Congratulations, Catherine! You're headed to Broadway, Baby!

(photo by Alisabeth)

Very exciting news. (Ms.) Catherine Blades, whom I've known since she was 2, is headed to Broadway this fall to perform in the revival of "Bye, Bye Birdie", starring John Stamos and Gina Gershon.

I've performed with (Ms.) Blades' mother, Amy (medalist in the World Figure Skating Championships), in numerous theatrical gigs in Cedar Rapids, IA. (Ms.) Blades' credits include: "Fiddler", "Urinetown", "Peter Pan", "The Wizard of Oz" and Follies (in Iowa). She also did "Blood Brothers" (which she loved, as I do, even though the rest of the world has no taste - unless you've done BB) and "Merrily We Roll Along" at Wingspan Arts Conservatory in New York and she was Amaryllis in the national tour of "The Music Man".

She'll be understudying the role of "Kim MacAfee" and will also be in the ensemble. (Ms.)...oh, whatever. She ain't too big for me! CATHERINE'S!! really one of the rare performers - a natural. I've always said (I did!) that she's a wonderfully, talented girl and that she'd go far. Well...it's Broadway folks!

(photo by Lauren Lamb)

Catherine (2nd from the bottom of the pile) with her friends in Iowa - doing what friends in Iowa do. Break a leg, Catherine! I'll be rooting for you!