Week 4: Jackson, MS, Tyler and Lufkin, TX

Crazy split week here!

I thought it might be warmer in the South, but it wasn't really in Mississippi. Sadly the recession seems to have hit Jackson pretty hard. We were downtown on what might have been a busy street of restaurants and shops, but nearly nothing was open. The houses were also only half full, though they were enthusiastic as ever.

We flew from Indianapolis to Jackson, thankfully. Several of us have Vera Bradley bags and they like to travel together. Floral explosion!

We wandered one sunny day in Jackson through all the government buildings, which seemed to be the only busy ones in our area. This is the capitol.

Can't leave Mississippi without having their namesake pie! The hotel restaurant dished out several pieces to our group over our three days there...so delicious.

We traveled to a somewhat younger part of town to a lovely tacos and tapas place called Babalu. They were screening "I Love Lucy" on one of the big walls! Truly amazing food- I had tuna/green apple ceviche and sloppy joe tacos!

Traveling in to Tyler, TX I realized I had no blanket or cuddling equipment of any kind. Snuggies are popular in the cast, and I happened to find a Batman one, complete with a hood! It's been a perfect addition to the bus. :)

Lufkin's Temple Theater is the smallest space we've been in so far, but all three shows were sold out and they absolutely loved it. 

We were also in a gorgeous hotel, the Courtyard Marriott, complete with an outdoor seating area with a fire pit. Naturally we roasted marshmallows one night!

In Lufkin there were several groups of press that went to school to read, and a few of us went to a Boys and Girls club where I sang "A Change in Me" and we taught them the end of "Be Our Guest". It was a lot of fun- after school, very high energy! Hopefully I'll be able to put up a video of the song soon.

Sorry this is a bit on the skimpy side, material wise. Its busy busy busy here on the road and I'm doing my best to keep up. Very often the day consists of: Get on the bus, to the theatre, maybe eat or exercise, go to the hotel and to bed. Repeat. Hopefully more eventful things will come as we settle in to venues for longer periods of time.

Next week: Lincoln, NE, Ames, IA, and Champaign, IL!

Week 3: Indianapolis

Perhaps one week in Indianapolis was not enough! Such a cute little town planted in the midwest. Plenty to do, couldn't get to most of it because we LIVE at the theatre. Really enjoyed the fall weather and changing leaves while we could- headed South soon. We did take in the city, drive around (lovely having the theatre a bit far away as if affords us rental cars at our disposal), went to an orchard, and other adventures. Packed houses once again, so the show wasn't bad either :)

Bought this sort of silly iPhone cover as my old one is looking pretty banged up these days. The pink zebra jewels definitely increase it's visibility in my purse.

We went to Howl at the Moon to visit a friend of Jessica's, who is one of their pianists, and had a blast! 

Our Mrs. Potts (Julia) celebrated her birthday this week, and we went out to a fun wine bar called Tastings, where you can sample lots of different wines instead of taking full glasses. Their food was also delicious.

Orchard day!! We went out to to an orchard and picked apples, went through a corn maze, drank cider, and took plenty of pictures.

Jen-my roommate and one of our resident photographers- captures Michael with a cattail.

We found a box, and naturally we got inside of it. I was having a hard time keeping my eyes open, so Brittany lent me her glasses to get at least one shot.

There is an iPhone application called Instagram, where you can take a picture and then focus and filter it. Most everyone with an iPhone in the cast has it, and we are on an Instagramming kick on the whole. This was taken by Nick, who is especially keen on the app.

There was a little animal pen with two alpacas and a little goat. He was very friendly.

More instagram pictures. This one is mine of the fallen apples, which sadly you cannot take.

  There was a corn maze at the orchard, and our entire group did it in a few teams. Learning all about Johnny Appleseed. But mostly we played around...

And took silly pictures.

The whole orchard group completed the corn maze. That's 2/3s of the cast I believe.

Enjoying snacks and cider after the maze.

Another app a few of the iPhoners have is Photo365. You are supposed to take/upload one picture a day to represent where you were, what you did, etc. There is a space for a caption as well. It's a cool idea for people who travel as much as we do, logging each stop, all our adventures. I've got a week down so far, and this entry is of my first pair of Tom's shoes. They took forever to get to me, but I'm so glad to have them.

And finally, I finished my third project, Brittany's circle scarf! It was also my first lace pattern, using new stitches to create the little holes in the falling V sort of pattern. I love teaching myself new things, and it was fun this turned out so beautifully.

Next few weeks are a bit split. Next week is Jackson, Mississippi for three days, Tyler, Texas for two, and Lufkin, Texas for the last two. Ten cities in total over the next 21 days!! I'll keep the episodes weekly to avoid blogging every other day... See you down South!

Week 1 & 2: Cincinnati

Back on the road again! We spent weeks one and two in Cincinnati reopening the show and rehearsing a bit to catch up with the time spent away on break. The theatre- the Aronoff Center- was enormous and gorgeous, full of wonderful, loud audiences every night. The weather dipped up and down (thank you, fall) but I'm glad it wasn't quite so sweaty as Chicago.

The packed Aronoff on my swing out. It was cool to be in that audience.

Opening night party at Nicholson's Pub, a cute place that took great care of us on several occasions. From left: Me, Jess, Michael, Amanda, Taylor, Kolby, Dane, Brittany, and Carter. We do love getting dressed up.

Jeff caught me at the opening night party dancing up a storm. I was bashful.

My first press event! We did a shortened version of Gaston at Nicholson's and the local weather man learned part of the men's clink. The clip is on our press page, I think you see me for a split second. 

A little backstage humor...I was having a rough wig day, and it went so far as tearing my pin curls out of my wig cap when I removed it! I had to shove the rogue strand back up into my finale wig to finish the show. What a day.

We had an around the world party at the hotel which was a huge success!! Those unfamiliar with the concept- people split into teams and create a different countries in their rooms with food, drink, activities, and decoration, and the groups travels from room to room through the night. Our "countries" were Legoland, Italy, Canada, Somalia (aka Pirates), Mexico, Brooklyn, Greece, Rock Candy Mountain (aka Hoboland), Hogwarts, and the South...my room. :)

Our two Chips- look at that Clairol red hair!- in Legoland. Noah on the left and Jordan (the newest member of the cast) on the right.

My roommate Jen and me representing the South. 

The cardboard deer head made by the incredible Jen Bechter to help 'Southernify' our hotel room.

The Southern girls loving on him.

We didn't plan it, but EVERYONE wore plaid. From left: Lauren, Brittany, Jess, Jen, me, Sarah Clair, and Amanda.

Nighttime shenanigans...we get a little wacky after a long day AND a show. There was an extra roll of tape from the Around the World party, and we decided taping Dane to a chair would be excellent use of it. His bursting out of it was worth every strip.

Jess is an understudy and got to go on for Babette in Cincy!! Here she is looking like a lovely little feather duster with our Lumiere, Michael.

Our Beast (Dane) celebrated a birthday our second weekend in the city and we went out between shows for dinner at an amazing Mexican food restaurant, Nada. I only wish we'd gone sooner, so I could make another trip! From left: Sarah Claire, Dane, me, and Jess (in her two show head scarf).

I think I mentioned it last episode, but I'm a knitting machine these days. It helps me pass my off-stage time, and I've got a line up of projects for people in the cast. These fingerless gloves are my second project EVER, made for our chilly fingered bassist Cat.

Next stop: a week in Indianapolis! 

The Break

So between Chicago and Cincinnati we had SEVEN weeks off...no paychecks, no shows, lots of sunshine. I've been in and out of New York, but had the chance to spend lots of time with my family. My youngest niece was baptized, my eldest sister had a post-wedding reception, brother went off for second year of college, and Jeff and I visited each of our families. And of course, plenty of pool time, nap time, and eating time in between.

So in a moment of impulse and curiosity, I dyed Daniel and my hair blue. Just the ends for me, more like highlights for him. Of course, three days later I had to go chop it off for an audition- so sad!! But it was very fun while it lasted. It's a shame the dye fades so quickly, otherwise I might keep it up.

I love to try new recipes, and it's definitely more fun with a fully equipped kitchen-aka at home. This was a watermelon cilantro lime salad with ricotta salata and pine nuts. SO refreshing and tasty at a summer BBQ.

Teddy was in serious need of a grooming and vet visit so I took him. He was so fluffy and giddy when he came back, it was fun to see him like a puppy again.

Mom and Catherine arranged for Berkley's baptism to be on a Saturday while I was home, which was a nice intimate family reception. With so many of us, it is impossible to catch everyone with their eyes open. This one is closest. 

Bishop Bill Frey came to our house to give the baptism. He is such an amazing speaker and kind, funny man. We were blessed to have him for such a small little group of us.

Berkley looking like a sweet little angel with her Uncle and Godfather Matt. She was so good that day, which is big for this little diva! :)

Lots of pool time to be had at the Kittrell house. All the babies LOVE to be outside and in the water, so its no surprise everyone is tanner than me.

I saw this cool DIY decorating project on Pinterest- my newest internet obsession- where you wrap wine bottles in yarn in the colors of your kitchen. I did red, burnt orange, and golden yellow for my mom's kitchen. 

Jeff came to town!! We had lots of fun- sunshine, food, family time, and Carrie's wedding reception! This picture is at La Gloria, an amazing Mexican food restaurant downtown at the Pearl Brewery complex, San Antonio's fun new development. 

The WHOLE fam!! I was adamant we got a group shot at Carrie's reception that I could print out to take on tour with me. It was a wonderful night, as you can see in everyone's shining faces.

Berkley being a cute little booger at the reception.

Then to Marathon, (central upstate) New York...where the weather couldn't have been different from San Antonio bone dry 104 degrees...It rained for the first three days we were there!

I cooked dinner one night at Jeff's house! Salmon with salsa, corn tomato basil salad, and a lemon icebox pie for dessert. It was a huge hit. :)

Mango salsa with jalapeno and cilantro that went on top of the salmon. Sweet with a little kick, I'd probably eat this on anything. SO easy to make too!

I've been searching and contemplating these platinum Sperrys for a while, and I found them at a DSW at the Carousel Mall in Syracuse! I have an affinity for the brand and I'm so excited to take these guys on tour.

So my new project began just before Jeff got to San Antonio: knitting! I'm trying to only work on one thing at a time (my arts and crafts itch often gets a bit multi-tasky), so this is my scarf in progress. It is very therapeutic and I think it'll be a better alternative to reading backstage.

Now I'm in the midst of packing up my life for a year.... I feel like have periodically parred down my possessions several times over the last year and a half, but here I go again. You really learn what is a non-essential when two suitcases YOU must lug around sit at your feet. I made sure to underpack a bit to keep weight down. I'm sure I'll end up sending some items back and requesting others be sent out. Several of the girls in the group have agreed we'll be shopping too :)

Headed out to Cincinnati on Sunday after I say some goodbyes. This will be my longest departure from New York since I moved here in 2006. Eight months away, then one week in the city in May, and another three on the road. I'm very excited for this year of adventure to begin!!