Two a half years ago, a group a comedians sat in my living room, mapping out our improv shows for the upcoming season. At the time, GLEE was gaining incredible momentum and other TV shows were joining the musical bandwagon by having their own musical episodes. Almost as if it were a joke, we nonchalantly thought to ourselves "why don't we make our season finale a musical episode; we'll write a storyline, a script, and some original songs" - as if this was something people do everyday. Two and a half years later, this musical has been performed twice, re-written twice, and has had scores of musical numbers created for it - some of these numbers have been taken out or modified over the years, others are still in their original state. It's been an incredible journey, tiring and frustrating at times, but always an incredible journey. This year has seen the most change with the addition of new characters, new songs, new technical aspects, and an overhaul of some of the plot points. What we now have is comedic musical meant to make people laugh and inspire them to chase their dreams however far-fetched they may seem to yourself and the people in your life.

IMPROV-The Musical is the semi-autobiographical fairytale of a group in comedians in Reno, NV attempting to achieve their dreams of fame and success. People always say to write what you know ... I think we may have taken that advice a little too literally. The group decides to form an improv comedy troup - The Utility Players, who gain notoriety in the city of Reno. However,  a downtrodden comedian - aided by a dark and fabulous witch - attempts to steal the talent of comics around the world, including the Utility Players and establish himself as the one and only comedian in the world. Can the Utility Players - with the help of their own fairy godmother - stop this evil comedian and save the world's laughter?

Make sure to not miss this production. I have been given the honor of directing this production as well be in it. I am, obviously, playing the evil witch and fairy godmother - who are incidentally twins, convenient huh. My wigs and costumes for the production are ABSOLUTELY fantastic. As my choreographer likes to point out, my look is a combination of Black Swan, Rocky Horror Picture Show and Velma Kelly from Chicago... meets a drag queen ;). You have three chances to see this Artown sponsored show - the 19th, 20th and 21st. Doors open at 7 and show starts at 8pm. You can purchase tickets from me directly, check out one of our fabulous ticket hubs - Melting Pot, Prism Magic or Discology - or buy them online at Reno Tahoe Comedy North. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Hope to see you all there!!!

 Tonight marks the premiere of the 3rd Annual "Made in Reno" musical festival. What started as a small variety show featuring local talent has blossomed and transformed to a larger than life music festival showcasing the best that Reno has to offer. The show has also evolved to become a fundraiser to sustain local music programs. Before the country began to face the greatest economic recession since the Depression, music programs across the nation were experiencing budget cuts with bureaucrats labeling music/music programs as an unnecessary expenditure. Though scientific studies have time and time again proven the overwhelming positive benefits of music programs for youth, finding secure funding was and continues to this day, to be a concern.

Made In Reno represents the combined efforts of a number of individuals who believe in the power of music; as well as the wonderful talent that Reno is ripe with. This two-day music celebration features some of the greatest bands and singer/songwriters in town demonstrating the inherent talent this city has to offer. The money raised through the show will go toward a general scholarship fund for music majors at the University of Nevada-Reno with priority going to students from Washoe County.

The Utility Players will be there lending their support, selling raffle tickets and performing a short set of songs from our all original musical - aptly named Improv the Musical.

Everyone should come out and support this wonderful and fantastic local fundraiser. Here is alink to the facebook event for Made in Reno - happening tonight and tomorrow at the Underground on 4th street. Show starts at 6:30pm and admission is $10. Hope to see you all there.

So I am about two months away from performing in IMPROV - THE MUSICAL, an original musical production featuring The Utility Players. I am fulfilling one of my life missions of performing in a musical. In the musical I oddly enough play a fairy godmother named Ginger - weird huh - who concentrates her energies and powers on the entertainment arena. She has a company called G.A.Y.S. - which stands for Ginger Aspiring Young Stars. Ginger sets seven strangers living in Reno on their path toward achieving their dreams. Ginger, unfortunately, has a nasty twin sister who is suffering from jealous sister syndrome. I also play Gemini - the twin sister featured on the right - who is a sassy manipulative mofo. Imagine Susan Surandon's character from Enchanted meets Ursula from The Little Mermaid. She makes it her job to foil all of Ginger's projects. As Ginger points out in the beginning of the musical;

"the last time my sister interfered in one of my plots, Paris Hilton released a CD ... I am still getting crap in the office for that one"

I really enjoy being part of a musical. I eventually will develop a theory that most plays, television shows, movies, and other media would be infinitely better if they were a musical. If we were able to sing our feelings, backed by a resounding chorus - with a the chance of group dance break - then people would (A) more likely share their feelings (2) resolve their issues with style and pizzazz.

I also really enjoy a lot of the elements found in IMPROV - the MUSICAL. Like the name suggests, there are improv elements woven thoroughout the whole musical. The Utility Players - an improv comedy troupe based here in Reno - will play improv games, actors will improv certain lines and scenes, and even one of the songs will be an improv song.  Also the musical is extremely campy and has components of a fairy tale woven through it including fairy godmothers, a love story, an evil witch, a Jester, and more.

The musical is officially sponsored by Artown and is going to take place in the ballroom of the Siena Casino July Thursday 29th at 7:00pm. Here is a link to the fanpage for the event on facebook. Make sure to head there and like it so that you can stay up-to-date with all new information, photos, video clips, and more. I hope people grab a ticket and make it out to see it!!!!

Last December, the Utility Players - voted one of Reno's best comedians in 2009 - finished out their second season of the comedy cabaret with their own original musical, very cleverly titled UTILITY PLAYERS - THE MUSICAL. The musical featured all of the Utility Players and such local talent as Sunny Williams, Amanda Alvey, and yours truly.

The Utility Players are bringing the musical back for a special one-night engagement in July for ArtTown. The event is going to take place in the Sienna Ballroom on Thursday July 29th. In preparation, the Utility Players and I, are taking a holistic view of the musical and figuring out what went well, what needs to be improved, and what sucked so bad that we might as well just cut it.

The entire musical is getting a make over with new characters, new songs, and new script. The plot will still largely be the same from the last musical with a few additional twists. The musical follows the somewhat mythical tale of the formation of the Utility Players. I love my roles in the musical. I get to play Ginger; a boisterous fairy godmother who decides to set 7 strangers on a journey to realize their dreams. I also get to play Gemini, Ginger's twin sister. Gemini is a mean, impatient witch that is hell bent on foiling her sister's plans. Gemini decides to interfere in the fate of these seven mortals and work to make sure their dreams never come true. 

Ummm HOLLER!!! I am so excited to play these two characters as mirrors of one another, make many allusions to the fact that I am the same person, and make fun of me being a drag queen all the while. I see gaudy sparkly costumes, massive costume changes, and a big fucking tiara on my head ;) .

The musical is being held in the ballroom of the Sienna Casino. I walked into the space and nearly peed my pants. We are performing the musical in a space of 800 people, with two bars, a giant stage, and lapel mics. My drag queen cup runeth over!!!