It has been 15 years since I have been on tour with a musical theatre piece. Fifteen years! I did the math the other day, and I couldn't believe it had been that long ago. Wasn't it only yesterday that I was singing "I Only Have Eyes For You" to Korean audiences? Oh wait, that was 2008!
I'm thinking of this return to touring as my Second Act. Perhaps the pandemic reminded me of what I love to do, perhaps Mom's death brought me back in line with my passion and path. Whatever it is, I'm glad to be here.
And the cast couldn't be nicer. I'm marveling at how inclusive, kind, and helpful everyone is. I'm not sure I'm remembering right (it has been 15 years, after all), but I seem to remember a more cutthroat, "mean girls" vibe on tours past. What is amazing now is that self care is paramount, lifting each other up is paramount, supporting each other is paramount. Maybe it's the subject matter (How the Grinch Stole Christmas is a story about love and acceptance), but I have a feeling that it's Gen Z leading the way.
I'm finding my rhythm here. I don't drink anymore, so I'm not scouting the local bar scene like I did before. But I am exploring, and bonding with cast members. We are rehearsing in Spokane, Washington, which is a gorgeous city steeped in history. I attended a book reading of a Spokane-based collection of short stories called The Strange Beautiful by Carla Crujido, and it's my mission to lay eyes on as many places as possible that she mentions in the book. I spent yesterday's day off exploring the Riverfront, the old Davenport Hotel and treated myself to a massage. Life is good and I'm exactly where I need to be.
