Category Archives: #SoBlessed

SOBLESSED at BroadwayCon 2017!

LIVE! from BroadwayCon 2017, Andrew Briedis, writer and creator of Annoying Actor Friend, was joined by Broadway favorites Lesli Margherita, Eric Anderson, Keala Settle, Julia Murney, and Andrew Keenan-Bolger to present readings from his best selling satirical ‘how to’ book, #SOBLESSED: The Annoying Actor Friend’s Guide to Werking in Show Business, an irreverent analysis of what life is like for both aspiring and employed actors and actresses in today’s world.

Recorded LIVE on January 29th, 2017 at the Javits Center in New York City using an iPhone 6 and zero professional sound equipment, so we hope you enjoy the raw unedited audio on SOUNDCLOUD!

#SOBLESSED: the Annoying Actor Friend’s Guide to Werking in Show Business is available on paperback, Kindle, and audiobook!

Introducing Chelsea Nachman as Laura Benanti at 54 Below

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Twitter sensation, Chelsea Nachman, has captured the hearts of anyone with a social media pulse, and we are ecstatic to announce that she will be making her New York stage debut as Laura Benanti in #SOBLESSED: Live! at 54 Below on July 27th, 2015 at 9:30 p.m., benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS!

We caught up with Ms. Nachman this week to ask her a few questions about what is bound to be the most important theatrical event of 2015, Hamilton.

How did you prepare for your audition for the role of Laura Benanti?

I literally did nothing to prepare.

Was Laura in the room during your audition or callback?

She’s Daisy, I’m Violet. We’re never apart.

Did you read with Patti LuPone or just a reader?
I took out my phone to ask Siri to just call me Laura Benanti, and Patti walked out.

How did you feel when you heard you booked the role of Laura Benanti?

Excited. Well, excited and scared.

Ms. Benanti made her Broadway debut as third nun from the left in The Sound of Music. How does it feel to be making your New York stage debut in a much bigger part?

In lieu of flowers, please send bottles of rosé to my private dressing room wait what do you mean

How does Laura feel about all of this?

SHE’S THRILLED but please do not ask her this directly just take my word for it thank you.

Are you familiar with Laura’s cannon of work?

Linney? Of course. What is this, amateur hour? #themothmanprophecies

Are you a fan?

She’s the best there is. (We’re still talking about Linney, right? JKKKKKKK LOVE YOU, BOO)

Are you nervous to portray such a prolific performer as Laura Benanti?

LOL (like used ironically, please never say ‘lol’ to me in any genuine capacity)

How do you plan to make the role of Laura Benanti your own, yet stay true to the character?

You’ll have no idea which one of us is actually up there.

Would you consider this your Meryl Streep moment?

More like my Jessica Chastain moment hey @jes_chastain do u want 2 come to this concert r u avail

Who will you be wearing?

No spoilers.


Hosted by Lesli Margherita (Matilda), #SOBLESSED Live! will feature performances by Christine Dwyer (Wicked), Chris McCarrell (Les Miserables), Nikka Graff Lanzarone (Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown), Kate Shindle (Legally Blonde, AEA PRESIDENT!), Alex Wyse (Deaf West’s Spring Awakening), Chelsea Nachman (Twitter), and TWO MORE AWESOME PEOPLE WHO WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATER. The evening will be music directed by Drew Wutke.

TICKETS

You’re a Queer One, Julia Jordan

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Due to scheduling, Jeremy Jordan is unable to appear in #SOBLESSED Live! at 54 Below on February 7th. We look forward to having him at a future engagement and are proud to announce that Julia Murney will be stepping into the role of Jeremy Jordan.

We caught up with Julia this afternoon to hear her thoughts regarding what is bound to be a groundbreaking performance…

How did you prepare for your audition for Jeremy Jordan? I was offer only, but I’m very familiar with his oevre.

What did you sing for it? Meadowlark. In the shower.

Was Jeremy in the room during your audition or callback? I have a photo of him on my piano, so-yes?

Did you read with Laura Osnes, Katharine McPhee, or just a reader? Andy Mientus

How did you feel when you heard you booked the role of Jeremy Jordan? Soy blessed, of course.

How does Jeremy feel? He’s starring in the Last Five Years movie & the Parade concert, so I’m guessing he feels Jason Robert Brown-ish.

Are you familiar with Jeremy’s cannon of work? I don’t like firearms.

Are you a fan? I have a ceiling fan, yes.

Were you on Smash? smashed potatoes are delicious-will there be some at the concert?

Are you nervous to portray such a prolific performer as Jeremy Jordan? I feel like everything has led me to this point…and I plan on being drunk so I’ll have no recollection as to whether I blow it or not. It’s kind of my thing.

How do you plan to make the role of Jeremy Jordan your own, yet stay true to the character? Wait-does his wife know that making him my own is part of the deal? She’s really nice…I would never.

Would you consider this your Daniel Day-Lewis moment? I would love a milkshake, thank you.

Who will you be wearing? Vintage JJ, by Jeremy Jordan. Also, pajamas cause this concert is so damned late at night.

#SOBLESSED Live! will be hosted by Lesli Margherita, featuring Wesley Taylor, Keala Settle, Michael James Scott, Adam Kaplan, Nikka Graff Lanzarone, Megan Sikora, Ellyn Marie Marsh, and introducing Julia Murney as Jeremy Jordan.

February 7th. 11:30 p.m. 54 Below.

How to Get “#SOBLESSED: the Audiobook” for FREE!

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#SOBLESSED: the Audiobook was released on October 21st, and you can get it for FREE!

HOW DO I GET THIS SHIT FOR FREE AND STILL HELP BC/EFA MAKE MONEY OFF OF IT?

STEP 1: Go to AudibleTrial.com/theEnsemblist. (Thank you to The Ensemblist for this rockin’ promo code!)

STEP 2: Join Audible’s ONE MONTH FREE TRIAL (you can cancel later with no charge!)

STEP 3: Download #SOBLESSED.

BAM! That’s it!

WHAT DID I JUST DO?

A couple of things!

1.) You got your hands on a kickass audiobook featuring a cast that collectively has 3 Tony Awards (4 if you count Ivy Lynn’s Best Actress for Bombshell), a Golden Globe, 2 Oliviers, and 47 Broadway.com Fan Choice Awards (None of which belong to me).

2.) Since you made #SOBLESSED your first “purchase” as an Audible member, BC/EFA will make four times the royalty amount! AND YOU DIDN’T PAY SHIT!

3.) You also got yourself a credit for another audiobook! There are about two million out there, and I suggest Alan Cumming’s Not My Father’s Son because ALAN CUMMING.

WHY SHOULD I BOTHER WITH THIS?

All of the writer’s and publisher’s royalties are going to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. The only people benefiting from the sale of this audiobook are the people BC/EFA helps every single day.

It only takes a few clicks and you’ve made a charitable contribution that costs nothing. You don’t even need to listen to the audiobook! But, I think you should because Brian Dennehy says the phrase, “Hey girl!” on it more than once.

#SOBLESSED: the Audiobook was recorded at Ripley Grier Studios and features Alan Cumming, Lesli Margherita, Megan Hilty, Julia Murney, Will Swenson, Keala Settle, Tituss Burgess, Krysta Rodriguez, Andrew Keenan-Bolger and Brian Dennehy.

Things I Wish I Had Been Told at [CCM/CMU/Michigan/Anywhere Else Is Irrelevant]

My actor friend, Callam Rodya, recently published some of the fundamental lessons he learned while pursuing an acting career in Canada. However, I believe the life of an actor in New York City is somewhat different.

I may have just graduated from my BFA program last May, but I spent an entire summer pounding the pavement before booking my first Broadway show in September. That difficult time in my life provided me with several lessons that I wish were shared with me before I walked off the stage at my showcase and into the offices at Gersh.

  1. “Stealing the show” is not a compliment. It means you were trying to have a “moment” when the rest of the ensemble was discussing dinner plans and making fun of the principals. Like you’re supposed to…
  2. You’d be surprised how few of your friends and family, or people with a personal connection to you are not willing to pay for theatre tickets whatsoever.
  3. You can totes play roles in your forties when you’re in your twenties. But, only if you book something out of StrawHats or NETCs, and nobody takes that shit seriously on your resume.
  4. By the same token, there are very few roles in the theatre for twenty-year-olds, unless someone from the casting office went to your school. Then that shit don’t matter.
  5. The stage manager may work harder than you. But technically, they don’t werk harder than you.
  6. Most people get drunk on Opening Night…because they can always callout the next day… dzuh. So, don’t ever be a swing.
  7. Being attractive and under twenty-five is the single MOST important thing you can do after you graduate.
  8. Background work does shit for your career. But posting the words, “on set,” “early call,” and “Craft Services” on social media will fool your friends back home into thinking you’re #nailingit.
  9. Unions are awesome when you’re on Broadway and the worst when you’re on tour.
  10. When people said you would be poor thanks to your brilliant career choice, it’s because their parents aren’t paying for their apartment. And that’s okay.
  11. EPAs and ECCs are on one level. Actual appointments are a completely different level altogether.
  12. Directors, casting agents, and producers care as much about how easy you will be to drink with as they do about how moderately acceptable you are for the role.
  13. Remember how you used to have five weeks to get off book? It’ll be another five weeks before there is a finished book.
  14. Save up a certifiable shit-ton of money if you’re going to move to New York. That is, if you want to actually be able to live off unemployment, prep for Broadway Bares at the gym, day drink, netwerrk, and you know, any of those other career-building essentials.
  15. Don’t do everything. Seriously. Know when to turn something down. And believe me, you’ll know. (i.e. SETA, LORT, LOA, GUEST ARTIST, 99- SEAT, COST, DINNER THEATRE, SHOWCASE)
  16. It’s not unreasonable to expect to be paid for your work. But you won’t always be. So when you do regional theatre, which will be a lot, make sure that after taxes and agent fees, the contract is more than you are making on unemployment plus your under the table job.
  17. Ninety percent of casting decisions have everything to do with whether or not you’re wearing Lululemon.
  18. Most of the time, when you don’t get the part, it’s not because you suck, it’s because you weren’t in someone on the creative team’s previous project.
  19. Nothing is more important than appearance. Sleep is important, but don’t skip the gym to take a nap. After all, there’s always frozen spoons and a hair and makeup person on set. But they aren’t a fucking wizard when it comes to your body.
  20. Take your “me” time. And make sure to share it on Facebook.
  21. Don’t embrace your “physical flaws.” Just try desperately to forget they’re there.
  22. Don’t actually spend money on Schmackary’s. Wait until they show up at your rehearsal studio. That means you’ve arrived.
  23. The camera really does add ten pounds. So don’t eat the Schmackary’s.
  24. No matter how big of a star you were in school, out here, just keep acting like it. Somehow that shit pays off.
  25. Acting is actually easier than you want to believe it is. And more people can do it naturally than you want to believe. And I want you to remember that when you pay your soul-sucking student loan every month.
  26. You are replaceable. And probably by someone like Karen Cartwright.
  27. Stage and screen are completely different worlds, unless you’re on SMASH, then you can act to the back of the house.
  28. You thought there was “technique” to acting on stage? Just wait until you have to be happy for your friend that booked the role you were up for.
  29. Rehearsals are hard. Actors weren’t meant to work from 10 – 6.
  30. It is not okay to be drunk, stoned, high, or any other kind of intoxicated while you work. That’s what travel days are for.
  31. Try not to get discouraged/cynical/jaded/resentful right after graduation. Wait until you’re about two weeks into your first Broadway show.
  32. And finally, don’t go down this path just because you’re “good enough” to be a professional actor. For the love of God, do it because you think you are.

Always be #grateful and #SoBlessed.