Logan is "Benny" in RENT!

Last week, a friend of mine sent a link to an article in the NY Times (see below). The two things I loved most about the article were summed up in two phrases:

“Ask for what you want. Then stick around.”

“The idea is to take pleasure in life, and be willing to be pleased.”

The other pithy quote to cling to when things get tough ~ "it takes 20 years to be an overnight success."

This afternoon, I watched Logan in RENT. He played "Benny." I sat in a row of criers. It was wonderful. It was moving and sad and deeply transcendent.

For Logan, everything is coming up roses. From RENT, he goes on to the lead in "Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson" in Portland. He did, in fact, "ask for want he wanted" and, most importantly, he "stuck around." He never gave up. He worked. He studied. He practiced. And, he has prevailed. 20 years? Yup, just about that.

The truth about us in the Behrens-Benedict clan? We really have taken pleasure in life and best of all ~ "we are willing to be pleased."

And, for all of that, I am deeply grateful.

Day 63 Everyday Grateful ~

Logan in "Rent" and friends in the audience

Heaven!

Mini Urban Edens - In the Garden - NYTimes.com

www.loganbenedict.com

Logan Benedict is Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson ~ All Good News!

Sometime between October 11 and November 4th, I'll be on the train to Portland to see Logan in "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson."

This morning, I received the following email: 

I was offered my first title role in the Portland Premiere of a new musical called “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.” This theatre attracts the best people in Portland, so it’s an honor to get the offer. It’s also exciting to know the whole cast is going to be great.

It’s almost impossible to explain what the show’s about without totally confusing you, so I’ve attached links to clips and features on the Broadway version. Artistically this is going to be an amazing character to portray and develop, so I couldn’t be more excited.

It’s a new and intimate theatre, but it gets tons of buzz and I’m certain this will be the most talked about show this fall. It’ll run 10/11-11/4 and has an option for a two week extension, which will happen most likely.

“Rent” starts rehearsals a week from Wednesday, and I’ll start “BBAJ” 9/11. Things are looking up! Enjoy the clips.

(I left the grandparents off this email due to the swearing . . . and general adultness of the show . .  . so I’ll inform them separately.)

Love,

Logan

http://www.loganbenedict.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F38kGsMr5s4

This is a seven minute piece that PBS did on the show. The writer talks about the how he shaped the characters. Probably the best video to explain the madness of this musical. Very cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRSlBjNhqjY
5 minutes of Jackson music. It’s basically like doing a drama, a comedy and a rock concert every night. GREAT music. Best example of what you’re going to see me do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkKUuCRf55U
This clip has interviews from the writers and the original star with pics/vids from the show and discussions on parallels between Andrew Jackson and today’s politics.
http://portlandplayhouse.org/season-five-we-the-people
Theatre Site
http://theater.nytimes.com/2010/10/14/theater/reviews/14bloody.html?pagewanted=all
New York Times Review
http://www.portlandmonthlymag.com/arts-and-entertainment/articles/best-diversions-may-2012/
Voted Best Theatre
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Portland-Playhouse/117958841762
Theatre’s Facebook page. Some nice photos of past productions