In “Investigate! Interrogate!”, Ham (Tommy Amoroso) is distraught and shares his humiliation with his wife (Tikka Smiley). She calms him down by hatching a conspiracy against Mo. In a musical counterpoint, Esther (Zalyzza Govia) is sharing her very different perspective, while the chorus (Michelle Kettrick, Leah Becker, Sedona Jones) is “investigating” in the background, complete with Sherlock Holmes-style magnifying glasses. … Read More
Perversity (feat Brice Leunkeu)
Another clip from our rehearsal of “Perversity, our “patter song”. Watch Mr. Verious (Mitch Lauer), Ham (Tommy Amoroso), and Brice Leunkeu (Uncle Mo) work through the details. If you want a challenge, try to keep up! Come to the Kingston Fringe Festival so you too can see what unfolds…Tickets are now on sale at https://www.whoisesther.net/tix
Every great song has its motions (that move emotions)
When you think of great moves and great causes you quite often relate the motions with the words. Have you ever sung YMCA without the arm motions? When you hear Queen’s We will Rock, you aren’t you tempted to stomp-stomp-clap? We feel that after hearing the earworm song of We are Believers, maybe you’ll feel the same way.’ Come to … Read More
Thanks For Your Service To Date (featuring Michelle Kettrick and Mitchell Lauer and Tommy Amoroso)
Vashti (Michelle Kettrick) decides that enough is enough and stands up to Mr. Verious (Mitch Lauer) and his unwanted advances. The “helpful” Ham (Tommy Amoroso) assists Mr. Verious in finding a replacement for Vashti’s role. This scene speaks to an issue that is incredibly important and still relevant today: #MeToo. Exceptionally competent women taken advantage of—or forced to play by … Read More
Ham’s Disgrace (feat. Tikka Smiley and Tommy Amoroso)
Tikka Smiley and Tommy Amoroso sing a clip from “Ham’s Disgrace” during our rehearsals. From the musical Who is Esther in the upcoming Kingston Fringe Festival performance – tickets info here: http://www.whoisesther.com/tickets
An exercise in precision timing: The Perversity Rehearsal
One of the most challenging songs is Perversity, a driven “patter song”. It requires exceptional detail on timing, vocal expression, movement, and acting for every single actor in the scene. Watch Mr. Verious (Mitch Lauer), Ham (Tommy Amoroso), and Brice Leunkeu (Uncle Mo) work through the details. Meanwhile, the chorus (Michelle Kettrick, Sedona Jones, Tikka Smiley, and Leah Becker) is … Read More
Mitch Lauer on the opportunity to play the role of Mr Verious
We pulled Mitch Lauer away from a rehearsal warm-up (listen in the background), and asked him what playing Mr. Verious means to him. A nice, and very personal answer. PS: He was already warmed up.
We Are Believers (feat. Zalyzza Govia, Brice Leunkeu and Michelle Kettrick)
We Are Believers is the show’s anthem song… and also a bit of an earworm – and it’s also an example of how the music can change in the rehearsal. The original arrangement of the song didn’t have a harmony at the end (Thank you Brice Leunkeu). The updated arrangement has the exceptional voice of Michelle Kettrick carrying the lead … Read More
Leah Becker on being part of the Who Is Esther Cast
We asked Leah Becker, who plays the Aide, a Schemer, and a member of the chorus, what she enjoys about being part of the production. Here’s what she said… Who Is Esther Tickets are now available: www.WhoIsEsther.net/tix.
The Perversity laugh track?
Perversity You know, in life laughter and fun are key to success… and the key to putting on a great musical. Our chorus (Michelle Kettrick, Tikka Smiley, Sedona Jones and Leah Becker) has a good laugh during the choreography in the song Perversity. From the musical Who is Esther in the upcoming Kingston Fringe Festival performance – tickets info here: … Read More