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!

Happy Thanksgiving

I have been away from the Internet for a while so I have some updating to do. Tuesday we were in Chattanooga, TN where we played Memorial Auditorium. Cay and Ashlea drove up to see me and the show as well as Tiffany and Mackenzie. The show went well and it was really great to see them. I forgot to take my camera but took pictures with my phone of theatre. It was like most other theatres we play that were built in that time period.

Wednesday we were in Hamlet, NC. It was a very pretty auditorium in a very small town. It is amazing to me how many little places have really nice theatres. I keep hoping our city officials will see this and be motivated to build something like one of these in Hendersonville. It would be a large investment but well worth it in the long run. And I know someone who would love to run it for them!

Thursday we traveled to Lowell, MA and had Thanksgiving dinner together. It was a good night but did not come close to taking the place of being at home with family.

Friday we did two shows in Lowell. The theatre there was really small and we weren't able to use much of our set. No drops, No orphanage, No stairs. So pretty much just props, costumes and wonderful performers. The shows went really well and the audiences had a great time and really enjoyed themselves. After the final show they had a reception for us which was nice.

Today we were in New London, CT. Another older theatre built in the 1920's. It was a beautiful auditorium but also very small stage. We were able to use most of our drops but on the orphanage or the stairs. It was well received. This smaller venues are some of our best audiences. They sell lots of tickets and the audiences are very responsive.

This was our second day of two day shows in different venues. With the travel this is very difficult and tiring but nothing compared to what it is like for our crew who have to strike and set up within just a few hours. Friday our last show ended at 9:45. The crew then spent 3 hours loading out the set, drove for two hours and arrived in New London at about 3:00 a.m. At 5:00 a.m. they started setting up for the 3:00 show in New London. They are amazing. And they have to do that again tomorrow. Speaking of tomorrow it is going to be a very long day so, so long for now.

Tonight we played Hamlet, NC. The venue here was one of the smallest we will play. The house sat 968 and was SOLD OUT. This is always exciting regardless of the size of the venue. The audience was great and really friendly. They laughed at all the right places and were really into the show.

I promised earlier that I was going to do a better job of taking pictures so here we go. This is the venue we played tonight in Hamlet. Those of you in Hendersonville, this is the type of space we need to build in our area. A medium size house with modest dressing rooms and adequate conference facilities. This would be ideal for our area for Steeple Players and other local productions large and small. This facility, like many of those we play were built near college campuses with private money and made available to the college for use on a scheduled basis. Maybe our county executives would consider something of this nature near Volunteer State Community College. It would definitely benefit all of Sumner County.

There were 4 dressing rooms. Can't show you those because we are not allowed to take pictures in the dressing rooms due to privacy issues. Two of them were large enough for 15 to 20 people each and two were designed for 2 people each. In addition there were 3 large meeting/banquet rooms. Again, a really neat facility in a community not nearly as large as Hendersonville.

More pictures will be coming, especially when I am somewhere with a little better internet service. Hope all is well with all of you and have a great Thanksgiving week!

Week One - Raleigh, NC

Well, last night we closed in Raleigh, NC and we are now headed to Hamlet, NC. The week in Raleigh went well. We had OK audiences as far as size is concerned and those who attended really enjoyed the show. We got a standing ovation every night with thunderous, genuine applause. This is important because it is the way we, as performers, judge our success. If the audience leaves happy, uplifted and in good spirits, then we have done our job. Here is picture of the house at Raleigh. The two folks in the front are our merchandisers, Mark and Lacey. They are the ones who sell you the souvenirs.

We did have several mishaps here in Raleigh. Moustaches that wouldn't stay on, flying wigs, and a few other "incidents" that will not be named here. We managed to maintain our characters and our poise through it all and the audiences often didn't realize they were mistakes and when they did they moved on through it with us. Made for an interesting week and lots of dressing room talk.

The local crew here was really great. They made us feel at home and did everything in their power to make our show and our stay a good one.

Cay was here most of the week which was great. We got to spend some quality time together and she got to meet many of the people I will be traveling with. It is a great group of people. I am still getting to know them but I am certain that we will all have a grand time.

I have done a poor job of taking pictures on this tour thus far so my objective this week is to get out the camera and get some pictures to post here so that you all can get a glimpse at life on the road with Annie.

Opening Night in Raleigh, NC

Tonight we opened, officially, in Raleigh, NC. The day has been a very busy one! We had a 10:15 bus call for an 11:00 company meeting followed by sound check and a full dress rehearsal that began at 1:00. Following this we had a brief notes session and then Cay and I ate dinner before having to be back at the theatre at 6:00 for a 7:00 curtain time.

After the show we went to the opening night party where we celebrated another beginning in the continuing event we know and love as "ANNIE." It was nice to be able to gather together as cast, crew, and musicians and simply enjoy one another. After three very stressful weeks of preparation this was a moment for us to relax just a little and celebrate our success in simply being at this place.

This opening was very different from last year. It was exciting but in a different way. This year it wasn't "new" but it was "welcoming." It felt a little like coming home after being away for 5 months. The neighborhood had changed, familiar faces had moved on and been replaced by new ones, but it was still "home."

I continue to grow as a performer. With every performance I discover something new. Sometimes it is a word that I hadn't noticed before. Sometimes it is a moment, or a breath, or a look. With each new discovery I marvel at this magical thing we call theatre. Unlike movies which are always the same and often dull with time and age, live theatre continues to grow and change and live and breathe. It is affected by everything around it; actors, stagehands, directors, audiences, communities, economics, politics, and so much more. All of life affects our little world of theatre. I believe it is "Annie's" ability to exist in all and any of these worlds that in some small way accounts for its success and longevity. I doubt that "Annie" will ever go "out of style" or be put on the shelf, never to see the light of stage again.

It is this "life" that draws me to this wonderful musical. I don't think I will ever get tired of walking onstage as "Oliver Warbucks." It is simply too much fun and too full of joy to ever become a drag.

So on this opening night I look forward to 14 months of opening nights and the magic that occurs when audiences enter the theatre and the lights go up on "ANNIE!"

Opening Night...Almost

Friday Night was a great night as we did our first preview performance before an audience. While official opening night isn't until Nov. 18 in Raleigh, NC, for those of us here in Orange Park, FL tonight was the REAL DEAL! We had a great audience here at the Thrasher Horne PAC and everyone in the cast gave a great performance! After 260+ performances last year I didn't know I would feel the same excitement I did a little over a year ago on opening night. While it wasn't "the same" it was very exciting.

There is nothing that can compare to hearing an audience laugh, cry and applaude as you work on stage. There is also no way to describe it for those who have never experienced. It is a high like no other. After the show our director was very pleased. I don't remember his exact words, but I remember thinking "that is the biggest complement he has ever given me." It felt great to have my work so appreciated by someone of Martin's ability and reputation.

This afternoon we had our final preview performance. It was another great audience and the show went well although I didn't feel as good about my individual performance. As a cast we are still struggling to get consistancy in our performances. The fatigue factor doesn't help any either. It will be good to have two days away from the show, even if one is on the bus.

There are alot of great moments in the show. Those of you who saw it last year and get to see it again this year will undoubtedly notice some of the changes. On a personal level I feel as I have grown tremendously in my portrayal of Oliver Warbucks from last year to this. It is a lot of little things that most people won't notice but thing I think you might notice is the difference in the approach to "Something was Missing." Little changes can make big differences. Martin call it being "less actory." I call it being relaxed and confident. I will let you all be the judge.

The political jokes and pokes are getting much bigger reactions this year. Orange Park is largely a Republican town so they love the digs at Democrats. I fully expect that in Democratic areas such as New Hampshire and New York that they will find the same jokes equally amusing but from a different view point. It is amazing how we can see the same thing so differently. No wonder politicians have such a hard time getting anything done.

Tomorrow we get on the BUS for our trip to Raleigh, NC. There is a strange comfort in getting on the bus for me. It becomes a part of your routine and I have come to appreciate the time. While not always comfortable or enjoyable it is oddly comforting and relaxing. It also carries the promise of new adventures!

Monday is a Golden Day meaning no travel and no show or rehearsal. We have the entire day to ourselves. I will be exercising, picking up Cay at the airport, and grocery shopping.

Then Tuesday is our official opening night! And now the ADVENTURE BEGINS!

Tech Run Through

Today we had our first full run through with all the technical elements except for costumes and orchestra. By all accounts it went very well. We didn't have but a couple of hiccups which to the average audience member would probably have gone unnoticed. Our stage hands have done amazing work putting the show "up on its feet." It still amazes me how the show takes on an entirely new feeling with the addition of sets and lights. They truly become "actors" on stage with us setting and adding to the mood and atmosphere. If done well no one leaves talking about the lights or sound which is the way it should be but is also kind of unfair considering the amount of work and talent it takes by those folks to pull it off.

Tomorrow we have our first rehearsal with the orchestra. We will do the choreography/blocking for the songs without the sets and get accustomed to how different everything sounds with the full orchestra. This is another very exciting and sometimes difficult day. We will then break for dinner and come back for our first and probably only full dress rehearsal. I anticipate it being a great night! I am a little worried about my quick change at the end of the show into the tuxedo but I am confident that we will once again pull it off flawlessly (just maybe not the first time.)

We are now only four days away from seeing Cay in Raleigh and only five days away from our opening night in Raleigh, NC! And then it will be "Christmas, every day." Only in the world of theatre and "Annie" can dreams like this come true.

Rehearsals and Ball Games

We have now had several complete run throughs of the show. It has gone really well. Everyone continues to grow and improve each week. Martin seems pleased with where the show is and everyone is beginning to really work together as a team. This is not to say that there isn't still work to be done. It can always get better and we still have a great deal of polishing to do as well as reaching a level of consistency that is acceptable. But things are going great.

We had the day off Sunday (yesterday) and Zander (Rooster) and I went and watched the Titans vs. Bears ball game on TV. Zander is a Bears fan so I don't think he had as much fun as I did but was great to have someone to watch the game with while on tour.

Today we had our final run through before we begin tech. Tech begins tomorrow. This is when we add in sets, lights, sound, props, etc. to the show. For a show of this nature it can be a very tedious process. Every move on stage has been mapped out and know has to be rehearsed so that scene changes happen quickly and safely and that light changes, sound cues, etc. happen in such a way that the audience isn't really aware of them. It is really amazing to watch if you haven't seen them before. The tech for us will begin about 1:00 in the afternoon and we will finish around 11:00 at night. And that is just ACT I. Then on Wednesday we will do the same thing for ACT 2. The last step is to add costumes and orchestra in our first and ONLY dress rehearsal on Thursday. All of this is a little overwhelming as last year we had more rehearsal on stage with all aspects of the show including 2 FULL dress rehearsals.

Needless to say everyone is a little anxious about putting it together but I have full confidence in our cast, crew and creative team. I know that it is going to be a fabulous show!

Rehearsals and St. Augustine

Tuesday we had our first day off. Cheryl, Ricky, Jeff and I drove down to St. Augustine to see the oldest continually settled city in the USA. It was good to get away from rehearsals and spend some time doing something other than thinking about the show. It was also a good distraction from the election process. This is a picture of the oldest continuously active church in the USA.

Here we are standing outside the oldest wood school house in the USA. If you have never been to St. Augustine it really is a neat place to visit. Lots of history, shopping and good food. Jeff bought a hat and we all tried aligator tail. It was really chewy.

Wednesday we blocked act 2. Things went well. Everyone is really focused and working really hard. Today we finished blocking at 2 and then ran act 2. We had notes afterward and I received the fewest notes I have ever received during a Martin Charnin notes session. Don't know whether to be flattered or worried.

I am still getting to know eveyone. The girls that play the orphans are really cute. This picture was taken of them at the theatre where we are rehearsing. They are from left to right (Back Row) Ivy, Siara, Madison (front row) Sidney, Tiana, Mackenzie, and Dominique. They are all very cute and talented. They are a lot of fun to watch and work with.

Tomorrow we have our first full runthrough. It will be good to get all the pieces put together and still have a week to work on things before putting the show on its feet in front of an audience.