Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in urbanmiffed's LiveJournal:

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Sunday, May 4th, 2008
6:54 pm	Last week! I am writing this from Ian's dressing room in Oklahoma City, where we've been for the past six days. The cast was just on stage having their photo taken with MRS. Oklahoma. While it has been great not to have travel, again we were booked into a hotel along a busy thoroughfare with little to do nearby and no sidewalks for those of us who don't mind walking a distance to get somewhere. It has been pretty much the norm that we stay in very nice hotels with amenities like a fridge and microwave when we only have time to sleep there. Then when we could really use those amenities, you either can't get them or have to pay $10 a day for each one of them. At this place (Crowne Plaza), they had no laundry facilities (this, after coming off of a nine-day stretch of one-nighters when there is no time to do laundry even if the hotel has facilities...). They had a hotel shuttle that refused to take me to a laundromat because it was "out of their driving range." When I mentioned that the OKC Zoo is also out of their range, but they made two separate trips there, they told me, "we have already done a lot for "you people." That's pretty indicative of the overall experience of staying here. Oh, yeah we also had a tornado WARNING, fifteen minutes before curtain. I don't know what the people in the house did, but we were all told to head to the basement. We didn't actually see any weather in this part of of town as the storm went northeast of here, but there was a great deal of damage in northern Oklahoma and Kansas. We're on our way to St. Louis (500 miles) in the a.m. They kids have a field trip to the St. Louis Arch. They also had a field trip to the Cowboy Museum in OKC. Tuesday we're in Joliet, IL, Wednesday it's another long trip (475 miles) to Pittsburgh, Thursday another long one to Virginia Beach and then up to Philadelphia for the final performances. There is a big after party Friday with all the people from Phoenix attending. Ian has been a real trouper on the tour. I think he has mixed feelings about it coming to an end. I can tell he misses his pets as he talks about them a lot. I've watched many, many, many of his performances and he has done a consistently good job. I've been remiss in posting for several weeks. Many times I was just too tired after all of the travel. There have been many more one-nighters on this last leg of the tour. I think what I'll do is just post photos and captions below to catch up. Buddy Holly statue/Lubbock, TX         Lake Superior/Duluth, MN On the bank of the Ohio River Ask Ian what happened right after this photo was taken! Owensboro, Kentucky Cast photo Embassy Theater marquee: Fort Wayne, Indiana (Comment on this)
Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008
8:47 pm	Amarillo suWe have gone over 1,000 miles the past two days, from Lexington to Springfield, MO and then on here to Amarillo. It's COLD here! I think I've been overly optimistic with regard to what I packed for this final leg of the tour. I have a couple of warmer pieces for when we're in Canada, but I certainly thought we'd be able to break out the spring clothing while we were in Texas. We're staying at The Ambassador Hotel along I-40, but if you're willing to dodge the traffic on the frontage roads, you can find "walkable dining." I'm learning more and more how Austin has spoiled me when it comes to finding something good to eat. There is a TGI Friday's on site here, so we have it a try yesterday. I thought it was safe to get soup and salad. What is it with these places still using iceberg lettuce? The onion soup was as black as dirty motor oil with a similar taste (no, I haven't really tried motor oil...) Anyway, we met "Miss Joan" who runs the gift shop in the hotel. She said she played Tessie Tura in a production of GYPSY 37 years ago. I told her I'd tell Lori Anne, who is our Tessie, to drop by and say hello. Amarillo doesn't have guitar sculptures around town like Austin, but they do have Quarter Horse statues, and this is the one at our hotel. Ian and Jonathan and with the O'Brien girls. (Comment on this)
Saturday, March 29th, 2008
6:17 pm	After Party Aftermath Last night's after party was very nice. We didn't get there, of course, until well after 11 p.m. Ruby's family had things set up in the Presidential Suite. There was an open bar, serving mint juleps and Kentucky beer. There were two bowls of "candy" on a coffee table. Ian went for the chocolate-covered one, which happened to be 150-proof bourbon balls. Needless to say, I finished that one and the remainder of the candy was placed on the bar. The kids got to try Ale-8, which is a soda that is primarily available in Kentucky and not many other locales. I had a sip, and it was pretty good. It was only later that we learned the caffeine content in this soda is about the equivalent of having a couple of Red Bulls. The kids were still hyper at 1:00 a.m. They did have enough door prizes for all the kids. Ian got a travel scavenger hunt game, which should be fun on the bus. I won a tin of Kentucky cream candy. We slept late this morning and then it was time to go to the Sat. matinee. The call time was1/2 hour before curtain, which usually leaves Ian with plenty of time to get ready. He was goofing around, not in any hurry to get in costume when, about 20 minutes before curtain, he sees that his mic cord is hopelessly tangled. I took it up to the crew, but the sound gal didn't get it back down until AFTER places were called. So there he is, in an undershirt, with a mic belt that needs to go on, a shirt, tie, vest, jacket, and glasses and everyone is in their places and he's still in his dressing room. I think he'll be checking to make certain everything is right from this point on. Hopefully, a lesson learned. (Comment on this)
Friday, March 28th, 2008
7:40 pm	Harlingen, Waco, Tyler, Nashville, Lexington After a great week off back in Austin, we're back on tour. We had the luxury of Ed driving us from home down to meet the tour in Harlingen. All those miles aren't bad at all when you're riding in a car, versus the bus. I was a bit disappointed that Ed didn't get to see the full "A" show. The stage wasn't big enough to accommodate everything, so the newsstand wasn't used and a few other set pieces, but he was very impressed by the show anyway. Ian had to be on the bus the next day because they were holding school on it for four hours of the travel time. I designated a parent to look after him on the ride and I rode back with Ed all the way to Waco. Ah, the Waco Hippodrome venue.... I knew it was small, BUT... I didn't know our company meeting would be in the furniture store next door. (Where Michelle, one of the other parents, who has keen powers of observation, pointed out the RAT TRAP by our feet...) I didn't know there was such a thing as a "D" show. This is the show stripped down to only bare bones set pieces and everything being played in front of the curtains. For the car scene, of course there wasn't room for the car and they played it with the driver holding only a STEERING WHEEL (which, small comfort, is how we were told it's done in the Patti LuPone production). I knew it was the smallest venue on the entire tour, but I was so disappointed because this was the only show that was a commutable distance from Austin. Ian had four people drive from Austin to see it and I felt bad that they didn't get to see a true representation of what we do most everywhere else. The crowds, both in Harlingen and Waco, however, were VERY appreciative, so I guess if you hadn't seen the full staging of it, maybe you can love it anyway. The next night was The Cowan Center at The University of Texas at Tyler. Very nice, close to 3,000-seats, venue. The great part was, after having horrible, cramped dressing rooms for the past 2 nights, the boys got one of the STAR dressing rooms, complete with a VERY comfy white couch, which I took over for the entire evening. You can't tell, but they're pointing to the sign on the dressing room that says "STAR." What a NICE dressing room looks like! Earlier that day, I went with the kids on a field trip to a big cat refuge. They had mostly tigers, but also a few lions, a black leopard, and two bob cats. We felt sad that they weren't in larger cages, but at least they were very clean and seemed well cared for and were free from the abusers they came from. Next day was a 520 mile drive to Nashville. I actually endured this one better than I have on the other long drives. (Dare I say I might be getting used to this????) We had nice lunch break on Beale Street in Memphis. We ate the Blues City Cafe. I had a pulled pork sandwhich and Ian and I split a fried apple pie. (I'm really going to have to work hard to get back into shape after this tour!!) Took a nice photo of Ian in front of the Elvis statue. Ian and me and Ian with Biily Ray, our bus driver and self-appointed tour guide for Memphis and Nashville (his home). We had the night off, but we were all pretty tired. We walked around downtown, took a look at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge, Ernest Tubb's Record Shop, and The Ryman, had a bite to eat and then went back to the Doubletree to claim our warm chocolate chip cookies. (Ya gotta love that hotel perk...) We're in Lexington now, where we'll be until Monday morning. I took Ian to the venue (Lexington Opera House) and stayed for the company meeting and hung around until half-hour, but left the remainder of the evening to Michelle. I'll supervise the boys for the matinee tomorrow and she'll take over again tomorrow night. Ruby Lewis, our Dainty June, is from here and her parents are putting on a huge after party tonight. It won't even begin until 11:00 p.m., but it's right here at our hotel and I know she's serving mint julips and derby pie and has a bluegrass band for the entertainment. They are also giving our door prizes and the kids have a separate drawing. (I hope every kid gets to win something so no one feels left out.) Lexington looks like a pretty cool little place. We're at The Radisson, and the rooms are pretty nice, we can walk to the venue, and there appears to be plenty of restaurants. What more could we want? (With the exception of laundry facilities, which we're going to need VERY soon!) I do have photos, but I'll have to upload them at a later time. (Comment on this)
Wednesday, March 12th, 2008
1:10 pm	Redding, CA We're just getting ready to leave here. It's been nice these past two days, (leaving Sacramento and here) because our load isn't until 11:30, a real luxury. We're off to Medford, OR today with an 8 PM curtain tonight. This was taken at a plaza near the theater in Medford, OR Tomorrow it's back to the grind of loading at 6:30, traveling 430 miles to Yakima, cabaret run-through and performance that evening. It's a benefit for the theatre and Ian's singing "It's Possible" from SEUSSICAL. We leave Yakima early on Sunday morning after double performances the day/night before and go straight into a 3 pm matinee and 7 pm performance in Eugene, OR. Backstage in Eugene, with Jason, on his last night with the show.  After that night's show, we'll board the bus for Portland, OR where we'll catch a few hours of sleep at the airport hotel and then spend most of Monday traveling back to Texas. Hope the weather doesn't delay us as we'll be totally burnt out from the weekend's schedule. Oh, yeah, forgot to mention our close call on the bus going up I-5 from Sacramento. The bus was passing a truck and they came VERY close to colliding. The woman seated next to me screamed. I just had a sharp intake of breath. Wouldn't have wanted to have my hand between the two. It was THAT close! Can't wait to come home!! (Comment on this)
Friday, March 7th, 2008
1:01 pm	Palm Desert Haven't written in a while. Our night in Hollywood was okay. We've been down to the Boulevard enough times that it doesn't hold that much of an attraction for either one of us. The kids wanted to go into those schlocky Guiness Book of World Records and Wax Museums, so we did that. Ian at The Guinness Museum. If we stay on tour for much longer, we're both going to look like this! Had dinner at "the oldest Italian restaurant in Hollywood." I think it was off the Boulevard, maybe on Las Palmas. Ian, Michelle and Jonathan Goff at the Kodak Center. We've been in Palm Desert (well, actually Indio- at a Holiday Inn Express that sits about 10 feet from I-10; there's a chainlink fence separating our room and our lives with certain death if an 18-wheeler loses it out there.) I-10 at dusk as viewed outside my hotel room... There is really nothing here with the exception of a REALLY BAD Mexican restaurant and, if you don't mind the I-10 traffic whooshing right by you, you can walk to the "Fantasy Casino." I'm told there is decent food there, but I am so sick of casinos after Reno and Vegas that I don't even want to venture in. A couple of days ago one of the actors rented a car and I rode along to Wal-Mart and stocked up on lunch meat and rolls and some snacks and we've been eating off of those for a few days. Given how bad some of the restaurants have been, we've actually enjoyed the sandwiches more than anything we've had in recent weeks. Mark Minnick, the producer and casting director of this show, is in town. He's been auditioning current cast members for their upcoming shows next year, THE PAJAMA GAME and SPELLING BEE. He also shared with us that Jule Styne's SON was in the audience opening night here and told Mark that, although he's seen countless productions of GYPSY, that this one was one of the best he's ever seen.  High praise, coming from him. Ian's in school until 3, then I think we're going into Palm Springs to ride the aerial tram that goes from the Sonoran Desert up into the mountains. Hopefully there's time for dinner before we head to The McCallum Theater at the Bob Hope Center for the Performing Arts. Nice venue. I've seen many, many television spots for the show when we're in the room. We did go to the Ariel Tram. Ian didn't wear a jacket, and here's a picture of him shivering on the snow-covered mountaintop. Double shows tomorrow and Sunday and then it's off to Sacramento, Redding, Medford, Yakima, and Eugene, and then WE GET TO COME HOME!!!!! I've been counting the days. I'm sure they'll fly by, but I'll treasure every minute. (Comment on this)
Wednesday, February 27th, 2008
7:14 pm	In Memory of J. MIchael Bloom (Boise, ID) I have been reeling since yesterday. About an hour before we were to leave for the theater, I thought I'd give Michael (Ian's LA agent) a call to firm up our time to meet up for dinner when the tour comes into Hollywood next Monday. A strange female voice answered the phone and I thought I had the wrong number. I said I was calling for Michael and she said she was his sister-in-law. I asked if I could speak to him and, after the slightest hesitation, she said, "Oh, you don't know, do you? Michael passed away last Thursday." I felt like I had been socked in the stomach. She said he had gone in for more surgery on his cheek and came down with pneumonia, but insisted on coming home. They gave him his antibiotics and he seemed to be improving. He was found on the floor by his housekeeper. He was so thrilled when I called him last month to tell him Ian had landed the National Tour. It was Ian's birthday, and he wanted to speak to him. When Ian took the phone, I could hear Michael heartily singing "Happy Birthday" to him. That was the last time we spoke. Looking back now, it is odd that he didn't reply to my e-mail a couple of weeks ago about our Hollywood date coming up. He was probably feeling too poorly to respond. Alec Baldwin has written a beautiful tribute to Michael: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alec-baldwin/in-remembrance-of-j-mich_b_88609.html#postComment There is supposed to be a memorial service for him sometime in April. I wish there was a way I could break from the tour to attend. This man was one of the last old-time Hollywood mogul agents. I remember when he came to speak to a group of us that he scared me half to death. Even in poor health, he was an imposing figure.  How wrong I was! His preamble to his talk was, "I don't rep kids, so don't ask me." Oddly enough, when we met after his talk, he spied Ian and told us to come by his office and talk. He repped Ian for over two years, but that was secondary to the support and friendship he gave. He would mesmerize me with his "war stories" of Hollywood. He loved theater, but knew where the money was and, for many years, did very well. As Alec described, he had a precipitous fall. He was betrayed by some of the people he trusted the most, but I never heard him say anything really bad about them. I didn't know him when he was at the top of his game, but the Michael I knew, I loved. My heart is very heavy. Rest in peace, gentle soul. (Comment on this)
Sunday, February 24th, 2008
9:31 pm	Curtain Up.... In FLAMES!! Spokane, WA Yes, folks, we had a stage fire, 45 minutes before our first curtain in Spokane. We were in the dressing room when we smelled a very acrid odor. I opened our door to the hallway and didn't smell anything, so I asked a couple of cast members to come in and see if it was just me. I was on my way to find someone when we got the news that a work light got too close to a curtain panel and it went up. The fire went upwards and they couldn't reach it immediately with the extinguisher, so there was A LOT of smoke. The curtain was delayed by only 15 minutes, but I sat in Row E to watch the kids at the beginning and when that curtain went up, the stage was so smoky it looked like they were performing behind a scrim. There was a woman in front of me coughing so much she had to get up and leave. Things cleared up by intermission. I think we were very lucky... This is a very large venue, 2700 seats, which they have pretty much filled for each performance. I didn't think a city of this size could support a run this long in such a large theater, but each day I notice buses from Vancouver, BC, Montana, and Idaho. Lots of buses. Spokane seems to be a pretty nice place. The downtown area is pretty vibrant with lots of restaurants, a downtown mall and AMC complex and lots of green space. We've been staying at the Doubletree and we've both been pigging out on the warm chocolate chip cookies they give you each day. Ian has particularly enjoyed all the Canadian geese, ducks, etc. that live on the river that flows behind the hotel. Radio Flyer sliding board Ian with the "Canadians" (geese, that is...) There is still a lot of snow around here, even though it's been pretty mild since we've been here. After these four blissful days in Spokane, it's back to grueling long bus trips. We've got about 450 miles tomorrow to get to Boise and then a performance that night. That's nothing compared to Friday, when we go 614 miles from Idaho Falls to Reno, and yes, a performance. That's going to be very tough. We'll be staying at CIRCUS CIRCUS, which will probably be very tacky. Ian will love it. These casino towns all seem to charge for internet access, so unless I post from Idaho, the next one will be coming from Hollywood or Palm Desert. (Comment on this)
Friday, February 15th, 2008
10:54 pm	We're staying in the much nicer La Cuesta Inn in San Luis Obispo, CA. Last night was their show at Cal Poly Tech. They have an amazing venue, The Performing Arts Center of San Luis Obispo. It's 91,500 square feet with 1,350 seats and it's acoustically one of the best halls in the world and has been named JBL Professional's exclusive North American test and demonstration site. Most of the 1,350 seats were full last night. Since it was Valentine's Day, all the cast and crew made "mailboxes" and valentine's were distributed backstage. Prior to that, most all of the parents and kids had dinner across the street. Today was our bus driver, Billy Ray's birthday. We all sang to him while waiting for our shuttle up to Hearst Castle. Billy Ray and the kids Hearst Castle was truly amazing. The Neptune Pool and view of the bell towers After that, we viewed the elephant seals. They are mating now, and it was fun watching the males vying to be the Alpha male. Unbelievable how many there are, They aren't the cute circus type seals, but their pups are kinda cute. Yes, those are all seals... This is a pup nursing with its mom Next few days are tough ones. We load at 5:30, so no comp breakfast and only a 20-minute stop on our 308 mile drive down to Escondido. They have a matinee at 2:00, so we'll be lucky to even make it in time for a sound check. I think the plan is to try to check-in to the hotel between the matinee and the 8:00 p.m. show. I have no idea when or if we'll get a chance to eat. We won't get back to the hotel until probably 11:30 and then we leave on Sunday morning at 6:30 to drive all the way back up to Sacramento. Then up early Monday to continue on to Eugene, OR. After that it will get easier and we have five days in Spokane, WA... at the Doubletree, no less. Lots of shows in Spokane, but at least we won't be moving around. (Comment on this)
Thursday, February 14th, 2008
1:37 am	Fresno/Madera Tonight was the second and final night in Fresno, and while the venue was very nice, with great crowds, we had to stay at this dump in Madera, which is about 20 miles to the north. Even with a 7:30 curtain, we don't get back to the hotel until after 11:00 p.m... and what a hotel it is! Within an hour of our arrival yesterday, I discovered Ian tap dancing on the balcony, which is only about a foot wide. I tested the railing and, of course, it wobbled. While I was imparting the gravity of his NOT leaning on the railing, we witnessed what was most likely a drug transaction under our window. The room smells so bad, it makes me ill. Just when I got into bed last night, I noticed an overflowing ash tray and lighter on the floor by my bed. Then Ian noticed the dirty socks by his bed. We sleep with the sliding door wide open and the heat cranked. I shudder to think what organisms are growing in the carpet. Food options within walking distance are almost non-existent, with the exception of the "Burrito Bar" across the street where I got a beef taco (thinking it was the safest option) that had plain, non-seasoned ground beef, some iceberg lettuce and a couple of shreds of cheese on top. They did have good salsa and cold Coronas, to their credit. I walked with 3 cast members two blocks to the laundromat and then the plan was to find a post office. When I asked where it was, they told us not to walk because it was too dangerous... in broad daylight. Apparently there is a thriving meth community here. I am SO looking forward to our moving on to San Luis Obispo in the a.m. Hopefully we'll have a nicer place to stay. One interesting show-related thing to off-set my whining: I learned tonight that they auditioned over 2,000 people for the 23 roles in this show.  Granted, part of that was a large open call, but still, what an honor for Ian to be a part of this cast. Hopefully something worth photographing and posting in the next couple of days. (Comment on this)
Sunday, February 10th, 2008
1:29 pm	Cheyenne to Bozeman Cheyenne was a much more interesting place than Casper. I guess that's because it's the state capitol. Not a great shot of the capitol bldg., but I was standing in the middle of a street with the wind whipping at me and it was freezing cold. We stayed in the historic Plains Hotel, downtown. It's actually on the National Registry of Historic Sites. I loved it. Why is it that when we get the really nice places it's on our one-night stays? We had a huge sitting area and tons of space. I wanted to walk around the town, and I did, but not for long. I don't know what the wind chill was, but it felt like my cheeks were freezing. I took a few photos and then headed back. It was SO cold in Wyoming. Western wear shop and a very old theater; I think it says at the top of the bldg., 1883 The Civic Center was the first theater I ever saw that was paneled in what appears to be knotty pine! It was unique, to say the least. Sound check We had a 6:00 a.m. load-in for Bozeman yesterday and were on the road for almost 11 hours (597 miles). Luckily, we're staying in a great place and there was no show to rush off to. There's a great indoor pool and hot tub and what's even greater, is the sliding glass doors in our room open right out to the hot tub! Granted, you have the noise from the pool, but it closes at 10:00 anyway. Last night was fun because Ian and some of the other kids from the cast got in the pool first, then some of the adults from the cast joined them. "Uncle Jocko" was throwing Ian and the other kids in, to their delight. I actually got in as well. A real nice way to end a long day on the bus from hell. An added perk is there is a Wal-Mart and K-Mart right across the street. I finally managed to get Ian his DS Lite that he's been wanting, because all the other kids on the bus have them. It's been tough to find because it seems stores haven't restocked since Christmas. So he's a happy camper now, and won't be pestering me to use the laptop on the bus during the 644 mile trip to Winnemucca, NV tomorrow morning. I think I finally get a swing seat on the bus, too—the first time in two weeks. My knees will thank me. Who would have ever thought you could be so thrilled to find a Wal-Mart when you stop somewhere...but you do, because it's not very often you have the opportunity to pick up the most mundane things that you take for granted when you can just get in your car and go pick up things. I think half the cast were in Wal-Mart on a Saturday night off. . Scene from a Wal-Mart Parking Lot in Bozeman Dave, another parent, and I walked into downtown Bozeman with our kids. It was my idea and Ian and I both had boots, but Dave and Jonathan were wearing athletic shoes. The temps were above freezing and all the snow was turning to slush and the sidewalks (when there were sidewalks) were a mess. By the time we got there, the kids were ready to go back, but Dave was rewarded by finding this outdoor shop that had all these incredible mounts. Tough week of travel coming up this week, but we'll be rewarded with a "golden day" in San Luis Obispo with a field trip to Hearst Castle. Think we're going to go exploring downtown Bozeman in a bit. (Comment on this)
Friday, February 8th, 2008
9:15 am	Casper, Wyoming We were delayed an hour yesterday morning leaving Colorado Springs. The crew bus was stopped halfway between Cheyenne and Casper, due to the high winds. When we finally got going yesterday, we got a taste of what they went through. The ride up to Cheyenne was uneventful, but shortly after that, the bus felt like a plane with bad turbulence. Then the emergency roof exit at the back came up and we had to stop. The bus, at a full stop, was rocking like a boat. We took off again and the front emergency roof exit blew up. This happened over and over. I was sure one of those times it would just blow completely off onto the highway. It seemed entirely possibly that the bus would blow over on its side with all of us on it. I felt sorry for the bus driver. The Casper Events Center is basically a multi-purpose arena that they use for basketball games. I think tonight it hosts a monster truck rally! I didn't know what to expect as far as the quality of the show in a venue like this, but it really wasn't all that bad. I liked that people could get cool junky concession food like hot dogs and beers and actually bring them in and watch the show! (Of course I didn't do that! But I did sit back with my feet propped up on the rail in front of me.) Another cool things was the plethora of jack rabbits hopping around the parking lot last night. I'm waiting for laundry to dry so I can pack. Ian is still unconscious in his bed. The kids were all singing numbers from SEUSSICAL on the bus last night. It's interesting to note that most kids this age have all played the same roles in the same shows. I'll post more photos when I have more time in Bozeman. (Comment on this)
Wednesday, February 6th, 2008
2:44 pm	Tonight is the last night at the Pike's Peak Center. We leave early tomorrow for Casper, WY. It's about 380 miles. What hurts is we will pass by Cheyenne, which is where we have to be on Friday and will be 181 miles back in that direction. That is nothing compared to the drive to Bozeman on Sat. morning. I think it's about 580 miles. Luckily, there's no Sat. night show. Then Monday, we drive 644 miles to Winnemucca, NV (not sure I spelled that right...). That's just a stopover with no show. I can't remember what's after that. Fresno, maybe? It's a beautiful day today and not too cold (as I found out after I was decked out in wool socks, boots, two sweaters, and the ugly fleece I wear to keep warm. Dave, one of the other parents, and I walked over the I-25 bridge to downtown to look around and grab some lunch while the kids were in school. The downtown area doesn't seem very large, or vibrant for that matter. Lots of brew pubs, though! It is nice, though, to look in the one direction and see those snow-covered mountains right there. I'll bet people who live here hardly notice them. I've posted some more photos: Drawing numbers for the Super Bowl football pool Ian as a Newsboy Colorado scenery Bob (who plays Mama Rose's father; Dana (a mom)             Dana, Bob, Beth (Baby June's mom) and me Having a prophylactic, preemptive drink from the healing mineral waters of Manitou Springs. and Billy Ray, our bus driver (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Monday, February 4th, 2008
10:41 pm	Colorado Springs We should be in Telluride this evening, but the weather was too treacherous and they canceled the show so we just went on to Colorado Springs where the next two shows will be. This gives us a night off which, after five shows over the weekend in Albuquerque is a welcome treat! It's COLD here and the forecast is for snow overnight, about 2 to 4 inches, much less than in other parts of the state. I'm hoping to walk over the bridge that leads to downtown tomorrow while Ian has school. We tried tonight, but after about a block Ian wanted to turn around, and I didn't mind. The crowds at Popejoy Hall (University of N.M.) were very good for all performances. I anticipated light crowds for yesterday since it was Super Bowl Sunday, but that wasn't the case. The cast had a football pool that Ian and I were in. We didn't win, but two other kids in the ensemble did. Ian has a school field trip here in Colorado Springs to the Olympic Training Center on Wednesday, which will give me a little more free time, which I am craving. Have some more photos to upload, and will probably get to them tomorrow. (Comment on this)
Friday, February 1st, 2008
11:03 am	The Spencer Theater We're getting ready to leave Ruidoso and I so wish we weren't. I knew it would be beautiful, and it certainly is. It reminds me a lot of Taos. Lots of cute little shops and cafes that we have no time to visit. The Spencer Theater is in Alto, which is about 11 miles from here. It sits on top of a mountain and is gorgeous. I don't have the full story, but my understanding is that a woman whose family founded the Wall Street Journal wanted to bring theater to this part of NM and sort of self-funded it. The stage is enormous, but I think it only seats about 300 or 400. The dressing rooms were amazing, with tons of counter space, nice showers, and BIG. Spencer Theater Mule Deer at sunset; Spencer Theater, Alto, NM We took a cab with the stage manager and dance captain yesterday at 4:00 p.m. so Ian could take a crash course in playing the clarinet for the opening scene where he is Clarence with his clarinet. I was so nervous for him. He had never picked up this instrument in his life, didn't know how to hold it, but learned how to play a few notes, how to intentionally squeak, all in about 1/2 hour and just 3 hours before curtain. With Andrew, the music director Clarence with his clarinet (sorry about the orientation; should have fixed that before I uploaded these!) The newest Newsboys; Ian and Jonathan I was also concerned when the costumer was going over the quick costume changes he had to make. He has a dresser, but there are two really tight ones. With Wendy, the costumer The sailor costume This wouldn't have been such a big deal, but he had not rehearsed any of this with the cast until sound check and then he had to go on. The good news is that he pulled it off! You have to hand it to kids, they just pick up things so quickly... and retain it as well! We're off now to Albuquerque, where we get to actually spend three nights in the same hotel. Bliss... Will try to post photos to the blog this weekend. (Comment on this)
Thursday, January 31st, 2008
10:29 am	On the bus again Last night was a sold-out show here in El Paso. It was also young Wesley's last night with the cast. Ian is his replacement and will go on in his place tonight. Ian, Wesley,and Jonathan Wesley and his father are the greatest people, and we all feel very sad that we won't get to hang together. Wesley is from New Jersey and has played pretty much the same kid roles as Ian has, except he's been Chip in Beauty and the Beast. Ian never got the coffee grinders down, so for now at least, Jonathan, the other new kid will do them and Ian will do the wings. I actually think Ian's wings look better than Jonathan's, so maybe it for the best all around. El Paso's Plaza Theater is a crown jewel. It's very old, but has been extensively renovated and enlarged. It reminds me of the Paramount, only much bigger with a bigger stage and southwestern accents. Across the street is the Camino Real Hotel where I joined the other two dads on the tour to grab a bite to eat and raise a toast to Wesley's father, Miles, on his last night as a tour dad. What an interesting guy, He's been in Special Forces in Iraq, been a diffuser guy on a bomb squad, was a NJ State Trooper and currently is a detective who investigates white collar crimes. It was a fascinating dinner conversation. The Camino Real is also gorgeous inside. Ian ran through the choreography on stage with the rest of the kids during sound check. All the moms and kids said he did great. I didn't share that opinion. With access to the DVD for weeks and easy choreography, I felt he should have had it down perfectly. Maybe I'm too critical. I used to die a thousand deaths worrying whether Ian would be ready for each show, but time has shown me that when it gets down to the wire, he always pulls it off and pulls it off great. I don't know if it's an energy conservation thing with him or if he just knows it drives me crazy and enjoys watching me stress out about it! I'm getting better with it all....REALLY. We're off for Alto, NM today with an 11:00 bus call. Things are strewn all over the room, so it's time to stuff it all back and get ready to go. IAN OPENS TONIGHT!!! (Comment on this)
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
5:57 pm	Vegas, Farmington, and El Paso Greetings from Texas! Yeah, it seems weird to be back in our home state (albeit on the very edge of it) so soon. The bus ride from Vegas to Farnington was brutal yesterday. We got up at 4:00, left at 5:00 and got to Farmington 12 hours later. There was only time to dump the luggage in the room and go straight to the theater. Even with the curtain at 7:30, we didn't get back to the hotel until almost 11:00, then up at 4:45 this morning. Ian is with the dance captain at the Plaza Theater, learning the show, because he goes on tomorrow night in Alto, NM. I sure hope he's ready. They had a short session in the green room last night, and those "coffee grinders" need a lot of work before tomorrow! I think he'll pull it off. We're all just so tired. I can't imagine even trying to learn choreography after the day we had yesterday. I guess that's the difference between the young and the not-so-young (couldn't bring myself to use the "O" word.) More later....much later. Off to the venue! (Comment on this)
Tuesday, January 29th, 2008
10:47 pm	SPAMALOT I had posted earlier about us catching SPAMALOT while in Vegas. Harry Bouvy, who plays "Brave, brave, Sir Robin," got us great house seats. Robin Lewis and Harry are friends and Robin told him we were coming to town and he was so nice to do that for us. Here is a photo of Harry and Ian after the show (again, with the wrong orientation!): (Comment on this)
Sunday, January 27th, 2008
3:13 pm	Tomorrow's the day! We leave for Vegas tomorrow morning. I should be finishing up packing, but when I try to, I just feel overwhelmed and would rather do anything (like clean the cat box) than deal with the volume of stuff in those bags. Last night was the final night of Ian's school musical, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, JR. Ian co-starred as the White Rabbit. All the costumes were pretty impressive for an elementary school production and the kids managed to pull it off. They had a little cast party afterwards in the cafeteria. I felt a little sad watching Ian interact with all of his friends, knowing how long it will be until he sees them again. He seems fine with leaving, however, which is a relief. Robin Lewis put me in touch with Harry Bouvy, who is starring in SPAMALOT in Vegas. Harry's reserved us house seats for tomorrow night's performance. The theater at The Wynn looks huge, so I'm glad we're in Orchestra. Ian is gonna love it! We're meeting Harry after the show, near the gift shop, which is called....SHOPALOT! Only in Vegas.... We aren't staying on the Strip. Instead, we are at the fabulous Hooters Hotel and Casino, about 2 blocks off the strip. The company manager has assured me that this is a "family friendly" hotel. Think I'll have to buy Ian some piece of memorabilia from his stay there. This hotel is about the only one we're staying at that makes you pay for internet service, so I won't be posting more until later this week. I'll let you know then how things went in "Hooterville." (Comment on this)
Monday, January 21st, 2008
11:10 am	Blog resurrected Well, it's been two years and now I'm dusting off this blog to share with anyone who's interested in our trials and tribulations as Ian embarks on his first national tour in a musical (GYPSY). Ian is coming in as a replacement "Newsboy." He and another boy from MA, I believe will be the two "newbies" for the final half of this tour, which began last September. The closest venue to Austin that he'll perform in is The Hippodrome in Waco. I think the date is March 27th. I couldn't find the number of seats on their website, but it doesn't look to be a huge theater, so if you're considering coming, I would reserve tickets early. This is a non-union, "bus and truck" tour of mostly one-nighters. We meet the tour next Monday (28th) in Las Vegas and the next morning we're off to Farmington, NM, then El Paso, then back to NM. I think we have three days in Albuquerque, which will be our first time staying in a hotel for more than one night. Packing is a challenge, because we go as far north as Bozeman, MT, Cheyenne, WY, and Thunder Bay, Canada (in February, no less) and as far south as Palm Desert (for five days.... YES!!), so we have to pack a lot of bulky winter clothing as well as some lighter stuff for the warm places. Ian will have a tutor from a company called "Education on Location." My interaction with them thus far has been positive and they do seem focused on making sure Ian actually does learn something. It doesn't look like he'll get many "put-in" rehearsals. We watch the show from the audience in Farmington, they pull him backstage at intermission to work with him, and he'll come to the early call in El Paso with the possibility of actually going on that night. Ian's a quick study, but... He'll be fine. He came into "Seven Brides" on tech week and learned the entire show in time for opening night, so I know it can be done. Now I'm going to attempt to load a photo on here, since I'll want to be doing a lot of that once we're on the road. Here we go...!! (Comment on this)