I am sitting here waiting for the laundry cycle to finish up (one of the down sides to touring, LAUNDRY... obviously it has to be done, but not every hotel has working washing machines, or more than one machine, or any at all) my preferred method is a drop off delivery service, but alas, here in Fort Worth....nada.
I haven't written much for the last three cities, as they have been pretty uneventful. We have been collecting for BCEFA (Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids) this happens for about 6 weeks, twice a year. At this time, companies in NY and on the road, and all over the country go into fund raising madness. We sign posters (about 5,000) umbrellas, even hats, so they can be sold for charity. Cast members go out into the lobby after the show and stand around with buckets (pleas sir I want some more) some even pose for photographs with patrons for an extra buck. The audience fidgets as they listen to an after show speech about the importance of this organization and all of the amazing work it does to help those in need... and it WORKS! So far we have raised over $30,000 dollars and we have a few weeks to go.
I did have a stop in Louisville two weeks ago, and had the most dreadful meal I can remember having in a long time. On the upside, I drove up to Cincinnati to see Melissa,Danny, Danny and Michael, and it was really lovely. Then Susan and Dan drove down to see the show, and I gave Susan a voice lesson as well. So I am still trying to keep the skills up.
Nashville was awesome! First day there, we had BBQ at Jakes, and spent the evening down on Broadway, going from bar to bar and listening to all of the live bands. It is really incredible, because you can go down there anytime of day, walk in without a cover charge and get free live music. Some of the bands are really terrific!
I also walked around the Cherry Blossom Festival, which is put on by the Japanese community, as Nissan has head quarters there, and the Japanese consulate moved there after Hurricane Katrina. It was amusing to see all of these people showing up dressed like Hara Juku characters (believe me, some of them might have wanted to chose different outfits, customers could dress up in sumo wrestler outfits and wrestle each other (pretty funny seeing these little heads coming out of massive rubber suits in thongs... it was like a carnival where they sold sushi! The best part was the woman entertainer who was singing country music in Japanese!
Now I am in Fort Worth, pretty blah, enough so that I have gotten three papers written for Music Theory. I have tried to start including going to the gym, but OY.... THIGHS BURNING!!!! Matty said that is my new stage name:) I think I am possibly undoing all the good of the gym because there is a frozen yogurt shop next tho the theater that I seem to be visiting at least once a day.
Ah! Time to go put clothes in the dryer.
TaTa
MB
