Evita Look-a-Like and Other First Day Bits

[mrdreamjeans]

A good day! Sound check began at Noon for an unusual matinee opening performance. Over 2000 people in the seats on a Wednesday afternoon in The Princess of Wales Theater with a 2100-seat capacity. Generous space back stage. Dressing rooms undersized and close. Magaldi’s dressing was broom closet until today. Joel and I share a dressing space intended for one person; two chairs don’t fit into the knee opening.

Subway system is clean and efficient; the trip from the hotel takes about 20 minutes, but is an easy commute. There’s a 24-hour supermarket two blocks from the hotel in the basement of a building that housed the original Eaton Department store a couple of decades ago. The subway entrance is next to the supermarket.

Picked up my laundry at a place called The Laundry Lounge. With such a busy opening week, the 89 cents a lb cost seems reasonable. Now, I’m assured of clean underwear:) Took the underground back to the theater which is in the shadow of the CN Tower. “Mama Mia” is playing at another theater just down the street. Our Wednesday night show is a sell-out. I’m told the whole run is selling out. YAY! Haven’t seen this many butts in seats since I left the tour of “Phantom of the Opera” in 1998!

Before the second show, we notice there’s a guy dressed in a white strapless gown, wearing a blonde wig styled like Eva’s hair for the balcony scene, dripping with costume jewelry, sitting in one of the balcony boxes. The “look” is right except he’s wearing opera length white gloves and odd cat glasses. He’s obviously near-sighted. Most of the cast think he’s funny; I think Kathy found him a bit creepy. She/he was obviously enjoying the attention. Ballsy or bizarre?

After the show, went to Bear Night at the Black Eagle. Hairy Butt contest is being held. Asked to enter. Declined. Asked to judge. Declined. Joined by Tony Ray and Nick from our wardrobe department and Nick’s partner from England. They stay for contest. After talking to a couple of nice guys, I exit. Two shows tomorrow too....

It’s just wonderful to have a theater filled with patrons in the middle of the week. Go Toronto! Go “Evita” and the look-a-likes! Thursday night is the official opening; we have a party at the Hilton post-show. I just may go and dress up a bit! If I get the AOL surcharge neutralized, this could be a really great six weeks.

Comments

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

Wow, great to hear Toronto is doing well.

The Evita look alike I think may have been a drag queen by the sounds of it.

Hope the 6 weeks in Toronto are a joy and a blast. :-)

2 for the price of 1

[woofytexan.livejournal.com]

Dick and I are going to be in the front row in Evita drag when you do Houston. Since some people cannot convince the company to make an appearance in the DFW area. nope, not bitter.

Re: 2 for the price of 1

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

I am doing my best to push for Dallas on the schedule:) Of course, no one on the road actually has any influence on the bookings...LOL! One of our producers is from Dallas, so maybe a couple of my friends in Dallas should make some calls and get us booked there:) We have three open weeks in August....(hint)...

Regardless, I hope that ya'll will make it to Houston to see the show. We're playing there for two weeks, the last week of September and first week of October. HUGS!

[sflonestar.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear that business is brisk! I hope you get your internet access problems worked out. Otherwise, it will be a long 6 weeks. And we don't want that!

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

It took some doing, but I created a netzero account and downloaded the software. Netzero is $9.95/month. I will use it while I'm in Canada to access the internet, specifically live journal and AOL. It's an extra step, but will be worth it in terms of saving money on all of the surcharges. I'm back to reading blogs:) Hugs!