Potomac Stages Wraps it Up.

Potomac Stages, one of the only websites to exclusively cover theatre in the DC Metro area has announced that as of January 1st, it will cease publication of it's website. I am a little bit late to the party on this, but just found out this morning. Such sad news. First Washington Theatre Review ceased their publication of their fabulous quarterly magazine, and then went to strictly online format, then ceased altogether. Now no more Potomac Stages. The only remaining website strictly devoted to theatre in our area is DC Theatre Scene, which is a link on the right.

I feel that the gang over at Potomac Stages has always been fair and even handed, along with being VERY supportive of this areas smaller theatres as well as all of the giants. They have always treated me well, and said wonderful things about me, for which I am always grateful.

Their website will be sorely missed, and it makes me sad that one more voice out there advocating local theatre has gone quiet. But thanks to them all for many (8) years of wonderful coverage of this amazing city's theatre scene.

There is a "wrap-up" article posted on their website which summarizes their favorite productions over the years. I am extremely touched to have been mentioned in this wrap up regarding tick,tick...BOOM! at Metro Stage. Read the full article HERE.

Hats off, Potomac Stages. Many thanks and best wishes for the future.

xoxo

sgs

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS

Go and VOTE FOR ME!
I am slipping down to 3rd place!!! AAAARRRGHH!
Hurry, before I fall into obscurity!!! Noooooo!
LOL!

VOTE FOR US AT DC THEATRE SCENE!!!

Vote for Felicia Curry and I as Audience Favorites as Best actor and actress respectively in a musical in tick,tick...BOOM! at Metro Stage!
HERE IS THE LINK TO GO AND VOTE!

more talk of tick,tick?!

Once again I am going to have to thank Joel Markowitz's kind words over at DC Theatre Scene. tick,tick...BOOM! made his list of best musicals of the past year. Here is what he had to say:

"tick, tick… BOOM! (MetroStage)

I’ll never forget Stephen Gregory Smith, Felicia Curry and Matt Pearson’s gorgeous harmonies at MetroStage in Jonathan Larson’s not-so-well-known show. What a pleasure to watch three of our most talented young performers burn up the stage with their energy and gorgeous voices. And what Felicia did with “Come to Your Senses” would have registered a 5 on the Richter Scale. "

Thank you very much, Joel.


Also, DC Theatre Scene is conducting it's second annual Audience Choice Awards, and tick,tick...BOOM! is nominated twice: I am nominated for favorite actor in a musical, and Felicia is nominated as favorite actress in a musical.
Spider Woman is also nominated for best musical.
Go over to their site and VOTE!

...God that feels like a lifetime ago...tick,tick talk.

Over at DC Theatre Scene, local theatre blogger Joel Markowitz has made a list of his personal favorite "Best Musical Performances" of the past year. It is a list of about 17, and I was happy to see that both Felicia Curry and I were included for our performances in tick,tick...BOOM! at Metro Stage. It really does feel like forever ago at this point. That is why when I read this I was all like...?...! Oh wow...yeah...that!
Here is what he had to say about us:

"Stephen Gregory Smith as Jon
In tick, tick… BOOM! (MetroStage)
From his first opening song, “30/90,” Stephen Gregory Smith, as the young, just-turned-30, pained and confused Jonathan Larson, had the audiences at MetroStage eating out of his hands. It was his first starring role in a musical on our local stages, and this Helen Hayes Award Winner proved that he deserves more leading roles. Blending gorgeous harmonies with his two fabulous co-stars Felicia Curry and Matt Pearson, Stephen offered an honest interpretation of Jon - unsure, scared, bluntly honest and fearless about pursuing Jonathan Larson’s dream of composing great music and a great musical."

"Felicia Curry as Susan and Others
In tick, tick… BOOM! (MetroStage)
As Susan, Jon’s girlfriend, Felicia Curry continued to WOW local audiences with her powerful vocal talents, and in tick, tick, BOOM! she reminded audiences what a great actress she is, too. Also playing several loony roles - the lead in one of Jon’s musicals, his agent Rosa Stevens, and a marketing exec, Felicia has audiences laughing, but when she stood on the stage to sing the emotional “Come To Your Senses,” she had the audience cheering! I’ll never forget it! The walls were shaking. Our interview with the cast is here."


Other friends on the list include:
Florrie Bagel as Baby Jane in Jerry Springer The Opera
Natascia Diaz as Monica P. Miller and Doug Kreeger as Ian Wallace
In Rooms (MetroStage)
Michael Innocenti as Sancho Panza in Man of La Mancha (Keegan Theatre)...
Check out the full article HERE!

29 and holding...5 more days.

In 5 days, I turn 30. 30. Three Zero.
I think I spoke aloud words similar to those this past Fall at Metro Stage.
I didn't really think that I would be that pressed about it when the time actually came.
Strangely, I was wrong.
I don't know why I am having a hard time with this, but I really am. When people ask why, I frequently say that it is because I play a lot of 10 year old roles. It is partly that. It is also partly that I start to think about all the roles that I would love to play that suddenly people will think that I am too long in the tooth for.
And yet, It's still not even that.
It is all the things that I have not done by 30. Things that other friends have done. It is many things, and multifaceted.
I can't put all of them on this page. But they are indeed alive in my mind.
Constantly.

I look at this photo and think - wow - it's been a long road from there. If I knew then what I know now.
I know that I will be fine and this will pass and it really isn't a big deal and blah,blah,blah everything that people might say to make me feel less neurotic about it. But I also know that every single human has a different journey, and mine has made me feel this way about it.
Maybe I feel insecure and bad about turning this age because I don't feel secure in my finances, career, and all of the "adult world" things that really DO matter. And here I am (clearly already an adult,but really entering the 30 something decade) about to enter a decade where one hopes that one's shit is together by.
Guess what? My shit's not together. I freely admit that.
I guess that is also why this is all so hard. Money has been so tight this past year that I have started to have literal dreams of going back to school to get a degree in Meteorology and becoming a TV Weather Man. Nothing would make me happier.
If only I could afford to go to school.
Anyways, I guess I am just uncertain about much of my future, like everyone else, and instead of people saying "It's not a big deal", I guess I would prefer someone not saying anything.
It's easy for most in retrospect to analyze when they turned 30 and say it was easy. Whenever I talk to my fellow( not for long) 20 somethings, they get wide eyed and talk apprehensively.
30 is when the party is over, and it is game time if you are seriously trying make something of your life. At least that is how I see it.
Which may be wrong. I don't know.
It is just where I am tonight.
As I sit alone in my house and make candles.
Candles that will ironically be my birthday candles.
Sorry if this is maudlin, but - actually, no I am not sorry if it is maudlin.
I have a right to my feelings, and just an equal right to say to you all next week that "It's no big deal."
I reserve that right now, just as all of you have done in the past and will do in the future.


But for now, at 5 days and holding...not really sure what I am going to reserve.
That's all from 4431 Neurotica Blvd,
Luv,
SGS

A LOT late

I just randomly was e-mailed this little review of tick,tick...BOOM! that I never heard (you can listen to it on the site) or read (you can also read it).
It was on ShowBizRadio.net
It made me miss our little rock show.
Good night, Arlington.
Luv,
Steve

THEATRICALLY: Year in Review

I am so blessed to have been involved in 5 amazing productions this past year. I am so thankful and greatful to have been given these amazing opportunities. It truly has been a fantastic year for me.
1st up was Into the Woods at Signature Theatre.

I had a blast as the bratty little Jack. The cast was wonderful, and it was such a great time romping through the woods with all of them. It was a special treat to have Angela Lansbury as the voice of the Giant. I loved when the giant would walk and the theatre shook, and leaves would fall. Amazing.






Next was Meet John Doe at Ford's Theatre. I had such a fantastic time with this show and it was great to work at Ford's Theatre. The cast was made up of some of my best friends, so that made it even more pleasurable. And it was nice to play a bad guy for once...actually I think it is the only time I have ever played one. I loved it!













In Summer came two different performances of my newest cabaret, Use What You Got. I had a great time, and Jenny Cartney lent such a wonderful skill and know how by helping me put it together and performing it with me. The audiences were enthusiastic and responsive, and sang along loud and proud. I really feel like I relaxed into it the second time (at the Signature Open House in August). This cabaret made me fall in love with cabaret as an art form again, and I have been working on putting together two other cabarets since this one has passed. Cheers and thanks to all who came and supported me.
















Funny Girl was done as a concert this past Fall, with Jacqui Piro Donovan as Fanny Brice. She was incomparable. It was great to hear the score to Funny Girl, which I never heard as I tended to avoid Barbara Streisand like the plague before working on the show. I fell in love with the show, and will always hold in my memory the image of Jacqui belting out the last notes of the reprise of "Don't Rain on my Parade" while red lights blasted the theatre and red mylar glitter rained down on her. Breathtaking.
















And finally, the ticker. tick,tick...BOOM! contained the biggest role that I have ever played. I am so glad to have had the amazing team that we had around us. I had an amazing time with the cast and crew of the show. The show was an incredibly important experience for me to have, and it taught me so much. More than anything, it taught me to listen. To many things.








Whew! What an amazing year! It is hard to believe as I write and look back on all of it. Thanks to all of the theatres, their staff, my beloved cast mates, and to fate, chance, luck, and yes, God, for all of these wonderful journeys. I can't wait to start more journeys in 2008.
Happy New Year to all!
Luv,
SGS

Done.

We closed tick last night. whew.
I am always happy/sad when a show closes, but I have to say that I am leaning more to the side of happy. Not because I didn't think that the show was fantastic, or didn't love the cast, ect, but because it was ready to end, I think. I was ready. It was the hardest show that I have ever done. I know, wah, wah, do I want to cheese with that wine. But it was really hard and exhausting every performance. The relief that the pressure is off is amazing. Will I miss it?
yes.
I always miss gainful employment and beyond that, a show that really is so close to my heart. This show was so me that it almost felt like a cabaret.
I will miss Jon. Crazy guy that he was. He was fun to live in. I just wished that he would shut up sometimes. ;)
The constant talking/singing wore on me. The 5 sips of water that I sneaked through the evening were never enough. I always ended up with cotton mouth. Poor Felicia had to kiss that cotton mouth.
Felicia.
wowsers, what an amazing performer. She is such a smart actress, and lord, what a voice. She was so easy to be in love with. Such a delight on stage and off. She is a true star. I adore her.
Matt Pearson.
He was so great to be on the stage with. He was always in the moment with me. We had a great give and take with each other. I miss him already. He will always be a brother to me. And what an amazing performer, too. I hope he will be back in Washington,DC soon.
Matt Gardiner as our fearless leader was exactly that...fearless. He tackled this show with such an eager eye. His work on this show was fantastic, and so smart. He is a guy who is surely going places, and I am eager to see his next endeavor, whatever it is.
Metro Stage, and all of it's staff were fantastic to us, and it was a pleasure to work there. Brandon, Danielle, Jessica, Kevin, and Carolyn were all extremely supportive and fantastic throughout the entire process.
The band was fantastic, and changed hands so much that it was hard to keep up with who was playing what night. But they were all always fantastic.
A great cast, a great crew, a great band, a great creative team, a great theatre, and a great piece of theatre. Everything ends, though, and I am happy and blessed for the time that I spent with this piece, but now that time is at an end.
The commercial will, however still be able to view here, at Metro's blog.
Thanks to all of you who came out to see our show, and thanks to everyone involved for making it the amazing experience that it was. Thank God for you all.
PS- this is post number 800 on this blog, and I can't think of a better way to have spent it.
Goodnight, all.
Luv,
SGS

UPDATE: Friday Evening

The commercial is back up over at Metro's Blog.


tick,tick...BOOM! runs for 5 more performances, and there are tickets available.
Visit Metro's website for details.

Frustration

So, we had a little tick tick commercial put together for our last extension week by the theatre. It was a fantastic commercial, and in league with actor's equity standards ( 3 minutes, and no clip lasting more than 30 seconds), yet someone reported it and had it taken down. Now there is no commercial. A marketing tool shot down. By who?
I wonder. hmmm.
I know how to find out who did it. I am currently on a quest to do such. I have a hunch.
This is why my Union can be screwed up. We here in DC are at a horrible economic point as far as selling tickets to shows. No one has money to go and see shows right now. Any way we can market a show is a blessing and a godsend.
This ad was in standing with regulation, and because someone bitched about it, and why, I'd love to know, it was pulled.
What kind of protection is my union offering me by preventing an ad to go up that will sell tickets to an extension? I am not being taken advantage of in any way.
If this is someone in the union's idea to enforce rules, then guess what? They are A) wrong, because the ad met rule code, B) not helping me as an equity actor. Know why? Because now I will not be helped by the ad to fill the house.
So to whom it may concern who thought that they were being some kind of savior of the modern world...you were wrong in reporting this, and also...you are not helping or defending us. You are hurting us.
SO sorry for this post, but I cannot hide my frustration with this situation. When arts and theatre are hidden and tied down behind such regulations and tape, they are not art. Don't we want people to come and see us?
Goodnight,
Luv,
SGS

The Tick Tick Commercial!

TICK, TICK...BOOM! EXTENDED!!!

Well, our little show that could has chugged up the mountain, and is extending at Metro Stage. It will now play till December 2nd. Please help me pass the word on to those who might not have seen it yet, or might want to come a second time (as many have) to see it again.
Go to Metro Stage's website to get tickets.
See you there!

soup...(a condensed story)

What time is it? 6pm. One hour before I jump in the car, and drive the purple station wagon down to Metro Stage. Soup time. I usually eat chicken noodle soup for dinner during show nights. I can't eat anything that really is a trigger for my acid-reflux, and I don't want to eat anything too heavy, as I really don't have time for offstage burps. Or God forbid anything else.
The soup, as you all know, is pretty bland so it works well enough. The broth is also a nice warm treat for my vocal chords.
When I used to be asked by my cast mates what I had for dinner, after about the fifth time of answering soup, they got the picture. I told them that I had been eating so much soup that my last name should be Campbell.
Sometimes, Felicia will ask me out of the blue between shows, "Are you going home? What are you going to eat?".
I'll look at her and say, "What's my last name?".
She nods, knowingly.
Matt Pearson started worrying about my sodium levels since I was eating so much soup. I eased his fears by informing him, "no-no...I eat Healthy Request Soup. No worries." He shook his head and walked away laughing.
But about three weeks ago, Matty (my Matt) volunteered to make me my soup dinner while I walked Buddha. I came back and looked at what seemed to be a HUGE bowl of soup.
"How many cans did you make?", I asked Matt.
"Just one, honey.", he said.
I thought to myself that it must have been a large can. Oh well.
I started to eat it. Hmm...it tasted awfully bland. I even asked Matt if it were a different brand. He said no.
The next day around dinner time, Matt was in the kitchen fixing dinner, and I joined him, making my soup. He watched as I poured the can into the pot on the burner, and then went back to flipping my grilled cheese in the skillet.


"Aren't you going to add any water, honey?", he asked.
"NO! Why? That's why it tasted funny yesterday! I thought it tasted watered down!"
I felt like Sherlock Holmes, just having solved the mystery of a century. A great "A-HA!" moment. Water in the soup? No way, man. That's like when people put water in red sauce to make more of it, but what ends up happening is that they have a whole bunch of thin, runny, and nasty sauce. I hate that.
"But honey, you're supposed to...it's condensed soup."
I pondered this for a minute.
"Doesn't it taste horrible without water? It must be like eating pure salt!", Matty said.
I pondered more. Condensed?
"But I have never added water to it.", I said.
Suddenly I felt a wave of stupidity, mixed with embarrassment, mixed with hysterics.
I became what I can't stand: just like every man who doesn't ever read instructions or directions because he knows he must be right.
We both had a huge laugh about the whole situation.
The next time I made soup, I used the recommended amount of water. Still blah. Tasted like water with some noodles in it.
So, I met the instructions half way. Half the amount. Which is how I eat it now.
Do I miss eating condensed soup without water added? A little.
Do my arteries? Not one bit.
With that, I have just finished my soup, so should go wash my dirty dishes and throw a sweater on. Time to go to work.
Have a warm, fuzzy, flannel blanket, cup of hot cocoa, curl up on the couch and watch old movies kind of evening. And if you have not yet, come and see tick,tick...BOOM! (10 remaining performances!)
Talk to you soon,
SGS

Hump Day Check In...

Well...no, this is not the scene from my backyard this evening. Just a little wishful thinking on my part. (yes, I am a snow advocate)
Well, I start the next weekend of TICKS today. Ready for another killer weekend. The sales have really been picking up, so I hope to see you there this weekend. Whoever "you" are. Whatever "that" means.
Next week is Thanksgiving week, and I am already pining to bring out the Christmas decorations. I can't wait!
I have been falling asleep to:
A Home of Our Own, The Homecoming, Miracle on 34th Street, and Charlie Brown Christmas. Oh yeah...I'm ready.
I'll be spending Thanksgiving, as always, with Matt's family. Always our annual swapping of names in the Christmas present exchange. Wonder who I'll get this year?



And if you are searching for pre-Thanksgiving week entertainment this weekend, visit TICKETPLACE's WEBSITE to buy online half price tickets to many shows in the area, including my own, Josh's, and both Shows at Signature! Check it out and go and support local theatre! We need you now more than ever, what with the economy being what it is. Come out and support local artists.
Talk more later. (I am off all day before the show.)
Luv,
SGS

TICK TICK BOOM! Starts again tonight through Sunday night!

Well, I am just eating dinner and getting ready to start another great weekend of shows. Another review came out. The Washington City Paper. While not terribly bad, I don't really agree with the review on many points. It seems to infer that if I screamed like bloody murder, ruined my voice, and didn't enunciate, then I would have done much better. Damned if you do or don't I say.
What I do know is that I have been getting e-mails (through my blog) from people who have come to see the show. People who I do not know. I normally wouldn't share these, but I have received so many, and I never get e-mails like this from any show that I do.
Here are some of the excerpts:


Here's one...

"Thanks for an amazing performance.
We met briefly with Felicia Curry at the end of tonight's (Sunday 7:00 PM) performance in the Lobby of Metro Stage. I grudgingly came to see the performance (I was kind of down), which turned out to be (as I said in the lobby) totally amazing.
The three of you have awesome voices, especially your voice, which is so suited for that kind of score and music.
I truly believe that you could easily do RENT on Broadway or most anything both musical and non-musical. You have a fantastic energy in you.
I left with a smile on my face tonight and hope to keep it for the rest of the week, maybe longer."

One from an obvious youngster...

"I hope you don't mind, but I got your email off of your blog and just wanted to compliment you on tick tick BOOM. I was in the audience Friday night and thought it was wonderful. It has always been one of my favorite shows and as a huge Raul Esparza fan I came in fully biased towards hating you, quite honestly, but you (and your cast mates) completely won me over. I hope you all are enjoying yourselves, good luck with the rest of the run!"




Here's a really touching one...

"I was at "Tick, Tick ... BOOM!" tonight (Thurs.) with my God Mother, and I have to say we were both extremely impressed by the show you, Matt and Felicia put on.
If words could explain the sensations we were both feeling by the end of the evening, they would probably reflect the following: incredible, uplifting, inspirational, and ... incredible (again).
Watching the three of you on stage was not only powerful, it was exquisite, elegant and meaningful. The thesis of the show hit home, and ... it hit hard -- but was so well done that at the end, I felt inspired, not faulted; which sometimes is often the unbearable truth.
Caroline (God mother) and I have season tickets to Metro Stage and have seen Felicia preform in a previous production "Three Sistahs." We have been blown away by her performance before, and were truly blown away again. She's excellent. You all are. Truly wonderfully talented artists -- if it weren't for your great performance as a team, this email would have never been birthed.
What was so beautiful was the nature in which you each worked off of each others energies; together as one acting body you transformed the emotions of your audience to care, think, feel, react. You left our hearts pounding at the end of the night. And for that, we can only respond: Thank you. Our hearts needed it."


So come out and see us, and then feel free to write me after.
Today is the start of the 3rd to last weekend of shows. Not much time remaining!
www.metrostage.org


PS- I will check in later, after the show and tell you all about Fall Back Yard Clean up. Sound like fun? No, it was NOT! TONS of...ugh...SPIDERS!!!
yuck!
Talk later,
SGS

Ticking Away Again...

Well, I just got back from the first performance of the week for us. It went well, even though we had a brand new drummer playing the show for the first time in front of a live audience. I think he did extremely well, considering that this show is no musical picnic to play.
We had a fantastic and responsive house, and I thank them all for being such! Have you come out to see us yet? I hope you do soon...maybe even this weekend! We would love to see you out there. And if you have come, please tell all of your friends to come and see us. Theatre audiences are not really full all over our fine Metro Area right now, and I am sure that it is due, in large part, to the economy. Being on the lower end of the income bracket, believe me, I understand. But tickets to our show are not badly priced, and you can also get a special deal from Metro Stage's Myspace page. So, if you feel as passionately about the show as you seem to react, then please...pass it on to others.
Thanks so much, guys.
I hope everyone has a fantastic night's sleep, and I will write more tomorrow afternoon.
Goodnight!
Luv,
SGS

tick news...

Thanks to all who came out to see us this past weekend, you were fantastic houses!
Last night's show was by far the best of the week, though. Don't know why, we just all jived together perfectly. Good audience last night, too.

Around Town's little mini review came out, and you can see it by clicking HERE. It's a nice little commercial for the show.
A fantastic review from the WASHINGTONIAN on tick,tick...BOOM! has come out.
And Metro Stage veteran, MRS. MIG has seen the show, and written her thoughts on it as well...
Go check them out!

Hump Day Check In...

I finished the front yard of my Halloween decorations this week. I opted for the spider webs underlined with orange lights, and inhabited by a rather large spider that I don't think that you would find in most patio gardens, thank goodness.
My front yard pales in comparison to another front yard down the street a little ways. I heave sighs of envy whenever I drive by it.
What else is going on?
I haven't discussed this on the blog at all, but my little Buddha had a health scare this past week. He grew a rather large tumor on his forehead practically overnight. I took him to the vet, and we got tests done and tons of medication for him to be put on. The good news is that the tumor has shrunk in one week's time, which is a very positive sign that it is not serious or harmful, but merely a Histoma. He has been drugged up on steroids, antihistamines, and anti-biotics. I am calling him Budy Garland lately, as he has been exuding a very Garland-esque quality as he groggily saunters about the living room.
He is doing fine, and keep him in your thoughts and prayers. We have a return vet visit on Halloween, so let's all hope for a treat, rather than a trick.



It has been nice to have my little sis, Eleasha Gamble back in town, now at Arena Stage performing in The Women of Brewster Place. Let's all send her good wishes and vibes for this, her opening week at her first show at Arena Stage! Brake stuff, girl!


I am STILL recovering from my stupid cold that is really just a mild cough at this point. It still is taxing my vocal chords, though. It is just a pain in the ass, really. I have spent about 98% of the day not talking and drinking hot tea and such to heal myself up for the start of 6 more shows, starting tomorrow.

So I also have all day to rest and gear up for tomorrow night's performance, thank the lord. I'm sure I will be fine. I am much better than I was on Sunday night. So if you have not seen tick,tick...BOOM! yet, please come out and see us this weekend! I will chat more tomorrow afternoon!
Goodnight and Sweet Dreams,
SGS

More tick news...

You can listen to two separate interviews regarding tick,tick...BOOM! at Metro Stage..
One with myself, Felicia Curry, and Matt Pearson, and one with our director, Matt Gardiner. These are both over at DC Theatre Scene. Go HERE and check them out, they are fantastically done, and with wonderful quality, including snippets of us singing the songs!
Also over at DC Theatre Scene, you can catch their review of the show. Check it out HERE.