I posed for more photographs for my jewelry designing friend Alex Agudo of Monsieur Pamplemousse this past week. It's easy to feel pretty wearing such lovely jewels! Photographer photos to come (watch the facebook page), but here are a few shots snapped impromptu.
Some lovely photos from last weekend's performances of Music in the Air. We sang to a sold out house Saturday evening, a full house Sunday, and both standing ovations. The benefactor of the show, Harry, had seen the original production on Broadway in 1934 gave a sweet curtain speech with the most important part hitting home for the actors and the audience: "please be sixteen again with me tonight and enjoy the show."
A special thanks to the George Williams College photographer and cast member Amy Norton O'Donnel for the fabulous photos.
Lots of times costumers, or the makeup artist (hair/wig designer in large theatres) will have sketches, ideas about hair for you. Sometimes, they leave it up to us to decide, so I've done a little research for young hair styles in the 30s and late 20s. (Small towns, country towns, were sometimes behind, although I think Tila is a stylish gal in her own way...that or copying her BFF.)
Have you heard of Music in the Air? Me either. This little operetta style gem isn't well known, which makes research very interesting, case in point: goole image "music in the air" and you literally get pictures of music notes in the sky. But since I'm a good actor/singer, I've done a little digging. Here's my show research.
Who am I? Tila (derived from Matlida, pronounced Tiylah). She's a young girl, 16ish, who is best friends with Sieglinde. The English say it means "Good" while the Germanic meaning is " Powerful Batter." Some sites attribute it to Polish or Danish origin. In Finnish, Tila translates to "Space." Guessing by her dancing in the beginning of act one, I'd say she's slightly enamored of Hans, the Goat Boy.
A simpler time: The show takes place in 1932 Germany: This great article interviewed a couple who were born in Germany in 1925.
The mom-and-pop stores survived because they would give you credit," he said. "They had a notebook and would keep track of who owed what. A loaf of bread cost 10 cents, and small pies sold for a quarter. A quart of ice cream cost 35 cents.
"No one stole from anyone. Grocery stores didn't lock their doors."
Gene recalled that "if someone was sick, no matter how poor you were, you would send something over to them."
From the director about the region: Located in aromantic, mysterious and unique
region, the lake is surrounded by an imposing mountain landscape.
Walking through mountain passes below high rocky summits, we discover beautiful
valleys, waterfalls, gorges and rivers.
Here's a clip from the beginning of the movie, although slightly different from the script.
One of my greatest college friends, Josh, is working on a book on theatrical education techniques and asked for my help creating a character board. So here are my inspiration boards based on characters I have previously played and characters I would love to play.
Cinderella, Into the Woods
Cinderella is different in this show because who she is and who she becomes are on the surface different. She has to cope with longing and wishing in addition to the aftermath of what her wish gives her and ultimately, change her mind.
Carlotta, Phantom of the Opera
This is a role I don't think I'll ever get to play. I'm more of a type match for Christine or Meg, but I LOVE this role and all of her music is divine. I think the challenge in playing her would be to keep everything rooted in reality and not let her get too over the top, even though she is the prima donna. She's amazing and strong, comfortable, yet with the slightest fear of being replaced. She taps into that place we all have been when we're worried about being forgotten - you just never get to see that side of her as it's not her story the show revolves around.
Choral rehearsals for Music by the Lake's Music in the Air started last Sunday. I'm looking forward to being back on stage after a mini kids show only hiatus. The music is fun, operetta based, and catchy and the ensemble sounds fabulous! Next rehearsal is Sunday the 24th for a sing through and costume measurements! It's going to be a quick process - the Show opens July 21st. I'm excited to be back in beautiful Lake Geneva for a summer show!
Chicago Opera Playhouse created this promotional video for the children's show I'm currently in: Cinderhood (I play Little Red Riding Hood, The Fairy Godmother, and Cinderella's Wicked Step Mother). It's a fun 45 minute musical romp about what happens when half the cast shows up to do Cinderella and the other half prepared to do Little Red Riding Hood.
I had the pleasure of getting my hair cut, colored, and dyed by Patrick Daniels last week. Today I returned to the salon for a photo shoot for Patrick's hair and makeup blog: Chatting with Patrick. He opted for a pretty in pink look with a subtle nod to Mad Men.
Look for his post on Thursday, all about dying my hair...my first time! You can check out more photos and my thoughts on my virgin hair dying here.
I loved posing for the photos almost as much as I loved that shimmering poppy pink lipgloss from MAC.
I'm delighted to announce that I'll be returning to Music by the Lake in Williams Bay, Wisconsin after performing the role of Jean MacLaren in Brigadoonthere last year! This summer I'll be dancing the role of Tila in Music in the Air by Hammerstein and Kern. Performances are July 21st & 22nd.
I'm a coloratura soprano, dancer, and actor residing in Chicago and performing in musical theatre, opera, commercial/film work, ballroom dance, and classical and sacred vocal music for weddings and private events. I received my BFA in musical theatre from Millikin University and have performed throughout the midwest.
This blog is a collection of my backstage adventures. Please make sure to check out my website as well: www.KirstenLendyke.com
"...brought incredible depth to the role of Anne de Bourgh. WELL DONE! We have never laughed so much like that at 'rosings.'" -Lindsay Warren Baker & Amanda Jacobs Writers of Pride & Prejudice, a musical
"...and you, effortless & amazing...I'd play for you any day!"
