Jennifer Naimo

All of the cast had the opportunity to see the final dress of the Pirate Queen last night. The final dress rehearsals are the best theatre moments because it’s usually on a dark night (Monday) so all of the Bway performers can see and support their peers in a new show. The Pirate Queen is by Alain Boubil and Claude Michael Schoenberg..who wrote the fantastic Les Miserables (which I happened to be in for 2 glorious years of my life).

The Hilton Theatre is huge and beautiful and it was abuzz with every Bway performer you could think of sitting out in the house, catching up with old colleagues. I ran into (or was introduced to or so from afar in the womens bathroom line) Dee Hoty, Christianne Noll, Julia Murney, Megan Lawrence, Julie Foldesi, Chuck LaPointe (who created our wigs) Troy Johnson,Heather Ferguson and Ericca Piccinnini from JB. Richard Maltby was opposite us taking notes during the show.

Suffice it to say..Stephanie Block is amazing ..Her voice is like Celine Dion/Linda Eder/Streisand…no it’s like Stephanie Block. I never had seen her perform before because of our conflicting schedules. I don’t imagine there is a note she cannot sing..belting, soprano, all while sword fighting, giving birth, climbing the ships mast…she’s definitely lined up for a Tony nod.

The only drawback of attending on a final dress is that they don’t hand out playbills. The men were fantastic too ..the voices superb…the dancing (from the creators of Riverdance) spectacular..one guy in particular had so much joy…it was contagious..Good luck to this great cast ..may you sail into a long run..

What fun I had last night. Right after our last show I got ready as fast as I could and rode in style in Daniel Reichard’s private car to the Hudson Theatre to perform in the Third Annual Broadway Purim Shpiel. It was hosted, directed and musically directed by the fabulous Seth Rudetsky. He knows everyone and everything about Broadway,and hosts so many benefits, used to write for the Rosie O’Donnel show, has a book out “The Q Guide to Broadway”, has played piano in so many bway shows (including Grease, Les Miz w/me) and is a deejay on Sirius Satellite Radio…check his site out at www.sethsbroadwaychatterbox.com

Anyway both the first show and the 2nd at the JCC (Jewish Cultural Center) were fundraisers for the Jewish Community and he basically took the story of Queen Esther from the Old testament…and told it using bway songs to jazz it up and allow laughter. The line up of talent was great. Daniel Reichard, Tituss Burgess , Constantine Maroulis, Christine Pedi, Anika Larsen, Jose Llana, Paul Castree, Marya Grandy, Drew Geraci..and our song “I’m A Woman” Nina Hennessey, Kate Pazakis and Jaclyn Huberman…and many more.

Seth kept it rolling along and it was so much fun to sing again…Seth said we need to get you singing more too much acting. In fact when he introduced me he would ask how many of you have seen Jersey Boys? (thunderous applause) well she plays Frankie Valli’s wife..you know the drinking, smoking, swearing tough one…” how funny…here’s a photo of me with Constantine and 2 of the girls in our number, Nina Hennessey and Kate Pazakis..Tonite we got free tickets to see the Pirate Queen…I’ll let you know …

Photos of Tituss Burgess, Jennifer Naimo, and Daniel Reichard courtesy of Michael Findling. For more photos from Broadway Purim Shpiel 2007, please visit Findling Fotos.

Well it’s been quite an interesting past week. Last Monday I came down with the dreaded stomach flu that had been taking victims in our cast and around the US. I haven’t had that type of flu since I was in grade school. I specifically remember being in our family kitchen and seeing campbell tomato abc soup spelling weird words coming out of my nose.(Sorry to anyone snacking) So needless to say I missed Tuesday and both shows Wednesday and returned for Thursday.

Thursday night Pete and Stacey we’re at the show after her bday dinner at Gallaghers. They are fans of the show along with their little boy Petey..and Pete Sr is a comic and a ventriloquist also. They live in NJ but were kind enough to give me a ride home. My voice over agent was supposed to come to but he got the flu and gave his tickets to clients at the agency…who happens to be on the Sopranos…who happens to have come with his dancing partner??…who happens to be dancing on a big Dancing show on tv…to possibly a 4 Seasons song…you’ll have to watch TV to see if it’s true.

On Sunday we sang “Who Loves You” and right when we hit the last note and pose we noticed a whole row of the audience spring up and start screaming..we ran off the stage…ran back on when the lights came back on to supposedly bow??? and discovered a gentleman was having a heart attack..John Leone yelled for a doctor in the house..which thankfully there was, an ambulance was called, the audience was pleased asked to leave and thanked for coming…it was horrible and we were all shaking…and Christian led a prayer with a few of us to the side of the stage for the man and his family and those who were to help him…the ambulance came..Richard our stage mgr told us his color had returned and he was breathing, and we’re all just praying he is indeed alright…It was a disturbing way to end the show..and also thought provoking in where our priorities and joys and thankfulness in being alive, should be.

This coming Sunday I’ve been invited to be in a benefit along with Daniel Reichard, Titus Burgess, Constantine Mauralis and others for the 3rd Annual Broadway Purim Schpiel..details to come. I do know that the amazing Seth Rudetsky is the music director. That’s all she wrote for now.

PS Oh I forgot..Last Sunday night I got to see my friend Paul Vogt(Mad TV, the RerunSHow) in his Broadway Debut as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray. He was hilarious!!and the show is so high energy. I couldn’t believe I caught their last show on a 5 show weekend and the energy was at %300!! I also have other friends/acquaintances in the show..Jonathan Dokuchitz, Jere Burns, and Joe Abraham(who’s actually in the Frankie Valli bootcamp )All adorable and enromously talented..Thanks for a great night

It’s been a great busy week at Jersey Boys. First off, we just won the Grammy last night!! YAHOO…I gave a call to Steve Orich who was supposed to collect our award if we won, but somehow there was a miscommunication and he couldn’t get the ticket so he and his wife Judy and our musical director Ron Melrose and new wife Alexis were in Las Vegas about to see Zumanities…and were 3 hours behind what we had seen on TV..but they were ecstatic! I also left a message for Bob and Judy Gaudio and our own John Lloyd Young..Without the above mentioned we would be nowhere. Especially Bob and Frankie and Tommy and Nicks story..Thank you everyone. What an exiting time I’m in…I’m trying to enjoy it while it lasts..

Also, my long lost theatre college friend Laurin Cowling came into town with his partner Troy. I hadn’t seen him since my first year of college at Hope College in Holland Michigan before I got into NYU Grad Acting program the next year. He is extremely talented and when I was singing in a top 40 Band he would have blackberry tea with honey awaiting me in between sets…I lost contact with him..and now he’s an extremely successful interior designer based out of Chicago and writer..They invited me to join them at Cafe Des Artists which was beautiful and classy and quiet and highly recommended by me..and the following day I invited them to Renaissance Diner in between shows…even trade right..I’m so glad we caught up finally.

I also saw Wanda again…who came to our show in LaJolla and I had met years ago while performing in Williamstown Cabaret. She treated herself for her birthday..and she is a doll. She gifted me with a wonderful, funky necklace made out of film..and a very special medal from Medjugorge, Yugoslavia…which was a pilgrimage I made in 1990 after my last show in Les Miserables..and she too had visited …that’s a whole other chapter..

We all also met Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell after the Friday night show. They could not have been more enthusiastic, warm and genuinely down to earth. Thank you all for your generosity..enjoy the photos…

HEY, CHECK OUT THE NEW VIDEO CLIPS MY GENIUS WEBMASTER, DALE, HAS CREATED. EVEN A CLIP FROM MY WORK ON SCRUBS..WHICH HAPPENED TO BE NOMINATED FOR AN EMMY THAT YEAR!!!!!!!!!

On my day off yesterday I could hardly get across the street to my new apt. It’s on the River and literally I had to walk backwards to get across the street because of the wind coming off the Hudson River. Who knew? They say with the windshield it was 13 below. But hey, my family in Grand Rapids, Michigan were snowed in with 16 inches of snow. SO I’m not complaining. I’m savoring being able to look out the window everyday at NJ!! until they finish construction on this new high rise that will than block my view. I think it’s Donald Trumps new property. It makes me so sad. I finally have a room with a view. But I can still see the park right under me with little kids all bundled up, and happy dogs leaving their mark…literally.

I got reaquainted with a Broadway genius last week. Seth Rudetsky. He was at the theatre in between shows Saturday rehearsing with Daniel Reichard for last nights LEADING MEN 11..Hopefully I can start doing these benefits soon, as Daniel has put a bug in my ear..and may be guiding me into doing some kind of show. Daniel Reichard astounds me. Every night off ,every week I can remember he has performed somewhere. During intermission he is learning or singing a new song..constantly learning, growing and inspiring me. I love him…he is one of a kind. And I hope you have all seen his act…if not you’ll have plenty of opportunities. Ok off to the show. This week , my long lost college friend is coming in..he used to serve me tea at my first year of Hope College(before I transferred to NYU Grad Program) when I sang lead in a top 40 band. We also did The Real Inspector Hound that year. I’m excited to catch up with Lauren Cowling..

Well, this has been three solid fantastic weeks of family coming and going. First my niece Emily and her gma Mary were here for a week. They stayed mid town at a sweet boutique hotel that you can make your own latte or cappucino (for free)!!! The Amsterdam Court. I loved visiting!!! Then as they left, my little sister came that same day, saw the show last Tuesday, I visited her on my day off in New Jersey(she was staying with her best friend Heather…a true Jersey girl) and so I got a taste of New Jersey…Howell, NJ. Then Tim came for two and a half days and I won’t see him again till May!! When I take my 2nd week of vacation, I’m going to my mom and dad’s house in Michigan to film a new children’s video and Tim will be learning a new heart and lung machine in Ann Arbor, Michigan for his job at LA Children’s Hospital, and I happen to be home for my niece Jessica’s wedding to her finance Mike…She is #2 of 17 of my nieces and nephews.

Tim and I made a day trip to Coney Island…for those of you who aren’t familiar with Coney Island …it’s a hopping summer beach, boardwalk bonanza and a freezing cold, deserted ghost town in January…But actually it was really cool and cold and we had a blast. That night we celebrated at Rosa Mexicana with table side guacamole, homemade corn tortillas and chips and their trademark pomegranate margaritas.. I had 2 orders of guacamole which did not help my already messed up stomach problem that forced me out of the show Sunday…but sometime you have to suffer for your art. Enjoy the photos.

Well, it’s officially winter. They say it feels like 6 degrees out…so cold. Anyway, it’s been a great few weeks. Last week, my niece Emily and her gma Mary from Grand Rapids, Mich were in town for a week. Emily has seen the show a few times, but always finds something new. The day she left, my youngest sister Jody flew in to see the show, but also spent time with her best friend, Heather, a true Jersey girl, who’s a sweetheart and has gone through a very trying year, losing her young sister-in-law. I so appreciate my family coming to see the show at these prices. And all of you…I don’t know how you do it.

Danny Aiello and his beautiful wife Sandy were at the show and he was so kind, and tall and specific about each individual’s work…believe me , I’m so touched when people find something good to say to each person It’s so generous and considerate.. Thank you, Mr. Aiello for making my night, and calling me “Kiddo.”

Last night, we met the one and only Ann Reinking who was so striking and warm. She said she was the one crying and laughing her heart out. She was so moved by the show, and it was such an honor to meet her. As I was barreling out the door, Caroline Rhea stopped me and paid me such a specific compliment that I stuttered saying, “Coming from you, that is quite an honor.” I spotted her at the curtain call ‘cuz she absolutely sparkled, and I saw her co-host that morning on “Regis.” She will also be hosting the “Rockers” event…which will be a hoot.

I’m discovering that the most talented, gifted actors and celebrities are usually the most generous and warm in greeting us after. It’s very interesting…Thank you to everyone that comes and supports and enjoys our show. I know we feel very blessed to be a part of it.

Well, leave it to Rick Elice, Marshall Brickman, Bob Gaudio and Frankie Valli to throw the cast an amazing party at Cafe Ciello last night. It was every actors dream…unlimited food, appetizers, drinks and fun. SO much fun…Bob Gaudio’s daughters Danielle and Lisa were both there with their husbands/finances and kids…and I got to catch up with them and Judy Gaudio who I just adore. Bob and Judy have been with the tour in San Francisco and just returned to NY four days ago. So good to have them back. Our assistant choreographer and her husband Ed, a screenwriter, have just moved to NY from California..and she will be there to keep the show in shape now, which is fantastic as she is too.

There were tons of appetizers, any drink/drinks you desired and an endless open pasta bar. The boys were filming a mock documentary about the Red Dirt Band breaking up. The Red Dirt Band consists of our fabulous drummer Kevin Dow, his brother on guitar, Ken Dow, Hoops on piano and asstant conductor and Steve Gouveia who also plays guitar and acts in the show and our base Joe Payne. They were the central band for us in LaJolla and Des transported them to Broadway..they are irreplaceable. Also Rick Elice wrote a moving poem to describe our journey it was wonderful…and we had a surprise visit from Titus Burgess who is pure sunshine…Enjoy the photos.

Deborah and her mom Diane came again to the show. They also came last year for Diane’s birthday and this was her birthday present from Deborah. Deborah and I did Grease! together on the road before coming to NY. She was Rizzo and I was Frenchy. I’ll never forget when I joined their company after the previous Frenchy was leaving and Deborah had an engagement the night I opened and I hardly knew her yet, but she gave me tons of beautiful MAC makeup in color schemes befitting Frenchy. Needless to say you get a taste right there of her generous heart and beautiful, genuine spirit. Whenever she’s in NY she comes and visits backstage..and the cast has gotten to know and love her as well. This girl has perfect pitch, can write a song over a cup of coffee and assign harmony parts for all of you in a single breath. She’s also one of the hardest working, most joyful actors I’ve had the pleasure to know and work with. Thanks for coming Deborah and happy birthday Diane.