A Day Off March 30, 2009

It’s our first since we started on this tour, so two weeks. We were all really excited about it because we get to have a day without a show, or a drive.

 

I never thought in my life I would see liquor sold in a store other than a liquor store. Apparently in a Meijers (Michigan Wal-Mart) you can buy liquor. I thought that was awesome =)

 

 

Overall we had a great night consisting of frozen tv dinners, drinks, and card games in our hotel. We also made quacamole….. holy crap was it good! Minus the rain pounding for a while, it was a great day.

 

Although, I woke up to two inches of snow this morning. The rain that was coming down all afternoon turned into a lovely snowfall by morning and continued all day long. It got windy, and really cold.

 

But I got to sleep in and that was awesome. Then I got up, got dressed and walked to Barnes & Noble. I love Barnes & Noble, but it is also the bane of my existence because I always spend money there. Spending money on tour is not a good plan.

I really am having a great time on tour, the people are great and I am having lots of fun playing around. I hope this keeps up.

 

 

Best Venue Ever March 27, 2009

Today we performed in Northern Michigan, Roscommon to be exact. Our hotel was nice, but in the middle of nowhere. Our drive this morning was 30+ minutes to get to the venue at Kirtland Community College.

 

These people are amazing.

 

We drove on a dirt road to get to the college, and you would never know it was there if you weren’t looking for it- but I am so glad we went. The people were fantastic. The venue itself was small and an odd shape, but we made the show work. Seriously though, they helped us load in, load out, asked if we needed anything…. just awesome.

 

It was also our first AFT show day- which means the theatre bought our show for the day (they own our souls). In our rider it says we need to have snacks provided for a two show day. They gave us a full homecooked meal lunch. Granted I couldn’t eat the meat part (it was hamburgers and hot dogs) but I made one mean cheese sandwich. They had cookies, pasta salad, baked beans, soda, water; the whole nine yards.

 

The kids were even better, they LOVED the show- and this is why I do what I do. These kids may never see another show besides the ones the college brings in through AFT. It makes all the work, driving, being tired worth it. 

 

I love my job.

 

Northern Michigan reminds me of Connecticut March 26, 2009

Well, two more shows done- yay!  Yesterday we only had an hour or so drive to our next place so we had lots of time to kill. for the most part, everyone just hung around the hotel….

 

then we went to Hooters.

 

Yep, couldn’t help it, we could not resist. We had a good time, and we told our waitress it was Chris’s birthday, so they made him get up and dance- it was awesome.

 

After that we went to a place called Meijers…. it’s Michigan’s answer to Wal-Mart. The place is HUGE, and has all sorts of stuff. I had to buy a swimsuit because I forgot to pack one. It was the first time I have bought a two piece in years. It’s cute though, and I think it looks pretty good.

 

We also bought a fish. Yes, we as a group bought a fish. It;s a beta, and we named him Finicky. He’s red, and has blue around his eyes. We also got him a small tank and he goes with us everywhere.

 

Today we had our show, and it went wonderfully. I am really starting to get comfortable with my part and making it my own, and I think everyone else is doing the same. We had a great time though, the kids were amazing and there were some special needs kids in the audience. Everyone went out for meet n greet and we all made sure to stop by their seats. It was awesome.

 

Tonight we are in Roscommon Michigan and we have another indoor pool. Justin and i are currently the Chicken Champs in the pool, no one can beat us =) I LOVE IT! What I don’t love is getting up at 6:15am in order to be at a venue at 7:30. Not a big fan at all….. it’s our first double show day, and it’s an AFT day, which is good but it means we have to be extra amazing.

I’ve never been to Michigan March 25, 2009

Well, one show down…. to many to count to go.

 

Today did not go too bad overall, but please allow me to fill you in on yesterday:

 

It was a drive day- we drove from PA to Ohio, a 6 hour drive. We had a good time, saw lots of different things, and enjoyed getting closer to our first show. Then we got to our hotel.

 

Oh. My. God.

 

This place was not what one would call the lap of luxury. I know on tour you are not going to get the best hotels all the time, and I am fine with that but this place was not what we were expecting at all. I will give it this- my bed was clean. Other than that- not a great place. The pillows were rock hard (not a fan), the towels were dirty, there wasn’t much in the way of food, and Kelly and I got stuck on the first floor of an outside place because they didn’t have a key that would work in  a door upstairs.

 

The kicker?: breakfast consisted of stale English muffins and 1 pot of coffee with powdered creamer. Ok- I know that may have sounded a little like whining, but you had to be there. This was not my idea of a decent hotel. I am very thankful AFT is putting us up, but I don’t think I want to go back there again.

 

BUT Today was our first show! Overall- pretty decent: we remembered all our lines, dances, and blocking…. but my mic didn’t work for half the show and Chris got to see my butt because of it. We got the mic fixed (Brad’s awesome) and we finished the show. It was a HUGE stage but the crew in the house was awesome- they helped with load in and load out, were kind, offered assistance, and knew when we needed to do what we needed to do. Meet n Greet wasn’t too bad, just lots of teachers and parents all wanting to have their kid’s pictures taken with us; which is something we cannot do or else we would never get out of there. 

 

A successful show if you ask me.

 

And today we drove to Michigan-  passed and Amish buggy, drove on some back roads, and saw lots of flat land… farm land. Nothing but farm land. Then we hit Toledo, OH; which seems like a very sad place, and Detroit which feels like a bigger Toledo. I don’t know if it was the weather or what, but both places just seemed really depressing and sad.

 

BUT our hotel is a 180 from yesterday. I love this hotel. Indoor swimming pool, fitness center, laundry, great staff, a full breakfast, and nice big rooms with comfy pillows…. and it’s a super 8.

 

Tomorrow is day two… let’s see what happens.

LONG Drive Day, and Off to Ohio! March 23, 2009

Well, we have left Pennsylvania. Now we are in the lovely land of Ohio, with a quick drive through West Virginia.

 

We premiere the show tomorrow, is it alright that I am a little nervous? Actually, really nervous. I just want everything to go well, and it to be great for the kids, but I get worried.

 

We got to Wal-Mart today, which we all needed so we could get some stuff for the van, and stock up on stuff for the show…..

But to leave you, here is the picture of the cast… I’m the one in the CRAZY AWESOME  blue wig.

First Stop March 22, 2009

Well, we made it! Officially on the road. Our first stop is in Carlisle, PA, and it’s a quaint college town with not much else but industry around it. The drive wasn’t so bad today, only 3 hours, though our drive to Columbus, OH tomorrow will be about 6. WA HOO.

 

Our final dress went fabulously today. Everyone hit just about everything, I didn’t screw up my lines (for once) and it was just “delicious” as Lori (the producer) stated during our notes.

 

We are starting to gel….. I think.

Oh goodness March 22, 2009

I think Fmylife is my new favorite blog….. these people have CRAZY stuff happening…. it’s like watching a car wreck.

 

Today is our final dress, and a drive to carlisle, pa. I just pray it all goes amazingly well. that would be good.

 

It’s going to be good getting on the road, but I’m really starting to like Philapelphia. I think the plan is to stop as soon as we get out of Philadelphia so we can go to a walmart and get some “supplies.”

 

I can’t wait.

My New Favorite Thing March 21, 2009

Naked Chocolate Cafe.

 

Seriously, this stuff is heaven on earth. It is two doors down from my hotel, and Kelly has been wanting to go all week- we just haven’t had time. So tonight at 11:00pm we went.

 

And I think I just had a religious experience because of it.

 

I wish I was kidding, but this is amazing stuff. Simply put- it’s solid specialty chocolate melted down into drink form. I got the Aztec Drinking Chocolate, and it’s so good. A nutty flavor with cloves and cinnamon and it’s delicious. Yes, paying $5 for a hot chocolate is expensive but this is so worth it. As you know, I am a HUGE fan of chocolate and if I worked in this place I would be as big as a house. They not only have drinks but truffles, bars, frozen chocolate drinks, and all sorts of yummy chocolate stuff.

 

Their sizes are funny too- not small, medium, and large but petite, indulgent, and we won’t tell.

 

I could keep raving about it, but I am going to enjoy my chocolate and have a very good night’s sleep. We hit the road tomorrow.

Diet Pepsi Addiction March 21, 2009

According to my roommate Kelly, I have a Diet Pepsi Addiction.

 

Are there support groups for that?

 

I know, I know… caffine addictions are real- but I love my diet pepsi. Part of me blames Jimmy but I need that buzz in the morning, and I keep drinking it, and coffee, throughout the day. 

 

On another side- it was a good day and we got a lot done. In another post, I will explain some of the RANDOM things we have said throughout the last week.

Things you should not do on Tour March 21, 2009

1. karaoke.

2. drink

3. drink while singing karaoke.

 

Yep, we as a cast a crew went out for a few drinks, and decided to stay and sing karaoke. HOLY CRAP. Poor planning on my part, I currently have no voice. But Susanna OWNED the bar. SHe sang “Proud Mary” and the whole bar stopped and watched her sing. She owned the place. It was amazing! We have finally jelled as a group, and I am really happy.

 

Overall, it was a great night, I am just praying I have a voice in the morning. If I don’t, I am screwed. Seriously.

We shall see how tomorrow goes.