Bryce Ryness here. Husband. Father. Actor in Broadway's First Date. The more we live and work in New York, the more I see that the Broadway community is like one, big urban tribe; a family of sorts. Let's go for a ride through a two-show day.
Bryce Ryness
Good morning! 8:00 AM. Since we had a little money left over from the week's budgeting, the family went down to have breakfast at 181 Cabrini. Judah (2) and Mercy (4) sip juice and charge up for the day.
Bryce Ryness
Uh Oh! Judah falls while running ahead and banged his knee. It is in these moments that it doesn't matter if you're on Broadway, Off-Broadway, working a LORT contract, or totally unemployed; that you're *there* is all that matters. Next stop�
Bryce Ryness
Church! We go to Trinity Grace Church on the upper west side. 10 AM. The family expands�
Bryce Ryness
Other Trinity Grace Church NYC-actor-family members: (l-r) Corey Cott (Newsies), Kyle Selig (Book of Mormon), me, Hannah Elless (Godspell), Darnell Abraham (Ragtime and Jenny Lee Stern (Forbidden Broadway)
Bryce Ryness
After church, I return the family back home. And then head off to work. "You must take the A train�"
Bryce Ryness
I love the community of actors that work in this town. Sharing the experience reminds me that we're all in this together. Alex Michael Stoll, Lawrence Alexander, Michael Minarik, Tony LePage and Kate Rockwell.
Bryce Ryness
I walk pretty quickly so I'm constantly trying to find the path of least resistance to get to work. Sometimes, you gotta go where the tourists fear to tread on 8th Avenue.
Bryce Ryness
And now my work family; Sara Chase signs in, PSM Arturo Porazzi welcomes me in, and the "Happy Opening" faxes greet us on our walk up the stairs.
Bryce Ryness
"Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your half-hour call". Top to bottom: Krysta Rodriguez, Sara Chase and Kate Loprest prepare�
Bryce Ryness
While Zachary Levi, me, Kristoffer Cusick and Blake Hammond do the same.
Bryce Ryness
Our two able-bodied dressers handle all our craziness with style and grace: Tim Greer (above) and Jamie Englehart (below)
Bryce Ryness
"� this is your places call." Time to be funny! (l-r) Blake Hammond, Kate Loprest, Kristoffer Cusick and Sara Chase.
Bryce Ryness
With such a small cast we're constantly wondering, "Where's Heather?" She has yet to show up.
Bryce Ryness
Showtime! PSM Arturo Porazzi is calling today's matinee.
Bryce Ryness
Guerrilla photography: Sara Chase looks on as Krysta Rodriguez sings "Safer," a stirring ballad of irony and self-reflection.
Bryce Ryness
And while we're on the subject- these are Krysta's shoes for the show. Ferocious. And they're UGGs. Who knew?
Bryce Ryness
As the matinee closes out, the audience rises for a spirited standing ovation. Now onto the break!
Bryce Ryness
Quick backstage shot of the cast on our way out to the�
Bryce Ryness
STAGE DOOR! Zachary Levi always brings out his Jawbone portable speaker and turns the autograph line into a bumpin' dance party. It's a great scene.
Bryce Ryness
I have a physical therapy appointment between shows, working with Joe Conger from Performing Arts Physical Therapy. This is how I WANT physical therapy to go. However�
Bryce Ryness
This is generally how it ACTUALLY goes. Thanks for workin' me out, Joe. I'd be in knots without you.
Bryce Ryness
Meredith and the kids come to midtown for the dinner break. We meet up at a park on 49th between 9th and 10th Avenues.
Bryce Ryness
And then make our way back to the theater to play around in the air conditioning. I'm blown away by this "playground" that my kids are exposed to at this stage in their lives.
Bryce Ryness
Back to work for the evening performance. Zachary Levi warms up.
Bryce Ryness
Standbys Sydney Shepherd, Kevin Kern and Eric Ankrim discuss their upcoming Fantasy Football draft.
Bryce Ryness
Three cheers for the band! Photo #1: (clockwise from top left): Musical Supervisior/Conductor Dominic Amendum (piano 1), guitarist JJ McGeehan, and Assc. Music Director Matt Hinkley (piano 2).
Bryce Ryness
Band Photo #2: (clockwise from left): Reed & Keys 3 player Charles Pillow, Bassist Randy Landau, and drummer Steve Bartosik.
Bryce Ryness
Freeze! Kate Loprest showcases her extensive repertoire of freezes� which this show calls for� a lot.
Bryce Ryness
Heisenberg hat. Although, in the context of this show, it's adorned with peyos for comedic effect� and has nothing to do with selling meth. But I know� I know.
Bryce Ryness
Guerrilla photography! 'Allison' (Kate Loprest) magically transforms into a bride before our eyes! (l-r) The Catch, The Flip, The Smolder� this time AT Flynn Rider.
Bryce Ryness
Guerrilla photography! But 'Allison' (Kate Loprest) is powerless against 'Aaron' (Zachary Levi), who tells her off with one of the most rocking 11 o'clock numbers on Broadway.
Bryce Ryness
This is the entry to the upstage-center trap. This is also Admiral Ackbar. If you find this funny, you can be my friend.
Bryce Ryness
Final change: Blake Hammond (right) quickly hands off his 'Therapist' sweater to dresser Tim Greer in preparation for bows.
Bryce Ryness
Standing Ovation! The evening crowd leaps to its feet to celebrate our stars Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez.
Bryce Ryness
Full houses and joyful audiences. I'm so happy to be a part of this gem of a show, this cast, this family, this life!
Bryce Ryness
I'll conclude like my kids' bedtime books-- Goodnight, A train. Goodnight, GWB. Goodnight, New York. Thank you for sharing a wonderful 2-show day!
Bryce Ryness
