How Do You Solve A Problem like Blogging?

Hi Folks. I know. It's been a while. My opening night has come and gone. We've played over 5 cities already since I last posted. However, I am always very tired and busy. But now that I have the time, on my last night off here in Medford, Oregon. I thought I might catch you all up, and give you summary of what has been going on so far.

Well, we had our tech week, and previews in San Bernardino, CA. Boy, was this town a piece of crap. So many things had happened here, and there were times where I feared my life. Unfortunately, early in our stay in San Bernardino, we were reminded that nowhere in America is safe. My roomate Chris, was robbed unfortunately at gunpoint, when he wanted to make a run to the convenience store one of the nights during our Tech Week. They took his wallet, and all his money, and all of his I.D.! It was a nightmare for him trying to retrieve all of those things. And it all happened so quickly. I felt horrible for him, and scared. So much so, that I felt compelled to write about it. He's okay now, and has gotten all of his important things back now, but I can't imagine what that must have been like.

On a positive note, our tech week was not painful, and our previews went extremely well! They LOVED us. Stacie (Widow Corney) and I got huge laughs for all of our jokes, and I had gotten exit applause for my Act II scene in which I talk about the "law being an ass" with its stance on marriage, consitantly. I haven't gotten it EVERY night, but I have gotten it frequently. It is such an amazing feeling.

The San Bernardino audiences weren't that large, but when we got to Fresno, CA, the house there was amazing, as well as the audiences we were playing to! We had played to about 1,500 people one night, and about almost 2,000 our opening night in Fresno. We were at the beautiful William Saroyan Theatre.

The wing space and actual venue was spacious and fantastic! My dressing room was amazingly beautiful and roomy! I was in heaven. I still marvel at the fact that I get my own dressing room, when possible. It REALLY makes all the difference in preparation and with getting in the right mindset for the show. I feel ready and invigorated when I go on, once I have my quiet "Chaz/Bumble" time. We had our opening night and opening night party in Fresno, and it was a lot of fun. I enjoyed myself that evening, because I felt that we had accomplished a lot, and had done well.

After our fantastic Fresno CA, experience, out next stop was Stockton, CA. It was a very tight, and weird venue, but we made it through. Although, I almost had a mini-breakdown, because the wardrobe assistants who were volunteers there, took part of my Bumble costume in Act II, and put it somewhere that I couldn't find it, and I cried, and had to go on with half my costume on. THANK GOD I had the hat.....I know, I know, its not that serious....but for those of you used to seeing my tantrums, you would have been amused. After Stockton, our next stop was Reno, Nevada!

On the way to Reno, we had come across the most beautiful parts of the country....the mountains of Nevada and California, are quite fantastic, and breathtaking! Wow. I had seen some of the most beautiful areas this country has to offer. When you live in New York City most of your life, the slightest hint of the beauty of mother nature is moving, meaningful, and beautiful.

Reno is a very interesting town. It is like a mini-Vegas. There are casinos everywhere, it's bright, and very fun. Even our hotel had a casino in the lobby. It was pretty funny. Our venue that we played at was great as well. I enjoyed it immensely. We pretty much played the whole weekend there, and it was fantastic. The audiences were very appreciative, and receptive, and I continued to get my laughs and applause. So, I was happy! Anyway, I had a blast! Between our Saturday shows, my friends Rhiannon (Nancy), Melissa (Bet), and I went to this amazing Japanese Grill restaurant located in Harrah*s Hotel and Casino, where they performed and cooked our meals right in front of us. It was great, and the food was delicious. Whenever I go to Reno again, I will definitely go there again! Good times....

Now, I am currently blogging from Medford, Oregon, which is the stop that I am in right now. Reno was fun, but I was glad to be in a quiet and more serene town. And boy, is this town very nice. Everyone is friendly here, and genuinely nice. It reminds me of home, down South. Honestly, though even the theatre where we played was very hospitable...they made sure that we had snacks, and hot tea, and sodas, and fruit readily available and spread out for us upon our arrival. It was very nice. You REALLY appreciate the smaller things like that when you are travelling and tired. The Medford audience was one of our best so far too...they were really with us, and I had a great time.

It was funny....yesterday I went grocery shopping with my adopted family, who you will see very soon, which includes (Mikey and Susan Morley, John and Quentin Araujo, and Missy and Colin Nims - basically, Oliver, Dodger, and Charley Bates, and their respective parents!) and I was approached by a young lady who was working there who had seen the show the previous night, and she recognized me immediately, and was very complimentary about my performance and the show. I felt like a star....LOL. I was very flattered. I then quickly introduced her to the rest of the gang....and she was very glad to meet everyone! By the way, I really enjoy the company of my "adopted family" because they are all very sweet and supportive, and most of all, they are genuine and good people. And always positive. I am very lucky to have them along with me!

Well, I am off to San Luis Obispo, CA tomorrow. It is going to be a long ride. And then after that, I think we are off to Colorado. So I must get my rest. But, before I go....here are some pictures of me in my costumes, and some pictures of me with my favorite talented little guys! I love them! I will try to be good about blogging! And I miss you all! Love you!

Yours, Yours, Yours,

Chaz

Hooray for Hollywood! (Well, not quite...)

Well, I've finally arrived in sunny California. It was actually quite a pleasant trip, despite having to get up at 3:00 a.m yesterday morning, and getting pissed off at my cab service because they were retards and arrived 45 minutes later than they were supposed to. Kids, this is why you must always plan ahead a couple of hours!

Anyway, once I got to the airport everything was okay, until I found out that I was selected for a random "terrorism prevention" search. So I go through security, and they must have searched me and padded me over for what seemed like 15 minutes. The retard doing it obviously was getting a kick out of doing this. Then they went through my bags took everything out, and threw it around, threw away some of my toilietries, and then told me I was free to go. GREAT way to start my trip. Oh, yeah, they forgot to give me back my boarding pass....I had to ask for that back too, after the fact.

The actual plane ride was AMAZING! We flew on Virgin America, and the seating was so roomy and comfortable, and it was a smooth plane ride. I really enjoyed it. It made up for everything else. We were picked up at the airport by our tour bus, which is pretty cool. Our drivers are a husband and wife team - Kim and John, and they are so sweet! And they are from the South too, so that's a plus! After we had arrived after a 6 hour trip, and an hour and a half drive, we had to go to a tech rehearsal immediately after. I wasn't too bad of a rehearsal, however, it was VERY taxing after all was said and done. We primarily worked on scene changes, and important transitions during the show. Most characters didn't have to sing or anything, but I guess Nancy and Bumble weren't so lucky. I had to sing "Boy For Sale" while they did a transitional scene change, and Nancy had to sing "As Long As He Needs Me" a few times for the same reason. But we got through it, and we both sounded great to boot!

The theatre we are going to be playing in is great and has this nostalgic and historic feel and atmosphere....reminds me of the Weissman theatre from "Follies". But I got to go explore, and it was great! I will ALWAYS have my own dressing room, being that I am a principal / lead, and that is just amazing, because one thing I cannot stand is excess chatter and noise, and people aggravating me before a show. I need quiet, and unfortunately, with the past few shows I have done, I didn't get that, but now, I will! Thank you, GOD!

The set is very nice and functional and authentic looking. There is a huge bridge that serves as the London Bridge and other areas of London, and it is really VERY, VERY, high. I make my first entrance crossing over it, and it is pretty scary for me....but whatever! The things we do as actors! I know, I know....shut up...at least I am working, right! And I agree with you!!!

Lastly, I met with my costume designer, Maggie Barnett...and we tried on all of my costumes. Guys, I have a total of 6 costumes, and accessories. I think I am going to have a nervous breakdown. However, they all look fantastic, and I will be sure to post them as soon as I take pictures of them. I look great in them. LOVE my Bumble costume, and my "Who Will Buy" costume. I look smashing. And since I am also doubling up as ensemble in "Consider Yourself" and "Oom Pah Pah" I have a wonderful cockney costume too....brings back memories of my "My Fair Lady" days!

Anyway, I think I should end this post now, as not to bore you TOO much with details, but I will send an update soon! And update this particular post with pictures as well. Till then, to quote the character of Nancy, "Ta-ta you lot! "

P.S. Oh, by the way, I just have to quickly mention an amazing experience I had before I left last week. My Widow Corney (Stacie Johnsen) and I went to go see Gypsy last Thursday night. I needed to get a fix of Patti before I left....and we got student rush tickets for the front row with my old Penn State Student I.D. Thank god, I can apparently still pass for a college student. Anyway, our Assistant Choreographer, Steve, plays "L.A." one of the featured, and hilarious "farmboys" in the show. When we mentioned to him that we were seeing the show, he was so curious about our exact seating. Well, when we watched the show, it was quite clear why! Ms. Lupone, and Ms. Benanti had a wonderful time singing to Mr. and Mrs. Bumble in the audience that night. Ms. LuPone sang part of "Some People" to Stacie and I and she sang my favorite parts of the song to us at the end as well...."Good-BYEEEEEEEE to blueberry PIEEEEEEE" and "Well, they can stay and ROT....but not ROOOOOOOOOOOOSE!" Um, needless to say, I was in HEAVEN, and almost cried and broke into giddy girl like hysterics. Furthermore, Laura Benanti sang "Little Lamb" right in front of us, and we got to see her masterful portrayal right up front. And lastly, but not least....the cherry on the sundae....Laura Benanti looked right at me, and winked at me, during the Strip.......I almost melted into a puddle! It was amazing. Definitely an experience I will always treasure. Steve, if you had anything to do with this, thank you! You are amazing!

Anyway, now I am going to go for real now! Later!