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.

Reading, PA

Mike (Dad) and Maria (Mikey's sister) joined us in Reading, PA. Maria was so exicted to see us as we were to see her. Mikey showered her with presents that we picked up along the last leg of the tour. We had a really, really, really, quick bite to eat at a diner before going to bus call to the theater. Maria was exicted to ride the bus and had a great time playing with Jeremiah (the tutor.) She had fun with the paper bag puppet he made. Baby Spencer was so cute learning Maria's name right away and say Hi every time he saw her. At first they weren't sure of each other because they were both competing for Mikey's attention. We enjoyed front row center seats so Maria had an unobstructed view of the show. Mikey was standing right in front of us when singing "Food Glorious Food," and "Be Back Soon." He couldn't help but crack a smile. He asked Maggie the wardrobe lady to allow him to wear his original red jacket for Maria. She gave him a brown jacket that was big on him about two months ago because the red jacket was tearing easy but Mikey really loves the red one. He was so happy to wear it again. Maria wore her red Christmas dress so that she could take a picture with "Nancy" (Rhiannon) who wears a red dress in the show. Maria loves when she sings "As Long As He Needs Me...." Although sitting up so close last night she really got a kick at of Fagin (Zac). Since she met most of the cast out of costume she as really studying who was playing who as the show went on. She kept asking me "Who plays Fagin." No one ever guesses Zac plays Fagin once he takes his makeup off. After the show Mike and Mikey went to get us Dunkin Donuts while Maria and I had some girl time together. She wore her new ""Ariel" night gown to bed. Today we had to part for two more days. I gave her a giant stuffed pink little pony to hug on the ride home. She promised to pick us up at the airport on Sunday and is so happy we are coming home. Now we are on the bus heading toward Akron, Ohio. We had to pick up the crew on the way because there bus broke down last night. They will really have their work cut out for them once we arrived.
We have to rush to get them there so there will be no lunch stop today. The boys will not be thrilled but it is just another part of tour life. "Be Back Soon."

Houghton, Michigan- Happy 100th Show!

Happy 100th show to the Oliver National Tour 2008-09 cast and crew at the Rozsa Center! It is truly amazing how many shows were performed with such energy and talent as we traveled this great country and Canada. I am so proud of all of you. I have never saw such a talented group of people. It is hard to believe there are only four more shows to go and we won't be seeing everybody on a daily basis. Mikey will be in serious withdrawal, especially without all his ladies and tour brothers. Well to continue documenting this extraordinary journey I will report on todays activities. We spent the morning doing Math and then we met Baby Spencer and Clare by the pool for some water fun. The pool had all glass window from floor to ceiling so you could see all the high mounds of snow while swimming or sitting in the hot tub. Spencer was having a lot of fun in the kiddie pool with Mikey and I gave him few swimming lessons which he seemed to love. We had fun playing "Ring Around the Rosie" in the big pool like I use to do with Mikey when he was little. All I can say is this little boy has brought a lot of joy to everyone on tour. His giggle is something else and very contagious. A little later John and Q arrived and joined us all in the pool fun. Missy arrived in sweats wishing she had a bathing suit on so she could sit in the hot tub. While we were enjoying the pool and hot tub some of the cast made a makeshift sled and enjoyed some sledding. After showering we ate dinner at Apple Bees again because it was the easiest place to walk to with all the snow on the ground. Mikey completed three more sketches of the cast and gave Quentin (Oliver), Chris (Bill Sikes) and Will (Mr. Sowerberry and Dr.) their sketches on the bus. He did a special one for Quentin where he drew him in three different costumes on one page and included his different props throughout the sketch. Chris's was very interesting because it was the murder scene and her drew only Nancy's legs to depict the body. He really captured Will in his Funeral Scene costume and the expression on his face. Once again I cannot believe how talented he is in the art department. Michigan has mounds of snow everywhere and on the way to the theater we passed some amazing snow sculptures. One was even a giant snow castle.....that is how much snow accumulates here. Everyone from the cast was so happy to see the posters at the theater and programs actually had our cast on them. We all fell in love with the poster and the theater was kind enough to get us copies to bring home. Mikey was excited his photo was in two places even though he hates the one photo. I of course love both photos. After the show some of the cast went to Apple Bees. To celebrate Mikey's 100th performance in Oliver, I decided to treat him to a late night dessert. We enjoyed a delcious dessert that was absolutely to die for. It was a small chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce. The cake was warm and drizzled with chocolate syrup and vanilla. I could not finish mine but Mikey took care of that. (Okay I know if I am writing about dessert I will really need to check into Weight Watchers as soon as I get home.) Tomorrow we have an 630am load with a 7am roll so I should be really be sleeping instead of writing this but I want to keep it up our last few days. Once I get home I know I will have little time to do this. We are heading to Elyria, Ohio again as a stop over on the way to Reading, PA. We are looking forward to Reading because Maria (Mikey's little sister) and Mike (DAD) are coming to see us. Until tomorrow...................

Goodbye Merrillville, Indiana and Hello Houghton, Michigan

We enjoyed the rest of our stay in Merrillville, Indiana. On Saturday we shopped at the Mall and thanks to Colin (Dodger) Mikey now likes Abercrombie. We bought him a pair of plaid shorts and a couple of tee-shirts that cost an arm and a leg! I am convinced they are so expensive because of there shopping bags. I'm not kidding you.....did you ever see them? They have thick wide cloth handles and a big picture of a perfectly muscled male model. I think you're paying for the bag instead of the shirt. Thank goodness I was literally saved by the bell when John called us during shopping to meet him and Q at the movie theater to see "Hotel Dogs." I told Mikey we can't shop anymore because we had to hurry to get to the movies. The walk from the Mall to the Movie theater was brutal. It was freezing, windy and a little dangerous. Nobody in any of these States we visit believe in side walks so you are literally risking your lives as you walk around. Crossing the street is a hazard. With snow everywhere and my boots still not ready for wearing thanks to the bus burglar, I was not a happy camper. However, the walk was worth it because we really had a few good laughs at the movies. I really knew I wasn't in New York when the ticket price was only three dollars and the price even included free popcorn. The soda refills were even free. After the movies we met up with Colin and Missy for dinner. (They had decided to skip the movie and keep shopping!) We ate in a place near the hotel called "Sheffields." The food was good but once again the walk was so cold. I really miss the warm weather states! After dinner we all enjoyed the pool and hot tub. After the pool we ran into Chaz and Allaggio and got in trouble for talking in the hallways. So an impromptu PJ Party sprung up in Missy and Colin's room. Chaz (Mr. Bumble) got into the spirit of things and came in his blue silk robe. Mikey made himself right at home in Missy' s very comfy bed. (LOL) Missy broke out the thirty dollar a bottle white zifandel that she bought at Olive Garden the night before. (She asked to buy a bottle of wine without asking the price!) I tried to refuse the wine but she made me have some! We had some fun and Chaz is always fun to be with. Mikey and Chaz were discussing who would get to be Nancy if a boy got to play her. Fierce competion between those two for the role! Chaz was also still traumatized by what happened to him when he went to a Catholic Church that day with some of the other cast members. Chaz is not Catholic but really missed Church so decided to go with other members of the cast. He wasn't sure if he was supposed to received communion but thought it would be disrespectful if he didn't. He asked the other cast members what to do and they told him how to hold his hands to receive but did not tell him to put the host in his mouth right away. So while we is walking back to his seat with the host in his hand one of the Woman who was giving the wine out chases him down and asked him if he is catholic. When he says no she actually grabs the host out of his hand and chastises him and the cast members he was sitting with. Poor Chaz, we tried to tell him not all Catholic's behave that way. Some of the parishioners actually came up to him and said they were sorry to him. On Sunday, there was a matinee show and the parents really had fun because we sat in the front seats dead center trying to see if we can break any cast members. Mikey spotted us right away during "Food Glorious, Food." We tried to break him but he just smiled from ear to ear. Erin and Will spotted us and tried to sell us some sausages. The parents were also excited when we bought soda and popcorn and the cashier gave it to us free because we were wearing backstage passes. I can tell you this is the only theater that did that for us. After the show there was a Question and Anwser with some audience members. Mikey was thrilled when the moderation stated "He heard one of the cast members got started when they tried out for their talent show in kindergarten without telling his Mom." So Mikey told his story.....he was so cute and I think the audience got a real kick out of him. I was amazed how poised and confident the three boys were while anwsering questions from the audience. The parents also enjoyed listening and learning from the adult cast members when they anwsered the audience's questions. It was also good for the boys to hear. Mikey really enjoyed it. After the Q and A we went to dinner with the Nims, Araujos, Rhiannon (Nancy) and Chaz (Mr. Bumble.) to "Red Lobster." Missy and I had steak with lobster tails that was unbelievably good. (VERY RITZY) The desserts were also awesome. We had good food, good company and good conversation. Today, we had to be on the bus at 730am and we arrived in Houghton 845pm. A long bus ride but everyone made the best of it. After school we watched the movie "Clue." The kids all seemed to really like it. Then the adults, kids and parents played "Catch Phrase." It was the music edition. Everyone had a lot of fun guessing the songs. When we finally got off the bus there was snow everywhere on the ground and we trekked to AppleBees after dropping our luggage in the room. Tomorrow we can sleep a little because the show is not until the evening. Only 5 shows left! Until tomorrow..................

Good Morning from Merrillville, Indiana

We arrived in Merrillville, Indiana about 330pm yesterday afternoon. The bus ride felt short compared to the day before. On the way here we stopped for a nice lunch in Apple Bees with Missy, Colin (Dodger), Rhiannon (Nancy), Chaz (Mr. Bumble) and Zac (Fagin.) Rhiannon had to do an interview about the show with an Indiana newspaper as she ate via phone. The reporter asked her what she was eating. I was very impressed in how she anwsered the questions the reporter asked. I was glad we had the opportunity to lunch with them because we only have a week left. In many ways this tour was very long and in other ways it seems it went to fast and I can't believe there is only one week left. Zac says he may have an Oscar party on Sunday which could be a lot of fun. After arriving at the hotel yesterday we had a chance to relax a little before going to dinner with John, Q, Missy, and Colin. The receptionist at the hotel warned us about purse snatching the the mall area so we decided to leave our purses at the hotel and just take a credit card. (John really did not want to leave his purse! LOL only kidding.) The hotel has a Mall which is a short walk but to get there you have to risk your life crossing some highways. Of course there are no sidewalks. We walked to Olive Garden which must be the most happening place because we were told it was a hour wait. The boys were not thrilled with this and their faces were a study in brooding! Missy and I were determined to eat there so we decided to wait and have a glass of wine. The restaurant bar was in the same area where everyone was waiting except that had a low iron fence to separate the area a little. The boys were not to happy when they were told they had to wait on the other side of the fence and could not be near the bar. Hey, with there brooding face it worked for us to have them 3 ft away from us! Even when we left the people were still crowding in waiting. The meal was delcious and it turned out the wait was only about a half hour and the boys ended up loving the place as we knew they would. The meal put everyone in a good mood again so when we went back to the hotel we all went in the heated pool and hot tub. The kids had fun and the parents relaxed. Today we are all sleeping a little late before we plan to go to the mall. It is snowing so the walk maybe even more challenging today. I will let you know later................Now I am helping Mikey with Math.

Elryia, Ohio

Today was a long bus ride. We left Maryland at 9am and arrived in Elyria, Ohio at around 830pm. If any one sees the tin man tell him I need his oil can for my joints! The kids worked hard in school on the bus today and then everyone watched the movie "Ghost Busters." We stopped for lunch in Cracker Barrel where Mikey bought Maria a big pink Easter Bunny that sings: I Love You a Bushel and a Peck, a Bushel and a Peck and hug around the neck...... He plans to give it to her next week when they come to the show in Reading, PA. We went through just about every kind of weather on our drive here: Hard rain, snow, sunshine, fog, sunshine and snow again. The bus stopped to gas and we went into a Pilot store where Jen pointed out to stuff animal puppets: A monkey with a shirt that said "Cheeky Charlie," and a dog that had a pirate hat that said "Captain." Since Charlie is the role Mikey plays in Oliver and Captain is the role another cast member (Allaggio) plays I could not resist buying them the puppets. They will be forming their own puppet Fagin's Gang with Missy's puppet that sings the Carpenter's hit song, "Close To You." Once we arrived I spoke to the front desk about the best place to eat at this late hour and asked how far a walk it was. We caught a huge break because she offered to use the hotel van to drive us to Apple Bees and pick us up from there in an hour and a half. I was so happy because we were tired and hungry and it was snowing. We had a nice dinner with Q and John and now are relaxing in the room. Now I am going to bed. Good night!

Hello from Salisbury, Maryland

Today we actually travelled through the Bronx on the way to Maryland. I was very tempted to hop off the bus and go home since we were so close. I am a person who never likes to break a commitment so we will finish this out. Only 10 days to go and 6 shows left! The bus ride today was longer then planned. We only had an half hour lunch and sat with Chaz (Mr. Bumble and Rhiannon.) They are fellow New Yorkers and were tempted to jump out at the Bronx too. I think as much as we all can't wait to get home everyone is getting a little melancoly about leaving each other. Once we arrived at the hotel there was only about a 45 minutes to shower and eat before bus call to the theater. Mikey at some Mac an Cheese (thank goodness the hotel had a microwave in the room.) Quentin and John were excited because Q's two Grandmothers, Grandfather, friends, and his adorable sister Reina came to the show tonight. Q's friend Eric who is also 11 years old is a member of the Virginia Opera house. Talent kids are all around! Reina was Tiny Tim in a Christmas Carol in Virgina's Regional Theater this past Christmas. Reina and Mikey hit it off at the auditions and now everytime she visits the show they are like long lost friends! They are less than a year apart so I think they think alike! She is a lot shorter than Mikey but was able to pick him up when he could not pick her up. He is so skinny! I got to meet Gayle's (Q, Mom) mother and father for the first time. They really enjoyed the show and it was nice talking to them in the hotel lobby. Well, I would really like to tell you a little about Maryland but I can't because now, I have to confess that I did not go to the show tonight because...............you guessed it....................LAUNDRY! I couldn't put it off anymore. The good news is: I think I will not have to do anymore laundry on tour. I have enough clean clothes to last until we get home. This exites me to no end, especially since I have a brand new front load washer and dryer just waiting for me at home!!!! Now those of you that read my blog know I have been traumatized by visiting certain laundromats along the way so you will know how happy this makes me. I made the most of my night getting all the laundry done and then packing my final bag to bring home. Mikey and Maria are coming to Reading, PA on February 26th to see the show and I plan to give him all the luggage except what I need for the two days in Akron where the show closes. This way we can travel light at the airport. Tomorrow we travel to a stop over in Elyria, Ohio on the way to Merrillville, IN. So we will be travelling without shows for two days and then have a Golden Day before they perfom a show in IN. Three days without shows! After that we will travel to Houghton, MI for a show. Goodnight!