I will say this right now, Omega Jones RARELY gets nervous. Yes, the need for third person was necessary. The point is, it’s just not something that happens with me. Now, we all get those jitters when opening night comes and we are waiting offstage for our first entrance, but this is different. I’ve always been at home when it comes to performing, so auditioning for musicals and the like has always came naturally to me. Being the youngest of six, music was at my family’s core. Whether I was dancing in my living room or belting out some note in the stratosphere in church, music has always been a part of who I am. So when it comes to theatre, musicals have always been that sanctuary for me. The nerves just don’t come — I’m at home and one wouldn’t feel nervous in their own home, right?

LOL wrong. I didn’t know what song I was going to for sure sing until the week of, I didn’t have my sheet music printed out — anything that could have possibly went wrong probably did. With the help of my other half, Shannon Slavik, I somehow got through those nerves. I chose to sing “Magic To Do” because in the beginning, I wanted to go out for Billy Flynn. Mary Sunshine wasn’t technically a backup or anything, but it was something I knew I could go for if going for Billy failed in the end. I planned on singing it a la Patina Miller and the revival cast, but instead, my inner Ben Vereen sprang forth and there I was, giving the fiercest magic show Act Two has ever seen! At least, I thought so, haha. Razzle Dazzle was playing in my ear as I sang; channeling Billy as I gave it my best. The dancing portion came easy as well, especially since I was familiar with the steps given to us. After it was all said and done, all we could do was wait.

Lo and behold, come Saturday morning, I had missed a call from Andrew Kuhlman himself and upon calling him back, I learned I was called back for both Billy Flynn AND Mary Sunshine — now that’s versatility, haha! The preparation for that was a bit on the hectic side, having to go from the suaveness of Billy to the flamboyance of Mary Sunshine, but it was something that I had to do if I wanted a part, right? The callback came and I can honestly say that it was one of the best callbacks I’ve ever had the honor of attending. Professional & fun — that’s all I want. There was no stress whatsoever. Andrew had his mission & goal and it was executed perfectly, in my opinion. Those of us called back had our room to sit and chill in & things were just very positive. At that moment, I knew that if I were cast, it would be one of the most awesome casts I’ve ever been a part of.

The Billy callback was pretty simple, singing All I Care About is Love — it’s in my range and honestly felt like a breeze. Mary Sunshine, on the other hand. Let me say this. Being one of two men called back for that role had to be one of the most nerve-wracking things I’ve ever had to deal with. Though the role is meant for a man, Andrew allowed females to audition and attempt it as well, seeing as the songs he sings are in the soprano range. One by one, they sang their hearts out and we clapped — but then my name was called and I swear my heartbeat could have been transformed into a drum beat. I don’t know what came over me, but somehow I sang it out, in the upper octave, mind you, & it was FABULOUS, HONEY!  Again, at least, I thought it was! People laughed & smiled — that was enough for me.

The waiting process was so hard. Just knowing that at any moment, one’s phone could ring and you could have a role of a lifetime, it’s hard, but that’s what it’s all about, right? That magical moment of knowing that you’re going to be a part of something extraordinary. That it’s you someone will see and smile at from the audience. That it’s you who might make someone’s day. It’s why I perform and I’ll never stop. Soon enough, that call came and yours truly was officially Mary Sunshine. I was elated, let me tell you that!

I remember smiling as I walked into the room for our first read-through before the holidays. This was the moment it all would begin. The cast, one by one, came in and we all greet each other with open arms. We were the ones who would put on this amazing show. The read through was simple enough, only stopping to listen to the Original Broadway Soundtrack when songs came up in our scripts, so we could hear how they should be, compared to the movie version of the musical. I had to give them a taste of the falsetto, you know. 😉

Overall, even though I now know my fantabulous fur coat will be sponsered by Macys — inside joke — I know that this cast is going to knock this show out of the park! They are a talented group of individuals and I am honored to work amongst them. I have my highlighters & page turners ready. Time to get to work on this script! We are asked to be off book by January 4th, and while it’s doable, it is not without it’s trials & tribulations. So I’ll end this post & get started with that!

XOXO, <3