Hello from Melbourne, Flordia

Okay sorry I have not written but so much was going on. The next few posts will be catch ups. We were in Melbourne Florida December 20th and Lakeland, Florida before that. During that time the Cast made time to rehearse Christmas Carols. They made time in their busy schedule to go Christmas Caroling at a Nursing Home for the residents. John was so happy to be part of the Choir! The residents seemed to really enjoy it. When the cast was done with Christmas songs they decided to give their audience a taste Oliver. They really enjoyed hearing the cast perform a few numbers. Mikey, Colin and Q were happy they could finally participate in Oom Pah Pah! (LOL) On December 20th, Mikey and I were so excited that Uncle Bill, Aunt Loretta, and Aunt Loretta's sister Dolly came to see the show. Aunt Loretta surprised Mikey by visiting him in the dressing room. It was so nice to have company on the road. We had great seats and then Uncle Bill treated us to a nice dinner in a place near the theater that looked like a tikki hut. Mikey really enjoyed the chicken wings. Aunt Loretta and Mikey had great dessert with bite sized brownies and banana fosters. Unfortunately, we really had to rush dinner because Mikey had another show to perform in that night. Since this was our last night before going home for Christmas all the Secret Santa's were revealed and the gifts given out. Mikey's Secret Santa (Clare) gave him his current favorite movie S.T. and some yummies. My Secret Santa was Ashley and she gave me some of my favorite things. She along with Erin also had the most festive and creative outfits for the holiday party at the pool after the show. Mikey was the Secret Santa to Erin and he really was so happy he picked her. He had so much fun buying presents for her. I had Adam and had fun leaving him presents I thought he would like. Colin had Chaz and tortured him by making him read clues that led him to other people who had the clues that would reveal his final present and secret santa. We all had lots of fun but were so glad we are going home. Zac, Chaz, Ashley, Mikey and I all had a nice lunch at the Outback while we waited for our return flights home. I was very excited to be proofed when I asked for a Bloody Mary. I don't think I have been proofed in 20 years. I was so excited I called Missy to tell her. Hope everyone has a Happy Holiday season!

Hello from Destin,. Florida

On Tuesday we went to the Oakoloosa Beach. (okay I admit I have to check the spelling but it is close.) The one thing I am truly amazed about here is the color of the sand. It actually looks like snow. In fact when we arrived most of the cast thought it was snow. It looked just like the snow in Colorado. I never seen such white sand and I have been to plenty of beaches all over the world. They had a cute boardwalk with restaurants and shops. Missy finally found the Oysters she has been craving but she is paying for it today. After having a nice lunch we went to all the little shops while the boys played at the playground on the sand. They really needed to burn up some energy after all the bus time they put in this week. Unfortunately the fog rolled in when we got there. Similar to when we went to the beach in San Luis Obispo, CA the fog did not stop the boys from rolling up their pants and going in. Needless to say, Colin and Mikey when home with wet, sandy jeans. The one thing there that really weirded me out was they had a crashed plane on display in front of the entrance area. I know it bothered me because I had a dream last night that I was trying to sell my house and when the people came to see it black clouds formed and fell into the water causing a giant wave that hit the house. Can any dream experts out there let me know what they think..............Today the cast sang Christmas Carols and then some Oliver songs for residents of a nursing home here. The residents really enjoyed the show. One women loved it so much she grabbed my hand as we were leaving and asked "When are you coming back." The kids really enjoyed doing it. Mikey had reindeer ears on, a flashing christmas necklace, a red flashing light on his nose and a stuffed rudolph on his waist. (He didn't get into to much-LOL) After the nursing home Mikey had understudy rehearsal and enjoyed playing Oliver in the "Funeral Scenes." He really enjoyed getting to sing "Where is Love." They ran through all the scenes twice so he was happy to sing it again. I know I am his mother but I couldn't believe how he knew every line and how well he delivered them. The show is going on now and I am in the dressing room catching up on this blog. We leave here tomorrow for Lakeland Florida and then on Saturday we will be in Melbourne for two shows. Aunt Loretta and Uncle Bill will be coming to the show in Melbourne. We can't wait to see them. Then the big day comes: Sunday, when we go home. We are counting the days. "Be Back Soon." Love, Sue and Mikey

Lafayette, Louisiana to Destin Florida

We have finally landed! After a week of sleeping in different hotels in different states every night we have arrived in Florida. We will be here in the same hotel for 3 whole nights! This is a good thing because the bus rides this week have been driving me crazy or as the muppets would say: "I got cabin fever." Plus we hit a string of hotels with no washing machines. Last night we had a show in Lafayette, Louisiana and us parents were so desperate to do laundry that we actually did not go to the show. We thought we had a great plan since there were two washers and dryers. The only problem was one of the dryers was broken. We find laundry is generally the biggest challenge on tour. So it took us a little longer than planned but we all got it done while the rest of the cast was at the show. Today stopped for lunch in Biloxi and drove past some cool looking swamps that the boys enjoyed looking at. Tonight, after arriving in Destin, Florida the cast had Christmas Caroling practice and Missy and I took a walk to the beach. We wanted to make sure our legs were still working after sitting so long on the bus. We had a good laugh when Missy heard some kind of animal in the bushes and grabbed me. I was just hoping it wasn't an alligator. The cast will be singing Christmas Carols at a nursing home this week. They all truly sound amazing together. Since we had the night off the usual suspects went to "Outback" with us. It was a pleasure since we did not have to rush our meal for a change. Now Mikey is reading his book and I am typing this. We just got our flight home information so we are very excited. We should be home in Rockaway by 4pm on Sunday. Mikey got homesick for the first time last night and told me he really misses Maria and Nana. He had to call his Nana to tell her. I think he is really exicted about Christmas and can't wait to get home to help decorate the tree. He has been keeping himself busy by sketching all the characters for his new show: Pirates of the Carribean take on the roles of the cast in Oliver. They are very interesting and detailed drawings. He also came home from the show last night and decided he wants muscles. He showed me how he can do push ups and sit-ups and wondered why he did not see biceps or have a six pack right away. LOL. Tomorrow we hope to take the kids to the boardwalk for lunch once they are done with school. Now it is time to turn the lights out. "Be Back Soon!" Love, Sue and Mikey

Hello from Oxford, Mississippi

Hello from Mississippi. Today we traveled from Baton Rouge to Oxford for an 8pm show. We left Baton Rouge at 9am and I think everybody is starting to feel tired from the one night show and being in a different city every day. Today I was so tired I actually think I fell asleep a few times on the bus only to be quickly awoken by my sons feet. Apparently he moonlights as a break dancer in his sleep; one that does 360's and high kicks. He woke me up everytime and never woke up himself. It was amazing that no matter where I put my feet he managed to find them in his sleep and somehow managed to kick me right across the aisle of the bus. At first I thought he was messing with me, especially when I tucked my feet in front of me and he still got me. Then I watched in amazement as his feet went up in the air with a little spin and kicked the tutors feet whose seat is across the table from his. Jeremiah's feet were actually up on the table so he had to kick up in the air to get him. He managed to wake his Mom and tutor and still remain sleeping. If I wasn't so bone tired this would be funny! We finally arrived in Oxford around 3pm. After dragging the luggage up a flight of stairs, ( we hate hotels without elevators) we had an hour to relax before dinner. We had dinner with our tour family: the Araujos and Nims in Apple Bees and then got back on the bus to go to the theater. The theater was on the campus of the University of Mississippi and we were able to watch from good seats tonight. It is always better when we get good seats because it is fun to see all the actors expressions during the show. Allaggio struggled a little playing Noah because his ankle was still swollen but he did a great job. The fight scene just had to be modified a little. Ashley did a great job filling in for him as "Captain" in Fagin's Gang." She is real fun to watch and her expressions are great. The theater was a great host to the cast, providing snacks, drinks, cereal and animal crackers. Mikey especially loved the "Rice Krispies." They had a "green room" that looked like a living room so it was fun when everybody gathered between there scenes and chatted. Everybody really appreciates when there are couches and space. I think just about everybody misses there couch. The bus seats just are not the same. On the bus ride back it was fun to watch Jen help Chaz's secret santa decorate his seat on the bus. His face said it all when he got on the bus and saw the blue garland with snowflakes along with the big red stocking. He was very thrilled. On another note I was happy to talk to my baby girl "Maria" today. She told me a whole list of things that she want to do with me when I get home. They include: Playing Princesses, Reading a bedtime story, Christmas Shopping, Christmas Decorating and watching a movie. I can't wait to do all of them with her. Only one more week to go... Yipee! Now I must go to sleep since the bus call for the morning is 7:30 and we are heading to Lafayette, Louisana. Love Ya, Sue and Mikey

Baton Rouge

We boarded the bus 9am today after having breakfast at TGI Fridays. The beds last night where to die for so it was hard to get up. The hotel was very nice and different looking. We wished we had more time in Memphis. Sorry Elvis....I did not get to Graceland. The bus ride was quiet all morning since most of the cast really enjoyed Memphis and needed some sleep. Even though the ride was shorter than the past two it was still long. We are all getting "bus fever." This part of the tour is going to be rough because there are many one nighter's coming up. That means travel and show the same day. Not looking forward to it. The days begin to merge into one. Good thing I have this blog to keep track. We arrived in Baton Rouge a little before 4pm. Mikey took a quick shower and then we dined with the usual suspects: Missy, Colin, Q and John. We enjoyed going to Cracker Barrel because it was the first time we ate in one on this tour. (Something different!) You really start missing home cooked meals when you are on the road. After a while all the menus look the same and you don't know what to eat. Mikey and I had something very different for us: Chicken and Dumplings in a cream sauce. He really loved it and ate the whole thing. After eating it was back on the bus for a 10 mile bus ride to the theater. While the kids did "Mike Check" before the show, the parent explored down town Baton Rouge. After being on Beale Street in Memphis, 3rd Street in Baton Rouge seemed boring. Not much was going on. We stopped at a pub where Missy was happy to find a beer called "Purple Haze." John tried Purple Haze and I happily resisted it and had a Pinot Grigio instead. We then went and watch the show. Poor Allaggio hurt his ankle and we are hoping he is okay by tomorrow. Tomorrow we have a 9am bus call and travel to Mississippi for a show. Seems crazy since we drove through Mississipi today and now have to go back. That is show biz! Have a goodnight. Love, Sue and Mikey

"I'M WALKING IN MEMPHIS..........."

"I'm Walking in Memphis.....with my feet.......okay I love that song but for the life of me cannot remember the second line. I definitely think I have early Alzheimer; I use to remember everything. After two days of very long bus rides we arrived in Memphis, Tennessee. Everybody was looking to blow off some steam especially since there was no show. Luckily we are staying in the heart of downtown only 2 blocks away from the famous "Beale Street." The home of the blues. Beale streets is three blocks long with about 30 stores, clubs and restaurants all lit up with music blaring from each of the restaurants trying to lure in patrons. After browsing the shops we couldn't decide which place to eat. We actually went into one place, sat down, got menus and then after looking at the menu walked out. Lucky we did because we ended up eating at "BB Kings" where a live blues band was playing and we had a blast. Many of the cast members, unplanned showed up at the same place. The lead singer noticed the kids dancing and enjoying the music upon the balcony and made some comments about it. (because they are so shy! ) Later, Mikey made a sign and was waving it "Sing It To Me" The kids decided to go in front of the stage and dance so she can read the sign. By the end of the night Mikey, Q and Colin were sitting on the stage with the lead singer hugging them and introducing them as the cast of Oliver! She really made their night when she came off stage and danced with them. Q busted a few moves on her! You could see it in theire faces how much fun they were having. We also had scrumptous meal of BBQ ribs and baked beans. The ribs were so good we ordered more. Mikey really loved them. Tomorrow we continue our trip to Baton Rouge and have a show at night. We all really regret not be able to stay in this City. Graceland and the Civil Right Museum are nearby but unfortunately we did not have time to visit. Mikey was very happy to hear from Reilly and was talking to her while in BB Kings. He is really exicited that she got the part of "Charlie" in Willie Wonka at the Rockaway Theatre Company. He really got a kick that they both are playing a role where their names are Charlie. We are praying they have a March show so we can see it when we get back. Well time to go to sleep......Be Back Soon! Love, Mikey and Sue.

Farwell to Rapid City....Hello to Missouri

We bid a fond farwell to Rapid City, South Dakota also known as the "City of Presidents." They have statutes of the former Presidents on almost every corner in Rapid City's Main Street area. My favorite was JFK and John John. I think Mikey's favorite was Pocohontas since he had me take a picture of him kissing her. He was disappointed when she did not come to life and discovered for the first time in his life he wasn't really a prince. (LOL) Since we were in Rapid City a few days we were able to swim and relax in the hot tub, shop in the cute town, do laundry, dine out and of course as I wrote yesterday fulfill a dream. Mikey and I were also very happy to find a verizon store because we both broke our phone holders. I also needed to up the texting on the plan since my husband discovered how to text. (LOL) The first night we arrived we went to a cute restaurant that was called the Fire House Brewing Company. It was beautifully decorated for the holidays; fire truck and all. Q and John's dessert was so big Mikey had to help them eat it; they still were not able to finish it all. Yesterday after returning from Mt. Rushmore we browsed all the cute unique shops until we could barely walk back. When we walked back to the hotel Missy was like the "General" marching ahead at a fast pace while John and I could barely move our legs anymore and had to order them to keep moving or risk freezing to death. I definitely took my car for granted all these years. "Seriously, Never Again! Today was a really long bus ride. It took us about 12 hours to get to Missouri for a stop over on the way to Baton Rouge. We were so happy to get off the bus and go to "Arbys" for dinner. Then we browsed the truck stop stores hoping to find some secret santa presents. Now Mikey just finished reading a chapter in his book. He is reading "The Maze of Bones-The 39 Blues. He is really enjoying it and is laughing out loud. We talked to Mike and Maria several times today. They are busy decorating the house so when we come home we will only have to put the ornaments on the tree. We are counting the days until we come home. Well I have to go night night now. Bus call is 730am. Love, Sue and Mikey