Week 40: Charlotte, NC

(Please note the rather delayed nature of this post. We were Charlotte the last week of June 2012...)

Last week in the USA doing the show!! The countdown isn't quite real, but in reality we have just three weeks of performing left- that's only 24 shows!

Me and my onstage husband, Kyle, out for a drink on our first day in town. 

We spent a LOT of time at the hotel pool, partly out of necessity because it was so hot, and also because our hotel was in a complex with everything one could possibly need- CVS, restaurants, bars, Jamba Juice. We would venture out for supplies, and return to chlorinated bliss.

So, I learned how to do a fishtail braid and did it for Brittany one night. Pretty proud!! It's not that easy on my own hair...

The obligatory ladies shot at our presenter hosted post-show party. These often happen, but this was a particularly good one. The food was delicious and the hosts were all so kind. 

Christie, Andrew, Carly, and me at the post show feast. There were LOTS of vegan options, so these three were happy little health nuts.

Me, Carly, Jess, and Caitlin at the piano bar "Howl at the Moon" for Jessica's birthday.

Look at that forecast for the weekend!! It was SO hot- see pool pictures.

I wonder if the audience could smell the sunscreen...we were all coated in layers and layers. Thank goodness I didn't get a burn.

My little peanut Brittany. We're the littlest and biggest girls in the chorus, so whenever we're out and taking pictures I squat down with her. She'd always say, "Stand up straight Caroline!" 

Emily and I happened to be twins one day backstage. My sweet little Belle, I guess I can see from here how people would mistake me for her pretty often. (Also, check out the volume on my wig! I think she stuck her finger in a socket...)

Our lovely bassist Catherine also happens to like taking pictures. We had several "amateur" (amazing) photographers in our group with those big, spiffy cameras. As we had to leave her behind- insert long complicated story about musicians union here- Cat took a few photos of us getting ready for the show together our last weekend with her. We don't usually cram into one mirror, but it was fun for 30 seconds!

My solo shot with Cat. I do love a red lip :)

One final city, and a nice long sit down of three weeks. So looking forward to our time in: Toronto!

Fall Goals

I love making lists. I made this one about a month ago and I'm trying to adhere to it, which means putting it out in public (experts agree this is a helpful step in achieving goals) and it's going up on my wall of my new apartment! More on that adventure another time.

In no particular order...

• 5 workouts a week. I consistently get four, the last one might just do the trick in kicking my butt (and helping with the next one...)
• Sleep naturally. This may be surprising with my particular affinity for slumber, but I am a terrible insomniac. I am capable of laying in bed for hours, wide awake. I've resorted to a few aided methods of acquiring rest, but I don't want to become reliant.
• Stop making excuses for the nature of my career. Most people outside of entertainment don't understand what exactly it is I'm doing, how I get a job, why I live in New York but have to leave all the time. I'm resolving to no longer care, which might in turn help me focus on getting the next gig.
• Sing. Every day. To worship, to warm up, to belt it out, to work on my range. Find a reason and do it daily. Practice makes perfect.
• Drink more water. This is a perpetual battle with my bladder and kidneys that hopefully I win one day.
• Tithe more. I'm always making excuses about offerings because I am pretty poor. And I am. But even the widow gave away her two pennies. If I don't have the cash, I will make the time.
• Make more meals for myself. Living in New York, it's more than encouraged to eat out all the time. Maybe I just need a lunchbox...
• Talk to my siblings regularly. I love them, they love me. There is no doubt and I think we have good relationships. But I want to make a habit of calling. Life is too short.
• Grow out my bangs. I never wear them down. Ever. I might as well make my life easier by eliminating the  bobby pin culprit.
• Get some new audition material. There's a few holes in my bag o'tricks. Tap dancing falls under this category.
• Philippians 4:11-13 says, "...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I have what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Him who gives me strength" Work on this contentment, no matter what the day brings. 

That's it! Stay tuned, I'll do my best to let you know how things are going. Hope everyone is having a good fall so far. The weather in New York is very back and worth...two days ago it was cold enough for the radiator to click on, but today it was near 70. I'm a bit confused but anything is better than Manhattan in July.

Neglect

I have not forgotten. I just usually want to write when I don't have my computer on hand. Thus I will be solving the problem by making use of the laptop function...and dragging this guy around with me.

Promises:

1. To catch up on the end of tour chronicles. There are so many pictures after all.
2. Let you know about my new lovely apartment, and the rather domestic/home improvement moods it's got me in.
3. Tell you what is happening these days. Which isn't much compared to adventures in a cross country bus, but it's present tense.

Love to all.

Week 38-39: Washington, DC

DC!! Another city that sparked a victorious shout when I saw it on the itinerary- there have been so many and I feel so blessed to have seen them all in just one year. Even though we were definitely working, sometimes I feel like we were on a very long vacation, hitting all the spots on my USA wish list.

I had the privilege of staying out of the hotel again, with my friend Marc from San Antonio. I have been so grateful to all my hosts, for relieving me of hotel life and providing a slice of "normal" life from time to time. Thanks to all my friends across the nation!!

Arrived in DC to a Texan warm welcome: homemade salsa, Shiner (which apparently they import there??!), and new friends. It was a great first afternoon.

Marc's roommate Rob, who I spent lots of time with as he was the only one really around had a dog...Murphy! He's an Irish wolfhound, mixed with something to change his coloring, clearly. He is such a sweet dog, even if he is enormous and ate all my groceries one day. 

On that note, Teddy, our wonderful family dog, passed away while I was in DC. He was a very old man at 16+, so we knew it was coming soon. Here he is as a little guy, with little Daniel. We will miss him so very much, but he's definitely in a better place. 

Marc was only here for a day overlapping my stay- what a guy, lending me his room for two weeks!! We went out to American Ice Co., a cool place on U Street, the District's up and coming bar and restaurant street. I think he did at least two of those pickle backs alone...

Our venue, the National Theatre, was across from the National Mall, giving us plenty of opportunities to visit the museums and monuments during our time there. I'm not actually sure what this building was, other than looking very Roman in design and HUGEly tall.

The Washington Monument. I recall not really like the obelisk as a child, but now I definitely see the beauty in it's simplicity. I saw the most of the Washington, as I ran around the Mall a few times.  

The White House. I think there was an event there that night, as well dressed people were coming by car and on foot, in addition to that big crowd you see pictured. Wonder if anyone was home...

Had a little day trip to NY for a callback, which made for QUITE a day. It was mostly spent on Amtrak trains, but it was definitely worth it to sing a few songs for Paul Gemignani, a renowned composer and music director. 

A few Stradivarius at the Smithsonian American History Museum. So many amazing artifacts at this museum, including the original Star-Spangled Banner. Spent several hours in here and saw such a small fraction- so much to see!!

New running shoes by Saucony!! I was having trouble with my knees, so I went to City Sports to get an opinion on my shoes. Bought these guys and I'm doing SO much better! One step closer to running a marathon (more on that later...).

The Lincoln Memorial from afar. It was definitely tourist high season, swarming with people everywhere I went. This one is particularly beautiful at night.

So, there is a Hill Country BBQ in the District. It is easily the best BBQ outside of Texas, and the original was very close to my undergrad acting classes. Dangerous, I know. 

Carter's family is from Bethesda, MD and threw us a big Golden day bash at their casa. We grilled, played beer pong, celebrated David's birthday and had a grand old time. Here Brian, me, Brittany, and Matt F share a big hug in the garage.

My Aunt Kathy (not pictured) and her two girls Emma and Phoebe came to see the show! Phoebe LOVES the theatre so she was over the moon to be there, and have a backstage tour.

This was an interesting political statement of sorts on the lawn in the middle of the National Mall. There were chairs for all the students who drop out of high school on a daily basis...which was a LOT. Really interesting statement and encouragement for education in America.

Sam came in to town on our second Saturday for a visit! We hung out before and between shows, then went out to an Ethiopian restaurant he'd been to when he interned in DC. I know it looks like quite the meal, but if you've never tried it, it's a MUST. So delicious and varied in flavor. 

Marc keeps a few orchids, and I woke up to this beautiful one every morning. 

I also went to see the Holocaust Museum and the Archives Museum, but no photos are allowed within the exhibits. They were both beautiful and moving in their own ways and I'm so glad I managed to take advantage of them while I was in town. Some visitors who came to see the show but are not shown in the pictures above included six friends from home (!!) and three from New York. What luck that so many schedules lined up!

Just one month left now! I can't believe how quickly time is passing toward the end. On further South to Charlotte, North Carolina for a week!

Week 37: Philadelphia, PA

I've heard great things about Philly and was really looking forward to finally visiting the city. Our director came out for a few days for rehearsal to keep up on our toes, to remind us to never stop working hard- a good lesson and friendly reminder! We love seeing him and it was our last time as "just us" before the new group came in to take our places in Toronto.

The big finale to the week was a scheduled performance day to play Belle! Emily was out of town for a wedding that weekend, so Lauren had Friday/Saturday shows and I had Sundays. It's so nice to have a performance to look forward to, especially when we assumed (correctly) it would probably be our last. 

Gorgeous view of Philly from Caitlin and Carly's apartment rental. 

Nothing like a good girls night in, watching the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and eating vegan treats.

There were a ton of gorgeous churches in Philly. I went on a long walk one day and must have passed at least five on one street alone. Loved this city.

There's another beautiful church...

Famous gelato shop, which I managed to frequent twice in the week we were there! Capogiro might be the end of my waistline if I lived there. 

The dip dye lives on! Just a little mustache action out at Matt's birthday.

On my last day as Belle and I tried to savor every moment. Having both shows was great, and I had a few visitors even come to see me! Had to add to the mustache collection, of course :)

Carly boo and I before the show! She's so beautiful :)

My sweet friend Jimmy- our second LeFou- and me goofing around backstage, recreating our scarf scene. I'll miss this kid so much when I go!

I had yet to play a theatre as Belle with a big stage door attendance, so when the matinee swarm of little girls took half an hour, it was both overwhelming and amazing. I signed so many programs, gave so many hugs and pictures, it was so much fun! I can't imagine doing that every single day. 

My Aunt Cynthia, cousin Emily, and mom after the matinee.

My momma got to see me go on again!! What a blessing, she saw the show in Chicago, Austin, Denver, and Philadelphia, with me as Belle three times! I love her so much and feel so lucky to have such a supportive Mom in this crazy business.

Another special visitor: Sam! He saw the show in Pittsburgh, but surprised me by buying tickets to see me as Belle as well! What a nice guy :) 

Another week down in the blink of an eye! Next up is TWO weeks in Washington, DC, my first time back in our nation's capital in close to 14 years!! 

Week 36: Boston, MA

I'm a such fan of Boston and was so excited to go through on tour, particularly because we played the Boston Opera House! I saw Wicked there in college and it is an incredible space. I had no idea I'd be singing up on that stage in just a few years!

Another week with family and away from hotel life was a serious blessing. I stayed with my cousin Ben, his wife Sherie, and their three girls, and saw my Great Aunt Peggy and Uncle John. I haven't seen them since their oldest was a baby, 5 years ago!

Aunt Peggy's lovely abode. Love this photo of her house reflected in the yard.

The beautiful Boston Opera House. It's tucked away downtown, you'd never know the gorgeous theatre that exists inside from the busy city street. 

The chandelier and gilt ceiling. So beautiful!!

I obviously couldn't get enough of it...

Sweet Samantha, who lent me her room for a week, drew these sweet pictures for me. 

Met up with my mom's college friend Marana for a little snack after the show at a restaurant on the water. It was a beautiful view (which was difficult to capture) but we had a great time catching up.

Emerson! My good friends Adam and Alex went here, and it was originally my top choice school. Fun to visit again with a very different perspective on it all. Right on the Boston Commons- great school, great location!

Baby Julia getting tickles and kisses from me between shows. She only speaks Spanish (not kidding) and looks just like her cousin Emily as a baby. Crazy to see those familial genes so clearly. But really, she only speaks Spanish...she ignores all orders to sit down until you say "Sientate por favor!"

Oh you know, just laying on the floor knitting. I was on a mission to finish this triangle scarf.

Here it is. Some gorgeous yarn I obtained in Portland and just carried around until I had the right pattern, and had learned how to do a very complicated cast on (that's the start of a knit project). Once it's fully blocked up I'll repost the actual final project.

Carly got some gloves to do Insanity outside, and they brought out a very interesting character in her. We enjoyed gloved CC for about a day...she's a little tough for the theatre folk :)

What a wonderful week in one of my favorite cities!! Next up on our smooth sailing end of tour: a week in Philadelphia, seeing my mom and Sam, and playing Belle for the last time!