I have decided to stop using my Tumblr, because it takes FOREVER for my pictures to load -- so I'm going back to my old blog. This is a much easier process overall; specifically for hotel wifi and my tiny computer. You can access all of my previous "tour" blog stuff at jasonsnationaltour.tumblr.com. It has pictures and posts from the past 2 tours, 2014 and 2015, and some of 2016. I'm picking up right where I left off.
GALVESTON, TX
We finished our 2 day trip to Cedar Falls, Iowa by driving back to the airport in Des Moines to travel to Houston to travel to Galveston. Galveston marked our first week of touring...and having traveled so much and gone so far and been to so many airports and slept in so many different beds in such a short time it made it seem like we’d been on tour for months. But it’s only been a week.
I’m taking it day by day--much easier on the constitution.
Our first TWO show day was in Galveston (Saturday, November 19). Our hotel was RIGHT on the water (Gulf of Mexico), and offered a wonderful view.
We performed at a historic and amazing place -- the 1894 Grand Opera House. Look it up if you have time or interest. It’s got an amazing history. For me, it is the oldest place I’ve ever performed. I think the only place close would be the Keith Albee Theater in West Virginia (you can look back on my blog to see pictures from it back in 2014 -- jasonsnationaltour.tumblr.com).
But THIS was the best part of Galveston --
I bought a single scoop of Cookies & Cream after our long day. It was everything.
COLLEGE STATION, TX
Another 2 show day; which means an extra early day for everyone, because we get up and travel to the next city AND have 2 shows. But this was an extra special day because my Mom & Dad and my brother came to the show, along with my oldest niece and 2 nephews. The kids have never seen me in a show (they're very young), and my brother hasn't seen me in a show in probably 15 years. Very exciting. I think they all enjoyed the show (my parents were in California and saw the final dress rehearsal of the show before we left on tour last year). I know this was a bit different and hopefully more exciting.
Here you can see they met Mrs. Claus, Hermey, Rudolph, Yukon Cornelius, and Clarice. AND Santa, of course!
We performed on the campus of Texas A&M. Thankfully it wasn't a Saturday, and there wasn't a home football game -- because I'm thinking we'd never have made it, the crowds would have been overwhelming (we performed in a theater across the street from the gigantic football stadium).
The theater was nice, but didn't have any real "character", certainly not like the previous day in Galveston. I didn't get a chance to take any shots before the show because I was so excited to see my family. I got to have lunch with them before the show.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
Seven o'clock in the morning comes quickly when you've had a long weekend of shows, and traveling to a different city every day. It's one thing to travel to a new city, but not perform the same day that you travel. Entirely different when you get up in one state, drive to a new state, and perform a show that night. Then you go to sleep and forget what city or state you're in, and just as you figure it out...you're on to the next place. And there's absolutely NO POINT in setting the time zone on your computer...it'll be wrong nearly every other day.
Oklahoma City marked the third capital city we'd seen/been in on our short tour. First was Jackson, MS, of course, and then we drove through Des Moines to and from Cedar Falls, IA. Though we weren't able to stop to look, we drove right by the GORGEOUS capital in Des Moines (unlike any capitol building I'd ever seen), and likewise, we could see the Oklahoma City capitol building, but weren't close enough (nor did we have enough time) to have a visit. :(
However, the theater in which we were performing was gorgeous and I loved the architecture immensely. It was also HUGE, seating 2,500 people.
CONWAY, AR
Oklahoma City isn't that far from Conway, Arkansas, so we had a 9:00 am bus call (as opposed to 7 as all the previous days), and that was welcomed. We still had to perform that evening, but it was just one show.
Turns out, Arkansas had the best crowd so far. We performed on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas -- making it the third time we'd performed on a college campus in only 6 cities. Last year, if I'm not mistaken, we only performed at 2 colleges -- Penn State and Western Michigan University. Either way, it's neat.
Nothing special about this theater either, though it had plenty of room backstage (that's actually very important). It just doesn't have the "character" of so many of the places we've performed in the last 3 years.
I didn't get many pictures at this theater, because actually, I strained my back quite painfully the afternoon of the 22nd, around 4:15 in the afternoon, 3 hours before our show. We'd traveled from Oklahoma City that morning, got to our hotel around 3:30 or so, and I was fine. But as I was moving around my hotel room, possibly putting on my shoes and socks to head to the bus and go to the show -- my back just seized. It had been sore the previous day, but this was different.
I immediately sent a text to the stage manager letting her know. Whenever anything happens that would influence your ability to perform, you must let the stage manager know. Would my understudy have to go on?
After I sent the text, it got worse. I could hardly make it to the elevator to go downstairs and to the bus. I was hunched over like an elderly Korean woman.
This happened to me before -- 3 years ago in Chicago. Out of nowhere, my back just seized. I had to be taken to a chiropractor immediately. Long story short, I need to be stretching more.
Once I got to the theater that night, I laid on the floor as the stage manager and assistant stage manager assisted me. I felt like a fool. Like an 89 year-old fool. They were so gracious and kind, however, and I am forever grateful.
I was given a heating pad, and I laid on it. I tried to the stretches I'd learned from years ago. I was in pain. I took some powerful medication and continued to stretch. It was around 5:30. It was decided that we'd have a quick understudy rehearsal, in case my understudy had to go on that night. The decision had to be made by 6:30 at the latest (our show was at 7:30 that night). I sat in a chair while my understudy (who also plays another role in the show) went through my various scenes with the other actors.
At 6:30 I was torn between doing the show and not doing the show.
If I did the show, it could hurt me.
If I didn't do the show, it could hurt the show. Not because my understudy wasn't amazing, and not because no one would know what to do without me (I'm not that important); but because it would put quite a burden on quite a few people.
However, I discussed it with several people, including my understudy and the stage manager. I was able to stand up, I was able to walk, I was able to maneuver somewhat. Keep in mind that I play Santa Claus, it wouldn't be abnormal for him to walk with a hitch, or to have some sort of back pain. Truth be told, I already play the character like that -- slightly. If I did the show tonight, it would just make my old-man character seem that much more believable.
I decided to do the show.
I know there was some relief for a few people. :) Also, keep in mind, when my understudy goes on for me, that means his understudy has to go on for him, and someone has to replace that person as well. It affects several people who didn't wake up that day thinking they'd have to jump into the show.
I didn't hurt myself any more than I already was. That's good. Actually, with such an injury, I do think it's better to be mobile rather than sitting doing nothing. We changed some of my movements, in order to keep from hurting more.
The first week of tour had us traveling from LA to Mississippi, then up to Iowa, then back down to Texas. And prior to our 2-show day in Galveston, we'd only performed 3 times.
Jackson, MS - 1 show
(Travel day with no show - sort of equals a day off even though we're flying all over AND taking a bus and that in itself is exhausting)
Cedar Falls, IA - 2 shows in 2 days
(Travel day with no show)
Galveston, TX - 2 shows in 1 day
College Station, TX - 2 shows in 1 day (with travel in the morning)
Oklahoma City, OK - 1 show (with travel in the morning)
Conway, AR - 1 show (with travel in the morning)
Baton Rouge, LA - 1 show (with travel in the morning)
I guess what I'm getting at is that I'M TOO OLD FOR THIS.
It was decided, and I completely agreed, that I'd not do the next show, which was the next day in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Fortunately, no one that I knew was coming to the show, and it gave the understudies more time to learn all the stuff they had to do.
I didn't sleep well that night. It's very hard to get into a comfortable position when seemingly EVERY muscle in your body sends messages through your lower back. OUCH OUCH OUCH all night.
The next morning was worse than all other times.
I almost threw up. It took me about 30 minutes to be able to stand upright. It was horrific.
And OF COURSE, we had a 7 hour (8 hours if you count our breaks) bus ride the next day to Baton Rouge. These buses are nice...but not for carrying a wounded elderly Korean woman such as myself.
I worked through the show with my understudy, answering any questions, giving blocking notes, etc., as best I could. I was now wearing a back brace and continuing to take medication. It got better throughout the day.
I stood backstage and watched the whole show that night. I walked from side to side helping my understudy in any way I could. He did great! A situation like this gets everyone excited and on their toes, and I think they all had a good time watching the various people in new roles.
The next day was Thanksgiving and we had an absolutely INSANE day of travel. Yes, we saw the capitol building in Baton Rouge (our FOURTH capital on the tour; it looks like a mini Empire State Building); but I'll talk all about that in the next blog.
Thanks for reading!
Here you can see they met Mrs. Claus, Hermey, Rudolph, Yukon Cornelius, and Clarice. AND Santa, of course!
We performed on the campus of Texas A&M. Thankfully it wasn't a Saturday, and there wasn't a home football game -- because I'm thinking we'd never have made it, the crowds would have been overwhelming (we performed in a theater across the street from the gigantic football stadium).
The theater was nice, but didn't have any real "character", certainly not like the previous day in Galveston. I didn't get a chance to take any shots before the show because I was so excited to see my family. I got to have lunch with them before the show.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
Seven o'clock in the morning comes quickly when you've had a long weekend of shows, and traveling to a different city every day. It's one thing to travel to a new city, but not perform the same day that you travel. Entirely different when you get up in one state, drive to a new state, and perform a show that night. Then you go to sleep and forget what city or state you're in, and just as you figure it out...you're on to the next place. And there's absolutely NO POINT in setting the time zone on your computer...it'll be wrong nearly every other day.
Oklahoma City marked the third capital city we'd seen/been in on our short tour. First was Jackson, MS, of course, and then we drove through Des Moines to and from Cedar Falls, IA. Though we weren't able to stop to look, we drove right by the GORGEOUS capital in Des Moines (unlike any capitol building I'd ever seen), and likewise, we could see the Oklahoma City capitol building, but weren't close enough (nor did we have enough time) to have a visit. :(
However, the theater in which we were performing was gorgeous and I loved the architecture immensely. It was also HUGE, seating 2,500 people.
CONWAY, AR
Oklahoma City isn't that far from Conway, Arkansas, so we had a 9:00 am bus call (as opposed to 7 as all the previous days), and that was welcomed. We still had to perform that evening, but it was just one show.
Turns out, Arkansas had the best crowd so far. We performed on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas -- making it the third time we'd performed on a college campus in only 6 cities. Last year, if I'm not mistaken, we only performed at 2 colleges -- Penn State and Western Michigan University. Either way, it's neat.
Nothing special about this theater either, though it had plenty of room backstage (that's actually very important). It just doesn't have the "character" of so many of the places we've performed in the last 3 years.
I didn't get many pictures at this theater, because actually, I strained my back quite painfully the afternoon of the 22nd, around 4:15 in the afternoon, 3 hours before our show. We'd traveled from Oklahoma City that morning, got to our hotel around 3:30 or so, and I was fine. But as I was moving around my hotel room, possibly putting on my shoes and socks to head to the bus and go to the show -- my back just seized. It had been sore the previous day, but this was different.
I immediately sent a text to the stage manager letting her know. Whenever anything happens that would influence your ability to perform, you must let the stage manager know. Would my understudy have to go on?
After I sent the text, it got worse. I could hardly make it to the elevator to go downstairs and to the bus. I was hunched over like an elderly Korean woman.
This happened to me before -- 3 years ago in Chicago. Out of nowhere, my back just seized. I had to be taken to a chiropractor immediately. Long story short, I need to be stretching more.
Once I got to the theater that night, I laid on the floor as the stage manager and assistant stage manager assisted me. I felt like a fool. Like an 89 year-old fool. They were so gracious and kind, however, and I am forever grateful.
I was given a heating pad, and I laid on it. I tried to the stretches I'd learned from years ago. I was in pain. I took some powerful medication and continued to stretch. It was around 5:30. It was decided that we'd have a quick understudy rehearsal, in case my understudy had to go on that night. The decision had to be made by 6:30 at the latest (our show was at 7:30 that night). I sat in a chair while my understudy (who also plays another role in the show) went through my various scenes with the other actors.
At 6:30 I was torn between doing the show and not doing the show.
If I did the show, it could hurt me.
If I didn't do the show, it could hurt the show. Not because my understudy wasn't amazing, and not because no one would know what to do without me (I'm not that important); but because it would put quite a burden on quite a few people.
However, I discussed it with several people, including my understudy and the stage manager. I was able to stand up, I was able to walk, I was able to maneuver somewhat. Keep in mind that I play Santa Claus, it wouldn't be abnormal for him to walk with a hitch, or to have some sort of back pain. Truth be told, I already play the character like that -- slightly. If I did the show tonight, it would just make my old-man character seem that much more believable.
I decided to do the show.
I know there was some relief for a few people. :) Also, keep in mind, when my understudy goes on for me, that means his understudy has to go on for him, and someone has to replace that person as well. It affects several people who didn't wake up that day thinking they'd have to jump into the show.
I didn't hurt myself any more than I already was. That's good. Actually, with such an injury, I do think it's better to be mobile rather than sitting doing nothing. We changed some of my movements, in order to keep from hurting more.
The first week of tour had us traveling from LA to Mississippi, then up to Iowa, then back down to Texas. And prior to our 2-show day in Galveston, we'd only performed 3 times.
Jackson, MS - 1 show
(Travel day with no show - sort of equals a day off even though we're flying all over AND taking a bus and that in itself is exhausting)
Cedar Falls, IA - 2 shows in 2 days
(Travel day with no show)
Galveston, TX - 2 shows in 1 day
College Station, TX - 2 shows in 1 day (with travel in the morning)
Oklahoma City, OK - 1 show (with travel in the morning)
Conway, AR - 1 show (with travel in the morning)
Baton Rouge, LA - 1 show (with travel in the morning)
I guess what I'm getting at is that I'M TOO OLD FOR THIS.
It was decided, and I completely agreed, that I'd not do the next show, which was the next day in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Fortunately, no one that I knew was coming to the show, and it gave the understudies more time to learn all the stuff they had to do.
I didn't sleep well that night. It's very hard to get into a comfortable position when seemingly EVERY muscle in your body sends messages through your lower back. OUCH OUCH OUCH all night.
The next morning was worse than all other times.
I almost threw up. It took me about 30 minutes to be able to stand upright. It was horrific.
And OF COURSE, we had a 7 hour (8 hours if you count our breaks) bus ride the next day to Baton Rouge. These buses are nice...but not for carrying a wounded elderly Korean woman such as myself.
I worked through the show with my understudy, answering any questions, giving blocking notes, etc., as best I could. I was now wearing a back brace and continuing to take medication. It got better throughout the day.
I stood backstage and watched the whole show that night. I walked from side to side helping my understudy in any way I could. He did great! A situation like this gets everyone excited and on their toes, and I think they all had a good time watching the various people in new roles.
The next day was Thanksgiving and we had an absolutely INSANE day of travel. Yes, we saw the capitol building in Baton Rouge (our FOURTH capital on the tour; it looks like a mini Empire State Building); but I'll talk all about that in the next blog.
Thanks for reading!
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