Better late than never...

Wow...someone needs to do a better job of updating her blog! I mean, not me, of course! I last updated mine EIGHT months ago! Ok, deep breath, here goes...

I am sure you are all wondering what I've been up to, and I thought it was about time to fill you in. Well, four days after I left the MUNY (GREASE) I was the special guest at "Scott Nevins Curtain Call" at Splash Bar in NYC. What a fun night! (video, if I can figure it out, will be coming soon!). Shortly thereafter, I was lucky enough to book the Back to School voice-over campaign for SEARS. Wow, what a crazy feeling to be watching TV and hear your voice!

I then began rehearsing for the Fringe Festival Play, "The Other Side of Darkness" written by the amazing Phil Bond. I hadn't done a play in years, so it was a wonderful challenge. We had a great response from the audiences and I was thrilled to work with two fantastic actors; David Rudd and Rob Maitner.

Next, I headed out to the Human Race Theatre in Dayton, Ohio to be part of a new Stephen Schwartz show called "Snapshots." What a blast!! It was great to be back in Ohio - and only 45 minutes from my alma mater, CCM. It was an honor to actually work with Stephen on this project and I was lucky enough to sing some of my favorite Schwartz tunes. Our cast was simply amazing and the show was very well received. You can find out more about Snapshots and read a review at MusicalSchwartz.com. During the process, I became very good friends with Michael Marcotte who played my husband, Daniel. Remember that name kids, he's gonna be BIG! Special thanks to all my great fans who came out to see me in Ohio! Love ya!

Upon returning to NYC in October I began teaching a children's musical theater class with "A Class Act." It was great to be in teacher mode again, but if I have to hear "We're All In This Together" one more time, I may puke! I mean, High School Musical isn't even a Broadway show!! Ok, rant over. I was also pleased to start working with an organization called "The Broadway Classroom" as a workshop teacher. I love coaching young talent; it's so inspirational!

Because the holiday season is a slow time, I was able to catch up with friends and take part in several concerts. I had a great time performing at Town Hall as part of the Stephen Schwartz concert - and I was honored to sing "Defying Gravity" - but in an evening gown rather than green paint! I was also honored to sing "Defying Gravity" in Times Square as a guest for the Covenant House at their "Light the Night" vigil. Covenant House is a great organization that helps homeless youth all over the North and South America. You can check them out at www.covenanthouse.org.

In other "Schwartz/Cates" related news (haha), I was asked to sing the lead role of Eve/Mama Noah in the investors presentations of "Children of Eden". A wonderful group of singers and I, along with Stephen, traveled to Washington DC to sing for potential investors for a possible Broadway run of his fantastic biblical musical. We also did two more presentations back in NYC for many producers and investors. We don't know what's going to happen - but please think good thoughts! I think that "Children of Eden" has one of the most beautiful scores ever written. If you don't know the show, do yourself a favor and visit i-tunes!

What happened next? Oh, yeah, Christmas! And a much needed trip home to California. With any vacation, time flew by too quickly and before I knew it I was back in NYC! Thankfully, I had two jobs to look forward to. The first was a reading of "Afterwards"...a musical about a British professor and his wife. I played the wife, Felix, and my husband was played by Michael Rupert (TONY award winner for "Sweet Charity" and currently starring as Prof. Callahan in "Legally Blonde.") Fellow "Wicked" alum, Kate Loprest, was in the show as well. We had a great time!

Next it was off to Carnegie Hall for "Jerry Springer the Opera." WHAT A TRIP that was! Anyone who knows the show knows that it pushes the envelope on many levels. Vocally, it was a huge challenge because we had so much music to learn in a very short amount of time. This meant that we were singing 7 hours a day! Let me tell you, standing on that incredible stage with Harvey Keitel and the rest of the phenomenal cast, was worth the long hours and vocal fatigue. It was a THRILL!

Hmmm....I guess that brings us to the last few weeks! Well, I booked my third national radio voice over commercial (Verizon)! I was a special singing guest at the Laurie Beechman Theatre Oscar Party, then the special guest at Splash the next night. On February 29th I was part of a concert of David Friedman's music (look him up!) along with David himself and Scott Coulter. Two nights later I was part of Robert Cronin's showcase "Welcome to My Life" at the Duplex along with Brad Bass and Kate Loprest. So...as you can see, Miss Cates has been busy!!

A lot of people have been asking me when I will go into my next Broadway show. The answer is - I have no idea! ha! Trust me, I am looking forward to whatever life has in store for me. I am, of course, still auditioning - and have great hope and belief that many wonderful things are on the way for me and my career. I've certainly been busy since leaving "Wicked!" Even if I am not doing a show every night, I am doing what I love and meeting a lot of new, great people. I have some exciting gigs coming up - including a fancy Macy's fashion show in St. Louis, a concert in my hometown of Pinole, California AND the unbelievable opportunity to sing at Versailles in Paris! Yes, Paris!

Thank you all for your continued support and interest in my career! You're the best!

As Jerry Springer would say - "take care of yourselves, and each other." :)

xoxo,

Kristy

In St. Louie...

Hi everyone!! Welcome to the newly redesigned website. My webmaster has done a wonderful job, don't you think? Anyway, I am currently in St. Louis, MO performing at the MUNY (the oldest outdoor theatre...with 11,999 seats!!!). I am playing Marty in "Grease" and I am having a blast. I did the show back in High School and it's so much fun to play a "Pink Lady" after playing a green one for so long (haha)! The cast is full of people I've heard a lot about, but never had the pleasure of performing with. Everyone is as talented as they are nice - which always makes for a great working environment.

Once I return to NYC, I start rehearsals for a show at the NYC Fringe Festival called "The Other Side of Darkness." It's a straight play written by my friend, Phil Geoffrey Bond...and I have a VERY juicy role. After that? Who knows! But I am sure something exciting will come my way. Check back soon for updates. Until then, take care!

Kristy

the latest news...it's a long one!

HI! Ok, I am finally getting up my second blog. I truly am sorry that it's taken me this long...a lot has been going on and I just wanted to make sure that I was able to give you all the important info at once!

First off, I know a lot of people have written me letters lately asking for autographs. I haven't forgotten you! I am out of Elphaba production shots and as soon as they come in, hopefully next week, I will get them out to you. Thank you for your patience!

Unfortunately, I had a bad sinus infection a few weeks ago (when my dad was in town, ugh!). After two rounds of antibiotics, I think I finally have it under control. I seem to get a sinus infection twice a year. I hadn't had one since last December (when I was on vacation in Europe. Yeah, good times) so I suppose I was due. I just don't think my sinuses are good with the changing of seasons - anyone else have that problem? My allergies go a little crazy! Ah well, it's now Fall and beautiful outside and hopefully I am in the clear.

By the way, people often ask me if I will be at certain shows. I never plan absences ahead of time and I HATE to miss shows. I had a rough week a while back with the sinus deal...and the only other thing that ever stops me from performing is a neck injury I sustained a few months back. Yes, I hit my head really hard on the trap door at the end of the show. Clumsy Kristy! It's nothing that won't heal with time and I currently go to physical therapy and a chiropractor to keep myself "in line" but sometimes, with all the physical aspects of the show (and because I am just not very good at "holding back" when I am out there!) ...things just get out of whack. I swear that playing Elphaba is like being a professional athlete! Just ask any of the women who have played this role - it's truly an experience that makes you stronger both physically and mentally! Julia said to me a while back that she thinks we should all get together and tell our crazy Elphie stories, it would be quite a night, haha!

My solo concert is in 9 days! AHHHHH!!!! I am very excited and my musicians and I have been working hard to make it a great show. I know a lot of you are coming, and I want you to know how much I truly appreciate your support. As you know, I will be answering some questions that people have emailed in to my fan site...really looking forward to that. Plus my mom and sister (and step-niece, Molly) are coming in from the West Coast to be there with me!! By the way, the show sold so well that the producers at the Metropolis Theatre have asked me to come back in January (1/26-28) and do a full weekend of performances. Get your tickets now!

Dun, dun dun......Finally...the question people have been asking me for months: am I extending? Here's the deal, the producers asked me to stay on with the show a while longer. It was always my intention to honor my initial contract and leave on 10/22...BUT I had to weigh my options. Yes, I have been in Wicked a long time...and I am ready to see what else the universe has in store for my future. However, Wicked is an amazing show and I absolutely adore playing Elphaba (the best role, in my opinion, ever written for a woman). Besides, logistically it just made more sense for Michael and I (and Sophie and Tabitha) to move back to NYC in the new year rather than trying to do it all during the holiday season. So yes, I am staying with the show an extra 7 weeks. I can say, with no uncertainty, that 12/10 is definitely my last performance with Wicked in Chicago. I will be leaving the show the same day as Kristoffer...my dear sweet Fiyero. We've been in the show together since it opened on Broadway and it's going to be very strange not to be onstage with him anymore- especially after spending practically every day of the the past 3 years together. No one can fully understand the bond we have - it is something special.

So there it is. I know that many of you have plans to attend the show on 10/22...some of you are even driving hours just to be here. You truly have no idea how much I appreciate your support. It was VERY difficult for me to come to this decision, especially knowing how many loyal fans will be at the show on the 22nd, but I simply had to do what was best for me. Just know that I will be giving my absolute ALL on that Sunday and that it will be extremely difficult and emotional for me to say goodbye to Stacie. She IS my Glinda, she is my friend, and I will miss her like crazy. After her journey with Wicked I can only imagine that it will be a very emotional and bittersweet day all around! I promise that no one at the performance will be disappointed! I also promise that I will stay at the stage door after the show as long as it takes to meet and talk with each and everyone of you.

I guess that's it. Again, thank you all for everything. Hope you are all safe and happy!

Kristy :)

My first post...FINALLY!

Hey everyone! I know, I know...it took me forever to get this up! Sorry!! Let's see, what is one even supposed to say in a blog? Well, first, I want to thank you all for your support - the past 7 months playing Elphaba here in Chicago have been wonderful! Chicago is a beautiful town (even though its so humid here right now I want to cry) and the fans are truly inspiring and enthusiastic. I'm looking forward to the rest of my run here in this great city!

My vacation is coming soon, YAY! I will be away from the show from August 8th- 13th. I am going to spend a relaxing week at Lake Tahoe in California. My sister and her husband (Kathy and Ed!) have a gorgeous house ON the lake and it's truly one of my favorite places on earth. The water is so clear and calm and I can't wait to just sit on the end of the dock, their two dogs Nitro and Cinder at my feet and read whatever silly summer novels I can get my hands on. In light of having been sick this month and doing my best to sing though, it will be a GREAT rest for my voice too.

I am busy planning my solo show for October (more info on the news page). Thanks to all of you who have mailed in your song suggestions! I think its going to be a great night...songs, stories, special guests!

Finally, I WILL be re-opening my email soon. I just needed to get caught up on the 145 emails I had when I shut it down! I DO appreciate all of your kind words and questions and I promise that as soon as I can, I will open it back up. I truly do love hearing from people who have seen the show!

Ok, I guess that's all. Take care of yourselves!
Kristy