tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-143433092011-12-14T18:41:16.323-08:00Aaron Lazar's daily account of life as an actor on Broadway.Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.comBlogger1071100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-39549076727444699532009-06-16T16:56:00.000-07:002009-06-16T17:18:34.563-07:00

After years of blogging with the hope of inspiring and educating all of you interested in Broadway and life in the entertainment business, I'm proud to announce the official launching of BROADWAY MASTERS !We specialize in bringing premiere Broadway artists--actors, casting directors, directors, and choreographers to students and young artists in a master class setting. So now we can and inspire

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-49506336416299865662009-05-04T21:33:00.000-07:002009-05-04T21:46:20.886-07:00

Bukowski was asked "How do you create?"He said, "You don't. You don't try. You don't try for Cadillacs, creation, or immortality. You wait. And if nothing happens you wait some more. It's like a bug high on the wall. You wait for it to come to you. When it gets close enough you reach out, slap out and kill it. Or if you like its looks you make a pet out of it."I've heard stories of

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-22123317821906934022009-01-01T08:09:00.000-08:002009-01-01T08:31:34.859-08:00

I've always been curious about the connection between athletics and acting. Brian Dawkins helped clarify that connection this past Sunday in the Philadelphia Eagles whooping of the Dallas Cowboys. For those who don't know: Dawkins the most dominant defensive player in the NFL. And an inspiration to every actor out there. And here's why...Brian Dawkins has 2 lockers in the locker room side by

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-87835059550303000352008-10-26T19:12:00.000-07:002008-10-26T19:21:12.820-07:00

I'm honored to be working on a new piece called iSondheim. I can't divulge any of the details except I'm one of 8 proud cast members and our MD and Director are two of the best in the biz. I even got to meet Steve!When I was 19 doing regional theater in Maine I read Secrest's (Meryle not Ryan:) biography of Sondheim and sent Steve some fan mail (Sweeny Todd is why I'm in this business). He

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-77458300215622016572008-09-17T13:06:00.000-07:002008-09-17T13:10:58.882-07:00

So, despite plenty of rest, I woke up this morning even worse than yesterday. Went to the doctor and the glue on my chords is worse than it was on Monday. And having sung 2 shows through the glue, my chords are really swollen. So it was steroids or call out of the show. So I took the roids. Unfortunately, they just started to kick in by end of Act I and by that point I was feeling totally

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-16154283542089445162008-09-16T18:09:00.000-07:002008-09-16T18:53:48.468-07:00

It happens to all of us...big performance, critics in the house, and you're sick. How do you get through? Well, since I'm fighting through it as we speak, here's a few things that have helped me.1) If it's in your head/chest--Go to the doctor (If you're a singer a GREAT otolaryngologist is key), determine the exact problem (ask to have your chords scoped so you can see for yourself), get

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-49416993388615263042008-09-11T20:46:00.000-07:002008-09-11T20:54:18.684-07:00

To all the teachers and students who have been coming to our show--Thank You! It's been such a pleasure meeting you. It's a blessing to have your energy and smiles in the theater--hopefully you take some of that (along with our show :) back with you to your schools and homes.Please feel free to surf the archives of my blog. And ask me any questions you don't find the answers to!Looking forward

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-86023033822886463092008-09-07T21:26:00.001-07:002008-09-07T21:26:43.532-07:00

www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/index.jhtml?episodeId=184108

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-51496391847591242522008-09-05T20:38:00.000-07:002008-09-05T21:04:06.004-07:00

Not every professional experience will be an easy one. At times you may find yourself frustrated by the reality that no matter how hard you seem to be working, you are not satisfied. At times you may be made to feel disrespected, powerless. Actors, directors, producers...everyone in showbiz comes from different backgrounds with different agendas. And at times it may be hard to trust--trust

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-24733496367657682862008-08-27T21:20:00.000-07:002008-08-27T21:37:09.675-07:00

How could I not blog about the state of our nation at this historic, critical time? Don't worry, I will try to tie this into the business of performing :)All this week I have been so inspired by the words of the key note speakers at the DNC. And tonight, Joe Biden said some brilliant things. In addition to finally clarifying for Americans the policies of Obama vs. McCain, he talked openly,

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-4160119563033695842008-08-24T20:02:00.000-07:002008-08-24T20:10:04.994-07:00

Today was our first day off in two weeks of rehearsals during the day and, this week, preview performances at night. It's been an incredible rush to be a part of the evolution of Tale from the rehearsal studios to the stage with full sets/costumes/lights and audiences. Just a quick note to the fans--THANK YOU!!!! Your incredible enthusiasm for our work is so appreciated by all of us both

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-49535155715465304682008-08-01T19:42:00.000-07:002008-08-01T19:55:00.571-07:00

Tomorrow is our last day in the rehearsal studio. As of next week we're tech'ing in the theater, and pretty soon it'll be previews. The last 4 weeks have been truly Dickensian: it was the best of times, the worst of times, at times time flew by, at times it crawled...I haven't slept much. I don't think anyone has. Too much adrenalin. Too many thoughts and ideas about character and structure

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-51679102388720340142008-07-17T22:03:00.000-07:002008-07-17T22:08:01.588-07:00

Dreams do come true. For everyone of you who's ever checked in to read this blog: Stop reading this right now, buy a ticket or 3 to see Title of Show at the Lyceum Theater on Broadway, and you'll know why I started this blog almost 3 years ago. Michael Berresse, Hunter Bell, Jeff Bowen, Susan Blackwell, and Heidi Blickenstaff (Let's go Duke!)--you are an inspiration. Thanks for leaving a piece

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-16256852755210104762008-07-13T07:33:00.000-07:002008-07-13T07:50:51.168-07:00

What a week! It absolutely flew by. The prinicipals spent the week blocking the show with the creatives, and it was thrilling. We have so little rehearsal time every minute counts. Next week will be busy with meeting/greeting the rest of the cast, visiting the set in its NJ holiding warehouse, the publicity/press meet and greet, etc; So it was great to dig into the show this week, start

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-60544431528699499172008-07-09T17:09:00.000-07:002008-07-09T17:28:03.435-07:00

Happy Belated 4th of July everyone!It's only fitting I celebrate the birth of our nation in 1776 by with the birth of rehearsals for my new Broadway show A Tale of Two Cities, which takes place at that time in history (I even get to mention George Washington in the show :).Rehearsals are going well. It's a massive show with a massive cast of characters and a massive cast of actors (I think we're

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-50373304369280409172008-05-04T07:37:00.000-07:002008-05-04T07:41:58.856-07:00

Just a shout out to a great new theater company called The Red Fern Theater Company. A Non-Profit Socially Conscious theater group that pairs each play they put on with an appropriate charity and donates a portion of all ticket sales to the charity. I just saw their production of A Piece of My Heart up at 78th and Broadway. Melanie Williams did a bang up job of casting and directing. You will

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-53280246417739051732008-04-23T21:11:00.000-07:002008-04-23T21:26:18.828-07:00

All you young performers out there--i'm talking to all you guys finishing up college or grad school and thinking about/moving to New York/LA to begin your careers...GET TO IT!There's about a 10 year curve to "master" any profession you may choose (somebody famous said that righ?), and that doesn't exclude the arts. So pick NY or LA, pick theater or film or television but start working at it.

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-63065694599690242022008-04-23T20:51:00.000-07:002008-04-23T21:09:09.533-07:00

Anyone catch the final episode of John Adams on HBO this weekend? I thought it was, at times, brilliant. And I experienced one of those blissfully rare moments when art informs, educates, and enlightens. This particular episode put death in perspective for me. I've always struggled to grasp death as a reality. It's part of life, yes, but it's also part of human nature to struggle with the

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-42582268993975203952008-03-11T20:56:00.000-07:002008-03-11T21:57:07.127-07:00

So it's been 10 months since I left Broadway, and though I miss it I've been enjoying life on other stages. CONCERTSFrom Israel to Los Angeles, Boston to Washington DC, Little Rock Arkansas to Midland Michigan , I've performed in some truly great cities with some truly great symphonies. It's magic working with 50+ piece orchestras singing some of the greatest music ever written. And I've

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-82559763268917032552008-02-08T23:05:00.000-08:002008-02-08T23:08:48.946-08:00

What a fun night! And a what a great concept for a benefit. I could tell you all about it, but Broadway.com does a great job of that:http://www.broadway.com/Gen/Buzz_Video.aspx?ci=560279Tony Yazbeck and I sang "A Boy Like That/I Have a Love" duet from West side story. Take a look at the clip (ours is about 2/3 into the above video) and lemme know what you think! An all male West Side Story?

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-21025928328457839452008-02-05T15:01:00.000-08:002008-02-05T15:15:52.072-08:00

How is it we live in the greatest country in the world and yet when it comes to election day, it's as if we're voting in a 3rd world country?!In Manhattan today, (Manhattan, not GUAM) voting was a joke. I walked into my regional voting site, dealt with a few volunteers who couldn't spell my name correctly despite it being in front of them on a list and my license (ARRON, no AARRON, no ARRAN, no

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-87423230646803588302007-12-02T21:55:00.000-08:002008-01-13T22:03:18.702-08:00

I love hard work. When it comes to performing, sometimes the whole idea is to work so hard in rehearsals that you make it look easy when in front of an audience. In school, I didn't understand what it meant to not bring my homework on stage with me. I worked too hard and overworked my performances. Like over training a muscle at the gym, too much of anything is no good. There has to be a

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-70378618185128826552007-10-22T22:37:00.000-07:002007-10-22T23:08:48.364-07:00

So I've been chekcing out LA this fall. It's the first time I've ever spent more than a few weeks here. And I gotta say--the weather IS really nice. At least until yesterday. Now, I can look out from the highways to see the hills on the horizon covered in smoke from the brush fires plaguing southern cal. It's terrible. But fires aside, I've always wanted to know what LA had to offer

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-69447209238312377082007-08-29T21:13:00.000-07:002007-09-07T08:40:27.526-07:00

It's been an incredible summer of firsts. What began with a first-- leaving Broadway for the first time in almost 2 years and heading to the Holy Land for a once in a lifetime experience, has just ended tonite, 4 months later, with another first-- a day shooting my first role on prime time television. Here's what happened in between:Les Miz final perf April 22; first trip to Israel May April

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-23798255639996746062007-07-26T22:01:00.000-07:002007-07-26T22:20:50.655-07:00

So it's been almost 3 months now since Les Mis. Thankfully, I've been blessed with some incredible experiences to keep me busy. There was the concert in Israel I told you about. Then the Drama Desk Awards. Then off to London where I was asked to be a member of a new Sony BMG group. Back to NY where I headed up to Boston to work with Keith Lockheart and the Pops on Carousel. London again for

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-90010210894767914822007-05-22T18:06:00.000-07:002007-05-22T18:20:38.276-07:00

What a great night we had at the Drama Desks on Sunday. I took my stunning wife LeAnn and my brother Chad first to the Russian Tea Room and then on to the Awards Ceremony. Check out photos at: http://broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=18541It was crazy sitting as a nominee amongst fellow nominees like Kevin Spacey, Liev Schreiber and Martha Plimpton. I'm just sad I didn't win b/c I never

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-67761471898398871082007-05-09T19:14:00.000-07:002007-05-09T19:36:32.153-07:00

So excuse the hair of the poor gentlemen whose head caught the bottom of our camera frame, but these shots give you a glimpse of the concert. You can see from the the day shot a piece of the mountain of Masada that served as the backdrop for the stage. And in the concert shot, I'm the blur in the white shirt :) Miri Mesika (get her CD--it rocks! she's like the Israeli Idina Menzel) and Amick

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-61045370418196058312007-05-07T11:15:00.000-07:002007-05-07T11:23:59.512-07:00

I've just returned from a trip to Israel where I performed music from the Broadway bound new musical IMAGINE THIS (formerly MASADA) in a concert in the Judean Desert at the base of Masada. It was unreal. I am still overwhelmed by the country--the people, the geography, the history, the spirituality...I had the incredible opportunity to travel the country from Tel Aviv to Megiddo, Nazareth,

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-62704351090626895182007-04-16T08:58:00.000-07:002007-04-16T09:11:56.228-07:00

I'm going to miss Les Miz. As I head into my last week at the Broadhurst, I want to thank all of the fans for being so supportive and enthusiastic. After every performance, rain or shine, the stage door is packed with fans of all ages. I've had my sneakers autographed, received numerous charicature drawings, lots of fun gifts (including some delicious chocolate covered macademia nuts from

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-50475797415303125562007-03-27T08:57:00.000-07:002007-03-27T09:17:19.968-07:00

Thanks to all of you who came out to our Broadway By the Year 1938 concert last night! It was truly a wonderful evening. Basically we actors learned/rehearsed/memorized the music over the course of 1 week of rehearsals. Emily Skinner, our director extraordinaire, helped shape our material with some great staging; and then we "tech" the afternoon of, and go up in front of the one-night only

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-10544624751941463512007-03-25T09:51:00.000-07:002007-03-25T09:57:17.719-07:00

So I think its been "officially" "announced" on many of the Broadway news websites that I will be leaving the show on April 22nd. That gives everyone one month more to come see me, Celia, Norm, and Jenny before we all leave the company.I will be sad to go. This has been one of the best groups of people I've ever worked with. But I'm excited for new beginnings! So if you haven't seen our

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-30788634764533665502007-03-18T09:14:00.000-07:002007-03-18T10:40:54.101-07:00

So rumors are flying that I'm often out of the show. To those who've missed me, my sincerest apologies. Back in November of the run I herniated a disc in my neck during the show. I didn't realize the severity and exact nature of the injury and pushed on through December without seeing a doctor. When I did, and got an MRI, I was told I had to get on steroids, change some 'o-graphy' in my show,

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-68245129814193810532007-03-10T08:55:00.000-08:002007-03-11T08:59:57.524-07:00

So a bunch of people have been asking me what it's like having Lea Salonga as part of the cast. To put it simply: She's awesome!While she was in rehearsals at a studio during the day, she'd swing by to watch the show backstage at night, creating a buzzing energy around the theater. And her first performance last weekend was MAGIC. There was an excitement and vitality to the show and the company

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-81567126774644444122007-03-08T17:31:00.000-08:002007-03-08T17:38:50.276-08:00

And it's life changing. See it. Discuss it. Share it. And I have and idea...What if we were to stop calling Terrorists 'Terrorists' and instead we call them 'idiots'?Can you imagine it? ABC World News Report: "idiots just blew up a car in Baghdad..." or "3 idiots in Rome planning to blow themselves up in front of the US Embassy were captured by Italian special forces..." or "Due to the

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-29959571619338380772007-02-26T16:12:00.000-08:002007-03-01T16:18:15.364-08:00

After the thrill of opening dwindles and the winter weather causes audiences to dwindle, how do you keep the energy of the company from dwindling? It's hard to get through eight shows a week (especially 3 hour epics like Les Mis) with the same passion and intensity we created and fostered back in November. Many things affect 'energy', one of which is that theater is a collaborative art, and

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-48617529800656142692007-01-08T20:51:00.000-08:002007-01-08T20:52:57.994-08:00

--See 'Children of Men'--Google 'Loose Change'Watch themDiscuss themPass them on

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-43038401868882933252006-12-28T14:08:00.000-08:002006-12-28T14:36:07.443-08:00

As I've spent the last few weeks in physical therapy and filling out the requisite paperwork for actors injured on the job, I think it's a good time to write a bit about the sport of Broadway.While working with director Doug Hughes on a reading of Ever After a few weeks ago, he coined the term 'athletes of the theater' when referring to our cast of actors working double-duty (in rehearsals for

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1166592381706167842006-12-19T21:20:00.000-08:002006-12-19T21:26:21.723-08:00

Just want to give a shout out to all the actors, crew, orchestra and their families over at High Fidelity. A bunch of us Les Miz'ers saw the show last weekend and LOVED it! It's scary, the effect a few reviews can have on the fate of a broadway company.If you're in the city this week and looking for something to see that's FUN, FUNNY and MOVING with a kick ass company of performers and a great

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1164326128559921572006-11-23T15:23:00.002-08:002006-12-08T21:31:20.913-08:00

I met Betty Comden backstage at the York Theater, after a performance of HALLELULAH BABY in which I played Harvey, when I first moved to city almost 6 years ago to this day. She and Adolph came to support the cast, and see a performance of one of their lesser performed musicals. I remember meeting them so vividly. They were (are) legends to me, and two of the great writers of musical theater

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1162534445250037382006-11-02T22:03:00.000-08:002006-12-19T17:10:34.180-08:00

So we've technically got our last day of rehearsal tomorrow before press starts coming to review us beginning this weekend. It's been a wonderful rehearsal process: very open, committed, explorative, and a ton of fun. And I'm sure that's how things will remain throughout our run thanks to this great cast. We're finding things all the time! I LOVE finishing a show and realizing I've found a few

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1162263179937632272006-10-30T18:31:00.000-08:002006-12-08T15:20:19.993-08:00

Some inspiring highlights from REAL TIME with Bill Maher on HBO tonight:American's believe we are the greatest country in the world, but according to our rank in infant mortality rate, illiteracy, health care (all 3 below 45th in the world), and many other vitals, we're actually quite far from being the greatest country in the world.It's time we recognize that being the greatest country in the

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1161882101217159082006-10-26T09:49:00.000-07:002006-11-02T07:08:17.173-08:00

For those of you unfamiliar with how a big Broadway musical goes from a rehearsal studio to a packed theater...Load In--While the cast finishes rehearsing in a studio, the crew begins the process of loading in all the set pieces, lights, costumes to their appropriate locations in the building.Dry Tech--Stage Management begins to work through the show with a rehearsal pianist and the crew setting

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1161122458204334602006-10-17T14:59:00.000-07:002006-10-25T15:34:04.836-07:00

...is being launched next Tuesday October 24th! Be sure to check it out!

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1161100946514296472006-10-17T08:39:00.001-07:002006-10-24T14:10:06.486-07:00

Hey everyone,I can't believe I haven't written an entry in soooo long. There's so much to catch up on!After 3 1/2 weeks of rehearsals in 890 broadway (on the original broadway cast rehearsal turntable!), and a last day run of the show for Claude-Michel Schonberg (flew in from Chicago where he's readying Pirate Queen; man was it cool to meet him!), we're finally settling into our new home for

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1158261525527363602006-09-14T12:05:00.000-07:002006-10-05T14:12:38.460-07:00

So with 3 days of leisure left before Les Mis rehearsals begin, I'm starting to get excited--the adrenalin is a pumpin'.At Chloe's today she told me about these Navy Seals she had worked with and how they talked about controlling their adrenalin. They explained how the key to what they do (besides being trained to basically shut down the fear sensors at the base of their brains) lies within this

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1157001891791683172006-08-30T21:48:00.000-07:002006-09-06T19:44:45.903-07:00

I can't believe I was warned by multiple people that Mother Courage in the Park was boring and long-winded. We just got back and I'm so blown away I've gotta get this down on "paper". Oskar Eustis is running away with the "My Favorite New Artistic Director in NYC" award. Maybe it's because of the war in Iraq, maybe it's because of the war against terrorism, maybe it's the war between Israel

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1155615615267110792006-08-14T20:54:00.000-07:002006-08-17T11:14:14.383-07:00

So I've been hesistant to blog about theater & acting with the recent escalations in terror around the world. I'm consumed by the news, developments, and horrific fantasies of a nearing doomsday. I've also been thinking about the moral responsibilities of artists in times like these. Once in Les Mis rehearsals, I'll have a daily forum for voicing my frustrations, anger, confusion, and fears

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1154528694991954882006-08-02T07:16:00.000-07:002006-10-23T20:35:15.513-07:00

July 31, 2006Re: Fear-less-nessMy name is Sheila Dugan, and I am a voice teacher in St. Louis, Missouri (www.SheilaDugan.com). I am a great fan of Aaron Lazar. Aaron has asked me to write a guest piece for his blog about panic/anxiety disorder, because I have it and manage it every day. I am delighted to do this, and I sincerely hope that what I write will help someone else to manage this very

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1152823153515987032006-07-13T13:12:00.000-07:002006-07-21T16:15:43.226-07:00

I recently had a friend tell me about a guy she knew who came down with a terribly debilitating case of Bell's Palsy--the cause...STRESS! We started talking about how stress affects all of our lives, and it got me thinking about how I deal with stress now, post-Piazza, vs. how I dealt with it throughout the run. I realized that I carried around too much FEAR for the last 10 months, and upon

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1152653228818017472006-07-11T14:21:00.000-07:002006-07-23T18:45:00.143-07:00

The Light in the Piazza went out last Sunday afternoon July 2nd, 2006. And my heart was broken.It never dimmed. It never flickered. In fact, as we approached the final performance, it brightened. And when the orchestra played its first notes of the overture, those of us standing in the vom looking up at the Light, oh the light, felt it burn with surreal intensity.The energy of the audience was

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1151468289336666622006-06-27T21:12:00.000-07:002006-07-04T23:02:51.266-07:00

Left the theater tonight very late--about 11:30pm, following a talk back with a college buddy of mine and some of his colleagues, and a 1/2 hour of me sitting in my dressing room trying to put down in words what it's like feeling this show coming to an end. More on that later.But I walk out the stage door and there are 4 lovely fans still waiting for an autograph and photos. So Allison (did i

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1150433646231315352006-06-15T21:46:00.000-07:002006-06-27T13:46:36.043-07:00

So it's almost 1am. Just got home from having some beers and pizza with friends to celebrate tonight's PBS broadcast. I haven't seen it yet, but from the voicemails on my phone, apparently it went well :)Whew! It's over. It's been an incredibly stressful, strange, exciting last 3 days in the theater with the 9 cameras, crews, trucks, plasma screen TV's, altered lighting schemes, etc; in

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1149289461950607972006-06-02T15:51:00.000-07:002006-06-18T12:26:16.833-07:00

Well, I've been home sick for most of this week with some virus that has rooted itself on my vocal chords. Considering that over the 9 month run thus far, other than some food poisoning, I've been healthy--better that I get this out of the way now, 2 weeks before our PBS special, and with 4 weeks left in the run.The usual remedy--complete vocal rest, an antibiotic to knock out a possible

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1147561518740228982006-05-13T15:50:00.000-07:002006-08-09T11:11:27.523-07:00

Know the difference? It's key to being a GREAT actor...Based on some recent conversations with Chloe, here's what I've come to believe:A feeling is a complex, unpredictable fluid state of being. An emotion is usually an expected reaction that is static and predictable.Example:If I sneek up on you and smash your big toe with a hammer, you'll scream. You'll fill with rage--it's predictable. But

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1145980730748587342006-04-25T08:48:00.000-07:002006-08-09T11:21:27.386-07:00

Ever get nervous for auditions? Yeah...me too. I keep thinking it's going to get easier, that ease will result from repetition. I remember at an audition last year for The Pirate Queen I passed an established movie actor in his mid 50's in the hall--he was pacing, clearly nervous for his audition. I guess he caught me looking at him and he said, "Man, this never gets easier does it?" My

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1145240646157443892006-04-16T19:06:00.000-07:002006-04-17T06:37:23.506-07:00

Has anyone seen RENT recently? My buddy Tim Howar (who I met doing ON THE TOWN in London) is now in town playing Roger in RENT on Broadway. I checked it out a few weeks ago and he's unbelievable! When we worked together in London Tim had to sing legit tenor as Ozzie (don't forget we were at the English National Opera). But he teased us constantly with local gigs as the lead singer of his rock

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1145237229421721082006-04-16T18:13:00.000-07:002006-04-18T22:17:30.810-07:00

Hey so David and Andrew are good buddies of mine and big fans of Light. David is a playwright (Burning Blue, Alice Virginia in London) and Andrew is an actor (Phantom of the Opera (UK), Forbidden City (Singapore)).David: "The Light in the Piazza... one of the most beautiful musical productions I've ever seen. Amazing music, lyrics, performances, production design. The book. It all starts

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1144994403558290212006-04-13T22:36:00.000-07:002006-04-15T19:23:50.240-07:00

Anyone out there watch this new show on ABC called AMERICAN INVENTOR? I first came across the show (like many American TV show imports) while I was living in London last year. And I'm so glad to see it doing well here in the states. Here's what I LOVE LOVE LOVE about it...it's about living the american dream. The show showcases all kinds of people: 18 to 50+, black, white, hispanic, men and

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1143390904018511342006-03-26T08:27:00.000-08:002006-06-27T12:22:58.273-07:00

Well it was a wild week in the Beaumont last week!Katie was ill on Thursday so Jennifer went on Thursday night. But then Jennifer was out for the weekend so Laura went on Fri/Sat. Mat as Clara until Katie felt well enough to come back Saturday night. 3 Claras in one week!The added wild factor to this happening: Laura had never been on as Clara before!Here's how a Broadway company is generally

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1142788859897876582006-03-19T08:41:00.000-08:002006-03-27T18:46:44.953-08:00

I've had a lot of young performers ask me for advice regarding their pursuits of higher education after high school. Here are some thoughts...Think of yourself like a high school athlete. Across the entire country are thousands of high school athletes many of whom dream of success in the pros. How many of these kids actually make it to the pros? Very VERY few. But like you, an athlete has to

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1142534935290898502006-03-16T10:32:00.000-08:002006-03-16T10:48:55.723-08:00

Recently at some talkbacks we've had after the show, audiences members have asked, "How do you guys keep it fresh 8 times a week?" Good question.I'm going into month 7 of my run as Fabrizio and keeping it fresh is definitely something myself and the rest of the cast are working at constantly. Chris Sarandon may have put it best...During intermission one night a few weeks ago, i was feeling

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1142285308618545862006-03-13T13:05:00.000-08:002006-04-02T00:55:39.830-08:00

So we had a BLAST last night at The Pajama Game! It was so nice to be sitting in a comfortable theater (American Airlines Theater) excited to see Kelli and some other friends do their thing. And it was sooo fun!First off--The orchestrations (by genius MD David Chase) are amazing! --Jazzy and fresh, perfectly suited to Harry's singing style. And the cast owns the show and has so much fun, that you

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1141365328853427292006-03-02T21:25:00.000-08:002006-03-02T22:34:59.690-08:00

So what's it all for?...the thousands of dollars spent on coachings, the countless hours spent in pure terror of what may or may not lie ahead, the nervous breakdowns, the insecurity, the sacrificing of a social life, the change in diet, the hours in the gym, all the time spent preparing for 100's of jobs you'll never get, the stressed personal relationships, the second guessing, the diving into

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1141007802568880642006-02-26T18:21:00.000-08:002006-02-26T18:36:43.973-08:00

For those of you who have, dare i say it, "tired" of seeing Piazza...get your butts to the Vineyard Theater to see [title of show]!Caught the opening tonight, and it is HILARIOUS, sweet, touching, honest, inspirational, and truly original. Yeah, so my on-stage brother is the director and I'm a little biased, but a packed house of everyone from Phyllis Newman to 'Broadway lawyer to the stars'

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1140457488542216072006-02-20T09:36:00.000-08:002006-02-20T09:44:48.756-08:00

So last Monday night, the Drama League threw a big party at the Rainbow Room and invited Katie and I and some of Broadway's best talent to perform on a Valentine's Day themed program. We sang 'Say It Somehow' from Piazza. It was a fantastic night. Other than the performances, which were fun, I finally got to meet Harry Connick Jr., the Jersey Boys, Marian Seldes and Richard Easton, while seeing

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1139341574510007152006-02-07T11:36:00.000-08:002006-02-07T11:46:14.553-08:00

Ok everybody! As you may or may not know, Chris and I treated the entire company to TLITPiazza baseball hats that we designed over the holidays. The came out GREAT! They are black caps with the original poster (more arty) font 'The Light in the Piazza' stacked on the front in a pale bright yellow, and 'LCT'05' on the back above the strap. The strap is adjustable and snaps onto the back of the

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1138805488477388632006-02-01T06:42:00.000-08:002006-02-01T06:51:28.480-08:00

So last night was so WEIRD. Being back in the show after 9 days off was just strange. Some positives: I felt so relaxed from my vacation. My body felt soft and easy, free of tension. The Italian/accent relaxed a bit as well. I wasn't as aware of it as I had been--the text/lyrics seemed to flow with greater ease. Also, scene rhythms were different. I felt I was able to escape the rhythms I

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1138717357686998492006-01-31T06:20:00.000-08:002006-01-31T06:22:37.686-08:00

Hey all! So I'm back from a beautiful trip to a sunny, warm, breezy island and can't wait to get back to work. Hopefully the R&R gave my knees and my hip a chance to heal. It was incredible to get away for a bit (hadn't had a break since August), but I missed my Piazza family! Back to business tonight!

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1137383769158488202006-01-15T19:43:00.000-08:002006-01-20T20:14:41.286-08:00

So this week our director Bart was back in town checking in on us and working on pre-production for Awake and Sing (should be thrilling!).It was a LONG week, but a great week. Katie and I are starting to find more and more levels to Fabrizio and Clara's relationship. And with Vicki out for the weekend, Patti got a nice run at Margaret. She was fantastic!I've been struggling to find the levels in

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1136696871135642292006-01-07T20:47:00.000-08:002006-01-07T21:07:51.373-08:00

I felt good when I arrived at the theater before the matinee today and went through my usual warm up: 1 hour--prep water/gatorade for the show, get humidifier and shower going (to steam the room). Clean up dressing room from previous show. 45 minutes--start physical warm up (warm up my legs with squatting and lunging, plyometrics; warm up my whole body with jumping jacks/push ups; then do some

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1136608348703941402006-01-06T20:13:00.000-08:002006-12-04T22:42:21.573-08:00

Beware: This entry is a bit self help. I've touched on this before and want to stress again, "Get out of your own way!" I'm talking to all of you out there who, like so many of us, beat ourselves up over every little thing. Whether you're the young perfectionist at school or in sports or the young professional working towards living your dream, stop being so hard on yourself.I grew up with the

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1136524659589324402006-01-05T20:44:00.000-08:002006-01-06T20:13:14.870-08:00

So LCT threw a big New Year's party that our cast was invited to and I found myself, with my wife LeAnn, mingling in a beautiful apartment with everyone from Deborah Monk to Edward Albee. I remember reading A Zoo Story in 10th grade honors English and now here I am at a party with the great playwright! It was kind of surreal. Looking around at Bob Crowley, Diane Weist, Howard McGillin, etc; I

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1136257765856270062006-01-02T18:48:00.000-08:002006-01-03T11:27:50.446-08:00

So it's been too long since my last entry. First off--HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!I hope 2005 was a year to remember for all of you!My 2005 was nice:Jan-May Gabey in On The Town in London at the English Nat'l Opera; my buddy Tim Howar who played Ozzie is actually here in NYC now rehearsing Roger in RENT on Bway so everyone go check him out at the end of the month...he is fierce!June In L.A. recording the

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1134539352147209302005-12-13T21:38:00.000-08:002005-12-13T21:49:12.180-08:00

Katie Clarke had her fourth performance tonight. She debuted on Friday night in a performance that must've felt like an out-of-body experience for her. She did great. Then she grew over the 3 weekend shows, and after a day off, we started a new week tonight--and the true beginning of our romance as Fabrizio and Clara for the remainder of the run.It's crazy only 3 months after I joined the cast

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1134145184767057152005-12-09T08:11:00.000-08:002005-12-09T08:19:44.786-08:00

So it's been rehearsal every day for the last 2 weeks getting ready for Katie's "put-in" rehearsal this afternoon. With the emotions of Kelli leaving on the tail of the exhaustion from our Thanksgiving performance schedule, I didn't think I was gonna make it through this week. But here we are! (2 acupuncture sessions later :)And all is slowly becoming well again...Katie is fantastic. She has

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1133750690820828042005-12-04T18:27:00.000-08:002005-12-04T18:44:51.090-08:00

This afternoon, Sunday Dec 4th was Kelli's last show. It marks the end of an era for all those involved/ever involved with LITPiazza. Kelli had been a part of Piazza for 3 1/2 years since it's first workshop at Sundance. She played Franca in the 2 following productions until Broadway when she took over the role of Clara, who she has played for the last 9 months. It's weird to even be writing

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1132724699673795802005-11-22T21:01:00.000-08:002005-11-22T21:44:59.726-08:00

Sorry it's been a while since my last post everyone. I've been battling a cold and laryngitis...missed a few shows.Anyway, as you probably know by now, a replacement for Kelli has been cast. Her name is Katie Clark and she's moving her life from college in Texas to starring on Broadway this week!!! I met Katie last week the day of her final callback. She seems GREAT! And she seemed really

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1131771713644039692005-11-11T20:46:00.000-08:002005-11-11T21:01:53.660-08:00

...on criticizing yourself during a performance.It's tough not to though right? I mean there you are--out there on stage in front of an audience performing a scene and things are NOT going the way you'd like them to. Maybe you're not feeling your best, or a line didn't get a laugh like it normally does, or your scene partner isn't giving you what you want/expected, or you don't "feel" it like

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1131686082638625472005-11-10T21:06:00.000-08:002005-11-10T21:22:09.076-08:00

To go into vocal health in a bit more detail...In one of the comments on a previous post, someone asked about drinking olive oil to relieve a scratchy throat. I must say in the 10 years I've been singing I've never heard of that! But hey, if you try it and it works, EVOO is one of the best things you can put in your body so enjoy (and let us know!)I stick to pretty standard stuff: hot tea with

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1131515327354524102005-11-08T21:13:00.000-08:002005-11-08T21:48:47.366-08:00

On the train home tonight, someone who had just seen our show approached me, "I'm a singer and was thinking throughout the performance tonight, 'My g-d i can't imagine having to sing the Piazza score 8 times a week!' How do you get through it?" ...Good question.First off, let me say, every actor in every musical on Broadway confronts the same demand of performing 8 times a week. Depending on

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1130798825109961372005-10-31T14:37:00.000-08:002005-11-03T21:38:06.496-08:00

So today is a day off, and for the first time in what feels like months I actually have no commitments! It's weird! As soon as I got home from work yesterday, I felt the need to keep busy. This spun on into the night as I channel surfed, surfed the web, read a bit, ate like a pig :)--anything to keep busy. I think I've been "ON" for so long I'd forgotten how to shut off.It was an emotional week

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1129780086911257982005-10-19T20:39:00.000-07:002005-10-19T20:48:13.626-07:00

Leaving the theater tonight I was again flattered to see so many people outside our stage door. I met a man who heard the music in a concert in LA and flew all the way to NY to see the show. I met a woman who was celebrating her 71st birthday (she looked no older than 51!) and a bunch of girls from Dallas to name a few... Then on the subway platform I was approached by dozens of people! Many from

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1129046935101063872005-10-11T09:02:00.000-07:002005-10-11T09:08:55.103-07:00

...on a billboard at 47th and Broadway in Times Square! Crazy, Amazing, a bit surreal, and GLORIOUS!

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1128956014848375822005-10-10T10:28:00.000-07:002005-10-10T07:53:34.883-07:00

Tuesday night Oct. 4--My worst show thus far. Let's start in the a.m. though...I woke up Tuesday morning and despite a day off, I felt like a train hit me. Immediately I worried about how I'd get through the show that night. I was a bit confused as to the reason for my exhaustion...after all, I haven't partied, had a drink, gone out, seen my friends, had a life outside of Piazza for 6 weeks!

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1128392780985281332005-10-03T19:04:00.000-07:002005-10-03T19:26:31.490-07:00

On Thursday of this past week, the cast of Piazza gathered on stage for a blocking/set-up rehearsal of the television commercial for Piazza we'd be shooting the next day. Basically, the commercial director Chuck (a GREAT guy--very professional, calm, charming, and a big fan of our show :) would gather whoever was needed for a particular shot and explain to us the blocking/action for the actors

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1127967216207815322005-09-28T21:03:00.000-07:002005-09-28T21:13:36.213-07:00

I often find myself thinking about why i'm an actor. I don't have a single answer. The reasons are many. But between shows today, sitting quietly at dinner, I found another piece of the answer to that question: being an actor affords me the opportunity to live life moment to moment. I'm on stage completely alive, in a heightened state of awareness to every moment--every second of every

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1127711659803003162005-09-26T21:54:00.000-07:002005-09-25T22:14:19.963-07:00

What a beautiful night in the theater. Tonight in front of a nearly sold out Gershwin theater audience (filled with screaming/ovating fans), many of our Broadway community came out to perform and raise money for the victims of Katrina and Rita in the gulf. Our cast was to perform Adam's "Migratory V"--a truly beautiful, soaring piece about taking flight. It was icing on the cake to arrive and

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1127447164761323982005-09-22T20:19:00.000-07:002005-09-22T20:49:33.153-07:00

This week was going great! I had a restful day off, caught up on bills, laudry, all the exciting stuff. Then it was off to the theater Tuesday evening for the start of my third week. It's been a complete joy to stand on stage during the curtain call to a consistent ovation from audiences who are clearly moved by this show and our work. To meet some of them afterwards is even more fun! Whether

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1127097539862363492005-09-18T19:18:00.000-07:002005-09-18T19:41:35.183-07:00

I just finished my second full week of performances as Fabrizio. The experience is all consuming, completely thrilling, and basically exhausting. I have a right thigh covered with bruises, a sprained left knee, and a sprained ankle...and it's exhillarating! I find myself constantly feeling blessed and honored to be a part of this cast and a show that audiences respond so deeply to. This is a

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1126712360289270232005-09-13T11:27:00.000-07:002005-09-14T08:40:51.063-07:00

So I go in to sing for the creative team for Tarzan and it goes really well. I mean it's early on Monday morning, it's my day off, I haven't had enough sleep, nor enough time to really prepare the material, and yet, I go in and rock out. They then asked me to take off my shirt and read the scenes. I figured that might happen. So, I did...and things went well.So I leave the room, proud of my work

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1126626751453634932005-09-13T08:46:00.000-07:002005-09-13T08:52:36.476-07:00

Well I made it through my first full 8 show week at Piazza. It was fantastic, exhausting, and quite the endurance test (vocally, physically, and mentally). We also said good-bye to our music director Ted, our PSM Tom, and our Signor Mark. That added an emotional whallop to an already difficult week. Whew. There's no rest for the weary though. I'm in Monday morning (early) for the creative

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1125852821633588792005-09-03T09:41:00.000-07:002005-09-04T09:53:41.636-07:00

Wow. That's the only word I can think of to describe it.After a nervous/somewhat stressed/trying to 'remain calm and breathe' morning and afternoon (with little sleep the night before of course), I made it through my "put-in" rehearsal (straight run of the show w/full cast, orchestra, lights, my costumes) taking care to give about 85% and save 15% for the evening performance. I tried to absorb

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1125500990994778942005-08-31T10:57:00.000-07:002005-08-31T08:09:51.000-07:00

It's Wednesday morning. In 48 hrs. I'll be warming up for my 'Put-In' rehearsal with the principal cast, sets, orchestra, and my costumes. Til then...Today I'll spend a few hours with Jonny B. (a g-dsend) and possibly Bart and Adam continuing the work we did yesterday on deepening and layering Il Mondo, Passegiata, and Love to Me. Il Mondo is an intense piece (so intense that really into it

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1124943497085063172005-08-24T23:06:00.000-07:002005-08-25T06:35:23.280-07:00

A great day of 'trailing' Matt around backstage this afternoon...The backstage set up for this production is fun and a bit complex at first:Because the set consists of 6 towers that move on and off stage (3 on each side) the sight lines (where one can stand so as not to be seen by the audience) when standing off-stage vary greatly depending on the towers' location. So, unlike in most other shows,

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1124638940721005552005-08-21T08:22:00.000-07:002005-08-21T08:43:50.996-07:00

Margaret: Slowly.Signor Naccarelli: Ah!And that's the way to sum up my journey finding Fabrizio...slow but wonderful. It's been nice to build layer upon layer. Over the last few days I've had some great experiences.In a rehearsal Thursday night Jonathan Butterell walked in, fresh off a plane from London. I hadn't met him but had heard so many wonderful things...they're all true. He's a man with a

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1124163650569955832005-08-15T20:28:00.000-07:002005-08-15T20:40:50.576-07:00

So tomorrow is day 5 of rehearsal. Only 12 to go?!So far...I've watched the show 4 times--twice in the sound booth where it's dark but actors can watch the show while taking notes, etc; I've gotten to know some of the cast, I'm through 5 of the 8 Pimsleur beginner Italian lessons, "Molto bene no?", I've got most of the blocking for the show written down, and I've worked through Act I blocking

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1124162880243321062005-08-11T12:20:00.000-07:002005-08-15T20:42:32.313-07:00

And we're off!With only three weeks and 1 day (which translates into 17 ish) days of rehearsal before I'm slated to go on as Fabrizio, there's no time to waste.I showed up at the LCT Beaumont stage door and received my building pass, headed downstairs and met our stage manager Thom! What a great guy. After talking a bit and going through some paperwork, Thom handed me a tentative rehearsal

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1124162280244325982005-08-10T21:01:00.000-07:002005-08-15T20:41:47.516-07:00

So I went home and worked on the music for a few hours...listening to Matt on the cast album, trying to absorb Adam's music in my body, working on all three scenes, and making sure to feel prepared but not over prepared. I wanted to show them me exploring my take on Fabrizio--in the world of the play but not an imitation of Matt. He and I are so different I knew it was important for me to find my

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1124076699887207482005-08-09T20:29:00.000-07:002005-08-15T20:42:48.380-07:00

My G-d...I saw TLITPiazza for the first time a few days before my audition. Then & in the many times I've seen it since (watching the show is a big part of rehearsal right now), I still find it stunning. I am so excited and honored to be a member of this fantastic company and a part of what I believe to be the most beautiful show on Broadway.Let's talk about the audition for the show...I was

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-1124076498291900522005-08-04T20:25:00.000-07:002005-08-14T20:28:18.296-07:00

I'm thrilled to announce I will be playing Fabrizio Naccarelli in Lincoln Center Theater's production of The Light in the Piazza. I'm taking over for my buddy Matt Morrison when he leaves at the end of the month to work in a new play on Broadway. More details to follow...

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com0