Happy New Year

It's been an incredible year for us and we're looking for an even better 2011.


Wishing the same to everyone out there.  


Be safe, have fun and see ya in the New Year.




Happy New Year

eBook Released on Kindle - $1.99

Well, it's been a long-time coming, but Lessons From the Phantom of the Opera is officially available in eBook format on Kindle. It contains posts beyond the paperback May 2009 release. In early 2011, I plan on pulling the 1st edition of paperback and re-releasing under my own brand of Holland Legacy Publishing. The book will be much cheaper than the current list price.

So what's in the 2nd edition of Lessons From the Phantom of the Opera? Well, pretty much the entire blog, minus general comments, reviews, news, and the character analysis posts of Love Never Dies, which I will leave here for my readers. I wanted to dedicate the book solely to the original version, where it all began.

The cost of the book is $1.99. Don't have Kindle? Neither do I, but I do have the computer application that can be downloaded for FREE, and it works great. Just one click to purchase and within less than a minute the book is loaded into your application to keep forever. No more digging through a hundred-plus posts to read about your favorite characters and the emotions that tug at your heart.

Follow the link to KINDLE here to order the eBook version. Click the ad below to download the FREE applications for iPhone, PC Windows, Mac, Blackberry, iPad, Android, or Windows Phone 7.



In January, I will upload to other applications such as Barnes & Noble Nook, etc.

I'm so very happy to finally release the eBook version to my readers. Thank you, everyone, for your continued support and love of The Phantom of the Opera.

The Phantom's Student aka Vicki

Re-Review by Critics of Love Never Dies

Well, the critics are speaking....again. Of course, they wouldn't be critics unless they were critical, right? The latest from the tip of their pens about the newly revised Love Never Dies is less approving than what the fans had to say about the revised version of the show. Since I still haven't seen it, my lips remained sealed.

Andrew Lloyd Webber invited the critics back for a second take. Perhaps not a good move on his part. Was he too hopeful after his regular fans had apparently given him the thumbs-up approval on the new release? Apparently, the big guys aren't buying it.

So who gets the last word about the worthiness of Love Never Dies? The critics or the show goers? I guess in the end, it will be the audience who really decides if it was worth the price of a ticket or not. Last count the 47,000 plus fans on Facebook don't seem to be too discouraged by what the critics have to say. Time will tell.

Variety - Love Never Dies - 12/21/10

The Daily Mail - UK - 12/21/10

London Evening Standard - 12/21/10 (3 stars)

On a more positive note:

The UK Stage - 12/22/10

The Telegraph - 12/22/10 - 4 Star

The Independent - 12/23/10 - 4 Star 



The Phantom's Student aka Vicki

Wishing All of My Readers Happy Holidays

No doubt this week will be a busy one for each of us.  It's time to run out and buy those last minute gifts, prepare for our holiday dinners, and finish decorating, if we haven't already.

Whether you are a Christian who celebrates this time as the birth of Christ or just one of those who enjoy the snow, Santa, and spirit behind the act of giving, I'd like to take this moment to wish every one Happy Holidays/Merry Christmas.  It's a season of giving for each of us, and I want you to know the joy you have given me this year for supporting me as a writer.

Enjoy your family, friends, and the reason behind the season.  God bless you, and may your New Year be filled with many wonderful blessings and dreams come true.  Let it be absolutely Phantastic!

PS....I couldn't help it!  Erik needed a tree for his lair.  LOL

BIRDLAND #2

SOLD OUT AGAIN!

We had such a wonderful time at Birdland.  

What a place.  What a crowd.

 I think we've definitely found a new home in NYC!

Here are some photos by Genevieve Rafter Keddy from BroadwayWorld.com

Kenneth Cole came by with the family.  

We always have a blast and as he always tells me...

"I've got ya covered."

Here's a wonderful 12 Days Of Christmas POP up Book.  

(It actually lights up)

My "extended" family and the dearest of friends...Gen and Tony Walton.

One more show in Hawaii for the Holiday Tour and then we begin LOVE SONGS for February. 

I love my job!

Birdland #1

Holy Ka-Schmoly Batman!

SOLD OUT night # 1 at Birdland.

The crowd was amazing and the venue...to die for.  

The guests were stellar, Jim Caruso the funniest man alive and it was great to have Jeremy at the keys..

We had an incredible rendition of "4 Calling Ducks," & "4 Flying Birds"during our 12 Days Of Christmas.

I got some more Jelly beans (which is always nice) and we did a great giveaway.

One more night in NYC before I'm off to my next city.  So come on down...I think there are only a few tickets left for tomorrow night so get 'em while their...

HOT HOT HOT.

Click Below

BIRDLAND

American Cancer Society

What a night...WHAT A NIGHT!

Tonight was just incredible.  

Jeremy Roberts (my MD), Jason Quinn (my TD/SM), Carl Cassella (Sound), Roberta Nusim (co-producer) and I raced out to New Jersey from the city, entered an incredibly beautiful home and did a 90 minute set with an amazing crowd.  

We raised some great money for the American Cancer Society and had fun in the process.

This is a cause near and dear to me.  

I lost both my parents to Cancer, 
I lost my god-mother to cancer and 

my aunt to cancer and I lost my Grand Mother to cancer.  

It's an insidious disease.  And I'm happy to be a small part of trying to eradicate it from the planet.  

It's a long tough battle but we've got to keep walking...right?  

I vividly remember when I realized that I could never again pick up the phone and speak with my mother or my father.  It was a sobering day, a sad day (still is in a way).  My parents will never see my child with their own eyes, will never hold her hand in theirs, will never hear her infectious laughter.  

But at the same time their lives brought so many people joy, so many people were touched by them individually and I saw that effect too.  


What they left behind should be celebrated not mourned.  What they left behind will continue to fertilize the world through the people they touched, who will then touch others in their own way.  

Each of us are like the pages of a book.  Think of how may different lives went into making just one book.  So it is with one persons life from beginning to end.  Each contact, each connection in some minute way affecting a life just like they affect the creation of a book. And that story is there for eternity.  

So when I am confronted with the sadness of loss or the questions of uncertainty I remember to keep walking.  Just keep moving forward in life.

The minute we give up or give in we've lost.  
And I've learned never to give up...never. 

There might be temporary set backs in our lives, obstacles that may at the time seem unsurmountable but the only way out is through them.  We have to keep going and eventually the light will shine.  Eventually night time will yield the glowing light of the morning sun.  

So it is equal in my vision with organizations such as The American Cancer Society.  It's that relentless fight against the oppression of the disease. Though the battle is tough it is through the battle we strive to save lives and to make better those who have been stricken   Battling to keep their spirit alive in them, in us and alive in the world.

You want to make a difference this Holiday Season? 

Give the gift of life, give the gift of hope, give the gift of possibilities.

Give a gift to The American Cancer Society.  

DONATE

We've got a couple more shows here in NYC.  The first night of Birdland is basically SOLD OUT.  Last I was told we had something like three tickets left for Sunday night

 and we've only got a few seats left for Monday.

Don't miss this year.  
Birdland is incredible and we're going to have an absolute blast!

Tickets to the Sunday December 12th Show

Click Here

Tickets to the Monday December 13th Show

Click Here

NYC!

We have arrived! 

And it's COLD.

Puts me all the more into the Holiday Spirit.  We are so excited about this upcoming week. The American Cancer Society benefit is bursting at the seams and I'm happy to report that we've raised a ton of money for the cause.  (Something near and dear to me since losing both my parents to Cancer).

And then:

BIRDLAND

The special guests are all lined up.  We've got our contest winners from ForTalent ready to go and a special surprise added into the mix.

This year we're also doing some giveaways.  Really cool stuff during one of the songs. We've got a little competition going on during the show now so you never know what you might walk away with each night!

Get Your Tickets NOW!

Tickets to the Sunday December 12th Show

Click Here

Tickets to the Monday December 13th Show

Click Here

Ka-POW!

Holy Moly!

We are having some FUN, FUN, FUN!  

Mill Valley, California was absolutely incredible.  

I had a special guest up there named 
Kimberly Jensen...just stellar.  

For those of you who have not visited that part of the country it's incredible.  Beautiful and scenic, great people and a great support for the arts.   This is definitely a city we are going back to next year (and next year is just around the corner).

The Magic Castle was...Magic.

How cool to be in that environment around all that History.  

We filled the room with fun and frivolity and some great music.  

My guests blew the roof off the place.

I'll have photos pretty soon.

And now...back to where it all began.  

NYC

First we've got the Fundraiser in NJ and then it's BIRDLAND!

I am so Jazzed (no pun intended) to get there and sing.  It's a tremendous venue.

We've got some amazing guests and some surprises as well.

December 12th


December 13th

GET YOUR TICKETS NOW!  

Los Angeles Guests

It's TIME 

to Get those tickets.

There is so much good stuff in this 

newsletter be sure to read it all to the end.

First...

THE CONTEST:

I've partnered up with 

www.fortalent.com 

to provide a unique chance to

Perform LIVE Onstage 

at my December 12th Holiday Show at 

World Famous at Birdland in New York City.

You can submit a video of yourself singing or playing 

through www.fortalent.com. 

From those videos two winners be chosen.

The First Winner 

(chosen by me and my team)

 will come onstage and 

perform LIVE at my

December 12th concert! 

Plus they'll receive an additional $150 prize!

The Second Winner

 chosen by the www.fortalent.com community

(that means the members vote) 

wins two free tickets 

to the December 12th Concert.

See the details below.

It's free to join www.fortalent.com 

(think of it as Facebook but just for artists).

You never know what might happen or 

who might be in the audience that night.

CLICK HERE!

And Now

THE GUESTS

Magic Castle Hollywood

December 6th GUEST

James Snyder

James Snyder has appeared on stage and screen both big and small, from starring in John Waters’s “Crybaby” at the La Jolla Playhouse and on Broadway (which earned him a Drama League Award nomination) to guest starring on television shows such as “Drop Dead Diva” and “CSI.” Additional stage credits include Marius in "Fanny" at NY City Center, “Broadway: Three Generations” at The Kennedy Center, the Los Angeles productions of “Rock Of Ages” (also Las Vegas) and “Happy Days,” “The Fantasticks” at Sacramento Music Theater, “Hamlet,” “Ray Bradbury’s Let’s All Kill Constance,” “Sneaux,” “Plop” and “Oklahoma.” He also played Luke Skywalker in the critically acclaimed “Star Wars Trilogy in 30 Minutes” in Los Angeles, Paris and Scotland. Film credits include “An American in China,” “Anderson’s Cross,” “Shuttle,” “She’s The Man” and “Pretty Persuasion,” which premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. Additional television credits include “Without a Trace,” “Cold Case,” “Gilmore Girls,” “Married to the Kellys,” “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody” and “Related.” His first solo album, "L.A. Curse," produced by Ross Golan, was recently released on Lionsgate Records and is available at www.jamessnyder.com . He can also be heard on the studio cast recording of the musical “Bare” and singing on an episode of "It's Always Sunny. . ." He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Southern California.Thanks to his voice teacher Edward Sayegh and his mentor Raphael Sbarge.  He loves his family (especially his recently wedded wife Jacqueline).

December 7th GUESTS

Joan Ryan and Tommy Peacock

Joan Ryan

Joan Ryan is well known to audiences from her dual role of Judy Denmark/Ginger Del Marco in the Los Angeles production of Ruthless! Joan’s four octave range has led not only to symphony and solo concerts around the globe, but leading roles in such shows as Leonard Bernstien’s The Mass at the Hollywood Bowl,  Enter the Guardsman at the Old Globe, Triumph Of Love, Little Shop of Horrors  and numerous tours including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Footloose,The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber  and Suds. Along with her bestselling solo cd, Joan Ryan, Ms. Ryan’s recordings include the original cast recordings of Ruthless!,  Sondheim...a Celebration, Lerner, Lane,Loewe and friends,  Schwartz, Schwartz and  Strouse, celebrating the music of Stephen Schwartz, Dream, the music of Johnny Mercer, and Life Upon the Wicked Stage, tributing the music of Johnny Mercer.  Most  recently  appearing on Jay Leno and the Today show, Joan spent  two years as the resident therapist on the Young and The Restless, series regular Tina Pallodrino on Saved By the Bell., and can be heard on Criminal Minds, White Collar, Army Wives, Suspect Behavior, starring Forrest Whittaker, as well as Falling Skies, the new Steven Spielberg series, among others.

Tommy Peacock

Tommy Peacock is a mad rock n' roller.  His voice can twang, bark and sooth, he plays his guitar with the famous "Peacock Chop" and all the while his songs carry you till' the end.  Tommy and his group play the annual "Peacock Holiday Show" Dec. 15th at Skinny's Lounge in North Hollywood.  You can be sure to get some cheer at this year's event.  Check out tommypeacock.com for songs, pictures, history and events!

Magic Castle Hollywood, Tickets

Monday, December 6th

Tuesday, December 7th

Doors 6:30pm Showtime 8:00pm

There are two ways to get tickets to the Castle shows

If you are a member of the castle:

Click Here

** If you are not a member call the number below

and tell them that you were invited by James

323.851.3313 ext. 303

Tickets are:

$15 for Members

$25 for Non-Members

BIRDLAND NYC

Sunday, December 12th at 6pm

Monday, December 13th at 7pm

December 12th GUESTS

Robert Cuccioli and Merwin Foard

Robert Cuccioli

For nearly four years, Robert Cuccioli dazzled audiences and critics across America with his riveting portrayal of mad scientist Dr. Jekyll and his sinister alter ego Mr. Hyde on Broadway and in the national touring company of the Frank Wildhorn/Leslie Bricusse smash hit musical thriller Jekyll & Hyde.  Cuccioli garnered a Tony Nomination, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award in 1997 for his outstanding dual performance in Jekyll & Hyde on  Broadway. In addition, he was honored with Chicago’s prestigious Joseph Jefferson Award during Jekyll & Hyde’s successful 34-week tour.  In 1993, following his record-setting, nine-month run in the New York premiere of the Maury Yeston/Arthur Kopit Phantom at the Westchester Broadway Theatre, Cuccioli made his Broadway debut as Javert in Les Miserables. Completing his highly successful run with the Broadway production of Jekyll & Hyde in January 1999, Cuccioli set out to stretch his artistic muscles even further. Performing a wide array of challenging roles in venues that extended from Off-Broadway to prestigious regional theatres around the country, including The Shakespeare Theatre of DC, The Shakespeare Theatre of NJ, Papermill Playhouse, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, The McCarter Theatre, The Guthrie, San Jose Rep. and The George Street Playhouse. In that time, this versatile performer has added to his credits Shakespeare’s Hamlet (Claudius), Julius Caesar (Brutus), the title roles in Macbeth and Antony and Cleopatra, classic plays as The School For Scandal, Amadeus (for which he received a Best Actor nod from the NJ Star-Ledger), and The Seafarer beloved musical comedies and dramas including Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well And Living in Paris, Guys and Dolls, The Sound Of Music, Funny Girl, Carnival, A Little Night Music, Bells Are Ringing, The Secret Garden, Pajama Game, and Man Of La Mancha and has created roles in new musicals and plays including Temporary Help, Lorenzaccio (Helen Hayes Nomination), Fiction, Dorian, Enter The Guardsman, Sons Of Don Juan and most recently A Moon To Dance By (with Jane Alexander at the Pittsburgh Playhouse).

Merwin Foard

BROADWAY: The Addams Family, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Sweeney Todd La Cage Aux Folles, Assassins, Oklahoma!,  Kiss Me Kate, 1776, Jekyll And Hyde, Beauty And The Beast and Les Miserables. DISNEY FILMS: Pocahontas, Beauty And The Beast, Aladdin And The King Of Thieves,  The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, Mulan, Home On The Range, Enchanted and Tangled.

December 13th GUEST

Morgan James

Morgan James:  Originally from Idaho, Morgan has lived in Utah, Tennessee, California, and now her family resides in Connecticut. Morgan came from a theatrical family, and so naturally she wanted to be a Veterinarian. Unfortunately, science was not her strong-suit, so after high school Morgan attended The Juilliard School in New York City where she received her BM in Voice.

Morgan is a versatile vocalist, easily maneuvering between opera, musical theatre, rock, and blues. She is equally comfortable in front of an orchestra, full band, or in the recording studio. Morgan has done numerous commercials and voice-overs, and always continues a regimen of voice, acting and improv study. She has been a proud member of Actors Equity Association since 2003, and the Screen Actors' Guild since 2007. Morgan is currently working on the exciting new musical, "The Addams Family", starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth and has begun rehearsals for the new Frank Wildhorn Broadway musical "Wonderland". She is also continuing work on "The Rock Tenor" where she co-stars with Rob Evan.   Morgan is also working on her own show and solo album.

BIRDLAND TICKETS

Tickets to the Sunday December 12th Show

Click Here

Tickets to the Monday December 13th Show

Click Here

Get 'em now...other shows are selling out!

It's TIME

It's TIME 

to Get those tickets.

There is so much good stuff in this 

newsletter be sure to read it all to the end.

First...THE CONTEST:

I've partnered up with 
www.fortalent.com 

to provide a unique chance to

Perform LIVE Onstage 

at my December 12th Holiday Show at 
World Famous at Birdland in New York City.

You can submit a video of yourself singing or playing 
through www.fortalent.com. 

From those videos two winners be chosen.

The First Winner 
(chosen by me and my team)
 will come onstage and 
perform LIVE at my

December 12th concert! 


Plus they'll receive an additional $150 prize!


The Second Winner
 chosen by the www.fortalent.com community
(that means the members vote) 
wins two free tickets 
to the December 12th Concert.

See the details below.

It's free to join www.fortalent.com 
(think of it as Facebook but just for artists).


You never know what might happen or 
who might be in the audience that night.

CLICK HERE!

Magic Castle Hollywood, Tickets

Monday, December 6^th
Tuesday, December 7^th

Doors 6:30pm Showtime 8:00pm

There are two ways to get tickets to the Castle shows

If you are a member of the castle:

Click Here

** If you are not a member call the number below

and tell them that you were invited by James

323.851.3313 ext. 303
Tickets are:
$15 for Members
$25 for Non-Members

BIRDLAND NYC

Sunday, December 12th at 6pm

Monday, December 13th at 7pm

December 12th GUESTS

Robert Cuccioli and Merwin Foard

Robert Cuccioli

For nearly four years, Robert Cuccioli dazzled audiences and critics across America with his riveting portrayal of mad scientist Dr. Jekyll and his sinister alter ego Mr. Hyde on Broadway and in the national touring company of the Frank Wildhorn/Leslie Bricusse smash hit musical thriller Jekyll & Hyde.  Cuccioli garnered a Tony Nomination, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award in 1997 for his outstanding dual performance in Jekyll & Hyde on  Broadway. In addition, he was honored with Chicago’s prestigious Joseph Jefferson Award during Jekyll & Hyde’s successful 34-week tour.  In 1993, following his record-setting, nine-month run in the New York premiere of the Maury Yeston/Arthur Kopit Phantom at the Westchester Broadway Theatre, Cuccioli made his Broadway debut as Javert in Les Miserables. Completing his highly successful run with the Broadway production of Jekyll & Hyde in January 1999, Cuccioli set out to stretch his artistic muscles even further. Performing a wide array of challenging roles in venues that extended from Off-Broadway to prestigious regional theatres around the country, including The Shakespeare Theatre of DC, The Shakespeare Theatre of NJ, Papermill Playhouse, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, The McCarter Theatre, The Guthrie, San Jose Rep. and The George Street Playhouse. In that time, this versatile performer has added to his credits Shakespeare’s Hamlet (Claudius), Julius Caesar (Brutus), the title roles in Macbeth and Antony and Cleopatra, classic plays as The School For Scandal, Amadeus (for which he received a Best Actor nod from the NJ Star-Ledger), and The Seafarer beloved musical comedies and dramas including Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well And Living in Paris, Guys and Dolls, The Sound Of Music, Funny Girl, Carnival, A Little Night Music, Bells Are Ringing, The Secret Garden, Pajama Game, and Man Of La Mancha and has created roles in new musicals and plays including Temporary Help, Lorenzaccio (Helen Hayes Nomination), Fiction, Dorian, Enter The Guardsman, Sons Of Don Juan and most recently A Moon To Dance By (with Jane Alexander at the Pittsburgh Playhouse).

Merwin Foard

BROADWAY: The Addams Family, Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Sweeney Todd La Cage Aux Folles, Assassins, Oklahoma!,  Kiss Me Kate, 1776, Jekyll And Hyde, Beauty And The Beast and Les Miserables. DISNEY FILMS: Pocahontas, Beauty And The Beast, Aladdin And The King Of Thieves,  The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, Mulan, Home On The Range, Enchanted and Tangled.

December 13th GUEST
Morgan James

Morgan James:  Originally from Idaho, Morgan has lived in Utah, Tennessee, California, and now her family resides in Connecticut. Morgan came from a theatrical family, and so naturally she wanted to be a Veterinarian. Unfortunately, science was not her strong-suit, so after high school Morgan attended The Juilliard School in New York City where she received her BM in Voice.

Morgan is a versatile vocalist, easily maneuvering between opera, musical theatre, rock, and blues. She is equally comfortable in front of an orchestra, full band, or in the recording studio. Morgan has done numerous commercials and voice-overs, and always continues a regimen of voice, acting and improv study. She has been a proud member of Actors Equity Association since 2003, and the Screen Actors' Guild since 2007. Morgan is currently working on the exciting new musical, "The Addams Family", starring Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth and has begun rehearsals for the new Frank Wildhorn Broadway musical "Wonderland". She is also continuing work on "The Rock Tenor" where she co-stars with Rob Evan.   Morgan is also working on her own show and solo album.

BIRDLAND TICKETS

Tickets to the Sunday December 12th Show

Click Here

Tickets to the Monday December 13th Show

Click Here

Get 'em now...other shows are selling out!