Tuesday, June 16, 2009

300 Shows, 3 million pride filled trannys, and a Stanley cup



So as I sit on our ever quiet chartered bus to Dayton, I thought it only due time to pontificate on recent events.

No, this isn't just because for some sad reason ( which many people could postulate and have) North Shore Music Theatre is closing its doors after 55 years of business, or that the people of IRAN have finally decided to unite for a cause, or that strange foreigners are trying to have sex with porcupines in FLORIDA to see why its illegal. 

Nope, just because.
So, Week 3 in Chicago was great and melancholic. Tiff led us into it with show as BROOKE, while Coleen did a concert in Seattle with Savion Glover.  We also got to finally see Mary Poppins.  They changed TEMPER TEMPER, which I didn't even know having not seen th Bway run. But, my brother and I squealed like little kids the whole time. And, I may or may not have cried the first time MP flew into the sky. The cast is amazing, the story a classic (other than HOOK it was our favorite childhood movie), and I'm proud of my friends ( both in the cast and GEORGE STILES who wrote the new tunes).


That monday was our benefit cabaret at SIDETRACK. It was a raving success. We got a full video of it (thanks to the bar),  and BPM MC'ed the evening. The bar was packed with strangers, lovers, producers, and fellow actors in Chicago shows.  And by the end of all the awe inspiring performances ( Mrs Elizabeth Ward Land even joined) we raised 1500 more dollars for BCEFA + Chicago House. That brings our total monies raised on the tour to a lil over $113,000 I think. So thanks!!!! 
The last week of ChiTown was full of grey weather, and much shenanigans. Adam was on for Warner the first part of the week, with me rounding off the weekend. But,also Lauren was Elle all weekend so that Becky could sing on the Tony's(putting Casey on as the Stenog). And it was great!!!!  The LB performance was about halfway thru the show, and sounded amazing!! And congrats to all the winners!! There were some surprises and some expected...but anything that helps BWAY is a good thing. So, thank u for supporting live theatre!  

Pittsburgh produced sun and a week long Arts Fair----which many of us took advantage of by paying hefty sums of money. Our opening night party was at the FISH MARKET, which also saw the return of bronzed Jeff McLean and Josh Walden. Josh happens to be doing SWING after us in the PCLO season. So, its like old home week. Also, since Crystal and Coleen were gone all week it was super swing bonanza. Andreas played BROOKE the beginning of the week with Jenkins as PILAR. Then, Tiff played Brooke all weekend with Andreas as BROOKE. And it was sports final madness!!!

On Friday not only was it our 300th show, Mamie's Bday which inspired a healthy Cake, but also Music Supervisor James Sampliner surprised us with having secretly watched for 3 shows, and then the PENS won the Stanley Cup. There was 5 mins left as our curtain came down, and Becky came out with a jersey on for her bows. The place irrupted into mayhem!!!!! Then as they won, the town went crazy. All this happened after Champagne toasting our 300th show, and a cast member getting engaged to another surprising guest. It was jubilatious evening! The only thing that could Trump it?  GAY PRIDE WEEKEND!!!!

The weekend was full of streets being shutoff, scary Trannys mingling with the blue hair patrons, another surprise with Mike Isaacson stopping out to say HI and then we all said a goodbye to Alex Ellis. She is heading to a new Cirque show, and will be missed. But it marks the addition of the first Non-Bway cast member. Sarah Shepard is replacing her, who ironically enough is totes besties with Kyle Brown.  I can't wait to see her in action. She had only been in rehearsal 2 days and already everything but Chutney.

That's a professional, babeeeeeeee!

This week will be Dayton. Sarah and LBB's joint put in and Spencer's vaca should make it a colorful week. 
And I am not just talking about the 15-year-old telling people he is joining the touring cast by simply taking the workshops led by cast members.
I'm talking WIZARD OF OZ once film went TECHNICOLOR!!!! Those horses were crazy!!!!

U better serve us Dayton. 
Serve us good. 

1 comment:

lisabailey said...

I'll be there Friday night! Can't wait :)