Friday, July 16, 2010

An Epilogue

I'm sitting in a Barnes and Noble on the Upper East side as I pen this remembrance, which seems like a rather appropriate place to reflect on nearly six months of touring. After all, Theatreworks actors are incredibly adept at locating free internet wherever we may be, and I spent many an afternoon in Barnes and Noble's across this great country typing away at my aging BlackMac to bring the memories documented in this blog.

Tour ended as it should have. Our final performances in Vermont were preceded by a wonderful meal, the "Click Clack Moo Awards" (see Colleen's blog for the results) and an evening of heartfelt reminiscing. Our last two shows were as energetic and fun as anyone could have hoped, the drive home smooth and the goodbyes tearful. I arrived back at my apartment in a state of moderate shock, still unused to the fact that I was now sans-tour, a state I had not found myself in since November of 2009. The security guards in my building inquired where I had been all this time. "Everywhere," I told them. And it was true.

Click Clack Moo
was one for the record books, in the best way possible. Theatreworks tours are famous for creating both lifelong friendships and bitter enemies among their cast members, but this one was an anomaly. I can honestly say that I truly miss all eight (yes, Shaun too!) of the smart, talented and funny actors I got to see the country with. I miss our long dinners, our daily cow jokes, our camaraderie. It's still odd to wake up every morning without seeing Aaron in the next bed over, or eat breakfast without Alaina a table over enjoying her daily bagel. Claire's "claire-ogrophy" has worked its way into my daily life (come up to the zoo and see the new Captain Cocoa entrances; it's all Claire), and the wonder that she and Grace were able to find at the smallest moments still remind me stop and smell the roses. Thanks to Kristen (and a really big hole in my jeans), I now have a new wardrobe, and Colleen and I already have a Bikram Yoga date (something we were planning all throughout tour). And Shaun pops up on Twitter daily, reminding me that, no matter what we all shared together, life goes on, and everyone is bound for new adventures. They are still all a part of my life, perhaps more than they even know.

A few days ago, I had an audition for another Theatreworks tour, one based partially on a sequel to Click Clack Moo. When I entered the audition room, Molly (Theatreworks' casting director) smiled and asked me if I was ready for another few months in a Sprinter van. While I'm always eager to tour (this one would mark number five for me), I think the last six months will retain a very special place in my memory. I made dear friends, worked with outrageously talented performers, saw spectacular places, ate incredible food and performed in venues I could only dream about. This show in particular pushed me to grow as a person and a pro and, together, we created a magical experience for our audiences every single day. I could not be prouder to be a member of the "barnyard family," and to forever be linked to the world that is Click Clack Moo.

Oh, and what did I sing at that Theatreworks audition? "Loretta's Anthem." Of course. And they loved it.