Lea Michele named one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine

[caption id="attachment_291" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Mathias Clamer / Fox"][/caption]

 Time magazine released the 2010 100  Most Influential People List.  Lea Michele from Glee &  Spring Awakening was among the artists chosen for the list.  Olivia Newton-John "interviewed" her for the story.  It wasn't much of an interview, but I'm glad to see Lea get recognition for inspiring others to get involved in musical theatre. I think it's something the show Glee does as a whole, but with the talent Lea has I can see why she was singled out for the list.  

 I was a musical theatre geek growing up.  I have very fond memories of that time of my life.  My experiences being involved in theatre shaped who I am as a person (the good and the bad). I think the dedication and commitment needed to perform in 2-4 shows a year and attend various types of classes (voice, dancing, etc...) multiple days a week taught me a lot about perseverance and dedication (as well as life in general).  As a kid, it's good to be involved and have something that you are proud of doing.  It's also a great way to interact with others and learn that even though life has its disappointments you'll make it through.  There were parts I really wanted that I didn't get, but I didn't give up.  I practiced harder so for the next show my audition would be even better.   I've applied that to my career.  It's fantastic to hear that kids are getting inspired to get in to the crazy world that is theater. 

 Here is a link to Lea Michele's article: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1984685_1984940_1985535,00.html

Quick Review: This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection

//

Yesterday I blogged about an event I attended where I got to meet Carol Burnett.  I wanted to read this book prior to the event.  Since I usually fall behind on reading when I have a deadline I made it a priority to read this book.  Here is the synopsis from the publisher:

Carol Burnett is one of the most beloved and revered actresses and performers in America. The Carol Burnett Show was seen each week by millions of adoring fans and won twenty-five Emmys in its remarkable eleven-year run. Now, in This Time Together, Carol really lets her hair down and tells one funny or touching or memorable story after another – reading it feels like sitting down with an old friend who has wonderful tales to tell.



In engaging anecdotes, Carol discusses her remarkable friendships with stars such at Jimmy Stewart, Lucille Ball, Cary Grant, and Julie Andrews; the background behind famous scenes, like the moment she swept down the stairs in her curtain-rod dress in the legendary “Went With the Wild” skit; and things that would happen only to Carol – the prank with Julie Andrews that went wrong in front of the First Lady; the famous Tarzan Yell that saved her during a mugging; and the time she faked a wooden leg to get served in a famous ice cream emporium. This poignant look back allows us to cry with the actress during her sorrows, rejoice in her successes, and finally, always, to laugh.

My super quick review of this book is that if you are a fan of Carol's you'll love it. The chapters are short, usually just a few pages, and are dedicated to a single story. I really enjoyed reading the chapters about her co-stars Vicki Lawrence, Harvey Korman, and Tim Conway. I had no idea Vicki was only 18 or 19 when she started on the show. I also enjoyed the chapters on Julie Andrews and Lucille Ball, two of my other favorites. Near the end of the book there is a very touching chapter on Carol's daughter Carrie who passed away. They worked on a project to transform Carol's first book, One More Time, into a play. This is the kind of book I will read over again.

Trouble is a Friend

This is my current obsession of the day.

Carol Burnett and Tim Conway

Tonight I had a fun evening with my friends Carol and Tim, yes I mean Carol Burnett and TIm Conway.  Ok, maybe the night wasn't as intimate as just the three of us, but it was still a joy to see them interact and tell stories. The night was hosted by an organization called Writers Bloc.  They host events with authors who are usually on some sort of press tour for a new book.  Along with the author, they have a second guest who acts as an interviewer to get the conversation going.  I would have been thrilled just to see Carol, but when I saw that Tim was the second guest I knew it would be a great night.

Carol's new book, This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection, was a nice read.  Each chapter is only a few pages and consists of a story.  The stories run throughout her life, but really focus on her career, co-workers, and family.  I've been a fan of Carol for a long time (like most people I suspect).  When I was younger I used to watch reruns of The Carol Burnett Show.  It's been so long since I've seen it that I didn't remember some of the sketches she refers in the book.  I plan on remedying soon.

The event tonight was fun.  It was just Tim and Carol talking and bantering back and forth.  They started out talking about how TV is different now and there aren't many quality programs on anymore.  Carol gave a shout out to Glee and Modern Family for being examples of the rare gems that are on the air currently.  Most of the stories Carol told were from the book, so to me, it was nice to also have Tim's stories about his life.

After about an hour of talking the panel part of the evening ended and a huge line formed for Carol to autograph books.  I waited in line for about an hour and then I reached the table and had this conversation with Carol:

Me: I really enjoyed the book.  It was a great collection of stories.
Carol stops writing and looks up at me and smiles.
Carol: Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

It may have been a short conversation, but it was a good one. ;)  Here are couple of pictures from the night.  If I ever figure out how to load video clips on here I'll post the few I took.  (I got a video of Carol doing her Tarzan yell!) Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture with Carol because it wasn't allowed as she autographed.