Broadway/San Diego Blog

A Brief Historical Overview of Women in the Law

For years, women faced a unique challenge in their efforts to penetrate the profession of the practice of law. Unlike other professions, all institutions of the law, namely the law schools, the bar associations and the courts, were under the exclusive control of men. Women were left with no door to enter this entirely male-controlled monopoly…and men didn’t want to let women into their turf. Therefore, the history of women in the law is closely connected to the women’s suffragist movement in its early stage and later, the women’s rights movement. For example, by 1890, about five percent of doctors in the United States were women as opposed to only a handful of women who were individually gaining the right to practice law on a state by state basis. By 1930, fifty years later, only two percent of all American lawyers and judges were women. As a subset, African-American women, often slaves, have an early powerful history in pursuing the law as a means of obtaining their own freedom. In 1655, Elizabeth Kay, a slave, sued for her freedom by arguing that her status should be determined by the ancestry of her father, a free white, rather than that of her mother, a slave. Although Ms. Key won her case, in 1662, the Commonwealth of Virginia responded by legislating that whether or not a child is a slave or a free person will be determined in accordance with their mother’s status (thereby overturning the court’s decision). 

The Eighteenth Century remained a period of little change for the status of women in the law, both in terms of their rights as women and their right to be lawyers. Women generally could not own property and were even themselves considered to be the property of their husbands! (Oh My God, as Elle Woods would say!) The 1700s found women slaves again arguing in court for their right to be free. Notably, in 1781, Mum Bett won her independence from slavery in a Massachusetts court after advising her counsel to use the constitutional premise that “all men are born free and equal.” This is seen as the first time that a state constitution was used to challenge slavery. Following her victory, she changed her name to Elizabeth Freemen. Slightly over a century later, it would be another African-American woman, Lutie A. Lytle, who would become the first woman law professor in the nation. 

Beginning with Belle A. Mansfield in 1869 in Iowa, women slowly began gaining the right to practice law, state by state…In 1923, Delaware was the last state to admit women to the bar. In 1869, Lemma Barkaloo entered the Law Department of Washington University in St. Louis, thus becoming the first woman law student in the nation. She did not complete her studies but passed the Missouri bar upon the conclusion of her first year of study and began practicing in 1870. It is interesting to note that of all the regions in the US, the Northeast, with the highest concentration of male attorneys, the longest history of male attorneys, and the most prestigious law schools, was the most resistant to the admission of women to the practice of law. In fact, Harvard University, ostensibly the best law school in the nation (and law school of choice for Elle Woods in Legally Blonde), did not admit women to its law school until as late as 1950. 

From early on, as women entered the profession of law, contrasting views have arisen as to their role and contribution to the law. On one hand, women have argued that there is no difference in the way law is practiced  by men and women, that the two genders are equivalent and thus equal in all aspects. However, another argument is made that women have brought to the law a unique perspective, one that is less adversarial than the traditional method (established by men) of trying cases in a court of law and declaring one side the winner and the other the loser. In an effort to find case resolution that entertains  the philosophy of a “win-win” instead, women have expanded the law into areas of alternative dispute resolution such as mediation, especially in the areas of employment and family law, where it is not necessarily appropriate or desirable to have an outright winner and loser. Similarly, a more gentle approach to adjudication has been suggested by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. In a speech given shortly before her nomination to the Supreme Court, Ginsburg suggested that “[m]easured motions seem to me right, in the main, for constitutional as well as common law adjudication. Doctrinal limbs too swiftly shaped, experience teaches, may prove unstable.” Ginsburg has also urged that the Supreme Court allow for dialogue with elected branches, a notion not previously considered by the men who served before her. 

January 26th, 2010 | Tags: broadway, broadway san diego, broadway san diego tickets, Broadway Tickets, Civic Theatre, Civic Theatre Tickets, Elle Woods, Law, LEGALLY BLONDE, Legally blonde the musical, Legally Blonde the Musical tickets, Legally Blonde Tickets, Legally Blonde Tour, Legally Blonde Tour Tickets, san diego, san diego tickets, Women | Category: From Broadway/San Diego Staff | Comments (1)

Against the Elements

“In Act One, the show deals with themes that are at the heart of a lot of early music and dance, songs in praise of the earth, sun, fire, the moon and other elemental forces that are common to all cultures.” – Bill Whelan

Your journey at Riverdance begins in pre-history, where we worshiped, praised and feared the elements. Written history in Ireland began when monks inspired by St. Patrick, began to record Celtic culture. Before that, the scholar-priests of the Celts, the Druids, looked down upon writing; they kept their histories through oral history; songs, dances, rituals. These were passed down from generation to generation. All cultures sing and speak of this early time, when the earth, sun, fire, the moon and other elemental forces ruled our lives. In Riverdance’s first act, the dancing and music reflect the power of the elements. So the opening dance sequence, “Reel Around the Sun,” celebrates the sun’s great power with a vigorous troupe, in which the beating “thunder” of their feet echoes the power of one of natures’ most dramatic forces. We fear it, but we can’t live without it. In “Firedance,” the lone dancer uses gestures and hand movements to show the beauty and danger of that contradictory element.

Leaving Home

“Act Two tells how the native culture has been forced to emigrate and, by so doing, is exposed to the forms of expression of other cultures, both in dance and music.” – Bill Whelan

Between 1845 and 1850, the time of the Great Hunger, nearly two million people left Ireland for other lands, a great distribution of people and culture. Irish culture spread out around the world, learning new ideas and influencing other cultures. As John McColgan writes, “It is a credit to the Irish that they held their culture heritage so close to them wherever they traveled.”

Most of those who left Ireland during the Great Hunger traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to America. Between the 18^th and 19^th centuries, 7 million people came from Ireland to the United States. Thousands of Irish people already living in America sent money to relatives for boat tickets to come to the New World. Today 40 million Americans can look back on their family tree and see a link to Ireland.

Coming over to the United States was often a horrifying experience. Journeys could last up to twelve weeks, and disease and starvation were rampant. So many ships had people die on route, or were lost at sea, that they were often called “coffin ships.” In Irish tradition, the term “going west” was another phrase for dying. The Irish who sailed westward for the United States were given parties called American Wakes. And those who left Ireland never expected to return again. The American Wake was at once an event of great joy and a release of deep sadness. Many songs were sung, dances were danced, food was eaten and tears were shed. The American Wake was a way to say good bye to your old life and embrace the new. 

Later in the 19th century, when steam ships were introduced, the passage across the Atlantic became easier and faster. Toward the end of the 19th century, Irish immigrants in America began to become organized, helping new immigrants and creating political and social organizations. Many of these were created to help preserve Irish heritage in America. They came to escape hunger and poverty. They came with great determination and hope, looking for opportunity. And many did find that dream, but many more found things even harder than it was in Ireland. Many saw the new Irish as invaders, taking away jobs. Many Irish immigrants came with no skills, some speaking only Gaelic, and so were given the lowest paying jobs. Many Irish Catholics came to America and learned that prejudice against them was not confined to Irish borders.

No wonder many Irish immigrants felt that they were not voluntary comers to America, but that the conditions in Ireland had forced them to leave. They saw themselves as “exiles.” They were disillusioned. “Disillusion” is the loss of a dream, and for many, the dream of a new land was dead.

But the Irish prevailed spreading their culture, and re-creating the cultures they encountered. The politician Richard O’Gorman wrote, “There seems to me nothing in the Irish nature to indicate a worn out, a moribund race. The moment it touches this soil, it seems to be imbued with miraculous energy for good and evil, so that something Irish is prominent everywhere, and you have to praise or blame, to bless or curse it, at every turn.”

RIVERDANCE - SAN DIEGO Civic Theatre
January 5-10, 2010 

December 28th, 2009 | Tags: broadway, broadway san diego, broadway san diego tickets, Broadway Tickets, Civic Theatre, Civic Theatre Tickets, Irish Dance, RIVERDANCE, Riverdance Farewell Tour, Riverdance Farewell Tour Tickets, Riverdance Tickets, san diego, san diego tickets | Category: From Broadway/San Diego Staff | Leave a comment

In 1569, Sir Henry Sydney wrote to Queen Elizabeth about the Irish people: “They are very beautiful, magnificently dressed and first class dancers.”

Throughout Irish history, dancing has been done for pleasure, for performance, for joy and for mourning. At many times during Irish history, the Church tried to condemn or outlaw dancing, saying “In the dance are seen frenzy and woe.” Exactly right: in Ireland, people have danced for every emotion, from great joy to utter sadness. The Druids danced to worship the sun and the oak tree; when millions left Ireland during the Great Hunger, they danced before they journeyed on.

The Gaelic word for dance, “damhsa” shows the mixed quality of Irish culture; its origins are from the French word “danse,” brought over by French—speaking Normans.

Until the 18^th century, most Irish dancing was communal, that is, danced by large groups of people. In a time before television, movies and the Internet, dance parties in houses or at the crossroads were often a community’s sole form of entertainment. Solo steps were first developed by dance masters in the 1900s. Many of the dances you will see at Riverdance—the reel, the jig, the hornpipe—were developed at this time.

THE DANCE MASTER

Dance styles were extended through Ireland during the 18^th and 19^th centuries by traveling teachers and performers known as Dance Masters. Dance Masters would wander from town to town, staying in a village for up to six weeks, sleeping in the kitchen or barn of a kind farmer, teaching the children of the village how to dance. The people of rural Ireland knew the folk dances taught by their parents, but people wanted the Dance Masters to teach them the new dances from far away places like France. It was considered a great honor for a town to host a dance master. Dancing was so popular among peasants and farmers that the coming of a Dance Master was a time of celebration for the whole village.

Flamboyant, colorful characters, Dance Masters wore bright colored hats, knee breeches, shoes with large silver buckles and held staffs while they walked. Dance Masters would usually have their own territories, usually not more than 10 square miles. Often Dance Masters would meet at fairs and compete to see who was the best dancer. The winner would take over the loser’s territory.

During this time, places for competitions and fairs were always small, so there was little room for the Dance Masters to perform. They would dance on tabletops, sometimes even the top of a barrel! Because of this, the dancing styles were very contained, with hands rigid at the sides, and a lack of arm movement and traveling across the stage. As time went on, larger places for dance competitions and performances were found, so styles grew to include more movement, more dancing across the sage as you see in Riverdance.

TYPES OF IRISH DANCING

Step Dancing

This lively, agile dance is perhaps the most well known Irish dance. First seen at the end of the 18^th century, Step Dancing was created by the Irish Dance Masters. The emphasis in step dancing is on foot percussion or battering, and a rigidity in the upper body. Breandan Breathnach writes in his book, Folk Music and Dances of Ireland, “A remarkable feature of step dancing was the control or restraint which underlay the vigor and speed of the performance. The good dancer kept the body rigid, moving only from the hips down and with arms extended straight at the side…the good dancer, it was said, could dance on eggs without breaking them and hold a pan of water on his head without spilling a drop…”

Types of Step Dances:

1.       REEL – Danced in 2/4 time, the word “reel” comes from the Anglo-Saxon word “rulla,” or “to whirl,” and the motion of the reel is indeed a whirling, spinning dance.

2.       JIG – Danced in 6/8 time, in a jig, the feet serve as percussion instruments, creating a drumming rhythm on the dance floor. This is called “battering.” As Carol Leavy Joyce, Irish Dance Coordinator for Riverdance, says, “That’s the type of dance that Riverdance is best known for – 30 kids rattlin’ out this rhythm…”

3.       SLIP JIG – Danced in the unusual 9/8 time, the slip jig has a lighter step, with hopping and sliding motions. The Slip Jig is usually danced by two couples. The dance is alternated by a procession around the stage, returning to the beginning again when the music indicates. In Riverdance, the dance called “The Countess Cathleen” features 8 girls dancing in slip-jig time.

4.       HORNPIPE – Danced in 2/4 time, the solo dance is usually done by a lone man.

CEILI DANCES

A ceili (pronounced kay-lee) is a grand party, a celebratory dance event. Communal dances adapted from group set dances and French quadrilles, set to Irish music that were danced at these events became known as “ceili” dances.

SET DANCES

About 150 years old, Set Dancing is a form of social dancing in which four couples in a square make up a “set” – usually 3-6 parts of the dance separated by pauses. Set dancing comes from French dances called quadrilles – brought to Ireland by English troops during the 19^th century. The Irish Dance Masters adapted these dances and made them their own. You’ll see an example of set dancing in Riverdance in the dance “American Wake.” 

December 21st, 2009 | Tags: broadway, broadway san diego, broadway san diego tickets, Broadway Tickets, River, RIVERDANCE, Riverdance Farewell Tickets, Riverdance Farewell Tour, Riverdance San Diego, Riverdance Tickets, san diego, san diego tickets, tickets | Category: From Broadway/San Diego Staff | Leave a comment

Few shows have touched audiences like Riverdance. A celebration of Irish music, song and dance, the show focuses on the evolution of Irish dance and its similarities with, and influences on, other cultures. The phenomenon of Riverdance draws on Irish traditions and combines the richness of the music with the magic and sensuality of the dance.

Riverdance was originally conceived as a spectacular seven-minute intermission entertainment for the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest televised throughout Europe to an audience of over 300 million viewers. Following the success of that performance, producer Moya Doherty, composer Bill Whelan, and director John McColgan, expanded the piece into a full-length stage production.

Riverdance had its world premiere at the Point Theatre, Dublin, in February, 1995, where it opened to unanimous critical acclaim. The show has taken the world by storm and to date, over 20 million people world-wide have seen Riverdance live.  In addition, more than 9 million people have purchased video versions of the show, making it one of the best-selling entertainment videos in the world.

Bill Whelan won the 1997 Grammy Award for “Best Musical Show Album” for his original music and lyrics for Riverdance. This extraordinarily unique show, which features an international company, has touched the hearts of millions around the world.

Riverdance will be in San Diego on it’s Farewell Tour January 5-10 at the Civic Theatre. Make sure to catch it before it’s gone!

 

 

 

 

December 15th, 2009 | Tags: broadway, broadway san diego, broadway san diego tickets, Broadway Tickets, RIVERDANCE, Riverdance Farewell, Riverdance Farewell Tickets, Riverdance Farewell Tour, Riverdance Tickets, Riverdance Tour, san diego, san diego tickets, tickets | Category: From Broadway/San Diego Staff | Leave a comment

*From now on until the risotto is ready, simply let the stock boil down and absorb enough for the rice to look sticky but still moist through out before adding more stock (never completely cover the rice with the stock), and again you will need to be constantly folding the rice, taking care not to damage the pumpkin cubes too much. This will take between 30 to 40 minutes or until the rice is cooked and the pumpkin is soft. Season with sea salt and a generous amount of cracked pepper along the way to give it a nice bite.

*When cooked the risotto should be quite moist. A consistency like that of Paella is too dry.

The Salmon

*Prepare the fillets with a coating of olive oil and a dust with a couple of pinches of sea salt and pepper.
*Preheat a nonstick frying pan to a medium heat add 1 teaspoon of olive oil and add the salmon fillets.
*Turn to high heat and cook for 3 to 5 minutes each side or until browned, squeezing a little lemon juice
onto each fillet during cooking.

Serving

Take two flat bowls and spoon 2 tablespoons of risotto into each. Add some freshly shaved parmesan cheese spread over the risotto then spoon two more tablespoons on to of that. Garnish with the lemon zest, then place the salmon fillet on top of the risotto, spooning 2 to 3 table spoons of the sauce on the fish.

Serve immediately and enjoy it with a chilled Hunter Valley Chardonnay.

Get that up ya trumpet!!!!

Stewy Morris

December 7th, 2009 | Tags: broadway, broadway san diego, broadway san diego tickets, Broadway Tickets, Civic Theatre, Civic Theatre Tickets, Holiday, Holiday Recipe, Recipe, san diego, san diego tickets, Ten Tenors, Ten Tenors Holiday, Ten Tenors Holiday Tickets, Ten Tenors Tickets, tickets | Category: From Broadway/San Diego Staff | Leave a comment

 

Boyd Alexander Owen

 

Hometown: Melbourne, Australia

Special skills: sleeping – I’m not kidding!

First Broadway show ever saw: West Side Story

If you could go back in time and catch any Broadway show, what would it be? Original West Side Story

Current show you have been recommending to friends: Australian Ballet’s – The Nutcracker, Clara’s Story.

Favorite show tune: Anything Sondheim

Performer you would drop everything to go see: Maria Callas

First stage kiss: 9^th Grade, Sound of Music, I was Captain Von Trapp kissing my best friend who was Maria.

Favorite pre-show meal: Anything that involves red wine.

Worst flubbed line: Instead of saying ‘Angels prostrate fall’ I said ‘Angels prostate fall’ – in Church!

Worst onstage mishap: nothing big so far – touch wood

Worst costume ever: a small children’s opera where we wore painted calico, the designer was trying to be edgy. It just turned out to look like they’d been done in someone’s day care center.

Who would play you in the movie? James McAvoy

What roles were most rewarding? John Proctor, The Crucible – amazing role!

Worst job you ever had: it’s a tie – working in a call center for an energy company; and selling jewelry door to door. 

What leading role have you been dying to play?: James Bond – don’t we all secretly dream that

What non-traditional/gender-switching role would you love to play?: Well I’ve always been jealous of some of the AMAZING arias sopranos get to sing. I’d love to do an album of them one day and upset all the purists - mwoo hoo ha ha!

Who is your favorite director to work with; and why?: John Kirby

Who influenced you the most to get into this business?: My Cd player and case of  Broadway soundtracks

 MAC or PC: to maintain the relationships in my life – no comment.

Most played song on your iPod: Shadow Feet – Brooke Fraser

One CD (or album) you couldn’t live without: Brooke Fraser - Albertine

Last book you read: Picture of Dorian Gray – Oscar Wilde - AWESOME

Must-see TV show: Aussie family drama – Packed to the Rafters

Last good movie you saw: Atonement

Favorite board game: /Favorite card game: Monopoly

Pop culture guilty pleasure: unashamed to say – you tubing Celine Dion and vintage Mariah Carey

Cats or dogs: Cats – so much more intelligent

Favorite cereal: I love porridge for some reason

Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream - favorite flavor: cookies and cream ice cream every time

Cook at home, or eat out: cook at home – I’m actually very good

Favorite mode of transportation: Airbus A380 – suites class!

Favorite city in the world: Paris

Favorite vacation—cruise ship, adventure on your own; hiking the Andes, or …: anything with a good beach

How many tattoos/piercings do you have: zero – I change my mind too much

Favorite reality show: is that a trick question? They all suck

Favorite karaoke song: any Aretha Franklin

Secret superpower: flying – have not changed my mind since childhood

What are you good at cooking: Christmas dinner

Is your life best described as a: sitcom, soap opera or primetime drama: all three

Pirates or Ninjas: ninjas – it’s all about finesse.

What food grosses you out: tripe, brains, tongue, liver – all those non muscle bits.

MySpace or Facebook: facebook

What is your favorite word? Truth, beauty and above all ‘wuv’

What is your least favorite word? Alarmclock (I just made it one word for the sake of the exercise)

What turns you on? red wine and great conversation

What turns you off? Injustice

What sound or noise do you love? Rain on the roof when I’m warm in bed

What sound or noise do you hate? Alarm Clock

What is your favorite curse word? My mother might be listening

What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? Archaeology

If heaven exists what would you like to hear God say when you arrive? Welcome home dinner’s ready!

Where do you prefer to play ~ beach, desert or mountains: beach beach beach

What is your favorite watersport/ocean activity: body board and great waves

Sailboat or power: power boat – very James Bond

When and how did you get your first sunburn: can’t remember – I’m  red head so I burn on cloudy days and avoiding the sun is a way of life

Where would your perfect night out be spent locally: barmy beach bar with a mojito

 

 

 

 

December 1st, 2009 | Tags: Boyd Alexander Owen, broadway, broadway san diego, broadway san diego tickets, Broadway Tickets, Civic Theatre, Civic Theatre Tickets, Holiday Tickets, san diego, san diego tickets, Ten Tenors, Ten Tenors Holiday, Ten Tenors Holiday Tickets, Ten Tenors Tickets, tickets | Category: From Broadway/San Diego Staff | Leave a comment

 

BOYD OWEN (Baron Von Owen) Boyd’s love of performing began at an early age and, since finishing his studies at Melba Conservatorium of Music in Australia; Boyd has performed in productions around the world. Boyd’s operatic experience has included understudying the title role in Mozart’s opera, La Clemenza di Tito for the Masterworks Festival in Indiana, USA (2006) and a return invitation by this same festival to perform the role of Gastone in Verdi’s La Traviata (2007). As well as contracts with Victorian Opera’s touring season of Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutte (2007) and Monteverdi’s L’Incoronazione di Poppea, Boyd has appeared with More Than Opera as Alfredo in their performances of Traviata En Miniature in the Famous Spiegeltent as part of Melbourne International Festival Season (2007), and performed in the roles of Basilio and Curzio in Melbourne Opera’s The Marriage Of Figaro (2008).Boyd’s concert performances include several years as guest soloist in Carols By Candlelight at Werribee Mansion in Melbourne (2005, 2006, 2008), soloist in Opera in the Alps and Opera by the Lock for Australian Music Events (2006, 2007) and Opera in the Park. Also in the USA, Boyd appeared in the cast of the workshop season of the new Broadway musical, Angels (2007). Boyd has also worked throughout the USA, Europe and Australasia with promotion and sales for his CD titled Songno (2008).Boyd is very excited and grateful to be joining The Ten Tenors. To have the opportunity to continue doing what he dreamt of as a child – to travel the world and make a full time living in the entertainment and arts industries.

 

DOMINIC SMITH (Panda) Dominic Smith was born and raised in Brisbane, Australia. He first performed with The Ten Tenors in 1997 and has been a member, on and off, ever since. Before joining The Ten Tenors Dominic had an illustrious career as a Shoe Salesmen, a Banker, a Delivery Driver and his favorite, a Lawn Mower Man!  His singing career began when he asked his best mates sister to teach him to sing and since that day he has never looked back. Dominic loves travel and over the years he has been to 25 countries and well over 500 cities and towns all over the world. Dominic has plenty of great stories to tell about his worldly travels but until you corner him in a bar somewhere, what goes on tour stays on tour. When he’s not on the road with The Ten Tenors Dominic loves to disappear to a quite part of the world and fish, play golf and dream of all those far off places he hopes to one day see.

 

STEVEN SOWDEN (The Biscuit) Steven pursued music from an early age, and subsequently graduated from the Central Queensland University Conservatorium of Music with a Bachelor of Music Theatre in 2004 where he played leading roles in Aspects of Love, Chess, Chicago and Footloose. Following a year of touring Australia with varius shows, Steven moved abroad in 2006 and completed an extended contract performance in the Broadway Musical Theatre Revue Encore at Japan’s Tokyo DisneySea. Steve became the newest member of The Ten Tenors back in 2007, and looks forward to many more years of touring with the boys, and wowing new audiences all over the world. On the road he keeps himself occupied with various pursuits including but not limited to, golf, scripture, films, poker and skyping his wonderfully accommodating and beautiful wife.

 

TOD STRIKE  (Old Man Strike) After having gained his Bachelor of Arts in Music, Tod quickly moved into the professional performance arena with appearances in The State Opera Of Queensland’s (Australia) productions of Turandot and Otello and went on to play Goro in Madame Butterfly for the State Music Festival. After discovering a love for Musical Theatre he pursued a career in musicals with performances in The Merry Widow, Kiss Me Kate (Gremio), A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Forum (Protean, U/S Hero), Grease (Sonny, U/S Kenickie), They’re Playing Our Song, South Pacific, Footloose (Travis, U/S Williard) and the Australasian and International touring productions of CATS (Rum Tug Tugger, Gus, Munkustrap, Old Deuteronomy). Tod later went on to perform with the critically acclaimed international touring act “The Three Waiters”. Tod is looking forward to a great year with The Ten Tenors and intends to enjoy every minute of this thing he’s lucky enough to call ‘work’. He dedicates each and every performance to his mother, Eva, who was and will always be his source of inspiration, and to his amazing support network.

 

JEFF TEALE (Teals) Jeff Teale was only really introduced to the world of performing arts at the age of 19. As a young lad, sport played a significant role in his childhood, particularly AFL. His dreams of a career in the Australian Football league took a turn when he eventually explored his love for music and singing. The young singer then began exploring all different styles of music and performance. He played Enjolras in Ignatians production of Les Miserables in 2005, began writing his own songs and was even known to busk with his guitar on the streets of Brisbane. Jeff first joined the Tenors in January 2006. He was very fortunate to be a part of both the worldwide release of the album, Here’s to the Heroes, and also the DVD, A Night with The Ten Tenors. Some of his most memorable experiences with the Tenors so far have been performing at London’s Royal Albert Hall, and being part of the album production at Abbey Rd and Air Studios in London. He was also very lucky to be a part of the two-week run of shows at Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, California. Recently, Jeff has had some time off from the rigours of worldwide touring in order to complete some more vocal training and pursue other goals back in Australia. He is very excited to be back on the road with the Tenors in his new role, and looks forward to learning as much as he can and exploring the rest of the world.

November 19th, 2009 | Tags: Boyd Owen, broadway, broadway san diego, broadway san diego tickets, Broadway Tickets, Civic Theatre, Civic Theatre Tickets, Dominic Smith, Holiday, Holiday Show, Jeff Teale, san diego, San Diego Civic Theatre, san diego tickets, Steven Sowden, Ten Tenors, Ten Tenors Holiday, THE TEN TENORS, Tod Strike | Category: From Broadway/San Diego Staff | Leave a comment

 

Graham Michael Foote

Hometown: Melbourne, Australia

Zodiac sign: Libra

Audition song: ‘What IS it about her?’ from “the wild party” by Andrew lippa

Special skills: piano, conducting

First Broadway show ever saw: oliver!

If you could go back in time and catch any Broadway show, what would it be? The original production of ‘west side story’

Current show you have been recommending to friends: ‘jersey boys’

Favorite show tune: ‘who can I turn to?’

Performer you would drop everything to go see: an alive Freddie mercury

First stage kiss: ‘fame – the musical’ in 10^th grade

Favorite pre-show meal: something simple – meat and vegetables or chicken pasta

How you got your Equity card: for Australia yes! It’s a bit more difficult to get one for the us!

Worst flubbed line: it can’t be printed in any format without being offensive. Suffice to say that it involved a mix-up involving the words “duck” and “flapjack”.

Worst onstage mishap: playing jesus in “jesus Christ superstar”, I was probably the first person to be crucified horizontally because the cross failed to rise when it should. Then, when the cross was ordinarily supposed to be lowered and myself removed from it for the final moments of the play, the mechanism decided to work and started elevating me!

Worst costume ever: being dressed as a geisha – don’t ask!

Who have you played on “Law & Order”? Which edition? Oh, it was…umm…the…umm…2^nd…episode of…umm…law and order: culinary disasters unit…and I played…umm…irate chef 3…yeh, that’s right!

Who would play you in the movie? I’d like to think it’d be someone like Johnny depp or Robert downey jnr, but they’d almost certainly end up casting some unknown person of limited height.

What roles were most rewarding? Whilst understudying in the professional show in korea, I was fortunate to play judas in “jesus Christ superstar”. It’s a pretty amazing emotional journey. It really asks a lot of you both dramatically and vocally, and is a truly exhausting role.

Worst job you ever had: I’ve been quite lucky with jobs. But working at ‘sovereign hill’ – a historial re-enactment village – as a university job during winter and chopping wood 8 hours a day wasn’t great fun…

TV or commercial gig you most enjoyed: singing the Australian national anthem at the Melbourne cup in front of 100,000 people live and millions on television.

What leading role have you been dying to play?: Frankie valli in “jersey boys”

What non-traditional/gender-switching role would you love to play?: I’d love to be the voice for an animated pixar or dreamworks picture!

Who is your favorite director to work with; and why?: the gentleman who directed me in “jesus Christ superstar”, paul warwick griffin, is not only a visionary and very gifted at what he does, but also a singularly wonderful person.

Who influenced you the most to get into this business?: my grandfather fostered my passion for music from a very early age. My first childhood memory is from when I was about 8 months old with him helping me play the melody from prokofiev’s “peter and the wolf” on his piano.

 MAC or PC: mac all the way baby!

Most played song on your iPod: the 2^nd movement from chopin’s 1^st piano concerto in e minor.

One CD (or album) you couldn’t live without: “a night at the opera” by queen

Last book you read: “naked empire” by terry goodkind

Must-see TV show: 30 rock

Last good movie you saw: I’m quite critical of films, but probably the last one that affected me deeply was “atonement”.

Favorite board game: /Favorite card game: monopoly / blackjack

Pop culture guilty pleasure: I really love a mcdonald’s thick shake!

Cats or dogs: dogs

Favorite cereal: muesli

Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream - favorite flavor: lemon sorbet

Cook at home, or eat out: cook at home, because we almost never get that opportunity.

Favorite mode of transportation: cars

Favorite city in the world: paris

Favorite vacation—cruise ship, adventure on your own; hiking the Andes, or …: since I was young, I’ve always had this idea to travel from London to Melbourne without using flight of any description. I’d love to just wander through Europe, the middle east and asia at my leisure.

How many tattoos/piercings do you have: 2 piercings and 2 tattoos.

Favorite reality show: American idol (or local equivalent) because it gives talent the opportunity to be heard

Favorite karaoke song: “I’m still standing” by Elton john

Secret superpower: ability to fly

What are you good at cooking: thai green curry

Is your life best described as a: sitcom, soap opera or primetime drama: an after-midnight chat show

Pirates or Ninjas: pirates

What food grosses you out: mushrooms because I’m allergic, and raw tomato for some reason. I eat everything else.

What is your favorite word? vociferous

What is your least favorite word? umm

What turns you on? The curvature of a woman’s lower back

What turns you off? Cultural insensitivity

What sound or noise do you love? An orchestra tuning

What sound or noise do you hate? A tenor tuning

What is your favorite curse word? Fuck – it has astonishing versatility

What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? Travel journalist

If heaven exists what would you like to hear God say when you arrive? What took you so long? And why are you naked? And why do you have that big grin on your face?

Where do you prefer to play ~ beach, desert or mountains: beach

What is your favorite watersport/ocean activity: Frisbee on the beach followed by bodysurfing

Sailboat or power: sailboat – it’s more relaxed

When and how did you get your first sunburn: when I was 16 and I fell asleep in Australian summer sun. never a good idea!

If you had a day off and weren’t traveling between cities, what famous San Diego attraction would you see: I’d love to see a padre’s game.

Where would your perfect night out be spent locally: somewhere eating seafood on the water – any good suggestions?

 

 

 

November 16th, 2009 | Tags: broadway, broadway san diego, broadway san diego tickets, Broadway Tickets, Civic Theatre, Civic Theatre Tickets, Holiday Tickets, San Diego Civic Theatre, Ten Tenors, Ten Tenors Holiday, Ten Tenors Holiday Tickets, Ten Tenors Tickets, tickets | Category: From Broadway/San Diego Staff | Comments (2)

 

Full given name: Stewart Grayson Morris

Hometown: Mudgeeraba

Zodiac sign: Aries

Audition song: Can’t remember……..????

First Broadway show ever saw: Joseph.

If you could go back in time and catch any Broadway show, what would it be? The original West Side Story

Favorite show tune: Anthem

First stage kiss: Hollywood star Sophie Monk, in Les Miserables.

Favorite pre-show meal: Thai red curry.

Worst flubbed line: Messing up well known football lyrics on national television.

Worst onstage mishap: Laughing so hard I couldn’t sing.

Worst costume ever: Fruit bat.

Who would play you in the movie? A serial killer.

What roles were most rewarding? Marius in Les Mis.

Worst job you ever had: Jewelry repairs.

TV or commercial gig you most enjoyed: The original Nintendo Game Boy commercial.

Who influenced you the most to get into this business?: Guns’n'Roses

 

MAC or PC: Mac

Most played song on your iPod: ‘Bland Street Bloom’ by SiKth

One CD (or album) you couldn’t live without: ‘Appetite For Destruction’ G’n'R.

Last book you read: 1984

Must-see TV show: Extras

Last good movie you saw: ‘The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button’

Favorite board game: /Favorite card game: Risk

Pop culture guilty pleasure: Youtube and a bottle of vodka.

Cats or dogs: Dogs

Favorite cereal: Nutrigrain.

Frozen Yogurt or Ice Cream - favorite flavor: Gelati- Rockmellon

Cook at home, or eat out: Both.

Favorite mode of transportation: Walking.

Favorite city in the world: Madrid.

Favorite vacation—cruise ship, adventure on your own; hiking the Andes, or …: Tropical anywhere.

How many tattoos/piercings do you have: None.

Favorite reality show: The Ultimate Fighter.

Favorite karaoke song: Stain’ Alive.

Secret superpower: Drunken banter.

What are you good at cooking: Risotto and sauces.

Is your life best described as a: sitcom, soap opera or primetime drama: Sitcom.

Pirates or Ninjas: Ninjas.

What food grosses you out: Tripe.

MySpace or Facebook: Facebook.

 

A la INSIDE THE ACTORS STUDIO:

What is your favorite word? ‘Genau’

What turns you on? Boobies

What turns you off? Bad or annoying accents and voices.

What sound or noise do you love? My girlfriend’s laugh.

What sound or noise do you hate? Cats fighting

What is your favorite curse word? Knobjockey.

What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? MMA fighter.

If heaven exists what would you like to hear God say when you arrive? “Sorry for the confusion, I should have just come down there myself and made it clear from the very beginning, my bad.”

Where do you prefer to play ~ beach, desert or mountains: Mountains

What is your favorite watersport/ocean activity: Fishing.

Sailboat or power: Power.

When and how did you get your first sunburn: Swimming training, 1983.

If you had a day off and weren’t traveling between cities, what famous San Diego attraction would you see: The Zoo.

Shamu or Panda cub: Panda

Where would your perfect night out be spent locally: The best thai restaurant in town then onto the pub with the most atmosphere.

What is your favorite Mexico/vacation mis-adventure story: Getting lost in Harlem, getting followed, getting things thrown at me. Real fun!!!!

 

 

Anything else we should really know about you?

I’m an avid horse rider, I love watching rugby, I’m currently recording my first heavy metal album and I love top shelf vodka.

Thanks for playing Stewart!!

November 10th, 2009 | Tags: broadway, broadway san diego, broadway san diego tickets, Broadway Tickets, Civic Theatre, Civic Theatre San Diego, Civic Theatre Tickets, san diego, san diego tickets, Stewart Morris, Ten Tenors, Ten Tenors Holiday, Ten Tenors Holiday Tickets, Ten Tenors San Diego, Ten Tenors San Diego Tickets, Ten Tenors Tickets, tickets | Category: From Broadway/San Diego Staff | Leave a comment