Godspell Opening Night Photos

I'm reveling in all of the excitement from Monday's opening of Godspell.  It was such a thrilling night and it was a great opportunity to see how far the cast had come from the press rehearsal I attended in late September. My mom AKA "Grammy" was my hot date for the night, so we got all gussied up and hit the Great White Way. Here's the inside scoop on the evening and don't forget to buy your tickets to Godspell.

I made sure Grammy hit her best red carpet pose, hand on the hip!

So this is a photo from our seats.  Yup, we were that close--front row and center, thanks to Ken Davenport.  The show is at Circle in the Square, so it's theatre in the round.  

Grammy and I onstage at intermission enjoying some "wine" with the cast.  Don't miss this when you go to see the show.

Just after the final curtain call, the cast huddled for a moment onstage.  This cast is incredibly close and you can tell they genuinely enjoy working together.  This is one of my favorite pictures from my NYC trip.

The row of Canadians! If you look carefully, you see Victor Garber and Martin Short in the photo.  Many of the cast member from the legendary Canadian production were there:  Paul Schaffer, Martin, Victor, Eugene Levy, and Andrea Martin.

The stage is littered with glitter and confetti by the end of the show.

Olympic gold medalist and my favorite figure skating commentator, Dick Button. I have the pleasure of knowing his awesome daughter, Emily, and I love that the Button sass runs in the family

Director, Daniel Goldstein with me after the show.  We spent several summers together at Stagedoor Manor because I am the dork who attended musical theatre camp. (Yes, I was that kid.)

Pointing out my name on the People of Godspell banner.  Yep, I am an investor and my name is right next to Dick Button. Sweet.

Scream!! It's a Jonas Brother!  Yes, Kevin and his wife, Danielle, came to support Anna Maria Perez de Tagle in the show.

 You know I wouldn't miss this cupcake.

My mom is toasting Producer Ken Davenport for the open bar. Just kidding, Grammy!

I think I liked my faux hawk a little too much.  I took 9453029458 photos from this angle.

I love this shot.  I've known Ken (producer of Godspell) forever and I am so happy for his success. 

Seriously, could Anna Maria be any prettier?  I interviewed her earlier this year at the Kids' Choice Awards gifting suite.  Sweet girl and she's absolutely luminous in this production.

Getting our party on at Planet Hollywood!

There was glitter everywhere. I found it in my hair the next day and it was stuck to our skin.  Notice the logo of my iPhone case reflected on the glitter....it's the Godspell logo!

The opening night gift.  It was a brick.  Um, I had to fly home with a brick.  If you ever want to travel with a brick through TSA just know that you will endure a bag check and an explosives test.  

My New York

I started the day with this view.  I knew it was going to be a GREAT day.  

I walked the streets a little longer last night even though I should have been in my hotel room resting for my shoot today, but I wanted a little more time to reflect on the city I consider home.  It's no secret that I love NY, but it's been such a great journey for me:  seeing where I started in NY and where I am in NY now.  It reminds me of one of my favorite songs from Sondheim's show, Merrily We Roll Along called "Our Time".  This section of the lyric still sticks with me:

"Years from now,
We'll remember and we'll come back,
Buy the rooftop and hang a plaque:
This is where we began,
Being what we can."

These lyrics resonated with me all day as I had the wonderful opportunity to rehearse for a great project that I am shooting today, watch two longtime friends make their dreams come true with the Broadway show, Godspell, and then meet with the entertainment editor of iVillage.(I have been fortunate to do a few press junkets with them and I look forward to more!)

Now for my fellow musical theatre geeks, here are a few photos from today's incredible invited press rehearsal for Godspell.  If you would like to see some of the video footage, head to Broadway World (A prize to the first person who spots me in the video. Tell me where I am sitting in the comments below.) and be sure to read Producer Ken Davenport's blog on today's event.

 Director, Daniel Goldstein, and Choreographer, Christopher Gattelli.

 The cast!

 Hunter Parrish being interviewed by NBC.

 Ana Maria Perez de Tagle from Hannah Montana is in the cast too.  I last interviewed her here during the Kids' Choice Awards week.

Hello! It's Stephen Schwartz.  Wow!

Kids' Choice Awards: GBK Productions Gifting Suite

Rico Rodriguez from Modern Family

Just when you think awards season is over, a couple of shows sneak in there:  MTV Movie Awards, ESPYs, BET Awards, and of course, Kids' Choice Awards.  I am no stranger to GBK's gifting suites since I have happily covered them with Mingle Media TV for the Emmys and the Oscars.  The Emmys gifting lounge still continues to rank as my favorite, but we had a lot of fun with the kids from your favorite shows like Modern Family, Wizards of Waverly Place, and Hannah Montana.  It also made me very popular with my 11-year-old niece who has a nice box of goodies headed across the country to her.

See the full interviews with everyone here:  Kids' Choice Awards:  GBK Productions Gifting Suite

Ana Maria Perez de Tagle from Hannah Montana

Some of my favorite interviews of the day were Bailee Madison of Wizards of Waverly Place who is a complete delight and who passed along a "hello" to my niece.  She was running around with Rico Rodriguez of Modern Family who is a bundle of energy.  I handed him the microphone and off he went asking me all of the important questions of the day. (You must, must watch my full interview with him.  That kid is one of a kind.)  I think I flirted shamelessly with Gary Cole whom I have loved since he played Mr. Brady on the big screen and we stood back as the Jackson entourage piled into the suite.  Yes, LaToya, Paris, Prince, and Blanket were all in attendance followed by The Insider camera crews.  We were not allowed to take photos while they were there, but I'm sure The Insider has exclusive rights to the Jackson clan.  (Read between the lines on that one.)  The Jackson kids were probably the most low key family that walked through the door that day, so while they have an extraordinary life, they act like very ordinary kids which was nice to see.

 I pretended this photo was for my niece, it was for me.  I love Make It or Break It on ABC Family. Thanks to Josie Loren for being a good sport. 

 Singer and fellow Massachusetts native, JoJo.

The lovely Bailee Madison from Wizards of Waverly Place.

Finally, I fell in love with Glimmer Body Art which is an amazing temporary glitter tattoo that lasts about 7 days.  My vet even commented on it, "So I guess you like purple".  Be sure to check them out since they were my favorite vendor of the gifting suite and I still have my glitter star on my wrist after 5 days. So, enjoy the interviews and the photos, it just reminds me that it's great to be a kid.....in Hollywood!

 I think I look a little too happy next to Gary Cole.

 This one is for the Vampire Diaries fans.  Arielle Kebbel wouldn't give me a single spoiler about next season.  

I'm the Beebs on the cover of Tiger Beat.  Awesome!

My favorite new accessory, a glitter tattoo!

Photos are property of Mingle Media TV and Kristyn Burtt

*The Glimmer Tattoo Kit was complimentary.  I was not asked to write a review.  I liked the product and I wanted to share it with you.*