The Oregon Trail

We left Reno Monday morning and headed up to Southern Oregon via Northern California. The drive was fairly long but mountainous and really beautiful. We stopped for lunch at the base of Mt. Shasta (that’s the mountain in the picture). Contrary to my own assumptions, it does not erupt with delicious orange Shasta soda. Quite disappointing but still lovely. The village was very cute and I was able to find a little ice cream shack looking thing that actually served espresso so I was happy. We got to Medford and checked into the Red Lion Hotel which was actually a motel but as Chris (Sykes) said, they upgraded the “m” to an “h”. After the two previous motels, especially Stockton, we were wary and exhausted from lack of sleep due to crappy beds. So we were pleasantly surprised to find the beds were super comfy and this would be a great place to spend our days off.

We had a show that night at the Craterian Theatre a.k.a. the Ginger Rogers Theatre. It was cute but very small. Again the dressing rooms were downstairs and to cross to the other side of the stage we had to go down and through this labyrinth of stairs and halls making some of my changes a little hairy. Especially curtain call where I have only a hot second to get to the other side of the stage. The audience was quietly appreciative and kind of small. We signed a poster for the lobby and they had it up already by the time we were loading out. My dresser, Katie, was awesome!

Tuesday and Wednesday were, by and large, at our leisure. The Mean Girls and Michelle (Mrs. Bedwin) headed over to this cute little organic eatery called Grilla Bites on Main Street in downtown Medford. If you ever happen to be in this hamlet you have to eat there. Awesome smoothies, teas, soups, salads and sandwiches. I wanted comfort food so I had a fierce grilled cheddar and mozzarella with pesto on artisan bread with organic blue corn tortilla chips and a fresh brewed black iced tea. The downtown area and Cascade Mountain surroundings have a very Vermont-y feel. A lot of local craftspersons, microbreweries and a healthy valley of vineyards which I’d love to tour if I get back up that way. The people are very earthy and friendly. I came across a guy walking down the street with his pet African Grey parrot on his shoulder and we chatted and I pet the bird. This mosaic picture is the entryway to Grilla Bites. From there Michelle headed back to the hotel and TMG got a cab and went over to the Harry and David Village. We picked up some local wines and some snacks (I opted for a small bag of the peanut butter Moose Munch, a special treat I allowed myself for being so good about not eating junk food) then walked over to the Fred Meyer which is like an upscale Super Wal-Mart. We all got another pillow for the bus, a suction cup shower organizer for our windows and some Vitamin waters that were on sale for only 86 cents a piece. I got a new blue top as well. They also had a Starbucks inside J. We went back to the hotel and everyone headed over to the local movie theatre where we split into groups. I went to see “Burn After Reading” which was very odd and darkly funny and quintessential Coen Brothers. Brad Pitt was a refreshing addition to the movie and it was nice to see him do something funny for a change. Afterwards we went to Andrew’s room and we played Catch Phrase and drank (shocking I know).

Wednesday we had a put-in rehearsal for Ashley who is our female swing and is stepping in for Jen in Fagin’s Gang while she goes home for her brother’s bar mitzvah (sp?). It went quickly though and she was completely ready and knew everything perfectly. Afterwards the crew had put together a big pool party/BBQ and grilled up everything imaginable. I was tired and needed some space due to some drama. Besides I’m an only child and accustom to getting some alone time. Touring really is hard because you truly are with EVERYONE almost all the time and that’s a full company of about 40. It can sometimes feel like high school and I don’t care for the drama. I stayed in my room and blogged, did laundry, packed for the long trip to San Luis Obispo that lay ahead for Thursday morning, watched an episode of “Burn Notice” on my computer and just decompressed. Around 7:30 I grabbed a bottle of wine and a cup and headed down to say hi. I feel like Norm on Cheers because whenever I show up somewhere a group is I invariably hear a chorus of “Staciiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiie!”. It’s nice to be missed sometimes.

So today’s “Meet the Cast” featuree is Melissa Ceo (Italian, pronounced Chayo). Melissa plays Charlotte, Bet and the Milk Seller as well as assorted ensemble people like we all do. I liked Melissa from the start. She’s only 20 and from Wheeling, WV. Believe it or not this is her first professional job. Nice way to start! She’s a very funny person and a talented actress and singer. I believe she has a very bright future ahead of her. Melissa’s favorite phrase is currently “smelly hooker” and she spelled her own first name wrong signing the wall in Reno prompting her to call herself a smelly hooker.