Tour #37: Barack Stars in Springfield, MA

This was the worst/best tour.  There were awesome things, like this Turtle Top Van that brought us from the Hartford airport to the Springfield Sheraton.

 And there were just ok things, like the show we had to do.  BITS!  It was fun.  Although we learned quickly that there was not much surrounding the hotel or venue.

 So what do you do?  Go to NYC for the SNL after party!!!

 Derek got to catch up with Shelly, I got to catch up with Vanessa, and we got to do some general celebrity staring. 

 Oh yeah, and meet DAVE GROHL!!  I told him I was a fan, and then Warren helped further make my dream a reality by asking for a picture.  I told him my dad made me listen to Nirvana when I was a kid, turning me away from the terrible pop music I had been listening to, forever making me a rock fan. Dave is the nicest guy in the world, and his wife is sweet and lovely. 

 We drove back right after the party.  Thanks, Derek and T for captaining the ship from NYC at 5:30am. 

 After a sleep break at the hotel we drove out to Boston to see Bryan.  I hope the above claim is true!

 Bryan took us to an Italian place on the North End and then we grabbed some canolli and things at Mike's Pastry.  Stupid.

Director Bryan took us into Improv Asylum for a bit during student shows.  It was cool to see the theatre. 

At the beginning of the tour, we were RedCo plus Tim Sniffen.  At the end, we were RedCo plus Tim and minus the new ETC cast member, Jessica Joy!  She got asked to join after our first night in Springfield and we were all excited.  A trip to Chuck E. Cheese celebrated the news as well as helped me improve my ski ball game.  It was a roller coaster of a tour, but there was more fun than not.  Our new cast member, Cecily, will join us in a couple of weeks.

Next stop: Omaha, NE and Kansas City, MO

Tour #36: Dubuque, IA

 Dubuque, IA Grand Opera House.  Jessica dons her mimed monicle (mimeacle?) to fit in with the classy greenroom chandeliers.

 Treacherous stairs from the stage to the dressing rooms!  No injuries were reported.

 Post-show.  We were very happy to be doing a fun, comfortable best of show after a hard week of rehearsals for next week's Barack Stars jaunt.  Here's our new fam ready to hit the hotel hot tub and bar.

 Oh!  Dubuque is a little Catholic town!

On our way home from a 24 hour trip.  Ssshhh.  Warren and Kevin are sleeeepy.

*Unintentionally omitted from my last post: another big occurence on the Florida trip was running into Raymond Cardet, a guy I went to high school with, whom I have not seen in nearly 12 years.  He was at the show with his improv group.  Crazy! 

We're taking a break from our regular show and welcoming Mr. Tim Sniffen into Red to perform the theatrical Barack Stars in Springfield, MA.  Six days, should be a good trip.  I'll keep you posted...

Next stop: Springfield, MA

Tour #35: Naples and Ft. Laudredale, FL

Florida!  Another vacation tour.  Awesome.

 Rolling into Naples.  Palm trees and sun!  We had four shows in tow nights in Naples.  Hit the mall with our free day.  Please see my Facebook page for the best purchase ever: my "I Love the Situation" hat.  Thanks, Derek. 

 Those Who Must be Kept!  This statue outside the Naples theatre couldn't look more like Akasha and Enkil.  Please see The Vampire Lestat for that reference. 

 Mahm hit the shorts right away to celebrate the 80 degree weather.  She hit her Blackberry to celebrate her new Facebook page.  Sucked in.

 DAD!!!  Dad was there for 3/4 of our Naples shows.  He also brought coworkers along and he hit the bowling alley with us on our second night.  Oh yeah, and he didn't hate my tattoo.  Thanks, Dad!

On to Ft Lauderdale.  Sometimes on tour you get put up in motels.  Sometimes hotels.  Sometimes RESORTS.  Thanks, Broward Performing Arts Center.

 On the way into town we sought out this lunch spot.

 As if it weren't enough that I saw my dad for two days, I also got to see my second set of parents, Meredith's mom and dad, the Barons.  They were kind enough to make the trip from Wellington to see my show.  It was awesome to see them.  Of course this particular night we were slated for mandatory clubbing at a local bar, so I had to take off.  Thanks for coming, Barons!!

Clubbing Jess and Dawn.  Hanging out on a couch wearing hipster glasses.  FUN! 

The trip was one of the best in recent memory.  Five shows, malls, beaches, pools, free drinks, good food, dad, fake mom and dad, and a Jersey Shore marathon.  This trip makes touring the best. 

Next stop: Dubuque, IA