Rosemont, IL

As quickly as it was off to Myrtle Beach, it was back to Illinois.  We arrived and had the afternoon to get ourselves settled and ready for tech rehearsals the following day.  Teching is always a LONG process.  Lots of sitting around waiting to be called on stage.  Once you are on stage, it takes about an hour, sometimes more, to light and tech one number.  Our call time for tech was 1:00pm to 11:00pm.  Though it may be a long process, and at times a bit boring, it's always so exciting once we move from the rehearsal space to the theatre.  And even though there may not be an audience yet, those first few days on stage get us geared up to perform for thousands of people a day.  We love it :)  There's no greater feeling to me than being on stage, doing what I love, and feeling the accomplishment of my dream.  

Opening Day, November 20, 2008:  2:00pm was our opening show, and around 10:00am rumors started flying that 13 people had called in sick with a stomach flu.  When we arrived at the theatre, the stories were true and more than 13 cast members, half of wardrobe and crew were all sick.  1 hour before the opening day show, the ensemble was called to the stage and we had to re-block the entire show, because 2 of our boys were out sick.  The swing went in for one of the guys, but there was no one to fill the other spot.  For each number we went through, people changed places, ran on and off at different times, and filled in the holes where people were missing.  It was frantic and definitely kept us on our toes for the first show with an audience.  When we arrived at the theatre it looked like a scene right out of a movie.  All of stage management, wardrobe and crew were wearing doctors masks and some with rubber gloves.  Over the next 3 days, probably a total of about 40 people got hit with the stomach flu.  We didn't do a complete show with the proper number of people until 7 shows into the run.  Viruses are scary...eek.

I already called out for 2 days (6 shows) because of a bad sinus infection that started on Thanksgiving.  I am currently still recovering.  I tried to fight my way through 2 shows yesterday, but I didn't make it.  After the act one of the first show, I had to go out.  That show takes so much out of you and I was so weak.  It was frustrating.  However, today and tomorrow are days off for me to sit around and recover.  

I hope all of you are doing well and had a great Thanksgiving!  Lots of love!