On route to Canada, we stopped at Niagra Falls

The Show....

A few more pictures before the show. Brad is our sound guy....

I LOVE CANADA!

October 25, 2007 - Last week we spent 4 nights in Brampton, Ontario. Had a chance to leave the group for a night and travel to Toronoto (about 30 minutes away). Spent a night at a hostel and feel in love with the city. I want to move to Toronto!

This is the CN TOWER in the downtown area of Toronto.

The Charlston Gazette Review - about me and my character "Harold Ickes"

There are some charming moments in this well-thought-out show: Annie cheering up President Franklin Roosevelt in the White House and the stuffy Harold Ickes becoming the broad-gesturing enthusiastic as he takes a refrain of Annie’s “Tomorrow” .

-Bob Swartz, The Charlston Gazette - Charlson, West Virginia

SUCH A NICE AND INFORMATIVE EMAIL FROM MY DRESSER CHUCK FROM ORLANDO

Matt--

You should be sleeping and getting some rest when you get this email in York. Hope the flight was peaceful and the hotel there better than the La Quinta with lots of late night places to eat that are walkable in a safe neighborhood.

You've got a tough week ahead so take care of your health and get the rest you need or will soon discover if they already don't realize that. I always found that it takes over a month for the body, despite age, to adjust to you kind of schedule and work.You guys just began. As you continue and patterns get set it gets easier after a while,believe it or not, but you have to set those patterns as much as you can. Rest is the most important as I know you realize. Get a good seat on the bus- hopefully with an empty one next to you and up front- (more and better air). Hope it's quiet. That usually happens about an hour after you get going. Maybe you can make some cute little curtains for your window and steal hotel pillows that you'll want to nap as you whiff the deisel fumes and listen to the rhythm of the tires. Headsets only please. "Are we there yet?"

When you get key cards for hotel rooms, it's a good idea to destroy them when you leave or take them with you as a souviner because all your private information is encoded on them that anyone working the hotel can get by swiping the card. Don't leave them in the room or turn them in. It's legal too.

Your discipline is good as I noticed. Justin seems to also know the same things that make your jobs easier in the long run. You do things that will last you your whole career that will always be to your advantage-- getting to the theatre early, getting dressed early, checking your props and costumes yourself every show, minding your own business and your show, etc. You'll never regret those good habits despite what others say or do or think. Take "differences" to the dance captain or stage manager or conductor at the proper time- usually before the next show before half hour. Don't know why I'm suddenly preaching all this. I really don't know you but I can spot a young person with talent, the passion necessary to take it all seriously and desire to make performing a noble and honest career. That's so good to see and I think that person should be told so.

I'm still brain dead after our load out and the week of hearing the 35th reprise of "Tomorrow" and "Easy Street". The 2 Megans and the rest of the crew - props- really have a huge job and should have more road help but you and I have nothing to say about that. Give them your support as much as possible. It is apparent the entire company already does that. Even a hug or punch and an"atta boy" helps everyone once in a while.

I won't be in town to be called for NETworks "Wedding Singer" Oct. 23-28th. I'll be in Toronto- Stratford Festival for 2 days and seeing "Oklahoma!" and "My One & Only" in one day. I won't be available for "Fair Lady" either in Dec. because I'll be in NYC Dec.3 -Dec. 7.

Had a chance during last night during the load out to have a nice talk with Bill- the dog guy. He said Lola threw up just before she had to go on and was accused of "biting". Neither dog is in "trouble". He says he has about 10 hours more training to do with Alex. I know if you think of learning that addional responsibility you should let the stg. mgr. and Alex know soon so when the time comes you can be prepared to ask Ken Gentry or whomever for the extra money. Try to get Bill aside before he leaves for good to tell him your ideas and ask him about the money. He may not know and he may. Depending how well you know Alex, maybe he would tell you some time or at least the range. I believe because of the size of the responsibility (24 hrs.) and driving everywhere with another human passenger I hope, it should be at least double what you are now getting for yourself. No body's business except your's and the management. That kinda thing is always hairy (pardon the pun). Maybe phone and ask Ken Gentry himself or the company manager if you know him pretty well. There must be Equity people in the city that had the same job for the other companies. Try to ask around who they were. That's something that you may want to ask as a favor from a friend not working and in the city to keep it remote from your company. One of those "sensitive" things to do.

Sorry to ramble on this much and I haven't told you Chuck's theatre story #879 yet. Don't worry. I won't now. Future emails. Remember I don't work so have more time for emailing than you do only email back when you have time and you think of it.

You guys all seem to be the types to get along. Hope it continues in god knows what you get for dressing rooms around the country. I recall all the Equity tours like yours when I was stage managing where the only place was a basement somewhere with sheets hanging down the middle of the room- men here and women there. I hope you don't have any diva shit-as I call it- already developing with anyone. A little of that goes a long way. Those kinda people don't hardly make it through no more after a while. (I used to teach grammar also)

I miss it always but it has given me great stories and memories. You'll be the same after a few years when you're in a great Equity company with another hit show on tour or B'way. It's fun pre-show dressing room chat. "Then there was the time in some Florida town when the lights went out and................."

Take care of yourself and don't try to tear up Roanoke after the show on Thursday night.

Help your #10- #12- #13 dresser if necessary and he/she seems to be the type that's easy to talk to. It's also good to introduce yourself to them long before half hour and you go to the stage for the first time. Since you always have an hour call , wardrobe people should always be there about the same time or earlier. It helps "break the ice. When you go back and to the stage early to check their work don't be afraid to say things that will only help them and your show. It goes like this: "May I suggest something about these presets that will make it easier for you?" That's usually a polite way to put it rather than saying "You dumb ass. Don't you know anything? The vest always goes on before the coat and I want my green pants on the chair in the right place facing the right direction with the suspenders set correctly. I don't have time to run to the gondola to get them myself. I'm a star! Haven't you ever dressed before? Don't your notes tell you this? Haven't you seen "Annie" before? You stupid bitch! I'll get your ass fired so you won't be here tomorrow with me. I'm a star and you should know that now!" (Fast turn on right heel, grumbling and stomp away quickly with nose in the air and arms flailing till out of sight.)

Stash those black bow ties.

Have a good show (s) in York, Charleston,etc. Please email or send Itinerary if you have an extra.

Take care- Chuck

ADAPTABILITY IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS......................

The girls in school.....

We lost a tire....don't tell mom, she'll worry...

The other day riding from Kentucky to Tennessee, our bus lost a tire. No one was hurt, but we waited for a few hours on the side of the road. When we got to the theater that evening, someone had place this picure of Annie on the call board.

October 1, 2007 - What day is it and where are we?

For the past week, we have been driving all over the country performing one night shows. One nighters are hard because there is little or no down-time. You get on the bus in the morning, drive all day, get to the hotel, shower and head to the theater. Today we drove about 8 hours from Owensville, IN to Kalamazoo, MI. Here in Kalamazoo we have 3 shows in a 4 day period. Plenty of time to sleep til noon.

The group has been good. There are fights and attitudes, but I think that most people know that we are a family right now traveling and performing this show. I travel with 35 people in a bus, live with them and work with them. It can get crazy - but for the most part it is working. I still love performing the show everynight. And every single night thus far we have received a standing ovation.