My Life in a Blog

Apparently I have major Blog ADD...

2011-10-07T11:52:00.001-07:00

Happy Fall!

So summer is over, and I enter my third season here in NYC...Fall!

The weather has been a bit sneaky... there'll be a big bright sun, yet the parka is needed or it's gray and dreary, yet boiling hot. I've got my winter jacket with removable sleeves though, so I'm okay. And awesome, because how many people STILL own their convertible winter jacket/vest.

There have been some cast changes at RoA Broadway! MiG Ayesa played his final show as Stacee Jaxx on September 24th and our Joey Primo, Jeremy Woodard (who has been the ONLY Joey Primo on Broadway in it's entire run) took on the role of Stacee this past Monday, October 3. Jer has understudied the role since he started RoA, so it was no surprise that he killed it. Joey Calveri (the original tour Primo) has replaced Jeremy in his old role. Also killing it.

With this news came the news I was eagerly awaiting: I will be understudying Drew again :) After understudying him in Toronto and being fortunate enough to play the role a few times (once with fellow Toronto/B'way cast member Tessa Alves, opposite me) I was so excited when I was asked to try on those leather boots once more. I will say, however, Dan Domenech is a pro and will probably not be out anytime soon.

Summer was great here, I wish I spent a little more time outside, but I was still able to soak in some sun down by the Chelsea Piers and in West Hampton. I did, however, spend a lot of my summer in the gym. I've always said I would do it, but had a lot of people breathing down my neck to do so. When that happens, I usually bail. SO when I finally got the motivation to do it myself, and for myself, I stuck with it. Shane Zeigler, from One2One Gym is a dream and he killed my body...in a good way. Now I've gotta keep up with what he taught me until I move Downtown and have him within arms reach :) Broadway Bares 2012, here I come! Health and Fitness are great, I am such an advocate for both now, but I cannot stress enough not to try and force your friends and loved ones to get on the bandwagon, they have to want to do it for themselves. It's the only way it's gonna happen.

So now it's fall, the leaves are changing and although I have a very busy October planned, one of my best friends in the world, Tess Benger, will be moving in with me for a couple months as of November 1! It's the perfect time to have her, because in the middle of Christmas baking, and Christmas potlucks, and Christmas dinner, I will have Tess and her pristine healthy cooking skills to keep me thin :) And we're gonna giggle like schoolgirls for 2 months straight!

In other good news: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR IS COMING TO BROADWAY!!!! The Stratford production of JCS will be coming to Broadway after a brief stint at the La Jolla Playhouse this winter. I have many friends in this show who will be coming to NY with the production, and one of them, Ryan Gifford (Toronto's Joey Primo) and I will be moving in together :) I'm so pumped for many reasons: Perfect roomie pairing, I'll get to live in my dream area, I'll spend less money, and I'll be more HAPPY!

I think I've realized that Year 1 in NY will be about learning and settling in. Year 2 will be about improvment and joy :)

I know I always say "sorry for not writing more, I promise I will for now on..." but clearly me saying that isn't worth anything, so I am going to say this...I will TRY and write soon. I'll try. Trying. Gonna try...

Peace out!

1st Broadway Blog!

2011-05-28T08:47:00.000-07:00

Helen Hayes Theatre, 44th Street.

Holy Balls it's been a while!

Sup y'all!?

So today I came across my blog and realized I haven't written an entry since December 16, 2010. Apologies!

So much has happened since that last entry and I will try to sum it all up for you right here, right now. We closed the Toronto run of Rock of Ages on January 2, 2010 and on January 26, I got a call offering me the job of Franz in the new Broadway company! I was stoked (obviously) as I have been wanting to get to NYC, and of course the big ol' Broad-way, for a few years now. The excitement was a bit clouded by the immense amount of things that needed to be done! I had to get out of my lease, get to NYC and find an apartment, call moving companies to ship my stuff, raise a ton of money for the gargantuan security deposits required here, book flights, squeeze in a quick Mom/Son trip to the Dominican, say goodbye to all of my family and friends, move in, and then start rehearsals!

It's an odd feeling moving from another Country to a new one. This move is for good (I will always have a home in Toronto, but New York is my main address fo'eva!) so sitting in an empty apartment not knowing anyone was a weird feeling to have. I think subconsciously the reason I haven't written a blog entry, is because it probably would have depressed you all! BUT, I started rehearsals, fell in love with this cast, and through osmosis have built an amazing, funny, and might I add very attractive group of friends.

NYC is the concrete jungle that dreams are made of my friends, and I'm experiencing it everyday. It has lived up to everything I thought it would and I'm so excited to see what the future has to bring me. I've been here 3 months and have already done so much, who knows what the next 3 decades has in store!? I'm so excited to find out. The Universe is a pretty amazing thing, and when you are open to accepting whatever it wants to give you, life gets pretty darn magnificent.

Until next time! and I promise there will be a next time...

Cody!

Dan Domenech & I at the NO H8 Campaign Photoshoot

Opening Night Bows

Performing for Fleet week!

Gorgeous day on the Pier with Dan Domenech & Emily Williams

2 more weeks?!

2010-12-16T22:55:00.000-08:00

It's finally hit me. We only have two more weeks of this amazing show.

When we first got the news, I thought "This could be great, a chance to do something new, maybe I'll move to New York." But now I'm thinking "There's nothing new happening, immigration nearly impossible. I wish it was going to continue."

This past year has given me the best and worst times of my life, but I can say that the best were definitely all Rock of Ages. The people I have met, the amazing creative team I've worked with, the ridiculously talented cast that I get to laugh with every single night...Rock of Ages has honestly been the best experience of my life.

Today I got my hair dyed and cut for the very last time. It was so weird sitting in that chair. My Franzy is all about the hair. The blonde is what has made me REALLY delve into this character and give it my all, so seeing that bleach in the bowl was like seeing a physical manifestation of my last days with Franz...so weird.

The next two weeks are going to be even better than the whole run. We have only two more weeks to give it all we have. Many people are moving away, and we love eachother too much to spend the rest of our days crying. The last show however...well, we won't get to that quite yet.

To all of you who have read my blog, and to all of the fans of Rock of Ages: Thank you so much for all the love you have given us, and I hope I can repay it to you one day.

Cody!

Schizophrenic!

2010-11-01T17:26:00.000-07:00

What a crazy week!

This was my schedule this week:
Tuesday: Franz
Wednesday Mat: Franz
Wednesday Eve: Drew
Thursday: Drew
Friday: Franz
Saturday Mat: Drew
Saturday Eve: Franz
Sunday Mat: Franz

Every single day I went back and forth! It was crazy but fun! We also had our put-in for Ryan Gifford's first show which went awesome! With all this, it was a prettttty crazy week!

A bunch of fans were asking me the same question: Is it weird playing the two biggest opposites in the show? It's a little weird, but I like it because of the diversity. With Franz I get to be really light and make everyone laugh, but with Drew I get to belt to the heavens and be the rocker that I am at heart.

The amazing week ended with Halloween. First, we had an amazing party at my house where we all got ready with some amazing food and even better costumes!

After that, we headed to the Charlotte Room where amazing prizes were given out and then I headed to ANOTHER party, THEN a bar...and then finally back home. All in all, it was a good night.

The clean-up today...not so fun, but I did it and the place is spic and span! :)

Talk soon!

Cody

In regards to below post...

2010-10-05T11:43:00.000-07:00

Sex and the City: The Movie---You must have the right outlook to learn the lessons in this one ha! It might make you even more depressed, but if looked at the right way, mayyyybe we'll find a lesson?

I'll let you know as soon as I know.

Lessons

2010-10-04T23:34:00.001-07:00

So I said that I would write this blog about not only my career, but my life...so I will.

I've learned, as an only child, that when you face a lot of problems in your life, you can turn to your family and to your friends, but that's all. When you have siblings growing up, you can learn from their successes and most of all their mistakes but when you are an only child, you must succeed and fail all by yourself, search for the lesson, learn from the lesson and use that lesson in your future.

There are a few different ways to deal with them. As an only child, this video has helped me quite a bit and I think it is one of the most beautiful things I have ever watched. This can be a way to deal with loneliness or boredom.

I truly do believe, and I make myself laugh when as I type this, that Sex and the City can assist healing all wounds. Every lesson that has to be learned are all in those 6 seasons, and two movies.

With that said, put a smile on your face. And if you can't...think about the day you can - no matter how far away - because I know and you know that it will come.

Empire State of Mind

2010-09-14T13:29:00.000-07:00

So tonight is our first show back from a one-week hiatus!

Every year, Mirvish closes their shows on the week of Labor Day so that Torontonians can focus on getting back to work and getting their kids back to school :) Everyone in the cast spent their weeks different ways. Some of the girls went to Hawaii, some went to Baltimore and PEI, and a few of us went to New York.

Visiting New York has become a common thing over the past year and it feels great. Toronto and NYC are two of my favourite places in the world and when I get a chance to see my other love, I don't turn it down. This time I had a few reasons to go, one being a reunion with my old Regina, Josephine Rose Roberts! I stayed with her for the week and we talked until the wee hours and ate lots of pizza.

Aside from meeting with Josey, I had a few meetings, saw the Rock of Ages Broadway company AND saw the final dress rehearsal for the Rock of Ages 1st National Tour company. It was jam packed with Rock of Ages those first few days. Being in NY has made me realize just how much I would love to move my career and life there one day. I've made the decision that once I'm finished with Rock of Ages Toronto, I will make the move to New York City.

After coming back from NY, I went camping for a few days up at Balsam Lake. The park was virtually empty because the school year had started and it was an interesting atmosphere. Upon our arrival, we realized we had packed EVERYTHING but the TENT POLES!!!!! So after two hours of driving we had to drive to the nearest town and purchase a new tent. The weird thing is that the new tent we bought, came with two muskoka chairs (which we were discussing picking up) and two sleeping bags which we needed because it was FREEZING at night! We built the most amazing shelter and showed Balsam Lake how camping is done.

Anywho, tonight is our first night back to Rock of Ages and there better be a kick-ass audience awaiting our arrival!

*Codes

I'M NOT DEAD

2010-08-29T09:33:00.000-07:00

PEOPLES!!!

I must start by apologizing. I'm sorry for being so MIA. Where the hell have I been???

Fine, I'll tell you. The past 3.5 months have been pretty amazing. We opened the show on May 11th, as you all know, and since then it's been a joyride! The show is solidified into a well-oiled machine and the cast is as tight as the cast of Big Brother (without all the lying and manipulating).

Since last May, we've had some more great press and I have been lucky enough to have had some articles written about me as well! See..

Toronto Star's DO IT Magazine- Richard Ouzounian

News Advertiser

I am so happy that this show is getting the recognition it deserves. It's been a long time since theatre had a big place here in Toronto and I think we're rockin' it back to where it's supposed to be.

Just so everyone knows, our show will be closed the week of labour day [so you can all get back to work and school and settle in :)! ] And then we'll all be back to entertain you! It'll be the perfect chance for relaxation. In our cast we have some people going to Hawaii, on cruises, New York City, Prince Edward Island, and MORE!

Keep checking the Rock of Ages Website for more details and come to the show! If you haven't seen it already, you need to, and if you have...you know you have to come again!

I promise I won't keep you waiting this long again my babies.

Franzie

Leah Daniels- The Next Big Thing

2010-05-21T12:36:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys!!! Alright, I need your help to get a very good friend of mine, Leah Daniels play in LILITH FAIR!!! Leah has been in the industry for quite a while and her new album will be out very soon but until it is, you can catch her stuff at www.heyleah.com. Leah can be heard singing the theme song to CMT show UnStable, singing on stage with band Ill Scarlet, she played to rave reviews at the annual HoneyJam festival that happened last year, and has recorded with Juno-Nominated God Made Me Funky. Leah's full Biography is below.

Here are the steps to take:

✬FIRST- LOG IN -Visit http://www.ourstage.com/ click on the "F" (facebook icon) in the top right corner by "login" then use your Facebook email and password to log in.

1. THEN go to http://apps.facebook.com/lilithlocalsearch/?next=http%3A%2F%2Fapps.facebook.com%2Flilithlocalsearch and make me your FAVOURITE band. This will better allow my song to appear in the judging process MUCH FASTER!

2. Click on LILITH LOCAL TALENT SEARCH-TORONTO and then click "Artists" Tab

3. Find me on approx. Page 15 (it's alphabetical) and FAVOURITE!

✬THEN START VOTING!Click on the "JUDGE" TAB You will have to listen to 15 seconds of each song then rate from 1-4. Please continue until you reach Leah's song "Still" and rank it at the TOP. :)

Note from Leah:
**It may take a couple rounds to reach my song, but please stick it out! it would mean the world to me to play Lilith!! Voting last for 3 more days so if you have a free moment please go back and vote! Thank you SO SO SOOO much!

FULL BIOGRAPHY

Leah’s passion for music is instantly apparent, even contagious. Within minutes of speaking with her you quickly realize for Leah, music truly is her life.

After all, this is a girl who at the early age of 9 started piano and vocal lessons and took the theatre stage with such productions as “West Side Story”, “Grease”, “Anne of Green Gables” and more. Leah would never miss an opportunity to perform. This eagerness led to her entering many local singing contests and showcases. Her first performance was the CNE’s open country singing contest at age 11. Family, friends and members of the community recognized both her talent and determination for music.

Leah attended both Sheridan College’s musical theater program and Humber College’s contemporary music degree program before she decided to push forward with her own music career. While attending College Leah spent her summers performing daily on stage at Canada’s Wonderland singing and dancing in the shows “School of Rock” and “Twistin’ to the Sixties”.

For Leah, writing became an obsession and she found her true passion through composing her own songs. March 2008 marked the release of her first 3 song EP “No Escape”. Leah booked and performed shows all across the GTA playing with a 4-piece band. Her shows are always full of energy and emotion, which keeps her fans coming back for more.

While working on her new project, Leah also had the opportunity to work with Juno nominated group “God Made Me Funky”. As lead-female vocalist Leah toured with the group on their 2009 West coast tour, and her vocals are featured on their brand new studio album, “Welcome to NuFunktonia”. Leah returned home after the tour with a new inspiration and is working harder then ever on her upcoming album set for release later this year.

With a Pop / Country feel Leah’s new venture was inspired and influenced by the sounds of Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain, and even Keith Urban. In fall 2009 Leah's new ballad “Still” was featured on CMT's new reality show “UnStable”. Leah is currently recording her first full length record set for release in summer 2010. Leah’s sound, voice and passion is sure to make 2010 a milestone in her career, giving fans a fresh new look for the future.

I'm still alive!

2010-05-21T12:17:00.000-07:00

What a crazy week and a half it's been!

Last Tuesday was our Opening Night! And what a night it was. We had a 7:00 p.m start so that there would be enough time to party later but we didn't even have to wait. The party started the second the band entered the stage.

The audience was full of industry people, friends & family, 80's Rockers, RoA Broadway cast-members, critics, and more! And even though they all came from different walks of life, they all had the same reaction to our show and it was LOUD!

After the show, the cast hopped on the Rock of Ages bus with champagne a-flowin' and arrived at The Sheraton Center Ballroom with photographers waiting at the Red Carpet to take our pictures.

We then entered the ballroom to more pictures and after finally getting some time to grab a drink or a bite of food, Constantine Maroulis (Drew on Broadway from American Idol fame) rocked out for a bit with our very own Peter Deiwick and Aaron Walpole joining him.

Now...we cannot forget two other performers who rocked out with us; Joel Hoekstra from Night Ranger and Jim Pellerin from Survivor battled it out guitar-styles after Jim belted out Eye of the Tiger and right before the whole cast of RoA joined in on the extended version of Beaver Hunt and finally, Don't Stop Believin'!

After drinking, dancing, and laughing all night, we ended up in a Sheraton Hotel room where eventually, we woke up.

Like that wasn't enough to make it a crazy week? Nope.

The next day, I came in to start some fittings and rehearsals for the character of Drew, which I understudy, then did a show. About 6 hours after we finished the show, we all met again at Breakfast Television for a 6:oo a.m performance.

With Opening, understudy rehearsals, Breakfast Television, reviews, and interviews still happening...it's pretty damn crazy over at Rock of Ages.

If you want to join in the crazy, visit the Rock of Ages Toronto website for more details or TicketKing for tickets!

Until next time!

Keep living, Keep breathing. Breath in the negative, live out the positive. And everything will be.

OPENING NIGHT!

2010-05-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

It's here folks...Opening Night of Rock of Ages.

What a crazy 8 weeks it's been! We rehearsed for 3.5 weeks at a West-End rehearsal hall, then 1.5 weeks teching at The Royal Alex, followed by three weeks of previews. And now we're here!

Tonight, our personal guests are joined by reviewers, industry peers, and some other special guests. City Tv will be airing a special on the show and opening night tonight, Tuesday May 11, at 6:30 pm.

I am so excited to finally say that we're open. Even though nothing will change, as we have had great audiences so far, it will be nice to be past that final step. We have worked so hard and we are all so excited to share it with the world.

After tomorrow night, Kristin and Kelly (our Director and Choreographer) and the rest of the creative team begin auditions for the North American tour and then the Australian Company. Rock of Ages is taking over the world!!!

If you haven't seen it yet, get your butt down to The Royal Alexandra Theatre to see Rock of Ages! visit http://www.ticketking.com for tickets and http://www.rockofagestoronto.com for more information.

Keep living, Keep breathing. Breath in the negative, live out the positive. And everything will be.

ALLIE HUGHES

2010-05-04T17:41:00.000-07:00

Today is not a blog about my job, my relationship, my house, it isn't about me...it's about my friend Ms. Allie Hughes.

Now, if you've yet to hear of Allie, you are one of the few in Toronto to do so. She is stealing the spotlight of the Toronto scene bringing her eclectic sound to the ears of many thankful listeners. I've known Allie for about four and a half years and through that time, I've listened to her sound change and develop into what it is now.

Not only will some of her songs make you feel like there is someone else out there who understands whatever problem you may have, but others will make you want to get up and dance. Dance your ass off! haha Her theatre-influenced alternative pop songs are unlike anything you've heard before.

Seriously everybody, take a listen to this girl because you will not regret it. Her newest tunes are on both her website and myspace!

Visit Allie's Website: http://www.alliehughes.com/

Visit Allie's MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/alliehughes

Follow Allie on Twitter: http://twitter.com/hughesmuses

Keep living, Keep breathing. Breath in the negative, live out the positive. And everything will be.

Two Days Off

2010-05-03T09:12:00.000-07:00

During rehearsal process we have been working with Sunday being our day off, where as now we will be working with our usual Monday as day off. That meant this weekend was a DOUBLE day off!

We all celebrated the end of another good week with the casts of Mamma Mia, Burn the Floor, The Wedding Singer, and Jersey Boys having some drinks and food and good times. Waking with a little bit of a headache brought myself and Ms Tessa Alves together for brunch and what was supposed to be shopping...

...So we come out of the Eaton's Center and come across a Dance Expo type thing in the middle of Dundas Square. Now, I've lived and played in Toronto for quite a while and I've never actually stopped to watch something like this. Every kind of dance was explored, police were slandered from protesters, and Tessa and I danced with some old crazy man who had the best smile I've ever seen.

The fact that I got to wake up today, a SECOND day, where there was no alarm clock involved, or bedtime the night before, was ridiculously amazing. DO NOT get me wrong, I have the best job in the entire world but after 7 weeks of rehearsal and then rehearsal during the day followed by a show, a double day off feels earned and quite nice.

Today will be used by resting, maybe shopping for Opening Night, and then I'm meetin' my Mum for dinner!

Enjoy your Monday!!

Keep living, Keep breathing. Breath in the negative, live out the positive. And everything will be.

Why I'm so damn HAPPY! Reason #1

2010-04-22T12:50:00.000-07:00

I thought today I'd give a little insight to why I end all of my blogs with "Keep living, Keep breathing. Breath in the negative, live out the positive."

Now I'm not one to stuff my beliefs down everyone's throats, BUT it is my blog and my blog consists of MY thoughts. Ha! I have believed for quite some time that the energy you put out, comes right back to you. Each religion believes this in some way, they just word it differently. Take "The Golden Rule" : Do unto others as you'd have them do unto you." Karma. It's all the same. I also believe in acting "as if". If you put positive energy out there towards something and you act as if life is already that way, there will only be positive energy coming back to you.

Being in the performance business, this way of life keeps me sane. With the job comes a lot of rejection. You audition countless times, nail a few, and then book the odd one. If I didn't soak up as much positive energy as I do, and if I didn't know that everything happens for a reason, I could be up shit creek without a paddle. Fortunately, I DO know this, and it keeps me the way I am...HAPPY!.

So folks, no matter how you are feeling today, I am sending you positive vibes. I hope you are receiving them with open arms and that you are paying it forward and putting more of those vibes out there yourself.

PEACE OUT!

Keep living, Keep breathing. Breath in the negative, live out the positive. And everything will be.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

2010-04-20T11:40:00.000-07:00

Last night might have been the best night of my life thus far.

It was our invited dress rehearsal. If you read my last entry, you know all about what that is.

So we go on stage, and from the second the music started the crowd went INSANE. Lighters in the air, beer in the aisles, screams emerging from throats left right and centre. It was awesome. In the first number "Just Like Paradise", I write in a little notepad. Well last night all it was was shaky scribbles; it's all I could muster up with the adrenaline and excitement I was feeling.

Getting those laughs from the audience was the best thing we could have all asked for. They really tell you when you're doing a great job! The audience last night was super kick-ass, and I can't wait for it to get even better.

I've got to give a huge shout-out to the NYC SUPER FANS! 40 of these folks drove up on the Rock of Ages bus from NY to Toronto to see the final dress and they filled the first few rows...leading the entire theatre in claps, dancing, lighters in the air, and every other possible thing they could have. We couldn't have asked for better leaders, and they've paved a great path for our own Toronto Superfans who will start to come as of tonight!

Oh right....today's also MY BIRTHDAY!!! So basically what I'm saying is I get to perform Rock of Ages for the first paying audience on MY BIRTHDAY. I could not ask for anything better. I came into my dressing room to a huge candy basket (an homage to Franz) from my dear friend and cast-mate Tony LePage and his wife Natalie. Tony and I have worked in this exact theatre before together, and getting that gift was the perfect start to my day.

And one more shout out... Big ups to Derek St. Pierre. He just began playing Franz on Broadway a month ago and has been getting some great reviews! We hear the NYC company is all very excited for us, as are we for all of them!

Anyways, I've got to get back to the best birthday ever!

Keep living, Keep breathing. Breath in the negative, live out the positive. And everything will be.

Invited Dress Rehearsal

2010-04-19T12:33:00.000-07:00

Tonight is the Invited Dress Rehearsal for Rock of Ages Toronto!

The invited dress rehearsal is the last dress rehearsal we have before a paying audience comes in. In attendance, we have some of our family & friends, our extended Mirvish family and some contest winners. What's cool about tonight's performance is that we also have a bus of 40 Rock of Ages SuperFans from NYC coming out to support!

We have worked our asses off for 5 weeks getting this show ready for everybody and tonight we finally get to hear some reactions! Tonight is the first night where we will find out exactly what works and exactly what doesn't and we will continue to polish all through previews. The unique thing about Rock of Ages compared to other shows is that the audience is a crucial crucial part of the process, and the show itself. We break the fourth wall a lot in the show and if the audience (our final cast member) doesn't get what's happening or doesn't feel included...we're not doing our job.

The whole cast is super excited about tonight, tomorrow night (first preview) and every show up until and following opening night! (May 11th)

Keep living, Keep breathing. Breath in the negative, live out the positive. And everything will be.

Blondes DO have more fun!

2010-04-16T17:29:00.001-07:00

8:15 a.m: Alarm goes off

9:30 a.m: Arrive at the TAZ Salon

9:45 a.m: Kiss my brown locks goodbye.

This morning I arrived at the TAZ salon to meet Susan. What can I say about Susan? Susan is a goddess. A brilliant, brilliant goddess. I sat down, showed her the colour we have picked for dear Franz and she went to work. First, we stripped the colour out of it (see below) and after an hour of sitting with a bag on my head my hair was wah-ha-hite!!!

In goes the toner, out goes the toner....welcome Cody Scott Blondie Lancaster!

At first I really didn't know how I was going to feel about the Blonde (I have dyed my hair many-a-colour in my day but it has been YEARS since I was a Blondie) but when I saw Kristin Hanggi's face and how sure she was about it...I knew I had to trust her. And thank God I did! Like I said in my last post, Franz is from Germany, and this blonde hair was the perfect touch for his Germanic self.

Seeing as I'll be blonde for at least a year, I think I might take up some sort of beach activity this summer; if blondes have more fun, then fun I will have!

Rock of Ages begins performances at The Royal Alexandra theatre on April 20. For more information, visit www.rockofagestoronto.com and for tickets visit www.ticketking.com

Keep living, Keep breathing. Breath in the negative, live out the positive. And everything will be.

Surf's Up

2010-04-15T15:15:00.000-07:00

In Rock of Ages, I play Franz. Franz is a young flamboyant German boy who will do anything to please his father, including lending his hand to the destruction of the Sunset Strip. Deep down, we all know Franz has a heart, he just has to let it shine all by himself.

Now...through the process of finding the character of Franz, many things happened. We added man-purses, we added glitter, and tomorrow...we are adding hair. The 80's was full of hair, but you must remember: Franz is foreign to the sunset strip...so I don't mean tomorrow we are adding BIG hair, I mean tomorrow we are adding BLONDE hair.

That's right folks... 10 a.m at the Taz Hair Salon, Cody will be going a bit lighter atop his head. For at least one year, I will be a few shades lighter, and a tad bit more Aryan.

I will keep you updated on the transformation, but for now, I leave you with a picture of my hair on it's last brown day for a while...

Keep living, Keep breathing. Breath in the negative, live out the positive. And everything will be.

The Equity Cot

2010-04-13T14:57:00.000-07:00

So...in Equity (Canadian Actor's Equity Association-our union), there's a little rule that says each theatre must have an Equity Cot. That's right...a fold out bed, for the cast to rest when needed.

Here in the Royal Alexandra theatre, I live on the 4th floor. The 4th floor family consists of Myself (Franz), Josephine Rose Roberts (Regina), Eric Coles (Joey Primo), Melvin Tunstall (Ja'Keith), Jennifer Mote (Waitress #1), Tessa Alves (Angel), and Emily Williams (Constance). The 4th floor family also has....the Equity Cot!

Now, the equity cot hasn't quite been used for the reason it should:napping. Instead, it's been used by the 4th floor family to pile on together, watch YouTube videos and laugh our asses off.

How do i describe these people? There are no words.

So I'll leave you with a pic...

Keep living, Keep breathing. Breath in the negative, live out the positive. And everything will be.

A quick SHOUT-OUT and THANK YOU!

2010-04-13T13:37:00.000-07:00

I just have to say...before I forget:

THANK YOU! To Mr. Daniel James for designing this amazing Blog. He worked tirelessly and didn't stop until it was perfect.

Thank you Dan!!!

-You can check Dan singing at the popular Curtains Down With Jenni B most Monday nights, and I will definitely be keeping y'all updated on his future projects!

Keep living, Keep breathing. Breath in the negative, live out the positive. And everything will be.

I Have Readers?

2010-04-12T17:35:00.000-07:00

So the other day, our beautiful director Kristin Hanggi brings to my attention that she has heard about my blog.

Say what?

I was quite caught off-guard by this and immediately went to my laptop to see if my entries needed editing. This is when I started to think about what a blog truly is. First that brought me to the dictionary which told me this:

blog

1998, short for weblog(which is attested from 1994, though not in the sense 'online journal'), from(World Wide) Web + log. Joe Bloggs (c.1969) was British slang for "any hypothetical person" (cf. U.S. equivalentJoe Blow); earlier it meant "a servant boy" in one of the college houses (c.1860, see Partridge, who describes this use as a "perversion of bloke"), and, as a verb, "to defeat" in schoolboy slang. TheBlogger online publishing service was launched in 1999.

So now that I know what a blog is, I started to think about different "Logs" that are out there...

-Captain's Log

...ok, so I could only think of Captain's Log, but it still gave me the information I needed. The captain's thoughts, uncensored, telling the reader exactly what has happened or what he thinks might happen. A log of important events in the management, operation and navigation of a ship.

This blog will be just that, a log of important (and not-so important) events in the management, operation and navigation of my personal ship: LIFE!

So delete I DID NOT, I left those previous entries up because they were logs of my thoughts. Now, of course... the knowledge of people reading these blogs will equal out to more blogs, but they will stay the same: uncensored, personal, and straight from the ol' noodle.

Stay tuned folks!

Keep living, Keep breathing. Breath in the negative, live out the positive. And everything will be.

What the Tech?!

2010-04-11T09:36:00.000-07:00

It's done folks. Act 1 is tech'd.

You know when you're all:

"It feels like we've been here for hours"

or you're all

"I feel like i've known you for years!"

Well...Tech is that period. You start rehearsal, beginning from Scene 1 and then 4 hours later, you are starting Scene 2. The only difference with Tech is that instead of being all:

"It feels like we've been here forever",

you're all:

"Wow! We've ACTUALLY been here forever!"

But a good forever. The times that you can let your genitalia hang out (not literally of course...well it's Rock of Ages, so sometimes literally), laugh, and bond with your new family. We're here for a long time, so it seems appropriate to start re-writing each and every song to our likings. Of course, we will not USE these new lyrics, nor will I even give you a glimpse of what they are. See, we may be a crude bunch but we are not a brag-ee bunch (hmm... The Bragy Bunch... I might have something here).

With Act 1 finished, and waking up to this beautiful Sunday with it's sun, clear skies, and nice temperatures...it seems fitting that i am sitting half naked on my couch watching Fire in the Sky on the History Channel.

Wait.... let's try to make a rap with that:

It seems FITTING

that I'm SITTING

Half Naked on my COUCH

watching Fire in the Sky

Instead of venturing OUT!

We was gonna do Brunch

but alas, no DICE.

The Froot Loops in my cupboard

will be TWICE as NICE!

That's all you're gettin' folks, one day these rhymes I be spittin' are gonna make me some strong amounts of dough.

Until then...."DAY OFF! It's-a day, it's-a day, it's-a day-ay-ay-off. Day off come and me want to go home!"

Who Even Knew?

2010-02-11T00:47:00.001-08:00

(A picture I took with my macbook about 14 minutes after I got it)

So about three months ago, I moved into my new condo with my hilar roommate Kate Etienne. Around then, my trusty Dell Laptop started showing the preliminary signs of failure. The odd power outage, loss of files, etc.

The straw which ended up being the last, was when le computaire (is that french at all??) couldn't stay on for more than ten minutes at a time (and that's with a POWER CORD people!!!, no cord=0% power.)

So I did it...well my Dad did it. I asked for a Macbook, or at least money towards, it for the day of Jesus' birth and my dad earned quite a few Dad Points. He went that extra mile passing Macbook Land and arrived in... Macbook PRO-ville.

Ok, so Christmas is over. I brought my Macbook Pro home and slowly started making the emotional PC to Mac switch. The switch was short lived because the second I started, I realized I DON'T KNOW HOW THE $*%! to get all my special files over to this son'abitch. So like most straight males, I don't ask. I try to figure it out.

Different options I came up with:

USB Key: Too small
Hooking up the two computers by an ethernet cord. (I know that any computer nerds who are reading this are laughing hysterically at that one...seeing as the only thing that comes out of it, is having two of your computers physically attached.)
Another USB Key: Also too small
I give up.
I try the same two USB Key's thinking that Merlin had come and magically given me space. Nothin'.
I give up again
I finally decide to google, and folks...you know what??!!!?

As I am typing this blog entry,my two computers are making sweet sweet love to give birth to the a brand new SUPER COMPUTER.

Well there you have it, I've learned a little sumthin sumthin' and I feel quite good about it.

I'm Out.

I leave you with some Re-written Celine:

"All by myself.

I fixed it all....

All by myself.

PAIN NO MORRRRRRRE"

Keep living, Keep breathing. Breath in the negative, live out the positive. And everything will be.

Come on up to Curtains Down!

2010-02-09T22:48:00.001-08:00

Ok Guys,

So we've been pretty busy as of late preparing for a pretty special event. Jenni Burke, host of the popular Curtains Down, is ready to lift the curtain on a whole new vibe! Curtains Down has been a fantastic open mic-esque night for quite a while now. Hosted by Miss Jenni B herself, Curtains Down invites special guests each week to present songs and then invites audience members to sing a song themselves.

Jenni B, and the show have been forced to play in smaller venues because of costs and unfortunately hasn't been able to show the world all it can offer...until now. On February 22nd, Jenni B, with Daniel James and myself, Cody Scott Lancaster, present Curtains Down: Cast Party @ The Spoke Club. This night is a special one night engagement to celebrate the new face of Curtains Down and the special nights to come that it'll bring! With Lily Ling on Piano, we have special guests including:

Adam Brazier
Marc Cassius
Kate Etienne
Sara Farb
Jacqueline French
Kelly Holiff
Michael Hughes
Daniel James
Cody Scott Lancaster
Jeigh Madjus
Sharron Matthews
Andrew Moyes
Marcus Nance
Erica Peck
Shawn Wright

So please, come and support Curtains Down, and Toronto Artists. The event is pay what you can with proceeds going to The Actors Fund and the future of Curtains Down. Go to www.curtainsdown.com to RSVP and get on the guestlist. TO A NEW BEGINNING!

"It's a cool cabaret night-out enlivened by a hilariously impromptu variety show. Showbiz superstars hit the stage alongside up-and-comers, serving up jaw-dropping music and general razzle-dazzle.
It's the ultimate spot to mix and mingle with show folk and their fans.

Jenni your host uides the entire affair like a bubbly cruise director, musical genius MICAHEL BARBER holds court at the ivories and the audience is invited to participate in the festivities in a warm and beautiful setting. Artists come together weekly to share a song, an anecdote, promote, Inspire…. but most of all celebrate being an Artist in Toronto!"

Keep living, Keep breathing. Breath in the negative, live out the positive. And everything will be.

3-2-1... Happy New Blog!!!

2010-02-09T12:52:00.000-08:00

Hey everybody! This is my first post on my first blog after my first New Years Eve in Nathan Phillips Square! What a night, seriously guys. My goal for 2009 was to make it ‘The Year of Cody’ and that it would be the best year ever. Well, it was pretty kick ass. I graduated from College, which was the end of 3 of the best years in my life. I moved to Winnipeg to do my first professional show- The Boys in the Photograph which had great success in the Peg and then moved to Toronto at The Royal Alexandra Theatre!

Well, the show closed and it seemed like life was going to be pretty slow for a bit. Have to find a joe-job and keep auditioning. Well audition I did, and after almost 2 months of auditions, I landed the role of Franz in Rock of Ages! In addition to Franz, I’ll be understudying the role of Drew (played by Yvan Pedneault). After getting the call, I found out that we would be ringing in the new year by performing three songs at City Tv’s New Years Eve Bash live from Nathan Phillips Square. By far the coolest moment of my life.

Looking back, it really was a great year which means I need to have something to reach for in 2010. After thinking about it for a while, I realized that my goals will always be similar but I’ll just up the anti each time. Sooo... 2010 will be known as ‘The Second Annual Year of Cody”. You’re going to see and hear a lot more from me...I promise. But not too much where each time you see me you want to scratch your skin off...don’t do that-i don’t want to be the reason for any of that.

So here we go y’all...

Keep living, Keep breathing. Breath in the negative, live out the positive. And everything will be.