A letter on A Broadway Closing…

On the closing day of one of my favorites,

Even though I knew for months, seven to be exact, that you, one of my favorite shows I have ever seen, is going to close, I am still not ready for it to happen.

You where the first musical movie that I ever saw. The first Broadway show I ever took my mother to, like really bought the tickets myself kind of thing. The first Broadway show I have see more than once (FOUR times in total, secretly wishing more, don't judge me. I know I have a problem and I happily admit it!) The first show I stage doored. The first show/time I met one of my favorite Broadway performers, who is the sweetest person ever. First time rushing a show, by the way the most magical thing besides winning lotto. Most importantly, the FIRST show that made me re-fall in love with Broadway. This show had a lot of firsts for me.

I have woken up to “Matchmaker” every day since the album came out, sang loud and proudly to the whole album countless times, have your album as my #1 most played music on my IPod (much thanks to the gym and my commute every morning), seen your poster on phone screen savor every day for months, have your signed poster hanging on my wall and have taken many people to see your magical performance. Every time I see the show and listen to the album, you take me on a journey to Anatevka. A trip back in time to my ancestors leaving Russia, Europe for a better life.

Everything about you is amazing and perfect. Starting with the actual Broadway Theater. It has to be my favorite theater I have ever had the honor of walking into. The stage, so simple, so perfect. As soon as you sit down you know that you are about to take a train ride to another time and place. Once the music starts, and the actors enter the stage from the back of the stage, up stairs onto the actual stage, you are blown away by not only from their costumes but their voice and their actions. They really do take you to Anatevka.

In my mind I never want you to leave, but in my heart I know you must end.  All great things must come to an end eventually. If you stayed cast members would come and go (as they are already), and who knows how that would be. I can not picture anyone else playing Tevye and Golde than Danny Burstein and Jessica Hecht. Or the three beautiful head strong daughters, Tzeitel (Alexandra Silber), Hodel (Samantha Massell), Chava (Melanie Moore). By ending now, you go out on a high note, with the majority of the original cast still intact.

On this day 31st of December 2016, as Fiddler on the Roof 2015/2016 cast sings one last “Tradition”, you will always be part of my life. A “Tradition” in my heart and mind. Thank you for everything. I will forever miss you and always cherish the memories you gave me as a viewer and fan.

Much Love,
Ashley

December Art/Design

December's Art/Design highlight goes to a collaboration project. The smile on my face and tears running down my cheeks can not describe how happy I really am. Enjoy.
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After twelve months, my collaboration project has been completed. Well not completed as in over forever, but completed as in this piece is done and time to start a new one. What collaboration project you ask? Well I will tell you.

In January 2016, I took a magical class my senior year of college. I took this class specifically to do this collaboration project. I was the only Design/Art student in this "Art" class with one of my favorite professors. I took her class for three reasons: personal, I needed an "art history" class, and mostly I wanted to do this possible collaboration project. To my surprise I was the only one who choice to do so.

I started out drawing a very simple thing. For I had no idea what I should draw because I knew non of the possible people to collaborate with. That simple drawing of a feather and an arrow caught the eye of one very talented man. I shall call him T. T is an artist and designer, just like me. It would travel over 900 miles to Nashville many times over the course of twelve months.

Each time we would add something new and send it back. Sometimes taking weeks to figure out and put our new addition onto the paper.

At first I thought the collaboration was only going to last the semester because I was graduating. But it extended into the summer, and fall. I thought that after that one drawing we would be finished. I kept telling my professor how much I loved this project and that since working with T, he had shed a new light inside me. (Mind you I still have never met or physically talked to T. Only small notes of thank you or messages relayed from my professor.)

I was surprised when I was told that the very talented creative T. wanted to do more collaborations with me. I jumped with joy, and had to tell everyone that I was going to continue to work with him.
Working with T. has not only made me a better designer, but he also gave me a different perspective on life. He has infact changed me for the better. Since working with him, he himself has began to open up more than ever before. And I myself, have been opening up and is no longer that shy person. If only T. knew how he has touched my heart, taught me many lessons (both artistic and non) without even saying a word, and most importantly to go after my dreams.

The finished product: A collaboration started by T and I and finished with my Professor Barbra Yontz.  It was showcased at the Azarian McCullough Art Gallery located in Sparkill, NY, in the Fall of 2016, where all three of us have had work showcased throughout the years.

THOUGHT PROCESS ACTION 

Winter is Coming

PictureQuotes.com

Friday morning, it's cold. 32 degrees out to be exact. I am all bundled up. I take the plunge outside, to head to work.

What do I see first? No not the cars on the street or the tree in the front. I see a little dot fall before me.

Another and another and another, so many. So small you can miss it. But I don't. I see it. I see the SNOW! Well not snow. Flurries. Very small ones. As quickly they appeared they disappeared.

Mother Nature says winter is coming. Because it really is. In a few weeks. 13 days to be exact.

She Walked Through Hell

She walked through hell, but I refused to let her walk alone in the place of darkness. 

She needed a light and I was there, shinning the way. 
We came out of that dark place hand in hand, only to take different paths, in this journey of life. 
Yet we are still connected. 
A connection that is stronger than friendship, love. 
A connection that is bound by blood. 

She walked through hell, but I refused to let her walk alone in the place of darkness.

Our journey is long, twenty-two years in the making. 
We may not be hand in hand for the rest of the journey, but we will always cross paths and join hands again. 
Picking up where we left off. 
Connected by friendship, by love, by blood.

She walked through hell, but I refused to let her walk alone in the place of darkness.

jadoresimone.tumblr.com

Challenge Completed + A Bonus

11.19.2016

Am I still here?

Touches face frantically making sure it is not a dream for what has just happened. Sighs in relief.  

Okay good.

For the third time, last night, yes I am HAPPILY and PROUDLY admiting to seeing FIDDLER ON THE ROOF 
THREE TIMES....four on December 18th, I swear I do not have a problem, no matter what anyone says. 

Can you blame me? The show is perfection, amazing, a work of genius. After the show I of course had to stage door. Poster in hand, I waited for the cast. One by one they came out, said hello and I thanked them for the AMAZING show, and they signed my poster. 

Then...BOOM! Al Silber came out, looking fabulous, like usual. She made her way down the line to me. Then this happened:

AL: [signing poster]
Me: [having a spaz attack on the inside but trying to stay cool as best as she can, she is no actor] Can I ask you a small favor?
AL: Of course [I had her full attention now]
Me: I have this thing that you might know [struggles getting this thing out of her purse because she is shaking from the cold but mostly from talking to her favorite performer, her idol. Takes a moment to long.] 
AL: I'm very curious as to what this is now.
Me: I have been listening to this non stop, literally. [pulls out Arlington] I love it.
AL: [face goes to OMG, a priceless look.]
Me: Would you be able to sign it?
AL: [so excited and happy] Whats your name? [opens up the case to sign it]

I tell her my name, and I finally got to say thank you to her, and that she has been very inspirational to me. She was so excited and I of course was too.

To make a short story shorter, when her book comes out in July, I will definitely take her up on her word to find her and have her sign my copy and tell her what I think. But seriously, when I say I listen to Arlington, World Premiere Recording by Al Silber & Ben Moss, all the time I mean it......it is currently coming out of the speakers as I type.

Like go! Go now! Go get it! You will not be disappointed, just saying!


I walk to the subway, still is shock. As I walk and wait I could not believe what just happened. I am pulled out of my trance for a split second as I get on the car and head home. My over all night can not be summed up with words because no word or words in the world can describe how happy I feel.

I am beyond happy and thankful that I finally got to tell Al thank you and for being an inspiration to me. This encounter has made not only my day, week, or month, but has made my life. It's what happens when you meet such an inspirational person. I think it is safe to say that my challenge has now been successfully completed!

Next Challenge...Anyone know how to send an Ask Al question on London Still? Well more of a Thank You Al...

Me Being Spontaneous and Meeting Alexandra Silber

I am not a spontaneous person. But recently I decided I needed to be. So one Saturday I entered into a magical thing called Broadway Lotto. All I could think of was I probably will not win, well I was very wrong. I won, and I called my best friend up and we headed to the Winter Garden Theater, to see School of Rock. (By the way amazing!)

I figured why not stage door one of my favorite shows because we were right there. (A first for me.) Well after the show we headed down the street to one Broadway Theater to the wonderful outstanding Fiddler on the Roof. I was freaking out the whole time waiting for the cast to come out. (ohmygodthisishappeningthisisreallyhappening)I had one of my playbills in hand ready for the cast to sign it.

10.22.2016  

One by one, they came out, said hello and signed my playbill. I had gotten everyone but one person. Alexandra Silber. She came out of the stage door looking absolutely fabulous and full of energy, ready for "Act Three".  She came straight over and thanked me, little me for waiting for her in the cold. I told her how I could not wait to read After Anatevka, an introduction later, she told me a really short story that went as followed:

I was on amazon the other day and I see the recommendations, and they recommended my book to me.

In my head I had this who thing ready to say to her but I was so excited that I was meeting THEE Alexandra Silber,(ohmygodtheresheisbecoolbecool) an amazingly talented human that I never got a chance to tell her it. 

Thank you. Thank you for being you. Thank you for being so full of life. Thank you for being an inspiration to me and to others. You are really truly an amazing talent human being. Thank you. A million times thank you.

New Challenge/Goal: Go back to see Fiddler, because it's AMAZING (seeing it two times is not enough for me), and I am IN-LOVE with it. Tell Al Sliber how amazing she is and thank her for everything. 

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!!

FALL in-love on a Thursday

I fell in-love on a Thursday.

I walked out the door into the cool fall November New York air. 

The sun kisses my face, not fully, it was still hiding behind the buildings, trees and street signs. 

As I go, it slowly starts to kiss my face more as I go towards its hiding place. 

The people around me heading to work, to school, they do not feel the kisses on their faces. 

I get closer to my office, and I get one final kiss goodbye. 

I fell in-love on a Thursday. 

I fell in-love again on a Thursday, not with a creature but with life. 

My life that always has the sun lighting my way even in the dark. 

Try falling in-love on a Thursday, you will not regret it.

Fiddler on the Roof 2007 London Recording

For the past week or so, I have been reading the blog London Still by Alexandra Silber. I knew that she had once played Hodel in the West End’s Fiddler on the Roof in 2007. When I read her blog post about doing a cast recording, I quickly opened a new tab, went to youtube and found the album. (I apologize to everyone around me, for the blasting of yet more showtunes so late at night, especially more Fiddler on the Roof.) 

It was definitely different, different than the original movie and Broadway 2015 cast album. Different in a VERY VERY GOOD WAY! To the point that it is now part of my daily music list. Lets talk about the Yiddish accent, seriously it is perfect I LOVE IT!

Far From the Home I Love, sent chills down my spin. A first for me with this song, normally I get them with Chavaleh. The chills continued as Chavaleh came on. One telling the father what is what, and the other asking for acceptance from the same man who can not see who his daughter really is. I wish that seventh grade me took a trip from NY to London to see this songs live.

I guess this, recent college graduate, me, has to take yet another trip to hear the beautiful vocals that is Anatevka-Broadway.

You Are Not Alone

I can not believe I wrote this a year ago. So much as changed: 

It is that time of the year again. October better known as Breast Cancer Awareness month is upon us again. One in eight women are diagnosed with Breast Cancer in their life time. That means that everyone will know someone who has, had, will have or be affected by Breast Cancer.

Less than a month ago, October was just another month for me. It all changed when I found out my mother was diagnosed with stage two Breast Cancer. Now, October is not just another month. It is the month where thousands of men and women come together to support those who are battling or survived, and remember those who lost their lives. 

After receiving the news about my mother, the first few days where the hardest. No one seemed to know the pain I was going though. My mother having Breast Cancer now cause my chance of getting to double. Everyone said we will keep her in our prayers, but I knew none of them were very religious. 

It took me a few days, to come to terms with what was happening. I kept repeating 5 things to myself: 

1. My mother has Breast Cancer

2. My mother needs chemotherapy 

3. My mother is strong

Made to honor my mom and those fighting 

4. My mother will win her battle. 

5. I am not alone

I am not alone. It stuck in my head. One in eight women will be diagnosed. One in eight women, means that almost everyone is affected by this disease. 

I am not alone, I am not alone, you are not alone. 

 You are not alone in this. Every year, Avon has a walk called Avon 39 The Walk to End Breast Cancer. In the course of seven months, 7 walks will take place. 273 miles will be walked in 14 days. Each walk is a two day event where supporters, survivors and battler walk 39 miles to end Breast Cancer. 

You are not alone in this. The NFL, MLB, Dress Barn and almost all college sports, professional athletes and clothing stores show their support by rocking pink or selling products to support Breast Cancer. 

You are not alone. Remember that you are not alone in your emotional journey. It is perfectly okay to cry about what you are going through. Never hide your emotions on the matter. People will understand why you are emotional. However, do not take it personal if anyone asks or says something stupid to you or about the situation. They are only trying to help and sometimes they do not understand your situation. Just be polite and say thank you where it is needed.

The best thing that you can do is remind yourself that you are not alone. Thousands of men and women are in the same boat as you and support you. You might be doing the battling on the outside, but remember who is doing the battling on the inside because you are not alone in your journey. 

As of the month of October comes to a close, amazing news has come to me. Only a year after receiving the life changing news, my mother who went through months of Chemo, weeks of radiation and many tests, had her doctors tell her they CANNOT detect any cancer in her body. 

The journey here was only the beginning to the journey of a life time. Remember you are not alone in this journey. 
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

October Snow & Ice

Shhhh, do you hear it?


Quite, listen.


Do you hear that soft sound of snow and ice hitting the window, the leaves that fell yesterday, the cars outside?  Do you smell that fresh wet smell as it hits the ground turning to water?

Shhhh, listen, smell.

I step out the door, take a deep breath, look up at the sky, and smile. I get to walk in this October snow and ice. I get to go to work in it. I get to listen to it as I go. Such a change to the normal music I have in my ears as I go along.  

October snow and ice, is not supposed to be here. Here in New York it is fall, not winter. I see people with umbrellas, dogging under store fronts trying not to get too wet. 

October snow ice, makes me happy. Happy to feel it on my face as I walk. Happy I get to hear it at my desk. Take a second to hear it. To smell it. Be at Peace because everything is good, everything is right, everything is life. 

Welcome

Welcome, Beautifully Handsome Creates, to my brain, I mean blog. I promise I have a method to my madness. It is called creativity, a rare form that is only for the true believers in what is called ART.

Welcome and Enjoy.