Just two former Tommy Tune kids watching current Tommy Tune kids rehearse from backstage. ❤️ High school theatre geeks grow up to be adult theatre geeks that work for @tutshouston !
Bobby, baby… Thank you for teaching me so much about myself. Doing this was *really* hard on so many levels, onstage and off. But through all of it, I had this fictional, quirky, odd, flawed man to hold my hand. And through holding his hand, I realized I am all of those things too, minus fictional. I learned to accept the things I cannot change and that I will literally never be perfect, which honestly, is the number one reason I haven’t performed in 10 years. Perfection was the standard in my mind and I never could reach it, so performance anxiety became the normal routine when performing and it became not fun anymore.
But this… this was FUN. And it was all in no small thanks to the incredible cast and team I was surrounded by, led by the brilliant @tinyshowgirl and @simplysaradenton . We all went through a lot on this one, but we came out on top. Every single individual that worked on Company in any capacity put their entire hearts into it. I will never get over it, ever.
One of my first lines in the show was, “How many times do you get to be 35? 11?” By the end of the run, we had done 10 performances. Add my actual 35th birthday in, and over the last two weeks, I did indeed turn 35 eleven times. That’s reason 1452784 why this show was so special. I’ll always be grateful to the team, cast, and our board of directors that worked their asses off to make what seemed like the impossible possible. We did it, y’all. I’m so proud of all of us, and will be forever and ever. And THAT’S what it’s really about. ❤️ 📸: @pinlim
Well… What a weekend. We opened Company. I stepped onstage in a full production for the first time in 10 years. I turned 35. The Garden Theatre turned 5. I’ve never felt more loved. All weekend I was surrounded with the most support and warmth I have ever felt. I am overwhelmed, truly. Thank you for it all. And tomorrow I get to step onstage and turn 35 all over again with the most perfect cast to a sold out audience. I have to be the luckiest boy in the world. As Bobby says… “Thank you for including me in your thoughts, your lives, your families. Yes, thank you for remembering. Thank you.”
Video/photo dump of the weekend.
1. My birthday Being Alive from a backstage monitor with (with shoddy audio), featuring supportive commentary from our producer, Lauren.
2. 35 of the 200 artists we’ve worked with were in the room to celebrate The Garden on Saturday. And so many have been in the audiences of all the other shows.
3. Saturday night, sold out standing ovation.
4. So. Much. Cake. This weekend.
5. My grandma, mom, step-dad, and sister at the birthday/anniversary celebration.
6. The Company boys.
Getting to be Bobby in Company is truly a dream come true. Doing it alongside this cast and team is otherworldly. After not performing in a full musical in 10 years, every step of this process has been an emotional journey. Last night we started tech. Tech is a process I’ve sat in the audience for for the last decade. I didn’t expect to step on the set, feel the lights, see the empty seats from this side, and get emotional. But I found myself choking back tears multiple times last night. This feels like home. ❤️ Don’t miss the show, yall! It opens Friday and runs through the 19th. Link in my bio! Thanks @tinyshowgirl for the tech rehearsal pic!
I think this picture is incredibly goofy looking, and it’s never been posted for that reason. But it’s getting posted today. This picture was taken exactly 5 years ago today as we were waiting for the audience to arrive for the very first opening night of The Garden Theatre. It was Covid times. Vaccines were slowly starting to be administered. We presented a cabaret in a makeshift theatre in someone’s backyard. Each performance was capped at 20, and the audience was masked. Dozens of people streamed the show from home. 5 years ago today felt like jumping off a cliff. But here we are, half a decade later, still jumping. Since this night, we’ve produced 24 productions, worked with over 200 artists, and have seen nearly 20,000 patrons walk through our doors.
I know people probably get so annoyed that The Garden is all I post about, but the truth of it is, outside of work, this is what I spend every waking hour of the day doing. It’s the reason I wake up in the morning. The artists we work with are my inspiration in everything I do. All of it is truly a dream I hope I never wake up from. I’m honored to lead this company of the most special people I’ve ever encountered. I could go on for hours.
And of course this post comes with an invitation to celebrate with us! Today only, use the code 5Years for $15 tickets to Company, opening next week. This is my first time onstage in a full production in a decade, and I would be so thrilled and honored to have you there. We also are raising $5,000 for 5 years and we’re SO CLOSE to our goal! Every dollar counts to help us get there, and it would be just wonderful if you could help us get there. Link in my bio for all that stuff!
Thank you for supporting me and The Garden for the last 5 years. Grateful doesn’t begin to cover it. Just, thank you. ❤️🌱
Getting to see @joeythedivine for the first time in YEARS for his birthday was the highlight of my weekend. Getting to spend time with @moniickuhh , @angela_pinina , and @danyouwill was the icing on the cake. I adore these sweet friends! ❤️
I got invited dress tickets to Hansel and Gretel at HGO. They told me to bring a classy lady. I went through every contact I had and they all said no, so I brought @justwendytaylor . 😝❤️
What a fantastic Christmas Eve! My parents, youngest sister, grandmother, and I took in the GORGEOUS production of White Christmas at @tutshouston . Truly an insanely magical show! I grew up going to TUTS shows with my parents and grandmother. It was such a dream to get to bring them there to see a show now that I work there. The three of them have always believed in this crazy little dream of mine since I was 7 years old. Grateful, nostalgic, and just happy. ❤️
In the history of The Garden Theatre, I don’t think I’ve ever posted unedited B-Roll footage before, but this is just too good. If you miss Cruel Intentions, this is what you’re missing. @thephoebe__seymour is giving QUITE the performance. The vocals… the acting… she is EVERYTHING! Truly, don’t miss it, yall. The entire cast is spectacular. AND thru tomorrow (Dec. 25), use the code CruelHoliday for $15 tickets! We open Friday!!!
What a wonderful, magical, sparkly evening we had! The @tutshouston Lights Up Gala was an absolute BLAST! As a lifelong theatre kid who saw his first TUTS show in 2003 (Grease starring Frankie Avalon!), it has been a 22 year dream to be part of the magic that this amazing theatre creates. What an honor it was to be part of the team that brought this night to life. I pinch myself everyday that I get to work here, and with the most incredible, passionate people to boot. I got to see and hug so many amazing friends, but only got pictures with @bre_jamille (my former TUTS officemate and work wife!)and @tinyshowgirl (my many time Garden collaborator who was there with her company @bootlegbetties to hype up the after party- yall hire them for your events!). What a truly special evening. I adore our city, and love our arts community. It’s next to none. ❤️ Can’t wait for the next one!
@kevincahoon , the man you are! I met Kevin when I was 18 years old. We’ve worked on so many productions together, and I still learn something new every time I’m in his presence. He’s currently starring in @tutshouston ’s production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (this picture was taken last night at the OUT@TUTS Halloween party), and what a TREAT we are getting to have him on a Houston stage. Something that hasn’t happened in decades! The entire production is top-notch and one of my all time TUTS favs. What a cast and team! Houston, you only have three more chances to catch Spelling Bee, starring this bonafide Broadway star and so many other talented friends. Do not miss it! And come back and play on a Houston stage again soon, Kev! ❤️
