Help Marquee Five Record our Debut CD!!!

The time is nigh!!!! Marquee Five, the MAC-Award winning vocal group I'm a member of, is going to record a CD! We've started a Kickstarter.com campaign especially for this project, and we need collaborative donations to help us achieve this wonderful goal. Watch this video and check out our Kickstarter.com campaign page to read more about our goals, plans, and the cool tiered thank you gifts we'd love to give. Even $10 helps (and the minimum is $1!). But we don't get any of the money until ALL of it is pledged by March 31st, 2011. Thanks in advance for your pledges!

Cheers,

Sierra Rein

"I don't sing because I'm happy, I'm happy because I sing" - William James

Sustained Effort: Wise words from Richard Lawson...

I recently received the latest newsletter of my former acting teacher in Los Angeles, Richard Lawson. In it, he writes the following (and also offers a few free open classes in March, so check them out in the link above!). I just thought the sentiment and consistent forward momentum in his words inspirational. It reminds me that we all do need to feed (ie. give sustenance) each other's energies, to keep each other's dreams in focus, no matter the obstacles...I need to remember to make sure my friends and loved ones are engaged and enthused with their passions, even as I strive to keep my own alive and, as Richard says, sustained in effort...

Sustained Effort

As I look back over the 40 years or so that I've been in show business, and I see the number of people who started out with me and are still in the business, which is shockingly very few by the way, there is one thing that I know for sure: They are still here because they sustained their efforts. They had follow-through; they didn't quit because the going got rough or they got tired. Yes, they had disappointments. Yes, they had failures. Yes, they lost their way from time to time. And yes, they felt like giving up at times. But, they didn't. They kept getting back up, dusting themselves off, and getting back into the game. They relied on their support systems, which they were smart enough to set up somewhere along the way, to help them get back on track. In the beginning, some mentor or teacher somewhere helped them understand that the journey was a rollercoaster and they had to ride the highs and lows with equal dexterity. That mentor or training taught them to keep their eyes on the prize and never lose sight of the bigger picture. The bigger picture was clear because they had written it down. It was a plan with their goals and purposes set in place. They understood that this plan helped them to stay on track when things were good, and to get back on track when things were not so good. Thus, no matter what, they were able to sustain their effort.

Cheers,

Sierra Rein

"I don't sing because I'm happy, I'm happy because I sing" - William James

Photo Coverage: James Barbour Opens at Birdland

Posted today, an article and photo coverage at BroadwayWorld.com of James Barbour's opening performance at Birdland. I was a guest singer, as well as pianist/composer Andrew Mancilla and, of course, Broadway vet Merwin Foard.

Cheers,

Sierra Rein

"I don't sing because I'm happy, I'm happy because I sing" - William James

Facebook Statuses 2010

Facebook has allowed for some interesting self-promotional things (events, meetings, status updates). One of my favorite things to do is their status collages, in which random status updates are chosen from the year's collection and posted into one image. Here's this year's collage....a combo of geekdom, musical theater, cabaret, shows, dreams, and a lot of good memories. That's the way I like 'em. Let 2011 be full of "more fun things" as my Mom and Dad used to promise me.

Cheers,

Sierra Rein

"I don't sing because I'm happy, I'm happy because I sing" - William James

End your holidays on a high note - Christmas card!

Inspired by an idea I used for my stepdad's recent birthday card, I made this Holiday card.

make custom gifts at Zazzle

Cheers,

Sierra Rein

"I don't sing because I'm happy, I'm happy because I sing" - William James

Birdland. December 12th. James Barbour. I Sing Music.

Those who read my blog recently saw this entry about my submission for ForTalent.com's online contest to sing at James Barbour's Holiday Concert.

Well...I WON!!!!

I am their #1 contest winner and will be singing live on December 12th. I also won the $150 cash prize. James was kind enough to extend an offer to fellow contestant Jovani McCleary, who is the runner up contest winner and will be singing live at the December 13th show (with a previously unannounced $100 cash prize). I will sing one song of James' choosing (it may be the same "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" that I submitted with, or another) in his 90-minute set. And I just read from James' blog that special guests that evening will be fellow Broadway alums Robert Cuccioli and Merwin Foard!

For those in the NYC area...short notice, I know...but here are the details:

Sunday, December 12th at 6pm, runtime: approx 90 minutes
Purchase tickets online here.

$35 or $45 price

Location: BIRDLAND NYC
315 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036
(212) 581-3080

www.BirdlandJazz.com

Now...what the **** do I wear?!?

Cheers,

Sierra Rein

"I don't sing because I'm happy, I'm happy because I sing" - William James

ForTalent.com Video Submission for the James Barbour Birdland Concert Contest!

ForTalent.com is a social networking site specifically designed for creative types. I'm a member (join and friend me at http://www.fortalent.com/sierrarein). I also submitted myself for an online contest (members only can vote, so join and vote for me!). The contest is for the chance to win a singing spot on stage with James Barbour at Birdland this December 12, 2010, or for two tickets to see the show. James will make his own decision on his singer of choice, but top votes will decide on who will get the tickets. If you can, sign up, friend me, and vote! It would be awesome to see this show, or to BE in it, singing a holiday song with Mr. Barbour!

Go to MY VOTING ENTRY page here: http://www.fortalent.com/contests/ShowContestEntry.do?eid=109247 to vote!!!

And if Mom and Dad are reading this, I have an MP3 of this which will be in your email inboxes shortly. Love you!

** UPDATE 12/7/2010 **

My friend, the lovely Erika Amato (on ForTalent.com/erikaamato), blasted the competition and won with 46 votes for her live concert rendition of "I Miss the Mountains" from Next To Normal. I was 2nd in the video submissions with 25 votes, but only after beautiful audio submission by Cait, which garnered 37 votes (so I was third overall). Erika assures me that I'm her date for the evening, so whether either of us are chosen to sing by James himself or not, we're going to the concert!

Cheers,

Sierra Rein

"I don't sing because I'm happy, I'm happy because I sing" - William James

Review: "Twist of Fate" with Kevin McMullan

As read in a previous blog entry, Sue Matsuki reviews for Cabaret Hotline Online. She came to see "Twist of Fate," the show I'm currently performing in for artist Kevin McMullan. Read the entire article here.

The back up singers: Adam West Hemming, Sierra Rein & Dara Seizman are all STARS in their own right but here they exercise restraint to be exceptionally good supports in this show with knock out vocals and harmonies. Special "props" also to the lovely Dara for her Gypsy Ballet ... it was stunning.

Cheers,

Sierra Rein

"I don't sing because I'm happy, I'm happy because I sing" - William James

Playbill.com Interviews Me! Ok, not really...

I decided to take a cue (okay, blatantly steal) an idea from the blog of actress-singer-coach Erin Cronican, and filled out my own responses to the Playbill.com series of interviews in wich they ask well known theater performers about themselves. Consider this a draft for the actual Playbill.com interview...

Oh, and it's Erin's Birthday today - Happy Birthday Erin! I'm stealing from you!

Full given name: Sierra Aviva Rezendes Rein

Hometown: Oakland, CA

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Audition song: Either "Children of the Wind" from Rags or "Old Fashioned Love Story" from Wild Party, or "I Feel the Earth Move" by Carole King.

Special Skills: puppetry, playing the ocarina.

First Broadway show ever saw: Either Beauty and the Beast or An Inspector Calls - field trip in High School.

First West End show: Smokey Joe's Cafe, with my Dad.

If you could go back in time and catch any Broadway show, what would it be?: Evita.

Current show you have been recommending to friends: Avenue Q

Favorite show tune: Just one?!? Picking out of a hat..."Don't Rain On My Parade" from Funny Girl...

The one performance – attended - that you will never forget: Patrick Stewart's one-man version of A Christmas Carol. Taught me how the choices of one actor can tell an ensemble of stories in one show.

MAC or PC?: I'm a MAC baby from time immemorial.

Most played song on your iPod: I switch out my music so often, but I love the soundtrack to the Japanese anime TV shows Cowboy Bepop and Ghost in the Shell, so the theme songs to those pop up a lot. I listen to a lot of podcasts, too.

Web obsession: Besides Facebook, I love Twitter and my Google reader feed.

Last book you read: One of my husband (Pete Nicholls)'s many first drafts. I'm also reading Paul Russell's "ACTING: Make It Your Business" and Bonnie Gillespie's "Self Management for Actors."

Must-see TV show: I'm digging "Dexter," but also "Dr. Who" and "Mythbusters" for my geek side.

Performer you would drop everything to go see: I'd have to agree with Erin -Bernadette Peters, or Patty LuPone.

Pop culture guilty pleasure: Hm, I get my guilty pop culture trash fix listening to the Kevin and Bean show on KROQ via Podcast - a habit I formed in my Los Angeles years.

First CD/Tape/LP you owned: I remember having "Great Space Coaster" on LP, but that was a kid's gift. First tape was probably "True Blue" by Madonna, or "Sports" by Huey Lewis and the News.

First stage kiss: Asher Lyons as Horace Vandegelder, and me as Dolly in Hello Dolly, High School. He was a childhood friend, so it was like kissing my brother!

Favorite or most memorable onstage role as a child/teenager: Playing Eva Peron in a High School production of Evita - so many wonderful costumes, and we had a female Che!

Favorite pre-show/post-show meal: Pre-show, I like soup or a simple nutrition bar, tea. Post-show, it's probably either a spinach salad (with bacon) or a hamburger.

Pre-show rituals: Ideally: hour and a half early, spend time warming up and putting on makeup - the more I see myself putting on makeup, the more I see the character emerge. I love easing into a role, but I know that I can zip into it with a 1/2 hour call too.

Worst costume ever: I think I've blocked them all out, and I typically don't complain about costuming. I've had some that don't fit too right, or kept catching on the scenery. But I've made them all work!

Who would play you in the movie?: Christina Ricci, before she lost all that weight.

Worst job you ever had: Working at at clinic taking care of dogs with disabilities or physical issues. I just wasn't prepared to handle dogs (I'm a cat person).

Leading lady role you've been dying to play: Baker's Wife in Into the Woods, Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Kate/Lucy the Slut in Avenue Q.

Favorite team/athlete: Oakland A's

How you got your Equity card: I understudied and then took over the role of the Second Soprano in Master Class at the Odyssey Theater in Los Angeles. The gig was three weeks long, but I performed right at the turning poing of 80+ performances, so the entire cast had to be offered their cards. I was already 35 points in EMC, so I said yes. Kind of came as a surprise when I got the envelope of application papers in the mail!

Worst onstage mishap: Doing a costume change in Evita in High School - offstage, I couldn't get one dress off (zipper stuck at my hips), so I just folded the upper torso down, put my ACT I finale dress over that (luckily it had a large skirt) and went on anyway.

TV or commercial gig you most enjoyed: doing stand-in work on "Everybody Loves Raymond." I got my SAG card, the cast & crew were so friendly, and the on-set catering buffet was unbelievable.

Three things you can't live without: music, some sort of computer, and sushi.

Artist you would most love to work with: Patrick Stewart

"I’ll never understand why…": some people choose to spend their lives criticizing the lifestyles of others, and trying to litigate against them.

Cheers,

Sierra Rein

"I don't sing because I'm happy, I'm happy because I sing" - William James

Catch Sierra and Marquee Five this Sunday 11/14 at THE JAMES FRADRICH MEMORIAL CONCERT DVD PARTY

From Kevin McMullan:

"Kevin McMullan presents

THE JAMES FRADRICH MEMORIAL CONCERT DVD PARTY

A benefit for the JAMES FRADRICH MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP for Classical Pianists and Composers at Lawrence University, Jim's alma mater.

Many attended the all-star, now-legendary JAMES FRADRICH MEMORIAL CONCERT, exactly one year ago minus a day from the day of this event at St. Malachy's Actors' Chapel in NYC featuring some of the brightest talent from cabaret and Broadway. Many have been asking about the DVD.

My companion, the well-known off-Broadway composer, Jim Fradrich, was an extraordinarily talented, yet modest composer who kept his talents under wraps, and people hearing his music for the first time at the original concert were amazed, even stunned at the versatility and talent he had to offer. Jim's compositions embraced classical, Great American Songbook and Broadway styles.

At the memorial concert, we barely scratched the surface of the musical legacy he left behind. The DVD party, a sort of "follow-up," will be feature songs written by Jim that are not on the DVD, so whether you were at the concert or just want to hear some beautiful music from lush
ballads to comic ditties to swing, never before heard, now's your chance! The DVD will be a gift to all who attend.

Sunday, November 14 at 4 PM

Metropolitan Room
34 W. 22nd Street
New York, New York

Reservations strongly suggested: 212-206-0440

$20.00 suggested donation; checks preferred.

(Please make out checks to "Lawrence University" with "James Fradrich Scholarship" on the memo line.)

2 beverage minimum

Featuring the dynamic singing group…

MARQUEE FIVE

(MICK BLEYER, ADAM WEST HEMMING, VANESSA PARVIN, SIERRA REIN and JULIE REYBURN)

Also starring…

JOAN JAFFE, ROB LANGEDER, ROSEMARY LOAR, KEVIN McMULLAN, SARAH RICE, MAUREEN TAYLOR and WALTER WILLISON …

Musical Direction by MARK JANAS and MATTHEW WARD.

Produced by KEVIN McMULLAN

…all joining in a continuing celebration of the beautiful music of my life companion, the off-Broadway composer, concert pianist, musical director and orchestrator, JAMES FRADRICH.

We hope to see you there!

Kevin McMullan"

I'll also be singing a solo of Jim's music, in addition to a duet! Hope you can make it!

Cheers,

Sierra Rein

"I don't sing because I'm happy, I'm happy because I sing" - William James