Milwaukee Part 7

Happy Sunday!

Here's another Milwaukee installment. I have a crummy internet connection today, so this is all I can do. If you'd like to see the previous posts, scroll down. I hope everyone is doing well.



Watch this one second:

Milwaukee Part 6

Hi Again,

Sorry for the delay, I got caught up in Tony mania here on the Great White Way, which was very fun. Yay for In The Heights, South Pacific and all of the fantastic actors at Gypsy. If you are in NY or coming, don't miss these 3 shows...they are really wonderful...and (of course) August: Osage County.

Here is a picture with my Cincinnati friend Andy Blankenbuhler who won the Best Choreography Tony for In The Heights. He and I did Bye, Bye Birdie at St. Xavier High School and his sister Nancy was in my class at Ursuline. I'm so proud to know him!



Okay--these installments are short so I'm posting 2 of them.

Watch this one first:


Now watch this one:

Milwaukee Part 5

For today's movie, visit my friend Jacob's blog at:

http://meetmeatthestagedoor.blogspot.com/2008/06/tragedy-on-lanes.html

Milwaukee Part 4

Hi Everyone,

Now we are headed backstage. If you'd like to see previous posts, please scroll down or visit "old posts"

Thanks!

Milwaukee Part 3

Hi Again,

Here's a little more, this is my friend Farah Alvin who is an amazing singer--seriously amazing--and she's had a little mascara mishap.

If you haven't seen the first two and would like to, please scroll own or visit "old posts"

Rough cut...rough cut...

Milwaukee Part 2

Hello friends,

I'm grateful that so many of you are visiting my blog!

Here's installment #2 of the RIVETING behind the scenes look at The Milwaukee Symphony.

Remember...it's a rough cut...don't get all picky on me....

Backstage Pass

Hi Everyone,

I spent a glorious few days singing with Jack Everly and The Milwaukee Symphony this past weekend, and I thought it might be kinda fun to show you what happens behind the scenes. The plan was to make this a fancy-shmancy movie, but I am knee deep in rehearsals for AVENUE Q in New York and the rest of my time is for my girls. So, I'm going to post a little every day and I'll try to make it all pretty and edited soon.

Enjoy the rough cut!

I'm joining the Broadway Company of Avenue Q

Hi!

Great news! As of June 9th, 2008 I will be a permanent member of AVENUE Q on Broadway. This is a show I love and I am honored, delighted, thrilled and grateful to get to play on AVENUE Q every night. I am a standby/swing for Kate Monster/Lucy and Mrs. T/Yellow Bear, so I will give a heads up when I am going on.

Thanks!

A Day In May Life

It's Tony voting season here on the great White Way, and as a Tony Voter, every May I play the "how-to-see-every-new-show-without-neglecting-my-children" game. The addition of Beatrix has added a new member to consider and here's a picture after the matinee today. Rob and I are outside of the show we saw today, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE. Beatrix was dropped off by her babysitter, and I'm off to hop on the bus to pick up Charlotte from her playdate at her friend Rosamund's, then onto the subway, dinner, baths, piano practice, currency project, bottles, diapers....tra la, its May!!

Last night was CRY BABY, tomorrow I'm going to see a PASSING STRANGE. Saturday is IN THE HEIGHTS and Sunday GREASE, both with Charlotte. Fun, fun.

By the way, I still can't spill the good news, but I will soon. No, I'm not pregnant!!

A little shout out of love to someone who needs a smile.

Feel better soon. I love you!

News, news, news...lots of news.

I will be singing with The Milwaukee Symphomy for four performances of The Nifty Fifties, The golden Age of Black and White. Dates are June 6,7 and 8th.

I have more good news, but I can't officially announce it yet. Soon, soon.

Beatrix sings with Mommy

Beatrix Jane seems to be musically inclined. I noticed within her first week of life that she would turn her head and forcefully press her ear against my mouth if I sang while rocking her.

A couple of days ago I was vocalizing and I heard little coos coming from the her bouncy seat. Sure enough, she seems to sing along...or at least she seems to try. What do I know? I'm just a proud Mom. You be the judge!

Starring: Beatrix Jane Meffe
Supporting role: Sharon Wheatley
Beatrix's Hair stylist: Mother Nature
Directed and filmed by Charlotte Meffe

Click on the arrow to view. She really gets going one minute in so feel free to skip ahead.

Beatrix Jane at one month

This is me (looking a little tired!) and Baby Beatrix. I'm too occupied to blog right now, but I thought a picture might speak a thousand words. She's such a good baby!

Girl Power

I've never been a political person, I leave that to my father who raised my sister, brother and I on Republican values. In fact, his political views are so large and loud (he says anyone who wants to know what he thinks should listen to Rush) for many years he drowned out my own political thoughts. He once said "If any of my children voted for a democrat I would consider myself a failure as a parent." True story.
Maybe because I grew up in such a political atmosphere I've never really developed my own opinions on political parties or candidates. Mostly I considered it a subject I'd like to avoid.

But this year is different. This year I'm a Hillary Clinton supporter.

Why?

Maybe it's because I have two girls growing up in this world of male leaders.

Maybe it's simply that I believe she's the best for the job.

Maybe I want to prove to my Dad that one of his children can vote for a democrat, a candidate that inspires me out of my political indifference, and still be a good, thoughtful and worthy daughter.

Maybe it's because Hillary Clinton is smart and worthy, as smart and worthy as anyone else and it's a woman's turn to sit at the head of the table.

Maybe it's because Charlotte watches primary returns come in like it's the finale for American Idol. She sees a woman running for President and she cheers. She sees unlimited possibilities. Wouldn't I be a failure as a parent if I didn't support her?

Here is a terrific article I encourage you to read. I think Obama is great, but it's all about Hillary for me.

Oh--and by the way, you can teach an old dog new tricks. My Dad is great about my support of Hillary and we discuss it often. Go Dad. As he said "I have 4 sisters and 5 grand daughters. I'm all about the girls."

Goodbye To All That (#2) by Robin Morgan

February 2, 2008

http://www.womensmediacenter.com/ex/020108.html

Our new baby, Beatrix Jane Meffe

On January 30, 2008 at 3:16 pm, Beatrix Jane arrived into the world happy and healthy.
Well, I was going to write more but a certain 8-day-old baby just woke up, so I'm off to Mommy her. I'll post a picture instead and get back here soon!

Charlotte and Beatrix meet

Moments after being born, Beatrix was plopped into her big sister's arms by my ob/gyn. Click on the arrow to see a short video.

Holding On

September? That's the last time I blogged? Shame on me and a big apology to my one blog reader (my Aunt Barbara). Now that I've figured out how to link this to my facebook page I'm going to attempt to post stories more frequently.

So as most people who know me know, I'm pregnant and on the verge of delivery. For anyone who likes a timeline, I am 39 weeks pregnant today and my official due date is February 4th.

To clear up a little confusion, I was supposed to be induced on January 24th (last Thursday) but my doctor canceled due to a death in her husbands family and then she left to run a marathon in Miami. True story. My mother planned her vacation and purchased plane tickets based on my induction date so she is here in New York waiting for baby and being a generally good sport despite the fact that there is no baby in sight. I have a doctors appointment at 3pm today, so I'll update my preggo status later.

I will include one short Charlotte Meffe story from last night. As anyone who knows her knows, this small nine year old has big thoughts and feelings. Here is an example.

It was about 9:45 pm and Charlotte was (I thought) in bed. I heard light footsteps behind me and a big sigh. Sue enough, there was Charlotte headed back into her dark bedroom, 45 minutes past her bedtime. I followed her in, more than a little annoyed that she was still awake.

"Pup, what's up? You've gotta go to sleep."

Charlotte turns to me and it is quickly apparent that she's been crying pretty hard and for a while. Naturally my irritation quickly changes to concern.

"What's the matter?"

"I've been crying." Charlotte holds up her blue pillow which now features a large dark blue wet spot as proof.

Waiting for the baby has been a double edged sword of excitement and anxiety. As much as Rob and I try to shield Charlotte from the pre-term labor, trips to get monitored at the hospital, and the general concern about the delivery (especially because I'm older) Charlotte feels almost every bump with us, so I wasn't surprised to see the wet pillow. I expected her usual monologue about how long she's waited and that it's time for the baby to come out already, but this time she had a different thought on her mind.

"Mommy, I was thinking about a book I read. In it the main character describes the stars as lights in the night sky that are holes, and these holes are the pathways to heaven. The character describes them so beautifully, Mommy. She says she is holding on to the grass to keep from floating through one of those holes. Then, at the end of the book she very simply says that things get too hard and she lets go of the grass."

Charlotte started to cry. "I started thinking about you and that you are 40 and delivering this baby and that is scary. So, I prayed to god that you'll be safe. Please God, please let her hold onto the grass."

I walked over to the bed, took Charlotte in my arms and let her cry for a minute. Then I looked into her wet eyes and I promised, "I will hold onto the grass, I will hold onto you, I will hold onto this baby and we will be fine. I promise. I have a firm grip of the grass and I'm not going anywhere."

Our grass has deep roots and my daughter is a miracle. I kissed her goodnight, walked into the living room and cried at the depth of it all.

I will never look at the stars or grass in quite the same way, and I will hold on tight. I promise.

And Baby Makes 4

Hi Everyone,

So here's some news...I'm going to have a baby! Yep, sure enough, for those of you that suspected Charlotte would be our "one and only" we are here to announce our soon-to-arrive 2nd child, due February 4th. Surprise!!

No one is happier than 9-year-old soon-to-be-big-sister Charlotte who has decided that we are waiting to find out the sex of the baby...she wants the big "IT'S A _______" moment in the delivery room. She says "She doesn't care if it's a boy or a girl as long as it's healthy."

More good news, I'm now at AVENUE Q in NYC through October 14th.

I'm off to do a press event for AVENUE Q at New York University, so I'm signing off, but I'll write more soon.

Catch ya later,

Sharon

I'm performing in AVENUE Q on Broadway

Hey Everyone,

So, you wanted to know, and here are the dates.

I'm performing as Mrs. T/Yellow Bear:

Thurday August 30th and Friday August 31st at 8pm as well as September 1st at 2 & 8.

Please visit www.avenueq.com for tickets, and if you'd like, stick around at the stage door so I can say hi!

Thanks so much for everyone's interest and encouragement!

Catch ya later,

Sharon

Welcome to AVENUE Q

Hello Friends!

I'm delighted to announce that I'll be joining the Broadway cast of AVENUE Q this summer! I start rehearsals on July 23rd and I'll be sure to post when I'm going on, so check back if you are going to be in town and might like to come. I'll be in the cast until September 30th (it's a limited engagement) but I hope you'll swing by if you can. For tickets, please go to www.avenueq.com

Catch ya later,

Sharon