Thursday, May 17, 2012

The Moth, Me, Molly Ringwald, and Quail Eggs




I sat next to the endearing Molly Ringwald during dinner last night, watching her eat delicate quail eggs, and listening to a table full of people who fascinated me with their love of stories, of life, of the joy of connection.

I was with them because I'm going to be part of the cast of The Moth On The Road, with their show stop here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The show is tonight and I am walking on air.

What is The Moth?

“It is brilliant and quietly addictive” – The London Guardian

“New York’s hottest and hippest literary ticket” – The Wall Street Journal

The Moth is an acclaimed not-for-profit organization dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling. It is a celebration of both the raconteur, who breathes fire into true tales of ordinary life, and the storytelling novice, who has lived through something extraordinary and yearns to share it. At the center of each performance is, of course, the story – and The Moth’s directors work with each storyteller to find, shape and present it.

Since its launch in 1997, The Moth has presented thousands of stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only crowds worldwide.

Moth shows are renowned for the great range of human experience they showcase. Each show starts with a theme, and the storytellers explore it, often in unexpected ways. Since each story is true and every voice authentic, the shows dance between documentary and theater, creating a unique, intimate, and often enlightening experience for the audience.

Moth stories dissolve socio-economic barriers, expose vulnerabilities, and quietly suggest ways to overcome challenges and see with new eyes.
-----------------------------------

This is straight from The Moth website.

I can tell you that, yes, The Moth is brilliant and addictive. I've spent hours watching the story tellers, people like you and me, on their youtube channel, mothstories. I've spent hours listening to the stories called in by regular people like us, to The Moth's pitch line.

This past November, at 1:00 a.m., I decided to call in my story, a 60 second pitch, to their site. In January of this year, The Moth emailed me asking for more background on my original pitch. In February,  I said yes when they asked me if I'd like to join their cast when they bring their show to Milwaukee.

Tonight, at The Pabst Theatre, The Moth takes it show on the road, leaving NYC to bring more stories to more people. They will be hosting a two hour show of stories, the kind that you get lost in. Like when you were a kid ... riveting stories that leave you feeling like you've known the person in front of you for a lifetime.

That is the art of The Moth ... helping us see that a life is never just a life.

Tonight's theme is Past Tense, Future Perfect: Stories about Generations. Molly Ringwald is headlining. Amazing story tellers will be there with me, like Ophira Eisenberg, Anthony Giglio, Ed Gavagan, and Charles Pugh.

I am the only local.

Yes, I can't believe this is my life, and while sitting at dinner last night with these incredibly generous, supportive people, I kept thinking: I want everyone I know to pitch their story to The Moth. I want them to listen to The Moth, to watch the stories on The Moth. To find out about the people they live with on this planet.

We all need each other, and by hearing our stories ... we get to know one another a little bit better.


" The Moth has presented thousands of stories told live and without notes to audiences across the USA. Now is your chance."

Take your chance. Tell them your story. Find yourself eating quail eggs with Molly Ringwald, learning about a boy following his passion of food through Anthony Giglio, hearing about the importance of a grandmother in the life of a young boy, as only Charles Pugh can tell it.

Do it.


*The Moth's Pitch Line: click the link*
_____________________________________________________
**huge hugs of gratitude and love to The Moth's producers, who have shown me nurturing and encouragement all the way: Maggie Cino, Sarah Jenness, Meg Bowles, Catherine Burns, Kirsty Bennett. A special thank you to Joan Firestone, for her love of the human spirit.

To The Moth:  Thank you,  with gratitude deeper than I'd ever be able to express. Thank you.

**Tickets available through The Pabst Theatre box office.

81 comments:

  1. That is amazing. Truly. You deserve this so much. Good luck tonight!

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  2. Congratulations my friend. Wish I could be there. Love you. You are so awesome and an amazing storyteller and writer and just wow. xo

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  3. OMG! You sat next to Molly! (I feel like I can be on a first-name basis now that someone I know sat next to her)

    Congratulations to a most deserving lady. I started trolling The Moth files yesterday online in your honor. I hope we get to see you on video!

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    1. I had to come back to add that when I first saw your title, even though I read yesterday on The Twitter about your Moth adventures, I still immediately thought, "What are the odds--SHE has a gigantic moth sitting on her front porch right now, too?!" Then I began reading and realized I'm a total idiot and probably the only person who has a moth the size of Cleveland parked on her front porch right now, much less the only person who would actually blog about it. Which I'm certain to do any day now.

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    2. LOL. I KNOW. People say, "umm...err. why is it called the moth?"

      Like moths to a flame, like moths circling a porch light, how we're drawn to the story..
      xo

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  4. I'm SO in awe of you Alexandra. You are unstoppable!!

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    1. Ann, it was like a scene from a dream. The things I learned, heard, I can't even tell you. Layed awake when I got home...so much life is on this planet.

      Thank you, to Listen To Your Mother.

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  5. Ditto to Ann. Wow. I have no words.
    love you.
    CONGRATS!!!

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  6. You're amazing and I'm so glad you made that 1AM phone call.

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  7. I am so thrilled for you. You deserve every wonderful thing that happens to you.

    I am also BEYOND PISSED that I won't be able to see you glow in person.

    I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.

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  8. wow this is really cool...and cool as well to spend time with molly too....color me impressed...or is that empress-ed...

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    1. Thanks, B. I know you'd love the stories on youtube and I wish you'd listen to the pitches and call one in.

      It's a huge experience.

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  9. What an experience, and how I love Molly Ringwald.
    Sixteen Candles, Pretty in Pink, Breakfast Club and more ...
    You are truly a trailblazer dear Alexandra xxx

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  10. Wow -- thanks for sharing this project. I'd never heard of it but now worry I might get lost on its site...reading, listening, remembering. In my first year of rabbinical school, I wrote the following statement in my journal:

    Everyone has a story; it is my job to help them tell it.

    You have made my day!

    Break a leg tonight. And come back and tell us all about it.

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  11. SO wonderful!
    I am doing a happy dance for you right now. Also, I'm a really good dancer, so it's quite the celebration.

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  12. Replies
    1. Oh, lady, how I wish you'd be there. I'd love to show you off to everyone at the party afterward.

      THANK YOU.

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  13. Wow. This is just all kinds of awesome.

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    Replies
    1. I know. I know. I've been pinching myself for ever over this. Thank you.

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  14. Fabulous! Congratulation and have a wonderful time!

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  15. You live in the heart of so many cool things.

    I don't know if that makes sense, but it's what came out of my fingers when I started typing.

    You will be wonderful.
    You are wonderful.

    And thanks, as always, for sharing your sources of joy with everyone. This kind of generosity is so very rare.

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  16. This is wonderful and inspirational. I am so proud of you!

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  17. This is so awesome!!! You are kicking ass and taking names xo

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    Replies
    1. Maggie, you must listen to and call in your pitch. It's a chance of a lifetime!!

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  18. This is so awesome. And to think...I knew you when...

    So glad I got to meet you last year. I wish I was going to see you again this year. Our paths will cross again. This I know.

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  19. Good Luck! I can't wait to hear all about it. Lots of photos pleese :) ?

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  20. Replies
    1. Ms A: you are so kind and encouraging. Always. Thank you.

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  21. Ann said it well - you are unstoppable!

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  22. WHAT?!?!?! omg. WHAT??

    Excuse me. It'll take me a while to lift my jaw from the floor. I am so in awe of all that you do. That is pretty stinking remarakable, right there. XOXO

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  23. You. Are. Awesome. And I wish Michigan were closer.

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  24. Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Suzy. It was a crazy amount of fun and feels so sad when it;s over.

      It was fabulous....

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  25. I am deliriously happy for you! I don't think you'll be able to stay undercover in your hometown for much longer...you're way too cool to be a secret!

    Will it be filmed? If so. - share! And break a leg, in the best possible way ;-)

    xoxoxo

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    Replies
    1. YES!! THe videos will be up on their youtube channel mothstories .

      I'll let you know when it's up. Thanks for coming by and cheering me on!

      Delete
  26. WOW. Congrats a million times over! I am SO happy for you and proud of you. What an amazing opportunity, I can't wait to hear more about the story you're going to tell!

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  27. Charles Pugh the Detroit newscaster Charles Pugh? Sorry, that's the first thing that leapt off the page for me.

    Good luck and break a leg!

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    Replies
    1. YES!! HIM!! And I asked him to be my new BFF.

      He is like a light, I'm telling you: magnetic and charismatic and SO KIND.

      Delete
  28. How wonderful! How I would love to be there for the storytelling. I had not heard of the Moth, so thank you for that as well. I am sure you will do a fantastic job!

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  29. You GO Alexandra!!! That is sooooo awesome! Now everyone else will know what we already know: That you ROCK.

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  30. See? I told you...you are MADE of awesome! Hugs to you girlfriend! You deserve all the recognition in the world!

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  31. What an awesome story, Alexandra, just amazing!! I knew you'd be destined for greatness...I am feeling giddy for you...this is just the first door!! Alas, I wish I could see you perform in person! I will have to check ou the 'link.' good luck to you!!!

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    Replies
    1. Oh, my Ceci: THANK YOU.

      It was and is an incredible experience to "tell your story" and no longer have secrets.

      I felt 10 ft tall!

      Delete
  32. How incredibly cool! So awesome for you - congrats!

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  33. 97 cheers for the Empress!!!!

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    Replies
    1. A, you're always so wonderful. Thank you.

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  34. Wsy to goooooo! This is wonderful. Thank you for introducing us to The Moth.

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  35. congratulations! How exciting. I remember listening to your pitch last November and thinking it was good.

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  36. That is so fantastic! Congratulations! I can't wait to hear all about it.

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    Replies
    1. Marinka: It was so wonderful. Oh, right up there with my 3 kids being born.

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  37. Molly Ringwald should have been amazed to sit next to YOU. Your story last night was amazing, the only one that got the audience on their feet. You were poised and amazing. I teach college english, and I think I'm going to start out my next semester by sharing your story with my students... "We tell stories to survive." Great job.

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    1. Wow and thank you, Christi.

      You've made me cry. Thank you.

      Delete
  38. Was I supposed to know you're in Milwaukee?

    I, um, might be running the next marathon there....

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  39. Wow! You are such an incredible person that Molly must have fell in love with you!

    Congratulations and I hope that it was fun and exciting!

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    Replies
    1. You're so sweet, Jackie. Glad we were able to meet at BBC/Chicago.

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  40. Congratulations! What an Amazing and Wonderful experience Alexandra : ) Good for you!!

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  41. This is SO AMAZING and I'm so happy for you!!!

    I want to know more, more, more...

    Congratulations!!!

    XOXO

    Anna

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    Replies
    1. Anna, I wish you lived across the street right now.

      How I could talk your ears off.

      It was beyond anything I could even imagine.

      Thanks for all the love and support you always show.

      Thank you

      Delete
  42. That is just so awesome!! Congratulations, you!!
    And this...We all need each other, and by hearing our stories ... we get to know one another a little bit better....is so true.

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    Replies
    1. Heidi, you'd be the perfect person to call in a pitch.

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  43. congrats, and can't wait to hear more details!!

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  44. What an incredible night you must have had. I love Molly. What a talent. Congrats on being cast in the show - I'd be dancing on air if that was me!

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  45. i never heard of the moth. quite interesting. there certainly is a craft to storytelling, and it is ancient. it's a fascinating study and not-so-easy execution. who among us writers doesn't know that? congratulations on the role. you have something to offer. smart people can tell in just 60 seconds of voicemail.

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    Replies
    1. Ed, you are one of the most amazing people I've met on the internet. I'd love to just sit and tell you that in person one day. Thank you

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  46. Replies
    1. You know I love you so much and I remember how THRILLED I was when you accepted my teen angst post. THANK YOU.

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  47. So, so cool! You're so, so cool! Do your kids think you're cool yet (probably not, but who cares)?

    Sorry I've been such a stranger. We really need to catch up. I've been thinking about you a ton.:)

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  48. Wow! How exciting! I haven't been on your site in ages, Alexandra, and I am rewarded with this awesome post about The Moth, which I've never heard of, but sounds like something absolutely enlightening for the soul, nourishing for the heart, and entertaining to the mind. I'm definitely going to check it out!

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  49. Last night you were eating quail eggs with Molly Ringwald, and this morning your tweeting about my blog post...really, you are remarkable, and an enigma. I just love you. And congratulations, you are living dreams, and have so many more to come!

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  50. --I love "The Moth!" because of you.

    Have I told you that you rock lately?

    btw, Was Molly cool like in The Breakfast Club? X

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    Replies
    1. Oh, I hope you called in your pitch, sweet lady. Your story is one that needs to be heard.

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  51. Oh, wow.

    Have I ever picked a time to come back. So glad to have read this. What an outstanding opportunity...and I can't think of anyone more deserving.

    ps - Please tell me that you asked Molly if she had eaten her carrots at dinner. PLEASE.

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  52. I am so very happy for you, and proud of you, and amazed by your awesomeness.

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  53. WOW! How fantastic! So happy for you, Empress!

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  54. Amazing! Congrats!! AND WE MUST HAVE VIDEO. STAT.

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    Replies
    1. Oh, you will YOU WILL.

      Videos will be put up on youtube channel: mothstories.

      My 4 faves there are Charlene Strong, Tricia Burt, Stephanie Summerville, and Mike DeStefano

      Delete
  55. I remember when you did this! I went over right away to listen to your voice. Your voice struk me as very kind. How wonderful. You rock!
    Dana

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  56. This is so awesome, Alexandra!! I just read your comment on Aiming Low and had to investigate what you were talking about. What an absolutely AMAZING experience. I am in awe. I would love to have been there to listen to you. I will look you up on YouTube!

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