Post-Script - A Bunch of Photos

My fabulous First Lady posted a bunch of photos and now I am sharing them here!

Final Show!

One last time as The Third Lady!

We had a good crowd and I think everyone feels like they put on a good show today. I'm ready to go, and get on the road to Paris. But a few more things first. I had cake from the restaurant in the hotel last night, and it was pretty good, but too much for me, really. So of course I want another one right now

This morning I thought I'd treat myself to breakfast at the restaurant. But really, I only want oatmeal for breakfast when I first wake up, so this was kind of wasted on me. And it was about twice what I'd pay in NYC at my diner, which is ridic, sorry to say.

Mmmmmm, my dinerrrrrrr...

Sarastro gave The Three Ladies these chicks because, uh, we are his Three Chicks? I guess? So he said... but they are cute

I also got a photo of the Queen with the coach extraordinaire! Also got a photo of her with me and The First Lady.

I feel like I should write something deep and important with the closing of the show, but I am not that serious or deep or important. It was a great show, I am very proud to have been a part of it, and I hope all my shows can always be this good. I hope to be back soon! Kisses, Utah!

Getting ready for the last show

It's always so strange when a show closes with a matinee. I know that's the way it goes, and I've experienced it with other companies, but it always feels like you don't quite go out on a high. And also, getting your energy up for an afternoon show is harder, so you hope you give as good of a performance as the evening shows. Makes me glad I'm not singing The Queen, or Pamina, or Tamino.

On my day off, I ran 6 miles, which felt awesome, and then had a fabulous lunch of chicken and waffles at Pig & A Jelly Jar, which I highly recommend to anyone looking for a great brunch or breakfast in SLC. I liked it so much I bought a t-shirt to remember it!

Oh, the day before, I had a coaching at the Production Studio and I found these terrific outreach posters for the Utah Symphony. Soooo great!

Last night I started packing, hi-ho, the glamorous life! I can't believe that it's already been a month! The last week always zips by so fast, once you're in production. But I'm ready, and zomg, that means Noodle and I leave for Paris in two days!!! Squee!

The Penultimate Show!

Yesterday Noodle left, so I was sad. Seeing him so close to the end of the trip is almost ... I don't know. Now that he was here and has gone, it makes me miss him and home even more. Just a few more sleeps!

I had one final coaching with Utah's principal coach today, and she continues to be amazing. What a treat and what a great resource for them to have on staff. Ran a few miles, then had delicious phở with my friend who plays cello in the Utah Symphony. That was nice, we went to the West Valley area and it felt nice to sort of get out of town. I believe it was Phở Bien Hoa, and it was pretty delicious. 

But when I got home, it was already 3:30pm, and see, I have gotten into the habit of lying around watching TV all afternoon on the day of a show, so I had to adjust to NOT doing that. Ha! I had to pin up my hair, get some dinner for later, walk through the show. I mean, seriously, how dare they do a show when I had a social engagement, GOSH!

The show! The show was sold out! Really fantastic work, everyone who made it happen. They seemed to laugh in all the right places, but were a little slow to applaud. Personally, it was my bumpiest show so far. Out of five shows, you are always going to have one that is not the best, and I guess that was tonight for me. But life does go on and I will get over it.

I finally got some photos of The Three Spirits. They are so cute. First we got a couple of just them, one just hanging out, and one in their "Mud Children" pose

Then we got a couple of them being tormented by the Queen of the Night. The dark one is not as good of a photo, but I like their expressions - being afraid of the Queen

Tomorrow is a day off! I'm going to do a long run - 6 miles - and then I'm going to eat chicken and waffles at Pig and a Jelly Jar. Then I'm going to eat sushi with The Second Lady. Should be a great day!! Lots of good food!

 

The Day After Show Three, and other stray bits

Show number three went great. It's funny, before the show, the other Two Ladies and I each sort of felt off, in some way. Mid-week slump, I suppose. But the show went really well. And we had a pretty full house, which is impressive for a Wednesday night. My family and friends loved it so so much. Noodle gets all choked up, he's so proud when he sees me perform. And Mom of course was so proud, too. Mom's friend Mary Alice loved it, too! Noodle said she was laughing the whole way through! A few other people I know were in the audience also, so it was like I had my own little claque!

Something I forgot a couple days ago - there is a chorus member who is a Mason and he invited our conductor to come and do a presentation for his lodge on the Masonic influences in The Magic Flute. It was so great and informative and interesting. The maestro and a couple cast members talked about the show, and then some of the Masons talked about what Masons are. Really great that each side had something to teach the other!

I got several good photos of my family and friend before and after the show. First, here is the four of us at dinner at The Olive Bistro

Then we got a couple with The Capitol Theater in the background

The Three Ladies took lots of photos that night, too. I made them pose like The Three Stooges. If I ever direct this show, The Three Ladies are totally going to be modeled after The Stooges

Then I was taking some solo shots when I was bombed by The Second Lady

After the show I got tons with Mom and Noodle. This first one is a recreation of a photo that we took seven years ago when she came to see the show

This morning we stopped by Sam Weller Books and I found this on the shelf. Salt Lake is the only place you will find such a juxtaposition!

Show Number Three, now with extra added family!

Tonight I have my own little crowd in the audience! Noodle, my mom, and a friend of hers from Spokane. How nice! They just arrived and got checked into the hotel. It's so great to be so close to my hometown. And the friend, Mary Alice, is a woman who heard Noodle and me in concert in January, and when she heard I was doing this show and Mom was coming, she just decided to come along!

Earlier today I had another coaching with the principal coach and it RO--OCKED. She's so friggin' great. And Noodle came a listened and he loved it, too. He said it was so illuminating for him and educational. We also had a nice little chat with the artistic director of the company, which was great. I like that I am proud to introduce Noodle to all these people.

Now on to show number three!

After Show Number Two, 3am

Noodle's flight was delayed. Really, really delayed. At this moment, he is waiting for a cab at the airport and it's three in the morning. His flight was supposed to land at 10:20pm, but it landed at about 2:15am. Oy vey. He was supposed to take off before I was even called for make up, but by the time I had finished the bulk of my part of the show, he had only just barely pulled away from the gate and was on the tarmac for another hour before taking off. So I was pretty tense for most of the show. Doesn't make for a happy singer.

But the show went pretty well. We had another good crowd - when I got to make up, they said 80 percent sold, but they had to hold the curtain for about 15 minutes because of the crowd of walk-up ticket buyers, which is a great thing, especially for a Monday night. At first they were a little slow to react to anything, either with applause or laughter, but they warmed up pretty quick. Now that we've had two actual audiences, we are learning where they tend to laugh. That's always a discovery, always. You can never predict where and what will make the audience laugh. In all my years of putting up shows, every time, they react in at least one place that surprises you. I love that so much.

Here's how I self-medicated while I waited for the flight to land

Gotta sign off, I expect Noodle will be calling soon to say he's in the taxi and I'll go down to the lobby to meet him. Man, what a night.

Added later : He made it!