A Fond Farwell from Akron, Ohio

It is hard to believe it but the tour is actually over. After 104 shows in six months it ended with the final three peformances in Akron, Ohio. Our three amazingly talented and professional young boys did not even miss a show! In the beginning of the tour everyone assumed the kids would get sick with this type of travelling but our guys proved to be of healthy stock. They didn't even catch the stomach virus that seemed to be very contagious and felled quite a number of cast members. The final performances were one show on Friday and two on Saturday. We had the cast party on Friday night at the hotel after the show. Mikey decided to dress up in his christmas clothes. He looked very handsome. We felt very bad for Quentin's (Oliver) Mom whose plane was cancelled Friday and was trying so hard to make it to the Friday show. We were so happy she made it to the cast party and was there for the final two performances on Saturday. She was very sweet giving Missy and I both pearl necklaces and earrings for watching out for her men on tour. She purchased them while on a business trip in Hong Kong. Mikey enjoyed chasing baby Spencer around at the cast party and had fun taking pictures of and with everyone. Since they still had two shows it did not hit him that the cast party was a goodbye party. Zac (Fagin) was very encouraging telling Mikey that he has the capabilities of becoming the next "Billy Elliot" if he works hard on dance and complimented him on his improv skills. Chaz (Mr. Bumble) provided some sound advice to him to keep him grounded. Ashley told him to make sure he has fun being a kid and playing with his sister. Rhiannon (Nancy) thinks he would be a great "Flounder" in The Little Mermaid and Mikey thinks she would be a great Ariel. I think he is just an amazingly loving and beautiful son and that is good enough for me. During the final performance Missy started first with the tears. I was glad I was sitting in front of her and not next to her. Her whole family was there to see Colin (Dodger) in his final performances in Oliver. We were sitting in front of the sound board so the crew guys gave us crazy hats to wear for the final bows. After the show we wore them back stage and the boys immediately stole them from us. I was doing fine until Mikey broke down and got everybody going with the tears. The real thing that got us all was baby Spencer saw Mikey crying and reach out to hug him with a cry himself. That did it! Tears were everywhere. Erin and Ashley both tried to reassure Mikey by putting their cell phone numbers in his cell. Erin text him on the spot that she missed him already. We continued our crying fest in the lobby of the hotel when Missy, John and I had to hug each other goodbye. The boys had a group hug that just made us cry more. As I reflect on this amazing journey I realize how fortunate we have been to have such good people as Missy, John, Colin and Quentin on this journey with us. I really feel we became a family that looked out for each other and hope we will remain life long friends. Missy became like a sister and John like a brother. Touring is very hard at times and to have someone to support you on the road like these two wonderful people did, helped me to stay on the "bus" when I thought about returning home early. Of course we also had our "Chaz." I couldn't abandoned him either. Mikey will miss all the cast but particularly his ladies. I don't know how their hair will survive without him. (LOL) He had his rituals: Erin and Mikey's special dance backstage during "As Long As he Needs Me." (Erin told me she finally let him lead.) On the bus after the show he would unravel Michele's curls that she needed in the show, give Erin new hair dos, put Rhiannon as his screen saver and tell Ashley all about his life and dreams. Of course he is devasted about leaving baby Spencer whom he became very close to. He told me he will miss Spencer most of all. I also don't know what he will do without Missy who he stalked regularly. I do know that we travelled to 35 plus States and Canada, visited Mt. Rushmore, Garden's of the God in Colorado, went on top of the St. Louis Arch, had a toga party, a school dance, 80's roller rink party and had some amazing times. I wish all the cast members much success and I know they have very bright futures because they are all sooooooooooooooo talented. The memories will last a life time and I hope the friendships will as well. Regarding my memory of this tour: "I WILL KEEP IT AS A TREASURE TO LAST MY WHOLE LIFE LONG............." Love and good luck to all of you. Love, Sue and Mikey
P.S. Don't forget to scroll down to see the photos and if you want to read the archives.