INDY 500

well, really it was just Indianapolis, Indiana, but I wanted a more interested title for this post.

Our hotel was literally connected to the fashion mall and with our week off staring me in the face I felt a strong need to get some new threads. Oy! I spent way too much money, but to be honest, it was totally worth it!

In addition to being the place where I did the most shopping I've done on tour, Indianapolis marked Morgan (our company managers) last city with us. She is now working on the Sheryl Crow tour which is totally awesome! In honor of her last night with us, Laura straightened her hair

(no easy feat) and we went down to the hotel bar.
Even Pete came to celebrate. Well, Paul just raved about the pomogranate martini you see in his hand...so I had to get one too!
which led to...

Soooooooo classy!

The theatre we performed in was a ways from the airport and was hysterical. Well, the theatre wasn't really, but the dressing rooms definitely. We each had our own dressing room which was also a bathroom. It's true. Beside the counter with full makeup lighting and a sink was a toilet and a shower. It was pretty funny.
One thing that was really great about it was that if people were hanging out in your dressing room and there wasn't enough seating, someone could just pop a squat on the toilet! How convenient!

The catering was fantastic! After the first show of a three show day there was an omlette station! I was pumped! AND their Oatmeal Raisin cookies were some of the best I have ever had. All in all it was a great place!

Then we woke up far too early to go to the airport where I had to pay a fee because my bag was overweight. It was $30 and if my bag had been .5lbs heavier (it was 69.5lbs) I would have had to pay $50. I need to learn how to pack lighter. The flight was easy, we were delayed in Atlanta, but then smooth sailing (or flying...) and ready for a week of vacation!

Knoxville, TN

What a cute town!!!

We had a day off and then two days of only evening shows which gave us plenty of time to wander around, enjoy the beautiful weather and get to see everything in Knoxville (which really only took maybe one afternoon, but whatever).
Our first day out and about we walked right around the World's Fair Park which was right across the street from our hotel.

The weather was perfect so we walked down to Market Square and had lunch at this fantastic place called The Tomato Head. If you are ever in Knoxville I highly recommend you go there. I went once a day. There were cute stores lining the square so we did some browsing.
That night Paul and I went out to dinner at Oodles and afterwards went to the Preservation Pub where they were having 1/2 price bottles of wine. Shortly thereafter we stumbled home.
The theatre we performed at was called the Tennesse Theatre and was really nice. I couldn't get the picture from center stage to come out very well, but here;s the best one I got:
The marquis was unbelievable and since we were there for what felt like such a long time I totally forgot to get a pic of it. Thank goodness for Google:

After our last show Paul, Laura and I headed over to Calhoun's for a delicious rib dinner. I was the only one who got ribs, which are claimed to be the best in the USA, and they were phenomenal. I can't believe I didn't used to like ribs. Well, we all had a beer, but Paul trumped us all with his ENORMOUS mug of ale
we were pretty jealous...just kidding.
After Knoxville we headed to Ashland, KY! I called Marty, the artistic director of Jenny Wiley, and invited him to the show! I know that by doing so I was signing up for a whole lotta ridicule this summer (i mean, I'm an egg), but it was well worth it. We grabbed a quick bite to eat after the show and then we got right back on that big rockstar bus of ours and made our way to Indianapolis, IN...

To be continued...

Chattanooga, TN

CHOO CHOO!
Happy mother's day everyone!

I awoke this lovely mother's day in Chattanooga, TN. I decided to leave the bus and relocate to the hotel bed after a text from Paul describing the beds as AMAZING at 4:30am. He wasn't lying. We both slept in until about 10:30 this morning.
So, even though the beds were superb and the washcloths in the bathroom were folded to look like elephants
we are convinced that the hotel was haunted. First off, while I was still snoozing on the bus, Paul came up to hotel room and went to sleep. He woke up at about 3am (remember, I didn't come up until 4:30am) after hearing the door open. He assumed it was me coming into the room, but after waking up and saying hi to me, he realized I wasn't there and went back to sleep. What is so interesting about this is that when I came up to hotel room, the door was not all the way closed. Paul assures me that it was completely closed when he went to bed. OK, fine, it could be a coincidence and the door just didn't close all the way, Laura and Creighton also had an interesting tale.
They went up to their assigned room to find the door open, water running in the sink, the tub filled with rusty water, the toiletries used and the beds unmade. When they went back down to the front desk to get a new room, the person behind the desk said no one had used that room in two days! Weird, right?
Well, once we got up we got some food, walked around a little bit, but there wasn't much to see around the theatre. We had only one show which seemed delightfully easy after yesterday's three-show doozy. The theatre was really big and the seats seemed to go back for miles!
After the show we hopped on the bus for the two hour drive to Knoxville, TN. We have the day off tomorrow so hopefully there is some fun stuff to do! I'll keep you posted!

Funny Story

So this happened a few cities ago, I can't remember where, but we were in the middle of a show and doing the Grabbing Goblin's number called "Oh The Things That Goblin Has Grabbed." During this number I have on the costume that I still don't have a picture of. It's my boxes costume which is literally boxes and books which cover my trunk and extremities. The top of the costume is lined with a purple feather boa. So we start the number and I'm about to sing so I take a BIG breath in and "uh" there is a purple feather now stuck to the back of my throat! Now, in this costume I have no use of my hands, they are covered with a box on one side and a quiver on the other. So gag and try desperately to use my tongue to dislodge said feather. Then I realize "crap! I'm onstage! I need to look like I'm singing! " So I'm up there, in this ridiculous costume trying to look like I'm singing, while trying to get the feather out of my throat. I finally get it, but then I'm stuck with a feather in my mouth! Quick thinking, I put my head down, spit the feather into my costume, look up and finish the number like the true professional I am!
How's that for a story?

Luhville, KY

After a very long busride, waking up at 4am to check into the hotel, have a very unhappy tummy and then FINALLY falling asleep again, we made our way to downtown Luhville (that's how the locals pronounce it). The woman at our hotel advised us to head to 4th Street Live for food.We had a fabulous lunch starting off with some skillet fried cornbread smothered in honey butter...mmmm...and, of course, Mint Juleps. How could we come to Luhville and not have one, right?

Angelina having a Mint Julep, obvi!
Turns out we missed the Derby by one week. I wish we could have been here for it, it would have been awesome! They do still have all the horses around town. Do I smell photo op?

After walking around for a bit, we met up with Laura and Kandace and found ourselves a sensible wig store. While the girls went wild, Paul ventured over to the salon across the street for a haircut. He felt compelled to do so as a result of being called 'lady" tiwce in one day before lunch! After trying on an array of wigs:

We found the winners of the day (I'm the only one who ended up with a different one...although this one was clearly PERFECT....right....)
From right to left meet Victoria, Vanessa and Veronica!
She's real cute right?
So here is the official debut of Paul's new hairdo!
Zach Ephron is that you???
So then it was time to go to the boat for our little adventure on the Ohio River! We had dinner, some drinks and dancing on the Spirit of Jefferson!
Along with about 50 elementary school children
It was a pretty funny crew. All of the girls were IN LOVE with Paul. They kept telling him he was a great dancer and finding other excuses to talk to him. It was hysterical!
At one point we made our way to the top deck of the boat and the driver thought it would be funny to honk the horn and scare the living DAYLIGHTS out of us! We cracked up and took a pic of him behind the wheel accompanied by one of the babies from the elementary school:
Shortly thereafter Paul and I were inspired to perform a rather moving interpretive dance
The dinner on the boat was buffet style and nothing too exciting. The mashed potatoes were good and so was the apple pie. The drinks, dancing and views made it worth it though.
When we came back to shore we took a group photo before heading back to the hotel
Don't the wigs look fabulous?
Please feel free to comment on here about the wigs or you can e mail me, but again I encourage you all to participate and feel free to reference the post titled 'Audience Participation" in case you forgot the protocol.
Before we close, here is the view from center stage:
I'm off to bed now. We have a 3 show day tomorrow and then we go to Tennessee! I'm exhausted already! Can't wait to be home in NYC soon!

Grand Rapids, MI and Bloomington, IL

So I didn't see any rapids, but the city was nice. On the city sheet that we get for each city, Grand Rapids was described as one of the US's greatest cities, I'm still trying to figure out why. We were there on a beautiful day and had a wonderful time, but honestly, there wasn't much to do!
We had lunch at a fantastic tapas restaurant called San Chez. If you are ever in Grand Rapids you should make sure to go there. The food is great and they make one fabulous Bloody Mary.
From there we walked down the main strip and down along the waterfront. We stopped to rest at a park in front of the Gerald Ford Museum. We didn't go in, but the park was very green.




























On our walk we passed the Four Friends Coffee Shop. Being the four friends that we are, we had to take a pic!
Four friends, one coffeeshop!

From there we had a 2 show day at a typical arena:
So after the second show we got some food and got on the bus for the drive to Bloomington, IL which I have been calling Boomfield for the past week or so! hahaha. So, we got to Bloomington with enough time to check into the hotel, go to the gym, shower, get on the bus and go to next arena for 2 more shows. I have to say that this was the first time that I got seriosuly confused from all of the traveling. I knew we were in a new city, but the arena looked the same!




























I think it's the backstage more than anything that looks EXACTLY the same at every arena. Plus, the stages are the same dimensions. It really threw me for a loop. We had catering between the shows and then afterwards got on the buses to head to Louisville, KY so I never got to see Bloomington. From what I hear, I didn't miss anything.
Next stop...Luhville!

The A-team (+Shane) take on Philadephia

The time finally arrived! We were close enough to NYC for my family to come visit! Unfortunately, the B (that would be my brother Brad) couldn't make it, but I know he was there in spirit rooting on his Egg-playing sister!
Mom, Dad & Shane all drove down Friday morning and since we had the day off we went into Philly for a day of fun!
Dad's requests were the Liberty Bell:














and Independence Hall:


















what a cute couple!



















Outside Independence Hall there was a statue of someone we didn't know and all it said was "Barry." Luckily, Shane the History Buff was there to clear things up!






BARRY MANILOW! duh!











Turns out that Barry Manilow was involved in the U.S. Navy during the Revolutionary War. So we had to get a pick of Dad with the Barry Manilow plaque:
We had walked up quite an appetite at this point so we headed over to Jim's for some authentic Philly Cheesesteaks!They were unbelievable! We all got them with Whiz which was a great decision. My Dad nearly lost his mind when we saw a boy at the table next to us take his cheese steak and wrap it in a HUGE slice of pizza he had brought in with him. My dad is now planning on what other things he can wrap in pizza. Some ideas were: hot dogs, tacos, cheeseburgers, you get the idea!

From Jim's we walked around a bit more (it was a gorgeous day) and sat for a while just enjoying the scenery and then headed over to Ralph's for dinner. This is what was located across the street from where we parked the car:
I couldn't stop laughing! Paul met up with us and we enjoyed an evening of Italian dining which included, but was not limited to, carafes of house wine!

After dinner we drove over to Penn's Landing to walk along the water. We took the opportunity to take some really great pics...
















You can see here where I get my funny face abilities from...thanks mom!

And then we had some shows!














Mom and Dad really loved the egg costume and have been calling me Eggbert ever since (well, mostly Dad is doing that).
Emily also came to the show. Unfortunately, I did get any pictures with her which I am now realizing was very silly of me, but what can ya do? We had a great time and then she drove and Shane left :o(

Upon leaving Camden I announced to the cast that I will be leaving the show as of June 1st. I think most of you know my plans, but in case you don't, I will spending the summer down in Prestonsburg, KY again at the Jenny Wiley Theatre. We are doing "Honky Tonk Angels," I'm Dance Captain and understudy Darlene, "Wizard of Oz," I'm Dance Captain, Glinda and Aunt Em, and "A Chorus Line" original choreography and I'm Judy. I'm so excited to get to do the shows, but I am sad to leave the tour. Don't worry, though, I will keep the blog going strong. This way the office-goers in the audience won't need to find a new online activity to help procrastinate at work. I mean, a new way to relax after a long day at work!

have a good night!

A trip to Saratoga! and some other stuff too!

So...as you already know, my camera died on me at the mall of America. Paul and I finally finished the camera and had it developed so here are some pics from that day!
Here's the backyardigans ride!

















Me with a huge lego T-Rex
And a pic of everyone holding up their shopping bags from the day. I have to say that I bought the least of everyone. I walked out with a new mac eyeliner and that's it! Mom and Dad should be so proud!
Now that that is settled, on to Albany! We had two days off before our performances at the Palace Theatre so I rented a car and drove up to my favorite place...SARATOGA SPRINGS!!! It I got there on monday, stopped by the dance studios and saw my jazz teacher, had lunch at Putnam, took ballet class, taught a Pilates mat class at Meghan's studio, got my favorite mushroom ravioli from Wheatfields, went to the sketchies show and hung out with Laurie, Laura, Lauren and Casey. Pretty great first day. The next day was free cone day at Ben & Jerry's! I went to yoga in the morning, had brunch with Deb, my ballet teacher, had a free cone of a delicious new flavor called something like 7-layer coconut chocolate bar,
worked out at the pilates studio, saw the Fox's and went to dinner with them, and then, after a few glasses of boxed wine, went to the Bandersnatchers jam! Phenomenal.
Here's a pic of the Carousel in Congress park:here are the fox boys on our way to dinner:


Aren't they just the cutest?!?!






and no, Kurt and Jen did not pay me to write that!







So..after two fantastic days in Saratoga, I was off to Albany again to have lunch with Debbie (my jazz teacher) and her husband before a two show day!


















While in Albany, before the first show, it was decided that the disposable camera from the mall of america had to be finished. We took some great photos. The winner, for obvious reason, is the photo Paul and I have titled "Heroin Chic"I really think that our pre-show attire (mics, footmen jacket, wig caps, under eye liner) really bring out the underlying meaning of the photo.

From Albany, we sailed on over to Wilkes-Barre, PA. Well, I can tell you this, I won't be going back there any time soon. Luckily it was a nice day to walk around a little because there was NOTHING to do! Paul and I tried to find a bank of america and were send on a wild goose chase through a very scary neighborhood. The theatre was fine:
and the people patriotic:
and that's about it! From Wilkes-Barre we hopped back on our bus--home sweet home--and started our journey to Camden, NJ! Oy vey!