Nancy's First National Tour: April 2011

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Blog Installment April 21, 2011

Cooking is one of my pleasures in life. For those of you who know me, cooking for 10 people for dinner, 40 for a Seder, 50 for a Sit Down Bar Mitzvah or surprise 50^th Birthday Party or 70 for an Engagement Party is not unusual for me. Being on tour does not allow one to be able to cook as we don’t have kitchens in our numerous hotel stops. We are lucky to sometimes have refrigerators and microwaves! Many a night I am at the ice machine, collecting ice to save my perishables! Some of our cast members have coolers that go on and off of the bus!

I might have mentioned this in another blog, but I thought it would be fun to tell you about the two times I have prepared food for the cast/crew/musicians with help from other cast/crew/musician members.

The first time was at Thanksgiving. We of course, were in Ottawa, Canada for the week of Thanksgiving. We had 8 shows there with not a lot of down time. However, we did have mini kitchens, i.e. stoves and refrigerators and microwaves and pots and pans! The hotel was going to cater a Thanksgiving Dinner for all of us, but our company manager thought it would make the holiday more meaningful if a few of us could also cook our favorite holiday dishes/desserts. So we called the hotel and found out that even though we had the kitchens, there would only be three available and they didn’t have the right pots or mix masters that we needed. Peter, that wonderful man, was driving up from New York to stay with me for the week. Guess what? I had him fill the car with pots and pans and mix masters and the Cuisinart and every baking need you could imagine! I baked a cheesecake, stuffing and chocolate mousse, our company manager borrowed my mix master and baked two different kinds of pies, another cast member came to use my kitchen and we made some candy. Others contributed bread, veggies, a salad and an appetizer. So it felt nice to have some homey touches to the day. Some of the other cast kids had family join us as well. A nice day, we had a show that night and over the weekend we had two shows Saturday and Sunday. With a little ingenuity and a lot of fun, the holiday was extremely meaningful for all of us.

The other holiday event with food that I helped organize took place on Monday, April 18, the first Seder for Passover. Now this is a little more complicated as it grew into a huge event. Let me start by saying we were in Green River, UT on Monday night as a stopover, we did not have a show that evening. We had been in Albuquerque the weekend before. They did have a Trader Joe’s, but it was not in a Jewish neighborhood and they only had Matzoh and Horseradish. Remember, there are no kitchens at the hotel in Utah and I only have an hour between when we would arrive and when the Seder would begin! It was a conundrum. Should I just do blessings and pass out Matzoh and bless wine and sing a couple of songs? Where would we get hard boiled eggs? Matzoh Ball Soup and Gefillte Fish were definitely out of the question. There were no kosher for Passover noodles and microwaved noodles taste yucky to say the least. I got some Mushrooms/Asparagus/Chicken Stock/shallots/Mushroom Soup hoping someone would be able to put them together for us to eat. Now I have to back up.

I wanted to have a Seder, but it was looking dire. I had no Hagaddahs, no music, no food, no kitchen…..who would come? What would I do? What parts of the Seder to make it more enjoyable for people who had never attended a Seder? I had a couple of ideas but needed to do research. In Albuquerque I talked to a few of the cast and the company manager to feel out when would be the best time to do a Seder and we all decided that Monday night would work before people went off to do their individual thing…The hotel actually had a separate breakfast room with tables and chairs. So that was a go. There was a microwave in the lobby, which was a go. I went back to Trader Joe’s, bought Horseradish, apples, praline pecans, walnuts, and dates for Charoseth that we would put together Monday once we reached Logan. Sunday night after two shows, I went on the computer and started hunting for Hagaddah prayers and songs for the Seder. I was especially looking for a parody of “Clementine” that deals with the four sons, which we use in our Seder at home. I was thinking our “Russians” could be the sons and Father. Well, what do you know? There were several parody songs about Passover, all to very well known Musical Comedy Songs. This is a Musical Comedy Troupe. Hey, Hey Hey, we’ve got a show! I did the opening number with back up dancers, I had everyone take a blessing, Hebrew and English, 3 kids did the four questions, the musicians played saxophone, guitar and mandolin. Several of the cast and the violinist helped make the charoseth; our Yente, Birdie, made the Mushroom Machel for our festive meal. The hotel front desk lady let us have hard boiled eggs that were in the hotel’s refrigerator for Tuesday’s Breakfast!! Lots of the kids brought wine. What a day! Pictures and Videos were taken. It was a wonderful event, everyone loved it and we all were able to feel like we had had a celebration of a holiday that means a lot to us. It was our very own Anatevka Seder…..Tradition!!

Blog Installment April 13

Hello Dear Reader! Here are some fun facts from February 28 and April 4

Our totals to As of 2/28/11

MILES DRIVEN: 20,310

MILES FLOWN: 2,021

STATES VISITED: 33

PERFORMANCES: 126 (including 2 previews)

CITIES VISITED: 74 (including 11 stopover cities)

As you can see, the totals are really starting to add up. So, let the adventure continue...........

Before we left Tempe, April 4:

MILES DRIVEN: 24,082

MILES FLOWN: 3,249

STATES VISITED: 38

PERFORMANCES: 162

CITIES VISITED: 85 (including 13 stopovers. That means we performed in 72 as of

April 1)

Then there were 2 in Santa Barbara, 1 in Bakersfield, 4 in Modesto bringing the total up to 169 performances.

For the last three days we have been traveling on the bus: 500 miles the first day, 488 the second and 380 today…..driving through 4 more states---

Tonight will be performance #170!!

As you can see from the above facts, we are presently on day 3 of a three day bus ride to get us from Modesto, CA, where we had 4 performances in three days, to Greeley, CO, where we will perform tonight!! Monday we had an 8 hour bus trip, Tuesday a 7 hour trip and today will be a 5 hour trip. Several of the cast members took this time to stay in one place and relax, flying to Denver today and getting to the theater before the show. I, however, am sitting on the bus with twenty other cast and orchestra members. Before we break in May for our layoff we will travel to Pueblo, CO; Albuquerque, NM; Logan, UT; Reno, NV; Medford, OR; Tacoma, WA; and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada!!! Not bad for two and a half weeks, huh???

I am so sorry that I have not been diligent about keeping my blog current. Sit back, relax and I will explain what has been happening.

The last time we were together, it was January and we had just performed a wonderful show in West Point, NY. As I wrote at the time, we were heading out to many places where I had “friendly laughs” in the audience. When we arrived in Easton for our Wednesday night show, it was canceled as a blizzard was moving in. So my lovely supporters came Thursday night instead. Thank you to all my wonderful friends and in-laws who braved the snow and cold weather to share an evening with me. It was great to see you all and know that you were in the audience!! The last Saturday in January saw us in Waterbury, CT where I not only had friends in the audience, but also my niece and nephew who are currently Freshmen at the University of Hartford. I was so thrilled that they could be at the show!! February 1 we were in Roanoke,VA. Not only was a friend of mine there who had gone to High School with me, but also one of my Sunday School Teachers was there, talk about support!!! I knew they were in the audience and even though I had a fever and chills, the show went on with me in it!!! It was great to perform there and such fun to see old friends!

Our schedule in January and February was quite intense as I have mentioned several times. We didn’t have any time off, except for bus travel until February 4. By this time, however, I was starting to become ill. The flu that I had in Roanoke was just the start. The next day I went to an Urgent Care Facility and saw a doctor who was very concerned that I was extremely dehydrated. He started me on meds and lots of fluids. However, the reason for my dehydration, long hours on the bus, heating systems in a different hotel every night that were very drying, new theaters every night with different ventilation systems: all of this contributed to wearing me down more. By February 15, I was very sick and went to another doctor who told me I should not perform that night and put me on other meds. We were now in Cincinnati for a two week sit-down. I had been looking forward to this for a month as Peter was to join me here for the second week, plus we would be in one theater and one hotel for two weeks, heaven!! I did call out for one show, but then went back to work. The good news was that by Friday, I was starting to hydrate, the bad news---I developed a bad case of bronchitis. By Saturday night’s performance I could no longer sing. Of course, I found this devastating, but went back to the doctor who recommended that I take a medical disability leave for three weeks, get myself well and then get back on the tour! So I did!! Everyone in the Cast and the Administration was wonderful to me and I couldn’t wait to get healthy again and back to work!

I rejoined the tour in San Jose, California where I had lots of “Friendly Laughs” in the audience. We were also there a week, then a week in Thousand Oaks, then a week in Tempe, AZ. I must say Tempe, AZ has been the best week of the tour as far as performances have gone. The audience wanted us there! A FIDDLER Production had not been there in 15 years and everyone was absolutely thrilled that the show was performing in their city for a week. Every show was sold out. We later learned that there is a large Russian Jewish Population in the Tempe area as well as lots of Chicago Jews who travel to the Phoenix area for the winter. The administration at the Gammage Theater in Tempe is also quite terrific. They had organized several events for us including a luncheon with the Theater Donors. Five of us from the cast as well as our conductor went to this event. What a lovely day. The host and hostess were so lovely and all of the people there were so genuinely happy to meet us and tell us how much they enjoyed the show or were looking forward to being at a performance. It makes such a difference when there are now faces to an audience. There is a closer connection. Also, it doesn’t hurt when the curtain goes up, the fiddler starts fiddling from the roof, and the audience goes crazy applauding!!!! We had performed 150 shows and that night in Tempe was the first time that had happened. What a boost for all of us! Also that week my friend, Craig Bohmler, who himself is a wonderful composer of classical, orchestral and musical theatre genres was in the audience. He was blown away by our cast and our production, so much so that in his interview the next day for the local PBS station, he bragged about us on air!! I am so proud to be a part of this show! This cast and orchestra and crew are so extraordinary.

It is hard to believe that only two and a half weeks are left before our Spring Break. We will be home the entire month of May. Well we are coming into Greeley, Colorado for our night’s show. More later…..

Blog Installment April13, 2011

Hello dear readers.

We are presently on day 3 of a three day bus ride to get us from Modesto, CA, where

we had 4 performances in three days, to Greeley, CO, where we will perform tonight!!

Monday we had an 8 hour bus trip, Tuesday a 7 hour trip and today will be a 5 hour trip. Several of the cast members took this time to stay in one place and relax, flying to Denver today and

getting to the theater before the show. I, however, am sitting on the bus with twenty other cast and orchestra members. Before we break in May for our layoff we will travel to Pueblo, CO;

Albuquerque, NM; Logan, UT; Reno, NV; Medford, OR; Tacoma, WA; and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada!!! Not bad for two and a half weeks, huh???

I am so sorry that I have not been diligent about keeping my blog current. Sit back, relax and I will explain what has been happening.

I rejoined the tour in San Jose, California where I had lots of “Friendly Laughs” in the

audience. We were also there a week, then a week in Thousand Oaks, then a week in

Tempe, AZ. I must say Tempe, AZ has been the best week of the tour as far as

performances have gone. The audience wanted us there! A FIDDLER Production had

not been there in 15 years and everyone was absolutely thrilled that the show was

performing in their city for a week. Every show was sold out. We later learned that there

is a large Russian Jewish Population in the Tempe area as well as lots of Chicago Jews

who travel to the Phoenix area for the winter. The administration at the Gammage

Theater in Tempe is also quite terrific. They had organized several events for us including a luncheon with the Theater Donors. Five of us from the cast as well as our conductor went to this

event. What a lovely day. The host and hostess were so lovely and all of the people there were so genuinely happy to meet us and tell us how much they enjoyed the show or were looking

forward to being at a performance. It makes such a difference when there are now faces

to an audience. There is a closer connection. Also, it doesn’t hurt when the curtain goes

up, the fiddler starts fiddling from the roof, and the audience goes crazy applauding!!!!

We had performed 150 shows and that night in Tempe was the first time that had

happened. What a boost for all of us! Also that week my friend, Craig Bohmler, who

himself is a wonderful composer of classical, orchestral and musical theatre genres was

in the audience. He was blown away by our cast and our production, so much so that in

his interview the next day for the local PBS station, he bragged about us on air!! I am so

proud to be a part of this show! This cast and orchestra and crew are so extraordinary.

It is hard to believe that only two and a half weeks are left before our Spring Break. We will be home the entire month of May. Well we are coming into Greeley, Colorado for our night’s show.

Here are some fun facts from February and April: