3/3/09

Coming Home To Cleveland by Jared Stein

[Blogmaster Note: Our music director, Jared Stein, is a native of Cleveland. We asked Jared to share a little bit about how he came to be a music director, his experience on the tour thus far, what it was like to be on The Price is Right in Los Angeles, and how good it feels to come home. Here is what he shares with you.]

Hey Everyone!
It's very exciting to be returning to my home town of Cleveland with the Spring Awakening Tour. I was born and raised here, (in Orange Village) and it's where I first discovered my love of theater and music. So it's very nice to bring these gifts back here to share.
I first started playing piano somewhere around age 8. I was following in the footsteps of my older sister. Once we started taking lessons, we had to keep on playing until we left the house for college. At times I was not happy about that rule, but I'm obviously happy now that I'm making my living doing exactly that. I didn't set out to be a Musical Director. I actually went to NYU to study musical theater, but have a heavy vocal background and my piano skills, my career took a turn to the music side of things, and I would never look back.
I'm very honored to be working on Spring Awakening, and lucky to have been able to musical direct and conduct the National Tour of RENT prior to this. Both shows have broken a lot of ground in terms of the Broadway musical, and both truly have something to say. It's nice to be a part of something that has a real impact on its audiences. I can't pick a favorite between the two because I love them both, but I must say the SA touring schedule is a bit more luxurious than the RENT schedule. Not bad to sit down in cities like San Francisco and LA for 6 weeks!
The touring life is great because you get to see the country and meet some amazing people along the way. But its not all glitz and glamour. We make a lot of sacrifices to do what we love, but obviously would never trade it. Plus, we get to do cool things like be on The Price is Right.
That whole experience is a bit of a blur.....very surreal. Watch the videos online if you haven't. [Blogmaster Note: The videos are no longer on CBS.COM. They only feature two months worth of episodes. Does anyone happen to have it?]
I had a blast and I know have the Tail Gating gear to prove it!
As for my personal musical tastes, I listen to everything. Classic Rock, old school R & B, singer/songwriter, folk, gospell and jazz. Lately I've been listening to Ray LaMontagne, Sara Bareilles, Mark Brousard, Damien Rice, and always Ben Folds. For those who don't know, I continue to play with an amazing writer, Declan Bennett. If you don't know his music, check it out!
Getting ready to play the weekend shows in East Lansing, MI, then off to Cleveland. Look forward to playing to the home crowd. Enjoy the show....see you there!
peace
jared

Our Music Director on Price is Right!

Our Music Director on Price is Right!

Our Music Director on Price is Right!

[Blogmaster Note: More photos at our Flickr group: http://www.flickr.com/groups/springawakeninggallery

WE START PERFORMANCES IN CLEVELAND TONIGHT!! CLEVELAND, ARE YOU WITH US??!]

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jared! Man, I wish I could see you all in Cleveland, but alas, I'm a few states south. (I love those TPIR stills, by the way. Hilarious. Haha.)

Greg Grimes said...

I can't wait to meet you, Mr. Stein, at the vocal class on March 11th. :) I'm really psyched!

Anonymous said...

I think you can find the video on hulu.com, by the way. I watched it there. Good effort, Jared.

Anonymous said...

marc broussard is awesome.

you should check out matt nathanson too.

Anonymous said...

Aww, i cant believe i missed the show!
how much did you win?
how did it feel being called down as one of the contestants?

Anonymous said...

I seen the show last night in Cleveland.
It was amazing!

Jared was rocking it out!

Emily said...

hey jared--i'm the ragosin's granddaughter and i was supposed to meet you tonight but couldn't find you! anyway the show was AMAZING! my friends and i saw you directing-the music was so good! we all looove spring awakening!

Leather Sofa said...

Music and theatre have always had a close relationship. Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining music, songs, dance routines, and spoken dialogue. Modern musical theatre emerged from the variety, vaudeville, and music hall genres of the late 19th and early 20th century. Musical theatre includes spectacle as well.

generic viagra said...

My friend just told me about this awesome blog and I love your pod-cast, specially in this specific entry! My sister and I watch ANTM religiously and you point out all the stuff that we notice like Manis' deaf accent and her confused face, anyway the videos can't be better and we hope you can add something else!
23jj

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UPCOMING TOUR SCHEDULE


MILWAUKEE, WI
10/06/09 - 10/11/09
Uihlein Hall Marcus Center For The Performing Arts
929 North Water Street, Milwaukee, WI
http://www.broadwayticketscenter.com


KANSAS CITY, MO
10/13/09 - 10/18/09
Music Hall
301 West 13th Street, Kansas City, MO
Non-subscription tickets on sale Sept 5, 2009 (subj to change)
http://www.ticketmaster.com/venue/56473
800-982-2787

AUSTIN, TX
10/20/09 - 10/25/09
Bass Hall
23rd St & Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, TX
http://www.utpac.org/venues/bass_concert_hall
(512) 477-6060

SAN JOSE, CA
10/28/09 - 11/01/09
San Jose Center for the Performing Arts/BroadwaySanJose
http://www.broadwaysanjose.com/springawakening.php
(866)395-2929

SACRAMENTO, CA
Nov 4-15, 2009
Sacramento Community Center,
1301 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95814
http://www.californiamusicaltheatre.com/index.cfm?page=629856


COSTA MESA, CA
Nov 17-29, 2009
Orange County Performing Arts Center
600 Town Center Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Ticketing number: 714.556.2787
http://www.ocpac.org/home/Events/EventDetail.aspx?EventID=887&NavID=85


DENVER, CO
Dec 1-13, 2009
The Buell Theatre
Denver Performing Arts Complex
14th and Curtis Streets Denver, CO 80204
Non-subscription tickets on sale: Mon, Oct 19, 2009 (web only Oct 18)
Ticketing Number: (800) 641-1222
Groups: 303-446-4829
http://www.denvercenter.org/shows-and-events/Shows/SpringAwakening/Overview.aspx

HERSHEY, PA
Jan 5-10, 2010
Hershey Theatre
15 E. Caracas Ave, PO Box 395 Hershey, PA 17033
Non-Subscription Tickets on sale: Mon Aug 17, 2009
Groups: 717-534-3412
http://www.hersheytheatre.com/performances_events/details.php?id=8952

CINCINNATTI, OH
Jan 12-24, 2010
Aronoff Center
650 Walnut Street Cincinnati, OH 45202
Non-subscription Tickets go on sale: Nov 2009
Ticketing (not avail until 11/9) 800.982.2787
http://www.ticketmaster.com/

FORT MYERS, FL
Jan 26-31, 2010
Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
8099 College Parkway, SW Fort Myers, FL 33919
Non-subscription Tickets on sale: Sept 1, 2009 (Tentative)
Ticketing number: 800-440-7469
Groups: 239-489-3033, x 3122
http://www.bbmannpah.com/

CHARLOTTE, NC
Feb 2-Feb 7, 2010
Belk Theatre, Blumenthal Performing Arts Center
130 N. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC
http://www.blumenthalcenter.org/
Group Tickets: (704) 379-1380
Ticketing number: (704) 372-1000

ROCHESTER, NY
Feb 9-14, 2010
Auditorium Theatre, Rochester Broadway League
885 E. Main Street Rochester, NY 14605
Ticketing Number: 800-745-3000

HARTFORD, CT
February 23-28, 2010
Bushnell Performing Arts Center
http://www.bushnell.org/

DURHAM, NC
MARCH 2-7, 2009
DPAC, Durham Performing Arts Center
Ticketing: 919-680-2787
Groups: 919-281-0587
http://www.dpacnc.com

ATLANTA, GA
March 9-14, 2010
Fabulous Fox Theatre
660 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308
Call Ticketmaster at (404) 817-8700
http://www.foxtheatre.org/

GREENVILLE, SC
March 16-21, 2010
The Peace Center
300 S. Main Street Greenville, SC 29601
Ticketing Number: 800-888-7768
Groups: 864-679-9201
http://www.peacecenter.org/

DALLAS, TX
March 23 - April 4, 2010
Dallas Center for the Performing Arts
2100 Ross Avenue, Suite 650 Dallas, Texas 75201
Box Office: 214.880.0202
http://www.dallasperformingarts.org/

DETROIT, MI
April 20-May 9, 2010
3011 W. Grand Boulevard Detroit, MI 48202
Ticketing number: 800-982-2787
Group Tickets: 313-871-1132
http://www.nederlanderdetroit.com/

MIAMI, FL
May 11-16, 2010
Arsht Center
Box Office: 305.949.6722
http://www.arshtcenter.org/

ORLANDO, FL
May 18-23, 2010
Carr Performing Arts Center
401 West Livingston Street Orlando, FL 32801
http://www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/Orlando

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I send fan mail to the cast?

If you just want to send a quick note to all the cast members telling them you appreciate their work, you can email us here at totallytruckedblog (at) gmail (dot) com. I will be happy to forward your email to the cast, but to preserve their privacy, it is unlikely they will email you back (I will, though).

You can also send individual performers fan mail and care packages care of the theatre at which we are currently performing or will be performing. Go to the theatre's website (listed above), find their mailing address, write the actor's name as well as "Spring Awakening" and send c/o the theatre. Remember, we are often at these theatres for only a week so make sure to allow for delivery times. It's a better bet to send it to the theatre we will be going to next as they can always hold packages for us until we arrive. Letters received late will not be forwarded to our next location.

2. How Can I Audition for Spring Awakening?
From time to time, we have open calls in larger cities across the US. We will post any additional open calls here. Subscribe if you havn't already to keep informed. In the meantime, we've made it easy for you to submit yourself singing a folk/alternative rock song on video. Go to: http://www.springawakening.com/videoauditionsubmission/ Make sure your submission is less than 500 MB and is one of the accepted formats. Your screen should change and you should get a confirmation that says your submission has been received. Trust us, people are called in this way. Lucas Wells was cast because of an online submission!


3. How Do I Score On Stage Seats?
That is really up to the individual theatres. Most of them won't release the seats until just before performances because they want to make sure the house is sold first. Some do so online, although the ticketing systems they have in place often can't accommodate our unique seats onstage. Most of them are available only at the box office (though you can purchase them for a performance in the future). The Guilty Ones Street Team members have the rights to purchase these seats before the general public. Any seats left over will be released to the box office and may also be purchased as part of rush tickets (discounted, day-of tickets).

4. How Do I Join The Guilty Ones?

The National Guilty Ones Street Team is a way for fans of the show in each of our tour stops to help us spread the word. You will get access to parties, meet and greets, and other special events while meeting new friends who share your passion for the show, all while gaining some valuable marketing experience. You must be at least 15 yrs old. Email your contact info to nationalguiltyones (at) gmail (dot) com.

5. Can I Get Discounts?

From time to time, a theatre may offer us discounts to send out to our fans. We will post any here on the blog. Subscribe now!

6. Who runs this site? This site was created for fans to stay connected with our touring cast and follow their adventures around North America. Ideally, it would be in the voice of the cast members. Unfortunately, our cast members are often too tired or busy to post lengthy blog posts on a regular basis. Company members will contribute a post from time to time and every month we will have a compiled blog post that most every company member will participate in. The other stuff like updates, etc, will be posted by me. My name is Pun. I work for the production, love this show, its cast, and our fans, and I'm so very glad you're here!





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