Wow... I am good at this blog thing!

October 31, 2007... my last blog. OK so maybe I am not so good at this. I have tried countless times to be good about keeping a journal and countless times I have failed so why should a blog be any different?!

Anyways, here we are a full 6 months into my Spamalot journey. I have had a great time and truly enjoy all of my cast mates, no small achievement! The show is still a lot of fun and I am definitely still learning things. Now for the challenges of being in a touring production:

First and foremost is being away from home and those you love. Annie and I have had it pretty good spending SO much time together over the past 10 years. Even the past 6 mos. have been tolerable because we were able to see each other every 2 weeks, with Annie spending a month with me on 2 occasions. But now, as we begin to move west, that is going to become a lot more difficult. Annie is getting busier with her business, REDEFINE, so it's going to be harder to find the time for her to travel out to see me. I am going to try to get back to NYC on Mondays to see her but that will be a time crunch. Which brings us to our next trial in touring life!! AUDITIONING:
Obviously, while I love Spamalot I need to be on the lookout for my next job. This means auditioning. This means being in NYC to audition. This means flying back to NYC either REALLY early Monday mornings or trying to find the elusive red eye on Sunday nights after the last show. Either option leaves you at a distinct disadvantage in auditioning from a fatigue standpoint. Case in point was a couple weeks ago: Finished the last show in Greenville, SC drove to Raleigh, NC (4 hours) got in bed by 2 am to wake up at 6 am to fly to NYC. Got into the city and went straight to an audition, sang like crap, then went to another where I sang better but still not up to snuff and did a pretty bad reading. On the good side, I did get to sleep in my own bed and be with my gal which saved the whole trip. It's just something I need to adjust to, no excuses as it is what it is and I have to get better at it.

All that being said, I am in a really good situation and will get a job when the right one comes along. I have always been really fortunate in that sense. It's just my job to be as prepared as possible.

3 Weeks In

So I just started my 3rd week of shows! I am having an absolute blast! I am still adjusting to things and having to think about a couple of lines more than I should but it's such a good time up there. After being in shows that require a lot of singing, it's REALLY nice to be in a show where that isn't the most important part of my show. Don't get me wrong, I love the song I do sing but it's early in the show and then I am pretty much done! This does mean I am gonna have to be good about singing outside of the show just to keep going the direction I want to go. Thank God for Michael, one of our keyboard players who is willing to go thru other stuff with me. The company continues to be great. Everyone is really supportive and open to the inevitable changes that happen when a new person joins the role. There is really a nice feeling of family out here which is a great thing to have on the road. Annie and I had a GREAT time in Seattle but she is back home now and I won't see her for a couple weeks. I have to be the world's luckiest guy....

SPAMALOT

So, it's been quite awhile since last I wrote! A lot has happened, all of it very good! Annie and I moved into a great new apartment in NYC, moved our belongings from LA, I FINALLY got my big and beautiful new TV and we were really settling in. All of this of course means that I got a job out of town!! I am currently in the great city of Seattle (I could so easily live here!) preparing to make my opening on Tuesday in the National Tour of Spamalot! I will be playing the roles of Galahad, The Black Knight, and Father. I am so excited about the roles and the show, it's gonna be an absolute blast. The company has been incredibly welcoming and helpful. It's really a great group of people that should be fun to hop across the country with. The only downside is that my wife and I aren't traveling together. My sweet wife did that gig with me for almost 4 years and I decided to give her a break from it this time 'round (of course she will be visiting A LOT).

So that's it for now... I endeavor to write more frequently here, so for all those interested besides myself, keep checking back! OH and look at the show's website:
http://montypythonsspamalot.com/index.php
If we are coming anywhere near you, come and see the show... seriously it's hilarious, you WILL have fun!