NewsPHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day With On a Clear Day's Alex EllisEver wonder about the routine of a professional actor on one of those grueling two-performance days? Alex Ellis, currently appearing as Hannah in the re-imagined Broadway production of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, offers Playbill.com readers an exclusive look at a recent two-show day, from morning wakeup to final journey home.
By
Matthew Blank
January 19, 2012
Armed with a digital camera, she provides a close-up look at her morning routines, backstage antics with fellow cast members and collection of colorful costumes.
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PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day With On a Clear Day's Alex Ellis
PHOTO EXCLUSIVE: A Two-Show Day With On a Clear Day's Alex Ellis
Alex Ellis, who plays the role of Hannah in the re-imagined Broadway production of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, offers Playbill.com readers an exclusive look at her recent two-performance day at the St. James Theatre. Read the Playbill.com story.
50 PHOTOS
I rarely need an alarm clock these days, because I have this pup that starts to walk on my face around 10 AM. Meet Emma! She's part Corgi, part Jack Russell. I rescued her about 2 years ago from a shelter. She is without a doubt the coolest pup/wingman!
Alex Ellis
Ok ok! Yea.. that's really gross.... time to get up.
Alex Ellis
Emma is immediately ready to play. Me? Not. so. much. ANYONE that knows me knows I am NOT, and never will be, a morning person.
Alex Ellis
I order breakfast from my favorite place around the corner. I'm a total breakfast sandwich gal. And because the place is called Broadway Bagels, I thought it fitting (that was a joke!) Actually, it's the only place that will deliver without a $10 min.
Alex Ellis
I sleep walk to the coffee pot and make a BOOLLLDDDDD cup of coffee so I can begin to function.
Alex Ellis
After my food is delivered, I take some time to eat, put coffee in my veins and catch up on email/prepare for the day. I also may tend to listen to Tupac or Biggie while I do all of this... just gets you ready for the day!
Alex Ellis
Time for a walk! I'm lucky to live literally across the street from Central Park, so it makes walks very easy. Not to mention it's a gorgeous part of the park. It's a win/win.
Alex Ellis
What?! What's this we stumble upon?! An all girls ice hockey league?! SCORE! Disclaimer: "Mighty Ducks 2" is one of my top five FAVORITE movies of all. time.
Alex Ellis
Emma and I take a few minutes to watch. It's really cold... and I'm from the South. I wasn't made for this type of weather.
Alex Ellis
After a shower and all the jazz, time to head to work!!
Alex Ellis
The C train drops me off right at my stage door. It's such an easy commute! I also like to pause for a second to take in my surroundings. I mean... after years of pounding the pavement, I’m performing on Broadway!!!
Alex Ellis
First thing's first, one must always sign in. Here's our call board/ calendars/ any fun happenings for the week , all in one place. There's also a heart defibrillator if anyone is looking for one.
Alex Ellis
Oh, look who I ran into first thing?! Mr. Tyler Maynard and his iced coffee. I think we're wrapping our minds around the fact that we have a 5-show weekend... let go and let God y'all.
Alex Ellis
I was smart this week and signed up for Physical Therapy. Before I put on my face, I need magic hands on my neck so I can turn it to the right and left properly.
Alex Ellis
I've never been in more pain in my life. I still have old injuries from Catch Me that have carried over into Clear Day. OWIE!! Show must go on...
Alex Ellis
Time to head back to the dressing room. I live up on the 5th floor. That's right, 5TH FLOOR... and let me tell you, it's a glorious climb. I could not be more THRILLED to do that at least 5 times per show.
Alex Ellis
I finally made it. Buns.of.steel. DASSIT!
Alex Ellis
502! That's my dressing room! I get to share it with these two lovely squirrel girrrlllssssssss!
Alex Ellis
Who is there to greet me? The richest girl I know: Ms. Alysha Umphress. Yes, that is our flat screen in the corner. We are always watching flicks... stay tuned.
Alex Ellis
Alysha and Heather are SO in LOVE, that they like to spoon with the pillow pet before half hour. What loves!
Alex Ellis
Costume. Check. Beat. Check. Lashes. Check. Now time to go put on mah hurrrrrrr (that would be hair)
Alex Ellis
That's Josh! He puts my Hannah wig on everyday. I've been a red head in the past 4 shows I've done. I wonder if it's the universe telling me to go ginger.
Alex Ellis
That's Broadway’s Jessie Mueller, helping Josh help Zach with his 70's side burns. What a team effort we have over at the St. James!
Alex Ellis
Here's my first costume of the show! 70's all the way. I may not be in Catch Me if You Can anymore, but I will ALWAYS give you a sensible bevel... (thanks Jerry Mitchell)
Alex Ellis
That's Patrick Bevilacqua. He's the head of the wardrobe department and my new favorite. He acts like he can't stand me, but we are undercover LOVAHS!!! Side note: We also share a major love of champagne... so there's that.
It's a serious FOOTBALL day here at the St. James. If anyone knows Kerry O' Malley, they know she's a serious die hard Patriots fan!! She single handedly made this badass spread for all of us to enjoy for the day! Thanks gurl!
Alex Ellis
Our "green" room is called the St. Timmy! Father and son duo Timmy McDonough and T-Mac Jr. run the joint. They may seem real tough, but are two of the biggest softies you can find in this here city.
Alex Ellis
Sheesh, this spinach/artichoke dip is ON POINT! This picture was taken by head of wardrobe... don't tell anyone I was eating in costume :)
Alex Ellis
CAUGHT!! Drew Gehling is ALWAYS in Sarah Stiles' room, using her makeup. What a pretty boy.
Alex Ellis
Tyler can't seem to put down a New York Times bestseller. I mean... did she do it?
Alex Ellis
Jessie Muller is in the elevator, ready to make her first entrance on stage and sing her face off!
Alex Ellis
Ben Eakeley is wondering what Jennifer Holliday’s dress from Dreamgirls is doing in wardrobe? But if we open that can of worms, then a discussion of the Neutralization Theory will occur, followed by a discussion of who Beyonce's surrogate is...
Alex Ellis
A rose on a wall. Or, I really like this costume, so I thought I would show it off.
Alex Ellis
Alysha LOVES her job and is thankful and happy to be at work.
Alex Ellis
This is my unorganized/organized (in my mind), dressing room station.
Alex Ellis
Time to sign a ton of Playbills... life could be worse.
Alex Ellis
I would take Drew Gehling seriously, but he's wearing a turtleneck.
Alex Ellis
This is my FAVORITE costume of the show. I wear it in the second act. I am truly channeling my inner 70's hippie girl. Not to mention those Dolce and Gabbana pants!
Alex Ellis
Harry Connick Jr.’s THUMB made this picture! Hee hee. He's truly a DREAM to work with and I am going to miss him the most.
Alex Ellis
After the first show, the crowd goes BANANAS (as usual) for Harry. I ninja as fast as I can b/c I have an important dinner date.
Alex Ellis
Over to 5 Napkin to meet my best friend Justin Huff and his gorgeously talented fiancé, Mo Brady, for dinner. They're getting MARRIED this spring and I have been asked to be in their wedding! I am THRILLED! We proceed to go over attire, itineraries etc.
Alex Ellis
After dinner, I head back to the St. James to regroup, re-do pin curls and watch a little bit of a favorite 80's classic, "Splash."
Alex Ellis
There he is, I haven't seen my boo all day! This is Grasan Kingsberry. We grew up together. We've been fortunate enough to do two Broadway shows together :) We catch the tail end of the Saints/49ers UPSET. Harry isn't the happiest.
Alex Ellis
Alysha stretches (what lines!!!) before her big "Cassie" dance in Act 1.
Alex Ellis
A suspicious phone call has just taken place and Tyler isn't sure who it is. Hello? Mary Alice? General Craddock?
Alex Ellis
This is Kimmie. She dresses Alysha and I. She has ears on her hoodie.
Alex Ellis
Don't be jelly of my "Harry Connick Jr. On A Clear Day" robe. It's real comfy. After my number in the second act, I slip into this little ditty and head down to wardrobe to hang with the cool cats.
Alex Ellis
Just came back from the curtain call. After two shows, I am one tired pup. I'm not going out to be social tonight because I have to do this all over again tomorrow.
Alex Ellis
On my way out, I run into longtime friend and fellow Elon University alum, Andrew Frace. Watch out NYC, he's one of the MOST TALENTED people I know and has recently finished his run with Jersey Boys in Vegas and is back in NYC for good.
Alex Ellis
Back home. Time for my new (I know I know, I am SOOOO behind) OBSESSION: "Six Feet Under".
Hope you enjoyed my day. Catch On A Clear Day You Can See Forever before it closes January 29!!
Ellis has appeared on Broadway in Catch Me If You Can and toured with Thoroughly Modern Millie and Legally Blonde.
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Tony Award-winning director Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening, American Idiot) and playwright Peter Parnell (QED) are behind the re-thought romantic musical comedy with a score by lyricist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Burton Lane.
Joining Tony nominee Harry Connick Jr. (The Pajama Game) and Broadway newcomer Jessie Mueller as Melinda and David Turner (In My Life, Arcadia) as David Gamble are Kerry O'Malley as Sharone, Drew Gehling as Warren, Sarah Stiles as Muriel, Paul O'Brien, Heather Ayers, Lori Wilner, Benjamin Eakeley, Alex Ellis, Kendal Hartse, Grasan Kingsberry, Tyler Maynard, Zachary Prince, Alysha Umphress, Philip Hoffman, Sean Allan Krill, Patrick O'Neill and Christianne Tisdale.
Parnell fashioned a new libretto based on Lerner's 1965 original, about a shrink who hypnotizes patient Daisy Gamble, unlocking her past life. In the original, the good doctor fell in love with the past woman, named Melinda, leaving the present lady confused. In the 2011 version, conceived by Mayer, a grieving widower rooted in Freud, Dr. Mark Bruckner (Connick), falls in love with Melinda (Mueller, making her Broadway debut), confusing the conduit patient, Davey (Turner), who is gay and seeking harmony with his partner, Warren (Gehling).
The new version of On a Clear Day includes most of the original Tony Award-nominated Broadway score, adds songs from the film version, and interpolates Lerner and Lane numbers from the M-G-M film "Royal Wedding."
Musical staging is by JoAnn M. Hunter.
The creative team includes American Idiot Tony Award winner Christine Jones (sets), five-time Tony Award winner Catherine Zuber (costumes), American Idiot and Spring Awakening Tony Award winner Kevin Adams (lighting), Peter Hylenski (sound), Tom Watson (hair), Lawrence Yurman (music director and arrangements), and three-time Tony Award winner Doug Besterman (orchestrations).
Here's how the producers characterize the romantic musical comedy: "Love blooms in unexpected places in the delightfully reimagined world of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever. Still in love with his deceased wife, Dr. Mark Bruckner (Harry Connick, Jr.), a dashing psychiatrist and professor, unknowingly takes on the case of his life with David Gamble (David Turner), a quirky young florists' assistant. While putting David under hypnosis to help him quit smoking so he can move in with his perfect boyfriend Warren (David Gehling), Dr. Bruckner stumbles upon what he believes to be David’s former self — a dazzling and self-possessed 1940s jazz singer Melinda Wells (Jessie Mueller). Instantly intrigued by Melinda, Dr. Bruckner finds himself swept up in the pursuit of an irresistible (and impossible) love affair with this woman from another time and place, who may or may not have ever existed."
The score includes the songs "Come Back To Me," "What Did I Have That I Don't Have Now?," "She Isn't You," and the title song, plus "Love With All the Trimmings" and "Go to Sleep," as well as "Ev'ry Night at Seven," "You're All the World To Me," "Open Your Eyes" and "Too Late Now."
Originating producer Liza Lerner joined with Tom Hulce and Ira Pittelman and Broadway Across America (John Gore, Thomas B. McGrath, Beth Williams) to bring the show to Broadway.
