Yes, Waco. As in Baylor University and the Branch Davidians. Really? Do they want theatre? No offense, as Matt David would say. The drive from Dallas to Waco was mercifully short and we got there with plenty of time to relax. The hotel, the Clarion, was decent and the bar agreed to stay open late for us. Always a hit with this group!
Originally we were only booked to play one night but for some unknown reason they decided to punish us and add a second show. This was yet another converted movie house but it's not even grand like they usually are. We had been forewarned by the entire crew who had suffered this venue before. But I was still not prepared for what I would see. This place sat MAYBE 400 people and our set was decimated. We had no drops (scenic backdrops) and HALF the set...yes I said HALF. When I hit the stage and saw the width of the bridge I literally laughed out loud and asked where we were REALLY playing. NO SHOW SHOULD EVER BE BOOKED INTO THIS PLACE! What is wrong with these people!? My friend will be playing there on the Annie tour and it will be Annie in concert because none of their set will fit. The dressing rooms are tiny and cramped and downstairs. The stage right stairs to the dressing room were made with a run width for toddlers - not fun in high heeled boots. And sadly this was the venue both my parents and Kim were set to come to.
The first show was really really rough as we tried to navigate the space and not run into each other and I'm not kidding. Mom and Dad said they couldn't tell we had problems. The saving grace here was my dresser Kristen was the bomb. Although the changing area was OUTSIDE. Jeeeeeeeeeeez. And it was cold. Awesome. The theatre gave us a small reception with dessert things but only got to stay about a half hour. At least it was long enough for Mom and Dad to meet the people I've been living and working with for three months. The second show...OY. Because they added it on short notice, and because presumably these people don't enjoy "the culture" they did some deal where if one adult purchased a ticket they could bring three kids 16 or under for free. So our audience was about 200 children and Kim. We couldn't even fill the place halfway. We had a better show although I almost wiped out. In Act II I sit on a stool and have to bend forward to get a staff off the floor then rear back and kick Mr. Bumble to the ground. Well, my dress has been tailored since I've lost four inches everywhere so now I'm quite corseted. I went to bend over but the staff was not far enough forward so as I leaned to reach I fell forward of the stool. Luckily Chaz hit the cue line just then so I managed to work the fall into the kick and not hit my face on the stage. HA! The magic of live theatre.
Originally we were only booked to play one night but for some unknown reason they decided to punish us and add a second show. This was yet another converted movie house but it's not even grand like they usually are. We had been forewarned by the entire crew who had suffered this venue before. But I was still not prepared for what I would see. This place sat MAYBE 400 people and our set was decimated. We had no drops (scenic backdrops) and HALF the set...yes I said HALF. When I hit the stage and saw the width of the bridge I literally laughed out loud and asked where we were REALLY playing. NO SHOW SHOULD EVER BE BOOKED INTO THIS PLACE! What is wrong with these people!? My friend will be playing there on the Annie tour and it will be Annie in concert because none of their set will fit. The dressing rooms are tiny and cramped and downstairs. The stage right stairs to the dressing room were made with a run width for toddlers - not fun in high heeled boots. And sadly this was the venue both my parents and Kim were set to come to.
The first show was really really rough as we tried to navigate the space and not run into each other and I'm not kidding. Mom and Dad said they couldn't tell we had problems. The saving grace here was my dresser Kristen was the bomb. Although the changing area was OUTSIDE. Jeeeeeeeeeeez. And it was cold. Awesome. The theatre gave us a small reception with dessert things but only got to stay about a half hour. At least it was long enough for Mom and Dad to meet the people I've been living and working with for three months. The second show...OY. Because they added it on short notice, and because presumably these people don't enjoy "the culture" they did some deal where if one adult purchased a ticket they could bring three kids 16 or under for free. So our audience was about 200 children and Kim. We couldn't even fill the place halfway. We had a better show although I almost wiped out. In Act II I sit on a stool and have to bend forward to get a staff off the floor then rear back and kick Mr. Bumble to the ground. Well, my dress has been tailored since I've lost four inches everywhere so now I'm quite corseted. I went to bend over but the staff was not far enough forward so as I leaned to reach I fell forward of the stool. Luckily Chaz hit the cue line just then so I managed to work the fall into the kick and not hit my face on the stage. HA! The magic of live theatre.
We were really excited to leave Waco! Next tour contract I get I'm asking if they are playing Waco before I sign anything!
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