Legends on Tour

Travel Day

2006-03-08T21:26:00.000-06:00

● March 8th

Well, we went out with a bang. Our final travel day was a doozie. We departed from Deadwood around 9:00 AM, lost an hour as we crossed back in the Central Time, stopped for a half hour lunch as we crossed the Missouri River, and didn’t arrive in Albert Lea until 7:30 PM. So we were in the van today for nine and a half hours. That’s enough, thank you.

JenDeen is a maniac about her practicing. She sits in
the van for hours working with these contraptions.

Ann, who has lately been calling Jody "Jobidiah,"
has earned herself a new nickname, "Cranny Banany."

We stopped for gas in Mitchell, and well, you just can't be so
close without driving into town to see the Corn Palace!

All along this tour we have been collecting hotel soaps and shampoos that we didn't need. When we get back home, they're all going to be given to Youth Link, an organization that works with homeless youth, many of whom are queer and have been kicked out of their homes by their families. When you travel next, please remember that many charities will gladly accept these items.

It rained again today as we drove through south central Minnesota. (Minnesota! We’re back in Minnesota!!) We arrived in Albert Lea and checked into our hotel. After tomorrow night's show, we're all heading back home that night, so this is our FINAL hotel!

Miles traveled: 505
Hotel: AmericInn

All photos © David Lohman, 2006

Show #32: Belle Fourche, SD

2006-03-07T23:49:00.000-06:00

Belle Fourche Area Community Center
March 7, 2006

Piano du jour: 5’ Weber, bright and responsive

I had thought about going to Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse today, but I’ve seen them several times before, and my lovely hotel room was just too inviting. Tim, Jody and I went out late in the morning for breakfast. Deadwood is an odd little town stuck at the bottom of a very steep valley. There is some old 19th century architecture that survives, but it's all mixed in with so many ugly, more modern buildings.

We drove the half hour to Belle Fouche for our show this evening. There's been a universal response from locals who have asked where we were performing. "Belle Fouche," we'd say. Every time there'd be rolling of the eyes, or a "yikes." So I wasn't expecting much. The town, or at least what we saw of it, was pretty ugly, and far enough away from the Black Hills so there was no scenery around either. Belle Fouche's one claim to fame is that it is the town closest to the geographical center of the 50 states.

It's hard to believe that we only have one show left. At times it feels like we've been on the road forever, and at other times it seems like we just got started. But the closer we get, I can't wait to get home. To be back with family and friends, to sleep in my own bed, to be surrounded by my stuff, to sit on my sofa and watch TiVo... just two days away!

Hotel: AmericInn

All photos © David Lohman, 2006

Day Off

2006-03-06T20:15:00.000-06:00

● March 6th

Ann and I took advantage of our day off, borrowed the van this morning and headed off for the Badlands National Park.

Others were going to join us, but when push came to shove, staying in bed won out for the rest. Oh, what a day they missed!

The Badlands are so starkly beautiful.

The last time I was out here was a couple of years before my father's death. He, my sister Jeanne and I came out to the Black Hills in order to hike up to the top of the Crazy Horse Monument - something you're allowed to do once a year in every June. We drove straight through the night, pulled into the Badland while it was still dark, and waited to watch the sunrise. Beautiful!

We had some good wildlife viewing too... buffalo, mule deear, bighorn sheep and prairie dogs.

On the way back, we stopped at Wall. Ann had never experienced the famed Wall Drug, and how could I deprive her of that thrill?

Here there are... Annie and Annie Oakley.

Thanks, Ann, for a truly wonderful day!

All photos © David Lohman, 2006

2006-03-05T23:33:00.000-06:00

Travel Day

2006-03-05T23:07:00.000-06:00

● March 5th

We departed at 8AM for our penultimate long travel day. We left Kearney (pronounced “Carny”) and headed off to Belle Fourche (pronounced “Bell Foosh”). Actually, for the next three nights we’ll be staying in Deadwood. Word has it that there are only crummy hotels and little to see or do in Belle Fourche, so Jody wisely rebooked us in nearby Deadwood.

A day in the life...

I bought a power inverter which plugs into the cigarette lighter,
so I can spend our long drives working on my computer.

All along on the trip we’ve used a pair of walkie-talkies to keep in touch between the van and the truck. I think it was Ann who wisely redubbed them drivie-talkies. On them, we can sometimes pick up fragments of nearby conversations. This morning Jody overheard a pair of drivers talking about us: “Why, that truck’s from Minnesota.” “So’s that van.” “They’re sure in a hurry to get somewhere.” “Probably a church group full a’ Mormons.” Minnesota and Mormons? Not the first connection I’d necessarily make. Now Lutherans, maybe.

According to my Rand McNally Atlas, we changed time zones five times today – with four of those changes all within about 15 miles of Murdo, SD. Now that’s just crazy. We passed a big milepost on our tour today – about 30 miles east of Rapid City we passed the 7,000 mile mark!

After eight hours on the road we reached Deadwood, a town with legalized gambling. Like every other hotel in town, our AmericInn has a loud casino (which I can't stand) on the first floor, but our rooms upstairs are really lovely.

Tim and I hosted an Oscar Party this evening in Jody's room. Originally, the attire for the evening would be formal, but on second thought, we made it a pajama party. We had a great time... but I was sad about the best picture award (go BBM!).

Miles traveled: 485
Hotel: AmericInn

Show #31: Kearney, NE

2006-03-05T22:46:00.000-06:00

Kearney High School Auditorium
March 4, 2006

Piano du jour: 6’ Baldwin; out of tune in the lower range; very stiff action (ouch!) and it sounded like there was a blanket between the hammers and the strings

We had a short trip today – a mere hundred miles. So we didn’t leave until 11AM. We checked into our hotel. AmericInn’s are great, and we’re staying in them from here on out. Thanks, Jody. Road-weariness continues… several of us, me included, laid down for a short nap after we checked in, and ended up sleeping very hard for a few hours.

Tim had a challenging day today. He arrived at the venue to find that they had erected the huge band shell onstage. When he asked why it was there, he was told, “Well, you’re doing a concert, aren’t you?” Well, yes, kind of, but we can’t have that onstage. So load in was delayed while that was being taken down. So meanwhile, Tim had to clean the stage, which was filthy. And so the challenges continued. But he ended up working his usual magic with the lights, even making their wrinkled and torn scrim look pretty good. He works so hard and does such a great job… bravo, Tim!

Tonight’s spotlight is on... THE BAND!

I am so pleased, night after night, to be able to make music with three such fine, sensitive and passionate musicians.

Travis is traveling with an electric upright bass, which I guess kind of looks like a regular upright bass that underwent gastric bypass surgery.

The sound is quite good and the size makes it nice for touring. In the last eleven years, Travis has owned a staggering 70 basses: 2 uprights, 1 electric upright, 2 six-string, 15 five-string, 47 four-string, and 3 basses custom-built for him.

Patrick is traveling with a very special, rhinestone-encrusted instrument – a Morbidoni Chamber President.

Aldo Morbidoni, whose family used to be in the coffin-making business (hence the name), is considered the Stradivarius of accordion makers. This used to belong to Aldo himself, and was left to Patrick by one of Aldo’s students. At home, Patrick owns ten accordions, including one custom-built for him by a Bayou accordion maker out of indigenous Louisiana woods.

JenDeen, who usually makes her living playing everything from jazz and big band to metal, is traveling with one of her smaller drum kits.

But at home she has quite a collection: 80 cymbals, 67 drums, 15 electric drum pads, 8 snares, and 1 gong! She’s also a film star. Her former band, All the Pretty Horses, was the subject of the documentary, Venus in Mars.

After the show, most of us went to Old Chicago for some food and beer. It’s nice to be able to relax a bit when there’s no show the following day.

Wow… only two shows to go.

Miles traveled: 100
Hotel: AmericInn

Show #30: North Platte, NE

2006-03-04T17:10:00.000-06:00

High School Performing Arts Center
March 3, 2006

Piano du jour: 7’ Baldwin, in tune, nice bright tone, so responsive

We departed this morning at 8AM, an hour earlier than we needed to on account of the time change we would hit before getting to North Platte. It was wildly windy today, as in hard-to-keep-on-the-road windy. Jody is building such upper body strength! Our crack in the windshield has grown considerably. The original impact site is right in the center at the bottom. There are now three two-foot cracks radiating out… making me feel a bit less than secure sitting in the front passenger seat as I do.

Our early start today was also because we did a workshop for the music students at the high school. We did maybe eight songs from the show, we talked about the show, the challenges of touring, our careers… then opened the floor to questions. The rock star of the day was Patrick – the obvious audience favorite.

Tom Freiberg, an old friend of Jody’s and mine who died 18 years ago, grew up here in North Platte, and his parents were waiting for us at the school when we arrived in the afternoon. Tom’s mom gave us a beautiful homemade apple pie, and a box full of her canning. Being a Minnesota State Fair canning ribbon winner myself (an honor I share with my canning cohorts, Barbara and Blake), I was especially delighted. Thanks, Helen!

After the workshop, it was back to the hotel (a really dumpy Ramada) to do two much-needed loads of laundry.

While refining her beauty each night, Jody goes through
a stage that looks remarkably like Cindy Loo Who…

JenDeen’s continuing Battlestar addiction.

Susan and Ann looking oh-so ready for the Oscars on Sunday.

The women in Costume #2

Despite what a long day it was, the show was really fun tonight. I had such a wonderful instrument to play. I tell ya… for me there is nothing like playing “Sunday” from Sunday in the Park with George on a big, rich, responsive grand. Those opening five-note figures… bliss!

Only three more shows to go and we get to sleep in our own beds!

Miles traveled: 225
Hotel: Ramada

Show #29: Cheyenne, WY

2006-03-04T12:47:00.000-06:00

Central High School Auditorium
March 2, 2006

Piano du jour: 7’ Kawai, out of tune in the lower range, and stiff action

Just as Saint Paul has its Peanuts statues all around town, Cheyenne has 8’ tall cowboy boots, each painted by a local artist.

Travis, our resident artist, has added new images to our traveling wardrobe:

As I wrote about earlier, we figured out that Stacey's brother and sister were in Peter Pan with me when I attended Moorhead State in 1983. Stacey's mom just emailed me this picture. Here I am as Captain Hook...

Miles traveled: 0
Hotel: Fairfield Inn

In Memory - May We Never Forget

2006-03-03T00:36:00.000-06:00

On October 7th, 1998, 21-year old Matthew Shepard was discovered tied to a fence outside of Laramie, Wyoming. He had been bound, severely beaten, pistol whipped and left to die. He never emerged from the coma he was in when he was found, and died five days later on October 12th. The reason for this violence? Matt was gay.

I was living in San Francisco when this happened, and it was devastating. It was made all the worse when the “Reverend” Fred Phelps and members of his hateful Kansas church picketed Matthew’s funeral in order to tell Matthew’s parents and friends that he got no more than he deserved. To this day, Phelps has a counter on his web site showing the number of days that Matthew has been burning in hell. The kind of hatred and fear that was behind both the murder and so much of the rhetoric coming from Fundamentalist Christianity is incomprehensible to me.

Since I was so close to Laramie, and we had all day free today until the evening, I felt I needed to make a pilgrimage and visit the fence where Matthew was found. However, I had no idea of how to find it. I spent a long time online last night trying to find directions to the site, but my search came up dry.

In my other life, I work for the Institute for Welcoming Resources (http://www.welcomingresources.org/), a program of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force in Washington D.C., which works towards the full inclusion of queer people in the life of the church. This morning I called my boss, Rebecca, for advice. She called and spoke with a woman at the Task Force who suggested that I call the head of the local police department. She said that he is a very enlightened man, and has spoken several times in Washington about the issue of hate crimes.

So I called and spoke with the Commander of the Laramie Police Department. I explained what I wanted to do and asked if he could give me directions. He was a very gracious man who, on the one hand, stressed that the site was on private property, but at the same time wanted to help me get there.

I thought that perhaps JenDeen might want to go with me. So after I’d spoken with the Commander, I called her. I hadn’t even finished asking before she answered, “Yes!” So I rented a car, and we drove the 50 miles to Laramie.

In hopes that this may help someone else in the future, here is the route we took:

I80, Exit 316 – Grand Avenue
Northwest on Grand Avenue
Right (northeast) on Sherman Hill Road
Left (north) on Arabian Drive
Right (east) on Quarter Horse Drive

A couple blocks ahead, Quarter Horse ends and turns into a dirt road, the entrance to which is blocked off. So we parked the car and began hiking. From here, all the Commander had said was that the fence is about a mile onto the prairie, short of the butte. I didn’t know if we’d find it, but I had seen pictures of it, so I was hopeful. We actually found it pretty easily. It was unmistakable.

Rocks have been placed marking the spot where Matthew was found.

It was so painful to be there. However, I think it is vitally important that we bear witness to horrible events like these. We cannot allow Matthew or what happened to him to be forgotten. And I pray that we do everything we can to prevent this from kind of thing from happening again, and that we speak out against the Fundamentalist Christian hatred that helps to create an environment where these things can happen.

Travel Day

2006-03-02T23:25:00.000-06:00

● March 1st

We slept in this morning, and didn’t hit the road until noon. Ah... :-)

The drive to Cheyenne is beautiful...

... past Elk Mountain (which I thought looked very Brokebackish)...

... and past this memorial to Lincoln...

We had no show this evening, so Jody, JenDeen, Tim and I had a nice meal at Chili's. Then it was back to the hotel for me for a relaxing evening and an exciting episode of Lost.

Miles traveled: 275
Hotel: Fairfield Inn

Show #28: Rock Springs, WY

2006-03-01T21:04:00.000-06:00

Rock Springs High School Auditorium
February 28, 2006

Piano du jour: 7’ Steinway (in tune!)

We were going to take the most direct route between Grand Junction and Rock Springs, which would have taken us along Flaming Gorge, which I hear is beautiful. However, this morning Jody spoke with someone who regularly makes this drive who warned us about that route (kind of like the angel who appeared to the three wise men warning them to go another way). The route looks fine on the map, but apparently it has a lot of switchbacks and very steep grades. The van might have been okay, but it would have been tough going for the truck.

These higher elevations have been taking its toll. Many of us have been feeling a bit headachy and nauseous these past few days. Plus it’s tough to sing when there’s less oxygen up here.

A rock hit our windshield today – I jumped out of my skin!

Rock Springs, Wyoming:
The site of Dick Cheney’s second DWI
arrest and conviction in July, 1963.

Plus, my friend Blake, who grew up in Wyoming, told me that this is an old mafia town. In fact, it was here that mafia hit-men would often come to wait while things cooled off.

We had a big group of women from the Red Hat Society in our audience tonight. I love them! You always know it’s gonna be a good audience when they’re out there.

I leave you tonight with this quote, written on our traveling wardrobe case:

"If we can bring a little joy into your hum-drum lives,
then we feel our hard work ain't been in vain for nuthin'!"
– Lena Lamont in Singin' in the Rain

Miles traveled: 335
Hotel: Best Western

Show #27: Grand Junction, CO, part II

2006-02-28T00:25:00.000-06:00

Grand Junction High School Auditorium
February 27, 2006

● February 27

I'm on a life-long quest to get to every national park in the country. While a national monument is one step below a full-fledged national park, I couldn't pass up the opportunity since we were so close. So Ann, Josh, Patrick, Stacey and JenDeen joined me today for a glorious drive through the breathtaking Colorado National Monument.

For me, these past two days have been the highpoint of the tour!

Piano du jour: 9' Yamaha, out of tune (sigh...)

We arrived at the venue at 5:45 to find that the piano was locked, and no one seemed to know who had the key. Sheesh... We usually have our sound check at 6:00, but it was almost 6:45 (after an almost three hour search!) before someone arrived with a key. While we were waiting, I feared that if the piano was this well secured, it probably hadn't been tuned today. And I was right. It is explicitly stated in the contract with each of these venues that the piano is to be tuned the day of the concert. And again and again, this is ignored. This is so frustrating.

But despite all the pre-show angst, the show went very well. I had a great time tonight.

Miles traveled: 0
Hotel: Comfort Inn

Show #27: Grand Junction, CO, part I

2006-02-26T21:19:00.000-06:00

● February 26

We departed this morning at 8AM. I have been known to say that I didn’t choose a career in theatre because of desire or ability; rather it was the hours that were appealing. On the road by 8:00? Do people really do this? Today was going to be very, very long – the longest driving day of the entire tour. But I was so looking forward to the being in the mountains that I didn’t care. I mean, how much Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas can one kid take?

We first glimpsed the mountains 95 miles east of Denver. My excitement built as we drew nearer. Oh, how my heart loves the mountains! It was very warm all day. It was in the 60’s in Denver, and still relatively warm up in the mountains – in the 30’s, and the roads were all clear. I’ve made this drive on I70 twice before in the summer, but doing it now in the winter is a whole new experience.

I love making this drive – past ruins of long-abandoned 19th-century gold mines, small ski towns, snowy peaks, pine-covered slopes, ski runs, frigid mountain streams running below...

We stopped at a rest stop at Vail Pass, elevation 10,666 feet.

It looked like there were about seven feet of snow on the ground, and the rest stop itself was virtually buried.

On our way down the western side of the Rockies, the terrain gradually changed from the generally rounded, elegant contours in the east, to the more rugged land of the west. Red, snow-covered mesas… huge, jutting plates of sedimentary rock rising at wild angles out of the earth... The snow gradually diminished as we descended; first melting from the southern slopes, and finally disappearing entirely.

JenDeen spent the long drive with my iPod watching thirteen – count ‘em, thirteen! – episodes of Battlestar Galatica. Oh, the girl’s got it bad!

We made surprisingly good time – it took us only a bit over 10 hours to go the 600 miles.

After checking into our hotel, Jody, Tim, JenDeen and I walked down the street to W.W. Pepper's, a great southwestern restaurant, for a wonderful, leisurely dinner – just what we needed after our long day in the van. Tim and I then returned to our room and finished the evening watching the Closing Ceremonies of the Winter Olympics.

Miles traveled: 595
Hotel: Comfort Inn

Show #26: Johnson (City?), KS

2006-02-26T21:05:00.000-06:00

Johnson High School Auditorium
February 25, 2006

Piano du jour: 7’ Baldwin, shallow touch and muddy sound, a bit out of tune on each end of the keyboard

Yesterday’s near-tropical temperatures were a mere memory this morning…brrr!

Being a lover of road trips, there are so many things along the way that I would love to check out, or great photo ops waiting to be captured, but we just don’t have the luxury to stop. For instance, today alone we drove past Historic Fort Dodge, the bone-dry Arkansas River, the World’s Largest Meteor, and the World’s Largest Hand Dug Well.

The big debate: Johnson or Johnson City? The Rand McNally Atlas says "Johnson". The Official Kansas State Map says "Johnson City". The town’s water tower says "Johnson". But the sign on the outskirts of town says "Welcome to Johnson City". A mystery for the ages. Whatever you call it, this town is so small that they don’t have any lodging options. So we stayed 22 miles to the east in Ulysses. The turnout for the concert was very small. Apparently there was something going on this evening in Ulysses.

In each of these towns, we are performing as part of a Community Concert Series. Most towns have four concerts scheduled through the year, and tickets are sold only on a subscription basis. Allied Concert Services, our tour organizers, have a number of different concerts that each venue can choose from. A showcase is held every year in Minneapolis, and representatives from all these local associations attend in order to see what is being offered. They return home to report on what they saw, and the local associations then choose which four concerts they want. It has been gratifying to hear so many times from audience members that ours was one of the best concerts they’d every had.

For weeks we had heard from Josh, who had toured through Johnson on a couple of occasions before, about Steve, the local association president. Steve was known to prepare a feast of gourmet pizzas for the performers after the show. We were hoping that we would be fortunate enough to partake. And did we ever!

Pizza #1: cilantro pesto, onions and thinly sliced sweet potatoes
Pizza #2: garlic, pine nuts, artichokes and feta cheese
Pizza #3: deep dish spinach
Desert pizza: apple tart

Wow! Thanks, Steve!

Miles traveled: 207
Hotel: Single Tree Inn

Show #25: Pratt, KS

2006-02-25T16:03:00.000-06:00

Carpenter Auditorium
February 24, 2006

Piano du jour: 7’ Yamaha

Oh, what a windy drive we had. Jody and Tim, driving the van and truck, had quite a challenge keeping us all on the road. On the way, we passed Sedan, Kansas – home of the World’s Longest Yellow Brick Road, or so the signs said.

Our musical family has increased by two in the past few days. Travis just took delivery of a shiny six-string bass he bought on eBay.

And Patrick, while visiting a small music store in Bartlesville, bought a half banjo/half mandolin creation he’s calling a banjolin. Between this and his accordion, he says that all he needs now is to learn to play the tuba and he will have mastered the three most annoying instruments known to humanity.

It was 70° when we arrived in Pratt! Glorious!! We were nervous about what the Leisure Hotel would be, but it was very nice. All Spanish hacienda looking with a red tile roof. After checking in, I went out and laid out on the dry, horribly prickly grass, just so I could soak up some of that warm sun.

The highlight of our Joydit Line this evening was a woman, old enough to be his grandmother, kept hitting on Patrick. “You are just so sexy! I just couldn’t keep my eyes off of you!” Gulp… thanks.

Miles traveled: 230
Hotel: The Leisure Hotel

2006-02-25T15:43:00.000-06:00

Show #24: Bartlesville, OK

2006-02-24T15:47:00.000-06:00

Bartlesville Community Center
February 23, 2006

● February 22

A day off! Man, did I ever need this one. Thankfully, as our exhaustion builds, the tour schedule gets easier. This was our last stretch of six shows in a row. We have no more than three in a row from here on out… whew. We got to sleep in this morning, and then departed at noon for our grueling 45-mile drive to Bartlesville. I was a slug for the rest of the day, and was asleep before 10PM (unheard of for me, really.)

Miles traveled: 45
Hotel: Best Western

● February 23

Piano du jour: 9’ Steinway – score!

Four weeks down, two to go.

I woke up this morning very rested and ready to explore the environs. Stacey, (our birthday girl!) and JenDeen joined me for a day of adventure. Our first stop was to see the 19-story Price Tower, the tallest of Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs ever to be built.

Just across the street was our venue for the evening – the Bartlesville Community Center – designed by one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s protégés. My goodness, I certainly wasn’t expecting architecture like this here in Bartlesville.

It’s very reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Gammage Auditorium in Tempe, AZ, where I did Phantom for several weeks in 1995.

Next on our tour of Bartlesville was the Frank Phillips House, a gorgeous old mansion built in 1908 by the founder of Phillips Petroleum.

We then drove twelve miles out of town to Woolaroc, the Phillips’ little country getaway, where they would entertain the hoi polloi of the day, including the likes of their dear friend, Will Rogers. It’s now a game preserve…

…and a museum, displaying much of the Phillips’ extensive collection of Native American and Western-themed art.

That evening, we arrived at the theatre to find that they almost got our name right on the marquee. The 1700-seat theatre is very beautiful inside.

Lobby chandeliers

The Green Room walls are covered with head shots of famous, and the not-so, who have played here over the years, including the legendary Carol Channing.

Here’s Ann doing her best impression…

Susan’s family and her in-laws all live in Oklahoma, and they were here tonight to see the show.

After the show, we had a surprise birthday party for Stacey, who turned 28 today!

Miles traveled: 0
Hotel: Best Western

Show #23: Coffeyville, KS

2006-02-22T16:38:00.000-06:00

Roosevelt Middle School Auditorium
February 21, 2006

Piano du jour: 7’ Baldwin – another old piano

Today was probably the roughest day on the tour. We had 360 miles to cover followed by a show in the evening. We departed the Capri Motel at 7AM this morning. On the way, we drove past Minneapolis, Kansas – population 2,044.

It’s so easy to feel out of touch when you’re on the road like this. But every now and then, there are reminders that there are still horrible things going on in the world.

It finally seems that we are leaving the Great Plains. After so many days spent driving across state after perfectly flat state, it is a welcomed change. We’re starting to get hints of being in the West, with more hilly and rugged terrain, oil drilling, cattle herds… We’ve even gotten a few glimpses of green fields. Spring is coming! However, it’s gotten cold again – it was down to 30° when we arrived in Coffeyville. The long drive actually went surprisingly quickly.

Coffeyville’s claim to fame is that this is where members of the dreaded Dalton gang were finally killed in a failed bank robbery in 1892.

Our venue this evening was a beautiful, small auditorium.

Miles traveled: 360
Hotel:
Best Western

Show #22: Fairbury, NE

2006-02-22T14:09:00.000-06:00

High School Fine Arts Center
February 20, 2006

Piano du jour: 7’ Everett, a beautiful old piece of furniture, but it played like the very old piano it was

After two 250-mile days in a row, today’s drive of 120 miles went by like nothing. We didn’t depart until noon, so it was great to spend the morning relaxing.

The town of Fairbury has only one lodging option – the Capri Motel. Jody, who has done such a great job with our hotel reservations, was nervous about this one. But it turned out to be bare-bones, but fine. It’s an old fashioned motel, drive-up-to-your-door kind of place. For the first time on tour we had actual keys to our rooms, not the new-fangled key cards.

Oh, it has warmed up! We got out of the van to find it that was 50°!

Our show tonight was in the 500-seat high school auditorium. The place was packed, and the audience was so appreciate. The women really liked the intimate feel of the place.

Travis, a man of many talents, leaving a memento

Trivia for the day: After the show, several people in the Joydit Line told us that Carol Channing’s first husband grew up in the nearby town of Steele City, population 70.

Miles traveled: 120
Hotel: Capri Motel

Show #21: Fremont, NE

2006-02-22T13:57:00.000-06:00

Fremont High School Auditorium
February 19, 2006

Piano du jour: 6’ Yamaha

Patrick working on the hair - a nightly work of art

Here are the women in their third costumes...

Miles traveled: 250
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express

Show #20: Chillicothe, MO

2006-02-22T13:26:00.000-06:00

Dickinson Performing Arts Center
February 18, 2006

Piano du jour: 6’ Steinway – a lovely instrument

On the drive today we passed dangerously close to the Precious Moments Theme Park, in Carthage, Missouri, complete with the Precious Moments Chapel. Oh dear, my teeth itch just thinking about all that cuteness.

At this point in the tour, we're finding it so hard to remember specifics about any particular day or venue. They're all blurring together.

Ann prepping

Miles traveled: 250
Hotel: Best Western

Show #19: Joplin, MO

2006-02-18T22:43:00.000-06:00

Joplin High School Auditorium
February 17, 2006

Piano du jour: 6’ Baldwin – out of tune

Before leaving on tour, I splurged and bought a video iPod. I laugh when I think back on the days when I toured with The Phantom of the Opera, and carried hundreds of CD’s with me. Those days are gone! Plus, with the video iPod, I can download and watch TV shows, so thankfully I can stay current with Lost. I’ve also started downloading episodes of the new Battlestar Galactica series. Wow… am I ever hooked. And now I’ve gotten JenDeen addicted too.

If you ever plan to motor west,
Travel my way,
Take the highway that's the best.
Get your kicks on Route 66.

Now you go through St. Louie,
Joplin, Missouri…

We arrived at our hotel in Joplin to find that they lost our reservation. Jody, who also serves as our wonderful company manager, promptly found us rooms nearby.

After each show we go out into the lobby for a “Joydit” Line (“…we enjoyed it…”). We had an odd woman this evening who was convinced that she smelled a perfume coming from the stage. No one wears any scent during the show, but she would not be dissuaded. She walked to up each one of us, and without any sense of personal space, stuck her nose right into our necks and took a big sniff. Sheesh.

Miles traveled: 120
Hotel: Econo Lodge

Show #18: Lebanon, MO

2006-02-18T22:22:00.000-06:00

Cowan Civic Center
February 16, 2006

● February 15
Today was a travel day – no show, but we had many miles to cover. We made a stop at Starbuck’s on the way out of town. Driving through St. Louis, we got a lovely view of the Gateway Arch out the van windows.

Most of our lunch stops are as quick as we can make them, but since we were spending so much time in the car today, we took an entire, luxurious hour to eat. We arrived in Lebanon around 5:30, checked into our hotel (two nights in the same bed!), and enjoyed an evening off. A few went to see a movie, but I think that most of us spent a relaxing evening in our rooms. Besides, I had me some Olympics to watch!

Miles traveled: 406
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express

● February 16

Piano du jour: A 7’ piano-shaped piece of furniture called a Samick

We have reached the halfway point in terms of days on the road.

When we arrived in Lebanon, temperatures were in the 60’s. But a major cold front came through today, and temps have dropped more than 30 degrees. I was feeling sorry for us until I heard that wind chills back home are -35°.

We arrived at the venue to find this prominently posted:

I guess we have to cut “Glitter and Be Gay” this evening.

So… a Samick? A what? Never heard of it. And after playing it, I wouldn't really call it a musical instrument... but it certainly is a nice shiny piece of furniture.

Show #17: Martinsville, IN

2006-02-15T18:59:00.000-06:00

Martinsville High School Auditorium
February 14, 2006

Piano du jour: 6’ Young Chang

On our way out of the hotel this morning, Patty’s dad reminded us of the time change. Oops – we hadn’t taken that into consideration when we planned our departure time. So we hightailed it onto the road. We seem to have entered NRA Land. Along the highway we saw several signs ala Burma Shave: “Gun Control” “Every Time” “Only Causes” “Violent Crime”, and ending with an anti-gun control web site. A friend of mine from Indiana also informed me that Martinsville is the headquarters of the KKK. “Keep Martinsville Clean and White” is their motto. I’m ready to leave now, thank you.

Tim and Josh got to the venue to find out that there was no load-in crew to help, so they had to do it all themselves. When we arrived later, we found a nauseating smell permeating much of the backstage area. Something was sure rotten in the state of Indiana.

The end of the evening took a surreal turn. The local concert organizer, to make up for not having provided a load-in crew, called the sheriff to enlist some help. He brought over five men currently doing time in the county jail! They were all clad in matching red scrubs. Travis, not knowing who they were, said, “Nice outfits, fellas.” One of them replied, “Yeah, we all shop at the same place.”

An old theatre trick is to spray the armpits of costumes with vodka - this helps keep the smell down. Here is Stacey, our wardrobe mistress/laundry wench demonstrating her technique.

But lately, we've been running low on vodka. We can't figure out why.

At our hotel, the pool was closed, the wireless internet access didn’t work, and the towels were like sandpaper. We’re certainly not at the Crown Plaza anymore.

Miles traveled: 225
Hotel: Comfort Inn

Show #16: Lincoln, IL

2006-02-15T18:48:00.000-06:00

Lincoln Christian College Chapel
February 13, 2006

Piano du jour: 9’ Baldwin, very stiff action

Oh, how lovely it was to wake up in that bed this morning! I didn’t want to leave.

We had lunch in Peoria at a place called Cheddar’s Casual Café. Apparently however, they are a bit too casual back in the salad prep area, because Josh found a lady bug in his salad! I had ordered a salad as well, but promptly cancelled that and ordered a turkey croissant sandwich instead. I guess I’ll be avoiding Cheddar’s in the future.

We arrived in Lincoln and checked into our Comfort Inn. It’s hard not to feel a bit of a let down after yesterday’s accommodations. But they do have laundry facilities. And since I started recycling socks this morning, it was good timing.

Trivia: Lincoln, Illinois is the only town named after an American president before he became president.

Our venue this evening was an 1,100-seat chapel. We didn’t quite know what to expect…would we be squeezed in between the pulpit, altar and lectern? But it turned out to have a full proscenium stage.

Josh at work

Patty’s parents were at the show again this evening. Patty’s mom gave us all Valentine’s chocolates. Thanks, Patty’s mom!

Miles traveled: 200
Hotel: Comfort Inn

Show #15: Cedar Rapids, IA

2006-02-12T17:50:00.000-06:00

Paramount Theatre
February 12, 2006

Piano du jour: 9’ Steinway (Heaven, I'm in heaven...)

We had our first matinee today, which meant that Tim, Josh, and the truck had to be out on the road by 7:30 AM. In preparation for that, last night we took what we’d need for the morning out of our suitcases and loaded them on the truck. That allowed the rest of us to sleep in a bit longer.
As we left Dixon at 9:30, we drove through an unstaffed toll plaza to enter the interstate. I handed $1.40 in change to Jody who threw it in the coin receptacle. The green light, indicating that we could proceed onto the interstate, did not illuminate. Hmm… So Jody threw in another quarter. No light… What to do… Since there was no one there to consult, and we had paid more than our fair share, we decided to drive through. As soon as the van started to move, several bright spotlights came on behind us, and I’m sure that a picture was taken of our vehicle and our license plate. So don’t be surprised if you should get a call from one of us asking for bail money. Please give generously.

The highlight of today’s drive was an exciting visit to the World’s Largest Truck Stop, just off I80 near Davenport.

Complete with sit-down restaurants, lots of fast food, a convenience store, several gift, clothing and souvenir shops, and what truck stop is complete without a medical and dental clinic. We grab our excitement where we can in Iowa.

We drove straight to the venue, and there we were on the marquee! But then we walked out onstage, and WOW!

Welcome to the Paramount Theatre. Built in 1928, it went through a gorgeous renovation two years ago.

The dome

We made the headline on front page of the local Arts Section:

This was the first time in this local concert association's 76 years that they had a sell-out... all 1,900 seats of the Paramount!

These chandeliers came over from Europe on the same ship as the Statue of Liberty!

It was so exciting to be playing in such a grand old theatre. And my 9' Steinway - wow!

Patty's parents were in the audience today. How cool that they could see this particular performance.

Since we did a matinee today, we decided to treat ourselves to a good dinner. We went to the Chop House and had a wonderful meal. I had a filet mignon in a bourbon sauce with carmelized onions. Yum!

Our hotel tonight was glorious! Wonderful bedding, four pillows, and a great view out of our 12th story windows. Bliss!

Miles traveled: 125
Hotel: Crown Plaza

Show #14: Dixon, IL

2006-02-12T17:37:00.000-06:00

Dixon High School Auditorium
February 11, 2006

Piano du jour: 6' Steinway, nicely in tune

It was an early departure today (8:00 AM) because we have 317 miles to cover and a 3:00 PM load-in. We had a gray and snowy drive through Wisconsin. But the sun came out as we entered Illinois (State #5), the land of toll roads. We passed the 2,000 mile mark on our trek today. About another 5,500 to go. It warmed up quite a bit once we got into Illinois, and there is no snow on the ground.

We arrived in Dixon, Illinois, to find that it is the boyhood home of Ronald Reagan. I think we’ll pass on visiting the historic site. Our hotel here is the best we’ve stayed in so far – thanks, Jody!
And now it’s time for thanks to Jody’s mom. Every night in the show, as Jody is introducing herself, she says that she is from Racine, Wisconsin, “where they make that gosh-darn good Danish kringle, doncha know.” Well Jody’s mom came to the tonight’s show and she brought some of the gosh-darn good kringle! Three kinds, even…Black Forest, Pecan and Cherry Cream Cheese!

Let me go on record saying that it certainly lives up to the hype! Thanks, Jody’s mom!!

Our venue this evening was a beautiful old auditorium.

In the hallway just off the stage there was a plaque on the wall which read:

ON THIS STAGE IN 1962
FRED PIERCE
FOUND
LOVE & MAGIC
May you do the same

I wonder what the story is here. In any case, good for you, Fred!

Word of the day: yaw: to deviate from a straight course

Miles traveled: 320

Hotel: Quality Inn & Suites

Show #13: Menominee, MI

2006-02-11T15:47:00.000-06:00

Blesch Auditorium
February 10, 2006

Piano du jour: 5’ Steinway, shallow action but nicely tuned

We drove to Michigan today – State #4.

To quote Mr. Sondheim in A Little Night Music:
Pack up the luggage, la la la,
Unpack the luggage, la la la,
Pack up the luggage, la la la,
Hi-ho, the glamorous life!

...sigh

Our past several hotels have had a vaguely log cabin-esque feel. But our new hotel, being right on the shores of Lake Michigan, and has a nautical theme.

The moon over Lake Michigan

It was another slow news day out here on the road. The Winter Olympics started this evening. Curse the timing of this tour! Hopefully, my TiVo is recording as much of the broadcasts as it can, so I will have 80 hours of competition waiting for me to view when I return home…yikes. But judging from how tiring this touring business is, I expect that recovering on the sofa when I get home will be just the ticket.

Miles traveled: 120
Hotel: AmericInn

Show #12: Rhinelander, WI

2006-02-11T15:30:00.000-06:00

Rhinelander High School Auditorium
February 9, 2006

● February 8

Taking Michelle’s place in the show is our very good friend, Ann Michels. Ann was involved in the first production of our show (this being the third) two years ago. But this time around she’s learning a new role, or a “track,” as it’s called in the biz. She arrived yesterday evening with Perrin. The hope had been that they would arrive in time for Ann to watch Michelle’s final performance. Unfortunately they had some navigational problems along the way, and ended up arriving ten minutes into Act Two. Ah, well…

Today was officially a day off. However, there is no rest for the wicked. What with a new cast member, we had rehearsin’ to do! But not all of the focus was on Ann. In an effort to help the length and flow of the show, we were also instigating a new show order, reinstating “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina” (Evita) and cutting “Hostess With the Mostes’” (Call Me Madam), “Alleluia” (The Sound of Music) and “I’m Still Here” (Follies). The Julie Andrews section now closes Act One, “Blow, Gabriel, Blow” opens Act Two, and “Don’t Rain on My Parade” ends the show. So we all had new things to focus on. Hopefully, these changes will help with the length and flow of the show.

So we slept in a bit, and gathered at 11AM. Our glamorous rehearsal space was a meeting room in the hotel. Ann is such a pro. She had worked her butt off at home learning the music and choreography, and impressed us all at how well-prepared she was.

The official Passing of the Fedora

We didn’t have a piano at the hotel, so I got on the phone the day before. I called the local UCC church, explained that I was music director at a UCC church in Minneapolis, was in town on a concert tour, and had a huge favor to ask. They were happy to let us use one of their pianos. So after rehearsal with the full cast, Ann and I hopped in the van and headed over to the church for a music rehearsal.

We all wanted to take full advantage of one of the few nights off that we have on this tour. Some decided to crash in the their rooms, but JenDeen, Josh, Patty, Stacey, Susan, Tim, Travis and I decided to see a movie. I wanted to be entertained for a change, and not be responsible for doing the entertaining. We went to the State Theater, an old second-run movie house downtown. We were barely in the door before Michael, the heavily Greek-accented proprietor in the ticket booth asked, “Okay, which one of you is in charge here? I want to know who to talk to in case you get out of control.” And on his banter went. Once we realized he was kidding, he was hysterical. This is a man who loves his work. He said, “Okay, now we’re going to do this like the army! Line up single file, women first!” There were four movies to choose from, and all the women opted for Memoirs of a Geisha. I was then the first man to approach the booth. When I said that I wanted a ticket to see Memoirs too, he said, “You do know that this is a chick flick, yes? Because when you realize this half an hour into the movie and you come out asking for a refund, you’re not going to get it!” I assured him that I would take my chances. The reviews of this film had been pretty so-so, but we were all pleasantly surprised. I really enjoyed it, and especially thought that visually, it was stunningly beautiful.

Rhinelander’s mascot is the Hodag, a mythical serpent creature, believed by 19th century lumberjacks to embody the restless spirits of dead lumber oxen.

Patrick, hearing that WalMart (the evil empire) was selling Hodag slippers, simply had to have a pair of his own.

Miles traveled: 0
Hotel: AmericInn

● February 9

Piano du jour: 6’ Steinway, freshly tuned, stiff action, sticky low G

That evening, the big moment finally came. Ann’s debut went so well – brava to you! And welcome to our merry band of wandering minstrels!!

Miles traveled: 0
Hotel: AmericInn

Show #11: Three Lakes, WI

2006-02-11T15:09:00.000-06:00

Three Lakes High School Auditorium
February 7, 2006

Piano du jour: 5’ Steinway, almost in tune

After a short drive, we arrived in Rhinelander and checked into our hotel. Since our next couple of venues are very close by, we’re going to be staying here for three nights! Woo-hoo!

We were to have originally played this evening in Eagle River. However, their auditorium had been torn down, so until the new one is completed, they are holding their concerts in the nearby town of Three Lakes. We had some tough competition this evening.

Immediately on the other side of the auditorium wall was the basketball gym, and there were two games going on during our concert. The occasional game buzzer could be heard over our music. Sheesh…

This was a very sad evening, for this was the final show for our dear Michelle. Her work at home only allowed her to be gone for two weeks, so we were bidding her a fond farewell.

Her final, stirring performance of “Shadowland” from The Lion King was particularly poignant…
“And where the journey may lead me
Let your prayers be my guide.
I cannot stay here, my family,
But I'll remember my pride.”

We had her farewell party back at the hotel pool. Jody bought an Oreo ice cream cake from Culver’s, while folks frolicked the pool and the hot tub.

We will miss you, Michelle!!

Miles traveled: 75
Hotel: AmericInn

Show #10: Merrill, WI

2006-02-11T14:55:00.000-06:00

Merrill High School Auditorium
February 6, 2006

Piano du jour: 6’ Mason & Hamlin (out of tune)

The original plan for last night was that we would all sleep at home, since we were less than an hour away. However, the prospect of the extra time and inconvenience involved in everyone getting picked up that evening and having to rendezvous again in the morning made us reconsider that plan. So thankfully we stayed overnight in a hotel in Hastings. The drive into northeastern Wisconsin is a beautiful one…much hillier than Minnesota and Iowa, that’s for sure. There’s quite a bit of snow on the ground here.

This was found backstage… thankfully it wasn’t needed

Miles traveled: 220
Hotel: Super 8

Show #9: Hastings, MN

2006-02-11T14:51:00.000-06:00

Hastings Middle School Auditorium
February 5, 2006

Piano du jour: 5’ Yamaha, out of tune, sticky low Gb

Yikes! Its been way too long since I’ve last posted. We’re finding that the days and the venues are all starting to blend together in our memories. So in order to capture these days before my mind gets mushy (or mushier, if truth be told), I resolved to be more prompt in my posting.

We had a long, 5½ hour drive from Sioux City to Hastings. Under normal road trip conditions, that wouldn’t be a long drive. But considering that we also have to perform that day, it’s long enough. There was a wonderful moment of musical theatre geekdom during the drive – three iPods in use (Patty, JenDeen, and Jody) – all listening to the original cast album of Wicked (based on Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire). Wonderful novel and the musical has some great tunes.

We got to our venue… and wow, was it cold backstage! Apparently they don’t bother with luxuries like heat on the weekends. The women were wearing their winter coats over their gowns back stage.

When Tim and Josh had arrived earlier for load-in, Tim asked, “And where’s the piano?” “Piano? We didn’t know you needed a piano,” was the reply. Sigh… So they wheeled one in from the choir room, knocking it pretty badly out of tune (assuming that it had been in tune to begin with.) Having to be at the mercy of every venue is becoming quite frustrating. Travis is able to tune his bass to the piano, but Patrick can’t, on the fly, change the tuning on his accordion, so if the piano is out of tune, the two of us playing together can be quite uncomfortable.

Most shows begin with a speech by the local president of the concert association. As the gentleman in Hastings was introducing us, bless his heart, he talked about Broadway “thee-ay-ter,” Ethel “Mermian,” and Carol “Canning.”

This was the night of the Super Bowl, and amazingly, most of the 700-seat theatre was full. Susan honored the evening by wearing her Pittsburgh Steeler earrings.

She was frequently on the phone with her father backstage, and then gave score updates to the audience throughout the show. Susan was thrilled with the Steeler’s win.

Miles traveled: 375
Hotel: AmericInn

Show #7: New Ulm, MN

2006-02-04T22:48:00.000-06:00

Martin Luther College Auditorium
February 3, 2006
Piano du jour: 7' Steinway

We had a day and a half off and had two nights back home in our own beds. We gathered again on Friday morning and headed down to New Ulm. JenDeen had a very productive time off... getting her hair done!

Our legendary women

New Ulm was settled by German immigrants. Overlooking the town is the huge Hermann Monument - honoring Hermann of Cherusci, who liberated Germany from the Romans in 9 C.E. The 102-foot copper-sheathed monument is second in size only to the Statute of Liberty.

Hermann

Martin Luther College is a Wisconsin Synod Lutheran school - very conservative. In fact, they do not, even in the 21st century, allow women to vote in church elections. Sheessh... Thankfully, they did not prevent our women from singing.

Winter is certainly back - it has gotten so cold!

Michelle, Patty, Susan... BRRR!

Miles traveled: 100
Hotel: Super 8

Show #6: Hibbing, MN

2006-02-01T21:12:00.000-06:00

Hibbing High School Auditorium
January 31, 2006
Piano du jour: 7' Steinway (more on this one later!)

The highlight of our drive today was seeing five bald eagles! The first was spotted high in a pine tree. A few miles later, four of them were feeding on a deer carcass on the side of the road. As we approached, they all soared into the air and flew away – thrilling!

Several weeks ago, Stacey won a six-foot subway on a radio promotion which had to be used by today! So on the way to the venue, we picked up one massive sandwich for dinner.

Let's eat!

We arrived at Hibbing High School, walked out onto the stage and our jaws dropped.

Dennis, the school's grounds keeper, stage manager and all-around historian filled me in on the history of the place. Originally, the town of Hibbing was located three miles to the north. A particularly rich vein of iron ore was discovered below the town, so the mining companies offered to move Hibbing a few miles away. To sweeten the deal, they offered to build the town a showpiece of a high school. Hibbing took them up on their offer, and in 1920, this magnificent building was built. The 1800-seat theatre was modeled after the Capitol Theatre in New York City, and was built at a cost of $4 million.

The crystal chandeliers, imported from Belgium, cost $15,000 each

The lobby

Footlights

The original film projectors

Patrick warming up onstage

Susan getting some pre-show inspiration from Audra McDonald

The theatre is reportedly haunted by the ghost of the
original stage manager. Seat J47 is the seat from where
he watches over his theatre to this very day!

The women in the wings before the show

Grounds keeper Dennis told me that the piano that I would be playing had been played by Bob Dylan when he attended high school here. He said that people come from all over the world to get their picture taken with it. It was truly the best instrument I've had so far.

This was an exciting night!!

Miles traveled: 100
Hotel: Super 8

Show #5: International Falls, MN

2006-01-31T00:20:00.000-06:00

Backus Auditorium
January 30, 2006
Piano du jour: a mildly out of tune 7’ Steinway

It was a very foggy morning, and we were concerned about driving. But by the time we left, the sun came out briefly and burned it off. Much of our drive today was along the beautiful Rainy River, which forms this part of the border between the US and Canada.

Jody behind the wheel of our poor, dirty van

Some in our troupe have dubbed this venue a gymnatorium. It’s a 1,000-seat auditorium (art deco/WPA style), while the stage doubles as a full basketball court – complete with hoops and score board. But black curtains were hung to enclose the stage area, so you’d have no way of knowing the stage’s other athletic life.

...or is it an audinasium?

We got word from the producers that the show is running too long, so sadly we’ve had to cut the Patty Lupone section of the show: Stacey’s stirring “Don’t Cry For Me, Argentina” and Jody’s emotional “Meadowlark,” which is my all-time favorite song to play. We’re all sad to see them both go.

Patty made a new friend tonight. Five-year-old Hunter came to the show with his grandmother. He loves to sing (“I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” is his favorite), and he wants to learn to play the piano. Go, Hunter!

Patty and Hunter

Word for the day: bivouac: temporary encampment, usually for the night

Miles traveled: 125
Hotel: Days Inn

Show #4: Roseau, MN

2006-01-30T23:58:00.000-06:00

Roseau Community School Auditorium
January 29, 2006
Piano du jour: out of tune upright

The day got off to a promising start when the continental breakfast offered at our hotel included, of all things, lefse! However, the thrill was short-lived. It was twice as thick as it should have been, and really tasted nothing like lefse. Nothing at all like the Lohman’s make. Sigh… Meanwhile, however, Patrick was having better luck with the make-your-own waffles. He discovered a can of non-stick spray – WAFFLE OFF – with real “Bakery Aroma”!

Yummy!

Our unseasonably warm weather ended today. Back came colder temperatures and snow. Driving in this weather created a fascinating Roman chariot-esque effect on the truck’s lug nuts.

Wild, huh?

The 500-seat auditorium we performed in was oh-so-purple. Our dressing room was the elementary music room.

Michelle and Patty doing their makeup seated at their elementary school desks

Piano woes
Each venue is responsible to provide a freshly tuned grand piano. But they didn’t get it tuned. So my choices were a horribly out of tune 5’ Steinway or a somewhat out of tune upright. So I went for the lesser of two evils.

Mic woes
Despite Josh’s heroic efforts during our sound check, Michelle’s body mic wouldn’t work. So she had to do the entire show holding a handheld mic.

It had continued to snow during the show, and since we weren’t traveling with an ice scraper, we had to get creative. Our hotel key cards worked so well!

Scraping

Word for the day: chilblain: an inflammatory swelling caused by exposure to cold

Miles traveled: 175
Hotel: AmericInn

Show #3: Detroit Lakes, MN

2006-01-29T15:45:00.000-06:00

Historic Holmes Theatre
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Piano du jour: 5’ Yamaha – the action was very stiff… oh, my forearms ached after the show!

After an adventurous 40-minute hike with Susan through knee-deep snow, we all checked out of the hotel and made a quick Target run before heading out on the road.

JenDeen modeling her new Target purchases

It was an easy drive today – only 40 miles. I drove again today and, whew…completed the job without getting us lost (thanks to my expert navigator, Jody). Today’s venue – the 800-seat Historic Holmes Theatre – is by far our favorite so far.

Our name on the marquee!

They provided a crackerjack crew, and for the first time we had actual dressing rooms! If only the venues were all as good as this. It’s a beautifully renovated old school auditorium. It and the adjacent gymnasium were the only parts of the building to survive a huge fire several years ago. What remained of the building sat vacant until a major renovation, including the addition of a huge new fitness center, was completed a few years ago.

Stacey grew up not far from Detroit Lakes in Moorhead, and she had about 40 members of her family and friends in the audience tonight. I also went to college there at what was then called Moorhead State University. During my senior year in 1983, I played Captain Hook in Peter Pan. We just figured out that Stacey’s brother and sister were in the show with me! Oh, what a small world. I met her brother after the show tonight. Apparently, he was afraid of me during Peter Pan. Of me? Oh, come on. Really? I think that I shall choose to think that he was afraid of Captain Hook, not the lovable actor underneath that huge curly black wig.

Word for the day: obiter dictum: an incidental remark

Miles traveled: 50
Hotel: Best Western

Show #2: Fergus Falls, MN

2006-01-29T15:30:00.000-06:00

Fergus Falls Middle School Auditorium
Friday, January 27, 2006
Piano du jour: another 7’ Baldwin – even better than yesterday’s

Beautiful weather today – up in the 40’s! Is this really January in Minnesota? It is my intention to get out and walk as often as I can. Susan joined me for my inaugural walk this morning before we all headed out on the road. The snow-covered farm fields that we’re driving through are starkly beautiful. The highlight of the drive was the oh-so-tempting sign offering the best in Elk Urine.

Mmm…

I drove for the first time today, and I guess that my first time behind the wheel of our van didn’t go so well… I got us briefly lost twice!

Patrick, Susan, Stacey and Michelle on our way to an early dinner before the show

The Legendary Band setting up: JenDeen, Patrick and Travis

Our venue this evening was a beautiful 1,300-seat auditorium at the Fergus Falls Middle School. The dressing room situation was a bit better than yesterday – this time we were in scene shop. Each venue is responsible to provide us with four stage hands. Yesterday they only had two, and today, two of the four were middle school students. But one of them – Cody – was great! He worked harder than some of the adults, and even ran one of the spot lights. Bravo, Cody!

Michelle & Susan at sound check

Miles traveled: 100
Hotel: Comfort Inn

Show #1: Brainerd,MN

2006-01-29T15:15:00.000-06:00

Tornstrom Auditorium
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Piano du jour: 7’ Baldwin – beautiful touch and tone

Here we are at Day One of our tour! Six weeks, thirteen states, over 7,500 miles, and thirty-three shows.

At 9:30 this morning, we gathered at the home of our director and producer, Perrin Post. We are traveling in a 15-passenger van and a truck. The set, props, costumes, sound equipment, musical instruments and our luggage travel in the truck. (We’re not traveling with a keyboard, so I am at the mercy of every venue. I’ll be keeping you posted on what I get to play.) There are eleven of us in our little company – five in the cast (Jody Briskey, Michelle Carter, Stacey Lindell, Patty Nieman and Susan Yeager), four in the band (JenDeen Forberg, Patrick Harrison, Travis Schilling and myself), a stage manager (Tim Wilkins) and a sound man (Josh Bjorkman).

This is shaping up to be our typical day: Once we have driven to our new town, we check into our hotel. Tim and Josh arrive at the venue mid-afternoon to load in the set and sound equipment. The cast and band then arrive at 5:00. We in the band set up our instruments, music stands and lights, while the women in the cast start hair and makeup, figure out where their costume changes need to be preset, and get their wireless mics on. Sound check is at 5:30. Once that is completed, we are free to warm up onstage until the house opens at 7:00. Curtain for most of our shows is at 7:30.

In Brainerd, we performed in the 900-seat auditorium of the former middle school. The building is now used for school administration. The renovated auditorium was beautiful, but there were no dressing rooms, so we tried to make do in the boys’ and girls’ locker rooms. Judging from the appearance and smell, they hadn’t been used in decades. Ah, ‘tis a glamorous life!

If you want to know where we are from day to day, you can check out our itinerary at http://www.buffalogalproductions.com/.

Miles traveled: 135
Hotel: Ramada Inn

2006-01-27T23:30:00.000-06:00

BROADWAY'S LEGENDARY LADIES

A tribute to Broadway's Grand Dames:

Angela Lansbury, Ethel Merman, Mary Martin, Barbara Cook, Elaine Stritch, Carol Channing, Barbra Streisand, Julie Andrews, Liza Minnelli, Chita Rivera, Patty LuPone, Bernadette Peters, Audra McDonald & Heather Headley

Broadway's Legendary Ladies

2006-01-21T14:56:00.000-06:00

Welcome! We're in the thick of rehearsals, and about to embark upon our thirteen-state concert tour. We'll be appearing in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota. I'm David Lohman, the music director, arranger and pianist for BLL, and I'll be posting when I can, regaling you with tales of our travels.