11/21/09-11/23/09 - Our final stop for this leg - Loeb Playhouse, W. Lafayette, IN

From Paducah, KY, we travelled to a new time zone (EST) and the final stop in this leg of our tour - West Lafayette, IN. The cast was brimming with anticipation as this destination marked the end of the first portion of our tour and also the start of our seven week holiday break! On our way to West Lafayette, we passed Metropolis, IL, the home of Superman, and many, many, MANY fields filled with corn and wheat.



West Lafayette is located 65 miles northwest of Indianapolis and is the home of Purdue University. Founded around 1888, the city is located on the Wabash River across the river from Lafayette, IN. Both cities are named in honor of General Lafayette, the French military hero who fought with and aided the Continental Army during the American Revolution. With a population of around 29,000, West Lafayette is the most densely populated city in Indiana. The growth of Purdue University in the late 1800s fueled the growth of the city. The largest commercial area in the city, The Levee, is a thriving, 90-acre, urban district featuring shops, restaurants, hotels, a movie theatre and skating center. During our stay, we visited two businesses in this location - Noodles & Company (a chain, noodle restaurant - very good) and Insomnia Cookies (a cookie chain featuring delivery and late night hours - not so good).



The Loeb Playhouse, our final performance venue, is located on the Purdue campus and contains two tiers of 1011 seats total. We played three shows to packed audiences. Although our first show at the Loeb Playhouse was rough, both technically and performance-wise, our last two shows were great...full of crispness and energy since everyone was so excited to return home.



We loaded up our van and trailer for the last time in 2009, drove to the Indianapolis Airport for our flights to Atlanta (for Jess) and San Francisco (for the rest of the cast) and waved goodbye again to our trusty crew, Daniel and Craig. We were homeward bound!

I am amazed at how quickly the first portion of the tour flew by. Of course, we were only gone for a month, but it was a month filled with exciting memories, happenings, laughs and tears. The next leg of our journey will be three times as long, in much colder climates, but I can only imagine what amazing adventures will happen. In this season of 'thanks', I am extremely grateful to have this unique opportunity to work as a professional actor, in a job that I love, with people that I love, admire and respect.

Next stop in 2010 - the Colonial Theatre in Boston, MA. Until the next adventure...

Ciao!
XOXO-
Janine

Ode to Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches, a staple of the Strega Nona team's diet

As I mentioned in past blogs, the experience of eating on the road has been difficult...VERY difficult. Given the varying palates of the cast, it is often hard to reach a consensus on where to dine. Dining choices are limited by the region in which we are touring. And then, there are the portions - restaurant portions are 2-4 times the size of a normal, healthy portion, and we usually feel impelled to eat everything on our plates since we have no/limited access to microwaves and fridges.



Needless to say, my dining experiences on the road have ranged from divine (Himalayan food in Durango!) to detestable (Chinese buffet in Arkansas is ALWAYS a bad idea). There has been one restaurant, however, which has provided Team Strega Nona with great nutritional satisfaction - Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches.

Jimmy John's is a gourmet sandwich chain, serving delicious concoctions filled with ample amounts of meats, cheeses and vegetables. I had my first Jimmy John's experience in Fayetteville, AR, and it was wonderful! The sandwiches are filling without being overwhelming, and depending on which sandwich and toppings you order, you can have a fairly nutritional meal. Each restaurant is decorated with funny neon signs and placards, making eating at Jimmy John's also a fun-filled experience.



The best thing about Jimmy John's, however, are the pickles. Whenever you order a sandwich, you have the option of making a combo by adding chips and a drink. Since their chips are fried in peanut oil and I am allergic to peanuts, I was allowed to substitute a pickle for the chips in my combo. Jimmy John's pickles are HUGE (basically, the size of a regular cucumber), extremely crunchy and full of dill deliciousness. Check out this picture of me and my pickle:



We visited Jimmy John's a handful of times during our first leg of the tour. Hopefully, I will have the opportunity to visit them again in the second leg of our tour. YUM!

Until the next adventure...

Ciao!
XOXO-
Janine

11/19/09-11/20/09 – “Paducah, KY…halfway between Possum’s Trot and Monkey’s Brow”

From mediocre West Memphis, we trekked to Paducah, KY. Located at the confluence of the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers (i.e. where the two rivers meet), across the river from Metropolis, IL, this city hosts a population of about 27000 people and covers 19.5 square miles. Paducah began around 1815 as a mixed community of Native Americans and white settlers. It was named after Chief Paduke, who welcomed people as they travelled down the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers on flatboats, and served as a hub for the Illinois Railroad.

From our first rehearsal, the entire cast has been excited to visit Paducah. Sadly, Paducah does not have a Piggly Wiggly supermarket as we had hoped, but it is a beautiful, quaint city, nevertheless. Twenty blocks of downtown Paducah have been placed on the National Register of Historical Places. The city holds a yearly musical festival called ‘Paducahpalooza’. According to Wikipedia, Paducah is also known for its doughnuts. The founder of Krispy Kreme, Vernon Carver Rudolph was affiliated with a local Paducah doughnut shop. He turned his earnings from this shop and recipe for a secret yeast-raised doughnut recipe into the Krispy Kreme dynasty. Several Paducah businesses serve doughnuts that are similar to the Krispy Kreme doughnut.

During our first night in Paducah, I received news from my fiancé John that our home in San Jose had been burglarized. I felt quite helpless, since I could not be home to comfort him and assess the damage. There is nothing more violating than having strangers entering your property, be it a house or a vehicle, and stealing your possessions. Thankfully, it appears that our loss was minimal (only the Xbox 360, some jewelry and our cash box) and our animals were not harmed during the event. Definitely not an experience that anyone wants to have happen when they are away from home…

But back to my Paducah adventure…

Located in downtown Paducah was our beautiful performance venue – the Luther F. Carson Center for the Performing Arts. This five years young theatre features 1806 seats, three tiers of seating and is absolutely gorgeous. The audience was only seated in the orchestra section and was almost full for one of our two performances. It was a strange sensation, heading back into performance mode after a few days away from the show. Unfortunately, our Paducah performances did not go without a hitch. Due a radio frequency issue, our sound system had problems and our microphones did not function properly. My microphone seemed to have the most trouble, cutting in and out throughout the shows. As a result, I performed with a handheld mike for the majority of our second show. It was pretty difficult playing a magical, musical character and having only one hand functional, but I managed to get the hang of it. An experience that kept me on my toes and allowed me to perform in ‘Strega Nona: The Rock Show’. =)

Following our performances, we enjoyed a relaxing lunch at the local Olive Garden, where we had some of the best restaurant service ever and also met an amusing server named Mark, who fondly referred to himself as “a freak on a leash” and elicited giggles from our group. Jess and I made a short trip to the nearby Wal-Mart and then were followed in the parking lot and down the street by a strange man. As a side note, I have taken to not removing my show make-up after our shows in Texas, Arkansas and Kentucky. It seems my heavy stage make-up (rather than a natural face) fits in quite well in this region of the US.



Three of our tour members – Jimmy, Mike and Craig - have decided to absorb the Kentucky culture and have taken up pipe smoking. I enjoy the smell of their honey- and vanilla-scented tobacco and have made a promise to enjoy a “smoke” with the boys one of these days.

During my late night internet surfing, I discovered my picture on the OCPAC website, under their ‘Strega Nona Fun’ section. Check it out:

http://www.ocpac.org/home/Content/ContentDisplay.aspx?NavID=739

We only have one more stop in this leg of our tour before we head home for the holidays and we are all bubbling with anticipation, eager to return to our loved ones, beds and comforts of home.



Next stop – the Loeb Playhouse in West Lafayette, IN. Until the next adventure…

Ciao!
XOXO-
Janine

11/16/09-11/19/09 – Walking in Memphis…West Memphis, AR

After a cold, windy, wet and long (7+hours) drive from Richardson, TX, we arrived in West Memphis, AR. West Memphis is located across the Mississippi River from Memphis, TN. Situated at the intersection of two of the most travelled interstate highways, Interstates 40 and 55, the city possesses a high crime rate. Notable residents of West Memphis include B.B. King and Sid Eudy (better known as Sid Vicious).

Although the motto of West Memphis is “Beautiful from every direction”, there was nothing all too beautiful about our extended stay there. A cancellation at one of our venues brought us to this city for a few days. Even though it is located close to Memphis, TN, lack of funds and our cumbersome, impossible-to-park van/trailer combo prevented us from visiting and enjoying this neighboring city. Several of our rooms had bloody sheets on the beds (yuck!) and housekeeping did not clean our room once during our three-day stay.

Our days in West Memphis were spent either in understudy rehearsals or channel surfing. Sadly, our hotel did not have the Bravo Channel, which only intensified the ennui experienced by me and my roommate, Jimmy.

We did, however, have two great dining experiences during our stay. First, at Jim Neely’s Interstate BBQ in Memphis, TX, where the ribs and chicken were not only delicious, but also Flintstone-sized; next, at Margaritas in West Memphis, where both the food and drinks were delectable.

We eagerly departed West Memphis, AR, bound for the Bluegrass State.

Next stop – the Luther F. Carson Center for Performing Arts in Paducah, KY. Until the next adventure…

Ciao!
XOXO-
Janine

A Mighty Wind*

(*The characters contained within this story may or may not resemble members of the Strega Nona cast. Reader-discretion is advised.)



Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Jimmy. Jimmy was a wonderful little boy, who possessed a wonderful singing voice, and enjoyed laughing and eating. Jimmy consumed a diet comprised entirely of fiber – fiber bars, bran flakes, whole wheat bread, apples and broccoli…lots and LOTS of broccoli. If, like the old adage says, you are what you eat, Jimmy would be a walking bran muffin. As a result of his high-fiber diet, Jimmy would fart…and fart…AND FART! He would fart in the van and in elevators, evoking winces from his fellow passengers. He would fart in his hotel room, engulfing his roommates in clouds of smelly air. He would fart in rehearsals and onstage, much to the chagrin of his fellow castmates. His farts ranged in sound from tentative squeaks to bugle-like calls to loud foghorns calling to lost ships in the night; and ranged in frequency from single peals to multiple shots in succession. Sometimes his tuba-sounding farts were so loud that they would awaken Jimmy from his slumber.

One day, Jimmy met a little witch who advised him that his gassy habits were not always welcome, but still giggled nevertheless upon hearing his flatulent calls. “Jimmy,” the little witch said, “I have a challenge for you. If you can make it through an entire day without passing gas, I will provide you with a handsome reward. However, if you fail and emit even one single noxious toot from your bottom, you must face the consequences.”

Jimmy reflected upon the witch’s challenge and asked, “What is the reward?” The witch replied, “Why that is easy…your favorite thing in the entire world…delicious phở soup whenever and wherever you want it. If you make it through one entire day without farting, I will give you this magic soup bowl that will fill with phở at your command. Wouldn’t you like that Jimmy?”

Jimmy nodded in agreement as phở was his favorite thing in the entire world. “Your challenge is easy, little witch,” Jimmy said, “I know that I will succeed.” The witch emitted a long, high-pitched laugh and warned Jimmy, “Remember, not one single toot, Jimmy. Fail and you must face the consequences.”

“What are the consequences?” Jimmy inquired. And the little witch laughed again, “You shall see Jimmy, you shall see. Let’s just say that they will be very fitting…are you up to my challenge?” Jimmy accepted the witch’s quest and smiled in satisfaction, knowing that there was no way that he could lose. “We shall begin tomorrow, Jimmy. Remember – not a single toot!”

The following day Jimmy woke up, eager to prove to the witch that he could manage to make it through one entire day without passing any gas. He proceeded to consume his usual diet of high-fiber foods – fiber bars, bran flakes, apples and broccoli…lots and LOTS of broccoli. Jimmy managed to make it through the first half of the day without a single fart. “Silly witch,” Jimmy said, “see how easy your task is…that phở bowl will be mine by tonight.”

A few more hours passed without a single squeak or toot…and then it happened. Jimmy felt a faint gurgle in his stomach, the sound of bubbles brewing. “Not a single toot – come on, Jimmy, you can do it!” As the day passed on, Jimmy grew hungry and consumed more fiber. His tummy growled and churned, intent on pushing out the gas created as a result of digesting his high-fiber diet. His belly rumbled in protestation and the pressure began to build in his intestines. Jimmy clenched and pinched, desperately trying to prevent the gas from escaping. Finally, the pressure of the gas was too much for Jimmy to bear. He had to fart and fart soon or else he would explode!

Hoping to dampen the sound of his impending fart and to fool the little witch, Jimmy searched for a body of water into which he could jump and fart. As he ran further and further, sharp gas pangs riddled his sides. He could bear it no longer. He found a small pond, jumped in and emitted the longest fart he had ever released in his life. He glanced over his shoulders, nervous that the witch might have heard him. Luckily, the water from the pond had muffled the sound of the fart and all that could be heard was the sound of bubbles percolating.

Jimmy smiled a grin of satisfaction, convinced that he had eluded the little witch and won his prize. But before he knew it, the little witch appeared and scolded him. “Jimmy,” she said, “you have failed my challenge. I warned you – not one single toot. Did you think I wouldn’t know that you had farted in the pond?”

“Um…yes?” Jimmy replied. And at that moment, in the pond water all around him, dozens of dead fish and frogs began to rise to the surface. Jimmy had killed the pond’s inhabitants with his flatulence. “I warned you, Jimmy,” the little witch said and raised her delicate, gnarled hand. In an instant, Jimmy was changed into a beetle…but not just any beetle…a stink beetle. A fitting consequence for a very flatulent little boy.



THE END


Until the next adventure...

Ciao!
XOXO-
Janine

11/14/09-11/15/09 – Charles W. Eisemann Center, Richardson, TX

Heigh ho, heigh ho – it’s back to Texas, we go! From Fayetteville, AR, we journeyed to Richardson, TX, which is located about 15 miles outside of Dallas. We enjoyed a nice stay at the venue-provided Holiday Inn Express in Richardson. Our performance venue was the Charles W. Eisemann Center, a 1563-seat facility with two theatres and a reception hall. Upon arriving at the center, we were excited to see our show featured on the venue’s external banners.


Although our one show at the Richardson was not filled to capacity, the entire orchestra section (about 800+ seats) was sold out and we put on a solid show. We participated in an overwhelming meet and greet in the theatre’s steamy, greenhouse-like lobby – the kids and their parents swarmed the actors, pinning us against walls and tables in an effort to obtain our autographs and pictures. During our meet and greets, we always try to have minimal physical contact with the children in order to avoid illness (like colds, the flu or even pink eye, as one of our young Richardson patrons appeared to have!). When the audience members engulf the performers, however, it makes it very difficult to minimize our physical contact with the audience. Thank goodness our Tour Manager, Daniel, surprised us with a treat of rainbow popsicles following our crazy lobby experience (of course, we only enjoyed them once we washed our hands).

Upon leaving the Eisemann Center, we encountered a torrential downpour so strong that it set off car alarms in the local Target parking lot and soaked several of my castmates to the bone. The rainy weather, in combination with our spaghetti-laden show, put us in the mood for warm pasta. We retreated to the local Spaghetti Warehouse, where we soon discovered that not only was it raining outside, it was also raining inside. Our new, inexperienced server managed to spill an entire tray of drinks on Jen, dousing her clothes and her iPhone. And to top it all off, there was a leak in the ceiling, which dripped steadily on Jess’ back, arm and lap.

We returned to our cozy hotel rooms to rest up for our long drive the next day to Arkansas. I found that our producers, Maximum Entertainment, have loaded a press release for our show to the internet and have uploaded a promotional video to YouTube. Check it out:

Next stop – West Memphis, AR for a three-stay and understudy rehearsals. Until the next adventure…

Ciao!
XOXO-
Janine

Meet Carl – Our New Tour Member!

Somewhere in our journey from Fayetteville, AR, to Richardson, TX, we acquired a new tour member – Carl the Caterpillar. I first noticed Carl’s multi-colored, segmented presence when I looked in the back seat of our van and saw Carl riding on the window, next to Kevin.

What can I say about Carl, with his impressive green, orange, red, yellow and purple body? Carl prefers to face the back of the van so that he can practice his moonwalking skills and guard our luggage (don’t mess with Carl’s wicked caterpillar-fu). Carl’s official tour duties are threefold: to serve both as tour security, group counselor and tour interpreter (he is extremely proficient in regional dialects). Although he can be reserved and stoic at times, Carl is a great source of back seat companionship and words of wisdom. His presence is comforting and reassuring, helping to round out our odd number in the van. Welcome, Carl - here’s to many more Strega Nona adventures!



Until the next adventure…

Ciao!
XOXO-
Janine