We made it to Binghamton in time to have a lovely evening before our busy two-show day the next day. We had a late lunch at this adorable place called the Lost Dog Cafe where I had a bangin' chicken salad then a chocolate and banana latte. They had all kinds of funky lattes. I ended up getting a late supper from there as well after holeing myself up in my room to get some rest. After lunch Andrew, Erin and I poked around the little downtown area and checked out the few shops that were open. 
There were some vintage shops and some kitschy gift stores as well. I play the Rose Seller in the act two number "Who Will Buy?" and we have this REALLY LONG freeze while a scene plays out before we resume the full company part of the number. Clayton, our director, wanted us very happy about the beautiful day and smiley so I freeze with this ridiculous optimistic smile. This is hard to hold for a five minute scene while your feet and arms start hurting. Well, Ashley noticed one night that I start to lose the smile and it goes plastic and she made Andrew come to the wings and look and I heard my name and then giggling. Once they explained to to me I became UBER aware of how I froze and now I have to freeze away from the wings because if I even see them there out of the corner of my eye I start laughing. In this one gift shop I found my answer - Smile on a Stick - no joke.
There were some vintage shops and some kitschy gift stores as well. I play the Rose Seller in the act two number "Who Will Buy?" and we have this REALLY LONG freeze while a scene plays out before we resume the full company part of the number. Clayton, our director, wanted us very happy about the beautiful day and smiley so I freeze with this ridiculous optimistic smile. This is hard to hold for a five minute scene while your feet and arms start hurting. Well, Ashley noticed one night that I start to lose the smile and it goes plastic and she made Andrew come to the wings and look and I heard my name and then giggling. Once they explained to to me I became UBER aware of how I froze and now I have to freeze away from the wings because if I even see them there out of the corner of my eye I start laughing. In this one gift shop I found my answer - Smile on a Stick - no joke.
We had our two shows and a nice catered meal in between shows as we had a quick turnaround. The shows went well. I felt bad for the crew because not only did they have to run the shows but they also had to load in and load out the same day so it was a very long day for them. After the show we went to this little gay bar right next door. We had a few drinks and did some karaoke. I myself did a horrible version of "Redneck Woman" and Chaz, Zac and Erin did TLC's "Waterfalls" with Erin rapping the Left Eye section and I have to say she did pretty damn good!
The nexy day we were travelling and we just happened to be going down 81 and were going to pass the exit to my house which has lots of places to eat for all the truckers that come through this major thoroughfare. I managed to get my company manager, Tyler, to make that our lunch stop so Mike came up to see me and brought the dogs! It was sooooo good to see them! I was grateful to Tyler especially since the next day was me and Mike's 8th wedding anniversary. I only got an hour with them but I was happy and then crashed for the rest of the trip.
We stayed over in Richmond, Virginia in a really nice Holiday Inn. Problem was we all needed to do laundry and there was only one washer and one dryer. After what seemed like an eternity the front desk located a laundromat for us and me, Andrew, Ashley and Michelle took a cab there. The thing is we were told it was about a mile away and it ended up being much farther and almost a $20 ride each way! We were really exasperated especially when the laundromat turned out to be super ghetto. No attendent, no coin machine, no detergent dispenser and it was skeezy. Andrew tracked over to a convenience store for detergent which we all shared and Ashley, bless her, picked up a six pack of Blue Moon for us to drink away our misery. I think this was the most expensive laundry I've ever done with the cab and all.
Grateful to be done and leave we headed to Columbia, South Carolina. This was a nice break. We stayed at the Clarion downtown which ended up being nice and the theatre was great. I love the modern, spacious theatres. Erin and I got our own dressing room and Andrew joined us. We did a little shopping, a little drinking, went to a gay bar (of course) where we saw a really bad drag show, had a good meal at the Carolina Ale House and had a party for Rhiannon who got engaged to her boyfriend, Brendan, while we were in Binghamton. We were grateful to stay somewhere for three whole nights! I was, however, more than a little peeved to see the Confederate flag flying at the state capitol building. After all this country has been through and how 
important it is that we be unified I find the rebel flag insulting and un-American and for the state government to be flying it, well, I was disgusted. Anyway, we had good crowds and had a lot of down time. I had one prop nightmare show where the teaspoons kept falling out of the cups (new cups due to the originals getting shattered and they were too small for the heavy silver spoons), cups falling over, a spoon and tongs in the sugar bowl, an escaped mace which I had to chase and a nervous breakdown over my act two cape which looks good but is impossible to keep on. I had a mini nervous breakdown in the wings then I was fine. And Maggie found a solution to my cape nightmare so all is well!
important it is that we be unified I find the rebel flag insulting and un-American and for the state government to be flying it, well, I was disgusted. Anyway, we had good crowds and had a lot of down time. I had one prop nightmare show where the teaspoons kept falling out of the cups (new cups due to the originals getting shattered and they were too small for the heavy silver spoons), cups falling over, a spoon and tongs in the sugar bowl, an escaped mace which I had to chase and a nervous breakdown over my act two cape which looks good but is impossible to keep on. I had a mini nervous breakdown in the wings then I was fine. And Maggie found a solution to my cape nightmare so all is well!Then it was on to Pembroke, North Carolina. Forgive me if anyone knows someone there but this was the most white trash town I believe I have ever seen with the exception of Berryville, Arkansas. I never saw so many mullets or dirty children in my life! Our hotel, the "Quality" Inn was a disaster and Rhiannon and Melissa actually saw someone smoking crack in the hall, I shit you not. To make it worse the venue was almost 20 miles away from the hotel AND we ended up having a damn golden day there. If I haven't explained a golden day before that means no show and no travel - free to do as you please. Well I felt sick on my golden day and spent most of it napping and watching the history channel in our room.
Good riddance to Pembroke...on to our final stop - Tallahassee, Florida! It was sunny and warm and we were happy for good weather before heading home. The hotel was good although I think everyone either stayed up all night or slept maybe an hour like myself. The venue was another arena which I don't care for. The acoustics are so bizarre and you feel disconnected from the audience. And this audience was DEAD! The boys were really hyper with the knowledge that they would be home the next day 
and we had to try to get them to focus and chill out. Hell we were excited too but in more of an "I'm sooo over it" way. Nevertheless we redoubled our energies at intermission and finished the show strong and got a standing ovation for it. The theatre league had a massive reception for us afterwards with wine and champagne and carving stations and fruit and you name it. They even had these ice sculptures with our posted on the inside and "Oliver" and the lamppost logo carved into the sides. NEVER give actors free wine! It was awesome. We continued the party back at the hotel where Matt almost ended up getting dumped in the pool and then some of the boys who shall remain nameless t.p.'d the bus since it was our last day with it. We're getting a new bus and new drivers after the break -THANK GOD for the new bus! Please let it have a bathroom that actually works all the time!
and we had to try to get them to focus and chill out. Hell we were excited too but in more of an "I'm sooo over it" way. Nevertheless we redoubled our energies at intermission and finished the show strong and got a standing ovation for it. The theatre league had a massive reception for us afterwards with wine and champagne and carving stations and fruit and you name it. They even had these ice sculptures with our posted on the inside and "Oliver" and the lamppost logo carved into the sides. NEVER give actors free wine! It was awesome. We continued the party back at the hotel where Matt almost ended up getting dumped in the pool and then some of the boys who shall remain nameless t.p.'d the bus since it was our last day with it. We're getting a new bus and new drivers after the break -THANK GOD for the new bus! Please let it have a bathroom that actually works all the time!So that's it! As I write this I'm in my office at home preparing to pack to go back out on the road for leg two. I'll be home in time for Christmas though!
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