Hello there everyone. Follow me, Benim Foster, as I take you through one of my two-show days of Forever Dusty. Enjoy! I like to start off my day with a visit to Amy’s Bread! If I hit it now, then I won’t be tempted later, on the way to work.
Benim Foster
This is a sticky bun.
Benim Foster
Here, my girlfriend Rachel Bay Jones moves swiftly through the flower section of Trader Joe’s!
Benim Foster
On my way back from an audition, I ran into these guys...
Benim Foster
This is my shadow. On the way to the theatre. This picture is proportionally accurate.
Benim Foster
As I arrive at the theatre, I always love sneaking my way through the audience who are about to see me in the show. This is always a special moment. And they have no idea…shhhh.
Benim Foster
Inside, I find guitarist Oscar Bautista, and Stage Managers Kris Valentine and Kristine "Alfred" Ayers marveling at the carpentry work of cast member Ashley Betton, as she builds a set of shelves.
Benim Foster
This is what I see at the start of the show. Now, at pre-show, I check my props… Cigarette? Check. Lighter? Check. Ashtray for Dusty to hurl at my chest? Check.
Benim Foster
This is the lovely Kim Carbone, who makes all of our sound... sound so lovely. (Don't you love it when you think you need to lean back in a photo to fit into the frame? But you only end up looking like this…??)
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Our microphone holder. I know what you're thinking. But, the condoms are used to cover the MICS...
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...and these are the mikes... well, two mikes, Mike Murray, Musical Director, and Mike Shapiro, Drummer. Standing is our Bass Guitarist, George Farmer. Our band rocks!!
Benim Foster
Here at Forever Dusty we have many different pre-show routines. Cast member Sean Patrick Hopkins and I brush our teeth.
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This is our pre-show circle.
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Benim Foster, Jonathan C. Kaplan, and Sean Patrick Hopkins. The Men of Forever Dusty.
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Here I’m about to do an offstage voice of an incredibly whiny stage manager... The band calls him Mr. Fussypants. I hear there's already a half hour comedy series in the works!
Benim Foster
This was taken in the wings just moments before I re-enter as Jerry Wexler. Sean, Alfred and Jerry Wexler...BFFs!
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And then...Sean and Alfred snuck this picture. It's Christina Sajous and I listening to Dusty perform "Son Of A Preacher Man."
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There is an annual New World Stages Bake-Off. This year our own stage manager Alfred took home the prize. (Costume designed and added by our own Jeannie Williams)
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And here is our wig and costume extraordinaire Jeannie, only minutes after she got sprayed in the eye with hairspray. It was a sad day.
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This is my friend Missi Pyle, who was in BARE and shared the backstage with us. A tripped out version of the Virgin Mary meets music producer Jerry Wexler. What?!? I love the theatre!
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This is Sean enjoying his prop pickle and sandwich, that HIS character gets to eat on stage every show! Yeah, I know! Stage Management will even mix it up for him. Give HIM treats! HE sometimes gets a cookie or a piece of cake with it. Waaaa! NOT FAIR
Benim Foster
Here’s a picture of me that Missi brought in. It was taken in Winston-Salem, NC some %@#! years ago. I’m holding an Emmy in one hand and a bottle of what I think was cranberry juice in the other. The rest is cloudy, at best...
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Our post-show high fives! Alfred and Jeannie form a line and wait for us after every show. Go team! Go!
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Hey! This theatre has a washer and dryer!
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After shows, I visit with Darryl Winslow at the Avenue Q concessions. I like to discuss the many ways in which we can incorporate puppets into Forever Dusty...!
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Between shows I meet Rachel and our girl at the pediatrician's office… I had to drag Rachel away from those trains!
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On the way to my second show, this is me trying to use a pay phone to tell my stage manager I’m running late. Until I realize that: 1. no one actually still uses pay phones. 2. I can probably just call on my iPhone.
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Just...so New York...
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Musical Director Mike Murray and I walking to make half hour... He follows me around.
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This is me once again trying to call my stage manager. Until I realize that:
1. This is the prop phone on our Forever Dusty set...
2. she’s the one taking my picture.
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Exciting action photo! My 90 second quick change!!
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Another exciting action photo! Cast member Christina Sajous! Texting!!
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And another exciting action photo! Cast member Coleen Sexton! Reading!!
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I’m not a doctor, but I play one in Forever Dusty. However, If I were a REAL doctor...this might be the last image you ever see...
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My favorite costume. Hands down. So 70's. Yeah baby! (PS - my daughter designed and drew the art on that mug. So proud!)
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Cast member Jonathan C. Kaplan. Excited about the end of a two show day!
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Cast member Kirsten Holly Smith, aka Dusty Springfield, and I sharing a post show moment.
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Here at New World Stages we have many post show routines. Missi Pyle and I like to share a post show cocktail. And look like we're in a cop show. "Tonight, on a very special JERRY WEXLER AND THE NUN..."
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End of the night. On my way home…
I am NOT going back into Amy's Bread. I am NOT going back in! I am NOT!!
Benim Foster
This is a sticky bun.
Benim Foster
