What a week!

I can't even tell you how exhausted I am right now. What a week! I already explained my horrific travel Monday, and in case you were still wondering, my luggage did finally arrive... at 2am. Nice. I passed out in my gross bed and slept in on Tuesday. When I did wake up, I set out immediately to look for apartments. I can't tell you how many hours I spent browsing the Internet, calling corporate housing companies, etc. And then, when I finally took a shower in the afternoon, I proceeded to have an allergic reaction to my hotel room. I've never had allergies in the past, but as soon as I stepped into the shower, I started sneezing. I made the mistake of putting my face under the water, and my eyes immediately started stinging. Soon I had mucous running down my face from the excessive sneezing, and I was blowing my nose one nostril at a time like a trucker. It was horrific. I loooove taking long showers, and I was out in ten minutes. Ask my old roommates - it's a new record! This is when I knew for sure that I needed to get out.

Unfortunately, this town is booked. Apparently with all the interns, etc., plus a society of workers who are constantly traveling, DC is a housing nightmare. Eventually I met some friends for dinner, and even afterwards was going to see apartments. I kept working, but eventually life went on. On Wednesday at 1 we had an orientation, where we learned what about the set and our blocking was changed in this location. This location being The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. WOW! It is unbelievably gorgeous and statuesque. It's huge, and luxurious, and overall truly epic. When you think about the people who have performed there - it's breathtaking! There's even a bulletproof box for the president to sit in. Awesome.

We learned where everything was, and then started a rehearsal. In every city we pick up local crew, in addition to our own, and with such a major set it can sometimes take a while to get them up to speed. We started rehearsal late, and still didn't even get through half the show. Then we were legally to our Equity limits, so we were free for dinner. Although Wednesday wasn't technically the opening(just a preview), it seemed so unreal! The stage is HUMONGOUS, with an additional seven feet at the proscenium. This may not seem like much, but doing the show can leave you seriously winded when you're not prepared. Also, a lot of the blocking was skewed, because we were supposed to stretch a little, and we'd get up there and then lose sight of where we were supposed to be. Add that to a conductor in the dark who we couldn't see, and some slight technical difficulties, and it made for an odd show. An odd show with a full audience.

On Thursday we had two shows, and we kept making adjustments. On Friday afternoon we had a rehearsal to clean everything up, and then on Friday night I believe there were press in the audience. Our official opening was Saturday night, although we had another two shows on Saturday and on Sunday. On Friday during our curtain call, I could see a little old man in the wings. As soon as the final curtain fell, he ran onstage and started hugging people. When the lights came up everyone gathered around as he said this, "Hello Everyone! You won't believe this! I was at an awards dinner tonight, receiving this medal (he gestures the the medal around his neck) and I was sitting between the Attorney General and George Lucas. The Attorney General turned to me and said, "Hal, I saw your show last night and it was great! I'm going back tomorrow because my wife really wants to see it." Then George said, "Oh yes, it's in great shape!". And I said, "Excellent - I'll have to stop by and catch the curtain call." So here I am kids - and you were great! I mean, I didn't actually see the show, but I could tell that everyone loved it!"

Who was this mini man? No other than theatre legend, Hal Prince. When I told my parents they were not very impressed, but to theatre people, this is huge. As Wikipedia.org says,
Hal Prince (born January 30, 1928) is an American theatrical producer and director associated with many of the best-known Broadway musical productions of the past half-century. He has earned more Tony Awards (21) than any other individual, including eight for directing, eight for producing, two as producer of the year's Best Musical, and three special awards. His shows are known for their political context, new approach to romance, and characters who sing and dance with thematic import.
Is that cool or what? He talked to us for about five minutes, and then was on his way, leaving us star-struck in his wake. The shock wore off by Saturday night, when we had our opening night party.

We headed to The Watergate Hotel, site of the '72 scandal. It happens to be right next to the Kennedy Center, and houses a restaurant called 600, where we had our opening night party. The girl's dressing room took our time getting dolled up, and then joined the party where we feasted on food that might have been from Costco, but was delicious. We drank the night away, and then had to stagger home, sleep a little big, and then wake up to do two shows today. We're used to having Wednesday matinees and then only one show on Sunday (the schedule for four months in Toronto) but here in DC we don't have weekday matinees, but we have two shows on Sundays. It makes for a loooong weekend. So right now, I'm EXHAUSTED. I would like to sleep for a few days, but unfortunately I'm still living in MY HORRIBLE HOTEL ROOM. Attention: NEVER LIVE IN THE DC SUITES! THEY ARE HORRIFIC!!! I am sneezing right now. Constantly.

But the good news? I'm awake right now because I'm packing! Tomorrow, if all goes as planned, I'll be moving to a fantastic new apartment. I'll keep you posted, because this has been quite a week!