bed now. We are currently in our 2nd week of rehearsals and things are coming together and it looks and sounds AMAZING! Tune in next week for my report on rehearsals and all that goes on afterwards with the cast.”