from Jess Godwin (actor, Snapshots: A Musical Scrapbook)

I have to be honest with you.  When Northlight asked me for 500 words on my Snapshots experience, I didn’t really know what to say.  The process has been wonderful, but I’d be lying if I said it was a breeze.  Most of the time, I’ve been more than a little anxious.  Why?

Two words: Stephen Schwartz.

I mean, COME ON.  I grew up watching my mom sing “Day by Day” in five different productions of Godspell.  I played Catherine in Pippin in high school.  I ALMOST made it into Wicked.  Twice.  (No big deal.)  To me, Snapshots feels like a gift.  I have the opportunity to work with the man behind the music that speaks to Justin Bieber fans and octogenarians alike.  And not just that – I get to sing it!  In front of people!

So, I fell in love with the music and the story and we all lived happily ever after.  The End.  Not so!  The more I cared about the show, the more worried I got.  Worried about reviews, worried about ticket sales, worried about the shelf life of the show, and REALLY worried about whether or not I was making the right acting choices.  “Are my four characters different enough?”  “What if nobody laughs at any of my jokes?”  “Am I even funny at all?”  “What if nobody has the heart to tell me that I’m actually a terrible actor?????”

Sometimes, we as performers forget that this is FUN.  We get to pretend for a living!  I am ashamed to say that somewhere in the middle of the process, I forgot.

At one point today, I goofed a line in the middle of “Two’s Company” (majorly goofed.  I think I said something like “blergemschwere Susie”).   I had to finish the entire song trying my darndest not to laugh.  So…maybe I laughed a little.  Ok…a lot.  I had a tough time keeping it together the rest of the show.  I meant absolutely no disrespect to Mr. Schwartz for giggling in the middle of his song – it’s just that I felt this overwhelming JOY.  What an incredible thing I get to do!  Eight times a week, I basically get to sing and play with five of my friends in front of an audience.  Cool, huh?

I talked earlier about the gift this opportunity has been for me, but the biggest gift of all has been this cast.  (Wow.  I didn’t mean for that to sound so corny… )

Tony Clarno takes care of me every second I am on stage.  I never have to worry about a single moment I am with him, because he makes everything – especially falling in love – seem so easy.  Nick Cosgrove has a huge career ahead of him — he is probably the most castable person I know, and I’m looking forward to saying, “I knew him when”, as soon as he makes it big working on Jersey Boys…or Les Miserables…or Next to Normal…or….etc…  Megan Long–I am so happy to say that I have found such a supportive friend in her!!!  Her character work is inspiring, and I continue to be blown away by all the cool things she can do with her voice.  And, of course – Gene Weygandt and Susie McMonagle.  Sometimes I can’t believe I am actually in a show with these two legends.  On stage, watching them has taught me so much about comedy, honesty, and commitment.  Off stage, they have both been incredible mentors to all of us.  They are true professionals, but what inspires me the most is the fact that they have managed to strike a balance between career and what really matters to them – family.  At least once a day, Megan and I look at each other and say “I want to grow up to be like Susie.”

I think my giggly epiphany might have been contagious today.  Everyone kept saying…”You know, I’m really having a great time!”  We all walked off laughing after the bows.  We’ve finally hit our stride – and I’m so excited that we have two more weekends to explore, discover, and continue to make each other laugh!

Jess Godwin is an actor and singer who has spent the last two years writing, performing, and recording her own “nerdy piano-based pop/soul music.”  Jess will be releasing a new music video, “Out with the Old” in November. For a schedule of her upcoming shows and a free music download, visit jessgodwin.com.