"I'll [Not] Forget You": A Memoir of The Scarlet Pimpernel

It's over now.

I will probably never grace the Scera Shell Stage as Lady Blakeney ever again. I will never perform "Where's the Girl?" with my husband as Chauvelin ever again (he's assured me that). I'll never do spacing rehearsals arm-in-arm with my "double-head Marguerite" ever again. I will never nail the footbridge scene with Stephen Gashler ever again.

And it breaks my heart. But I will never forget it.

I am one who loves the stage. It doesn't matter the role I take, but I will never stop loving performing. It's a thrill that can't be replaced.

When I sing "I'll Forget You" and bring tears to not only the audience eyes, but my own eyes, I know I did something right. And when the audience applauds and they recognize the work that went into that emotional piece of music... That makes everything worth it. I makes all embarrassments of hair pieces falling out, of falling down stairs and dropping props, of messing up lines... Disappear. Because they know that I am putting my whole soul into a character that I love so much.

And it makes it all worth it.

As I sit alone in my living room typing this post, I can't help but think of what I'm going to do with my evenings here on out. I have school tomorrow which means studying. I'm looking for a new job which means filling out who knows how many online applications and uploading so many copies of my resume.

I need to clean my kitchen and fold laundry.

But, no. I'm sitting on the floor, humming "When I Look at You" and looking at pictures from rehearsals and the show my cast mates took.

I sent a Facebook message to my adorable double today. I truly miss her. I consider her a close friend now. If I had a little brother, I'd want him to marry her. She's so wonderful.

I think about the fact that I don't get to work alongside extremely talented actors who have taught me so much.

I don't get to feel that complete satisfaction that comes when I know I did a good job in Jerry Elison's eyes anymore. I am going to miss that man so much. I hope with everything that is in me that I get to work with him again. Bryan and I love him so much.

So, here it is:
To My Scarlet Pimpernel Family,

I cannot begin to say how much this experience has meant to me. From the beginning of auditions until closing night this last weekend, this has truly been one of the best experiences of my life. I remember sitting at the callbacks and listening to each of the ensemble ladies sing "Madame Guillotine" and then listening to Marguerite (after Marguerite after Marguerite... *wink*) sing "When I Look at You" and thinking how ridiculously talented each person was in that room. It was intimidating and exciting all at the same time. I knew that, no matter what role I took, I'd have to keep my game up at all times.

When I got the offer to be Marguerite, it was a dream come true. When Bryan was offered Chauvelin, I laughed a little. I won't lie. We were so certain that if I was Marguerite, he would be Percy. But I guess Bryan is just too slimy to be a fop ;)

And so it began.

I loved every one of you the moment I walked into that Pre-rehearsal meeting. Bryan and I were just so excited. We couldn't have asked for better people to work with. Each of the directors were amazing, and as we got to know all of you, it just became better and better.

I hope that we will continue to do parties at Sabrina's house, late-night Menchies runs, bombard Denny's and IHOP at midnight, play night games until who-knows-when, and get into all kinds of shenanigans.

Thank you for making my experience as Lady Blakeney even better than it ever could have been. It's like that line in We Bought A Zoo:  "The animals are cool, but I sure do love the people."

I sure do love you people.

With everything that I am,
Kelsey
aka Marguerite St. Just/Lady Blakeney

Too Much: A Recollection of the Last Three Months

- I got a scholarship
- I finished the semester and passed my sophomore review
- Bryan and I auditioned for The Scarlet Pimpernel
- We were called back... Twice.
- We were cast as Marguerite and Chauvelin.
- We started our business. Officially.
- We got new phones.
- We found out that we're getting two new nieces or nephews at the end of the year. One on each side.
- Bryan's baby sister graduated from high school (weird, but awesome).
- My baby sister needs prayers (not so awesome).
- I want to start teaching voice lessons more than ever, but just can't seem to do it.
- Work is nuts.
- Bryan works so hard.
- We've been married for three years.
- We're going to the Caribbean in December to celebrate those three years (aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!)
- We might even go to Disneyland in September with some friends.
- I'm doing my junior recital in the fall (it's official).
- My mind is totally drunk on The Scarlet Pimpernel.
- My best friend Julie and I invented the BEST BROWNIES EVER.

THE BEST BROWNIES EVER!!

1 box fudge brownie mix, whatever ingredients it needs
Mini marshmallows
1 container fudge frosting (not the whipped kind. Or the sugar-free kind. Defeats the purpose)
Peanut Butter

Make brownies as directed on box at minimum time.
Take mini marshmallows and make a single layer on top of brownies.
Bake for another 2 minutes, or until marshmallows "inflate" slightly.
Remove from oven and let brownies cool.
In separate bowl, mix about 1/2 of the frosting and peanut butter to taste. Spread frosting concoction on top of marshmallows.
Devour.

Your welcome.

A New Life Started and 2 Years Celebrated (lots of pics!)

Exactly 1 month before my 2 year anniversary, one of my best friends from BYU-Idaho got married in the Denver, CO LDS Temple

It was a crazy, action-packed weekend

I will never wax... AGAIN!

All in all, it was nice to be with my best friends for 5 days

We're pretty stylish

Waiting to go inside.

The bride and groom when they came out of the temple

Yep. That's us.

One of the best families EVER!

Mama D :)

The bridal party

Kiah got a free donut from Krispy Kreme because she just got married!

I kind of LOVED their outfits. These boys are STUDS!

I was quite jealous of the photographer's golashes

Kiah drew the chalk pictures 

The pinwheel arch - made by Kiah and her momma. This is where they greeted their guests.

My blown-out pic of our lunch box treats! It was so cute!

Cute little favors (I won the '80's "Don't Forget the Lyrics!" game)

Then, exactly a month later, Bryan and I celebrated 2 years by doing sealings in the Timpanogos Temple

The following Saturday, we had (what we affectionately called) our

anniversary day!

We went to the Grand America hotel for breakfast

That's a milk chocolate mustache!

Took an adventure at the Salt Lake City Library

We climbed all the way down from the rooftop!

 Ventured around the Planetarium (which is FREE, btw!)

I always knew Bryan wasn't from around here...

Goodbye, Earth! I'm gonna go live on the moon!

This is why I wanna move to the moon.

 And we SHOPPED! Well, I shopped. I love City Creek.

I'm trying to be my idol [Audrey Hepburn] in this picture.
Too bad City Creek doesn't have a Starbucks :(

So much fun. So exhausting. Can't wait for next year!

The First Half of the First Week of May

aka The Half of the First Week of H-E-DOUBLEHOCKEYSTICKS!

Sunday was just a rundown of the madness that would be this week.
Monday wasn't too bad. Not extraordinary, but not unbearable.
Tuesday I got the flu. yay.
Wednesday I got my hours shortened at work not just for that day but for Thursday also.
Thursday I found out that I won't be able to attend an amazing opportunity to get private German lied coaching from an amazing German soprano because of Wednesday's problems and a shift mix-up.

So far, this week has basically been crap. In small words.

But here's to better things:

This morning, I'm having breakfast with my amazing friends from school as a "Hoorah to the end of the semester! Here's to a wonderful summer!" send off. Nothing like food and giggling with your friends for a few hours to make your worries go away.
Tonight, I'll get off work and still have time to make it to the ward party. Again, hanging out with my friends at a carnival: not too bad.
Friday night, Bryan and I will prep for our crazy weekend. Hopefully, I'll have pictures and lots of stories to share about that.

Less than a WEEK til I go to Colorado for my best friend's wedding.
Three days til I see my mommy :)

Until next time, my friends!