To Hair is Human...

Hi Pals,
So my hair has been REALLY long for almost a year and I am having trouble parting with it. Especially since chicks seem to dig it! ;-)










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We are trying to decide whether or not to incorporate it into the design of the characterWHAT DO YOU THINK?? Send me a COMMENT and let me know which you like better.

So, things are going very well. Of course, we are working our buns off. Right now my day looks like this.
Sleep
wake up around 8 or 9 am.
warm up
Producer Business/Phone Calls/Web Stuff/Crew stuff/PR stuff
Forget to Eat something
Go to Rehearsal
Rehearse
Come home.
Remember to eat something.
DO Re-writes until 2am. S

ometimes, if I'm lucky I get to go to Yoga.
best,
J

My first Blog

Wow. This is my first blog. My cast members said they would kill me if I didn't get into the flow...So, here I go. The rehearsal process is going very well. Sometimes I get nervous that we will run out of time with Guy Stroman because of our limited time with him but I know it will all work out in the end. The cast is gelling and the creative team is second to none. We are truly blessed to have the team we have assembled. As I described at the first rehearsal, when I played baseball growing up I always day dreamed about being on the Little League All Star Team with the best players in the league. I feel like I am doing that with Minimum Wage right now. We have assembled my dream team. From the directors to our Executive Producer Team, to the Creative Team, everyone is just kicking ass right now. I am very proud.

I will say it right now in this blog: this show is going to be a success. It is going to sell and we are going to have a blast entertaining audiences for months to come. It's a dream man. We are living a dream. I am not promising the next big Broadway hit. But, I am predicting that whoever comes into that theatre is going to have fun, they are going to tell their friends about the fun they had, and word will spread. That is a given. The reason I feel this way is everyone involved with this show is a fun maker. We specialize in helping people be happy and kick back. Right now in rehearsal we are working our butts off to build a monster of entertainment, giggles and escape for our audiences one poop joke at a time. Goodnight ya'll. See you at 45 Bleeker in a month. Buy tickets tomorrow at burgerboys.com because the discount is going away by the end of the week.

REHEARSALS and MORE!

So we've officially started our 6-8 hour rehearsal days. Whew! It's fun but exhausting.

DIRECTOR!

Guy Stroman our Director is an amazing match to our style of working. Guy actually worked with Stuart Ross and starred in Forever Plaid. I think back all th0se years ago when Jeff and I lived in Colorado and people would say "Minimum Wage" reminds me of a twisted contemporary version of "Plaid". Since I heard this so much it worried me and so I refused to see "Plaid" cuz i wanted to remain autonomous from it's influence. And now, here we are working with someone who I never imagined I would get the chance. Someone who's show is one of the most popluar OFF BWAY hits in American History. THRILLING!


Guy matches our style so well, cuz he enjoys working on the fly and crafting or reworking stuff as we go along, so the show is getting minor tweeks in all the right places. And it's also involves the cast so it's great cuz we get their insights, feelings about characters etc. I think it will only strengthen the show cause we're all trying for the best result. This challenges Jeff and I to go home after our rehearsals and write new scenes to help the project, often times staying up til 2 am or getting up at 6 am before our early calls so that we can have new stuff to read and see how it works. So that has been a great experience.

FRINGE CLOSING PARTY! (goodbye my lil Friend Fringe, we'll see you next year!)

Well, last night was the FringeNYC closing party and we performed the song "Dreams" from our show. We were so thankful and honored that Elena and FringeNYC would ask us. And I had a blast seeing all the familiar faces and outstanding award winners. So wonderful to see so many creators packed into one room.

BUT....Well..we didn't get to sound check and as we attempted to get through the song, it was just riddled with feedback and varying levels. Eventually it was just too much for us and we put the mics down and stepped forward and sang without sound.

If it was a small house I think I would have been fine, but it was a packed event and so I overcompensated to be heard. STUPID MISTAKE!

It was terrible. Not the best way to kick off our first performance in public for this run and I'm really feeling the effects today and very concerned. My throat is so raw it feels like shredded wheat or like I have strep or something. I think from now on, we're going to HAVE to request soundchecks, otherwise, we'll kill ourselves.

I'm going to have to be quiet all day and just hope that the rest will help. We start 7 hour rehearsals again today and I'm just praying I'll be ok.

BURGER SUITS?!?!

I'm also excited cuz for the very first time we'll have a costumer on our show. He's truly amazing and has a ton of experience under his belt. We've usually had a person to consult and do minor things but this is going to be different. I can't wait to discuss and flesh out the characters more and give them each their unique quality.

I've included a few pics of new character sketch ideas I did just for fun.

And thats it for today...

Ahhh...the road to OFF BWAY!

The Morning After...

So, last night was really really cool.
It was our first time to be with some of the creative team all at one big table doing a read through. I must admit, at first I was so excited that my heart was racing faster than Lindsay Lohan's on 2 8-Balls of coke.
Today is our first really long rehearsal with the illustrious Guy! AND I had to go to Aruba Productions today to run an errand for Charlie...
So I decided to document the trip to Aruba and our land marking rehearsal with pictures!
This is me ready for the day...

This is the Aruba Logo I found out side their door way...

This is the lobby of the place where we are rehearsing. Nice, eh? The guy behind the desk makes you stop so he can take your picture and everything!

This is Guy and Jeff talking...

My home girl E-slice oing over some new script ideas...

Billy, doing an impersonation of Elvis, but somehow looking worse than the king did, even when he was found dead next to a toilet filled with narcotics and poo.

Jeff preparing our throats ....

And finally Chalire being.... well... Charlie...


So THAT! my fair feathered friends is a verrrrry brief visual run down our day today, and I MUST be off to bed!

I must admit, I am so excited about this show. Words can't explain.

peace

NYC to Baltimore and back to NYC

Hey,
Just got back from Baltimore. Billy and I were both on a corporate gig for a big Rite Aid conference. It actually turned out to be a lot of fun--we were able to work with some really cool people in the cast and David G. Armstrong, who is a wonderful director.

This is the third time I have worked with this production company--the last time I worked with them it was in New Orleans and three days later Hurricane Katrina hit. I'd have been smack dab in the middle of Katrina had my time line been a bit different. Kinda makes ya think, ya know?

Anyway, we did kind a of a cool show that was a parody of old black and white courtroom dramas. The entire live performance was in black and white and so the sets, the costumes and the makeup were all in black and white. Really cool idea. Here's a pic of Billy as the Attorney for the Defense.

Yeah, it looks a little bit freaky, but the overall effect is pretty cool when you see it all within context.

Here's a pic of me as the Bailiff

I look like a fat gray smurf or Dennis Franz in a samurai movie.

Notice David in his bright orange sweater in the background! Cool, huh?

Anyway, good to be back in NYC and to start rehearsals for Mini Wage!

fritattas,

-Jeff

Spanglish

Hi Guys and Gals!

I missed my blog last night, so please forgive me. BUT I'M HERE NOW!!!!

So, what shall we chat about today......

Well, it's morning and I'm relaxing a bit before the day starts. I think early mornings are my favorite time of the day.
They always start with me walking blindly towards the kitchen to perk up that coffee. Boy that smell wakes up my veins and my eyes slowly begin to open.....do I have an addiction? NAH!! Don't be silly.....

So then, I sit in front of the computer and go through some emails, make some calls, get my calendar in order.

Let's see what today will bring.

First I have a McDonalds voice over audition where I'll have to talk about the new Big Mac Burger deal.....mmmmmmmmmm.........how fitting for a burger girl.

Then I'm off to do a voice over for the MTV Tres Artist of The Month. This is where I have to read everything in english with an MTV hipster voice and then suddenly give my spanish flair during the MTV "TRES" tagline. Sort of like Spanglish.

I learned SPANGLISH from my Dad. You never know what language he's going to speak. Sort of like this......."Can you bring the agua from the table para el almuerzo Elena?" Then sometimes he means one thing but is really saying something totally different. Really not Spanglish at all......just plain confusing. For example, last weekend at a wedding this is what he said, "Hey those people on the dance floor are like the TIFFANY dancers eh?" We all smile, but don't really know what the hell he means. Then my Mom turns to us and whispers "He means CHIP AND DALES dancers." So yeah, MTV Tres is a piece of cake.

OK......so then at some point I have to walk Otis, my dear little french bulldog. Here's a picture of him, the other love in my life.



Later I'm off to rehearsals with the guys.

Well, It's time to start my day.........Adios Amigos!!!

Elena or Piercy

Fringe Central, First Check and Hairstyles?

TICKETS available at http://www.burgerboys.com/

Wow. So it's been a crazy week. Lots of Woodsmen and Hipsters.

What can i tell you guys...well...I 've been spending tons of time at Fringe Central(FC) for the Fringe Festival. We have a Minimum Wage booth there and are selling Tix for 50% off ...only $20! It's just during the Fringe Fest so it's a fantastic deal. So we have to staff the booth, man it, and make sure it's pretty. In the course of 3 weeks we've moved the booth 3 times until finding the perfect spot. I have to say thanks to all the SUPER friends and Burgerpals that have helped us. We've had to cover over 150 hours thus far, so it' hasn't been a bunwalk. Fun though.

Here are some shots of the set up a few weeks back and some of our fave fringe friends at FC.Booth Location Numero Uno.

K Bartlett helps hang the signage!

Jill gives tips - "No Kev, Higher to the Left!", while Alexa "Fringe Goddess #2" actually makes it out front for a breather.

Carolyn Writer/Director "Antarctica" with a bag of SCHTUFF!

Taty (Chuck Norris) maintains the fringenyc website.

The week was also full of meetings meetings meetings.

Was at Aruba production several times where we met and interviewed a ton of creative types such as lighting designers, Stage Managers, costumers, Set Designers and more for our killer burgerboy theatrico sqaud.

Only one more day of interviews and then it will hopefully be done and we'll be ready to go. WHEW!

While there one day I got to meet Joe Corcoran the gent who brought "Tony & Tina's wedding" to the world. He was very nice and I got to hear the scoop on their secret marketing ideas and such, which were actually pretty cool.

I also got to see the first check from our investor. It made my third testicle drop. It actually had quite an effect on me and we're a tiny show. We don't got tons of bank like other OFF BWAY, We really are a grass roots gang, LEAN AND MEAN... but we got help. And to see and know that someone believes in my brother and my vision so much that they have truly invested in us. Well, it made my week!

And lastly, it's time to start thinking about Orwell's look for the show. Here are the fun hair straightened results. The next question...should I dye it? And should I keep the glasses for the guy? hmmm....

Look our Chris Angel i'm coming for you. I just need news abs and some leather pants!

Ok, so thats it for this week... ORWELL out!

Why see Minimum Wage?

Minimum Wage

opens September 28th, 2007 Off Broadway

the Bleecker Street Theater

45 Bleecker Street, NYC

tix: www.burgerboys.com

Hello all.... even though Jeff technically blogged on my day, i'm still glad he did..... i'm just going to have to break at least 2 of his knees.

Now then!!!! I thought I would share with you a dialog I heard between a new york Hipster, and a Rural Woodsmen out side of our theatre at 45 Bleeker....





Hipster: Wow that show looks, like, amazing. I just have this feeling that the cast will change my life with their voices and comedy. I feel a deep connection all ready.

Woodsman: You wanna talk about a deep connection you little punk? How about this deep connection... I was in the middle of the Amazon Rain Forest, with nothing but the shredded clothes on my back. After suffering terrible dysentery from drinking the infected river water i tried to get some sleep. However, during my slumber a snake came to me, bit me, and riddled my body with deadly poison. Just when I thought I was dead, from the depths of the forest appeared the cast of Minimum Wage. They looked at my snake bite, and instead of sucking the poison out, they began to sing in a deliciously nourishing harmony and the sound waves lifted the poison from my body and exploded in air. After they performed their life saving song, they faded back into the forest. THAT my young friend, is a deep connection. I've had their voices IN me.

Hipster: Wow. that's, like, amazing. So are you gonna see the show?

Woodsman: Of course. ... ...but I need a date.

Hipster: (**clears throat and looks awkward**)

Woodsman: ...I really like your neck tattoo.

Photo Schmooot with K-Dawg!!

Minimum Wage

opens September 28th, 2007 Off Broadway

the Bleecker Street Theater

45 Bleecker Street, NYC

tix: www.burgerboys.com

Hola Burgerbuns,

Sheesh, I'm tired. I just got home about an hour ago and had to weed thru 800 emails in my mailbox. And now I am here to blog to you.

Isn't Blog a stupid word? Actually, one of the most hated phrases coined on the internet is "blogosphere". I think it was the second most despised. What lame assbag came up with that?

So we had a photo shoot today. Our good friend and excellent photographer ( among his many talently talents) Kevin Scott agreed to do a photo shoot with us this morning. We have always affectionately referred to him as K-Dawg since the FringeNYC festival in 2002. I cannot say enough good things about him! Absolutlel LOVE him!!



And when I say this morning, I mean we were up at 5:30 am carting a duffle bag full of costumes to the Pit Theater in Manhattan. We were able to commence shooting around 7 am in the Pit Theater space. If you haven't ever been to the Pit, you should check it out-some really great improv goes on there and we know many of their regulars. Such luminaries as Kevin Scott, Kimmy Gatewood, Jen Nails, Ptolemy Slocum and many others...

Anyway, here's a quick vid of this early morning debacle.
balls,
J

To Be A Burger Girl

Today was hot.....
I felt sticky as I ran around the city, but I didn't let that get me down.

Around four o'clock in the afternoon, I found myself in front of the FRINGE headquarters....ready to sell some tickets. I realized after waiting for a purchaser that maybe I should have worn a bikini. YES!!! That's brilliant! I'll do it next time and get some real sales BURGERBOYS!!! Don't tell my Mom though!

Yours Truly,
PIERCY

Minimum Wage's Burgerboy Blog KICKS OFF!!!

Hey Burger Mavens!

Starting today, we're officially starting our Burgerboy Blog. Each of our burger squad will blog everyday to give you the ins and outs as we prepare for our Off Bway run.

Heres how it will work:

Orwell: Mondays

Bradbury: Tuesdays

Piercy: Wednesdays

Hux: Thursdays

Titus: Fridays

We think it's a cool way to document taking our small show from it's grassroots to well...more grassroots. : P

And it will be interesting to see 5 different points of view.

So I guess I'll start with my rundown of last week. BTW, I know, I know...we're starting on Tuesday. I came home at 11:45 pm after a super full day of meetings and rehearsal and fell asleep on the couch.

It's quite amazing how fast everything has to move once you've signed that theatre lease and have your team on board. That's when the realization kicks in "Holy Gumballs, we're doing in this and we have a million things to prep!"

So I got to go down to our theatre 45 Bleecker St. and met with Louis who runs the joint. We had a great discussion about space for putting up signage and I also got to look over the place and see all the renovations that have taken place.

It's really gonna be great when they are finished. There is going to be a cafe/bagel shop in the lobby, with double doors that open to the street and there are tons of windows so it will be really nice place to hang and have a cup of j.

I'm happy to say there is TONS of space for signage on the building. 45B has two theatres and they are officially opening for business in september with our show...Minimum Wage and hopefully another soon to be announced.

So we discussed our signage, what spaces we could have, etc. I got totally excited by this as we've NEVER had a theatre that was our own where we could hang signage and really make it our own. So, I immediately went home and drafted an image in photoshop to estimate costs and how it would look visually. The image is below, but unfortunately cuz it's 75 dpi it's pretty muddy.

Ok. thats it for today. I'm off to Aruba Productions where we are interviewing all kinds of positions to be filled for the show, such as Stage Manager, Set Designer, Lighting, and more. then it's off to another rehearsal.

Whew. Gonna be another long one!

MiNiMUM WaGE to open (finally!) OFF BROADWAY!!

Well, it's official.

We are finally officially, officiallllly opening the show, MiNiMUM WAGE in New York City! We are working with Aruba Productions and everyone is very excited about this version of the show. It's been a long haul since the first version of this show at FringeNYC in 2002, but damn, it's pretty cool!

We're going to be working our butts off. (I'm already shagged out right now, we had nothing but meetings, meetings, meetings today!!)

Check this out! This is one of our new poster designs.

We met with Barbara, Taryn and Elizabeth, our advertising pros to discuss 'em. (Big first for us--usually our advertising was as elaborate as a plate of meatballs that spelled out "Mimim Wag." We couldn't help ourselves and usually ate the "n", the "u" and the "e."

..."e's" are tasty.)

You may not see this design around town though, I don't think the folks at EMG liked it very much. Something about we need to show more thigh.