Finally able to post ( Buffalo,Rochester, and now Boston)

So for some reason BLOGGER has been down whenever i try to log on and write--plus the internet at our hotel is still being updated from the mesazoic period. So, here I am with a long post. Grab a chair, a beer(or juicebox depending on age) and get ready for a small yarn of truth.

For those of you who dont know, you can now see SABRINA WILLIAMS(a.k.a. the black lil' person dragqueen) on youtube.  It's amazing---and a sheer spectacle.  lets help make her an american staple...what do you say? EIther look on youtube or on the videos to your right.

Well many things have happened since last i wrote. Wrapping up in Buffalo was exciting, in more ways than one. As if anything could get weirder, things started falling apart.  Rhiannon sprained her ankle in the middle of a show, which was then followed by her having an ashmatic attack while the Entreacte was happening.  Also, some cables got caught on a fly so we had to stop the show and TOM ( our PSM---Production Stage Manager) came over the GOD mic and announced we were stopping the show due to technical difficulties and could the actors leave stage.  I was backstage watching the whole thing unravel---BRILLIANT!!!!  That combined with the residually decreasing talent of the trumpet player.....made for a STAY ON YOUR TOES weekend.  Sunday, the local producers bought us pizza and wings in between shows.  It was gone in a matter of seconds.

That night, a bunch of us went to a friend of Adams house.  It was a middle aged gay couple--and it was beautiful.  It was a huge victorian style house , with complete original 

stainglass window.   They had a nice spread, which is great cause actors always love free food.  Later that night, a bunch went back to MARCELLO's. ANd sure enough, both the homeless guy and

 SABRINA were both there.  Cortney befriended said toothless homeless man, and they became quick friends.  Apparently he is a regular, and totally didnt think he would win and was why he just kept smilin.  Whether he was cracked out at the time is still up for grabs!!!

But, monday a chunk of us( as in multiple people) went to NIAGARA FALLS.  Some stayed behind because they didnt have passports or Birth Certificates ( which is where i plug that all people should get a passport--even though the government IS requiring in the next two years).  It was magnificent.  Most of us hadnt been there since our youth( which was 9 for me).  Our bus was a half an hour late, and then a nice German lady narrated the 30 min ride north.  She was hilarious, every word dripping with dry Bavarian wit. She dropped us off at the HILTON in Canada, and we were off.

First, the MAID OF THE MIST.  It was everything I remembered---only much colder.  They actually shut down the boat after today, so we barely squeaked in.  Apparently there are also 2 suicide attempts a week in the summer months, so sadly we missed that season as well.  Though truly, I feel better just knowing that a small child once went over the falls and was uninjured----she has some guardian spirits/angels working seriously overtime.

After a small concert by Josh Walden(see video soon) we ventured up the STREET OF FUN( no joke--thats what it is called).  We stopped at an arcade, where Spencer adorned his new moosehat, Stacey got ripped off by a photobooth caricature that wasnt meant for PEOPLE OF COLOR, and then we went on a SHOOT THE GHOUL ride.  It was a lot like ITS A SMALL WORLD only with blacklight and blinking lights you shoot while wearing 3D glasses.  It was alot.  But, Paul joined me in my carriage.  I love that he came along.And then, the scariest haunted house I had ever been too.  It is called NIGHTMARES.  Once again RUN, dont walk, because it rocks the socks off any haunted house EVER. We went to one last night, across from THE AUDITORIUM(the name of our theatre in Rochester) and it was complete boots( and by boots i mean bad).  Paul Jackel cowering behind Stacey, at NIGHTMARES, was possibly the funniest thing i have ever seen.  There are other places in town, apparently SCREAMERS is great.  But, we hit the cashprize. Then add in a bit of awesome Indian cuisine, and my day was made.  Literally, cause we had to catch the bus back to Buffalo.

Tuesday we caught a 45 minute busride to Rochester, and it was city #4.  The theatre is a huge building, that looks like a school that could be used for rave parties.  There is a neon sign saying AUDITORIUM and ENTER HERE.  It seats around 3000 i think, once again, though we dont feel like we are being swallowed. Before the show, the unmarried straight man coalition and I made our way to DINOSAUR BBQ--which is amazing. There is one in Syracuse, here, and in HARLEM in NYC.  We ate ourselves semi retarded, did the show, and then the theatre threw us an opening night party in the lobby, which had the best vegetable soup I have ever tasted( i feel like i keep saying THIS is the BEST and THIS is the BEST EVER but its the truth).  It was also thrown in conjunction with one our producers, well one of our largest.  it was BILL, from FOX Theatricals.  So, it was good to also see "Daddys" face.....we kind of feel like the kids they sent away to school.  

Wednesday ...what happened wednesday?  well my friend Van Hughes ( who is the boyfriend of swing LESLIE and in the upcoming BWAY musical 9TO5) came into town.  We rejoiced and sang.....that meaning the show. That night we went to a great cigar bar called HAVANA JOE'S(which will be a tradition as we tour this fair country). It iwas an every guys bar, near EASTMAN.  We enjoyed some glorious stogies, and then decided we were hungry.  This is where we decided to enjoy the cities finest and famous.

Recently, there have been a slwe of shootings outside the best known diners...so the city has shutdown some and restricted hours on others.  There is NICK TAHOU's and MARK'S9 which has twon locations). Only one MARK's TEXAS HOT was open.....so lower GI problems called us!!!!

We walked into this small diner, and first ran into two AARP men watching THE GODFATHER on a small portable TV behind the bar.  Two women stood ready at the grill---one of them being Mark's Wife.  ANd it was done--4 GARBAGE PLATE SPECIALS.  Check out the grease spots on the containers...that is what is called LUBRICATION in the food world!

The makings of said "special" are this....

Bottom layer:  Buttered Pretzel Roll, 2 scoops homemade Macaroni Salad, 1 order of Fries

Middle Layer: 2 Cheeseburger patties with onions on top

Top Layer: Special Meat Sauce ( i dont know if that was special cuz Mark made it or just cuz)

And for Garnish: Yellow Mustard 

We all ate like we had never eaten before in our lives, and then the realization of what had just happened hit us.  This is called GAS.  If i could include all the pictures of this momentous journey i would, but I am sure you can imagine.

Thursday proved difficult, having understudy rehearsal, but team #2 did great ( almost getting through the whole show). We tottled over to a great place called STARRY NIGHTS ( which has amazing food and a huge mural of Van Goghs STARRY NIGHTS on the wall) which also happened to be across the street from THE BACHELOR FORUM.  This is a local gay bar that used to be called the MAN CAVE--- i think( according to local lore). On the lawn, outside what looked like a double-wide, were three steel statues.  One was two female symbols, the second two males symbols, and the third was an amalgamation of a male and female in one ( the now universal sign for a TRANNY i guess).  

Friday was for Lazertag.  On the way to LAZERQUEST, i got a call to go on for Jeff.  I would be the first PRINCIPAL cover to go on.  EXCITING!!! After two rousing hours of 2 games of lazertag----scurrying behind walls and down ramps amongst a two story labyrinth and 20 other players, we were tired.  Becky kicked serious ass, getting 1st place every time.  WHen i have the picture of all of us i will post it.  But, it will definitely be something we do again EN MASSE cause it was amazing.  Then came the show....

I was nervous like a whore in church, but it went really well.  As the weekend proceeded, i went on another 4 times.  Jeff had the flu, and actually ended up going to the hospital and geting a shot of MEDICINAL HEAVEN in his rump.  He was feeling better as we rolled into BOSTON, but Send him happy thoughts....cause he still doesnt feel 100%.

We are staying in BEACON HILL area, which is amazing.  There are WHOLE FOODS, a TRADER JOES, and most of us can see FENWAY PARK from our hotel.  Plus, Larry and Nell came up.  

Tuesday, we had a PRESS EXTRAVAGANZA.We first met the Mayor of Boston at MACY's, were a slew of us sang HAPPY BDAY for its 150th Celebration.  

We were then shuttled to HARVARD where we were led around campus by some HASTY PUDDING members.  For those of you that dont know, HASTY PUDDING is the oldest producing theatricl company in the country.  They write a new show every year( all by students). They then produce it in the newly renovated NEW COLLEGE THEATRE( which will be renamed back to HASTY PUDDING once Jack Lemmon ( HP Alum) or anyone else donates 2 mil to change it--much like a BWAY house) for 3 months. They then transfer to NYC for a show, and then trek to the BAHAMAS for a run.  Its a rough life I know.  Well, two members also gave us a tour of Harvard Yard.

It was Brian Polk and Tom Compton----and it was in complete drag.

(See pics for in costume and out, plus the video).

(click here for the article in the GLOBE on LARRY & NELL)

It was exciting because not only are Larry and Nell alums, but so is Paul Jackel.  ANd not only of the UNIV but also of Hasty Pudding.  I also found out that Lowel, Pforzheimer, and Winthrop are the names of dorms.  So wait for those pics!!!!!!!!

We returned to the theatre, where we signed the wall of GUEST ARTISTS, and then it was on. HASTY PUDDING did a skit ( see video) of WHO IS THE REAL ELLE WOODS. They called Becky up and threw some funny stuff at her, but she was a trooper and I threw the improv right back at them.  It was hilarious, followed by a Q & A, and a small performance.  We then bought some HARVARD swag and returned for our first show.

The OPERA HOUSE is beautiful-having been recently renovated.  It was nice to have Jeff back, and nice to have a huge backstage space.  For those of you that dont know, there was no wing space in Rochester. So, for quick changes, all the men had to run to the bowels of the theatre to change.  It was cartoonish at times.

And then, last night the BROADWAY ACROSS AMERICA threw us an opening night party at the HYATT.  It was adorned with huge fake reeds, what looked like BROCCOLI crowns, and had amazing food. There was MAC & CHEESE( a tried and true fav), a chicken and fig thing, pistachio encrusted swordfish, and a POOPOO PLATTER of CHEESES.  Also, enjoy the video of Leslie teaching Tally how to give a sensible Body Roll.

What else will happen this week----we can only hope.  OH-but i will leave you with this thought.  Before the show last night, an army of our cast ladies decided it would be a good idea to get BRAZILIAN WAXES.  Note to self: A HOT WAXED VA J J is not conducive to dancing WHAT YOU WANT.    

Nuf' said!

OH MY GOD YOU GUYS---SIMS music videos

Okay cats---some genius put songs from our wee tuner to a SIMS video. I dont know how to do it, and i am completely grateful, but i cant imagine the time this took!

ITS OUR PROMO REEL

Check it out kiddies!!!!!

Cabarets, Black Midget Drag Queens, ad R.I.P Bway

There is more to Buffalo than LINGS WINg-THINGS

(which apparently makes your body go into epileptic meltdown, cold sweats, & power diarrhea) ---------

Buffalo has been a grand and gay week. And by gay, i mean both 1920's gay and 2008 gay.

On Friday, after two days of understudy rehearsals, we put on a cabaret in the adjoining theater at the SHEA's. This was our 1920's gay.

 It benefited Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids, a charity that we always try to give a little monetary help to.  It is the center of BROADWAY BARES ( Jerry Mitchell's brain child that is now HUGE), as well as the Broadway EASTER BONNET competition in the spring and the massive fall fundraiser in the fall( which i cant remember the name of).  It helps people living with AIDS and HIV to pay their everyday bills---i.e. groceries, medicine, Dr Pepper, condoms, Starbucks----and also goes toward the Phyllis Newmans Women's Health Initiative.  We sold that puppy out, 18 of us singing songs. And (cue the drumroll) we raised $1000!!!! 

How about that!!  

It was a great night---with everything from Ken and DB singing a love duet to open, me with a puppet singing RAINBOW CONNECTION, Rhiannon in a lil girl dress, and Spencer wrapping it up with some SWEET CAROLINE Sing-Along.  It was amazing and made all of us proud to not only be apart of this company of talented friends, but also unified as a family of LB. Even Ricky Lee, our Merchandise Officiant, got up and sang a rousing altered version of SOMEWHERE THATS PINK ( originally GREEN from LITTLE SHOP).

That being said, let me take a minute to wish the Broadway company good journey!!!!! They have their last show today, and without them we would not be here on this trip across America. What with the economy, wish them good vibes on getting another job.

So heres where 1920s gay becomes 2008 gay. Last night, we went to a local drag bar called MARCELLA. It is kitty corner to the theater.  We bopped over after watching Sarah Palin watch herself get mocked on SNL(which was brilliantly hilarious and hopefully doesnt make people think it gives her even a modicum of leverage to be more accessible or even right for the Vice Presidency)( I loved Huckabee on THE DAILY SHOW, COLBERT REPORT, and LETTERMAN but his policies and ideals still freak me out).  But i digress.......

So we went to see the infamous Sabrina. She is a BLACK MIDGET DRAG QUEEN. Thats right...i didnt stutter and no its not a typo or you being dyslexic. A BLACK MIDGET DRAGQUEEN!!!!!!   She is infamous on the touring circuit, more friends of mine remember that from Buffalo than the wings----dont let locals know that. ( video coming soon)

She came out in a cheerleader outfit and rocked the house!!!! Not only was she energetic with her pompoms---but mamma could cooter slam into the splits and then hop across the stage.  It was priceless, and I think my life may  now be complete.   Where she was when Jerry was casting the revival of LA CAGE... i dont know, Sweet mystery of life, it got better!

After her awe inspiring dance, there was a wet underwear competition.  Leslie and I had talked about joining, but our better judgement said NO. 

So, Coleen got up, rounding out 3 girls and 6 guys.  Coleen whooped ass and won---granting us a 100 dollar bar tab. (the villagers rejoice) But, she also pissed off the back bend girl, while the 13 year old Key Club member with the flowery bra and nipple high karate kicks didn't really seemed phased.  This was when we noticed that though it was an 18 and up club, there were definite illegals amongst us. Rhiannon even danced with this poor prepubescent kid for 20 minutes.  But the men competition took the cake(combined with the random crunked man with the BK crown on).

There were 6 mighty contestants, some twinkies and some semi ripped. But, the sleeper competition was the man on the end.  A black homeless man in his mid to late 30's sporting corn rows( it had to be) walked up with missing teeth---sporting some loose fitting boxers and some shoestringLESS worker boots(That is what he wore to the bar). I am guessing he was cracked out on something, but brother was LIVING LIFE!!! 

He was shy and just stared at the others dance and giggled, even when we had to CLAP-O-METER.  

 So as an act of solidarity, good karma, and the ideal that he needed the tab more than the skinny twinks( who thought that making out would better their chances), we cheered him on to the point that it wasnt even a question.  THE BLACK HOMELESS GUY WON THE UNDERWEAR COMPETITION!!!!!!

It was a great night, with Ryan Gosling's mom( whose daughter used to date Jeff's brother and is nicknamed MAMMA DONNA) joining us.  All in all, Buffalo rocked our socks off. Now, if the BILLS can win today and our trumpet player can break the record of playin 40% of the show correct 40% of the time........this could be the most perfect week ever---and (cue the 80's synth music)WE"VE ONLY JUST BEGUN.  

Here is to the adopted day of the Christian Lord and true day of the Pagan Sun........

A Buffalo Review

Thanks for your wings and your reviews!!!!

It’s hard not to like glitz done well  By Colin Dabkowski NEWS STAFF REVIEWER  Updated: 10/15/08 6:33 AM  The Broadway version of “Legally Blonde,” which opened Tuesday night in Shea’s Performing Arts Center, is many things to many people.  Some bemoan its simplistic message, its overt tendency toward the melodramatic or its casual reinforcement of a contrived feminine ideal. Others complain about its formulaic songwriting. And while they might have a point, those people are boring.  To everyone who counts, the show is a breathless affirmation of the triumph of girlishness, a thoroughly and consciously crowd-pleasing collection of Adderall-fueled Malibu morality tales. It succeeds in the degree to which it assaults us with endorphin- producing melodies and nuclear-powered dance numbers that intend to leave no soul unentertained. Which is to say that it succeeds brilliantly.  If ever a glitzy Hollywood film begged for translation into the language of musical theater, it was the 2001 girl-power extravaganza “Legally Blonde,” which upon its release entranced legions of tweenage acolytes with the message that ditziness, like nerdiness, is only skin deep.  The show follows the sordid tale of Elle Woods (Becky Gulsvig), a sorority sister from Southern California whose boyfriend Warner (Jeff McLean) has the gall to dump her before flying off to Harvard Law School. Not to be tossed aside like the last issue of Vogue, Elle studies like mad and miraculously enters the hallowed halls of Harvard, where she learns to kick some serious legal butt and discovers that her love of the uberfeminine is a virtue to behold, even a weapon to wield.  The music, by Nell Benjamin and “Bat Boy: The Musical” composer Laurence O’Keefe, shines brightest in the show’s opening number, “Omigod You Guys,” which becomes a leitmotif for later moments that require an amped-up grandiosity. The first act closer “So Much Better,” and scattered homages to past Broadway greats like “Dead in the Water” also stand out. The lyrics, also co-written by O’Keefe and Benjamin, are as smart and sassy as the show’s protagonist, and they bolster some of the musical’s quirkier assets, notably the totally out-of-left-field “Ireland,“ sung beautifully by Joy Johnson as Elle’s sage hairdresser Paulette.  The musical’s book, when briefly on display between songs, is smartly written and includes several savvy updates from the original film, along with lots of hilarious asides. Those who have watched the MTV broadcast of the Broadway show (which closes Sunday) will notice some changes, most notably in the sets, which have been modestly scaled back to allow for travel. A second-act duet has also been retooled, but the all-important sense of high-octane euphoria remains.  Gulsvig, a longtime understudy of Elle on Broadway, fits seamlessly into those glittery shoes. Her performance is understated but strong, her confidence engrossing. Other standouts are Ken Land as skeevy Harvard Law Professor Callahan, D. B. Bonds as Elle’s new love interest Emmett and the voice, if not the acting, of McLean as the haughty Warner. Local boy-made-good Adam Zelasko turns in a hilarious performance as the pool boy Nikos in the rather un-PC number “There! Right There!”  The show’s not-so-deep message — don’t judge a book by its cover, dream big, to thine own self be true and so forth — is all well and good. But where “Legally Blonde” really succeeds is in the overwhelming force of its execution. It’s a glitzy show that knows what it’s good at, and that’s all the reason necessary to check it out.

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PHOTO CALL on PLAYBILL.COM

Well friends its here......a section of the photo call from Providence.  Check it out- courtesy of PLAYBILL.com

Click Here for Photo CALL

BUFFALO....more than just wings

Friends of Pink,

So much to say in so little time.  

Baltimore Week 2:

We returned from our day off to find we had been more tired than when we left. How that works, I dont really know. But, the week awaited us with parties. 

 

First, Tuesday night the HOLIDAY INN INNER HARBOR threw us a party after the show. This was apparently because we were the best behaved tour to ever come through( which i dont really believe). It was a late HAPPY HOUR.  Pizza, veggies, and discounted drinks were great---but the kicker to the night came when Tally was cruised by a man in the bathroom and asked to come upstairs.  He was officially skeeved at the notion that a married business man thought he was reliving the 70s YMCA motif. That and Tally is totally a "breeder".......laughs were had before i got

 uncomfortable and went to bed( no explanation for this). If only i had been smart and gone to bed when Campbell had gone.  I just cant seem to get to bed any earlier than 2am...

..OOH! I also got a guided tour of the LEXINGTON MARKEY by local reviewer Charles Shudow.  He is a great guy, who daylights as a judge on equal rights.  He took me to FAIDLEYS----which has the most amazing crabcake ever.  Challenge it.....I DARE YOU!!!! He also introduced me to the infamous Baltimore Berger Cookies.  Its like Crack Candy to be sure......

Wednesday we had a party at the M&T Bank down the street from the hotel.  It is their corporate headquarters and they catered a nice spread with a wee MEET & GREET with some local Art High SChoolers. 

 This was then followed by BPMs second Bday Party. 

Also, apparently one of the execs of M&T fell in love with Cortney. So, she got paid 100 bucks to deliver a package to his office. Originally they wanted her to come in costume, but its 

totally illegal to take the costumes out of the theatre for "personal" use.

Thursday found us in another understudy rehearsal( 

they are doubles from here on out I fear) and then the infamous boat trip. Gretchen arranged it so the entire company could ride the SPIRIT OF BALTIMORE after the show.  

There was food, libation, and dancing a plenty.  BPM ran naked around the PoopDeck, while scoured the boat to see what they were working with. 

 The highlight i think, other than BPM's butt, was when we started chasing a small SEA DOO because it belonged to our captain.  Some hoodlums had stolen it and we were chasing them around the harbor.   We then docked to the sight of 4 cop cars greeting us.  I had never felt so loved!!!!

The rest of the week was a little slow, other than a great meeting with the adorable MacKenzie Stuck and her folks.

  She is an 11 year old diagnosed with brain cancer.  She came back stage and we all hugged, took  pics, and signed things.  To learn more about MacKenzie and her different causes go to

http://eriklerchbenefit.org/?q=node/137

or

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mackenziestuck

Not a one of us left without a little tear.....and it made the end of Baltimore totally memorable.  ummmm......i think that was it for the BALTIMORE(other than celebrating Mark Pardy( our drummer) having a Bday).  I had BPM get a naked cake from the market, and it was spot on.  I also got him a gift---it was playing cards of old vintage pinup girls. The kicker is that all the faces have been replaced with George W's..........I cant wait for Poker night.

So, now we find ourselves in BUFFALO---the home of ADAM ZELASKO. We arrived, and after being harrassed by local SCIENTOLOGISTS, made our way to the ANCHOR BAR( which is apparently the home of the original wing). We stayed for a while, some leaving early due to fire shooting from their rear, and then thoguht to find another place to watch the GIANTS game. Problem is, nothign is really open in Buffalo on Monday. So we wandered to Chippewa street and crashed at an Irish Bar.

Tuesday night proved interesting, even after Adam's brother starting giving discounted chiropractor/PT treatments to people.  The SHEA's THEATRE is HUGE---i think 3067 seats?  Plus, there is a huge organ that is plyed as PRESHOW for a hafl an hour before curtain---so OLD SCHOOL!!!!  The proscenium is huge so we had to mask in about 15 feet, and it has the reverb of a sports stadium.  But, first night jitters ran amuck. Frankie got distracted by spilled food so that his bark(dialogue) section was all jacked up, the table for SERIOUS locked up and tipped as Ven brought it on, it then tipped again as it got shoved off, certain musical lines were incognito, all of sudden there was a massive ANVIL solo in SO MUCH BETTER, lines were flubbed, and........then another party next door.  It featured stuffed cookies, and was hosted by one of our producers.   It was very low key and chill.

Oh crap...i forgot to say that Megan's shoe went flying into the audience our last show during the LORD OF THE DANCE kicks downstage. It flew to probably the 15th row and a whole groupd tried to catch it.  It was a brilliant way to say goodbye to Baltimore and great way to end now.  Just imagine her walking across stage, still powerfully, with nothing but STOCKING FEET.  Thats why i love live theatre!

Into Week 2 and so much HIPPO Madness

Its a beautiful day here in BalMore ( as the locals call it) and lets wrap up a bit shall we........

Okay so the last week was interesting in this wonderful Metropolis.  After opening, to much HUZZAH, we had two days of understudy rehearsal--where i believe we actually got through most of the show.  It was promising for us understudies, and we were singing people downstairs while others were working it out on stage.  BRILLIANT---thats why we are called PROs i assume.

Amidst jubilation, we have also started doing a pre show DANCE in the mens ensemble dressing room.  Its so wrong its right, and if I could post the video on this blog i would. But, middle school girls seeing Grown Men liturgically dance in their undies is probably not the best(considering one of the dressers even said she wouldnt bring her 12 year old granddaughter backstage due to the men in undies). Here is where i say--STOP BEING SO UPTIGHT AMERICA!!!!  Backstage is a huge party of naked people running around, but here is the deal.

"UNDERWEAR IS LIKE WEARING A BATHING SUIT." Honestly, a bra and panties are like a bikini and briefs/boxers are like a speedo or swim trunks.  So i say, why make the big deal when people are in their underwear but not in swimming suits?  (now retract the soap box)

Also, we had a few functions.  Thursday proved to be a party, with the HIPPODROME throwing some anniversary party that we were invited to. It was for a major MONEY totting patron, i would guess, and we came to enjoy libations and wee sweet treats.  Then, Friday finally provided a great day off.   Then it came(cue the sound of storms clouds)....

5 SHOW WEEKEND

For those of you that dont know, this is when there is a show Friday night and then two each corresponding day until we all pass out from exhaustion and a celebratory merry making session Sunday night.  Its vicious(though not as vicious as the WICKED tour schedule of 8 shows from Wed to Sun).

There has also been a lot of wandering around town--enjoying the harbor(though apparently the DRAGON PADDLEBOATS are now closed), watching RAVENS fans walk toward the stadium while we trudge to a matinee, and finding some nice wine bars near FELLS POINT.

There was even a FREE FUDGE show at the FUDGERY  ( which Natalie admitted to having applied to in high school) and we found some cutouts of the horribly erroneous SARAH PALIN and McCain(which we took pics of after gorging ourselves on ALL YOU CAN EAT CRAB).

Sunday in between shows, we had two parties.  We are the bell of the Baltimore Ball!!!!

 Natalie was having a family PARTY at one of our favorite places, LUCY's(where a few of us closed Sunday night and was able to witness the General Manager sing along with 80's tunes while the bartendress scoffed). But, there was also the fundraiser for the BALTIMORE GIRLS LEADERSHIP SCHOOL.

Amanda, one of our producers and the producer of the MTV show, is from Baltimore and her mom is founding this school for inner city girls. Its a great cause, and we got to give a wee presentation in a Courtroom at the local UofM law school--followed by a POOPOO platter of great food.  There were a bunch of little girls running around and asking adorable questions....plsu Seth Rudetsky, Paul Canaan and Dennis Jones came down for the presentation. What else could someone ask for? Well, maybe world peace, a decent health care, and a VP candidate that actually knows what they are talking about & doesnt wink at a camera man thinking it is the american people. Does this remind anyone of another VP from say, oh, the original Bush dynasty?  I will say one word...."potato."

And then the last show of the week happened. This came with many of us running to catch a train back to NYC afterward, some even hiring private cars(cause they are fancy).  I was not one of them---staying to put together a DVD for the kids I taught in India.  But, I am guessing peeps will be more tired from the trip than if they had stayed, but thats why i stayed to enjoy ALL YOU CAN EAT crab!!!!!   Thats right--Ven, Natalie, Lauren and I went to PHILLIPS & Natalie and I got collectable glasses. The fat kid in me REJOICED!

With that said, we start week two. And(cue the feasting horns) the beautiful Stacey is back on tonite. Leslie has been amazing, and the character of Guadalupe may appear on the blog. But we are back to the full strength of the pink army after almost two weeks, if not more!

Hippo Press

HOUSE OF HIPPOS and WORLD VEGETARIAN DAY

First off, HAPPY WORLD VEGETARIAN DAY!!!!

 

As an homage to not consuming animals, most of the cast ( though alot of us are veggie) refrained from consuming meat today. There is this whole theory that you ingest that animals fear when you eat it. The thought being that you are eating the last feeling the animal had the split instant before slaughter. Also, what with whats happening in the world of PRODUCE you never know what you may get. 

Heres a suggestion: Read FAST FOOD NATION and OMNIVORES DILEMMA and FATLAND. Or even watch SUPER SIZE ME.....a great person once said READING IS FUNDAMENTAL(but its also informative)

So back to business, we are now in the HIPPODROME 

( which i have nicknamed the Hippo Home). It was a dilapidated theatre until it got a complete renovation 8 years ago.  Its beautiful, not as massive as the PPAC ( a mere 2100 seats) but its way more intimate. The surrounding area could use a little sprucin' up--much like the rest of major cities across our country... but you cant beat Lexington Market two blocks away. This is the largest open air market in the U.S., and any cuisine known to man can be found within its walls. Some more clean and healthy than others, but for a good affordable price none the less.

Anyways, I digress.

So we flew in Monday, enjoyed crab a plenty Monday night (at both PHILLIPS on the harbor or at OBRYCKI's over by John Hopkins). Obrycki's is one of those great places with bibs and brown paper placed on the table before they slop peppered whole crab at your eager hands.  But tuesday was another long day. 

We had sound check and placement beforehand (we are talking 6pm), just to make sure everything was copacetic, and then had to wander through the labyrinth to find our dressing rooms. The male ensemble room is so huge that we have a dance party before the show. I would show videos, but I dont think putting them out in the ether of the internet highway would be a good thing for us---though XTube would probably offer us cash.

And, last night proved interesting. The poor dressers were thrown into the fire, deciphering the Sanskrit that our PPAC peeps had left. But, the quick changes all happened

 ( most surprisingly quicker than before). The set however was a different thing. The "viewfinder," as I like to call the proscenium, just kept coming in during the opening of HARVARD VARIATIONS to the point that Mamie started pulling people upstage.  Also, some dark spots were found----but you cant transplant an entire plot and not expect some funky stuff.  This includes interesting ways to dry bras and panties.....

Today, we had our 2nd understudy rehearsal. This consisted of picking up where we left off, singing music, then working out #'s to stand on.  It is such an intricate show, that we are finely tuning how to get a general skeleton of positioning so if one of us has to go on we wont be completely in the dark. Have to be on the ball with that......and give Stacey more positive kudos. She is still out with pain, though Adam is back from the stomach funk, so send her happy vibes@@@@!!!!!

Tonite nothing super interesting happened, so I am sorry for those wanting some drama. Though, i can tell you that i screwed up the jumproping for the first time and threw it clear across stage. It smacked Adam totally in the face, and i dont know how he didnt have to leave. I was angry at myself for a while. But, i can say that LUCY's across the street from the HIPPO HOUSE  is a great place for food pre or post-show.  

Here's to the night and Here's to romance.....and here's to watching the awe inspiring VP debate tomorrow.......

BE THERE OR BE L7!!!!!!!