Rock of Ages

As I mentioned in my last post I went to see Rock of Ages at the Pantages Theater on Tuesday night.  My aunt's best friend, Julie (who I sometimes refer to as my "LA guardian angel"), invited me to be her plus one.  I had seen this hilarious high-energy musical on Broadway with Mary last year, and I was stoked to see it again. 

I thought this was just going to be a normal, fun-filled night watching an awesome show.  Much to my surprise, however, it was opening night and since Rock of Ages is being made into a movie (from Warner Bros... holla!!), that constituted a red carpet event in Hollywood.  We walked up to the historical theater to find a red carpet and tons of press.  Come to find out, it was a star-studded event with notable attendees including Zac Efron, Camilla Belle, Carmen Electra, Malin Akerman, Adam Shankman, Juliann Hough, Lisa Vanderpump (and her husband Ken Todd who I know and love from the Sports Club!), etc, etc, etc.  

After the show, I witnessed paparazzi up close and personal for the first time.  As we were leaving, we were literally inches away from Malin Akerman as she was surrounded by paparazzi.  It was a strange thing to witness... there were several of them all calling out her name and snapping photos as she tried not to fall on the slippery sidewalk (it rained during the show) and pretty much ignoring them.  I pray that I don't awkwardly end up candidly in the background of some photo in US Weekly sometime soon... eek. 

I wish I would have had the slightest inkling of who my company was going to be that evening... I would have changed out of my work outfit which included a blazer, jeans and glasses.  Not exactly my normal red carpet event look.  Whoops... haha.  

Okay, enough about the red carpet stuff.... now about the show... :-) 

Rock of Ages is set in 1987 on the Sunset Strip, where a small town girl meets a big city rocker in L.A.’s most famous rock club. Their love story is told through a quirky narrator and 80s hits that will have you singing along and dancing in your seat. It received five Tony nominations (including Best Musical) after opening in 2009.  Oftentimes, shows that go on tour across the country aren't nearly as good as they are on Broadway. This show, however, absolutely matched its Broadway counterpart and did not disappoint in the slightest.  Much of the original cast (including the Tony nominated lead, Constantine Maroulis) is traveling with the show which helps significantly.  It's hilarious and snarky and fun.  My favorite character, Franz (a sassy German who dreams of owning a confectionary shop), had me 'lol-ing' the whole time. 

If you're in LA, you should absolutely go see it.  (Don't delay... it's only here until Feb. 27)!  You can buy tickets here OR if you'd like to save a little moolah, you can go to the box office 2 hours before the show begins to purchase $25 rush tickets (subject to availability, naturally). I've done this rush ticket method for a few shows and it's great!  I highly recommend it.  :-)

Here's their performance at the 2009 Tony's to give you a little preview...

Currently listening to: Rock of Ages soundtrack... duh. 

Why: See above. ;-) 

Don't Stop Believin'...

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Valentinesy Things

Valentines Day...  a day full of witnessing uninvited PDA, an overflow of red and pink, and those candy hearts that taste like chalk. 

As I stated in my Valentines post from last year,  I've had a lifelong trend of NOT having a Valentine.  By some weird twist of fate, that perpetual trend ended this year... crazy, I know.  Will (who I've briefly mentioned before) and I gave each other the proverbial "Be Mine?" candy heart and it was lovely. 

I'm sure that most of you probably share the sentiments of this someecard... 

 

.... so I'll keep my recaps to a minimum.  ;-)  

We had a two Valentine dates:  a fancy schmancy formal event for his law school on Saturday night and a cozy amazing dinner at my place on actual Valentines Day.  The law school formal reminded me of a date party in college. We dressed up. We pre-partied. We went to a cool venue (the penthouse of the Petersen Automotive Museum). We mingled. It was great fun. (I love handsome boys in suits.  I mean, who doesn't??)

Pretty views from the Penthouse of the Petersen.
(I love alliteration).

Yesterday we exchanged gifts (he gave me a GORGEOUS bouquet of roses and I gave him tickets for us to go to his favorite hockey team's upcoming game in LA) and then enjoyed DELICIOUS homemade steaks, asparagus, baked potatoes and a heart-shaped cake.  It was really nice to stay in and not be surrounded by the hordes of other star-crossed Valentines. (Gross).  I might actually start to like this holiday after all... ;-) 

In other Valentines news, my darling cousin Erika unfortunately did NOT win the dream wedding I blogged about last week.  But she is still extremely happy and thankful for all the support and everyone who voted.  So if you voted.. BIG HUGE THANKS to you.  You're awesome. 

Gratitude:

1.) My very sweet Valentine. He's pretty great.

2.) My new(ish) glasses.  They're my favorite glasses ever. (Pictured below)

3.) Musicals. I'm going to see Rock of Ages tonight at the Pantages... I'm excited!

4.) Manicures. Automatic morale boost.

5.) Mail. I love getting old-school handwritten mail.  This week I was lucky enough to get sweet cards from my wonderful mom, grandma, Kayla AND this anti-Valentine card from Mary...

Currently listening to: Owl City's musical response to Taylor Swift

Why: I love grand gestures and this definitely is one.  It's no secret that my girl T Swift writes songs about her real life romantic (and/or non-romantic) experiences.  Sometimes she uses the guys' names, sometimes she doesn't.  Adam, the insomniac musical genius behind Owl City, decoded that her song "Enchanted" (which just so happens to be my favorite track on her new album) was about HIM and decided to record his response to her and put it on his blog.  You can can read about his (brave) grand Valentines Day gesture here and listen to the song here.   I'm impressed...this guy has some legit moxie!  And I must nerdily admit, I wish I could have been a fly on the wall when Taylor caught wind of this. I'd love to see her reaction. Not to worry...I'm sure she'll write a song about it...  :-) 

xoxo, 

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Weekend Review and Other News

The past weekend was fun-filled and eventful, as anticipated. 

Phantom of the Opera was chilling and glorious, as per usual.  Our seats were amazing: 3^rd row center! The costumes and set were exceptionally spectacular; honestly probably the best production I’ve seen at the Pantages.  The show is in LA until October 31, 2010.  If you like live theater, you should absolutely go. Buy tickets here You’re in for a treat.

Our housewarming party was a great success! Many of our dear friends came and our all of our delish food/drinks and apartment as a whole were a huge hit.  I am really so in love with the new place.  My lovely roommate McKenzie and I have decorated it and made it very ‘homey’.  It really feels like my first ‘grown up’ apartment and that is a very wonderful feeling. Come over and hang out. 

Ready for our wonderful friends to arrive and help us properly warm our new home. :-)

 Band of Horses at the Greek was just cool. No better way to put it, I think.  This was my first time at the Greek, and I’m already looking forward to going back. First of all, it’s walking distance from my new apartment (holla!).  Second of all, it’s an amazing outdoor amphitheater in the middle of Griffith Park, so you’re essentially watching amazing live music under the stars (and in the instance of Saturday, a gorgeous full moon) in the middle of a forest. Yes please.  Here is a video of this incredibly talented band performing ‘The Funeral’ at the show on Saturday (taken by someone who was apparently on the very first row! Holy closeness, Batman! My seats were most certainly were not this close… but enjoyable nonetheless). 

As you may have heard (because I feel like every one of the millions of people who live in the greater Los Angeles area are complaining about it), we’ve had quite a little late-summer heat wave the past few days. (Literally, Monday broke the record for the HOTTEST day in LA…ever). I took full advantage of this and enjoyed a couple blissful hours at the beach Sunday afternoon.  Several factors have prevented me from soaking up the sun with my toes in the sand much at all this summer, which made this long overdue beach day extra enjoyable. One of my earliest life goals was to live “driving distance from the beach”… and I must admit, sometimes I take for granted that I actually do now. Tsk tsk for me…but holla for the realization of childhood life dreams.

Heavenly. 

Taken from my phone on Sunday 9/26/10. 

 In other news, my dear friend Matt Godfrey needs your help.  He is in my beloved community group.  He and his lovely wife Ellen moved from Alabama to LA because he was cast in the highly anticipated ‘Blue Like Jazz’ movie (and for him to pursue other acting endeavors).  Very unfortunately, however, it was announced last week that the filming for this would be postponed indefinitely due to lack of funding (despite “a strong screenplay, a stellar cast, and rave reviews”).  But, ALAS, there is a chance it can be saved! If $125,000 (which is practically nothing in the world of film) can be raised by October 25, 2010, the film can enter production as planned.  In all honesty, I have never read this book, but more than 1.5 million people have.  It is supposed to have a really great message that could positively affect millions more people if it does indeed make it to the big screen, so if you feel so inclined, click HERE to donate to the cause.

It’s the biggest week in college football if you’re a Sooner fan… OU/Texas is this Saturday!  I plan on watching this intense rivalry game at a sports bar with other rowdy OU fans, drinking beer (which I am surprisingly becoming a big fan of as of late!), and yelling BOOMER SOONER like we were actually at the game.  It’s absolutely not the same, but hey, we misplaced Oklahoman Angelenos have to make the best with what we have.  

I’m seeing EASY A and THE SOCIAL NETWORK this weekend… I’ve heard amazing things about both, so I’m very much looking forward to it.  Reviews to follow!  What is the best movie you’ve seen recently (or that you're looking forward to seeing)?

Currently listening to: Alex Rhodes

Why: The reason for my current music pick can be explained in detail in this previous post. She is a dear friend of mine and incredibly talented musician AND her debut EP just came out!!  She had album release show at the Hotel Cafe last weekend and it was wonderful. You can check out (and now buy!) Alex's amazing tunes here.  My favorites are "No Trouble" and "Honestly." Enjoy!

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Happy Two Year Anniversary, Los Angeles.

This is the gorgeous dessert I enjoyed tonight as I toasted to my 2nd anniversary in LA.  

(Just kidding... I found it on google images...) 

But, truly, July 28th marks the anniversary of me first setting my timid feet into the beautiful Los Angeles sand after making the daunting drive from Oklahoma all by myself two years ago.  While I'm not celebrating this momentous occasion with corny (albeit impressive) food art, I thought an appropriate way to pay homage would be a nice little walk down memory lane.  So, without further adieu....

Two Years in LA by the Numbers

•     Number of apartments lived in: 2 (1 month in Hermosa Beach, 23 months in Miracle Mile, and currently    in the process of moving to #3 in Los Feliz!)
• Number of plays/musicals seen: 8

• Number of Oscar ceremonies attended: 2
• Number of jobs I held simultaneously for a brief period of time: 3 
• Number of days before I realized I wasn't a super-human and quit one of the aforementioned jobs: 2
• Number of movie premieres attended: 3

• Number of boys I've dated (and by dated I mean to have gone on more than 2 dates with…haha): 3
• Number of trips to NYC to visit Mary: 3

• Number of trips home to OK to visit the fam: 5
• Number of professional LA sporting events attended: 2 (1 Lakers game, 1 Dodgers game)

• Number of freaking earthquakes (that I've actually felt): 3
• Number of times wine tasting: 1 

• Number of times I've been in the audience of television show tapings: 5 (Jimmy Kimmel Live (twice), Ellen, SYTYCD, and Dancing with the Stars... all of which have been when mother is here visiting...haha)
• Number of New Year's Eves spent in Hollywood: 1

• Number of times I've seen my 2nd favorite band, The Sounds: 2

• Number of times I've seen my all-time favorite band, Jacks Mannequin: 4
• Number of dinner parties hosted: 3

• Number of hours spent in my car: too many to count :-( 
• Number of hours spent on the beach: too many to count  :-) 

Five Most Memorable LA Moments

5.) Getting a Christmas present from Victoria Beckham, my gym buddy. ;-) (A bottle of perfume that had "To Annie, Best Wishes from The Beckhams" written on the box). 

4.) Being front row center to Jack's Mannequin "Secret Show" at the Viper Room. 

3.) Going to two charity events/parties at the Playboy Mansion (which I know sounds crazy and scandalous... they were actually very classy and amazing parties, if I do say so myself...!) 

2.) Talking to Taylor Kitsch (Tim Riggins) at the gym. This happened in February of 2009 and my heart STILL beats fast when I think about it!

1.) Going to the Oscars the past two years! And to pinpoint the most memorable moment of my most memorable moment, if you will, talking to Meryl Streep at the Governor's Ball this year! (For more deets on this and the rest of my Oscar experience this year, click here). 

What a lovely (slash random) walk down memory lane that was! Cheers to you, LA... thanks for an awesome two years. Excited to see what fun memories the next two will bring. 

Currently listening: Angel Taylor

Why: I've been really into female singer/songwriters lately, so when I stumbled upon Angel's debut album (Love Travels) on sale for $6.99 on itunes a few days ago, I didn't stand a chance.  ;-)  While she still has some maturing to do in order to reach the levels of Norah Jones or Ingrid Michaelson (whom I looove and whom Angel toured with this spring), her music is definitely enjoyable and relatable. (A few tracks even have Christian undertones, which I found to be a pleasant surprise). I especially like the track entitled "Chai Tea Latte"... I'm not sure if it's the former barista in me digging the title or the all-too-familiar theme of wanting a guy to man up and ask you out.  Either way, I give it two thumbs up. 

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Hail to Thee My Alma Mater.... and All That Jazz.

This week I had the lovely surprise of being featured the University of Oklahoma's homepage (number 3 on the scrolling headlines).  

From OU to the Oscars – 2008 public relations graduate Annie Terracina shares how she came to work the Red Carpet

This link led to a feature story on my job at the Academy.  I had originally been approached and interviewed for this story over a year ago, but it was never published.  I thought it might have just been lost forever, but I was re-contacted for an update interview a few months ago.  Still, I had no idea when or if the story would ever see the light of day, so it was a very fun surprise indeed when it surfaced this week!  There are a few fact errors (For the College Watch Party Contest, actual Oscar Watch Parties from college students were judged and awarded prizes, not simply a "party plan".  Also, I interned at The Regan Group, not "The Reading Group").  But oh well, other than those minor deets, a very well-written article!  

It really means a lot for my beloved OU to acknowledge my post-graduation achievements.  In a student population of more than 30,000 students, I know that I was viewed and cared for as an individual...not simply a lost face in the crowd.  I think this just further solidifies that I am "Sooner born and Sooner bred, and when I die I'll be Sooner dead."  ;-)  Boomer Sooner indeeeeed.  

In other news, I saw Chicago at the Pantages this week!  We had great seats and Michelle Williams (formerly of "Destiny's Child...ha) played Roxie.  It was a jazzy sassy good time.  Those who know me will not be surprised in the least that I have been listening to the soundtrack non-stop since the viewing. My favorite song is "All That Jazz" (such a CLASSIC!), but I am  also very much enjoying "When You're Good to Mama" and "We Both Reached for the Gun."  

I think the 2010-2011 season at the Pantages was tailor-made for me. HAIR, Spring Awakening, Rock of Ages, Phantom of the Opera, AND West Side Story?!?!  I am so excited, I can barely contain myself.  Who wants to go with me?

And finally, how funny is this street sign?  I saw it on Fuller and Franklin I believe (at Runyon Canyon) and it made me laugh a lot.  Whoever did this, I want to be your friend.  

A Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Musical.

We all know that New York City is the mecca of live theatre, but occasionally Broadway shares some of its treasures with us here in LA. I recently had the great pleasure of seeing one of these treasures: Mary Poppins.

I never liked this movie. I don’t know if I just didn’t fully understand the plotline as a child or if the chimney sweeps and bird lady creeped me out too much, but it was on my LEAST favorite childhood movie lists (right after Willa Wonka... the oompa loompas are so frightening!). That said, I’m a sucker for (most) musicals, so when this came to the lovely Ahmanson Theatre in downtown Los Angeles, I put my childhood preferences aside and eagerly bought tickets. Thank goodness I did because this musical was an absolute JOY to watch. I honestly found myself with a huge smile on my face practically the whole time. The performances, set, costumes, colors, music and choregraphy were all exceptional. Also, there was unexpected humor throughout the entire show. While I enjoyed every song, “Step in Time” was my favorite.  (Skip the first minute of this video and) take a little looksie here .This was one of the most enjoyable musicals I’ve ever seen; I very highly recommend it. Get tickets and information here and remember, as the lovely and ever-wise Mary Poppins says, “Anything can happen if you let it.”  

Semi-related sidenote: the night I went to this wonderful show, I accidentally caught my hair on fire! I was leaning over to blow out a candel and my hair was down; the next thing I knew, a flame was rapidly singeing my hair. YOWZA. Luckily I reacted quickly enough to put it out and no serious damage was done, but consider this a PSA: be careful when blowing out candles with long hair! eek.