On the Road

RAMBLINGS

2010-09-26T00:01:00.000-07:00

Melody Lingers On Easter Parade
a butterfly in "Nine"

Sally Bowles at Surflight (credit by Pook Pflaffe)

ze Germans in "Nine"

Carnegie Hall

Well, gosh, I just can't even believe it's been this long since the last time I blogged on here......so I guess I will just give a gigantic update of what I've been doing since I've last blogged.

As I said, I got my equity card doing Nine at Westchester Broadway theatre, which I absolutely adored working with such a phenomenal group of women and an INCREDIBLE Guido, Bob Cuccioli. Working with such an amazing cast was a dream come true, and there were moments when I was just in complete awe that I could be a part of such a beautiful piece of theatre. In that show, I made lifelong friendships and we still continue to get together almost six months after closing! It's really incredible how wonderful this group of people is as both artists and people. And Westchester was really a dream place to work, and I feel like I became a part of a wonderful family there.

HMM...after that was two months of auditioning. I sang with jazz singer Steve Tyrell "Fly Me to the Moon" at Carnegie Hall for the New York Pops Annual Gala and it was an incredible experience. Steve is such an amazing singer and master at lyric interpretation, and also such a wonderful and giving performer as well, so that was a blast! Then I planned a cabaret of the music of the great Jared Morgenstern and Justin Starr, who write KILLER pop/ rock music. Just incredible. We did a cabaret at Dont Tell Mama's in July. It was really cool to be the first person to get to sing some of these INCREDIBLE pieces...and to get to collaborate with great writers. A very cool experience. It was also good for me as I was going through a tragedy in my life at the time, and getting to throw myself into their music and lyrics and just push forward really helped me get through the month of July.

Then came the Surflight Theatre in the end of July. I played Sally Bowles in Cabaret and Mrs. Irving Berlin in The Melody Lingers On. It is a beautiful theatre right on the beach in Beach Haven, NJ, and to get to play two great roles here was really wonderful. The seven weeks has flown by, and I made some great friends and worked with some amazing people. I am sad to be leaving here, and I hope to come back someday!

And what's next? I am going out on the road with "White Christmas," my first Equity tour, as the role of Tessie/ understudying Betty. I am really excited to get working on this and get to work with some truly incredible people.

So that's an update.... I will be better about posting, I swear!

xoxo

THE NEXT ADVENTURE

2010-02-07T22:09:00.000-08:00

Next adventure: getting my Equity card doing Nine up at Westchester Broadway thatre, with an amazing cast and creative team! I am so excited-playing Heidi (A German,) understudying Seragina, and singing tip top soprano 1 lines...so tons of stuff to do. More to come.
Here's a link on the show.
http://www.playbill.com/news/article/136321-Crampton-Tolivar-and-Blackman-Join-Cuccioli-for-Nine-at-Westchester-Broadway-Theatre

Off to bed-rehearsal in eight and a half hours!
XO,
H

Gettysburg, Judy's House, and Award-Winnig Cleopatra!!!

2009-10-31T23:13:00.000-07:00

ornate detail of the ceilings of the Coronado Theatre, Rockford, Illinois
me and Dominique eating dinner in NYCafter Red Bank show

Giving the cast a tour of Gettysburg

my mom took us out for Mexican in Waukegan!!!!

me in the snow, in front of the Judy Garland house, Grand Rapids, Minnesota!!!!! T.P.ing the hotel room with the cast after the Yankees won the ALCS ! immediate noise complaint!!!!!!

award-winning Cleopatra!

Cleopatra and The Green Lucky Charm!!!!

so ive pretty much sucked at the whole blog thing, and I am very sorry!!!! The last month in many ways has flown by, with lots of adventures along the way. The show's been going great, as I think we have really continued to develop our roles and our relationships with one another. The crowds have been wonderful, with anywhere from 300 to 2000 but always appreciative, gracious, and every show we'vd had a standing ovation!!! I am very lucky to be a part of such a talented group of people. We have been to some SMALLLLL towns but have managed to have a good time and find things to do to have a blast. Some highlights of the last month have been:

1. Gettysburg!!! I set us all up to go on a ghost tour of the Farnsworth House and it was creepy! The next day went through the cemetary and saw Pickett's charge, very sad. Then, we had a show that night. It was thrilling to get to sing "God Bless America" in such a huge landmark in American history.

2. getting to do the show with a live orchestra in Red Bank! We normally are tracked with a pianist, so it was cool and added so much to the show! Also got to catch up with Dominique and Colleen, two of my besties who came out to see the show!!!!!!

3. eating Mexican with my mom and the cast in a restaurant in Waukegan/ performing at the gorgeous, HAUNTED Coronado theatre in Rockford, Illinois. Breath-taking theatre, great crowd, although I think a ghost moved some props around on me while onstage!!!!

4. getting to meet one of our castmate's, Josh Woodie's, family in Springfield Ohio. We had a wonderful relaxing day with his family and got to see a football game and ate amazing food and had an amazing time. yay homemade chili, cookies and pumpkin pie!!!!!!!

5. Grand Rapids, Minnesota- Being a life-long Judy Garland fan, it was AMAZING getting to tour the house where she was born and raised (before her move to California) and attached museum. I e-mailed the house and begggeeedd them to let us see it, as they were already on winter hours and only open on the weekends! But they were absolutely lovely and opened the house for us! One of the directors even came to our show the night before and she said she loved it!!! I stood on the stair landing where Francis Ethel Gumm (Judy Garland) and her two sisters used to sing songs in the family room with the piano and the cast made me (they realllllyyy had to push me,lol, NOT) to sing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" in my best Judy Garland impression!!!!!! All and all an amazing experience, one I will never forget!!!

6. watching the playoffs with the cast- amazing, fun, tense, wonderful, and just as good as being there!!! Good company, good baseball!!!!

7. Newport, Arkansas- SO not that excited about being there at first as there were no taxis to get around, but had an absolute BLAST here for Halloween!!! Dressed as Cleopatra, won seventy-five dollars in a costume contest which I split amongst the cast , ANNNDDD had an overall amazinnngg time!!!! so go Newport Arkansas!!!!

ONE MONTH LEFT AND MORE TO COME! XOXOXO H

my first real Piano tour post

2009-09-29T15:03:00.000-07:00

SO. I’ve been on the road two weeks now and things are going along quite nicely. I am so very happy with this cast, we all complement each other very well as performers and people and it is a wonderful breath of fresh air after an eventful summer. I don’t know if it’s the closeness of touring with a show, or just the fact that I have been so lucky to have casts of amazing, amazing people the two tours I’ve been on, but I’ve been pretty damn lucky.

me and my wig, Gertrude...Trudy when she looks good, Gertch when she looks like crap

Let me tell you a bit about the show. It is all Irving Berlin music, a review but with plot- so more of a review-sical, telling the stories of how many lives a piano can touch with Berlin’s music. It starts in 1910 and goes through 1950’s, and the character archetypes remain the same throughout the show. The show has six people in it, three couples. There is the young Judy/Mickey type, the Ginger/ Fred type, and the Ethel Merman/ whoever played opposite Ethel Merman authority figure male type. Kind of like the babies, the kids, and the parents. I play the ballzy broad parent. I go from singing “God Bless America” a la Kate Smith to singing “Suppertime” about my husband who is lost in the war to doing Lucille Ball-like comedy, an incredibly challenging, thrilling, wonderful arc to get to do every single night onstage. The audiences really love the show, many of them grew up with the music and so it’s kind of nostalgic. It is in a sense for me too being a history major and also as an artist who was most definitely born in the wrong time period.

Some highlights of the show so far have been: opening in Brooklyn so all of my friends could come- JCS 08er’s included, singing God Bless America in NC for Kate Smith’s niece, who was very wonderful and complementary, dragging my cast along to Chapel Hill to party with my college friends when we played Durham and making them eat pokie sticks!!!!!! And go to Top of the Hill, going out for a cast drink with our casting director who drove all the way up to see us, and singing Karaoke at a very interesting bar in West Virginia.

I am also a red head in this show. We went through several wig options, the first of which made me look like a certain recent Mama Rose in Gypsy when I had to wear a very similar dress to that of “Rose’s Turn” for “ Suppertime.” However, we ended up going with a more muted auburn color, which let me tell you, it is interesting maintaining a wig on the road. Thank God for my amazingly talented friend Ashley who is in charge of wardrobe and helping me tremendously with Gert.
We bought a pumpkin yesterday. His name is Herman, he will be traveling the country under each of our care and we will be photographing him in random locations throughout the continental United States until he starts to smell. But regardless, his first trip with us was to the movies yesterday.
So, we’ve hit up NC, PA, WV, and Brooklyn so far. We’ll be heading down South soon, then to Midwest, Cali, and ending in FL. December 1st we play my hometown!!!! YAYYY!!!
Off to Gettysburg I go-and I’m FINALLY going on a ghost tour after all these years of begging my friends!!!!
LOVE YOU ALL

ps read more about the tour at www.iloveapianothemusical.com

and here's a review from Charleston: http://sundaygazettemail.com/News/200909270886

poem

2009-09-29T14:57:00.001-07:00

I got to writing on the bus today, and I wrote a poem about being an independent woman.

How can I live the imperfect life
Of a soulmate abandoned midway-
Broken, dejected, confused, and alone
Never dreaming that you wouldn't stay?

These imperfect pieces are scattered and torn,
Scorched and burned deeply to dust;
But as time trudges onward and life lingers on-
I find that myself I must trust.

Though it's hard when I look at the imperfect parts-
And I have to go at it alone,
I look at myself and how far I have come
And realize how much I have grown.

I'm not scared anymore I won't get what I want.
I know that I'm going to try.
I'll pick up the pieces of my broken heart
And chase after my dreams and not cry.

And I'll never look back
And I'll never allow
Myself to be broken once more
It's my heart and my life and I have to believe
That alone and alive I can sore.

Love,
ME

Back on the Road

2009-09-13T20:03:00.000-07:00

well, Monaco is over, and I am finally on the road again, this time with an Irving Berlin show called I Love a Piano...I am having a blast and the company is wonderful. We opened today in Brooklyn and the show went great I think. We are headed to NC this week, so more updates once we open down there! xoxo
H
ps check out the schedule at www.iloveapianothemusical.com

french travels so far

2009-08-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

So, we have been given some full no show days as well as many days off with nothing to do before half nine...while most of my friends have been going to the beach, etc., I have taken much of this time to explore the beautiful country I am lucky enough to be working in for a month. Most of my travels have been alone, which has allowed me the independence and freedom to explore and make many friends along the way. I have been more of a free spirit than usual, in that I have been impulsive and last minute...decided the days if to go to Paris...which was incredible, and a friend I mer visiting Provence showed me around via bike and then I did a full day of more sightseeing, museums, etc..... I really loved paris, my only complaint is there are too many tourists there in august...I suppose I've become a bit more european as I like to try to use the little french I know to get around....and I think they appreciate that I am making the effort to learn it!!!!!! Some highlights were ----the mona lisa and the louvre-----luxembourg gardens----moulin rouge and montmare----bikeriding to all the areas----seeing toulouse, renoir, degas,van gough, rodin, and monet at the orsay museum----the notre dame cathedral----the famous world fair ferris wheel where u can see all of paris----the eiffel tower----the statue of liberty's mini twin----my adorableeeee tiny hotel room at hotel louvre bons enfant----visiting my friends house in bastille---and singing to the cab driver on the way home---the crypt with roman and medieval ruins underneath notre dame---ze can can! Must go my flight is leaving---more to come!!!!! Au revoir xoxox H

the show im doing in montecarlo

2009-08-07T00:53:00.000-07:00

Well, I sure was right---it's been a hell of an adventure this past month... I've fought for myself and proven myself to people who at first didn't know what I was capable of...but now they do!!! I am doing a 1950s show in monaco france with las vegas dancers and singers from the west end and ny. The sporting club hosts a summer sporting festival where they bring in such singers as duffy, liza, gloria estefan, and about 10 other big artists over about a 6 to 8 week period in the summer....on the days that the stars don't perform, we do our show, which is a 70 minute highpaced show all 50s music complete with an elvis impersonator (who rocks btw) at the end....three female singers and five male singers round out the cast and together pay tribute to buddy holly, jerry lee lewis, the chirelles etc...the firdt couple of weeks were workshop hell, figuring out what is going on and what numbers were cut...even through opening.... Now I feel the show is on its feet solid and we can relax into it...the show is great and a ball to do every night..curtain is at 1045 pm,perfect for my nocturnalness!!!! So the rough part is over and now we have the days off to explore!!!! Next post on montecarlo itself...but for now I am happy w the company and the show and am well!!! Xoxo

Fourth and Time at Home

2009-07-05T22:32:00.000-07:00

Fourth of July was a blast at home in TPA! All of the family got together to celebrate my grandfather's birthday. and the Fourth of July and we went out on the water in a tug boat..we had a blast, watched the fireworks, and (I anyway) ate far too much food! here are some fun pics of my friends and family.

me and my cousin (although she looks like my child!) Margaret

Jenny's/ my friend Lacy, me, cousin Margaret, cousin Jenny

Fireworks 1

Fireworks 2

It was a blast. Now I am just packing and getting ready for another trip on the road and spending some good time with family before I leave for Las Vegas Wednesday. Oh, and I'm getting tan for the first time in like five years. Bye Bye Casper jokes.

See you in Vegas!

Monaco, here I come!

2009-06-29T23:16:00.000-07:00

So I've taken a couple months to ease my way back in NYC and figure out what I am doing next. I am getting the site back up becauseeeeeeeeee I am going on another adventure this summer. This summer, starting in August, I will be singing in a 50's review at the Sporting Club in Monaco this summer. The country Monaco, right near France. I am thrilled and excited, and have NO idea what to expect other than hopefully an amazing time abroad singing some great tunes!

I of course will be updating my blog with pictures and cool sites of Europe. Don't know how much traveling outside of Monaco I will get to do until I know my performing schedule, but regardless, I am greatly looking forward to what I'm sure will shape out to be an adventure.

We are rehearsing in Los Vegas in two weeks starting around the 10th of July, so I shall be updating my blog around then.

Au revoir (my one French phrase I know how to write) until then!
XO
H

Ten Things I Have Learned on Tour

2009-05-02T00:41:00.000-07:00

1. Touring is definitely not for everyone, but touring is for me.
2. Accepting who I am as a performer and having the confidence to go out there and trust my work, my talent, and what I can do, and not worry about what people have done before me or what others think.
3. Learning to pick and choose my battles and to approach them tactfully, and learning that many people have not learned this.
4. Learning that other people are entitled to their mood swings, and when you live together on the the road, these mood waves are bound to clash sometimes, but it is ok. It does NOT mean you don’t care for the other person and they don’t care for you, and, at the end of the day, you don't love that person.
5. No matter how many hours I have been on that bus, no matter how little I’ve slept the night before, and no matter what is going on in my life, the minute I run onstage for that overture, I’m there. All my heart and all my soul goes into the work. That someone out there is seeing this show for the first time.
6. Living and breathing the work with your fellow castmates, which only gets better as time goes on.
7. Being a sponge and absorbing everything from everyone around you, especially from those who have been in the business a long time, and taking the lessons to heart.
8. Not everyone in life is going to like you, no matter how hard you try. Just continue being yourself, being kind to others, and reaching out to those who need it, and those who are meant to be your friends will come along. The ones that don’t accept you for who you are don’t matter, but these will ultimately be few and far between.
9. It’s ok to be crazy. And hiding your eccentricities for too long will only make you want to explode. Be who you are.
10. From Ted: You can be a famous celebrity and the most humble, caring, kind person in the entire world.
more to come

me and JD

2009-04-27T00:17:00.000-07:00

me and James Delisco as Mary Magdalene and Judas at the 4/22 show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-22T23:47:00.000-07:00

me as Mary and Matthew as Judas at the 4/20 show

Mary times two in Little Rock

2009-04-22T23:15:00.001-07:00

SO now Little Rock, Arkansas is officially one of my favorite towns ever. Why? I got to go for Mary Magdalene twice and got to go in for the Herod number (my other cover) the other night. The other understudy, Raz, who is amazing btw, went on the second night (we have both been lucky enough to go on four times!) so I covered her in Herod that night. I thought I had done my last show as Mary in Flint and even as a Herod girl, so to get to go on again was a surprising blessing. I was able to more deeply explore the character and just really get comfortable with her. Getting to work with Ted was incredible- I can't even EXPLAIN IT!!!!!!! I feel so lucky and blessed. I got to work with both the amazing J.D and the incredible Matthew Myers as the Judases both nights.

My parents flew out to see the show tonight. When I got the call at 2, they dropped what they were doing and found a flight. It was amazing and meant so much that they were there. I can't even explain it. I was honored when I went out to the lobby at the people who came up to me and said they liked me!

Then I went out and celebrated with some of my besties from tour, and now I'm back here in my room for a day off tomorrow in Little Rock. I could not be more thankful for the experience of the last two days. I am excited to get to my track but grateful for the experience.

And, hey, I even got reviewed! This is what the Arkansas Gazette said:

There were some high points in the show, including understudy Haley Swindal (subbing for Cristina Sass) as Mary Magdelene who was, well, super in “Everything’s All Right” and the ballads “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” and the very touching, very simple “Could We Start Again, Please” (an addition to the score from the 1973 film).

I am touched and honored for the last few days, and looking forward to a day off in Little Rock tomorrow. God is good!
Love,
Haley

one nighters and Gettsberg

2009-04-19T15:17:00.000-07:00

Just before Newark, James, Ray, and I went to Gettysburg. It was fascinating, haunting, sad, and enlightening. I have always wanted to visit there since I was a child, and we did the five hour tour via car before our night show in Hershey. I am so thankful I got to go. The two pictures below are from there.

Devil's Den Gettysburg

a cannon in a field

Then we had a string of one nighters after Newark, this pictures of which I am posting below.

being random somewhere a theatre we went to that was really pretty Joe's Birthday

Louis as Judas for the first time in Buffalo I think it was-he did awesome!

The last couple weeks besides Newark have been filled with one nighters around the Northeast, from Massachusettes to PA. The cities, although beautiful, start to really meld together after a while when all you see is the theatre. Above are some highlights in pictures.

Holy Week, Newark, and the Show

2009-04-13T23:14:00.001-07:00

at Hair the first night with a bunch of the cast

This weekend we spent Maundy (spelling?) through Easter in Newark, NJ for a six show sit-down. As a Christian, it was such an unbelievably powerful experience getting to do this show during Holy Week. Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter shows were so overwhelming for me. I was so grateful to get to be a part of this show and really live the story I was celebrating in church at the same time. I am always grateful to be a part of this show, but this time was particularly special for me.

On top of the shows, I did the following things:

1. Auditioned for the Broadway company of Spiderman and a summer production at Gettysberg

2. went to see "Hair" on Broadway with Ted, JD, Shannon, Daryl, Raz, Ethan, Daron, Craig and Misty, and my mom went with me...Loved the show!!!!!

3. went to Baptist Church on Sunday in Newark and had a wonderful Easter Sunday service and a fabulous brunch with our amazing company manager, who I ran into at the service! If you are ever in Newark, go to Don Pepes! Then my mom and two of my best friends, Dominique and Colleen, came to the show!!! Then I hung out with a couple guys in the cast who were hanging out with some awesome people from last year's company before heading into the city! It was a fabulous Easter day! And I ended it by eating way too much Easter candy and Peeps.

4. received a BEAUTIFUL Turkish charm from a lovely couple who I met at the stage door. It meant the world to me- Thank you!

5. had wine and dinner in the city with my lovely Joe and his friend from college

6. had dinner with one of my most favorite people in the world. His name is Stanley and he was a drummer in the days of Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra, all the greats. The most amazing stories you will ever hear.

7. I slept. Oh wait, that hasn't happened yet. I'm going to do that right now.

Off to Providence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Goodnight!

Haley

The Florida Leg of the Tour

2009-04-13T22:55:00.000-07:00

me and my beautiful mom and grandma in Tampa Friday night

some of the girlies in Daytona

By the end of the FL tour, I was tired and loopy but so grateful to have seen family!!!!!!

I had SUCH a fabulous blast in Florida when we were there just a short while ago. My family is all from Florida, so it was really neat to be traveling through my hometown, and to sleep in my own bed when I was home! It was a week of beaches, pools, and tans for most but for me, it was a week of catching up with family and old friends. I cannot tell you how grateful I was to be able to see my family and friends after six months! They all came to my show at Ruth Eckerd, which was so fabulous!!!!!!

Clearwater at Ruth Eckerd Hall was the big day for me. It was a two show Saturday, but for me, it was so much more than that. I met up first with the woman who first got me into theatre, named Roseann, who I had lost touch with for 10 YEARS! This lady cast me in my first lead role in a musical ever, and was the first to ever be like, hey you're pretty good, kid! She continued to be my first voice teacher for two years or so. Needless to say, without her, I not only would not be an actress, but I never would have gotten through middle school. It's teachers like that BELIEVE in you that get you through those tough years. Despite the social toughness (and boy was it rough) of middle school, I had theatre to get me through, and people that believed I was good at it pushing me. I gave her students a tour backstage and talked to her class at the conservatory next door to the theatre. It was really cool.

Then my family came to both the matinee and the evening shows. My mom's friends, my teachers from high school, my dads friends, my grandparents, my grandparent's friends, my uncles and aunts and cousins were all there!!!!!!!! It was such a wonderful feeling to walk out of the stage door and see a ton smiling faces waiting to hug me!!!!! After the evening show, the theatre threw us a reception, and the theatre director gave me a shout-out for being from the hometown and says he always loves to see local talent coming through. He was so wonderful, and it was really special.

The whole day was just magical. It was a dream come true, really, finally getting to show family and friends what it is I do.

DC

2009-03-30T23:22:00.000-07:00

me and the Lincoln Memorial

me and Judy's slippers

at the cast party with Joe and Ted

Ok, so it's been an awfully long time since I've written, so I'm just going to start with DC. DC was a fabulous week, even though I didn't get to see as much of it as I would have liked because I was trying to catch up on things that one has to catch up on during sitdowns on tour. Case in point, my hair was brown at the roots and blond on the bottom, so I needed to get it dyed one way or another. The first day in I traveled into Maryland and got it done at the Saks Salon, and now it is super, super blond!

The rest of the time I did the following things:

1. Saw the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Memorial, the World War II Memorial, the Great War Memorial, and the Korean War Memorial in an hour and half, would have liked to have spent more time, but glad I saw them regardless.

2. went to the American history museum and got to see Judy Garland's ruby slippers (well, one pair of them-apparently there were like 10) from The Wizard of Oz, as well as Abe Lincoln's tophat, many of the old first lady's dresses, and the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the anthem.

3. had a cast mixer with the cast of JCS, Chorus Line, and Civil War, thanks to our marvelous casting director Dave, who happened to be in town to mount his production of Civil War at the Ford's Theatre

4.Troika threw us an awesome cast party opening night. We had such a blast, and everyone from the Troika office was there as well as cast and crew for food, drinks, and fun!

5. pretty much spent the rest of the time either sleeping, eating, or at the Warner Theatre. I ate sushi like four times that week, I have not the foggiest idea why.All and all, it was a good time, and my friend Caroline came the last night which was fun!

A Carolina Girl Again (well, for three days)

2009-03-09T23:18:00.000-07:00

I just spent the last four days in Durham, NC, about 15 minutes away from where I spent the last four years of my life. It was a really weird mix of emotions being back- a simulatenous finality (I didn't go to my graduation so it was my first time there as a "graduate," and an intense pride I had in my school.

I flew in a day early to Chapel Hill because I wanted to go to my dear friend Eve Carson's one year memorial. It was a beautiful day, a day she really would have loved. Hundreds of people came to the campus meeting place, the pit, for a celebration of her amazing life. I felt in that moment how lucky I was to have known her and to call her my friend. She made the kind of difference in this world in her short 22 years that most of us cannot achieve in a whole, full life.

The rest of the company joined me in Durham the following day. I was excited to do the show for my friends, family, and teachers.
First off, they wrote an article about me coming back
http://www.dailytarheel.com/news/university/former_lorelei_part_of_jesus_rock_opera_tour-1.1598537
in which two of my drama teachers said really sweet things about me. I didn't expect many people to come see me, but SO MANY people were so supportive and came out. The first night, around 30 of my drama friends showed up at a bar in Chapel Hill to celebrate my return on tour to the Triangle! I had such a blast with these people, and it was such a blessing to get to see them again. I also spent some quality time with my brother and my Mama!

All in all, coming back to college was a wonderful experience. For my first time back as a single woman in four years (I dated a guy all through college,) it felt freeing, and I realized how independent I have become. I realized I needed the time off to really learn to try to respect myself. It was great to visit old haunts, spend time with old friends, see the fam, and re-connect to the real, non-tour world, if only for a few days.

Now we trudge forever onward unto a week of one nighters. Knoxville, TN was sold out and one of the best audiences we've had!

XO FOR NOW!
Haley
“I never worry about diets. The only carrots that interest me are the number you get in a diamond.” Mae West

my mom and I

2009-03-07T22:04:00.000-08:00

My Mom came to visit me in Durham and we have had a blast!!!!!!!!!

Playing Mary

2009-03-04T00:40:00.001-08:00

MY ROOMIE AND I (WHO WENT ON FOR ME AS MAID BY THE FIRE WHEN I WAS ON FOR MARY AND DID FABULOUS!)
On February 28th, 2009, an extremely sleepy girl awoke around 12:30 from a long busride from Cleveland to Flint, Michigan, to find out that she would be going on for Mary Magdalene at 3PM that day. Thrilled and frightened to death, said sleepy girl quickly woke up from adrenaline, left her hair and makeup to her dear fellow cast member David Baghat, and got ready to play the role of a lifetime opposite Ted Neeley.

And what a day it was! The first show I did decently well, but there we were technical aspects I had to work out. For example, how not to trip over my skirt when I stood up and exactly how long it would take me to get to x space by y line. Adrenaline, nerves, and Ted guided me through it. I was so thankful for the one opportunity, I cried at curtain call.

And how lucky was I to find out that the music directors and stage manager wanted to me to have another go at it at the evening performance? It was this show that I felt I was able to truly allow myself to trust the work I had done and really just live in the moment. I immersed myself in the piece and every moment. It was truly one of the most wonderful experiences of my life. When it was over, I couldn't sleep for two nights straight. I was just so thrilled and thankful to have had the chance to play Mary opposite Ted, and it took a few days for the excitement of what I had done to really settle with me.

I am so lucky and so thankful.

Maid by the Fire re-enactment

2009-02-24T22:04:00.000-08:00

Re-enacting my Maid by the Fire solo in the dressing room in Columbus:

I think I've seen you somewhere... I remember! You were with that man, they took away, I recognize your face!

where I spent my vacation

2009-02-22T22:58:00.000-08:00

I just had a wonderful seven day layoff, in which I greatly missed the tour, but was glad to get some time with family and friends. The first three days I spent in NYC, auditioning for summer stock stuff that starts after the tour. I went to five auditions in two days (I'm psychotic) met with two agents, and slept very little.

Then, then, then, I headed to the Bahamas, with my BFF Dominique. It was a blast...Here is a picture of where we stayed. I got much needed rest and relaxation on a dream vacay! Life is slow in the Bahames-we actually did stuff for about two or three hours a day, and the rest of the time just soaked up the sun on the beach and on the boat. We went to Thunderball Cay (see second photo), a cave where they filled the movie Thunderball and Into the Blue. At night we had dinner on the island, and the last night sang karaoke for an hour an a half. Just the two of us. It was AMAZING. Note to self, never drink rum drinks during the day if you want to have an event-filled afternoon. EVER.

Oh, and yes, Dominique and I swam with the sharks in the top photo (I took the picture from someone else- but it's of the same sharks). There were about 12 nurse sharks surrounding me in the water. They asked us not to splash, and who comes to a crashing splash in the water while hurrying to get out? Me, of course. I am thankful I did not get eaten....

Fast forward a few hours, and I'm in Columbus Ohio, relaxed, rejuvenated, and ready for the road, baby!

all for now

my, how life (and I) have changed: a day at Culver

2009-02-15T23:50:00.000-08:00

So the last week has been absolutely crazy with one nighters, and I haven't gotten the chance to write about one of my most exciting days on tour so far: performing in Southbend, IN. Why, you ask, is it such a big deal that you were performing in the middle of Indiana when you have performed in LA and Alaska, you ask? Well to me, this was by far the most exciting performance I had so far. I went to boarding school about an hour away at Culver Academies (from sophomore to senior year), and was blessed to have MANY of the faculty come see my show. Everyone, from my acting teacher to my English teacher to my college advisor were out there in the audience that night. It was truly magical, as I always told all of them my dream was to be on tour and then on Broadway, and here I was passing through a town where I spent the best years of my life!

The show ROCKED. I had my best performance so far, by far. itself lost power right after we bowed, and all the girls in the dressing room screamed their brains out. The technical crew had to come down and calm us down, we were like six year olds. HAHA. anyways, because of that, all of the audience had to leave via cell phone light in the dark, so I didn't get to see everyone....but it meant the world to me that they were there.

I spent the night with my voice teacher/ second mother Stacy Warren in Culver, and spent the next day traveling around campus. I visited my old swim coach, who taught me everything I know about being part of a team on tour and beyond, as well as the importance of both leading and following. I saw my favorite lady at the post office, Ms. Sheppard, dropped by to see the theatre, visited my favorite lady at the bookstore, and visited with a retired faculty couple who practically raised me when I was away in school. I visited the small downtown, and went to my favorite weekend restaurant (we weren't allowed to go into town on the weekdays), where I ordered the same thing I got there for three years, for old times sake, a regular coke and a taco salad.

Besides getting to see my large extended family and visit all the old buildings, I felt incredibly old. Cadets from the military academy (it's military for boys) addressed me as ma'm, and some people didn't even recognize me until I said "HELLOOO, IT'S HALEY." why wouldn't they recognize me? well, lets just say I grew up in college. Look at the pictures below for verification of stated fact. I was that nerdy alumni walking around campus wishing I could turn back the clock.

I even spent part of a day teaching a class. Yah, you heard it right. Me, teaching a class. I was actually nervous as hell too. It was a group of 30 in a choir class, who all turned out to be really sweet, great kids! I talked to them about "the biz," life on tour, and pursuing your dreams. I think they enjoyed the talk a lot, as I think they expected an old boring lecturer, not the crazy blond that stood in front of them. I think I had them when they asked me my major, and I said, history, drama double major with a minor in Japanese. You can say a lot about me, but I'm not boring.

And then I left, a little sad at heart, but happy to have gotten the chance to return, and headed in a taxi to Wabash, Indiana, back to my life on tour.

Here are some pretty much unidentiable pics of my younger self in high school. for your enjoyment.

xoxoxo to all-how blessed I am to have you all in my life and reading this!

xoxo

Haley

Sometimes on tour....

2009-02-09T23:28:00.000-08:00

random things happen to you. Like you get a call from one of your fellow tour friends saying, "my boyfriend rented me a limo. come out and ride in it and drink champagne." It's 1 AM, you're in your pajamas and asleep, but you do it anyway. You throw your coat on over your PJs, you pt your contacts back in, and GO. And it's a blast.

And you get up at 6 AM the next morning and head to your next destination to perform at 4 PM. Brilliantly, of course!

LOVES IT.

Akron, OH stopover

2009-02-09T22:43:00.000-08:00

Slept till 7:00 PM on day off, went to CVS with Amber (above) and Joe, and watched a movie. Henceforth, saw none of Akron, other than CVS, which was standard, ate lots of chocolate, and slept a lot.

Tomorrow we continue, trudging ever-onward in the name of JCS

XOXOX

Haley

2009-02-08T19:50:00.000-08:00

Where the hell have I been and why the hell haven't I been writing? The truth is, I really don't know. Last week was a week of one nighters, where I don't really feel like doing much else rather than eating, working out, sleeping, and doing the show. Bus rides are tiring and tough, and take a lot of the energy out of you. I have to make sure I'm takign care of myself in every way. I started getting sick last week, I DID get sick last week, but I've been taking care of myself so that I get better.

Philly was fun. We were there for three days, and I caught up with an old flame, Noah. It was fun to catch up with him, and it was like no time had passed. We talked and laughed and had a great time....

hmm

then some random one nighers, Syracuse my friend Monica came to visit which was really great! It was soooo cold there, but I am glad we went because I got to see her and the theatre was GORGEOUS...then in Baltimore I shopped like a crazy fiend.

And tonight we went to Westpoint, where I got to meet up with my friends Suzyn and Karen, and we took a picture in the hotel on the way backffrom the theatre. It was a blast to see them and catch up!!!!!!!!1

then this week it's on to see my roomie in Toledo and then to Culver, IN!!!!!!!

Cold places

2009-01-28T22:03:00.000-08:00

this week I have been to South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, and am now in New London Conneticut. Things have been going well, just not lots of time to write because doing a lot of traveling on the bus and doing the show.

In Missouri I met up Charlie, whose like my second brother, when he came to the show. He got mad at me because I thought I was in Minnesota. There are two many M states and we are traveling through them too close together.

Traveled into the city to see my mom the other night before New London. I had a great time just chilling in the city, but it really made me thankful of being on tour and reminiscent of a few months ago when I wanted to book a tour more than anything in the world. I am very lucky, and I can't lose site of that.

Tonight Bobby is here, and tomorrow Dominique and her mom are coming....then its making our way back to the MidWest!!!!!!!!!!!!!
XOXXOXOXOXXO
Haley
PS Pictures to come.

My Daily Schedule-for the non-theatre folks who were wondering

2009-01-21T00:29:00.003-08:00

A Day in the Life of Tour (One Nighter Days)
1. Fall asleep the night before at around 2:30
2. Set the alarm for around 4:45 for 5:30 departure
3. Hit snooze between three and four times
4. Put on glasses so you don’t trip over yourself
5. Finish packing
6. Find a granola bar somewhere around the hotel so you’re not tempted to eat McDonald’s when they stop
7. Roll luggage outside of room and to bus
8. Fight for first swing seat on the right side closest to the front
9. Run back inside because you’ve forgotten your cell phone, your ipod, or your computer charge
10. Fall asleep between the rows on the floor with Ipod on listening to Ben Folds “The Luckiest” and “Still Fighting It” on repeat
11. Dream of people on the bus doing bus-like things whilst aware that you are on a bus yet dreaming and sleeping
12. Wake up because your right side has fallen asleep
13. Roll over on left side until left side falls asleep
14. Get up and trudge off the bus, slide ball with your name on it so they know you are off the bus, and go into some random gas station in the middle of cornfields or desert
15. Go back to sleep
16. Get there around 2 or 3, eat something
17. muster up the energy to work out for at least 30 minutes cardio
18. warm up voice in shower
19. bus to theatre
20. Find dressing room, explore new theatre space, plug in curlers
21. Head to Green Room for Cast Meeting: we talk about if anyone has called out, what the attendance is, the specifics of the venue, where the water bubblers are, etc.
22. Head to stage for mike check in new space: sing through a few numbers
23. Grab something light to hold us over until the show
24. Get back-do hair and makeup, preferably before half hour call
25. Realize it’s 15 minutes till the show and you’re still not done yet
26. Get into costume, rush upstairs, stretch and listen to ipod and focus until show time
27. do show
28. get dressed, get on bus back to hotel
29. grab a glass of wine and something light
30. wind down until 2:30 AM
31.begin schedule all over again

It's a crazy life, but I adore it!

I'm a grownup

2009-01-20T16:03:00.001-08:00

There are various point as I get older in age that I have a dawning realization that I am a real grownup. I know that sounds ridiculuos, as I have always been incredibly independent, heck, I've been away from home since I was 14. But today I willingly went and got a tetanus shot on my own in a strange city without anyone having to make me. I hate shots, I hate doctor's offices, I used to lock myself in the bathroom until I was like 18 so they wouldn't make me take shots. But I cut my leg on the set the other night, no big deal-very minor, but I have not had a tetanus shot since 1997 and the set is metal, so I thought it couldn't hurt after I googled the symptoms. I arrived in Wichita, googled a medical clinic, took a cab there, and sat through the shot without flinching---although I did make the nurse warn me before she did it.

I can't believe I actually just did that willingly.
That is all I have seen and will see of Wichita probably, other than the haunted hotel I am staying at, which is exciting in itself.
Love
H

San Antonio pictures and post (below)

2009-01-19T00:27:00.000-08:00

an Alamo ghost? look at the second column on the left towards the center at what looks clearly like a face.....looks more detailed on my camera..freaky

the Alamo walkway where I took the ghost photo

RIP Davy Crockett

the main building left at the Alamo

our theatre- the Majestic

After shows come through, they paint on the walls downstairs and sign them-so now there are hundreds of shows (ours included) that adorn the walls. SO COOL!

a gorgeous cathedral we stumbled upon the first day

the riverwalk

2009-01-19T00:26:00.000-08:00

I WANT TO LIVE HERE. It’s amazing-I can’t even describe it.

Historical, amazingly historical, for one, which alone is enough for a city to captivate me. We visited the Alamo the first day, and it was just such an overwhelmingly powerful experience. Such an integral part of our history, saturated with valor and tragedy, yet what people don’t realize is how tiny the remaining buildings still are. You imagine it’s going to be huge, and the main building is barely two stories. Much of where the Alamo fighting took place was out further where the streets are now, as Santa Anna’s forces tried to break through the walls (which of course were destroyed in the battle). The museum inside had Davy Crockett’s original jacket, as well as other artifacts belonging to him, David Bowe, and others.

Later that night I talked to a guard who very reluctantly told me some creepy ghost encounters he’s had with the Alamo. He says everyone who works there has experiences all of the time, that it is one of the most haunted places in America. In one of the corners where a bunch of Santa Anna’s forces were killed, several guards when alone have felt someone place their hands on their shoulders, their arms, or their backs. They turn around, thinking it is another guard, and no one is there. So, going back through my photos, I think I saw a translucent face of a Mexican soldier? Peeping out from a column somewhere along the way. I put it here for you to see it. Creepy.

Besides the history, San Antonio has a river running through it, with wonderful restaurants and bars along the way. We found some amazing, real Mexican places along the walk, as well as the standard Hard Rock Café, etc.

The shows were indescribable to me because the crowd was just so supportive. Active, loud, cheering, not an empty seat in site, AMAZING. Night after night, matinee after matinee. The theatre was beautiful also, it had a night sky built into the ceiling, and seated over 2000 people.

Downstairs, in the depths of the theatre, every touring company that has come through signed their names on the walls. I found several of my successful performance friends on the wall, as well as Eartha Kitt, Erin Davie, Kendra Kassenbaum, Ashley Brown, and Ann Margaret. It was so cool to get to sign my name on the same wall!!!!!!!! Also, the first poster you see going down the stairs is that of Eva Duarte Peron’s face, my dream show and role!!!!!!!!!! And my dear friend Mary’s Ragtime tour wall sign thing was RIGHT next to my dressing room, as well as my friend Ryan from CATS.

So I LOVED LOVED LOVED THE THEATRE, could move to the city, sad to leave. But the tour must go on, and I’m psyched!
Xo
H

Austin

2009-01-19T00:16:00.000-08:00

OUT ON THE TOWN

Austin was amazing. We were only there two nights, but I LOVED the city. First of all, the crowds in Texas are incredible. The crowd was SO SUPPORTIVE, very active audience members that made the show even more powerful. We had ovations both nights from when the ensemble came out.
Second, my best friend from home, Emilie, JUST moved to Austin around New Year’s with her awesome friend Liz. They came to the show the first night, and we went out around Austin until late. It was beautiful, to say the least, and the people there are so friendly, gentlemanly, and courteous. We met up with Tessa along the way for her birthday! When we go back, we of course splurged on pizza bites, mac and cheese, and the candy Emilie brought me. Gotta cheat, gotta cheat. The girls were so much fun, and it was so great to be around Em again!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The second night I went out to celebrate for Zac’s birthday, and then David, Billy, and I were hanging out together.

The shows were great, people were so friendly, I'd live there easily...

Here's a pic you can't see b/c it is so dark out, but I have to put something!

Love

Sacramento, CA

2009-01-13T23:05:00.000-08:00

me and Dave

me, Dave, Emma

me and Margot

Dad

is a fabulous city. Tons of things to do, lots of great food, and a beautiful theatre within a humongous convention center.

The first day, I got to meet up with one of my closest, most trusted friends Dave. Dave has musically directed me in approximately 20 shows over five years, between college and summerstock. Although he never cast me in HIS production of Jesus Christ Superstar six years ago, I still allowed him to come see this production...HAHA, no really, we had an absolute blast, and it was wonderful to catch up. He brought his wonderful lady friend Emma too the first night, and we went out and had a couple of drinks. Then, Sunday night, he and I just went out to a Mexican place, drank sangria, and chatted and caught up on life for hours. It' so nice to meet up with people on the road who really know you, outside of life on tour. It had been far too long, and I'm so thankful for the time we had together!

The second night I met up with a friend I haven't seen in seven years, Margot. She and I went to boarding school at Culver Academies together and lived in the same dorm. It was a blast to catch up with her!!!!!!! I have missed her in my life. It's amazing how fast the years can go by and it's like nothing has changed. The memories of Culver flooded my mind as we laughed and chatted over it all. Can't wait to see her again!

My dad also came the second night, which was a blast. He had a business meeting in LA, so we got to meet up for dinner, and he came to the show. I miss my family so much, and it was great to catch up, if only for 24 hours!!!!!!

On another note, we have had a couple of our understudies go on in California. Raz went on for Mary in Cupertino, Daron for Annas in Sacramento, and Matthew for Judas in Sacramento. All three were amazing!

And now? It's goodbye, California, hello Texas, then headed back towards the East coast!!!!!!!

Sightseeing on the Bus

2009-01-13T23:00:00.000-08:00

It's pretty outside the bus!

California and wind power

And finally, you know you're in the middle of nowhere when....

God help me, bus rides are an adventure!

what's the buzz

2009-01-07T22:56:00.000-08:00

do you see me?
http://www.theomega.ca/article/6444

If not, I'm the dead man's (Simon's) wife in the second photo.

Ok so we are back in Cali traveling around. I lost my digital camera chord so I need to borrow someone's to put up some photos, but I promise I will soon.

Things have been going great, show's great, people are great, and the bus is bearable.

I am so excited to see one of my best friends Dave in Sacramento, who has music directed me in over 20 shows easily over the years. And also in Austin my BFF Emilie just moved out there from Tampa so I get to see her!!!!!!!!!!

I must go to bed. Bus sleep is weird. You get used to parts of your body falling asleep and sleeping in positions you didn't think possible, and you dream, but at the same time that you're dreaming you're aware you're on a bus, and the people around you are the ones in your dreams. Needless to say, it doesn't compare with the comfy hotel bed.

Pictures soon!
xo
Haley

PLAYLIST

2009-01-04T00:40:00.000-08:00

This is what I listen to before most shows. I was introduced to this song years ago by a very special person in my life at the time, someone I miss very much, and to which the lyrics of this song are very fitting.

ANYTIME
Anytime you laugh, anytime you cry
Anytime you hear a sound
When you're on the grass, lying on the ground
Anytime you wash your hands, I'll be around
I'll be there on the baseball field
Though I'm well concealed
I'll be out there cheering
I'll be there in the books you read
It is guaranteed
I'm not disappearing fast anytime
No, not anytime
And I am there each morning
I am there each fall
I am present without warning
And I'm watching it all
Yes, I'm watching it all
Oh, and I am there in music
I am there in the sky
I don't know why this thing did happen
But this much is clear
Anytime or anywhere
I am there
Anytime you pray, anytime you fight
Anytime you've gained a pound
Anytime it's day, anytime it's night
Anytime the earth moves, I'll be around
I'll be there in the maple trees
I am summer breeze on a perfect evening
I'll be there when you celebrate
When the world seems great, I'll be waiting by your side
Anytime, yes, anytime
And I am there each morning
I am there each fall
I am present without warning
And I'm watching it all
Yes, I'm watching it all
Oh, and I am there in flowers
I am there in snow
I don't know why this thing happened
But this much is clear
Anytime you cry, anytime you sing
For anything...
I am there each morning
I am there each fall
I don't know why this thing did happen
But this much is clear
Be aware I am there
I am there
I am there
I am there...
I am there
I am there
I am there...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2009-01-01T16:39:00.002-08:00

ME AND THE BEST SECRET SANTA EVER!!!

Me and Jake

me and JD

Me and Justin pretending we are on the cover of a 1930's movie box

It’s 2009, and I had the best New Year’s Eve ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Troika threw us a party and we all opened up our Secret Santa gifts! Guess who my secret Santa was? JESUS! Yes, Ted was my Secret Santa! He got me some amazing bath and body works Vanilla products, my favorite scent EVER, and a gift certificate! SO AMAZING!

I had our company manager Ray as my Secret Santa, and he is a history buff like me so I got him a bunch of Civil War and Lincoln stuff which I think he liked too.

After that, we all went to this circus-themed party at Hotel Congress, and later we all hung out at hotel until the wee hours of the morning. What a great New Year’s. We all slept late though and are so are actually all very well-rested and ready for the show tonight!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

XOXOX

Tucson Day 1

2009-01-01T16:39:00.001-08:00

The first real day in Tucson I asked about good running paths and they told me to run along the river. So I spend twenty minutes looking for a damn river before I realize that the gigantic dried up ditch in front of me is in fact the river. Global warming.

First show was great-standing ovation and over 2100 people there.

Christmas Layoff

2009-01-01T16:30:00.001-08:00

Family time was fabulous. It was great to catch up and see everyone. I have thirteen cousins, and I got to see all but one of them over break! Saw all my aunts and uncles, my wonderful grandparents, and got some good hanging out time with my brother and parents.

It was kind of a Jesus Christ Superstar-themed Christmas in that I got really nice cross necklaces for my mom and dad for Christmas. This show has really deepened my faith, it’s hard to explain, but church Christmas Eve felt different that it ever had before.

So, probably five pounds later (which should make costumes really happy on my weigh-in Sunday) and many hugs later, off I flew to the desert of Tucson, Arizona.

And here I am! 2009 here I come baby!

1. I spelled Jean Harlow wrong and I don't know how to edit it. So sorry.

Los Angeles Part II

2009-01-01T14:52:00.001-08:00

me and Jean Harlwow -resemblance???

Jean Harlow

Marilynn Monroe's handprints

Judy Garland

I know, I’m awful, it’s been FOREVER since I’ve blogged, so I’m going to do a massive blog catch up today. First we begin with remaining LA pictures J The two I’m posting are one of my hands in Judy Garlands- they fit perfectly!!!!!!!! I sang “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” in my best impression and Joe videoed it. He said he played it at home trying to download it, and his grandfather, not looking at the screen, said “I love Judy Garland!” and Joe was like actually that’s my friend Haley doing an impression. Judy’s incredible, and getting to see her handprints was really neat.

Then of course I had to find Marilynn Monroe for all the blondes out there. And then I found Jean Harlow because people tell me I look like her.

SO yah, the place with the handprints was AWESOME!

LA PICS part I

2008-12-22T10:47:00.000-08:00

the current men in my life

with some random sparkly presents adorning LA

with Gypsy ROSE Lee's star---I tried to focus on the Mama Rose part of that one!

shopping in LA

AND FINALLY

thought this picture was appropriate for Jesus Christ Superstar in LA

Los Angeles

2008-12-22T10:17:00.000-08:00

So here I am in the LA airport after an adventurous week performing in Beverly Hills and visiting wonderful tourist traps. I really like LA a lot, although I am much more of a New York person personality wise. It only strenghtened my ideas that I want to be an NYC-based actor.

But enough of that. Some exciting moments in LA:
***great crowds- receptive, wonderful, applauded Ted in his entrance to such a degree that I got goosebumps, standing ovations every night. This really energized us and propelled us through a five show weekend.
***drank LOTS of coffee during the five show weekend from an amazing coffee shop, Coffee Bean!!! new discovery: ice blends, taste like frapuccinos, but nowhere near as awful for you
*** had Playbills at the theatre with our pictures in them, and felt very cool.
***caught up my old middle school friend Lauren Mayhew who is acting out in LA
***made new friends with Tessa and Zac Neeley who came to visit their dad in the show
***met up with my best friend in life a couple nights, dished out our innermost secrets, and laughed at the ridiculousness of those innermost secrets
*** and finallyyyyyy I put my handprints in Judy Garland's handprints at the Chinese theatre and they fit perfectly, so I recorded a video of me singing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" with my hands in her hands.

Dont worry-PICTURES TO FOLLOW!!!!!

Happy 20th Birthday to my brother!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas quote
Peace on Earth will come to stay,
When We Live Christmas every day!

LOVE LOVE LOVE
HALEY

Alaska

2008-12-14T22:54:00.000-08:00

(notice how deep blue the glaciers are underneath the snow)

is BREATHTAKINGLY BEAUTIFUL. and freezing. We have been here six days now, and it is a gorgeous place, but a very cold one. The sun doesn't come out for more than a few hours a day, and the rest of the time there is like a deep twilight during the day. The first two days were bearably cold, but then the front came in, and I froze walking the 100 yards or so from the hotel to the theatre. I didn't really go anywhere else because it was so cold, and if I did, I wore Uggs, a sweater, jeans, a polar fleece, a puffy jacket, a scarf or two, a hat, and earmuffs over the hat. I was quite a site. We had a five show weekend this weekend, which flew by really quickly and now tomorrow we leave for LA.

I did end up getting to go up in a plane to see the glaciers. My two friends were kind enough to invite me to come along to fill their empty spot, and it was BREATHTAKING. Besides seeing like 20 moose, mountain goats, and sheep, we came right up close to mountains and glaciers. We caught a glimpse of Mt. McKinley, flew over Lake George, and the Mat-su valley. It is hard to describe this experience for me. It took my breathe away and made me cry. It is rare living in New York City that we realize how small we are, the nature that lives all around us, encompassing us. Breathtaking mountains and glaciers surrounded me so that I had no idea where to look. Deep, turquiose blue glaciers and endless mountains, moose grazing around, sheep trudging through the snow. We didn't see any bears because they were all hibernating-which is what I would do if I lived here in the winter-that and eat all day long!!! I am SO glad I did the plane tour-it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. It felt like a movie in parts, like I was in some IMAX film movie of some place I would never get to really go, but could imagine- and I was THERE.

And in one week, home I go for Christmas with the family, so here's a Christmas poem

And is it true?

And is it true,

This most tremendous tale of all,

Seen in a stained-glass window's hue,

A Baby in an in ox's stall?

The Maker of the stars and sea

Became a Child on earth for me?

By Sir John Betjeman, 1954

To Hollywood, my darlings!

Haley

I can see Russia from my house!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-12-11T04:10:00.000-08:00

sound check or somethin' (I'm the one on the left in the blue)

me and Misty talking to Ted about the Last Supper during a rehearsal hold and apparently being photographed ahhaha

As you can guess by the title, we have now reached the Alaska portion of our tour. We took a flight from Seattle to Alaska, which wasn't all that bad-about four hours. It was FREEZING when we came in, with a wind that seemed to just cut through to your bones. I walked across the street to get a bowl of soup and was practically blown over on my way there. Back at the hotel as I was warming myself by the lobby fire (a real maid by the fire character moment haha), I discovered when asking the woman working at the front desk if she had any chocolate an amazing local candy called the Polar Bear Kiss, which is milk or dark chocolate surrounding a pink/reddish peppermint crunchy middle. AMAZING.

The next day was a bit warmer and beautiful, and it began to snow in the mid-afternoon. This was our first snowfall since we've been on tour, or at least the first that I have seen. Anchorage is absolutely gorgeous covered in snow, and, when I dress appropriately with hat and scarf, is fun to explore around in. I went to the mall today and bought a bunch of local stuff for some Christmas presents.

Now about the show. We came to Alaska with absolutely NO set, they constructed a mini one for us here but it was COMPLETELY different. So the first day we got here we had a five hour re-blocking rehearsal, followed by a performance that night at 8PM. The performance was a little nerve-wrecking, but kept us all on our toes, and we got through it, minus a few technical things that no one on cast or crew could have controlled. A sound cue that was supposed to go off and was cued had a mind of its own and didn't go off, a moment when we were all around Ted worshipping him, and he just kept talking to us as if nothing had happened until the cue started, saying "stay with me", etc, his arms around us all. He is so amazing.

We had another performance tonight, which went even smoother, as we were all a bit more comfortable with our new blocking and were all settled in.

I am trying to see if I can get on one of those day plane flights that takes you to the glaciers, as I think that would be a really cool thing to see. We'll see what happens with that.

Ok, it's 3 AM, I need to stop going to bed so late. This show puts me in such an adrenalized (is that a word? probably not) after the show that it takes me hours to wind down and get ready for bed.

More Alaska to come.

Alas, bed time is approaching

I am putting the words to my favorite Christmas song because my google is not downloading to find something more philosophic.

I don't want a lot for Christmas

There is just one thing I need.

I don't care about the presents

Underneath the Christmas tree.

I just want you for my own.

More than you can ever no

What more can I do?

All I want for Christmas is youuuuu

youuuuuuuu baby

HOME IN TEN DAYS!

Vancouver

2008-12-11T03:43:00.000-08:00

me and my new friend Dee post-show in Vancouver

the theatre (I think this picture was Vancouver)

Since I got a little behind, I'm going to do two posts: the first on Vancouver and the next on where I am now, Alaska... First, however, let me talk about one of my new favorite cities in the world: Vancouver, BC, Canada.

WOW. Not only is the city GORGEOUS, it is full of amazing food, friendly people, great shopping, and constant things to do. Right outside our hotel on the morning of the second day, there was a Santa Clause parade with all these Santas marching down the street. A little frightening, but really cool!

The crowd in Vancouver was really receptive and all around were very warm and friendly people. The first night I was excited because my dad's friends and business partners came to see the show. It is always really neat to have people you know come see you in random cities, to share this journey with friends and family. They were SUCH nice people, we went out afterwards and had very fun cocktail drinks and dinner.

The next day, I bought a really stylish dress with feathers all over it from one of the boutiques, and wore it out our last night there. It was our weigh-in day, in that in most tours there is a policy where they weigh you to make sure you're not getting uber fat or skinny, so I was pretty stressed about that. I lost two pounds, however, so I felt relieved when that was done. Afterwards, my roomie and I decided that every weigh-in day we would go out and eat pizza and ice cream or whatever we wanted that night. So a few of us went out and had tons of amazing pizza from random pizza parlors all around Vancouver! It was amazing.

All in all, I could see myself living in Vancouver some day, it is just so gorgeous and wonderfully cultural!!!!!!!

XOXO

Haley

"To the American People: Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. If we think on these things, there will be born in us a Savior and over us will shine a star sending its gleam of hope to the world." ~ Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933), American president. Presidential message (December 25, 1927).

2008-12-06T00:46:00.000-08:00

Kamloops, BC

out after the show in Portland the first night

The last couple days have kind of flown by in a whirlwind- I had a BLAST in Portland doing the show twice as well as meeting up with my darlingest friends- Tim and Audrey. I was so appreciative that they made time for me, and we went out both nights and had a blast! They also came to see the show. It was our first time together since we left CLOC summerstock a year and a half ago. Portland is a really neat city, exactly as I imagined it. Very, very liberal, very wonderfully hippyish, with tons of stuff to do. The theatre was great there too.

Next we moved onto the Canadian border, where we stopped over in Abbotsfield,BC, a gorgeous, very rural town surrounded by mountains. So far in Canada I have eaten in one place- it's called the ABC diner. It's kind of like a Canadian Denny's but healthier food. They have amazing homemade soup and cornbread.

Today we went all the way to Kamloops, BC, Canada to perform, which was absolutely gorgeous as well. It is surrounded by mountains with snow all over the ground. I trudged down a couple kilometers down the mountain to find a Walmart, whethering snow and highways, where I bought peanut butter and bread, and picked out a Christmas present for a 16 girl on the giving tree there. This put me in the holiday spirit a little bit.

We performed in a hockey arena that had an ice rink underneath it covered up by our stage! It was really cool- at first it felt like I was Jessica Simpson or something about to give a live concert. We went up before the arena opened and bought nachos and soda from upstairs, as if we were at a sports game hahah! People sat in the boxes in the back moving around freely like sports game. Different, but cool, with a very appreciate crowd that gave everyone a standing ovation at the end.

I am really excited to travel to Vancouver tomorrow for two nights as I have heard it is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!

To close, I am closing a verse of Mary, Did You Know?

Mary, did you know

That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man?

Did you know that your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand?

Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod?

And when you kiss your little boy

Youve kissed the face of god.....

interesting song to ponder

More to come!

Love,

it's December 1st, betches!!!!!!!!

2008-12-01T20:48:00.000-08:00

Today consisted of- 13 hour busride, 45 minute run to get rid of my sitting cramps, shower, and now bed. fantastically exciting. However, below is a picture of my roomie's birthday party post-show on the 29th at a fabulous sushi/ sake place...YAYYY

me and my fantastic roommate on her birthday in Palm Desert, CA

To Portland at 5AM tomorrow!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOO

In honor of December, I am going to end every day with a seasonal or spiritual quote to kick of the Christmas season.
Today's quote comes from Albert Einstein, as I reflect how lucky I feel to be a part of this wonderful tour and to be working in this wonderful career.

"There are two ways to live your life.One is as though nothing is a miracle.The other is as though everything is a miracle.--Albert Einstein"

On to Portland!!!!!!

Palm Desert, CA

2008-11-30T23:14:00.001-08:00

IS BEAUTIFUL. it is palm trees and mountains all in one. it is beautiful heat and zero humidity. it is shopping mall next to pool. It reminds me of where my family used to vacation growing up, Ocean Reef in Key Largo, FL. It's the closest place I've found to FL yet on tour so far. It was my roomie Erica's birthday last night, so a bunch of us went out for sushi after the show, which was amazing.

Shows? Well, we did 5 in like 48 hours. It felt great to jump right back into the show again, I really, truly missed it. This show is so much more than just a musical-it's an emotional journey that requires intense committment and faith. It's like spilling your soul out onstage. The show opens with my husband dying in front of my eyes, Jesus resurrecting him, riding into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday worshipping Jesus, to cheering for Jesus to be beaten and killed, straight to playing his mother at the crucifixition. It's an emotional whirlwind, and unlike anything I've ever done before. Unlike a lot of musical theatre, there's no tricks to fall back on, no funny characters to hide behind, only truth and absolute grounded reality and PASSION. When I'm not onstage (maybe about 15 minutes of the show) I am watching, drawn in to Ted's incredible acting in great moments like Gethesemene (ahh spelling sorry).

Tomorrow we have a 5 AM bus load for a very, very long drive on our way to Portland, Oregon or our next three shows and quality time with Audrey, Tim, and the Teasdales!!!!!!!!! My busmate David and I plan on watching Judy Garland movies all day long...love me some Judy, as most of you know.

Ok love you alll!!!!

XOXOXOXO
Haley

2008-11-29T01:39:00.002-08:00

Maestro and I at his house after singing showtunes!!

Hello all! I am now out of beautiful Colorado and am in Palm Desert, CA, which is also very beautiful, might I add. It is so warm we all took a jacuzzi after the show tonight, which was really awesome.

But, before California, I had an amazing time on our Thanksgiving stopover in Las Vegas. Lonely for home and family at first, that all went away and I had a fabulous time when I re-united with a member of my CLOC family- Maestro Weiller and his brother- for a fabulous Thanksgiving evening. We ended up having an amazing dinner and then went and sang show tunes at his house! It was SUCH a blast! It's not letting me download any more pictures right now but will put some up tomorrow as soon as it starts working.

After that, I was headed up to my hotel room, and put a little money in slots, and ended up winning 1100 dollars which was a huge shock. I never win anything. So I cashed out, ended buying a round of drinks for some of my cast friends in New York New York (not actually New York but a place in Vegas built to look like New York) and then went to bed.

Today was the bus ride to Palm Springs, in which I slept through the whole bus, then performed. It's a 5 show weekend (well 4 to go) so it should be fun. Ted is so amazing, getting to work with him is the most amazing artistic opportunity of my life!

More to come when pictures work!!

Birthday and Opening in Colorado Springs!

2008-11-25T22:37:00.000-08:00

b-day jammin'- 11/24

The JCS ladies out on my birthday/opening night 11/24 (yes, there are only seven of us including Mary! )

a church on the way to Greeley today with mountains in the background- 11/25

Garden of the Gods- Colorado Springs- incredibly spiritual, breath-taking nature-11/23

next up: Thanksgiving in Vegas, then to CA

XOXOOX

Haley

2008-11-22T00:19:00.000-08:00

my roomie and I at the pre-opening night party

In the dressing room in Alto, New Mexico

LOVE LOVE LOVE this show and this cast.

Opening night party was crazy fun-

Today Marissa and her Mom came to see the show and I was so excited to have someone there!!

Colorado Springs tomorrow!!!

XO TO ALL

Haley

2008-11-18T00:13:00.000-08:00

Hey there, hi there, ho there, as ClOCers would say! It has been a few days since I've written, although not altogether on purpose as the internet has been funky and cutting out. I spent like half an hour writing a post two nights ago, only to promptly be signed off without my draft being saved. I needed a 48 hour frustration period before re-embarking. So I'll try to remember everything I said plus the last two days too.

I am here in Alto, New Mexico. Well, actually, right now I'm not. We are performing and teching in Alto, but the only things in Alto are the most gorgeous mountains you've ever seen in the US and a huge modern theatrical structure that seems to appear out of the sky as you are driving the mile upwards. It is a breath-taking drive up to the theatre (my friend David and I made our poor friend Billy pull over for several pictures,) and Spencer theatre itself is gorgeous.

There is really just too much to talk about about the last few days, so I'll just list my top moments here so far:
1. In the town where we are staying, Rudioso or something like that, there are at least four stores with signs outside that say "we buy antlers."

2. There is also a small hut in the middle of said town that is boldly labeled Times Square on it.
Not putting the town down though, it is gorgeous and has so many quaint shops, good eatin', and a fun karaoke bar, all one really needs!

3. oxygen masks at the theatre-yes, I'm being serious. The altitude is so high up in Alto that they provide oxygen masks offstage so that after big dance numbers we can go get some air.

4. Laughing at the oxygen masks, then running for them an hour later after dancing our big number, Simon's Dance, waiting in a line for it, and thoroughly utilizing it. Thank goodness for our lungs that we are doing Jesus Christ Superstar up here, not Hot Feet or Movin' Out!

5. On another more serious note, being onstage for the Crucifixtion scene even during tech., undoubtedly the most intense theatre I've ever done. I come on as Jesus's mother at the end, with Mary Magdeline across from me, and Jesus in the middle. I literally have to watch him die on the cross. I literally stood there and bawled for ten minutes, then promptly went up to Jesus after rehearsals and said "I really need to hug you right now so that I know you are in fact ok." He is an incredible actor, and I feel so lucky and blessed to be a part of this production!!!!!!

More to come,
xo
Haley

Three Days

2008-11-11T08:25:00.000-08:00

Three days from now I will be previewing in Alto, New Mexico! So exciting! Still have a lot further to go, but have come a long way and am looking forward to the journey. Our creative team has been so encouraging and, for me, this has really brought out the best in me as a performer.

Packing has not really been happening. I bought and ipod and a dvd player, practically went broke on them, so that I have stuff to keep me entertained on the bus rides.
tty soon
xo
Haley

Rehearsals in NYC

2008-11-07T16:14:00.000-08:00

Wow, what an amazing week it has been! We started rehearsals on the 30th, and head out to New Mexico to tech. a week from today. The people are so incredibly talented and committed, and I learn something from each one of them every day. There is a wonderful positive energy about the cast, I seriously love each and every person. There are only seven girls total and like twenty guys, so good odds for us girls :)

I am now pretty much feeling comfortable with my music, choreography, and actions. It's an exciting score to get to sing every other night, and a huge emotional committment and journey. Literally, I start the show with my husband getting killed right in front of me, and Jesus resurrecting him, fast forward to worshipping and following Jesus into Jerusalem, and then screaming to crucify him at the end of the second act. Every single actor on that stage is so committed moment-to-moment, its really amazing to get to work with them.

We hit the road a week from today to head to New Mexico for previews. I am excited, nervous, all of the above, but overall honored to be a part of such a wonderful cast for my first ever tour. I seriously cannot think of a better group of people to spend the next seven months of my life with!

OK, got to go do laundry and pack. more later this week.
XO
H

Getting Ready

2008-10-25T20:33:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone! As most of you know, I will be on the tour of Jesus Christ Superstar for the next seven months of my life, traveling all over the United States doing what I love. It's amazing to think that I am going to be paid for doing what I love to do more than anything in the world. I will be playing the Maid by the Fire (a cool singing solo part) and also understudying Mary Magdeline. I am so excited to go on my first tour, meet new people, and see the country. We are going all over the place, including Alaska and Canada, lots of cool places I have never been...

I am going to try to get a digital camera to upload pictures of the upcoming months as well as try to write as regularly as possible. Rehearsals start soon, and then we hit the road November 14th.

XOXO to all of you
Haley