Hey, this is Samuel Kiernan blogging here on Show Buzz. I am playing Tulsa in the National Tour of Gypsy, which is actually right now on a quick layoff, but soon will continuing in Modesto, California.So far we’ve played the Schubert in New Haven. And we have done pretty much all the South. We’ve played in Huntsville, Alabama, a casino in Louisiana, Sarasota, & Clearwater Florida. We have been to a bunch of places but to tell you the truth I usually only see where I am right as I leave.
I was really excited to do this tour because I lived in London for 2 years, going to school, working, and seeing a lot of Europe and then when I came back here I really wanted to see America because I spent so much time away.
About one week out of the month, we get a week to sit down, which is nice. Sometimes we do a lot of one-nighters where you wake up, travel for 6, 7 hours, hop off the bus and try to get something to eat. Then you do the show, and then you leave first thing the next morning then it just goes and goes and goes.
One of my favorite cities was Madison, Wisconsin, which is kind of small, little hippy town that had this great artsy environment, It kind of reminded me of Cambridge, Massachusetts. I’m from Boston so that what I related to. It was a lot of fun. We got to spend, I think it was 4 or 5 days there and I was sad to leave. I never felt such a strong attachment to a place in such a short amount of time.
Well I will be back soon to blog more about the tour! Stay tuned!
telly
01/11/2008 08:10PM
and this is the first time ive heard what its like
to be a professional actor on the road or in a show
how was it in london? (can we ask questions?)
ive never been out of this country
that sounds really amazing
and i know what you mean feeling close to aplace youve been to
for a short while that happened to me in two places
one California it was one of the most beautiful places ive seen in
my life
the second honestly and interestingly enough was boston
ill be sure to sstay tuned...
Samuel Kiernan
01/27/2008 01:42AM
Well first off London was amazing. I lived there for two years as i said and i went to a musical theatre conservatory over there called Arts Ed London. It was a great school and i learned a lot especially dance wise. I've always been a dancer and have taken classes pretty much my whole life but i hadn't really had enough ballet and this was a strong ballet emphasis, it helped me tremendously.
While in England I had the opportunity to perform at Drury Lane Theatre for a Stephen Sondheim Concert. My class was asked to perform the opening number from company and the Closing Number from Sunday in the Park with George. It was amazing.
I also had the chance to perform for the Queen in a World War 2 commemoration ceremony where i was a back up dancer for Laura Michelle Kelly. Some people consider it rude to name drop but i love her so much and i don't care..haha. For those who don't know her she was the original Mary Poppins in the London Production and is now in the Lord of the Rings musical. She was also in Fiddler on the roof some years back on Broadway. I guess i shook the Queens hand but really she just kinda of touched it. It's odd to think that even in this day and age, it's still supposed to be a blessing to be touched by royalty. I'm still a little indecisive on that.
Once again i'm rambling but it's great you love to travel and find connections with different places. Go Patriots!! If you love Boston you should root for the Pats at the Super Bowl!! Unless you're from New York then I'll understand...haha. bye telly.
Brielle
01/12/2008 10:37AM
Joey
01/14/2008 07:42PM
Samuel Kiernan
01/27/2008 01:28AM
Sorry not to answer for a while but that's a good question. Sometimes, yes it does. When you wake up at five in the morning to travel all day on the bus and for me personally it's very uncomfortable on the bus. I have very long legs which they hired me for..jk.. and my legs start to go numb sometimes when i sleep across the seats.
Then after eight hours of that i have an hour or so to walk around and then stretch and do a show where i have to hold an audiences attention for seven minutes or so on my own by singing and dancing. I guess the trick is to give all the energy you have for that day. All you have but never more than you have because consistency is the key in this business. Push yourself, yes, but not be stupid and hurt yourself.
Sometimes my knees will hurt or my shins get sore but i make sure i stay in shape and take the time to prepare physically for the show. My best is all that i can give. Anyone can be brilliant on stage, well maybe not everyone...hehe...but the majority of performers. It's the ones that can do it eight or sometimes nine shows a weeks that get somewhere. I hope that answers your question.
Samuel Kiernan
01/22/2008 01:58PM
I guess for all of you who want to know, I find it liberating to not have such an attachment to places you travel but more so a respect for the people that live there and really for the audiences you encounter along the way. It gives me an opportunity to learn by travelling and performing. It's really enjoying the death of those two birds.