Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Niki's Back!

Today my wrangler, Niki, came back from Texas. She was on vacation. We all missed her so much. I gave her a card. She gave me a big hug. We told her everything that happened while she was gone. We had to take the Halloween decorations down because they were having a concert at the theatre last Monday. The singers were using the dressing rooms. Niki was not happy when she came back and saw no decorations. So she took the decorations and put them back up in the hallways. They were having a Yankees pep rally today in the middle of Times Square. The people were really excited. On the way home, we caught an earlier train than the one we planned. We got home earlier so I took a nap. It was a good nap, especially since my dad bought me a new mattress set. TTYL

Alphonso

Monday, October 26, 2009

Sporty Day

Today we caught up on our work. We graded our papers and put them in the file folders. We got a lot of work done. I got 100% on my math test! I also got my progress report today. I got the honor roll. I'm working hard to get straight A's. In gym, we played baseball and my team won. After school, I went to the Boys & Girls Club. I played soccer with the elementary team. My team won with the score of 2 to 1. Even though I did not score one point, I was happy to play on a school team. We had a big celebration after the game. When I came home, we went shopping. We got a lot of stuff. Overall, I had a sporty and energetic day. TTYL

Alphonso

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Giving Back Feels So Good

Yesterday, we had a huge Halloween party at the theatre. We invited the kids from Billy Elliott, Finian's Rainbow, and Mary Poppins. There were haunted houses in the womens and mens dressing room. They were partly scary. We could not get fully scared because there were too many babies there. Lots and lots of babies. But it still was fun. At the show that night, I did "Just Can't Wait to be King" without my ostrich and everybody said that I was great. After the show, Shereen and I took pictures with people who came to see the show. It was a fundraiser to help people with AIDS in Africa. I felt so good because I knew that I was helping somebody else with the money that was made from the pictures. Today, Mufasa was played by one of the understudies. He picked me up like an airplane. I wasn't expecting that, but it was so much fun. I took a picture with Rafiki today after my show. It was her turn to raise money. In case you are coming and want to take a picture with me in my costume, I take pictures after the 8:00pm show on Saturdays until December. Well, it's late so I'm gonna get some sleep. TTYL

Alphonso

PS. Thank you to the people who came to see me from my Dad's job today. Sorry I didn't get to meet you , but I hope that you enjoyed the show!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

I Had A Little Boo-Boo

Yesterday I was having such a great show. Then guess what happened? I fell on my way out of the theatre. It's very dark when I run out during the Scar scene and I missed the step. I fell and landed on my face. Boy did it hurt. I wanted to cry but I knew I had to make it to my next cue and I didn't want to mess up my makeup. So I told myself that I had to get through Hakuna Matata. I did it! Backstage, they put ice on my face to keep it from swelling. After the show, I signed autographs and took pictures. It really hurt my face to smile, but I couldn't disappoint the fans. It was raining really hard so my mom and I took the subway to the train station. Tommorrow I'll be more cautious. TTYL

Alphonso

PS. Thank you to everyone who came to see me from my Dad's job on Thursday. It was great having you!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

One Step Closer to President Obama

Today was so cool. I finished my work in school and it is ready to go up on the board. I was so happy to get that writing done. It was so tough. But I put my all into that writing. I think I’ll get a good grade. I had no homework today so I was glad about that. At the theatre, my mom told me to do my blog for Monday. I did that blog, but I didn’t do this one until now. I didn’t do it then because I thought I would wait until the day was over to write. Guess what happened… the president’s motorcade rode right past 8th and 35th. We were standing right there watching. It was amazingly cool. First the motorcycles went by, then the police cars, then the president’s car. It had American flags on the front of the car. I did not believe what I saw for a long time. Today was the best. TTYL

Alphonso

PS. My performance schedule is going to remain the same through November 29, 2009

Hard Writing Monday

Monday was very hard. We had so much work to do. We had to do writing. We had to give more details in our pre-writing before we even got to write our stories. So we spent a lot of time doing that. Then we did everything on the first paper all over again on the second paper. My brain was hurting so badly. I got my glasses fixed because they were bent. So we went to the eye doctor and she fixed them perfectly. I was so happy because with my glasses I can see better when I am doing my work in school. After I got my glasses fixed, I went Halloween shopping. I went to two different stores, then I found my costume. It is a midnight stalker. It is like a vampire but cooler and less bloody and messy. I like it. Monday was really hard. But I’m glad to have gotten through it. TTYL

Alphonso

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Putting the Past Behind You

Yesterday we had two shows. Between shows we had a signing party. I signed all of my posters before the rest of the cubs showed up. The food was better than the last time. That show was my day to learn that once you make a mistake, you put it in the past. I slipped on the graveyard bones when I climbed up. I was trying so hard to get up. I got up in time to roar. After that, I missed one of my cues. But it was alright. Today I had the matinee show. It was easy. It gets easier and easier every day. My mom always reminds me that every time I go on the stage, I have to give it my all, even though it's easier now. Between the show today, I had Mc Donalds. Then I talked with Nate. He plays Mufasa. We played Questions. That is a game when you ask questions rapidly and you have to answer every one. When the show started, Niki and I set up Halloween decorations. That was very spooky. Today was great. TTYL

Alphonso

Friday, October 16, 2009

My Tail Went Astray

Yesterday, my show was sold out. That is a very exciting feeling to be in a show that is sold out. I put on a great show for them. My tail was being mean to me on stage. I went to jump and it scratched me. Then, I was tripping and falling on it. I did not like that. During the second act, we had food from the Chicken Bar. I got chicken fingers and fries. That was some good food. Niki said everything from Chicken Bar is good. I believe her. At the train station, we missed the early train. So we had to wait for the next one. There was a guy talking to himself. He was scaring me. My cousin and his mentor rode the train home with us. They were coming from seeing Hamlet. I was so tired that my mom let me sleep in. That rest was great. TTYL

Alphonso

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Preparing For Bad Weather

Today we had an early matinee. It was nice to have an early show. Backstage, I played with two dogs that members of the cast own. Their names are Lucy and Zui. Zui's name is pronouced Zooo-eee. It's kind of complicated. Lucy loves food. If you hold your hand in a fist, she will lick your hand like you have food. They are both cute and small. I was sad that I had to do my home work. I got it done though. We can't have a dog at home because my mom is allergic to dog hair and I wanted to continue playing with the dogs. On the way home, we caught a train that only made three stops. I couldn't wait to get home. When we got home we went winter shopping. We got coats and rain boots. I'm wearing them tomorrow because it's gonna rain. Today was great but tomorrow is supposed to be bad weather. So bundle up everyone. TTYL

Alphonso

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

A Good Early Day

Today in class, we worked on our multiplication facts. We also had a test on averages. The test was easy to me. Once I got the division, I understood the problem well. I think I did well. At the theatre, I played with my new PSP GO. It is a new gaming console. But first I finished the rest of my homework. I didn't have a lot left to do and it was easy too. I played Rock Band Unplugged. I've been trying to download that game ever since I got it. Then I ate and watched Home Alone 2. I didn't finish watching it but I'm gonna. That movie is so funny. I can't wait to finish the movie. I had an early day today. I got home a little after nine. It feels good to be home. TTYL

Alphonso

Monday, October 12, 2009

It's Hard to Keep a Tough Cub Down

I guess you've been wondering where I have been. Well, let me catch you up. On Thursday, I performed but there was something stirring up. On Friday, I went to the doctor and she said I was having an asthma flare up. She gave me a breathing treatment which makes me sleepy. Now I have to take all of this nasty medicine. There is nothing that I can do to make it taste better. So I just chilled for the rest of the day. I didn't want to, but I had to. So that meant no show and I was so dissapointed. I begged my mom to take me but she said that we had to follow the doctor's orders. Saturday I performed and I got so many hugs from everybody when I walked in the theatre. Even though I was gone for just one day, I was so excited to be back and I did a super job. Between the shows, we had a signing party. I joined the party right after my dad and I came back from ESPN Zone. We got on a simulated roller coaster and a simulated NASCAR race. Sunday I performed too. I felt like I was really refreshed. Between the shows on Sunday, part of the cast started the Green Couch Concert Series. Cast members get to showcase their hidden and secret talents. The cast did wonderful and funny performances. Our parents got to come too. I can't wait to perform again. I just love it! TTYL

Alphonso
PS: Hi Jennifer, Right now I perform every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening and also Sunday matinee until October 25th. When the schedule changes, I'll make sure to post it. Thanks for your comments.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Compliments From the Cadillac

Today as we were going to catch the train, a car full of guys recognized me from the newspaper. They started beeping the horn and yelling out of the windows. They were saying things like, "Way to represent young man", "You go boy", "We're so proud of you" and "Keep up the good work". It was a little weird at first because I didn't know that they were talking to me. I started looking around for the person they were yelling at. Then I realized that it was me. I felt very honored. On the train ride, I did some homework. I tried to do as much as I could before I got to rehearsal. After rehearsal, I had an interview with the New York Times. The topic was kids who made their Broadway debuts. We did an audio recording and the interview will be on the NYTimes.com along with some pictures of me. When I got back to the theatre, I had some hot chocolate. It was so good! Then I did more homework. Afterwards, Shereen and I played cards. When my mom came to pick me up, I didn't want to leave because I was having so much fun. Tomorrow I'm on again so I'm gonna rest well tonight. TTYL

Alphonso

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

I Could Use a Nap

Today we had a girl's birthday party in my class. We had crackers and cheese and cake. But as soon as I was about to get the food, my mom was in the office ready for me to leave. When we left, I showed my cousin my crafts that I made. I used straws to make animated paper puppets. I made a crocodile, a cheetah, and a bird. My mom said they were creative. So did my cousin. My cousin also rode the train up with me to his college in New Brunswick. He was good company and very loquacious. He taught me that word. It means talkative. I like to learn new words. When I got to the theatre, since I wasn't on, I took a nap. I got the cot out of the girls dressing room and laid on it. I was gonna sleep until places. But then the warm ups started. What woke me up was,"Woooooooooooooooooooo! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Bleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee Bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!" from the cast. I also heard people vibrating their lips in different pitches. Then I tried to order food but the phone wasn't working. That was weird. The day went fast because I got picked up early from the theatre. We caught an express home so I was glad. Today was a day for a perfect nap. But I didn't get it. It was all right though. TTYL

Alphonso

Monday, October 5, 2009

The Normal Life

Yesterday completed the first week of our opening nights and it was great! My Grandma came on Sunday. She said I did good. Today school was good and I learned a lot. My class was in the Sunday paper and one girl kept on pulling it out of her desk. It was so funny. There was a pretzel sale too to raise money. It was to go to my show. I thought that I should get one free. They said yes and they're were gonna save one for me. TTYL

Alphonso

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Spreading Happiness

Yesterday was a two day show. Marquis and Shannon did the matinee. Shereen and I did the evening show. On my dinner break, Daddy and I went to Dave & Buster's. I had buffalo wings and fries and it was good. Then we played games. A man and his son were playing the crane game. They were trying to get an alligator. Then they gave up. Once I looked at it, I thought that I could get it. So I tried. The first time I missed it, but the second time was the charm. Then the door didn't open and I couldn't get it out. So my Dad went to get some help. A man came and got the alligator out for me and I was so happy. I put it in my dressing room. I had a lot of tickets, but the line was too long for me to get a prize. I would have been late for my show call time. I looked around and found a little boy and I gave him all of my tickets. I had about 100 tickets and he was excited to get them. We went back to the theatre and sat in the lobby. One of the rams, named Bongi, was playing an african drum and other cast members were singing and dancing. Bailey, Marquis' little sister, was dancing around and the cast said that we have another dancer. After the first act was over, Shereen and I watched the movie, "Fat Albert". It was funny and Shereen was laughing. Making people happy is a great feeling and I am so blessed to get to do it over and over again. TTYL

Alphonso

Saturday, October 3, 2009

President Obama's Call

Yesterday was a changing day in my life. Opening night was great, but now I have to get in the groove of things. Everyday, I have to try to be better than the day before. Even though I made little errors, I will correct them and the most important part is that I am having so much fun. Before the show started, I practiced going up and down on the ostrich. Then I ran back and forth on the stage to get my endurance up. I have to remember not to dig my heels into the floor. Oh I almost forgot, President Obama had one of his aides call my house! He sent his regards that he couldn't make it to my opening night, but he congratulated me just the same. He had to go to Denmark so he couldn't come. How great is that! Well, I'm off to New York now. TTYL

Alphonso

Friday, October 2, 2009

Opening Night!

Today was my opening night. I had tons of energy and I think I really killed it! Everybody kept telling me to conserve my energy, but I just couldn't stay still. Then when I went out on the stage, I was fired up! When I did the Morning Report, my dance teacher Shonquay Washington, said that I was awesome. He even asked my to teach him some of the moves. He said that it was hot. I felt like I didn't mess up at all, but even if I did, I just kept on going. I did my very best during my performance. When I finished, Shannon and I had Chinese food again while we watched the movie "Clueless". Then I heard my cue for the bows (curtain call). When I ran out, the crowd went crazy! I was so excited. Then the lights came up and I saw all of the people..... sooooooooooooooo many people! OH MY GOD! The place was packed. I tried to see my relatives, but there were too many people and I couldn't find them. My fellow cast members were congratulating me all day and it felt so good! I took off my costume and makeup and headed outside. Then BANG! There was so many people outside to get autographs. I don't even know how many I signed. I stopped counting at about 30. Unbelievable! My family came to support me, but the best thing was that my Great Grandmother who is 94, was able to come. I think that she is my biggest fan and I'm so glad that she was there. Well, it's been a long day so I'm signing off! TTYL

Alphonso