SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2012

So long, farewell . . .

Well, I was supposed to be on the Norwegian Dawn for another week to continue/finish the installation of the new cast; however, there was a discrepancy with the cabin reservations and there are not enough cabins for all of the staff to stay.  Since so much was accomplished the last week and a half (with the expectation that there might not be any cabins for staff), I was the least essential to stay, so I debarked today.

I was sad to leave, especially the cast, of whom I have grown very fond.  After debarking, I had lunch with Ruben Delgado, the Production Supervisor for Norwegian Productions, and Tiger Martina, then drove home, from Tampa, to South Florida.

While I am very tired, I clearly have my sea legs still on, as the ground is swaying and I can’t walk normally.  OY!

A big “thank you” to all of our veterans, whether at sea, on land, or in the air . . .

*Caveat – the next morning, Monday, November 12^th, while laying in bed, it felt like my bed was “rocking.”  I am so used to ship living after just 12 days . . . I think I like it!  I am ready to go back out, and will resume my writing once I embark on the Norwegian Sun.  Until then, there is much preparation to be done on terra firma . . .

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2012

Today we are in Key West.  We’re only here until 2pm, as we have quite a bit of distance to cover to get back to Tampa by 8am (I think) tomorrow morning.  Alas, once it really is irrelevant to me, as I’ll be in the theatre all day, first for a costume cue to cue in the morning, followed by a full dress rehearsal in the afternoon, and then a 7pm and 9pm performance.  BUT, both rehearsals went well, as did the performances. 

BOLLYWOOD is a ten-year old show, originally created by an outside company that used to produce many of Norwegian’s production shows.  Since Norwegian Productions came into existence and production shows are now produced in-house, this show went through a MAJOR overhaul at the hands of the great Tiger Martina.  Tiger’s creative genius knows no bounds and it has been a true privilege to serve as his stage manager.  He has been more than wonderful including me in the creative process.  This installation is the third (I think) overhaul of the show, with new costumes and changes in the narrative/storytelling, making it more of a “book show” and less of an Indian-culture “review.”  It is a lovely show, has grown on me tremendously since I watched a video of it a month and a half ago, and received a standing ovation at the end of first performance (something I believe it had never received before).  GO, TIGER!

I am proud to be a part of this artistic group and these productions.  I am sorry that my time with both the cast, staff, and these productions has come to an end.  It was tough to say “farewell” to the cast tonight.  I have grown to adore them collectively, and as individuals, and hope that our paths cross again before too long . . .

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2012

City of Miami, evening

Miami Beach, evening

"Miami, Miami, you’ve got style . . . blue skies, sunshine, white sand by the mile."  Yes, I did just quote lyrics from the song that Dorothy and Rose wrote in season two of THE GOLDEN GIRLS.  And I have no problem admitting my adoration for those gals!

Today we are in the Port of Miami.  It is a bit odd, as, when I lived in Miami Beach, starting in 2003, and I worked in downtown Miami, I traveled the MacArthur Causeway daily (well, Monday through Friday) and passed the docked ships.  And, from my favorite hangout at 12^th Street and Ocean Drive (on the beach), I often watched ships set sail, wondering what it was like to be a passenger, much less a crew member.  So, to be looking at the City of Miami, Miami Beach, and the surrounding area from the ship was a weird, though “good,” feeling.  I did get to see these views early in the morning, during breakfast; however, since we rehearsed nearly all day, it wasn’t until after dark that I had the opportunity to take any photos.  And, because we were back in rehearsal in the evening, I wasn’t able to be up on the deck for the 7pm sail.  Alas, I am still loving the work and thrilled to be here . . . it sure beats sitting in a cubicle under fluorescent lighting for 8 hours a day.

We began our tech rehearsal around 10:30am, a bit after it was scheduled, but somehow, even with a half hour lunch break, we were finished at 3:20pm . . . and we were scheduled to go until 4pm!  HUH?!?!?!  How’d that happen?!?!?  I don’t know, but it sure put my mind at ease.  I am confident, as appears to be the rest of the staff, that the show will be ready to open at 7pm tomorrow night . . . this is not something anyone felt 48 hours ago, but our cruise director graciously moved the opening of the show to Saturday (from the originally scheduled Friday), and we’ll now be able to safely, and with artistic integrity, provide the passengers a strong production of BOLLYWOOD.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012

OUCH.  4 hours of sleep is NOT enough!  OUCH.  OUCH.  OUCH.  What possessed me to think that I could keep up with “kids”?!?!  OUCH.  OUCH.  OUCH.

Today was spent rehearsing again, in the morning, followed by some lunch and an attempt at a nap.  I would’ve thought it being a sea day would’ve helped me sleep, but it didn’t in the afternoon.  I barely fell in and out of a light zzzzz.  Still, I felt better after at least laying down for a few hours, followed by a hot shower.

Tiger Martina, the director of BOLLYWOOD, and the one who's doing all of these installations was up all night with the lighting designer so I am now "handling" him . . . ensuring he eats and sleeps . . . I told everyone that he was off limits from 2pm - 6:15pm today!  He was successful at taking his nap!  Hmmmm.

More rehearsal in the evening and a relatively early night to bed with no drinking . . . well, except water . . . I just can't get enough of it!  Is it tomorrow yet?!?!

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2012

Won’t you Charleston with me?!?!  Well, I had hoped not to have a song playing in my head when I woke up this morning, since I don’t know any musicals that take place in South Carolina; however, when I mentioned that to one of the guest entertainers, she immediately reminded me of this song.  Grrrrr.  So, I have had it in my head all day.  Ah well.  I’ve been on board for a week and still haven’t stepped off of the ship . . . fortunately, I appear to have been blessed with strong sea legs.

Today was filled with . . . wait for it . . . hold on . . . here it comes . . . MORE REHEARSALS!   Que surpise!  We went back to working on BOLLYWOOD today, as well as the dance number for the weekly WHITE HOT PARTY, and the MAMMA MIA medley for the weekly 70’s Groove Party. 

Rehearsals are going well, but because of so many other events that take place in the theatre, and complaints about noise in the gym (where we’ve had evening rehearsals), it is really tight.  There was great concern that putting the show up on Friday, as scheduled, would be detrimental to the safety of the performers (there is a LOT of aerial work in the show), as well as the artistic integrity of the show.  Ultimately, the cruise director and I sat down, had a drink, and I explained the concerns to her, gave her a few alternate options/ideas, and she graciously moved the BOLLYWOOD opening to Saturday night!  THANK YOU, Candi!!!

The WHITE HOT PARTY was tonight at 10:15 and I let loose a bit.  I bought ONE scotch . . . ok, it was a double . . . somehow, my hands never held an empty glass all night and by 1:40 I was BEAT . . . I can’t keep up with these 20-something year old cast members!  And I paid for it the next day . . .

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2012

Today was a long day, full of rehearsals of various sorts . . . automation (stage lifts), costume cue to cue, and tech/dress rehearsal.  Tonight we performed THE V-SHOW and it went SURPRISINGLY well, considering we did not have a proper technical rehearsal for it, and our lighting and sound designer didn’t even join the ship until Sunday.  It needs some tweaking, but other than the sound board crashing and having an approximately 30 second hold toward the end of the show, it was great.  The cast is amazing and really made it their own!  I continue to be in awe of their talent.  The audience received the show very well, and the cruise director loves it!

Oh yea, it’s election day . . . who won the presidential election?

The Norwegian Dawn Production Cast & Show Band

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2012

 This morning I woke up with “Good Morning, Baltimore” from HAIRSPRAY in my head.  Why?  Because we’re in Baltimore.  The day started out grey, but by mid-morning, it was sunny and clear, but still too cold for me.

Nothing terribly exciting to report . . . a full day of rehearsals, paperwork, etc.

I’m ready for South Carolina . . . I don’t think there are any musicals written about it.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2012

Today we docked in Norfolk, VA.  After 2.5 days at sea, it was nice to see land again.  We docked right next to the USS Wisconsin, a sister ship to the USS Missouri, which I saw last January at Pearl Harbor.  The USS Missouri is the ship upon which the Japanese surrendered, ending the Pacific portion of World War II, in 1945.

It was very grey, cold, and damp, so it was fine that I was in the theatre almost all day teching THE V-SHOW.  The show is in somewhat rough shape, but our lighting designer boarded today and will work tonight, while our sound designer will board tomorrow and we’ll throw him right into the fire.  The band sounds awesome and I have no doubt that, with tonight’s clean-up in the aerobics studio, and tomorrow’s time on stage, plus a tech/dress rehearsal, it will be fine by the 7pm performance.

I am fighting a little head cold, but I think I’ve nipped it in the bud quickly, and am keeping it from getting any worse.

It was a tough day, but it beats sitting in a cubicle in fluorescent lighting . . .

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2012

For some reason, the ship went off of daylight saving time this morning at 2am.  It doesn’t officially happen until tomorrow, but I guess they decided it was better to do it on a sea day.  So, thanks for the extra hour of sleep!

Today was another full day of rehearsal in the theatre, working on THE V-SHOW (an eclectic mix of musical numbers, interspersed w/ some chit-chat from the cast).  The evening culminated with further dance rehearsal at night.  Prior to that, though, we had a photo shoot for marketing purposes.  Our costume coordinator, Adrian Wise, had the exciting idea to have a variety of looks/costumes/poses from THE V-SHOW.  The following are some photos from the incredibly talented cast, with whom I have the great good fortune to work.  Their talent is astounding . . . and they’re nice people to boot!  I will miss them when I leave this gig . . .

Kyle Kier (Victor, NY) and Zach Blane (Michigan)

Jalynn Steele (Houston, TX)

Simon Breen (Birmingham, UK) surrounded by, starting lower left and rotating clockwise Karlene Pektus (Dance Captain), Amber Madison (Los Angeles, CA), Charlotte Lucas (UK), Lindsey Tulloch (Boston, MA)

Todd Madden (Australia), Desmond Hurt (NYC), Josh Flegg (UK)

Leroy Kemper (Holland), Samee Nann (NYC), Volodymr Kachura (Ukraine)

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2012

Today was spent primarily in the theatre.  We finished the spacing of BAND ON THE RUN, did a sound check with the band, then singers, then a run-through of the show.  It went quite well, considering it was installed in less than two days.  Another daily production meeting, immediately following rehearsal, some paperwork, a light dinner, then dance rehearsal from 7pm-9pm.

I’ve got nothing terribly exciting to report today.  It’s our first full day at sea.  It was pretty overcast most of the day.  A little bit of “rock” here and there, but nothing to cause complaints.  The theatre is in the bow of the ship, so I think we probably feel it more than we would in the stern.  The “rock” is really nice at night . . . I’m reverting back to babyhood in a rocking crib . . . and I think I enjoy it!