Opening Night/Altering Night!

Today we opened Seussical! At 9:30am... which meant a 7:45am call time... blah!

I warmed up! I stretched! I put makeup on! I warmed up again! I put my costume and wig on and as I walked to places backstage it hit me. I'm in a way already living my dream! I performed for at least 200 small children who were so talk-a-tive the whole time! It was amazing to see their faces light up with excitement and enjoyment.

After the show I got to do a meet and greet with the children and Evan(Horton) and I were outside in the heat helping the children get into lines and taking pictures for over 20 minutes. I was sweating like a pig! It was so amazing to see them interact up close with everyone and I definitely had to come up with some creative answers as to why my hair was blue, and what it felt like for Dr. Dake(aka Cat in the Hat) to pluck out my tail feathers; plus I also really enjoyed listening to Evan explain all his Elephant questions too! I think my favorite was something to do with his ear's and of course he responded 'because I'm an Elephant!' I loved it!

After our morning show we un-makeuped, I went to choir and then did a bunch of errands!

Enter the evening show. I showed up, started on my makeup and before you know it its time for places. Completely ready for this show because of the experience with the younger audience this morning I think this will be mainly the same. Boy was I WRONG! It was in ways better! Adults laughing in places no one has before which in a way kind of threw a curve ball at most of us. They ate it up! Finally laughter at my tail! and I actually heard someone 'awwww' for me multiple times!

*** Enter my life changing experience! ***

I'm standing at the doors of the theatre and I have all these kids hugging me and adults complimenting me and Evan(my Hort). Then I suddenly notice this little girl. CUTE AS CAN BE!!! Long blonde hair who comes up to me and asks me to sign this book. This child's parents bought her this amazing book that was completely blank so she could add in pictures and decorated the cover with "Seussical The Musical" stickers the date in the corner 09/25/2009 and then more Dr. Seuss stickers. I was stunned. I wasn't sure how to sign it or react or anything. So I bent down on my knees and signed it with her right there with my name, my character name, a heart and some other doodles. Of course I felt like a Disney character at a meet and greet; the father was taking all kinds of pictures of the two of us then took more of me and her posing for the camera. But then she asked me to ask if Horton was busy. So at this point I turn and he's talking to a friend of his and I was like "I don't mean to interrupt but you have a visitor" I think he was even more shocked than I was. As he sees her Horton tote bag and she looks at him so innocently and says "I came to see YOU, I have your movie at home and your my favorite!" I was stunned. Not because I wanted to be her favorite but that because we touch a child's life tonight. We made something extremely magical happen for her! I had a flash back of going to see Figment and the DreamFinder at Disney as a little kid. And just recently getting to see Russell and the old grouchy man from Disney's UP! Something about what we do onstage in a show is magical. It touched her heart and I had to hold myself back from tearing up. To watch her hug him and take pictures with him was truly a special moment that I will truly remember forever! AND ITS ONLY OPENING NIGHT!

My Massive Tail!

Horton and I on first makeup night. His makeup has changed slightly. So has mine!

Lori and I last night! She made my lovely costume! My tail was made by Andrew Willis, Kaylie, Rebecca and some others I'm probably leaving out. Makeup and hair by Shannon Blalack




Oh boy, what an exhausting day! Doing laundry right now, then bed!

Knife Combat workshop tomorrow afternoon and another show tomorrow night! 10 shows left!