Armed with a digital camera, he provides a close-up look at morning workout, backstage antics with fellow cast members and a particular heated NFL rivalry playing out in the Green Room.
I usually get to wake up whenever I feel like, but have to get started a little earlier on two-show days. So I have to set an alarm. I hate alarms.
Edward Watts
I love snooze buttons though!
Edward Watts
Catching up on some Words With Friends before I get out of bed.
Edward Watts
Ha Ha! Take that Amber! (Note: Amber usually beats me)
Edward Watts
First order of business is coffee. Mickey is always ready with a smile to help wake me up.
Edward Watts
Making a tasty omelet!
Edward Watts
A nice healthy breakfast to power me through the rest of the morning. Did your eagle eye note that I’m now drinking coffee from my trusty Mt. Rainier mug? We have 2-show Saturdays AND Sundays so I took pictures on both days…
Edward Watts
A little HGTV over breakfast feeds my Do-it-Yourself / Home Improvement dreams.
Edward Watts
Um… apparently neither Mickey nor Mt. Rainier did his job this morning.
Edward Watts
Finally awake and out the door, I head to the gym. Ah-nold always greets me on my way in to motivate me to Get Huge!
Edward Watts
Have to get in some cardio. (Sorry the picture is blurry. If I stopped running, the screen would pause and go blank. So at least you know I was really doing it.)
Edward Watts
Time to pump some iron! Notice I’m next to the really heavy dumbbells. Not like that guy up at the top with his puny 20 lb ones. Ha!
Edward Watts
Listening to some old school Van Halen baby!
Edward Watts
A quick stop at the farmers market on the way home to get fresh fruit for…
Edward Watts
… the post work-out protein shake! (Quick tip: You kids out there should always remember to get some protein immediately after your workout to help your muscles heal up and prevent catabolism.)
Edward Watts
Warming up in the shower. (Um…that’s a very generous fig leaf…)
Edward Watts
On my way to the theatre on Sundays, I stop by Tim Horton’s for some Tim Bits. They kinda know me by now.
Edward Watts
In case you don’t know where our theatre is, it’s right across the street from Stephen Schwartz alley. You probably haven’t heard of these shows, but I think one of them has some pretty good long term prospects.
Edward Watts
The Jerry Orbach Theatre at the Snapple Theatre Center!
Edward Watts
Elevator or stairs to get up to the third floor… Always a dilemma.
Edward Watts
I went to the gym today…
Edward Watts
There’s Gray (he’s British, and I hope that’s how he spells his name – fingers crossed!) ready at the concession stand with a smile and some beer, wine or liquor for the patrons. Apparently there’s candy and stuff too but who really cares?
Edward Watts
Looks like it’s the full company today.
Edward Watts
Our box office man-about-town Randy. Always ready to get you the best possible seat. (Hint: he likes sugar cookies!)
Edward Watts
As you can see, it’s Employees Only backstage at The Fantasticks. But today, for you, we’ll make an exception. Note: in that show poster you see on the left, that’s our current Production Stage Manager Paul as Matt!
Edward Watts
Bill Bateman is dutifully signing in as I arrive at the call board.
Edward Watts
Uh-oh, looks like our illustrious star has gotten a few red boxes for being late!
Edward Watts
On my way to the green room, I pass by our stage manager’s room where our beautiful ASM Cyrille Blackburn is cutting more of the colorful squares we use throughout the show as confetti, rain, snow and even blood.
Edward Watts
On two-show Saturdays, MacIntyre Dixon provides some tasty treats from The Donut Pub. Of course I abstain and only drink my protein shake. Aaron Carter has got a taste for the Red Bull.
Edward Watts
On two-show Sundays, Michael Nostrand and I provide the sweets. Sensing a trend here?
Edward Watts
Speaking of Michael, this is usually how I find him when I arrive for the matinee. And that’s our “older actor” understudy Tom Flagg. I say the word “older” merely as a reference Tom…you’re a handsome and dapper man!
Edward Watts
Our lovely Louisas are enjoying some pre-show goodies. That’s Juliette Trafton on the right, and her understudy Whitney Bashor. (Addi McDaniel is our usual Louisa understudy but happened to be away this particular week.)
Edward Watts
Much as it pains me to relive it, this Sunday was the big play-off game between my beloved Green Bay Packers and the New York football Giants. We did a little decorating to mark the occasion.
Edward Watts
Michael woke up shortly after I walked in and promptly showed off his new tattoo.
Edward Watts
Mac Dixon and our PSM Paul Blankenship (Remember from the poster at the stage door! You haven’t aged a day, Paul!)
Edward Watts
There was a tense moment when Dan Sharkey showed up…some shouting and very angry chewing of donut-holes occurred.
Edward Watts
Actually we’re very good friends. Although I ribbed him a lot throughout the day for that shirt.
Edward Watts
I did talk Whitney into wearing my Packers sweatshirt so I would have at least one ally in the room. It turns out her brother’s girlfriend is from Green Bay so it’s almost in the family anyway. Thanks Whitney!
Edward Watts
This is what I find when I head to my dressing room to start getting ready. Poor Aaron Carter... can’t afford a gym membership.
Edward Watts
This is what Aaron has us listening to today as we prepare for the show. Have you ever heard their song “Hello Seattle”? Craziest lyrics.
Edward Watts
These are my other dressing roommates: Our Mute Matt Leisy, and our Music Director/Conductor Robert Felstein. Fun facts: When Matt goes on as Matt, he's anything but mute and has a beautiful voice. Robert plays the entire show from memory every night!
Edward Watts
My humble dressing station. Some must-haves there: a fan for those hot summer days. A big tin of Grether’s Blackcurrant Pastilles to soothe the throat. Some breath mints for those intimate moments.
Edward Watts
Gotta brush the teeth. (Hey! Looks like the gym is paying off!)
Edward Watts
Lock down the 'do. Taking a hat on-and-off constantly wreaks havoc on the style.
Edward Watts
And tie on the famous red scarf!
Edward Watts
Aaron is still pretty new to the cast and is therefore still in the hazing process.
Edward Watts
Matt and Juliette chatting with our wonderful harp player Jacqueline Kerrod.
Edward Watts
Some last minute stretching for Sharkey and me as “Places” is called.
Edward Watts
Cyrille is in the booth today so Paul is watching over backstage (More likely watching the football game. We’re on to you Paul!)
Edward Watts
The cast is ready and the music has started! Showtime!
Edward Watts
Working out my brain during the few moments I have offstage during Act 1. Don’t be fooled, it’s probably the Monday USA Today.
Edward Watts
Mac and Michael finally decide to get ready for their first entrance. I believe we’re about 40 minutes into the show about now.
Edward Watts
Intermission! Mac is already in his Act 2 make-up.
Edward Watts
Wonderful Surprise! Writer/Director Tom Jones and his lovely wife Janet snuck in to watch the show today. They came backstage at intermission to say hello… and give us a few notes.
Edward Watts
And... curtain! Mac and Michael are the only two guys who really have to wear any make-up during the show. A little cold-cream and a towel take care of that – old-school style!
Edward Watts
A quick trip down to Subway for a between-shows sandwich.
Edward Watts
Stop off at the concession stand for some coffee to start building energy for the evening show.
Edward Watts
Heading back through the theatre, I catch Jackie playing through some songs. Beautiful!
Edward Watts
Game time! Go Packers!
Edward Watts
The Giants fans seem very happy.
Edward Watts
The Packers fan seems very nervous.
Edward Watts
Uh…that’s not a happy face. Giants win the day. Boo.
Edward Watts
Hey! That’s just not sportsmanlike! Almost literally kicking a guy when he’s down! A Packer fan would have at least taken an in-focus picture!
Edward Watts
Matt grabs some Tums before the evening show. I think I took some too.
Edward Watts
The evening show is over and it’s time to meet the audience. Thanks for hanging out! For those of you who haven’t seen it – or want to come see it again – come and experience the magic of The Fantasticks!
Edward Watts
Watts was last appeared on Broadway in Finian's Rainbow. He performed with the New York City Opera in The Most Happy Fella and toured with Les Miserables and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
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The Fantasticks also stars Aaron Carter, Matt Leisy (Ghostlight), Bill Bateman (Gypsy, Hello, Dolly!), Matt Dengler (A Little Night Music), MacIntyre Dixon (Beauty and the Beast, Prelude to a Kiss), Tom Flagg (Will Rogers Follies, Oklahoma!), Addi McDaniel, Michael Nostrand (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), Dan Sharkey (The Music Man, Show Boat), Juliette Trafton (Phantom of the Opera) and Charles West (Show Boat, Cyrano the Musical).
The Fantasticks is the world's longest-running musical, having played a record-breaking run of more than 17,000 performances in Greenwich Village. Harvey Schmidt wrote the music, and Jones penned the book and lyrics. The Fantasticks originally opened at the Sullivan Street Playhouse in May 1960 and closed Jan. 13, 2002. The original company included Wedding Singer star Rita Gardner and the late Jerry Orbach.
Book writer and lyricist Tom Jones staged the revival of The Fantasticks, which has choreography by Janet Watson. Terzetto LLC, Pat Flicker Addiss and MARS Theatricals (Amy Danis and Mark Johannes) produce.
The Fantasticks resumed performances Off-Broadway at the Snapple Theater Center's Jerry Orbach Theater June 16, 2008.
For tickets phone (212) 921-7862 or visit Ticketmaster.
