Goodbye Oil Hello Corn

DISCLAIMER: INTERNET IS WEIRD HERE SO PICS TO COME

Well Des Moines has welcomed us with open arms, and decided to warm up a bit.  

We were expecting a winter wonderland, but its pretty calm.  I was actually walking around in a T-Shirt yesterday.

First off, let me include this pic with fan Anthony Berardinucci.  It was taken before Becky's injury.  Speaking of which, she is back and more badass than ever.  Also, a new edition to the ensem' is an army of JUICY flats.  To help the healing process of her toe, she now sports fashionable pink MARY JANEs most of the show.

But, yesterday also brought the first performance by CARA MASSEY, who is replacing Mamie whilst she ties the knot.  She is eating some serious scenery on stage, and its a blast hanging once again with a friend I made before I left the city.  A funny story: Cara and Cortney went to college together and haven't been in a musical with each other since PAJAMA GAME at UofM.

This theatre is spacious and nice, but a little weird.  Its multicolored and stadium seating. 

But, there is no middle isle.  We only saw this in one other place, Lansing. We are guessing it got grandfather claused in for safety reasons, but i cant imagine being claustrophobic or having the bladder of a squirrel.  OOFTA!!!!!!  Also, there have been some weird lighting things happening here in the land of corn.  Our first night, during the Harvard party seen we just lost all lights except for a few spotlights. Then last night, on the button of WHIPPED there where lights missing and moving window gobos.  Very bizarre......but it keeps it fresh.

OHHHH----i dont know how i could forget this.  So sunday matinee, we were joined backstage by the Bushes.  No, i dont mean the shrubs from MONTY PYTHON The Meaning of Life.  George Sr and Babs came to see our show.  They are apparently huge supporters of the HOBBY CENTER.  So, as I entered the theatre I passed some incognito Secret Service members in tweed.  Then, we were informed that they were coming backstage for pics at intermission.  OH HAPPY DAY!!!!  Most of us have never met a president, former or present.  So, it was great to see how friendly they were.  George was sporting a cane, but was still nimble enough to flirt with barbara calling her the SEXY LADY and she called him her Silver Haired Fox.  It was cute---that was until Amber had her buttocks cupped during a photo.  TRUE STORY......BUSH GRABBED HER TUSH.  I wish i had the picture that was taken, but according to our dressers that is a normal thing.  BUSH LIKES TO GRAB THE TUSH.  I guess its better than enjoying a sensible cigar!@#$

We have also started a new tradition called MAN MEAT MONDAYS.  I think this will include Y chromosome fellows venturing out for a great steak or burger.  This week was amazing, with a ridiculous bill above 400 bones. But, any meal that includes 12 oz Filet with fromage and a dessert for all 5 men cant be bad!!!!! 

And for those understudy fiends out there, Jay Garcia will be covering JOSH CAMPBELL all week.  

What other chaos will happen......stay tuned.

OH Sunny Day

Well the weather here in Houston has been interesting: shades of rainy, massive humidity, and then the sun comes out.  Good thing is that we are in close proximity to the Bayou ( seeing as how all of downtown used to be marshland). So dogs, joggers, and bikers have been soaking sun while they exercise.  

Then there are the people who spray tan for the golden brown---does anyone have longterm scientific facts on the effects of the Mystic?   I have been in a tanning bed before but that stuff freaks me out a bit.  

Need i remind everyone what happened to the TinMan from the WIZARD OF OZ movie?!@!#

So this city has been great, and bizarre.  As most people know now, Rhiannon is out until Chicago, and she has been replaced by KATE ROCKWELL until her return(which means Alex is back in her normal track of KATE/CHUTNEY). Kate was the final Margot in the Bway Company....so after a few days of rehearsal she was on with a flurrish!!!! 

Also, Paul Jackel is out for the next two weeks or so, so I was on for Dad/Winthrop for a few shows before ( cue the trumpets) we are joined onstage tonite by the infamous Jason Gillman. He was in the original cast of the Broadway Company and a great guy.  So, looks like he will be with us til Orlando.   More BWAY folks to come, but i will announce as it happens ( so as to not be in breach of contract my leaking press before our PR cats get the chance).

Also this week----Leslie was on for VIVIENNE once, China has now been sent to Bill's farm and we get a new RUFUS understudy, and we lose Mamie for three months, Josh Campbell to the ORDWAY in Minneapolis, and LBB.   This sunday night will be a sad night that will end in rejoicing.   

This follows after Mamie's celebratory night on the town for the bachelorette party this week.  I cant divulge a lot of information, but it was a country theme and we would like to thank the front of house associate. Her husband, who goes by the name ROGUE, is a stripper at "La Bare".  Apparently, VIP services were received in the form of discounted libations and themed dances that outmatched THUNDER FROM DOWN UNDER in Vegas and the Chippendales.   Nothing like some morally challenged freelance entertainers!!!!  NJJ used the word CRAFT and the phrase TELLING A STORY---and some say its unbeatable. So if you are in Houston and in need of some lady fun hop on over.  

Two final things for this friday of days: if you come to Houston hit two places.  

The first being the FLYING SAUCER--which is a cool restaurant downtown.  If you drink 200 beers or more you get a commemorative golden plate that is placed on their

 walls for eternity.  We got one before our first week was out ( to no surprise) and it will be included in our mural on the walls of the HOBBY CENTER. We are the first 3D Mural in the building........blazing the trail for change!!

The second is that you must see the tunnels under the city.  Its like LOGANS RUN all over again, and it freaks me out.  I am guessing it is to help escape the stifling heat in the summer, but there is a network of cement tunnels that course through the whole city, also supplying restaurants and nail salons---like NAILS BY JULIE where a few of us got man pedis to celebrate Josh Campbells departure. I may still have a contact buzz from the nail polish.

Tonite?  NJJ is performing her cabaret again at a local gay bar ( whose name I cant remember right now) But, if you know where it is, be there or be square.   OH--almost forgot.

Last week a bunch of us went PaintBalling and had a blast.  It lasted 4 hours and resulted in pingpong sized welts that still havent left some of our skin.  

Check out PAINTBALLZONE

Blog Post #?

I apologize for the elongated break since the last post my friends--despite some inspirational videos I thought you would enjoy.  It isn't that nothing has happened( i.e. Jerry coming out to visit, Rhiannon being out of the show for a while again, or JAY as a Delta Nu again----which i will touch lightly on later), but a concern has been raised as to how I detail this internet journal. So, i took a hiatus trying to reassess things and decided to come on back despite a resolution. Things may change.......but you will be informed as it happens.

ST LOUIS was beautiful, despite the largest ice storm to hit this country this century.  It was madness, resulting in most of my SE Missouri family being stranded without power for 4 days and some still not having it.  The FOX Theatre is one of the most beautiful ones i have ever seen, also cramming over 4000 inside its Moorish style iconic walls.  Our producer, Michael Isaacson, was backstage most nights beaming at his child that has now sprouted legs and is taking the country by storm.  Speaking of, apparently we were the talk of the ball at a huge conference recently in Florida.  Rumor has it that we are a screaming success when others are not doing well. A few tours  are actually losing dates because of bad reviews and things. But, this PINK puppy keeps ticking.   And why you ask?  That would be morale.  Our first sunday in St Louis, our producers treated us to a WHIRLYBALL party.   Thats right-----FREE WHIRLYBALL.  It also had lasertag, but I dont know if i stopped playing the Ball of Whirly the whole night.  I simply stayed in my bumpercar waiting for the next game, to run headlong once more into someone elses bumper.  Pseudo dirty no?

The second week Rhiannon came back to standby for Lauren, which was interesting considering all her costumes had been fitted back to LBB.  But,  Lauren never got sick on her first 8 show week, so no costume miracle need to happen.  !!!!!!! 

With Rhiannon also came the appearance of our captain JERRY MITCHELL and the skipper too---MARC BRUNI.  Jerry went to WEBSTER UNIVERSITY.  And nothing like some brushup rehearsals to get us through the winter crunch.  Then as a farewell, Jerry hung with the cast at the hotel after Sat nights show. Sadly for me, I contracted food poisoning from a soulfood place called SWEETIE PIE's.  It had great ambiance with live music---a neo-soul singer and her albino lover on keys, but the food had other things to say.  So, I missed the last show and barely had the energy to walk downstairs to see the SUPERBOWL(which was great if you missed it).

AUSTIN brought live music and the sun.  I think most of us spent the first 3 days darkening our outer epidermis. Hitting some great vintage shopping, hopping bars on 6th, and finding some awesome emo coffeeshops were all the rage. One night in a club crawl, hearing awesome bands and lighting stuff on fire with 151, we befriended a great up and coming band called

ESTHER LAVONNE AND THE ROTTENS.                  

They are a great pop/rock/soul/punk band in the ilk of BLONDIE, PINK, ETTA JAMES, and KATIE PERRY. 

Two of the many highlights this week were :  

#1 My dresser went to UT with a great friend of mine, CHARLIE POLLOCK from Broadway's "9to5", so i got to see a great picture of him from a production of WEST SIDE STORY circa early 90's.  It was priceless

#2 I went to UNIVERSITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH on campus.  My great grandfather, Dr. Heinsohn as they call him, was the head pastor for over 30 years----also being a huge Civil Rights Activist and Leader before it was the social norm.  There is a huge educational wing named after him, as well as a loft entrance from his office into the small chapel. So, during office hours he could hear people singing and practicing.  It was in lue of a balcony, and i can see his long lanky body craning from a swivel chair to hear the kids choir. The man giving me the tour had been baptized by PA, my greatgrandfather's nickname, some 50 years prior, so it had even more deep meaning.

We were all sad to leave Austin----and not only because they were honestly the greatest crowds we have had thus far.  We truly should play huge college campuses all the time. They just get the show more than the blue hair toting subscription crowd---not to say it isn't appreciated.  Its a generational thing.

But, we were also sad to leave because of: the sun bringing us from the depths of CASPERhood and instilling VITAMIN D,  live entertainment every night after shows, and beautiful ladies in cowboy boots. 

ON a slightly negative note: they just finished a huge 18 month renovation on Bass Hall and the AC was not working properly all weekend.  At one point the stage was 77degrees---i kid you not. The jumprope number is deathly fatal at MACH 10 and 100 degrees.  My  glands were sweating, if that is possible.

 Management asked the house to turn on something cause we were all dying quickly, some even worse because of severe asthma.  But alas, after multiple requests, only the audience had the cool winds of nonsweat.  I am guessing the powers of LONGHORNS that be didn't like us or dont truly want professional shows back.......but hoping not.  I mean who really wants to see the 4th National 1Nighter NonEq Bus and Truck of DRAT THE CAT?

So now we are here in Houston. I have more family here as well( and yes thy are alive), but i cant wait for the NASA MUSEUM!!!  And truly, I think we all would have preferred to stay wearing our boots and swimtrunks in Austin one week more.......( more updates to come as I know that I am allowed to say certain people will not be back for 3 months)

The crowd opening night was INSANE....and we loved it.  Apparently, the man who founded the HOBBY gives a speech before every show.  Who knew?  So, it feels like summer stock with the places call really a good 10 minute call. But, that is how you make the theatre personal and keep bringing people back.

Tonite, i found out a couple of things.  First, we have a new margot coming in.  Can't tell you who( though i know), there will also be a new dad for two weeks( which i actually dont know), and also tonight a gel caught on fire.  During the remix, smoke starting filling the stage and it smelled like burnt chemicals.  Everything was all right, i think they turned off a grid or something, but the kickline was full of us looking up to see if burning debris was going to fall.  I think the audience may have been a little privy to it, seeing as how they didnt respond at all but perhaps out of fright!!!!!  Also, found out from my dresser that there is a ghost in the theatre.  

Apparently, the woman who helped start the theatre was murdered by a security guard in one of the board rooms.  And now, on opening nights, flowers ( that nobody brought) will just appear in random places like the flysystem, on stage, or in the seats.  MOOOHAWHAW!!!!!!!!

Also, i was asked to take the dates for the LBB/LAUREN shuffle off cause it was believed to affect ticket sales......so simply know LBB will be back this weekend and next week.   TIl then.....(oh, also more BWAY cast members are on the way to replace the JOSHS---stay tuned)