A Little Girl, A Hug, and a Kiss

Being on the road during the holidays can be a little depressing. Being away from family is never easy but it is doubly hard during the holidays. After seeing Cay and the girls Christmas day I was feeling a little down and lonely. I was wondering if this "Annie" thing was really worth it. Is anything worth being away from the persons you love most in the world?

To make matters even more difficult we were in the midst of 3 straight 2 show days. These are very grueling. Add to that my need for perfection and not ever feeling that I achieve it and I was in a pretty sad mood. We had just finished the Saturday matinee and I was on my way out of the theatre to grab a bite to eat and maybe a little rest. There was a crowd of folks at the stage door wanting autographs and I promised that I would always take the time to greet these people and sign autographs, etc. So I stopped and signed an autograph or two and took some pictures with some folks. I always kneel down to sign autographs and take pictures for the little ones so that I am on their level and less intimidating. One little girl came over as I was squatting down and sat right on my knee to have her picture taken nearly knocking me over! We took the picture and as she got up she gave me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. In that moment I felt all the tension and anxiety fade from my body and soul. I had been moved by a little girl and realized that what I am doing is special, even if I don't always get the hug after the performance. I felt like a real life "Daddy Warbucks" being touched and transformed by a real life "Annie."

Maybe that is why the musical is so special and has run for so many years in so many places.

I am still not sure that anything is worth being away from the people you love but that little girl and her honest love and compassion for this actor made it a little easier this week.

Here are pictures of Heinz Hall, the Theatre in Pittsburgh that we played





















This is a picture of the Steelers Stadium posted for my Brother-in-law and nephew. I will root for the Steelers until they play the Titans!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Well, it has been quite a week here in Pittsburgh. Monday we left Buffalo to drive to Pittsburgh. The three hour drive ending up taking nearly six hours as we found ourselves in the midst of a snow storm and very strong winds. The blowing snow made it very difficult to see. Our driver did a great job of getting us here safely. Once in Pittsburgh there was no snow and all things considered we have had great weather.

We are playing at Heinz Hall. It is a great older theatre space and has been really fun to play. For a holiday week we have had decent crowds and of course the cast is excited about the holidays and the opportunity to be with family and friends. Tuesday I stopped at Dunkin Doughnuts for a hot chocolate and spent a few minutes talking to a local man who was obviously down on his luck. I don't know that he was homeless but he was obviously alone and needing companionship. We talked about the Steelers and football and work and how life changes. He thanked me several times for simply "talking to him." It never ceases to amaze me how appreciative people are of a little awareness and taking time out for others.

I also got a call from Cay Wednesday and could tell she was having a difficult time this Christmas. This was to be the first time since we got married that we wouldn't be together as a family on Christmas Day. So after I hung up I decided to rent a car and drive to Hendersonville and spend Christmas Eve night and part of Christmas Day with her and the girls. So after the show on Christmas Eve I hopped in the car and drove the 8 hours to Hendersonville. I got there just after the 11:00 Christmas Eve service had started and stood in the back until Ashlea looked over her shoulder and saw me. It was a moment I will remember for a long time. It was the best Christmas present I think I have ever given or ever received.

Back in Pittsburgh by 1:00 am on Friday and on with show. We have six shows this weekend which is always overwhelming! It takes an incredible amount of energy to do two shows in one day and to do that three days in a row is exhausting. But it does make the time go by faster and keeps away the boredom.

I have pictures to post but the connection here is poor so I will post them when I get to St. Louis or Kansas City.

I hope this post finds you all well and have a great Holiday week.

Catching up in a Blizzard

Well, it has been a while since I checked in with you all here so let me catch you up quickly. After North Charleston we spent two days in Greensboro, NC. The theatre there was nice but not remarkable. The shows were well attended and a lot of fun to do. I have decided to just relax and let the show happen and have fun doing what I do.

Then it was off to Augusta, Georgia. The theatre there was very interesting. It was a cross between an arena and an opera house. The stage was small and we didn't get to use much of the set, but it was still a lot of fun and as always the audiences had a great time.

This is a picture of a house across the street from the theatre in Augusta. It was the childhood home of Woodrow Wilson. Thought you history buffs might find that interesting.

Next on the list was Opelika, Alabama. It was one of my favorite spots yet because it was held at the HIGH SCHOOL. They had a 1,200+ seat house with a full fly system. We were able to use most our drops but weren't able to fit the stairs on the stage or the orphanage. It was a great place to do a show. I kept thinking what it must have been like for the students there to get to watch our crew and the locals load-in a Broadway show to their theatre that they do their high school plays on. What a great teaching tool for that teacher and those students.

Finally we got to Macon and I was able to spend some time with Cay. It was a great two weeks and a great theatre. Cay and I did most of the Christmas shopping for our extended family. It was nice to do something traditionally associated with Christmas and do it with my wife. It felt like Christmas for the first time this holiday season. Again the shows went well and were really fun. One unique thing about this theatre, Harry Houdini performed here and cut holes in the stage floor and installed special lifts to pull off his magic. One of those holes and the lift have been preserved. This Theatre was built in 1848 and is full of wonderful history. Charlie Chaplan also performed here among a list of others.

Thursday we drove for 11 hours from Macon, GA to Cincinnati, Ohio and then got up early Friday at 5:30 a.m. to finish the 20 hour drive to Buffalo, NY. It started snowing as we drove into Buffalo and has been snowing on and off since.

The Shea's Buffalo Theatre is really nice and the locals who work with our crew are great. I think it was the best load-in they have had yet and it was one of the friendliest local crews we have met yet. I had my own dressing room which is always nice and an indication that the theatre is large, so we got to do our full show. Saturday and Sunday Madison went on for Tianna. Madison is really beginning to learn the show and having a good time doing it. Most of the cast and crew seem to be in good spirits as we head into the week of Christmas. It is not the same knowing that I won't get to be with my family for the Christmas for the first time in my life. I am glad to be living out my dream but it does come at a cost. It has taught me some things about Christmas but I will get to that another day.

The snow here is unbelievable. Tonight on the way home from the theatre after having eaten dinner it was snowing and the wind was blowing so hard that you could barely see ten feet in front of you, literally. Within seconds my glasses were covered with snow and ice and I had to remove them to see where I was going (those who know me know that wasn't much help as now I couldn't see five feet in front of me.) The wind nearly blew me over a couple of times and I had to stop every few feet and turn my back to the wind to catch my breath. When I finally walked the two blocks to the hotel and got into the lobby I was covered head to toe in a sheet of snow and ice. I looked like one of those characters from the movies who just came in from a blizzard. I even had snow caked in my eyebrows and eyelashes! I am sure it was quite a sight.

We are hoping it will let up so we can get to Pittsburgh tomorrow. I just saw on the news where they are expecting another 5 to 10" of snow tonight! Could be a long 180 mile drive. Hope you enoy the pictures and I will post again soon, I promise.

North Charleston, SC

Today it is raining. Aside from that it has been great here in North Charleston. Last night our performance here was the most fun I have had since going out this year. Not sure why, it was just a lot of fun. Everyone in the company was very pleasant and the audience was into it. It wasn't a perfect show by any means but it was FUN! Did I say I had fun last night?

Today I did one of the things I least enjoy, went shopping. I had to have a new pair of shoes because my hold ones were really hurting. I suppose that could have something to do with the fact that I walked 5 to 10 miles a day last week but I think it was mostly because of the cheap shoes.

I also got to eat at Qdoba which is one of my favorite fast food places. Other than that we are simply enjoying a lazy, rainy day and getting ready to do the show again.

Can you tell that apart from the city, nothing much really changes here on the road.

Happy Holidays!

I miss you Nana.

Daytona Beach

Yesterday and today we have been playing the Peabody Auditorium here in Daytona Beach. It is a small stage but we have had a great time doing the play and hanging out on the beach. The weather has been amazing with highs around 75 and sunny skies.

Got some sad news today. Ben Alford, the pastor who hired Cay at HFUMC passed away today after a battle with cancer. Ben is also the person who encouraged me to begin Steeple Players and reclaim my love of theatre. He will be missed.

On a happier note, Amanda and Annalisa came to see the show tonight. Amanda played Annie and Annalisa played Molly in last years tour. They have both gotten taller and are no longer "little girls" but have grown to become beautiful young ladies. They were thrilled with the show and we had a great time reconnecting, even if only for a few moments.

Tomorrow we travel to North Charleston, SC to play two days there. So, at 7:30 in the morning I will be getting on a bus for the six hour drive.

6 days and counting to Macon when I will get to spend some much needed time with my beloved wife, Cay.

Peace to all and Happy Holidays!

Thoughts on Miami

Tonight we closed out our stay in Miami. It has been quite a week here. The weather has been great and we have all enjoyed having our days free to explore the city and beaches. The shows have gone well but we would have liked to have had bigger crowds. Those who showed up really seemed to have a good time.

Tonight the "Annie" understudy went on for the first time. She did a really great job as did our child swing. Everyone was really excited about having our first "understudies" go on. I have to admit I was excited but not as much as everyone else. I guess I have come to accept that this is merely part of the job.

Miami is a unique city in many ways but also just another big city in others. While it is not one of my favorite places I have enjoyed the week of sunshine and short sleeves. The thing I found most striking about Miami is the contradictions. Miami has an incredibly wealthy population with million dollar mansions visible at almost every turn and very exclusive high rise condominiums everywhere. But in the shadows of those big buildings and big bucks lies one of the largest homeless populations I have ever seen! At almost every turn I would see someone living out of a suitcase or a plastic bag. On one of my walks to the theatre I came upon a homeless community. In "Annie" they call in "Hooverville." I don't know if it has a name here in Miami but it was a street whose sidewalks were lined with homeless who had made their "homes" on the hard concrete. A street with sidewalks on both sides with chain link fences running along the sidewalks to keep people out of the parking/construction sites that lay beyond them. The homeless hung belongings from the fences to provide shade and to "mark" their boundaries. It was one of the saddest sights I have ever seen. It is my prayer that we won't see these pop up everywhere like we did during the Great Depression.

I witnessed another moving event today on the Metromover, the "elevated train" that runs through downtown in Miami. The homeless and low income use this train to get around and to get out of the heat. A man who appeared to be down on his luck sat in the corner eating his dinner. Another man who was also down on his luck and probably homeless got on the train and sat next to the man eating. After a few moments the man offered some of his food to this stranger who eagerly accepted it. It was incredibly touching.

Tommorrow we leave Miami and drive up the coast to Daytona Beach for two days on the beach! It's a tough life but somebody has to do it!

Miami in December

Well, we have arrived in Miami. It has been an adventurous couple of days since I last blogged.

Sunday we were at the State Theatre in New Brunswick, New Jersey. It is a beautiful, historic Vaudeville House that has a very small stage. We were able to use most of our drops but not the orphanage or stairs. The show really plays very well without these and of course the local audiences don't know they are missing unless they have seen the show somewhere else. Liza came and saw the show and said it went very well. The music director for the show also saw part of the show and was very complementary.

Monday we flew from JFK airport to Miami. It turned out to be a longer day than expected due to us missing our flight in JFK because of bad traffic and confusion getting there. It was not a happy story but one best left untold here. I was one of the lucky ones and was able to pay a few dollars to get on an early flight and only arrived in Miami 2 hours later than expected. Others were not so lucky. Everyone got here though and seems to be having a good time.

We are playing the Adreinne Arscht Center here in Miami. It is an amazing theatre with a huge stage and beautiful house. The theatre seats about 2,500 and the stage is large enough to house three complete sets at one time. In fact, they have in the past actually set up three stages or their one stage.

It is amazing and impossible to describe here. I tried to take pictures but as you can tell the space is so big I couldn't get it into one frame. This picture was taken with me standing at the upstage (back) drop of our set facing the back of the theatre. As you can see the backstage area goes on forever and this is about half of the space!

I have spent my days thus far wandering around downtown Miami. There is a lot to see and do but none of it really excites me so I just window shop and see the sights. I haven't bought anything as I try and stay away from spending money. Two reasons for this. One, I don't have a lot of money to spend, and two, what would I do with the stuff I bought when I am living out of a suitcase?

The show continues to go well and the company seems to be adjusting to life on the road. We are still finding our little circles but everyone is really great and we are having a lot of fun. I hope to see some of you soon!