tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-143433092009-06-28T17:40:10.245-07:00Aaron Lazar's daily account of life as an actor on Broadway.Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.comBlogger107125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-39549076727444699532009-06-16T16:56:00.000-07:002009-06-16T17:18:34.563-07:00

After years of blogging with the hope of inspiring and educating all of you interested in Broadway and life in the entertainment business, I'm proud to announce the official launching of BROADWAY MASTERS !We specialize in bringing premiere Broadway artists--actors, casting directors, directors, and choreographers to students and young artists in a master class setting. So now we can and inspire

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-49506336416299865662009-05-04T21:33:00.000-07:002009-05-04T21:46:20.886-07:00

Bukowski was asked "How do you create?"He said, "You don't. You don't try. You don't try for Cadillacs, creation, or immortality. You wait. And if nothing happens you wait some more. It's like a bug high on the wall. You wait for it to come to you. When it gets close enough you reach out, slap out and kill it. Or if you like its looks you make a pet out of it."I've heard stories of

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-22123317821906934022009-01-01T08:09:00.000-08:002009-01-01T08:31:34.859-08:00

I've always been curious about the connection between athletics and acting. Brian Dawkins helped clarify that connection this past Sunday in the Philadelphia Eagles whooping of the Dallas Cowboys. For those who don't know: Dawkins the most dominant defensive player in the NFL. And an inspiration to every actor out there. And here's why...Brian Dawkins has 2 lockers in the locker room side by

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-87835059550303000352008-10-26T19:12:00.000-07:002008-10-26T19:21:12.820-07:00

I'm honored to be working on a new piece called iSondheim. I can't divulge any of the details except I'm one of 8 proud cast members and our MD and Director are two of the best in the biz. I even got to meet Steve!When I was 19 doing regional theater in Maine I read Secrest's (Meryle not Ryan:) biography of Sondheim and sent Steve some fan mail (Sweeny Todd is why I'm in this business). He

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-77458300215622016572008-09-17T13:06:00.000-07:002008-09-17T13:10:58.882-07:00

So, despite plenty of rest, I woke up this morning even worse than yesterday. Went to the doctor and the glue on my chords is worse than it was on Monday. And having sung 2 shows through the glue, my chords are really swollen. So it was steroids or call out of the show. So I took the roids. Unfortunately, they just started to kick in by end of Act I and by that point I was feeling totally

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-16154283542089445162008-09-16T18:09:00.000-07:002008-09-16T18:53:48.468-07:00

It happens to all of us...big performance, critics in the house, and you're sick. How do you get through? Well, since I'm fighting through it as we speak, here's a few things that have helped me.1) If it's in your head/chest--Go to the doctor (If you're a singer a GREAT otolaryngologist is key), determine the exact problem (ask to have your chords scoped so you can see for yourself), get

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-49416993388615263042008-09-11T20:46:00.000-07:002008-09-11T20:54:18.684-07:00

To all the teachers and students who have been coming to our show--Thank You! It's been such a pleasure meeting you. It's a blessing to have your energy and smiles in the theater--hopefully you take some of that (along with our show :) back with you to your schools and homes.Please feel free to surf the archives of my blog. And ask me any questions you don't find the answers to!Looking forward

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-86023033822886463092008-09-07T21:26:00.001-07:002008-09-07T21:26:43.532-07:00

www.thedailyshow.com/full-episodes/index.jhtml?episodeId=184108

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-51496391847591242522008-09-05T20:38:00.000-07:002008-09-05T21:04:06.004-07:00

Not every professional experience will be an easy one. At times you may find yourself frustrated by the reality that no matter how hard you seem to be working, you are not satisfied. At times you may be made to feel disrespected, powerless. Actors, directors, producers...everyone in showbiz comes from different backgrounds with different agendas. And at times it may be hard to trust--trust

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-24733496367657682862008-08-27T21:20:00.000-07:002008-08-27T21:37:09.675-07:00

How could I not blog about the state of our nation at this historic, critical time? Don't worry, I will try to tie this into the business of performing :)All this week I have been so inspired by the words of the key note speakers at the DNC. And tonight, Joe Biden said some brilliant things. In addition to finally clarifying for Americans the policies of Obama vs. McCain, he talked openly,

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-4160119563033695842008-08-24T20:02:00.000-07:002008-08-24T20:10:04.994-07:00

Today was our first day off in two weeks of rehearsals during the day and, this week, preview performances at night. It's been an incredible rush to be a part of the evolution of Tale from the rehearsal studios to the stage with full sets/costumes/lights and audiences. Just a quick note to the fans--THANK YOU!!!! Your incredible enthusiasm for our work is so appreciated by all of us both

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-49535155715465304682008-08-01T19:42:00.000-07:002008-08-01T19:55:00.571-07:00

Tomorrow is our last day in the rehearsal studio. As of next week we're tech'ing in the theater, and pretty soon it'll be previews. The last 4 weeks have been truly Dickensian: it was the best of times, the worst of times, at times time flew by, at times it crawled...I haven't slept much. I don't think anyone has. Too much adrenalin. Too many thoughts and ideas about character and structure

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-51679102388720340142008-07-17T22:03:00.000-07:002008-07-17T22:08:01.588-07:00

Dreams do come true. For everyone of you who's ever checked in to read this blog: Stop reading this right now, buy a ticket or 3 to see Title of Show at the Lyceum Theater on Broadway, and you'll know why I started this blog almost 3 years ago. Michael Berresse, Hunter Bell, Jeff Bowen, Susan Blackwell, and Heidi Blickenstaff (Let's go Duke!)--you are an inspiration. Thanks for leaving a piece

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-16256852755210104762008-07-13T07:33:00.000-07:002008-07-13T07:50:51.168-07:00

What a week! It absolutely flew by. The prinicipals spent the week blocking the show with the creatives, and it was thrilling. We have so little rehearsal time every minute counts. Next week will be busy with meeting/greeting the rest of the cast, visiting the set in its NJ holiding warehouse, the publicity/press meet and greet, etc; So it was great to dig into the show this week, start

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-60544431528699499172008-07-09T17:09:00.000-07:002008-07-09T17:28:03.435-07:00

Happy Belated 4th of July everyone!It's only fitting I celebrate the birth of our nation in 1776 by with the birth of rehearsals for my new Broadway show A Tale of Two Cities, which takes place at that time in history (I even get to mention George Washington in the show :).Rehearsals are going well. It's a massive show with a massive cast of characters and a massive cast of actors (I think we're

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-50373304369280409172008-05-04T07:37:00.000-07:002008-05-04T07:41:58.856-07:00

Just a shout out to a great new theater company called The Red Fern Theater Company. A Non-Profit Socially Conscious theater group that pairs each play they put on with an appropriate charity and donates a portion of all ticket sales to the charity. I just saw their production of A Piece of My Heart up at 78th and Broadway. Melanie Williams did a bang up job of casting and directing. You will

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-53280246417739051732008-04-23T21:11:00.000-07:002008-04-23T21:26:18.828-07:00

All you young performers out there--i'm talking to all you guys finishing up college or grad school and thinking about/moving to New York/LA to begin your careers...GET TO IT!There's about a 10 year curve to "master" any profession you may choose (somebody famous said that righ?), and that doesn't exclude the arts. So pick NY or LA, pick theater or film or television but start working at it.

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-63065694599690242022008-04-23T20:51:00.000-07:002008-04-23T21:09:09.533-07:00

Anyone catch the final episode of John Adams on HBO this weekend? I thought it was, at times, brilliant. And I experienced one of those blissfully rare moments when art informs, educates, and enlightens. This particular episode put death in perspective for me. I've always struggled to grasp death as a reality. It's part of life, yes, but it's also part of human nature to struggle with the

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-42582268993975203952008-03-11T20:56:00.000-07:002008-03-11T21:57:07.127-07:00

So it's been 10 months since I left Broadway, and though I miss it I've been enjoying life on other stages. CONCERTSFrom Israel to Los Angeles, Boston to Washington DC, Little Rock Arkansas to Midland Michigan , I've performed in some truly great cities with some truly great symphonies. It's magic working with 50+ piece orchestras singing some of the greatest music ever written. And I've

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-82559763268917032552008-02-08T23:05:00.000-08:002008-02-08T23:08:48.946-08:00

What a fun night! And a what a great concept for a benefit. I could tell you all about it, but Broadway.com does a great job of that:http://www.broadway.com/Gen/Buzz_Video.aspx?ci=560279Tony Yazbeck and I sang "A Boy Like That/I Have a Love" duet from West side story. Take a look at the clip (ours is about 2/3 into the above video) and lemme know what you think! An all male West Side Story?

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-21025928328457839452008-02-05T15:01:00.000-08:002008-02-05T15:15:52.072-08:00

How is it we live in the greatest country in the world and yet when it comes to election day, it's as if we're voting in a 3rd world country?!In Manhattan today, (Manhattan, not GUAM) voting was a joke. I walked into my regional voting site, dealt with a few volunteers who couldn't spell my name correctly despite it being in front of them on a list and my license (ARRON, no AARRON, no ARRAN, no

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-87423230646803588302007-12-02T21:55:00.000-08:002008-01-13T22:03:18.702-08:00

I love hard work. When it comes to performing, sometimes the whole idea is to work so hard in rehearsals that you make it look easy when in front of an audience. In school, I didn't understand what it meant to not bring my homework on stage with me. I worked too hard and overworked my performances. Like over training a muscle at the gym, too much of anything is no good. There has to be a

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-70378618185128826552007-10-22T22:37:00.000-07:002007-10-22T23:08:48.364-07:00

So I've been chekcing out LA this fall. It's the first time I've ever spent more than a few weeks here. And I gotta say--the weather IS really nice. At least until yesterday. Now, I can look out from the highways to see the hills on the horizon covered in smoke from the brush fires plaguing southern cal. It's terrible. But fires aside, I've always wanted to know what LA had to offer

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-69447209238312377082007-08-29T21:13:00.000-07:002007-09-07T08:40:27.526-07:00

It's been an incredible summer of firsts. What began with a first-- leaving Broadway for the first time in almost 2 years and heading to the Holy Land for a once in a lifetime experience, has just ended tonite, 4 months later, with another first-- a day shooting my first role on prime time television. Here's what happened in between:Les Miz final perf April 22; first trip to Israel May April

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14343309.post-23798255639996746062007-07-26T22:01:00.000-07:002007-07-26T22:20:50.655-07:00

So it's been almost 3 months now since Les Mis. Thankfully, I've been blessed with some incredible experiences to keep me busy. There was the concert in Israel I told you about. Then the Drama Desk Awards. Then off to London where I was asked to be a member of a new Sony BMG group. Back to NY where I headed up to Boston to work with Keith Lockheart and the Pops on Carousel. London again for

Aaron Lazarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17127559841387300538noreply@blogger.com2