All Aboard!

Hello readers,

I can't promise these entries will all come as close together as these first two have, but bear with me and I will try to keep up.

When we last left off, I had just left LA after 2.5 months of some very heavy duty rehearsals and arrived in Ft Lauderdale FL. On December 15, we were brought to the pier to board our new home...

THE MS ROTTERDAM





I am happy to report that my room is actually larger than I expected and contains a double bed. (Thank god! I was dreading the possibility of an 8 month twin experience. Not fun when you're over 6 feet). The ship is gorgeous, though not overly large and has lots of fun amenities. Those of you who know me well can probably imagine my joy and relief when I disovered the piano bar. (It's not Marie's, but what can you do?)

However, no rest for the wicked. We arrived late on tuesday night and had to open our first show, LOVE, BROADWAY on Sunday. Now those of you who are in the theatre know how difficult it can be when you've been rehearsing on a flat, stationary floor and then move to your stage which can have different levels and, in this case, a large turntable. For those of you who aren't in theatre...just trust me it's a pain. It was at this time that I also realized another interesting aspect of performing at sea. If you are choreographed to jump into the air, the stage floor might not necessarily be where it was when you left the ground. Bend those knees man! Bend those knees!

Need I mention, this was all in addition to the normal duties of teching a show: Lights, costumes, sound, and again, turntable. Let's just say thank god there are several places on the ship that serve alcohol. However, as all performers do, we just kept pushing forward and the crazy jigsaw puzzle of our show started to come together.

Of course, it didn't help that in addition to putting the show together, we also had to get aclimated to being on the ship. Nobody has gotten seasick (yet), but it doesn't help matters when you are told to be in the crew mess hall at 7:30 AM for safety meeting after safety meeting after safety meeting. My life jacket fits and I think, if there is an emergency, my job is to pretty much smile as the passengers get into the lifeboats. Honestly, there were times where I felt like I had joined the navy. (No wisecracks please)

FINALLY, on December 20th, after almost 3 months of preparation, LOVE BROADWAY premiered in the Rotterdam Showroom at Sea. And folks, we were a hit. Despite those typical opening night glitches, we managed to give that crowd a show that they would be talking about for days to come. (And I know, because I would be there to hear it). Now here is the most interesting part of being a cruise ship performer so far. As soon as you perform your first show, you become a ship celebrity! After our final performance on Sunday, we were invited to the piano bar by our producer for drinks. When we entered the room, you would have thought that Elton John had just entered flanked by Dolly Parton and Paul McCartney. From then on, you can't go to lunch without someone stopping to talk to you. It's a little strange when you aren't used to it. Just last night, another of the singers and I had sat down in the dancing lounge and the leader of the band announced that there were two celebrities in the room and would we be willing to sing a song? Well of course neither of us were opposed to singing (I mean, have you met me?), but to announce us as celebrities? Defintely out of the ordinary for me.

Now I'm sure some of you have said to yourself "Where have you traveled so far?"

WELL...
After a quick stop at HAL's private island, Half Moon Cay, our first stop was...Puerto Rico! I had never been and...well it looked nice from the ship. (Sorry folks, but final dress rehearsal takes presidence). HOWEVER, shortly after, I got to step off the ship for the first time and where better to have your first port of call than...

ARUBA!!!!!




And of course I had to be there on a day when a velociraptor tried to destroy the place!



Don't worry. It didn't get me.

Now we are cruising through South America. Yesterday, we were in Columbia, today, Panama. Was unable to get off the ship because we are currently installing our second show IT TAKES TWO, which will have it's premiere on Christmas night and feature me in a powder blue 3 piece vintage tuxedo. Yes, pictures will follow.

So it is here that I end this installment of my Rotterdam adventure. Have a wonderful and happy holiday and I will get back on here soon after IT TAKES TWO premieres.

Happy Holidays!
Ciao for now!