Kansas, Protesters, Show Stoppage, and Steak & Shake

Today we're in Lawrence, KS. We received word that Pastor Fred Phelps and his crew might be protesting outside our show. Fred Phelps is a minister in Topeka KS. They apparently picket outside musical theater shows in the area because gay people are involved in musical theater, are heathens, and the public must be made aware. Here's their website. This is also what Fred Phelps looks like, along with a bio. Mr. Phelps's group is not just anti-gay mind you. You see, America allows gays in it, and therefore, America is evil also. So essentially, they are anti-America as well.

Unfortunatly he was not at our show tonight. We found out later that his group was protesting a funeral in Minnesota of a soldier killed in Iraq. To quote Lewis Black, "I will repeat that." His group was protesting a funeral in Minnesota of a soldier killed in Iraq. How insensitive can they possibly be? I actually wanted them to be at our show tonight; I would've had some pictures to put on the blog.

We had to stop the show tonight too. This is the 3rd time in the past week that this has happened. A leg of power was lost, cutting our stage power for our lights, well 98% of them. So halfway through Act I, the show was stopped for 14 minutes. Thanks to modern technology, I played 3/6 holdem in the pit and IMed with Karen. Yes, a paycheck well earned.

After the show, Jeff the trumpet player and I were going to go to a local brewery called Free State Brewery. Unfortunatly, they closed at midnight, so we did the next best thing. Went to the 24 hour Walmart across the street! I just picked up some mosturizer, this weather has been a bitch on my skin, let me tell you! I contemplated new sweatpants also as my favorites have ripped. I did not buy them.

We then walked to Stake and Shake and severly destroyed our diets. Oh well, a good night nonetheless. Tomorrow, off to Omaha NE, where my new Ipod is waiting for me at the hotel! (Or as our bus driver pronounces it, the HO-tel.) See you guys soon!

NY to Chicago - 2 days or 2.5 hours?

That was the question. Most of the cast took a 2 day bus trip to Joliet Ill, a little outside Chicago. I got to stay home though seeing as our last show on Sunday was on LI. What a difference a day makes.

Karen came out to sit in the pit with me at our LI show. We then met up with Tieds, MB, Dycka and Jess for brunch at the Peter Pan diner, it was really great to see them. Afterwards we stopped by Pete and Jess's to watch Dycka play Xbox fishing for a little bit and see how the house is improving. (Good job guys!)

Monday night was all pizza, beer and 24. Karen and I had a wonderful time like always, it's amazing how good it feels to do nothing sometimes. Just the way a day off should be. This morning I had a car service pick me up, take me to Laguardia and fly to O'Hare. I'm already in the hotel before the bus is even here, so I'm enjoying some alone time, but really wish I was still at home. 26 days to California baby!

Hey Everybody! (Hi Dr. Nick)

Life on the road is better now. This week especially will be alot of fun because I get to see Karen a lot and even get to sleep in my own bed one night. Jen and Patrick and the kids came to see the show yesterday in Ohio. Here's a good pic.


Talking to Jen today, Colin was upset that he didn't get to go on stage while the actual show was going on. They sat through the whole show, and even though we started late and had a long intermission, which puts the show over 3 hours, they were great. I was nervous that they'd cry after the gunshots, but it was some other kids, not them. It was really good to seem them and see what I do, cause honestly, it's been a while.

I just got out of my show now and I'm sitting in my hotel room in awe of my new wireless mouse. I love things that are plug and play. Also, I recently purchased an XM portable radio to bring on tour. I figure when the Yankees start up again and I'm on the west coast, I can listen to an entire home game before I do my show!

On the bad side of things, I don't get to watch the Olympics hardly. I really wish I could watch some curling too....

Greetings from Elmira, NY

I'm sitting in the lounge/bar area of our hotel after a long as hell stretch of shows which has been going on for just under 2 weeks. Honestly, I know I've only been gone for 10 days, but my body has felt like it's been 2 months. I'm frustrated as well. I can't really go into much detail on it, but something just isn't right. Also.....

After just seeing the pics on www.tieds.com, I really wish I could be there to see Will and Erin off to Seattle. It looked like a great time as always, and it annoys me that I wasn't able to be there. Sorry for the venting, but there's only so much you can talk about I guess. This by far wins the most indepth blog yet. Sorry you had to read this...