It's Showtime!!

ShowPics
Originally uploaded by cscottredding.

I put together a SMALL collage of photos for your viewing pleasure of the shows. Starting in clockwise fashion from the upper left there's Thank God I'm A Country Boy from "Southern Nights"; Don't Go Breakin' My Heart from "Entertain You" (a welcome aboard show); and Proud Mary from "H2OH!" I filtered through about 400 photos from production team and kept about 150 from the 3 shows. I don't have any yet from the Broadway review. I'm having a great time performing out here. The cast is great. We FINALLY have everyone in whose supposed to be in. It's 3 shows a week plus the welcome aboard so it's a tough load for ships. It'll be nicer in the Caribbean when we have 10 day cruises. It gives us extra time to relax. Signing off for now.

Reality Bites..

Today as I took my Times Fax to breakfast and was reading through the various abbreviated articles I noticed something disturbing about our entertainment industry. TV to be exact. All I can say is are the networks THAT desperate to grab people and make them "veg" on their couches to watch the pathetic reality programs? Are prosperous actors (on million dollar salaries) getting desperate enough to tap into network television and broadcast their lives and other people's lives? Don't they make enough on their own movies, or are they running out of original story lines? Come on folks. I can understand the whole Brittany Spears and Kevin Federline thing. They're just idiots (but not so much apparently since their show got broadcast and they made a buck off it). So I guess then the networks are idiots. The article was talking about reality shows coming out detailing the private lives of iconic figures. Folks. Why should we care? I know. I'm a hypocrite on this matter and it upsets me when I get involved. Humans are curious and we're ALWAYS in each other's business. Gossip is like getting secret information and it feeds that hunger we all have inside of us to know the latest dish. "Desperate Housewives" is the epitome of what happens in neighborhoods all across this country. If you live on a block (well mainly outside of NY City and parts of L.A.) your life is under the view finder. Jane two doors down knows exactly when you walk your dog and take your kids to ball practice. Herb across the street keeps his lawn pristine so that everyone can admire his work and makes sure that he watches how every other man, woman, and child tends to their lawns so he can always be the best. Gloria and Sylvia 2 houses over across the way will call you the moment you come home from work to fill you in on any drama throughout the day and whose kids did what. I grew up with this all my life, and I deal with this in show business as well. I liked TV when you felt like you were watching this story happen through a magic little window. Now, I'm watching home movies. It's reality, or semi-reality for that matter. Hey, I could produce a show now. I don't watch TV much anymore and maybe with all the horrible events happening in this country under our current tyrant leader (that's for another ranting day) people are watching less TV and actually going out and enjoying themselves, exercising, being active, and seeing live shows. Maybe that's why the networks are tapping into our hunger for gossip to get us back on our couches again. I must say, I do enjoy my "Desperate Housewives," but with technology today and the commercialism this country thrives on, I can watch this show any time I want while I'm stuck at home doing bills, laundry, or cooking thanks to DVD players and TIVO. It's also a great way to socialize and bring everyone together once a week for a dinner party as well. Multitasking.
These reality shows don't inspire me so much. I love good gossip as much as the next person, and once and I while I like to pick up a People magazine, Entertainment Weekly, or US to see what's happening in the social lives of our superstars. If they're in my living room every night being themselves, it's a bit much and they're not acting. With the other reality shows, any Joe Schmo can have a job while I'm auditioning my butt off to get an acting gig. Funniest Home Videos used to be funny when it was novel. American Idol used to be funny and inspiring in it's first couple years, but has become a little overproduced now which also goes for The Apprentice. I never really cared for the dating shows, the survivor type or fear factor type shows, or even shows that began this latest craze of icon viewing like The Osbournes and Brittany & Kevin. Instead of good story lines that keep me coming back like Showtime's "Dead Like Me," "Desperate Housewives," "Queer as Folk," or even "Lost." Now we're getting things like "Brittany & Kevin Chaotic" or even soon "Being Bobby Brown." Personally, I think it's a waste of air space and I dread the day that these type shows make their way to my home, the theatre.
Ahh. That was my rant for the day. I guess the whole point I'm trying to make is to get away from obsessive nosiness. It's okay to have a little gossip once and a while. It's inevitable. If we weren't curious, life would be boring. It's when you constantly take the focus off yourself to focus so much on others that it becomes a little crazy. That's why there's a Paparazzi. For those individuals who can't live a day without the latest dish on someone else. TV, Film, and Theatre used to be an "escape" from the reality that surrounds us. It's a chance for me, as an actor, to be someone else for a while or to express an emotion. What fun is it really to sit down and waste time watching someone's supposed real life for an hour or two? As far as the icon actors doing the shows, I think it's laziness and the simple fact this country is capitalistic. Why memorize lines and be someone else, when you can roam through your own house being yourself and still make millions? Personally, I think it's a sell out equivalent to marking the live show you're performing for the hundredth time.
I'm taking life on a new direction to challenge my mind. That's why I'm out here on the open seas. To focus. I got out of focus for a while worrying about the lives of others, I lost myself. It's a hard habit to break. Thankfully I have someone in my life now who keeps me in check once and a while when I start to lose focus. So what am I saying? Well, get out there. My good friend and former partner of many years opened my eyes to living life even when your chips are down. He's doing it right now. My new find keeping me on track and teaching me new things about life. Don't just sit at home and watch the "real" lives of others with their parties and scandals. Have your own parties and scandals. Make your own adventure. Do something in life you've never done. Try something new you've never had. Live life on the edge. After all, you only get one.

Pampering..

Yesterday was a day of absolute pampering. The day started off at 8am as I woke for breakfast so I could spend the next couple hours afterward in the spa. I was on duty as "in port manning" (IPM) so I had to do something for myself. This chest cold of mine has been giving me trouble so the spa manager offered me the key to the thermal suite again so I could sit in the steam room. This suite is a huge bath type place with lots of goodies in store. I went in donning my chic robe provided and my water. I started off in the small steam room breathing in the hot air and loosening the gunk in my chest. Afterwhich I decided to rinse off in the shower. Now these are no ordinary showers. These showers have a cool mist function that shoots out a dose of eucalyptus as well. This felt so good. I tried to nap on the warmed tile recliners, but I was too warm to sleep, so I got in the hot tub. My muscles turned to jello. Another cool mist shower and into the larger steam room. I thought I could do some yoga in there while I was loosening up the phlegm in my chest. I stretched a bit too hard and felt a little dizzy so it was another cool mist shower and this time I did lay down for a bit. One more trip to the steam room and one more cool mist shower and I was done for the morning feeling much better and VERY relaxed. I spent 2 hours in this fabulous suite. Just as I was about to leave I checked on the crew special for an exotic manicure at a very discounted rate. She said to come back in 15 minutes and handed me a tissue of eucalyptus scent to keep my passages open. I came back after dropping some things off in my cabin and enjoyed a full hour of pampering to my arms and hands. She cut, buffed, and moistened my nails then provided a hand and forearm massage. This also included a salt scrub and an application of aromatic oil. She polished me off and that was the end of my first ever manicure. I had a small lunch (since dinner was going to be big) and had a minor disruption. Since I was on IPM duty, I had to participate in the passenger boat drill for all newly embarked guests joining the ship in Skagway. Afterward I caught up on some writing and got ready for dinner. The four of us singers made reservations at the classy Pinnacle Grill restaurant on board. This restaurant is new and part of Holland America's Signature of Excellence upgrade to provide guests with alternate dining options. The cost is only an extra $20 to eat in this fine dining atmosphere. We all got dolled up and went out for the evening. Dinner started off with a complimentary appetizer from the chef. It was a plate of 3 samples. A small spinach kitsch that was to die for. It just melted in your mouth. Next to it was cold shrimp in a tomato salsa on melba toast. Amazing. Finally there was a small spoon of smoked salmon pate. I was going to ignore this, but decided to try it anyway. After much hassle for many years from my good friend, I just couldn't pass it up without a small taste. I've never tasted smoked salmon, cold, that was so good in my life. I ate the whole sample and finished my plate. My Johanssen Riesling came about the time of the tasting and went fabulously with all my appetizers. Next was the Thai chicken soup. It had a coconut base with various vegetables and a squirt of lime. It was orgasmically good. I don't even think Pam Real Thai in NYC could cook up something this delightful. It was a little spicy, but I was feeling a little sassy drinking my Riesling anyhow. Next I ordered crab cakes. I had crab cakes at Steamers in Ketchikan that were to die for. These were almost comparable, but very good. We ordered a bottle of Pinot Noir to go with our meal since 3 of us ordered the filet mignon and one ordered lamb chops. I had the Pinnacle cut (the 7oz portion) medium rare with bernaisse sauce with sides of garlic roasted mushrooms and asparagus with bernaisse sauce. The meal was fantastically delicious and the meat was so tender you could cut it with a butter knife. The wine, although a red, was fabulous and sweet and went well with the meat. I was in heaven sitting in the beautiful atmosphere of this fine dining restaurant being pampered by 3 waiters and a wine steward. The final course was creme brulee. This was no ordinary creme brulee though. This was a tray of 3 different flavors. Vanilla, coffee, and chocolate. I had a cappuccino to compliment. It was pure heaven dissolving in my mouth. What was even more fantastic was the chocolate volcano cake with grand marnier cream that the other 2 ordered. Oh my God!!! This was an evening well spent. This would classify as a $150 meal per person or more in any NYC fine dining restaurant. The cut on the steak and preparation would have cost $35 alone. Those appetizers were amazing. We strolled up to the Crow's Nest at the top of the ship as the sun was setting around 10pm to have freshly squeezed grapefruit martinis. It was a perfect ending to a day of pure decadence. Especially as we were passing through a strip of water with low lying clouds and snow capped mountains. It was also special since this was a date as well as good company with our leading ladies. How much more romantic can you get? I will be so well rested after a day like today.

Taking Things for Granted..

As I was typing letters one sea day I realized how many things on land that I missed. I've been with this fabulous cast for about 8 weeks now. Everyday seeing them, enjoying them, and rehearsing. My days were filled with learning new material, socializing, and cultivating a crush I had on one of my cast members. Not much time to think about anything else. Even the 2 weeks of those 8 at sea were just as hectic. So, when we were given a break (on a sea day), the cast split to take naps, write letters, make calls (those who could), and do other things on their own. This was great because now I had time to catch up with MY friends on land. As I began to type letter after letter, I began to get homesick suddenly. On land I could call a friend whenever I wanted. On land I could make a snack or walk to the convenience store when I wanted. On land I could watch any numerous forms of entertainment available. On land I could walk up the street and visit a close friend or hop on a subway. On land, I didn't have to wear 3-4 outfits a day to accommodate the various places I want to just hang out. There were gatherings with different groups of people, creative outlets, and fun times. Now, the restrictions I'm under all creeped up on me at once. Don't get me wrong. I love it when I'm performing and doing my gig. I love hanging out with cast members. I also love that there's a spark of a love interest happening that could take off. I just think homesickness was a natural reaction for me since my life has been absurdly busy. Since moving to NY there have been social gatherings, work, and other factors. The slow and easy lifestyle here is forcing me to relax and breathe. It's like going into rehab for speed. You get taken off the NY minute of a lifestyle to this relaxed pace and it can drive you crazy at first. It's what I came here for, so I should embrace it. Although it has really given me time to think about things and I hope to savor those moments when I can call a friend, see a show, cook, visit a neighbor, or go to a gathering when I'm back on land. In the meantime I have no obligations. I'm seeing different beautiful places, having 4 square meals prepared for me everyday at no charge, my bed gets made, my room gets cleaned, my linens get changed, I work 3 nights a week out of 7 doing what I love to do, and through all of this I'M getting paid to travel and not the other way around. These are things I should savor right now that I don't get on land. It's a catch 22 really. You make sacrifices to have certain things. If life were perfect, you'd be bored.
On a side note. I should have pictures of places coming soon. I have to get on land and do things first. This is the first week I can do that. I'll post some pics soon of the shows. The shows are going great. We have a really awesome southern show. The Broadway review is okay and our other review is just not up to par with the others. It's the VP's baby though, so perform it I will to my best ability. I hope to get over my sickly cough soon so I can sing out without concentrating so much on technique to get these rafter notes out of me.

A Small Break..

As I type, the ship's staff is pulling up anchor in Ketchikan, Alaska. It's been a rough week. One girl dancer was down for a sprain in her ankle, a boy dancer was flown off the ship for appendicitus, and the other boy dancer slipped in the shower and cut his nose open. Needless to say, we have 2 replacements going in for tomorrow's show that was supposed to be tonight and another one is on the way for the next couple of weeks while appendicitus boy heals. By Sunday, we'll at least have 2 of our dancers back. OY!!!! Other than that we JUST finished the show we are putting up tomorrow. I have a slight chest cold so it's been a rough couple of days. Hopefully I will still have a performance voice for tomorrow. We've been on here a week already and it feels like it's been at least a month or so with all the rehearsals, put-ins, and such. I'm signing off for now. More pictures and stories to come. Now, I must nap. Sleep tight folks.