I just saw this...

...on facebook and had to share it because I thought it was too funny!
Any thoughts???

Jackonsville to Naples

So our last day in Jacksonville, I went to the landing to get my last juice and realized that across the way there was a Zoltar! Like in the movie BIG! I clearly had to play it and here is what my fortune said:

You've had to balance your time recently between work and friends. You work consists of whatever you are obliged to do and your play consists of whatever you are not obligated to do. Just remember better is a person of humble standing who works for himself than one who plays the great person but lacks food on the table. This is a delicate balance indeed. For if you do not get it right you may be likened to a tree whose branches are numerous but whose roots are few. The winds come along and uproots it and sweeps it down. You will soon master this balance. Work and love--these are the basics of life to master indeed.
Thanks Zoltar








On the reverse side of my fortune, Zoltar also informed me of my astrological flower: the Sweet Pea.








We had a six hour bus ride to Naples which was uncomfortable. There is really no way to sit on those buses and not come out a twisted mess. Luckily I had just bought season 2 of Gossip Girl on iTunes so that kept me occupied the whole time.

Naples has been fantastic. Our hotel is right in the middle of strip mall city which is great because we finally have access to stuff. We also have cars here since the theatre is about 15 minutes away. I have been going to yoga everyday with a few girls in the cast and going to Wholefoods for vegetable and fruit juices. it's just like being home!

Our hotel is next to this small pond and I saw an alligator yesterday. It was in the water with just it's mouth poking out! I am hoping to see a full one at some point while in Florida, but for now this will have to do.

The weather is still incredible. I sat out at the pool the other day and went for a long walk today in the sun! I can't believe it's January!

Alright, time to head to the theatre for tonight's show!

Ciao!

Jacksonville, FL

So...we are now in Jacksonville, FL and it is GLORIOUS!!!

The weather is fabulous and we are staying across the street from the Times Union Center where we are performing. We are also one block away from the Jacksonville Landing which is full of restaurants and sketchy people. There is also a juice bar/health food stand there where I have been eating twice day! I love it! The landing is right on the water:














One of our musicians is from Jacksonville, so opening night his family invited the whole cast to come to their home for a party! They had food and drinks and it was SO nice to be in a home. It also happened to be Donald (the guy who plays Richie)'s birthday so we had a little cake for him!


As you can see we had a lovely time!

There were also reviewers and photographers at the opening night and luckily we found the photos online. You can find them if you google Jacksonville, FL A Chorus Line, Times Union Center. Most of them are pretty horrible as they capture the moments BETWEEN movements. We generally look very awkward and uncoordinated. Here are two of my favorites:


This photo highlights Tricia's vocal solo in the opening. I serve as her "barre" since the stage doesn't have a proscenium for her to lean on. What I really love about this photo is that I am in darkness except for my SNOOD (that would be the pink bun cover on my head). Lois' snood plays a crucial role in the play and thank goodness the reviewer recognized this ;o)






This is from the ballet combination. One of the few good shots.










Yesterday there was a tornado warning for the area. We had rehearsal in the afternoona dn could hear the rain pounding outside, but by the time we were done it was over. It was cloudy and humid all day, but we missed the rain.

Today was gorgeous. We spent a good portion of the afternoon out at the pool which was fantastic!

Hopefully more to come with this 5 show weekend then off to Naples, FL!!!!!

Houston wrap up

So, I am in Jacksonville, FL right now but we will get to that later. I have a few photos I would like to share from Houston that I didn't have a chance to post. The first few are the Hobby Center where we performed in Houston, a picture of the theatre from the stage and finally a picture of most of the cast with Baayork at our final warm up with her before she went back to NYC. Enjoy!

Good Idea. Bad Idea

I realized I didn't really give a review of the ribs. They were great. The BBQ sauce was unlike any I have tasted. Smokey, but not overwhelming smokehouse. Although I did not feel like I was going to hurl on stage, I was graced with smokehouse flavored burps. It was interesting because the ribs themselves lacked that flavor. Life is just full of surprises, huh?

My apologies for discussing burping. I hope I did not offend.

Another Houston Adventure

So I would like to start this post by saying that it was brought to my attention that I typed "TexMax" in my last post about Chuy's. I would like everyone to know that I am completely aware that it is "TexMex" and it was justa typing error. And yes, someone (who shall remain nameless) wasn't sure if I knew that.

Well, almost two weeks in Houston and I FINALLY got ribs. The physical therapist who has been working with us suggested Goode Company BBQ and it was fantastic. Across the street was a restaurant with a HUGE armadillo outside, but because it was getting dark I couldn't get a clear picture.














Anyway, it was set up cafeteria style with choices of chicken, duck, brisket, sausage, ribs and spicy pork. I opted for ribs with sides of potato salad and cole slaw. Luckily we went at about 5pm so now I won't throw up during the opening number at 8pm.














For all of you taxedermy enthusiasts, you would not be disappointed with Goode Company's decor. You can see Bryan (he plays Don) here with the most impressive piece in the place. There was not shortage horns, armadillos, etc also decorating the walls.

I have been doing a lot of yoga this past week at a local studio and am hoping to go tomorrow between shows, but we will see what happens.

I am looking forward to getting to Jacksonville. I'm hoping that where are staying is a little more centrally located more condusive to exciting adventures.

I am not going to start packing and then head to the theatre for the second show of the day.

I ust realized it looks like the bull(?) is looking right into the camera. Creepy...

The end of a LONG LONG week

So, after eight days straight of rehearsals and performances we were finally able to relax!!! After our final show on Sunday, we headed to the Flying Saucer. This is a local joint with 200 different beers on tap, a dart board and pretty good after show snacks. Sunday was $2.75 for all Texan draught beers. Not a bad deal, huh?

Well, after a few games of darts and sufficient snacks, a group of people decided to head to a local club. Upon entering, I turned to another member of the cast and asked "why does it smell like a swimming pool in here?" Shortly thereafter we found out.

There was a stage, an MC and a lot of gentlemen in tighty whiteys. Turns out there was a competition of sorts going on. These scantily clad men danced onstage and while up there a shower turns on hence the swimming pool scent in the air.



















A classy joint, no doubt hahahaha.

SO then Monday we had the day off and made our way to the Galleria which is a big mall about 10 minutes outside of downtown. There is an ice skating rink in the mall which is pretty cool. I got some shopping done and then a bunch of us went to Chuy's for TexMax! (pronounced chewey's).

So...maybe the "C" was out, but the food was great. I ate about a pound of chips with their fantastic salsa and they had fantatastic margaritas for $3.50.

After that we all came back to the hotel to relax for the evening.

I'm excited to start another week here in Houston that will definitely be less crazy than last week. I'm planning on checking out a yoga studio nearby tomorrow morning before understudy rehearsal and getting into a routine of sorts.

I hope everything is going well with everyone at home and please keep in touch. Feel free to comment on the blog or shoot me an email!

Opening night!

SO...we have been in Houston now for 5 days and we officially opened last night!

Before the show we were visited by George Bush Senior and Barbara. They came backstage, spoke to us a little bit, took some pictures and then saw the show!


They were so friendly and totally pumped to be at the show.















After the show our producer had a party for us at this really nice restaurant in the theatre called Artista. We got to speak to critics and supporters of the theater and also get to relax together as a cast since we've all been a bit crazy with rehearsals.

Now I'm off to my first understudy rehearsal. I'm working on Bebe at the moment which is great. Hopefully I will nail her harmonies and not completely embarrass myself. We shall see!

Talk to y'all soon!

And We're Back!

It's been a while. Two productions of 42nd Street and one marriage later, I am back on the road!

I am currently in Houston, TX having finished the first day of tech for the Broadway National Tour of A CHORUS LINE!!! Anyone who knows me knows that this has been my dream for...well...forever. I was called in to audition the week after getting home from our honeymoon. Luckily I had already been to Ballet class twice (my motivation came form the pounds of pasta and gallons of wine I consumed while in Italy). Clearly everything went well because here I am!

Getting to Houston yesterday was a long day. We had a layover in Atlanta for about an hour and a half. It was easy, but exhausting.

I am playing Lois Dilletante, one of the cut dancers. What this means is that I will be dancing every night in the first 15 minutes of the show and then I get cut and will sing offstage for the rest of the show. I also understudy four girls on the line: Val, Kristine, Bebe and Connie. During rehearsals I had the honor of going in for both Val and Kristine due to vacation and the stomach flu respectively. It was a little stressful, but totally awesome.

I had one of the girls take some pictures of me in my Lois costume:





I don't think you can see it clearly, but Lois wears every shade of pink in this outfit and also a bright pink bun cover! Please take notice of the pink tights and ballet slipper with a heel. Lois knows what's up.











I'm so excited to be starting this tour, but miss home already. Thank goodness gmail for video chat! Keep checking the blog as there are many more pictures and stories to come!