A realization that we dont have it that hard....thanks to the peeps from DOWN UNDER

HAPPY INAUGURATION and legoland

Elle Update and BRUNI sighting

Hey kids,

So the updated schedule for Lauren and LBB's fandango tango is to the right.   So, now you can figure out who will be seen when you come for the next month or so.

Also, last night, out of the wintery snow came a vision of Marc Bruni===our Ass. Dir.

It was good to see a familiar face after this last week!!!!  Lets see what happens over the weekend!

Its a WINTER WONDERLAND of TOUR LIFE

The weekend ended with a much tired Lauren, who was amazing and superseded any expectations people had.  She made it her own, and I wish I had that much talent at the ripe age of 19.  And i definitely don't look as good in that infamous bunny outfit.

We landed in Lansing to find a blanket of snow, and the bitter cold of winter biting through any layer of snow we were wearing. Tuesday, we had LBB's put in.  3 quick hours, which also included soundcheck, and we were ready to start.  NJJ called out, so LBB got to get a haircut from the scenery munching Mamie Parris. And LBB was amazing---having been thrown into the mix with a mere 3 days.  But, muscle memory is a great thing and she is hilarious!!!!!!! That night, after we had a post bow cheer en masse by the cast, we went to rock it out at BEGGARS BANQUET for our opening night party.  I caught a lil pic of the three Elle's. 

On wednesday, there was a huge press event at the ASPCA---with a bunch of adorable lil puppies.  Then, we got to go to the capitol building and get honored by the state government.  One of the state reps, TANYA SCHUITMACKER, is an old family friend.  So, Lauren, Kevin BeeBee, Spencer, Paul, and myself got a tour of the capitol---with its glass floors and antique furniture.  Then, we got a tour of the Governors private chamber---by her aide who also happened to be assistant to the pres of WMU at one time.  Then, we got certificates honoring our contribution to the arts on behalf of the state.   It was a glorious time!!!!!

Last night, we had ourselves another ROUND THE WORLD party.  The first room was NAM--which was hilarious being pelted by water guns and having to duck through a shredded trashbag jungle.  The second was JONESTOWN---with kool-aid and dead people abounding.  Then, we moved onto KEN LAND----literally a room with Ken Land's headshots scattering the walls and Stella and KEN nametags. Thats when the management came complaining of noise.  WHOOPS!!!!  And then the last room-----we will call it SUSTENANCE. It  was an art Gallery featuring the work of Jeff( whose name i cant remember). It was a photo montage of an experience of sadness by LESLIE. BPM walked around handing out sliced cukes and small pieces of jerky and saying SUSTENANCE, while Josh Walden thanked everyone for enjoying his work alongside Tally acting all SPROCKET like. There were white sheets hanging behind everything which resulted in one being pulled like a curtain and Leslie rocking back and forth and just saying SUBTERFUGE.  Once again the building manager came to complain, but got to figure out what exactly we were doing.  I was once again amazed at the artistic ideas of our family......and how crazy we are.  This resulted, in the end, to being convinced to go to the conference room to end the night while the manager on duty bought us all pizza. Thanks TOWN HOME SUITES!!!!!

Here is a bit of an update on the LBB/LAUREN shuffle---exact stuff tomorrow

This week: LBB is on except the SAT MAT and all day SUN.

St Louis Week 1: Its all Lauren and Rhiannon is coming back  

( LBB is judging Ms America in Vegas)

as for the rest..... i will update when i get specifics tonite~~!

Also, yesterday was Jerry Mitchells 21st birthday(well maybe 22nd). So, now that he is legally able to drink St Julian's wine in Paw Paw......why not send him a case!!!  Or, just go wish him a happy day!

( there would have been pictures but once again internet is slow and wont download them)

Pics of Understudies and more.......

I forgot two things, as always seems to be the case lately. Friday night we all trekked over to TOWN, on 8th and U, and the glorious NATALIE JOY JOHNSON gave a cabaret to defy all odds. She was mesmerizing, as always if you have ever seen her in concert. The sound system was not keeping up with the demands of the space, but thank god for operatic training. She wrapped up the 8 show set with ROLLING, alongside the 3 Dragqueens that normally frequent on the weekends. in a word ...........GLORIOUS!!!!!!



So i thought it would be fun to put on a few pics.....


First off is Jenkins in this heinous wig....





Jay as a DELTA NU...



Our Wig Mistress
is MEMORY from CATS....













Andreas as
SERENA.....




And Mamie as
ROCKER PAULETTE

The official word on the weeks happenings

So by now most of you know the downlow......i am guessing that a huge majority of you read the boards.

Cue the musical theatre trumpets ........

LAURA BELL BUNDY is in the national tour for the next 6 weeks!!!!!

With Becky's broken toe ( which lets admit most dancers are clumsy including myself), and short an Elle understudy still, it was the only option. And, i think it will spice up our tour a bit---why not add the original for wee bit. LBB flew in today and watched the evening show and it looks like she will watch again tomorrow and open Lansing----if all things go right with pulling together costumes, finding shoes hidden in corners of closets in NY, and working with new changes. You never know.....

This weekend has been magical, with the cast and crew pulling together the only way a professional group of Actors Equity Actors can. It was weird at times, not knowing which small holes would be to your left or who was in your scene opposite, but we trudged onward. There was literally a flow chart on the call board to help decipher who was on at what time. And jay as the Delta Nu in "So Much Better" was priceless......... Here is a pic of the board in front of the theatre, and combine it with inserts-a-plenty in the program.



As far as understudies go, everybody was on their game. And honestly, we have had 4 months of rehearsal so there was no emergency other than figuring out what tracks had to be combined.
And please, listen to the preshow announcement and read your playbill when you go to a show. Because, though people do look the same in their wigs and costumes, its not always the same person. I once heard a stagehand in Europe refer to us as FRAGGLES. We all look the same only slightly different.

So here are the Cliff Notes to recap:

1. Courtney is out til Lansing with throat crud
2. Rhiannon is out til at least St Louis
3. Laura Bell and Lauren are switching off and on for the next 6 weeks ( i am guessing that Lauren most definitely will be matinees) meaning...
4. Becky is out for 6 weeks( which takes her up thru the vaca)
5. Yes we stagedoor ( its our only way out)
and 6. Its still a rocking show

I feel bad that Tiffany and Amber came amidst this wild week, but thats why its live theatre and we do what we do.
Also, today we had Japanese Producers come through that were ecstatic. So, other than the rumors that 5 weeks in TORONTO next Xmas and New Years is possible, lets venture across the pond and spread the PINK a little...... what do you say.

to close, let me say that dont be scared by the happenings of our tour. This is typical.....people get sick ( hotels are not assuredly the most clean places) and injured (especially when you dont travel a sprung floor and the ladies are traipsing around in 4 inch heels not meant for dancing). We are not falling apart but coming more tightly precise. We are selling more than ever expected( and selling out most of the time), and there is no thought of going NON UNION anytime soon.....so stop worrying please. And as far as my writing style......

I tend to write a wee bit eclectic and stream of consciousness.......i think its probably more entertaining. If i am wrong, just let me know. And with that, I say happy sunday!!!!

OH MY Tier B Tetris and A STAR IS BORN

This week has been mad.

Still mourning the loss of Shay Shay ( Stacey) and welcoming two new folks to the fam, tuesday began a week of madness.

Both Natalie and Megan had family die Monday night, so CHURCH CHAT ( our weekly Tuesday PreShow Meeting) was chalk full of updates. Not only was Gretchen out( so Leslie was on) but the rest of the week would be another SUPER SWING WEEK. Let me just lay down the schedule as of Tuesday..........these are the things we do when wakes are inevitable


Tuesday: Gretchen ----OUT Leslie----On for ENID
Tiffany----Welcome her into the KATE/CHUTNEY track
Rhiannon----OUT Alex--On for MARGOT
Sara Andreas---On for JUDGE/SALESWOMAN

Wed: Gretchen---OUT Leslie---On for ENID again
Rhiannon---OUT Alex----On for MARGOT
Natalie-----OUT Mamie-----On for PAULETTE
Sara Andreas----On for Mamie's Track ( MOM/WHITNEY/SALESWOMAN)
Amber Efe-----Welcome her into the Judge/Saleswoman track

Thurs: Gretchen: back on as ENID
Rhiannon & Alex SWITCHEROO still on.......
Natalie and Mamie still switched...................
Sara Andreas on for MAMIE's Track


So that being said, we were preparing for Jay Garcia to be a DELTA NU partially on saturday because that was when both NATALIE and MEGAN would be gone and we didnt have enough swings to cover it all. These are the things that happen when you cut two tracks from BWAY so that we can go out an EQUITY TOUR----and it keeps us on our toes. But, it would be to the point of a switcheroo that Sarah Jenkins would have to be MOM and paid as an internal swing for the Saturday Mat. Let me go back though.....

Amber and Tiffany are amazing, and Mamie's PAULETTE is oober amazing( and bizarre seeing how she is wearing all of ORFEH's clothes. ( i will post pictures tomorrow) But with those clothes, also came the glorious world of COSTUME FITTINGS. So, looks like we all have costumes en route and all is well.

But, last night was the clincher. After the show, Becky fractured her toe.

So now we are having a PUT-IN rehearsal for
(cue the trumpets)

LAUREN ZAKRIN is the next ELLE WOODS.

So kids, wrap those mittens around your kittens and AWAYYYYYY WE GO!!!!
The text rumor is that she is out for two weeks, but we will find out at rehearsal today. Also, there is no way the Saturday mat can happen----so that may be cancelled.

We have new dogs, new leads, new costumes, new cast members, and a whole new show. Who could have predicted this was gonna happen? That would be me when Stacey put in her 4 week notice. When it rains it pours, and the only constant in life is change. That being said, sometimes a little too much change affects the SPACE/TIME continuum and the world of MUSICAL THEATRE comes to a screeching halt. With 10 Bway shows closing, 3 massive regional theatres, and this madness......i think it may be what NOSTRADAMUS predicted as the sign of the ensuing Apocalypse.

This is why i love live theatre!!!! Keep you updated!!!!

The new year brings fun and a loss of fur

I forgot to mention that Tuesday was even more crazy. CRYSTAL had some sort of infection, so we had a white and tiny Pilar. Sarah Jenkins rocked it out. But next to Alex, who is an Amazonian in heels, it was high comedy.


So new years was a blast!!! We had a late show at 830 and then hightailed it into the HALL OF NATIONS for champagne and the countdown. There were bands at either end of the hall jamming out up until the 10 SECOND COUNTDOWN and then after. As we were all then heading to another afterparty, I got in a horn blowing contest with some intoxicated woman, and it soon looked like a scene from PLANET EARTH between two geese fighting for breeding ground. She chased me around the HALL OF NATIONS for 20 minutes. First she would blow her horn and then i would blow mine back at her and run behind a pillar. The security guards just laughed. It was also nice to hang with Larry and Nell and the infamous Justin Huff from TELSEY & CO.

Here is a small conundrum that has effected our tour this week as well as the MARGOT FANDANGO.

China, who pays Rufus, has gotten too comfortable. Back when we were in Schenectady i think, or maybe it was Hartford.......anyway, she started exhibiting some odd behavior. We already have a problem because most of the people that deal with the dogs are actually allergic( which is pseudo ironic and our union is the only one that doesn't compensate for dealing with animals---which is another battle for another day). 

But its been such a problem that  "dog trainer to the stars" came in for the end of this week

and as of last night, Nellie has been permanently promoted to HEAD RUFUS. We dont know what will happen with China. SO, with Roxie on all the time now and Nellie-------almost any cast member possible has now been on stage--spare some secondary covers and EMMETTS and CALLAHANS.

All this weekend ALEX has personal days.....so Lauren is on for MARGOT----and it should be a riot. Here is to a 4 show weekend......

Catching up on the PARTYBUS and D.C.

You know that when Jerry Mitchell sends you a facebook to update the blog, that maybe its time to do just that.

So, the holiday hiatus has come to an end.

The PARTYBUS to Philly was amazing---nothing like dancing on a vehicle at 80 MPH.  Though it felt like old school High school sport trips-----complete with urinating in bottles so we wouldnt have to stop.

The weather couldnt have been more perfect, and the EAGLES wipes the field with the Browns. Thanks to Company Manager Nathan for the hookup on the tickets!!!!!!  We even met becky and her husband Tyler at the stadium.

After catching a train to DC, it was soundcheck and our first show.  The OPERA HOUSE is beautiful.  There is even a row of box seats where the one directly center stage is reserved for the president, which was actually filled last week by Condoleeza Rice.

The back stage is huge, so huge in fact that the local Stagehands union has erected a huge screen to watch football on weekends as well as a basketball hoop and a small gym.

And, the weather has been grand so walking to the theatre from our hotel in the Dupont Circle area is easy and beautiful.  My buddy Jeff Thacher, who is the granddaddy of ROCKAPELLA mouthdrums ( does anyone out there remember WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CARMEN SAN DIEGO on PBS?) met us, and thus began the beginning of family/friends invading D.C.  

That night, we found out a few things. Not only was the stage not completely even( with small holes and ridges and things to later cause problems), but our ASM Sharon got engaged on the day off.  REJOICE!!!!!!!  This is actually the first of two in a week, with Mamie getting engaged on Xmas.  Who will be net to fill out the 3--cause we all know thats how good things come.

The first week proved to be a full SUPER SWING week.  It started with Andreas still on for Lauren, which then melded into Leslie going on while Andreas took over for Mamie while she went to deal with some family stuff.  The reason for that, something is wrong in communication and funds from the top and we still dont have costumes for certain understudies and swings.  We are well past 100 shows and its a bit rediculous considering SHREK had full understudy costumes before they even opened in SEATTLE.  I guess it shows where priorities are.

I digress.  BPM hurt his knee as well, so WED Spencer became kiki. As the weekend came, so did contracted personal days. This resulted in Adam getting to be WARNER all weekend---to which he rocked it out.  But otherwise it became a shuffle, especially with people getting hurt but not calling out because we would be screwed. I think the most memorable even would have been Stacey hitting a hole int eh deck during the IRELAND kickline, screaming, and log rolling off the stage.  She is now okay, after a few adjustments to shoes, but there is never a dull moment on this tour.  AH the road!!!!  

WEEK 2 of DC began with alot of us going to see the West Side Story revival. I will leave all opinions about the show to you, but please go see it for the beauty of the music and the sweet Argentinian making her American debut.  She is amazing and I smell a Tony nom!!!! Also keep an eye out for the JESUS and MARIE moment at the end......if you know iconic christian history you will know what i mean.  

Then, I also got to go see NEXT TO NORMAL at the ARENA STAGE-----which i totally suggest seeing. They made changes from NY, and had Spencer and I weeping and holding each other by the end.  

Bring a tissue........and who said that noon matinees were a good idea?   OYE>>>>>

As the holidays neared, Spencer and I created a CHANUKKAH BUSH for our apartment.  We decided to make it the Hebrew refuge for the 3 people who celebrate it in our cast. 

We also started a lil cast Secret Santa, which proved funny during the week.  I got to make D.B. put on a blinking red nose and have two carrots as ears, while singing "DB THE RED NOSED REINDEER." 

On XMAS, Andreas' parents were great and had a lil brunch/WHITE ELEPHANT party for those that didnt have family in town.  That night, we arrived at the theatre to learn that a guest was coming.  We had already seen Ass. Choreographer Denis Jones because his family is from D.C. and his brother is playing in the pit, so we thought it might be Jerry.  We walked on stage at 1/2 hour and who greeted us: SANTA. Andy, our head flyman, dressed to the part and was adorned with Jill( props mistress phenom) as the elf--which was her job during SECRET SANTA. We got pics with Santa, sitting on the bathroom throne, and then did a show for 3/4 of a house.  ANd the 2nd weekend, I was gone.  I went home for my best friends wedding, and Coleen came back from being sick so Sara was off after a week stint.  

While in Michigan, I got to see the great 1st National Tour of WICKED---and it was phenomenal. I have multiple friends in it, but i was mainly going to see my old roomie Blake Whyte.  

Amber Efe is now in town, and Stacey's last show is Sunday. So, i have a feeling we will all be getting  a lil sentemental.  I guess the most we can do is hold our PEEPSHOW T's that Jerry sent for XMAS, and remember the memories.  Here we go....