Worcester, MA

Hanover Theatre
Monday, December 6, 2021

Worcester is 50 miles from Boston, and though we've played Boston multiple times in past years, this was the first time the show has been to Worcester (pronounced Wooster, because why not?).

We left Syracuse with some sadness as we had to leave several cast members behind. Because the state of New York has an extremely strict set of COVID policies, we all took rapid tests the afternoon before our Syracuse performance. This was our first time taking a test since we left California (we all took a test before we had our first flight). We have our temperatures taken every day, and have the option to take a rapid test any time if we're feeling sick. So far, no issues.

While the rest of us tested negative, two of the cast had to be isolated and their parts had to be filled by the swings (those are the two people who travel with us and basically understudy nearly every role in the event they have to go on). Everyone jumped into action and helped them in any way we could. It went perfectly fine, no one in the audience would know any difference.

Other steps had to be taken, and as of now, those cast members are still in Syracuse in quarantine; and they'll join us as soon as they're cleared to do so. I'm actually surprised it took this long to affect us in this way, so I'm thankful for the relative calm we've had, and hopefully we can get back to it.

Anyway, we got to the theater and it was drizzling but not too chilly. A big wind storm was due that evening, but it was quite warm, considering where we were.

This is a photo of the giant mural on the back of the theater. The bus you see in the lower left corner is the crew sleeper bus--that's the bus they travel on (and sleep in bunks) from city to city. They rarely get to sleep in a hotel like the cast does. The bottom right of the picture you'll notice an open door; that's our stage door. Just shows you some perspective on how big this mural was.

Some amazing signatures inside the theater -- there's Jerry Seinfeld and Dave Chappelle --

Brian Regan (one of my favorite comedians) and Jimmy Fallon --

Dennis Regan (another funny comedian who's actually the brother of Brian) and Jay Leno along with his own drawing of his face --

I see Jethro Tull, Ernie Valens, and Jim Brickman --

I notice Kenny Loggins --

BB King and Liam Neeson???--

Okay, William Shatner and Bill Murray?? That's amazing --

That's Tony Bennett --

These are now pictures that will be a little scatterbrained -- some are from my phone and some are from my good camera; some will be without the chandelier lights on and some will be beautiful -- some are from the lobby as well. 

The Hanover Theatre opened in November of 1926 (pretty sure this is the oldest theatre we'll play this year); and it wasn't called the Hanover originally. It seats 2,300 and was renovated and reopened in 2008. It features 32 chandeliers, and the grand chandelier (which is 7 feet tall) has been there since 1926.

These ropes control the fly system (remember what that is?); but behind them are various murals from shows that have performed at this theater --

Steve Martin and Mandy Patinkin --

Carol Burnett!!!

Beautiful and classic. I liked it better, overall, than the one in Syracuse. That was just...a lot. :)

Thanks for reading! Elmira, NY is next!