1/28/2014: Aimes, IA

Another uneventful trip/show day here.  Seriously - your mind starts to blur on these one nighters and all the shows start to feel the same.

We got in a little early today from the drive though, which was very nice.  There was time to walk over to the little Mexican restaurant, La Azteca, for lunch.  And I was really glad that I did…the food was so good - real authentic Mexican - almost as good as when we were in El Paso if you can believe that..(In IA!).  Then there was time for a little nap back at the hotel.  That really made the difference in the show tonight.  Just having some real time off between getting off the bus and having to go to the theatre…its was so refreshing.  

After the show, our little TV club got together to catch up on the latest 2 episodes of American Horror Story: Coven - since the finale airs tomorrow night.  Its been so difficult to find a time to watch it lately that we'd gotten 2 weeks behind.  But I'm ready to find out who the next Supreme is now…

And the best part of the day is…10:30AM bus call!! Whoo Hoo - lately its been 6 or 7 AM calls - which were starting to kill me (lol)..sleep...

1/27/2014: Wausau, WI

Another cold one today.

On our way to Wausau, we stopped off in Madison for lunch.  Madison is a really nice WI town - when I was doing A Christmas Carol at the Armory Theatre in Janesville, WI - Madison was the closest 'big city' to us - so we hit it up a few times.  I got it in my head that I wanted to go to this pub that I'd been to before what had some amazing cheese curds and beer cheese soup.  So when they dropped us off and I looked it up on my phone and it was only .3 miles away, I was stoked.  What I didn't count on was the wind.

OMG.  It was like -15 or something without the wind - which was cold enough. As I made my trek (seriously only about 8 blocks) to the pub - I hit an area of open space around the Capital building…and the wind hit me.  By the time I got to the pub I (no joke) could not feel my legs whatsoever.  I was certain that I had frostbite or something awful.  Apparently my jazz pants are not made to keep out the cold…It literally took about an hour and a half of being on the bus AFTER our lunch break for my legs to fully regain feeling.  Awful  - just Awful…

I am so glad that we did the overnight drive last night though - as we got into the hotel around 4ish and only had about 30 mins before we were back on the bus to theatre.  The hotel we were at was fairly quaint - and the theatre was nice.  We had a bunch of the same locals from when we were in Appleton, WI last year - so that was fun.

After the show, I met up with Amanda and Galloway to film a little Soap Opera-esque scene I had written for my Vlog.  They were brilliant - it was so funny - and the Vlog piece turned out fantastic - one of my favorites!!  Fester At The Movies!  Check it out!

1/26/2014: Grand Rapids, MI

Hoo Boy - we've had some crazy travel days on the bus lately - and some crazier ones coming up…

Today we drove into a Matinee (always fun) in Grand Rapids, MI.  We arrived to a catered lunch - which was very nice actually.  I always enjoy when the theaters cater us - its usually something good.  This time, there was a really good ship scampi pasta - loved it.

The show itself went well - and we were out of there before we knew it…We had some of the same locals from when we were in Kalamazoo last October - so that was fun to see some familiar faces.

After the show - it was back on the bus and another 5 (almost 6) hour drive to get a head start on the travel to WI tomorrow.  Weather was bad so the going was pretty slow.  But we finally made it Rosemont, IL - where we crashed at an Aloft for the night.  I love those hotels.  I gotta say, you really get a better night sleep if your surroundings are comforting as well as comfortable - and Alofts just do that for me.

On a side note - I've been watching Dexter on our travels.  I've never actually seen any of the episodes before and I am loving it so far.  Almost through Season 1 and can't believe that I've never tuned in before…OK - long day tomorrow too, so I'm out...

1/24/2014-1/25/2014: Clinton Township, MI

Well - on our way to Clinton Township we had a night off (finally) in Chicago.  I wish we'd had more time actually - I love Chicago.  I got to spend 2 weeks there with my Grinch tour 2 Christmases ago.  Plus we traveled through there with both George and Thomas - and of course my parents are from there…so Ive been there quite a bit…

I had originally planned to go to my favorite restaurant, Moto, while I was in town - but sadly I found out that they were closed most of this week to get ready for a big anniversary celebration that they were having next week.  Super sadness.  BUT that did mean that I had the evening free - so a small group of us went out to Second  City to see one of their sketch shows called Clowncar Named Desire.  It was hilarious - so glad that I decided to go out and see it.  PLUS my friends Laura and Sam (from George) came to see it - and then back to our hotel bar for bit afterwards.  It was a very good night - and a much needed break.

Then we made it to Clinton Township for the weekend.  The shows went very well  - as usual.  Nothing too eventful - thank goodness.  And now we're back on our one-nighter track and off to Grand Rapids!

1/22/2013: Mason City, IA

Damn its cold here!

And for me to say that -- that's a lot of cold! (lol)

On our way to Mason City we stopped in Cedar Falls for lunch - and went to this little dinner that is known for their lose-meat sandwiches.  Its an IA/midwest fare that I've never actually had before (only heard about it on the old Roseanne sitcom).  Its kinda like a sloppy joe - but better…we also came across this great cupcake place.  They had an ENORMOUS selection of gourmet cupcakes and were selling them for $2!!  I probably would have paid $6 a cupcake in NYC…at least.  And boy were they good….Cherries Jubilee and Tarimisu…awesomeness...

We arrived in Mason City and headed to the theatre, where our stage manager, Suzanne, greeted us in a Parka.  The theatre itself was freezing - which actually made for a very delightful show for me.  I didn't' sweat and I could leave my Fester coat on the entire show.  Though I doubt my request that all of our theaters be kept at 25 degrees will be taken into consideration…

After the show, I met up with my Aunt Debbie - who I haven't seen since I was touring with Curious George about 5 years ago, my cousins Patrick and Kelli - who I haven't seen since I was about 7 years old, and Kelli's 2 daughters - who I've never met.  We headed over to Denny's (which was actually one town over) and chatted for a bit.  It was nice to talk with them - especially since I hadn't seen Patrick or Kelli (aside from Facebook) in over 20 years…  Thats one of the cool things about traveling around the country - your bound to come into contact with friends and family who you've lost touch with - because you are literally going EVERYWHERE there is to go… The girls were absolutely adorable and had made me some drawings.  A very nice evening.

On our way out of the restaurant and back to the hotel, the already freezing temperature (it was about -9 when we got there…) had dropped to -25 with a windchill of about -50….thats cold.  Kelli accidentally touched the metal of the outside door to the Denny's and it actually burnt her hand it was so freezing.  

I certainly hope it warms up a bit...

1/21/2014: Burlington, IA

So this town was one that reminds you of what a privilege it is to see live theatre in some areas.  Burlington is a very small town from what I got to see of it - which technically wasn't much.  But everyone there seemed incredibly happy to see us and have us in their town.  The venue surprised us with a catered meal when we arrived - which is always appreciated.  And the crowd seemed to really enjoy the show.

The venue itself was a little more like a high school gym than an actual theatre - and probably the smallest place that we've played.  So there were a lot of changes to be made to the show on the fly - and we lost about 5 feet of stage which meant that the dance numbers were a little more snug than usual.  If nothing else, it meant that we were more alert and on our toes - which always makes the show a little more fun.

We stayed at the Pzazz Casino Resort and Spa - which included a bowling alley attached to it.  The manager was awesome and stayed open for us so we'd have something to do to unwind after the show. There was much bowling, laughter, drinks and pizza to be had.  And its always fun to hang out with the Family in a no-show setting.

1/19/2014: Charleston, WV

I just learned that the situation in Charleston is so bad that Erin Brockovich was in town talking to the town about their legal options.

Needless to say I did not drink the water.

I did however cave and ate the pizza that the company bought for us - even though I'm sure that the crust was made with local water - so if I get cancer in the next 5 years - this is my proof that I can join Erin's class action suit…

Not much else to say about the town.  We were in and out so quickly - since everyone was anti-shower and everything here, we were anxious to hit Indianapolis the next day to at least wash the show from the day before off.

We were also only in Indy for the night on our way to Burlington, IA.  So I didn't go out to explore or anything - but we'll be back in May.  Its currently where the tour is scheduled (so far) to end.  We did have another game night in Indy though - played through Zombie Dice and Cthulhu Dice and a longish game of Killer Bunnies (Im glad that that one is catching on…)  Now off to below 0 weather and IA! (gulp)