Thursday, June 23, 2011

Tour #42: New Haven, CT

 RedCo gets another mini-run, this time at the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven.  By Yale again!
 Oh boy, they got to use our new pictures!
 Derek, Warren, Tilliski and I stayed on Yale campus in the Madison Towers.  We got this view across the street.  Just a reminder, everyone.
 In our time we walked the campus quite a bit. Man.  It's really pretty and pretty old.
This creepo kept showing up in the girls' dressing room.  Gross!

All in all, this was a good trip.  It's nice to be able to settle in a theatre for a little while.  Yale is lovely and it was nice to get another chance to see it (after our first RedCo jaunt to the Schubert Theatre last April).  And thanks to our VP Kelly for coming along for our opening night!  Again, summer strikes and we will be tour-less until July 14. 

Next stop: Bethlehem, PA

Tour #41: Eau Claire, WI

Eau Claire and US Bank welcomes The Second City!

 I wasn't prolific with the pictures on this trip.
But I did grab a pic of The Plaza Hotel!  Our rooms surrounded the pool/arcade area.  Our contact at the theatre took us to a lovely bar post-show and then we played a couple of video games before going to bed to gear up for the return 6 hour drive.  It was a long two days, but fun show.

No more tours till New Haven.  Summer!

Tour #40: Ruston and Baton Rouge, LA

Before our Cinco de Mayo tour, we had to say happy b to our very Derek Shipman.  Rehearsal cake!
 He hates snakes, but this guy was so friendly and delicious!
 Welcome to Ruston, LA.  This was the view from our lunch spot after arriving, on the way to the venue.  Mmm, shrimp and fish and things.
 Ruston!  The show was fun, but we were in and out quickly, bound for our next stop, Baton Rouge.
 While in LA, T tests out his new show shoes.
 The first official New RedCo family pic.  Boy are we dark.
 We found some fun bars post-show.  Twayne and Lori had a great time.
 On our second show day, Derek and I found some real fun things to do in BR.  A museum, some street slushies, and this art work.  Shame on you, Mike Gutta.
The real fun!  The Belle Casino.  I was down quite a bit until putting a few dollars into my new favorite slot machine, Rockin' Olives.  I was back even when we left.  Money games!

We had a great time playing in LA and roaming the waterfront of BR.  I would be remiss if I didn't mention that most of Red (minus Dawn and Cec) was put through a rough travel day headed back to Chicago courtesy of a crazy dude who tried to open the cabin door only about 40 minutes from landing.  Derek and I were unwilling to continue flying that day, so we rented a car from our diverted landing site of St. Louis and drove home.  It was kind of a fun road trip as a result of a super scary situation.  I have to hand it to Continental.  Their staff was amazing.  Quick, calm action and a relatively smooth emergency landing (12 minutes from cruising to landing).  I figure that statistically I can never be in a flying emergency again.  Or at least for a while.

Tour #39: Aurora and Traverse City

Another two stop tour!  Aurora, CO and Traverse City, MI.




New girl!  Welcome to Red, Cecily!
 The first show, a one-act in Aurora was over around 1pm.  Day time shows mean day time fun!  Nancy and Carl came to pick Derek and me up and we toured the area.  First to Red Rocks.



I haven't seen these guys in a while.  I hadn't seen Red Rocks in much, much longer.                         

 Derek and I tested our cardio strength by running the stairs both at RR and at....
 The Cabrini Shrine.  It was really beautiful.
 Speaking of Bonita...
 Oh man.  We HAD to go to Casa Bonita, despite the food and my aunt and uncle's aversion.  I think it was worth it.  The rest of RedCo followed later, and I'll just say that no one felt right for our following travel day.
 Next stop, Traverse City.  And the most charming airport of all time.
 Why?  I guess because T plays music? Mozart!
Our show in TC was in a museum.  The place was awesome, and we stayed in the coolest hotel I've ever seen on tour.  Which of course called for movie night following a little bit of roaming the museum.  Thanks, MI!

Tour #38: Omaha and Kansas City

THIS is the best tour of all time.


First stop: Omaha, NE.  Fun show, fun town.  I wouldn't mind hanging out there more.  We were greeted with these pictures to sign.  BlueCo 2009!  I signed above Katie, since I have bangs too.
Andel!  After we lost JJ to the etc stage, Andel came in and rescued us.  In return, the universe sent her this bangerine.  This is truly what per diem is for. 
 Next stop on the tour, Kansas City, MO.  This was a Gilda's Club fundraiser featuring Jason Sudeikis and RedCo!  We got to perform a couple of archive classics with him as well as improvise a bit.  It was a blast.  He is still awesome at the stage comedy after all these years on camera.
 Oh look at us girls!
 And speaking of how awesome it was...Tim Kazurinsky was there for some fundraiser drawings post-show.  He is the nicest guy ever.
 Jason, Red, Tim. 
What a beautiful theatre!  My favorite tour of all time for sure.  Thanks, KC.