I haven’t written in a bit, because I felt that what I wanted to share was so frivolous in light of John Altieri’s passing. I couldn’t even get through Eric Bergen and Eric Gutmans’ tributes, I was so just so sad and haunted by it all. I only met him a few times, when the 1st Nat’l Tour was rehearsing and we saw their final run thru before leaving, and he was quite hilarious and precise as Bob Crewe.

I do know that on Wednesday I went with Steve Orich to the opening night of Flora the Red Menace, here at LA’s Reprise, and not a few casting directors, and industry people were also mourning his passing…Steve even said that about 5 years ago, John had done some painting in his house…and everyone had nothing but nice things to say, and bewilderment at his short life.

We’ve constantly been praying for his family and those close to him that they would feel Gods comfort in this time.

Last Friday night ,right before the big Vegas Opening, Tim and I received tickets ,that went at 1500$ a pop ,to THE RACE TO ERASE MS,thrown by Tommy Hillfiger and Nancy Davis.This is an amazing Gala that raises money for those suffering from MS, and the celebrities and doctors and socialites in attendance were astounding .

TIm and I arrived early,as you never know what traffic will be like on a Friday evening. It was held at the Hyatt Regency on Ave of the Stars (no less) and Tim knew the fire marshal of the event who gave us all the back door entrances and first line approvals.

Bob Gaudio was kind enough to put me in touch with Frankie , AS HE WAS THIS YEARS ENTERTAINMENT!!!!!!!!!!,LAST YEAR BEING EARTH ,WIND AND FIRE,and we watched some of his sound check than his tour mgr,Dean brought us up to Frankie. Frankie is always so gracious, and complimentary to me,and I”m always surprised when he remembers me, as we know there are multiple casts…but he took the time to talk with Tim and me for about a half hour. And he was so fascinating telling us about his life, and how hard it was to get where he is now, and how WORK is his love, his life, his mistress..He was just humble and soft spoken and so kind and funny. Thank you for such a wonderful moment and evening. He said how this crowd, he knew he had to win them over,because they weren’t there just for his entertainment. And he was so right,but he did win them over.

We than proceeded to the SILENT AUCTION room, which was this huge ballroom with bids going for anything from Paris Hiltons clothing line, perfume, to a Maltese puppy (which sold for 17,000.00) to a motorcycle signed by ? I forgot ,to a private jet , to signed photos of Aly and AJ???? it was mind boggling.. Free Drinks everywhere…

A photographer asked to take Tim and my photo.. very glamorous, than our friend scooped us up to get in the front line for the RED CARPET arrivals.. MY oh My.. I was like a kid in a candy store. I”m a huge fan of DANCING W THE STARS, so here comes Samantha Harris, who is gracious, bubbly ,tiny , gorgeous saying hello to us and than confronting oever 300 photographers SCREAMING HER NAME JUST LIKE IN THOSE SNL SKITS, hilarious. Alright let me just name a few that went thru that same process, and when they pose for the photo it’s the most superficial, stiff ,weird pose, that looks fantastic in print..and everyone was tinier in real life…so that 10lb camera weight theory is true…Harry Hamlin, Lisa Rhinna, Anne Heche and her new man, Julian and Derek Huff from Dancing with the Stars, and Christian dela Fuente and his wife, and those chiseled dancers from the show, who all danced in the LIVE TOMMY HILLFIGER FASHION SHOW,Howie Mandel, Nicky Hilton, the lady from KTLA morning show,Cheryl Ladd GORGEOUS<, Ray Romano, Tom Arnold, Illeana Douglas, January Jones, Ali Landry, Josie Bissett,Tara Reid, Daisy Fuentes, Marlee Matlin, Garcelle Beauvais, Andrea Bowen, Emmy Rossum, Kristi Yamaguchi, Leeaza Gibbons, Maria Menendous, Shannon Elizabeth and last but not least Paris Hilton, who really was last, and posed like you would think, but turned her back to hike up her front…it was so fun.

Inside the floral arrangement s gorgeous..fillet mignon, mac and cheese,grilled veggies,desert plate, more drinks, live Fashion Show with all of Tommy Hilfiger’s models and some of the above and dancers, live auction…and than Frankie…

I’m telling you, it was real Hollywood Glamor..and swank, and we went home with those coveted goody bags..and Tim is stopped a few times, ‘are those Tommy Hilfigers new shades?’ why yes they are…such fun..here are a few photos..

happy mommy’s day.. Thanks MOM for LIFE… I love you.

BUT FIRST, I WANTED TO CONGRATULATE ERICA PICCININI ON HER RUN AS LORRAINE ON BWAY…SHE’S THE 2ND OF US GIRLS TO LEAVE…BUT THE GOOD/GREAT NEWS IS HEATHER FERGUSON IS TAKING OVER AS LORRAINE STARTING TUESDAY…I’M SO HAPPY FOR HEATHER. SHE HAS FLAWLESSLY COVERED EACH OF THE 3 GIRLS TRACKS AND ROLES HERE ON BWAY, AND EVEN TWICE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION LEARNED AND WENT ON ON THE ROAD WITH 1 DAY REHEARSAL…SHE’S FANTASTIC AS AN ACTRESS, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY TO ME, A FRIEND.

I WISH YOU ALL COULD SEE THE PRICELESS SCRAPBOOK SHE MADE FOR ME AS A GOING AWAY GIFT. SHE WORKED ON IT OVER 4 WEEKS, WHILE TAKING COLLEGE COURSES, AND DOING THE SHOW, ..AND IT COVERS MY JOURNEY FROM LA JOLLA, TO BWAY..IT’S A COFFEE TABLE EYE CATCHER..THAT IS BEAUTIFUL..AND EACH TIME I CRY OR LAUGH, OR SEE SOMETHING NEW AND NUANCED THAT IGNITES A MEMORY…

ALRIGHT CHEER HER ON…AND CONGRATS TO THE VEGAS CAST…WE SAW FRANKIE ON FRIDAY NIGHT, AND HE WAS TO CATCH A PLANE FOR OPENING THE NEXT NIGHT…AND I KNOW TIM AND I DIDN’T LEAVE TILL CLOSE TO 1 AM, AND HE WAS ALSO HAVING HIS BDAY ON SATURDAY…LOVE TO YOU ALL…MORE DETAILS ABOUT GALA COMING…

I HAVE A COOL LA AGENT, WHO I LOVED MEETING FRIDAY .

ON LEAVING CHURCH SUNDAY, I CHECK MY MESSAGES, AND STEVE ORICH OUR ORCHESTRATOR FOR ALL THE JERSEY BOYS PRODUCTIONS, REFERRED ME TO THE CASTING DIRECTOR OF LES MISERABLES AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL. I TRIED CALLING MY NY AGENT LAST WEEK, BEFORE MEETING THE ONE HERE..AND SUGGESTED GETTING ME IN AS I HAD WORKED WITH THIS DIRECTOR AND DONE THE SHOW AS EPONINE…BACK IN THE DAY, AS THEY SAY…NEVER HEARD A THING.

SO STEVE ORICH SAYS YOU HAVE TO GO OVER THERE TODAY, THE DIRECTOR AND MUSICAL DIRECTOR, KEVIN STITES WHO IS AMAZING!!!!!…ARE REALLY EXCITED TO SEE YOU.

I RUN HOME, AS TIM VISITS SOME HOMEBOUND ELDERLY PEOPLE AFTER CHURCH, GET DRESSED,SING THRU SOME SONGS.. WE GO TOGETHER.. THEY GET ME IN,RIGHT BEFORE THEIR LUNCH..RICHARD JAY ALEXANDER, THE DIRECTOR, POPS UP INTRODUCES ME TO ALL IN ROOM, GUSHES ABOUT MY WORK IN JERSEY BOYS AND THEIR ALL SO KIND,,, WE CHIT CHAT FOR AWHILE AND THEY SAY ‘WHAT A RE YOU GOING TO SING FOR US?” WELL ALL THE PREVIOUS ACTORS WERE SINGING ALL THESE BEAUTIFUL,LEGIT SONGS..AND SCALES ON THE PIANO, AND EVEN SONGS FROM LES MIZ… I SAID” I’D LIKE TO SING SOMETHING SERIOUS FOR YOU” THEY KINDA GO.’ALRIGHT’ AND WE BREAK INTO “WE’RE MOVING ON UP” FROM THE JEFFERSON’S, AND MY CABARET…THEY ALL START LAUGHING… AND I’M JUST SINGING WITH GLEE, AFTER 3 LINES HE YELLS ‘CUT’ ‘DO YOU REALLY WANT THE JOB, WE CAN’T OFFER YOU A ROLE CUZ THEY’VE BEEN CAST IT ‘S JUST THE COMPANY…BUT IT’S GOING TO BE A FUN 2 WEEKS AN AWESOME CAST??” I YELL YES!!!!!!!!!!! AND I SAID,” DARN I WAS WARMING UP FOR COSETTE (RIGHT NOT A SOPRANO) AND I PUT ON THOSE CHER RUBBER BANDS AROUND MY EARS TO PULL BACK THE WRINKLES… ANYWAY…

I KNEW THAT JLY WAS MARIUS.. BUT I COULDN’T SAY ANYTHING.. I ONLY WISH I COULD REPRISE MY ROLE AS EPONINE, WELL EPONINE ALL GROWN UP…LOL..SO WE COULD SING TOGETHER.. THE ONLY ROLES I ‘D BE RIGHT FOR WOULD BE HER MOM, MADAME T AND THAT’S ROSIE O’DONNELL WHO WILL BE PERFECT!! AND FANTINE IS MELORA HARDIN FROM THE OFFICE..

SO THAT WAS THE MOST FUN AND EASIEST AUDITION I’VE HAD..AND GOT THE JOB ON THE SPOT..SO IF YOU’RE IN TOWN AUGUST 8(OUR ANNIVERSARY BY THE WAY), 9TH OR 10TH..IT SEATS 18,0000. YAHOO!!!!

So I’m driving down the 110 fway to pick up Tim from LAX airport. I have my Christian music blaring and I’m singing along, joyful cuz Tim is coming back from 3 days in Charleston, SC and I just ran 6 miles around the Rose Bowl and it’s a beautiful day. I’m almost at the turn off to the airport, when I notice to my left that a huge, door frame sized piece of wood? is free floating over the median from the on coming traffic and towards our lanes. Suddenly it changes direction and when it comes to my lane,turns and comes at me HEAD ON.. I thought “you gotta be kidding” it seemed so surreal… I grasped the steering wheel with both hands firmly, closed my eyes, still going 65 miles per hour, and calmly beckoned JESUS (with the clear intention, please help me)…I hear a slam and crashing of glass, but felt nothing on my face..I opened my eyes, to find myself still in my lane, no windshield broken, the car to my left now swerving to avoid what just hit me…I see the left front fender bending towards me, but I’m still able to drive and get to LAX to get Tim.

My heart is now beating , but I’m thanking God and my sweet, powerful Guardian Angel for an absolute Heavenly Intervention…I than call my dad, who tells me call 911..which I did…than got to the airport…and told Tim…here’s some photos..Now we have to go to auto repair and Enterprise….thanks for your prayers.

I still marvel at how Tim and I agreed I would give it 6 months, and as we approached the Tony Award Season it lingered on longer, as hopes of a Tony circulated, and than the Grammy’s, and singing on the Today Show, Letterman Show, performing on Radio City’s Stage and on TV for everyone I ever knew, those who raised me, taught me, befriended me, crossed my path…could see on National TV.

Meeting Frankie Valli, Bob and Judy Gaudio, Tommy Devito, Joe Pesci, Robert DeNiro, Martin Scorsese, Tom Hanks, Kevin Costner, Bruce Willis, Bruce Springsteen, Bettte Midler, Diana Ross, Susan Sarandon, Sara Jessica Parker, Goldie Hawn, Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas, Antonio Banderas, Glenn Close, Robin WIlliams, Betsey Johnson, John Stamos, Dion, Richie Sambora, Nicole Kidman…etc.. come on…this is ridiculously cool…and the hundreds who didn’t come back stage for whatever reason..

The friends I made in the cast will always be part of my DNA, how could they not. Starting at La Jolla, when things could change on a daily basis, One time I came back for lunch and was suddenly assigned the lead on My Boyfriends Back..that was always a bit tricky in La Jolla, because I have the fastest quick change in the show of 9 to 11 seconds, to throw that costume and wig off and get into my Mary Delgado robe and hair and attack Frankie…to disguise me in La Jolla they had me wearing sunglasses in that scene for a while..singing and dancing that song..lol.

The wardrobe and hair department and props become tight family too, because your very life depends on total trust in their competence..and they were the best. The hardest workers around, with no time for whining or complaining. And we all bonded even more during the 3 week strike. In fact it was a wonderful opportunity to actually have that length of time to get to know about them and their families, who we would meet on the strike line.

And the 4 of us girls, in the smallest dressing room in the theatre. But very close to the stage so we wouldn’t have to climb the stairs in our 3 1/2 inch heels. If the audience could see the hijinks, and drama that occurred backstage and even in our dressing room? priceless ..

To all the Frankies I kissed before…starting with David Norona who’s now in Lipstick Jungle.. Dominic Nolfi who is our unsung hero from La Jolla to now, JLY serious and dreamy and consistently fantastic, Michael Longoria, hilarious comedian backstage than pulls it all together to become Frankie, Matthew Scott, so young, great actor, lovely voice, Travis Cloer..whose voice must surely reflect Gods..effortless, fun, on stage and off..a true buddy, Cory Grant..who I loved doing the scenes with ,cuz he surprised me with little details that no one else played.. and Eric Schneider..who sadly I never got to play with because he hasn’t gone on yet… What a lucky girl am I?

Our stage mgrs..PSM Michelle Bosch , who has invited me over to every major holiday to feast on her unbelievable dinners and baked goods and hospitality, to tall Reupert who makes me laugh, and does her job effortlessly and always with a sense of humor, to sweet Jason who has photos of his little girls placed everywhere, that gives him balance and perspective, and Richard Hestor , who used to run our ship but did his job so impeccably that now he masters all the JBOYS ships… to Sandy Carlson our fearless company mgr, who I adore.. she and Tim Sulka have always come thru with getting me last minute house seats.. and all the details of their job done w/out complaint. And Sandy always went the extra mile with me and made this transition so easy and enjoyable.

To Michael David, and Lauren Mitchell and Sally Morse and Ed Strong.. what can I say.. I worked with them years ago as a young girl during Big River, but this time as an adult I can truly appreciate them and see the love they have had and the belief in this show since its conception..and look how it payed/paid off…

To Des, who looked beyond my natural personality, and somehow saw I could play a sassy, bitch with a heart of gold. Who inspires me continuously with his ideas and ever moving work..and energy…and joy. To Ron Melrose who went days without sleep to construct and form the music along with Steve Orich (who I also adore) in La Jolla, and before Broadway with Bob Gaudio.. I see how hard work can truly pay off.

To Bob and Judy Gaudio.. whom I had the privilege to get to know. His ear and eye for detail, untouchable; her taste and wit so fun to be around. To Frankie Valli , who has always known who I was, and the week before I left , left me with unforgettable words of praise , wisdom and direction…I was humbled but what I garnered from him.

To the fans, some who have become my life long friends…you know who you are… I love you dearly.. Thank you for your support, emails, letters, gifts, showing up at my cabarets, showing up nightly..going broke to show up for us.. thank you..I wouldn’t be writing or performing without you. Thank you

I’m sure i’ll remember more and talk about the last show and stuff as time goes by..but that’s a good start.. Thankfulness..and Love , JENNIFER NAIMO MORALES

IT’S LIKE BEING ON TOUR AGAIN, ALTHOUGH I’M SO DISORIENTED WALKING HOME AFTER THE SHOW IN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT DIRECTION. LEAVING MY ROOM YESTERDAY, I BUMPED INTO A WONDERFUL ACTRESS ON THE SAME FLOOR AND WE WALKED TOGETHER FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES. AS SHE EXPLAINED THE UPS AND DOWNS OF LIVING AND WORKING IN LA, AS SHE IS A NYC GIRL BUT UPROOTED TO LA FOR TV. GUESS WHO??? JUDITH LIGHT AKA (ONE LIFE TO LIVE, WHO’S THE BOSS? UGLY BETTY) SHE WAS LOVELY AND HAD SEEN JBOYS AND LOVED IT.

I SAW THE 1ST ACT OF CANDIDE WITH OUR BELOVED DANIEL REICHARD. HE SOUNDS GLORIOUS AND LOOKS IT, IN A SCENE WHERE HE TAKES OFF HIS SHIRT. CATCH HIM IF YOU CAN AT LINCOLN CENTER.

YESTERDAY WAS THE PUT IN REHEARSAL FOR MY REPLACEMENT BRIGID BERGER…I DIDN’T HAVE TO BE THERE, OBVIOUSLY..SO IT WAS WEIRD COMING TO THE SHOW A BIT..KNOWING MY DAYS WERE NUMBERED, AS SHE IS FOLLOWING ME BACKSTAGE TO LEARN THE TRAFFIC AND COSTUME AND WIG CHANGES (17)…

I JUST WANTED TO THANK ALL OF YOU WHO HAVE STOPPED BY TO SAY GOODBYE OR SENT ME GIFTS (WHICH YOU DO NOT EVER HAVE TO DO, AS BUYING A TKT TO THE SHOW IS ENOUGH). THANK YOU. I’M COMING OUT OF MY DENIAL STAGE, AND ACCEPTING THAT I’M ALMOST DONE…IT’S VERY BITTERSWEET.

INSTEAD OF BEING SELF CONSCIOUS, I WAS SO HONORED, AND TOUCHED…THAT IT MADE MY BREAK UP SCENE AND ‘MY EYES ADORED YOU’ ON THE STAIRS MORE POIGNANT, AT LEAST FOR ME.

HE LOOKS WONDERFUL, HAPPY, PEACEFUL. ALLISON TOO. I HAD THE GOOD FORTUNE TO AUDITION FOR HER A FEW WEEKS AGO FOR ‘LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS’ AND THE WAY SHE SET UP THE AUDITION ROOM…THE WARMTH, WELCOMING, PROFESSIONALISM AND FUN…WAS SO FREEING FOR AN ACTOR…I HAD THE BEST TIME

I GOT TO SPEAK WITH BOTH OF THEM FOR AWHILE AFTER THE SHOW…AND, GOSH, IT JUST MADE ME MISS HIM, BUT VALUE THAT TIME WE HAD…HE’S AUDITIONING A LOT AND ACTUALLY HAS A CALLBACK FOR A NEW PILOT…SO KEEP YOUR FINGERS CROSSED TO SEE HIM ON SCREEN. OK GOT A SHOW TO DO…9 MORE…..AND COUNTING.