Professional Numbers

[mrdreamjeans]

I've taken a lot of teasing over the years about my interest in stats, but somehow or the other I've always kept track of the number of performances I've done of certain shows, mostly the tours. Today's performance of "Evita" has a key number attached to it. I finally tie the number of performances I did with "Phantom". Here are the professional numbers according to my count:

"Evita" - 1528 performances over 9 productions, five of them tours ... between 1991 and today
"The Phantom of the Opera" - 1528 performances - four years in the Music Box Company - 1994-98
"The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" - 810 performances - touring from 1980-82 - directed by Tommy Tune
"Jesus Christ Superstar" - 270 performances - three productions, one a tour in Europe, one a mini-tour in the West (three cities) - 1989-91
"Mame" - 224 performances - three regional productions and a national tour, all starring Juliet Prowse - 1989-1990
"Camelot" - 128 performances - two productions with Robert Goulet; dinner theater in CT with David Holliday - 1980s
"Fiddler on the Roof" - 112 performances - one regional production and as a replacement in a National Tour starring Herschel Bernardi- 1977, 1982

The following shows I've done between 50-100 performances of each:

"Sweet Charity" - summer stock in Ohio - 1985
"Damn Yankees" - Seattle - 2003
"Man of La Mancha" - Seattle - 2004
"Showboat" - Houston Grand Opera - Houston and Cairo, Egypt - 1988

Whenever I'm weary of the road (and that's a lot of the time lately), I count the numbers. It reminds me how fortunate I've been and that my goal in the business has always been to be a successful working actor. I can partially measure success by the stats; but those numbers also remind me of the people I've met, the sights I've seen and the experiences I've had. By that standard, the road becomes a much friendlier place. Friends, I find motivation in the professional numbers. Today is a struggle, so I'm counting .....

Comments

[furrytxcub.livejournal.com]

*BIG HUGS*

I am so envious of what you're doing. You're exactly where I want to be and where I will be if I can figure out how to get there.

Congratulations on your Evita milestone. The tour ends soon, doesn't it?

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

No need to be envious. I'm convinced every show is my last when it's finished:) Theater is an area where you can build up credibility through your credentials, but you also have to prove yourself over and over again.

Don't sit on the sidelines. Go after it if you really want it! Get involved in musical theater in any way you can if you're not already. It's a good way to meet people who can help your career along the way and you can gain confidence through experience. Besides, when a show comes together and it's terrific, there are few things in life more satisfying and fulfilling.

HUGS!

[jkusters]

Those numbers are astounding! At least to me they are.

Hope today finds a way to surprise you in a happy way.

JOhn.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks! The day was very stressful until we celebrated my friend Mary's birthday in a big way. Twenty-six of us went to a Hungarian restaurant here in Fort Lauderdale and it was wonderful! Tomorrow it's on to San Antonio!

[enhydrasf.livejournal.com]

Congrats!

Now out of all of those different shows, how many days were you not able to go on due to illness? (just out of curiosity)

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure, Josh. I seldom miss a show, but on the long tours it's inevitable. During "Phantom", I missed three shows due to food poisoning and I took a week to get my wisdom teeth pulled and other medical appts. I went over 400 shows in the '92 "Evita' without missing. We were in 85 cities in 87 weeks on that tour. I think I missed two shows. The last "Evita" tour I missed one show in 10 months. Of course, you know about the 5 shows (three days) I missed on this tour in Toronto. I wrote about it. I don't remember missing shows due to illness on most of the other listings.

"Best Little Whorehouse" was another story, my first tour. I missed a month due to a mild case of hepatitis in 1981 and several shows due to a knee injury. Two items come into play. Usually on a National Tour if you don't use sick days you get them paid out in cash. It's incentive to be there when motivation is lacking. (Not the case on this show.) The other item is a simple thing .... I don't like anyone to go on for me. I love what I do.

speaking of teasing!...

[bearchitect.livejournal.com]

...rainman, is that you??
seriously, though, I'll start worrying when you start tallying the number of seats in each theater you've performed :>

Keep up teh good work!

Re: speaking of teasing!...

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Fernando! I know keeping such close track of the numbers is unusual, but as my career has exceeded 25 years in length, I find myself writing down more and more information. I guess in preparation for stepping away. Capturing important moments through pictures ... of places, people and events ... increasingly brings me joy. (Just like our time in Baltimore:)

ps... I've never been accused of being a Dustin Hoffman, more like a Jon Voight in Midnight Cowboy. *grin*

4600 peformances or 12.6 YEARS

[cruisebear.livejournal.com]

Also you have done 4600 performances in just the first section of shows and that is enough for 12.6 years total performing every night. You are the only gainfully employed actor I know. Congratulations. The applause must keep you going too.

Re: 4600 peformances or 12.6 YEARS

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

WOW! I've never calculated that number!!! Now, I'm really tired! :)

I did figure, that when this tour ends February 12, 2006, I will have spent 599 weeks on the road since 1980. I must need my head examined. LOL!

The applause if nice, but actually the process of performing the material and doing it well is what keeps me going ....

I appreciate the support!

Astonishing.

[anziulewicz.livejournal.com]

You seem to be living a life and pursuing a vocation that most of us can only dream about. I'm sure it can be brutally hard, stressful work at times, especially when you are spending so much of your life on the road, but would you have it any other way? I think not. I admire and envy the people who live the life of the stage, far more than those who do TV or movies (though I'm sure you wouldn't mind THAT, would you?).

I remember when I was back in college, and I went to see "All That Jazz" at a local movie theater. And when I walked out of that theater, there was only one thought in my mind: I WANT TO BE A DANCER.

Well, not with my build.

Re: Astonishing.

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I always yearn for home when I'm on the road. When I'm at home, I'm pacing the floor trying to figure out how to get back on tour. I would wish for acceptance of one or the other:)

As to movies and television ... I've danced in a couple of movies, done a few commercials, but my heart has always been in stage work. I live for LIVE theater:)

As to your goal of being a dancer in college ... I never had the build for a dancer either which is why I was hired as a dancer for many years. The artistic staffs loved having a big guy who could move. It often gave me an edge in casting. My nickname in college, The Dancing Bear, didn't materialize out of the air. *grin* I know I got the role of a football player in the National Tour of "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" because Tommy Tune was determined to have men who looked like athletes, not dancers. Of course, back in those days, I looked like an athlete. LOL!

Congratulations

[mikeybill.livejournal.com]

Hey, sorry to hear today has been a struggle, hope that is over now. Good to count your blessings, and you have done so well in an amazingly hard business. So many people want to achieve a career like yours, and so very few do - I think you shold feel proud you have the talent and application to get where you have.
hugs

Re: Congratulations

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks, my friend! It is my version to count my blessings, but keeping track of the work. This was a tough week because it was yet another holiday missed with my family and loved ones because of touring. I also missed my folks' anniversary. As I get older, I don't take any days with my aging folks for granted. You just never know. I'm over the hump now. My sister and niece are going to see the show in San Antonio next week and in two weeks (after Tempe), I have a week off! YAY!

[composerscott.livejournal.com]

I've slowly been trying to recreate and compile a listing of all my public performances in all capacities. It's quite a task, and I wish I kept better track... :)

Congrats!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I just started to keep track of performance count when I started having major gigs. My resume is a reminder of all of the shows. Including cruise ships, I've done over 60 productions. I didn't include regional gigs in this post where I just did two or three weeks of performances.

Good luck with your compilation!

[sflonestar.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on reaching the Evita milestone. And congratulations on your career statistics. I have always thought that show business must be one of the hardest careers there is. Your longevity is testament to your talent, discipline and commitment!!!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Musical theater has brought me great joy and great stress! I often think that people on the outside don't realize how good a performer's business skills have to be to achieve longevity. I'm sure Gregg can tell you I'm speaking the truth:)

Thanks for your ongoing support and friendship! HUGS!

[musicbearmn.livejournal.com]

Congrats Hon! Reading this wears me out....LOL

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

It wore me out remembering! Thanks for your support! Next year, we meet!!! I am determined!!

[musicbearmn.livejournal.com]

It WILL happen.....LOL

[sohipithurts.livejournal.com]

I agree with you. It's important to be thankful about the acheivements in any part of the entertainment business. And those dates again for "Evita"? I wanna try to see it and meet up, as well. Congrats on the success!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Thanks, Vinnie! Sometimes I just need a boost when I'm tired or had a bad day. I'm one of the union reps on the show, so many times people use Mary and I to vent ... about anything ... whether it's relevant or not to our work and the tour. SO - I just start counting:)

"Evita" opens on Monday, December 19 in Newark and plays through a Christmas Eve matinee. I then have a 6:22pm Amtrak train to catch to DC. There are two shows on Thursday of that week in Newark. I know that there is a group excursion being planned by bearfuz and his partner john_nyc for the Wednesday, 12-21 performance. I think the deadline is 11-28 (tomorrow) for the tickets. There's a $35 offering. You might check out their journals for more information. I hope it works out for me to meet you!! HUGS!

[tbone1961.livejournal.com]

good to see someone can be a numbers person without being an accountant...LOL!!!!

congrats on all of this.

hope you had a good Thanksgiving!!!

HUGZ

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

It was a work day, but the hotel buffet was tasty. I've got a Thanksgiving entry ready, but wanted to show ya'll pictures of the air boat ride in The Everglades first. Tim posted the photos for me today. (Thanks, Tim!)

Thanks for your support! Hope things are going well for you at home! Please let Randy know that the card he sent me arrived, but that I haven't seen it yet. I haven't been home in a couple of months. HUGS!

[theatrecub79.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on your success! I know that this business can be a stressful, but happy and enjoyable one. I'm sure there are plenty out there who envy you. It must be quite the accomplishment! *HUGS*

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I wrote this post as a way of reminding myself that I'm one of the lucky ones. Every once in awhile when the tour gets to me, I need to count my professional blessings. This past week was a series of those kinds of stressful days, when the isolation from everything I hold near and dear hit me hard. I'm fine now. I'm in San Antonio and had dinner on the Riverwalk tonight. Plus, our hotel is wonderful. (The lousy hotel for two weeks in Fort Lauderdale affected everyone's mood.) Hope all is well in Cincinnati as we head into the Christmas season! HUGS!

[elfkat.livejournal.com]

All I can say is WOW!. Makes my feet hurt just to think about it! Congratulations on your milestone! May they go on as long as you take joy from it!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

AH! You hit the key! As long as I take joy in it ....

I'm weary of the road, but I also understand that part of my slump last week was being away from my loved ones on Thanksgiving, particularly since it was also my folks' 54th anniversary.

Hope you're doing well! HUGS!

Show must go on

[tkn1114.livejournal.com]

Empty spaces - what are we living for?
Abandoned places - I guess we know the score
On and on, does anybody know what we are looking for?

Another hero, another mindless crime
Behind the curtain, in the pantomime
Hold the line, does anybody want to take it anymore...

The show must go on
The show must go on

Inside my heart is breaking
My make-up may be flaking
But my smile still stay on

Whatever happens, I'll leave it all to chance!
Another heartache, another failed romance
On and on, does anybody know what we are living for?

I guess I'm learning, I must be warmer now
I'll soon be turning round the corner now
Outside the dawn is breaking
But inside in the dark I'm aching to be free

The show must go on!

My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies
Fairy tales of yesterday will grow but never die
I can fly, my friends!

The show must go on!

I'll face with a grin
I'm never giving in
On with the show
I'll top the bill, I'll overkill
I have to find the will to carry on

On with the... show must go on!

--------------------------------

Does this about do it for you? :0)

PS: That txfurrbear in the tux kinda cute, huh?

Re: Show must go on

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

Yep! That kind of sums it up, much more eloquently than I could. I'm not familiar with the song.

Yes, he is ....