A night that will not soon be forgotten, that's for sure! The Whos stepped onstage for a live audience for the first time in this 2014 Tour. We "whoodled" (who-huddled) before the show, the excitement flowing rapidly like a sharp electric surge! Even though we had not placed an enormous amount of pressure on this event, it was clear that this is what we had all been waiting for... the opportunity to share! I made my traditional phone call to dad before call time, getting guidance and prayer just as I always have, and then stepped into the dressing room to prepare. The emotions didn't creep up until we got the call that we had 10 minutes to curtain. We all made our way to the stage, where you could hear and feel an audience in the house... that's when my excitement jumped up another notch. The curtain flew up and the journey began, not slowing a bit through the duration of the show. Everyone hit their marks just as prepared. What an absolute treat to be on a stage filled with story tellers dedicated to the moment. Nothing but the here and now of the story we're telling- I hope everyone has a chance to experience that magic or something comparable to it in their lifetime. I count myself lucky beyond belief to join the journey of this show. Moment by exciting moment, the show raced by. Before I knew it, I was climbing up a "who-hill" for the final curtain call position. As the curtain flew up for bows, I heard a sound that made my eyes well up. I've taken bows, I've heard applause... but not like this. Sometimes when you experience something that's at a different level, it just has a way of hitting the very core of you. The specific thunder and depth of this applause, this appreciation, this ovation... it was humbling to the fullest extent. It grabbed me, it slowed time, it shed perspective about why I do what I do. Even though we will (hopefully) be experiencing similar audience reaction, you never forget the first. The way it still lives in my ear tonight tells me that it'll be something to excite me years down the road when I reach back in my old noggin to recall it. How to celebrate such an awesome opening and milestone... why, Steak N Shake... duh. Travelling with some of the cast from theatre to Shake, I had a chance to call the fam. Sharing this with them has been something incredible, something that has bonded us all together, even with me being so far away (only geographically). They could tell in my voice I was ready to perform three more shows and probably a half-marathon tonight. Such an absolute thrill. And in the midst of that electricity, you never forget that it's made possible by where you've come from, those behind you, and those with you. My parents, Britni, Courtney, Samantha, and the love of my life Savannah have given me the support to pursue this, and I am forever grateful. The talent and love in this cast made this a family journey, without which I can't imagine performing at this level without wetting myself repeatedly. I don't care how much I say it... I want to climb a mountain, blow a magic conch shell, and shout to everyone how BLESSED I feel to be surrounded by the amazing people in my life. Also, you'll notice to the right, the celebration at the hotel included shameless selfies. This particular selfie includes the Associate Director, Antoinette, and our amazing costumer, Sarah! These two ladies have been incredible and passionate with what they do. In their respective ways, they have helped tremendously to breathe life into this show, filling it with and preserving the energy, the imagination, and the purpose it needs! Work hard, play hard, people! Pretty cool perk to the night... Mr. Shuler Hensley was in the audience tonight, and also chillin' in the hotel lobby when we got back. In case the name is unfamiliar, he is a Tony-winning Broadway actor, known for his role of Jud in the Revival of Oklahoma (He won the Tony and Drama Desk), and has also played the Monster in Young Frankenstein. He will be playing the Grinch in the other tour, which will play Madison Square Garden and Chicago. Pretty neat to be around a community of such amazingly talented and accomplished artists! Tomorrow, we re-live the journey thrice, giving it everything we've got, yet hopefully leaving juuuuuuuust enough to enjoy our opening weekend party! In order to muster up that type of unworldly energy, I'd be wise to retire for the night. On a parting side note, I just want to say that it was an added blessing to discover some fellow Christians among my who-mates. What an amazing thing to share! Adds an extra depth to share that kind of common belief with others, and it just adds to the long list of things I try to keep track of every night before I nod off to sleep. |