Zip-a-dee-doo-dah!

Week 17: Orlando, FL

On the bus ride from Clearwater, we watched the video of "Enchanted," a really charming film from Disney which depicts animated characters finding themselves in the real world of New York City. Just as the story was reaching it's happy ending, I looked out the window and we were driving through the mouse-eared gates of Downtown Disney. Talk about life imitating art! Some of the company are spending the week at a hotel right in the Disney resort area but I opted to take the hotel option closer to work and downtown Orlando. I love a theme park but don't want to live in one for a week. Next Monday is a "golden day" off for the actors and many of us will be spending the day at Disneyworld. I am really looking forward to that. I was obsessed with Disney animated films as a kid and have never been to either of the Disney parks. So I am going to enjoy rediscovering my inner child! A Disney post will be forthcoming next week.

The actual city of Orlando is quite pretty and is built around a series of lakes, many bordered by beautiful public parks. The feeling of the city is similar to that of Jacksonville and other Florida cities--it feels clean, new, and gleams with reflective glass and modern buildings. Of course, being home to many fantasy resorts and vacation parks it is not surprising that the city itself should be attractive and visitor-friendly.
We are performing this week at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center. The theatre was built around the original Orlando Municipal Auditorium from 1926 and went through several renovations throughout the 1970s and 1990s. It is named after a former Orlando mayor and seats over 2500. And this week we are completely sold out, which will mean large and energetic crowds for all our performances. A great feeling.

There is a nice sense of calm here in Orlando, which I find very welcome. My hotel is comfortable and clean and the weather this week is sunny, cool and breezy. I injured my shoulder in the gym a few weeks ago and am seeing a specialist this week to make sure there is no serious damage. Those of you who know the show know that it is very physical and fast paced, so any injury, however minor, needs to be attended to so as not to impede my ability to perform my eight shows a week. I plan to spend the week resting and enjoying some low key activities. Next Monday I will have my Disney adventure, and even though there are so many things to see in the various theme parks, I think one day of exploring will be enough for me.

This week I did a promotional event with two of the other performers, Brad Bradley and Brian O'Brien (yep that's their real names). We did a little question and answer session with some fans of the show at a Barnes & Noble here in Orlando. These sorts of things are always fun to do and it is a pleasure meeting people who genuinely love what we are doing. Here are a picture of me and Brad in the limo on the way to the event (very fancy) and signing autographs after the talkback.






My dresser this week is Jan. Jan was once an actress as well as a stage manager and is the proud mother of a very talented and beautiful grown up daughter. She is also very courageously and successfully battling MS and I admire that. She is doing a great job, too. That's it for week 17, folks. Look for a Disney adventure post next week.