Barrett Foa

BARRETT'S BLOG

OCTOBER 2006

On October 1st, one of my favorite shows EVER, [title of show] closed off-Broadway after being extended a vigintillion times at the Vineyard Theatre. If you haven't heard the cast recording, do yourself a huge favor and buy it now. There are not enough adjectives to describe how I feel about this musical: funny, witty, charming, poignant, universal.... I am hoping that October 1st did not mark the end of [tos], and that there is a future life to this wonderful and important musical. Also, check out their hysterical blog. After seeing the show, I became friendly with the entire cast, and it just so happened that my good friend, Courtney Balan (who I have mentioned on this website before), was hired as the understudy of the two female roles - she went on as one (Heidi), but I never got to see it (darn SPELLING BEE schedule!) and I hope there is a future with the show, so I'll get to see her go on....Go COURTNEY! (P.S. Courtney was in HOW TO SAVE THE WORLD AND FIND TRUE LOVE IN 90 MINUTES, and is now playing Woman 1 is I LOVE YOU YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE. Go and see her - she's amazingly talented.)

On October 2nd, I went out to St Ann's Warehouse - a ginormous performance space in DUMBO, Brooklyn (where I once saw a production of Ibsen's A DOLL'S HOUSE where the men were played by little people) - to see HELL HOUSE. What an amazing experience - it is basically a haunted house that is supposed to scare the Jesus into you. These Hell Houses have been put on by Evangelical church groups, mainly in the Bible Belt, for decades now. They sell "kits" that tell you how to produce and run your own Hell House, complete with a script, spooky music and a DVD of some effective tricks. The theatre company, Les Freres Corbusier, decided to buy a kit and put up one such Hell House, where it obviously takes on another meaning, here in hedonistic/atheistic New York City The audience, as they walk through the 10 or so rooms, guided by a devilish spirit, warning them of the consequences of drugs, raves, promiscuity, abortion, satanic music, homosexuality, etc., can make their own decisions at the end of the tour: To accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, or not.....Interesting. The actors all performed their roles "straight" - no one was commenting on the material, or camping it up, which made the experience all the more spooky. It was an impressive and thought-provoking performance piece, and made me feel creepy and uncomfortable - which is part of what I think Theatre should be about - it can make you doubt or think twice or struggle.... yay theatre! Thank god for other opinions, other stories, otherwise we'd be living such a boring existence!

Then I saw TIMES THEY ARE A CHANGIN' and I will say nothing more than Michael Arden can sing... Yay Michael.

Went to see Dina Martina at The Cutting Room - a crazy drag performance act - like a trailer park version of Kiki and Herb, but not. A total hoot - very funny - go see her when she's next in town.

Went to Six Flags and had a blast - I love roller coasters and can't wait for the park to reopen in the spring.

I enrolled in a 10 week intensive flying workshop at the New York Trapeze School. It was super fun and super hard. Go and do it. In one, two-hour class for $45-$65 (depending) you can complete a knee hang, and even get caught by the catcher. It's quite safe, and totally mind over matter, kids. They are now in the process of moving to a fancy new space, reopening in April or May. Get a group of friends together and go for it!

"Don't Quit Your Night Job" is a hilarious new improv/sketch comedy night starring Broadway and off-Broadway performers held monthly at Joe's Pub. Sarah Saltzberg, who plays Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre in SPELLING BEE is at the helm of this project which benefits TDF Open Doors - a mentoring program started by the late great playwright, Wendy Wasserstein, offering high school students an in-depth introduction to live theatre. The list of stars that have performed with DON'T QUIT is too long to mention on this already lengthy blog. Go catch the one coming this Saturday, February 3rd at midnight!Then become one of their friends and check out some hilarious videos on Myspace!

My friend, Mike Ognibene, who works for the city, invited me to talk to some kids at the one-year anniversary celebration of New York City's Out-of-School Time program on October 12, 2006. It was so fun and rewarding to perform for and talk about what I do for a living to little ones who don't get to see a lot of theatre.

Seth Rudetsky called me up to make small cameo appearance in THE BEST LITTLE WHOREHOUSE IN TEXAS Benefit Concert for The Actors' Fund. I got to play Chip Brewster, a cheesy sports announcer. That was fun and I felt fancy being onstage with Jennifer Hudson, Emily Skinner, Terrence Mann, and, of course, the cast of [title of show].

At 11am on a bright Sunday morning, I had the pleasure of going to "church" at Ars Nova and seeing LETTING GO OF GOD, a monologue written and performed by Julia Sweeney (She was "Pat" on SNL all those years ago...) All I can say is it was brilliant and funny and thought-provoking. Get the CDs and listen for yourself and let me know what you think.

I went to see a preview performance of COAST OF UTOPIA: Shipwreck. I was finding it slightly confusing (and if you didn't, you're lying), but just when I was starting to understand what was going on, Richard Easton, who played the patriarch of the family, keeled over onstage. Everyone thought it was part of the play until Ethan Hawke broke the fourth wall and asked if there was a doctor in the house. It was one of the most frightening things I have ever witnessed. No curtain came down - just a Tony Award-winning actor prostrate on the floor of the Vivian Beaumont. We later found out that he had a "cardiac incident" and was, in fact, DEAD for a good ten minutes before they resuscitated him and brought him back to life. He took some time off, and is back in the show. Yay Richard.... whew!

I filmed my network television debut! I am playing Dylan on ABC's "Six Degrees." I shot two scenes (with Jay Hernandez and Erika Christensen) on episode 109, entitled, "Get a Room." "Six Degrees" was on a short hiatus but is back now and will start airing soon. Program your DVRs and TiVos now and be sure to tune into the show when it reappears in February.

I think that's it for now. I'll be back with November before you know it!

SEPTEMBER 2006

Hey kids,
I am so behind, I know. I wrote this SEPTEMBER blog ages ago, but never sent it out. I figured, I'd catch you up on the old news, while I work on October, November and December.
Thanks for hanging in there!
--Barrett

Let's see, on September 1st, the SPELLING BEE cast recorded an original holiday song written by our very own mega-talent, Sarah Saltzberg (who created and still plays the role of Logainne Schwartzandgrubenniere) called "December's Other, Less Famous Holidays." We recorded this for a 2 CD set of holiday music sung by Broadway and off-Broadway casts called BROADWAY'S GREATEST GIFTS: CAROLS FOR A CURE 2006. All money goes to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. I think the song is hilarious and each cast member has a fun little solo, so be sure to check that out.

Saw MARTIN SHORT: Fame Becomes Me, and laughed my head off. Everyone was so funny and talented. I was especially proud of my good friend, Capathia Jenkins (who can be heard singing "Turn Back, O Man" with me on the 2000 GODSPELL revival) and her mind blowing 11 o'clock showstopper, appropriately entitled "Stop The Show." Go see it before it closes on January 7th!

I also saw IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE & Other Story Books presented by TheatreworksUSA at the Lucille Lortel. I knew practically everyone in the cast, including, of course, Stephanie D'Abruzzo from AVENUE Q. For a show for little ones, I must say, all of those actors had so much integrity - no one was mugging, or making fun of the material (which was all very clever, by the way (Yeah, Tony Award Winners Bobby Lopez and Jeff Marx from AVENUE Q!)) I was proud of my friends and both I, and the kids around me loved it!

I spent my Bday, on September 18th, doing a reading of THE APPLE CART by George Bernard Shaw as part of David Staller's Project Shaw series at the Players Club. It was my second Project Shaw, (thanks, David, for having me back!) and it was even more star-studded than the first one! I got to meet Charlotte Rae (Mrs. Garrett from "Diff'rent Strokes" and "The Facts of Life", plus, I am in love with a recording of her singing a Sheldon Harnick song called "The Shape of Things" that our college professor at U of Michigan had us listen to over and over.....), Marion Seldes (who is probably the warmest woman I have ever met (that sounds weird), and who, incidentally, went to The Dalton School (just a few years before me!), my old friend and dressing roommate George S. Irving (Pellinore to my Mordred in CAMELOT at Paper Mill), Lenny Wolpe (from DROWSY CHAPS....), David Garrison (the Wizard!), etc.... it was fun (if heady! ... ah, Shaw!) Afterwards, I went out to a fancy supper with my friends and family at a fancy restaurant called Japonais.... yum! (thanks, Dad!)

On Sept. 17th, we bid a bittersweet farewell to my dear friend, Celia Keenan-Bolger, the original (Tony-Nominated) Olive in SPELLING BEE, so that she could go star as Eponine in the new LES MIZ revival... And on Sept. 19, we had new Olive, just like that! Jessica-Snow Wilson, ("Snow") is a delight both on and off stage. She has been with us for 4 months now (I'm no longer the new kid!) and is a wonderful addition to the cast. I can't believe I've been at SPELLING BEE for over 6 months! The time is flying by...

Speakin' of which: I love doing this show. I feel like I am getting better and better as Leaf Coneybear and that I am trusting it more and more. Every few weeks, I seem to have a break-through, and can feel my take on him getting simpler and deeper. I love inhabiting his body and his quirks, and I feel like I am not working as hard as a was in the beginning at making him such a weirdo.... (come back and see it!) The best compliment I get after the show is "I am a middle school teacher, and I have had many of "you" in my class..." It just lets me know that I am not playing a stereotype of an 11-year-old, or being weird or quirky for the sake of being weird and quirky, and that Leaf rings true to those who know first-hand how kids behave. So thanks to all of those teachers out there. Those specific compliments are what actors live for!

I saw NO CHILD written and performed by Nilaja Sun at the Barrow Street Theatre. All I can say is GO SEE THIS PLAY. Here is a discount code. Tickets are only $35! It's like BRIDGE AND TUNNEL, but instead of monologues, Ms. Sun is having entire conversations with herself while inhabiting maybe 10 different characters. It is a tour-de-force, and is an absolute must. I sat in the second row at one of the first student matinees with some inner-city school kids. While rowdy and unfocused right before the show, the moment Ms. Sun started speaking, she captured their attention and didn't let it go until her final bow.

Saw OEDIPUS FOR KIDS at the New York Musical Theatre Festival - I really enjoyed it. I hope it has a life beyond this initial run. Some very clever songs... keep it up!

Also saw my good friend, Garrett Long, in BEHIND THE LIMELIGHT also at the NYMF. It was a musicalized version of the life of Charlie Chaplin. There was a lot to recommend for it. I hear they have interest by a fancy book writer, I hope that comes to pass. That Janet Metz can sing her face off (and act while doing it!) (I grew up with the recording of her as the Narrator in JOSEPH.... and also her Cordelia in FASETTOLAND ("You save lives and I save chicken fat! I can't f*cking deal with that!"))

My brother, Justin, got married on September 23rd - I was so proud. As the Best Man, I wrote a toast (in which I could barely keep it together) and sang a song. The reception was beautiful, and I got to catch up with a lot of old family friends, relatives, and co-workers of my Dad's. My new Sister-in-law is breathtakingly beautiful, and I can't wait to get to know her more and more....

The Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction was fun. I was at the signing table next to JERSEY BOYS Tony-winner, Christian Hoff, HAIRSPRAY's Diana DiGarmo of "American Idol" fame, and the one-and-only Richard Kind. Later that day, SPELLING BEE auctioned off a pair of tickets and a dinner with me to benefit BC/EFA.... I went for.... actually I don't remember the exact number... does anyone know? I think it was over $1,000. It felt nice to help raise that much money for such a worthy cause.

OCTOBER coming soon....

August 16, 2006

Alright, peeps, I'm on a roll! 2 blogs in as many weeks – it's a record.

Let's see, first off:
Last night, from 7-9pm NEXT Magazine threw a little party for me at a bar called Therapy to celebrate the fact that I joined the SPELLING BEE cast. It was super nice of them, and a fun time was had by all. Here are photos. And here's the NEXT ad with a picture of me as Leaf Coneybear. It was pretty well attended, and a lot more people started coming in just as I was leaving… as I had tickets at 8pm to…

KIKI & HERB: Alive on Broadway. Now, I have seen KIKI & HERB about 3 or 4 times– Their Christmas show "There's A Stranger In The Manger," in 2001, in "Pardon Our Appearance" when I was working down in D.C. in 2002, and in "Coup de Théatre" off-Bway at The Cherry Lane in 2003… And every time, I'm like, "This is a complete mess… I love it." Their Broadway debut was no different. It is like watching a train wreck – you can't stop staring! I'm sitting there thinking, "Why can't they get it together?" But then I realize that that is the magic of K&H. Kiki's statements about our society and the world climate are so articulate and on point, it is astounding. These nuggets of wisdom might come across as didactic or corny under any other circumstances, but because what surrounds them is rollicking cacophony and sloppiness, they somehow end up as insightful gems. It's the sudden juxtaposition of the brilliant and the headachy that make the K&H experience so unique and unbelievable. A special shout-out to Jared Geller, their fearless and quirky young producer, who led us into the bowels of the intimate Helen Hayes Theatre to meet the crazy duo (and to nip a bit of Kiki's whiskey) –thanks! I wish them luck on their Broadway Debut! (Reviews come out tonight.)

I went to see a run-though of the national tour cast of SPELLING BEE in a rehearsal room. They were just great. Jennifer Simard cracks me up, and James Kall (who I did MAMMA MIA! with for 3 weeks on the tour) was a hilarious Vice-Principal Panch. All the kid spellers were wonderful, especially considering the entire Broadway Cast was sitting two feet away. Not to mention that fact that they had never had an audience before… I know my performance certainly wasn't fully realized until the audience was added. These guys kicked ass – Kudos!

Early! last Sunday morning, the Broadway SPELLING BEE cast taped a segment for the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. I'll get you more details of exact times as we get closer to the airing on Labor Day, but just a heads up! Back in 2004, AVENUE Q performed a live version of "For Now" for the Telethon, where I played Princeton. It was great feeling to help this worthy cause yet again.

Todd Buonopane (from the SPELLING BEE cast) and I were featured on a musical theatre radio show called "Marvelous Party" of which our friend, Brittany is the host. http://wusb.fm/website/programs.html (Scroll down to the bottom, and click on "Marvelous Party" in the brown square in the lower right-hand corner of the scheduling grid. Now, see the little speaker icon in the very top left of your screen? Click on that, and you'll be able to hear the show!) … ok, the link is only good for a week, so tune in every OTHER week to hear it. Next up on August 21st – Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell, the writers and stars of [title of show]! (which just extended another 3 weeks at the Vineyard – go get tix. – don't make me tell you again!) In case you missed the one-hour radio interview, Todd and I talked about SPELLING BEE, and we each played 3 songs of our choosing and talked about them. Mine were:
"Mister Snow" sung by Audra McDonald, from the 1994 Lincoln Center revival of CAROUSEL.
"Sunday in the Park with George" sung by Bernadette Peters from SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE.
"Daybreak" sung by Christopher Innvar and Jason Danieley from FLOYD COLLINS.
Three great choices, I think (but then again, I picked 'em!) Brittany is a great host. …so informed, and well researched, and
asked us great questions. Someone give this girl her own show on the Broadway channel of XM or Sirius Satellite Radio!

On Tuesday, the kids from Camp Broadway were at the BEE, and we had a great talk-back with them after the show. They asked some great questions too! … Speaking of Camp Broadway, I was a celebrity judge along with my Broadway buddies, Tim Smith, Destan Owens, and Michelle Kittrell on Friday. Those kids were great. They did a wonderful presentation of ONCE UPON A MATTRESS – keep it up, guys! Follow your dreams!

Broadway in Bryant Park was on Thursday. Thanks to all of you who showed up to see me in action. I sang "I'm Not That Smart" from SPELLING BEE. My first public outing as Leaf Coneybear. It was fun and went quite well. Bryant Park is such a big venue, and we were standing at a microphone, and there were so many people, I felt like I had to make everything a little bigger than I do every night onstage to make it all read, but it was super fun.

A note about Fan Mail:
Thank you to everyone who has sent me something. Your words and letters and stories and pictures all mean so much to me, and make my job that much easier. Please know that I read every one, and do not have an assistant signing my headshots and playbills. I like to personalize all my responses. That having been said, I know I am not the best at responding in a timely fashion, but I DO get around to it. You WILL hear from me…it may take a year or two (seriously folks, I'm embarrassed, and hope it never gets that bad again!) I did send out about 30 or so packages with letters, headshots and/or playbills about a month ago, so hopefully you got those! Please know that if you send a self addressed stamped envelope, it is a great help, and I will get back to you that much sooner. I know I have a lot more to send out, and I hope to get around to it in the next few weeks. Thanks for your patience.

I still need to update you guys about how SPELLING BEE is going (it's a DREAM), and I'll also tell you guys about Flopz n' Cutz 3 at Joe's Pub, and the NYCLU benefit I did… but there'll be plenty of time for that over the next few weeks.

Soon,
--Barrett

August 2, 2006

Well guys, it's been a while (almost 8 months!) since I've blogged, but I am very much inspired as of late, so here goes. Hopefully, this entry will be the start of something more frequent.

The main reason I am inspired lately, is because of a show called [title of show]. If you have not seen [title of show] go down the the Vineyard Theatre and see [title of show] now. I will now give you the link to [title of show] to make it all easier: www.titleofshow.com Click on that and get some tix to [title of show]. After you do that, Click on the blog link (or here) and be prepared to laugh your face off.

I saw the show last Saturday (they have weird show times, which is great for people in shows with not weird show times (like me!)) for the 3rd time. Now I have to say, my time in precious, people. I don't usually see things more than once: movies, TV shows, plays... I'm not one of those DVD people that like to watch things over and over. [tos] in an exception...and this last time might have been my favorite. Those four actors:
Hunter Bell
Jeff Bowen
Susan Blackwell
Heidi Blickenstaff
are mega-talented. ...Totally dropped in, and real, and not pushing or "acting." It is a lesson for us all. Also, that show is funny and moving and tuneful and smart and has a lot to say about the creative process and being and actor and a writer. It just rocks (click on this to hear someone else's opinion). Also, get the recording here or here.

Ok, enough of that.

I also just saw SPRING AWAKENING at the Atlantic Theatre and it freakin' rocked my world. It closes at the end of this week (Sat., August 5th) after a bazillion extensions, but rumor has it, it's makin' the leap to Broadway, although, if you can, try to see it in this great, intimate space. I pretty much sat there and cried the entire time. It was so beautiful that I was dying a little bit. Director Michael Mayer has created something so original and fantastical, while being real and cathartic but delicate. Wow. Kudos, also, to choreographer Bill T. Jones. As someone who grew up with a modern dance background this man is a genius, and it's about time we saw bold modern work like his in the musical theatre. The remarkable Kate Burton was on as a very last minute replacement as The Adult Women, and she was such a pro - even on book! Wow. I like work her on "Grey's Anatomy," and saw her in THREE SISTERS in London. A talent, that one. Everyone in that cast was just amazing. Special shout outs to:

- Lea Michele - who I (as Jewish American Princeton) married under the big fuzzy Q chupah/bonnet in the AVENUE JEW skit at Easter Bonnet back in 2004. Great job Lea!

- Lilli Cooper - Just stand there and sing. Such strength and stillness in the pain. Go you.

- Lauren Pritchard - who I met briefly outside of Vintage once. Such great acting and what a cool folksy throaty voice!

- Frank Wood - I've been a fan of since SIDE MAN. - awesome, Mr. Tony award-winner.

- Skylar Astin - who is way to young to be so talented - piano skillz, and one of the coolest voices up there (which is saying a lot.)

- Jonathan B. Wright - who is from Michigan (a state to which I have a fond connection.) Strong and pompous and a great mover.

- Jonathan Groff - Wow dude. Who are you and where did you come from? Beautiful voice and simple and wonderful acting.

I know I'm getting redundant, but everyone was just so great...and they were all about 2 years old! How can these kids be so talented and so young? Such small, intimate and real choices. Again, such an inspiration. We need to learn things and feel things from these kinds of works people. Yum.

More later....I'll update y'all about SPELLING BEE, and the two benefits I did this week, and the couple of concerts I have coming up. Plus a word about FAN MAIL, and my brother's wedding.

All the best,
Thanks for checking in,
--Barrett

December 4, 2005

Hey everyone,
I'm feeling inspired, so here's my latest blog entry...

Last Monday, November 21, I did a little (huge!) reading of CHILDREN OF EDEN for Stephen Schwartz. "A reading of CHILDREN OF EDEN?" you might say? "Hasn't that been produced before?" Well, yes and no. COE is traditionally a huge show with many children and storytellers and people playing animals. It is great for large theatre groups, but may never be done in NYC, because it can be expensive to produce. So the concept behind this COE is that there are only 9 people in the entire show. Each actor plays a principal part as well as singing all the storyteller parts, and therefore the show becomes more about the family unit and less about the spectacle and the grandiose choral sound. I played Abel/Ham and my good friend, Deb Lew (she was my Psyche in CUPID AND PSYCHE), played Yonah (her "Stranger To The Rain" was fantastic.) Tituss Burgess (JERSEY BOYS, GOOD VIBRATIONS) added pathos and a yummy voice to Father, Crystal Monee Hall (RENT) sang the bejeezus out of Eve/Mama Noah, Anthony Holds (DRACULA, ...TRAILER PARK) was a solidly great Adam/Noah, and Skie Ocasio was a fiery Cain/Japheth. Marcus Paul James (RENT), Carole Denise Jones, and Jaygee Macapugay rounded out the cast. Tom Kitt (the musical director for my two solo shows at The Duplex and Ars Nova) was our MD, and Rush Trowel was our producer. The reading was successful, and Stephen apparently gave the nod to go ahead to the next stage, which was great news. All in all, it was a fun experience. I love that music, and learning it (ALL!) was a challenge and blast!

...Just to update you on a few of the shows I've seen lately: I finally went to see DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS, and I got to see my friend, Laura Marie Duncan play the leading role of Christine Colgate. She was beyond amazing, and I really LOVED the show. It is just terrific. Laura's voice is gangbusters and her comic timing is impeccable. I would not be surprised if she was offered the national tour, she is that good! (Laura played Venus, Goddess of Love and Beauty, in CUPID AND PSYCHE with me off-Broadway.)

IN MY LIFE - what a crazy, wacky show! I had seen two workshops of it before this, and I have to say it just keeps getting better. My friend Courtney Balan was playing the lead when I went to see it, and I have to say: she was absolutely amazing. She sang the sh*t out of that music, and she was so quirky and fun. I'm sad to see that the show is closing, but Courtney is already on to newer projects: she will be featured in the new Off-Broadway musical, I LOVE YOU BECAUSE, also featuring my current co-star, Stephanie D'Abruzzo of AVENUE Q. Congrats Courtney! I can't believe I have such talented friends!

And speaking of talented friends: I went to see my friend Todd Buonopane when he took over the role of William Barfee for three weeks in THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE. He was just great. 3 weeks later, I saw him go on for Leaf Coneybear, and there he was being terrific all over again: Funny, sounded great, didn't miss a beat or a laugh. I was so impressed at his versatility - two completely different roles! Wow. And what a clever show. (Needless to say, my other friend, Celia Keenan-Bolger, gives a remarkable (Tony-nominated) performance as Olive... I've seen the show three times now, and that girl never ceases to amaze me.)

I got to see my old MAMMA MIA! buddy, Judy Kaye star in SOUVENIR. You have to be as ridiculously talented as Judy in order to play someone as ridiculously UNtalented as Florence Foster Jenkins! Kudos.

Most recently, I saw SWEENEY TODD, and boy is it conceptual - a completely different interpretation of the traditional Hal Prince staging. I actually REALLY enjoyed it. This is definitely not you mother's SWEENEY TODD! (But what is?) I was afraid the pared down orchestrations would hurt the epic score, but if anything it just makes it stand out even more. (God it's good.) Patti LuPone and Michael Cerveris were just exceptional, and (another plug!) my friend, Alex Gemigniani had the most unique and hilarious take on the Beadle. He played Brian in AVENUE Q on Broadway with me for a week, and he and I starred in ANYTHING GOES (as Billy Crocker and Moonface Martin, along with (get this!) Courtney Balan (as Hope Harcourt), Todd Buonopane (as Eli Whitney) and Celia Keenan-Bolger (as Erma)) back at University of Michigan, where we were all in the musical theatre department. What a small world! It is slightly insane that here we all are STARRING in Broadway shows - all of us! (some of us even with Tony nominations! (Gavin Creel, Celia.) I'm so proud of my friends and my school! (Go Blue!)

Which leads me to my next thought: I am going to Ann Arbor to visit The University of Michigan and talk to the musical theatre students for 4 days next week (I'll be missing only two shows: 12/6 and 12/7.) I'm really excited to see how the school has evolved, and eager to impart what little knowledge I have onto the malleable musical theatre minds of the future... (sigh.) I'm really looking forward to it.

I think that's it for now. Thanks, as always, for checking in!

October 12, 2005

Wow. So much to report! (this is gonna be a long one!)

Well, to start, I had a great birthday on September 18. Thanks for all your cards and letters and birthday wishes.

NEW!
www.AvenueQ.com has a link to a new interview I did with Rod. Please check it out.

In early September, I got to see my good friend, Courtney Balan, walk away with the show in I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE, off-Broadway. The show is surprisingly fresh after 10 years on the boards, and I liked it even more the second time around. I would recommend going to see Courtney in it, but she was stolen away to be in the ensemble of IN MY LIFE on Broadway (right across the street from AVENUE Q!), covering the leading role. Congrats, Courtney on all your successes! (Those of you who saw my solo show at Ars Nova or The Duplex, may remember Courtney as one of the "Foa-natics.")

September 25 was a blast:
I was lucky enough to be seated next to my old summer stock buddy, Kelli O'Hara, (currently in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA) at the celebrity signing table at the BC/EFA Flea Market and Grand Auction in Shubert Alley. After an hour of signing and meeting fans, I grabbed lunch, ran to The Golden, performed in the AVENUE Q matinee, ran back to Shubert Alley to co-host an AVENUE Q-themed auction (which raised money towards the $544,037 grand-total (woo-hoo!)), grabbed dinner, ran back to The Golden, and performed in the AVENUE Q evening show. Then, with our microphones still on, we all hustled up to the Gershwin Theatre to perform "For Now" (for the third time that day!) as the second act opener of the huge, sold out, "Broadway Celebrity Benefit for Hurricane Relief" which was already underway. At the end of the show (around (gulp) midnight!), Liza Minnelli and Ben Vareen and everyone involved in the Benefit sang "New York, New York" - a once-in-a-lifetime experience if there ever was one! Lots of money was raised by two worthy causes. It was a great (and crazy) day!

September, 26 was a big day as well:
Chad Kimball, my old GODSPELL buddy, and the president and co-founder of OGEAR clothing, asked me to model some of his t-shirts at a Planet Hollywood fashion show. OGEAR was debuting their brand-new Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS t-shirt design, with all proceeds going to this beloved organization. A lot of friends were there, too, and we all had fun acting like a models and strutting our stuff up and down the runway. Check out the photo coverage at Broadwayworld.com and Broadway.com. Later that day, I went over to Dodgers Stages to see three, 45-minute presentations at the National Alliance of Musical Theatre's 17th Annual Festival of New Musicals. First up was PARTY COME HERE!, with songs by my friend (and fellow University of Michigan graduate) David Kirshenbaum. It was a great piece, full of laughs, and it promises to be a great musical. Next up was CARABOO, PRINCESS OF JAVASU, starring another friend (and U of M grad), Celia Keenan-Bolger. She was great, as always, and makes a great con-artist! Lastly was A LITTLE PRINCESS with music by another friend (and U of M grad – wait, there's a pattern here!) Andrew Lippa (who,coincidentally, sang his face off in CARABOO – an actor, singer and composer, what can this man NOT do?) The blend of music from 19th century England with the tribal rhythms of West Africa was nothing short of spine-tingling. I can't wait for the full production to come to NYC. That night, I attended The Actors' Fund Benefit concert of ON THE 20th CENTURY. I have to admit, I was a little leery: was this operatic farce going to seem clunky and dusty to today's audiences? I was never so thrilled to be wrong! It was fresh, funny, and full of fabulous performances by all. I must say, I really enjoyed myself. (I was there to support good friend, and fellow U of Mer, Todd Buonopane – who rocked out in a featured role. Go Todd!)

*It has just been announced that Todd Buonopane is taking over the role of William Barfee in THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE on Broadway for three weeks (maybe more). He'll be on starting Tuesday, October 25th through at least Sunday, November 13th! Yeah, Todd!*

The Broadway Inspirational Voices Gospel concert is this Sunday, October 16 at Town Hall with special guests Deborah Cox and Star Jones – Go! It will change your life! (Seriously.) To order tickets by phone, call (212) 840-0770 x: 268 and ask for Brian Schaaf.

Coming up:
I will be singing in the LREI Hurricane Relief Concert benefiting Habitat For Humanity. Also performing are: Bryan Batt, Judy Blazer, Tituss Burgess, Frenchie Davis, Felicia Finley, Dirk Lumbard, Andre McArdle, and Billy Porter among others. Richard Gere and David Bowie are both rumored to be attending and/or speaking.
Monday October 17, 2005
6:30 - 8:00 pm
LREI Performing Arts Center
40 Charlton Street (between Sixth Avenue and Varick Street)
Tickets: $50.00 Suggested Donation
Additional donations encouraged ($20.00 minimum donation)
Please make checks payable to: Habitat for Humanity

I will be singing "Why Are The Wrong People Rich?" from the musical KEPT in THE BILL RUSSELL SONGBOOK In concert, Tuesday, October 25, 6 p.m. The Donnell Library, 20 W. 53rd Street, New York. FREE! Along with David Burnham, Alan Campbell, Nick Cearley, Marcy Harriell, Alicia Irving, Lauren Kennedy, Chad Kimball, Phillip Officer, Christiane Noll, and André Ward (Christiane and André were both part of the World Premiere cast of KEPT with me at TheatreWorks in Palo Alto, CA.)

Hope to see you at these exciting upcoming events!

August 22, 2005

Just saw THE PILLOWMAN yesterday. It closes soon—September 18 (my birthday!)—so GO SEE IT before it is gone. It is some of the best writing and acting I have ever seen in the theatre. Creepy and funny and just plain wonderful. DOUBT is next on my list—I can't wait.

The lovely and talented Mimosa has been on twice now as Christmas Eve in AVENUE Q. Congrats to her on her Broadway Debut.

I am going on vacation on September 12 and returning Tuesday, September 20. If you are coming to see AVENUE Q, please know that I will not be performing during that time.

That's all for now.

P.S. Don't forget about WALK! with Gregory Deetz and Muffy LaGuardia -there are only 3 performances left. Go see it, it rocks!

August 12, 2005

Last Sunday, I saw a new theatrical experience called WALK! with Gregory Deetz and Muffy LaGuardia.

"New York City's leading ladies of the contemporary walking-tour conduct a "walking-homage" to their great mentor and guru Lane Fulcrum. Months in the creation, years in the development, let your lifetime be changed. Walk! with Gregory Deetz and Muffy LaGuardia! Open your senses, breath to the four corners and discover the Lane Lane. Walk! takes place outdoors, over 3 miles and happens rain or shine. Dress for the weather and dress to move. Audience members are encouraged to participate in games and exercises."

It's a lot of fun, and there is a breathtaking surprise at the end. Go see it. I highly recommend it.
There are only 8 dates left: August 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 27, 28, 29 all at 7pm.
Go to www.SmartTix.com or call 212-868-4444

August 5, 2005

Hello everyone, and welcome to the new BarrettFoa.com! It has been a long time coming, and I'm really happy with the outcome. My wonderful new web designer and I have been working very hard to make this site not only the place for up-to-the-minute info about my career, but also a comprehensive archive for past productions, events, and features... making this site as much yours as it is mine. (Keep checking back for rare photographs from past productions, as I continue to clean out my old photo albums...)

AVENUE Q is, in a word, a dream. I am starring in a hit Broadway show that has won 3 Tony awards, and everyday, I thank the fates and the fans for my good fortune. Yeah, it's tough performing the same lines and blocking 8 times a week, and, heaven knows, Princeton/Rod is a bear of a role that practically never leaves the stage. To top it all off, (I hope the Shuberts are reading this!) the humid summer weather seems to be creeping in though the cracks of the Golden Theatre rendering the actors on stage (or at least me!) wilted, sweaty messes (remember: wearing those puppets is like wearing a winter coat on your arm), but the reason I am still in love with my job, is because of the fantastic WRITING of this show. Bobby, Jeff Marx, and Jeff Whitty have created such a clever, smart and witty piece, and the secret is to trust it: if an actor tinkers with it too much, the simplicity and clarity of the writing is lost. A lot of credit is due, too, to our director, Jason Moore for providing this world of honestly and positivity that is AVENUE Q. When in doubt, just say the line or sing the lyric, spin it in a positive way, and everything else seems to be taken care of. What luck! What genius!

The other exciting thing about AVENUE Q is all the changes that are occurring: Christian Anderson is the new Nicky/Trekkie/Boy Bear, and he ROCKS! He, like me, had never picked up a puppet before AVENUE Q, and here he is, starring on Broadway in a show with puppets! I am so proud of him. His voices are impeccable, and he adds a quirky, lovable energy to his characters onstage and to all the "characters" offstage.

Other exciting additions: Matt Schreiber (as the new understudy for Nicky/Trekkie/Bear and Brian and (eventually) Princeton/Rod), the one and only Mimosa as the new Christmas Eve cover, and Becca Ayers as the new Kate Monster and Mrs. T./Bear cover. It's always exciting have new blood in the building, and new positive energies surging our way.

Matt Schreiber made his Broadway debut as Brian in our Saturday matinee on July 23, 2005 - he was great. Congrats Matt!

I saw PRIMO on Sunday, July 24, starring one of my favorite actors ever: Sir Anthony Sher - it was fantastic, I recommend it - it closes August 14th!

That's all for now.

Keep checking back in... As soon as I know anything new about my career, you will be the third people to know (hey, I gotta tell Mom and Dad!) Also, more updates and photos will be added over the next few weeks.... I promise!