Finally a bit of Sunshine in Chicago
Nov. 21st, 2004 10:28 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
mrdreamjeansI'm moving slowly this morning, but things are already looking up. The sun is out, a surprise as it is the first time it has shone since we arrived in Chicago last Monday. Perhaps, I'll actually be able to see Lake Michigan today. I'm staying only two blocks away, but it hasn't been visible.
We were short-handed in the show yesterday. As I expected, Kathy (Eva) was out both shows and Angela, one of her understudies was on; Mary (who plays Eva's mom) was at her mother's 70th birthday party in Boston, so the female swing was on, covering two tracks. We were one Aristocrat down, so in the sections where we circle each other in pairs, I had to circle myself. I like to think I did it with panache:) Bradley (Che), despite his horrifying accident on Friday night, was on in both shows with the only mark of his fall a bandaged, sprained wrist. We were all very relieved to see him at work!
My friend Cheryl in Seattle had purchased house seats for last night's performance for her mother, sister and brother-in-law as an early Christmas present. They took me to dinner at a landmark restaurant called The Italian Village between shows and then were seventh row center for the evening show. What nice, down-to-earth people they are!
Despite the substitutions, the failure of a mechanized revolving door mid-number and several missed or missing lighting cues, they adored the show and thought it was excellent. It just goes to show that what I know is happening onstage, good and bad, is not necessarily what the audience reads. It reminds me to be patient when my desire for perfection gets the best of me:)
We have two shows today and then the cast is gathering after the second show to play whirly-ball. I'm not exactly sure how the game is played, but it combines bumper cars in teams of six, a whiffle ball and scoring like basketball. It sounds like a riot.
Tomorrow is a day off and I'm going to a local high school to speak to my friend Gabrielyn's high school choir and then to her drama class. Gaby and I toured in Phantom together, and after years on the road, she returned to her home town to teach. I'll have to work at summoning up some singing notes after this eight-show week, but it will be wonderful to see her. I haven't seen her since Christmas 1998. Spending time with her will certainly bring sunshine to my day in Chicago even if the weather doesn't cooperate.
We were short-handed in the show yesterday. As I expected, Kathy (Eva) was out both shows and Angela, one of her understudies was on; Mary (who plays Eva's mom) was at her mother's 70th birthday party in Boston, so the female swing was on, covering two tracks. We were one Aristocrat down, so in the sections where we circle each other in pairs, I had to circle myself. I like to think I did it with panache:) Bradley (Che), despite his horrifying accident on Friday night, was on in both shows with the only mark of his fall a bandaged, sprained wrist. We were all very relieved to see him at work!
My friend Cheryl in Seattle had purchased house seats for last night's performance for her mother, sister and brother-in-law as an early Christmas present. They took me to dinner at a landmark restaurant called The Italian Village between shows and then were seventh row center for the evening show. What nice, down-to-earth people they are!
Despite the substitutions, the failure of a mechanized revolving door mid-number and several missed or missing lighting cues, they adored the show and thought it was excellent. It just goes to show that what I know is happening onstage, good and bad, is not necessarily what the audience reads. It reminds me to be patient when my desire for perfection gets the best of me:)
We have two shows today and then the cast is gathering after the second show to play whirly-ball. I'm not exactly sure how the game is played, but it combines bumper cars in teams of six, a whiffle ball and scoring like basketball. It sounds like a riot.
Tomorrow is a day off and I'm going to a local high school to speak to my friend Gabrielyn's high school choir and then to her drama class. Gaby and I toured in Phantom together, and after years on the road, she returned to her home town to teach. I'll have to work at summoning up some singing notes after this eight-show week, but it will be wonderful to see her. I haven't seen her since Christmas 1998. Spending time with her will certainly bring sunshine to my day in Chicago even if the weather doesn't cooperate.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-11-21 11:36 pm (UTC)I was indeed there in 1992 with "Evita" and also in 1999. In 1992 we were there in January. I remember because I went out hiking in the snow to take pictures and my beard iced over and pieces of it broke off in my hand! It's annoying that you were in high school when you saw me perform then, but I forgive you:)
In 1999, Tim and I went on vacation from there to Disneyworld. If I could find work in the Twin Cities, it would be one of the cities where I would really enjoy living...winter and all....
no subject
Date: 2004-11-22 10:12 am (UTC)Thanks for forgiving me for my youth when I saw you the first time. It was only the second live musical I'd ever seen. I wish I could go back in time, find myself, and tell me, "see that guy right there? Go say hi to him after the show, he's gonna be a buddy of yours someday" :o)
I know how much you love your work in theatre, so I'd sooner encourage you to stay with that than anything else. But if you did ever leave it, and found a job here in the arctic lands of Minnesota, you are more than welcome :o) I know I'd think it was pretty nifty. Still for your sake, I say continue doing what you love, and hopefully your shows will tour through Minnesota then I'll get to see and meet you still. The best of both worlds!