I HAVE SAID IT FOR YEARS!!

12 Worst Christmas Songs: No. 1

'Do They Know It's Christmas'
--Band Aid (1984)

File this, charitably, under Good Intentions. The cream of the U.K. pop crop -- including Bob Geldof and the guy from Spandau Ballet -- banged this out in one 24-hour session. Unfortunately, despite the heroic tub-thumping of Phil Collins, it sounds like it. And -- with lyrics like "Tonight thank God it's them, instead of you" -- you can't exactly take it out caroling.

Whats wrong with this picture??

Why is Franklin sitting alone??  Not to mention he is the only one in a lawn chair!!

Just sayin...

BOYCOTT THE SHIRLINGTON POST OFFICE

I know to some of you this is preaching to the choir but this branch of the post office is THE WORST I HAVE EVER ENCOUNTERED!

When I was getting ready to come to Hoboken for High School Musical, two weeks prior actually, I sent the change of address card in to the proper post office. Not all of my mail has been forwarded.

Jenny just came up to New Jersey with the astonishing amount of mail that had not been forwarded (including 6 bills that are all now late and incurring at least $40 fees on each). When I called the 22206 post office about it less than ten minutes ago the woman I spoke to (who I learned later was the supervisor!!) was rude and told me that she did not care. That she was sorry to hear about my bills but that I should re-examine how I handle my finances! First of all the "supervisor" of a branch of the US Postal Service should know how to speak proper English. I am not talking about a foreign accent of some kind... I AM TALKING ABOUT BASIC GRAMMAR! "I am sorry that your MAILS HAVEN'T been delivered." ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? Not to mention that the woman on the phone had the NERVE to comment on how I handle my finances. I have no problem handling my finances when I receive my mail in a timely fashion as I would expect from the postal service. Not to mention as a civil servant you HAVE NO RIGHT TO COMMENT ON HOW I HANDLE MY BUSINESS OR MY FAMILY! I know many people in the area drive out of their way to go to another post office. Now, I cant say as I blame them.

MAKE A CHOICE: JOIN THE MILLION MEMBER CAMPAIGN

Whether you are an Equity member or your career goal is to join this national stage union – sign the petition for the Employee Free Choice Act and make it easier for actors – and all employees – to gain union representation.

http://www.freechoiceact.org/page/s/aflciovideo?source=1110email 

WHAT IS THE EMPLOYEE FREE CHOICE ACT?

Today’s world: Employers decide whether they prefer their employees to choose a union based on majority sign-up, or a company-dominated election process. 

The Employee Free Choice Act: Employees decide how they want to certify their own union. If employers negotiate in bad faith, they face stiffer penalties.

I’M AN ACTOR – SHOULD I CARE ABOUT THIS?

The Employee Free Choice Act will make it easier to gain Equity representation in the theater. Right now, the amount of time that it usually takes to win union representation through a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election is longer than the typical actor’s contract. This means that in theater, the producer almost always decides whether or not a production will be union.

Even if your current work is already Equity, giving your fellow performers a better shot at gaining union representation will strengthen Equity as a union and improve standards across the industry.

THE FACTS!*

More than half of the nonunion workforce in the United States – nearly 60 million, including actors – would join a union right now if they could. But only 12% are actually in a union.

So why the big difference?

How many times have we heard:

“If the union takes over, we’ll have to close! Don’t you want to keep your job?”
Fact: During organizing campaigns, 51% of employers will threaten to close the workplace if the union takes over. Only 1% of them actually will.

“Don’t we already have penalties for employers who break the law?”
Fact: Even after employees have certified a union, 44% of employers will still refuse to agree to a contract.

“Why should we change things? We already have the freedom to choose a union.”
Fact: 75% of employers would rather spend money on hiring anti-union consultants and union-busters than risk their employees voting to unionize. 

More facts: 92% of employers force their employees to attend closed-door meetings against the union. 78% will force employees to attend one-on-one anti-union meetings with their employers.

*http://www.aflcio.org/joinaunion/voiceatwork/efca/10keyfacts.cfm

JOIN US!

Union members are mobilizing to collect one million signatures in support of the Employee Free Choice Act. When the new president and new Congress arrive in Washington, DC, we will have one million signatures waiting for them, urging them to support the middle class by enacting the Employee Free Choice Act. 

We invite Equity members, friends, and supporters to help us restore our freedom to form unions and bargain for a better life. 

Watch the video and sign the petition here:

http://www.freechoiceact.org/page/s/aflciovideo?source=1110email 

HSM at PMP Opening

Me with Sydney Morton (Gabriella)

Me with Patrick Parker (Associate Artistic Director of Paper Mill)

Logan Hart (Ryan), Myself and Sam Kiernan (Ensemble)

Me with Denis Jones (Choreography)

Me with Chase Peacock (Troy Bolton)

Me with Bailey Hanks (Sharpay)

Me with Alison Frank (Casting Director)

And personally, my favorite photo of the night...

I have been waiting years to have my picture up in the opening night photos on Broadwayworld.com and now that day has come.  Straight from HERE...

Members of the staff of The Paper Mill Playhouse Rebecca Fleming (Assistant Stage Manager), Jess Speaker (Production Stage Manager), Andrea Cibelli (Assistant Stage Manager), and Louise Ochart (Production Assistant)

Okay, so they have my name wrong and that always upsets me but still...

High School Musical at Paper Mill Playhouse

Catch it now through December 7th!!