THE BATTERY'S count DOWN!

So after 25 minutes of guessing, I totally hacked into jake's THE BATTERY'S DOWN account on youtube by randomly typing in passwords that he might have thought of. And to my delight, what should be posted but both 10-minute parts of the first episode, FULLY EDITIED and ready for the big screening tonight!!!!

Guys.

I FREAKED OUT. It is AMAZZZZINGG!!!! And not like, I'm his best friend and I'm in it so it's amazing, no no no, it's like if I had no idea who Jake or the 50 other people (that's right, there are legit 50 fierce ensemble people in this episode) I would be OBSESSSSEDDDD with it and would make it my only goal in life to track them down and stalk them in inappropriate ways.

Seriously guys, we have to FLOOD youtube at midnight when it goes up. I mean, I was going to anyway just because that's just how many times I'm going to watch it, but also make sure that everyone comments & favorites & rates the hell out of it so it gets noticed. And then maybe BRAVO will pick it up. hehehe.

And as for the Andrew's Blogs, we've got two in the can and one more that's almost done. I just don't want to overflood the UrInTown subscribers with good stuff until the TBD has run it's first course. But the good news is that while TBD drops only once a month, you have all the weeks in between to watch Andrew's Blog. In the words of Nina Sturtz, It's a Perfect Relationship! So I'll post the next blog in a few days, and until then, you'll have the 6-minute dance production number "This Is Your Life" to watch on repeat for hours on end. It's literally the best song I've heard in a long time with SO many of your Umich favs dancing like maniacs in Times Square

trends.

So, I almost didn't post this just because it seems like every three posts is about Natalie Weiss, but it's not my fault if she keeps doing EVERYTHING. Plus, I couldn't really find a hilarious or ironic video, and let's be honest, who doesn't want to hear the girl wail?
New Demo Song
Here's a brand new recording of her singing a new Scort Alan tune. Also, I just heard that both Natalie & Cortney Wolfson are working on the EVER AFTER workshop right now, with my lovely sis. Good one. Okay, I guess I'll stop being Natalie's publicist and actually try to finally finish this next video blog. ahhhhh! It's been impossible b/c Vanessa, Dana & I haven't been living in the same place at the same time since Raleigh so it's hard coordinating our schedules to finish the debriefs.

akb

The CAMPiest! Nancy Kerrigan "Defying Gravity"

How much do I appreciate this video? You could never know.


akb

She's gonna kill me, but...

Hehe. So some of the cast had to record these podcasts for Toronto press--cuz Toronto is the next stop on our tour--and they thought, NUMBER ONE. That it was going to be an audio podcast, and NUMBER TWO. That it was gonna be on some random Canadian website. But turns out, it means that they're going to be VIDEO and be put on YOUTUBE. AMAZING!
So basically, it means I have unlimited entertainment at my fingertips.

hehe

Vanessa's makes me giggle.
She might be mad that I put this up on the blog.



Hahaha, it's too funny. The ending! How dare you do that Vanessa! You're so tricky with that censor thing! Arggggg.
Oh well, I guess i'll have to go pie a ticket like everyone else.

:)
akb

The Youtube Event of the Century

I am proud to be the first to leak the trailer to THE BATTERY'S DOWN, the single most important youtube video that you will see this year. For those who haven't heard of it, Jake Wilson of Andrew's Blog & "Anytime" has written, created and starred in a FANTASTIC new musical tv-show dropping on February 1st.



THE BATTERY'S DOWN is a new online television series about the life of young actor, Jake Wilson, in New York City. I've seen some of the rough edits from the Pilot episode and let me tell you, youtube is gonna have NO idea what's hit it. I mean, I've never heard of a better idea? It's basically a 20 minute sitcom complete with original musical numbers, full-scale choreography, high budget filming and myriad Broadway stars. Also, yours truly makes a cameo in one scene. Sadly, life on the road has left me unable to take a bigger part in the show, but Jake has promised to let me ride the wave of his soon to be stardom once I finish up with the BEE. So favorite the video, rate it, comment the hell out of it and eagerly await the dawn of a new era in television. Hey, you can say you saw it before it got picked up by Bravo.

akb

FAMOUS!

So the Keenan-Bolger who made news most this week was undoubtedly, middle-child, Maggie Keenan-Bolger. Hannah, a loyal Andrew's Blog poster, brought to my attention that Maggie appeared in the most recent issue of TIME OUT: NEW YORK. Now, I'm thinking it was probably some kind of recognition for her FANTASTIC new play, of which she wrote called FROM THE INSIDE OUT (coming soon to a theatre near you this summer). I figured she had won some literary award for new, edgy playwrighting, but Ohhhh no. Maggie brought glory to the Keenan-Bolger name in the best way possible...

With this picture.




Yes folks. This vintage MK-B photo was the winner of a contest affectionately titled "Who Needs Free Things the Most." HAHAHAHAHHA Priceless. I'll have you know that Maggie not only won the fame of having her face (and partial thigh) in TIME OUT, but also won a box of "swag." I mean, I guess the girl needs free things. Initially, I figured Maggie would slit my throat for posting this on my blog, but then I realized, she's probably okay with it seeing as 6 million New Yorkers have already seen it :) I, for one, have never been a prouder little brother. And I'm even more excited because she is visiting me in Rochester to see the BEE this weekend!

Maggie, I love you.
akb

New Nat Vid

Last night I had the pleasure of seeing Natalie Wiess sing at the New Voices concert. She was soooo fantastic. Someone recorded it and it's already up on my UrInTown page. I'm sure you've seen it by now, b/c basically whenever you put up something that says "natalie weiss" on youtube, there's like 5 honors on it in the first 15 minutes. Buuuuuuut, if not, here it is.



Here's her singing one of my friend, Jonathan Reid Gealt's brand new songs. It's beautiful!

akb

CAMP CAMP CAMP

So a blog fan sent me this video and was like, Omg, have you see this!? It is so hilarious/awesome, you have to check it out. So I went to it and who should it be of, but MissBroadwayDork!!!
MissBroadwayDork, or Alex, totes made a freaking hysterical response to the Andrew's Blog Video Response Contest where she pretended to be some psycho girl with a mother who was like, Margaret White or something. She also has the most beautiful voice ever and is totally self taught. She's so cute, she learned how to sing just by listening to Audra McDonald.

So here's her entry for that bwayworld GIVE US YOUR VOICE contest thingy. Um SOOO rude that she didn't win. And I watched that girl who won and she was not as brilliant as Alex. I mean this is like camp central, who didn't vote for her?!

akb

The Best of Andrew's SPELLING BEE Blog Vlog

The very best moments of Andrew's Blog basically since SPELLING BEE went into the picture.



I couldn't possibly fit ALL the really fun moments into this one, but maybe in the future they'll be a pre-Bee best of. Hope you got to catch some of your favorites in this one.


enjoy!
akb

The Best of Vlog will be posted at midnight

n/m

Andrew's Blog ANNOUNCEMENT!

Hey guys. So the next vlog is probably gonna be the sweetest one ever. I mean, we are talking High Budge here. But, in turn, it's taking a Loooonnggg time to finish, what with all the debriefs and editing and such. So it looks like we won't have it wrapped for at least a little while. But in lieu, we have a a special delicious treat for you.
You asked for it (or maybe not) so dropping sometime VERY soon, will be the first ever, full length BEST OF ANDREW'S BLOG MOMENTS!!!!

So I've already compiled a bunch of video clips, but I want to make sure that none of your favorite moments are left out. So drop a comment listing some moments you'd most like to see on the All-Star blog. I'm only allowed 10:59 mins of footage so there's gonna be no way that I can get everything in, but I'd love to get some hot recommendations.

totes,
akb

Not Quite Effie, But Darn Close

I just love when I find campy gems on youtube. This broad, Jan Terri, was apparently a limo driver turned rock star from the mid-90's. Why she isn't a staple in the American pop music scene is beyond me. There are a lot of things to notice about this video.
#1 I mean, come on. LOOK AT HER!!!
#2 Did someone storyboard this music video? Like really, maybe I should make a music video of me trying to renew my Driver's license, because apparently, taking a car service to O'Hare airport is interesting enough for a 4:00 minute video.
#3 2:04, watch her wave to her fans. Muahahahah!
#4 umm, what is the lyric at 1:11? I'm pretty sure she doesn't know either.



camps,
akb

A Ferocious Effie!

When we were in Raleigh two weeks ago with the BEE, DREAMGIRLS was rehearsing in the same theatre as us, for an opening after we left. Curtis Brown who is a friend and photographer in Raleigh kept telling us how good of a production it was (He was taking their press shots). Well now it seems like everyone is talking about that production and how good Quiana Parler is as Effie. Guess what, she's already on youtube!

And she is giving you some choices.
GET IT QUIANA!!!

akb

Just a Rising Star

So I freaked out the other night when I saw that someone had favorited this video in my playlist. It's of this fantastic girl Lizzie Klemperer. She was a sophomore at U of M when I was a senior and I'm in love with her. This is from a concert version of CIVIL WAR that my buddy and classmate Mark Christine directed.



I mean, have you ever heard a prettier mix?!?! Her voice is like a bag of rubies. Especially considering that when this was recorded, she was like 18!! Anywho, I totally ripped it off of youtube and put it on the UrInTown account because it would be a crime for not more people to see this.
Oh and some trivia for ya'll, Lizzie was just cast as Julie Jordan in Carousel @ Umich, so if anyone's in the Michigan area, you better check it out because talents like this don't come around all that often. And if you're not in Michigan, look out for her name in two years when she graduates, I'm pretty sure she's gonna be huge.

"A-and Cry-y-y-y-y-y-y-y!"
akb

Andrew's Blog (The Untitled One)

Alright,
So to top off an exciting day of videos spanning the genres of Belting to Blogging, I offer up the next installment in Andrew's SPELLING BEE Blog.



enjoy,
akb

The last day you can say you've never heard of Natalie Weiss

Ok, I realize that I've posted like 3 videos within 24 hours, but I have got to plug New York's newest it-girl, Natalie Weiss. Natalie just got to sing in the the Scott Alan "Dreaming Wide Awake" concert at Birdland. This was star central. I mean, if you were a part of that concert, you pretty much know that you're amazing. We're talking Shosh, Cheyenne, Groff and Block fierceness. Anyway, Nat was slated to step in for Carly Jibson, but within about 10 hours notice, she also had to step in for Eden Espinosa as well. Now, it hardly seems fair that a girl with no huge credits and less than a year out of school should get to sing, in my opinion, the two best songs on the CD, but when you sing like Natalie Weiss, sh*t just works out for you. I mean, the girl had like 2 seconds to learn these songs, and still managed to work out perfect options and flawless, clean riffs. Oh, and she sings her face off and looks beautiful too. Get it Natdawg! Class of 07!


(vid posted on the UrInTown account)

Check in later today when yet ANOTHER video will be posted on this blog. This one just might be that much anticipated SPELLING BEE vlog.

akb

Effing Fierce Asain Competition Dancers

Who doesn't love competition dance? Honestly?! Okay good, me too. It's the best kind of dancing there is cuz let's be honest, it's all tricks. So you can imagine my delight when I stumbled across a video of 3rd grade Japanese girls dancing the eff out of some competition dance routine.



It looks like a video game.

akb

P.S. I think a video blog is gonna drop tomorrow.

Obama Rama

The incredibly crafty and talented Maddy Wyatt (U of M MT grad...Woot! Woot!) wrote this fantastic song in support of this year's most exciting candidate Barack Obama. Since I first heard this song a few months ago, I've been totally unable to get it out of my head. I was thrilled to see that she now has a produced recording and music video.



Oh, and just some random trivia, Celia K-B is totally playing the tambourine as well as doing some of the back up vocals on this track! Yeah percussion!
You can download FOR FREE at maddywyatt.com

Obama '08
(The official candidate of choice for Andrew's Blog!)

akb

Fooooood

So anyone who knows me KNOWS that I'm obsessed with the Food Network. Like really crazy for it as in you-can-name-a-time-and-day-of-the-week-and-I-can-name-what-show-is-playing kind of crazy. Well I found this gem tonight and loved the fact that it was so Food Network. The girl's totally channeling Sandra Lee, my new favorite hot mess diva of the bunch.





strangely hungry?
akb

Andrew's SPELLING BEE Blog (The Fun in the Sun One)

Hehehe, and as for last night, by "tonight" I clealry meant "tomorrow night." Whoops, it took a lot longer than I had anticipated. BUT AT LAST here's the first "back on the road" blog.



enjoy,
akb

NEW BLOG!

Hey guys,
I'm tryin to finish up the newest Vlog and am hopin to drop it tonight!!! So keep a checkin.


akb