Did the alarm really go off this early? Even though I’m about to perform one of the biggest shows of my entire
life, all I want to do is go back to sleep… I am not a morning person AT ALL. Usually my cat Molly jumps on my
face to get me out of bed, but she’s nowhere to be found. Even she’s sleeping in today.
Tim Realbuto
Okay, I’m a bit more awake. Time for the obligatory artistic “brushing your teeth” photo. What? That’s not
obligatory?
Tim Realbuto
Having my morning OJ in my It Shoulda Been You cup in honor of my buddy Lisa Howard, who is performing with me in my NYMF show later on today.
Tim Realbuto
Every time I see one of these photo shoots, the actors always go to the gym or work out before a show… um,
this is my brand new elliptical machine. Currently it’s a closet.
Tim Realbuto
It’s a gorgeous day, so I decide to get a little sun on my deck before leaving for tech rehearsal/sound check. I’m
drinking one of my Arbonne detox shakes. I can’t recommend this diet enough. It tastes like a milkshake! Also, I felt like I was on a mini vacation while taking this picture… ya know, before the real craziness of the day began.
Tim Realbuto
Dressed and ready to leave. (Note the sign on door: “Pick up scripts!”… I didn’t forget, but I do leave notes all
around my apartment otherwise I’d forget my head).
Tim Realbuto
My best friend (and co-writer) Matthew Martin took this pic as we drove into Manhattan from Brooklyn for the big day. (Yes, we are stopped at a red light).
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Walking up West 43rd Street to the theatre. Eek!
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My home away from home for the day.
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Theater Three! NYMF! Where musicals live!
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My director and dear friend Michael Kidney gets the stage ready for tech.
Tim Realbuto
There’s Michael giving me some direction before we start and Leigh Martha Klinger laughing her face off at who
knows what. Note the “attractive” white band around my waist. That’s the belt for my wireless microphone
pack. I think all of you readers should take a shot every time you see me wearing this in any of the photos.
Okay… go! Shot # 1!
Tim Realbuto
Shot # 2!
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Rehearsing a particularly serious scene with Leigh Martha Klinger, Adena Walker and my lovely ensemble. (Also,
shot # 3!)
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Shot # 4!
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Pleading for you all to take shot # 5.
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Our lighting designer Abby Judd did such a beautiful job with this show. She’s setting up some gorgeous red
lighting as Jenna Leigh Green, Allison St. Rock, Cait Farrell, Katie Mack, and Eddie Egan wait in their places.
Tim Realbuto
Jenna and I rehearse "Love Is An Open Door" (as Leigh looks on)… also, shot # 6! (Fun fact: Jenna has been in
every incarnation of Wunderkind since its inception over a year ago!)
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More love with Jenna. And shot #7 for you guys.
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Lisa Howard and I rehearse a scene. We look confused.
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Okay, now she looks sad. (Nah, she’s just a fierce actress).
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Backstage shot of Lisa and I rehearsing some more. See the white mic belt? You know what that means… shot #
8!
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Another serious scene. But for you guys it simply means shot # 9. Are you drunk yet? (Okay, I PROMISE that was
the last mic belt picture…)
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The lovely Kimberly Faye Greenberg rehearses her song. (Another fun fact: Kim has been with me on every stop
of this Wunderkind journey as well!)
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The incredible Adena Walker standing still as lights are focused.
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This is my absolute favorite picture of the bunch. The fabulous Leigh Martha Klinger finds her light… and the
light loves her! Maybe I should go into photography…
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Michael directing Adena.
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Claybourne Elder has arrived! Michael is giving him some notes. Also, there’s Grant in the back… reading?
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Clay goes over his song with musical director Andrew Wheeler. That’s the amazing Philip Coiro in the back on
drums.
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We get a bit of a break before call time, so I decide to eat a healthy kale salad for dinner. Delicious and light. A perfect pre-show meal. (Also, this totally makes up for not working out this morning, right? Right??)
Tim Realbuto
I get back to the theatre to find some of my lovely “ladies.” Teresa Hui, Lauren Testerman, Jackie Reynolds, Tony
Artiga, Allison St. Rock, and Eddie Egan.
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Dressing room picture of Lauren and Jenna. I adore these girls!
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NYMF sent me a lovely bottle of champagne as an opening night gift. Thank you, guys! (It was delicious!)
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Somebody came backstage to show me one of our tickets. My heart always stops a little bit when I see my name
on a ticket or a poster.
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The one and only Andrew Wheeler gives some final notes to guitarist Diego Rojas.
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Dressing room selfie with Broadway legend Danielle Ferland. The first Broadway show I ever saw as a kid was
the original production of Into the Woods, so performing with her is surreal beyond all words.
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A line of gorgeous showgirls (AKA my ensemble ladies). Lauren, Cait, Allison, Jackie, Teresa, Katie... places!
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One final mic check/ dressing room mirror selfie.
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And the show begins… so much thanks to my videographer Tamra Sheehan for these photos. This is me with
Kimberly Faye Greenberg in "The Hunger Games" parody opening scene.
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My own personal line of showgirls. It doesn’t get any better than this!
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Katie Mack schools me Avenue Q style.
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Singing with the most incredible diva on Broadway! Tony Award winner Beth Leavel! Somebody pinch me,
please…
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Beth looks mad at me.
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And then she tries to dance with me. She was in the original Broadway cast of 42nd Street and I have two left
feet, hence why my face looks like that.
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Aww, so much love!
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Lauren and I watch a movie about my life.
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Singing "No One Is Alone" with Danielle Ferland, while Grant Albright (as my younger self) looks on… okay, so he’s
reading the Into the Woods Playbill in this particular shot, but there were moments when he was looking on.
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It’s a TAMPOCALYPSE!!! (That’s the only way to describe this picture without seeing the show).
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Abigail Ludrof (looking all sexy in red) teaches me a lesson or two with the help of Shane Long (also looking sexy
in red).
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Kevin Riddagh and I share a moment as Leigh looks on and Laurissa Romain and Michael Nigro sing. (One more
fun fact: Laurissa ‘Lala’ Romain has also been in every version of Wunderkind!)
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Look at me acting, mom!
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There’s Matthew Martin trying to comfort me after a pretty traumatic scene.
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Final moments of the show with Adena and Leigh.
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And that’s a wrap, folks!
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After the show, Michael Nigro (remember him as Fredrich von Trapp opposite Carrie Underwood in NBC’s "Sound
of Music Live"?) and Lala pose for a photo together backstage.
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The audience (and some cast members) waiting outside.
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Signing an autograph.
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Why do I look so snotty in this picture? I don’t even notice the guy behind me trying to take my picture… or
listen to music on his iPhone.
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There we go. I look much more pleasant here.
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Tony Artiga, Eddie Egan, and Kevin Riddagh are ready for the after-party.
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Celebrating a great show with some of my loves from the cast (Lauren, Tony, and Kevin).
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Lauren and I (both currently on strict diets) throw caution to the wind and indulge in a few well-deserved
Hurricanes (I highly recommend Bourbon Street Bar on West 46th Street!)
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I finally arrive home and shower. When I got out of the shower, I discovered this mic tape still glued to my neck.
Soap and water doesn’t erase the magic of live theatre, apparently.
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Finally in bed after a long, but rewarding day. I found my cat Molly hiding under my bed, but she was very
camera shy tonight for some reason.
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Good night, world! Please check me out in my final performance of Wunderkind on September 1st at The Triad!
www.triadnyc.com
Tim Realbuto
*
Realbuto's show, which has been previously performed around the country and locally at Joe's Pub and 54 Below, played one-night-only at Theater 3. Proceeds go towards Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and The Trevor Project.
Wunderkind tells the real-life story of his earlier days as a child "star" and growing up in show business. It is performed as a solo show featuring guest actors portraying characters from his life.
Other actors appearing in the show included Beth Leavel (The Drowsy Chaperone), Jenna Leigh Green (Wicked), Claybourne Elder (Bonnie & Clyde) and Adena Walker (The Baker's Wife), among many others. Christina Bianco, well-known on Youtube for her talented impersonations, also provides additional voices, specially recorded for the show.
Wunderkind is directed and choreographed by Michael Kidney with musical direction by Andrew Wheeler. The production stage manager/lighting designer is Abby Judd.
