Norfolk News

“Evita” opened Tuesday night in Norfolk, Virginia for a one-week run. We’re in Chrysler Hall, a 2000-seat theater which is a bit utilitarian, but has generous space backstage. I played Norfolk for six weeks at Christmastime of 1996 with “Phantom” and I was pleased to see that I still recognized a few folks from that experience.

Our houses have been about half full, but very appreciative. We’ve had nightly standing ovations and the newspaper review was very favorable. The city fire marshall prohibited the use of cigarettes, cigars, lighters and torches in the show, so for those of us with allergy problems, we're getting a break from the norm:)

I had a wonderful introduction today to redmarkbear (Mark), a recent addition to my friends list. We’re aware of each other through the good graces of the journaler formerly known as lowfatmuffin:) Mark was in the Navy for four years back in the 80s and settled in Norfolk after his enlistment was up. He’s worked for the postal system here since 1989 and works in the main downtown facility. Handsome Mark is distinguished by his formidable muttonchops. He’s a sweetie and I had a great time visiting with him, sharing easy conversation on a multitude of topics.

Mark and I had lunch today and he took me on a tour of the city, as well as to Virginia Beach. We strolled along the water for a bit, walking on a beach severely damaged by and still recovering from Hurricane Isabel. He took me by the headquarters of the Atlantic Fleet and various Naval facilities, including the area for submariners. Bob in Boise was a submariner back in the 80s and I’m sure he'd still recognize some of his old haunts.

A nice surprise was the fact that Mark had purchased a ticket to see “Evita” tonight. He got to see a very special performance. Bradley Dean (Che) and Gabriel Burrafato (Magaldi) called in sick and Andrew Ragone and Bill Dietrich respectively made their debuts as Che and Magaldi. They both did a splendid job, with Andrew just having learned the role after the departure of Tony Falcon to do “Mambo Kings”. It’s always fun for the rest of the cast when they have confidence in the understudies; and since the swing was on for two people in the same show, many folks get to break out of their normal routine and fill in where needed. It gives the show fresh energy. I was happy that Mark got to see this line up.

Mark met me after the show and we went to IHOP for a late dinner/early breakfast and shared more stories and talked about the show a bit. (He liked it, he really liked it. LOL!) Tomorrow is about laundry and getting ready to move again on Monday. During these single-week runs, you never really do unpack. Mark and I will do a final brunch on Saturday before my matinee and before he heads to work. Both of us have busy weekend schedules. So thanks, Mark, for showing me your town!

I’m renting a car on Monday instead of taking the company bus to Richmond. I think I deserve to take a side trip to my beloved Colonial Williamsburg and step back in time to a fertile period of American history. Photos to follow:)

Norfolk News

“Evita” opened Tuesday night in Norfolk, Virginia for a one-week run. We’re in Chrysler Hall, a 2000-seat theater which is a bit utilitarian, but has generous space backstage. I played Norfolk for six weeks at Christmastime of 1996 with “Phantom” and I was pleased to see that I still recognized a few folks from that experience.

Our houses have been about half full, but very appreciative. We’ve had nightly standing ovations and the newspaper review was very favorable. The city fire marshall prohibited the use of cigarettes, cigars, lighters and torches in the show, so for those of us with allergy problems, we're getting a break from the norm:)

I had a wonderful introduction today to redmarkbear (Mark), a recent addition to my friends list. We’re aware of each other through the good graces of the journaler formerly known as lowfatmuffin:) Mark was in the Navy for four years back in the 80s and settled in Norfolk after his enlistment was up. He’s worked for the postal system here since 1989 and works in the main downtown facility. Handsome Mark is distinguished by his formidable muttonchops. He’s a sweetie and I had a great time visiting with him, sharing easy conversation on a multitude of topics.

Mark and I had lunch today and he took me on a tour of the city, as well as to Virginia Beach. We strolled along the water for a bit, walking on a beach severely damaged by and still recovering from Hurricane Isabel. He took me by the headquarters of the Atlantic Fleet and various Naval facilities, including the area for submariners. Bob in Boise was a submariner back in the 80s and I’m sure he'd still recognize some of his old haunts.

A nice surprise was the fact that Mark had purchased a ticket to see “Evita” tonight. He got to see a very special performance. Bradley Dean (Che) and Gabriel Burrafato (Magaldi) called in sick and Andrew Ragone and Bill Dietrich respectively made their debuts as Che and Magaldi. They both did a splendid job, with Andrew just having learned the role after the departure of Tony Falcon to do “Mambo Kings”. It’s always fun for the rest of the cast when they have confidence in the understudies; and since the swing was on for two people in the same show, many folks get to break out of their normal routine and fill in where needed. It gives the show fresh energy. I was happy that Mark got to see this line up.

Mark met me after the show and we went to IHOP for a late dinner/early breakfast and shared more stories and talked about the show a bit. (He liked it, he really liked it. LOL!) Tomorrow is about laundry and getting ready to move again on Monday. During these single-week runs, you never really do unpack. Mark and I will do a final brunch on Saturday before my matinee and before he heads to work. Both of us have busy weekend schedules. So thanks, Mark, for showing me your town!

I’m renting a car on Monday instead of taking the company bus to Richmond. I think I deserve to take a side trip to my beloved Colonial Williamsburg and step back in time to a fertile period of American history. Photos to follow:)