Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore...

So... the only term I can use to describe this past week is "whirlwind".. or, perhaps to stay in true "Wizard of Oz" form, as a "twister."

- Monday I worked on the new pilot "Masters of Sex." I had to report to the middle-of-nowhere-Queens, and then take a shuttle to a RUNDOWN HOSPITAL, which used to function as a sanitarium (complete with non-functioning elevators, abandoned hospital beds and lead paint), where I donned some pretty hot 1950s secretary attire. My friend was worried I had answered some random Craigslist posting and would wind up on some sketchy X-rated website when I described my situation to her. No worries folks, it's a Showtime  pilot. Pretty PG. As you can see, the "adult entertainment industry" would make absolutely no money off of this look: 

But God bless my hair and make-up ladies, right?

This shot was a ton of fun.  I was a one of the ladies hoping to get hired by the lead doctor... and you know who his secretary was played by? The horrible mother in "Million Dollar Baby." She was hilarious, and in between takes, kept in character, and went on a tirade about Venereal Disease. If you know the background of this show and/or the Masters and Johnson movement, you get this. I almost died laughing.... in my cat eye frames.

Then, yesterday, I got to play someone living in 2012, which after the elephants, wool coats and teased hair of the 1920s and 50s respectively, was a wonderfully refreshing change.   

For the new ABC pilot "666 Park Ave," I was an attendee at the New York Philharmonic, and an invited guest to the after-show cocktail party. The scene was filmed in Alice Tully Hall at Julliard, where the Philharmoic plays. WIN.

And, I had the opportunity to dress up to the point of looking like some extremely wealthy senator's wife. 

Double win.

Sooooo, I got to wear lovely cocktail attire (and some production-provided "bling"), be part of the "audience" while the Philharmonic played the second movement of Beethoven's 7th Symphony (my absolute favorite!!!!) and rub shoulders, literally, with Vanessa Williams and Terry O'Quinn (of 'LOST' fame). Oh, and Dave Annablel was there, too. All of this and more totally makes up for the fact that this shoot went until one in the morning. 

What a night.

I'd post a picture, but again, those darn confidentially contracts ruin all of the fun.

Anyways, this show promises to be quite amazing, and I do hope it's picked up by ABC. And, based on the money they spent on the shoot last night, I would venture to say it has a VERY good shot.

Then this morning, I woke up and joined AFTRA. The screen actors Union.

And tomorrow I sign with my my very first talent manager.

What. A. Week.

Toto, we're definitely not in Kansas anymore.

xo,

Brooke

Life is like a box of chocolates...

I couldn't think of a title suitable enough to adequately describe the randomness of this past couple of weeks.... so, I digress to my friend Forrest Gump.

Anyways.. since we last spoke, I:

-Visited Staten Island for the first time

- Saw "Priscilla Queen of the Desert" (which I loved) and "Wit" (which I loved equally, but didn't love how much of a sobbing mess I allowed myself to become...)

- stayed up later than I ever have in my life - thanks to two of my State Fair friends who were visiting for the week

- visited my first 1920s CIRCUS (aka:  my first day on set of "Boardwalk Empire") where I shared a set with an actual elephant (named Minnie),  a "Tall Man" (6'7"!) and the "World's Largest Woman" (definitely NOT the world's largest woman, but TVmagic will make her believable). ALSO, I had a "child" (who was 15!) and a husband (who was circa 55).  

Like my swanky coat?

~~~

So, that's what I've been up to.

Next week I dive into a couple of pilots. One being for a new Showtime series called "Masters of Sex." Don't worry, it's not as weird as it sounds... I had to explain this one to my mom a couple of times ;)

It's about the work and subsequent book of William Masters and Virginia Johnson in the late 50s/early 60s, and sounds like it could hit "Mad Men" status. I had a fitting and a haircut for this show last week, and I'll be playing a secretarial applicant, hoping to be hired by William Masters. Should be entertaining.

The other pilot is for an ABC supernatural show starring "Brothers and Sisters" star Dave Annabel. 

He's a stud.

So, I'm busy keeping busy.

And enjoying the almost summer-like weather NYC has been enjoying :)

Cheers,

B

Back in Action!

I'm back from vacay.... 

and ready to once again take on this Big Old City.

Instead of rehashing everything from the past couple of weeks, I'm going to give you a a bulleted rundown of all things noteworthy/crazy/really cool/hilarious. 

Here goes. The following are a few highlights from Brooke's Life, Feb. 8-23: 

- having the stars align (and with the obvious help of a divine someone from above) being home just in time to sing at a funeral of a wonderful man who had left written instructions to his family, requesting me to be the one to cantor his funeral. He had loved hearing me sing since my "Music Man" days, and I felt honored to be asked. Rest in peace, Bob. Cannon Falls lost a legend.

- finding a swimming suit that actually fit at the LAST store I drug myself in to. It's a MIRACLE I tell you!! Ladies, you know what I mean.

- seeing my voice teacher/friend/fairy godmother Melissa in the Guthrie's production of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." She played a wonderfully heartbreaking "Big Mama." Brava, MH.

- leaving on a jet plane... and subsequent semi-sketchy black 1999-model SUV (apparently the "luxury" taxi) to get to Ixtapa with my parents and two great friends from high school. Maggie, Jackie and I had only one rule: "Have fun. Don't be an a--hole." We thought it was especially brilliant, and figured it covered all of the bases of drowning, dieing, or doing anything else that might affect the other travelers' ability to enjoy their vacation.

Valentine's Day

 Excursion Day (complete with adult beverages served in pineapples and coconuts)

 Hasta Luego Dinner

 Oh, and we got light-up "diamond" rings from our good friend Big Mike.... who worked out a sweet deal with his jeweler friend Rudy. He dropped some major dinero...... or so he claims.

OH! And, this:

-"Gossip Girl" didn't cut me! Yay!

I sadly didn't get to see the episode when it aired. Although we had found a semi-legit Mexican sports bar that claimed they had "every channel (we) Americans watch".... they didn't have the CW. Liars. Maggie got so mad she threw her daiquiri on the floor.... But, major thanks to my friends back home for the texts!

Back to the highlight list...

- having three hour-long massages on the beach.... for only $25!! I gave them a substantial tip for having to put with the the rope of knots I have formed around the shoulders. I know where I carry stress!

- returning home to quickly fit in a traditional "Bachelor night" with my State Fair peeps, a dinner with Melissa and Jerry where I was able to renew my resolve to continue fighting that good fight known as "New York, you may eat me up and spit me out, but let me have a few good months, ok?", and a moment to ensure my stand-in motherly figure, that no, I haven't encountered a "Casting Couch" situation. Don't believe everything you see on "Smash."

- having my luggage arrive in New York on a flight hours before I even got there, even though all of my flights were delayed. I can't even begin to comprehend how that works.... 

AND, last but not least, I found this in my mailbox upon my return:

My friend Rachel sends the best Valentines.

~~~~~~

So, now what?

I've got a hundred different balls in the air. Musical auditions and background stuff in the decades of the 20s AND 50s next week,  countless submission for short films I'm hoping to be asked to audition for, and two visitors who I feel compelled to show a good time.... although with these two, good times usually find us, so I'm not too concerned. 

I'll update soon!

xo,

B

ON HIATUS

Dear Readers:

I will be taking a two week leave of absence from blogging.

I'll be off to Minnesota for a few days,  followed by Mexico for a bit of vacay. I'm super pumped to lay in the sun, spend some time with two of my high school besties and my parents, and drink some margaritas....

.... because after I return, I'll be jumping straight into Prohibition:

I'm booked as a season-long "middle class lady" on HBO's Boardwalk Empire. 

Woo hoo!

I had my winter season costume fitting last week, and received an awesome 1920s vintage dress, heels, wool coat with FUR around the neck, and a cutesy little hat. I'm in love. 

However, since this show is completely authentic (including an EXACT, true-to-scale replica of the 1920's Atlantic City Boardwalk), us ladies were reminded to leave our bras at home. No joke. 

So, this coming spring/summer shall be an interesting one. No booze. No bras.

Until next time~

xo,

B

PS: My "Gossip Girl" episode airs on Monday, February 13th. That evening I'll be trying to convince a bar owner in Mexico to turn on the show. I'm not sure I'll have much success, so let me know if you see me! :)

Subway Stories

Mars is totally in retro-grade.

I never was a big believer in that whole planetary-motion notion (don't get me wrong, the first thing I read in "Glamour" is my horoscope), but now I'm a believer.

Crazy sh*t is happening.

Within one hour of waiting for, and subsequently boarding, the B-train home the other night, I was privy to overhear both of these conversations:

1)

Obvious semi-mentally unwell woman to poor clerk who runs the magazine/candy stand on the Rockefeller Center Station platform: 

Woman: "Five packets of Tylenol PM."

Clerk: (goes to get the meds) "That'll be $3.50, ma'am."

Woman: (gives Clerk a $5)

Clerk: (goes to get her change)

Woman: GIVE ME MY CHANGE! MY CHANGE!

Clerk: (just stares at her, like, lady, that's exactly what I'm doing right now.)

Woman: "You give me my change. Stop clownin' (as in, clowning around.)! Stop your clownin'! You think you such a clown."

(Now, other people start taking notice. Not because it would be odd to see an actual clown on the subway, but because we worried this woman would jump over the counter and start strangling the poor clerk who was approximately 1/3 her size).

The clerk gets her change to her as quickly as he can, and she tells him once again what a clown he is.... "You always playin' the clown with me. Stop clownin'!" Finally satisfied that she has made him realize the error of his "clownin'" ways, she puts her change and Tylenol away, takes two steps, and then turns back to him and with gusto yells, "THE CIRCUS IS OVER, P.T. BARNUM!"

Hysterical.

At this point, I stop thinking of this woman as straight-up crazy because she just gave me a new, hilarious, snarky and brilliant "final word." If you're half as sarcastic as I am, you'll appreciate this.  If someone is acting a fool, quite simply remind them the circus is over. That'll surely show them.

2) 

While still silently laughing about Tylenol PM Hoarder telling off the mute Clerk, I had the great opportunity of sitting right next to a couple that was completely HAMMERED. They apparently had stayed at the guy's workplace happy hour far past the time they had both agreed to leave. The woman, who had a hard time keeping her head up, was furious at her boyfriend, who, also semi-concisous, had taken her Chap-Stick from her and thrown it across the street.

I felt this girl's pain because I myself am a Chap-Stick addict... hell, I would have left his sorry-self and headed across the street to retrieve it... but, I guess that never crossed her mind...

Girlfriend: "WHY??? WHY did you do that? (head bobs around for a minute) You.....you know how much I need my Chap-Stick! Why did you throw it across the road??!!"

Boyfriend: (doesn't speak, but looks like he knows he's in deep shit, then proceeds to fumble through his pants pockets and reveals HIS Chap-stick for her to use).

Girlfriend: "That's not the cherry kind you, a**hole!!!"

(agreed, Cherry is the superior Chap-Stick)

She resigns to the fact that her Cherry Chap-Stick is long gone, she has to get up for work in 4 hours and that her boyfriend is an idiot, and falls asleep on his shoulder. 

Adorbs. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And, in addition to all of this, opossums are now riding the D-Train:

I wish I were kidding.

Grrrrrreat.

~~~~~~~

-B.

Snow-my-god it's freezing.

COLD

I grew up in Minnesota. 

I survived the Halloween Blizzard of '91 (although my princess costume sustained some significant water damage).

I've slipped on ice a bajillion times and can still laugh at myself.

I put my car in the ditch FOUR times last winter... all in one day. (That takes talent, people.)

However, saying all that, I'm finding it HARD to get up enough courage to venture outside in New York's finally-arrived winter.

The cold here is BRUTAL. Even though my iPhone claims the temperature has never dipped in negative digits, I'm convinced it's a dirty liar.
And, I've decided I live on a street that seconds as a arctic air wind tunnel.
I have found myself re-watching the Hawaiian-set episodes of "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" (which I'm unashamedly obssessed with), just to stay mentally warm.

However, I saw my first snow of the year a couple of days ago, and it made me happy. So, I guess I can stop complaining. 

Another thing that made this week a little warmer? Spotting my neighbor Kevin Bacon.

Yes, I was heading out of the cleaner's with my laundry (I ALWAYS see celebs whilst with laundry.....) and he was standing on the corner waiting to cross the street. He's quite small in person, and one could easily overlook him on the street. But, I'd been on the look-out even since I knew he lived in the neighborhood, so I was pretty pumped. I feel like I spotted some endangered species or something.... now I just need Bonnie Smith to head over to this coast so we can start our 24-hour surveillance of him.

Just kidding...... Kind of.

CUT

Yes. My much-anticipated debut as a background "actress" was a bust.

The scene I did in the restaurant for "Law & Order" was cut, but I'm banking on being seen on this week's episode (airing on Wed. night on NBC!) with Harry Connick Jr (because NO one is going to cut a scene with Harry Connick in it, right?? Say a little prayer...)

Anyways, if you see a Pam Beasley-looking receptionist through the window of the D.A.'s conference room, it's likely me. I did a lot of filing that day ;)

CATCH UP

So, what else am I up to these days.... Well, I worked again last week on "Blue Bloods." I was up at 4am, on the train to the shoot location at 5am and then 9 hours later I was back in bed trying to defrost from filming outside. UGH. But, hey, it's a pay check, right?

This week I'm backing off the TV stuff for a bit, and focusing more on my up-coming theater auditions. I've started regular voice lessons again (didn't realize how much I missed those...), am searching for new monologues to use (didn't realize how much I HATE those....) and have a few meetings with industry pros this week. 

I hope your week is off to a great start, despite being knee-deep in this winter nonsense.

I'll be back soon!

-B 

Swoon-worthy

I worked on "Law & Order: SVU" again this past Thursday.

The holding room was the jail cell set. 

So, I sat "behind bars" for a good chunk of the day.....

....dressed in various Pam Beasley-inspired costumes.

Exhibit A:

(Yes, I felt like a total geek in my sweater sets, but the awesome lunch they gave us pretty much made up for that so I forgive them.)

I played one of the receptionists in the District Attorney's office..... and who played the D.A.?

HARRY. CONNICK. Jr.

I about fell off my office chair when he smiled at me.

In case you're wondering... YES. He's just as adorable in person. :)