I know. I know. IknowIknowIknowIKNOW. I fell off the wagon again. It’s too easy.  I won’t bother saying that I won’t let it happen again, because I will. I won’t mean to, but it’s going to happen. We might as well all deal with it now… well, as soon as we finished this post, ‘cuz I’m here now.

 

Where did I leave off.. Everyone guess what! I’ve been cast as Shrek in the touring company of Shrek the Musical.. just kidding.

 

I don’t remember where I left off, I now it was long ago, and I also know that I am currently too lazy to go look, okay fine I’ll go look.

 

Ok, it was Schenectady. Which means I’ve really missed a lot.

 

Since Schenectady I’ve:

 

-Gone to Rochester, NY; Utica, NY; Waterbury, CT; New London, CT; Knoxville, TN; Lexington, KY; Easton, PA; Worcester, MA; Detroit, MI; Montreal, QC; and Toronto, ON.

 

Rochester- One week. Highlights: Museum of Play, Dinosaur BBQ (Home of Wango Tango Sauce!!!) Hospital visit where I had to explain to one nurse that I didn’t have jaundice.. I just had makeup stains around my eyes, prove to another disbelieving nurse (from my hospital bed) that I was the man she saw play Shrek a few days prior.

 

Utica- A couple days. Highlights:… um.. The Stanley Theatre was perhaps one of the most beautiful theatres we’ve seen, sure amongst the top few, other than that Utica didn’t have a whole lot going on. Threw a great party there. The town itself is one of those towns that dilapidating in a beautiful way, some cool instragram shots came out of Utica.

 

Waterbury- The other couple of days. Highlights: I don’t remember Waterbury too much. I watched 50/50 there, if you haven’t seen it.. RUN to TLA. We kept waiting to hear the Waterbury Palace theme song played before the show, but unfortunately they never did. A few weeks later however we did finally hear it thanks (again) to the one, the only, Kevin Casey who scrounged up a recording for our listening pleasure.

 

New London- One Sunday, two shows. Highlights: I don’t know whether I should consider it a highlight or not, but our production at New London made me laugh so hard. Thank goodness I was laughing, because I probably should have been crying. The theatre in New London, though beautiful, they had a theme inside but I don’t remember what it was because all I remember is squeezing our show into it. Say our show is the size of the Empire State Building.. the theatre in New London would then be the size of my house, which is very small. I would say at the least, 90% of our production values were cut. Most of the drops, most of the set pieces. Merritt rode in on a cardboard horse head on a rod instead of his normal wooden horse. The quick-change areas were set up outside in trucks and rented buses, it was freezing cold and windy. And yet we still received good reviews, so stick that in your bank and smoke it.

 

Knoxville- Half a week. Highlights: Another of my favorite cities. Beautiful city. Beautiful theatre. Just an all around great vibe in this place.

 

Lexington- The other half- I remember almost nothing from the cities that are only FriSatSun cities because I basically spend my whole time in the theatre. Lexington seemed like it was a nice place. All I remember is that I had a wonderful futon in my dressing room. And this was the place where I learned the Jimmy John’s was no longer putting sprouts on their sandwiches. Tragic day that was. Also, I had the pleasure of giving a Shrekking for a family who won tickets to the show/shrekking and otherwise would not be seeing the show. They’d been hit hard in this past couple years, husband injured on the job and out of work, they’d never been to the theatre, didn’t know what to wear even, had to pawn belongings just to get the gas money to get here, but the mother was adamant about coming because she wanted to give her daughters some joy that they don’t get too much of. It was really touching. We made sure to shower them with as many gifts as we could. Beautiful experience.

 

Easton- Half a week. Highlights: meeting up with Mariel (friend from school) and her lovely friend Becky, went out to eat at a casino. Delicious brunches at some eatery called Blue something, I forget. Crayola Factory.

 

Worcester- Half a week. Highlights: Another FriSatSun city. Nice venue. Had ushers dressed in horrendous Shrek costumes that Merritt convinced to come running – nay—dancing down the aisles at the end of the show. Michael’s hometown. First experience with a game called Killer Bunnies… RUN to any game store and teach yourself Killer Bunnies, you will never regret it.

 

Detroit. TWO WEEKS! Highlights- TWO WEEKS! Huge hotel room. I arrived a day early, was flown there to do some voice over recording for the new TV and Radio spots. Cast did a great cabaret event at a local bar/restaurant.

 

Montreal- One Week. Highlights: Montreal is absolutely gorgeous. What a wonderful city, very French for those who don’t know. Beautiful hike up Mt. Royal. Many pretty walks through the city and through the old part of the city, felt like what I assume European cities feel like. Go to the BioDOME. NOT the BioSPHERE. The Biodome is this great indoor zoo place made out of an old Olympic venue. Finally saw some penguins! Underground city.

 

Toronto- Two weeks. Highlights: Feels very much like NYC, but cleaner. Have to ride the metro for 30 minutes to get to and from the theatre. Went to Niagra Falls on the day off.  Still here so maybe some more cool stuff to come on Toronto. Hopng to go up the CN Tower tomorrow and after the show on Sunday afternoon I hope to go to a restaurant called O. Noir. You eat in absolute darkness. Served by blind wait staff. Some of the cast already went and raved about it.

 

 

So that’s where I’ve been lately. Now to where I’m going. Details are still being worked out but the dates and cities seem pretty set now. After this leg of the tour closes on April 29^th (one month from today!!) we’ll have a nice month and a half layoff before heading across the BIG pond to ASIA! Shrek is going *ogre* seas ladies and gentlemen. A week in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, then two weeks off and an entire month in Shanghai, China. They are hoping to work it out in a way that lets us stay over there and explore the world on the two weeks off, but they haven’t completely sorted that out yet. Most of the cast is staying with the company to go over, and about half of the crew. We’re super pumped about it. Any suggestions on things to do in China (Mondays and Tuesdays are off so I can go on small excursions) or on my two week layoff if I get to stay.

 

Alright. I have to get out of this hotel room for a little while so I don’t go crazy. And so housekeeping can come in.

 

We’re getting close to the end now. The company is quite ready for some vacay. Good news is we’ve had two shows cancelled giving us three weeks left with two of those weeks having Golden Days. Woohoo!

 

You’ll certainly hear from me at the end of April if you don’t hear from me before then.

 

Hope you’re all well.

 

Lukas.

 

 

 

I know. I know. IknowIknowIknowIKNOW. I fell off the wagon again. It’s too easy.  I won’t bother saying that I won’t let it happen again, because I will. I won’t mean to, but it’s going to happen. We might as well all deal with it now… well, as soon as we finished this post, ‘cuz I’m here now.

 

Where did I leave off.. Everyone guess what! I’ve been cast as Shrek in the touring company of Shrek the Musical.. just kidding.

 

I don’t remember where I left off, I now it was long ago, and I also know that I am currently too lazy to go look, okay fine I’ll go look.

 

Ok, it was Schenectady. Which means I’ve really missed a lot.

 

Since Schenectady I’ve:

 

-Gone to Rochester, NY; Utica, NY; Waterbury, CT; New London, CT; Knoxville, TN; Lexington, KY; Easton, PA; Worcester, MA; Detroit, MI; Montreal, QC; and Toronto, ON.

 

Rochester- One week. Highlights: Museum of Play, Dinosaur BBQ (Home of Wango Tango Sauce!!!) Hospital visit where I had to explain to one nurse that I didn’t have jaundice.. I just had makeup stains around my eyes, prove to another disbelieving nurse (from my hospital bed) that I was the man she saw play Shrek a few days prior.

 

Utica- A couple days. Highlights:… um.. The Stanley Theatre was perhaps one of the most beautiful theatres we’ve seen, sure amongst the top few, other than that Utica didn’t have a whole lot going on. Threw a great party there. The town itself is one of those towns that dilapidating in a beautiful way, some cool instragram shots came out of Utica.

 

Waterbury- The other couple of days. Highlights: I don’t remember Waterbury too much. I watched 50/50 there, if you haven’t seen it.. RUN to TLA. We kept waiting to hear the Waterbury Palace theme song played before the show, but unfortunately they never did. A few weeks later however we did finally hear it thanks (again) to the one, the only, Kevin Casey who scrounged up a recording for our listening pleasure.

 

New London- One Sunday, two shows. Highlights: I don’t know whether I should consider it a highlight or not, but our production at New London made me laugh so hard. Thank goodness I was laughing, because I probably should have been crying. The theatre in New London, though beautiful, they had a theme inside but I don’t remember what it was because all I remember is squeezing our show into it. Say our show is the size of the Empire State Building.. the theatre in New London would then be the size of my house, which is very small. I would say at the least, 90% of our production values were cut. Most of the drops, most of the set pieces. Merritt rode in on a cardboard horse head on a rod instead of his normal wooden horse. The quick-change areas were set up outside in trucks and rented buses, it was freezing cold and windy. And yet we still received good reviews, so stick that in your bank and smoke it.

 

Knoxville- Half a week. Highlights: Another of my favorite cities. Beautiful city. Beautiful theatre. Just an all around great vibe in this place.

 

Lexington- The other half- I remember almost nothing from the cities that are only FriSatSun cities because I basically spend my whole time in the theatre. Lexington seemed like it was a nice place. All I remember is that I had a wonderful futon in my dressing room. And this was the place where I learned the Jimmy John’s was no longer putting sprouts on their sandwiches. Tragic day that was. Also, I had the pleasure of giving a Shrekking for a family who won tickets to the show/shrekking and otherwise would not be seeing the show. They’d been hit hard in this past couple years, husband injured on the job and out of work, they’d never been to the theatre, didn’t know what to wear even, had to pawn belongings just to get the gas money to get here, but the mother was adamant about coming because she wanted to give her daughters some joy that they don’t get too much of. It was really touching. We made sure to shower them with as many gifts as we could. Beautiful experience.

 

Easton- Half a week. Highlights: meeting up with Mariel (friend from school) and her lovely friend Becky, went out to eat at a casino. Delicious brunches at some eatery called Blue something, I forget. Crayola Factory.

 

Worcester- Half a week. Highlights: Another FriSatSun city. Nice venue. Had ushers dressed in horrendous Shrek costumes that Merritt convinced to come running – nay—dancing down the aisles at the end of the show. Michael’s hometown. First experience with a game called Killer Bunnies… RUN to any game store and teach yourself Killer Bunnies, you will never regret it.

 

Detroit. TWO WEEKS! Highlights- TWO WEEKS! Huge hotel room. I arrived a day early, was flown there to do some voice over recording for the new TV and Radio spots. Cast did a great cabaret event at a local bar/restaurant.

 

Montreal- One Week. Highlights: Montreal is absolutely gorgeous. What a wonderful city, very French for those who don’t know. Beautiful hike up Mt. Royal. Many pretty walks through the city and through the old part of the city, felt like what I assume European cities feel like. Go to the BioDOME. NOT the BioSPHERE. The Biodome is this great indoor zoo place made out of an old Olympic venue. Finally saw some penguins! Underground city.

 

Toronto- Two weeks. Highlights: Feels very much like NYC, but cleaner. Have to ride the metro for 30 minutes to get to and from the theatre. Went to Niagra Falls on the day off.  Still here so maybe some more cool stuff to come on Toronto. Hopng to go up the CN Tower tomorrow and after the show on Sunday afternoon I hope to go to a restaurant called O. Noir. You eat in absolute darkness. Served by blind wait staff. Some of the cast already went and raved about it.

 

 

So that’s where I’ve been lately. Now to where I’m going. Details are still being worked out but the dates and cities seem pretty set now. After this leg of the tour closes on April 29^th (one month from today!!) we’ll have a nice month and a half layoff before heading across the BIG pond to ASIA! Shrek is going *ogre* seas ladies and gentlemen. A week in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, then two weeks off and an entire month in Shanghai, China. They are hoping to work it out in a way that lets us stay over there and explore the world on the two weeks off, but they haven’t completely sorted that out yet. Most of the cast is staying with the company to go over, and about half of the crew. We’re super pumped about it. Any suggestions on things to do in China (Mondays and Tuesdays are off so I can go on small excursions) or on my two week layoff if I get to stay.

 

Alright. I have to get out of this hotel room for a little while so I don’t go crazy. And so housekeeping can come in.

 

We’re getting close to the end now. The company is quite ready for some vacay. Good news is we’ve had two shows cancelled giving us three weeks left with two of those weeks having Golden Days. Woohoo!

 

You’ll certainly hear from me at the end of April if you don’t hear from me before then.

 

Hope you’re all well.

 

Lukas.

 

Hey.
I’m on the bus. Today is our first drive-in day. That means we had a show last night and we got on the bus this morning and will drive to the next city and do a show tonight. It’s interesting to think about actually, as I sit here I hadn’t really given it a thought that it’s actually going to happen. I mean, obviously I knew that was the case, but I didn’t really give it much thought. The real challenge will be Sunday’s drive-in matinee. Michael and I have been joking that we’ll start makeup on the bus and my face will be all crooked and there will be paint in my eyes. In reality that can’t happen anyway because he rides the crew sleeper bus that left last night out after load out and drove through the night. Hopefully the set is already halfway up. Poor crew must be exhausted. I don’t know how Kas and Rory’s clans are doing it. Very thankful for our schedule.
Last night we were in Montgomery, Alabama. I wish I could say it was a lovely city, but I saw absolutely none of it. Unfortunately for me, that’s going to start happening a lot. Because of my makeup call and whatnot on these one and two nighters I’m not going to get a chance to do anything but the show.
That’s actually probably what’s the hardest thing for me right now. It’s not the costume, not the makeup, not the vocal stuff, it’s the fact that I seem to barely see the rest of the clan. It’s awful isolating.
We are now rolling into Tallahassee. Kristin just made the announcements. Apparently Tallahassee is the city with the killer receptions. ICE SCULPTURES! Better start ironing my party dress.

Talk soon.

Lukas.

Hey y’all.

It’s been awhile. I’ve got a bigger post kinda in the works but I wanted to get something up. So here I am. I’ve also added the WordPress app to my phone in hopes that maybe I’d put up tiny posts more often. We’ll see. Anyway. Since I’m already working on a separate recap of the past month I’ll just talk about today’s lovely travel day.
We travelled all day today. By plane. Spent many hours in the airport, but surrounded by good company, so I just don’t give a dalmatian. We took two flights to get from the lovely El Paso to the wonderfully autumn but yet to be explored Little Rock, AK. The plane rides were brief and delightful, though the first was a bit turbulent and the captain made an announcement that made some of us a bit uneasy. Lots of cloud coverage this time around so not too much to look at. There was a golf course just outside El Paso that stuck out in the desert like a green thumb. The second flight allowed for some wonderful golden time above the cloud pictures that I have not yet figured out how to post via WordPress app.

(there we go) The flight was so short that I literally only had time to eat my peanuts above the clouds before we came back down.
And here in Little Rock we are finally experiencing some fall weather. An thus ends my six month summer. Very excited to see normal trees again. Feel some naturally cool air. Maybe spot some pumpkins. But it’s back to Texas and on to Florida and Alabama next week, so we’ll see how long this fall lasts for us. Talk soon I hope.

Lukas.