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taz_39**DISCLAIMER** The views and opinions expressed in this post are my own, and do not reflect the views or opinions of my employer.
DO NOT RESHARE ANY PART OF THIS POST WITHOUT EXPRESS PERMISSION. Thank you.**
This post covers the weekend.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
FRIDAY
I was up somewhat early to do laundry, then buckled down to figure out what insane travel logistics will allow me to attend the BATB opening night show and party.
Besides, I'd had other plans for the layoff which included
- Visiting a brass shop west of Chicago, which I'd planned months ago
- Now including the BATB party in downtown Chicago
- Flying to PA the day after the party to visit with family
- Driving from Philly airport to my hometown, a 2.5-hour drive + renting a car for the entire visit
- Sharing a hotel room with one sister to help her save costs while in PA
- Driving 2.5 hours back to the airport and flying to Orlando
I had already booked some of this travel, but had only booked the Chicago hotel through the 8th originally. The party is on the 10th so I had to figure out whether/how to change my hotel bookings, and also change my flight to PA from the 8th to the 11th. To compound all of this, I won't have access to a car for the entire time in Chicago, will have to rent a car for the entire time in PA, and will be bringing both my large tour suitcase and bass trombone (both of which will need to be checked for every flight.) Ultimately it's three flights, three hotels, a rental car, and a mysterious number of Ubers and train rides.
All this is to say that it took me several hours to figure out the logistics of this insane plan, because it was not so simple as booking any old hotel room; I also needed to make sure hotels were walkable to/from train stations with large heavy luggage, OR that they were within reasonable Ubering distance of things, plus figuring out how to reach the brass shop which is out in the 'burbs.
Here's what I ultimately came up with:
While I was working all of that out, Jameson was boarding the Magic to start overseeing his first band!
Here is the ship as he was getting ready to board!
And here is the view from his room!
He got emotional after boarding, and I don't blame him. I have watched him work for years to earn this job, and to be recognized for his skills and experience and all that he has poured into Disney as a company. I watched him get rejected over and over again, and get back up each time even though it hurt. He's been AMAZING. And finally he gets to see that all of that effort was not for nothing. So proud of him right now!!!
The rest of my day was incredibly boring. The weather is better but I just do not feel motivated to walk around here with no end goal in mind. I read a little bit, researched things to do in Chicago, snacked, and rested until close to showtime.
View from the pit:
While we were performing through the first act, Jameson started sending me pictures.
He was having dinner at Lumiere's, a Beauty and the Beast-themed restaurant on the Magic!!
Some of the chandeliers contained an enchanted rose!
General view of the space. You can see the characters from the movie in the background/on the walls.
I was so touched and wonderstruck that we were simultaneously having this Disney/Beauty and the Beast career moment, thousands of miles apart. Life is wild and wonderful.
After the show, Koz (a VERY notable Disney producer/composer and Alan Menken's right hand man who is overseeing music on this show) came down to the pit and congratulated us, saying that we sounded "fantastic" and that he'd see us again in a few months when the tour has gotten underway.
I was ELATED! First of all, to have someone of his standing with Disney give a musical compliment is a big deal to me! And secondly, with those words he was signing off on us/what we are doing musically on this show. THIS was what I needed to hear...the final piece of my personal insecurity puzzle. Getting past tech rehearsals, and essentially getting Disney's approval and endorsement for our playing. YES!!!
The upcoming Chicago layoff had also been a point of insecurity for me because that's a time when, if they wanted to find alternative musicians, they could. But my company housing and travel for the next three cities has been confirmed, and they wouldn't be booking that stuff if they planned to ditch me.
I got to go home tonight finally feeling that this is MY gig.
I can stay. I am wanted.
It's such a relief, after months of tension in my heart.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SATURDAY
Got up fairly late. Tired!
Typed up this post and chatted with Jameson. His ship had just docked at Disney's Castaway Cay.
He'll oversee rehearsals today so won't get to explore, but might get a chance tomorrow.
Meanwhile today was our first two-show day!
I was just kind of chilling before the show when my friend Jacob messaged. I'd gotten him house seats (well he paid for them but I reserved them) and he wanted to thank me by taking me to a nearby Italian bakery. Yay cannoli!
I got ready a little early and walked to the bakery to meet Jacob. We each got a cannoli (weeeell I imposed on his generosity and got two, a chocolate and a regular), and he very generously gave me a gift card for Whole Paycheck! My goodness! I want to repay him, but on this tour we're pretty limited as far as sneak peeks and haven't had access to the merch yet either. I'll owe him one :p
We chatted, mostly about theater things because Jacob seems to know everything there is to know about theater industry stuff! For example I found out that Disney has built a permanent office here in Schenectady for one of their directors(?) after Frozen was in the city for a very long period of time. He even showed me the office later as we were walking to pick up his tickets! I'll have to take a closer look when the lobby isn't crammed with patrons.
The cannoli was excellent, by the way :)
The matinee went generally well, I made some weird note mistakes but as my boss on the circus used to say, "You'll miss every note in your book at least once." I can attest that that is very true. Jacob said he had a great time, and added, "When this is packaged on a season with a few non-equity tours, no competition, this is the pick of the season." Awesome!!
After the show we stuck around a bit to receive compliments from some audience members, then we shoved our instrument cases into the road cases to see how they'd fit. For the moment we seem to have LOADS of room, but looks can be deceiving. Still, now we know where to put our stuff when the show moves.
Between shows I ate dinner and rested. The evening show was crazy-packed, with the line for the box office double-looped and stretching in both directions down the arcade/lobby!! Not to mention the queues for the photo ops and the merch stand, all of these lines overlapping and bumping into each other making it hard to get through. And there were SO MANY little girls dressed as Belle! And some adults too. It took me a solid 3-5 minutes to fight my way to the stage door.
This tour...is really going to be unlike any I've ever been on. I need to prepare myself for this.
Turns out I had several friends in the audience including Brittany (audio friend from TOOTSIE) and Jackie Anne (a circus friend and her family.) The show went well/normally, and the audience was so incredibly into it :) After the show my friends all came to the pit wall to say hi. I prioritized Jackie Anne since she had kids and Brittany said she'd wait for me at the stage door. Jackie's daughter was dressed as Belle so I made sure to compliment her dress. We might go get lunch together sometime this week.
For the second time this weekend the band was asked to autograph programs! This is a very new thing...normally musicians are ignored or assumed to be a part of crew. But both at the pit wall after the show, and again at the stage door yesterday and today, kids came up with programs and pens in hand, asking for the musicians and with the page open to the orchestra credits. They are actually specifically looking for us. On other tours this would happen maybe 2-3 times for an entire run. Band and theater kids. If this is gonna be a regular thing...I'm shy about the attention, but it is wonderful to think that young people might be inspired by the live music!! I remember watching pit musicians and feeling jealous of them :p and I was never brave enough to ask for autographs. Anyway, now that it's happened twice it felt worth mentioning.
I found Brittany at the stage door and we caught up a bit, it was great to see her! We only had a brief chat before I had to get to bed and she had to get back on the road. I crashed at the hotel, tired but happy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUNDAY
Woke up with puffy lips, but that is normal as one adjusts to a full playing schedule :)
Had a nice breakfast and was able to relax and chat with Jameson before the matinee. The ship is in Nassau now.
The first show was fine, I want to do better but have got to be patient with myself. Between shows nothing exciting happened, just dinner and chatting with Jameson. Second show I DID do better and was pleased. Not perfect, just better all around. Patience will be rewarded.
After the show DAR (our MD) had a little champagne toast for us, and gave a little speech about how wonderful we've been to work with...but of course HE'S been wonderful to work with as well! I am SO GLAD he's on this tour, he's awesome human being and an excellent, no-nonsense, bada$$ conductor. Overall I think we've got a great group of people here and hopefully that continues for a long time.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday: A day off! I was going to go for a walk in the woods but it's supposed to be 90°F (32°C) again, so instead I might try to find foam for packing my bass trombone. I'm very worried that I'm going to have to fly with it three times in July :( Not sure what I'll do with the rest of the day.
Tuesday: If it cools down I'll do that walk in the woods, then we have one show in the evening.
DO NOT RESHARE ANY PART OF THIS POST WITHOUT EXPRESS PERMISSION. Thank you.**
This post covers the weekend.
--- --- --- --- --- ---
FRIDAY
I was up somewhat early to do laundry, then buckled down to figure out what insane travel logistics will allow me to attend the BATB opening night show and party.
Besides, I'd had other plans for the layoff which included
- Visiting a brass shop west of Chicago, which I'd planned months ago
- Now including the BATB party in downtown Chicago
- Flying to PA the day after the party to visit with family
- Driving from Philly airport to my hometown, a 2.5-hour drive + renting a car for the entire visit
- Sharing a hotel room with one sister to help her save costs while in PA
- Driving 2.5 hours back to the airport and flying to Orlando
I had already booked some of this travel, but had only booked the Chicago hotel through the 8th originally. The party is on the 10th so I had to figure out whether/how to change my hotel bookings, and also change my flight to PA from the 8th to the 11th. To compound all of this, I won't have access to a car for the entire time in Chicago, will have to rent a car for the entire time in PA, and will be bringing both my large tour suitcase and bass trombone (both of which will need to be checked for every flight.) Ultimately it's three flights, three hotels, a rental car, and a mysterious number of Ubers and train rides.
All this is to say that it took me several hours to figure out the logistics of this insane plan, because it was not so simple as booking any old hotel room; I also needed to make sure hotels were walkable to/from train stations with large heavy luggage, OR that they were within reasonable Ubering distance of things, plus figuring out how to reach the brass shop which is out in the 'burbs.
Here's what I ultimately came up with:
- July 4 through 7: Flying to ORD. I booked a hotel in Alsip because it's close to the brass shop I want to visit. Spending one day visiting the brass shop, and for the rest of the time I'll be lying low to save money (hotel was booked using points so it's not costing me anything.) Figure I'll practice bass trombone, go for walks, possibly pick up a transcription job if I think I can finish it before the party.
- July 8: Checking out of Alsip hotel and somehow getting myself and my luggage/trombone to a downtown hotel so I can be close to the Cadillac Theater. This will involve at least one Uber and maybe a train as well, carrying all of my crap. I booked the hotel through Disney and was able to get a decent discount.
- July 8 and 9: Enjoying downtown Chicago! Hopefully I'll get to do at least one Foodie Find. If nothing else it'll just be nice to walk around and experience this great city for a day and a half.
- July 10: Opening night performance of BATB, followed by the opening night party :)
- July 11: Early morning train or Uber to ORD (1 hour.) Flying to Philly, picking up a rental car and driving 2.5 hours to my hometown in Central PA. Checking into hotel with my sister. I used points for the cost of this hotel as well, and the rental car through Disney was 30% off which is an absolute lifesaver.
- July 12: My nephew's birthday party! Most of our family will be there. OHMYGOSH I need to buy a present!!
- July 13 through 15: Visiting with family, helping out where needed, managing misc family dramas that will be coming out when we're all together. Might have to practice bass trombone on one of these days.
- July 16: Driving back to Philly, returning the rental car, flying to Orlando, and being laid off through August 3rd or so. My Aunt may come to visit during this time as well!
While I was working all of that out, Jameson was boarding the Magic to start overseeing his first band!
Here is the ship as he was getting ready to board!
And here is the view from his room!
He got emotional after boarding, and I don't blame him. I have watched him work for years to earn this job, and to be recognized for his skills and experience and all that he has poured into Disney as a company. I watched him get rejected over and over again, and get back up each time even though it hurt. He's been AMAZING. And finally he gets to see that all of that effort was not for nothing. So proud of him right now!!!
The rest of my day was incredibly boring. The weather is better but I just do not feel motivated to walk around here with no end goal in mind. I read a little bit, researched things to do in Chicago, snacked, and rested until close to showtime.
View from the pit:
While we were performing through the first act, Jameson started sending me pictures.
He was having dinner at Lumiere's, a Beauty and the Beast-themed restaurant on the Magic!!
Some of the chandeliers contained an enchanted rose!
General view of the space. You can see the characters from the movie in the background/on the walls.
I was so touched and wonderstruck that we were simultaneously having this Disney/Beauty and the Beast career moment, thousands of miles apart. Life is wild and wonderful.
After the show, Koz (a VERY notable Disney producer/composer and Alan Menken's right hand man who is overseeing music on this show) came down to the pit and congratulated us, saying that we sounded "fantastic" and that he'd see us again in a few months when the tour has gotten underway.
I was ELATED! First of all, to have someone of his standing with Disney give a musical compliment is a big deal to me! And secondly, with those words he was signing off on us/what we are doing musically on this show. THIS was what I needed to hear...the final piece of my personal insecurity puzzle. Getting past tech rehearsals, and essentially getting Disney's approval and endorsement for our playing. YES!!!
The upcoming Chicago layoff had also been a point of insecurity for me because that's a time when, if they wanted to find alternative musicians, they could. But my company housing and travel for the next three cities has been confirmed, and they wouldn't be booking that stuff if they planned to ditch me.
I got to go home tonight finally feeling that this is MY gig.
I can stay. I am wanted.
It's such a relief, after months of tension in my heart.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SATURDAY
Got up fairly late. Tired!
Typed up this post and chatted with Jameson. His ship had just docked at Disney's Castaway Cay.
He'll oversee rehearsals today so won't get to explore, but might get a chance tomorrow.
Meanwhile today was our first two-show day!
I was just kind of chilling before the show when my friend Jacob messaged. I'd gotten him house seats (well he paid for them but I reserved them) and he wanted to thank me by taking me to a nearby Italian bakery. Yay cannoli!
I got ready a little early and walked to the bakery to meet Jacob. We each got a cannoli (weeeell I imposed on his generosity and got two, a chocolate and a regular), and he very generously gave me a gift card for Whole Paycheck! My goodness! I want to repay him, but on this tour we're pretty limited as far as sneak peeks and haven't had access to the merch yet either. I'll owe him one :p
We chatted, mostly about theater things because Jacob seems to know everything there is to know about theater industry stuff! For example I found out that Disney has built a permanent office here in Schenectady for one of their directors(?) after Frozen was in the city for a very long period of time. He even showed me the office later as we were walking to pick up his tickets! I'll have to take a closer look when the lobby isn't crammed with patrons.
The cannoli was excellent, by the way :)
The matinee went generally well, I made some weird note mistakes but as my boss on the circus used to say, "You'll miss every note in your book at least once." I can attest that that is very true. Jacob said he had a great time, and added, "When this is packaged on a season with a few non-equity tours, no competition, this is the pick of the season." Awesome!!
After the show we stuck around a bit to receive compliments from some audience members, then we shoved our instrument cases into the road cases to see how they'd fit. For the moment we seem to have LOADS of room, but looks can be deceiving. Still, now we know where to put our stuff when the show moves.
Between shows I ate dinner and rested. The evening show was crazy-packed, with the line for the box office double-looped and stretching in both directions down the arcade/lobby!! Not to mention the queues for the photo ops and the merch stand, all of these lines overlapping and bumping into each other making it hard to get through. And there were SO MANY little girls dressed as Belle! And some adults too. It took me a solid 3-5 minutes to fight my way to the stage door.
This tour...is really going to be unlike any I've ever been on. I need to prepare myself for this.
Turns out I had several friends in the audience including Brittany (audio friend from TOOTSIE) and Jackie Anne (a circus friend and her family.) The show went well/normally, and the audience was so incredibly into it :) After the show my friends all came to the pit wall to say hi. I prioritized Jackie Anne since she had kids and Brittany said she'd wait for me at the stage door. Jackie's daughter was dressed as Belle so I made sure to compliment her dress. We might go get lunch together sometime this week.
For the second time this weekend the band was asked to autograph programs! This is a very new thing...normally musicians are ignored or assumed to be a part of crew. But both at the pit wall after the show, and again at the stage door yesterday and today, kids came up with programs and pens in hand, asking for the musicians and with the page open to the orchestra credits. They are actually specifically looking for us. On other tours this would happen maybe 2-3 times for an entire run. Band and theater kids. If this is gonna be a regular thing...I'm shy about the attention, but it is wonderful to think that young people might be inspired by the live music!! I remember watching pit musicians and feeling jealous of them :p and I was never brave enough to ask for autographs. Anyway, now that it's happened twice it felt worth mentioning.
I found Brittany at the stage door and we caught up a bit, it was great to see her! We only had a brief chat before I had to get to bed and she had to get back on the road. I crashed at the hotel, tired but happy.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUNDAY
Woke up with puffy lips, but that is normal as one adjusts to a full playing schedule :)
Had a nice breakfast and was able to relax and chat with Jameson before the matinee. The ship is in Nassau now.
The first show was fine, I want to do better but have got to be patient with myself. Between shows nothing exciting happened, just dinner and chatting with Jameson. Second show I DID do better and was pleased. Not perfect, just better all around. Patience will be rewarded.
After the show DAR (our MD) had a little champagne toast for us, and gave a little speech about how wonderful we've been to work with...but of course HE'S been wonderful to work with as well! I am SO GLAD he's on this tour, he's awesome human being and an excellent, no-nonsense, bada$$ conductor. Overall I think we've got a great group of people here and hopefully that continues for a long time.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday: A day off! I was going to go for a walk in the woods but it's supposed to be 90°F (32°C) again, so instead I might try to find foam for packing my bass trombone. I'm very worried that I'm going to have to fly with it three times in July :( Not sure what I'll do with the rest of the day.
Tuesday: If it cools down I'll do that walk in the woods, then we have one show in the evening.
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Date: 2025-06-30 01:59 pm (UTC)