People, let's remember that spandex is a privilege, not a right! A crowd of 59 of us got together to go see Mamma Mia at the Pantages and it was FANTASTIC! Sometimes the touring companies don't put on shows equal to the sit-down companies shows, but these guys knocked it out of the park...everyone in the audience was singing and clapping...I enjoyed this show every bit as much as the shows I saw in Las Vegas and London.
A few members of the cast were in the lobby collecting money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and we were fortunate enough to have John Hemphill (Sam Carmichael) agree to take a picture with the Tiara Girls. He was gracious and charming and made for a spectacular Sam Carmichael (and sings ever so much better than Pierce Brosnan). Taking a picture with him was the perfect ending to a perfect afternoon.
A word about my shirt: while I agree that a crystal-ed skull with an eye-patch and a sword running through it does not scream Mamma Mia, it is SOOO me and I LOVE it! Jordan tried to mug me for it, but I fought her off. Youth and skill are no match for age and treachery.
And that's it! If you get a chance to see the show, I'd suggest you grab it. You won't be sorry, and you'll get an renewed appreciation for spandex. Who wouldn't want that? Enjoy!
ABBA rules!
With love and a chorus line of boys dancing in swim fins,
JODI
This was the best birthday EVER!! Two shin digs, more love than you can wrap your head around, Hostess snack cakes, and vodka....a serious recipe for success if ever there was one!
The day started with breakfast in bed (Gail is a great cooker, by the way...if you ever get a chance to stay in this hotel, you should grab it!), and then it was off to the nail shop. All my sisters in one place gettin' prettified...does it get better than having your feet and legs massaged with warmed lotion and hot river rocks while hanging out with your sisters? I think not. Perhaps the only possible topper was the Happy Birthday Serenade performed in Korean. Perfect Nails is an all-service shop, that's for damn sure!!
Okay, to be fair, there was a second topper: the newest inductee into the Sisterhood, the lovely Joanie Bonfiglio (she's in the yellow top) gave me the gift that keeps on giving, a gallon-sized jug of Tito's Handmade Vodka. In case you have not yet picked up on it, Joanie's awesomeness exceeds all superlatives and she will be at all subsequent Sisterhood events. She has also offered to be my designated driver when I head off to Betty Ford.....she's a keeper!!
Pizza and toes and vodka, oh my!!
The evening's festitives were ultra-fabulous too. Greg arrived with two boxes under his arm and told me they both needed to go into the freezer. Want to guess what the boxes contained? Go ahead, guess...give up? Okay, I'll tell you....the first box was bon bons...YUM!. The second box was Flat Iron Steaks from Omaha Steaks. The man brought me frozen beef!! Do I have THE most fabulous friends in the world, or what?!?!?!
Appetizers galore were provided by Michael and Erin Rodriguez (aka Fox Trot One and The Wife, respectively), so folks had plenty in their bellies before Uncle Tito made his entrance. We ate, we drank, we played LCR...we had a blast! Then Michael produced the piece de resistance (get your mind out of the gutter!); he hooked up his Wii and we bowled, played tennis, and boxed...well, tried to box, anyway. I am the least athletic human in all of creation. I am the anti-Michael Phelps. Tragic, but true.
In the end, I had the best birthday I've ever had. I got exactly what I wanted: a rockin' great time with the folks I love that included great food and a semi-copious amount of vodka. Birthdays are AWESOME!!!
With love, laughter, friendship, exquisite toe nails, frozen beef, and a gallon of Tito's,
JODI
Today I saw The Phantom of the Opera for the tenth time. Yes, you read that correctly...ten times. Today's extravaganza was actually a Pfun Pfairy event and I had a crowd of 59 in attendance at today's performance. Michael Rodriguez, cutie pie extraordinaire, manned up and bravely accompanied Jordan, Taylor, and me to the Pantages Theatre. The show itself was good, and on the Tiara Scale of one to five, five being best, we rated it four tiaras.
The actor who sang the role of Raoul wasn't my favorite; he was singing it almost like he was learning the part. The actor who played the Phantom, however, was outstanding....make the OUTSTANDING. You know there's something amiss with the show when you're rooting for the Phantom to win Christine's heart. Rooting for the Phantom is the equivalent of rooting for the Sheriff of Nottingham...no one does that! That I was pulling for the Phantom should give you some indication of how amazingly well the role was played. Kudos to you, talented masked man!!
Usually the line of the day originates from the show itself, but not this time. No, this time the line of day was proffered by the one, the only Diane Whitmer (whom you are required to love and adore as profoundly as I do; it's a Jodi Rule, deal with it). Are you ready? Here it is: at the conclusion of intermission, Diane conspiratorially whispered to me, "Soooo, is a Michael a boyfriend?" I giggled and replied, "Ummm, no, he's married and I am not that lucky!" Diane responded...wait for it...wait for it...."Oh, no, honey, I didn't mean you, I meant the girls." There was a serious implied 'dumb ass' at the end of her sentence. I laughed so hard I actually snorted. Lights down, music up, second act commencing, and I snorted. That was the funniest interaction I have had in recent memory, and a million thanks go to Diane for giving me a genuine laugh amidst all the craziness of the last few weeks. DIANE WHITMER ROCKS!
It was a good day all the way around: the company was stellar, the show was entertaining, the rain held off, traffic was only moderately diabolical, and I made the discovery that I can eat a taco whilst driving. Does it get better than that? I just don't think so!!
With love, tiaras, and Taco Bell,
Auntie Jodi (aka The Pfun Pfairy)
