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!