Be Incomparable: On Tour . . . For Real!!!

I really regret not posting about our move to\ stay at The Strand theatre of Dorchester- because shorthly thereafter I suddenly became very busy and time was too precious to spend in front of the computer and fiddling with technology. Tech week for this show was more intense and nerve-wracking than any I've ever been a part of, and the reason? Money. This is theatre for MONEY, not theatre for a hobby. Thus everything seems amped and everyone runs around catering to the chain of command-- with the Producer at the very top.
The Strand is a beautiful old place which admittedly needs some love and care, but which has a quiet old grace about it. Though I had never stepped foot in this space before, I felt instantly at home. To the best of my ability I explored every nook and cranny I could manage to sneak off to, and found lots of fun things, Including the oldest Wurlitzer Organ in Boston (I mean this literally, it had a plaque declaring it so.).
One of my favorite things about this space, however, was the fact that the City of Boston has purchased it and will be restoring the Old Dame to its original state. Here's the cool part: They have already begun the restoration by sectioning off a section and, like the half-woman half-man at the carnival, or like a cross-section in a book, you can see the original colors next to the current bordello-style scheme.

Then, before I knew it, it was time to load out! This was quite a process, let me tell you! We had to UNcable, Unplug, Undo and generally UN stuff.

Then we had to pack all out dismantled set, our boxed-up lights, our wrapped up cables and out crated costumes. There Is a specific packing order (which is helpful- imagine the chaos that could ensue otherwise), and boy do we PACK that truck! - - The Truck, by the way folks, which is the largest size you can get without having to have a special driving class liscence to drive it. I am actually very intimidated by it and nervous to drive the monster!!

Load out was SLOW. It was slow, it was long, it was difficult and I was very, very sore by the end of it. I could barely stand up when I peeled myself out of the honda Thursday night.

Then We had two blessed, two much needed and well appreciated days off. Mum and Dad helped me pack and collect all the items I'd need for the next 3 and a half months. And most importantly (in addition to resting my back) I got to spend time with Family and Dear Friends.

And then, a the bittersweet moment arrived when I had to say goodbye to home, goodbye to my summer vacation, goodbye to friends and loved ones, and HELLO to touring the countryside until CHRISTMAS!!!

It's getting late, and i have to be up quite early tomorrow morning. Let me jsut tell you this: The first 3 days (the first three hotels) have been pretty good. It actually doesn't feel quite real as of yet. I drove the van for nearly 400 miles yesterday from New york, through Penn and Ohio and into INDIANA. This land of ours is quite breathtaking sometimes, and I am humbled and awed frequently as I look out tyhe van windows. Our first show was today. Load in and set up took nearly 3 hours. It needs to get down to under 1 hour. heeeheeeheee. wish us luck- or pray for us, because we need it. I love you all very much, and I'd like to thank Aaron for the Digital camera with which I have been able to capture this adventure!!

I leave you now with photos!

First day in the van: