Training

Patuxent River, MD

Hello Friends,

Lets conclude this little nostalgic tryptic with a recollection of my first training at the home office in Missoula.

Being trained as a Tour Actor/Director (TAD) is a terrifying prospect.

In advance you are given a script, a score, and a CD with the instructions to have your lines and songs down cold before you arrive. You walk into a massive theatre full of a home staff of around 50 people all smiling at you and welcoming you to a new job. You are a in a sea of unknowns and your schedule is jam packed to the gills from the moment you step in the building.

What happens over the next two weeks goes by in a blur of 14 hours days full of process sessions to learn the nuts and bolts of the MCT method followed by show sessions to learn every single aspect of the show. If your brain doesn't feel like mush about half way through the week then something is wrong.

Thankfully I did have lines memorized and being trained in the fall (something that actually doesn't happen anymore) my "class" of fellow new TAD's was only five. This meant we got to plow through our process sessions fairly quick and were able to spend more time on our shows. I was the odd man out of the group as the other four newbies were partnered together. My partner wouldn't arrive until we did our show for premier week (I'll get to that).

What I learned that first of two weeks laid the foundation for the teach that I am today. How to teach kids blocking and singing without a script in their hands. How to control large groups through humor and positive reinforcement. Simple tricks and tools to install acting technique in seconds. The list goes on and on. I loved it.

As the week concluded it was time to show off these new skills to the bosses. Since no kids were available to be "demo" kids (which we have in the summer) we had the joy to teach other veteran tour actors who arrive for premier week and their tours. This. Was. Terrifying. There is nothing more imposing then the prospect of teaching a fellow employee who has been doing a job much longer then you something that they have down pat perfectly.

The room was full of forty veteran tour actors. All good friends. All excited to see each other again. All just itching to see what these newbies could do. First the bosses get up and lay the rules down.

- Act like good kids, don't be funny and try to act like a bad kid.

- Don't give advice or say "The way I do it is..."

- Be supportive.

With the gauntlet thrown down they turned to the five of us and asked who would like to go first. Of course my hand shot up. I was prepared. I love to get things done with then dread about them. My session went well as I taught my peers to be cowboys and horses that loose their skin (no worries, that show is off the road). After ten minutes or so the bosses had seen enough. I received my notes on what to work on and was given a general "good job" from all of them. I even think I saw a few vets nodding in approval.

I don't mean to boast, but it was one of the few times in my life that I was really prepared and on my "A" game, just let me have this one.

Week one of training ended and the next week was time for Premier Week!!! This is when a handful of schools in Missoula actually host a tour team to put on a show at the school. The school gets a free play and MCT gets invaluable experience for their new hires in a controlled environment where home staff can help if needed. It is a brilliant system.

The week was even more stressful then training. It's one thing to talk about working with kids but nothing can ever prepare you for that first moment when 70 of them are all staring at you just waiting for you to tell them what to do.

Auditions were crazy. Cast a show in two hours!? But it the show was cast. Rehearsals flew by. How am I suppose to teach all this at just two hours at a time?! But the learned their parts. Dress rehearsal was awful - I even forgot words to songs! But the performances were stellar. The kids shined, the bosses nodded in approval, even I felt a pang of relief - it can be done!

Now all I had to do was pack up my truck and leave Missoula the next day so I could start my grand adventure - tour.

And now four and half years on the road later (with some breaks here on there) I can not think of any other way I would have wanted to spend my life. The road has been crazy to say the least. Full of many tour partners, tens of thousands of miles, gorgeous sights, crazy adventures, kind people, daring food, and many many sacrifices. But in the end its all worth just to hear one kid say "I did it!"

The Adventure STILL Continues - ML

Missoula

Patuxent River, MD
Hello Friends,

Lets pick up where I left off - my first time in Missoula.

After accepting the job I settled my affairs in Seattle. I arranged to leave my stuff in the condo that I was living in thanks to my friend Jason and quit the show I was in. I remember the director of that production, this spindly 25 year-old something who thought his vision for the play was amazing, telling me that I was making a huge mistake to run off on tour and that I would do much better if I stayed in Seattle (HA!). From there I headed out to Ohio for a bit of visiting and then back to Portland for one last hurrah and then I flew to Missoula from there. If I had only known how important a role the City of Portland would play later in my life. Funny how the world works.

Flying into Missoula International Airport for the first time is a special experience. It's hard to describe. If you ask Joe Q. Public what they know or even think of when you say "Montana" odds are they come up with "Buffalo" or "Snow" or most likely "Dances with Wolves". So when one goes to Montana you really have no idea what to expect. This was the case when I landed in one of the smallest planes I had flown.

Your aircraft parks at one of six gates and you walk less then thirty seconds and you are at baggage claim. During that thirty second trek you pass by at least five very impressive taxidermy pieces ranging from grizzly bears, to deer, and of course the coup de grace is the mountain lion killing a goat in its mouth. It's a bit awesome.

I arrived in Missoula three days before my training to meet up with my college room mate Pat who took a Greyhound down from Havre to hang out. As I was early, the company did have to pick me up (though in retrospect I am sure they would have had I asked, which I didn't because I didn't want to impose on this new company that hired me) so I figured I would just catch a cab to take me to my hotel.

With in minutes of collecting my bag the airport was deserted. I called a cab and they claimed they would be there in 15 minutes. They also claimed they could get me to the hotel for less then $20 cash as that was all I had in my wallet and they did not take cards. So gazing at the hills that surround me I began to worry that my dwindling cash supply would not see me through and until training began as I waited for the cab.

And waited.

And waited.

About 30 minutes after I called a fancy hotel van pulls up (my hotel was not that fancy) and asked if I had called about going to their hotel. Of course I hadn't and explained as much. The lady, who was about my age, looked around and not seeing anyone asked where I was going. When I told her I was going to another hotel and that I was here for Missoula Children's Theatre her face grinned and she offered me a ride into town for free. I couldn't believe it.

So I hopped into a strangers van and ventured forth towards downtown Missoula. Now mind you I wouldn't have hopped into just any van and my creeper bell wasn't tingling. As we drove in she told me all about Missoula. Where to go, what to see, how much I am going to love MCT. She herself was a student at the University and worked at the hotel as a part time gig. After a brief 10 minute drive I was at my hotel and her van vanished into traffic.

I never saw that girl again, but her kindness left an indelible impression.

Pat arrived later that day and we spent the next few days exploring Missoula, reminiscing about college, and making promises as to what we wanted to do with out lives. If I remember correctly we were both going to be Professors at the same college some day. Those few days passed all to quickly. Suddenly I was beginning my training at MCT and Pat was returning to Northern Montana. What began that first day of training would change my life forever.

The Adventure Continues - ML

How it all Began

Patuxent River, MD
Hello Friends,

So this is my last week as a tour actor/director before I move on to the home office and I have been doing a lot of reflecting. What a better way to do that then to re-tell my MCT story (no worries I will be making broad strokes with these entries). Let's start at the beginning...

It was the end of June 2003. I had just finished my nine month internship at the Seattle Repertory Theatre. I was desperatly seeking work that would allow me to still act and teach. I was in a production for the now defunct Seattle Fringe Festival playing a father to a disturbed son in the depression (Trestle at the Pope Lick Creek)to which I was recieving no pay and drove 20 miles one way for rehearsal. The world was scary and exciting and I had no idea what lay ahead.

At the end of that faithful June I attended a theatre open audition were you spend one minute and thirty seconds performing two monolouges in hopes that some theatre company sitting in the darkened audience may call you back at some point in the near future. When done, I thanked the faceless crowd and made a calm confident exit (a dance that had been engrained into me from my college years). Before I could reach the door a voice called out from the populated void, "Matt, can you sing?"

My reply came quick but not as confident as my attempted exit.

"Yes."

I was handed a half piece of paper for a place called The Missoula Children's Theatre asking to come back TODAY for an interview about some tour thing.

A callback?! Today!?!! Usually you wouldn't receive a callback for weeks, sometimes even months!

At this point I can't remember if I was even excited about the callback or not. I was a little leery of something called "tour" and during my time between I headed back to the Rep and printed of my teaching resume as it had not been with my acting resume. At the Rep I distinctly remember someone even telling me to stay away from the Missoula gig. They hadn't heard good things about it or had a friend of a friend who had done it and didn't like it. Still, a callback is a callback and I went back with resume in hand to see what this was all about.

Upon arrival I was greeted by the two Missoula Reps; Beth Martin and Victoria Larson. I handed them my teaching resume and took my spot with about 5 other callbackees. I don't really remember much of the schpeel, though I know what the schpeel is; it is a 45 minute talk about how awful the job is. Working with kids every week, crazy drives and partners, staying at weird homes, the list goes on and on. (To be fair, this is actually the best tool we have for recruitment as candidates are openly encouraged to politely leave the moment they know that the tour is not for them).

I don't know what I did or say or maybe it was the fact that I brought a theatre teaching resume to an acting callback, but after about 30 minutes of the schpeel Beth decides to pull me out of the pack and starts to have a one-on-one interview with me. She wants to know about how I grew up, what I like about acting and teaching, on and on we go. It felt like a good 30 minutes. By the time our talk was finished the other candidates had all gone. I felt thrilled about this opportunity but knew better then to get my hopes up. Polite farewells were made and the promises of being in contact were spoken.

On the 30 minute drive back I received a call from Victoria asking if they could hear me sing over the phone since I had failed to do so at the callback. As I was driving on the interstate I politely asked if I could at another time. A time was set for two days later.

During those two days I sang my heart out to everything I could find. Any musical CD, old voice lesson books, the TV - anything! It had not been specified as to what they wanted me to sing so I prepared song after song for their consideration.

The two days passed and the call came at the appointed time. The kitchen table was full of sheet music and songbooks ready for action. I was nervous! I had sang in church and few musicals in High School, but never for a professional gig! Brief pleasantries were delivered and then:

"Alright, lets hear you sing!"

"Well, what would you like?"

"How about 'Happy Birthday'?"

Staring at all those books and music I gave my best version of that tell-tale song all the while looking around for some gag show TV camera. It was the longest 15 seconds of my life.

"Great. We will be in touch."

That was it. Done. I felt a bit deflated.

A week past, then two. I tried not to think of it but as any actor will tell you until you hear no then, to you, it still feels like there could be a yes.

When the call came I of course wasn't expecting it. However the offer was timeless. Nine month contract, starting in September. I was given a week to think it over, I am pretty sure I called back later that day.

The Adventure Continues - ML

Cozy New Jersey

Deleware Township, NJ
Hello Friends!

Things are rainy and cold in the rural areas of New Jersey but thankfully old man winter has yet to be seen. This week Calida and I are staying in a quaint guest house in a very rural horse pasturey area. It is very picturesque and every night when we come home dinner has been left for us on our stove! It's like having a magical little food elf making us gormet dinner and then disappearing before we get (said elf also leaves a lot of wine and cheese as well!).

I am fighting a wee head cold and I haven't had much energy to get out and about. Thankfully Calida and I are both into really good George RR Martin books right now so we are passing the time well. Oh and there is on demand cable in our house too (yeah, that kind of guest house).

This weekend Calida's family is coming to see the show and then a holiday week off before Maryland in which one of us gets their wisdom teeth removed (I will give you a hint, its not me). if this post is a bit wonky my apologies as I am doing this all from smartphone for the first time.

The Adventure Continues - ML

USFS DC Blog Post

Albany, NY
Hello Friends!

Real quick, here is a link to a nice blog from the United States Forest Service about our workshops in DC. Yup, that's me in the background getting kids to use their "binoculars".

The Adventure Continues - ML

Artsy Kids!

Menands, NY
Hello Friends!

So children at Menands school have two options when Missoula comes to town. They can either audition for the show or be part of an after school art class about the show (or just not be part of it all). We really didn't think much of it until we started seeing posters and an amazing banner hanging in front of the school today. I really love it when schools use our visit to encourage cross curricular activities. Enjoy!









The Adventure Continues - ML

A Five Week Vacation

Albany, NY
Hello Friends,

The past five weeks has been good. Almost too good. From the blustery lands of Canada we spent two weeks off in Ohio and Pennsylvania. Then a week in Connecticut, two days of workshops in DC followed by pretty much two weeks off again spent with our respective families in Ohio and Pennsylvania again. And now we are in the heart of downtown in Albany, NY.

The sheer amount of off time has been overwhelming. It has been great to spend so much time with family and friends but it also wears on you to know that you are doing a whole lot of hurrying up and waiting. Thankfully, we are back on the road with two weeks (New York and New Jersey) and then ANOTHER week off followed by our last week in Maryland the week before Christmas.

Since there has been a gap on the blog (that happens when one is on vacation) lets recap some highlights of that break:

- Water park fun with family at Kalahari in Sandusky, OH.
- Great food and wine and even better company in Cincinnati, OH.
- Making my niece up like a zombie for Halloween.
- Delicious food at Corky and Lenny's (There is nothing daring about it, just go).
- Meeting Mama Lerew.
- Having a doll filled and enjoyable week in Old Saybrook, CT at The Kate.
- Doing 4 workshops in urban DC for the United States Forestry Service.
- Eating Ethiopian food (that is daring).
- Enjoying home cooked meals in York and Stewartsville, PA
- Celebrating Thanksgiving with my family which, in actuality, is a very rare thing as my family is never near each other on Thanksgiving.

It's been a lot of traveling and in retrospect a lot of eating but it has been worth and the end of tour is looming in the horizon (only three more weeks left!). It's going to be a great time.

The Adventure Continues - ML

Monticello & Niagara Falls

Mississauga, ON (That's Ontario y'all!)

Hello Friends!

Fall tour has been whizzing by in a blur of singing children and long drives. I write from land of our northern brethren of Canada, but more on that later. In the past few weeks Calida and I have gone from Central Virginia to Northern New York with out nary a moments reprise and it has taken a small toll on our health as we are both battling chest colds but we shall overcome!

Two weeks ago we were in Lovingston, VA, located pretty much in the middle of nowhere. It was a gorgeous place surrounded by rolling hills of trees. Not far from where we were was Thomas Jefferson's home of Monticello. The icon home of our 3rd President can be found on the back of the nickel and was a wonderful stop.

First you are greeted by the new visitors center which was quite impressive and full of interactive exhibits showing how Jefferson ideas of independence have since spread across the globe. From there it was a short shuttle trip to the house itself. Though the building is not very large on the outside, the surrounding grounds more then make up for it. We had a couple of minutes to kill before our tour and took in Mr. Jefferson's gardens. Quite an impressive assortment of vegetables. Supposedly he was very interested in seeing what types of plants could or could not survive in America so he planted many different types and documented their growth.

The tour of the house was awesome. We went through all of the rooms on the main floor and our tour guide was very good. It was impressive to see how Jefferson remodeled the house three times and continual thrived to make improvements to not waste not any space in his home.

Sadly our time was a bit limited as we had to skedaddle back to rehearsal. We could have easily spent the whole day on the grounds as many other guided tours were available. If you are close by you should check it out.

After Virgina we spent a long weekend at Calida's home in York, PA with friends and family and I even got to experience a Teepee bonfire hosted by here brother. It. Was. Awesome.

From there we arrived in northern New York in the town of Lockport, none too far from Buffalo. The week was a lot of fun especially since my Nieces, Sister, Bro-in-law, and Gammy were able to come up and see the show. The following day we went to the always impressive Niagara Falls where hopped on the world famous Maid of the Mist. This was great. You put on a poncho, get on a boat, ride pretty much into the middle of the falls, get soaking wet, and then go to a gift shop. It was quite an experience to see my 2 year old niece and my Gammy both holding on for dear life while enjoying the falls.

Now we are in Canada in Mississauga. It is a nice burb of Toronto and everyone here has made us feel very welcome. Next up is some time off where family and fun await.

The Adventure Continues - ML

Soggy Sayre

Sayre, PA

Hello Friends!

We had a wonderful show in Keene, NH and were a bit sad to leave our host Judith, but the road calls and we packed up and headed west once again.

Our week in Sayre, PA is going along fine. Sadly this town was devastated a few weeks ago when Tropical Storm Lee came through and created what the locals are calling a "500 Year" flood. Half the town has been flooded out and we often hear people talk of how they do not have a home to go home to or they wonder if their basements are dry enough to re-sheet rock. Thankfully we have arrived at the right time and are giving this community a much needed boost through the joys of theatre. We just wish it would quit raining!

For the past two weeks in Troy and Keene we have had wonderful home stays,

however they were each accompanied by 20 minute commutes to the theatre and back. Not so this week. We are staying at the Virginia Buchmann Guest House which is literally a stone throw away from the Sayre Theater (that is the guest house and theatre and truck all in the same picture). The cast is doing a great job. In fact for the first time in about two months we had to sadly turn kids away - 94 auditioned!

We also had a nice small article in the local paper. It can be found here.

Hope you are staying dry!

The Adventure Continues - ML

Lovely Keene

Nelson, NH

Hello Friends!

Things are wonderful in New Hampshire. The leaves are changing and the country side is gorgeous with a smattering of reds, oranges, and browns. Even though we have been rain logged all week with very muggy and un-fall like weather we are still having a great time.

Our week started well as we arrived at our home this week. Located pretty much in the middle of no where, we are staying with a board member from the Colonial Theatre. She has this huge modern house in the middle of the woods. We were greeted by here two wonderful Golden Retrivers and full internet. Yes, this would make for a good week.

Zack and Zoey - LOVE THEM!

Those are our bedrooms above the garage.

A realitive small turnout came to auditions, only 39- they were expecting around 60. Thankfully quality won out over quantity and the kids are on track for a great show tomorrow in the amazingly old and renovated Colonial Theatre. (Better be on my best acting as it is a $19 ticket!).

The stage is perfect for the MCT set and the seats have great accustics in the house!

The always posing Calida Davis

It seats 500 folks!

The restored theatre is gorgeous!

We even got to do workshops in surronding towns. One was a good 45 minute drive away. The drive was very pretty and the kids were extremely excited for us to come since they don't have a lot of arts exposure out in the country of New Hampshire. We offer a make-up workshop and I have to admit I am getting pretty good at the old "quater in hand wound"

Not pictured - 40 children screaming "EWWW!!!"

Next up - we travel back to exactly the same county we were last week - Sayre, PA.

The Adventure Continues - ML

Picturesque Pennsylvania

Nelson, NH

Hello Friends!

Our first week of fall has come to an end. The kids did well and the small town of Troy, PA has treated us well. We stayed with a wonderful family who lives atop of Alba Mountain (think Walton's but with natural gas wells). They own a lot of the property on the hill and Calida and I went trekking around and about. Fall was in the air and the ground was still soaked from Lee. The pictures speak for themselves.

That's our little truck there in the distance next to our home.

This tree was massive!

This picture really doesn't do this vista justice. It was very impressive.

Calida Von Trapp

We are enjoying our time here in Keene, NH. We are working with the Colonial Theatre this week. It is a gorgeous old place (pictures to come). and this whole college town has made us feel quite welcome. There is a good chance for some great daring dinning this week!

The Adventure Continues - ML

The Wrath of Lee

Alba, PA

Hello Everyone!

Fall tour is underway and things are going grand!

After spending a great three and a half week on "working vacation" aka getting our truck from Missoula to Pennslyvian, we have begun our week in Troy, PA. We are staying with a nice couple on their farm property the next town over - Alba, PA.

We have a tiny cast this week of 28 and the kids are doing well. Really good singers and very respectful. The town was hit pretty hard last week as Tropical Storm Lee dumped tons of rain on the town. Their is even a huge chunk of road missing from one of the main drags leading into town.

Speaking of Lee... During his trek up north our truck was parked at Calida's Dad's home in Stewartstown, PA (about 10 miles south of York, PA). It was parked aways from a creek however Lee made the creek flood to biblical proportions. What ensued was very stressful for our truck and Calida. An account with lots of pictures can be found on Calida's Blog.

It is good to be on the road again!

The Adventure Continues - ML

Fall '11 Tour Schedule

Cortland, OH

Hello Friends!

Where has time gone!? After many weeks of no internet and lots of travel it is time (actually very over due) to give a heads up to our whereabouts this fall. Here we go!

9/12 - Troy, PA

9/19 - Keene, NH

9/26 - Sayre, PA

10/3 - Lovingston, VA

10/10 - Lockport, NY

10/17 - Mississauga, ON (That would be Ontario, Canada!)

10/24 - Unbooked

10/31 - Unbooked

11/7 - Old Saybrook, CT

11/14 - Unbooked (Possibly a residency week in Washington D.C.)

11/21 - Thanksgiving Week

11/28 - Menands, NY

12/5 - Sergeantsville, NJ

Then off for the holidays. We are staying on with Secret Garden and are glad about it. The show has really grown on us. We will get our marching orders for the Winter/Spring in November sometime and I can tell you now we will still be on the East Coast as we are not slotted to return to Missoula until the end of this tour in May 2012.

As always if live near by and/or know of places to see and or unique places to eat please leave a message so we can experience it all!

The Adventure Continues - ML

Mums the word in Medford

Medford, OR

Hello Friends!

Our week in McMinnville was a HUGE success. Parents were crying and beaming and loved the show! We are now in Medford and auditions were by far the most organized we have had in quite some time. We are partnered this week with the Craterian Ginger Rogers Theatre and they are wonderful! Had over 90 kids at auditions and it was tough, hopefully this means we will have one of our best shows ever this week (a hard feat after McMinnville...)

Calida and I are staying a gorgeous house in the outskirts of town and internet and cell phone are not our friends this week, but that is OK, we are being feed a kings bounty this week by our gracious home stay. After four weeks of hotels, it is a very welcome reprieve.

I can not wait to upload some photos, alas, it will probably have to wait till next week when we head back to the evergreen state of Washington.

The Adventure Continues - ML

St. Paul Rodeo

McMinnville, OR

Hello Friends,

Calida and I were fortunate enough to spend the Fourth of July at the world famous St. Paul Rodeo. St. Paul is a tiny burg only about 15 miles away from McMinnville and boasts a population of 300 (a fact the rodeo commentators mentioned numerous times). The town explodes over the July holiday to host one of the largest rodeo's in Oregon and the country. Apparently this is one of the biggest purses you can get in Oregon and there is another Rodeo not too far away this coming weekend with another big purse that draws a lot of competitors so they can compete in both due to their close proximity.

In typical MCT fashion we were invited to the rodeo by a stranger who knew the MCT team was coming to town and had extra tickets he wanted to share since his kids enjoy our program so much. After exchanging a couple of emails we agreed to meet at the beer tent. It was an absolute gorgeous day on the fourth. While St. Paul is a very tiny town finding parking as the masses descended was quite easy. The rodeo began on the 31st of June so the carnival booths and rides were all in full swing by the Fourth and the sights and smells of a good old fashioned fair were abundant as we sought the beer tent.

With a Coors Light in hand we met our wonderful contact and his family. They have been coming to the rodeo since the mid-60's and their seat are kind of legacy seats you hold on to forever, much like a season ticket for college football. And great seats they were! Box seats right on the rail line nearest the chutes. We could literally reach out and touch the horses as they pass.

I should mention now that I have never been to a rodeo so I had no clue what to expect.

The event started with a nice procession of mainly rodeo Queens (think beauty pageant, not drag queens, though that would have been equally entertaining...) all on horse backs representing various other rodeos from around the region. At the end of the procession was a group of vets from various wars including a D-Day vet. It was a pretty touching tribute and nice to see especially on the Fourth. This whole process took a good fifteen minutes and then we got into the rodeo itself.

Over the next FOUR HOURS we took in 12 events ranging from bull riding and calf roping, to barrel racing and junior events. Each event had about 12-18 competitors however that was just for this program. Each event really has around 100 entries that are spread out of the four day event, so we are only seeing a little slice of the competition. We saw some great riding and even a guy who got thrown in the air from a bull (we later found out he broke his shoulder). But by far the most interesting events were the Model T "Pig-N-Ford" Racers and the Wild Horse Race.

In the Pig-N-Ford race you must do the following:

1. Model T-like crank start roadsters are assembled on the track.

2. A box of pigs is lined up next to the roadsters.

3. At the signal the drivers must run to the box and grab a pig (they were cute piglets)

4. With pig in hand they must crank start their roadster.

5. With pig still in hand they must then drive a lap around the arena.

6. Upon completing a lap they must deposit their pig, grab another, and repeat two more times.

I don't know how drunk you have to be to invent this event... Wow. It wasn't until afterward that we learned it was a big promo event as the roadsters had sponsor flags on them and is kind of like cheering for something on a jumbo tron like a boat or the like a sports game. Still these men who drive the cars and pigs DO THIS FOR A LIVING in the rodeo circuit. And they say I have a strange job...

The last event of the day was the Wild Horse Race and this was a real event with a purse attached. It is absolutely crazy and great. What happens is 10 teams of three line up in front of the chutes, at the signal they open and a wild, saddle-less horse comes running out. It does have a rope around it. It is then the job of this team to wrangle it, put a saddle on it, and get it across the line on the far side of the arena first. This all happens at the same time as ten wild horse coming barreling out of the gate and it is absolute pandemonium. I have a great video of it on the phone and I hope to share it soon.

All in all it was an amazing slice of America to experience. For the most part I enjoyed seeing the expertise of the competitors and cow hands that kept the event running smoothly. I should mention that they non-stop banter between the commentators and Gizmo the rodeo clown was down right PAINFUL and actually quite offensive at times. Not all of us think a bull looks and acts like our mothers and wish our wives were as nice as said bulls. Said once was sort of funny, the tenth time was aggravating. I wish they would just shut up and let us enjoy the events.

The night was capped as we took in McMinnville's fireworks and hit the hay to begin another week the following day - and things are going great!

Again, the internet is not so hot right now so no pictures, but as soon as we do I will post a lot!

The Adventure Continues - ML

Trees and Beaches

McMINNVILLE, OR!

Hello Friends!!!

Greetings from the land of my good old college days! Ah finally good-ish internet access again! At the Camp Crystal Lake, I mean, Trees Motel last week we had internet as long as no one else was using it, that got old as you crossed your fingers and hoped that there might be one bar of internet waiting for you.

The scenery was gorgeous! The redwoods are always awe inspiring and never cease to amaze me. Our hotel was right across the street from the Trees of Mystery! It's an impressive little tourist trap with a 70 foot Paul Bunyan who talks to travelers as they come close to the gift shop. Though his constant yabbering could be heard from the hotel... The gift shop itself had a little free museum show casing native tribes art work from around the world.

Right next to Paul and Babe (who was NOT castrated) was the path that lead to said mysterious trees. I am not sure if "mystery" is the word to describe these trees. To me "mystery" implies that we have no idea why or how they are there when actually we do, they are trees, they grow, all around the word. A better term for the tree tour would have been "impressive" because that they were. They had this one tree that was so large that 12 other trees were growing off of their branches! Another was shaped like a lightening bolt, and one had five trees fused together that formed what they called a cathedral tree and folks even get hitched there.

The main draw of the tour was the sky tram which was a little gondola thing that shuttles you above the treeline to a view area 750 feet up. From there you can see the Pacific to one side and nothing but Redwoods off the other. Impressive.

Another perk to our hotel (besides being bed bug free) was that it had this hidden path that lead down to an enclosed beach. The path is marked and legit, but no one goes down! One day Calida and I packed up a dinner and headed seaside and enjoyed having our very own beach to ourselves for FIVE HOURS! It was wonderful and the weather was gorgeous.

My last schedule week in California (for now probably) was a memorable one in many ways and it was a nice way to say "See you later - for now" to the great state of California.

The Adventure Continues - ML

By good-ish internet I mean I get good spurts of access so posting pictures isn't possible now. I promise, I have some great ones!

Once Bitten

Klamath, CA

Hello Friends!

I am surrounded by giant redwoods, the Pacific is only 1/2 a mile away, and a giant Paul Bunyan and Babe is right outside my window. Yup I am in Northern California. It is strangely fall like here right now with constant drizzle and grey clouds here, isn't it almost July!?

Last week went very well. We got a really great cast and now we feel like we finally have a good grasp on the show. The only small hiccup was performing outside. The stage itself was a portable elevated stage but backstage was on a baseball field and all of our costumes and set got ridiculously dirty. Also the only bathroom was a honey bucket, we were terrified that the toilet would eat a few costume pieces, thankfully, it did not.

I did get to experience a first last week - always something new on the road. On Thursday I started noticing small spots on my skin. I thought "Oh this must be like a mosquito or something" but over the next few mornings I started noticing more and more and some of the spots were merging into blotches. They weren't itchy or irritating just strange, "Hmmmm..." I thought, "I don't have allergies, I really haven't been outside, what could it be?". Then it dawned on me - "BED BUGS!!!!"

Sure enough after much online research it matched. I must have been lucky to only be sharing my bed with a few because some cases look just vile. I am happy to say the redness is going away and everything of mine has been washed. You can see in the picture of my hand some good bumps near my knuckles and wrist. I had more on my arms and back, thankfully none were in my swimsuit area.

Oh the joys of the road.

The Adventure Continues - ML

Snow Whiters

Lake Oswego, OR

Hello Friends Again,

Since I don't have any pictures (yet) of this past weekend exploits I thought I would share this picture. It is yours truly with the four Snow White teams I had the great honor of training earlier this month.

For better or worse they some how took my scattered and addled knowledge and are now full blown TAD's on the road. God help them. They are a great bunch and any town would be lucky to have them pull up in their little red truck!

The Adventure Continues - ML

Jelly Days and Napa Nights

Lake Oswego, OR

Hello Friends,

Back in the good old Pacific Northwest! I do love me this area and it feels great to see green everywhere and smell that fresh air (albeit the hotel is right next to the interstate, but hey, it's a Crowne Plaza so I can't complain too much). We have finished one week with Secret Garden and it went very well. With a crazy four days rehearsal and an audience of almost 400, I admit I was a little terrified as I took stage Friday (I was even losing my voice!) but when all was said and done the kids did great and as they always say at the home office, "No matter what, you will always have a show come show day."

Since we did have a Friday show we had all day to run-a-muck around the northern central area of California. What happened to be none too far from the front gates of Travis AFB? THE JELLY BELLY FACTORY!!!

Not gonna lie, anticipation was a bit high as we pulled into the colorful parking lot on Jell Belly Lane (that was a treat to be heard said by the GPS). Spirits remained high as did my many references of being in "Charlie in the Chocolate Factory" (all of which were lost of Calida, where is Kepler when you need him!?). Then we got to the line and the millions of screaming children and the wind fell from my sails faster then you could "Very Cherry" (There most popular Jelly Belly).

I know I am getting older and my old man gene is developing quite nicely, however, since a larger part of my job is child crowd control it is really hard to be in public places were children are roaming free liek "Lord of the Flies". After many glares from Calida to relax and enjoy the day off I let the little sugar addict spawns bother me no more, because it was tour time and it was FREE!

Oh but the the factory wasn't in production because they were doing their yearly maintenance...

So most of the tour was like this "To your right is where our Jelly Bellies are sorted in a cornacophia of color and joy, or at least they normally would be..." Still it was a free tour with lots of samples and tons of factoids so while I sound old and bitter it was still a lot of fun.

We left Jelly Belly and headed to Napa to enjoy another Team's show at the Napa Valley Opera House. The Opera House is gorgeous and their show was wonderful (It was Wiz of the West by the way). Afterward we got a bit gussied up and hit Napa at many a wine bars. Our favorite hands down was Carpe Deim. The owners did a good job at making us feel at home and the Napa Pinots were spectacular!

The drive Sunday was LONG! Ten hours on I-5 is never a joy though going past Mt. Shasta on the Oregon/California border is pretty (I am just glad to be doing it in the summer). The show is cast and spirits are high as start week two. The performances are outside so that will be interesting! Looking forward to seeing folks this week as I am near the City of Roses!!!

The Adventure Continues - ML

Daring Dining ~ The Griddle

Fairfield, CA (Travis AFB)

Hello Friends,

Last weekend during our drive from Missoula to Travis AFB down "scenic" High

way 95, Calida and I stopped for the night in bustling Winnemucca, NV. Our hotel, Winners, was straight from the 60's and considering the cheap price and lack of vermin and bullet holes I would consider our nights rest a pleasant one.

The morning sun kissed us awake and it was time to make for our last leg to Travis, but not with out a good morning meal! And boy oh boy were we in for some good eats!

Winnemucca is a one street town so all the local hot spots were easy to choose from. Our destination was clear: The Griddle.

We barely beat the after church brunch rush and grabbed a table in this nice greasy spoon. The diner was straight out of the fifties as a long counter greeted one on entrance and the color scheme was either straight from the 60's or is so faded that it just looks that way now. While the decor was a bit off putting the menu was spectacular. They had the typical cakes and eggs, however a whole page was dedicated to local specialties.

The fast and friendly service convinced me on the daily special, asparagus and Swiss Cheese omlete topped with Holdendaise Sauce. Calida opted for one of the menu specials an egg scramble featuring local Cajun sausage.

Needless to say, it was very very very good.

The 6 hour drive from Winnemucca to Fairfield, CA was pretty as (for the third time in two months) we drove over Donner's Peak in the Sierra Nevada's (That's an elevation of 7,200 feet on the pass - knowledge is power!). The week has been extremely busy since we are putting up a brand new show for the first time. When we aren't in rehearsal we are burying our noses in the scripts getting ready for the show tomorrow!

It's going to be a lot of fun and I can't wait to report it to you!

The Adventure Continues - ML

Summer Starter

Fairfiled, CA (Traivs AFB)

Hello Friends!

What a wonderful and BUSY past few weeks it has been in Missoula. The two weeks of training went very well (except for the no internet part, hence the lack of updates) and I am happy to report there are now 47 touring teams out and about the country for Missoula Children's Theatre. The Snow White teams were trained by yours truly and I had a wonderful time molding new tour actors in the way of the TAD, hopefully they enjoyed their time as well.

Calida and I made our two day journey from Missoula with little incident and are rip roaring ready to go to start teaching some Secret Garden which begins at 9AM tomorrow, so tonight is full of audition and teaching prep. So on that note, good night for now and here's to a great three months!!!

The Adventure Continues - ML

All Checked In

Missoula, MT
Hello Friends!

I am on vacation! I should have posted that sooner since there has been about a week gap here of posts, however it has been a very busy week indeed!

We left Sacramento right after our second show and beat out a Spring Winter storm that would have required us to chain up to go over the Sierra Nevada's had we waited to leave in the morning. We drove as far as Winnemuca, NV and crashed. We arrived late Sunday night in Missoula and hit the ground running on Monday to begin our check in at MCT.

Check in is a crazy yet very organized process that we TAD's and the company experience every May. One show has a set, lighting equipment, a truck, costumes for 60 cast members, props, and some shows even speakers and sound equipment. Multiply that by 35 teams who have to have all their equipment in working condition and then all stored properly before they receive the almighty bonus check and you got a lot of work to accomplish in 48 hours. Not to mention a great end of the year party full of talent shows and karaoke!

The home staff is great and they have a very stream-lined process to get so much work done in such a short time. Check in goes by very quick and there doesn't seem to be ever be a spare moment in the day as it is filled with meetings of every sort and reconnecting with tour actors, some you haven't seen for almost a year.

I am happy to report that our check in went very smoothly and Shawna is all set for her European adventures this summer as Calida and I gear up for Secret Garden. I have been spending a lot of time with the new script and score and I love it! A big change from Beauty Lou and a great challenge I am looking forward to!

The past few days have been spent relaxing and enjoying the sights (and food!) that Missoula has to offer. The time will go by fast though as new TAD's come in a week from Monday and the 2011-12 tour begins!

Where did this year go!?

The Adventure Continues - ML

Daring Dining ~ Sam's Hof Brau

Sacramento, CA
Hello Friends!

Today was great! First we went to the Crocker Art Museum near old town Sacramento. Our wonderful home stay gave us passes and we were quite impressed! The museum had recently built a very large state of the art museum hall attached to the old (and amazing) Crocker Mansion that was the original art museum. Lots of amazing pieces and by far the best part was the 11th and 12th grade exhibit of self portraits. There are some very talented kids here in Sacramento! Being a nice art gallery, photography was not allowed so no pictures from that part of our day.

Afterward we went to a restaurant that is none too far from where we are staying and has been calling my name all week long, Sam's Hof Brau. Yes, you read right. At night the place is lit up like a casino yet has all the outward charm of an old ma and pa pizza place. We were told that there sandwiches were tasty so full of art culture we sought a might fine meal.

Upon walking in we discovered that it was a cafeteria set up. You walked up to the counter, told chefs what sandwich or slices of meat you wanted, took your tray, grabbed your drink, and paid the nice lady before you sat down to eat. The meats looked divine! Ham, roast beef, turkey, fish, pastrami, corned beef, all piping fresh and steaming succulent smells right before you!

I opted for the house ruben and lordy-lodry was it amazing! They sliced a huge hunk of pastrami right in front of me before my lushes lunch headed to the grill. At the tabled was mustard and horseradish and I threw on some home made pickles as well - HEAVEN!

Today is the last rehearsal of Beauty Lou and tomorrow our last shows. The week is going great and soon I will be back to my Montana home!!!

The Adventure Continues - ML

The big 3-1

Sacramento, CA
Hello Friends!

Our week in Hemet is done and good times were had by all. Our last week of Spring/Winter tour finds us back in Sacramento for a fourth time. The last week of "Beauty Lou"!

Yesterday was a big day. Yes it was Mothers Day and it was also my BIRTHDAY (I also learned that yesterday was 125th anniversary of the first Coca-Cola being served)! As we drove nine hours on I-5 I couldn't help but think back to my birthdays past. So here they are! I will warn that the first weeks of May are prime time for shows opening so a lot of my birthdays involve being in a show of some sort or another.

2011 - Drove from Hemet to Sacramento. Enjoyed a birthday doughnut from Starbucks. Sadly the Starbucks breakfast sandwich went right through me, I think it wasn't cooked all the way... Was given a wonderful shirt from Calida and Shawna gave me a fan and a Hansel and Gretel t-shirt a few weeks past. I ma looking forward to one more shin-dig with friends in Missoula!

2010 - After celebrating "30 Days of Loehrke" on the Facebook I had a busy day of seeing a student in an Oregon Children's Theatre Show, taught an audition class at NWCT, dressed up as Crick and attended an NWCT fundraiser with Meredith Ott dressed as Belle, and then went to the Space Room in Portland for many beverages with good friends.

2009 - Was at West TV Elementary school putting on my original play "The Wonderland Express". There was beverages with Mary Rochon and John Ellingson afterwards.

2008 - I don't remember this one too well. I think I was still at the ghetto apartment Arran and I first lived at and I think we had some sort of shindig there.

2007 - Was at East Glacier, MT on tour with Arran. Had just had my wisdom teeth removed the week before and had a crazy night with cowboys and native Americans after a delicious dinner at the only restaurant in town.

2006 - The final week of performing "Scapino" I was getting ready to go back on the road again after living for nine months in Renton, WA with Jason Deschambault.

2005 - Commerce City, CO. I was touring with Kepler and meet up with college buddy Dave McAdams. Dave took me to all the college spots their in Boulder. The next day was a very painful Sunday drive to Clovis, NM.

2004 - First birthday on tour. I was at Glendive, MT and with my fill in partner Frances Idlebrook and her fiancée who took a greyhound bus out to see her. They were super vegans so I got myself a hot fudge sundae at the Dairy Queen in town.

2003 - I was in the last weeks of my internship at the Seattle Repertory Theatre. That night we had a performance of our original adaption of Romeo and Juliet "Star Crossed Lovers". Somehow a cake was brought and the cast sang to me there in the Center House Theatre. Little did I know that in that same theatre a month later I would be hired by MCT....

2002 - A Senior in college, I was madly finishing my thesis while also performing my last role at Linfield, Launce in "Two Gentlemen of Verona"

2001 - The big 21! I can't remember the show we were in - I think it was "The Diviners", yeah I pretty sure that was the one. It was on a Sunday and some friends took me to the rooftop at Hotel Mcminnville and I had my first legal drink. I think it was a lemon drop. It wasn't a crazy night as I am pretty sure it was a Sunday we we were in tech.

2000 - We had just finished opening weekend of "Tartuffe" and that following Monday (my bday) the director calls me to the theatre for a special meeting. I was thinking it was some sort of surprise party thrown for me by all my friends in the department. Boy was I wrong. The director wasn't happy with the arch of the play and since I was one of the leads (Orgon) it was my duty to now re-learn my role to take the play in a different direction. I spent the next 3 hours in a solo rehearsal.

1999 - My first Linfield birthday and we were in performances for "Measure for Measure" other then that I don't remember much.

1998 - 18! I wasn't eager to get my drivers license, though my mother was, and I know we had a birthday at Chucky E Cheese and a lot of high school friends came out for one last hurrah before graduation madness began.

From there on out they all kind of blur together. Looking back it has been amazing that I have gotten to spend my happy day at so many places with so many friends. Here's to 31 and more even greater birthdays!!!

The Adventure Continues - ML

Summer Schedule

Hemet, CA
Hello Friends!

I received my summer itinerary today and it looks very fun! I will be back in the pacific northwest and even get to spend some time in my college town of McMinnville! Nine weeks book straight on Secret Garden with Calida Davis!!!

6/13-18 ... Travis AFB (not too far from San Fran. I was here before in the fall of '04 with Kepler)
6/20-25 ... Lake Oswego, OR
6/27-7/2 ... Klamath, CA
7/4-9 ... MCMINNVILLE, OR!!!
7/11-16 ... Medford, OR
7/18-23 ... Edmonds, WA
7/25-30 ... Bellingham, WA
8/1-6 ... Mill City, OR
8/8-13 ... Redmond, OR

It is going to be a great summer!

The Adventure Continues - ML

Vegas: Day and Night

Hemet, CA
Hello Friends!

The sunshine hit 90 degrees today and dare I say my farmers tan is way ahead of schedule of this time of year. As I sit here and think back to my days in the sin city I smile fondly and remember the day of fun I had last Saturday. You see, with two Friday shows and one show Saturday at 6PM we had quite the time off between shows. So I tranplanted myself from my nice home stay to the hotel digs of the South Point. A fairly new casino/hotel on the strip (sort of) becasue it is about 2 miles due south of the mian strip itself. It is more of a Plantation/Southern feel to it and I have to admit, I kind of liked it becasue it wasn't as packed as most of the strip establishments were.

Saturday morn I awoke and verntured to the strip proper. I have never been before so I was excited and a bit cautious. I told the cab driver to take me the Belagio and off we went. $30 bucks later we arrived and my goodness was the place opulent. It really was an ambush to all the sense as lavishness oozes from every corner of the place. I meet some good friends from the MCT ranch who happen to be spending a little R&R away from the motherland before the massive Spring Checkin / Summer Tour begins. It was great! We enjoyed some sights and took in some great food.

After a a goodbye from a too short hanging out I met Shawna at the Imperial Palace where she was staying with her Mom and we went off to do one last show in Vegas. The show went very well and for a 2-5 grade week the kids did very very well. From there I was transported back to the South Point (a good 40 minute drive) and I met up again with Brandon and Mandi on our night on the Strip began.

After a few in room adult beverages we went to the Cosmopolitan and parked. I quickly learned that all parking in Vegas is free since they want your dollars in their gambiling machines. The Cosmo was like an 18 year girls idea of casino full of shiney objects and very reminiscent of some awful rich girls sweet 16 party. It wasn't our style. So on the strip we went.

From their we stopped at the Monte Carlo. The entrance was deserated. We walked in and it was bedlam of a party going on. We high tailed it to the mall like food court (one of the best choices ever) and after some cheap food we went to the Minus 5 Ice Bar. I admit, this was my big birthday treat to myself. It was a bar made entirely out of ice. A horrible gimmick? Oh yeah, but I didn't care. After paying our cover we donned parkas and headed into the bar. It wasn't that big and defiantly not -5 degrees (more like 10 degrees) but was everything made of ice - YES! Was it AMAZING - OH YEAH! Do we have any pictures... well no.

See before you go in they say you need to stash your cameras and cell phones in their lockers so they aren't ruined by the "frigid" conditions, so of course you schlep all of your stuff out because you don't want it ruined. Then once you get in there, there is their professional photographer waiting to take your picture and you see that the bartender is using a bar till you would see anywhere else and then it dons on you that you have been bamboozled. Oh well.

Ever drink was $10 and the cover $15 so it wasn't a cheap foray, but what the hey, it was Vegas. The couches, seats, bar, even your glasses were made of ice. If someone spilled something, the bus boy had to come by with a blow torch to clean it up. It was awesome.

After thirty minutes of chillin' (get it!) we left the Monte Carlo. We walked past New York, New York and then crossed the street to the MGM. Known for its lion exhibit (which they were asleep) we wondered around the MGM for some hot slot machines, and found none. After a spilled drink on myself, we headed back out on the strip.

By now it was about 1AM and it became clear that unless you have a plan, wondering around the Vegas strip with out a plan isn't a great idea (though I was having a blast with Mandi and Brandon). As we pasted a corner we heard the sweet sounds of singing and Mandi's Karaoke Radar lit up like a K-Mart Special. Sure enough, we had stumbled upon an outdoor Karaoke bar. Tired of walking and ready to sit for a bit, we found a table and took in the sights.

The place was strangely hopping for being so late (then again I don't think they ever stop serving in Vegas) and we had a nice time people watching, and seeing look-a-likes and tourist of every type. Mandi was even serenaded by a lounge singer. 3AM rang and we started to feel like pumpkins and off we went back to the South Point.

It was a great evening and a great way to experience Vegas. Do I want to go again? Not anytime soon. I think a cabin on the coast is more my style or dare I say a houseboat with my family? I am glad I can finally check off this last spot on the list of places to go see west of the Mississippi, now if I can just get to New England sometime...

The Adventure Continues - ML

Vegas: What a Drag!

Hemet, CA
Hello Friends,

WARNING- There be pictures and tales of libations and drag queens ahead. If thou fearest these PG items turn away now!

Our whirlwind week in Vegas has come and gone. Our days were spent with a rare during school hours residency so we were done by 3PM everyday - a time when most teams are just getting started. Shawna had both her boyfriend and mom visit while we were there, though not at the same time (smart girl). This meant she stayed on the strip while I was near the school in norther Las Vegas. But hey, everything is close in Vegas, so it was easy to get around right? WRONG!

Before I get any further, I must confess; I didn't really care for Vegas. It had nothing to do with my company or nice home stay or even the residency week (which went wonderful) its just that anything and everything in Vegas in my opinion has two things - a huge price and a line to wait it. And if Loehrke Men hate two things, its waiting in line (unless it is for a roller coaster) and expensive stuff.

At any rate. I did have fun with friend in Sin City (though there wasn't much sin). Another tour team was in Vegas while we were there and it was none other then that fabulous summer lady, my old partner Mandi Jung and her TP Brandon Price. They took me to what might have been one of the most amazing experiences ever: Bingo, hosted by Drag Queens.

It was hysterical! They are wonderful people who are full of sass and will let you know it. Of course who wins there first round of drag bingo ever, that's right, me. My prize - a WALL CLOCK! How awesome is that!!! After every three rounds they would do what I can only describe as club line dancing. It's like line dancing you would see in a country western bar but done to thumbing dance music. It was spectacular.

I was not the only winner, Brandon won a set of decorative mugs and Mandi got the joys of being a good DD and enjoying some late night In and Out (that was one amazing burger). All in all, it was an amazing time.

Tune in soon for the conclusion of Vegas involving friends from near and far, ice bars, and outdoor karaoke!

The Adventure Continues - ML

Exit 410 on 1-80 NV

West Wendover, NV
Hello Friends,

Last Sunday we took exit 410 to arrive in West Wendover and we have yet to get back on the interstate though from my window here at the Rainbow Hotel & Casino I can see the interestate and that offramp that brings seniors in by the bus load for their first taste of gambling. Since the town is right on the Utah border and is on the interestate it makes perfect sense for there to be a large gaming establishment here. The funny thing is, if you take away the five large casinos here there would be no town at all. Everyone in town some how is conected to the casinos and if you turn away from them you are surrond by some of the most lonesome and spectaular high desert views I have ever seen. It is quite a contrast.

The week is done and the performance went well. It was hard to hear over the army of small screaming children we had in the audience. I don't blame them, if I had to watch my acting I am sure I would be crying too. Due to schedule SNAFUs we had a Tuesday start Friday show this week - which means putting the show up with about 8 hours less of rehearsal. We modified the show heavily so the kids could succeed and succeed they did. We were very proud of them for accomplishing such a feat.

Since we had such a small cast Shawna and I both performed on stage. I as Buck and Shawna as one of the daughters Donna Rae. Its very rare we get to do that and it was fun to share the stage together though we had to keep our focus as to not crack each other up on stage.

At the end of West Wendover is a giant statue of a cowboy named Wendover Will who strangely resembles our costume in the show. Of course we had to take a picture. Best part were all the cars going by - good times!

Tomorrow we head to VEGAS! We will be there with two other MCT teams and lots of friends - it is gonna be great!

The Adventure Continues - ML
The

Newman Moonshine

West Wendover, NV
Hello Friends,

After a long drive of about 10 hours from Newman we made it to West Wendover, NV Sunday night. If I walk a half a mile I am in Utah. The week so far here in Nevada has been crazy and when all is said and done will make for an interesting post.

Our week in Newman was wonderful. Good people, good kids, great shows. After our shows on Saturday we were treated to a spectacular dinner made by the lovely Farris Larsen, Bacon wrapped fillet, stuffed mushrooms, asparagus with a mother sauce, and a home made potato dish with cheese and bacon. It. Was. Diving.

One of the guests at dinner, Mary, was talking about some moon shine she was given not too long ago by one of the long standing Portuguese families in Newman. Of course we had to try it. Her house was also used as a speak-easy back in the day and she still has the original bar in her basement that served homemade gin to the depraved of Newman in the 20's.

The moonshine did not make me blind or gag, it was more like a sherry. In fact I think mulled strawberries were the main ingredient. It tasted like alcoholic pancake syrup. The best part was that it came in an old pasta sauce jar. Nothing says home made like a re-used jar.

The internet is costing me $7.95 so I am not sure how much posting I will be able to do this week. This look promising for next week.

Something new every week...

The Adventure Continues - ML

Once again to Newman

Newman, CA
Hello Friends-

And here I am again in the quaint valley town of Newman, CA. Though this time it is for business and not SPRING BREAK! As was the case last time I do not have the inter-webs at home and am using the office computer so I won't be able to upload pictures, but a lot has happened the last week so let me fill you in.

Last Sunday Shawna and I went to Alcatraz for a wonderful night tour. The cruise at sunset was amazing and while we didn't see any ghosts on the island (I tried) the smaller tour was very intimate and well worth the price. Pictures are on facebook and I will post some here as well.

Last week was also our last of three weeks in a row in Sacramento. We were at a wonderful Catholic School in the heart of East Sac known for its gorgeous houses and quaint shops. It had a very Portland feel and I was at home. Last week our time at the school was built up as THEATRE WEEK and it was a big deal for the kids. It was a very rewarding week and I am so glad to have been a part of it.

I also found out my summer plans and couldn't be happier. I will be touring with long time friend Calida Davis. She is amazing and she is probably going to kill me for putting this picture up (I can hear her screams from Germany now where she is currently touring), but fear not Calida, we will put lots of awesome pictures on this blog in the future. We are touring up and down the west coast (no official schedule yet, rumor has it we are going to McMinnville, OR!) and we will be touring.... The Secret Garden. This is the brand new tour show and I feel honored that I am being sent out on in to make sure all the kinks are worked out.

Things are going well in Newman. We have a lot of older kids in the cast which is good and challenging, now if we can just get them to stop canoodling with each other!

The Adventure Continues - ML

Double Daring Dining!

El Dorado Hills, CA
Hello Friends,

Last week we were able to take in not one but two wonderful dining institutions of Sacramento. One a local dive and one a culinary destination.

For breakfast one morning Shawna and I took in the Waffle Barn. If the name alone doesn't make you want to stop in then the decore won't hook you either. From the outside it is not much to look at: the paint is chipping, the sign is dated, and it is located in the parking lot of an abandon strip mall. However the parking spots were far from abandoned and the place was hopping.

It is no secret that breakfast is my favorite meal and this place is happy to abide my morning munchies in spades. The first page of the menu is littered with many waffle options, more then your typical ma and pa joint. However waffles have never really been my thing. I am more of an egg man. So the plethora of omelets was joy to my eyes and tummy. I opted for the Barns Omelet. It was a meat lovers dream. In my three egg pocket of love was - bacon, sausage, ham, linguica, mushrooms, green chilis, and two types of cheese. It was divine and a mid morning food coma ensued not long after. My omelet is pictured in the foreground with Shawna's mighty veggie and chicken in the back.

That same day our wonderful home stay mom Lisa Phenix took us to the world famous Tower Cafe. Opened (though I am not sure if it is still owned) by the folks of the Tower Record fame, this funky little cafe offered a very unique atmosphere and menu. Based more on global cuisine with a dash of Sacramento flair then typical diner food, their menu offers a wide international variety of items ranging from Japanese salads, to Jerk Chicken, to even Irish Stew. There is something for everyone from anywhere. The whole restaurant is designed with arts and fine crafts from around the world and was a visual treat for the eyes.

I opted for the nightly special of Katsu Chicken (think Japanese chicken fingers, only healthier) and it was a mighty tasty meal. With lots of steamed rice and veggies, it was very well made and tasty.

Both places live on the very opposite spectrum of Sacramento Dining and it was a great pleasure to enjoy both fine establishments!

The Adventure Continues - ML