On Tuesday the 19th we had a "put in" rehearsal; all the newbies wore full costumes/shoes/mics while everyone preexisting in the show wore microphones and rehearsal clothes. First time on stage with the lights, costumes etc, pretty exciting. After rehearsal we had the opportunity to see the touring company of West Side Story, who happened to be opening in Chicago that night.
The next day we were in the show at the Wednesday matinee! First show is kind of a blur, I was a bit nervous, lots of silly and encouraging smiles on and off stage. We made it through Gaston and Be Our Guest- the big scary numbers- without much incident, and Act II was a breeze. Did it all over again for the PM show and realized how tiring a two show day is all over again...it's been 8 months since I've done it consistently.
Flowers Mom sent to the theatre on opening day!! We have a running theme with "You are my sunshine". So beautiful.
The slider board with our new names on there! I'm center, sixth from the top.
The new ladies in our Beauty and the Beast robes and wig caps, getting ready for the show. We take the robes upstairs on the deck where we dress at the end of the show so we aren't parading around in our skivvies... Our finale dresses are so big they never leave backstage!
I'm #21 in the cast for wardrobe purposes. Everything is labeled, including our pin boxes and towels. Kelli Bartlett, my dear beautiful MAC artist friend, helped me pick out colors that are perfect!
My villager: Sausage Curl Girl. I love the design, off the shoulder ivory and yellow embroidered lace, corseted and full skirt. My wig is a little dark, but we're supposed to get all new wigs in Cincinnati! We're all wondering what colors we'll be for next year...
The new ladies all dressed up. From left: Jessica "Busty Girl", Amanda "Silly Girl", Lauren "Laundry Lady", and me "Sausage Curl Girl". Lauren has this great bonnet I'll try to catch another time.
The three silly girls: Sarah Claire in red, Brittany in purple, and Amanda in green. Amazing dancers and hilarious comedians.
Be Our Guest costume! I'm a fork, then a plate, then a napkin. Same leotard, different headpiece and apron for fork, new wig and plate prop, then plate dropped and a skirt added (I'll try to get pics of those too...pretty funny). It's kind of a mad dash type number, changing styles and costumes every few minutes. Napkins is the most difficult by far, a can-can type with lots of kicks and the music picks up again, so singing AND pique turns. Yummy!
No wasting time in this company: Thursday and Friday were our first understudy rehearsals all together! We were set up in two casts, one Thursday one Friday. I was Friday's Belle, so I got to watch Act 1 on Thursday, perform Act 2 Friday. It was an excellent experience, working with all the understudies on stage with Sam, our director. We did real scene work, worked on the actual set, the whole shebang. And shows at night of course. Sunday we had a "Classy" party at a gorgeous apartment a few of our cast mates sublet for the 6 weeks. Converted loft in Chicago's China town, something that would cost a fortune in NY.
Lauren, Mandy, Jess, and me at the Classy party.
Kolby and me all dressed up. Kolby is a Cogsworth/Maurice cover and got to go on for the curmudgeonly clock our final day!
BIG group picture at the party. This is most of our cast, some of the people who are leaving, significant others, musicians, and crew. Wonderful to be all together.
Another week of shows begins! Monday and Tuesday in Chicago were Golden Days, a little R & R after our first week. A few of us went to the beach, out to breakfast, and bowling...
This picture explains how I feel about bowling. Not my sport.
Kidding. We had a great time, even if I lost...every time. Nick, me, Jeff, Brian, and Jen.
Jess and I grab lunch between shows in our "Two Show Day" scarves. A few of us found some jersey scarves at Filene's basement and match on any given Wednesday, Saturday, or Sunday.
Huge Marilyn statue that has been installed across the street from the Wrigley Building by he Michigan St. Bridge. She was in two pieces, then covered in a tarp... several days of curiosity. Now she's a huge tourist attraction.
Saturday the 30th Mom got into town! We met up for lunch before first show, and I showed her around backstage. She saw the evening show and gave me the biggest hug ever. So proud she got to see me in the show so early. Some younger friends from high school- Royer and Sarai- also came! My very first visitors. Sunday we had brunch at Orange, an amazing restaurant, then a two show day for me. Mom wandered and came back again that night. Monday was our touristy day- Orange, again (it's that good), an On-Off bus tour, Millenium Park, the Bean, the Art Institute, an architecture boat tour, and dinner at the Grand Lux. Fun and packed day!
Sunday night we went out with the WSS cast. Fun bonding night for everyone!
Cool Nooka watch I got on Gilt that Mom brought. The big dots are hours, the long bar has dashes for minutes. Jeff said, "Nice hipster party favor." :)
Orange breakfast: Chai tea french toast stuffed with ricotta, and watermelon-lime juice. I know. Mom had caprese eggs benedict with pesto hollandaise. Orange roasted coffee too.
The reason I went to the Art institute: to visit to Georges Seurat's most famous. I love French impressionism, and am very attached to this particular picture and several others at AI.
After Mom left began our last week in Chi-town...day after day of events. Tuesday a group went out to breakfast, Jeff and I got cupcakes at an amazing place called Sprinkles (wish there were pictures of this excellence). Wednesday I had a Belle cover costume fitting! So exciting to put on the yellow dress...I have a picture but not sure if I'm allowed to disclose. Thursday was Sebastian-one of our little Chips- going away party at Dave and Buster's AND a group of girls went salsa dancing afterwards.
Me, Brittany, and Carly at Excalibur.
Chandon, Jen, me, Carter, and Robyn salsa-ed the night away!
Friday I had a wig bubble- a molding for my new wig come September! Sunday the 7th we closed the show to an excellent audience, and had a gathering at the Water Tower's 96th floor bar. Incredible view of the city lights, and definitely went out in style.
Amanda- my first roommate- and I cuddled up at the Water Tower. Love this picture of us.
Lauren, Jeff, and me lounging on our last night in Chicago.
Brittany and the new ladies at the Water Tower. After Cincinnati we won't be new in town!
Monday the 8th we left Chicago in different directions. Many people went home, others back to Manhattan. I spent a week with Samanthe and baby Samuel, saw a few good friends, and Follies on Broadway. Now I'm back in Texas with lots of plans for the break. Here until September 5th, just after my sister Carrie's wedding reception on the 3rd. Upstate New York for a few days to visit Jeff and family. Then back to Manhattan in time to catch up with a few people, pack, and get back on the road. I'll be sure to update in Texas when I've got material. Hope everyone's back to school time is going well!
